Chapter 1527: A Twist of Fate?

Night fell. Though it was early winter, voices still filled the campus.

Some sang loudly, some wept in despair, some roared wildly, as if exhausting all their strength.

At the Central Academy of Drama, this was normal—they were all honing their acting skills. Though they had passed the thousand-to-one admission rate, four years later, most would become ordinary people.

Only a small few would become glamorous stars.

The chance of success was but a sliver.

In these youthful years, everyone fought hard for their dream of stardom.

Once upon a time, Tong Xiaoya was one of them. Born in 1984, her parents both worked in arts education, giving her a rich family heritage. She had loved dancing since childhood and even became a dance major.

Growing up in a border region, she was often selected to perform in Beijing, forging an unbreakable bond with the capital.

In 2004, Tong Xiaoya performed at the Ministry of Culture's Spring Festival Gala, stunning the audience with a solo ethnic dance. Afterward, she was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama's acting department.

Not long ago, she passed Er Xiaobao's film audition and got a role.

At that time, Tong Xiaoya felt her life was smooth sailing.

Then, the nightmare struck!

She never imagined that attending a celebration banquet to seek opportunities would lead to so much: first being drugged, then rescued by a hero, and then losing her virginity.

Then...

Wang Jie came to threaten her, and she lost her role in "New Love Stubborn."

Now, Tong Xiaoya felt a sense of despair, as if all her years of effort had been wiped out in an instant.

"If it comes to it, I'll go home," Tong Xiaoya silently decided.

Because of her family background, not becoming a star and failing to fulfill her dream saddened her, but it wouldn't affect her livelihood. Though regretful, she could accept it.

As for Wang Jie, she didn't believe he could chase her to the border region to cause trouble.

Maybe elsewhere, but in her hometown—ha, Tong Xiaoya knew better than anyone what kind of place it was.

The dorm door opened, and Han Wenqing and two other roommates stormed in, fuming.

"What's wrong, sis?" Tong Xiaoya asked, puzzled by their expressions.

"Nothing."

Han Wenqing shook her head, her face unnatural.

"So mad!" Another girl didn't hide it from Tong Xiaoya, grinding her teeth. "It's those vocational class people. They heard somewhere that you got the 'New Love Stubborn' role by sleeping with someone, and now that you're old news, you lost the role..."

Buzz!

Tong Xiaoya felt as if a hammer had struck her head; she was completely stunned.

"That, that's not true! I didn't! I didn't!" Tong Xiaoya shook her head, explaining frantically.

"We know," the girl quickly hugged Tong Xiaoya. "Don't worry, Qingjie and I cursed them out. A bunch of bastards who can't stand others' success—they deserve it!"

The girl was Tan Lu, from the northeast, known for her fiery temper—the famous little chili pepper of the acting department.

"Lulu, thank you," Tong Xiaoya looked up, pitifully, at Tan Lu.

"Come on, don't be so formal."

Tan Lu shook her head. She was one of those who accompanied Tong Xiaoya to the celebration banquet and downstairs, originally seeking opportunities. Now things had turned out like this, and she felt terrible too.

Just now in the cafeteria, hearing others gossip about Tong Xiaoya, she couldn't control her temper, got into a big fight, and almost came to blows.

Fights between girls are often scarier than those between men, because men usually solve conflicts with fists, while women use sharp, bitter words to humiliate opponents.

"The key is, what do we do now?" Han Wenqing sat on the bed and said to Tong Xiaoya, "We can't let these rumors keep spreading—it's too damaging for you."

Gossip is fearsome. Though they knew Tong Xiaoya wasn't that kind of person and that Wang Jie was behind it, most people didn't.

People have a herd mentality, like keyboard warriors in the internet age.

Those people don't care about the truth; they only care about standing on a moral high ground and condemning others.

Like the later case of Liu—the one who didn't know his wife was beautiful, the green-tea bitch—observant people could see from the start that there was more to it, but everyone chose to ignore everything.

The masses ate popcorn and cursed, first calling all men scum and perverts, wanting them locked up for a hundred years, then, when the decision not to prosecute came out, said the woman must be no good. In short, everyone else was wrong, never themselves.

And the media? Forget it. For a scoop, they'd shamelessly do anything.

Now it was the same.

Many knew Tong Xiaoya wasn't the type to sell herself for a role, but did that matter?

As the campus belle of the 2004 class at the Central Academy of Drama, such rumors were undoubtedly harmful, and many in the school were happy to see her hurt—why was she so beautiful?

Jealousy can make people lose their conscience and do shocking things.

Where there are people, there are conflicts; where there are women, there are often scheming disputes. The Central Academy of Drama was no different—many women, even more beautiful women, so dirty deeds were more likely.

Tong Xiaoya's dorm was relatively good; at least they united against outsiders. In earlier years, the female dorms at the academy had all sorts of bizarre incidents.

Fighting over roles was common. Did anyone really think that after graduation, everyone would look back on school life with smiles and harmony?

Ha, only fools believe that!

"I don't know either," Tong Xiaoya shook her head. She truly had no idea—she had never faced such a big problem.

Gritting her teeth, Han Wenqing said, "How about we talk to the counselor?"

"What for?" Tan Lu asked, puzzled.

"Ask her to help see if we can get back into the crew," Han Wenqing said.

Tong Xiaoya shook her head bitterly: "Impossible. The counselor said it was the investor's decision. Unless they change their minds, I definitely can't get in."

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

"Tong Xiaoya! Someone's looking for you downstairs!"

It was the dorm manager at the entrance.

"Someone looking for me?"

Han Wenqing and Tan Lu's expressions changed. Clearly, they thought it was the people from the earlier fight, or Wang Jie again.

Tong Xiaoya's face turned pale too.

"They're going too far!" Tan Lu snorted, grabbing a wooden stick used for drying clothes—she was clearly ready to fight.

"Lulu, don't!"

Tong Xiaoya grabbed Tan Lu. She couldn't let her classmates do something foolish for her; fighting on campus would get them punished.

Taking a deep breath, Tong Xiaoya calmed herself, a determined expression on her face. "Come on, go downstairs with me and see who it is!"

She had made up her mind: no matter what, she would leave the Central Academy of Drama if necessary.

Though reluctant, she had thought a lot over the past two days. Perhaps this was the best choice—for herself and for those around her.

With that resolve, she went downstairs with her roommates.

Then, seeing the people in front of her, Tong Xiaoya was stunned.

"You... who are you?"