Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 303 New Year's Routine, Roadshow Across the World

The following day, early in the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, the festive atmosphere in Qianchuan County had not yet dissipated, and the air was still filled with the lingering scent of fireworks from the previous night.

As soon as Jiang Qing stepped out of her courtyard, Zhang Yi chased after her, carrying a bulging insulated bag, which she shoved into the passenger seat without a word.

"These are some braised dishes for your third uncle, and some sausages that your second aunt specifically asked for!"

Through the car window, Zhang Yi tidied her son's hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Come back early after you finish running in Luyang today, don't overwork yourself."

"Okay, Mom, let's go back inside, it's cold outside."

Jiang Qing smiled and agreed, then slowly drove away.

For the next few days, Jiang Qing lived a life no different from any other young person returning to their hometown. His car never stopped, and he was on the road visiting relatives and attending banquets every day.

This year was different, though; at the dinner table, the warmth of his relatives almost overwhelmed him.

When Jiang Qing was in the second year of junior high school, she had just stepped into her uncle's spacious main room and hadn't even sat down to have a sip of hot tea when her aunt rushed over with her phone in her loud voice.

"Oh my, our big star is back! Quick, Jiang Qing, take a picture with your aunt! My friends who dance in the square with me are obsessed with 'The Beginning,' they talk about Xiao Heyun all the time!"

Jiang Qing had no choice but to put down her teacup and put on a smile.

As soon as the flashbulbs stopped, a teenager squeezed in next to him. It was his cousin, his face flushed, clutching a brand-new notebook and pen.

"Bro! Can I get your autograph? Just write 'To Xiaolei, study hard', my deskmate would never believe you're my bro!"

"no problem."

Jiang Qing smiled, took the pen, and just as she finished signing, several more hands reached out from the side, holding all sorts of mobile phones, tablets, and even notebooks.

"Hey bro, take a picture with me! I'll post it on my WeChat Moments!"

"Cousin, let's take a selfie, my classmate's waiting to see it!"

"Jiang Qing, I heard you really dated that guy... Zhou Ye? Can you give me a hint?"

The air was filled with chatter, the aroma of steaming food mingled with the scents of perfumes and cigarettes, and the screams of children chasing and playing, creating a lively yet somewhat helpless scene for the New Year.

Jiang Qing always had a gentle smile on her face, signing autographs and taking photos with everyone, and occasionally answering questions about "whether filming is fun" and "whether variety shows are all scripted".

When faced with those more probing, gossipy gazes, he would either subtly change the subject or deflect them with a platitude like "we're all friends."

He was the topic of conversation at the dinner table.

The elders exclaimed, "Old Jiang's ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke," which was an affirmation of his academic achievements.

The siblings of the same generation, on the other hand, would curiously inquire about various inside stories of the entertainment industry, and incidentally express their admiration for certain celebrities.

Jiang Qing became the absolute center of attention, with her bowl piled high with food, surrounded by praise and curious inquiries.

He handled the situation with ease, but couldn't help wondering when this would end.

Time slipped away into the seventh day of the Lunar New Year amidst the rolling wheels of time and the exchange of favors. The smoke of the Spring Festival movie battle also permeated the conversations of relatives in the small county town.

The data as of February 6th had already been circulated.

With a total box office of 59.12 billion yuan, "The Battle at Lake Changjin" is far ahead of the pack, followed closely by "The Killer Is Not Calm" and "Miracle: The Stupid Kid".

The most talked-about show, besides the champion, was "Four Seas," which was almost at the bottom.

"Hey Jiang Qing, is that 'Four Seas' you really the one who directed it? There's a ton of criticism online!"

At the dinner table, a cousin who had just finished scrolling through his phone asked a loud question, drawing a lot of attention.

Today, several uncles and their families came to pay New Year's visits and had lunch at Jiang Qing's house.

"Yeah, Jiang Qing, I saw some pretty good reviews for your role online, saying that your few minutes of screen time alone were worth the price of admission! But the movie as a whole... tsk tsk, Han Han really messed up this time!"

Another cousin chimed in, her tone tinged with regret.

Jiang Qing swallowed the food in her mouth and nodded with a smile.

"Well, movies are a mixed bag, and it's normal for audiences to have their own feelings."

He didn't comment much on the film itself, nor did he mention the overwhelming criticism of Han Han himself online.

The afternoon sunlight was a bit dazzling.

Jiang Qing bid farewell to the last group of relatives and drove from Qianchuan to Luyang city.

Today, the cast and crew of "The Four Seas" held a roadshow at Wanda Cinema in Luyang.

Despite the film's disastrous reviews and poor box office performance, the production team is still proceeding with the pre-arranged promotional tour, hoping to at least slightly boost the box office.

The Wanda Cinema was bustling with noise, even more lively than during the Chinese New Year.

Huge Spring Festival movie posters covered the walls, with the poster for "The Four Seas" standing out among them, looking somewhat forlorn.

Jiang Qing wore a baseball cap and a mask, with the brim pulled low, and a plain black down jacket, blending into the crowd of moviegoers like a drop of water.

He had Thirteen help him cheat and get tickets early on, and quietly followed the crowd into the theater.

The theater was almost full, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of popcorn.

Soon, the movie began, and familiar scenes and background music started playing.

As early as the evening of the first day of the Lunar New Year, he took Jiang Nan and her parents to see the movie despite her nagging.

He wasn't surprised that Jiang Nan would act this way, but he hadn't expected his parents to take the initiative to come along.

After watching the movie, Jiang Zhao didn't say anything, but Zhang Yi kept mentioning in his ear that the girls in the movie were pretty, which made him both amused and exasperated.

He even suspected that his mother knew something.

When the plot reached the point where his character "Showta" appeared, fireworks exploded across the deck of a dilapidated cruise ship. He held a champagne glass and imitated Gatsby's iconic turn—a murmur of surprise instantly filled the theater.

Wow! Jiang Qing is out!

"Damn, that turn was amazing! So cool!"

"Just for these few minutes, the ticket price wasn't a waste..."

"Considering his background, it's a perfect performance! And his acting is superb!"

"The movie is really bad, but this cameo is the perfect finishing touch!"

……

Jiang Qing sat in the darkness, listening to the undisguised praise around her, and looking at her own face magnified on the big screen, appearing particularly profound under the fireworks, a strange sense of alienation welled up in her heart.

That was indeed him, yet it felt like watching a fragment of someone else's life through a screen.

He didn't rate the film highly, citing problems with pacing and story, but hearing the audience's positive feedback on his brief appearance still stirred a subtle ripple in his heart.

The film ended in a complex atmosphere.

When the lights came on, the audience did not immediately get up and leave, but waited for the main creators of "The Four Seas" to come on stage.

While waiting, many people were whispering among themselves, and the discussion mainly focused on the role of "Shuta Ge".

Soon, after the host's enthusiastic opening remarks, the main creators of the "Four Seas" drama series filed onto the stage.

Han Han walked at the front, with a polite smile on his face, but the fatigue in his eyes was obvious.

Lead actors Shen Teng and Liu Haoran followed closely behind.

Jiang Qing's gaze almost immediately locked onto the tall figure in the crowd—Liu Haocun.

Today she wore a well-tailored white fitted pencil skirt, revealing a pair of long, straight, snow-white legs. She wore a white vest over it, which made her skin look even whiter. Her long, slightly wavy hair was draped over her shoulders.

She wore a polite smile and bowed to the audience along with everyone else, her posture elegant and graceful.

When her gaze inadvertently swept across the audience and briefly met Jiang Qing's eyes, who was hidden in the crowd, Jiang Qing saw her beautiful doe eyes suddenly light up, then curve into a deeper and more genuine arc, with a hint of cunning that only he could understand.

The host began to guide the flow of the event, with the cast and crew sharing anecdotes from filming and answering audience questions.

The atmosphere wasn't particularly enthusiastic, and some questions even questioned the film itself, which Han Han and the main actors tried their best to handle.

When it was Liu Haocun's turn to speak, her voice was clear and crisp, her attitude was sincere, and her answers were impeccable.

Jiang Qing watched all of this quietly from below the stage.

He noticed that when Liu Haocun spoke, his fingers would unconsciously and gently twirl the hem of his skirt hanging at his side.

When an audience member mentioned that the character "Shuta" was outstanding, her smile became noticeably brighter, and her gaze seemed to drift towards him unintentionally.

More than an hour later, the roadshow was finally coming to an end. The cast and crew bowed again in gratitude and, guided by staff, prepared to exit through a side door to head to the backstage dressing room.

The crowd began to stir, with audience members discussing the end of the show with lingering enthusiasm, and many wanting to get a closer look at the stars.

Jiang Qing lowered the brim of his hat and moved towards the backstage area against the flow of people without making a sound.

He was heading to the backstage lounge.

The corridor was dimly lit, and the sweet smell of popcorn lingered in the air.

Just as he was about to reach the door of the lounge, the door to the emergency exit next to him was gently pushed open a crack, and a slender hand quickly reached out, accurately grabbed his wrist, and pulled him inside.

The emergency exit was dimly lit, with only the green "Emergency Exit" indicator light emitting a faint glow.

Jiang Qing was slammed against the cold wall by a force carrying a sweet fragrance.

Liu Haocun stood right in front of him, her face slightly tilted up, so close that he could see her individual eyelashes and the smug glint in her eyes.

"President Jiang, how do you feel after seeing your highlight moments?"

Her voice was low, with a hint of mischievous laughter, and her warm breath brushed against his chin.

"Everyone in the audience is praising you, which makes me, the leading lady, seem useless."

Jiang Qing looked down at her. In the dim light, her fair face seemed to be enveloped in a soft glow, and the way she looked up at him carried an unconscious allure.

His eyes moved slightly.

"Not bad, but you've got some nerve, daring to block people in the backstage passage."

"That depends on who's blocking the way."

Instead of retreating, Liu Haocun took another half step forward, his shoe tip almost touching his.

She raised her hand and boldly poked his chest with her fingertips.

"Some people, during the Chinese New Year, don't reply to messages or make phone calls, but they secretly come to watch the roadshow... President Jiang, wouldn't you say that's hypocritical?"

Her tone was spoiled, but her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, like a small animal that had discovered a new and exciting prey.

Jiang Qing caught her mischievous fingers, his palm enveloping her slightly cool fingertips.

"I have many relatives at home, and I can't be in two places at once."

He explained it simply, but his fingers gently caressed the back of her delicate hand.

This subtle movement seemed to please Liu Haocun. She hummed, but did not pull her hand away, letting him hold it.

"Excuses! Is it like in the movies, where many powerful people are trying to marry their daughters to you and are busy arranging blind dates?"

She said this in a deliberately sarcastic tone, while her other hand casually climbed onto his shoulder, her body almost pressed against his chest, her face tilted up, her red lips almost touching his, her breath sweet as orchids.

"Jiang Qing, when are you going to make up for the New Year you owe me? Hmm?"

In the dimly lit, enclosed space, her pleasant fragrance, her beautiful face so close to mine, and her teasing tone instantly ignited the ambiguity in the air.

Jiang Qing had no intention of letting her continue her acting. He tightened his grip on her hand, wrapped his other arm around her slender waist, and was about to lower his head—

"Xiao Haocun? Are you here? The director said we're getting ready to leave!"

Outside in the hallway, the assistant's clear and anxious voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by footsteps approaching from afar.

The charming atmosphere was broken in an instant.

Like a startled deer, Liu Haocun suddenly sprang away from Jiang Qing's embrace, quickly tidied his slightly disheveled hair, his cheeks flushed red, and he glared at Jiang Qing fiercely, his eyes filled with shame, anger, and a hint of resentment at not getting his way.

"coming!"

She responded loudly, her voice instantly regaining its usual crisp and calm tone.

She glanced quickly at Jiang Qing, then lowered her voice and spoke very rapidly.

I'll settle the score with you later! Check your messages later!

After saying that, she took a deep breath, opened the emergency exit door, instantly switched into an elegant and composed female celebrity mode, and stepped out.

"Xiao Haocun, where did you go? I was so worried! The car is waiting."

The assistant's voice was filled with worry.

"It's okay, I just needed some fresh air, let's go."

Liu Haocun's calm voice came through, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

The emergency exit door closed again, isolating it from outside noise.

Jiang Qing leaned against the cold wall, the sweet fragrance of the girl still lingering in his nostrils.

He raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against his lower lip, where the warmth of her breath from when she was close still lingered.

He chuckled softly and shook his head. This little devil was still so reckless.

Jiang Qing straightened her wrinkled down jacket and went out the door.

The corridor was deserted, with only the lingering sound of the closing announcement from the distant theater.

He walked to the parking lot, got into the driver's seat, and started the car.

As soon as I drove out of the underground parking garage and merged into the slightly congested traffic in Luyang city on the evening of the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, my phone vibrated.

A name popped up on the screen—Liu Haocun.

Jiang Qing put on her Bluetooth headset and answered the call.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone before a girl's voice, deliberately lowered but still tinged with coquettishness, came through, accompanied by the faint noise of a moving vehicle.

"Hey? Jiang Qing, where are you? You ran away so fast!"

Jiang Qing looked at the flashing traffic lights ahead, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Wasn't someone arrested by their assistant?"

"Stop it! What you were just... what were you thinking just now...?"

She seemed a little embarrassed to speak, her voice lowered, tinged with shame and annoyance.

"You took advantage and then ran away?"

“Let’s be reasonable, Teacher Liu.”

Jiang Qing's voice carried a lazy laugh as she lightly tapped the steering wheel with her fingers.

"Who started the physical altercation, and then accused the villain first?"

"I do not care!"

Liu Haocun interrupted him rudely, then softened his tone, which carried a hint of coquetry.

"Are you... are you free tonight? Our crew is only staying in Luyang for one night, and we'll be flying to the next city first thing tomorrow morning."

"how?"

Jiang Qing asked the question knowing the answer already.

"What do you say?"

Liu Haocun snorted.

"I'm starving! This lousy roadshow has been going on all afternoon, and I haven't even eaten! You have to take responsibility! You know Luyang well, take me to eat something good to soothe my wounded soul and stomach!"

As Jiang listened to her self-righteous demands, he could almost picture her puffing out her cheeks and sparkling eyes in the nanny van.

Outside the car window, the city's neon lights lit up one after another, flowing into colorful ribbons of light on the windshield.

"What to eat?"

He asked, his voice revealing a indulgence he himself was unaware of.

On the other end of the phone, Liu Haocun's voice immediately perked up, tinged with a hint of smugness.

"Hmm... I want it spicy! Extra spicy! I know a long-established restaurant in Luyang..."

The wheels rolled over the road, carrying the girl's enthusiastic ordering voice on the phone, merging into the increasingly lively lights of thousands of homes in Luyang on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.

(End of this chapter)