After Saving the White Moonlight, the Black Moonlight Went Crazy - Chapter 33

Chapter 33: You Are My Protagonist

◎The price of bearing the damage◎

Jian Liyun said calmly, “To be honest, I don’t care about being the protagonist. In a show, being the lead isn’t that important to me. Whether it’s the lead or a supporting role, as long as I can portray the character well, the audience will appreciate it.”

Coming from Jian Liyun, this was true. Jian Liyun didn’t have a huge backing. Since her debut, she had started with various small, peripheral roles.

Even so, she was still able to attract the audience’s attention, even in supporting roles with limited screen time.

The writer smiled. “So that’s what you think, Xiao Jian. Several film companies have been asking me if I’d sell the rights to my novel. I was thinking that if I did, I’d recommend you for the lead role.”

Jian Liyun nodded slightly. “If you say so, I’ll definitely go for an audition if I get the chance.”

Yan Sui truly felt that coming to this variety show was the right decision.

Sure enough, without the male lead’s interference, Jian Liyun’s career was only going to get smoother.

The writer laughed. “Good. Xiao Jian, you must work hard. But… being the protagonist is actually quite important. Xiao Lu, what do you think?”

Lu Shutian wore a sweet smile. “Auntie Luo, I also think it’s better to be the protagonist.”

Something’s not right.

Yan Sui, who had almost been dazed by the sudden praise, finally realized that this writer, Luo Yanqan, was only talking to Jian Liyun and Lu Shutian, and the topic was about protagonists and supporting roles.

Lu Shutian was full of tricks. Even if she noticed something was wrong, she wouldn’t show it.

Yan Sui quietly moved to Jian Liyun’s side, looking at her profile and confirming that she was indeed oblivious.

She felt a surge of indignation.

What was wrong with Jian Liyun playing supporting roles?

Even if Jian Liyun was only a supporting character in this world, she was still a wonderful person, worth knowing and cherishing.

Should she be denied everything just because she wasn’t the protagonist?

Yan Sui didn’t even realize that she had a strong protective instinct toward Jian Liyun—

To put it simply, it was a bit like a mother protecting her cub.

Although if Jian Liyun knew that’s how Yan Sui felt, she would probably pass out.

Fortunately, Luo Yanqan didn’t continue the protagonist-supporting role topic. She suddenly switched to outfits. “Speaking of which, among the five of us, your black and white outfits are quite striking. It’s like a black swan and a white swan.”

The host also finally found a chance to speak and agreed. “That’s right. You’re both beautiful and elegant.”

Luo Yanqan nudged the model, Lu Xue, who was closest to her. “Xiao Xue, which do you think is more beautiful, the black swan or the white swan?”

The model, Lu Xue, still had a cool expression. “They’re both beautiful.”

Luo Yanqan smiled and shook her head. “This isn’t the time to be fair. So—”

The woman with some silver strands in her hair looked at Yan Sui, who was standing behind Jian Liyun. “What about you? Between the black swan and the white swan, who do you like more?”

Yan Sui had a polite smile on her face, but she was about to go crazy.

How did this get dragged into it?

This Luo Yanqan…

“System,” Yan Sui sighed in her mind. “Right now, help me check if this writer, Luo Yanqan, has any other identities.”

[Okay, Host. But who do you like more, the supporting female lead or the female lead?]

Why had the system become so gossipy, too?

Lu Shutian also looked at Yan Sui with anticipation. Her intense gaze was almost scalding.

Although Jian Liyun made no move, she also held her breath.

Yan Sui thought for a moment, then looked at the inscrutable middle-aged woman. “Writer Luo, the black swan and the white swan each have their own beauty, and I appreciate both. But from a personal aesthetic point of view, I prefer the white swan.”

In the ballet Swan Lake, the black swan and the white swan are iconic roles, and they have different meanings.

One symbolizes desire and temptation, while the other symbolizes purity and kindness.

Yan Sui liked gentle and kind people.

Lu Shutian volunteered and raised her hand. “Jiejie, since you like me so much, I’ll switch from my company to yours after the show and become your artist!”

Everyone burst into laughter, and the head director finally spoke. “Alright, everyone. I’m very happy that you can all get along so well on your first meeting.”

Jian Liyun felt someone gently pat her on the back.

She turned her head and saw Yan Sui looking at her with a gentle expression.

Yan Sui smiled. Although she didn’t say anything, Jian Liyun understood her look:

Don’t be sad.

The unease and sadness in her heart vanished, and Jian Liyun quickly adjusted her mindset.

The others also made their formal self-introductions. In ten minutes, the five of them would head to the studio. After adjusting their equipment, the official recording would begin in thirty minutes.

…

Jian Liyun and Yan Sui returned to the waiting room. Now, only the two of them were in the room.

Jian Liyun’s pace was a little hurried. Yan Sui was being pulled along, almost stumbling.

Yan Sui looked back at the ajar door. “Liyun, the door doesn’t seem to be closed…”

“Suisui,” Jian Liyun interrupted. She let go of Yan Sui’s hand and sat down on the chair. “What you said just now made me very sad.”

“But then you motioned for me not to be sad, so I didn’t ask more at the time. But now, you have to give me an explanation.”

Yan Sui laughed. She didn’t care about whether the door was closed. She walked over to Jian Liyun, bent down slightly, and looked her in the eye. “You’re in such a hurry, Liyun. I was planning to tell you after the show’s recording was over today.”

Jian Liyun was being deadly honest right now. “If I can’t know what you’re thinking right now, I won’t be able to give my full attention to the show later.”

Jian Liyun had makeup on. Yan Sui wanted to reach out and touch her, but she held back.

She shook Jian Liyun’s arm. “Don’t be sad, Liyun. I did answer Writer Luo’s question truthfully. But—”

Yan Sui blinked. “Who said you were the black swan and Ms. Lu was the white swan? Is it just because you’re wearing a black suit and she’s wearing a white dress?”

If they had to be compared to a black swan and a white swan, in Yan Sui’s eyes, the one who was a better fit for the white swan’s role should be Jian Liyun.

[Host, I’ve noticed that sometimes you’re a blockhead, and sometimes you’re so smart.]

Jian Liyun grabbed Yan Sui’s wrist and pulled her down, causing her to fall into her lap.

The action was undeniably forceful, but Jian Liyun’s expression was incredibly vulnerable. She wrapped her arms around Yan Sui’s slender waist and leaned her head against her chest.

“What else? I know… I look a little fierce, and many people think I’m the type that’s hard to approach. But Lu Shutian is different. Many people will like her more.”

Even without considering their outfits, just looking at their auras, Jian Liyun felt she was more like the black swan, and Lu Shutian was more like the white swan.

“Comparison is the thief of joy,” Yan Sui patted Jian Liyun’s back. “Oh no, what if you smudge your makeup? And my clothes will get wrinkled if I sit on you. That’s not good.”

Yan Sui tried to get up, but Jian Liyun held her tighter.

“Suisui, comfort me,” Jian Liyun’s voice was muffled.

Yan Sui found it both funny and helpless. She spoke in a gentle tone, like she was comforting a child. “Don’t be sad, Liyun. To me, you are the best white swan. And…”

Yan Sui’s tone became more serious. “Whether you play a supporting role or a protagonist, someone will always find your shining points. For me right now, you are the protagonist in my life.”

Jian Liyun’s body stiffened. She slowly raised her head, her eyes filled with both disbelief and anticipation.

“Suisui, I,” Jian Liyun even stuttered. “Can I be the protagonist in your life?”

Yan Sui straightened the stray hairs on Jian Liyun’s forehead. “You already are, Liyun.”

Jian Liyun let go of Yan Sui. She cleared her throat. “I forgive you.”

Yan Sui didn’t get off of her. She had been sitting there for so long already; a little while longer wouldn’t hurt.

She wrapped her arms around Jian Liyun’s neck and pouted playfully. “Forgive me for what? What did I do to make you unhappy?”

Jian Liyun remained unmoving. “I won’t tell you.”

The more Jian Liyun acted this way, the more Yan Sui’s heart itched. She unconsciously pouted. “Tell me, tell me. Tell me before the show starts.”

The originally composed and cold woman was now all smiles. Jian Liyun was about to give in, but her peripheral vision caught the door, which had been left ajar, seemed to have widened.

In the gap, there was a shadow.

Jian Liyun’s tone was unreadable. “Do you really want me to tell you?”

Yan Sui nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

“Kiss me, and I’ll tell you.”

“Huh?”

Jian Liyun’s request was so shocking that Yan Sui’s mouth asked the question before her brain could react.

Jian Liyun repeated, “Kiss me, and I’ll tell you, Suisui.”

She paused, then added, “Or you can let me kiss you. After all,” Jian Liyun glanced at the door crack with a half-smile, “haven’t I kissed you before?”

Yan Sui’s expression was indescribable. Why do both the supporting female lead and the female lead like to go straight for a kiss?

Is she that easy to kiss?

“Then… okay?” Yan Sui said hesitantly.

It’s just one kiss. I’m not going to lose any flesh.

Yan Sui held out her hand, still thinking that the other person would kiss her fingertips.

Jian Liyun chuckled softly. “Suisui, you can’t be biased.”

Yan Sui’s right hand was intertwined with Jian Liyun’s, and her chin was held.

Bang!

The door was pushed open with force. The poor door hit the wall, making a loud sound.

Yan Sui’s pupils contracted. She was about to push Jian Liyun away when the other person’s lips pressed against hers.

Jian Liyun’s hands were always cold, but her lips were surprisingly warm.

“If you get distracted like that again, I’ll be sad.” Jian Liyun, having had a taste of sweetness, didn’t forget to play the victim.

“Senior Jian, we should head to the studio.”

Lu Shutian’s calm voice came from the doorway.

Yan Sui’s body stiffened, and she didn’t even dare to look back.

Jian Liyun smiled in response. “Okay.”

She tapped Yan Sui’s legs. “Just rest here. If anything comes up, I’ll have the production team contact you.”

Yan Sui stood up with a flushed face. “Okay.”

She turned around and found that not only Lu Shutian was outside the door, but the other three guests were as well.

However, only Lu Shutian’s eyes were fixed on them. The other three were standing farther away, chatting and laughing, not paying any attention to Jian Liyun’s situation.

But Yan Sui still heard their conversation clearly.

The writer, Luo Yanqan, said to Lu Xue, “So, Xiao Xue, you see, even a supporting character can overtake the lead.”

Lu Xue nodded coolly in agreement.

Jian Liyun patted Yan Sui’s head. “See you later.”

…

Only after Yan Sui was the only one left in the waiting room did the system’s voice reappear.

“Host, I just checked Luo Yanqan’s identity, and there’s nothing unusual.”

Yan Sui leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes to rest. “Then go check Tian Yufu.”

“Host, Tian Yufu already revealed that she’s awakened, didn’t she?”

Yan Sui changed to a more relaxed position. “I know. This is a test.”

The system complied and reappeared with a shriek in a moment.

[Host, I can’t find anything wrong with Tian Yufu either! What’s wrong with everyone in this world? Why can’t I find anything?]

Yan Sui replied in her mind after a few seconds. “So even if Luo Yanqan has a problem, we can’t find it.”

[Host, why don’t I apply to my superiors to give you a different mission? Who comes to a romance novel world to do a mission and gets almost kissed to death by both the female lead and the supporting female lead QAQ]

Yan Sui’s expression was blank. She didn’t even realize the indifference in her eyes. “No need. If they like to kiss me, let them. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“…Huh?”

Yan Sui covered her face with her hands, letting her upper body fall onto the sofa. “I know they’re doing this because they have some feelings for me. This feeling could be love, or it could be resentment, or possessiveness… but none of that is important to me.”

“My primary goal in coming to this world is to change Jian Liyun’s ending. As for Lu Shutian… I’ll also do my best to look out for her. Let them do whatever they want to me. As long as they’re happy.”

“But I,” Yan Sui pursed her lips tightly. “I know I no longer have the ability to reciprocate any feelings. The only thing I can do is satisfy their needs. If kissing me makes them happier and more comfortable, then let them do it.”

“Also, system, about the so-called romance novel world you mentioned, after going through all this, I think the ‘original novel’ we read might not be the true reality of this world.”

“But Host, we have no clues right now, and I can’t help you. It’s like crying to heaven and no one is answering. It’s too difficult.”

Yan Sui comforted it instead. “It’s okay. We’ll take it one step at a time. I already have a guess in my heart, but I still need evidence.”

With so many worries on her mind, Yan Sui was wide awake despite having her eyes closed.

She simply sat up, placed her hands on her thighs, and stared blankly ahead.

[Host, what are you doing?]

Yan Sui’s thoughts were also completely calm. “I’m re-analyzing the game of Go Jian Liyun played with He Chenyu.”

When she felt panicked in the past, Yan Sui’s favorite thing to do was to re-analyze a Go game.

It was exhausting, but it allowed her to focus all her attention on the task and stop overthinking.

…

After some unknown amount of time, Yan Sui’s phone buzzed.

She answered the call. It was from the producer’s assistant. “Hello, the first half of our show’s recording is over. There’s a one-hour break. We’ve ordered meals, and they’ll be delivered to Ms. Jian’s room right away.”

Yan Sui agreed. She walked over and opened the door, just in time to see a staff member pushing a food cart.

The staff member handed Yan Sui two bento boxes and then pushed the cart away, humming a tune.

Jian Liyun also appeared at that moment. She waved to Yan Sui. “Suisui.”

Yan Sui hummed. “Come eat. How was the first half of the recording?”

Jian Liyun nodded slightly. “It all went smoothly. But it looks like Jin Lan and Tian Yufu won’t be getting back together.”

In the clips aired in the studio, although the ten amateur guests didn’t reveal who their exes were in their first appearance, Tian Yufu maintained the farthest possible distance from Jin Lan throughout the show.

Yan Sui shrugged. “I hope they can talk things out properly. By the way, did the production team promote your two upcoming TV shows and movies?”

In those two works, Jian Liyun had collaborated with He Chenyu. They were less Jian Liyun’s projects and more a way to pave the way for He Chenyu.

Jian Liyun skillfully broke apart the disposable bamboo chopsticks. “He Chenyu’s conflict with his family had a pretty big impact. I only mentioned it briefly, but I don’t know if it’ll be cut in the final broadcast.”

Yan Sui pushed her rice around. “It’s fine. You have better scripts coming up anyway.”

Jian Liyun hummed. “That writer doesn’t seem to be joking. During the official recording, she enthusiastically invited me to play the protagonist in her novel.”

Yan Sui paused, took a bite of rice, and didn’t say anything.

The two quickly finished their food. Yan Sui wiped her mouth. “I’ll ask Sister Wei to come touch up your makeup, and then we’ll get ready for the second half of the recording.”

“You…”

Jian Liyun stopped herself.

Yan Sui was very patient. Her finger hovered over the call button without pressing it. “What’s wrong, Liyun?”

Jian Liyun looked into Yan Sui’s eyes. “I kissed you just now.”

“I know,” Yan Sui said suddenly. “Did you not get enough? Do you want another one?”

Jian Liyun was speechless.

Yan Sui’s composure left her with no idea how to respond.

Seeing that Jian Liyun had fallen silent, Yan Sui finally dialed the makeup artist’s number. After learning that she would arrive immediately, she stood up. “I’m going to go find Writer Luo.”

Jian Liyun was confused. “What for?”

Yan Sui smiled. “Since she thinks so highly of you, I want to take this opportunity to talk to her more about the film adaptation of her novel. You don’t have to come with me. Just wait for Sister Wei to come and touch up your makeup.”

As soon as they finished talking, there was a knock on the door.

Yan Sui walked over and opened it, seeing the makeup artist with her makeup box.

“Sister Wei, thank you for your trouble.”

“No trouble at all,” the makeup artist smiled and waved her hand. “I’ll be done in no time.”

Yan Sui said goodbye to the two of them and closed the door—

This time she finally remembered to close the door tightly.

The room next to Jian Liyun’s was Lu Shutian’s waiting room. Yan Sui quickly glanced at the name on the door and prepared to walk past.

Bang.

Even through the door, Yan Sui heard a dull thud from Lu Shutian’s room.

She stopped and, after some thought, knocked on the door.

“Ms. Lu,” Yan Sui’s voice was a little louder. “Are you okay?”

There was no response.

Yan Sui’s heart tightened. She tried turning the doorknob. The door wasn’t locked, and she opened it without much effort.

There was only one person in the room: Lu Shutian, in her white dress, was kneeling on the floor in a mess. Her expression was pained. One hand was on the ground, and the other was tightly clutching the fabric over her chest.

“The True Vision will now be activated again for the transmigrator, Yan Sui, for a duration of ten minutes.”

Another cold voice that didn’t belong to the system rang out in Yan Sui’s mind. Yan Sui closed the door and ran to Lu Shutian. In this frantic moment, she became even calmer.

“System, are you there?”

Yan Sui called out in her mind, but there was no response.

Taking a deep breath, the world in Yan Sui’s eyes changed again.

Under the effect of the True Vision, Yan Sui saw that Lu Shutian was radiating a hot, red light. However, there was a black, unmistakable crack in Lu Shutian’s chest. The cracks spread out like a spiderweb from the split and were constantly expanding.

Yan Sui remembered that Lu Shutian had shown her a grotesque scar on her chest before, and it was in the exact same spot that Yan Sui saw with her True Vision.

The energy in that black crack felt strangely familiar to Yan Sui.

It’s He Chenyu!

The black energy in Lu Shutian’s chest was the exact same as the energy on He Chenyu!

Yan Sui ran over, knelt on one knee, and hugged Lu Shutian, shifting her body’s center of gravity onto herself.

“Is this a punishment?” Yan Sui’s tone was calm.

Lu Shutian leaned on Yan Sui’s shoulder, and for some reason, she was still being stubborn. “What if it is? Jiejie, you would be happier if I died right now.”

She sobbed. “After all, I’m not the white swan you like.”

Yan Sui ignored Lu Shutian’s sudden temper. She reached out and tried to cover her chest.

Amazingly, this time she could not only see the energy but also feel its presence.

The black crack was like a swamp. As soon as Yan Sui’s palm touched it, she smelled a nauseating, fishy odor.

Following that, a piercing pain shot through her palm.

Yan Sui’s expression didn’t change. She even had the strength to help Lu Shutian sit on the sofa and hold her in her arms.

“Host… don’t… your body… can’t handle…”

The system finally appeared, but its voice was intermittent. It disappeared again before it could even get a few words out.

Yan Sui frowned and continued to absorb the black energy by instinct.

Finally, the black crack in Lu Shutian’s chest became smaller and smaller until it was completely enveloped by her own red energy.

Lu Shutian, having recovered, pushed Yan Sui away. She coughed several times, and her originally sweet voice was a little hoarse.

The True Vision’s time was up. Yan Sui couldn’t see Lu Shutian’s current condition.

Lu Shutian still refused to look at Yan Sui. “Why are you still in my room? Aren’t you going to be with Jian Liyun? She seems to need you a lot.”

The pain in Yan Sui’s palm spread, turning into pain throughout her entire arm. In the end, she felt that with every heartbeat, the pain was so intense that her soul trembled.

So this is how bad Lu Shutian felt?

Yan Sui thought in a daze.

She was covered in a cold sweat. She stood up as if nothing was wrong. “If you’re okay, I’ll be going.”

Lu Shutian was still feeling a little unwell at the moment and didn’t notice that something was wrong with Yan Sui.

…

When Yan Sui returned to Jian Liyun’s room, the makeup artist had finished touching up her makeup.

Jian Liyun walked over. “How was your chat with Writer Luo… Suisui, why do you look so pale?”

Yan Sui’s smile was strained. “I have no sense of direction and couldn’t find the way. I also didn’t see any staff. I’ll go talk to her again before the recording tomorrow.”

Jian Liyun nodded. “Okay. Do you want to rest for a bit?”

Yan Sui’s face was really too pale right now.

Yan Sui nodded. She couldn’t care about anything else. “I’m a little tired. I’ll take a nap.”

As soon as she lay down on the sofa, Yan Sui instantly lost consciousness. She didn’t even know when Jian Liyun left for the second half of the show’s recording.

…

“Suisui.”

A soft female voice woke Yan Sui.

Yan Sui struggled to open her eyes and saw Jian Liyun, who had changed into her regular clothes.

“The show’s recording is over. Let’s go home,” Jian Liyun said softly.

Yan Sui used her hands to prop herself up from the sofa. No one knew how much effort that simple action took her.

It hurts so much.

Her entire body, every organ, was in pain.

Yan Sui’s expression didn’t change. Her face was blank. “Okay.”

Jian Liyun knelt in front of her. “I’ll carry you to the parking lot.”

Yan Sui, who was mentally and physically exhausted, didn’t refuse. She said softly, “Liyun, thank you.”

“It’s no trouble,” Jian Liyun said as she put Yan Sui on her back. She couldn’t help but sigh. “Why are you suddenly feeling unwell? Did you catch a cold?”

The warm air from the waiting room’s air conditioner: ?

Yan Sui rubbed her face against Jian Liyun’s neck and closed her eyes. “I’m not feeling unwell, Liyun.”

As Jian Liyun carried Yan Sui out, she ran into other guests and staff.

Lu Xue raised an eyebrow. “Ms. Jian, it seems like you and your agent have a really good relationship. Everyone else has their agent serving them, but you’re carrying your agent home from work.”

Lu Shutian also saw the scene. Her tone was a little gritted. “Yes, Senior Jian, you’re so good to your agent.”

Jian Liyun smiled slightly. “Suisui has been working her fingers to the bone for my career lately, so she’s so tired her body can’t take it anymore. An artist and an agent help each other succeed. Me carrying her is nothing.”

Luo Yanqan glanced at the sleeping Yan Sui. “Xiao Jian, when you get back, make your agent some delicious food. She must be exhausted tonight.”

Jian Liyun nodded slightly. “I definitely will.”

Everyone joked a little more, and the conversation ended.

Although the three of them lived in the same apartment complex, Jian Liyun and Yan Sui didn’t travel with Lu Shutian. The two of them left first.

In her semiconscious state, Yan Sui felt her position change. She slightly opened her eyes and realized that she was in the car at some point.

Jian Liyun was sitting next to her and had just buckled her seatbelt. “Sleep. We’ll be home soon.”

Yan Sui hummed inaudibly and fell back into a deep sleep.

Jian Liyun looked at Yan Sui’s peaceful sleeping face, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.

She leaned forward and instructed the driver in the front seat. “Please drive faster.”

The driver agreed and stepped on the gas.

Jian Liyun turned up the air conditioner in the car by two degrees. Only after confirming that the air coming from the vent was warm enough did she feel a little relieved.

Suddenly, a faint smell of bl00d filled the air, and then it became stronger.

Jian Liyun turned to the person on her right. A splash of crimson almost dyed her entire vision red.

“Suisui!”

Jian Liyun called out with a trembling voice. She reached out her hand to catch the bl00d that was constantly dripping. She used her other hand to grab a tissue from the storage pocket on the back of the seat.

Yan Sui’s eyes were closed, but bl00d was continuously flowing from her nose.

There was so much crimson liquid that Jian Liyun couldn’t catch it all with one hand. The warm bl00d seeped through her fingers and dripped onto Yan Sui’s pants, staining them with bl00d blossoms.

Jian Liyun shouted loudly, “Go to the nearest hospital!”

She frantically wiped the bl00d from Yan Sui’s face with tissues and told her to lean her head forward. “Suisui, wake up.”

The bl00d instantly soaked the white tissues, but Yan Sui didn’t even twitch her eyelashes. She remained with her eyes closed, as if she were sleeping peacefully.