Chapter Ninety-Eight: Whose Home to Spend the New Year?

Chapter Ninety-Eight: Whose Home to Spend the New Year?

The trailer for *Flirting Scholar* didn’t quite come together perfectly, but it had many captivating elements and plenty that people found amusing and memorable. Especially the opening scene, where Feng Lei and his son rib each other—it was richly dramatic.

That single scene made countless viewers remember Feng Lei’s line: “With your wisdom,” as well as Feng Yuan’s eye-roll and feigned death act.

Once the trailer was released, the phrase “With your wisdom” became a catchphrase for many.

“With your wisdom, do you think I can fool you?”

“With your wisdom, it’s no wonder it’s hard to understand.”

“With your wisdom…”

Frankly, this phrase is just a polite way of calling someone foolish. It holds a similar tone to Zhang Le’s earlier line, “I truly feel heartbroken for your wisdom,” though the latter was far more tactful.

Of course, the trailer’s closing line, “In broad daylight, you want to kill me, huh!” though not as popular as the previous one, still became a favorite among many.

Undoubtedly, the trailer was designed to entice film enthusiasts’ interest in the movie—and *Flirting Scholar* certainly achieved that.

A comedy film during the Spring Festival is undoubtedly one of the most beloved genres. Zhang Le’s comedic style had already been proven by *Crazy Stone*, and his own humor earned him widespread trust.

*No Retreat*’s box office soared, dominating the scene and leaving competing films in the dust. Naturally, many high-budget productions deliberately avoided releasing at the same time, which was understandable.

Investors back films not to compete head-to-head but to maximize success, so it’s common for major productions to avoid direct clashes—a tacit understanding within the industry. With Chen Ke and Zhou Run collaborating again, plus Zhang Le—a highly popular director—making his debut as an actor, this film’s box office pull was enough to make other studios steer clear.

*No Retreat* enjoyed both commercial success and critical acclaim, while *Flirting Scholar* stirred much anticipation. Meanwhile, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er were discussing plans for the New Year.

“Let’s spend the New Year at your place!” Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er said simultaneously.

“Though you’re in Yanjing, you haven’t gone home as often as I have. It’s good to go back and spend time with your parents during the New Year,” Zhang Le said with a smile. Both suggesting going to each other’s homes, they were actually considering things from the other’s perspective.

“They might not be home for the New Year,” Yang Xin’er sighed. “In all my years, the number of times our family has spent the New Year together can be counted on one hand.”

“Spending time with Grandpa wouldn’t be bad either,” Zhang Le added. “Let’s celebrate the New Year at your place. I’ve been wanting to see the old man. Then we can go to my home for the Lantern Festival. We planned to spend the Lantern Festival at home last year, but it didn’t happen.”

“I’ll call and check. If they’re home, we’ll go to my place; if not, we can wait until the Lantern Festival,” Yang Xin’er smiled. “This will be the first New Year’s Eve that Sister Xiaoyun steps into your Zhang family’s home—you, as the younger brother, can’t just not show up.”

“We’re not that formal,” Zhang Le laughed. “You call and check first. Let’s do as you say.”

Though Yang Xin’er came from a distinguished background, sometimes she didn’t have the ease that someone like Zhang Le, from a humbler origin, enjoyed. At least Zhang Le’s family had spent far more New Year celebrations together throughout his life than Yang Xin’er’s family had.

“So, what’s the verdict?” Zhang Le looked at her.

“They’ll all be there this year, and my brother is even bringing his girlfriend home for the New Year,” Yang Xin’er said happily. Zhang Le could sense her genuine joy at having the family together.

“Oh, your brother’s bringing a girlfriend? Looks like you’ll soon have another sister-in-law,” Zhang Le teased.

“Yeah!” Yang Xin’er nodded, clearly intrigued by her future sister-in-law.

“Then it’s settled—New Year’s Eve at your place, Lantern Festival at mine,” Zhang Le said with a smile.

Since Yang Xin’er’s home was in Yanjing, there was no rush to return. She could stay longer at the studio, which had been busy lately. With *Flirting Scholar* about to premiere and *Meet the Father-in-Law* wrapped and in post-production, there was plenty to keep them occupied.

Of course, Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er could decide for themselves whether to work overtime.

“So, aren’t you going home for the New Year?” Zhang Le asked Tang Xiao with a smile.

“Did you forget where I’m from? Going home takes less than half an hour,” Tang Xiao rolled her eyes.

“Oh right, you and Feng Lei are both Yanjing locals, with your parents there,” Zhang Le said with a bitter smile.

“Sounds like a hint of envy there. You could always bring your parents here to Yanjing! You and Xin’er live in such a big villa; it wouldn’t feel empty,” Tang Xiao teased.

“Home is hard to leave behind! If I brought them here, they might not get used to it. All their relatives and friends are back home; they probably wouldn’t even have anyone to talk to here,” Zhang Le shook his head and explained.

“That makes sense,” Tang Xiao nodded.

Many people who found success elsewhere didn’t bring their parents along—not out of neglect or inconvenience, but because older parents often find it difficult to adapt, especially when the lifestyle is vastly different.

“What about next year? Any plans?” Zhang Le asked, turning to the only other director at the studio besides himself.

“That depends on what you, as the boss, decide!” Tang Xiao smiled.

“Me, decide?” Zhang Le laughed, then pulled a script from his drawer and handed it over. “How about this one?”

*Nightclub*.

Tang Xiao glanced at the title and teased, “You’re not planning to make that kind of film, are you? Bro, I’m a virgin; unlike Feng Lei, I don’t hang out in nightclubs.”

“Your mind’s impure!” Zhang Le groaned, black lines appearing on his forehead, then managed to say something.

Tang Xiao laughed and opened the script, realizing she had misunderstood. It was actually a story set in a supermarket.

A small location, few requirements, and a bona fide comedy. It was a low-budget film but with a decent story.

“You’re trying to get something for nothing!” Tang Xiao remarked after reading.

“What do you mean?” Zhang Le asked, puzzled.

“Come on. The story is set in a supermarket, so there’ll be plenty of products in the background. You can easily get manufacturers or suppliers to pay for some featured shots. With your name attached, you can attract a lot of sponsorship. Especially since your script even has He Sanshui recommending chewing gum—that’s blatant advertising.”

Zhang Le chuckled and said, “Product placement isn’t uncommon in films. But if it’s too forced or random and affects the movie itself, then it’s counterproductive.”

“So you wrote a script that lets you insert ads without restraint?” Tang Xiao laughed. “Did *Flirting Scholar* inspire you?”

She was, of course, referring to the scene in *Flirting Scholar* where Tang Bohu and Madam Hua introduce poison using advertising slogans.

“Just tell me—will you shoot this film or not?” Zhang Le asked.

“I will. If there’s a chance to shoot, why wouldn’t I?” Tang Xiao looked at Zhang Le and asked, “What about you? Why aren’t you directing?”

“I’m going to make a blockbuster!” Zhang Le smiled.