Chapter 149 Visiting Parents at Home

After finishing the meal, Fang Xing picked up the remote control and checked the viewing history.

He found that the history was filled with programs like *The Voice of Singing* and *Tomorrow's Star*. There were only two episodes of *The Voice of Singing*, but *Tomorrow's Star* had many more, ranging from the first episode to the tenth, clearly played on a loop.

Father Fang laughed heartily to cover his embarrassment and said, "Your mother loves listening to these. She even leaves the TV on while cooking in the kitchen."

That is how elderly people are. They do not watch television necessarily for a specific show; they just want some sound in the living room.

This way, the house does not feel so desolate.

And if they could also hear their son's voice at home, that would be even better.

Therefore, even when Mother Fang was cooking in the kitchen and could not see the screen at all, she would still play *Tomorrow's Star*, as long as she could hear the audio.

There was just one problem.

The television was too large.

In reality, this old home was just an ordinary two-bedroom apartment, and the living room was not particularly spacious.

A 55-inch television would have been quite sufficient, whereas a 65-inch one appeared slightly overwhelming.

Furthermore, this television was brand new.

Fang Xing asked casually, "Did you buy a new TV?"

Father Fang waved his hand and replied, "No, someone gave it to us. They said they were a friend of yours, living close by, and wanted to help look after our family.

"At first, I refused to accept this television.

"However, your friend insisted that all your programs and behind-the-scenes clips were already saved inside it, and some of the content couldn't be seen anywhere else.

"Your mother wanted to watch them, so we accepted it.

"When I tried to give your friend some money, he refused to take it.

"It wasn't just the television. He has visited several times, sometimes bringing fruit, sometimes bringing records."

Fang Xing instantly frowned, trying to figure out which of his friends this could be.

Could it be Guo Keda or Lu Ming?

Guo Keda seemed plausible, but Lu Ming had limited life experience and would not think of doing something like this.

Yet, if it were Guo Keda, that fellow would never miss a chance to claim credit the very next day after sending gifts; he could never remain so silent and discreet.

Perplexed, Fang Xing asked, "Is this why you called me back?"

"Yes, since your friend gave us so many things, we ought to thank him, right? But we don't know where he lives, and we felt too shy to call and ask directly, so we had no choice but to call you back," Father Fang explained.

"What is my friend's name? I don't recall anyone like that," Fang Xing continued to press.

"What? You don't know who it is? Mother of our child, could we have been scammed?" Father Fang grew instantly alert.

Nowadays, there were many scams targeting elderly people in the residential compound, and management had even hung up banners promoting vigilance against fraud.

Therefore, Father Fang was very cautious. Hearing that something might be amiss with this situation, he immediately grew nervous.

Mother Fang, on the other hand, was much more easygoing and said dismissively, "What could they possibly be scamming us out of? He wouldn't even take our money—what could he possibly want from you?"

Fang Xing quickly pacified his father and asked, "Don't worry, did that person leave a name?"

Father Fang nodded and said, "Yes, he did. The person who delivered the things said he was your friend, sent by Boss Xie."

"Boss Xie?"

Fang Xing became even more puzzled. "Which Boss Xie?"

Father Fang remembered something, reached into the drawer of the TV cabinet, pulled out a business card, and handed it to Fang Xing, saying, "It's this one. That person also gave us a photo and said if we ever needed help, we should call the number above."

Fang Xing took it and looked. The company name printed on the card was "Yuwen Entertainment."

Upon seeing this business card, Fang Xing understood what was going on.

"Yuwen Entertainment" was Xie Yuwen's company.

In other words, the gifts had been sent by Xie Yuwen.

However, Xie Yuwen had never mentioned this matter during the recording of the show.

Knowing who the sender was, Fang Xing ceased to worry.

Since it came from Xie Yuwen, it was definitely not a scam.

As for the motive, Fang Xing could roughly guess it.

Ever since his two songs, *Painted Heart* and *Big Fish*, swept the music charts,

Ashitong Records had been receiving a massive number of song collaboration requests every day, specifically naming Fang Xing as the desired composer.

Most of these requests were rejected or forwarded to the company's music production department for follow-up.

In order to secure songs from Fang Xing, many singers resorted to all sorts of methods to send gifts to the executives of Ashitong Records.

However, whether Fang Xing accepted a project was entirely up to him, so sending gifts to the executives of Ashitong Records proved completely useless.

Sending gifts all the way to Baitang Town, on the other hand, was quite a novel approach.

Once Fang Xing understood the situation, he reassured his parents, saying, "I know who it is. Actually, you two have met this Boss Xie before."

Father Fang and Mother Fang looked at each other in confusion and asked, "Who is it? When did we ever know such a big boss?"

Fang Xing pointed toward the television and said, "Look! It's him."

At that moment, the TV was broadcasting *The Voice of Singing*, and it was Xie Yuwen's turn to perform.

Mother Fang frowned, pointed at the screen, and mused, "This person is called... called Xie something... Xie Yuwen, right, his name is Xie Yuwen. In every competition, he's either third or fourth."

Looking at the business card, Father Fang also reacted immediately. "So that's how it is. Yuwen Entertainment is Xie Yuwen's company?"

"Yes, it's his company," Fang Xing nodded.

"Then it's fine. You two were on the show together. Are you close with each other?" Father Fang asked.

***

Fang Xing shook his head with a smile and said, "Actually... I'm not very close with him."

"Ah?"

Father Fang was stunned for a moment and quickly asked, "If you aren't close, isn't it inappropriate for us to accept his gifts?"

Fang Xing replied with a relaxed expression, "Don't stress. If he sends gifts, keep them if you like them, and don't if you don't. There's no need to overthink it.

"However, after accepting a gift, just send me a message telling me what he sent, and I'll have someone prepare a return gift."

Father Fang thought about it and said, "Let's forget it then. Having to buy gifts to return them wastes too much money."

Fang Xing smiled and said, "It's just courtesy among acquaintances, perfectly normal. Since the other person wants to make friends and sends a few gifts to draw closer, it's quite ordinary."

For Xie Yuwen to think of sending gifts all the way to his hometown and even specially save the show's videos onto the television showed genuine thoughtfulness.

In the entertainment industry, making more friends was never a bad thing.

Therefore, Fang Xing did not mind maintaining a good relationship with Xie Yuwen.

At seven o'clock in the evening,

an auntie from the same square dance group as Mother Fang heard that the big star had returned, and they all rushed over to join the excitement.

Fang Xing was surrounded by these aunties for group photos and found it difficult to refuse.

Mother Fang was not so accommodating. After letting them take a few pictures, she started to intervene: "One photo per person is enough. My son's signed photographs cost a lot of money now. That's enough, that's enough."

Besides, her son had finally come home, and Mother Fang had no intention of letting these old aunties disturb their time together.

Thus, after staying for half an hour, the aunties were ushered out by Mother Fang.

Upon returning, Mother Fang fetched a photo album from her bedroom, pulled Fang Xing down to sit with her, and began reminiscing about the past.

"Look at this. How cute you were when you were little. This is the third grade; you said you wanted to learn the electronic keyboard, and your father gathered money from your aunt to buy you one. Your aunt was so good to you, you must be filial to her in the future, understand?"

Mother Fang flipped through the photographs one by one, attaching a past story to every single picture.

Fang Xing listened quietly, recalling his childhood memories.

Back then, the family experienced ups and downs, and there were times when life was hard, but they gritted their teeth and pushed through.

His father was a music teacher at the Baitang Town primary school, and whenever he went to class, he always carried that accordion on his back.

The accordion was extremely heavy, and Fang Xing could not lift it when he was a child.

In truth, the salary of a music teacher in a small-town primary school was not high.

In those days, parents in small places did not place such high demands on their children's artistic talents.

During the most difficult period, Father Fang secretly started teaching classes outside to teach students how to play instruments.

Later, the school found out, and he even received a public reprimand.

At that time,

Father Fang had considered quitting the school to teach students full-time, as it would earn more money than being a primary school teacher.

However, the status of a primary school teacher still carried a certain respectability.

Eventually, Mother Fang decided that Father Fang should stay at the school, while she went out and opened a small restaurant.

By working from early morning till late at night, she finally managed to improve the family's financial situation.

When he was young, Fang Xing had also witnessed his parents worrying over money.

Life always had its ups and downs like this.

Looking at the photographs in the album, Fang Xing thought that if he had not transmigrated here, perhaps this ordinary family might not have produced a son who became a big star, but they still would have lived a happy life.

After reminiscing about his childhood, Mother Fang flipped out a junior high school graduation photo and pointed at a classmate, asking, "Do you remember who this is?"

Fang Xing stared at the photo for a long time. He had some impression, but could no longer recall the name: "I don't really remember."

So, she pulled the photo out of the album, flipped it to the back to look, and matched the position to find the name.

"Huang Kaiyan."

"Right, that's Director Huang's daughter. She was in your class during junior high, and you used to play together. Remember?" Mother Fang continued chattering.

"I remember her, yes, but we haven't been in touch for many years." Fang Xing recalled his junior high school days; many things remained in his memory, though some details had grown blurry.

Besides, this Huang Kaiyan's father was a director at the county bureau, possessing extensive connections and solid backing, placing her in an entirely different world from the Fang family.

Mother Fang continued, "This same Huang Kaiyan graduated this year, came back to the town, and started working at the Education Bureau. I've seen her—she's a very bright and lovely young woman.

"When I ran into her last time, she also mentioned that you've become a big star and praised how capable you are.

"Why don't we invite her out for a meal, talk about childhood days? Who knows, maybe the girl would be interested?"

Hearing this, Fang Xing sensed that something was amiss and frowned, saying, "Are you starting to set me up on a blind date?"

"Yes, we have to seize the opportunity. With background like Huang Kaiyan's—her father is a county department director, she works at the Education Bureau, has her own house and car, and is pretty to boot.

"With conditions like that, countless people have their eyes on her. If we don't act quickly now, someone else will snatch her up later."

Fang Xing could not help laughing and said, "Mom, if entertainment reporters snap pictures of me going on a blind date, the whole country will probably know about it by tomorrow."

Mother Fang sighed, "You became a big star, and everything is great except for this point. Something as normal as dating turns into a scandal."

Not wanting a real media storm to erupt, Fang Xing said directly, "Mom, I have someone I like. It wouldn't be fair to lead another person on like that."

"You have someone you like? Who is it? Is she a star too?" Mother Fang's gossiping spirit burned fiercely.

Naturally, since it concerned her son's major life events, she had to get to the bottom of it.

"She's not a star. You'll find out later," Fang Xing brushed it off casually.

"Well, who is she? Have I met her? When are you two going to settle down? When are you going to let your mother hold a grandchild?" Mother Fang fired off another string of questions.

"It doesn't happen that fast. We aren't official yet. I'll definitely tell you when we are, okay?" Fang Xing said helplessly.

Father Fang chimed in, "Stop asking so many questions. The son said he has someone he likes, so just wait for it. You can't rush these things."

***

Mother Fang refused to back down: "But our son said it's not official yet. What if it doesn't work out?"

Father Fang countered, "Do you think there's any girl who wouldn't like our son?"

Upon second thought, Mother Fang's mind cleared up instantly: "That's right, which girl wouldn't like our son? It'll definitely work out. Go for it, son!"

After settling the serious matters, Mother Fang busied herself again: "I've cleaned up your room. The bedsheets and duvet covers are all washed and aired out fresh. Are you staying the night?"

Fang Xing nodded and agreed, "I'll stay for a night. But I have to record *The Voice of Singing* over the weekend, so I can't stay too long."

"Staying a night is plenty. It's good for young people to be busy. Sing well and carry on your father's musical talent. Your father is always going on about having unappreciated talent." Mother Fang started teasing Father Fang again, though her face was filled with smiles.

After a short while,

Mother Fang emerged from the bedroom and asked quietly, "Son, what place did you get in your later episodes?"

Fang Xing smiled and replied, "I signed a confidentiality agreement and can't reveal the show's contents. If word gets out through you, I'll be fined."

Upon hearing the word "fine," Mother Fang immediately shut her mouth: "Oh, never mind then. Just tell your mother quietly—were your results in the later competitions good?"

Fang Xing felt this question was safe to answer: "They were all very good. The rankings were high."

Mother Fang clapped her hands happily and said, "I knew it. My son is definitely talented."

Answering this way posed no real problem.

Even if Mother Fang ran out every day to brag to the neighbors in the residential compound about how amazing her son was on the show, people would simply think a mother was boasting about her child, which had nothing to do with leaking confidential show content.

Walking into his own room, Fang Xing saw a very old electronic keyboard placed beside the study desk.

This was the very keyboard Father Fang had borrowed money to buy when he was a child.

"Does this keyboard still make a sound?"

"Yes, your father was just playing it a couple of days ago. Things made back then were built to last, unlike today's items that break at the drop of a hat." Mother Fang began making the bed.

Fang Xing sat down and casually played a melody.

Judged by modern standards, the tone quality of this electronic keyboard was truly mediocre.

At that moment,

the sound of an accordion drifted in from outside—the tune of *Ode to the Young China*.

Father Fang walked up to the doorway while playing the accordion and said, "Well? Have I still got it? I teach the students at school this song every day now."

Fang Xing smiled, harmonized with him using the electronic keyboard, and softly sang a couple of lines:

"Youth naturally possess a youthful wildness, their bodies standing firm as mountains and rivers like a backbone. Daring to measure the sun and moon anew..."

Mother Fang dragged a plastic stool over, kicked it behind Father Fang, and said, "Why carry something so heavy while standing? Sit down."

Father Fang sat down and continued playing the accordion.

After finishing the song, Fang Xing looked around the old apartment and said, "This place is a bit small. How about we get a bigger one? It'll be more comfortable to live in, and without an elevator, climbing five flights of stairs every day is exhausting."

"We're fine, our bodies are still strong. Climbing five flights of stairs every day is no problem at all." Father Fang instinctively refused, feeling that buying a house cost too much money and they didn't need it.

Currently, his parents had not retired yet, and their physical health was indeed fine.

However, in another ten or eight years, an old apartment without an elevator would sooner or later become inconvenient to live in.

Since they would have to move eventually, moving sooner meant enjoying it sooner.

Moreover, property prices in the town were nothing to Fang Xing nowadays.

The price of a single apartment in Donghai could buy twenty houses in Baitang Town.

Fang Xing persuaded them, "Let's change places anyway. Get something with an elevator for convenience. Or we could get a small two- or three-story villa with a small courtyard. Mother could grow flowers in the yard later—wouldn't that be nice?"

Hearing this, Mother Fang instantly grew interested: "I heard people from the square dance group say that the newly developed residential area in the north of town has villas, they're just too expensive—costing over a million yuan."

"That's not expensive. It's only the price of half a song. When you have free time, go take a look at the houses. Buy whichever one you like," Fang Xing said in a relaxed tone.

Mother Fang's eyes widened in disbelief as she gasped, "What? Half a song can buy a house worth over a million yuan?"

"Property prices around here aren't that high, mainly," Fang Xing replied.

Mother Fang corrected him, "No, I mean if half a song can buy a million-plus house, then a whole song must earn you over two million?"

In reality, Fang Xing had not yet formally sold songs outright.

All his songs were collaborations based on revenue sharing, so the actual earnings from a single song far exceeded two million yuan; it was just that the money wasn't received all at once, but settled through revenue splits.

The reason Fang Xing said half a song could buy a million-plus house was actually calculated based on the price of using *Painted Heart* as a film theme song.

The purchase price for the theme song of *Liao Zhai: Painted Skin* had been two million yuan.

Furthermore, those two million yuan were acquired outright, while the copyright of *Painted Heart* still belonged to the studio, and all subsequent revenues also belonged to the studio.

Fang Xing smiled and replied, "So you see, now that your son can buy a house with half a song, why shouldn't we live a bit better? Besides, buying a house is also an investment; you won't lose out by buying one."

Mother Fang finally wrapped her head around the idea: "Right, right, treating it as an investment works too. Your father and I will go look at houses when we have free time, and buy you a bridal home to keep ready. A good house takes time to pick carefully; the layout and location are both very important."

The next day,

the legend that the Fang family's son could buy a house with half a song began spreading throughout the entire residential compound.

After eating lunch, Fang Xing went out for a stroll with Father Fang in the afternoon, only to be stopped by several aunties asking if it was true.

Fang Xing was truly defeated; his mother's dissemination speed was like broadcasting announcements through a giant loudspeaker.

Moreover, after inquiring about the half-a-song house-buying feat, these aunties immediately began probing into deeper matters.

"Do you have a girlfriend? Do you plan to stay in Donghai in the future, or come back to your hometown to get married? If you come back, can you test into a stable government job?"