Chapter 56: The Resentful Lin Sister

The initial audition for the cast of the *Dream of the Red Chamber* production was indeed based on their self-recommendation letters. However, after entering the training camp, dozens of actors underwent training together.

Through recorded footage, the directors then individually identified and selected the most suitable actors for each role.

The four main roles—Baochai, Daiyu, Xifeng, and Baoyu—were the first to be finalized, and they even appeared on *Popular Television* to report their achievements to audiences nationwide.

Those three photographs appeared to be the earliest publicity stills published by *Popular Television*. Wow! They were said to be quite popular.

The two of them chatted as they rode in the vehicle.

Gulou Outer Street lived up to its name, as the Bell and Drum Towers were located right here.

The Drum Tower came into view first, its striking red walls catching the eye, situated about a hundred meters north of the tower itself.

Mentioning the Bell and Drum Towers instantly brought to mind Liu Xinwu’s ultimate masterpiece, *The Bell and Drum Towers*. Afterward, that old fellow’s creative well ran dry, and he went off to dabble in the *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

Upon arriving at Gulou Outer Street, they were not far from Li Yousi’s destination. Having spent half an hour chatting while riding together, their paths were now about to part.

When the bus reached the stop, Li Yousi got off first.

Looking back, he saw Chen Xiaoxu carrying her luggage and slowly following him down.

Arriving in Beijing in the afternoon, they found that it was already dark by now. Both Li Yousi and Chen Xiaoxu decided to rest for the night before reporting to their respective work units the next day.

"What a coincidence, are you also staying at the Jufengdu Guesthouse?" Chen Xiaoxu asked with a smile.

Li Yousi nodded. "The General Political Department is right on this street. Staying at the same guesthouse makes it easier for us to look out for each other."

"Mm-hmm," Chen Xiaoxu nodded immediately. How wonderful this person was! Making friends (purely as friends) was a good idea, and having a friend in the crew to look after one another was reassuring.

"More friends mean more paths"—wasn't that what people always said back in Northeast China?

They stepped into the guesthouse.

In this era, without national ID cards, traveling required an official letter of introduction from one's work unit. They had registered upon getting off the train, which was how their guesthouse accommodations were assigned. Of course, places like the Writers' Association had their own dormitories and guesthouses, sparing their members from government assignments.

"Comrade! Hello!"

Li Yousi called out to the distracted desk clerk.

"Are there any rooms available?"

The clerk looked up and, seeing two attractive faces, felt her mood lift considerably. "How many rooms do you need?"

"One! Here is the letter of introduction!"

The two of them spoke simultaneously, then exchanged a glance.

"Oh! Oh~" The clerk processed this for a couple of seconds. "Are you two a married couple? Truly a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Perfect—oh! There is just one twin room left. Let me register you!"

Chen Xiaoxu quickly interjected, "That's not it! Him and I..."

Earlier she had claimed not to know him to the bus conductor, but now that they clearly did know each other, what excuse should she use?

Li Yousi spoke up, "We just traveled here together! Just book two single rooms for us."

"Just met, eh? Some people even share a single room at the guesthouse front desk right from the start! Young people these days are certainly bold..." The clerk coughed softly.

"Fine then, let me check. You two are in luck! There actually are two rooms left."

***

Ah!

As luck would have it, there happened to be two empty rooms.

Information did not circulate quickly in this era. Assigned rooms and actual vacancies at guesthouses could not always be communicated in time, which often resulted in travelers finding guesthouses completely full upon arrival.

The two presented their letters of introduction, checked into their rooms, and received an invoice. Without an invoice, their work units would never reimburse them!

Each of them carried their luggage to their rooms; Chen Xiaoxu’s room was right next to his.

Once Li Yousi put his things down, he washed his face and tidied up, preparing to go out for a bite to eat.

Chen Xiaoxu also came out of her room, and the two ran into each other.

"Comrade, heading out to eat?"

Daiyu extended the invitation: "That's right, care to join?"

"Sure thing." Li Yousi walked ahead.

This time, Chen Xiaoxu finally took in his full height—at one meter seventy-eight, he towered a whole head above the young woman!

***

Exiting the state-run restaurant, one could see construction still underway not far away... That was the site of the Gulou Street Station on Line 2. Indeed, construction had begun a few years prior, and Line 2 would open by 1987. Beijing already had its first subway line back in 1969, however.

***

Off to the state-run restaurant!

For the month and a half following the Lunar New Year, Li Yousi had been cooped up in the literary and art troupe. Now that he had finally emerged, he simply had to indulge a little.

Besides, one couldn't eat properly on the swaying train, and the constant jolting was truly unbearable.

Arriving at the nearest state-run restaurant, Li Yousi looked over the menu:

"Braised pork belly, sliced meat in gravy, shredded potatoes with vinegar, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stewed pork ribs, and shredded pork with green peppers."

Ordering this much? Chen Xiaoxu’s mouth parted slightly, and she felt a momentary twinge of regret for coming out with him.

Before Chen Xiaoxu could snap out of her daze, Li Yousi had already paid the money and food coupons—six yuan and seventy cents.

To him, a wealthy man of means with thousands to his name, this was mere pocket change!

Chen Xiaoxu asked, "Hey? How much was it? Let's split it fifty-fifty."

"It's fine, it wasn't much. My treat."

"That wouldn't be right. Your money doesn't grow on trees."

Li Yousi replied, "It's no problem. I'm treating you because I actually have a favor to ask of you."

"What favor?"

Li Yousi had Chen Xiaoxu sit down and said, "When you go to the production crew tomorrow, could you help me bring something to Zhang Li? I originally planned to give it to her myself in a couple of days, but I won't be able to spare the time anytime soon!"

Er...

***

At this point, Chen Xiaoxu fell silent for a brief moment!

This man was utterly clueless. Who on earth, while sitting across from a beauty, would keep fussing over another woman?

Although Chen Xiaoxu had never entertained romantic thoughts toward him, she still felt a tiny, faint pang of disappointment.

At the same time, her curiosity about this woman named Zhang Li deepened. Who was she, to have a talented writer wrapped entirely around her finger?

"Alright."

The dishes were served.

Li Yousi ate with refined manners. Halfway through the meal, Chen Xiaoxu was dumbfounded once again. Even when she ate two bowls of rice, her stomach would feel fit to burst.

Yet this guy was simply wiping out an entire table of dishes. He didn't even seem to be eating fast—how on earth did everything disappear?

***

Back at the guesthouse.

Li Yousi began to pack his luggage. He didn't have many belongings of his own.

Before leaving Chengdu, he had met with Zhang Li's parents. Zhang's parents had entrusted Li Yousi with quite a few items for Xiao Li, mostly food.

Two jars of chili paste, two jars of cured meat, and two jars of pickled cabbage. Half of them were meant for Li Yousi—the taste of a mother's cooking!

He packed them up and wrote a letter to go with them.

The items weren't excessively heavy, but they would put Xiao Xiao to some trouble. He would have to treat her to another meal next time.

That evening, a knock sounded at his door.

Chen Xiaoxu had changed into a white blouse, draped loosely over her shoulders. The guesthouse lighting was poor and dim. As she leaned against the doorway, she looked precisely like the frail, white-clad Daiyu on her deathbed.

The resemblance was uncanny!

Li Yousi was once again struck dumb for a moment.

"Here are the things."

Chen Xiaoxu smiled. "I'm so envious! This Sister Zhang hasn't even met you yet, and she already has such a caring sweetheart. It really makes one jealous!"

For some reason, a trace of lingering resentment laced the young woman's tone.

Perhaps it suddenly reminded her of that university student who had made promises to her—yet now that she had come to Beijing, he had neither come to meet her nor shown her even a fraction of the care this man showed others.

People could never withstand comparison! Now that she compared them, a sense of loss inevitably crept in.

Li Yousi scratched his head. The Daiyu persona was coming through loud and clear!

"She's no sweetheart of mine. We're just comrades-in-arms!"

Chen Xiaoxu’s lips twitched into a helpless smile.

Her inner monologue: *Such a wonderful man—he must not dare give this sister a commitment simply because he feels his own position isn't stable yet!*