Chapter 149: From the Living Room to the Kitchen

Cheng Chen's return home spread rapidly outward from his village.

Villagers from surrounding hamlets and towns rushed over from miles around.

The news of a big star returning home drew people from nearby villages to gather and gawk.

Even reporters from the county and city heard the news and came for interviews.

Cheng Chen was used to facing cameras; he sat on a chair by the door, basking in the sun.

He peeled peanuts while answering questions.

"This is where I was born and raised; the greatest feeling upon returning home is how familiar it all is."

"Yes, I won't stay long—I'll return to Jingcheng soon; there's still a pile of things to handle there. The exact itinerary is being arranged by the company, so I can't disclose details—please understand."

"What about the discussions sparked by 'Time Where Did Time Go'?"

You know I just came back; information here is quite isolated.

The news I get comes only from colleagues in Jingcheng.

I don't know the specifics yet, so I won't offer an opinion.

"I'm naturally very honored and pleased by everyone's love and attention."

Cheng Chen answered the reporters' questions with ease.

The reporters left satisfied; after sending them off, Cheng Chen returned to his own affairs.

The reporter covering the interview nodded silently, already thinking of the headline for this story.

"Entertainment Heavenly King Returns Home, Hardworking and Humble, Takes on Farm Work to Remember His Roots."

"The fresh mud on his shoes is proof he hasn't forgotten where he came from."

Cheng Chen said:

He was only forced by his mom to peel peanuts to boil in porridge.

And the mud on his shoes? Just from taking a walk outside.

You're exaggerating too much!

When this news was published, the previously low-selling evening paper suddenly drew countless eyes.

In Yang City, only Cheng Chen could be called the "Entertainment Heavenly King"—no one else.

The people of Yang City naturally supported their hometown star; that day's evening paper sold out completely.

The newspaper's cover showed Cheng Chen sitting by the door, bathed in a ray of sunlight, a small basin on his lap, a peanut in his hand, peeling its shell.

Good grief, anyone who didn't know might think this was a documentary about a rural boy—hardly fitting for an "Entertainment Heavenly King."

Meanwhile, the evening paper also posted the interview video online, instantly drawing massive online attention.

"Hahaha, this is so real—back home from city Jack, now village Zhuangzi!"

"To be fair, the boss's woolen cotton shoes are still pretty warm—should @Gucci know? We've got this year's fashion inspiration!"

"Cheng Chen's outfit, though not glamorous like usual, shows zero concern for appearing this way on camera."

"It proves he's a grounded, sincere person—came from the countryside but never hides his roots."

"Worthy of many to learn from—no wonder he wrote 'Time Where Did Time Go'—awesome!"

That night, praise for Cheng Chen was overwhelming: authentic, unpretentious, hardworking and down-to-earth.

It became his newest label since the start of the year.

Of course, some clickbait media used this to grab attention.

"Entertainment Heavenly King Does This in the Countryside? Truly Shocking!"

"The Glorious Entertainment Heavenly King Does This at Home? Are All Stars Like This After Fame?"

"Ranking Stars' Changes When Returning Home—Cheng Heavenly King Is the One You'd Never Expect!"

…

Taking advantage of this coverage, Cheng Chen quietly prepared to fund road repairs and school construction for his hometown.

Cheng Chen's motive for charity wasn't like other stars', who sought good reputation, positive image, or public favor.

When a person reaches a certain level, or a company grows to a certain stage,

doesn't it carry some social responsibility?

Celebrities are no exception.

Celebrities earn high incomes, easily fueling public feelings of inequality.

If celebrities give something back to society at such times, it can ease unnecessary conflicts.

Of course, Cheng Chen had no such strong utilitarian motives—he simply wanted to do something for his hometown…

"Son, is work exhausting?"

Mother Lu Ling handed Cheng Chen a carton of milk and asked with a smile.

Taking the milk, Cheng Chen replied casually:

"It's fine. Filming and concerts are tiring, but managing the company? I've got specialists handling that. Overall, it's manageable."

Lu Ling didn't understand terms like "concerts" or "company management"; she sat on the sofa and asked with a smile:

"So it sounds like you're busy—do you hang out with friends?"

Cheng Chen glanced at his mom curiously, unsure what she was getting at, and answered:

"Hmm… when filming, I interact with the actors."

"When not on set, I occasionally get together with friends for meals."

"But I go out rarely—easily followed by reporters."

His mom thought for a moment, then asked:

"So… do you ever go out with girls?"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen chuckled bitterly:

"Mom, are you trying to ask if I have a girlfriend?"

Lu Ling smiled awkwardly and said:

"You've been away for so many years, and now you're famous, a big star—aren't you ready to think about your personal life?"

Cheng Chen sighed helplessly:

"Mom, I'm still so young!"

But Lu Ling reacted strongly:

"You're twenty-two, twenty-three by lunar age! Chuang Zi, your age, got married last year.

And Liu Fangliang from the south end of the village—he already has a kid who can walk! They're both your age—you're not young anymore!"

Uh…

Cheng Chen was left speechless by his mother's words.

What could he say? The older generation believed the sooner you married, the better.

No matter how famous you are, no matter how much money you have—if you're not married, it's unacceptable.

Here, his mother suddenly leaned forward, glancing left and right; seeing no one nearby, she whispered:

"I heard from your cousin that you've been linked to many female stars—something called… gossip?"

I don't even know what 'gossip' means, but it sounds bad.

They say you're too close to them—is that true?

I'm telling you, even though you're famous and rich now, you can't go messing around outside.

Our Cheng family has always been honest, hardworking people—if your reputation gets ruined, you'll never find a wife.

You might even end up in jail and get shot! Don't do anything reckless!"

Cheng Chen was amused by his mother's words.

But thinking carefully, it was remarkable for a rural woman like her to think this far ahead.

Now she was even worrying and fearing for him.

Hmm… I'll have to teach my cousin a lesson for spreading lies to Mom.

Seeing Cheng Chen silent, his mother patted his arm and asked:

"Hmm… that girl with the last name Gao who came to the house last time—she was quite nice. How are things between you two now?"

"We're doing great—she even came to my concert last time."

Cheng Chen dodged the question.

"You little rascal, I'm asking if you two might become boyfriend and girlfriend!

Didn't she buy gifts for the whole family for the New Year and even call to wish us well? I think she's a great girl!

You should find yourself a girlfriend—stop letting rumors spread about you everywhere, it's disgraceful!"

His mother complained.

Find a girlfriend?

I already have two girlfriends!

Cheng Chen silently grumbled to himself.

The gifts Gao Yuanyuan picked out had all been shipped back ahead of time by Cheng Chen.

Yan Danchen had also bought many gifts, but Cheng Chen wasn't ready to introduce her to his family yet.

So he told everyone they were from Gao Yuanyuan—after all, they'd all met her before.

Cheng Chen didn't answer his mother's question; instead, he changed the subject and asked:

"Mom, what do you think about having two daughters-in-law?"

"Two? That's great…"

Here, his mother finally sensed something off in his words.

She grabbed a cushion from the sofa and slammed it onto Cheng Chen's head:

"You little brat, are you trying to end up in jail and get shot!"

…

On the seventh day of the New Year, the festive atmosphere in the village faded.

There's a saying: "The New Year lasts until the fifteenth."

This used to be true, but as the village's labor force flowed into big cities,

after the seventh day, the village grew emptier and emptier.

Only the elderly and young children remained—there was little festive spirit left.

Cheng Chen left on this day, carrying bags upon bags.

Because there was so much luggage, his grandparents made an exception and let his father and uncle drive him away in a tricycle.

Others from the village, also heading out to work, went with them.

Some were even Cheng Chen's nominal elders, older brothers, or younger brothers.

At the county seat, Cheng Chen told his father and uncle to take driving lessons when they had time, and buy a car—it would make travel easier.

In this era, driver's license regulations weren't strict; if you had money, you could get one easily.

But for his father and uncle's safety, Cheng Chen repeatedly warned them:

You must study at a driving school and get a proper license before you ever drive!

When he arrived in Jingcheng, it was already night; Cheng Chen met Gao Yuanyuan for dinner.

"Sis, these are local specialties from home—Mom made me pack them all for you."

Cheng Chen smiled and pulled some things out of his bag.

"By the way, these cotton slippers too—my mom made them for you, and she told me to hand them to you personally."

Cheng Chen took out a pair of cotton slippers from his backpack and handed them to Gao Yuanyuan.

Gao Yuanyuan eagerly took the gift and exclaimed:

"Ah, I just needed a pair of cotton slippers—this is so timely! Thank your mom for me, I love them!"

Gao Yuanyuan held the slippers in both hands, couldn't put them down, and grinned like a child.

In fact, Mom Lu Ling had made two pairs of cotton slippers, but Cheng Chen secretly kept one for Yan Danchen.

"The Wanderer Starting from Douluo"

After all, he'd already counted Yan Danchen's gifts as Gao Yuanyuan's—taking one pair of slippers from her wasn't unfair.

Making these slippers is simple: buy the soles, cut out the pattern, wrap two layers of cotton cloth, then sew them together.

This kind of handwork was a basic skill every rural woman knew, and they were comfortable to wear.

"Glad you like them. How've you been lately, sis?"

Cheng Chen asked with a smile.

"Not bad. This year I wanted to rest, so I didn't take any commercial performances during the New Year."

"I only took one new drama by Lai Dao—joining the set around April."

Gao Yuanyuan replied.

"Lai Dao… prolific as a sow…"

"Pfft!"

Gao Yuanyuan burst out laughing at Cheng Chen's words and scolded:

"What do you mean 'as a sow'? That's so crude—Lai Dao has his own career plan, you know!"

In truth, Cheng Chen wasn't exaggerating calling Lai Dao prolific as a sow.

Since 1981, when Lai Dao produced and directed the TV drama "Sweet Twenty-Four Flavors,"

until the future year of 2022, he had been in the industry for nearly forty years, releasing nearly one TV drama per year.

Sometimes he even launched two dramas in a single year.

He was dubbed the model worker of TV directors, the undisputed king of productivity.

Lai Dao was Hakka, raised by his grandfather in Gang Sheng's official circles.

His career spanned Gang Sheng, Singapore, Wan Sheng, and the Mainland.

He was both participant and witness to the rise and fall of the Chinese-language television industry.

Lai Dao had many quality works, like his early drama "Return Pearl."

Zhao Yazhi's version of "Hibiscus Town," Su Youpeng's version of "Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre."

Also dramas like "Spoiled Princess," "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," "The Blade and the Moon," "Flowers Fall, Flowers Fill the Sky," and more.

Of course, he also had dramas criticized as trashy, melodramatic, and wildly implausible.

In short, he was a director loved by some, hated by others, but always guaranteed ratings.

And he specialized in historical costume dramas.

Later, when interviewed about "Why do costume dramas always seem trashy?"

Lai Dao believed: "Sometimes using trashy elements to attract viewers can create a sensation.

But where is our progress? We can improve in art direction, costume design, and overall filming techniques.

There are many areas to refine, to discover new directions, to align with audience tastes.

You don't need trash to get viewers—audiences aren't stupid; they don't think 'trash' equals ratings."

Listen—that's the pursuit of the older generation of directors.

From his works, it's clear this director had truly thought deeply about film and television…

"What's the name of Lai Dao's new drama?"

Cheng Chen took a bite of food and asked.

"Hmm, it's called 'Qin King Li Shimin.'"

Gao Yuanyuan replied.

So it was that drama.

Cheng Chen remembered—it was decent, with mostly handsome leads and beautiful actresses.

That fit Lai Dao's casting style.

Like Gao Yuanyuan, Chen Touli (Xiao Zhao in Su Youpeng's "Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre"), Jia Jingwen, Bao Jianfeng, Yan Yikuan…

And of course, our male lead—the one who yells "Don't come near me!"—Wang Rundong!

"Not bad—you're the female lead? Sister, you're amazing!"

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

But inside, he thought: Gao Yuanyuan couldn't keep following Lai Dao forever.

Lai Dao's ability to launch stars was still a bit weak. Once this year's "Qing Hong" wins awards,

it might be worth shifting Gao Yuanyuan's path—toward art-house films, sweeping film festivals.

After all, he had no shortage of quality scripts for art-house cinema.

"How did you know I'm the female lead?"

Gao Yuanyuan asked curiously.

"You're my sister—of course you're the female lead the moment you show up!"

Cheng Chen laughed it off, but inwardly thought: That was close.

After the two of them finished eating, Gao Yuanyuan walked Cheng Chen home.

Hmm… it couldn't really be called walking him home either—the two of them went home together.

Once the two of them were back home, it was like a ball of fierce fire meeting dry kindling.

From the living room to the bathroom, from the kitchen to the bedroom, the battle was extraordinarily fierce…

－－－Aside－－－

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