Chapter 8: The Cost of Courage

Unknowingly, I fell asleep and had a dream.

At that time, my career was on the rise. Monica got me a hit movie. I was only a supporting role, but very likable.

Riding the momentum, she got me on talk shows and commercials. At a dinner with investors, I ran into an old acquaintance—Director Young.

He had stopped directing and become a producer, even changed his name.

That day, as I passed by, a young girl ran out of his room, clothes disheveled.

I shielded the girl behind me, pointed my phone at him, and the girl said there was another one inside.

I got everyone out.

He knew Ethan was backing me, so he didn’t dare touch me.

I knew this might bring trouble to Ethan. If he didn’t help, I’d be in big trouble.

But there was no time to think.

If I hadn’t run into it, I couldn’t help. But if I saw and ignored it, I’d never have peace.

The two girls later disappeared from the industry.

Later, I told Ethan about it, thinking he’d lay into me, but he just laughed and said my temper was growing.

He only reminded me not to do such things alone again, because even a cornered dog will bite.

I was scared afterward, but I also felt a strange kind of backbone.

That backbone all came from Ethan.

When I first entered the industry, I had no fame or status, and not many people knew about my relationship with Ethan.

So on set, I was often bullied as a newcomer. I didn’t want trouble, thinking a few words wouldn’t hurt me.

Once, Ethan came to visit the set and overheard it. He called over the crew member who had mocked me and told me to stand up for myself.

At first, I couldn’t, so he started, and I followed his lead, getting more and more into it, until he dragged me away.

That day, he watched me with a smile.

"Bottling up your anger until you get sick?"

"I can’t be here every day. From now on, if anyone scolds or bullies you, fight back. If you can’t, tell me."

"I never let you be wronged. Why take it outside?"

That day, Ethan’s eyes were bright, his smile shining.

It felt like a crack opened in my heart, and what poured out was all love.

Thinking of his words now, they echo in my chest, a bittersweet memory I can’t shake off no matter how hard I try.