A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 121 Humility
"Mom suspects I'm dating someone... Well, I always like to call you. She overheard me once and interrogated me. I... couldn't help it! I was so proud! I told her, 'Yes, I've fallen in love with someone named Lin Jianlu. Yes, that's the big star Lin Jianlu.'"

"My mom thought I was a fan of a celebrity, but I told her it was true. It wasn't just fandom, it was love."

“I told my mom that even if Brother Lu wasn’t a big star or a great talent, I would still like him and love him, because when I was most confused and helpless, he stood by my side, put his hand on me, and told me that it was okay and that if I encountered any problems that I couldn’t solve, I should come to him! I will be your support!”

“No one can understand that at that time, I owed more than three million yuan in debt, and I was on the verge of completely collapsing. I wanted to hug anyone and cry my heart out, but suddenly a boy handed me his business card and told me that I could ask him for help if I had any difficulties... I told my mother that even if that person was not handsome at all, had no ability, and was not a big star, I was still willing to love him! I would love him for a lifetime!”

"Brother Lu, do you know I love you? Can you feel it?"

Actually, this was somewhat expected—she had been calling quite frequently before, expressing her admiration in various ways each time, gradually becoming completely undisguised. And now, during their meal together, she sat down directly next to Lin Jianlu without any hesitation. As they ate and chatted, she quickly brought up the topic again—in their previous meetings, Lin Jianlu sensed that her desire to find a spiritual father or brother was so urgent and so undisguised.

Those big, expressive eyes were glistening with tears, looking at you with such a pitiful yet loving expression—it was truly heartbreaking. Lin Jianlu put down his chopsticks and pulled her into his arms. "I know! I can feel it! I'm not stupid, how could I not know, how could I not feel it?"

She gave a satisfied "hmm" and rubbed against Lin Jianlu.

After a full minute or two, Lin Jianlu released her. She straightened up, and only then did Lin Jianlu realize that, unbeknownst to her, her tears had not stopped, but seemed to be flowing even more.

"what happened?"

She shook her head, trying to smile, but with a hint of sadness in her voice. "It's okay, actually I'm really happy! But I don't know why, when I'm nestled in your arms and held tight by you, I just can't help but want to cry..."

Lin Jianlu chuckled, turned to the side, and gently pulled her into his arms once again.

This time, I heard a sound; it was a soft, sobbing cry.

After she had cried for a while, Lin Jianlu gently patted her back. "Okay, okay, don't cry! The hardest time is over. You're a brave girl. You've made it through the toughest days. From now on, all you'll be welcoming are good days! I promise!"

"Ok!"

She nodded emphatically and answered with conviction.

With a sobbing voice.

So she straightened up again, laughing and crying at the same time, and berated herself, "I'm so pathetic, I can't help but cry when I see you! Brother Lu, tell me, how can anyone in this world be so good to me? How could you be so good to me?"

Lin Jianlu pretended to think for a moment, "Perhaps... God helps those who help themselves?"

She was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand what he meant, and couldn't help but smile. This time, happiness really took over. "Oh, right! Even God will help those who help themselves! So God sent you to the set of our drama 'Four Daughters', right?"

Okay, if that's how she wants to interpret the sentence, Lin Jianlu won't object.

"Eat! It'll get cold soon!"

She sweetly agreed, "Mmm!", then wiped away her tears, picked up her chopsticks again, but after just one bite of food, she couldn't help but turn to look at Lin Jianlu, and smiled, an unusually happy smile.

After dinner, I didn't dare to go for a walk on the street anymore, even though the climate in Taipei is actually much more suitable for walking than in summer. But she was unwilling to part so easily and clung to me tightly, so I had to take her to another place. We randomly found a teahouse that looked nicely decorated on the street, went in, ordered a pot of tea, and continued chatting.

But before she could even finish her tea, she couldn't resist hugging him again.

So I hugged her and we chatted.

The more I got to know her, the more I realized that she was a very smart girl. Perhaps the pressure she faced too early and too heavy made her impulsive and reckless when choosing her path. It's hard to say whether she made the right or wrong choice, but in the eyes of the person she chose, she was really smart!

She can talk, chat, is well-behaved and sensible, has a sense of humor, and even her coquettishness is adorable.

Of course, good looks are a huge plus.

It has to be said that Alyssa Chia, in her early twenties, was truly beautiful!

She was small and delicate in my arms, her body pressed against mine, yet I could clearly feel the curves beneath her clothes, and her eyes were always fixed on me with a look of adoration…

“Producer He said that we will be filming a lot of movies in mainland China for ‘Heaven Has Tears’. I thought that when that time comes, if time allows, I would like to go back to Tianjin to see my grandfather!”

"Although my mother, my brother, and I don't really have any feelings for our grandfather, and my mother has always resented him, she always thought that Tianjin brought bad luck, which destroyed our family and took my father's life. But I know that it has nothing to do with Tianjin, and even less to do with my grandfather. After all, he was my father's father!"

"If Dad were still alive, he would definitely want me to go back and see Grandpa..."

Look how sensible he is!
“That’s great, I’ll definitely go! I’m just not sure if I’ll be in the capital then. If I am, I’ll take you there, and I can even take you to Tianjin to hear some crosstalk…”

Um, I just wonder if that chubby little black guy has started his gang yet? Is he in the capital or Tianjin? If we happen to run into each other, I might be able to introduce you to a decent partner!

I know that chubby, fair-skinned guy who looks like he can be pinched to make a pouch of water!
"Okay, okay!"

…………

They talked until almost five o'clock, which was basically the time they hugged until almost five o'clock. She was still reluctant to separate, but Lin Jianlu persuaded her to stay, saying there would be plenty of time in the future.

The media in mainland China isn't as developed, and there aren't as many paparazzi. When you go to the mainland to film, it will take a long time, and I can't be away forever. I will definitely go to visit you on set.

After much persuasion, she finally agreed to leave his embrace. But just before going downstairs to pay the bill, she leaned in again, stood on tiptoe, and kissed Lin Jianlu on the lips—she was all smiles, both shy and proud.

"My first kiss, Brother Lu!"

"From the day you handed me your business card, I thought that night, even if you don't like me, I must give you my first kiss! It has to be you! It can only be you!"

Oh, I love it. Kissing isn't rare, but a first kiss is very special.

Alyssa Chia's first kiss was priceless.

They went downstairs together, paid the bill, and he walked her to the street. He personally hailed a taxi, discreetly avoiding any kissing or hugging, and waved her off. Then he hailed another taxi for himself, got out a short distance from home, and strolled leisurely home. He had only just entered the community and hadn't gone far when a car honked behind him. Lin Jianlu turned around and saw a car slowing down considerably, the driver's window rolled down, revealing Zhang Aijia's face. "Ha, you really bought that house? Why didn't you tell me?"

She was the one who recommended this house, and she lives here too, so we'll be neighbors from now on.

Lin Jianlu laughed, "I was going to invite you to dinner, but you were in America before! And I just moved in yesterday! How could I possibly come?"

She smiled and said, "Wait for me at home. I'll come to your house after I park the car!"

So the car sped up again, and the windows started to roll up.

But Lin Jianlu still couldn't resist blurting out, "Bring my son here!"

As the car drove away, Zhang Aijia's laughter faded into the distance.

When she got home, neither of the two ladies had returned yet. Lin Jianlu casually told the housekeeper that Zhang Aijia was coming to visit, and then she went upstairs to change her clothes and wash her face. She was being considerate; Jia Jingwen was wearing a very light perfume, not obvious, but even Lin Jianlu could smell it, let alone Chen Shuhua and Su Huilun. So, she was being mindful beforehand to avoid making them uncomfortable.

Even though they probably won't say anything if they sense it, and what they do say won't be the kind of jealousy that makes them furious, at most they'll make a few jokes, be a little jealous, or pick a small fight, and they'll usually be fine with a little coaxing, which is quite cute, but... it's better to try to stay happy as long as possible without making them uncomfortable.

Even if you're a flirt, you should be aware of it.

After changing her clothes and going downstairs, coincidentally, just as Zhang Aijia and her son reached the door, Chen Shuhua and Su Huilun's car arrived at the door.

Chen Shuhua has always loved children. After parking the car, she ignored everything else and went straight to coax the other child. Su Huilun greeted Zhang Aijia with a smile. Zhang Aijia, who was also quite sarcastic, said, "Wow, we're a family of three, and you're a family of three too, tsk... Ah Lu, impressive!"

Lin Jianlu's mouth was even more cheeky. "Our family of three can easily become a family of five. What about you? How about I introduce you to some young and pretty girls in a few days? My dance troupe has lots of beautiful girls!"

She laughed heartily, realizing she was no match for him, and waved her hand, no longer arguing back.

But Su Huilun wasn't one to back down, especially since she was quick-witted and spoke before she thought. "When I went to Hong Kong to promote my Cantonese album, I saw in the media that my brother-in-law was caught cheating. I don't need you to tell me!"

Lin Jianlu burst into laughter.

Zhang Aijia looked a little upset for a moment, pointing at Su Huilun, "Hey! Stop laughing, do something about it! If you go out and talk like that, you'll offend people!"

"Okay, okay! I won't say anymore! ...Come here, baby, do you remember what you called me? Call me Daddy! If you call me Daddy, Daddy will buy you whatever you want!"

The child is over six years old and very clever; he won't fall for it. "No! Mommy will buy me whatever I want! You're a bad uncle! I hate you!"

"Tsk..."

Zhang Aijia cheered up again, "If you want a son, have them both give you one!" But she quickly complained, "Don't let my son call you 'Dad' anymore. The media doesn't care about that. They might even make a story that I was dating you six or seven years ago! Also, you know about his messy life. I've already been too embarrassed to come back for two months. If the media makes a fuss about it, we might really have to get a divorce!"

Lin Jianlu then surrendered, saying, "I'd rather tear down ten temples than break up one marriage. It's my fault! Let's not talk about it anymore!"

…………

The young couple hosted their first group of guests in their new home.

The weather was fine, with a gentle breeze. Although the preparations were a bit late, dinner wasn't going to be too meager anyway. With the three housekeepers working together, they quickly prepared a sumptuous meal.

We sat around a small table, enjoying Chinese food and Western liquor. Everyone had a little bit to drink, and the main thing was to chat.

When the topic of recording in New York came up, Su Huilun and Chen Shuhua were both a little surprised. After asking what happened, Chen Shuhua was surprised, "Oh? You wrote it in those few days? I only saw you there writing or scribbling, and I knew you were probably working on a new piece, so I didn't bother you. It's an English song you wrote?"

This is unbearable. The house may lack anything, but it will never lack musical instruments.

There's a grand piano that Su Huilun recently bought at great expense, not to mention the many guitars—Su Huilun's and Chen Shuhua's—all of them are here now.

I won't play the piano anymore; my skill level is average, and it's not really suitable. I'll just pick up a guitar instead.

Singing an English song, someone who only graduated from junior high school sang it without any awkwardness. While showing off his American-style fancy singing techniques, such as glissando and vibrato, he also casually played the guitar.

He sang one song after another.

Su Huilun and Chen Shuhua both looked shocked, listening from beginning to end without even changing their expressions.

In contrast, Zhang Aijia had already seen the score and even practiced singing it herself, so she didn't find it surprising. At this moment, she just listened while staring calmly at Lin Jianlu, looking lost in thought. Later, she even became a little distracted.

After Lin Jianlu finished singing, he put down his guitar. Su Huilun and Chen Shuhua were still in a daze, but Zhang Aijia slowly started clapping. After a moment, she said, "I really want to get a divorce and have a son for you! Alas... it's not my turn anymore, I'm about to go through menopause!"

The self-deprecating humor was somewhat amusing, but Su Huilun and Chen Shuhua seemed not to hear it at all. Finally snapping out of their daze, Chen Shuhua still wore a complex expression of admiration and awe, while Su Huilun jumped three feet high and ran over, exclaiming, "Wow, honey, you sing English songs so well too! Did you write them yourself?"

Lin Jianlu replied without hesitation, "I copied it! Someone stuffed it into my head, so I copied it out!"

Sylvia Chang laughed heartily, "What a novel way to be humble!"

(End of this chapter)