Chapter 106: Alone Together

After dropping off Gao Yuanyuan and others at the airport, Cheng Chen immediately headed to the address provided in Yan Danchen's text message.

Although Cheng Chen's visit to Changsha to film the show was low-key, fans still dug up his itinerary.

After his appearance on the Spring Festival Gala, his popularity surged; if he was once extremely popular among the youth, he was now a household name.

Now at the peak of his fame, commercial performance invitations poured in endlessly, with many events offering over 800,000 yuan for his appearance.

Some tycoons even spent seven figures just to have Cheng Chen show up and sing "Wan Jiang" at their events…

So Cheng Chen was busy—this visit to "Kuai Ben" was a rare break from his packed schedule.

Just for this one day, he lost tens of thousands of yuan…

"Did you see them all off?"

Yan Danchen opened the door, looked at Cheng Chen fully dressed, and asked with a smile.

"Yeah, what are you doing?"

Cheng Chen walked into the room and asked.

"Look!"

Yan Danchen eagerly handed him an entertainment magazine.

The magazine cover featured a slightly melancholic photo of Cheng Chen, with a bold headline beside it:

"What Makes Him the Hottest Heavenly King in Entertainment?"

Cheng Chen flipped through the magazine casually; the content was all compiled from online sources or past interviews with him.

Some parts were the author's own speculation and fabrication, wildly varied—read as a story, it was surprisingly immersive.

"Could this be written by some failed web novel author?"

After flipping a few pages, Cheng Chen lost all desire to read further, mentally scoffing.

"What's so interesting about this? All made-up nonsense."

Cheng Chen said casually.

"It's fine for killing time, but… is this part also made-up?"

Yan Danchen pointed to an article titled "Siblings or Lovers?" and asked with a sly smile.

Cheng Chen replied seriously:

"Gossip is nothing but fabrications catering to people's psychological expectations.

Between men and women, is there no pure friendship beyond that one thing?"

No!

Cheng Chen looked down on the idea of "female confidantes" or "male best friends," refusing to believe in it.

In his view, a man could never have pure friendship with a woman, especially a beautiful one.

You're a man—why pretend to be a noble wolf?

Between men and women, either keep distance, or make it negative!

But in front of Yan Danchen, he obviously couldn't voice his true thoughts.

"Still… this article feels very real, and last time we went to the snack street and got photographed, she was the one who came forward to clear your name."

Yan Danchen pouted, her expression slightly displeased.

"Are you jealous?"

Seeing her expression, Cheng Chen teased.

"You… are not!"

Yan Danchen's face flushed red; she shyly looked away, avoiding his gaze.

Cheng Chen stopped teasing her, shifting the topic:

"What's your schedule looking like next?"

The blush on Yan Danchen's face faded; she nodded:

"This year I'm collaborating with Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing on the historical drama 'Who Controls the Ups and Downs,' plus some commercial appearances and endorsements."

Cheng Chen nodded; he remembered the drama—it had been rumored to be in pre-production.

If the early filming of this drama was troubled, its later broadcast was nothing short of disastrous.

Originally scheduled for release in 2004, it ran into problems during censorship.

Later renamed "Changhe Dongliu," it was finally aired on CCTV at the start of 2008.

This drama also marked Jiang Wen and Liu Xiaoqing's second collaboration after "Hibiscus Town."

Jiang Wen portrayed Zhu Changying; Liu Xiaoqing portrayed Xiao Zhuang Empress Dowager.

Yan Danchen played Chen Yuanyuan, the woman who made Wu Sangui rage and rebel for her sake.

Her fragile demeanor made one want to hold her close and cherish her tenderly…

Cheng Chen nodded and asked:

"I plan to release an album in May—I'd like you to appear in the MV as the lead. What do you think?"

The album Cheng Chen was preparing was centered on Chinese-style music.

He needed a classical beauty to portray the female lead in the MV—and the first name that came to mind was Yan Danchen.

Yan Danchen graduated from Beijing Film Academy and was classmates with Huang Xiaoming and Chen Kun.

In her freshman year, she starred in the film "Back to School with Dad," winning the Tongniu Award.

That same year, she starred in "Flower Season, Rainy Season," winning the Huabiao Award for Best Newcomer.

While her classmates were still playing minor roles, she already held a pile of awards, her future brilliantly bright.

Later, she appeared in "The Magic Lamp," and due to her dignified and elegant appearance, she was called "The Most Beautiful Chang'e."

The drama became the top-rated show on CCTV-8 that year, making her and Shu Chang the talk of the town.

After that, Yan Danchen's resources were always strong, and she could land several projects each year.

Among them were hits like Yang Guang's Happy Life.

But in the end, her old classmates Huang Xiaoming and Chen Kun had already become top-tier stars, while she remained neither hot nor cold.

If you say she lacks ambition, she's appeared in dozens of films and TV dramas and has remained active in the film and television industry.

She has looks, she has acting skill, yet she just isn't popular.

Besides her low-key, non-promotional nature and the so-called bad luck of fate, Cheng Chen also identified another key factor.

You need connections, resources, and someone to promote you—and then, with one blockbuster drama, you can be remembered by audiences.

Haven't you seen how much effort went into promoting Da Tiantian behind the scenes, yet in the end she still ended up with:

"North Yi Huan, South Jing Tian."

Still, Da Tiantian quickly broke out of her niche thanks to Si Teng, where she changed over ten qipaos per episode, earning audience recognition.

Right now, Cheng Chen also felt Yan Danchen needed such an opportunity.

Since this life had brought Yan Danchen to him, he would never let her remain obscure as she had in his past life…

"By the way, when does your contract with the company end?"

Thinking of this, Cheng Chen suddenly asked.

"Contract? Hmm, probably around June this year. The company's been talking to me about renewal lately. Why?"

Yan Danchen looked at Cheng Chen with curiosity.

"Hmm… nothing much, just asking. I suggest you don't renew with them yet. You can always sign in June."

At your current status, it's them who should be anxious—you should stay calm."

Since Cheng Chen's Xinghuo Entertainment had already decided to enter the film and television industry, it would definitely need to sign artists, and Yan Danchen was a suitable candidate.

But he had no need to say anything now. Once he secured the Immortal Sword I project with Tang Ren and arranged a suitable role for her, he could tell her then.

"Mm."

Though curious about Cheng Chen's questions, Yan Danchen didn't press further.

This girl currently had overwhelming goodwill toward Cheng Chen and was certain he wouldn't harm her.

"Come on, I'll take you somewhere delicious."

Cheng Chen waved his hand grandly.

Yan Danchen gave him a silent look, utterly speechless—this man thought she was a foodie!

"I know Xiang Province better—I'll take you somewhere great!"

Yan Danchen stood up and said.

Cheng Chen chuckled and said:

"True, you're from Xiang Province. Let's go—I'm looking forward to your recommended spot."

…

What… what is this?

Looking at the bustling, crowded vegetable market before him, Cheng Chen was stunned.

He turned to Yan Danchen with a questioning look, but she merely smiled and handed him her handbag.

"Follow me!"

Then, what unfolded before Cheng Chen's eyes was this scene:

Yan Danchen, ethereal in bearing and tall in figure, walked through the messy vegetable market carrying a basket, skillfully selecting ingredients.

"Aiji, can you make this cheaper?"

"Dad, how much per jin is this?"

Yan Danchen, walking ahead, spoke fluent Sha City dialect, haggling expertly with the vendors.

Cheng Chen followed behind like a junior assistant, carrying bags full of ingredients.

For some reason, Cheng Chen found this version of Yan Danchen more captivating than girls shopping at fashion centers, sipping coffee and buying luxury goods.

After buying the groceries, Yan Danchen smiled, watching Cheng Chen struggle with both hands full of ingredients:

"This should be enough for the two of us—I'll cook for you today, you're lucky! Let's go home!"

"Home?"

Yan Danchen smiled and said:

"Just follow me."

"Chenchen, are you taking me home to meet your parents?"

Cheng Chen asked curiously from behind.

"Dream on. I own an apartment in Sha City—I used to come here often on business, and staying in hotels was inconvenient, so I bought one."

Yan Danchen said with a smile.

…

Yan Danchen's apartment in Sha City was about a hundred square meters—just right for one person.

The apartment was elegantly decorated, just like her demeanor: graceful and dignified.

"I need to clean it up a bit—I came here once before the New Year, but the weather here is bitterly damp, and some places have gotten moldy."

Yan Danchen tied on an apron with practiced ease and smiled.

"How about this—you cook, and I'll clean the rooms!"

Cheng Chen suggested.

"OK!"

Yan Danchen pinned her hair back, looking efficient and sharp.

The two divided tasks clearly, and soon the small room filled with the warm aroma of food.

Smelling the fragrance, Cheng Chen happily tidied up the room.

He, who had never married in either life, listened to the clatter of pots, pans, and utensils coming from the kitchen.

In this moment, he felt a long-missed happiness.

"The dishes are ready…"

Yan Danchen carried out steaming hot dishes, smiling broadly.

"Let me help too!"

Dry-fried tea tree mushrooms, farmhouse stir-fried pork, flavored shrimp, winter bamboo shoots with cured pork, and a bowl of pickled cabbage tofu soup.

Four dishes and one soup, their colors enticing, making one's mouth water.

"Not bad, beauty—this was quite the workload."

Looking at the fragrant food, Cheng Chen praised endlessly.

"Taste it quickly."

Yan Danchen said with a smile.

Under her expectant gaze, Cheng Chen took a sip of the soup.

"Mmm~ Better than the chefs at restaurants."

Cheng Chen gave a thumbs-up.

For Cheng Chen, the highest compliment to someone was comparing their cooking to professional chefs.

Of course, Yan Danchen's cooking really was delicious.

"These are all home-style dishes from Xiang Province. I was worried you wouldn't like them—they're quite spicy."

Seeing Cheng Chen eat heartily, Yan Danchen said with full satisfaction.

"Don't worry—I'm not picky. Besides, your dishes leave me no reason to be picky at all—absolutely amazing!"

"Good."

Yan Danchen ate little, spending most of the time watching Cheng Chen devour his food.

"Why aren't you eating?"

Cheng Chen asked Yan Danchen.

"Just watching you eat satisfies me. I've never seen anyone eat with such appetite."

Yan Danchen giggled.

"Come on, you haven't seen the crowd waiting for roles at Beijing Film Studio—they'll eat a bowl of rice with a bag of preserved vegetables and find it utterly delicious."

Cheng Chen picked up a flavored shrimp and placed it in Yan Danchen's bowl, smiling.

Yan Danchen asked curiously:

"The media says you spent years as an extra, but you're so handsome, have great acting skills, and real talent—how could you have been an extra for so long?"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen smiled faintly and said:

"Does being handsome and having acting talent guarantee fame? In Hengdian and Beijing Film Studio, there are far more handsome people than me. China has over a hundred thousand extras—do you think none are like me?"

Hearing this, Yan Danchen fell silent, pondering Cheng Chen's words.

"There are many like you—without connections or background, fame is incredibly hard to achieve. Does being handsome give you free rein?"

In a time of total information explosion, being handsome might truly let you live off your looks.

But now? No matter how handsome you are, it's not as good as having someone recommend you; no matter how skilled your acting, it's not as good as having someone inside the production team…

Cheng Chen's words were easy to understand: in the future, those young idols acted with blank expressions, relied on voice dubbing, yet still became famous, still had fans buying their products.

On short-video platforms, handsome guys and beautiful girls would just show their faces, add camera angles and background music, and people would shout "husband" or "wife" in the comments.

They earned more in a year than third- or fourth-tier stars.

"Was being an extra really hard?"

Yan Danchen looked at him, asking softly.

"Back then, I thought I couldn't endure it—wearing cotton-padded coats in summer, thin clothes in winter. Now looking back, it doesn't seem so bad. I remember in the winter of 2001, I played a soldier lying in a pool of blood—stayed there for five full hours…"

Cheng Chen seemed to open the floodgates, talking about his time as an extra on set while eating.

As he spoke, even he couldn't tell whether he was recounting the bitterness of his past-life extras or his current life.

Fragments of memory kept expanding in his mind, then shattering and reassembling.

Rebirth—what a magical word.

And yet he had encountered it.

Sometimes he wondered if all this was a dream.

When he woke, would he still be that middle-aged man, forever playing supporting roles, alone and miserable, living?

Or was this merely a fantasy in his final moments after being blown up in that explosion scene…

"Cheng Chen…"

Yan Danchen softly called his name.

Cheng Chen immediately snapped back to reality. He looked at Yan Danchen, her eyes red, and smiled:

"What's wrong? Do you think I told too sad a story…?"

Yan Danchen gently shook her head and said:

"When you spoke just now, it felt like I was listening to someone else's story… yet it was clearly your own experience."

"Heh, just treat it as my story, then."

Only then did Cheng Chen notice that Yan Danchen's hand had somehow rested on his own.

Yan Danchen clearly realized her involuntary gesture, and her face instantly flushed with embarrassment.

Cheng Chen grabbed her hand, his eyes fixed on her, and said slowly:

"Chenchen, be my…"

……