On the way to the guesthouse, Han Sanping briefed Chen Fusheng on the people accompanying them.
Besides the three from their film crew, there was Deputy Director Shi, who would lead the delegation. Since China Film Group handled film imports and exports, they’d send a representative as well. Finally, the Security Department had assigned them two bodyguards.
“So that makes seven people?” Chen Fusheng confirmed after hearing the rundown.
“Roughly. Whether the headcount changes before we leave, I can’t say. This isn’t really my responsibility,” Han Sanping replied.
Shortly after Chen Fusheng checked into the official guesthouse with Han Sanping, without his knowledge, his personal file was delivered to Deputy Director Shi’s office.
Chen Fusheng. Male. Height: 179 centimeters. Born 1957, age 23. Father: Chen Runqiu, professor in the history department at River City University. Mother: Yang Hongmei, associate professor in the foreign languages department at River City University. One older sister: Chen Guizhi…
Wife: Liu Xiaoli, from Heilongjiang, born 1959. Admitted to the River City Song and Dance Theater in 1970; after graduating in 1976, stayed on as a dancer to this day. Married Chen Fusheng on National Day in 1979. Gave birth to a daughter on August 1st of this year.
After reading through Chen Fusheng’s impressively detailed file, Deputy Director Shi nodded and summoned his secretary:
“Where is Comrade Chen Fusheng now? I’d like to meet this young man.”
The secretary, quick on the uptake, replied: “He should be at the guesthouse. I’ll bring him right over.”
“Mm.”
Once the secretary left, Deputy Director Shi picked up another report lying nearby.
Its title read: Feasibility Study on Generating Foreign Exchange Through Film Works
Attached at the end was a list of names.
Only three names appeared on it so far, and the third was none other than Han Sanping.
He picked up his pen as if to add another name, but hesitated just as the nib touched the paper.
After a long moment, he set the pen down and murmured: “Let’s wait and see.”
Since Chen Fusheng was staying at the Film Bureau’s own guesthouse, it didn’t take long for the secretary to bring him over.
“Good afternoon, Director Shi. I’m Chen Fusheng.”
People might call him “Deputy Director Shi” behind his back, but face to face, Chen Fusheng knew better than to include the “deputy.”
Deputy Director Shi stood up, looked Chen Fusheng over, and offered a warm appraisal: “What an impressive young talent!”
“Thank you, Director Shi. You flatter me.”
“Now, now. Don’t be overly modest, young man, and don’t be nervous. I just wanted to have a casual chat.”
He led Chen Fusheng to the coffee table and sat down with him. Once the secretary had brewed the tea, he continued:
“Comrade Fusheng, you’re a foreign language teaching assistant at River City University, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How’s your English?” Deputy Director Shi seemed to realize the question was a bit blunt and added: “As you know, on a trip abroad we inevitably have to deal with foreigners. If I asked you to communicate with them, would that be a problem?”
“If it’s just communicating in English, no problem at all.”
“Good. Then I may have to trouble you to serve as our translator on this trip.”
Chen Fusheng had felt like something was missing from their team lineup. So this was what it was.
Translation wasn’t difficult for him, though. He had no qualms about taking on the task.
Next, the conversation shifted from Chen Fusheng’s novels to his film.
“Comrade Fusheng, you weren’t an actor before. So how is your performance as Niu Er in Cowherd so remarkable? Even Elder Liao, after watching the film, commented, ‘This young actor is quite good!'”
Chen Fusheng, flattered beyond words, replied: “Thank you to Elder Liao and Director Shi for recognizing my acting. Since Cowherd is something I created, I knew in my head exactly how Niu Er should be played. Plus, I’ve been a film buff since I was little, so maybe I have a bit of natural talent. The Niu Er I brought to life is at best passable.”
Deputy Director Shi nodded: “I come from a screenwriting background myself, so I know acting really does depend on natural talent. There’s even a saying in the industry that acting is a gift from the heavens. But in my view, Comrade Fusheng, your talent is more like being spoon-fed by the heavens, wouldn’t you say? Hahahaha…”
After that joke, Deputy Director Shi had other work to attend to, so he wrapped up the conversation.
After seeing Chen Fusheng out, he returned to his desk and hovered his pen over the list for a long time. In the end, he still didn’t write Chen Fusheng’s name.
A soft sigh echoed through the office: “Let’s wait and see!”
Chen Fusheng shared a room at the guesthouse with Han Sanping, so the moment he returned, Han Sanping immediately asked:
“What did Deputy Director Shi want with you?”
“He gave me a secret mission,” Chen Fusheng said with exaggerated mystery.
“What secret mission?”
“It’s called a secret mission. You think I can just tell you?”
“Really?” Han Sanping looked skeptical.
“Of course not.”
“Hey, you’re asking for a smack, aren’t you? Spit it out.”
“Nothing much. Just wanted to chat.” Halfway through, Chen Fusheng remembered something and added: “Oh right, there actually was one task. He wants me to serve as everyone’s translator.”
“Almost forgot you’re a language teacher. That settles it.”
“Aren’t you a top graduate from Sichuan University? You never studied English?”
“I learned mute English. I’ve already given it all back to my teachers these past few years.”
“Then you need to brush up. Otherwise, how will you ever advance?” Chen Fusheng’s words were half teasing, half genuine advice.
“Fair point. Then I’ll have to trouble Comrade Fusheng from now on.”
“……”
Chen Fusheng was speechless.
Damn it. Looks like I just dug myself another hole.
Han Sanping suddenly added: “Oh, I almost forgot something.”
“What?”
“Last time I invited the faculty and students of Beijing Film Academy to a screening of our film, right? After they saw your Niu Er performance, they were blown away. Later, some of the teachers heard it was your first time acting in a film and asked if I could invite you to share some acting techniques with their students.”
“Damn it, you booked me a gig?”
“Ahem, well, Elder Cheng Ying did help a lot in getting our film to Venice. So why don’t you go give a class on acting to the Beijing Film students? You’re a university teacher anyway, so this is right up your alley.” Han Sanping urged gently.
“One dinner, no, two dinners.” Chen Fusheng knew he couldn’t refuse this. Actually, he never intended to; he was rather tempted. But he couldn’t let Han Sanping off for free. The man had to pay some price.
“Deal.” Han Sanping didn’t know what was going through Chen Fusheng’s mind, but seeing him agree, two dinners were well within his budget.
“When do you plan to go? I need to write back.”
“At least not until we’re back from the Venice Film Festival.”
“Fine.”
