Daddy Academy

Chapter 3363 A Dinner Invitation

Chapter 3363 A Dinner Invitation

"What are you looking at so intently?" Zhang Tan sat down next to Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai looked up, her eyes sparkling, and pointed at the screen: "Old man, look at these messages."

Zhang Tan took the tablet, and the screen displayed messages from border guards, librarians, and volunteers. He quickly browsed through them, and a warm feeling and emotion welled up in his heart.

"It seems like everyone... saw what they wanted to say in the film," Xiaobai said softly, his tone lacking its usual playfulness and filled with a calm contemplation.

“When we were filming, we didn’t really think that much. We just wanted to tell the story of Xiaodong and Xiaohua well and make sure that people who watched it would remember them. But it seems that this story has encountered so many other stories.”

Zhang Tan patted her head: "This is the power of a good work! It's like a container that can hold the creator's heart and reflect the light and shadow in the viewer's heart. You have planted a seed of sincerity, and now it has sprouted in the hearts of many people."

Xiao Bai nodded thoughtfully, then reached out and pushed the hand off his head, asking, "Old man, do you think there's anything we can do?"

"Hmm? What do you want to do?" Zhang Tan asked. Sometimes he couldn't keep up with Xiaobai's train of thought. The little girl had grown up, her mind was more active, and she had more ideas.

Xiao Bai pointed to the librarian's message and said, "The old man said we are welcome to come and look up information, and this volunteer auntie mentioned 'veterans coming home'... I'm thinking that our film seems to have made more people care about this issue, so can we do something more?"

Her eyes shone brighter and brighter. Before the old man could answer, she continued, "For example, could we use AI to help the volunteer aunties draw images of those martyrs who haven't been found yet, or whose images have been found but are blurry? Based on their families' descriptions or old photos? Could we make their images clearer? Or, could we make some other short films to tell the stories of other people? Not just those who fought in wars, but also those who protect us in ordinary positions, like that border guard uncle?"

Zhang Tan looked at his daughter with some surprise.

He realized that this creative experience not only honed his directing skills, but also fostered a sense of social responsibility and broadened his horizons.

Zhang Tan said earnestly, "These ideas are all very good, but things must be done one by one. Helping to restore the image of the martyrs involves historical research, technical precision, and the emotions of their families, which requires great rigor and respect. And telling more stories of the guardians also requires a lot of research and planning."

"I know!"

Xiao Bai nodded vigorously: "We can't be hasty, can we? We can think about it and make a plan first. Old man, can you help us ask that volunteer auntie and the old man at the library if we can get in touch with them? We'll learn slowly and do it slowly."

"it is good."

Zhang Tan agreed with relief: "I'll help you make the contact tomorrow. But Xiaobai, you must remember that no matter what you do, like this time, sincerity and respect should always come first."

"Get it!"

Xiao Bai solemnly agreed, then revealed her signature slightly sly smile: "But old man, before we do those big things, we still have a small matter to resolve."

"What trivial matter?"

Xiao Bai laughed heartily, "Our Little Red Horse Academy is famous again! Liu Liu said that as a key member of the cast and crew and a major contributor to the publicity, she believes it is necessary to hold a formal and grand celebration banquet and a mid-term summary and commendation meeting!"

Zhang Tan couldn't help but chuckle: "And then?"

"And then?" Xiaobai shrugged, mimicking Liuliu's tone perfectly, and said, "Then of course we eat! I'll treat, you pay the bill, old man! Liuliu and the others want hot pot! A new hot pot restaurant opened on West Chang'an Street, and I heard that Little Bear drinks are unlimited refills! Let's go there!!"

Zhang Tan smiled and readily agreed.

Before the celebration banquet, Xiaobai received a call from her great-grandmother, inviting her to dinner the next evening, where Wang Xiaoyu would also be attending.

The next day, after school, Zhang Tan picked up Xiao Bai and drove directly to the municipal party committee compound.

As soon as she entered the compound, Xiaobai saw Mei Fangfang and Xiao Wang walking down the road with their schoolbags on their backs. She pointed at them and said to Zhang Tan, "Haha, old man, look! Mei Fangfang and Xiao Wang walk like that, just like Liu Liu. They're obviously students who don't study well!"

Zhang Tan glanced at the two boys and thought to himself, "You walk home from school about the same distance as them, right? Big sister, don't laugh at your second brother."

Xiao Bai rolled down the car window and called out, "Hello! Xiao Wang!! Mei Fangfang!! Are you coming to play with me later?"

Mei Fangfang and Xiao Wang were stunned when they heard the voice, then overjoyed. Xiao Wang said, "It's Director Xiao Bai!! Director!! It's been so long since we've seen you. I thought you'd forgotten about us."

Upon hearing that Xiao Wang was such a sycophant, Mei Fangfang was not to be outdone and said, "Xiao Bai! I watched your film! I cried all night, and all my tears have dried up."

The car had gradually driven away. Xiaobai called out to them loudly, saying that he would come to find them later. He then got back into the car. When they arrived at Grandma's house, Wang Xiaoyu and his mother were already there, as was Zhang Mingxue.

Upon seeing Xiaobai, Zhang Mingxue jokingly said with a smile, "Oh my, Director Xiaobai is here! It's really not easy to get you to have a meal these days!!"

Xiao Bai responded with a smile, "It's not easy, it's not easy. Life is hard for everyone, haha. Wang Xiaoyu, you've lost weight and grown taller!"

Wang Xiaoyu subconsciously touched the top of his head; thankfully, he wasn't bald.

"Haha, Xiaobai, you've gained some weight and grown taller..."

Xiao Bai's face darkened, and he snorted coldly, deciding not to argue with Wang Xiaoyu.

"Xiaobai, Xiaobai, the video you made is amazing! I watched it and I cried. Our teacher said we should show it in class so everyone can watch it together. I told them I'm your brother, but they didn't believe me. Let's take a picture together, and I'll show it to them when we get back."

The two stood together and had Zhang Qingqing take a photo of them. Xiaobai went to the kitchen and saw that Grandma was cooking, so she hurried over to help and handed her the washed bok choy.

Qin Huifang subconsciously took it and was about to pour it into the pot when she remembered something. She turned her head and looked down, and saw a little face grinning at her. She exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Xiaobai, when did you get here?! Grandma didn't even notice!"

Xiao Bai laughed and said, "I just arrived. Grandma, let me cook for you. Why are you cooking by yourself? Isn't there an auntie who cooks for you?"

Qin Huifang said, "You mean Xiao Shen? She had some family matters to attend to and took the day off for the past two days. Try Grandma's cooking today."

PS: An extra chapter