Chapter Thirty-One: Suicide? Or Murder?

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(Seems like I’ve never begged for votes driving an unlicensed cab, have I? Well, let’s not waste words—just shamelessly asking for a recommendation, a bookmark, thank you all!)

“Xiangzi, don’t be like this. This is only your first film, we’ll have other chances, really! Xiangzi!” Huang Hanbo sat right beside Wu Xiang. He hadn’t heard the contents of the earlier phone call, but just one look at Wu Xiang’s face and he understood everything.

To be honest, at this moment, Huang Hanbo and the rest of the 307 crew were all waiting for news of the box office results.

“Did we fail? So what! Isn’t failure the mother of success?” Wang Hongzhi also offered comfort to Wu Xiang. By now, everyone could see it wasn’t looking optimistic for the film.

“Xiangzi, what are we missing?” Chen Kun came over as well, repeating something Wu Xiang had once said to him. He picked up Wu Xiang’s phone for him, saying, “I’ve got your back. I’ll act for you again in the future, I don’t even need to be paid. And hey, that mountain bike you wanted to borrow—take it anytime, ride it as much as you like.”

Everyone gathered around to comfort Wu Xiang, who was genuinely moved by their kindness.

Tears welled up in Wu Xiang’s eyes. He didn’t want to look weak in front of everyone, thinking it’d be truly humiliating to break down now. “I’m going out for some air. You guys eat, take your time.” He gave a traditional bow, grabbed his coat, and left.

Watching Wu Xiang’s dejected figure, his friends were at a loss for words. Life, after all, demands that we endure hardships to grow.

After weaving through several corridors and climbing a few flights of stairs, Wu Xiang found a quiet spot at a stairwell corner in the academic building—now deserted during the holidays.

On that short walk, Wu Xiang had already come to terms with things. Who goes through life without setbacks? He’d gotten a second chance at life, managed to get into the Film Academy, and made a group of good friends. Honestly, that was already more than enough—he was lucky.

As for the film, if it failed, there would be a next time. Besides, the investment wasn’t huge—just over a million yuan. What man would fear that? Wealth comes and goes…

Since he was here, he might as well take in some air. He walked over and reached for the window in the corridor—

“Don’t!” Suddenly, just as Wu Xiang was about to touch the window, a petite figure dashed out, barreled into him, and blocked the window with her body.

“Ouch!” The sudden impact nearly sent Wu Xiang tumbling down the stairs, his waist aching. “Who’s there?”

He looked up and immediately saw it was Huang Yi standing before him. “No wonder that hurt—she’s pretty sturdy these days, supposedly the leader of the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ of the acting department, over 130 pounds.” Wu Xiang thought himself lucky to have survived her tackle.

“You—you—just because the box office is bad, you’re thinking of suicide? Do you know how much pain that would cause your parents? How can you take your own life so lightly?!” Huang Yi began scolding Wu Xiang with righteous indignation, her words flowing more fluently the angrier she became.

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Wu Xiang was dumbfounded, still trying to figure out, “Suicide? Who? And how did she get here?”

It turned out that Huang Yi hadn’t hurried home for winter break. After nearly two years at the Film Academy, she still hadn’t landed a role, so she’d planned to try some extra work during break to gain experience, but no crews wanted her.

This was understandable—she was severely overweight, but as a student, her living costs were low, definitely an advantage over those trying to make it in Beijing.

Just earlier, Huang Yi had been eating in the cafeteria. She’d seen Wu Xiang’s expression, and all the friends trying to comfort him.

Strangely, hearing of Wu Xiang’s failure didn’t make her happy; instead, she felt a bit down. It had been a good film—why had it failed?

Watching his lonely figure, Huang Yi felt a pang of sadness for him and unconsciously followed him out, wanting to offer some comfort.

She never expected this idiot would try to take his own life—it was such a mistake, so disappointing!

“…It’s just a film! You—you’re a grown man! Failing once and you want to die? Who are you letting down? Your parents? Your classmates? Your teachers at the Film Academy?!” What started as comfort turned into a full-blown scolding, and the more she went on, the more invigorated she felt.

“That’s just like her,” Wu Xiang thought, feeling like he’d been doused in melodrama. But he had to set things straight. “Who told you I was going to jump? I just wanted to open the window for some air—if I wanted to jump, would I choose such a small window? I’m over six feet tall, squeezing out would be exhausting.”

Hearing this, Huang Yi hesitated, her mouth still open from the scolding, suddenly unsure of herself. “Was I wrong?”

Wu Xiang looked at her helplessly, wondering what went on in her head.

“I just wanted some fresh air. If I wanted to jump, I wouldn’t pick such a tiny window, would I?”

At that, Huang Yi panicked, not knowing where to look. She wanted the ground to swallow her up—this was beyond embarrassing.

“So, you’re not killing yourself… Ha… then, I’ll just leave you here, do whatever you want…” She tried to laugh off the awkwardness, slowly backing away, desperate to escape.

“Bye, then! Hehehe…” Huang Yi retreated further, wanting to put as much distance as possible between herself and this tall, awkward man. She’d never been so mortified since joining the Film Academy.

“Stop! Don’t move!” Wu Xiang saw Huang Yi backing up farther into the stairwell—one more step and she’d be at the stairs. Given her weight, a fall could be disastrous.

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As Wu Xiang shouted, he rushed forward to grab her.

“What are you doing?” Huang Yi panicked. She was tall and sturdy herself—five-foot-six was tall for a southern girl—but Wu Xiang was much taller, and with what had just happened, his approach made her nervous.

She tried to retreat faster, but there was nowhere left to go.

A sharp scream, followed by a heavy thud.

They both fell, but thankfully didn’t tumble down the stairs. At the crucial moment, Wu Xiang summoned all his strength and pulled her back.

Wu Xiang swore to the heavens—it was the greatest feat of strength in both his lifetimes. He’d never imagined he could pull someone so heavy back from a fall, especially with all his momentum going forward. It made no sense.

Naturally, Wu Xiang couldn’t stay standing. He went down, ending up with Huang Yi on top of him.

“Ahem… Huang Yi, could you get off me first? I wasn’t trying to kill myself, but if you keep sitting on me, I really might die!” It was the truth, even if it was a little harsh.

“Go to hell!” Huang Yi’s face flushed red, but instead of getting up, she pressed down harder.

“You’re killing me!” Wu Xiang gasped, barely able to breathe.

“Bastard!” Huang Yi now understood what had just happened—but this idiot dared call her fat! It might be true, but she couldn’t let him say it out loud.

Just then, Wu Xiang’s phone rang again.