The Security Guard Who Won the Heart of the Unattainable Actress - Chapter 44.2

Chapter 44.2

Because when her name and Ran Mingyue’s were placed side-by-side, she was always the one who would be attacked by fans and asked to stay away from Ran Mingyue.

Ran Mingyue had never been attacked like this; she couldn’t experience this aftereffect.

Li Guang had recovered from the initial shock. She knew she still had to go back and couldn’t stay at Ran Mingyue’s house forever.

Li Guang took out her phone and saw that the screen displayed a huge number of messages.

“Just because of that,” Li Guang nodded. The more important reason was that she didn’t want Ran Mingyue to worry so much about her affairs.

“Stop, you’re not allowed to leave,” Ran Mingyue clearly wanted to solve the problem together with Li Guang, but Li Guang’s attitude was resistant.

She felt confused: “Why? Why is your first thought, when facing something like this, to leave and face it alone?”

“I chose the simplest way,” Li Guang said. “This way, you won’t have any worries.”

Ran Mingyue said, “Li Guang, that’s never what I needed. What do you care about? Since… since we aren’t even together, why are you worrying about me?”

She kept walking with Li Guang. Li Guang couldn’t change her clothes, so she just went back to the room, grabbed her jacket, and headed downstairs.

Ran Mingyue hoped Li Guang would stay, like an answer to her hope. But she also knew she couldn’t force Li Guang to stay.

She also had more questions she wanted to ask, and she didn’t know how to get the answers.

Standing at the doorway, Li Guang looked at the clean tops of her shoes, pressing her lips together and remaining silent. She truly hadn’t moved forward, because Li Guang felt Ran Mingyue’s pressure dropping, so low it made it hard for her to breathe.

She wanted to say sorry, that she should have ignored everything else and chased after the paparazzi that night—that was what she should have done. But Li Guang only dared to look at the tips of her slippers, carefully choosing her words.

No matter how confused she was, Li Guang realized that her and Ran Mingyue’s attitudes toward the outside world were different.

Ran Mingyue said, “Say something.”

She was just standing there, unable to leave or stay. Ran Mingyue hadn’t even said anything harsh to Li Guang.

But seeing the girl so distraught, Ran Mingyue’s heart softened.

She walked down the stairs again and saw Li Guang pause at the doorway again. Her heart softened, and she calmed down a bit. She softened her voice and said, “Did I scare you? But what I said just now was a serious suggestion. Will you consider it?”

“No,” Li Guang said. “Staying here would be even more inconvenient.”

“Then what about my other suggestion?” Ran Mingyue asked. “I want you to seriously consider my suggestion, Li Guang. If we were together.”

Ran Mingyue paused and continued, “If we were together, everyone would know that this is nothing more than paparazzi rumors. That would be better.”

“…No, that won’t work. We can’t solve the problem this way,” Li Guang looked up. “Something as serious and formal as ‘being together’ cannot be used as a means to solve a problem. I don’t agree. That’s not right.”

“Is it this incident that you think is wrong, or is it my suggestion that you be with me that you think is wrong?” Ran Mingyue said. “Is it because you can’t accept me?”

“Why don’t you care about yourself?” Li Guang said loudly, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “If you announced that you were with me, do you know how much that would affect you? Not to mention you literally cannot have a scandal right now. Why are you only thinking about me?”

Li Guang spoke louder and louder, finally lowering her voice to reply, “How can you not consider yourself at all?”

She finished speaking quickly, bent down, and put on her shoes.

When she stood up again, Ran Mingyue said, “Because, as I just said, I don’t care about these things.”

“I care! And it’s because I care that I think it’s unacceptable!” Li Guang yelled, then opened the door and walked out, running into the cold wind.

She got outside the villa gate and glanced sideways, seeing Ran Mingyue still standing at the door.

She hadn’t moved.

Li Guang turned her head, closed the door, and wrapped her clothes tightly around herself as she ran into the wind.

It was much colder outside than she realized. Even the dim, warm streetlights offered no warmth.

She had been staying inside Ran Mingyue’s house, and only coming out now did she realize how cold it was, a cold that she wasn’t accustomed to.

Li Guang ran all the way to the staff dorms, stopping breathlessly to rest. Only now did she have time to check the messages on her phone.

Drunk Butterfly: “Did you see the trending topics?”

Drunk Butterfly: “That sneaky paparazzi should die!!! And spewing nonsense! What are you doing? Why haven’t you replied?”

And Wang Rou’s: “Your photos with Xiao Ran have been leaked. The production team’s PR department is following up. Don’t worry yet.”

Ji Yuan’s: “What’s going on??? Why is that paparazzi attacking you again? You’ve already quit the industry, so how did you provoke a paparazzi?”

Followed by another: “Don’t go look. It’s all trash. Wait for the public opinion to pass.”

Her internal security team chat had over 99 messages. Clicking in, she saw everyone talking about extra food in the cafeteria tonight.

They were even extending their business hours until 8:30 PM, calling it a winter welfare treat.

Liu Limin: There’s plenty of beer and melon seeds. The cafeteria is extending its hours tonight as a reward for everyone successfully completing the second episode. Steak hotpot is stewing. Anyone who hasn’t eaten or wants a late-night snack, hurry over. @All Staff]

Niu Donggua: [Image]

Chai Ning: “@NiuDonggua, Brother, can’t you eat a little less? Are you seriously not leaving any for little Li!”

Yang Meimei: “Brother Gua left some! The captain said there’s plenty. Little Li isn’t back yet. Does anyone know where she is? Call her to come eat.”

Luotuo: “You’re usually the most eager to eat. Chai Ning, aren’t you on shift with her? Call her over too.”

Chai Ning: “Poor little Li, she must be upset about the online stuff today. Otherwise, how could she not even want to eat?”

Wuma: “Didn’t the manager say not to discuss this? Don’t pressure her. What if she sees this later!”

“Chai Ning retracted a message”

“Wuma retracted a message”

Liu Limin: “If little Li really doesn’t come, pack a portion for her. I’ve already talked to the cafeteria big sister.”

Li Guang sat on the bed. There was no electric blanket or hot water bottle. She held her phone, reading everyone’s messages, and surprisingly didn’t feel cold.

After much deliberation, Li Guang decided to change her environment and mood.

Go to the cafeteria! Eat steak hotpot!

Only food could heal her mood right now.

When Li Guang arrived at the cafeteria, Wuma happened to be coming out to throw away empty beer bottles. He opened the door and saw Li Guang standing outside. He let out an “Yo!” put the bottles aside, and quickly welcomed Li Guang in. “Our V.I.P. is finally here.”

The people inside were colleagues she had been working with for a long time on the show. Li Guang knew they all knew about what happened online.

Li Guang still remembered the first day she worked, when Chai Ning jokingly said she looked like a celebrity. Now, seeing Li Guang, he pretended everything was normal: “Why are you so late?”

“I fell asleep in the dorm,” Li Guang managed a smile, and sat down in the warm atmosphere. Everyone else was drinking, with empty beer bottles in front of each person.

As soon as Li Guang arrived, Chai Ning and the other big brothers quickly cleared the beer bottles into an empty box, making a large space for Li Guang, and piled all the cold side dishes, peanuts, and melon seeds in front of her.

“Eat up!”

Li Guang felt like a child surrounded by snacks at the center table during Chinese New Year, especially when a huge bowl of meat appeared in front of her.

The bowl Chai Ning brought her could serve as a washbasin. Was this for eating? Li Guang was speechless looking at the mountain of meat in front of her.

Li Guang hadn’t checked her phone since she came in. Chai Ning and a few other big brothers exchanged glances, guessing that Li Guang had come straight after sleeping and had no idea what was happening online.

“You guys eat too. Why are you looking at me?” Li Guang bit off a large piece of meat, her cheeks stuffed. She squinted, “Wow, this is really delicious.”

The others relaxed and went back to drinking and eating meat.

Li Guang asked, “Why the sudden extra meal?”

“The production team added it, saying we worked hard during filming and deserve something good,” Chai Ning leaned close to Li Guang’s ear and whispered, “But I secretly asked Manager Liu, and he said Teacher Ran arranged it for us temporarily.”

Li Guang’s hand paused: “She arranged it?”

“Yeah, I think so. Didn’t you see the cafeteria is open so late tonight? It’s almost 8:30, and it’s because of the extra meal.”

The chunks of meat were so tender they melted off the bone with a slight suck. Li Guang stopped chewing, staring at Brother Wuma’s beer bottle across the table, and tears poured into her bowl.

“What’s wrong! What’s wrong?” Wuma was startled, thinking Li Guang didn’t like him drinking. He slammed the beer bottle down.

“You all know?” Li Guang’s eyes were teary as she looked around at the group, not forgetting to swallow the mouthful of meat.

Rich and delicious.

“…Yes, yes,” Chai Ning awkwardly scratched the back of his head. “We all believe you’re not that kind of person. Don’t listen to what those people online are saying. It’s meaningless, okay? I’m telling you, eat more, and you’ll feel better.”

“I’m eating, but someone else hasn’t eaten yet,” Li Guang was sad, but sadness didn’t stop her from filling her stomach. Tears kept falling. She wasn’t sure if it was because of everyone’s kindness or because she remembered Ran Mingyue and their argument, or both.

“Who is it? Let’s pack it up for her. We have plenty here,” Niu Donggua had never seen Li Guang cry like this, snot and tears everywhere. He thought, She’s just a young girl after all. She must be truly heartbroken.

He handed over a tissue. “Your snot is going to get on the meat. Wipe it quickly.”

Chai Ning: “Brother Gua, if you can’t comfort her, just be quiet. Little Li is still eating. I’m losing my appetite.”

“Crying like this won’t help either. How about…” Niu Donggua said, “Little Sister, do you drink? A drink can drown your sorrows.”

Li Guang bawled two loud “Waaahs,” quickly wiped her snot and tears, and said, “No drinking, thank you. Brother Chai, Brother Gua, I think I got the answer to one thing wrong.”

“Tell us?” Chai Ning said. “It’s nothing serious, right? It’s you and Teacher Ran who were photographed. As long as Teacher Ran isn’t mad at you, it should be fine, right?”

Li Guang said, “Teacher Ran is already mad at me.”

Chai Ning’s chopsticks trembled. Wuma and Yang Meimei exchanged glances. Luotuo looked at Niu Donggua. Niu Donggua said, “Little Sister, are you overthinking? Did you eat too few peanuts while drinking? Here, have some.”

“I talked to her about this issue. She said she would handle it, and I said I would handle it, so we got into an argument,” Li Guang said with tearful distress. She rubbed the corner of her eye and pushed her hair to the other side. “I don’t understand. How could we argue?”

She kept seeing the image of Ran Mingyue standing at the door, watching her leave when she ran out.

She couldn’t think about it. Thinking about it made her sad.

Niu Donggua said, “Little Sister, that’s Teacher Ran! If Teacher Ran says she’ll handle it, why are you trying to handle it? You should just agree.”

Li Guang said, “The way she suggested is bad for herself. I didn’t agree.”

Wuma: “Then what’s your way, Little Guang?”

“She said my way is bad for me.” Li Guang put down her chopsticks. There was a takeaway container nearby. She picked it up and instinctively started putting food into it.

Someone still hasn’t eaten, she thought.

Chai Ning suddenly realized: “Then what are you arguing about? Aren’t you both trying to do what’s best for the other? Just choose a compromise! Or find a middleman to settle this. It’ll work out either way.”

Wuma took a big gulp of beer: “You argued with Teacher Ran? Will you be able to go back for the next episode, Little Sister?”

Niu Donggua said, “Little Sister, Teacher Ran paid for this late-night snack. Does it taste good?”

Yang Meimei suddenly asked, “I have a question, Little Guang. Is your relationship with Teacher Ran really good?”

Li Guang was just putting the lid on the insulated container. “We were desk mates in an advanced acting class two years ago.”

“Snap!” Niu Donggua slammed his hand on the table, startling everyone around the table.

“I knew those people online were talking nonsense! See! Little Guang really does know Teacher Ran! Wait, what? Desk mates? You knew each other two years ago?” Niu Donggua said, “Then Teacher Ran hung up on you! Why did she hang up on you?”

There was silence. Niu Donggua realized he had spoken out of turn and slapped his mouth. “Sorry, Teacher Ran.”

Chai Ning said, “…Brother, please eat a few more peanuts.”

“Hey? Where are you going? Are you full?” Chai Ning saw Li Guang walking out, chased after her, and handed her a pack of tissues. “Wipe your tears and snot. Are you going to see Teacher Ran? Don’t argue with her again. You both have good intentions. Why fight?”

“I’m full,” Li Guang said. “But someone else hasn’t eaten yet. I’m going to take her some food.”

“Alright.”

Li Guang walked a couple of steps, then returned to Chai Ning. “Brother Chai.”

“Not leaving?”

Li Guang asked, “Did Sister Mingyue look for you guys?”

“How did you know? Nothing can be hidden from you?” Chai Ning sheepishly rubbed his chin. “Teacher Ran told Manager Liu and us not to scare you or look for you.”

Li Guang’s nose felt sore. “What else did she say?”

Chai Ning said, “Well, the late-night snack you see here. She said you’d be happier if you had good food. But I only found this out by secretly asking the manager. Don’t tell anyone.”

“What did I do? Why does me telling you this make you look like you’re about to cry? Hey, hey, hey, don’t cry! Tissues! The tissues are in your hand!” Chai Ning frantically stood in front of Li Guang, not knowing what to say.

Everyone else was watching, and Chai Ning was about to freak out.

Li Guang just cried silently. It had been a long time since she cried. This month, it seemed the floodgates of tears had opened and couldn’t be closed, especially when it concerned Ran Mingyue.

Li Guang said, “I’m going out to deliver the food. You guys, you guys eat.”

The door opened abruptly and closed abruptly.

Chai Ning was confused, looking at his equally gossiping colleagues inside. “What exactly is going on with Little Li and Teacher Ran?”

Niu Donggua said, “That situation might depend on the circumstances. Maybe if the circumstances are good, she won’t be Little Guang anymore. We’ll have to call her Teacher Li.”

“What do you mean?”

Niu Donggua: “Just what I said.”

“Shouldn’t we go after her and check? What if Little Guang gets wronged if they start arguing?”

Niu Donggua: “Can’t Little Guang lift a stone pillar by herself?”

Everyone else relaxed.

After leaving the cafeteria, Li Guang ran towards Ran Mingyue’s house.

She ran much faster than when she left Ran Mingyue’s house earlier, because this was the return trip.

The steak hotpot in her arms was still steaming. She had tied the bag tightly, making sure not to spill any soup even though she was running fast.

Her heart was intensely sour, like a whole bottle of lemon juice had spilled, so sour it made her cry. The cold wind poured into her collar, making all her hair fly in the dense darkness.

Something had quietly been planted in the bitter soil. Li Guang only felt intricate emotions covering her heart. For the first time, she realized.

It seemed… she knew what liking was.

Her liking was not joy, nor was it being moved; it was heartache.

There was no moonlight tonight. She ran swiftly, rushing towards her Mingyue (Bright Moon).