[Note: This is a free story and won't be going premium, so updates will be slower. I want to do my best to write it well, so if there's no update at noon, I'll post later that evening or the next day. Getting back into writing is a slow process. I'm grateful for everyone's patience and understanding. Thank you all, always, for keeping me company.]
On the northeastern border stands a small city called Hegang, notorious as a city of bandits and a lawless frontier.
Li Qian is a stray dog who grew up wild in this city of bandits.
Driven half-mad by poverty, Li Qian doesn't believe in feelings. All he sees is money. He'll do any job that pays.
One day, the stray dog became a "best director."
One day, the stray dog actually said to someone else, "In a way, money is everything to me. But I don't want money anymore. I want you."
That person's name is Zheng Jiangwu.
He believes only in "meaning," not money.
"I never thought movies could mean anything to me beyond making money. The people hidden behind the viewfinders, tucked beneath the lights, hunched over their computers late at night, smoking cigarette after cigarette and drinking cup after cup of coffee, showed me themselves that cinema has always been the heroism of a group of people. I was too dense to ever look up and follow the moon before now."
Setup: A pair of directors, Li Qian is the bottom, Zheng Jiangwu is the top.
Update schedule: Monday through Saturday at noon. I'll let you know when there's no update.
A few notes:
1. Both protagonists have extreme personalities, and their values clash sharply. This isn't a lighthearted story overall.
2. This author has been involved in a controversial issue. To avoid affecting readers' experience, if you are concerned that the comments section may get chaotic, please visit my profile and read "A Statement of Apology." Thank you for understanding. I sincerely apologize once again.
3. There are lots of invented details. I'm writing outside my area of expertise, without any particular message in mind, though everyone may find their own interpretation. Please don't associate this with real place names, personal names, school names, film festival or award names, and so on. It's best read as a work of fiction.
4. I'm getting back into writing after many years. My prose may have gotten worse than it already was. I can't promise it'll be good.
5. People read for fun. If this story makes you unhappy, click the X and leave. I sincerely wish you happiness every day.
Theme: Cinema never sleeps
Lao Qi, how are you doing recently? I'm not doing well, although I'll always feel that way. I just found out today that I met a liar when I accepted your book. He was really a hateful emotional liar + money liar! Until I knew I was deceived, I felt super happy every time I thought about receiving your book. Unfortunately, sincerity cannot be exchanged for sincerity. I also feel sorry for the owners of those cars, who would be trampled like this by someone in the car. From reading your articles when I was a freshman in high school to now when I am about to graduate from college in my junior year, I suddenly realized that you have been with me for a long time. I still remember that day when my friend told me that something happened to you online. I fell into a trance and almost got hit by a car. When I was separated from that state, I could only experience bitterness and emptiness - all vain and chasing the wind. I suffered from depression in my third year of junior high school, and my first year of high school was when the symptoms became more severe. After that, I felt extremely lucky countless times when I met you and the articles you wrote. I have not been to the places you mentioned in your article, but I think I will one day walk the same path you walked. In the first year of high school, I secretly read "It's Not Illegal to Flirt" in class and copied the sentences I liked in the text into a draft book. At noon that day, I walked out of the teaching building with the book in my hand. The brightest and warmest beam of sunshine outside the building enveloped me. I always remember the warmth of my clothes and skin and the heat of my palms. Lao Qi, I still have a lot to say, but that's all for today. Courage with tears in my eyes, fearless courage, freedom to catch the wind, I wish you and me. I look forward to our passing without anyone knowing.
Four years ago, after watching Minimalism in high school, I had the desire to learn to dive after graduation. Although yqrang's wish came late, he finally went to Semporna to take the OW exam this summer, and plans to upgrade to A next year. Thanks to Qi as a guide, I learned to explore, so I was able to see the beauty of mountains and oceans, literature and freedom, which to some extent affected my outlook on life. So respect all your choices today. Miss you
I just finished reading it again and it was enough. In fact, I have never dared to read this article again. I was very afraid of leaving. I don't know why I suddenly clicked on it yesterday. I was sad when I saw Xiao and Xue. In fact, I am still looking forward to Age of Genius. You still have many unfinished stories. It feels very strange, why do I like an author so much after reading a few novels in high school... When I was catching up on my writing, it was also when my writing output was the most stable. Qi really gave me a lot of encouragement. Later, when I participated in a competition and volunteered to see the snow-capped mountains, I was more or less influenced by the words written by Qi. If there were no masks, I originally planned to learn diving after graduating from high school. Now that I am a junior in college, I find that I no longer have the courage. Seven, I hope you can still see everyone's comments and have a good time, we all do! Best wishes and hope to see you again soon.
Every Saturday during the weekly holiday, I would take out Brother Chu's manuscript and read it over. This might be the last monthly holiday in my high school career. I got acquainted with "Tiaoyou" in the second half of 2019. I can sympathize a little with this article and it helped me a lot. I can even say it saved me. It's not a good memory that I don't want to mention again, but it still means something to me now. After the college entrance examination, I plan to go to Gonggar and walk the same path that Qi Ling and Dichu walked.
I miss you so much. Another three years have passed without any news.
Qiqi, it's already 2023, and the new year is here again, waiting for you to come back. While I was waiting for you, I repeatedly read A Brief History of Diving and Flirting Isn't Illegal. No matter how many times I read it, I would be moved by your writing and impressed by the characters. I look forward to your coming back to write more beautiful words.
Goddess, I miss you so much 😭 I copied sentences you wrote in my textbooks and exercise books when I was in high school. I want to see so many places you have written. Now that I have graduated from college, I really miss you 😭 Please be healthy and safe now.
Long time no see. I miss your words very much. I hope to read your books again, but I hope everything is well with you. In recent years, you have traveled to many places and seen mountains and rivers. Thank you for making my life more exciting.
When will it be updated? I really have no idea. I have no idea. I haven't updated it after waiting for several years.
Baby, if you change your vest and are reborn, can you blink? 😭