After Flirting with the Wrong Stand-in, I Overturned (GL) - Chapter 51

As the New Year’s bell tolled, Lin Shuyan and Ren Xuan stood side-by-side on the roof. Looking down, they could see the vast Ren estate dotted with starlight under the gentle night breeze. Shuyan took a deep breath. “A-Xuan, Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year!” Ren Xuan replied.

Shuyan smiled and extended her hand, her eyes looking at Ren Xuan with great expectation.

“This is?” Ren Xuan raised an eyebrow, suddenly remembering the scene from yesterday morning when she distributed salaries to all the Ren family employees. Since everyone needed to celebrate the festival, Ren Xuan naturally wouldn’t let them stay through the Spring Festival; aside from Butler Wang, everyone else was given a red envelope and sent home until after the New Year.

At the time, she had mentioned that everyone would get a red envelope sooner or later. Just after finishing the New Year’s Eve dinner, Ren Xuan had given envelopes to Ren Ke and, of course, Uncle Wang.

“You want a red envelope?” Ren Xuan chuckled. “I’m afraid just saying ‘Happy New Year’ isn’t enough, right?”

“What else do I need to do?” Shuyan asked.

“You have to give something in return, don’t you?” Ren Xuan said teasingly. Shuyan nodded, seemingly finding logic in this. A-Xuan gave everyone red envelopes; “everyone” naturally included her. The employees got them for a year of hard work, Ren Ke got one from her sister, so as for her…

“Is being your girlfriend enough?” Shuyan nudged Ren Xuan’s arm. For the Spring Festival, shouldn’t there be a little something for the girlfriend?

“Alright,” Ren Xuan nodded in agreement, lightly pinching Shuyan’s nose. “You win.” That reason successfully convinced her. Ren Xuan pulled a thick red envelope she had prepared long ago from her coat. “May the New Year bring you good luck and peace.”

“And peace to A-Xuan too.” Shuyan happily accepted the envelope. In the faint light, she saw Ren Xuan’s slightly flushed face. She suddenly remembered this person had had a few extra drinks during dinner; was it because she was happy for the New Year?

“A-Xuan.” Shuyan leaned in and left a light kiss on Ren Xuan’s cheek. “A-Xuan,” Shuyan lowered her head, shyly pulling something out of her pocket, her voice soft, “Happy New Year!”

“This is?” Ren Xuan took a few seconds to react before accepting the heavy red envelope, looking up to ask Shuyan if she could open it now. Opening the red paper, a string of exquisite red prayer beads was revealed.

“I know A-Xuan doesn’t believe in Buddhism…” Shuyan explained. She didn’t either, but while filming a commercial, she had heard people say that the marriage luck at that particular temple was very potent. So Shuyan had gone there; she had sought this out specifically for her.

Ren Xuan suddenly felt a lump in her throat, gripping the red beads tightly. “How… how long did you have to climb?” Ren Xuan had seen this temple online and had seen footage of devout believers climbing step by step from the bottom. The people at the temple said “sincerity brings spiritual results.”

“Not long.” Shuyan shook her head hurriedly. She just wanted to give A-Xuan a gift, but A-Xuan had everything. After much thought, this seemed like the only thing to give.

“I like it very much.” Ren Xuan put the bracelet on; the red beads contrasted beautifully with her skin, which was as fair as porcelain.

I knew it, Shuyan thought, staring dazedlly as Ren Xuan wore the beads exactly as she had imagined. A sense of infinite contentment welled up in her heart. It was beautiful, and since she had prayed for it, it would surely protect A-Xuan and keep her path smooth.

“Close your eyes,” Ren Xuan said suddenly.

“Okay.” Shuyan obeyed immediately, looking perfectly ready to accept whatever came, without a hint of resistance. What was A-Xuan going to do? Was she going to kiss her? Or give her another gift? Honestly, the red envelope was enough; in all her years, this was the first time she had received one so large.

She felt something cold against her neck. Shuyan felt her hair being gently lifted, and looking down, she saw a necklace. A sparkling necklace.

“This is a necklace my mother left for me,” Ren Xuan said softly.

“Your mother?” Knowing how Ren Xuan’s parents passed away, Shuyan almost never brought them up.

“Mom gave it to me,” Ren Xuan smiled. “She said I should wear it for my beloved in the future. But I don’t usually wear these things; it’s perfect on you.” Ren Xuan had thought about buying Shuyan other accessories, but after much deliberation, nothing seemed as meaningful as this.

Shuyan looked down, her fingers lightly grazing the necklace. The cold metal seemed to take on a warmth, and her nose felt a bit prickly. “A-Xuan is at a total loss.” Giving a red envelope and a necklace—Shuyan was getting all the benefits.

“Isn’t the ‘girlfriend’ reason enough?” Ren Xuan laughed. “Having a girlfriend like this at home, I’m the one getting the better end of the deal.”

Not at all, Shuyan thought silently. If one really looked at it, who knew who was benefiting more? If their relationship were exposed, some would say Shuyan was climbing the social ladder for resources, but those with sharp eyes would see that A-Xuan was the one giving more.

“A-Xuan,” Shuyan murmured softly, unable to resist leaning into Ren Xuan’s embrace. Ever since Uncle Wang’s meddling, they had shared a bed whenever they were home, and she was becoming more and more inclined to stay close to A-Xuan.

“Am I being very unladylike like this?” Rubbing her nose, Shuyan peeked out from Ren Xuan’s arms, looking more like she was acting spoiled.

“Not at all.” Ren Xuan pinched her nose. “I like Shuyan however she is.”

Lin Shuyan, I hope every day of your zodiac year is happy and carefree, and that troubles stay far away from you.

“Then,” Shuyan pushed her luck, “A-Xuan has to be this good to me for a lifetime.”

A lifetime? Ren Xuan suppressed all her inner thoughts and gave a soft “Mhm.” Shuyan stayed contentedly in Ren Xuan’s arms as they stayed up to see the New Year in and watch the fireworks.

During the Spring Festival, just as Ren Xuan had said, she wasn’t busy at all. Aside from occasionally meeting Ning Yinman and the others or paying New Year visits to elders, she spent most of her time at home. Even when she went to see friends, Shuyan went with her.

“Shuyan,” on the sixth day of the New Year, Ren Xuan received an invitation. “Old Mr. Zhang has invited us to his 70th birthday banquet.”

“I’m going too?” Shuyan asked in surprise. Aside from meeting Ning Yinman’s circle, she hadn’t met anyone else.

“Uncle Zhang was a good friend of my father’s—they were close despite the age gap. It’s likely Yinman or the others let it slip, which is why he asked me to bring you.” With the invitation in hand, Ren Xuan naturally had to ask for Shuyan’s opinion. “If you don’t want to go, I’ll tell Uncle Zhang. He won’t mind.”

“I didn’t even attend his Golden Wedding anniversary with his wife last year.”

Golden Wedding. Shuyan remembered that meant fifty years of marriage. Mr. Zhang and his wife must have a very good relationship; to be married so long and still be happy was truly enviable.

“It’s different, isn’t it?” Shuyan thought for a moment. A-Xuan was single last year, so she could easily find an excuse, but now that they were specifically asking for her…

“Would the elder be unhappy?”

“Does Shuyan have time to go?” Ren Xuan looked at her. Ren Xuan was fine either way; the decision was in Shuyan’s hands. “Have you decided?” If they went, Shuyan would truly be appearing openly before others. Although it might not reach the industry circles immediately, plenty of people would know.

“I’ve decided,” Shuyan nodded firmly.

“Not worried this time?” Remembering how Shuyan was on high alert just for a few close friends, Ren Xuan noted that there would be many more people the day after tomorrow.

“Will A-Xuan remind me if there’s something I don’t know or if I do something wrong?”

“Of course I will,” Ren Xuan nodded as if it were a given.

Then what do I have to worry about? Shuyan thought casually.

“Good, good.” Ren Xuan looked at her dotingly, a surge of happiness in her heart, followed quickly by a trace of sadness. Regardless of how she felt, time was flowing fast. On the eighth day, Ren Xuan held Shuyan’s hand as they arrived at the Zhang residence, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

“You child,” Old Mr. Zhang’s kind gaze landed on Lin Shuyan, “you said you’d bring someone and you actually did.” He looked Shuyan over carefully and nodded. “A good kid. Here is a meeting gift from Uncle Zhang.”

“Uncle Zhang,” Ren Xuan looked at the expensive earrings and was about to refuse, but the old man spoke up. “The birthday banquet is the birthday, and giving your girlfriend a gift for our first meeting is another matter entirely. They are two different things.”

Given that, Ren Xuan and Shuyan exchanged a look. Shuyan thanked him politely. “Thank you, Uncle.”

“That’s more like it.” Uncle Zhang was a straightforward man. After chatting for a while, the old man’s stamina began to fail, and Ren Xuan tactfully led Shuyan outside.

“Wait—” Not long after they stepped out, Ning Yinman pulled Ren Xuan aside. “Xuan, why did you come, and why did you bring Lin Shuyan?”

“What’s wrong?” Ren Xuan didn’t sense anything amiss.

Ning Yinman smacked her forehead. “Did I forget to tell you, or did you forget yourself?”

“Eldest Miss An.” Ning Yinman parted her lips to utter the name, and Ren Xuan suddenly recalled the memory.

Strictly speaking, there was another reason the original Ren Xuan didn’t attend many banquets: An Ruo, the Eldest Miss of the An family. About five years ago, the original Ren Xuan had accidentally saved her life; ever since then, An Ruo had been obsessed with her.

“But,” Ren Xuan frowned, she clearly remembered, “didn’t she go abroad?”

“She did,” Ning Yinman rolled her eyes. “You only remember her going abroad, why didn’t you consider her coming back?” Of those five years, only the last two had been peaceful. Last year, the An family managed to keep their daughter abroad, but this year they finally couldn’t hold out.

“I heard she’s been asking for news of you since she landed. Furthermore…” Ning Yinman almost felt embarrassed to say it, “If you’re only using Lin Shuyan as a shadow, you shouldn’t have brought her out.”

If she let Shuyan appear before more people now, wouldn’t it be more awkward when she cast her aside later? It would have been better to finish this relationship quietly so there would be no loss to anyone.

Meanwhile, Lin Shuyan was stopped by someone. It was Ren Xuan’s friend, Ye Jia.

“Miss Ye,” Shuyan noticed she was alone, despite having been with a gentleman just now. “Are you looking for A-Xuan?”

“I’m looking for you,” Ye Jia said directly.

“Me?” Shuyan looked back in surprise; there didn’t seem to be any connection between them.

“Miss Lin,” Ye Jia said, “would you prefer to live in a happy lie of deception, or face the cruel truth?”

A bad premonition suddenly rose in Shuyan’s heart. Completely unable to grasp the meaning behind Ye Jia’s cryptic words, she could only ask blankly, “What are you trying to say, Miss Ye?”