That very same night, while Bin Sheng and his group were busy in the small woods, digging up the bodies of the Jin spies and relocating them to a more proper burial site, an entirely different kind of event was unfolding far away at the Puzhou Grand Theater, where a new film titled The Legend of Li Shishi officially premiered.
The movie itself was, frankly speaking, rather crude in its execution, with many scenes feeling stiff and awkward. Lao Nanfeng's portrayal of Emperor Huizong of Song failed to convey the bearing and dignity of an emperor, while Cai Lin's performance as the grown Li Shishi lacked the intoxicating charm and allure that the legendary courtesan was known for.
However, the audience's disappointment did not last long.
Because the young Li Shishi stole the entire spotlight.
Played by Chen Yuanyuan, the version of Li Shishi from the ages of eight to fourteen left the audience utterly stunned. At only twelve years old, Chen Yuanyuan demonstrated mastery in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while also excelling in singing and dancing, her movements graceful and her voice clear.
More importantly, despite her tender age, she already possessed a natural charm that seemed to seep into every glance and gesture, making viewers unconsciously hold their breath as they watched her. For many, the thought inevitably arose that perhaps this was not merely an actress portraying Li Shishi, but someone even more Li Shishi than Li Shishi herself.
Thanks entirely to Chen Yuanyuan, the film exploded in popularity.
Countless people flocked to theaters, not for the story, nor for the emperor, but simply to catch a glimpse of that young girl who had embodied the legend so completely.
Sensing the opportunity, Lao Nanfeng immediately dispatched the memory cards containing the film to cinemas in Gao Family Village, Xi'an, and Luoyang, arranging for intensive screenings without delay.
And just like that, Chen Yuanyuan became a phenomenal star across all territories under the influence of Dao Xuan Tianzun.
That evening, as dusk settled quietly over the city, Chen Yuanyuan sat in the backstage dressing room of the Flower World Star Agency, standing in front of a mirror and diligently practicing her camera presence.
After watching her own performance in The Legend of Li Shishi, she felt dissatisfied with several aspects, believing that some of her expressions were still slightly stiff and that certain movements could be refined further, so she continued practicing with full concentration.
Cai Lin, seated beside her, could not help laughing softly as she watched. "You little thing, you are already so beautiful and yet you work this hard. What, do you want to become famous across the entire world?"
Chen Yuanyuan scratched her head, smiling a little sheepishly. "Isn't it good to work hard? Back in the Pear Garden, if you didn't practice properly, the madame would scold you. Now that I'm here, you act like a madame yourself, but instead you laugh at me."
Cai Lin shook her head helplessly, amusement in her eyes. "Don't call me madame. That word sounds far too much like a brothel, and Dao Xuan Tianzun would not like that. You should call me manager instead."
Chen Yuanyuan blinked in confusion. "Manager? Shouldn't I call you Boss? What does manager mean?"
Cai Lin chuckled. "Brother Nanfeng is the Boss. I just help him manage this place, so people call me the manager."
Understanding dawned on Chen Yuanyuan's face. "Oh, so a manager is like a shopkeeper," she said, then suddenly burst into giggles. "Then you're definitely going to marry Brother Nanfeng, right? If you do, you'll be a boss too."
Cai Lin's cheeks flushed faintly as she sighed and shook her head. "I came from a brothel. Even if I only sold my artistry and not my body, my background is still humble. Even if Brother Nanfeng were willing to marry me, I could never be his main wife. At best, I would only be a concubine. A man of his status will surely marry a respectable young lady from a good family one day."
Chen Yuanyuan opened her mouth, unsure how to respond, when a knock sounded at the door.
Cai Lin went to open it, and there stood Lao Nanfeng, holding a box of chocolates, his expression bright with a broad grin. "Miss Cai, this is a reward I received from Dao Xuan Tianzun for my contribution in the Battle of Liaoluo Bay. I know you like sweet things, so I brought it for you."
Cai Lin's eyes lit up as she accepted the box with both hands. "Thank you, Brother Nanfeng."
Lao Nanfeng laughed contentedly.
Men were strange creatures. They could spend money on a gift for a woman and somehow feel happier themselves in the process, as if the joy they received in return was a kind of emotional reward.
Cai Lin took a piece of chocolate and placed it in her mouth, her smile instantly sweetening.
Seeing that smile, Lao Nanfeng felt even more pleased, rubbing his hands together unconsciously.
At that moment, Chen Yuanyuan suddenly spoke up with an innocent tone. "Brother Nanfeng, when are you going to take Sister Cai as a concubine? She's been looking forward to it."
Cai Lin was so startled that she nearly lunged forward to cover Chen Yuanyuan's mouth.
Lao Nanfeng, however, froze for a moment before blurting out, "What? Take her as a concubine? Impossible."
Cai Lin's heart sank instantly, as if it had fallen into an icy lake.
So that's how it is. He doesn't care for me at all. He won't even take me as a concubine. Of course, he's a great general, and I'm a woman from a brothel. I'm not even worthy of that.
Just as despair took hold, she heard Lao Nanfeng laugh again. "If I marry her, it will be as my wife. I just don't know whether Miss Cai would be willing to marry a rough man like me."
Cai Lin froze for a heartbeat, then burst out in excitement. "Willing. Of course I'm willing!"
The happiness came so suddenly that her answer was far too quick.
A moment later, embarrassment washed over her. "No, no, this isn't right. Such an important matter shouldn't be decided so casually, in such a strange place. There should be a matchmaker, a formal proposal, exchanging birth dates, so many proper rituals. You're being too sudden, and I agreed too suddenly. This is all wrong."
Lao Nanfeng grinned. "I'm a man who could die on the battlefield at any moment. Why bother with so many rituals? What if the ceremonies aren't even finished, and I'm sent off to war and then…"
"Shh!" Cai Lin jumped up and covered his mouth.
The two of them stood there, gazing at each other, completely lost in their own world.
Chen Yuanyuan stuck out her tongue mischievously. See, I fixed it with just one sentence.
She was about to tiptoe away quietly when a young man suddenly poked his head into the dressing room. He had meant to knock, but seeing the door already open, he spoke up politely. "Excuse me, is Miss Chen Yuanyuan here?"
Chen Yuanyuan turned toward him. "That's me. Who are you?"
The young man smiled broadly. "Hello, my name is Liu Maopao. I'm the head factory manager of the Warm and Sleepy Textile Factory. The one beside me is the second factory manager, Zhebu, and the other is the third factory manager, E'zhe."
Behind Liu Maopao stood two slightly older children, dressed in Han clothing but wearing Mongolian hairstyles and distinctive ornaments, creating a somewhat unusual sight.
Chen Yuanyuan looked at them, completely baffled.
Lao Nanfeng and Cai Lin were also drawn over, curiosity written on their faces.
Liu Maopao then turned to Lao Nanfeng with a respectful smile. "Uncle Nanfeng, hello. I'm the son of Liu You from the 'Handsome Enough to Bubble' noodle shop. You've even eaten at our place before."
At the mention of the shop, Lao Nanfeng recalled it immediately. "Shuixian Heluo noodles."
Liu Maopao laughed. "Uncle Nanfeng has a great memory."
Lao Nanfeng thought to himself that he was not actually that close to Liu You, but since the boy was young, he did not bother to argue. His gaze shifted to the two Mongolian children behind Liu Maopao, and a knowing smile appeared. "So, what do you want with Chen Yuanyuan?"
Liu Maopao straightened slightly. "It's good that Uncle Nanfeng is here, because this matter needs your input. Miss Chen has become extremely popular recently, whether in Gao Family Village, Xi'an, or Puzhou. Everyone is talking about her. I've been thinking that I'd like to invite Miss Chen to help promote our wool sweaters. Naturally, this won't be for free. We will definitely pay for her work."