Chapter 131: It's Truly Exhausting to Be a Good Person

The ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded, and Li Qin politely declined the mall owner’s invitation to dinner. She knew exactly what he was after, despite his polite pretext. Putting on her sunglasses, Li Qin strode out of the mall. Just then, her phone rang, and the name on the screen caused her to freeze in her tracks.

The phone rang for a long time before she finally answered.

"Hello."

"Look to your right."

Li Qin turned to see Zhao Li sitting by the window in the coffee shop to her right, watching her in silence. Zhao Li had not brought Lin Ke'er along; there were some things she didn't want her to hear.

After a moment of hesitation, Li Qin walked into the café. She sat down across from Zhao Li without removing her sunglasses. "What do you want?"

Up close, Li Qin’s face looked even more weary. Despite the thick layer of foundation, the poor condition of her skin was still evident.

"How have you been lately?" Zhao Li asked.

"Quite well..." Li Qin started, then caught a glimpse of her own schedule displayed on Zhao Li’s lit-up phone screen. She gave a dismissive laugh. "It's just work. I don't mind the fatigue. I'm making much more now than I ever did at Rainbow."

"Come back," Zhao Li said softly.

The smile vanished from Li Qin’s face. "Why would I go back? I'm doing just fine at Wave."

"Is lying to yourself really worth it? They don't even treat you like a human being!" Zhao Li reached out and grabbed Li Qin's hand. "I can help you scrape together the contract termination fee, I’m serious!"

Li Qin pulled her hand away. "Zhao Li, has anyone ever told you that you’re a martyr? So much so that it’s actually annoying!"

"How I’m doing at Wave is my business. What does it have to do with you?" Li Qin sneered. "You’re always like this, thinking of everyone else. As long as someone is even the slightest bit kind to you, you’re ready to give them your heart."

"Do you think they’ll actually be grateful?"

"To us, you’re just a fool."

With that, Li Qin grabbed her bag and walked out. The waiter had only just brought the coffee over.

Zhao Li hung her head, her face deathly pale, her entire body trembling, and cold sweat beading on her forehead.

"Check, please."

Lin Ke'er was idly playing on her phone in the car when Zhao Li returned, looking completely hollowed out.

"Back so soon? What did you two talk about?"

"Nothing much. I’m not feeling well, let's skip the shopping today," Zhao Li said.

"That's fine, your health comes first."

...

In the distance, Li Qin watched the van drive away, feeling a pang of heartache so sharp she could barely breathe. The entertainment industry was a monster that swallowed people whole; with a personality like hers, Zhao Li was destined to be badly hurt sooner or later. If she was going to be wounded, it was better that she, Li Qin, be the one to snap her out of it with harsh words.

When the van arrived at Zhao Li’s apartment building, before getting out, she suddenly asked, "Ke'er, what do you think of me?"

Lin Ke'er didn't know why she asked, but she answered honestly: "You’re wonderful, so gentle. There is no one kinder than you."

Zhao Li nodded calmly. "Thank you."

Despite such high praise, Zhao Li felt no joy at all. Back home, she turned on the air conditioning and curled up in bed, unable to understand: Is there something wrong with being good to others? Why does the world treat me this way?

...

Zhou Miao stepped out of the car. "That’s enough. I feel confident about passing the second driving test."

Hu San glanced at him. "Don't jinx it, or you might end up failing."

Zhou Miao didn't mind. "Talent doesn't fear failure. I told the instructor that the three of us will take the test next week. I have work at the company tomorrow, so you go practice with Zhao Li."

"What kind of work?" Hu San asked.

"I sang a few new songs on *Setting Out for Love*, and I’m going to record them while I have the time." Zhou Miao stretched his back after sitting for so long. "I plan to donate all the earnings from these songs. It’s not like I’m short a few tens of millions."

The instructor, who had just stepped out of the car, paused, his expression complex as he stared at the sunset and took a deep drag of his cigarette.

Not short a few... tens of millions?

The world was going mad. He was still grinding away from dawn to dusk for a monthly salary of a few thousand, while Zhou Miao, who was younger than his own son, didn't even consider tens of millions to be money.

Hu San cheered for Zhou Miao’s decision. "As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. I’m truly touched by your sense of civic duty!"

Zhou Miao laughed. "I still remember when the school held a charity drive. Everyone donated a hundred, but you only donated fifty."

Hu San shook her head. "You donated a hundred because you had several hundred in your pocket. I donated fifty because that was all I had."

"I don't think that’s shameful. In terms of percentage, you guys didn't contribute as much as I did!"

Zhou Miao helplessly patted her head. "Fine, fine, you’re the most charitable one."

...

The next morning, Hu San, feeling her driving skills were still lacking, called Zhao Li early to practice. The phone rang for a long time without an answer. The second time she called, someone finally picked up.

But Zhao Li’s voice was off—raspy, weak, and heavy with congestion.

"What’s wrong? Did you catch a cold?" Hu San asked worriedly.

"I think so... I’m very dizzy, I can't stand up."

"Stay in bed then. I’m coming over right now. What’s the password to your smart lock?"

...

Half an hour later, Hu San arrived at Zhao Li’s place. She touched Zhao Li’s forehead, which was burning hot, and noticed an unnatural flush on her face.

"You have a fever. I’m taking you to the hospital," Hu San said.

Zhao Li shook her head with difficulty. "It’s okay, I'll just take some medicine."

"Where is it? I’ll get it for you."

"The drawer..."

Hu San pulled open the nightstand drawer and let out a surprised "Oh." Besides a small first-aid kit, there were two Ultraman masks inside.

Hu San helped Zhao Li take her medicine, then picked up the Tiga mask.

Dazed and feverish, Zhao Li saw the mask in Hu San’s hand. Her hazy eyes suddenly widened, a cold sweat broke out on her back, and she felt a sudden jolt of clarity.

"This is that mask of Zhou Miao's, right? Can I have it? I really wanted one when I watched the show, but he didn't bring any back," Hu San said.

Zhao Li managed a weak smile. "If you like it, take it. I was just keeping it as a souvenir anyway."

Hu San tucked the blanket around Zhao Li. "You get some sleep. I’m going to make you some porridge."

As Hu San walked out of the room, Zhao Li stared blankly at the ceiling. A moment ago, her heart had been filled with ten thousand reasons to say no, but the moment she spoke, it turned into, "If you like it, take it."

Why can't I refuse others? Even when it’s something I cherish so much.

Being a good person is truly exhausting.