Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 110, 109: Something's definitely not right!

February 6, 1997, the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, Lunar New Year's Eve.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year in Beijing is already so strong that it's hard to believe. Firecrackers are popping out sporadically in every corner of the city, and the air is filled with the distinctive smell of sulfur and the aroma of food wafting from every household.

Although fireworks have long been banned in the city, you can still hear them in some secluded corners or in well-connected courtyards.

Deep within the Air Force compound, in a slightly dilapidated officer's family building, Li Xiaoran nervously knocked on the door, carrying a bulging net bag containing two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes, two bottles of Moutai liquor, a silk scarf she had bought for her mother, and a set of skincare products.

"Coming, coming!" came the mother's familiar and anxious voice from inside the door.

The door creaked open, and Li's mother, wearing an apron and with flour still on her hands, saw her daughter outside and her face instantly lit up with a joyful smile: "Oh! My Ranran is back! Come in, come in! Is it cold outside?"

As she spoke, she quickly pulled Li Xiaoran into the house and took the heavy things from her daughter's hands.

"Mom, Happy New Year." Li Xiaoran changed into slippers, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the living room.

I saw my father sitting upright on the sofa, holding a copy of "Reference News" in his hand, seemingly engrossed in reading it, completely ignoring the noise at the door.

However, his slightly tense jawline and somewhat stiff posture betrayed that he wasn't truly focused.

Li Xiaoran sighed inwardly.

"dad."

Li Xiaoran still called out softly.

Li's father let out a barely audible "hmm" through his nose, his neck stiff, his gaze still fixed on the newspaper, as if it contained some major news concerning national security.

Seeing this, Li's mother quickly tried to smooth things over: "Oh dear, Lao Li, didn't you see our daughter is back? Stop reading your newspaper! Ranran, sit down and rest, have some hot water. Why did you buy so much stuff when you're back? These cigarettes and alcohol are so expensive..."

She complained, but couldn't hide the smile in her eyes as she carefully looked at her daughter: "You've lost weight. Have you not been eating properly again? Filming outside must be tiring."

"It's alright, Mom, I'm not tired." Li Xiaoran put down her bag and rolled up her sleeves: "Let me cook for you."

"You?" Li's mother was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Come on, my dear young lady, what else can you do besides cook noodles? Don't make things worse for me. Go watch TV. I've already prepared the dumpling filling and kneaded the dough. Your father will come and roll out the wrappers later."

Li's father hummed almost imperceptibly on the sofa, as if to say, "I can even roll out dough."

Li Xiaoran insisted on entering the small kitchen: "Mom, I can really do it. I've recently... learned a few dishes."

Li's mother was skeptical, but seeing her daughter's resolute attitude, she didn't want to stop her anymore, so she let her go and continued kneading the dough herself.

At first, Li's mother didn't pay much attention, thinking that her daughter was just having a whim.

But soon, she realized something was wrong.

Although Li Xiaoran's movements in washing and chopping vegetables were not particularly skillful or experienced, they were methodical and her knife skills were surprisingly decent. She cut the potato shreds into even pieces and broke the green peppers into appropriately sized pieces.

What surprised her even more was that when it was time to cook, Li Xiaoran would put on an apron, turn on the fire, pour in oil, and sauté scallions, ginger, and garlic until fragrant. Her series of movements were smooth and natural, and she could even skillfully toss the wok a couple of times!

Is this... is this still her daughter who was pampered since childhood, never lifted a finger, and knew nothing about housework except dancing?
Li's mother forgot to knead the dough in her hands, and exchanged a shocked look with Li's father, who had quietly come to the kitchen door after hearing the noise.

The couple understood the same thing from each other's eyes: their beautiful, healthy baby had definitely been eaten by some unknown "pig"!

And judging from the looks of it, it's gotten quite a bit out of shape, it's already learned to be self-reliant!

Li's mother took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and casually walked to her daughter's side. She took the stir-fried pork with eggs and put it on a plate, asking in a seemingly casual manner, "Ranran, who did you learn this skill from? I've never seen you show off this at home before."

Li Xiaoran was focused on making the next dish of sweet and sour pork ribs when she heard this. She paused for a moment, her cheeks flushed slightly, but her tone remained calm: "It's just... something I came up with on my own. Sometimes when we're out, we can't always eat takeout or eat at restaurants, can we?" "You came up with something like this on your own?" Li's mother laughed and exposed her. "You're keeping it a secret from your mother? Do you... have a boyfriend?"

Li Xiaoran's ears turned red, and she pursed her lips, not denying it immediately.

She put the ribs into the pot, and with a sizzle, the rising smoke masked her momentary panic.

After a few seconds, she gave a soft "hmm," her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, but perfectly clear in the quiet kitchen.

Mother Li thought to herself, "Just as I expected," and continued to probe indirectly: "Which family's young man is he? What does he do? Is he good to you?"

Li Xiaoran was stirring the ribs in the pot while organizing her thoughts.

She knew that since she had brought things back and given herself away, she would definitely not be able to hide it from her parents.

Rather than letting them speculate wildly, it's better to be honest about some aspects.

“His name is Wang Sheng.” Li Xiaoran’s eyes softened unconsciously as she mentioned the name: “He owns his own company and works in the film and television industry. He’s been very good to me.”

"Wang Sheng?" Li's mother searched her memory but couldn't recall him.

Mr. Li stood at the door, listening intently, his brow furrowing even more deeply—a company owner? A sole proprietor?
"How did you meet?" Li's mother pressed.

We met at work.

Li Xiaoran mumbled something, then dropped a bombshell: "He's going to take me to college too."

"Going to university?!" Even Li's father couldn't help but repeat it subconsciously, and he lowered the newspaper a little.

Li's mother was so surprised that her mouth dropped open: "Ranran, what did you say? Take the college entrance exam? You're already twenty-one, why would you take the college entrance exam?"

“Mom, the policy allows it now, and non-professional candidates can also take the college entrance examination.” Li Xiaoran’s tone became firm. “Wang Sheng is going to take the exam for the management department of Beijing Film Academy next year, and he wants me to take it too, for the acting department. He said that having a proper formal education will make my future path much easier.”

She paused, then added with a hint of pride, "We've been taking extra classes together for four months now, with top-tier teachers from the High School Affiliated to the Normal University. I think... I have a very good chance of getting in this year."

Li's mother was completely overwhelmed by this series of messages.

My daughter is not only in a relationship, but her boyfriend is also a "progressive young man" who wants to take her to college entrance exams.
And it sounds like the daughter has actually worked hard on this for four months and is full of confidence?

This is simply a fantasy!

She knew her daughter better than anyone else. Li Xiaoran had never been good at studying since she was a child. She was easygoing and lacked perseverance. Getting her to calm down and study was harder than climbing to heaven.

What kind of magic does this Wang Sheng possess?
"Ouch……"

Li's mother couldn't help but click her tongue, looking at her daughter with a mixture of surprise and amusement: "Ranran, did the sun rise in the west? How outstanding must that boy be to make you change so much for him? I really want to meet this 'fairy'!"

Li Xiaoran blushed even more as her mother teased her, but her eyes shone brightly with an unprecedented longing and determination.

She said very seriously, "Mom, he is really, really outstanding! More outstanding than any other person my age I've ever met! Don't worry, I will definitely get into Beijing Film Academy! I will definitely not let him down!"

As she finished speaking, her tone was resolute, but inappropriately, the image of Gao Yuanyuan, a pure and innocent girl who had recently signed with Shengying Media, flashed through her mind.

Wang Sheng seemed to value her highly, personally designing a training plan for her and praising her for her talent...

A strange sense of crisis quietly welled up in my heart.

(End of this chapter)