Ruan Yu turned her head away, muttering under her breath while staring at the car ceiling: "I didn't leak inside information, I didn't leak inside information..."
Her expression clearly said this had nothing to do with her—Xu Huaisong had figured it out himself.
Xu Huaisong choked momentarily before quickly realizing he'd overreacted.
Merely as the person who helped resolve the plagiarism dispute for the novel, he shouldn't have felt this level of dissatisfaction about the male lead casting.
Yet Ruan Yu didn't question his excessive reaction. Judging by her behavior, she even tacitly agreed: he had reason to be angry.
Which meant she knew his reason.
Just like how among all the animals in the world, she'd specifically chosen a fox to describe him.
Xu Huaisong slowly loosened his grip on the steering wheel, turning to study her with a probing gaze.
Under this scrutiny, Ruan Yu realized he might have noticed something. She hunched her shoulders and began slowly turning away, then suddenly straightened her back—why should he be allowed to see through things without speaking while she couldn't?
The moment she grew indignant, Xu Huaisong averted his eyes, perhaps ultimately aware he was in the wrong first.
Keeping his eyes on the road with a furrowed brow, he returned to the main topic after a while: "What's a singer doing trying to act?"
Ruan Yu leaned sideways, propping her chin on her hand with her elbow resting on the center console between driver and passenger seats, feigning confusion: "Don't lawyers who help people with lawsuits also act sometimes?"
Xu Huaisong choked again. Looking down, he saw her petite face inches from his, wearing a triumphant expression completely devoid of vigilance. Suddenly he reached out and pinched her chin.
Ruan Yu froze, realizing what this gesture might imply, and jerked backward just as his index finger was about to tilt her chin up.
The seatbelt's resistance sent her spine snapping back against the seat, stars bursting before her eyes from the impact.
Xu Huaisong laughed: "What are you doing?"
She covered her chin, forcing composure: "Then what were you doing?"
After some thought, Xu Huaisong said: "Pinching a mosquito. There was one on your chin just now."
"I was pinching one too," she said, glancing back, "There was one on my back just now, I... I crushed it..."
Suppressing laughter, Xu Huaisong restarted the car. After driving some distance, he persisted: "Don't you have veto power?"
It took Ruan Yu a few moments to realize he was still hung up on Li Shican.
She gave him a sidelong glance: "That I can participate in the film adaptation at all is them doing me a favor. What say do I have in casting? Why are you making things difficult for me?"
Xu Huaisong didn't press further, changing topics: "Dragon Boat Festival is in a few days."
"What about it?"
"Aren't you going back to the suburbs?"
"I'm self-employed, no need to visit only on holidays. I usually leave those days for my parents' former students. During festivals, groups of top students from No.1 High always visit them—sometimes there's not even room for me."
Xu Huaisong smiled: "Would someone like me count as a top student from No.1 High?"
Ruan Yu had walked right into this trap. Now she probably couldn't refuse Xu Huaisong even if she wanted to.
He'd clearly stated he was visiting his teachers as a former student, and could conveniently give her a ride—what could she possibly say to that?
Moreover, regarding Li Shican being cast as the film's male lead, he'd positioned himself on the moral high ground as the "wronged party." When he made requests under these circumstances, she couldn't very well ignore him too harshly.So when Xu Huaisong picked her up on Friday evening to go shopping for gifts at the mall, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
Three hours later, the trunk was packed with presents—some specifically for the Ruan family, while others were bought in duplicate. Xu Huaisong planned to visit the Ruans tomorrow, then return to Su City the day after or the following day to deliver holiday gifts to his mother and sister.
For the first time, Ruan Yu realized that a man’s shopping stamina could sometimes surpass a woman’s—especially when he was showing off.
Exhausted, she collapsed onto her bed the moment she got home, pondering how to break the news to her parents to avoid shocking them.
But then again, her father would probably be pleasantly surprised rather than shocked.
So she called home, simply mentioning that she’d visit tomorrow and someone would accompany her, without elaborating further.
Just as she hung up, she coincidentally received a message from Li Shican: Senior, can you repay that meal you owe me tomorrow?
She did indeed owe him a meal as a gesture of gratitude. She had been waiting for him to notify her when he was free, but after waiting and waiting, his invitation had clashed with Xu Huaisong’s plans.
Even if it came down to first-come-first-served, she had to prioritize Xu Huaisong. Without hesitation, she replied: Sorry, junior. Tomorrow’s the Dragon Boat Festival, and I’m visiting my parents. Would another day work for you?
Li Shican: The festival holiday lasts two more days—just pick any day. It’s not just about the meal, though. I also wanted to talk to you about Cen Sisi. She’s undergone further psychological treatment in Germany, and the diagnosis results should be out in the next couple of days.
Cen Rong had contacted Ruan Yu once before, stating that it was almost certain Cen Sisi had never engaged in behavior that threatened others’ safety.
But Ruan Yu still harbored lingering doubts about the stolen outline, so she had tactfully requested that the Cen family confirm during subsequent therapy whether Cen Sisi had ever hired someone to hack into her computer.
Hypnotherapy couldn’t be rushed, and Ruan Yu hadn’t pressed the matter. But now, it seemed there might finally be an answer.
She typed: Alright, I’ll let you know a specific time tomorrow.
The next morning, before 7 a.m., Xu Huaisong arrived at Ruan Yu’s apartment.
As she was about to leave, she remembered he probably hadn’t eaten breakfast on time, so she grabbed two freshly boiled eggs on her way out.
When Xu Huaisong saw her pull out two eggs the moment she got into the car, he was so stunned he forgot to drive.
On this tacitly understood day of trying to impress her parents… what did it mean that she was giving him two boiled eggs?
Was this another one of those "fox and rabbit" reading comprehension questions?
Ruan Yu glanced at him. “What’s wrong? You don’t like boiled eggs?”
Xu Huaisong silently chewed over the possible hidden meaning behind her words and didn’t answer immediately.
Thinking he was picky, Ruan Yu sighed. “Ugh, so many people don’t eat boiled eggs, even though they’re really nourishing.”
“Nourishing…” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Nourishing what?”
Nourishing what? Ruan Yu couldn’t immediately recall. From what she remembered, her parents had always told her boiled eggs made you smarter.
Her silence, in Xu Huaisong’s eyes, seemed to imply something embarrassing to say aloud. He blinked slowly twice, then replied uncertainly, “I probably… don’t need nourishing…”
“Oh.” Ruan Yu nodded.
Right, he was already smart enough. Any more nourishment and he might turn into a genius?
Since he didn’t want them, she didn’t push it, putting the eggs back into the container. “Then we’ll just have brunch later.”Xu Huaisong gave a quiet "Mm" and started the car. With a press on the accelerator, the vehicle lurched forward slightly off course before he quickly corrected the steering wheel.
Holiday traffic was always congested, which was why they had set out early in the morning. Avoiding the rush hour, they soon left the city behind, making smooth progress when Xu Huaisong's phone rang.
Ruan Yu instinctively turned to look and saw the caller ID displayed "Lü Shenglan."
Xu Huaisong glanced down. "Can you answer it for me?"
His willingness was enough for her. Ruan Yu shook her head. "Just use Bluetooth."
He looked at her but didn't connect via Bluetooth, instead putting the call on speakerphone.
The moment the call connected, however, a piercing ambulance siren blared through the speakers.
In an instant, Xu Huaisong realized what was happening and swerved to pull over.
At the same time, Lü Shenglan's breathless voice came through: "Huaisong... your dad's had another stroke. The caregiver called an ambulance. I just got the news and rushed over..."
He paused for two beats before responding urgently, "How is he?"
"It's not clear yet. I wanted to let you know first. Come back if necessary, and I'll keep you updated."
Ruan Yu sensed the gravity of the situation from the words "let you know" and "if necessary," freezing in the passenger seat.
The chaotic footsteps and indistinct English voices from the speaker only confirmed her fears.
Lü Shenglan switched to English, saying "Here!" to someone before abruptly ending the call.
The car was thick with tension.
Xu Huaisong frowned and turned to her. "I might have to—"
"Drive back to the hotel now to get your passport," Ruan Yu cut in. "I'll book your flight." She picked up his phone.
Despite her decisive tone, her hands trembled slightly as she held the device.
Xu Huaisong gave another "Mm" and turned the car around toward the city. As he did, he heard her ask, "What's your passcode?"
"Your birthday."
Anxious and worried about missing the earliest flight, Ruan Yu nearly forgot her own birthday. After a brief pause, she entered the numbers, then quickly opened his usual flight-booking app to search.
"The earliest flight is at 11:20—probably too tight. How about 2:30 in the afternoon?"
"That works."
"Payment password?"
"309017."
Neither Xu Huaisong, who recited the numbers, nor Ruan Yu, who heard them, had the mind to dwell on their significance at that moment.
Xu Huaisong sped all the way back.
Fortunately, traffic in the city was still light, and they reached the hotel within an hour.
Once in the room, he hurried into the bedroom to retrieve his passport while Ruan Yu followed, saying, "Just drive straight to the airport. I'll handle anything that comes up here at the hotel."
After grabbing his passport, Xu Huaisong stood before her. "I might not have time to take you home."
"Do I look like I can't get home by myself?"
He gave another "Mm" and ruffled her hair. "Be careful on your way back. I'll let Liu Mao know—make sure to check in with him, okay?"
"Got it." She nudged him toward the door. "Hurry up."
Xu Huaisong left.
Ruan Yu stood in the room, dazed and disoriented. She had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly, the doorbell rang.Thinking it was Xu Huaisong returning, she opened the door while saying, "Don't worry, I can handle..." Her words suddenly trailed off.
Because standing outside the door wasn't Xu Huaisong, but Tao Rong and Xu Huaishi carrying numerous bags.
"..."
Author's note: Just a heads-up this time - it's a minor scene, neither dramatic nor angsty.
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