Chapter 75 Because no one deserves to be treated like this.

Gu Manman looked down at her watch and saw that there was still half an hour left before the afternoon shooting.

I accidentally caught a glimpse of Lin Xiao walking up the stairs.

Lin Xiao's eyes were empty, her steps were unsteady, and she looked distraught, completely different from her usual self.

Although she and Lin Xiao had a bad relationship and were incompatible, she still felt a little uneasy when she saw the other person's appearance.

Especially after experiencing the incident with Mrs. Zhong, Lin Xiao's mental state obviously became extremely unstable.

Gu Manman hesitated for a moment, but still followed.

She didn't know what Lin Xiao was doing on the top floor, but her intuition told her that she had to go over and take a look.

The sound of two footsteps, one heavy, the other light, echoed in the stairwell.

Lin Xiao was immersed in his own world and didn't notice someone following him.

When Gu Manman pushed open the iron door leading to the top floor, she saw Lin Xiao sitting on the edge of the concrete balcony with his legs dangling in the air.

Gu Manman's heart skipped a beat.

"Lin Xiao!"

Lin Xiao turned around and saw Gu Manman. He was stunned for a moment: "Don't worry, I'm not going to jump off the building."

"I'm not that useless yet."

Gu Manman breathed a sigh of relief, walked to her side and leaned against the concrete railing beside her.

There was a strange silence between the two of them.

The city outline in the distance appeared blurry and distant in the afternoon sun.

The wind blew, bringing a cool breeze and the smell of dust.

"Why did you follow me?" Lin Xiao suddenly asked, "Are you here to see me make fun of you?"

Gu Manman shook her head: "I'm just worried that something might happen to you."

"Worried about me?" Lin Xiao sneered, tears falling uncontrollably, "Gu Manman, do you know? I really hate you."

She used the back of her hand to wipe away the tears on her face, but it was as if a floodgate had been opened, and more tears flowed out: "You easily have everything I desperately want. Talent, dignity, freedom... and so many people are truly kind to you."

Gu Manman did not refute, but just listened quietly.

"Do you know how I got into the industry?" Lin Xiao's voice became even more bitter. "In my junior year, I was discovered by a talent scout. He said I had potential and could introduce me to some big directors in the industry."

"My family was so poor at that time. Creditors came to our house every day to collect debts. We couldn't even afford to eat."

"My parents pushed me forward even though they knew there was a trap ahead."

"Then they took me to a private party. The wine was spiked..."

At this point, Lin Xiao's voice began to tremble: "When I woke up, Mr. Zhong was next to me. He said that if I want to make it in this circle, I have to be obedient. He will give me resources and roles, but in exchange..."

"I called home crying and wanted to quit the entertainment industry."

"But my mother was extremely happy. She said that the talent scout had arranged for me to play the second female lead in Glory and asked me when I could meet the male lead."

"Then I understood that this circle is like a besieged city. It's too difficult to get out after entering." Lin Xiao raised his hand to gather his hair. "Every time I get a role, every time I appear on the hot search, there are...unspeakable deals behind it."

Gu Manman felt nauseous and her stomach was churning.

She had long noticed the abnormal relationship between Lin Xiao and Mr. Zhong, but she didn't expect there was such a disgusting story behind it.

"From then on, I became their plaything."

Lin Xiao couldn't stop crying. "I told myself that it would pass if I just endured it. As long as I could become famous, I would be able to get rid of them one day."

The sunlight shone on her face. Lin Xiao had scars on her chin and nose, which were traces of plastic surgery.

"Do you know how painful plastic surgery is?" Lin Xiao laughed at himself. "When the bones are cut, your whole body is anesthetized, but your consciousness is very clear. You can feel the blade scratching your skin and hear the sound of the bones being sawed."

She touched her face gently. "The recovery period was even more painful. My whole face was swollen like a pig's head. It was difficult to even eat. But I gritted my teeth and got through it because I believed that as long as I became beautiful enough, I would get more opportunities."

Gu Manman didn't know what to say.

She had never experienced such pain, and she couldn't imagine how much Lin Xiao had endured over the years.

"I thought that as long as I worked hard enough, I would be able to gain a foothold with my acting skills one day." Lin Xiao's voice gradually became lower, "But now... Mr. Zhong is tired of playing with me, so he lets his wife humiliate me."

She turned her head and looked directly into Gu Manman's eyes: "Do you know what's the most ironic thing? When his wife came to the crew to make trouble, he was watching at home and giving her advice. He uses this trick with every toy that he is about to discard. If he doesn't want it anymore, he takes it out on his wife."

"This way, these playthings won't dare to bother him anymore, and he can even save on the breakup fee."

Gu Manman was shocked.

"So," Lin Xiao's smile was uglier than crying, "I hate you, the chosen ones, who have everything so easily. But I hate myself even more. I hate my naivety and stupidity back then, and I hate my powerlessness now."

"You know what? I love Zhou Mubai. I have loved him since college. I used to think that when I became famous and successful, maybe one day I could stand beside him openly."

"But I am not worthy of him at all. He is so clean and I am so dirty."

Gu Manman took a deep breath and walked over to Lin Xiao and sat down.

The two women who were at loggerheads with each other on the set were now sitting side by side quietly, overlooking the city in the distance.

"You don't have to hate yourself." Gu Manman said softly, "You just made the best choice within your ability."

Lin Xiao raised her head, her face full of tears: "Don't you think I'm cheap? For the role, for the resources, I sold my dignity and body."

Gu Manman shook her head: "In this world, everyone has their own way of survival. I am not qualified to judge your choice."

She paused and continued, "But Lin Xiao, things are different now. You already have a certain amount of fame and experience, and you can start to be your true self."

"It's too late." Lin Xiao lowered his head, "They won't let me go."

Gu Manman pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought about getting rid of their control?"

Lin Xiao was stunned, as if he had never thought of such a possibility: "I..."

"We can try if you want."

Lin Xiao looked at her in disbelief: "Why? After I did so many excessive things to you, you still want to help me?"

Gu Manman stood up and patted the dust off her skirt: "Because no one should be treated like this. No matter who it is."

What's more, the man named Zhong has already set his sights on her.

"Let's go, we have a scene to shoot this afternoon."

"Thank you." Lin Xiao said softly, with a sincerity in his voice that he had not had in years.

These two completely different women seem to have found some delicate balance because of the same enemy.