HuaYu: A Great Director Starting with Dream of the Red Chamber

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, snowflakes began to fall over Chang'an.

The clock tower and the large red lanterns on the city wall add a festive touch to this ancient city.

This should be considered Li Yan's first real "homecoming" after his transmigration.

In my past life, I was all alone, and I considered it Chinese New Year to eat frozen dumplings with vinegar at a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles.

But when he pushed open the door and stood in the entryway, looking at the slippers that were already laid out for him, he was stunned.

In an instant, the film studio, the editing room, and that ridiculous "Review Decision" all seemed to be thrown to the back of my mind.

His heart tightened inexplicably, and he felt a sense of trepidation as he approached home.

"Is Yan Yan back?"

The kitchen door was flung open, and Zhou Yulan, wearing an apron, rushed out, her hands covered in flour. She wiped them repeatedly on the apron, reaching out to touch her son's face, but then hesitated, afraid of getting flour on him. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"You've lost weight... I told you, can't you eat properly when you're out alone?!"

Li Yan looked at her mother from her memories, the once elegant and talented young lady of the Three Famous Schools, now with wrinkles beginning to appear at the corners of her eyes, and spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Mom, I'm home."

For some reason, his voice trembled slightly when he called out "Mom," so he quickly put down his things and bent down to change his shoes.

On the sofa in the living room, Li Shiming, the old man, held a teacup, wore reading glasses, and stared blankly at the newspaper in his hand.

Four years ago, Li Yan gave up a perfectly good undergraduate degree and insisted on going to the Central Academy of Drama to study acting.

This old man, who had taught all his life, has been in a cold war with him ever since.

Hearing the noise, Li Shiming didn't even raise his head, but simply shook the newspaper in his hand and snorted heavily.

Zhou Yulan took Li Yan's luggage, turned around and scolded:

"Li Shiming, what are you pretending for? I don't know who it was that heard our son said he was coming back and keeps asking me about the date?! Now that our son is really coming back, can't you just be nice to me?!"

"I didn't!"

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Li Shiming tossed the newspaper onto the coffee table, then took off his reading glasses and turned to give Li Yan a thorough once-over.

He almost spoke, but in the end, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, and he bluntly uttered:

"You look like a sleazy hoodlum, dressed like that... What are you doing standing there after you got back? Waiting for me to wish you a Happy New Year?"

The words were still as harsh as ever, but Li Yan could still see a hint of reassurance and tenderness in his stubborn eyes.

Chinese fathers are all complicated! He understands.

This time, Li Yan didn't argue. He smiled, walked over, and dutifully picked up the kettle and refilled his father's teacup.

"Dad, Happy Chinese New Year."

Li Shiming froze for a moment.

In the past, the father and son would definitely have exchanged a few words, but he never expected his son to be so...sensible this time!

He opened his mouth, but didn't say the "bastard" that was already on the tip of his tongue.

He simply picked up his teacup and used the act of blowing away the tea leaves to conceal the turmoil in his heart.

……

On New Year's Eve, a plate of steaming dumplings is an indispensable part of the New Year's Eve dinner in northern families!

Whether you watch it or not, the Spring Festival Gala is still playing on TV, even Uncle Benshan can't save it...

While serving food to his parents, Li Yan chatted with them about his life in Yanjing, the small courtyard he rented, and the big orange dog that refused to leave.

They talked about the glamorous films like "Let Me Leave" and "The Tuner," but didn't mention the fact that their film "Silent Witness" was stuck in production.

Even if a man suffers a great injustice outside, he still has to straighten his back when he gets home!

It's a Chinese tradition to only report good news and not bad!

Dumplings and wine go hand in hand; the more you drink, the better.

After downing half a bottle of strong-necked Xifeng liquor, the old man's complexion became rosy.

"I told you to apply to National Chiao Tung University, but you wouldn't listen! You insisted on going after that lousy art!"

The words he had held back all night finally came out:

"Do you think an ordinary person can fit into that low-class circle?! With your meager cleverness, you're just a joke among shrewd people!"

Zhou Yulan slammed her hand on the table, kicked him under the table, and interrupted him:

"Well, I used to be a lowlife too! Why are you still looking for me?"

"I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about him!"

Li Shiming, with his neck stiff, pointed at Li Yan and berated him:

"How's it going now? Hit a brick wall, huh? Bleeding from your head? That girl Tian Tian already told your mom that someone sabotaged and withheld your movie!"

Li Yan paused for a moment while picking up food before smiling and explaining:

"Don't listen to her nonsense, it's nothing serious. We can find someone to help us after the New Year!"

"I don't understand the stuff you're doing..."

The old man stared at Li Yan for a long time, then tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass, suddenly mumbling something:

"However... if you really can't make it outside, then go back to Chang'an."

"Even if it costs me my reputation, I can still find you a job at school. At least... you won't starve under my nose, and we won't have to put up with that humiliation!"

Li Yan was deeply shocked.

My father was a man of integrity his whole life, never asking for favors. For him to say something like "help him get a back door" shows that he has already abandoned the principles he upheld throughout his life.

This is probably what many fathers are like—stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside...

Li Yan picked up the wine bottle, filled his father's glass, and poured a glass for his mother as well.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry, I really can solve this... Your son will definitely get through this! If I come back looking like a coward, that would be a disgrace to the Li family!"

He picked up his wine glass, sat up straight, and looked at his two relatives:

"Take good care of yourselves. Good health and longevity are the greatest support you can give your son! Come on, let's drink!"

After finishing his drink, Li Shiming stared intently at his son, his gaze complex.

After a long silence, he sighed and turned to Zhou Yulan, saying:

"Stubborn coward...just like his grandpa! A stubborn mule!"

Zhou Yulan pursed her lips:

"How dare you talk to your son like that? Aren't you just as stubborn?!"

……

As soon as the clock struck midnight, fireworks lit up the entire city.

Firecrackers are still a must during Chinese New Year!

Perhaps a drink with his family had burned away all the pent-up frustration of the past few days, and Li Yan was in a much better mood now.

He started answering the phone one by one.

Yang Mi's call came first; judging from her voice, she must be attending some event.

"Hey, Director Li, Happy New Year... Don't be sad. I'll give you a big red envelope when you come back. And if it's a person... that's not a bad idea~"

Before Li Yan could even exchange two sentences, Nazha called.

This girl probably did it behind her family's back; she spoke very softly.

"Director, Happy New Year! Um... if you're feeling down, go get something nice to eat. If not, when we get back I'll... I'll give you that Victoria's Secret outfit... hehe! It's brand new!"

Li Yan was speechless. Hadn't this guy learned how to flirt with people yet? What's the use of a new one?!

Ding Xiaoxiao was different; she directly sent a picture of her home computer, with the PR plan for "Silent Witness" still displayed on the screen.

"Director, if you can hold on, we can hold on too! We're ready to go, let's get to work!"

To be honest, Li Yan was quite moved by Ding Xiaoxiao's work ethic.

In the photo she sent, the thick stack of red envelopes next to the computer was so eye-catching!

Just as Li Yan was about to make the call, Jing Tian called:

"Li Yan..."

His voice sounded hesitant and stammering, completely lacking his usual loud and cheerful tone.

"Happy New Year! What's wrong? Did you get scolded because of the movie?"

Li Yan leaned against the balcony and joked, "Don't worry, I'll take the blame. I'll go see President Lu after the New Year."

"no……"

Jing Tian hesitated for a long time before finally making up her mind:

"Come to my house for dinner when you're in your third year of junior high."

Li Yan was taken aback:

"Going to your house? For New Year's greetings? Sure, is your aunt home? I need to bring something..."

"This isn't a New Year's greeting!"

Jing Tian suddenly interrupted him, looking a little nervous, and said:

"I told my dad about how we were being bullied."

"My dad said... he wants you to come over; he wants to see you."