A Billion Stars Can't Amount to You

She instinctively looked back at the phone on the floor in front of the tall windows. The screen flickered on and off, and she could still hear the sound of someone on the phone every so often.

Ji Yi hesitated for a moment but eventually, she walked over and bent down to pick up He Jichen’s phone.

From the call screen, Ji Yi could see that the name displayed was “Han Zhifan.”

Ji Yi didn’t know much about Han Zhifan, but she knew he was a local, rich friend of He Jichen.

“Chen Ge, don’t be too sad...” said Han Zhifan again.

Ji Yi hurriedly raised the phone to her ear and gently told Han Zhifan that He Jichen couldn’t hear him right now. “Hello, Mr. Han. Director He isn’t on his phone right now. He’s in the bathroom.”

The phone instantly fell silent.

After some time passed, Han Zhifan spoke again. “Is Chen Ge in his room?”

If He Jichen wasn’t in his own room, whose room would he be in?

Ji Yi thought Han Zhifan asked a ridiculous question but she politely replied, “Yes.”

“I’ll go...” On the phone, it sounded like Han Zhifan muttered something that resembled swear words then he asked, “So, you’re... the supporting actress for “Three Thousand Lunatics,” Ji Yi?”

“Eh?” I’ve never introduced myself before... Ji Yi was stunned. After a few seconds, she said inquisitively, “Have... we met?”

“Must we have met? It’s easy to guess! Chen Ge’s room...” Han Zhifan only said half of what he was going to say when he realized that he already revealed too much, so he suddenly swallowed the latter half of his sentence. “... do you think just anyone can casually walk in?”

Han Zhifan didn’t finish speaking so Ji Yi was a little confused. After she let out an “Mm?” she was about to say “What?” when Han Zhifan changed the topic. “Right! How is Chen Ge right now?”

“He...” Ji Yi lost her train of thought, glanced over at the bathroom door, and answered honestly. “...hasn’t come out of the bathroom.”

Han Zhifan dragged out a long “Oh...” as he started thinking...

In all the years I’ve known He Jichen, I’ve never seen him so moved by a girl before.

He Jichen must be devastated right now after learning the truth, and the only person in the world who can comfort him and make him feel better might just be on the phone with me right now?

With that thought, Han Zhifan spoke again, “...Chen Ge’s probably not feeling too good. If you aren’t busy, please stay with him a little longer...”

Han Zhifan was afraid that what he said wouldn’t be enough for Ji Yi to care, so after a pause, he continued with a serious tone of voice, “...If he doesn’t come out of the bathroom after a long period, you have to check on him. Don’t let anything happen to him while he’s alone in there...”

...

On the other side of the locked bathroom door, He Jichen completely collapsed against the wooden door.

He shut his eyes and stayed there silently for a while before he dared to think back on what Han Zhifan just told him over the phone.

“Chen Ge, I investigated what you told me last night. Four years ago, Ji Yi had her abortion at the Health Care Center for Women and Children.”

“But it wasn’t really an abortion per se because the circumstances were a little special. She could never have kept the child.”