Huayu: Starting with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

Chen Mo returned to the film crew on a Tuesday.

The car back was arranged by the production crew. The assistant director sent a message the night before, saying that Teacher Liang would be joining the crew on Tuesday afternoon, and that Chen Mo must arrive before evening.

Chen Mo glanced at his phone and typed back, "Received."

He's been resting well in his rented room these past two days. He cut the Shandong cabbage that Grandma Liu next door gave him in half to make noodles, and put the other half in the freezer.

He went to Boss Ma's Lanzhou noodle shop downstairs twice more, and each time he was forced to eat an extra spoonful of beef.

These everyday days, so full of life, would be so comfortable to spend a couple of days on.

While it may be comfortable, important business cannot be neglected.

He took a taxi directly to the train station, then took the high-speed train back to Zhangjiakou, and then took a car sent by the film crew to Bashang, arriving at his residence around 6 p.m.

There was quite a commotion at the base today.

Chen Mo noticed it as soon as he got out of the car.

Normally at this time, the crew members would be eating in the canteen, but today there was a red banner hanging at the entrance of the canteen that read: "Welcome Teacher Liang Guanhua to visit and provide guidance."

The lower right corner of the banner also reads "Respectfully presented by the production team of 'Mountains and Rivers Under the Moon'".

Chen Mo's lips twitched slightly when he saw the banner.

This is a much bigger spectacle than when he first joined the crew.

On the day he joined the crew, the assistant director nodded to him at the entrance of the dressing room; there wasn't even a banner.

He felt a surge of joy in his heart.

That's normal. A 24-year-old young actor and a 60-year-old veteran actor should naturally be treated differently.

He carried his backpack toward his temporary house, bumping into several crew members on the way. They were all hurrying along, carrying fruit, tea sets, and freshly wiped tablecloths.

Liang Guanhua has not arrived yet.

Everyone is preparing for the battle.

Chen Mo tossed his backpack onto the bed and went to the cafeteria for a quick meal.

The assistant director approached him while he was eating.

"Xiao Chen."

"Assistant Director".

"At 7:30 pm, Teacher Liang will arrive. Director Luo wants you and Teacher Wang to go to the cafeteria to have dinner with Teacher Liang."

"Um."

"Dress more formally."

Chen Mo looked at the gray hoodie he was wearing and raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't bring any formal clothes."

The assistant director was taken aback.

"...Not a single one?"

"I didn't expect this when I came from Beijing."

Assistant Director: "..."

He stood there for two seconds, then looked at Chen Mo's hoodie and gritted his teeth.

"Okay, then, change your hoodie to a darker color and comb your hair."

Chen Mo smiled and said, "Okay."

The assistant director sighed, patted him on the shoulder, and left.

Chen Mo ate a couple of bites of rice, then went back to his room and rummaged through his backpack.

He didn't bring any formal clothes, but after thinking for a moment, he pulled out a dark blue shirt from under his backpack. It was the shirt Shen Yu had bought for him on the day he signed with Pushi, and he hadn't worn it much.

He took off his hoodie and put on a shirt.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

Hmm, he looks like a 24-year-old actor meeting a senior.

At 7:25, Chen Mo arrived at the cafeteria.

Luo Yifeng was already waiting at the door.

"Xiao Chen."

"Director Luo."

"Where's Teacher Wang? Have you seen her?"

"not yet."

Luo Yifeng nodded and glanced at his watch.

Just then, Wang Xueqi strolled over from the other end of the camp.

He was dressed even more casually than Chen Mo today, wearing a black jacket, a white T-shirt underneath, and loafers.

Wang Xueqi walked up to them and glanced at Chen Mo.

"Xiao Chen's shirt is nice."

"Thank you, Teacher Wang."

Wang Xueqi turned to Luo Yifeng and asked, "Where's Lao Liang's car?"

"Just off the national highway, about 20 minutes away."

"Then let's go inside and sit down to wait."

The three of them went into a small private room in the cafeteria.

This room is usually used to entertain relatives who come to visit the set, but today it was used to receive Mr. Leung. There was a round table with eight seats, tea set and fruit on the table, and a calligraphy scroll with the words "Mountains and Rivers" hanging on the wall.

The three of them sat down at the table first.

Wang Xueqi lit a cigarette.

Luo Yifeng looked at him: "Old Wang, you're smoking again."

"Have a smoke while waiting for Lao Liang."

Luo Yifeng shook his head and didn't stop him.

Chen Mo sat at the very end of the table and picked up his teacup to drink water.

Wang Xueqi took two puffs of his cigarette and turned to look at him.

"Xiao Chen, have you met Lao Liang?"

"no."

"Have you heard about him?"

"I've heard of some, the one about Detective Dee."

Wang Xueqi snorted: "That was his breakthrough role. He played even more difficult roles afterward. You've never worked with him, so you don't know."

"Oh?"

"Old Liang looks kind, but he's one of the toughest actors out there. If he plays Zhu Gaochi, you, as Zhu Zhanji, would need to readjust the rhythm according to his methods."

Chen Mo held his teacup but didn't reply.

He knew that Teacher Wang was giving him a hint.

Wang Xueqi glanced at him again.

"Don't be nervous. Old Liang won't make things difficult for the younger generation, but he likes to see how young people act. Don't talk too much at the dinner table today; just answer whatever he asks."

Chen Mo nodded: "Mm."

Wang Xueqi flicked his cigarette ash: "I've already spoken to him about your role, he knows."

Chen Mo was stunned for a moment.

"Did Teacher Wang greet Teacher Liang?"

"Um."

"What greeting?"

Wang Xueqi glanced at him and said, "Remember this kid, don't underestimate him."

Chen Mo: ......

He held the teacup, but didn't drink the water for a long time.

These words, coming from Teacher Wang, carry immense weight.

Although it was a bit like teasing the younger generation and putting pressure on them, Chen Mo knew that Wang Xueqi's intentions were good.

I should have kept quiet and asked that question.

At 7:45, the sound of a car came from outside the door.

Luo Yifeng stood up: "Old Liang has arrived."

The three of them left the private room together.

As I approached the cafeteria entrance, a black minivan pulled up.

As soon as the car door opened, an assistant in his thirties stepped out first.

Then came Leung Kwan-wah.

Liang Guanhua is 62 years old this year, one year younger than Wang Xueqi. He is on the plump side with a big belly. He is wearing a gray long-sleeved Tang suit and gold-rimmed glasses. He looks very kind, like the retired Chinese teacher next door.

But when he looked up and scanned the room, there was something in his eyes that the retired Chinese language teacher next door couldn't possibly have.

Those were eyes that had played hundreds of roles.

Chen Mo stood half a step behind Luo Yifeng and saw it.

He silently marveled to himself: This old man is a deep and cunning individual.

Liang Guanhua smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Luo Yifeng.

"Old Luo".

"Old Liang, you must be tired from your journey."

"It wasn't hard at all. I slept the whole way. But you guys, I've heard about how hard you filmed the early scenes."

"Old Wang is here too."

Liang Guanhua turned to look at Wang Xueqi.

The two stared at each other for three seconds.

Then the two of them laughed at the same time.

Liang Guanhua's gaze fell on Chen Mo.

"This is him."

Luo Yifeng introduced: "Teacher Liang, this is Chen Mo, playing Zhu Zhanji."

Chen Mo stepped forward and bowed slightly: "Hello, Teacher Liang."

Liang Guanhua nodded and extended his hand.

Chen Mo quickly grasped them, his hands.

Liang Guanhua's grip wasn't heavy, but it was very steady. Unlike others who would let go immediately after gripping, he held on for a couple more seconds, his eyes scanning Chen Mo up and down.

Chen Mo's heart tightened upon seeing this.

After reading it, Liang Guanhua let go of his hand and smiled.

"Old Wang said you're something special."

Chen Mo: "Teacher Wang, you flatter me."

"Whether it's a compliment or not, we'll see during dinner."

Liang Guanhua turned to Luo Yifeng and said, "Come in, it's windy outside."

The four people entered the private room and sat down.

Liang Guanhua sat in the main seat, Luo Yifeng sat to his left, Wang Xueqi to his right, and Chen Mo sat to the left of Wang Xueqi.

The dishes were served quickly. Luo Yifeng had instructed the kitchen in advance to prepare a table of Bashang specialties, including hand-pulled mutton, roasted lamb leg, yogurt, oat noodles, and a pot of hand-grabbed rice.

Liang Guanhua looked at the table full of dishes and laughed: "Old Luo, you're treating me like a guest from out of town."

"Since you've come all this way, you should try the local cuisine."

"Okay, I appreciate it."

He raised his glass and gestured to the crowd.

"Let me first offer a toast to everyone. I, Lao Liang, am late."

Everyone raised their glasses.

Chen Mo held a cup filled with hot tea; he didn't drink alcohol.

Seeing the color in his cup, Liang Guanhua asked, "Isn't Xiao Chen drinking?"

"Teacher Liang, I can't drink until the filming is finished."

Liang Guanhua paused for a moment, then laughed heartily.

"Old Wang, did you hear that? This kid's interesting."

Wang Xueqi: "I told you a long time ago."

Liang Guanhua turned to look at Chen Mo, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"Xiao Chen, let me ask you a question."

The private room suddenly fell silent.

Chen Mo put down his teacup and straightened his posture.

"Please ask, Teacher Liang."

Liang Guanhua picked up a piece of hand-pulled mutton and put it in his bowl, chewing it slowly before speaking.

"I'm playing Zhu Gaochi, how do you plan to play your Zhu Zhanji?"

After the question was asked, the private room fell silent.

Luo Yifeng held his wine glass but didn't move.

Wang Xueqi glanced at Chen Mo out of the corner of his eye.

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that this was what Teacher Wang meant by "testing".

This question is difficult to answer.

Giving a very specific answer shows a lack of understanding; giving a vague answer shows a lack of competence.

He thought for three seconds.

Then he opened his mouth.

"Teacher Liang, the Zhu Gaochi you portrayed is a kind-hearted, chubby crown prince. But he's not just chubby. He's a crown prince who's been suppressed for twenty years. The one who suppressed him is his father, Zhu Di."

Liang Guanhua chewed the meat more slowly.

Chen Mo continued.

"The character I played, Zhu Zhanji, was the apple of his grandfather's eye, and his father was his lifeline. When his grandfather was alive, he lived in his grandfather's eyes, but after his grandfather passed away, he had to live in his father's shadow."

"Of these two lives, the first was weighed down by pride, and the second by responsibility."

"Acting opposite Teacher Wang is a source of pride for him, as it is a continuation of his grandfather's legacy."

"Since I'm acting opposite you, I have to take over your responsibility."

"It's not the same kind of play, so I have to change."

After Chen Mo finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a sip of water.

My palms were actually a little sweaty.

The private room fell silent for a moment.

Liang Guanhua finished chewing the piece of mutton, swallowed it, and slowly put down his chopsticks.

He looked at Chen Mo.

I watched it for about ten seconds.

Then he turned to Wang Xueqi.

"Old Wang."

"Um."

"You're not lying this time."

Wang Xueqi raised his wine glass: "When did I ever say something like that?"

Liang Guanhua laughed and turned to look at Luo Yifeng.

"Old Luo, I'll take this role."

Luo Yifeng raised his glass: "Thank you, Teacher Liang."

"No need to thank me." Liang Guanhua picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Chen Mo's. "I'll keep you company with this cup of tea, Xiao Chen."

Chen Mo quickly stood up and picked up his glass.

The two cups touched lightly.

Liang Guanhua took a big gulp, put down the cup, and said something to Chen Mo.

"We'll get into character in a couple of days, then we'll work on it properly."

Chen Mo: "Okay."

When he sat down, he found that his palms were sweaty.

Communicating with these older folks is too stressful.

After all, they've seen all sorts of people, and often they can understand who you are just by looking at you.

Upon their first meeting, Chen Mo naturally wanted to leave a good impression on the industry veteran.

Fortunately, we've passed this hurdle.