It’s an Extra Chapter
Yin and Xia Chapter 9
Better to Test Her
After three months of filming with the production team, Yin Ruxu had endured her fair share of cold shoulders and subtle harassment.
She never told Xia Ke about it, not once. Every day, she just focused on her work.
On set, her time was spent either reading the script or practicing her acting alone.
She didn’t try to curry favor with anyone, nor did she make things difficult for others. She was quiet, as if she was above worldly disputes.1
Xia Ke sat in Shen Man’s home, staring at the freshly brewed green tea before her.
She lifted the cup, took a sip, and said, “Manman, I think Ah Xu has changed. She’s no longer the person she was, who used to adore vanity.”2
“I’ve looked into what she’s been doing all these years,” Xia Ke continued. “She’s been working hard at acting and has cut ties completely with her old crowd. She’s never been involved in any scandals during filming. And this whole time, she hasn’t said a word to me about the others on the production team bullying her.”
“Then how did you know she was being bullied?” Shen Man asked, zeroing in on the key issue.
“Her assistant told me secretly,” Xia Ke replied.
Shen Man smiled, her eyes holding a hint of warning. “Does she know about that?”
Xia Ke froze, wanting to defend Yin Ruxu but finding herself at a loss for words.
“If you really want to know if she likes you for you or for your money, you should run a test,” Shen Man suggested, her expression turning serious. “But whether the results of that test will lead to a perfect ending, no one can predict.”
At her words, Xia Ke lowered her gaze, watching the green tea in her cup gradually grow cold.
“How do I test her?” she asked, her voice strained, her fingertips gripping the cup tightly.
That evening, Yin Ruxu had a night scene to film. It was a scene with a counterpart,3 Sang Yidan, and it required wirework.4
This was a pivotal part of the story, and the director was taking it very seriously, specifically reminding every department to be on high alert.
Yin Ruxu was hoisted up on the wires, and the shoot went smoothly.
But just as she was about to be lowered, one of the wires suddenly snapped. She plummeted from three meters in the air.
The director panicked and immediately called for an ambulance.
Yin Ruxu was covered in injuries from the fall, especially on her legs and back.
Lying on the stretcher, her face was pale with pain, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to make a sound.
The paramedics lifted the stretcher into the vehicle.
Yin Ruxu’s gaze met Sang Yidan’s, and she clearly saw the triumphant smile in the other woman’s eyes.
The ambulance sped toward the hospital.
After two hours of surgery, Yin Ruxu was wheeled out.
She looked toward Chen-jie, who was waiting outside, her weak face filled with anticipation.
Chen-jie understood what she was hoping for. She walked over and soothed her. “I’ve already told President Xia. She must be busy, but she’ll be here soon.”
Hearing this, Yin Ruxu lowered her eyes. She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her heart, yet she couldn’t help but cling to a sliver of hope.
She stared at the door, listening intently to the footsteps in the hallway, only to be met with disappointment time and time again.
Three days passed.
Xia Ke still hadn’t appeared. There hadn’t even been a single concerned phone call or text message.
Yin Ruxu’s injuries had healed enough for her to get out of bed and walk.
She stood on the balcony, looking out at the parking lot, a haggard look she couldn’t hide.
“Yin-jie, you should be lying down and resting. The doctor said you need to rest quietly. It’s windy on the balcony, be careful not to catch a chill,” Chen-jie advised, her voice full of sympathy.
Yin Ruxu seemed not to hear, her eyes fixed blankly on the world outside.
Squeak. The door to her room was pushed open.
Joy flickered in Yin Ruxu’s heart. She turned around quickly, only to see a stranger’s face.
The disappointment was impossible to hide. Noticing the fresh flowers in the stranger’s hands, she asked politely, “Who are you?”
“Yin-jiejie, my name is Bai Lei,5 and I’m your loyal fan.” A look of awe flashed in Bai Lei’s eyes before she broke into a happy smile. She offered the bouquet, saying, “I hope you won’t mind them.”
Chen-jie accepted the flowers and said with a smile, “Thank you for your kindness, but Miss Yin needs to rest quietly right now and can’t be disturbed.”
“I won’t disturb Yin-jiejie! I’ll just sit right here,” Bai Lei said, seating herself without another thought.
She blinked her eyes as she gazed at Yin Ruxu, the very picture of obedience.
Chen-jie was about to try again, but seeing Yin Ruxu’s silent approval, she stepped aside.
Yin Ruxu sat on the edge of the bed. Looking at the girl’s designer clothes, she let out a soft laugh. “Did you sneak out?”
“Jiejie, how did you know?” Bai Lei asked excitedly, revealing two little tiger teeth.6 She praised her with genuine sincerity, “Jiejie, you’re so beautiful, a hundred times more beautiful than on TV.”
Yin Ruxu heard the sudden change in address but didn’t correct her, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Bai Lei had a way of being naturally familiar with people and chattered on about all sorts of interesting things.
Yin Ruxu listened quietly, chiming in with a word or two from time to time.
After Bai Lei left, Chen-jie asked, puzzled, “Yin-jie, why did you let her stay?”
“That girl is enthusiastic and pure, like a little angel who is not familiar with the world’s affairs.7 She reminds me of someone,” Yin Ruxu said, her voice growing softer.
Seeing her mood suddenly plummet, Chen-jie quickly changed the subject.
She looked at the flowers Bai Lei had brought. “These flowers are so beautiful.”
Yin Ruxu just hummed in agreement and sat on the bed to rest.
She picked up her phone and stared at Xia Ke’s number, her eyes gradually turning red.
Chen-jie didn’t know how to comfort her. With a sigh, she left the room.
The moment the door closed, tears streamed down Yin Ruxu’s face like rain. She pressed a hand to her lips, forcing herself not to cry out loud.
The next afternoon, Bai Lei came again, this time carrying a high-end designer handbag.
She looked at Yin Ruxu and said happily, “Jiejie, this is for you. I hope you like it.”
“Thank you, but this gift is too valuable. I can’t accept it,” Yin Ruxu refused gently.
Bai Lei’s lips immediately puffed out in a pout. In a voice thick with a crying tone, she said, “Does Jiejie hate me?”
Yin Ruxu shook her head and said softly, “You’re very cute, like a little sun,8 full of energy, making people around you feel warm.”
“Really?” Bai Lei’s eyes lit up. She huffed, “They all say I’m naughty and love to cause trouble.”
She looked at Yin Ruxu happily. “This is the first time anyone has ever complimented me like that.”
Yin Ruxu chuckled softly.
Bai Lei chattered on, seemingly with an endless supply of topics.
With her company, Yin Ruxu’s mood improved, and the agonizing wait didn’t feel quite so long.
Through their conversations, Yin Ruxu learned that the girl was a rich second generation9 and currently in college.
Bai Lei didn’t go into detail about her family situation, and Yin Ruxu didn’t press.
“Jiejie, I’ve got to go now. I’ll come see you again tomorrow,” Bai Lei said cheerfully.
Seeing she was about to leave, Yin Ruxu quickly stopped her and held out the handbag. “Your bag,” she said gently.
“Jiejie, it’s a gift for you,” Bai Lei said with a brilliant smile.
Before Yin Ruxu could react, she dashed out of the room.
A flicker of understanding crossed Yin Ruxu’s eyes. She carefully placed the bag on the cabinet and said to Chen-jie, “Remember to return this to her tomorrow.”
“Of course, Yin-jie,” Chen-jie nodded.
After a simple dinner, Yin Ruxu sat on her bed, fingers clutching her phone, waiting for a message she knew wouldn’t come.
Mustering her courage, she dialed Xia Ke’s number. No answer.
Yin Ruxu pressed her lips together, suppressing the ache in her heart.
She tried to smile, but tears fell without warning.
After a week of endlessly cycling between waiting and disappointment, the day of her discharge arrived.
While Chen-jie handled the paperwork, Yin Ruxu packed her things.
The two had just walked out of the hospital when they saw a luxurious sports car parked at the entrance.
Bai Lei stood beside it, wearing sunglasses and looking cool.
When she saw Yin Ruxu, she immediately broke into a huge smile. “Jiejie, over here! Congratulations on being discharged. I came specially to pick you up.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I’ve already got a ride,” Yin Ruxu declined with a gentle smile.
Bai Lei ignored the refusal in her words, walked over, and ushered Yin Ruxu into the car. “This sports car is brand new,” she said happily. “Specially to celebrate Jiejie’s discharge.”
Yin Ruxu was stunned. “Bai Lei,” she said urgently, “I really can’t accept this gift. Thank you so much for liking me, and I’m very happy you came to talk with me every day. I’ve already felt your kindness; there’s no need for such expensive gestures.”
“It’s not like I bought it,” Bai Lei muttered under her breath.
Her voice was so soft that Yin Ruxu didn’t hear her.
Seeing Yin Ruxu about to get out, Bai Lei quickly stopped her and started the car. “Jiejie, this sports car is the latest model. It’s so awesome to drive!”
She began to hum excitedly, lost in the joy of driving a new car.
Yin Ruxu’s brow furrowed. She felt none of the pleasure of a new car; instead, a sense of unease settled in her heart.
She raised a hand to shield her face, trying to avoid any possibility of being photographed and starting a scandal about her getting into a strange woman’s luxury car.
When they finally arrived at her apartment, Yin Ruxu carefully scanned her surroundings, only getting out after confirming there were no puppy.10
“Jiejie, thanks to you, I got to drive this car I’ve been longing for in my dreams11 today,” Bai Lei said cheerfully, giving Yin Ruxu a playful smile.
Yin Ruxu didn’t understand what she meant.
Just as she was about to ask, Bai Lei waved her small hand with a grin. “Bye-bye, Jiejie! I’ll take you to the production team tomorrow.”
Without waiting for a reply, she skillfully started the car and drove away.
Yin Ruxu stood where she was, the polite warmth on her face fading away, replaced by an unspeakable sorrow.
Dejected, she returned to her apartment and forced herself to focus on her script, using work to numb the pain in her heart.
Bai Lei drove the car and parked downstairs at the Xia Corporation building.
She sauntered into the lobby, twirling the car keys, and took the president’s private elevator to the top floor.
When Xia Ke’s secretary saw her, she offered a polite and deferential smile. “Miss Bai, President Xia is in the office.”
Bai Lei nodded, shedding her arrogant demeanor. She walked in obediently and said with a smile, “Jie, I’m here.”
Xia Ke looked up from a pile of documents. “Did you take her back to her apartment?” she asked coldly.
“Mhm,” Bai Lei nodded eagerly, dangling the keys in her hand. “Jie,” she said expectantly, “can you give me this car?”
Xia Ke stared at her, her silent presence radiating power.
Bai Lei shrank back but tried to press her case. “Jie, all those other things you had me send, Yin-jiejie returned them untouched. She definitely won’t accept this car either, so why don’t you just give it to me?”
Xia Ke was silent for a long moment before asking in a low voice, “After observing her these past few days, what do you think of her?”
“She’s a very gentle person,” Bai Lei said thoughtfully. “But it seems like something’s on her mind. She’s gloomy and unhappy all day.”
“Do you think she adores vanity?” Xia Ke asked, a sharp pain stabbing her heart the moment the words left her mouth.
“She doesn’t seem like that kind of person,” Bai Lei said, her expression full of confidence. “When I talked to her, her heart was not present,12 and she didn’t even glance at those expensive things. Jie, I’ve seen plenty of vain women. Even the ones who are best at pretending can’t escape my eyes.”
Hearing this, Xia Ke’s expression grew even colder.
Bai Lei, skilled at observing words and expressions,13 spoke carefully. “Jie, does the act have to continue? She’s just my type, why don’t you give her to…”
Before she could finish, she was cut off by Xia Ke’s eye daggers.14 She quickly changed her tune. “I was just talking. Jie, don’t take it to your heart.”15
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