Chapter 94: An Unwavering Choice

On the other side, Wen Jin put all her work on hold and stayed home. After Gu Yao left, she cried for nearly an entire afternoon; when she was exhausted from crying, she collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep.

When she woke, the room was pitch-black and night had already fallen. Through tear-blurred eyes, she stared at Gu Yao’s page. She had never expected that he would admit it so openly, without evasion, without damage control. He acknowledged that she was his girlfriend and said they would not break up.

But could they truly withstand the pressure of public opinion and stay together all the way to the end? Wen Jin was lost.

The night was so still it chilled the heart. The truth was so cruel it made one ache.

Ding dong—the doorbell rang again. It was Lin Xi. She had received a call from her fourth brother, and worried about Wen Jin, she came over at once to keep her company.

“Xi...” The moment Wen Jin saw her, her eyes turned red again, her voice thick with tears. At last she had someone she could cry before without restraint, someone she could confide in with ease. For the first time, she felt how wonderful it was to have a best friend.

The two went inside and sat on the sofa.

“Oh, you poor thing.” Lin Xi’s face softened as she gently touched Wen Jin’s flushed cheek.

Wen Jin lowered her eyes again. Her lips moved, but she did not know where to begin.

“Xiao Jin, you don’t need to say anything. I understand.” Lin Xi smiled brightly; she knew all too well her worries and her lack of confidence.

“Xiao Jin, you’re afraid you’re not good enough for my fourth brother, afraid the fans will be proven right and that you’ll really ruin his future because of yourself, aren’t you?” Lin Xi looked at her and laid bare nearly every fear in her heart.

Wen Jin looked up, faintly startled, then drooped her head once more.

Lin Xi smiled softly. She leaned forward and took both of Wen Jin’s hands in hers, pressing them together as if to give her strength.

“Xiao Jin, you have to understand: comments like these from netizens will never disappear. As public figures, any little stir becomes a topic for gossip over tea and after dinner. Since we can’t shut their mouths, then we should simply do our own best and ignore the rumors outside. They’re only jealous of you, just in a different way.” Lin Xi’s eyes shone with encouragement.

The light had gone out in Wen Jin’s eyes, but now they began to flicker. Her brows moved slightly. Really...?

Lin Xi naturally saw her hesitation, so she pressed on. “Jin, no one can take away your pain, and you shouldn’t let anyone take away your happiness either. Your Brother Yao belongs to you from head to toe!”

“But...” Wen Jin looked up. Her vision was hazy, and through the thin veil of tears Lin Xi’s face seemed blurred. Her expression was desolate. “Xi, I really feel like I’m not worthy of him...”

At this, Lin Xi frowned. She did not agree with her at all. “Xiao Jin, you’re already doing very well. On your own path in life, don’t let others make you feel inferior. Don’t look too far ahead and too far behind, and don’t think yourself beneath anyone. There’s no need to ruin your life for them, or give up your own happiness. Xiao Jin, you need to give yourself a chance. You’re the family we chose ourselves, the one my fourth brother has chosen without wavering. You’re the ones who will spend the rest of your lives together. Why care so much about what other people think? You can be a little selfish!”

At Lin Xi’s last sentence, Wen Jin finally broke. Her trembling could no longer be contained; the tears she had been holding back surged out, and she covered her face, sobbing. “Waaah... Xi, you’re the first person who told me I could be a little selfish.”

Seeing her like this, Lin Xi felt her own heart go sour. Xiao Jin was truly bearing too much pressure, and there was nothing to be done about it—she was just such a kind person, always thinking of others first. Perhaps it had something to do with her family; from a young age, she had learned how to please others, how to yield and endure.

The two embraced. Lin Xi gently stroked Wen Jin’s back and said softly, “Xiao Jin, be braver. Give yourself, and my fourth brother, a chance.”

...

It was deep into the night. Lin Xi stayed with Wen Jin until dawn, and the two of them talked for a long time about many things.

The next day, Lin Xi had a scheduled film interview. Early in the morning, before Wen Jin had even awakened, she thought it best not to disturb her and leave quietly.

As soon as Lin Xi came downstairs, she saw her fourth brother’s car parked outside Wen Jin’s apartment building, as though he had spent the entire night there.

She leaned in and looked through the window, discovering that her fourth brother had fallen asleep in the driver’s seat. As expected, he must have stood guard downstairs all night.

“Fourth Brother?” Lin Xi tapped lightly on the window. At the sound, Gu Yao jolted awake. Lin Xi opened the passenger door and got in.

“How is she?” Before Lin Xi had even sat down properly, Gu Yao asked at once.

Lin Xi tilted her head and smiled, teasing him. “Fourth Brother, this is the first time I’ve ever seen you care so much about someone.”

Gu Yao let out a soft sigh and leaned back in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m worried.”

“You can’t rush this. You have to give Xiao Jin a little more time.” Lin Xi fastened her seatbelt and said, “Let’s go.”

“Where to?” Gu Yao turned to look at her.

“Take me to Longcheng Film Base. My team has an interview.” Lin Xi raised an eyebrow at him. “Anyway, you can’t go up there right now, and I’ll give you some advice on the way.”

Gu Yao started the car, and the two of them headed for the film base.

“Fourth Brother, do you know what Xiao Jin needs most right now?” Though Lin Xi was speaking to him, she was still holding her phone and reading it. Mi Ya had already sent her the interview schedule for later, so she wanted to familiarize herself with it first.

“What is it?” Gu Yao was genuinely somewhat puzzled. But his younger sister was also a girl; she would surely understand a woman’s heart better.

Lin Xi set her phone down for the moment and answered very seriously. “Xiao Jin is too insecure. What she needs is your unwavering choice. At a time like this, you must not show the slightest hesitation. You need to tell the whole world that she is your girl. You are the source of Xiao Jin’s courage. As long as you’re firm enough, she’ll have the confidence to face any criticism.”

Gu Yao listened intently to Lin Xi’s analysis and nodded solemnly. He understood.

“Also,” Lin Xi said, picking up a carton of milk from the car, inserting a straw and taking a sip, “Fourth Brother, do you remember when you asked me to go with you to the hospital to visit Xiao Jin’s grandmother, and promised me one condition?”

“I remember.” Gu Yao nodded. He had never forgotten a promise made to his sister. “Have you thought of the condition now? Say it. Big brother will help you fulfill it.”

He had already begun to see a way through Wen Jin’s matter, so he was no longer so uneasy.

“My condition is simple to say, and hard to do.” Lin Xi smiled faintly, keeping him in suspense.

Gu Yao grew curious and a little impatient. “So what is it?”

“My request is...” Lin Xi drew out the words, then said it at last: “You must never let Xiao Jin down.”

Gu Yao froze at the words. He had not expected that to be Lin Xi’s condition.

After a long moment, Gu Yao finally turned his head and smiled, as if sighing in admiration. “My little sister has grown up...”

“You only just noticed?” Lin Xi pouted; her brothers still treated her like a child.

“You must treat Wen Jin well. She’s a good girl.” Lin Xi still felt the need to tell Gu Yao this.

“Of course I know that. She’s mine. If I’m not good to her, then who should I be good to?” Gu Yao said, his tone beyond doubt.

He turned to look at his sister again. This little girl, who had always grown up under the wings and protection of her brothers, had finally learned how to support and protect them in her own way.

Gu Yao laughed freely, and with unmistakable pride said, “My little sister is a good girl too!”

Lin Xi could not help but smile. Without a trace of modesty, she replied, “Of course I am!”

The siblings smiled at one another.

After dropping Lin Xi off at the film base, Gu Yao hurried straight to the company. After discussing everything carefully with Zhou Xin, he updated his page on Weibo once more.

Gu Yao V: I am not gentle. I can be extreme, I can curse, I can fight. I am not rational. But for her, I will slowly change all these faults. You don’t know how much I like her—my liking for her surpasses everything. You don’t know how much my heart aches for her, until tears fall and my chest turns cold. Why attack my girl? She is mine. From her hair to her fingertips, every inch of her is something I want to possess, and I do not want anyone to hurt the love I hold. In this lifetime, she is the only one for me. @Wen Jin

Below the post was also a link to a song, an old number from long ago, called "Love Unreturned." It sang of the pain and sorrow of two people who love each other yet cannot be together because of all manner of reasons, using the most sincere lyrics to tell of the regret and helplessness of loving without being loved in return.

As soon as this post went up, the online traffic surged to unprecedented heights. Almost all the gossip-hungry netizens seemed to have had a sudden awakening of conscience overnight, and public opinion began to reverse. Perhaps this matter had stirred up each person’s own hidden memories—the story of youth that had once belonged only to them.

@The Fool Who Loves Brother Yao Most: Waaah, I’m going to cry. Reading Brother Yao’s words while listening to "Love Unreturned" has shattered my heart into pieces. I’m not against it anymore! I support Brother Yao dating! Two people who love each other belong together! Overcome every obstacle!

@Are You Really Happy: So how many fated lovers have been pushed to their deaths by the pressure of public opinion? I support Brother Yao. Love should be pursued bravely! That’s what a real man should do to protect the woman he loves! Miss the chance and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.

@Our Tomorrow: Support, support! Love should be passionate and open! If you can’t even boldly say you love someone, then what is the point of living? Do what fits your age. If it’s time to date, then date! Fans shouldn’t think too highly of themselves either. Everyone is living for themselves!

@Lu Seventeen: He’s not exactly young anymore—almost thirty. It’s time someone shared his life with him. We’ll still stand by Brother Yao. We are his support. We became fans of Brother Yao because he was straightforward and real. We only hope he can be happy, free, and always himself!

The comment section, which had originally been full of opposition, suddenly turned encouraging and supportive, peaceful and warm. Perhaps that is the power of loving someone.

Maybe we will meet someone extraordinarily wonderful, someone far out of our reach. But we must have enough courage to try, so that we leave no regret behind.