Chapter 85: Making Love on My Sister‑in‑Law

"I was honored to have read it; it's brilliantly written and very moving."

Lin Qingxia nodded seriously and said, "It made me want to shed tears."

"At that time I was thinking, such an outstanding novel should someday be turned into a film."

"That day will come."

Xu Yuexin smiled and said, "I'll give you a movie ticket then."

Lin Qingxia showed a bright smile: "Sure, better give me several tickets; I'll go with friends."

Beside them, Ye Xinrong, seeing the two hit it off, went to introduce others.

Xu Yuexin and Lin Qingxia walked together to the lobby balcony, leaning on the railings for a casual chat.

"Do you have novels adapted into movies over there?"

After stepping away from the crowd, Lin Qingxia asked curiously.

"Yes, but the royalty fees are small."

Xu Yuexin spread his hands and said, "Even famous works are no exception."

"Oh… I see."

Lin Qingxia's face showed regret as she said, "So you're dissatisfied, right?"

"That's part of it, so I plan to wait a while."

Xu Yuexin replied honestly, "In a few more years the situation will be different."

"Are you that confident?"

Lin Qingxia, with a radiant smile, said, "I heard you're implementing reform and opening up; what exactly does that entail?"

Facing Lin Qingxia's curiosity, Xu Yuexin thought for a moment and chose a simpler explanation: "It involves many aspects; simply put, we focus on the economy and allow individuals to run businesses."

"Cultural and entertainment fields are also gradually liberalized; novel topics have expanded, and film genres are becoming more diverse."

When she heard the word "film," Lin Qingxia became interested; it's her professional field.

"Oh? Could you tell me in detail about films?"

"Let me recommend a few to you; after you watch them you'll understand."

"Go ahead."

"'Look at This Family', 'Tears', 'Look at This Family'…"

Xu Yuexin rattled off several movie titles in one breath, while Lin Qingxia listened attentively beside him, nodding occasionally.

"You said, since cultural and entertainment are opening up, can I later go to your side to shoot a film, or send a finished one for exhibition?"

After hearing Xu Yuexin's introductions, Lin Qingxia followed up.

"We already have them, but they haven't been introduced on a large scale yet."

"But I believe it won't take more than a few years before that day arrives."

Xu Yuexin said with full confidence.

The mainland introduced a Xiangjiang film as early as 1977, though its impact was limited.

The first Hong Kong film that truly caused a sensation was the 1982 Shaolin Temple starring Li Lianjie.

Lin Qingxia clearly trusted Xu Yuexin; after the film talk she kept asking him many questions, treating him as an informed source.

Some questions stemmed from curiosity about mainland lifestyle, others from learning about the mainland film market.

Xu Yuexin answered each one; after Lin Qingxia's doubts were cleared, she was very grateful to him.

The man before her was rather interesting, had his own thoughts, and possessed a personal perspective on social changes.

That was the impression Xu Yuexin left on Lin Qingxia.

"How long will you stay here?"

As the gathering was about to end, Lin Qingxia asked, still lingering in thought.

"I'll stay seven days; today is the first day."

Xu Yuexin could see Lin Qingxia had a favorable impression of him, and his mouth twitched slightly as he said.

"Here's my phone number and address. If you're free later, you can come find me for a visit."

Lin Qingxia finished reciting a string of numbers and place names, then double‑checked them with Xu Yuexin.

"I live at the Lion Mountain Hotel in Causeway Bay."

Xu Yuexin said, "You can also look for me."

"Alright, I've noted it, bye."

"Goodbye."

Lin Qingxia gave Xu Yuexin a charming smile, waved, and left.

When the exchange ended, Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue returned with the group to the hotel.

Chen Yixue spent the whole day talking with a Xiangjiang female singer, busy asking her for pop‑sing techniques, and didn't even notice that Xu Yuexin and Lin Qingxia had chatted for a long time.

Even so, Lin Qingxia's beauty left an extremely deep impression on her.

"That actress with the surname Lin is so beautiful."

Back at the hotel, Chen Yixue sighed to Xu Yuexin, "I've never seen such a strikingly beautiful woman."

"You and Qiao Qiao are the same."

"I'm being serious with you."

"I'm also being serious."

"Sweet words…"

Chen Yixue shot Xu Yuexin a glance; that look completely swept him off his feet.

It was still early before bedtime, so Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue went into her room and played a game of Go.

"Doing it like this is boring."

After several rounds back and forth, Xu Yuexin suggested, "How about we play a game."

"What game?"

"Truth or Dare. The winner can ask the loser a question, and the loser must tell the truth. If they refuse to answer, they must carry out a command from the winner."

"No, it already looks like you have ulterior motives."

Ice‑cold and clever like Chen Yixue, she instantly saw Xu Yuexin's intention and decisively refused.

"Fine… Da Yizi's IQ is still a bit high."

"My own scheme has been seen through."

During Xu Yuexin's university days, Truth or Dare was the go‑to ploy for girls, but he didn't expect Da Yizi to spot the issue instantly.

"If you really find it uninteresting, then while you have free time these two days, write me two songs."

Chen Yixue turned her face slightly with a hint of proud coyness and said, "Then I'd be even more grateful to you."

"I don't want to write."

Xu Yuexin slacked off, "Playing isn't fun enough, I have no motivation."

"Blackmail me?"

Chen Yixue smiled lightly, "Fine, I agree. We'll play the Truth or Dare you mentioned."

"You better not backtrack."

"Backtrack?"

"Is this a joke?"

"I was clearly begging for it."

"You also don't backtrack."

Xu Yuexin picked up a white piece and said, "Starting from this round, I'll let you move first."

"Then I won't be polite."

As the words left his mouth, Chen Yixue lifted a white piece and placed it on the paper‑drawn board.

"I win."

After a dozen rounds of clash, Chen Yixue proudly announced, "Do you choose Truth or Dare?" Xu Yuexin comforted himself that he occasionally falters, thought for a moment, and chose, "Truth."

Some Dare tasks could be extremely harsh and drain physical strength, and he still needed to conserve energy to keep playing chess with Da Yizi.

"Besides Qiao Qiao, have you ever liked any other girl?"

No wonder it's Da Yizi; the question hits the nail on the head, leaving no room.

"I have liked before."

Xu Yuexin stared directly into Chen Yixue's eyes and said plainly.

"Who was it?"

A murderous glint flashed in Chen Yixue's eyes as she said.

"You can only ask one question."

Xu Yuexin's face brightened as he said.

"Alright, next round."

Chen Yixue again lifted a piece and said, "This time you go first."

In the second round, Xu Yuexin gave his all in the fight, yet unfortunately lost.

"Who is the one you like?"

"That actress tonight, I've seen her movies."

"Lies, where did you watch Xiangjiang's films?"

"Only you can watch Internal Film, others can't?"

Xu Yuexin pretended to be serious, making Chen Yixue doubt herself.

In fact, this time he didn't tell the whole truth; besides Lin Qingxia, he also liked Da Yizi.

If you don't say the whole truth and don't fully lie, otherwise Da Yizi would turn hostile.

"I'll trust you for now."

Chen Yixue said, half believing, half doubting.

According to her recollection, aside from people with a certain status, only cultural and art units like theirs, which are close to the source, can see Internal Film.

Xu Yuexin, though he claims to be a famous writer, hasn't joined any unit, so where did he see it? With suspicion, Chen Yixue played another round with Xu Yuexin.

In this round, Xu Yuexin surrendered without any resistance.

"Can I directly ask you for a Dare?"

Chen Yixue felt he wouldn't tell the truth again, so she made a request.

"Alright. But you have to answer me, why are you so good at Gomoku?"

Xu Yuexin, losing to the point of doubting his life, asked with a resentful face.

"You complete the task first, then I'll tell you."

Chen Yixue pointed at the floor and said, "Do 200 push‑ups."

She thought Xu Yuexin wouldn't be able to finish, so she could tease him.

But Xu Yuexin instantly agreed, "No problem."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin got off the bed and scrambled onto the floor.

The room was too cramped; the floor couldn't fit his tall frame, so Xu Yuexin returned to the bed and said, "I can't lie on the floor; I'll do it on your bed."

"One, two, three…"

Each time he exerted force, the perfect muscle lines on his arm would appear, and Chen Yixue's gaze was momentarily drawn to him.

Look at that body of tendon meat… No wonder my sister said he was so impressive when she just got married.

Gradually, a strange thought surfaced in Chen Yixue's mind.

Stop.

Chen Yixue immediately halted the thought and rebuked Xu Yuexin: "Stop, don't get your stinky sweat on my sheets."

"One hundred seventy‑five."

Xu Yuexin stood up without even catching his breath, sat on the bed edge shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Chen Yixue, and asked, "Can you tell me why you're so good at Gomoku?"

Chen Yixue looked at him smugly.

"When I was in the Cultural Troupe, I was often the first to go on stage. After singing, with nothing to do backstage, I'd find someone to play Gomoku, and in the end no one in the troupe could beat me."

"Then why were you hiding at first?"

"I was afraid you'd lose so many times you wouldn't want to play with me."

Chen Yixue chuckled, glanced at Xu Yuexin and said, "See, after just three games you quit."

"You hid really well."

Xu Yuexin looked at her disdainfully and said, "I can't beat you at Gomoku, but in other matters you might not be as strong as me."

"Which aspects are you referring to?"

"In predicting things."

"Then go ahead and predict one."

Chen Yixue replied somewhat resentfully.

"Fine, I predict that that big star surnamed Lin will come to see me within three days."

"Huh? Are you serious?"

Chen Yixue examined Xu Yuexin seriously, trying to see if he was joking, and said, "I heard that a Xiangjiang star can earn a lot of money in a day; for no particular reason, would she forgo that money just to come find you?"

"How about a bet?"

Xu Yuexin replied calmly.

"Alright, what are we betting?"

"If she comes, you give me a kiss. If she doesn't, I will never cross any line with you from now on."

As Xu Yuexin boldly spoke, he silently shifted at the bedside, creating more space between himself and Da Yizi.

Sure enough, Da Yizi, upon hearing his words, instantly arched her eyebrows and raised her hand high.

"Do you want to die?"

Chen Yixue's fierce eyes held authority, and she said coldly, "Your courage is getting even bigger, huh?"

From Xu Yuexin's earlier words, Chen Yixue finally realized that many of the previous misunderstandings between them had been intentional on his part.

Xu Yuexin watched Da Yizi's hand movement, and after confirming she wouldn't actually strike, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Think it over."

Xu Yuexin patiently urged, "You aren't firmly convinced she won't come?"

Chen Yixue lowered her hand, still looking at Xu Yuexin with displeasure.

That's true; Lin Qingxia is a huge star—what connection could she have with my brother‑in‑law? I just don't know what she's selling in her gourd, why she'd voluntarily start a bet she's bound to lose.

After much deliberation, Chen Yixue still felt indecisive.

"What you just said, I'll take as a joke."

"Don't make such a request again in the future, or I'll definitely tell Qiao Qiao."

After weighing it repeatedly, Chen Yixue deliberately put on a stern face and said, "As for the bet you mentioned, I'm willing to try. If you lose, remember to show more respect when you're with me later."

"What if I win?"

"If I win… I can tolerate you one more time when you accidentally cause a misunderstanding."

"Fine, it's a deal."

"Remember, just once."

Chen Yixue still made sure to emphasize at the end.

Xu Yuexin smiled faintly and said nothing.

Whether once or twice, Da Yizi this time fell squarely into his trap.

Now it's just a matter of how I handle her from behind.

(End of chapter)