Chapter 266: I'm dizzy, I'm dizzy (Bonus for recommendation list)

The Zhang family had a rare, lively reunion this year.

After their elders passed away a few years ago, the four siblings of this generation, except for the eldest, Zhang, were all working in different parts of the country. Either one family was saving money and didn't come back, or another didn't buy a hard-seat train ticket.

But this year, perhaps because so much happened in 2008, everyone had a belly full of words.

Therefore, the families of Zhang's second brother, third brother, and youngest sister all returned to their hometown, and had a reunion dinner at Zhang's house on New Year's Eve.

Then, early on the first day of the New Year, the whole family went to their own land to pay respects to their ancestors.

In front of the joint tomb of the old, old Zhang and the former old girl, Zhang finished offering incense and kowtowing, and suddenly thought of the young couple next door.

At that time, he told them a revised version of the story, which actually fooled the girl into shedding a few tears.

Counting the time, it had been half a month since he saw them.

Xiao Wang said he was taking his wife to investigate the market; I don't know what kind of market in this mountain gully needed to be investigated for so long.

If they had gone back to Sichuan, they wouldn't have seen them come back to get their luggage.

Zhang was thinking about some irrelevant outsiders when suddenly, someone in his family spoke.

A young and sharp female voice said behind him: "Kneel for what? Look, you told me to kneel, and just by kneeling, my pants got dirty. These are new pants I bought for over two hundred yuan, Zhang Yongsheng, tell me what to do."

He shook his head slightly and sighed.

Turning his head, he saw his city-born daughter-in-law, Wang Han, looking unhappy and patting the mud off the knees of her beige pants.

His eldest son, Zhang Yongsheng, stood by, humble and apologetic, comforting her: "My fault, my fault, I didn't lay the plastic bag well for you, don't be angry, I'll wash it for you when we get back. Don't be angry."

Wang Han muttered: "If it's washed clean, it won't be new anymore. Really, I've never knelt in my own home, but I have to kneel when I come to your house. I don't know what kind of country rules these are; the poorer people are, the more rules they have..."

These words were a bit unpleasant to hear.

Zhang looked at his brothers and sisters on the side, as well as his nephews and nieces.

Although the adults pretended not to hear, seeing the younger generation winking at each other, Zhang felt a bit embarrassed and was about to say something, at least to smooth things over.

But his wife spoke first: "If you think it's dirty, you don't have to kneel. Who cares? No matter how poor our Zhang family is, you still entered the door. What, you regret it now? It's too late, I'm telling you."

Once his wife's words were out, it was like poking a hornet's nest.

His daughter-in-law's city-person temper flared up, and she didn't care who you were; she started arguing with her mother-in-law on the spot.

By the end, Wang Han was wiping her tears while shouting that she wanted a divorce.

This made things completely big; the grandson Zhang had been waiting for for several years looked like he was about to fly away, and his wife immediately lost her temper.

In the end, not to mention Zhang Yongsheng almost kneeling on the spot, even Zhang, as a father, had to persuade for a long time and let her mother-in-law apologize to her before the matter was barely settled.

However, on the way home, Wang Han couldn't help but mutter.

The relatives looked at each other in dismay.

Everyone was thinking that they felt the eldest had suffered enough in his life, and Zhang Yongsheng was quite successful, finding a job in the city after graduating from technical school.

He also found a city girl to date; originally, they couldn't afford a house and couldn't get married. As a result, housing prices fell last year, and they bought the house.

Seeing that the days of enjoying happiness were ahead, they didn't expect it to be so complicated.

"Zhang Yongsheng, you tell me yourself, when I, Wang Han, married you, what did I covet?"

"Am I like what your mother said, for the house? Did my family pay half for that house?"

"Didn't my dad say he would find you a new job a while ago?"

"Did he say he would buy us a car if we had a child?"

"I complained about pants worth a few hundred yuan, so what? That's your ancestor, not mine!"

Zhang Yongsheng's sister, Zhang's second daughter, Zhang Xiaomei, couldn't help it and replied: "You married my brother, so they are your ancestors too."

Wang Han sneered: "Hehe, that's not necessarily true."

Wang Han looked at the Zhang family around her, but didn't dare to say more, just muttered in a low voice: "A refugee..."

Zhang Xiaomei didn't hear it, and the other Zhang family members didn't hear it either. But Zhang and Zhang Yongsheng heard it.

Zhang looked at his eldest son's face and finally swallowed this breath.

However, at noon when the Zhang family women were cooking, he still felt depressed and, with his hands behind his back, prepared to go outside the He family's house to walk around.

After all, no one had lived there for a long time, and there was no dog in the yard; it was very possible for some bad young people returning home to climb over the wall and steal something.

So he had been checking from time to time for the past two weeks.

As a result, today, as soon as he walked to the He family's house, he saw the courtyard gate was open.

Zhang was stunned and felt a bit anxious; could this have been pried open?

He hurriedly walked up, pushed open the iron gate, and stepped inside, preparing to see what was going on.

He only saw a half-new, half-old van parked in the yard, and Zhang felt even more anxious; could a thief have come to move things?

He roared: "Is anyone there?"

Before the words fell, within two seconds, the window on the second floor was pulled open, and a smiling young man appeared there: "Uncle Zhang, I'm here. Happy New Year."

Zhang was stunned and immediately became happy, smiling and saying: "I thought a thief had come, Xiao Wang, what are you doing? When did you come back? Why don't you come over to my place to sit for a while."

"I just arrived this morning, didn't have time yet. Uncle Zhang, wait for me, I'll come down right away, you come into the house and have a glass of water."

To be honest, the reason Zhang checked from time to time during this period was not because he was a warm-hearted person.

Everyone in the village knew that Zhang, the eldest, never meddled in other people's business unless there was some benefit.

Today should be even more so.

On the first day of the New Year, there were many things to do at home. It stands to reason that during the New Year, he would have to be crazy to want to catch a thief.

But this Wang Xiang had left a very good impression on him.

Not only was he a handsome young man, but he was also very good at conducting himself, and every move made people feel comfortable.

So at this moment, even if he was asked to drink water, and it wasn't even tea, Zhang happily entered the house.

Just as he sat on the stool, a tall, handsome young man came down from the second floor, greeting him warmly: "Uncle Zhang, sit for a while, I'll boil water now."

Well, it turned out there wasn't even any ready-made water. Zhang waved his hand: "Forget it, forget it, Xiao Wang, where is your wife?"

"Upstairs, putting on makeup."

"Makeup?"

Chen Nuo sighed helplessly: "Yes, makeup."

After the Spring Festival Gala ended last night, the two returned to their rooms to sleep.

As a result, at breakfast, the two suddenly received a promotional task from Director Zhang Yimou, asking them to go stroll around Yichang city.

As a master of gossip and hype, Chen Nuo didn't need to ask to understand what the national teacher was planning.

According to Chen Nuo's understanding, it was to see if they could find some heat for *Under the Hawthorn Tree* during the New Year and add some "self-generated water."

He thought, this was Zhang Yimou seeing Xiao Shenyang become popular overnight and getting jealous.

He believed that Zhang Yimou had seen Xiao Shenyang become an overnight sensation and was green with envy.

And in this life, because of him, Chen Nuo, Director Zhang missed the opportunity to cooperate with Xiao Shenyang, so he estimated that he was a bit regretful at this time.

So doing this was also to test whether he, Chen, was squeezed out by Xiao Shenyang and was past his prime.

It has to be said that Chen Nuo's psychology was too dark, especially his experiences from his previous life combined with this life; the plot he imagined could be used by Mai Jia to add fuel to the fire and write a spy novel.

In fact, Director Zhang Yimou was just listening to Zhang Weiping say on the phone last night that *The Message* sold well last year, which was inseparable from the hype of Chen Nuo and Wen Yongshan breaking up, and Chen Nuo's emotional life, at least in East Asia, had a considerable market.

If he sold a melon, at least three countries would pay for it: China, Japan, and South Korea.

If it were more explosive, hehe, it wouldn't be impossible to detonate the whole world, for example, Edward Joker Chen announcing he was going to change his gender.

Especially Zhang Weiping also mentioned a piece of news that Zhang Yimou didn't really know before, which was Chen Nuo's Facebook account.

Currently, there are 3.41 million followers, and the page likes have exceeded 600,000; it is the account with the highest attention on that website.

At the same time, it is still increasing by tens of thousands of fans every day.

Not only that, the Facebook website he is on is developing better and better, looking promising.

This month, the famous American Microsoft proposed to acquire this website for $16 billion.

The reason is that under the drive of Edward Chen, the monthly market share of FB is significantly higher than before, and the number of users also has a trend of accelerating expansion. Microsoft is no longer satisfied with the 1.6% stake it bought for $240 million...

As a result, it was rejected by their company CEO, a young man in his 20s, about the same age as Chen Nuo.

I don't know if this report in the *Wall Street Journal* is accurate, but it can be seen that the key to the big box office of *Under the Hawthorn Tree* is really Chen Nuo, Mouzi. On the phone, the artist Zhang Yimou listened to these commercial things in Zhang Weiping's mouth and didn't quite understand.

But he listened to the suggestion Zhang Weiping gave in the end.

That is to let Chen Nuo go stroll around the street with the female lead tomorrow; if they are photographed, then see the effect.

If the effect is good, then when *Under the Hawthorn Tree* is released, we will know what to do.

The predecessors plant trees and the descendants enjoy the shade; *The Message* eats meat and *Hawthorn Tree* drinks soup.

And if nothing happens, it's considered continuing to create a romantic atmosphere for them outside the play, which is not a loss, right?

Zhang Weiping laughed happily at the end of the phone call. Zhang Yimou also laughed and asked: "Should they wear masks?"

Zhang Weiping said decisively: "Wear them, definitely wear them; if they don't, it's too fake. Chen Nuo and Liu Yifei walking on the street without masks, even a fool would know we are hyping."

So, no matter how popular Xiao Shenyang is, that's a matter starting today. No matter how much Director Zhang is called the national teacher, he hasn't reached the level of Yuan Tiangang or Zhang Sanfeng who can predict things like a god.

Chen Nuo's thoughts were his suspicious personality acting up again.

However, no matter what Director Zhang Yimou thought, as an actor.

Whether it's Chen Nuo or Liu Yifei, cooperating with the promotion is their obligation and responsibility.

As long as Director Zhang's methods aren't too excessive, after all, it's their own film, who doesn't want a good result?

Especially Miss Liu Yifei, who is playing the only female lead in this kind of film for the first time.

After receiving the task, Chen Nuo drove the crew's car out with her. This person said her personal makeup bag was left here and wasn't taken away when she joined the crew, and she had to come over to finish makeup before going shopping with him.

Chen Nuo was speechless about this; the two of them were definitely going to wear masks, does it matter if they wear makeup? The key is that the two popular female artists in his company plus a Wen Yongshan, none of them are ugly without makeup.

But Liu Yifei got stubborn and wouldn't do it, insisting on coming.

After arguing for a long time, the key was that the steering wheel was in her hands, so Chen Nuo could only follow.

As a result, it was a whole morning of tossing and turning, and it was almost noon, but they still couldn't go out.

The room Chen Nuo was in was Liu Yifei's.

When Zhang entered the yard, he was still inside, yin-and-yang-ing that Qianqian, saying that if she had the effort to spend two hours on makeup, she might as well get braces, and as a result, he was almost beaten to death.

In a sense, Zhang's arrival really saved his life.

Chen Nuo and Zhang sat in the living room on the first floor and chatted for a while.

After not seeing each other for several days, Zhang opened his heart unconsciously and told all the family matters, especially the conflict that had just happened.

Afterward, he sighed again: "Actually, it's not just today. These city people are really different from us country people. They've been here for a few days, can't get used to the food or sleep, and are crying to go back every day. They don't even watch the new TV I bought, and they say there's no computer in our village, and she can't go online..."

Chen Nuo didn't correct her that it wasn't "selling online" but "going online," nor did he criticize the daughter-in-law.

Instead, he sighed with Zhang for a while, saying that city people are like this, most of them are pampered. Uncle Zhang, don't be angry, it's the New Year, it's better to value harmony. If there's any conflict, persuade them; after all, they are all one family, and harmony brings prosperity.

Zhang nodded repeatedly, sighing: "Xiao Wang, you're not old, but these words are all reasonable. Hey, your parents are lucky. If I were your father, even if you didn't go back for the New Year, I would rather spend a few hundred yuan to buy a train ticket to come see you."

Chen Nuo smiled: "If my father were as good as Uncle Zhang, I would rather spend a few hundred to buy a train ticket to go back to see him."

Zhang took a puff of his pipe and said: "Your father, hey, no matter how wrong he is, you should be more understanding. Besides, you are the only one in your family, right?"

Chen Nuo sighed: "Yeah, I'm the only one. But sometimes, I also feel it would be better to have a few more siblings. Hey, Uncle Zhang, you don't know, my father is really worrying. Before, when he was doing business, he couldn't turn around, and he still wanted me to give him money."

"This time it looks like he has no money again. Sometimes I want him to retire early; I also need to start a family, right? If he wants me to pay again, I don't know where to find it for him."

Zhang looked at Chen Nuo, hesitated for a moment, and said: "If it's not much, I still have a little... if it really doesn't work, borrow it to your father for a period of time, and pay me back in a few months when your business is done and you have money."

Chen Nuo shook his head: "That won't do, how can I take Uncle Zhang's money, no, no."

Zhang had been stingy all his life; he was impulsive just now to offer to lend money, and he was a bit uneasy in his heart. Seeing that the other party didn't agree, he felt relieved, but immediately felt a bit guilty. He looked left and right, his eyes lit up, and said: "Xiao Wang, you haven't eaten yet, go to my place for lunch today."

"No, no." Chen Nuo continued to shake his head, "Your family is having a reunion dinner, what would it look like for us to join a table."

Zhang said "Eh," and said: "Xiao Wang, what are you saying? People say distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. Go, go, it's the New Year, you don't even have a hot meal, how can that be. Listen to Uncle Zhang, we'll eat in a while, and after eating, you and your wife can..."

Saying this, Zhang suddenly paused and asked: "Xiao Wang, your wife should also be a city person, right? Does she have any opinions about coming here with you? How did you teach her? Can you tell me so I can go back and teach my son."

Chen Nuo smiled: "I don't actually have any tricks, beat if disobedient, coax if obedient. Hehe, just these two moves."

Zhang laughed, gave him a thumbs up, and said: "You kid, you're the one."

Chen Nuo chuckled: "Anyway, in a word, don't spoil them."

Speaking of which, the little daughter-in-law who had been dawdling finally finished her makeup and came downstairs.

Chen Nuo couldn't help but be furious when he saw it: "This is the makeup you painted?"

I saw this woman, taking advantage of the time she came down, not only washed off all the makeup that had taken her more than two hours to paint, but also changed the clothes she wore before, changing into the red down jacket he bought for her last month.

Her hair was also tied up casually, and she was bare-faced and still looking stinky.

Hearing his words, Liu Yifei curled her lips and said: "Didn't you say I was ugly? And wanted me to get plastic surgery, so I won't wear makeup, I'll just walk with you like this, and let people see and dislike you to death."

Chen Nuo was about to say, if you are ugly, why would people dislike me? If they dislike anyone, they dislike you, okay?

But Zhang had already laughed on the side, saying: "Not ugly, not ugly, how can it be ugly, Xiao Liu is good-looking. Really like those stars in the New Year pictures, good-looking, really good-looking."

Liu Yifei revealed a proud smile, glanced at Chen Nuo, and said: "Thank you, Uncle Zhang. Happy New Year, Uncle Zhang. I wish you good health and good luck in the Year of the Ox."

Zhang was stunned when he heard this "Happy New Year," and hurriedly felt his pocket.

Just right, there were five 50-yuan bills in his pocket.

This was what he specifically went to the bank to exchange a few days ago, because there were five nephews and nieces, and he and his wife discussed giving each of them 50 yuan as New Year's money. 【266-

He had specifically gone to the bank a few days ago to exchange for this, because he and his wife had discussed giving fifty yuan in red envelopes to each of their five nieces and nephews.

When he pulled them out, Old Zhang was prepared to give them all away, but then he reconsidered, took one back, handed over four, and said, "Here, Xiao Wang, Xiao Liu, you've paid your New Year respects to me, so this is the red envelope money from Uncle Zhang for the two of you. Take it and keep it safe. I hope you two live a good life, safe and happy for the rest of your days."

Uncle Zhang's words were so warm and heartfelt that they made one's heart feel all fuzzy, but this money... it felt even hotter to the touch.

However, Chen Nuo and Liu Yifei truly could not win against the stubbornness of this Hubei uncle once he got it into his head.

Especially since this eldest of the Zhang family had been stingy his entire life.

Today, he was feeling impulsive and felt an extreme affinity with this young couple, so he insisted on giving the money away.

If you don't accept it, then you're looking down on him, thinking Uncle Zhang is poor, right? Thinking it's too little, right? Do you still want Uncle to come visit in the future?

Fine, since he had put it that way, they accepted the money and then properly paid their New Year respects.

Liu Yifei, being American, didn't even understand the rules of receiving red envelopes and had to be taught by Chen Nuo. The couple—oh no, the fake young couple—stood together and paid their New Year respects to Old Zhang.

Old Zhang smiled so hard his eyes disappeared; if it weren't for the fact that giving away this 50 yuan would sound a bit improper, he wouldn't have left a single cent in his wallet when he went out.

At this moment, the meal at Old Zhang's house was already prepared.

Most of the food wasn't freshly made. Much of the food from the two tables prepared the previous night hadn't been finished. After heating it up, it was still quite a feast.

Old Zhang's wife came out of the kitchen, looked left and right, didn't see anyone, and asked the younger generation chatting and setting off firecrackers in the courtyard, only then learning that Old Zhang had gone out.

She called out, "Er Mei, go check next door and call your dad back to eat."

Zhang Xiaomei, who had been playing with her cousins in the courtyard, blowing up bowls with firecrackers, answered a bit disappointedly, "Alright, I got it."

After saying that, she walked out of the courtyard.

Just two steps out, her cousin Zhang Yueran followed, "Sister, I'll go with you."

Zhang Xiaomei smiled, "Okay."

This cousin of hers had grown up studying in Zhejiang with her parents; although the school she attended was average, she had seen the world in a big city after all, so her speech and dress were quite different from the people here, and she had been very sensible and well-behaved since childhood. Even though she and Zhang Xiaomei hadn't seen each other for years, they didn't feel like strangers.

The two sisters walked side by side, and Zhang Yueran asked, "Sister, did you really not go to Maoping Town to take a look?"

Zhang Xiaomei said, "I didn't. Because it was useless to go. That whole area was sealed off by the government, and outsiders couldn't get in at all. The hotel they were staying at was the same; many people from our school went, but not one of them saw anyone."

Zhang Yueran sighed and said, "I was planning to go take a look tomorrow, but it seems there's no chance."

Zhang Xiaomei asked in surprise, "Tomorrow? Isn't tomorrow New Year's Day?"

"I saw on the internet that they aren't taking a break for the New Year this time; they're going to continue filming."

"Ah, really? Chen Nuo is so hardworking."

"Yeah, so I wanted to bring him some snacks."

Just as they were talking, a somewhat sharp laugh suddenly came from behind, "Hahaha, little sister, who do you want to bring snacks to? Chen Nuo?"

PS:

There is one more chapter, currently being typed.

(End of this chapter)