"It's from the Ministry of Culture!"
Rewinding a few hours earlier to the office, Fu Chi handed him a letter.
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
Chen Qi tore it open and skimmed through. It was brief, but written in a stern tone. Sure enough, it was about *Life Is Beautiful*. A massive dispute had erupted inside the Ministry of Culture, and they were ordering him back for a meeting.
"Uncle, could you help me book a flight? I need to make a trip back to Beijing."
"Leaving today?"
"Today! I'll come back when it's time to head to Cannes. *Life Is Beautiful* is too important; I have to go back and get things sorted. Tsui Hark has *Ghost* well in hand, so leaving it with him is completely fine."
"Xiao Chen, I fully support filming *Life Is Beautiful*. But if you can't reach an understanding with them, what do you plan to do?"
"..."
Chen Qi fell silent for a moment.
He had not decided yet whether to make *Life Is Beautiful* a co-production. Personally, he leaned toward an entirely mainland-produced film because it was meant to represent the mainland in competing for awards. But if communication truly broke down, turning it into a co-production was the only alternative.
That way, it could represent both the mainland and Hong Kong.
Take *Farewell My Concubine*, for instance. Co-produced by Tomson (Hong Kong) Films and Beijing Film Studio, it was technically a joint production. But because the mainland considered it sensitive, whenever *Farewell My Concubine* participated in overseas festivals—including winning the Palme d'Or—it was entered as a representative of Hong Kong.
"Uncle, to tell you the truth, I'd still prefer it to be a mainland production."
"Don't worry. If you run into trouble, come straight to me."
Fu Chi did not mind in the least.
Chen Qi acted without delay. He rushed back to the dormitory to pack his things and headed straight for Kai Tak Airport. Flights connecting the two places were few and far between in these years, so he waited at the airport for quite a while before boarding.
Xiao Geng had not even been able to get a ticket and would have to return later, leaving Chen Qi and Xiao Mo to head out first.
On the plane, Chen Qi organized his plans for the year.
This year would see the release of two films: *Tai Chi 2* and *Orphan*. Sister Xue also had *Mama, Love Me Once More* coming out. As for productions underway, there were *Ghost*, *Tai Chi 3*, and *Life Is Beautiful*.
*Ghost* was progressing smoothly.
The script for *Tai Chi 3* was finished, and with the experience gained from the first two installments, he wasn't particularly worried about it.
*Life Is Beautiful* was the tricky one. If he wanted it completed within the year, preparations had to start now—finding a director, casting actors, and everything else. Even without this issue over the script, he had already been planning to return.
*Sigh, what I lack most is dependable talent who can take charge independently!*
Chen Qi massaged his temples, nursing a headache. Increasing production required a sufficient pool of talent.
What he needed most were seasoned producers and directors—one or two people who could take full responsibility for a project without him having to fuss over it, freeing up his own hands to tackle bigger things.
Where could he find people like that?
Even if they existed, they were the top veterans belonging to the major state studios and would never come to his company.
Chen Qi did not rest even on the plane. His mind spun as he pondered for a bit. *Let's get my cinematographer nailed down first!*
***
Lechunfang.
In March, spring blossomed across Beijing. The willows had sprouted tender green shoots, bringing the world back to vibrant life.
Li Jianqun sat in front of her room with an easel set up, sketching the two trees in the front courtyard. Her presence made everyone tread lightly when walking by, holding their heads high and chests out as they passed—who knew if she might accidentally paint them looking ugly?
Everyone held an inexplicable reverence toward Teacher Li, the way failing students viewed an academic genius. Whatever the reason, showing respect was the right move.
*Swish, swish, swish!*
Her brush moved swiftly. After studying the paper for a moment, she suddenly tore the sheet off and crumpled it up, dissatisfied.
She leaned back, stretching out her hands and legs in a long, vigorous yawn, and peered up at the dreary Beijing sky. "Ha! Never imagined life after graduation would be like this. It's dreadfully boring!"
"Teacher Li!"
All of a sudden, the chubby Dai Hanhan popped up from the side, wearing an ingratiating smile. "Could I bother you with something?"
"What is it?"
"The next issue of the magazine is still short two illustrations. Would you grace us with your brush and help draw them? There's a contributor's fee!"
"Can do!"
"Oh, bless you! You really are deeply sensible and wonderfully gracious! I'll fetch the manuscripts for you right away. This humble one takes her leave..."
Dai Hanhan looked ready to dust off her sleeves and drop into a formal bow. A moment later, she returned carrying the manuscripts. "One more thing. Now that the grass is tall and birds are in flight, our editorial department has decided to go on an outing this Sunday. Why don't you and Old Ji join us?"
"I'm not going. I'm too lazy to move."
"You can't always live like a hermit outside the worldly realm! You have to taste mortal life, take in the spring scenery—maybe you'll find some painting inspiration!"
"Not going!"
"Ah, well, resting at home is fine too. Your health comes first! I'll take my leave now."
Li Jianqun glanced over the manuscripts. One was a wuxia illustration, and the other was an illustration for Zheng Yuanjie's fairy tale. Setting them aside for now, she went back to painting the two trees in the courtyard.
From the nearby office, Liang Xiaosheng's voice occasionally drifted out, discussing the next issue of the magazine.
*World of Wonders* had already published two issues. The first had featured a raffle, and the second announced the winners. Having learned their lesson, they hadn't held the event at the editorial office this time, but rented a venue instead, which had ended up swarmed and chaotic.
Word had it that someone named Feng Xiaogang had won second prize and was grinning so hard he lost a tooth.
*Creak!*
As she painted, she caught the sound of voices outside, followed by the front gate swinging open. A second later, that fellow who had been gone for over a month walked in unexpectedly, dust-covered and carrying his luggage.
"Don't move!"
She raised her brush and pointed at him. "The angle you just walked in at is absolute perfection! Stand there for half an hour!"
"Have you lost your mind? I just got back."
Chen Qi rolled his eyes at her and stepped into the editorial office first. Inside, Dai Hanhan let out a squeal, followed by Liang Xiaosheng's warm greetings and a barrage of lively chatter before things quieted down again.
Emerging from the room, he headed straight for the rear courtyard.
Li Jianqun set to work with swift strokes. A human silhouette sprang to life on the paper, blending into a fine composition with the courtyard, the trees, and the spring scenery. She studied it carefully and nodded. "A wanderer returning home. Now that feels right!"
Chen Qi entered the back courtyard. As always, it was neat and tidy.
Gong Xue was not there, yet her scent lingered everywhere. In the corner of the wall, the soil had been loosened, and a cluster of winter jasmine had been transplanted. Its slender branches spread out, dotted with bright yellow blossoms.
He had rushed back in such a hurry that he hadn't had time to notify anyone.
He hadn't even given Zhong Chuhong a ride.
After freshening up and changing into clean clothes, he was downgraded from a Honda Accord back to a bicycle—a steep regression in technology—and rode off toward Beijing Film Studio.
***
The tongzilou.
Xie Tieli, the renowned director of Beijing Film Studio, was hosting Gong Xue in his home.
As a prominent representative of the Third Generation directors, he held immense influence and would later serve as chairman of the China Film Association. His works included *Early Spring in February* and *Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy*, and he was also the director behind the film adaptation of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.
"I'm preparing a project this year called *The Bao Father and Son*. There's a female role in it conceived as a Jiangnan girl, which suits you very well. Her screen time isn't much, but would you be interested in taking it?"
"I'm sorry, Director Xie, but I already have offers for two films on my hands. I'm afraid I won't have the time."
"I know you're busy, which is why I offered you a role that doesn't require much screen time. Won't you consider it?"
"Well... let me take a look at the script first!"
"That works too!"
Xie Tieli nodded, then asked, "What are the two films you're doing, if you don't mind me asking?"
"One is *Tai Chi 3*, and the other is *Life Is Beautiful*. *Life Is Beautiful* is about the War of Resistance."
"Oh, the War of Resistance is good!"
Having directed model plays in the past, Xie Tieli harbored an obvious distaste for mere entertainment films. "They're actually making a third installment of something like *Tai Chi*? I really don't understand it. You've been doing far too many entertainment pictures. You ought to make works with serious themes. Our ideological awareness cannot afford to fall behind."
"You're right, I'll do my best."
Naturally, Gong Xue did not argue to his face. She humored him with a few agreeable words before excusing herself and leaving.
Once out the door, she wrinkled her nose and gave a quiet huff. "Just because he's a famous director, he thinks he can lecture anyone he wants. Criticizing me is one thing, but criticizing my Ganggang too? *Tai Chi* brought in so much foreign currency..."
Fearing someone might overhear, she cut herself off abruptly and scurried away.
Returning to her dormitory, she had barely settled in when Zhang Jinling knocked loudly and burst through the door, tossing a copy of *Popular Cinema* onto her lap.
"Xiao Gong, the Hundred Flowers Awards are opening for votes again!"
Chapter 295