Huayu: Returned Overseas Chinese

A week later, good news came from Yu Li: after reading the script, the actors all agreed to join the project. Chen Jingming immediately felt relieved and picked up the phone on the table to make a call.

"Mr. Yang, come to my office."

Chen Jingming spoke directly into the microphone. Yang Jie responded with a sound of agreement, then hung up and walked over.

"Mr. Chen, what is it?" Yang Jie asked, standing in front of the desk.

"The cast has been finalized. Go contact the venue, get ready, and we'll start filming right after the New Year."

Chen Jingming whispered a few words of advice, then waved his hand. Yang Jie acknowledged and left.

Chen Jingming was just about to get up and look at the scenery from the window when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced down, instantly tensed, took the phone, walked to the window, answered it, and respectfully called out:

"Grandma Yang."

"Jingming, I've read the script, it's good. I personally called the leadership, so you can submit the script to them."

Yang Xuelan's hoarse voice came through, and Chen Jingming immediately smiled, saying happily:

"Okay, okay, thank you very much, Grandma Yang."

"Mmm," Yang Xuelan responded softly, then added:

"No matter where you end up, never forget your original aspirations."

"Don't worry, Grandma Yang, I won't forget," Chen Jingming replied firmly. Yang Xuelan gazed into the distance, a hint of warmth flickering in her eyes. This young man before her was someone she had watched grow up, and now he was working diligently in China. She hoped they could look after each other in the future. Human relationships are passed down from generation to generation in this way.

The two chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up. Chen Jingming breathed a sigh of relief, got up, took the script from the safe, went straight to Yang Jie's office, knocked on the door, and went inside.

"President Chen?" Yang Jie greeted Chen Jingming curiously, looking at them whom she had just parted ways with.

Chen Jingming nodded, handed over the script, and said with a smile:

"Let's submit 'Nanjing Photo Studio'."

Yang Jie took the script and flipped through it casually. Finding no changes, she asked with some concern:

"Will this work?"

"Don't worry, it's all been arranged." Chen Jingming nodded readily. Although Yang Jie didn't know the details, since Chen Jingming said so, the matter was bound to succeed.

After leaving Yang Jie's office, Chen Jingming returned to his own office, feeling relieved. With everything finally settled, he had a rare moment of leisure, so he turned on his computer and started browsing various campus BBS forums.

Aside from discussions about 9/11 and the US military's operations in Afghanistan, the most talked-about topic was the hit TV series "A Step into the Past." Watching the online discussions, Chen Jingming's memories gradually became clearer.

"Xiang Shaolong is such a smooth talker; for a modern person to go back to ancient times is like a game-changer."

"History has been distorted beyond recognition, but it's still captivating."

"Louis Koo's skin is so dark it's practically glowing; this is the peak of his acting career."

"I need a screenshot of Qin Qing, she's a goddess."

Looking at the comments, Chen Jingming felt a sense of warmth. People's attitudes towards TV dramas are still pure now; they like what they like, and their aesthetic sense is sound. There's no longer that fan culture. Those confrontational arguments are unpleasant to watch and very unfriendly to ordinary netizens.

Time flew by, and it was late October 2001. That morning, before dawn, Chen Jingming was still asleep when he was suddenly awakened by the ringing of the telephone. He groggily opened his eyes, fumbled for the phone, and held it to his ear, mumbling, "..."

Who is it?

"Brother Jingming."

A cry piercing through the air startled Chen Jingming, instantly bringing him back to his senses.

Is that Liu Yifei? Why is she crying?

He sat up abruptly and asked nervously:

"Yifei? What's wrong? What happened?"

Hearing Chen Jingming's concerned question, Liu Yifei could no longer hold back and burst into tears. Chen Jingming listened quietly; the sobs were intermittent, gradually subsiding after a while. He asked gently:

"Yifei, tell me if anything's wrong. Has someone bullied you? Tell me, and I'll go back to America immediately."

"Jingming, Mom and stepfather are arguing fiercely, I'm scared," Liu Yifei's timid voice came through. Chen Jingming sighed inwardly, but comforted her aloud:

"It's alright. Aunt Liu and Mr. Chen are both adults; it's normal for couples to argue. Did it scare you? Should I go back to the US to see you tomorrow?"

Upon hearing that Chen Jingming was returning to the United States, Liu Yifei's sad expression softened somewhat, and she whispered:

"Jingming, Mom might be getting a divorce. What will I do then?"

"It's alright, I'm here, Aunt Liu is here, we're all here, nothing will change." That was all Chen Jingming could say to comfort her.

"Okay," Liu Yifei responded softly, then asked, "Then you don't need to come to America tomorrow. Mom should be taking me back to China soon, and we can meet again then. By the way, Mom said you're going to film a TV series. Is there a role I could play?"

"Yifei, this is a war-themed film, and your clean-cut, ethereal气质 (qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance or aura) isn't quite right for it. But I've prepared a gift for you, which I'll give you for your birthday next year. How about that?"

Chen Jingming followed her words.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei immediately became interested and pressed for details:

"Jingming, what gift is it? Tell me about it."

"I'm not telling you now, otherwise there won't be any surprise."

The two began to argue over the "gift," with one pressing for details and even resorting to threats, while the other remained tight-lipped, deliberately using the gift to stir her emotions and help her forget the troubles of the argument at home.

The two chatted like children for over an hour. Liu Yifei, a little tired, finally spoke softly:

"Jingming, thank you."

"You're just saying that? You'll have to treat me to ten or eight meals when you get back, won't you?"

Chen Jingming leaned against the bed, chuckling as he joked.

"Hmph." Liu Yifei snorted lightly and said:

"You're so mean! You even cheat children out of their money. I'm not talking to you anymore."

After saying that, he hung up the phone without waiting for Chen Jingming's response. Hearing the busy tone from the receiver, Chen Jingming smiled and rubbed his head—kids really are hard to coax.

Looking out the window, Chen Jingming saw that it was already slightly bright. He decided not to sleep anymore, got up, washed up, and went downstairs for a run in the neighborhood.

Ziyu Villa has a lake and woods, making it a very private place for running. Chen Jingming ran five kilometers, broke a light sweat, and then walked another kilometer before returning home to take a shower.

He just bought something random on the street for breakfast, enough to fill his stomach. Chen Jingming has never been particular about food.

Chen Jingming had a professional class in the morning. He rushed to the classroom, found his roommate, and greeted him with a smile.

Wang Hao moved aside to make room for Chen Jingming, then leaned closer and asked in a low voice:

"Jingming, you've done something so big, and you're keeping it a secret from your brothers."

Chen Jingming was taken aback, not quite understanding, and reached out to push away the large face that was almost touching his own, asking in confusion:

"What big thing? How come I didn't know?"

"Jingming, stop pretending. The brothers won't take advantage of you. It's even posted on the bulletin board. 'Bright Sword' is about to start filming and they need to recruit a lot of extras. The acting department is going crazy over it."

Liu Tiejun reached out and grabbed Chen Jingming's neck, pretending to be fierce as he spoke.

Chen Jingming then realized what was happening and reached out to pat Liu Tiejun's arm. They had been together for over a year, their temperaments were compatible, and they were used to joking and bickering, so no one really took it to heart.

"I was planning to tell you about this during winter break, and then I'd take you to the film set. Now that you know, you can decide for yourselves whether you want to go or not."

Chen Jingming stated bluntly. There was no point in hiding it. A hero needs three helpers, especially in a film company like his, which revolves around producers; what they need most are trusted confidants. These roommates were reliable assistants, and most of their families were in the film industry. It would be foolish not to use their connections.