Chapter 71: Embarking on the Journey
Traveling alone to a strange city was no longer such a difficult thing for her to accept. She had gotten used to being alone these years. There was nothing good or bad about it, just a matter of habit.
When she boarded the train, she habitually placed her things on the sleeper berth, then protected herself well. She wouldn’t foolishly buy the train meals anymore. When alone, she had to rely on herself for everything; she had long gotten used to it.
As she looked at the scenery outside the train window, Yu Linna often wondered where she was born. The world was so big; she didn’t know where she came from, nor where her bloodline originated. She only knew she was abandoned when very young, losing her home at a very young age.
But years of life had also forged her hardship-enduring character, training her survival ability. She could live until now precisely because she was strong enough.
After spending about two days on the train, she arrived in the metropolis of Shanghai. Stepping off the train, a wave of hot air rushed towards her. She squinted, feeling the warmth of this land, and smiled slightly.
Next was her journey.
She put away her smile and stepped onto this land. She knew clearly how difficult the road ahead would be, but to get the signature, this was the only way. Sometimes she really admired those fans who specifically sought out their idols just to get an autograph. At this moment, she could somewhat understand that feeling.
The city of Shanghai was extremely prosperous, with towering buildings, dense crowds, and obvious commercialization. Walking in this metropolis, she occasionally encountered a few foreigners. Those blonde-haired, blue-eyed foreigners would even come up and greet her in English.
“Hi, are you here for tourism too?”
Whenever this happened, Yu Linna always struggled to explain that she wasn’t here for tourism, that she was Chinese. But later, she became too lazy to explain, simply saying no.
Her conspicuous appearance, under the reflection of this metropolis, wasn’t that rare after all. Yu Linna scratched her head and continued walking towards the address on her phone’s navigation.
Her guardian was named Tong Lili, who became her guardian a few years ago, nominally of course. This guardian ran off shortly after becoming her guardian, completely ignoring her life or death. And it was said Tong Lili seemed to have remarried, marrying some unknown guy from somewhere.
Yu Linna took out her phone and tried making a call. Since she was here, she still had to find her. After all, she was her nominal guardian.
“Hello, this is Tong Lili. You are…”
“Auntie Tong, hello. It’s me. I’m in Shanghai now. I need to see you about some trivial matters. Is it convenient to meet?”
“…”
Silence on the other end.
Tong Lili simply hadn’t expected Yu Linna to come find her herself; it was completely beyond her expectations. She originally thought they would never have the chance to meet again. Who could have thought she would personally come looking for her?
“Let me make it clear first. I have a child to raise now, and don’t have much energy to take care of you. Just take the money and go.”
“No, no, no, I’m not here for money.”
The other party thought Yu Linna was here to ask for money, showing great impatience. You know, she had finally found another partner and gotten married, finally having a new family. She didn’t want her life disturbed by this burden, Yu Linna.
Yu Linna carried her bag, walking alone on unfamiliar roads in a strange city. She didn’t know where she could go, but she wanted to walk here a little longer. Thinking about her future prospects, she had to endure. To gain, one must pay; this was an unchanging truth.
Yu girl casually bought two buns from a street stall, took a bite, and swallowed. The feeling of emptiness still lingered, but this was already her most luxurious meal. The travel expenses to Shanghai weren’t cheap. She used the prize money from the English competition, which she originally wanted to use to improve her meals.
She did this so she could eat her fill every day in the future, she kept comforting herself.
Finally, around three or four in the afternoon, Tong Lili asked her to meet at a coffee shop. As soon as Yu Linna entered the coffee shop mentioned, she knew it was high-class, definitely not a place a poor person like her could afford.
Tong Lili was a woman over thirty, with ordinary looks. Her figure had slightly fluctuated due to age. Sitting with Yu Linna, Yu Linna was definitely more eye-catching. And Yu Linna was also apprehensive. After sitting down opposite her, she didn’t know how to start.
Tong Lili was now a successful career woman. She had started a small company and was currently running it. She worked hard with her current husband, and things had gradually improved these past two years. Moreover, her child was born now, and life was happy and harmonious.
The moment she saw Yu Linna, she felt a headache. Back then, it was only because this child had no one to raise her that she reluctantly handled the guardianship documents out of human kindness, becoming her nominal guardian. But actually, like the several families Yu Linna had boarded with before, she never considered Yu Linna her own.
Back then, she just gave her a little money and ran off to start her business outside. She didn’t want to manage Yu Linna at all. After all, this child wasn’t her bloodline; why should she care?
People are selfish; no one is obligated to do good deeds for others.
“Yu girl, sit down. I’ve ordered coffee for you. Just say what you need to say. After you’re done, take the money and leave. Don’t come back again.”
Yu Linna looked at the cup of coffee on her table, frowning slightly. She didn’t like black coffee much. Tong Lili didn’t even ask what she wanted to drink and arbitrarily ordered coffee for her. How much did this person dislike her?
Yu Linna took a packet of sugar and added it. Although filled with dissatisfaction, she still appeared obedient on the surface. Years of living under others’ roofs taught her that only this way could she earn a good face from others.
“Auntie Tong, I’m not here for money. I’m living quite well now and can support myself.”
“Then why did you come looking for me? Let me tell you, I won’t take you with me now. I have no obligation.”
Tong Lili was very impolite, showing no mercy at all.
After all, she really didn’t want to take over Yu Linna’s mess. In another year, Yu Linna would be an adult. Once she became an adult, she would no longer be her guardian. Then whatever Yu Linna wanted to do would be none of her business. But before that, she didn’t want any trouble because of Yu Linna.
“I need your signature. I’ve decided to become an actress, but I’m not an adult yet and need a guardian’s signature. Please sign for me.”
She took out the contract and handed it to her.
She firmly believed that just a signature wouldn’t be refused. Because the other person really didn’t feel much for her, let alone excessively manage her affairs. Just signing was indeed not a big deal.
Tong Lili looked at the contract, roughly browsed through it, sneered, and threw the contract onto the table.
“You’re quite capable, becoming an actress, have a future. Just don’t know which director took a fancy to you. You haven’t even developed yet, no chest, no butt. Which fool is so perverted, not even letting a child go? But forget it, that’s your choice after all.”
Tong Lili, as a person in society, although unfamiliar with the entertainment industry, also knew that with Yu Linna’s abilities, unless someone took a fancy to her, it was absolutely impossible for her to become an actress. And Yu Linna’s appearance made it easy to guess why she was targeted.
“Auntie Tong, if you think it’s okay, can you give me a signature?”
Yu Linna didn’t say anything, too lazy to explain so much. She just wanted a signature.
“Hmph, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, still wanting to venture out into the world. Suit yourself, I can’t manage that much. But let me say this first, don’t come looking for me if something happens.”
She signed her name as guardian on the contract.
Although called a guardian, she had actually never fulfilled her obligations. After all, Yu Linna wasn’t her child; she wouldn’t manage her. Besides, people die for wealth, birds die for food. If you can’t even manage yourself, who would manage others?
“Thank you. I’m leaving.”
Picking up the contract, Yu Linna stood up, intending to leave immediately. Her goal was achieved; she didn’t need to linger anymore.
She was about to start, fly to higher and farther places. Past entanglements would no longer bind her; she only lived for the future.
“Yu girl.”
Tong Lili called out to her.
“You don’t want the money?”
She pointed to the envelope on the table. The bulging envelope contained a sum of cash.
Yu Linna swallowed, looking at the envelope, her heart moved. As a poor person, a poor person who couldn’t eat her fill, how could there be a reason not to want money?
She was just about to reach out for it when Tong Lili’s next words extinguished the thought.
“A son of one of my business partners wants a blind date. Are you interested? If you’re willing, I’ll give you more, consider it your dowry.”
Yu Linna clenched her fists.
Her expression didn’t change on the surface, but her body had already recoiled.
She knew what the other party meant. To get this money, she had to go on a blind date. If she married someone else, she would give her an even larger sum. Tong Lili didn’t want to fulfill her responsibility towards her, wanting to marry her off to lighten her own burden. Although Yu Linna wasn’t of marriageable age, rules are dead, people are alive. A certificate couldn’t be obtained, but a marriage could still happen.
“No, thank you for Auntie Tong’s concern. I’m leaving.”
She only felt disappointment towards this guardian.
Nothing else.
After all, she was the guardian, holding more power. But Yu Linna wasn’t that easy to bully. She would rather not take the money than be with someone she didn’t know.
“Heh, knew you wouldn’t be willing.”
Tong Lili smiled, looking at the departing figure, feeling satisfied. Want to get money from me? No way.
Yu Linna bought a return train ticket again, embarking on the journey back. She got the signature, already signed her own name. As long as it was stamped, she would officially become a signed artist of Orange River. And her star path officially began at this moment.
Thinking of that girl’s figure, she silently clenched her fists.
Nangong, I will catch up to you.
No matter how long it took, she would strive towards that direction until she also became a legend. What Nangong could do, she could do too.
She firmly believed this.
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