Chapter 51: But I Emphatize With You
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
The room is very dim, the curtains are tightly closed, almost no light comes in.
The hotel chosen by the crew was newly opened, and the layout was somewhat unique. When they first opened the door, the view could only see a small part of the room, the rest was blocked. Ruan Yesheng walked forward several steps, then saw the area where the bed was. As soon as she looked, her steps immediately stopped.
No one was on the bed, and the quilt was open.
The room key was taken by Yan Tinghuan before, and Xi Mo didn't have a room key. It would be inconvenient to go out, and according to Yan Tinghuan's description, Xi Mo seemed to have a rather severe cold this time, sleeping all the time, with even less energy to go out. The bathroom door is made of frosted glass, currently tightly closed. However, it can be seen that the light inside is off, and it doesn't seem like someone is in there.
So, where could Xi Mo be?
After Ruan Yesheng pondered a bit, she subconsciously felt something was not quite right. She whispered tentatively, "Xi Mo, are you there?"
"...I'm here."
As soon as Ruan Yesheng's words fell, an immediate response echoed in the room. Ruan Yesheng followed the sound and saw Xi Mo slowly standing up from the floor beside the bed. It seemed she was kneeling or crouching there just now. Therefore, from where Ruan Yesheng was standing, Xi Mo's figure was partially blocked by the bed and not visible.
"Are you looking for something?" Ruan Yesheng didn't understand why she was kneeling there. Typically, when people drop something small on the floor, they adopt this kneeling posture to search carefully. This led Ruan Yesheng to ask.
However, as soon as the question was out, Ruan Yesheng glanced at Xi Mo and felt even more uneasy.
Xi Mo's complexion was extremely pale now, with beads of cold sweat. Surprisingly, she was holding a bedside lamp in her hand. The hotel's bedside lamps are relatively small and easily detachable. Her grip on the lamp seemed like a defensive posture, as if she had been highly alert until she heard Ruan Yesheng's voice, relaxing and revealing herself.
Ruan Yesheng's mind quickly grasped the situation. Xi Mo wasn't actually searching for something when she was kneeling there. She was hiding, avoiding the sight of anyone entering the room. The detachable bedside lamp served as her improvised defensive weapon.
Seeing Ruan Yesheng's gaze on the lamp, Xi Mo felt a bit awkward. However, she didn't say anything, just took a few floating steps, returned the lamp to its place, and turned on the room's light.
She seemed shaky, appearing extremely tired even just walking. Originally, Ruan Yesheng intended to ask her a few questions out of concern, but seeing Xi Mo in this state, she couldn't bear to inquire further. She quickly stepped forward to support her, hoping she could sit on the edge of the bed and rest for a while.
While assisting, Ruan Yesheng felt the heat on Xi Mo's arm, almost as if it could scald her. Sweating had soaked through the fabric. Worried, she exclaimed, "Why are you so hot? Lie down quickly."
Xi Mo half-sat, half-laid, leaning against the headboard. Ruan Yesheng went to the washstand, wet a towel with hot water, and returned to gently wipe the sweat from Xi Mo's face and neck.
Her movements were careful and gentle. Xi Mo looked at Ruan Yesheng's approaching face and whispered, "Did I scare you just now?"
While wiping, Ruan Yesheng replied, "Not scared, just a bit concerned. What happened to you just now? Why were you there, holding a bedside lamp?"
Although she had some guesses, to consider Xi Mo's feelings, Ruan Yesheng didn't directly ask if she was avoiding something or why she was hiding there. After all, the behavior was peculiar, and she had sensed Xi Mo's embarrassment earlier. Directly addressing it might not be appropriate.
Xi Mo fell silent.
Ruan Yesheng smiled gently, "If you don't want to answer now, that's okay. Resting well is the most important thing right now. Whenever you're ready to talk, feel free to find me. You can trust that I'll keep it a secret."
"I want to."
Upon hearing those words, Ruan Yesheng's movements paused and looked at Xi Mo.
Although Xi Mo's voice was weak and somewhat breathless, her gaze was focused. She said, "I want to answer you, answer now. If I don't explain, you might not ask again, but I'm sure you'll worry more."
The soft towel gently brushed over Xi Mo's eyebrows as Ruan Yesheng softly said, "Okay, tell me, I'm listening."
"I had a nightmare earlier." Xi Mo's expression dimmed, as if enveloped in darkness. She continued, "When I woke up, my head was heavy. Then, I heard someone opening the door outside my room. Honestly, I felt very nervous at that moment. I'm the only one with the room key, and although hotel staff have spare cards, if it's room service, they should knock. So, I thought someone with ulterior motives wanted to enter my room. I had to hide and, incidentally, grabbed the bedside lamp for defense."
"Sorry," Ruan Yesheng felt a surge of guilt, "I was afraid of disturbing your rest while you were sleeping, so I didn't knock beforehand. Also, Yan Tinghuan had been to your room before, right? She wanted to buy medicine for you. Seeing your condition and fearing you might be asleep and not open the door next time, she took your room key. I thought you knew about it."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"No need to apologize," Xi Mo understood and nodded, "I remember Yan Tinghuan came in the morning. At that time, my mental state wasn't great, and I didn't pay attention to what she said. It seems she mentioned it when taking the room key from me, but I was half asleep and didn't hear clearly. I thought the room key was still in my room. It's my own issue."
Ruan Yesheng chuckled, "Just a misunderstanding, everything's fine now."
Xi Mo, however, looked at her with a somewhat serious expression, "Aren't you curious?"
Ruan Yesheng probably understood what she meant but replied, "... about what?"
"It's actually a very small matter. Most people, even if they think someone is trying to open the door from outside, wouldn't react as unusually as I did, immediately hiding and using something for defense," Xi Mo logically asked her, "Do you find me strange?"
Even if Xi Mo hadn't mentioned it, Ruan Yesheng had sensed this.
In everyday life, people encountering such situations would generally react much more calmly than Xi Mo did. Ruan Yesheng knew that Xi Mo was cautious, and many in her circle were eager to dig up information about her, but it was challenging due to Xi Mo's extreme vigilance. She had heard some gossip from paparazzi speculating that Xi Mo might possess counter-surveillance awareness, and this time, Ruan Yesheng genuinely felt the strength of Xi Mo's counter-surveillance awareness.
Her level of caution was truly on a different scale compared to other celebrities.
Even now, with a fever and in a weakened state, Xi Mo could sensitively feel the sound of someone opening the door. Although the room layout was a bit winding, and she wouldn't immediately see the person opening the door, this time was very brief. In that short period, she had to drag her exhausted body to remove the bedside lamp, then kneel at the bedside to hide, waiting for an opportunity to act. This behavior wasn't just cautious; it was also decisively brave. If the person entering was an intruder, as soon as they approached the bed, their head would undoubtedly be fiercely hit by Xi Mo with the bedside lamp. Seizing the moment of confusion, Xi Mo could immediately escape from the room.
From a psychological perspective, this kind of stress response doesn't happen overnight; it requires prolonged accumulation. Typically, those who exhibit such reactions are well-trained police officers, soldiers, or special forces, or individuals living in constant fear like fugitives, or those facing persistent pursuit and manipulation by powerful forces. To cope with deceitful situations, they build strong yet helpless defenses, preventing themselves and their loved ones from further harm.
Another type includes those who have experienced significant trauma. These individuals usually carry shadows in their hearts, leading them to subconsciously maintain a high level of vigilance in their daily lives—a form of subconscious self-protection to avoid reliving nightmares.
Seeing Ruan Yesheng deep in thought without speaking, Xi Mo lowered her eyes and softly asked, "Am I a bit ridiculous?"
Ruan Yesheng snapped back to reality and immediately replied, "Not at all. I don't find you strange or ridiculous, not in the least."
Xi Mo, hearing this, visibly relaxed. Ruan Yesheng continued wiping her, sensing her newfound ease, and said, "Everyone's life experiences are different, shaping varied reactions to things. Many might find others' reactions strange or even laughable because they don't understand the reasons."
"You say you don't find it strange or ridiculous. Do you understand the reasons then?" Xi Mo's complexion remained pale, but there was a hint of mockery in her tone.
"I don't understand the reasons either," Ruan Yesheng chuckled, "But I empathize with you. You must have your reasons."
Xi Mo silently looked at her.
"The towel has cooled; I'll go change the water." Ruan Yesheng stood up, about to leave, then turned back abruptly, "I see you've sweated a lot; how about I wipe your body too?"
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng genuinely wanted to help Xi Mo wipe her body, concerned about her discomfort from sweating. When asking the question, her gaze was clean and clear.
Xi Mo met her gaze, and after a moment, she said, "...Okay, thank you."
Ruan Yesheng brought a basin of hot water and placed it on the floor beside the bed. Xi Mo, noticing her busy posture, sat up a bit straighter, glanced at her, and began to remove her pajamas.
While undressing, she said, "I'm taking off my clothes; don't turn around."
Ruan Yesheng's heart skipped a beat. She remained bent over, not moving or looking back.
After Xi Mo finished undressing, seeing Ruan Yesheng still maintaining that half-bent position without change, she found it amusing that she could hold on. With a straight face, Xi Mo remarked, "I haven't finished undressing yet; it'll take some time. You can stand up and turn around when you're ready."
Only then did Ruan Yesheng stand straight, still facing away from Xi Mo. Her ears, covered by her flowing hair, showed a hint of a rosy blush.
After a while, Xi Mo pulled the blanket over herself, lying on the bed, "Okay, you can come over now."
Ruan Yesheng wrung the towel again, extended her hand, and uncovered the quilt on Xi Mo's body, ready to help her with her back.
Xi Mo felt that Ruan Yesheng's actions were quite open and without hesitation or shyness. Yesterday, when she was soaked in sweat in the car, Ruan Yesheng helped her change clothes, and Ruan Yesheng behaved very naturally. However, when she asked Ruan Yesheng to turn around while undressing just now, Ruan Yesheng, standing there, clearly blushed.
Something was different.
Ruan Yesheng focused on helping Xi Mo with her back. Xi Mo only felt warmth on her back, and sometimes Ruan Yesheng would gently massage her. While massaging, she asked, "Does it feel comfortable?"
Xi Mo didn't know how to respond and could only mumble a vague agreement.
However, Ruan Yesheng soon stopped asking. She lifted the quilt a bit more, revealing the bruises left by the harness on Xi Mo's lower back. Her expression immediately darkened.
Although Xi Mo couldn't see Ruan Yesheng's face while lying down, she could imagine what Ruan Yesheng saw. Apologetically, she said, "I hung on the harness for too long yesterday. Don't worry, I applied some medicine; it won't leave any marks on you. I'll be more careful next time, so your body won't suffer any injuries."
There was silence behind her for a while as Ruan Yesheng continued to wipe. Her movements became noticeably gentler. After a while, she asked, "...does it hurt a lot?"
"Fortunately, it doesn't hurt much now."
"I'll finish wiping, then apply the medicine again later." After saying this, Ruan Yesheng wet the towel again, wringing it out, and added, "Don't lie down; turn around."
Xi Mo turned to face her, exposing only half of her head. Meanwhile, she wrapped herself tightly with the quilt, holding it to her chest. She said, "Just wiping my back is enough; I can handle the rest myself."
Ruan Yesheng, realizing Xi Mo had curled into a ball, belatedly reacted and smiled, "Why are you curling up like that? That is my own body. What does it matter? I've bathed countless times since childhood, and I know my own body. Yesterday in the car, I helped you change clothes. What's the big deal?"
She looked completely nonchalant as if she genuinely didn't mind, "Since yesterday, I helped you change clothes in the car. What's the big deal?"
Xi Mo's eyes scrutinized her from top to bottom, and she countered, "If that's the case, why did you blush when I undressed just now? You're already accustomed to your own body, so why blush? Isn't that a contradiction?"
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
"I didn't."
Ruan Yesheng glanced to the side. "I turned around, so how could you still see my face?"
"Your ears are red."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Xi Mo said, "Be honest."
Ruan Yesheng evaded the topic, "If it's inconvenient, let's just focus on the back. Take your medicine first, get a good night's sleep, and I'll go pour you some water."
"I won't take the medicine if you don't say it."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Helpless, Ruan Yesheng said, "Then it's not a contradiction. I'm already accustomed to my body, whether it's helping you change clothes yesterday or wiping your back just now. What I see is just my own body, similar to when I change my clothes or wipe my own back. I don't think much about it, so you don't need to either."
"I don't think much about it." Muffled words came from under the quilt.
Ruan Yesheng glanced at her helplessly and continued, "Anyway, I'm used to my body. As for you seeing me just now... seeing me..."
"Your ears are red," Xi Mo added when Ruan Yesheng remained silent after "seeing" for a while.
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Afraid that if she didn't say anything, Xi Mo might actually get upset and refuse to take the medicine later, Ruan Yesheng took a deep breath and continued, "When you saw me... my ears turning red, it's because I'm not used to you… taking off your clothes."
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng's ears blushed again, but she quickly explained, "Rest assured, I didn't actually look. When you said you were undressing, I naturally knew you were in the process of undressing. I'm just not accustomed to it."
Xi Mo pulled the quilt up to cover her entire head.
Ruan Yesheng, feeling a bit flustered, tried to pull down the quilt, urging Xi Mo to get some fresh air. While doing so, she said, "Don't cover your head; it's important to keep the air circulating, especially when you have a cold."
Xi Mo let Ruan Yesheng uncover a corner of the quilt, revealing her face, and looked at her.
Ruan Yesheng also looked at her and after a while remarked, "Your ears are red."
"If you cover your head, of course, it'll turn red," Xi Mo said. "Your ears are red too."
So, both of them ended up with blushing ears, silently facing each other.
Author's Note:
Hey, why are your ears red?
