Chapter 00266: Lunar New Year Celebration Drama
# Lunar New Year Celebration Drama
Chapter 266
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 266: Lunar New Year Celebration Drama
Night.
The dim yellow light in the master bedroom cast a warm glow as Chen Qi sat at the desk, penning a reply to Fu Qi.
Though the Spring Festival had yet to arrive, the Hong Kong film industry was already gearing up for battle. *Dragon Young Master* was set for release on the 22nd, *The Shaolin Temple* on the 21st, while *Aces Go Places* had opted to avoid the clash altogether, moving its premiere forward by eight days to the 16th.
Meanwhile, *Boat People* had run into some trouble, leaving Xia Meng with a headache...
All in all, things were lively over in Hong Kong.
Gong Xue sat on the edge of the bed, her pant legs rolled up, her fair and delicate feet soaking in a basin of warm water.
She rubbed her soles back and forth absentmindedly while flipping through a book.
When the water began to cool, she set the book aside and asked, "Aren’t you going to wash up?"
"I will, after I finish this letter."
"And when will that be?"
"Soon, soon!"
Pouting, Gong Xue dried her feet, emptied the basin, then refilled it with fresh hot water and placed it beside him.
She crouched down and reached for his socks.
"Hmm?"
Chen Qi turned his head, instinctively pulling his feet back.
"No need, no need! I’ll wash them myself later."
"It’s fine, really!"
Gong Xue laughed at his reaction.
"Why are you so shy? I’ve washed my parents’ feet before. Come on, stretch them out."
"Really, it’s unnecessary. You—"
Chen Qi felt somewhat awkward.
Foot washing was something he’d done plenty of in his past life—whether in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Dongguan, or Hengdian, he knew all the spots.
The best had been Technician No. 18 in Guangzhou.
But as for this kind of pure, simple foot washing? The only time he could recall was when his mother had done it for him as a child.
Gong Xue, however, genuinely saw nothing unusual about it.
After washing his feet, she emptied the basin again and fetched a third round of hot water.
Returning to bed, she bit her lip and said, "I’m leaving tomorrow!"
"Alright, alright! I’ll stop writing!"
With no choice, he tossed the pen aside and pounced on her.
After making love, before sleep.
The two clung tightly to each other, savoring the lingering afterglow of passion.
This was when emotions ran deepest—even for couples who often quarreled, rising afterward to resume whatever their usual dynamic might be.
Chen Qi held her close, stroking the smooth skin of her back and waist, when he suddenly remarked, "*Judge Bao* premieres on New Year’s Eve!"
"Mhm! Xiao Ying’s been looking forward to it every day."
"After Director Yang finishes this series, CCTV has assigned her another project—*Journey to the West*."
"Ah? But that’s all about demons and monsters. Didn’t Director Yang prefer *Dream of the Red Chamber*?"
"She didn’t get that one. *Journey to the West* isn’t bad either."
"When you go back, talk to Xiao Ying. We can arrange a role for her. If she impresses Director Yang, we can put in a good word and get her into the production unit."
"CCTV has a department called the TV Drama Production Center, with official acting positions. TV dramas are gaining more and more importance these days. If Xiao Ying wants to pursue this path, to be honest, she’s a bit lacking for film, but TV dramas could be a great opportunity for her."
"Alright, I’ll talk to her when I get back."
Gong Xue thought it over and agreed.
She, too, felt her sister wasn’t quite cut out for film—movies required a certain "cinematic face," which immediately eliminated a large pool of actors.
Besides, her sister’s priority was finding a stable position in a reputable production unit, and CCTV was naturally the best option.
"Would you like to act in *Journey to the West*?" Chen Qi asked suddenly.
"Do you want to see me play a demon or Guanyin Bodhisattva?"
"I just thought it’d be nice for you to make a cameo—nothing major, just a small role. If this series becomes a timeless classic, it’d be something to talk about. Decades from now, audiences will see it and go, *Wow, even the great beauty Gong Xue made an appearance!*"
"Oh, stop it with the 'great beauty' nonsense!"
Still, Gong Xue considered it.
"Actually, I’ve always wanted to try a period role. If the timing works out, I might give it a shot."
They chatted a while longer before inevitably falling into another round of kisses and embraces.
She was returning to Shanghai tomorrow, and with parting imminent, their emotions ran high.
Moreover, with Fu Qi’s letter arriving, she knew Chen Qi would soon be off to Hong Kong again.
......
In the blink of an eye, the Spring Festival arrived.
The editorial office was on break.
Liang Xiaosheng and Li Jianqun had each returned to their families, and Chen Qi, too, went back to his parents’ home.
He could have easily brought his parents to Lecheng Lane—that big courtyard could use some liveliness—but this was one of those special cases.
Most parents would prefer their son coming home for the New Year over going to their son’s house.
And so, despite being a rising star in Chinese cinema and a mid-level official of some standing, Chen Qi found himself once again relegated to the rickety bed in the outer room.
Well, perhaps not *rickety*—his parents had upgraded to a slightly larger bed, eliminating the need for an extra stool to extend the length.
"Mom, let’s boil the dumplings. I’m hungry!"
"You look like a dumpling yourself! It’s still early—wait a bit!"
"But I’m hungry!"
"Go set off some firecrackers with your dad!"
With no other choice, Chen Qi followed Chen Jianjun outside into the alleyway, where they set off strings of firecrackers with loud *pops* and *bangs*.
Everyone was doing the same.
The air was thick with gunpowder smoke, the sharp scent of sulfur lingering in the air.
Scraps of red paper scattered across the snowdrifts piled in the corners.
Children bundled in thick cotton jackets ran around laughing, though occasionally, the sound of wailing would pierce the noise—some neighbor inevitably scolding, "Enough, enough! It’s the New Year—just a couple of smacks will do!"
"Ah, *this* is what New Year’s all about!"
Chen Qi sighed with exaggerated nostalgia.
He *did* miss it—but if given the chance to truly return to the past, he’d refuse without hesitation.
People always viewed the past through a filter, one that grew thicker with age.
In truth, it hadn’t been *that* great...
Around eight o’clock, father and son returned inside.
Yu Xiuli had already set the table with steaming dumplings, fish, cold cuts, and pickles.
The TV hummed in the background—CCTV had long advertised the premiere of *Judge Bao*, and everyone was waiting.
This year, CCTV had also aired a New Year’s gala, though it had been broadcast on New Year’s Day.
The *real* Spring Festival Gala would begin next year.
"Son, want a drink?"
"Sure! Let’s all have some—the three of us!"
Yu Xiuli opened a bottle of liquor.
With the table set like this, their feast surpassed 99% of households nationwide.
Glasses filled, Yu Xiuli and Chen Jianjun exchanged glances, neither speaking.
Instead, they looked expectantly at their beloved son.
Rolling his eyes, Chen Qi had no choice but to raise his glass and declare:
"Let me say a few words!"
"Dad! Mom! First, I want to express my deepest gratitude. *World Fantasy* has surpassed 100,000 copies sold. Half the credit goes to me, and the other half to you. Though we’re family, some things still need to be said—thank you for your support!"
"Second, last year kept me so busy I barely spent any time at home. As your son, I—I—"
He suddenly covered his face, as if overcome with emotion.
"Oh, oh!"
His parents panicked.
Yu Xiuli quickly reassured him, "It’s fine, it’s fine! We don’t mind at all. Your career comes first!"
"That’s right! We’re still young—we can take care of ourselves. Don’t worry about us!" Chen Jianjun added.
"But I—I—I can’t help but laugh!"
"Alright, enough! You’re going to make Mom cry. Come on, let’s toast!"
They ended up comforting *him* instead.
After clinking glasses, Chen Qi washed his face and regained his composure.
Many families seemed to treat New Year’s like an annual reckoning—old grievances and emotions bubbling to the surface.
Harmonious ones weathered it fine, but the less harmonious turned the reunion dinner into a battlefield...
"It’s starting! It’s starting!"
At prime time, CCTV’s *Judge Bao* finally made its debut.
Though Chen Qi had contributed to the script, Director Yang Jie had taken the lead.
The theme song, of course, wasn’t the familiar *"Dang dang dang dang dang dang dang dang, Kaifeng has a Judge Bao..."*—that tune was too unserious and not yet appropriate.
Instead, Yang Jie had taken a poem written by Bao Zheng himself and set it to music:
*"A pure heart is the root of governance,* *Uprightness the path of life.* *Fine timber grows into pillars,* *True steel bends not for hooks..."*
"Mother, there are so many people here!"
"Mother, where is this?"
"This is Kaifeng Prefecture!"
"Kaifeng Prefecture? Then will we see Father soon?"
The first episode opened with Li Jianqun’s portrayal of Qin Xianglian, dressed in plain mourning clothes, leading two children onto the screen—the classic *"Executing the Ungrateful Scholar"* case!
(End...)
(End of chapter.)