Chapter 199: Shield

Rebirth Begins in 2002 Chinese Entertainment, Chapter 195: Shield

As Cheng Chen expected, Kong Sheng's reply was:

Read the script.

At this stage, directors—especially those who already have works and are famous—

would never rashly take on a film or TV project, just as actors carefully choose scripts, directors are equally selective.

Cheng Chen had no problem; the script had long been completed and sealed with proper confidentiality measures.

Sending it to Kong Sheng posed no issue—he had absolute confidence in the script of *Nirvana in Fire*.

If Kong Sheng rejected him due to the script's quality, then Cheng Chen had no need to have him direct anyway.

After mailing the entire script, Cheng Chen began his work.

First, the matter of the world tour: under Wang Tianxiao's strong insistence, Cheng Chen finally had to confront it.

With Cheng Chen's current standing in the music industry, organizing an Asian tour was a simple matter.

Asia's entertainment scene is led by Japan and South Korea, with Japan's industry being the most distinctive.

First in music: this year's Japanese music scene was dominated by groups.

Nearly all major albums came from groups, with sales all exceeding one million.

Remember, Japan's land area is no larger than Yunnan Province in China—selling over a million copies is already a phenomenon.

Notably, many of these albums follow a Hip-Hop style.

This shows Japan's music scene is gradually shifting toward new trends.

As for solo singers, the most prominent is undoubtedly female singer Koda Kumi.

She was unquestionably this year's music news figure, while among male singers, Hirai Ken's greatest hits album had the highest sales.

South Korea's entertainment industry, as always, continuously churns out new talents, its trainee assembly line ensuring no shortage of idols.

Unlike traditional Chinese idols, South Korean idols are typically exceptional in both singing and dancing.

On the other hand, under certain unspoken conditions, South Korean artists face terrifying pressure.

This pressure comes not merely from work—it's often impossible for any individual to protect themselves…

With Cheng Chen's rise over the past two years, he has amassed a substantial fanbase in Japan and South Korea.

Japan once conducted a survey: if a Chinese celebrity were to develop in Japan, which one would the public most hope for?

A few years ago, it might have been Yang Kun—yes, the one who sang "It Doesn't Matter."

Japanese audiences first knew him through the Osaka International Music Concert.

Many fell in love with his unique voice and became his fans.

Notably, Yang Kun's new album "That Day" sold out completely in the Japanese market.

Of course, this is like a pop song with a fleeting trend—once the moment passes, no one cares anymore.

For true classics, it's Zhang Guorong—he was the first Chinese male actor to win the "Best Male Actor" award from the Japanese Film Critics Association.

In 1993, he was invited to serve as a judge at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

He held twenty solo concerts in Japan, setting the record for the most concerts by a Chinese male singer in Japan.

In 1996, he won two major awards from Japan's ASIAPOP magazine: "Most Popular" and "Best Artist."

In 2001, he won the "Best Male Actor" award from eCity, Asia's largest film fan club with the most members.

Notably, in the eleven-year history of this award, Zhang Guorong won it ten times.

Compared to the above, this man was the true god…

And with the development of these past two years, Cheng Chen's status in the hearts of the Japanese public has steadily risen.

A recent beginning-of-year survey showed Cheng Chen decisively outpaced all others, elected Japan's most beloved "foreign artist."

Thus, the first stop of the Asian tour was set in Tokyo, Japan.

He was definitely going to harvest this market!

During this time, to prevent Cheng Chen from feeling awkward on stage, Wang Tianxiao hired him a Japanese language teacher.

Fortunately, Wang Tianxiao thought of this.

If he showed up on stage clueless and blurted out "ya mie die," he'd embarrass himself internationally.

"Yuanyuan hasn't come back in so long—don't you miss her?"

After the meeting, Wang Tianxiao walked over to Cheng Chen and whispered.

"Yeah, I was planning to call her right after the meeting, after meeting the Japanese teacher you arranged for me, to build our connection."

We set it for 5:30, come to think of it.

If you hadn't suddenly scheduled this event, I'd have already flown over to see her."

Cheng Chen complained.

A brand promotion event—Cheng Chen didn't need to attend.

But Wang Tianxiao waved his hand and said it was a long-term strategic partnership.

The other party originally agreed to sign the contract because they were drawn to Cheng Chen personally.

This time, their CEO is present; Cheng Chen must attend and build a good relationship with them.

After all, this concerns future cooperation.

Wang Tianxiao pretended not to hear Cheng Chen's complaint and continued organizing the meeting materials.

Cheng Chen leaned in and said:

"Good thing you didn't run over time—if I'd missed the call, I'd tell my sister you deliberately delayed the meeting."

"I'm impressed—Cheng Zong, your blame-shifting skills are truly something I've learned from."

Wang Tianxiao rolled his eyes and said.

"Of course, it's totally normal for a handsome guy to pass the buck!"

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

"Pfft~"

Wang Tianxiao was clearly amused by his remark.

Cheng Chen suddenly dropped his rogue demeanor and said:

"What's going on with you today? You had a long face during the meeting, and the atmosphere was terrifyingly gloomy."

Wang Tianxiao wiped the smile off his face and said coldly:

"Nothing's wrong."

"You say nothing's wrong, but your face is screaming 'I'm furious' in big letters—still saying nothing's wrong?"

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

"Then why are you bothering me! You've got no sense!"

Wang Tianxiao snapped angrily.

"Come on, it's just being pressured to get married—what's there to be embarrassed about? It's not shameful."

Cheng Chen said dismissively.

Hearing this, Wang Tianxiao frowned suspiciously and said:

"How do you know I'm being pressured to get married…? Did Yuanyuan tell you? That woman, she's got no loyalty once she's got a boyfriend!"

Seeing Wang Tianxiao's furious expression, Cheng Chen said:

"I don't need my sister to tell me—I can guess. You're not young anymore; being pressured to marry is normal. How old am I? My mom nags me every single day too."

Hearing this, Wang Tianxiao's eyes flickered, and he grinned suggestively:

"Since your family is pressuring you and mine is pressuring me too, why don't we two…"

Before Wang Tianxiao could finish, Cheng Chen cut him off sharply:

"Stop. Don't say another word—don't even mention 'shield' or pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend."

"According to every TV drama ever, once a guy and girl do that, they end up together! I can't do that!"

"You flatter yourself… It's not that I'm not good enough for you?"

"Look at yourself—do you really think I'd want you? I've got suitors lined up from the Second Ring Road to the Fifth Ring Road—who the hell are you?"

Saying this, Wang Tianxiao stormed out of the office without looking back, furious.

Outside, employees heard the commotion and peered curiously toward the office.

"What's going on? Did Manager Wang and the big boss get into a fight?"

"It sounds like Manager Wang confessed to the boss, the boss rejected him, and he stormed off in humiliation!"

"No way, Manager Wang? I don't believe it!"

"Who knows? The boss is so charismatic—even I, a guy, get butterflies just looking at him!"

…

Cheng Chen didn't hear the murmurs outside; truth be told, Wang Tianxiao was a classic northern beauty.

Tall and slender, outgoing, with exquisitely refined features—and a privileged background—she was a textbook white, rich, and beautiful.

But Cheng Chen still felt nothing for her. Friends? Sure. Lovers? No way.

So if there was no possibility, he'd cut off all ambiguity.

He simply couldn't bring himself to play the role of a shield.

Besides, if a powerhouse like Wang Tianxiao suddenly had a boyfriend, her family would be suspicious immediately!

So there was no choice!

"Playing shield? That's pure self-sacrifice nonsense…"

Cheng Chen muttered.

"Ding-ding-ding!"

His phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered, smiling:

"Hey, Li, why the sudden call?"

"Cheng Chen, are you in Jingcheng right now?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

Hearing the urgency in her voice, Cheng Chen thought something was wrong and quickly said:

"Is something wrong? Don't panic—take your time and tell me."

In his memory, Ceng Li had never sounded this frantic before.

"Alright, I'll cut to the chase—my mom wants to meet you!"

"Huh?"

…

The situation came suddenly, and Ceng Li had spoken fast on the phone; Cheng Chen drove toward the airport while slowly piecing together the whole story.

It all started during this year's Spring Festival Gala, when Ceng Li's family saw him on stage.

Then her younger sister, Ceng Yu, noticed that her sister had been in frequent contact with Cheng Chen lately.

Ceng Yu teased her sister about it—and, by sheer coincidence, Ceng's mother overheard.

Ceng's mother, who had always pressured her eldest daughter to marry, heard her daughter was dating someone—and not just anyone, but the hottest Heavenly King star right now.

She insisted she had to meet him in person.

No matter how much Ceng Li pleaded, insisting they weren't a couple or anything like that,

Ceng's mother was utterly adamant—she wouldn't back down until she came to Jingcheng.

Then Ceng Li said Cheng Chen had been out of town on business these past two days.

As a result, Ceng's mother directly revealed that Cheng Chen was attending a brand launch event in Jingcheng—now Ceng Li had no choice…

Cheng Chen was stunned; from the information Ceng Li had given him, his mother would land in Jingcheng in half an hour.

So Ceng Li's meaning was… for him to be a shield?

No way! Only a sucker would be a shield!

"Alright, Sister Li, I've arrived at the airport, right at the arrivals gate—I see you!"

Cheng Chen hung up the phone and put on a smile as he walked forward.

…

"Brother-in-law, hello! Where are we going?"

Cheng Chen placed their luggage in the trunk; as soon as he got in the car, he was startled by Ceng Yu's "brother-in-law."

"Little Yu, don't call people that! Call him brother!"

Ceng Li scolded from beside him.

"Fine then, I'll call him brother-in-law brother—brother-in-law brother, where are we going next?"

Ceng Yu said mischievously.

Cheng Chen didn't correct Ceng Yu's title; he smiled and said:

"First, let's eat. Auntie, Little Yu—what do you want to eat?"

Since getting in the car, Ceng's mother's gaze had never left Cheng Chen.

This made Cheng Chen feel very uneasy.

"I—I'll eat Beijing roast duck first! When I was in E Province, I heard about Beijing roast duck and really wanted to try it!"

"No problem… Ah, what about you, Auntie?"

Cheng Chen could still feel Ceng's mother's eyes fixed on him.

She hadn't spoken a word since getting in the car, leaving Cheng Chen feeling anxious and awkward.

"I'm fine with anything."

Ceng's mother said slowly.

"Ah, alright then."

Ceng Li sat in the front passenger seat and gave him an apologetic glance.

Cheng Chen shook his head silently, signaling it was fine.

But the atmosphere in the car was heavy; no one spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.

Although Ceng's mother's gaze had shifted from Cheng Chen to the scenery outside the window,

Cheng Chen could still see her occasionally glancing at him in the rearview mirror.

This… was so awkward!

"Wow! Jingcheng is so bustling! I want to watch the flag-raising ceremony, and climb the Great Wall—brother-in-law brother, will you take me?"

Ceng Yu said eagerly from the back seat.

"Ceng Yu, Cheng Chen is busy afterward—I'll take you myself."

Ceng Li said impatiently.

She was now too tired to correct Ceng Yu's words.

She was equally unprepared for her mother and sister's sudden arrival in Jingcheng.

But then she remembered how her mother always pressured her during the New Year to find a boyfriend…

Since her mother and sister had already misunderstood, why not go along with it? It would spare her the daily nagging.

Thinking this, Ceng Li called Cheng Chen and asked him to help out.

But her mother…

Ceng Li glanced at her mother, now dozing in the back seat, and felt deeply uneasy.

Could she have figured something out…?

…

Cheng Chen took them to eat the roast duck Ceng Yu had been dreaming of.

After eating, Ceng Yu complained:

"This Beijing roast duck isn't as delicious as I imagined…"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen couldn't help but smile and say:

"Then what did you imagine roast duck tasted like? This Beijing roast duck actually originated in Nanjing.

It's said Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang loved Nanjing-style cured duck.

The palace chefs then went to great lengths to invent new ways of preparing duck to please him.

The 'open-oven roast duck' and 'sealed-oven roast duck' were both invented during this period.

Later, when Emperor Chengzu moved the capital to Jingcheng, he brought along the duck chefs from Nanjing.

During the Jiajing era, roast duck spread from the imperial court to the common people.

The first roast duck shop in Jingcheng was in Caishikou Mishi Hutong—'Bianyifang.'

Its original name was 'Nanjing sliced-skinned duck,' which later became Beijing roast duck…"

Ceng's entire family remained quiet; the meal's atmosphere didn't improve.

Cheng Chen, being outgoing and talkative, quickly jumped in whenever Ceng Yu spoke.

Otherwise, the mood would've been too stifling.

"Wow, brother-in-law brother, you know so much!"

Ceng Yu said with a face full of admiration.

Cheng Chen merely smiled. He wasn't showing off; a group of people had just met and no one was speaking, and he couldn't stand that kind of awkwardness.

Besides, whether or not to act as a shield could be set aside for now — as a junior, since Mother Ceng had come to Jingcheng, he was the one to receive her.

So he couldn't just bury his head in eating and stay silent.

It would be rude.

After Mother Ceng finished eating, she wiped her mouth with a paper napkin, looked at Cheng Chen and Ceng Li, and said seriously:

"Where are we staying tonight? Are you two staying together?" —Add to Bookmarks—