Chapter 45 - Chinese New Year’s Eve
It wasn’t just Song Xiao, but other people also found the movie ‘Profound Theory’ incomprehensible.
“The scene transitions are very confusing. One second, they’re still on the altar, but the next second, they’re somehow at the imperial palace?”
“The costumes are also hideous. What ‘number one beauty in the country’ – looking like that, the men in the movie are also really blind.”
“LS, you don’t understand. Everyone in the film has really ugly costumes; each and every one of them looks like a refugee. If the female lead just wears ordinary clothes, isn’t she then the number one beauty in the country?”
The plot was baffling, the scene transitions were unnatural, the dialogue was ridiculous, and even the film emperor and empress who were initially used to attract box office numbers were dressed hideously. The fans continuously expressed that their idols were damaged by this film. To preserve the image of their idol in their hearts, they definitely weren’t going to watch it.
The reviews online all gave ‘Profound Theory’ very low ratings. It was cla.s.sified as a commercial film and a bad movie, and the box office was an atrocious green. It was only in the first week that the film made some profit at the box office, since a lot of viewing sessions had been arranged, and there would be bored couples like Yu Tang and Song Xiao who would go watch it without knowing the truth.
By the second week, everyone knew what the film was like. Those who followed film reviews and news wouldn’t watch it, and those who had watched it before generally wouldn’t watch it a second time. As a result, in the second week, the box office began to look dismal.
When Song Zicheng saw the data sent over by the financial department, he scowled fiercely and demanded that the public relations department think of a way to promote this film. Consequently, Xinghai Entertainment bribed a few film critics and began to write glowing reviews and press releases.
What ‘unprecedented masterpiece’, what ‘scenes were a grand visual feast’. When the press release was published, it really did attract some viewers, but when they left the cinemas, they started curse again.
Director Liang Xinmu was interviewed by the media when the film was released.
“Director Liang, many viewers say that they can’t understand ‘Profound Theory’, that the plot is hollow and incomprehensible. Do you have anything you wish to say about that?” A lot of the media reporters sat below the dais, and they all p.r.i.c.ked their ears to listen to Liang Xinmu’s response.
As a famous director in China, Liang Xinmu still had a certain status. The news media wouldn’t casually pa.s.s their microphones to him as they would with actors; they all sat in a well-behaved manner at the front.
Liang Xinmu was in his forties and a little overweight. Sitting behind the long table, he tugged at the flat cap on his head with a face full of arrogance. “This film is packed with a lot of advanced film awareness, and the content is also very abstract. All of you can’t understand it now because you have yet to attain this film awareness.”
In other words: All of you don’t understand because your level is too low.
When these words were released, the Internet was instantly full of cursing.
“Not understanding means our level is too low. As it turns out, you don’t make movies for the audience to watch?”
“Fine, our level is too low and your level is high. You go play by yourself, alright? We won’t keep you company.”
Song Zicheng was nearly angered to death, and called Liang Xinmu to scold him. “Over here, we’re promoting it as a commercial movie, while over there you’re saying that normal people can’t understand it. You don’t want the box office to turn around, is that it?”
A commercial movie had to be easy to understand. If it was too highbrow, then forget about making a profit. Because Liang Xinmu was notoriously stubborn, the investors weren’t allowed to criticize or give directives. Song Zicheng had only gone to take a look twice while the movie was being filmed; he didn’t know exactly what it was like, and never imagined it would be this sort of rotten film with beautiful scenes but a complete mess of a plot.
When the year-end financial report came out, Song Zicheng’s complexion was even uglier. Four hundred million had been invested into ‘Profound Theory’, but the box office only recouped 1.2 hundred million, which wasn’t even half of the investment. It was going to be another financial loss this year, which would also affect next year’s operations. All their capital had been sunk into this, and with no way of getting it back, it would be hard to carry out new projects.
“Loan ba.” Song Zicheng rubbed the s.p.a.ce between his eyebrows. To revive the company, they could only take out a loan to carry out new projects. They had already made losses two years in a row; if they continued to be in the red next year, they would be delisted or kicked down to the Third Board to perish on their own.
At the year-end general shareholders meeting, there weren’t any profit dividends to be given out. The shareholders all expressed their dissatisfaction, and requested that the CEO be replaced.
“Surely it is too much for the chairman of the board to take on the role of CEO as well,” a board member said obliquely.
“We’ll definitely make a profit next year. We’re already optimistic about a few projects, and we guarantee that they’ll bring in steady profit and won’t make any losses.” Song Zicheng took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
In a blink of an eye, it was Chinese New Year. Song Zicheng was a filial son; no matter how busy he was during the celebration, he still had to return to his parents’ place. Aunt Chen returned to her hometown to celebrate, so only the father and son pair were at home. The elder stared at the younger, both feeling bored. Thus, they packed their luggage and returned to their hometown earlier.
Song Xiao just brought along some clothes and winter vacation homework for two people, while Song Zicheng bought along a pile of Chinese New Year merchandise in big bags and small bundles.
The town was a third-tier city, and fortunately still had a small airport. There was only one flight every two days from A city to the town.
It was Song Xiao’s first time ever on a plane, and he was a little nervous, so he gave Yu Tang a call once he sat down.
“Fasten your seatbelt properly; if you don’t know how, let your dad fasten it for you.” It was rare for Yu Tang to talk this much. “Before the plane takes off, you have to turn off your phone; you know how to turn it off, right? It’s that grey b.u.t.ton on the top. If your ears hurt, chew a piece of gum, but you can’t swallow it…”
Listening to Yu Tang being so talkative on the phone, Song Xiao suddenly didn’t feel nervous anymore. “I’ll be back on the seventh.”
Yu Tang, who was speaking, abruptly stopped. “…Mm.”
Their hometown was further up north than A city. When they got off the plane, it was snowing lightly. Grandpa Xiao drove a car over to pick them up. At his age, he still drove a jeep with a high cha.s.sis, and he stopped in front of them with a whoosh.
“Get in.” Grandpa rolled down the window and jerked his chin at the two of them.
Song Xiao looked at his old but vigorous grandpa, and his eyes couldn’t help curving. Because of the substandard medicine in ancient times, laoyezi couldn’t be cured when he fell ill, so he left early. Given the developments in modern medicine, people were living longer in general, so grandfather could probably live to a hundred.
Grandfather had designed his house himself. Since Song Zicheng was willing to spend the money, it was built like a small villa. Two large, vermillion red doors were set into the tall courtyard walls. When they pushed open the doors, there was a resonant voice of welcome.
“You’re back! You’re back!” The voice sounded strange. Song Xiao lifted his head to look, and saw a pitch black myna, its big, yellow mouth open as it cried out incessantly from its perch on the veranda.
“What’re you so noisy for?” An elderly lady dressed in a cotton-padded jacket walked out from the kitchen and admonished the bird. Turning her head to see the three men who just walked in, she promptly smiled until her face was full of wrinkles. “Xiaoxiao ah, come and let grandma have a look at you!”
When Song Xiao saw his paternal grandmother, he was incredibly surprised and delighted. In his last life, grandmother left earlier than grandfather, and he couldn’t even remember her clearly. Immediately throwing down his luggage, he walked over to his grandma and kowtowed. “Grandma, happy new year!”
“Good, good.” Grandma Song was thrilled, and hurriedly took out a red packet from her pants and stuffed it into Song Xiao’s hands. “You came back for the New Year so early. Fortunately, grandma was prepared.”
With that, Grandma Song turned to the house and yelled, “Old Qu, your daughter’s son is back; you still don’t want to come out and have a look?”
When Song Zicheng heard this, his body instantly froze as he gave Grandpa Song a hollow look. “That… father-in-law is also here?”
“Ah, Old Song celebrating Chinese New Year on his own is boring, so your mom and I brought him over. In any case, he doesn’t live too far away, and can come over every day to eat.” Grandpa Song happily pulled his son into the house, completely missing his son’s tension.
Pushing open the living room door, they saw an old man with white hair and a white beard sitting on the sofa with a dignified air. He was watching a Chinese opera on TV, and a black cat was sleeping on his lap, its four legs in the air. Hearing the door open, the old man turned to look at the people who came in. At first glance, he saw Song Xiao, who was wearing a blue sports down jacket. Just as he smiled slightly, he spotted Song Zicheng behind Song Xiao, and his expression immediately turned sour.
“Old Song, you didn’t say they would be back today!” Grandfather Qu threw the cat onto the sofa and stood up. He snorted coldly, then turned to walk out.
“Dad, happy new year.” Kicked by his own father, Song ZIchenge hurriedly stepped forward to greet his father-in-law.
“I can’t afford to be your dad. It’s late, this old man should go back.” With both hands behind him, grandpa walked out.
“Grandpa…” Song Xiao stepped forward to give his greetings.
“Xiaoxiao ah,” When Old Qu saw his grandson, he still couldn’t help reaching out to stroke his head, “This afternoon, come over to grandpa’s place. Grandpa will make you some fried doughnuts.”
“Old Qu ah, it’s almost time for a meal; you can’t leave, no matter what you say.” Grandpa Song reached out and grabbed him. “It’s already been so many years, can we not bring up things from the past? It’s not easy for Xiaoxiao to come back for a visit. Before the new year, he hit his head and couldn’t remember anything. If you leave now, what’ll we do if the child gets scared?”
Grandpa Song and Grandpa Qu had been old mates for many years. The two families being joined in marriage was also what these parents wanted, but who knew that this Qiu Mingyan matter would happen, and Song Xiao’s mother would die early? Grandpa Qu only had this daughter, so no matter what was said, he would never forgive Song Zicheng. After trying to reason with him for a long time, grandpa still insisted on leaving. Song Xiao and Grandpa Song went out to send him off, leaving Song Zicheng standing awkwardly in the courtyard.
“You ah, on the second day of the New Year, take Xiaoxiao to Old Qu’s house for a day.” Looking at her son’s appearance, Grandma Song jabbed his head with her finger.
After lunch, Song Xiao really went to Grandpa Qu’s home. Actually, it was just a street away, and wasn’t far.
There was a tall Chinese parasol tree in the lonely yard, with a yellow, local dog tied to it underneath. Seeing Song Xiao enter, it barked fiercely twice.
“Yellow, no shouting!” Grandpa Qu chided the big dog, then brought Song Xiao into the house with a broad smile.
Unlike Grandpa Song’s house with its extravagant decorations, this house was very simple and unadorned. In the living room, a was exhibited, and a desk for calligraphy was even placed in a corner.
“Wait a moment, when grandpa is done with this piece of calligraphy, I’ll fry some doughnuts for you.” Old Qu smiled as he walked behind the desk, raising his brush to write.
What he was writing was a pair of scrolls. It was likely written for his neighbors, all of them were festive and auspicious phrases.
Song Xiao looked at this scene and had an indescribable sense of familiarity, as if he had happened upon this somewhere. His chest suddenly felt stifled, and he said something to his grandpa, then went to the courtyard for some fresh air.
The leaves on the Chinese parasol tree in the courtyard had already fallen, and it stood on the snowy grounds, bare. The big yellow dog had shrunk into its own embrace, bored as it watched snowflakes melt on its nose.
“Baby, come make a snowman with mommy.”
“Baby, look. The leaves on the big tree have fallen again, go out with mommy and gather the leaves, okay?”
Before his eyes, a woman wearing a red sweater emerged, speaking to the child under the tree. But the child didn’t respond, only crouching at the tree roots by himself, mechanically digging out the rocks on the ground.
Song Xiao could see the woman’s appearance very clearly. He wanted to respond to her, but he couldn’t speak out.
“Xiaoxiao! Xiaoxiao!” Song Zicheng’s anxious voice sounded through his ears.
Song Xiao opened his eyes and discovered himself lying in the hospital, encircled by all his grandparents and his father.
“I’m- What happened?” Song Xiao blinked and sat up.
“You suddenly fainted in the courtyard. It really frightened your grandpa.” Grandma held his hand as she talked endlessly. Upon seeing his grandson pa.s.s out, Old Qu, who had always been proud, called Song Zicheng for the first time.
“I’m fine.” Song Xiao kneaded the s.p.a.ce between his brows. “I just suddenly recalled some things from the past.”
The adults looked at each other, pleasantly surprised. The doctor had said before that he might slowly regain his memories. If he could regain his memories, naturally, that was for the best.
On the night of Chinese New Year’s Eve, fireworks were set off everywhere. The town hadn’t banned fireworks, so a lot of children were setting off fireworks outside. It was well-lit everywhere.
The Song grandparents were rushing to make New Year’s Eve family dinner, and Song Zicheng was in the house, helping. Because Song Zicheng’s behavior was very good when Song Xiao fainted, Grandpa Qu changed his view of him a little, and reluctantly agreed to have the family dinner in Grandpa Song’s house. Song Xiao stood at the courtyard with Grandpa Qu, and the myna beside them repeatedly said, “Happy New Year! Happy New Year!”
“Say, grandpa, what was I like when I used to be autistic?” Song Xiao asked the old man next to him.
His past memories were gradually recovering, and Song Xiao could vaguely recall the things that had happened in these sixteen years. When he was eleven, his mother had a big argument with his father and ran out, getting into a car accident. This body knew everything but just couldn’t say anything. Back then, he could only silently cry at night, wanting to call out for his mom, but couldn’t say a word no matter what.
When he was small, he frequently went to Grandpa Qu’s courtyard to play. When he saw the Chinese parasol tree today, the memories of his past and current life suddenly mixed together, leading to his abrupt collapse.
“The doctors said it was autism, but I never believed it.” With his hands clasped behind his back, Grandpa Qu smiled. “Three souls and seven mortal forms, with one less soul, you’re unable to understand the seven emotional states. Naturally, you won’t cry or laugh.”
Song Xiao was startled and turned to look at his grandfather in astonishment. However, Old Song didn’t continue speaking, turning to go back into the house and leaving Song Xiao alone in a daze.
Three souls and seven mortal forms with one less soul, the missing soul possessing the seven emotional states and six desires.
It sounded absurd, but it jogged Song Xiao’s memory. Confucius does not speak of the strange, the violent, the social turmoil, and the supernatural, but for him to be able to have the memories of his previous incarnation, it was impossible to not believe in such a mysterious thing. Previously, in Yu Tang’s home, he had heard empress dowager once mention that Yu Tang also had autism when he was young. It was five years ago when he got better.
An absurd idea suddenly appeared in his mind. He and Yu Tang, perhaps, used each other’s lifespan of more than ten years to exchange for a reunion in this life. With an incomplete three souls and seven mortal forms, they lived like walking corpses, tantamount to not living at all. The period of these years was used to exchange with Heavens.
Stopping on the Naihe Bridge, not drinking from the River of Lethe, not forgetting their former fate.
Pulling out his handphone from his pants, he dialed Yu Tang’s number. The dial tone only rang once when it was picked up.
“Haven’t eaten yet?” Yu Tang seemed to be eating something. He swallowed it down, then got up to leave the dining table.
“Mn, still haven’t started,” Song Xiao pursed his lips, “Your majesty…”
“En?” Yu Tang stood by the window and looked at the distant fireworks. For a long while, he didn’t hear Song Xiao continue speaking. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“No.” Song Xiao lifted his head, looking up at the sky that had become red due to the fireworks and firecrackers. “Happy New Year, and…”
“And what?” When Yu Tang heard this, he was inexplicably nervous.
“I’ll be back on the seventh.” With that, Song Xiao hung up.
Yu Tang stared blankly at the ‘Call Ended’ displayed on his phone. The empress said this before when he was leaving, why did he say it again? Baffled, he returned to the table. While walking halfway, he suddenly stopped. His Majesty the emperor widened his eyes. His family’s empress was… missing him?
Little Theater
Fish Tang: Empress misses me, oh yeah!
Didi: (￢_￢)
Fish Tang: What’re you rolling your eyes for, are you thinking that I’m immature?
Didi: ╮(╯▽╰)╭
Baobao Notes
In Mandarin, grandparents are naturally called differently, depending on whether they’re maternal or paternal. Can’t exactly apply it here, so I try to keep it to Grandparents Song and Grandpa Qu.