Starting a new chapter in life

The couple exchanged a glance, surprised that their child was actually undermining them. However, judging from the child's demeanor, he was not entirely satisfied with his past abilities. Well, that was fine; it was better than being blindly confident.

"What Chu Han just said meant he doesn't have a girlfriend yet? Could he be after you?" Jing Yan asked, puzzled.

It's not that she's narcissistic, thinking her daughter is so good that others have been eyeing her for years; it's just that the way that child looks at her daughter isn't exactly innocent, so it's no wonder the mother is worried.

Zhizhi chuckled: "Mom, you're overthinking it. We're just classmates, at most some kind of acquaintances. We'll be colleagues in the future. With the bond of classmates and the camaraderie of working together, our relationship will definitely be better than others."

But dating him is out of the question. At least, I don't have any romantic feelings for him. So Mom, don't overthink it. Your daughter isn't that popular.

On the contrary, I should remind my unlucky brother that Chu Han's face is too attractive; he needs to protect him and prevent him from being devoured by that vixen.

Jing Yan thought of Chu Han's rosy lips and white teeth and suddenly felt that she needed to take precautions. These days, it's not just girls who need to protect themselves; boys' safety isn't so secure either.

He Jin'an acted quickly, taking the two to the company the next day to sign a formal contract. Of course, the terms offered were also very good. In short, both parties were satisfied and everyone was happy.

For the convenience of their work, He Jin'an also rented an apartment for each of them in this apartment building. The two of them directly terminated their lease with Zhizhi in person, and the whole family pitched in, renting a truck to help them move.

As luck would have it, Lu Xiaoxiao was on vacation and was lounging around in room 301 when she heard the voices from across the room. She came out to check on the situation and met an old acquaintance... very friendly.

Xiao Xiao was overjoyed to see Jing Yan and was incredibly enthusiastic. She immediately joined the packing team, and with each person contributing, their luggage was quickly packed and loaded onto the truck.

He Zhijun and He Jin'an went back with the truck first. Their belongings had already been separated when they were packing. Once they got there, they could just throw them into the living room according to their categories. As for tidying up, they could do it themselves when they got back.

Xiao Xiao kept Jing Yan with her. They hadn't seen each other for two or three years. Xiao Xiao wanted to have dinner with her friends and Jing Yan, but of course, they needed to discuss the lease termination first.

The move-out process went smoothly, since they were all old acquaintances. However, the apartment was vacant after the move-out, and Zhizhi discussed with Xiaoxiao whether to put it up for rent with a real estate agency, but Xiaoxiao refused.

"I plan to live in this apartment myself. Actually, I wanted to take it back last year. My parents have both retired and want to live with me to take care of them, but they are all old classmates and have been living there quite well, so I didn't feel comfortable bringing it up."

Now that they're not renting anymore, I can have my parents come over and we can live together. Otherwise, every time I call home, my dad is always worried. If he didn't know I worked at An'an's brother's company, he would have come over long ago.

Jingyan naturally thought it would be best if her parents came over, since Lu Xiaoxiao was not young anymore, and it would be convenient for her parents to be around if they were worried about her marriage.

Moreover, the nature of her work might worry her family, so it's always good to have her by their side to put their minds at ease.

"Xiaoxiao, do you have any work scheduled lately?" Zhizhi asked.

"I just finished filming a TV series a few days ago, and I have a variety show to go on in a couple of days. My agent hasn't arranged any other schedules for me yet, saying that I've been working too hard these past two years and need to take a break. So I came back."

"Zhizhi, how long has it been since you came back here? When I came back, the house was covered in dust. You haven't been back for at least half a year. Well, I left exactly half a year ago. Are you very busy with your filming?" Lu Xiaoxiao complained.

“It seems like we’ve seen each other less and less since graduation. You were busy filming a documentary before, and now you’re filming a palace intrigue drama. What are your plans for the future?”

Zhizhi shook her head: "I don't know yet. After the post-production editing of this drama is completed, I'll see if my brother has any other jobs for me. If not, I can go and assist my mentor. He's also directing a film in Shanghai recently."

Lu Xiaoxiao pointed to apartment 301 and asked, "So what are you going to do with this apartment? You don't come back often, so you're just going to leave it empty?"

Zhizhi shook her head: "I'm not that rich. When your aunt and uncle come over, can you help me rent out this house? You live across the hall, so you can choose what kind of neighbors you want."

My brother rented an apartment for me near my company, and I'll probably be living there from now on. It's close to my brother and close to my company. Actually, I was originally thinking of encouraging you to rent an apartment there too.

However, if my aunt and uncle come over, that place won't be very suitable. The house isn't as big as this one; it's more suitable for single people, as it would be too crowded for a family.

Xiao Xiao laughed and said, "I'm different from you. You're a director and you have to go to the company often. I only go to the company to sign contracts when I get new jobs. There's no need for me to move there. We're familiar with this place and don't want to change locations."

"Your uncle and older brother should have sent the luggage over by now. Give them a call and ask when they're coming back. I'd like to treat you all to a meal. It's been so long since our whole family has gotten together. Plus, Chu Han and Chen Bin are here too; it'll be lively with lots of people."

Zhizhi called An'an, who had just dropped off the truck and was about to drive over with He Zhijun. She asked them to wait a while, and they could continue chatting while they waited.

"Xiaoxiao, my brother has signed these two to our company. Ping An Media will have five directors from now on. How about that? Surprised? Unexpected?" Zhizhi asked Xiaoxiao, pointing at Chu Han and Chen Bin.

Lu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, and she pointed at the two of them, saying, "You two signed in too? That's a pleasant surprise! Big brother is really amazing. By the way, are they planning to film the kinds of stories they're good at, or will they be able to film any kind of script?"

Chu Han smiled and replied, "I'm good at war and military dramas, but of course, modern dramas are no problem either."

Chen Bin smiled and said, "My first work was a light comedy, which was well received. I want to develop in this direction. Of course, if there is no corresponding genre, I can also try variety shows and art films."

"Don't you two ever want to make a martial arts drama?" Lu Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.

The two shook their heads in perfect unison, a testament to their long-standing friendship and roommate status.

Zhizhi laughed and said, "I'd definitely take on period dramas, but fantasy and martial arts dramas are Director Wen's forte, while Director Chen excels at campus dramas and romance dramas."

"Tell me, Director Chen, with that face full of fat, doesn't look like someone with a delicate mind at all. How come he's so tender when filming emotional scenes? Is this the legendary 'tough guy with a soft heart'?"

Lu Xiaoxiao chuckled and nodded, "That's right. Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to participate in a TV series directed by Director Chen. I played the second female lead, a character who was beautiful, glamorous, and alluring. Every move she made, every step she took, every posture she adopted, had to exude charm."

How could I possibly know that? Almost all of my charming movements, expressions, postures, and gestures in that drama were demonstrated by Director Chen one by one, and I just imitated him.

You wouldn't believe it, the first time I received on-site instruction, it felt like a dream. His burly demeanor, his delicate hand gestures, and the suggestive way he sat on the male lead—it was truly mind-blowing.

But when I followed those movements and watched the playback, I couldn't believe it was me. It was the first time in my life that I felt I had such charm. Xiao Xiao still vividly remembers her feelings when she talks about them now, which shows how shocked she was.

Jingyan didn't meet Director Chen, so she didn't know the meaning behind their expressions. She just thought the four children were wonderful, young, and energetic, and it made her feel good.

After He Zhijun and An'an arrived, the group walked to their destination, an antique-style restaurant. After entering a private room on the second floor, Xiaoxiao handed the menu to Jingyan to order.

Jing Yan shook her head: "I've never been here before, so I don't know which dishes are good. You can choose whatever you like. Apart from those two, we all eat pretty much the same things." Jing Yan pointed to Chu Han and Chen Bin and then said to Xiao Xiao.

Lu Xiaoxiao asked the two if they had any dietary restrictions. After learning that they didn't, she started ordering. They had lived together for so long, she wouldn't forget who liked what to eat.

While waiting for the food, An'an said, "Mom and Dad, didn't we say before that we had a fantasy novel to film? There's a peach orchard as a filming location, and the filming crew went there a few days ago."

After they settle in there, they will film other scenes first. The scenes with peach blossoms will be filmed in March or April when the peach blossoms are in full bloom.

Why don't you and your dad spend the Lunar New Year here first, and then come over after March? Anyway, there are less than two weeks until the New Year, so don't go through the hassle of traveling all that way back and forth."

He Zhijun nodded in agreement: "Sure, the four of us didn't spend the Spring Festival together last year, so this year is a good opportunity to make up for it. We'll celebrate the Spring Festival together every year from now on. If you and your sister can't come back, then your mother and I will come over. We should always have a lively and joyous reunion for the whole family."

Lu Xiaoxiao quickly raised her hand: "I'll call my parents right now and ask them to come over quickly, so the three of us can join us. It'll be more lively with more people."

Chu Han and Chen Bin also wanted to join, but unfortunately, they had to go home. Even if they were only pampered for three days at home, after that they would be disliked by the whole family and have to deal with their family's urging and nagging about marriage. But it was Chinese New Year, so they had to go back home eventually.

After a lively dinner, Xiaoxiao was taken home first, and then the six of them got into the RV that He Jin'an had driven and went back to their apartment building, each returning to their own home.

Of course, Chu Han and Chen Bin's house must be a mess today. It will probably take them two days to clean it up. But that's not something the He family needs to worry about. Anyway, there are four people in two houses. They can go back and wash up and rest immediately.

The following days were busy with work for the brother and sister, who didn't know what they were busy with, while the couple were also busy preparing for the New Year, buying New Year's goods, preparing New Year's Eve dinner, and snacks and desserts for the New Year. They were very busy and had no time to spare.

Before the Lunar New Year, Commander Lu and his wife arrived in Beijing. Xiaoxiao picked them up and brought them to the apartment building after they had rested. They had met before leaving Shanghai, so they didn't miss each other too much.

However, meeting an old friend in a foreign land was still a happy occasion. After exchanging pleasantries, Commander Lu and his group joined in the preparations for the New Year. Xiaoxiao's cooking skills were only so-so, so they didn't let her into the kitchen to cause trouble.

She was sent to Ping An Media Company to play with Zhizhi. Xiaoxiao was quite obedient and actually went. Unexpectedly, she was supposed to go to play, but An An conscripted her to give temporary guidance to the non-professional artists signed by the company.

This really presented a challenge for Xiaoxiao, who had never been a teacher before and was not fond of teaching. She didn't know how to teach. Fortunately, although the teacher was incompetent, the students were hardworking. They brought her questions that they couldn't figure out and asked her about them. Well, Xiaoxiao knew how to answer these kinds of questions.

So, a bunch of people asked questions, and one person answered them. It was quite harmonious. He Jin'an, who was a little worried, stood outside the practice room and watched. After seeing that they had entered into a teaching mode, he left with a happy heart and went back to his office to handle his work.

The New Year of 2007 was quite lively. After the New Year, in March, the couple told the head of the group and his wife that they were going to Yunnan to see the peach blossoms and asked if they wanted to come along. As expected, they were refused.

The reason is that a few days ago, the variety show Lu Xiaoxiao participated in started filming. Lu Xiaoxiao felt that her parents had never seen her working, so she brought the two elderly people with her. However, during filming, a male actor who was also participating in the variety show showed that he liked Xiaoxiao.

He would always hang around her, which infuriated his father. His daughter was indeed getting married, but she wanted to marry a responsible and capable man, not this weak and frail pretty boy.

Having developed a sense of crisis, Commander Lu decided that wherever his daughter went to film, he would follow as her bodyguard, determined to protect her. After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade him, Chen Ping became too lazy to pay attention and let him do as he pleased, as long as it didn't interfere with her daughter's work.

Hearing this, Jingyan almost laughed. She also mentioned that her husband wanted to protect their daughter, so he asked his brother-in-law to help hire two retired female soldiers as bodyguards.

Sure enough, fathers are the same type; apart from different methods, their original intentions are the same.

Since they weren't going, Jingyan and the others could decide their own itinerary. They packed their bags and set off from Beijing in mid-March, heading straight for their destination in Yunnan.

It's a bit remote there. Not only is there no direct flight, but the airport is also in a remote area. It's more convenient to take the train. Although it takes longer, at least you don't have to transfer. The two of us took sleeper berths and arrived without any trouble.

Director Wen's assistant came to pick them up from the station. The two of them rode in the car for more than two hours before finally arriving. I must say, although the road was quite bumpy, the scenery here was indeed very beautiful.

The peach blossoms in the peach grove are not yet in full bloom, but there are still many buds on the branches, which are actually quite beautiful.