Chapter 51: A Call from Overseas
The almost perfectly forged lease contract and property certificate copy acted like a powerful sedative, temporarily paralyzing Yu Ling's tense nerves.
The shimmering silver metal box in the study, the invisible class barriers in VM Manor, and even the blurry photo at the entrance of the cafe were all forced back into the corner of her memory by this "ironclad evidence." She began to deliberately and diligently cooperate with the "peaceful years" created by Zhao Chen.
She no longer resisted his constant clinginess and childish jealousy; she even began to respond proactively. She would return his morning kiss on the cheek before leaving the house; after work, she would walk toward his "ordinary" car amidst the envious gazes of her colleagues; and on weekends, while shopping, she would naturally link her arm with his, discussing which brand of yogurt was healthier in front of the supermarket aisle.
She tries to immerse herself in this daily life of being pampered and cherished, like an actor with superb acting skills, playing the role of a wife who "enjoys married life with peace of mind".
Zhao Chen seemed to have keenly sensed her deliberate softening. The lingering haze and cautiousness in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a more surging tenderness and a cherishing feeling of regaining something lost.
.
His clinginess intensified, becoming almost inseparable. If Yu Ling was working overtime, he'd take his computer to the café downstairs in the Genesis Building and "work" while waiting for her to get off. If Yu Ling was shopping with her bestie, he'd "happen" to be in the same mall and join her effortlessly. Even on weekends, when Yu Ling was curled up on the sofa reading, he'd squeeze over, clasping her in his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head, euphemistically calling it "recharging time."
"Lingling, what do you want to eat tomorrow night?" It was another weekend evening. Zhao Chen, wearing a small whale-shaped apron, poked his head out of the kitchen with a warm smile on his face. "My friend just opened a Japanese restaurant. All the ingredients are air-shipped from Hokkaido. The chef is very famous. Do you want to try it?"
Yu Ling was curled up on the sofa, reading a novel. Hearing this, she looked up, meeting his expectant gaze. The suspicion she'd suppressed began to surface again. Another "friend"? Air-freighted food again? But she maintained a docile smile and nodded, "Okay, I'll take your advice."
The smile on Zhao Chen's face instantly widened, like a child who got candy: "Then I'll reserve a table!" He retreated into the kitchen, and soon there was the sound of him making a reservation on the phone in a low voice.
Yu Ling put down her book, her gaze fixed on his busy figure at the kitchen door. The sunlight outlined his tall, straight figure, the straps of his whale-shaped apron tied into a lovely bow at his back. The scene was so heartwarming, so ordinary. She even began to convince herself that perhaps... those thrilling secrets were just her imagination? Perhaps Zhao Chen was just an ordinary employee with a bit of luck and connections?
She needed something to reinforce this shaky "belief".
Her eyes swept across the living room, landing on the wicker basket beneath the coffee table, which held magazines and other odds and ends. She remembered Zhao Chen had been sorting through some documents a few days ago, and had casually tucked some "waste paper" inside. Perhaps... she could find some other "everyday" evidence? Like a utility bill? Wouldn't that have the householder's information? It wasn't likely, but what if?
With a faint sense of anticipation and an almost masochistic need for confirmation, Yu Ling stood up, walked over to the coffee table, squatted down, and began to rummage through the wicker basket. It contained mostly outdated magazines, a few supermarket flyers, and a few odds and ends. She patiently searched, her fingertips touching a stack of crumpled, printed pages.
She pulled it out and unfolded it. It contained several printed pages of technical documents in English, filled with complex formulas and diagrams that she couldn't understand at all. Just as she was about to put it back, somewhat disappointed, a seemingly insignificant piece of paper that had been tucked away fluttered down.
Yu Ling picked up the scrap of paper. It was made of some special waterproof paper, and felt very thick. There was no writing on it, only an extremely complex geometric pattern. The pattern consisted of countless fine, silver lines that shimmered with a faint metallic sheen. These lines intertwined and swirled, forming a deep and mysterious three-dimensional structure, like some kind of high-tech totem, or an extremely sophisticated key!
What is this? Some kind of design sketch? Or... some kind of emblem?
Yu Ling took this strange metal card and looked at it over and over again. She felt that the pattern on it had a cold, inhuman precision, which was completely unlike an everyday item. She was puzzled.
Buzz—buzz—buzz—
A sudden and continuous vibration suddenly sounded! The sound came from the gap between the sofas—Zhao Chen's phone! He had just finished answering the reservation call, tossed his phone on the sofa, and returned to the kitchen!
Yu Ling was startled by the sudden vibration and subconsciously looked over. The phone screen was lit up, and a familiar number with a long international area code was jumping wildly - +1 (650) XXX-XXXX!
It’s that American number again!
Gu Qianqian? !
Yu Ling's heart instantly leaped into her throat! All the blood in her body seemed to rush to her head! She froze in place, as if under a spell. She still clutched the cold metal card in her hand, her eyes fixed on the vibrating phone on the sofa, as if she were staring at a venomous snake spitting its tongue!
From the kitchen came the sound of Zhao Chen humming a tuneless tune and the clashing of spatulas. He seemed to have completely ignored the vibration of his cell phone.
Buzz—buzz—buzz—
The vibrations persisted stubbornly, sounding particularly harsh in the quiet living room. Each vibration felt like a knock on Yu Ling's taut nerves! That name, that woman with such elegance in the photo, the name that instantly changed Zhao Chen's expression—Gu Qianqian! It lingered in her mind like a spell!
A crazy idea ignited in her heart like wildfire!
Pick it up! Pick it up! Listen to what she has to say!
This is the only chance to tear off all disguises and get to the truth!
Reason was screaming at her to stop! Fear made her fingertips cold! But the curiosity, doubts, and the urge to throw everything away that had been suppressed for too long finally overwhelmed everything!
As if driven by an invisible force, she suddenly threw herself to the sofa, and with a desperate determination, her trembling fingers swiped towards the green answer button on the phone screen!
"Hello? Brother Chen?" The moment the phone was connected, a female voice that was so sweet that it seemed to drip honey, with obvious crying and strong grievance, immediately came out from the receiver, echoing clearly in the living room!
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