Act Four, Five Years After the Breakup

She thought that past grievances and old resentments had turned to smoke and dust, until the fifth year after their breakup, when an unavoidable encounter occurred

Would you mind revealing what your price is

Unable to endure the dryness in her throat, she cleared her throat lightly

Long-lost friends, if you have the time, please brew a cup of black tea and quietly listen as I recount to you a story of "though the bond is shallow, the feelings are deep," a tale of love that has entangled for fifteen years

Since experiencing a wrongful conviction incident, Jian Ru has had the honor of being recognized by many directors, leading to a significant turning point in her acting career. Her agent, Wei Ye, has helped her secure an increasing number of roles, moving from one production to another. In the dramatic life of her characters, she has 'lived' through several experiences, and thus, two years have passed.

The elevator descended steadily. Through the maroon-tinted lenses, Jian Ru focused straight ahead without glancing aside, yet she could still feel a gaze brazenly sweeping across her face, her half-bare shoulders, and the curves accentuated by her fitted short skirt, trailing down... Finally resting on her calves, which the skirt could not conceal.

He was quicker than her and stood in front of the elevator door, "As long as you let me play the leading female role, anyone can do it?"

Fortunately, her sunglasses concealed her fiery eyes, allowing her to maintain an air of indifference: "I usually do not charge, but rather consider what kind of role the other party offers me."

With a "ding-dong," the first floor arrived, and she rushed towards the elevator door at the fastest speed

--- Prologue Complete ---

Since there was no way to escape, she could only nonchalantly put on the new Gucci sunglasses and focus intently on the bustling city outside

In front of the dazzling sightseeing elevator of the international hotel, the marble floor shimmered with a translucent wave-like light reminiscent of a stream. Standing on it, she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of insecurity, as if she was about to sink into it, growing stronger by the moment. The glass door slowly opened, and Jian Ru stepped into the elevator, only to discover a familiar figure in the cramped space, the feeling of impending insecurity striking her vividly.

Thus, when she heard Luo Qing speak as if she were experiencing someone's deadly charm firsthand, she could only smile and regard herself as an outsider

This man

Impulsiveness is the devil; this is a profound saying. By the time she recalled this phrase, the words that should not have been spoken had already escaped her lips

He smiled as he shifted his gaze back to her face, "So? Have the social engagements concluded?"

The leaves fall without intention

She certainly understood what his meaningful term "socializing" represented, and replied to him in an even more ambiguous tone, "Why ask when you already know the answer?"

Of course, it also includes you, Director Zheng

Perhaps after experiencing the joys and sorrows of life in the theater, she gradually learned to forget. Even though there are many past events that she cannot forget, she treats them merely as a play that has already wrapped up; the curtain has fallen, and the story has come to an end. Even if it is not the ending she had hoped for, she can accept it with equanimity.