Chu Yin saw Qi Rong’s expression fluctuating, so she cautiously asked, "Naïve? Why? What happened afterward?"
Qi Rong got up and walked to the window, turning her back to everyone.
The remaining words were hard for her to speak.
Looking at the descending sunlight, she closed her eyes.
"The penalty for breach of contract wasn’t the real leverage Sister Meng used to threaten me."
"It’s because I once did some things."
Chu Yin stared at her back and asked, "What things?"
Qi Rong said, "Sister Meng should have also invaded your privacy, right? I was no different."
"Back then, I was in the limelight and felt a little smug. When others showed me kindness, I happily indulged without refusal."
Chu Yin responded, "You weren’t... acting like a player, were you?"
Qi Rong nodded slightly, "Something like that, just flirting with men I had some interest in, chatting, saying things not suitable for children, fulfilling mutual needs."
Ah, this...
Chu Yin was a bit stunned; she didn’t know how to respond.
If both parties consented, it really wasn’t such a big deal.
Lin Zhiyi saw Chu Yin’s embarrassment and asked on her behalf, "These were things done willingly on both sides. Even if your conversations were explicit, it actually couldn’t threaten you."
Qi Rong lowered her gaze, just like the sun sinking westward, the light in her eyes faded away.
"Because I once agreed to someone else’s conditions for a role."
The words fell.
The room fell silent.
What conditions, everyone had a clear understanding.
Qi Rong didn’t want to justify it either, and continued, "I really liked that role. I knew I could perform well and stand out, but sometimes the more you desire something, the more unattainable it becomes. The director saying I wasn’t suitable made me nothing."
"I accompanied him to have fun for a week, and afterward, nobody mentioned it, I successfully got the role, and I became famous because of that role, everything seemed to be moving in a good direction."
"But those photos were still obtained by Sister Meng, and later I found out she had installed spyware in my phone and computer, capturing all the photos from that week."
"She threatened me with the photos and videos, saying if I didn’t agree, she’d ruin my reputation, even making my parents unable to hold their heads high."
"I had no choice but to agree, thinking once shooting was over, the nightmare would end, but who knew that one compromise would lead to many."
"To Sister Meng, doing it once or ten times made no difference; no good roles came my way anymore, and I was just like a commodity, exchanged back and forth, then I fell ill."
"Realizing I had injured an investor’s head, I was finished."
Qi Rong finished speaking, and exhaled heavily.
Everyone remained silent.
How should one comment?
Peeled away from the celebrity aura, Qi Rong was just an ordinary person.
She could be proud, complacent, trying to take shortcuts, regret everything, and be weak to avoid.
She wasn’t perfect.
But no one is perfect.
Lin Zhiyi and Chu Yin exchanged glances.
Chu Yin said angrily, "You were wrong, but she’s not exactly innocent."
Lin Zhiyi calmly asked, "When you left the industry, didn’t Sister Meng say anything?"
Gong Chen calmly replied, "When you went to find Qi Rong yesterday, I followed the clues. Not only this woman, but also take a look at what Sister Meng has been doing over the years?"
Lin Zhiyi and Chu Yin quickly flipped through the pages.
Chu Yin exclaimed, "What is this? A custom-made bride class?"
Lin Zhiyi was even more surprised, "This male celebrity’s wife was also trained by Sister Meng. When they got married, everyone found it odd. No one heard much about their relationship, the man said it was a soulful match. Turns out she was crafted to fit his soul."
The world is indeed full of wonders.
Gong Chen continued, "If these wealthy and foolish individuals are surrounded by Sister Meng’s people, she could practically command the entertainment industry."
Chu Yin nodded, "Why did she lower herself to become my manager then?"
After speaking, a flash of inspiration hit her, and she looked up at Sang Li.
"Oh, does she want to craft a soul-matched bride for Mr. Sang?"
Sang Li didn’t speak, nor did his expression show surprise.
Chu Yin immediately stood up, "You knew it long ago?"
Sang Li replied with a hum, "I found out about it pretty much during that funeral."
"And you didn’t stop her? You wouldn’t really want it, would you?"
"Isn’t one hassle enough? Why would I want so many?" Sang Li answered directly.
"I..." Chu Yin was stunned, her face flushed red.
Sang Li said, "Sister Meng wanted to climb higher. It just happened you needed a new manager, she probably seized the opportunity."
Chu Yin nodded, then quickly shook her head.
"No, she also wants to ruin me, she wants to promote newcomers."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight
no more updates?...