Chapter 5: Between Advance and Retreat

The surroundings are so quiet that it brings comfort, the marble floor shines beautifully, as we casually stroll past one shop window after another, only the fossils quietly listen to our voices

Speaking to him alone has strengthened my understanding: Gu Chijun is truly remarkable. As rumored, regardless of the identity of the person standing before him, he responds with utmost propriety and consideration.

She laughed so hard that she stumbled, "Xu Zhen, don't push yourself too hard. Senior Lin is back, hurry and rush into his embrace."

I made a heartbroken expression and said, "Are you really trying to push me into the fire pit? The women around him change every few days. If I truly fell into his embrace, I would be cast into the past within a week."

My face felt hot and flushed; since he had already noticed, I was no longer afraid of death. I made every effort to appear very open and continued to speak.

I gently exhaled and said, "That being said, sometimes I still feel that my father has many regrets in his life"

He was slightly taken aback, and the next moment he shook his head in a mix of laughter and disbelief, "I thought it was something serious; turns out you just want my signature. Besides my name, is there anything else you need me to write?"

Ah, I eagerly explained, "This is the Ginkgoaceae plant, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, that we discovered on Bone Mountain in Ronya Island, and this is the Lycopodiaceae plant found on Gao Island, with small, rounded leaves. You see, this fills in the gaps in the chronological record..."

"I will not be visiting; I am merely the driver and will be leaving shortly," Zhang Shiyu said with a slight shake of his head. He looked at Xiang Gu Chijun, "I will head to the company first. For now, please park the car in the garage, and you can retrieve it when you leave."

Seeing that this joke could not continue, I could only support my forehead, return to the table, pick up the pen, and continue to write vigorously without raising my head. "Lin Jinxiu has already helped me. In any case, relying on others is not a solution; I just need to endure a little longer and it will be fine."

To speak frankly, sometimes I feel that my father has not had much luck in marriage. Liang Wanling was my father's classmate; the two were deeply in love and both studied paleontology. Unfortunately, their luck was truly poor, as she passed away in a mountaineering accident less than a year after their marriage. My father then remained a widower for over ten years before marrying my mother, who is the cousin of his first wife. This marriage also feels rather dull. At that time, my father was already in his early forties, studying paleontology every day, living like a man in his sixties. My mother was a twenty-year-old girl studying at a film academy, both beautiful and capable, and it was quite absurd to think she could adapt to my father's scholarly lifestyle. In reality, the fact that they were able to marry was already puzzling.

I recall a news article I once read, in which my mother was being interviewed by a reporter. She was asked why she chose the then-unknown Gu Chijun as the lead in her film. She candidly replied: From a distance, his profile captivated me, and upon closer inspection, his eyes and lips further moved me. My new film requires just such a young man

What left the deepest impression on me was a scene in which the male lead, played by Gu Chijun, reminisced about his past love. My mother and Gu Chijun had quite a debate about whether to shoot his face directly, which lasted for nearly an hour

Zou Qi is a very easy-going person, smiling as she thanked me: "You have worked hard during this short time, you are truly capable, really worth three people. Have you just sent off the students?"

He raised his eyebrows and looked at me, his eyes shimmering with brilliance, and then he lifted his arm again

He spoke on the other end of the phone, "Xu Zhen? Calling so late, I hope I am not disturbing you."

I see, it is always a pleasure to learn something new, and I nodded appreciatively.

I foolishly nodded my head, quietly turning my head to the side, taking a step back behind him. Occasionally, I raised my head to peek at him; his nose bridge was truly tall and beautiful, making one almost want to reach out and touch it

When I talk about paleontology, I become very enthusiastic, and I can speak incessantly. However, Gu Chijun keeps asking questions, so I continue to explain. By the time I finally take a breath, I have nearly covered all the images in the appendix that span dozens of pages.

I received a call from the museum to discuss the timing for the handover of the collection. Those items are the culmination of my father's lifelong efforts, and I did not take it lightly; I decided to schedule a time for a face-to-face meeting

My father is much older than my mother, and he was previously married once. I casually mentioned, "His first wife is either my mother's cousin or a distant cousin... Oh, a cousin, because she also has the surname Liang. Let me think, her name is Liang Wanling. I should refer to her as Aunt.

Gu Chijun paused for a moment and said, "Have you and your father always been just the two of you?"

He walked over to me, and I placed the book on the small table. "Mr. Gu, this is my father's book that you said you wanted to read last time."

Zou Qi's gaze fell on Gu Chijun beside me, and she gently exclaimed, "Oh? This is—"; Gu Chijun, on the other hand, adjusted his terrifying large black-framed glasses with a serious expression, completely oblivious to her gaze, and asked, "What’s wrong? Do you know me?"

If he seems to be pondering, "Then your father, aside from his research work, has been raising you alone, which must be very difficult"

Gu Chijun had his hands in the pockets of his coat, and his gaze paused on me. I pretended not to notice the depth of meaning in his gaze.

Gu Chijun's level of surprise was even greater than just now, but in the next moment, he regained his composure. "I truly did not expect this at all." He had always presented himself with the demeanor of a top superstar in front of me, and it was rare to see him change color in surprise. I turned my face away, feeling a subtle and complex emotion.

Yes

You are her daughter, how could she not contact you

"Alright," I said quickly, "I just happen to be volunteering tomorrow"

Yes, it has already been launched a few days ago

"I will take you to see the exhibition," I said, feeling a mix of emotions. I couldn't refuse, yet it didn't feel right to agree without hesitation. "You still have a movie to shoot..."

This rhetorical question is indeed very subtle. After all, how many experiences has he had, and how many enthusiastic fans has he encountered? As an outstanding actor, I believe his powers of observation are also top-notch; my excited little thoughts cannot be hidden and will not escape his notice.

When I was a little older, I also advised him to remarry, but he showed no interest at all. He said that things should not happen more than three times, and one cannot marry three times in this lifetime. Besides, he already has me. I told Gu Chijun, "After all, my mother is already my father's second wife."

Gu Chijun did not answer me directly; with a slight smile, he turned his gaze away and simply said: "Your mother is an outstanding director"

I have encountered many people, but only two have been able to express pleasantries with such sincerity and heartfelt emotion, and they happen to be standing right in front of me. I wonder who has influenced whom between Gu Chijun and him.

Gu Chijun expressed agreement: "I have seen it before. That was an early work by Director Liu Yan, and I collaborated with him a few years ago"

Three weeks later

I suddenly realized and smiled, saying: "Ah, Mr. Zhang, hello."

As he watched, I explained, and we coordinated quite harmoniously. I narrated the origins and significance of each fossil to him. I was surprised to find that Gu Chijun actually understood some basic knowledge of paleobiology, such as the various branches of paleobotany, and he would occasionally echo my popular science discourse.

Although he joked about me with good intentions, I am still very grateful. Because that laughter that pierced through the clouds made the invisible barrier between us completely disappear

We are certainly different now, I said, I had only seen her in the news before

I crouched down and presented a beautifully prepared set of paleontological images to the little boy in the wheelchair—this was what I had requested from the museum half an hour ago

We rose from our seats, and Gu Chijun nodded to me, saying, "I will call you."

I am truly very busy, so busy that I wish I could split myself into four: one part to fulfill my duties as a dutiful daughter, to please my mother; another part to work at Manro, dealing with those peculiar and diverse customers; a third part to help Shen Qinyan review for university entrance subjects, which we usually do in the morning. Shen Qinyan is basically a good student, diligent and hardworking. There was only one time when I noticed he was slightly lax and had completely failed to follow the study plan we had set. I reminded him once, and he has never forgotten since.

As for my primary responsibility—being a student—it seems to have been cast aside by me. Every night, I return to the dormitory quite late, take a shower, and despite enduring backaches and fatigue, I begin to stay up late to complete the assignments assigned by the teachers. Most of our senior year assignments take the form of short papers, and researching materials and conducting surveys truly keeps me busy and engaged.

Until my mother turned her head to look at me, "Go to the outer deck. Xiaorui, bring her something to eat."

I nodded: "Of course, my dad loves me more."

I explained to him, "Yes, it is a photo from a few years ago"

Mr. Gu, I always thought you were just being polite by asking for my father's book. I was overwhelmed with emotions and inadvertently revealed my true feelings. I didn't expect you would actually read it carefully; after all, this is paleontology.

Discovering the oil field was more like an accident; my father did not consider it a significant achievement in his life, but merely a discovery outside of his research. There is a science fiction film titled "The Arrival of Extraterrestrials"; I wonder if you, Mr. Gu, have seen it. In the story, the aliens arrive on Earth and the first person they want to meet is the most outstanding paleontologist on the planet. My father shares similarities with the character in the film—he is solely focused on his research, completely undistracted.

The scenery at the bow of the ship is indeed much better. The sea surface resembles a piece of satin shimmering with blue light, while the ship cuts through the satin like a pair of scissors, resolutely facing the wind and waves, my hair rustling in the breeze. Leaning against the railing, I watched while silently recalling the content from the book, when I heard a warm voice filled with laughter.

During the days leading up to my father's passing, I found it difficult to accept the reality. The only source of solace for me was the knowledge that he left this world without any regrets; he even smiled as he was wheeled into the operating room

What was just said became a handle for others to use against me. Once this big hat was placed upon me, I was completely overwhelmed and left with no power to resist, so I could only nod in agreement and accept my fate

The teacher and the children all burst into laughter, and I couldn't help but smile as well, secretly feeling pleased and thinking to myself: There's no helping it, I am just particularly liked by children

This, he elongated his voice, "I know."

I smiled and said, "No need to thank me, I am also very happy to spend this morning with you all."

Especially a little boy in a wheelchair with braided hair, although quiet, is very insightful, occasionally asking me questions that his peers could hardly imagine, such as "How can we find clues from this fossil?" or "Why do tropical rainforest plant fossils appear in icy and snowy conditions?"

I was surprised that Gu Chijun seems to have a limited role in this film. For instance, he is currently in a "leisurely" state, spending most of his time sitting in front of the monitor with my mother, speaking to her at a rapid pace. The topics they discuss are mostly related to the industry or the script, such as revisions of certain details. Sometimes, disagreements arise—there is a tension between them, as if a string is tautly stretched between them.

Looking up, I saw Gu Chijun gazing at me intently, his eyes exceptionally bright. With a mix of emotion and satisfaction, he said, "You have been to many remote places. Reading thousands of books is not as valuable as traveling thousands of miles. At your age, this is indeed a rare experience."

Alright

I was completely stunned. By the time I came to my senses and wanted to say, "You should also take a good rest," the other party had already hung up the phone. The busy tone echoed in my ears as I happily rolled around in bed, hugging the blanket.

I will come to the museum to find you tomorrow, is that alright

His long fingers held my pen, elegantly signing his name with a flourish, and in a deep, melodious voice, he asked me, "Is this a new signature book? Specifically for me to sign?"

In order to organize this paleontology exhibition effectively, the natural history museum has showcased its prized possessions—some of the most complete fossils of Tyrannosaurus rex and pterosaurs that one can see—displayed prominently in the grand exhibition hall to welcome guests, exuding an impressive aura. Likely due to the presence of these ancient biological fossils, the number of visitors to this paleontology exhibition has exceeded my expectations, keeping me exceedingly busy.

Xu Zhen

I quickly said: "A signature is sufficient. Just a signature."

Upon entering, I encountered the hurried assistant curator, Zou Qi. I greeted her, saying, "Miss Zou."

Your father appears to be the very image of a scholarly individual who is completely disengaged from worldly affairs. He began to carefully flip through the pages of the book

Indeed, this is the case. What he has loved most in his life are his fossils

His expression changed dramatically, and in the end, he couldn't hold back, laughing out loud without any regard for his image. He laughed so joyfully that I had a vague sense of foreboding—I often saw that kind of situation with Lin Jinxiu, where the urge to suppress laughter evolved into uncontrollable guffaws. I felt somewhat defeated, wondering if I was destined to be a source of amusement for others. Clearly, I lacked any sense of humor. I felt somewhat defeated, wondering if I was destined to be a source of amusement for others. Clearly, I lacked any sense of humor.

No, I am very sorry to explain. After all, you are a big star, and just filming and attending events every day can be exhausting, so sometimes you may not care about some trivial matters

She then stopped speaking, turned over, and fell asleep; after she was sound asleep, I went over to pull the blanket over her and returned to my desk to do my homework. I wrote until the early hours of the morning, and finally finished it, sending it to the teacher's email overnight, and at last, I could climb into bed and sleep peacefully.

Generally, the visitors are manageable, but the most troublesome are the children. Many school teachers have organized students to visit the museum, creating quite a spectacle.

My heart suddenly skipped a beat

This is indeed unheard of, "Is that so? I didn't notice it."

Gu Chijun interjected, "I just saw you getting along very well with the children"

I set down my pen, rubbed my shoulders, and watered the flowers, inwardly complaining about why Lin Jinxiu had to give me such a troublesome plant. He enjoys causing me trouble, even the gifts he gives are like this. I cannot bear to ignore them, so I have to take care of them with great care. After all, my father is a paleobotanist specializing in ancient plants, so I have always held a special affection for these lovely plants.

My father does not like taking photos, and there are very few pictures of him. The reason this photo is printed in the book is that the publisher said, "Let your peers see your true self," and my father had no choice but to comply. In the photo, my father is wearing black-framed glasses, with a kind and gentle smile, and his temples are graying.

He used my phone to call his own phone and exchanged phone numbers with me. I stared at that string of numbers and thought for a moment, saving it in the contacts. I initially intended to input his full name, but after some consideration, I deleted the name and only entered a single character, "Gu".

Gu Chijun nodded, turned to look at me, and said, "Lead the way."

I stared at him foolishly, my mind suddenly igniting like a young soldier filled with patriotic fervor expressing heartfelt loyalty to a charismatic commander. "I have many friends, but none of them are big stars. So I don't know how to be your friend, but I will try my best! Mr. Gu, is there anything you need me to do?"

My divergent thinking is exceptionally strong; in an instant, I consider the consequences of bringing him along: if he is recognized by someone or photographed, it would undoubtedly make headline news. Unfortunately, I would also be present at the scene, and perhaps I would become the protagonist of a gossip story, occupying a space in the newspaper. On the other hand, as free advertising, it would be excellent. With Gu Chijun's leadership, a large crowd would flock to the museum to view the fossils that embody the hard work of paleontologists.

I turned around and saw Gu Chijun striding towards me with long legs, walking steadily. He was not in costume today, nor was he made up, dressed very casually, looking both youthful and handsome. The magnificent ocean liner was left behind by him, completely reduced to a backdrop. Some people's aura is just that powerful, making one fall in love at first sight

Thank you for your fondness, I am very happy, Gu Chijun returned the signed book and pen to me, which I cherished like a treasure, expressing my gratitude to him repeatedly. He waved his hand, his obsidian-like eyes sparkling brightly, the corners of his eyes slightly raised, looking extremely pleased, but his words left me utterly astonished, "However, this is the only time for the signing."

"Mr. Gu, it's nothing, it's nothing, I haven't slept yet," I said in a flustered manner, "I just finished writing my thesis"

After I finished the call, Gu Chijun asked me: "Which museum's exhibition?"

His smile deepened a bit, especially under the camera. Several locations were chosen, and a few scenes were filmed in that sea area.

Indeed, having been admired by millions for too long, infatuated too much, and desiring too intensely, it becomes difficult to return to an ordinary life. For him, friendship may indeed be a kind of luxury.

Just as Superman becomes two different individuals with and without glasses, he instantly transforms into another person—a big star suddenly devolving into a refined, homebound teacher on a university campus, who knows nothing of love and rarely steps outside his door.

What?

I was lost in thought, while he once again lowered his head to carefully examine the images in the book, his fingertips flipping through the pages, "What is this again?"

Zou Qi let out an "Oh" and laughed, saying, "I mistook you for a celebrity," before hurriedly leaving.

This is her territory; as soon as she speaks, I immediately rise to comply, "Alright, Mom"

It is actually Gu Chijun. I remember he once said he would contact me, and I didn't expect that he really called.

"You are different from other women," Wei Shan said dismissively, pointing to the maiden pinks on the windowsill. "I saw Senior Lin today, and he even asked me how the pinks were doing. He wanted to know if you water them every day."

Before the cup reached my lips, my phone rang

"Indeed, I believe you have a father who loves you very much," he said, lowering his head and pointing to the color illustration on the page, curiously asking me, "What is this?"

I wholeheartedly acknowledge this viewpoint

He smiled while apologizing to me, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh like this. But you really—" He paused slightly, swallowing the latter half of his sentence, "You are indeed quite different from Director Liang."

Gu Chijun is indeed a mature man who gives one a refreshing feeling, with his composed demeanor, reliability, and steadiness. After just a few words, my tension dissipated completely, and I relaxed. My bag was placed on the sun lounger beside me, so I hurried over, picked it up, and took out a few books to hand to him

The moment my head touched the pillow, the phone rang. Groggily answering the call, I heard a pleasant, deep male voice. My drowsiness instantly vanished

I intended to contact you earlier, but I have been so busy that I kept forgetting the time," he explained, "I just returned to the hotel, and that is why I am reaching out to you now

Without a doubt, Wei Shan is a warm-hearted good person. Unfortunately, she is a fan of Lin Jinxiu and believes that I have an ambiguous relationship with him. After the freshman dance incident at the beginning of our first year, everyone spread rumors that Lin Jinxiu "lost his temper for Xu Zhen." Since then, my reputation in the college has been forever linked to Lin Jinxiu.

He looked quite simple, dressed in a light gray coat and brown trousers, just like all the big stars who go out alone. He did not wear sunglasses, but rather a pair of thick black-framed glasses that resembled the bottom of a beer bottle.

I turned my head and smiled quietly. Gu Chijun was still adjusting his glasses, raising his head to look at the dinosaur skeleton at the entrance, which served as a signboard, and said, "I think I did quite well, didn't I"

Feeling bored, I won't come anymore, he pointed at the exquisite and delicate dinosaur skeleton in the corner, "Please introduce it to me."

"Very well, I shall not disturb you any longer. See you tomorrow." I could almost hear the faint hint of a smile in his voice, "Wishing you sweet dreams"

Indeed, they have been sent off, I said, the children are quite adorable, with them around, it is much livelier.

His words resonated deeply with me, and I felt invigorated, nodding repeatedly

Finally, the elementary school students came with excitement and left with joy. I pushed the wheelchair of a little boy and escorted this group of children outside the venue, then squatted down to bid them farewell. Two little friends tugged at the corner of my clothes, their reluctant expressions conveying their gratitude: "Big sister, thank you. Today's 3D movie was really wonderful"

"I can be absent when there is no shooting schedule," he looked directly into my eyes, "It's quite common among friends to help out with such small favors."

I experienced a moment of daze, feeling as if he was walking towards me from a movie—so close yet so distant. I instinctively pressed my lips together, and my unreliable heart skipped a beat again, leaving me to laugh at my own ineffectiveness

I looked at the superstar in front of me and thought, "What is so strange about this? Who has stipulated that a mother is obligated to take care of her daughter"

Mr. Gu, I couldn't help but chuckle, I almost didn't recognize you just now

A variety of things

Gu Chijun leaned against the wooden chair, his gaze sweeping across my face, and his fingers lightly tapped the table, "Most people wouldn't say that." Our positions were completely different, and naturally, our perspectives on the issue varied as well. He was certainly speaking on behalf of my mother, and I had no intention of contradicting him. I smiled, then poured myself a glass of water.

"Then it's settled," he said, his face beaming, raising an eyebrow as he asked me, "So, can you lend me your phone for a moment"

How can someone who wants to enter the entertainment industry bring a child along? My mother was just in her early twenties when she gave birth to me, even younger than I am now, I said, My mother left me with my father and then ventured out into the world alone. I don't know much about what happened next, but Mr. Gu, you must know better than I do.

A gentle sigh escapes my lips, and for some reason, it stirs my heart, causing my eyes to inexplicably feel a bit sour, prompting me to quickly avert my gaze

My feelings of emotion are truly overwhelming, surpassing even the ocean beneath my feet

He is too formal, and as I shook hands with him, I felt a slight discomfort, "Mr. Zhang, you are being too polite."

Although I feel that he has already passed the age of relying on his looks, his face is still hard to look away from; a mere glance inevitably stirs one's heart. I coughed lightly to disguise my feelings, lowered my head, and rummaged through my messy bag to find my notebook and pen, sliding them across the table. Then I looked at him with anticipation, "Could you please give me your autograph?"

Ah! What?

Ah, this is another type of pine fossil discovered on Ronya Island. Ronya is a very interesting place, located near the Antarctic Circle, with very fertile soil. There is also a dormant volcano on the island that was formed by an underwater volcanic eruption around 70 to 80 million years ago, and within its strata lie numerous fossils, with the fossil layers being quite chaotic

The remaining portion of my energy is allocated to the natural history museum, where a month-long biological exhibition has already commenced. I am thoroughly enjoying my role as a volunteer, engaging in various tasks such as arranging exhibits, writing descriptions, and providing explanations.

Gu Chijun introduced to us: "My agent, Zhang Shiyu"

"No, no." I shook my head, "Is Mr. Gu also out to enjoy the scenery?"

As an acclaimed actor, it truly feels like a case of overqualified for the task. I thought to myself, showing a look of admiration, "That's quite good. However, Mr. Gu, it's rare for you to have a holiday, and you specifically came to see these paleontological exhibits; I hope you don't find it uninteresting."

After sending this group of children onto the school bus, I heard the sound of a horn coming from behind. When I turned around, I saw a black sedan parked outside the venue, its pure black exterior and classic design unmistakable. Just as I was about to persuade the driver to move the car, the rear door slowly opened, revealing the face of Gu Chijun.

He adjusted his black-framed glasses meticulously and asked me, "How is it?"

His gaze swept across my face, "And what about you?"

Gu Chijun listened with great interest, "Truly impressive"

He also stood up, raised his arm to press down on my shoulder as he sat down, "Do you really think you are not being obvious?"

Mr. Gu. I quickly put down the book in my hands

Well, I nodded, "Paleontology is actually closely related to most disciplines and has significant practical value. For instance, my father has discovered several oil fields."

Moments later, his assistant Sun Ying called us back to the set

Mr. Gu, I hesitated for a moment, feeling quite embarrassed, and said, "I am your fan, and I have wanted your autograph for many years."

For example

Writing my paper has left me cross-eyed, and my roommate Wei Shan teased me: "If you don't water the dianthus on the windowsill soon, the flowers will surely wither away."

Indeed, I do not have many young friends outside the film industry. At times, I feel somewhat disconnected from society. If you would be willing to be my friend, that would be truly wonderful. His gaze lingered in the distance, appearing both regretful and hesitant

In the pitch-black silence of the night, his voice seemed to be the only sound in the world, possessing a peculiar and soothing power. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a movie poster of Gu Chijun on the wall, which unexpectedly gave me the illusion of him speaking gently to me, causing a flush to rise on my face

Do you find your own background to be quite extraordinary

I do not believe that Gu Chijun will contact me, and since I already have many matters to attend to, I quickly set aside the agreement I had with Gu Chijun.

I continue to say, "My father's two marriages were both very brief, lasting less than a year"

If you are a volunteer, could you take me to have a look

Has the paleontology exhibition already begun

He slightly altered his tone, raising his usually deep voice, making it sound like that of a young man in his early twenties; fearing she might notice something amiss, I also explained, "This is my friend, who has a keen interest in paleontology"

Your father has been able to pursue a career he loves throughout his life, which must be a great happiness

After I first met Gu Chijun, I specifically went to buy this autograph book, intending to ask him for his signature whenever the opportunity arose. Several years later, it finally came in handy

Indeed. Each fossil is a hard-won discovery made by paleontologists through a rigorous process of sifting through the sands of time. After all, it is only when biological remains are embedded within sediments that fossils can form within rocks. The vast majority of sediments, however, are merely rocks.

It was at this moment that I realized my previous so-called passion for movies was more akin to the story of Ye Gong and the dragon— I only liked the finished product and not the process of creation. When I found it hard to concentrate and truly lacked the spirit, I would take a book out of my bag, striving to find tranquility amidst the clamor of the film set, quietly reading.

There was no one else on the deck at the bow of the ship, so this was my first time alone with Gu Chijun. In the past, regardless of the situation, there had always been others present, such as my mother or the crew members. Upon realizing this fact, I, who had always considered myself quite articulate, suddenly found that all those words had evaporated completely.

What exactly are you busy with? In the past, I always thought you were full of energy and seemed to be vibrant, but why do you seem tired now?

He said: "I do not wish for you to be my fan; I would rather you be my friend"

"Have you been to Ronia Island?" he asked me, "If I remember correctly, that is a small island nation in the South Pacific"

"Am I getting old?" I sighed, playing along with her joke

Ah, yes, this matter does exist. I feel embarrassed, as if I am showing off my skills in front of an expert.

I see, I chuckled twice and quickly changed the subject, "Did you come to the paleontology exhibition with Mr. Gu? You should park your car in the garage next door. There are signs there." I waved the volunteer flag in my hand and pointed to the entrance on the right.

I did not quite understand the enigmatic conversation between the two, feeling somewhat bewildered, and could only lead Gu Chijun through the entrance of the Natural History Museum. The museum has been around for some years and cannot be considered new, especially after that group of children left, leaving the scene suddenly quiet, to the extent that the sound of footsteps on the marble floor could be heard.

My astonishment was clearly written on my face, while Gu Chijun revealed a mysterious smile towards me and said softly, "There is no need to be surprised; your father's writings are quite accessible, and most of them I can understand. For instance, I now realize that the origins of these fossils are indeed not easy to ascertain"

The front door of the car was also opened, and a man with a dignified appearance and meticulous demeanor stepped out. He was slightly shorter than Gu Chijun, but still considered tall; the black suit fit him perfectly, clearly indicating that he was a social elite. He appeared to be a bit older than Gu Chijun, around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, and he seemed somewhat familiar.

He suddenly turned to a page, pointed at the photo on the cover of "Cambrian Paleontology," and asked me, "Is this a photo of your father"

Ah, he picked up each book and flipped through them, "Thank you for being able to remember."

He probably did not expect this unexpected gift, and after a moment of surprise, he smiled and leaned over to give me a kiss on the cheek

Today, I am leading a group of nine and ten-year-old children. Although there is a teacher accompanying us, they can still be quite mischievous. This is indeed the time when they are playful and their curiosity is extremely strong

In the period that followed, I visited the film set two more times, but I no longer felt the excitement I had during the first visit

Gu Chijun bent over, carefully examining a piece of fern in the display window, then glanced at me and said, "Do you really think of me as such a smooth-talking person in your heart?"

Shen Qinyan once stated that the effort he puts into each role is beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Therefore, he must also be equally serious in real life. For instance, today, he merely came to see a small paleontology exhibition, yet he has done so much preparatory work, memorizing numerous scientific terms in paleontology, which is truly admirable. I believe that if he were not making films, he would certainly find many promising industries.

Fortunately, Gu Chijun is not a minor character like me. He rested his hand on the railing and gazed into the distance, where the vast coastline lay. He pointed to a certain area of the sea in the distance, saying, "This seascape is exceptionally beautiful; the color of the water is unlike that of any other place, especially under the sunlight"

Yes, I am astonished by his extensive knowledge of geography. Ronia Island is a small country with a history of a hundred years, and the vast majority of people have never heard of it. I have traveled all over the world with my father since I was young, and I have been to almost every place on Earth, oh, except for the Arctic.

I am deeply grateful for the long-standing care provided by Meng Liang.

It should not be recognized by anyone I said

Gu Chijun no longer brought up this topic, and after taking a few gentle steps along the glass display case, he shifted the conversation to an academic subject: "Paleontology and Earth sciences are also closely related, aren't they?"

Alright, this is a pterosaur skeleton discovered in the Suzhou Basin... These days, what I do every day is repeatedly go over the script, which I have long since memorized and can recite fluently.

Address their questions by using the simplest examples to explain the role of paleontology. After applying to the curator, I opened the museum's technical room, allowing the children to learn about the preparation of plant and animal specimens and guiding them in the repair and restoration of fossils. To my surprise, although the children were not focused, they worked with much more seriousness than I had imagined

Gu Chijun was suddenly taken aback, his surprise evident, "Is that so? I didn't expect that."

I briefly explained my relationship with the paleontology exhibition at the Natural History Museum, and he raised his eyebrows with interest, eagerly asking me when it would open.

A few years ago, when I learned that my mother was a renowned director, I was somewhat surprised; now it no longer matters. I casually remarked, "If I were to say I was surprised, it was just that I didn't expect her to reach out to me."

He pondered for a moment and sighed softly: "What a good father he is"

Being praised by Gu Chijun, I momentarily forgot to be reserved and let out a chuckle, "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Gu. Uh, I... I would like to ask you—"

"Anyway... I, I really like you and your movies," I took a breath, "just like your other fans."

I explained to them the age and formation of fossils, showing them three-dimensional projections of ancient flora and fauna. The plants from tens of millions of years ago were far less diverse than those of today, primarily consisting of ferns and spore plants, yet their beauty is beyond the imagination of modern people

If one wishes to accomplish something, time can always be found. He is not concerned, slowly pacing forward. Moreover, I do not consider our agreement to be a trivial matter.

I learned from Ji Xiaorui about the general progress of the film. Some outdoor scenes have already been completed, and now all the filming is taking place on that luxurious cruise ship, which has been transformed into a lavish studio. The crew does not have any holidays, and I have heard some complaints from the staff in various departments of the crew. It must be quite tough for them to work under such a meticulous and demanding director like my mother

I sprang up from the chair, my face flushed, "Ah, do you know?"

Friend ... ... friend ? ''

Zhang Shiyu shook my hand, his politeness impeccable, clearly embodying the demeanor of a top-notch agent. "Miss Xu Zhen, it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time"

I can hardly look at him, I chuckled twice, of course I remember, I haven't forgotten the matter he specifically asked his assistant to remind me about

He walked up to me, and the sea breeze made him squint his eyes slightly, "Did I disturb you?"