Chapter 128 – Illegitimate Child

Chapter 128 - Illegitimate Child

At that moment, Tang Fei was at the center of the stage, surrounded by her parents, relatives, and colleagues. Over a hundred people held up their phones, all aimed at her.

A hundred live feeds from Xiangnan TV were displayed on those phones, with the opening theme of "Si Cuichuan" playing simultaneously on every screen.

The music echoed in unison, accompanied by over a hundred faces beaming with blessings.

"Go for it, Sister Fei!"

"Charge ahead, Sister Fei!"

"Master, may your first broadcast bring prosperity!"

"Daughter, we're behind you all the way!"

"Sis, you got this!"

The voices of blessing came in irregular intervals. They hadn't rehearsed, but after a rigorous workday, each voice conveyed sincerity from their weary faces. These heartfelt wishes filled Tang Fei's heart with warmth.

Tang Fei stood rooted to the spot, her legs seemingly nailed to the ground, unable to move for a moment.

She gazed at her parents, sister, and cousin, all standing amidst the crowd. Seeing each of them smile at her, holding up their phones, with over a hundred synchronized screens of light and sound, Tang Fei's eyes couldn't help but sting, turning red as tears shimmered at the bottom.

The pressure on "Si Cui Chuan" ratings was external, gradually mounting onto Tang Fei as the broadcast date drew near. Even if she didn't want to care – believing that she had no control over ratings – everyone else cared on her behalf, associating the drama with her. It was a series remade for her by the company, and she was its leading actress, the most popular actor in the show. Its success or failure had become intertwined with her own.

She had to care, had to shoulder the responsibility for the ratings.

Time Culture only had her as an artist, and the conflict with Yao Hui originated from her. The current competition between concurrent dramas, the strife between fans – all stemmed from her.

She couldn't simply say that she had no control over the ratings, so they were unrelated to her.

This outcome was also making her realize that actors shouldn't just passively accept everything. They should choose their collaborators, select scripts, and be accountable for the quality of the production. It wasn't solely the responsibility of the production team.

"Si Cui Chuan" was the first drama she acted in after arriving in this world, a project where she poured all her thoughts and feelings into during her innocence and vulnerability.

Despite her inexperience and immaturity, she had invested her heart and soul into it.

Even after the remake, she had been involved in ensuring the quality of the production.

The Si Cuichuan legacy bore her indelible mark, inseparable from her very being.

In the face of everyone's support, Tang Fei yearned to smile and express her gratitude, to convey her deep emotions, but her lips trembled, unable to form the words. Her reddened eyes brimmed with tears that had already streaked down her cheeks. She covered her face, wiping away the tears, only for more to flow.

In moments of genuine emotion, words often failed her.

Just as Zhou Weichuan was about to step forward to comfort Tang Fei, someone else in the crowd beat him to it.

Tang Fei's father, Tang Song, was the first to reach his daughter's side. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, embracing this daughter who had run away from home after a bitter two-year cold war, the daughter who had clashed with him over her acting career, turning their relationship sour to the point of no contact.

"Feifei, it's dad who didn't understand before. I'll now fully support your endeavors."

The dedication and relentless effort Tang Fei displayed were entirely new to Tang Song. His once wayward daughter seemed to have matured overnight, growing up right before his eyes.

She took her career seriously, and he shouldn't hinder her progress.

Tang Fei leaned against his arm, her head nestled in the crook of his shoulder, her voice muffled with tears, "Dad."

That one word, "Dad," had been long absent from Tang Song's ears. Since they arrived here, Tang Fei had been affectionate yet distant, as if an invisible barrier still separated them despite their intimate relationship.

This single "Daddy" seemed to break some kind of shackles. He sensed that his daughter had truly let go of their past disagreements.

"Ai, Feifei, don't cry. You're a big star; it's not good-looking when you cry."

"Daddy, I look good even when I cry."

"Daddy was wrong. Feifei is always beautiful."

Tang Song stroked Tang Fei's head, smoothing her hair as he comforted her.

Jiang Xiaoying rushed from the crowd, holding a bunch of balloons. She hugged Tang Fei from behind, passing her tissues to wipe away her tears while saying, "Master, were you touched by this opening ceremony? I helped organize it. Remember my contribution and teach me more tricks in the future."

Upon seeing this, Tang Jiao immediately rushed forward, unwilling to be outdone. She found an empty spot from a corner and hugged Tang Fei. "Sis, I helped too! More than her, even. Forget about her, remember me instead."

Everyone laughed at this scene, and Tang Fei, having pulled herself out of her emotional state, chuckled.

Zhou Weichuan, standing in the crowd, silently watched the stage. Only when he saw Tang Fei smile did he withdraw his step, his previously tense and worried expression easing.

Zheng Haisheng whispered beside him, "Boss, does this count as them openly stealing your credit?"

"They were part of it too."

"If blowing a few balloons counts for them, what about all the preparations I made?"

"You're a participant as well."

"After all your hard work behind the scenes, you won't take credit in front of the beauty, will you?"

"There'll be other opportunities, not just now."

Zhou Weichuan looked at Tang Fei and fell silent. Zheng Haisheng shook his head, clearly appreciating Jiang Xiaoying's persistence. How quickly she had managed to become part of Tang Fei's inner circle despite only knowing her for a short time. It was like playing a game where everyone else was already loaded while the boss was still at 1%.

Tang Fei was surrounded by her family. The long cold war and sense of estrangement seemed to have vanished in that instant.

Zhou Weichuan patted Zheng Haisheng on the shoulder and gave a subtle signal. They quietly arranged for others to leave, giving Tang Fei and her family this space to reunite.

Embraced by her parents, Tang Fei looked in the direction from which the crowd had dispersed. Zhou Weichuan's figure was vivid in her sight. His every move had drawn her attention, and his departure left a bittersweet feeling.

These emotions and excitement, she wished she could share them with him.

Zhou Weichuan exited the film set, waiting for the crowd to disperse. Once they had, he leaned against the side of his chauffeured van, not quite ready to step inside just yet.

"Boss, shall we not proceed?"

"Go ahead and ascend first, I'll stay here for a moment."

Leaning against the nanny van, Zhou Weichuan watched the lights of the film set, each one hung by him, illuminating scenes where people he personally invited cradled Tang Fei in their arms.

He imagined he would never experience the warmth of a complete family, but Tang Fei still had that chance. It would be a waste to let it slip by. He wished for Tang Fei to embrace that happiness.

Since childhood, he had yearned to be embraced by both his parents at once. Sadly, they couldn't even manage to take a family photo together with him.

Standing in the chilly breeze, his heart, filled with regret, gradually froze over.

He exhaled a gentle puff of white steam.

All these years, he had merely grown colder, not more resigned.

"Zhou Weichuan,"

A taunting voice, laced with sarcasm, drifted from the side, and Xing Le came into his line of sight.

This was the half-brother Zhou Weichuan had once envied, with that face that stirred disgust.

He had appeared before him with that loathsome countenance.

It must have been years since they last met; he hadn't felt such intense anger in a long time.

Xing Le's mouth moved soundlessly, forming clear lip readings that left no room for misunderstanding.

"Outcast."