Chapter 76: We Are Close
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Xi Mo was a cautious person.
This caution enabled her to notice clues even in small places. If Xi Mo sensed something was wrong, questions would follow. Xi Mo had her own considerations for these questions.
Many questions were insignificant to her. Even if Xi Mo discovered them, she disdained to bother. She would rather rest if she had the time. But if she thought some questions were necessary to understand, she would choose to combine information to judge and analyze, then probe indirectly in her own way.
Or, she would ask directly.
Once she did not probe but asked directly, it showed she trusted the person being asked to a great extent, and she cared about these doubts. If she could not get an answer, she would not insist, but she might continue to mind it for some time.
Ruan Yesheng understood her and only hoped she could be at ease.
Although Ruan Yesheng had already prepared herself, knowing that when she answered Xi Mo later, some parts would not be truthful.
Thinking of this, Ruan Yesheng felt guilty again.
Xi Mo said, "Your mother..."
After the hotel fire, she woke up in the hospital as Ruan Yesheng and found the ward cold and empty, with no visitors. Logically, even if others did not come, Ruan Yesheng's parents should have. After all, their daughter had just narrowly escaped death in a fire, which was an earth-shattering event for any family. It is said that parents' hearts are tender. Some parents, even if they were far away on business trips, would find a way to rush back upon hearing such hospital notifications.
But Ruan Yesheng's parents did not come.
At that time, Xi Mo thought it might be because of some reasons they temporarily could not be contacted, but since then, Ruan Yesheng's parents have never shown up.
So there was a moment when Xi Mo could not help but have an ominous suspicion.
Although she had graduated many years ago, Xi Mo still kept in touch with some former university classmates. She was a student at the Film Academy, and many classmates were now working in the same industry, including many stars. Xi Mo did not like to have close relationships with others, but since they were in the same circle, there might be collaborations, and she would have dealings with them. In past interactions, classmates sometimes talked about Ruan Yesheng, but no one ever mentioned anything about Ruan Yesheng's parents passing away.
Ruan Yesheng had good relationships with people. Considering her connections with classmates, if there had been a family funeral, some close classmates would have attended to show their condolences. Since there was never any news of a funeral, and most families would not deliberately hide such an event, it meant her parents should be alive. So Xi Mo dismissed that suspicion at the time.
Later, when talking to Ruan Yesheng, she occasionally mentioned her mother. Her mother seemed very busy and did not often come home, but whenever she did, she would bring various gifts and put a lot of effort into cooking, fearing Ruan Yesheng would not find the food tasty. These were just ordinary details of life, but it was clear that Ruan Yesheng's mother really loved her, and their relationship was very deep.
However, Xi Mo had indeed never seen Ruan Yesheng's mother in person. She only saw a photo of her on the table the first time she went to Ruan Yesheng's house. She was a very elegant woman with similar features to Ruan Yesheng.
Ruan Yesheng lowered her eyelashes, her gaze seemed to avoid, and after a long time, she softly said, "My Mom... she has work matters, always on long-term business trips abroad, very busy."
She continued, "My Mom's braised pork elbow is very delicious, I like it a lot, so when I saw you bought braised pork elbow and mentioned my mom, I suddenly missed her very much."
Xi Mo felt there was an indescribable taste in her words, some places seemed vague, but she tried to comfort her, "So she went abroad. If you miss her, you can send her a message."
Although calling or even video calling is the most direct and effective way to communicate with family members who are away, and it can best alleviate longing, Xi Mo could not suggest this. The person was Ruan Yesheng's mother, who must be very familiar with her daughter, and her daughter had now changed into another appearance, with a different voice. Therefore, communication was indeed inconvenient, only through sending messages without showing face or voice.
Ruan Yesheng said, "...I know, we communicate through messages."
"What about your father?"
Ruan Yesheng's expression became even more gloomy. "…He is also with her, abroad. I told you, they do research work, and many times they cannot leave."
Xi Mo kept looking at her, her voice also slightly uneasy. "Do you think I am prying into your personal life?"
Ruan Yesheng raised her eyes slightly. "No."
She knew in her heart that Xi Mo was concerned about her, otherwise, given Xi Mo's personality, she would not have asked.
Xi Mo seemed somewhat relieved and nodded.
"Actually, I am a bit happy," Ruan Yesheng's voice lightened.
"Why?"
Ruan Yesheng smiled and said, "You never used to ask me these things."
"In the past, I was not so close to you. Asking these things would have been inappropriate."
Ruan Yesheng's eyes hooked onto hers, "You mean, now we are very close?"
Xi Mo: "…"
Seeing Xi Mo suddenly fall silent, Ruan Yesheng said, "Don't you have more questions to ask me?"
"No, that's all."
"Don't stop asking just because you saw me cry earlier. It's okay, you should still ask what needs to be asked. You were very brief in your messages before and did not say much else. I thought you planned to explain more when we met."
Xi Mo looked at Ruan Yesheng again after hearing her words.
They were just some details that could almost be ignored, but Ruan Yesheng still saw the hidden meaning behind them. To achieve this, intelligence was necessary, but even more so, understanding.
How did Ruan Yesheng understand her so well?
When did she start understanding her so deeply?
"Really no more questions?" Ruan Yesheng propped her chin on her hand, resting it on the table.
"Mm." Xi Mo nodded.
Ruan Yesheng blinked, "I don't believe you."
Xi Mo had to say, "Actually, there is one more question."
Ruan Yesheng smiled, waiting for her to continue.
Xi Mo said, "I asked you before who you were having dinner with, and you said it was with one of your good friends."
She slightly furrowed her brow, "You used my identity to have dinner with your good friend?"
Ruan Yesheng seemed as if she had already anticipated Xi Mo's suspicion, still maintaining the chin-resting posture without a hint of embarrassment from being exposed.
In fact, she deliberately responded that way initially, and now that Xi Mo finally asked about it, she smiled and said, "Yes, in reality, the person is indeed one of my former good friends. I took leave today because there's a sudden collaboration opportunity that requires me to meet with them. I used your identity to have dinner with them, and they actually don't know it's me. Don't worry, even though they are my good friend, they perceive me as you and our conversation revolves around your work."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ruan Yesheng suddenly took leave this time, knowing that Xi Mo would inevitably inquire due to her concerns, which was natural for anyone. Therefore, she had to prepare the reason for her leave early.
For this reason, she couldn't tell the truth, but she also didn't want to be too vague when fabricating excuses. Xi Mo was very clever, and vague and general statements wouldn't deceive her; Xi Mo could easily see through any attempts to brush her off. So Ruan Yesheng had to incorporate some truths and details into her explanation.
Just like when she said she was having dinner with a good friend, that was true, and it included details. If she mentioned that the person she was meeting this time perceived her as Xi Mo, although she couldn't elaborate, their previous friendship wouldn't change because of her current appearance. This approach was feasible and wouldn't reveal her true purpose for taking leave.
Based on this detail, firstly, it could divert Xi Mo's attention from questioning the reason for her leave to focusing on this so-called good friend. Secondly, she could refine her excuse based on this detail to better conceal the true purpose of her leave.
Ruan Yesheng didn't want to deceive Xi Mo.
But she also didn't want to involve Xi Mo further. She knew she was already deep in trouble and couldn't extricate herself. If she could keep Xi Mo away, deception might be her best current option.
When things settled down later, Xi Mo could return to a normal life, and everything could go back to how it used to be.
Lies were indeed strange things. They were clearly about deception—some lies were schemes, while others were protection.
Xi Mo didn't show any obvious changes on her face and said, "The person you're helping me meet happens to be your former friend? You know quite a lot of people."
Ruan Yesheng chuckled softly, "I used to be somewhat famous, I know many people, is that not allowed?"
"It's allowed."
Regarding this, Xi Mo did believe it.
Ruan Yesheng had been very popular back then. She had once been a dazzling star.
But this industry is cruel. Time erases all past glories. Even the sharpest stones can be worn smooth by long periods of silence and disappearance. This is why many celebrities frequently stir up attention, fearing that audiences will no longer notice them. With such rapid changes, artists struggle in this restless circle. Over time, apart from a small number of die-hard fans, most spectators choose to forget those who retire.
Thinking of this, Xi Mo felt it was a pity for Ruan Yesheng.
She could see that Ruan Yesheng loved acting. During their university days, Ruan Yesheng's passion for performing was evident. She had remarkable talent but still worked tirelessly.
Yet she eventually left the acting career she had wanted to fight for.
There were some unverified rumors online suggesting that Ruan Yesheng might have offended someone, resulting in her being blacklisted and hidden from the public eye.
Xi Mo understood that these were all baseless rumors because Ruan Yesheng had been well-known for her extensive connections and good relationships in the industry.
While it's true that occasionally someone in the industry might be blacklisted and forced to leave due to lack of resources, this would never happen to Ruan Yesheng. As she herself said, she knew many people, including those with significant influence in the circle. With such a wide network, it was impossible for her to lack resources. Even if one or two entities tried to hinder her, she had many others to choose from. With her abilities, it was more about her picking others rather than being picked.
Ruan Yesheng had good looks and excellent acting skills. When she was popular, just standing there, she was a money tree. No talent agency or investors would be foolish enough to let her go; they would support her to make money off her. Plus, Ruan Yesheng was very skilled in handling relationships and had many friends. So, the possibility of being blacklisted or deliberately restricted was out of the question. The most likely scenario was that Ruan Yesheng left on her own due to some unavoidable reason.
Otherwise, if she leveraged her connections, some of her friends would definitely help her, but she didn’t do that.
This indicated that Ruan Yesheng must have voluntarily given up.
Did she encounter some major trouble?
Otherwise, why would she give up her beloved acting career?
The more Xi Mo thought about it, the more she became concerned about Ruan Yesheng's past.
At the same time, she gradually realized that she seemed overly interested in Ruan Yesheng.
Ruan Yesheng, unaware of Xi Mo’s thoughts, continued to smile and said, “Do you want to know who that good friend I mentioned is, what important work we discussed, and why our schedules were so tight that we had to eat takeout? After all, this is your job, and I’m just stepping in for you. It's only natural for you to want to know.”
Xi Mo slowly shook her head. “No need. You’ve already taken over my work. There’s no need to go into such detail.”
She added, “I’ve said it before, I trust you completely.”
Ruan Yesheng had already anticipated her response, feeling warm inside.
The issue of taking leave was finally settled, but she felt even more guilty for fabricating so many lies to conceal the truth from Xi Mo. The excuse about her good friend was intentionally crafted to lead Xi Mo away. The more Xi Mo expressed her trust, the more anxious Ruan Yesheng felt, fearing she had betrayed that trust.
“Thank you for trusting me so much,” Ruan Yesheng said.
... I'm sorry.
After a moment of silence, Ruan Yesheng added, “Actually, some people you might not interact with often could be my good friends. If there's a chance, I’ll introduce you.”
Xi Mo, sensing an underlying meaning, replied, “I know, you used to have a wide network.”
Ruan Yesheng smiled ambiguously.
They chatted casually for a while. Noticing Ruan Yesheng’s fatigue, Xi Mo considered that she might be tired and said, “Rest early today. I'll head back now.”
Ruan Yesheng didn’t want her to leave.
But she knew she couldn't cling to her. Given their current relationship, she had no right to keep her. So, she got up, tidied the table, and said, “Okay, you should rest early too.”
Xi Mo asked, “Will you go to the set tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Xi Mo said nothing more, waiting for her to finish tidying up. When Ruan Yesheng was done and had put the trash in a bag, Xi Mo took it and said, “I’ll take it out.”
Ruan Yesheng smiled at her.
Xi Mo went out to the designated garbage bin in the stairwell and then took the elevator back to her floor.
When she returned to her room, she saw someone with a tray placing a meal at the door of the adjacent room. The person, dressed as a staff member from the downstairs restaurant, was delivering a meal. Many guests preferred to order room service rather than go out, and the hotel had staff who delivered meals to the rooms.
The delivery person put down the meal without making a phone call or knocking on the door. He turned and saw Xi Mo, greeting her politely, “Good evening.”
Then he left.
Xi Mo walked over and silently observed the door of the adjacent room.
She had been staying there for quite some time but had never seen the person living next door. Most of the hotel's rooms were booked by the film crew, so there were not many other guests, and many of those who were there stayed for long periods, almost like short-term rentals.
Whether the next room was occupied by a crew member or a regular guest, she had never seen anyone.
However, the meal at the door indicated someone was staying there. The fact that the delivery person didn’t call or knock suggested that he had been instructed to just leave the meal there. Moreover, his behavior seemed very familiar, indicating he frequently delivered meals to that room, dropping them off and leaving without notifying the occupant.
Most people wouldn’t leave their meal at the door; they would usually come out to receive it.
Xi Mo glanced at the meal at the neighboring door. It was a steak, enough for one person, covered with a transparent cloche, and accompanied by a glass of wine. She frowned, swiped her key card to open her door, and went inside.
A few minutes later, Xi Mo came out of her room again.
This time, she casually glanced at the neighboring door. The meal was gone, indicating the occupant had taken it inside.
Author's Note:
I'm a bit tired today, so I'll take a break from being cute for a day【.
