Louis felt a sudden palpitation, he took off his coat and draped it over her. “You’ve been staring outside. Do you like the rain?”
Elisa gazed at the rainy scene outside. “I don’t like it. It’s uncomfortable being soaked and sticky, not to mention the cold. It makes you ache just thinking about the chill.”
The difference between a new wound and an old one is that if a new wound isn’t serious and heals, it’s fine. But an old wound is the kind that hurts in the heart. Even if it heals, just thinking about it brings pain to the core.
Louis had intended to say, “If you like the rain, I can accompany you in the downpour,” a cliché response, but Elisa didn’t give him the chance.
“The situation outside has escalated. Though I haven’t checked online, I imagine it’s become a hot topic,” she said.
Louis was right. It had indeed become a hot topic, and this time Elisa was again at the center of the storm.
#Elisa’s acting#
#Boycott Elisa#
#Amelia#
#Filippa Elisa#
#Passing of time#
“Do you know what this situation reminds me of?” Elisa smirked, turning slightly to look at Louis.
Following her lead, Louis inquired, “What does it remind you of?”
“It reminds me of dogs in the countryside. One barks, then another, and soon the entire village is filled with the ceaseless barking.”
“It’s a fitting metaphor, but we can’t let them keep biting. After all, the din of barking dogs is too annoying.”
Elisa nodded in agreement. “I know, but do you know the phrase ‘a dog takes on the airs of its master’?”
Elisa remembered a past incident. There was a household on her way to school that kept a dog with a bad temper, snarling at everyone. The owner never bothered to leash it, and one day, the dog ended up biting a child.
The household claimed the child had deliberately provoked the dog.
The “dog biting a person” incident spread online. Those “dog lovers” on the internet claimed that a dog wouldn’t bite without reason and sided with the dog’s owner, suggesting the child must have provoked the attack.
At that time, there were no surveillance cameras. Despite the child being the victim, they faced widespread condemnation.
In the end, perhaps even fate couldn’t stand it. The dog’s owner died in a car accident.
The dog, left without an owner, became a stray, scavenging in the trash, shunned by people due to its history of biting.
Later, you know what happened? The dog accidentally ingested rat poison and died.
Ironically, those “dog lovers” online never considered adopting the dog. Perhaps they were afraid of being “bitten” too.
Elisa would suddenly recall this incident, maybe because she felt that those “dog lovers” online were just like that dog-unconcerned as long as their interests were not harmed. They could act without using their brains, knowing they wouldn’t be caught online and wouldn’t face legal consequences. All for the sake of finding an outlet for their frustrations.
But as she pondered, she felt that people nowadays didn’t deserve to be called human. They were just like that dog, bullying others. If something were to happen, they might be even worse than the dog.
“A dog takes on the airs of its master. Instead of fixing the dog, it’s better to fix the master.”
Elisa had only just turned 21, but she exuded a demeanor and wisdom far beyond her years, as if she had experienced a great deal, accumulating and maturing over many years.
“Do you need help?” Louis inquired. He wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to shoulder everything alone, that he was there for her, that she could lean on him if she grew weary, and that he would catch her if she faltered.
“No need. Keep your statement. If your fans find out you were with me rehearsing, it will only make things worse for me.”
“So, have you figured out what to do next?” Louis asked.
Elisa propped her chin, contemplating. “Let’s ignite a fire first, the kind that burns away all the rubbish.”
Louis observed her serene profile, her self-assured smile, and knew she had a plan.
“However, you can’t leave for now, and you can’t go back to the hotel. Outside, there are only reporters and paparazzi.”
“So?” Louis suddenly said, indicating he had a plan in mind.
Sure enough, he grinned, showing his canines. “Come stay at my place for a few days. Don’t worry, no one will disturb you. The house is spacious, you can stay wherever you like.”
Louis was a bit tense. This was the plan he’d conceivedof as soon as he arrived. He could discreetly take Elisa away from here. Currently, there were paparazzi waiting at the train station, airport, and hotel. Elisa couldn’t escape in her current state, and among the people she knew, only he could help her completely break free from this situation.
Seeing Elisa’s silence, Louis grew anxious. He leaned in front of Elisa, staring into her eyes.
“If you agree, just blink,” he said, then lightly blew on Elisa’s eyelashes like a gentle breeze.
Elisa blinked, “…” The young man didn’t play fair.
She gazed at Louis’s ears twitching and couldn’t help but focus on the two canines in his mouth.
Louis made a call and had someone change Elisa’s attire to the point that even he wouldn’t recognize her. He smoothly took Elisa home in a car, while at that moment, Hamish was still on the plane, asking Tobias.
“What’s the name of the variety show Elisa is participating in?”
Tobias, with a good memory, casually replied, “Weekend Show.”
“Who are the participants?”
There were too many for Tobias to remember, even with his good memory. However, when he searched for Weekend Show, the most striking introduction was the four mentors, and among them…
“Louis is in it.”
Hamish’s expression stiffened, his breathing suddenly weakened at that moment. He tightened his lips, his eyes as dark as ink.
Everything returned to square one.