Huayu: This top star doesn't play by the rules.

After spending about a week in Xiangshan, Sister Qian was preparing to return to Changchun. On the night before her departure, Sister Qian specially booked a private room at the hotel and invited only Chen Chao and Meng Ziyi to have dinner with her.

"Xiao Chen, Ziyi has been spoiled by us since he was little. He is straightforward and doesn't have any guile. He seems loud and boisterous, but he is actually soft-hearted than anyone else. Even if he is wronged, he doesn't like to say it."

After taking a sip of her drink, Sister Qian looked at Chen Chao, her tone becoming more serious, "When I came here this time and saw the two of you together, and saw that you are truly sincere in your treatment of her, I felt relieved."

"Sister Qian, don't worry, I will definitely treat Ziyi well and will never let her suffer any injustice." Naturally understanding what Sister Qian meant, Chen Chao immediately patted his chest and promised.

"I'm relieved to hear that." Sister Qian smiled with satisfaction after hearing Chen Chao's reply.

Then she looked at her daughter beside her, whose eyes were slightly red, and reached out to rub her hair. "Silly girl, you have to take good care of yourself while you're out. Don't push yourself too hard while filming. If anything happens, tell Xiao Chen. Don't keep it to yourself."

"Also, stop throwing your little tantrums and be more understanding of Xiao Chen. He works very hard filming too. For two people to go the distance, they need to compromise with each other."

"Okay, Sister Qian, you're even more long-winded than Grandma." Sniffing, Meng Ziyi complained, but her hand clung tightly to Sister Qian's arm, unwilling to let go.

The meal lasted until late at night, and Sister Qian, emboldened by the alcohol, told Chen Chao many interesting stories about Meng Ziyi's childhood.

Openly and secretly, she completely handed over her daughter's likes and dislikes, her temper, and her soft nature to Chen Chao.

..........

The next morning, Chen Chao and Meng Ziyi took Sister Qian to the high-speed rail station together.

Just before entering the station, Sister Qian pulled Meng Ziyi aside and whispered, "Silly girl, if you like someone, you have to be proactive. Xiao Chen has already confessed to you. You can't just wait passively. Happiness is something you have to fight for!"

"He's so outstanding—handsome, talented, and excels at acting and singing. He must have no shortage of girls throwing themselves at him. If you don't take the initiative and hold onto him firmly, you'll regret it later!"

"Sister Qian! What did you say?!" Never expecting her mother to say such things to her, Meng Ziyi's cheeks instantly turned red. She stomped her feet in embarrassment and anxiety, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"I'm being serious with you!" Sister Qian poked her forehead with a hint of exasperation, her tone becoming increasingly blunt.

"You're twenty years old already. If you like someone, be bold! Don't hesitate. If you miss out on someone who truly cares about you, you'll regret it! Listen to your mother, take the initiative tonight, be open and honest. Don't keep things hidden. When two people are together, the closer their hearts are, the further they can go!"

A barrage of blunt words came crashing down on Meng Ziyi, making her heart pound like a drum, her head spin, her cheeks turn as red as ripe tomatoes, and even her ears burn.

It took her a good while to come to her senses, but just as she was about to retort, the high-speed rail ticket check announcement sounded.

Without giving her a chance to speak, Sister Qian patted her shoulder, waved to Chen Chao not far away, and then turned and entered the station without hesitation.

Watching Sister Qian's figure disappear through the ticket gate, Meng Ziyi stood there, her mind still replaying Sister Qian's words before she left. Her heart was pounding as if it was about to jump out of her throat.

On the way back, Meng Ziyi was unusual; instead of chattering away to Chen Chao as usual, he sat quietly in the passenger seat, twisting the hem of his clothes repeatedly with his fingers, his mind in turmoil.

She liked Chen Chao, and it was a genuine liking. From the first time she bumped into that smiling boy in the elevator, her heart was moved. As they spent more and more time together afterward, that feeling grew into a towering tree.

Although the two have now confessed their feelings for each other, and the past few days they've spent together have been as sweet as if they were soaking in a honey pot, with him being gentle and considerate and taking all her little emotions to heart, she still feels that something is missing.

However, Sister Qian is right about one thing: Chen Chao is too outstanding. He is handsome, talented, good at acting, and good at singing. In the future, countless outstanding girls will definitely surround him.

She didn't want to be just a fleeting romantic encounter in his life, nor did she want to be just one of his many admirers.

Thinking of this, Meng Ziyi took a deep breath and silently made up his mind...

After filming wrapped up that evening, Meng Ziyi used the excuse that "I'm not used to Sister Qian leaving and I'm a little scared to be alone" to stay in Chen Chao's hotel room.

Her little tricks were no surprise to Chen Chao, who knew exactly what was going on, but he didn't expose her. He just smiled and gave her snacks and drinks, then sat with her on the sofa to watch a movie.

Meng Ziyi had no idea what the movie was about; all her attention was focused on Chen Chao beside her.

The light from the screen fell on his profile, outlining his handsome jawline. His long eyelashes drooped slightly, and even his breathing sounded exceptionally pleasant.

His heart was pounding faster and faster. Meng Ziyi clenched his fists, took countless deep breaths, and finally made up his mind.

She reached out and turned off the TV, plunging the room into darkness instantly. Only the moonlight from outside streamed in through the French windows, barely outlining the silhouettes of the two people.

"Why did you turn off the movie? Was it not good?" Chen Chao turned his head slightly to look at the girl beside him. His voice was tinged with laughter, deep and magnetic, making Meng Ziyi's ears tingle.

Biting her lower lip, Meng Ziyi didn't speak. She stared at him for a few seconds in the darkness, then mustered the greatest courage she had ever had, moved her body, raised her hands to support herself on either side of his body, and straddled his lap.

The sudden closeness caused their breaths to mingle, their noses almost touching, and they could clearly see the emotions in each other's eyes.

He instinctively reached out and supported her waist to prevent her from falling. Chen Chao's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and his voice became a little hoarse: "Ziyi, you..."

"Chen Chao." Meng Ziyi interrupted him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Even though her body was trembling slightly with nervousness, she still looked straight into his eyes with a courage she had finally mustered. "I like you. I want to be with you, not just in a romantic way."

She could clearly feel the hand on her waist tighten its grip.

His breathing grew heavier, and intense emotions surged in Chen Chao's eyes, yet he still managed to speak, his voice terribly hoarse: "Ziyi, have you thought this through?"

"I've thought it through." Looking into his eyes, Meng Ziyi softly asked the question that had been hidden in her heart, "If I give myself to you, will you take responsibility?"

Without waiting for Chen Chao's reply, Meng Ziyi closed his eyes and kissed him the instant he finished speaking.

The soft touch was like a fuse being lit, instantly igniting the feelings that had been building up between the two for a long time.

Unable to contain the surging love in his heart any longer, Chen Chao held her waist with one hand and supported the back of her head with the other, as if he wanted to meld her into his own body.

The moonlight outside the window was gentle, and the sound of the waves came from a great distance, indistinct yet tender.