Against the Light - Chapter 6
Chapter 6: The Stain
Gu Xinran forced the rising sob back down her throat. She couldn't cry. Tears were the most useless things in the world!
She took several deep breaths, telling herself to calm down. This wasn't her original world, and that Yilan was perhaps just this world's Yilan, having nothing to do with her.
She took out her phone and searched for information about Yilan.
Bai Yilan, female, 28 years old, graduated from the directing department of Xiyuan Film Academy. She entered the industry at 20. Her representative works include Life Like Summer Flowers, Breaking Soil, and Ceaseless. Among them, Life Like Summer Flowers earned her a nomination for Best Director at the 23rd Golden Phoenix Awards.
At 26, she fell in love with actress Gu Xinran and they had a flash marriage in the same year.
At 27, she announced her retirement from the industry to return to her family.
At 28, she became single again, their relationship ending dismally.
She then clicked on a few videos of Yilan's past interviews. During the interviews, she was poised and articulate. At times she would make a witty remark, and at others, her expression would turn serious, focused and intent.
The more Gu Xinran watched, the more she wanted to cry. Every gesture was so familiar. Even after so many years, Yilan's every move was still deeply etched in her mind.
Recalling the Yilan she had just seen, her expression had been so cold. Though surrounded by people, she seemed out of place with the world, as if nothing could enter her eyes.
Was it because the original owner had hurt her too deeply?
Yes, that must be it. She must also be a sensitive person, just like her Yilan—sensitive and insecure, especially serious when it came to relationships, unable to withstand any hurt, let alone betrayal.
Gu Xinran's brow furrowed tightly as she looked at Yilan's photo, trying to access the original owner's memories.
However, she could only retrieve scattered fragments—a vague recollection of their last argument before the divorce. The original owner, exasperated, had said something to Yilan, who trembled with anger, slapped the original owner, and turned to leave decisively.
But when she tried to recall the specific conversation in more detail, a piercing pain, like a needle, shot through her temples. The agony made her scalp tingle, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on her back.
She could feel her body instinctively rejecting it, or perhaps it was a form of self-protection. She couldn't control it. Maybe the original owner also deeply regretted this incident and was unwilling to think about it again.
Gu Xinran took a deep breath and temporarily abandoned the thought. Suddenly, her brow furrowed again as she remembered seeing someone on set who shouldn't have been there at all.
Luo Bing?
Strange, she was just hospitalized yesterday. Was she discharged today? And she came to Yilan's set. What was she planning?
Was it like the online rumors said, that she wanted to pursue Yilan?
Was she worthy?
She was not!
If yesterday's Gu Xinran couldn't comprehend the original owner's anger and impulsiveness, now, she understood it completely!
Those who profane Yilan shall die!
Gu Xinran opened Weibo, wanting to search for the full story behind their divorce. She felt there was something fishy about it; the drastic change in the original owner's personality was something she couldn't ignore.
Her finger had just touched the screen when it paused, her gaze falling on the top trending topic: 【Teacher Bai isn't smiling anymore [Tears]】
She clicked on the title. The 【Teacher Bai】 this netizen was talking about was, indeed, Yilan.
【Came to the set today to try my luck, and after half a year, I finally saw Teacher Bai. During filming, many people tried to talk to her, but she responded to them all calmly. She didn't look at the script, the monitor, or the actors. She no longer cared about the work she once loved with all her heart. She just sat there quietly, staring into the distance. She's still so serene, so beautiful, but she doesn't smile anymore. [Heartbreak][Heartbreak] Teacher Bai, I'm begging you, please pull through this. This world is beautiful, and there are still so many people who love you. Don't give up on yourself because of a single scumbag. It's not worth it!!!】
Below the post was a set of photos. Judging by the angle, they were likely taken by a tourist who had been watching the crew at work. Yilan was captured from a distance, sitting quietly in a chair, looking ahead with an indifferent expression. The last three photos were older candid shots of her. Even without makeup, her skin was still radiant and smooth. She was tucking her hair back, chatting with a tourist, the corners of her lips slightly raised in a gentle smile, her small dimples stealing the show.
The comment section had also erupted into a heated discussion.
【I really feel for Teacher Bai. How could such a good person meet a scumbag? I'm an extra, and I was lucky enough to be in one of Teacher Bai's scenes. She's incredibly kind and gentle. At the time, one of the other girls got a scrape on her shoulder because her costume was too heavy. When Teacher Bai found out, she immediately had her assistant go buy medicine. It was a really hot day, and in the afternoon, she even paid out of her own pocket to buy everyone iced coffee. Even us minor extras got one, the same as the main cast!】
【Replying to the comment above, I've been an extra for over a year, and no other set has ever made me feel equality and respect except for Teacher Bai's. The crew members there don't boss you around just because you're an extra. Everyone can talk and joke as friends on equal footing. That's the most important thing. The atmosphere on Teacher Bai's set is amazing, really like a family. Although I didn't get to interact with her much, I can tell she's someone with very high standards for herself. Encountering something like this must be a huge blow. Sigh, I hope she gets through it soon.】
【Who is this person? Never even heard of her and she's suddenly trending?】
【Gu Xinran was trending yesterday, and she's trending today. A new round of tying them together for publicity?】
【Can the person above watch their mouth? Gu Xinran is Gu Xinran. Aim your cannons at the right target, okay? Don't drag Teacher Bai into this. She's already been through enough!】
【Birds of a feather flock together. She doesn't even have the basic ability to judge character. Serves her right for getting cheated on. A brainless, stupid woman.】
【What kind of idiotic comment is that? Do scumbags have the word 'scumbag' written on their faces? She was kind and trusted the wrong person, so she deserved it? Stop showing off that head full of fertilizer, okay?】
【Don't put her and Gu Xinran in the same sentence. Gu Xinran isn't worthy! And don't you dare mention Teacher Bai. You're not worthy!】
【Gu Xinran is truly a stain on her life, one that can never be washed away. It's been over half a year since the divorce, but whenever something happens with Gu Xinran, someone always brings up Teacher Bai. It's so pitiful.】
【Please show some decency. Her current state seems really off. Could she have a psychological issue? Can a psychologist take a look?】
Gu Xinran took a deep breath, her heart aching with a mix of pain and anger.
Yilan was the victim in this whole affair, yet so many people were still attacking and cursing her! They had no idea how much damage a single, casually thrown word could do!
It could even cost a person their life!
When she saw the comment suggesting Yilan's state was off and wondering if she had a psychological illness, she was truly terrified. In her past life, Yilan had committed suicide due to depression!
But in her current awkward position and circumstances, what could she possibly do?
Just as she was thinking, she heard a cheer from the set in the distance. Yilan was coming out of the studio, apparently to eat with everyone.
The crew members all gathered around her, talking and laughing. A faint, shallow smile finally appeared on Yilan's placid face. It was so beautiful.
On the training ground, extras sat in small groups. Yilan was surrounded by a large crowd of staff, and even the tourists were in clusters of three or five. Only Gu Xinran remained all alone.
"You have to be okay," Gu Xinran whispered, taking one last, deep look at Yilan. The moment she turned around…
"Okay my ass!" Ming Zhen shouted, followed by a slap, crisp and loud.
Gu Xinran had no time to react. The slap left her cheek numb, and she saw little stars dance before her eyes.
"How dare you show your face here? Haven't you hurt Yilan enough? Don't let me see you near Yilan ever again. I'll hit you every single time I see you!" Ming Zhen pointed a finger at Gu Xinran's nose, and after cursing her out, she walked away with a flourish.
It took Gu Xinran a long moment to recover. Looking at Ming Zhen's retreating back, she recognized her as the girl who had been by Yilan's side earlier. She was Yilan's best friend. The original owner had once suspected her of having an improper relationship with Yilan and had even forced Yilan to keep her distance. Ming Zhen had never liked her, but had held back for Yilan's sake.
Gu Xinran clicked her tongue, tasting blood. The inside of her mouth must be cut. She felt both angry and amused. Just how disliked was this original owner? She had thought it was a great blessing from the heavens to be able to see Yilan again, but now it seemed more like she was being set up.
She returned home and soaked a towel in cold water, pressing it against her cheek as a cold compress.
As she looked into the original owner's history, two words stood out, glaringly.
Cheating!
Although Weibo only said she was exposed for cheating, without much solid proof, something like that was a fatal blow to a marriage.
She no longer had the energy to complain about the original owner. Feeling mentally exhausted, she began to re-evaluate her current situation.
Right now, she was being mocked by the entire internet, basically having faded into obscurity. Any move she made would be magnified and linked to Yilan, becoming ammunition for those trolls to mock her.
This couldn't go on.
If she faded any further into obscurity, she would truly become a stain on Yilan's life that could never be washed away.
Even though she knew the Yilan of this world couldn't possibly be her wife, just seeing this Yilan living well was enough. Living happily, joyfully, without having to suffer those baseless accusations and hurts—that would be enough.
As she was pondering how to handle the situation, her phone suddenly rang. Seeing the name "Qu Qi" flash on the caller ID, Gu Xinran's heart skipped a beat. Please don't let this be more bad news.
"Hello, Sister Qi."
"Get ready. You're going on a show tomorrow."
Gu Xinran froze. "On a show? What show?"
"That online variety show from before, Escape from Death. The production team just contacted me and said they hope you can continue to participate."
Gu Xinran's mind raced, and she immediately agreed.
"Is Luo Bing going to be there too?"
"I was just about to tell you. If you get into another conflict with her, not even the gods can save you!"
"Got it!"
"Just be careful."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Gu Xinran clutched her phone tightly. This was an opportunity! As long as she could get screen time, she had a chance to make a comeback!
She immediately looked up the show. In short, it brought together six female guests—two fixed MCs and four flying guests—who would form teams freely. The first to escape the dense forest would win. The time limit was three days, during which they had to fend for themselves for food and shelter. They were not allowed to use any communication devices or bring any personal items, only using props provided by the crew. The show was broadcast as a live stream.
Wilderness survival? Interesting.
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