She paused clearly for a beat.

　　"What is life?" she said slowly, her tone thick with confusion. She'd never considered the question before. She lived each day, yet never pondered what life truly was.

　　I said, "Life carries on and fulfills itself, whether you're present for it or not. You can treat it as a gift. The only thing to do is accept it. For me, that's the only way to truly control my destiny."

　　Qian Mi smiled. "Honestly, I don't agree with you. 'Where there's a will, there's a way' is my motto. But… you've taught me something once again. You haven't changed a bit all these years. Even though I disagree, I sincerely admire you." She sighed deliberately. "Our country has lost another potential leading lady!"

　　Pretending deep thought, I patted her shoulder seriously. "Superstar, you know why I rejected you? In my past life, I was a superstar. I won every major award, domestic and international. My acting skills were called 'textbook!' Please, spare me this lifetime. I want to rest!"

　　Qian Mi laughed so hard she nearly toppled over, pointing at me. "I'm going to die laughing! You're so narcissistic! But… just based on that little scene, I almost believe you were an actor in a past life!" She picked up the bottle and poured me another glass. "Cheers to a superb performance! Let's have another!"

　　"Still drinking?"

　　"Of course!"

　　"Alright. Cheers."

　　We took a few bites of food. Suddenly, she remembered something, slapped her forehead, and grabbed a bag from beside her.

　　"What's this?" I asked curiously.

　　"You'll see." She smiled.

　　I shook my head, smiling, and opened the bag. Inside was a pair of beautiful red children's sandals, delicate and exquisite. Anyone who saw them, child or adult, would look twice.

　　Qian Mi spoke between bites. "I actually prepared a gift for Qianqian in advance, but I didn't dare bring it out. I didn't know who got custody after the divorce."

　　"The shoes are beautiful. The size is perfect. I'll thank you on her behalf," I replied.

　　"Hey! I'm her godmother! You know, her name and mine share the character 'Qian'!"

　　"Yeah, I remember. When we were naming her, he refused to agree. You went straight to his house and scolded him senseless. He didn't dare talk back. You know? You looked just like a heroine! Qianqian is lucky to have you as her godmother. She always tells people at school her mother is a superstar."

　　Qian Mi put down the oyster she was holding, her tone comforting. "Kids are immature, a little vain. It'll get better when she's older. Don't take it to heart too much."

　　I smiled and shook my head. "She did nothing wrong."

　　Qian Mi looked at me, surprised, searching my face. After a moment, she sighed. "Do you know who I admire most? Not wealthy businessmen, not famous directors or investors, not even actors more famous than me. It's you."

　　"Me? What's to admire? If it weren't for you taking care of me, I'd have starved to death!"

　　Qian Mi shook her head, serious. "Back when we sang at the bar, you were the pillar there. All sorts of temptations and threats came your way, but you never yielded, never sold yourself out. Brother Long invited you three times. You refused every time, and got into big trouble. What impressed me most was your smile. Your front tooth was knocked out, your eye was bruised, your face swollen… but you were still smiling! Everyone was stunned, me included! No one understood that smile. It wasn't crazy, or foolish. It was… indifferent. I still can't figure out how you did it. Even after you left the bar, Brother Long never bothered you again."

　　"When you got married, I was just a minor actor, running around sets for tiny roles. But to this day, I've been to so many luxurious, extravagant weddings… none of them shocked me like yours did. After the witness finished his long speech, he asked if you were willing to be Xiaomin Yu's wife. I still remember your answer clearly. You said, 'Xiaomin, at this moment, I am very willing to be your wife and grow old with you. But I may change my mind. I hope you know this.'"

　　"You stunned everyone again. The laughter and applause in the room just stopped. I often think your twelve years of… domestic violence… began right at that moment."

　　I smiled faintly. "I loved him, so I wouldn't lie to him. If that wasn't what he wanted, I could only regret it. I love reality, whatever form it takes. I've always believed if a person can't marry reality, there's no real marriage for them. As for the violence… I've always been grateful he never hit my face."

　　Qian Mi fell silent. I didn't know what she was thinking. She shook the nearly empty bottle and opened a second one, pouring herself another glass and downing it.

　　I felt dizzy, unsure how much longer I could last. Her silence was what I needed. I was about to rest my head on the table when I heard her speak.

　　"I don't know whether to call you foolish or broad-minded. I don't know how Xiaomin Yu won you over. To me, it's just incredible."

　　"If my husband didn't work, only drank, disappeared, and abused me… forget twelve years, I'd have killed him in a week! But you… you even let him be the one to file for divorce and take the assets. Hah… I… I really want to slap you, but also… also want to hug you tight."

　　She laughed, tears in her eyes, and raised her glass to me. I quickly clinked glasses with her and drank.

　　As she poured me another, she pointed at herself. "Who am I? I'm the famous actress Qian Mi! So many people try to get close, to flatter me. But you? You never contact me first. You never ask what I've been through. Sometimes I really wonder if we're even friends, or if I'm just deluding myself. Sometimes I hate you so much I want to cut ties. But I can't help being drawn to you, obsessed with you. After a while, I always want to talk to you, drink with you, ask about your life. You have this… power."

　　"Even though I've never agreed with your thoughts or actions, even though I find you unreasonable, even insane… every time you speak, I want to listen. It makes me think, question, want to know you more. Sometimes, I really feel like I'm being self-destructive!"

　　I didn't speak. I didn't know what to say. I could only keep her company, drinking with her, glass after glass. I never tell people to drink more or less. She can drink as much as she wants. It's her freedom. I'll just be there, quietly.

　　I listened to her list my faults, my coldness. She had plenty of evidence. I had nothing to say. When people are dreaming, they always think they're right. That feeling is more important than the truth.

　　Maybe it was the third or fourth glass, but she gradually changed the subject to her work. From national policies to the market environment, from investor greed to the chaotic relationships in the industry… I listened in a daze.

　　"The power struggles, the endless scandals audiences dig up, I won't even get into that. But you know what? Even my fans comment on everything! They say this is wrong, that shouldn't be done. They collectively boycott my co-stars, control online comments—all under the guise of doing it for my own good! They even try to interfere with events and endorsements! It's driving me crazy!"

　　"They don't understand my difficulties. They just stand on their moral high ground. Maybe they think if they were celebrities, they'd never make a mistake. Wei, don't you think they're ridiculous?"

　　Here, she tapped my arm, jolting me from my stupor.

　　I shook my head, focusing my gaze on her. Her angry expression was rather cute. I asked drunkenly, "Their comments make you angry?"

　　"Yes! They're my fans!"

　　I smiled. "Darling, this is planet Earth."

　　"What do you mean?"

　　"Whether you admit it or not, commenting on each other is everyone's job here. I've never seen a thought or word without a comment. Even calling this in front of us a 'table' is a comment. You've defined it. So, is it possible to think fans shouldn't comment on you, or shouldn't criticize? The truth is, they are commenting. They're just doing their job."

　　Qian Mi was stunned for a second, then couldn't help but laugh. "Hah… you're right."

　　I waved a hand. "Let them comment, let them do their job. And you do yours. Earth is a beautiful, livable place, as long as your mind is free and not stuck on seemingly correct but absurd beliefs."

　　Qian Mi laughed. "I surrender! You always have these twisted reasonings!" She shook her neck, waved an arm, frustrated. "No big productions lately, just busy with trivial things. Completely forgot to exercise. My arms and legs are getting rusty. I've wasted so much time!"

　　"Feeling like you've wasted time is just a thought, a belief. It's not real. You haven't missed anything."

　　Qian Mi smiled. "I'm not too hung up on it. I just want to improve, to get better and better!"

　　My head swam, dazed. "The belief that you can get better isn't real. You're always the best you can be right now. No need for improvement. Not even possible."

　　What followed… I seemed to fall asleep. But hazily, I heard her ask me, "Wei, be honest. Do you like money?"

　　Instinctively, I said, "Of course I do. Money is Dao! Since I don't think I possess anything, what in the world couldn'tI like?"

　　I said something else after that. I think she asked something more. But I don't remember.