Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

In 1989, Zheng Xiaolong, then deputy director of the Beijing Television Drama Center, pulled Wang Shuo and several other young literary enthusiasts to the Jimen Hotel and said anxiously that he wanted to create an indoor drama.

After all, the studios at the Beijing Television Center lose money every day they are empty, so they need to produce a sufficiently long indoor drama to make use of the resources.

So, while eating dumplings, a few young literary enthusiasts came up with a story about a woman who was full of virtues yet suffered greatly, and who had to earn the tears of the common people.

Those present used every trick in the book to compile the script episode by episode.

Filmed at the Beijing Central Television Center, written by Jimen Hotel.

Finally, Li Xiaoming, one of the literary youths, gave the play a name: "Yearning".

In 1999, Yang Che led a group of young artists to the Jimen Hotel across the street from No. 8 Courtyard, and they sat in the same private room that Zheng Xiaolong and his friends had used before.

Basically, all the heads of the behind-the-scenes departments were present: art director Lin Mu, sound engineer Wang Danrong, cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding, lighting technician Dong Dabao, and makeup artist Jin Xiaoman.

Qin Lan chose this place; it's a place where you can eat, sing, and it's close to most people's homes. Most importantly, she said she was treating... Of course, the nature of the gathering has changed.

Qin Lan has arrived. She's put on makeup, and her lipstick is finally no longer that awful Barbie pink. She's just applied some lip balm, which is much better. Why would someone with such a standard M-shaped lip wear pink?

She wore a black wide-strapped tank top and pink wide-leg pants, a strange color combination, but it felt good. This girl's "aesthetic sense" is one of her talents, but it just made her look flatter.

Qin Lan, who was warmly greeting people, quickly noticed Yang Che's gaze. She subconsciously looked down and then realized that her brother Che's gaze was one of disdain.

Actually, Yang Che wasn't disgusted; he just couldn't bear to look at it. Even with a bra, it looked too big; covering his chest wouldn't do...

Just as Qin Lan was about to return a provocative look, she noticed that the other person had already looked away and started chatting with Yu Wenhao and Zhao Xiaoding beside them.

No matter how you look at it, 80 is... oops, Yu Wenhao negotiated an 80 deal.

When the group of young artists saw the agreement on the table, their remaining artistic aspirations vanished instantly, and they enthusiastically discussed how to serve their "sugar daddy" well.

Wu Shixian readily accepted the appointment and said he would get to work the next day.

Zhao Xiaoding, who has been filming Gossip Girl for ten years, also offered various suggestions. He said, "When filming, I try my best to get there."

Yang Che expressed his gratitude, after all, this person was really busy. He was only a little free today because he came from the GG studio where he was shooting Romon suits, and he was helping Hao Tong shoot Pu Cunxin.

Hao Tong is the general manager of Century United and also Chen Xiaoxu's husband....

Wu Shixian asked, "Didn't Chen Xiaoxu even offer to treat you to a meal?"

"President Chen never socializes, and he doesn't even have meals with brand partners."

"That's true. Who is Lin Daiyu?"

"......."

Yang Che listened silently as people went off-topic, feeling a pang of sadness. Whether it was nostalgia or obsession, this man had never truly escaped the world of "Dream of the Red Chamber."

In a scene from the 2003 CCTV program "A Dream of Red Mansions Reunion," a video of an interview from 1983 was playing on the big screen. Chen Xiaoxu, sitting in the audience, had a different expression than the other actors. While the others showed emotion, surprise, or joy, Chen Xiaoxu was gazing intently, seemingly still deeply immersed in the moment.

My thoughts wandered like this until the food was served. Today we were drinking Fenjiu liquor.

"Come on, let's toast Yu Wenhao with the first glass, to thank him for his contributions to our production team!"

Yu Wenhao waved his hands repeatedly: "I wouldn't dare. Let me explain to everyone, I'm just following Brother Che's investment promotion plan, so the first toast should be to Brother Che."

Yang Che laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said in a very carefree manner, "Come on, stop talking so much, let's all get together."

Everyone stood up with laughter and shouted in unison, "Cheers!"

Yang Che poured another glass: "I hope Lao Yu will continue to work diligently and conscientiously in the upcoming investment promotion work, achieve even greater success, and return to the team as soon as possible! We'll celebrate with a toast then! Cheers!"

"......"

"The third toast: Starting tomorrow, 'My Sassy Girl' will officially begin production, and we'll have to wait until before filming starts for dinners like this. So, everyone, enjoy yourselves today, cheers!"

"..."

Ning Hao grinned and said, "It doesn't matter whether we have a good time or not, boss, you should drink more. I've never seen you blush."

The crowd began to stir up trouble.

Yang Che smirked and started gesturing: "Qin Lan, Fan Xiaotian told me that you need to join the crew on the 29th. Let's go together then."

Qin Lan's cheerful face froze, some of the wine in her hand spilled, and for a moment she didn't know what to say, so she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.

"Wait a minute, remember to book your flight for the afternoon of the 28th."

"Ahem, um, I know!"

Seeing the curious looks from some people, Qin Lan smiled and explained, "Brother Che is investing in a TV series, and I'm going to play a role in it."

"Whoa!"

So Qin Lan offered even more explanations.

Yang Che continued circling around, saying, "Sister Xiaoman, you look beautiful today! You should make sure our leading lady has this kind of beautiful makeup every time!"

Jin Xiaoman couldn't stop smiling.

..........

Before we knew it, it was 10 p.m.

What songs are most popular in KTV right now?

"Sad Pacific Ocean" is a must-sing for men; at least three out of ten private rooms will be singing it at the same time.

In the private room where Yang Che and his group were, Song Xiaofei and Dong Dabao were also belting out "Sad Pacific Ocean" with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Qin Lan sidled up to a group of men and shouted in a slurred voice, "Me, me, me, I want 'The Coward'!"

Yang Che leaned against the corner of the sofa, squinting as he watched them.

He got carried away; if it weren't for not wanting to spoil the fun for everyone, he would have wanted to go home and lie down right after dinner.

Well, it's pretty much the same now. People are either crowding around the karaoke machine chattering away, or drinking beer with their arms around each other, or singing songs, but no one is talking to him.

In this day and age, people really don't take their bosses seriously.

However, Yang Che's melancholy lasted less than half a minute before Ning Hao and Wu Shixian pulled him up to sing "A Laugh in the Vast Sea," the version by Huang Zhan, Tsui Hark, and Lo Ta-yu.

After the song was finished, everyone gave a perfunctory clapping and then snatched the microphone away.

Some listened attentively, such as Qin Lan, who had been sitting in the corner where Yang Che had been sitting. She didn't clap, but just rested her chin on her hand and looked at him with a hazy gaze.

"Where did Xiaoman go?"

"What?"

In the wailing version of "Heroes' Song", Yang Che had no choice but to whisper a line in Qin Lan's ear.

Qin Lan leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I just got a phone call and left."

Yang Che felt his ears were wet and a little itchy.