From Reel to Real

XXI. Chengdu

What Dylan said was true. Leshan was indeed beautiful. She loved the fresh air and cooling wind on her face as they walked around the little town, stopping at certain places to shoot. For this trip, they would also be including a cultural and food trail of people living in Leshan. She saw the pride that Dylan had over his hometown as he introduced the Super crew to some of the locals. Some of his fans were following him from a distance, taking photos and waiting for a chance to shake his hand and get a selfie. They must be so proud of Wang He Di.

As they strolled, Dylan turned to the back and glanced at her. She smiled and winked at him. He mouthed to her "Are you tired?" She shook her head. He beamed. She took a deep breath. Soon, she would never see this face again.

The photoshoot finally ended in the late afternoon  and she helped to take a group photo of them in front of the padi field. Then, Dylan took some time to take selfies with his fans.

"He Di-ge, you are amazing!"
"We are so proud of you."
"How long are you staying here for?"
"Is that your girlfriend?" The teenager asked him, glancing to Yue's direction. Dylan smiled and answered. "Maybe."

Thanking his fans and the Super crew, he turned to Yue and Hao-Ge. "Finally, that is a wrap! I can't wait to go back to my parents' house. Yue, would you like to stay with me? My mom can teach you how to make the Sichuan skewers."

Yue smiled and nodded immediately. "Okay, great! I will inform her to prepare our guest room. Hao-ge, you have two days off. Please join us for dinner tonight."

Hao-ge knew he would be a third wheeler if he said yes. He shook his head. "You kids go ahead. I'm going to be sleeping in and just relax. Yue, I will send you to the airport. Dylan's instruction."

She nodded weakly.

"Let's go meet my mom. She is waiting for us."

________________

When they arrived at his house, Mrs Wang was waiting for them outside. "Didi! You are home!" She hugged him. "I miss you, Ma." She patted his back. "Good to have you. Did you become skinny again? I need to feed you more food."

Dylan smiled cheekily. "Yes, I came home to eat." Gesturing to Yue to come closer, he introduced his mom to Yue.

"Shen Yue, my son had told me good things about you. But he did not tell me that you are beautiful." Yue blushed. Mrs Wang took her hands. "I'm happy you are staying with us. Dylan rarely brings home guests."

Yue looked up at Dylan with her big eyes with the expression, What did you tell your mom? Dylan winked at her.

They left their luggages and Dylan showed her around the house. Pointing to a photograph of a little boy, Yue asked "Is that you, Didi?"

"Of course! So shuai. Can't you see the similarities?"

Yue nodded. "You are lucky that you took your good looks after your mom." Mrs Wang beamed. "Didi may look like me but his character is like his father. You will meet him at dinner time."

"It's good to grow up with a father figure. You have raised a good son, Mrs Wang." Dylan cleared his throat and flashed his monkey grin. Yue chuckled. Sometimes her boyfriend could be smug about himself.

"Ma, I'm bringing her for a walk. We will be back before dinner."

Mrs Wang nodded and watched them leave the house. There was definitely something between the two of them.

They walked a little around the neighbourhood. Dylan showed her the library he used to stop by on his way home, the food stalls where he would buy his snacks and the basketball court that he spent most of his time at when growing up. Yue took all this in with newfound admiration for him. Even as a child, he showed a lot of determination and passion.