Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

After sitting for a while, Li Xiang stood up to take his leave.

He Ting wanted him to stay for dinner, but he politely declined with a smile: "Auntie, no thanks. I have to visit other people later. I'll wait until I have time."

He knew perfectly well that there were three children in the family.

He hadn't heard any noise earlier, so they might be waiting in the inner room for lunch. He didn't want to join in.

It's fine if the lady of the house sees it, but if the children also bump into it, Uncle Zhang will be incredibly embarrassed.

Besides, we've already received the reassurance we needed today, so it's best to know when to stop.

If we really spend a whole day here and then go to Chen Kai's place, there will be a lot more to it than that.

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer." Zhang Yimou also got up to see him off, "Tell the driver to drive slowly on the way."

Li Xiang was unaware of the immense significance his visit held for He Ting and the family, and the great goodwill it would bring them.

Right now, he was sitting in his car calling Chen Kai, and the call was answered after only a few rings.

Li Xiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief—thankfully, he still had some influence with Director Chen.

"Uncle Chen, Happy New Year!" He immediately greeted him warmly, his tone carrying just the right amount of familiarity.

Are you in the capital today? I was thinking of coming over to wish you a Happy New Year.

Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Kai gave him the address and urged, "Hurry up and come over, I just finished refilling a bottle of good wine."

"Okay, sure!" Li Xiang replied and hung up the phone. He then turned to give Master Chen the address: "Outside the East Gate of the Summer Palace, Taiping Hutong."

Not long after the car entered Taiping Hutong, Li Xiang saw Chen Hong leading Little Arthur to play in front of a courtyard house.

For this alone, he admired Chen Kai from the bottom of his heart. Even during the Chinese New Year, he specially had his family come out to pick him up. He was truly a respectable person.

He quickly asked Mr. Chen to stop the car, and then walked over quickly.

Chen Hong and Little Arthur had already spotted him and pulled the child along to greet him: "Your Uncle Chen was worried you wouldn't be able to find the exact location, so he asked me to bring Arthur out to meet you."

"Auntie, this is too flattering for me." Li Xiang smiled and took the opportunity to reach out and pinch Little Arthur's chubby cheeks.

"Alright, please stand still first, and I'll offer you my New Year's greetings first, so you can get ahead of Uncle Chen."

Chen Hong hadn't expected him to be so outgoing, quickly closing the distance between them in just a few words. He couldn't help but laugh, but didn't refuse. Instead, he straightened his clothes.

Dignity is mutual, and Li Xiang did indeed bow properly before turning around to accept the gifts that had been unloaded and following the mother and son into the yard.

Upon entering, there is a screen wall. Turning past the screen wall, the spacious courtyard layout of a one-and-a-half-story courtyard unfolds, with red lanterns hanging in the courtyard and the lights inside the house shining brightly.

As soon as the three entered the house, they saw Chen Kaige sitting on the sofa chatting with a short-haired woman.

Upon seeing Li Xiang enter, Chen Kaige did not immediately stand up, but he did sit up straight.

Having dealt with him for some time, Li Xiang had long since figured out his personality. He immediately strode forward and bowed respectfully.

"Uncle Chen, Happy New Year! Your nephew wishes you a Happy New Year!"

The New Year's greeting was delivered loudly and clearly, making him look very proud. Kai Ge's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he immediately got up to help him up, and then gave him a hug.

"Okay, okay! When did you return to Beijing?"

"Just arrived today." After Li Xiang finished speaking, Chen Kaige was clearly even happier.

"Ha, you're just being polite." She laughed, releasing him and turning to point to the woman beside her who had already stood up.

"Come, let me introduce you."

Actually, Li Xiang didn't need an introduction; he recognized her immediately—Zhang Yu, the editor-in-chief of Vogue. Her sharp and capable demeanor is well-known in the fashion world.

"This is Zhang Yu, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine. It's fate that you've run into her today. Go ahead and wish Editor-in-Chief Zhang a Happy New Year."

Without saying a word, Li Xiang immediately bowed again.

It's not shameful to bow to an elder, especially since the person is Zhang Yu; it's even less shameful.

Seeing that Li Xiang stepped forward to bow without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Yu quickly raised her hand to help him up, waving with a smile:

"Don't call me Editor-in-Chief Zhang anymore, it sounds too formal. I have a close personal relationship with your uncle and aunt, so by seniority, just call me Aunt Zhang."

This is no mere politeness. Just look at Chen Kaige's demeanor—

The fact that his wife personally greeted him at the door, and that she stood up and hugged him upon his arrival, shows how important this young man is to him.

Besides, Li Xiang himself was not an unknown. He was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy and immediately took on the role in Zhang Yimou's "Under the Hawthorn Tree". He became an instant hit after his debut and then signed with Huace Media.

I heard that there is an uncle who is a photographer who dotes on him and gives him all sorts of resources. Otherwise, how could he have gotten so close to Chen Kaige?

Therefore, selling one to the Chen family is a good deal; it's not a loss.

Moreover, judging from the current momentum, Li Xiang is probably not a simple person.

Chen Kaige, watching from the side, was clearly satisfied with the situation and raised his hand to say, "Sit down, everyone, don't stand. Hong, you sit down and rest for a while too."

Sure enough, as the bridge between the two sides, or perhaps the real source of Li Xiang's face, Uncle Wang was the first person to be asked.

"I called him several times before he answered, but he wouldn't let me go. I was planning to wait for him in the editing room tonight."

Chen Kaige quickly waved his hand: "When adults are busy with important matters, children shouldn't cause trouble. He's a big boy, he won't go hungry."

If you're really worried, just go check on him, but don't disturb his peace of mind.

Chen Hong then poured the wine and casually asked Li Xiang, "Will the film be finished editing in March?"

"It should be fine, and Uncle Zhang also said it'll be on time."

"You just came from his place?" These words were like a hook, instantly catching Chen Kai's attention.

Li Xiang didn't even need to guess; he knew what the man was asking, so he simply nodded and said, "Yes, I just went to pay my respects for the New Year."

"You saw him???"

Li Xiang could only nod again.

"Hey!" Chen Kaige immediately slapped his thigh. "This old bastard, even you got to see him? Why can't I?"

Chen Hong, who clearly knew the inside story, looked at Li Xiang in surprise: "You really saw it?"

"Of course it's true," Li Xiang smiled.

"They even invited me to stay for dinner. I was thinking I should come here, so we made an appointment after the New Year."

Even Chen Hong took a deep breath, realizing he had made a contribution to global warming.

However, she reacted quickly, and seeing that Chen Kai wanted to ask more questions, she interrupted him with a smile:

"Alright, let's not meddle in what's going on over there. We'll let you know when the time is right."

Li Xiang is a junior, and this is his first time visiting to offer New Year's greetings. It's normal for his Uncle Zhang to let his family meet him. Why are you so excited?

As she spoke, she secretly glared at Chen Kai.

Chen Kaige then realized that Zhang Yu was still inside.

Although Zhang Yu was very familiar with their family, compared to Li Xiang, he was naturally classified as an outsider.

After all, those who share a common mentor and career are naturally in the same camp; others... are ultimately separated by a layer.

He could only reluctantly pick up his glass and take a swig, his words tinged with a sour tone:

"Your Uncle Zhang really cares about you; he actually took you home. I've looked for him so many times, but I've never been inside his house."

Li Xiang was naturally quick to respond to such a remark, and immediately laughed and said, "Home is never as comfortable as the outside world."

Uncle, I still crave the food at that restaurant you took me to last time. It's just that I'm not prestigious enough to get a table there myself.

This change of topic was indeed effective, or perhaps Chen Kai also knew that the topic couldn't be brought up again, so he also changed the subject:

"Want to eat it? That's easy! I'll take you there, that's all. But their roast goose is truly exceptional."

Zhang Yu chimed in, "Are you talking about the one in the south of the city? It's really good; I've been there twice."

"See? I'm just a junior who doesn't have that kind of luck." Li Xiang sighed jokingly.

"It seems I need to work harder and make a name for myself."

These words made everyone in the room laugh, and the slightly awkward atmosphere from before was swept away, and the room became lively again.

Chen Hong poured more red wine for everyone and said with a smile, "Don't just talk about food, Xiao Xiang, how's your uncle's script coming along?"