Chapter Five: Who Is Living Her Life

Jianwei opened one side light and began an anonymous livestream. Only twenty-seven people watched at first. Wen stood in the light, unable to remember her opening line. Comments mocked the impersonator. Xiaoman anxiously mouthed words from the wings. “Don't prompt me,” Wen said. She abandoned the script. “I don't know whether I'm the Wen Qi you think I am. I forgot a makeup artist who spent seven years with me. I forgot my sister and why I began acting. But forgetting is not consent. Someone is using my face to consent for me.” The audience count climbed. Her voice kept breaking, but she continued. The red-clad double stood in the auditorium. “Why didn't you speak for me back then?”