Entertainment from Divorce

In the evening, warm yellow lights illuminated the entire dining room of the villa in Ruishan Community.

Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu sat at the dining table, with several exquisite home-style dishes laid out in front of them.

The bright red sweet and sour pork ribs, the crisp and refreshing stir-fried vegetables, and the fragrant tomato and beef brisket soup were all made by Chen Ziyu herself. The tableware was a ceramic set that the two bought during their trip to Japan last year, with delicate cherry blossom patterns printed on it, making it look especially warm.

"I saw the news this morning that the box office has surpassed 4.5 billion US dollars, that's amazing! The internet is full of celebrations, even people in my WeChat Moments who don't usually pay much attention to movies are sharing this news."

Chen Ziyu picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of stewed pork ribs, which was now tender, on Tan Yue's plate. Her tone was full of pride, and her eyes shone with pride for him.

Tan Yue smiled, picked up a spoon and took a sip of tomato and beef brisket soup. The rich aroma of the soup spread in his mouth, which relaxed his tense nerves. "Such achievements are inseparable from the efforts of the entire team - from the wonderful performances of the actors to the meticulous work of the special effects team, the precise promotion of the marketing team, and the support and recognition of the audience."

"I know how much you've sacrificed." Chen Ziyu looked at Tan Yue, her eyes filled with heartache.

Tan Yue put down her spoon, reached out and held Chen Ziyu's hand. Her hand was warm, still carrying the warmth from the cooking.

He gently patted the back of her hand, his voice full of gratitude: "Thank you for your hard work, staying with me all this time. With you at the company, I can fully concentrate on my work. After the movie leaves theaters, let's take a nice trip to that seaside town you mentioned before, relax a bit, and have a good time with you for a few days."

“Great! I’ve wanted to go to the beach for ages!” Chen Ziyu said with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation. “We can watch the sunrise at the beach and lie on the sand at night to look at the stars, just like Cooper and Murphy chatting under the stars in the movie. It sounds wonderful.”

The two ate while discussing the movie.

Chen Ziyu couldn't help but laugh when talking about the behind-the-scenes comments she saw online today: "Netizens are all praising your dedication. Some even said they want to send you a banner that says 'China's No. 1 Sci-Fi Person,' and others said they want to put up a sign that says 'The Ceiling of Detail-Oriented Person' and place it at the company entrance. It's so funny."

Tan Yue smiled helplessly and shook his head: "Don't listen to their nonsense. I still have a lot to learn. There are many excellent sci-fi directors abroad, and their works have a lot to offer me. However, I am really happy to see that everyone likes this movie so much."

Tan Yue paused for a moment, then continued, "Actually, I hope this film can drive the development of Chinese science fiction films, attract more investors to pay attention to science fiction themes, encourage more creators to devote themselves to the creation of science fiction films, produce more excellent science fiction works, and form a healthy industry ecosystem."

“Yes,” Chen Ziyu said firmly. “Interstellar has made a good start. Now many film and television companies are preparing science fiction projects, and many young directors and screenwriters are also starting to try their hand at science fiction. I believe that before long, Chinese science fiction films will usher in their own golden age, and the future will definitely be better and better.”

Tan Yue nodded, his heart filled with anticipation.

He knew that the success of Interstellar was just the beginning, and there was a long road ahead and many more challenges waiting for him.

However, he is confident that as long as he and his team maintain their passion for film and their pursuit of detail, they will be able to produce more and better works, contribute to the development of Chinese cinema, and enable Chinese science fiction films to occupy a place in the world film scene.

After clearing the dining table, Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu sat side by side on the sofa in the living room, with a warm yellow floor lamp casting a soft glow on them.

A lighthearted variety show was playing on TV, with laughter coming from time to time, but it didn't really attract their attention.

With the Spring Festival just two weeks away, holiday arrangements have become the primary topic on their minds.

"Is the company's year-end wrap-up progress almost synchronized with yours?" Chen Ziyu curled up on the sofa, holding a light gray cushion in her hands, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the cushion.

As the head of Brilliant Entertainment, she is used to being in control of the overall situation. Even in casual conversations at the end of the year, the topic inevitably returns to work.

Tan Yue leaned back on the sofa, his fingertips resting on the remote control, his tone confident: "I just had a debriefing meeting with the department directors yesterday."

The two talked for a long time about work-related matters.

Tan Yue held her hand, feeling the warmth of her touch on his fingertips: "Don't worry, I'll definitely spend a proper New Year with you this year. By the way, speaking of the New Year, whose family are we going to?"

This question is like a pebble thrown into a calm atmosphere.

Chen Ziyu frowned slightly: "I've been thinking about this too."

Seeing her conflicted expression, Tan Yue suddenly had an idea.

He sat up straight, his eyes brightening: "Why don't we stop running back and forth and have both sets of parents come to Beijing for the New Year? Our villa is big enough, with two guest rooms downstairs and the study upstairs can be converted into a temporary bedroom, so there's definitely enough room. Your parents are used to living in Beijing, so there's no need for them to make a fuss; when my parents come, they can visit the Forbidden City with your parents, which will be a good opportunity for these 'cultured people' to have a good chat."

Chen Ziyu was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up with surprise: "That's a great idea! How come I didn't think of that? Your parents like history, and my dad happens to know a guide at the National Museum. He can help them book a private tour."

The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and her speech unconsciously quickened: "Besides, our neighborhood has a nice environment. My parents can take your parents for a walk in the nearby wetland park. Your dad loves Pu'er tea, and my dad happens to have a few cakes of his treasured old tea. The two of them can enjoy it. We don't have to worry about the New Year's Eve dinner either. I'll have our family's chef team come over to help. Your mom will make sweet and sour pork ribs, and my mom will make sauerkraut and pork belly. We'll also serve a few of Chen's Catering's signature dishes. It'll be lively and hassle-free."

Tan Yue couldn't help but laugh.

As we chatted, the wall clock struck eleven.

Chen Ziyu yawned slightly and rubbed her eyes: "It's so late, Mom and Dad must be asleep. My mom went to bed early because she has to go to the store to check the ingredients tomorrow; your parents also have to get up early to practice Tai Chi. Let's call them again at noon tomorrow so as not to disturb their rest."

Tan Yue nodded: "Okay, we'll split up tomorrow at noon. You talk to your mom about the New Year's Eve dinner menu, and I'll tell my dad about the new exhibition at the Palace Museum. They'll definitely be interested."

The two turned off the TV and walked side by side into the bedroom.

The motion-sensor lights in the hallway slowly illuminated the two figures.

Lying in bed, Chen Ziyu leaned against Tan Yue's chest and whispered, "I really hope Mom and Dad will agree, so we can have a lively New Year. Come to think of it, we've been married for so long, but our parents haven't had a proper chat yet. This is a good opportunity for them to get to know each other better."

Tan Yue gently patted her back, his tone resolute: "They will agree. Your parents want to talk to my parents about educational philosophies, and my parents also want to discuss cultural heritage with your parents. They will definitely be happy with this arrangement."

The next morning at nine o'clock, Tan Yue arrived at the company on time.

Despite the year-end slump, the office building of Brilliant Entertainment showed no signs of relaxation. Employees were busy with their duties, and the sounds of printers running and quiet discussions could be heard from time to time in the corridor.

As soon as he entered the office, Chen Ye came up to him with documents in hand: "President Tan, these are the annual summaries of each department, the Spring Festival duty roster, and the annual bonus calculation sheet. Please take a look."

Tan Yue took the document and quickly flipped through it. He first checked the bonus calculation sheet, and after confirming that the amount for each employee was accurate, he signed his name; then he looked at the duty roster and adjusted the duty personnel for several key positions to ensure the company's smooth operation during the Spring Festival.

"The duty roster is set," Tan Yue said to Chen Ye, putting down his pen. "Have all department directors pass it on. Keep communication open during your shifts and report any emergencies immediately. We'll hold a general meeting for all employees on Friday afternoon to summarize this year's work and offer early New Year's greetings. Oh, and make sure to coordinate with Chen Ziyu regarding the Chen's Catering vouchers added to the employee benefits so they can be distributed to everyone before the holiday."

"Okay, Mr. Tan." Chen Ye nodded in response and turned to leave.

“Wait a minute,” Tan Yue called out to him, “As for the follow-up promotion of Interstellar, let Engineer Wu reduce his efforts and not invest too many resources. The audience’s enthusiasm has stabilized, and excessive promotion is likely to cause resentment. Also, if any educational institutions want to collaborate on science fiction lectures, you can contact my parents. They have been doing public welfare science popularization since they retired, and they will definitely be willing to help.”

"Understood," Chen Ye replied and left the office.

After finishing his work, Tan Yue turned on his computer to check the latest box office figures for "Interstellar"—it had surpassed $4.6 billion in cumulative box office revenue, firmly ranking among the top films in the world.

He smiled with satisfaction, closed the page, and began to organize his project plans for next year.

Previously, Chen Ziyu mentioned wanting to collaborate with Chen's Catering on a cross-industry project combining "science fiction + culture + catering." He suggested establishing a science fiction film creation fund to support young creators, which would not only solidify the content advantage but also pave the way for future collaborations.

At noon, Tan Yue and Chen Ziyu called their parents separately.

Tan Yue first dialed his mother's number, and a familiar voice came from the other end: "Son, why are you calling at noon? Your father and I are just about to go to the community school to teach 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

“Mom, I want to discuss the Spring Festival with you and Dad,” Tan Yue said with a smile. “Ziyu and I would like you to come to Beijing for the Spring Festival so that our family can have a reunion.”

The mother paused for a moment, then her voice instantly became excited: "Really? We're going to Beijing? Won't that disturb your work?"

"It won't bother you, all the work is arranged," Tan Yue quickly reassured her. "Ziyu is also looking forward to your visit; she wants to learn how to make sweet and sour fish from you."

"Okay, okay, let's go!" The mother's voice was full of joy. "I'll tell your father right away."

After hanging up with his mother, Tan Yue called his father, who readily agreed.

On the other hand, Chen Ziyu also successfully persuaded her parents.

After hanging up the phone, Chen Ziyu sent Tan Yue a WeChat message: "Mom and Dad both agreed!"

Tan Yue replied, "My parents also agreed."

The two met at the company cafeteria during their lunch break.

The restaurant was serving lunch delivered by Chen's Catering. Chen Ziyu picked up a piece of braised pork and handed it to Tan Yue: "Try this. My mom asked the chef to make it specially so you can experience the 'taste of home' in advance."

Tan Yue took a bite, and the rich, savory sauce spread in his mouth. He couldn't help but nod, "Delicious! Much more authentic than restaurants outside. When your parents come, we'll have to learn this skill properly."

"The guest rooms need to be prepared quickly," Chen Ziyu said, scooping up a spoonful of soup and outlining her plan clearly. "There are two guest rooms downstairs, one for my parents—it has a good orientation, is quiet, and is suitable for them to rest."

Tan Yue nodded: "Okay, we'll pack up after get off work tonight."

Looking at his meticulous manner, Chen Ziyu felt a warmth in her heart.

As a strong woman, she was used to handling everything on her own, but after being with Tan Yue, she gradually learned to rely on him.

He always takes care of the details she has considered and those she hasn't, making her feel at ease.

She reached out and took his hand: "Thank you for your hard work. Actually, I could have arranged for my assistant to do these trivial things."

“It’s different,” Tan Yue smiled. “Our parents are coming for the New Year, so it’s more thoughtful of us to tidy up the house ourselves. Besides, it’s a happy thing to tidy up the room with you.”

After getting off work in the afternoon, the two went straight home.

After changing into my loungewear, I started tidying up the guest room.

The first guest room downstairs was originally Tan Yue's study, but it is now going to be converted into his parents' living quarters.

Chen Ziyu was responsible for tidying up the desk and classifying the professional books and putting them into the bookshelf.

“Your dad likes to annotate books, so let’s put some notebooks and pens in his desk drawer,” Chen Ziyu said as she tidied up. “My dad loves to write calligraphy, so let’s buy some Xuan paper and ink and put them in the guest room next door so he can practice anytime.”

Tan Yue nodded in agreement, her hands still busy: "I just checked, and the guest room next door has good natural light, so it's perfect for your parents. We'll put your mom's usual skincare products on the dressing table later, and put her favorite Peking Opera CDs on the stereo so she can relax and listen to them tonight."

After tidying up the downstairs guest room, the two went upstairs to organize the study.

After working until 9 p.m., the guest room and study were finally tidied up.

The two leaned back on the living room sofa, looking at the tidy room, and both breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ziyu leaned against Tan Yue's chest and whispered, "Now we're just waiting for Mom and Dad to come. The thought of spending the New Year together makes me really excited."

Tan Yue patted her back gently, his tone tender: "It will be a lively Spring Festival. After the New Year, let's finalize the cooperation between the science fiction fund and Chen's Catering. This year will definitely go even more smoothly."

Chen Ziyu looked up at him, her eyes full of trust.

She knew that with Tan Yue around, she could live and work in peace.

As night deepened outside the window, the warm, bright lights inside the villa illuminated the two figures leaning against each other, a picture of serene beauty. (End of Chapter)