Huayu: You were supposed to be a top star, but you've become capital?

The interview was more than halfway through, and the various exchanges about the sharpness of the statements, the unspoken rules within the industry, and personal choices and their consequences were nearing their end.

Shen Ruobing closed the densely filled notebook, seemingly preparing to wrap things up, but then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned the recorder back on and focused her gaze on Lin Shen's face once more.

"Professor Lin, I have another question that I'd like to ask. I noticed that you posted a Weibo post early this morning."

On such a day, choosing to speak out and remember, do you believe that this concern for history and for the nation is an indispensable part of your understanding of social responsibility?

Or, to put it another way, do you consider yourself a person with a strong sense of national and familial responsibility?

Yang Chaoyue unconsciously gripped the pen in his hand tighter. This question... sounded bigger and more difficult to handle than the previous probing questions about the entertainment industry.

If I say it too lightly, it will seem perfunctory; if I say it too heavily, it will seem empty or deliberate. Besides, Mr. Jia's script didn't include this!

Upon hearing this, Lin Shen's usual faint smile when dealing with questions about the entertainment industry faded, and he unconsciously straightened up, exuding a solemnity unlike anything he had shown before.

"Consider?" Lin Shen spoke slowly. "There's nothing complicated to consider. Today is a day to remember. This is a basic understanding of a citizen, and no additional reason is needed."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "As for the term 'patriotism'... it's too broad. I think we shouldn't elevate it to the level of 'sentiment' all the time."

First, we must be clear-headed and steadfast citizens of our nation. We must not forget the history that should be remembered, we must not desecrate those who deserve respect, and we must not compromise on what should be protected. Doing these things well is far more practical than empty talk about ideals.

Shen Ruobing pressed further: "But undeniably, your influence has garnered this simple Weibo post far more attention than the average person. Won't some people think that this is also a kind of... well, a kind of persona or a publicity stunt?"

"Reporter Shen, if even remembering the day of national humiliation and commemorating the martyrs can be interpreted as a persona and a show, then I think it's not that the person speaking out has a problem, but that the person interpreting it is too complicated, or... too cold-hearted."

"For me, some things are done when they need to be done, and some things are said when they need to be said. I don't need to use them to establish anything; they are simply a part of me. As for what others think..."

"As I just said, I don't need everyone's understanding of my path, but there are some bottom lines, such as reverence for history, which are non-negotiable."

Shen Ruobing remained silent for a moment, then nodded, closed her notebook, and ended the formal interview.

"Professor Lin, thank you for your candor. Many of your points are indeed impressive. Finally, the photographer needs to take a few photos to accompany the interview. Is that convenient for you?"

"Okay." Lin Shen nodded.

The atmosphere became much more relaxed during the photo shoot. Shen Ruobing asked the photographer to take a few candid shots of Lin Shen standing by the window looking out, and a few more of him sitting on the sofa flipping through magazines.

After everything was finished, Shen Ruobing shook hands with Lin Shen again to say goodbye:

"Professor Lin, I look forward to the final draft. I also hope that we can have the opportunity to talk about your business strategy in the future, such as your Trajectory brand, which would be a very interesting topic."

"There will be opportunities," Lin Shen said with a smile as he saw his guest off.

Yang Chaoyue saw the two to the door, closed it, let out a long sigh of relief, and patted his chest.

"My goodness, it's finally over! Brother Shen, your answer was excellent! But that reporter Shen asked such a tricky question!"

Lin Shen didn't reply. He walked back to the window and watched Shen Ruobing and the photographer get into their car and leave downstairs.

"Brother Shen, what are you looking at?" Yang Chaoyue came over.

"It's nothing." Lin Shen turned around, rubbing his neck. "Let's get ready and go out."

"Right, right, right!" Yang Chaoyue remembered that Brother Shen said he wanted to go out for a stroll. "But where should we go later? I'm not familiar with Guangzhou."

Lin Shen had already gotten up and was walking towards the bedroom to change his clothes, saying as he did so:

"Let's go take a look at the former site of the Whampoa Military Academy."

Half an hour later, an ordinary ride-hailing car stopped near the former site of the Whampoa Military Academy on Changzhou Island.

Lin Shen changed into a more casual T-shirt and sweatpants, put a black baseball cap on his head, and wore a mask that covered almost half of his face.

Yang Chaoyue was also wearing a simple striped shirt, and followed half a step behind Lin Shen, his eyes darting around as he surveyed the surroundings.

"Hey," Yang Chaoyue leaned closer and muttered in a low voice.

"Now, when I go out with you, Brother Shen, it feels like we're doing something wrong. Before 'Swords of Legends' aired, we didn't get this many stares when we were strolling through the night market in Hengdian."

Lin Shen chuckled softly upon hearing this: "Get used to it slowly, Xiao Yang. When my fans and admins remember your face perfectly, they might start staking out you and trying to find out where I am from you."

"Ah?!" Xiao Yang imagined the scene, and her face immediately scrunched up. "No way! That's too scary!"

Lin Shen smiled, said nothing more, and walked towards the entrance of the memorial hall.

In fact, he knew in his heart that as long as he did not deliberately leak his itinerary or make a big fuss, the probability of being recognized by passers-by was not high.

Nine times out of ten, those photos of celebrities being spotted online are either taken by professional fansites or paparazzi who got advance notice, or they are intentionally released by the team to maintain exposure.

As for those who are caught in scandals, it's mostly because they couldn't agree on a price with the paparazzi, which is another kind of professional risk that needs to be dealt with.

He and Xiao Yang now look no different from ordinary young siblings.

After buying tickets and entering, it was a quiet weekday afternoon with few visitors inside the memorial hall.

The two mingled among the few scattered tourists, slowly walking along the planned tour route.

Lin Shen would occasionally pause for a moment in front of certain exhibits, such as the simple dormitories of early students, class schedules, and yellowed photographs of documents.

Yang Chaoyue initially looked around curiously, but when he saw Lin Shen observing carefully, he quieted down and followed his rhythm.

As they approached a display board showcasing the arduous process of raising funds and acquiring weapons in the early days of the military academy, Lin Shen suddenly spoke:

"You see, those were really tough times. We had no guns, no money, we just relied on our belief and passion to get through it all."

"But it was this spirit that ultimately led them to forge a path."

Yang Chaoyue nodded as if she understood, though she didn't know much about these historical details. But she could sense the unusual calmness in Lin Shen's words.

She didn't reply, but instead looked at the text on the display board more carefully.

They saw the restored furnishings of the main campus, the former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and the old photos that recorded those glorious years.

Lin Shen didn't act as a tour guide, talking incessantly. He only offered explanations when Xiao Yang occasionally pointed to something with a puzzled expression:

"These were training equipment back then, very primitive." "That was the director of the political department, a very important position."

There were no fans crowding around, no flashbulbs chasing after them, only a slightly cool breeze passing through the ancient buildings, bringing with it the faint mist of the Pearl River in the distance.

After walking around for about an hour and covering the main areas, Lin Shen sat down to rest on a stone bench under the shade of a tree, and Yang Chaoyue sat down next to him.

"So... you're done shopping?" Yang Chaoyue asked, a little unsatisfied, yet feeling it was simpler than he had imagined.

"Hmm, that's about it." Lin Shen pulled down his mask to let out a breath, then quickly put it back on.

"Just get a feel for the atmosphere. You won't remember everything you see here. Just get a general idea and keep it in mind."

After resting for about ten minutes, the two got up and quietly left the memorial hall along the way they had come, just as quietly as they had arrived.

On the way back, Yang Chaoyue looked at the city lights gradually coming on outside the window and suddenly felt that the half-day of leisure he had stolen with Brother Shen was much more comfortable than checking the itinerary on a tablet, even though Brother Shen didn't smile much and talked less than usual.

She secretly glanced at Lin Shen, who was resting with his eyes closed beside her. He was still wearing his hat and mask, only revealing his clear jawline.

She felt that this Shen Ge seemed a bit far removed from the sharp-tongued, glamorous superstar on Weibo and at events, but he also seemed more real and made her feel more at ease.