Chapter 141: “The long holiday is over.”

The Spring Festival was approaching.

Starting from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, various local TV stations began to launch their special New Year's galas.

This was also Shen Weidi's busiest time of the year.

During the period when his group had just debuted, he ran non-stop between commercial performances, large and small, and the money earned was split equally among the twelve members—that was also the period when Shen Weidi's fans' combat power soared, and the fans within the group tore at each other incessantly.

Fans of other members felt that Shen Weidi was too overbearing, stubbornly occupying the center position of the group, forcibly turning the boy band into Shen Weidi and his eleven backup dancers.

Shen Weidi's fans retorted, don't you have any idea how obscure this group would be without Shen Weidi?

Singing three lines in a song, taking the money happily, and still complaining?

The one who suffered the most was actually Gu An.

He was Shen Weidi's personal executive agent and did not get a share of the team's commission.

In other words, he had to follow the little young master through all his schedules, and the money he got was one-twelfth of Shen Weidi's share in the team, multiplied by a certain percentage.

If Wanshu Zu hadn't approved an extra bonus for him, Gu An would have run off long ago.

Therefore, when the team contract expired, the happiest person was not Shen Weidi's fans, but Gu An.

Even if he was still so busy he couldn't touch the ground at a fixed time every year, at least he earned more.

Looking at the numbers on his bank card, he felt somewhat better.

This year was even more special.

Because of "Two People Traveling Together", Wanshu Zu, who had never cared about the execution level, accepted Gu An's work.

Who could blame him, as the filming for the last episode happened to be scheduled on Little New Year's Eve.

Studio.

The director was confirming the program flow with Wanshu Zu, and next to them was the camera crew for "Two People Traveling Together".

Shen Weidi finished his makeup and hair.

As soon as he came out from backstage, the camera immediately turned its lens.

Based on the timeline, by the time the program aired, the Little New Year's Eve gala would already be over, so there was no need for confidentiality to avoid exposure.

Stage makeup and film makeup are very different.

Once the stage lights hit, even a person with the most three-dimensional features would be left with just a layer of skin.

The camera "eats" makeup heavily.

Makeup that looks good on camera, to the naked eye...

“Why is he painted like a ghost.”

The system lamented in the sea of consciousness, “Is this still Shen Weidi? Such a good-looking face originally... Are the circles around his eyes too red?”

Chu Zu couldn't appreciate it, but that didn't stop him from making a professional comment: “I get it, this is called a sense of brokenness.”

System: “...Host, this is a New Year's Eve gala, it needs to be festive. A sense of brokenness isn't really needed.”

Chu Zu immediately changed his tune: “Then it's for festivity. Red, very festive.”

System: “...”

Chu Zu was clearly not being sincere.

His aesthetic sense was just so-so, on the same level as Little yellow chicken.

He didn't understand what the "stunning" that the young girls praised specifically referred to, but since the makeup artist was satisfied and Shen Weidi had no objections, he was also OK.

Shen Weidi was unusually quiet today.

After the dress rehearsal ended, he nodded at whatever the director told him.

Only when he returned to the nanny van did he say in a low voice: “My dad told me to go home for the New Year this year, said the whole family must spend it together.”

Chu Zu glanced calmly at the lens of the accompanying camera, and nodded: “Okay.”

“Can't I go to your place for the New Year?”

Shen Weidi said.

Chu Zu leaned motionlessly against the seatback, thinking about whether this segment could be broadcasted, and whether Gu An would flip out after it aired.

He didn't answer, and the frustration that Shen Weidi had been holding back for days flared up again.

Shen Weidi didn't dare to be bossy towards Wanshu Zu, but he really didn't want to go back either.

Going back every year was a huge battle, with a routine more fixed than the Spring Festival Gala.

His parents would ask with concern when Li Yamin could get married, when he could have children.

Li Yamin would say he wouldn't get married or have kids, and his parents would sigh heavily.

Then Shen Weidi would start to throw a tantrum, for no specific reason—only at this time, only when stirring up trouble, would he not be invisible at home.

His parents would be even more disappointed in him.

Li Yamin would look like he was watching a show, turning a blind eye to the conflict in the living room, just fiddling with his phone.

If Wanshu Zu was free at that time, Li Yamin would simply go to the balcony to make calls and kill time.

“Forget it.”

Shen Weidi said, “I'll find a hotel to stay in, so I won't bother you.”

“I'm not sure if I'll have work at that time.”

Chu Zu slowly started the car and said, “If I'm free, you can come to my place.”

Shen Weidi's mood visibly brightened.

But when Chinese New Year's Eve truly arrived, Shen Weidi still couldn't get his wish.

They don't celebrate the New Year abroad.

The production team for that film with a minor role needed to meet in advance to confirm makeup, styling, and a series of other matters.

Gu An and Shen Weidi flew to New Zealand.

Chu Zu came out of the company.

There was no one on the streets.

He had already finished handling all the New Year matters long ago, but Li Yamin had created more work for him.

Lishou Entertainment went public.

In the second week of trading, Li Yamin bought a large number of company shares.

Some financial media speculated that he wanted to increase his holdings and subsequently take control of the board of directors from Wanshu Zu.

There were also professional media analyses, saying it depended on his subsequent actions.

If he didn't sell off a large number of shares after the six-month short-term trading restriction period ended, there might be some internal undisclosed agreements.

Directors and senior executives purchasing their own company's stock during the IPO opening period must ensure no insider information, comply with lock-up agreements, avoid short-term trading, fulfill Form 4 disclosures, etc.

It was very troublesome, but Chu Zu only briefly handled it this time.

Li Yamin's lawyers had pretty much dealt with the US stock market side.

Little yellow chicken was playing New Year's BGM in the sea of consciousness, all supermarket golden hits from the New Year period, rambling on, and mentioned Marcus Li.

Marcus had accepted a job before the New Year and couldn't go home.

He said he would bring flowers, a gift, and red wine to Wanshu Zu's place to celebrate together.

But this morning, he called to say he couldn't make it, as his client had an urgent matter.

Little yellow chicken grumbled, but quieted down after hearing that Marcus Li's job was legal aid.

Marcus Li would push all his other lucrative jobs to after the New Year.

Upon hearing that his legal aid client had a problem, he immediately rolled up his sleeves and rushed to the countryside.

Having to see a client during the New Year... it probably wasn't anything good.

“They are all so busy.”

Little yellow chicken's tone was a bit lonely, “Sigh, usually when they're free, they'd find reasons to come over. How come they all scattered as soon as the New Year arrived.”

The people who usually gathered around Wanshu Zu were just those few.

Xu Qiqi went home for the New Year.

Qiao Tian had no announcements or work and was invited by Jiang Fan to his home.

She packed a suitcase full of books, but missed two.

She wanted to ask Wanshu Zu if he could help mail "Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry" and "Radiation Protection" to her, but the courier services had already stopped, so those two books were left at Wanshu Zu's place.

Gu An and Shen Weidi were in New Zealand.

Marcus went to the countryside for legal aid.

...

Little yellow chicken quietly added a complete New Year's gift package to the shopping cart, including electronic fireworks, electronic firecrackers, couplets and "Fu" characters, as well as various special New Year snacks.

It made up its mind, to use the power of one chicken to make the Host's New Year lively and bustling!

Chu Zu walked slowly on the wide, empty streets.

It had snowed last night.

The road had been cleared once, but was covered again with a thin layer of snow.

He was in no hurry to go home.

Anyway, there was no one at home.

On the way home, his phone rang several times.

Marcus and Nora both sent Wanshu Zu a big red envelope, one from Mr. Li, and one from Ms. Li.

Marcus also sent him a photo.

In the photo, Marcus Li was taking a picture with a small, gaunt-faced girl.

The girl looked timid, but was still smiling faintly.

Marcus Li: [She said she really likes Li Yamin. Help me get an autograph from him.]

Wanshu Zu replied: [Ask him yourself.]

By the time Wanshu Zu got downstairs, Marcus Li reply came late: [That brat blocked me, but he couldn't possibly block you, right?]

Li Yamin indeed hadn't blocked him.

He was calling.

The first sentence of the call was: “Happy New Year, Wanshu Zu.”

This time, the voice was not entirely flat from the phone's translation, but carried a part of living breath.

Wanshu Zu looked not far away.

A man in a black coat was crouching by a snowdrift, the hem of his coat covering the snow.

He held his phone in one hand, and waved at him in the air with the other.

By his feet were two very small snowmen.

Wanshu Zu hadn't seen Li Yamin for a while.

The previous company changes were all negotiated by lawyers representing both sides.

According to Marcus, the other side wasn't there to negotiate at all, just to go through the motions, check the legality of the documents, and then take them back for their respective signatures.

Then Marcus was blocked by Li Yamin on all contact methods.

This was indeed something he would do.

Very childish.

Wanshu Zu walked up to him and hung up the phone.

“Shen Weidi said your family was spending it together this year.”

Li Yamin looked up at him, shrugging: “If he can run, of course I can too.”

Wanshu Zu reached out and pulled him up from the ground.

Li Yamin dusted the snow off his coat:

“Come to the supermarket with me.”

He seemed to have forgotten the unresolved unpleasantness between them, pulled the mask on his chin up a bit, put his hands in his pockets, his whole being exuding naturalness.

The supermarket was only open for a few hours today and closed early.

The cashiers were basically off duty, and there weren't many people at the self-checkout counters, which saved a lot of trouble.

Li Yamin only wanted to buy a few things, food, drinks.

He tried to find a turkey in the supermarket, but failed, so he had to settle for a precooked roasted chicken.

After entering the apartment, Li Yamin wore Xu Qiqi's slippers.

He complained that the slippers were too small, but forgot about it in the blink of an eye.

As if he were in his own home, he ran to the kitchen, made a clattering sound, put the roasted chicken on a plate, and placed it on the coffee table.

Little black cat acted as the supervisor, following behind him, maintaining a one-meter distance.

When the Spring Festival Gala started, the hosts were cheerfully delivering New Year's greetings.

Wanshu Zu suddenly asked: “What were you thinking?”

The heating in the room was strong.

Li Yamin had taken off his coat, wearing only a grey pullover sweater, his hands full of grease from the roasted chicken.

“Are you talking about buying the stocks?”

Li Yamin said, “Didn't the media all say it? Because I'm very optimistic about the company's prospects, and it also boosted the market value.”

He said, “Don't worry, I won't sell. I won't sell even if I lose a fortune.”

Wanshu Zu didn't speak.

Li Yamin: “If I said I'm actually a business prodigy, enough to be on par with you, would you believe me?”

Wanshu Zu still didn't speak.

“Fine, you asked what I was thinking... After you left, I thought a lot.”

Li Yamin said, “I still haven't figured it out.”

He took a sip of the beer he bought.

He hadn't looked at the brand when he bought it.

A bitter taste slowly spread on the tip of his tongue.

“I know relationships can fade, for example, me and Marcus Li.”

“Back when we were studying abroad, my relationship with him was pretty good, right? I still remember him being sarcastic, saying UK overseas students follow local customs, turning gay on the spot, telling you to be careful—but now I look at him like he's a stranger.”

“But I always felt that our relationship would always be very good.”

He said, “Marcus Li said I held you back, that I left all the trouble for you to solve, that I turned a blind eye when you ran into problems... I felt that those things were nothing to you. I was the biggest trouble in your life. You could even handle me, so doing other things would naturally be very easy.”

Li Yamin looked at the TV and said silently: “When you were hospitalized, I came to find you with no purpose. I wasn't thinking of showing off, nor visiting. I was just a little anxious.”

“You think I don't deserve you... I've always thought so. You take such huge steps, brother. Having long legs is really something. Many things you do, I have to ponder for a long time—you think my dream is acting, my brother thinks so too, for a while, I almost believed it myself.”

But it wasn't actually like that.

Li Yamin had no dream.

Then a university roommate praised him through gritted teeth, saying you're a fucking genius.

If Li Yamin didn't become a genius, it wasn't hard to imagine his future.

He would very likely be an ignorant rich second generation, who likes to spend money, drink beer mooched from home, occasionally dress impeccably to attend banquets with his brother, dashing and charming, loved by all.

When he reached the right age, he would start arranging marriage.

His brother's requirements for his wife probably wouldn't be too high, preferably not someone of equal social standing, to avoid unnecessary risks, but the other party must be a healthy woman capable of childbearing.

Then they would have a child.

He wouldn't need to worry about the child's education.

The only thing to consider would be whether Shen Weidi would be pushed to the edge and resort to dirty tricks.

But his brother would definitely arrange everything.

He wasn't sure if he would encounter a mid-life crisis, but his family's situation could support him through any crisis.

The worst-case scenario would just be that.

He wouldn't turn into a greasy old man past fifty, still sentimental about his youth being wasted on dogs, right?

A simple thought, and Li Yamin felt that wouldn't do.

The other choice was also simple.

He could still be a genius.

Being a genius made it hard to predict the future.

Wanshu Zu led him down another path.

It was hard to say if that path was easy to walk, but he looked forward to it.

Because a genius was qualified to be friends with a genius.

“I don't have a dream. If I have to say, my dream is you.”

Li Yamin said, “I saw your expression. You want to puke, right? Hold it in first, I'm not finished. After I'm done, you can go to the toilet and have a big puke.”

Wanshu Zu shook his head: “I don't puke when I feel disgusted.”

Li Yamin laughed, showing his moronic nature from university: “You'd beat me up.”

“Correct.”

“Fine, then I'll cut to the chase.”

Li Yamin said, “You will find that I'm not just a genius in acting, I'm a genius in all trades.”

Wanshu Zu: “So you emptied your savings and dumped it into stocks?”

Li Yamin was a bit smug: “Didn't expect it, huh? I've become a first-generation rich man over these years.”

“You can't shake me off. If you wanted to, the best time was when I proposed breaking up with that idiot previous company, but you caught up.”

“I now feel that, even if you don't wait for me, I will catch up.”

Li Yamin asked, “You wouldn't reject a capable and considerate partner, would you?”

They rarely had such calm conversations.

Li Yamin was simply not like Li Yamin.

His tone was familiar, the appearance of his brain not working well, but the words he spoke were very unfamiliar.

The TV was still on.

The Spring Festival Gala's skits became more boring year after year.

The audience below was extremely cooperative, laughing and clapping, shaping the distorted program into the world's greatest work of art.

But people actually knew how funny the skits used to be.

After laughing, they could even appreciate more things.

Everything in life was changing, taking a new course, only the fixed forms were preserved.

Even if people were tired of the Spring Festival Gala, they would still, on this day, at this time, as a family, watch in front of the TV, as if losing the Spring Festival Gala meant losing the New Year.

Wanshu Zu sighed softly, and replied with a faint smile: “You've really become very disgusting.”

Li Yamin: “It's acceptable, I think.”

Between two people, someone always has to back down first, and then comes reconciliation.

This wasn't difficult.

They weren't in a life-or-death relationship either.

The rest could only be left to tomorrow.

Just like when they first decided to build a great enterprise, the future was the future.

When they were on good terms, they never thought they would have a falling out in New Zealand.

And when they had the falling out, they never thought they would get together again to celebrate the New Year.

The next day, the first day of the New Year, the snow outside the window began to melt.

The wind also felt warm.

Looking down, there was mottled white.

Looking up, the end was a stretch of azure blue.

The entertainment industry's holiday, all told, was just this one day.

After the long holiday ended, Li Yamin had to fly abroad again.

He promised to take responsibility, so he had to face the countless tasks that Wanshu Zu had always faced.

Before leaving, he gave his friend a warm hug.

“The long holiday is over. I will work hard. I've learned a lot from you, Wanshu Zu—don't puke, and don't beat me up—whatever you want to do, just go ahead and do it. I won't cause trouble, for real this time.”

Wanshu Zu said: “Happy New Year.”