Chapter 80: For a Man to Weep Is No Sin

"Why did you have to meddle? Why did you have to meddle…?"

The banquet had long since ended, and the group of friends had all gone their separate ways. As for Swallow, since it was the final semester for the class of ’96, she had to return to school to register, but she would soon be leaving again to shoot that drama, "Romance in the Rain." Now, only Kun and Wu Xiang remained, two foolish men wandering like a pair of drunks through the streets of the capital.

"Kun," Wu Xiang said, facing Kun’s reproach. "Brother, I was wrong. Let’s just go back. The wind is strong out here. Don’t catch a chill."

"Aaah!" It seemed as if tears had welled up in Kun’s eyes, though Wu Xiang couldn’t see clearly—perhaps due to the dim streetlights. "You’re not wrong! You’re not! It’s me—I’m too weak, too pathetic, such a coward…"

Kun kept repeating these words, and Wu Xiang felt a heavy sorrow watching him.

To be honest, Wu Xiang had never expected things to end up like this. His well-intentioned intervention had only made things worse. Yet, if only Kun had spoken up, had taken that step, it could have been a happy ending—a perfect union. But considering the current gulf between Zhao Wei’s status and Kun’s, and Kun’s melancholic disposition, this was perhaps inevitable. He couldn’t bring himself to say it, even though everyone knew, even though Wei had made her intentions so clear.

Thinking of this, Wu Xiang felt tears prick his eyes. He put his arm around Kun and whispered, "Let’s go home, brother. Let’s go home…"

"Aaah!" It was as if something inside Kun was being torn apart, and his tears could no longer be held back.

Wu Xiang cried too. He didn’t know why—perhaps he simply couldn’t help himself. It was, after all, a sad story.

"Xiang, am I really that useless? Am I such a failure?"

"No, you just need to experience a little more, that’s all…"

The next day, Wei was gone, as if she had never returned at all. Kun left too—partly for Director Zhao Baogang’s new drama, "Like Fog, Like Rain, Yet Like Wind," and partly because he no longer wished to act in Wu Xiang’s new film. He wanted to get out, see the world, meet new people.

Wu Xiang supported him; ultimately, it was his own meddling that had spoiled things. No one could blame him—sometimes a good deed goes wrong. At least no one held it against him, otherwise, how much more painful would it be?

Yet now, he was without a lead actor. Luckily, Ming was still around—Wu Xiang’s backup plan.

Wu Xiang’s new film was titled "Emperor Wu of Han." It was a historical epic with the same name as a television drama that would air in a few years, but this time, he had no intention of copying anyone. He remembered clearly—Ming had once played Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, in a series called "The Son of the Great Han," which ran for more than a hundred episodes.

With Kun gone, Ming would have to take the lead.

However, when Wu Xiang approached Ming to discuss the role, Ming said,

"Xiang, you noticed it too?" Clearly, Ming was no fool. "So tell me—just tell me…"

Wu Xiang understood completely. "Ming, say no more, I understand. Do you want the truth?"

Wu Xiang was merciful—he knew the truth would be hard to bear.

"Don’t say it! Please, don’t!" Huang Ming clutched at his hair. "Xiang, do I really not have any chance at all? Not even a little?"

It was obvious Ming loved deeply. Otherwise, why would he have sent gifts for over a decade, only to be rewarded with nothing but the title of ‘good friend’?

"Do you want the truth?" Wu Xiang could see that Ming was on the verge of a breakdown; his heart ached for him.

"Didn’t you say I’m more handsome than Kun? Why doesn’t that matter? I talk with her more, I’m closer to her—why? Why?!" Ming seemed almost frenzied. "You don’t know, Xiang—she loves it when I talk, especially in my hometown dialect: ‘The sea is like a pot of spinach soup, so green, so green.’ She laughs every time I say it, so happily. Ha ha ha…" Ming even started speaking in his regional accent, a smile flickering across his face.

It was a chilling smile. In truth, that phrase in his dialect was so comical that even Wu Xiang almost laughed, but seeing Ming’s fragile state, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

"Ming, the gap between you two is just too wide. She’s in the sky, and you’re still on the ground." Wu Xiang nearly said outright, You’re a toad yearning for a swan.

At this point, Ming really was in that position. Swallow’s popularity was unimaginable. It wasn’t just Ming—Kun faced the same problem. The gulf in status was simply insurmountable for ordinary people.

"What should I do? What do I do now?" Ming’s tears fell from eyes that seemed devoid of life. It was heartbreaking to witness.

"There’s still a way," Wu Xiang said, though reluctantly. He’d wanted to tell the truth, but now he had to give Ming a glimmer of hope—otherwise, the man might break.

"What is it?" Ming stared at Wu Xiang as if he were a lifeline. "Xiang, I know you’re smart—you’re a romance expert, you write such great books. You must have a way, right? You must!"

"I haven’t the slightest idea!" But Wu Xiang couldn’t say that. Not when Ming was teetering on the edge—how could he be so cruel?

Instead, Wu Xiang smiled gently. "The real problem between you is the difference in status. You’re a man, yet your position isn’t as high as hers. Even if you got together, people would gossip. Your only option is to close that gap—to become a superstar like her."

Wu Xiang’s words were a white lie. Even if Ming became a big star, Zhao Wei would still only see him as a friend. But what else could he say? Sometimes, a kind lie is necessary.

"I understand! I get it! Ha ha ha…" Did Ming really understand?

No matter—it was the best possible outcome.

"Why can’t we accept relationships where the woman is stronger than the man?" This was a question Haiqing asked Wu Xiang during one of their cycling dates.

"Because we live in a patriarchal society," Wu Xiang replied simply. "A long time ago, in matriarchal societies, this wasn’t an issue."

Truth be told, dating by bicycle was wonderful. With their gear on, no one could tell who they were—safe, private, and a perfect way to tour the city, get some exercise, and see the sights. Truly, the best of all worlds.

So clever!

"But if a woman is stronger, does that mean they absolutely can’t be together? That can’t be right—there are couples like that," Haiqing was unconvinced.

"They exist, but they’re rare, and they still attract a lot of gossip. Public opinion can destroy anything. Sometimes, even when it looks like the woman’s in charge, the man might actually hold the power at home, or in their love life. That’s the only way such relationships last, so…" Wu Xiang explained patiently.

"How unjust!" Haiqing burst out.

"Unjust? How so?"

"You men can be rich and powerful, but if a woman is strong, it’s not allowed! How’s that fair? There’s no equality at all!" So that was the issue.

Wu Xiang realized this was a conversation best avoided; if they kept debating, it might even threaten their newly established relationship. So he quickly changed the subject.

"It’s not exactly like that. For example, you’re always saying you don’t want a sugar daddy, right? These days, even men with money aren’t spared—frustrating, isn’t it?"

Haiqing burst out laughing, her laughter clear and bright.

"I’m already this frustrated, and you’re laughing at me. I really wonder who’s the stronger one between us. Never mind, I’m a generous man, I won’t argue about it."

"Shameless!" Haiqing spat, utterly exasperated by him.

Wu Xiang continued, "Let’s talk business. My new project is a big production—you know, a period film set in the Han dynasty. The budget won’t be small. Are you really going to just watch me struggle alone?"

As it turned out, Haiqing had already told him she didn’t want to act in "Emperor Wu of Han," because—

"Graduation is just around the corner. I only have a year left to really study. We agreed not to let work interfere with school, and your film will definitely be shot on location for a long time."

The last year of university is for writing the thesis and finding internships or jobs—the Film Academy was no exception. There really wasn’t much time left for actual study.

"Actually, I wanted you as the leading lady."

"Oh, stop it!"

Wu Xiang admitted defeat. "Alright, I won’t push you. But if your husband is out there, surrounded by beautiful, enthusiastic actresses, what if I can’t resist temptation?"

"If you dare!" At these words, Haiqing’s tone shot up.

"Well, I’m young, and they’re so passionate—I mean, it’s only natural…" He chuckled mischievously.

"Drop dead! If you dare, I’ll turn you into firewood when you get back!" She could tell he was teasing.

"Ouch, how ruthless!"

"You haven’t seen ruthless yet!"

With that, Haiqing stretched out her long leg and kicked Wu Xiang’s bike.

"Hey! Stop it, that’s dangerous!"

"Laugh all you want, go on, drop dead!" Could she stop teasing? Not a chance.

With a crash, Wu Xiang lost control. "Ow, I’m down!"

Haiqing laughed recklessly, without a care in the world.

Wu Xiang had fallen into a ditch!

(End of chapter. Please support, your humble author thanks you.)