Chapter 76: Trust
The girl in her arms trembled, seemingly frightened by something, like a small animal. Having never seen her like this, Fang Jianing sensed something was wrong. What could make Yu Linna become like this? If it wasn’t something that could deeply affect her, it absolutely couldn’t make her like this.
Yu Linna was a strong girl. Although a bit cheeky, she would never infringe on others’ rights. Coming from a poor family, she had always been ambitious, not only studying well but also working part-time outside to support her family. Privately, she had never been seen in such a weak state. In memory, besides that time she secretly cried in the park, she seemed never to have shown such an expression. But the current Yu Linna was much more fragile than when she secretly cried last time. At this moment, she was like a frightened rabbit, her face frighteningly pale.
“There, there, Linna, don’t be afraid. What happened? Can you tell me?”
“No, no, no…”
She shook her head desperately, like a rattle drum.
“Alright then, calm down first, okay? No one will hurt you. Be good.”
“Okay…”
The girl hugged her, refusing to let go, afraid of being targeted again when she let go.
What she experienced earlier made her truly feel the powerlessness of being a girl. She was really just a hair’s breadth away from falling into the tiger’s mouth. If she hadn’t run fast, she probably would have really died there.
As a girl, having lived as a girl for seventeen years, this was the first time she experienced the powerlessness of being a girl. Once a girl is targeted, it’s very difficult to shake off the hunter, unless this prey is worthless. But as long as it’s prey, it’s definitely valuable.
In the entertainment industry, girls are very unsafe, especially in a place like Orange River. Yu Linna was lucky; at least she could still escape. If it were someone else, it’s unknown if they would have had the chance to come out.
She never knew the entertainment industry was such a terrifying place. The world always said the entertainment industry was a glamorous stage, a broad road to brightness. But this broad road seemed not as beautiful as people imagined.
Compared to the vibrant campus life, the entertainment industry was far too complex; it was a society in itself.
Yu Linna didn’t dare to think ahead. If she were slightly careless, what would she become?
Fang Jianing comforted her for a long time before Yu Linna slowly calmed down. But her mood still hadn’t improved. Fang Jianing took her to eat, but she had no appetite.
She kept thinking, what kind of place had she gone to? Why did the starlit path everyone talked about turn out like this? A place so many people desperately wanted to go, why was it so unbearable? Nangong Ying, why did she bring her here?
She had too many questions.
To figure this out, she went to find Nangong Ying that evening. Learning that Nangong Ying had returned to Guangnan City, she immediately set off to find her. Fang Jianing wanted to stop her because she was worried about Yu Linna. After all, her behavior today was too abnormal; she really couldn’t rest assured letting her go out alone.
Yu Linna left forcefully, ignoring the advice. She only had one thought: find Nangong Ying and ask clearly.
The girl took a taxi to find her. This was an extravagant act for Yu Linna, who was used to taking the bus, but she couldn’t care less at this moment. Nangong Ying now had an independent office in Orange River’s branch company, specially given to her by Orange River as a gift for signing her. Nangong Ying had also officially signed the contract not long ago; she had rightfully become an artist under the Orange River banner.
Nangong Ying agreed to film four movies for Orange River, but excluding profit sharing. The salary for each movie was around 3.9 million, not including guest appearances.
But for this contract, Nangong Ying paid a painful price. To allow her only completed movie to be released smoothly, to allow her to continue the movie she hadn’t finished filming, she chose to endure. She didn’t want to be restricted by multiple movie contracts, but she had to accept these domineering contracts.
Simply because she was a newcomer, she could only endure. Now Orange River was the biggest; everything was decided by them. She couldn’t resist at all. They even wanted to use the unspoken rules on her. For her future development, she chose to compromise, and at the same time, made the most painful decision.
That was to personally send Yu Linna into this circle.
Although Yu Linna lacked ability, acting skills, and value, her advantage was having a good appearance, which was precisely why Orange River took a fancy to her. She might not become a big star, but she was the most suitable toy in the eyes of the higher-ups.
“Nangong.”
The office door was knocked, then opened. The blonde girl walked in, led by the woman in the suit. Nangong Ying knew why she came; she had long prepared for this day.
Sooner or later, it had to be experienced.
Nangong Ying today wore high-end brands, a pair of jeans highlighting the lines of her legs. Because she had exercised, her muscle lines were beautiful, and her tall stature made her conspicuous. Her blue hair was tied into a ponytail, giving off a capable and experienced look. If it weren’t for her identity as an actress, some might think she was a fitness trainer.
Yu Linna today wore a plain short-sleeved shirt and trousers, a pair of twenty-yuan flat shoes, utterly plain, clearly incomparable to Nangong Ying. Truly a waste of a beautiful face.
But Nangong Ying had seen it countless times and was long used to it. She had already prepared good tea, let Yu Linna sit down, then asked her agent to go out first and close the door.
“Linna, sit down. This place has been assigned to me as an office. Just treat it as my home.”
Yu Linna walked to the opposite sofa, looking at the steaming black tea. The fresh tea aroma couldn’t soothe the questions in her heart. On that calm face, there seemed to be no panic. Yu Linna thought, perhaps she really didn’t know what happened.
But how could she have thought that Nangong Ying actually understood everything, just learned to hide it?
This girl, who used to be so upright, after experiencing a series of lessons, also learned to hide, learned shrewdness.
“Nangong, I want to know, why did you bring me into the entertainment industry?”
“I want to help you, it’s that simple. I always felt you have the aptitude. Look, you’re more outstanding than others. I think you should be in this circle.”
She spoke calmly, reasonably, finding no place to refute.
And these excuses, she had prepared long ago.
She knew Yu Linna wouldn’t easily doubt her; she would definitely believe her.
“Really?”
When Yu Linna expressed doubt, she knew she already controlled the chessboard.
“Yes, I’ve always thought so. Linna, haven’t I told you? I want to go to higher and farther places. But if you are by my side, I should be very happy. Nothing is happier than growing together with a friend by your side.”
These words, she wasn’t lying.
At least, she had thought so before.
Yu Linna was her friend, always would be. This point wouldn’t change. She firmly believed that Yu Linna was her lifelong friend. It was just… she couldn’t protect her forever.
“But, Nangong… I was almost… I won’t say it, I can’t say it anymore.”
Mentioning that incident, Yu Linna hugged her trembling body. She still had lingering fear about that matter. A girl in the prime of her youth, encountering such a thing, how many wouldn’t be afraid?
Nangong Ying knew what happened. How could she possibly not know? But what could she do? Could she change it? Standing before them was Orange River, the leader of the film industry. She was just a small newcomer actress. What could she change?
“Linna, calm down. Things aren’t as bad as you think. That leader, he’s one of Orange River’s shareholders, a member of the board of directors. He couldn’t possibly do that kind of thing to you. He also has a family. Don’t overthink it.”
“But…!”
“Linna, do you trust me?”
When Nangong Ying said this sentence, Yu Linna obediently closed her mouth. Looking at her sincere face, she brewed her thoughts for a moment, then slowly uttered the most sincere and also the most foolish sentence of her life:
“You are the person I trust most in this world.”
Yes, she trusted Nangong Ying. She would always trust Nangong Ying.
Why?
Simply because three years ago, when the bullying senior wanted to cut her hair, Nangong Ying stood out. From then on, she always remembered that summer afternoon, the figure of the blue-haired girl.
In this world, few people had been so good to her, but she remembered all those who were good to her. Therefore, she could distrust anyone, but Nangong Ying, she would always believe.
“Is that so…”
Nangong Ying smiled, a very happy smile. She was so happy to receive such trust from Yu Linna. To have such a friend in life, what more could one ask for?
“Since you trust me, then don’t think wildly. Be good. I’ve already joined this company. In the future, we’ll be actors in the same company. I will take you to farther places. I promise, I will let you live a good life.”
She reached out, patted her head, revealing a gentle smile. Nangong Ying rarely smiled at others like this. Yu Linna was special; only she could receive such treatment.
“Well, okay…”
Although many questions lingered in her heart, Yu Linna ultimately chose to believe. Society was so treacherous. She chose to be sincere to her friend. Even if others laugh at me for going out without a weapon, I still want to face everyone with a smile.
Sincere friendship always exists.
She had always thought so.
Sending Yu Linna away, the moment the door closed, her tears fell drop by drop onto the floor. She had been holding back just now, but after Yu Linna left, she couldn’t hold back anymore. She stood by the door, locked it, lowered her head, tears rolling down just like that.
“I’m sorry, Linna…”
Nangong Ying was a liar. She didn’t deserve such trust from her.
She knew it. She knew this was wrong, but she still chose this path, simply because in her heart, dreams were more important than friendship.
The place she wanted to go was too far; she couldn’t take her along. She raised her head, tears blurring her vision, also blurring the firmest shield in her heart. Behind that shield was the existence named Yu Linna.
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