Huayu: This celebrity doesn't follow the rules.

Chapter 54 Don't be afraid, your sister is here.

Let's go back to noon that day.

The damp and chilly air of Xinjiekou in Nanjing couldn't stop the throngs of people.

The Christmas tree in front of Deji Plaza is as tall as a three-story building. Adorned with golden bells and red ribbons, it sways gently in the cold wind. Warm yellow lights leak through the branches and leaves, illuminating the faces of passersby.

Artificial snowflakes from the dome were falling one by one, mingling with real raindrops and drifting onto eyelashes, cool and refreshing. They melted as soon as they landed on down jackets, like someone had sprinkled some salt, casting a hazy white veil over the entire square.

Chen Duling wrapped her red down jacket tightly and stood in front of the Christmas tree in Deji Plaza, lost in thought.

The reflection in the shop window revealed her delicate features, a simple beige scarf, and long, smooth black hair draped over her shoulders, making her look like a girl who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting.

"Beep beep!" Classmate Lin Xue, holding two cups of hot cocoa, squeezed through the crowd. "What are you daydreaming about?"

She waved her hand in front of Chen Duling's eyes, "This is the third time. You didn't respond when I asked you to try on the clothes earlier."

Chen Duling snapped out of her daze and took the paper cup.

"It's nothing," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "It's just that I'm a little tired from the final exams."

The sweet aroma of hot cocoa mingled with the cold wind and entered her nostrils, and she suddenly recalled the scene in Xiamen a few months ago.

That was a crucial scene involving an emotional outburst, but she couldn't seem to get into character.

Su Youpeng's voice was filled with anger: "Chen Duling! What exactly are you acting out?"

She was stunned by the scolding and became completely dejected.

Jiang Ye, that idiot, took advantage of the crew's lunch break to drag her out of the film set and run towards the Ring Road.

The wind on the beach was even stronger than here, blowing people's hair wildly, but he insisted on dragging her to wade in the water, saying that he wanted the waves to bless his new shoes.

Later, the two sat on the rocks and shared a sandwich they bought from a convenience store. Jiang Ye took a big bite, and bread crumbs fell onto his chin. He grinned and pointed to the white sails in the distance: "Look at that ship. It looks slow, but it's still moving forward, isn't it? We should do the same and take it slow."

"What actor hasn't been criticized?"

"Look at those waves again. They keep crashing in, but then they obediently retreat. Next time, put in your best effort and impress the director."

The sea breeze reddened his ears and ruffled her bangs, but the warm sunshine that day even gave his voice a slightly salty and gentle tone.

When she was being insulted and upset, Jiang Ye stayed by her side.

But now?

The insults Jiang Ye is now carrying are a thousand times, a hundred times, heavier than the grievances she suffered back then.

Those sharp words were like ice-cold knives, stabbing him one by one. The entire internet was criticizing his new drama, and even the air was thick with malice.

She knew that the premiere ratings for Jiang Ye's drama were not very good.

There was a lot of criticism at the time.

But recently, for some reason, the insults have become increasingly louder and louder!

I don't know who did it...

Moreover, Jiang Ye has changed recently!
He, who is usually very talkative, has recently only sent dry messages like "busy" and "okay".

Yesterday, she couldn't resist calling, but a strange voice answered, a woman: "Director Jiang is in a meeting..."

Ah, a meeting...

He still lied to her, this young man. Now that he's been scolded like this, does he feel ashamed to face her?
Being too proud to admit defeat...

They've already fallen so low, yet they're still pretending to be very busy.

What should I do...?

"You said..." Chen Duling suddenly spoke, her breath dissipating in the cold air, "If someone suddenly stops sharing their sadness with you, does it mean they've become stronger, or..."

I still feel like you're not important to me anymore.

The second half of the sentence stuck in my throat.

She looked down at the latte art on her hot cocoa; the cream had melted into a blurry white mess. "So stupid," she muttered unconsciously.

It's unclear whether the criticism is directed at netizens or at that boastful guy.

He must be feeling terrible right now!

But she could only stand there, unable to offer him even a decent word of comfort.

Lin Xue pulled her into a jewelry store. The Christmas-themed earrings in the glass case were dazzling, but Chen Duling's gaze kept drifting out the window.

The noise of the crowd and the melody of Christmas carols seemed blurry and distant, as if seen through a thick layer of glass.

She mechanically responded to Lin Xue's words, her fingers unconsciously stroking the paper cup of hot cocoa, the cup gradually cooling down.

"What do you think of this deer hair clip? It goes really well with your red dress." Lin Xue turned around, holding up the accessory, but saw that her eyes were fixed on something. "Are you daydreaming again?"

Chen Duling let out an "Ah," and forced a smile: "Maybe I didn't sleep well."

Just then, the loudspeaker at the cosmetics counter next door suddenly came on. The sales assistant's clear and earnest voice pierced through the background music in the store: "Isn't the meaning of Christmas Eve to have someone by your side through all the tough times? Even the strongest person needs the warmth that can be seen just by turning around!"

"..."

"In the darkest night, we need each other's light the most."

These words struck her mind like a thunderbolt.

Isn't Jiang Ye going through his darkest hour right now?

She looked up abruptly. The artificial snowflakes were still falling outside the window, but what flashed through her mind in an instant was Jiang Ye's red-eared comforting her on the beach in Xiamen, the light in his eyes when he said "take it slow," his dry "I'm busy" now, and the unfamiliar female voice on the other end of the phone.

He must be feeling terrible right now.

How could he bear all that icy insults and overwhelming malice all by himself?
It's Christmas Eve, and he's going to do a live stream.

In front of the camera, will he force a calm demeanor and force a smile at the screen?

The barrage of negative comments flooded in; how embarrassing must he have felt?

"I have to go to Yanjing."

These words suddenly came out of her mouth, even surprising Chen Duling herself.

Lin Xue's eyes widened in surprise: "To Yanjing? Now? Christmas Eve!"

"Hmm." Chen Duling's voice was a little tense, but her fingertips were clenched tightly. "There's...yes, there's a younger brother...he's having some trouble at work, I have to go see him."

She avoided Lin Xue's probing gaze, grabbed her bag, and headed out: "Sorry, Xuexue, I'll go shopping with you next time. I'll go now..."

Before he could finish speaking, he had already stepped out of the store.

A cold wind rushed into her collar, but she didn't feel cold; her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest.

On her way to the airport, Chen Duling sent a text message to her counselor asking for leave.

The Christmas decorations outside the window formed a flowing river of light. Suddenly, she remembered something and opened Weibo.

In the "Special Attention" section, Jiang Ye updated ten minutes ago:

"Live live tonight, get ready to face the judgment of the entire internet [doge emoji]"

The accompanying picture is a crooked, simple line drawing: a little person hiding behind a blower making a peace sign.

The first comment in the comment section was his own reply:

"Don't worry, my skin is thicker than the prince's armor."

She abruptly turned off the screen and buried her face in her scarf.

This idiot, he's clearly heartbroken, but he's pretending to be relaxed.

Don't be afraid, your big sister is here!

(End of this chapter)