Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 45: The Astonished Little Liu

After finishing the last document that required his signature, Jiang Yu rubbed his slightly sore neck.

He picked up his personal phone, unlocked it, and swiped through the contacts, finally stopping at a name: Liu Yifei.

Since exchanging phone numbers at the hospital last year, apart from sending her a text message once to inquire about her condition and recovery, he has never contacted her again.

On the other hand, Liu Yifei sent him brief but appropriate New Year's greetings on New Year's Day, Spring Festival, and even on his birthday (she somehow found out about it).

Jiang Yu's reply was as concise as ever: "Thank you, have fun too."

The relationship stopped at polite greetings, like two flight paths that occasionally approached and then quickly diverged.

He opened the text message interface, paused for a few seconds on the virtual keyboard, and then quickly typed:

"Liu Yifei, this is Jiang Yu. Are you free tonight? I'd like to talk to you about a film project. If it's convenient, let's have a casual meal together. You choose the place."

Click to send.

He could almost imagine the surprise on the other end of the phone. He put down his phone and started packing his things.

......

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of a coffee shop near Sanlitun.

Liu Yifei and her best friend Shu Chang were nestled on a soft sofa; in front of her was a barely touched latte, while Shu Chang was enthusiastically devouring a piece of red velvet cake.

"Sisi, are you really planning to stay in seclusion like this forever?" Shu Chang licked the cream from the corner of her mouth. "Theatrical performances are good, they hone your acting skills, but you still need to eat. It's been more than half a year since you've had any exposure, and there are all sorts of rumors circulating outside."

Liu Yifei gently stirred her coffee with a small spoon, her expression calm: "My mom is even more anxious than I am. But what's the use of being anxious? Without good books, it's better to settle down and learn something real."

"That's true..." Shu Chang wanted to persuade her further, but suddenly noticed that Liu Yifei's phone screen on the table lit up, showing a new text message.

Liu Yifei picked it up casually and glanced at it, then she clearly froze.

Shu Chang immediately sensed the gossip, her eyes lighting up as she leaned closer: "Who is it? Which clueless handsome guy is bothering our fairy sister again?"

She tried to peek, but Liu Yifei nimbly dodged her.

Liu Yifei looked at the short but weighty name "Jiang Yu" on the screen, and the direct and clear text message, and her heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Yu? He proactively contacted me? About a film project?

"It's not harassment." Liu Yifei pursed her lips, turned her phone screen towards Shu Chang, but only showed her the sender's name at a glance, "It's Jiang Yu, President Jiang."

"Jiang Yu?!" Shu Chang almost shouted out loud, quickly lowering her voice, her face filled with disbelief. "That President Jiang from Chasing Light Pictures? He's looking for you?! A movie project? My God! Qianqian, are you about to have a change of fortune?!"

Liu Yifei's heart skipped a beat, filled with more doubt and caution.

In Jiang Yu's memory, he was the young boss who sat on the right side of the judges' panel during the audition, with sharp eyes and few words, but whose words were always to the point; he was the person who calmly and decisively took her to the hospital when she fell ill, and later gave her pertinent advice at the hospital.

He is like a moving iceberg—professional, powerful, but unapproachable.

Why would he suddenly contact me? And so directly?

"He...maybe he heard something?" Liu Yifei guessed, her finger hovering over the reply box.

"Who cares! Just say yes! This is an opportunity others would pray for!"

Shu Chang was even more anxious than her. "Hurry up and reply! Tell him you're free! Absolutely free! Location... um, pick a quiet, secluded place so it's convenient for you two to talk. Oh, and ask him if he minds bringing someone else? Like, ideally, your best friend who's the most considerate, the most lively, and absolutely keeps everything a secret?"

She blinked, her face full of anticipation.

Liu Yifei smiled helplessly at her joke, and her nervousness dissipated somewhat.

After thinking about it, she felt that bringing Shu Chang along might not be a bad thing, at least it would prevent the atmosphere from becoming too awkward.

She carefully considered her words before replying:

"Hello, Mr. Jiang. I'm free tonight. You can choose the location. Also, would it be convenient for you to bring a friend along? It's my good friend, Shu Chang, whom you met at the audition last year. She promises to eat quietly and won't disturb our business discussion."

send.

Then it's just a matter of waiting.

Liu Yifei felt that time was passing slowly.

A few minutes later, the phone vibrated.

"Sure. 7:30, Xiaoxiang Pavilion near the west gate of Workers' Stadium, Yuelu private room. Just tell me your name when you get there."

They were quick and efficient; they even decided on the location—a Hunan restaurant.

Liu Yifei and Shu Chang exchanged a glance.

"Xiaoxiang Pavilion? I know it! The food is good, and the private rooms offer a lot of privacy."

Shu Chang immediately switched to advisor mode, "Qianqian, hurry, we have to leave, there's a traffic jam! You're dressed too plainly, should we go back and change? Never mind, we don't have time, this will do, you look natural..."

Liu Yifei was pushed to her feet, paid for the coffee, and the two hurriedly left the coffee shop.

.......

7:25 PM, Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Yuelu Hall.

Liu Yifei and Shu Chang arrived a few minutes early and sat at the round table.

Liu Yifei wore a simple white shirt and light-colored jeans, her hair was loosely tied up, and she wore only light makeup.

Shu Chang was more lively, wearing a pale yellow dress.

The door was pushed open, and Jiang Yu, dressed in a dark casual suit, walked in.

He seemed to have come directly from the company, and his expression was softer than in the workplace.

"President Jiang." Liu Yifei and Shu Chang immediately stood up.

"Sit down, don't be shy." Jiang Yu nodded to them and sat down opposite them. "There was a bit of traffic on the way, but you didn't have to wait too long, did you?"

"No, no, we just arrived too," Liu Yifei said.

Shu Chang nodded obediently in agreement, but her eyes couldn't help but curiously scrutinize Jiang Yu.

Compared to observing him from a distance during last year's audition, up close, this young boss does indeed have a strong presence, but he is not as arrogant as I had imagined. Instead, he has a calm and focused demeanor.

The waiter came in to pour tea and handed over the menu.

Jiang Yu pushed the menu in front of the two girls: "Take a look and see what you want to eat. The spiciness can be adjusted. It's on me, don't be shy."

Liu Yifei declined a bit, but in the end, she and Shu Chang ordered a few signature dishes: steamed fish head with chopped chili, stir-fried beef with yellow peppers, steamed assorted preserved meats, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, plus a serving of lotus root and pork rib soup.

While ordering, Shu Chang tried to liven things up by asking Jiang Yu, "Mr. Jiang, you also like Hunan cuisine?"

"It's alright. The food here is pretty authentic." Jiang Yu answered simply, then looked at Liu Yifei, "How's your recovery going? Did you receive any systematic treatment for your cervical spine problem?"

The conversation turned to business, and Liu Yifei sat up straighter: "Much better, Mr. Jiang. After being hospitalized last year, I persisted with rehabilitation therapy and targeted exercises for more than three months. Now it basically doesn't affect my normal life. I still feel it a little on rainy days, but it's much better than before. The doctor also said that the recovery is going very well."

"That's good." Jiang Yu nodded. "What about your dance background? I remember you learned it when you were little."

Liu Yifei was somewhat surprised that he would ask this: "Well, I learned ballet and folk dance when I was a child, so I have some basic skills, but I haven't practiced systematically for many years. I also learned some classical dance movements for filming. Last year, while I was recuperating, I asked a teacher to help me resume some basic training in order to keep my body active and maintain my condition."

What she didn't say was that those tedious barre exercises and stretches were also her way of relieving anxiety and maintaining focus.

Jiang Yu seemed satisfied with the answer. He didn't immediately continue talking about the film project, but waited for all the dishes to be served.

The chopped chili fish head is bright red and tempting, with an irresistible aroma.

After everyone started eating, the atmosphere relaxed a little as the delicious food was enjoyed.

Shu Chang knew how to maintain a proper balance, taking the initiative to rinse the cups and refill the tea, occasionally cracking a joke to keep the atmosphere lively, but never interrupting.