Category: Shion’s Notes

Chapter 106: Winter Vacation and the Villa 

The arrival of winter vacation was a joyous occasion for most students. They were finally free from studies and could properly relax. Originally, the third-year high school students were supposed to have supplementary lessons this year, but due to an order from the Education Bureau, they couldn’t have overly long lessons. Therefore, the third-year students got to start their vacation early; this was good news.

Yu Linna had no particular plans for this winter vacation, so she was just idle. It just so happened that Ye Zhiyun didn’t seem to have much work this winter vacation either. Considering the upcoming New Year, she didn’t actively look for too much work, wanting to relax and unwind as well.

But this winter vacation seemed destined to be eventful. Dai Wenqian invited Yu Linna and a few others to hang out, saying she would take them to a villa – barbecue, hot pot, karaoke, mahjong. Those invited included Yu Linna, Ye Zhiyun, and Fang Jianing. Huo Ningning didn’t go because she had to visit her grandmother’s home.

Dai Wenqian, this girl who couldn’t stand not causing trouble for even a day, thought that since it was winter vacation, she might as well go out and stir up some fun. She happened to have a villa in the suburbs that they could use. She also tried inviting her junior classmates, but they all had prior engagements, so there were only four people on this villa trip.

“Welcome, my friends! Come, come inside and play! Tonight we party till we drop!”

Troublemaker Dai Wenqian, together with the other girls, started making a scene the moment they got out of the car. That tone and momentum seemed determined to bring up the atmosphere. Ye Zhiyun was used to it, paid her no mind. She was always like this at school. It was precisely because of her craziness that few boys dared to pursue her. Whoever tries to hit on her gets messed with.

Speaking of which, Dai Wenqian came from a wealthy family, even having a villa in the city’s suburbs. This type of person was either rich or noble. And judging from the surroundings, this villa was located in the countryside, with forests all around. The exterior of the villa looked luxurious, tastefully decorated, with a fish pond in the garden, and the meticulously maintained lawn gave off a feeling of comfort. Entering the villa, the spacious hall looked even more luxurious, the furniture meticulously placed. Just stepping on the floor revealed its premium quality.

So, Dai Wenqian is a rich ojou-sama after all, just like Ye Zhiyun. Could someone with this villa be poor?

“This place is huge.”

This was the first time Fang Jianing had been to such a large villa; she was mesmerized. Such a luxurious villa, how much money would she have to earn to be able to afford it? Based on her current income, wanting to buy this villa would take at least ten years.

Unintentionally holding onto the thigh of someone with a future, Yu Linna couldn’t help but think this way.

“Tycoon, are you short of friends? I can be your friend. Just take me out to have fun every day~”

Yu Linna felt the urge to be cheeky again.

Ye Zhiyun was quite displeased and flicked her on the forehead. Yu Linna cried out, clutching her forehead, looking very aggrieved.

“Hmph, biting the hand that feeds you.”

Ye Zhiyun glared at her with annoyance. Yu Linna instantly didn’t dare say anything more.

“Since you’re here, we are all friends. Come on, let’s sing karaoke! My dream is to be a singer, you know!”

The Troublemaker opened the karaoke room, dragging the three in for karaoke. Yu Linna initially refused. Because she couldn’t sing well; she was eliminated during the qualifying round in the singing competition before. She had no talent in singing.

“It’s okay, let’s all sing! My favorite songs to sing are love songs, especially Andy Lau’s!”

“That’s why I said I can’t sing…”

“Waves surging, waves flowing, endless waves of endless rain…” (Note: This is a famous line from the theme song of “Shanghai Bund”.)

“You’re singing Chow Yun-fat’s song!” (Note: Should be the theme song of Shanghai Beach, performed by Frances Yip though often attributed to Chow Yun-fat)

A troublemaker is a troublemaker; if she doesn’t cause trouble for a day, her entire body itches, seemingly unable to rest, always trying to find fun. Even setting up her own club was like this, deliberately stealing two words from Wenqing Club and adding the word ‘manga’ to form the new name. Although she did like cosplay, events that got hyped up could attract her interest even more.

If there was anything else that could attract her, besides anime, it was singing.

“A sea of bitterness, stirring up love and hate, in the world…”

And it was the kind that once she started singing, she couldn’t stop.

Although it was a good thing for a girl to be lively, being too lively was also a headache. It was hard to imagine if she ever got married, whether her husband could endure her.
But they clearly overlooked one point. It was still uncertain whether Dai Wenqian would even get married…

“Next, I want to sing an anime song…”

“Alright, alright, Wenqian, stop singing. It’s been you the whole time, let Jianing and them sing.”

Ye Zhiyun snatched the microphone, pressed down on her head, and handed the microphone to Fang Jianing. Fang Jianing smiled wryly. She rarely sang. What should she sing?

Oh right, she had also sung during a live stream before. It was an anime song. Why not sing that this time to have some fun? Thinking this, she cleared her throat and opened her mouth.

“Everything that gives me hope, I offer to you now. I’m yours…”

Once Fang Jianing started singing, the private room became quiet. Even Dai Wenqian stopped causing trouble, listening carefully. Fang Jianing sang a Japanese song. Although not as good as the original version, she had her own unique style. Her voice was soft and delicate, unlike the original singer’s passionate tone.

The song she sang came from an anime with huge controversy in the industry. Some praised it as a masterpiece, some criticized it as a rushed ending. But it was undeniable that its songs were very catchy.

“Woah, not bad, not bad, didn’t expect you, Ningning, to be quite good at singing. Pretty good.”

“This… I sang this song during a live stream before, so it’s somewhat familiar.”

Scratching her cheek, Fang Jianing spoke slightly embarrassedly.
Her being a Bilibili uploader wasn’t a secret. Everyone knew, but they still thought her voice was good. Even if she weren’t a streamer, it seemed she had other potential.

When the microphone reached Ye Zhiyun’s hand, she appeared composed, casually selecting a Mandarin song to sing. Although her singing skills weren’t particularly solid, fortunately, she rarely went off-key. Her voice wasn’t bad either, and she managed to finish a song.

But when it was Yu Linna’s turn, her face was the picture of anguish. She wasn’t suited for singing, asking her to sing? What could she sing? A person who couldn’t even pass the qualifying round of a city singing competition, what could she possibly sing well?

“Ten years since I prostituted myself, I have become lost and disconnected in Guangdong… Pah!! Sang the wrong lyrics. Again! Ten years since I drifted, I have become lost and disconnected in Guangdong…” *(Note: This is a classic mondegreen/misheard lyrics scenario based on a song about being away from home for ten years)

And as she sang, she kept messing up the lyrics, making everyone roar with laughter.

Yu Linna’s face flushed red. She really wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into. It was all because she usually browsed too much QQ News and Tieba (online forums), making her think of those ridiculously mangled lyrics as soon as she started singing this song. She sang them subconsciously, truly embarrassing.

Dai Wenqian was laughing so hard her ribs were about to break. This incident was enough to make her laugh for several years. She didn’t expect Yu Linna to be so cute, even messing up the lyrics like this. Oh my god, too funny!

“Wuwu, I will never sing again, not even if you kill me…”

After Yu Linna finished singing, she immediately covered her face and sat back down. She truly wanted to disappear! As a girl, she actually sang such a shameless song. She had no face left to show the world! Better die.

And looking at everyone’s knowing smiles, her face turned even redder. She truly felt like she had dug her own grave and jumped in.

Ye Zhiyun patted her shoulder and gave a mischievous smile.

“This room has a camera, you know. Although I didn’t record it, it’s on the system.”

Are you a devil?!

Oh no, now they have something to hold over her! Yu Linna’s future had been taken away!

She was so upset!

If it weren’t for the wrong lyrics, she wouldn’t have been caught. Now it’s great; she couldn’t escape in the coming days.

And Ye Zhiyun was extremely satisfied. With such good material, why waste it?
For the remaining time, Yu Linna collapsed on the sofa like a lifeless thing, completely losing hope, almost ready to meet Buddha.

“Maybe the joke went a bit too far…”

Ye Zhiyun looked at this lifeless Yu Linna and smiled.

After singing karaoke, it was about time to make dinner. Dai Wenqian had already prepared the induction cooker in the dining room, and the ingredients were placed in the kitchen. She clapped her hands and revealed a mischievous smile.

“Okay, everyone, let’s get the food ready. We can bring it up and cook as soon as the ingredients are washed. This winter, how can you get through winter without hot pot? Come, Little Linna, let’s go to the kitchen. Zhiyun and Jianing are in charge of washing the dishes later.”

Dai Wenqian pulled Yu Linna’s hand and entered the kitchen. Ye Zhiyun sat there watching TV, unmoved. She was used to this kind of Dai Wenqian. If Dai Wenqian was quiet, that would be strange.

“So, Classmate Wenqian…”

“Just call me Wenqian. Come on, let’s wash the vegetables. Everyone is waiting for us. Little Sister Linna, you often cook at home, right? Just looking at your posture and movements shows you are very skilled.”

Rolling up her sleeves, Yu Linna took the prepared meatballs to wash them clean, while Dai Wenqian also actively approached her to chat while washing vegetables.

“Cooking is something I’m very used to. But well, this is my first time preparing food myself for hot pot. I was always taken to hot pot restaurants by others before.”

“Is it your parents who took you?”

“…No.”

A trace of sadness flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly masked. Yu Linna pretended nothing happened and continued washing vegetables.

“When I was young, my parents would often take me to eat at high-end restaurants. I can tell the quality of ingredients. How about next time I take you to eat Western food? My treat, of course.”

“No, thank you.”

“Hehe, no need to be shy. As long as you say you want to go, I can take you anywhere.”

Dai Wenqian’s personality was too lively, simply unable to settle down. Yu Linna was exhausted from responding to her.

However, her being overly familiar with people, in a sense, was also a good thing. If she was a more reserved type, Yu Linna wouldn’t know what to do.

Quickly, after preparing the ingredients, the two carried everything to the dining room, and the induction cooker was turned on.

Chapter 105: Meeting Zhao Yuyan Again

With the last exam paper handed in, the semester officially came to an end. That damned final exam, it was finally over.

Yu Linna was the first to finish, the first to leave. Although students could only hand in their papers half an hour before the exam ended, she submitted hers with 40 minutes left on the clock. The teacher wasn’t surprised; it was a common occurrence. She accepted the paper and let Yu Linna leave without a second thought. At this school, if you were capable enough, you received certain privileges.

Stepping out of the classroom, she exhaled a breath of warm air. Winter was truly cold. Although the weather in the south was milder than in the north, the temperature had already dropped to six degrees Celsius. In this cold winter, besides going to school and buying groceries, she simply didn’t want to step outside. It was truly too cold.

Ye Zhiyun had also returned these past few days. After all, it was the end of the semester; she had to come back for exams. Although her grades were always good, exams couldn’t be skipped. This time, the exams shouldn’t be difficult for her.

Yu Linna was thinking about what to do during this winter break. Unlike last year, when she had to struggle for survival, this year, she had food and shelter, lacking nothing. It was precisely because she lacked nothing that she didn’t know what to do during this winter break. Although she wanted to work part-time, Ye Zhiyun wouldn’t allow it.

So, what should she do during this winter break?

Yu Linna fell into deep thought.

She walked alone on campus, completely clueless about what to do. Walking and walking, she reached the school gate. She clearly remembered Ye Zhiyun once coming to her school gate and taking pictures of Fang Jianing. But back then, Ye Zhiyun refused to take pictures of Yu Linna, her attitude quite unfriendly.

But who would have thought that later on, the person Ye Zhiyun took the most individual photos of was her, Yu Linna?

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Yu Linna noticed a graceful figure standing at the school gate. The weather was cold. The girl was bundled up in a padded jacket and pants, a scarf wrapped around her neck, her long hair braided and draped over her right shoulder. Hands in her pockets, she seemed to be waiting for someone.

“Miss Zhao.”

“Oh, you’re here, Linna. Finished your exams?”

“Just finished. How did you know I was at this school?”

“Just asked around and found out.”

Although she said that, anyone with a little bit of intelligence knew it couldn’t be just “asking around.” For Zhao Yuyan to know which school she was at, besides asking Chen Xi, she really couldn’t think of who else to ask.

“Looking for me for something?”

“I wanted to talk to you, regarding those matters Sister Chen approached you about before. I wanted to chat with you alone again. Is it convenient?”

Yu Linna glanced back at the teaching building. Everyone was still taking exams at this time. It was definitely too early for Fang Jianing to come out. With her personality, she would at least only leave the classroom two minutes before the exam ended. Waiting for her to come out wasn’t realistic anymore.

“Okay, I’ll go with you. I’m heading back anyway.”

Having agreed, Yu Linna walked on the road with Zhao Yuyan. The two figures gradually disappeared amidst the cold wind and dust.

Zhao Yuyan glanced at the petite girl beside her. Looking at her up close, her hair was truly beautiful, her face making one want to pinch her cheeks. Someone as pretty as her must have many admirers. I wonder if she has a boyfriend. If not, that would be great.

“Linna, Sister Chen mentioned it to you before. Are you really not considering it?”

She exhaled a puff of warm air, gazed intently at her face, and asked seriously.

“No way. I said I won’t do it, so I won’t do it.”

Yu Linna’s reply was also very straightforward: if she said she wasn’t doing it, she wasn’t doing it. With her current situation, why would she become a novelist? It wasn’t necessary at all. She had food and shelter; she no longer had to worry about her livelihood. Why bother doing unnecessary things?

Besides, wasn’t the lesson from Orange River deep enough? Was it really necessary to get involved in work related to the entertainment industry again? She didn’t want to experience that kind of pain again.

“Many people want to climb higher, want to be superior. If an opportunity is presented, they would all try to grab it, not proactively give it up like you.”

“If it were the past me, I might choose to hold on, but the current me, I wouldn’t do that anymore.”

She would never do this kind of thing again, absolutely not.
Her life had taken a completely different turn ever since the regional competition for the National Singing Competition. From that time on, she embarked on an entirely different path. She had always led a tough life these past few years, working to make a living. It wasn’t until Nangong Ying pulled her into the entertainment industry that she started a different life. But it was precisely Nangong Ying who led her into an inescapable hell, nearly causing her to lose her innocence.

After that, she left the entertainment industry, withdrew from that world, never wanting to go back. Having been hurt, she didn’t want to be hurt again. That kind of pain, she didn’t want to experience it a second time.

“Before I became an author, before becoming a novelist, I also thought I would live a peaceful life.”

Zhao Yuyan looked at the pedestrians and buildings along the road and quietly recounted her own experiences. Speaking of which, she also took an unexpected path. Before becoming a novelist, she had no worries about food or clothing; she could have lived a peaceful life without having to think about anything. But sometimes fate is quite strange. Because she wrote something for fun once, trying to submit it, she didn’t expect to actually win.

After that, she wrote several more manuscripts, trying to write novels. Last year, she submitted her completed novel to Wenqing Publishing Group and unexpectedly won first place in the Newcomer Grand Prize. And that award-winning novel was also her currently only serialized novel, “The Rich Man’s Game.”

And before serializing “The Rich Man’s Game,” she published the short story, “You in Time and Space.” That short story completely launched her fame.
And “The Rich Man’s Game” told the story of a formerly wealthy young lady, whose family fell into ruin due to bankruptcy, becoming destitute, wandering the streets. At this time, she took a liking to the male protagonist, who belonged to a rival family. So she took a fake name and deliberately approached him, intending to seek revenge. But unexpectedly, the male protagonist, being a fuerdai (rich second generation), enjoyed playing with girls. Seeing the impoverished female protagonist offer herself, he wanted to deceive her feelings and her body. Thus began a game of calculation between the once-rich and the currently rich.

Although the synopsis sounded quite dark and suspenseful, it was actually a light-hearted daily life story with comedic elements. The male and female leads were both masters of expressions, calculating against each other while hiding their true identities. Every time they perfectly planned everything, someone would always interrupt, disrupting their game, making them both turn into walking emoji.

This novel was slated for manga adaptation. When the illustrations for the manga adaptation were released, the male and female leads appeared as emoji, a very faithful representation.

Zhao Yuyan had become famous in the industry, but all this was earned through her own hard work. She never felt she got there simply because she was lucky.

“But writing novels changed my life, changed my existence. I never thought my stories could be read by so many people, could bring so many people smiles. I’m not saying this hoping to move you, just, I want to tell you how happy I am doing this job.”

Zhao Yuyan really liked her current job. She didn’t have to worry about family matters, nor did she have to think about future career prospects. Now she could support herself with her own money, tell her parents out loud that she could be independent, and no one could interfere with her life.

All of this was given to her by this profession.

“…”

Yu Linna was silent, momentarily unsure what to say.

It wasn’t that she never had dreams in the past, but precisely because she had dreams, she got hurt so badly, fell so painfully. She thought that as long as she could become a star, as long as she became famous, she could find her family in this world. But after discovering that everything was a lie, she lost hope, giving up all expectations.

She no longer thought of looking for her relatives.
It was just…
Sometimes she wondered, if she had persisted with her dreams, what level could she have reached?
Fame or ruin? She didn’t know either.

“Linna, I’ll ask you one more time. Are you interested in this field? Are you interested in participating in this year’s Newcomer Grand Prize?”

“…Sorry, not interested.”

“…Okay, I understand.”

Zhao Yuyan smiled wryly.

This girl, whom even Sister Chen wanted to recruit, really wasn’t easily swayed. If she was unwilling, no one could force her. How much talent this girl possessed was unclear, but that day at home, seeing the ideas she came up with, the stories she created on the spot, her talent was somewhat visible.

---

After they parted ways, Zhao Yuyan sighed. Sure enough, it’s no use. Wanting this girl to enter this profession, was it still too much to ask? If the girl herself had no such desire, no one could force her.

Hands in her pockets, Zhao Yuyan planned to just go back like this. Suddenly, a hand patted her shoulder. She turned around and found a short-haired girl standing behind her.

“Yuyan, having a secret rendezvous with whom?”

“…What secret rendezvous? That was my junior. Understand? Luo Nan, why are you hiding behind me and scaring me?”

“I want to. What about it?”

Luo Nan smiled, put an arm around her shoulders, and led her body back.

“Luo Nan, where are you taking me?”

“I don’t think I told you. I moved too, moved to this city. How about it? Want to come visit?”

“Aren’t you being a bit too hasty? Must it be now? Can’t we do it another day?”

“Of course it has to be today. Because today I even installed the heating and bought a sofa.”

“I always feel like you’re scheming something…”

Zhao Yuyan thought. This younger sister she had played with since childhood seemed to want to sell her off. But since they’ve known each other for so long, it should be fine. After all, they’re both girls; nothing should happen.

Zhao Yuyan thought so.

Chapter 104: Former Friend 

“I’m leaving. Take care of the house.”

“Take care.”

Ye Zhiyun was out again. This time, she said she was flying to Heilongjiang, seemingly involved in her father’s business. Her father asked her to go to Heilongjiang and help him out. Ye Zhiyun didn’t refuse and booked her flight early, planning to go over. This time, she didn’t know how long she would be gone, at least a week, at most half a month.

After experiencing failure, Ye Zhiyun became even stronger, her eyes filled with greater determination. This time, going to help her father with business should allow her to learn more and clearly understand where she was still lacking.

Yu Linna was once again alone. She stayed in the empty house, a sense of melancholy washing over her. Although she had been used to living alone, having Ye Zhiyun around recently made her feel a little unsettled now that she was gone.

I should prepare a delicious meal for her when she comes back, Yu Linna thought.

Since Ye Zhiyun wasn’t home during this period, she could also fully utilize the free time to do something. Unlike the typical mischievous child who gets wild when parents aren’t home, Yu Linna, having never experienced parental love, wouldn’t feel happy about someone leaving the house. Instead, she felt more unaccustomed.

During this recent cohabitation with Ye Zhiyun, she gradually developed a vague concept of “home.” Would her future family life also be like this?

Actually, thinking about it, it didn’t seem too strange. Every morning, sending her wife off to work at the door, then cleaning the house, taking care of the children, going grocery shopping in the afternoon, preparing a delicious dinner and waiting for her wife to come home. After dinner, watching TV together, turning off the lights and going to bed after a while. A day passed just like that.

Thinking about it like this seemed pretty good.
Although something felt a little off.

After washing the dishes, Yu Linna did some cleaning around the house. Today was the weekend, so there was no school. The final exams were next week, and winter break was also approaching. She was now thinking about how to spend the New Year. If she were alone, what should she do? Should she find a part-time job like last year?

She turned on the TV. When bored, she liked to watch TV. The anime she was following wasn’t updated yet; she could watch some variety shows as a placeholder. She opened a variety show she often watched, planning to spend the morning watching.

“Welcome everyone to ‘Star Dialogue’! I’m Nan Xuan. The celebrity having a face-to-face dialogue with us today is someone you wouldn’t expect. I believe you definitely don’t know who it is. Want to take a guess?~”

The female host on the TV held a microphone, her expression slightly comedic. Yu Linna wanted to laugh just watching the host’s expression, which was also why she liked watching her shows.

“Alright, no more keeping secrets. Today’s guest is, securing a spot on the annual box office chart, bursting into the ranks of first-tier celebrities as a newcomer, the superstar, NangongYing!”

Clap clap clap!

Applause rang throughout the studio on TV, while Yu Linna, outside the TV screen, just stared blankly at the scene unfolding.

After the applause, the spotlight flashed. A girl dressed somewhat androgynously walked out from backstage. She was wearing a single ponytail today, tight pants, a pair of patterned socks faintly visible.
She looked energetic, radiant, a bright smile on her pretty face. The host saw her and extended her hand. Nangong Ying also politely shook it.

“We’re truly lucky to have you today, Miss Nangong. You know, since your movie became a hit, many people wanted to interview you, but you refused all of them. I heard you went back to school to study. Have you been harassed?”

“Regarding that, I think it’s just an isolated phenomenon. The reporters blocking the entrance could only be paparazzi, completely different from professional, ethical reporters. I hope these big brothers and big sisters can calm down and not disturb the other students.”

Nangong Ying, now experienced in the entertainment circle, had learned to be tactful. She didn’t speak directly, just beat around the bush, giving others face. Of course, the audience couldn’t see this; it was also the effect the host wanted.

Yu Linna stared blankly at the Nangong Ying on TV, unable to speak for a long time. Compared to before, Nangong Ying seemed more energetic, her eyes sharper. And she had also learned to speak evasively, a stark contrast to the straightforward Nangong Ying from before. She had truly started to become a stranger.

“Miss Nangong, I heard you used to practice martial arts, even won championships. In your opinion, is there any relationship between martial arts and acting in movies?”

“Well, there’s some connection. Martial arts is also a profession, and it also requires performance on stage. And for us actors, performing for others to see, that’s also a profession. The two are actually related. You see, actors like us who have learned martial arts can perform very well in action films, without needing stunt doubles.”

“So you’re saying, you never used a stunt double when filming movies?”

“Not never used, rarely used. I still personally completed most of the action scenes. You could see my movements in the movie; they are actually different from what a stunt double would do.”

“Haha, after watching your movie, many girls have become your fans. Without exaggeration, there are more girls who like you than boys.”

The host chuckled and teased.
Actually, saying so wasn’t wrong. Since Nangong Ying filmed the movie, her female fanbase grew a lot. Even many girls became her loyal fans. Because Nangong Ying’s performance in the movie was too cool; many women yearned for this kind of Nangong Ying and naturally became her fans. It could be said that the protagonist played by Nangong Ying was the epitome of the new era’s women.

“Miss Nangong, as a newcomer, your film actually grossed 1.8 billion at the box office. This must be very significant for you.”

“Yes, indeed. This is the reward for my hard work, and also a height I want to surpass in the future. Debuting with such a box office record, surpassing this record later on will be quite stressful, but I hope I have the opportunity to surpass it in the future.”

“You seem to have big ambitions~”

“Haha, it’s just an ideal. I believe everyone has ideals. Working hard to realize your own ideals and goals, I think that’s a wonderful thing.”

In front of the television, Yu Linna looked at her face, her body trembling uncontrollably. Just looking at that face made her clench her fists.

Dreams, ideals, goals, these words sound so beautiful.
Wasn’t she the one who destroyed all of this?

Looking at the Nangong Ying on TV, Yu Linna’s feelings were very complicated. Nangong Ying was once her friend, her best friend, and also the person she trusted most, yet they couldn’t make it to the end.

She had once thought they could be friends for a lifetime, but in the end, she realized they could only walk part of the journey together.

“I once heard that you would often mention a good friend of yours on set, a friend working in the entertainment industry together with you, except that friend couldn’t reach the same heights as you. Is this news true?”

When this was said, Nangong Ying was silent for a few seconds.
Who prepared this question? It’s too sharp. This was a hurdle Nangong Ying couldn’t cross in her lifetime.
Indeed, she did have a good friend. But that was “once.”
She once wanted to protect her, wanted to safeguard her, wanted to walk with her, to higher and farther places in the entertainment industry. She believed that as long as she was there, she could overcome any difficulty. She once thought so.

But fate played a cruel joke on her. She and she ultimately didn’t end up together.
She betrayed her, pushed her into the fire pit. Although she later heard that Ye Zhiyun spent a hefty sum to redeem her from Orange River, it had become the greatest pain of her life – personally selling out her best friend to make her own name. How could such an act not make her suffer?

If given a chance, would she still do this? She didn’t know either, because there was no chance anymore.

“There are many people and much chatter on set; such whispers are inevitable. Firstly, I don’t have any friends developing in the entertainment industry. I do have a good friend, but she hasn’t entered the entertainment industry.”

Drip.
A tear rolled down and landed on the floor.

Yu Linna’s eyes blurred.
She just stared at the Nangong Ying on the TV, tears flowing uncontrollably.

“Liar…”

She looked at the screen and murmured this word.

Nangong Ying was lying, deceiving everyone, but only she realized it.

How could Nangong Ying be so cruel, so heartlessly betray her, so heartlessly sever their connection? How could she treat her like this? She trusted her so much, yet she was treated like this.

“Is that so? Then it seems the rumors persist. Miss Nangong, do you really have no other friends in the industry?”

“Of course, I have. Sister Yuexin from my band, and a few others…”

Yu Linna couldn’t bear to watch TV anymore. Just looking at Nangong Ying’s face, she couldn’t control herself. So, in Nangong’s heart, her position was this low, non-existent?

It was also her fault, trusting Nangong Ying completely, that led to this consequence. If only she had been more perceptive then, this wouldn’t have happened. Nangong Ying, she was truly too much. No one would have thought she would resort to such tactics.

She wiped away her tears, grabbed a tissue, and went to the bathroom to wash her face. She swore, she would never trust anyone again, not even her closest ones. She wouldn’t be hurt by anyone again because the past, naive Yu Linna had already died, died at the train station.

The television Yu Linna no longer watched was still on, the program continuing to play.

“Miss Nangong, the show is nearing its end. Is there anything you’d like to say?”

“There’s not much I want to say, just a little bit. Actually, for me to reach where I am today, I relied on the help of many people. I definitely couldn’t have succeeded alone. Sometimes, you really must cherish the people by your side, cherish everything you have. Don’t wait until you lose it to regret; it will be too late then. I’ve actually also regretted before, regretted the mistakes I’ve made, but there’s nothing I can do to change them now; there’s no going back. I only hope that each of you can cherish the happiness before you, because happiness is hard-won. Treasure every moment, every step of the way. Thank you.”

Applause arose, and the show ended.