Mei Ran took a shower and went straight to bed last night, not bothering to follow up on the online uproar. She was therefore unaware that the comments beneath the Weibo post she had published had exploded in number. Most of them were supportive:
“As my male god Fu Shijin's only follow, you should have exactly this kind of confidence! Spells and charms! Trolls, please automatically disperse!”
“Actually, plastic surgery isn't such a shameful thing these days. Besides, the person already said they haven't had any work done. Still hounding them makes me question the original poster's motives.”
Of course, there were also some skeptical voices:
“Heh heh, the Second Great Beauty of Binnan? Sorry, never even heard of her. Quite bold-faced, huh? I'll give this show-off a perfect score [cold laugh].”
“Just got back from a Baidu search. There is absolutely zero information on this 'Second Great Beauty of Binnan,' not even a single punctuation mark! Try doing a little brainstorming before bragging.”
Many fans, led by this kind of comment, went to search for “Second Great Beauty of Binnan” and indeed found no trace of such a person. However, the existence of the First Great Beauty was irrefutable: Fu Lanxin, the renowned violinist and daughter of a prominent Binnan family, who had married overseas years ago.
For a moment, fans felt unsettled again. After all, discerning truth from lies online was difficult, especially with such unusual circumstances cropping up.
Soon, a few new comments appeared, swinging the wavering situation back.
*Worldly Fool: Am I the only one who thinks the fact that there is NO trace of this 'Second Great Beauty of Binnan' online is actually the scariest part? Or have you forgotten that Think It Over Carefully is a woman even the official Weibo account of the Western Capital Mei Group's Peace Project follows?*
*Duanwu's Duck Eggs: There's no wall a whisper can't slip through. In this age of pervasive information, if a person's information is protected without a single leak, what does that imply? Extreme wealth? Extreme status? Extreme wealth AND status? Think...Deeply...Fear...Greatly!*
*Chu Miaomiao: Has no one noticed that the remaining trolls are obviously paid shills? Also, what about that 'definitive evidence' of plastic surgery the original poster promised would drop this morning?*
Fans seemed to have suddenly found their backbone. Very soon, someone else made a startling discovery.
Oh my god, oh my god! Peace Project Western Capital forwarded Think It Over Carefully's Weibo post! Everyone, gather 'round and look!
*Peace Project Western Capital v: Had the honor of seeing her once, verified close-up: a certified, dyed-in-the-wool, original-born great beauty. And has a strong sense of justice. //Think It Over Carefully: Initially felt that behind the screen… As for this matter, I will demand an outcome.*
“Wow! Tackle hug! Officer, hello!”
“Officer, you're so handsome; whatever you say is right!”
“Officer, you really saw Think It Over Carefully? Is she truly beautiful? And, and, is she really together with my male god Fu Shijin?”
*Peace Project Western Capital replied: Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Important things said thrice! Also, I'm not an officer/uncle (shu shu); call me sister.*
“My heavens! Even an official Weibo account is coming to tease! What happened to being icy and aloof?”
*The Little Matchstick Wombat: Extra! Extra! The original poster's account was suspended! The post was deleted too! Such swift action, simply splendid! Peace Project Western Capital, was that you?*
Once this news broke out, the few remaining diehard trolls, sensing things had taken a bad turn, scurried away and vanished. However, sharp-eyed fans traced their vine, finding their new IDs and setting up camp under their Weibo posts for varied and imaginative thrashings.
Yu Sheng also posted a Weibo:
*Yu Sheng v: Very reluctantly, I have to admit you are still just a tiny bit more beautiful than I am. Think It Over Carefully.*
Besides her wonderful singing voice, the diva's remarkably photogenic face was highly recognizable in the entertainment circle. If even she admitted Think It Over Carefully was more beautiful, then just how gorgeous must this actual person be? Fans' curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
As if orchestrated, Ye Qihan also chimed in right on time, forwarding Think It Over Carefully's latest Weibo post.
*Ye Qihan v: I, this Ye person, have only this one idol in my entire life. Please be gentle with her.*
Even this perpetually arrogant president of Tianxing Entertainment had stepped forward to speak, and even used such a nauseatingly sentimental “en-tire-lifeti-me.” While feeling goosebumps rise all over, fans were even more electrified!
Fu Shijin, Yu Sheng, Ye Qihan, Peace Project Western Capital... All these incredibly influential Weibo big Vs had spoken out. So what was left to doubt?
Clearly, this was just a low-level, paid shill smear campaign, planned and premeditated, though unfortunately, the mastermind's intelligence quotient was truly... moving.
While fans were still wallowing in the indignation of being played like puppets on strings, and reeling in newfound bewilderment at Think It Over Carefully's identity, the related false information online was visibly diminishing by the minute. In less than an hour, cleanliness was restored.
Meanwhile, the “mastermind” of all this was being questioned: “According to our investigation, that Weibo post indeed originated from your phone. How do you explain that? Additionally, your bank account recently received an incoming transfer of 100,000 yuan...”
Summer's eyes were swollen from crying, her voice hitching between sobs. “I don't know, I don't know! I've been framed...”
It was her first time in a place like this. Her psyche had taken a massive blow. She rambled incoherently, repeating the same few phrases over and over.
But what use was that? The Weibo burner account that spread the rumors was still on her phone. The unexplicable 100,000 yuan deposit was real money. She'd truly jumped into the Yellow River and couldn't wash herself clean.
How could this happen? Who could have done this and pinned it on her?
A dark suspicion about *who* crept into her heart, and an icy chill instantly spread through her entire body.
Summer was plunged into unprecedented panic. She'd come south alone for university. Despite using her cunning to land a celebrity assistant job, she had no relatives or connections, no power or influence in A City. Now, framed like this... and by someone she couldn't afford to offend...
She had never felt so utterly hopeless.
Half an hour later, a policeman pushed the door open. The sudden burst of light pierced like a gleaming blade into Summer's terrified pupils. Helpless tears streamed down her face again.
“Someone has come to post bail for you. You can leave now.”
Summer thought she'd misheard. She stood rooted to the spot for a good while, disbelief washing over her. Who could have come to bail her out? Could it be Sister Cen?
However, when she saw the visitor, her legs went weak, and she almost dropped to her knees before that person...
“Fancy coming up with a plan like that, drawing quite a long string, eh? First register a burner account with Summer's phone, then use it to...” Cen Chen chuckled. “She must be scared out of her wits at the station right now, don't you think?”
Mei Mengran let out a light “Heh,” her tone lazy. “I told you, we did it very clean this time. The bank account used for the payment has wiped its trail. Even if she grew a hundred mouths, she probably still couldn't explain clearly.”
The two exchanged knowing smiles. Mei Mengran added, “It's just annoying that I'll need to find a new assistant again.”
“What's so difficult about that?” Cen Chen dismissed it. “A centipede with two legs is hard to find. Assistants with two legs? Aren't they all over the streets?”
A sudden phone ringtone. Seeing the caller's name flashing on her screen, Mei Mengran immediately frowned.
Why would *she* call now?
“Hello.”
“Mei Mengran,” the voice that came through was flat as still water, almost lacking any inflection. “I know it's you hiding behind all this. Your assistant is innocent. When did you become like this? I still remember...”
“Mei! Ran!” Mei Mengran's eyes widened fiercely. “You are in no position to speak to me this way!”
“Ranran, I am grateful you saved me. But I do have my limits.”
There was a pause on the other end. “This is the last time, Ranran.”
“Beep, beep, beep...”
The line went dead.
“Crack!” Mei Mengran's newly done nails shattered into pieces, falling onto the white wool carpet like shattered, crimson petals.
“Mengran, why are you crying?” her manager exclaimed in surprise.
“Do you know?” Mei Mengran resembled a marionette whose strings had been cut, her eyes staring blankly ahead. “I saved her life once before. So no matter what I did afterward, whether minor mischief or something far more excessive, she always gave me infinite leeway. But she just told me... it's the last time...”
Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh. “Last time it is, then. It's no big deal! I am Mei Mengran now, a megastar adored by millions! Once I successfully win Fu Shijin over, we'll see who laughs last!”
“You've managed to contact Fu Shijin?”
“Not yet,” Mei Mengran shook her head. “But I found out he'll be attending the Hong Kong Autumn Auction next Saturday. I'll see if I can arrange a meeting with him then.”
Cen Chen said, “But invitations for that kind of auction are notoriously hard to get!”
“That's small case,” Mei Mengran said confidently. “My father has connections. He said he can definitely get one for me.”
“That's good.”
***
After work, Mei Ran arrived home and was surprised to find a silver suitcase placed by the shoe cabinet. Tiptoeing quietly, she walked in.
A man was sleeping on the chaise longue in the corner of the living room, probably exhausted. He was sound asleep, his eyes closed, brows slightly knitted. Mei Ran went into the bedroom, brought out a thin blanket, and very gently laid it over him.
To her surprise, he stirred. “Fancy? You're back?”
Mei Hongyuan rubbed his eyes and looked toward the balcony. “I didn't expect to nap all the way until dusk.”
“Dad,” Mei Ran revealed a light smile. “Why did you come so suddenly? Last night Secretary Wang said you'd be back the day after tomorrow.”
“Secretary Wang also told me my daughter was being accused online of having plastic surgery. You think I could have stayed abroad peacefully after that?”
“Dad…” Mei Ran's voice softened and stretched long, just like when she was a child, as she hugged his arm and acted coquettish. “But you're always so busy. How could I distract you with such a trivial matter?”
Last night, Secretary Wang had called her specifically, asking if the Mei Group official Weibo should step forward with an explanation. At that time, things had already calmed down, so she declined. Little did she know the news still reached her father.
Strangely though, despite truly believing it was nothing much, speaking of it in front of him, Mei Ran suddenly felt a slight sourness in her heart. Perhaps it was the faint streaks of white suddenly mixing into his temples, or perhaps the worry wrinkles between his brows forming because of her.
“What matter is more important than my heart's treasure?” Mei Hongyuan lightly pinched her cheek. “You've been wronged?”
Mei Ran leaned against his broad, sturdy shoulder. “Not at all.”
“Stubborn mouth!” Mei Hongyuan chuckled lightly.
“Is it hard being Dad's daughter?”
“Absolutely not!”
“You've been watched by so many people since you were little. Every move you made bore the Mei family label. You couldn't laugh too loudly, even crying had to be done secretly, hiding away.”
“Fancy,” he squeezed her hand. “When can you learn to be less sensible, allow yourself to be a little more willful?”
Mei Ran abruptly lifted her head. “Dad, you know, don't you?”
Mei Hongyuan sighed. “So many years have passed. Even if it's something we owed her, we've repaid it by now, haven't we?”
Mei Ran remained silent.
During that kidnapping incident years ago, Mei Mengran had been abducted along with her by the criminals. When their captors abandoned the vehicle and fled, they considered killing their captives. Mei Ran still remembered the scene vividly.
Their target was her. As the knife stabbed toward her, she shuddered and closed her eyes. But the expected pain never arrived. She snapped her eyes open, shocked to find Mei Mengran covered in blood, draped over her body...
She had taken that stab for her.
Because of that single stab, the doctors informed her she might never be able to bear children in her lifetime.
How utterly cruel was that to a seventeen-year-old girl?
Even more cruel, as per their uncle Mei Qingyuan's suggestion, to avoid agitating the severely injured Mei Mengran, everyone concealed this fact from her.
Therefore, Mei Mengran remained ignorant of it to this day. Even Madame Mei, who doted on her deeply, was kept in the dark.
“Besides,” Mei Hongyuan suddenly continued, “we can compensate her through other means. But not at the cost of allowing my daughter to suffer wrongs.”
Mei Ran snapped out of her thoughts. “Dad, I understand.”
“I remember you once told me that in many ways we are already luckier than many people in this world. Gains and losses are relative. So we must learn contentment and gratitude. Since studying medicine, I've always upheld the 'physician's heart' principle in my actions. I love the life I have now, and I've always felt happy to be Dad's daughter.”
“Silly child,” Mei Hongyuan patted her hair affectionately. “You must promise Daddy, no matter the situation, don't accept wrongs you shouldn't bear. The daughter of Mei Hongyuan should never be associated with these two words.”
Mei Ran couldn't help but laugh. “Mhm.”
After dinner, because the original guest room in her apartment had been converted into a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, Mei Hongyuan returned to the secluded villa he owned in the suburbs, which was far from the hospital and a place Mei Ran rarely stayed at.
After her shower and drying her hair, Mei Ran received a call from Fu Shijin and sat on the bedside chatting with him.
“Aunty said she's making soup tomorrow and wants you to come over for dinner.”
“Sure!” Mei Ran readily agreed. “I've switched my shifts anyway.”
“Then I'll come pick you up.”
They chatted for another half an hour. Mei Ran could already feel the phone getting noticeably warm in her hand, but she didn't want to hang up, keen to hear his voice a little longer.
“It's getting late. Time to get some sleep, okay?”
She nodded, but remembering he couldn't see, quickly let out an “Oh.” “Mmm, you get some rest early too.”
After exchanging goodnights, Mei Ran looked at the still-connected phone screen, puzzled. “Why haven't you hung up yet?”
“Ranran,” a low, slightly husky male chuckle came through, magnetic as always. “You hang up first.”
A mischievous thought popped into Mei Ran's mind. “You hang up first.”
“You hang up first.”
No matter how composed and self-controlled, or gentle and serene one usually was, once caught in the throes of new love, even the most trivial, boring topics could become a source of entangled debate for what felt like ages.
Mei Ran conceded. “How about I count to three, and we hang up together?”
“Okay.”
“One, two, three.”
She deliberately paused for three seconds longer. The screen still showed the call as ongoing.
His low chuckle came again, and even through the electrical waves, she could almost sense the tremor in his chest. “Ranran, you didn't keep the agreement.”
Him too! Didn't he also not hang up?
“Goodnight,” Mei Ran spoke softly toward the phone, planted a light “mwah” sound, and swiftly cut off the call.
Her heart instantly started racing, pounding so fast it seemed capable of disturbing the placid, water-like serenity of the night outside the window.
The next day, Fu Shijin came to pick her up bright and early, even bringing the cat along.
“He saw me leaving. I suppose he figured I was coming to see you, so he kept pestering me. Couldn't help it, had to bring him along.”
Mei Ran didn't buy it. “How would he know you were coming to find me?”
The man's tall frame leaned languidly against the doorframe, a slight eyebrow raise gracing his handsome face. “Probably because I looked especially pleased when I was heading out?”
Mei Ran: “...”
Smooth talk first thing in the morning? Was that really appropriate?
“By the way, does he have a name yet?” Mei Ran asked.
“Not yet. How about you name him?”
Mei Ran thought for a bit, a playful glint in her eyes, adopting a half-joking tone. “She's a lady cat. How about we call her... Niannian?”
*Fancy (Xiangxiang) and Niannian (Longing/Missing).*
But really, such a sappy name, even she herself found it a tad too cheesy. Mei Ran instantly dismissed her idea. “I was just talking nonsense.”
Fu Shijin had already walked over. “I like this name.”
He gently stroked the kitten's tiny head, addressing it softly, “Niannian.”
His tone brimmed with doting, tender enough to soften ears. The kitten gave his palm a small lick, emitting a happy “meow.” He lifted his gaze to her, eyes smiling. “She likes it too.”
Those profoundly dark, yet smiling eyes conveyed all of his affection.
*Longing and pining, never forgetting; in the end, an echo shall resound.*
*His Fancy, his Niannian (Longing).*
How could he not like such a deeply meaningful name?
Mei Ran's cheeks flushed crimson under his gaze. Hurriedly, she changed the subject. “Are you going to the Hong Kong Autumn Auction next Saturday?”
“Mhm.”
“I want to go with you.”
Yu Sheng's grandfather's birthday was coming up. The gift Mei Ran wanted to give him was among the auction items for this event. She'd already gotten an invitation from her father yesterday. Having also heard Shijin was attending, and considering he was an expert in this field, she simply invited him along.
“Okay,” Fu Shijin stood up, a trace of a smile lingering at the corner of his mouth. “But I have a condition.”
Mei Ran's heart skipped a beat. “What condition?”
His eyes instantly grew unfathomably deep, as if shimmering light danced within them. “You have to stay in the same room with me then.”
It wasn't like they hadn't shared a room before. A rosy blush now spread across Mei Ran's cheeks. She nodded. “Okay.”
He pressed his advantage further. “And sleep in the same bed.”
Warmth suddenly pressed against her lips. Mei Ran, dazed, looked up. He took the opportunity to close in and kiss her gently. “Last night, I didn't get to receive it.”
His voice, spoken right beside her lips, sounded blurred yet intimate. “So... I'm collecting it now.”