Chapter 415: Hope

mayiwsk

"Today is a good day, today is a good day."

Li Ye hummed a cheerful tune as he walked back to his dormitory along the path beneath the night sky.

Today was a day worth remembering, because he and Wen Leyu had made a crucial, major breakthrough in their relationship.

Without realizing it, Li Ye and Wen Leyu had known each other for nearly three years—had this been decades later, they would have been inseparable by now.

But in this world, Li Ye had only just reached the point where her lips still carried the faint scent of their kiss.

Yet even this first step felt profoundly different to Li Ye.

When Li Ye first met Wen Leyu, she was like a rose just beginning to sprout, with tiny, tightly closed buds that refused to show themselves to outsiders.

So for these three years, Li Ye had been nothing but a gardener—watering, fertilizing, nurturing, cultivating.

He had waited patiently for Wen Leyu to grow, patiently for her to learn how to respond.

Over the years, Wen Leyu had wandered with Teacher Ke, who taught her nearly every social skill she needed—but could never teach her what "love" was.

So in one essential way, Wen Leyu was completely lacking.

During the most critical years of a girl's life, she had no close female friends, hardly knew how to speak, and you expected her to understand how a girl likes a boy—or how to respond to a boy's "claws"?

So although Wen Leyu knew she belonged to him, her increasingly alluring bud remained stubbornly slow to bloom for Li Ye.

When faced with Li Ye's care, she would at most sway a private dance for him when a breeze passed, or occasionally brush against his hand after a long autumn night, leaving behind a few drops of the purest morning dew.

But to expect her to rush toward him like a fully bloomed rose? Forget it! She didn't have that skill—she'd even instinctively extend her thorns to prick his fingers.

But today, Li Ye finally seized the chance, coaxing open a crack in the carefully nurtured bud, letting the long-hoarded fragrance drift out quietly.

Li Ye was overjoyed.

The fragrance cultivated through patience was truly intoxicating—pure, natural, shy yet lingering in the heart, uniquely his—and this feeling made Li Ye utterly spellbound, almost leaving Wen Leyu breathless.

Though afterward she had kicked him hard in the calf, Li Ye knew this kind of thing only had two stages: the first time, and everything after. With today's breakthrough, the next milestone was no longer far off.

One must admit, a flower bud cultivated over three years had many layers of petals, slowly unfolding to bear fruit—completely unlike the fast-food love of the future.

In the future, love was all about speed: throw down ten thousand yuan, and it was like opening a bottle of perfume—intense, potent, even sometimes reversed by the girl, sending adrenaline soaring instantly.

But after the intensity faded, only a small minority truly found lasting love.

Most others felt like a happy husky suddenly put on a leash, constantly tugged around, barking helplessly.

Of course, if you were strong enough, you were the one holding the leash, able to lead anyone around—man or woman.

Li Ye felt that he and Wen Leyu were the kind of perfect partners who didn't need any leash at all, always close, inseparable, bound by fate.

This little life? It truly had hope.

"Hey, little brother Li Ye's back."

As Li Ye reached the bottom of the dormitory building, he saw Director Xiong sitting on the steps smoking; he stubbed out his cigarette and greeted him.

Director Xiong of Changancheng Film Studio was a straightforward man; since last year's connection with the Lone Army Literature Society, he had regularly mailed or sent over Chang'an specialties.

He never included letters, never asked after their health, never brought rare delicacies—but that simple, unpretentious sincerity had won the affection of the literature society's students.

Moreover, because Li Ye had advised him to launch the "Guardian Armor" project, which had now successfully earned foreign exchange,

Director Xiong's personal bond with Li Ye was far closer than that of any director.

Li Ye, seeing Director Xiong, asked curiously: "If you had something to say, why not just tell me earlier? Why wait here?"

Director Xiong smiled awkwardly: "There were too many people around earlier—some things were hard to say."

Li Ye nodded: "Then let's go back to the literature society. It's too late to find a restaurant now—I've got wine and some snacks."

"No, no, I'll just say a few words and leave."

Director Xiong waved him off, then hesitated: "Actually, as you just saw, Liu Xiaoru is perfect for your script—but she's never played a lead before."

Li Ye laughed: "Director Xiong, with our relationship, you're embarrassed to ask? What's wrong—does asking for a favor break the law?"

"Hey, don't say that!" Director Xiong quickly waved his hands: "I'm not here to ask you for a favor! I know how serious this role is.

I only ask—if Liu Xiaoru truly is more suitable than Gong Zhi—you'll speak up for her."

Li Ye looked at Director Xiong and suddenly asked: "Is Liu Xiaoru related to you, Director Xiong?"

Director Xiong jumped, then quickly denied: "No, no! Don't misunderstand—I'm just a man, it doesn't matter much, but ruining a woman's reputation? That's a sin that invites thunder and lightning."

Seeing how seriously he spoke, Li Ye knew this wouldn't be settled in a few words, so he pulled him to a quiet bench and asked for details.

"Years ago, Liu Xiaoru was one of our studio's key trainees—but later, because of her background, her husband abandoned her and divorced her."

"A woman raising a child alone? That's hard—but at least having a child gives you something to live for, right?"

"These past two years, things have improved, and her child has grown—but just as she was about to turn the corner, her ex-husband reclaimed the child, because now they don't encourage having many children—he had no sons."

"Worse still, people at the studio started whispering all kinds of things. In just a week, Liu Xiaoru looked ten years older—she was nearly broken."

"I, old Xiong, can't stand this kind of thing. So when I saw your story outline, I gave it to Liu Xiaoru—and she burst into tears. Even I, a big man, couldn't bear it."

A towering, burly man like Director Xiong had just poured out a long, emotional tale—not just "a few words" as he claimed.

Liu Xiaoru's experience differed from Yang Hua's, but her suffering was far greater.

Yang Yumin had stubbornly stuck by Yang Hua; no matter how hard her life, she had her son standing before her.

But Liu Xiaoru's son—whether because he was weak-willed, too young, or because his father's family had influence—had now been reclaimed. Add to that the gossip around her, and her psychological burden was unimaginable.

Li Ye thought for a moment and asked: "Director Xiong, judging from her performance just now, she seems suitable—but can her current mental state endure a month of filming? Don't let her go mad halfway through—that'd be a joke."

"No way, absolutely not," Director Xiong affirmed. "She's survived over a decade of hardship. If she has even a glimmer of hope, she'll make it."

Li Ye understood: Director Xiong had come today just to give Liu Xiaoru a "hope."

Sometimes, when facing adversity, a single glimmer of hope is the spiritual pillar that keeps a person standing.

"Alright," Li Ye said carefully. "I still have some connections with the Hong Kong side—I'll mention it to them, but the final decision rests with the director."

"Thank you so much, brother," Director Xiong said gratefully. "Honestly, I'm meddling in something that's none of my business—but I really want to make this happen. A person must have conscience, right?"

Li Ye nodded with a smile: "Director Xiong, you're a good man. But I'll tell you this—filmmaking is a professional matter. I'm an outsider—I can't guarantee anything. If she's chosen, it's because of her own ability."

"Ah, it's not just about ability—if it were, how would Liu Xiaoru have ended up like this?"

Seeing Li Ye's confusion, Director Xiong chuckled softly and lowered his voice: "Big brother, do you know how much the Hong Kong side offered?"

"Besides the payment to the studio, each lead actor gets a bonus—directly in foreign currency. They offered this much."

Director Xiong held up two fingers and waved them vigorously in front of Li Ye.

Li Ye blinked in surprise: "Twenty thousand U. . dollars each? That's generous?"

Twenty thousand U. . dollars? Li Ye thought that was already a lot.

Huo Renqiang had reported progress on the task but hadn't reported expenses.

Maybe he thought twenty thousand dollars was too small an amount to bother his boss's boss with.

After all, his boss Pei Wencong was no longer the petty manager who personally checked every lunch order.

So why disturb Li Ye, who was richer than Pei Wencong, over a few thousand dollars?

But Li Ye's outburst of "twenty thousand dollars" made Director Xiong burst out laughing.

"Oh, big brother, you've never managed a household—you don't know how money works! Would you dare take twenty thousand U. . dollars? You'd be committing a crime!"

Director Xiong lowered his two fingers again and whispered: "Two thousand dollars. Two thousand U. . dollars per person. Do you know how many people nearly fought to the death over this? Liu Xiaoru hasn't played a lead in years!"

Li Ye was momentarily confused, then adjusted his values back to the year 1984.

He knew twenty thousand U. . dollars was excessive—but two thousand U. . dollars could trigger something he hadn't anticipated.

But thinking about it, the author of "Scar" had flown straight to the Lighthouse after receiving five hundred dollars—so two thousand dollars here was immensely powerful.

"Li Ye brother, I told Liu Xiaoru—if she gets the role, she won't take the money. I'll split the two thousand dollars—I'll make sure you get your share."

"Who are you insulting?"

Li Ye laughed in exasperation: "You think I'd ignore facts for a few bucks? I said it's all about ability—nothing else! If you mention money again, I'm done!"

Director Xiong was stunned by Li Ye's rebuke, then grabbed his hands like a bear and shook them vigorously—just like Bear Two shaking Guangtou Qiang.

"Brother, you're the real deal—I never regretted calling you brother. Everyone else sees Liu Xiaoru's suffering and talks sweetly, but hides their selfishness. Only someone like you, a true man, would feel pity."

Hearing Director Xiong's words, Li Ye suddenly remembered some things from his past life.

In every era, there were many suffering souls—but most people couldn't even care for themselves, let alone others.

Yet even in such a stifling environment, there were still some foolish souls who offered what little kindness they could, weren't there?

Even with so many scoundrels exploiting good people's kindness—begging, biting back, scamming—the people who kept their goodwill would never vanish.

(End of Chapter)