Chapter 110 – The TV Series Purchasing Director is Senior Sister’s Husband

Chapter 110 - The TV Series Purchasing Director is Senior Sister's Husband

Tang Fei successfully underwent a full-body checkup and finalized the discharge procedures.

In the same hospital, Shu's mother had also significantly improved. Her high fever had subsided, and her breathing had become more regular.

With Shu Xiaoan's constant care and the intervention of a psychiatrist, she temporarily put aside her thoughts of suicide and marrying her off to save the family.

When the lawyer arrived to discuss an appeal with Shu Xiaoan, seeking compensation from the driver's employer, Shu's mother finally felt a great weight lifted from her heart.

"Xiaoan, you must thank your boss and Tang Fei. They saved our entire family," Shu's mother held her daughter's hand. "This is like a new lease on life. I never thought there were so many paths to take. It's my fault, Mom was too useless."

"Mom, lie down. Sister Feifei and Boss told me that after I deal with Dad's lawsuit, we'll take you both to the capital. I'll accompany you and Dad for rehabilitation. Don't dwell on negative thoughts," Shu Xiaoan embraced her mother, wiping away tears from the corner of her mother's eyes. Looking at her mother's weakened state, she remembered how she had always misunderstood her mother and added salt to her wounds.

Shu Xiaoan felt immense regret. If not for Sister Feifei, she might have lost her mother.

She buried her head in her mother's arms, tears rolling down her cheeks as she whispered, "You've been holding everything together alone, and it's my fault. I didn't understand you, and I even argued with you. It was my responsibility to think about the lawsuit. If I had realized earlier, done it sooner, Mom, you wouldn't have suffered so much."

"An An, how can I blame you? Mom won't think negatively anymore. You mustn't either. You're in such a good company, work hard and do your best. Be worthy of the kindness you've received, don't let it go to waste."

"Yes, I'll definitely work hard."

...

"Happiness Hotel" had already started filming, and Tang Fei was supposed to return to the capital immediately to join the production team. However, Zheng Haisheng conveyed an invitation from Chen Ming, the drama purchasing department head of Xiangnan TV, specifically asking for Tang Fei's presence.

After discussing with the "Happiness Hotel" crew, she took one more day off.

Xiangnan TV, as an upper-tier first-line satellite channel, was known for its youthful and energetic style, targeting students and young adults in the drama market. In contrast, the capital's TV station emphasized realism, while Huadong TV focused on urban fashion. If "Si Cuichuan" couldn't air on Xiangnan TV, other channels would likely lose interest, making it difficult to sell.

With the head of Xiangnan TV's drama purchasing department taking the initiative to invite them, both Tang and Zhou treated this matter with great importance. They meticulously annotated the highlights and potential marketing points in the first three episodes and the remastered full script of "Si Cuichuan." Tang Fei's insights from her film report were also utilized to ensure the series carried literary significance and positive energy.

After thorough preparation, they visited together. Upon entering, Lu Yan warmly welcomed them, engaging in a long conversation about everyday matters. Surprisingly, they were even invited to stay for lunch, where Lu Yan introduced them to a table full of Hunan specialties. To their surprise, Chen Ming himself was the chef.

"Old Chen's cooking is quite skillful. You should give it a try."

With swollen fingers, Lu Yan was unable to handle household chores, so Chen Ming took them on, transforming from his usual stern demeanor into a warm and friendly figure, akin to a neighborly uncle and auntie alongside Lu Yan.

This treatment was beyond what Tang Fei and the others had expected.

But the better the treatment, the happier they were, naturally. There was no need to overthink when something benefited them – simply accepting it was enough.

"Thank you, Teacher Lu, Director Chen," the two of them replied as they picked up their chopsticks.

"Mmm, delicious!" Tang Fei swallowed the diced chili-topped taro in one bite. It wasn't spicy but carried a tangy aroma from the pickled peppers. The taro melted in her mouth, prompting her to quickly grab a few more pieces.

"Have more if you like it," Lu Yan said, adding a few more pieces to Tang Fei's bowl, causing it to overflow with food.

...

After the meal, Chen Ming and Zhou Weichuan retreated to a room to watch the first three episodes of "Si Cuichuan" and go through the entire script. Lu Yan pulled Tang Fei to sit in the living room, feeding her fruit while starting her interrogation. "Tang Fei, who taught you embroidery?"

Tang Fei held the orange in her hand, rolling it around nervously. With Zhou Weichuan absent, she had no one to signal for help.

Can she speak the truth? Her learning experience replicated Wu Xia's, which means she learned from Lu Yan in person. How could she possibly say that right in front of her?

Bowing her head with a bashful smile, she hoped for Teacher Lu to let it slide!

She conveyed to Lu Yan: I'm too embarrassed to say, sob sob sob.

"Why are you being shy now? Is there something you can't say?" Lu Yan didn't let it go easily, as this was crucial information related to her mentor.

"Teacher Lu, actually... actually, I don't really know how to embroider," Tang Fei fiddled with the orange, her heart turned into a vast wilderness of panic.

"You're not being truthful, are you? Your silk splitting technique is currently unparalleled nationwide, how many people have downloaded the video to learn from it? If you don't know how, what about everyone else?"

"....This." Tang Fei rubbed the nearly flattened orange and, as an untruthful child, spoke honestly, "I only know this one skill, I've only learned silk splitting. I don't know anything else, I wouldn't even be able to embroider a leaf."

"I stopped Wu Xia from competing just to buy time, I was actually very nervous. I didn't expect... she would choose this exact technique."

Lu Yan looked at her doubtfully. Just right?

That convenient, huh?

Would you also only know that particular skill if Big Mao had chosen something else?

Lu Yan had unintentionally hit the nail on the head. Whatever Wu Xia chose, Tang Fei would promptly learn, making it an exact match!

"So who taught you how to split silk?"

"I said I forgot. Would you believe me?"

Lu Yan coughed. Of course she didn't believe that!

But Lu Yan wasn't someone who only cared about herself and ignored others' feelings. She regarded Tang Fei as an even more challenging child than Wu Xia. If Tang Fei was unwilling to speak, then Lu Yan could only step in to guide her.

"Did you really forget? Not even a hint of memory left?" Lu Yan spoke softly, easing Tang Fei's tense nerves.

"It was too long ago, before primary school. Just a short period, and later on, I practiced on my own."

Before primary school? Lu Yan calculated Tang Fei's age. That was precisely two years before her teacher passed away. During those two years, her teacher often traveled north for inspiration.

At this point, she started to believe it and proactively connected the information herself.

"The person who taught you, was she quite short? Around 1.4 meters tall? Very thin too?"

"It... seems so." Tang Fei twirled an orange with her fingers, finding it difficult to lie as she was on the verge of breaking down.

"She also loved wearing black clothes and cloth shoes, with embroidered patterns on the uppers herself." Lu Yan stood up, becoming more and more excited as she spoke. "Just give me a moment."

Lu Yan quickly retreated to her room and soon returned, holding a photo album in her hands.

"Is she like this?" Lu Yan placed a picture of her teacher alongside her and pointed, asking for confirmation.

"Yes, I think, possibly, maybe... " Tang Fei followed along, lost in Lu Yan's line of thought.

Someone, please save me. Should she make a run for the bathroom?

She had memorized Si Cui's biography, recited market analysis and target demographics for TV dramas, and even knew all the marketing strategies and payment terms that allowed viewership to be settled after the broadcast. She thought she was well-prepared, but upon entering, they were discussing embroidery!

She hadn't rehearsed any lines for this! Director, the script is wrong!

Proctor! She was here to take a primary school Chinese literature exam! Why was she being tested on advanced math? She was going to boycott this exam!

"Tang Fei, where's your home?" Lu Yan had already taken hold of Tang Fei's hand, causing the orange in her grip to roll onto the floor with a thud.

"In Ludong," Tang Fei replied with her eyes closed, resigned to her fate. She couldn't remember, so she decided to muddle through with vague answers.

"That's right! For those years, Teacher was always traveling north. She believed that embroidery flourished in the south while the northern techniques were hidden away. She wanted to witness the northern styles, but alas, before she could find anyone, she passed away..."

Lu Yan had logically pieced everything together, but as she spoke of her teacher's final years, she couldn't help feeling sentimental. She paused, composing herself.

However, when she looked up and saw Tang Fei, she couldn't resist wrapping her arms around the younger girl, her voice choked with emotion. "Junior Apprentice Sister, you were the last disciple Teacher taught before she left. Now, you've surpassed her and accomplished what she wished to do. Teacher would be so happy."

"Teacher Lu..." Hearing Lu Yan's sobs, Tang Fei reached out to embrace this vulnerable elder before her. "Perhaps it wasn't your teacher who taught me."

"There can't be any mistake. Your technique is unique to Teacher. She only taught us, so you must have been her disciple."

"Teacher Lu... I..." Tang Fei hesitated for a moment before deciding against arguing further.

Apologies, Teacher Lu's master. Please consider it that Teacher Lu took on an apprentice in your stead. I did indeed steal your techniques. If you're displeased, send me a dream.

"Why are you still calling me Teacher Lu?" After her emotions subsided, Lu Yan still held onto Tang Fei's hands tightly.

"Senior... sister?"

"Aiyah!"

After acknowledging their twenty-year age gap as fellow disciples, Lu Yan proceeded to feed Tang Fei various snacks and fruits. "You're so thin, you need to eat more. Health is the most important thing – you've become as skinny as a bamboo pole."

"Senior Sister, I have to maintain my figure for on-camera appearances." Tang Fei promptly declined, "I already had quite a filling lunch today."

"Abandon your pretense, dear. Working on embroidery with Big Mao, no one would criticize you even if you became as round as a ball."

"..."