Translator: Legge Editor: Legge
Several days later.
At Yao Jiancai’s house.
Ding dong, ding dong. Someone was pressing on the doorbell.
When Old Yao’s wife opened the door, she froze right there. Then she exclaimed, “Zhang’er! What are you doing here? Come in quickly!”
Zhang Ye came in carrying large and small bags of items. “Sister-in-law, it’s been a while.”
Old Yao’s wife’s eyes had reddened. “It’s been four years.”
Zhang Ye smiled. “Yeah. In a flash, four years have already passed.”
A scream came from a bedroom. Yao Jiancai’s daughter, Yao Mi, came running out. “Is it Uncle Zhang? Is it Uncle Zhang?”
Zhang Ye smiled broadly. “It’s me.”
Yao Mi went up to him and gave him a hug. “You’re finally back!”
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Yes, I’m back. Where’s your dad?”
Finally, Yao Jiancai, who was still dressed in his pajamas, slowly walked out of his bedroom.
When the two saw each other, they both broke into smiles.
Old Yao had changed too much.
He had less hair now and was thinner than before.
Yao Jiancai looked at him. “You’ve been back for how long now? So you’ve finally remembered about coming to visit, huh?”
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “There were too many things to handle since I got back. I haven’t even met up with any of our old friends yet. Let me say this first. You’re the first person that I came to look for, so how’s that for a friend? I heard that your career has been going backwards these few years? You don’t even do crosstalk anymore? And the roles that you play on TV are always as the antagonists? What’s with that?” He sized him up. “Why have you gotten so thin? You’re old, why would you go on a diet? What’s the meaning of this? Are you planning to become an idol celebrity?”
Old Yao’s wife snickered. “What diet can he be on? He has become thin from anger.”
Zhang Ye said in surprise, “Oh, who has offended our Teacher Yao?”
Old Yao’s wife said, “It’s all because he couldn’t get any roles in the good productions these days. The market is being dominated by the young studs nowadays, so there are fewer and fewer spots for the other actors to maneuver around.”
Yao Jiancai smacked his lips and said, “Enough, why are you bringing that up?”
Old Yao’s wife rolled her eyes. “Little Zhang isn’t an outsider.”
Yao Mi hurriedly said, “Uncle Zhang, what do you plan on doing now that you’re back? Quickly start something. My dad has been slacking at home for the past two months.”
Zhang Ye said in amusement, “I do have a project on hand.”
Yao Jiancai said curiously, “There’s actually someone who would hand you a project to do?”
Zhang Ye said a bit embarrassed, “It’s a project from the Central Publicity Department.”
When they heard that, they were astounded.
Yao Jiancai burst into laughter. “You two intend to keep the family store running, huh?”
Zhang Ye ignored him and placed the script down. “I’ve kept a role for you. Take a look and see if you want to take it. But let me say this first: Don’t have any expectations for the pay. It will definitely be very low. I’ll let you in on something, though. If you can act well in this role, I guarantee that you won’t have a problem staying popular for the next three to five years. But I’m afraid that you’ll screw it up with your acting. It’s been so many years. Can you still do it?”
Yao Jiancai chuckled and said, “Your bro has only got his acting skills left now.”
Zhang Ye said, “Then read the script.”
Yao Jiancai said, “There’s no need for that. Just let me know when the filming begins.”
…
In a luxurious villa neighborhood.
Ning Lan’s home.
Zhang Ye and Ning Lan were sitting across from each other. Ning Lan’s husband got their servant to step down as he personally brought over some tea.
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Boss Yuan, you’re too kind.”
Ning Lan smiled. “Why would you call him Boss Yuan? Just address him as Old Yuan.”
Old Yuan laughed and said, “Right, any friends of Lanlan’s are also my friends.”
“Sure then, I’ll address you as Old Yuan.” Zhang Ye said, “So when did you two get married? ”
Ning Lan crossed her legs and said, “Two years ago. In the past, I thought that I would definitely have to get you as the emcee for my wedding. But since you couldn’t be released, I thought maybe I shouldn’t wait any longer. So I went ahead and got hitched.”
Old Yuan was a very rich businessman.
But Zhang Ye could see that the two of them enjoyed a very good relationship with each other.
Old Yuan smiled. “Go ahead and chat. I’ll be in the living room watching TV.”
When he left, Ning Lan smiled and said, “You’ve been back for a fortnight already, right? So how’s everything? Can you sense how different the world has become?”
Zhang Ye said, “Yeah, it’s very obvious.”
Ning Lan said, “Do you really intend to take on the industry again?”
Zhang Ye laughed and said, “Why not?”
Ning Lan said emotionally, “We’re all getting old, and our popularity is no longer the same.”
“Is that why you retired? Is that why you didn’t take any more acting roles?” Zhang Ye looked at her. “You were the model worker of the entertainment circle, a best actress winner who dared to take over a dozen projects in a single year, so what’s this about? You’re retiring so soon? Are you thinking of sitting back and enjoying a rich housewife life from here on out?”
Ning Lan was looking a little out of sorts. “I’ve already gotten married and am a wife now, so of course my focus would have to shift towards my family.”
Zhang Ye could see that Ning Lan still couldn’t let go of acting.
Having been in this industry for her entire working life!
Having been involved in so many films and television series!
How could she possibly just drop everything so easily!
To people like her, work was a part of their life.
Zhang Ye said, “There were only two recognized model workers in the entertainment industry back then, with the male artist being me, and the female artist being you. Of course, calling me a model worker was a little ironic and I only got called that because I kept causing trouble every day. But for you, calling you a model worker was a really well-deserved title. Until now, no one has managed to break your record for the number of projects taken in a year.” He then took out a script and placed it on the table. “I’ve accepted a TV drama project, and there’s a role in it that I just can’t seem to think of anyone who it’s suitable for. It calls for a really skilled actor to be cast, so I could only think of you and no one else.”
Ning Lan looked at the script on the table but did not reach out to take it. “I’ve retired from the scene.”
Zhang Ye smiled and said, “Then can I invite you to make a return?”
Ning Lan looked out towards the living room. “Forget it, I’m old, and I don’t have the energy for acting anymore. So what if you can act well these days? That isn’t worth even half of what a young hunk can offer.”
Zhang Ye blinked. “Take a look at the script first.”
Ning Lan shook her head.
Zhang Ye said, “Read it.”
Ning Lan hesitated for a moment before picking it up. “Alright, alright, I’ll have a look.”
After she did that, she read for the next hour.
When she finished reading it, Ning Lan put down the script with a bitter smile and pointed at Zhang Ye. “I finally understand now. You’re purposely trying to hook me in!” She was itching to take the project.
From the living room, Old Yuan walked over.
Ning Lan smiled and said, “Old Yuan, quickly chase him out.”
Old Yuan said in amusement, “What’s the matter?”
Ning Lan sighed. “I’m happy being your wife, but this fellow keeps insisting that I return to the industry. Isn’t he trying to scam me?”
Old Yuan glanced at his wife. “You still wish to act, don’t you?”
Ning Lan did not reply.
Old Yuan stayed silent for a while before saying, “If you wish to act again, go and do it.”
Ning Lan looked at him. “I thought you didn’t want me to act anymore?”
Old Yuan said with a wry smile, “I just didn’t want you to be too tired. But ever since we got married, I can see that you haven’t been as happy as before. I heard from the servant that you’re always catching up on the entertainment news when you’re at home. I know that you can’t let go of those old friends of yours or your acting. If you wish to act, then do it. I will support you.”
Ning Lan smiled at this and asked Zhang Ye, “So what do you think of my husband?”
Zhang Ye gave him a thumbs up. “He’s a good man!”
Ning Lan decided, “It’s only you who can convince me to make a return. Alright, I’ll accompany you to take on the industry again!”
Old Yuan was floored. He said, “I finally understand now. So the two of you were trying to set me up?”
Both Zhang Ye and Ning Lan burst into laughter.
