After Flirting with the Wrong Stand-in, I Overturned (GL) - Chapter 29

Ren Xuan had once heard a saying: when one person proactively asks another if they have someone they like, these two are either best friends who share everything, or the person asking likes the person being asked.

Lin Shuyan and Ren Xuan were friends… they were arguably close enough to be considered familiar, but not quite to the point of sharing such private matters. Furthermore, Lin Shuyan was not the type to pry into others’ privacy.

Excluding that possibility, Ren Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. The surroundings were quiet for a long time, the sound of flowing water exceptionally clear. Ren Xuan spoke tentatively, “I’ve never been in a relationship, so I don’t know if that person would be willing.”

Miss Ren is so wonderful, Lin Shuyan thought, that person would surely be willing. But she couldn’t bring herself to say such a simple sentence. Ren Xuan’s candid admission reminded her of what she had said before the New Year—that she had never been in love.

Was it at that time, Shuyan wondered, that Miss Ren already had someone in her heart, which is why she became curious about romance?

“Miss Ren, I’d like to get out now.” Lin Shuyan felt a heaviness in her chest. Even though she couldn’t see the other person through the partition, she felt an impulse to run away.

“Okay.” Ren Xuan knew when to stop and didn’t push the conversation further. Since Lin Shuyan had asked, the time probably wasn’t far off. Ren Xuan nodded, “I’ll need a few more minutes. Could I trouble you to wait for me outside for a bit?”

“Mhm.” Lin Shuyan responded softly.

Lin Shuyan tidied herself up and sat on the sofa by the door for about five minutes before Ren Xuan walked out. A glance at the time showed it was nearly 4:50 PM. It was still light out; they could consider having dinner.

“I… I want to go back.” Lin Shuyan paused for a second before replying belatedly.

“Alright.” Ren Xuan didn’t think much of it, assuming Shuyan wanted to go back to study her script. “I’ll drop you off.”

“No, there’s no need.” Lin Shuyan declined repeatedly. “The place I’m staying is very close to here.” Besides, she was supposed to return to the film crew tonight; she had a shooting task at 7:00 AM tomorrow.

“I’ll call a car for you then.” Ren Xuan hailed a taxi directly from the roadside, brooking no refusal this time. She turned and smiled at Lin Shuyan, “Sorry, I was inconsiderate.”

Lin Shuyan was staying with people from the same crew. If Ren Xuan dropped her off, their agreement to pretend they didn’t know each other would be exposed.

Lin Shuyan leaned down to get into the car. She didn’t tell Ren Xuan that her manager and Song Tang already knew about her existence. “Miss Ren,” as the car started, Shuyan suddenly couldn’t help but look back and ask, “Are you going back tomorrow?”

“It depends on the situation.”

“Oh.” Lin Shuyan waved her hand despondently. As the car drove further away, Ren Xuan’s figure quickly vanished from the rearview mirror.

The driver was a young woman. Seeing Shuyan looking back longingly, she asked, “Girlfriend?”

“…No.” Lin Shuyan denied it instantly. The young woman gave an “I understand” expression. “I’ve seen it all, don’t mind me. Not at all.”

“She just said she has someone she likes.”

“Exactly,” the young woman said briskly. “Isn’t she right? Isn’t that person right in front of you?”

“In front of me?” Lin Shuyan was stunned. Could it be interpreted that way? The young woman stopped talking as traffic increased. She focused on driving, leaving Lin Shuyan to her own silent thoughts.

The car had just reached the hotel when Ren Xuan’s call came in. “Are you back at the hotel?”

“Just got out of the car. Has Miss Ren arrived yet?”

“Not yet,” Ren Xuan said. “I wanted to have dinner before heading back. Since you don’t have time, I’ll have to eat alone.”

“Miss Ren…”

“I’m just teasing.” Ren Xuan knew she couldn’t take a joke, so she immediately changed her tone to a serious one. “I have a friend here who just called; we’re going to get together.”

“I won’t disturb you then.” Hearing this, Shuyan didn’t want to delay a gathering of friends who had traveled all the way to Ningjiang.

“No rush. I just wanted to ask which hotel you’re at? Xiao Ke asked me to bring some things for you. I forgot when we met earlier, so I’ll find someone to deliver them to you now.”

Lin Shuyan didn’t suspect anything and quickly gave the address. About half an hour later, there was a knock on the hotel door. Lin Shuyan received a package, along with a set of packed meals.

“What’s this?”

“This is the dinner Miss Ren asked me to deliver,” the delivery person said with a glance. “Enjoy your dinner!”

Lin Shuyan had no choice but to bring the package and the meal into the room. Inside the unopened bag were indeed things Xiao Ke had sent her.

This was a secret between Lin Shuyan and Xiao Ke. There were many wild chrysanthemums in the back garden of the orphanage, and one of the aunties who looked after the children loved to pick them, dry them, and steep them in water. Lin Shuyan had taught Xiao Ke to do the same, and they personally prepared chrysanthemum tea every year. As she grew up and Shuyan had less time, Xiao Ke always remembered and frequently sent some to her. These were likely preserved from last year.

Lin Shuyan slowly opened the rest of the package, gently pulling out several sheets of paper. Turning them over, she saw several watercolor paintings—some by Xiao Ke, and some by Ren Ke.

On the back of one painting, a sentence was written: “Sister Yan, I saw you on TV. You’re so pretty! Sister Yan, when will you finish filming and come back?” Following it was a radiant smiley face. Without looking closely, she knew it was Ren Ke’s handiwork.

“Wow, it smells so good!” Song Tang pushed the door open, the aroma of food wafting toward her. “Shuyan, what are you eating? It smells amazing.”

The newly opened packaging released the fragrance of the meal.

“I’ve heard of this restaurant!” Song Tang leaned down to look. The position of the box partially hid the label, but Song Tang could vaguely make out two characters. She suddenly slapped her forehead, “I remember! That restaurant in Ningjiang City—their food is delicious!”

“Do you want to join me?” Lin Shuyan handed her a pair of chopsticks.

“I’m stuffed!” Song Tang patted her little stomach regretfully. The spirit was willing, but the flesh was full. Having wandered outside alone for so long, she had returned well-fed. Since Shuyan had gone to see President Ren, she hadn’t worried about her dinner. Speaking of which…

Song Tang suddenly realized something was wrong. “Didn’t you go out with President Ren? Why are you eating here alone?”

“President Ren sent this food,” Lin Shuyan said certainly. Song Tang leaned in and nudged her shoulder. “How was the progress?” She wanted to know if Shuyan’s indirect probing had yielded any results.

“No.” Lin Shuyan met Song Tang’s enthusiastic face and shook her head with profound regret. Not only was there no progress, but Lin Shuyan had fled the scene first.

“No way!” Song Tang was dumbfounded after listening to Shuyan’s slow explanation of the entire meeting. “What if the person she likes is you?”

Lin Shuyan shook her head. She had analyzed it, even thought about such a result carefully; it was impossible that she was the one Miss Ren liked. Luckily she had asked under those circumstances today, otherwise she really wouldn’t know how to face Miss Ren in the future.

Miss Ren was truly just being kind; it was her own “brain-glitch” that made her try to force a reason upon her.

“Fine.” Song Tang was defeated by Lin Shuyan’s way of thinking. She felt like shaking her awake. “If indirect probing doesn’t work, just ask directly!”

“When you encounter someone like her, Lin Shuyan, if one road is blocked, you change your method. If she won’t be proactive, we will be.”

“You like her anyway.”

“I,” Lin Shuyan’s face flushed crimson, “I never said that.”

“Right,” Song Tang bowed in mock respect. “You didn’t say it, your heart did.”

“I just want to act well.” Lin Shuyan held her head, as if trying to convince herself of what she should be doing at this moment. Meeting Miss Ren was a massive stroke of luck—perhaps she had used up a lifetime of good fortune. At the very beginning, she had simply wanted to find a good job and work hard to repay Miss Ren.

When did she become so greedy?

Was it Miss Ren’s daily uninterrupted calls? Was it Miss Ren taking the initiative to ask Auntie Lin An to teach her? Or was it Miss Ren inviting her to live in her home?

Now, she actually had a moment where she wanted to ask Miss Ren if she liked her. Wasn’t that being insatiable and overestimating herself?

Song Tang suddenly understood.

If the question was cut off halfway, on one hand, it might be that Shuyan was truly afraid the answer wouldn’t be her. On the other hand, Shuyan might not be able to accept it if the person was her.

They were just minor stars who had only been in a few dramas. Who was the other party? The wealthiest person in Yecheng, whose family background, education, and looks were all top-tier. Being with Ren Xuan would be like crossing a massive chasm.

Could such a huge gap really be crossed?

“I’m sorry.” Song Tang shook her head, apologizing for her reckless words. She patted Lin Shuyan’s back and quietly withdrew. Some things needed Lin Shuyan to make up her own mind; she had to cross this hurdle herself.

Lin Shuyan sat alone for a long time until her phone rang. It was Miss Ren; Shuyan had set a special ringtone for her. She slowly pressed the answer button. “Miss Ren.”

“I’m out for a walk by the river where we were today. The scenery is beautiful. I took a few photos, want to see?”

“Miss Ren,” Lin Shuyan went silent for a moment, instinctively avoiding her, “I’m looking at the script.”

“You need to balance work and rest,” Ren Xuan teased. “Don’t tell me you’ve been reading the script since you got back. Have you eaten?”

Lin Shuyan stared blankly at the food that had already gone cold. The food was good, and the person was good, but unfortunately, she could only watch from afar.

“It was delicious,” Lin Shuyan said. “Thank you, Miss Ren.”

“You’re unhappy?” Ren Xuan quickly noticed that Shuyan’s voice didn’t sound right today.

“No.” Lin Shuyan denied it very quickly. “I’m rehearsing. This character I’m playing… her experiences aren’t very good.” She denied it with all her might, trying to make Ren Xuan believe her. The other party seemed to believe her and said comfortingly, “Lin Shuyan, you’re acting; the person in the drama isn’t you.”

The second Tang daughter in the drama dares to love and hate; I am not like her, Shuyan thought.

“Miss Ren, I need to continue. You enjoy your walk, I’ll hang up now.” Lin Shuyan fled so quickly that Ren Xuan didn’t have time to react.

Ren Xuan, having been hung up on so abruptly, held her phone with a strange feeling in her heart. This sense of oddity had been there since they parted earlier today.

What exactly is wrong?

Ren Xuan thought it over and over, and suddenly reached a conclusion. She turned and headed straight in a certain direction.

Lin Shuyan looked distractedly at the script on the table, which hadn’t even been opened. She had lied. She stood up to look at the food; wasting it was a pity, but there was nowhere in the hotel to heat it up.

Just then, the door knocked.