Huayu Chef

071 Social Interactions

Streets of the ancient city of Baoding.

Yang Zi and Jingjing were eating like crazy, holding candied hawthorns in their left hands and shaved ice in their right, with Gulou bread and pastries dangling from their fingers. They had just eaten beef stew with pancakes not long ago...

The two of them darted around here and there, wanting to buy any food they saw—a classic case of wanting more than what they had.

They have an enormous appetite.

Zhang Jinxuan became the little follower who paid the bill, while his senior classmates from the directing department, the second senior brother, and Zhuangzhuang followed behind at a distance, filming Zhang Jinxuan and Yang Zi the whole time.

With abundant source material, there is more room for creative editing in the later stages.

However, this made them very conspicuous, and Zhang Jinxuan and Yang Zi were both recognized by passersby, who all crowded around to ask for autographs and photos.

Yang Zi is quite popular with the public, and many fans ask her for autographs and photos, including two genuine "Purple Rice" fans.

Her fans are called "Purple Rice".

While signing autographs for fans, Yang Zi's phone suddenly rang. She quickly stuffed all the candied hawthorns, bread, and pastries she was holding into Zhang Jinxuan's hands, asking him to hold them for her. Before leaving, she worriedly reminded him, "Brother Xuan, you're not allowed to eat any of these, okay?"

"I have money. If I want to eat something, can't I just buy it myself? Why do I need to sneak food? Hurry up and answer your call."

After sending Yang Zi away, Zhang Jinxuan complained to the two little fans, "See? Zi Mei is too stingy. You've really chosen the wrong person to support. I suggest you switch sides. The united and friendly Xuan Ni family welcomes you."

"What is Xuan Ni?"

"I like you" is my fan name, isn't it nice?

"Wow, Brother Xuan, this is how you attract fans!"

"So, are you going to join or not?"

"Brother Xuan, please answer one of our questions first."

"What's the problem?"

"Why do you call her 'Zizai' and 'Zimei'? It sounds so intimate. Are you two dating?"

"Girl, you're overthinking it. She's my junior at the Beijing Film Academy. Calling her 'Junior Sister Yang Zi' requires four words, but calling her 'Sister Zi' only requires two. Isn't that much easier?"

"I see. Let's think about it."

Just then, Yang Zi returned and asked, "What were you talking about?"

The two little purple fans immediately betrayed Zhang Jinxuan, complaining to the idol: "Baby, Brother Xuan is too much, he actually made us switch allegiance to him."

Yang Zi was both amused and exasperated. She shoved Zhang Jinxuan aside and defended her fans, saying, "Brother Xuan, I put you in my pocket, and you kicked me into the ditch, secretly poaching my fans. That's so unfair! Purple Rice fans, please don't listen to Brother Xuan's nonsense. He's a really good person."

Haha~~

"Hey kid, Xuan-ge, where are you going to film 'Wild Kitchen'?"

You'll find out this Saturday at 10 AM.

"oh."

"It's all signed, let's go, bye-bye."

"Baby, Brother Xuan, bye-bye."

After the two little purple rice kids left, Zhang Jinxuan returned the food to its owner and casually asked, "Whose call was that?"

"My mom called and asked if I was having fun."

"Is your aunt worried about you?"

"A little." Yang Zi chuckled awkwardly and revealed, "My last assistant was extremely strict with me. Once, I changed the passwords to my tablet and phone, and she got really angry. She left me and my luggage on the roadside and had the driver take me back to Beijing alone. I was still young at the time, and ever since then, my mom has been worried about me and worked as my assistant for a while. Whenever she's away from home, she calls me frequently."

"Your auntie loves you very much. Now that you've grown up and made something of yourself, you definitely won't have any assistants making things difficult for you anymore."

While eating a candied hawthorn, Yang Zi complimented, "This isn't what you call making it big; Brother Xuan is the real deal."

"What a load of rubbish! Didn't you see me picking my toes at home?"

What does "picking one's feet" mean?

"I just don't have any acting jobs, so I'm unemployed at home."

Yang Zi felt like she had learned another word and laughed, "I also often picked my toes at school. Three months have passed this year, and I've only filmed one movie."

Zhang Jinxuan was speechless: "Hello, Versailles! You think three months is too little for one film? What about me not having any films for months?"

"Didn't your senior sister Yang Mi help you get acting roles?"

"We've discussed one project, and filming is expected to begin in July."

Yang Zi thought for a moment and said to Zhang Jinxuan, "Brother Xuan, I've taken on a role in a drama called 'Born to Be Perfect.' I heard there are still a few roles that haven't been cast yet. I'll ask around for you."

Zhang Jinxuan vaguely remembered the drama "Born to Be Perfect". He recalled that it starred Zhu Yawen, Wan Qian, and Li Jiahang. It wasn't a hit drama, so it certainly wasn't a top-tier production. Moreover, he figured that if he got a role, he wouldn't have many scenes, so Zhang Jinxuan wasn't very interested.

But since it was Yang Zi's good intention, Zhang Jinxuan said tactfully, "Zi-mei, I appreciate your kindness, but you should focus on filming and don't bother turning down roles for me. I'm filming 'Wild Kitchen' for the next two months, so I'm not available. Let's find a chance to collaborate after we've both made it big, with me playing the male lead and you playing the female lead."

Yang Zi nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "Okay, okay, I'm really looking forward to filming with Brother Xuan. Your voice-changing lines just now were absolutely brilliant, your acting skills are amazing."

"Master the techniques and practice regularly, and you can do it too. Your tone and breath control are quite good, and your original dialogue is of very high quality."

Yang Zi immediately revealed a proud expression, "Most of the dramas I filmed use live sound, and all the lines are my own."

"Amazing, Zimei!"

"You're awesome, Brother Xuan. You'd better make it big, and remember to give me a hand when you succeed."

"Why didn't you lend me a hand?"

"I'm not as good as you, Brother Xuan, oh no, big star, let's be friends."

"Haha, you're really something!" Zhang Jinxuan grinned broadly.

Suddenly, the phone rang.

Zhang Jinxuan took out his phone from his pocket. It was an unfamiliar Beijing number calling. He answered it and held it to his ear.

Hello.

"Hello Xiao Zhang, I'm Uncle Yu from Deyun Club, the one who performs crosstalk. Hope I haven't disturbed your work?"

Despite his witty and humorous delivery on stage, Uncle Yu is actually quite serious in private. He greets people and speaks with sincerity and propriety.

Zhang Jinxuan was stunned for a moment, then surprised and delighted. He laughed heartily and said, "Uncle Yu, you can call me anytime without bothering me. I've been on tenterhooks these past few days, afraid that you'll come looking for me to blame."

"What do you mean?"

"People online are saying that our Chuyun Society is trying to take advantage of Deyun Society, and we're afraid that you and Master Guo will come and cause trouble, and we won't be able to handle it."

"Haha, that won't do, Xiao Zhang, don't worry. Teacher Guo would rather stay home and drink tea and sing than stay idle. I know you opened a shop in the Beijing Film Academy area, and I'm planning to go there for a nice meal today. I'm just calling you in advance to let you know."

"Uncle Yu, you can just go directly there. I'll have my staff take good care of you. Enjoy your meal and drinks. I'll treat you to another meal when I return to Beijing."

"You're not in the capital?"

"I came to Baoding today to film 'Wild Kitchen,' and I'll be going back tonight."

"What are they filming in Baoding? Donkey meat sandwiches?"

"The main dish is donkey meat sandwiches, and the side dish is a whole donkey feast."

"What a brilliant reversal of primary and secondary roles! Amazing! There's work to be done, but how much?"

"Donkeys are slaughtered fresh at the donkey farm. I ordered a set of donkey head, offal, and several kilograms of ribs and tendons, enough for about ten people. We definitely can't finish it. Uncle Yu, if you have time, come visit Baoding. I'll reimburse your travel expenses."

"Hey, how can I ask you to reimburse my travel expenses? I'm a fun-loving person, and the whole donkey feast gives me a lot of energy. Okay, you guys wait for me, I'll fly over right away."

"Did you drive or take the high-speed train here?"

"I'll charter a car to come over and take everyone back to Beijing tonight. We can drink and eat to our hearts' content without any problems."

"Thank you for your expense, I'll pay for the chartered car..."

"Xiao Zhang, I'm not short of money."

Zhang Jinxuan: "..."

How many of you are there?

"Six people."

"One minibus will suffice. Xiao Zhang, could you please send me the address? I'll come directly to you when I get to Baoding."

"I'll send it to you later."

"You're busy, see you this afternoon."

"See you this afternoon, Uncle Yu."

After seeing Zhang Jinxuan finish his call, Yang Zi eagerly asked, "Brother Xuan, is Uncle Yu from Deyun Society coming?"

"Yes, he's coming over for the feast."

"Did you know Grandpa Yu before?"

Zhang Jinxuan shook his head and then nodded. "I've heard him perform crosstalk. He's probably seen my 'Wild Kitchen.' A few days ago, he went to Xiao Dangjia's restaurant in Tianjin and ordered a plate of braised pork belly. He even asked Xiao Dangjia for my phone number."

As he spoke, he called out to Jingjing, "Jingjing, go to the East Station this afternoon and get your tickets refunded."

Zhuangzhuang, who was standing not far away, asked, "Brother Xuan, why are we getting a refund? Aren't we going back to Beijing tonight?"

"Grandpa Yu chartered a car to pick us up."

"Which Uncle Yu?"

"Uncle Yu from Deyun Society".