The fourth one was with Sister Liu Mian.
She was a top actress, a senior.
Back then, he had already been dragged through the mud so badly that it was unbearable to look at, and his resources were nearly gone.
At a banquet, the two of them were arranged to sit together.
Through casual, polite small talk, they gradually became familiar with each other.
She understood his bitterness and sympathized with what he had been through.
One drunken night, something happened that should never have happened.
Only then did he realize she was nothing like what the outside world said she was.
He swore he would treat her well for the rest of his life, but it turned out it was all just wishful thinking.
Work came first for her; her career mattered far more than love.
He was just an unnamed lover, or maybe only a “friend.”
Heartbroken, he left a letter, and the two of them never contacted each other again.
This time, it could not exactly be said that she dumped him, but he was the one who got hurt the worst.
Then he met Xiao Nuan.
Surely no one could be that unlucky — several relationships, and not one of them ending well.
When he was little, his mother always told him that when he grew up, everyone would meet the girl from their own fairy tale.
He was already this old; it should have been his turn.
Xiao Nuan was the one who had always warmed his heart.
She was gentle and warm.
She considered his feelings in everything, without the slightest trace of the temper or willfulness a young girl might have.
He cooked her chicken soup, and though it tasted only average, she happily drank it all.
Whatever he said, she believed, admiring him endlessly.
With a girlfriend like that, what more could he possibly ask for?
After autumn arrived in Jinghai, it turned cold. Li Lu carefully dressed himself up, making sure even professional paparazzi would not recognize him.
At one corner of Han River Bridge, a tour van was parked beside him.
“Brother Lu.”
A sweet and pretty figure jumped out of the car, her little hand naturally slipping into his pocket.
But the van did not leave immediately; instead, it slowly moved along the roadside.
“Xiao Nuan.”
Li Lu pulled her into his arms. The two used to come here often for walks at night.
Just like now, under the dim yellow streetlights, enjoying the quiet romance.
“Brother, this is for you.”
Su Nuan hugged him tightly for a while, then gently pushed him away and took a check out of her pocket.
“What does this mean?”
Li Lu’s face darkened; he had a bad feeling.
“It’s the money you spent voting for me in the rankings last time.”
“Why would I want your money? Where did this money come from?”
She had only been in the industry for two years. Even if she had earned quite a lot, there was no way she could have taken out this much at once.
“This was the signing bonus the company gave me today. I can’t let you pay for the rankings.”
Xiao Nuan felt a little sad.
The last TV drama had successfully secured her footing among the rising new first-tier actresses, and the company had signed a new contract with her today.
The penalty was sky-high, and the restrictions in all areas were even stricter.
For example, dating had to be approved by the company.
At the same time, her resources were starting to reach the top tier; she had finally clawed her way out.
“Keep it. There are plenty of things a female celebrity needs money for.
Spending money on my girlfriend is only natural.”
Li Lu simply would not take it. He was an adult; you don’t ask for a tip back after you’ve given it.
“Brother, let’s break up.”
With a crack, a thunderbolt exploded in Li Lu’s head. What he feared most had come true.
What was that law again?
“I’m sorry, I…”
“No need to say more. I understand.”
Li Lu did not want to listen anymore. What was the point of saying all this now?
He was not some clueless rookie. Just as Sun Xiang had said, it was something any normal person knew.
Tears immediately fell in large drops from Su Nuan’s eyes, and she forced the check into his hand.
She was no longer his girlfriend now.
“I don’t need this little bit of money. I wish you a bright future and a road full of blossoms from now on.”
Li Lu took the check, folded it in half, and tore it apart.
Back and forth a few times, and it was shredded into pieces.
Su Nuan threw herself into his arms, gently rubbing her face against his.
She took a deep breath, no longer lingering, and turned to run toward the tour van ahead.
The driver had never left; he had been parked several dozen meters away the whole time.
The car started up and slowly accelerated.
“Xiao Nuan, did you make it clear?”
“Mm.”
Inside the car, the agent held her artist and gently patted her back to comfort her.
“He took the money, right?”
“Brother, he won’t, he won’t take my money.”
Su Nuan was choking up so badly she could barely speak, her words coming out in broken pieces.
“You’re such a fool. Money has to be settled clearly. That five million is nothing.
No, let me get out. If it’s not settled now, he’ll ruin you later.”
“Don’t go. You don’t understand him.”
Su Nuan held her back. Brother was a bit chauvinistic and a little foolish.
“Fine, fine, fine, don’t cry.
Once you make a name for yourself in the industry later, you can pick any good man you want.”
The agent could only coax her along for now. Her artist seemed weak, but in truth she had a very firm mind.
“Once I make money later, I’ll come back to find him.
He said he would take me horse riding and sheep herding, to watch the sunrise and sunset.”
“Okay, okay, whatever you say.”
The agent wiped her tears. Silly girl, how many men have you even met?
Once you’ve seen the splendors of the world, that rotten man will be long forgotten.
Li Lu’s mood had steadied quite a bit. All that shouting just now only made him look like some pitiful wretch. I am not that pathetic.
“Xiao Nuan, you have to be happy. You absolutely have to be happy!”
He ran after her at a quick pace, shouting loudly in the direction she had gone.
The tour van quickly disappeared from view. He did not know whether she had heard him.
“Hey, bro, does being a simp feel good?”
A fat man riding a sports bike grinned as he rode up in front of him.
He had just watched a good show and was having a great laugh.
This scenario, I know it well.
“Get lost. Do I look like a simp to you?”
Li Lu had no patience for the fat man at all. He hopped down from the railing, acting as if he was about to beat him up.
“Oh, so you’re a simp, and you still won’t let people say it?”
The fat man pedaled hard, and the bicycle sped forward.
“Scram. Have you ever seen a simp who looks like me?
The next one will be even more obedient, the next one better, the next one even more well-behaved!”
Li Lu cursed loudly a few times, but he still did not catch up with the fat bastard.
He strolled to the side of the bridge. There were still a few scattered tourists at night.
Looking at the river view in the distance, with flickering lights, it was quiet and peaceful.
He suddenly felt like smoking a cigarette. It had been many years since he had touched that stuff.
At times like this, one would do. The taste did not matter; he was smoking out of loneliness.
“Hey, look, he’s been slumped over there for ages. Isn’t he thinking of jumping into the river?”
The words of a young couple not far away drifted into his ears.
Li Lu wanted to laugh. Was he really that miserable?
Jump into the river? How ridiculous.
His father and mother were still waiting for him to complete the family mission and give them an heir!
“Ah, he’s going to jump! Hurry and pull him back!”
The girl screamed. Li Lu froze. He had not moved at all.
Splash