Seize the Throne

Chapter 22: The Mirror is Broken

Bian Yi had planned to retire from the entertainment industry a long time ago.
To be precise, it was probably within a year or two after he married Kou Li.

At that time, Xiao Shu had not yet come to this family.

Bian Yi really liked acting, but since he was preparing to marry Kou Li, he only accepted scripts that he really liked, rejecting those that he only liked a little.

Bian Yi was ambitious, and his pursuit before was to turn his hobby into a career and win the highest awards.

He didn’t lack food or clothing, and his lover never said anything like “I’ll support the family, you just stay at home with me.”

Because Kou Li understood him, and he knew that being pampered and kept at home was not what Bian Yi liked.

Bian Yi liked adventure, challenges, and the exhilaration of reaching the summit.

But just as Kou Li understood him, Bian Yi also understood Kou Li.

Although Kou Li didn’t say it out loud and kept it to himself, how could his bed companion who spent day and night with him not notice?

Kou Li didn’t want him to go out, Kou Li wanted him to stay by his side, and Kou Li once said to him, “I only have you.”

So, between his preferences and Kou Li, Bian Yi used his actions to tell Kou Li his choice.

In his heart, Kou Li was more important.

So when Kou Li exploded that day and exposed his greediest voice, although Bian Yi ran away, he only got angry for a while and thought about going home to comfort that man.

As for whether to lock the door or not, Bian Yi knew that Kou Li wouldn’t actually do it.

Just as he loved Kou Li, Kou Li also loved him deeply, how could he bear to hurt him? How could he bear to see him unhappy and in pain?

Looking up, he gazed at himself in the mirror.

After taking care of himself for many days, his complexion looked much better and he still looked young in the mirror.

On the day he was taken away by the system, he intended to go home to soothe Kou Li.
After he calmed Kou Li down, he would wait for Kou Li to come and soothe him.
Once he was comfortable, he would tell Kou Li that he planned to withdraw from the circle.

After withdrawing from the circle, he would spend his time on Kou Li and Xiao Shu.
Of course, if there were plays he particularly liked and wanted to act in that he couldn’t resist and would ask Kou Li’s permission to go.

Originally, Bian Yi had planned his future life well.

Originally, he and Kou Li were deeply in love.

But the appearance of that system and time traveler was like a stone that shattered their once peaceful life into pieces.

Now, even though the stone is gone, the mirror is still broken.

Even if it is glued back together, those marks cannot be erased.

Moreover, he still hates him.

Bian Yi knows that Kou Li definitely hates him too.

There is no reason for this, and it is even selfish.

But it is a common occurrence.

When you need your loved one the most, they are not by your side.

“Are you ready?” Kou Li pushed open the door and interrupted Bian Yi’s reverie.

Bian Yi blinked and then looked at the clothes he was wearing.
He straightened his cuffs in front of the mirror and nodded to Kou Li.

Bian Yi and Kou Li got into the same car.

They were going to attend a charity dinner.

Bian Yi hadn’t donated any money when he returned, but he had received an invitation card from Nie Fang, which was really given to him.
From his agent, he learned that Kou Li had donated in his name many times in the past year.
The donations were transparent, and if no one looked into it, nobody would know.
However, once someone looked into it, they could see everything.
Because of this, despite the many stupid things Guan Xi did this year, there were still many people speaking up for him.

Of course, this was also because Kou Li did not allow Guan Xi to publicize his donations.
If it were up to Guan Xi himself, he would definitely want to proclaim to the whole world how righteous and kind he was.

Bian Yi asked Nie Fang for a list, and Xu Rui would also come tonight.
However, this was not the main reason why Bian Yi came.
He came because many of his friends were gathered at this banquet, thanks to Guan Xi, who helped him identify many good friends.

Soon, BianYi arrived.
The organizer led him and Kou Li into the inner field.
Outside, familiar flashing lights and loud questions from various entertainment journalists were present, with some oddly dressed people pushing their way toward them, mostly trying to attract attention and become famous.

Apart from them, there were also some fans’ support on the periphery, with the same level of excitement as the red carpet section of some awards ceremonies.

The two words “charity event” sounded good and generous, but not everyone who came had actually done charity work.
This was a better hunting ground, with longer and wider staircases that led to fame and fortune.

Bian Yi glanced at the crowd and saw that many celebrities had chosen to park on the busiest side, getting off in front of the public, and showing off their most beautiful and elegant faces.

Bian Yi withdrew his gaze and glanced at Kou Li beside him.
Not for anything else, just for some memories.

Once he went to receive an award and walked on a similar but larger and wider red carpet, with more people and brighter lights.
He was blocked by the lights and noise, but miraculously, he still saw Kou Li standing in the distance, watching him.

That day, when he received the award, Kou Li returned from abroad overnight, did not stop at the airport or rest, but came straight to see him, waiting for him to finish receiving the award, and sharing his joy with him.

What was he feeling at that time?

With a hand resting on his back, Bian Yi stiffened for a moment.
He looked to his left and saw Kou Li with a slight smile on his lips.
The hand on his back didn’t exert any force, it just lightly gestured in the direction of its owner.

Bian Yi pursed his lips and glanced at the receptionist who was smiling at them.
He took half a step to the left.

He remembered the day when he received his award and saw Kou Li’s mood.
The place where that person stood looked dark and cold, yet Bian Yi felt warmth and everything could be melted away.

At the same time, Jiang Shi arrived.
The agent told him to get off at the journalist’s location, but Jiang Shi just frowned and ignored him.
The agent noticed and coaxed him like a child, saying it was a formal occasion and he didn’t have to worry about entertaining anyone.
Jiang Shi could just find a quiet place to eat by himself and leave the adults to his sister.

Jiang Shi shook his head and said, “No, I saw Teacher Bian.”

The agent was confused and asked what happened to Bian Yi.
They got along well when they recorded the program together last time, and Jiang Shi didn’t do anything wrong when the internet attacked Bian Yi.

Jiang Shi opened his mouth but ultimately said, “Never mind.”

He couldn’t explain it, and if he did, perhaps his sister would advise him to see a doctor.
He thought it was best to wait until it was over and then tell his sister so she could arrange for a doctor to come and see him.

“I told you, you’re not sick! I am a real existence!” The system had been quite upset by this boy in the past few days and no matter what it said, Jiang Shi ignored it.

Sure enough, Jiang Shi still didn’t respond even after typing out this sentence.

It didn’t give up and continued:

“[Did you see it just now? Beside Bian Yi is Kou Li, but you are the protagonist, Kou Li belongs to you!]

[Do you know how many assets Kou Li has? They should have belonged to you too, but now they’re all taken by others.]

[Do you think there can be two identical Bian Yis? It is because they are both pursuers, outsiders!]

[They are taking away what originally belonged to you, don’t you understand?]”

Jiang Shi’s eyebrows furrowed tightly and he stopped on the steps.

Two identical Bian Yis, both pursuers? Outsiders? Are they… time travelers?