Chapter Seventy-Five: How to Live Long? Only by Becoming Famous!

After a busy morning, four scenes were completed smoothly. At half past eleven, Jiao Chendong reviewed the morning's footage and, satisfied, announced the end of filming for the day. A few crew members stayed behind to pack up and prepare for tomorrow’s shoot.

The first day of filming, most of the scenes had been arranged to coincide with the opening ceremony and for publicity. Jiao Chendong still had a series of afternoon events to attend, so realistically, work only lasted for the morning.

Upon hearing that filming had wrapped, Li Shixin thanked each person on set for their hard work, then rubbed his aching back as he walked to the edge of the set.

Throughout the shoot, he had noticed that Qiao Hong hadn’t left. It was a rare occurrence for the original author of the script to visit the set. Now that work was done, it was only right to greet her.

...

At the edge of the set, Qiao Hong, with the absent-mindedness of a champion forgetter, was tormenting Yao Yuan and a group of journalists.

"Young man, I don’t know you. I can’t go with you."

"Teacher Qiao, how could you not know me? I’m Xiao Yao! Remember? Just yesterday I picked you up from the airport!"

"Xiao Yao?"

"Yes! Xiao Yao from the Rongcheng Sports Bureau retirement center! Please, think carefully."

"No impression."

"......"

Wang Hai had already prepared the banquet, but Qiao Hong suddenly forgot everything from the past few days. No matter how they coaxed her, she wouldn’t budge.

It truly was enough to drive someone mad.

Seeing Li Shixin approach, Yao Yuan and the reporters gave wry smiles.

"Teacher Li, Teacher Qiao’s illness has acted up. She can’t remember anyone now."

Li Shixin glanced at Qiao Hong’s bewildered eyes and nodded knowingly.

This was quite common among those with dementia.

Qiao Hong’s case wasn’t too severe; although she forgot events, she at least remembered who she was. Some severe cases would even forget themselves while walking down the street.

In his circle, there were always family members seeking help to find their lost elders, and it was almost always due to wandering off this way.

Among the memories Li Shixin inherited from his elders, there were several familiar old friends; their families, worried about them getting lost, made gold cards engraved with contact information and addresses, hanging them around their necks like dog tags.

It was a helpless measure, but the sight of it was unbearably bleak.

Looking at Qiao Hong before him, Li Shixin shook his head and sighed.

"Coach Liu?"

At that moment, Qiao Hong, in her wheelchair, suddenly noticed Li Shixin and grabbed his arm.

Seeing the confusion still lingering in Qiao Hong’s eyes, Li Shixin smiled and shook his head. Squatting down, he patted her hands gently and said, "Teacher Qiao, please look closely. I’m not Coach Liu."

Qiao Hong stared blankly, scrutinized Li Shixin’s face, and gradually clarity returned to her gaze. "Ah—sorry. Look at me, so muddled. You’re Teacher Li."

Hey?

Yao Yuan, nearby, was astonished.

"Teacher Qiao, can you tell who I am?"

"You are... who?"

"Sigh..."

Still forgotten, Yao Yuan was crushed.

The reporters tried several times, only to discover that Qiao Hong retained memories of only Li Shixin from the past few days. They were utterly speechless.

"Teacher Li, your performance is wonderful. Watching you act reminded me of so many things I’d forgotten. I’ll come watch you again tomorrow," Qiao Hong said with a smile, ignoring the others’ confusion.

Faced with Qiao Hong’s gratitude, Li Shixin chuckled. "Perhaps Teacher Qiao has a particularly deep impression of me. If you feel well, Teacher Qiao, do come often."

Looking up at Li Shixin, Qiao Hong’s lips curled into a slight smile and she nodded vigorously. "Alright! It’s a deal!"

...

While everyone marveled at Qiao Hong’s selective memory loss, Wang Hai and the reporter from "Wenyi" Film Society approached.

Seeing Qiao Hong had returned to normal, they called everyone to the hotel for lunch and the opening ceremony.

"Old fellow," Wang Hai, after inviting everyone, walked over to Li Shixin with a sheepish smile. "There’s something..."

Seeing Wang Hai’s sly expression, Li Shixin laughed, "President Wang, your orders?"

"After lunch, there’ll be a round of interviews. The reporters from 'Wenyi' and several other media outlets asked me to arrange a short interview with each actor."

"That’s great!" Li Shixin’s eyes lit up.

A film’s success depends on publicity.

An actor’s popularity depends even more on media support!

Without a large fan base and a professional management team, media exposure is the best way to boost personal fame.

Especially a special interview—it’s a direct chance for an actor to connect with the audience.

Thinking of this, Li Shixin nodded with a grin. "Then I’ll prepare."

"Don’t rush, old fellow," Wang Hai smiled awkwardly. "You know your own health. If something happens to you... we won’t be able to handle the aftermath. So, my suggestion is, you shouldn’t participate."

What?

Li Shixin instantly furrowed his brows.

Young man, you’re taking the wrong path!

"Ha," Li Shixin sneered, staring at Wang Hai’s pant leg.

That cold gaze made Wang Hai shudder!

Afraid Li Shixin might collapse on the spot, Wang Hai leapt back, adopting a defensive posture, and trembled, "Old fellow, please... calm down... so many people here! Fine, I’ll compromise: just say a few words. Five minutes, talk about the film, not anything else. Okay?"

"Tsk!" Seeing Wang Hai’s cowardly look, Li Shixin laughed. "President Wang, how old are you this year?"

The sudden question bewildered Wang Hai. "Thirty-nine—why?"

Oh.

Li Shixin nodded deeply.

Why?

I must outlive you, just for pride!

How to live longer?

Naturally, by becoming famous!

Faced with Wang Hai’s caution, Li Shixin raised his brows and squinted.

"Five-minute interview, only about the film, nothing else? Understood."

Seeing Li Shixin’s conspiratorial expression, Wang Hai felt uneasy. "Old fellow, we have a deal! A gentleman’s word is his bond!"

With most people already finished and leaving the set, Li Shixin lowered his voice and stared at Wang Hai, "Rest assured, President Wang. Though I’m old and shameless, I still keep my word. Five minutes means five minutes, only talk about the film. When time’s up, I’ll get up and leave. Is that enough?"

Smack!

Wang Hai clapped hard and gave Li Shixin a thumbs-up. "You’re honorable, old fellow! Very proper!"

"Naturally."

Li Shixin raised his chin with a smile.

...

On the way to the hotel, Li Shixin and An Xiaoxiao sat in the same car.

Watching Li Shixin sitting alone in the back seat, scribbling something with a pencil on his script, An Xiaoxiao turned from the passenger seat. "Teacher Li, what are you working on?"

Adjusting his reading glasses, Li Shixin looked up and smiled. "Writing a skit."

"A skit?" An Xiaoxiao’s eyes shone!

That’s a true pro!

While others are thinking about lunch, he’s thinking about acting!

Ping!

Received a strong [Admiration] value from An Xiaoxiao, 135 points!

"Teacher Li, can I see it?"

Accepting another record-breaking cheer value from An Xiaoxiao, Li Shixin shook his head. "No."

"Teacher Li, you’re so stingy!"

Faced with her complaint, Li Shixin smiled silently.

Child, Grandpa isn’t denying you.

He’s just afraid that after you see it... your worldview, values, and notions of family will all collapse!

Watching An Xiaoxiao pout and shrink back, Li Shixin chuckled.

"Xiaoxiao."

"Hmph!"

"Will you help me with something?"

"Hmph!"

"You haven’t visited the film city since coming to Rongcheng, have you? If you do well, and there’s no shooting this afternoon, I’ll take you around. Tonight, I’ll cook for you myself, something delicious."

"Just tell me what you need, Teacher Li!"

Seeing the prideful yet starry-eyed An Xiaoxiao, Li Shixin beckoned with a finger.

Then, leaning close, he whispered to her, "During my interview, at exactly four and a half minutes, call my phone."

He handed her a slip of paper with his number.

"What sort of task is this? It’s so easy!"

Hearing this, An Xiaoxiao was thoroughly disappointed.

Li Shixin chuckled.

He could have made it more complicated, but he worried that with the girl’s intelligence, she might not manage...