I drank alcohol

Inside the old house, Tang Zhichu pushed the door open.

He paused for a moment. It was very clean, and the sofas were covered with cloth sheets.

Clearly, someone had come to tidy up.

Tang Zhichu rarely came here; he had only stayed for two days when he first returned to Chongqing.

Tang Zhichu took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Auntie, it's me. You didn't have to come all the way here to clean up if you were busy. I'll come back when I have time, it's too much trouble for you to make the trip."

Tang Xiuju's voice came through the phone: "It seems Xiaobo really did help you clean the house. I don't have many days off, so I told Xiaobo since he's closer—he can go over and do some chores for you when he has time. You just focus on your busy work, we can't get involved in your affairs anyway, but you don't need to worry about these little things, and don't work too hard."

"Oh, Xiaobo is so sensible now?"

"Of course! Speaking of which, I have to thank you, Zhichu. Xiaobo is so much more sensible than before; I can genuinely see some hope for him. If he does anything wrong or poorly, feel free to beat him or scold him—he listens to you anyway. Sometimes your uncle and I talk about you. Since your father passed away, it's only right that we look after you. But you've made something of yourself and don't need us to worry, and we're proud of you. Don't stand on ceremony with us either; just come right over whenever you want to eat something. I might not have any other skills, but making some home-cooked dishes is no problem at all."

"I know, Auntie."

"Well, I won't chat anymore, I'm still at work."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Tang Zhichu didn't pull back the cloth on the sofa to sit down; he just casually found a small stool and sat on it.

On the surface, Tang Zhichu was indeed as successful as Tang Xiuju described.

In reality, however, he was also treading on thin ice.

Yu Hua had reminded Tang Zhichu to pay serious attention to the entertainment company as well. That was no joke; it was going to be the most crucial link for Tang Zhichu moving forward.

Making the wrong move could waste a vast amount of time.

If Tencent's short video division really stepped in, the landscape would have to change.

Should all career directions lean entirely toward Douyin? Relying on it too heavily would make them too passive.

One must know when to relax and when to contemplate.

Life does not feature a long, smooth straight line; failure often runs through the entirety of it.

Tang Zhichu's multiple ups and downs in his past life had taught him how to face adversity.

An internet celebrity agency could be like a carp leaping through the dragon's gate, a stepping stone to capital.

Then what about an entertainment company?

Could it be used to weave a net?

Tang Zhichu sat in the old house for three hours, doing nothing else, simply pondering these matters.

He only stood up and left in the afternoon.

At 2:30 PM, customers at Old Tang Sichuan Cuisine were still arriving in an endless stream.

After two or three major revisions, not only had the dishes become more affordable, but the selection of ingredients had also become much more rigorous, with even every single condiment chosen as the best within its category.

After brewing for a month or two, people within a radius of several kilometers all knew about such a delicious restaurant.

However, there was also a drawback: there were too many people. Arriving at 1:00 PM might mean waiting until 1:30 PM just to get a table; queuing was required.

The back kitchen during peak hours was like a battlefield.

"Master Wang, table three and table five each need a bowl of steamed pork with rice flour! Cold dish station! One serving of pig's head meat for table three, one serving of white sliced pork with mashed garlic, one plate of smashed cucumbers! Table five wants white sliced pork with mashed garlic and smashed cucumbers! Master Dafang, table three needs stir-fried pork tripe with scallions and quick-fried pig kidneys..."

Compared to when Tang Zhichu first returned to Chongqing, two more people had been added to the back kitchen.

They had all been added after the team discussed it among themselves, and the candidates were interviewed and chosen collectively.

Appropriate delegation of authority in exchange for greater proactivity.

Tang Zhichu just took a glance from the back door of the kitchen and then withdrew.

After waiting for about twenty minutes or so, Tao Bo came out.

Seeing the car still parked in the small parking lot, Tao Bo trotted over.

Inside, Tang Zhichu pushed the car door open and motioned for Tao Bo to get in.

Tao Bo got into the car and pulled the door shut. He felt a bit nervous; surely he hadn't done anything out of line, right? Why did the atmosphere feel a bit off?

"Congratulations."

"Huh?"

"You didn't want to go into the catering business, but I made you do it for three months. If you still don't want to, I'll tell your mom and let you change industries. The three months are up, how do you choose?"

Tao Bo breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Wang Jun in the front seat and said after a moment, "Actually... actually, I feel the catering business is not bad either."

"Are you sure? A woman fears marrying the wrong man, a man fears choosing the wrong profession. If you decide to do this, it will most likely be for a lifetime."

"Then... then what if I suddenly don't want to do it halfway through?"

"A man must have his own career."

Tao Bo gritted his teeth and nodded.

Indeed, he had deeply experienced this during this period.

In the past, when he didn't know what he wanted to do, his parents would lecture him every day.

And now?

They only worried about whether he was tired.

And that female classmate he had broken up with as good buddies—perhaps seeing his Moments posts featuring the restaurant's sign, she had proactively started chatting with him again.

A few days ago, she even brought people over to eat, and Tao Bo had reserved a private room for them, the kind where they didn't have to wait in line.

Yesterday she said she wanted to come eat again, and mentioned she would come alone.

Tao Bo wasn't an idiot; he noticed these changes.

"I'll do it. I'll do catering, even if it's for a lifetime."

Tang Zhichu shook his head slightly: "Don't speak too soon. Just like when you decided you didn't want to do catering, I gave you three months to think about it. I'm not forcing you to make a certain choice, but rather wanting you to spend some time understanding what you are doing. Anyone can talk about doing something, but how to do it? How to execute it? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you need? What should you avoid? What must you seize?"

This barrage of questions left Tao Bo bewildered.

Buying groceries, preparing in the back kitchen, chatting and joking, occasionally being teased by the pretty waitresses, and occasionally going for a foot massage with little Master Fatty—

These things filled Tao Bo's life right now.

He just felt that working in the catering industry seemed pretty good after all.

His mother would occasionally remind him to work hard, not to cause trouble for his cousin, and to listen to his cousin.

It was at these times that Tao Bo would ponder a little and think about doing something for his cousin in return.

It was simple, yet fulfilling.

Faced with his cousin's inquiry, Tao Bo felt that his life had perhaps been a bit too comfortable.

"Go on with your work. When you make money, occasionally buy something for your parents; they'll be very happy."

"Mm, then I'll go get to work. I'll think it over carefully."

"Go ahead."

In the front, Wang Jun suddenly rubbed his eyes.

He wondered if he was getting old. Such a simple yet slightly heartwarming scene had actually made his vision blur.

After Tao Bo got out of the car, Wang Jun spoke, as if talking to Tang Zhichu, and as if talking to himself:

"Sometimes I think it's wonderful to have a childhood—carefree. Whatever our elders lacked, they gave us during their most passionate moments, like a burning bonfire. The warmth of that bonfire was the joy of our childhood. But in our environment, although the warmth of our elders' bonfire was cozy, it didn't ignite the flame in a young person's heart. Only after stumbling and struggling through life does one finally manage to light that lamp in their own heart."

Perhaps he really was getting old; Wang Jun was feeling emotional.

Tao Bo was just a simple, un-grown child—a flower in a greenhouse, still illuminated by Auntie Tang's bonfire.

Yet Tang Zhichu was helping Tao Bo ignite the lamp in his own heart.

How fortunate was that?

Tang Zhichu smiled: "Isn't it also a kind of fortune to be able to say it's wonderful to reminisce about childhood?"

Wang Jun started the car and glanced at Tang Zhichu through the rearview mirror.

Looking closely, "Brother Chuchu" really seemed different now; his gaze was profound and calm.

Wang Jun felt a momentary trance, as if his own lamp was being lit as well.

"President Tang."

Tang Zhichu looked forward: "Huh?"

"Let's call you that from now on, whether in public or private."

"As you like."

"When you go to Chengdu, I'm coming with you."

"Alright."

Tang Zhichu went to a hotel and had a meal with Xu Lai and the others.

Filming for "Detour" had wrapped up, and the crew was heading back to Beijing.

Zhang Hongwen said the final edited cut would be ready in ten days at most.

After seeing them off, the troublesome matters arrived.

This was a fork in the road.

To the left or to the right?

Wang Jun looked back at Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu waved his hand: "Don't panic yet, let's wait a moment."

So, Wang Jun turned off the engine.

Tang Zhichu was typing on his phone.

Zhou Yun: "When are you coming back?!"

Tang Zhichu: "Just finished eating, only now saw Xu Lai and the others off."

Zhou Yun: "Oh oh, I want to eat ice cream, can I, Old Tang!"

Tang Zhichu: "Then I'll bring some back for you later."

Zhou Yun: "No need to bring it, I've already bought it. You just keep me company while I eat. I didn't exercise at all today, otherwise I'll feel guilty."

Tang Zhichu: "Okay!"

Zhou Yun: "Let's share one, half each."

Tang Zhichu: "I don't believe it. Can you really restrain yourself to eating only half?"

Zhou Yun: "Then what can we do? We'll share one first, and if that's not enough, we'll open another."

Tang Zhichu: "Can't we just each eat our own?"

Zhou Yun: "No, we have to use the same spoon!"

The corners of Tang Zhichu's mouth curved up involuntarily as he looked up and said, "Brother Jun, turn left."

Wang Jun smiled and nodded. Where was to the left? Wasn't that the commercial street side? Where Zhou Yun was.

Wang Jun started the car and put on the left turn signal.

No sooner had they turned than Tang Zhichu's voice suddenly came from behind again: "Brother Jun, make a U-turn!"

"Huh?"

"I'll send you the address, just use the navigation!"

"Alright."

Tang Zhichu was a little excited; Jiang Lan had suddenly sent a message.

"I've been drinking!"

Four words, like a killing blade.

Tang Zhichu didn't hesitate at all.

"Send me the address!"

Jiang Lan sent the address over, and Tang Zhichu forwarded it to Wang Jun.

After driving quite a distance, Tang Zhichu patted his head and picked up his phone again.

"Emergency situation, my little aunt is back!"

Zhou Yun: "???????????"

"When my dad passed away, my little aunt helped out the most."

Zhou Yun: "!=.= Then you go ahead. July in Chongqing isn't cold, I can sleep alone. Even if I kick the blanket off, I won't catch a cold. In case the bed feels too big, I can just hug a pillow to sleep. At worst, I'll switch to a smaller bed in a few days."

Tang Zhichu rubbed his head. This was a bit tricky!

In the front, Wang Jun's voice came over: "U-turn?"

Tang Zhichu shook his head, then started typing again.

"Then you'll open the door for me in the middle of the night? I'll go pick her up first, then take her to get something to eat, and finally drop her off home. About two or three hours?"

Zhou Yun: "Mhm~ Go ahead, don't mind me, otherwise little aunt will think I'm unobservant. I'll eat the ice cream myself; since nobody's keeping me company, I'll reward myself by eating the whole thing."

"Hiss!" Tang Zhichu rubbed his head again, looked up, and said, "Brother Jun, let's make a U-turn after all."

Wang Jun stepped on the brakes and silently made a U-turn.

"Sister Lan, don't drink too much. I still have to be busy for a while, you have to open the door for me!"

Jiang Lan: "Mhm, I'll only drink a tiny bit. Go ahead and get busy, tell Brother Jun to drive slowly, I'll wait for you."

"Hiss!" Tang Zhichu could practically picture Jiang Lan typing that message.

Just how tender and affectionate was that?

In front, Wang Jun raised his head again.

"It's fine, Brother Jun, just drive."

Wang Jun was very considerate and drove quite fast.

In less than ten minutes, they parked in the garage under Zhou Yun's building.

"Brother Jun, don't leave. Just wait right here, I'll be back down in a bit."

Wang Jun was a bit dazed, but he didn't ask anything and just nodded.

After Tang Zhichu entered the elevator nearby, Wang Jun chuckled.

Under these circumstances, could an ordinary person be his driver?

"Tsk tsk, as for things like girlfriends, it's better to just have one. Isn't this looking for self-inflicted torture!"

Zhou Yun was curled up on the sofa, eating ice cream in small bites. She had sent Tang Zhichu a few more messages, but Tang Zhichu hadn't replied.

Originally she hadn't felt aggrieved, it was just playful banter.

When he stopped replying, she felt a little aggrieved. She viciously squeezed a throw pillow and muttered, "I'll eat it by myself then. Hmph, stinky man!"

After venting a little, Zhou Yun picked up her phone again.

"I was just joking with you, don't worry, I'm saving the ice cream for tomorrow. Even though we're both from Chongqing, don't take your little aunt to eat hot pot or anything like that; just eat something light tonight."

After sending the message, Zhou Yun glanced at the ice cream in her hand and then stood up.

"Hmph, saving it means saving it. I'll let you eat it tomorrow—you can eat my saliva!"

Just as she put the ice cream away, a knock on the door suddenly sounded.

Zhou Yun froze. Someone coming over at this hour?

She instantly became alert.

Moving very lightly, she approached the door. Instead of checking the peephole right away, she directly threw the deadbolt, and only then approached the peephole.

Just one glance through it, and Zhou Yun immediately opened the door.

Her face blossomed into a smile, her dark eyes filled entirely with tenderness.

"You fool, didn't you check WeChat?"

Tang Zhichu walked in, closed the door behind him, and said with feigned annoyance, "You're the fool..."

Before he could finish, Zhou Yun rushed into his arms, burying her head in Tang Zhichu's chest.

The two just embraced like that, neither speaking.

After a long while, Zhou Yun raised her head: "Where's little aunt?"

"Let her wait."

Zhou Yun frowned, raised both hands, and pinched and rubbed Tang Zhichu's face vigorously.

"How can you be like this? I was just joking, you fool, go quickly."

Tang Zhichu chuckled: "I just wanted to see you first."

Zhou Yun's furrowed brows instantly smoothed out. She stood on tiptoe and leaned in.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Zhou Yun's face flushed red, her dark eyes filled with an indescribable, burning warmth: "Go on, big fool, I am yours forever and ever. We have a long time ahead of us."

Tang Zhichu also rubbed Zhou Yun's face; it was soft and warm.

"Then I'm leaving, little fool."

Zhou Yun nodded. Just as Tang Zhichu opened the door, Zhou Yun pulled him back.

Tang Zhichu turned around, and a key was shoved into his hand.

At that moment, Zhou Yun was rarely shy. After stammering for a moment, she ran back inside.

Tang Zhichu squeezed the key in his hand, chuckled foolishly for a few moments, and then went out.

In the garage, Wang Jun was reading some entertainment reports.

The car door was suddenly pulled open. Wang Jun turned his head immediately and was surprised to see Tang Zhichu.

"This... this is fast?"

Tang Zhichu said righteously, "I just went up to grab something, is that fast?"

"Oh, I thought you two would chat for a bit."

"It's too late, it wouldn't be convenient."

Wang Jun: "..."

"Brother Jun, do you have chewing gum in the car?"

Wang Jun: "..."