1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 143 Unspoken Rules?
After receiving the award, Zhou Xu received some praise.

I was planning to go straight back.

In the afternoon, the doorbell rang.

Zhou Xu opened the door and saw a bright-eyed girl standing there. She was indeed beautiful, but in a fresh and lively way, not the delicate beauty of Liu Xiaoli.

Why did Zhou Xu suddenly think of Fairy Mom again?

"Hello?"

Zhou Xu was surprised, but thought maybe it was just a fangirl from the performing arts troupe trying to gather information? He wasn't surprised at all: "Who are you?"

Liu Xiaoqing smiled and said, "My name is Liu Xiaoqing! You must be Teacher Zhou Xu? I've seen your photo before?"

"..."

"Hiss?" Zhou Xu gasped, then exhaled a breath of hot air.
Liu Xiaoqing, isn't that Jiang Wen's brave and courageous older sister?

"Yes! Comrade Xiaoqing, is there something you need?" Zhou Xu asked Liu Xiaoqing.

Liu Xiaoqing was a ruthless woman, and Zhou Xu, thinking about his upcoming promotion, didn't want to get involved with her.

In 75, Liu Xiaoqing was working at Zhanqi in Chengdu. In order to be transferred to work in the capital, she married Wang Li, a violinist from the General Political Department. However, on the morning of the fourth day after their marriage, Liu Xiaoqing left Wang Li. Wang Li also had a morbid desire to control Liu Xiaoqing... so they often argued.

She had four husbands and countless boyfriends, both young and old. Her second husband, Chen Guojun, even went to the film studio to catch Liu Xiaoqing cheating on her with Jiang Wen. Rumor has it that this 21st-century grandmother also found a younger man to keep as a mistress?

All I can say is 'Amazing!'

Why was Zhou Xu even more averse to Liu Xiaoqing than Liu Xiaoli? Because Liu Xiaoli was scheming! She relied on her looks! Liu Xiaoqing, on the other hand, truly had talent. Otherwise, why was she able to appear on the Spring Festival Gala in 83? And how did she manage to control so many husbands?

Liu Xiaoqing prepared to go inside for a detailed discussion, her two large, watery eyes looking at Zhou Xu: "That Teacher Zhou... it's like this!"

Liu Xiaoqing is definitely good-looking: "I heard that 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain' has already been approved for production this year..."

"Garland at the Foot of the Mountain" was written by Zhou Xu last year. Now, film studios can't just start filming as soon as they have a script. They still need the literature department to review it, and there's a whole bunch of final reviews. At the beginning of this year, Shanghai Film Studio made the final decision to film it! And they've invested one million yuan!

With such big names as director Xie Jin and screenwriter Zhou Xu, there's no one in the industry who doesn't know this novel!

Of course, Liu Xiaoqing is also someone who knows how to seize opportunities! She had just heard that Zhou Xu had come to the General Political Department to receive an award.

Since her husband, Wang Li, was in the General Political Department, she pleaded for a long time before Wang Li finally allowed her to come to the General Political Department to meet Zhou Xu...

"I hope Teacher Zhou Xu can give me a chance to play the role in 'Garland Under the Mountain.' I really like the character Han Yuxiu and have a lot of feelings about her. If I were to act in it, I'm sure I could do a great job!"

At this point, Liu Xiaoqing moved even closer to Zhou Xu, her eyes glistening with tears.

Liu Xiaoqing thought to herself, Zhou Xu is not bad either! He is tall, handsome and capable, and most importantly, he can provide me with resources. Wang Li was just an ordinary employee of the cultural troupe, but he can't compare to Zhou Xu.

Liu Xiaoqing handed the basket to Zhou Xu. Inside the basket, besides some cigarettes and alcohol, were various snacks and pastries bought at Daoxiangcun in the capital.

Zhou Xu immediately refused: "Casting is the director's and assistant casting director's business! What right do I, a screenwriter, have to interfere?"

Liu Xiaoqing took a step towards him, placing one hand on his: "Comrade Zhou Xu, I haven't received a good script in a long time! Could you please do me a favor? All I need is for you to write a recommendation letter for Director Xie Jin, that wouldn't be a problem!"

Zhou Xu flung her hand away, still smiling. Luckily, there were no paparazzi around, otherwise that action would have been enough to get him into trouble: "I'm sorry, Comrade Liu, this matter really isn't something I can decide. I really can't help you..."

It happened to be this time.

A man walked over and said, "Xiao Qing? Why did you run off like that? Without a family member to accompany you, you won't be able to leave the General Political Department later!"

This man was none other than Wang Li, Liu Xiaoqing's first husband. He arrived at Zhou Xu's door, bowed his head, and apologized: "I'm sorry, young comrade, for causing you trouble!"

Zhou Xu smiled slightly: "It's nothing. Is this your spouse?"

Wang Li nodded, his face so dark it could drip water. He rushed to Zhou Xu's door and, before Zhou Xu could speak again, he hissed at Liu Xiaoqing, "Come with me!"

Zhou Xu was stunned for a moment, then saw Liu Xiaoqing's eyes redden, and she struggled to speak: "I haven't finished speaking! This matter can't be left like this!"

"What's there to say? Let's talk about it when we get home!" Wang Li's voice was filled with anger. Before she could retort, he grabbed her wrist.

Liu Xiaoqing struggled, tugging at her crumpled clothes, her voice urgent and aggrieved: "Can't you be reasonable for once?..."

"Enough with the nonsense!" Wang Li interrupted her, his strength suddenly increasing as he forcefully dragged her towards the door, ignoring her resistance. "Come with me now!"

Liu Xiaoqing stumbled as he was pulled, and tried to say something more, but was silenced by Wang Li's cold gaze. He could only bite his lip and reluctantly let Wang Li drag him away.

Zhou Xu took a deep breath after they had walked away. He was relieved that they hadn't taken pity on her and written her any recommendation letter.

What if Liu Xiaoqing spread a rumor that she seduced Zhou Xu to get the recommendation letter, and then forcefully pressured him into submission? It seems Zhou Xu's extensive reading of online novels is indeed a good thing! He's completely naive about all the scheming tactics.
Do you think those celebrities from the 1980s were innocent? They're all human. What era has everyone been good? It's like politics; it's been the same thing for hundreds or thousands of years. Now, the environment is just less chaotic, but people with real talent and ability can still make a name for themselves.

"..."

The General Political Department is trying to recruit Zhou Xu again.

After winning the award, Zhou Xu became even more sought after, but he still refused all offers and insisted on returning to his old organization!
I returned to Nanjing.

It was already June.
Time really flies. Nanjing in June is definitely not hot; it's quite cool.

He had just arrived in Nanjing when he received a phone call saying that someone wanted to see him. When he got to the hotel, he saw the person clearly and realized it was Xie Jin.

"Director Xie Jin, is there something you need from me?" Zhou Xu sat down immediately afterward.

Xie Jin scratched his head, looking somewhat helpless: "I just had a question I wanted to ask you."

Zhou Xu asked, "Please feel free to ask. It's about the movie, and I'll answer whatever I know for you."

Xie Jin said with a smile, "I've already shortlisted some roles here! I'll show you the photos, and I'd like you to help me decide which roles would be suitable."

Hearing this, Zhou Xu could only smile helplessly.

Xie Jin asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Zhou Xu then recounted to Xie Jin what had happened before he left Beijing: "Speaking of casting, I even had an actor from the Beijing Film Studio come to my door asking for a letter of recommendation!"

Xie Jin exclaimed in surprise: "Tsk? This kind of behavior is truly shameful. I especially hate this kind of backdoor dealing!"

Zhou Xu nodded: "That's why I didn't write to her—can you show me the photos first?"

Because of Zhou Xu's special status, Xie Jin couldn't possibly invite Zhou Xu to the Shanghai Film Studio to select roles, could he? So he brought Zhou Xu's photo to Nanjing and asked him to take a look. He would also pay more attention to roles that Zhou Xu nodded in approval for.

Xie Jin didn't originally attach much importance to it, but when he heard that "Garland Under the Mountain" was a work for the entire army to study and had won the National Excellent Novella Award, he felt a lot of pressure when making the film.

Many of his earlier works, such as "The Herdsman" and "Xu Mao and His Daughters," were adapted into films after winning awards for outstanding works, and they all achieved great success.

"Zhao Mengsheng?"

Because the characters were all soldiers, the actors had to have the air of soldiers, so Xie Jin gave Zhou Xu many photos of actors from the August First Film Studio!

Zhou Xu glanced at him and said, "Him, then?"

Tang Guoqiang is now also an actor at the August First Film Studio.

Xie Jin took a deep breath and said, "To be honest! My first thought was also to cast a pretty boy, but I was afraid of being criticized!? This guy's reputation isn't good these days!"

Zhou Xu smiled and said, "We're filming a movie, not looking into the actors' private lives. Let's just take a look first!"

Xie Jin noted it down and immediately asked, "What about Han Yuxiu? This female character is so outstanding! I'm afraid no one can portray her essence."

Zhou Xu searched everywhere, but couldn't find Gaike!

After all, Zhou Xu subconsciously looked for the actors from the original film! Han Yuxiu in the original film was played by Gai Ke.

The previous film, "Garland Under the Mountain," was shot in 85! Now, filming is starting in 81! Gai Ke hasn't even started acting yet! Zhou Xu himself doesn't know how to find this actress.

So, he could only rely on his gut feeling to choose something that was passable?

Soon, I found the photos from the Shanghai Film Studio.

Xie Jin initially only gave Zhou Xu photos of the Shanghai Film Studio and the August First Film Studio. Although Gong Xue's unit was still the General Political Department, the Shanghai Film Studio frequently approached her for roles, and it was basically decided that she would be transferred to the Shanghai Film Studio in the future: "Gong Xue, right?"

"Han Yuxiu was played by Gong Xue?" Xie Jin looked at the photos and compared them again!
"Not bad, not bad. Gong Xue even mentioned you to me before."

Zhou Xu was surprised. Could it be that this girl was also still thinking about him and that her feelings would eventually reciprocate?
"We used to be colleagues and met a few times! We're friends, but Director Xie, I didn't have any ulterior motives in choosing her; I just thought she was innocent!"

In "The Happy Bachelor", Gong Xue played the female teacher Ding Yujie, whose temperament was closest to her own. Her unique pure, serene and gentle temperament was deeply loved and adored by young audiences at the time.

Therefore, Gong Xue has always been considered a pure and innocent actress.

Isn't Han Yuxiu innocent enough? She's been waiting for Liang Sanxi all this time!
Therefore, Zhou Xu still chose Gong Xue!
Zhou Xu said, "These are just my initial opinions! As for casting, it's up to you, director, since I'm just an amateur!"

Xie Jin nodded: "Thank you for your cooperation, Comrade Zhou Xu! You have the best temperament among all the writers I've worked with."

Zhou Xu thought to himself: Because I'm still young, otherwise I would also put on airs for you!
(End of this chapter)