novelraw Chapter 360: The “Banquet at Hongmen” in Studio One
Chapter 360: The “Banquet at Hongmen” in Studio One
Chapter 360: The "Banquet at Hongmen" in Studio One
The next day, at the CCTV building.
Unlike the modern opulence of Daylight Entertainment, which was built with money, everything here exuded solemnity,
even an outdated, "within the system" atmosphere.
Staff members passing by in the corridors walked briskly, their faces devoid of any superfluous expression.
Lin Wan had changed into the most dignified black suit from her wardrobe, her hair neatly combed.
But walking down this long corridor hung with medals of honor and black-and-white group photos from past years,
she felt like a department manager coming to report on her work, completely ill at ease.
Jiang Ci was still in his windbreaker.
He seemed utterly oblivious to the pressure here, instead showing more interest in the mottled black-and-white photos on the wall.
He stopped in front of a group photo of Spring Festival Gala hosts from the 1980s.
Lin Wan noticed him lagging behind and turned to urge him on.
A young man in gray work clothes, wearing an ID badge, was already waiting for them at the corner.
"Director Lin, Teacher Jiang Ci, Director Feng is inside."
The man's attitude was polite, but distant.
He pushed open a heavy soundproof door and led them to the side stage of Studio One.
The studio was vast and quiet, with only a few work lights on, casting a pool of light on the center of the stage.
In front of the director's monitor sat a slightly plump man in a jacket. He was Feng Gang.
And beside him, two elderly gentlemen were also seated.
Their hair was gray, they wore reading glasses. One was dressed in a Zhongshan suit,
the other in an old, faded shirt. They had a scholarly, refined air and sat there quietly.
Lin Wan's heart skipped a beat.
Feng Gang's assistant introduced in a low voice, "This is Elder Zhao Dingguo from the Drama Association, and this is Elder Qian Wenhai, a retired professor from the Film Academy."
Two names, each one thundering in their ears.
Names that only appeared in textbooks.
The two titans simultaneously looked at Jiang Ci.
Their gazes seemed to want to dissect him layer by layer, to see right through him.
Lin Wan felt her hands beginning to sweat slightly.
"Director Feng, Elder Zhao, Elder Qian." Lin Wan took the initiative to speak, breaking the heavy silence.
Feng Gang nodded, stood up, and without beating around the bush, he directly picked up a document from beside him and handed it to Jiang Ci.
"Take a look."
Jiang Ci took it.
The paper was thin, only one page.
The title was two words: "Return."
Feng Gang explained succinctly, "A short situational drama, three minutes."
"The content is simple: a wanderer who has been away from home for many years returns to an empty house on New Year's Eve. On the table is the New Year's Eve dinner his mother just prepared. He sits there alone, waiting."
Feng Gang's finger tapped the air.
"We don't want dialogue, no narration. Just a one-man show."
"In three minutes, you need to perform 'apprehension when approaching home,' perform 'the anxiety of waiting,'"
"and finally, at the moment he sees his loved one appear, perform that kind of 'settled-down happiness.'"
In the studio, only Feng Gang's voice echoed.
Lin Wan's heart, however, sank little by little.
Happiness.
Happiness again.
The thing Jiang Ci was least adept at.
Just then, Elder Zhao Dingguo, who had been silent all along, gently pushed his reading glasses up the bridge of his nose.
He looked at Jiang Ci and spoke.
"Comrade Jiang Ci."
His form of address was very formal, carrying the habits of the older generation.
"Your tragic roles, we few old men have all seen them. The scene where you commit suicide in 'The Legend of Han and Chu,' the heartbreak, was portrayed with penetrating accuracy."
Elder Zhao's words sounded like praise, but they sent a chill down Lin Wan's spine.
"However," Elder Zhao's tone shifted, "'Happiness' is an emotion that radiates warmth outward.
"Your acting system, from what I've seen, leans toward being introverted and somber."
He paused for a moment, and that most pointed question was still asked by him in the gentlest way.
"You... can you perform it?"
Lin Wan's fingernails dug deep into her palms.
This was no imperial examination; this was a public "execution"!
A hundred ways to smooth things over flashed through her mind. She even wanted to blurt out that Jiang Ci wasn't in good condition and needed preparation.
But seeing the uncompromising expressions on the two elderly gentlemen behind Feng Gang, the words died in her throat.
If you can perform it, you have the right to stand here.
If you can't, all your previous achievements are worthless here.
Feng Gang didn't pick up the thread. Instead, he smiled.
He stood up from in front of the monitor, strode to the center of the stage, and pointed to a simple, makeshift set beside him.
A wooden table with peeling paint, two chairs.
"Teacher Jiang Ci, no need to wait for the rehearsal."
Feng Gang turned his head and looked at him.
"Now, please 'perform' a segment for us."
An on-the-spot imperial examination!
Lin Wan's entire body froze.
"Wait," Feng Gang raised his hand, clearly feeling this wasn't enough, wanting to increase the difficulty.
"You just perform the last thirty seconds."
"You've been waiting a long time, and suddenly you hear your mother's coughing from the kitchen. It's very soft, but you hear it."
"You're very worried, but you don't want her to see you looking anxious when she returns."
"You stand up, wanting to go to the kitchen to check, but as soon as you step forward, you sit back down. You straighten your collar, trying to make yourself look more relaxed."
"Until you see her, carrying a bowl of steaming hot soup, walking out from the kitchen doorway."
After speaking, Feng Gang took a few steps back, leaving the entire stage to Jiang Ci.
In Studio One, everyone's attention was focused on that young man.
Elder Zhao and Elder Qian leaned forward slightly. They were no longer gentle elders, but the most stringent examiners.
Jiang Ci stood in place, unmoving.
He held that thin piece of paper, head bowed, making it impossible for others to see his reaction.
He composed himself.
Everyone thought he was going to walk to the center of the stage.
But he lifted his head. Instead of looking at the simple set, he turned and looked at Feng Gang.
"Director Feng."
His form of address was calm.
"Can I not perform according to your requirements?"
As his words fell, silence filled the studio.
Feng Gang didn't answer immediately. The smile vanished from his face,
replaced by a quiet gaze fixed on Jiang Ci.
His gaze was calm, yet more pressuring than any interrogation.
Elder Zhao and Elder Qian also frowned slightly, clearly surprised by this young man's "arrogance."
Lin Wan's heart leaped into her throat.
A full ten seconds passed before Feng Gang suddenly let out a derisive laugh, breaking the silence.
Far from being angry, he instead turned to Elder Zhao and said in a volume everyone could hear:
"Elder Zhao, you see? Wasn't I right?"
He looked back at Jiang Ci, his eyes finally revealing a glint of appreciation:
"Interesting. Come on, tell us, what is your 'happiness' supposed to look like?"