Chapter 58: I Feel Reassured Handing Everything To You
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
“I saw the dark shadow under the door crack too. Although I couldn't see what it was through the crack at all, I think it should be beyond our imagination," Xi Mo's eyes darkened as she continued to recall the thrilling scene from back then.
The gap was very narrow, and from their side of the door, they could only see a tiny corner. The visual information obtained was extremely limited, making it impossible to establish a clear understanding of the scene outside the door. But even though it was unclear, the vague feeling left after just one glance remained. Xi Mo didn't know what it was, but she knew it definitely wasn't human, nor was it any ordinary animal. But it was alive.
So, what could it be?
A chill crept up slowly.
They passed out when the door was forced open. At that moment of fainting, she felt that thing outside the door rushing in, but unfortunately, she didn't see anything clearly. However, she could sense that there were other footsteps rapidly approaching them.
Those footsteps should belong to a person, even though the speed was much faster than an ordinary person's.
"Besides that thing, it's indeed very possible that there was another person present," Xi Mo withdrew her thoughts and said, "Being on the brink of death might be one of the necessary conditions, but what about this person? Is he also a necessary condition? I always feel that two people lying on the brink of death together, without any other influence, how could they just switch? If that's the case, then wouldn't the intensive care unit full of critically ill patients be at risk of exchanging at any time? Obviously, this is not possible, or else society would be in chaos. And what about that dark shadow? Was it also one of the conditions? The scene was so complicated at the time, that any special point could have been the condition necessary for us to completely switch. The brief exchange we experienced today was very unstable, indicating that not all conditions were met. So, which link was missing? Besides not reaching the brink of death, was it also lacking that dark shadow or that person?"
The more she spoke, the deeper her frown became. "Our key now is to find that person. If the situation is indeed as we think, since that person could save us from the brink of death, he likely knows what happened at the time. Let's not delve into other aspects for now, but at least he can be considered a witness. And if that person went to such great lengths to save us, was it purely out of kindness, lending a hand as he passed by, or was it because our survival was advantageous to him, and that's why he saved our lives? If it's because of our utility, then it's very likely that he will come looking for us in the future. We can try to find a breakthrough from that person."
Ruan Yesheng listened attentively throughout.
She liked seeing Xi Mo's organized demeanor like this. Xi Mo said she wasn't afraid, allowing her to depend on her. Perhaps it was just a word of comfort, but Xi Mo indeed always made her feel reassured.
Although Xi Mo came from a prominent family, she was different from typical wealthy young ladies. She rarely panicked when faced with problems; instead, she would actively analyze and solve them. She was also much more cautious than most celebrities. A person's thinking habits are often influenced by their experiences. Ruan Yesheng didn't know what Xi Mo had gone through, but from some of her behaviors, it was likely not a warm experience, but rather sharp and cold. Otherwise, she wouldn't have forged such a cautious demeanor.
Seeing Ruan Yesheng looking at her all the time, Xi Mo cleared her throat and said, "What do you think?"
Ruan Yesheng took over the conversation and said, "I agree with your views. There's also something else I need to tell you. Actually, when we were at the hotel today, there was someone outside the door, and they knocked."
Xi Mo glanced at her slowly.
Ruan Yesheng then detailed the situation at the time and continued, "I didn't bring the note with me. I'll show it to you tomorrow."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Xi Mo listened carefully and seemed to ponder for a moment before saying, "It feels a bit strange."
"What's strange?" Ruan Yesheng asked.
Xi Mo replied, "It's just a feeling of strangeness, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I feel like the person who saved us from the brink of death before and the person outside the door this time don't seem to be the same. It doesn't feel right. The person today clearly had ulterior motives for intimidation. If I had to say, it might be somewhat similar to the person who threw the dead chicken before."
Ruan Yesheng smiled wryly, "We're in the light, others are in the dark. It's normal that many things are temporarily unclear."
Xi Mo also felt the overwhelming pressure from all these messy things converging into an unavoidable burden, weighing heavily on her already weary body due to the fever. She whispered, "In any case, being on the brink of death is very dangerous, even if we know it's a condition. Currently, we can only start from the person who saved us from that state of imminent death. Of course, this will be very difficult, but there's no other way. We can't just recklessly attempt anything involving near-death experiences."
Ruan Yesheng was also a cautious person who would never gamble with lives, especially when it involved Xi Mo. It was even more imperative not to rush into anything.
Looking ahead, the path seemed bleak and uncertain. Ruan Yesheng said, "These conditions are too difficult, and some pose life-threatening risks. We don't even have the opportunity to try. If we can never return to our original selves in the future, what would you do?"
Xi Mo was taken aback, and looked at her.
Seeing her expression, Ruan Yesheng felt even worse than her. Returning to her normal life could be said to be Xi Mo's most urgent desire now. Xi Mo's decision to enter the film set and take on the role of Ding’e was also because only by staying together could they have a chance to return. Ruan Yesheng had persisted until now, but with the conditions for returning becoming so difficult, how disappointed would Xi Mo be?
After a long silence, Xi Mo lowered her head and spoke softly, "I don't know either."
If she could never return, she would have to give up everything she once had—her father, her home, everything she owned would vanish. She would have to live forever in the identity of another person, no longer Xi Mo.
Ruan Yesheng felt increasingly distressed, wanting to say something to comfort her, but found herself suddenly at a loss for words.
Xi Mo raised her eyes again, seemingly scrutinizing Ruan Yesheng carefully, and said, "Life only comes once. I won't risk it, whether it's mine or yours. Life is precious, and being alive is the most important thing. If, after all efforts, there's still no hope of returning, then maybe I can accept it in the end."
"But if that's the case, you'll be very unhappy in the future," Ruan Yesheng worried.
Xi Mo shook her head, "I don't think so. If it comes to that, I can accept living in your identity. Gradually, I should get used to it. If it were someone else, I definitely wouldn't agree, but if it's you, I can accept it. These days, you've played my role very well, without overstepping any boundaries. You've respected my life, my profession as an actress, and my family. I've thought about this before. I imagined handing over everything I used to have to you, and I felt reassured."
Ruan Yesheng's heart was now incredibly tender, both joyful for earning such trust from Xi Mo and saddened by the prospect that proud Xi Mo might ultimately accept this helpless choice. She felt a mix of joy and sorrow, unsure of what exactly she was feeling. Murmuring softly, she said, "I feel reassured handing my life over to you. But—"
She hurriedly continued, "I don't want you to live in my identity. You are you."
In her eyes, Xi Mo had always been special.
How could such a proud and radiant person live as someone else, unable even to be herself? Especially when she had so much, yet was about to lose it all in an instant. That would be so unfair to Xi Mo.
Xi Mo naturally understood the meaning behind her words, a faint smile appearing in her eyes.
Ruan Yesheng's voice grew even softer as if she were speaking to her and herself at the same time, "And you can't live in my identity for too long."
It was too dangerous.
Xi Mo furrowed her brow.
Without waiting for Xi Mo to inquire further, Ruan Yesheng suddenly said, "I'm a bit thirsty, I want to go get some water."
"Go ahead," Xi Mo gestured. It’s just getting water, did she really need to report it?
But Ruan Yesheng just looked at her.
Xi Mo: "..."
Do you want me to pour it for you?
Xi Mo could only say, "Then sit tight, I'll go pour it for you."
However, Ruan Yesheng said, "You're sick, how can I make a patient pour water for me? I'll go myself."
Xi Mo sounded a bit resigned, her words light, "Then go ahead."
But Ruan Yesheng still didn't move, just looked down at their hands.
Xi Mo, seeing her like this, also lowered her head in puzzlement and followed her gaze, only to realize that ever since hearing about the brief swap, she had been holding Ruan Yesheng's wrist and hadn't let go. No wonder Ruan Yesheng hadn't moved at all during their conversation earlier. Now she understood and immediately released her hand.
Ruan Yesheng glanced at her. "Now I can finally drink water."
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng poured herself a glass of water, leaned back, and slowly drank. After watching her finish, Xi Mo said, "Pour me some too."
So Ruan Yesheng poured her a glass as well. Xi Mo held the glass, took a sip, and then glanced at her phone. It was past ten.
"We agreed to leave by ten, why am I still here?" Ruan Yesheng looked "surprised" and glanced around. "I can't believe I'm so unreliable this time."
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng sat there, smiling at her.
Soon, there was a knock at the door. Ruan Yesheng's first instinct was that the nurse had come for rounds, so she subconsciously reached for her mask to put it on. Although it wasn't certain she would be recognized, it was better to be safe than sorry. Then she remembered Feng Tangtang saying the nurse had already checked the room and wouldn't come again. Could Feng Tangtang's information be wrong?
Xi Mo waited for her to put on the mask before saying, "Come in."
Two people entered, one after the other. Yan Tinghuan carried a bag of takeout desserts, followed by Feng Tangtang.
Seeing it was the two of them, Ruan Yesheng finally felt relieved enough to take off her mask.
Yan Tinghuan walked over with a smile, placing the dessert on the table as she said, "Did we scare you by being too formal? I was afraid you might be rubbing medicinal oil in here again, which would be inconvenient, so I thought it would be respectful to knock first, to avoid barging in like last time."
Feng Tangtang was puzzled, "What medicinal oil?"
Xi Mo: "..."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
