Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

"It's you?" Hu Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes, looking at the overly enthusiastic Chang Wanming.

“That’s right, it’s me! I came here specifically to find you!” Chang Wanming pointed to the staff in the distance and said, “I asked several people before I found out you were here.”

Hu Xiaoxiao glanced at the staff in the distance for a moment, then asked Chang Wanming, "Did you see anyone run past this way just now?"

Chang Wanming asked blankly, "No, this is the women's changing room. Apart from the guests on the show, no one comes this way, let alone runs away. Did something happen?"

"It's nothing." Hu Xiaoxiao didn't want to say more, so she put that matter aside for the time being and asked him, "What did you want to see me about?"

"I came here specifically to apologize to you." Chang Wanming said with great shame, "I didn't expect that your kind help that night would result in paparazzi taking pictures and writing all sorts of nonsense. Xiaoxiao, I'm so sorry for causing you trouble. If I had known this would happen, I would have rather run home in the rain that day than let those paparazzi take pictures and write nonsense."

Chang Wanming became more and more guilty as he spoke, his eyes cautious, almost afraid to look at Hu Xiaoxiao. His eyelashes were long, fluttering one after another, making him look innocent and pitiful.

“There are many paparazzi staking out the area near the TV station, so it’s not surprising that I was photographed by them.”

Hu Xiaoxiao didn't take those gossip news to heart. How could there be no scandals in the entertainment industry? Besides, this wasn't the first or second time she'd been rumored to be having a scandal. When she first debuted, she was even rumored to be having a dinner with Mr. Cheng from Baozhu TV.

Later, when she attended events, gossip magazines wrote numerous articles about her and Xie Zhiheng, with detailed accounts, almost claiming they were living together. In recent years, she has collaborated with Mingxu on many dramas, and has also been the subject of rumors, with some even saying that she and Mingxu are about to get married.

She had many scandals in the past, and there will only be more in the future.

Chang Wanming quickly said, "But people in the neighborhood are very gossipy. How about I go and explain to the reporters that you were trying to help out of kindness?"

"The more you explain, the worse it gets. It'll pass in a few days. If there's nothing else, I have to record a program, so I'll be going now."

"Wait a minute." Chang Wanming called out to Hu Xiaoxiao, opened the bag he was holding to reveal the dried goods inside, and said, "These are seafood that my family dried. They're not worth much, so I hope you won't mind that they're cheap."

Seeing that Hu Xiaoxiao was about to refuse, he said anxiously, "I know you said you didn't want to last time, but my grandpa knew that my colleague brought me back, so he insisted that I do it. Xiaoxiao, I'm really grateful to you that night. When I got home, the power was out, and my grandpa was getting up and almost tripped."

The elderly are most afraid of falling. If I hadn't gotten back in time, my grandfather might have been in an accident. When my parents got home and found out about it, they said they really wanted to thank you and even invited you over for a meal. But I refused. I've already caused you so much trouble; I didn't want to cause you any more.

However, they insisted that I deliver these seafood items. If I refused, they said I was unfilial, and my grandfather almost beat me, saying I was heartless. "Xiaoxiao, these things aren't worth much, just a small token of our gratitude. Please accept them, otherwise my whole family won't be at peace."

Hu Xiaoxiao frowned, seeing Fei Yi coming to find her, clearly indicating that the recording of the program was about to begin. Seeing Chang Wanming's pitiful insistence that she accept the money, as if he couldn't explain it to his elders if he didn't, she felt incredibly fussy. She opened her bag, took out a wad of cash, and stuffed it into Chang Wanming's hand. "Consider it a purchase by me; we're even now."

Having said that, he took the seafood and walked toward Faye.

"Xiaoxiao, the soup is almost ready. Aunt Dan would like you to come over and taste it to see if it's salty enough. Do you prefer it a little less salty or a little salty?" Fei asked.

"I'm fine with anything. Aunt Dan is good at making soup, and the seasoning she adds will definitely be the best. Aunt Dan can decide the saltiness." Upon hearing that there would be good soup to drink, Hu Xiaoxiao's face lit up.

Fei noticed what Hu Xiaoxiao was carrying, something that hadn't been there before. "What's this?"

"Some seafood. Aunt Dan knows how to make soup, right? I'll send some to Aunt Dan later as ingredients for your show, saving you some money."

"Wow, you just said you'd provide the ingredients, and you've already prepared them. Xiaoxiao, you're so kind." Fei Yi was so touched that she went up and hugged Hu Xiaoxiao's arm, shaking it.

"It's good that you know I'm good to you. You have to treat me to a meal when you get your salary."

"Please! Please! I'll definitely treat you to morning tea and poached chicken!"

The two women chatted and laughed as they entered the studio of "Aunt Dan's Delicious Soup". As soon as they entered, a fragrant aroma wafted towards them.

Hu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath of the aroma and felt even hungrier.

She entered the studio, which had been converted from a large room. To the left was an open kitchen used to display ingredients and prepare soups. The kitchen shelves were stocked with various cooking utensils, seasonings, and ingredients, looking quite complete.

The right side is designed as a cozy little restaurant, perfect for chatting with the audience while enjoying soup.

Hu Xiaoxiao's arrival excited the staff in the studio, who all greeted her warmly. The host, Aunt Dan, also came over, her round face beaming with smiles, "Thank you so much, Ms. Hu, for being our guest. You've made our program truly special. Welcome, welcome!"

Aunt Dan wasn't very tall, but she had a round face and a kind smile. She wore a red apron with five golden characters written on it: "Mu Guiying Takes Command".

Hu Xiaoxiao asked with a look of surprise, "When was this apron made?"

Faye, with a look of seeking praise, said, "Just did it, it was my idea. The advertisement is rough, but it's eye-catching enough. What do you think of the effect?"

Hu Xiaoxiao was impressed by Fei Yi. In such a short time, she only had to put on makeup once, and Fei Yi had someone cut a new apron and even wrote words on it with gold powder.

Impressive! No wonder she was able to take the supervisor's position and run a show all by herself despite a lot of opposition—although the ratings aren't high, judging from the fact that Faye was always carrying a bunch of materials to study when I saw her, the show will eventually succeed under her management.

Hu Xiaoxiao immediately showered Fei Yi with sincere praise, from the highest to the lowest, and also complimented the crew members, making everyone smile.

Faye was a little embarrassed by the praise and said, "Our efficiency was also forced upon us. We didn't have enough manpower or experience, so we could only learn as we went. We would do whatever came to mind. When we didn't have enough manpower, one person did the work of several people. By practicing like this, our efficiency improved."

Aunt Dan had already brought over half a bowl of soup for Hu Xiaoxiao to taste and check the saltiness.

Hu Xiaoxiao was already irresistibly drawn to the soup. She put down the bag in her hand, took the soup, and immediately took a sip. Her eyes lit up: "This soup is so delicious! It's much better than the soup in restaurants and hotels. The ginseng flavor is so strong, and the pigeon is so fresh."

"Of course, all the ingredients we use are the best we can find. I personally went to buy them all; I'm not just going through the motions for the audience." Aunt Dan was very happy to see that Hu Xiaoxiao liked the soup. She noticed the bag Hu Xiaoxiao had placed on the table, its opening open, revealing its contents. She glanced at it and exclaimed in surprise.