Taking Liu Yifei back to Northeast China for the Chinese New Year has sent the entire internet into

Liu Yifei showed off five or six pieces of sweet and sour pork, then drank two mouthfuls of hot sauerkraut soup before finally putting down her chopsticks with satisfaction.

She took a tissue to wipe her mouth, then her gaze returned to the wall covered with notes.

"I've read the script seven or eight times in the past few days."

Fang Yu leaned back on the sofa and raised an eyebrow.

"What's up, getting ready to vie for the Golden Eagle Award for Best Actress?"

"no."

Liu Yifei lowered her head and poked at the remaining sauerkraut in the bowl with her chopsticks.

After a few seconds, she spoke in a muffled voice:

"...I feel too much pressure acting alongside you."

"No way, Teacher Liu?"

Fang Yu burst out laughing on the spot.

"In terms of seniority, you're a big name in the industry. How can you possibly be overshadowed by a newcomer like me who's only been in the business for six months?"

Liu Yifei didn't respond.

She lowered her eyes, looking at the book "Ling'er's Emotional Curve: A Step-by-Step Analysis" on the coffee table, her fingers gently picking at the corner of the book.

"I'm not afraid that my acting skills are inferior to yours."

"I'm afraid that when I'm actually standing in front of the camera, I won't be able to control my emotions."

She paused for a moment, and her voice lowered.

"After all... we are real in reality."

Fang Yu's nonchalant attitude softened somewhat.

He didn't speak immediately, but just looked at her quietly.

Liu Yifei looked up, her eyes filled with a hint of conflict.

"In the script, Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er will experience misunderstandings, suspicions, and even life and death separations."

"If it's someone else on the other end, I can switch to work mode at any time."

"The director yells 'Cut!' That's it, wrap-up, everyone go home."

She stared straight at Fang Yu.

"But you're the one standing opposite me."

"Looking into your eyes, I'm afraid I won't be able to tell which part is acting and which part is real."

The living room fell silent.

On the TV wall, countless red arrows crisscrossed.

The relationships between the characters and their emotional changes are as if the joys and sorrows the two will experience are all written on the wall in advance.

Fang Yu remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"Then don't rush to turn yourself into Zhao Ling'er right now."

Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment.

"What do you mean?"

"It means that you, sitting here now, are Liu Yifei, not a descendant of Nuwa from the Nanzhao Kingdom."

Fang Yu's tone softened somewhat.

"Understanding the script thoroughly and clarifying the characters' motivations beforehand is a professional skill."

"But you can't use up your emotions in advance."

"You haven't even started filming yet, and you've already cried all the tears for the next few dozen episodes."

"When they actually film the finale, will the crew have to give you IV drips to keep you hydrated on set?"

Liu Yifei pursed her lips and remained silent.

Fang Yu continued:

"Once you're actually in front of the camera, you can act however you want."

"Cry when you need to cry, laugh when you need to laugh."

"The camera cuts, the director yells 'cut,' and we're still just us."

As he said this, a smirk appeared on his lips, and he reverted to his usual smug look.

"Besides, what are you afraid of?"

"If you get too caught up in the role and can't pull yourself out, I'll be responsible for pulling you back."

Liu Yifei couldn't help but ask:

"Why are you acting so arrogant?"

"It's easy."

Fang Yu spread his hands, his tone very serious.

"If you get too into character, I'll set up a pot on set and cook you a stewed goose in an iron pot."

"If that doesn't work, we'll just take you back to Kaoshantun and ride you around on a tractor for a couple of rounds."

"The moment you're hit with the vibrant atmosphere of Northeast China, you're guaranteed to go from an ethereal descendant of Nuwa to a girl from Kaoshantun sitting cross-legged, munching on a frozen pear in a second."

"puff--"

Liu Yifei burst out laughing.

The little bit of unease that had been weighing on my heart was mostly washed away by his words.

Do you think all psychological problems can be solved by stewing goose in an iron pot?

"Currently, the success rate is 100%."

"What kind of unorthodox psychology is this?"

"Northeastern Practical Psychology, passed down through generations."

Liu Yifei smiled and glared at him, then didn't press the matter further.

The two nestled on the large, light gray sofa, chatting for a long time over the nearly empty plate of sweet and sour pork.

The conversation begins with Zhao Ling'er's naiveté and progresses to Li Xiaoyao's life experiences.

The sauerkraut soup on the coffee table gradually cooled down.

The sky outside the window darkened without us even realizing it.

Fang Yu glanced at the time, patted his trouser leg, and stood up.

"Alright, that concludes today's academic exchange."

He deliberately sighed, putting on a miserable expression.

"It's a long way to get back to my shabby little apartment from here on the East Fourth Ring Road."

"If I don't leave now, I'm afraid I'll freeze to death on the streets of Beijing."

Liu Yifei crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Stop putting on this melodramatic act."

"Want to stay overnight? No way! I've welded all the cracks in your windows shut."

"That ruthless?"

"We must be extra vigilant against part-time delivery drivers like you who have ulterior motives."

Fang Yu started counting on his fingers.

"I'll deliver takeout to you, help you with script readings, and even act as your psychological counselor."

"With this level of service, shouldn't we at least get a sofa?"

"Dream on."

Liu Yifei stood up and walked leisurely to the entrance, clearly intending to shoo away the guests.

Fang Yu squatted down to change his shoes, and out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of the storage rack next to the shoe cabinet.

There was a book sitting there neatly.

The edges of the pages were frayed and the spine was covered in creases, clearly indicating that it had been read many times.

The cover had several large characters printed on it:

"An Actor Prepares".

Fang Yu picked it up and flipped through a couple of pages.

The edges of the pages were covered with fine pencil lines, and the sides were densely covered with annotations.

He blinked, and without saying a word, he stuffed the book into his coat.

"I'll borrow this book for two days to study."

Liu Yifei smiled as she watched him steal the item.

"Oh, even a self-taught genius like Teacher Fang needs to cram at the last minute?"

Fang Yu opened the security door, turned around and grinned at her.

"Absolutely."

He patted the book tucked under his arm, looking very serious.

"Professor Liu has become an academic leader, so I, a self-taught amateur, have to go back and study like crazy!"

"So that on the first day of filming, I won't be completely dominated by the female lead on set."

He paused, then slowly added:

"That would be such a blow to the dignity of the head of my family."

Liu Yifei leaned against the door frame and waved to him.

"Teacher Fang, you'd better study hard, I'll be checking your work in a couple of days."

"Alright, I'll be ready to check on you anytime, Examiner Liu."

Fang Yu waved and turned to step into the elevator.

The elevator doors slowly closed.

As the door closed for the last time, Liu Yifei was still standing at the door, a smile she couldn't suppress on her pretty face.