CHAPTER 121

"Miss Tang, I'm heading to the set first."

"Okay, see you later."

Qin Yinong nodded at her and left the hotel with her studio team.

Tang Ruoyao watched her figure and continued to be absent-minded for a while before remembering her forgotten message to Xin Qian.

"I'm downstairs." Tang Ruoyao typed.

Xin Qian soon appeared at the elevator entrance and walked over, asking, "Why did you come down alone? No wonder I knocked on the door and no one answered."

Tang Ruoyao remained composed, "I woke up a bit early today and wanted to let you sleep a little longer."

Xin Qian responded with a couple of "ohs" and scratched her head, saying, "Thank you, but it's not necessary. I'm just your assistant, so it's my job to wait for you in the morning."

Tang Ruoyao smiled faintly and said, "You're welcome. We're good..." She paused, intending to say "good sisters" but changed her words, "good partners."

Xin Qian felt a little embarrassed and said, "Really, there's no need. Sister Mu will scold me."

Tang Ruoyao smiled and remained silent.

It must be said that Xin Qian, despite being simple-minded, had a luck that others envied. As soon as she became an artist's assistant, she followed Tang Ruoyao. Previously, Ruan Qin couldn't be bothered with her, and now Mu Qingwu had a mild temperament. Not to mention Tang Ruoyao, except for occasionally asking her to help with things, Xin Qian was basically like a mascot by her side.

Xin Qian noticed Tang Ruoyao's gaze on her and felt a little uneasy, asking, "What's wrong?"

Tang Ruoyao raised an eyebrow and said, "I suddenly realized that you look quite auspicious."

Xin Qian was puzzled, "Huh?"

Tang Ruoyao chuckled softly, hands behind her back, and walked out, saying, "Let's go, the crew's car should be here."

.....

"Scene 35 of 'True Colors,' one continuous shot, action!"

The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, clearly discernible even through the wall.

The quiet next door suddenly became lively.

Xu Shiming lifted his son on his shoulders, smiling brightly as he walked around the yard with phoenix flowers planted. Xu Di held onto his father's thick earlobes, happily calling out "Daddy" and giggling.

"Dinner's ready." Shen Muqing called from the door, a hint of complexity crossing her expression.

Xu Shiming looked back, a gentle smile appearing on his refined and mild face. "We're coming," he said. He gently put his son down and held his little hand as they walked towards Shen Muqing together.

As they reached the doorway, Xu Shiming was about to reach out and put his arm around Shen Muqing's shoulder, but she subtly avoided his hand and calmly said, "The food is getting cold."

Xu Shiming was taken aback but quickly said, "Okay, thank you for your hard work."

Shen Muqing didn't stop walking.

This should have been a familiar and heartwarming scene a long time ago, where they respected each other, shared everything, and lived harmoniously as a couple, something that everyone envied. However, the past events had created a crack, and Xu Shiming wanted to mend that crack. He believed it could be repaired.

After washing his hands, Xu Shiming sat down at the table, picked up his chopsticks, and softly said, "I'm sorry, Muqing. I won't do it again in the future."

Shen Muqing lowered her head and continued eating without looking at him. "Let's eat."

"Muqing..." Xu Shiming put down his chopsticks and reached out to hold Shen Muqing's hand.

The man's palm was rough and wide, and the feeling on her backhand was completely different from the girl's warm and delicate touch. She resisted, rejected, and even felt nauseous. Shen Muqing tried her best to endure and slowly withdrew her hand from the man's grasp. Her fingertips trembled slightly, and her voice was suppressed. "Let's eat."

Xu Shiming stopped for now.

The sound of clattering utensils echoed.

Shen Muqing tidied up the kitchen while Xu Shiming continued playing with their son in the yard. Shen Muqing rolled up her sleeves and looked down at the red string on her wrist, which Han Zifei personally braided for her, saying it was for protection.

After drying her hands, Shen Muqing held her wrist with the red string as if she had infinite courage. She walked into the yard and called out to the man with his back turned to her, her voice calm and composed. "Shiming, I want to talk to you."

Xu Shiming turned around.

The camera zoomed out, switching scenes where a red leaf fell from the phoenix tree in the yard, spinning as it descended from the windowsill made of pear wood.

In the study.

Shen Muqing looked at her husband in front of her, her gaze determined, each word resolute and loud.

"I want a divorce."

...

Han Yuping: "Cut."

Qin Yinong and the actor playing Xu Shiming, Dai Yongqing, nodded at each other in acknowledgement and stepped back from the camera.

Tang Ruoyao tiptoed, restraining the impulse to dash over, and slowly made her way to Han Yuping's monitor to watch the playback. Qin Yinong also came over shortly after. In the moment of their proximity, Tang Ruoyao pretended to accidentally touch Qin Yinong's smooth hand.

Qin Yinong glanced at her, her expression indiscernible.

Tang Ruoyao narrowed her eyes.

Qin Yinong lightly hooked the corner of her lips in response.

After Han Yuping finished watching the playback, he paused and called over Dai Yongqing, pointing to the expression he made when turning around in the yard. He said, "There's a flaw here, the emotions aren't quite there. Let's reshoot this scene."

Dai Yongqing replied, "Okay."

"Scene 35, shot 2, take 2. Action!"

"Cut."

During the second take, Tang Ruoyao didn't walk away from Han Yuping this time. Han Yuping was satisfied with this take and, while watching the playback, leisurely chatted with Tang Ruoyao, "Can you adjust your state of mind well?"

Tang Ruoyao asked, "What do you mean?"

Han Yuping cleared his throat, looking somewhat uncomfortable. He put his hand in his pocket and felt the cigarette box, intending to take it out.

Tang Ruoyao said, "Senior Qin told you to smoke less."

Han Yuping: "..." He sighed and muttered, "One person nagging at me is not enough, Now there's another one."

Han Yuping put half of the cigarette box back and said in a deep voice, "I'm talking about you. You've been indulging yourself in sweetness lately. Can you adjust your state for the upcoming plot of the movie?"

Tang Ruoyao replied, "I should be able to."

Han Yuping coldly snorted, "Should? Have you fixed the problem of getting too immersed in the role?"

From Han Zifei's secret admiration to being in harmony with Shen Muqing, the entire emotional development of their relationship phase was bright and positive. Although Tang Ruoyao occasionally had conflicts with Qin Yinong on set, they would quickly reconcile, and it didn't have much impact on her personal emotions. However, the current stage of the movie had reached a point where their scenes together were filled with silence, arguments, questioning, and breaking up. Han Zifei watched as Shen Muqing returned to her family, feeling heartbroken, and her overflowing love gradually became stagnant. It was a significant challenge for the actress to portray such emotional transitions.

"I will do my best to perform well." Tang Ruoyao looked at Qin Yinong, who was approaching, and couldn't help but smile. She whispered, "Besides, we still have Senior Qin. She will teach me."

Han Yuping had an expression of "I can't stand you two" on his face and got up, taking his storyboard with him to the side.

"What's wrong with Director Han?" Qin Yinong watched as the other person walked away, wondering why he left as soon as she arrived.

"I don't know." Tang Ruoyao shrugged innocently, blinking her eyes.

Qin Yinong half-believed her, too lazy to think too much about it. Most likely, that little troublemaker was spreading nonsense again.

Qin Yinong sat down on Han Yuping's chair, rhythmically tapping her index finger on the table, her eyes fixed on the monitor in front of her as she spoke to Tang Ruoyao. "Today... it seems like you've been watching me a lot?"

"Really?"

"Yes." Qin Yinong reached out and played with Han Yuping's script. It wasn't her imagination, and Tang Ruoyao's gaze towards her was different from the usual affectionate one, but rather carried an indescribable pity and... sadness? It seemed like she would burst into tears in the next second.

When she left the hotel in the morning, Qin Yinong faintly noticed a hint of redness around Tang Ruoyao's eyes.

Getting too immersed in the role?

That excuse was barely convincing.

"it's because you look even more beautiful today than yesterday." Tang Ruoyao said with a smile.

Qin Yinong knew she was teasing her and wouldn't reveal half a word. She was young but quite cunning.

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll be angry."

"I'm telling the truth." Tang Ruoyao continued pretending to be innocent.

Qin Yinong turned her head, her gaze icy as she glanced at Tang Ruoyao, placing one hand on the table, showing impatience and preparing to get up.

Tang Ruoyao couldn't bear it and immediately surrendered, saying, "I was wrong."

Qin Yinong raised an eyebrow coldly.

Tang Ruoyao looked at her seriously and said, "Give me some time, let me think it through before I tell you."

Qin Yinong locked eyes with her for a few seconds, the icy gaze in her ink-black eyes melting, replaced by a warm glow. Like a small animal running through the fields, she once again showed Tang Ruoyao her soft and vulnerable side.

Tang Ruoyao's heart softened, and she reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind Qin Yinong's ear, her fingertip brushing against the woman's sparkling earlobe.

.....

Tang Ruoyao had thought about it for several days, and she never intended to tell Qin Yinong. She couldn't bring herself to speak, nor did she want to. She knew that for Qin Yinong, these past few days were not something that could be easily forgotten. Hearts were made of flesh, and every cut would leave a mark. Even if it healed, there would still be scars. She didn't have the heart to be the one who reopened those wounds.

She wanted to understand Qin Yinong's past, not to dwell on it but to love her better. They still had a future.

So she kept delaying, intending to wait until Qin Yinong forgot about this matter.

At the same time, there were more developments on Mu Qingwu's side. Tang Ruoyao took the initiative to provide Fu Yujun with the seemingly fantastical information she had heard, even if she didn't take it seriously. It was about the first-year birthday party organized by the company for her, where someone brought a bottle of sulfuric acid, causing the party to be abruptly interrupted, and Qin Yinong hurriedly leaving the stage. This incident made her question its authenticity.

Mu Qingwu's feedback was, "It's true."

Tang Ruoyao asked, "Do you have more specific details?"

Mu Qingwu replied, "No."

"Was it aimed at disfiguring her?" Tang Ruoyao paused, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"Perhaps." Mu Qingwu sighed.

The maliciousness had already exceeded Mu Qingwu's imagination.

Whether the acid was thrown or not, it would probably leave a psychological impact in the future.

Tang Ruoyao paced back and forth in the room, poured herself a glass of water, and placed it on the bedside table. She asked, "The new information you mentioned that night, what did you find out?"

After a few days of processing, Tang Ruoyao had calmed down. Compared to the intense impact of the videos, she felt that her ability to endure had grown stronger, although her heart still felt a piercing pain.

Mu Qingwu responded with an "Oh." "The things we found that night were mostly similar in nature, and there were a few new videos with similar content. I didn't think you would want to watch them, so I didn't send them to you."

"Tell me," Tang Ruoyao urged.

"Just... the glass at her house being smashed, being recognized outside, and then..."

"It's fine, you don't have to say it." Tang Ruoyao interrupted her.

Mu Qingwu obediently closed her mouth.

As Tang Ruoyao pondered over it, she grasped the implied meaning in Mu Qingwu's previous statement, and her heart inexplicably tightened. "Have you found information of a different nature now?"

Mu Qingwu responded briefly with a heavy tone, "I investigated her previous talent agency."

A flash of realization crossed Tang Ruoyao's mind.

Han Yuping had mentioned this before!

However, the other party's words were particularly vague, only saying that her talent agency had done all sorts of bad things and had a notorious reputation. When Qin Yinong was in the company, she was heavily exploited, treated as a money-making machine, with no time to attend acting classes. As a result, she languished in lousy films for three years. Due to different plans and escalating conflicts, Qin Yinong unilaterally terminated her contract with the company.

The details in between, including the outcome, were not mentioned by Han Yuping, but her expression was filled with resentment.

Tang Ruoyao had an intuitive sense that there was more to the story, but she couldn't bring herself to ask directly, so she suppressed her doubts.

Mu Qingwu investigated the ins and outs of the matter.

Qin Yinong's original talent agency was called Huiyue Entertainment, a small to medium-sized entertainment company. Qin Yinong was discovered by one of their talent scouts on the street after graduating from high school and signed with Huiyue Entertainment. They assigned a manager named Du Ankai to Qin Yinong, who had a short-sighted perspective and was only interested in personal profit.

He was not the only one, this kind of behavior permeated the entire company.

Huiyue Entertainment had a policy of casting a wide net, and their most powerful aspect was their talent scouts. They discovered many talented and promising young men and women and continuously exploited the newcomers, draining them of their commercial value before discarding them. The company had a notorious reputation within the industry, but outside, it had some fame, easily deceiving young people who had expectations of the entertainment industry. At that time, Qin Yinong was probably young and unable to distinguish between good and evil, stepping into a dangerous situation and beginning her tumultuous career in the entertainment industry.

Among the newcomers who joined the company at the same time, Qin Yinong was the most successful one, with stunning beauty. Her role in the film "The Legend of the Gods" made her popular all over the country. Her images were everywhere on television screens, and in that year and even until now, no one could surpass her.

Just as she was gaining popularity and before any scandal arose, some exaggerated media outlets directly hailed her as a rising star, a celestial being descending from the heavens. Although it may have been excessive praise, this celestial being did not fall into the hands of those who could appreciate her but instead fell into a quagmire, causing the shining pearl to be covered in dust.

During the airing of "The Legend of the Gods," a well-known drama critic saw through the mediocre acting skills that were hidden beneath Qin Yinong's radiant beauty, and the reputation of being a mere "decorative vase" began to circulate.

Qin Yinong immediately filmed a second and third movie, countless TV dramas. She still possessed a beauty that made everyone forget to breathe, but she made no progress in her acting career. The label of "decorative vase" grew stronger. With a non-professional background and a packed schedule, filled with advertisements and appearances, she rushed from one set to another, working for the insatiable talent agency. She had no time to attend acting classes, so naturally, she couldn't improve her acting skills.

But she was destined to be in the limelight, playing whatever role was popular at the moment, and she became explosively famous. Even with scandals surrounding her, investors continued to have high regard for her, pouring large sums of money into her. As a result, the company squeezed her even more ruthlessly, making a fortune. It was said that during Qin Yinong's three years in Huiyue Entertainment, all the top executives bought themselves new luxury cars and villas.

Tang Ruoyao bit the rim of a glass for a long time without saying a word.

Mu Qingwu remained silent for a while and then said, "Do you know why she decided to terminate her contract?"

According to Mu Qingwu's words, it can naturally be inferred that Qin Yinong couldn't bear the high intensity and pressure of her work, which lasted day and night. However, Tang Ruoyao, instinctively denied this answer for some reason.

She felt uneasy, her heartbeat intensifying.

After calming down and catching her breath, her voice barely audible, she asked, "Why?"

Mu Qingwu replied, "Do you remember when I told you before about her accompanying men, smiling and flirting with them, and maneuvering between various influential figures?"

Tang Ruoyao took a shallow breath, her throat dry. "Yes."

Mu Qingwu continued, "It's true, but it was her manager, Du Ankai, who made her do it. Artists without connections often encounter such situations, but I didn't expect..."

Tang Ruoyao had to clear her throat before she could speak, "Didn't expect what?"

Mu Qingwu's voice was hoarse as she said, "The photos of her accompanying men that circulated online were... released by Du Ankai. While he asked her to accompany men, he secretly took photos and sold them to the entertainment media, earning money from both sides."

Mu Qingwu had seen profit-driven managers before, but she had never seen anyone go to such lengths, harming their own artist without any moral boundaries.

Mu Qingwu closed her eyes and said, "That's why those photos were so clear, with no room for clarification." That's why they had the so-called "irrefutable evidence," leaving no room for debate.

As for Qin Yinong's talent agency, they were also part of the same group, a nest of snakes and rats, colluding together. Naturally, they wouldn't do any public relations for her. The more controversial and scandalous an artist becomes, the more attention they receive, but it becomes incredibly difficult to restore their reputation. They simply ignored it and didn't want to delay her from continuing to make money by filming TV dramas.

Tang Ruoyao picked up a glass of water, and the water inside trembled as her fingers shook.

Her eyes felt sore, but she couldn't shed tears.

She couldn't tell if she was angry or just deeply saddened.

Mu Qingwu's lips moved slightly, but she didn't mention another possibility, fearing that Tang Ruoyao couldn't handle it. Based on the situation back then, Qin Yinong frequented various banquet tables, making it difficult for her not to become a plaything for those rich and influential men. Even if she was lucky enough to avoid physical harm, it would be psychologically unbearable for an ordinary person.

Mu Qingwu hesitated and said, "As for the scandal involving explicit photos..."

Tang Ruoyao interrupted, "They're fake!" Her voice sounded as if she had a mouthful of sand, extremely hoarse.

Mu Qingwu responded, "Okay, I believe you."

Mu Qingwu didn't find out the truth about the scandal involving explicit photos. Qin Yinong did receive the photos, but they were blurry. The half-face shown in the photos did indeed resemble Qin Yinong, but there are so many people in the world who look similar, so it doesn't prove anything. If they are real, it means she was indeed manipulated by those men. It would be best if they are fake, and Mu Qingwu sincerely hoped and prayed that they were fake.

But at that time, whether it was true or fake, it was treated as true.

Because the "scandal" of explicit photos came right after Qin Yinong's "ironclad evidence" of accompanying men. She was already in the center of public opinion, and when new dark material emerged, people would naturally assume it was true.

This was a common tactic in the industry. To tarnish someone's reputation, they first release real news that hits the target without any chance for a response. After stirring up public opinion, they then release fake news, which is often more sensational and bizarre than the real news. But with the groundwork laid beforehand, it doesn't seem abrupt and can make the water even murkier, splashing all the unjustified dirt onto the target. When executed skillfully by industry insiders, it becomes a lethal blow.

Originally, netizens enjoy following the crowd, and in the frenzy of blacklisting, no one would bother to investigate the truth.

"So she requested to terminate her contract?" Tang Ruoyao put down her glass and felt a tightness in her chest. She couldn't catch her breath, so she stood up and walked to the window, opening it.

"Yes, but Huiyue Entertainment didn't agree, and they ended up in court."

"What happened next?"

"Qin Yinong lost the lawsuit and was ordered to pay breach of contract compensation..." Mu Qingwu sighed and gritted her teeth. "One billion."

Tang Ruoyao's figure swayed, and she quickly held onto the window ledge.

"How can she afford to pay?"

It took a long time before Tang Ruoyao heard her own calm voice.

Considering how much Huiyue Entertainment had exploited her, it was unlikely that she received a significant share. How could she afford to pay such a huge breach of contract compensation?

Mu Qingwu looked at the cold words in the computer document, trying to detach her personal emotions as much as possible. Otherwise, she couldn't bear it and directly recited, "During the year of the lawsuit, Qin Yinong joined Han Yuping's drama crew. She made a bet with him and won."

According to the textual information, after losing the lawsuit, Qin Yinong kept signing betting agreements with directors or investors, continuously winning and paying off her debts.

After finishing the recitation, Mu Qingwu inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.

As if she had been by Qin Yinong's side, witnessing step by step how she battled through difficult challenges, winning one bet after another, from the darkest valleys to the highest peak, shining with starlight, admired by everyone.

She is the strongest person I have ever met in terms of vitality. Like a delicate wild grass growing on the edge of a cliff, she can be uprooted at any moment by the wind and rain, but she stubbornly persists, refusing to admit defeat no matter how the wind blows or the rain falls. I asked her to act in my movie partly because she does have talent, but also because I was curious to see how long she could hold on.

Han Yuping's words echoed unexpectedly in Tang Ruoyao's ears. She closed her eyes, feeling a burning sensation in her eyelids, and murmured, "So that's how it is."

Mu Qingwu didn't catch her whispered words, but she was filled with mixed emotions.

dragging the chair, she stood up and went outside the door to pour herself a glass of water, moistening her dry throat. She sighed, "I think her experiences could be made into a book, titled 'Miracle'."

As for what happened later, it was mostly what everyone is familiar with.

After clearing her debts, Qin Yinong quickly teamed up with An Ling, a top-notch talent agent who had left a well-known entertainment company, and they established their own studio. They accumulated their own network of resources, expanded continuously, and signed their own artists. They ventured into acting and investment, and now they have their own media company, producing films themselves and hiring the best directors and actors to make their new company known.

So she has been persevering, holding on until now, and there is no doubt that she will continue to persist even longer, never giving up.

She worked so hard to survive, even if she is surrounded by wolves and tigers, even if she is covered in thorns and soaked in blood, she will find a way out. Mu Qingwu was moved and amazed by her inspirational legend, while Tang Ruoyao felt relieved but also fearful.

Everyone was pushing her to a dead end, and she was like walking on a razor's edge. The string inside her body was stretched to its utmost, and if it loosened even a bit, she would fall into an abyss of eternal destruction.

If she hadn't survived the rough times, if she hadn't recklessly tried to stop Han Yuping's car and had an accident, if she had lost the gambling agreements she signed... Fortunately, none of those "ifs" came true.

But can it all be summarized as a fleeting miracle? Why did Tang Ruoyao, separated by a distant time, only see a soul struggling to survive in the painful hell of the human world?

How could she dare to relax? She would die.

She didn't want to die, she wanted to live, which is why she repeatedly created these so-called miracles.

Tang Ruoyao remembered countless nights when she sat silently by the bedside, her face pale, her eyes even paler, with deep exhaustion in the depths of her gaze.

Everyone's attention was captivated by the dazzling halo around her, whether it was envy, jealousy, or looking up to her as a legend. No one cared about what she looked like beneath that halo, whether she was covered in wounds.

No one asked her, "Have you been tired from the journey you've walked?"

Author's Note:

Ruoyao will ask, hmm, wishing the two of you an early marriage o(≧v≦)o

This is all Mu Qingwu could find, and it's quite rough and lacking in detail. For the things she couldn't find, Ruoyao will reveal them herself in the future~

Oh, for those with good memory or for those who want to reread the story, there should be many hints and details to discover. Although I could list all the previous hints for everyone, I think it's more interesting for you to discover them on your own. It will give you a sense of achievement~

For example, Qin Jie's intense hatred towards Ruoyao regarding the issue with the agent Ruan Qin. She once blurted out, "When I was twenty-two..." and her eyes turned a bit red. It's because what she experienced in her early twenties was like purgatory, and compared to Du Ankai, Ruan Qin was simply a naive and foolish character. Yet, Ruoyao couldn't even handle her properly ﹁_﹁

I really put a lot of effort into writing, so please leave comments as it's the best support~

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