Chapter 610: Replace Cheng Xuyuan
Without any study tasks and now without having to substitute teach, Cheng Xuyuan began to live a very carefree life.
As the weather got warmer, Cheng Xuyuan moved his main living place from the Overseas Chinese Apartment to a courtyard house next to the Yenching Writers Association.
The courtyard had already been renovated, and in the spring, Cheng Xuyuan had someone plant some flowers, so the courtyard was already full of spring.
The only drawback is that there is no piped gas yet, but the tap water connected to the yard makes everything convenient.
After breakfast, Cheng Xuyuan wrote a few thousand words on the "Biography of a Mortal's Path to Immortality" which was to be sent to Wenhui Newspaper, and then he started reading the newspaper.
Although he had a lot of information in his mind, he did not reduce the number of newspapers he should read.
"Crossing Guandong, an epic with a dreamlike color"
"Re-evaluation of Crossing Guandong: Delicate Humanistic Care"
My View on Crossing Guandong
…
Among more than a dozen newspapers, there were more than twenty articles evaluating the Crossing over the Guandong. Some newspapers even published two or three articles at once.
In these comments, Cheng Xuyuan also saw many familiar names.
For example, Wang Meng, Li Tuo, etc.
Although there are some criticisms here, the majority of people praise it, and there is even a debate because of a small issue in "Traveling in Kanto".
All this points to one thing, that is, Crossing the Guandong is really popular.
All of this was within Cheng Xuyuan's expectations.
After all, Crossing the Guandong itself is very eye-catching, and coupled with Cheng Xuyuan's adjustments to some plots, many readers have been visually impacted.
Just as Cheng Xuyuan put down the newspaper and prepared to find a place to have breakfast, there was a knock on the door.
Cheng Xuyuan opened the door and saw Chen Huaikai and his son standing at the door.
Both of them were wearing dark clothes and looked somewhat formal.
He and Chen Huaikai were friends, so he smiled and said, "Director Chen, why are you here?"
Originally, according to the way people address each other at the dinner table, Cheng Xuyuan should have called him Brother Chen, but the man's son was following behind him and was about the same age as him, so Cheng Xuyuan used a commonly used name.
This way, it doesn't seem so stiff.
Chen Huaikai smiled and said, "Xuyuan, I never come to visit you for no reason!"
As he spoke, he pointed to his son and said, "My friend bought me a few pounds of lamb chops, and I thought your place would be suitable for making soup, so I came here."
Only then did Cheng Xuyuan realize that Xiao Chen was holding a bag in his hand.
Cheng Xuyuan naturally would not refuse the idea of bringing his own dry food.
He smiled and said, "Then let's stew it later and have a couple of drinks."
"That's just right. I have a few bottles of wine here."
Hearing Cheng Xuyuan's words, Chen Huaikai smiled and said, "I don't know if other people have good wine, but I know that you must have a lot of good wine here."
"Otherwise, I would never come to you."
As they were talking, three people came into the yard.
While listening to his father talking to Cheng Xuyuan, Xiao Chen kept looking at Cheng Xuyuan's yard. There was a hint of envy in his expression.
As a backbone of Yanying Studio, Chen Huaikai's residence is naturally good, but it depends on who you compare him with.
Compared with Cheng Xuyuan's tidied, comfortable and elegant courtyard house, it seemed a bit inferior.
Xiao Chen felt that this should be his goal. He would not want anything else in the future. He would be satisfied as long as he could live in such a courtyard house.
Chen Huaikai sat down in the yard, picked up a newspaper, and read the introduction about Crossing Guandong. He said with a hint of emotion: "Xuyuan, I read your Crossing Guandong."
“It’s really very touching.”
"However, the story of Crossing Guandong is too long, and there are too many things in it. If it is filmed in a movie, the length limitation is too large."
“I think it would be just perfect if it were a TV series.”
Cheng Xuyuan was busy making tea while smiling and said, "Director Chen, I'm not in a hurry for now."
"The bound volume has just been published, so we'll talk about the TV issue later."
The two chatted for a while, and Chen Huaikai said to his son: "Go to the kitchen and clean up the mutton first, and find a big pot to stew it."
"Xuyuan, he can stew some meat."
Originally, Cheng Xuyuan wanted to help, but since Chen Huaikai said so, Cheng Xuyuan had no choice but to give up this opportunity.
Before Xiao Chen came, he had already received arrangements from his father, so he had no objection to this matter.
However, when he came to Cheng Xuyuan's kitchen and looked at the dazzling array of condiments and the kitchen that was bigger than his bedroom, an idea suddenly came to his mind.
I can take his place! But just as this thought came to his mind, a trace of doubt arose in his heart.
After all, Cheng Xuyuan’s current achievements are really great.
Not to mention the works he wrote, even in the film industry, it is very difficult to find screenwriters who can write so many good scripts.
Not to mention, he is a writer.
He is also an expert in history.
Can I match these dazzling titles? It's better to lower my goal.
Thinking this in his mind, Xiao Chen quickly started working in the kitchen.
Cheng Xuyuan didn't know that his kitchen would actually cause people to have a psychological journey.
He was sitting in the courtyard, chatting with Chen Huaikai.
Most of what the two talked about was about movies, especially The Last Emperor, which Mr. Bertocchi was going to co-produce.
With a hint of reluctance, Chen Huaikai told Cheng Xuyuan that the Shanghai Film Studio would still be the main body of this co-production.
Chen Huaikai felt a little disappointed about this result, but he didn't care too much.
Because all his energy now is focused on Farewell My Concubine.
The purpose of his visit this time was to invite Cheng Xuyuan to attend the Cannes Film Festival with him.
With The Truman Show winning the award, we have been very supportive of attending film festivals.
What's more, Lao Chen has the support of the entire Yanying Studio.
"Xuyuan, you don't have any homework right now, why don't you come with me to Cannes and take a look around, so you can meet more friends and maybe even find some cooperation."
Chen Huaikai smiled and said, "Isn't this better than staying at home all day?"
In response to such an invitation, Cheng Xuyuan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Old Chen, I think you are the only one who can participate in the Cannes Film Festival this time."
"I really don't want to go out during this period of time."
"I just came back from the United States. I want to rest more."
Hearing what Cheng Xuyuan said, Chen Huaikai couldn't help but ask: "Xuyuan, do you know how many people want to go and see it now?"
"I've given you such a good opportunity, please don't neglect it!"
Cheng Xuyuan said with an unchanged expression: "Old Chen, I really don't want to go out. Going out won't be good to eat and I'll be tired. It's not as comfortable as being at home."
"You, if you see someone who wants to go out, just let them go."
Looking at Cheng Xuyuan who was unmoved, Chen Huaikai felt helpless.
Just as he was thinking about how to persuade Cheng Xuyuan, he heard someone outside shouting, "Is Xuyuan home?"
When Cheng Xuyuan heard the voice, he smiled and said, "Li Tuo, the door is not locked, come in."
As Cheng Xuyuan spoke, the door was pushed open, but it was not only Li Tuo who walked in, but also two middle-aged men.
Cheng Xuyuan knew both of these people. When he saw them coming, he smiled and asked, "Why are you two here?"
The one walking in front is Zhen Pingwa, who won the award together with Cheng Xuyuan.
Behind him is Wang Weiguo.
Cheng Xuyuan and the two men are old friends, so he greeted them with a smile.
Zhen Pingwa smiled and said, "We two came here to do something, and since we couldn't find a place to eat, we came to your place to eat."
"What a coincidence, I just happened to run into Lao Li on the road."
Wang Weiguo greeted Cheng Xuyuan with a smile. He was not joking with Cheng Xuyuan.
Cheng Xuyuan offered his seat and said with a smile, "You guys came at the right time. I have not only wine but also meat."
"Director Chen made some lamb chops today. Come to my place to satisfy your craving."
"You came here at the right time."
"I even doubt whether you came here because of the smell."
As he spoke, Cheng Xuyuan introduced himself to everyone.
Although they are not in the same circle, generally speaking, they are all related to literature, so they are all well-known to each other.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, everyone sat in the yard, basking in the sun and chatting.
Chen Huaikai then told him about inviting Cheng Xuyuan to attend the Cannes Film Festival, and then said, "Tell me, I invited him to the film festival with good intentions."
"He has refused. Tell me whether he should go or not."
When they heard about going to Cannes to attend the Film Festival, both Li Tuo and Wang Weiguo showed envy.
Zhen Pingwa even said: "Xuyuan, I think you should go there."
"After all, you are a screenwriter, and you can also go around Cannes, so why not?"
Listening to Zhen Pingwa's words, Cheng Xuyuan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Pingwa, you don't know how uncomfortable it is to go out like this."
"Take drinking tea for example. You can't be as casual as you are now when you go out."
"Besides, I just came back and I really don't want to go out."
When Zhen Pingwa heard Cheng Xuyuan say this, he did not try to persuade him, but he was extremely envious in his heart.
Li Tuo said: "Everyone has his own aspirations, and they cannot be forced."
"Director Chen, since Cheng Xuyuan doesn't want to go, then let's just go."
"Some time ago, I watched the movie you made through my family. I think there is a great chance that I will win an award this time."
Although Li Tuo is young, he is quite famous.
His words made Chen Huaikai very happy.
As the few people were chatting, the topic unconsciously shifted to Crossing the Guandong. Li Tuo spoke very highly of Crossing the Guandong and looked quite emotional.
While others were chatting, they talked about the Outstanding Novella Award.
Wang Weiguo said while smoking a cigarette: "When the awards were presented, everyone realized that Cheng Xuyuan was not there."
"Originally, many people wanted to go to Xuyuan to have a chat after the award ceremony, but he didn't come, and everyone was disappointed."
"It was then that I learned that Xu Yuan had gone to participate in the Oscars."
"But everyone is envious."
Hearing this, Cheng Xuyuan smiled and said, "I am in conflict."
At this point, he changed the subject and asked, "Brother Wang, what work have you been writing recently?"
Facing Cheng Xuyuan, Wang Weiguo did not hide the truth: "I am writing a work called Ups and Downs, but I feel a little dissatisfied no matter how I write it."
"In fact, I had already finished writing this novel, but because I was not satisfied with it, I just tore it up and rewrote it."
“But even now that I’ve written this, I’m still a little dissatisfied.”
Hearing Wang Weiguo say this, the name of a novel suddenly emerged in Cheng Xuyuan's mind.
He knew that this novel had a profound influence on Wang Weiguo.
And he also knew what the trouble was.
Looking at Wang Weiguo, whose brows were furrowed and whose hair was a little messy, Cheng Xuyuan smiled and said, "Brother Wang, tell me about your design for this novel."
"We can all help you with some reference, maybe we can find some problems."
"Three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang!"
After hearing what Cheng Xuyuan said, Wang Weiguo did not hesitate and told him the outline of the story and the fate of the characters.
Everyone present is an expert in writing.
Even as the meat was stewed, Xiao Chen, who came over and stood aside, was still savoring the story.
This is undoubtedly a good story, but the ending is full of pessimism.
It even gives people a feeling of being blocked in the heart.
Cheng Xuyuan glanced at the people who were lost in thought, and then said, "Brother Wang, I understand a little bit what you want to say in this story."
"I think this is a good story, but there are still some things that need to be revised."
"For example, this work is a bit too pessimistic about the fate of the protagonist."
"I think it would be better to have an open ending instead of this ending."
"This way, people won't be so pessimistic, and it's more in line with..."
Cheng Xuyuan's eloquent talk made Wang Weiguo's expression slowly relax.
Originally, he brought up this issue for discussion mainly hoping to hear some different opinions, but Cheng Xuyuan's words at this time not only made him agree with him, but also gave him a lot more admiration.
He felt that what Cheng Xuyuan said not only made his story fuller, but also seemed to have a much higher purpose.
"As for the name of the story, I think it should not be called Ups and Downs, but Life."
"After all, this story actually shows a part of our lives, and a very important part at that..."
At this time, not only Wang Weiguo, but everyone else looked at Cheng Xuyuan with admiration in their eyes.
After all, this story only tells the outline, but Cheng Xuyuan has made so many pertinent comments.
This is not easy.
Li Tuo waited for Cheng Xuyuan to finish speaking, then said to Cheng Xuyuan with emotion: "Xuyuan, it's really a waste of your talent if you don't become an editor."
(End of this chapter)
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