After Flirting with the Wrong Stand-in, I Overturned (GL) - Chapter 46

“Rong Yu,” Lin Shuyan called out. Having hurried back from the washroom, she saw Rong Yu standing before the door. The hand Rong Yu had raised was immediately lowered upon seeing her. “Why aren’t you going in?”

“I…” Rong Yu’s hand gripped her own arm tightly, using immense effort to swallow the words in her throat. She forced a smile and said, “I didn’t check the mirror carefully enough just now; I want to go back and look again.”

“Mhm.” Shuyan nodded in understanding. Just as she was about to push the door open, Rong Yu grabbed her.

Meeting Shuyan’s startled gaze, Rong Yu’s movements were stiff. After a second or two, she let go of Shuyan’s arm. “I see you haven’t quite tidied up either, this…”

Rong Yu pointed at Shuyan’s face. “There’s still water on your face.”

Is there? Shuyan hurriedly wiped it with her sleeve, about to ask if it was gone. Rong Yu proactively suggested, “How about we sit outside for a bit? We can head back in once we’ve both freshened up.”

“Alright.” The two found a secluded hallway and sat down. Shuyan pulled out her phone to check her reflection; seeing no issues, she looked up and noticed Rong Yu dazing off.

“Rong Yu,” Shuyan looked at her distractedly. “Did you have too much to drink…?”

“No.” Rong Yu shook her head frantically. “I only had two glasses.” Rong Yu attended banquets and dinners frequently; even if she couldn’t drink much before, she had built up a tolerance over the years.

Rong Yu clasped her hands together. She suddenly felt a wave of nausea and didn’t dare look Shuyan in the eye.

It turns out deep affection can truly be faked so well. Rong Yu had acted in so many dramas, especially romance ones. Ren Xuan was incredible—seamless. Not only had Shuyan failed to notice, but even Rong Yu, who prided herself on being a good judge of character, hadn’t seen through it.

Inside the room, the atmosphere was at a standoff. Ning Yinman knew exactly what Jian Hua’s triggers were and was so angry she wanted to slap herself for letting it slip. Seeing the air grow cold, Ye Jia and Chen Lu hurriedly tried to soothe the situation. “Jian Hua, it’s just a coincidence. There’s no such thing as a ‘stand-in’; Xuan just happens to like that type of person.”

“Isn’t it normal for people to look a bit alike? Besides, it’s just a similar profile. Xuan, isn’t that right?”

Ren Xuan said nothing.

Jian Hua looked at the regretful Ning Yinman, then at Ye Jia and Chen Lu who were speaking on Ren Xuan’s behalf. “I’ve met who I came to meet. I’m heading back first.”

“Ren Xuan,” Jian Hua turned around at the door. “As a friend, I still want to say: if you truly haven’t moved on, go find her abroad. Don’t use someone else as a shadow.”

The atmosphere in the room grew even colder after Jian Hua left. Chen Lu didn’t know what else to say. From Lin Shuyan’s perspective, it was cruel, but she was Ren Xuan’s friend, not Shuyan’s.

Everyone has selfish motives. Lin Shuyan had gone from a notorious actress online to someone with minor achievements; Chen Lu didn’t believe for a second that it happened without her best friend’s help. Strictly speaking, whether men or women, who doesn’t like having people by their side? Plenty of bosses were far more “scummy.” Shuyan and Ren Xuan were, at most, an exchange between consenting adults.

Thinking this, Chen Lu sighed inwardly. I hope this little star is just after Xuan’s money. If she’s after her heart, there’s likely going to be one more brokenhearted person in this world.

“Xuan,” Chen Lu began weakly.

“I’m tired.” Ren Xuan suddenly supported her forehead, looking exhausted. Chen Lu took the hint, proposed leaving first, and patted Ren Xuan’s shoulder before she went. “Jian Hua is just like that. She… she’s also looking out for you.”

“Mhm.” Ren Xuan nodded. She felt no anger or anything else in her heart; Jian Hua was right, but she was sorry—she couldn’t do it.

“I’ll send a message to Rong Yu.” Ye Jia and Chen Lu left together. Ning Yinman, realizing Rong Yu and Shuyan had been gone for quite a while, reached for her phone.

“I’ll do it,” Ren Xuan said in a hoarse voice.

“Lin Shuyan,” Rong Yu began after a moment of deliberation. The person involved had a right to know the truth. She spoke slowly, only to be met by a smiling face.

“Rong Yu, did you have something to say?” Shuyan thought for a moment and guessed what Rong Yu was getting at. “I won’t tell anyone. Besides,” she rubbed her hands together, “I’m in the same boat.”

Entertainment companies didn’t strictly forbid dating, but it was risky. Most people focused on their careers wouldn’t find a partner too early. Managers would often give repeated warnings. As an insider herself, how could Shuyan not know?

“It’s not about that,” Rong Yu said, her voice strained.

“Huh? Then what is it?” Shuyan couldn’t guess. Just then, her phone buzzed. Shuyan apologized to Rong Yu and opened the message, her lips curling up unconsciously.

“A-Xuan, I’m really not drunk. Rong Yu is with me, we’re just talking. We’ll be in soon.”

“Miss… Miss Ren?” Seeing Shuyan’s expression, Rong Yu guessed who sent the message instantly.

Shuyan nodded heavily. “A-Xuan asked if I was with you. I suppose,” Shuyan said with a smile, “Miss Ning must be anxious and wanted to ask about you, but didn’t want to disturb you.”

Rong Yu, whose attention was elsewhere, gave a perfunctory smile. After some thought, she added, “I see that you and Miss Ren have a very good relationship.”

“How did you two meet?”

“I don’t mean to pry into your privacy,” Rong Yu hurriedly added, sensing the abruptness of her question. “I’ve been in the industry for so long and I’ve truly never seen any gossip about Miss Ren. When Ning Yinman first told me, I couldn’t believe it.”

Hearing again from Rong Yu that Ren Xuan had no exes, Shuyan was overjoyed. She didn’t suspect Rong Yu had any ulterior motive. “My first meeting with A-Xuan…”

Mentioning that scum always made for an unpleasant memory. Shuyan said, “I ran into some trouble, and Miss Ren took the initiative to help me. She said,” Shuyan lowered her head shyly, “she said she felt a connection with me from the first moment we met.”

Rong Yu’s heart turned ice cold. A dark thought surfaced: I wonder if that ‘trouble’ was manufactured? “Love at first sight”—it was clearly a connection based on a face.

“I…” Rong Yu wanted to say more, but Shuyan glanced at her messages again. “Should we head back in? They might be getting worried.”

The words to reveal the truth were swallowed back down. Rong Yu nodded slowly. “Alright.”

When they returned, they noticed the other three were gone. Ning Yinman smiled only when she saw them enter, while Ren Xuan looked as calm as ever.

“A-Xuan.” Shuyan naturally walked to Ren Xuan’s side.

“They had things to do,” Ning Yinman said awkwardly, pointing at the empty table. “They left first. I was just thinking it’s dark out, and we should all head back.”

Shuyan took Ren Xuan’s arm and waved goodbye to Rong Yu and Ning Yinman with a smile. The driver’s car arrived quickly. The two sat together in the back seat. Ren Xuan suddenly asked, “Shuyan, are you happy?”

Is she asking about the dinner today?

“A-Xuan’s friends are all so nice.” Before coming, Shuyan had even imagined if some friend might look down on her, but she found them all very easy to talk to.

“I wanted to say…” Ren Xuan started to speak but forced the words back. Better not to say it.

The road back felt exceptionally long. Ren Xuan sat stiffly in the car. She and Shuyan were both in the back, but there was still a bit of distance between them. As they drove, a head tilted onto her shoulder.

It was warm and soft. Ren Xuan’s body grew even stiffer; she sat motionless, even her breathing slowing for a few seconds.

Closing her eyes, Shuyan’s ears were perked up. She was a little drowsy, but not enough to fall asleep directly. She just thought that maybe this was an opportunity—an opportunity to be more intimate with A-Xuan.

“Master Feng,” Ren Xuan whispered, “drive a bit slower, and turn the temperature up a little.”

“Understood.” The driver obeyed immediately. Seeing through the rearview mirror that Shuyan appeared to be asleep, he reminded her, “President Ren, there’s a blanket beside you.” After speaking, he raised the partition, instantly separating the driver’s seat from the back space.

Ren Xuan watched the partition rise in silence. She reached out to her left for the blanket. It was right there; she grabbed it, unfolded it, and gently draped it over Shuyan. In the faint light, she brushed away the stray hairs on the side of Shuyan’s face.

Shuyan’s breath hitched; she felt as light as air. In the stillness, she felt someone cover her with a warm blanket, touch her face, and adjust her head into a comfortable position.

Then, all movement stopped. Shuyan leaned into Ren Xuan’s embrace. The blanket was warm, but it was nowhere near as comfortable as being held by this living, “human-sized plushie.”

The scenery outside kept flashing past. When she was gently nudged awake by Ren Xuan, Shuyan suddenly realized she really had fallen asleep.

“A-Xuan.” Shuyan opened her sleepy eyes. There was a faint red mark on her fair face from where she’d been resting, making the observer want to smooth it away for her.

“Shuyan,” Ren Xuan took a breath, suppressing all her thoughts. “We’re home. Go inside to sleep.”

“Mhm.” Shuyan rubbed her eyes and then touched her head. “A-Xuan, is it messy?”

“No,” Ren Xuan chuckled. She picked up a hat and placed it on Shuyan’s head, stroking her hair comfortingly. “You’re always beautiful.”

“Hehe,” Shuyan smiled. A-Xuan really understood her. They were home, but Uncle Wang and the housekeeper were there; Shuyan didn’t want to walk in with messy hair.

“Eldest Miss.” As soon as they entered, Butler Wang ran over to them in a panic.

“Uncle Wang, what’s wrong?”

“Eldest Miss,” Uncle Wang stamped his foot, looking distressed. He looked up, then lowered his head as if in a difficult spot. “Maybe… it’s better if you go upstairs and look?”

Confused, Shuyan and Ren Xuan went upstairs together. The door to Shuyan’s room was wide open. When they stepped inside, they both stopped in their tracks.

“Miss Lin,” Butler Wang said, sounding extremely apologetic, “the housekeeper took today off, so I hired a temporary cleaner from outside. Who knew she would accidentally knock over a bucket of water… Miss Lin’s bed is…”

It was exactly as they saw—completely empty, leaving only the mattress.

“I’ll find a new set of bedding immediately,” Butler Wang stated, before pointing to the air conditioner. “The AC in this room is also broken. I called this afternoon, but the repairman said he’s still busy.”

Ren Xuan was stunned by this clumsy acting.