Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 196 Father's Boasting

It's 6:30 p.m.

The farewell banquet was held in the restaurant on the first floor.

It wasn't as grand as the opening banquet, but the atmosphere was more relaxed.

Everyone still in the film crew came, filling twenty or thirty tables.

When Zhang Qilin arrived, the hall was already about half full.

He sat down at the head table where his nameplate was.

Ni Ni wore a dark-colored knit sweater today, with her long hair draped over her shoulders and light makeup. She looked much younger than Yu Mo, who wore heavy makeup on set.

She was seated a few seats away from Zhang Qilin, and she nodded to him after sitting down.

Zhang Qilin responded with a smile.

The dozen or so girls who played female students also came and sat at the round table next to them, chattering and laughing.

When they saw Zhang Qilin, they excitedly waved to him, and Zhang Qilin smiled and waved back.

At 6:40, Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping accompanied Bell into the room.

The group sat down in the main seats, with Zhang Yimou sitting next to Zhang Qilin.

The waiter began serving the dishes.

Zhang Weiping raised his glass first and said a few polite words.

The gist of the message was that Zhang Qilin had performed very well during his time on set, and today was the day filming wrapped up. Everyone gathered together to wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Zhang Yimou also said a few words, the gist of which was to thank Zhang Qilin for his efforts, affirm his performance, and hope to have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future.

He didn't say much, but he was very sincere.

Zhang Qilin stood up with his wine glass in hand, first toasting Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping, then everyone present, to express his gratitude for their care and hard work over the past two months.

After the two finished speaking, the others began to toast each other, and their voices gradually grew louder.

Bell came over and clinked glasses with Zhang Qilin, then repeated in English, "Let's stay in touch and look forward to working together again."

Ni Ni also came over to toast: "Happy wrap-up! Hope there will be opportunities in the future."

Zhang Qilin responded with a smile: "Thank you, I wish you great success with this film."

After that, people from various departments who had frequent contact with Zhang Qilin came over to toast him, and Zhang Qilin responded to each of them.

The female students couldn't sit still and ran over to Zhang Qilin with their juice cups.

They called out "Teacher Zhang" all at once. Zhang Qilin smiled and clinked glasses with each of them, telling them, "Act well, but don't overwork yourself."

"Teacher Zhang, will I be able to see you again in the future?" a round-faced girl asked.

"If you have the opportunity, you can choose to apply to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. I'll always be there," Zhang Qilin said, looking at the girls.

The girls' eyes lit up, and they all showed expressions of longing.

"Wow, really? Teacher Zhang, it must be very difficult to get into the Beijing People's Art Theatre, right?" a girl with a ponytail asked.

Zhang Qilin nodded: "It is indeed quite difficult, but as long as you love performing and are willing to put in the effort, you will have a chance—"

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Zhang!" the girls said in unison, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

Because there was filming tomorrow, the meal ended after a little over an hour.

As the event ended, Zhang Qilin said goodbye to everyone.

Zhang Yi held Zhang Qilin's hand: "We have filming tomorrow, so I won't see you off. The crew will arrange a car to take you to the airport. I hope you have a safe journey."

Zhang Qilin smiled and said, "Thank you, Director Zhang. I've learned a lot during this time on set, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with you again in the future."

Afterwards, Zhang Weiping said goodbye to Zhang Qilin.

Zhang Weiping said with a smile, "Qilin, if there are any good projects in the future, let's work together again. And please give us your best wishes during the New Year."

Zhang Qilin understood the meaning behind Zhang Weiping's words, and he vaguely replied, "Definitely, Mr. Zhang, thank you for your support and help during this time."

After saying goodbye to everyone, Zhang Qilin returned to his room, took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and sat on a chair by the window.

The window faces the film studio's outdoor shooting area, where the outlines of the Republican-era buildings are faintly visible in the night.

Just then, a cell phone rang.

Zhang Qilin picked it up and saw that it was a call from Shen Ya.

He answered the phone, and Shen Ya's voice came through: "Brother Lin, did I disturb your rest?"

"No, I just got back from lunch. How was the factory visit?"

"I've looked at a few places and they all seem alright, but the prices are all over two million. There are two places that offer good value for money, and I'd like to wait until you have time to come and take a look in person."

Zhang Qilin hesitated for a moment: "The New Year is coming soon, I'll find time to go see you after the New Year. You should also go home for the New Year, thank you for your hard work these past few days."

Shen Ya chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Brother Lin, it's no trouble at all. It's all my duty. I'll organize the information and send it to your email tomorrow. Please take a look."

"OK."

Just as Zhang Qilin hung up on Shen Ya and put his phone down, it rang again.

I picked it up and saw it was my mother.

He answered the phone, and his mother's concerned voice came through: "Linlin, are you still awake?"

"Mom, no, I just got back from dinner with my colleagues. Are you and Dad still up?"

"No, your dad's still in the art studio. Have you finished filming? When are you coming home? Can you come back for Chinese New Year this year?" The mother's series of questions revealed her longing.

"Filming's finished. We just wrapped up today. My flight back to Jinan is tomorrow morning, and I'll probably be home by the afternoon. I'll definitely be home for Chinese New Year this year," Zhang Qilin said, feeling a warm glow in his heart. No matter what he experiences outside, home is always the safest harbor.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" The mother's voice instantly filled with joy. "I've tidied up your room and prepared your favorite foods—"

Zhang Qilin listened to his mother's rambling.

He patiently answered until his mother hung up the phone, satisfied, and urged him to get some rest.

The next morning, Zhang Qilin packed his luggage, said goodbye to the crew, and got into the car to go to the airport.

After a flight of more than an hour, we landed at Jinan Airport.

As Zhang Qilin stepped out of the arrivals gate, he immediately spotted his father, Zhang Mingfeng.

He was wearing a dark gray woolen overcoat and stood in the crowd with his back straight.

The way they acted didn't seem like they were picking up their son; it looked more like they were attending some important meeting.

"Dad," Zhang Qilin said, dragging his suitcase and walking quickly over.

Upon seeing Zhang Qilin emerge, his expression immediately changed; he couldn't hide his joy.

"You're back?" Zhang Mingfeng took the suitcase from his hand. "You've lost weight and gotten darker, but you seem to be in good spirits. Come on, let's go home first. Your mom has prepared a whole table of dishes waiting for you."

The car drove out of the airport and headed into the city.

Along the way, Zhang Mingfeng didn't ask much about filming; instead, he was more interested in Zhang Qilin's situation at the Beijing People's Art Theatre.

I inquired about their daily rehearsals and the veteran artists' situation.

As the two were chatting, Zhang Qilin saw his father's car turn into a gate.

The sign read "Qilu Provincial Academy of Painting".

Zhang Qilin asked curiously, "Dad, what brings you to your workplace?"

Zhang Mingfeng said calmly, "I'm going to my office to get something."

Zhang Mingfeng parked his car in the parking space in front of the building, got out of the car, and saw Zhang Qilin sitting in the seat without moving.

He looked down at Zhang Qilin and said, "Come down and come upstairs with me."

Zhang Qilin smiled helplessly, unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out of the car.

Zhang Mingfeng led Zhang Qilin inside.

A middle-aged man wearing glasses walked towards them, and Zhang's father immediately quickened his pace.

"Old Li, didn't you go out today?"

"Secretary-General Zhang, he just came back from outside. Oh, this is—" Old Li looked at Zhang Qilin.

"My son, Zhang Qilin, just came back from Kyoto for the New Year. He was admitted to the Kyoto People's Art Theatre and is now a full-fledged actor," Zhang Mingfeng said casually, but the boastfulness was impossible to hide.

He pronounced the words "Kyoto People's Art Theatre" and "with official staff" with exceptional clarity.

Old Li suddenly realized and quickly smiled and nodded at Zhang Qilin: "Oh, it's Qilin! I've heard your dad talk about him. He's amazing, amazing. The Beijing People's Art Theatre is a temple of art. He has a bright future ahead of him."

"Hello, Uncle Li, you flatter me," Zhang Qilin said with a slight bow.

Old Li immediately gave a thumbs up, "Secretary-General Zhang, you are truly blessed."

"7

Zhang Mingfeng smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits: "Not at all, the kid is just doing his own thing and got into college quietly."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Zhang Mingfeng led Zhang Qilin further inside.

After walking a few steps, I encountered an old gentleman in the corridor.

"Old Liu," Zhang Mingfeng said in a loud voice, "taking a stroll? Look who this is? This is my son, Qi Lin. He's back from Beijing for vacation and now works at the Beijing People's Art Theatre. It's a good and stable job."

"Oh? Beijing People's Art Theatre?" Old Liu pushed up his reading glasses, looked Zhang Qilin carefully, and nodded. "Good, good institution, a good place for artists. The young man looks energetic, just like your father, a handsome young man."

"Hello, Grandpa Liu," Zhang Qilin greeted again.

"Good, good, go home for the New Year, spend more time with your parents," Old Liu said with a smile as he left.

On the short walk from the entrance of the art academy to Zhang Mingfeng's office, I encountered four or five groups of people.

Zhang Mingfeng stops to introduce the Kyoto People's Art Theatre to almost everyone he meets, and the introductions are all very similar, always revolving around the "Kyoto People's Art Theatre" and "staffing".

Zhang Qilin followed behind, keeping a smile on his face and greeting him repeatedly, though he felt a little helpless inside.

Back in his office, Zhang Mingfeng didn't actually take anything important, just a few expired internal publications.

He tidied up slowly and methodically, the smile on his lips never fading.

"Dad, that's enough, isn't it?" Zhang Qilin said with a helpless smile.

"What do you mean 'okay'?" Zhang Mingfeng's eyes widened, then he laughed again. "My son got into a good company based on his own merit. I'm happy. What's wrong with that? Your mother has probably been bragging to countless of her old friends about it while she's at home."

After leaving the office, Zhang Mingfeng took him to the large studio on the second floor.

Several painters are creating their works inside.

Zhang Mingfeng introduced them one by one, and the painters put down their brushes and shook hands with Zhang Qilin, saying polite things like "Like father, like son".

Zhang Qilin responded to each question with a smile on his face.

Before leaving, each of the painters presented Zhang Qilin with a piece of calligraphy.

On his way home after leaving the art academy, Zhang Mingfeng was in a noticeably good mood. He turned on the car radio and hummed along to a few lines of Peking Opera.

Seeing his father's happy expression, Zhang Qilin said with a grin, "Dad, I want to discuss something with you."

"What is it?"