A Big Bowl of Dog Food

In the town of Douglaston, located northeast of Queens in New York, the scenery is picturesque, surrounded by water on three sides.

This area was originally the domain of "Old Money," but "New Money" that has risen in recent years has also begun to gather here.

It was dinnertime, and lights were coming on in various houses, dotting the tranquil night of the small town.

Beside a pure white villa, Lin Yuan sat under a large tree, waiting for Liu Yifei's arrival.

It had been over ten days since their trip to Big Bear Mountain Park, and Lin Yuan, busy since their return, hadn't seen her again.

Although they spoke on the phone often, meeting in person was also essential.

In two days, Lin Yuan would be joining the cast of "Jurassic Park 3" for filming, which meant they wouldn't see each other for a while.

So, Lin Yuan chose to meet her tonight.

Lin Yuan gazed at the white villa; it was Liu Yifei's home.

A woman was looking out from a second-floor window.

Lin Yuan knew it was Liu Yifei's mother, but her view was obscured by the tree's shade, so she likely couldn't see him.

He was about to spirit away her precious daughter from under her mother's watchful eyes for a date.

Thinking about it, Lin Yuan felt a thrill, like a thief.

This clandestine date was damnably exciting.

Since he was seeking excitement, then...

Impossible! It wasn't the right time!

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Lin Yuan saw Liu Yifei come out, moving out of her mother's line of sight and approaching him.

She was wearing a long, pale pink trench coat, which made her look elegant and poised, while also retaining a touch of youthful charm and cuteness.

Indeed, young girls and the color pink were the perfect combination.

There was no moon tonight, yet Lin Yuan still felt the night was beautiful.

"Qianqian, long time no see," he greeted with a smile.

"You say that every time. If you were truly sincere, you wouldn't say 'long time no see'."

"We're both very busy. Forcing ourselves to meet frequently wouldn't feel intimate. We don't need that," Lin Yuan said sincerely.

How busy Lin Yuan had been recently was self-evident.

Liu Yifei's academic workload was also quite heavy.

According to her mother's plans, she was to complete her studies before the end of next year and return to China to take the entrance examination for the Beijing Film Academy.

This meant that having arrived in the United States in 1997, she would need just over four years to not only overcome the language barrier but also complete the curriculum for the American 3-year junior high and 4-year high school system, a total of seven years of schooling.

Lin Yuan knew that the future Liu Yifei followed this exact life path.

She returned to China in 2001 and, during the summer break before starting at the Beijing Film Academy, filmed "The Story of a Noble Family."

After enrolling, she immediately filmed her second TV series, "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils."

Liu Yifei was also someone who raced against time, just like Lin Yuan in this life.

Both had their own career aspirations, so it was impossible for them to be idle and meet every day.

But Lin Yuan felt that their current situation was good. By maintaining an appropriate distance, they hadn't grown apart; instead, they cherished each meeting even more.

"You've become much more eloquent than before," Liu Yifei commented.

"Is that bad?"

"Let's go, I have to be home before ten," Liu Yifei replied, not answering his question, and started walking ahead.

Lin Yuan caught up, walking alongside her.

Lin Yuan, at 1.83 meters, and Liu Yifei, at 1.68 meters, were perfectly matched in height. Coupled with their striking good looks, they formed a beautiful sight together.

Just as men are drawn to beautiful women, women are also irresistibly attracted to handsome men.

When Lin Yuan and Liu Yifei walked together, everyone they passed inevitably turned to look.

They were a spectacle in the eyes of others, but Lin Yuan's only spectacle was Liu Yifei.

He observed her expression, wondering if she was unhappy.

Just as Lin Yuan was about to relax, she spoke:

"I saw that film, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.' It was really well made. Congratulations, your first step into acting has been very successful."

Lin Yuan had been afraid she would bring up "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." After all, it was best to avoid the sensitive topic of the intimate scene if possible. He replied cautiously:

"With so many big stars involved, my role wasn't that significant. The audience might not even remember me."

"But your performance was very captivating!"

"Really..." Lin Yuan sensed there was more to her words.

"I'm talking about that passionate scene. It's nothing, really. You're an actor; it's part of your professional duty. Do you think I'd be upset?"

Liu Yifei said with a smile, her expression natural, showing no hint of anger.

After speaking, she turned and walked ahead.

Lin Yuan followed behind her, watching her graceful figure.

His somewhat anxious feelings should have completely dissipated, but he felt a little disappointed.

Liu Yifei wasn't jealous at all, and instead, he felt uncomfortable.

Sensing his own thoughts, he couldn't help but curse himself internally: Isn't it good that she's so understanding and considerate? Does she have to be jealous to be happy?

But just then, Liu Yifei, who was ahead, suddenly stopped.

Lin Yuan also stopped and asked confusedly, "What's wrong?"

"She's really beautiful!"

"Just ordinarily beautiful." Lin Yuan wouldn't be foolish enough to praise Zhang Ziyi's beauty in front of her.

"I didn't even say who it was yet!"

"..."

A moment of carelessness, and he fell into the trap!

The next sentence would either be "How did you know who I was talking about?" or "Who's more beautiful, her or me?"

Lin Yuan immediately tensed up, his mind flashing through multiple response options.

"You've become much better at talking lately, and the women who like you have also increased, right?"

Good heavens, so that sentence from when they first met tonight was a trap set for me.

No, why aren't you playing by the rules? You're even doing a callback!

"There are no women; I've only been dealing with tall, rough guys lately." Lin Yuan naturally couldn't admit it.

Liu Yifei said nothing, and they stood there quietly.

After a while, she finally spoke, "I'm a little angry."

"You should be."

"No, I'm angry at myself. I clearly told myself to be generous and not get angry at you, but I still couldn't help it."

She pouted, looking very wronged.

In Lin Yuan's eyes, this scene was incredibly endearing.

The previous disappointment had vanished completely. Such a considerate and proper display of jealousy – does such a woman truly exist?

What kind of sci-fi movie is this? It blows The Three-Body Problem out of the water!

Liu Yifei thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, it's your fault. Let me hit you a few times, and I won't be angry anymore."

"Okay, as long as it makes you feel better, please hit me hard."

With Lin Yuan's current physical condition, a few hits from her would feel like a tickle.

Liu Yifei didn't approach him but walked in the opposite direction, creating distance.

A few punches aren't enough to vent her anger?

Is she preparing to get a running start for a flying kick?

As Lin Yuan wondered, Liu Yifei followed his shadow and went to the head of his elongated shadow cast under the streetlight.

Then she forcefully stomped on the shadow's head twice.

"Snap! Snap!" The sounds were loud.

Still not satisfied, she jumped up and stomped on Lin Yuan's shadow several more times.

Only then did she happily laugh, "Now I feel better. I can't bear to hit you for real, so I can only vent my anger like this!"

"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you angry?" the Celestial Fairy asked.

Lin Yuan smiled and shook his head, his eyes full of doting affection.

The Celestial Fairy took a couple of steps, and their shadows overlapped.

Then she reached out her hand, and from the shadows, it looked as if they had embraced.

Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled, "I've comforted you now, no more being angry!"

Looking at the figure not far away, Lin Yuan felt his heart melting. How could she be so concretely adorable?