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

On the other end of the phone, the assistant didn't even ask why, but simply replied with a single word.

"it is good."

This is the efficiency of Xiao Chen's team.

He had already decided on the location: he would start in the city right beneath his feet.

Beijing, Tianjin.

Both cities boast rich culinary cultures and are brimming with local flavor, making them the perfect starting point for "A Bite of China".

The next morning, all equipment and personnel were in place.

Xiao Chen didn't bring any assistants. He personally drove an inconspicuous SUV, carrying the photographer and sound engineer, and plunged into the deepest alley of Beijing.

He didn't go to those well-known, long-established restaurants.

Instead, relying on his memories from his previous life, he wandered around and found a small restaurant hidden in a nook and cranny.

The shop was pitifully small, without even a decent signboard. On a broken wooden board, the words "Old Zhang's Braised Dishes" were written crookedly with a brush.

It was just past lunchtime, and there weren't many people in the restaurant.

An old man wearing a white vest and with a weathered face was sitting at the door smoking a pipe, squinting his eyes, looking quite relaxed.

Xiao Chen and his two companions carried their "long guns and short cannons" as they walked in, but the old man didn't even lift his eyelids.

"What would you like to eat?"

His voice was hoarse, with the distinctive Beijing accent characteristic of old Beijingers.

Xiao Chen asked with a smile.

"Sir, are you still open for business?"

Upon hearing this clear voice, Grandpa Zhang lazily opened his eyes.

When he saw Xiao Chen's face clearly, he froze instantly.

The pipe in his mouth fell to the ground.

He rubbed his eyes hard, glanced at them again, and his mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg.

"You...you...you..."

He pointed at Xiao Chen, his fingers trembling.

"You're not...that...Xiao Chen who acts in movies?!"

The only customer in the shop, who was engrossed in simmering his food, suddenly looked up upon hearing this.

He forgot to chew the flatbread in his mouth, and the soup dripped down his chin.

"Holy shit!"

"It really is Xiao Chen!"

Xiao Chen maintained his polite smile.

"Hello, sir."

"We want to make a documentary about Beijing's street food."

"I think your braised pork is particularly authentic, and I'd like to film the preparation process. Is that alright?"

Grandpa Zhang finally came to his senses, his face flushed with excitement.

He slapped his thigh and stood up abruptly.

"Convenient! So convenient!"

"Don't even mention filming, you can tear this shop down if you want!"

Of course, this was just the old man expressing how much he valued Xiao Chen.

Even if the old man were to tear down the shop, he still wouldn't be willing to do so.

The old man hurriedly wiped his hands on his apron, wanting to shake hands with Xiao Chen, but then felt his hands were too oily and withdrew them.

He was as embarrassed as a child.

"Then... let's start filming!"

"Film whatever you want!"

Filming officially began.

Xiao Chen immediately got into work mode, and the gentle and polite boy next door disappeared.

Instead, a director with a focused gaze and demanding standards was appointed.

"Lower the camera angle; I want to capture a close-up of the large intestine tumbling in the pot."

"The light is too harsh. Use a reflector to soften it. I want that warm, soft feel."

"Sound engineer, capture that 'glug-glug' sound, that's the feeling I want."

Instead of sitting behind the monitor, he personally carried a camera.

They searched for the most challenging angles that best showcased the texture of the food.

On camera, Grandpa Zhang's calloused hands skillfully scooped out thoroughly cooked pig intestines and lungs from the boiling broth, then chopped them into small pieces with swift, precise cuts.

The clean white baked buns were cut together and arranged at the bottom of the bowl.

Finally, pour a large spoonful of piping hot broth over it, and then sprinkle with minced garlic, chili oil, cilantro, etc., according to the guests' preferences.

A bowl of steaming hot and fragrant braised pork buns is ready.

Xiao Chen's cinematic language is extremely beautiful.

He would use a macro lens to capture the moment when the broth soaked into the roasted meat.

They will use high-speed photography to record the ripples of chili oil spreading on the soup noodles.

They also use a long shot to follow Grandpa Zhang from the kitchen to the front of the restaurant, recording the unspoken understanding between him and his old neighbors and customers.

Besides food, he also took many other photos.

I photographed the deep wrinkles on Grandpa Zhang's face, his focused expression, the children playing at the entrance of the alley, and the old cat dozing under the eaves.

These humanistic shots imbue the food with soul and warmth.

After a whole day, even professional photographers were filled with admiration for Xiao Chen.

This young man is not only a genius at acting, but also incredibly professional as a director.

His understanding of the camera and his control of rhythm are nothing like those of a 19-year-old; they're more like those of a seasoned veteran who's been in the business for decades.

After finishing filming in Beijing, Xiao Chen drove straight to Tianjin overnight.

Jinshi, a city with its own unique charm.

Here, he set his sights on two of the most representative delicacies—Goubuli steamed buns and jianbing guozi (Chinese crepes).

Similarly, he abandoned the flagship stores that were frequented by tourists.

Instead, they ventured into a residential area known only to the locals and found an inconspicuous steamed bun shop and a pancake stall set up by the roadside.

The owner of the steamed bun shop was a chubby middle-aged man surnamed Li. When he saw Xiao Chen carrying the machine in, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

But his subsequent reaction was completely different from that of Grandpa Zhang in Beijing.

Instead of getting excited, Boss Li puffed out his chest and started speaking in a comedian's tone.

"What's wrong?"

"A TV station? Interviewing me?"

"You'll have to wait in line! My steamed buns have been featured on... our district's TV station!"

The tall, thin young man next to him was his son. He quickly pulled him aside and lowered his voice.

"Dad! What TV station?"

"Look closely, this is Xiao Chen!"

"The one who starred in 'Titanic'! Isn't that my mom's favorite movie?!"

Boss Li squinted his small eyes, leaned closer to examine Xiao Chen, and after a while, slapped his forehead.

"Oh! I remember now!"

"It's you, you've got my wife completely bewitched!"

"He shouts 'Jack! Jack!' at home every day, but I tell him my name is Lee Seung-ri, not Jack!"

His son was playing the straight man on the side.

"But don't you watch 'Home with Kids' every day and laugh like crazy?"

Mr. Li stiffened his neck.

"How can that be the same?!"

"I look at things critically!"

"Learn from these child actors' acting techniques!"

The father and son chatted back and forth, just like they were performing a crosstalk routine.

The photographer and sound engineer were both trying to suppress their laughter, their shoulders shaking.

Even the usually composed Xiao Chen couldn't help but chuckle at the antics of this lively father and son, a beautiful smile curving his lips.

He said with a smile.

"Mr. Li, we'd like to film you making steamed buns."

Boss Li put his hands behind his back, exuding an air of authority.

"shoot?"

"I'll take pictures, but my skills are a family tradition, I won't reveal them to outsiders. However..."