Chapter 84
Winter in the capital of Country R is characterized by heavy and long snowfalls. Under the azure sky, the entire city is covered in a blanket of white, giving the normally solemn European-style buildings a fairytale-like, dreamlike hue.
Sligro Park, which has already been applied for filming by the production team, is no exception.
Every plant and tree inside is like an artwork sculpted from ice crystals, adding a unique natural charm to the film's viewfinder.
Considering the intense filming at the previous location, the crew needed to relax, the director wanted to familiarize himself with the new scenes, and wander around looking for inspiration, so the whole crew took three days off.
Having been working non-stop before, Luo Mingxiu immediately realized something was wrong when he stopped. The third day of the Lunar New Year in China had long passed, and Shen Li should have already gone to his house and seen that person, but she hadn't sent a single message.
For example, his executive broker and assistant Xiaowen have been behaving strangely lately, always avoiding talking to him in private, as if they are secretly plotting something.
Like now, I've filmed a whole day's worth of vlog footage for updating Weibo, and all I need to do is hand the video over to the editor.
On their way back, the two sat together strangely, working on the computer and occasionally looking up to whisper to each other in a pretentious manner.
He wouldn't tell them the situation unless he asked, and they were both surprised when he did.
"Whatever," Luo Mingxiu said, propping his head up with his hand. He stopped turning his tired head, listened to the keyboard sounds they were making, and gradually closed his eyes.
When he woke up, the two people were already gone and hadn't called him. Only Luo Mingxiu was left in the car. He had his eyes slightly open and was wearing a scarf with a faint fragrance.
No, Luo Mingxiu suddenly sat up, touching the necklace that Chen Li had given him, still dutifully tied around his neck. That one...
He looked around and saw a figure approaching in the distance, wearing a white woolen hat and a black overcoat. One step, two steps, and the face gradually became clear.
"Get out of the car." Shen Li raised her hand and knocked on the car window twice.
Shen Li? It really is her.
She's here! Really? Am I dreaming?
"Hmm? Still not awake? Come down," Shen Li spoke again, lifting the bag she was carrying. "You're sleeping so soundly, I'll even help you with the takeout..."
Before she could finish speaking, the person in the car quickly opened the door, hugged her, buried his head in her shoulder, and hid under her carefully applied perfume. There was also a familiar scent that he missed so much.
Shen Li came to see him. She was his girlfriend. She appeared in front of him without saying a word. He was so happy. His Li Li was the best in the world!
Luo Mingxiu gently brushed his nose against her neck, took a deep breath, and suddenly felt a current surge through his head, a tingling sensation spreading from his spine throughout his body, making him involuntarily tighten his grip on the person in front of him.
He held her tightly, and Shen Li couldn't push him away or move.
Luo Mingxiu's hug was different from usual. Was he crying? Probably not. She could feel his body trembling slightly, but it wasn't continuous. Just that one moment. What was wrong?
And now it seemed the initial rush had passed; beside him was his hot, labored breathing, like…
"You... you've had that?" Thinking of a possibility, Shen Li lowered her head and slowly reached down with her hand.
"No," Luo Mingxiu grabbed her, his face flushed crimson, "Just now, when I smelled you, my mind suddenly... I don't know, I've never felt this way before..."
"Intracranial?" Shen Li hesitated, not saying the last two words. She smiled mischievously, "Just a whiff and you're this agitated? What are you going to do tonight, with all this long night ahead?"
"What should we do?" Luo Mingxiu's eyes turned red and his ears burned from her laughter. He picked her up and carried her into the car. "We'll know once we try."
The car window reflected an ambiguous shadow. The seat was reclined, and Luo Mingxiu's heart was surging. He lowered his head and sucked on the red lips under his eyes, licking and kissing them, reluctant to part.
The dim lighting in the basement illuminated Shen Li's face; she looked so beautiful.
Immersed in this gentle and fragrant atmosphere, Luo Mingxiu thought that he would never again pitifully touch that nightgown he had stolen from Shen Li every night before falling asleep.
It needs replacing; it's been tainted by his presence.
In a daze, I don't know how, but Shen Li held my hands and coaxed me to endure it, to eat dinner, and to take a shower.
He stared at her with infatuation, each movement slow and deliberate, like a slow-motion scene in a movie, until he pounced on her and pinned her to the bed.
She met his gaze and gave him a kiss that granted her permission.
A fire was instantly ignited in Luo Mingxiu's eyes, and he finally let go of his restraint and surrendered everything...
...
On the night that broke records, Luo Mingxiu, who had been away from home for some time, could be described in four words: fierce and energetic.
Two words: deadly.
Last night, Shen Li was sore and achy, and this morning, half-asleep, she felt itchy in her lower back and abdomen again.
She groaned as she tried to turn over, but was easily restrained, with a strand of hair brushing against her legs.
"What?" Shen Li shrank back and half-opened her eyes.
Luo Mingxiu smiled, leaned down, and said three words: "Eat breakfast."
"You're already taking advantage of yourself this early in the morning," Shen Li teased him, not admitting defeat. Then, feeling comfortable, she went back to sleep.
When I woke up again, it was almost noon.
The two got up slowly, brushed their teeth and washed their faces sweetly, got dressed, put on hats and masks, and went out together.
After finding a restaurant near the hotel and ordering, Shen Li took off her mask and looked up to see Luo Mingxiu staring at her intently, seemingly lost in thought.
"Don't always look at me like an idiot." Shen Li reached out and took off his mask, placing it aside.
"..." Luo Mingxiu opened his mouth, "I was wondering if you had already found out that I was taking a break and booked a flight in advance to surprise me."
"Guess." Shen Li picked up the hot drink on the table and took a sip.
“It definitely is,” Luo Mingxiu said firmly. “I was wondering why Xiaowen and the others seemed so strange lately; it turns out they were contacting you privately about their schedules.”
"Yeah, so you're surprised?" Shen Li raised her eyebrows.
"What a surprise! I'm overjoyed to see you."
Luo Mingxiu's description was so vivid, it reminded her of the stunned look on his face when he saw her in the car yesterday.
Shen Li smiled broadly: "Did you think you were dreaming yesterday?"
"Hmm." Luo Mingxiu nodded, still staring blankly at her.
“Oh, right,” Shen Li scrolled through her phone, “Look, this is a photo we took the day I went to your house. Uncle looks young, not like someone in his forties, but he seems quite reliable to me.”
Luo Mingxiu glanced at the group photo, then looked closer and saw a girl next to the middle-aged man: "His daughter is in there too?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know he brought the child with him."
"What's the big deal? Luckily, I'm a little more relaxed with this kid around," Shen Li laughed. "You have no idea how loving your mom and uncle are. If I were alone, I'd be an awkward third wheel. Uncle would provide Aunt Luo with emotional support."
Luo Mingxiu scoffed: "That guy has a whole repertoire of sweet talk; he just knows how to make my mom happy."
Shen Li: "Isn't it great? Finding a partner to spend the rest of your life with, being happy is the most important thing."
The meal was so delicious that the two of them took a stroll around the city hand in hand afterward, starting from Srigro Park.
They were wearing masks and hats, having changed into simple outfits suitable for a date because they planned to go out this morning. Not many people paid attention to them on the citywalk, but they didn't expect to run into an acquaintance while resting at a coffee shop.
"Hey, Luo Mingxiu!" Just as the two went in, a group of people came out—it was Yuan Haoxuan and his team.
“Sister Shen Li,” Yuan Haoxuan quickly approached them and saw that the two were holding hands. “You two are really together. I saw the photos on the trending topics and I thought you were working here.”
"What?" Shen Li quickly took out her phone.
Seeing that they were unaware of the situation, Yuan Haoxuan asked, "Weren't you on a date?"
"Yes." Luo Mingxiu admitted directly that he had seen the trending topic. The picture was taken when they were in the restaurant, and neither of them was wearing a mask.
"You two weren't dating back when you were filming Detective, were you?" Yuan Haoxuan suddenly remembered that he had filmed a kissing scene with Shen Li in front of Luo Mingxiu, and then posted it on his WeChat Moments to show off. He was so embarrassed that his toes went numb.
"Not so soon, after filming wraps up," Shen Li stopped him from overthinking and said frankly, "But if we're going to go public now, we'd like to wait until the movie we filmed is released."
“Oh, I see,” Yuan Haoxuan’s eyes immediately cleared, and he greeted the two of them again, “Hi, Sister Shen Li, what a coincidence that you’re here too. Let me think, you must be here to visit Brother Luo on set.”
That's why Yuan Haoxuan is a top star; he understands social dynamics and is quite clever. Visiting the set is indeed a good excuse.
Shen Li silently conveyed her thoughts to Cheng Qingqing without making any clarifications, but she instructed the public relations department to hire online trolls to post comments about visiting the set and then remove the trending topic from the search results.
.
Three days passed in a flash, and Luo Mingxiu had to go back to filming, returning to the pattern of enduring loneliness and missing his love every day.
Shen Li's original flight for the first day was delayed by one night, so she had to change her departure to the day Luo Mingxiu started filming.
When I woke up after a good night's sleep, the person next to me had already gone to the film set.
Luo Mingxiu had already picked up the clothes she had left lying around last night, and he had also packed her suitcase neatly, with her clothes and cosmetics inside, but the pajamas she had worn were missing.
A scene that seemed familiar.
Shen Li immediately went to check Luo Mingxiu's cabinet, but it wasn't there. After searching the room to no avail, she gave up.
Fine, let him use it to remember his loved one.
After all, three days ago, the studio received a collaboration email from a director in Country K. If nothing unexpected happens, she will also be going abroad to film a movie. Now that they are separated, it is unknown when they will have time to meet again.
Then, time seemed to speed up.
In April, Director Meng and Liang Jin's daughter was born. After the baby's one-month celebration, Liang Jin returned to work. However, Luo Mingxiu changed locations, and he went to the Gobi Desert area with relatively harsh conditions as soon as he resumed work.
Meanwhile, Shen Li was already in a foreign country, starting filming her new drama.
In early May, Luo Mingxiu arrived at the isolated island jungle, the last filming location. He had informed Shen Li before arriving on the island, but due to signal issues, the two didn't video chat much.
This was the most difficult period of time for Luo Mingxiu.
He wasn't afraid of any hardship or difficulty, but he feared loneliness, facing the exhaustion of staff and the cold machines day after day in harsh conditions.
It felt like going back to many years ago, before his mother took him to Shen Li's house. People around him passed by in a hurry, but he was always isolated from the world and remained silent.
In the past, he definitely wouldn't have been able to persevere, but fortunately, he had Shen Li, and his strong desire to see her overwhelmed all the negativity.
Two months later...
When the message about previewing the film "Restoration" reached Shen Li's phone, she had just finished the wrap party for the film crew.
After replying to Director Xie, she got into the car as usual. She didn't see Xiaoyu, but the driver specially hired from Country K was in the front seat.
"Ready to go?" the driver's voice rang out, hoarse and low, as if he were deliberately speaking in a low voice.
"Wait, Xiaoyu probably went to the restroom." Shen Li glanced in the driver's direction. She hadn't noticed before, but why was the driver wearing a mask today?
etc.
Those eyes seemed to...
Shen Li's eyes narrowed, and she immediately got out of the car, moved to the passenger seat, and pulled down the man's mask.
Yes, the face I had been longing for appeared before me.
It had been half a year since they last met, and they hadn't been able to video chat while they were on the island. Besides, with Luo Mingxiu's appearance, it's no wonder that Shen Li didn't notice him at first glance.
"You got a haircut?"
“Yes, it’s necessary for the play.” Luo Mingxiu took off his hat, revealing a perfectly buzz cut.
Seeing that she remained silent for a while, he lowered his eyelids slightly and asked, "Is it that ugly?"
Not really. Shen Li shook his head. His face shape was smooth, and this hairstyle seemed a bit unusual at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it made his features appear much more angular.
She reached out and touched his short, stubble-like head, then slid her hand down to touch his face, where his skin had become tanned.
“This is…” Her fingertip stopped on his forehead, and Shen Li noticed a scar. She leaned closer anxiously, “You fell? How did you get hurt? When did you get injured? Why didn’t you tell me!”
"It's nothing serious, I just accidentally got lightly bumped by the machine."
“How can it be shallow when there’s already a scar?” Shen Li said, both angry and anxious. “This was a cut, right? Explain the whole story clearly, or I’ll ask Liang about it.”
“Okay,” Luo Mingxiu agreed, staring intently at her face, unable to look away. He pressed his lips to hers, lingering and caressing them before placing a gentle, warm, and tender kiss on her lips.
Touch and then leave.
"Chen Li, I miss you so much." His breath trembled softly.
Shen Li, who had intended to stop him from changing the subject, saw the fleeting tears in his eyes, his eyes filled with her image, and for a moment she was speechless, her heart aching with bitterness.
Her eyes stung, and she hugged him, returning his deep kiss.
.
The intense film promotion period didn't allow them to dwell on their sadness for long; various filming sessions, roadshows, and interviews followed one after another.
"Restoration" is scheduled for release on July 25th nationwide.
During its run, Luo Mingxiu and Shen Li's acting skills both trended on social media, the box office exceeded expectations, and the film's run was repeatedly extended. It not only attracted a nationwide audience but also sparked a travel boom in Q City, the filming location.
The Tianye headquarters was plastered with posters of the two, and the Film Association held a special seminar to study "Restoration" as a case study.
The creative team, especially Director Xie, always had a big smile on their face during every event and interview.
"I heard that the film's license was issued in April, just in time for this year's Golden Rooster Awards application. Is this true?" a reporter asked during an interview with the director.
"true."
"So, Director Xie, are you confident about recreating the Golden Rooster Award nomination?"
"Of course, I believe this film, as well as its lead actors, have a chance to compete for this year's Golden Rooster Award."
This is not an exaggeration. It is a low-budget film that Shen Li personally raised investment for and exchanged resources for. It is also the director's first screenplay. Yet, it broke through the fierce competition in the summer movie season.
If the team may have lacked confidence when they applied, their current outstanding achievements show that they are full of hope and that anything is possible.
In November, the annual Golden Rooster Awards ceremony was held in City X.
On this enchanting evening, a gentle breeze caressed the sea, and the pink and purple sunset glow spread across the red carpet, witnessing the radiant performances of each actor.
This year, a total of six films were nominated for Best Feature Film, and only one film received nominations for both Best Actor and Best Actress.
"Welcome the lead actors of 'Restoration,' Shen Li and Luo Mingxiu. The two of you are walking hand in hand on the red carpet. Let's look forward to tonight!" The host's voice couldn't contain his excitement.
Under the dazzling lights, Shen Li, dressed in a red L brand gown, reached out her hand to Luo Mingxiu, who was wearing a gray haute couture suit beside her. He took her hand, and the two slowly walked towards the red carpet.
There is a lot of speculation online about Shen Li winning the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress for the second time. Media interviews all revolve around her, and the guests inside the venue all turned their attention to her and the man next to her.
Someone shouted, "Li Ming is real!" and the atmosphere immediately became lively.
As the music reached its climax, on the star-studded stage, the award presenters kept the pace perfectly in place. Before each announcement, the teasing segment was so tight you could hear a pin drop, and after the announcement, the hall erupted in cheers.
"Her performance was authentic and moving, rich in layers, and accurately portrayed the character's complex inner turmoil and emotional changes. She never disappoints the audience. She is—Shen Li. Congratulations to Shen Li for winning Best Actress!"
"Congratulations."
Amidst the enthusiastic applause, the first congratulation Shen Li heard came from Luo Mingxiu beside her.
He stood up from his seat, grabbed her in his arms, completely ignoring the stares of the entire room, and then lifted her swaying skirt, pulling her into the spotlight.
Shen Li walked onto the stage and accepted her second Golden Rooster Award from the presenter after many years. After her acceptance speech, she was about to give up her seat when the host gestured for her not to move.
"Next, we will announce the Best Actor award."
The audience below was buzzing with discussion. At this moment, her immobility made her intentions quite clear. Shen Li looked up at the person in the audience who was looking up at her. He was trembling, and she gave him a firm look.
The card was handed to Shen Li, and when she saw the name she expected, her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She was so excited that she didn't even read the award speech and directly announced the result: "Congratulations, Best Actor Luo Mingxiu!"
Cheers and congratulations flowed past her ears like a stream. Luo Mingxiu stood up abruptly and was embraced by different directors and actors. His eyes were filled with tears as he kept looking at the person on the stage who was smiling radiantly at him.
"Thank you everyone." Luo Mingxiu bowed deeply, turned and ran to the stage to receive the trophy from Shen Li.
"You did it." Luo Mingxiu's heart was filled with emotion. He controlled the tears welling up in his eyes, but the person in front of him was already in tears.
"Yes, you did it."
He did it; he truly stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
A large number of viewers flooded into the live stream room, causing an uproar.
At this moment, scenes from the past flashed through Shen Li's mind, but she couldn't hear the music or the host's words.
She stepped forward, grabbed Luo Mingxiu's tie and pulled it down, kissing him amidst his shocked gaze.
The entire venue erupted in cheers.
—End of main text
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