Chapter 138: The Fourth Day of the New Year, Not Auspicious for Venturing Out

Chapter 138: The Fourth Day of the New Year, Not Auspicious for Venturing Out

On the fourth day of the new year, it was customary to welcome the Kitchen God, receive the Five Directions, and paint Three Goats, not advisable to venture out.

Families adhering to traditional holiday practices would offer fruits in the kitchen as an offering to the Kitchen God. On the dining table, whole chickens and fish would be arranged according to the five cardinal directions, greeting the deities of the East, South, West, North, and Center, praying for prosperous finances in the new year.

When Tang Fei's family set out the offerings for the Five Directions, He Zhou appeared particularly devout. To him, these deities were akin to the gods of his mahjong table, overseeing both fortune and orientation, as well as harmonious tiles. With the luck he had been having lately, equivalent to half a year's salary, he sincerely intended to pay his respects.

This fourth day also marked the day when Nuwa created the world, known as Goat Day. In the preceding days, no paintings had been done. Today, Tang Fei's mother, passing by her daughter's study, noticed the unopened calligraphy set.

This was a set Tang Fei had initially bought for practicing calligraphy, but with no time to stay here later on, it had been gathering dust untouched.

There were brushes and ink, but no paper.

On a whim, Tang Fei's mother took up the brush and ink, sketching a simple Three Goats in Prosperous Times on a sheet of unused flower-patterned paper.

In no time, three goats grazing on grass were sketched in ink, their forms vividly portrayed with just a few strokes. The contrast between light and shadow in the composition was quite remarkable.

The body of each goat was drawn with a single stroke, while their heads required only two or three. Each goat was completed with no more than ten brushstrokes.

The painting was hung in the living room for all to see.

Tang Fei, Tang Jiao, and He Zhou successively gaped at it with wide eyes.

"Mom (Aunt), you know how to paint Chinese ink paintings?!"

Not only did she know, but she was also incredibly skilled!

Only Father Tang wrapped his arm around Mother Tang's shoulder, boasting proudly, "Ah Qing knows more than you think. All you two know is eating, don't think that your mom only knows how to cook."

Eh?

Ah Qing...

He Zhou held his hands up mockingly and looked up to the sky. "Ladies and gentlemen, let me be the first to toast this bowl of dog food! You can follow suit if you wish."

Tang Jiao rubbed her goosebumps on her arms. "I'm full, stop feeding me. Table manners like these aren't desirable."

Their parents were teased by their younger ones and they pointed at them playfully. "Naughty kids."

Tang Fei pulled her two younger siblings along. "You two are too cheeky."

Huh? !

Tang Jiao and He Zhou exchanged glances, raising their eyebrows. "There's a traitor among us!"

He Zhou shook his head. "Jiaojiao, what should we do with traitors?"

Tang Jiao rolled up her sleeves. "Get her!"

Soon, Tang Fei was pinned down on the sofa by He Zhou and Tang Jiao, her shoes removed as they tickled her feet. She squirmed, laughing uncontrollably. "I surrender! I give up... Ha, hey... Ahaha... Let me go... If you keep doing this, don't blame me for fighting back!"

"Go ahead and scream! Even if you scream your lungs out..." Tang Jiao pounced at Tang Fei, making a funny face.

But before she could finish her sentence, Tang Fei flipped her over and pressed her onto the sofa. Tang Fei also gave He Zhou, who had dared to make the move, a headbutt.

As a result, the beaten He Zhou immediately betrayed Tang Jiao without any principles, becoming Tang Fei's lackey. He grabbed Tang Jiao and tickled her relentlessly.

"Ahhaha! Help! ...Dad! Mom! Save me!" Tang Jiao was even less resilient than Tang Fei. Her face twisted instantly, and she struggled, calling for help from outside the scene.

Tang's parents merely chuckled. They exchanged a glance before linking arms and strolling towards the study. Tang's mother whispered, "Honey, Feifei's bookshelf in her study is empty. Should we buy some books for her?"

Tang's father nodded. "Sure, but it seems she only has those writing materials for show. She still doesn't enjoy reading."

Tang's mother grumbled softly, "I wonder who they take after. Jiao Jiao wouldn't have made it to high school if we didn't push her."

Tang's father thumped his chest. "It's all my fault. She takes after me, not fond of studying. If she took after you, she'd be a straight-A student."

"Tsk, you spoiled her," Tang's mother prodded his arm. "Well, I know you don't want to burden Feifei too much, afraid she'll regret it later in life. You just want our daughter to live comfortably and simply."

"It doesn't matter what we think. Our daughter is growing up, she'll have her own opinions. So I've come to realize that Jiao Jiao needs to learn more skills. Simple or complex, it's up to her choice. Feifei is my responsibility."

...

After the lighthearted banter at home, Tang Fei dressed herself in a graceful and appropriate outfit. Outside the apartment complex, Zhou Weichuan drove over to pick her up.

Before leaving, He Zhou asked with a tinge of jealousy, "Sis, going on a date?"

Tang Jiao chimed in mysteriously, "Sis, your boss can't be found online at all! There must be something fishy!"

Father and Mother Tang presented her with an apple, usually reserved for the Kitchen God: "May the Kitchen God bless your romantic destiny."

Did the Kitchen God have such powers? Did the Kitchen God even know?

The Goddess of Fertility interjected: "I have something to say."

...

Tang Fei looked at them, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Her efforts had already failed; weren't they just rubbing salt in her wounds?

"Mom, Dad! I'm going for work, don't listen to He Zhou's nonsense."

He Zhou puffed out his chest. "Why didn't you bring me if it's for work?"

"The boss said there's no need for too many people. The director will be alone, so it wouldn't be appropriate for us to go as a group."

He Zhou harrumphed. "He's up to something."

Tang Fei playfully flicked He Zhou's forehead. "Naughty Zhou, always stirring things up. Following your advice can get people into trouble."

Causing my first love to end so abruptly!

Virtual love was already far from ideal, and now her real-life first love ended without a reason. Who could she turn to for justice?

He Zhou was puzzled. What had he done wrong? How did he become the culprit?

"Ah... You seem to be hinting at something. Let's talk this through."

But Tang Fei had already tucked an apple under her arm and waved goodbye to He Zhou as she entered the elevator.

...

In a small private dining room in a restaurant in North City, Director Ding Shiwu of "East China's Son-in-Law" exchanged New Year's greetings with Zhou Weichuan and Tang Fei. They ordered a full table of dishes. Zhou Weichuan and Ding Shiwu sipped their wine, discussing gossip within the industry until they were slightly tipsy before finally turning to the main topic.

Ding Shiwu, with his protruding beer belly and round face, had a ruddy complexion from the alcohol.

Zhou Weichuan raised his glass to clink it with Ding Shiwu's and took a sip. "Director Ding, thank you in advance for considering Tang Fei as a candidate for the female lead in your upcoming 'East China's Son-in-Law.'"

"That's not a problem. I've always had Tang Fei in mind for the role. Paired with Xu Sheng, they'd definitely make an attractive and profitable on-screen couple," Ding Shiwu replied, taking a casual sip himself.

"Tang Fei, how about we schedule your availability for this film? When is the estimated shooting period, Director Ding?"

"Donghai Son-in-Law won't require extensive on-location shoots or constant scene transitions. As an effects-driven film, most of it will be done with green screens. All we need from you, President Zhou, is to allocate one month between April this year, with an additional week for reshoots at the end."

Upon hearing that the majority of the film would be shot on green screens, Tang Fei furrowed her brow.

She couldn't help but interject, "Excuse me, Director Ding, I apologize for interrupting. From my understanding of the script, spells and grandiose scenes like parting the seas would require special effects. However, I believe actual locations such as the sea, boats, temples, and forests could be filmed in reality.

"I can adjust my schedule accordingly. The director doesn't need to worry about me; as long as the movie's effects are good, I'm fine with it."

Tang Fei had thoroughly read the script and knew that only about thirty percent of it involved special effects, mainly sea entry and magic. So why was the film primarily relying on green screens?

Was the lead actress only needed for one month of filming? Was this a joke?

As soon as Tang Fei spoke, Ding Shiwu's smile vanished. His face twitched slightly as he said, "President Zhou Jr., your artiste seems rather uneducated. Is it appropriate for her to interrupt our conversation?"

This was the first time Tang Fei had been so blatantly ignored and disrespected since her resurgence. She thought she had spoken politely and within the bounds of a normal discussion.

However, it seemed that Ding Shiwu had been provoked. She studied the director carefully, and from his expression, it was as if his dirty laundry had been exposed, causing him shame and anger.

Perhaps...

Ding Shiwu didn't actually care about making a good film. His goal wasn't to produce a quality production.

Tang Fei glanced at Zhou Weichuan, who returned her gaze with a nod and a smile, indicating his agreement with her perspective.

Zhou Weichuan had already decided inwardly against collaborating. With the director's attitude toward Tang Fei from the start, there would only be more hardships if they were to work together.

There was no need to make Tang Fei suffer.

He closed his eyes briefly to suppress his displeasure before saying, "Director Ding, the issue Tang Fei raised is also my concern. Could you elaborate on that?"