She accepted the flowers with a forced “thank you.”
Anderson Tina had been Nancy’s friend since childhood.
When they were choosing universities, Nancy went abroad while Anderson Tina chose to attend an art school. Later, the Anderson family’s business faltered and faced bankruptcy, leaving Anderson Tina to rely on her earnings in the entertainment industry to support her family. Unfortunately, her parents were gambling addicts, and her younger siblings were far from satisfactory. As the eldest daughter, Anderson Tina had a tough time, but she remained optimistic, taking on film after film. Each year, she shot several movies, raked in numerous endorsements, and was constantly in demand for commercial appearances—all to help the Anderson family.
Anderson Tina was known in the industry as a workaholic, earning her the nickname “The Entertainment Industry’s Model Worker.”
She was someone who never seemed to tire, so Nancy was surprised to see her in such low spirits.
“What’s wrong? Is your mom bothering you again about gambling debts?”
Anderson Tina shook her head and closed the door.
The two sat down, but Anderson Tina kept her head down for a long time. Suddenly, she broke down in tears.
“Hey, b, what’s going on? Don’t cry! You have a scene to film soon. If your makeup gets ruined, those reporters outside will make a huge fuss.”
Nancy couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. But the reality was that in the entertainment industry, even crying wasn’t a luxury one could afford.
Who would sympathize with you? Who would care about your tears? For someone of Anderson Tina’s stature, even a single tear could make headlines.
“I can’t hold it in anymore, Nancy. I’m done for! I’m finished!”
Anderson Tina’s face was filled with despair, her sobs rendering her speechless. Nancy was startled and questioned her for a long time, but Anderson Tina wouldn’t say anything.
Suddenly, Nancy had a bad feeling. “What happened? Did your parents do something again? Or… were you caught up in drugs?”
Drug use was rampant in the entertainment industry. Many seemingly glamorous celebrities struggled with addiction behind the scenes.
Nancy had always worried that Tina might succumb to the pressure and turn to drugs, but over the years, Tina had shown remarkable restraint, never even considering such an escape.
Anderson Tina kept shaking her head, refusing to speak, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
“What’s going on? Tell me, and I’ll figure something out for you. If you don’t say anything, are you planning to shoulder this all by yourself?”
Anderson Tina clung to Nancy, her voice trembling with despair. “Nancy, I’m so scared! I’m done for!”
“What’s wrong with you?” Nancy was getting anxious.
After hesitating for a long time, Anderson Tina finally spoke, her voice shaky: “I’m sick…”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
Nancy’s first reaction was AIDS. “Is it “that” disease?”
Anderson Tina paused for a moment and then shook her head. “No, but it’s still a bad disease. It’s one of those that’s a death sentence. Nancy, with my status, I can’t even go to a hospital. There’s no such thing as a secret that won’t leak. Remember a few years ago when someone went to the hospital for an abortion? The internet was ablaze with the news, and that was during a time when social media wasn’t as developed. Now that I’ve gotten this illness, there’s no way I can go to the hospital! I’m doomed!”
Nancy was baffled. Although she knew it was a serious illness, Anderson Tina’s vague description left her guessing. The most likely possibility was a sexually transmitted disease. Regardless of the type, contracting one would indeed be a major issue. But how did Anderson Tina end up with something like this?
“What on earth happened to you?”
Anderson Tina kept crying, unwilling to explain. It wasn’t until after she finished filming her scene and they were inside her trailer that she broke down and confessed.
It turned out that during the time when her family was on the brink of bankruptcy, with her parents’ gambling habits piling pressure on her shoulders, Anderson Tina had just entered the entertainment industry. Her beauty had drawn attention, and her company was prepared to promote her. However, in a place like the entertainment industry, it was impossible to rise without “playing along.” If she didn’t comply, there were plenty of others who would. At that time, a certain businessman extended an olive branch, promising her the lead role in a major idol drama in exchange for sleeping with him.
