Chapter 134: Nangong’s Wandering
Yu Linna packed her clothes, carefully placing them in her suitcase. She didn’t have many, so it wasn’t difficult. She wore a light blue scarf, the first gift Ye Zhiyun had given her, a cherished possession.
She glanced at the worn notebook on the table, the one with her name on it, a bittersweet smile touching her lips as she placed it carefully at the bottom of her suitcase. These were her most precious memories.
“Are you sure you have to leave?”
Ye Zhiyun stood at the doorway, her expression calm, but her voice held a hint of reluctance. She didn’t want Yu Linna to go.
“Thank you so much for taking care of me, but I have to leave. I can’t keep imposing on you.”
Yu Linna smiled, continuing to pack.
It had been three or four months since she moved in, time for her to move on. She was the winner of the Wenqing New Talent Awards, had received a substantial sum of money, and was now capable of supporting herself. And she didn’t want to be dependent on Ye Zhiyun.
She was grateful for Ye Zhiyun’s kindness, truly grateful. But she couldn’t stay forever. Deep down, she was still afraid of being kicked out one day.
“Nana, you know you can stay here as long as you like.”
“I can’t. You have your own life, your own career. I can’t interfere.”
“It’s not interference. I’m happy to have you here. Stay. Cook for me, look after the house. It wouldn’t be a bad arrangement.”
“Zhiyun…”
“I have everything here. I can give you anything you want, anything you lack. Isn’t that enough?”
Ye Zhiyun wanted her to stay, desperately.
Though their time together had been short, she had grown accustomed to Yu Linna’s presence, to coming home to a warm meal, a hot bath, a clean house.
Yu Linna brought joy to her life, a happiness she hadn’t experienced in years, the joy of having someone by her side.
She wanted her to stay.
Nana, don’t go.
The words remained unspoken.
“Zhiyun, what are we?”
Yu Linna’s sudden question caught Ye Zhiyun off guard.
“Huh?”
“We’re just friends, nothing more. As a friend, you’ve been more than kind to me. I can’t keep taking advantage of your generosity.”
No, that’s not it. That’s not true.
Not… just friends…
Not… that simple.
The words remained trapped in her throat.
This usually assertive, outspoken girl couldn’t voice her true feelings. She knew she would regret this.
Yu Linna finished packing, dragged her suitcase to the door, put on her shoes, and opened the door. As the light streamed in, Ye Zhiyun knew that once that door opened, it wouldn’t close again. It was Yu Linna’s choice.
“I’ll see you off.”
As a “friend,” it was all she could do.
Having won the award, Yu Linna decided to move out, finding a new apartment, more expensive than her previous one but with a better environment, more conducive to writing. She gave Ye Zhiyun two million yuan from her prize money, insisting it was repayment for her debt, despite Ye Zhiyun’s protests. Knowing Yu Linna’s stubbornness, Ye Zhiyun accepted, though she didn’t want the money.
If she had a choice, she wouldn’t have taken it.
Yu Linna still had one million, enough for a new apartment, furniture, and a new computer. Her status was different now; she was a recognized author.
Wenqing’s New Talent Awards concluded without much fanfare, the industry largely unaware of the significant change it represented. Qidian, having signed Luo Nan, had gained even more momentum. Though young, Luo Nan showed immense potential, and Qidian intended to nurture her into a star author.
“Yuyan, I told you, times are changing. If you stay there, you’ll be left behind.”
“Yes, I know, you’re right. But I’m staying with Wenqing~”
Luo Nan chatted with Zhao Yuyan on the phone. They had grown up together, their bond strong, despite being competitors in the publishing industry. They remained friends.
However, Luo Nan still hoped to lure Zhao Yuyan to Qidian.
“Is Wenqing’s champion this year another established author using a pen name?”
“If you think that, you’re wrong. This year’s winner is a newcomer, a complete newbie. And just like me, they’re only eighteen.”
“Eighteen? Even younger than you were when you won? Who are they?”
“You’ll be competing with them in sales soon. Isn’t your novel coming out in April? Their novel is scheduled for release around the same time.”
“Interesting. I look forward to the challenge.”
Qidian and Wenqing remained rivals, with Qidian leading in sales. But Wenqing wasn’t giving up. With the addition of Shion, the outcome was uncertain.
Qidian was an established publishing house, older than Wenqing, with a larger roster of authors and undeniable influence. Wenqing, on the other hand, had been declining.
But this year, things might change.
After the New Year, Nangong Ying returned to school, embarking on a nationwide tour of university entrance exams. Though a celebrity, she was still a high school student and had to go through the process like everyone else.
Traveling from city to city was nothing new to her; she wasn’t fazed by the arduous journey, simply moving from one exam to the next.
She had her sights set on a specific university, her ultimate goal: Beijing.
Studying there would provide her with the best acting training, honing her skills, benefiting her career in the long run. Her ultimate goal was to become a top-tier actress, representing her country in Hollywood. She had to work hard.
“Phew…”
Nangong Ying exhaled, wandering alone through the cold city, a loneliness only she could understand. She sometimes wondered if having someone by her side would make a difference.
Buzz, buzz.
Her phone vibrated. She answered, leaning against a wall, the bustling crowd in front of her, the city alive with activity.
“How did the exam go, Xiaoying?”
“It went well. I feel confident. If I keep this up, I should be able to get in.”
“That’s good! I’m looking forward to having you as a junior. If you get into the same university as me, I’ll personally welcome you during orientation.”
“Yes, I look forward to that day.”
Looking at the darkening sky, Nangong Ying realized it was already nine o’clock. She had been wandering for hours. She would have to find a hotel for the night.
“By the way, Xiaoying, you haven’t mentioned your friend lately. Did something happen?”
Nangong Ying fell silent, unsure how to respond.
“Sorry, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. Everyone has their secrets. I understand.”
Nangong Ying remained silent, afraid to speak.
Only she and Yu Linna knew the secret. To secure her footing in the entertainment industry, she had pushed Yu Linna towards Chenghe, almost leading to her exploitation. Nangong Ying had used that opportunity to get her film back on track, returning to the set, her name becoming known upon its release.
She had ruthlessly betrayed her friend for her own ambition.
The guilt lingered, a constant weight on her conscience. She knew she couldn’t forget, couldn’t let go. She could only carry this burden and keep moving forward.
“Sister Yuexin, I will succeed. I will keep going, no matter how many people I have to step over. I will achieve my dream. Because I am Nangong Ying.”
Nangong Ying, born to stand out, believed she was a unique talent. And so, she would continue on her path.
“It’s good to be driven, but don’t push yourself too hard.”
The call ended. Nangong Ying’s hand slipped, the phone still in her grasp, but her heart was as cold as the wind.
Don’t push myself? If Chenghe hadn’t pressured her, would she have made that decision? If she hadn’t pushed herself, would she have condemned Yu Linna to such a fate?
She was the one at fault; she knew it.
And so, she would carry this guilt and walk this path to the end.
Nangong Ying’s figure disappeared into the night…
The film industry continued to dominate the entertainment world. Though Nangong Ying’s new film hadn’t been released yet, it was already generating buzz. Other directors were also preparing their films, hoping for box office success.
“Director Wang, the script revisions are done. Shall we continue filming?”
“Of course! Get ready, we’re starting!”
“No problem. Director, why did you choose to write this script? It’s a realistic story, but… a struggling young man who can’t achieve his dreams, no matter how hard he tries? It’s so depressing. The audience might not like it.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not doing this for box office success. It’s a good story, and I want to tell it well.”
“I still think it’s too dark. Why write such a story? If the protagonist can’t achieve his dreams despite his efforts, isn’t that just antagonizing the audience?”
“Are you the director, or am I? This story is about the struggles of a marginalized youth, not some inspirational tale. Just trust me.”
Filming continued, the revised script lying on the director’s table…
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