"..." Seeing Ye Ruihuan looking so pitiful on such a festive day, Lin Ruijiao couldn't bring herself to scold her.
She had long let go of the past, firmly resolved never to look back. As for the current Ye Ruihuan, she felt... nothing. At best, in her mind, they were no more than casual friends.
Too much had happened lately. She no longer had the energy to dwell on every detail. Her focus was entirely on her acting career—everything else, she let be.
In the cozy warmth of Lin Ruijiao's family home, the two sat side by side watching TV, the scene almost picturesque. But truthfully, Ye Ruihuan wasn't watching the screen at all. She kept stealing glances at the person beside her.
At home, Ruijiao seemed gentler. The aloofness she usually carried had faded, and the guarded sharpness in her bones had softened into calm. She radiated ease, comfort, softness. Even if she still harbored a trace of vigilance toward her.
Ye Ruihuan's eyes lingered, one glance after another, reluctant to look away. Her gaze was tender, shimmering with warmth and unspoken affection.
Such an intense gaze—of course Lin Ruijiao noticed. And she more or less understood the reason. Probably just someone nursing a bruised heart, coming to catch a glimpse of the person they once loved in hopes of soothing their sorrow. Since it didn't interfere with her TV time, Lin Ruijiao pretended not to see.
After all, she'd be leaving soon.
Eventually, Lin Ruijiao's parents returned, arms full of groceries. From the looks of it, her father was planning to show off his culinary skills and give their guest a proper feast.
Ye Ruihuan, ever enthusiastic, seized the chance to stick close to Lin's mother, chatting away with the kind of sweet words elders adored.
"Oh no, no—it's just that no one was home for the New Year, and when Ruijiao mentioned coming back, I shamelessly tagged along," she fibbed with ease.
"Well then, stay with us for a few more days! It's no trouble—we're just three people here," said Lin's mother warmly.
"Oh no, that'd be too much during the holidays. I'll leave later today," Ye Ruihuan replied with a light smile that never left her face.
"Oh, come on now! Don't be so polite. Just stay a bit longer and keep Ruijiao company."
"...Well, okay, maybe a couple more days. Thank you, Auntie." Ye Ruihuan smiled sheepishly, playing bashful to perfection.
———
Off to the side, Lin Ruijiao: "…"
When did she become like this?
Ye Ruihuan was really putting on a show—and honestly? Lin Ruijiao was dumbfounded. She'd never realized this woman could be so thick-skinned. Soon after, Ye Ruihuan returned to her seat, sitting beside her again and looping her arm through Lin Ruijiao's, as if they were the closest of friends.
Lin Ruijiao: "…"
With her parents around, she couldn't just shake her off outright. She shot Ye Ruihuan a sharp look, feigning fierceness. But Ye Ruihuan pretended not to notice, playing dumb to perfection.
Unbelievable. Lin Ruijiao bit her lip, glaring daggers her way. Getting no reaction, she reached out and pinched her arm in retaliation. Ye Ruihuan's eyes glistened with affection—deep, lingering emotion that shimmered like spring light. But the pain that followed made her hiss softly. This little bunny wasn't all fluff, it seemed…
"Jiaojiao, I think I bumped myself... ow, it hurts~" she exaggerated deliberately.
"...Where does it hurt?" With her mom nearby, Lin Ruijiao could only play along—though she gave her another vicious pinch in secret.
"Ouch, blow on it for me," Ye Ruihuan said, rolling up her sleeve with deliberate innocence.
Her pale, delicate arm was laid bare—milky white and faintly glowing under the light, blue veins visible just beneath the surface. The spot where she'd been pinched was already turning red.
Lin Ruijiao blinked. Had she used that much force?
Faced with that innocent, wronged look—and her mother's expectant eyes—Lin Ruijiao muttered to herself: Great, now I've shot myself in the foot.
Resigned, she reached out and gently cupped the spot, bending close to blow on it like coaxing a child. The moment her breath touched the skin, a faint woodsy scent tickled her nose.
"There, all better," she said quickly, tugging the sleeve back down, smoothing it nervously before Ye Ruihuan could pull another stunt.
"Mm, thank you, Jiaojiao," Ye Ruihuan answered sweetly, sensing she'd pushed far enough for now.
"You two seem very close," Lin's mother said with a smile. "Ruijiao, you're lucky to have Xiao Ye looking out for you."
"...Not really, Auntie. We just take care of each other," Ye Ruihuan said with a gentle smile.
Lin Ruijiao forced a stiff nod. At this point, she had no choice but to go along with it. She exhaled deeply—What a headache.
"Alright, time to eat. Xiao Ye, come try your uncle's cooking," Lin's mom said, pulling her to the table.
"Thank you, Auntie. Thank you, Uncle! Wow, this looks amazing! You're an incredible cook!" Ye Ruihuan didn't hold back on the praise.
Lin Ruijiao: "..."
Every single thing Ye Ruihuan said or did today was completely off script.
Wasn't she the queen of icy silence?
"Jiaojiao, don't forget to serve Xiao Ye some food—don't just eat for yourself!" her mother scolded playfully, placing a piece of pork rib on her plate.
"Thank you, Auntie. I can do it myself, really," Ye Ruihuan replied, switching from cheerful to demure in a heartbeat.
Lin Ruijiao glanced up. Sure enough, her mother looked absolutely delighted.
She lowered her head, pouting internally—Mom, don't fall for her act!
Everyone at the table was enjoying themselves. Everyone except Lin Ruijiao, who simmered with quiet frustration.
Her parents were clearly smitten with Ye Ruihuan's charm. In fact, Lin Ruijiao suddenly felt like she was the guest in her own home. A tangled mix of feelings stirred inside her.
"Jiaojiao, now that Xiao Ye is with you out there, your dad and I feel so much better. She's such a thoughtful girl," her mother said.
"...Mm." Lin Ruijiao gave a perfunctory nod.
"Oh, and tonight, Xiao Ye can sleep in your room," she added, turning to Ye Ruihuan with a smile. "We don't have any extra rooms anyway—hope that's alright."
"Of course, Auntie! That sounds perfect," Ye Ruihuan replied with glee.
"...Mom, what about—" Lin Ruijiao tried to protest, but her parents' expectant looks froze the words in her throat. Clearly, there was no room to refuse.
She nodded, defeated, forcing a smile. Who'd have thought she couldn't even escape Ye Ruihuan in her own house?
Ye Ruihuan's eyes sparkled with delight. Auntie was a divine ally. Her face lit up like sunshine. Lin Ruijiao stormed back to her room, gritting her teeth. Since when was Ye Ruihuan so good at pretending? She'd even charmed her parents—how infuriating!
"She's probably just tidying up," Lin's mom said, guiding Ye Ruihuan to the sofa. "That girl's room is always a mess. Don't worry about her—let's have some fruit."
"Xiao Ye, have you ever seen Jiaojiao's baby photos? She was adorable—so bright-eyed and chubby," her mom said, standing to fetch the photo albums.
"Mom! What are you doing?!" Lin Ruijiao immediately dashed out at the mention of her childhood.
"Just look at how cute you were—everyone said you were a little beauty," her mom said, flipping open the heavy album.
"...That's nothing. Don't look—it's really not worth it…" Lin Ruijiao trailed off, voice a mix of embarrassment and protest.
"Auntie, I've never seen them before! I bet Jiaojiao was super cute," Ye Ruihuan chimed in helpfully.
Ignoring Lin Ruijiao's weak objections, her mother opened the album right in front of Ye Ruihuan. "See? Look how round and sweet she looked…"
"..." It was too late to stop them. All Lin Ruijiao could do was hover nearby, ready to snatch away anything too humiliating.
"Mm, she really was adorable," Ye Ruihuan murmured as she flipped through the lively, chubby-cheeked photos, her face glowing with gentle fondness.
"Right? But somehow she's less cute now that she's grown," Lin's mom added, glancing at her daughter with an air of quiet nostalgia.
"…Mom." Lin Ruijiao nudged her gently, trying to coax her back from the brink.
"Alright, alright, I won't say more. But now that your wings are strong, all you want is to fly further away from your mother…" she said, her voice theatrically mournful.
"..." Lin Ruijiao watched her mother's dramatic performance with speechless exasperation.
"...Auntie, I think Jiao-jiao is adorable just the way she is. Really, she's lovely. You're exaggerating," Ye Ruihuan shifted the topic with a light chuckle. "Jiao-jiao's so dedicated when she's acting—really serious about it."
"Is that so?" Lin's mother's eyes lit up instantly, her interest piqued.
...
On the other side, Lin Ruijiao quietly closed the photo album, leaving the two to chat idly. Uncle Lin had stepped out of the kitchen and, though his eyes remained on his phone, his ears were clearly tuned into the stories about Lin Ruijiao.
Whether or not Ye Ruihuan was just making things up to charm her mother, Lin Ruijiao couldn't help but be startled. She hadn't realized Ruihuan knew so much about her—down to the tiniest details.
A mere stand-in and a pretty face shouldn't warrant this level of attention. From what she remembered of Ye Ruihuan in her previous life, the woman wasn't particularly possessive or controlling. She was never one to invest this much effort into anyone. It wasn't her style.
In the peaceful and warm atmosphere, laughter and conversation flowed naturally. Everyone was enjoying themselves—except Lin Ruijiao. She kept up the pretense of scrolling on her phone, her mind racing as she tried to recall if she'd overlooked anything. A thought she'd never dared entertain surfaced unexpectedly.
Ye Ruihuan was acting way too strangely.
That evening, Lin Ruijiao could only watch as the woman brazenly stepped into her room again. Powerless to resist, she begrudgingly accepted it.
"You didn't bring any luggage?" Lin Ruijiao finally noticed something was off.
"I did. It's in my bag," Ye Ruihuan replied sweetly. "Xiao Li came with me."
"…Poor Assistant Li. She really works hard."
Ye Ruihuan unzipped her backpack and began pulling out personal toiletries and items, one by one.
"…So you came this prepared?" The words came out laced with sarcasm.
Ye Ruihuan pretended not to notice. "Of course! Spending New Year's at Jiao-jiao's house—I had to be fully ready." She flashed a smile.
For a brief moment, it really did feel like they were longtime friends… if only that person wasn't Ye Ruihuan.
"There's no need to keep up the act now, is there?" Lin Ruijiao murmured.
"I'm not acting," Ye Ruihuan replied innocently, all her usual aloof pride gone. In its place stood someone soft and sincere. "I truly enjoy spending time with your mom." Her gaze met Lin Ruijiao's, unwavering and steady.
…
Lin Ruijiao licked her lips, opened her mouth to say something—but nothing came out.
Right then, Ye Ruihuan moved. Slowly, right in front of her, she peeled off her top, leaving only a thin tank.
Her back was long and straight, her shoulder blades prominent like delicate wings. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, with a soft flush of pink. Even the curve of her toned arms showed through the thin fabric—every detail laid bare to Lin Ruijiao's stunned eyes.
"Jiao-jiao, where do you wash up?" Ruihuan asked, suddenly turning around.
Ruijiao was still entranced, unable to look away. Her gaze slipped downward—lingering far too long—before she gulped, hard.
Her eyes followed the taut lines of Ruihuan's stomach. Abs? She had abs? Since when did lazy, laid-back Ye Ruihuan have a body like this? Her face burned, but she still couldn't look away.
Memories surged. Flashes of their bodies entangled from a previous life—Ye Ruihuan's sensual silhouette, the way she moved…
Lin Ruijiao flushed a deeper pink. Her ears turned red. Her heart pounded wildly, out of control. She swallowed again and instinctively licked her lips.
Ye Ruihuan paused, amusement blooming on her face. So the little rabbit's not just a lightweight—she's a little pervert too.
It took a while for Lin Ruijiao to snap back to reality. Meeting the other woman's knowing gaze, she finally managed to ask, "Why are you taking your clothes off all of a sudden?"
"…I'm still wearing something, aren't I? What are you blushing for?" Ruihuan teased, her voice dipping playfully.
"I'm not! I'm just a bit hot, that's all." Lin Ruijiao huffed. "The bathroom's through that door." She pointed to the side.
"Oh?" Ruihuan's lips curved, dark hair tumbling over her shoulder. She stepped closer, then—with deliberate slowness—unzipped her jeans and slid them down.
Lin Ruijiao didn't blink. Her eyes followed Ruihuan's porcelain fingers, down past her toned thighs, long legs like carved jade, and subtle muscle definition.
She wanted to touch.
No. No! She covered her eyes—but not really. Her fingers parted just enough for her to keep peeking.
Ye Ruihuan bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. "If you want to look, just look. Consider it repayment for letting me stay here."
She stepped forward, lifting Lin Ruijiao's chin.
Lin Ruijiao was beet red. "…Who wants to look?!"
"No need to be shy. I'd even offer myself to you, if you wanted," Ye Ruihuan whispered into her ear.
Her voice was magnetic, low and slightly raspy—utterly intoxicating.
"I—No. Just go wash up," Lin Ruijiao stammered, pushing her away and turning her back.
"No stripping in the room. Use the bathroom!" she coughed twice, trying to regain her dignity.
"…Alright. Geez. People these days—see me naked and pretend they don't know me the next second," Ruihuan sighed theatrically and walked into the bathroom.
What the hell is with this woman?
Lin Ruijiao slapped her hands over her face. That moment… she'd really wanted something to happen. That kind of want.
Her mind flooded with memories from their previous life—the way Ye Ruihuan looked in bed, her body painted in hues of rose, her voice, her heat…
Lin Ruijiao flushed even more. Her heart was racing out of control. She ran to the window, cracked it open, and let the winter air slap her across the face. Slowly, the heat faded.
In the bathroom, Ye Ruihuan lathered herself with Lin Ruijiao's body wash, letting the scent wrap around her. The warm mist softened everything. It was almost like Lin Ruijiao was in her arms.
She stepped out, cheeks glowing, wearing a thin nightgown. Her skin glistened, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, her eyes lazy but seductive.
Lin Ruijiao swallowed again.
"Ruihuan," she said firmly, "you're leaving tomorrow. That's final."
"But your mom asked me to stay a few more days," Ye Ruihuan replied, calmly adjusting her clothes.
"I don't care. Tomorrow, you go. Back to wherever you came from."
"Fine. If Jiao-jiao doesn't want me here, then I'll leave." She sighed, eyes full of fake grievance.
Lin Ruijiao licked her lips. Now she looked like the bad guy. After washing up, Lin Ruijiao emerged bundled in thick pajamas. She pulled out an extra blanket and carefully placed it between the center of the bed, dividing it into two clear halves.
Ye Ruihuan's smile faded slightly. "Jiao-jiao, you don't have to go this far, do you?"
"I do. I'm afraid you'll fall for me…" she quipped.
But Ye Ruihuan's eyes darkened. The little rabbit was more right than she realized. Too right. But she couldn't say that. Wouldn't say that. Her smile faltered, turning bittersweet. When will this little rabbit finally understand how I feel?
Maybe… even if she does, she'll still reject me.
A flicker of pain crossed her eyes.
"All right, time to sleep," Lin Ruijiao said, tugging the covers tight.
---
"Don't worry about it. If you ever have time, just come over with Jiaojiao. No need to be polite, and don't bring anything next time," Lin Ruijiao's mother said warmly, escorting Ye Ruihuan downstairs with her daughter. After seeing them off, she turned back and went home on her own.
This left only Lin Ruijiao and Ye Ruihuan standing there, exchanging brief goodbyes.
Assistant Li was already waiting by the black company car in the distance, but the two had little to say to each other. Ye Ruihuan wanted to speak—her lips even parted to form the words—but seeing the coldness in Lin Ruijiao's expression, she swallowed them back. Jiaojiao clearly didn't seem to want her around.
"Well, you should get going. Travel safely." Lin Ruijiao handed her a paper bag. "My mom packed some snacks for you. Eat them on the way."
"...Thanks, Jiaojiao. And thank your mom for me, too," Ye Ruihuan replied with a small but sincere smile. Her eyes flickered with reluctant emotion. In Lin Ruijiao's home, she had felt a warmth she hadn't experienced in a long time. She didn't want to leave... She wanted to be close to Jiaojiao again...
"...Jiaojiao, can I hug you?" she asked, but before the words had fully left her mouth, she had already pulled the girl into her arms. She held her tightly, unwilling to let go, greedily soaking in every trace of warmth.
"...Let go!" Lin Ruijiao didn't react at first, but quickly started pushing her away. Yet when she saw the smile on Ye Ruihuan's face, something about it felt... fragile. In that moment, she couldn't bring herself to scold her.
"Okay, I'm going," Ye Ruihuan said, waving as she turned and headed toward Assistant Li.
"Bye," Lin Ruijiao said without turning around, walking off briskly. Finally, that goddess had left.
Now she had to go explain everything to her parents. What a headache. She'd never mentioned Ye Ruihuan to them before, and now she'd have to clarify all the online gossip too.
Back at the Guìtíng residence, Ye Ruihuan had barely returned when she found Ye Zhi—somehow free from her usual busy schedule—waiting for her.
"Ye Ruihuan, I thought you'd run away! If you really eloped with Lin Ruijiao, Grandpa would be talking about it for weeks…" Ye Zhi launched into a mock-scolding tirade.
"What's there to run from? With you here, how would I dare?" Ye Ruihuan laughed softly. "Going back to see Grandpa isn't a big deal. Just say a few nice things to make him happy…"
"Easy for you to say. You're his beloved granddaughter. The rest of us? Not so lucky," Ye Zhi huffed.
"Alright, Ye Zhi. I need a favor," Ye Ruihuan said, sitting on the couch, studying her closely. For a moment, she overlapped perfectly with the Ye Zhi from her dreams.
"Oh no, here we go. You never ask for anything good. What, are you planning something with Lin Ruijiao now? You've fallen for her? Want to chase her down?" Ye Zhi teased.
"Yes. I do," Ye Ruihuan answered simply.
Ye Zhi froze. This idiot... when did she suddenly get clarity about her feelings? And so direct too. This wasn't like her. Ye Ruihuan was usually proud, aloof—definitely not someone who'd openly admit her feelings. And for someone as unremarkable as Lin Ruijiao?
"...What?" Ye Zhi blurted, stunned.
"..." Ye Ruihuan didn't repeat it. "She doesn't like me," she added softly. As those words escaped, all her pride seemed to crumble. She looked like a small, wounded animal—pitiful, even.
"...It'd be weirder if she did like you," Ye Zhi said instinctively, then immediately regretted it. "What are you planning?"
"Does our company have any charitable branches?" Ye Ruihuan asked out of nowhere.
"...Yeah, a few. Not that big, though."
"Take 70% of my salary and donate it."
Assistant Li immediately pulled out his tablet to record the instruction.
"What the hell, Ye Ruihuan? What's gotten into you? Rebranding in the public eye? Or did your heart suddenly grow three sizes and now you want to save the world?" Ye Zhi was floored. Ye Ruihuan's income was astronomical, not to mention she was also a company executive.
"...Can you stop with the snark for once? I trust you to handle it." For the first time, Ye Ruihuan sincerely complimented her.
"...Are you in love or just plain stupid? Since when do you say nice things to me?" Ye Zhi was so surprised she didn't know what to say. A strange warmth welled up inside her.
She had no other reason for working under Ye Ruihuan—it was simply because the pay was good. There wasn't really a "sisterly bond" to speak of.
"..." Ye Ruihuan rolled her eyes. Was Ye Zhi seriously this dumb?
Even if she wanted to say more, Ye Zhi wouldn't give her the chance.
"Start the year off right—get Jiaojiao some solid opportunities," she said instead.
"Aww~ Weren't you just saying she shouldn't be working? And now you're feeling bad for her?" Ye Zhi burst out laughing.
Ye Ruihuan gave her a look. Was it really that funny?
"Wasn't it rumored that Ye Junhua had a girlfriend he was with for years? But she passed away from illness." Ye Ruihuan sighed lightly.
"..." Ye Zhi's laughter stopped cold. "How do you know that?"
"Isn't that what people say? That he's this rare romantic type—been single ever since she passed."
"I thought you didn't care about gossip. Why bring him up?"
"You seem close to him. Just a reminder, that's all," Ye Ruihuan said casually.
In that moment, Ye Zhi saw her old, proud self return—detached, unbothered, twisting the knife with a smile.
"...There's nothing to remind me about. We're just friends."
"Well, maybe. Still, being with him wouldn't be bad. He's not into business, but his parents are pros. If you married in, you'd inherit a good company," Ye Ruihuan said, calm and measured.
The analysis was so clear-headed, Ye Zhi didn't know how to respond. She had once been tempted, after all. But in the Ye family, she was always an outsider—glamorous to the world, yet with nothing truly hers. Almost everything she had came from Ye Ruihuan—a kind of benevolent charity.
After that, neither of them spoke. Ye Ruihuan quietly packed up and followed Ye Zhi home to spend the new year with Grandpa.
At the start of the new year, Ye Zhi received a message from Ye Ruihuan: find Lin Ruijiao some good opportunities.
Of course, Ye Zhi complied. But "good" was relative. She wasn't running a charity, after all—she wouldn't just throw everything her way.
Still, she wasn't stingy either. She struck a careful balance, unaffected by Ye Ruihuan's request.
Sister Wang began receiving all sorts of offers, quickly compiling a list and sending them to Lin Ruijiao.
Staring at her screen, Lin Ruijiao's brow lifted slightly. There was a small web drama, some variety shows, and other activities. But her attention locked onto one: Heartbeat, a romance reality show. According to her memories from her previous life, this show had gone massively viral and launched several careers. It was the perfect opportunity to gain exposure—and have a little fun.
She replied to Sister Wang without hesitation. If opportunity was knocking, she wasn't about to let it pass.
She then messaged Jing Jing to arrange a ride. It was time to return to the Yuwan villa.
Meanwhile, Ye Ruihuan—still with Grandpa—read Assistant Li's message and felt a headache rising. What the hell was Ye Zhi thinking? She actually signed Jiaojiao up for a romance reality show?
Despite all odds, that little rabbit had actually signed up for a dating reality show.
Wasn't she supposed to be focusing on acting? Why had she suddenly joined a romance program instead? Could it be... someone she liked was going to be there?
Ye Ruihuan skimmed the list of guests again. There wasn't a single familiar name—at least, none that she recognized from Lin Ruijiao's past. Then why did she still agree to join? Unless... feelings had already developed between her and someone Ye Ruihuan didn't know about?
Her heart jolted to a halt. Her pupils contracted sharply, and her fingers began to tremble involuntarily.
She couldn't have fallen for someone else… could she?
But who? A man? A woman? What kind of person?
Ye Ruihuan's thoughts spiraled, unraveling in a frenzy of doubt. She didn't want to fight with her Jiao Jiao, nor did she wish to chain her down—but if her worst fears came true, she'd be left with no choice.
Her eyes turned murky, emotions storming behind a tightened jaw. Without hesitation, she messaged Assistant Li: the holiday was over.
When Lin Ruijiao and Jing Jing arrived at Yu Wan, they hadn't expected anyone to already be home. But there sat Ye Ruihuan and Assistant Li in the living room, speaking in hushed tones.
Outside, the cold remained bitter. Inside, warmth and a pleasant fragrance greeted them.
Seeing the serious expressions on the two women's faces, Lin Ruijiao paused, but eventually offered a polite greeting."Happy New Year, Ruihuan. Assistant Li."
"Happy New Year."Ye Ruihuan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then shifted away. Assistant Li responded with a polite smile.
Whatever they were discussing resumed in hushed tones, and for a fleeting second, Lin Ruijiao remembered what Ye Ruihuan had once said—she had nowhere to go for New Year's. That realization stirred something in her, though the feeling faded as quickly as it came. After all, what did that have to do with her?
Ye Ruihuan's eyes followed her retreating figure until she disappeared from sight.
It seemed... Jiao Jiao had softened a little over the holidays.
But what Lin Ruijiao didn't know was that the pressure she'd sensed from Ye Ruihuan came entirely from her.
The sudden announcement that she'd join a dating show had thrown Ye Ruihuan into chaos. She'd dug up every guest profile and cross-referenced it against Lin Ruijiao's schedule, trying to deduce: who had pulled her away from acting, and why?
Meanwhile, Assistant Li could only sigh inwardly. Sister Ye had never shown this much interest in the company's affairs. Only Miss Lin could drive her to this extent.
Lin Ruijiao and Jing Jing busied themselves tidying up. After indulging over the holidays—overeating, skipping workouts—things were a mess. Both of them had put on weight. Lin Ruijiao sighed. She'd have to rein herself in before filming began.
Once the luggage was sorted, she opened her savings account and frowned. She was still far from affording the 500 million penalty for breaching her contract.
Though things between her and Ye Ruihuan were calm for now, and she had grown somewhat used to this life... the truth remained: she was still just a stand-in in Ye Ruihuan's eyes. That alone was too uncertain.
If she were to terminate her contract with Huarui Entertainment, she'd need to start scouting for new companies now. Aside from Ye Ruihuan, the company wasn't bad.
And then there was the matter of that car accident in her previous life. She still didn't know who was behind it. She'd made no enemies in the industry—barely made any appearances, thanks to Ye Ruihuan's protection. She rarely attended events or caused any waves.
That crash had happened years later in her past life, but everything had changed since her rebirth. Who's to say the person lurking in the shadows hadn't acted sooner this time?
One problem after another. Lin Ruijiao mapped out her thoughts and sighed deeply. She had to stay vigilant. With no current projects, Lin Ruijiao returned to her strict training schedule.
Ye Ruihuan kept calling out "Jiao Jiao" every day. Helplessly, Lin Ruijiao responded, though she couldn't help but notice the odd tension in the air. Was it just her imagination, or was Ye Ruihuan... subtly flirting?
Still, everything was peaceful now. That was enough.
"Heartbeat"was set to begin filming. Lin Ruijiao and Jing Jing dragged their suitcases toward the program's location. The scenery there was breathtaking, the climate gentle. The production team had even constructed a brand-new villa just for the show.
At the appointed time, Lin Ruijiao arrived with a small suitcase. The moment she stepped onto the property, cameras and staff swarmed the area.
She adjusted her expression and, wearing light makeup that didn't scream for attention, walked down a stone path and through a grand petal-adorned doorway. Inside, familiar faces greeted her—apparently, she was the last guest to arrive.
The room already buzzed with conversation. Among the cast were up-and-coming actors, models, and even artists from other fields—both men and women, all about the same age.
The atmosphere faltered slightly at her arrival.
"Hello, everyone. I'm actress Lin Ruijiao." She greeted them with a sweet smile.
A handsome man stood up. "Hi! I'm also an actor—my name's Jin Yan."
"Hi, Sister Ruijiao! Come sit with us!" A cute girl with golden curls waved her over.
Lin Ruijiao recognized her—an oil painter, if she remembered right.
A tall male model—at least two heads taller—helped her with her luggage. "Hey, I'm Lin Xuan, also a Lin. I'm a model."
"Oh, right! I'm Shen Xuanxuan," the bubbly girl chimed in.
The rest of the group took turns introducing themselves. "Yu Chen, Wang Wenye, Meng Yi."
Lin Ruijiao shook hands and exchanged greetings with each of them.
She knew them all well. In her past life, she'd been an avid fan of this very show—a die-hard shipper of its couples.
And now? She was on the show.
Getting to fangirl in person? That wasn't a chance you came by often.
She could even ride the show's popularity for some exposure.
But what followed... soon had her questioning that decision.