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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 enveloping 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 of her parents, Jiang Rou's sobs, and the murmurs of the elders all mixed together, forming a chaotic cacophony. It felt like an invisible hammer relentlessly pounding against her temples.
Lin Yue abruptly stood up, causing her chair to crash to the floor with a loud noise that interrupted everyone's conversation. "I need 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, deepening the wrinkles on his forehead. "She's always been like this; the more you push her, the more she resists." He turned to Jiang Rou. "Rou Rou, go after her; you know her best."
Jiang Rou nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks, looking both aggrieved and worried. She stood up and lifted her skirt as she hurried toward the beach.
Lin Yue ran all the way to the shore, the cold seawater soaking the cuffs of her pants, but she paid it no mind. She crushed the Champagne glass in her hand, shards digging into her palm. The vivid red blood mingled with the evening glow as it dripped from her fingertips into the azure sea.
The pain felt numbed; all she could sense 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 more ferocious, the salty air mixing 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 called from behind, laced with tears.
Lin Yue didn't turn around; blood smeared across the screen as her fingers slid futilely over it, leaving trails of crimson. "What happened to you?" Jiang Rou's footsteps grew closer, her voice rising in alarm. "Oh my God, why is your hand bleeding so much?"
The scene before her began to blur; suddenly, her knees buckled and she collapsed into the cold shallows of the beach. "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 filming an emotional scene. The character she portrayed had just experienced betrayal and needed to convey a complex mix of heartbreak and forced strength.
Su Yao stood on a balcony constructed for the set, her clothes deliberately splashed with water, making it look as if she had just been caught in the rain. Her makeup was intentionally smudged, with red, swollen eyes that suggested she had been crying.
"Action!" the director called out.
Her lips trembled slightly as her fingers gripped the railing tightly, as if it were her only support in the storm.
"Cut!" The director frowned and called for a pause. "Su Yao, let's do it again. Your expression 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—what if Lin Yue left her? What if Lin Yue really ended up with Jiang Rou? The feeling of despair washed over her instantly.
"Su Yao, are you ready? Let's do another take." The director's voice came through again.
She knew what he was looking for—the despair of being betrayed by someone she loved deeply. So she envisioned the worst scenario—what if Lin Yue left her? What 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 again.
Su Yao opened her eyes, and this time her expression had completely changed. It was deep and filled with despair, as if she had seen all the helplessness and pain in the world. Her hands gripped the railing tightly, knuckles turning white; her lips quivered slightly, yet she stubbornly held her head high, refusing to let tears fall.
The camera slowly moved from her profile to the distance, then captured a fading close-up.
"Cut! Perfect!" The director clapped in delight. "Su Yao, your performance was stunning!"
This take passed smoothly, and everyone applauded Su Yao's acting. She forced a 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 news today. Su Yao sent several messages but received no reply.
She felt a bit anxious but then thought that perhaps Lin Yue was too busy—after all, she was on vacation with family.
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. "Su Yao? Is there something wrong?" Lu Chen's voice sounded somewhat tired.
Su Yao took a deep breath and got straight to the point. "I want to ask about the script changes and the joint investment with Zhang Group. Is that 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 knew it wasn't Lin's intention. "I knew it wasn't President Lin's idea. But Director Li received an official notice from Yuexing Capital, asking me and Fu Qiming to collaborate and add more romantic scenes."
"Fu Qiming?" Lu Chen's voice rose an octave. "What are you talking about? That guy is notoriously problematic in the industry; Lin Yue would never agree to such an arrangement."
"Then what’s going on?" Su Yao asked urgently. "I can't reach Lin Yue; her phone is off, and she isn't responding on WeChat. Manager Lu, do you know where she is?"
Silence fell on the line again, lasting nearly ten seconds before Lu Chen's voice became particularly heavy. "Su Yao, don't worry about the script for now; I will investigate and get back to you as soon as possible."
Su Yao sensed he was deliberately avoiding questions about Lin Yue. "Manager Lu, what about Lin Yue? Where is she? Why can't I contact her?"
"I..." Lu Chen sighed. "I was just planning to find her too. Don't worry; I'll inform you as soon as I have any news."
Lu Chen was clearly withholding information, making Su Yao even more anxious. "Manager Lu, please tell me the truth," her voice was almost pleading. "Is something wrong with Lin Yue?"
Is something wrong with Lin Yue?
Another silence followed before Lu Chen finally decided to reveal the truth to Su Yao.
"Alright, I'll tell you. But you need to stay calm and not act impulsively."
He paused 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 to her feet, 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 don't have many details yet," Lu Chen explained quickly. "It seems she collapsed due to a depression episode."
"Right now, 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 will let you know immediately."
After hanging up the phone, Su Yao felt utterly lost.
Her mind flooded with terrifying images of Lin Yue… she couldn't bear to think any further, her heart aching so much that it felt hard to breathe.
The next day, Su Yao groggily arrived at the film set, where the atmosphere remained tense. Director Li announced a two-day halt in filming, stating they would resume once the investors' issues were resolved. Throughout the day, Su Yao was lost in thought, staring at her phone, fearful of missing any news from Lu Chen.
In the early hours of the morning, her phone rang. It was Lu Chen calling, and she immediately answered.
"Su Yao, it's Lu Chen," his voice came through the line. "I've arrived in America 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."
Su Yao finally let out a sigh of relief, though worry still lingered. "How is she doing now? Can I talk to her?"
"She is temporarily stable but remains 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 her 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 gets back, that will be what she wants most," Lu Chen said sincerely.
"If possible..." Su Yao's voice was hesitant and broken, "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 suddenly appear, it will only complicate things further."
"Trust me," Lu Chen's voice carried a soothing tone, "I will update you on Lin Yue's condition as soon as I can. She's 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. But thinking of Lin Yue lying alone in 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 line: "Lu Chen, who are you on the phone with?"
Lu Chen clearly panicked for a moment. "I'll contact you later," he said hurriedly before hanging up.
After the call ended, Su Yao's gaze became hollow and despairing as tears silently streamed down her face. She felt as if half of her soul had been pulled away, leaving only a shell functioning mechanically. The only thing keeping her going was knowing that Lin Yue was still alive and that she might have another chance to see her again.
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