The Vanishing Beauty - Chapter 5 - 6
Chapter 5 - 6
Running into Kang Long again at the cafeteria, he took the initiative to come over and greet her, leaving Yu Jia feeling rather awkward. Kang Long proactively introduced his female companion, explaining that she was his colleague, Dr. Fang, a researcher specializing in pine trees and pine nuts. He added that a few of them frequently ate together as lunch buddies, which sounded just a bit too deliberate in its explanation. The moment Yu Jia heard this, she knew Yu Rui must have passed the word along. Most likely, Kang Long was well aware that Yu Jia had been the one to witness that scene, which was why he was going out of his way to clarify things. To her dismay, one of Yu Jia's colleagues—an older, middle-aged woman entirely lacking in tact—grinned and chimed in, "Ah, you're all nut researchers!" Kang Long didn't mind at all, smiling and confirming that they were.
"Are there any researchers who study walnuts?"
Kang Long looked back, pointed behind him, and said there actually was one right now, currently standing in line for food.
Yu Jia shot her colleague a sharp look, signaling her not to press the matter further. The older woman remained entirely oblivious, pressing right on: "Doctor, let me ask you an academic question."
"Please go ahead," Dr. Chestnut and Dr. Pine Nut replied in unison.
"Between large walnuts and small walnuts, which one is better for nourishing the brain?"
Finding the question amusing, Dr. Pine Nut playfully replied, "There's an old saying in China: shape corresponds to function. Chestnuts resemble the shape of kidneys, so they nourish the kidneys; pine nuts nourish the eyes; walnuts nourish the brain. Mind you, large walnuts even look like brains on the outside, so they are even better for brain nourishment than small walnuts. Plus, they're bigger. Brain, brain—it has to be big. If you want to nourish the cerebrum, eat large walnuts; for the cerebellum, eat small walnuts." The older colleague rolled her eyes upward with a look of sudden, profound enlightenment. Yu Jia quickly intervened and dragged her away, finding the whole spectacle utterly mortifying.
Taking advantage of the lunch break, Yu Jia placed a call to Yu Rui to ask if she had mentioned the recent matter regarding Kang Long to Shuang. Knowing how cautious Sister Jia was, Yu Rui simply replied that she hadn't. However, she happened to have a matter of her own to discuss. While traveling in Japan, Yu Rui had been contacted by Yu Meng, who hoped Yu Rui could organize a gathering—the more people the better, and she would foot the bill, with the primary objective of inviting Sister Jia along.
Why single out Sister Jia? Yu Rui sensed there was more to it, but she didn't probe, immediately agreeing to arrange it upon her return. Yu Rui didn't mention her breakup. She had no intention of announcing it right away, preferring to let the news fade into the background gradually.
"Sis, it's about time we all got together."
"Let's wait a little longer. I'll get in touch with you soon; Sisi is about to head abroad."
"Where to?"
"The UK."
Yu Rui laughed, remarking that it was far away, making it impossible for Haoyu and Zhengyu to keep an eye on Sisi.
Yu Jia replied, "That daughter of mine is even more rebellious than a boy. I'm sending her out there to take a few hard knocks and toughen up." After hanging up, Yu Rui called Yu Meng to brief her on the arrangement. Yu Meng felt a slight pang of apprehension. Yu Rui reassured her, "It's genuinely fine, Sisi is just about to leave the country." Only then did Yu Meng feel at ease. Ever since the restaurant incident, Yu Meng had always felt she lacked the face to face Eldest Sister; it wasn't that she didn't dare meet her, but rather that she feared making Yu Jia uncomfortable. That was why she had asked Yu Rui to organize the gathering, hoping everyone would mingle together to dilute the tension. Once they actually met face-to-face, everything would naturally blow over. Yu Rui hadn't hung up yet. Yu Meng asked, "Is something else the matter?" Yu Rui laughed, said nothing was wrong, and ended the call. She had originally intended to obliquely probe about Zu Liangcai, but the words died on her lips, and she had no idea how to bring it up. Currently unemployed and without any acting gigs lined up, she inevitably had to swallow her pride and bother Liangcai for help. Given how things were moving, Yu Meng would likely find out sooner or later. There was no longer any romantic future between her and Liangcai—no matter how high his official rank was—yet Yu Rui didn't want her good sister to misunderstand. She was certainly not her rival. At the same time, she didn't want Yu Meng to know about her past with Liangcai either. It was an impossibly difficult puzzle, and she couldn't figure out where to begin solving it.
Before her lease expired, Yu Rui visited Shuang and confessed straight out that she had broken up with her boyfriend, asking if she could move in for a while. Assuming Yu Rui needed a place to heal a broken heart, Yu Shuang agreed immediately, though she couldn't help being astonished. "You guys broke up just like that?"
"We broke up."
"Who initiated it?"
"I did."
"What was the reason?"
"Incompatible personalities," Yu Rui fobbed her off. Yu Shuang let out an understanding "oh," which, from her perspective, sounded like the most fitting reason imaginable.
"Must be agonizing."
"Not at all," Yu Rui forced a smile.
"You've lost so much weight, and you still say you're fine."
"I'm dieting."
"Oh, give it a rest!" Yu Shuang moved in to give her best friend a hug. "Cry if you want to cry."
"I'm not—" Yu Rui instinctively pushed her away.
"Go ahead and cry. You don't have to hold it back with me; my shoulder is right here." Yu Shuang leaned in closer. Yu Rui had no choice but to rest her head against that shoulder, putting on a thoroughly sorrowful facade.
"I always thought that guy was no good anyway," Yu Shuang began picking apart Shi Tongguang. "The face reflects the mind. Hanging out with a guy like that, any kids you had probably would have turned out worse and worse."
A sharp pang struck Yu Rui's heart. A child. The child she had brushed shoulders with. It wasn't meant to be. She had almost become a mother. But she wasn't qualified to be a mother yet. Only then did Yu Rui feel a genuine stinging sensation in her nose and a rush of heat in her eyes as tears finally spilled over. She couldn't say a word; she couldn't reveal a single detail, not even to Shuang. If Shuang knew, she would probably look down on her. A woman like Shuang would never understand their bitter struggles. Having grown accustomed to the glitz and glamour, one could only chase after more luxury; turning back was simply too difficult.
"When are you moving? I'll call Kang Long to help," Yu Shuang offered.
"Please don't, I've already hired a moving company."
"Then I'll call Old Bai too."
"No!" Yu Rui blurted out. She had no desire to let Bai Yuankai catch her in such a pathetic, bedraggled state. Yu Shuang persisted earnestly, "My dear Three-Heart girl, you really should find a man like Old Bai." Yu Rui choked back a sob. How could a man like him ever look down her way? She lacked all confidence.
"I'll put in a good word for you," Yu Shuang said. "Don't worry, I'll keep it subtle."
"Really, there's no need."
"Oh, come on, when fate knocks—"
"No!" Yu Rui raised her voice. Yu Shuang froze, then quickly relented, saying, "All right, all right, no means no."
"Don't go bothering him," Yu Rui softened her tone again. After a brief pause, she added in a quiet murmur, "It wouldn't be good." Changing the subject, Yu Rui asked how Sister Meng had been lately. Shuang replied that she hadn't been in touch. True to her character, Yu Rui was always thoughtful; although Yu Meng's recent birthday had passed without a sound from her end, Yu Rui had still brought back a pearl necklace from Japan as a gift. Now that she had parted ways with Shi Tongguang and was starting over from scratch, she had to manage this network of relationships carefully—after all, Yu Meng still possessed a wealth of connections and resources.
"Did Sister Meng and Sister Jia have a falling out?" she asked again.
"I don't think so. Who knows?" Yu Shuang didn't pay much attention to the matter.
Weng Yue had returned from Japan looking noticeably more beautiful. It was quite obvious. She hadn't undergone any major surgery, opting only for subtle tweaks, but they served as the finishing touch that elevated her entire look to a whole new level. Previously, she had been an Earth-element type of woman; no matter how much she accessorized, she always carried a clumsy aura. Now, with minor adjustments to her nose, the inner corners of her eyes, her chin, and her cheeks—it seemed as though everything had been touched yet nothing had changed—she had transformed into a Wood-element type of woman. Like peach blossoms blooming in the spring breeze, she could instantly capture anyone's gaze. Yu Meng genuinely complimented Weng Yue, declaring her stunning and incredible, yet deep down, she felt completely secure. Yes, Weng Yue had grown prettier, but one had to look at who she was being compared against; next to her, Yu Meng, Weng Yue still lacked a certain natural grace and effortless allure. No matter how ingenious artificial craftsmanship was, it could never truly rival nature's handiwork. Still, from this trip to Japan, Yu Meng caught a glimpse of Weng Yue's true style. Whatever she did, she loved to publicly cross by the boarding plank while secretly sneaking across the dark passage—she would talk up the wonders of the big city, only to turn around and fly to Japan, claiming she was going to undergo a major overhaul by shaving her jawbone and reshaping her chin, when in reality she only dared to make minor adjustments and still did so on the sly. Yu Meng knew Weng Yue was still trying to compete with her.
Weng Yue brought back some news regarding Luan Chengyun.
Yu Meng was displeased. "You're still in contact with him?"
"It's just business."
"What kind of legitimate business could he possibly have?"
"Mengmeng," Weng Yue chided, "that's no way to look at it. Once you've parted ways, you should be even more of a friend. More friends mean more paths."
"I don't need any."
"I heard he gave you a slap?"
"Absurd!" Yu Meng flared up. Who on earth was she hearing this from? Who could possibly know about that? It had to be Luan running his big mouth. It was the height of the ridiculous—a criminal actively broadcasting his own crimes, what was he trying to pull? "I'm more likely to have hit him."
"Whichever way it went, violence isn't okay," Weng Yue said with a serious expression. "This is a society governed by law."
Yu Meng stayed silent, picked up her shears, and trimmed a rose stem. She cut a bit too aggressively, leaving behind only the bare flower head. Noticing her displeasure, Weng Yue shifted the topic. "Alright, with so many people hovering around you, what else could you possibly be unsatisfied with? If you ask me, you're just being too picky for your own good."
"Who's hovering? I'm completely single."
"Weng Yang told me all about it."
"Men really shouldn't be such gossips."
Turning the conversation back to herself, Weng Yue remarked, "Surrounded by stars, a single touch of red amidst a sea of green," before trimming the flower in her hand and continuing, "You really need to keep your eyes open. These older men have already turned into crafty old foxes several times over."
The phrase "older men" sounded slightly grating. Yu Meng never viewed Zu Liangcai as an old man. To her, he was simply a mature man—a mature man with charm, drive, and real power. He was part of the rising elite, someone that countless people fawned over and begged for favors. A man with a career never grew old.
"I only talk about romance," Yu Meng stated.
What a hypocritical act!
Weng Yue looked at her without a word, cursing her as a green tea b**ch inside her head several times over for being so antioxidant-resistant. The two women stopped talking about the birthday banquet, and Weng Yue mentioned that she planned to invite Mrs. Xin out for a meal and wanted Yu Meng to accompany her. Yu Meng was currently a favorite in Mrs. Xin's inner circle.
"Something up?" Yu Meng asked.
"Can't we meet up without there being a reason?" Weng Yue replied.
"I haven't seen her in a while either. I've asked her out several times, but she always says she's busy," Yu Meng said. Sure enough, when Weng Yue reached out to extend an invitation, Mrs. Xin brushed it off, claiming she felt unwell and had too much on her plate, declining the meetup. Mr. Xin had recently gone out of town for an inspection tour and wasn't home. With the political winds blowing tight, those who had skeletons in their closets were terrified, while those without them kept their heads down; if trouble came looking for you, you made damn sure not to go looking for trouble. Weng Yue had no choice but to drop the matter and set it aside. She called Luan Chengyun and told him to try a different approach. Chengyun didn't say much. At this point, the only solution was to throw money at the problem, provided he could even find a way to get it delivered.