Chapter 445 - 426: Go Home Together (Part 2)

Chapter 445: Chapter 426: Go Home Together (Part 2)

Not long after Li Weiya left, Wang Ming pushed open the office door again.

"Old Jiang, I need to talk to you about something."

"What’s up?" Jiang Xia put down the report in his hands and looked up at him.

Wang Ming fidgeted with his fingers. "The movie is about to be released, isn’t it? I just wanted to ask what the plan is for the Spring Festival."

"What other plan could there be? The process is pretty much the same as last year. We’ll hold a press conference, attend the premiere, and then take the main creative team around to promotional events for the new movie. You’re the head director. There’s no escaping it for you," Jiang Xia said casually.

Hearing this, Wang Ming’s face immediately fell.

"I was hoping I could have the rest of the time to myself after the premiere."

Jiang Xia looked at him with amusement. "Tell me, what do you want to do? Is something more important than the release of the movie you directed?"

Wang Ming pursed his lips and hesitated for a moment before saying, "It’s nothing, really. I just promised Shen Ying last year that I’d go back with her to meet her parents. I know the Spring Festival release schedule will be crazy, so I was hoping to head back beforehand."

"She... she didn’t go home for the Spring Festival last year."

Jiang Xia couldn’t help but chuckle. The reason was certainly straightforward enough.

’People really will give up a lot for love.’

"Alright. I’ll give you a three-day break after the premiere. Once you’re done with your personal business, come right back. The Year of the Dragon movie is releasing, and as the director, you can’t just be gone."

"Eh?" Wang Ming’s spirits lifted. "You swear?"

"Fuck."

Jiang Xia couldn’t resist flipping him the bird. "Yes, I swear. Happy now?"

"Hehehe, more than enough."

Wang Ming was delighted. Three days was enough time for him to fly back to Wanzhou and pay a formal visit as Shen Ying’s boyfriend. It would count as an early New Year’s greeting.

"Old Wang, has Shen Ying told you about her family situation? Do her parents know about you?" Jiang Xia asked.

"I don’t think so. We’ve been keeping it a secret." Wang Ming shook his head.

"Mm, in that case, remember to buy plenty of gifts when you visit your future in-laws. You’re returning home in glory now, after all. As long as you observe the proper etiquette, neither your future father-in-law nor mother-in-law will give you a hard time; they’ll welcome you with smiles. If you need any help, just let me know. I can’t go back, but my parents and Yanwan’s parents are in Yu Du. They should be able to help out a bit," Jiang Xia said.

Wang Ming nodded. "Okay, I’ll keep that in mind."

"Alright, then. The premiere is in two days. You attend as the head director, and then you can get the hell out of here."

"Old Jiang, you’re a true brother!"

"Get outta here," Jiang Xia said, laughing.

After leaving the President’s office, Wang Ming glanced at the Vice President’s office. He hesitated for two seconds, then stealthily pushed the door open and poked his head inside.

Li Weiya caught him in her peripheral vision. Seeing it was her son, she said irritably, "What are you doing, creeping around like that? If you have something to say, spit it out."

"Hehe, Mom, so you were in."

Wang Ming slipped into the room and closed the door. Noticing his mom’s cup was nearly empty, he attentively refilled it, then stood behind her and began massaging her shoulders and back like a dutiful son.

Feeling her slightly stiff muscles slowly loosen, Li Weiya took a sip of water and said calmly, "Alright, out with it. What do you want?"

"It’s nothing! My work for the year is done, isn’t it? The feature film is about to premiere, the latest season of the animated Cat and Mouse is airing on all the major networks... I was bored, so I thought I’d drop by," Wang Ming said, not meaning a word of it.

Li Weiya rolled her eyes. ’She knew her son too well. He’d never be this attentive unless he wanted to ask her for a favor.’

"You might be free, but I’m busy. If you’ve got nothing better to do, go build a snowman downstairs and stop bothering me."

"Whoa, wait, there is something, there is! I just remembered," Wang Ming said quickly.

"Then hurry up and say it. Spit it out."

"It’s just... it’s just..." Wang Ming swallowed and stammered, "I was hoping to go home for a few days."

"Home where?"

"Wanzhou."

Li Weiya frowned slightly. "What for? Don’t you know the movie is about to premiere? You’re the head director. The team can do without anyone else, but it can’t do without you."

Wang Ming scratched his head. "I know, that’s why I’m planning to go back after the premiere. I promised Shen Ying I’d go with her to meet her parents. I swear, I’ll come right back as soon as it’s handled. I won’t waste a second."

’He was supposed to have gone last year, but then the movie came out, and he had to follow Jiang Xia everywhere for promotional events. He had absolutely no time.’

’It looked like this year was going to be a repeat, which was why he was getting anxious.’

’Shen Ying hadn’t gone home last year at all. There was no way she could come to the Imperial Capital to be with him again this year.’

"Is Yingying pressuring you?" Li Weiya asked, frowning.

"Not at all. I just feel like I should keep my promise. I’ll have to go eventually, anyway." He pursed his lips, his hands continuing their gentle massage. "I just don’t want to put it off any longer."

"Ah Ming, you’re the head director. This is the first feature film you’ve directed, and its box office performance will be a huge factor in defining your talent. To be honest, I don’t want you to go at such a critical moment. Your career is on an upward trajectory. Any other time would be fine, just not now. You’re an adult; you have to take responsibility for your actions. But if your mind is made up, Mom won’t stop you, as long as Ah Xia gives his approval," Li Weiya said calmly.

’She was well aware of her son’s relationship with Shen Ying, and she couldn’t find a single thing to dislike about the girl. She had long since started thinking of her as a daughter-in-law.’

’If Wang Ming’s trip could make their relationship official, that would be for the best.’

Wang Ming blinked. "Mom, Old Jiang already agreed. He gave me a few days off. I’ll go right after the premiere and be back in a flash. I swear it won’t affect the promotions for the Year of the Dragon movie."

"Good. As long as you know what you’re doing," Li Weiya said calmly.

"Since you’re visiting your girlfriend’s family, you’ll need to make a good impression if you want your future mother-in-law’s approval. You can be humble, but don’t be *too* humble. The more capable you appear, the more they’ll respect you." Like any mother, Li Weiya was painstakingly imparting some worldly wisdom to her son.

"I know, Mom."

"I’ll pick out some gifts for you to take over the next couple of days. Once you’re there, keep your wits about you and play it by ear. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, just call me."

"Okay! Thanks, Mom! I promise I’ll come back with your daughter-in-law," Wang Ming said with a grin.

’Ever since he was a child, he’d always thought his mom was the best in the world. She never stopped him from doing what he’d set his mind on. She would just lay out the pros and cons, let him make his own choice, and then support him with everything she had.’

"You’re a big-shot director. If you can’t even manage that, then don’t bother coming back," Li Weiya said, pursing her lips.

"Hehehe, no way. I won’t embarrass you, I promise."

"Alright, go on now. I still have work to do."

"Okey-dokey~"

Wang Ming sauntered out of the office. Having gotten approval from the two most important people, he was in a fantastic mood. He immediately took out his phone to call his girlfriend in Yu Du.

"Ying, the Cat and Mouse movie is about to have its premiere. Old Jiang says we have to go around to all the promotional events again."

Shen Ying seemed to have been expecting this. She comforted him in a soft voice, "It’s okay. Your career is important. Just focus on your work, don’t worry about me."

"It’s just..." She paused, then added in a small voice, "I probably can’t come to the Imperial Capital to be with you this year. I didn’t go home for the Spring Festival last year, so I have to go back this year, no matter what."

"I know. You’ve already spent so much time with me, and very little with your family."

Wang Ming took a soft breath and said in a tone full of regret.

"So, Ying... let’s go home together this year. Yeah. Together!"