Chapter 20

As the car entered the parking lot, Shen Li turned around and gently patted the person lying on their side in the back seat: "We're here, get up."

Seeing him get up, his movements much more agile, Shen Li asked, "Are you more awake now?"

"I feel much better after a nap." Luo Mingxiu nodded and stopped accepting her help.

Xiaoyu followed behind them and took the elevator up together.

As the elevator doors opened, Shen Li said as she walked, "I was worried in the car that you'd be too drunk to give this gift today."

Luo Mingxiu: "What is it?"

Shen Li blinked: "You'll know once you get it."

Upon arriving at the room, the person beside her stopped. Shen Li swiped the door open and glanced at him.

"I'm not going in. I'll wait for you here." Luo Mingxiu leaned lazily against the wall.

Shen Li nodded, leaving the door slightly ajar.

After a while, she came out and handed him the white gift bag.

The gift bag wasn't big, so he could roughly guess that it contained a small item. Luo Mingxiu unpacked it, and inside were two boxes, one large and one small.

He opened them; a necklace lay in the long box, and a tie clip in the small round box.

“I originally only wanted to buy a necklace, and the tie clip was a matching set,” Shen Li said. “Dog-shaped ones are quite rare.”

Shen Li smiled at him and said, "How about it? Since your keychains are all puppy-themed, I'll buy some puppy-themed ones too. Just like you gave me pear-themed merchandise, I'll give you puppy-themed merchandise in return."

"I like it, I like it so much," Luo Mingxiu said, his smile fleeting as his voice became hoarse. "I especially like it."

"If you like it, don't cry, okay?" Shen Li said.

Luo Mingxiu wiped his misty eyes: "I didn't cry."

"Your eyes are red, and you still won't admit it. Do you think I wouldn't be able to tell you're in a bad mood?"

"Sigh, you've grown up, and it's not convenient for you to tell your older sister your worries. Well, I'll just take that as you being touched," Chen Li said, picking up the necklace with her fingers. "Look down, let me put it on for you."

Luo Mingxiu lowered his head and quickly took the necklace from her as she leaned closer, saying, "I can do it myself."

If you get too close, you can smell her fragrance and you can't help but want to hug her.

Luo Mingxiu raised his hand and fastened the lock behind his neck, and the silver chain hung around his neck.

The diamond on the puppy pendant sparkled, drawing attention to his collarbone. His breath rose and fell, and Shen Li examined him for a while before looking up. The boy had a long neck and a prominent Adam's apple.

At that moment, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

A voice came from above: "Is it beautiful?"

Shen Li looked away, her heart slightly flustered. She coughed and said, "It looks pretty good. I just wanted to see how it looked. You can wear it for everyday activities, but don't wear it when filming, it's inconvenient."

Luo Mingxiu nodded, indicating that she would keep it safe even if she didn't say anything.

He had already lost the birthday gift she gave him once before; he couldn't afford to lose it again this time.

"Then go back, goodnight." Shen Li closed the door.

Luo Mingxiu returned to his room, placed the gift by the bed, walked to the mirror to take pictures, and after taking a few, he felt something was wrong. He took off the necklace, changed out of his costume, went into the bathroom, and quickly took a shower.

He rummaged through his suitcase, pulled out a shirt and put it on, then tied a tie, went back to the bedside to fasten the tie clip, and finally put on a necklace.

Luo Mingxiu pulled up the glowing pendant and lowered his head to kiss it gently.

Finally, I opened the camera to take a picture, logged into my long-dormant alternate account, edited the Weibo post, and set it to be visible only to myself before publishing it.

The puppy is eating a pear: It was a gift from her, and he likes it.

After sending it, I saw a message pop up on WeChat:

Mom: Son, I just found out that your play is going to be performed in the Miao village, right?

Luo Mingxiu replied: Yes.

A voice message came from the other end: "Oh, I'm here playing too, along with the aunties. They're leaving tomorrow. Maybe I should change my ticket and stay a few more days. Mom wants to see you filming."

Luo Mingxiu: "At most, you can watch the ceremony tomorrow. The area will be cleared afterward. If you and the aunties have other plans, don't change them."

Mom: "Alright then, I've been thinking about it. Those women are really enthusiastic; they might keep surrounding you. Never mind, I won't trouble you. Just come over for a meal tomorrow when you arrive. I'll tell you about that restaurant..."

The voice message was sent before the speaker had even finished speaking, leaving Luo Mingxiu completely confused.

After a while, another location was sent from the other side, showing the name: Miao Village Yunxiang Pavilion.

.

After taking a shower, Shen Li put on a face mask and lay on the bed. The scene from earlier flashed through her mind. She shook her head, took out her phone, and prepared to scroll through some short videos to distract herself.

A message popped up on WeChat:

Li Nan sent me a picture, a group photo of him and the Miao village, the next filming location.

The Miao Village instance is about the story of Mu Ling, a holy maiden of Miao territory, played by Sun Qi, and her master, played by Li Nan, who is the main character in the later level of this instance.

It appears here in the form of Mu Leng's memories, serving as an introduction to the subsequent plot, so there aren't many shots that need to be filmed.

The schedule in the director's group also stated that he would not join the crew until the last week of filming in the Miao village.

I never imagined he had already passed away.

Shen Li was somewhat surprised and typed: Director Li's new movie is finished?

Li Nan: It's been a month since filming wrapped up, and it even trended on social media. You really don't pay any attention to me at all?

Shen Li: I'm busy filming.

Shen Li: So you went there after you finished filming?

Li Nan: Yeah, anyway, we'll be joining the production soon, so going there early can be like a field trip.

Li Nan: The scenery here is nice, and I've eaten at almost all the restaurants these past few days.

Li Nan: When we arrive, I'll treat you to this restaurant.

He sent her a picture, and when Shen Li opened it, the restaurant on the menu was called: Miao Village Yunxiang Pavilion.

Li Nan: You can decide what you want to eat first, as long as it's spicy enough and suits your taste.

Shen Li: Thanks in advance!

Li Nan sent over a few more pictures of food, making Shen Li, who was watching the screen, drool. It was too much to post food poisoning pictures late at night; she wished she could fly over there immediately.

Shen Li felt a little strange about logging out of WeChat.

Actually, after getting married, she didn't have much contact with Li Nan. The last time they chatted was a year ago when she asked him to make a cameo appearance in this movie.

Even though we haven't been in touch for so long, it's not awkward when we contact each other again. Maybe that's the advantage of having worked together so many times and being so familiar with each other.

From her debut at the age of nineteen until now, apart from Cheng Qingqing, the close friends around her have either left or drifted apart. In the end, those who can help her in critical moments and remember her will be regarded as true friends by Shen Li.

The film crew arrived at the Miao village the following evening.

The locals are very kind and hospitable. When they heard that a film crew was coming to shoot a movie, the locals lined up to welcome them.

They plan to film here for about a month. The cultural and tourism authorities have also contacted them, suggesting that they invite a TV station to report on the film, promoting Miao village culture and boosting tourism.

This was told to the director by the crew's logistics department, and the director then notified them in the group chat that the entire crew should get up early tomorrow to prepare, which is essentially a small-scale opening ceremony in the Miao village.

Shen Li is very happy because there was a building collapse and actor replacement incident before the start of filming. At that time, there was no opening ceremony and the production was rushed to start. It's good that it was made up for now.

As expected, Director Liu shared the same idea as her.

He posted in the group that this was a blessing for the production team, and that filming was based on metaphysics, so he couldn't refuse anything that brought good fortune.

Director Liu: Tomorrow we'll follow local customs, have firecrackers and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, etc.

Director Liu: We're done giving out red envelopes; everyone gets one.

As soon as the topic of red envelopes came up, a bunch of people popped up in the group chat to comment and flood the screen, making it quite lively.

Shen Li and Li Nan had arranged to have dinner together in advance, so after arriving at the Miao village, she asked Xiao Yu to take her to the restaurant.

"I'll head to the guesthouse now," Xiaoyu said as she saw her off, adding a reminder, "Sister Li, you need to get up early tomorrow, so try not to drink alcohol."

Shen Li: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

She only drinks alcohol when she thinks the food is bad; if it's delicious enough, she can't stop eating and won't touch alcohol at all.

This is a farmhouse restaurant, located in a pavilion next to a small bridge and flowing water. The interior is elegant and the exterior is pleasing to the eye.

Since it was just the two of them, Li Nan hadn't booked a private room. He followed the waiter up to the second floor, where he stood by the railing of the pavilion and waved to her.

Shen Li smiled, walked over and sat down, looking down at the lake below.

She laughed and said, "Sure, it's a fantastic viewpoint."

“Of course,” Li Nan said. “This restaurant is popular, so I booked a table in advance.”

"Thank you, Director Li," Shen Li gave him a thumbs up. "Alright, when's the food? I can't wait."

"About half an hour," Li Nan said with a smile in his eyes. "You ordered so much, you should give people time."

Are you saying I have a big appetite?

Li Nan shrugged: "I didn't say that."

The atmosphere was quiet for a second, then the two of them burst out laughing at the same time. Shen Li propped her chin up with her hand and said, "It's been a long time since we've sat down and chatted like this."

"Yes, I miss the days when we filmed together." Li Nan picked up the tea on the table and poured her a cup.

The tea was very hot, steaming. Shen Li looked at him through the white steam and said, "So, are you planning to make a comeback after this cameo? Come back to acting, the audience will welcome you anytime."

“There’s no such thing as always welcoming,” Li Nan smiled. “It’s been four years. The entertainment industry changes very quickly, and I’m doing quite well as a director now. I’m slowly finding my direction.”

"Really?" Shen Li looked at him.

Li Nan tapped his fingers lightly on the table, reached out and pulled her hand, putting on a loving expression: "Otherwise what? Then I'll say I have absolutely no desire to be a director, and that my retirement from the industry is all because of you?"

"Get lost," Chen Li shoved him away, "Just be your white moonlight and don't come back."

Li Nan touched his fingers, smiling without saying a word.

After a while, he opened his mouth, this time with a serious expression: "Shen Li, among all the actors I've met, none are more talented and passionate about acting than you. There are many people in this world who spend their whole lives searching for what they love."

You know what I mean?

“I understand,” Shen Li said, taking a sip of tea. “You don’t have my talent.”

"What?" Li Nan raised an eyebrow.

Shen Li laughed: "You got tricked, didn't you? Just kidding. Good luck."

“You, really…” Li Nan stared at her, speechless, a smile playing on his lips.

"If you're speechless, then don't say anything more," Shen Li said, her eyes shining as she quickly moved her tea aside as the waiter brought over the dishes. "Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready!"

"Hey, have you finished eating? Where are you going?" Luo Mingxiu's mother called out to him as he stood up.

"I'm going out for a walk," Luo Mingxiu turned around and said to the others at the table, "Aunties, please enjoy your meal. I'm going out for some fresh air after I've finished eating."

One of the older women said, "Xiao Luo, you want to smoke? Sit down. The older women won't say anything if you smoke here."

"No," Luo Mingxiu said helplessly.

Knowing that he wasn't good at dealing with her group of enthusiastic sisters, Luo's mother spoke up for him: "Oh, Sister Zhang, my son doesn't smoke anymore, let him go out and have fun. He's a young man who doesn't talk to us."

"You can go out now. I'll call you on WeChat later. Just come back and settle the bill," Luo's mother said, pushing him away.

"Okay, thank you, Mom." Luo Mingxiu turned and left, finally letting out a sigh of relief as he closed the door.

The aunties in the private room sighed repeatedly, saying to Luo Qiuli, "Sister Li, your son is so handsome! Now that he's a big star, we can't even get a good look at him anymore!"

Luo Qiuli dodged the question: "What's so handsome about it? We're just eating vegetables. Being handsome can't fill a meal."

Luo Mingxiu walked along the corridor, turned a corner, and was about to go downstairs when he saw a familiar figure in the pavilion diagonally opposite.

A pear?

She eats here too.

Is that Li Nan on the other side?

The man turned his head slightly, and Luo Mingxiu recognized him clearly. It was Li Nan, the actor who had won the Best Actor award and had worked with her many times, playing her male lead.

At this moment, Li Nan reached out and wiped Chen Li's mouth with a tissue.

Luo Mingxiu's eyes sharpened. Why hadn't his sister told him that this person had arrived ahead of time?

It doesn't seem necessary to tell him.

Are they on a date?

Luo Mingxiu walked nervously, and by the time he realized what was happening, he was already standing in front of them.

"Hmm?" Shen Li put down her chopsticks. She had been so engrossed in her meal that she hadn't noticed the person next to her and assumed they were there to refill her tea.

"Mingxiu, what are you doing here?"

Luo Mingxiu: "My mom is traveling here, so we had a meal together."

"Aunt Luo!" Shen Li stood up excitedly. "Where is she? Has she left? I haven't seen her in so long. I want to see her."

“She didn’t leave,” Luo Mingxiu glanced at Li Nan. “You eat first, I’ll take you to see her in a bit.”

“Oh, okay,” Shen Li sat down, only to realize that Li Nan had only heard that she had a godson, but had never met him.

He cleared his throat and introduced, "Li Nan, this is Luo Mingxiu, the newly signed artist you should know. Why don't you two get to know each other?"

Li Nan stood up, grabbed a wet wipe to clean his hands, and extended his hand to Luo Mingxiu: "Hello, I've heard Shen Li mention you before, you're her younger brother, right?"

"Hello, Teacher Li," Luo Mingxiu returned the handshake, "I'm your sworn brother."

The two held hands and stared at each other for a few seconds.

"I know." Li Nan frowned slightly, pulled out his hand, wiped it with a tissue, and threw the tissue into the trash can.

The waiter came over to refill the tea, and Luo Mingxiu bent down to take a cup, indicating that he wanted another cup.

Then he walked over and sat down in the seat next to Shen Li.

Shen Li looked bewildered: "Didn't you already eat it?"

"I'm not full," Luo Mingxiu said, looking directly at Li Nan across from him. "Would you mind if I added another pair of chopsticks, Teacher Li?"