Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 335, Section 333: Plain and Ordinary

January 23, 2001, Lunar New Year's Eve of the Xin Si year.

In the early morning, before the sky had fully brightened, the capital city was still immersed in the tranquility and anticipation unique to the end of the year.

Wang Sheng's phone, however, had already begun its busy day.

The screen silently lit up, turned off, and lit up again, the notification light flashing a green halo, as New Year's greetings text messages and missed call records flooded in like a tide.

Wang Sheng woke up when his phone vibrated for the first time, but he only glanced at it before reaching out to put it on silent mode and placing it face down on the bedside table.

Get up and get dressed.

There was already some activity at home. Mother Zhang Xiulan was in the kitchen preparing some of the preparatory work for the New Year's Eve dinner, while Father Wang Baoguo was in the living room adjusting the TV signal to ensure that everything would go smoothly when watching the Spring Festival Gala that evening.

A warm yet busy festive atmosphere filled the air.

"Awake? The couplets and the character '福' (good fortune) are on the table. Put them up after breakfast," Zhang Xiulan said, poking her head out from the kitchen.

"understood."

Wang Sheng responded.

I had a simple breakfast.

Sweet Potato wagged its tail and followed at his feet, curiously sniffing the unfamiliar smells of paste and ink in the air.

Wang Sheng carefully applied the paste, neatly pasting the vertical couplet "Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the old year departs; the spring breeze brings warmth to the New Year's wine" and the horizontal scroll "All things are renewed." Finally, he pasted an upside-down "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character in the center of the door.

After doing all this, he took two steps back and looked around. The red Spring Festival couplets stood out in the slightly old corridor, adding a lot of festive cheer.

"Come on, Sweet Potato, let's go for a walk."

Wang Sheng picked up the leash, and Digua immediately stood up excitedly, its front paws tugging at his trouser leg.

The Beijing Film Studio residential area was quieter in the early morning than yesterday, with most people busy at home preparing for their family reunion dinner that evening.

The cold wind was still blowing, but the sun was shining brightly, bringing a bit of warmth to my skin.

Sweet Potato was full of energy, pulling Wang Sheng along the familiar path at a jog, occasionally stopping to mark a place it considered important.

Wang Sheng let it lead him.

After walking the dog and returning home, Wang Sheng completely entered "lying down" mode.

I nestled on the sofa in the living room, watching the news on TV that was broadcasting news from various places celebrating the Spring Festival. Occasionally I would get up to drink some water or deal with my parents' subtle questions about "so-and-so's child got married" or "so-and-so has a grandchild."

Most of the time, he was just spacing out, enjoying this rare leisure time without having to think about specific matters.

Lunch was simple; Zhang Xiulan prepared it using leftovers from last night, intending to save room and energy for the big dinner that night.

After finishing his meal, Wang Baoguo set up a chessboard.

"Come on, let's play a couple of rounds?" Wang Baoguo said enthusiastically.

Wang Sheng sat down with an indifferent expression.

The father and son deployed their troops on the Chu River and Han Border, and for a moment only the clattering sound of chess pieces hitting the board could be heard.

Wang Sheng's chess skills are average, and Wang Baoguo is also an amateur. The two have their wins and losses, but they are quite happy with each other.

After playing a few rounds, Wang Sheng used the excuse of "saving his energy" to lie back down on the sofa.

Wang Baoguo laughed and scolded, "You're so lazy!" and then tidied up the chessboard himself.

Time flowed lazily by, the sky outside the window gradually darkened, and sporadic firecrackers began to sound, finally bringing the festive atmosphere to its peak.

In the evening, the real highlight began.

Zhang Xiulan and Wang Baoguo were busy in the kitchen, while Wang Sheng was also assigned to serve dishes and set the table.

Before long, a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was laid out on the table: braised carp symbolizing abundance year after year, four-happiness meatballs symbolizing family reunion, stewed pork knuckle until tender, golden and crispy fried spring rolls, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and of course, the indispensable three-delicacy dumplings with thin skin and generous filling.

Peanuts, melon seeds, candy, and oranges were also placed on the table.

"Our family is better off now, but we can't skimp on the New Year celebrations."

Zhang Xiulan took off her apron and looked at the table of dishes with satisfaction. "Besides, our apartment building has a separate kitchen and bathroom, which makes cooking more convenient. Isn't it better than those tenement buildings?"
"When the weather gets warmer, some of those neighbors who moved away might move back, and then it'll be lively again."

She seemed reluctant to leave this place she was used to living in and the warmth of the people she might return to.

Wang Sheng smiled noncommittally, poured wine for his father, and filled his own glass as well.

The family sat together, eating and watching CCTV's Spring Festival Gala.

The gala was the same familiar format: songs, dances, skits, and crosstalk, creating a lively atmosphere. Wang Sheng watched the performances quietly.

At this moment, Cecilia Cheung appeared.

Wearing a pure white dress, she stood in the center of the beautiful stage and sang the theme song of the movie "Wish Upon a Star".

The singing flowed from the speakers, clear and heartfelt, but Wang Sheng could tell that she was lip-syncing.

After all, following the live singing incident at the Spring Festival Gala, the requirements for the safety of important songs are extremely high.

However, Cecilia Cheung's expressive face and graceful posture made for a moving effect.

"This girl is really pretty, and she sings beautifully too," Zhang Xiulan praised.

Wang Sheng gave a vague reply.

Next up was Fan Xiaopang and Deng Chao's program.

The two sang "Encounter," the theme song from the movie "My Sassy Girl."

Fan Xiaopang, dressed in a playful short skirt, had some simple interactions with Deng Chao on stage.

Her lip-syncing was... well, so-so. It was obvious she wasn't very skilled. Fortunately, she had a sweet smile, good looks, and the song itself was popular, so the audience response was still enthusiastic.

Wang Sheng couldn't help but find it amusing to watch her trying so hard to keep up with the pace while also looking a little nervous.

Less than an hour after the program ended, while the Spring Festival Gala was still in full swing, Wang Sheng's doorbell rang.

Wang Sheng got up and opened the door, where Fan Xiaopang was standing.

She had clearly come directly from the TV station, still wearing her elaborate stage makeup, a thick down jacket, and a scarf covering half her face. Her eyes held both post-performance excitement and a hint of fatigue.

"Happy New Year, Uncle and Aunt! Happy New Year, Mr. Wang!" she greeted them in a clear and cheerful voice.

The most excited one was the sweet potato.

It was dozing at Wang Sheng's feet when it smelled the familiar scent and immediately rushed over, excitedly circling around Fan Xiaopang's legs, wagging its tail like a windmill, making affectionate whimpering sounds, and even rubbing its big head against her hand.

Compared to its elusive owner Wang Sheng, Fan Xiaopang, who frequently visits, brings it treats, and plays with it, is clearly much closer to it.

Don't forget, it was Fan Xiaopang who personally brought it to Wang Sheng.

"Hey, Sweet Potato! Did you miss me?" Fan Xiaopang squatted down and rubbed Sweet Potato's fluffy head without any disgust, while Sweet Potato stuck out its tongue and licked her hand enthusiastically.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Xiulan came over with a big smile on her face: "Little Fatty's here! Come in quickly, it's cold outside. Have you eaten yet? You've been working on stage for so long, you must not have eaten well. Auntie will heat up your food and make you a bowl of dumplings!"

"Thank you, Auntie! I'm actually a little hungry." Fan Xiaopang took off his coat, revealing his stylish inner layer, and said sweetly, "I've been thinking about your dumplings!"

Zhang Xiulan happily went off to do her work.

Soon, the heated food and a large bowl of steaming dumplings were served.

Fan Xiaopang didn't stand on ceremony and sat down at the table to eat, praising Zhang Xiulan's cooking skills as he ate.

The atmosphere is even more harmonious when staying up late on New Year's Eve.

Watching TV, chatting, and eating snacks.

As midnight approached, firecrackers were going off all around the window, and dazzling fireworks lit up the night sky from time to time.

Zhang Xiulan took out a red envelope she had prepared beforehand and stuffed it into Fan Xiaopang's hand: "Here you go, Xiaopang, this is your New Year's money. May you have a safe and peaceful year ahead."

Fan Xiaopang was a little surprised and quickly declined, "Auntie, I can't accept this, I'm so old..."

"Take it, take it! In Auntie's eyes you're all children!" Zhang Xiulan stuffed the red envelope into her hand without saying a word.

Fan Xiaopang couldn't refuse, so he blushed and accepted it, feeling warm inside.

As the clock struck midnight, deafening cheers erupted from the television, and people wished each other a Happy New Year.

After sitting for a while, Fan Xiaopang got up to say goodbye.

Wang Sheng also stood up: "Mom, Dad, I'll see her off."

Zhang Xiulan glanced at her son, then at Fan Xiaopang, a knowing glint in her eyes, but she didn't ask any further questions. She simply instructed, "Tell the driver to drive slowly and be careful on the road."

Wang Sheng grunted in agreement, put on his coat, and went out with Fan Xiaopang.

Sweet Potato followed to the door, seemingly wanting to go with them, but Wang Sheng gently stopped her. She let out a pitiful whimper and watched the door close.

The hallway fell silent, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing as they descended the stairs.

(End of this chapter)