Chapter 162

In June, Cheng Chen was in seclusion preparing his third solo album.

As his first album after achieving godlike status, the pressure was unimaginable.

If the quality was poor, the media would say he had run out of talent and was all reputation and no substance.

The same people who lifted you up are the ones who can knock you down with a single blow.

After years of struggling in the entertainment industry, this was Cheng Chen's most direct feeling.

While he was in seclusion creating music (for free), he received a call from Gao Yuanyuan.

Gao Yuanyuan, who had been filming in the mountains, had finally finished shooting and returned to Beijing.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Chen was overjoyed and immediately went out to find her.

As for the album…

Da Meiyuan is the most important!

…

"Over here!"

At the meeting spot, Cheng Chen looked at Gao Yuanyuan, fully "armed," and said helplessly:

"Sis, do you really need to be this covered up?"

Gao Yuanyuan was wearing sunglasses and a mask, her short hair (cut for her role as Qing Hong) hidden under a hat.

"I looked for you everywhere—I saw you dozens of times and still didn't recognize you."

Cheng Chen walked up quickly to her side and said.

"Don't talk about me—you're wrapped up just as tightly as I am! Besides, dating the Song King himself gives me pressure!"

"If your fans recognize me, they'll definitely curse me out—who made you the man who conquered Tai Sheng's number one beauty?"

Gao Yuanyuan said.

Behind her sunglasses and mask, Cheng Chen couldn't tell her expression as she spoke.

Even though Gao Yuanyuan had teased him on the phone about Lin Zhiling inviting him to the red carpet,

now face-to-face, Cheng Chen could sense something off in her tone.

Sour.

Since their last meeting when he visited her set, they hadn't seen each other for a while.

Cheng Chen stepped forward and took her hand, but Gao Yuanyuan shyly said:

"There are still people around."

"What's the worry? We both look like this—who could possibly recognize us?"

"Besides, even if they did recognize us, so what? Who says celebrities can't date?"

Cheng Chen said casually.

Although he knew their current status made publicizing their relationship impossible, hearing this made Gao Yuanyuan's heart swell with sweetness.

She let him hold her hand.

Gao Yuanyuan didn't have many hobbies; she usually liked reading books.

But the books Da Meiyuan liked to read were clearly different from others—she loved medical texts.

The reason was her mother's poor health.

So she devoted all her free time to reading medical books, studying herbs, and learning traditional Chinese medicine.

In the future, a sign reading "Medicinal Garden" hung at the gate of Gao Yuanyuan's villa.

As soon as you entered, the smell of Chinese herbs filled the air, because she had a separate room in her home that served as a pharmacy.

Its three back walls were made entirely of small drawers, each filled with medicinal herbs.

Roughly speaking, there were about 700 kinds of herbs.

Her home also had a herb slicer, a Chinese medicine scale, and a full set of equipment for decocting herbs, making ointments, and pills.

It was said her good friend suffered from indigestion and didn't improve after taking both Western and Chinese medicine.

At the time, Gao Yuanyuan prescribed her a strong remedy: fast for two days.

She told Yao Chen that indigestion was just food stagnation—skip a few meals and it would fix itself.

On the second day at noon, Yao Chen happily called Gao Yuanyuan and said:

She now understood what hunger felt like—even porridge tasted delicious.

Later, Gao Yuanyuan taught her methods for maintaining digestive health.

Of course, in Cheng Chen's view, if Yao Chen's health had worsened back then,

Gao the Doctor's reputation would've been ruined!

But when it came to Gao Yuanyuan's love for traditional Chinese medicine,

Cheng Chen suddenly remembered Yan Danchen, who always made him drink tonic soups.

Suppose—just suppose—that the three of them ended up together someday,

Gao Yuanyuan would prescribe the formulas, Yan Danchen would decoct the medicine, and he would just drink it…

Cheng Chen suddenly shivered. No, no—this could kill you!

Still, Cheng Chen respected Gao Yuanyuan's hobby,

and accompanied her to the traditional Chinese medicine clinic she often visited.

Gao Yuanyuan clearly went there often—she walked straight to the back where the herbs were stored.

She consulted the old master about the effects of herbs and decoction methods.

"When I was in high school, Mom had stomach pain. We went to the hospital, got a whole pile of medicine, and it didn't help."

"Then I started coming here often to buy Chinese herbs for Mom—they actually helped a bit."

Coming here often, I got to know the old masters and tried brewing Chinese herbs myself, reading medical texts.

Then I started prescribing formulas based on herb properties—of course, I didn't just make them up; I still had to show the final prescriptions to the old masters.

Only after they approved could I collect the herbs. This time back, I noticed my mother's condition had worsened a bit, so I wanted to prescribe her a few more doses.

Gao Yuanyuan looked at the herbs on the cabinets as she spoke to Cheng Chen beside her.

"Don't you find it boring?"

Seeing Cheng Chen say nothing, Gao Yuanyuan suddenly asked.

Cheng Chen shook his head and said:

"No, I'm just thinking how you started collecting herbs for your mom in high school and studied TCM so hard—it's truly impressive, amazing!"

This was Cheng Chen's sincere thought.

Gao Yuanyuan smiled and shook her head.

"I was rebellious in junior high, always making my mom angry. Later, in high school, I grew up."

I began to understand a few truths—only parents are willing to give selflessly.

And what can I do for them? When I thought carefully, it seemed I could do so much, yet so little."

As she spoke, Gao Yuanyuan carefully selected herbs, pointing to a cabinet labeled "Tianmendong."

"Tianmendong nourishes yin, generates fluids, and quenches thirst."

It effectively regulates fever, coughing, wheezing, and thirst caused by yin deficiency and irritability."

Also, when heart yin deficiency causes palpitations and restlessness, drinking Tianmendong can improve symptoms."

During this shoot, I noticed Xiao Shuai's director kept coughing, so I bought this to cook into porridge for him—the effect was immediate!"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen said sourly:

"Oh? You're brewing herbs for other men? I've never had such treatment."

"What? Jealous?"

Gao Yuanyuan turned around, looking at Cheng Chen's wounded expression.

"Yeah. Just thinking of you cooking porridge for other men makes my chest tight and my heart ache."

Cheng Chen rubbed his chest, sounding pitiful.

But Gao Yuanyuan pointed to the entire room of herb cabinets and said seriously:

"For heartache, take Danshen, Chishao, Jixueteng, Taoren, Chenpi."

Muxiang, Honghua, Yujin, Renshen, Chuanxiong, Gouqi, Bingpian—all promote blood circulation and unblock meridians."

Use these herbs to strengthen the heart and relieve pain; rest regularly."

Get enough sleep, avoid spicy and irritating foods…"

Gao Yuanyuan rattled off a long list of herbal names; Cheng Chen was speechless.

Sister, am I really discussing what herbs to take for heartache?

"Pfft!"

Seeing Cheng Chen's exasperated face, Gao Yuanyuan suddenly burst out laughing.

A few fine strands of hair framed her forehead, half-concealing her smiling eyes.

Like an ancient beauty—gentle, virtuous. Her every frown and smile stirred the heart, deeply healing.

"Alright, stop being silly and jealous, little Cheng Chen. Be good, let me pat your head—better now?"

Gao Yuanyuan tiptoed and gently patted his head, like soothing a child.

Cheng Chen was left both amused and exasperated.

Was she treating him like a kid?

Gao Yuanyuan turned back to select more herbs, murmuring casually:

"I won't prescribe or brew herbs for any other man again—except you and my dad…"

After spending the morning at the herbal clinic, Cheng Chen and Gao Yuanyuan had lunch, then continued wandering.

As they wandered, Cheng Chen suddenly remembered a place and pulled Gao Yuanyuan straight toward Tianqiao Le Tea Garden.

Seeing the three large characters "De Yun She," Cheng Chen bought tickets and walked in.

It was afternoon; the hall held only a few scattered people.

"You like Xiang Province?"

Gao Yuanyuan was surprised.

In her mind, Xiang Province was entertainment for elderly or middle-aged people.

She never expected a young guy like Cheng Chen would enjoy it.

These days, people's awareness or impression of Xiang Province was minimal.

This art originated in North China and flourished in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei.

Its main props were folding fans, handkerchiefs, and wooden clappers—a folk art rooted in daily life.

Originally, performers set up a table on the street and performed openly.

To keep or attract audiences, they often included content banned on TV…

"Just listen—the two on stage aren't ordinary. Future Xiang Province masters."

Cheng Chen looked at the short, dark, chubby man and the curly-haired queen on stage, feeling a strange sense of temporal dislocation.

In his past life, he loved watching these two during meals.

At night, he often fell asleep listening to their voices.

Who could refuse their voices during meals or while sleeping?

And Cheng Chen wasn't exaggerating—these two rose from a makeshift troupe to performing worldwide.

From a gradually declining art to a highly sought-after form of entertainment.

These two on stage have done immense credit!

And all of this begins with this year.

If Cheng Chen remembered correctly, the woman on stage—the future Queen of Xiang Province—had only just joined De Yun She this year.

And in the second half of the year, the little black fatty would become a disciple of the renowned Xiang Province master, Master Hou.

……

Hearing Cheng Chen say this, Gao Yuanyuan nodded and listened quietly.

The two on stage were performing with all their might; they were now delivering the traditional Xiang Province piece, "Fu Shou Quan."

One teased, the other played straight, sending the entire audience into fits of laughter.

"Hahaha, I never realized Xiang Province could be this funny, hahaha!"

Gao Yuanyuan laughed until tears streamed down her face.

Cheng Chen laughed beside her; to be honest, he had heard this bit many times before.

But the charm of Xiang Province lies in the fact that the same bit is performed differently by every Xiang Province artist.

And even the same Xiang Province artist gives each performance of a bit a different flavor.

There are occasional improvised lines that make the audience roar with laughter.

Of course, some performers deliver the same lines every time, rigidly sticking to the script, utterly dull.

I won't name names here…

Cheng Chen called over a page from the hall, whispering a few words into his ear.

The page looked at Cheng Chen in surprise, then nodded and walked out.

As the performance on stage neared its end, the page approached the backstage and whispered a few words to the little black fatty.

The little black fatty listened, utterly astonished.

"A hundred flower baskets?"

Here, flower baskets were an early form of revenue, like virtual gifts in modern livestreams.

The earnings went to the Xiang Province artists; if they relied only on ticket sales, they'd all be starving.

There were always some who gave gifts, but a hundred baskets was excessive.

After learning the patron's appearance and location, the little black fatty hurriedly brought his partner, the curly-haired Queen, back on stage to thank the donors.

"Just now, someone backstage told me a distinguished guest has gifted a hundred flower baskets. As the old saying goes: no noble patrons, no artists.

You two hidden masters behind us—you've shown your support. Thank you for your generosity!"

At the little black fatty's words, everyone in the hall turned to look behind.

Cheng Chen waved his hand at the little black fatty, signaling it was nothing.

The little black fatty smiled and said:

"They say true masters don't show their faces. Since you've gifted us, let us perform another bit for you.

Do you two have any particular piece you'd like to hear?"

Gao Yuanyuan now understood: Cheng Chen had just sent the page to give a gift.

This was her first time sitting in a hall listening to Xiang Province; it was also her first exposure to Xiang Province.

For the little black fatty's question, she naturally turned to Cheng Chen for help.

Cheng Chen smiled and said:

"Master Guo, I'd like to hear you sing 'Tan Qing Shui He.'"

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, the little black fatty thought: this voice sounds young, yet he came here to listen to Xiang Province,

gave such a generous gift, and now named a famous folk tune outright.

Could he possibly be one of our own?

Though he thought this, he still smiled and said:

"You've honored us with your request—clearly you've studied our traditional culture deeply.

Let me explain 'Tan Qing Shui He' for those hearing it for the first time.

'Tan Qing Shui He' is a popular folk tune from Jingcheng.

Hey, if you're a lifelong Jingcheng resident or have studied this, you already know it—no need for me to explain.

'Tan Qing Shui He' tells a tragic love story, similar to 'The Peacock Flies Southeast,' set in Huoqiying Village during the late Qing and early Republic.

In old Jingcheng, there was Damochang, primarily small printing workshops.

Like Er You Tang and Bao Wen Tang, they often published small songbooks, and many of these songbooks included 'Tan Qing Shui He.'

It was a folk tune with many versions and widespread circulation.

Today, at the request of our two honored guests, let us explore this Qing Shui He…"

Hearing that a folk tune carried so much history, Gao Yuanyuan was deeply surprised.

But what surprised her even more was that Cheng Chen knew so much about it…

No wonder he could produce so many beloved songs.

He seemed careless, but in truth, he'd worked hard behind the scenes.

"The peach leaf's tip is sharp, the willow leaves cover the sky.

In his place, old Master Ming, listen to me speak:

This tale took place in the Lan Dian Chang of western Jingcheng.

In Lan Dian Chang, Huoqiying Village, there lived a man named Song Laosan…"

At Landianchang, the Firearms Battalion, there's a Song Lao San..."

That little chubby guy has a great voice — not only is his pitch high, his durability is top-notch too.

Just like when he does crosstalk, he can go three straight hours without a problem.

When he comes back for an encore, he can still pull off "Jiao Xiao Fan" with his real voice, pushing through the high notes raw.

That kind of Kung Fu — ninety percent of the male singers in the entertainment circle don't have it.

Listening to that familiar voice and melody, Cheng Chen's face was full of contentment.

He sat with one leg crossed over the other, his fingers tapping the chair in time with the melody.

In a word —

Man, that was pure bliss…

……