Chapter 91: The Truth

I joined forces with Ling Feng to create the illusion of betraying you only because he asked me to. He wanted to end the relationship, yet he feared your nature—that in the end, you would remain where you were, waiting.

Five years ago, his family arranged a marriage for him. I’m sure you know the sort of thing I mean: a classic union between politics and business.

The difference was that Ling Feng had long been prepared for his fate, and he understood the road ahead. He never intended to refuse it; he even told me that this was the responsibility he ought to bear.

Because he had enjoyed it, he was willing to pay the price.

I did not truly understand such feelings, but I did know that if you learned the reason for the breakup, you would never let go willingly. And yet I could also see the seriousness and resolve in Ling Feng.

He told me that meeting you was the most beautiful accident of his life. He was willing to savor it, willing to sink into it for a brief while, but he would never allow that accident to ruin his tranquil life.

He did not want you to struggle in vain, so he thought of asking me for help, because he knew no one understood you better than I did.

So I came up with this plan.

Because you did nothing wrong, and Ling Feng... could hardly be called wrong either, I had no choice but to use such an ugly pretense to shatter your pride. But at least this way, you can rebuild your hope quickly and walk the path you were meant to walk.

Now it seems my choice was not wrong.

...

There were a few more trivial matters after that, but Zhao Ke was already drowning in tears and could not bear to keep reading.

This was the truth she had searched for so desperately. Just as she had guessed, it was unexpectedly clean, without the slightest stain.

As Qi Yao had said in the letter, she was not at fault, Ling Feng was not at fault, and even Qi Yao herself... was not at fault. Yet because of their separate natures, they each made what they believed were choices best for the other, and in the end those choices led to the separation of four people.

But on closer thought, it was clear that this outcome had in fact been inevitable.

Xi Kuan did not love Qi Yao; their breakup was inevitable.

Ling Feng placed greater importance on the responsibility he carried, while Zhao Ke clearly valued feelings more; their parting was likewise inevitable.

Even Zhao Ke and Qi Yao, those two close friends, were destined to drift apart in the end because of their different careers and different beliefs.

No one had expected that this separation would come so quickly, leaving an indelible mark on their youth.

Crying, Zhao Ke lifted her head, only to see Qi Yao in the audience seats as well, equally successful, equally triumphant—one smiling, one crying, yet the relief in both of them was the same.

--

“Would you call this ending a comedy too?”

By the time the final scene was filmed, Song Wan had successfully preserved her best-ever record of a one-take performance.

Meeting Song Wan’s radiant smile, Sun Xia could only think that no matter how many times she saw it, she would still be astonished by that miraculous acting ability of hers, the way she could cry on command and laugh just as easily.

Just moments ago, beneath the camera, Song Wan had been crying so beautifully that she inspired pity; Sun Xia had nearly lost control and rushed over on the spot. But the moment the scene ended, Song Wan broke into a smile, bright as warm sunlight.

Looking at that face, free of even a trace of shadow, who could swear that just now Song Wan had been in tears?

When other people perform scenes with such violent emotional swings, their energy is inevitably drained, and they need a good while to recover afterward. But Song Wan was gifted beyond compare; she feared no tearful scene at all. What could anyone do about that?

If Sun Xia had not seen actors even more gifted than this, she might already have been burning with envy toward Song Wan by now.

Just look at Zhao Meng, who at the beginning could still pretend to share sisterly affection with Song Wan; now, in order not to expose herself before Zhao Qing, she did not even dare appear near Song Wan, because the jealousy in her eyes could not be hidden the moment she saw her.

In the entire set, no one was more sensitive to the truth or falsehood of a performance than Zhao Qing.

Song Wan sat down directly beside Sun Xia, and Gao Xiang followed close behind, taking a seat as well. “Yaya, go pack up Song Wan’s things in the room. After the wrap dinner tonight, we’ll leave right away.”

Zhou Yaya nodded and turned to run back to the hotel where the actors were resting.

Sun Xia paid it no mind and instead leaned toward Song Wan. “Now that 'Best Friends' is finished, have you taken on a new film?”

At that, Gao Xiang, who had been sitting quietly to the side, could not help but glare at Song Wan. “She’s got a mind of her own. She didn’t even discuss her next project with me. She just signed herself onto a television drama.”

And it was one invested in and produced by an obscure new film-and-television company.

Aside from the director and Song Wan, every other actor in the entire crew was a newcomer.

It sounded utterly unreliable.

And yet Song Wan still accepted it, even to the point of arguing with Gao Xiang over it.

Most baffling of all was that President Jin actually indulged Song Wan’s reckless antics. Since she said she wanted to act in it, he really poured in a large sum of money to guarantee its quality so she could do it...

Was making a display of affection really this expensive now? If that was the case, Gao Xiang decided she would remain single for life.

Sun Xia looked at Song Wan in astonishment, not quite understanding her reasoning. “On your second project, you already landed an important role in a film. That kind of starting point is something other people can only envy. Why would you turn around and go back to television?”

Though people always spoke of equality, in the eyes of those in the industry, the film world was still more prestigious than television.

So many television actors had exhausted countless efforts and consumed endless resources just to enter the film world. Yet Song Wan, after stepping into it so easily, turned around and went back?

Wasn’t that ridiculous?

But Song Wan only smiled and did not refute her.

She had always known this choice was hard for others to understand, but even if only to restore the original owner’s work, she could not simply hand this role over to some stranger of unknown character just because she now had the status of a film actress.

Seeing that Song Wan did not wish to discuss it further, Sun Xia sensibly did not press the matter. Changing the subject, she asked, “That variety show you’re on, the one called 'Rise, Stars,' it’s nearing its end too, isn’t it?”

Song Wan nodded. “Tomorrow I’ll go film the final episode.”

Then after two days’ rest, she would go straight into the cast of the television drama 'Stars in Bloom.'

And just recently, the second work Song Wan had filmed was also about to meet the audience—

Post-production on the film 'Dreams of Brocade' had already been completed. Qian Fu was currently negotiating screening times with major theater chains, and the final release date was expected to fall sometime in the second half of May.

Because 'Rise, Stars' was still airing, the moment the trailer for 'Dreams of Brocade' was released, it immediately sparked an enthusiastic response from Song Wan’s fans.

Although Song Wan had finally won the right to manage her own Weibo account, she still could not post even one update a month, leaving her fans waiting with aching anticipation. Now that a film of hers was finally coming out, her fans naturally surged like wolves starved for months, and the moment they caught the scent of meat, they pounced.

The investors behind 'Dreams of Brocade' had not even begun promotion, yet they had already achieved such a terrific effect. They were practically waking up laughing in their sleep.

As a result, over this period, more scripts had been delivered into Gao Xiang’s hands, all from capitalists who valued the publicity effect that came with Song Wan herself.

“Then I’ll wish you in advance a ratings explosion for the final episode, and a perfect ending.”

Sun Xia extended her hand, and Song Wan took it. The two smiled at each other.

Zhou Yaya appeared in view dragging two large suitcases, and Song Wan hurried forward to help. Together they loaded all the luggage into the trunk of the car sent to pick her up.

By the time everything was stowed away, the hands of the clock pointed exactly to eight in the evening.

With his hands clasped behind his back like an old cadre, Zhao Qing walked up to Song Wan and the others, then produced a loudspeaker from behind him.

Gao Xiang took it at once, then shouted into it—

“Today Song Wan wraps. To thank everyone for taking such good care of her during this time, tonight we’re treating everybody to dinner at the Imperial Capital Hotel. Song Wan is paying out of her own pocket!”

Song Wan paused, then shot Gao Xiang a sideways look. “If I’m paying, then I’m paying.” As if anyone else couldn’t afford it.

Not to mention that the Imperial Capital Hotel belonged to Jin Youqian anyway; even if it didn’t, with Song Wan’s current net worth, she could still afford to treat the entire crew to a meal there.

Zhao Qing instantly burst out laughing, snatched the loudspeaker, and shouted, “Everyone hurry up and pack your things! You know the Imperial Capital Hotel isn’t easy to book. If you go too late and all the tables are taken, you’ll be standing there eating for yourselves!”

Of course that kind of thing would never happen at the Imperial Capital Hotel, but Zhao Qing’s words gave everyone present a sense of urgency. The sluggish movements that had just been visible immediately sped up at once, and within minutes everything was packed.

Zhao Qing was not polite in the least. He squeezed directly into the car Song Wan and the others were taking, then led the way for everyone else in front.

One of his words, you know, from Guazi Novel Network, www.gzbpicom, updated faster and without pop-ups.