I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

Of course he can cook.

In his previous life, he was an unknown extra, his parents died early, and he struggled to survive on his own.

Back then, eating out was a luxury, and ordering takeout was an absolute pipe dream.

My culinary skills were entirely developed out of necessity during those difficult years.

If you can't cook, you'll starve.

It's that simple.

In this life, although he lived a life of luxury and was pampered by his mother Ye Huimei and agent Wang Jinhua, he never gave up this skill.

For him, cooking is a way to make him feel grounded and secure.

When the aroma of food fills the kitchen, all the glitz and noise seem to be shut out.

Xiao Chen wiped his hands and turned around.

"Okay, let it simmer for another five minutes."

As soon as he turned around, he met three pairs of bright, hungry eyes.

Dilraba was even more exaggerated, her drool almost dripping down her chin.

I danced in the square with the village aunties in the afternoon, which was quite physically demanding.

After dancing to "The Most Dazzling Ethnic Trend," I felt like I'd lost half my life.

Having not eaten all day and having engaged in strenuous exercise, everyone's stomachs were rumbling with hunger.

The table full of food was like a death knell, constantly tempting their taste buds and senses.

"Gurgle—"

An untimely voice rang out.

Dilraba blushed instantly and covered her stomach.

Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung also seemed a little embarrassed.

"Ah Chen..."

Mei Yanfang tentatively opened her mouth, but her eyes were fixed on the dishes on the table.

"Um... when will Xingzai arrive?"

When she received the call, she immediately recognized it as Stephen Chow from the nonsensical request and the irritating tone.

They've been friends for decades, and they know each other as well as their own hands.

Xiao Chen glanced at the sky.

"It should be soon."

Leslie Cheung stroked his chin, leaned close to Anita Mui's ear, and spoke in a voice that only the three of them could hear.

"How about... we stop waiting?"

Anita Mui's eyes lit up instantly.

She glanced at Dilraba.

The little girl's eyes were filled with longing as she nodded frantically.

Although Mui Yim-fong said it wasn't good, her body language betrayed her by taking a small step toward the dining table.

"Isn't this inappropriate?"

"The guests haven't arrived yet."

Leslie Cheung waved his hand, lowered his voice, and laughed like a cat that had just stolen some fish.

"Oh dear, what kind of guest is this?"

"That guy, Ah Xing, isn't an outsider."

"Let's eat first, just leave some for him."

Dilraba nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Stephen Chow definitely wouldn't mind!"

Mui Yan-fong was persuaded. She cleared her throat and made her final decision.

"They're all old acquaintances anyway, so I can just give them a perfunctory answer."

"Leave him some broth to mix with his rice; he won't starve."

"It's settled then!"

Good guy!

Stephen Chow was standing at the entrance of the Mushroom House courtyard.

He had just gone through countless hardships, carrying his suitcase and exhausted, to find this place.

As soon as you enter the courtyard, you are greeted by an irresistible aroma of food.

He had originally planned to sneak up behind them and give them a scare, adding a dramatic element to his entrance.

As a result, just as I reached the door, I clearly heard Anita Mui's righteous words.

Should we leave him some broth to mix with his rice?

As long as we don't starve to death, that's fine?

Stephen Chow's eyes widened instantly, like copper bells.

His suitcase fell to the ground with a thud.

All the fatigue and hard work turned into a surge of grief and indignation at this moment.

These guys are absolutely inhuman!

He couldn't hold back any longer and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"I'm right here!"

This voice, full of energy, was brimming with the resentment of being betrayed.

Under the eaves, Mei Yanfang was sitting around the table, preparing to dig into the plate of Kung Pao Chicken.

Leslie Cheung, Dilraba Dilmurat, and the three of them froze instantly.

Their faces still wore wicked smiles of triumph.

The next second, all three heads turned around in a flash.

In the darkness at the courtyard gate, Stephen Chow stood all alone.

He was dressed in casual clothes, his hair was a little messy, and his shoes were covered in mud.

The face beneath the baseball cap was half in light and half in shadow, its expression incredibly expressive.

That scene looked exactly like a classic shot from one of his movies.

It is full of absurd comedic elements.

The air seemed to freeze.

A few seconds later.

"puff--"

I don't know who couldn't help but laugh first.

Immediately afterwards, a deafening burst of wild laughter erupted in the courtyard.

"Hahahaha!"

"Ah Xing! You...did you roll around in the mud?"

"Oh no, we've been caught red-handed!"

The director, watching this scene from a distance via the monitor, slapped his thigh in excitement.

"Close-up! Quick! Give Stephen Chow a close-up! And then give Anita Mui and the others a wide shot!"

"Explosive news! This is absolutely explosive!"

"If this segment aired, the ratings would absolutely explode!"

The screenwriter was also taking notes frantically, laughing so hard he could barely hold his pen.

This scene, though not scripted, is a hundred times more exciting than any meticulously crafted script!

Anita Mui was the first to react.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across her face, but it was quickly replaced by a hearty laugh.

She walked over quickly, brushing the dust off Stephen Chow's clothes as she explained.

"Oh, Xing, don't misunderstand, we were just joking!"

Stephen Chow had a "I don't believe you" look on his face.

Leslie Cheung also walked over with a smile, but he wasn't as kind as Anita Mui and directly undermined her.

"I don't know if you're joking, but if you had arrived five minutes later..."

"You'll definitely only be able to eat rice with soup."

Mei Yanfang glared at him, annoyed.

"elder brother!"

Stephen Chow pointed at them, then at himself, looking heartbroken.

"You! Is this how you treat guests who have come from afar?"

"Where's my 'Heartbreak Rice'?"

The group burst into laughter instantly.

Only in front of these old friends they've known for years can they be so relaxed and joke around so uninhibitedly.

Just then, the kitchen door opened.

Xiao Chen came out carrying a clay pot.

The moment he appeared, all the light in the courtyard seemed to gather around him.

The young man was tall and straight, with beautiful features and a gentle smile on his face. His demeanor was as pure as a mountain spring.

He managed to make that ordinary white T-shirt look like a haute couture gown.

Even Stephen Chow, who is used to seeing top-tier handsome men, was momentarily stunned when he saw Xiao Chen.

This kid is getting better and better looking.

They're practically leaving no way for anyone else to survive.

Xiao Chen greeted him with a smile.

"Stephen Chow is here."

Zhou Xingchi's eyes lit up when he saw the steaming hot casserole in Xiao Chen's hand.

"The Heartbreaking Rice?"