Chapter 137: Should We Eat the Movie Biscuit?

Chapter 137: Should We Eat the Movie Biscuit?

The Happiness Hotel production team continued filming until New Year's Eve, a week ahead of their initial schedule. In just over a week and a half, they had achieved what would have taken them roughly half the original timeline.

This saved a considerable amount of budget, highlighting the benefits of working with seasoned actors who required less guidance, took fewer retakes, didn't ask for time off, and had ample availability for scheduling.

After Tang Fei's appearance on a hot search list, the cast and crew were exposed, attracting the attention of netizens. Within a week, online anticipation for the show surpassed that of its formidable competitors, vaulting it to the top spot across the internet, with an ever-increasing lead over the second place contender.

This low-budget sitcom, initially planned for online adaptation, unexpectedly received a chance for broadcast approval after Great Peach submitted it without much anticipation.

The news attracted the attention of around seven or eight film and television investment companies, all eager to discuss additional investments. Advertisers caught wind of the situation and were willing to pay for product placements within the show.

Great Peach's TV production department reevaluated the status of Happiness Hotel, raising its project rating. They even distributed generous New Year bonuses to the crew and cast, urging them to resume work promptly after the holiday, aiming to wrap up filming in the first quarter. The goal was to complete the entire production's review as soon as possible, targeting a second-quarter premiere on terrestrial TV.

As a result, Tang Fei's fifteen-day New Year holiday was shortened to just five days. She had to join the Happiness Hotel team for continued shooting on the fifth day of the new year.

...

On New Year's Eve, the heavens obligingly blanketed the capital city with heavy snow, shimmering under the night's glow on rooftops and pathways.

In a high-end apartment complex in Southern District, the snow had been cleared from the roadside, but a fresh layer had settled on the ground. Father and Mother Tang, along with He Zhou, carried armfuls of festive groceries across the snowy pavement, their footsteps squeaking with each step.

Reaching the elevator, they braved the snowfall and put down their belongings to brush off the snow from each other.

Inside the elevator, He Zhou pressed his fingerprint, and it lit up the button for the 19th floor directly.

"Uncle, Aunt, why did you buy so much?" He Zhou looked up at the nearly filled elevator, packed with New Year's provisions.

"For the New Year's atmosphere, of course," Father Tang replied. "Look at this 'All's Well' gift box. We'll eat it at midnight on New Year's Day, and next year, our Feifei will have all the best."

"And this Coke?"

"Cola for good fortune! We can't be left behind by the times, we need to keep up with you young people," Father Tang said with a smile.

"Fresh seafood for a full fish feast, can't miss that," Mother Tang patted a large box labeled with fresh produce.

"A Zhou, look at these flower-shaped steamed buns your uncle picked out. They symbolize blessings, prosperity, longevity, happiness, wealth, and smooth sailing – all six for good luck," she said, showing off the beautifully packaged buns in a transparent plastic box adorned with an advertisement from the bakery.

"The vibrant combination of red and green is quite..." He Zhou glanced at his stylish uncle, sighed, and then gave him a thumbs up. "festive."

" Why did you buy so many decorative papers?" He Zhou looked at the large box filled with colorful sheets.

"To make paper firecrackers. We need some noise during the New Year celebrations."

"..." He Zhou examined his own hands. "We're making these? We're all adults!"

"A Zhou, being an adult doesn't mean you should lose your childlike wonder!"

...

The elevator door opened, directly leading to Tang Fei's "dormitory" on the same level.

It no longer looked the same as before. The indoor plants were adorned with red envelopes, Chinese knots, and couplets were posted on the door along with blessings.

A vibrant Chinese atmosphere, brimming with the essence of the Chinese New Year.

Tang Fei and Tang Jiao soon joined the pile of festive groceries. Like He Zhou, they inquired about their choices, prompting their parents to happily explain once more.

...

After a satisfying full-course fish feast, the entire Tang family retired to the living room.

On the large television, the Spring Festival Gala was in full swing. Tang Jiao lounged on the sofa, munching on a large bowl of peeled orange segments while watching the show. He Zhou, Tang Fei, and Tang's parents were engrossed in a game of mahjong.

Up until this point, He Zhou had already lost several rounds; he had been the one to "feed" all three opponents their winning hands, leaving him nearly penniless. As he held his tiles, he cautiously glanced at those already played on the table, mentally counting the suits, hesitant to make a move.

He took another look at his own tiles – it seemed as if each one was a potential losing hand.

At that moment, Tang Fei's phone lit up, indicating an incoming call from Zhou Weichuan.

"Big Sis! Your phone is ringing. The boss is calling you during the New Year, so it must be something important. Answer it quickly!" He Zhou put down his cards, deciding not to continue playing.

Tang Fei pushed her cards away, leaving the winning hand untouched, giving He Zhou a chance to win.

Her parents smiled as they returned the money they had won to He Zhou. "Ah Zhou, come here and take your red packet!"

The mention of 'red packet' immediately perked up Tang Jiao's ears, who was sitting on the sofa. "Mom, Dad, where's my red packet?"

"Your Zero Point is giving away red envelopes for the New Year again!"

...

Tang Fei smiled slightly and picked up the phone. "Hello, Boss, happy New Year! May you have good fortune and prosperity. Are you calling to send me a New Year's red envelope?"

Zhou Weichuan was taken aback. It was already New Year's Eve.

He could hear the lively chatter from the other end of the line. Alone in his office, surrounded by darkness, he felt like he was adrift on a solitary boat in an endless sea of night.

During past New Years, they both went their separate ways. The days were just as bleak as any other.

This year was no different. He didn't even feel that there was anything special about the holiday.

Now that Xing Le had returned, the house would likely be bustling with activity, and the old man might be a bit happier.

Flipping through the movie script in front of him, he somehow found himself dialing Tang Fei's number. Perhaps subconsciously, he too wanted to bask in the festive atmosphere.

"I've come across a film project with the intention of securing the lead female role for you, but I'm not entirely convinced it's the right fit. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it."

Tang Fei retreated to her bedroom and leaned against the wall, twirling her hair around her fingers.

As the sole artist under the company, she wondered if her boss could really be so busy that they were working through the New Year celebrations.

The question hovered on her lips but she ultimately swallowed it back down.

It was better not to ask, she decided. The silence from Zhou Weichuan's end spoke volumes, and Tang Fei's intuition picked up on the underlying issue.

She played along and asked, "Well, tell me more about it. What movie is it?"

"It's called 'East Sea Son-in-Law.' It's about the third princess of the East Sea falling in love with a scholar who's actually Lü Zuzhuang in disguise. The Dragon King interferes and looks down on the scholar, but later on, he tries to cozy up to Lü Zuzhuang because of his true identity.

It's a retelling of a myth with three main parts: their love story, the separation, the groom's family coming to ask for the bride, and the wedding. The focus is on romance and special effects. It's scheduled to release on Valentine's Day next year."

"Is the male lead confirmed?"

"It's Xu Sheng, the current rising star."

From the mention of the male lead and the chosen cast, it was clear that this was a Valentine's Day-specific film, likely banking on box office sales for that one day alone. It seemed that artistic pursuit had been sacrificed for profit.

One couldn't tell about its ambitions in audio-visual production.

"Could you tell me about the special effects team?"

"The best in the country, Mystic Shadow."

No wonder the boss was hesitant. Moving from television to film was a leap, especially for a big-budget film with heavy reliance on special effects. Even if the content lacked depth, a proper marketing strategy could guarantee solid box office earnings.

The only point worth pondering might be whether the blockbuster would skimp on quality. Would they invest millions and produce shoddy effects? Did the production team aim to make a quick profit on Valentine's Day or were they striving for a long-term commercial success?

"I'm just as conflicted as you, Boss."

"How about arranging a meeting with the director? Say, on the fourth day of the lunar new year?"

"Big Boss, you've already planned this and are only asking me now?"

"It's a spontaneous idea."

"I don't believe it."

"Then will you go or not?"

"Of course I will."

Tang Fei leaned against the wall, her face radiant with laughter. Tang's parents and He Zhou, along with Tang Jiao, all pressed their heads against the door, communicating with each other through eye contact.

Tang's father and mother exchanged glances and whispered, "Has our daughter's lucky star in love aligned?"

Tang Jiao chimed in, "Does my sister have a crush on the boss?"

He Zhou nodded, "Most likely! Heartbreaking!"

The parents looked at each other again, both full of concern, and slowly retreated back to the living room. Tang Jiao promptly grabbed her phone to search for Zhou Weichuan's scandals. He Zhou shook his head, "Girls grow up and change; my cousin is no longer that icy goddess."