The farce unfolded ten minutes later.
Yun Deng, using his subpar acting skills to cooperate with Xia Shisheng, made his escape as soon as the act was finished.
What baffled him, however, was that Xia Shisheng’s ex-girlfriend clearly no longer had feelings for him; she even had another lover. Yet, today’s scene had provoked a sudden display of possessiveness from her.
He had nearly been slapped and cursed at as a “fox spirit” by that woman.
After leaving the third floor, he headed to the second floor to find Song Shuya. As he descended the spiral staircase, Yun Deng subconsciously glanced toward the area by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the left.
The wig on his head swept from his chest to his back with the movement of his head.
In the very center of that area, a man’s back looked remarkably familiar. He walked down a few more steps to get a better look.
Ten meters away, Lin Yanxu leaned against the back of his chair, gently swirling a wine glass in his hand while gazing at the night view outside the window.
Sitting across from him, Ye Shuxue called his name from time to time to spark a conversation, and he patiently responded to each one.
Ye Shuxue didn’t understand why Lin Yanxu was so cold toward her, but after reflecting for a moment, she realized he seemed to be this way with everyone.
She could sense that Lin Yanxu currently viewed her only as a younger sister, not a future girlfriend.
However, for the sake of a successful alliance between their two families, she had to take the initiative to create opportunities and topics.
From the staircase, Yun Deng saw everything. He had not expected Lin Yanxu to be here on a date with a beautiful girl.
His heart was a mess of emotions. Had it not been for his strong willpower, he would have died of frustration on the spot.
The beautiful “pretty boy” he had set his sights on, his ideal “perfect wife,” turned out to be straight.
Yun Deng gripped the handrail, shuffling down step by step with a look of utter despair. A passing waiter, seeing this, immediately stepped forward to support him and asked if he needed help.
“Miss, are you feeling unwell?”
The waiter was extremely worried. Just as he was about to grab his walkie-talkie to call an ambulance because the person would not respond, he was stuffed with two hundred-yuan bills.
“Thank you. I am fine. I am just suffering from a bit of a broken heart.”
Yun Deng shoved the money into the waiter’s hand and used the man’s shoulder to pull his slumped body upright.
So what if his “wife” was gone?
It did not matter. He could find an even more perfect one.
The waiter watched the guest leave in a daze. He had not expected that while this lady’s voice was a bit masculine, she was certainly generous.
On the second floor, Lin Yanxu saw his phone screen light up with unread messages. He set down his wine glass and picked up the device.
Upon opening the chat, he saw the other person was sending messages non-stop.
Mianmian Yu: I am heartbroken! Mianmian Yu: I will not bother you anymore. Mianmian Yu: [Crying Orange Cat.jpg] Mianmian Yu: Why are you ignoring me!
Lin Yanxu had no idea what Yun Deng was up to this time, but he messaged back to ask what had happened.
In a seat on the far right of the same floor, Yun Deng could not take it anymore. He poured a glass of red wine and drained it in one gulp.
Despite the doctor’s repeated warnings that he should not touch the stuff, he was currently so immersed in the agony of unrequited love that he did not care about anything else.
Song Shuya, sitting beside him, had no idea what was going on. But since Yun Deng often acted out for no reason, she did not think too much of it.
“Stop drinking. The alcohol content might be low, but it could still kill you.”
Song Shuya snatched the glass from Yun Deng’s hand. Seeing him looking like he was at death’s door, she flicked his forehead hard with her finger.
He looked like he was possessed by a ghost. It was irritating to watch.
After being flicked, Yun Deng managed to snap out of his gloom, but his heart still felt heavy.
As he set the glass down, he realized Lin Yanxu had replied four minutes ago.
Yun Deng did not even dare to see the content. He blocked half the screen with his palm and slowly moved it to check the first message.
Pretty Handsome Guy: I am acknowledging you now.
Seeing the first message was relatively normal, he slowly scrolled down. His heart was racing, terrified he would see something like an agreement to his “not bothering him anymore” message.
Pretty Handsome Guy: Why are you unhappy again?
Yun Deng’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, immediately settled. He quickly typed a reply.
Mianmian Yu: Brother, can I come find you? Mianmian Yu: If you say yes, I will appear right next to you immediately. Mianmian Yu: Is it convenient? [Poking fingers together.jpg]
At this point, seeing these two replies, Lin Yanxu could guess why the previous messages had been sent.
So, he had seen him here on a date with Ye Shuxue.
Lin Yanxu had not wanted to come today. Since he was resigning next semester, his workload this month was heavy. He had to oversee the exams and grade unit tests.
However, he could not refuse the request of his elders.
After asking for Ye Shuxue’s opinion, Lin Yanxu granted Yun Deng’s request.
One second he agreed; the next, a head appeared from behind the bead curtain at the entrance.
Lin Yanxu suppressed the shock in his heart upon seeing Yun Deng’s outfit for the day, allowing the other to sit beside him and lean his face against his shoulder.
The originally peaceful atmosphere turned tense instantly.
Ye Shuxue had agreed only because she thought Lin Yanxu’s friend would be a man. Instead, a girl in a qipao had arrived.
She scanned the newcomer and decided this person was a “vixen,” especially with such intimate behavior.
“Take your hands off my brother! Who even are you?”
Ye Shuxue’s beautiful features twisted. Jealousy drove her to try and pull the “vixen” away, but the other person said nothing and remained rooted to the seat.
Afraid of drawing attention, Ye Shuxue desperately restrained her volume and actions.
No wonder Lin Yanxu had been so cold to her since she returned from abroad after several years. Now she finally knew why.
Yun Deng had hugged Lin Yanxu’s arm out of pure habit. He had always done this before without issue, and only now did he realize he was the “third wheel” in this scenario.
“Brother, is she your girlfriend?”
Yun Deng did not respond to Ye Shuxue. Instead, he poked Lin Yanxu’s palm and whispered in his ear.
As the other leaned in, Lin Yanxu felt something firm pressing against his shoulder. He turned his head and saw the protruding area of the other’s chest.
At such close proximity, Lin Yanxu could clearly see the powder applied to Yun Deng’s face.
His features had not changed much, but paired with the wig and the qipao, he projected an image of someone pitiable and delicate.
Since he already had fair skin and clean, handsome features, the look was not jarring.
“She is my younger sister,” Lin Yanxu explained, using his hand to create some space between them.
Hearing she was not the girlfriend, Yun Deng let out a sigh of relief. His gloom vanished instantly.
Ye Shuxue huffed, grabbed Yun Deng, and marched him outside, telling Lin Yanxu not to ask questions and not to follow.
They stopped only after crossing the corridor to the central balcony on the second floor.
Below was the entrance to the pedestrian street. Tourists were arriving in droves. Once away from the soundproofed rooms, the noise was quite loud.
Ye Shuxue got straight to the point, demanding to know Yun Deng’s relationship with Lin Yanxu.
Yun Deng did not want to argue with a young girl. Since she was Lin Yanxu’s sister, he spoke gently: “I am just his friend for now. What else could we be?”
Ye Shuxue’s face was written with disbelief. She had been prepared for a fight, but she did not expect the other person to be so emotionally stable, unlike others she had encountered who would have snapped back.
She looked Yun Deng up and down, still not believing his story.
Dressed so beautifully, wearing makeup, and hugging Lin Yanxu’s arm the moment he arrived, what kind of “friend” was that?
“I do not believe you. Do not lie to me.”
Seeing her skepticism, Yun Deng felt it was impossible to explain. He just wanted to go back to Lin Yanxu.
It had been nearly a week since they last met, and because the other was busy with work this month, he had not dared to bother him with messages.
Just as he thought of this, the phone in his hand vibrated. He peeked at the screen and saw a message from Lin Yanxu.
Pretty Handsome Guy: Be careful. She has a spoiled temper and might hit someone if she gets agitated. Pretty Handsome Guy: Where are you? Should I come over?
Suddenly, Yun Deng remembered a joke Song Shuya had made before they arrived, and an idea formed.
Ye Shuxue was still calculating how to interrogate him when she looked up and saw this woman actually starting to unbutton her clothes in public.
Anyone walking below only had to look up to see what was happening.
Was this person so desperate that she was willing to strip and ruin her own reputation just to frame her?
Or was she going to make herself look disheveled and then pretend to have a mental breakdown to shift the blame onto her?
Ye Shuxue was terrified by the behavior but immediately tried to stop it.
“Are you crazy? Why are you taking your clothes off!”
Yun Deng was wearing a sleeveless white undershirt with a cut neckline underneath, so he was not actually naked.
Just as Ye Shuxue was about to pin his hands down, she saw the “woman” pull two white, fluffy steamed buns out from her chest.
Then, he took a big bite out of one.
“Hehe, I am a psycho,” Yun Deng babbled.
“Ah! Madman!” Ye Shuxue’s face turned bright red with shock. She swung her bag at him once and then fled the scene.
As soon as she left, she messaged Lin Yanxu telling him to stay away from that lunatic.
Swallowing the bun, Yun Deng watched her leave, thinking this trick was incredibly effective. He had scared off a romantic rival with ease, requiring no further explanation.
Lin Yanxu immediately received Ye Shuxue’s messages.
Ye Shuxue: Brother, that woman is a lunatic! Ye Shuxue: I am going home first. Stop interacting with her. She is a real psycho. Ye Shuxue: I will come find you next time [Heartbroken.jpg]
Lin Yanxu leaned his head on his hand and chuckled helplessly. He had no idea what Yun Deng had done to terrify Ye Shuxue so much.
Fortunately, he had not wanted to talk much anyway. Now he could head back to the office.
After paying the bill and reaching the door, he encountered the second person blocking his way to work.
“Brother, are you leaving? I missed you so much during the days we did not meet.”
Yun Deng stood before him, grabbing his arm to prevent him from leaving, staring at him with piteous, aggrieved eyes.
Having just escaped Ye Shuxue, he was caught by a second “clingy spirit” in less than a minute. Lin Yanxu felt his patience being worn thin by the people around him.
Knowing Yun Deng’s personality well, he did not waste time explaining. He simply stepped past him and walked away, knowing full well the other would follow in the next second.
“Brother, wait for me!”
Yun Deng’s anxious voice rang out from behind.
Just as expected, Lin Yanxu thought.