Chapter 33: Someone Will Kiss Me Awake
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ruan Yesheng immediately placed the skirt down and lowered her head to straighten it. Xi Mo also stood up simultaneously and instinctively shielded her, then walked towards the person at the door who was about to apply oil on her soles and slipped away. She grabbed Yan Tinghuan and said, 'Why are you running? Her knee was injured during filming, I'm just applying medicine for her."
It’s hard to say whether Yan Tinghuan really intended to leave just now, or it might've been for show, but it’s certain that she is really thick-skinned.
After being pulled back by Xi Mo, Yan Tinghuan immediately turned around and smiled maliciously: "Ruanruan, why are you so nervous? I didn't misunderstand you. Do you think I don't know you?"
"What do you know about me?" Xi Mo naturally started to play Ruan Yesheng in front of others, laughing and scolding her in a tone like a long-time friend - she was actually annoyed she really wanted to scold her.
The two of them exchanged a few words, and then Xi Mo led Yan Tinghuan to Ruan Yesheng.
Ruan Yesheng had already adjusted her skirt and was sitting on the chair. She raised her eyes and glanced at Yan Tinghuan. There was not much expression on her face, but there was a faint smile hidden in her eyes.
Yan Tinghuan secretly winked at her.
Ruan Yesheng had repeatedly told Yan Tinghuan not to reveal anything she knew for the time being. To prevent Xi Mo from becoming suspicious, what she needed was Yan Tinghuan's cooperation.
Yan Tinghuan had known about their body swap for a while. All she had to do was act like she didn't know.
Both of them were clear about each other's thoughts, but Xi Mo was thinking about something else.
Since the official launch, Yan Tinghuan has been out of touch. Xi Mo gets up very early every morning to dress up and change into costumes. At that time, Yan Tinghuan was still sleeping and couldn't meet her. During the day, Yan Tinghuan rarely came to see her. By evening, it seemed like Yan Tinghuan wouldn't return to her hotel room for quite a while, and Xi Mo had no idea what she was up to all day.
Xi Mo had to deal with such a manager who was not doing her job properly. She had to admit that she had been incredibly unlucky lately, with problems piling up like mountains. So, she decided to go along with Yan Tinghuan, as if she had no manager and was fighting her battles alone.
However, because Yan Tinghuan rarely appeared, she hadn't had direct contact with Ruan Yesheng, who was now using her identity. Considering this, Xi Mo wanted to formally introduce Yan Tinghuan to Ruan Yesheng.
Ruan Yesheng and Yan Tinghuan are so familiar with each other to the extent that they can be cooked and served immediately. Xi Mo, of course, knows this. However, she believes that Yan Tinghuan doesn't know that she and Ruan Yesheng swapped bodies. Assuming the hypothetical Yan Tinghuan's perspective, she would believe that her once familiar friend has replaced her outer shell. If Yan Tinghuan can recognize Ruan Yesheng, it would be as if she's seen a ghost.
It looked like they were not familiar with each other and had not been formally introduced before, so they needed to be introduced formally, so as not to make Yan Tinghuan feel embarrassed and strange because the process was bypassed.
Xi Mo's thoughts were so twisted and convoluted, it was basically a real-life depiction of 'you know I know, but she doesn't know, she doesn't know you know and even thinks you don't know, and to avoid her knowing, we have to go through the formality.'
Xi Mo gave Ruan Yesheng a wink, signaling her to cooperate in their act, and introduced Yan Tinghuan, saying, "This is my manager."
Yan Tinghuan also winked at Ruan Yesheng, indicating that she should play along, and introduced herself, saying, "Hello, hello, I'm Ziwei."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Xi Mo: "..."
Yan Tinghuan laughed: "I'm Yan Tinghuan. I just told a joke, was it funny?"
Xi Mo: "...funny."
——What a ghost!
Are you a popsicle seller in the North Pole? It’s so cold*!
*a cold joke is a bad/cringe-worthy joke
Yan Tinghuan continued to chat with Ruan Yesheng, "Goddess Xi Mo, your name is famous. I was also there when the crew had a banquet. I watched you from afar. With so many people, I didn't dare to come over and say hello, and missed a precious opportunity." While saying this, she took out a business card from her bag and handed it over, "Now that you're filming together with my Ruanruan, please take good care of her. If you need anything, you can call the number on this card."
Xi Mo didn't expect that Yan Tinghuan would take out her contact card in such a professional and polite manner. In her impression, the most Yan Tinghuan could pull off was deception.
Seeing Ruan Yesheng accept the business card, Yan Tinghuan continued: "I didn't expect to meet you, the goddess, here. I'm so lucky. I'm your fan. I really like your movies."
She is not a fan of so and so, but she likes to tell everyone she is a fan of so and so.
"Fans" are really shot while lying in the bowl*.
*The term for 'fans' used is 粉丝 (fengsi )which also means glass noodles, so it was a pun that explains the bowl. Being shot while lying down is to be scolded/criticized without doing anything that could provoke criticism
Ruan Yesheng smiled and said, "Yes, thank you. Which of my movies do you like best?"
Yan Tinghuan has actually never watched any of Xi Mo's movies. How could Ruan Yesheng not know this? When she heard that Ruan Yesheng actually asked her this question, she immediately knew that Ruan Yesheng was trying to cause trouble. She said shamelessly: "Goddess, how can I choose which of your movies is my favorite? I like every one of them."
Xi Mo and Yan Tinghuan have spent some time together, and she is well aware that this person isn't really her fan. She just talks a lot without making sense, leaving honest people like Ding Pei overwhelmed. However, even so, Xi Mo found Yan Tinghuan's flattery quite enjoyable. She felt that Yan Tinghuan wasn't as unprofessional as before, and things were going smoothly for once.
"Miss Yan is really an interesting person." Ruan Yesheng said: "When you came in, you said a big foolish bodyguard was standing outside the door?"
Yan Tinghuan pursed her lips toward the room door: "Yes, isn't that the one who has been following you? Ruanruan told me his name, it seems to be Gu Qisong, right? Why, you don't know your bodyguard is standing outside?"
Ruan Yesheng sighed inwardly. It seemed that this boring gourd Gu Qisong was quite unyielding. Perhaps after he had sent a message asking for directions on WeChat earlier, Lu Qingming had told him to continue following quietly, and he had followed those instructions.
Lu Qingming's character is like a worried old lady. If this continues, she will never have any private space with Xi Mo.
Xi Mo saw that Ruan Yesheng looked a little distressed, and didn't know what she was distressed about. She turned to Yan Tinghuan and asked, "Is there anything important that you came to see me for?"
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Yan Tinghuan casually looked at the dishes on the table: "It's nothing. I have things to deal with these days, and I don't have time to go to the studio to watch you filming. I have some free time today and saw that bodyguard wandering around, asked a few questions, and heard you were here, so I came to find you."
Xi Mo knew that she was just here to join in the fun, so she didn't say anything else. She asked, "Have you eaten? If not, I'll order some more dishes."
"I've eaten," Yan Tinghuan replied with a smile. "I'll go out for a bit and come back to hang out with you later. I won't disturb Ruanruan with applying medicinal oil."
Xii Mo: "..."
Yan Tinghuan arrived suddenly and left gracefully. She waved her hand and left. She even closed the room door before leaving.
Now there were only two people left in the private room. The atmosphere settled for a moment, and Ruan Yesheng chuckled and said, "That's just how Tinghuan is. You'll get used to it after spending more time with her."
Xi Mo said: "I've long been used to it."
She glanced at Ruan Yesheng's knee, her voice slightly tinged with subtle discomfort. "We were interrupted earlier. Do you want to continue?"
"Of course," Ruan Yesheng lifted her skirt again, her gaze filled with affection as she looked at Xi Mo. "From start to finish. Sorry to trouble you."
Xi Mo helped Ruan Yesheng apply the medicinal oil and then told her some massaging techniques so that she could massage it by herself in the future. Ruan Yesheng showed a dazed expression: "This is a bit difficult. I might not remember. If I really can't do it, can I ask for your help again?"
Xi Mo: "..."
In the past, you were known for having a good memory in the department. You easily memorized those thick scripts for the plays. Now you're telling me you can't remember? Who are you kidding?
Xi Mo knew that Ruan Yesheng was pretending, but she also sensed a subtle flavor in this act. It was like a taste hidden beneath a layer of frost, vague and hard to describe. She decided not to pry it open and explore further, so she replied, "You can."
Ruan Yesheng seemed pleased with her response, saying, "Our hands are covered in oil. Let's go wash them first."
The two walked out of the room and saw Gu Qisong standing upright close to the door of their room. When Gu Qisong saw Ruan Yesheng, his wooden expression changed a little. He walked over honestly and said, "Xiao Mo, Mr. Lu said it’s better for me to protect you. This is my job, I will stand far away and won’t disturb you.”
Xi Mo's temples throbbed when she heard him call her "Xiao Mo."
Ruan Yesheng knew that both he and Lu Qingming had good intentions, and there was nothing she could do about it, so she said, "We're almost done eating. We'll go back to our rooms in a while. You've had a long day, so rest early tonight."
Gu Qisong nodded silently.
When Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo finished washing their hands in the bathroom, they came back and saw that Gu Qisong was no longer in his original spot. He probably heard Ruan Yesheng say he would go back later, so he felt relieved and called it a day. The two of them looked at each other and returned to the private room. After the meal, the fruit was also served, so they ate some more casually. After eating, Xi Mo accompanied Ruan Yesheng back to the room.
On the way, Ruan Yesheng asked Xi Mo why she had gone to the fruit store. Since she didn't believe Xi Mo had gone just to buy fruit, Xi Mo simply said, "It's not convenient to talk about it right now. If there are any developments, I'll let you know."
Ruan Yesheng caught the key point of her words: "So you are not sure whether what you are doing will make progress?"
"I won't confirm anything prematurely when there are no results," Xi Mo replied. "Here's your room."
"Do you want to come in for a while?" Ruan Yesheng invited her.
"No. I have something else to do."
Ruan Yesheng still stared at her.
Xi Mo saw her focused gaze again, and that vague feeling seemed to creep up again. She thought of something, and after a while, she said: "Go in, I'll say goodnight in advance. Get some rest."
"Goodnight," Ruan Yesheng turned her attention to the bag in Xi Mo's hand. "Can you give me some fruit?"
"Didn't you have fruit after dinner just now? Haven't you had enough?"
"I just asked you for a piece of fruit, are you so stingy?"
Seeing that there was a bit of annoyance in her eyes, Xi Mo had to say: "These fruits were forced on me by the fruit shop owner. He asked me to pick them myself, I couldn't resist, so I had to take some casually. I don't know how to pick fruits, and they're probably not very good. If you want some, you can have Feng Tangtang buy the best ones for you."
Ruan Yesheng couldn't help but laugh when she saw that her explanation was reasonable. She went over to open the fruit bag and took a look. She found that the appearance of the fruits was indeed lackluster. Two of them were even a bit spoiled. It was clear that they weren't selected by someone who knew how to pick good fruit, and the variety was all mixed up as if Xi Mo randomly stuffed some in to quickly get rid of the overly enthusiastic fruit shop owner.
Ruan Yesheng recalled the expression on the fruit store owner's face, beaming like Xi Mo had bought a bag of golden fruits from him.
How much did Xi Mo pay for this bag of fruit?
"You really don't know how to pick fruits. Then give me an apple. I think this apple is not bad." Ruan Yesheng pointed to the bag.
Xi Mo couldn't argue with her. She didn't know what kind of whim Ruan Yesheng had this time. She opened the bag and searched through it for a long time before finding an apple that she thought looked the best. She handed it to Ruan Yesheng.
Ruan Yesheng took it with a smile: "Thank you."
Xi Mo said calmly: "Be careful of poison, Snow White."
"I'm not afraid." Ruan Yesheng smiled: "If my apple is poisoned, someone will kiss me awake."
"The Prince?" Xi Mo asked.
Ruan Yesheng looked at her for a while and then said, "I won't tell you."
Xi Mo said no more, and the two of them stood at the door, and there was another period of confused silence.
After that, Xi Mo left. Ruan Yesheng went back to the room and washed the apple carefully several times. She sat on a chair and stared at its red peel. She couldn't bring herself to eat it. She kissed the apple gently and wrapped it in plastic wrap and stored it in the refrigerator.
The next morning, Feng Tangtang bought breakfast and went to Ruan Yesheng's room, where she saw Ruan Yesheng chewing an apple and reading the script.
Feng Tangtang wanted to ask but didn't dare. She didn't understand why Sister Xi was so happy after just eating an apple.
This became another unsolved mystery in Feng Tangtang's mind.
