I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

Chapter 73: Let the State Award a Certificate!

"Wait, Xiao Cheng, you're not thinking of digging up some emperor's tomb, are you? Tomb raiding is wrong, Xiao Cheng, you mustn't do something wrong."

The curator suddenly spoke seriously.

"It's a misunderstanding, curator. It's not an imperial tomb, but related to a historical legend. You should know about the legend of Zhang Jiao's gold at Tieshan Temple in Xuyi County, right?"

Cheng Sheng quickly said.

If the curator were left to think about it any further, he would probably be unable to escape his identity as a tomb raider.

"The golden treasure of Tieshan Temple! Didn't the news say it was fake?" the curator asked doubtfully.

“The golden treasure is fake, but the legend might be true,” Cheng Sheng said.

The curator was completely confused by Cheng Sheng's words. What was real and what was fake? Did he think he was so easy to fool?

"Xiao Cheng, you're not trying to play a prank on this old man, are you?"

"How could I dare! Curator, listen to me, it's like this... When I was writing a script about the Three Kingdoms, I suddenly discovered the secret of Tieshan Temple..."

"You mean Zhang Jiao hid scriptures instead of gold?"

The curator said with great excitement.

Compared to gold, scriptures are far more precious to the Chinese people. After all, some scriptures are national treasures in Chinese culture, far more important than mundane things like gold.

“Yes, Zhang Jiao left behind a legend that the scriptures were hidden here. Perhaps someone misheard and mistook the ‘scripture’ in ‘scripture’ for the ‘gold’ in ‘gold.’ That’s why no one has found gold at Tieshan Temple for over a thousand years,” Cheng Sheng said.

“Yes, yes, this explanation might be true. Xiao Cheng, if we really find the scriptures at Tieshan Temple, then you will be a hero in saving Chinese culture. I will definitely ask the higher-ups to give you a bonus then,” the curator said excitedly.

"Haha, what meritorious person? I just discovered a trivial little secret. If you really want to reward me, you might as well let the country give me a certificate or something."

Cheng Sheng said with a smile.

Compared to prize money, certificates are the real treasures. Having one hanging at home is a source of honor. If someone tries to cause trouble for you, they'll have to think twice when they see a certificate from the government.

"You! Alright, I'll send people over to search right away. If they find anything good, you'll definitely get a good reward," the curator said with a smile.

"Thanks, curator."

"Alright, I'm not talking to you anymore. I'll go and get someone to go to Xuyi County right away."

After ending his call with Master Han, Cheng Sheng tidied up his script, planning to grab something to eat outside the neighborhood before taking it to his teacher for advice (and to show off).

After changing into casual clothes, Cheng Sheng opened the door.

jingle!

The elevator doors suddenly opened, and several people stepped out.

"Hello, Director Cheng, could you please sign your name for me?"

Upon seeing that it was Cheng Sheng, the leader quickly grabbed a notebook and pen, bowing and fawning over him.

"You're too kind, Brother Fang."

The person who asked him for an autograph was from the community property management, and he was a decent person. Since they saw each other every day, Cheng Sheng didn't refuse.

Open the notebook!

Wow, it's still a work notebook, with notes on things that need repair in the community and complaints from residents.

The property management in this residential community is quite good.

Swipe!

Cheng Sheng signed his name on the back of the notebook.

He handed it to Brother Fang, then glanced at the three people wearing safety helmets beside him and asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

Brother Fang laughed and said, "The family living across from you sold their house. The new tenants weren't satisfied with the interior decoration, so they asked me to find someone to tear it down and then find someone to redesign and renovate it!"

"The new residents seem to be quite wealthy! The previous household had just finished renovations and hadn't even had a chance to move in yet. It's a bit of a waste to tear it all down and renovate again!" Cheng Sheng said with a smile.

“The new residents have their requests, and we, the property management, must cooperate. However, Director Cheng, the renovation will likely be quite noisy, so please bear with us,” Brother Fang said. “That’s no problem, as long as we work in accordance with current regulations.”

There are legally prohibited periods for residential renovations to avoid disturbing the neighbors. As long as the renovation is done within these periods, Cheng Sheng naturally has nothing to say.

Fortunately, he finished writing the script; otherwise, with the constant banging and knocking from his neighbor, he probably wouldn't have been in the mood to write.

"Do you know the information of the new residents?" Cheng Sheng asked curiously.

"Director Cheng, I really didn't know that, but I heard the seller is a woman," Brother Fang said with a smile.

"Brother Fang, you go ahead with your work, I'll head down now."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Cheng Sheng bid farewell to the other party.

"you are welcome."

After entering the elevator, Cheng Sheng left the building where he lived and then walked out of the residential complex.

We found a small restaurant nearby.

With the Lunar New Year just over a month away, the weather in Beijing is cold and dry, often accompanied by dry, cold winds.

Temperatures are mostly between -4°C and -6°C.

The small restaurant that Cheng Sheng found had no heating, and it felt a bit cold sitting inside.

Fortunately, Cheng Sheng only ate something and then left.

I asked the restaurant owner to make me a bowl of noodles with braised meat sauce.

This small restaurant makes excellent braised noodles; Cheng Sheng has eaten there several times.

The small restaurant's braised noodles have a thick, fragrant broth, chewy noodles, and plenty of toppings; noodles can be refilled for free.

A few minutes later, the owner brought out the braised noodles: "Xiao Cheng, when are you going back to your hometown for the Chinese New Year?"

The owner of the small restaurant was named Cheng Dong, who shared the same surname as Cheng Sheng. He was a native of Beijing and a very talkative person. After Cheng Sheng came a few times, the two became acquainted.

"About three days before the New Year! I still have some things to take care of, *slurp*..."

After answering, Cheng Sheng took a bite of the braised noodles, chewed a few times, swallowed, and his eyes lit up as he asked, "Uncle Dong, is the seasoning new today?"

"I can taste it! This is my latest ingredient, what do you think?" Cheng Dong gave a thumbs up and asked expectantly.

"Shrimp and wood ear mushrooms—these two new ingredients add a touch of umami to the dish," Cheng Sheng remarked after savoring the flavor.

"Xiao Cheng, you have a golden tongue!" Cheng Dong said with a smile.

"That's all thanks to Uncle Dong's excellent cooking skills, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference," Cheng Sheng said.

"We have a guest, so Uncle Dong won't chat with you anymore. Please enjoy your meal."

"Okay, you're busy."

Cheng Sheng finished the bowl of noodles in less than five minutes.

He put the money on the table, called out to Cheng Dong, and then returned to his new home.

He picked up the script, put on his warm earmuffs, and then went out again.

Cheng Sheng bought a house in a residential area very close to the Central Academy of Drama.

He didn't need to drive; instead, he walked to the Central Academy of Drama.

At this point, the Central Academy of Drama had already started its holiday two days prior.

There weren't many students at the school. The students who stayed were mainly hoping to try their luck in Beijing and see if they could find a film crew.

Some others wanted to do odd jobs in Beijing and weren't planning to go home for the Chinese New Year.

(End of this chapter)