Transmigrated as the CEO's Top-Tier Stand-in - Chapter 55

Chapter 55

The matter between Ji Yu and Chu Nanxing was quietly handled by Wang Luoshui.

The director who filmed the relevant content on site also reached an agreement with the program team. Both sides, for the sake of publicity and reputation, tried their best to suppress the issue.

Moreover, judging from the previous footage, Chu Nanxing definitely did not deliberately drag Ji Yu back into the water; the incident was more inclined to be categorized as an accident… Besides, Chu Nanxing had no personal grudge against Ji Yu, and being under the watchful eyes of the public, both were people aiming to debut, making it unlikely for her to commit such an atrocious act.

Coupled with Chu Nanxing’s background, everyone believed it was just an accident.

In fact, if Ji Yu hadn’t suffered from severe aquaphobia, she wouldn’t have gone into a coma and convulsed after choking on water when she was pulled back in. This was later confirmed by the examining doctor at the hospital.

The matter seemed to be settled peacefully, without causing any major ripples.

Yanxia Mountain Scenic Area Hotel, Recording Backstage.

Wang Luoshui pressed her hand against her head, a sign of her headache. Looking at the various test results of Ji Yu after her hospital check-up, she sighed deeply and said to Meng Rendong, “Did I not offer incense in the right posture before the shoot started? Or was the pig’s head sacrifice I bought not fresh enough?”

“Why do they always encounter a bloody disaster as soon as they step out?”

Meng Rendong was fiddling with her phone beside her, raising an eyebrow noncommittally until she heard Wang Luoshui’s next sentence: “Nanxing is truly…”

“I think it’s necessary to find someone to counsel her psychologically these two days.”

“The incident with Jian Yu already left a deep shadow on her. Now with this kind of misunderstanding happening right before her eyes, she’s probably going to have nightmares for a long time… Sigh, before filming, when I thought about the theme of this reward, I specifically considered whether to change the collaborative project and move up the subsequent variety show. But she told me that artists cannot be choosy about work and would try to overcome it… Who knew she would encounter such a thing again?”

Wang Luoshui couldn’t help but feel sorry for Chu Nanxing as she spoke. After all, they were friends who grew up together, and she knew the kind of trauma Chu Nanxing suffered during the incident seven years ago. Linking that to the present, even though she knew Chu Nanxing was the one who caused Ji Yu’s injury, she felt a momentary bias towards her.

Hearing her words, Meng Rendong took her eyes off her phone and looked at her meaningfully: “Oh? You sympathize with her?”

Wang Luoshui’s heart skipped a beat at the insinuating tone in her words.

She licked her somewhat dry lips, as if unsure how to speak, and after a long hesitation, could only cautiously prompt: “Rendong… are you perhaps going to…”

Meng Rendong gave a very light laugh.

She knew what Wang Luoshui meant.

Seven years ago.

After Chu Jian Yu drowned, following a series of investigations, everyone believed that Chu Nanxing, who was closest to the scene, was too young to react in time, leading to the situation where it was too late to save Chu Jian Yu when she was finally discovered.

Later, the Chu family, the police, child psychologists, including friends like Wang Luoshui and Yan Xi, all shifted a portion of their grief and regret over Chu Jian Yu onto Chu Nanxing. They knew their lost friend was permanently gone, and Chu Nanxing shouldn’t be blamed for not being able to do anything at the scene; Chu Nanxing was not an outlet for their guilt and remorse.

She was a person of flesh and blood; she would also feel pain and sorrow from losing her sister.

But…

Only Meng Rendong, like a starving wolf who wouldn’t let go without drawing blood, stared fixedly at Chu Nanxing. When others weren’t around, she would ask this person over and over what she did in the first moment Chu Jian Yu fell into the water.

No matter how Chu Nanxing showed weakness, how she cried, or even when she later collapsed and turned to accuse her:

“What right do you have to judge me, Sister Rendong? You’re such a good swimmer. If you hadn’t left to buy a drink, you could have saved Sister when she fell, couldn’t you? Even if you plot against me ten thousand times here, Chu Jian Yu won’t come back!”

“Meng Rendong! What right do you have to interrogate me here? If you’re not convinced, go ask the people who recorded the case back then. What’s the point of pinning blame on me here? Does that make you feel less guilty?”

Later, Meng Rendong began to suffer frequent injuries, seemingly experiencing bad luck, always coincidentally hurting her head.

The questioning of Chu Nanxing was eventually dropped.

After that, starting at some point, Meng Rendong seemed to have completely given up and accepted the fact that nothing could change Chu Jian Yu’s departure. Gradually, her relationship with Chu Nanxing also recovered, becoming even closer than before. Even when Chu Nanxing was initially prevented from studying abroad by the Chu family but later insisted on leaving, it was Meng Rendong who provided her with financial assistance.

Everyone thought Meng Rendong had forgotten her stubbornness from that time. Wang Luoshui, naturally, was no exception.

Who knew that today.

She saw this side of Meng Rendong again.

That’s why she asked in surprise, thinking she was going to revert to her old ways.

Meng Rendong calmly straightened her eyebrows and glanced at the row of camera screens nearby, where she saw Ji Yu with a pen, circling and writing on a paper of lyrics, likely making revisions to the song. The girl couldn’t find a table in the dance studio, so she simply lay on the floor, propping up her head. When inspiration struck, she wrote; otherwise, she pouted, twirling the pen, or sat up straight on the floor to stretch her legs, not wasting any time for practice.

A hint of a smile brewed in her dark eyes. Just when Wang Luoshui thought she wouldn’t answer, she softly said:

“Some things…”

“Happening once is a coincidence; happening again and again is called premeditation.”

Wang Luoshui: “…”

She knew Meng Rendong had never truly moved on from the shadow of seven years ago, but in the absence of evidence, it was hard for her to support Meng Rendong’s conclusion.

So she moved her lips, wanting to offer some advice. After all, both rationally and emotionally, few people could accept that a friend they grew up with suddenly turned into a vicious villain intent on killing someone.

Just then, Meng Rendong lightly said another sentence:

“I actually think it might not be a problem with your prayer ritual…”

Wang Luoshui thought she had deliberately changed the subject, so she graciously said, “Hmm?” and assumed an attentive posture, waiting for the well-informed CEO of Huangting to enlighten her. Who knew that the next moment, Meng Rendong said:

“Haven’t you noticed?”

“The few times I had a headache were all because Chu Nanxing was around. Similarly, Ji Yu’s accident this time was entirely because Chu Nanxing was nearby—”

Wang Luoshui instinctively glanced around. Even though she had temporarily dismissed others to discuss matters with Meng Rendong, she still reflexively didn’t want this startling revelation to be overheard.

At the same time, she said helplessly: “Rendong.”

Wang Luoshui stated, “No investigation, no right to speak… After all, Nanxing is still our friend, and Jian Yu’s sister. It’s really inappropriate for you to make such speculations without evidence.”

Meng Rendong looked back at her phone, tapping here and there. Hearing Wang Luoshui’s serious tone, she nodded understandingly:

“I will find it.”

Her dark eyes focused on the phone screen, reflecting a faint glow, like an unextinguished flame: “If you want no one to know, you must not do it.”

“Nanxing.”

In the corridor next to the accommodation, Chang Xue put an arm around Chu Nanxing’s shoulder. Seeing her looking somewhat distracted these past few days, she couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking about? Are you still feeling guilty?”

Saying this, Chang Xue looked left and right, then lowered her voice and said to her, “Don’t worry about this matter. I heard Director Wang say that although Teacher Ji is indeed terrified of water, she overcame it during the filming. We didn’t know she had such severe after-effects, right?”

The two were currently looking out of a narrow window in the hallway, where they could clearly see parts of the hotel exterior. The window was small and narrow, with railings in front, making safety measures excellent. It was a good spot for a breather.

Hearing Chang Xue’s words, Chu Nanxing distractedly said, “Mm.”

Just as Chang Xue was about to comfort her with the sticky rice chicken she had just brought up from the cafeteria, she suddenly heard Chu Nanxing ask, “Do you think… what kind of person would develop a fear of water?”

Although Chang Xue didn’t know why she asked this, she instinctively began to guess, “Of course, they either drowned when they were little, or they saw something bad related to it…”

Chu Nanxing nodded thoughtfully.

Chang Xue saw her continuing to stare blankly, and her smuggled sticky rice chicken was about to get cold. She quickly lifted the plastic bag in front of her, shaking it from side to side, and said, “You didn’t eat breakfast, did you? Hurry up, I brought you some! Try it! The sticky rice chicken here is truly the soul! I absolutely love it!”

Chu Nanxing’s expression softened, and she smiled at her, then took the breakfast she offered. As she peeled back the lotus leaf layer by layer through the plastic bag, she heard herself slowly say:

“Thinking about it, I’ve never heard Ji Yu talk about her childhood.”

Chang Xue was easily distracted by her and nodded along, “Oh right, let alone childhood, sometimes when God Rong talks about her foreign friends, or when Ling Lan tells us about being forced to learn Peking Opera, Teacher Ji is always listening by the side, never actively bringing up her family or childhood matters.”

With her confirmation, Chu Nanxing’s suspicion grew.

She had a ridiculous notion—

Thinking of Ji Yu’s face, which bore a striking resemblance to Chu Jian Yu’s, and the familiar suppressive aura she had on stage, as if she were born with an exceptional talent in this area… coupled with an indescribable fear of water.

Could it be…

Chu Nanxing couldn’t suppress the speculation in her heart, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt it was true.

Two voices argued endlessly in her mind:

One said that Chu Jian Yu’s funeral, including the cremation process, was entirely handled by the Chu family. If there were any tricks, Chu Huaide wouldn’t have just stood by; she must be overthinking.

The other sneered, “You know how strange this world is, Chu Nanxing. You already know that all these stories are written by an unknown hand. Yesterday they made Chu Jian Yu the protagonist, and today they endow you with strange abilities. So… what does resurrecting Chu Jian Yu count for?”

With everyone harboring their own thoughts, the days gradually drew closer to the third public performance of “Chasing Dreams 100.”

Meng Rendong’s investigation into the events of that year, however, had stalled.

She repeatedly reviewed the archival records from that time and painstakingly sought out many people who had worked at that B&B and were present on the day, only to receive the same answers as seven years ago, again and again.

The messages sent back by the detective Meng Rendong hired caused the initial firmness in her resolve to gradually develop cracks of doubt. With only one last person left to investigate, she couldn’t help but clutch her phone, feeling restless even in her office.

Just then, she received a very unexpected invitation.

“Uncle Chu.”

In a high-end tearoom, Meng Rendong sat on a grass mat that emitted a faint, pleasant fragrance, looking at the dignified Chu Huaide opposite her, with a hint of surprise in her expression.

It was clear she couldn’t figure out why an industry veteran like Chu Huaide, who was practically semi-retired, would suddenly arrange a meeting with her.

But out of their families’ long-standing relationship and other reasons, Meng Rendong immediately pushed aside her scheduled tasks and came to the appointment.

Chu Huaide, however, was patient. He first commented on the tearoom’s excellent location, the premium source of the tea, and the quality of the utensils used for brewing and tasting…

Meng Rendong patiently conversed with him, like a polite junior respectfully dealing with an elder.

It wasn’t until Chu Huaide was brewing the tea, either through carelessness or some other reason, that he inadvertently dropped and shattered one of the green lotus thin-bodied porcelain cups he had just praised, the sound echoing crisply on the floor.

Meng Rendong was startled and quickly called for someone to clean up. She then tried to take the teapot to brew the tea herself, but Chu Huaide looked down at the shattered cup, with a hint of regret in his demeanor:

“I really like this set of tea ware. Now that one is broken, it doesn’t feel complete.”

Meng Rendong didn’t think much of it and just appropriately said, “I heard there’s an auction next month with some excellent antiques. If you like it, Uncle Chu, I will acquire a new set and send it over to you.”

Chu Huaide shook his head: “Others think that an item is only worth the highest collection value when it’s a complete set, but I don’t think so…”

He looked up at Meng Rendong, as if hinting at something, or perhaps just talking about the teacup. The regret in his expression hadn’t faded, but there was a stronger, more assertive attitude, as if adopting his usual negotiating stance:

“If I can replace it with a new set, how can it be called liked?”

“While some cherished items may lose a part, it’s more important to protect what remains, so as not to betray one’s original intention. Otherwise, easily swapping things out seems heartless, don’t you think?”

Meng Rendong had just taken the teapot and was reaching out to pour his tea. Hearing this, she was about to smile and agree, but when she looked up and met Chu Huaide’s eyes, she suddenly realized that elders of their generation liked to use these vague, cryptic words to hint at things. She swiftly stopped her wrist, halting her movement.

The tea had reached the perfect level.

Meng Rendong smiled subtly, “Uncle Chu, you seem to have something else you want to say to me today.”

Chu Huaide lowered his gaze to the clear tea liquid in the blue-green teacup with the lotus leaf pattern. After a brief pause, he said, “I know you and Jian Yu were close, and you’ve never been able to forget the events of that year all this time—”

“But those matters have already been settled. Regardless of your suspicions or intentions, stop it now. Continuing the investigation won’t benefit anyone.”

“What brings you here?”

Two hours later.

Si Tian opened the door to her rental house and saw Meng Rendong outside, looking at her with great surprise.

Meng Rendong lowered her eyes and entered, her face somewhat pale. Si Tian noticed some wet spots on her clothing and couldn’t help but look out the window, exclaiming, “It’s raining outside. Did you not take an umbrella?”

Meng Rendong said, “Mm,” and gently asked, “Is it a good time to talk?”

Si Tian hadn’t expected her to want to talk things over and was quite surprised, but she immediately stepped back to usher her in: “Of course! I was just about to ask you to help me decide between two design drafts!”

Meng Rendong came in and changed her shoes. Si Tian led her forward, and she quickly saw a pile of small, handcrafted-looking parts on the computer desk. Looking closely, she noticed some pale gold bracelets, and she wondered what Si Tian was making.

Si Tian pulled her over and excitedly introduced:

“I recently joined Ji Yu’s fan support group and am responsible for designing her merchandise. I heard that the first fan to cheer for her on stage used a flashlight, which is why everyone later chose the golden-orange support color…”

“Look! Although you can’t bring a real flashlight into the venue, doesn’t this bracelet design of mine have a great meaning?”

Meng Rendong followed her direction and saw that she had taken out a simple silver circular bracelet, strung with four beautifully polished, small flashlight-shaped charms, fixed at different positions. The flashlight charms also had heavy metal punk patterns and could be turned on, though the light wasn’t strong—like miniature flashlights. They made a crisp sound as she moved her arm.

Then, scattered flashes of golden-orange light sparkled.

Though not intense, it was very comforting.

Meng Rendong suddenly felt that the coldness from being out in the rain was dispelled. Seeing Si Tian’s support bracelet, she praised it approvingly: “It’s much nicer than those glow sticks, and it truly has a great commemorative meaning.”

Si Tian immediately smiled with surprise, as if encouraged: “Really?!”

Meng Rendong nodded.

Si Tian felt happy for a while before remembering to offer the guest water. She also asked Meng Rendong if she wanted to use the bathroom to take a hot shower to ward off the cold. Finally, she asked:

“By the way, what made you decide to come over today?”

Meng Rendong held the hot cup of water, blew on it, thought for a moment, and then slowly replied, “I told Ji Yu that I found you.”

Si Tian: “Ah!”

She nervously asked, “And then?”

Meng Rendong just gave her a calm look and said there was nothing more, only that she told her about the variety show and the subsequent arrangements. Si Tian immediately started nervously and unconsciously grabbing the handmade parts on the table.

“I, I, I… Oh my goodness… why so soon… I haven’t prepared myself psychologically…”

She started pacing back and forth in the room, seemingly convinced that Ji Yu would take first place again, and mentally rehearsing their meeting. She noticed Meng Rendong leisurely holding the hot cup, standing by like an outsider, and couldn’t help but want to pass on her nervousness:

“CEO Meng.”

Meng Rendong: “?”

Si Tian looked at her seriously: “Aren’t you scared?”

Meng Rendong pursed her lips and then said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Si Tian, however, must have over-imagined something, as her expression grew increasingly strained. Finally, she solemnly raised the flashlight-like bracelet in her hand and declared to Meng Rendong:

“Don’t worry! I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you! Ji Yu is so kind and good-hearted, and you two once had such deep feelings; you can definitely get back together!”

Meng Rendong was stunned for a moment, then looked disappointed: “I wasn’t thinking that far…”

Si Tian immediately scolded her with a look of disappointment: “Then start thinking now! You spent so much time together, you even slept together, how could your progress regress now? Think, now! Think hard!”

Meng Rendong: “…”

Si Tian raised her hand, practically wanting to rush over and shake her shoulders: “You two must be together! I can be single, but you two must be happy, understand? CEO Meng! Fight for it!”

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