“I just want things to be simple,” Wei Shanshan was upset. “Everyone thinks badly of us. My mom almost kicked me out of the house when she found out I got into art school. Even my mom thinks the money we make isn’t legit. I had to tell her I was just testing the waters and won’t drown in it. If I can’t make it here, I’ll have to go home and do what she wants…”
Wei Shanshan sobbed as she told her side of the story.
She might be someone who always smiled, but she was wasn’t spared from attack over the past two years she was in the industry.
She only held it down by telling herself that it did not matter, and she wasn’t as useless as they said.
She couldn’t talk to anyone about it. Nobody would believe her, and she was worried she might invite more attacks.
Her agent was already as busy as a bee. If she wanted them to counsel her, she would be labeled as ‘useless.’
If Wei Shanshan was here, Yun Xiangxiang would have hugged her. “Shanshan, have faith. Have faith that the simple happiness you want exists everywhere. But remember, the dark side that you so despise will also always be there.”
“En.”
“I can see that you love this job. You can’t change them, but you can try to be the best version of yourself. Even so, that won’t be enough. You need to know how to keep yourself safe. Don’t think everyone who smiles at you is kind, and don’t think of everyone who hates you as evil.”
Yun Xiangxiang slowed down. She tried not to pressure Wei Shanshan. “It’s already beenn two years since you entered this industry. So far so good, right? Everything’s going according to your plan. You didn’t lose your path. But since you have walked on it for so long, you will come across some obstacles. What you have to do is conquer it.”
“Okay.”
“We can’t control how others think, nor do we have the right to ask people to change how they treat us. We also can’t decide how they treat everyone around them. What we can do is just strive for greater heights. Do your best, Shanshan,” Yun Xiangxiang cheered her on.
Wei Shanshan sniffled, “Okay, I get it already. I have held it in for too long. Don’t laugh.”
“I won’t. But I will if you handle this poorly,” said Yun Xiangxiang half-jokingly.
“Hmph, I may be kind, but I won’t take these attacks lying down,” Wei Shanshan’s fighting spirit was lit up.
“Okay, okay. I’m waiting for our Wei Shanshan to show some girl power,” Yun Xiangxiang chuckled.
“Oh, just you wait. Talk to you later, I’ll be catching some villains now.”
Seeing as Wei Shanshan had obviously recovered, Yun Xiangxiang ended the call before picking up another phone to call Song Mian.
After two months, “Jiu Se” was in its final stage of filming. They could now finish filming in late June instead of July. Yun Xiangxiang now had a bit more time for herself.
It was the first time where Song Mian didn’t pick up after it rang for so long. But he managed to pick it up before Yun Xiangxiang hung up. “Someone knocked over a bottle of chemicals just now, and we were trying to save it.”
Listening to Song Mian’s explanation, Yun Xiangxiang asked, “Everything fine?”
“Nothing dangerous. Don’t worry about it,” Song Mian sounded relaxed. He changed the topic, “Anything happen?”
She promised to call before bedtime every night. As it wasn’t the time yet, something must have happened.
“I asked Shanshan to keep an eye out for wild ginseng after she gave me some last time, since I noticed your clinic wants some. And now someone’s asking for ten million for a three hundred year-old one. Do you want it?” Yun Xiangxiang explained.
“Ask for their address and send it to me. I’ll get someone to take it,” Song Mian immediately agreed to her request.
“I hope you bought it because you really need it, not because I introduced it,” Yun Xiangxiang emphasized.
“Why does my girlfriend want to introduce it to me?” Song Mian chuckled.
“This is good stuff that’s becoming rarer and rarer.”
“That’s right. I would buy it even if my girlfriend didn’t introduce it. It’s good stuff that’s becoming rare,” but I won’t settle on this price.
He may be wealthy, but he wouldn’t give away money just like that. He would buy it with the market price.
Eight million was the maximum for now. Ten million was a bit too much. But it wouldn’t be enough if the ginseng was preserved for a few more years.
Yun Xiangxiang didn’t think ten million was too much because of that reason.
“Go finish up your work. I’ll be waiting for your nightly calls,” Yun Xiangxiang knew Song Mian must be busy, considering how long it took him to pick up the phone.
“I had someone prepare some herbal tea that can keep you cool. They’re not cold in nature, so you can have more of it,” Song Mian hung up after saying that.
As the beeping noise played, a smile carved itself on Yun Xiangxiang’s face. The early summer of May suddenly didn’t seem as sweltering.
She even felt that the glaring sun was adorable.
No matter where, no matter when, Song Mian would worry about her being uncomfortable.
He would try to make all of her days happy. No matter if it was the inside or outside, she must feel comfortable.
But she couldn’t do much for him, which was the source of her helplessness. Yun Xiangxiang put her book down and slipped into a dilemma. Song Mian’s birthday was fast approaching, but she still didn’t have any idea about the gift she should give him.
An idea suddenly struck her. Yun Xiangxiang was going to call Deng Yang when she remembered it was in the dead of midnight in her place. When she was going to hang up, Deng Yang had already taken the call.
“I’m sorry, Sister Deng. I forgot about our time difference. Sorry to wake you up,” Yun Xiangxiang immediately apologized.
“Don’t worry about it. I haven’t slept yet,” Deng Yang sounded energetic. “Go on, spill it. What made you call me at this hour?”
Yun Xiangxiang shone brightly during the film festival. Thanks to that, the dress she designed for her received a great amount of attention.
Naturally, she had to take her due credit as the designer. Yun Xiangxiang being “double best actress” also helped her a lot in terms of publicity.
When people knew she was making a comeback, they started asking her for collaborations and gown designs. Like someone who was just starting out, she was very busy. But since she already had experience, she didn’t have much trouble handling it.
“I’m looking for a kind of rope that’s durable, pretty, and rare,” Yun Xiangxiang cut to the chase. Deng Yang could rest earlier if she finished it fast.
“Why are you looking for it?” Deng Yang asked
“I want to make a wristrope out of it and give it to my boyfriend,” Yun Xiangxiang didn’t deny Song Mian’s existence. She could only find the most suitable rope if Deng Yang knew what it was for.”
“You have a boyfriend?” Deng Yang was taken aback. Yun Xiangxiang was only eighteen after all.