156: Defense Mechanism

Defense Mechanism

"Yes, what is it?" Liang Chen withdrew her hand and fluffed her hair. Her tone was slightly cooler now; she was clearly not as friendly as she had been previously.1

Yan Huan took hold of Little Bean's paw and waved it at Liang Chen.

"Senior, if you like him, you should tell him. He'll never know how you feel about him if you don't put it into words. And I can tell that he has feelings for you, too."

Yan Huan had recalled certain memories from her previous life. Previously, Liang Chen had retired from showbiz at the age of 35, for no apparent reason. Around the same time, there had been gossip about Qi Haolin getting together with a different woman. Qi Haolin had eventually broken up with his rumored girlfriend, but had stayed single after that. Before her untimely demise, Yan Huan had heard that Qi Haolin had started doing drugs, effectively ruining his life and reputation. And he had never gotten together with another woman. As for Liang Chen, she had not appeared in public again after quitting the industry.

There was a kind of easygoing understanding between Liang Chen and Qi Haolin, a kind of natural chemistry, and Yan Huan knew there had to be something to it. She was sure that Qi Haolin had feelings for Liang Chen that went beyond simple respect for his senior at his agency.

As for Liang Chen, well, only another woman would be able to understand what she was feeling inside. And Yan Huan was a woman.

She understood perfectly: women sometimes kept their distance from the men they liked to protect themselves from. It was a defense mechanism; they could not help staying away, even though deep down they wanted only to be with the person they loved.

Liang Chen was momentarily stunned to hear Yan Huan's advice. Suddenly, she laughed, and pulled Yan Huan into a hug. "Thank you, my dear little sister."

The words "little sister" made Yan Huan feel a little shy and embarrassed. Physically, she was 20, but mentally she was actually not much younger than Liang Chen. She did not know what lay ahead in Liang Chen and Qi Haolin's future; the entertainment industry was, by nature, full of smoke and mirrors. It was difficult to differentiate truth from fiction in showbiz, but she knew that the truth, once found, had to be cherished.

Would they be able to get together? She did not know. That would depend on fate.

Would their love last forever? She did not know that either. That would depend on how committed they were to making it last.

Yan Huan hurried back to her apartment in Sea City, with Little Bean in her arms. Little Bean obediently nestled her tiny, fluffy head against her owner's chest the entire journey, and did not make a fuss. Yi Ling had fed Little Bean with a ham sausage beforehand, knowing that the lazy cat usually went to sleep after eating her fill.

Two chauffeurs had to take turns driving, as it was a 5-hour car ride to get back to Sea City from the movie set. They would reach home before dark. Yan Huan did not mind the long journey; she only wanted to get home as soon as possible.

When they finally arrived, Yi Ling opened the door and kicked her shoes to the side. She stretched herself, and flopped onto the sofa. "At last! There's just no place like home!"

Yan Huan set Little Bean on the floor. Little Bean automatically jumped onto the sofa, nestled herself against Yi Ling's hand, and went to sleep.

Yi Ling stroked Little Bean's tiny ears. She did not feel like getting up either.

Yan Huan took no notice of them. She had to go to sleep; she was exhausted.

She fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was not a restful sleep, however; she drifted in and out of sleep the entire night. At last, when she found herself unable to go back to sleep again, she decided it was time to get up. It was the next morning.

She got up and changed out of her pajamas. She walked into the living room, and saw Little Bean curled up in her cat nest. The apartment was warm and comfortable, thanks to the heater beside Little Bean's cat nest.

Yan Huan went to the window. She opened the curtains, and had to shield her eyes at the brilliant expanse of white.

It had snowed during the night. She leaned her face against the window and watched her warm breath mist upon the frosty glass.

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