Chapter Forty: Young Love

Wang Ling hung up the phone, silent for a long while. The mention of Zou Tang just now seemed to have transported her back in time.

"Hey! Are you the little sidekick always hanging around Zhang Kai?" Blocked on her way, Wang Ling cast a glance at the girl in front of her—someone she recognized. It was her classmate Zou Tang, who also happened to be the cousin of Zhang Kai’s new flame, Zou Ying.

Wang Ling had not intended to respond, but Zou Tang refused to let her off, grabbing Wang Ling’s bag with an air of superiority. “Let me warn you: Zhang Kai is my cousin’s boyfriend. You’d better stay away from him.”

Wang Ling looked steadily at the girl before her and spoke coldly, “Did Zou Ying send you?”

For an instant, panic flashed across Zou Tang’s face, but she quickly raised her voice, “Of course she did. Do you really think just because you trail him every day, he’ll suddenly notice you and fall for you? Don’t kid yourself. He likes my cousin. Someone like you isn’t even qualified to be his backup.”

“I understand.” Wang Ling’s tone remained cool and detached, as if none of this concerned her in the least.

Glancing at the flustered, angry Zou Tang, Wang Ling shook off her hand and strode away, crisp and decisive.

No one knew that she spent the entire afternoon afterward crying alone in a deserted corner. What Zou Tang said was true—she did like Zhang Kai, secretly, fiercely.

At first, shyness kept her from confessing. She hid her feelings and became his friend: sharing meals, watching movies, doing everything together. Each small moment with him brought her quiet joy for days.

Later, as she watched him change girlfriends one after another, she felt relieved—relieved that she could stay by his side, even if only as a friend.

Wang Ling began to hide her feelings, willingly settling for the role of his friend—or perhaps, his “brother.” She accompanied him in things she herself had never done before, simply because he liked them.

But the longer one stays in a comfortable position, the more one fears change. Wang Ling grew more and more afraid to reveal her heart, worried that any confession would destroy their friendship entirely.

She even began to think that things were fine as they were. Sometimes, she’d chat with him about his new girlfriends, believing deep down that none of them would last.

So Wang Ling remained by Zhang Kai’s side as a friend, occasionally wondering to herself: If I stay with him long enough, will he eventually see me, maybe even fall for me?

But after Zou Ying appeared, Wang Ling realized things were different. She’d always believed she hid her feelings well, yet today, Zou Tang had mercilessly ripped away her mask.

And Zou Ying—the one she could never compare to—did she know as well? Was that why she’d sent Zou Tang to warn her?

All Wang Ling could do was feign indifference, wrapping her last shreds of dignity around herself.

Returning from her memories, Wang Ling took a deep breath and dialed Zou Tang’s number. This time, she would not retreat.

As soon as the call connected, an exaggeratedly sarcastic voice came through: “Well, isn’t this the manager of our top starlet? What a surprise—you have time to call me!”

Zou Tang deliberately emphasized the words “top star,” her gloating clear as day.

Wang Ling seemed oblivious, answering cheerfully, “Being a top star is no help, is it? My schedule depends on your artist’s wishes, after all!”

“What do you mean?” Zou Tang grew serious. She would never believe Wang Ling called just to complain about her work. There could only be one reason. Glancing at Li Keke, who was sitting nearby, Zou Tang’s mind began to turn.

“Oh, nothing,” Wang Ling said, seizing the chance to sow discord. “I just noticed your artist seems to have her own ideas. For old times’ sake, I’m giving you a heads-up. With anyone else, you’d be the one taking the blame, not her.”

“You called just to talk nonsense? Wang Ling, I think you’re losing your mind from overwork.”

By now, Zou Tang had a clear guess at the situation. She cursed Li Keke’s stupidity internally, but had no choice but to cover for her.

Wang Ling put on an air of nonchalance. “If that’s what you think, there’s nothing I can do. I’m just worried for you—what if one day she goes behind your back? How will you handle it?”

“Save your concern for yourself.”

Wang Ling ended the call with a satisfied smile. “Sort it out among yourselves,” she thought. Her spirits lifted: perhaps it was time to check in on her own troublesome artist.

As soon as she entered, Bai Chenxi threw her arms around Wang Ling in a big hug. “Sister Wang, you’re finally here!”

Wang Ling pushed her away in disgust. “Look at this place—it’s a complete mess. Don’t you ever tidy up?”

Bai Chenxi looked at her with teary eyes. “Isn’t my home just a dog’s den now?”

Wang Ling’s eyes fell on the lazy dog lounging nearby. “So this is Caesar?”

“Yes, yes! Sister Wang, you have no idea what I’ve been through these last few days.” Bai Chenxi was still complaining when she noticed Wang Ling was gone.

Turning around, she saw Wang Ling patting Caesar’s head—and the dog was perfectly well-behaved. Watching this harmonious scene of human and dog, Bai Chenxi felt a deep sense of defeat.

After a while, Wang Ling looked up at Bai Chenxi and said seriously, “Now I believe you’re ‘dog-repellent.’”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?” Bai Chenxi forced a smile, her voice full of resignation.

After playing with Caesar for a while, Wang Ling remembered the real reason for her visit. Her expression grew solemn. “We found out who’s been slandering you.”

“Who is it?” Bai Chenxi shot up from the sofa. Had the person been present, she would have rushed at them on the spot.

“Li Keke from Fish Brocade Entertainment.”

“Li Keke?” Bai Chenxi sat back down, puzzled. “Who’s that?”

“Honestly! You spend all day glued to your phone, but you never pick up anything useful.”

“I’m just there for the handsome guys. Who cares about all that scheming between actresses?” Bai Chenxi muttered quietly to herself.

Wang Ling gave her a dangerous look. “What are you mumbling about?”

Bai Chenxi immediately put on a bright smile. “Nothing, just trying to recall who this Li Keke is and how I offended her.”

Wang Ling sighed. “Li Keke is also filming ‘Star Diary.’ Ever since you joined the show, you’re trending every other day. Maybe she thinks you’re stealing her limelight.”

“That’s all?” Bai Chenxi was incredulous. She hadn’t forced anyone to watch her—fans made their own choices. Was she really being resented just for that? Talk about getting caught in the crossfire.

“That’s all it takes,” Wang Ling replied earnestly. “Even if you do nothing, as long as you’re in this industry, you can’t stay untouched. The entertainment world has limited resources. If you take some, others will lose out, and jealousy is inevitable.”

“Oh.” Bai Chenxi’s spirits flagged, her response listless.

Seeing Bai Chenxi so dispirited, Wang Ling thought, “She must really be upset.” After all, she was new to the industry and had always had smooth sailing. It was understandable she couldn’t grasp this reality.

Wang Ling tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry. This was Li Keke acting on her own—I’ve already informed her manager. She won’t get away with it.”

Bai Chenxi had stumbled into this industry by accident. She’d been an outsider, only occasionally checking out handsome actors and celebrity gossip.

She never harbored ambitions of becoming a superstar; she simply loved acting and wanted to keep doing it.

She thought that if she quietly focused on her roles, all the drama would pass her by. Only today did she realize that even if she kept to herself, trouble would still find her.

Suddenly, Bai Chenxi found it all rather meaningless. She felt so dejected she didn’t even notice when Wang Ling left.