Chapter 390

The classmates in the North Electric '78 acting class were already congratulating Zhang Tielin, saying things like "When you're rich, don't forget us."

"I'll never forget any of you when I make it," Zhang Tielin chuckled, bowing to everyone as if his future were already brilliantly bright.

But when Fang Shu asked him what movie he was in and what role he played, he stammered: "The director and Teacher Wei haven't told me yet—probably another meeting coming up. Wei Ming's writing, Li Hanxiang directing—it'll be great."

Everyone was from the Film Academy; they all knew Li Hanxiang's status—one of Hong Kong's four great directors, a Shaw Brothers legend whose films stirred them more than Xie Jin's, signaling a path to international acclaim.

At that moment, Zhang Fengyi returned. Zhang Tielin watched him nervously. Xie Yuan clapped his good friend on the shoulder and asked: "Fengzi, what movie are you actually shooting?"

"Oh, I forgot to ask the title, but I'm playing the second male lead."

Hearing this, Zhang Tielin's face twisted with subtle pride. When Zhang Fengyi was chosen for "Camel Xiangzi," the whole class thought he'd become the most successful student—yet now he was just playing second fiddle to him.

Zhang Tielin patted Zhang Fengyi's shoulder: "Fengzi, let's work hard together—show this Hong Kong director what we Film Academy kids can do."

Zhang Fengyi nodded: "I'm playing a prince. Don't know if we'll have any scenes together."

Wang Yue, who'd been quiet until now, asked: "You're a prince—so what's Tielin playing? A minister? Or the emperor?"

"Oh him? He's playing an eunuch."

The room fell silent, then burst into laughter. Zhou Lijing, familiar with Zhang Fengyi's mischievous nature, said: "Fengzi, be serious."

Zhang Fengyi looked innocent: "I'm not joking—I really am playing an eunuch. Oh, they've already left. They told me to pass along: meet at Beiyingchang at nine a. . on the last day of this month for a screen test. If it's good, they'll sign the contract."

Seeing Zhang Fengyi's serious expression, Zhang Tielin touched his own delicate face, stunned—was this a movie with an eunuch as the lead?

And what's wrong with playing an eunuch? Acting isn't shameful—so is it Wei Zhongxian or Li Lianying?

Wrong again—it's An Dehai, Li Lianying's predecessor and Empress Cixi's early confidant.

Wei Ming wasn't trying to humiliate Zhang Tielin. In this class, Zhang Tielin was indeed the good-looking, clean-cut type. Last year he'd already starred in the first TV drama produced after Yanjing TV's founding—he'd rise sooner or later. Wei Ming had no problem being a mentor and helping him pick the right path.

People, once they've played a role too many times, start speaking with its flavor.

After going downstairs, Wei Ming ran into Zhang Yimou, who'd come specifically to bump into him after hearing he was on campus.

Wei Ming then introduced Zhang Yimou to Li Hanxiang: "This is China's first generation of cinematographers trained after the Cultural Revolution. He was admitted on pure talent, and now he's the most skilled in the class—you once praised him."

"I did? When?"

"You praised the sequence in 'Ox and Ox Er'—that was his work."

"Oh—that scene with the pile of corpses and Liu Xiaoqing's bare white leg? Strong color contrast. Nice to meet you. So you're a Film Academy student?"

"Yes, an older student—graduating next year," Zhang Yimou replied humbly. "I was just a camera assistant then. I shot that one stretch. The real credit goes to Teacher Wei's script."

Wei Ming waved his hand and asked: "Any news on assignments?"

"Probably Xiyingchang," Zhang Yimou said. "Wu Tianming wants me to work under him."

"Then you've gotten what you wanted."

Zhang Yimou smiled, but the smile was strained. He was ambitious—best to shoot films in Beijing or Shanghai, the two centers.

But it was too hard, too hard. Only Tian Zhuangzhuang from this year's directing and cinematography class went to Beiyingchang, Zhang Jianya to Shangyingchang—the first was the factory chief's son, the second had been a Shangyingchang employee all along, just returning after a few years of study.

Wei Ming patted Lao Zhang's shoulder: "Let's collaborate if the chance comes. I'm off."

Wei Ming and Li Hanxiang and Biaozi returned to the Beijing Hotel. Old Li still wanted to treat them to dinner. Wei Ming: "Already made plans with family. Another time."

"Alright. The two actresses arrive tomorrow. Will you come to the screen tests?"

Wei Ming pointed at the Beijing Hotel: "Here?"

Li Hanxiang: "Is that okay?"

Wei Ming mounted his motorcycle: "Better do it at Beiyingchang. Less confusion later. I won't come."

Old Li: "Hey, I'm not like that—and my body's not up to it anymore."

True enough—he'd had heart surgery two years ago, nearly died, which sparked his desire to return to his roots and come to the mainland, leading to their later collaboration on "The Last Empress."

Wei Ming and Biaozi stopped by Xintiandi on the way—Boss Wei hadn't visited his fashion empire in ages.

Along the way, they'd seen several similar clothing stores—fewer customers than Xintiandi, but even Xintiandi wasn't as packed as in its peak, except during major holidays.

Now, the giant poster at Xintiandi's entrance had been replaced by "South Gong Ying, North Zhu Lin"—they were no longer unknowns, but China's two hottest actresses.

This was a newly commissioned poster—they were now Xintiandi's official spokeswomen. No salary, but occasionally received tens of millions.

Because they'd provided costumes for calendar shoots, the store also displayed smaller posters of Liu Xiaoqing, Li Xiuming, and Zhang Jinling.

Only now, standing here, did Wei Ming remember his company account still held hundreds of thousands owed to him.

Xintiandi's public account held over a million in reserves. Xiao Mei had long been eager to expand. He thought if they doubled or tripled the store size, profits would skyrocket—after years of reform, ordinary people had more money, and consumer desire was growing.

He brought it up again today. Seeing the mural at the airport, he no longer felt like arguing.

"Then start looking for a suitable new location," he said.

Mei Wenhua: "Wonderful! That money finally has a purpose! Big brother, focus on your creations. Biaozi, go shoot your films. Me and Dry Mom can hold up this whole sky!"

Xiao Mei had taken Biao Mom as her dry mother. Though Biaozi was one of three partners, the real work was done by his mother. If they expanded now, they'd likely take control of upstream garment factories.

After chatting with Xiao Mei, Wei Ming returned to Beichi to pick up a few things, then headed straight for Peking University.

First, he visited Professor Wu Xiaoru's home. Old Wei had found him a calligraphy album in Hong Kong—a relic from early Republican China—he wanted to give it to Master Wu Yuru.

Wu Xiaoru and his wife received him: "Father has returned to his old residence in Tianjin."

"Oh, too bad. Please pass it on for me, and convey my and Gong Ying's gratitude."

Wu Xiaoru asked: "Has Gong Ying started filming yet?"

"Yes. She may already be shooting the calligraphy scenes."

In a guesthouse in Suzhou, Gong Ying returned to her room. The air was thick with ink—the ink she had bought was far superior to the crew's, thanks to its high price.

She pulled out a letter—just received from Zhu Lin.

One in Shanghai, one in Suzhou—writing letters was convenient.

Zhu Lin wrote about amusing chats with the original author, Chen Rong: how Wei Ming had composed a new song for Chen Rong's son's Peking University class, and how the literary world feared Wei Ming would abandon literature for music.

Of course, Chen Rong also praised her—this role was Zhu Lin's comfort zone.

Gong Ying replied, first asking if Zhu Lin had received her birthday gift.

She had—Zhu Lin had also received a birthday music card and a plush toy from Wei Ming in Hong Kong.

Gong Ying told Zhu Lin that "The Calligrapher's Passion" would finish location shooting in Suzhou by year's end, then return to Shanghai for interior scenes.

"Then we can live together again." She mailed this letter directly to the old Western-style house—where Zhu Lin occasionally stayed.

After leaving Professor Wu's, Wei Ming went back to Peking University. He'd planned to pick up Wei Hong directly, but Xiao Hong had already left for Uncle Anping's. He did meet Li Aiguo.

"Leonardo, you're finally back! You haven't forgotten our deal, right? In a few days I'm heading back to the U. ."

Wei Ming laughed: "I've got the date marked. Come to my place tomorrow—I'll play it for you live."

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Li Aiguo was with several international students, all curious about Wei Ming's new song. They asked: "Can we come listen too?"

They were all old acquaintances. Wei Ming readily agreed: "Of course."

Electronic music had no sheet music to leak—beyond staff notation, chord markings, and effect parameters, Wei Ming had painstakingly composed this song after studying with Master Gu.

When Wei Ming arrived at Uncle Anping's, Xiao Hong was watching TV with Xi Zi and Le Le.

"Brother, you're finally back! Let's go home tonight!"

"Alright, alright," he glanced at the TV. "Hey, this is 'Black Cat Detective' Episode Two!"

Lu Xiaoyan: "Yes, it's been airing for a while. Only three episodes total, endlessly repeated. Xi Zi's classmates think it's too slow."

"Two new ones are fine. I thought we'd only gotten one in six months."

Soon, the half-hour episode ended. Le Le's song played over the credits—the same tune, but only the chorus.

During dinner, Aunt Lu reported the December circulation of "The Fairy Tale King."

"This month it hit 500, 00—we're now on par with 'Children's Literature'!"

"But your editorial team seems awfully small," Wei Ming chuckled.

Lu Xiaoyan: "Not just small—they're incredibly capable. They're editors and authors both. Still, people are trying to poach them."

Wei Ming knew who she meant: Zheng Yuanjie: "What happened?"

Lu Xiaoyan fumed: "That old Song from the Beijing Writers Association—he's launching a new youth magazine called 'Eastern Youth,' targeting upper elementary, middle, and high schoolers. He wanted to transfer Xiao Zheng over. Luckily, I held him back."

Old Song was Song Fan—Song Dandan's father—appointed chief editor of the new publication.