Chapter 60: “Sister, do you need a script?”

On New Year’s Eve, Sheng Li was making dumplings with Mrs. Lu. Her dumplings weren’t very pretty, but she was enjoying the process. Mrs. Lu asked, “Why do you want to eat dumplings this year? You don’t usually like them, do you?”

Sheng Li was from the south, and her family didn’t traditionally eat dumplings during the New Year. But Yu Chi liked them—he enjoyed noodles and dumplings alike. After shaping another dumpling, Sheng Li smiled and said, “You guys are leaving the day after tomorrow morning, right? I’ll freeze some dumplings in the fridge so I can cook them when I’m hungry.”

As an only child, if Sheng Li couldn’t return home for work during the holidays, her parents would come to Beijing to celebrate with her. However, they were more traditional and needed to visit relatives, so they would typically stay for just two or three days before heading back.

“Before, whenever I offered to make dumplings for you, you always refused,” Mrs. Lu said.

Sheng Li muttered, “Can’t I change my taste preferences?”

Mrs. Lu huffed, “Sure, you can change your tastes all you want, but can you hurry up and find a boyfriend already? You’re already 27 or 28. Your cousin, who’s three years younger than you, is getting married this year. While I don’t necessarily want you to date someone from the entertainment industry, there are so many handsome men in showbiz. You’re always trending on hot searches with these handsome guys, but I haven’t seen you settle down with anyone...”

Here we go again.

Ever since she turned 25, this lecture came every year.

Sheng Li let it go in one ear and out the other, then suddenly grinned and asked, “Mom, what do you think about those guys I’ve had rumors with? Who do you think is good?”

Mrs. Lu rolled her eyes. “Oh please, none of your rumors are reliable. Remember when I saw you and that Yu Chi trending online because of a supposed date? It got me so excited—I thought something might actually be going on between you two. But then it turns out you went to a cemetery?”

“You like Yu Chi?” Sheng Li was a bit surprised.

“The girls at our office like him. They talk about him all the time. He sounds pretty good, especially since he’s really handsome.” Mrs. Lu gave her a sidelong glance. “But wasn’t it just to look for an earring? It wasn’t really a date, was it?”

Sheng Li calmly continued wrapping dumplings, spinning lies effortlessly. “If you think he’s great, I could go after him.”

Mrs. Lu frowned. “He’s five years younger than you. That’s not really appropriate.”

Sheng Li casually remarked, “I like younger guys. I’m not into older men.”

Mrs. Lu wanted to say more, but Old Sheng suddenly chimed in, “Didn’t that Yu Chi say on a show that he wants to chase back his first love? He seemed like such a serious kid, but saying that on TV makes him look impulsive and insincere.”

Sheng Li: “...”

Well, you can’t exactly say that...

Mrs. Lu disagreed. “How do you know he’s insincere? From what I see, that boy seems sincere, deeply affectionate, and he’s even a top student.”

Sheng Li nodded. “Right, right, right.”

“What did you just say?” Mrs. Lu suddenly realized, turning around to glare at Sheng Li. “You said you’d chase after him? The whole country knows he’s trying to get back his first love. Why are you meddling in this? Don’t end up being labeled as ‘the other woman’!”

Sheng Li: “...”

Am I labeling myself as ‘the other woman’?!

Mrs. Lu said seriously, “Did you hear me? Don’t mess around.”

Sheng Li originally wanted to say that she was Yu Chi’s first love, but then she thought, what if her parents got overly excited and started pushing for marriage? Yu Chi was only 22—there was no way he’d marry early, and she herself wasn’t thinking about marriage either.

So, she held back.

She coughed and deliberately said, “He said he’s trying to chase back his first love, but he hasn’t succeeded yet, so isn’t he still single? How does that make me ‘the other woman’?”

“Even so, it doesn’t sound good. Don’t mess around. I know you’re working on the same set with him now. Don’t let the paparazzi accuse you of seducing someone. Entertainment news will write whatever gets attention, and it’s ugly.” Mrs. Lu patted her hand. “Did you hear me?”

Sheng Li: “Ouch!”

She rubbed her hand—it was already red.

That night, amidst the sounds of the Spring Festival Gala, Sheng Li was forced by Mrs. Lu and Old Sheng to promise she wouldn’t do anything to ruin someone else’s relationship.

—

The morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year, after seeing her parents off, Sheng Li returned to her empty home and felt a little out of sorts.

At noon, she sent a WeChat message to Yu Chi: [What time is your flight tomorrow? I’ll come pick you up.]

Yu Chi was probably busy. He had made a cameo appearance in Demon Hunt , a 3D fantasy movie funded by their company. His part was only about ten minutes long, but due to his popularity and status as the newly crowned Best Actor, his name had been featured prominently in promotions, even taking up more space on posters than the third lead.

He had gone with the cast to attend two promotional events in different cities and would only return the next day.

It wasn’t until 7 PM that Yu Chi finally had time to reply.

Yu Xiao Chi: [My flight lands at 10 PM. No need to pick me up.]

Sheng Li thought for a moment and replied: [Then should I wait for you at your place? Is your door lock a password lock?]

Yu Xiao Chi: [Yes.]

Sheng Li: [Is the password my birthday?]

After a while, Yu Chi replied: [Yes.]

Sheng Li smirked proudly and responded: [Give me the exact address.]

By that time, Yu Chi had already boarded the plane. Before turning on airplane mode, he glanced down, lips curling slightly, and sent her the address of his old apartment—some of his belongings hadn’t been moved yet.

After receiving the message, Sheng Li noticed the other party was typing…

Two seconds later.

Yu Xiao Chi: [Don’t come to my place. I’ll come to yours.]

At 11:30 PM, Yu Chi stood in front of Sheng Li’s door. He wore a fisherman’s hat, his hand resting loosely on the handle of his suitcase. Through his Bluetooth earpiece, Sheng Li’s slow, teasing voice came through: “I’m behind the door, little brother. Squeak once, and I’ll open it for you.”

Yu Chi took off his mask, stuffed it into his pocket, and gave an exasperated sigh before whispering reluctantly: “Squeak.”

Sheng Li burst into laughter and quickly opened the door, looking up at the person outside.

Their eyes met, both filled with heat, silently conveying intense emotions.

Yu Chi wheeled his suitcase inside, and as soon as the door closed, Sheng Li stepped close, cupping his face in her hands. She tiptoed, leaning up to kiss him, closing her eyes as her tongue brushed against his lips before slipping inside. Yu Chi let go of the suitcase handle, pulling her tightly against him as he deepened the kiss, his movements growing stronger and more passionate.

Sheng Li felt like she couldn’t breathe, tilting her head back instinctively.

The house was warm, and Yu Chi, still wearing his long down coat, felt unbearably hot. As he kissed her, he shrugged off his coat and placed it on the suitcase. Sheng Li had barely caught her breath when he pulled her back into his arms, lowering his head to bite her lip.

“Sister,” Yu Chi murmured softly between kisses, his voice low and husky. “Did you miss me?”

Sheng Li looked up at him, her cheeks flushed, her gaze shimmering. “Didn’t you miss me?”

They stared at each other, their longing melting in the intensity of their gazes.

Yu Chi straightened up, gently smoothing her tousled hair. “I’ll take a shower first. I’ve been out all day.”

Sheng Li asked, “Have you eaten? There are dumplings in the fridge.”

“I’ve eaten. Not hungry.” This was Yu Chi’s first time visiting her home. Standing in the entrance, he scanned the interior. The décor was warm and cozy, exuding refinement—just like her.

Sheng Li handed him a pair of slippers.

Yu Chi stared at the men’s slippers but didn’t move.

Sheng Li explained, “They’re my dad’s.”

He nodded, changed into the slippers, and pushed his suitcase inside. Glancing back at her lazily, he asked, “Should I head straight to the master bedroom?”

Sheng Li’s heartbeat quickened. Arching an eyebrow, she teased, “What else?”

...

This apartment was purchased by Sheng Li when she was 21. Over 200 square meters, the master bedroom was spacious and meticulously decorated by her own hands, radiating elegance and warmth. The lighting was soft and inviting. Sheng Li sat distractedly on the couch, the sound of running water from the bathroom stirring her emotions. They had been intimate years ago, so there shouldn’t have been any awkwardness. But still... it had been years...

The door clicked open, and suddenly she tensed, turning her head to look.

Yu Chi’s hair was still wet. His upper body was bare, and he had casually thrown on a pair of sweatpants. Sheng Li’s gaze lingered on him. He was far more attractive than he used to be—broad shoulders, narrow waist, clean-cut muscles, and an aura of raw masculinity. She watched as he rummaged through his suitcase, pulling out a box of condoms and tossing it onto the bed before walking toward her. Placing his hands on either side of the couch, he trapped her within his arms. Sheng Li’s heart pounded wildly, almost leaping out of her chest. She looked up at him.

Yu Chi lowered his gaze, staring intently at her, and whispered, “Sister, do you need a script?”

Sheng Li: “...”

Was this how thrilling it was going to be? Should they go passionate or gentle, like before?

She swallowed nervously, her hands hooking around his neck. A little shyly, she gazed at his face and softly said, “I want the script from our first time. Can you be gentle?”