Chapter 47: How About You Accompany Me Back?
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
In the end, Ruan Yesheng answered first, "I know Mr. Ding. It's just that we met a few years ago, it has been a long time. I didn't expect him to still remember me now."
Xi Mo heard Ding Ru addressing Ruan Yesheng as Miss Ruan earlier, which is a very polite address. The content of their conversation also tended to be courteous. She had roughly inferred that Ding Ru and Ruan Yesheng weren't very close friends. Now, hearing Ruan Yesheng say this, she became even more clear about it.
“A few years ago? When exactly was that?" Xi Mo asked, "I didn't even know you knew Uncle Ding."
"You asked so precisely, are you so curious about me?" Ruan Yesheng curled her lips and smiled.
"I'm curious about you." Xi Mo answered directly.
Her gaze became even more direct, almost as if peering deeply into Ruan Yesheng's eyes. Ruan Yesheng couldn't bear such a straightforward gaze. Xi Mo was usually proud and aloof, and seldom looked at people with much interest; everything seemed like there was a layer in between. Now, being able to use such an unabashed gaze, clearly indicated the flavor she held within. Ruan Yesheng didn't know why, but every time she met Xi Mo's gaze like this, and stared a few more, she felt unbearable—as if her whole body was being exposed by Xi Mo, laid bare under her scrutiny. Her heart pounded, and some thoughts were beyond her control.
She even had a greedy hope that it would be fine if Xi Mo could only look at her with such eyes.
"Actually, I had met Mr. Ding back in college." Perhaps reminiscing about the past, Ruan Yesheng sighed a bit as she looked at Xi Mo and said, "During those days, Mr. Ding used to come to the school often to see you. I saw him many times. Later, I heard some classmates often talk about you. I gradually learned that Uncle Ding is your Dad's business partner and also someone your Dad trusts a lot. Your Dad never came to the school; it was always Uncle Ding who came to see you on his behalf. Not to mention Uncle Ding, even your bodyguards have drawn a lot of attention. Though I don't know their names, I remember their faces.”
Thinking back to this, Ruan Yesheng couldn't help laughing: "Then everyone also assigned numbers to your bodyguards. Everyone can tell at a glance which numbers are on duty today, and which numbers will be accompanying tomorrow – everyone could tell at a glance."
Xi Mo said helplessly: "Gossip is flying all over the sky now. Who would have thought that the university I studied at before seemed to have enough gossip? I haven't said anything, and yet, you all have thoroughly investigated everyone around me."
Ruan Yesheng said, "You were a prominent figure in the school back then. Countless eyes were watching you. You may not know who they were, and you may not care about these things, so it's not surprising that you're not aware of the situation."
"Are you one of them?" Xi Mo looked over again and leaned forward slightly.
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
"...Yes." Ruan Yesheng's voice became lower.
Once upon a time, she watched Xi Mo every day. In places where Xi Mo could see or where she couldn't.
Every gaze made her happy, like a sunflower forever following the sun. This kind of pursuit was warm, and in this sun-like warmth, she felt happiness. However, she understood that Xi Mo wouldn't notice her gaze. After the warmth, there was desolation again.
Memories are fleeting and gentle knives.
On the one hand, it allowed those indescribable feelings of youth to be awakened again, and she relived the warm heartbeat when she followed the sun. On the other hand, it made her taste the sadness that she knew she couldn't get.
Xi Mo has always been observant, sensing the change in Ruan Yesheng's expression, she felt something strange in her heart. Not knowing what Ruan Yesheng was thinking, she only knew that she had taken two steps forward. When Ruan Yesheng snapped out of it, Xi Mo's hand was already touching her hair.
Ruan Yesheng was probably shocked by her gentle gesture and looked at her intently: "..."
Xi Mo: "..."
…What am I doing?
Am I sick?
While feeling remorseful, Xi Mo showed off her first-class acting skills and gently smoothed Ruan Yesheng's hair a few times as if nothing had happened: “Your hair is a bit messy. You are representing me now. Always pay attention to your image. Do you understand? What if the paparazzi catch us later? What will we do?"
"You said there are no paparazzi here at the racecourse, didn't you?"
Xi Mo became a little anxious: "There will be, as soon as we leave the racecourse!"
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Ruan Yesheng wasn't sure why Xi Mo suddenly became so anxious, but she knew she was in a hurry herself. She didn't dwell on Xi Mo's somewhat unusual behavior and instead was busy explaining her previous words, "Let me tell you when I said I was one of them, it wasn't because I was gossiping back then. Don't get me wrong."
"Why then?"
"It's because back then, many of your grades were the top, and I wanted to surpass you. Naturally, I paid frequent attention to you, and over time, I also noticed Mr. Ding."
Xi Mo felt amused in her heart, and said with a sullen look on her face: "With so many subjects, weren't you also the first in many?"
Ruan Yesheng said, "But I also have many subjects where I'm not at the top, and you took those."
"How can you be number one in every subject?"
"It seemed difficult, but I still want to try and strive for it. As long as I make the effort, even if I don't get first place, at least I will have improved. Usually, if you don't have the mindset of aiming for the top, it's challenging to achieve first place. Yet, you managed to do it. So, I know that in some aspects, you are similar to me. You also hope to be the most outstanding. Isn't that right?"
Xi Mo recalled something and fell silent for a moment.
She has to say that sometimes she admires Ruan Yesheng, whether it was during their college days when Ruan Yesheng was at her peak, or now.
Because Ruan Yesheng has a clear goal, always understands what she wants, and is willing to put in the effort for it. In those years, with excellent academic performance and later skyrocketing to fame with a movie, her path in the entertainment industry was bright, and resources kept flowing. All of this was not without reason. If she hadn't gradually disappeared from the industry later on, with Ruan Yesheng's capabilities, she might have achieved extraordinary success long ago.
"Then what if you've already achieved first place in everything?" Xi Mo asked.
"You would notice me," Ruan Yesheng suddenly blinked.
Xi Mo: "..."
"You see if I've taken first place in everything, it means I've snatched away many of your firsts. You would surely be angry to death. Wouldn't you notice me then?"
Xi Mo frowned, "Why would you want me to notice you?" "
"Nothing in particular, I just wanted to tease you a bit." Ruan Yesheng sat down at the table, looking up at her with a smile.
Xi Mo: "..."
…Childish.
"If you took away my first place, I wouldn't be angry," Xi Mo said seriously.
"I know, I'm just teasing you," Ruan Yesheng chuckled, covering her lips. "Why are you explaining so seriously?"
"I really won't be angry. But I will..." Xi Mo said this, glanced at Ruan Yesheng, and suddenly stopped talking.
"What will happen?" Ruan Yesheng asked curiously.
"Nothing."
"You're the kind of person who leaves things half-said." Although Ruan Yesheng complained, she didn't push her to continue. After all, she understood Xi Mo. If Xi Mo wanted to say something, she would naturally say it; if not, there was no need to force it. She changed the topic and said, "We were talking about Mr. Ding, and we ended up discussing all sorts of things."
Xi Mo didn't expect that as soon as they started talking about college, the conversation would veer off in different directions and she couldn't help but fall silent.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ruan Yesheng glanced at Xi Mo's expression and smoothly redirected the topic, "Anyway, during college because of you, I already knew Mr. Ding. Then, in my sophomore year, I happened to encounter him at school when you weren't around. I happened to help him with a small favor. Not long after that, a well-known beverage company contacted me, expressing interest in having me shoot an advertisement for them. According to the company, they watched my dance performance and thought I was suitable for their ad. I believed it at the time. It was my first truly significant commercial ad, and I was genuinely happy. Later, I found out that the senior management of that beverage company knew Mr. Ding, and he recommended me. He gave me this opportunity."
Xi Mo nodded and said, "Uncle Ding is like that. He always repays kindness, even if it's a small thing."
"Mr. Ding is indeed a very good person, and I respect him very much."
"But judging by Uncle Ding's reaction, your interaction with him is probably more than just that, right?"
"Yes, later, I went to thank Mr. Ding for this matter. With time, we became more acquainted. Then, after I graduated and filmed 'Sound Of Steps' my career developed. I was fortunate to cooperate with a company under Mr. Ding's management once."
Xi Mo understood and said, "No wonder Uncle Ding's subsidiary jewelry brand chose you as the endorser back then. I always thought it was the company's decision, seeing you were popular at that time. It turns out Uncle Ding knew about you long before."
"Did you still watch my endorsement back then?" Ruan Yesheng's eyes lit up.
Xi Mo said: "...I just happened to turn on the TV and saw it."
Ruan Yesheng thought of something, and her expression seemed to become somewhat complex. She said, "After that, I once asked Mr. Ding to help me with something but there was a small incident and it failed. Then I gradually faded out from the circle. That was also the last time I saw him. It's been several years now, and he hasn't changed much.”
Xi Mo grasped the key point now: "Are you saying that Uncle Ding once promised to do something for you, but failed to do it well?"
"It's not accurate to say he didn't do it well. Originally, I asked him for help. Where is the boundary between doing well and not doing well? I was already grateful that he agreed at that time. Actually, it's... my own issue. I was the one who was useless at that time.”
Speaking of this, she looked at Xi Mo, and there was a sense of helplessness in her eyes.
"Why did you explain so seriously? Well, I know you respect Uncle Ding." Xi Mo was at a loss when she saw her. Despite Ruan Yesheng usually having peach blossoms in her eyes and a sultry smile. Once she lowers her eyelids, even if she casually shows a slightly sad posture, others will want to hold her and coax her. If she truly felt hurt, it would make people unsure of how to console her.
What's this? She's an enchantress.
"But that's how Uncle Ding is." Xi Mo pondered for a moment and then continued, "If he takes on someone's request and doesn't do well, he feels guilty and will keep thinking about it. No wonder he still remembers you now. By the way, what did you ask him to help you with back then?"
Ruan Yesheng kept looking at her and said nothing.
"Did it touch on any of your privacy?" Xi Mo realized that she might have been a little hasty.
Ruan Yesheng just smiled: "A little bit. I don't want to tell you yet."
"If you don't tell me, I won't ask." Xi Mo glanced at her sideways. "But I've noticed you have quite a few secrets."
"You have many secrets too."
Xi Mo made an ambiguous sound.
Ruan Yesheng smiled and said, "It would be great if one day we could share these secrets with each other."
Xi Mo furrowed her brows and remained non-committal. After a while, she said: "Speaking of sharing, you've told me so much about you and Uncle Ding. It will help me handle it when I meet him later. In return, let me share something about my Dad with you. At least you'll have an idea when you go home later."
The initial chat diverted attention, and Ruan Yesheng seemed to truly feel the tension now, then stood up.
Xi Mo couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly when she saw this rare look of fear in her eyes and whispered: "I haven't even told you this yet, and you're already scared?"
"I..." Ruan Yesheng murmured a little: "I am... I am really nervous."
"Why are you nervous? My Dad is not as scary as you think." Xi Mo looked at her, the corners of her lips twitching slightly.
"Aren't you also afraid of your Dad?" Ruan Yesheng asked.
Xi Mo: "..."
Xi Mo hesitated for a moment but decided to share, "I admit I'm afraid of my Dad. It's because my Dad has had strict expectations of me since I was a child. He wants me to be the most outstanding person in his eyes. Due to these expectations, if I don't perform well in any aspect, he can be very harsh. Seeing him being strict when I was a child made me afraid, and over the years, this fear has become a habit. It's challenging for me to overcome this psychological shadow. I admit it's embarrassing for me."
She paused: "This is actually my own problem. It does not mean that my Dad is a difficult person to get along with. You can rest assured of this."
Ruan Yesheng asked: "Then when I go back this time and meet your Dad, what should I call him?"
Xi Mo: "..."
What kind of question is this?
"...Of course, call him Dad." Xi Mo felt a twitch on her forehead.
"Isn't this title... not suitable yet?" Ruan Yesheng hesitated to speak.
Xi Mo's forehead twitched even more fiercely: "You are playing as his daughter now. If you don't call him Dad, what do you want to call him?"
Also, why are you blushing suddenly?!
"Right." Ruan Yesheng looked as if she had just woken up from a dream: "I am now you, and I am going home to see your Dad on your behalf. You see, I am too nervous. I am afraid that I will call him wrongly by accident. That would be embarrassing.”
Xi Mo stared at her, "Weren't you portraying me perfectly before? Why is everything off this time when you're going to meet my Dad?"
"This time it's meeting your Dad. He knows you so well; how could I dare?"
Upon hearing this, Xi Mo felt that Ruan Yesheng 's concerns were not entirely unreasonable. In the past, she faced people from the company or the crew, as well as fans and entertainment reporters. However, none of them could compare to her biological Dad.
Regardless of how strict the requirements were, her Dad had been with her from childhood to adulthood. He was the closest person to her in this world. Additionally, her Dad was not someone easy to deceive. Although Ruan Yesheng had natural acting skills and could easily fool others, smoothly getting through under her Dad's watchful eyes might not go smoothly.
Ruan Yesheng observed the changes in Xi Mo's expression, and her voice softened. She suggested, "How about you accompany me back?"
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng's hidden thoughts finally came out, and she subtly displayed these thoughts in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows: "With you by my side, cooperating, and dealing with it should be much easier. What do you think? If there's anything I don't understand, you can point it out to me in time. I think it's completely feasible to go as a friend to visit.”
Xi Mo understood. Her previous hesitant and nervous performances were all part of a well-staged act.
The real purpose was this.
However, Xi Mo originally had some concerns and had thought about accompanying her back, but didn't know how to express it. Now, seeing Ruan Yesheng going through such painstaking twists and turns, she just followed the path Ruan Yesheng paved, pretended to contemplate for a while, and casually uttered two words, "Sure, fine."
"Then let's prepare the gifts quickly." Ruan Yesheng said with joy, "Tell me more about your Dad on the way."
"Buy what gift?" frowned Xi Mo.
"Of course, it's a meeting gift." Ruan Yesheng pointed at her: "You are going to your Dad's place as a guest on my behalf now. You can't go empty-handed. That would be rude. You have to take care of my image."
" 'I won't mind, you don't need to worry about my image.' This phrase sounds quite familiar. Who said it, and when?" Xi Mo squinted at Ruan Yesheng for a while, making Ruan Yesheng's back tingle. Xi Mo then leisurely continued, "I remember now. It seems like you said it, not long ago. In such a short time, how could I forget? Don't you think so?"
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
"This time is different," Ruan Yesheng said softly. "Anyway, when you go back this time, you have to take care of my image and leave a good impression."
"What's different?" Xi Mo felt like she was genuinely anxious, unlike the previously enticing fake demeanor. This feeling was too refreshing, and somehow, she wanted to play along with her.
But Ruan Yesheng was extremely slippery and kept talking about other things: "Your family has a big business and has all kinds of good things. I guess no matter how expensive a gift I give, your dad probably won't even look at it. Does your dad have any special preferences?"
Xi Mo sat down and said nothing.
"Tell me." Ruan Yesheng urged her softly.
Xi Mo remained silent.
Ruan Yesheng walked up to her, stretched out her hand, and tugged on her sleeves, the mist in her eyes was swaying, and she was about to drown at just one look: "Tell me."
Xi Mo said with a sullen face: "Don't pull my clothes, they’ll tear.”
Ruan Yesheng stopped pulling and instead, she touched the fabric on Xi Mo's sleeve with her fingers, teasingly brushing against it: "Tell me."
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng was not about to give up yet and was about to fight Xi Mo to the end. Xi Mo paused for a long time and finally said: "My Dad is very busy. When he rarely has free time, he only likes to raise flowers. There is a large garden in his estate, with many rare and precious flowers. He wouldn't be interested in the usual flowers from the market, so you don't need to bother."
Ruan Yesheng thought for a while and smiled: "I understand. Give me your phone."
Xi Mo didn't understand what she was doing, but she handed the phone over as instructed. Although it was a newly replaced phone, the contacts inside were re-added by Ruan Yesheng. Due to the identity swap, essential information, including contacts, was added for convenience and then handed over to Xi Mo for use. Ruan Yesheng sent a text message to someone, received a quick response, and then handed the phone back, saying: "Let's go."
Xi Mo took back the phone and noticed that the text message was still there, not deleted. She understood that Ruan Yesheng knew she was curious and deliberately left it for her to see. Xi Mo saw that Ruan Yesheng had sent a message to someone named Yu Sheng in the contacts. Looking at the long list of names in the contacts, Xi Mo didn't recognize any of them. After all these days, those names were just silent symbols to her, and she didn't want to get involved with the people behind those names. Now, with Ruan Yesheng using them, she felt that these symbols seemed to come alive.
This is the world that belongs to Ruan Yesheng.
Only in Ruan Yesheng's hands, it comes alive.
The content of the message Ruan Yesheng sent is: ‘Xiao Sheng can you mention the variety we discussed last time to Uncle Yu, and ask him to share some with me? I want to give someone a gift. Thank you.’
The reply from Yu Sheng was: ‘No problem. I'll send it to you.’
‘Good, let's meet at the parking lot near the old coffee shop, and I'll come over to pick it up.’
"Finished reading?" Ruan Yesheng pulled Xi Mo up, saying, "If you've finished, let's hurry and leave. When we arrive there, Xiao Sheng will give you the thing, and you can pick it up on my behalf. I’ll leave my car at the racecourse temporarily; you can drive me. We can discuss more in the car."
Xi Mo had no choice but to put away her doubts and went to the garage to pick up her car. Ruan Yesheng sat in the passenger seat and they drove away from the racecourse.
"Your friend named Yu Sheng, is his family into flower cultivation?" Xi Mo asked while driving.
"Well, sort of. His dad works at a research institute, mainly focusing on plants, including the cultivation and breeding of rare flowers. We've known each other for many years. He'll bring me some flower seeds Uncle Yu personally cultivated. Xiao Sheng showed me photos of them in full bloom during our previous conversations. They are exceptionally beautiful, and you can't find these flower seeds outside."
Xi Mo said, "Your social circle seems quite wide; you even know people from research institutes."
Ruan Yesheng smiled and said, "My parents are in scientific research. It would be strange if we didn't know people from research institutes."
Xi Mo couldn't help but feel moved when she heard her rarely mentioning her parents. However, Ruan Yesheng quickly changed the topic. She took out a pair of sunglasses from her bag, put them on, and also wore a mask. She vaguely said, "Once we leave the racecourse, there might be paparazzi. You can handle it for me later; just get the things. No need to talk much with Xiao Sheng."
They arrived near the agreed-upon coffee shop, the place was secluded and quiet. There weren't many cars in the parking lot. Xi Mo found a spot, parked the car, sent a message to the other party, and waited for a while. Someone came over and knocked on the car window.
Xi Mo lowered the car window and outside stood a young man wearing a baseball cap, probably in his twenties. He bent down, his eyes narrowing with a smile, "Sister Sheng! It's been a while. How have you been?"
"Very good." Ruan Yesheng replied. Earlier in the car, she briefed Xi Mo about some details regarding Yu Sheng, so Xi Mo handled it calmly, asking, "How is your Dad's health?"
"He is a tough old man. He's working on some new plant varieties, and well, he even has me doing some labor." Yu Sheng spoke to Xi Mo and looked at Ruan Yesheng in the passenger seat for a long time. Ruan Yesheng was wearing sunglasses and a mask. He wanted to take a closer look, but he probably thought it might be a bit rude. He looked at her suspiciously for a few times, then immediately looked away, and handed over a small portable refrigerator box. To Xi Mo: "This is what you asked for. This flower needs to be grown at a low temperature and stored in dry conditions. If you want to give it as a gift, tell the person about it."
Then he explained some precautions about storage and seed distribution, and Xi Mo noted them one by one. Following that, Yu Sheng's eyes widened suddenly. He took a few steps back and exclaimed: "Ah!"
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Yu Sheng realized that he had lost his composure and his face turned red, he leaned against the car window and whispered: "Sister Sheng, is the person next to you...is she Xi Mo?"
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng was fully disguised like this, and he still recognized her. His eyes were so sharp that Xi Mo couldn't help but feel that Yu Sheng was wasting his talent by not becoming a paparazzo.
Ruan Yesheng had no choice but to take off her sunglasses and mask, and smiled softly: "It's me."
Yu Sheng was almost in tears, searching nervously on himself for a while but finding nothing. He had to pull out a napkin from the napkin pack and hesitantly said, "Hello, I... I'm your fan. Could you... could you give me an autograph?"
Ruan Yesheng took out a pen from her bag and signed on the napkin for Yu Sheng. While his heart was screaming with excitement – ‘Ah ah ah ah, the goddess gave me an autograph!’ – Then, he carefully tucked away the napkin.
Seeing that Yu Sheng seemed inclined to shake hands, Xi Mo coughed through the car window: "We have urgent matters to attend to. Don't mention today's events to anyone. I'll treat you to a meal when I have time."
Yu Sheng glanced at Ruan Yesheng a few times, nodded to Xi Mo, and promised: "Don't worry, Sister Sheng! I will never tell anyone!"
"Let's go." Xi Mo spoke one last time, started the car, and drove away. From a distance, they could still see Yu Sheng standing there, watching them leave.
"Do you know he is my fan?" Xi Mo asked in the car.
Ruan Yesheng had a hard time holding back her laughter earlier, but this time she finally relaxed and said, "I didn't know about that. When did he become your fan? I've known him for so many years, and he never asked me for half a signature. Treating others differently, that's too much. I'll have to talk to him about it in the future."
While chatting, they headed towards the estate where Xi Mo's Dad was located. On the way, Xi Mo briefed Ruan Yesheng about her family's situation. Dealing with her Dad was no ordinary matter, and any slight mistake could lead him to notice something unusual. Therefore, thorough preparation was necessary.
In the evening, as the vehicle entered the estate and parked in the garage, Ruan Yesheng suggested, "Let me hold the gift, and I'll give it to your Dad."
Xi Mo couldn't help but feel strange: "Weren't you planning to impress my Dad by preparing a gift? Shouldn't I be the one to present it to him on your behalf?"
Ruan Yesheng seemed a little shy and took a while before explaining, "Later, I'll give the gift to your Dad, and let's not mention who prepared it first. If your Dad likes it, you can say you prepared it. If he doesn't seem too interested, then I'll explain that it's just a small trinket you casually brought as a daughter, to save me some face."
Xi Mo said: "...Are you trying to trick me?"
"No." Ruan Yesheng said innocently: "You are his daughter after all. If it is a gift in your name, even if he doesn't like it, he will like it and it won't affect you. It's different for me. I'm not his daughter, and if I happen to choose the wrong gift, it could significantly impact the impression."
"Why do you need such a high impression in front of my Dad?"
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Author's Note:
Sometimes, I don't have any additional information to include in the green text*, and I understand it might feel a bit empty for readers. 23333_(:3」∠) So, I thought about it, and if there's nothing specific to add, I'll randomly post a thank you for the support in the green text.
The following is the list of Overlord votes received after the last chapter was updated. As for the ones I received before, due to time constraints, I cannot sort them out one by one. Sorry, I can only express my gratitude together. I will thank you again when I have the opportunity. Muah~
(Then, listed overlord ticket donors)
*green text is the author's note.
