Chapter 78: Original Version 

Many times, to save a relationship, one just needs to lower their proud head and open the door to their heart to the other person. But we all know that the one who lowers their head first becomes the loser in this relationship.

Those who speak of necessity in their words seem more like pitiful and detestable beggars in their eyes.

Regardless of love or friendship, the one who yields unquestionably is the loser.

No one would be willing to assume this role forever.

On the first day of June, the Black and White Feather crew celebrated the completion of their work at a hotel in the city. The usually meticulous staff became carefree after drinking, and the seemingly joyful nightlife of early summer exuded a strong sense of decadence and debauchery, like a stinking garbage dump under the scorching heat.

After the relaxation, more intensive work awaited, and Gu Xizhi often spent long summer days on airplanes. Whenever she felt tired, the unchanged billboard from spring to late summer seemed to be her motivation to persevere— the billboard that could be seen in any corner of the city, never fading, like a goddess being admired.

"Since you requested, you'll have a five-day break after this concert, and you need to complete the recording of the new album by November. In December, you'll officially join the 'Enchanted Forest' drama crew. If you want to go home for the New Year, we'll prioritize some of the advertisements, but it might be a bit tough, so think carefully."

Lili handed the marked schedule to Gu Xizhi. At that time, she had just woken up and the plane was still on its way to their next destination.

"Are you going to continue calling Bo Yiqing today?" She flipped through the schedule casually.

"I called but I still can't get through. I think she may have changed her phone number."

"But she answered the phone a few days ago and agreed for us to visit her in November."

"Maybe she had some last-minute matters. She'll call back once she's done."

"Okay." Gu Xizhi looked at the time and said, "Adjust the vacation a few days back."

Lili took a pen and quickly wrote it down on a note.

The fast pace of city life can be so overwhelming that switching between cotton-padded coats and short sleeves bears witness to the genuine exhaustion behind the glamor. On the evening of October 10th, Gu Xizhi was invited to attend a music awards ceremony because she was nominated for the Golden Song of the Year Award and the Best Female Singer of the Year Award. Even before the ceremony began, Gu Xizhi received various well-wishes.

Wearing an evening gown and short hair, Gu Xizhi appeared to have more personality and vitality compared to other female stars. At the beginning of the awards ceremony, Gu Xizhi sent a text message to Qu Xizhi, seeking her blessings, but received no response for a long time.

After leaving the Black and White Feather film crew, she rarely saw Qu Xizhi due to her busy schedule. Sometimes she called and messaged her, but there was often a long delay in her responses. Over time, she had become accustomed to this way of interacting.

As the most significant music awards ceremony of the year, the event naturally shines with stars. Because Gu Xizhi's singing career had been exceptionally successful in the past year, her brilliance was hard to hide even among the other stars. The results of the awards ceremony were not much of a suspense for the audience. Gu Xizhi won both the Best Female Singer of the Year and the Golden Song of the Year awards. She also performed a new single on stage that evening. Among all the artists who juggled singing and acting, she was the only one who did not lip-sync and sounded the same as her recorded tracks.

After the awards ceremony, Gu Xizhi and Tang Yu, who had also had a successful night, left the venue together to head to the airport. On a rainy night, the road was congested due to traffic. After getting in the car, Gu Xizhi picked up her phone and made a call. With a warm tone, she finished the call before hanging up and turned to Tang Yu, "He's doing well. I told him we're coming back soon."

"Thank you," Tang Yu glanced at her through the rearview mirror and casually asked while turning the steering wheel, "You seem to have been in touch with Qu Xizhi quite often lately."

Gu Xizhi looked up at him, then avoided his gaze, "Mm."

Tang Yu glanced at her through the mirror again and said, "The day of the earthquake, you were in the hotel, right?"

Gu Xizhi's eyelids drooped even lower, "Qu Xizhi's health is very poor. That night, I took her home and stayed by her side."

The emergency brakes screeched, and Gu Xizhi held herself steady against the forward inertia. When she looked up, Tang Yu had already pulled the car over to the side of the road.

Gu Xizhi asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Tang Yu looked at her and asked, "Did you make up with her?"

Gu Xizhi looked at him, then lowered her head in silence.

Tang Yu seemed a little incomprehensible. He took out a cigarette from his pack, and remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you still like her?"

Gu Xizhi pondered for a moment before saying, "In any case, There's no way to refuse her a second time."

Tang Yu lit the cigarette, looked at the sparking tip, and then asked, "Are you sure she likes you?"

"Mm." She nodded quickly, thought for a moment, then raised her head and added, "She should."

"Are you really sure?"

Gu Xizhi was stunned for a moment, looking a bit puzzled by his intention. "What do you mean by asking like this?"

Tang Yu did not speak, but slowly picked up the cigarette.

Smoke filled the car, and he looked at her through the swirling smoke, appearing somewhat hesitant, but he still said, "Do you know she's about to get engaged to Shen Ya?"

The air fell silent for a moment, and Gu Xizhi looked up at him. Although she didn't say anything, her expression clearly showed surprise.

"Maybe I don't have the right to say all of this, but I just wanted to remind you," Tang Yu set down the cigarette and looked at her with a calm expression. "When a relationship that was once the star-studded faces setbacks, there will undoubtedly be regrets. But that doesn't mean that after all these years, she's still enduring loneliness, deeply in love. Yes, if you reappear in her life, she might rekindle old feelings, but everyone remembers their first love. That doesn't mean she doesn't love the love she has now. When it comes to feelings, people can be greedy. Has she mentioned anything about Shen Ya to you?"

The smell of cigarettes filled the car, and Gu Xizhi looked at him motionless as if she were thinking about his words.

Tang Yu continued, "Three years have passed. Everyone changes, they grow, and even today's Qu Xizhi seems vacant in her gaze. You don't even know what she's thinking. If you think she still loves you, then compare her present self with her past self carefully. How different are they? That's how low the purity of that feeling is. Of course, I don't believe she's playing with emotions out of resentment from the past, but is this moment as important to her as you imagine?"

Gu Xizhi remained silent for a moment as if she wanted to emphasize something. "She likes me."

"Did she say it herself?"

Gu Xizhi opened her mouth, but it seemed like she had no words to say, and she fell into silence.

Tang Yu looked at her and took his phone out of his pocket, handing it to her.

"Perhaps Shen Ya was right about two things," Tang Yu watched her flipping through the phone from the mirror. "Love always requires compatibility, and no matter how strong a woman is, she ultimately returns to marriage."

In the first text message that Gu Xizhi opened, Shen Ya's name appeared at the top of the conversation window. The text was clear in its simplicity:

Xiao Qu has agreed to the proposal.

Raindrops rapidly tapped on the car window, and the world outside the car became blurred. Gu Xizhi lowered the hand holding the phone and slowly looked out of the window.