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

Xiao Chen nodded and placed the casserole dish steadily in the center of the dining table.

He lifted the lid of the pot.

An extremely rich aroma exploded in the air in an instant.

In the casserole, a thick layer of char siu was laid on top of the snow-white rice, each slice glistening with oil.

Next to it lay a perfectly fried soft-boiled egg, garnished with a few sprigs of bright green vegetables.

The most irresistible part is the secret sauce poured over the rice, sizzling and turning it into an enticing amber color.

This...this is exactly the same as in the movie!

No, it tastes even better than it does in the movie!

Stephen Chow's saliva involuntarily started to leak out.

He initially thought this was just a gimmick to deliberately make things difficult for the production team.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Chen actually made it for him!

While Zhou Xingchi was still in a daze, Xiao Chen had already turned around and gone back to the kitchen, and soon took out several more sets of bowls and chopsticks.

He handed one of the cards to Stephen Chow, then spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, as if he were talking to a family member.

"Don't just stand there, come and help, serve the rice."

This sentence completely stunned Stephen Chow.

He looked down at the bowl and chopsticks in his hands, then looked up at Xiao Chen's handsome face.

What's going on?

Should I send him to serve the rice?

But Xiao Chen's tone was so natural, as if this was something that should be taken for granted.

Beside them, Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui had already taken matters into their own hands and each filled a large bowl.

The courtyard was filled with the aroma of food, the laughter of friends, and the clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

No one treated him like the aloof Stephen Chow.

No one treated him like a celebrity guest who needed special treatment.

Here, he seemed like just an ordinary person who had come to a friend's house for a meal.

This home is warm, lively, and filled with the most genuine and down-to-earth atmosphere.

Zhou Xingchi stared blankly at the scene before him.

He suddenly realized how ridiculous his previous thoughts about variety show performances had been.

This doesn't look like a TV show recording at all.

This is clearly the life he has always longed for.

Stephen Chow's mind went blank for a moment.

He stood in the middle of the courtyard, holding a clean bowl and chopsticks, at a loss.

Mei Yanfang had already served the rice, and seeing him still standing there, she called out to him impatiently.

"Hey, Xing! What are you spacing out for?"

She gestured with her chin to the empty stone bench next to her.

"Aren't you coming over and sitting down?"

"While you're at it, bring over that cup over there and pour your brother a glass of water."

Her tone was as if she were ordering around a slow-witted younger brother, intimate and matter-of-fact.

Leslie Cheung, who was standing next to him, joined in the commotion. He held his bowl, winked at Stephen Chow, and mumbled something with his mouth full of rice.

"Yeah, Ah Xing, hurry up, hurry up, we've been waiting for you. I'm exhausted today."

These two sentences brought Stephen Chow back to his senses, and he looked around.

Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung were already sitting at the table without any hesitation.

Dilraba, that little girl, was also holding a small bowl, her bright eyes practically glued to Xiao Chen.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chen, the instigator, was leisurely putting food into everyone's bowls.

The movements were so elegant, as if they were performing some kind of sacred ritual.

Everyone in the courtyard, except him, entered into a very natural family dinner mode.

Stephen Chow looked down at the bowl in his hand, then at the empty cups on the table, and a feeling of utter absurdity welled up inside him.

He actually obeyed and went over, picked up the kettle, and poured several cups of cooled boiled water.

Once he was fully seated on the stone bench, holding the "Heartbreak Rice" that Xiao Chen had handed him, he belatedly realized what was happening.

It seems that I've been completely led astray by these people.

Is this really a TV show recording?

Are you sure this isn't some kind of prank reality show?

He held his rice bowl, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his old friends.

In the end, the question fell to the composed Xiao Chen, who tentatively asked the question he had been holding back all the way.

"I'm saying... are you guys serious about this 'Back to Field' show?"

He emphasized the word "really".

"Guest...are you really going to do the work yourself?"

The moment this question was asked, the atmosphere at the table changed instantly.

Mei Yanfang put down her chopsticks and let out a long sigh.

A bitter smile, tinged with the weariness of life, appeared on that bright and beautiful face.

She pointed to the rather quaint and elegant little wooden house behind them.

What do you think?

"We just arrived this afternoon, and the bed in that room doesn't even have a bed board."

"It was a few of us who, following the blueprints, pieced it together one piece of wood at a time."

puff--

Stephen Chow almost spat out his water.

Xiao Chen and Dilraba are both doing well.

He imagined Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung.

These two superstars, who are usually incredibly glamorous in public, were sweating profusely as they worked like two carpenters, assembling a bed...

The scene was so beautiful that he couldn't even bear to imagine it.

Leslie Cheung also joined in the complaints, tapping the table with his chopsticks to produce a crisp sound.

"And this whole table of dishes."

He pointed to the table full of delicious food.

"You think this was prepared by the production team?"

"It was all done by my son, Xiaochen, all by himself."

Sitting next to Xiao Chen, Dilraba immediately nodded vigorously like a little squirrel guarding its food, adding to the conversation.

"Yes! And the ingredients weren't given away for free!"

"We have to work in the fields to get it!"

"If it weren't for Brother Xiao Chen's cleverness, we would have had to run up the bill for dinner tonight!"

The little girl spoke with righteous indignation, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

These few words contained a wealth of information, leaving Stephen Chow completely bewildered.

Make your own bed?

self catering?

Do we still have to go to the fields to work and exchange for ingredients?

Do you have to buy on credit if you don't work?

This is not the kind of variety show he imagined where celebrities just sit and chat, play games, and smile at the camera.

These are completely different concepts!

He suddenly realized an extremely serious problem.

Stephen Chow's expression froze.

He slowly extended his finger and pointed to his nose.

"And what about me?"

His voice was dry.

"Do I... have to do chores too?"

The courtyard was quiet for a moment.

All eyes were on him, their gazes filled with an indescribable mix of sympathy and a sense of entitlement.

Xiao Chen finally spoke.

"Of course, Mr. Stephen Chow."

"Or are you planning to come here and freeload?"

These words, though seemingly casual, struck Zhou Xingchi's heart like a boulder.

It’s over.

Only those two words remained in his mind.

"I've really... wandered into a den of thieves!"

He looked miserable and let out a wail.

"Hahahahaha!"

The courtyard erupted in laughter.

Anita Mui laughed so hard she was shaking, and Leslie Cheung laughed so hard he slapped his thigh.