Chapter 223: The Woeful Passerby
After one phone call with her, her mood improved greatly. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t heard her voice in so long, but hearing it again made her feel incredibly at ease. It was the first time she had been out of contact with her for so long. Not hearing her voice for so long, she felt that she sounded even more haggard. Was it because she hadn’t been eating properly? Next time she came back, she would go to her place and cook for her.
“My brother is almost back. I’m hanging up now.”
“Okay, talk to you next time.”
“Talk to you next time…”
In truth, she didn’t want to talk next time. She wanted to keep talking until she had no strength left to speak. As long as she was with her, she would never feel that time was too long.
The call ended. Her phone slipped from her hand. She stared at the unfinished manuscript on her computer screen. She wondered if she still had the mood to continue writing.
She might as well take this time to go for a walk. Although the people from Wenqing were keeping an eye on her, a short walk in the nearby park should be allowed, right?
…
Speaking of the film Dream Life, because it was an art-house film aimed at winning awards, it didn’t receive much attention. Coupled with the lack of big-name stars and popular celebrities, it was destined not to get much attention in terms of publicity.
But since it was aimed at winning awards, there was no need to care about the audience’s feelings, because it wasn’t meant to serve them.
Wang Weifan sat in his office chair, closing his eyes to rest. The origin of everything floated in his mind.
The story of Dream Life had started with a crumpled piece of paper that someone had thrown away. At that time, Wang Weifan’s career was in a slump. He had previously directed a commercial film that had flopped at the box office. He had followed the investors’ requirements, spending a lot of money to hire popular celebrities, but the film still failed.
During his period of frustration, while out for a walk to clear his head, he had contemplated whether to retire from the industry and go home to live a quiet life, while also thinking about his next film project. He was getting old, no longer in his prime. But before leaving the entertainment industry, he had one wish: to win another film festival award, preferably a Golden Horse Award, rather than just aiming for a high box office.
That day, he sat down on a park bench and unintentionally picked up a crumpled piece of paper. He should have thrown it in the trash, but that day, he didn’t. Instead, he opened it. To his surprise, when he opened the paper, it turned out to be a treasure. On it was a story of about a thousand words, a story that was truly eye-opening.
The story was about a young man who had been drifting for the sake of his dream. He had been working hard for his dream of becoming an actor, but he was always unsuccessful. Even his ex-girlfriend had abandoned him. He numbed himself with alcohol and fell into a dream. He dreamed that he had everything, a life of luxury and indulgence. It explored the dreams of this era, the ideal versus reality. In the end, the young man had to wake up. No matter how good the dream was, it was still a dream, and reality was so cruel. Of course, the young man didn’t achieve his dream in the end, but continued to drift, perhaps in search of a path he could walk…
That was the story of about 1000 words. He was deeply shaken by it at the time.
A surge of passion welled up in him. He had to complete this story, he had to film it! Turn it into a great movie!
This was the origin of Dream Life.
“Director Wang, you’ve fallen asleep again. It’s not good to sleep here. You’ll catch a cold. I’ll have Little Tao drive you back.”
“No need. I wasn’t asleep, I was just thinking about some things. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m not so old that I need someone to take care of me. Alright, I should get back to my post.”
Wang Weifan patted his clothes, stood up, and looked out the window. White clouds drifted by, the sun shone brightly. He could see his future. Hopefully, everything was moving in a good direction.
…
As one of the main actors in this film, Tang Yumeng went home after her scenes were finished. She didn’t get any new roles after that. Although she had acted in Wang Weifan’s film, not many people in the industry were willing to hire her. She had a striking appearance, was tall enough, and her acting was impeccable. But she had one bad flaw: she was disobedient. As a newcomer, she refused to follow arrangements. Some companies wanted to use the casting couch with her, but she refused them all. She even rejected a commercial that could have brought her exposure, just because the investor had ill intentions towards her.
Some people climb desperately, while others would rather keep their clothes clean than take shortcuts.
Because of these actions, Tang Yumeng was now in an awkward position. She couldn’t climb up, had no opportunities, and refused to take shortcuts.
So, for a long time after filming Dream Life, she was idle. After returning to school for her final exams, she spent the summer vacation at home, not taking any new roles, just raising her cat.
“Brother, you’ve finished your manuscript. Why are you trying to steal my cat?”
Tang Yumeng, in her loungewear, held her adorable little kitten. The kitten obediently licked her finger, as cute as could be.
Tang Yulong scratched his head, seeming to have something on his mind.
“What’s wrong, Yulong? Is something the matter? By the way, didn’t you say you liked a fellow author at your workplace? Any progress?”
“Don’t tease me. No.”
“Why are you so useless?”
Tang Yumeng looked at him with disdain. Although they were twins, Tang Yumeng wasn’t much older than him. Tang Yulong knew this, but he couldn’t help it. He just couldn’t hold his head up in front of his older sister. Perhaps his sister was naturally imposing.
“If you ask me, Yulong, you’re too timid. You’re always so scared. How can that work? You need to be more proactive.”
He understood the logic, but it was hard to put into practice. Tang Yulong was about to go crazy.
He thought of Yu Linna’s home, which he had visited before. He felt ashamed just thinking about it. How could he have been so foolish as to have feelings for the dear Shion-Sensei? My god, didn’t he like Air-Sensei?
He was starting to suspect he was a philanderer.
“Sister, let me ask you. A guy likes a girl, but then he suddenly has feelings for another girl. Is this guy a scumbag?”
“Of course. He’s definitely a scumbag. This kind of guy eats from his bowl while eyeing the pot, even fantasizing about having a harem. Why don’t guys like this just go and die? If it were me, I’d give him a good slap.”
Tang Yulong’s legs went weak, and he sat down directly on the sofa.
“Brother, what are you doing? Are you not feeling well?”
“Ahaha, I just… wanted to sit on this sofa. This sofa is so expensive, it would be a waste not to sit on it.”
“Didn’t we buy this sofa a year ago?”
“…Every time I sit on this sofa, I like it very much. So I think I’ll buy this brand of sofa in the future.”
“Then you can spend the rest of your life with this sofa.”
Tang Yumeng rolled her eyes at him, stroking the cat in her arms, then left the living room and went back to her room to play with her cat.
Tang Yulong was miserable. He was so scared his face turned pale. So he really was a scumbag!
What should he do!
If people found out he wanted both, he would definitely be finished!
“Sigh, dammit, why did it turn out like this…”
Tang Yulong covered his face, feeling miserable just thinking about it. By the way, how did he even fall for Air-Sensei…?
It was a year ago. At that time, as the son of Wenqing’s chief editor, Tang He, he had no achievements to his name. His works couldn’t even pass the initial review. And that year was when Zhao Yuyan won the award.
When the host announced that the gold award winner of the New Talent Award was Air-Sensei, everyone in the audience saw her true appearance and was stunned. No one had expected Air-Sensei to be a woman, and such a beautiful one at that.
Tang Yulong sat in the audience, and when he saw her face, his heart couldn’t help but flutter. His eyes were glued to her. He just stared at her, not even listening to what she was saying.
After the award ceremony, he specifically went to find her and get close to her.
“Hello, Young Master Tang. I’m Air.”
“Ah, please don’t call me Young Master or anything. I’m not used to such titles.”
“Alright then, Mr. Tang, hello.”
“Hello, Air-Sensei. Your work is excellent. I like it very much and look forward to seeing the second volume. Actually, I’m also planning to enter this circle. I was wondering if I could get some advice from you.”
“If it’s about creation, I think I can help you. Let’s add each other as friends first, so we can contact each other easily.”
That was their first meeting.
He had thought that it was the most romantic encounter of his life, that she must be his true love.
But…
Ever since he met Yu Linna, that blonde girl had burst into his life, and since then, he had never been able to be at peace.
Did he like Shion, or did he like Air? He had asked himself this question countless times, but there was never an answer.
After sitting on the sofa for a long time, he finally dialed the number of the person he most wanted to call.
“Bai Chen-Sensei? Why are you looking for me? Are you asking about Little Nana? No way. I won’t sell her to you so easily.”
“No, it’s not about that…”
Tang Yulong took a deep breath, trying to keep himself as rational and calm as possible. That way, he wouldn’t lose his composure.
“Air-Sensei, do you have someone you like?”
“Of course not. What, you’ve got a crush on me?” Zhao Yuyan said, making a playful joke.
Tang Yulong was silent.
“Bai Chen-Sensei? Bai Chen-Sensei? Why aren’t you talking…”
Now Zhao Yuyan was a little flustered. She had just made a casual joke. He hadn’t taken it seriously, had he?
“Air-Sensei, no, no, wait… Miss Yuyan, if I said I like you, would you think I’m joking?”
“…You’re not drunk?”
“I’m completely sober.”
“…”
What could she say? It was the first time she had been confessed to, and it was over the phone. Zhao Yuyan’s feelings were complicated.
“Thank you, but… I don’t have that kind of feeling for you.”
“Air-Sensei, I was just joking. I can’t believe you actually believed me.”
“What?!! You little brat, you dare to trick me!”
Zhao Yuyan exploded.
“Yeah, I was tricking you. Who else would I trick?”
Tang Yulong smiled wryly. Who knew the bitterness in his heart?
“You’re getting bolder and bolder, kid.”
And Zhao Yuyan, although she said that, she knew very well what Tang Yulong meant. The two of them were just acting, giving each other a way out, not wanting to make things awkward when they met in the future. So, they would rather pretend nothing had happened than make the other person embarrassed.
Actually, Tang Yulong felt that he wasn’t that sad, nor was his heart aching. Perhaps he didn’t like her that much after all.
