The literary era since 1979

Chapter 28 Eating Roast Duck with Xie Jin
Xie Jin has been in the industry for nearly 30 years and has seen all kinds of writers. Requirements like using dialect are already commonplace to him.

"Yanzi wants to write a script, of course I can, but movie scripts and novels are two different literary forms. I wonder if you have ever learned about them or written a script before?"

“I haven’t written it, but I know a little bit about how to write it.”

Fangyan had already found reasons for himself to understand the script.

The Central Academy of Drama is located in Dongmianhua Hutong of Nanluoguxiang, not far from my own hutong. It was inevitable that I was influenced by it and fell in love with movies.

that's the truth.

If I hadn't been in business in my previous life, I would have really thought about being an actor, especially a national first- and third-level actor like Mr. Hou.

I don’t envy the mandarin ducks or the immortals, I envy Mr. Hou every day.

"It's ok."

Xie Jin believed the words, "We at Shanghai Film Studio strongly support the original author's participation in script creation, and will definitely do our best to assist you in writing the script for The Shepherd."

"Really!"

Fangyan nodded with satisfaction.

Now it is the literary and artistic world, not the entertainment industry in the future.

It is very common for screenwriters and writers to take on both responsibilities. Their status and voice are very high, second only to the director, and sometimes even higher than the director. If they say that the work cannot be changed at will, then it cannot be changed at will.

Moreover, the salary and remuneration are quite high!

For example, the line from "Second Spring", an old movie whose lines were borrowed by "The Three-Body Problem", "Natural Selection, go four", comes from the line from this old movie, "Sea Hawk, go three".

The Bayi Film Studio paid the screenwriter 500 yuan in royalties!
It’s still the seventies!

It is equivalent to more than one year’s salary of an ordinary worker!
And this does not include the various allowances and subsidies during the period of writing the script.

Sure enough, people who are involved in art are still popular these days!

…………

After a while, roast duck, duck soup, etc. were served on the table.

Fangyan picked up the thin slices of duck meat, dipped them in sweet noodle sauce, placed them on the lotus leaf pancake, rolled them with a few scallion shreds, and dipped them in sweet noodle sauce again.

Once you put it in your mouth, it's so rich but not greasy that it dances ballet on the tip of your tongue.

This is so authentic!
Everyone rolled up the lotus leaf pancake and devoured it with relish.

"This Peking duck is indeed a rare delicacy."

Xie Jin couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes."

Playful dialect: "There is a saying that goes like this: If we are in the sky, we would like to be a pair of wings, and if we are on the ground, we would like to eat roast duck; when will the spring flowers and autumn moon end? The past is all about eating roast duck; if the sky has feelings, it will also grow old. The right way in the world is to eat roast duck!"

"Ha ha!"

Instantly, everyone burst into laughter.

"Thank you, Director. Cheers."

The dialect skillfully livens up the atmosphere at the table.

"Dry."

Xie Jin drank a cup of wine, but did not forget his work. He asked about the script conception of "The Shepherd", especially what the movie wanted to express.

“The core of the expression is very simple and can be summed up in four words.”

Fangyan held up four fingers: "Patriotism."

"Yes, yes, just like the poem says, 'Why are there always tears in my eyes? Because I love this land so deeply.'"

Xie Jin nodded in agreement.

"Four more words, strive for progress."

Fang Yan said: "On the surface, The Shepherd looks like scar literature, but it is actually a reflection on scars. Director Xie's The Shepherd must dig out the positive and sunny side of the novel. If it can bring confidence and strength to the audience in life, it can cheer up the lost and decadent people of this era."

Then he poured the wine and said, "I think a successful movie would be made of The Horse Wrangler like this. What do you think?"

"Same! Just as I thought!"

Xie Jin slapped the table excitedly.

"Really?"

Fang Yan raised his glass, "Then Director Xie and I are of the same mind. When you meet a good friend, a thousand cups are not enough. Come on, let's have another drink."

Xie Jin blushed slightly, "I wonder when Yanzi plans to start writing the script?"

"It starts at 7 o'clock tonight."

Dialect is spoken in a joking tone.

"What Yanzi said is true!"

"What else do you think?"

"I thought you were talking about Mr. Ma's crosstalk." "It's 'Starting at 7 o'clock Tonight', right?"

The dialect with the corners of the mouth raised is Ma Sanli's "Starting at Ten O'clock". The original name of the crosstalk is "Starting at Seven O'clock Tonight".

Xie Jin nodded, "Actually, Yanzi, you don't have to be so anxious. If it's convenient, you can come with us to Shanghai. The Shanghai Film Studio has a special guesthouse. You can stay there and write slowly."

Fang Yan said tactfully: "Director Xie may not know that I just started working at Yanjing Literature and Art at the beginning of the year, and it has only been more than a month."

"I understand."

Xie Jin said, "Then I will report the situation to the factory and try to stay in Yanjing for a few more days. During this time, we will write the outline of the script first. What do you think, Yanzi?"

Fangyan said: "This is naturally the best."

Xie Jin asked: "So, during this period of time, did you come to the guesthouse to find me, or did I come to the editorial office to find you, or..."

"It's better at my house. It's more convenient and private."

Fangyan gave his address and also planned a bus route for Xie Jin from the guesthouse to Nanluoguxiang.

"Okay, that's it!"

Xie Jin agreed readily.

After finishing the business, everyone at the table ate roast duck and drank wine.

After eating and drinking, everyone had a satisfied smile on their face, wiping their hands while looking at the duck rack.

"What should I do with these?"

"This is usually packed and taken away, and then cooked at home, fried or stewed in soup."

Fangyan saw the waiter push the door open.

"We're staying at a guesthouse, and we can't do anything with the duck bones if we take them back. How about Yanzi pack them up and take them away?"

Xie Jin did a favor.

Fangyan accepted it without hesitation, then took money out of his pocket and asked the waiter to pack up half a roast duck and three servings of scallion sauce.

As for the duck bone soup, there are ready-made duck racks in front of you.

"No, how can I let you pay?"

Xie Jin waved his hand, "Let's do it. Half a roast duck and three servings of onion sauce, right? Put it on the bill for this table."

Fang Yan said, "No, Director Xie, please don't. Public is public, private is private. I want to take this half roast duck home for my family to eat. It is different from your meal. We have to pay for it separately."

"Yako, you're too polite."

Xie Jin looked at him with admiration.

"Please don't say that. I've already been rude enough. Look at these two duck racks. I took them away."

Fang Yan smiled and said, "How about this, there is still some Tongzhou Laojiao left, why don't you take it away, Director Xie, it would be a shame to waste it."

"Then do as Yanzi said. We'll take the wine away."

Xie Jin narrowed his eyes and looked at him with even greater respect.

…………

The night is deep and the moon is dim.

Fangyan rode his bike leisurely back to the compound.

"Today we drink to celebrate our success, and we will not stop until our ambitions are fulfilled."

"There is still a long way to go to show your abilities and shed your blood to write the history books."

“Uh uh uh uh uh uh~”

Holding the wrapping paper in his hand, he hummed a tune.

Su Ya was seen riding a bicycle, with Fang Hong holding the back seat behind her, keeping her balance and swaying as she circled around the yard.

"Oh, learning to ride a bike."

Fangyan stopped.

"Yanzi, why did you just come back?"

Fang Hong said unhappily, "We've been waiting for you for a long time. Mom has been heating up the food again and again, and you said you were going to...what are you holding in your hand?"

"Hey, Peking duck, and two duck racks."

Fangyan burped.

"What! Roast duck!"

Not only Fang Hong and Su Ya were greatly surprised, but even Yang Xia and Fang Yan, who were waiting for dinner in the house, rushed out immediately.

　Thank you Tianxia Zongheng for giving me my 100 Qidian coins.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)