Huayu: I'm reborn, but you still force me to be a scumbag?

Chapter 493 We will meet again when we reach the summit.

Zhang Jiaqi never imagined that the journey from Causeway Bay to Sham Shui Po would be so long.

Although the clock hands only moved forty minutes, it felt like an eternity to her.

She wasn't lying.

For a period of time, she really enjoyed watching movies about romance between men.

At that time, she always felt that the love in those stories was purer and more real than that between men and women.

Of course, as she grew older, she realized that it was just a fantasy from her youth.

Love is love, there's no difference.

She watched "Happy Together" many times back then.

A line from that movie kept echoing in her mind.

Whenever Leslie Cheung's character, Ho Po-wing, says this line to Tony Leung's character, Lai Yiu-fai, in the movie, no matter what happened before, Lai Yiu-fai will always be with him again.

……

The Alphard that Jet Tone Films gave her stopped.

She thanked the driver and got out of the car.

I hurried through the alley and rushed into the small building.

“Aqi”.

She hadn't taken more than two steps when a familiar voice called out to her.

Zhang Jiaqi turned around and saw her father. He looked like he had just finished work and was still wearing his bus driver's uniform.

"Why are you running so fast?" Her father looked her up and down. "Where did you go? Were you meeting those directors again?"

"Yes," she replied simply.

Her father frowned, looking displeased, and said, "How many times have I told you? Stop daydreaming like this. Don't you understand? This kind of thing isn't something people like us can dream about. That's just how society is in Hong Kong, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Jiaqi interrupted, "Okay, let's talk about it when we get home. I have something to do, I'm leaving now."

"Hey, I haven't finished speaking yet, and you're leaving again—"

Her father's voice called after her, but Zhang Jiaqi had already shaken him off and hurried towards the housing estate. The alley was narrow and long, and as she walked quickly, her not-so-low heels began to get in the way.

Halfway there, she couldn't take it anymore, so without hesitation she took off her shoes, carried them in her hand, and started running barefoot.

The cement floor was hard and cold, but she didn't care about that at all.

She knew where Chen Jiajun... no, Chen Nuo lived. It originally belonged to the Xie family. When Chen Jiajun first moved in, everyone thought he was just staying temporarily. Who would have thought that the truth was like this!
She ran barefoot through the stairwell of the public housing building like a madwoman.

She traversed the five floors and seventy-six steps in less than two minutes.

During this process, I don't know which household left their door open, the TV was on, and a song was playing from the stereo.

It was sung by a man.

"How stupid, how stupid..."

As Zhang Jiaqi listened to the lyrics that were all too familiar, she cursed herself in her heart over and over again:

Zhang Jiaqi, you're such a fool.

Even without watching the movie, this song has become popular in Hong Kong in the past few months since it became a hit in mainland China during the Lunar New Year. It's playing everywhere – in streets and alleys, convenience stores, and tea houses. I wonder how many Hong Kong people have made a special trip to Chengdu just for this song, to take photos at that little bar on Yulin Road.

She had never been there. But she had heard about it many times.

Why can't I see his face when we're face to face? Why can't I recognize his voice when I hear him speak?
Is she stupid? If she's not stupid, then what is she?
Zhang Jiaqi ran quickly to the stairwell, already covered in a light sweat, and finally stopped in front of that familiar door, ringing the doorbell.

"Chen...Ah Jun...is he home? Ah Jun?"

There was no response from inside.

dong dong dong.

Boom, boom, boom.

Zhang Jiaqi knocked on the door again.

Still no answer.

Without hesitation, Zhang Jiaqi turned around and ran downstairs again.

I ran up to the third floor, stood at the door next to hers, and started knocking on the door again.

dong dong dong.

Boom boom boom boom.

"Grandpa, Grandpa."

"Grandpa, are you home, Grandpa?"

Just then, the other door to her house opened, and a woman with a greasy face walked in, saying with a forced smile, "What do you want? Aqi, do you need to see Grandpa?"

"Ah, right. Sister Fen, do you know where Grandpa went?"

"I know," the woman smiled.

"Where did you go?"

"I went out with Chen Jiajun."

"Huh? Where did they go?"

"How would I know where they went... Ah-Qi, you're all dressed up so beautifully today, did you go to see those directors again? But let me give you a piece of advice, those directors are all lecherous. Look at your skirt, it's so short and you're showing so much skin, be careful someone sees you naked."

"And Aqi, if you're so keen on being a star, why don't you move out sooner?"

Normally, Zhang Jiaqi would have retorted after hearing such sarcastic remarks. But today, she didn't have the time or inclination.

She was extremely anxious when she heard that her grandfather had gone out with Chen Nuo, which made her even more agitated. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she bumped into her father.

It turns out that her dad had come downstairs after she had been knocking on the door for so long.

Her father frowned and looked at Sister Fen in an unfriendly tone: "Hey, Sister Fen, what did you just say? Who wants to move out?"

Ah Fen gave a mocking smile and said, "Uncle, did I say something wrong? Your daughter says she wants to be a star every day, but you know yourself, what big star lives in a place like ours? If those tabloids write that she lives in a slum, she'll lose face. I'm only saying this for her own good."

"Ah-Qi is fine, don't worry about her." Her father said coldly, "Sister Fen, why don't you go back inside and cook? Ah-Kun will be off work soon, it wouldn't be good if he went back inside and there was no food to eat."

"Uncle, it's none of your business," Sister Fen replied with a forced smile. "What Ah Kun eats every day is our family's business. But the noise you make every night prevents Ah Kun from getting a proper rest, and that's my problem. I'm telling you, this isn't the first time. Do you know how much you disturb the peace? If this continues, don't blame me for not being a good neighbor. I will really file a complaint against you."

Zhang Jiaqi stood aside, watching her father's face turn red with anger.

In fact, she had heard Ah Fen say these things countless times before; the two families had argued about this more than once. But she always went her own way and never took it to heart.

However, today, she suddenly realized that her father could actually get this angry because of these words.

“Every night?” her father roared. “Every night? My mother and I don’t find it noisy at all. You’re separated by a wall, how could you hear it? Don’t you know? That’s not howling, that’s called voice practice. Actors speak their lines so beautifully because they practice their voices…”

"Hahahahaha."

Sister Fen laughed and said, "Still practicing your voice? Uncle, why don't you wake up? Do you really think Ah Qi can be an actress? She's been doing this since she was 17, for 10 years now. If she wanted to be famous, she would have been by now. Seriously, I advise you to stop daydreaming, get married, and be more realistic. Chen Jiajun is not bad, although he has some minor flaws and looks a bit crazy, but I think he and your Ah Qi are a perfect match—one crazy, one mad, just right."

"Hey, what are you saying! Who are you calling crazy? Say it again, and I'll hit you!"

"Hit me? Hahahaha, Uncle, I'm so scared! Come on, I'm afraid you won't hit me. It just so happens that I can't find anyone to take care of me for the rest of my life, Uncle, if you want to take care of me, I'd be more than happy!"

When Zhang Jiaqi saw her father trembling with anger, his sleeves rolled up, looking like he was really about to attack, she immediately grabbed his arm and said, "Dad, don't."

Then she turned around and looked at Afen in front of her.

She smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Sister Fen."

Ah Fen said with a forced smile, "No need to thank me, Ah Qi. I'm just telling the truth."

Zhang Jiaqi laughed and said, "I just want to thank you for telling the truth."

"Oh?" Afen was slightly taken aback, with a hint of suspicion. "What trick are you up to now? You can just say what you want to say."

“I didn’t come up with anything fancy, thank you so much.” Zhang Jiaqi still smiled brightly. “You said before that Chen Jiajun and I are a good match. I really have to thank you.”

Afen snorted coldly and whispered, "Madman."

Zhang Jiaqi pretended not to hear and smiled, "Also, Sister Fen, I'm really planning to move out."

"Huh?" Sister Fen was taken aback. "What did you say? You're moving?"

Just then, her father exclaimed from behind, "What? Aqi, are you moving away?"

Zhang Jiaqi turned to look at her father and said gently, "Yes, Dad. I came back because I was planning to talk to you and Mom about it. I might really have to move out soon."

"Where did you get the money... No, Ah-Qi, why? Is it because of Ah-Fen? Ah-Qi, let me tell you, let her do whatever she wants. You just stay at home. If she wants to sue, let her sue. After she's done suing, I want to see if she can still live here!"

Ah Fen sneered, "Uncle, I've heard that for ten years. Let me make this clear: if you keep yelling and screaming in the house, I will call the police. Forget about neighborly affection; I've had enough of you for a long time."

"you this……"

"Enough!" Zhang Jiaqi interrupted, turning her head to look at her father. "Dad, listen to me."

After saying that, she turned around and looked at Afen again.

The woman in front of me was in her forties, with sallow skin, a pointed face and mouth, slightly protruding teeth, and greasy, messy hair that looked like it hadn't been washed for days. She was wearing an old set of loungewear with a thin patch on the sleeve.

This is what the residents of this building look like.

In fact, her mother was much the same.

At this moment, the slight anger and resentment that Zhang Jiaqi had felt completely vanished.

She sighed softly and said, "Sister Fen, over the years, I've rarely paid attention to the time while I'm at home, and I've often disturbed your rest. I apologize in advance."

Ah Fen replied expressionlessly, "Don't talk to me so much. Ah Qi, I'll say it one more time—if you disturb our family's sleep again, I will definitely call the police, believe it or not."

Zhang Jiaqi shook her head: "I'm apologizing not because I'm afraid you'll call the police, Sister Fen. I just really want to say sorry, even though I know that someone like you probably wouldn't understand. But I have to say it because..." She looked up and around.

Because her father had just argued loudly with Ah Fen, many neighbors had been alerted, and people were leaning on the railings in the opposite corridor and the upstairs connecting corridor, looking down.

"...Because if I really become a big star in the future, and tabloid reporters come to my door looking for stories, I'm afraid you'll say bad things about me. So now that so many neighbors have heard this, I have to make it clear in front of so many witnesses that I apologize to you."

Afen scoffed, "You're dreaming again? A big star? If you could be a big star, I, Afen, would never eat meat in my life."

Zhang Jiaqi smiled gently as before: "Don't say that, Sister Fen. I feel like I'm dreaming. Today feels like I'm dreaming all day. A dream I've had for ten years has suddenly come true. Sister Fen, do you know what this feels like?"

She didn't wait for Afen's response and continued talking to herself:

"I feel like I'm seeing things from a different perspective now. I used to think you were annoying, but now I think you're pathetic."

"What?" Ah Fen's expression changed, and she raised her voice, "Me, pitiful? Ah Qi, look at yourself! You're always daydreaming, and at thirty years old you're still being supported by your parents. You're either drinking or sleeping all day, and you're always yelling and screaming at home. You're the one who's truly pitiful!"

Zhang Jiaqi nodded: "I know, I was really pitiful before. But... I was just lucky. I'm sorry, Sister Fen, if I hadn't met a benefactor, I might be like you now ten years from now. But now, I'm really lucky to have met a benefactor."

"A benefactor? What benefactor?" Ah Fen asked, half believing and half doubting.

At the same time, her father asked, "Ah-Chi, are you really moving out?"

It turns out her father was still preoccupied with the news that she was moving out, and in his shock, he only finally came to his senses and asked the question now. He didn't hear a single word she said to Afen afterward.

Zhang Jiaqi felt a pang of sadness. Looking at her father, whose temples were streaked with gray, she suddenly opened her arms and hugged him.

"Yes, Dad, I'm going to film a movie. The director said I need to start training more than six months in advance. His company will help me rent a place and hire a teacher, so don't worry."

"More than half a year?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Ah Fen sneered again: "It takes more than half a year to prepare for a movie? Go and film a Wong Kar-wai movie. You can't even talk big."

Zhang Jiaqi gave a sweet smile.

She desperately wanted to say, "How did you know?" But she knew she couldn't utter a single word.

She fell silent, but her father glared at her and roared, "What are you talking about, buck-toothed Fen? Do you think everyone is like you? You always brag about having children, but after 20 years of marriage, you haven't had a single child. No wonder Ah Kun is always out fooling around!"

"Ah!!! Big Fa, what did you say! Who did you call buck-toothed? Who did you say couldn't have children!" The woman screamed, her face contorted with rage, and looked ready to pounce.

Zhang Jiaqi was startled and blocked her father's way.

Just then, a loud, aged voice came from the other end of the corridor: "Afen, Afa, what are you two doing? Making a racket at my doorstep? Are you going to fight?"

Zhang Jiaqi turned her head and saw Grandpa Chen slowly walking over from the other side, carrying two large, glittering fish in his hands.

Upon seeing this, her father instantly forgot his anger and exclaimed in surprise, "Grandpa, you've struck it rich! You're so extravagant today, did you buy a big yellow croaker to make soup?"

“It’s not a large yellow croaker,” Grandpa Chen stepped closer and solemnly corrected, “It’s a wild large yellow croaker, just caught from the sea yesterday.”

"Wow! Really?" Her father's eyes widened. "Doesn't that cost tens of thousands of dollars per piece?"

Grandpa Chen smiled, shook his head, and said with a hint of arrogance, "Of course it's true. Would I, Grandpa Chen, lie to people? It's not that expensive. Two of them together cost seventeen thousand dollars."

Her father looked shocked and said, "Seventeen thousand dollars? Grandpa, you've really struck it rich? You've taken out your life savings to buy fish?"

Grandpa Chen shook his head: "What are you talking about! How could my savings for my funeral only amount to 17,000 dollars? But to tell you the truth, it was Ah Jun who treated me."

"Ah Jun?! Chen Jiajun?"

"Yes," Grandpa said, shaking the two heavy fish. "They weigh almost 5 pounds together."

Zhang Jiaqi had noticed earlier that there was no one behind her grandfather. She vaguely knew the answer, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, where's Ah Jun?"

Grandpa Chen sighed and said:
"Let's go."

"Gone? Where did they go?" Her father looked surprised as well.

“He said someone in mainland China offered him a job where he could make a lot of money. Before he left, he said that I used to treat him to fish soup all the time, so he had to treat me back this time. I said no, but Ah Jun is such a person... sigh, he's not only handsome, but also kind-hearted. He probably spent a whole month's salary to buy these two wild yellow croakers for me.”

"Alright, you two. I've heard enough on my way here. You've been neighbors for so many years, arguing all the time over this little thing, making yourselves a laughingstock. Ah Fa, Ah Fen, here's one of these big yellow croakers for you each. Don't fight anymore. Neighbors shouldn't hurt each other like this, you know?"

"Wow, are you serious, Grandpa?"

"Grandpa, are you going to give me the fish?"

Afen and Zhang Jiaqi's father both called out together.

"Yes," Grandpa said, "Take it back and make soup to nourish your body."

Zhang Jiaqi's father said, "This isn't a good idea, Grandpa. This is a gift from Ah Jun."

Grandpa said, "When you've finished cooking, just have Aqi bring me a bowl."

"That's great, Grandpa. You're such a kind person, you're sure to live to be a hundred years old."

Afen rushed over wearing slippers.

Grandpa handed her one fish and gave the other to Zhang Jiaqi's father. Then he smiled and said to Zhang Jiaqi, "Jiaqi, come to my room. I have something to tell you."

Following her grandfather into the house, Zhang Jiaqi guessed that his calling her must be related to Chen Nuo. Sure enough, after entering the house, her grandfather said, "Jun asked me to give you a message before he left."

“Him,” Zhang Jiaqi said, “he wants you to tell me about Grandpa.”

Grandpa said, "Jun said he's waiting for you over there. What does that mean, Qi? Are you going to the mainland too?"

Zhang Jiaqi was stunned, her mind racing with a multitude of thoughts. When she guessed what the man meant, her entire body ignited. Her blood seemed to boil from head to toe.

"I..." He managed to say one word before realizing his mouth was incredibly dry. He moistened his lips and said with difficulty, "No, Grandpa, that's not what he meant."

At that moment, she suddenly remembered the line that had been swirling in her mind earlier in the car.

"Why don't we start from the beginning?"

Whenever Ho Po-wing said this to Lai Yiu-fai, they were able to truly start over.

She had wanted this opportunity too.

Because she thought that after he left, they would never cross paths again.

But now she realizes that she doesn't actually have to start from scratch.

All you need to do is pick up the pace and move forward.

If you go to the mountaintop, you will meet there.

……

……

Chen Nuo should have stayed in Hong Kong a few more days before leaving.

Although he has finished filming, he still has many things to do.

For example, he could spend time with Janice Man, have a drink with Mr. Yang, the owner of Eagle King, or treat the directors who helped him before, such as Ann Hui and Tsui Hark, to a meal.

These are things he should do.

but……

These things can only be left for later.

The reason wasn't because of the Shanghai International Film Festival, nor because his daughter was over a year old and still couldn't call him "Dad," and it certainly wasn't because of any woman.

It was because his younger sister, whom he had taken for a short time, had turned 18 on March 29th. The Republic of Korea's representative office in Beijing had sent people to urge him several times. After waiting for him for more than two months, he had to rush back to see her off.

The details need not be elaborated upon, because the scene at the Capital Airport where Pan Chengrong and Cui Xueli hugged each other and parted in tears was too sad to be suitable for the style of this article.

But on the way back from the airport, Pan Chengrong recovered a little from her sadness and immediately asked, "Is that company you arranged for Shirley, that surnamed Yang, reliable?"

"It's reliable. How could it not be?"

At this time, he gave Gulnazar and Linghu a day off, so it was just the three of them in the car. As usual, Chen Bicheng drove, his mother sat in the passenger seat, and he sat in the back.

After Chen Nuo answered, he saw Old Chen looking at him with a strange expression in the rearview mirror.

He said irritably, "What is it now? What do you want to say?"

Chen Bicheng sighed and said sadly, "Your hair color... to be honest, if you weren't my own child, I would definitely cut ties with you. It's too flashy."

Pan Chengrong frowned and said, "I'm talking about serious matters. What are you talking about with hair??? Shirley just left. Aren't you worried about whether she'll adapt to life in Korea, or whether she'll be bullied? Also, is that President Lee of Korea reliable or not? Do the things he says even count? Chen Bicheng, do you even have a heart? Do you even have any feelings?"

"Yes, definitely!" Chen Bicheng shouted.

"You have nothing! You do have nothing!"

"Alright, alright, then I won't say anything more." Old Chen shrank back and stopped talking.

Pan Chengrong turned around and glanced at Chen Nuo, saying, "Your hair does look a bit strange. When are you planning to dye it back?"

Chen Nuo said, "I'll go in a couple of days."

"Hmm. What's the deal with that entertainment company you found for her, the one with the surname Yang? She hasn't really studied singing or dancing in the past four years. Will she be able to adapt after she joins? What if she can't? Have you thought about that?"

Chen Nuo thought for a moment and said, "I definitely can't adapt. To be honest, Mom, she's not good-looking, her singing and dancing aren't great, and her acting is laughable..."

"You...you learned this from your old man? Getting a little cheeky?"

“He’s not following my example!” Chen Bicheng protested. “He’s the one who’s asking for trouble.”

"Chen Nuo, I'm warning you, think carefully before you speak. Otherwise, I'll tell your father to stop the car and you'll have to walk home yourself. You can try me if you don't believe me."

"Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm telling the truth. The company I've chosen is the best entertainment company in the area. Their trainee group already has four girls, and they're all incredibly talented at singing and dancing. Sulli really just coasted in there..."

……

2 minutes later.

Chen Nuo stood by the busy roadside, looked up at the sky, and felt a little doubtful about life.

No, Mom, why are you playing for real?

I'm a huge star now, how can you really let me walk back by myself?
(End of this chapter)