Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 803: Teaching and Learning
Despite tossing and turning for most of the night and not falling asleep until the early hours, all three of them felt refreshed and energetic the next morning, without any signs of fatigue.

Therefore, you should practice Qigong more often when you have free time. It has benefits, as it makes it easy to fall into deep sleep, and you can easily sleep for four or five hours a day.

Most importantly, it can improve physical health. When your skill reaches a certain level, not only will you be in great shape, but you will also be able to fight against four people with your bare fists, and most importantly, you will be able to win.

Isn't that amazing!

October in Jiangnan is neither too hot nor too cold, although there is a slight chill in the air in the morning. Chen Fan was only wearing a shirt, so he didn't feel cold.

As I opened the door and stepped outside, a breeze blew across the lake, instantly invigorating me. Looking up at the sky, I saw white clouds floating in the blue sky—it was truly a beautiful day.

At that moment, the door next door was also opened, and He Qingsheng walked out carrying a huge enamel mug, still brushing his teeth.

Upon seeing Chen Fan, he immediately spat the foam from his mouth onto the grass and shouted at him, "Your movie is showing today, when are you planning to go see it? Old Lin from the film company reserved dozens of tickets for our unit, why don't you come with me, you can give us a ride on the way."

Chen Fan turned around and walked to the fence, leaning on it as he said, "Uncle He, there's something I'm curious about."

He Qingsheng continued brushing his teeth. "What?"

Chen Fan stared at his toothbrush and asked, "You have a bathroom and a kitchen at home, and only your aunt is here with you, so there's definitely enough space. Why do you insist on brushing your teeth outside?"

He Qingsheng's face darkened. "What nonsense is this? I'm used to it from the countryside, is that not allowed?"

Chen Fan shrugged. "That's just a personal preference. Actually, I just wanted to remind you that there are chemicals in toothpaste water, and if you keep spitting it on the grass, it might harm the plants."

He Qingsheng's face fell. "So you're not coming to the movies with us?"

This film is not only the first film produced by Jiangnan Film Studio, but also the first work of a member of the Jiangnan Writers Association to make a guest appearance as director. As the chairman of the association, not only Comrade Lao He will attend, but also members of the presidium and council will attend.

As for Chen Fan, the person involved, he's elusive and I wonder if he'll have time to go see him today.

However, judging from the conversation just now, I guess this kid probably has other plans.

as predicted.

Chen Fan grinned and said, "You're all veterans, and I'm just a young guy. If I hang out with you, I'll look old. You guys go ahead, I'll take care of things myself."

Just as He Qingsheng was about to speak, Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili, each carrying a bag, came out of the house.

As they locked the door, the two looked in He Qingsheng's direction and then greeted him in unison, "Hello, Uncle He."

He Qingsheng rinsed his mouth, spat the water onto the grass, wiped his mouth casually, and chuckled, "So that's why this kid didn't follow the group. So you guys are here. Alright, the original author, screenwriter, and director are all together now, so you guys go ahead and do your thing."

Chen Fan took out his keys, opened the car door, and waved to him, "Goodbye, Uncle He."

The two sisters waved goodbye and each got into the back seat.

Chen Fan reversed the car out of the yard, and when he drove to the He family's gate, he stepped on the brake and stopped for a moment. He rolled down the window and shouted, "Uncle He, why don't you just take Auntie and go see it by yourself? What's the point of associating with those people?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xu Qizhen walked out from behind the He family's house and shouted at him, "You brat, what did you say?"

Chen Fan pretended not to hear, quickly rolled up the car window, stepped on the gas, and sped away.

Watching the jeep drive away, Xu Qizhen shook her head with a smile, then leaned close to He Qingsheng and whispered, "Hey, Lao He, what's going on with that sister?"

It's one thing for the younger sister to fly all the way here for a reunion, but the older sister always comes along. Although she tries to avoid it on the surface, her actions are quite suspicious.

He Qingsheng snorted twice, turned his gaze away, and said casually, "Isn't everyone outside saying that Xiao Chen's apprentice is a direct disciple, the kind who personally teaches him how to write books? What else could it be?"

After rinsing his toothbrush, he splashed water on the grass, turned around, and went inside.

Xu Qizhen pursed her lips at his retreating figure and muttered softly, "As expected of an old fox who can't be defeated even in a strong wind, he's good at playing dumb."

He then raised his head, frowned, and pondered, "Apprentice? Who spread this rumor? Could it be Old He?"

After thinking for a few seconds without finding a solution, she gently shook her head and sighed, "An apprentice is fine, it's good enough. It's a pity that he's already joined the Shanghai Writers Association, otherwise he could have added a valuable asset to the organization."

As for the true nature of the relationship, who cares?

……

Chen Fan drove onto the main road, and the journey was smooth all the way. He soon entered the city center.

This area was a concession during the Republic of China era and was also the most prosperous place in the provincial capital. The Jiangying Film Studio was located nearby.

However, Chen Fan is not going to the Jiangying Film Studio now, but to a grand theater located on the banks of the Yangtze River with a history of more than fifty years.

Unlike in Shanghai, where Chen Fan wanted to adapt his own works into films, he had to buy tickets himself if he didn't want to owe anyone a favor.

You don't need to do that in the provincial capital.

This place could be considered his stronghold, almost equivalent to Yunhu City. At the slightest sign of trouble, officials from relevant departments would proactively come knocking on his door.

Sure enough, his movie was about to be released, and the manager of the provincial film company personally came to deliver a movie ticket to him.

This movie ticket is no ordinary ticket; it's not a seat, but a private room on the second floor.

When this old-fashioned movie theater was first built, it combined theater and film screening. The audience seating was divided into two levels: the first floor had tiered seating for ordinary audience members, and the second floor had private boxes parallel to the screening room.

Back then, the powerful and wealthy in Jiangnan Province loved to watch plays on the second floor. It was a good location, and more importantly, it made them feel superior.

Normally, on windy days, the private boxes on the second floor of the movie theater are sealed off or converted into storage rooms.

Now that things have changed, the film company took the opportunity to reopen these private rooms and renovate them.

Today's release of "Little Lotus Just Begins to Show Its Tip" marks the first time this technique has been used.

Chen Fan drove to the location, where a long queue had already formed at the entrance of the movie theater.

The line at the ticket office was very long, but it was definitely impossible to buy tickets for today. Getting a ticket for the day after tomorrow would be considered lucky.

The long queue at the entrance was because the cinema had not yet opened.

Jiang Lili leaned against the car window and looked out. "There are so many people. Are they all here to see 'The Little Lotus Just Begins to Bloom'?"

Chen Fan parked the car in an open space across the street and said, "All of them." Jiang Tiantian asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are you so sure?"

She glanced at the posters above the movie theater and said, "There should be other movies playing now, right?"

There were many more movies released this year than last year. The major film studios almost simultaneously entered a period of high productivity, producing a large number of films.

Meanwhile, some previously unknown film studios also set out to make test films.

It must be said that since the reform and opening up, although the National Congress of Literary and Art Circles has not yet been held and the restrictions have been completely lifted, the number of works in the fields of film and literature has increased significantly.

Moreover, it's not just the quantity that has increased, but the types have also increased significantly.

For example, "Love in the Lake" pioneered the genre of romance films, and "Shanghai Spy Shadow" recreated the hardships and dangers of the covert front.

Other films include "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King" from Shanghai Animation Film Studio, "The Rolled Mat" from Xi'an Film Studio, and "Look at This Family" from Beijing Film Studio.

Yes, this movie is directed by Wang Haowei, who is quite familiar to everyone. The main actors are Chen Erxiao and his father, and the female leads are Liu Xiaoqing and Fang Shu. It's a star-studded cast these days.

Then there's the clever "Avanti," the "Little Flower" which has been mentioned countless times in later generations, the biographical film "Li Siguang," the spy drama "The Gunshots of the Secret Service" produced by Changchun Film Studio, and so on.

Therefore, film companies will not lack films to screen this year.

Given that today is National Day, how could all these people queuing up be there to see "The Little Lotus Just Begins to Bloom"?
Hearing Jiang Tiantian's question, Chen Fan turned around and smiled, "It's very simple. The day before yesterday, the department informed the provincial film company that only 'Little Lotus Just Showing Its Tip' will be shown during the three-day National Day holiday."

Jiang Tiantian's eyes widened instantly. "Huh? That works too?"

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Originally it was unlikely, but the leaders of the provincial film company are very optimistic about our film. In addition, it is the first self-produced film in the province, so they are quite proud of it and agreed."

The two sisters exchanged bewildered glances, especially Jiang Tiantian, who suddenly felt uncertain and whispered, "What if the audience doesn't like it? Will they start cursing?"

Chen Fan turned around, patted her head, and laughed, "Even if you lack confidence in yourself, don't you have confidence in me?"

Just how appealing are urban light comedies to today's audiences? Take a look at "Look at This Family" to see. This film is a typical Northern comedy, yet it was a huge hit in the South back then.

Now that Chen Fan has brought a film interspersed with comedic elements from later generations, surely that won't satisfy the audience?!

Jiang Tiantian nudged his palm with her head and said shyly, "I definitely have confidence in you, but I'm wondering if this is unfair to other movies."

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow and said, "You need to look at it from a different angle. It would be very unfair to the entire city's audience if they couldn't see the best movie of the year."

It's definitely unfair. Not to mention that "Love in the Clouds and Lakes" completely killed off "Love in Lushan", his "Shanghai Spy Shadow" directly silenced most of "The Gunshots of the Secret Service". Isn't that unfair to Changchun Film Studio?

However, from another perspective, he has contributed better films to the audience and made a significant contribution to my country's film industry.

Jiang Tiantian looked at him helplessly, "Where is the best movie this year? Aren't the best movies this year 'Cloud Lake Romance' and 'Shanghai Spy Shadow'?"

Chen Fan was slightly taken aback. "Wouldn't you say we're flattering each other?"

Jiang Lili rubbed her arms and said, "Wow, it's not just mutual flattery, it's downright shameless! You two have no shame at all!"

Jiang Tiantian wrapped her arms around her sister's neck, her firm and unwavering demeanor striking, "You talk too much. Who said 'Cloud Lake Romance' was invincible? Did you take back what you said?!"

The two sisters were playfully bickering in the back. Chen Fan laughed for a while, then, seeing that it was almost time, he opened the door and got out of the car. "Let's go see a movie."

Instead of going through the entrance, Chen Fan, holding his VIP ticket, went directly through the cinema's "VIP entrance."

It's actually the staff entrance, located next to a small iron gate near the cinema.

After showing the VIP ticket, the security guard readily allowed me to enter and then called my supervisor to inform them that the guests in box number 3 had arrived.

Led by a staff member, Chen Fan and his two companions went up to the second floor, where the cinema's management was already waiting.

After another round of pleasantries, Chen Fan led the two sisters into the private room.

In front of the private room is a row of openwork railings, below which are densely packed seats. Inside the room is a set of three-sided sofas, and there are fruit plates and tea on the coffee table.

It can be said to be very thoughtful.

Jiang Lili sat down on the sofa and looked around curiously. Before she could say anything, there was a knock on the door.

Chen Fan went to open the door and found that the people from the next two private rooms, number 1 and number 2, had arrived.

Coincidentally, people from the Federation of Literary and Art Circles were in Box 1, and people from the Film Association were in Box 2. As for the Writers Association, they were arranged to be in a cinema near the Cultural Palace Square, where the hall's leaders were also present.

Chen Fan was unconventional because he occupied a private box at the Jiangying Film Studio.

Meanwhile, Secretary Fang and Director Wu of the Jiangying Film Studio went to Box No. 4.

Well, this whole line is full of familiar faces.

After greeting everyone, the movie was about to begin.

Chen Fan had watched this movie several times, but it was the first time for Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili.

As the story unfolds, Jiang Tiantian, seeing a story that feels both familiar and unfamiliar, can't help but turn to look at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan noticed her gaze, immediately turned to look at her, and smiled, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Tiantian's eyes were filled with amazement, "How did you do that?"

She pointed to the big screen and said, "Although the story is still the same story, it seems to come alive after you made only a few changes. What I originally wrote was just a short drama, but you turned it into a comedy, making the characters more vivid and the story even better."

Jiang Lili sat between the two and couldn't help but nod repeatedly, "Yes, the laughter from the audience below never stopped from the start of the movie."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "Actually, it's nothing. When you write articles, you're thinking about breakthroughs. As long as you can fully express the theme, that's enough. When I make movies, I'm thinking about how the audience will react to the plot. If it's just a serious drama, it might be a bit dull, so I thought of adding comedic elements to increase the fun."

He glanced at the audience below the stage, where another burst of laughter erupted. He couldn't help but chuckle, "Looking at it now, the effect is not bad."

Jiang Tiantian's eyes lit up as she looked at him and said, "Then can you teach me this, how to make it look better to the audience?"

Chen Fan coughed lightly and said seriously, "No problem, just pay the tuition, and I guarantee you'll learn it all."

(End of this chapter)