Arc 4
The Supporting Female Is a Stand-In for the Female Lead (13)
“Let’s meet.”
Ye Wei didn’t know from where or who Liang Ruowei obtained her phone number. The first thing Liang Ruowei did when she got Ye Wei’s number was to call her to meet.
Ye Wei: “Is there anything you can’t say on the phone?”
“I can’t tell you clearly on the phone. Where are you? I will come to you.”
Ye Wei considered how to answer.
“Don’t. I have to go to class now. I have no spare time for the next two days. I have to catch up on my homework. Let’s meet on Friday night.”
Liang Ruowei ground her teeth because of Ye Wei’s attitude. But she endured and spit out a word, “Fine.”
The place was at a cafe, and the time was around 8 o’clock in the evening.
When Ye Wei arrived, she waited for about ten minutes before Liang Ruowei arrived.
“Sorry, there is a traffic jam on the road.”
Ye Wei took a bite of her cake and said, “I ordered some coffee and cake for you. See if they fit your taste.”
The coffee was Liang Ruowei’s favorite black coffee, without sugar or milk. It would leave a mellow aftertaste and fragrant aroma. The cake was a matcha cake, also Liang Ruowei’s favorite flavor.
Ye Wei and Liang Ruowei only had a few encounters, but the former appeared to know her inside-out.
Moreover, habit is a scary thing. Ye Wei was slightly changed by Xu Chi. Even if she has left Xu Chi, the habit formed for a long time couldn’t be changed easily. For example, the dress she and Liang Ruowei wear were somewhat similar.
Their dress consisted of only black and white. They both had long hair that was slightly wavy on the end. Even their faces were somewhat similar. They sat face-to-face. From the perspective of clueless outsiders, they may mistakenly assume that they were two sisters who are related by blood.
Liang Ruowei examined the coffee and cake in front of her, “What are you trying to imply?”
Ye Wei’s lips curled up, “It’s just common hospitality. Don’t think too much about it.”
What does she want to imply?
Of course, it was to let Liang Ruowei realize that Xu Chi was entirely devoted to Liang Ruowei. His heart was on her. She was just an insignificant stand-in that received no true feelings from Xu Chi.
She hoped Liang Ruowei could understand her meaning and noticed Xu Chi’s single-minded thoughts for Liang Ruowei.
Contrary to her expectation, Liang Ruowei sneered at Ye Wei in her heart. Look at Ye Wei. She is totally blaming me right now.
“I don’t think too much about it. You can probably guess the reason I’m looking for you, right?”
Ye Wei nodded, “Mn. You and I don’t know each other well. Our only intersection is Xu Chi. You are looking for me because of him. Except for Xu Chi, I can’t think of any other reason.”
“Yes, it’s really because of Xu Chi.” Liang Ruowei took a sip of coffee, and it really suited her taste. She was in a complicated mood. She didn’t know whether to be pleased or sad. She was pleased that Xu Chi really remembered her to the tiny details, but she was also sad because since Xu Chi likes her so much and couldn’t forget her, why did he search for a stand-in to stay by his side? Why couldn’t he just wait for her?
If there were no Ye Wei, she would not lose her Xu Chi.
“I have known Xu Chi for many years. Since I can remember, I have been with him all the time. He knows what I do, and I accompany him with what he does. Later, he confessed to me, and I agreed. He is younger than me, but he is smart, and he is a responsible person. That makes him more mature than his peers. All the time, he has always taken care of me.”
Ye Wei: “Ah, your relationship is so good.”
Liang Ruowei shook her head and lamented, “It’s probably because of this that I’m used to him doting on me, following me, and letting me do as I like. That’s why I’m so capricious. Relying on his love for me, I believed that he would never leave me and that he would always belong to me, so I hurt him unscrupulously. And, his temper is too cold, you know? He likes quietness and is not as lively as Cao Heng. Cao Heng has a lot of friends and he won’t go back home before he has his share of fun. Xu Chi grows up to be so rigid. Besides me, his only friends are Cao Heng. So I subconsciously felt that it was impossible for him to leave me, let alone love other women. “
Ye Wei nodded affirmatively and confirmed, “You are right. Xu Chi really only loves you. I think you should know by now how much weight I have in Xu Chi’s heart.”
Liang Ruowei scrutinized Ye Wei, who was calm and composed. Her expression was cold, and she could see Xu Chi’s shadow on her. It made her uneasy. “Ye Wei, you probably hate Xu Chi so much, right? Xu Chi treated you like that, you must be mad and unable to forgive him, right?”
Ye Wei gave her a light smile, “If your boyfriend told you that he had never liked you, and just regarded you as a substitute for his ex-girlfriend… What does it feel like? Imagine for yourself how it feels. I won’t describe it piece by piece to you. After all, it didn’t happen to you. No matter how much I say, you can’t understand it.”
Liang Ruowei choked, “Ye Wei, do you hate me so much?”
Ye Wei: “A bit. Don’t misunderstand, though. I’m not targeting you specifically.”
Liang Ruowei: “???” You say you hate me and tell me not to misunderstand you are targeting me? :)
Ye Wei earnestly pointed to her, “It’s just my personal problem. I simply don’t like a Little Three. My relationship with Xu Chi may be built on lies, but the fact that I am his girlfriend is true. Hence, I don’t like your approach, a lot.”
Liang Ruowei: “……”
She almost strangled to death!
She learned that Ye Wei was much calmer than she reckoned. Because of this calmness, Ye Wei was even more horrible than her impression. How could she throw so many knives at her without blinking?
“Ye Wei, I admit, I was wrong on this matter. In the beginning, I insisted on going abroad and had a big fight with Xu Chi. If I hadn’t stimulated Xu Chi, Xu Chi wouldn’t have the opportunity to hurt you… So the cause of this matter is still me.”
“Xu Chi is actually not a bad person. His parents died in a car accident when he was very young. He grew up with his grandfather. There were many people who cast their greedy eyes on him and had high expectations for him. He had almost no childhood. After studying in school, he had to learn from his grandfather when he returned home. The huge Xu family still needs his support, and because of this, he is cold and insensitive. He is not good at communicating with others. But his heart is not bad. He is a genuinely affectionate person. He was just muddled by the hurt I caused and did something wrong… “
Ye Wei’s voice was gentle, “I am clear about that. He never intended to hurt me.”
Liang Ruowei paused, “Don’t get me wrong. I just hope you can understand that Xu Chi is not a bad person and doesn’t mean to hurt you. You may not know, but Xu Chi has been blaming himself for deceiving and hurting you. The last time I saw him, he was drunk. He rarely touched wine. He has always been reasonable and restrained. He won’t let himself get drunk easily. But, he got drunk because of you. That shows how he feels so guilty and sorry toward you.”
Ye Wei was not convinced, “What do you want to say? Isn’t that just right? He did something wrong, it’s right for him to feel guilty and remorse for it. If he acted like nothing happened and was unaffected, then that would make him a terrible person.”
Liang Ruowei was confused by her words. She seemed to agree with Ye Wei’s words?
Wait, no.
“I didn’t mean that…”
“It’s not that? Oh, I see. Do you want to say that everything he does has a reason? and that reason is his love for you? Is that what you mean?”
Liang Ruowei was even more confused. She indeed implied that, but with Ye Wei’s words, it seemed that her words had been twisted by her?
Ye Wei maintained her smile and waved her hand, “That’s it. I know, don’t you want me to be considerate of you? Don’t worry. I’ve already told Xu Chi that although the things he did were excessive, they were a thing of the past. I’ve started a new life, so he doesn’t have to keep worrying about me because of guilt. You don’t have to come to me for him. You should also start your new life. You don’t have to guard against me at every turn and waste your time.”
Liang Ruowei choked again. Ye Wei’s performance caused her to sense that Ye Wei had never loved Xu Chi at all, “I heard you are in a new relationship now?”
Ye Wei asked back, “Does this have anything to do with our conversation?”
“If you really love Xu Chi, how can you leave it all behind so quickly and start a new relationship? Do you really love Xu Chi? Or do you just use Zhao Qi to stimulate Xu Chi? If so, then your goal has been achieved.” Liang Ruowei tested.
That’s why she came here today.
Does Ye Wei really love Xu Chi? She doesn’t believe it. Ye Wei may only love Xu Chi’s money and everything Xu Chi could give her from his love.
Does she really give up Xu Chi? That’s no way.
Also, that Zhao Qi, who knows whether Ye Wei really likes him or not?
Ye Wei’s countenance chilled, “Why can’t I fall in love? Should I lament and stick myself in a quagmire for a man who has never liked me, cheated on my feelings, and even tried to turn me into another woman? I’m sorry, he doesn’t deserve it.”
Liang Ruowei held her breath, “??!!”
She discovered that Ye Wei’s ability to piss people off is top-notch!
Liang Ruowei inhaled deeply. She initially wanted to know Ye Wei’s feelings for Xu Chi. She attempted to make Ye Wei admit that she doesn’t like Xu Chi or uses Xu Chi or deliberately uses Zhao Qi to stimulate Xu Chi, but she…!
Ye Wei didn’t stop there, “Liang-xiaojie, you can rest assured that Xu Chi only loves you. I know what I am to him. I will not pester Xu Chi. You can stay together with him without any worries. Besides, I am on good terms with Zhao Qi. Maybe in your opinion, Zhao Qi is not as good as Xu Chi and you think that I will not give up Xu Chi for Zhao Qi. But for me, what Zhao Qi sees in his eyes is the real me and that is what matters to me. How can Xu Chi be any better than him? To me, Xu Chi is just a liar. I won’t let myself suffer for him!”
“If you don’t trust me, how about I send you a wedding invitation when I get married?”
Liang Ruowei: “…………” :)
Ye Wei: How is it? How is it? Isn’t she cold and vicious enough to piss her off?
————·————·————
Liang Ruowei’s purpose was not achieved. Rather, she was angered so much by Ye Wei that she almost had a heart attack.
The time was almost up. Ye Wei considered she had expressed her position plainly. She only beseeched that the Female Lead could let go of her vigilance and hook up with the Male Lead soon. Give birth early to a son, ah. Don’t waste your mind on her.
“It’s very late. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back first.” Ye Wei excused herself.
“I’ll send you off.” Liang Ruowei stood up and offered.
Ye Wei declined, “No, I will take a taxi home myself.”
“Take it as my treat.” Liang Ruowei picked up the bag and walked out. Her beautiful face was slightly raised, revealing her pride and stubbornness. “Xu Chi and I used to be together, and we are not yet together again because I haven’t found the right time to get back together with him. You should hate me. I won’t deny my mistakes. Consider this as a present and an apology. After today, I won’t have any worries. I like Xu Chi, and I will try my best to get him back.”
Ye Wei’s eyes twinkled, “Okay, I accept.”
She followed Liang Ruowei downstairs, and the driver of the Liang’s Family was waiting there.
The black car sped along the road.
It was nearly nine o’clock.
The sky was thoroughly dark, and the street lights were dim.
Liang Ruowei set her handbag between them. She tapped her index finger on the bag gently, “Ye Wei, I really admire you. I’ve been abroad for several years, and I haven’t put my feelings for Xu Chi down. How can you put it down so fast?”
Ye Wei: “If we were to swap our identities, I also won’t have put my feelings down.”
Liang Ruowei: “…”
Liang Ruowei winced, “I’m just talking about feelings. I’ve seen a lot of news. Some women are hurt by their boyfriends, but they still can’t put it down. Isn’t it because they love too deeply?”
Ye Wei mulled over it, “The reason why they can’t put it down… Loving the other party too much may be one reason, but on a deeper level, it may be because they are afraid of pain. They dare not face the pain of letting go of the wrong love and leaving it all behind.”
Liang Ruowei was silent, Ye Wei’s answer is quite reasonable?
Her gaze slid toward her bag, which also contained a snooping bug she intentionally placed.
“You really don’t love Xu Chi anymore?”
“I have loved him[1].”
Liang Ruowei frowned. She glanced at Ye Wei and abruptly admitted that she might have guessed wrong.
Perhaps Ye Wei didn’t give up on Xu Chi in her previous life because their feelings were deep enough at that time? Just like Xu Chi ultimately chose Ye Wei over her.
And in this life, perhaps, Ye Wei could give up on Xu Chi because she came back early. Ye Wei didn’t fall deeply in love with Xu Chi so could she let it go?
Liang Ruowei pondered intently. If that were the case, it would be better. She would look forward to receiving Ye Wei’s wedding invitation as soon as possible.
Just as she was imagining it, she felt sudden lightness. She slammed forward from the impact. She didn’t fasten the seat belt and her head knocked forcefully on the seat. Her head was woozy. She tried to hold things to stabilize her body reflexively, but her body was weightless again. She sensed that she was spinning around in the air, and only one idea came out of her mind- Not good, a crash!!
Then, she lost consciousness.
————·————·————
Xu Chi worked extra hours after work. He exited the company at nearly nine o’clock. His mood was low in recent days and he didn’t want to be unoccupied. As long as he was unoccupied, all his thoughts were on Ye Wei and how to find her forgiveness, but he didn’t know how to let Ye Wei forgive him.
Therefore, he kept himself busy.
At least, until now.
Not long after he got in the car, Cao Heng called, “Xu Chi! It’s bad, something happened! Ruowei and Ye Wei had a car accident!”
Xu Chi was petrified, “An accident?”
It was lucky that he was not the driver right now, else, there would be another car accident happening.
Cao Heng’s voice was full of urgency, “I just got a call. I heard that Ruowei had a chat with Ye Wei and wanted to send Ye Wei back because it was already late. But then there was an accident on the way home!”
“Xu Chi, you hurry up and come here! I already called the hospital and the ambulance is on the way. I will be there soon!”
It was the first time he heard Cao Heng’s voice so flustered, his voice cracked and quivered so much.
Xu Chi’s heart was hanging. His face paled as his anxiety peaked, “Where?”
Cao Heng reported an address right away. He was nowhere calm. Imagine his fright when he heard Liang Ruowei had an accident with Ye Wei and it was a grave accident!
————·————·————
The address reported by Cao Heng happened to be near Xu Chi. In five minutes, Xu Chi arrived at the scene in a rush. He got out of the car rashly and heard the police sirens. He saw the crowd of onlookers pointing at the scene and strode over to have a look, but was soon stopped by the police. Xu Chi’s remaining sanity got him to explain, “I am their friend.”
The police inspected him and noticed how panicked he was and realized it was not an act. He also appeared to be someone elite, so they let him go.
Soon, Xu Chi witnessed the deformed car, the shattered glass, the bloodied ground, and the woman lying on the ground waiting for rescue.
She wore a black dress, her hair scattered limply on the ground. Her black dress made the bloodstain not visible. Her legs were covered by her dress and the exposed feet were coated with severe wounds. There were traces of red everywhere and the smell of iron was so strong.
He saw that her face was also dyed with blood. There were even stained pieces of glass on her face and her original appearance was nowhere to be seen.
Xu Chi’s heart was put on the tips of knives. His feet turned feeble and he slumped on the ground. He wished to touch her and hug her up. He didn’t want her to lie on the cold ground, but someone pulled him aside, “We don’t know where the patient is injured. It’s not wise to move her. Don’t move her.”
Xu Chi was ingrained to the spot in a daze. His face was bloodless as if all the blood in his face ran to his eyes. His loss was so palpable that the policewoman couldn’t help but comfort him, “Don’t worry, the ambulance will be here soon.”
Ye Wei’s senses were returning and she felt blaring pain all over her body. She tried to move her body and found the pain intensified. So, she abandoned the idea of moving herself.
The pain was not only on her body but also on her face. She was not sure if she was disfigured, but she was certain that her appearance right now was terrifying.
She attempted to open her eyes, however, presumably because the blood fogged her eyes, she couldn’t see anything clearly.
She was overwhelmed and vaguely seemed to see Xu Chi.
His face was right in front of her, with his especially beautiful eyes focused on her with a hint of fragility.
Ye Wei shortly understood her current predicament.
She should be dying, but… why is the Male Lead here?
She blinked her eyes and moved her neck. At last, she could take a glimpse of her face in the shabby rearview mirror hanging on one side.
————·————·————
Xu Chi caught her movement and realized she was awake. He sloppily advanced closer to her regardless of the glass debris, “Don’t be afraid, it’s okay. The ambulance will arrive soon. Don’t be afraid…”
Xu Chi saw her open lips. Her voice was so faint and the noise around them was overly loud for him to hear her voice.
There was never a time when he had been so anxious. He leaned closer and put his ear near her lips, “What are you saying? I can’t hear you.”
A moment later, he snapped his head and roared, “Silence!”
The shout surprised the crowds and the scene instantly went to silence. The people’s eyes darted at the source of the voice and caught the figure of a handsome man kneeling on the ground. His hands were smeared with blood and his eyes were as red as the blood in his hands. The whole person appeared like a living Shura[2].
He tipped his head down and practically glued his whole person to the woman on the ground.
His voice was incredibly soft. “What did you say, slowly repeat it again to me?”
Xu Chi only noticed that she opened her mouth again but her whisper was still as light as a feather.
He was unable to calm himself and could only keep reassuring her
Xu Chi thought that his words could comfort her and soothe her. Unexpectedly, she coughed a mouthful of blood. And, he, eventually heard her intermittent voice.
“I’m Ye Wei…”
“Not Liang Ruowei…“
“You admitted the wrong person again…” Bro.
Footnotes
[1] 喜欢过 – xǐhuān guò. “过” is used to talk about whether something at least once before, without specifying a particular time, or whether something has ever happened – whether it has been experienced. Using 过 doesn’t give an exact time to the action, though. It’s unclear whether she means she still loves Xu Chi as of today, or she loved him in the past but there is a chance of loving him again, or she loved him in the past and no longer loves him. However, the general rule is, 过 is only supposed to be used for repeatable/continuous events. It’s for actions that are completed in the past, but have been done at least once or could in theory be done again in the future. That’s why Liang Ruowei frowned and contemplated her answer. ↵
[2] 修罗 – xiū luó. Shura. A malevolent spirit; A demon. ↵
Ry’s Corner
I am the type that coffee lovers hate. I will order coffee and then proceed to add it with milk and sugar to the point that it becomes an abomination that is milk with coffee instead. I mean, it’s an exaggeration. I’m just bad at dealing with high-concentration caffeine, heart palpitation from caffeine is no fun :<
I only drink coffee without much sugar or milk when I urgently need a slap of caffeine. Else, I will just order boba.
Anyway, I truly believe all the Male Lead in this story needs therapy after Ye Wei is done with them. Ouch. The trauma.
The “Bro” in the last sentence is not a typo.
————·————·————
Learn from Yin Nanzhao from “The Memory Lost in Space”. “He never scolds people.” Chen Sha’s words were very honest. Except, the latter half of his sentence was omitted, “He is the kind that beat people directly to the hospital.”!
Talking is overrated, anyway.
If you like what I do please consider buying me ko-fi! Who needs sleep, anyway. I don’t offer Advanced Chapters like Lyre yet, but you are free to water this thirsty cat!
Words count (excluding title, footnotes, TL’s corner): 3571
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The chatting guest on the seat went, so the book slept.
Damn, Ye Wei, do you want or do you not want your salary point?!! It’s already the fourth world, and you still making a mess everywhere! Now, you truly and definitely made the ML scarred beyond repair by your “last message”!!
Lmao so tru 🤣