When Liang Yin heard this, she did not refute. Instead, she said very solemnly, âIn the past, I felt that you didnât have any real capability and that you were supported by brainless fans. Now, I feel that youâre very good. Youâre really a high-quality idol.â
The actor froze with a mouthful of water still in his mouth. He didnât know whether to spit it out or to swallow it. It took him a long time to realize that Liang Yin was complimenting him, and he was momentarily distracted.
When he snapped back to his senses, he gulped down the water in his mouth and said dramatically, âYou⦠you actually praised me?â
He was merely self-deprecating in nature. He did not really expect to hear a compliment.
âThose are my heartfelt words.â Liang Yinâs lips twitched mockingly. âPerhaps itâs really difficult for people to understand that not everyone will put themselves in other peopleâs shoes. It was only after I had swapped identities with you, that I understood how deep the waters of the entertainment industry are, how nasty people can be, and how difficult it is to be a celebrity.â
The actor sighed in response to Liang Yinâs serious expression.
âIt is indeed very difficult. Itâs exhausting.â
âUh huh. It just feels like being bound by very heavy chains. Sometimes, it feels really tough.â
The actor said meaningfully, âThe world is a cage, everyone is shackled in one way or another.â
When Liang Yin heard this, she didnât speak for a long time. Then, she finally smiled and said, âThatâs right. Itâs as though everything between heaven and earth is a cage. Everyone is heavily shackled.â
They exchanged a glance.
Liang Yin suddenly leaned over strangely and said, âBy the way, thereâs one thing that bothers me.â
âMmmm?â
âDo you⦠do you like women or men?!â
ââ¦â
Fortunately, the actor wasnât drinking. Otherwise, he would have choked and spat it all out.
âWhy do you ask?â
âBecause I sense that there is something very wrong with your orientation.â
âWhatâs wrong with it?â
âThat time we went to the Halfway Hot Spring, I sensed some sort of ambiguity between you and that man called âGong Jieââ¦â
It would have been better if Liang Yin hadnât mentioned that name. At the very mention of Gong Jie, Hua Jin turned furiously red.
âWhat ambiguity? What could he and I possibly have going on between us?â The actor bristled. âDonât you spout nonsense! Iâm straight as steel.â
âSteel?â
Liang Yin laughed out loud on hearing this word. âI canât tell. Instead, I think youâre the sort of straight guy thatâs like a rubber band!â
The actorâs face transitioned through all the colors of the rainbowâ¦
In an instant, everything changed. Furious, he rose and turned to leave.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Liang Yin quickly stopped him. âWhatâs your problem? Getting all worked up just like that?â
Scowling, the actor asked her, âDo you know that it is a great insult to a man, to question his sexual orientation?â
âI was just joking!â
âCan one joke about a matter like this?â The actor was genuinely angry now.
Liang studied his expression. When she saw that he was really angry, she was puzzled. âMost people would laugh it off as a joke when they hear something like that. At most, they would clarify it and not take it to heart. Why are you being so serious?â
ââ¦â
Liang Yin cautiously warned him, âWhy do I feel like youâre trying to hide something!â
âDonât talk nonsense!â He snorted. âI like women. I have no feelings for men.â