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墨書 Inktalez
The sun shone brightly over Los Angeles, casting golden rays across the coastline, dancing on the azure waves like a sprinkle of crushed diamonds. Lin Yue sat in a beach chair on the private sand of her seaside villa, cradling a cup of black coffee in her hands, her gaze vacant as she stared at the undulating waves in the distance. The coffee had long gone cold, but she remained oblivious to it.
Her mind echoed with memories of that night—Su Yao's soft lips, her gentle breaths, and the words she whispered in Lin Yue's ear: "I hope you won't do anything naughty." For the past three days, Lin Yue had sought opportunities to message Su Yao, updating her on her whereabouts. Though miles apart, the longing and affection they felt for each other only made their relationship clearer and more defined.
Jiang Rou's voice broke through Lin Yue's thoughts from behind. Dressed in a light white beach dress and barefoot, she approached Lin Yue. Jiang Rou affectionately draped her arms around Lin Yue's neck and naturally settled onto her lap, her nose brushing lightly against Lin Yue's.
Lin Yue chuckled softly, her eyes warm. "Just daydreaming by the sea; it's so beautiful here." Jiang Rou gently pinched Lin Yue's earlobe, her voice sweetly sticky. "About tonight's family dinner..." She leaned her forehead against Lin Yue's, her warm breath brushing between Lin Yue's lips and nose. "The elders said they have something important to discuss with us."
Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat; an instinct told her that tonight’s dinner would be anything but ordinary. "Oh? So formal?" She casually brushed Jiang Rou's hand away, stretched lazily, and gently patted Jiang Rou to signal her to get off. "I need to change my clothes."
Jiang Rou watched Lin Yue's retreating figure as she pulled out her phone and quickly sent a message before leisurely following Lin Yue.
That evening, the Lin and Jiang families gathered together on the terrace of the seaside villa, where a massive long table was set up. Warm candlelight flickered around them as the sea breeze blew gently, and the sunset painted the sky in vibrant shades of orange and red. The shimmering surface of the sea reflected the afterglow of the sun, creating an enchanting scene.
Lin Yue sat between her father, Lin Zhihong, and her mother, Shangguan Yun. She wore a white linen suit from Loro Piana paired with a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, exuding an understated aura of old money. Lin Zhihong was dressed in a custom Tom Ford suit; his neatly trimmed silver hair highlighted his mature masculine charm. Shangguan Yun donned a Valentino haute couture gown, adorned with sparkling Eugene jewelry around her neck, radiating an air of unrivaled wealth with every gesture.
Jiang Rou sat next to her parents in a coral pink Chanel haute couture dress; sparkling Eugene earrings dangled from her earlobes, complemented by matching bracelets—a perfect image of a wealthy heiress. With a beaming smile and sparkling eyes, she continuously poured wine and served dishes to the elders, displaying utmost grace and poise.
As glasses clinked and laughter filled the air, the atmosphere appeared harmonious. The two families engaged in conversation about their respective businesses and recent amusing events. Shangguan Yun spoke about her latest jewelry design collection, showcasing various prototype rings that caught Madam Jiang's admiration repeatedly.
Jiang Rou's father spoke about several recent acquisitions, and Lin Zhihong showed a keen interest in the discussion. However, Lin Yue felt an inexplicable sense of oppression, as if she were caught in the calm before a storm. She mechanically responded to the elders' questions, her gaze frequently darting toward Jiang Rou. The latter maintained a perfect smile, but deliberately avoided Lin Yue's eyes.
Once the main dishes were served, Shangguan Yun smiled and asked, "Lin Yue, how is your company's film project progressing? I heard it's quite popular lately." Lin Yue tucked a stray hair behind her ear and lifted her eyelids slightly, "It's going smoothly."
At that moment, Lin Zhihong raised his wine glass, the smile lines at the corners of his eyes deepening. "Today, we gathered everyone here for the sake of our two children." He glanced at Lin Yue, his eyes filled with expectation. "Lin Yue, Rou Rou, you two have grown up together; to us elders, you are already like family."
"So we wanted to discuss picking a date to set your wedding."
Lin Yue instantly froze, her chopsticks clattering onto the plate with a loud "clang." A few drops of sauce splattered onto her pristine white outfit, but she remained oblivious. Her brows furrowed tightly as her lips twitched in disbelief as she looked at her parents. "Dad, Mom, are you joking? I... and Rou Rou..."
The dining table fell silent, all eyes turning to Lin Yue. The air seemed to freeze, with only the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore faintly audible. Before Lin Yue could finish her sentence, Shangguan Yun's sharp gaze shot toward her like an arrow as she set down her wine glass with dissatisfaction. "Lin Yue, what kind of attitude is that?"
Her voice was soft yet laced with barbs, like honey laced with poison. "Aren't we discussing this with you?"
"Your marriage with Rou Rou has been arranged since childhood, and now that you both have grown up and matured in various aspects, it's time to consider it."
Lin Zhihong chimed in supportively. "Yes, Lin Yue, you and Rou Rou have always been very close. As parents, we are pleased and supportive of you both." His tone was gentle but left no room for doubt. "Our families have been friends for generations; we are well-matched and understand each other well. From any perspective, this is the only choice."
"Mom and Dad, we’re not in a hurry about this," Lin Yue tried to calm herself down, her lips twitching slightly as her tone softened. "Both Jiang Rou and I are focused on our careers right now; our company has just begun to enter the entertainment industry and requires more of our time to manage."
Jiang Rou's father smiled and attempted to smooth things over, his face relaxed with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. "Lin Yue is right; young people have their own ideas."
"But since we've opened this discussion, we just want to give you a clear direction so that you won't keep dragging it out."
"Let’s set an engagement first," Jiang Rou's mother interjected with a loving smile on her lips. "After getting engaged, you can hold the wedding whenever you're ready."
Jiang Rou never expected Lin Yue would openly oppose her parents; panic surged within her. She raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes as her lashes trembled. Her voice was barely above a whisper: "Lin Yue..."
Her expression was pitiful, with her brows lowered as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Seeing Jiang Rou like this, Lin Yue felt a surge of anxiety, a strong sense of suffocation washing over her. The restaurant's lights suddenly became blinding, and the surrounding sounds gradually blurred, as if separated by a layer of frosted glass.
The pleas from her parents, Jiang Rou's weeping, the murmurs of the elders—all the voices mixed together, forming a chaotic jumble. It felt like an invisible hammer was relentlessly pounding against her temples.
Lin Yue suddenly stood up, her chair crashing to the floor with a loud noise that interrupted everyone's conversation. "I need to get some air." With that, she grabbed a champagne glass and rushed out of the restaurant as if fleeing for her life, ignoring the calls from those behind her.
"Let her go," Lin Zhihong sighed, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening. "She’s always been like this; the more you push her, the more she resists." He turned to Jiang Rou. "Rou Rou, go check on her; you know her best."
Jiang Rou nodded, tears sliding down her cheeks, looking both aggrieved and worried. She stood up and lifted her skirt as she hurried towards the beach.
Lin Yue ran all the way to the shore, the cold seawater soaking her pant legs, but she paid it no mind. She crushed the champagne glass in her hand, shards digging into her palm. The bright red blood mingled with the evening glow, dripping from her fingertips into the blue sea.
The pain felt numbed; all she sensed was a violent tearing in her chest. Her mind buzzed with echoes of her parents' words: wedding date, engagement, arranged since childhood, matching social status.
The sea breeze grew increasingly fierce, salty air mixed with the metallic scent of blood filling her nostrils. A familiar darkness crept up on her, tightly wrapping around her limbs.
Trembling, Lin Yue took out her phone to send a message to Su Yao.
"Lin Yue!" Jiang Rou's voice came from behind her, laced with tears.
Lin Yue did not turn around; blood smeared across the screen as she futilely swiped at it with her fingers, leaving streaks of crimson.
"What happened to you?" Jiang Rou's footsteps drew closer, her voice rising in panic. "Oh my God, why is your hand bleeding so much?"
The scene before her began to blur; suddenly, her knees buckled and she collapsed onto the cold shallows.
"Su Yao..." she murmured as consciousness slipped away into darkness.
"Lin Yue! Lin Yue!" Jiang Rou's screams exploded in her ears, but she could no longer hear them.
Far away on a film set in China, Su Yao was shooting an emotional scene. The character she portrayed had just experienced a betrayal and needed to convey the complex emotions of heartbreak while putting on a brave face.
Su Yao stood on a balcony built for the set, her clothes deliberately splashed with water, making it look as though she had just been caught in the rain. Her makeup was intentionally smudged, her eyes red and swollen, as if she had cried for a long time.
"Action!" the director called out.
Her lips trembled slightly, fingers gripping the railing tightly, as if it were her only support in the storm.
"Cut!" The director frowned and called for a stop. "Su Yao, let's do it again. Your gaze isn't desperate enough; it's not painful enough."
Su Yao nodded and closed her eyes to adjust her state. She understood what the director wanted, so she imagined Lin Yue's betrayal. If Lin Yue left her, if Lin Yue really ended up with Jiang Rou... that feeling of despair washed over her instantly.
"Su Yao, are you ready? Let's take another shot," the director's voice came again.
She knew what he wanted—the despair after being betrayed by someone she loved deeply. So she envisioned the worst scenario—if Lin Yue left her, if Lin Yue ultimately chose Jiang Rou...
That heart-wrenching, soul-crushing feeling surged within her.
"Su Yao, are you ready? Let's do another take," the director called out once more.
Su Yao opened her eyes; this time, her expression had completely changed. It was deep and desperate, as if she had seen all the helplessness and pain in the world. Her hands gripped the railing tightly, knuckles turning white, lips trembling slightly but defiantly raised, refusing to let tears fall.
The camera slowly moved from her profile to the distance, then zoomed in for a close-up that faded away.
"Cut! Perfect!" The director clapped his hands in delight. "Su Yao, your performance was stunning!"
This take passed smoothly, and everyone applauded Su Yao's acting. She managed a faint smile and quickly walked to the break area, eagerly picking up her phone to check for messages.
They had agreed to stay in touch every day, but since exchanging WeChat messages with Lin Yue last night, there had been no word from her today. Su Yao sent several messages but received no replies.
She felt a bit anxious but then thought that perhaps Lin Yue was too busy enjoying time with her family on vacation.
After filming wrapped up, Su Yao held her phone anxiously, waiting for Lin Yue's message. But as the day passed, there was still no response.
She began to feel uneasy, a sense of foreboding gnawing at her heart.
On the top floor of a private hospital in Los Angeles, Lin Yue was rushed into the emergency room. Jiang Rou followed closely behind, her beautiful face twisted with worry, tears streaming down like pearls.
"Lin Yue!" she cried out, her voice hoarse and filled with anguish. "You can't be in trouble! You can't let this happen!"
Medical staff blocked her from entering the emergency room.
"You fool!" Jiang Rou slid down against the wall, unable to contain her emotions any longer. She recalled Lin Yue's bloodied hands on the beach and the panic in her eyes before she lost consciousness.
"It's all my fault, it's all my fault for being so hasty," she sobbed softly.
Five hours later, Lin Yue was transferred to the intensive care unit, her vital signs temporarily stable. Jiang Rou did not go home; she stayed by Lin Yue's bedside, refusing to leave for even a moment.
The next morning, Lin Zhihong and Shangguan Yun hurried to the hospital. Shangguan Yun's face was pale; the strong woman who usually exuded confidence appeared so fragile at that moment.
"What happened?" she grasped Jiang Rou's arm tightly. "How could Lin Yue suddenly faint?"
Jiang Rou lowered her head, crying with guilt. "I'm sorry, godmother, it's all my fault..."
She wiped away her tears. "By the time I caught up to her, she was already collapsed on the beach, her hands covered in blood..."
Shangguan Yun's expression darkened as she gently touched Jiang Rou's cheek. "It's not your fault, dear."
She looked at her daughter lying on the hospital bed with guilt in her eyes and whispered, "Perhaps we were too anxious."
Lin Zhihong stood silently beside them, worry and self-blame evident in his gaze. He walked over to the bed and held his daughter's cold hand. "Lin Yue, Dad is here."
The next morning, the atmosphere on set was noticeably tense. Actors huddled together in small groups whispering to one another while crew members moved about with serious expressions.
Su Yao asked her assistant Xiao Lin what was going on, but he also had no information and only mentioned that the director had canceled the morning's shooting schedule at the last minute.
At ten o'clock, Director Li called an emergency meeting for the entire crew.
"Everyone," he said gravely, his brow furrowed, "there's an urgent matter that needs to be addressed." He paused before continuing, "Our investor, Yuexing Capital, has encountered some issues that may affect our filming plans."
The meeting room erupted into chaos as actors and crew members began to murmur among themselves.
"What kind of issues? Can we continue filming?" someone asked anxiously.
Director Li raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. "The filming will certainly continue, so please rest assured."
He cleared his throat. "However, from now on, Zhang Group will also be joining the investment for Dark River. Additionally..."
He paused for a moment, glancing awkwardly at Su Yao. "Yuexing Capital has requested that we make some adjustments to the script; they want to add more romantic scenes."
Su Yao frowned deeply. "Director Li, what kind of romantic scenes are they suggesting?"
Director Li's expression turned difficult, clearly unable to meet Su Yao's gaze. "They want Fu Qiming to play a role and increase the intimate scenes between you and Fu Qiming."
Su Yao's expression froze instantly, her face turning pale.
Fu Qiming was notorious in the industry for being a problematic artist, having previously crossed boundaries with female actresses during performances. He had been involved in multiple sexual harassment scandals but had evaded consequences due to his strong connections.
Moreover, such changes would completely disrupt the original story structure and character relationships, which was entirely against Lin Yue's professional principles.
"Director Li, this is absolutely impossible." Su Yao stood up without hesitation to oppose it. "I will not work with Fu Qiming, nor will I film those kinds of scenes. And I refuse to believe this is President Lin's decision."
Director Li rubbed his temples awkwardly. "Su Yao, I understand your concerns; I don't want this either."
"But the problem is that this request did not come from President Lin personally; it is made in the name of Yuexing Capital."
"That doesn't make sense." Su Yao shook her head firmly. "President Lin would never agree to such unreasonable demands; there must be some misunderstanding. I need to verify this directly with President Lin."
After the meeting, Su Yao's assistant, Xiao Lin, anxiously followed her. "Sister Yao, should we inform President Su? Let her communicate with Yuexing Capital?"
Su Yao pondered for a moment, unease swelling within her. "Not yet."
Su Yuyan was unwell, and Su Yao didn't want her to worry about these matters.
She took out her phone and sent another WeChat message to Lin Yue; including yesterday's messages, she had sent seven or eight already without any reply.
Grinding her teeth, she dialed Lin Yue's number, but it showed that the phone was turned off.
Sitting in the makeup room, an ominous premonition washed over Su Yao as her expression grew increasingly grim.
Could something have happened? Or… had Lin Yue changed her mind and no longer wanted any contact with her?
The thought twisted her heart like a knife, as if someone were tearing at her insides with a blunt instrument.
After careful consideration, Su Yao decided to contact Lu Chen.
She dialed Lu Chen's number. "Manager Lu, this is Su Yao."
She tried to keep her voice calm. "Lu Chen? Is there something wrong?" Lu Chen's voice sounded a bit weary.
Su Yao took a deep breath and got straight to the point. "I want to ask about the script changes and the collaboration with Zhang Group. Is it true?"
There was a noticeable silence on the other end for a few seconds.
"What? Script changes? Zhang Group?" Lu Chen's tone was filled with confusion. "I have no idea about this; Lin Yue hasn't mentioned anything to me."
"Dark River is exclusively funded by Yuexing Capital, so there's no reason for Zhang Group to be involved."
Su Yao sighed in relief; she had suspected as much. "I knew this wasn't Lin's intention. But Director Li received an official notice from Yuexing Capital, asking me to collaborate with Fu Qiming to add more romantic scenes."
"Fu Qiming?" Lu Chen's voice rose an octave. "Are you kidding? That guy is notorious for being problematic in the industry; Lin Yue would never agree to such an arrangement."
"Then what is going on?" Su Yao asked urgently. "I can't reach Lin Yue; her phone is off, and she's not responding on WeChat. Manager Lu, do you know where she is now?"
Once again, there was silence on the line, lasting nearly ten seconds before Lu Chen's voice became particularly heavy. "Su Yao, regarding the script, don’t worry too much. I will look into it and get back to you as soon as possible."
Su Yao sensed that he was deliberately avoiding the question about Lin Yue. "Manager Lu, what about Lin Yue? Where is she? Why can't I contact her?"
"I..." Lu Chen sighed. "I was planning to find her too. Don't worry; I'll let you know as soon as I have any news."
Lu Chen was clearly withholding information, which made Su Yao even more anxious. "Manager Lu, please tell me the truth," her voice almost pleading, "Is something wrong with Lin Yue?"
Is something wrong with Lin Yue?
There was another pause on the line before Lu Chen finally decided to tell Su Yao the truth.
"Alright, I'll tell you. But you need to stay calm and not act impulsively."
He paused for a moment before continuing. "Lin Yue is in America... she had an accident and is currently hospitalized."
The news hit Su Yao like a bolt of lightning.
She jumped up, nearly dropping her phone. "What? What kind of accident? How is she?"
Su Yao's voice trembled, feeling as if all her strength had been drained away.
"I just received the news, and it's not very detailed," Lu Chen explained quickly. "It seems she collapsed due to a depression episode."
"She's receiving treatment at a private hospital owned by the Jiang family and has already passed the critical period. That's all I know."
"I'm flying to America tomorrow; if there are any developments, I'll let you know immediately."
After hanging up the phone, Su Yao felt completely unwell.
Her mind filled with terrifying images of Lin Yue... She couldn't bear to think further; her heart ached so much that it felt almost impossible to breathe.
The next day, Su Yao stumbled into the film set, the atmosphere still heavy with tension. Director Li announced a two-day halt in filming, stating they would resume once the investors' issues were resolved.
All day long, Su Yao was lost in thought, her eyes glued to her phone, terrified of missing any news from Lu Chen.
In the early hours of the morning, her phone rang. It was Lu Chen; she answered immediately.
"Su Yao, it's Lu Chen," his voice came through the line. "I've arrived in the United States and have seen Lin Yue. She's currently in the hospital receiving treatment. Her depression has relapsed severely, but the doctors have managed to stabilize her condition."
A sigh of relief escaped Su Yao's lips, but her worry lingered. "How is she doing now? Can I talk to her?"
"She's temporarily stable but still unconscious," Lu Chen's words felt like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the flicker of hope that had ignited in Su Yao's heart.
Her fingers tightened around the phone, knuckles turning white. "Thank you, Manager Lu. What can I do for her right now?"
"Take good care of yourself and focus on your work. When she returns, that’s what she would want most," Lu Chen said sincerely.
"If possible…" Su Yao's voice trembled, breaking as she continued, "I really want to see her."
Lu Chen sighed on the other end of the line. "Su Yao, I understand how you feel, but this really isn’t a good time. Lin Yue’s parents are here, and Jiang Rou’s family is also around. If you show up unexpectedly, it will only complicate things further."
"Trust me," Lu Chen's tone was soothing, "I will update you on Lin Yue's condition as soon as I can."
"Lin Yue is in one of the best private hospitals in America, with a top-notch medical team caring for her 24/7. You don’t need to worry."
Su Yao fell silent; she knew Lu Chen was right. Yet, thinking of Lin Yue lying alone on that hospital bed facing everything by herself made her heart ache as if it were being sliced by countless knives.
Suddenly, Jiang Rou's voice came through on the other end: "Lu Chen, who are you on the phone with?"
Lu Chen seemed startled. "I'll contact you later," he said hurriedly before hanging up.
After the call ended, Su Yao's gaze turned hollow and despairing as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt as if half of her soul had been pulled away, leaving only a shell that functioned mechanically. The only thing keeping her going was knowing that Lin Yue was still alive and that there was still a chance to see her again.
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