Inspiration

Author's Note:

Horror novelist x arthouse film director

"You are my endless source of inspiration."

Tao Ye is the protagonist of An Qin's novel.

An Qin is the leading actress in Tao Ye's film.

On the first day Tao Ye moved into Room 402, An Qin wrote: Among millions of people, I chose her body. I will become her. A person's head and shoulders each bear three flames. I have three chances to blow out the flame of her life.

The first: when I understand her;

The second: when she knows me;

The third: when I possess her.

As the novel progresses, the words An Qin puts on paper become one cage after another, all confining her. In the end, she is unable to free herself from this love.

Tao Ye presses the shutter for An Qin three times.

The first: when she yields to me.

The second: when her tears fall.

The third: when she looks up at the break of day.

On the day An Qin finishes her novel, Tao Ye is hunched over her desk late at night, sketching storyboards. Suddenly, she hears someone behind her call her name. She listens closely, but the sound is gone.

The window is open, and the cold night wind sneaks in. Tao Ye pulls her shawl tighter, but she still cannot shake the chill, as if it is rising right against her spine.

"Tao Ye."

The voice comes again.

Tao Ye turns around. A chill shoots through her body. Before she can hide, she feels as if something is forcibly pulled out of her.

When she turns back, Tao Ye hears her throat speaking against her will. She says, "Hello, it's nice to meet you. I'm Tao Ye."

No! Tao Ye is stunned. This isn't her!

///

Reader's Guide:

1. Dark tone with a touch of suspense.

2. They save each other.

Break

Next Novel: Brilliant Gemstones

Two doctors, gentle and restrained x sensitive and rebellious

"I've always followed in your footsteps."

1.

My gemstone was taken away.

Song Xiyu is getting married.

The year Xu Qin turned sixteen

was both a tender and cruel year in the first half of her life.

Her mother passed away, and Song Xiyu took her in at Guancui Garden.

Xu Qin worked herself to the bone at school to repay her.

But when Xu Qin handed Song Xiyu her report card,

Song Xiyu's face was cold. She paced around the room like a spinning top, the furniture crashing into each other as the noise slammed into Xu Qin's heart. Song Xiyu said, "Xu Qin, I'm getting married tomorrow. Come back and pack your things."

Xu Qin was stunned, as if nailed to the spot.

Right. Xu Qin had almost forgotten. She was only one of the students Song Xiyu sponsored. How could she claim Song Xiyu as her own, or expect her to remember anything about her?

Song Xiyu had only ever pitied her.

Xu Qin could only force a smile. "Congratulations."

2.

When they meet again, Song Xiyu is caught up in a divorce scandal and suspended from her job at the hospital. At the invitation of a friend six months earlier, she goes to the medical university to attend an academic seminar.

After the meeting, Song Xiyu walks across campus. Crowds of people rush past her, and she drifts along with them, dazed.

Deafening heavy metal music erupts. The person onstage suddenly spins around, with dyed streaks in her hair and an electric guitar in her arms. One leg bounces as one cocky grin after another crosses her face.

Her voice rings out, and the applause is thunderous.

Passion, youth, and exhilaration.

"Ah, Xu Qin." Her friend beside her lets out a weary "tsk." "The problem student who got disciplined."

Xu Qin? That sweet, well-behaved kid?

Song Xiyu sees Xu Qin sitting on the back of a motorcycle driven by some street tough late at night. After giving her a strange, distant, contemptuous look, Xu Qin disappears down the street.

Song Xiyu furrows her brows. She has no idea what happened.

So Song Xiyu becomes a substitute lecturer at the medical university. As she gradually uncovers the reason for Xu Qin's disciplinary action, she discovers a different side of her. Before she knows it, she's fallen for her.

Only then does Song Xiyu realize what she lost.

She knows it's shameless, but she's fallen anyway.

3.

Xu Qin doesn't want to be good anymore.

She doesn't want to live so cautiously anymore.

Song Xiyu says the heart is the most beautiful gemstone in the human body.

Song Xiyu says, "My heart belongs to you."

Reader's Guide:

1. Song had a brief marriage. Please don't read if that bothers you.

2. Xu is sensitive and fragile early on. There is a 13-year age gap.

3. The medical information comes from the internet. If you spot any mistakes, please point them out kindly.

Theme: Even a low point in life can be the best time for a turning point. Stay calm, build up your strength, and one day you'll amaze everyone.