Chapter 77: Help Me Have a Child

Xu Liyun felt this whole thing was unreal—a luxurious villa, a celebrity daughter-in-law; things she had never dared to dream of before.

Yet here it all was, clearly before her eyes.

To be honest, she was happy and excited inside.

But this house was simply too expensive; though she didn't know how much her son had spent, it was certainly not cheap.

She feared her son was spending recklessly, under too much pressure—how long had it been since he graduated? Already he had a big house; they should still be frugal, planning for the future.

She knew how hard it was to earn money—her son's education had been saved penny by penny, earned drop by drop, and she had never wanted to spend it.

Returning to the living room, she saw Fang Hong sitting on the sofa and said, "Xiao Hong, I think we should move to a different house—it's too wasteful."

"Just settle in comfortably; I'll handle the money," Fang Hong urged.

"I'm not used to living here; a cheaper place would be better," Xu Liyun said, her expression reluctant.

Spending so much money to live this well wasn't worth it—she could live anywhere.

"Then what's the point of me earning money? What's the point of you teaching me to rise above others? Isn't it all about money?" Fang Hong spread his hands.

"You can save it for marriage, for your future children—you have a girlfriend now; you should plan for your future," Xu Liyun lectured.

"You're thinking too far ahead. Enjoy the present now—they'll all live better than you ever did; you don't need to worry," Fang Hong said.

No matter how much of a failure he was, he could still ensure his children never lacked food or clothing!

Liu Tianxian saw the ideological divide between mother and son and said nothing—it was their family matter, a clash of values.

Fang Hong had seen through the world and believed only personal enjoyment mattered; his mother clung to old traditions, thinking he should marry and have children, saving the best for the next generation.

As for herself, hardship was only right!

Xu Liyun fell silent, suddenly realizing her son had grown up—he had his own opinions.

The obedient, sensible son she once knew was gone.

Fang Hong wasn't determined to argue with his mother—he simply believed certain beliefs had to change.

All that glorification of suffering, that "endure hardship to rise above others"—it all had to go; without changing it, they couldn't truly enjoy life.

To accept everything blindly is foolish!

"Auntie, shall I help you cook? There's food in the fridge," Liu Tianxian interjected, timely easing the tension—it was mealtime.

"How could you cook? You just sit and chat with him; I'll call you when it's ready."

As Xu Liyun turned to leave, she turned back and asked, "Do you have any favorite dishes?"

"Anything's fine—I'm not picky," Liu Tianxian said.

"Good."

Xu Liyun went off then; she had already toured the kitchen, so she knew what was there.

The tools, the stove—just those few things; she could use them all!

Now only the two of them remained; Liu Tianxian looked at Fang Hong: "Why did you talk to your mom like that?"

"If I didn't talk like that, I'd have to follow her and live in a dormitory building, and follow her advice to save up a bride price for you," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian spat, "Who asked you to save up a bride price for me?"

"I was just saying that," Fang Hong replied.

Liu Tianxian pursed her lips, her tone softening: "Once your mom gets used to it, she'll be fine."

"Mm!"

Fang Hong pulled eight stacks of crisp new bills from his inner shirt and placed them on the coffee table: "Here—rent."

"Oh? I thought you'd try to freeload again—why are you suddenly so reliable? Not like you at all!" Liu Tianxian teased.

"This is personal family business; earlier, when I borrowed from you, it was for my startup—can't mix the two. Besides, you've helped me so much already—I'd feel ashamed otherwise," Fang Hong said smoothly.

"Hey, you actually have a sense of shame? That's rare!" Liu Tianxian laughed.

"Go ahead and mock me."

Fang Hong sat back, legs crossed, leaning against the sofa with a carefree expression.

Liu Tianxian sat beside him, picked up the money, and placed it back in his lap: "Take it back—you need the money right now."

"Huh?" Fang Hong stared at her, stunned.

Why was she suddenly so generous—giving him the money, letting him live in the villa for free?

"What's wrong? Are you bowing to my noble character?" Liu Tianxian smiled sweetly.

"Yes, I suddenly think you're beautiful," Fang Hong said—though he didn't add that it was her inner beauty.

"Then what can I do? That's just my one good trait," Liu Tianxian flicked her hair and put on a show.

She was always this silly.

"Hey," Fang Hong placed the money back on the coffee table and leaned closer: "Let me ask you something."

"What?"

"How about you help me have a child?" Fang Hong grinned.

"What?!" Liu Tianxian's face filled with shock.

"Don't misunderstand—I just want to use a child to cement our friendship; I truly value having you as a friend," Fang Hong said with perfect seriousness.

"Get lost!"

Liu Tianxian rolled her eyes—he thought too highly of himself.

Fang Hong smiled: "Think about it."

"Think about your head!" Liu Tianxian raised her fist to hit him.

"Hey hey, I was joking—don't take it so seriously," Fang Hong held up his hand to stop her.

Liu Tianxian glared at him fiercely, then lowered her fist.

After a moment of playful banter, Fang Hong's expression turned serious: "Still, thank you—for helping me so much."

Since the beginning until now, Liu Tianxian has truly helped him a lot, and he felt deeply grateful.

"You're being so polite, I'm actually a little uncomfortable!"

Liu Tianxian patted his leg and added, "Are you going to promote your film, Love Lost for 33 Days? Don't pull another stunt like last time—say nothing, do nothing, just go silent and do it yourself, leaving me completely baffled."

"Promote it? But it's not the right time yet," Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian asked, "So do you have a planned release date?"

"The film isn't edited yet, and I haven't even spoken to China Film Group about it. I want it released before the end of this year," Fang Hong shared his plan.

"That fast?" Liu Tianxian was surprised.

The movie started shooting in September; if it releases this year, it'll be in December, and it's already November now,

meaning the entire film was completed in just over three months.

She calculated three months, but the workload far exceeded that—because the post-production team worked from eight in the morning until nine at night.

Nearly thirteen hours a day, each day equaling at least one and a half days of normal work.

"If we don't release it early, the funding chain will break," Fang Hong said.

Mainly because he planned to go to the United States at the start of the year, and going to the United States would cost a huge sum.

"I see."

Liu Tianxian fell silent. Not finding investors and funding it herself made funding chain interruptions easy: "When you're ready to promote, let me know—I'll clear my schedule."

"No need to clear your schedule. Go ahead with your own work. My film doesn't need your promotion," Fang Hong said.

He had another plan for this film. Liu Tianxian's ceiling was that high—whether she was involved or not made no difference.

"Huh? Why?"

Liu Tianxian was stunned. This was the first time anyone making a film didn't ask her for promotion.

Last time, that film had begged her to help with promotion.

"Someone else will promote it for us," Fang Hong said.

(End of Chapter)