Starting from Taohuawu, kilometers away

The setting sun shines on the quaint set, and the faces of the crew members of the Jiuchongzi crew are filled with joy.

Li Cheng and Sister Meng held each other's hands tightly and stood in front of the camera. With the director's "click", it seemed as if time stopped and everyone's eyes were focused on them.

Bouquets of flowers were handed over enthusiastically, and the dewdrops between the petals sparkled, reflecting the smiles on the faces of the crew members.

Director Zeng walked forward, his face beaming. He held Li Cheng and Sister Meng's hands tightly, his eyes sparkling with admiration and expectation for this tacit pairing.

“Your performance is undoubtedly the soul of the film, and I look forward to our collaboration again in the future.”

His voice was full of sincerity.

When taking a group photo, everyone huddled together, with laughter and conversations intertwined together, like a vivid picture.

Li Cheng and Sister Meng stood in the center, their smiles bright and sincere, like two children who had discovered treasure.

Afterwards, the crew went to the hotel in a mighty procession to attend this meaningful wrap-up party.

On both sides of the street, actors who had finished filming earlier also hurried back, and their arrival added extra joy to the celebration.

The lights in the banquet hall are brilliant, as gorgeous as the starry night sky.

The crowd surged like a tide, with whispers and laughter rising and falling, interweaving into a festive symphony.

Although Jiuchongzi’s wrap party was not a feast for an S-level drama, it was as warm and passionate as any top party.

Under the expectant gaze of everyone, Li Cheng and Sister Meng walked hand in hand into the center of the banquet.

Their acting skills, like two beautiful landscapes, run through the entire series and are unforgettable.

Those god-level scenes—the farewell kiss on horseback, the veil kiss—seem to be still before our eyes, making us feel overwhelmed with emotion.

However, faced with the crowd's support and praise, the two men looked calm, without the slightest sign of complacency or arrogance.

Because they know very well that the series has not yet been aired and all the praise is still unknown.

Every corner of the banquet hall was filled with joy and anticipation.

The champagne jumped in the air, and the bubbles were as bright as pearls.

The aroma of delicious food filled the air, making people salivate. Amidst the laughter and joy, everyone was secretly wondering whether Jiuchongzi would really reach the S-level level after it was broadcast, and how Li Cheng and Meng Jie's performance would amaze the world.

On this night, Jiuchongzi's wrap party was not just a simple celebration, but also a beginning full of hope and longing.

In this hall of light and shadow, everyone is a witness to this story, waiting for the moment when it blooms on the screen.

The person in charge of the Penguin project was socializing hurriedly, and when he saw Li Cheng, he immediately walked over, and a cold wind swept past Li Cheng's feet.

Her face was filled with unconcealable joy, like a ray of warm sunshine in winter, shining straight into Li Cheng's heart.

“Cheng Cheng, on behalf of the entire team, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you.”

The person in charge's voice was full of excitement, as if a long drought had finally come to an end.

She knew that Li Cheng's joining was not only a guarantee of his acting skills, but also an improvement to the quality of the show.

In the industry, it is no secret that Li Cheng has a good relationship with senior management. This time he is willing to postpone the filming of other S-level productions and star in "Nine Layers Purple" first, which is undoubtedly a vote of confidence in the show.

"We know that your salary requirement is very low. This is both a surprise and motivation for us." The person in charge paused and looked around the team members in the banquet hall. Everyone's eyes were shining with determination and gratitude. "With your joining, our entire team is full of confidence. We believe that "Nine Layers of Purple" will definitely become a phenomenal work!"

The atmosphere in a corner of the banquet hall became heated because of Li Cheng's nod. The head of the Penguin project was full of gratitude, as if Li Cheng had become an indispensable member of their team. Her eyes revealed a hint of determination, as if telling everyone: With Li Cheng, this drama will definitely be a hit!
The head of the Penguin project thought of the time when she was sitting in a spacious office, examining the information in front of her with a sharp gaze. She tapped the table with her fingers, as if she was savoring something. Previously, Li Cheng's name occupied the most prominent position in the document, not only because of his appearance or acting skills, but also because of his unique fan base.

The person in charge's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation at the time. He imagined Li Cheng's agile figure on the basketball court, and in a flash, he saw his affectionate performance on the screen. Li Cheng's fan group is not just a group of passive fans, they are active supporters who have a love for basketball and recognition of Li Cheng's personal charm. These male fans are not just verbal supporters, they express their love for Li Cheng with real money.

The person in charge raised his lips and thought to himself: This is exactly the new type that the market needs, a new star in the entertainment industry who is different from the traffic star.

The male market has huge potential, but it is usually difficult to conquer. However, Li Cheng has quietly won the hearts of this group with his unique charm and diversified advantages. His fan base has a huge disparity between men and women, and the proportion of male fans far exceeds that of other artists. Such data cannot be ignored.

Back to the wrap-up party
In the hotel banquet hall where the lights were just coming on, Li Cheng held a glass of champagne and toasted with every colleague who came by with a smile.

There was a subtle business savvy in his eyes, and every quiet conversation and every handshake seemed to be sowing the seeds of cooperation.

Although he does not like such occasions, in this shining inner world, every connection may become a step to future success.

Li Cheng had a decent smile on his face, as if it was a carefully designed smile template, with no flaws to be found.

He moved among the crowd, gently moving from one conversation circle to another, always maintaining the right social distance.

Whenever someone asked to exchange contact information, he would always politely hand over his business card and then write down the other party's number with his mobile phone to ensure that every link was accurate.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall was warm yet elegant. The silver tableware sparkled and the champagne in the crystal glasses glowed golden under the light.

The music played softly, adding a touch of romance to this farewell night.

Li Cheng felt a strange sense of tranquility in the midst of this hustle and bustle. Perhaps it was because he knew that no matter how lively today was, everyone would be busy with different crews and different stories tomorrow.

On such occasions, Li Cheng always feels a subtle excitement, which is the anticipation for future possibilities and the desire for upcoming new challenges.

He did not feel tired, but instead seemed to be injected with new energy.

He knows that smiling today is for a better self tomorrow.

Meng Ziyi stood aside, his eyes as sharp as a knife, but with a barely perceptible hint of dullness.

She watched Li Cheng and the other crew members sitting together, their laughter like strings of pearls, gently rolling in the air. Their lively conversation seemed out of tune with her, and she felt an inexplicable loneliness and loss in her heart.

During these four years, they have created unforgettable memories together.

However, Li Cheng was always absent from the two most recent recording sessions.

He chose business activities and reunited with his girlfriend Tian Xiwei instead of fighting side by side with her and her colleagues in Taohuawu. Every time she recorded, she felt that everything was changing quietly.

After Li Cheng missed the recording session, the eyes of Wang Sulong, Li Xueqin, Xu Zhisheng, and Lamu Yangzi no longer had the brilliance they once had.

Without Li Cheng, Taohuawu seemed to have lost its soul. Without his unique humor and his hilarious behavior, the atmosphere of the whole show became dull, no longer the source of happiness that people looked forward to before.

Meng Ziyi lowered her head slightly, her long eyelashes hiding the waves in her eyes. She knew that her relationship with Li Cheng had already surpassed the scope of colleagues. His absence was a blow to her heart every time. And this time, she felt an unprecedented sense of alienation. The tacit understanding and joy they once had seemed to gradually dissipate into the air with Li Cheng's absence.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart. But the sadness, like a drizzle, silently wet her heart. In this seemingly lively scene, she alone savored her own loneliness and helplessness.

In the lively atmosphere of the wrap-up party, Li Cheng moved among the crowd and had cordial conversations with his colleagues.

His eyes inadvertently fell on Sister Meng. She was forcing a smile and chatting with someone. That smile was like a floating cloud, erratic and seemed unable to touch the sadness in her heart.

Li Cheng's heart moved. While pouring the wine, he greeted Sister Meng softly and motioned her to follow him to the side.

The two walked to a corner of the banquet. Li Cheng looked at Sister Meng with concern and asked softly, "Sister Meng, what's wrong? You look a little unhappy."

Sister Meng's eyes were slightly wet, and her voice was trembling a little: "Li Cheng, you don't know, without you and Wang Hedi in the recording of Taohuawu, we all feel like something is missing. Brother Long sighs all day long and always mentions you. Junjun is even more... Without Wang Hedi, he feels like he has lost his support."

Li Cheng listened silently, with a trace of guilt and reluctance in his eyes. Sister Meng's words were like a key that opened the locked memory box in his heart. The happy times he spent with the old people flashed in his mind one by one. He sighed and comforted: "Sister Meng, I know you all hope that I can go, but there are some things that I..."

Before he finished speaking, Sister Meng interrupted him: "Li Cheng, we are not forcing you to do anything, we just want you to know that you and Wang Hedi brought a lot of laughter to everyone during your time in Taohuawu. We are all looking forward to your return."

As the night deepened, under the lights of the banquet, Li Cheng's eyes seemed a little blurry. Sister Meng's words were like a breeze, blowing through his heart and causing ripples. He knew that no matter how much entanglement and helplessness he had in his heart, those shared memories and those sincere friendships were ultimately hard to let go.

Li Cheng listened attentively to the song "Taohuawu" recorded by Sister Meng, and Wang Sulong's sighs and wails echoed in his ears.

He felt Wang Sulong's helplessness and heartache, as if he was also trapped in the constraints of time and unable to move freely. The importance of work is indisputable, however, he also wanted to participate in the recording of Taohuawu, which was his debut variety show, and he gained widespread recognition and love.

He silently prayed that Wang Sulong could understand his predicament. After all, the 2024 Paris Olympics is approaching, and as a sports practitioner, he faces many work tasks, and the filming schedule also conflicts constantly.

The men's basketball training camp will be held at the end of May, and he must devote himself to it. Although he is sorry that he cannot participate in the recording of Taohuawu, he can only choose between work and dreams.

However, deep down in his heart, he also misses his partners in Taohuawu. Their laughter and mutual support are still vivid in his mind. He hopes to reunite with everyone again soon and create more wonderful works together. Although time is limited, he believes that his efforts and persistence will definitely leave his own light in the film and television industry.

Sister Meng stared at Li Cheng, looking at his apologetic eyes and slightly drooped pupils, she could feel the helplessness in his heart.

She knew that Li Cheng also wanted to record "Taohuawu", but national affairs were important at the moment and no one could take into account his personal wishes.

Li Cheng is currently busy filming Nine-Layered Purple, but he always tries his best to avoid procrastination, which makes Sister Meng admire his hard work.

During the time of working with the Jiuchongzi crew, Sister Meng has deeply felt Li Cheng's fighting spirit.

He works harder and is more dedicated than any other male artist he has worked with.

Sister Meng also felt distressed about this, because filming was already very tiring, and Li Cheng still went to practice basketball after filming. She admired his persistence and dedication.

In her eyes, Li Cheng is an actor who devotes himself to the role, pursues perfection at all costs, and works tirelessly to achieve the best effect in every shot.

His desperate efforts and persistence made Sister Meng full of deep respect for him.

However, Sister Meng couldn't help but worry about Li Cheng's physical burden.

Giving your all during filming and not stopping after filming, this pace of life is definitely exhausting.

She hopes Li Cheng can take good care of himself and not overwork himself.

Seeing the determination and exhaustion in Li Cheng's eyes, Sister Meng felt a warmth in her heart.

She hopes that he can get through this busy period safely and also looks forward to him achieving greater success in his acting career.

Sister Meng's voice was gentle and firm, like the fine rain in the spring breeze, silently brushing across Li Cheng's tense heartstrings.

Her eyes were full of understanding and care, as if she could see through all his fatigue and stress.

In front of her, Li Cheng felt a long-lost sense of security, as if a ship that had been drifting for a long time had finally found a safe haven.

"We have all paid a lot for this cooperation, but your health is the most important thing."

Sister Meng spoke softly as she handed over a cup of hot tea. The aroma of the tea rose up and warmed the slightly cool air.

Li Cheng took the teacup, and the warmth from his fingertips made him tremble slightly, which was the feeling of being touched by care.

"The Olympics are just around the corner. Your body is your asset and our common hope."

There was unquestionable firmness in Sister Meng's words. She hoped that Li Cheng understood that no matter how important work was, it was not as precious as health.

Li Cheng was silent for a moment, looking out the window. It was already dark, and the lights of the city cast colorful shadows on the window glass. He knew that Sister Meng was right, the alarm bell of his body had already sounded, and he could no longer ignore the signal sent by his body.

"Don't worry, I will go to the United States in two days. Have a good rest."

He turned and smiled at Sister Meng. Although there was still some reluctance and hesitation between his brows, there was more relief. He gently placed the teacup on the table, and the gentle sound seemed to put a perfect end to his decision. (End of this chapter)