Shi Guanghua was completely stunned, on the verge of crashing like during the first recording. When he first met Chu Yueyi, he could barely speak coherently. Now he could barely respond, but his mind was a jumbled mess as he stood there nervously and anxiously.
Chu Wenyue's invitation to stay caused the production team to hesitate about leaving. The directors didn't pack up their equipment, and everyone felt a bit awkward, glancing tentatively at Chu Yueyi.
Just as Chu Yueyi was about to arrange for the production team to withdraw, Chu Wenyue spoke up first, his expression calm: "Why don't they sit down? You're all done working, let's eat together. I'll go buy some more food."
"No, no, no, thank you, uncle. We're not finished yet..." The staff, afraid that Chu Wenyue would add more dishes, hastily changed their tune, "We have crew meals!"
The directors waved their hands, politely declining Chu Wenyue's invitation to join the table. They didn't even care that Shi Guanghua had just said the recording was over, blurting out excuses and essentially throwing the show's guest under the bus.
Hearing this, Chu Wenyue looked thoughtful, then smiled at Shi Guanghua: "So you're the only one who's finished, and without a crew meal?"
Shi Guanghua's whole body went rigid, and he could only nod mechanically.
Chu Wenyue: "That's great, have a seat."
Shi Guanghua practically collapsed into the chair, completely unable to find any topic of conversation.
The plastic bags made rustling sounds as Chu Wenyue placed the ingredients he had brought on the table, interspersed with various New Year goods, filling the air with a festive aroma.
Seeing this, Shi Guanghua immediately stood up again, saying anxiously: "Let me help you..."
Chu Wenyue: "Sit down, sit down. You don't need to help."
Shi Guanghua had no choice but to sit up straight, as stiff as a schoolboy.
Facing the cameras, Chu Yueyi felt a headache coming on. She reached out to grab a plastic bag: "Dad, let me do it."
Chu Wenyue gave her a sidelong glance: "I'd like to live to see the New Year."
Chu Yueyi didn't want to appear completely incapable of taking care of herself, but her father clearly didn't care about maintaining her celebrity image and seemed ready to expose the truth at any moment. She was like an ant on a hot pan, hovering around Chu Wenyue, only to be brushed aside.
Chu Wenyue took on all the cooking responsibilities, only allowing the two young people to chat. As he skillfully prepared the ingredients, he apologetically said: "I'm sorry, at my age I'm a bit out of touch. I don't know much about the entertainment industry. What's your name?"
Shi Guanghua didn't dare to complain. He was practically standing at attention as he replied respectfully: "Hello, uncle. My name is Shi Guanghua. It's normal that you don't know me, I'm more behind-the-scenes..."
Shi Guanghua was extremely tense, not knowing how to organize his words, just blurting everything out.
Chu Wenyue kindly said: "I see. What do you do behind the scenes?"
Shi Guanghua hesitantly replied: "...Music." He wasn't sure how the older generation felt about music production.
Chu Wenyue seemed quite open-minded, smiling as he said: "Then you must be very talented. Was it your family's influence? Have you bought tickets for the New Year? Where do you plan to spend the Spring Festival?"
Shi Guanghua was taken aback: "My parents are currently overseas. I probably won't go there this year."
Chu Wenyue sighed with regret: "That's not very festive. In that case, why don't you..."
Chu Yueyi quickly interrupted: "Dad!"
Chu Wenyue was startled by her outburst. He turned back in surprise, exclaiming: "What? Is the sky falling?"
Chu Yueyi pointed at the shopping bags, pretending to be serious: "Should these go in the fridge?"
Chu Wenyue replied impatiently: "Don't worry about it. You'll end up putting bananas in the freezer again, and your mom will still blame me when she finds out."
Shi Guanghua thought of the mysterious items in the fridge and suddenly realized this was apparently normal.
Chu Yueyi successfully interrupted her father's invitation, feeling slightly relieved. But he was quick to launch another attack.
Chu Wenyue looked around at the cameras curiously: "Why is Guanghua already done with work, but they still have work to do?"
Shi Guanghua: "Ah..."
Chu Yueyi, unwilling to discuss the show, calmly said: "He has higher status, so of course he gets off work earlier."
Chu Wenyue looked suspicious: "Higher status but no crew meal?"
Chu Yueyi: "Maybe he's unpopular and gets left out."
Shi Guanghua: "..."
Chu Wenyue: "?"
Chu Wenyue glared at her reproachfully, then turned to comfort Shi Guanghua: "Nonsense. Guanghua seems nice. Since you're not having the crew meal, the three of us will eat together."
Chu Wenyue clearly couldn't be bothered with Chu Yueyi and continued chatting with Shi Guanghua on his own. By the time the hot dishes were served, he had extracted every detail of information about his guest. He never asked directly, always starting with specific topics like the New Year or music, then gradually expanding to weave together a complete picture.
At the dinner table, Chu Yueyi noticed her father's behavior and couldn't help but furrow her brow: "Don't ask so many questions."
Chu Yueyi thought to herself: Shi Guanghua is just too naive, he dares to say everything.
Old ginger is spicier, and Chu Wenyue paid no attention to her warning. Instead, he said amiably: "I've just never met a young person in the music industry before, so I wanted to learn a bit more by chatting with him."
Chu Yueyi saw through his fox-like smile but couldn't find the right words to respond: "..." You call that chatting about music? You're asking about his entire family history!
"Guanghua doesn't mind, right?" Chu Wenyue said with a smile, squinting his eyes. "Old people tend to ramble on."
Seeing how Chu Wenyue had lowered himself, Shi Guanghua didn't dare show any of his usual sharpness. He quietly said: "Not at all."
Under the warm yellow light, the dishes on the table looked and smelled delicious, like a picture of domestic bliss. Chu Yueyi set out the bowls and chopsticks, and they officially sat down to eat.
Chu Wenyue had prepared simple home-style dishes. He apologized: "This was all quite sudden. I'm sorry if it's not up to par."
Shi Guanghua respectfully replied: "No, it's very generous..."
As the three were eating at the table, Chu Wenyue suddenly asked: "What kind of show are you filming? I'd like to watch it when it airs."
Chu Yueyi and Shi Guanghua both froze simultaneously. They instinctively glanced at each other, then quickly looked away, feeling guilty and in sync.
Chu Yueyi said dryly: "That's not necessary. You don't even like watching shows."
Hearing her vague answer, Chu Wenyue retorted: "What? You never care about my work, but I'm not allowed to care about yours?"
Chu Yueyi was confused: "But you've never asked before." She had never reported her work activities to her parents, mainly because she was the only one in the family in this line of work, and there was quite a generation gap when discussing it.
Seeing that she wouldn't answer, Chu Wenyue simply changed targets, calmly saying: "I didn't think to ask you, I just want to ask him. Guanghua, what kind of show are you filming?"
Chu Yueyi: "!!?"
Chu Yueyi was extremely panicked inside. She was afraid Shi Guanghua would tell the truth and was on the verge of freaking out, barely able to hold her chopsticks.
Faced with the question, Shi Guanghua's mind also went blank. He didn't dare to act rashly in front of Chu Wenyue and stuttered: "It's... it's..."
Chu Wenyue smiled gently, encouraging him to continue: "Yes?"
Shi Guanghua struggled to find words: "It's... about life..."
Chu Wenyue: "What aspect of life?"
Shi Guanghua tried hard to come up with a diplomatic answer, practically spitting out one word at a time, nervously saying: "Life's... interpersonal relationships... and people meeting, accompanying each other..." Shi Guanghua didn't dare mention it was a dating show. He was afraid Chu Wenyue would throw him out the next second.
The staff of "Heart-Fluttering Promise" listened in confusion. They couldn't interject during the recording and could only let the guest redefine the show.
Chu Wenyue had a moment of realization: "Ah, a show about life and interpersonal relationships. That's quite a profound topic, one that might take a lifetime to explore."
Shi Guanghua: "...Yes."
Chu Yueyi felt they had successfully dodged the question and finally relaxed, quietly lowering her head to eat.
Chu Wenyue smiled and said: "What do you think, Guanghua? About people meeting people?"
Shi Guanghua felt trapped by his own vague answer and had to face follow-up questions. He couldn't help glancing at Chu Yueyi, then lowered his eyelashes and said softly: "It could be fate, or it could be inevitable."
Chu Wenyue nodded approvingly: "I feel the same way."
Chu Yueyi muttered under her breath: "Now you're an expert."
Chu Wenyue ignored his daughter's sarcasm. He maintained his composure and spoke eloquently: "People meeting each other may seem coincidental, but there's often an underlying inevitability. People are generally attracted to two types of individuals: those who are like-minded, and those who are completely different. Both are projections of our inner selves onto others."
Shi Guanghua hadn't expected his blunt answer to elicit such profound insight. He quietly listened, waiting for Chu Wenyue to elaborate.
Chu Wenyue said, "Interacting with others is like dealing with the outside world, but in reality, it's a journey of perfecting oneself. When you encounter various types of people, you're actually filling in your own gaps and achieving personal growth through them. This process can be joyful, or it can be painful, and sometimes the pain can be even more stimulating than pleasure."
Shi Guanghua nodded respectfully, "I see."
Chu Yueyi, who could recite her father's life philosophy backwards, reminded Shi Guanghua with a blank expression, "He just likes to lecture people."
Chu Wenyue ruffled her hair, "These are life experiences. Am I wrong?"
Chu Yueyi replied, "Yes, yes, you're not wrong, just don't keep saying it..."
She had been hearing these words since childhood to the point her ears had grown calluses. Phrases like "helping others is helping yourself" and "treating others well is perfecting yourself" could be compiled into a book, worthy of being called a complete collection of chicken soup for the soul.
Chu Wenyue messed up her hair and then turned to Shi Guanghua, speaking unhurriedly, "However, if you meet someone who makes you better and better, you must hold on tight. That's a rare and fortunate event."
"As long as someone can make you keep improving, other conditions can be compromised."
Shi Guanghua seemed to understand yet not fully grasp the meaning. Facing Chu Wenyue's profound gaze, he felt completely transparent, with nowhere to hide.
This was the man who had always protected her, with rich life experiences, handling everything with ease, leaving much unsaid but conveying everything through his demeanor and gestures.
After a moment, Shi Guanghua looked directly at Chu Wenyue for the first time. With a serious gaze, he solemnly replied, "Understood."
Seeing this, Chu Wenyue revealed a warm smile and hospitably urged, "Let's eat."
Although Chu Wenyue's sudden arrival had caught Chu Yueyi off guard, the meal managed to pass without incident, and Shi Guanghua's outlandish answers weren't exposed.
Shi Guanghua initially wanted to help clean up, but Chu Wenyue firmly refused, "There's no reason to let a guest do the work."
As it was getting late, Shi Guanghua and the production team couldn't stay any longer. He politely said goodbye to Chu Wenyue in the kitchen, then returned to the living room to organize the MV scene materials.
Chu Yueyi stood beside him, tidying up the materials on the coffee table. She said apologetically, "It was really a coincidence today. Thank you for your help earlier."
Shi Guanghua was usually a man of few words, but Chu Wenyue had kept asking him questions and pouring out life advice, which naturally made her both frustrated and helpless. Fortunately, his attitude was good, and he patiently engaged in conversation, truly giving face.
"It's no trouble."
Shi Guanghua was bending down to pick up the materials. Hearing her words, he slowly stood up and turned to look at her, his tone light and gentle, "Has our encounter made you better?"
His bangs fell across his forehead, his eyes like lustrous jade, quietly waiting for her answer.
Chu Yueyi was startled by his serious expression, not expecting him to have taken it to heart and valued it so much. She felt something soften inside her and smiled gently, "Of course."
Shi Guanghua relaxed, seemingly freed from doubt.
Chu Yueyi noticed his subtle change and couldn't help but ask in return, "Has our encounter made you better?"
In the living room light, she looked radiant and charming, even her tone of questioning was open and straightforward, like a strong light piercing through dark clouds.
His gaze was deep, then he lowered his eyes and said, "It always has."
They had met at a distant moment and reunited as better versions of themselves.