Chapter 209: Oscar, here I come

"Baby, don't you worry. Chen Nuo is doing just fine. It'll definitely be okay."

"Janice, thank you so much. If it weren't for your help this time, I really don't know how I would have made it through."

That was what Yang Ying said, and it was truly what she felt in her heart.

When her photos were ultimately posted online, if not for the fact that Wang Jia had been by her side the whole time, encouraging her, she really wouldn't have known how to pull through.

Especially later on,

Wang Jia had taken the initiative to suggest that she leave the eye of the storm in Hong Kong and go to Jingcheng with her. Yang Ying had been moved to tears at the time, hugging Wang Jia and crying her heart out.

She and Wang Jia arrived in Jingcheng on the 16th.

It really was different from Hong Kong here; there weren't so many paparazzi, nor were there so many crazed reporters.

Wang Jia told her to put on her mask and hat, and after that, the two of them hailed a taxi and made it into the city center without a hitch.

"Why is that?"

Although Yang Ying was born in Shanghai, she had gone to Hong Kong when she was young and hadn't returned to the mainland since. This was her first time in Jingcheng.

She didn't understand why the matter that had been causing such a massive uproar in Hong Kong seemed so calm and peaceful here, without even a ripple of disturbance.

Wang Jia smiled and explained patiently, "Because the mainland is huge, and there are a lot of people. Sometimes, even if something is a massive deal online, in reality, it doesn't amount to anything at all. Just stay here with peace of mind for a while, and go back once things have settled down in Hong Kong."

Afterwards, Yang Ying stayed in Jingcheng for over a day, and just as Wang Jia had said, as long as she wore a mask, nothing would happen even if they went out for a stroll or grabbed a meal.

Yang Ying felt her entire body relax all at once. It was like surfacing from underwater.

That night, she finally had a rare, good night's sleep.

After sleeping until dawn, a car was waiting downstairs to take them to the airport.

Yang Ying recognized this type of van; it was the standard vehicle for Hong Kong's superstar celebrities, and she had never ridden in one before.

Yang Ying also recognized the handsome man in the car. She knew his surname was Qi, that he was gay, and more importantly, that he was Chen Nuo's manager.

Upon seeing her, Qi Yuntian was a little surprised, but he didn't say anything and drove them to the airport.

Along the way, he didn't say a single word to her, but he appeared very familiar and even respectful toward Wang Jia, answering whatever she said with earnestness.

Only after arriving at the airport did she realize she had been wrong. It wasn't that the mainland lacked reporters, paparazzi, or crazed fans.

As Chen Nuo, escorted by a team of airport security and a bodyguard, ducked into an Alphard covered in thick, black tint.

She sat in the corner of the last row, covering her face with her hat and mask, watching the scene outside—which could only be described as insane—and couldn't help but feel her heart surge.

So, the fans and reporters here were perhaps ten times more numerous than in Hong Kong; it just depended on whether you were worth them showing up for.

Chen Nuo was a little surprised when he saw Yang Ying.

He quickly realized that this must have been Wang Jia acting on her own initiative.

She was even afraid that he would blame her, so she didn't tell him in advance.

Chen Nuo smiled quite politely and greeted Yang Ying: "Hello, baby."

Yang Ying's heart beat extremely fast. Although time had been tight when she left this morning, she had still applied exquisite makeup. Hearing him, she squeezed a sweet smile onto her face: "Hello, Chen Nuo. Sorry to bother you."

Chen Nuo shook his head and didn't continue the conversation, turning his head to Wang Jia: "What's going on? Why did you suddenly say you weren't going?"

Wang Jia hesitated for a moment and said: "Sorry, darling. I..." She glanced toward the back.

Chen Nuo understood immediately.

What deep sisterly love indeed.

He frowned and said: "But everything was already arranged, and the gown was custom-made."

Wang Jia took his hand and said coquettishly: "Darling, I'm so sorry. But the dress was custom-made in the United States. Have you forgotten who we asked for help earlier? I already told her to accompany you instead."

This time, Chen Nuo was truly shocked: "Who did you ask? Liu Qi Yifei?"

"That's right."

Liu Qi Yifei was going to accompany Chen Nuo to the Oscars?

This matter not only shocked Chen Nuo, but when Liu Liu Xiaoli heard about it, she was truly taken aback.

"The Oscars? You're going to the Oscars? Xixi, you aren't joking with Mom, are you?"

It was past 11:00 PM in LA at the time, and Liu Liu Xiaoli was just about to go into her bedroom to sleep. Suddenly hearing Liu Qi Yifei's words, she was shaken, turning around instantly and asking in a daze, "Chen Nuo is letting... you! Accompany him to this year's Oscars?"

Liu Qi Yifei yawned and said: "It's not Chen Nuo, it's his girlfriend. Mom, I'm sleepy, I'm going in to sleep now."

Liu Liu Xiaoli grabbed her hand, pulling her back onto the sofa: "Wait, tell Mom clearly, what exactly is going on? Doesn't he have a girlfriend? Haven't you been saying all this time that you were just helping try on gowns because your figures are similar? How did it suddenly turn into you accompanying him? Hurry and tell Mom, what is going on? What exactly is your relationship with him... right now!"

Liu Qi Yifei frowned: "Mom, what relationship? Chen Nuo and I are friends. There's a reason his girlfriend can't go this time..."

Listening to Liu Qi Yifei finish slowly, Liu Liu Xiaoli was shocked: "You mean, Chen Nuo's girlfriend knows that person in the... photos, so to stay in Jingcheng to accompany her friend, she called you to accompany Chen Nuo to the Oscar ceremony on the 24th?"

Liu Qi Yifei nodded: "That's right."

Liu Liu Xiaoli said: "Then in what capacity are you accompanying Chen Nuo?"

Liu Qi Yifei said: "Just as a friend accompanying him, what's wrong with that?"

Liu Liu Xiaoli stared blankly at Liu Qi Yifei for a while, then couldn't help but point at her own temple, suddenly asking: "Tell me, is there something wrong with the head of Chen Nuo's girlfriend, that... whatever her name is?"

Liu Qi Yifei was a little angry: "Mom, what are you saying? I think Wang Jia did nothing wrong. Her friend had something like this happen; she really needs someone to accompany her. If it were me, I would do the same."

Liu Liu Xiaoli laughed: "I don't believe it. My daughter couldn't be this stupid."

Liu Qi Yifei was truly angry, standing up all at once: "I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to sleep."

"Wait, wait." Liu Liu Xiaoli grabbed her hand, pulling her back forcefully: "I haven't finished asking yet. Tell me, what are you thinking right now? How could you just agree to her?"

Liu Qi Yifei asked in confusion: "What's wrong? Wang Jia asked me for a favor, Chen Nuo is my friend, and the gown is already made; it would be a waste not to wear it. Is there a problem with me agreeing?"

Liu Liu Xiaoli looked at Liu Qi Yifei, feeling truly depressed. She didn't know how she, being so shrewd, had given birth to such a naive daughter.

Sometimes, she really wished she could put her back in and give birth to her again.

"Have you been in Africa too long, Xixi? You aren't going to someone's wedding, nor are you going to a neighbor's party; you are going to the Oscars! Can you please use your head! It's the Oscar ceremony! Just because someone asks you to go, you go?"

Liu Qi Yifei said: "So, Mom, do you think I shouldn't go?"

"It's not..." Liu Liu Xiaoli was speechless, meeting Liu Qi Yifei's clear, black-and-white eyes for a while, not knowing what to say.

She truly didn't know what to say.

Liu Liu Xiaoli only felt that she had been shrewd her entire life,

From China to the US, and from the US back to China, sacrificing so much and paying such a high price, all for the sake of her daughter. But how did it feel like all the scheming over these years couldn't compare to what Liu Qi Yifei had gained in this one year she had been away?

In this year, not only had she eaten and played everywhere, but she had also taken on one of the lead roles in *The Message*, a production with a budget of over 100 million that brought together a bunch of Asia's top film stars, without any hesitation.

Having just finished filming, she hadn't even rested for a month before she was suddenly going to Japan to film a movie.

And it was *Hana Yori Dango*!

When *Hana Yori Dango* was a hit on TBS, it was exactly when Liu Liu Xiaoli was in Japan accompanying Liu Qi Yifei for training. She had nothing to do all day and had watched some Japanese programs, so she knew how popular *Hana Yori Dango* was in Japan at the time.

If it were really adapted into a movie, the original drama fans would definitely be a natural ticket pool. Following the habits of Japanese audiences, they would definitely pay out of their own pockets to go to the cinema, and the box office would definitely be explosively high.

But to be honest, Liu Liu Xiaoli could understand these achievements. After all, before Liu Qi Yifei went to Japan to release her album, she seemed to be only a step away from these goals.

However...

The Oscar ceremony and such were completely different; it could be said to be beyond all her imagination.

It was truly beyond imagination.

Just now, when Liu Liu Xiaoli heard Liu Qi Yifei say lightly that she was going to the Oscars, her mind had even felt hazy, as if in a dream.

Yes, even in her most beautiful dreams, she had never imagined that one day, her daughter, at just over 20 years old, would have the opportunity to be invited to walk the red carpet at the Oscars and be the focus of over a billion viewers worldwide!

That was a global stage!

In the years since *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, what massive hit works had Zhang Zhang Ziyi filmed?

Yet why had she remained enduringly popular in the mainland?

Wasn't it just because in 2005 and 2006, she walked the red carpet at the Oscars twice and served as a presenter twice?

As long as Liu Qi Yifei stepped into the Kodak Theatre on February 24th, she would be the third Chinese actress to walk into the Golden Hall, following Gong Li and Zhang Zhang Ziyi.

What kind of concept was this? It could be said that her entire level had changed instantly.

And the reason all of this was happening was because...

Looking at Liu Qi Yifei, who was acting like nothing had happened, at least ten thousand thoughts raced through Liu Liu Xiaoli's mind. Ultimately, she couldn't help but sigh,

saying softly: "Of course you have to go. Mom supports you 100%. Xixi, you've grown up now. Don't take to heart the bets Mom made with you before. Seeing you develop so well, Mom only feels happy for you, you know?"

Liu Qi Yifei looked at Liu Liu Xiaoli's rather emotional appearance and felt a bit moved. She reached out, placing her hand on Liu Liu Xiaoli's, and said: "Mom, why are you saying these things? You're my mom, of course I know."

Liu Liu Xiaoli gently patted the back of Liu Qi Yifei's hand, saying softly: "Xixi, you have to know, among everyone in the world, only Mom wants what's best for you. Although Mom was a bit strict with you before, that was also because I was worried you were young and would be deceived. Now, Mom knows you've grown up. If you want to date or have a boyfriend, Mom actually supports you."

"Ah?" Liu Qi Yifei gave a small exclamation, pulling her hand back: "Mom, what are you saying? I don't want to date any boyfriend."

Liu Liu Xiaoli smiled and said: "I know you don't want to right now, I mean in the future... well, in any case, don't worry, Mom will definitely help you. By the way, that Miss Wang who asked you to go to the Oscars in her place is indeed a good friend; Mom was wrong just now. If you have the chance later, remember to say thank you to her, you hear?"

Their love nest, which had always been for two, suddenly had an extra person squeezed in, and Chen Nuo really wasn't used to it for a moment.

After Qi Yuntian dropped them off at the Yulong Yulong Dingyu, he went to the company.

He and Wang Jia talked about what they had seen and heard since the Spring Festival, taking the private elevator up. When the elevator doors opened, it was the entrance to this top-tier luxury apartment.

Originally, the heating in the room was turned up high. As soon as he walked in, he started taking off his heavy winter clothes, preparing to change into fresh pajamas.

But he had only taken off half of his sweater when he heard Wang Jia let out an "Eh."

Only then did he feel something was off.

He hurriedly pulled his clothes down and looked back, only to see Angelababy blinking her big eyes, looking at him with a flushed face. Seeing him turn his head, she suddenly shifted her gaze away.

Chen Nuo chuckled: "Baby, sorry, I'm used to it." After saying it, Chen Nuo suddenly realized that the name Yang Ying was truly clever. If this were in the US, if you called her by her name, she could sue you for verbal sexual harassment, and you wouldn't be able to run away.

Yang Ying smiled and said generously: "It's okay. Chen Nuo, your physique is quite good. Do you exercise often?"

Chen Nuo said: "I used to go running outside every day, and go to the gym, but I've become lazy lately. It's winter, and I don't want to get out of bed. Haha."

Yang Ying said: "That won't do; you have to be persistent with exercise. Actually, the air in Jingcheng isn't great, and sometimes outdoor exercise isn't necessarily good. As actors, you can appropriately do some yoga, which is very helpful for your physique."

"Yoga?"

"Yes, if there's a chance, I can teach you."

At this moment, Wang Jia walked out of the kitchen with tea, asking: "What are you two chatting about?"

Yang Ying laughed: "Chen Nuo said he wanted to exercise, and I said if there's a chance, I could teach him yoga."

Wang Jia placed the tray on the table and said: "Right, baby is very good at yoga; I've learned from her before."

Regarding this, Chen Nuo expressed doubt.

As an apartment with a monthly rent of over 20,000 to 30,000, that developer really earned some money with a guilty conscience;

the soundproofing was just too poor.

Yang Ying lay in bed, listening to the faint sounds coming through the door crack, tossing and turning. She was so uncomfortable she couldn't sleep at all.

She kept silently watching the time on her phone.

Starting from 12:12, it didn't end until nearly 1:00, taking a full 41 minutes.

Recalling the man's upper body she had seen in the living room earlier, Yang Ying had completely lost all sleepiness.

After a while, she heard the sound of a door opening, followed by somewhat heavy footsteps slowly walking into the living room.

Yang Ying could tell that this definitely wasn't Wang Jia.

So, was this him going to the room to drink water after working hard for a while?

She couldn't help but flip over and sit up, then carefully got out of bed.

Barefoot on the wooden floor, it was warm and didn't feel cold at all.

Her good sister should be asleep by now. As a woman herself, Yang Ying believed that after experiencing such a fierce battle, it was impossible to still have the energy to get up.

She would just go out and see if there was anything she could help with; she wasn't planning on doing anything else.

After all, she was a newcomer, and as a guest, wasn't it normal to do something for the host, like finding a water glass or pouring some water?

Her mind made up, she placed her small hand on the doorknob and gave it a light twist; the door opened.

But just at this moment, those footsteps sounded again, walking straight into the master bedroom.

With a "click," the door closed.

Yang Ying froze in place, biting her lip, all sorts of thoughts swirling in her mind.

Chen Nuo didn't know that Wang Jia's momentary kindness had actually invited a wolf into the house, and that he had become prey coveted by someone else.

But he didn't need to worry about this for the time being, because on the second day after arriving in Jingcheng, he only rested for one night before he and Qi Yuntian boarded a plane, flying to the other side of the ocean.

Oscar, here I come.