Chapter 15: Reality is a pretense of acting.
This was a very long dream.
When Yuwu woke up and opened her eyes, she found her face covered in a wet mess. She touched her pillow, and it was completely soaked.
She pulled out a tissue from the bedside table, wiped her face, and sat up with a blank, numb look in her eyes.
It feels like a lifetime ago.
The buzzing of her phone brought her back to her senses.
Yu Wu answered the phone, gave a few perfunctory replies, got up, changed her clothes, and went out.
*
This is a detective agency hidden in a bustling area of the city, which Zan Ya introduced to her.
Uncle Xiao called to say he had gotten what Yu Wu wanted.
She arrived at her destination and knocked on the door.
The person who opened the door was a thin, middle-aged man who looked somewhat unkempt.
The room is about 200 to 300 square meters and has many iron cabinets filled with all kinds of documents that could be "exploded" at any time.
Uncle Xiao took out the documents and handed them to Yu Wu, saying, "Everything you want is here."
Yu Wu opened Ke Yanchen's copy first.
According to reports, the Ke Group has been under attack from the rapidly rising Wanzhen Real Estate for six years. Wanzhen Real Estate has been aggressively seizing and squeezing out the Ke Group's resources and projects, seemingly at a cost to the Ke Group itself. Wanzhen Real Estate possesses abundant resources and a mysteriously powerful background, making it impossible to investigate its operations.
For the first few years, the Ke Group was able to cope, but it couldn't withstand the other side's relentless, suicidal takeover attempt, and eventually suffered repeated defeats. After a few years, its core assets were hollowed out, but its facade remained, and it was no longer what it used to be.
The same applies to Song Man and Ye Renjia.
Yu Wu pointed to Yuan Yin's file and asked, "Are you sure this one is okay?"
Uncle Xiao chuckled: "Didn't expect that, did you? I didn't expect it at first either; she disguised herself very well."
Yu Wu calmed herself down slightly. "So, that's why Ke Yanchen is in such a hurry to arrange a marriage with me?"
Uncle Xiao nodded: "As far as I know, Ke Yanchen has been going on blind dates for half a year, and very few people have caught his eye. Don't be fooled by the Ke family's wealth; they have a large business and make huge investments. After being relentlessly targeted for so many years, the Ke family is now facing a severe cash shortage in several projects. If they were to sell off assets on a large scale, their partners would doubt their financial strength, so the best solution is a marriage alliance. Your family has developed rapidly in recent years and has no plans to purchase assets on a large scale. Such a cash cow is exactly what those old money people need."
Yu Wu then asked, "Can you find out the forces behind Wanzhen Real Estate?"
"No, but I suspect it might be one of the three powerful families in the north. After all, they're always elusive, and only they could pull off something so smoothly and without leaving a trace. But this is just a guess; it could also be old enemies. After all, it's inevitable to offend people in business."
Yu Wu nodded, paid the bill, and took the documents home.
*
After obtaining Yu Wu's contact information, Ke Yanchen tried sending her several invitations, but Yu Wu refused each time.
Having probably understood Yu Wu's feelings, Ke Yanchen slightly toned down his enthusiasm.
When she opened her phone, the last message was from Ke Yanchen: "Do you have time to go to a farmhouse in the suburbs this weekend?" Yu Wu replied: "I'll think about it."
On Friday afternoon, Yu Wu took an hour off work to go home, changed into a blush pink knitwear set, and put on a pure and innocent makeup look. She looked like a pitiful little white rabbit.
The first impression she gave Ke Yanchen wasn't good; it wasn't the weak, dependent type he liked. She had to rebuild her image in his mind.
I arrived at Ke Yanchen's company building right on time.
As the sun sets, office workers gradually emerge from the building, creating a bustling flow of people.
Finally noticing the tall, upright man, Yu Wu pretended to twist her ankle and fell to the ground as he approached, her brows furrowing slightly.
Ke Yanchen noticed Yu Wu and strode over. His tall figure blocked the warm light of the setting sun, casting a shadow over Yu Wu.
Yu Wu looked up, her eyes misty with a thin layer of fog, and stared pitifully at Ke Yanchen.
The warm light and gentle breeze created a feeling of lazy comfort.
Yu Wu looked up at him, her face as white and flawless as the finest jade, her pupils slightly moist, like a small white flower swaying in the wind and rain.
Ke Yanchen's dark pupils flickered slightly beneath his thin eyelids. He sensed that Yu Wu was different from the capable and assertive woman he had first met. He knelt down to check Yu Wu's injuries and asked, "Are you alright? Shall I take you to the hospital?"
As he spoke, he prepared to pick Yuwu up in his arms.
Yu Wu looked pitiful, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"It hurts..." she murmured, her head slightly lowered and her eyelashes fluttering.
Her voice was so sweet and soft that Ke Yanchen's heart skipped a beat. He carefully placed Yu Wu on the passenger seat and examined her closely. Her ankles were a little red and swollen; when he pinched them, Yu Wu immediately hissed.
"You still need to go to the hospital to get it checked out."
Yu Wu nodded gently and wiped away her physiological tears with the back of her hand.
It wasn't that she was a good actress; it was that she didn't control the angle well, and she really twisted her ankle, and it really hurt.
Ke Yanchen took out a tissue from the car and gently wiped away the tears that welled up in her eyes, his tone leaving no room for argument: "We're going to the hospital now."
Ke Yanchen leaned over to fasten Yu Wu's seatbelt. The two were so close that he could smell the faint sweet fragrance emanating from Yu Wu. It wasn't cloying at all; instead, the fragrance was ethereal, making him want to get even closer to her.
With a "click," the seatbelt was fastened, Ke Yanchen walked around the car, got in, gripped the steering wheel, and glanced at the woman beside him.
"We'll be there soon."
Yuwu turned to look at him, her tear-streaked eyelashes fluttering as she nodded gently.
The vehicle was running at a stable speed.
Yu Wu's nasal cavity was filled with the clean and pleasant citrus scent emanating from him.
Yu Wu sat in the passenger seat, turning to look at the scenery rushing past the window, letting out a barely audible sigh. The thought of how they had once been completely honest with each other, only to now be putting on a fake act, felt ironic.
......
The doctor was an elderly man with gray hair and wearing glasses, who carefully examined Yuwu.
"It's nothing serious. Just get some medicine and rest for a few days."
"But her ankle is swollen, doctor, please take a closer look." Ke Yanchen said with concern.
The doctor chuckled: "You're her boyfriend, aren't you? I'm a professional orthopedic surgeon, don't you trust me?"
Ke Yanchen exchanged a glance with Yu Wu, whose face was flushed, and said with a slight smile, "Okay, then I'll go pay the bill and get the medicine."
Ke Yanchen went to get the medicine. While operating the computer, the doctor said to Yu Wu, "Your boyfriend is great. He's handsome and considerate. Young lady, you're so lucky."
Yu Wu pinched the swelling in her ankle; the pain in her lower body made her mind incredibly clear.
She kept her head down and didn't answer.
......
When Ke Yanchen returned, he carefully applied the medicinal wine to Yu Wu's arm with a cotton swab. His eyes were lowered, and his black eyelashes trembled slightly. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, revealing his arms with prominent veins. His fingers, holding the cotton swab, were long and slender with distinct knuckles.
He spoke with the doctor for a few more minutes, listened to the precautions, and then left with Yuwu.
"Can you walk?" Ke Yanchen asked, looking at Yu Wu's feet.
Yu Wu feigned strength, "I can do it." As she spoke, she got off the ground and took a few steps, staggering and almost falling.
Ke Yanchen quickly went to help him up, looking helpless, "He's always showing off."
Yu Wu smiled, a little embarrassed.
Ke Yanchen tied his suit jacket around Yu Wu's waist and made a knot.
Yu Wu looked at him, puzzled.
He added, "The skirt you're wearing."
Yu Wu felt a momentary flutter in her heart, and nodded with a forced smile.
Ke Yanchen squatted down in front of her and said without waiting for a reply, "Get on."
So Yuwu obediently lay down on it, like a soft-bodied shrimp.
Feeling the softness on his back, Ke Yanchen was taken aback. He wanted to remind her not to be so tight, but after a pause, he said nothing and got up.
There was only a thin layer of shirt on her back, almost nothing at all.
"Looks like I won't be able to go to the farmhouse this week," Ke Yanchen said with a self-deprecating laugh.
Yuwu rested her head on his shoulder; his shoulders were broad and gave her a reliable feeling. Smelling the faint citrus scent emanating from him, Yuwu smiled and hummed in agreement.
Her warm, moist breath tickled his ear, and he felt an itch coursing through his body.
"Is there anyone at home to take care of you?"
"No."
"Then I'll come and take care of you tomorrow?"
"No need, I can manage on my own."
The conversation ended, and the room fell silent.
As darkness fell, it was lunchtime, and there weren't many people outside the hospital. Ke Yanchen walked steadily, step by step. Perhaps it was too quiet, but he could even feel her steady heartbeat from behind, one beat after another, like a kitten gently scratching at him.
......
What would you like to eat?
Yu Wu glanced around casually and saw a Lanzhou noodle shop not far ahead.
"How about we have ramen?"
Ke Yanchen looked up and said, "Okay."
It was lunchtime, and the ramen shop was a bit crowded, so the two of them had to share a table with a couple who looked like students.
The two were laughing and talking when the boy snatched the girl's hair tie. The girl reached out to grab it back, but when she noticed Ke Yanchen asking if they wanted to share a table, they both quieted down slightly.
Ke Yanchen gently put Yu Wu down and went to the front desk to order food. Yu Wu's gaze naturally fell on him.
After ordering his food, Ke Yanchen noticed a small orange cat scratching at his trouser leg. He squatted down, extended his well-proportioned hand, and gently stroked the cat's head.
The kitten grabbed his hand and bit him.
His expression was indifferent as he let the kitten run wild, then patted its head. The next moment, he turned to look at Yuwu, who was propping her head up and looking at him.
Yu Wu returned his smile.
Yuwu loved the "feminine softness" about him. She was moved by the coat he took off to cover her skirt from being exposed; she was moved by the clean and pleasant citrus scent on him; she was moved by the way he knelt down and gently stroked the head of the kitten.
That feeling of attraction was also tinged with a numb, indifferent sensitivity. No matter how glamorous and handsome the man was on the outside, she would only feel that he was all show and no substance.
The couple across the table huddled together, whispering something, which pulled Yu Wu back from her hazy, reverie.
Yuwu withdrew her gaze and gently shifted her feet.
"Sister, my boyfriend and I think you two are really good-looking!" The girl across the table had rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and a face full of collagen.
Ke Yanchen happened to return at that moment. Hearing this, he smiled and said as he sat down, "You flatter me. This lady is prettier than me."
He turned his head and asked Yu Wu in a low voice, "Does it still hurt?"
His handsome, roguish face showed concern and worry.
Yu Wu shook her head. "It's alright."
...
The couple at the table across from us finished their meal, and they walked out hand in hand, snuggling together.
Yu Wu turned her head to look at their backs, a hint of envy in her eyes, and only looked away after they disappeared from sight.
She believes love still exists in the world, but it will never happen to her.
"They are very close." Ke Yanchen withdrew his gaze and concluded calmly.
Yu Wu blinked her lowered eyelashes. "Yes, we are very close."
"It seems like only campus romances can be this tender."
"Perhaps they haven't yet witnessed the wickedness of human nature and dare to give their true feelings."
"Have you ever witnessed the wickedness of human nature?" Ke Yanchen looked directly at her.
Yu Wu pretended to think for a moment, then answered seriously, "No."
She repeated, "Not even once."
Just then, the owner brought over the ramen, smiling as he handed it to the two of them, ending the conversation.
-----------------------
The author says: Once upon a time, you were innocent and passionate, falling in love with a cold-hearted boy without a second thought. You sincerely gave your whole heart and did so many foolish and shocking things.
You change yourself for him, force yourself to learn his hobbies, and sacrifice yourself to make him happy.
You planned your whole life with him, and then your heart was trampled underfoot by him.
You break down in tears, desperately seeking an answer for your true feelings, only to be met with indifference that disappears without a trace.
You shattered all your memories and lost the ability to love.
Then, you became a stranger, becoming the next him.
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