Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 87, "The Flaws of Thunderstorm"
The two hurried to the entrance of the Beijing People's Art Theatre before seven o'clock. The theatre was solemn and elegant, with a huabiao (ornamental column) standing at the entrance. There were many people standing on the steps, and anxious men kept looking at their watches.

There was a vendor selling candied hawthorns at the entrance. Liu Yimin went over and bought two skewers. The vendor was a former educated youth who had returned to the city but had no work, and he was selling them secretly.

"How about trying some?" Liu Yimin handed a string of candied hawthorns to Zhu Lin.

Zhu Lin took a small bite, smiled at the returning educated youth selling candied hawthorns, and said, "Not bad, very sweet."

"This is a family heirloom. My family has been making candied hawthorns since the time of the Empress Dowager. She even ate some!" the male educated youth said shamelessly.

Liu Yimin joked, "What will the Empress Dowager say if she eats it?"

"It's too sweet, it'll stick to your teeth!"

The male educated youth's words made everyone around him laugh, and they all stepped forward to buy a skewer, which was quickly sold out.

Stepping into the Beijing People's Art Theatre, the exquisite pillars and ceilings create a feeling of being in a different world from the outside. The seating inside the theatre is divided into two levels, and their seats are located on the second level towards the back. There is obstruction in front of them, and they have to lean out to look down, which is quite uncomfortable.

However, Liu Yimin was quite content; one can't beggar complaining about food.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, let's switch places. I have a better view from here!" Zhu Lin said.

"No need, it's fine as it is. If you feel uncomfortable, I'll go ask if there are any reserved tickets?" Liu Yimin asked.

However, since it's his first time at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, he might not necessarily be able to find Lan Tianye.

Zhu Lin shook his head and hurriedly said that there was no need to trouble himself, as the tickets for the Beijing People's Art Theatre were already sold out, and it was impossible to find an empty seat now.

"Comrade Liu Yimin?" Someone slowly walked up to Liu Yimin, gently patted his shoulder, and asked in a low voice.

"you are?"

"I'm Yang Lixin. Director Lan asked me to give you two tickets. There are seats available downstairs!"

While Liu Yimin was sizing up Yang Lixin, Yang Lixin was also sizing up Liu Yimin through the dim light. According to Lan Tianye, this was the famous writer Liu Yimin, who was currently writing a script for the People's Art Theatre.

Yang Lixin entered the Beijing People's Art Theatre in 75, but had not yet played any roles. She was thinking about how to get in touch with Liu Yimin, but was afraid that he would think she was opportunistic.

"How did Mr. Lan know I was here?" Liu Yimin asked curiously.

"Director Lan saw you buying candied hawthorns outside just now, and noticed that the seat wasn't very good, so he asked me to bring you two tickets. After the play ends, Director Lan wants you to stay," Yang Lixin said honestly.

"it is good!"

Liu Yimin handed a ticket to Zhu Lin and said with a smile, "Let's go, Comrade Zhu Lin, I'll accept your offer."

Zhu Lin obediently followed behind Liu Yimin. Unexpectedly, Liu Yimin actually knew someone from the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Director Lan. Wasn't that Lan Tianye?

With the passing of Jiao Juyin, renowned directors of the Beijing People's Art Theatre are no longer available. After his death, Lan Tianye and Ouyang Shanzun became the leading figures of the theatre. The play "Cai Wenji" that I watched today was the version directed by the late Mr. Jiao Juyin.

Seeing that Zhu Lin hesitated to speak, Liu Yimin took the initiative to explain: "Mr. Lan wanted to bring 'Mr. Donkey' to the stage of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, which is why we met."

"Does that mean that everyone will be lining up to buy tickets for the stage play 'Mr. Donkey'?" Zhu Lin asked.

Liu Yimin smirked: "Not necessarily, it depends on the script!"

Compared to "Thunderstorm" and "Teahouse," Liu Yimin still prefers to see the latter two plays, "Cai Wenji," but unfortunately, they are no longer being performed. However, judging from the performances, the actors of the Beijing People's Art Theatre are truly skilled, captivating the audience so much that they forget they are actors rather than the characters themselves.

"Cai Wenji" has a total runtime of two and a half hours, with a fifteen-minute intermission in the middle.

During intermission, Zhu Lin took the initiative to start a conversation and asked, "Comrade Liu Yimin, what do you think of the play 'Thunderstorm'?" "Thunderstorm is certainly excellent, but no play can be perfect. 'Thunderstorm' also has its flaws, but compared to its strengths, the flaws are nothing."

"Oh? Thunderstorm has flaws?"

"Yes, for example, the character portrayals are too extreme, while human nature is actually complex. Also, in terms of pacing, in order to achieve dramatic and critical effects, the plot seems unnatural. For example, in order to make the conflicts erupt all at once and reach a climax in an instant, too many coincidences are set up."

Before Liu Yimin could finish speaking, an older comrade next to him said with dissatisfaction, "Young comrade, you're so young, yet you have such a big mouth. How dare you criticize Mr. Wan's work?"

“The old man is wrong. Revolutionaries cannot blindly follow; they must dare to raise questions,” Zhu Lin interjected.

"Hey, you're quite the helper, young lady!" the old man said, then ignored the two of them.

After the play ended and people began to disperse, Yang Lixin suddenly appeared from some corner and said with a smile, "Comrade Liu Yimin, Director Lan is waiting for you."

"Yimin, you came without even saying hello. If I hadn't been outside chatting with an old friend, I wouldn't have known you were here!" Lan Tianye said with a smile.

"Recently, the script revisions haven't been going smoothly, so Professor Yang suggested that I come and experience a real stage."

Lan Tianye was not surprised by the setbacks Liu Yimin mentioned; in his mind, it would be a miracle if things went smoothly.

"No rush, take your time. If you have time in a couple of days, come over and I'll give you my opinion. If you want to see another play, just look for me. And who is this lady?"

Lan Tianye noticed Zhu Lin behind Liu Yimin. Even though he had seen so many actresses, he felt that the girl in front of him was very beautiful and had an outstanding temperament.

"This is my friend, Zhu Lin!"

"Your friend? Not bad, at first glance I thought he was a new actor from our People's Art Theatre!" Lan Tianye praised.

Zhu Lin blushed and quickly greeted Lan Tianye.

Just as they arrived at the entrance of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, a group of people exclaimed in surprise that it was snowing. The two ran outside to see, and sure enough, it had started snowing sometime earlier, and the streets were already covered with a layer of snow.

A group of people were digging for their bicycles in the snowdrift. Zhu Lin looked at Liu Yimin and said with a wry smile, "I'm sorry, Comrade Liu Yimin, I didn't expect it to snow while I was watching a play. If you want to go back to Yanda University, you'll have to ride for more than an hour."

"It's alright, everyone's just traveling through the snow tonight!"

Liu Yimin and Zhu Lin rode their bicycles past Tiananmen Square. Snowflakes were flying everywhere, covering the Forbidden City and Chang'an Avenue. In the vast white world, it seemed that only the two of them were on their way. Snowballs were flying around them, and the two of them were bent over and trying their best to maintain their balance.

Young folks, don't panic even if the snow is heavy, keep going!

Zhu Lin's home wasn't far, and they arrived quickly. Zhu Lin brushed the snowflakes off his clothes and hair, glanced upstairs, and hesitated before saying, "Comrade Liu Yimin, why don't you come to my house to take shelter from the snow for a while?"

"No need, it's not far, just over an hour's ride. Don't worry, I ride well, I won't fall!" Liu Yimin said with a relaxed expression.

Zhu Lin felt even more guilty. "I was so stupid. It's supposed to snow in December!"

After Liu Yimin walked away, Zhu Lin went upstairs.

Liu Yimin arrived at the alley entrance, turned the car around, identified the main road, and rode off with all his might, retracing the route of Chang'an Avenue.

"Old Ma! Master Ma? Are you asleep? It's me, Yimin!"

With such heavy snow, it's easy to talk about it, but we're really going back to Yanda University!

(End of this chapter)