She became a heartthrob among internet celebrities.

Wen Zhi stared at the message on her phone and sat there thinking for a long time.

She loves photography, so of course she knows where her problem lies; she just subconsciously avoids thinking about it.

The phone vibrated twice more. Wen Zhi thought it was another message from Jiang Xuemei, but when she opened it, she found it was from her mother.

Mom: Daughter! How are your studies going? You're a junior now, have you found an internship yet? I know someone at a TV station, do you want me to ask around for you?

Mom: Once you graduate and find a job, I'll be at ease and won't have to work so hard anymore.

Mom: Let your womanizing father see just how outstanding you are.

Mom: Your dad came to talk to me about divorce again the other day. He and that shameless mistress...

Wen Zhi didn't want to look anymore. Here it came again. She knew what her mother's messages would say without even reading them—just endless lamentations, complaints, and vicious curses. If she was really in so much pain, why didn't she get a divorce?

Wen Zhi rarely talks about her own affairs with others. She habitually uses aloofness to disguise herself and isolate herself from others. Apart from her roommates, she has almost no other close friends.

Wen Zhi's father was a company executive, and her mother was a housewife. When Wen Zhi was young, she had a happy family, but at some point, her father started coming home later and later, and her mother started sighing and complaining all day long.

Finally, one day, the couple had a fierce argument.

Wen Zhi was in junior high school at that time, and she was already quite sensible.

From her parents' back-and-forth accusations, she understood everything.

My father had an affair, and my mother hysterically berated him and the other woman.

"I have nothing to say to you! Look at yourself now, are you still the same person you used to be?"

"I married you, took care of everything at home, and became a haggard housewife. Now that you've achieved success, you want to dump me? Wen Jianhai! Let me tell you, it's not that easy! I will absolutely not let that vixen make way for her to enter the house!"

Countless arguments, countless unpleasant endings.

In the end, the two did not divorce, but Wenzhi's father stopped coming home. He only gave her a small amount of living expenses each month and no longer cared about his legal wife and biological daughter.

Wenzhi's mother had been a housewife for many years, relying on her husband for expenses. The sudden reduction in her source of income was difficult for her to adapt to, but she had no choice but to go out to work for herself and her daughter.

She had been a full-time housewife for many years, and it was not easy for her to find a job again. She managed to find a suitable job to support herself and her daughter.

"Why not get a divorce?" Wen Zhi asked.

"I'm doing this all for you! Once we're divorced, your dad will completely abandon you!"

"How much will my daughter and I get after the divorce?"

The words "for you" are too heavy.

Wen Zhi felt she was carrying too much on her shoulders. Sometimes she wondered if her mother's life would be any better without her. Would she have gotten a divorce? Would she have had a fresh start?

If it weren't for her, would Mom not be trapped in this loveless marriage and family?

But these problems are destined to remain unsolved. Wen Zhi can only study hard to make her worry less and make her smile more. Or perhaps, Wen Zhi has imagined, maybe she is not doing well enough, and her father does not like her enough, which is why he chose to leave.

Her parents' relationship began to deteriorate when she was in junior high school, and they filed for divorce in high school, a conflict that continues to this day. Whenever her father comes home and discusses the divorce, her mother avoids the conversation. The two always end up arguing, and this cycle repeats itself endlessly.

Wen Zhi felt tired for them.

So she also chose to escape. She deliberately chose a university in Beijing, far away from home, and a major that she liked. She started working part-time to earn money, not only to ease her mother's burden, but also to escape. When she was busy, she didn't have to contact other people.

In addition, Wen Zhi found it difficult to form close relationships with others. She would often think, if her father wanted to leave her and her mother, and her mother had never said "I love you" to her, did she deserve to be loved?

After entering university, Wen Zhi focused more on her studies and photography, which led to her being alone for a long time. Apart from a few roommates and members of the photography club, she had no other friends.

Wen Zhi has a talent for photography, a fact even her teachers have acknowledged. When she works part-time as a photographer, she consistently receives high praise.

There was a time when she genuinely loved photography. In her view, beauty and happiness are fleeting, but a camera can freeze everything and preserve the beauty of the past.

But now, are her photos taken too artificially?

That's true; she desperately wanted to win the competition. She was a junior in college this year and would graduate next year, and her mother was already urging her to go back home. Admittedly, she could choose to refuse, but she simply couldn't say no to her mother. If she did, her mother would cry and recount all the hardships she had endured over the years, which annoyed Wen Zhi.

Continuing her studies is a good option; at least her mother wouldn't object. Wenzhi does indeed like this major, and pursuing a master's degree would also benefit her future development.

Winning this competition would greatly enhance her resume, and one of the judges is the graduate advisor she wants to choose. She just really wants to seize this opportunity.

Wen Zhi's academic performance is not bad, but it is not top-notch either. The implicit boost from this competition is very important to her.

But perhaps it was because she valued it too much that she overlooked other things.

Wen Zhi suddenly became much more cheerful, and her previously blocked thoughts became clear.

-

Jiang Lai received messages from both Yang Xiaoxiao and Wen Zhi at the same time.

Yang Xiaoxiao: Everything looks fine here! You post the video first, and then I'll contact my operations team to repost it!

Wen Zhi: Okay, thank you, junior (cute)

Jiang Lai's eyes widened. Wen Zhi had actually sent an adorable emoji! Had the aloof goddess been brought down from her pedestal?

Jiang Lai typed hesitantly.

Jiang Lai: You're welcome, senior! Call me if you need anything later!

I won't say anything else, as it would be annoying to talk too much. In the end, it's all Wen Zhi's decision.

Wen Zhi: Okay (makes heart shape with hands)

Jiang Lai hesitated for a moment while looking at the heart-shaped hand gesture, then decided to ignore it.

Jiang Lai: Sister Xiaoxiao, shall I send it now?

Yang Xiaoxiao: Okay!

Jiang Lai posted the video on her Douyin account and then started doing her homework.

-

When Jiang Lai finished her homework and then watched Douyin (TikTok), there were already quite a few comments under the videos she posted.

--First!!

—I bought it, when will you arrange for me to get this body type?

I arrived early, so I'll leave a comment before reading.

—It's EVE again, @EVE, come and give us some money!

—So beautiful! The new autumn collection is absolutely gorgeous!

—I feel like I might be my sister's nose hair, because every breath she takes touches my heart.

—It's not that bad upstairs.

—I'll rush to buy the first item priced at 288!

—@CatsDontEatFish Come and see! This feels like your style!

—It's alright, not as good-looking as my casual clothes (doge).

—Huh? It's that streamer I follow who does everything but never does anything productive or streams! Do you even remember what you did in the beginning?

Yang Xiaoxiao waited for a while before the video was redirected from Jiang Lai's homepage.

EVE Fashion: @It'sLaiNotLai Our new autumn collection is already here! We're already having reviews! Take a look and see if there's anything you like? There are even more perks for the new collection launch! (Thumbs up!)

I just bought a dress that's perfect for autumn at the store today.

—This time the fabric is finally less delicate, and it's fine even if you slouch or roll around in it.

—Why are you transferring videos from amateur streamers? Can't you guys film them yourselves?

—Take a look

—This review is pretty good! It's quite fair.

It's hard not to support it; the claim that "even old ladies don't like this color" made me laugh so hard I almost threw up.

—Indeed, that was the ugliest of all the clothes.

Jiang Lai also left a comment under the official video: Thank you, official!

This directly attracted another group of fans to her homepage.

Jiang Lai clicked back to her own video, and besides those looking at her clothes, there were also those urging her to go live.

—I tolerated your dancing videos, since I enjoy watching beautiful women dance. I also tolerated your vlogs, since I could watch them. But I can't tolerate your clothing reviews, because as a grown man, I wouldn't buy anything from them, and even if I did, I wouldn't need them. I just want to ask, when are you going to start live streaming? My longtime fans are crying.

—Agree with the comment above, live broadcast!!

—Also, as a fan of radio dramas, I came here because of your voice, but why aren't you making any appearances?!

—No behind-the-scenes footage or clips of the dubbing, you're really something.

Jiang Lai scrolled through the comments section and reflected on herself. She realized that she had indeed been busy with real-world matters lately and had neglected the live stream.

001: "I've been reflecting on it, but I've never changed it."

Jiang Lai: "You're too good at talking. I suggest you shut up."

She posted a status update: "[Cat covering head.jpg] Live stream at 9 PM!"

Someone quickly replied to this live stream post:

--Really?

What's on tonight's show?

—Wow, great! I'm waiting!

—How long does it air? Do you remember when you used to air from 10 PM to 12 AM?

Jiang Lai replied to each message: "Really," "Reading," "Wait!" "Let's broadcast for an hour and a half. If it gets any later, the dormitory lights will be turned off, which will disturb my roommates' rest."

Jiang Lai talked to her roommates that evening and started a live stream in the dorm at 9 PM, not a minute earlier or later.

Since she was going to read today, Jiang Lai chose a picture that looked peaceful as her background.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

—I can't hear you!

—What? Why is there no sound??

Is anyone talking? (doge)

—Wait, wait, wait?

Jiang Lai thought she really couldn't hear her own voice when she saw the comments, and it took her a while to realize it.

"Are you kidding me? Then I'm going to end the stream?"

No!!!

—You just logged on and then ended the stream?? I think you've gotten too cocky.

—Don't end the broadcast! Insomniacs have already put on their headphones and are waiting for you to start reading.

—By the way, is the number one on the leaderboard still here??

—The top-ranked player isn't here!

—That's hilarious! Who's always asking about the number one spot?!

—Isn't that great? The host belongs to all of us now!

—CV fans don't know whether to cry or not. Although it's about studying, it seems like the excitement is yours, and has nothing to do with us.

Jiang Lai looked at the comments scrolling across the screen and said, "No more chatting today, I'm going to read for an hour and a half. I've even put my water cup down."

—Yay! I can go to bed early tonight!

—Screen recording!

—Why don't you just listen quietly instead of sending it to everyone?

Jiang Lai opened the e-book and began to read softly: "I would like to ask, who keeps that lonely lake company? But on its lake where the water and sky meet, there is not a blue devil, but a blue angel."

……

"I am not necessarily more lonely than a mullein or a dandelion on the pasture; or in other words, I am not necessarily more lonely than a bean leaf, a clover, a horsefly, or a bumblebee. I am not necessarily more lonely than Mill Creek, the hyacinth hen, the North Star, the south wind, the April showers, the January snowmelt, or the first spider in a new house."

—What is this being read?

——Walden Forum

—This voice is so soothing, that's the only sentence I know how to say.

Jiang Lai read the book at a leisurely pace. Her voice was originally quite soft and sweet, but she deliberately lowered her tone to read, making her enunciation clear and her emotions delicate, which made people feel calm and more likely to resonate with her.

The background music playing in Jiang Lai's live stream today was still the sound of a burning campfire, with the occasional crisp sound of firewood crackling.

A few people were still sending comments in the comment section, but most people were slowly falling asleep to the sound.

Jiang Lai read for an hour and a half straight. Although there was water on the table, she resisted the urge to drink it.

When the time came, Jiang Lai leaned close to the microphone and softly said "Goodnight," then immediately ended the broadcast.

The viewers in the live stream were already used to it and skillfully left the live stream without even posting any complaints.

Of course, some people had already fallen asleep and remained in the dark, now-closed live stream room.

Jiang Lai exited the live stream and turned off her phone and computer.

"It's finally over!" Jiang Lai took a big gulp of water.

Zhao Ying's eyes widened, and she whispered, "Can I speak now?"

"Yes, I can." Jiang Lai looked at her apologetically, "Zhao Zhao, are you going to play games?"

"No, no, no! I wanted to do my homework, but this is too hypnotic. I don't want to do it anymore, I just want to sleep."

Jiang Lai: "This isn't my fault, is it?"

"It's your fault! So can I borrow your homework to copy?" "All that buildup was for this one sentence, wasn't it?" "Hehe!"

Tang Li raised her hand: "Let me copy this too!! The kid doesn't want to work hard anymore!"

Jiang Lai: "Is anyone still studying in this dorm room?"

Zhao Ying and Tang Li said in unison, "Yes, you and Xiang Yue!"

Li Xiangyue looked helpless. "You guys still know that!"

Jiang Lai handed over her homework: "This is a one-time exception, don't do it again!"

"No problem!" "Understood!"

Jiang Lai shook her head and got up to wash up.

After she finished everything, Tang Li and Zhao Ying were still writing furiously. "How much homework have you guys not done?"

"I haven't written my Marxist theory paper yet!"

"Then there's nothing I can do. Good luck!"

"cry."

Jiang Lai and Li Xiangyue climbed into bed first, leaving the other two to work on their homework late into the night.

Jiang Lai thought for a moment, and since there was nothing else to do, she took out her earphones and turned on the radio drama voiced by Fu An.

While others fell asleep listening to her read aloud, she fell asleep listening to Fu An's radio dramas.