When they first met, Fang Tong was a newcomer, while Xiao Yinwan was an obscure, third-tier or fourth-tier actress who only made a one-minute appearance as a voiceless, motionless background prop in that movie.
Later on, Xiao Yinwan starred in a television drama and gained a bit of fame, making her practically a second-tier star nowadays.
After Fang Tong sent her the message, a long time passed before Xiao Yinwan finally replied: [The event just ended and I still have some follow-up work, but I'm free at noon. Can we have lunch together?]
Fang Tong: [Okay.]
Xiao Yinwan sent a restaurant location and left the name of the private dining room.
The restaurant wasn't far from here, just a ten-minute walk.
It was still early, so Fang Tong didn't rush over, choosing to wander around leisurely instead.
The high-end malls in this area were filled entirely with internationally renowned brands, along with quite a few bespoke private tailoring shops.
Among them was the very shop where Xu Yizhi had custom-made a gown for her last time.
That was also one of the rare occasions when Xu Yizhi had taken her out during his busy schedule; after they finished ordering the gown, they even dined at the Michelin-starred restaurant upstairs.
It was because, after a medical examination, she still hadn't gotten pregnant, and Li Jintang had strong opinions about it, stating right in front of Grandma Xu that if she still didn't conceive, he would make Xu Yizhi divorce her.
In truth, her heart had already grown cold back then—partly because of the Xu family's attitude, and even more so because of Xu Yizhi's indifference toward her.
Yet on that day, Xu Yizhi had said: "Since I married you, I will certainly take responsibility for you."
How ironic it was. He had made it so obvious that it was merely responsibility rather than genuine affection, yet she had still clung to her fantasies.
Unawares, Fang Tong had arrived at the entrance of the bespoke tailoring shop. Inside the glass windows, several mannequins wore various gorgeous garments—evening gowns on one side, casual wear on the other.
She felt a brief sense of disorientation and turned her head away to avoid looking, only to catch sight of two figures inside the sightseeing elevator.
It was Xu Yizhi and Sun Qing.
From this angle, Fang Tong could only see Xu Yizhi's profile and half of Sun Qing's body. His other hand was raised, and though she couldn't clearly see what he was doing, Fang Tong had an ungrounded feeling that his hand was shielding Sun Qing's shoulder as if to protect her from being bumped.
A stinging sensation hit the bridge of Fang Tong's nose, and she quickly walked in the opposite direction.
She knew that Sun Qing would always be Xu Yizhi's exception.
Married to him for three years, she had never once shared an anniversary, birthday, or holiday with him; he was always busy.
Yet he had the time to accompany Sun Qing shopping and dining, and even found the time to personally brew porridge for her.
As for that gown she had managed to get him to custom-make for her, it had later ended up worn on Sun Qing's body.
As it was now lunchtime, Fang Tong headed straight to the restaurant.
Xiao Yinwan was extremely enthusiastic. Upon seeing Fang Tong, she immediately stepped forward and hugged her. "Tongtong, it really has been a long time. Why do you look like you've lost weight?"
Fang Tong gave a small smile. "I was sick a while ago, but I'm all better now."
"Then you must eat more and build your strength back up." Xiao Yinwan dished food onto her plate, chatting warmly and attentively about everyday matters.
Fang Tong's original intention in seeking out Xiao Yinwan was to have her introduce some resources, but once they were actually sitting together, she found herself completely unable to bring it up.
In the end, it was Xiao Yinwan who brought it up first: "Speaking of which, there's actually a favor I'd like to ask of you. I heard that ML, the high-end luxury fashion brand under your Chuangsheng, is changing its spokesperson next year, and my manager has been communicating with them. Tongtong, do you think you could put in a good word with President Xu..."
Xu Yizhi didn't care about such minor matters, but if he spoke up, the people beneath him wouldn't dare ignore it.
Fang Tong, however, fell silent. Putting aside the fact that she was currently about to divorce Xu Yizhi, even in the past, Xu Yizhi had never allowed her to meddle in any of the group's affairs.
In Xu Yizhi's eyes, she was a person lacking education and capability, suited only to stay at home as a pretty vase.
Xiao Yinwan was adept at reading expressions. Seeing this, she smiled and said, "Oh, I'm just talking nonsense, don't mind me, Tongtong. I only asked on a whim, I didn't mean to put you on the spot."
"Yinwan, thank you for understanding." Fang Tong looked at her with gratitude.
Xiao Yinwan's eyes flickered. "We're best friends, aren't we! Come, come, this chicken soup is stewed quite well, have some more."
It was rare for Fang Tong to have an appetite; after eating a little more, she finally mustered the courage to say, "Yinwan, actually, there is one more thing I wanted to ask your help with today."
Xiao Yinwan generously replied, "Just say whatever it is, don't be so formal! As long as it's something I can help with, I definitely will!"
"I... plan to make a comeback, and I wanted to ask if you could introduce some resources to me. I have no demands at all, as long as it's a legitimate production!"
Connections were important among actors, and mutual introductions to resources were very common. Besides, the current Fang Tong wasn't picky at all; she was willing to take even the smallest of roles.
Given Fang Tong's past popularity, even with all the negative rumors surrounding her, quite a few production crews would still be willing to cast her.
Yet the moment Fang Tong finished speaking, Xiao Yinwan's expression changed. She abruptly pulled back the hand she had been holding and stared at her in disbelief.
"Yinwan?" Fang Tong looked at her in bewilderment.
Xiao Yinwan furrowed her brows. "There have always been rumors online saying that your marriage with Xu Yizhi wouldn't last. Now that you're making a comeback, could the rumors be true—did you two get a divorce?"
Fang Tong didn't want to answer, but she didn't want to lie either, so she chose to remain silent.
"What a complete waste of time!"
Realizing what her silence meant, Xiao Yinwan sprang to her feet, her tone losing its previous gentleness and turning sharp.
"Who do you think you are? Without President Xu as your wealthy husband, you're nothing at all."
"With the likes of you, you still expect me to give you resources? Who do you think you are!"
Calling for her assistant, Xiao Yinwan turned and walked away without looking back, muttering as she went:
"Tell the paparazzi not to bother taking pictures. I originally planned to leak photos of us having a meal together to let people know our connection, and then have my manager go lobby at ML—that endorsement would have been in the bag. Now that she's in this state, what's even the point of taking pictures..."
As she walked away, her voice grew fainter and fainter, leaving Fang Tong feeling as though she had plunged into an icy abyss.
The friend she thought she had wasn't a real friend after all.
Xiao Yinwan had only associated with her because she was Xu Yizhi's wife and possessed utilitarian value.
How laughable, truly laughable. Everyone's kindness toward her had entirely been on account of Xu Yizhi.
How deeply she had once loved Xu Yizhi, and how utterly exhausted and distressed she felt now.
When was it that she had lost everything, even losing herself?
No, she had never truly possessed anything, nor had she ever had a self of her own.
Ever since her parents abandoned her at her uncle's house, she had been someone living under someone else's roof.
From beginning to end, she had never had a home of her own, nor any family or friends.
Her WeChat buzzed with a notification. Suppressing the grievance and heartache churning inside her, Fang Tong opened it to find a screenshot and a message sent by Xu Yizhi.
The screenshot showed Fang Chenchen demanding money from Xu Yizhi—demanding twenty million yuan right off the bat!
The message read: [Come back and apologize.]
In that instant, Fang Tong felt an urge to smash her phone to pieces.