Time flowed like an hourglass, and the filming of "Legend of Gu Yuan" was nearing its end. With Spring Festival approaching, everyone was eager to return home for reunions. Therefore, the daily filming schedules were no longer fixed with regular meal times as they had been at the start. Instead, they filmed late into the night every day. Chǔ Xiùlí recalled that for several days, Zhāng Zhéyù hadn't returned to the hotel, only snatching a brief rest amidst the film crew before continuing to shoot. By calculation, he had barely slept at all, which led to Zhāng Zhéyù becoming increasingly thin and somewhat gaunt. This also made Chǔ Xiùlí very worried, so she took it upon herself to cook in the RV to ensure Zhāng Zhéyù and Zhāng Qiáng could always have hot meals.
Thus, everyone worked overtime and diligently filmed. Finally, one week before the New Year, "Legend of Gu Yuan" wrapped up. At the wrap party, Director Wáng saw that everyone had lost weight and was very pleased and moved, yet also felt sympathetic. He thought that they could cooperate again in the future.
After the wrap, Zhāng Zhéyù rested at the hotel for two days before deciding to take Zhāng Qiáng and Chǔ Xiùlí back to their home in S City. However, when he saw Chǔ Xiùlí moving vegetables from the balcony into the car, his eyelids twitched incessantly. Were they going to move these vegetables back after the New Year too? He truly didn't understand why they had to move things back and forth when they were only going away for a little over ten days.
"Little Li'er, you don't need to move these vegetables, they'll be fine at the hotel. If anything, you can leave them with the front desk and ask the staff to look after them. We'll be back on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, and my next project starts after the Lantern Festival," Zhāng Zhéyù tried to persuade Chǔ Xiùlí.
"Can they really help? Will the front desk sisters really help look after them? Brother Yu, I miss my mom and dad and my family. I really can't go home for the New Year?" Chǔ Xiùlí said with a dejected tone.
"Be good, Little Li'er. I'm sorry, but you can't go back this year. I booked your tickets a few days ago, but there are no more train or plane tickets. If you want to go back, you'll have to drive yourself," Zhāng Zhéyù said apologetically upon hearing Chǔ Xiùlí's words.
"Oh, I see. Then, Brother Yu, I'll go ask the front desk sisters first if they can help look after my vegetables." Chǔ Xiùlí said, her eyes red and her head bowed.
"Little Xiùlí, you go get in the car and rest. I'll go to the front desk," Zhāng Qiáng said sympathetically, looking at Chǔ Xiùlí, whose eyes were red.
"Okay, thank you, Brother Qiang. I'm sorry to trouble you," Chǔ Xiùlí said with a muffled voice as she got into the car.
"Alright, be good, leave it to me," Zhāng Qiáng said, ruffling Chǔ Xiùlí's hair.
"Be good, Little Li'er, we'll be with you for the New Year. It'll be alright." Zhāng Zhéyù also ruffled Chǔ Xiùlí's hair with concern, then pulled her into his arms to comfort her.Waa…woo woo… Brother… Yu… I… I miss home.
I… *sob sob sob sob*… I've never celebrated New Year away from home before, *sob*… *sob*… I just miss… I miss my family," Chǔ Xiùlí sobbed, burying her head in Zhāng Zhéyù's chest, unable to catch her breath.
"Knock knock knock" Just as Chǔ Xiùlí was crying uncontrollably, there was a sudden knock on the car window. Hearing the sound, Chǔ Xiùlí quickly pulled away from Zhāng Zhéyù's embrace and rolled down the car window. She saw that Bāo Xīyuè had arrived.
"Teacher Zhang, are you also returning to S City today?" Bāo Xīyuè asked Zhāng Zhéyù, looking a bit puzzled at Chǔ Xiùlí, who had her head buried in the back of the seat.
"Oh, it's Teacher Bao. Yes, we are returning to S City today. Are you returning today too, Teacher Bao?" Zhāng Zhéyù, unsure of Bāo Xīyuè's intentions, replied politely.
"Yes, I'm returning to S City today too. Teacher Zhang, could I trouble you for something? Could I hitch a ride back? My driver took my assistant to the airport, and I have an engagement to rush to tonight. I'm worried it will be too late if the driver comes back and I head to S City then. So, when I saw your car just now, I thought I'd ask for a ride," Bāo Xīyuè said sheepishly.
"Of course, it's on the way, no problem. We'll be leaving in about ten minutes. Teacher Bao, have you packed everything?" Zhāng Zhéyù thought it was no big deal, just a simple ride.
"I've packed everything and left it at the front desk. I'll go get my luggage now. Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Zhang," Bāo Xīyuè said gratefully to Zhāng Zhéyù.
"You're too kind, Teacher Bao," Zhāng Zhéyù said politely.
"Little Li'er, are you feeling better? Be good, don't cry. You can video call your family when we get to S City. Your eyes will swell if you keep crying. Stop crying, okay! Be good." After Bāo Xīyuè left, Zhāng Zhéyù gently comforted Chǔ Xiùlí.
"Oh, Little Xiùlí, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Don't cry, it's alright. You won't be lonely with both of us accompanying you for the New Year. Be good," Zhāng Qiáng also comforted Chǔ Xiùlí, seeing the tear tracks on her face.
"But, I just miss home. I used to celebrate New Year with my mom, dad, and family," Chǔ Xiùlí said, sobbing.
"You can go home for a while after the New Year when you have time. And after my next drama, I'll be shooting an outdoor scene in Y Province, so you can go home then," Zhāng Zhéyù said, gently patting Chǔ Xiùlí's back.
"Really, Brother Yu? I can really go home?" Chǔ Xiùlí looked at Zhāng Zhéyù expectantly.
"Of course, it's true. When have I ever lied to you? Alright, stop crying," Zhāng Zhéyù said with a humorous smile, looking at Chǔ Xiùlí.
"Hey, Little Li'er, what's wrong? Did Teacher Zhang and the others bully you? Why are you crying like a little panda?" Bāo Xīyuè approached the car door and saw Zhāng Zhéyù wiping Chǔ Xiùlí's tears through the window.
"Ah, Sister Bao, you're here! Come in quickly. Brother Yu, you go sit in the front with Brother Qiang. Little Xiùlí and I will sit in the back," Chǔ Xiùlí said, opening the car door upon seeing Bāo Xīyuè.
"Alright, I know. Don't cry anymore. I promise I'll let you go home then," Zhāng Zhéyù got out of the car and moved to sit in the passenger seat.
"Little Li'er, so you were homesick. You really are a little baby," Bāo Xīyuè said, ruffling Chǔ Xiùlí's hair after settling in.
"Sister Bao, you're mean. I'm not little anymore. I'm just not used to it. This is my first time away from home," Chǔ Xiùlí said shyly.
"Alright, let's go, we're departing. Little Xiùlí, you can take a nap. We'll be there soon," Zhāng Qiáng said with a smile, looking at Chǔ Xiùlí, who seemed much happier.
"Mm, I know. Brother Qiang, please drive steadily, or I'll get carsick," Chǔ Xiùlí nodded.
"Okay, I'll drive slower. I promise I won't speed again. Last time was an accident," Zhāng Qiáng assured her.
"Thank you, Brother Qiang. Then, Brother Yu, Sister Bao, I'll go to sleep now." After greeting the three of them, Chǔ Xiùlí leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.