Back to the teenage years

Chapter 595 Stealing Love (Please Subscribe!!!)
The second weekend of April was sunny and bright.

When Li Yufei woke up, the camphor tree outside the window was sprouting new buds, the tender leaves almost translucent in the sunlight. The rains of the Qingming Festival had long since passed, and a slightly restless warmth, a sense of early summer approaching, floated in the air.

This is a time when everything flourishes.

Li Yufei took a deep breath of fresh air, got up, and changed into a dress. While getting ready, she heard her mother calling her to eat breakfast, and she smiled and loudly replied, "Okay!"

She knew her mother was still angry with her, but she was afraid of upsetting her, so she didn't dare to bring up the housewarming party. The two of them could only pretend that nothing had happened, being polite and courteous... Sometimes she found this way of getting along funny, and sometimes she felt very sorry.

After Li Yufei finished getting ready, she went downstairs to the dining room. Her mother was still in the kitchen. Breakfast was already laid out on the table: hot milk and eggs, as well as a plate of Jiangchuan specialty rice dumplings, which she loved.

My phone rang when I was halfway through drinking my hot milk.

It belongs to Li Xiaoman.

Li Xiaoman said excitedly on the other end of the phone, "Yufei, the weather is so nice today, and it's the weekend, how about we go shopping?"

Li Yufei asked, "Which street should we go to?"

Li Xiaoman said, "You've lived in Lijin City for so long, you must know it well. Can you recommend an interesting place?"

Li Yufei held the spoon and thought for a moment: "Then, how about going to Bamboo Fragrance Ancient Alley?"

Li Xiaoman said, "It's up to you. Let's meet downstairs at my dorm first, and then go together."

Li Yufei agreed.

She drank the hot milk, then walked to the kitchen door and greeted her mother.

Xie Jing responded from the kitchen without saying much. Then she heard her daughter's voice: "She went shopping with Xiaoman." She smiled and said, "Okay, remember to come home early. Invite Xiaoman to come over when you have time."

Li Yufei agreed and then left Moon Heart Lake.

She originally intended to take a taxi, but after thinking about it, she turned around and walked half a mile to wait for the No. 68 bus at the bus stop.

There weren't many people in the car, and the sunlight streamed in through the windows, making it feel warm and cozy. She sat down by the window, watching the passing street scene, and her mood improved considerably.

Li Xiaoman was already downstairs at the dormitory building when she saw Li Yufei getting off the bus. She was extremely surprised: "My God, you actually know how to take the bus?"

Li Yufei laughed: "This should be normal, right?"

Li Xiaoman said, "Is this normal? I've never seen you sit here. By the way, I remember you gave your bank card to Zhang Yunqi, right? You didn't have any money on you? I really don't understand why you would give money to such a rich guy like him."

Li Yufei immediately explained, "I gave him my savings because there was a reason at the time. You don't know how much debt he has now and how much pressure he's under. Xiaoman, if you find out, you're not allowed to talk about it outside. That will have a bad influence on him. Besides, it has nothing to do with this. I just suddenly wanted to take the bus, so there was no need to waste money."

“Alright, Grandma, I promise to keep my mouth shut. Besides, I also think that the Li family’s daughter wouldn’t be short of such a small amount.” Li Xiaoman smiled, then reached out and took her arm, saying meaningfully, “But if you give away all that small amount, then you’ll really be short of it.”

Li Yufei blushed, a rare sight for her.

She changed the subject: "Are you leaving or not?"

Li Xiaoman laughed and said, "Let's go, let's go!"

The two girls walked along the tree-lined path to the bus stop, chatting and laughing as they boarded the bus. About twenty minutes later, the bus swayed and bumped its way to Zhuxiang Ancient Alley.

Bamboo Fragrance Alley is located in Wangyue Ridge, Lijin East City, on the east side of Xiangjiang Middle Road. The name comes from an old bamboo weaving shop at the entrance of the alley that has been making bamboo products for generations.

Li Yufei spent most of her childhood winter vacations here, because her maternal grandparents lived here at that time.

A few days ago, during a meal, she overheard her mother mention that this area was about to be demolished. In the past year, Jinshi has been undergoing a major construction project, and the Zhuxiang Ancient Lane area is also a key urban construction project. Her grandmother's old house is also going to be demolished.

Li Yufei harbors regrets deep down.

This place holds her childhood memories. So, when Li Xiaoman asked her where she wanted to go shopping that morning, this was the place that naturally came to mind.

The two girls walked into the alley, where the afternoon sun slanted across the bluestone slabs.

Li Yufei unconsciously slowed her pace.

She remembered that the third bluestone slab at the alley entrance was loose. She stepped on it lightly, and a familiar "click" sound rang out. When she was in elementary school, it would splash water when she stepped on it on rainy days, and her grandmother would nag her, saying that she was naughty and had made her pretty dress dirty.

Chen's Bamboo Weaving Shop, deep in the alley, is still open. A faint fragrance of bamboo wafts from the doorway in the summer breeze. She still remembers the shop owner, Grandpa Chen, weaving her a kitten cage. At the time, she thought it was the most exquisite toy in the world. But the kitten was lost that winter vacation, and the cage was abandoned. She cried for a long time, huddled under her blanket. Now, even the owner sitting at the door has been replaced by a young man she doesn't recognize.

At the end of the alley was a used bookstore with a small storefront and bookshelves that reached all the way to the ceiling. She habitually went inside, flipped through the yellowed piles of books, and her gaze fell on a photography collection on the high shelf—"Ruan Yizhong: Western Hunan".

She stood on tiptoe, her fingertips just a little short.

Just then, a slender hand reached over her head and easily took the book. Then, a gentle yet clear voice rang out: "What a coincidence, Yufei, you also like Ruan Yizhong?"

Li Yufei turned around and saw Lu Yuanzhou.

Lu Yuanzhou held the photography collection in his hand, a gentle smile on his face. He wore a light gray shirt with the cuffs rolled up to his elbows, making him look more refined than usual.

Li Yufei nodded and took the book: "Thank you."

Lu Yuanzhou naturally stepped back half a step, maintaining a polite distance, and said with a smile, "I like to stroll through the old alleys on weekends when I have nothing to do. I often come to this old shop. The owner has collected a lot of local chronicles and old photos. Sometimes I can find treasures here. I didn't expect to meet you here."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoman smiled and looked him over.

Li Yufei had already turned around and gone to the counter to pay. Lu Yuanzhou smiled, didn't say anything more, nodded to Li Xiaoman, then picked out two old books, paid for them, and left the old bookstore first.

Li Xiaoman watched Lu Yuanzhou's retreating figure, then leaned closer to Li Yufei and said, "Is this guy still relentlessly pursuing you? But I must say, he's really handsome. And very polite too."

Li Yufei stuffed the book into her bag.

As she walked out of the bookstore, she saw that Lu Yuanzhou's BMW 740i had already driven away.

******
Dusk falls.

As dusk approached, the streetlights on both sides gradually came on.

The two girls spent most of the day strolling through the Bamboo Fragrance Ancient Alley. Most of the time, Li Yufei led Li Xiaoman around, and they went into some inconspicuous little shops selling old books, making bamboo crafts, and boiling osmanthus sugar... As a result, they didn't get much in the end. The paper bag they carried only contained some small ornaments, snacks, and a few books.

As evening approached, the two girls got hungry. Li Yufei led Li Xiaoman, following her memory, to a long-established hot pot restaurant deep in the alley.

The storefront wasn't large, but inside it was bustling with activity and lively conversation. Copper pots simmered over charcoal, the red broth bubbling and releasing the aroma of chili and butter. The two found a corner seat by the window and ordered tripe, duck blood, tender beef, a variety of seasonal vegetables, and Li Xiaoman's favorite osmanthus rice wine.

Just as the pot was bubbling away, Li Yufei's phone rang.

It was Wang Jinghua who made the call.

She wiped her hands and answered, "Sister Jinghua?"

Wang Jinghua's voice was filled with excitement: "Yufei, there's a non-commercial cultural project that I think is perfect for you."

Li Yufei paused, then asked, "What is it?"

Wang Jinghua explained, “I know a cultural media company in your Lijin area. They are going to collaborate with Hunan TV to film a documentary about Hunan culture. The filming locations are Yuelu Academy and Orange Isle in your Lijin, as well as Wang Chuanshan’s hometown in Hengyang and Zhou Dunyi’s Lianxi Academy in your hometown of Jiangchuan. They will travel and film along the way, which will probably be like a cultural roots-seeking journey.”

Wang Jinghua spoke quickly: "They need a female lead with a good image and a clean temperament to appear on screen, and you were the first person I thought of. If you agree, I'll find some time to fly to Lijin and talk to them."

Li Yufei held the receiver, her chopsticks hovering in mid-air: "I've never made a documentary."

“It’s okay, just be yourself.” Wang Jinghua said confidently, “They said they’re looking for that natural, relaxed feeling, with a sparkle in your eyes. You’re the perfect fit, a clean-cut newcomer who hasn’t been shaped by the camera. Plus, this is a cultural project, not a commercial one, which will be very helpful for your future career in serious dramas. Our new company is already in operation, and you’re the first artist we’ve signed. Mr. Zhang is eyeing a big film and television project, and I’m thinking of putting you in the lead role. This is just for you to practice.”

Li Yufei looked at the meat slices floating in the pot, remained silent for a few seconds, and then smiled and said, "Sister Jinghua, I'll think about it and get back to you later."

Li Xiaoman, who was listening nearby, said, "What are you hesitating about? This is a great opportunity. We can have fun and film something, and it's a provincial TV station production."

Li Yufei did not explain.

After hanging up the phone, she held it for a moment, then finally called Zhang Yunqi. This was the first time she had contacted him since the housewarming party.

He never contacted her.

After the call connected, it was a bit noisy on the other end, and Zhang Yunqi seemed to be busy. His voice was concise and direct: "Hello? Yufei."

Li Yufei briefly explained the documentary.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhang Yunqi asked, "Was this documentary produced by Hunan TV?"

Li Yufei paused for a moment: "I don't know yet, it's Sister Jinghua who's handling it."

Zhang Yunqi said, "Okay, whatever you like. Be careful when you're out filming. When Wang Jinghua comes to Rita, I'll have her find you an assistant there." His voice was calm, devoid of emotion, as if he were giving a routine instruction.

Li Yufei hummed in agreement: "Okay."

The phone was hung up and the call ended.

Li Yufei put down her slightly hot phone, picked up her chopsticks, and took a piece of cooked lettuce. Li Xiaoman looked at her expression and asked, "What did Boss Zhang say?"

He said, "As long as I like it, that's fine."

"Actually, I think you didn't make this call to get Mr. Zhang's opinion at all."

"What's that for?"

"You just want to share your joy with him."

"He has nothing to be happy about."

“Yufei, you might not like to hear the truth.” Li Xiaoman couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, picked up a slotted spoon and stirred the floating meat slices in the pot: “If I may say something, putting everything else aside, just in terms of how much he cares for you, Lu Yuanzhou is more suitable for you.”

She paused, then looked up at Li Yufei, her gaze filled with a rare seriousness and candor between friends: "Unless you're confident you can snatch Zhang Yunqi back from Chu Jian."

Li Yufei picked up a lettuce and took a small bite: "Can love be stolen back?"

Li Xiaoman looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something more, but in the end just smiled, raised her plum juice and said, "Let's not talk about these things anymore. Come on, let's wish our Miss Li a complete success in her screen debut!"

Li Yufei smiled.

The two glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

******
PS: The story of this volume has been fully explained, and many hidden plot lines have been laid. It is a major story with many clues, and they are all progressing in parallel. I believe that when it explodes, it will be spectacular!
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