vstars Chapter 97 First Intimate Contact
Chapter 97 First Intimate Contact
Chapter 96 First Intimate Contact
As Jiang Yu and David said goodbye in the parking lot, the Los Angeles sky was painted with the gentlest colors of the day.
The orange-pink sunset looked as if someone had casually painted it on with the largest paintbrush, with a faint purple tinge at the edges.
"You really aren't coming to the airport with me?" David asked for the eighth time, waving his car keys. "I can treat you to a hamburger at a restaurant, even though it tastes like a shoe insole."
"No need." Jiang Yu patted his shoulder. "Spend the New Year with your family. Tell your daughter for me that I really liked the Minion she drew last time, and it's already on the inspiration wall at Crystal Animation."
David's eyes lit up: "Really? She'll be ecstatic! That girl's been telling everyone she meets that I know the uncle who makes the Minions."
He glanced at his watch. "So, I'm really leaving? Boss, you're all alone—"
"I'm fine on my own," Jiang Yu interrupted him with a smile. "Let's go, or we'll miss our flight."
David then got into the car, and before starting the engine, he rolled down the window again: "By the way, Happy New Year!"
"Happy New Year."
The car slowly drove out of the parking lot. Jiang Yu stood there, watching the car disappear around the corner, and suddenly felt that the surroundings were unusually quiet.
He took out his phone to check the time, but the screen lit up first.
Caller ID: Liu Yifei.
As Jiang Yu looked at that name, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.
He waited for three seconds, not knowing why, but he just felt he should wait three seconds, and then answered the phone.
"Are you done on your end?" Her voice came through the receiver, a little lower than usual, with a very quiet background.
Jiang Yu leaned against the car door, his gaze fixed on the last rays of sunset on the horizon: "Just finished. What about you? No shows today?"
"Director Darren gave everyone a New Year's holiday," Liu Yifei said with a laugh. "He said actors who don't live life can't act well," and then he kicked us all out. I'm in my hotel room now, staring out the window, lost in thought.
She paused, a pause that lasted about two seconds, but sounded like ten seconds over the phone.
"Do you have plans for tonight?"
Jiang Yu could hear the caution in her voice when she asked the question, like a child afraid of being rejected.
He suddenly remembered the way she looked when he saw her on the set of "Black Swan." She was confident and dazzling in front of the camera, but after filming, she would hide in a corner and rub her sore ankles. When she saw him coming, she would quickly pretend that nothing was wrong.
"There are no special plans," Jiang Yu said, his voice unconsciously softening. "I originally planned to just grab a bite to eat and then find a place to watch the fireworks. You know, when you're spending New Year's Eve alone in a foreign country, you always need to have some kind of ritual."
"Well—" Liu Yifei's voice brightened a bit, "Want to come along? I know a nice restaurant by the sea in Santa Monica where you can see the fireworks. I booked it two weeks in advance. I originally invited the crew, but they all had other commitments."
She paused again, then added, "And—I heard their chocolate lava cake is especially delicious. They say the chef is from France and his desserts are superb."
Jiang Yu smiled; he could imagine the expression on her face when she said that; a hint of smugness, as if she were sharing some amazing secret.
"You're tempting me with dessert," he said.
"Was it useful?" Liu Yifei asked, her voice tinged with amusement.
"Very useful." Jiang Yu opened the car door and got in. "Send me the address, I'll come over. But I need to go back to my apartment to change my clothes first."
"Okay, I'll come pick you up first," Liu Yifei said quickly.
"Yes, thank you for your help."
There was a rustling sound coming from the other end of the phone, as if someone was looking for something.
"I'll be there in about twenty minutes," Liu Yifei said. "You don't need to change your clothes."
"See you in twenty minutes then," Jiang Yu said.
"Okay, see you later."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu did not start the car immediately.
He sat in the driver's seat, watching his phone screen go dark, reflecting his blurry image.
2008 is coming to an end; it has been a busy and fulfilling year.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu did not start the car immediately.
He sat there in the driver's seat, his fingers tapping the steering wheel unconsciously, watching the fading sunset on the horizon.
He recalled Liu Yifei's voice on the phone earlier.
When she said "the chocolate lava cake is especially delicious," her voice rose slightly at the end, carrying a hint of pride and a touch of cautious probing.
He had never heard this tone from anyone else.
In Hollywood, people either speak professionally and politely or with exaggerated enthusiasm; it's rare to find someone as genuine as this.
My phone vibrated again.
It was a restaurant address sent by Liu Yifei, followed by an emoticon: (·日)
Jiang Yu stared at the emoticon for three seconds, then couldn't help but laugh.
In his memory, Liu Yifei was a "fairy sister" who was aloof and ethereal in front of the camera, a serious and competitive young actress on the set of "Black Swan", and a poised and elegant rising star at the celebration banquet.
This emoticon is a bit silly, but also a bit cute.
He replied with an "OK" emoji and then opened the navigation.
Meanwhile, on a road from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, Liu Yifei was driving, humming an off-key tune.
Her silver Audi was filled with a faint citrus scent, which she rarely used.
For some reason, after standing in front of the wardrobe for ten minutes today, she inexplicably picked up that bottle of perfume.
"It's just because it has a light flavor, suitable for dinner occasions," she told herself, but her eyes sparkled and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up in the mirror.
While waiting at a red light, she glanced at the passenger seat.
There was a paper bag on the seat containing a gift she had specially bought that afternoon: a dark blue cashmere scarf, the fabric as soft as a cloud.
The reason given was "to thank Jiang Yu for taking care of her during this time," but the real reason was that when she saw the scarf, she felt it suited him perfectly.
"Wouldn't this be too deliberate?" she wondered. "Wouldn't giving a scarf be too intimate? Maybe I should give a book instead?"
Or red wine?
In the end, she still bought the scarf.
She imagined how Jiang Yu would look wearing it; he often wore dark suits, and this scarf would probably look great on him.
Although winters in Los Angeles are not cold, it can be chilly in the mornings and evenings, so scarves are useful.
"Yes, it's pragmatism, nothing else." She nodded, convincing herself.
The green light came on, and the car continued driving.
The car stereo was playing Norah Jones's "Don't Know Why," and the languid jazz flowed through the cabin.
Liu Yifei hummed along softly, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel to keep time.
She recalled the first time she met Jiang Yu, on the set of "The Forbidden Kingdom," where he was very aloof.
Later, she auditioned for the role of "The Witch".
Jiang Yu was sitting to the side of the audition room, wearing a simple white shirt, looking at her information.
When he looked up, his eyes were calm.
Later, during the filming period in Los Angeles, Jiang Yu would occasionally visit the set.
Don't make a fuss, just quietly watch from the sidelines, and ask her how she felt and if she had any difficulties afterward.
My recollection was interrupted by the navigation prompt: "You are approaching your destination, parking lot on your right ahead."
Liu Yifei slowly exhaled and drove the car into the parking lot.
After parking the car, she checked her makeup in the rearview mirror; it was light makeup, with a soft mauve lipstick, and her hair was loosely tied up with a few stray strands falling beside her ears.
Yes, not bad, natural yet polite.
She picked up the paper bag from the passenger seat and got out of the car.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yu returned to his apartment, quickly took a shower, and changed into a simple black sweater and dark jeans.
He hesitated in front of the mirror for a moment, wondering whether to shave, but in the end he picked up the razor anyway.
"Just for a meal?" he said to himself in the mirror, then laughed. "No, it's for the chocolate."
Lava cake.
Twenty minutes later, the phone rang right on time.
Jiang Yu went downstairs and saw that the silver Audi was already parked in front of the apartment.
The car window rolled down, and Liu Yifei was wearing sunglasses.
Although it was getting dark, the scarf was wrapped tightly around his face, almost covering half of it.
"Is it really that cold in Los Angeles in winter?" Jiang Yu asked with a smile as he got into the passenger seat.
Liu Yifei pulled her scarf down further, revealing her nose and mouth: "It's not that I'm cold—it's that I'm afraid of being recognized. A few fans wanted autographs at the hotel entrance just now, which took a while."
She started the car and skillfully drove onto the street.
"How was your day?" Liu Yifei asked as she drove, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. Jiang Yu could feel her glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. "I heard you took some junior students to the animation studio?"
"Yes, five very promising young people." Jiang Yu leaned back in his chair, a posture that allowed him to naturally look at her profile. "They're all from the animation major at the Communication University of China. I had Dean Huang personally select them. Letting them study in Hollywood for a year should help them promote the development of the domestic animation industry when they return."
Liu Yifei nodded, then glanced at him while waiting at a red light: "You're so thoughtful. You've succeeded yourself, and you haven't forgotten to help others. I heard you even donated scholarships to the Communication University of China?"
"Whatever I can do." Jiang Yu looked out the window at the fleeting street scene. "For the industry to develop, talent is key. China doesn't lack talented young people, it lacks opportunities and platforms. If I can provide some, I should."
"But—" Liu Yifei hesitated for a moment, "Training new talent is expensive and time-consuming, isn't it? And there's no guarantee of a return."
Jiang Yu turned to look at her: "If you calculate the return on every action before you act, you'll accomplish nothing. Back when I was studying at the Communication University of China, an old professor paid for our textbooks out of his own pocket and took us to visit special effects and animation companies. He said, 'You are the future of the industry; I'm investing in the future.' Now I understand."
Liu Yifei was silent for a moment, then said softly, "You always think too far ahead."
"There are times when I don't think far ahead," Jiang Yu laughed. "Like right now, I'm only thinking about the chocolate lava cake later."
These words made Liu Yifei laugh. Her eyes crinkled when she laughed, and her sunglasses slipped down to the tip of her nose.
She quickly pushed her sunglasses back, but that smile had already been etched into Jiang Yu's eyes.
The car drove toward Santa Monica.
The closer you get to the sea, the stronger the festive atmosphere becomes.
The streets were decorated with colorful lights, and the shop windows displayed "Happy New Year" decorations.
Most pedestrians were in pairs, holding balloons or flowers.
"There are so many people," Liu Yifei whispered. "What if we can't get a table?"
"Didn't you book it two weeks in advance?"
"It's been ordered, but what if—"
"There's no 'what if'," Jiang Yu said. "Even if there are no seats left, we can order takeout and eat by the sea. It's New Year's Eve, so anything goes."
Liu Yifei glanced at him, nodded, and seemed a little more relaxed.
Their seats were in the corner furthest out, quiet and with the best view.
Candles were already lit on the table, their small flames dancing inside the glass dome.
Jiang Yu first came in and sat down, looking out at the sea.
From this angle, you can see a panoramic view of the Santa Monica Pier: the Ferris wheel, roller coaster, the lights of the game booths, and the dense crowds waiting for the New Year's Eve fireworks.
Not long after, Liu Yifei came up; Jiang Yu stood up and naturally pulled out a chair for her.
Liu Yifei sat down and placed the small paper bag in her hand next to her feet. She tried to make the gesture as natural as possible, but Jiang Yu still noticed it.
"What is that?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Huh? Oh—" Liu Yifei blinked. "A little gift for you. Thank you for taking care of me during this time."
She regretted it as soon as she said it; she was too blunt!
You should say "New Year's gift" or "brought along by chance"!
How can you say "thank you for taking care of me"? It sounds like a primary school student giving a gift to their teacher!
Jiang Yu replied naturally, "Thank you. Can I watch it now?"
"Yes, yes—" Liu Yifei handed over the paper bag, staring at his expression with a hint of nervousness.
Jiang Yu opened the paper bag and took out the dark blue cashmere scarf.
The fabric was indeed soft. He unfolded the scarf to look at it, then smiled: "It's beautiful. Thank you, I really like it."
"Really?" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. "I think this color should match your usual clothes."
Besides, it's cool in Los Angeles in the mornings and evenings, so wearing it will keep you warm.
"You've thought of everything." Jiang Yu carefully folded the scarf and put it back in the paper bag. "Then I'll accept it without hesitation."
The little devil inside Liu Yifei's head was already spinning, but she had to maintain a calm demeanor on the surface: "You're welcome, it's my pleasure."
The waiter handed over the menu, and Liu Yifei, who had obviously already studied it, quickly ordered grilled octopus, seafood rice, and sangria.
After ordering, she looked at Jiang Yu and said, "For dessert, I'd like a chocolate lava cake. What about you?"
"Same as you." Jiang Yu handed the menu back to the waiter.
While waiting for their food, neither of them spoke for a moment.
The sea breeze blew in from outside the platform, carrying a salty, damp smell and the faint sound of music from afar.
Downstairs on the street, the cheerful laughter of the crowd floated like background noise.
"Let's talk about 'Black Swan'," Jiang Yu broke the silence between them. "How's filming going?"
When work was mentioned, Liu Yifei visibly relaxed.
Her eyes lit up, and she began to tell stories of fun things that happened on set; how she practiced dancing until her toes bled for a scene but insisted on not using a stunt double; how director Darren suddenly asked to change the script midway through filming, leaving everyone in a flurry of activity.
"Director Darren is very strict, and you can really learn a lot from him," Liu Yifei said. "He would have me try ten different ways of acting out the same scene, and then choose the most accurate one. Sometimes I felt I acted quite well, but he would say, 'Let's do it again, it's not realistic enough.' At first, it was very frustrating, but later I understood; he was pushing me to step out of my comfort zone."
Jiang Yu listened attentively, occasionally asking one or two questions.
He could see her passion and dedication to acting, which reminded him of her from his past life; an actress who, despite years of ups and downs in the entertainment industry, always maintained her original passion for acting.
"And you?" Liu Yifei asked after finishing her sentence, "How's the animation going?"
"Crystal Animation is in its final sprint." Jiang Yu recounted how Chris argued with the technical team for three days over a single shot effect, until everyone compromised and created a better version.
Speaking of the design iterations of the Minions, from the initial capsule shape to the current banana shape; speaking of the expressions of those five Chinese students when they saw the studio today, they looked like children entering an amusement park.
"Crystal Animation?" Liu Yifei rested her chin on her hand, seemingly lost in thought. "Your company name is really interesting."
Sometimes I feel like you know a little bit about everything. Movies, special effects, animation, investment—how do you do it?
"Just interested." Jiang Yu cut a piece of octopus. "These fields are all interconnected. Movies need special effects, special effects can be used in animation, and animation needs investment—like a jigsaw puzzle, you put the pieces together and you see the complete picture."
He paused, looked at her, and said, "Aren't you the same? Dancing, acting, singing, and now you want to try action movies. You're always pushing your boundaries."
Liu Yifei paused for a moment, then laughed: "You saw right through me. Actually, when I took on 'Black Swan,' many people advised against it. I just wanted to challenge myself and prove that I couldn't only play the role of a fairy."
"You've proven it," Jiang Yu said, his tone certain.
The main course arrived, and the seafood rice smelled wonderful.
The two chatted as they ate, the conversation gradually shifting from work to more personal topics; their favorite movies, music, and...
books.
Jiang Yu discovered that they had many things in common: they both liked old movies, both disliked hypocritical socializing, and both believed that the power of good works was greater than hype.
"My childhood dream was to be a dancer," Liu Yifei suddenly said, her voice filled with nostalgia. "Later, I entered the entertainment industry by chance. Sometimes I wonder what I would be like now if I had persisted in dancing."
"Do you regret it?"
"No regrets." Liu Yifei shook her head. "Dance taught me discipline and perseverance, which are also very helpful for acting."
She looked at Jiang Yu, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight, "If I hadn't become an actress, I wouldn't have come to Hollywood, I wouldn't have filmed 'Black Swan,' and I wouldn't—"
She didn't finish speaking, but Jiang Yu knew what was coming next.
I wouldn't know you either.
The words hung in the air; no one said them aloud, but both of them heard them.
The dessert has arrived.
The waiter carried a small, sizzling iron pot containing a hot chocolate lava cake.
The cake was baked until slightly browned, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
"Freshly baked, be careful, it's hot," the waiter warned.
Liu Yifei's eyes immediately locked onto the cake, like a kitten seeing a fish.
She picked up a spoon and carefully cut into it; the cake shell cracked, and the thick chocolate sauce inside immediately gushed out like a volcanic eruption.
"See! I told you it was delicious!" She looked at Jiang Yu triumphantly, like a child showing off their achievement.
Jiang Yu was amused by her appearance: "Hmm, the visual effect is perfect."
"Not just the visual appeal, the taste too!" Liu Yifei scooped up a spoonful, popped the cake and ice cream into her mouth, and let out a satisfied sigh. "Mmm! This is the taste. The clash of hot and cold, the combination of bitter and sweet..."
Perfect.
She ate with great relish, completely disregarding her image.
Actually, I didn't really disregard my image; I was just very engaged and enjoying myself.
Looking at her, Jiang Yu suddenly felt that Liu Yifei was more real and vivid than the "fairy sister" in front of the camera.
He also took a bite.
It's really good. The chocolate is rich but not cloying, the cake is moist, and the coolness of the ice cream balances out the heat.
"How is it?" Liu Yifei asked expectantly.
"You win." Jiang Yu nodded. "This meal was worth it."
Liu Yifei smiled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
She scooped out another spoonful, this time a mixture of cake and sauce, and handed it to Jiang Yu: "Try this, the cake is even richer when dipped in the sauce."
The action was so natural, but she froze afterward; she was actually feeding him with her own spoon? Even though it was just handing it to him, it was just too much—
Jiang Yu was also taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered.
He leaned forward slightly and took a bite of cake from her hand.
"Yes, it tastes better," he said calmly.
Liu Yifei's face flushed red instantly.
She quickly put away her spoon, lowered her head to eat her own portion, her heart pounding like a drum.
Just a moment ago, they were very close, close enough that she could see the curve of his eyelashes and smell his faint scent.
Jiang Yu remained calm, continuing to eat his cake, but out of the corner of his eye he noticed her reddened ear tips.
He smiled slightly but didn't say anything.
It was already 10:30 p.m. when we finished the cake.
The restaurant gradually filled up with people, all waiting for the New Year's Eve fireworks.
The waiter came over and asked if they wanted any more drinks. Liu Yifei ordered a cup of hot tea, and Jiang Yu ordered coffee.
"It's almost midnight." Liu Yifei glanced at her watch. "There are more and more people outside."
Looking down from the terrace, the beach was already packed with people.
Couples embraced, friends laughed, and families gathered together; everyone wore an expectant smile.
"Want to go down and take a look?" Jiang Yu asked. "It's nice to look from here, but the atmosphere down there might be better."
"Okay." Liu Yifei stood up, then remembered something, "Wait, I need to pretend."
She took out sunglasses and a mask from her bag; she always carries these with her when she goes out in Los Angeles.
Today she only wore sunglasses; she was holding the mask in her hand without wearing it.
"Sunglasses will do. Wearing sunglasses at night is a bit strange, but it's better than being recognized," she explained.
Jiang Yu nodded, picked up his coat and put it on, then casually wrapped the scarf she had given him around his neck.
The dark blue cashmere coat paired perfectly with his dark gray overcoat.
Seeing this, Liu Yifei's inner turmoil began to race, but she had to maintain a calm facade: "It suits you quite well."
"Thank you for the gift," Jiang Yu said. "It's very warm."
The two went downstairs and left the restaurant.
The sea breeze immediately hit my face, carrying a salty taste and a chill.
Liu Yifei shrank her neck, and Jiang Yu naturally walked to the side closest to the sea to shield her from the wind.
This detail warmed Liu Yifei's heart once again.
The beach was packed with people; it was practically shoulder to shoulder.
Music came from all directions; pop songs, rock music, and jazz music were mixed together but didn't feel noisy. Instead, it had a festive atmosphere.
They found a relatively quiet spot, leaned against the railing, and looked out at the sea.
The dock in the distance was brightly lit, and the Ferris wheel slowly rotated, like a giant colorful halo.
"Time flies," Liu Yifei suddenly said. "It feels like just yesterday I was preparing for an audition in Beijing, and today I'm celebrating New Year's Eve in Los Angeles."
"You've made great progress this year," Jiang Yu said. "After filming 'Black Swan,' you'll be an actor on another level."
"I hope so." Liu Yifei turned to look at him. "And you? What kind of year was 2008 for you?"
Jiang Yu thought for a moment: "It's a year of laying the foundation. Many projects are launched, and many things are laid out."
2009 — will be an even busier year.
"Twilight 2, Avatar, Despicable Me, 2012, Black Swan, Inception—" Liu Yifei rattled off the names like a familiar face, "You were involved in all of these, not even counting the domestic ones. Sometimes I wonder, do you never get any sleep?"
"I'll still sleep," Jiang Yu laughed. "It's just that time management needs to be good, and a good team is very important. I'm not fighting this alone."
"Then—" Liu Yifei hesitated for a moment, "Is the female lead for 'Lucy' really still undecided?"
Jiang Yu glanced at her.
She asked her questions casually, with a hint of nervousness in her eyes.
"It's not decided yet," he said. "We have to wait for the final version of the script."
"Hmm." Liu Yifei nodded. "I was just—asking."
What she really wanted to ask was, "Do you think I have a chance?" but she swallowed the words back.
She didn't want Jiang Yu to feel like she was demanding a role, nor did she want to complicate their relationship.
Jiang Yu seemed to sense her thoughts and added, "However, Director Besson saw your performance in 'Black Swan' and gave it high praise. If you're interested, you can give it a try."
Liu Yifei's eyes lit up again: "Really? What did he say?"
"They say you have a kind of pure danger." Jiang Yu relayed, "This assessment is very suitable for the character of Lucy; she appears pure, but has an explosive inner strength."
"A pure sense of danger—" Liu Yifei repeated the phrase thoughtfully, "I like this description."
At that moment, the sound of a countdown began to emanate from the crowd.
I checked my watch; it was 11:58.
"We're almost there," Liu Yifei said.
The countdown from the crowd grew increasingly synchronized, converging into a torrent from every corner: "Ten! Nine! Eight! ————"
Liu Yifei turned around and faced the sea.
Jiang Yu turned around and stood beside her, their shoulders almost touching.
"Seven! Six! Five! ————"
Liu Yifei secretly glanced at Jiang Yu.
In the darkness, his profile was illuminated by distant lights, making his features clear.
He stared intently at the sea, as if waiting for something.
"Four! Three! Two! —! Happy New Year—!"
Fireworks burst into bloom at that moment.
Not just one or two, but dozens, even hundreds, of them shot into the sky from the platform on the sea, exploding into huge flowers in the air.
Gold, silver, red, blue—the entire night sky was lit up, like a feast of light.
The crowd erupted in cheers, the music grew louder, and people hugged, kissed, and raised their glasses.
Liu Yifei looked up at the fireworks, her eyes sparkling in the light.
She blurted out instinctively, "So beautiful—"
Jiang Yu also looked up.
The fireworks were indeed beautiful, but for some reason, his peripheral vision kept drifting towards the people around him.
Her face flickered in and out of the light of the fireworks, her eyes reflecting the light, and a smile playing on her lips.
For a fleeting moment, he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
The fireworks lasted for a full ten minutes.
At its peak, the entire sky was illuminated, and the sea reflected the brilliant colors, making it seem as if only light and sound remained between heaven and earth.
The last firework slowly faded in the sky, the night sky darkened again, but the lights of the dock remained bright.
"Happy New Year," Liu Yifei said softly, turning her head.
Her eyes sparkled in the night, as if they held stars.
"Happy New Year," Jiang Yu replied.
After the fireworks ended, the crowd began to move slowly.
Some people went home, some continued the party, and some took a walk on the beach.
"Want to take a walk?" Jiang Yu asked. "There might be traffic if we go back now."
"Okay," Liu Yifei nodded, "It'll be good for digestion."
They walked slowly along the seaside path; there were still many people, but it was a bit less crowded than before.
There are vendors selling light-up headbands, glow sticks, and hot drinks along the trail.
Children wearing sparkling cow horn headbands ran around like moving little lanterns.
"When I was a child in Wuhan, we would set off fireworks during the Spring Festival," Liu Yifei suddenly said. "But it wasn't this big. It was just some small fireworks, the kind you hold in your hand and spin around. I would play with the neighbor's kids and see whose fireworks spun the roundest."
"You can play this too?" Jiang Yu was a little surprised.
"Of course!" Liu Yifei laughed. "Did you think I was a fairy godmother since I was little? I was a real troublemaker when I was a kid. I climbed trees, played in the mud, set off firecrackers—I did all the things boys did."
"I can't imagine it," Jiang Yu said honestly.
"That's because I was already grown up when you met me." Liu Yifei's tone was a little nostalgic. "Once you enter this industry, you have to pay attention to your image. You have to speak properly, act elegantly, and even your laughter can't be too exaggerated. Sometimes I feel—a little tired."
Jiang Yu glanced at her. She was looking into the distance as she spoke, and her profile looked gentle under the streetlights.
"Just be yourself," he said. "Audiences like the real you, not a packaged image."
"Really?" Liu Yifei turned to look at him. "But the team always says we need to maintain an ethereal aura, to be mysterious, not too down-to-earth."
"That's short-sighted," Jiang Yu shook his head. "An ethereal aura can last a while, but not forever. Truly enduring actors are flesh-and-blood individuals with genuine personalities. Look at Gong Li; she never deliberately tries to maintain any particular image, yet the audience still trusts her."
Liu Yifei listened attentively and nodded: "You're right. Actually, when we were filming 'Black Swan,' director Darren Aronofsky said the same thing. He said to bring out your true emotions, not to act them out. At first, I didn't understand, but I gradually came to understand; the best performance is to be yourself, to be yourself in that situation."
"You have a high level of comprehension," Jiang Yu said. "Many actors never understand this principle in their entire lives."
Feeling a little embarrassed by the compliment, Liu Yifei lowered her head and smiled.
Her shoes left shallow footprints on the sand.
After walking for a while, they stopped at a viewing platform.
There are fewer people here, so you can enjoy the sea in peace.
The sea at night is deep black, with only a few fishing lights in the distance, and the sound of the waves comes rhythmically, like the breathing of nature.
"Jiang Yu." Liu Yifei suddenly called his name, her tone very serious.
"Um?"
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, thank you for believing in me, and thank you for spending New Year's Eve with me tonight."
She looked directly at him as she said this, without looking away.
The sea breeze ruffled her stray hairs, but she didn't brush them aside; she just stared at him.
Jiang Yu was also looking at her.
At that moment, he suddenly realized that they were very close; close enough that he could see the trembling of her eyelashes, close enough that he could smell her faint fragrance, close enough that if he moved a little closer, he could touch her.
The air seemed to freeze.
The sounds of waves, distant voices, and music all faded into the background.
It seemed as if the entire world consisted only of this observation deck and the two people on it.
Liu Yifei's heart was beating very fast.
She knew she was doing something bold; she was testing the waters, getting closer, and expressing herself.
Jiang Yu remained silent for a few seconds, which felt like centuries to Liu Yifei.
Then, he smiled gently and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"I also want to thank you for spending such a wonderful evening with me; for many years I've been watching the sea alone, but tonight I had someone to enjoy it with."
The return journey was quiet.
Neither of them spoke much, and the atmosphere wasn't awkward; rather, there was a tacit silence.
Liu Yifei looked at the fleeting night view outside the window, thinking about that moment just now.
Jiang Yu focused on driving, occasionally glancing at the people around him out of the corner of his eye.
When they arrived at Liu Yifei's apartment building, Jiang Yu parked his car.
"We're here," he said.
"Okay." Liu Yifei unbuckled her seatbelt but did not get out of the car immediately.
She turned to look at Jiang Yu, "Um—I'll take care of the scarf if you like it. If it's too formal for you, you can keep it as a collectible."
"I will wear it," Jiang Yu said. "It's really warm."
"Well—" Liu Yifei bit her lip, "I'm going up. Drive carefully."
Okay. Good night.
"Good night."
Liu Yifei got out of the car and looked back as she walked to the apartment entrance.
Jiang Yu's car was still parked there, not moved.
She waved and went into the building.
Jiang Yu didn't start his car and leave until he saw the light in her room come on.
On the way back, as he drove, his mind replayed the events of the night.
Liu Yifei's sparkling eyes, the satisfied look on her face as she ate the cake, the earnest expression on her face when she said "thank you," and that moment on the observation deck—so close, so very close.
He wasn't unaware of her feelings.
but----
My phone vibrated.
It was a text message from Liu Yifei: "Arrived home safely. Had a great time tonight. Goodnight~"
It was followed by an emoji of a sleeping kitten.
Jiang Yu looked at that expression and smiled.
He replied with "Goodnight" and continued driving.
On the first night of 2009, the streets of Los Angeles were quiet.
Some things can't be rushed.
It takes time, patience, and creating the right opportunity.
The time is not yet right.
Liu Yifei returned to her apartment, closed the door, and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh of relief.
My heart is still beating very fast.
She walked to the window and looked down at the street; Jiang Yu's car had already driven away, leaving only an empty road.
She touched her face; it felt a little hot.
Looking back on everything that happened tonight, from the conversation in the restaurant to the stroll on the beach, and then to that moment on the observation deck—she felt that she might have been too proactive, but she didn't regret it.
"At least I said it," she muttered to herself. "At least I expressed some of my feelings."
She walked to the mirror and looked at herself.
Her eyes were bright, her face was slightly flushed, and she had a smile on her lips.
I feel more vibrant than usual.
Her phone vibrated. Thinking it was Jiang Yu, she quickly picked it up to read it; it was a text message from her mother, asking how she spent New Year's Eve.
She replied, "Having dinner and watching fireworks with friends, it was a lot of fun," then put down her phone and went into the bathroom to wash up.
As the warm water flowed down, she was still thinking about what would happen tonight.
She could actually understand Jiang Yu's restrained response at the end.
He is not the kind of person who easily expresses his emotions; his world is vast, and he has many things to consider.
Moreover—they haven't known each other for very long, and they still need time.
"Take it slow," she told herself. "We're both in Hollywood anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet."
Thinking about it this way made me feel much better.
She hummed a song as she took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and lay down on the bed.
The city of Los Angeles outside her window was still brightly lit, but her room was quiet.
When I close my eyes, what comes to mind is the night sky filled with fireworks, the sea breeze, the candlelight, and the image of Jiang Yu wearing the scarf she gave him.
She smiled, turned over, and hugged her pillow to fall asleep.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yu did not rest immediately after returning to his apartment.
He made himself a cup of tea and went out onto the balcony.
The night view of Los Angeles is always dazzling.
From above, the city looks like a sea of light.
He remembered the scarf Liu Yifei had given him and took it out to look at it.
He tried it on again, and the person in the mirror looked—it really did fit.
He put down his scarf, picked up his phone, and looked through the photos from today; there was a photo of the two of them together, and another solo photo under fireworks, which Liu Yifei had taken and sent to him.
In the photo, fireworks burst in the night sky, their light reflected on the sea—it's beautiful.