008
With Qin Yinong nowhere in sight, Tang Ruoyao went back to the room to get her phone.
Turning on the screen, a message lay quietly in WeChat.
[I left earlier]
Short and concise, without any punctuation.
It was sent at six o'clock sharp. Although the sender was Guan Han, Tang Ruoyao knew that the owner of this sentence was Qin Yinong.
Tang Ruoyao didn't have any of Qin Yinong’s contact information, and exchange between the two was through Guan Han, a middleman. If she took the initiative to find Qin Yinong for something, Guan Han would first ask Qin Yinong for instructions, and if Qin Yinong agreed, she could have a direct conversation with Qin Yinong.
Their relationship was so bare, to the point of ruthlessness.
Qin Yinong’s words last night about Tang Ruoyao not being her only lover was like a loud slap in Tang Ruoyao’s face. It reminded her of the distance that lay between her and Qin Yinong. That gap.
In a positive light, the sponsor and the Canary can be seen as lovers. In truth, they were simply bound by the unspoken rules. They trade flesh and body for resources, one buys and the other sells. Ever since she signed the contract, she was destined to lose her dignity. At the feet of the sponsor, what right did she have as a Canary to ask for true love?
Tang Ruoyao chuckled mockingly, then calmly typed a reply.
[Alright]
Guan Han was in the car waiting to pick up Qin Yinong when the phone vibrated. She took it out and glanced at it. Tang Ruoyao had done as she expected, and there was no need for Guan Han to reply.
"I sent a message to Miss Yao, she didn't ask." Guan Han stood at the bathroom door and reported to Qin Yinong.
Qin Yinong spit out the toothpaste in her mouth, rinsed, and said quietly: "I see."
"Did you take the medicine last night?"
Qin Yinong took the water and said, "I did."
Guan Han sighed in her heart.
In the past three years, Qin Yinong’s symptoms of insomnia had become more and more severe. During this period, she visited a psychologist many times, but they could only treat the symptoms and not the root cause. The insomnia might go away for several days, but it didn’t take long to come back. In the several months she was abroad to film, drinking alcohol at night to help her sleep proved useless. Basically, she had to take sleeping pills.
"I want to take a shower." Qin Yinong’s voice was monotonous.
"The clothes are on the bed. I'll go to the living room and wait." Guan Han left swiftly.
"Mnh."
Qin Yinong stood on the white tiles in the bathroom and turned on the shower. The warm water trickled along her smooth back, down the slender waist and well-proportioned calves, and stayed at her feet briefly before flowing into the drainage system.
She raised her neck and slowly closed her eyes. Not knowing what she was thinking, her breathing gradually became heavy.
Guan Han waited outside for a long time before Qin Yinong came out with a tired expression. Her beautiful face was unusually rosy, and the corners of her eyes were filled with a bright spring feeling. Not sure whether it was from the heat.
Guan Han didn't ask what she had done. She habitually raised her hand to look at the watch and asked: "It’s eight o'clock, do you want to go downstairs for breakfast?"
Qin Yinong shook her head.
Guan Han said: "Then I'll ask the front desk to bring it up."
Qin Yinong: "..."
She said: "I mean I don’t want to eat, not that I can't go downstairs to eat."
Guan Han said, "I know, I haven't eaten yet." Breakfast is included in the room rate, and she deliberately made space in her stomach before coming over. It would be a waste if she didn't eat here.
Qin Yinong was at a loss: "...then go call it."
She bonelessly draped herself over the sofa. Supporting her forehead lazily with one hand, she closed her eyes slightly. Her skin was already pale, and the dazzling red dress made her even whiter. The brilliance of her complexion eclipsed even the morning light outside the window.
Guan Han glanced at her several times, and thought silently: If Baosi also had this kind of appearance, how many people in the world could resist becoming another King Zhou of You, lighting the warning beacons for a smile from the beauty? (T/N: this is a famous love story of Ancient China that served as cautionary tale about beauty that can topple a nation)
The breakfast in the luxury hotel was delivered quickly. Not long after the call was completed, the waiter knocked on the door and came in with the dining cart.
There were many types of dishes. Guan Han put a few on the coffee table, deliberately asking Qin Yinong: "Really not eating it?"
"No appetite." Qin Yinong said lightly without even lifting her eyelids.
Her stomach grumbled as soon as she finished talking.
Qin Yinong: "..."
Guan Han suppressed a smile: "Anyhow, just eat a little, in case An Ling-jie wants to come bother you. You haven't returned in so long, there are probably many things piled up so she won’t let you go easily."
An Ling was Qin Yinong's agent, running resources for her, and usually stayed in the studio.
Qin Yinong sat up: "Bring me some fruit salad. Don’t you have any?"
"Yes, I specifically asked for it." Guan Han brought a plate to her and put a small fork on it.
Qin Yinong glanced, and frowned: "Too much."
Guan Han: "I can eat if you can't finish it."
Qin Yinong ate a few slices of fruit, barely filling her stomach. She then pushed the plate back on the coffee table.
Eight thirty.
Guan Han escorted Qin Yinong out of the hotel and went to the studio together.
***
Yi Yiyi was a contract artist at Qin Yinong’s studio. (T/N: 易一一 Yi yiyi, literally translates to easy, one, one) Twenty-five years old this year, she had signed a three-year contract, and her career development was in full swing compared to female artists at the same age. Two of her TV dramas became very popular online, even parents and grandparents could recognize her offline.
At first, she entered Qin Yinong’s studio without much consideration. Not all film school graduates can sign up to a brokerage company as they wish, and most of them can only play with the card they’ve been dealt. Most are cast as extras in TV drama, or they have to change careers entirely. The entertainment circle is so huge, and only so many people can make it every year. Today, the environment is even harsher than before, everyone is impatient and eager to make it big quickly, but it is even more difficult for young actors to stand out. They are powerless and have no background to rely on, it’s even harder than reaching the sky.
Qin Yinong's studio was called the "Golden House" by the media. Of course, this name "Golden House" is from Jinwu Cangjiao, meant to mock Qin Yinong (T/N: 金屋藏娇 Jinwu cangjiao is an idiom that means to keep a [secret] mistress or concubine in a luxurious house). In the media, Qin Yinong's studio was described as some sort of decadent cave created by Qin Yinong for her to indulge in conveniently. There had apparently been several “informants” that had spread this information from personal experience.
Yi Yiyi believed it too. At that time, she received an olive branch from Qin Yinong's studio, and was warned by all of her classmates not to fall for it. But Yi Yiyi was close to graduation at that time, and her roommates had already signed with a manager company. She was the only one without a job in sight. She’s brave and believed in justice: if she’s unwilling to sell herself, could others still force her? It’s a harsh struggle, but it’s still better than no filming, and she could only earn money when she acts.
Besides, Qin Yinong's looks and figure were all first-class. No actress in the show business circle could compete; not to mention that she was Yi Yiyi’s acting idol. If Qin Yinong really slept with her--Yi Yiyi secretly hypothesized this possibility--she wouldn't lose.
In short, she just signed the contract in a daze.
After entering, it turned out that this was not the case. It was indeed a golden house--a gilded house.
Before graduation, senior students in the entertainment circle had explained it to Yi Yiyi in the most straightforward terms: there are things that every entertainer, from the divas to the smallest fish, could not control. When even the kings and queens of the studio could be pressured, the little fish, just like ancient brothel prostitutes, had to jump up to serve those who were more important than them. Serving tea, pouring alcohol, lighting cigarettes, humoring their jokes; there were the unwritten rules. Some agents would even act as pimps, and send the little fish directly to the boss’s bed.
Yi Yiyi had been frightened by this for a long time. Yet, she had never seen these unwritten rules in Qin Yinong’s studio, the supposed ‘decadent cave’. Her agent wouldn’t ask her to accompany or entertain anyone, and she didn’t need to worry about being sent to someone's bed. She didn’t need to worry about anything in fact, as long as she took the advice that her agent gave her and took her work seriously, she would become popular. One more resource, a step towards recognition.
Here was the utopia that every actor dreams of.
After Yi Yiyi understood this, she almost burst into tears, and she also held great respect for Qin Yinong who was demonized by the media. Hearing that Qin Yinong had returned to China, she went back to the company deliberately, hoping to have a chance encounter.
"Yiyi, don't wander around, it’s making me dizzy." Her assistant reminded her on the side.
"I know, but I can't help it." Yi Yiyi nervously walked up and down the corridor, staring at the path leading to An Ling's office. If Qin Yinong returned, she would definitely find An Ling.
Her assistant was about to persuade her again, only to hear Yi yiyi scream.
Yi Yiyi covered her mouth tightly with her hands, eyes stunned.
The assistant followed her gaze.
Two people walked out of the elevator. The one in front was tall and had a fiery red long dress. What was even more dazzling was her face. The light radiating from that gorgeous face made people dare not look directly at her.
Yi Yiyi lowered her head, yet she couldn't help but take another look.
Qin Yinong led Guan Han and walked straight towards the agent's office. Suddenly, there was a tiny greeting of "Hello senior!" by her ear.
Qin Yinong turned her head. Two steps away stood a young woman with her arms dangling on the side, her face scrunched up. Qin Yinong quickly went through her mind, and with a gentle smile on the corners of her lips, she nodded and said: "Hello."
Yi Yiyi was taken aback, and then her face turned red.
She’s… so gentle.
It was completely different from the rumors.
"Do you have something to tell me?" Qin Yinong asked politely, slightly bending over. She was already tall among female celebrities, and now that she was wearing heels, she was more than half a head taller than the person in front of her.
Yi Yiyi was dizzy and could barely stand straight. Her assistant quietly stepped forward and poked her from behind.
Yi Yiyi returned to her senses at once, digging her fingertips into her palm. She suddenly bowed deeply to Qin Yinong, and said loudly, "Senior, I'm sorry!"
Qin Yinong: "???"
She looked back at Guan Han, who whispered: "She's Yi Yiyi. I'll tell you later, it's a trivial matter."
Qin Yinong held Yi Yiyi's arm and held her up personally: "You’re Yiyi?"
She actually knew her name!
Yi Yiyi's face flushed with excitement: "Yes!"
Qin Yinong smiled: "You don't need to be so loud, I can hear you."
"Yes!"
Qin Yinong smiled and raised her eyebrows: "Huh?"
"Yes." Yi Yiyi answered quietly.
"Good." Qin Yinong put her hand on Yiyi’s head.
Yi Yiyi, who was patted like a puppy, didn't find any problem, she was even excited. Her hands twisted back and forth, she didn't know where to put them.
"I accept your apology." Qin Yinong retracted her hand and asked with a smile, "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing else!" Yi Yi, who seemed to have amnesia suddenly, stood up straight for an instant and reported loudly.
Qin Yinong's ears were yelled at one after another. Unable to tell whether to laugh or cry, she still said gently: "Then I will go first?"
"Goodbye, senior!"
"See you, Yiyi." Qin Yinong patted her on the shoulder and said, "Keep up the good work."
"Yes!"
Yi Yiyi watched Qin Yinong leave, eyes full of longing.
Guan Han glanced back at Qin Yinong, moved closer to her ear, and whispered: "When will you change this habit of touching people's heads?"
"She's cute though, isn't she?"
Guan Han glowered at her.
"Jealous? You’re cute too, young people are cute." Qin Yinong smiled and raised her hand, which Guan Han avoided swiftly.
Guan Han: "You are only four years older than her."
Qin Yinong smiled, "But my heart feels like it’s already eighty. I really envy you lively young people."
Guan Han: "...…"
Qin Yinong smiled to herself for a while and asked: "By the way, why did she apologize to me just now?"
Guan Han replied: "The reporters interviewed her. You know entertainment media, sometimes they talk nasty. They asked her about her work in the studio and her opinion of you. She said that you are a good person, it’s the media who are painting you wrong. The next day it was trending, people were saying that she was lying to gain favor, that you told her to help you whitewash, and then you were being slandered again."
Qin Yinong was dumbfounded: "Is she a newcomer?"
The artists who signed to the studio were told from the beginning to not help defend Qin Yinong. That would only allow the entertainment media to find new topics to revel in, saying that they were all birds of a feather, covering up for each other.
Guan Han shook her head: "No, it's been three years since she signed her contract."
Qin Yinong furrowed her eyebrows: "Then why does she still..."
Guan Han said mildly: "She has a straight-forward temper, but her mind is a bit..."
Qin Yinong snorted aloud: "It's quite stupid." She paused, and said, "Check with her agent later, tell her to not comment on my problems anymore. Thank her for me by the way."
Guan Han pouted. Said: "Don’t you like fools."
Qin Yinong tilted her head and said, "I also like smart people like you."
The sincerity and goodwill weren’t much, but now that she received it, she would protect them well.
***
Tang Ruoyao took a shower twice, her whole body was pinkish, and the traces left by Qin Yinong had faded a little. She changed her clothes and went to the company.
"Qin jie seems to be in a bad mood today." Before entering the door, her assistant Xin Qian whispered in her ear.
"I got it."
Tang Ruoyao raised her hand to knock on the door of the agent's office.
There was a call from inside, and she took the assistant in.
"Qin jie." Tang Ruoyao greeted the short-haired woman sitting behind the desk in a low tone.
Ruan Qin raised her chin: "Sit down."
Tang Ruoyao walked to the sofa and sat down. Ruan Qin came over with a stack of papers and a phone with the screen on. She handed the phone to Tang Ruoyao and said coldly, "Look at it yourself."
"Do you mind?" Ruan Qin deftly shook a cigarette out of the case.
Before Tang Ruoyao could answer, Ruan Qin lit the cigarette on her own, and leaned on the sofa to puff out the smoke.
Tang Ruoyao was sensitive to the smell of second-hand smoke, and couldn't help but frown. Her assistant Xin Qian even choked and coughed. Tang Ruoyao waved off the white smoke in the air, tilted her head and said softly: "Qianqian, you go out first." The assistant looked at Ruan Qin. Ruan Qin was smoking her cigarette and didn't seem to care for her, so the assistant hurriedly slipped away.
Tang Ruoyao looked down at the phone screen.
She’s trending.
Title: Tang Ruoyao plays the big cards
Clicking on the trending search showed a video at the Golden Laurel Awards ceremony. She was absent-minded throughout the whole ceremony. At some point, her face turned dark and appeared even more expressionless on stage. She won the prize. The acceptance speech wasn’t deliberate, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that she was not in high spirits.
The comments were brutal.
[Stepping 85, punching 90, Tang Ruoyao, truly the best performer at home and abroad from ancient to modern time, applause]
[If I remember correctly, this is Tang Ruoyao's first award, so dismissive, don’t take it, you’re a bitch and still want to set up a memorial? I spit]
[Senior Hao Meihua is right, some young people really need to be more humble, don’t be complacent over a little achievement. I have always been a casual fan of Tang Ruoyao, but I was really disappointed when I saw this award presentation]
[I suggest that the Golden Laurel Awards should take moral into account next time, this kind of eyesight is above the top, no matter how good the acting is, it is disgusting]
[The comment above, are you being serious about the acting? Isn't it because none of the finalists this year can act? It’s just choosing the best from a pile of garbage. Tang Ruoyao is the worst Best Actress in history, I think this should be nailed as the biggest shame of the Golden Laurel Awards]
Her fans’ “Don’t over-interpret” arguments were simply no match for the menacing advance of the passers-by.
Tang Ruoyao set the phone down, clenching and releasing her fist by her side, closed her eyes, and lowered her head to admit her mistake: "I'm sorry Qin jie, I’ve caused you trouble."
Ruan Qin sneered, "It's because Qin Yinong didn't go to the awards ceremony that you were acting strange, right?"
Tang Ruoyao was silent.
Ruan Qin took a hard inhale of cigarette, raised her fingers, wanted to push Tang Ruoyao's forehead, but they finally landed on her shoulders.
Tang Ruoyao was pushed to the point of staggering.
"Tang Ruoyao, aren’t you too naive in thinking that you can really have something with her? She’s left you in the cold for so long, and you still don’t think anything about it?" Ruan Qin mocked.
Tang Ruoyao used to be just an unknown artist under Ruan Qin. If she wanted her to live then she’d live, if she wanted her to die then she’d die. Who knew she would be able to reach the sky; the sparrow flew on the high branch and turned into a phoenix. Nevermind ruining her good deal, they even made Tang Ruoyao an untouchable person. If she slighted her in any way, she would be warned by Qin Yinong's assistant immediately. Whose celebrity doesn't go out to serve drinks, yet now she couldn't call the shots anymore?
Hearing that Qin Yinong hadn’t contacted Tang Ruoyao in recent months, Ruan Qin decided that Tang Ruoyao had fallen out of favor and dared to bully her again.
A look of heartache flashed in Tang Ruoyao's eyes, her pale lips were pressed together tightly, and she said nothing.
Ruan Qin pushed her again, and said in a nasty tone: "Speak, dumbass. What are you to her?"
Tang Ruoyao's expression was extremely terrible, her nails sinking deep into her palms.
***
"She is the person I like." Qin Yinong leaned on the sofa in the office. She told her agent An Ling with a serious look, saying every word clearly.
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translated by drew, mooie, jaylin
edited by noba