Chapter 13: When the Mountain Blossoms Bloom in Splendor

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Liang Xiaosheng was from Harbin and was thirty years old that year.

He had an older brother, two younger brothers, and a younger sister, and his family was struggling financially. After graduating from middle school, he joined the Production and Construction Corps to haul timber. Though the work was grueling, he earned forty yuan a month to help support his family. He had begun writing around that time and was one of the corps’ leading literary talents.

In 1974, a professor from Fudan University came to recruit students. The Chinese Department had only two places available, but thanks to his talent for writing, Liang Xiaosheng successfully gained admission to Fudan.

After graduation, he was assigned to the Literature Department of the Beijing Film Studio.

He was not bad-looking, and he had a good job. In theory, finding a partner should not have been difficult. But he was an honest man. At every matchmaking appointment, he would say, “My family bears a heavy burden. My parents are in poor health, and I have to send them more than half my salary every month. Besides, I have an older brother who suffers from mental illness…”

And so, at thirty, he was still unmarried.

His fame could not compare with that of Mo Yan, Yu Hua, or Jia Pingwa, but he was still one of the most representative writers of his generation. He wrote such works as Tonight, the Blizzard Is Coming and Rings of Time. Many years later, the television series The World Between Us, starring Lei Jiayin and Yin Tao, would be adapted from one of his novels.

Of course, he was not famous yet. For now, he was merely a rookie editor.

“Did you say you were from…?”

“The Literature Department of the Beijing Film Studio!”

Liang Xiaosheng’s sudden visit left Chen Jianjun and Yu Xiuli frozen for five seconds. Chen Qi was also quite surprised. He had not expected this particular person to come. He hurriedly said, “Hello, Teacher Liang! I’m Chen Qi!”

“…”

Liang Xiaosheng was even more astonished. After looking him over several times, he asked, “May I ask how old you are?”

“Nineteen!”

“Young and promising!”

He could not help sighing. At thirty, he was already the youngest editor at the Beijing Film Studio, yet here was another extraordinary prodigy. Every position in the film industry relied on experience. An older age meant greater experience. A nineteen-year-old writing screenplays was practically an insult to common sense.

“Hello, hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

He shook Chen Qi’s hand, then sat down in a chair.

“We saw your screenplay several days ago. We kept discussing it, which is why it took us some time to respond. Overall, we approve of it, though there are still some shortcomings. I came today to ask you to revise it.”

“Uh…”

Yu Xiuli opened her mouth, then held back and said nothing, silently listening to their conversation.

At last!

The guesthouse had finally arrived!

Chen Qi was beating drums and ringing gongs inside, but on the surface he wore an expression of mingled delight and helplessness. He did not even know where to put his hands.

“Really? Teacher Liang, you really want me to revise the script? My screenplay actually passed?”

“You could say it passed the first round of review.”

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“Passing the first round is already more than I could have hoped for. I have no problem at all. I can leave right now!”

“No need to be in such a hurry. Revising a script is not something that can be done in a day or two. At the shortest, it may take a month; at the longest, a year. Even once the revisions are complete, when the production team is assembled and filming preparations begin, the screenwriter will need to be present for consultation at any time. Our studio has a guesthouse that provides both room and board.”

Liang Xiaosheng smiled.

“What? Does that mean my son still can’t come home?” Yu Xiuli finally managed to ask.

“Oh, no. He is free to come and go. He can arrange his own time.”

“Dad! Mom!”

Chen Qi turned toward his parents, his eyes glistening with tears, looking innocent and expectant.

Ugh.

Though his parents were completely confused, they had guessed that their son had written something the Beijing Film Studio had taken an interest in. This was a tremendous opportunity. Parents did not hold their children back or spoil their moment. They simply counted their blessings.

Chen Jianjun said, “Teacher Liang, it’s our son’s honor that you’ve taken an interest in his work. We will certainly support him.”

“Good!”

Liang Xiaosheng nodded.

“You’ll probably need some time to pack. How about this? I’ll pick you up at the entrance of the Beijing Film Studio at five tomorrow afternoon.”

“Of course. Thank you for making the trip.”

After Liang Xiaosheng left, his parents went inside, shut the door, and made Chen Qi squat in the corner. They were practically ready to bring out his great-grandmother’s portrait and put him through a full family tribunal.

“Speak! What exactly is going on?”

“How did you get mixed up with the Beijing Film Studio?”

“What else have you been hiding from us, you little rascal?”

“Mom, don’t get upset. Listen to me make something up—no, I mean, let me explain!”

Chen Qi could pluck out a hair and blow it like a whistle. Lies came effortlessly to him.

“I started writing about half a month ago. At that time, I hadn’t decided whether to sell tea for a living. I didn’t have a job, but I always wanted to do something meaningful.

“I happen to like literature. I worked on it in secret and racked my brains until I came up with this screenplay, then submitted it to the Beijing Film Studio. I had no idea whether it would work, so I didn’t tell you. I was afraid of embarrassing myself! I never expected them to select it.”

What do parents think when they discover that their child is talented—talented enough to be called a genius?

Chen Qi could not speak for other families, but Yu Xiuli was first shocked, then overjoyed. She immediately accepted the story without question and exclaimed, “I told you! I told you! Our son was never meant to sell tea. He simply kept quiet until he could astonish everyone. Whoever said that was right—he was always good at writing essays when he was little. It was only going to the countryside that held him back!

“Wait, I think I still have his old composition books!”

“All right, enough,” Chen Jianjun said. “Our boy is leaving tomorrow. Hurry up and pack for him.”

“What’s the rush? I’m going around to spread the news first!”

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“…”

Chen Jianjun wore an utterly helpless expression as he watched Yu Xiuli slam the door and march out like a victorious general. A moment later, voices drifted in from outside.

“Xiuli, why aren’t you asleep yet? Where are you off to at this hour?”

“Oh, how did you know my son wrote a screenplay? The Beijing Film Studio! He’s leaving tomorrow! Honestly, if you hadn’t asked at this late hour, I’d have been too embarrassed to tell you. Where does a person even go to seek justice for such a thing…”

And so on.

Chen Qi did not make a grand announcement. He told only Auntie Wang and Huang Zhanying.

Auntie Wang was already numb. She had barely recovered from being yanked out of the plastic factory’s business when he had been dragged all the way to the Beijing Film Studio. To a grassroots neighborhood official, the Beijing Film Studio was a place far beyond reach.

Huang Zhanying was delighted for him, but could not help feeling melancholy as well.

“Comrade Chen Qi, our tea stall hasn’t been open for long, but you’ve already rendered outstanding service. Business is improving by the day, and this is precisely the time to raise our cups and celebrate our success. Yet now you’re heading off to the literary and artistic front!

“I’ve heard that people on the literary and artistic front are prone to wavering toward the bourgeoisie, and that their style of conduct is questionable. You mustn’t let the glitter blind you.”

“Don’t worry, Comrade Zhanying. My resolve to serve the people will never waver!”

“You two can stop reciting slogans at each other and talk about something practical,” Auntie Wang said, unable to bear it any longer. “Little Chen, are you coming back after you leave? What about your work assignment?”

“I’m only revising a screenplay, not being transferred. I’d like to keep my employment relationship with the cooperative. As for my salary, I don’t need it. After all, I won’t be doing any work here.”

“That’s allowed. And what about the plastic sandals?”

“Didn’t the plastic factory agree? Once the weather turns hot, sell them. You can’t come running to me for everything, can you? I’m not a leader. Besides, I have faith in Comrade Zhanying’s abilities.”

“Don’t worry. I will absolutely guard this post for everyone!”

Huang Zhanying’s reply was firm and resolute.

To be honest, Chen Qi really did not want to give up the tea stall. He could develop it slowly. Who knew? Perhaps it might amount to something in the future.

After giving all the instructions he needed to give, he clasped his hands and said, “When the mountain flowers are in full bloom, we shall meet again!”

“Speak plainly!” Auntie Wang said.

“When the leaders come to inspect the place, let me know. I’ll have to come back!”

(To be continued…)