"This is Big Sister Zhang Jinling!"
"Big Brother Liang Xiaosheng!"
"Sister Liu Xiaoqing!"
Even with those she normally didn't quite get along with, Gong Xue still led her sister around to introduce her, telling everyone that this was her younger sister, and then repeatedly reminding Gong Ying to take her acting seriously, be dedicated to the craft, not throw tantrums, and so forth.
"Aiya, I know, I know! I'm older than Platoon Commander Chen—you think I don't understand that much?"
"Platoon Commander Chen??"
"He told me to call him Chen Zong, so naturally that makes him Chen Zongqi, Platoon Commander Chen."
"Xiao Chen, then you've got some climbing to do," Liang Xiaosheng chimed in. "Above a platoon commander is a company commander, then battalion commander, pacification commissioner, assistant commissioner, vice commissioner, and commander. You've got six promotions ahead of you before you reach the top!"
Liang Xiaosheng had researched plenty of historical records while writing martial arts novels, making him a thoroughly seasoned author now—the kind with a hundred thousand average subscriptions in later terms.
"Forget it. I'm currently the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot. Who cares about the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
Chen Qi didn't mind poking fun at himself in the slightest. Turning to Gong Ying, he said, "Just treat this place like home. If anything comes up, come find me, not your sister. Her temper is far too soft—she doesn't even know how to pick a fight. If anyone bullies you, I'll back you up."
Gong Xue shot him a glare but didn't dispute it, because it was the plain truth.
"All right, if something comes up, I'll come find you!"
Gong Ying wasn't shy either, readily agreeing. She glanced between the two of them with an inner smile, seeing right through their dynamic.
…………
Night fell upon the tongzilou.
Gong Ying naturally slept in the same bed with her older sister.
Sitting on the sofa with her feet soaking in a small washbasin, she sighed with envy. "It's so wonderful for you, Sis. Having such a big room all to yourself, with nobody bossing you around, totally free. I'm already in my twenties, yet I'm still living with Mom and Dad."
"Then hurry up and get married, and try to get an apartment allocated to you."
"I haven't found anyone suitable yet. Besides, the country is promoting late marriage right now, so I'm just answering the call. As for you, are you really planning to get me a younger brother-in-law?"
"What nonsense are you babbling about? What younger brother-in-law? I..."
Gong Xue wanted to share what was truly on her mind, but the words reached her throat and she suddenly lost the urge to speak. She merely shook her head and asked, "How are things with you in the crew? Are you getting along with everyone?"
"Very well! I'm closest with Li Jianqun. Oh, let me tell you, she's so talented! She can design costumes, design stage sets, and paint. I've seen her oil paintings—wow, absolutely professional level."
"She studied fine arts?"
"Mm-hmm, at Shanghai Theatre Academy!"
"Then I'll have to find a chance to chat with her... It's wonderful that she paints..."
Gong Xue smiled. The production designers at the studio were all veteran seniors; it was rare to encounter a young peer who shared her interest, and she hoped they would hit it off.
The two sisters chatted for a little while before climbing into bed. Gong Xue had just settled under the covers when she suddenly covered her face in mortification—that all-too-familiar, breathy moaning had started up again next door.
At first Gong Ying didn't register what it was. When it clicked, her eyes went wide, and she whispered, "They... they're..."
"It's the young couple next door."
"This is downright scandalous! Do they scream like that every day?"
"About three times a week."
"Aiyo, have they lost their minds?!"
Gong Ying didn't envy this apartment one bit anymore. She stroked her sister's head and sighed, "You poor thing, this must be absolute torture."
"Looking to get beaten, are you?!"
Gong Xue pushed her hand away and gave her a light swat. "Go to sleep, go to sleep. It'll stop in a moment."
…………
The next morning.
The crew woke up early and arrived at the soundstage to begin makeup and preparations.
Li Jianqun wore plain mourning attire, her dark hair pinned up neatly. Her eyes, already deep and clear like autumn pools, were accentuated by the sorrowful makeup of a grieving widow, lending her an aching, delicate vulnerability.
Nearby, a young boy and girl were playing together—they played her children in the drama.
The set inside the soundstage had been built in advance. This scene depicted Qin Xianglian, having failed in lodging her complaint, taking refuge in a small town near the capital. There, an innkeeper consumed by lust targeted her and broke into her room to rape her, just as Zhan Zhao arrived to investigate a case, discovered the crime, and rescued her in the nick of time.
"Xiao Chen is here!"
"Yo, Xiao Gong is here too!"
"Gong Xue has arrived!"
A bustling commotion arose at the entrance. Li Jianqun perked up. No matter how formidable Chen Qi was, he remained behind the scenes; to the general public, a red-hot star like Gong Xue was the real idol. Li Jianqun felt awkward rushing her makeup artist, yet worried Gong Xue might leave before she had a chance to say hello.
Just then, the two walked over, accompanied by Gong Ying, who introduced them: "Sis, this is Li Jianqun!"
"Hello, hello! I can't really move right now, please excuse me!"
Li Jianqun felt a bit embarrassed, doing her best to turn her head slightly to explain. Gong Xue chuckled gently. "Don't worry about it, stay right as you are. Xiao Ying mentioned you to me, saying your artwork is incredible."
"No, no, I just doodle blindly."
"You're a professional; I'm the amateur here. Once filming wraps today, if you don't mind, why not come over with Xiao Ying to my dorm room for a visit?"
"Yes, absolutely! Thank you so much for the invitation, I'll definitely come!"
Li Jianqun accepted with great joy. She found Gong Xue even prettier in person than on the silver screen, with a gentle manner of speaking that left a fantastic impression.
Chen Qi looked around the soundstage. Li Po and Zhou Jie hadn't arrived yet. Wang Qun was there, but Chen Qi was already so familiar with him that he didn't even bother exchanging pleasantries. Gong Xue nudged him and said, "Come over with Wang Qun for dinner tonight. The more people, the merrier."
"You're paying quite a lot of attention to that Li Jianqun, even inviting her to your dorm?"
"I heard she studied fine arts professionally, so I'd like to exchange ideas with her. Oh, why don't we invite Director Yang and Teacher Wang as well?"
"Seven people? Will they all fit?"
"It'll be cozy if we squeeze in. I gave all my meat coupons to you, so would you be so kind as to make a trip to the Overseas Chinese Store to buy some good food?"
"Sure, I'll go in a bit..."
Noticing his distracted air, Gong Xue asked, "What are you craning your neck looking for?"
"I'm looking for that lecherous rascal. Why hasn't he arrived yet... Ah, there he is!"
Chen Qi suddenly clapped his hands, nearly bursting into laughter. Zhang Tielin, wearing a gloomy, resigned scowl, was sauntering into the soundstage from outside, flanked by a foolishly grinning Xie Yuan.
The two were brought before Director Yang Jie.
"And you two are?"
"Hello, Director! I'm playing the innkeeper!"
"Hello, Director! I'm playing the inn waiter!"
"Oh, right. Okay, head over to makeup!"
Gong Xue was amused as well. "Why do you always cast him in roles like that?"
"Don't you think he's a perfect fit? Those eyebrows, those eyes, that round face—stick a mustache on him, have him blow through it, and he doesn't even need to act!"
When Chen Qi was writing the script for Justice Bao, he had deliberately tailored a role for Huang'ama, a level of personal treatment on par with Li Lianjie. It was just a pity Tai Chi had not yet screened in mainland theaters; otherwise, audiences across the country would have already witnessed Huang'ama's magnificent presence.
Nor would it be limited to just these two projects. In the future, Huang'ama would appear across films and television dramas in various lecherous villain roles—a man blessed with the ultimate constitution for playing rogues, the President Hou of the 1980s, a veritable National Class 1 Category III actor!
After a flurry of preparations, filming officially commenced.
The setting was a guest room inside an inn. The two children had already been tied up and gagged. Li Jianqun had learned some acting fundamentals during intensive training, but facing the camera for the very first time, she was nervous beyond measure.
Still, the beauty of television dramas compared to movies was that they didn't waste film stock; they used videotape. Otherwise, for an epic like Romance of the Three Kingdoms spanning more than eighty episodes, if it truly had to be shot on celluloid, the project wouldn't even have been approved—not even Jiang Wen would dare squander film stock like that.
"Get ready!"
"Action!"
With Yang Jie's call, the very first scene of Justice Bao was underway.
Li Jianqun tumbled back onto the bed in frantic panic. Zhang Tielin, on the other hand, snapped into character instantly. With a fake mustache pasted above his lip, he rubbed his hands together with a series of lewd cackles and delivered the immortal line Chen Qi had personally added for him:
"Heh heh, little beauty, scream all you want! Even if you scream until your throat breaks, no one is coming to save you!"
Chapter 181