Chapter 526

So Zhou Song Ziyuan could at most feel inner dissatisfaction.

When they entered the room, Lao Xie, who shared a room with Team Leader Zhou, noticed he wasn't happy and smiled to comfort him: "Lao Zhou, haven't you figured it out yet? That Li Ye is just bringing his girlfriend out for fun—don't take it too personally. Young people are naturally drawn to romance; a little leniency might even help bring about something good."

Lao Xie had been directing films since the 1960s, and his movies had won awards at multiple international film festivals, so although he was merely a director, his status was far from low—he could speak frankly to Team Leader Zhou.

But Zhou Song Ziyuan still frowned deeply and said: "Director Xie, Li Ye hasn't graduated yet—we can't publicly support him dating. Besides, you've traveled abroad many times; you must understand my responsibilities and difficulties, right?"

"This group is too large. If anything goes wrong, we'll all be held accountable. If one person gets special treatment, others will demand it too—how will we manage then?"

Zhou Song Ziyuan pointed toward the door: "But look at Li Ye—Hong Kong just politely complimented him a few times, and he openly accepted it. He's got a bit of talent and already thinks he's above everyone else—can't he be a little humble? He won't even stay on our floor, claiming some 'VIP room'... doesn't he realize how serious it is to detach from the group?"

Lao Xie clicked his tongue, still patiently explaining: "Hong Kong wasn't just being polite—they truly didn't understate Li Ye. Our film never would've happened without Li Ye's connections and facilitation; his role isn't just that of an original author."

"Lao Zhou isn't from the film studio—he doesn't know what Li Ye's been up to these past two years—but Lao Xie knows. In the past two years, every one of Pei Pei Wencong's investments in mainland cinema has had some connection to Li Ye."

Lao Zhou frowned: "He's just a student—could he really have that much influence? I heard Li Ye only sold two novels to Hong Kong."

Lao Xie smiled: "You can't judge someone's ability by hearsay—you have to see for yourself. 'Spring Comes Again' was written by him—he won two awards at the Southeast Asian Film Festival. 'The Lonely Garrison Looking Homeward' was written by him—it earned over a million U. S. dollars in foreign exchange. Now look at our accommodation arrangements! A four-star hotel, just steps from the festival venue—we're staying seven or eight days. The host spent a fortune on us—Hong Kong people are shrewd; this is a huge gesture of respect."

"Whether by talent or connections, he really is a special young man."

Lao Zhou finally fell silent. He didn't know much about film, but as someone who had led many overseas delegations, he knew what normal reception standards were—Hong Kong's treatment this time was definitely above standard.

"Alright, let's stop thinking about this. Go tell everyone to head downstairs for dinner. Hong Kong's arranged a banquet—we can't disrespect them."

Lao Xie put down his luggage and pulled Lao Zhou toward the door.

"I'm not really hungry..." Lao Zhou had eaten two dinners on the plane—he truly wasn't hungry. Who would've thought they'd still be serving a reception meal at nine at night?

"Ding ding ding~" Li Ye had just placed his luggage in the room when he heard someone knock.

He walked over, peered through the peephole—it was his sister Fu Fu Yiruo.

Li Ye opened the door, and Fu Fu Yiruo grinned: "Brother, let's go downstairs to eat!" Li Ye said: "I'll wash my face first—go call Xiao Yu."

Wen Wen Leyu was staying in Room 8009 directly across from Li Ye's—they'd naturally go down to eat together.

But Fu Fu Yiruo didn't go to call Wen Wen Leyu. Instead, she giggled and stepped into Li Ye's room, her strange smile making him puzzled.

So Li Ye smiled and asked: "What are you grinning at, Xiao Ruo? Why do you look so mischievous?"

Fu Fu Yiruo glanced back at Wen Wen Leyu's room across the hall, then whispered: "Mom's staying in Room 8006 next door. She wants to come down and meet your girlfriend—what do you think... is it okay?"

Li Ye finally understood the meaning behind Fu Fu Yiruo's grin—his mother wanted to meet his new fiancée, and his little sister was ready to watch the show.

When Wen Wen Leyu first met Fu Fu Yiruo, Li Ye had already told her about Fu Fu Guiru—otherwise, getting along with Fu Fu Yiruo over the past year would've been impossible.

But the problem was, Wen Wen Leyu wasn't prepared! Fu Fu Guiru had only said she wanted to meet Yang Yu—she never mentioned meeting Wen Wen Leyu, because Li Ye and Wen Wen Leyu hadn't yet officially tied the knot.

She still worried about her own status, fearing she might ruin Li Ye's lifelong happiness.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Ding ding ding~" Li Ye knocked on Wen Wen Leyu's door.

Wen Wen Leyu opened it quickly: "Going to eat? Wait, let me put on my shoes."

Li Ye watched Wen Wen Leyu crouch down to adjust her shoes, then awkwardly said: "Xiao Yu... my mom's staying right next door—would you mind going down to eat with us?"

Wen Wen Leyu's body stiffened instantly. She turned to look at Li Ye, frowning.

Li Ye's heart skipped. Was the girl getting upset?

Wen Wen Leyu stretched her neck out the door, glancing at Room 8006 next door, then made a silent lip movement to Li Ye.

"My mother-in-law is over there?"

Li Ye nodded—your future mother-in-law is in Room 8006.

Then Wen Wen Leyu reproached: "I didn't bring a gift! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Li Ye's heart instantly settled.

He knew Wen Wen Leyu wouldn't get angry—this girl had strong mental resilience. She wouldn't panic at meeting her future mother-in-law, and she certainly wouldn't throw a tantrum like a little fairy.

But the next moment, Wen Wen Leyu pulled Fu Fu Yiruo into her room and slammed the door shut.

Who would have thought that a girl like Wen Wen Leyu, who always regarded everyone with such cool detachment, could also be so ordinary as to feel nervous?

"Xiao Ruo, help me pick out what to wear."

... Li Ye couldn't help but chuckle.

He never expected a girl like Wen Wen Leyu—who always seemed so cool and detached—would still get nervous, just like any ordinary girl.

Li Ye turned and went to Room 8006, knocked.

Fu Fu Guiru opened the door, let Li Ye in, and immediately asked: "Do you think this outfit suits me?"

... You two really don't need to go this far—it's just dinner.

Li Ye looked at Fu Fu Guiru's attire and couldn't help laughing: "It doesn't suit you at all, Mom. You're dressed too old-fashioned, too stiff, too serious—it gives off a sense of oppression."

Fu Fu Guiru was in her forties or fifties, but in daily life she was a fashionable woman, with several wardrobes full of stylish suits and trendy dresses—strangers often thought she was no older than thirty.

But today, to emphasize her "seriousness" as a mother-in-law, her outfit had become noticeably dowdy, as if she were aiming for a fifty-something housewife look.

Fu Fu Guiru blinked, confused: "Aren't middle-aged and elderly women in the mainland all dressing like this? If I dressed like a capitalist, wouldn't Xiao Yu dislike me?"

Li Ye sighed: "Mom, why are you trying so hard to please others? Don't worry—Xiao Yu won't mock you. If she did, we wouldn't be together today."

"Don't joke around," Fu Fu Guiru scolded her son: "I just saw her downstairs—she's a good girl. Cherish her. Don't act like a chauvinist."

"You saw her downstairs? How come I didn't notice?" Li Ye blinked, then laughed bitterly: "Mom, you were spying on her?"

Fu Fu Guiru slapped Li Ye's forehead: "What's spying? That's reconnaissance—proper, official reconnaissance, understand?"

"Right, right—female militia members are all reconnaissance experts," Li Ye rubbed his forehead. "So how did you figure out she's good?"

【56】 Fu Fu Guiru looked at Li Ye seriously: "Forget what Xiao Ruo told me—that's hearsay. But I watched her closely just now. Her attention was almost entirely on you. Only when the team leader was giving you trouble did she give him a cold glance.

【57】 When you came upstairs, she carried your bag for you; when you struggled with your luggage, she rushed to help. I've met many sons of officials—but Xiao Yu is different. At least, she's different with you."

【58】 "I think this girl is deeply attached to you, considerate of you—but not simply weak. Life together won't always be smooth sailing. Mutual reliance matters."

【59】 Fu Fu Guiru rattled on for a long time, making Li Ye wonder—could such a brief observation really reveal so much "intelligence"?