Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 103, Section 102: Red Envelopes Sent to the Junior Apprentices
Tuesday, December 31, 1996.

In the early morning, the sky over Beijing was overcast, and the dry, cold north wind swirled up the remaining snow on the ground, feeling like tiny knives on the face.

However, this chill did nothing to cool the surging passion within Beijing Film Studio and Shengying Media.

Starting at 8:00 a.m., a long queue formed outside the finance office of Shengying Media, located on the first floor of the main building of Beijing Film Studio.

The long queue snaked its way out, exhaling puffs of white breath in the cold air, each face beaming with anticipation and joy.

Today is the day to send out New Year's red envelopes.

Wang Sheng had made the decision several days ago.

Following the same procedure as last National Day, we distributed red envelopes.

All employees under Shengying Media, including more than 600 full-time employees and more than 2,000 seconded personnel from Beijing Film Studio and other studios, received 200 yuan each.

For those not residing in Beijing, remittances can be made via postal remittance or collected by relatives in Beijing on their behalf.

This money was received at the end of 1996.

That's equivalent to almost half a month's wages for an average worker, which is by no means a small amount.

"Name, department." Finance manager Chen Yu sat behind the desk, with neatly stacked stacks of brand-new blue 100-yuan bills in front of her, and an accountant and several administrative girls assisting with the verification sitting next to her.

Armed security personnel were maintaining order outside.

"Hou Jia, Business Department Three!"

"And my parents'..."

Currently, Business Unit 1 handles personalized customization services, Business Unit 2 handles image and memory services, and Business Unit 3 handles the Golden Jubilee Collection service.

Monkey, the head of the third business department, didn't do anything special and just lined up obediently.

Chen Yu skillfully flipped through the list, and after verifying that it was correct, she counted out six crisp 100-yuan bills. She then took out a small square wrapped in red paper from a box and handed it over together: "A 600-yuan red envelope, plus a 'Baihua Leather Shoes' voucher. It's an extra benefit that General Manager Wang gives to regular employees, worth 30 yuan. Sign here."

"Thank you, Manager Chen! Thank you, General Manager Wang!" Monkey took the money and coupons, happily pressed his fingerprint on the list, carefully put the money into his inner pocket, and looked at the shoe coupons again and again.

Those waiting nearby cast envious glances, and the procession seemed to move forward faster.

Similar scenes were simultaneously playing out in various workshops and departments of Beijing Film Studio, as well as at various offices of Shengying Media.

From factory leaders like Han Sanping to apprentices who had just joined the factory, to technical workers who came to Beijing from various film studios to support the "customized" business, and to those whose business was temporarily suspended due to the cold weather, everyone received this unexpected yet reasonable bonus.

"President Wang of Shengying Media is so kind and benevolent!"

An old lighting technician from Emei Film Studio, clutching a thick red envelope, remarked to his colleague with emotion, "These past few months in Beijing, I've had no worries about food and lodging, enjoyed my work, and earned a good amount of money. And now, with the New Year approaching, I'm receiving such a large red envelope. I'm even thinking of just staying at Beijing Film Studio."

“Who says otherwise!” his companion chimed in. “The factory back home hasn’t paid full wages for six months. Look at the Beijing Film Studio, and then look at us… Sigh, comparisons are odious.”

Those who received the money gathered in twos and threes, excitedly discussing it.

Some people are planning to buy New Year's goods for their homes, while others are discussing whether to stay in Beijing for the New Year—since it would be deserted back home anyway, they might as well visit the temple fairs in Beijing and save on travel expenses.

With the hard-earned money from the past few months in their pockets, plus this unexpected two hundred yuan, many people felt much more at ease, and their uncertainty about the future was somewhat alleviated.

This windfall, like a warm current, dispelled the chill of the year's end and temporarily soothed the anxiety caused by the off-season.

……

Compared to the bustling atmosphere in the factory area, the dormitory buildings in the Beijing Film Studio's living quarters are filled with a more homely yet expectant festive atmosphere.

Wang Sheng's family still lives in that Soviet-style tenement building built in the 1950s or 60s. The corridors are filled with the miscellaneous items of each household, and the walls are somewhat mottled due to years of disrepair.

Wang Sheng wasn't incapable of buying a better house for his family; Shengying Media's profits were enough to buy a decent apartment in Beijing. However, the elderly couple, Wang Baoguo and Zhang Xiulan, were unwilling to move, feeling that the neighborhood was familiar and they felt secure living there.

More importantly, Wang Sheng knew that in the current situation where Shengying Media was deeply tied to Beijing Film Studio and had a strong collective enterprise character, if he, as the "head of the family," took the lead in improving his housing and moving away from this living area that symbolized sharing weal and woe with the employees, he would inevitably be criticized and alienate people's hearts.

Since the parents are happy, then let them continue to live there; that's a valid approach.

It was past four o'clock in the afternoon, and it was already getting dark.

In the communal water room, the sounds of washing vegetables, chopping meat, and clattering pots and pans rose and fell, mingling with the aroma of stir-fried dishes, creating a unique festive symphony in the tenement building.

Zhang Xiulan, wearing an apron, was busy at the stove.

Li Xiaoran rolled up her sleeves and diligently assisted, peeling garlic, washing vegetables, and handing out seasonings. Although her movements were not very skillful, her attitude was extremely earnest.

After more than two months of "forced tutoring" and frequent visits to the Wang family's house for meals, ostensibly to "exchange learning outcomes," she and Zhang Xiulan had become quite familiar with each other, and she had even learned a few home-style dishes from her.

"Xiaoran, break that cabbage for me," Zhang Xiulan ordered without turning her head.

"Okay, Auntie." Li Xiaoran quickly responded, picked up the cabbage on the cutting board, and carefully separated the leaves one by one.

She wore a red sweater today, which made her skin look even whiter.

In the dim light, her eyes and brows actually possessed a gentle, domestic charm.

Aunt Zhao, the neighbor across the hall, came over with an empty basin to collect water. Seeing this, she laughed and joked, "Xiulan, your future daughter-in-law is really virtuous! Look how quick she is! When are we going to have her wedding?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoran's face flushed red. She glanced subconsciously at the Wang family's tightly closed door, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart, but she scolded them playfully, "Aunt Zhao, you're teasing me again!"

Zhang Xiulan stirred the meat slices in the pan, smiled, and didn't respond.

She was a sensible person and could sense that the relationship between her son and Li Xiaoran was less one of deep affection and more of a "partnership" based on practical considerations.

Her son is career-oriented, and the girl is pretty and straightforward, but she's unsure how far their relationship can go.

Oh well, let the young people do what they want. As long as my son is happy, that's all that matters.

Seeing that Zhang Xiulan did not express her opinion, Li Xiaoran felt a little disappointed, but she was quickly replaced by the anticipation of the upcoming New Year's Eve and the broadcast of "Family Harmony Brings Prosperity".

She continued to help Zhang Xiulan prepare the New Year's Eve dinner. Listening to the noise from each household in the corridor and smelling the increasingly strong aroma of food in the air, a simple and warm sense of happiness welled up inside her.

This down-to-earth atmosphere seems more reassuring than the glitz and glamour she previously pursued.

……

After 7 p.m., lights were turned on in every household in the Beijing Film Studio residential area.

Thanks to the improved performance of the factory this year, especially the extra income brought by Shengying Media business, many families have prepared New Year's Eve dinners.

Chicken, duck, fish and meat filled the small table. The adults drank and chatted, while the children, dressed in new clothes, chased and played in the cramped space, waiting to watch the New Year's Eve program on TV.

Wang Shengjia was no exception.

In the small room, the dining table was moved to the center, and it was filled with the fruits of Zhang Xiulan and Li Xiaoran's afternoon's work: braised pork, steamed fish, braised prawns, cabbage, vermicelli, and tofu stew...

There was also a plate of steaming dumplings.

Wang Baoguo opened a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), poured a glass for Han Sanping who had brought Han Jianu over for a free meal, and then took a sip himself with relish.

Han Sanping didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his cup, took a sip, and felt satisfied.

The evening news was playing on TV, but everyone's minds were already on 9:40.

(End of this chapter)