Chapter 187: Gouzi Four Weis (Guaranteed Second Update)

Calculating the expenses, the losses were indeed severe; Lyu Xiaoyan had already decided to cut back on spending—she'd put off buying a color TV and make do with the black-and-white one for now.

But seeing how happy Xi Zi and Le Le were, and thinking about how much material Xi Zi would have to brag about when he returned to school, Wei Anping felt it was all worth it.

Wei Ming also comforted Aunt Xiao Yan: "If Xi Zi really becomes a performing artist someday, this little investment won't mean anything."

Aunt Xiao Yan was uncertain: "A performing artist? Him? Is that even possible?"

"If a suitable role comes up for him in the future, will you still let him act?" Wei Ming asked with a smile.

"I'll let him act, but our family won't put in another penny," Aunt Xiao Yan declared firmly.

It was only because actor salaries were so low right now that Aunt Xiao Yan felt this dilemma.

Gong Ying and Zhu Lin received no paychecks at all; they only got one yuan per day as a subsidy, plus their monthly salaries from their units, which also received some financial compensation from the film studios. But Xi Zi, with no unit affiliation, only got the subsidy.

Actors might have to wait many more years before earning proper fees, which is why Li Lianjie finally couldn't take it anymore after starring in the Three Shaolin Films and decided to leave the system.

At least for the next few years, even top actors and singers couldn't match the earnings of someone like Wei Ming, who was both a writer and screenwriter.

Back at school, Biao Zi and Xiao Mei had just arrived; their cheerful expressions suggested everything had gone smoothly, but neither mentioned their experience riding the sleeper train, fearing Wei Ming would bring up the plane.

Today was May Fourth, and the school held commemorative events all day; in the evening, the Student Union organized a bonfire party, and Wei Ming was invited by the Chinese Department students, who all urged him to release new work.

Liu Zhenyun was especially eager: "If you don't publish a novel, how can I write a review? If I don't write a review, how do I earn my manuscript fees?"

Zha Jianying teased: "Are you not short on money anymore, so you've lost motivation to write?"

Wei Ming had to repeat once again that he was preparing a long novel—and had been doing so for half a year, poring over materials the entire time.

The classmates were deeply impressed, especially student writers like Chen Jiangong and Huang Beijia, who already had some fame; they all felt a surge of determination inside.

Another 1977 cohort member, Su Mu, was more interested in the filming progress of "The Herdsman," which fit his future identity as a professor at the Beijing Film Academy.

So Wei Ming recounted his observations on the set, satisfying the students' curiosity about the film.

The May Fourth Movement held special meaning for many of the school's senior professors; tonight, many professors could be seen walking around campus.

Wu Zuxiang, though too young to have participated in the May Fourth Movement, didn't want to stay upstairs tonight amid all the excitement—he came out to join the crowd and spotted Wei Ming.

"You're back!" he exclaimed, pulling Wei Ming aside.

"What's up, Professor Wu?"

Wu Zuxiang said: "Aren't you looking to buy a house?"

Wei Ming's expression brightened: "Do you have a lead?"

Wu Zuxiang replied: "One of my old friends, also from my hometown, lives in Huayuan Village Overseas Chinese Apartments. We were drinking tea recently, and he mentioned his neighbor is preparing to move abroad and wants to sell their house."

Overseas Chinese Apartments—perfect!

But Wei Ming first asked: "How big is your friend's neighbor's house?"

Too large, and he couldn't afford it.

"I'm not sure of the exact size, but my friend's place is among the smaller ones in that complex—he doesn't have many family members. Still, houses there are very expensive."

"I'm prepared for that," Wei Ming asked again, "When can I go see it?"

"If you're serious, I'll call him right after this and give you an update tomorrow."

"Perfect!"

Later, Wei Ming found Feng Ge to retrieve his motorcycle keys—he'd need it to view the house.

Back in the dorm, Wei Ming began sizing up Biao Zi and Xiao Mei; given the speed they were making money as traders, last time they were a thousand-yuan household, now they were probably already two-thousand-yuan households.

But unless absolutely necessary, Wei Ming didn't want to borrow money; even if he did, he'd prioritize closeness—first borrow from Uncle Anping, then consider Snow Sister and Lin Sister.

The next morning, Wei Ming and Biao Zi went jogging together; both planned to shine at the faculty sports meet.

But halfway through, they spotted an elderly man jogging slowly, yet stubbornly.

Wei Ming quickly jogged over to greet him.

"Uncle Wu, you're working out too?"

Wu Zuxiang smiled: "I've signed up for the sports meet in two days."

"Who dares run faster than you?"

"Nonsense—I'm not the principal, so who wouldn't dare?"

The two laughed heartily; the old man, tired, leaned against a pull-up bar, wiping sweat with a towel, while Wei Ming stopped beside him.

Uncle Wu said: "I called yesterday. My friend will be home after six today, and so will his neighbor—you can go over then. I won't accompany you."

"Alright, I'll bring my uncle along."

Just then, Wu Zuxiang pointed behind Wei Ming: "Your uncle's here."

Wei Anping, dressed in his old military uniform, was also exercising; even in May, he'd switched to a tank top and had signed up for several events at the sports meet.

Wei Ming called Uncle Anping over and asked if he had time after work to accompany him to view the house. When he heard that Uncle Wu had helped Wei Ming find a house in Overseas Chinese Apartments, Uncle Anping was delighted—not because of the house, but because Uncle Wu, such a respected elder, was willing to help. It showed that Xiao Ming had excellent relations with the Chinese Department professors.

He said: "No problem."

Wu Zuxiang said: "Good, I'll write down my friend's apartment number for you."

"What does your friend do? How should I address him?" Wei Ming asked.

"You can call him Uncle Wu too—he's a painter."

Wei Anping immediately guessed: "Uncle Wu, is the Uncle Wu you mean Wu Zuoren?"

"Yes, that's him."

Now Wei Ming understood—Wu Zuoren, the great painter, later long-serving chairman of the Artists Association, a top figure in the art world.

When Wei Ming and Mei Linda had bought paintings at the Friendship Store, they'd seen many of Wu Zuoren's works and eventually purchased one of his ink paintings; his oil paintings were also extremely impressive.

Unlike many artists who learned traditional Chinese painting first, then oil painting, Wu Zuoren was a returnee—he studied Western techniques first, then Chinese painting, and was especially skilled at painting pandas.

It wasn't surprising Wu Zuoren lived in Overseas Chinese Apartments; his paintings sold well internationally, making him one of the first Chinese to move into the complex, and his late wife was foreign.

!

It wasn't surprising either that the two Uncle Wus knew each other—both were titans of the cultural circle; it was natural they were acquainted.

Later, after Wu Zuxiang left, it was Uncle Anping who told Wei Ming: "The two Uncle Wus don't just share the same surname and age—they're also from the same hometown."

"Huh?"

"Haven't you heard of the famous 'Three Wus of Maolin'? The literary artist Wu Zuxiang, the painter Wu Zuoren, and the elder calligrapher Wu Yuru—all three are from Maolin, Jing County, Anhui. They probably even share the same ancestor and family genealogy."

No wonder he'd once been Director of the General Affairs Office—Wei Ming felt Uncle Anping knew the family background of every professor at the school; with such dedication, he'd surely manage the school's property office well.

Wei Ming also knew Wu Yuru—a master calligrapher, ranked alongside Shen Yinmo and Yu Youren, and even a classmate of Wu Hao. His art name was apparently "Mao Lin Jushi."

Wei Ming remarked: "This Wu family is no ordinary clan!"

Many such talent-rich families existed in the south—like the Qian family, the Yu family. Wei Anping added: "I hope our own Wei family can one day match them."

Wei Ming nodded—he absolutely would.

In his past life, Xi Zi, Le Le, and Xiao Hong had all been outstanding; Wei Ming had held them back. But in this life, he'd pull his younger siblings toward greater, brighter glory!

A literary figure, an acting legend, a pop diva, and a mathematician.

One day, when people spoke of the "Gouzi Four Weis," they'd speak of them with such admiration!

Thinking of this, Wei Ming and Uncle Anping both felt a surge of passion; they raced a thousand meters together.

No wonder he'd been a soldier—37-year-old Uncle Anping, still formidable, finished just one body-length ahead of Wei Ming.

Wei Anping: I only used 70% of my strength just now. My physical condition is far better than any young man's. If it weren't for the one-child policy, I'd have had a third child for sure!

Wei Ming: Hehe, Old Uncle already gave it his all—but I've still been holding back. Next time we race, I'll win easily!

Today after work, Wei Ming joined the school magazine editors reviewing articles related to May Fourth; he contributed a photo from last night's bonfire party.

He also took time at lunch to develop the photos from his trip to Gansu and Xi'an, including two solo shots of Snow Sister.

One was in her regular uniform, the other in her costume; though her skin wasn't as fair as last year, her overwhelming maternal aura was deeply captivating.

He wondered how long it would take her to shed the role of "mother."

After work, Wei Ming met Uncle Anping at the South Gate; he was accompanied by Xi Zi and Le Le.

Uncle Anping hesitated: "Can the motorcycle fit two adults and two kids? Your aunt just returned to her unit and wants to work overtime."

Wei Ming replied: "Not just two adults and two kids—I've carried four people on this bike before: me, Feng Ge, Biao Zi, and Xiao Mei."

Nearby, Mei Wenhua joked: "Even two more could fit—this bike's a beast!"

After they left, Biao Zi pulled Xiao Mei aside.

"This morning while jogging, I heard Professor Wu from the Chinese Department talking to Ming Ge about buying a house."

"Buy a house!" Mei Wenhua's face flushed with excitement.

He'd never even considered it before—his dream was just to earn enough to rent a place of his own.

"Won't that cost a fortune?" Mei Wenhua asked.

Biao Zi: "Exactly. Ming Ge probably can't even afford it—he's always spending so freely. Don't you think we should chip in?"

Mei Wenhua thought: "If we chip in now, our plan to buy a motorcycle will have to be delayed."

The two had recently discovered a way to resell "imported" motorcycles in Shenzhen and planned to pool money next time to buy a cheap one, without touching their business capital.

"So what? When has Ming Ge ever refused to let us ride his bike? We can just buy the motorcycle later."

Mei Wenhua finally decided: "Alright then!"

(End of Chapter)