Chapter 85: The Tigress Descends the Mountain (Combined Chapter)

North Electric.

Li Luo scratched his buzz cut and hurried into Gate East One.

The scene was finished; his whole body felt loose and refreshed.

In the height of summer, wearing thick wigs for ten hours a day—only those who’ve tried know the agony; many male actors developed baldness or hair loss from prolonged wig use.

Fortunately, his physical attributes enhanced all aspects of his bodily constitution, including improved self-healing and immunity.

He had no such concerns.

He strode quickly along the familiar path toward Huo Xuan’s office.

With filming done, he needed to rush back to class and resume his leave.

Even though North Electric approved leaves generously, to graduate smoothly, he still had to study seriously—it was also a way to gain experience, and Li Luo wouldn’t slack off.

After chatting with Huo Xuan in the office for a few minutes, he left a box of tea and stood up to leave.

The remaining 180,000 yuan balance had been paid on time.

He wasn’t short of money for socializing.

“Ooooh~~~”

As soon as he stepped into the lecture hall, cheers and catcalls erupted.

Some went even further.

They started slapping the desks.

Looking at the familiar faces, Li Luo raised his arm and smiled: “Comrades, you’ve worked hard—I, Hu HanSan, am back! Tonight, Northeast BBQ—no one leaves until they’re drunk!”

No matter how much you say, nothing beats a good barbecue.

The cheers nearly tore the roof off.

He bumped fists and slapped palms with each person, stepped over the standing Jia Naiming, and plopped down beside Bian Xiaoxiao.

Beyond her was Huang Shengyi.

“Welcome back.”

Amid several greetings, Li Luo exchanged more fist bumps.

“How’s it going?”

He opened his brand-new textbook, glanced excitedly left and right: “Any news lately?”

Leaving the set, returning to campus.

A strange sense of freshness arose.

“Yes.”

Bian Xiaoxiao nodded, sighing: “We’ve got a new classmate just like you—a monster. You should’ve seen her—so gorgeous.”

“Exactly.”

Jia Naiming clicked his tongue: “Too bad she’s already joined a crew—it’s Tian.”

“Cough~~~”

Huang Shengyi coughed loudly, cutting him off.

Li Luo had lost the role of Duan Yu; his mood was surely bad. Everyone had agreed not to mention that drama in front of him.

But the moment they met, he blurted it out.

“Liu Qianqian, right?”

Li Luo raised an eyebrow, spinning his ballpoint pen with a smile: “I saw the news in the papers too—she really is beautiful. Comparable to our Huang Shengyi and Bian Xiaoxiao.”

Adding that last line with insincerity, the hostile glances around him softened instantly.

“So you failed a screen test!”

The ballpoint pen danced between his fingers: “What’s the big deal? Maybe an even better role is waiting for me.”

Bian Xiaoxiao asked quickly: “Any new drama?”

“There were a few phone calls offering roles.”

He stopped spinning the pen and gestured for them to sit: “But I want to take a break for a while.”

The acting teacher entered the classroom; the chatter died instantly. He stopped chatting with them and focused sharply on catching up with his studies.

Before he knew it, it was the weekend again.

Li Luo drove straight to Beijing Capital Airport—he’d been picked up twice, but this was his first time picking someone up himself.

After eagerly waiting, he finally spotted the familiar figure.

“Doo-doo~”

Unable to contain his excitement, he honked the horn.

Hearing the sound, the tall girl in the distance quickened her pace, broke into a light run as she neared the car, her chest bouncing with each step.

Her small suitcase rattled loudly as she pulled it.

“Qing-jie.”

Li Luo got out of the car and hurried forward.

Both stopped in place, then spoke at the same time: “You’ve gotten darker!”

“Here, help me with this.”

Xu Qing forcibly held back the urge to rush forward, gasped, and handed him the suitcase: “How long have you been waiting?”

“Any amount of waiting is worth it.”

He lifted the suitcase effortlessly, his sunglasses scanning her up and down: “Why are you alone? Where’s your assistant?”

After months apart, the Beijing girl had turned a wheat-brown hue.

Still the same short hair as before.

But her graceful figure hadn’t changed at all.

Though Xu Qing’s role had fewer scenes than his, her military drama was no ordinary production—everything required meticulous attention, so she wrapped later than he did.

Today, he came to pick her up.

That simple sentence made Xu Qing feel as sweet as honey.

“It’s so hot—let’s get in the car!”

She tucked her short hair behind her ear, revealing white teeth in a smile: “I told her to take a taxi back.”

No hesitation.

Li Luo swiftly loaded the suitcase into the car.

The Mercedes G-Class left deep tire marks on the ground before roaring toward Xu Qing’s usual residential complex.

He steadied his swaying body.

Xu Qing removed her aviator sunglasses and stared fixedly at Li Luo.

Her gaze seemed to pull threads.

“Don’t look at me like that!”

He gripped the steering wheel with his left hand, his right hand casually reaching over: “I’m scared—I feel like a tigress descending from the mountain has locked onto me.”

The woman wore white casual mid-calf pants.

Extremely convenient to handle.

Where his hand touched, it was smooth, supple, and fine.

“You’re the tiger—you’re a male tiger!!!” Xu Qing couldn’t take his wandering hand anymore; she grabbed it and bit down hard: “Months have passed, and you still didn’t take leave to visit me!”

She bit with real force—a sharp pain shot through his hand.

“Ow~”

Li Luo winced, glancing sideways quickly: “You know I wanted to visit you, but this is my first time as lead actor—the Hong Kong director shoots like he’s got nothing to lose.”

“I had no time to leave for days.”

It was the truth—he’d initially been with Xu Qing with some ulterior motives.

But as time passed,

her place in his heart grew deeper.

After months apart, he truly missed her.

“Hmph~”

Xu Qing finally released her teeth and gently rubbed the deep bite mark: “That’s better.”

“By the way, don’t take that matter to heart.”

She patted her chest, adopting a big-sister demeanor: “It’s just a drama~ I’ll find you one. I’ve been asking around for roles that suit you.”

“News will come soon!”

Though separated by vast distances, Xu Qing had kept tabs on Li Luo’s activities, besides phone calls and texts.

The casting for The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils had stirred up huge attention.

Newspapers, online—everywhere—she couldn’t have missed it; once she learned Li Luo had been rejected, she immediately contacted her industry friends.

Trying to help him land a substantial role.

“No need.”

He felt touched inside, but still firmly declined: “I plan to take a break, and wait a while.”

“Wait for what?”

Xu Qing spoke, then immediately realized: “You’re that confident about that drama?”

Usually, actors jump at any role offered.

It’s just acting!

It’s like hitting the lottery.

No one knows which drama will become a hit, which will fade into obscurity.

Only by doing more can you get a chance to become famous.

“Of course I’m confident.”

Li Luo gently tapped the steering wheel, his expression focused as he gazed ahead: “The post-production is moving fast—probably no more than a few months until it airs. Even if I want to act, it won’t make much difference in timing.”

“Once it airs, I won’t be so passive anymore!”

Missing out on the role of Duan Yu was somewhat of a blow.

When The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber airs, my resume will gain a significant mark.

At that time,

I won’t be stuck in that passive situation again.

As he spoke, Li Luo radiated intense confidence, making Xu Qing’s gaze grow dreamy.

The car sped like a bolt of lightning, soon arriving at an upscale residential complex.

Xu Qing wasn’t short on money.

This woman had more than one residence.

Aside from occasionally going home, this was where she spent the most time in Beijing—a private space all her own. Of course, since meeting Li Luo, it was no longer entirely private.

The residents of this complex were either rich or noble.

Security was extremely tight.

For privacy reasons, Xu Qing couldn’t frequently visit Beiying Village, so they often met here instead.

When they entered the elevator, they maintained normal social distance.

Only their eyes exchanged glances.

But once they stepped into the penthouse,

with the door closing, the social distance vanished within a few breaths.

Don’t be fooled by Xu Qing’s sun-kissed skin.

Some places remained as pink as ever.

Li Luo couldn’t get enough of them.

Shooting wuxia dramas had this advantage: hand skills improved steadily—kneading, pressing, pinching, flicking, rubbing—a full set of techniques left even the initially pretentious Ren Yingying utterly subdued.

Her knees gave way, and she obediently knelt down.

She cast a sultry glance upward.

Then,

all her attention focused on Little Li Luo.

First, she took a deep breath.

Then she surged forward.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder—this saying was absolutely true.

Until the sun set.

The sounds inside the penthouse finally fell silent.

【Reunion After Long Separation, Fierce Battle Unceasing】

【Indulgence Successful】

【Reward: Body Experience +50】

Li Luo lay sprawled on the rug, staring fixedly at the exquisite crystal chandelier above, its facets reflecting countless images of himself and Xu Qing—a scene like a dream.

“You’ve gotten even better.”

Xu Qing rolled onto her side, gazing at her little lover with complete satisfaction.

Where she had turned, the blanket was soaked with sweat, leaving a human-shaped imprint.

“I want to buy a car.”

As her expression subtly changed, Li Luo continued: “I do like the car you lent me, but it’s too flashy. I’m sure you understand.”

“Alright.”

Xu Qing draped her thigh over him, lightly rubbing: “I have another sedan.”

She certainly understood.

For public figures like them, there was often a contradiction.

On one hand,

they desperately craved media attention, enjoying the joy brought by the spotlight.

Yet on the other, they went to great lengths to avoid cameras.

Trying to carve out some private space.

“Mmm~”

Before she could speak, a finger pressed against her lips. Li Luo smiled at the Beijing socialite: “I don’t care what other cars you have—I’m buying this one myself. Don’t forget, I’m rich now too!”

“Alright, alright.”

Xu Qing bit the finger extended toward her, unable to suppress her laughter: “You’re the richest man on earth.”

“By the way, what kind of car do you want?”

“Used.”

Li Luo calculated in his mind and added: “Around fifty to eighty thousand yuan will do. Do you have any connections for this?”

At this point, most expenses were worth it.

But buying a car was a trap.

Too expensive.

And the specs were poor.

He had no intention of spending a fortune on a relic from this era.

Unless it was a million-yuan car.

Most cars today had no collector value.

“Hahaha.”

Hearing this, Xu Qing burst into laughter, her chest trembling with each chuckle.

One moment, he claimed to be rich.

The next, he wanted to hunt down a used car worth a few ten thousand yuan.

His level of wealth was quite limited.

“You dare laugh at me.”

Li Luo immediately got flustered, his fingers swiftly tickling her waist.

“Hah~”

“Don’t! It’s too ticklish!!!”

Xu Qing struggled desperately, laughing as she rolled over, trying to crawl away: “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have mocked you, you rich man with your few ten thousand yuan! Hahaha, help! I can’t take it!”

Li Luo lunged from behind, pinning down the tigress who had just feasted.

“Call Jiang Wen.”

Her head tilted sharply back, her hands gripping the blanket tightly: “That guy loves cars. Just call him. Lighter….”

After a short rest of a few minutes,

the song “Eggs” resumed.

She said to let Li Luo contact him,

but that same night, Xu Qing called the eccentric director to consult about cars.

They had played mahjong together several times and gotten drunk together; Jiang Wen was no stranger to Li Luo, and he held a favorable impression of this adopted younger brother of Xu Qing’s. He immediately patted his chest and promised.

The next day, the two went to Jiang Wen’s house.

As Li Luo and Xu Qing stepped into the alleyway, they saw Jiang Wen dressed like a Beijing elder.

Baggy shorts, white tank top.

In his hand, he swung a palm-leaf fan.

He stood beside a black Cherokee.

“Oh~”

Xu Qing removed her sunglasses and teased: “Old man, you busy?”

“You brat, get out of here!” Jiang Wen shut the car door and waved his fan: “You just upgraded my generation for no reason—what are you up to?”

“Don’t buy a fifty- or sixty-thousand-yuan car.”

He tossed another set of keys, flipping them toward Li Luo: “Too shabby. You’re the male lead, after all.”

“This Cherokee was bought last year. I drive rough.”

“But the condition’s decent.”

“I’m planning to swap it for another. Transfer me 150,000 yuan. Take it after we play mahjong. Handle the paperwork later—don’t dawdle.”

The keys gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

They traced a perfect arc and landed steadily in Li Luo’s hand.

Originally, when I came here today, I thought he was taking me to visit some familiar car dealer.

Li Luo had planned to carefully pick and choose.

Now, in just a few words, a nearly new Jeep Grand Cherokee was his!

“Thanks, Brother Wen.”

Li Luo didn’t hesitate; he waved the keys and thanked him.

He’d always liked off-road vehicles.

Though not as good as the Mercedes G-Class, the Grand Cherokee’s price wasn’t low—generally around half a million yuan, enough to buy a small apartment inside the Third Ring Road, solidly a high-end off-roader.

And this car’s exterior wasn’t as flashy as the G-Class, which suited Li Luo’s taste perfectly.

Even after a year of use, any car loses some value, but no matter how much, it couldn’t drop to just 150,000 yuan.

At this price, Jiang Wen was essentially giving it away.

Though it exceeded his budget.

But Jiang Wen’s gesture left Li Luo with no reason to refuse.

“I like your straightforwardness, kid.”

Jiang Wen swiftly fanned himself and invited the two inside: “Let’s play cards, let’s play cards—you can get familiar with the car later. Zhou Yun’s here too; perfect, we’re two short!”

Zhou Yun was his newly acquired romantic interest.

The two would later marry.

Li Luo spun the key in his hand and held it out to Xu Qing; he hadn’t expected that this big girl, upon returning, had just helped him score a major bargain.

She grinned, lips red, teeth white.