Chapter 31 – A World Apart, Yet Me

In room 608, Jiang Heng had just stepped out of the shower, his mind still reeling from Shen Fubai’s stunning crying scene earlier that day.

Amidst the tumultuous times of war and turmoil, fate dealt a cruel blow to the Yu family. Bandits descended from the mountains, abducting and killing their parents and siblings. The tragic news reached Yu Tang while he was in front of the mirror, grooming himself. The news sent the eyebrow pencil in his hand clattering to the ground, leaving half of his face with an unfinished makeup.

He had left his younger brother and sister when they were still young, and the memory of his parents had long since faded. During the hellish years he spent at the Pear Orchard Troupe, his feelings for that family were unclear. But he was human, not a tree; how could he be without emotion? From then on, aside from his missing sister, he was truly alone in the world.

The taste of that loneliness was unique.

Yu Tang stared blankly at the reflection in the mirror for a moment, and the person who had brought him the news cautiously called out, “Boss Yu? Please accept my condolences…”

Yu Tang spoke softly, “It’s alright.”

The man replied, “If so, I’ll take my leave then.”

Yu Tang gave him a few copper coins as a parting gift.

As soon as the messenger stepped out, he tossed the two copper coins in his hand and sneered, “Whores have no feelings, actors have no morals. That saying couldn’t be more accurate. He’s only been in this line for a few years, and he doesn’t even recognize his own parents. Not a hint of sorrow on his face.”

Unbeknownst to the messenger, once he left, the seemingly heartless actor collapsed onto the dressing table, burying his face in his arms and sobbing uncontrollably, his cries filled with anguish.

That was the last time Yu Tang cried genuinely. Thereafter, whether the beauty smiled with curved eyebrows, eyes brimming with joy, or lowered his gaze, tears welling up, there was always a tinge of insincerity, an impersonation of an actor’s emotions—both passionate and detached.

Until he met Chu Yu.

That was when he truly laughed, truly cried.

That was when he felt genuine happiness.

That was when he experienced real pain.

Jiang Heng could only recall the young man sobbing at the dressing table, his voice hoarse, his red-rimmed eyes contrasting beautifully with his makeup. His crying was so moving that it drew everyone into the scene, believing that the person in distress was Yu Tang, not Shen Fubai.

But Jiang Heng felt…that it was Fubai who was crying. Even though the youth, who had moved the entire set to tears, quickly composed himself after the scene ended, returning to his usual carefree demeanor, appearing heartless.

Jiang Heng was acting, yet something inside him truly ached.

There was no need for him to act. His affection was never a performance.

Jiang Heng collected his thoughts, picked up his phone, and first called Jiang Yuan, informing him that Yang Yingying agreed to reconcile with him.

A sound of something colliding echoed through the phone, followed by a man’s low moan.

Without a doubt, Jiang Heng knew that Jiang Yuan was ecstatic, leaping three feet in the air in bed, his head hitting the ceiling.

Two years ago, when Jiang Yuan started dating Yang Yingying, Jiang Heng was not entirely supportive. He knew that his older brother, who was only five minutes his senior, was a business prodigy but was naive and innocent in matters of the heart, making him an easy target for many women.

Foolish, wealthy, and quick to fall—this was the image he projected to many women.

Yang Yingying…how to put it? She was rather cunning, not someone his brother could handle. When Jiang Heng met Yang Yingying, he sensed that she was proud, domineering, and materialistic, living life on her own terms. She was undeniably beautiful but also quite promiscuous.

She might make a good friend, but his sister-in-law? Jiang Heng felt uncertain, fearing that Jiang Yuan would be taken advantage of.

Mother Jiang wasn’t prejudiced against actresses, but she genuinely believed the two were incompatible. She tested Yang Yingying with a million yuan. Unexpectedly, Yang took the money and left without hesitation, decisive and resolute.

Their eyes met, confirming that she was indeed a woman who loved money above all else.

After Yang Yingying proposed the breakup, the Jiang family urged Jiang Yuan to see the woman’s true colors, but he refused to listen. His eyes were clouded, his heart fixated solely on Yang Yingying.

Privately, the brothers talked heart-to-heart. Jiang Heng said, “Yang Yingying really isn’t suitable for you. Look, even our family doesn’t like her.”

Jiang Yuan replied, “I know, she’s vulgar, casual, defies convention, lives recklessly, loves money, just like those vixens out there…” He listed numerous flaws of Yang Yingying in one breath before concluding, “But I like her. I don’t care whether you like her or not, Heng Heng. I just like her. Don’t try to persuade me. I support your liking for another man, so why can’t you support me?”

Perhaps for Jiang Yuan, a noble son raised in a prestigious family, accustomed to refined ladies, Yang Yingying, a wild red rose, held a moth-to-flame attraction.

Jiang Heng: “…Alright.”

His big brother was stubborn, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Affection was inherently irrational. Regardless of what others thought of the object of one’s affection, regardless of what they truly were. Jiang Yuan had fallen hard this time.

Jiang Heng understood him.

Because he too had stumbled over someone, unable to get back up.

Then Jiang Yuan added, “Wish you luck in chasing that superstar soon.”

Jiang Heng sincerely replied, “Thank you.” He felt that this pair of bickering brothers finally had a rare moment of warmth.

Jiang Yuan continued, “After all, if our parents can accept a man, they can definitely accept Yingying.”

Jiang Heng: …Goodbye.

Indeed, it was still a plastic brotherhood.

After chatting with Jiang Yuan, Jiang Heng opened Shen Fubai’s WeChat, intending to ask if anything sad had happened during the day, leading to such an emotional cry.

But then he reconsidered and didn’t send the message.

Even if something had happened, it must have been a private matter. As an outsider, what right did he have to inquire?

Today was yet another day he wished to become a part of Fubai’s family.

Jiang Heng logged into his secret Weibo account, sending his nightly greeting to Shen Fubai as usual.

Even though he knew that it was almost impossible for the other party to show a read receipt, and the previous acknowledgment was a one-in-a-thousand chance.

After sending the message, he logged out, only to see a new private message.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Friend, are you there?

Jiang Heng stared at the name, pondering for a moment, remembering her as one of his female fans, whose Weibo space was filled with content about him.

Jiang Heng didn’t intend to open the message at first, but the sender sent another one: I’m really upset right now, I want to…

The rest of the message was cut off, requiring him to click in to read the full content. Clicking in would display a read receipt, which would be impolite if he didn’t respond.

Jiang Heng hesitated for a while, his curiosity driving him to click in.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: I’m really upset right now, I want to tell someone something.

It seemed she was facing difficulties in reality and wanted to confide in an online friend. Jiang Heng understood.

Many things were hard to discuss with acquaintances but could be freely expressed to strangers on the internet. Venting could provide relief.

Guided by a spirit of humanitarian concern, Jiang Heng responded with a question mark.

He didn’t mind being a listener, especially since the person was his fan.

Amber: ?

The other party responded.

Shen Fubai gathered his spirits and began typing furiously.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: I saw your Weibo, you seem to be a fangirl too. Let me ask you, if your idol starts dating, would you feel very sad?

Jiang Heng’s secret Weibo mostly remained locked, but the small portion that was public revealed that he was a hardcore fan of Shen Fubai.

Jiang Heng imagined it.

More than sadness—it would be the end of the world, the universe exploding.

Amber: Yes.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: That’s right! I knew, as fellow fangirls, you could understand my feelings. Right now, I’m… sigh, feeling complicated.

Amber: Your idol is dating?

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Yeah.

Jiang Heng hurriedly clicked into Wine’s Weibo page and scrolled through, certain that apart from him, no other celebrity’s name appeared.

The idol she mentioned…couldn’t possibly be him, right?

But he wasn’t dating anyone.

Maybe she was a fan of someone else, whom she hadn’t mentioned on Weibo…but recently, there were no official announcements or rumors within the circle.

Jiang Heng fell into deep thought.

Amber: How do you know?

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: It doesn’t matter how, I just know.

Amber: Is it Jiang Heng?

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: No.

Shen Fubai would never reveal Jiang Heng’s personal information.

Amber: But I see your space is full of him.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: That’s just a decoy. True love should be kept hidden.

Jiang Heng felt a sharp jab in his knee.

An idol wasn’t a fiancé, why would there be a need for a decoy?

Jiang Heng found it impressive but chose to believe it for now.

This wasn’t important, as long as it wasn’t him.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: I’m on the verge of a mental breakdown. Sister, your idol is Shen Fubai, right? If he started dating, would you unfollow him?

Shen Fubai assumed Amber was a woman. Although he appealed to both genders, the majority of his fans were female, mostly girlfriend fans.

For different celebrities, fans reacted differently to their idols dating. Jiang Heng relied on his work, attracting many acting fans, so announcing a relationship wouldn’t significantly impact his career. Shen Fubai was different. As an idol who sold an image, he existed to fulfill teenage girls’ fantasies, and dating was akin to suicide.

Initially, Shen Fubai became a die-hard fan of Jiang Heng due to his awe-inspiring acting skills, so he wouldn’t unfollow him for any other reason. However, mixed with affection, his mindset was temporarily difficult to adjust.

Jiang Heng looked at these words, hesitating for a long time.

Amber: If he truly likes her, I would wish him well.

And then take a three-month break, traveling the world in a private jet to indulge in gourmet cuisine, stuffing himself until he turned into a fatso, then subjecting himself to a torturous diet, returning to the public eye with style to announce his retirement, sobbing as he returned home to inherit billions.

Ah, what a rational fan.

Shen Bai Bai, you should also be such a sensible fan, not intruding on your idol’s private life.

Shen Fubai tried to convince himself.

…Impossible.

Not feeling comforted at all.

Shen Fubai felt gloomy, typing a lengthy message.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: The most distant distance in the world is when I am by his side, but he doesn’t know I love him.

Jiang Heng deeply empathized. This described him and Fubai, didn’t it?

Amber: I understand, I understand. Being a fan is like this. I’ve watched him from debut to now, but he doesn’t know of my existence.

Shen Fubai knew of the actor Jiang Heng, but would never know of the fan Jiang Heng.

Shen Fubai: Now I know you exist.

Unexpectedly, this sister was an old fan.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Sometimes I feel so insignificant.

Amber: But we must remain happy little tailwaggers.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Yes, exactly.

With similar experiences, they poured their hearts out to each other, and after a heartfelt conversation, they quickly felt that the other was their alter ego, an ideal confidante.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Brother! Fist_bump.jpg

Amber: Sister! Handshake.jpg

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Let’s be sworn brothers.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: No, let’s be sworn sisters!