Chapter 415

On the second day after returning to Yan Jing, Zhu Lin finally took her luggage back to her parents' home, stating that she wouldn't be leaving for a while and would spend some quality time with the two elders.

However, when dinner time came that evening, she ran off again, saying she wanted to celebrate Little Xue's birthday and would stay there for the night.

It was just as well that homosexuality wasn't prevalent yet; otherwise, Zhu's father and mother would definitely be whispering. Could the son-in-law they had been longing for be Gong Xue? Or perhaps a daughter-in-law?

Today, Wei Ming had gone to the Friendship Store early to order a birthday cake. The size wasn't too big, but it was enough for three people to eat.

It turned out that it didn't seem to be enough. Cream cake placed on a plate was just so-so to eat, and one would feel greasy after eating too much. But if you changed the medium, it was immediately different.

For example, when the cream was smeared on the faces of the two sisters, Wei Ming ate with extra enthusiasm.

Later, to avoid dirtying their clothes, the three of them took off their clothes to eat the cake. What carried the cake was no longer just their faces; at such times, their imagination was suddenly unleashed.

By the time they finished eating, not a drop of cream was left, though some of the cake sponge remained. Eating it was quite exhausting.

At this moment, all three of them were sticky. They helped each other take a shower and lay on the bed with lingering fears. Gong Xue was still worried about the floor they had just dirtied, but unfortunately, she was already powerless and couldn't get up.

After two consecutive days of indulgence, both Gong Xue and Zhu Lin felt they couldn't go on like this. Even if Wei Ming's body could handle it, they couldn't take it anymore. Thus, after Sister Xue's birthday, the three of them started living separately.

It was mainly about Wei Ming living alone, having him return to the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Gong Xue and Zhu Lin still lived together, and then the two of them would take turns being Wei Ming's wife—you on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and I on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

As for Sundays, if they all had time, they would spend the day as a trio. Every Sunday, Wei Ming would be excited and howling like a little calf.

Actually, this was also good. Wei Ming lived alone in the Overseas Chinese Apartment and resumed his normal routine—going to work, writing, getting off work, and his writing efficiency improved significantly.

Finally, a week later, he completed his first English novella.

This novel wasn't easy to write; it took a full four months, whereas he could usually finish a Chinese novel of the same length in half a month if his train of thought was smooth.

Of course, these four months counted as a process of learning while writing. Through the creation of an English novel, Wei Ming felt that his English writing level had improved significantly. If it were now, he could translate a work of *The Lion King*'s difficulty himself.

Of course, there was still a gap compared to his native language writing level. If the work was to be published, it still needed an editor to polish it. So, after making a copy, Wei Ming immediately mailed the copy to Melinda in the UK.

This thing had quite a few pages, and faxing it would be too expensive—probably costing over a thousand dollars. It wasn't that Wei Ming couldn't afford it, but there was no need, and he wasn't in that much of a rush.

If it were one or two pages, faxing it for efficiency wouldn't matter, but for a novella of several dozen pages, it was better to save where possible.

Next, Wei Ming began the Chinese translation of this novel, and he would also send a copy to *Ming Pao* when the time came.

This work was relatively simple, and Wei Ming expected to finish it in about ten days.

During this period, Sister Lin felt bored and wanted to go to work, and she had already officially resigned from her original unit. So, Wei Ming accompanied her on a trip to the Yan Jing People's Art Theatre.

He brought her directly to the office of the president, Mr. Cao. For a nationally popular film star like Zhu Lin, the People's Art Theatre had somewhat complicated feelings about accepting her.

They were worried about whether a film actor's acting skills could keep up with the intensity of the People's Art Theatre and whether she would hold them back, while at the same time, they were looking forward to the contribution she could make to the theatre's attendance rate.

Next, Zhu Lin was taken to handle the onboarding procedures, while Wei Ming stayed behind to chat with Mr. Cao and Yu Yu Shizhi.

Wei Ming asked about the release date of the film version of *Teahouse*. He was quite looking forward to this version, as it basically featured the original cast of the stage play. Not many people across the country could see the People's Art Theatre's plays, but the film's reach would be wide.

"We originally thought about releasing it during the New Year period, but fortunately we didn't; otherwise, who would have come to see us?" Yu Yu Shizhi laughed.

Wei Ming: "*The Shaolin Temple* is indeed too popular. It's been almost two months, and it's still *The Shaolin Temple* in the cinemas."

Yu Yu Shizhi: "So after discussing it with the Beijing Film Studio, we decided to release it next month."

Next month, Wei Ming thought to himself, *Du Du Shiniang* is also being released next month, and it's not to be trifled with either.

Yu Yu Shizhi added: "Our top priority now is to cultivate the younger generation of actors. That *The Story of Two Donkeys* of yours is basically being rehearsed by young actors. I estimate that in a while, we'll be able to sell tickets for it. We are all very optimistic about the box office; it's quite vivid and interesting."

Wei Ming knew about this. The male lead was Yang Yang Lixin, and there was also Liang Liang Guanhua playing the childhood friend, Song Song Dandan playing the village beauty, and Teacher Jin Jin Yaqin playing the female production team leader.

Although a unit like the People's Art Theatre provided an "iron rice bowl" and one didn't have to worry about box office revenue affecting one's livelihood, there were other theatre troupes in Yan Jing. If no one watched their works and the box office was inferior to other troupes, it would tarnish the golden signboard of the Yan Jing People's Art Theatre.

In order to increase the box office and make the golden signboard shine even brighter, the People's Art Theatre was very proactive in launching new plays. Besides promoting young actors and the *The Story of Two Donkeys* which catered to Wei Ming's fan base, Mr. Cao had gone to the United States to lecture some time ago and had specifically visited Arthur Miller with Ying Ruocheng.

Arthur Miller was a giant in the American theatre world, and he also had an ex-wife named Marilyn Monroe, and later a son-in-law named Daniel Day-Lewis.

This time, Mr. Cao, representing the People's Art Theatre, reached a cooperation agreement with Miller, confirming the introduction of Miller's classic play *Death of a Salesman* to China, and Miller would come to China to personally participate in the directing work.

Wei Ming remembered that the male lead of this version was Ying Ruocheng, and the female lead was the theatre veteran Zhu Lin. Perhaps in the future, Zhu Lin could even take over Zhu Lin's mantle.

"Little Wei," after chatting for a while about the situation of *The Story of Two Donkeys*, Mr. Cao and Mr. Yu exchanged glances, and then Mr. Cao spoke up, "That new script you promised us..."

In order to make the People's Art Theatre happily accept Sister Lin's onboarding, Wei Ming promised to dedicate his stage play script debut to the People's Art Theatre, writing an original play script for them. He hadn't even let Sister Lin know about this, but she would definitely know passively in the future, so let her be moved then.

"Mr. Cao, please rest assured. I have it in mind. I've been busy with a novel recently, and I've also taken on the job of adapting the script for *Spring of the Sheep-Herding Class*. Once I'm done, I'll definitely be able to submit the manuscript within this year."

Submitting the manuscript within this year meant it would probably be rehearsed next year, which they could fully accept, as they already had *The Story of Two Donkeys* and *Death of a Salesman* this year.

It was just that because Wei Ming had agreed so readily, the two elders couldn't help but have more room for imagination regarding the relationship between Wei Ming and Zhu Lin.

When Wei Ming went out, Sister Lin was chatting with the old lady Jin Jin Yaqin, and there was also a bright-eyed Song Song Dandan nearby.

After returning from the *Du Du Shiniang* crew, the old lady Jin had joined the *The Story of Two Donkeys* crew, mixing with this group of young people. Usually, she played supporting roles in those big theatre troupes, but this time she finally became the female lead.

Zhu Lin planned to stay at the People's Art Theatre directly today. Wei Ming returned home by himself, and then in the evening, he received a call from the Yan Jing Hotel at the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

"A-Ming, I've arrived. Do you want to come over for a meal?"

It was Li Li Hanxiang who had arrived, on the last day of March.

Wei Ming: "Sure, I'll call someone else."

He called Seeing Biaozi along. And Li Li Hanxiang wasn't alone either; he had brought a middle-aged man and a young man.

The middle-aged man was the cinematographer Yang Lin, whom he had collaborated with before, and who was also the main crew member for his filming in the mainland this time. The other was Liang Liang Jiahui.

Wei Ming wasn't surprised at all to see him, but he was quite surprised that old Li hadn't told him yet that he was to play the male lead. Liang Liang Jiahui still thought he had come to the mainland for a vacation and to do odd jobs for his uncle.

"Mr. Wei, we meet again." Liang Liang Jiahui politely shook hands with Wei Ming.

"Just call me A-Ming. This is A-Biao."

Liang Liang Jiahui: "I've seen your movies. You remind me of a friend of mine, Xu Xu Jinjiang."

"Old Xu, we know him too," Seeing Biaozi said heartily.

Liang Liang Jiahui: "Oh, is that so? We were classmates in the wireless training class."

Having mutual friends, Liang Liang Jiahui quickly started chatting with Seeing Biaozi. He also asked Li Li Hanxiang for permission: "Uncle, can I go out for a stroll tonight? A-Biao says he'll accompany me."

"Remember to bring your documents." Li Li Hanxiang agreed.

Actually, there wasn't much to see in Yan Jing at night, as most shops had closed their doors. Seeing Biaozi planned to take him to the Oriental Plaza, as it had long business hours.

Wei Ming chatted with Li Li Hanxiang about the specific filming plans. Next, he would spend a month on preparations, with filming expected to start in May. They would first shoot the scenes in the capital, including the major scene of the burning of the Old Summer Palace, and then move to the Summer Resort in June to shoot the emperor's northern hunt and the death of Emperor Vanguard Commander and other major scenes.

"Perfect, I should be back in Yan Jing by the time filming officially starts."

Seeing Biaozi was surprised: "Brother Ming, are you going out again?"

"Mm, in a few days I plan to go out of town with the *Journey to the West* crew to film," since he was the chief consultant, Wei Ming still wanted to be responsible for some things, "Seeing Biaozi, do you want to go with me? The *Journey to the West* crew still needs a martial arts instructor. This time it's a trial episode, and I plan to invite people from Hong Kong when official filming begins."

Seeing Biaozi: "Where to?"

"Yangzhou."

"Then, then I'll discuss it with my wife," Seeing Biaozi said.

Yanzi had absolutely no problem with it. With her ability, she could handle things on her own, not to mention the two major helpers of her own mother and mother-in-law. She told Seeing Biaozi to go ahead and venture out with Wei Ming without worry.

The *Journey to the West* crew had initially filmed some temple scenes at the Jietai Temple in Yan Jing. Wei Ming had gone there on the day filming started and saw the four masters and disciples of Tang Seng in full makeup. It looked like the real thing, and he took a group photo of the four of them.

On the second day of *Journey to the West*'s filming, Wei Ming set up a barbecue in the courtyard house in Beichizi and invited the Hong Kong guest Liang Liang Jiahui, with Seeing Biaozi and Xiao Mei accompanying them. The two of them had been accompanying Liang Liang Jiahui to visit famous tourist spots in Yan Jing for the past two days.

Being invited by Wei Ming to be a guest at his home, Liang Liang Jiahui was very happy, even if he had to do the work and cooking himself, he had no complaints, and he even made faces at the cat and dog in Wei Ming's house.

After a while, someone else came to the door—it was Liu Liu Zhenyun and Li Li Chengru.

Liu Liu Zhenyun was invited by Wei Ming. He was about to graduate, and every meeting was one less. Wei Ming had run into him at school when he got off work and told him to come to Beichizi for a meal if he was free after class.

Li Li Chengru had come home after work and smelled the meat in Wei Ming's courtyard house, so he followed the scent over, also finding an excuse about reporting on the filming progress.

Wei Ming introduced them to each other. Hearing that Liu Liu Zhenyun was a talented scholar from Peking University and a provincial top scorer, Liang Liang Jiahui immediately shook hands with him, speaking Mandarin with difficulty.

"A friend from Hong Kong, Teacher Wei really lives up to the saying: All within the four seas are brothers," then Liu Liu Zhenyun looked at Li Li Chengru, "And this brother is?"

Wei Ming said: "Old Li is a bit like A-Hui; both participated in acting training classes. You were at the wireless station, and he was at the Yan Jing Film Academy, which can also be considered our mainland's highest institution for film acting."

"Oh my, excuse my ignorance."

"I'm just from an advanced training class, but our class produced a big star."