Chapter 85: May I Ask Who Is Outside?
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Although she was under observation in the hospital, thanks to being in the same room as Xi Mo, Ruan Yesheng felt good and naturally had a restful night’s sleep. When she woke up, she was full of energy.
Hearing Ruan Yesheng’s movements, Xi Mo also woke up.
They looked at each other across their hospital beds.
Ruan Yesheng smiled and said, “Good morning.”
Xi Mo’s voice was a bit soft as she replied, “Good morning.”
To Ruan Yesheng, this feeling was truly wonderful and precious. She was actually able to wake up in the same room as Xi Mo, exchanging good mornings. If it had been in the past, perhaps she would never have dared to hope for something like this.
In the past, Xi Mo and she belonged to two entirely different worlds, so far apart.
But now, she could be this close to Xi Mo.
Sometimes, people's hearts cannot control their desires, which is why there is so much greed in this world. Ruan Yesheng was no exception. On one hand, she felt joy and satisfaction from being so close; on the other hand, she could not help but wish to be even closer.
Today, there was another series of tests awaiting them. Early in the morning, Feng Tangtang came running in, placing a stack of test forms into her bag and said to both of them, “You haven't had any water or food, right? The doctor reminded you yesterday; some of the tests need to be done on an empty stomach.”
Ruan Yesheng said, “No. The nurse already took some blood earlier. Let’s first go line up for the tests that need to be done on an empty stomach.”
By now, Feng Tangtang had practically become their shared assistant, and she said, “Mm-hmm, just bear with it for a bit. Once the tests are over, I’ll go buy you both breakfast.”
With Feng Tangtang accompanying them, the two of them went to complete the various tests.
Ruan Yesheng was already mentally prepared; yesterday’s test results showed no abnormalities, and today’s would likely be the same. This matter could not be explained by scientific reasoning; it was strange, and this recent chest pain was probably just the beginning of a warning.
Last night, she and Xi Mo had already thoroughly analyzed the situation; exchanging bodies might require some sort of price.
If they did not figure out the clues soon and find a solution, what awaits them could very well be actual death.
They don't know how much time is left.
Ruan Yesheng silently comforted herself in her heart; the more tense the situation, the less they could afford to panic. Panicking would do no good. The only thing they could do now was to stay calm and uncover the truth.
While waiting, she looked up at Xi Mo. Xi Mo’s face remained equally calm. The longer she looked, the more she felt that this was her greatest comfort—a soothing sense of reassurance slowly rose within her.
After spending another day in the hospital, the test results once again showed they were perfectly healthy.
The doctor really could not find the reason and felt that they were just overworked from filming, so he suggested they rest more. Lu Qingming, who had been acting like a mother, furrowed his brow after hearing the doctor. As soon as he left the doctor's office, he called Lin Qitang.
Since Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo were admitted to the hospital yesterday, Lin Qitang had not been able to relax. One was a top star like Xi Mo, and the other was an actress he believed had a bright future. A significant part of his hopes for Sui Ting ting’s success rested on both of them. With both in the hospital, how could he not feel anxious?
After hearing Lu Qingming's words, Lin Qitang quickly decided to give them both a break and let them rest for a few more days. He could first shoot the scenes for others.
Back at the film crew for a rest, the crew members came one after another to visit them.
When she heard that Yan Mu was also going to visit, Shen Qingbie quickly called him: “Let me go with you to check on them.”
She was worried about Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo, but Ruan Yesheng specifically asked her to pretend not to know them. As Ruan Yesheng’s friend, she could not show it; as Xi Mo’s fan, she also had to keep it hidden. Qingqing felt very aggrieved.
However, even with this much grievance, she could not say anything.
Shen Qingbie felt like she was about to suffocate.
Yan Mu was an optimistic person. On the phone, he said, “Of course, that would be great! If you go, both Sister and Miss Ruan will definitely be very happy.”
He was not unaware of the rumors in the industry, which said that Xi Mo and Shen Qingbie were at odds, like water and fire. However, both of these people were ones he respected, so he naturally hoped for a harmonious relationship between them.
Yu An was half dead from anger. After hanging up the phone, she immediately refused, “No. No matter which one you want to visit, it is inconvenient. The media has been spreading that you and Xi Mo have a bad relationship. If you go to see her, it will not only confuse the media but I also would not understand your decision. Don’t you think the media won't make a big deal out of this?”
Although Shen Qingbie found it inconvenient to explain, she still tried to persuade Yu An: “A'Yu, I am currently visiting the crew. Someone in the crew has had an accident and is hospitalized. I certainly know about it. If I don’t go, others will surely say I am cold-blooded and impolite. Especially since it is Xi Mo; if I know she is in the hospital and don’t go, wouldn’t that just confirm the rumors of our bad relationship?”
Yu An was perceptive and seemed to sense something was off. “Qingqing, the media has been saying every day that your relationship with Xi Mo is not good. You never seemed to care before; why are you so anxious today? As for Ruan Yesheng, she has not shown her face in the industry for so many years. What is your current status? Why do you need to personally visit her? Do you have any relationship with her?”
Shen Qingbie was afraid she would find out the truth and said, “The current situation is different from before. They just got out of the hospital, and I am already in the set. I can’t just pretend I didn’t see it, can I? Besides, I am going with Yan Mu. I get along well with him, and going to visit together is nothing unusual. Even if it gets out, others will only say I have a kind heart and am understanding.”
Yu An’s face darkened. “You are dreaming. You know what the media is like. They will only say you are using this opportunity to put on a show, pretending to be a pure and virtuous white lotus.”
Shen Qingbie: "..."
She suddenly became angry. “What is wrong with white lotuses? They are so beautiful. I don’t understand the current online environment. Some good words have been turned into such filthy derogatory terms. The phrase ‘Growing from the mud unsullied—how did the beautiful white lotus become a curse? I tell you, I used to really like white lotuses. They look so good growing in water, with dewdrops rolling on them. Now I don’t even dare to say it. Do you know how upset I am…”
*White lotus was originally a metaphor to describe a pure, innocent, and virtuous person, mostly women. This later became a satirize label to refer to females with such innocent persona but in fact completely contradictory on the inside, similar to a green tea bitch.
“Give me a break,” Yu An glared at her.
Shen Qingbie lowered her head. “Oh.”
She was pretending to be obedient again. Yu An's anger decreased by half. She could only point at her, feeling like she was hammering iron that couldn't be forged into steel. “Do you know how hard it’s been for me to bring you along all these years to reach this point? Look at you, talking so much nonsense every day. Which celebrity's like you? Don’t you know to tone down your chatter a bit? Luckily, your acting skills are good; otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to package your image. If people outside knew your true self, all our efforts would be in vain. Why don’t you understand this until now?”
Shen Qingbie raised her head and looked at Yu An seriously. “Actually, I think I could also rely on my looks to make a living. I don’t necessarily have to depend on my image.”
Yu An: “…”
Yu An endured for a while and finally sighed. “Forget it. I won’t say much else to you, or you won't stop. Just remember, in the entertainment industry, if you don’t have a persona, you can’t go far. In this environment, which celebrity doesn’t have an outward persona? Confused, foodie, elite—these are all personas. Even those who claim to be genuine without a persona are packaged by their companies. Your persona is established with great effort; you are the graceful and elegant Qingqing, and you absolutely cannot collapse.”
Shen Qingbie listened and, for once, fell into silence. After a while, she said, “What if one day it collapses?”
Yu An frowned.
“If one day, my image accidentally collapses, or if I don’t want to be the graceful and elegant Qingqing anymore, if I want to be myself, will you still continue to walk with me like this?”
Yu An froze in place.
Shen Qingbie smiled. “You’re not shocked, are you? I’m just casually making a hypothetical statement, not saying it will come true.”
Yu An’s expression turned somewhat serious as she changed the subject. “Forget it, just go visit with Yan Mu. But I have a condition; you just need to act polite and don’t speak out of turn. I’ll go with you too.”
“I knew you’re the best, A'Yu!” Shen Qingbie beamed as she lunged forward, scrambling onto Yu An like a crab.
“Get down!” Yu An said hatefully.
She reached out, trying to pull Shen Qingbie's hands and feet off, but she couldn't budge them.
Shen Qingbie was strong and a karate expert, so of course, she couldn’t do anything about her.
In the end, Shen Qingbie got down by herself. She held onto Yu An's arm, cheerfully ready to go find Yan Mu.
Just as they were about to leave, Yu An said, "No matter what happens in the future, we will still go together like this."
Shen Qingbie paused, even happier than before, and raised her little finger excitedly: "That's what you said, we'll hang ourselves on a hook for a hundred years, and no going back. You will still take me with you in the future, and you can't take other coquettish bitches with you."
Yu An: "..."
Although Yu An was Shen Qingbie’s manager, Shen Qingbie wasn’t the only one she managed. It could only be said that she poured most of her efforts and energy into Shen Qingbie.
Shen Qingbie realized she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself, “I was wrong, I was wrong. You can still bring other coquettish bitches. Otherwise, if I fall out of popularity one day and can’t make money, you’d starve. Let me rephrase—it’s fine if you want to bring other coquettish bitches, as many as you want. But you have to give me the most attention.”
Yu An: “...”
For some reason, she seemed even angrier than before.
But Yu An was so frustrated she could only extend her finger to play the pinky promise with Shen Qingbie. However, she would never, even if threatened, recite that embarrassing pinky promise.
Shen Qingbie looked upset. "Why aren’t you saying the promise?"
"How old are you?" Yu An asked her.
Shen Qingbie looked at her with a wounded expression.
Yu An swallowed back the blood she almost coughed up and said, "...Pinky promise, hang ourselves on a hook for a hundred years, no going back."
Shen Qingbie was satisfied and, holding onto her, went out the door.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Originally, Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo each returned to their own rooms. Due to the difference in their identities, the visits they received were also vastly different. Now that Ruan Yesheng was posing as Xi Mo, she naturally enjoyed a treatment akin to being surrounded by stars. The people coming to visit her were endless, most of them celebrities; even Lin Qitang showed up. Later, Lu Qingming, considering that she would need more rest after being discharged, declined some unnecessary visits, allowing Ruan Yesheng to finally relax a bit.
On Xi Mo's side, aside from Feng Tangtang, only a few friendly staff members from the production crew came to see her, and the coordinator even brought gifts. However, everyone was busy with work and didn't stay long. Lu Qingming assigned Feng Tangtang some tasks, so she had to leave as well.
Xi Mo stayed alone in her room, watching the videos on the portable hard drives that the fruit store owner had sent her.
Until a knock sounded at the door, Xi Mo closed the interface and opened the door to find Ruan Yesheng standing there.
"Why did you come over suddenly?" Xi Mo was a bit surprised.
Ruan Yesheng smiled warmly. "Am I not welcome?"
"I thought you’d be very busy at this time."
"Not busy. Lu Qingming said I should rest more, so those who came to visit just handed their gifts and flowers to Tangtang. I was happy to take it easy, so I wanted to come see you." Ruan Yesheng walked naturally into Xi Mo's room and sat by the table. "What were you doing?"
"Watching surveillance footage." Xi Mo didn’t hide it from her and reopened the video.
"This isn’t footage from the hotel’s surveillance; it’s from outside. The camera outside the hotel entrance wouldn’t capture this." Ruan Yesheng glanced at the screen, sensing something was off. "Where did you get this?"
"The fruit store owner across the street sent it to me," Xi Mo said. "I gave him some benefits, so he sends me the surveillance footage regularly. I get daily footage. From this angle, I can see what’s happening outside the hotel. If someone is watching us, it might reveal something."
Ruan Yesheng suddenly understood and laughed. "No wonder when I saw you come out of the fruit store that time, the owner looked like it was raining money from the sky, being so attentive. So, this was the reason for that deal. It’s been so long, and you never told me?"
Xi Mo was silent for a moment, then said, "I wanted to wait until I found some useful clues before telling you."
"If you had told me earlier, I could have watched with you," Ruan Yesheng said. "With so much footage, it must be tiring for you to review it all alone. I could help share the load a bit."
As she spoke, she added with a cheerful smile, "But then again, since we didn't get along well before, you probably wouldn’t have let me help."
Xi Mo: "..."
She stared at the surveillance footage, her tone a bit stiff. "...It's not that we didn’t get along."
The more Ruan Yesheng looked at her, the more she wanted to laugh. She started watching the footage with her. "So, did you find anything before?"
"Not yet," Xi Mo said as she opened another folder containing screenshots of the surveillance footage, each marked with detailed timestamps. She handed over the notebook she had been using to take notes. "But if there are people who appear multiple times in the footage, I will record them. Generally, if someone is monitoring us, they wouldn’t appear just once. Then we can compile a list of these recurring individuals and compare them carefully; we should be able to find some clues."
"Mm, that’s a good plan," Ruan Yesheng nodded.
The two of them got busy.
Watching surveillance footage was a tedious and tiring task. Staring at the screen without letting their minds wander, their backs and waists ached after an hour. As time passed, Ruan Yesheng began to feel discomfort in her neck. She saw Xi Mo rubbing her shoulders and stood up, walking to Xi Mo's back. "Shall I give you a massage?"
"...That would be troublesome," Xi Mo glanced back at her.
Ruan Yesheng smiled as she kneaded Xi Mo's shoulders. While she was massaging and chatting, a knock came from the door.
"Is Tangtang back?" Ruan Yesheng paused and stood up to open the door.
"I will go with you," Xi Mo also got up and turned off the screen. Since the last knocking incident, she had grown increasingly vigilant. If it was just a knock without any voice confirming the identity of the person at the door, she would not let her guard down.
The two of them walked to the door. Xi Mo looked through the peephole and saw a man and a woman standing outside.
Strange faces appeared; the woman stood in front of the man, her long hair tied up. Her beautiful features exuded a sense of grace and confidence.
"May I ask who is outside?" Xi Mo inquired through the door.
The woman in front had a pleasant voice as she replied, "Police."
Ruan Yesheng glanced at Xi Mo, who silently shook her head. Xi Mo then spoke to the outside, "Please show your identification; I can see it through the peephole."
The woman took out her badge and moved closer to the peephole, saying, "Of course, please take a look."
Xi Mo examined the badge; it was indeed a police ID, and the name displayed was Cui Jiayu.
Ruan Yesheng also leaned over to take a look through the peephole. Upon seeing the name, she felt a bit concerned.
Perhaps because the names were similar, she couldn't help but draw a connection to Cui Jiashu, who had returned with Baseball Cap last time. By age, this woman could indeed be Cui Jiashu's sister. However, there were so many people in the world with the same name, and countless more with similar names. Moreover, she had never heard Cui Jiashu mention having a sister; she must have been overthinking it.
Cui Jiayu put away her identification and said, "Miss Ruan, I am with the City Public Security Bureau's investigation team. Your neighbor has encountered some issues, so the police would like to ask you some questions. Sorry for the disturbance."
Xi Mo's heart skipped a beat.
The person next door?
Author’s Note:
The tone of this article is light-hearted, but it actually contains a lot of suspense that needs to be revealed later. I write because I enjoy it. Before writing, I will first create an outline and determine the ending. Therefore, anything published will definitely be completed. The plot is all in my mind, so everyone can just follow along with my pace as they read on. That's it~
