Who's Crazier

Chen Qi arrived at the soundstage. The set inside was arranged as an interior in Chenjiagou. Filming here was supposed to wrap up over the next couple of days before moving on location. But when he looked around, Li Wenhua was nowhere to be seen, and production had ground to a halt. "Where's Director Li?" "No idea. We were right in the middle of shooting when he was suddenly called away, and Sister Xue was called away too," Li Lianjie said. "No clue where they went?" "Uh, something about an investigation... Neither of them is here right now, so what should we do?" Wang Qun asked. "I'll go find out. You guys pack up for now." Chen Qi turned around and went to see Wang Yang. Wang Yang wore an equally exasperated look. "Someone sent a report letter to the Film Bureau, so people came down to investigate." "Reporting me?" "No. First, accusing Li Wenhua of embezzling production funds; second, accusing Gong Xue of using the backdoor to get into Beijing Film Studio." "That's utter nonsense!" "Of course it's nonsense, but once a report letter is filed, they have to investigate." "Old Director, looks like you've got quite a few dissidents around the studio!" Chen Qi suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Wang Yang. Holding the reins in an environment like this had to be an endless headache day in and day out. Naturally, he knew the real target was still himself—unable to mess with him directly, those people went after the people around him. Even if nothing came of it, it was enough to sicken and harass them. At any rate, the crew halted work temporarily. Li Wenhua and Gong Xue were questioned, as were several others. Chen Qi was also called in for a session, facing two officials from the Film Bureau. "Director Li is a man of upright character; he would never embezzle production funds. I've been with *Tai Chi* from start to finish, so nobody knows better than I do. We can publish every detail of the accounts for everyone to see whether there's any truth to this! "As for Gong Xue, I worked with her back during *Romance on Mount Lu*. In my personal view, she has a wonderful image, solid professional skills, and a kind, gentle temperament—she's never quarreled with anyone. Her transfer into the studio was personally approved by Director Wang because the studio lacked young actresses with potential and wanted to complete the Four Golden Flowers. Calling that 'using the backdoor' is utterly absurd!" "All right, Comrade Little Chen, that'll be all for now. We will continue our inquiries." The officials moved to leave, but how could Chen Qi let them off so easily? "Comrades, there's something I don't quite understand, and I'd like to ask. If these allegations turn out to be false, will the informant be punished?" "There's no need for you to worry about that. We will handle it appropriately." "Then let me ask another thing: as long as there is an accusation, will you come down to investigate?" "Of course. Listening to the voice of the masses is our indispensable duty." "Oh, I see. You comrades truly work hard!" Chen Qi nodded, then changed his tone sharply. "Comrades, I have a grievance of my own to report. I want to lodge a formal report under my real name right now. Will you accept it?" "Uh..." The two officials froze. What was this about? But having just made that claim, they couldn't simply swallow their words, so one said, "If you have issues to report, you can submit written materials..." "I'll write the materials, but I also want to state it orally. You might have heard of me. I'm a returned educated youth who sells large-bowl tea at the Qianmen Cooperative. I've been featured in the *China Youth Daily*. Writing is my hobby, and thanks to Director Wang's high regard, I was seconded here. I am immensely grateful. "I thought I had achieved my life's goal; I thought I could finally fight for my dreams. But who would have thought this place is nothing like what I imagined!" Ignoring their reactions, Chen Qi launched into a tirade: "They style themselves as intellectuals, men of culture, and senior figures in the arts, looking down on a large-bowl tea vendor like me, making things difficult for me at every turn, mocking me with every breath, constantly giving me tight shoes to wear and tripping me up! "That's right, I sell large-bowl tea, but I feel zero shame in my profession! My dozens of fellow educated youth brothers and sisters and I earn our living through honest labor, standing tall under heaven! What right do they have to look down on me? "Is the literary and art circle supposedly superior to everyone else?! "Does the literary and art circle get to hold a sense of privilege?! "Does the literary and art circle get to brazenly, openly, and nakedly discriminate against the working masses?!! "Since you're here today, I demand justice! I'm giving my statement orally now, and afterwards I'll write a report letter listing every single one of those people who discriminate against working people. I have full faith that you will uphold justice for me!" *Hiss!* Both officials turned pale green. A few years ago, words like these would have been enough to drag people out to be paraded through the streets. Although Reform and Opening-Up had begun, the political climate throughout the 1980s remained volatile, and people were still terrified of such ideological accusations. "Comrade Little Chen, keep your voice down! Keep it down!" "Why should I keep my voice down? I have reason on my side, what do I have to fear? The state stands behind the working people, so what should I be afraid of?" "Yes, yes, yes, you're in the right, but this matter... Aiya!" One official was younger and the other older. The younger one lacked experience, but the older one's mind worked fast, and he caught on immediately. He hurriedly said, "Comrade Little Chen, please, whatever you do, don't write a letter! We will look into the concerns you raised. As for the other issues reported to us, we've already investigated them thoroughly—they're completely groundless!" "Really?" "Really, truly!" Good grief—once that massive label of 'discriminating against the working masses' was slapped onto someone, who could bear it? After coaxing and pleading to calm Chen Qi down, the two spun around and walked out, heading straight for Sun Wenjin's office. "Old Sun," the older official said bluntly, "you're in charge of discipline at this studio, and you haven't done your job one bit! As film workers, people should focus on art instead of constantly stirring up trouble!" "..." Sun Wenjin's face alternated between red and white. Hearing that an accusation had been lodged and higher-ups were investigating, he had felt rather thrilled. How had it turned around into him getting chewed out? The Film Bureau officials left midway through their investigation, like building up tremendous momentum only to let out a silent fart, letting the whole thing fizzle out. "That Chen kid is a bit crazy—flipping the table at the drop of a hat, completely ignoring the big picture!" "He doesn't belong to the film industry anyway. How do you regulate a large-bowl tea vendor?" "I heard plenty of people at Beijing Film Studio dislike him. What happens if someone reports his crew again in the future?" "Cold comfort—let whoever wants to come handle it do so, just don't bring me into it!" ... Internal conflict tortures yourself. Going crazy tortures others. Naturally, choose the latter... Chen Qi had plenty of experience, though he was still furious inside. *Damn it! What kind of era is this, filing reports at the drop of a hat? Push me too far, and I'll fucking file reports too. You want to stir up trouble, I'll blow it wide open. If you want a war of words, I'll take it to the streets. Who doesn't know how to play dirty?* Of course, from another perspective, it also showed that this era genuinely valued the voice of the masses—a time when the working class reigned supreme. Before this storm could blow up, he had already stamped it out. He suddenly felt like a lone warrior challenging the prevailing restrictions, protecting those around him, rallying more and more comrades, and inching forward together, step by stubborn step... Night fell. At the entrance of the guesthouse, Zhang Jinling ran downstairs with a chuckle. "I called her down for you. She was hiding in her room crying—go give her some comfort." "Why are you smiling so suggestively?" "Oh, do you take me for a fool? Think I can't see what's going on between you two?" Zhang Jinling tactfully slipped away. Gong Xue lingered at the entryway before slowly walking out, clutching the corner of her hem with red-rimmed eyes. Chen Qi, holding a bag in his hand, looked at her and asked, "Shall we take a walk over there?" "Mm." Below the guesthouse ran a secluded path leading north. In later years, single-story houses would be built here and rented out, but right now there was nothing. The two strolled along. The narrow path was illuminated by only a single streetlamp, quiet and dim. Gong Xue stopped beneath the lamppost, reluctant to walk any further. "It's dark ahead. Let's chat here for a bit, okay?" "Sure. I went home today—guess what I saw?" When a woman is upset, never try to comfort her by dwelling on the painful topic; the more you comfort her about it, the more miserable she feels. Distracting her with another subject—especially one she cared deeply about—was far more effective. Though Gong Xue felt awful inside, she didn't want to leave him hanging. "What did you see?" "Outside a cinema, I saw the poster for *Romance on Mount Lu*. It premieres on July 5th!"