But Cheng Che could even begin to learn time management, problems started coming his way.
The day Peking University officially announced his appointment as a specially appointed associate professor, Jiang Xue received the news by phone before he did.
"Son! Peking University said you've become a professor?"
Jiang Xue's voice came from the other end of the phone, both excited and nervous, as if she were confirming that she hadn't seen it wrong.
"Specially appointed associate professor," Cheng Che corrected, "Not a formal one."
"An associate professor is still a professor!" Jiang Xue ignored his correction, her tone full of pride. "Your dad found out and didn't sleep well last night. He dragged me to tell Grandpa and Grandma the good news first thing this morning."
Cheng Che was taken aback. "What good news?"
"Go to the graves and tell your ancestors," Jiang Xue said matter-of-factly. "Your dad said that such a big thing needs to be known by the ancestors."
Cheng Che opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.
His father's actions were indeed a bit old-fashioned, but they came from the heart.
If the elderly are happy, let them be.
After hanging up the phone, he received another message from Chen Yu.
The contract for " Easter Egg " has been legally approved, with a salary of 12 million yuan. The main investor is Enlight Media, with two other funds also participating in the investment.
Chen Yu attaches great importance to this film; he's staked all the reputation he built up from his previous art-house films on it.
The signing took place in Capital City, Cheng Che spent an afternoon there. After signing, Chen Yu held his hand and said, "When I was writing this role, you were the one in my mind."
After signing the contract, Cheng Che didn't stay in Capital City for long.
I flew to Ningbo the next day.
The filming location for " Let's Eat " was near the Bund in Ningbo, where the production team booked several shops on the street.
When Cheng Che arrived, Teacher Huang was already there.
He was wearing an apron, standing in front of the stove, frowning at a pot of soup.
" Teacher Huang." Cheng Che walked over and greeted him.
Teacher Huang looked up, saw it was him, and her expression immediately relaxed. She smiled and said, "Oh, Cheng Che is here."
The two had met before on the show " Life Slowed Down," and Teacher Huang had a very good impression of Cheng Che.
He put down the soup spoon, wiped his hands on his apron, walked over and patted Cheng Che on the shoulder.
"We meet again. This time you're the guest, and I'm the main guest. Let's work together."
Teacher Huang looked at Cheng Che with deep emotion.
Who knew that a young man who had made a cameo appearance half a year ago...
In the blink of an eye, he became a top celebrity in the entertainment industry, and even a mathematician who brought glory to the country.
It's simply magical.
"I'll listen to you," Cheng Che said with a smile.
Teacher Huang laughed twice:
"Don't listen to me, I'm terrible at cooking, you know that. This show is supposed to be a food variety show, but it's really just carried by the guests."
Several guests who had arrived earlier stood not far away, watching Cheng Che and Teacher Huang chat, but no one dared to come closer.
A young male actor whispered to the female singer next to him, "He's even more handsome in person than on screen."
The female singer nodded but didn't say anything, just watched from a distance.
Cheng Che noticed them and took the initiative to walk over and greet them.
The group was visibly reserved, even stammering a bit when they spoke. Cheng Che smiled and said a few words, which made them relax a little.
Recording has begun.
Teacher Huang stood in the center of the venue, with a large turntable in front of him displaying the names of cities from all over the country.
"Our first stop today."
Teacher Huang reached out and spun the wheel. The pointer spun rapidly and finally stopped on " Zhoushan ".
" Zhoushan," Teacher Huang read aloud, then turned to Cheng Che, " Cheng Che, you're next. Choose your mode of transportation."
The staff brought over another turntable, which was decorated with five different modes of transportation.
The first three types were carefully designed by the production team: fishing boats, cargo ships, and speedboats.
The latter two are cruise ships and sightseeing helicopters.
Teacher Huang glanced at the five options, then took a step back and gestured for Cheng Che to proceed.
The other guests also gathered around, staring at the spinning wheel, muttering something under their breath, their expressions like prayers.
Please, please don't switch fishing boats!
"A cargo ship would be fine, but not a speedboat; speedboats are too bumpy."
"The chances of a sightseeing helicopter tour are too low; don't count on it."
Cheng Che walked to the spinning wheel, placed his hand on it, and then remembered his [ Little Luck ] moment.
He's in good shape today; I think he can last until seven.
He turned it forcefully.
The turntable spun rapidly, and the images of the five modes of transportation became a blur.
The guests stared at the spinning wheel, their breathing almost subdued.
The pointer slowed down, passing fishing boats, cargo ships, speedboats, helicopters, and finally stopping on the cruise ship.
"Cruise ship!" Teacher Huang exclaimed first, clapping her hands, "Sightseeing cruise ship!"
Several guests breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, some even slumping into their chairs.
One male actor said, "Thank God," and another female singer put her hands together and said, "Amitabha."
Cheng Che smiled and withdrew his hand from the turntable.
The production team approached, their expressions calm. The director picked up a megaphone and said:
"Okay, transportation is arranged. We'll depart at 3 AM tomorrow."
The scene fell silent for a moment.
Teacher Huang glanced at the time on her phone; it was exactly 10 p. m.
"Three in the morning?" he confirmed.
"Three in the morning." The director nodded. "The cruise from Ningbo to Zhoushan takes three hours, arriving just in time for sunrise. This segment needs to be filmed."
Teacher Huang opened her mouth, then closed it.
He patted Cheng Che on the shoulder, his expression complicated. "Brother, you're really lucky, but the production team is really ruthless."
Cheng Che gave a helpless laugh.
3 a. m., at the port.
Two minivans were parked next to the dock. The doors opened, and a group of people got out one after another.
Teacher Huang was wrapped in a thick coat, her hair was a mess from the sea breeze, and her eyes were half-open, as if she had been dragged out of bed before she was fully awake.
Several guests followed behind, all bundled up tightly, but still shivering from the cold.
One male actor's hair was sticking up and hadn't been styled, while another female singer's scarf fluttered in the wind like a flag.
Cheng Che walked at the very back, dressed less than the rest of them, but with the [ Immunity to Heat and Cold ] on, even the strongest sea breeze couldn't penetrate him.
He glanced at the appearance of the people in front of him, and a word popped into his mind.
The Beggars' Sect.
Teacher Huang turned her head, glanced at him, then at herself, and sighed, " Cheng Che, how did you do that?"
"What should be done?"
"It's so cold, and you're wearing so little, yet you still look so energetic."
Cheng Che smiled and said, "It's innate."
Teacher Huang didn't ask any more questions and hunched over as she walked toward the boat.