Chapter 36: Journey to Mount Lu

The Beijing Film Studio was born and bred in the capital, carrying more prestige than other studios. With a little bit of maneuvering, the General Political Department Drama Troupe released the actors.

And so, the two pairs of actors—Fang Shu and Zhou Lijing, Gong Xue and Tang Guoqiang—officially checked into the guesthouse. This was the true function of the guesthouse: to provide services for film crew members, unlike certain individuals who used it for a free ride.

Not long after, the clothing arrived from Hong Kong.

Historically, "Romance on Lushan Mountain" had forty-three outfits tailored for Zhang Yu. Every appearance was a new look, dazzling the young men and women across the country and making her a fashion icon.

For this pre-production phase, they naturally couldn't buy that many; Fang Shu and Gong Xue each received three sets.

Morning.

It was the height of summer, and the sky brightened early. The master chef at the Beijing Film Studio canteen was top-tier and could cook anything, even roast duck. With summer here, he specially introduced sour plum soup and mung bean soup, one bowl per person.

"There’s a seat here, sit here!"

"Mm."

Fang Shu got her food and found a spot by the window. Gong Xue nodded with a smile, letting her take the lead.

One wondered what the higher-ups were thinking, putting them in the same room. The two were four years apart—one a bold Beijing girl, the other a delicate beauty from the south of the Yangtze River—but sitting together, they were a sight for sore eyes.

"We’re trying on the costumes soon. I heard they were all bought in Hong Kong. I can't wait."

Fang Shu tugged at her short-sleeved shirt and frowned, saying, "Look at what we’re wearing. You could call it men's clothing, you could call it women's. I’ve grown up this big and never really worn 'women's' clothes."

"You look good in everything."

"I know that, and you’re the same. I think you’re incredibly beautiful too."

"Thank you."

"Can you stop speaking in such short bursts? Even though we’re competitors, we can still be good friends!"

Fang Shu didn't think much of her classmates, but she quite liked Gong Xue. Yet Gong Xue was soft-spoken and gentle, like a ball of cotton that left her with no way to exert her energy.

This girl was always one to love and hate openly; when she later married Tu Honggang, she was ten years his senior and even bore him a daughter, only to be abandoned by that scoundrel.

"Oh my, a feast for the eyes, truly a delight!"

On the other side, Ge You looked into the distance with a listless expression. Chen Qi tapped him: "Don't make that face, it looks lecherous!"

"I’m just looking. I wouldn't dare talk to them."

Ge You looked around and lowered his voice: "Honestly, even though the studio has its 'Three Golden Flowers,' us common mortals can't quite appreciate their brand of elegance. These two comrades are different. Look at everyone else—they aren't even as good as me."

"What are you two whispering about so sneakily?"

As they spoke, Tang Guoqiang walked over with his meal. Chen Qi said casually, "We were talking about the costume fitting. The female comrades get to wear beautiful clothes, but you don't, which is quite unfair!"

"Clothes are just appearance!"

Tang Guoqiang tapped his chest, his signature magnetic voice resonating: "A real man should stand upright and act with integrity; he doesn't need to rely on such external things."

"A real man born between heaven and earth, how can he dwell under others for long... right?" Chen Qi laughed.

"Hey, Xiao Chen put that well! A true man of talent!"

Yes, indeed. That was what Lü Fengxian said, and he also added, "Drifting for half a lifetime, I only regret not meeting a wise master..."

Tang Guoqiang sipped his mung bean soup and shared the news he had gathered: "I chatted with Director Wang. She said that once the roles are finalized, we’ll set off for Lushan. We’ll get a feel for the place and film as we go, then come back to build the interior sets at the studio. We have to capture the beautiful scenery, and winter won't do."

"You seem quite confident in your chances?"

"I wouldn't dare be arrogant, but strictly speaking, I have quite a bit of experience."

"That’s true, who else but you?"

Chen Qi curled his lip and glanced back at Zhou Lijing.

This guy was eating alone, showing no interest in talking to anyone or trying to get chummy.

Zhou Lijing was a massive star in the 80s, but in 1994, while he was away filming, his wife hired some migrant workers to renovate their home. Unexpectedly, they turned out to be murderous thieves who killed his wife. Zhou Lijing fell into a long depression, and his mental state suffered. By the time he returned to acting, the industry had long since changed.

...

After the meal, everyone gathered in the studio.

The studios of the future were spectacular, with advanced equipment as if money were no object, and uniform, attractive exteriors. But there was none of that here. The Beijing Film Studio’s stages were just factory buildings made of red brick. The windows were old-fashioned, needing hooks to prop them open to stay aired out.

Wang Haowei and the others were there. The makeup artist was busy with Gong Xue and Fang Shu. Chen Qi wandered around, looking at the clothes.

There was a white suit with a cinched waist, a white shirt with purple flowers and puff sleeves paired with red bell-bottoms, a sleeveless dress, and some jewelry, hair clips, and high heels.

"Are these the most fashionable Western clothes?"

"Bell-bottoms, they really are a mark of the era."

To others, they looked exotic; to him, they looked retro.

"Ready!"

"Time to change! Everyone else, clear out! Be self-aware!"

A simple dressing room was made with black curtains, but the men all filed out anyway. When they returned a while later, they couldn't help but let out a collective "Whoa!"

Before them stood two young, beautiful women wearing the puff-sleeved shirts and red bell-bottoms.

"Zhou Lijing, Tang Guoqiang, stand over there and take some photos!"

The two pairs of actors posed for the camera. *Click, click.*

"..."

Wang Haowei frowned, staring at Fang Shu.

If she dressed simply with two braided pigtails, she had an aura of purity. Once she put on heavy makeup and Western clothes, she instantly transformed into a mature woman. Standing at 172cm, she appeared even more imposing.

Wang Haowei suddenly recalled Chen Qi's description.

Looking at Gong Xue, perhaps due to the makeup, she also seemed a bit unnatural, but that could be improved. What was needed was the overall feeling, and in that, she surpassed Fang Shu. The word "delicate" was the hardest to capture.

"Change to the next set!"

"Change again!"

After trying on all three sets, Wang Haowei knew what she needed.

...

Then followed more meetings—endless meetings—until the cast of "Romance on Lushan Mountain" was finally decided:

Leading lady: Gong Xue, as Zhou Yun.

Leading man: Tang Guoqiang, as Geng Hua.

Supporting actress: Zhang Jinling, as Geng Ying, the male lead's sister.

Zhang Jinling was from the Beijing Film Studio, twenty-eight years old, one year older than Tang Guoqiang. Her image was simple and mature—the quintessential traditional woman who worked hard without complaint. It was often said that the Beijing Film Studio’s "Three Golden Flowers"—Liu Xiaoqing, Li Xiuming, and Zhang Jinling—all had broad faces and a sturdy presence, which was the exact opposite of the Shanghai Film Studio, where the "Golden Flowers" were one more delicate than the next.

With the actors set, Gong Xue was sent to stay at the International Hotel for a week to "experience life." One had to admit, they really spared no expense for filming in those days.

Then the meetings continued. After Chen Qi felt he might throw up from the repetition, the crew finally prepared to depart. They had to rush to capture the beauty of Lushan—they had no choice; they had to finish before winter.

The night before leaving, at home.

The power was out again, so candles were lit on the table. Candles were a luxury—rural families wouldn't even splurge on them, usually settling for homemade kerosene lamps: a glass bottle with a hole poked in the lid, a cotton wick, and a bit of oil to provide dim illumination.

As Yu Xiuli packed his clothes, she complained, "You've only been back in the city for how long, and you're heading off on another long trip? I heard Jiangxi is full of sent-down youth, and the dowries are high—don't let them keep you there!"

"I'm going with the Beijing Film Studio, how could I be kept there?"

"You never know. Do you even know which way the wind is blowing?"

Blowing to the right, of course!

Chen Qi rolled his eyes and comforted his mother: "I’ll definitely write to you. This is a national assignment. As the screenwriter, I have to accompany the crew. I have no choice."

"Take that tape recorder with you. When you miss us, listen to some Teresa Teng," Chen Jianjun said.

"You really are full of fatherly love!"

Chen Qi smiled, a touch of sadness for the departure in his heart. After all, he had grown fond of them. "Dad, Mom, I’ve been at the studio all year, and now I’m heading off again. It’s my fault I can’t be by your side."

Oh!

That one sentence brought tears to both their eyes. For a moment, the family was filled with warmth and harmony.