The Transfer

*Knock, knock, knock!* "Come in!" Early that morning, Chen Qi knocked on the studio director's door. Wang Yang was in high spirits. The very first thing he said upon seeing him was, "Xiao Chen, *Romance on Mount Lu* passed censorship!" "Xia Yan gave his personal approval, stating that our ideological direction is sound. That practically settles the film's standing. Don't take that lightly—he represents the principal direction of the entire China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the Federation represents the ideological line of the top leadership." *I’m not taking it lightly at all!* *I know Xia Yan is a heavyweight, and I know that whenever reform begins, literature and art lead the way. Why else do you think scar literature became so popular?* Chen Qi kept his muttering to himself and smiled broadly. "That's wonderful! When can *Romance on Mount Lu* hit theaters?" "July at the earliest. China Film has to hold its second-quarter preview screening first." Wang Yang briefed him on how the preview screenings worked, adding, "Under the new policy, this preview screening actually concerns us directly. How many prints *Romance on Mount Lu* sells will determine how much money we make." "At most, it'll still only be 1.08 million," Chen Qi remarked with a slight curl of his lip. "We only managed to pry even that much out of China Film's clutches. The livelihoods of a million people depend on the film industry—pull a single thread and the whole tapestry unravels. When has any reform ever happened overnight?" Wang Yang had a clear understanding of the situation, but unfortunately, he could not foresee the future. Chen Qi, however, knew what was coming. Over the next four years, China Film would lose sixty million yuan, forcing a second round of reforms that required film studios to assume sole responsibility for their own profits and losses. To make money, the grotesque prosperity of the 1980s would emerge, giving birth to a flood of bizarre commercial films that stopped just short of being outright softcore pornography. His voice carried little weight right now; there was nothing he could do, nor did he want to. A cornered rabbit would leap over a wall, and desperate people would do anything. Only under the crushing pressure of survival in that environment could he climb step by step to the very top, until he finally had the stature to present his own petitions to the heavens! Wang Yang then asked about the progress on *Tai Chi*. Nodding in approval, he said, "As long as it's going smoothly. Regarding that Hong Kong martial arts choreographer, Great Wall helped us out. Find an opportunity to express your gratitude." "Understood!" "Oh, and one more thing. That actress named Gong Xue seems quite good. I've already asked Wang Haowei to coordinate her job transfer." *Hm?* Chen Qi paused in surprise. He hadn't heard about this yet. Lately, he had been entirely focused on the censorship of *Romance on Mount Lu*, and Gong Xue hadn't mentioned anything to him either—probably feeling that since things weren't set in stone, making a fuss about it beforehand wouldn't be wise. Leaving the director's office, he headed over to the soundstage. The training class had been running for half a month now. Scheduled for twenty days, it would wrap up soon. The facial expression and physical movement exercises had progressed from simple to complex, moving from solo to pairs and then group exercises. Chen Qi even contemplated having them stage a group sketch as a "graduation keepsake." "All right, let's call it a day. Everyone did great." "In a few days, when the training class ends, you'll have two days off. Those from Beijing can go home and visit family, and those from out of town can explore. You haven't toured the capital yet, right? It's the perfect chance to do some sightseeing. When we assemble again, the Hong Kong martial arts choreographer should be here, and we'll officially begin filming." The day's lessons flew by in the blink of an eye. Come evening, Chen Qi stopped Gong Xue. Gong Xue did not look to be in the best state, clearly weighed down by anxiety over the matter. Lowering her voice, she said, "It's not that I didn't want to tell you. Nothing was certain yet, so what would have been the point of bringing it up early?" "You didn't go talk to Director Wang?" "She was busy running around in a frantic sweat over the review. How could I have had the cheek to bother her with my personal affairs? Besides, the fuss over *Romance on Mount Lu* was so intense, I kept worrying it might fall through entirely." "Quite the opposite. Think about it: precisely because *Romance on Mount Lu* caused so much trouble, your military unit is probably getting a headache over it. That makes transferring you less of a hassle. Once *Romance on Mount Lu* becomes a nationwide sensation and turns you into a big star, your unit might not even be willing to let you go!" "As if that could happen... A big star..." Gong Xue was coaxed into a smile and pursed her lips. "You always know just what to say!" "Now that *Romance on Mount Lu* has passed censorship, come on, let's go. I'll go with you to see Director Wang!" "Hey, wait! Xiao Chen!" Gong Xue was startled by his sudden burst of initiative as he practically dragged her along to meet Wang Haowei. Wang Haowei was in the middle of cooking in her tongzilou apartment and warmly invited them both to stay for dinner. Chen Qi did not stand on ceremony, picking up his chopsticks and tucking right in before explaining the situation. "Oh my! I completely forgot!" Wang Haowei slapped her thigh, looking thoroughly apologetic. "It was all that chaos with the review. Xiao Gong, don't worry. I'll accompany you to your military unit tomorrow." "Thank you, Director Wang!" Gong Xue said with a nod. "Is your personnel file currently held by the drama troupe?" "Yes. Initially it was assigned to the countryside where I was sent down, then transferred to the art troupe in the military, and later transferred to the drama troupe." "What a winding road. Once you transfer here, it'll have to be moved to the Beijing Film Studio. From then on, we'll be colleagues... and Xiao Chen too, we'll all be colleagues!" "Not me. I sell large-bowl tea!" Chen Qi remained stubbornly attached to this persona. "Who doesn't know you'll end up here sooner or later, unless you refuse to come yourself? Put away the act!" Wang Haowei scolded him teasingly. Having mooched a free meal off Director Wang, the two strolled back toward the guesthouse under the night sky. The weather was growing milder, leaving the harsh winter chill behind. Many workers were out for an evening walk, all noticing the two of them walking side by side. Gong Xue lowered her head under their suggestive gazes, only to lift it again moments later. "If your transfer goes through, will you really settle down and make a home in Beijing?" "I discussed it with my parents, and they support my choice... From now on, when I introduce myself, I'll have to say I'm a Beijing resident whose ancestral home is Shanghai." She let out a soft sigh, tinged with a touch of melancholy. *What is there to feel sad about? Turning from a Shanghai local into a Beijing local—housing prices will top a hundred thousand per square meter in the future!* While Chen Qi was internally scoffing, Gong Xue spoke up again. "By the way, there's something I wanted to mention. If I say it poorly, don't laugh at me... I feel that if Chen Shaomei only knows theoretical martial arts knowledge, her character might seem a bit thin. Could we add something more to her?" "Add what?" "Could she practice throwing darts or shooting a slingshot or something? In short, she needs to know a little something practical." "She looks delicate and frail. Darts and slingshots are both too crude, completely out of harmony with her aesthetic. Let me think..." It was rare for her to take the initiative with a suggestion, so Chen Qi took it seriously. A thought struck him almost immediately, and he said, "Chen Shaomei often goes to play by a small river and likes collecting pretty little stones from the water to carry around with her. Over time, she develops quite a knack for throwing stones. "There isn't much force behind them, but her aim is exceptionally accurate. When she teaches Yang Yugan how to train, Yang Yugan puts on a blindfold, and Chen Shaomei uses thrown stones to help him practice locating objects by sound... Hey, that really works! Not bad, not bad at all!" "You came up with that just like that?" Gong Xue's eyes widened. "It's simple! You think they call me the Fair-Faced Little Genius of Dashilar for nothing?" "Give you an inch and you take a mile—you truly don't know the meaning of modesty." Gong Xue shook her head with an amused sigh. Seeing that they had reached the guesthouse, she added, "Since you entrusted this role to me, rest assured, I'll definitely do it justice. I'm heading upstairs now!" With that, she waved her hand and ran ahead. "Sister Xue, see you tomorrow!" When that rascal called out after her, she looked back, glared at him, blushed again, and hurried upstairs with brisk footsteps. *Ah, what a wonderful big sister!* Chen Qi mused. Lao She once said: *There is very little true feeling left in this world; a woman's blush is worth more than a lengthy monologue. But then came rouge, and one could no longer distinguish sincerity from falsehood.* Though Lao She's own romantic life had been quite eventful, the quote was still a fine one.