41 Re-entering the Dream
◎The female lead installed a hidden camera in the female supporting character's house?! ◎
Yan Sui was panting heavily, extremely nervous. "What time is it?"
I wonder if I made it to receive the birthday wishes at midnight.
Jian Liyun didn't specify the exact time, but simply said, "Just right."
"Sui Sui, you've come at just the right time."
Yan Sui clutched her chest. "That's good. I was so anxious just now. I almost thought I wouldn't make it."
Jian Liyun said calmly, "It's okay if I can't catch up, I..."
"It's related!" Yan Sui retorted loudly. Realizing that she had spoken too loudly, she guiltily ran to the entrance to close the door before walking up to Jian Liyun.
"Although the birthday cake won't arrive until the morning, I want to be the first person to send you birthday wishes."
Jian Liyun patted the other person's head. "You're the first one."
And the only one.
Yan Sui stuck out her tongue, a little embarrassed. "Alright, it's getting late. Let's get some rest. You've had quite a bit to drink tonight."
After recovering, Yan Sui realized that Jian Liyun was still dressed the same way she had been eating.
Jian Liyun seemed to see right through her thoughts, "I'm waiting for you to come home."
Yan Sui clasped her hands together and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go wash up."
Unlike Lu Shutian, who was drunk next door, Jian Liyun, although she also smelled of alcohol, seemed very sober.
She removed her makeup methodically, then washed up and changed into her pajamas. Yan Sui looked at Jian Liyun like this and unconsciously revealed an expression of relief.
Yan Sui couldn't help but sigh in her heart, "System, compared to Lu Shutian, Jian Liyun is like a super worry-free and well-behaved baby."
[Host, please don't say that to the female supporting character.]
Even after the two of them lifted the covers and got into bed, Yan Sui still had that relieved expression.
Jian Liyun chuckled, "Why are you looking at me with that expression?"
"I think you're really amazing," Yan Sui said sincerely.
Jian Liyun didn't understand what was so special about this, but she still turned off the bedside lamp and said, "Go to sleep."
As the only light source in the bedroom went out, the room was instantly plunged into darkness.
Yan Sui's voice was still sleepy, "Li Yun, how do you want to spend your birthday tomorrow?"
After a few seconds, Jian Liyun replied, "I'll be staying home. Director Jin Lan gave me a script that's quite long; I probably won't be able to finish reading it in half a day."
"Ah," Yan Sui said apologetically, "then aren't you going to rest tomorrow? It's my fault, I didn't expect it to be so urgent."
“It’s okay,” Jian Liyun reached out and touched Yan Sui’s face in the darkness. “When you first took over my job, you already took me on a trip to rest for a few days.”
Yan Sui still felt a little guilty. "After this filming is finished, I will try my best to adjust your schedule and see if I can arrange a short vacation."
Jian Liyun hummed in agreement. "Go to sleep."
"Li Yun, goodnight," Yan Sui said softly.
...
It was that familiar sea of fire again.
Yan Sui stood in the corner of the room, her limbs bound by bright red iron chains that rattled as they tightened around her skin.
Yan Sui gasped for breath, each breath carrying a scorching heat wave, yet even so, she did not cry out in pain.
She just kept her eyes fixed on the birdcage not far away, where a small white bird was fluttering inside.
We need to rescue the little bird.
Yan Sui had only one thought in her mind.
But these chains bound her body and soul, forcing her to stay in one place, unable to move.
Another figure appeared—
It's Lu Shutian!
Her figure was not a physical entity; amidst the billowing black smoke and flames, her body appeared somewhat transparent.
Lu Shutian paced anxiously around the birdcage. She reached out her hand, her right hand passing right through the cage, but she still couldn't touch the bird directly.
With her perfectly shaped red lips opening and closing, Lu Shutian seemed to be saying something.
But Yan Sui couldn't hear anything. She couldn't hear what Lu Shutian was saying, nor could she hear what the little birds in the cage were saying.
All she could hear was the sound of her flesh being burned and torn apart by the iron chains.
Her vision gradually blurred. Yan Sui tried to stay awake, but her eyelids felt incredibly heavy. Finally, she closed her eyes.
don't want……
I can't leave at this time...
Don't die...
"don't want!"
Yan Sui cried out in agony, her voice filled with anguish. She suddenly opened her eyes, her face covered in tears.
Her heart was still pounding, and Yan Sui gasped for breath, not yet fully recovered from the nightmare.
Jian Liyun, who was sleeping next to her, had woken up immediately as well. She looked extremely worried. "Sui Sui, did you have a nightmare?"
Yan Sui knew she must look terrible, and her voice trembled as she said, "It's okay, it's okay."
That dream felt so real.
No, Yan Sui's sixth sense told her that what she had just experienced wasn't a false dream, but rather—
Things that actually happened in the past.
Did Lu Shutian manage to save the little bird in the end?
No, Lu Shutian was still in a state similar to a soul at that time, so she probably wouldn't have been able to save the little bird.
But Lu Shutian clearly said something, so why didn't she hear it?
Why couldn't she hear it?!
Why is she so useless?!
Yan Sui's breathing, which had finally calmed down, became rapid again.
She was pulled into a warm embrace, and the person patted her back rhythmically. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Dreams are just dreams."
“It’s not fake…” Yan Sui’s voice sounded like it was being squeezed out of her throat.
Jian Liyun remained patient. "Would you like some water? I'll go to the kitchen and get you a glass of warm water."
"Don't go."
Only after Yan Sui hugged the other person back did she realize what she had said.
She pursed her lips, realizing her lapse in composure, and slowly released her hand. "I can go by myself. Sorry for disturbing your rest."
Jian Liyun took a tissue from the bedside table, gently wiped away Yan Sui's tears, and then picked Yan Sui up in a princess carry.
Yan Sui exclaimed in surprise, and then heard the other person say gently, "Let's go together."
As Jian Liyun walked, her waist-length black hair swayed, and a faint jasmine fragrance surrounded Jian Liyun and Yan Sui.
Yan Sui's restless heart was finally calmed down.
She snuggled against Jian Liyun like a kitten.
Yan Sui muttered, her calves swaying slightly. "Actually, I can walk by myself."
“No, that won’t do,” Jian Liyun retorted gently. “Your slippers are still in the bedroom. You’ll catch a cold if you walk barefoot.”
Her pale face flushed slightly, and Yan Sui pursed her lips, looking very embarrassed.
She is used to taking care of others, but rarely takes care of herself.
The two went to the kitchen, and Jian Liyun went to the instant hot water dispenser. "Sui Sui, get some water for yourself."
"You won't put me down, I can't reach you at all," Yan Sui said, then changed the subject, "Okay then."
Although she couldn't get down, Yan Sui, who was being held by Jian Liyun, was still able to complete the action of picking up a glass to fill with water.
After drinking a few sips of water at just the right temperature, Yan Sui felt that she had completely calmed down.
She wrapped her arms around Jian Liyun's neck. "Liyun, I've finished drinking."
Jian Liyun carried her towards the bedroom.
A feeling of guilt welled up again, some towards the little bird, some towards Lu Shutian, and some towards Jian Liyun.
Yan Sui's eyebrows drooped. "I'm sorry, Li Yun, I woke you up. You're a light sleeper and have trouble falling asleep."
Jian Liyun put her on the bed. "It's okay. If it really doesn't work, I can just take a melatonin pill."
Moreover, with Yan Sui by her side these past few days, Jian Liyun has completely given up on using medication to help her fall asleep.
Yan Sui felt a little guilty when melatonin was mentioned.
When she first met Jian Liyun, the other party took a sleeping pill, and Yan Sui had no time to stop her.
Afterwards, Jian Liyun underwent a physical examination. The doctor said that given her current condition, she did not need to use sleeping pills to fall asleep. So, Jian Liyun opted to switch from sleeping pills to melatonin instead.
Yan Sui knew that Jian Liyun's difficulty falling asleep was not due to an organic disease, but rather a psychological issue.
Since it's a psychological issue, we should start by addressing her psychological state, by spending time with her and helping her, thereby reducing her psychological stress.
As for melatonin...
When the other party wasn't paying attention, Yan Sui secretly replaced the melatonin with vitamins.
Anyway, the placebo effect works, doesn't it?
But now that Jian Liyun mentioned "melatonin," Yan Sui was still a little guilty. What if Jian Liyun noticed something was amiss?
Yan Sui was still struggling with her inner conflict, while Jian Liyun continued, "Besides, I haven't eaten those things for a long time while living with you."
Yan Sui secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She cleared her throat. "Okay, let's go back to sleep then."
In the latter half of the night, Yan Sui had no more dreams. She slept soundly in a warm embrace.
...
“Sui Sui”.
Gently awakened, Yan Sui opened her eyes sleepily. Jian Liyun had already changed out of her pajamas and put on casual clothes. "Get up and have breakfast. Go back to sleep after you've eaten."
Yan Sui suddenly opened her eyes wide, almost leaping to her feet like a carp jumping out of its skin—
She braced herself against the soft bed and immediately sat up. "What time is it?!"
"Eight o'clock," Jian Liyun said with a chuckle. "What's wrong? You look so rushed."
Yan Sui threw back the covers. "My birthday cake is almost here. Thank goodness, or I would have missed it."
"Don't worry," Jian Liyun smoothed the stray hairs from Yan Sui's forehead, "Even if you weren't awake then, I could still open the door. And—"
"That's a couple's cake."
Is it appropriate to argue now whether this is a birthday cake or a couple's cake?
Yan Sui thought to herself, "Fine, I'll go wash up first anyway."
After Yan Sui finished washing up, her birthday, or rather, her couple's cake, was delivered.
Smiling, Yan Sui took the cake box from the deliveryman and happily put it in the refrigerator.
After quickly finishing breakfast, Yan Sui wiped her mouth and said, "Li Yun, I'm going out for a bit."
"Where to?" Jian Liyun replied without hesitation, "I'll go with you."
"No need, no need, I'm just going to the supermarket to buy some groceries and I'll cook you a birthday feast for lunch!"
Yan Sui regained her energetic self, as if her breakdown and embarrassment last night were just a fleeting illusion.
Seeing that Jian Liyun was still hesitant, Yan Sui exclaimed, "I already feel guilty that you can't rest today as the birthday girl. Just stay home and study the script, and leave everything else to me, okay, Liyun?"
How could Jian Liyun possibly refuse? But seeing how the other party used every trick in the book to charm her, she had some wicked thoughts.
“But I still really want to go with you,” Jian Liyun blinked innocently.
Yan Sui pouted and grabbed Jian Liyun's arm with both hands, shaking it back and forth. "I can really manage by myself. Besides, you're a big star. What if the fans recognize you when we go out? Please, Liyun, please, please."
Jian Liyun's heart melted. She nodded reluctantly, "Actually, I don't have many fans, so no one will recognize me. But since Sui Sui dislikes me and doesn't want me, then I won't go."
Jian Liyun's words are not untrue. In this era where traffic is king, Jian Liyun does not have many fans. She does not have an account on social media platforms, and apart from basic publicity for filming, she basically does not participate in other interviews or variety shows.
The dating reality show she's been participating in these past few days is the first variety show she's ever recorded.
Jian Liyun's good reputation is largely reflected in the recognition she receives from both casual observers and industry professionals.
Although she doesn't have the same level of popularity as other celebrities, the advantage of this is that she receives less excessive attention from fans.
While denying that she didn't dislike her, Yan Sui jogged into the bedroom to get ready to leave.
With a crossbody bag casually slung over her shoulder, Yan Sui opened the study door and waved to Jian Liyun, who was reading a script inside, "Liyun, I'm going out now."
"Okay, I'll wait for you to come home."
Jian Liyun has recently taken to mentioning the word "home" in front of Yan Sui.
Yan Sui opened the door and pressed the button for the elevator to go down.
As the numbers on the screen continued to increase, the elevator was about to arrive at Yan Sui's floor.
"Sister, wait for me."
The elevator doors had just opened, and before Yan Sui could even step inside, she heard Lu Shutian's voice behind her.
Last night's excessive drinking seemed to have no effect on her. Lu Shutian's face was not swollen, and in fact, she looked even more beautiful and radiant than she had been the day before.
"Perhaps this is the protagonist's halo," Yan Sui thought to herself.
"Okay." Yan Sui agreed. She stood in the elevator and pressed the button to keep the door open, watching Lu Shutian hurriedly close the door and walk towards her.
Lu Shutian strode into the elevator, Yan Sui let go of her hand, and the elevator doors slowly closed.
Yan Sui felt she should say something, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Lu Shutian still had a smile on her face. She asked casually, "Why were you in such a hurry to go back yesterday, sister?"
Yan Sui realized she had to change the subject, and her gaze darted around. "I was sleepy then too. By the way, do you have any plans for going out now?"
“I need to go to the recording studio to re-record some material,” Lu Shutian said, flexing her wrists. “Your sister won’t be sleepy then. Are you going to lie to me again, sister?”
The elevator descended slowly and steadily, but Yan Sui's heart was in her throat.
Wasn't Lu Shutian completely drunk last night? How come he knows so much about her condition?
"I……"
Lu Shutian suddenly interrupted, "It seems that my sister is not planning to tell me the truth. In that case, I will tell you."
Yan Sui inexplicably felt short of breath inside the elevator, and then a dark shadow completely enveloped her.
Lu Shutian's hand caressed the delicate skin of her neck, and the touch of her fingertips brought a series of shivers.
This part of the human body is very vulnerable. If Lu Shutian wanted to, she could subdue Yan Sui instantly and render her unable to resist.
Another hand tightly wrapped around her waist, and Yan Sui frowned, "You..."
[The female lead seems to go crazy every time she meets you, host.]
Haha, of course I noticed that too.
Yan Sui was speechless and helpless. She watched the elevator about to reach the first floor and prayed that there were no other residents in front of the elevator on the first floor.
Lu Shutian's voice was incredibly sweet, but the content of her words was like a sharp, poisoned blade, piercing Yan Sui's weak spot with pinpoint accuracy.
"My sister left me in a hurry yesterday just to run into the arms of another woman and wish her a happy birthday. It's really heartbreaking."
[Holy crap, how did the female lead know about this? She even installed cameras in the female supporting character's house?!]
[Author's Note]
Did Xiao Lu manage to save the little bird? [clumsy dog emoji]
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