Chapter 200: Tang Yumeng Wraps Up
Chen Xi tried to persuade her to lengthen the novel, knowing that with Yu Linna’s current fame, even as a newcomer, she was a rising star, a future pillar of Wenqing, her potential limitless. Ending the novel so soon, with its high popularity and large fanbase, seemed like a waste.
From a commercial standpoint, Shion’s value was immense; they should have continued the series, milking it for all it was worth.
But Yu Linna refused, preferring to write more stories for her readers, not just chase commercial success.
Chen Xi, unable to sway her, finally gave up.
After all, Yu Linna had another novel in the works. But to write such a heartbreaking love story… it was a unique talent.
Stretching, Yu Linna returned to her manuscript, continuing to write the second volume of Zixuan and the Paper Airplane. If she could publish a novel a month, or even two, her release schedule would be shorter than most authors, her output greater, her popularity different from others.
Her current goal wasn’t just sales, but a film adaptation.
But that was a distant dream.
The Hong Kong trip was coming to an end. Huo Ningning, though having spent several days with Yu Linna, felt she hadn’t made any significant progress. Yu Linna’s attitude towards her remained lukewarm, a situation she couldn’t accept.
“Little Linna, it’s our last day! Let’s do something meaningful!”
“What are you planning now?”
“I want to go to the casino!”
“Get real. Though gambling is legal in Hong Kong, I’m not interested. It’s boring.”
“Then let’s go eat!”
“I want to stay in the hotel and write today. I’m not going out.”
“…Why…?”
Huo Ningning was devastated. Even her most powerful weapon, the offer of free food, had failed. Why?!
It wasn’t Huo Ningning’s fault. Yu Linna was in the middle of a creative surge, her mind consumed by the climax of Zixuan and the Paper Airplane. When inspiration struck, a writer had to seize it, to release the story trapped within.
Seeing her dedication, Huo Ningning relented. What was the point of going out alone? And her parents were being all lovey-dovey; she didn’t want to be a third wheel.
But watching Yu Linna work… it was interesting.
She was so focused, her eyes clear, her mind consumed by her work. She was no longer the little girl who had followed her around, the girl who couldn’t even play house properly. Now, she was a successful author, earning more than Huo Ningning’s father.
If that incident hadn’t happened, would her mother have adopted her? Would they have become a real family? Huo Ningning couldn’t go back in time, couldn’t change the past, but the thought lingered, a constant source of regret.
“Huo Ningning?”
“I’ll just watch you work. Your writing is good. I can read as you write.”
She was lying. She wasn’t interested in the story; she just wanted to be near Yu Linna.
Yu Linna, unfazed, returned to her work, her fingers flying across the keyboard, a rhythmic tapping filling the room, her small hands a blur of motion.
Huo Ningning often wondered, if they had grown up together, would things be different?
A few hours later, Yu Linna closed her laptop, a quarter of her work finished. Time for a break, for some food.
“What are you staring at? Let’s go eat.”
“Okay… Little Linna, um…”
“What is it?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Yu Linna scratched her head, a headache starting to form.
“You’ve already said that. You don’t have to repeat it.”
“I was young and foolish. I said those things… it was my fault. But after you left, I looked for you everywhere. I ran through the whole street, but I couldn’t find you. I was so heartbroken. Little Linna, I’ve always wished I could go back in time. If I could, I would never have said those things. I was wrong. I’m so sorry.”
Even the most stoic person would be moved by such a sincere apology. Yu Linna was no exception.
Had she not been angry at Huo Ningning? Of course, she had. But more than anger, she had felt a deep sadness, a sense of betrayal.
After the Nangong Ying incident, she had closed herself off, refusing to trust anyone, her heart guarded. Even with Huo Ningning’s apology, she had remained indifferent, unwilling to engage.
But her heart wasn’t made of stone; she couldn’t be completely cold.
It wasn’t that she wanted to forget; she was simply afraid to trust again.
“Ningning.”
She spoke her name, a name she hadn’t uttered in ten years, the sound a bridge to the past.
“I had forgotten. You reminded me. I can’t say I wasn’t hurt, but more than anger, I was sad. It’s painful to be hurt by someone you trust. But… I never hated you.”
“Then… can you forgive me?”
“…Depends on your performance.”
It was a neutral answer, a small step forward.
To fully forgive… it would take time. But Huo Ningning saw a glimmer of hope. The lost time… it could be regained.
Huo Ningning stepped forward, her body trembling, and hugged Yu Linna tightly.
“Thank you.”
She couldn’t let her go, not again. She loved her so much, wanted to be with her forever.
They hadn’t become family as children, but now, she would do everything in her power to make that happen. Huo Ningning made a silent vow.
Meanwhile, on the mainland, Tang Yumeng had been filming with Director Wang Weifan for a while, her scenes finally wrapping up. Though her role was small, her character was crucial to the story, her screentime more than any other female character.
“Tang Yumeng, that’s a wrap!”
With the end of filming, her work was officially done, the focus now shifting to the male lead, the post-production process relatively straightforward. It was an art house film, its budget small, its goal critical acclaim, not box office success.
Director Wang had abandoned the commercial film world, returning to his roots, to the stories he was passionate about. He was getting older, his time in the industry limited. Though many older directors continued to work, he didn’t see himself as one of them. He didn’t have the energy of someone like Jackie Chan, who could continue making action films well into his old age.
“Yumeng, you’ve worked hard.”
“Not at all, Director.”
After filming, Tang Yumeng spoke with the director, expressing her gratitude. He had given her an opportunity, a role, when she had been struggling, her income unstable, almost having to ask her father for money. Director Wang’s offer had been a lifeline.
“Director, I should be thanking you. You gave me such a wonderful role, the most complex character I’ve ever played.”
“You’re a good actress. Yumeng, you’re a talented girl. You have the looks, and more importantly, the ability. I didn’t choose wrong.”
Director Wang smiled.
The entertainment industry was a mixed bag, the current trend of “traffic stars” prioritizing looks and popularity over talent. These stars, even without acting skills, could command a large following, their fans blindly supporting them.
Tang Yumeng was different. She could have been a traffic star, but she refused to compromise her principles, her integrity costing her opportunities, leaving her struggling for years. And she refused to… play the game.
Chenghe, despite their ruthless reputation, had a certain integrity. As the industry leader, they rarely used traffic stars, prioritizing talent and the quality of their productions. Though their inner workings were chaotic, their commercial films were generally well-made.
Tang Yumeng had considered that if Chenghe had wanted to promote Yu Linna, they could have easily made her a traffic star, but they hadn’t. Perhaps they had their own principles.
But their professional integrity couldn’t excuse their deplorable behind-the-scenes behavior.
After wrapping up filming, Tang Yumeng returned to school. She was a university student, a film school acting major, her future as an actress seemingly secure, though her career had been a constant struggle.
With some free time, she opened QQ, chatting with her celebrity friend from abroad.
She had met her two years ago, an American who had been a child star in Hollywood, now working in China, a true superstar, even more famous than Nangong Ying. She had been her inspiration, the reason she had pursued acting.
“Xiaoyue, I’ve wrapped up my film. When are you free? It’s summer vacation.”
She sent the message, not expecting an immediate reply. Her friend was a busy celebrity.
Tang Yumeng turned off her phone, stretching, ready for a nap.
A moment later, her phone lit up with a QQ message.
“Congratulations, Yumeng! I’m filming in Beijing right now. I want to expand my career in China. And… I’m planning to visit you during the summer break. I can find a role for you. I’m helping you out, so you better treat me to dinner~”
The message was from… An Xiayue.
