Yating shared this happy news to Chyou the next day who was more than elated to see some progress between him and Ma Dong.
"See, I told you! Ma Dong would never blame you," her eyes shone with genuine joy for Yating and then stuck out her tongue, "You should thank me for showing you the right way~"
Yating sincerely nodded. "I should indeed express my gratitude. If not for your push, I couldn't have gotten the courage to talk to Dong. So what do you want?"
Her eyes sparkled at the question she wanted to hear. "How about some ice cream? I am dying to have some!"
He tilted his head. "I believe your manager says you are cutting down on sugar."
She made a face. "She is saying to cut down on sugar, not me. I am suffering because of her tyranny!"
He slightly adjusted his collar in nervousness. "I am so dead if she catches me."
"As a subject, you should show the spirit to sacrifice for your Queen," she grimly said.
She sobbed. "I am really craving for some ice cream!"
Yating looked at her pleading eyes and his heart wavered.
Death by the hands of her manager…I lived a good life, he thought.
He released a helpless chuckle. "I will see what I can do."
Her tears disappeared, replaced by a glowing aura of bliss. "I knew I could count on you~"
Did she just trap me by any chance?
He observed her for a moment more and asked, "What's the good news by the way? You always look cheerful but today it feels different."
Chyou beamed brighter. "How do you read me so well~ You are right. I am super happy!"
She looked around and slightly leaned closer to whisper to him. "Yin agreed to take medical help for his addiction. We met the doctor yesterday too and he has assured us that if Yin gives it his all, he will be able to come through his addiction." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fire·net
Yating slightly widened his eyes, pleasantly surprised and also relieved. "That's great Chyou," he whispered back.
He thought back to his ugly confrontation with Yin that night and inwardly shook his head.
I judged him too soon.
Chyou chirped. "He also said that he would meet my family to officially greet them once he is confident that he has let go of his addiction. He was really so thoughtful and sensitive," she softly smiled with pride.
Yating blinked. "Oh…That's even more wonderful."
He looked away confused for a moment, but he shrugged it off.
She clapped her hands once. "Things with Yin are fine but I am so much more happy for you and Ma Dong!"
The sight of Yating's terror-stricken face on that day of fire was still fresh in her mind. He looked afraid, terrified and helpless. He had put his life on the line to save her, so she wanted from the bottom of her heart for his wounds and guilt to heal.
"Happy for Gu Yating and who? Tell me the good news too."
Yin appeared from the back, greeting them with a smile. For a moment, Chyou hesitated if he would be uncomfortable seeing her talking with Yating.
Yating smiled back. "Hey. No good news really."
"Nah, dude. There is definitely some good news. Look at Chyou's face all glowing," he curiously asked, "Don't tell me you got a girlfriend? Wait, I heard Ma Dong…is it a boyfriend?"
Yating choked hard. "No. I am still very much single and aim to be single for a while too. I am straight so no boyfriend."
"Then I wonder what made her so happy."
They held a momentary doubt in their gazes. Yating's situation with Ma Dong was private. Yin and him weren't so close friends yet for Yating to share his past with him.
Chyou cleared her throat and pitched in. "I am just happy because Yating said he got to meet and talk to his good old friend after a long time. That friend is Ma Dong."
Yin's eyes narrowed and a swell of familiar unease came to his heart. Chyou and Yating's expressions to him definitely seemed as if there was something much more. As if there was some secret between them.
That feeling didn't sit well with Yin.
"Are you ready?" Director Murong called from afar.
"Yes, we are!" Chyou hastily replied back.
I don't want Yin to think wrongly of Yating…
She grabbed Yin's arm and said, "Let's go. It's time for our take!"
The set grew dimmer as the take started. It was a heartbreaking scene of a flashback when Yin as Chyou's husband in the movie, was taking his last breaths as he handed over the pendant - his last gift and also his trust in her.
Yating held his breath as Chyou emptily stared at the pendant in his hands. Her gaze didn't show the courage to take it in fear that it would be the last time she would hold her husband's warm hands.
Yating didn't feel as if she was Chyou at all. She had completely meshed herself into the character of a broken widow who would now have to face her life and battles all alone.
He didn't know why but a lump formed in his throat as he intently watched Chyou's performance. The grief, the sadness and the loss in her beautiful eyes pricked his heart even though he knew that it was just a script and Chyou was simply acting her part.
Hope you never look that painful in your real life…
It was a flawless take on both Chyou and Yin's part. As the set lit up again, Yating cleared his throat, wiping the corner of his eye. To his relief, it wasn't just him alone. Many other people from the staff were equally affected by Chyou's performance. Sounds of tears and sniffles echoed throughout the set.
As Chyou returned to her vanity room, she heard a knock on the door. She opened it and was surprised to see Yating. "Hey!"
She anxiously eyed left and right to see if Yin was nearby.
Damn, it's okay! I don't have to be so nervous!
Yating smiled. "Thank you for making me cry today."
Her attention snapped to him and listening to his compliments, she beamed. "Really? Was I good?"
"Well you made not just me but the entire staff shed tears. People are busy grabbing tissues."
"And just as I promised," Yating sneakily took out a paper bag and handed it forward, "Enjoy your ice cream."
Chyou drooled and without any hesitation grabbed the bag from his hand as if she was on some covert mission. "You are an angel!" it was her turn to cry now.
"Hey what's going on?" Yin asked as he was casually passing by.
Chyou froze and immediately pushed the paper bag back at Yating's chest.
Yating looked dumbfounded.