Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Preferring to send text messages rather than make phone calls when problems arise is a major characteristic of cowards.

Yang Che was clearly not a coward, so after arriving at the hotel in Dajing Town, Changdao, he called Liu Xiaoli.

Hearing the ringback tone from the receiver, Yang Che felt his hand holding the phone tremble slightly, and his throat tighten.

Damn it, what a loser.

The phone was hung up, even though it rang for a long time.

Looking out the window at the beautiful Long Island Gold Coast, and then at the few bikini-clad women on the shore, I gritted my teeth and dialed again. The call didn't go through, and I didn't hang up; it automatically disconnected after a certain time.

After thinking for a moment, I called Jack and we went out, heading straight to Douglastown. When we passed Flushing, we even bought a few roujiamo (Chinese meat sandwiches) from a noodle shop run by a Henan man. Yeah, that's how surreal it was.

Looking at the Chinese signs all over the street, Li Xiangdong asked, "Brother Che, is this Chinatown?"

Yang Che looked away from the text message screen on his phone, glanced at the eye-catching Xinhua Bookstore, and smiled, "You could say that. This is a new immigrant area that has formed in the last twenty years. After the reform and opening up, many highly educated people from major cities in China resigned, sold their houses and land, and came here."

"This looks like a small county town."

Yang Che remarked with emotion, "Even a small county town is a small county town in America. There, waiters can earn 20,000 a month."

Li Xiangdong glanced back at Che Ge, then shut up and said nothing more.

He felt that Che Ge was very irritable these days.

Less than ten minutes later, the car entered a Chinatown in Douglastown. Yang Che got out of the car alone and walked along the roadside while eating a roujiamo (Chinese meat sandwich).

Liu Xiaoli mentioned that she lived here, and many famous people have lived here, such as Chen Chong, who gave his adopted twin girls to an American, musician Tan Dun, and some well-known painters...

Yang Che looked at the similar houses along the roadside, swallowed the last bite of his meat sandwich, took a swig of cola, and then took out his phone, opened the text messaging interface, and started typing.

"Xiaoli, I flew to Toronto for a film festival, with a two-hour layover in New York. I didn't want to bother you, but my heart is overflowing with longing, so I hired a car and came to Douglastown. I originally thought I wouldn't disturb you, just walk the paths you've walked, as if it were a reunion. Just feel the wind you've blown, as if it were an embrace."

I just can't resist wanting to see you. I know you hate me, but I can't stay long; it's a 35-minute drive to the airport. If you see this message, could you send me your address? Let's just say we're old friends meeting up, okay?

I split it into two lines and sent them one by one.

At that moment, Liu Xiaoli was at home, her mind in turmoil.

She had deleted Yang Che's phone number during the Chinese New Year, but when he called for the first time, she was cooking. She picked up the phone, looked at it, remembered it, and hung up immediately.

When the phone rang again, I panicked, felt lost and uncertain, and then I just spaced out.

When a man has reached the deepest part of a woman's heart, that woman will find it very difficult to forget him—at least in her heart. After all, Liu Xiaoli was genuinely moved at the time; if it weren't for the age difference...

By the time she realized what had happened, he had already hung up.

I couldn't help but sigh, feeling both relieved and disappointed.

Then, a text message arrived.

My mind was in turmoil. I rubbed my face, gritted my teeth, and quickly replied, "No. 341, Ali Road, there are two magnolia trees at the entrance."

After replying, she threw her phone onto the sofa and covered her face.

After a while, he muttered to himself, "He's still a child, he's still a child. He won't stay long. Just treat him as a child who has made a mistake..."

Thinking this way, Liu Xiaoli calmed down. She glanced at the chopped vegetables in the kitchen, but lost her appetite. Oh well.

I quickly looked around the house again, and yes, it was very tidy.

"Knock knock knock"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"what?"

Liu Xiaoli exclaimed in surprise and quickly stood up.

"So fast?"

"That's true, he's already in this area."

He took a deep breath, composed his expression and attire, and walked to the door. Looking through the peephole, he was somewhat dazed; his long hair was gone, but his dark stubble made him look much more mature.

Yes, I grew this hair out specifically for the role of Zhou Xiaogang. Of course, it's a mess now and will need to be fixed on set.

So he looks very unkempt.

Of course, in Liu Xiaoli's eyes, he just looks much more mature.

The door opened.

Even though Yang Che was mentally prepared, his pupils still contracted involuntarily. This woman was too beautiful and too alluring.

She was wearing a pale yellow long-sleeved T-shirt and white casual pants. Her beautiful black hair was neatly tied back with a white flower hairpiece. She had fair and delicate skin, a straight nose, beautiful lips, and sharp and exquisite features.

She was a little nervous, her body tense, which made her figure appear even more slender and graceful, with beautiful shoulder and neck lines, and an upright and light posture.

What's most captivating are her delicate features, which conceal panic yet feign composure.

As Yang Che looked at it, he suddenly grinned and said, "Sister Xiaoli, we meet again."

Liu Xiaoli looked away and stepped aside to make way for her: "Come in and have a glass of water."

Yang Che nodded and went inside.

In the car across the street, Li Xiangdong withdrew his gaze and sighed softly. No wonder Brother Che didn't date foreign girls; this one has such a great presence. It's just that she looks a bit older, probably around the same age as Wang Fei.

The driver, Jack, grinned and gave a thumbs-up, but his expression quickly fell because Li Xiangdong ignored him and couldn't understand English.

Inside the room, Yang Che looked around. The TV cabinet and the refrigerator were covered with photos of Xixi, who looked especially cute and lively.

"This must be Sissi."

How do you know her name?

Yang Che said gently, "When I wished you a Happy New Year, wasn't it her who answered the phone? We chatted for a bit, and she was very polite and not shy at all. That shows you've taken good care of her."

Looking at the photo, Liu Xiaoli imagined Xixi looking like a little adult and couldn't help but smile, suddenly feeling much more relaxed.

"Thank you, please have a seat."

Yang Che neither sat down nor spoke; he simply looked at her.

There is a saying in later generations: eye contact is the spiritual kiss of humans without desire.

To be precise, it was a deep, affectionate gaze; after all, even enemies can gaze into each other's eyes.

When making eye contact, the brain activates mirror neurons, fostering empathy; it may also release "love hormones" such as oxytocin, which enhance emotional connection and trust.

Science is science. As soon as Liu Xiaoli saw this, her heart, which had relaxed a little, started beating rapidly again.

She had just looked away when she found her hand being held.

"Xiao Li".

Liu Xiaoli seemed to have been burned and quickly shook her hand away.

This frustrated Yang Che. Well, he almost forgot, this guy is the tolerant type.

Well... it's a case of saying one thing and doing another.

As if he had been granted authorization or rewarded, he stretched out his arms.

Unexpectedly, Liu Xiaoli had already swung her arm and struck Yang Che on the right cheek.

The sound was incredibly crisp and clear.