Chapter 1023: Chapter 1022: Zhao Xiaodao Restores Youth
"Wow, when I got on stage, I saw Brother Lu in the front row and totally froze. You should have warned me, Little Saber!"
At the dinner table, Deng Pao Pao was complaining to Zhao Xiaodao about almost getting embarrassed.
"As an actor, adapting on the spot is the most basic ability." Zhao Xiaodao picked up a piece of shrimp and placed it on Lady Sun’s plate before turning his head toward Deng Pao Pao with a look of feigned surprise, "Brother Chao, as an award-winning actor, you surely can handle it, right?"
Deng Pao Pao, "..."
"Your expression is so exaggerated, a bit over the top!" Deng Pao Pao said angrily, "You did it on purpose!"
Zhao Xiaodao chuckled sneakily, "I didn’t, I wasn’t, don’t say that. I arrived at the TV station quite late, we only had a brief encounter, when did I have the time to tell you?"
Deng Pao Pao couldn’t help but roll his eyes, "I never expected, despite our deep friendship, you’d find a chance to tease me. Just you wait, see how I’ll get you next time..."
"Sister Li..." Zhao Xiaodao added another piece of egg to Lady Sun’s plate.
"Cough, cough!"
Faced with Lady Sun’s sidelong glance, Deng Pao Pao shrank his neck, saying no more.
"Brother Lu, a toast to you." Deng Pao Pao turned to Lu Zheng with a toast, "Because Xiaoyi loves Hanfu and the national style, at that time we were watching the live broadcast and when you appeared, I was stunned!"
Lu Zheng nodded. At that time, quick people edited a video of Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan just after they performed the Feathered Robe Dance and posted it on a certain social media. Deng Pao Pao shared it immediately, even before I started drawing.
"It was on a whim, mainly because those people were too much." Lu Zheng clinked glasses with Deng Pao Pao.
"Exactly." Deng Pao Pao nodded repeatedly, "They’re so shameless, launching a sneak attack, it’s not twenty years ago anymore. Even our domestic anime might not be inferior to theirs, not to mention stuff that’s clearly learned from our country."
Deng Pao Pao drank it all, then tried to pour wine for Lu Zheng and himself.
"Hold on." Lu Zheng stopped him, then pulled out a small 100-ml flask from his pocket.
Deng Pao Pao’s eyes brightened, licking his lips, saying mockingly, "We haven’t finished the medicinal wine you gave us last time."
Lu Zheng couldn’t help but laugh, then unscrewed the flask and poured about 15 ml into Deng Pao Pao’s cup.
"Drink this, and pause the medicinal wine for two months." Lu Zheng said with a smile.
"Ah?" Deng Pao Pao was startled, not quite understanding, but seeing Lu Zheng raise his glass, he hurriedly accompanied him.
After a drink, he felt a warm stream rising from his stomach, filling his whole body with warmth, like soaking in a hot spring.
"Wow! Good wine!" Deng Pao Pao finally realized, "Is the medicinal effect stronger with this wine?"
Lu Zheng nodded, looking at Lady Sun, smiling, "Remember to let us know when the baby is born."
"Of course!" Lady Sun nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "Brother Lu is so considerate."
"You’re welcome." Lu Zheng nodded and smiled.
Deng Pao Pao and Lady Sun had once supported Si Lingxi and took the initiative to stand up the day before, getting targeted by a group of extremist bloggers, so Lu Zheng generously offered some opportunities.
But...
"In the future, making movies requires more attention and thought. Try to shoot others’ works rather than tinkering on your own." Lu Zheng advised earnestly.
Deng Pao Pao, "..."
Lady Sun held back her laughter, while Zhao Xiaodao showed no mercy, "Hahaha, Brother Chao, I remember you’re working on your own project now, do you think there’s hope?"
Deng Pao Pao said hollowly, "This time, it will work, just wait and see!"
Zhao Xiaodao nodded repeatedly, "I’ll wait! How about a bet on a 500 million box office? Do you dare?"
Deng Pao Pao blinked, took a deep breath, "Come on, let’s eat!"
Everyone, "..."
...
After sending Deng Pao Pao and his wife away, Lu Zheng turned to Zhao Xiaodao, "Not in a rush to leave, right?"
Zhao Xiaodao nodded, "Tomorrow’s flight."
"Alright, come home with me then." Lu Zheng raised his eyebrow.
Zhao Xiaodao linked arms with Lin Wan and demonstratively raised his chin at Lu Zheng, "Let’s go!"
Then Zhao Xiaodao, under his assistant’s shattered perception, followed Lu Zheng home.
...
"Have a drink."
"Is it hot? Is this the drink Brother Chao had? Another kind of medicinal wine?"
"Yes, good stuff." Lu Zheng looked at Liu Qingyan, "How about it?"
"The previous Beauty Pill only affected the exterior, the later medicinal wine had some health benefits. But the aftereffects of overextending youth, even with maintenance, can’t be completely eliminated, especially since she’s not really leisurely lately." Liu Qingyan said calmly.
"So only you can save her." Lu Zheng shrugged.
Zhao Xiaodao: ⚆_⚆?
"What’s up with me?" Zhao Xiaodao said in shock.
Liu Qingyan smiled slightly, "You’re fine, he’s just being alarming, lie down."
Then, as Lu Zheng left, Zhao Xiaodao felt Liu Qingyan casually patting a few spots on him. Suddenly, his eyelids felt heavy, and he fell asleep giddily.
...
The next morning, Zhao Xiaodao opened his eyes, took a moment to recover, then suddenly got up from bed.
"Hmm?"
Putting on slippers, Zhao Xiaodao felt something was a bit off, then walked lightly to the washroom. Looking in the mirror, his skin appeared smooth and tender, with a rosy glow.
Well, it doesn’t seem any different from yesterday?
Ever since Zhao Xiaodao took Lu Zheng’s Detoxification Beauty Pill, he’d restored to his 22-23-year-old state. Although naturally aging over the past two years, his skin remained hydrated and radiant.
Now it does look slightly better than yesterday but hasn’t qualitatively changed.
Zhao Xiaodao finished freshening up, hung the towel, then bounced back to the bedroom, feeling an urge to leap onto the bed, suddenly realizing.
His spirit was excellent! His body felt light!
Unlike the Beauty Pill, there’s now a complete change from inside out, really feeling like he’s back to his twenties!
"Wow—"
Zhao Xiaodao took a sharp breath, then heard a knock on the bedroom door. Liu Qingyan’s voice called from outside, "Little Saber, awake?"
"Awake, awake!" Zhao Xiaodao hurriedly ran to open the door, stunned, "Sister Qingyan, I-I feel..."
"Feels like you’re twenty again?" Lu Zheng said from afar, smiling.
Zhao Xiaodao nodded heavily, his eyes filled with extreme disbelief.
"You’re overthinking." Lu Zheng shook his head, "Your bone age hasn’t changed, Qingyan just used acupuncture combined with medicine to make you look rejuvenated. It’s like the Beauty Pill’s effect, which will fade over time. In about ten or twenty years, you’ll return to your natural age state. We can rejuvenate but can’t achieve longevity."
The path of life and death, besides nurturing one’s spirit and health, external longevity aids have limits, especially for mortals. No matter how good the spirit medicine or Spiritual Qi nourishment, it’s on one’s lifespan foundation— extending life for three to five years or seven to eight, at most living ten extra years. When the lifespan reaches, medicine is ineffective.
