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墨書 Inktalez
As soon as Lin Yue stepped into her home, she felt like a kite that had lost its string, crashing heavily onto the sofa. She picked up her phone and opened the chat window with Su Yao, wanting to send a message but hesitating out of fear of overstepping boundaries. Her fingers hovered over the screen for a long time, typing and deleting words repeatedly, until she finally set the phone down.
At that moment, the screen lit up.
Jiang Rou had sent a message: "Lin Yue, are you still awake? Can I come to the film set with you tomorrow?"
Lin Yue stared at her phone, a wave of guilt and struggle washing over her. She understood Jiang Rou's love; it had been unwavering for so many years, pulling her back from the brink of death multiple times. But what about Su Yao? The feelings she had for him were so real and intense—she had never felt this way about anyone before.
After much hesitation, she replied with a simple word: "Okay."
Once she sent the message, Lin Yue felt a wave of fatigue and disappointment wash over her. Closing her eyes, her mind was filled with images of Su Yao—his face bathed in the glow of the setting sun, his hesitant expression, and that hopeful phrase, "I will be looking forward to it."
Lin Yue slept restlessly. In her dreams, she found herself standing in a dark and cold corridor, with Jiang Rou's tearful voice echoing "You can't leave me" in front of her, while behind her was Su Yao's gentle smile.
As dawn broke, Lin Yue was jolted awake by a nightmare. Rubbing her eyes, she hesitated for a moment before getting up. After taking a shower, she stood in front of her wardrobe for quite some time before finally choosing a white shirt paired with dark blue jeans. She carefully rolled up the sleeves and spritzed on some perfume.
While adjusting her collar, she suddenly realized that she looked just like a high school student from a drama about to meet their crush for the first time—nervous and flustered.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing; it was Jiang Rou.
"Lin Yue, I'm at the parking lot. Are you ready?" Her voice was sweet to the point of being cloying.
"Yeah, I'll be down soon," Lin Yue replied, trying to keep her voice casual.
After hanging up, Lin Yue took one last look at herself in the mirror; her eyes were filled with hesitation and unease.
The elevator took her directly to the underground parking lot. As soon as the doors opened, she spotted Jiang Rou.
The striking red Porsche 911 was parked prominently, and Jiang Rou leaned against the car door in a red dress that made her skin appear even fairer—she looked vibrant and alluring.
Upon seeing Lin Yue, Jiang Rou immediately broke into a radiant smile. In her ten-centimeter stiletto heels, she strode over in just a few steps and wrapped her arms around Lin Yue's neck.
"Lin Yue, I missed you so much!" she said sweetly as she pressed herself against Lin Yue's cheek with a heavy kiss that left a bright red lip print before casually wiping it away with her fingertip.
These affectionate gestures were second nature to Jiang Rou.
Lin Yue instinctively returned the embrace but avoided Jiang Rou's gaze. "Let's go; the crew should be starting soon." She gently extricated herself from Jiang Rou's hold and got into the car first.
On the way, Jiang Rou chattered on about company matters—from new projects to gossip and scandals.
Lin Yue responded absentmindedly with occasional "hmms," while her mind drifted off to the film set.
"Are you even listening to me?" Jiang Rou finally couldn't hold back.
"Ah? Sorry, I was a bit distracted," Lin Yue said with an awkward smile.
Jiang Rou pouted, casting a suspicious glance at her.
Upon arriving at the film set, Lin Yue immediately began searching for Su Yao's figure.
Noticing her unusual behavior, Jiang Rou instinctively tightened her grip on Lin Yue's hand.
Director Li saw them and approached with a smile, "President Lin, Manager Jiang, you arrived just in time! We are about to shoot the key scene!"
Lin Yue nodded politely, but her gaze was fixed on Su Yao, who had just walked out of the makeup room.
Dressed in the female lead's costume, with exquisite and natural makeup, Su Yao exuded a unique charm.
Their eyes met, and Su Yao's expression brightened momentarily, but it dimmed again when she saw Jiang Rou holding onto Lin Yue.
She politely nodded to Lin Yue and Jiang Rou before quickly immersing herself in the preparations for the shoot.
A pang of pain shot through Lin Yue's heart; she wanted to go over but felt immobilized—Jiang Rou's arm acted like an invisible cage, holding her firmly in place.
During the morning shoot, Lin Yue was absent-minded.
Sitting behind the monitor, she appeared to discuss each actor's performance and the details of costumes and props with Jiang Rou and the director, but her eyes were solely on Su Yao.
Watching her focused expression while acting, every subtle change in her demeanor, and the moment she retracted her emotions after the director called "cut" captivated Lin Yue completely.
Every time their eyes met, that fleeting spark was enough to make Lin Yue's heart race.
During lunch break, Jiang Rou pulled Lin Yue to sit in the crew's resting area and chattered endlessly about various topics in an attempt to draw Lin Yue's attention.
Lin Yue responded absentmindedly while her gaze kept drifting toward Su Yao—watching her interact with crew members, seriously flipping through the script, or gazing off into space with a hint of melancholy.
"Lin Yue, what are you thinking about?" Jiang Rou finally couldn't hold back any longer, her voice tinged with bitterness and grievance. "You seem off today."
Snapping back to reality, Lin Yue forced a smile. "It's nothing; I'm just a bit tired."
"You're thinking about Su Yao, aren't you?" Jiang Rou called her out directly, fixing her eyes on Lin Yue.
Feeling guilty, Lin Yue feigned calmness. "How could that be? Why do you say that?"
"I can see right through you," Jiang Rou scoffed coldly. "Your eyes can't deceive me. Have you forgotten your promise?"
Lin Yue fell silent for a moment before softly replying, "Xiao Rou, I haven't forgotten. It's normal for us as investors to pay attention to the female lead."
Jiang Rou narrowed her eyes dangerously before breaking into a sweet smile again. "Of course, it's work after all. I'm just worried you're too tired."
Lin Yue nodded and shifted the topic back to company matters.
The afternoon shoot continued. Lin Yue tried hard to control herself and not focus too much on Su Yao.
Meanwhile, Jiang Rou kept tightly holding onto Lin Yue's arm; especially when Su Yao came close, she would deliberately act affectionately to send a clear signal to Su Yao—Lin Yue was hers.
After filming wrapped up for the day, Jiang Rou suddenly suggested, "Everyone worked hard today; let me treat you all to dinner as a reward!"
Lin Yue was about to refuse when she caught sight of Jiang Rou's hopeful gaze. Unable to bear disappointing her, she reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Dinner took place in a private room at the hotel where the crew was staying, with several large round tables filled with people. Lu Chen had also rushed over from the company, and the three of them sat at a table with Director Li and Su Yao.
As the drinks flowed, the atmosphere grew lively. Director Li suggested that everyone take turns to toast, expressing their gratitude to one another. When it was Su Yao's turn, she gracefully stood up, her gaze unconsciously drifting toward Lin Yue.
"I want to thank everyone who gave me this opportunity, especially Director Li," her voice was clear and sincere. "Additionally, I would like to extend my special thanks to Lin Yue, Manager Jiang, and Manager Lu. It is you who made Dark River possible."
She raised her glass in a toast to Director Li before turning toward Lin Yue and downing her drink in one go. Lin Yue raised her glass in return, their eyes meeting as if countless unspoken words were being exchanged.
Jiang Rou noticed the spark between them and her expression darkened immediately. She leaned closer to Lin Yue, whispering softly in her ear, "Lin Yue, I suddenly feel unwell. Can you accompany me back?"
Lin Yue frowned, concern etched on her face. "Do you have a fever?" She reached out to touch Jiang Rou's forehead.
At that moment, Su Yao approached their table with a glass in hand. "Lin Yue, Manager Jiang, Manager Lu, may I thank you once again?" Her eyes were filled with anticipation and nervousness.
Jiang Rou's expression turned icy in an instant, but she maintained a polite smile. "Miss Su, we are honored to invest in Dark River. However, I apologize; I'm not feeling well and need to rest."
Su Yao's expression stiffened slightly before she quickly regained her polite smile. "I hope Manager Jiang recovers soon. I won't keep you."
Jiang Rou grabbed Lin Yue's arm and attempted to leave, but Lu Chen blocked her path. "Xiao Rou, let me take you home; Lin Yue still needs to discuss some matters with the director."
Jiang Rou's face went pale instantly, disbelief and anger flashing in her eyes. Yet given the circumstances, she could only nod reluctantly.
She then shrugged off Lu Chen's hold and wrapped her arms around Lin Yue's neck, pulling her close until their lips nearly touched. "Lin Yue, you must come to my house tonight; I have something important to tell you." With that, she pressed her car keys into Lin Yue's hand.
Lin Yue accepted the keys with a stiff smile and nodded. After Jiang Rou left, an awkward silence fell between Lin Yue and Su Yao, filled with subtle anticipation.
"I enjoyed our conversation yesterday," Lin Yue finally broke the silence, her voice soft yet sincere.
"So did I," Su Yao replied with a sweet smile.
Another silence ensued as both women had countless things they wanted to say but didn't know how to begin.
Meanwhile, on the way home with Jiang Rou, Lu Chen drove in a heavy atmosphere filled with tension.
Jiang Rou frowned, her arms tightly crossed over her chest, her voice laced with clear reproach. "Why did you have to do that? You know I don't like them being alone together!"
Lu Chen sighed. "Xiao Rou, you're too anxious. Lin Yue will keep her promise to you, but by constantly watching her, you're only pushing her further away."
He paused, his tone turning serious. "Besides, I heard from my dad that your parents have contacted Uncle Lin and Aunt Shangguan."
"What are you trying to say?" Jiang Rou's voice trembled slightly.
"What do you want to do?" Lu Chen's tone was filled with admonition. "Are you trying to force a marriage?"
"What's wrong with that?" Jiang Rou shouted. "I just want to seize my happiness!"
"Not like this, Xiao Rou!" Lu Chen urged. "This will only hurt both of you. If Lin Yue finds out…"
Jiang Rou fell silent, the atmosphere in the car growing heavy. Tears silently slid down her face.
"If Lin Yue finds out what you've been doing behind her back, you know the consequences," Lu Chen added gravely.
He glanced at her, his voice softening. "I know you love her, but…" He didn't continue, and they drove in silence all the way to Jiang Rou's home.
Once home, Jiang Rou stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the city lights outside, but her eyes were vacant.
She knew that tonight Lin Yue and Su Yao would definitely be alone together. Her intuition told her that once those two were alone, she would lose Lin Yue.
After much contemplation, she made a decision.
Jiang Rou changed into workout clothes and exercised intensely at home for an hour until she was drenched in sweat.
Then she turned on the air conditioning to its lowest setting and stood in front of the cold air vent, letting the chilly breeze blow over her damp body.
"Lin Yue, if I get sick, you'll feel sorry for me, right?" she whispered to herself.
Once she started feeling cold, she took a hot shower, deliberately turning the water temperature up high.
After coming out of the bathroom, she put on some makeup and poured herself glass after glass of strong liquor.
Jiang Rou rarely drank alcohol, but tonight she needed Lin Yue to see her vulnerable side.
As the gathering neared its end, Lin Yue gripped her car keys tightly. After saying goodbye to the director, she looked at Su Yao but found herself unable to say goodbye to her.
"Lin Zong, could you take me back to my room?" Su Yao suddenly said, breaking the stalemate.
Lin Yue paused for a moment before nodding. "Of course."
In the elevator, they stood side by side, their arms brushing against each other intentionally or not. Lin Yue's heart raced faster as her palms began to sweat slightly.
When they reached Su Yao's room, she took out her room card and opened the door. Turning back to look at Lin Yue, she asked softly with a hint of teasing in her voice, "Would you like to come in for a bit?"
Lin Yue stood at the doorway motionless as if that threshold was a boundary she shouldn't cross.
"Su Yao, I…" she started but hesitated.
Seeing her like this, Su Yao smiled helplessly. "Well then, goodnight. Drive safely." She turned to close the door.
"Wait," Lin Yue suddenly pressed her hand against the door. "About Jiang Rou and me..."
She hesitated for a moment before deciding to be honest. "We are indeed very close, but it's more about habit and dependence, rather than..."
"Not love?" Su Yao interjected, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.
"Yes." Lin Yue nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "At least for me, it isn't."
Su Yao's gaze softened. "Emotions are complex; no one has the right to judge. But everyone has the right to pursue their true desires."
Lin Yue was touched by her words. "Do you really believe that?"
"Of course." Su Yao nodded firmly. "Life is already hard enough; if we can't even face our own hearts, what meaning does it have?"
A warm current surged through Lin Yue, bringing an unprecedented sense of ease. Su Yao reached out, lightly touching the back of Lin Yue's hand, and the warmth made Lin Yue's heart race.
She didn't pull away; instead, she gently grasped Su Yao's hand in return. "Thank you, Su Yao."
"What are you thanking me for?" Su Yao asked with a smile.
Lin Yue gazed at her affectionately. "Thank you for making me feel that being alive is actually quite nice."
The two stood quietly, their hands lightly touching, as if in that moment, all worries had vanished.
Suddenly, someone called out "Sister Yao," breaking the warmth of the moment. It was Su Yao's assistant, Xiao Lin, coming from the direction of the elevator.
They quickly released their hands.
"I have to go," Lin Yue said, her voice filled with reluctance.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Su Yao asked softly.
"Yes," Lin Yue promised with a smile as she turned to leave and exchanged a nod with Xiao Lin.
"President Lin?" Xiao Lin murmured quietly, looking at Lin Yue's departing figure with confusion before glancing back at her boss. She wisely chose not to ask Su Yao why Lin Yue had been at her door or mention that it seemed like they had been holding hands just moments before.
Xiao Lin simply smiled mysteriously and entered Su Yao's room.
Once outside the hotel, Lin Yue sat in the car for a long time, her fingers gently tapping on the steering wheel. Her mind was filled with Su Yao's smile and her words about "pursuing true desires."
After an unknown amount of time had passed, she finally started the car and drove toward Jiang Rou's apartment.
Jiang Rou opened the door in a drunken haze, her makeup smeared and tears still glistening at the corners of her eyes.
Seeing her like this made Lin Yue's heart skip a beat. "Xiao Rou, what happened? What's wrong?"
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