Shadowed Love: A Lover Who Refuses to Let Go - Chapter 23

Gloomy clouds hung like tangled gray yarn, and the rustling of branches in the wind brought no light even with the windows open.

Jiang Menghe lounged on the studio’s single sofa, watching the escalating public opinion on trending searches. The initial shock had shifted to scrutiny of her past.

With a clear conscience, she wasn’t afraid of being exposed, though few seemed to notice Yin Yunzhu in the mix likely mistaken for just another pretty Omega.

Clickbait articles began fabricating past collaborations with female stars, from photoshopped images to malicious edits, convincing enough to blur the lines.

Fortunately, her good reputation in the industry meant many seniors spoke up in her defense. Opinions were divided, most leaning toward skepticism.

A notification popped up, a Christmas Eve greeting from Yin Yunzhu.

Opening the message, Jiang Menghe watched the typing indicator flicker between the contact name and “typing,” deciphering the other’s awkward hesitation with an amused smile.

Ye Xiyang stood nearby on a call, sighing at her relaxed demeanor. “Really not letting PR handle this?”

“Let’s see how it plays out.” Resting her temple against her fingers, her lowered eyelids softened her expression, exuding a quiet, scholarly poise.

Hours earlier, Ren Yu had called in a rage, starting with “How dare you play me?” before threatening to ruin Jiang Menghe’s career and hanging up abruptly.

Sending a warning before causing trouble? Jiang Menghe found it childish.

Unlike Ren Yu, the entertainment industry’s “little princess,” Jiang Menghe had no powerful backing. If someone wanted to take her down, it wouldn’t take much effort.

Ye Xiyang massaged her temples, suppressing her frustration. Whoever claimed Jiang Menghe was easygoing gentle, kind, approachable clearly never saw the cunning fox beneath, all honeyed words and hidden daggers.

“Just letting this unfold?” Her agent handed her a glass of water. “Not worried about her obsessive fans coming after you?”

“I am,” Jiang Menghe admitted, cradling the cup. “Then message her that I’ve changed my mind.”

Ye Xiyang froze. “What?”

“If she wants to force a publicity stunt, let her. You know I avoid making enemies.” She drifted to the window, tracing the spiky tips of a vibrant succulent thriving in the bleak winter.

“You’re really…” Ye Xiyang clicked her tongue, only for Jiang Menghe to cut in.

“I’m a bit hungry. Could you grab me some xiaolongbao later? Thanks, Ye-jie.” Her pleasant tone left no room for refusal.

Ye Xiyang huffed, but Jiang Menghe pressed a finger to her lips, silence.

“…”

Meanwhile, at a Western restaurant.

Yin Yunzhu mechanically twirled her fork in the pasta, tasting nothing. Across from her, Beijiali fussed like a grandmother coaxing a picky child, urging her to try everything.

Her phone buzzed insistently someone was calling.

At the caller ID, Yin Yunzhu nearly dropped her fork, hastily shielding the screen.

“I need to take this.”

She hurriedly stood up and walked out of the restaurant.

The wind was strong outside, with the blaring of car horns and promotional ads buzzing in her ears. She answered the call, covering the receiver.

“So sudden,” Yin Yunzhu felt guilty, her neck stiff like a quail’s.

Her nose was red from the cold. Having just stepped out from the warm indoors with her jacket zipper undone, the chilly wind would surely give her a cold later.

“Had your meal?” The magnetic female voice scraped against her eardrum, tickling her heart.

She turned and saw Beijiali through the glass window, ducking her head and pretending to focus on her meal.

“Still eating,” Yin Yunzhu dragged the tip of her shoe along the edge of the hexagonal tiles, hesitating before finally speaking, “You!”

Guessing what she was about to say, the person on the other end replied calmly, “Trust me, I can handle it.”

Detecting the subtle distance in those words, Yin Yunzhu’s heart tightened, bitterness oozing from her chest like thick syrup.

“Got it,” she obediently replied, wisely keeping quiet.

Perhaps imagining her pitiful, drooping ears through the phone, Jiang Menghe paused, softening her tone.

“Sorry for dragging you into this.”

“If you’re upset, tell me. I’ll listen.”

The mint-like words seeped into her heart, washing away the sticky discomfort. Yin Yunzhu kicked the nearby lamppost lightly. “It’s fine. I’m partly to blame too.”

“Too careless.”

She thought when she agreed to Jiang Menghe’s request, she should’ve expected this day would come.

Rustling noises came from the other end, like plastic bags rubbing. The woman’s voice sounded muffled before clearing up again.

“Let’s not meet these next few days, to avoid drawing attention.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Yin Yunzhu was soft-natured, always yielding to the other’s words. After hanging up, she stood dazed for a while. Only after the cold wind sobered her did she pat her cheeks and return inside.

The warmth dispelled the stiffness in her limbs. She pulled out a tissue to wipe her nose, only to find Beijiali eyeing her suspiciously.

“Whose call did you take outside? Spill it!”

She swiftly snatched the pasta from Yin Yunzhu’s side, squinting as she scrutinized her.

“Nothing,” Yin Yunzhu tossed the used napkin into the trash. “The publisher was discussing the progress of the physical book.”

Normally, Beijiali was highly interested in her work, always pestering her for fanfiction. But now, sharp as ever, she wasn’t fooled.

“No way,” she scoffed. “Something that could turn your mood around so fast. Are you hiding something from me?”

“Confess and I’ll go easy on you. Resist, and you’re paying the bill.”

She adopted an interrogative stance, only for Yin Yunzhu to pull out her phone and silently walk to the counter.

Beijiali: “…”

Reassured by Jiang Menghe’s promise, Yin Yunzhu thought she only needed to wait quietly for the outcome. Yet the next day, what greeted her were the trending hashtags once again.

[Jiang Menghe Ren Yu]
[Ren Yu Responds to Jiang Menghe’s Hotel Photos]
[Jiang Menghe Officially Announces Relationship]

At that moment, Yin Yunzhu was holding a freshly brewed fruit tea, preparing for the afternoon’s work. Yin Xuan lay on the playmat, engrossed in a newly bought picture book.

Seeing the top three Weibo trends completely dominated by Jiang Menghe, Yin Yunzhu’s heart skipped a beat, her palms sweating nervously.

The ominous feeling grew thicker. She clicked into Ren Yu’s Weibo and found the latter had reposted yesterday’s photos.

Ren Yu: [“Don’t worry everyone, that morning I was actually discussing the new drama with Senior Jiang. Don’t believe or spread rumors [angel emoji]”]

She was clever enough neither confirming her relationship with Jiang Menghe nor diverting public attention to their upcoming collaboration.

Sure enough, many fans began asking questions in the comments.

[“OMG, my two goddesses are finally working together [crying emoji]”]

[“Finally waited for you, glad I didn’t give up.”]

[“Heard from insider sources it’s Director Cong’s project his works are always top-tier!”]

Of course, some remained skeptical and voiced different opinions.

[“Is no one curious why she came out of Jiang Menghe’s room so early in the morning?”]

[“Feels like they’ve been dating for a while, got caught, and are now forced to announce it early as hype.”]

[“@above, I think you nailed it.”]

Scrolling through the comments one by one, Yin Yunzhu gripped her water glass so tightly her knuckles turned white. By the end, she didn’t even have the courage to swipe further.

She knew entertainers often put on performances, but she couldn’t help being swayed by the mix of truths and lies.

So, this was the “solution” mentioned yesterday?

Pushing someone else forward to take her place, openly cementing their relationship or letting the media run wild with speculation to pave the way for her own career.

Yin Yunzhu was self-aware. She knew she meant nothing to Jiang Menghe just a temporary distraction, someone to pass the time with. Their relationship had never gone beyond the physical.

She didn’t know Jiang Menghe’s past. Maybe there had been many lovers after all, her carefree, gentle demeanor and that deceivingly charming face could easily ensnare naive young girls, making them fall too deep to escape.

Habits were terrifying things. Craving the warmth of a woman’s lips against her neck only made the lonely nights more unbearable. Lately, Yin Yunzhu had enjoyed their time together, but she had never abandoned her principles.

She didn’t blame Jiang Menghe this was the most practical solution under the circumstances.

Yet a voice inside her screamed in protest. She could remain the invisible figure in the shadows, but she couldn’t bear to lurk like a rat, watching the other woman bask in the sunlight of a happiness everyone else approved of.

Yin Yunzhu vaguely realized that an uncontrollable emotion was growing within her but she also understood the importance of cutting losses early. She wouldn’t bend and debase herself just to make way for someone else.

The cold wind yesterday afternoon had worsened her flu, and even after taking medicine, her symptoms hadn’t improved.

She pulled out her phone and sent Jiang Menghe a direct message.

Little Bamboo: [“I saw the trending topic. I’d like to hear your explanation.”]

Little Bamboo: [“If you and Ren Yu are really together, then we need to reconsider things between us.”]

Yin Yunzhu was usually soft-spoken, but at times, she could be as stubborn as bamboo, unyielding and unambiguous in her words.

When the message arrived, Jiang Menghe was discussing the timing of a public statement with Ye Xiyang.

“You call others childish, but what about you?” The short-haired woman eyed the lengthy draft on the screen that hadn’t been posted yet. “You really have to mess with her again?”

“She’s been clinging like a leech. This is a good chance to put her in her place.” The woman crossed her arms, her long lashes casting faint shadows under her eyes.

Those who knew Jiang Menghe understood beneath her gentle exterior lay an icy indifference. And under the guise of avoiding conflict, she played along with others’ games.

In a drama, she’d be the two-faced villain.

As they spoke, Jiang Menghe’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the notification and sighed.

After learning the whole story over the past few days, Ye Xiyang also became aware of Yin Yunzhu’s existence. Though surprised, he didn’t ask too many questions.

It’s normal for adults to have desires and seek timely relief. But when it came to Jiang Menghe, the situation seemed somewhat bizarre.

The woman raised her phone with a flick of her wrist. What should have been an awkward matter somehow made her look rather pleased.

“The kid’s throwing a tantrum. I’ll go cheer them up.”

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