Chapter 58

"Chinese cuisine has a wide variety of dishes, and this Chinese restaurant specializes in Cantonese cuisine. Located in the United States, to cater to American tastes, the flavors are definitely not as authentic. However, you can still taste the unique flavors of Chinese cuisine, for example, we often use frying while Western cuisine prefers boiling. Cantonese cuisine must include soup." Chen Tiandu brought Charlize to Chinatown and casually chose a Cantonese restaurant. He smiled as he introduced it to Charlize, "Do you prefer sweet or salty, light or rich flavors?"

Charlize seemed to understand but not fully, and she made an elegant expression, "I like sweet food. I heard that Chinese restaurants also have Chinese burgers, which are mostly fatty meat with very few vegetables."

Chen Tiandu thought for a while before he understood what "Chinese burger" meant—it was a roujiamo. He burst into laughter, "Chinese burger, that's a good name. I don't know if this Cantonese restaurant has Chinese burgers, probably not. But the preparation is quite simple, and if you order in advance, the chef can make it." Many unknown Chinese restaurants in the U.S. can prepare special dishes if ordered in advance.

"Kate told me that you are a good cook. So... can you make it?" Charlize blinked and asked suddenly.

"Of course."

Chen Tiandu grinned, "Cooking has become one of my few hobbies. In the future, I plan to travel around the world, taste the local cuisine, and then make them myself. If I have time, I will also host a party and invite a group of friends to taste my cooking. So, shall I order for us now?"

"Great ambition. Remember to invite me when the time comes." Charlize handed over the menu with a smile.

Chen Tiandu nodded, took the menu, flipped through a few pages, and then tossed it aside. He called the owner, "Boss, I'll have a White-Cut Imperial Chicken, Beggar's Chicken, Hundred Flowers Fish Maw, and Winter Melon Pot. For soup, two servings of Bitter Melon and Spare Ribs Soup."

"Sure. It's clear you've had Cantonese cuisine before. Are you from Hong Kong? Are you here for tourism, business, or study?" The owner greeted him with a smile in Cantonese.

Chen Tiandu smiled back, but he replied in Mandarin. He hadn't specifically learned Cantonese, and the few phrases he knew were from Hong Kong movies, "Yes, I'm from Yanjing. My Cantonese isn't very good. I'm here for a small business. How long have you been in the U.S.? How's business?"

The owner, Mr. Niu, was a smooth talker. He chuckled, "Now that Hong Kong has returned, we are all one big family, and all Chinese are one big family. My surname is Niu. You can call me Big Brother Niu. I've been on this street for eighteen years. I started by washing dishes for my fellow countrymen, then became a second chef, a head chef, and now I own a restaurant to support my two children. Many people from home like to taste authentic dishes. Today, Big Brother Niu will show you a thing or two. Hey, you look familiar. Have we met before?"

Charlize watched them chat with curiosity, showing no signs of impatience.

Chen Tiandu smiled, "I acted in a movie that was released in the U.S. But it's not very famous. People often find me familiar but can't recognize me."

"An actor, huh? A good profession. Jackie Chan's movies are very popular here. Wait... I think I recognize you." Mr. Niu suddenly stared at Chen Tiandu, trying to remember where he had seen him. Then he shouted into the back room, "Yingying, come out and take a look. Isn't this the star from that movie we watched last time? What's his name? My memory is so bad."

"Dad, what do you want?" A girl of about sixteen or seventeen came out, then widened her eyes in surprise, "Christmas Chen, the director and lead actor of 'The Sixth Sense,' a millionaire. I can't be wrong."

Charlize understood this and couldn't help but laugh at Chen Tiandu.

Chen Tiandu smiled, "Hello, Miss Niu Yingying. It's me. My Chinese name is Chen Tiandu."

There weren't many people in the restaurant, but hearing that a Hollywood star had arrived, they all looked over curiously. 'The Sixth Sense' was the box office champion in the U.S. this year, and many people recognized him.

Chen Tiandu felt at home, and Mr. Niu even specially sent two bottles of vintage red wine. Eating Cantonese cuisine with red wine was indeed... a pleasant and sumptuous dinner.

Charlize deliberately tried to get closer, asking questions about topics that interested Chen Tiandu. Chen Tiandu answered many questions about Chinese cuisine and also talked about some movies and life. Of course, Charlize also shared many of her own stories.

"I started practicing ballet at the age of six and became a fashion model at fourteen. The reason I didn't continue in the dance world is that I injured my knee during a performance, so I switched to modeling. At fifteen, well... some changes happened in my family, and my mother brought me back to Europe. After staying for a while, we came to Los Angeles, U.S. In the early days of living in Los Angeles, life was very plain. I had to frequently participate in commercial activities as a model while also taking care of my studies. It was really tough but fulfilling."

Charlize, after a glass of wine, couldn't stop talking, or perhaps she hadn't had anyone to confide in for a long time, "When I was eighteen, I was spotted by an entertainment agent and invited to join his agency. At that time, I was naive, thinking that being spotted by an agent would make me a star. Unfortunately, I only got one audition after another, and it wasn't until I was twenty that I got my first small role."

"I know, 'Chicago Ghost 3.'" Chen Tiandu poured her more wine.

"Yes." Charlize drank it in one go, and Chen Tiandu refilled her glass, "If I hadn't acted, I wouldn't have had many expectations. But once you act, it becomes addictive. You know, there are so many girls like me in Los Angeles, dreaming of becoming stars. They are willing to do anything to become famous, even if it's just a small chance. A girl I used to share an apartment with, a Mexican, slept with eight men, but none of them helped her. It's really cruel..."

Chen Tiandu was silent; he could empathize with her feelings.

Before obtaining the "artifact," he had also done all sorts of things to attract investment. Hollywood is the world's entertainment capital, and there are countless people in Los Angeles working in the entertainment industry. It's even harder to stand out, especially for female actors.

Without a word, he refilled her glass again.

Chen Tiandu chose to be a loyal listener.

"In the past few years, although I've played small roles, I've worked with many big names, including Tom Hanks in 'That Thing You Do,' Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino in 'The Devil's Advocate,' and Woody Allen in 'Celebrity.' I even played the lead role in 'The Devil's Advocate,' which gave me some minor fame, but not many people recognize me. It was only after playing a supporting role in 'The Sixth Sense' that I gained more attention. People are never satisfied. When they are unknown, they want to become famous. When they have a little fame, they want more. When they have enough fame, they want to make more money. People are never content with their current situation. It's a cold world..."

"I'm sorry for telling you so many boring things." Charlize drank the wine in a few gulps, pushed the empty glass over, and gestured for Chen Tiandu to refill it.

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