My 1995 Small Farm.

The car traveled along the winding mountain road for about twenty minutes.

Finally, we drove into a golf course located in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island, nestled against the mountains and overlooking the sea, in an extremely tranquil environment.

This place was obviously temporarily rented by the film crew as a shooting location.

Looking out, the grass is lush and green, and the undulating slopes are meticulously trimmed.

In the distance lies a deep blue bay dotted with islands, creating a vast and magnificent landscape.

In stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the city's skyscrapers, it exudes luxury and leisure everywhere.

"Wow! What a huge lawn! It's even bigger than our village!" Wang Zhenzhen exclaimed, peering out the car window.

"Wow, it's huge!" Rui Rui exclaimed, her eyes widening.

At the edge of the venue, several temporary tents have been set up as dressing rooms, rest areas, and equipment storage areas.

Staff members were busy coming and going, pulling wires, setting up reflectors, and adjusting cameras.

Several vans bearing the film crew's logo were parked nearby.

As Director Zhong skillfully parked the car in the designated area, he proudly introduced, "How about it? This place is great, isn't it? The film 'Return to Glory' has special significance. The higher-ups attach great importance to it, and the budget is sufficient, so we chose this location. It will produce a grand and impressive film!"

"It's really impressive." Chen Ling nodded in agreement; this environment was clearly something that cost a fortune.

As soon as the car came to a stop, two familiar figures emerged smiling from the largest tent to greet us.

It was the lead actors Zheng Shaoqiu and Jiao Huang.

Zheng Shaoqiu was dressed in a well-tailored beige casual suit today, looking very elegant. Although he is over fifty years old, he is very well-maintained and in good spirits.

Professor Jiao Huang, dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit and wearing glasses, exuded a refined and composed air, befitting a scholar.

"Boss Chen! We've been waiting for you!"

With a broad smile, Zheng Shaoqiu was the first to extend his hand and greet him warmly in Mandarin with a Hong Kong accent.

"Adam Cheng, Teacher Jiao, it's been a long time!" Chen Ling quickly got out of the car and shook hands with the two.

Jiao Huang grasped Chen Ling's hand and shook it vigorously, his tone warm: "Little Boss Chen, you must have had a long journey! I heard you brought the kids along, that's wonderful! There are so many fun places in Hong Kong, take the children to see them!"

"Wow, these two little ones have grown so much! They can even walk now, so cute!"

When Zheng Shaoqiu saw Wang Susu getting off the car carrying Kang Kang and Lele, he greeted her with a smile and then bent down to tease Rui Rui and Wang Zhenzhen.

At this moment, Zheng Shaoqiu's gaze shifted and he saw the bamboo basket Chen Ling was carrying, and the furry little guy peeking out curiously from inside the basket. He immediately chuckled: "Oh! Boss Chen, you... you never forget to bring your dog wherever you go?"

"You've only been in Hong Kong Island for a few days and you've already gotten another puppy? You're really obsessed with dogs!"

Jiao Huang also came over to look and laughed, "Haha, it's true! Boss Chen, you really take your dog with you wherever you go."

"This little guy looks quite energetic, what breed is it?"

Chen Ling raised the basket slightly so the two could see it more clearly, and said with a smile, "Qiu Guan, Teacher Jiao, please don't make fun of me."

"This was a gift from a friend I just met yesterday. It's a little Tibetan Mastiff, but it's a bit weak. I brought it back to help it recover."

"The name has already been chosen, it's called Iron Egg."

"Tibetan Mastiff? I've heard of them. They're dogs from the snowy region, very fierce. They're really good stuff!"

Jiao Huang's eyes lit up as he examined the dog closely. "Good bone structure, and bright eyes, just a bit thin. If you raise it well, it'll definitely be a good dog in the future!"

Zheng Shaoqiu also said with interest, "Tiedan? That's a good name, and it means tough! Boss Chen, you're really good at raising dogs. You've raised Heiwa and Xiaojin to be very intelligent. This little Tiedan is really lucky to be with you."

They were talking and laughing.

Director Zhong came over and said, "Alright, alright, let's not talk here anymore."

"Adam Cheng, Teacher Jiao, you should prepare for the next scene."

"Ah Ling, sister-in-law, children, come with me. I'll show you around first. Then, Fu Gui, you need to go to the dressing room to try on makeup and clothes. The stylist is waiting."

Director Zhong led Chen Ling and her family on a tour of the film set, introducing them to several different shooting areas.

The children were excited and fascinated by the various unfamiliar devices they had seen before.

Afterwards, Wang Susu settled the children in the rest area, where staff brought them drinks and snacks. Tiedan was also placed in the shade, curiously sniffing the scent of the grass.

Chen Ling followed Director Zhong and a female stylist into the makeshift dressing room.

Today, besides showing the family around the filming location, we also came to give him a formal makeup and clothing trial to see what kind of image would suit him best.

Several sets of clothes prepared for Chen Ling were already hanging in the dressing room.

From well-tailored suits and casually stylish jackets to modernized Chinese clothing with ethnic elements and high-quality feel, there's something for everyone.

"Ah Ling, try on these outfits and see which one fits you best. You're the owner of the braised beef noodle shop, and besides Teacher Jiao Huang, you're the one who represents the face of mainland China. You have to have the right demeanor."

Director Zhong pointed to the clothes and said.

Chen Ling didn't hesitate and changed into the new clothes one by one.

The first outfit was a dark gray plaid suit. Wearing it immediately made him appear tall and straight, with a calm and reserved demeanor, like a young and promising scholar or entrepreneur.

"Great! You're full of energy!"

Director Zhong clapped his hands, "Brother, with that physique, you look incredibly stylish in a suit! Even more elite than the urban elites!"

The second outfit is a khaki casual hunting jacket paired with matching trousers, which looks more relaxed and carefree, with a touch of outdoor style.

"This outfit is great! It has that relaxed and casual feel, and it suits your style!" The makeup artist nodded.

The third outfit is an indigo blue stand-up collar Chinese-style top with subtle patterns, paired with black slim-fit trousers.

Both traditional and modern, it perfectly complements Chen Ling's temperament.

"Oh! This is great! This is great!"

Director Zhong's eyes lit up, "That's exactly the feeling! Low-key, sophisticated, and with a unique aura! It's a perfect match for Ah Ling herself!"

Other crew members also gathered around, praising it:
"Mr. Chen is such a clothes hanger, he looks good in everything!"

"The main thing is that she has the right temperament and can pull it off!"

"I think the Chinese-style set is the most unique and memorable!"

Watching her husband switch between different styles and handle each one well, Wang Susu couldn't help but smile with pride.

Rui Rui felt like her father was performing magic, changing his appearance every now and then, and she watched with great interest.

Even the little iron egg in the basket tilted its head back, its black eyes following Chen Ling's movements.

Even Zheng Shaoqiu and his colleague, who had just finished filming a scene, were drawn to it.

"Mr. Chen, with your figure and looks, it's a waste that you're not in the film industry!" Zheng Shaoqiu joked.

Jiao Huang nodded: "Boss Chen has a very unique temperament. He is calm and composed, yet exudes energy and spirit. He can command respect when dressed in formal attire, and appears approachable and reliable when dressed casually."

"very good."

The stylist looked at Director Zhong with a troubled expression: "Director, Mr. Chen is too good-looking; these outfits all look better on him than expected, making it difficult to choose." "Which one do you prefer?"

Director Zhong stroked his chin, also experiencing a bit of decision-making difficulties.

At this moment, Jiao Huang pondered and said, "I have an idea. Director Zhong, didn't you just say that you were going to film the scenes with Boss Chen and that big Tibetan Mastiff in a couple of days?"

"That kind of scene needs to show the trust between the human and the fierce dog and a certain wild harmony."

"Dressing too formally can create a sense of distance and make one look fierce, giving the impression that they have an shady background and are like someone involved in organized crime, which will ruin Xiao Chen's image."

"I think the casual jacket and trousers you just wore were pretty good—neat, stylish, but not too formal."

"Or, you could find a more structured tracksuit and pair it with a fierce dog for a more casual yet elegant look."

Director Zhong's eyes lit up: "Teacher Jiao is right! That makes perfect sense! Partnering with a fierce dog is exactly the feeling you're talking about!"

"A casual jacket is fine, sportswear is also okay!"

"Amei, hurry up and go find out if there are any suitable clothes!"

The stylist quickly agreed, "Okay, director, I'll go to the dressing room and look for it right away!"

Chen Ling laughed and said, "I'm usually quite casual, but my clothes tend to be workwear-like, whatever is comfortable and durable."

"I'll follow your arrangements when it comes to filming; I'll do whatever suits me best."

Director Zhong slapped his thigh: "Alright! Let's set the tone first, leaning towards a casual outdoor style. We'll decide on the specific designs once Amei finds them."

“Ah Ling, it’s settled then. The day after tomorrow, I’ll bring Brother Hua and his ‘Lion King,’ along with the camera crew, to your place halfway up the mountain to film.”

"Choose a scene on a mountain road near your yard, and shoot a few shots of you walking and interacting with your dog. It will look natural and impressive!"

“Okay, no problem, Director Zhong, you can arrange it, I’ll cooperate.”

Chen Ling readily agreed.

This arrangement is best; it won't disturb the family's rest and saves them the trouble of traveling back and forth.

After the makeup trial ended, Chen Ling changed back into her own clothes and left the dressing room.

Seeing Wang Susu leading the children to watch the filming in the rest area, Tiedan was lying by the basket, its little head nodding off, clearly exhausted from the morning's "adventure" that had just allowed it to recover some energy.

The sun was shining brightly on the lush green grass, and the filming was proceeding smoothly in the distance.

Zheng Shaoqiu is rehearsing a scene with an actress; his lines are clear and his emotions are full.

Professor Jiao Huang leisurely sipped his tea nearby, occasionally chatting with the staff.

Chen Ling walked to his family's side, and Wang Susu said softly, "Filming is quite interesting. Watching them do it again and again, just for one shot."

“Nothing is easy.”

Chen Ling nodded, looking at the orderly and creative scene, and gained a more intuitive understanding of the film and television industry in this era.

He thought of the brand promotion that Sun Yanhong had mentioned. Perhaps, in the future, his products could also try to use this more vivid approach to reach a wider market.

After the deal was settled, Chen Ling and his family toured the film set for a while.

I watched for a while as Zheng Shaoqiu and Jiao Huang filmed a dialogue scene in a pavilion at a golf course.

The two veteran actors possessed profound acting skills and delivered nuanced and natural performances, captivating Wang Susu and the children.

Little Iron Egg seemed quite interested in the large lawn from inside the basket, its little nose constantly sniffing the scent of grass and soil.

It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky and the crew was preparing for lunch that Chen Ling and her family said goodbye and left.

Director Chung originally wanted them to stay for lunch, but Chen Ling declined, saying she would take the children to try a local Hong Kong-style cafe instead.

On the way back, Wang Zhenzhen and Rui Rui were still laughing and playing with the dog.

This caused Kang Kang and Le Le to struggle and try to get involved.

Wang Susu said to Chen Ling, "Ling, I didn't expect filming a movie to be so troublesome. It took so long just to try on the clothes."

"But you look quite smart in those clothes."

Chen Ling smiled and shook her hand: "It's all for work. Once filming is over, we can relax and spend time playing with you and the children."

He still had something on his mind, and said to Director Zhong, who was driving, "Director Zhong, if it's convenient on the way back, could you stop at a pet supply store or department store? I'd like to buy something."

"No problem, there's one right in Causeway Bay, they have everything!"

At the department store, Chen Ling bought pet clippers, a comb, shampoo, deworming medicine, a soft and comfortable dog bed, and some dog toys.

Back at our lodging halfway up the mountain, the afternoon sun was shining brightly.

Chen Ling laid out an old bed sheet in the yard, prepared the tools, and fetched warm water.

"Tiedan, come here, let me tidy you up, so we can all look more energetic!" Chen Ling called to the little guy.

Little Iron Egg seemed to understand that it was time to take a bath. It hesitated for a moment, but under Chen Ling's gentle call, it slowly walked over.

Wang Susu and the children gathered around to watch the excitement.

Chen Ling first carefully combed away the tangled long fur on Tie Dan's body, then adjusted the water temperature and carefully washed it with pet shampoo.

The little guy was a bit nervous at first and his body was stiff, but under Chen Ling's gentle movements and the soothing warmth of the water, he gradually relaxed and even comfortably closed his eyes.

After showering and drying himself with a towel, Chen Ling began to use the clippers.

The hot and humid weather on Hong Kong Island makes Tibetan Mastiffs' thick fur prone to bacterial skin diseases and also makes them feel stuffy.

Chen Ling didn't shave it too short. He mainly thinned out the overly thick undercoat and trimmed the hair that was too long and affected his movement and hygiene, especially around his limbs, abdomen, and buttocks, making it clean and neat.

After some grooming, Little Iron Egg, who was originally messy and looked a bit unkempt and weak, seemed to have been reborn!

Although still lean, the fur was fluffy and well-groomed, revealing a clear outline of the face and limbs. The eyes appeared brighter and more spirited, and the overall appearance was more than twice as energetic!
"Wow! Tie Dan looks better!" Rui Rui clapped her hands.

"Brother-in-law, you're amazing! You can even cut a dog's hair!" Wang Zhenzhen exclaimed in amazement.

Wang Susu also laughed and said, "It looks much better now, and it's refreshing too."

Chen Ling applied the deworming medicine to Tie Dan and put it in the newly bought dog bed with soft padding.

The little guy sniffed around in his new nest, quickly found a comfortable position to lie down, and wagged his tail contentedly.

In the evening, Chen Ling called Zhang Lihua to tell him about Tiedan's situation and briefly mentioned the bathing and trimming.

Zhang Lihua was extremely excited on the other end of the phone, thanking him repeatedly and saying that he didn't expect to recover so quickly. He also repeatedly invited Chen Ling to visit him again when he had time to exchange experiences on raising dogs.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ling looked at Xiao Tiedan playing with the children and thought, "This Brother Hua is quite a man of character. I might invite him to visit my family's dog farm and recruit him."

Whether someone loves dogs or not is obvious at a glance.

Whether someone is easy to get along with or not, and whether they are the same type of person, can be quickly determined.

Chen Ling has his own set of judgment criteria. (End of Chapter)