Chapter 72 She Doesn't Understand

Turning to the side, he said earnestly, "Luo Luo, the reason they're considering you this time is because you've never had a romantic scandal since you debuted. You should be able to understand their thinking, right? Once bitten, twice shy."

That makes sense, but Jiang Luo couldn't bring herself to agree. "But Luo Nan didn't do anything wrong, so why replace her? Just because of those photos?"

She was somewhat dissatisfied, and even though she knew she shouldn't vent her frustrations on Lin Heng, she couldn't help but raise her voice.

She didn't understand.

Luo Nan is clearly a victim, so why should she suffer the punishment that the perpetrator should receive?

She didn't understand.

Why are perpetrators able to get away with it, standing on high ground looking down on their victims?

She doesn't understand!

“It’s not that the production team wants to replace her,” Lin Heng explained, “it’s that she’s in a condition where she can’t join the crew. She attempted suicide yesterday but was rescued, and she won’t be able to work for a while. The entire project can’t be halted for one person, and besides, her role isn’t very big or important.”

Softening his tone, Lin Heng continued, "Before accepting this role, I spoke with her agent on the phone, and the agent was understanding, so you shouldn't feel any pressure. This matter has nothing to do with you. If you really want to help her, you should act well. She certainly doesn't want this role to be handled badly in the end, as that might bring her even more criticism."

Lin Heng's words make sense.

Jiang Luo nodded slowly.

Her throat was dry and hoarse, as if a fishbone was stuck in her throat.

She and Luo Nan weren't exactly close; at most, they had crossed paths in other film crews before. As for the depth of their relationship, they had at most exchanged nods when they bumped into each other at parties, and that was it.

Even though they were just casual acquaintances, she was heartbroken and couldn't breathe when she heard the news, let alone Luo Nan herself.

It must be worse than death.

That must be why he had the thought of suicide.

Silence fell over the car; it was so quiet you could hear everyone breathing.

Jiang Luo and Lin Heng sat facing each other in a solemn manner, neither of them speaking.

A solemn atmosphere permeated the air, like a summer afternoon before a rainstorm, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Halfway there, Lin Heng spoke again.

He asked Jiang Luo, "What's the situation between you and He Ziyan now?"

Jiang Luo tensed up for a moment as she lifted her eyelids.

Just as they finished discussing Luo Nan's matter, Lin Heng brought up He Ziyan, which made her somewhat apprehensive.

“We… are just colleagues.” Jiang Luo lowered her face awkwardly.

She was lying, but Lin Heng could see through it at a glance.

He glanced at Jiang Luo, noticing her head was down and she seemed a little nervous. He then looked at her hands, which were clasped together, her thumbs interlaced and rubbing together.

Lin Heng had made up his mind.

After a moment of contemplation, he spoke again, first apologizing: "I used to ship you two, it was unprofessional of me, you know, I completely treat you like my little sister. Some of the things I said to you before were indeed too casual, they were all jokes. But I shouldn't have made those jokes with you, it was my fault, I apologize to you."

A softened tone is the usual way elders apologize to younger people.

Jiang Luo's eyelids twitched, and she turned her face to look at him.

Lin Heng was staring at her.

The interior of the car was dimly lit, and a dark cloud seemed to hang over everyone's expressions.

Based on her long-standing tacit understanding with Lin Heng, Jiang Luo judged that Lin Heng was using a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement.

The excitement that had been building up over the past few days with He Ziyan plummeted to rock bottom at this moment.

Jiang Luo withdrew her hands and instead crossed her arms. "I understand."

She didn't utter a single word in rebuttal, nor did she delve into the meaning behind Lin Heng's words.

No need to dig deeper.

Lin Heng's meaning was very clear.

He was going to take back all the things he had said before that supported Jiang Luo and He Ziyan being together.

He doesn't support Jiang Luo and He Ziyan being together.

Perhaps, they no longer support Jiang Luo dating.

Everything is unclear.

A wave of weariness washed over Jiang Luo; she was exhausted.

It's like an ancient well that has been drained, leaving only an empty void.

She always unconditionally trusted Lin Heng and unconditionally obeyed his arrangements.

Besides, nothing has really happened between her and He Ziyan yet; they are still in the stage of developing mutual affection. There is no need for her to cause trouble with Lin Hengsheng for He Ziyan's sake.

However, a sense of resentment was stirring within her.

Caught between two choices and at her wit's end, she wanted to escape.

If you can't get over a hurdle, you'll try to go around it.

Unfortunately, Lin Heng wouldn't let her have her way.

"Luo Luo, if you're already in a relationship, I won't ask you to break up. I can't do that. I know you have feelings for He Ziyan, I can tell, but these feelings are just a halo effect. You live under the same roof, spending every day together, and he really is so outstanding, I can understand why you have feelings for him."

"But Luo Luo, don't forget, He Ziyan is two years younger than you. His age is inherently an unstable factor. As for you, your career is just starting to recover, and right now, time is the most important thing for you. You're racing against time to make up for lost time. If you date now and it works out, it'll just mean having a family, but I know, Luo Luo, you're not the kind of girl who's content to stay in a small family. If it fails and you and He Ziyan don't end up together, then you don't need to waste your time on that. On the one hand, dating now will do you more harm than good."

"Luo Luo, you need to understand one thing: you're on this variety show to create a CP with He Ziyan, not to actually date him. It's not the same thing. Once your resources return to what they were before, then you can date. I'll support you then."

...

Lin Heng talked a lot, and Jiang Luo's head was completely filled with words.

He repeatedly brandished his weapon, leaving Jiang Luo with no way to avoid it.

In the past, she wouldn't have said a word.

Her relationship with Lin Heng has always been like this: she gives herself completely, and Lin Heng works tirelessly for her.

Symbiosis, win-win.

For Jiang Luo, Lin Heng was no different from family.

During her most difficult time, it was Lin Heng who went out of his way to help her.

In order to help Jiang Luo get access to resources, Lin Heng begged countless people, lowered his stance, and abandoned all pride.

Jiang Luo remembers every effort he makes.

However, she still couldn't resist.

Jiang Luo suddenly retorted, "Why can't you have both dating and work?"

This question left Lin Heng completely bewildered.

Jiang Luo would never speak to him in this tone, never.

He always gets to say whatever he says.

Perhaps, in most other artists and their agents, there is a system of checks and balances, with the artist taking the lead and the agent playing a supporting role.

But between him and Jiang Luo, he was always the general, and Jiang Luo was the most loyal soldier.

Now, his most loyal soldier is asking him why.

Jiang Luo's face was already rather sharp. Previously, he had always been obedient to him and appeared quite docile. Now, he felt an aura as sharp as a dagger.

The temperature inside the car suddenly dropped.

The driver in front pursed his lips, remaining silent as if terrified.

After a long silence, Lin Heng stared at Jiang Luo and asked, "You like him?"

It directly addresses the pain points.