Chapter 127: 127 I’m not joining!
Chen Beini forcibly suppressed her anger and said, “We are all part of the same crew, what is there to apologize for? We are all here for the good of the crew. We should be accommodating each other. Chengyu and I do not really blame you, but we hope you can pay attention to your words and actions in the future.”
After hearing Chen Beini’s sanctimonious speech, Shi Lan burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking, “Am I hearing things? Miss Chen, are you serious?”
“What do you mean?” Chen Beini asked Shi Lan in return.
Shi Lan gave her a sharp look, then subdued her laughter and spoke loudly to the audience, “Apologies must indeed be made, as that’s the reason I am standing here today!”
“But! I am not apologizing to Gu Chengyu, nor am I apologizing to the so-called National Couple. The person I need to apologize to is myself!”
“I owe myself an apology, an apology to women’s dignity. Sorry, I demeaned myself into the dust and set a bad example for many women friends. For a distorted relationship, I knelt down, losing not only my self-respect but nearly my life. I am ashamed; I wish I could slap myself. But never again, for I have fully awakened…”
Shi Lan spoke with cadence, controlling the atmosphere of the entire venue with her intense emotion.
At the same time, she raised her right hand, revealing a fierce, ugly scar: “This is the price!”
“As for you, one who treated me as a backup, one who exposed my secrets, one who condoned cyberbullying from fans, one who trampled on values, what right do you have to demand an apology from me? Why! Do! You! Deserve! It?”
Chen Beini and Gu Chengyu were pushed back by Shi Lan’s words, retreating to the edge of the stage.
“The past me, the insignificant, selfless, weak An Lan, was bullied to death on the resuscitation table. I hope you two remember this forever, better yet, repent daily. The me that is alive now is the resurgent An Lan. I will use my abilities to rebuild my dignity and physical self. I will not bow to anyone or kneel so easily anymore. For me, the past has ended, and the future has just begun…”
“So, you can continue to float in the entertainment industry with your first-rate popularity, second-rate acting, and third-rate character, but—I! Will! Not! Accommodate!”
After her final remark, Shi Lan threw the microphone to the host of the birthday event, then turned and walked off the stage with a grand exit amidst the stunned gazes of everyone.
The host, microphone in hand, reached a peak of awkwardness, glanced behind at Gu Chengyu’s complex expression, while Chen Beini was on the verge of exploding.
Below the stage, Tang Ze and Sun Ling were exhilarated, leading the applause…
Though there was no response from the fans.
However, the media’s minds, having exploded, immediately sensed the scent of gossip and stood from their chairs, chasing after Shi Lan in a frenzy.
“An Lan, was the book ‘The Actor’s Self-Cultivation’ you just gave to Gu Chengyu implying his acting is bad?”
“An Lan, there are rumors you were coerced by the company to appear today, is that true?”
Miss Shi, annoyed beyond measure and faced with encroaching microphones, simply said, “Since I’ve been asked, I’ll summarize today in two sentences: it’s none of my business, and… none of your business?”
With that, Shi Lan pushed through the reporters and headed towards the studio, her stride uncompromising and determined.