Director Shen?
Oh no! What was he doing at this party?
Qin Yufeng's pupil dilated in shock. Realization struck him and all of his anger went down in an instant. His heart thundered inside his chest. He was scared to look her in the eye. He knew he was exposed. She knew what he had done. Now, he understood the reason behind her anger. Now he understood why she was asking him for a divorce. She met with Director Shen while he was away and caught his lies. His face was full of unhidden panic and guilt.
"Y-yueyue..... I-I... I can explain," he began
Bai Liyue narrowed her eyes at him. "Explain what?"
"I-I... I... I... I am sorry you found out," he mumbled guiltily.
"Oh?" Bai Liyue chuckled, raising her brows. "So you are sorry that I found out what you have done, but you are not sorry for the act itself."
Qin Yufeng saw the mockery and hate in her eyes. He pressed his lips together, sighing. "I-I... I... Yueyue, I will not lie to you. I am not sorry for what I have done."
"Not lie to me?" Bai Liyue raised her voice, her eyes flashing with anger. "Do you know the meaning of those words? Because that's what you have been doing! Yufeng, you have been lying to me for the past two years. Why? Why did you do it?"
Qin Yufeng looked at her. When he saw the tears, the anger, and the distrust in her eyes, he knew he couldn't hide it anymore. He has to come clean and tell her all about it. And, he knew better that it was not going to end well. Dammit!!! He imagined killing the person who was so irresponsible and sent an invitation card to Director Shen for this party. Director Shen was not supposed to be here at this party.
This was not supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to know anything.
"I don't want you to act," he confessed.
"What?"
"I don't want you to be an actor," he repeated.
Bai Liyue gave him a confused look. "Why?"
"Because.... because I...," Qin Yufeng paused and took a deep breath. "I... I.... because...."
"Because WHAT?"
"Because I said so!" Qin Yufeng gave out a frustrated yell. He grabbed her arm, pulled her closer to him, and stared into her eyes. "As your husband, I don't want my wife to entertain people on the screens. I don't want my wife to become a mere 'entertainment' for some people. I don't want people to look at you with their dirty gazes. I don't want you to step into that dirty, degraded, and morally corrupt place. I don't want you to have any connection with those people coming from that kind of a place."
"Entertainment industry is one of the worst industries and I don't want you to be a part of it. Happy?"
Bai Liyue was shocked. She was completely baffled by his reply. She couldn't believe that he did all of that just to stop her from acting. Before this, she never knew that's what he thought about actors or the acting industry. She didn't know that he had this kind of thinking towards the acting profession.
He pretended so well in front of her that she never realized that he had so much hate towards actors and the acting industry.
"You are wrong." Bai Liyue said, looking at him in the eyes. "That's not your reason, it's your opinion."
"Think whatever you want to but you will never act," Qin Yufeng said adamantly. "As my wife, I will never let you step inside that industry. Yueyue, that place is not meant for you."
"Yufeng, acting is my life!"
"And, you are my wife," he yelled. "You will do as I say."
"I am your wife, not your property," she argued back. "I don't have to listen to and obey everything you say. Acting is my dream and nothing can stop me from achieving it. Not even you!"
Hearing that, Qin Yufeng laughed. "Welcome to reality, my love. Guess what? I have been stopping you for the past two years and I will continue to do so. I am Qin Yufeng. One single word from me and no director will dare to take you in their movies, nobody will cast you in their film as an actress. I think you know better. After all, isn't that what's been going on for the past two years?"
Bai Liyue shook with anger at his words.
In three years of being his wife, she took what he gave her and never asked for more. She never expected anything from this marriage because she never really wanted to be with him. He loved her, but she didn't. He wanted to be with her, but she didn't. However, life and circumstance forced her to accept this marriage and live as his wife.
This marriage was a living nightmare for her. Only one thing kept her happy, kept her alive with the hope to live for the next day. It was her dream. Since she was little, she dreamed of being an actress, someone whom everyone admired, someone whom people considered their idol. Growing up, this dream got bigger and bigger and she wanted something greater than just admiration and being an idol. She wanted to showcase her talent, her passion, and her art.
Everyone knew her as Qin Yufeng's wife. Nothing else. Nothing more.
But, she wanted more.
She wanted an identity for herself, an identity other than just being his wife.
Acting was starting to become more than just a small part of her life. The more she learned to act, the more she was falling in love with that. When she got married, she was still a student in an acting school. She was happy that he never stopped her from studying or pursuing her dream. He always encouraged her to grow as a woman and achieve her dreams.
Knowing his nature, she was surprised that he didn't hinder her from pursuing her dreams. She was grateful for that. She thought that maybe, just maybe he wasn't as bad as she thought he was. After her studies got completed, she did audition for many roles but failed to get one. In the beginning, she didn't feel bad about any rejection because she was prepared for it mentally. However, these rejections continued with her for an entire two years. It was like having a certain kind of bad luck stuck on her body. No matter what role she auditions for, she would be rejected.