The Vicious Female Supporting Character Goes Viral After Her Masks Drop During the Talent Show - Chapter 33

At the end of the letter, Ji Xi had written:

“…Back then in the Dean’s office, everyone knew what was true and what was a lie. I thought that whatever I said wouldn’t matter.

It took me years to realize, and finally admit, that I was just making excuses for my own selfishness and cowardice. Now, I am no longer afraid. I want to say what I should have said back then and finally give this story the closure it deserves.

…And finally, I hope it isn’t too late to tell you what I couldn’t say eight years ago.

Yan Shi, I’m sorry. And Yan Shi, thank you. You will always be a hero in my heart.”

The practice room had two windows side-by-side. Yan Shi looked up from the letter and saw Zhong Yan sitting on the ledge of the other window. He had no idea how much time had passed while he was immersed in the pages.

Seeing that he had finished reading, Zhong Yan began to answer the questions she knew were on his mind.

“Ji Xi is my literary assistant. We met a year ago.”

Ji Xi’s job mainly involved proofreading Zhong Yan’s novels and managing publishing affairs. Having studied Chinese Literature and worked at a publishing house, she was perfect for the role.

However, Zhong Yan hadn’t sought her out solely for work.

In the original “script” of this world, Yan Shi never lived to see the main events. He had appeared only as a “plot device” after his death—and that plot line was tied directly to Ji Xi.

In the original timeline, without Zhong Yan’s intervention, Yan Shi had spent his life working as a stunt double to pay off the massive debts Dingming Entertainment had saddled him with. Because of the industry blacklist, he could only take high-risk jobs. Eventually, he died from a fall on set due to faulty equipment.

In that original story, his death sparked a media frenzy. Ji Xi, who had lived for years in a prison of guilt, was devastated by the news. Seeing Yu Junran standing in the spotlight as a celebrated mentor while the boy who saved her was dead, she finally found the courage to expose Yu Junran’s history of bullying.

But what was the purpose of that plot point in the original script?

Zhong Yan found it sickening. The tragedy was used simply as a catalyst for the main characters, Xia Meng and Lu Tingashen, to fall in love. When Yu Junran’s reputation collapsed, Xia Meng turned to Lu Tingashen for comfort.

Zhong Yan had once suggested to the screenwriter that using a man’s death just to push a romance was distasteful, but the answer was always the same: The investors like it.

Zhong Yan shook off those thoughts and looked at the man in front of her. She had helped him find success, but the grudge with Yu Junran was a hurdle he had to clear eventually. Whether for business—to protect her star artist—or for morality, she wanted justice.

“Ji Xi told me everything,” Zhong Yan continued softly. “She’s been riddled with guilt all these years. When she saw you being framed again, she knew she had to speak up. She had a lot she wanted to say to you, so she asked me to deliver that letter.”

Yan Shi carefully tucked the heavy pages back into the envelope.

“Please tell her… it wasn’t her fault,” he said, his voice thick. “She shouldn’t blame herself. She was a victim, and victims shouldn’t have to carry the burden of the pain.”

Yan Shi had never once blamed Ji Xi. Even back then, he felt that if his expulsion meant the bullies would leave the other victims alone, it was worth it. That was why he hadn’t argued when she pointed the finger at him.

Zhong Yan understood him perfectly. She realized now why he hadn’t responded to the leaks last night—he knew that if he defended himself, the public would turn their fury on Ji Xi for her past betrayal. He had chosen to let himself be criticized rather than let her be traumatized again.

“You really are a fool,” Zhong Yan muttered under her breath.

Yan Shi caught the words and looked at her, flustered.

Zhong Yan didn’t look back at him. She stared at the floor and smiled to herself. “But… I think I like fools.”

True kindness often came with a price. Zhong Yan wanted to be strong enough to shield “kind fools” like him—to ensure that being a good person didn’t have to cost a life.

“I’ll pass your message along to her,” she said.

“…Um, thank you.”

Zhong Yan noticed a shift in his tone. She looked up and blurted out in surprise, “Why is your face so red?”

All she said was that she’d pass on a message.

Yan Shi looked away, his hand over his mouth as he cleared his throat. “Ahem… Teacher Zhong, about the contract…”

“Oh!” Zhong Yan quickly explained, “Ji Xi’s help has nothing to do with the contract. Whether you sign with Yanstar or not, we’re going to help you clear your name. You don’t have to rush. Wait until Li Xing sends you the document, read it over carefully, and then—”

“I don’t need to consider. I’m willing to sign.”

His eyes still avoided hers, but his voice was absolute.

Zhong Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Yan Shi, you know this is exactly how you get scammed, right?”

A faint, soft smile finally played on Yan Shi’s lips. “If I’m being scammed by you, I accept it.”

He looked out at the setting sun. This time, the twilight felt warm. He knew that what followed wouldn’t be darkness, but a new dawn.

“Well, don’t blame me then. You’re a willing victim,” Zhong Yan joked. She hopped down from the window and walked over to him, extending her right hand. “Welcome to Yanstar Entertainment.”

The moment his hand touched her slender, fair fingers, Yan Shi felt his face burn. His hand was large enough to swallow hers. Fearing he might be too forward, he held her hand with the utmost gentleness.

Zhong Yan, however, gave his hand a firm, steady squeeze. “From now on, we are family, fighting side-by-side.”

Family.

Yan Shi finally looked up, meeting her sincere, smiling eyes. The word echoed in his mind, and the dark depths of his eyes seemed to ripple like a spring. He tightened his grip, holding her hand securely in his palm.

From now on, I will protect my family.

Zhong Yan reached into her pocket and pulled out the small blue object she had been weaving. She handed it to him. It was a small “Peace Knot” (Ping’an Jie) in sea-blue—his official fandom color.

“Consider this your first gift as an employee,” she said.

“It represents my wish for you: that wherever you go from here, the path will be broad and smooth.”

Yan Shi, in this life, you will live safely, honorably, and in the light.