dkrc Chapter 120 Deceiving Aunt Liu into Secretly Exciting Moments
Chapter 120 Deceiving Aunt Liu into Secretly Exciting Moments
Chapter 120 Deceiving Aunt Liu into Secretly Exciting Moments
Since the press conference for "Lucy", Liu Yifei has moved back to her upscale apartment near the west gate of Chaoyang Park. She left decisively without even a word of discussion.
The reason is simple: her mother, Liu Xiaoli, has returned to Beijing from her hometown in Wuhan, and it seems she's going to stay there for a long time.
The call came on Thursday night. Jiang Yu had just finished a multinational video conference and was thinking of taking Liu Yifei to Huairou for a relaxing hot spring trip over the weekend.
When the words "Liu Xiaoli" popped up on his phone screen, his heart skipped a beat.
"Xiao Jiang, this is Aunt Liu." The voice on the other end of the phone was as gentle as ever. "I heard that Yifei stayed at your place for a while. That girl is so inconsiderate and has been bothering you too much."
Jiang Yu quickly said, "Auntie, you're too kind. It's not bothering at all. With Yifei staying here, I actually feel that my home is more lively and has a warm, homey atmosphere."
"But I can't stay at your place forever," Liu Xiaoli laughed, her laughter clear and pleasant. Her meaning was clear: "It wouldn't sound good if word got out. I understand you two young people are dating, but you still need to be mindful of boundaries. Besides, Yifei is about to start training for 'Lucy,' she needs to work out, read the script, and needs a quiet environment to concentrate. Your work is so busy, with people constantly coming and going; it's not suitable."
O
Having said all that, what could Jiang Yu say? His future mother-in-law's words were law.
He could only nod, his tone respectful: "Auntie is right, I didn't think it through."
Liu Xiaoli said, "Yes, come over for dinner this weekend if you're free. Auntie will make you braised pork; Yifei said you love it."
.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu looked at the empty living room and suddenly felt that the apartment he had lived in for almost a year was less appealing than ever before.
This 530-square-meter apartment features six bedrooms and two living rooms, decorated in a modern minimalist style with a black, white, and gray color scheme, clean lines, and an open and airy feel.
He likes this environment and finds it helpful for thinking and working.
There were no superfluous decorations, no trivial items; everything was in perfect order, as clear as his life plan.
Now, he felt the house was too big and too empty, and he could hear the hum of the air conditioner vents and the occasional sound of cars passing by outside the window.
Liu Yifei lived here for less than half a month, but she left traces everywhere, like vines in spring.
Several soft throw pillows were added to the sofa: light pink rabbits, off-white clouds, and pale blue stars—she bought them online.
On the oak bookshelves in the study, next to the originally neatly arranged business, finance, and technology books, there are now several monographs on film theory, several screenplays, and a few novels that she loves to read.
The gray-white marble countertop in the bathroom, which used to only contain his razor and aftershave, is now covered with bottles and jars.
Cleanser, toner, serum, face cream, face mask, and all sorts of other skincare products he couldn't name.
There were more items in the bathroom cabinet: a hair dryer, a curling iron, a comb, and several unopened boxes of sanitary napkins.
Jiang Yu sat down on the sofa and picked up the light pink rabbit pillow, hugging it to his chest.
He remembered the first night she moved in. She came out of the shower in her pajamas, her wet hair draped over her shoulders, holding the bunny pillow in her arms, her bare feet on the carpet, like a kitten cautiously exploring new territory.
"Can I put this on the sofa?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Of course," he said.
And so the throw pillow made its home on the sofa.
Later, she brought clouds and stars, saying that this made her feel at home.
Jiang Yu buried his face in the rabbit-shaped plush pillow and took a deep breath.
He sighed.
Having lived for twenty-six years, this is the first time I've truly experienced what it means to be "ill with longing" and what it means for "every day to feel like a year."
He used to think that couples in love were too sentimental and immature, always sticking together and calling or texting each other even when they were apart for a short while.
Now that it's my turn, I realize this isn't being dramatic; it's a physiological reaction, a psychological need, and the most primal and authentic expression of human emotion.
Couples in the throes of new love are like the positive and negative poles of two magnets, unconsciously drawn to each other, wanting to get closer, to be affectionate, to have physical intimacy, and to feel each other's body temperature and heartbeat.
This is the effect of hormones, the secretion of dopamine, which is the most touching yet most torturous aspect of love.
He, a man who makes decisive moves in the capital market and wields great influence in business negotiations, is currently unable to sleep because he misses his girlfriend. He's hugging her rabbit plushie and smelling its scent, just like a high school student experiencing his first crush.
If this gets out, his lifelong reputation will be ruined.
If bigwigs like Ma Huateng and Shen Nanpeng found out, they'd probably laugh their heads off.
But—to hell with his lifelong reputation, to hell with his big boss image.
He just wanted to hold Liu Yifei while he slept, to smell her hair, to hear her even breathing, and to feel her soft body against his chest.
It's that simple.
He hugged the rabbit plush pillow, lay down on the sofa, closed his eyes, and imagined Liu Yifei was beside him.
Lost in thought, I ended up falling asleep on the sofa, hugging my rabbit plushie.
When I was woken up by my phone alarm the next morning, my neck was very sore; I had a stiff neck.
He rubbed his neck and sat up, looking at the crumpled rabbit pillow in his arms, and gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"Jiang Yu, Jiang Yu, you've finally met your match."
On Sunday, Jiang Yu worked an extra half-day at the company.
The cooperation agreement between Light Chaser Capital and Sequoia China has been officially signed, and $1 million has been transferred to Sequoia's fund account.
Shouzi Chau's three-person team will move into Sequoia China's office next Monday to begin participating in fund management and investment decisions.
Jiang Yu needs to review the final handover documents to ensure everything goes smoothly.
In addition, all contracts with Chinese investors for Disney's "Tron: Legacy" project have been finalized.
Light Chaser retained an 8% investment share and full copyright rights, Wanda took 8.5%, CJ Entertainment took 8.5%, and Enlight Media, Emperor Entertainment, and Starlight Entertainment each took 5%.
All contracts have been signed and funds are gradually being received.
Jiang Xuerou reported that Disney was very satisfied with the efficiency of the Chinese side, and Frank Cole specifically sent an email to express his gratitude.
There's also the preparation for "Lucy".
Luc Besson will be visiting Beijing next week, and Jiang Yu will personally receive him to discuss filming details.
Liu Yifei's training plan has been finalized, including two hours of physical training every day, as well as martial arts and movement instruction twice a week.
Jiang Yu rubbed his aching temples and looked out the window at the gradually darkening sky.
It was already four o'clock in the afternoon. He finished processing the last document and prepared to go home.
Just as I picked up my suit jacket draped over the back of the chair, my personal cell phone on the table rang.
Fewer than ten people knew this phone number: his parents, his future mother-in-law, his assistant Wang Wei, Liu Yifei, and several senior executives.
So you know who it is without even looking.
He answered immediately, his voice unconsciously softening: "Yifei?"
"Jiang Yu————" The voice on the other end was soft, with a hint of grievance and a touch of coquetry, like a kitten that had been locked up for too long scratching at the door.
Jiang Yu's heart softened immediately: "What's wrong? What happened?"
"It's nothing—" Liu Yifei said softly, probably from her own apartment room, "It's just that my mom went to a party today and won't be back tonight. I'm home alone, and I'm so bored."
Jiang Yu's lips curled into a smile, his mood instantly brightening: "So?"
"So—" Liu Yifei paused, her voice even softer, as if she were revealing a secret, "would you like—to have dinner together?"
"Yes." Jiang Yu didn't hesitate, grabbed his car keys, and headed out. "Where to?"
"The usual place? That private kitchen on Xingtang Road? I'm craving their braised pork. My mom's is too healthy; she doesn't put sugar or soy sauce in it, so it's not good."
"Okay, I'll be right there. I'll be there in half an hour."
"Um—I might be a little late." Liu Yifei's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "Although my mom went out, I just wanted to go out to buy something, and when I got downstairs I saw a few people loitering around with cameras, acting suspiciously. It scared me so I came back. They must be reporters, they've been staking out the place for days."
Jiang Yu frowned and stopped in his tracks: "Reporters? They're watching you? Should I handle this?"
His voice turned cold. If any reporter dared to harass Liu Yifei, he wouldn't mind using some means; Zhuiguang now had that capability.
"No, no need," Liu Yifei quickly said. "My mom said this is normal. Celebrities get attention when they're popular, and it'll pass once the hype dies down. To be honest, I'm used to it. Ever since filming 'The Return of the Condor Heroes,' people have been following us. It's just that we have to be careful when we go out, like we're doing something wrong."
"Then how will you get here?" Jiang Yu asked, taking another step towards the elevator.
"I'll figure something out," Liu Yifei said, a hint of smugness in her voice. "You go first, and send me the room number when you get there. I'll shake them off and head over. I have experience with this."
"Okay, be careful." Jiang Yu stepped into the elevator. "Stay in touch."
"Um.
""
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu pressed the button for B2.
As the elevator descended, he made a phone call to Jiang Xuerou.
"Xue Rou, there are reporters staking out downstairs at Yi Fei Apartment. Find out which media outlet they are. If they are entertainment reporters from a reputable media outlet, warn them to be careful; if they are paparazzi, take immediate action, call the police if necessary, and send a lawyer's letter if required."
"Understood," Jiang Xuerou replied readily. "I'll arrange for someone to go there right away."
"Also," Jiang Yu added, "have the security department send two reliable people to secretly follow Yifei. Don't disturb her, just protect her from a distance and make sure she's safe. She's going out today."
"Okay, I'll send Lao Zhang and Lao Li. They're retired special forces soldiers, so they're professionals."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
After hanging up the phone, the elevator arrived at the underground parking garage.
Jiang Yu got into the car, started the engine, but didn't drive away immediately.
He first sent a text message to the owner of the private restaurant on Xingtang Road: "Sister Li, please reserve the usual spot for two people. We'll be there in half an hour."
A reply came quickly: "Okay, Mr. Jiang, we'll hold it for you. Would you like to order in advance?"
"No need, we'll order when we get there. Thank you."
After making these arrangements, he slowly drove out of the garage.
On a weekend afternoon, Chang'an Avenue was bustling with traffic. Jiang Yu drove slowly, not in a hurry, thinking about Liu Yifei.
This girl clearly misses him, but she's making excuses about being bored.
The excuses that Shu Chang joined a production team, Zhang Liangying and Yao Beina are busy, and Jing Tian is attending training courses are all just that—excuses.
She just misses him and wants to see him, just like he misses her.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yu smiled.
The gloom in my heart was swept away, like dark clouds dispersed by the sunlight.
That's what being in love is like, isn't it? When you're apart, every day feels like an eternity; when you miss someone, you feel restless and anxious; when you finally meet, you feel that all the waiting was worth it.
Forty minutes later, he arrived at Xingtang Road.
This street, located between Beijing Film Academy and Beijing Normal University, is short and has a lively, down-to-earth atmosphere.
On both sides are various small shops, bookstores, cafes, snack shops, and small restaurants.
As evening fell, students strolled around in twos and threes, radiating youthful energy.
The private restaurant had a small storefront, and the wooden signboard looked quite old, with the lettering becoming somewhat faded.
The proprietress, Sister Li, was in her forties and still retained her charm. Seeing Jiang Yu enter, she greeted him with a smile: "Mr. Jiang, it's been a long time. Same old spot?"
"Yes, thank you, Sister Li." Jiang Yu smiled.
Our usual spot is in the innermost private room on the second floor. The room isn't big, but it's very private. Push open the carved wooden window, and you'll see a quiet little alley with hardly anyone around.
Jiang Yu sat down and sent Liu Yifei his location: "I've arrived, room number 3, waiting for you."
Then I ordered a pot of pre-Qingming Longjing tea, sipped it slowly, and waited for her.
The tea leaves unfurl in the hot water, producing a clear, emerald-green tea liquor with a delicate aroma.
He suddenly remembered the first time he brought Liu Yifei here.
That was last year, not long after the "Witch" project was launched.
He had just returned from the United States and finished a production meeting at the Beijing Film Academy. Then, by some strange coincidence, they met and ended up having a meal together.
She sat in this spot that day, ordered a plate of braised pork, and ate it with great relish.
He said, "Aren't you trying to control your weight? You still dare to eat braised pork?"
She laughed, "It's okay to indulge once in a while. Besides, the braised pork here is really delicious, fatty but not greasy, and melts in your mouth."
As the tea was being brewed for the second time, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.
First, a head popped in, wearing a black baseball cap and a mask, revealing only a pair of bright, large eyes.
Upon seeing Jiang Yu, his eyes crinkled into a smile. He slipped inside, quickly closed the door, then leaned against it, letting out a long sigh, as if he had just completed a thrilling escape.
"You scared me to death—" She patted her chest, took off her hat and mask, revealing a clean and pretty face.
Because I had walked so fast, my cheeks were flushed and there were fine beads of sweat on my forehead.
Jiang Yu stood up, walked over, and pulled her into his arms.
Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, then reached out and hugged his waist, buried her face in his chest, and said in a muffled voice:
.
miss you----"
Her voice was soft, with a hint of grievance and a touch of coquetry, like a kitten that had finally found its owner.
"I missed you too." Jiang Yu hugged her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head. He felt that the empty space in his heart that had been there for a week was finally filled, making him feel at ease and complete.
They hugged for a while before letting go.
Jiang Yu pulled her to sit down at the table and poured her a cup of tea.
"How did you shake off the reporters?" he asked, looking at her slightly flushed cheeks, feeling he couldn't get enough of looking at her.
"It was so complicated, like a spy movie." Liu Yifei took a sip of tea, her eyes sparkling, as if telling an interesting adventure story. "First, I had my assistant pick me up in a van, and I swaggered out. Sure enough, those reporters followed. I had the driver take me to Tuanjiehu, wandered around the mall, slipped out through the back door, and took a taxi to Anzhen Bridge. At Anzhen Bridge, I transferred to the subway, took Line 4 for two stops to Pinganli, and then took another taxi here. I went around in a big circle, so I definitely shook them off."
Jiang Yu was both amused and exasperated, feeling both sorry for him and finding it adorable: "You're going through so much trouble. Why don't we just go public? It'll save us all this trouble, like we're doing something illicit."
"No." Liu Yifei shook her head firmly. "We agreed to wait until after 'Black Swan' is released. If we go public now, the media will definitely say that I got the role because of you, and that 'Lucy' was also given to me because of you. Let me let my work speak for itself, let everyone see my performance, and then we'll go public. At that time, at least some people will believe that I got these opportunities based on my own abilities."
She paused, then added softly, a mischievous glint in her eyes: "And—to be honest, doing it this sneakily is quite exciting, like in a movie. Don't you think?"
Jiang Yu chuckled, reaching out to pinch her cheek. "Alright, whatever you say. Let's continue our secret relationship then."
"What do you mean, 'underground relationship'—" Liu Yifei blushed and slapped his hand away. "It's a secret romance, something more sophisticated."
"Okay, a secret relationship." Jiang Yu smiled and withdrew his hand. "Let's order. What do you want to eat? Besides braised pork."
The two ordered braised pork, steamed sea bass, baby bok choy in broth, and corn and pork rib soup, which Liu Yifei loves.
After ordering, Liu Yifei added a bottle of red wine.
"So you're in such high spirits today? Ordering drinks?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile in his eyes.
When Jiang Yu mentioned alcohol, Liu Yifei was reminded of the wrap party for "Black Swan" last year.
She also drank some alcohol that day at the hotel in Los Angeles, not much, but enough to embolden herself.
She cupped his face in her hands, her eyes shining like stars, and her cheeks flushed as she confessed her love.
Thinking of this, Liu Yifei's face turned even redder, like a ripe apple.
She forced herself to remain calm and raised her chin: "What, can't I drink? Can't we celebrate? Celebrate that I got the lead role in 'Lucy,' celebrate that we haven't seen each other for a week."
Her reasons sounded plausible, but her slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed her nervousness.
"Okay, of course." Jiang Yu laughed, stopping teasing her. "But you can't hold your liquor, so drink less. I don't want to have to carry you back like last time."
"Okay, I'll just have a little bit." Liu Yifei held up her little finger, making a "just a little bit" gesture.
The two ate and chatted, just like any ordinary couple, sharing the events of the past few days—trivial, but heartwarming.
Liu Yifei said that her future mother-in-law has personally formulated a strict training plan for her.
I get up at six o'clock every morning, run five kilometers first, and then do an hour of yoga stretching.
In the morning, she had to recite three short lines, which involved correcting her pronunciation and intonation, and also memorizing a large number of technical terms.
The afternoon was dedicated to four hours of script reading, which involved analyzing the characters, writing character biographies, and watching Luc Besson's previous films to study his directing style.
In the evening, I also practice basic martial arts movements for an hour.
"My mom said this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we have to give it our all so I don't let you down." She sighed, picked up a piece of braised pork, and said, "I feel like I'm being ruined by all this training. I lie in bed every day, not even wanting to move a finger."
"Auntie is doing this for your own good." Jiang Yu picked up a piece of fish for her, removed the bones, and said, "Lucy has a lot of professional terms related to biology, physics, and philosophy. Director Luc Besson has extremely high standards for his actors. If you're prepared, filming will be much easier, and you'll be able to better understand the character."
"I know." Liu Yifei nodded, putting the fish into her mouth. "It's just that sometimes when I practice until late at night, I sit at my desk reading the script, and I fall asleep while reading. When I wake up, I find drool all over the table, which is really embarrassing."
Jiang Yu imagined the scene and couldn't help but laugh: "That means you're really tired. You need to rest and balance work and rest. Health is the foundation of everything."
"Hmm." Liu Yifei took a sip of soup. "By the way, director Luc Besson is coming to Beijing next week. Will you be meeting him?"
"Yes, I will personally receive you," Jiang Yu said. "We need to discuss the filming details and your training arrangements in Los Angeles. You may need to spend a week in France for rehearsals."
"Really?" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. "To France? Paris?"
"It'll probably be Paris, maybe Nice, Luc Besson's headquarters are there." Jiang Yu's heart softened at her excited expression. "What, you want to go?"
"Yes!" Liu Yifei nodded. "When I went to Europe to film GG before, it was always a rush, and I didn't have time to have fun."
"Training will be tough, and you might not have time to play," Jiang Yu reminded her.
"I know, I'm just thinking about it," Liu Yifei laughed. "Being able to work in France would already make me very happy. By the way, would you go?"
"I'll be there for a few days, but I can't stay for a week," Jiang Yu said. "I'm busy with work this year, so I can't get away. But I can find some time to fly over and see you."
"Really?" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up even more. "Then it's a promise, you have to come see me."
"It's a promise." Jiang Yu held her hand. "After we finish filming this movie, I'll give you a long vacation and take you on a proper holiday to relax."
"Really?" Liu Yifei looked at him expectantly. "Where to?"
"Go wherever you want. Maldives? Bali? Or an in-depth tour of Europe? Didn't you want to see the Northern Lights in Norway? We can go."
"I want to go to Norway to see the Northern Lights, I also want to go skiing in Switzerland, and I also want to go to Italy to see the ancient Roman ruins—" Liu Yifei counted on her fingers, like a little girl making a wish.
"Okay, I'll go with you." Jiang Yu readily agreed. "Go wherever you want, I'll go with you."
"How much money would that cost?" Liu Yifei muttered to herself. "I think I'll earn the money myself before I go."
Jiang Yu smiled and ruffled her hair: "Silly girl, your boyfriend may not be the richest man in the world, but he still has enough money to take you around the world. You don't need to spend any money, I'll cover it all."
T
"That won't do." Liu Yifei shook her head. "It's only meaningful for me to travel if I earn the money myself. But—you can sponsor me a little bit, just a little bit."
She extended her little finger and made a "just a little bit" gesture.
Jiang Yu was amused by her cute appearance: "Okay, I'll sponsor a little bit."
The two chatted and ate together in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
After dinner, Liu Yifei suggested going to see a movie.
"I haven't seen a movie in a long time," she said, her eyes sparkling. "The last time I went to the cinema was last year when 'The Witch' was released."
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and said, "Then let's go to the Zhuiguang Cinema, the Dazhongsi branch, it's not far from here. I'll ask the manager to arrange for us to book the whole theater, so we won't be recognized."
"Okay." Liu Yifei nodded happily.
At 8 PM, at the Chasing Light Cinema Dazhongsi branch.
This cinema was acquired and renovated by Chasing Light last year. It was formerly a long-established state-owned cinema with outdated equipment.
Chasing Light has invested heavily in renovations and now boasts Beijing's largest IMAX screen, a Dolby Atmos theater, and several VIP lounges, making its facilities top-notch in China.
Weekend evenings are when cinemas are busiest.
Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei entered through the staff entrance and went straight to the second floor.
The cinema manager, surnamed Wang, was in his forties and had been working at Zhuiguang for two years. Upon seeing Jiang Yu, he quickly approached him, his expression both respectful and nervous.
"Mr. Jiang, you've arrived. As you instructed, VIP3 has been cleared out and the equipment is all set up. What movie would you like to see? I'll arrange it right away."
"Anything with a good reputation lately?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Crazy Racer is good. It's directed by Ning Hao, released last month, and has already grossed over 100 million yuan. It's also received great reviews and is especially funny."
Manager Wang recommended, "There's also *Red Cliff Part II*, directed by John Woo, with grand scenes. If you prefer art films, there's *24 City*, directed by Jia Zhangke—"
Jiang Yu looked at Liu Yifei: "What do you want to see?"
"Let's watch 'Crazy Racer'," Liu Yifei said. "I heard it's hilarious, and I want to relax a bit."
"Okay, this is it." Jiang Yu said to Manager Wang, "Put it down, we don't need anyone to help us, we'll leave after we're done looking at it. Also, don't tell anyone about what happened today."
"Understood, understood." Manager Wang nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, I know the rules."
The VIP3 hall is not large, with only fifty seats. The seats are all imported genuine leather electric sofas that can be adjusted to reclining mode, which are very comfortable.
The two chose to sit in the middle. There were only the two of them in the theater. The lights dimmed, the screen lit up, and the trailer began to play.
Crazy Racer is indeed very funny. Ning Hao continues the multi-narrative style of Crazy Stone, with a tight pace, frequent jokes, and excellent performances from the actors.
Liu Yifei watched with great interest, occasionally bursting into laughter, bending over with mirth.
Halfway through the film, when Geng Hao, played by Huang Bai, appeared, Liu Yifei suddenly said, "Do you know? Huang Bai was in the same year as me."
Jiang Yu was taken aback and turned to look at her: "Huang Bai? Performance Department, Beijing Film Academy? In the same year as you?"
"Yes, he's from the 02 broadcasting major," Liu Yifei smiled, her eyes still glued to the screen. "But he's much older than me. He was born in '74, and I was born in '87, a full thirteen years apart. Our classmates all joked that he was the oldest student in that year, someone who had repeated a year."
Jiang Yu laughed too: "He really knows how to repeat a grade, he's been doing it for thirteen years."
"Get lost!" Liu Yifei laughed and lightly punched him. "He worked for many years before taking the entrance exam for the Beijing Film Academy. He's pursuing his dream, don't you understand?"
"Yes, yes, yes, pursuing dreams." Jiang Yu grasped her hand. "And you? What is your dream?"
Liu Yifei thought for a moment, then her expression turned serious: "I want to become a good actress, an actress who can leave a lasting legacy. Not just acting in idol dramas, not just relying on my looks. I want to play characters with depth, challenge myself with different genres, and move people with my performances."
She paused, then turned to look at Jiang Yu, her eyes gleaming in the darkness: "Like Lin Xin in 'Black Swan,' like Lucy in 'Lucy.' I want the audience to remember my characters, to remember what I've played, not just my face, to remember what I look like."
"You will." Jiang Yu squeezed her hand, his tone resolute. "I believe in you. You have talent, you work hard, you're determined. And you have me. I will always support you, give you the best opportunities, the best team, and the best resources."
Liu Yifei smiled and rested her head on his shoulder: "Yeah, I know."
Jiang Yu put his arm around her shoulder. "Enjoy the movie."
The movie continues.
The second half is even more exciting, with several storylines gradually converging and one laugh after another.
Liu Yifei was so engrossed in watching that she even forgot to eat her popcorn.
When she saw the exciting part, she laughed so hard she covered her stomach and tears streamed down her face.
The movie ended, and it was almost 11 o'clock.
As the end credits rolled, the theater lights slowly came on.
Liu Yifei, still laughing, wiped away tears of joy: "That was hilarious! Ning Hao is amazing. I'd love to work with him sometime."
"Okay, I've got it." Jiang Yu said, "I'll have Jiang Xuerou make contact with her later."
The two walked out of the theater, where Manager Wang was still waiting outside, holding two bottles of mineral water.
"Mr. Jiang, how was the movie?" he asked, handing over a glass of water.
"Not bad." Jiang Yu took the water, unscrewed a bottle, and handed it to Liu Yifei. "Ning Hao is a talented director."
"I'll have the distribution department contact them later to see if there's any possibility of cooperation. If his next film needs investment, Light Chaser can provide support."
"Understood." Manager Wang nodded. "I've noted it down and will report back tomorrow."
Liu Yifei suddenly said, "I don't want to go home yet."
Jiang Yu checked the time: 11:10. "Where do you want to go?"
"Arcade!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. She pulled down her scarf, revealing an excited expression. "I haven't been to an arcade in ages! I want to play dance games, claw machines, motorcycle games, and zombie games!"
Jiang Yu was both amused and exasperated: "Miss, what time is it? Besides, the arcade is crowded and noisy. Aren't you afraid of being recognized?"
"Then let's book the whole place." Liu Yifei tugged at his hand and shook it, acting coquettishly. "Mr. Jiang, aren't you rich? Booking an arcade shouldn't be difficult, right? Just like booking a movie theater."
Seeing her expectant eyes, like a child begging for candy, Jiang Yu gave in.
He took out his phone, dialed a number, and said, "Okay, okay, I'll book the whole place. I'll have Manager Wang contact you."
Manager Wang quickly made a phone call.
Ten minutes later, he returned and said, "It's all arranged. There's an arcade nearby called Happy Planet, on the third floor of the mall. The boss readily agreed when he heard that Mr. Jiang wanted to book the whole place, saying he'd clear it out immediately. It's almost ready now, we can go anytime."
"Okay, thank you." Jiang Yu nodded, taking out a wad of cash from his wallet. "This is the cost of booking the entire venue; it should be enough. If not, we'll pay the rest tomorrow."
"No need, no need—" Manager Wang declined.
"Take this, you have to pay what you owe." Jiang Yu handed it to him. "Doing business isn't easy."
Manager Wang was so moved that he didn't know what to say, and could only thank him repeatedly.
The arcade is located on the third floor of the shopping mall next to the cinema. It's very large, covering over a thousand square meters.
The store is filled with all sorts of machines: dance machines, racing simulators, shooting games, fighting games, music games, and a whole row of claw machines.
When the two arrived, the shop had already been emptied out, with only the owner and two staff members remaining.
The boss, a man in his thirties, wearing a leather jacket and a bit overweight, was very excited when he saw Jiang Yu: "Mr. Jiang! It really is you! I'm a fan of yours; I've seen all of your movies! I've watched 'The Witch' three times!"
"Thank you for your support." Jiang Yu smiled. "Thank you for your help today."
"No trouble at all!" the owner waved his hands repeatedly. "It's my honor to have you here! Please feel free to play as long as you like. Drinks from the vending machine are all you need, and snacks are all you can eat—it's on me!"
"No need, we'll pay whatever it costs," Jiang Yu said. "You go ahead and do your work, don't worry about us. We'll just play for a bit and then leave."
The owner, understanding the situation, left with his staff, leaving the entire arcade to the two of them.
The lights were dazzling, the music was cheerful, and the screens of various game consoles flashed with colorful lights.
Liu Yifei's eyes lit up like a child entering a candy store.
She rushed to the claw machine, pointing to a white rabbit plushie inside: "I want that! The same one as my pillow!"
Jiang Yu exchanged 500 game coins and put them in a heavy plastic basket.
He grabbed a handful and handed it to Liu Yifei: "Here, take it."
Liu Yifei inserted a coin, manipulated the joystick, and the claw wobbled as it moved over, landed, grabbed the rabbit doll's ear, lifted it up, and moved it to the exit—the claw loosened, and the rabbit fell back to its original spot.
"Ah—" she cried out in disappointment, "So close!"
"I'll do it." Jiang Yu took the joystick and inserted a coin.
He aimed carefully, moved the claw above the rabbit, and pressed the button. The claw landed, firmly grasped the rabbit's body, lifted it, moved it to the exit, and released it.
With a "thud," the rabbit doll fell into the entrance/exit.
"Wow! You're so amazing!" Liu Yifei happily took out the rabbit, hugged it to her chest, as if she had received some kind of treasure.
"I'm lucky," Jiang Yu laughed. "Which one would you like?"
"I want that pink pig! And that yellow Pikachu! And that blue Doraemon too!"
For the next half hour, Jiang Yu displayed his amazing talent for claw machines.
I used fifty coins and won ten plush toys; the success rate was frighteningly high.
Liu Yifei was so big she couldn't hold him all; she was laughing like a child, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.
"How come you're so good at picking things up?" She buried her face in a pile of dolls, her voice muffled.
"I practiced before," Jiang Yu said as he continued playing the claw machine. "Back in college, I went to the arcade and practiced claw machine for a month just to woo a girl. I went every day until my hands cramped up. In the end, I didn't win her over, but I did improve my claw machine skills, so it wasn't a complete waste of time."
Liu Yifei looked up from the pile of dolls, raising an eyebrow: "Oh? Which girl are you chasing? Do I know her? Is she pretty?"
There was a subtle hint of sourness in his tone.
Jiang Yu laughed, stopped what he was doing, and turned to look at her: "Jealous?"
"No, I didn't." Liu Yifei turned her face away, but her ears turned red. "I was just curious."
"I won't tell you," Jiang Yu teased her. "That's all in the past, it's not important. What's important is now, all the plush toys I won are yours, only yours."
Liu Yifei turned back to him, her eyes bright: "Really?"
"Really." Jiang Yu nodded seriously. "From now on, I'll only let you play the claw machine, only play with you, and only be good to you."
Liu Yifei laughed, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek: "That's more like it."
After kissing her, she grabbed the doll and ran off: "Let's go play the dance machine!"
In front of the dance machine, Liu Yifei chose an English song with a strong rhythm and stood on it.
As the music started, she began to dance to the rhythm.
The movements are fluid and the rhythm is good; it's clear that the person has a background in dance.
Her body swayed to the music, her long hair flew in the wind, and her face was filled with a happy smile; she was radiant.
Jiang Yu leaned against the side and watched, his eyes full of admiration and love.
When Liu Yifei dances, she is confident, dazzling, and full of energy, completely different from the elegant and dignified image she presents to the media, and also different from the obedient and sensible daughter at home.
This is the most authentic version of her—lively, vibrant, and free.
After finishing the dance, she was slightly out of breath, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead and flushed cheeks: "How was it?"
"Great job." Jiang Yu clapped and handed her a bottle of water. "No wonder you've trained in ballet, you have a great foundation."
"Why don't you give it a try?" Liu Yifei came down and pushed him up.
Jiang Yu shook his head: "I can't dance, really."
"Just dance to anything, as long as it's fun." Liu Yifei persisted and helped him choose a simple song.
Unable to dissuade her, Jiang Yu had no choice but to stand on it.
As the music started, he clumsily followed the arrows and stepped on the pedals, his movements stiff, like a robot, his hands and feet completely uncoordinated.
Liu Yifei was laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight, clutching her stomach: "Hahaha—President Jiang, your dance moves—"
So unique! It looks like a penguin! Like a robot! Like—like someone doing calisthenics!
Jiang Yu laughed at himself and danced even more casually: "I told you I can't dance, but you insisted on making me look bad."
After finishing the dance, he quickly got off, sweat beading on his forehead: "I'm not dancing anymore, it's embarrassing. Let's go play racing games, I know how to do that."
The racing simulator is very realistic, with a steering wheel, accelerator, brake, gear shifter, and the seat vibrates with the undulations of the track.
The screen displays a realistic racetrack scene, and you can choose from various car models and tracks.
The two each chose a car and fastened their seatbelts.
"What should we bet on?" Liu Yifei gripped the steering wheel, eager to try.
"A bet—a meal?" Jiang Yu said. "Whoever loses treats, and the winner gets to choose the place."
"Okay! I want to eat the most expensive one! Michelin three stars!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up.
"Okay, whatever you say." Jiang Yu smiled. "Let's begin."
Game start.
Liu Yifei drives very aggressively. She immediately floored the accelerator, the engine roared, and the car's speed soared instantly.
She didn't slow down when cornering, and as a result, she went off the track several times and crashed into the guardrail. The screen displayed "Severely damaged, under repair".
Jiang Yu drove very steadily, with a smooth start, smooth acceleration, and just the right amount of deceleration when cornering, followed by immediate acceleration after exiting the corner.
He chose a challenging track with many sharp turns and steep inclines, but he handled it well and gradually took the lead.
After three laps, Jiang Yu won, leading by nearly twenty seconds.
"Ugh—I lost." Liu Yifei slapped the steering wheel in frustration. "How could you drive so well? Did you secretly practice?"
"I played this in college." Jiang Yu unbuckled his seatbelt and laughed. "Back then, I had a competition with my roommates, betting a hot pot meal on the outcome. To win, I practiced for a month and played every racing game in every arcade on campus."
Later, they won the hot pot and also improved their skills.
"Back in college again—" Liu Yifei squinted as she got out of the car. "President Jiang, your college life was quite eventful, wasn't it? Practicing claw machines to woo girls, racing cars, gambling on hot pot. What else don't I know?"
The sourness in his tone became more pronounced.
Jiang Yu quickly raised his hands in surrender: "No, no, really no. I was so focused on studying in college, I didn't have much time to play. And you found out about these two things. Let's go play a shooting game, I've never played one before, you're definitely better than me."
The shooting game involves shooting zombies; two players each hold a toy gun and shoot at the screen.
Liu Yifei was very engrossed in the game. When she saw the zombies rushing towards her, she would scream and fire her guns frantically.
"Left, left! Ah! It's coming! Hit it, hit it!"
"There's one on the right too! Watch out!"
"Out of bullets! Reload! Quick, quick, quick!"
Jiang Yu watched her with a smile as he hit her.
He liked seeing her like this, liked seeing her laugh, liked seeing her make a fuss, liked seeing her completely relaxed and being her most authentic self.
They played until 1 a.m., and both of them were exhausted.
Liu Yifei held more than a dozen dolls in her arms, her arms full of joy, and a satisfied smile on her face.
"Are you happy?" Jiang Yu asked, helping her carry a few dolls.
"So happy!" Liu Yifei nodded, her eyes shining like stars. "It's been so long since I've had this much fun. Since entering this industry, I've always had to pay attention to my image and my words and actions. Like today, I can completely relax, laugh when I want to laugh, and shout when I want to shout. It feels so good."
Jiang Yu ruffled her hair. "Call me anytime you want to play. Whether you book the whole place or sneak around, I'll go with you."
"Yes." Liu Yifei nodded emphatically.
As I walked out of the arcade, the mall was already closed, with only the emergency lights still on.
The boss was waiting at the door. Seeing them come out, he smiled and said, "Did you have fun, Mr. Jiang?"
"I'm very happy, thank you." Jiang Yu took out his wallet. "How much?"
"No, no!" the boss waved his hands repeatedly. "It's my honor to entertain Mr. Jiang. Really, there's no need to pay."
.
"That won't do." Jiang Yu insisted, pulling out a wad of cash and stuffing it into the shop owner's hand. "Doing business isn't easy; you have to pay what you owe. This should be enough; we can talk about it if it's not."
The boss smiled and took the money, saying, "Mr. Jiang, you can come anytime from now on, and we'll clear the place for you!"
"Okay, thank you," Jiang Yu smiled.
Even after getting into the car, Liu Yifei was still holding those dolls, clearly enamored with them.
"You like it that much?" Jiang Yu asked, starting the car.
"Mmm." Liu Yifei nodded, burying her face in a rabbit plush toy. "These are all the ones you gave me. I'm going to take them home and put them on my bed so I can hug them and sleep every day."
"Okay." Jiang Yu smiled. "Fasten your seatbelt, I'll take you home."
The car drove into the night. Beijing was much quieter in the early morning, the streets were empty, and the streetlights cast long shadows on the road.
The car was parked downstairs at Liu Yifei's apartment building.
Jiang Yu looked around and didn't see any reporters, so they must have been cleared out by security.
"We're here," he said.
Liu Yifei didn't move. She held the doll, lowered her head, and unconsciously picked at the doll's ears with her fingers.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Yu asked, unbuckling his seatbelt and turning to look at her.
"I don't want to go back—" she said softly, her voice muffled. "If I go back, I'll have to face my mom again, read the script, and pay attention to this and that—the pressure is too much. I want to stay a little longer."
Jiang Yu hugged her tenderly: "Then... come to my place? I'll bring you back tomorrow morning?"
Liu Yifei looked up, her eyes bright, like stars suddenly illuminating the darkness: "Is it okay?"
"Sure," Jiang Yu smiled. "I'll call Auntie and tell her you're staying at Shu Chang's place tonight. You two haven't seen each other in a long time and chatted until late, so I won't be coming over."
"Okay!" Liu Yifei nodded happily.
Jiang Yu took out his phone and called Liu Xiaoli, speaking naturally: "Auntie, this is Xiao Jiang. Yifei is staying at Shuchang's place tonight. They haven't seen each other in a long time and talked about the script until late, so Shuchang let her stay. I'll bring her back tomorrow morning. You should get some rest."
Liu Xiaoli paused for a few seconds, then smiled and said, "Okay, then you guys be careful. Tell her to come back early tomorrow; she has an English class in the morning."
"Okay, Auntie, I'll remind her."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu winked at Liu Yifei: "Done."
Liu Yifei smiled happily, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek: "Then let's hurry up and leave before my mom finds out."