Wen Ying’s words poured a basin of cold water over Shui Mingyue.
Truthfully, everything Wen Ying said, Shui Mingyue had not considered at all!
Shui Mingyue and Luo Hao were in the ambiguous phase. The budding stage of love is often the most beautiful. Every action of the other person can trigger waves of joy or worry. An accidental eye contact, a glance back, a bit of attention, all could be interpreted as different sweet shyness.
As for the future… they had not even confessed their relationship yet. How could Shui Mingyue think about the future!
Wen Ying pierced the window paper in one go, leaving Shui Mingyue unable to play ostrich.
Thinking about the “future” Wen Ying described, Shui Mingyue’s heart was already twisted into a knot.
Luo Hao was indeed focused on developing in the entertainment industry.
He liked being a star and was suited to it.
If Luo Hao could maintain the seriousness and effort he showed in this drama, Shui Mingyue believed he would soon become popular. Then what? Would she have to be Luo Hao’s underground girlfriend forever, as Wen Ying said?
Shui Mingyue had written over a dozen romance novels and had created stories with idol star male leads and ordinary female leads.
In that novel, the male and female leads met through a misunderstanding and became bickering enemies-turned-lovers. When their relationship was exposed, the male lead’s company opposed it, fans opposed it, even the film investors demanded a replacement. The male lead faced a severe career crisis.
In the novel, the male lead never gave up on the female lead. The female lead was not timid either. With unyielding sincerity, she moved a music producer. This producer created a custom song for the male lead that topped the charts, helping him through the crisis.
In the end, the male lead transitioned to a strength actor. The female lead was invited by the producer to co-found a music studio. The producer handled content, the female lead managed external affairs. The Cinderella slowly transformed into a strong independent woman. The two grew stronger together, their love firmer than gold. Fans accepted the male lead dating.
Romance novels always end with happy endings.
But in reality?
Shui Mingyue suddenly felt very uncertain.
On the phone, Wen Ying did not rush Shui Mingyue. She thoughtfully gave her time to think. Shui Mingyue had written over a dozen romance novels, all read by Wen Ying. None had clinging vine female leads. This was why Wen Ying liked Shui Mingyue.
An author’s worldview inadvertently shows in their works.
Wen Ying could see Shui Mingyue’s views on love from her books. Shui Mingyue was not petty in relationships and did not mind giving more, but she absolutely did not want to “hide for love” and become the woman behind Luo Hao!
Sure enough, after two minutes of silence, Shui Mingyue’s voice became hesitant. “Xiaoyu, you’re right. I should think more about it. Thank you. If you did not truly see me as a friend, you would not say these things.”
Wen Ying breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you do not blame me for meddling!”
With Wen Ying’s basin of cold water, Shui Mingyue spent the whole night thinking about her future with Luo Hao. She thought until dawn without reaching a decision.
On the way back to the crew, Shui Mingyue thought she should perhaps have an open talk with Luo Hao.
What Shui Mingyue did not expect was that before she decided to distance herself, Luo Hao grew cold first. He still spoke to Shui Mingyue and consulted her when unsure about character portrayal, but every conversation was in group settings, always with others present.
Moreover, Luo Hao avoided Shui Mingyue’s gaze. When discussing characters, his eyes stayed fixed on the script, not giving her even a glance.
They were just one step from becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. At the final kick, Luo Hao actively retreated a big step, turning ambiguity into strictly business.
Shui Mingyue was somewhat bewildered.
Having written many romance novels but with little dating experience, only a vague crush on her high school deskmate, Luo Hao was the first boy she truly liked. She cherished this feeling, otherwise she would not have pondered all night without deciding.
But why this attitude from Luo Hao?
If there was something, the two could talk openly!
Shui Mingyue wanted to talk with Luo Hao. He was unwilling. As a young woman, Shui Mingyue was not thick-skinned enough. After Luo Hao avoided her several times, she hid in her room and cried.
With red, swollen eyes, Shui Mingyue called Wen Ying. “I’ve thought it through. You’re right. Luo Hao and I are not suitable.”
Wen Ying felt great heartache for Shui Mingyue.
For a moment, Wen Ying even wavered in her conviction.
Was she too self-righteous?
What if Shui Mingyue’s retirement from writing had nothing to do with Luo Hao?
Or perhaps Luo Hao did not covet Shui Mingyue’s copyrights. He bought them cheaply by chance and adapted them only when capable later.
No, something was definitely off.
Those adaptation rights were worth 16 million. Following her previous life’s trajectory, Luo Hao would not become popular until 2012. Before that, he could not afford so much to buy the rights!
Wen Ying’s resolve hardened again. “Will this affect your continued writing?”
“… Of course not!”
Shui Mingyue laughed through tears. “Not to mention Luo Hao and I never officially started. Even if we did and broke up, what does it have to do with my writing? Oh, from heartbreak, I might write one or two more tragic-style novels. That’s normal for writers, right?”
“Yes, very normal. You’re indeed my favourite romance novelist. Promise me you’ll stick to this mindset? You really have many readers. We all hope you’ll keep writing and bring us more great stories!”
Wen Ying spoke the hopes of two lifetimes.
Shui Mingyue’s eyes were still red, but her lips curved upwards.
“I’m not as good as you say…”
Shui Mingyue had seen much literary jealousy and peer criticism.
Though her and Xiaoyu’s reader bases overlapped greatly, troublemakers often stirred drama online, asking netizens whose books they preferred. Others might see her as a rival and guard against her. Xiaoyu feared she might retire for some inexplicable reason. Heavens, Xiaoyu was truly adorable!
Wen Ying’s genuine care warmed Shui Mingyue’s heart, helping her quickly recover and not wallow in heartbreak.
Shui Mingyue had already given up on Luo Hao inwardly. He kept it businesslike. She did the same.
With her gaze no longer fixed only on Luo Hao, Shui Mingyue could view her first adapted drama with a broader perspective.
Luo Hao grasped the male lead well.
The female lead, however, fell short.
Shui Mingyue discussed with the director several times, adding scenes where the female lead held her own.
Luo Hao thought Shui Mingyue was throwing a tantrum and grew angry. He finally stopped avoiding her and confronted her. “You’re mixing personal and professional!”
Luo Hao was angry. Shui Mingyue was angry too.
“In your eyes, am I such a person? What do you mean mixing personal and professional? In this crew working towards the same goal, we are colleagues. That’s professional. As for personal… after this drama wraps, we probably won’t have much overlap!”
These words had been bottled in Shui Mingyue’s heart for days.
Before her decision, if Luo Hao gave her a chance to communicate, she would have confidence in this relationship.
“You mean we have no relation from now on?”
Luo Hao looked hurt.
Shui Mingyue did not avert her gaze. “I once thought we might develop differently. Now I realise we are not suitable.”
Shui Mingyue did not seem to be throwing a tantrum.
This girl did not quarrel. Her voice was always soft and gentle. Yet Luo Hao heard firmness in her tone.
“Did your friends say something? At that dinner, I could tell they did not like me much. I do not blame them. Mingyue, you’re so outstanding. Ordinary people do not deserve you. Give me time. Five years… no, just three. In three years, I’ll make everyone change their views and accept us together!”
Luo Hao set aside pride to promise Shui Mingyue.
Shui Mingyue was not moved.
Some words, not said at the right time, only disappoint more when said at the wrong time.
Along with disappointment, Shui Mingyue felt inexplicable relief. Xiaoyu was young but had sharp insight. Even if Luo Hao dared publicise a relationship later, she and he might not last. Over time, she would discover their vast differences.
“It’s unrelated to others. From start to finish, it’s our matter. Since it’s come to this, Luo Hao, let it go. Until this drama finishes, we still work together. I do not want it too awkward.”
Shui Mingyue walked away after speaking.
As they passed, Luo Hao clenched his fists.
Shui Mingyue and Luo Hao had fallen out!
The crew had no secrets. The female lead soon heard from her assistant and laughed bent over. “Oh dear, what will our male lead do? He let a big resource slip away! Now, Teacher Mingyue’s future dramas, Luo Hao won’t touch them.”
The assistant was puzzled. “I thought Luo Hao and Teacher Mingyue were about to get together. This guy, though a newcomer, has deep schemes. From day one of filming, he targeted Teacher Mingyue. Seeing her gentle and easygoing, he stuck close, claiming to consult but actually pandering everywhere. Strangely, after brushing favour so long, why suddenly cold to her?”
The female lead straightened, lips curled in mockery. “Because he’s very greedy. Bowing for resources is not shameful, regardless of gender. But he’s different. He wants both. Not only Teacher Mingyue’s resources but to control her with hot-and-cold tactics… Hilarious. Does he think Teacher Mingyue is some naive schoolgirl?”
What pipe dream!
Even schoolgirls with billionaire families, that wealth was not earned by them. Luo Hao wanting soft rice might get small perks in food and drink.
But Shui Mingyue?
Casually writing a book earned millions in royalties. Think of over a dozen novels published, royalties at least 30 million upwards.
Packaging eleven novels’ rights sold for plenty more.
Most key, as long as Shui Mingyue kept writing, she kept earning. A continuous money printer, with proven work strength, a resource backer who could reach into entertainment anytime. A newcomer like Luo Hao thought to control her with her slight favour?
A girl’s budding affection, carefully nurtured and deepened, could truly trap her.
But it was just beginning. How deep could feelings be?
Sure enough, Shui Mingyue was down for days but soon perked up. Luo Hao shifted from favoured to ordinary colleague!
The female lead laughed for ages, then took her script to find Shui Mingyue.
With Luo Hao out, it gave her an opening.
The female lead did not want to scam money or feelings. She just wanted good relations with Shui Mingyue, even maintaining contact after this drama, so Shui Mingyue might remember her later.
After all, Shui Mingyue sold rights to eleven novels, meaning eleven dramas to film!
