From unemployment in crosstalk to top star in Chinese entertainment

Hengdian, a private restaurant.

This was a place Yu Liang had specially chosen, hidden deep in the old street in a renovated Republican-era building, with a low-key facade that didn't even have a sign.

Li Xiaoran found the place only after he led the way. The waiter at the door confirmed the reservation information and led the two through a narrow entrance hall, where the space suddenly opened up.

The private room was quiet and elegant, with light wood-colored minimalist decor complementing two light ink landscape paintings on the wall. Once the heavy solid wood door was closed, the noise outside was completely shut out.

The table was covered with a plain-colored tablecloth with a subtle pattern, and the set of white porcelain tableware gleamed with a warm luster under the warm light.

The waiter waited quietly to the side, saying very little throughout, even pouring tea at the right time, exuding the unique sense of propriety of a high-end private kitchen.

Li Xiaoran took off her red baseball cap and casually tidied her long hair, which had been messed up.

Today she wore a black off-the-shoulder bodycon dress that accentuated her extremely slim waist, creating a clear and defined waistline that gently draped down to hug her rounded and full curves.

As she sat down, Li Xiaoran placed her hands on her buttocks, gently tightening her waist and abdomen, causing the skirt that hugged her figure to naturally rise a bit.

The original length, which was past the knee, has quietly slipped to above the knee, revealing a section of shapely and slender calves.

"Sister Xiaoran, what would you like to eat?"

"Just keep an eye on things. Are you familiar with this place?" Li Xiaoran picked up her teacup, her gaze sweeping over the rim as she looked him over.

"I've done my homework." Yu Liang closed the menu, nodded to the waiter, and announced a few seasonal dishes.

This private restaurant was recommended by Zhao Mingyuan. The menu is only one page long, and the ingredients are determined by the fresh seasonal goods that arrive that day, saving you the trouble of deciding what to order.

After the waiter left and the door closed gently, Li Xiaoran leaned back in her chair, her brows and eyes relaxing a little.

"This place is really nice." Her tone was full of admiration.

"Of course. I picked it out especially for Miss Xiaoran."

"Don't give me that." Li Xiaoran glared at him, but the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

The food was served very quickly.

Steamed shad, crab roe tofu, two dishes of seasonal vegetables, plus a homemade braised pork dish—the presentation was exquisite, and the portions were just right.

Li Xiaoran picked up her chopsticks and took a plate of seasonal vegetables.

She was wearing an off-the-shoulder style today, and when she leaned forward, a large expanse of snow-white skin below her collarbone was almost dazzling under the lights.

Yu Liang's gaze was involuntarily drawn for a moment, then he lowered his eyelids, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

"Why aren't you eating?" Li Xiaoran looked up, completely unaware.

Yu Liang cleared his throat, picked up his chopsticks, and took a slice of sliced ​​beef and tripe in chili sauce.

"Eat. I'll eat now."

The two ate and chatted, and the conversation gradually shifted from the dishes to their own lives.

"My father was a pilot, and my mother was a doctor." Li Xiaoran put down her chopsticks, her tone as calm as if she were talking about someone else. "When I was little, my dad was rarely home, and my mom was very strict with me. I had to write a self-criticism if I missed even one point on a test."

Yu Liang stared at her and suddenly understood something.

Where does that contradictory feeling of restraint yet yearning to break free come from in her?

A family bound by precise rules, and a soul that yearns to soar to the heavens.

"No wonder," he said.

"No wonder what?"

"No wonder you, Sister Xiaoran, possess both the restraint of a doctor and the adventurous spirit of a pilot."

Li Xiaoran raised an eyebrow: "You can tell that?"

"Of course." Yu Liang picked up the serving chopsticks and placed a piece of the tenderest shad belly on her plate, his tone carrying a meaningful smile. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have accepted my invitation tonight."

Li Xiaoran was slightly taken aback, then smiled and did not deny it.

She picked up her teacup, looking at him from above the rim, her gaze carrying a hint of languid scrutiny.

"Your mouth," she put down her teacup, her tone a mix of judgment and praise, "I wonder how many young girls it has fooled."

"I'm innocent. I only speak the truth."

"Yeah?"

Li Xiaoran leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped on her knees, the curve of her lips unreadable.

"Then tell me, did you invite me to dinner tonight to thank me, or do you have ulterior motives?"

Yu Liang put down his chopsticks and looked at her intently.

"Yes, we have them all."

Li Xiaoran didn't reply, but the smile in her eyes deepened.

As dinner was drawing to a close, Yu Liang made an excuse to go to the restroom to pay the bill, but when she got to the front desk, the waiter told her that the bill had already been settled.

He returned to the private room, stood at the door and looked at Li Xiaoran, who was looking down at her phone, and felt a mix of emotions.

He has met many girls, some of whom take it for granted that boys should pay for their meals. They are unwilling to split the bill or pay anything else.

Li Xiaoran is different.

She paid the bill without saying a word, without even giving him a chance to be polite.

"Sister Xiaoran," Yu Liang leaned against the door frame, her tone half helpless and half touched, "I promised to treat you."

Li Xiaoran raised her head, her expression unchanged: "Next time."

A few words, spoken lightly, yet they gently touched a chord in Yu Liang's heart.

---

The night is getting darker.

The two left the private restaurant, walked through the dappled shadows of the trees on the old street, and headed towards the parking lot.

Li Xiaoran's high heels clicked crisply on the bluestone pavement, the rhythm neither too fast nor too slow.

Yu Liang walked half a step to her side, just enough to see her silhouette outlined by the streetlight.

He had put his baseball cap back on, covering most of his face, revealing only a glimpse of his refined jawline and slightly upturned lips.

"Get in the car."

Li Xiaoran took out her car keys and was about to walk around to the driver's seat when she suddenly paused.

She turned around and handed the keys to him.

"Why don't you drive? You haven't been drinking anyway."

Yu Liang glanced at the car key, which still held the warmth of her palm, and took it from her.

Their fingertips lightly touched the key; the touch was cool and delicate, like a feather brushing against it.

It's a black Audi A8L, a 2017 D4 third generation model that was just released last year.

Yu Liang sat in the driver's seat, adjusted the rearview mirror and seat, and rubbed his palm against the leather steering wheel.

As expected of a classic Audi model, the interior is understated and elegant, not ostentatious, yet exudes quality in every detail.

"This car is nice."

He started the engine, and the engine roared with a deep, powerful sound.

Li Xiaoran leaned back in the passenger seat, tilted her head to look at him, and said with a half-smile, "You drive quite skillfully."

"Of course. I'm an experienced driver." Yu Liang shifted gears, and the car smoothly drove out of the parking lot.

"Where are we going?" Li Xiaoran asked.

Yu Liang glanced at the time; it was just past 7:30, and the night was perfect.

Let's just wander around.

He remembered that there was a lake south of Hengdian, where it was quiet and less crowded at night, making it an ideal CBD.

Li Xiaoran didn't speak, but turned her head to look out the window, which was taken as tacit agreement.

The black A8 smoothly drove into the night.

The city avenue was wide and empty, and the beams of streetlights swept across the car window one after another, sliding from Li Xiaoran's forehead to the bridge of her nose, and then to her slightly pursed red lips.

She had taken off her hat at some point, and her long hair fell over her shoulders, gently lifted by the breeze blowing in from the car window.

The car was very quiet, and the sound of the air conditioner was so gentle that it was almost inaudible.

Yu Liang held the steering wheel with one hand, while her other arm was casually resting on the center armrest, her fingers just touching the edge of her bodycon skirt.

The car slowly came to a stop at the red light.

Yu Liang turned his head to look.

Li Xiaoran was looking out the window with her face turned to the side, her hands folded on her knees, her fingers unconsciously rubbing together.

Her profile was outlined in a beautiful curve by the dim light of the streetlights and the watch face, and the shadows of her eyelashes fell on her cheekbones like the gentle fluttering of butterfly wings.

"Sister Xiaoran."

"Um?"

As soon as Li Xiaoran turned her head, Yu Liang reached out and gently placed his hand on the back of her hand, which was resting on her knee.

Li Xiaoran's fingers curled almost imperceptibly in his palm, her slightly cool fingertips brushing against his tiger's mouth before finally settling there quietly, like a bird that had finally found its roost.

She raised her eyes, her gaze carrying a hint of reproach, but she did not pull her hand away.

Drive carefully.

Yu Liang didn't speak, but simply gripped her fingers tighter.

The slender fingers in my palm were soft and slightly cool, with distinct knuckles, like the finest mutton fat jade.

The light turned green, he let go of the steering wheel, gripped it again, and the car continued forward.

After driving through several streets, the car entered the lakeside road. The streetlights were sparse here, and the night seemed even darker.

In the distance are the scattered lights of Hengdian World Studios, and further away are the continuous mountain shadows.

Yu Liang parked the car on a secluded lakeside.

After the engine was turned off, the world outside the car window suddenly became quiet.

The sound of the lake water gently lapping against the embankment was faint, and the distant city lights cast shimmering spots of light on the water's surface, which were then pulverized into a carpet of silver by the night breeze.

Inside the carriage, there were only the soft breathing sounds of two people.

Yu Liang unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to the side.

This time it was no longer a simple handshake.

He raised his hand, his fingertips gently brushing the stray hairs beside her cheek, tucking a strand behind her ear.

The movements were slow, and Li Xiaoran trembled slightly when her fingers brushed against her earlobe.

Then he lowered his head and kissed her.

Li Xiaoran let out a soft moan and gently leaned her back against the seat.

Her lips were soft and warm, carrying a faint tea fragrance and a subtle sweetness.

The moment the kiss landed, her hands, which had been folded on her knees, slowly rose, her fingers first climbing up his arm, then inch by inch upwards, finally clasping his back.

Yu Liang's palm slid down her shoulder, his fingertips brushing against the delicate curve of her collarbone. Her skin was smooth and warm, and felt slightly hot under his fingertips.

Outside the car window, the lake was as calm as a mirror.

A fishing boat returning late is slowly approaching the shore, its stern lights casting a long golden shadow on the water.

After a long while, Yu Liang finally lifted his head from the crook of her neck.

Li Xiaoran's breathing was still a little unsteady.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks, extending from her cheekbones down to her ears.

Her lips were slightly parted, and a lingering sense of dazedness remained in her eyes.

A few strands of her neatly styled hair fell down, resting on her collarbone and rising and falling gently with her breath.

She raised her hand, touched her lips with her fingertips, and then looked up at him.

"Yu Liang".

"Um?"

"You have some nerve," she said, her tone still soft, but a hint of her usual mockery flickered in the corner of her eye, "who gave you that guts?"

Yu Liang smiled, pulled her back into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head.

What do you think?

Li Xiaoran did not speak.

Her fingers gently caressed the back of his shirt, the movements light and slow, as if tracing some unseen pattern.

The sound of waterbirds skimming across the lake came from outside the window, their wings beating the water and splashing up a string of tiny droplets.

"What did you say your dad did again?"

Li Xiaoran was stunned for a moment, then playfully punched him: "Yu Liang, can't you be serious for once?"

Yu Liang grabbed her arm,

He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her earlobe, his voice very low.

You've misunderstood.

"What I really want to say is that you are the most breathtaking scenery I've ever seen... that makes me want to land."

The carriage was silent for a full two seconds.

Then Li Xiaoran smiled.

It wasn't the usual aloof and elegant laugh, but a laugh that overflowed from his throat, tinged with a mix of embarrassment and barely suppressed joy.

She raised her hand to break free, then punched Yu Liang's chest lightly, more like a playful pout.

"Where did you learn all this?"

"The truth is," Yu Liangmian said without changing his expression.

Outside the car window, the fishing boat that had returned late had already docked, its lights flickering in the night.

On the lake, the moon had risen higher and higher, spreading a silver ribbon of light where the water met the sky.

The night breeze, carrying the fresh scent of water plants and earth, blew in through the cracks in the car window, ruffling the ends of Li Xiaoran's hair that fell over the edge of the seat.

Yu Liang did not speak again.

He lowered his head and placed a very light kiss on her forehead, then pulled her back into his arms.

The woman in his arms didn't push him away; she simply leaned quietly against his chest, her fingers unconsciously hooking around the collar of his shirt.