Chapter 317: Fu Yujun & Guan Han [14]

Fu Yujun's approach was direct, yet the pressure of her lips was gentle.

As their mouths met, Guan Han's lips felt soft, like springy jelly. Perhaps she had been drinking before she "fell asleep"—they were warm, carrying a faint, scorching heat. Combined with her exhaled breath, the scent of alcohol mingled with her natural fragrance, and Fu Yujun was instantly intoxicated.

She closed her eyes and gently sucked twice. Guan Han's slender fingers twitched slightly, and her breathing quickened at an almost imperceptible pace.

Fu Yujun's eyelids drooped lower, growing more and more captivated, unable to resist wrapping her arms lightly around her.

Guan Han still showed no reaction, though her breathing grew heavier.

Just as Fu Yujun was about to part her lips and venture deeper, a solemn and dignified Buddhist chant suddenly echoed through the private room.

Qin Yinong, unable to bear the chaotic scene any longer, raised her phone and played the "Great Compassion Mantra."

Lin Ruohan mercilessly pushed away the inseparable Ren Xingyue. Tang Ruoyao, who had been clinging to Qin Yinong trying to undress, blinked and straightened up. Cui Jiaran slapped the drunken Wen Shuxian's arm. The disorderly sprawl of bodies on the floor all settled down.

Fu Yujun: "..."

Guan Han's long eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Seizing the moment, Fu Yujun deepened the kiss. Their moist, soft lips met, sweet and smooth like summer ice cream. Guan Han shuddered violently, almost unable to keep her eyes closed.

After only a brief pause, Fu Yujun withdrew, moistening the woman's lips one last time before pulling away.

Guan Han felt dizzy, as though she were floating in the sky despite sitting firmly in her chair. It took her a moment to calm the surging emotions in her heart before she calmly "woke up."

Fu Yujun stood right in front of her, open and unashamed.

Guan Han met her gaze calmly for two seconds, then composedly turned her head to look at Qin Yinong, who stood with her phone held high as if radiating Buddhist light.

Her lips were still damp, and the kissed areas grew increasingly warm.

Guan Han pressed her lips together, but she couldn't stop the ripples spreading across the lake of her heart, like a stone dropped into water.

The people in the room sobered each other up, then stood to say their goodbyes. As the host, Qin Yinong saw each of them out. Eventually, only the members of Room 405 remained. Wen Shuxian and Cui Jiaran were wrestling fiercely on the floor. Qin Yinong glanced curiously at Fu Yujun and Guan Han. "Will you two... leave together?"

Guan Han's alcohol tolerance had been honed alongside Qin Yinong's, and Qin Yinong knew it well—if not a thousand cups, she could easily handle a hundred. Moreover, Guan Han was always self-controlled and would never get drunk in public. So that kiss had clearly happened with her tacit consent.

Just how far had their relationship progressed? Though Qin Yinong claimed not to be a gossip, she was too embarrassed to ask directly. She could only wait for Fu Yujun to confide in Tang Ruoyao, who would then relay the information to her.

Guan Han's thin lips pressed together slightly.

Fu Yujun glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, then smiled faintly. "I have an engagement tomorrow. Manager Guan is accompanying me to catch a flight."

Qin Yinong chuckled lightly. "Then I won't keep you."

Fu Yujun turned to pick up Guan Han's blazer from the back of the chair and naturally draped it over her shoulders. Guan Han tilted her head and caught sight of the woman's slender, pale fingers lingering briefly on her shoulder. Even through the fabric, her touch felt searingly hot.

Guan Han subtly shifted away.

Fu Yujun withdrew her hand and smiled faintly at Qin Yinong. "Then we'll be going first?"

Qin Yinong replied, "Please do."

Tang Ruoyao's family received different treatment. Qin Yinong escorted them all the way to the staircase, watching their retreating figures. Fu Yujun turned back and gave a slight nod with a smile, to which Qin Yinong responded with a faint smile of her own.

Fu Yujun and Guan Han rode back to the reserved hotel.

Ever since only a thin layer of pretense remained between them, they no longer booked suites for convenience but opted for separate rooms. However, Guan Han would always accompany Fu Yujun back to her room before leaving—both out of habit and for safety reasons.

Today was no different.

Guan Han escorted Fu Yujun to her door and turned to leave for her own room.

"Guan Han," Fu Yujun called out to stop her.

Guan Han paused but did not turn around.

"I have something to say to you."

Guan Han, with her back still turned, replied, "If it's not urgent, we can talk tomorrow."

"I want to say it now."

The tone, both familiar and unfamiliar, left Guan Han momentarily dazed. She took a step forward, intending to ignore the request.

But a hand reached out from behind, firmly grasping her wrist, pulling her back toward the room.

Guan Han could have broken free or pushed her away with force, but she did neither. Her mind seemed to have lost its usual vigilance, allowing herself to be drawn back into the room and into Fu Yujun's embrace without any resistance.

Fu Yujun closed the door behind them, pressing Guan Han against it, her arms encircling Guan Han's waist.

Foreheads touching, noses brushing lightly, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Each breath felt prolonged and intensely palpable.

Warm breaths fanned across her face. Guan Han pressed her back tightly against the door, trying to put as much distance as possible between them—whether to escape Fu Yujun or the frantic beating of her own heart, she couldn't tell.

Fu Yujun raised her hand, her thumb gently stroking the corner of Guan Han's lips.

Guan Han lowered her gaze, biting her lower lip, her breaths growing shallow.

Fu Yujun softly pressed down on her lower lip, freeing the pale flesh from her teeth, then slowly moved her hand downward, tilting Guan Han's chin upward.

Fu Yujun tilted her head slightly, adjusting to the perfect angle for a kiss. Her lips almost brushed against Guan Han's as she murmured softly, "You were awake earlier, weren't you?"

Guan Han remained silent, her eyes downcast.

In the next moment, Fu Yujun's lips met hers again, kissing her tenderly. Bursts of emotion surged forth, restrained yet filled with undeniable longing.

Clearer than when she had pretended to be drunk.

Guan Han turned her face away, and Fu Yujun's kiss landed on her cheek.

Undeterred, Fu Yujun cupped Guan Han's face, kissing her way back from her cheek. Her fingers traced the sensitive curve of Guan Han's ear, drawing closer and closer until their wildly beating hearts seemed to merge into one rhythm.

Guan Han clenched her lips tightly, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

There was no escape, no way to avoid it.

A gentle push wouldn't free her, and using force risked hurting Fu Yujun. At the same time, the emotions she refused to acknowledge urged her to surrender.

Tonight, no matter what Fu Yujun did to her, she likely wouldn't resist.

She might as well pretend she had drunk too much.

Guan Han's tense body gradually relaxed. She neither refused nor responded, offering herself completely.

But Fu Yujun only kissed her hair.

She buried her face in the crook of Guan Han's neck, took a deep breath, released her hold, and stepped back to a safe distance.

"Have a seat." she gestured to Guan Han.

Guan Han glanced back at the door before moving toward the sofa.

You can't avoid something forever. That unexpected kiss had forced them to face reality. But what Fu Yujun didn't know was that she had already received a kiss from the one she loved three months earlier.

The kettle wasn't clean, so Fu Yujun washed two cups and poured mineral water from the bottle on the table into them.

Guan Han held the cup but didn't drink.

Fu Yujun clasped her hands in front of her, elbows resting on her knees. "I like you. You know that, right?"

Guan Han remained silent for a moment before nodding.

Fu Yujun pressed further, "When I kissed you, you didn't refuse. Can I take that to mean you like me too?"

Guan Han neither nodded nor shook her head.

"Uncertain?" Fu Yujun knew how to communicate with her. Having avoided the issue for so long and suddenly being confronted so directly, Guan Han's mind was undoubtedly a tangled mess. She was naturally reserved, and expecting her to articulate her feelings clearly was nearly impossible.

Sure enough, Guan Han nodded.

As long as she didn't have to speak, the psychological pressure wasn't as overwhelming.

"Are you willing to give me a chance?"

Guan Han shook her head.

Fu Yujun wasn't surprised and asked gently, "Why?"

Guan Han's knuckles tightened around the cup, then suddenly relaxed. Her nostrils flared slightly as she lifted her gaze to meet Fu Yujun's, speaking candidly, "I don't like flowers."

She had once hinted to Fu Yujun that if Fu Yujun had truly been scheming step by step, she would have understood the meaning behind those words back then.

She didn't like flowers, rejected romance, and refused to let anyone invade her personal space.

Fu Yujun nodded. "I know. You're an advocate of being single."

Guan Han's singleness wasn't like what most people or even society advocated—merely not marrying. Most single person believed one could forgo marriage and children, but they wouldn't reject love, preferring to let things take their natural course.

Guan Han insisted on not engaging in romantic relationships. Regardless of whether the other person was male or female, attractive or plain, whether she liked them or not—even if she did—it could never compare to the freedom she pursued.

There were countless ways for people to live their lives. As long as it didn't harm others or society, every lifestyle deserved respect. There was no inherently superior or correct way to live. Some people were simply born without a desire for love, and presuming that everyone should feel the same was an act of arrogance.

It was precisely because Fu Yujun understood and respected this that she felt even more disheartened upon hearing Guan Han's response that day.

Guan Han's expression softened slightly as she said, "Thank you for your affection, but I can't accept it."

Fu Yujun gave a bitter smile.

Guan Han added, "You deserve someone better."

Fu Yujun chuckled, "Are you giving me the 'nice person' card?"

Guan Han replied, "If you say so. If you feel you can no longer work with me, I'll apply to President Qin to assign you a different manager."

Feigning nonchalance, Fu Yujun said, "Don't. I think you're great. Even if we can't be lovers, we can still be friends, right?"

Guan Han looked at her steadily for a few seconds, then gave an subtle smile.

Setting down her cup, Guan Han said, "I'm heading back."

Fu Yujun stood up as well. "Let me see you out."

She accompanied Guan Han to the door, her hand on the doorknob, blocking the way. Unable to hold back, she asked, "If—just if—one day you change your mind, will you tell me?"

Guan Han looked at her, a sudden, sharp pain piercing her heart.

She had never seen Fu Yujun like this—neither in public nor in private had she ever appeared so vulnerable.

Guan Han's lips trembled slightly, her eyes stinging as she replied, "Okay."

"Thank you." Fu Yujun slowly stepped aside.

Guan Han remained rooted to the spot and said to her, "There's something I've never told you."

"What is it?"

"On the fifth day of the lunar new year, when I took you home, after you fell asleep, I impulsively stole a kiss from you. I'm sorry."

Fu Yujun looked stunned.

"So I..." Guan Han let out a soft sigh, pursed her lips, and said, "I must have some feelings for you." She lowered her head and repeated, "I'm sorry."

Liking someone yet letting them down is even more hurtful than not liking them at all.

Fu Yujun smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "It's okay."

Unable to bear seeing her tears, Guan Han pulled the door open and hurried out.

Fu Yujun leaned her back against the door, tilted her face upward, then tilted it even higher, taking deep, controlled breaths. Yet, the tears still fell uncontrollably.

......

Three days later, at QinTang Entertainment.

In Qin Yinong's office.

"You want to change artists?" Qin Yinong stared in disbelief at Guan Han, who sat across from her, feeling utterly lost about this turn of events. Weren't they kissing perfectly fine at the wrap party? Why this sudden change?

"What's the reason?" Qin Yinong asked.

Guan Han replied, "We're not compatible."

Qin Yinong scoffed, "Do you think this is a blind date? It's been almost two years. If you weren't compatible, it should've shown earlier. Why only now? Tell me the truth."

"Fine." Guan Han lifted her head and met Qin Yinong's gaze directly. "Why did you assign me to Fu Yujun in the first place?"

Qin Yinong lowered her head to fiddle with her pen. "Well, about that..."

Guan Han cut her off, "Did you already know that Fu Yujun liked me?"

"..."

"The two of you were in on it together."

Qin Yinong cleared her throat, trying to explain, but Guan Han continued, "I'm not blaming you. It's just that since it was a mistake from the start, it's not too late to correct it now."

"Correct it?"

"By assigning her a new agent."

"Is this a mutual decision? Why hasn't she come to tell me herself?"

"...It's my own request."

"Does she know about this?"

"No."

Qin Yinong snapped the cap of her pen shut with a "click" and sneered, "So you two have a conflict, and I'm the scapegoat?" She added, "I don't care. You two figure it out and come to me together. If I make a rash decision, what if Tang Ruoyao blames me?"

Guan Han thought to herself, 'Miss Yao spoils you so much—would she ever blame you?'

But since Qin Yinong insisted on using Tang Ruoyao as an excuse, Guan Han had no choice. As for confronting Fu Yujun directly, she simply didn't have the courage. After the truth came out, Fu Yujun had completely become Fu Yujun—gentle, respectful, and careful not to overstep.

She had already done her best, and Guan Han couldn't bring herself to push her further.

After nearly two years of laying low, Fu Yujun decided to make a comeback and take on roles again. Guan Han had gathered a large stack of scripts, did a preliminary screening, and handed them to her.

"Scripts."

"Thank you." Fu Yujun gestured for her assistant, Ai Ya, to take the scripts and said, "I'll give you an answer in a week."

"Okay."

Fu Yujun stood up and left the office without a moment's hesitation.

Guan Han stayed at the company until the end of the workday. Picking up her car keys from the desk, her fingers brushed against something, and a glint caught the corner of her eye. She opened her palm and examined the silver unicorn keychain.

The unicorn was missing an eye.

Its eyes were originally two crystal-blue rhinestones, but now only one remained.

Guan Han immediately began searching around.

Files from the desk were piled on the chair. She checked every spot around the desk, and finally moved the heavy office desk aside, finding the rhinestone covered in dust and grime beneath it.

She placed it in a waterproof bag and tucked it into her pocket.

After returning home, Guan Han carefully glued the rhinestone back under the desk lamp using tweezers and adhesive. Afterwards, she removed the unicorn from the keychain, opened a drawer, and placed it in the corner. Turning around, she noticed the rabbit plush toy sitting beside the unicorn on the bedside table.

Guan Han: "..."

The plush toys on the bed, the Bluetooth speaker for the computer, the mouse, the mousepad, the succulents and cactus on the windowsill, the pajamas and limited-edition T-shirts in the wardrobe, the quick-dry koala shower cap for wrapping her hair after bathing...

Out of sight, out of mind, but seeing them all at once was startling. If she were to put away everything Fu Yujun had bought for her, half of her room would be empty.

...She'd replace them gradually.

Guan Han thought about venting on her alternate Weibo account, only to realize that more than half of her posts were about Fu Yujun.

@NotSureWhatNameToUseCanThisRegister:

[Sigh]

Guan He, who had set her sister as a special follow, commented: [What's wrong?]

Guan Han: [Nothing]

She forced herself to work for two hours until a reminder notification popped up on her phone: New update.

It turned out that "For_Love_lf," the fanfiction writer, had complained to Guan Han several times, hoping she would remember to follow updates promptly, so Guan Han had set a weekly reminder. Before clicking into Lofter, Guan Han thought that even if the update was sweet today, she wouldn't be able to squeal like a groundhog.

Five minutes later, after reading the update, tears welled up in Guan Han's eyes. The sudden downpour of angst had shattered her heart into pieces.

What kind of devil is this? Why did the author, known for writing sweet stories, suddenly turn tragic?

Guan Han grabbed a tissue to wipe her tears.

QinTangIsReal: [Author, did something happen to you?]

For_Love_lf, replied: [I got dumped.]

QinTangIsReal: [Hugs]

For_Love_lf,: [Hugs]

Fu Yujun lay sprawled on the living room sofa, her long legs stretched out. On the coffee table, her laptop screen displayed a dense document, the cursor blinking steadily.

She absently refreshed the backend. Guan Han was probably busy and hadn't replied again.

Fu Yujun clicked into Guan Han's WeChat.

Guan Han had just replied to someone else's message when she saw Fu Yujun's chat box in the list and habitually clicked into it. Her pupils suddenly contracted.

At the top of the chat box, it displayed: The other party is typing...

Guan Han's finger remained still as she watched the "typing" indicator appear and disappear, disappear and reappear, cycling endlessly.

She sat until her neck grew stiff and sore. Fu Yujun stopped typing, but not a single word was sent.

Guan Han tapped the chat box and started typing on the keyboard. Before she could finish a sentence, Fu Yujun's message arrived instantly: [I'm reading the script now.]

Guan Han deleted her text and started typing again: [I was just about to ask about that.]

Fu Yujun: [Turn down both that urban-themed xx and the one with fantasy elements.]

[Okay.]

[Want to play a game? I need to relax.]

[Okay.]

They teamed up for a duo match in PUBG. Fu Yujun's skills were still sharp, but the headset was unusually quiet. Only after Guan Han was eliminated did Fu Yujun, as usual, ask for her coordinates and come to avenge her.

But the enemy had a full squad. She was surrounded and, after taking down three opponents, was eliminated as well.

Both of their screens turned gray. Fu Yujun pressed one side of her Bluetooth earpiece and asked, "Spectate or quit?"

Guan Han listened carefully to her voice, savoring each word before replying, "Let's quit."

They silently played a few more rounds, winning and losing in equal measure, then silently typed "good night" to each other before logging off.

Fu Yujun leaned against the headboard and suddenly remembered the subtle smile Guan Han had given her that night after their confrontation, when she'd suggested they could still be friends. After a breakup, you can't remain friends, similarly, after a failed confession, you can't go back to being friends either.

Because from the very beginning, she had never seen Guan Han as just a friend.

Either they would become lovers, or they would become strangers.

But it wasn't over yet.

At least she knew now that the other person had some feelings for her—romantic feelings, not the kind a mother has for a daughter. That was significant progress. If she wanted to, she had a hundred ways to make Guan Han be with her, whether willingly or not. But she didn't want to force anyone, she wanted to give her the chance to choose.

Of course, she wouldn't try to pluck the moon from the sky—she wanted the moon to come to her on its own.

Fu Yujun set down her phone, let out a long sigh, closed her eyes, and prepared to face the new day ahead.

Guan Han put the rabbit plushie away in the cabinet and stayed up until 3 a.m., holding the unicorn, unable to sleep.

Fu Yujun hadn't been coming to the company much lately, either staying at home or going out for work engagements. Fans on the front lines had noticed the change in their relationship. Solo fans celebrated in group chats, thrilled that their idol was finally free from her manager, further fueling the belief that the manager had been deliberately leeching off her fame.

Especially since Fu Yujun had recently taken on a TV drama after two years of relative silence, fans were outraged. They blamed the "useless manager" for their idol's two-year hiatus from screen roles, during which she had only performed in stage plays. The backlash was swift and fierce, with fans flooding the official social media account of Qintang Entertainment with posters demanding not only better treatment for Fu Yujun but also a new manager.

Seizing the opportunity, Guan Han asked Fu Yujun, "What do you think? If you're also considering it, I can bring it up with President Qin."

Fu Yujun gave a faint smile and said leisurely, "Change managers? Out of the question. We work well together—why would I want to change?" She sat on the sofa across from Guan Han, pressing two fingers to her temples, and hummed thoughtfully. "Have you been wanting to ask me this for a while, Manager Guan?"

Guan Han, never one to lie, remained silent in confirmation.

Fu Yujun said, "Didn't we agree to be friends? Don't worry, I've put away any inappropriate thoughts. I won't... covet you anymore."

Guan Han lifted her eyelids.

Fu Yujun lounged lazily on the sofa, her gaze playful and her demeanor relaxed, as if Guan Han were the only one still hung up on things.

Guan Han pursed her lips and said, "That's good."

With a sincere expression, Fu Yujun said, "I have complete faith in your professional abilities, Manager Guan. I hope you can trust me too." She winked at her.

Guan Han's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"Of course." Guan Han replied after a brief pause.

"Pleasure working with you." Fu Yujun said, extending her hand—slender and elegant.

"Pleasure working with you."

Their hands met briefly before parting.

Guan Han felt a little dazed.

How did things suddenly turn out like this?

Fu Yujun had already jumped to the next topic: "I'm joining the crew next month. Will you come with me? If you're busy, it's fine—I can treat the director and the others to a meal on my own. I know the screenwriter."

It was an unwritten rule for the lead actor to host a meal, it was a way to get familiar with everyone when arriving on set.

Not to mention, Guan Han had always treated her like a rookie artist before. Both out of personal consideration and professional duty, she needed to accompany Fu Yujun to such occasions and help her build good relationships with the rest of the crew.

"I'll go with you." Guan Han said.

Fu Yujun took Guan Han's hand, her tone lifting, "Thank you."

Guan Han curled her fingers uncomfortably but didn't pull away.

Fu Yujun's expression was open and natural—just a perfectly ordinary gesture of gratitude. If she made a big deal out of it, it would only make her seem guilty.

And she was guilty. Fu Yujun wanted to lure that guilt out of her.

Half a month before entering the film set, Fu Yujun gathered with her roommates. With Wen Shuxian present, their dorm reunions were always lively and chaotic.

Guan Han was at home tidying up. The items Fu Yujun had bought had almost all been replaced, packed into a large box and left in the corner, not thrown away.

She picked up the pot of succulent on the windowsill several times. Throwing it away seemed a waste, but giving it away made her unhappy. It was still here—was she waiting for it to die on its own?

As Guan Han was lost in thought, her phone rang on the side.

Caller ID: Fu Yujun.

Guan Han stared at the name for a moment before answering, "Hello."

"Is this Guan Han?" The voice wasn't Fu Yujun's.

Guan Han recognized the speaker, "Miss Cui?"

Cui Jiaran quickly replied, "It's me."

"What's the matter?" Guan Han asked. 'Why do you have Fu Yujun's phone?'

Cui Jiaran said, "Lao Fu drank too much."

Guan Han: "..." It seemed Cui Jiaran moved the phone closer to Fu Yujun, as the receiver suddenly filled with Fu Yujun's slurred murmurs—was she reciting poetry?

Cui Jiaran continued, "Tangtang was picked up by President Qin, and Xiaowen called her mom to take her home too. My boyfriend is on his way. Lao Fu's family isn't in the capital, and the only friends she trusts are us..."

Guan Han cut her off, "Give me the address."

"Oh, okay. We're at..." Cui Jiaran gave her the address.

It wasn't until Guan Han left the house that she realized she hadn't put on her jacket. Too lazy to go back, she drove straight to the destination without stopping.

In the private room, Fu Yujun picked up a bottle of beer and chugged it down, her face flushed red when she set it down.

"Drunk enough?" she asked Cui Jiaran, her eyes slightly hazy.

Cui Jiaran: "Enough, enough."

Fu Yujun stood up, walking a straight line, and said, "Not enough."

She downed two more bottles, let out a burp, and when she stood up again, the world spun. Leaning on Cui Jiaran's arm, it took her a while to steady herself. She tried taking a couple of steps, weaving in an S-shape.

"Enough." she said, letting Cui Jiaran help her back to the sofa to lie down.

Cui Jiaran wiped the beer that had trickled down Fu Yujun's neck with a tissue, complaining, "You're really going all out."

Fu Yujun waved a hand and chuckled softly.

"You don't understand."

"I don't, and I think you're obsessed." Cui Jiaran asked her, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Fu Yujun closed her eyes, "No, just keep an eye on me. Don't let me fall asleep."

"Alright."

Twenty minutes later, Guan Han arrived.

Cui Jiaran leaned close to Fu Yujun's ear to wake her, then got up to open the door.

Guan Han looked like she had rushed over, her cheeks slightly flushed and her breath uneven. She nodded briefly at Cui Jiaran and walked past her toward the sofa inside. Fu Yujun's hand hung naturally over the edge of the sofa, an empty beer bottle beside it.

Guan Han gently shook Fu Yujun's shoulder and said softly, "Wake up."

Fu Yujun opened her drunken eyes blearily and said, "Manager Guan, what are you doing here?"

Guan Han ignored the displeasure brought by the address and helped her sit up, saying, "I'll take you home. Can you walk?"

"Yes." Fu Yujun used her support to stand up, but her left foot tripped over her right, causing her to lunge forward.

"!!!" Guan Han swiftly caught her and pulled her back into her arms.

Fu Yujun said, "Sorry." She reached for the nearby wall, trying to steady herself without relying on Guan Han.

This troublesome one.

Guan Han held her firmly, not letting her move recklessly, and tightened her arm around her waist. She turned to Cui Jiaran and said, "I'll take her home."

Cui Jiaran replied, "I'll help you take her downstairs."

Just as Guan Han was about to decline, Cui Jiaran called out, "Lao Fu, come over here." Fu Yujun immediately abandoned Guan Han, broke free from her grasp, and stumbled into Cui Jiaran's arms.

Cui Jiaran steadied her and said, "Let's go."

Guan Han's hands felt empty, and her heart felt the same void.

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