Chapter 76 Running Away But Caught on the First Day: Ah Ruan, Am I... in trouble...?
#Xie Ruan is Liar#
This topic reached number one on the trending topics list that day.
Xie Ruan, however, had no energy left to check what was being discussed about her on her phone.
People say that it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone or tendon.
After Xie Ruan sprained his leg and rested for a few days, the doctor still told him that he would need to rest for at least a few more months.
The doctor originally suggested that Xie Ruan rest at home and just take care of herself.
But the man impersonating "Jiang Zhi" seemed to care about him too much.
Xie Ruan even felt that the man impersonating "Jiang Zhi," with his cold face and the posture of protecting him for several months, was absolutely unshakable.
With no other option, Xie Ruan had to seek help from a doctor.
But the man's strength seemed too great; the man disagreed, and the doctor disagreed as well.
Xie Ruan could only remain sullen in her room, continuing her analysis.
Xie Ruan couldn't remember why she came to this hospital.
Xie Ruan was asleep at the time. After several days, she finally deduced from the scattered information that the hospital she had come to was a private hospital under the Pei Group.
Xie Ruan thought that others might not understand what it meant to stay in the Pei Group for a few months.
However, Xie Ruan, who had read the original book, knew that this private hospital was not open to the public at all. Even the Wen, Zhou, and Ji families, who were close to powerful clans, could not necessarily come here whenever they wanted.
Let alone Xie Ruan, a little orphan with no background or support.
Let alone Xie Ruan, even the real Jiang Zhi can't come.
So that person who impersonated "Jiang Zhi" before.
He was at least higher in rank than Wen Hezhou, Zhou Jingchi, and Ji Ye, and also closer to the Pei family.
Xie Ruan's gaze fell silently on a corner of the hospital.
Xie Ruan was not that slow to react.
The person who can bring him to the hospital.
Only the Pei family.
The Pei family has only one son in this generation.
She's the kind of person who can have the exact same face as Pei Zhi, bring him to the hospital, and stay for months as he pleases.
It can only be Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan didn't know why Pei Zhi was being so nice to him.
However, Xie Ruan knew that based solely on her past as an employee of the Pei Group, her background in the film crew, or her connections with Wen Hezhou, Zhou Jingchi, and Ji Ye, it was impossible for her to come to this hospital.
so.
Xie Ruan's gaze shifted again.
So, she was almost identical to Pei Zhi before, as if they were cut from the same mold.
It is Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan no longer cared whether her speculation was true or not.
Xie Ruan changed her clothes and secretly left the hospital.
Xie Ruan sat in a wheelchair, letting the caregiver push him away from the hospital.
Little did they know, Pei Zhi was watching the hospital's security camera footage on his phone.
Pei Zhi exuded a cold aura as he walked step by step toward the door.
They ran right into Xie Ruan, who was trying to escape.
Xie Ruan was injured in the leg and couldn't run directly while sitting in a wheelchair, so she could only look at the man with a forced smile.
The man, however, gave him no chance to smile and walked step by step toward Xie Ruan.
Oh, right.
Pei Zhi and the man impersonating Jiang Zhi both smelled of mint.
Xie Ruan smelled the minty scent of the person in front of her and couldn't tell whether the two were the same person or people who looked exactly alike.
Pei Zhi was getting closer and closer. Xie Ruan watched the man's steps as he approached, and her Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Pei Zhi didn't speak immediately. The minty scent emanating from him was like a refreshing breeze, enveloping Xie Ruan and making her breathing increasingly difficult.
Pei Zhi simply reached out and placed his fingers lightly on the side of Xie Ruan's wheelchair.
Xie Ruan was completely trapped inside the man's body. She looked at the man's black suit cuffs and expensive opal cufflinks.
Xie Ruan's body is completely immobile.
He was already injured, Xie Ruan thought, even if he tried to struggle now, he probably wouldn't be able to escape.
Xie Ruan's ears inexplicably turned red.
After the relationship ended, Xie Ruan stayed in this hospital.
Xie Ruan didn't know why, even though the man had been very cold to her before.
After arriving at the hospital, he never missed a day, as if he could get paid for being present at work. He would appear before he opened his eyes every day and leave a little while before he closed them.
Xie Ruan was almost out of breath when the man actually packed a lunchbox and fed him.
no?
Xie Ruan couldn't breathe when she looked at the man's boss-like face.
The man, however, still carried that irresistible command of "I'm feeding you," forcing him to bite the bullet and eat.
Xie Ruan admitted that the food the man brought was really delicious.
However, Xie Ruan was too scared.
These past few days, the man has simply been taking care of him.
They wouldn't say anything more than that.
This anomaly sparked countless possibilities in Xie Ruan's mind.
But the man's silence was like a knife, as if the man had the blade pressed against his neck.
The man seemed poised to kill Xie Ruan at any moment, remaining motionless for so long that he could practically torture Xie Ruan to death.
Xie Ruan's thin chest rose and fell slightly.
After a long while, when Xie Ruan slightly parted his lips, the man's voice finally appeared beside his ear.
Man: "It's always been me."
Xie Ruan was stunned for a moment.
Man: "I don't like Yu Yin."
Man: "It's not Jiang Zhi either."
The man's gaze swept over Xie Ruan, his slow and deliberate eyes concealing a hint of suppressed panic: "It's Pei Zhi."
Xie Ruan never expected that after so many days, the man would still explain to her.
The man parted his thin lips slightly, his well-defined fingers lightly tapping the edge of Xie Ruan's wheelchair: "When we met at the bar that day, I was looking for Jiang Zhi. You know, the Pei Group has rather strict requirements for hiring employees."
They basically prioritize people from disadvantaged backgrounds, so what's so harsh about that?
Pei Zhi: "The condition of not being related to the employer includes not only being a fan of Zhou Jingchi, Wen Hezhou, or Ji Ye, but also other threatening identities."
Pei Zhi: "So it's also not allowed for you to know Jiang Zhi."
Xie Ruan was stunned for a moment.
Pei Zhi: "As a nanny, you can't know anyone in my family, but you do know my nephew who is an illegitimate child."
Xie Ruan finally understood.
Pei Zhi is such a cautious person, how could he reveal his hand to someone who knows Jiang Zhi?
Moreover, Jiang Zhi secretly harbored the desire to kill Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan felt a pang of fear, suddenly realizing that Pei Zhi had spared his life; he was incredibly lucky.
Xie Ruan was somewhat embarrassed: "Actually, I don't know Jiang Zhi, or rather, I've never seen his face."
Xie Ruan twisted her fingers together, unaware of Pei Zhi's gaze. She simply lowered her head like a child who had made a mistake, unsure of how to explain herself.
He couldn't very well say that he learned about Jiang Zhi's identity from a book, could he?
Xie Ruan was a little afraid that Pei Zhi would press her for more information.
Pei Zhi gently moved his hand closer to Xie Ruan. After that, even though Pei Zhi hadn't said anything, Xie Ruan felt a strange sense of security creep into her heart.
Is that correct?
Xie Ruan thought to herself.
Pei Zhi is ruthless, and everyone in the business world fears him.
Even if Zhou Jingchi, Wen Hezhou, and Ji Ye stood in front of Pei Zhi, they wouldn't dare to provoke him easily, right?
Xie Ruan held her breath.
Looking up, what met her eyes was Pei Zhi's overly gentle gaze.
Xie Ruan was somewhat lost in thought.
He wasn't even sure if he was hallucinating.
Because in his eyes, Pei Zhi always seemed so aloof, as if no one could shake him, get close to his heart, or evoke any emotions in him.
And at this moment—
Pei Zhi replied, "I'm sorry."
Xie Ruan was stunned: ?
Pei Zhi's voice was very pleasant to hear; the autumn breeze had lost the summer heat and gained a touch of crispness.
A pleasant breeze brushed against Xie Ruan's face, accompanied by Pei Zhi's deep, magnetic voice, which entered her ears once more: "I've been hiding my identity all this time, testing you."
Pei Zhi: "But apart from that, I haven't told a single completely falsehood."
Pei Zhi was a man of few words, and Xie Ruan was not even sure which sentence he was referring to when he suddenly made such a statement.
Xie Ruan was puzzled: What is a complete lie? Did Pei Zhi tell him a lie that was only half true?
Pei Zhi stared at Xie Ruan; Pei Zhi had a pair of narrow, elongated eyes.
When Pei Zhi looked at Xie Ruan, he didn't have the shrewdness of someone who had been in the business world for a long time. Instead, he looked bright and clear. He stared at Xie Ruan, making Xie Ruan's back tense up. She could only let him explain: "It's half a lie."
?
It's actually half a lie.
Xie Ruan's brain went blank.
Pei Zhi maintained his distance from Xie Ruan throughout. When his aloof gaze fell on Xie Ruan, it softened slightly. He glanced at her calmly and slowly, making it impossible to discern his true feelings, "The absolute truth is, I don't like Yu Yin. I am Pei Zhi."
Pei Zhi added, "The usual lie is that the contract I signed with you..."
Xie Ruan interrupted: "? The contract is fake."
Pei Zhi replied, "The contract is real."
Xie Ruan was puzzled: "What? Could it be a lie? Could it be that the contract terms were concealed?"
Is this some kind of dual contract? QAQ! Pei Zhi, something's wrong with you. You're not that kind of person.
Xie Ruan was so anxious that she almost stood up from her wheelchair.
But then Pei Zhi, supporting himself in his wheelchair, suddenly approached. The faint scent of mint emanating from Pei Zhi was pleasant; Xie Ruan's heart inexplicably quickened when he smelled it. His rapid breathing, racing heart, and drained consciousness prevented him from discerning the source of this change.
He simply let Pei Zhi approach suddenly, and then slowly spoke in his ear in a deliberate tone: "It's a lie to say I want to terminate the contract with you."
Xie Ruan was stunned for a moment.
Xie Ruan felt the warmth of Pei Zhi's breath as he spoke, and it gently brushed against the tip of his ear.
It's slightly itchy.
Pei Zhi: "My desire to be with you has always been genuine."
Pei Zhi's gaze fell on Xie Ruan. This public revelation came too suddenly. Xie Ruan stared at Pei Zhi for a long time before she seemed to come back to her senses and looked up to meet his eyes.
Pei Zhi: "If you don't mind, we can continue according to the contract."
Pei Zhi: "I will keep every penny of the money I promised you. Even though we no longer have the identity of being on a dating show, we can still continue."
...
*
Pei Zhi's voice had become more seductive.
Xie Ruan had almost forgotten how she left in front of Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan had assumed that Pei Zhi would take him back to the hospital in a domineering and forceful manner, just as she had imagined.
Then, he imprisoned and coerced him in the way of the male protagonist in the novel until he was willing to beg for mercy and tell Pei Zhi, "I'm willing, I'll do whatever you say, please don't hurt me anymore."
But Pei Zhi did not do that.
Xie Ruan was still losing consciousness when her feet suddenly left the wheelchair.
Xie Ruan felt her body become unusually light.
As the angle changed, the line of sight became much higher.
It wasn't until Xie Ruan came to his senses that he realized Pei Zhi had gently lifted him into the car, as if he were protecting some precious treasure.
Xie Ruan: ? Wait, carry him to the car? ? Pei Zhi's car? ? ?
Xie Ruan got too close to Pei Zhi, and her mind went completely blank.
Before Xie Ruan could even react, Pei Zhi placed him in the back seat, then patiently folded his wheelchair and put it in the trunk.
The president of the prestigious Pei Zhi Group personally takes care of a former nanny.
Xie Ruan really felt something was wrong.
Aren't the time and interests of wealthy people very important?
What do you get in return for taking care of a former nanny?
Xie Ruan's gaze swept over Pei Zhi, but Pei Zhi was backlit, making it impossible for Xie Ruan to see his expression.
Xie Ruan's fingers tightened a little.
Where could Pei Zhi take him? He's not going to send him back to being a nanny, is he?
Or should we send him back?
Using tactics like threatening to sue him into bankruptcy if he doesn't fulfill his contractual obligations, even sending him back to his villa and forcing him to meet with other employers to pressure him until he finally breaks down and begs for mercy?
Xie Ruan was completely unaware of Pei Zhi's methods.
As Pei Zhi approached, Xie Ruan's body trembled more and more violently.
However, the location Pei Zhi blurted out to the driver was not Haijing Bay, where Xie Ruan had previously worked, but rather: "Orange Bay".
?
Xie Ruan was stunned.
If I remember correctly, this is the property Xie Ruan bought before she went on the dating reality show.
Orange Bay isn't a new house; Xie Ruan bought a second-hand house that had been vacant and uninhabited for a long time. The house had already been fully renovated, so Xie Ruan only made minor adjustments and planned to move out after the reality show ended.
However, apart from Xie Ruan and the landlord, no one else knew about this.
Could it be that Pei Zhi also lives here? And now they're going to take him to his house to teach him a lesson?
Xie Ruan trembled even more violently.
Xie Ruan was still clinging to a sliver of hope when she heard Pei Zhi's voice: "Number 6."
...
He died.
Xie Ruan was certain that number 6 was definitely his residence.
But how did Pei Zhi find out about it without him informing him? In other words, Pei Zhi investigated him privately?
Xie Ruan had no way to escape, and she lowered her fair face as if in surrender.
Sure enough, no matter how fast he ran, he couldn't outrun the rich.
Xie Ruan was extremely frustrated.
Pei Zhi's lips curled slightly when he looked at Xie Ruan.
Pei Zhi: "If you are willing to fulfill the contract, I will not only give you the agreed money, but I can also easily help you block the information."
Pei Zhi slightly curved his long, narrow, and aloof eyes: "Ruan Ruan probably doesn't want other men to bother you, right?"
Xie Ruan nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
Xie Ruan glanced back at the contract: "However, our contract is only to pretend to be a couple... I can't really be with you."
Xie Ruan doesn't want to date a rich man.
He has already made enough money.
After Xie Ruan came to this world a while ago, she read a lot of novels.
Xie Ruan knew that men in the world of novels all liked the idea of possession.
Whether it was imprisonment, confinement, or possessiveness, everything made Xie Ruan uncomfortable.
Xie Ruan did not want to live the life of a caged bird, at the mercy of men.
Pei Zhi lifted Xie Ruan's chin.
Pei Zhi was so close to Xie Ruan that Xie Ruan could only try to hold her breath.
Xie Ruan saw Pei Zhi's casual smile as he curled the corners of his lips: "I never intended to force you."
Pei Zhi: "The cooperation will continue as before. After the contract expires, if you don't want to stay, I'll let you go anytime, okay?"
Xie Ruan nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
That's more like it.
Xie Ruan's anxious heart felt much better.
After turning on her phone, Xie Ruan could still see Ji Ye and the others frantically adding her as a friend.
With no other option, Xie Ruan could only notify He Leran to switch to a different account.
Xie Ruan doesn't want to have anything to do with them anymore. After this, they will probably end up with the main character, just like in the original story, right?
As for Pei Zhi...
Xie Ruan stole a glance at Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi doesn't have a romantic partner in the original book.
Xie Ruan's fingers tightened. She had so much to say, but when she turned to meet Pei Zhi's eyes, she pursed her thin lips and said, "Um, since you are Pei Zhi and not Jiang Zhi, could you show me a picture of Jiang Zhi?"
Pei Zhi seemed to realize that Xie Ruan didn't want to mention Jiang Zhi.
Xie Ruan was very grateful that Pei Zhi didn't press him for details.
Xie Ruan was originally preparing her words on why she should look at Jiang Zhi.
Pei Zhi, however, seemed to see through him and walked around him, casually gesturing for Assistant Li to take out the documents.
Pei Zhi handed the unopened document to Xie Ruan as if he had anticipated Xie Ruan's need.
Xie Ruan was slightly surprised. For some reason, Xie Ruan felt that this document was as if Pei Zhi had predicted it and prepared it for him long ago.
However, Xie Ruan, adhering to the principle of "better to avoid trouble," did not ask any questions. Instead, she carefully held the document wrapped in brown paper and cautiously opened it.
Jiang Zhi's face was just visible inside.
She does resemble Pei Zhi somewhat, but only slightly.
It seems that Pei Zhi really is Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi propped his cheek on his hand and casually glanced at him.
Both of them were in the back seat. Pei Zhi was so close that Xie Ruan could feel his breath, and her heart pounded. Xie Ruan pursed her lips for a long time before he suddenly pulled her closer. "Do I need to prove myself too?"
Pei Zhi handed over his ID card.
Xie Ruan dared not accept the answer and shook her head frantically.
Pei Zhi's lips curled slightly: "I bought the house next to yours in Orange Bay."
Xie Ruan: "?"
*
Xie Ruan's brain almost shut down.
Xie Ruan was completely unaware that the day after the Heartbeat House ended, netizens had been digging into the identities of the Heartbeat House guests all night.
Xie Ruan is the guest that piques the most curiosity.
Everyone thought Jiang Zhi would be the hardest to uncover.
To everyone's surprise, Xie Ruan's information could not be found on the internet, causing great distress to everyone.
It wasn't until the show released a secret introduction video of the participants arriving at the Heartbeat House that everyone vaguely learned the identities of the non-celebrity guests—
Yu Yin: "Hi everyone, I'm Yu Yin, a college student. I didn't get the Liar identity when I came to the Heartbeat House. I'll probably try my best to find true love. If I do find it, I'll work hard."
For some reason, Jiang Zhi's information has not been made public at all.
Fortunately, the program team revealed Xie Ruan's introduction, which everyone was curious about.
Xie Ruan: "Hello everyone, I'm Xie Ruan, 19 years old. I used to work as a nanny, but I recently quit. I'm very grateful to the program team for giving me the Liar status, but I probably won't be able to take this money with me..."
[Only nineteen years old, no wonder he's the youngest, hehehe.]
[She's only nineteen and already working as a nanny? Why isn't she in school? Is she facing some kind of hardship?]
[Help! Xie Ruan kept her head down the whole time, showing absolutely no confidence.]
In the video, a staff member asked, "Why do you feel like you won't get the bonus?"
Xie Ruan: "Because I don't like people."
I'm dying of laughter because I don't like people.
Do you really have to be so honest?
Xie Ruan's video has come to an end.
The hashtag #BecauseIDontLikePeople# related to Xie Ruan quickly became the number one trending topic.
As the discussion progressed, people in the background suddenly remembered Xie Ruan's outfit—a baseball cap—that looked familiar to everyone during their date on the dating reality show, and wondered who she resembled.
Gradually, people began to uncover Xie Ruan's suspected identity—
Only then did everyone realize that Xie Ruan seemed to be the fan who had switched sides during the Celebrity Double Weekend.
【Eat an Orange】: #Because I don’t like people# If I remember correctly, this outfit with a mask photoshopped on (attached image.JPG) seems to be that of the fan who was involved in the celebrity double weekend event with Wen Hezhou and Zhou Jingchi, holding two light sticks and wearing the same outfit as Ji Ye, right?
My god, I never expected this fan to not only switch allegiances, but also seem to like Zhou Jingchi, Wen Hezhou, and Ji Ye? Could they have been in private contact for a while? Wow, this is amazing.
【I am your little dog】: #Because I don't like people# That matches up. I feel that the trending topic became popular for no reason. Xie Ruan must have had a team marketing it all along, right?
Is Xie Ruan's participation in this dating reality show just a warm-up before her successful debut?
No wonder she quit her job to participate in a dating reality show; maybe she was scouted by a talent agent while working as a nanny, quit her job, and is now waiting to debut.
【Little Penguin】: #Because I don't like people# Was I played again? But if it's Xie Ruan, I can accept it. Waaah, I haven't seen Xie Ruan all day, I really miss him. Xie Ruan, please debut soon, I support him.
...
Xie Ruan had no idea that her personal information had already been thoroughly investigated.
Xie Ruan had absolutely no interest in the internet or debuting as a celebrity.
Xie Ruan refused the director team's suggestion that she debut or even register a Weibo account to solidify her status.
Xie Ruan is socially awkward and doesn't want to interact with so many people.
They have both money and free time.
Xie Ruan is happy as long as she lies down.
Xie Ruan lay in bed, and Pei Zhi seemed quite worried. He not only arranged for a private doctor and a caregiver to look after and treat him at home, but also gave him instructions for a long time before leaving.
As Xie Ruan watched Pei Zhi's departing figure, she inexplicably felt that Pei Zhi really seemed like a good person, completely different from his villainous identity in the story.
Xie Ruan seems to be under too much stress lately; she fell asleep shortly after lying in bed.
When Xie Ruan woke up, drinking milk tea and letting the caregiver push him to relax, he had no idea that just after taking a sip of milk tea...
A familiar voice came from beside his ear: "Ah Ruan?"
...
An ominous premonition suddenly sprouted.
Xie Ruan quickly and gently squeezed the caregiver's fingers, signaling to run.
But unexpectedly, a buzzing sound.
My phone is vibrating.
Xie Ruan opened her phone and received more than just messages—
[Pei Zhi]: My family wants to see you in a week. If you don't mind, can I come to see you tonight to discuss it? Ruan Ruan.
Xie Ruan sensed the person who had just called her "A Ruan" getting closer.
Xie Ruan's heart skipped a beat.
I quickly turned off my phone before the other person got close, to prevent a new conflict from breaking out.
Unexpectedly, just as Xie Ruan was watching the caregiver who didn't understand her implied instruction to run,
The man who called him A-Ruan used his strong hands to grab Xie Ruan's wheelchair.
Men are incredibly strong.
It wasn't just the healthy Xie Ruan who was struggling.
Even the caregiver couldn't break free.
Xie Ruan was forced to look up.
Xie Ruan wanted to beg for mercy, but unexpectedly, her misty eyes were filled with the man's gaze. Before she could even make out his face, she saw him...
"Thump!"
He knelt down on the ground.
Xie Ruan's brain completely shut down: "?"
The man knelt on the ground and hugged his thin body tightly. "Ah Ruan, why didn't you reply to me? Why didn't you add me as a friend?"
The man looked like a large, abandoned puppy, his eyes filled with nothing but grievance, and even his tone rarely carried a hint of coquetry: "Did I... make you angry...?"
-----------------------
Author's note: [hugs] I'm posting an hour early today, tomorrow will still be around 11 am~ Juanbao's updates have been intermittent today, Juanbao is afraid she won't be able to update again soon.
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