Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 172 Teasing the Wife and Pressuring Her to Get Married

Venice time, September 14th evening, Beijing time, September 15th early morning.

Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu secretly tossed coins into the Trevi Fountain in Rome like two truant elementary school students. Liu Yifei closed her eyes and muttered something to herself, while Jiang Yu whispered to her, "You've made three wishes already, haven't you? How greedy!"

At this moment, at the gate of Beijing Film Academy, several elderly men from the logistics department were carefully climbing a ladder and hanging a huge red banner on the main gate.

"Higher on the left! No, lower! Oh dear, hold on tight!" The logistics director was sweating profusely as he directed the operation from below.

The banner was about 15 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, with red background and yellow characters, and it was particularly eye-catching under the streetlights.

The sign read: "Warmest congratulations to Liu Yifei, a 2002 graduate of the Performing Arts Department of our school, for winning the Best Actress Award at the 66th Venice International Film Festival!"

A third-year college student who had just finished filming a night scene and was returning to school saw this and was instantly wide awake, immediately taking out his phone to take a picture.

At 1 a.m., the photo was posted on Weibo with the caption: "Went back to school in the middle of the night and saw this! The pride of Beijing Film Academy! @LiuYifei is awesome! PS: Thanks to the logistics guys for their hard work!"

The photo spread rapidly on Weibo late at night.

Even though it was already past midnight, the night owls who stayed up late immediately perked up: "The Beijing Film Academy has hung up banners! Officially certified awesome! What a show of force!"

"Liu Yifei really gave our alma mater a lot of credit! This is true alumni glory!"

"Aren't the Central Academy of Drama students incredibly envious? Hahaha! This is the moment when the Beijing Film Academy's Performance Department can finally hold its head high!"

"Am I the only one who noticed the banner's length? Fifteen meters!"

"The signature is Beijing Film Academy, not the Acting Department!" This is an honor for the entire school! The principal must be ecstatic!

""

"I heard the principal said in a meeting yesterday, 'Our Beijing Film Academy can also produce international film queens!'"

This Weibo post was quickly forwarded over 10,000 times, and the comments were full of pride from Beijing Film Academy students and alumni.

Someone dug up a photo of Liu Yifei when she enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy in 2002. The 15-year-old Liu Yifei was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, standing at the entrance of the Beijing Film Academy with a shy smile and clear eyes.

She still has a bit of baby fat in the photo, and she looks so cute that you want to pinch her cheeks.

Back then, she was someone who would occasionally stutter from nervousness when appearing on television.

Who could have imagined that seven years later, she would stand on the podium in Venice, delivering her acceptance speech in fluent English, as calm as a seasoned veteran?

The rivalry between Beijing Film Academy and Central Academy of Drama has a long history, comparable to that between Peking University and Tsinghua University. However, the competition is not about academics, but about "whose stars are better at acting".

In China's performance education system, the Central Academy of Drama has always positioned itself as a training ground for "actors" and "acting masters," emphasizing solid stage skills and the Stanislavski system, and speaking with an air of "we are artists."

The Beijing Film Academy, on the other hand, focuses more on film and television performance and has cultivated a large number of popular stars. As a result, it is jokingly referred to by the Central Academy of Drama as a "star factory" and a "cradle of pretty faces," and is often implied in professional forums that it "only knows how to make idol dramas."

Over the years, the Central Academy of Drama has produced internationally recognized acting talents such as Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, and Xia Yu, while the Beijing Film Academy, despite having many stars, has always lagged behind in international awards.

At every film festival, alumni of the Central Academy of Drama would always mention "Our alumni have been nominated again," while alumni of the Beijing Film Academy could only quietly eat their food.

Liu Yifei's Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival is a remarkable comeback for the Beijing Film Academy, a K0-level victory at that.

As expected, there was complete silence from the Central Academy of Drama.

The official Weibo account remained eerily quiet, while teachers and alumni engaged in lively discussions privately, but kept silent in public, as they were all respectable individuals.

Only a few students from the Central Academy of Drama made sour comments on Weibo: "She just got lucky and found a good script." "With a boyfriend like Jiang Yu, what resources can't she get?" "Let's wait and see her next work. One movie doesn't prove anything."

These voices were quickly drowned out by a sea of ​​congratulations, along with sharp replies from Beijing Film Academy students: "Sour grapes, go ahead and be sour." "Why don't you guys have one lucky one too?" "Is it so hard to admit someone else is excellent?"

On the morning of September 15, Wang Jinsong, the director of the Performance Department of Beijing Film Academy and Liu Yifei's former class teacher, sat in his office, looking at the "Request from Beijing Film Academy to Invite Outstanding Alumna Liu Yifei Back to the School for Exchange" on his desk, and a fatherly smile of satisfaction appeared on his face.

He watched Liu Yifei grow up.

In 2002, 15-year-old Liu Yifei was admitted to the Performance Department of Beijing Film Academy, becoming the youngest student at the time.

She doesn't talk much, but she works very hard. Some classmates gossip about her, saying she "relies on her looks" and has "a powerful background," but she never argues back; she just quietly studies.

Wang Jinsong recalled one time when he passed by the practice room late at night and saw that the lights were still on. He pushed open the door and saw Liu Yifei practicing crying scenes alone in front of the mirror, her face covered in tears, her eyes focused.

He quietly closed the door, thinking to himself, "This kid has a stubborn streak."

In another acting class, we were required to play a shrewish woman from the streets.

The whole class acted with exaggerated gestures, but Liu Yifei sat in the corner, staring at a mineral water bottle for a long time. Then she suddenly stood up and started cursing at the air—her cursing was so down-to-earth that she brought the essence of a market auntie to life.

After class, he asked her what she was thinking. She blinked and said very seriously, "I spent the whole afternoon observing the market yesterday and even recorded it." — Her naivety was truly something else.

Seven years have passed, and the little girl from back then has now reached the top of the world.

Wang Jinsong picked up the phone and dialed the number he had saved for many years but rarely called—Liu Yifei's private cell phone.

The morning sun shines brightly in Venice.

Liu Yifei was still lazing in bed. She had too much fun in Rome last night and was so sleepy this morning that she could barely keep her eyes open.

The phone rang for the third time before she groggily reached for it. When she saw the caller ID "Teacher Wang Jinsong," she instantly snapped awake and quickly sat up to answer it.

"Good morning, Teacher Wang." Her voice was still a little hoarse from just waking up.

"Yifei, did I disturb your rest?" Wang Jinsong's voice was gentle and kind, with a smile. "I saw the news, you won the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award. I'm so proud of you. Did you see the banner last night? It was very conspicuous."

Liu Yifei was stunned: "Banner? What banner?"

"The school hung up a congratulatory banner for you, red background with yellow lettering, fifteen meters long, right above the main gate. Didn't you see it on Weibo?"

"—I just woke up," Liu Yifei confessed honestly, then realized, "Huh? The school put up a banner for me?"

This is...this is way too grand!"

Jiang Yu happened to come out of the bathroom and heard this. He leaned over and whispered, "What banner? Did the school put up a banner for you after you won an award?" His expression was a little amused. "Wow, Liu, this kind of treatment is something I didn't even get when I gave a speech back at Communication University of China."

Liu Yifei covered the microphone and glared at him, then continued to tell the teacher, "Thank you, teacher. Actually—it was just good luck."

"It's not luck, it's skill," Wang Jinsong said earnestly. "Your teachers have seen all the effort you put into the role. Those days of staying up all night practicing in the training room have paid off. Do you remember when you went to the market to prepare for your role as a shrew? That dedication is still there."

Liu Yifei blushed. How could her teacher still remember such an embarrassing past?

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wang Jinsong got down to business: "The school would like to invite you back to give a lecture, to share your experiences and acting insights with your juniors. The timing is up to you, no rush. We can discuss it once you've settled back in China. The students all see you as a role model; the practice room has been packed every night these past few days."

Liu Yifei became even more anxious: "Can I do it? I still have so much to learn. And the lecture—I'm afraid I won't do a good job."

She instinctively grabbed Jiang Yu's hand, as if asking for help.

Jiang Yu mouthed, "Say yes, that's great!"

"You are already the best role model," Wang Jinsong said. "Yifei, we're just coming back to chat, like when we used to have class."

"Weren't you quite the talker back then? Sometimes you'd get so caught up in your own stories that you'd confuse yourself, which was kind of cute."

"Teacher!" Liu Yifei's ears turned red.

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore." Wang Jinsong laughed. "Then it's a deal? Contact me when you get back to China."

"————Okay." Liu Yifei resignedly agreed, "I'll contact you once I've arranged my schedule after I get back to China."

"Okay, okay." Wang Jinsong was very happy. "Then I won't bother you any longer. Enjoy this moment of victory. Oh, and please give my regards to General Manager Jiang and thank him for his support."

After hanging up the phone, Liu Yifei still held the phone, her expression blank, like a little animal suddenly entrusted with an important task.

Jiang Yu waved his hand in front of her: "Snap out of it, Teacher Liu. What did Teacher Wang say? Look at that 'Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?' look on your face."

"The school wants me to go back and give a lecture—" Liu Yifei said with a mournful face, "and I'll have to face my juniors—what if I forget my lines while I'm speaking? Or what if I start laughing like an idiot while I'm talking? Oh no, I used to do that all the time when I answered questions in class—"

"Isn't that great?" Jiang Yu laughed. "Real and cute. It's much better than those pretentious people who just read from a script."

"You're still laughing!" Liu Yifei punched him. "I was so nervous!"

"Don't be nervous, I'll be with you." Jiang Yu put his arm around her. "I'll sit in the front row. If you forget your lines, I'll pass you a note. Or if you get stuck, I'll raise my hand and ask: 'Ms. Liu, how do you maintain such a great amount of hair?'" He'll help liven things up.

Liu Yifei laughed at him: "You're the one who needs to maintain your hair volume!"

"I have plenty of hair, you can count it if you don't believe me." Jiang Yu lowered his head to let her see, "I use Bawang every day, a confident Chinese person."

"—Jiang Yu, that's enough!"

After laughing and joking around for a while, Liu Yifei felt much more relaxed. With him around, it seemed like nothing was a problem.

The two days in Rome were a real holiday, and also a time for Jiang Yu to "feed" and "tease" his wife.

No jobs, no media, no spotlight.

The two of them walked hand in hand on the streets of this ancient city. Jiang Yu would occasionally crack a few lame jokes, while Liu Yifei would just giggle and make sarcastic remarks.

On the first day, they went to the Colosseum.

Standing before that two-thousand-year-old building, Liu Yifei was deeply shocked. She tilted her head back, mouth agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Jiang Yu took out his phone and snapped a picture of her looking dazed.

"What are you doing?" Liu Yifei turned around.

.

"This is a record of Liu Yinghou's silly moment when she was first shocked by ancient Roman culture." Jiang Yu showed her the photo. In the photo, she was tilting her head back, her mouth slightly open, and her eyes wide open, looking just like a puppy that had seen a bone.

"Delete it!" Liu Yifei lunged forward to grab the phone.

"I won't delete it, I'm setting it as my screensaver." Jiang Yu held his phone up high, "So I can look at it every day and remind myself how adorable my wife is."

.

"Who's your wife!" Liu Yifei jumped up and down, but couldn't reach her.

"You," Jiang Yu lowered his head and kissed her lips, "it was bound to happen sooner or later."

After they'd had their fun, the two stood side by side watching the Colosseum.

Jiang Yu then began to unleash his signature "Jiang-style commentary": "Imagine, two thousand years ago, this place was filled with 50,000 people watching gladiators fight. Tickets back then were much more expensive than movie tickets are now, and buying a ticket might mean witnessing the thrill of blood splattering everywhere."

Liu Yifei imagined it for a moment, then frowned: "How cruel—"

"So movies are a sign of progress in human civilization," Jiang Yu said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "We can sit in a movie theater now and watch people fight on the screen; it's safe and exciting. Plus, there's popcorn and cola. Did the ancient Romans have that? No."

Liu Yifei was convinced by his twisted logic and nodded seriously: "That makes sense."

Jiang Yu suppressed a laugh: "So you see, what a noble profession you have, satisfying humanity's violent—no, I mean, entertainment needs in a safe way."

"————You're lying to me again."

The next day, they went to the Vatican.

Standing under the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, looking up at Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" dome, Liu Yifei's neck ached from looking up.

"It's breathtaking," she murmured to herself. "How much talent and perseverance does it take for someone to create a work like this? Didn't their neck break while painting?"

"Just like when you performed in 'Black Swan,'" Jiang Yu said seriously. "Both of you dedicated your soul and neck to art. But you're a bit better than him; at least your neck can move when you dance."

Liu Yifei rolled her eyes at him, but a smile played on her lips.

After leaving the church, they went to Plaza de España.

It's famous for the movie "Roman Holiday," where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck ate ice cream.

Liu Yifei also bought an ice cream and sat on the steps to eat it, while Jiang Yu took pictures of her.

"Don't move, this one's good." Jiang Yu squatted down to find the right angle. "Keep your expression natural, don't look like you're taking a picture of GG."

"I'm not acting awkward at all!" Liu Yifei licked her ice cream, getting cream on the corner of her mouth.

"Yes, yes, just like that, looking adorable and great." Jiang Yu took several photos in a row.

"You're the silly one!" Liu Yifei protested, but didn't stop eating her ice cream.

After taking the photos, Jiang Yu sat down next to her, snatched her ice cream, and took a bite. Liu Yifei glared at him: "You have your own!"

"Yours is sweeter," Jiang Yu said matter-of-factly.

"———— Fallacy."

The two sat on the steps, watching the people coming and going in the square.

Liu Yifei suddenly asked, "Do you think, decades from now, someone might come here and say that Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu once ate ice cream here?"

"Definitely." Jiang Yu stuffed the last bite of ice cream into her mouth. "When we're old, we can come back and tell the young people: 'We decided to be together right here because of an ice cream; she took a bite, I snatched it from her, and she thought I was unhygienic but she still wanted me.'"

Liu Yifei grimaced from the cold ice cream, but still managed to retort, "Who wants you! You're the one who's shamelessly clinging to me!"

"Yes, I'll stick with you no matter what." Jiang Yu laughed and hugged her tighter. "I'm sticking with you for life."

The afternoon is shopping time.

Rome's shopping streets are no less impressive than Milan's, with luxury boutiques lining the Viadei Condotti.

Liu Yifei went all out this time, buying gifts not only for herself, but also for her family, friends, and team members.

Jiang Yu followed behind her, pushing the shopping cart.

Yes, the luxury store had a shopping cart because Liu Yifei bought too much, acting like a follower.

The shop assistants all looked at the couple with envy—the man was handsome, the woman was beautiful, and they could afford to pay the bill; it was like an idol drama had come to life.

He bought his mother, Liu Xiaoli, a Hermes scarf and a set of Lancôme skincare products; he bought Jiang Jianguo a Montblanc pen; he bought his aunt Zhou Huiwen a Cartier necklace; he bought his agent a Gucci bag; he bought Wang Wei a set of Chanel cosmetics; and he even bought each of his bodyguards a Ralph Lauren polo shirt.

Liu Yifei didn't even blink when she swiped her card.

Jiang Yu clicked his tongue in amazement: "Boss Liu is really generous these days. The way he swipes his card, that calm expression, you'd think he was buying cabbage."

"They are all people I should thank," Liu Yifei said earnestly, swiping her card and taking the bag. "Without their support, I wouldn't be where I am today. Especially my agent and assistant, who have been by my side all these years and worked so hard. And my bodyguards, who were always sweating profusely from being jostled by the media."

"What about me?" Jiang Yu leaned closer, feigning grievance. "I provided the most support and deserved the most credit, so why didn't I get a gift?"

Liu Yifei smiled mysteriously: "Your gift is rather special, I'll give it to you tonight."

Rome Fiumicino Airport, afternoon of September 16.

Light Chaser Animation's Gulfstream G550 is ready.

Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu, along with their assistant Wang Wei and two bodyguards, boarded the plane as a group of five.

As soon as Liu Yifei boarded the plane, she slumped into her seat: "Finally, I can go home—I miss my bed, I miss my mom's cooking, I miss Beijing's takeout—"

Jiang Yu helped her fasten her seatbelt: "How impressive. You've only been away for half a month and you're already homesick?"

"Half a month is a long time, okay!" Liu Yifei counted on her fingers. "And these past two weeks have been like a war, red carpets, interviews, awards ceremonies, cocktail parties—my face is stiff from smiling so much."

"Then go back and ask your mom to stew pig's trotters for you to replenish your collagen."

"—Jiang Yu, you're asking for it!"

During the eleven-hour flight, Liu Yifei slept most of the time, but her sleeping posture was extremely unseemly. She drooled, talked in her sleep, and almost rolled off her chair.

Jiang Yu would always pull her back, like taking care of a sleepy cat; Jiang Yu secretly took a picture, intending to keep it as a "black history" for later.

At 10:00 AM Beijing time on September 17, the plane landed at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Although the itinerary was kept secret, the media, with their incredible connections, somehow got wind of it and were already waiting at the airport.

As Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei walked out of the VIP passage, they were instantly surrounded by dozens of media outlets with their cameras and microphones; the scene was comparable to a zombie apocalypse.

"Yifei! Congratulations on winning the Venice Film Festival Best Actress award!"

"Mr. Jiang, could you tell me how you're feeling right now?"

"Yifei, what are your thoughts on being the global ambassador for LV?"

When are you two getting married?

When will "Black Swan" be released in China?

The questions came crashing down like cannonballs, the flashes from the cameras clicking incessantly, making everyone dizzy.

Airport passengers recognized them and crowded around to take pictures, with screams erupting everywhere, making the scene as chaotic as a train station during the Spring Festival travel rush.

Liu Yifei wore a simple black coat with a white dress and sunglasses today.

She maintained a polite smile, but inwardly she was screaming: Let me go home and sleep! Jiang Yu shielded her, one hand blocking the camera, the other holding her, as they struggled to move forward.

"Thank you for your concern." Jiang Yu raised his voice, "Yifei just got off the plane and is very tired, please make way. The team will respond to the work-related questions later."

The reporters pressed on relentlessly, especially about the couple's relationship, which was far more sensational than the film's award win.

"Mr. Jiang, was that kiss in Venice a spur-of-the-moment decision or something you planned in advance?"

Are you two getting married soon?

"When are you having the wedding? Will it be in the country or abroad?"

How many children do you plan to have?

Jiang Yu was both amused and exasperated by the question, and whispered to Liu Yifei, "Why are they even more anxious than our mothers?"

Liu Yifei, hiding behind him, whispered back, "Just say 'Soon, soon' to get rid of them."

"I said it'll be soon, tomorrow it'll be on the front page that Jiang Yu admits his wedding is approaching." Jiang Yu sighed, "These people, their ability to take things out of context is top-notch."

Just then, a familiar voice rang out, laced with murderous intent: "Make way! Make way, everyone! Can't you see someone's tired?!"

Liu Xiaoli led several staff members out of the encirclement, her demeanor resembling that of a mother lioness protecting her cubs.

She dressed up specially today, wearing a proper suit and light makeup.

"Mom!" Liu Yifei's nose tingled when she saw her mother, and she instantly transformed from an international film star back into a little girl.

Liu Xiaoli hugged her daughter, patted her back, then turned around and instantly switched to "diplomatic mode" for the camera, smiling: "Thank you everyone for your concern for Yifei. She just had a flight of more than ten hours and needs to rest. If there are any questions, you can contact Red Star House. Please understand and give the artist some private space."

One reporter persisted: "Aunt Liu, how do you feel about your daughter winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival?"

Liu Xiaoli replied tactfully, "I'm proud of her, but I also feel sorry for the efforts she's put in over the years. It hasn't been easy for Yifei to get to where she is today. I hope everyone will focus more on her work and less on her private life. Thank you."

A reporter also wanted to ask, how did Liu Xiaoli manage to silence the other person with just a glance? That was a powerful aura she had cultivated, an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

With the help of staff and bodyguards, the group finally broke through the encirclement and got into the car.

The moment the car door closed, Liu Yifei let out a long sigh of relief and slumped into her seat: "My God, this is more tiring than walking the red carpet—"

Jiang Yu loosened his collar as well: "Next time, let's charter a plane and leave through the cargo warehouse, so they won't see us."

Jiang Yu, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and said, "Auntie, let's go back to Shunyi first. Yifei is tired and needs to rest."

Liu Xiaoli's smile gradually brightened: "Yes, yes, let's go home. I've prepared a whole table of dishes, all of which are your favorites."

The car drove towards the Shunyi villa area.

On the way, Liu Yifei looked out the window at Beijing. The September sky was azure, and the streets felt both familiar and strange.

It's only been half a month since I left, but it feels like I've been gone for a long time. I guess it's because I've experienced so much in these two weeks, and each day feels like ten.

"Your news is everywhere in China right now," Liu Xiaoli said. "Newspapers, television, the internet, it's everywhere. People at your dad's workplace are all congratulating him, saying he raised a good daughter."

"

Liu Yifei imagined the scene and smiled: "As long as Dad is happy."

"I'm happy, of course I'm happy." Liu Xiaoli patted her hand. "I'm just worried you're working too hard. Now that you're more famous, more people are watching you, so you have to be careful with everything you do."

"I know," Liu Yifei nodded.

Jiang Yu interjected, "Don't worry, Auntie, I'm here. I'll keep an eye on her, make sure she's not overworked, and prevent anyone from bullying her."

Liu Xiaoli looked at Jiang Yu with gentle eyes: "Xiaoyu, thank you. Yifei is lucky to have you."

"It's my good fortune," Jiang Yu said earnestly.

Returning to the villa in Shunyi, the familiar feeling of home washed over me.

In the yard, Zhou Huiwen was watering the flowers. Seeing the car arrive, she immediately put down the watering can and rushed over like a cheerful little bird: "You're back! You're back! Come on in, come on in! It's hot outside!"

In the living room, the dining table was already full of dishes: steamed sea bass, sweet and sour pork ribs, blanched bok choy, yam and chicken soup, and Liu Yifei's favorite crab roe tofu.

They were all home-style dishes, with an enticing aroma that made our stomachs rumble.

"Aunt Zhou, thank you for your hard work." Liu Yifei changed her shoes and entered the house, her nose tingling with emotion. This was the taste of home.

"It's not hard work at all." Zhou Huiwen took her hand and looked her up and down. "You've lost weight. Didn't you eat well abroad? Look how sharp your chin is. Hurry up and wash your hands and eat. Auntie stewed this soup for three hours today. You have to finish it."

Jiang Yu leaned closer: "Mom, what about me? Have I lost weight?"

Zhou Huiwen patted him on the shoulder: "You've gained weight! You must have eaten a lot of pizza in Italy, right?"

"I'm innocent!" Jiang Yu cried out, "I eat nothing but salads with Yi Fei every day. She said she needed to control her weight to walk the red carpet—"

Liu Yifei glared at him: "What do you mean! You were the one who said you wanted to maintain your figure!"

"Why would I need to maintain my figure? I'm not walking the red carpet," Jiang Yu said matter-of-factly. "I'm just having dinner with you, aren't you touched?"

"—So touching, I'm so touched I want to punch you."

The four people sat around the dining table, like the most ordinary family.

Liu Xiaoli kept putting food on her daughter's plate: "Eat more fish, it's good for your brain. Drink more of this soup, you need to replenish yourself after such a long flight. This pork ribs, you loved eating this when you were little—"

Liu Yifei's bowls quickly piled up into a small mountain. She was both amused and exasperated: "Mom, that's enough, that's enough. I can't finish it all."

"If we can't finish it, we'll give it to Xiaoyu," Liu Xiaoli said matter-of-factly.

Jiang Yu immediately handed over the bowl: "Thank you, Auntie, I'm not a picky eater."

Liu Yifei scooped half a dish onto his plate: "Pork."

"It's my honor to share your burdens." Jiang Yu smiled and accepted the food, eating with great relish.

The TV was on while we were eating, showing the midday news.

As expected, the first news item was about Liu Yifei winning an award and returning to China.

"This morning, Liu Yifei, a young Chinese actress who just won the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival, returned to Beijing from Italy. She received a warm welcome from the media and fans at the Capital International Airport."

The scene then shifts to the airport, showing her being surrounded by the media.

Then came footage of her receiving the award, accepting it on stage, giving her acceptance speech, and kissing Jiang Yu.

Liu Xiaoli watched TV, tears welling up in her eyes again. "The makeup is a bit too heavy. Next time, ask the makeup artist to make it lighter."

Zhou Huiwen also said, "Yifei really made Chinese people proud this time. All my old friends are asking when they can meet her in person and want her autograph. I said I'll invite them over for tea after Yifei has rested up, and show her off a bit."

Jiang Yu ladled a bowl of soup for Liu Yifei and whispered, "Did you hear that? My mom's going to brag about you. From now on, you'll be everyone's 'perfect kid' (plus version)."

Liu Yifei kicked him under the table: "Even eating can't shut you up."

After finishing her meal, Liu Yifei returned to her room.

The familiar layout, the familiar bed, the familiar desk, even the half-dead potted green plant on the desk is still the same.

She lay in bed, feeling utterly exhausted, as if all her bones had been removed.

The phone kept vibrating, like a little motor.

She picked it up and saw a barrage of messages from Sister Li: "Yifei, have you rested well? There are a few urgent tasks I need to confirm with you."

"CCTV's 'Face to Face' program wanted to schedule an exclusive interview; CCTV specifically requested it!"

The premiere of "Black Swan" is scheduled for September 28th at the Beijing Film Academy Auditorium!

"The Louis Vuitton GG photography team has arrived in Beijing!"

"There are more than a dozen brands that want to discuss cooperation, and I have selected the three most influential ones —"

"Did you see the banner at the school? It's gone viral on Weibo!"

"Reply to me! Don't play dead!"

Liu Yifei felt dizzy from reading it and replied, "I just finished eating and I'm a little tired. Can we talk about it tomorrow?"

Sister Li replied instantly: "I understand, I understand. You should rest first, I'll filter through them and report the most urgent ones to you tomorrow. Sleep well, goodnight, even though it's broad daylight now."

Liu Yifei put down her phone, closed her eyes, and quickly fell asleep.

I slept very soundly and peacefully, without even a dream.

When she woke up, it was already evening.

The setting sun streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, bathing the room in a warm yellow light, as if filtered through a lens.

She lay in bed in a daze for a while before remembering that she was back in China and not dreaming.

Walking into the living room, Jiang Yu was on the balcony making a phone call about work. His tone was serious: "Yes, it's going to be released during the National Day holiday, and the publicity needs to keep up—the LV GG shoot is scheduled for mid-December—the lecture time at the Beijing Film Academy hasn't been set yet; we'll discuss it after Yifei has rested—media interviews should be arranged uniformly; don't let random media harass her—"

Seeing Liu Yifei come out, Jiang Yu quickly hung up the phone and walked over: "Are you awake? Are you hungry? You have sleep marks on your face, like a cat with drowsy skin." He reached out to touch her face.

Liu Yifei dodged: "You're the tabby cat. I'm a little hungry."

"Auntie left some food, it's keeping warm in the kitchen, I'll go heat it up for you." Jiang Yu said as he walked towards the kitchen, "While you were sleeping, I went through the list for you, and there are only three truly urgent things: the CCTV interview, the LV photoshoot, and the Beijing Film Academy premiere. Everything else can be postponed."

Liu Yifei followed him into the kitchen and leaned against the door frame to watch him heat up the dishes.

Jiang Yu was dressed in home clothes and an apron, and his movements were practiced. It was hard to imagine that this was the same Jiang who had dominated the business world.

"You can even reheat food?" she asked in surprise.

"What else? By the time you heat it up, you'll have set the kitchen on fire." Jiang Yu put the food in the microwave. "When I was studying abroad, I always cooked for myself. Although I wasn't very good at it, I could still reheat the food."

"Who do they think they are?" Liu Yifei muttered to herself.

While the two were having dinner at the restaurant, Jiang Yu turned on his computer and showed her today's news.

Sure enough, the entire internet was abuzz with news of their return to China. It was the headline on major portal websites:

Venice Film Festival Best Actress Liu Yifei Returns Home in Triumph, Surrounded by Media at Airport

Jiang Yu escorts his girlfriend back to China; when asked about their wedding date, he smiles but doesn't answer.

Liu Yifei makes her first public appearance since returning to China, looking great and in good spirits.

Entertainment media reports are even more comprehensive, covering everything from airport fashion analysis to speculation about relationship status.

Some media outlets even dug up the brand of Liu Yifei's white dress and started analyzing it... Their imaginations ran wild.

To Liu Yifei's surprise, there were fewer reports about her winning the award, and the media focused more on her private life with Jiang Yu: "Holding hands at the airport", "Jiang Yu's protective gaze", "Liu's mother's domineering airport pickup" — even Zhou Huiwen's watering of flowers was photographed, with the headline "Future mother-in-law personally greets her, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship is harmonious".

"These reporters—" Liu Yifei shook her head helplessly, "Why do they film everything?"

"That's normal." Jiang Yu calmly served her some food. "Awards are in the past, relationships are in the present. Besides, the public's interest in celebrities' private lives will always outweigh their interest in their professional lives. That's the nature of this industry, and you have to get used to it."

He winked. "We can reveal some trivial details to satisfy their curiosity, and then protect the really important privacy."

"for example?"

"For example, in the next interview, you could say that Jiang Yu can cook at home, but only makes scrambled eggs with tomatoes," which is both authentic and harmless, and also helps establish a "down-to-earth" persona.

"—You're the only one who can cook scrambled eggs with tomatoes!" Liu Yifei protested. "You can definitely cook instant noodles too!"

"Then say Jiang Yu adds ham and eggs to his instant noodles, which is especially extravagant." Jiang Yu readily agreed, "So approachable!"

.

Liu Yifei was amused by him, and her mood improved a lot.

"So much work—I don't want to do it anymore, I want to retire—"

"Retiring now is too early." Jiang Yu patted her head. "We can optimize. Turn down unimportant things and arrange the important ones properly. Remember, your health comes first. Don't overwork yourself. If you collapse, I'll go to the media and complain that you're exploiting my wife."

"—You dare!"

"See if I dare," Jiang Yu laughed. "So for my sake, you'd better get some rest and make good use of your time."

Liu Yifei looked up at him and suddenly smiled: "Jiang Yu, it's so good to have you."

"You just found out?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow. "What's the reward?"

Liu Yifei leaned over and kissed him on the cheek: "A reward."

"Not enough." Jiang Yu pointed to his lips.

"You're pushing your luck," Liu Yifei said, but she still kissed him.

At 9 p.m., Liu Yifei posted her first Weibo post since returning to China.

There was no lengthy explanation, just a simple photograph: the golden Volpi Trophy sat on her desk, next to an open copy of "An Actor Prepares," and a potted plant sat on the windowsill.

The caption reads: "Home. Thank you everyone. September 28th, Beijing Film Academy Auditorium, Black Swan premiere, see you there!"

Before posting, she hesitated for a long time, holding her phone: "Is this okay? Is it too simple? Should I write more?"

""

Jiang Yu, playing a game nearby, didn't even look up: "Keep it simple, be sincere. If you write too much, they'll think you're faking it."

"But what if my fans think I'm being perfunctory?"

"No." Jiang Yu put down the game console, walked over to look at her phone, and said, "You took a very good photo, a trophy..."

Books, green plants; it represents both academic achievement and a studious attitude, as well as a sense of life. Perfect.

"real?"

"Really." Jiang Yu took the phone and sent it immediately. "It's already sent, so don't think about it anymore. Come on, play a game with me, you'll definitely lose."

"It's still uncertain who will win and who will lose!"

As it turned out, Jiang Yu was right.

Within ten minutes of its release, the Weibo post was forwarded over 5 times, received over 3 comments, and garnered over 10 likes.

The server jolted again, but this time it held up. Weibo's technical department had already expanded its capacity in advance and was on high alert.

The comments section exploded: "Yifei's home! The trophy is so sparkly! Can I touch it (just kidding)?"

"Beijing Film Academy Auditorium! A senior student is returning to her alma mater! Beijing Film Academy students are asking for tickets online! I'd trade my roommate's ten years of single life for a ticket!"

"Black Swan is finally coming out! I've been waiting for so long! I'm counting on it for the National Day holiday!"

"A simple sentence, but I can feel your sincerity. Yifei, keep it up!"

"Placing 'An Actor Prepares' next to the trophy reveals a person's character! This is what a true actor is!"

"Is that a pothos on the windowsill? It's still alive—Yifei, did you forget to water it again? (doge)"

"The book is open! It's not staged! I zoomed in and saw creases! The details are perfect!"

"The words 'I'm home' feel so warm. Yifei, get some rest!"

Liu Yifei sat cross-legged on the sofa, holding a tablet computer, scrolling through the comments one by one with great interest, occasionally chuckling to herself.

After finishing a game, Jiang Yu leaned over to look: "What are you laughing at? Did you find some money?"

"Look at this one," Liu Yifei pointed to him. "This fan said, 'Yifei, did you forget to water it again?' How did she know I killed a cactus before?"

"Because you said it in an interview," Jiang Yu ruthlessly revealed, "You said that whatever you try to grow dies, even cacti, making you a plant killer."

"Oh." Liu Yifei said awkwardly, and continued scrolling through the comments.

She was unusually interested and started replying to comments.

The replies were casual and sincere, just like when I used to chat with fans on Baidu Tieba back in the day.

Replying to a Beijing Film Academy student: "Thanks, junior. See you on the 28th. There will be a student-only show; keep an eye on school announcements~"

Replying to a fan who mentioned a pothos: "It is a pothos, it's still alive—I remembered to water it this time! (Feeling guilty)"

In response to a film critic: "Thank you, teacher. I will continue to work hard and live up to your expectations."

In response to a fan asking if she was tired: "Yes, I am, but seeing you all makes me feel less tired. (heart emoji)"

She replied slowly, carefully reading each message and thinking carefully about how to respond.

Jiang Yu watched her from the side and found her particularly adorable. Despite being an international film queen, she replied to fan comments like a newly debuted star, nervous and earnest.

"Teacher Liu is addicted to the internet now," Jiang Yu joked. "Before, she would treat you like it was her life if you posted on Weibo, but now she clings to it and won't let go."

"It's been a long time since I've chatted with fans like this." Liu Yifei said without looking up. "Back when we were on Tieba, we could chat for hours on end. Now—it feels like I'm back in those days."

"Now that we have time, we can interact more," Jiang Yu said. "But we also need to be careful not to say everything. For example, don't reveal your address, don't reply to extreme comments, and don't promise things you can't keep."

"I know, I know," Liu Yifei said, annoyed by his nagging. "I'm not stupid."

"You're not stupid, you're just naive," Jiang Yu laughed. "Naive in a cute way."

As they were talking, Liu Yifei suddenly exclaimed "Ah!"

"What's wrong?"

"This fan—" Liu Yifei showed him the tablet, "She said her mother has terminal cancer, and her last wish is to see 'Black Swan,' and she asked if I could give her a ticket in advance—what should I do?"

Jiang Yu took the computer and looked at the comment.

It was posted by a young girl. Her tone was very sincere, and she even attached a photo of her medical record (which was blurred out).

Many fans have already tagged Liu Yifei in the comments section, hoping she will see it.

"I'll have Wang Wei verify it," Jiang Yu said, taking out his phone. "If it's true, we can arrange a private screening for them, mother and daughter, and they can even meet and take a photo together. But we must verify it thoroughly; there are a lot of scammers online these days."

"Yes." Liu Yifei nodded, her eyes softening. "If it's true—I want to help her."

"Okay." Jiang Yu patted her head. "Our Yifei has the softest heart."

Wang Wei was very efficient; she called back half an hour later to confirm the situation was true. The girl's mother had late-stage lung cancer and didn't have much time left. Her biggest wish was to see a movie starring her daughter's idol. The hospital was in Beijing, not far away.

"Let's arrange it for the day after tomorrow," Jiang Yu said. "Please invite them to the company's small screening room, and you can personally receive them. Yi Fei doesn't have any plans that day, so we can meet up."

"Okay." Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me." Jiang Yu hugged her. "Doing good deeds accumulates good karma. Our children will be blessed in the future."

"————Who wants to have a child with you!" Liu Yifei blushed.

"It'll happen sooner or later." Jiang Yu smiled like a fox.

As the two were arguing, Liu Xiaoli brought in some fruit: "Stop playing on your phone, have some fruit. Xiaoyu, you should also tell her to stop, she's ruining her eyesight."

"I can't control her." Jiang Yu shrugged. "She's a big star now, she has her own opinions."

"Mom, I'm replying to fan comments." Liu Yifei took the fruit platter. "One of the fans' mothers is sick and wants to see a movie, so we're planning to invite them."

Liu Xiaoli was also moved: "That's a good thing. I'll help if I can. Yifei, remember, no matter how high you rise, never forget your roots."

"I know."

While eating fruit and seeing the blessings and concern from her fans on Weibo, Liu Yifei felt particularly at ease.

It was late at night, and before going to bed, Liu Yifei glanced at Weibo one last time.

The Weibo post has been forwarded over 8 times and received over 5 comments. The hashtag #LiuYifei'sFirstWeiboAfterReturningToChina# has reached the top of the trending topics.

She put down her phone and closed her eyes.