Back to 80: My Literary Life

The phone call was made directly to President Huang. On the phone, the staff of the General Political Repertory Theater said that after the internal audition, the play "Youth" was well received by the leaders and relevant units and would be performed in Beijing soon. The leader of the troupe specially invited the author Fang Minghua. Comrades went to Beijing to watch.

"Xiao Fang, the people from the Zongzheng Repertory Theater said that they will pay all the expenses for your trip to Beijing this time. If you go early, you can have fun for a few days." President Huang smiled.

The leader has spoken, so of course Fang Minghua must obey, not to mention that he is still on a business trip at public expense?

"Hey, Xiao Fang, I heard that your new novel was shot by Lao He?" President Huang asked with concern as he remembered something.

"Yes, they said what I wrote was in the clouds." Fang Minghua told the truth.

"It doesn't matter, keep working hard. Lao He and the others don't like it. You can try other magazines in Yanjing. Anyway, you have to go there this time."

President Huang is the head of a newspaper and has great administrative power, but he cannot interfere with the editorial affairs. He has no say in whether or not to publish a certain article.

Also, I am going to Yanjing. After finishing my business, I will stop by the "October" magazine to see if the novel can be published.

Today is Saturday, and Fang Minghua doesn't go to work anymore. He simply packs his luggage, says goodbye to his family, carries his old travel bag, and carries a yellow satchel that has turned white after washing, and sets off on the train to Yanjing.

This time I didn’t take a hard seat but a sleeper, and I didn’t meet the young fare evaders like Lei Xuecheng who went to Yanjing last time.

No one dares to evade fares in the sleeper carriage. Those who can ride in the sleeper carriage these days are considered to be people with status.

The next morning, Fang Minghua arrived in Yanjing.

After getting off the train, Fang Minghua took out the map he bought in Yanjing last year and got on the bus according to the address provided.

Fang Minghua stood in the carriage, holding the back of the chair and looking at the scenery outside.

He came to Yanjing last year, and just one year later, he found that there seemed to be more high-rise buildings in Yanjing city, and the people's clothes were also more fashionable.

There are more women with wavy hair and young people wearing jeans than before. The city seems to be undergoing earth-shaking changes at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The General Political Repertory Theater is located on the West Third Ring Road in Haidian, next to the famous Bayi Theater and across from Yanjing TV Station.

Fang Minghua arrived by bus and took out his work permit and letter of introduction from his employer. He was quickly received warmly. Director Zhao, who had gone to Xijing last time, first arranged for him to stay at the Taipingzhuang Guesthouse in the North of the General Administration.

"Xiao Fang, the play is scheduled to be performed the day after tomorrow. In addition, the Nanjiang Song and Dance Troupe will perform at the Bayi Theater tonight. If you are interested, you can also go and have a look." Director Zhao said with a smile.

The Southern Xinjiang cultural troupe also came to Beijing?

I wonder if Song Tangtang is here?

Also, has she received her manuscript?

"Thank you, I wonder where the art troupe lives? I have a friend who is in the art troupe." Fang Minghua said.

"They also live in this guest house. They are all from the General Administration."

Director Zhao then gave Fang Minghua some meal tickets inside the guest house, explaining that a car would be sent to pick him up at the party to watch the show, and you could spend the rest of the time as you wish. "

"Xiao Fang, it's not easy to come to Yanjing. Anyway, there's nothing to do. You can just take a stroll. Tiananmen, the Summer Palace, and the Great Wall are all good." Director Zhao asked very thoughtfully.

The treatment is good.

Fang Minghua immediately expressed his gratitude.

After Director Zhao left, Fang Minghua packed his luggage, washed briefly, and immediately went out and went to the front desk of the foyer to ask where the Nanjiang Art Troupe lived. Only then did he find out that they did not live in this building but in the backyard.

Fang Minghua hurried out of the hall and walked to the backyard. Before he reached the backyard, he saw a female soldier with an oval face coming out of it.

"Oh, isn't this writer Xiao Fang? What a coincidence." The female soldier greeted him first.

Fang Minghua recognized Meng Hongxia, who was also a female soldier in the art troupe and had a good relationship with Song Tangtang.

That time Fang Minghua went to Qianxing to perform with the team to express condolences, and she was also almost in danger in the car.

"Hello, Meng Hongxia." Fang Minghua also greeted and explained: "I was invited by the General Political Repertory Theater to watch the play "Youth". I heard that you are also here to report on the performance. I wonder if Song Tangtang is here?"

"I just know you are looking for Song Tangtang, just wait." Meng Hongxia smiled, turned around and entered the small courtyard, and soon brought Song Tangtang out.

The girl was wearing a coat, but underneath she was wearing a Red Army uniform, shorts and shorts. Her hair was covered in sweat. It looked like she had just come off the rehearsal ground.

"Fang Minghua, I'm still rehearsing and have a performance tonight. I don't have time now. When will you return to Xijing?" Song Tangtang always spoke crisply.

"I just arrived. I will watch a drama tomorrow night. I will stay in Yanjing for two days."

"Okay, where do you live? I have time to come find you tomorrow."

Fang Minghua told him his address, Song Tangtang said goodbye, turned around and ran towards the yard, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"Tangtang has a solo performance in the evening, so she needs extra practice sessions." Meng Hongxia explained next to her.

"How long will you stay in Yanjing?" Fang Minghua asked again.

"In about a week, today is the third day. There will be three performances in total, and then we will return to southern Xinjiang." Meng Hongxia explained.

In this case, Fang Minghua didn't bother him and chatted with the girl for a few more words before returning to his room.

At lunch in the cafeteria of the guest house, Fang Minghua didn't see the female soldiers from the art troupe. He didn't know if they had another place to eat or if they had the same meal.

After dinner, Fang Minghua wanted to go to "October" magazine to see if his novel could be published, but he didn't want to be too hasty and waited two days before going. Anyway, he had to stay in Yanjing for a few days.

The weather in Yanjing was bad today, with a sandstorm blowing and yellow sand flying all over the sky. Fang Minghua didn't want to go out for a walk in this weather, so he just stayed in the room and watched TV.

Not many hotels have TVs these days, but the conditions of the General Political Guest House are relatively good, and there are very few TV channels. There are only a few CCTV and Yanjing channels, and I actually found a translated film.

"The Man from the Bottom of the Atlantic"!

This is the first American TV series introduced in China, earlier than "Garrison Suicide Squad".

Fang Minghua has only heard of it but has never seen it. It seems to be a rebroadcast.

But what about the plot? Although it is a science fiction film, Fang Minghua felt that it was really not that good.

Well, the male protagonist is very handsome wearing toad glasses. It is said that young people in China started wearing toad glasses from this TV series.

Well, better than nothing.

Fang Minghua was half lying on the bed watching TV to kill time.

After dinner at six o'clock in the evening, Fang Minghua was ready to watch the performance of the Nanjiang Cultural Troupe. The venue was at the Bayi Theater, which was only two stops away from the guest house.

Fang Minghua simply walked by. Once he arrived at the theater, there were only soldiers in uniforms. There were very few people like him in casual clothes.

But it didn't matter. Fang Minghua held the ticket given by Director Zhao and the writer's certificate issued by the Writers Association. After checking it, the sentry standing guard at the entrance of the theater immediately saluted and let him go.

The performance started soon, and the girls from the art troupe began to sing and dance. During the performance, Fang Minghua once again saw Song Tangtang's solo dance.

It turned out to be the solo dance I danced for him on the path of the military camp in southern Xinjiang.

As the accompaniment of "Ode to Red Plum Blossoms" resounded through the theater, Song Tangtang, dressed as Sister Jiang, stepped onto the stage and began to perform a ballet solo, wearing a red sweater, a blue skirt and a white scarf.

Red plum blossoms bloom on red rocks

Thousands of miles of frost underfoot

Why should we be afraid of the severe cold?

A heart of loyalty opens to the sun, opens to the sun

Dance very well.

After the dance ended, he received a round of warm applause, but Fang Minghua felt that Song Tangtang in military uniform dancing solo on the field path in southern Xinjiang on the moonlit night seemed more beautiful?

Thanks to Xinglin Jujing, Wumian_EC, Book Friends 20201023180509516, Taro @Tou, Book Friends 2022100205243007, Shuyou Jiuri Sanpi for their monthly votes