Chapter 30: Impulsive? Or Smitten?

Tong Liya had truly never met anyone like Lin Yi. Many people, once struck by the sudden windfall of fame, become hopelessly lost in the pursuit of fortune and status. Lin Yi, however, remained indifferent despite his immense popularity, as if being famous were merely a trifle.

"Actually, it’s quite alright not to join the entertainment industry," Tong Liya said softly. The waters of show business are treacherous; once you step in, it is nearly impossible to pull yourself out. On the surface, stars may appear dazzling, but in the shadows, they are often mere puppets of wealth and power, tools of capital. Moreover, the industry is plagued by cutthroat competition and vicious infighting.

"I know," Lin Yi said with a smile, wiping away a bead of sweat. The news reports he recalled from his past life had completely shattered his worldview and lowered his expectations. For that very reason, he resisted the circle. He only wanted to walk along its periphery and make a little money. He felt one sentence described stardom perfectly: "What you gain is what you lose." The more famous a star becomes, the more trouble they invite, and the less personal freedom they possess.

"Should we exchange WeChat?" On a whim, the words slipped out before Tong Liya could stop them. As soon as she realized what she had done, her face flushed red. She had actually asked a man seven or eight years her junior for his contact information.

Lin Yi was taken aback, but instinctively pulled out his phone and opened the app.

*Ding.*

" 'The Wind Has Risen'? Your WeChat name is quite unique," Tong Liya said, covering her mouth with a light laugh as she saw his username.

" 'The Wind Has Risen' represents the scent of summer; I think it sounds nice," Lin Yi replied, his lips curling upward as their eyes met.

The boy’s scent drifted toward her, and coupled with his brilliant smile, Tong Liya’s heart skipped a beat. Her face turned crimson, making her look as alluring and delicate as a ripe apple. Lin Yi felt dazed, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. This was lethal. It was no wonder the Northern Qi emperor Gao Wei chose beauty over his empire. A surge of impulse rose within him, but thanks to his self-control, he managed to suppress it.

Feeling the warmth radiating from Lin Yi, Tong Liya’s face deepened in color, and she instinctively turned her head away. In the cramped dressing room, a subtle, amorous tension quietly spread between them. Time seemed to stand still.

*Ring, ring!*

The jarring sound of a phone broke the intimacy. Tong Liya snapped back to reality and hurriedly pulled her phone from her LV bag.

"My dear girl, where have you run off to again?"

"I’m coming back right now," she answered quickly, casting a glance at Lin Yi.

She hung up the phone without hesitation.

"You’re just going to go back like that?" Lin Yi asked after a moment of thought.

"Well, how else should I go back?" she pouted, her delicate brows knitting together as she stared at him.

"If you go out looking like that, you’ll easily be spotted." Lin Yi carefully opened the door and poked his head out to survey the surroundings. A few women were browsing the clothes, along with two or three couples. A girl held up a garment and asked her partner, "Does this look good on me?" The man frowned, looking troubled, and replied, "It fits." It was clearly a white lie.

"How is it?" Tong Liya asked curiously as Lin Yi pulled his head back in.

"It’s okay. Wait here; I’ll be right back." After speaking, Lin Yi stepped out, keeping his head down to avoid the gaze of the young shoppers—who were the most likely to be star-struck. After picking out a few women's items, a woman's hat, and a man's hat, he returned to the dressing room and knocked. "See if any of these suit you."

A head poked out. Upon seeing the items in his hands, her face flushed red again. "Okay," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Lin Yi pulled his hat down and leaned against the wall to keep watch. Hearing the rustling sounds from inside made his ears burn, and he instinctively stepped about a meter away.

"This one," Tong Liya said, extending a hand from behind the door.

"Got it. Wait a moment." Lin Yi returned the other items and went to the front desk to pay.

"How much for this dress and the two hats?" he asked, adjusting his own cap.

"That will be over a thousand yuan."

*Expensive,* Lin Yi thought to himself, but he paid nonetheless.

"Here, put this on," he said, returning to the dressing room and handing over the bag. A short while later, a girl in a white dress, wearing heels and a bucket hat, emerged.

"Let's go," Lin Yi said, his eyes lighting up.

The two walked out one after the other. The girl at the front desk watched them, muttering, "How mysterious." Then, it hit her like a thunderbolt. Her eyes went wide as she shouted in excitement, "It’s Lin Yi and Tong Liya!"

Not long ago, a crowd had flooded the shop, and she had wondered what was happening—only to learn that celebrities were inside.

*Damn it!*

Lin Yi grabbed Tong Liya’s hand and started running, inwardly cursing the loud-mouthed clerk. "I can't run anymore," Tong Liya gasped.

Lin Yi glanced behind them, then scooped her up and kept running. Feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat against her chest, Tong Liya lowered her head in shyness, her small hands clutching the hem of her dress. They ran into the evening breeze until Lin Yi finally shook off the crowd of fanatic fans.

"Lin Yi, are you okay?" Tong Liya asked with concern as she saw him half-crouched on the ground.

"I'm fine, just exhausted from that," he replied, waving a hand. His gaze accidentally drifted... Tong Liya sensed his distraction, and her ears burned red.

"Ahem. Where are you heading? Let me call a taxi for you," Lin Yi said, standing up and looking at the street traffic.

"The InterContinental Hotel."

"Wait, the InterContinental?" Wasn't that the same hotel he was staying at?

"Yes."

"I'm staying there too," Lin Yi said with a wry smile.

"You're staying there too?" Tong Liya covered her mouth in shock. "How is that possible? What a coincidence!"

"It was arranged by Director Li Xue."

"Director Li Xue? You're acting in his production?" she exclaimed. She had heard of the famous director's reputation, which was why she was so surprised. He was a master director! And Lin Yi was working on his set!

"No, I wrote the theme song for his drama *Nirvana in Fire*," Lin Yi explained patiently. He looked up at the night sky and added, "It's getting late. Let's head back first."

"Okay."

Lin Yi hailed a taxi, and the two climbed in, the car weaving through the streetlights toward the InterContinental.