Chapter 228: Chapter 205: Changes

Gu Yan, busy with his own work, still found various excuses to visit Ye Xiao from time to time, traveling great distances just to see her.

Sometimes, when Ye Xiao was unavailable, he would simply watch her film scenes from afar before hurriedly departing.

A year later.

The movie “Dark Night” was released.

That same year.

The film swept awards at numerous movie festivals, catapulting Ye Xiao to stardom as the hot new sensation in the film industry.

Afterward.

The movie in which she played a supporting role also premiered.

Although this film’s reputation didn’t match “Dark Night,” the character portrayed by Ye Xiao once again broke through, becoming the eternal love of countless hearts.

Three years later.

Ye Xiao, with a role in a realism-themed movie, secured her first Best Actress award.

Following that, her entertainment career soared, success following success effortlessly.

In the blink of an eye.

Seven years later.

During these seven years.

Ye Xiao had devoted nearly all her energy to her career.

She had won every award she could, accumulating a vast following of fans who adored her.

The incidents involving her and Ye Bingtong were almost never brought up again.

For she had become too dazzling.

The events from seven years past no longer held a place in the course of her life.

Ye Xiao had become increasingly like a version of herself from another world.

She was also ready to return at any moment.

On this day.

Ye Xiao attended an award ceremony, and this year, she harvested richly once more.

Afterward.

Lin Yun also received the award for Best Musician.

As Lin Yun stood on the stage, she glanced up to see Ye Xiao in the audience.

Compared to seven years ago, Ye Xiao truly had changed a lot.

Her lips always bore an appropriate smile, now engaged in conversation with those around her, the focus of everyone’s attention, and she navigated it with ease.

Lin Yun’s gaze shifted slightly, then she saw Gu Yan not far away, quietly watching Ye Xiao.

Lin Yun couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Gu Yan was indeed an odd man.

He clearly liked Ye Xiao very much.

He even often engaged in childish jealous antics with her.

But.

In front of Ye Xiao, he never dared to show a trace of affection.

Even within the circle, no one noticed Gu Yan was actually pursuing Ye Xiao.

He was discreet, so much so it was as if he’d already anticipated something.

“Miss Lin, your acceptance speech,” the host gently reminded her from the side.

Lin Yun smiled, raising the trophy in her hand, “Today, I thank two people. One is myself. It was I who, at the most difficult moment in life, chose to climb out of the mud and start anew. The other…”

The audience below already showed kind smiles.

They knew.

Every time it came to the thank-you part, Lin Yun would always save Ye Xiao’s name for last.

Each expression of gratitude made her the most important person.

This time was no exception.

Seeing Lin Yun, Ye Xiao couldn’t help but show a helpless smile.

Xiaoyun always thanked her during each award acceptance.

It had even become a running joke.

Lin Yun smiled and said, “The other, as everyone knows, is Ye Xiao. It was she who gave me the strength and courage to break free from adversity. No matter where she goes, she will always be a beam of light in my life, forever and always.”

Lin Yun spoke with utmost sincerity.

The others, not sensing any underlying message, simply applauded with smiles.

But Ye Xiao froze.

No matter where she goes…

Lin Yun seemed to sense something.

Indeed.

Seven years had passed.

It was time for everything to come to an end.

By then, she should leave this place.

Ye Xiao, of course, wouldn’t reveal these matters to those around her.

But Lin Yun was an exceptionally sensitive person. Ye Xiao believed her recent actions had not been unusual, yet had Lin Yun noticed something?

Lin Yun raised her trophy towards Ye Xiao, her eyes shining like stars at this moment.

Ye Xiao’s gaze softened involuntarily, too.

Along with everyone else, she clapped vigorously for Lin Yun.

After the award ceremony, Ye Xiao had intended to invite Lin Yun for a late-night snack.

Lin Yun smiled, “I’ve been watching my figure recently, so I’ll pass on the late-night snack. Over there, someone is waiting for you.”

Lin Yun gave her a meaningful look.

Ye Xiao looked over.

There she saw Gu Yan, not far away, talking to someone.

But both Ye Xiao and Lin Yun knew that Gu Yan was waiting for Ye Xiao.

Seven years.

In those seven years, so much had happened.

Ye Bolin and Liu Yan had joined forces, a powerful union, and had gotten together.

The two hadn’t had much affection before their marriage, mostly due to the cooperation between their families, but Ye Xiao saw that they had gradually developed feelings after marrying, and now they even had a lovely daughter as white as snow.

Ye Lin had been frightened by Bai Shilan before and had been afraid to touch on feelings, but last year, he too met someone who made him throw caution to the wind. The girl was dedicated to scientific research, always busy with various experiments, often forgetting Ye Lin in the process.

Having been previously scared by the overly enthusiastic Bai Shilan, Ye Lin found the type who paid little attention to him quite warm and reassuring.

After confirming their relationship, he publicly announced it on Weibo.

Originally, Ye Lin had prepared various contingency plans, thinking about how to protect his significant other and keep her from being harmed by fans.

As it turned out.

His fans, upon hearing that Ye Lin was with a scientific researcher, were overjoyed, saying their sister-in-law was indeed the most impressive in the entire entertainment industry.

This made all the plans Ye Lin had prepared unnecessary.

This year, they were also planning their wedding.

The only one was Ye Zhaoyu.

He had retired two years earlier. After retiring, he became a coach, still doing the work he loved, but he hadn’t shown any inclination towards romance.

Nobody rushed him, though.

Choosing marriage is great.

Choosing to be alone is equally good.

As for Ye Xiao.

Sometimes, her family would cautiously bring up the idea, asking if she considered finding someone?

Ye Xiao always shook her head with a smile.

After a few times, her family stopped mentioning it.

Ye Xiao knew she would leave sooner or later, and naturally wouldn’t get involved in any romance in this world.

Even if she was slow to notice, she was vaguely aware of Gu Yan’s feelings for her over these seven years.

What troubled Ye Xiao was that Gu Yan never said a word about it.

Over the years, she hinted several times that she had no intention of dating and that she was a firm believer in staying single.

But Gu Yan didn’t seem to care about those things and never brought up matters of the heart with her.

It seemed he just wanted to see her occasionally, and that was enough for him.

This desireless demeanor left Ye Xiao without a way to handle him.

Perhaps it was time to have a proper talk with Gu Yan.

When Ye Xiao turned around, Lin Yun had already left. Ye Xiao couldn’t help but show a helpless smile.

She thought for a moment and then walked directly towards Gu Yan.

Gu Yan appeared to be engaged in conversation with the person next to him, but as soon as Ye Xiao approached, he instantly tensed up.

“General Manager Gu,” Ye Xiao began very politely, “my brother has a message for you. Do you have a moment?”

“Go ahead with your conversation. I have other matters to attend to,” the person speaking with Gu Yan quickly found an excuse to leave.

Gu Yan’s expression remained calm as he nodded, “I’m free all evening.”

With Gu Yan acting strictly professional, Ye Xiao nodded solemnly as well, “That’s good. I won’t take up too much of General Manager Gu’s time.”