Chapter 00142: Visiting
# Visiting
Chapter 142
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 142: Visiting
Just after dusk, the alleyway was bustling with activity.
The Gong family had received news: the screenwriter of *Lushan Love* and *Tai Chi*, a good friend of their daughter, was coming to Shanghai on a business trip and would be stopping by their home for a visit.
How could her parents possibly neglect such a guest? To put it bluntly, this was the person who had helped their daughter rise to fame.
Mother Gong took half a day off work specifically to go shopping for ingredients.
She had already arranged with the two neighboring families who shared the kitchen to let her use it first.
"Mom! You bought a duck, and now you’re buying pork ribs too?"
"This is an important guest. Without his help, where would you be today? How can we not have meat on the table when he comes to visit? Come here and help me out."
Mother Gong personally took charge of the cooking, while Gong Xue obediently assisted, though she found the whole situation a bit strange.
Of course, she wanted to entertain Chen Qi, but the scale of the preparations—duck, pork ribs, and rice cakes—felt more like a Spring Festival celebration than a casual visit.
At that moment, her mother was preparing the ribs in the Shanghai style and asked, "Xue, can he handle sweet dishes?"
"I’m not sure. He’s from Beijing."
"Oh, then he probably won’t be used to sweet ribs. I’ll go easy on the sugar."
After finishing the ribs, Mother Gong moved on to the duck.
Gong Xue secretly tasted a bit and pursed her lips.
The sweetness would definitely be overwhelming for him, but she decided not to say anything.
She wanted to see his reaction when he ate it.
"Sis~"
Just as she was busy, Gong Ying suddenly popped her head in.
Gong Xue leaned over.
"What do you want?"
"Is he the one you helped with the drawings?"
"What about it?"
"What’s your relationship with him?"
"We’re just friends!"
"Then can you ask your friend to help me get a role in a play? You know I’ve always wanted to act."
Gong Xue felt torn.
She didn’t want to ask Chen Qi to pull strings for her family, but she also didn’t want to disappoint her sister.
So she said, "I’ll mention it to him when I get the chance, but I can’t promise anything."
"Got it! Thanks, sis!"
Meanwhile.
Chen Qi had bought some dried fruits and candies to bring as gifts.
Since this was a casual visit among friends, there was no need for anything extravagant.
In fact, he could have come empty-handed, but out of courtesy, he brought a little something.
As he reached the entrance of the alley, he took a look inside.
This was nothing like the modernized alleys of the future—it was the real deal.
Clotheslines were everywhere, and a few neighbors peeked out from their windows.
The alley was like a communal courtyard, where everyone knew everything.
The Gong family was hosting a guest today, and everyone was aware.
"You’re here!"
Gong Xue had been waiting at the door and ran over when she saw him.
"Perfect timing. My mom just finished cooking… Be careful later, no funny business, and don’t let anything slip."
"Got it!"
As they entered, Gong Ying rushed downstairs and gave him a once-over.
"The famous screenwriter! You’re even younger than I imagined. I heard you’re only 20?"
"Ying, show some manners!"
"I’m just expressing my surprise… You’re even younger than me. It’s so unfair. I feel like I’ve wasted my life."
"If someone as young and beautiful as you has wasted her life, then others might as well jump into the Huangpu River," Chen Qi joked.
"You’re so good with words. Come on upstairs, my parents are waiting!"
The three of them headed upstairs, passing by two neighbors on the way, who greeted them warmly.
Everyone knew who he was—the screenwriter of *Lushan Love*, which was still showing in theaters.
"Uncle, Auntie, thank you for having me. I hope I’m not imposing."
"Not at all, not at all! Xue has told us everything. We really need to thank you for all the help you’ve given her."
Mother Gong and Father Gong were both intellectuals, gentle and refined.
They were impressed by Chen Qi’s appearance and demeanor.
Soon, they sat down to eat.
Gong Xue’s older siblings weren’t there, as they were still at work.
"Xiao Chen, are you here on business this time?"
"Yes, I wrote a TV script and came with the director to cast actors. I also need to go to Zhejiang."
"What kind of story is it?"
"It’s about Judge Bao solving cases, like the *Execution of Chen Shimei*."
"That’s a great story, very popular. How’s the casting going?"
"We’ve got a few candidates, but there are a lot of characters, so we’re still looking. The director originally wanted Gong Xue to play Qin Xianglian, but it clashed with the schedule of one of our films, so she didn’t take the role."
"You’d play Qin Xianglian? That’s so fitting," Gong Ying teased.
"Go eat your food!"
Mother Gong lightly smacked her daughter, hesitating to ask for a favor but feeling it wasn’t appropriate since it was Chen Qi’s first visit.
Chen Qi, however, knew Gong Ying wanted to act and took the initiative.
"The director is very strict and only picks good-looking actors. Gong Ying’s appearance is perfect."
"Cough!"
Gong Xue suddenly choked, trying hard not to laugh.
Why are you calling my sister 'sister'? Even though she is older than you!
"We’re heading to Hangzhou tomorrow afternoon. You can come by in the morning to meet the director. The lead roles might be out of reach, but a supporting role should be possible."
"Oh my, this is too much! It’s your first visit, and you’re already helping us so much!"
"It’s no trouble. We’re casting anyway, so anyone suitable is welcome."
Her parents felt a bit embarrassed, but since their daughter was so excited, they could only express their gratitude.
Gong Ying, on the other hand, was over the moon and nodded eagerly.
"Yes, yes, I’ll definitely go!"
With this favor in place, her parents became even more hospitable.
Chen Qi chatted along with them, and the atmosphere was warm and lively.
Mother Gong, like many elders, couldn’t help but ask, "Xiao Chen, are you married?"
"Not yet."
"Oh right, you’re not even of legal age yet."
"..."
Gong Xue lowered her head, clenching her hands under the table.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Not yet either!"
"You should find one. Someone as talented and young as you deserves a beautiful, kind-hearted girl… Oh! There’s a girl at my workplace, 20 years old, very pretty and gentle. Would you like to meet her?"
"He’s from Beijing. If he finds someone in Shanghai, what will they do in the future? Don’t go introducing people randomly. Xiao Chen is so outstanding, I’m sure many young women like him," Father Gong interjected.
"..."
Their obedient daughter continued to lower her head, her hands clenched so tightly they turned white.
After a while, she suddenly looked up and said, "Mom, why don’t you give him a piece of rib to try?"
"Oh, right, I almost forgot. Here, Xiao Chen, try this. It’s my specialty."
Mother Gong served him a piece.
Chen Qi thought it looked good—colorful, fragrant, and appetizing.
He happily popped it into his mouth, but then his throat started to feel overwhelmed.
He had eaten sweet and sour ribs before, but nothing as sweet as this.
If Shanghainese loved sweet food, then Mother Gong was the queen of sweetness.
He couldn’t spit it out, so he swallowed it and nodded in praise.
"Auntie, your cooking is amazing!"
"I was worried you might not be used to it, so I went easy on the sugar. Is it okay?"
"It’s great!"
"Then have a few more pieces. Eat up!"
Just as Chen Qi’s sugar levels were about to hit the roof, he quickly finished his rice and declared himself full.
Her parents felt the visit had been a success, bringing honor to their daughter.
Gong Ying was thrilled at the chance to act.
After dinner, Chen Qi didn’t stay long and got up to leave.
The whole family saw him off.
"Xiao Chen, come visit again when you have the chance!"
"Xue is staying in Beijing, so please take care of her."
"Of course, of course!"
Chen Qi waved, unable to speak privately with her.
His gaze lingered on her face for a moment.
Gong Xue felt a mix of emotions as she watched him leave the alley and disappear into the distance before silently turning back.
...
Late at night.
Gong Ying chattered excitedly for a long time before finally falling asleep.
Gong Xue lay beside her sister, wide awake.
Her parents had acted perfectly normal during the day, but it was precisely because they were so normal that she felt the pressure—because their thoughts never even considered that she and Chen Qi could have any other kind of relationship.
She thought about Chen Qi’s parents…
Even decades later, children’s romantic lives weren’t entirely free, let alone now…
(End of Chapter)