Chapter 200: Eve
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Lin Tingyu took a tablet out of her bag, opened a page, and handed it to Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo: "Take a look at this first."
A hint of doubt appeared on Ruan Yesheng's face, and she subconsciously felt a little uneasy. When she took the tablet and glanced at the content on the screen, she suddenly froze. She quickly moved the tablet so Xi Mo beside her could also see it.
The two looked carefully for a while, and their faces both turned serious.
“This is a file I made based on the time, place, and other changes in Yang Zhen’s movements that Jiajia gave.” Lin Tingyu said, “There were records before, but from a certain day, it stopped.”
Lin Tingyu is efficient and decisive in her work. The file she gave not only had detailed analysis records, but also had all kinds of charts to help explain. Everything was very clear.
Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo exchanged a glance and said at the same time, "January 19."
“Right.” Lin Tingyu watched their faces, and said calmly, “January 18 was the day you both went back to Shanghai before, and that day, Yang Zhen also followed you back. But he took a different flight, a few hours later than yours. After that, Yang Zhen stayed in a hotel in Shanghai, and there are records. Then on the morning of January 19, he left the hotel and disappeared. On the 20th, you went to Beijing, and he didn’t follow. At least there is no trace of him in public transport. If he used a private car, that’s another matter.”
“January 19th is my birthday.” Ruan Yesheng’s expression was somewhat strange.
She didn't know what Yang Zhen's disappearance had to do with her birthday; perhaps it was just a coincidence, but this particular turning point in time forced her to be on high alert.
Lin Tingyu knew when Ruan Yesheng's birthday was and that she and Shen Qingbie had even sent out red envelopes to celebrate. She asked Ruan Yesheng, "Did anything happen on your birthday? I mean, anything special?"
“…very special.” Ruan Yesheng murmured, her eyes glistening with mist, and she resisted the urge to look at Xi Mo.
Upon hearing this, Xi Mo subconsciously lowered her head.
They got together on Ruan Yesheng's birthday.
This was very special.
No, using special to describe it was far from enough. This life would carve such a memory that would never drown.
But what Lin Tingyu wanted to ask was clearly not this.
Lin Tingyu continued, "Did you see anyone or anything near your home that made you feel something was off?"
Ruan Yesheng pondered for a moment and shook hwe head: "No, apart from going out to buy things, I spent most of my time at home and didn't see anything."
Lin Tingyu turned to Xi Mo. “Xi Mo, what about you? Yang Zhen was following both of you. If nothing happened on Ruanruan’s side, did you see anything strange?”
Xi Mo thought and said, “I didn’t see anything strange. That day, besides staying at home, I went to the Xi Manor for lunch, handled some things in the afternoon, then went to Yesheng’s home.”
She paused, then added, "However, there's been a long traffic jam. There was a car accident up ahead, but it's far away, so I don't know the specifics."
“Which road?”
“I’ll send it to you.” Xi Mo sent Lin Tingyu the map location on her phone, and marked it.
Lin Tingyu looked at the message. “Okay, I will go ask.”
Xi Mo hesitated. “Do you think there is a problem with that accident?”
"I don't know either." Lin Tingyu was very cautious. "But it's never a bad thing to find out. Jiajia and I will go and check on the car accident. This isn't Jiajia's duty, so it might take some time."
"Thank you." Xi Mo was genuinely grateful to her. "You've gone to so much trouble."
In truth, this matter has little to do with Lin Tingyu. If Cui Jiayu's reasons for helping were partly due to her case work to investigate Yang Zhen and Ding Qihong, then Lin Tingyu was just giving help.
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"It's nothing." Lin Tingyu smiled and didn't bother with any high-sounding pretense. Instead, she said frankly, "Xi Mo, you're very popular right now, and I'm also very optimistic about Ruanruan's future development. I've always felt that being friends with you guys would be very beneficial to my work. But being friends is not just words. I also need to do some things, so you will remember this favor.”
Ruan Yesheng smiled and said, "Then we'll take care of something too. If there's anything we can help with, just let us know."
"Not yet." Lin Tingyu tapped her finger lightly on the table. "I'll let you know if there is, in the future."
“Then we’ll treat you this time,” Ruan Yesheng said.
“Okay,” Lin Tingyu readily agreed.
The dishes were served one after another, and the three of them ate and chatted. After the meal, Ruan Yesheng and Xi Mo went to see Lin Tingyu off. Lin Tingyu got into the car with the cat cage and waved goodbye to the two of them. The cat was curled up in the cage and remained very quiet throughout the journey.
Xi Mo watched Lin Tingyu's car drive away, and only after a long while did she turn around, her gaze appearing somber in the cold winter night wind.
"What's wrong?" Ruan Yesheng noticed that she seemed preoccupied. “Did Tingyu’s news make you think of something?”
“Nothing.” Xi Mo looked at her, her voice very light, like it would be blown away by the wind. “It’s just that my gut always feels that something will… happen.”
Since she swapped bodies with Ruan Yesheng, she felt someone had been watching them. Even after they switched back, that feeling stayed, like a shadow.
Even if it wasn't Ding Qihong or Yang Zhen, there would still be other people.
What do they want to do?
And what exactly do they want?
As night fell and a thick fog enveloped them, she and Ruan Yesheng walked through the fog for a long time, yet they still couldn't see what was hidden deep within the fog. They couldn't even glimpse a corner of each other's bodies.
At this moment, Xi Mo inexplicably remembered a script she had once read, which contained such a strange song.
“When you walk into that night.
Your organs breathe normally.
Your hands and feet move freely.
Your blood flows without stopping.
You curl in a wooden house in the forest,
and feel thankful for this night’s stay.
It seems there is heat from a fire.
It seems there is a smell of food.
Even if you see nothing, your blood will still dry in the night.
Even if you hear nothing, your organs will still vanish in the night.
Even if you know nothing, your hands and feet will still be swallowed in the night.
It looks like nothing will happen, but the night itself has already noticed you.”
Ruan Yesheng moved closer to Xi Mo, straightened her scarf, and after a brief silence, said softly, "Actually... I feel the same way. Even though our lives are mostly normal, there are always some inexplicable things happening that are beyond our understanding. They slowly seep out from the cracks, and I'm afraid that one day they will eat our lives."
"It's cold here, let's go to the car," Xi Mo said without replying immediately.
"Okay."
They walked in the night toward the parking lot. Ruan Yesheng held an umbrella for both. Even with masks and hats, the wind still stung their faces.
The shadows of pedestrians in the distance were shrouded in the cold night, their faces obscured, like hazy shadows in the forest.
As Xi Mo walked, she said, "I've heard that the closer you get to the so-called unknown truth, the more your mental state will break down, and the more suspicious you will become. But we don't even have a way to get closer to the truth. We're always very passive, like we're trapped in a room and can't see anything, but there are people watching us from outside."
"Do you want to go outside and take a look?" Ruan Yesheng understood her and asked her naturally.
"I do. But this room has no windows or doors, so maybe I'll have to pry it open myself."
“If that’s what you want, I’ll go with you,” Ruan Yesheng said.
Upon hearing this, Xi Mo paused in her tracks and glanced at Ruan Yesheng.
Ruan Yesheng's expression did not show obvious fear, but rather a calmness that came after experiencing similar fears many times before, as if she had done it before.
“Of course, prying open that crack is dangerous.” Ruan Yesheng said with some self mock. “But being inside the room is already very dangerous. It seems it can't get worse.”
"You've done something similar before, haven't you?" Xi Mo's voice was filled with worry and heartache: "You said before that you didn't want to put me in danger."
What exactly did Ruan Yesheng experience and see during her years away from the entertainment industry?
They were almost at their parking spot, and there were many cars around. They worried that someone might still be in the car, so they stopped chatting for the time being.
After getting in the car, Xi Mo drove for a while. Then Ruan Yesheng in the passenger seat said, “I met many things before, and checked many things. But those things had nothing to do with you then. They are my own matters. I can't drag you in. You have your life.”
Her eyes were gentle. “I hoped many things wouldn't happen in your life.”
"And... now?" Xi Mo asked.
“Now, it is different. We are both put into this room. Many things have already happened, and I can't stop them. If you want to tear open a crack and see more clearly, I will look with you.” Ruan Yesheng said, joking in bitterness.
"But I don't know how to pry open this crack."
“Those outside will come to see us eventually.” Ruan Yesheng looked up at the hazy night fog in front of the windshield: “Maybe like you said, something will happen. If it happens, it should leave clues. Maybe we can use that to pry open a small crack.”
Xi Mo turned the steering wheel. “Are you afraid?”
“Yes.” Ruan Yesheng looked at her. “You?”
“I’m also afraid.” Xi Mo lowered her eyes. “Yesheng, I want to protect you, but I can't even protect myself. So I can't promise I can protect you. That is not possible. I also cannot fight…”
Ruan Yesheng chuckled: "Who asked you to fight?"
Xi Mo sighed: "Yan Tinghuan and Lin Tingyu are both very good at fighting, and they can both protect you. Gu Qisong can do it too."
“But you have the power of money,” Ruan Yesheng teased her.
Xi Mo was suddenly taken aback.
Ruan Yesheng couldn't help but laugh: "You can't fight, but you can hire bodyguards to fight, as many as you want."
“Mm…” Xi Mo thought seriously. “Bodyguards can't stay with you all the time. Only I…”
She realized something, and stopped her words.
“Only you can stay by my side.” Ruan Yesheng seemed to hear her heart, and finished it. "Without distinction between day and night."
Xi Mo faced forward, sat straight, and pursed her lips.
After a while, she said a bit embarrassed, "Yes...that's what I mean."
Ruan Yesheng smiled: "I know."
“But that’s not accurate either.” Xi Mo said truthfully, “I might be away on business trips, filming on other crews, or going back to the Xi Manor, or have other reasons to not be by your side.”
"As long as you have this wish in your heart, that's enough."
The streetlights flashed across Ruan Yesheng's face, and in the shifting light and shadow, her bright eyes were revealed.
“I do.” Xi Mo looked at her.
Ruan Yesheng smiled, then leaned back, closed her eyes, and murmured, “Of course, if nothing happens, that is best. We two just stay in this room that holds us, and sleep well together.”
Xi Mo was silent for a moment, then asked, “Do you want…”
“Want what?” Ruan Yesheng opened her eyes.
“Do you want to spend New Year with me at the Xi Manor?”
Ruan Yesheng paused.
Xi Mo looked a bit uneasy. “Is it improper for me to say this? You have been there, but not very familiar. But don't worry, Dad will just eat New Year’s Eve dinner with us. Other times he has his own things. He will not say anything. And he has a good impression of you.”
Ruan Yesheng smiled slightly and remained silent.
“Or if you are not used to staying there, we can go back to my home after dinner. The security at the manor and my home are both good. You can have a peaceful New Year.”
“There is nothing improper. I’m very happy.” Ruan Yesheng said softly. “I also want to go.”
I want to be by your side.
"Is there something inconvenient for you?" Xi Mo keenly sensed the meaning behind Ruan Yesheng's words.
“Yes.” Ruan Yesheng said honestly. “Except New Year’s Eve, I can go any time during the holiday. But on New Year’s Eve, I want to stay home. Every year before, I spent it at home. I am afraid… I’m afraid that if my mom suddenly comes back, and cannot see me first, what should I do?”
Xi Mo froze.
“Isn’t it a bit ridiculous? I know it should be impossible, but every year, my New Year’s Eve wish is this.”
…Every year?
Xi Mo looked closely into Ruan Yesheng's eyes, trying to find more emotions in them.
How many years has it been since her mother came back?
Could it be from...?
Did she look forward to this every Lunar New Year's Eve after that?
"Then I'll come over to your house after I finish my New Year's Eve dinner there, okay?" Xi Mo's voice softened slightly.
“It wasn't easy for you to come all the way here on my birthday,” Ruan Yesheng said with a smile.
“I’m scared…” Ruan Yesheng’s smile slowly stopped, and she finally said, “Xi Mo, I… I’m very afraid. Come during the day. It's safer during the day than at night. Let’s meet on the first day of the New Year.”
Author’s Note:
It's almost time.
I've heard that comments and ratings can slow down this process, and I figured that must be true.
