Hua Jin had not expected Liang Yin to immerse herself so completely into her character. After crying for a long time, she finally resolved the tangle of emotions inside.

  Mu Qingge walked over with red eyes and gently patted her on the shoulder. “You did a great job today, Hua Jin!”


  Director Gu came over as well and said, “Rest well for the next two days and adjust your emotions! This particular scene has already ended.”


  Liang Yin nodded.

  By the time the actor led her away from the set, he was still visibly shaken. “Liang Yin, your performance today was simply unexpected. It was even better than I had imagined.”


  Liang Yin said solemnly, “I’ve accepted your posh western meal treat. I have to stop encumbering you.”


  “Ha!” The actor smiled. “You think a Western meal will buy you off?”


  “That’s right. This is the best meal I’ve ever had. I didn’t do anything to deserve this. I can’t accept your kindness for nothing.”


  Liang Yin paused as something came to mind. Her expression turned grave. “Have you heard? There were rumors today that a girl jumped from a hotel building. Could it be the girl from yesterday?”


  Hua Jin frowned and shook his head. “Well… I’m not sure. For one thing, I’ve not seen a photograph of the deceased. For another, I’ve not seen a case report. So I’m really not sure about this.”


  “Well … why don’t you ask around?”


  “These are troubled times. Don’t pry, in case you get into trouble.”


  “Fine, I understand.” Liang Yin did not say anything else.

  Upon returning to the hotel, Hua Jin ordered takeout for Liang Yin and went back to his room right after that. On the way back to his room, he saw that Tang Yu and his manager had returned. He stopped in his tracks and looked at Tang Yu silently.

  The other man looked at him, too, but for some reason, there was a wariness in Tang Yu’s expression. He had been discussing something with his agent, but when he caught Hua Jin’s glance, he suddenly fell silent.

  Hua Jin narrowed his eyes and smiled momentarily. Turning to Tang Yu, he commented, “I didn’t see you on the set today. Where were you?”


  Tang Yu grew even more wary of Hua Jin’s sudden concern. Instead of answering his question directly, he avoided it and said in half-jest, “Why are you suddenly so concerned about me? In the past, your attitude toward me wasn’t like this. You acted as if you had a grudge against me and that we were great enemies.”


  Hua Jin smiled. “How can I support another artiste in the presence of my artiste? I didn’t see you on the set today. I heard you were unwell and running a fever?”


  “A little. I went to the hospital and got a drip. I’m feeling better now.”


  Seeing that Tang Yu was bantering meaninglessly with this junior assistant, the manager was displeased. “Alright, stop talking nonsense with her. Go back to your room and lie down.”


  Tang Yu and his manager returned to their room. His eyelids started twitching violently as an ominous feeling grew within him!

  …


  “Brother Ting, do we really have to do this?” They were back in the room, and Tang Yu felt inexplicably uneasy.

  His manager, Brother Ting, glared at him disapprovingly. “Otherwise? What’s done is done. Are you looking for even more trouble rather than thinking of a way to wash this off your hands?”


  “But… I don’t think it’s a good idea to offend Hua Jin!”


  “He offered himself up. All I can say is that he came looking for trouble. Wait for the PR firm to make a statement! Whatever it is, let’s shift the focus on this.”