Chapter 17: The Eternal Maiden
“You really have a knack for this cultivation method. At first, you were sweating and gasping for breath, but now you’re getting used to it and feeling quite comfortable.”
The morning sun shone brightly as Chen Qi and Liang Xiaosheng finished their secret sparring session in the guesthouse room, feeling refreshed as they headed downstairs. Liang Xiaosheng was eleven years older than him, but there was no sense of age gap between them. Since Chen Qi hadn’t married and had plenty of free time, he often came here for company.
“The key is persistence. Keep at it for a year or so, and that’s when you truly loosen up your muscles, dispel ailments, and strengthen your body.”
Chen Qi smiled cheerfully. He had been staying here for several days, idling while revising scripts, occasionally consulting the teachers, putting on the appearance of a hardworking, humble, and cautious young man.
Because the Beijing Film Studio’s production teams were numerous and many young singles worked here, the cafeteria provided three meals a day, which was a definite advantage.
The two arrived at the cafeteria and queued up for food. Chen Qi ordered three steamed buns and a bowl of stir-fried pork liver, while Liang Xiaosheng hesitated and only got a single fried dough stick.
“Why so little food?”
“Not very hungry today, just something to nibble on.”
“…”
Chen Qi glanced at him but said nothing and found a place to sit. Liang Xiaosheng asked, “How’s the script revision going? Any difficulties?”
“Not bad, I’m getting into the groove. The teachers are very patient. I’ll go ask for advice again later.”
“Then you should see Director Jiang. Teacher Shi isn’t here today.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“It’s about her son…” Liang Xiaosheng paused, seeming reluctant to gossip, but Chen Qi couldn’t resist and egged him on, “Who doesn’t get talked about behind their back? Don’t worry, I’ll keep it secret.”
“Teacher Shi has a son, 22 years old, still unemployed. His parents are really worried.”
“Is he also a sent-down youth?”
“Sort of. He was sent to a team in Changping to raise pigs. I met him once — unremarkable looks, timid, speaks softly. After returning to the city, he tried to get into school but failed. He also tried for the drama troupe but didn’t succeed.”
“The old couple is begging around everywhere. They went out again today to try and arrange something.”
“Her husband is Ge Cunzhuang, right? With his connections, how could he not find a job?”
“Connections mean little here at Beijing Film Studio. I’ve been here a few years and have seen right through it. Anyone with a big name in this city has a sky-high background. Not to mention them — take you, for example. Your parents have such good jobs, I’m honestly envious.”
Liang Xiaosheng sighed deeply.
Ge Cunzhuang was well-known, but within the arts world, his status wasn’t top-tier. Take Chen Qiang, also from Beijing Film Studio — he was one of the twenty-two major film stars selected by the nation, part of the elite.
Back when Chen Peisi was sent down, he was starving and desperate to return. Chen Qiang humbled himself to ask Tian Hua for help. Tian Hua had starred as the heroine Xi’er in “The White-Haired Girl,” while Chen Qiang played Huang Shiren.
Tian Hua helped get Chen Peisi into the August First Film Studio, which was looking for actors to play hoodlums and rascals. That’s how this rare talent got in.
Ge You’s situation was similar — not enough personal merit, family background not top-tier, currently still unemployed.
“Teacher Liang!”
They were chatting when suddenly a voice called out. Liang Xiaosheng looked up: “Xiao Liu, what are you doing here? Got a new role?”
“No, I’m just here to freeload meals. Oh, I moved into the guesthouse today too!”
A face with thick eyebrows and bright eyes, full of vitality, appeared beside Chen Qi, cheeks flushed like apples—clearly healthy and full of life. She smiled, “Who’s this comrade?”
Liang Xiaosheng quickly introduced them.
“Oh, you’re Chen Qi! I heard the studio got a 19-year-old prodigy — so it’s you.”
“Hello, I’m Liu Xiaoqing!”
She extended her hand. Chen Qi blinked and shook it, “Hello, hello, I’ve heard so much about you!”
“Heard so much?”
“Nowadays, who hasn’t seen your movies?”
“Ha ha, you’re a smooth talker. I’m off to get my food first!”
She laughed heartily, dressed distinctively, barefoot but wearing a pair of old leather shoes with the heels worn down, dragging as she walked. Her presence in the cafeteria seemed perfectly natural, yet she instantly drew everyone’s attention.
Yet the gazes were mostly curious, teasing, or just watching the spectacle.
No doubt, this was the eternal maiden — at 70 years old still playing young girls — a legend among legends, Grandmother Liu!
“She’s so carefree, unlike anyone else.”
“I advise you to keep your distance from her!”
“Why?”
Liang Xiaosheng hesitated, speaking cautiously in a low voice, “Well, she… has some issues with her conduct.”
Oh!
Chen Qi’s eyes lit up. Now this was something interesting!
He urged Liang Xiaosheng to elaborate, but Liang maintained some boundaries and refused to reveal details.
Chen Qi’s impression of Liu Xiaoqing was vague — rumored to have had an affair with Jiang Wen, involved in tax evasion, always playing teenage girls. But he knew she was arguably the toughest female star in the country.
Zhang Ziyi was fierce enough, but compared to Liu Xiaoqing, she was just a minor player.
After staying at Beijing Film Studio for several days and meeting many celebrities, Chen Qi was growing accustomed to it. He ate his fill, pushed the two remaining buns forward, “I’m full. Teacher Liang, if you don’t mind, please help me finish these.”
“No, no, I’m full too!” Liang Xiaosheng hastily declined.
“Just eat them, don’t waste food!”
“You eat only two buns and can’t finish? I’ve seen you eat a whole pound in one meal…”
Liang Xiaosheng gave up resisting and picked up a bun to eat.
Of course, he wasn’t really full — one fried dough stick could never fill a person — but he came from a difficult background.
…
Back at the guesthouse.
Chen Qi resumed his pretentious script revisions, pasting glue onto the manuscript.
Many at Beijing Film Studio already knew him: young at 19, with a romantic story — these two things alone made him a curiosity. Everyone was eager to see what his script would ultimately become.
He received a daily subsidy of two yuan, having already freeloaded ten yuan with nowhere to spend it.
He understood Liang Xiaosheng’s hardship — surely he was sending his wages home. Chen Qi wanted to help but feared hurting his pride. Talking about money might not be accepted either — looks like he would have to buy four buns next time.
Liang Xiaosheng was his designated editor and usually had little to do. After breakfast, he came over again, and the two played chess.
While they were playing, someone knocked on the door: “Is Xiao Chen here?”
“Liu Xiaoqing?”
Chen Qi was stunned, opened the door, and sure enough, it was her. She smiled, “Oh, Teacher Liang is here too? Perfect, may I come in?”
“Please do!”
She entered boldly, glanced around, and casually sat on the edge of the bed.
Liang Xiaosheng shivered, too scared to close the door — not only did he leave it open, he deliberately kept it wide. Nowadays, when a man and woman chat alone in a room, especially a single man and woman, the door must stay open — just like a green massage parlor in the future.
Conduct problems are serious business!
“I heard you wrote a love story. I’m very curious. Could you tell me about it?”
“Are you interested in acting in it?”
“Yes. As long as the script is good, I don’t want to miss any opportunity.” She didn’t try to hide it.
“Then I’m afraid I must apologize…”
Chen Qi felt neither fondness nor dislike toward her — just neutral. He said plainly, “The female lead is a girl in her early twenties, experiencing first love, raised in America. Your age and image don’t quite fit.”
“Oh, that’s a pity. But I’d still like to hear your story. You…”
Before Liu Xiaoqing could finish, her expression suddenly changed.
Outside in the corridor, hurried footsteps sounded, accompanied by a man’s shouting: “Xiaoqing? Xiaoqing?”
(And then…)