Chapter 13

On February 15, 1999, the last day of the lunar year 1998, Zhang Chengyuan's father, Zhang Donghu, finally returned home, nearly a month later than Zhang Chengyuan had expected. However, Zhang Donghu, who was concerned about his son, had already entrusted a colleague to send a sum of money back, to be used for Zhang Chengyuan's living expenses and to buy supplies for the Lunar New Year.

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in the Han Chinese tradition, is said to have been adopted by the Korean Peninsula from the Tang Dynasty during the Silla period and continued until the Japanese colonial rule of Korea. Due to Japan's policy of "Japan-Korea Integration" aimed at assimilating the Korean people, the celebration of the Spring Festival was banned, leading to its disappearance on the Korean Peninsula. After Japan's surrender, the South Korean government did not officially restore the Spring Festival until 1985, when it was reintroduced as a "Folk Day."

This year's Lunar New Year was the first one officially recognized by the South Korean government after its restoration. Therefore, it was highly valued by the Korean people, who place great importance on traditional culture. Zhang Donghu, who prided himself on being a direct descendant of the Korean Zhang clan and a staunch protector of family traditions, would not miss such a significant festival, even if he had to travel across the ocean. If not for his extremely busy work schedule, he would have returned much earlier.

According to Zhang Donghu, the ancestors of the Korean Zhang clan were descendants of a Zhang-named official who accompanied a Mongolian princess from the Yuan Dynasty when she married into the Goryeo Dynasty. The family had once been part of the yangban noble class during the Joseon Dynasty, with bloodlines far more noble than those of ordinary Koreans. Unfortunately, times had changed, and the family had fallen on hard times. By now, only Zhang Donghu and his son remained in this branch of the Zhang clan, and even their ancestors' graves had been destroyed during the war, making it impossible to pay respects.

Zhang Chengyuan found this claim highly questionable, as the memories left by his predecessor clearly indicated that both his parents were orphans. However, since he was not particularly interested in these matters at the moment, he kept his doubts to himself.

The two of them had a quiet dinner on the last day of the lunar year. Afterward, Zhang Chengyuan took out the contract he had discussed with Park Byung-ryeol and handed it to his father. Zhang Donghu, initially thinking it was a school report, was startled when he saw what it was. "This is an artist's contract. Why are you showing it to me? Do you want to become an entertainer?"

Although Korean celebrities were popular among young people, they were not highly regarded in the adult world. Some traditionalists, especially those from noble families, looked down on celebrities. This is why top female celebrities, despite their talent and beauty, often faced difficulties in marrying into wealthy families, and male celebrities found it almost impossible to marry into high society.

Zhang Chengyuan replied calmly, "Yes, I want to become a celebrity."

Hearing Zhang Chengyuan's firm response, Zhang Donghu was furious and immediately objected, "No! I absolutely will not agree to this!"

Zhang Chengyuan's expression remained unchanged as he said firmly, "Father, this is a decision I have made after careful consideration. Please give it some thought."

If it had been more than half a year ago, Zhang Donghu would have thrown a spoon at Zhang Chengyuan's head. But now, seeing his son's serious and composed demeanor, he hesitated to discipline him. After observing Zhang Chengyuan for a moment, he realized that his son had grown up. Compared to his former meekness, this new maturity was more reassuring.

Zhang Donghu sighed and said, "Chengyuan, have you thought this through? Being a celebrity is not easy."

"I am fully aware of that and have prepared myself mentally."

Zhang Donghu said, "If that's the case, let's have a serious talk tonight. If you can convince me, I will sign the contract."

Zhang Chengyuan replied, "Please first tell me your reasons for opposing it."

Zhang Donghu said, "You are young and can easily be dazzled by the surface glamour. You don't know that being a celebrity is actually very hard work."

"I understand that. However, to gain something, one must also lose something. To achieve certain goals, one must pay a price. But my body is strong, and I have plenty of energy. I can endure the hardships. Besides, haven't I been through tough times for years?"

Zhang Donghu thought to himself, "If you could really endure it, you wouldn't have tried to commit suicide." Although he grumbled inwardly, he knew that times had changed. He also realized that his son had learned some skills to strengthen his body and willpower, making him much stronger. He reluctantly nodded and continued, "Even if you work very hard as a celebrity, what you gain is far less than what you give. The money you earn is subject to high taxes and is often exploited by entertainment companies. After working for five or six years, you might not even be able to afford a cheap house."

Zhang Chengyuan responded calmly, "Compared to ordinary white-collar workers who can't afford a house even after ten years of saving, celebrities can still buy a house after a few more years of hard work. As for being exploited by entertainment companies, it depends on the individual. I am still clear-headed and won't sign an unreasonable contract that would put my fate in the hands of unscrupulous people. If you are worried, you can review the contract in your hand and see if I have been deceived."

"Even if what you say is true, so what? Being a celebrity is not something you can just decide to become. Every year, countless people strive to become celebrities, but only a few succeed. How can you and this Logosfilm advertising agency ensure that you will become a celebrity? If you don't succeed, you might as well sell sweet potatoes on the street!" Zhang Donghu, unable to persuade Zhang Chengyuan, became angry and shouted, pointing at the contract.

Zhang Chengyuan said, "Father, if an advertising company is willing to sign a contract with me under favorable conditions, it means I have the potential to succeed in the advertising industry. I am confident that my current appearance is not inferior to that of most film and television stars. The only thing I lack is acting skills and experience. But I am young, and I believe that with persistent effort, I will eventually succeed."

Zhang Donghu asked, "Do you really want to be a celebrity? Is it because of the glamour?"

Zhang Chengyuan replied, "Father, I don't care about the glamour. What I care about is that being a celebrity is a faster and easier way to make money compared to other legitimate means, and it doesn't require us to invest initial capital."

Zhang Donghu shouted, "Did I tell you to make money? Making enough money to live on is fine. Happiness in life is not just about money."

Zhang Chengyuan thought to himself, "If you gave me enough money, who would bother to work? With my appetite, I would have starved to death long ago without going out to earn money. Besides, without money, how can I afford the travel expenses to return to my homeland and investigate the situation at Wangwu Mountain? Without money, how can I stand on my own in this world? I really need money. Although I would like to be as noble as in my previous life and say 'I regard money as dirt,' without this dirt, I would have withered long ago. Father, please understand my plight!"

After a long pause, Zhang Chengyuan said, "Father, in today's world, without sufficient money, one lacks the power to stand up to others. In the past, I was weak and often bullied, and I have endured enough humiliation. Although no one my age dares to be disrespectful to me now, I can't guarantee that it will always be this way. I want to take a chance to change my future. Please support me, Father." To move his father, Zhang Chengyuan even brought up his predecessor's tragic experiences, hoping to soften Zhang Donghu's heart.

Zhang Donghu sighed, "Chengyuan, your mother and I never expected you to achieve great success. We only hoped you would grow up safely and live a simple life like those around you. But now that you have grown up and have your own ideas, I can't force you. Since you are so determined to take this path, I will support you. However, I have one condition."

Zhang Chengyuan said, "Please tell me."

Zhang Donghu did not directly state his condition but asked, "I remember your exam results from the past few months: 53rd in the grade in September, 21st in October, and 5th in November. What was your final exam result?"

Zhang Chengyuan replied indifferently, "First place. Why do you ask?" Zhang Chengyuan had no interest in school exams. If not to comfort his father, he wouldn't have bothered to play the role of a student who gradually improved his grades through hard work. If he wanted to, he could have been first in the first monthly exam. With his mental abilities, excelling in a regular high school was as easy as taking something out of a pocket.

Zhang Donghu was pleasantly surprised, "First place? First place? My son is the top student in the school! It must be the ancestors' blessing and God's protection!" After a moment of joy, he continued, "I will temporarily support you in shooting ads, but you must ensure that your academic performance does not drop below the top ten in your grade. Can you do that?"

Zhang Chengyuan smiled inwardly but replied solemnly, "Agreed!" For Zhang Chengyuan, Zhang Donghu's condition was almost no condition at all.