Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

In the morning, Liu Xiang was awakened by Fan Binbin's noise.

The little girl, probably hungry after her fever subsided, was curled up in bed, staring at him with bright, sparkling eyes. Her long eyelashes fluttered like two pink butterflies resting on the snow. Seeing that he was awake, she shrank further under the covers, revealing half of her flushed face. Her voice was soft, with a slightly nasal tone from just waking up: "Brother Liu Xiang, I think... I can smell the aroma of fried dough sticks."

Liu Xiang chuckled, raising his hand to ruffle her hair. The strands he touched were soft and fluffy, still carrying the warmth of the blankets. "Little glutton," he pinched the tip of her nose, "wait, I'll buy it for you right away, and I'll also get you a bowl of tofu pudding."

Fan Binbin's eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded repeatedly, his lips curving into a smile so sweet it was almost sickening.

Liu Xiang put on her jacket and walked towards the hospital entrance in the morning light. In the early morning, the breakfast stalls at the entrance of the alley were bustling with activity. The oil in the fryer was already sizzling, and the golden fried dough sticks were turning in the oil. The aroma could be smelled halfway down the street. Liu Xiang asked the vendor for two fried dough sticks for one yuan.

The old man selling tofu pudding pushed a 28-inch bicycle with a large wooden bucket tied to the back seat. The bucket was covered with a thick cotton quilt, and when you lifted it, you could see steaming hot, tender white tofu pudding.

Liu Xiang handed over another dollar, watching as the old man deftly scooped up the tofu pudding and sprinkled a whole spoonful of white sugar on top.

The aroma of breakfast mingled with the smoke from the coal stove, and Liu Xiang's mouth was already watering.

When I returned to the ward, Fan Binbin was sitting on the bed, engrossed in reading the comic book "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" that Liu Xiang had bought for her. Sunlight fell on the top of her hair, creating a fuzzy golden edge, which made her face, which had just recovered from its paleness, appear even more charming and beautiful.

"Eat it while it's hot." Liu Xiang placed the breakfast on the bedside table and handed her a pair of disposable chopsticks.

Fan Binbin nibbled on the fried dough sticks and drank the sweet tofu pudding, his eyes curving into crescents.

Liu Xiang also started eating, quickly finishing her breakfast, and even felt a little unsatisfied.

Halfway through her meal, Fan Binbin suddenly remembered something, looked up, and said indistinctly with half a fried dough stick in her mouth, "Brother Xiang, I just received a pager from the crew. There are a few reshoots and a celebration banquet. They told me to get back to the crew as soon as I'm better."

Liu Xiang's hand, holding the fried dough stick, suddenly stopped. He felt a slight emptiness in his heart, as if something had gently bumped into him. Looking at Fan Binbin's stunning face, a hint of reluctance lingered. His Adam's apple bobbed before he forced a smile: "Good thing. After we finish filming the reshoots, we might even get a small bonus at the wrap party!"

Fan Binbin paused at her lips with her chopsticks, her eyes dimming. She lowered her head and sipped her tofu pudding slowly, her voice barely audible: "But... I don't really want to leave."

Liu Xiang's heart skipped a beat, then suddenly felt warm all over. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his voice gentle: "Silly girl, filming is a serious matter too. I'll come find you later!"

Fan Binbin looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, but he held back his tears. He nodded vigorously, swallowed the fried dough stick in his mouth, and whispered, "Then you must come. Don't lie to me and make me happy."

"I'm not lying to you," Liu Xiang said, looking at her solemnly.

For the next two days, Liu Xiang kept Fan Binbin company in the hospital room. When the weather was nice, she would help her to the balcony to bask in the sun and tell her martial arts stories she had heard in her past life; when the weather was bad, they would stay in the hospital room, their heads close together, reading the well-worn comic book.

However, the day of parting eventually came.

Liu Xiang packed Fan Binbin's things, slung the old cloth bag with "Welcome to Beijing" printed on it over her shoulder, and carefully wrapped a thick scarf around her face, leaving only her big, watery eyes visible.

"Remember to eat on time when you get to the film set, and don't stay up all night studying the script anymore," Liu Xiang patiently reminded her.

Fan Binbin nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face like a broken string of pearls. She reached out and hugged Liu Xiang's waist, burying her face in his chest, her voice choked with sobs: "Brother Liu Xiang, I can't bear to part with you..."

Liu Xiang felt a sharp pain in his heart, as if it had been pricked by needles. He reached out and hugged her, gently patting her back.

The two hugged for a long time at the hospital entrance until the crew's van arrived, at which point Fan Binbin reluctantly let go.

"Brother Liu Xiang, I'm leaving!" She jumped into the car and waved frantically through the window.

"Have a safe journey!" Liu Xiang stood there waving until the car turned the corner and disappeared from sight before turning away.

I feel empty inside, like something is missing.

He had just returned to the empty ward and was preparing to pack his things when his pager suddenly started beeping.

Liu Xiang took out her pager and saw a message that read: "Call back immediately upon receipt."

Liu Xiang's eyes lit up instantly. It was Kang Honglei's number, and she immediately felt that something good was about to happen.

He quickly ran to the public phone booth at the hospital entrance, put in a coin, and dialed the number on the pager.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

A hearty, cheerful voice came from the other end: "Hey? Is that Brother Liu Xiang? It's been so long!"

"It's me!" Liu Xiang's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement. "Why did you think of calling me?"

"Hey, I've been thinking about you!" Kang Honglei laughed heartily. "I heard you're doing really well on the 'Princess Pearl' set? You even know big names like Power Station, Li Yujun, and Fan Xiaoxuan? Not bad!"

Liu Xiang scratched her head a little embarrassedly: "It was all by chance, nothing much."

"What do you mean it's nothing?" Kang Honglei's voice suddenly turned serious. "Kid, remember this: in the entertainment industry, connections are life! Knowing more people and building more relationships is more useful than playing ten minor supporting roles! You have acting skills and a good eye, but what you lack is opportunity and connections. You need to work harder on these areas in the future!"

Liu Xiang nodded quickly, keeping Kang Honglei's words in mind. Kang Honglei's words were true. In this industry, acting skills alone are not enough. Without connections and resources, no matter how talented you are, you can only be buried in the crowd.

"By the way, Director Kang, did you call me because you need something for work?" Liu Xiang asked tentatively.

"You're quite clever, kid!" Kang Honglei laughed again, a hint of smugness in his voice. "Let me tell you, this is a golden opportunity! You know what? Hong Kong's TVB is filming 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' and they're currently shooting on location in Dali and Lijiang, Yunnan! The crew needs a skilled stunt double, and as soon as I heard the news, I immediately thought of you!"

"A stunt double for the TVB version of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'?" Liu Xiang's heart pounded wildly, and she almost dropped the phone receiver.