Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

The filming of the Dali scenes has finally wrapped up. Li Tiansheng generously booked the most famous farmhouse restaurant "Cang Er Ju" at the entrance of the film studio, saying he wanted to give the entire crew a good celebration.

This farmhouse is quite famous locally. The courtyard is filled with bougainvillea, which are in full bloom. Loofah vines climb the red brick walls, and the hanging loofah fibers are still fresh and green.

In the back kitchen, a large iron pot was simmering with free-range chicken, the bubbling sound mingling with the aroma of star anise and cinnamon, filling the entire courtyard. On the stone millstone in the corner sat several dishes of cold wild vegetables, fish mint and tree tomatoes mixed with millet peppers, their bright red color making them look incredibly appetizing. There was also a basket of freshly steamed rice cakes, steaming hot, waiting to be wrapped with fermented bean curd and pickled vegetables and eaten.

Before the banquet began, Li Tiansheng, carrying a brown paper envelope, dragged Liu Xiang to the pomegranate tree in the corner of the courtyard amidst the cheers of the crowd.

"Hey kid, take this!" Li Tiansheng shoved the envelope into Liu Xiang's arms, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and smiled with narrowed eyes. "There's 20,000 yuan in here, your paycheck. Normally, a stuntman's job would only get you 15,000 at most, but now you're getting an extra 5,000!"

Liu Xiang clutched the envelope, feeling the weight of the kraft paper. Twenty thousand yuan was no small sum in those days; in Dali, it was enough for an average family to live comfortably for two years. He felt a surge of warmth and was about to say thank you when Li Tiansheng patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "Don't be so polite! Keep up the good work, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future!"

Li Ruotong stood not far away, holding a glass of bayberry wine. Upon hearing this, she looked up at Liu Xiang, a faint smile curving her lips, her eyes shining brighter than the pomegranate blossoms in the corner of the courtyard.

The celebration banquet lasted until mid-afternoon, and everyone was a little tipsy.

The stagehands were playing drinking games, their voices rising higher and higher, shouting "Five champions! Six six six!" The shouts were deafening.

Even the usually serious Li Tiansheng was made red-faced and swollen by several stagehands, muttering "one more glass" and almost unable to hold the wine cup steady.

The actresses huddled together, cracking sunflower seeds and chatting about the latest fashion trends in Hong Kong. They mentioned that a new shop selling Hong Kong-style dresses had opened in Tsim Sha Tsui, made of imported chiffon that felt light and airy when worn.

Liu Xiang couldn't resist the constant toasts from everyone, and after a few cups of rice wine, his head started to feel heavy. He seized an opportunity, quietly slipped out of the courtyard, and walked along the ridge towards the grove of trees not far away.

But before they had gone far, they heard soft footsteps behind them.

Liu Xiang immediately turned around and saw Li Ruotong lifting her skirt and slowly following behind.

The golden rays of the setting sun bathed her in a warm yellow glow, turning her white dress a warm yellow, and a bougainvillea petal clung to her hair.

"Why did you run out all by yourself?" Li Ruotong's voice was soft, slightly tipsy.

Liu Xiang's Adam's apple bobbed as she watched her approach step by step, her heart suddenly racing again, as if she had returned to that day in the woods, to the moment she kissed her through the handkerchief.

The evening breeze rustled through the trees. The two stood close together in the sunset. Liu Xiang could smell the scent of soap in her hair, mixed with a faint hint of alcohol, a fragrance so pleasant it made his heart flutter.

The saying "alcohol emboldens the timid" is absolutely true.

Looking at her flushed cheeks and his own reflection in her eyes, Liu Xiang felt a long-suppressed impulse suddenly grow wildly like weeds. He couldn't resist taking a step forward, reaching out his arm, and carefully yet with an undeniable strength, pulled Li Ruotong into his embrace.

The person in his arms stiffened slightly, then softened, without struggling, and simply leaned gently against his chest.

Liu Xiang's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would explode. He tightened his arms around her, wishing he could meld her into his very bones. Her body was soft and warm; he could feel her warmth even through the thin dress.

"Sister Ruotong..." Liu Xiang's voice was terribly hoarse, her chin resting on the top of Ruotong's head, her breath trembling, "After you finish filming 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' I'll take the train to Hong Kong to see you, okay?"

Li Ruotong nestled in his arms, her shoulders trembling slightly. After a long while, she let out a muffled "Mmm," her voice choked with emotion: "Okay."

The wind in the woods stopped, and the setting sun cast long, long shadows of the two. Li Ruotong reached out and gently wrapped her arms around Liu Xiang's waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, a happy smile spreading across her lips.

"I believe you," she said softly.

The two hugged for a long time until Chen Haoming's loud voice came from afar, shouting, "Liu Xiang! Sister Ruotong! Where did you go!" before they reluctantly separated. Li Ruotong's eyes were red, and she raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, then helped Liu Xiang straighten her collar, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Go back, don't keep everyone waiting." She said softly.

Liu Xiang nodded, looking at her reddened eyes, and couldn't help but raise her hand to gently wipe away the tears on her cheeks. The skin her fingertips touched was warm and soft, like the finest silk.

The setting sun cast their shadows behind them, overlapping them into one.

The next morning, the bus to the train station stopped at the entrance of the film studio, and everyone boarded the bus with their luggage.

Chen Haoming clung to Liu Xiang's arm, sobbing uncontrollably, "Liu Xiang! You must look for me when you get to Hong Kong! Let's go to a tea restaurant! I'll treat you to iced lemon tea!"

Liu Xiang patted his back, both amused and exasperated: "Okay, okay, double iced lemon tea, less ice and less sugar, right?"

Li Ruotong stood at the car door, looking at Liu Xiang with reluctance in her eyes. Liu Xiang walked over, took out a small root carving, no bigger than the palm of his hand, from his backpack, and handed it to her. He had bought it in the city last night for two thousand yuan; it was carved into a graceful gardenia, with delicate and lifelike lines.

"This little root carving is for you." Liu Xiang scratched her head, a little embarrassed. "I thought it was quite pretty, so I bought it for you."

Li Ruotong held the small root carving, her fingertips touching the rough wood grain, and a warm feeling instantly welled up inside her. She looked up at Liu Xiang and nodded vigorously: "I like it very much."

Liu Xiang held her hand tightly and said repeatedly, "After you finish promoting 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' I will definitely come to Hong Kong to see you."

Li Ruotong nodded, her voice as soft as a whisper: "See you in Hong Kong."

See you in Hong Kong.

The bus slowly started moving. Liu Xiang stood still, watching Li Ruotong's figure through the window, until the green bus became a small dot in the distance.

As Liu Xiang was still in a daze, she heard Li Tiansheng's voice behind her. It turned out that Director Li and Cheng Xiaodong had not left yet.

"Hey kid, what are you daydreaming about?" Li Tiansheng walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Want to go to Macau with me?"

Liu Xiang was taken aback and turned to look at him: "Macau? What for?"

"There's an international cruise ship over there called 'Macau Star,' which happens to be docked in Macau Port these days," Li Tiansheng said, flicking his cigarette ash.

At this moment, Liu Xiang's eyes lit up.