The summer sun was always merciless, and as she walked to KFC, Ye Feifei felt like she was about to instantly turn into roast duck. She estimated she was likely to tan three shades darker again.
It used to be the favorite spot for two best friends, but even now, filled with roasted wings and burgers, it seemed unable to provide solace for their anxious and depressed souls.
The sun rose on schedule every day, and of course, it also went home to rest on time.
The city lights of S City burst into brilliance, still gorgeous and dreamlike as seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Ye Feifei chose a quiet booth at the Good Mood Café, facing Xia Yichu, who seemed devoid of spirits; this filled her with a sense of frustration, but she knew clearly what needed to be done.
So, she spilled everything about the run-in with the Bad Luck God yesterday and the incident with buying the Water Army at night.
Upon learning the truth, Xia Yichu's countenance showed no sign of relief; instead, her brows furrowed even deeper. "So much happened yesterday, no wonder President Shen invited you to dance. I saw you wanted to go but didn't, and now I understand all the intricacies involved. Why didn't you tell me? If you had informed me in advance, we wouldn't be in such a mess today!"
Her words carried a subtle reproach, faint yet profound, making Ye Feifei feel guilty. "I'm sorry, Xiao Chu, I know, I've caused you trouble again! Actually… I originally came to help you, but unexpectedly, not only did I not help you, I ended up causing even more trouble for you. I'm really sorry!"
At that, the clouds on Xia Yichu's face cleared, and she consoled her, "Hey... who are we to each other? Saying sorry is just too formal. Feifei, please don't overthink it, I don't blame you in the slightest! You are my best friend, always looking out for me. How could I be foolish enough to think like those common people and suspect you're an undercover agent sent by Sky Pillar? We are friends but more like family, so we stand together through thick and thin, advancing and retreating as one!"
Touched by such heartwarming words, Ye Feifei couldn't help but smile, a bewitching charm lacing her tipsy grin, perfectly complementing the slightly dim and subdued warm lighting of the café.
Xia Yichu possessed a serenity beyond her years. The maturity in her demeanor was just right, neither too strong nor too weak, as if hovering on the edge between sensuality and conservatism, enticing in its subtlety.
She looked at Ye Feifei with a natural, relaxed smile, and spoke softly, "Sigh... Although it's only been two or three years since you came into my life, nobody else understands the hardships and obstacles I've faced going from a minor character to where I am today. No one else I can confide in. After seeing too many disdainful faces among agents and those at the top, as well as the fickle whims of the wealthy tycoons, this glitzy S City, once you strip away its shining façade, is nothing but a muddy puddle! Who would think that someone like me is still struggling on the 'subsistence line' of the entertainment industry, living day to day watching people's expressions!"
Her voice lacked the vivacity of the previous day, tinged with a trace of melancholy.
But Ye Feifei always chose optimism. Reaching out her hand, she gently grasped Xia Yichu's exquisitely maintained, pale and delicate one, offering comfort. "Yi Chu, all the hardships have become the past, and we've already waded through them. So, let's not dwell on them anymore. In fact, I believe there's truth in the saying that 'the man who has tasted the bitterest of bitterness can become the noblest of men.' You have come up through hardships, with beauty and acting skills that are in no way inferior to those top stars. You must have confidence in yourself! Whether I'm a disaster of a teammate or a godsend of an assist, I will always be by your side, forever supporting you and being your strongest support. We'll never part! So, we have nothing to fear!"
Their hands clasped tightly together, as if to transfer the strength from their hearts into each other.
Ye Feifei laughed as she spoke, "However, you're right. I was too impulsive this time, not calm enough. If I hadn't provoked Hua Yunliang, I wouldn't have caused such a mess!" Ye Feifei heaved a long sigh, seemingly deflated with a hint of confusion, "It's just... I took a careful look at the comments by the Water Army under his Weibo from yesterday, and there really wasn't a single one that mentioned me or had anything to do with me. Why did it suddenly get blown up like this?!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Yichu's eyes flickered slightly, her beautiful and delicate lashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly, carrying a trace of coquettishness as they cast a faint shadow in the depths of her eyes. She said softly, "In fact, if you stay by my side for a while, you'll realize that the entertainment industry really isn't a place for humans! Perhaps we've been played by Sky Pillar, it's just that we don't have such incredible mental agility to anticipate it, that's all!"
Ye Feifei's entire body shuddered at her words: So, was everything that happened today just some lowly trick by Hua Yunliang or Sky Pillar?
In an instant, anger welled up within her, "So, was this whole thing a play self-directed by Hua Yunliang at the expense of his own image? So, I fell for the trap laid by those so-called Water Army, who took my money on one hand and then sold me out to Sky Pillar behind my back, making me a stepping stone for Hua Yunliang's rise to power, and perhaps, even a plot to drive a wedge between you and Hongyu?"
Looking at Xia Yichu's absolutely certain gaze, Ye Feifei suddenly felt her values shatter completely, and the next second, she felt like she could explode on the spot!
——Could this get any more disgusting?!
But the arena of fame and fortune is like a battlefield, where the warfare involves silent, ruthless struggles, its cruelty no less inferior to that of a real battlefield!
Who is a stepping stone for whom is not something you can decide; Heaven always observes with a smile, like an indifferent spectator munching on melons!
With this thought, Ye Feifei couldn't help but gasp for air.
Xia Yichu gently patted her hand, breathing out softly, "Feifei, don't think too much about it."
As she spoke, Ye Feifei felt an even deeper sense of guilt, she frowned and said, "Actually, I was wrong. I thought this was just a personal grudge between him and me, but who knew that these Water Army had no morals at all, playing both sides and in the end, it got blown up like this... Human hearts are unpredictable, the waters of the entertainment industry are indeed deep!"
Before they knew it, the coffee had gone cold, and the desserts were almost finished. The two tired souls finally left the café.
The city outside was still bustling with endless streams of traffic.
After saying bye-bye to Xia Yichu, Ye Feifei walked home, feeling somewhat despondent.
The breeze of this summer night seemed to have lost its coolness, and just then, a harsh horn blared, followed by dazzling headlights. Ye Feifei instinctively raised her hand to block the blinding light and looked up, only to see the last person she wanted to see, waving at her from a silver-gray Benz, "Hey~ Beauty, thanks a lot!"