Chapter 49: Take Another Look At Me

Tan Huan had always enjoyed asking unexpected questions, and her intuition was sharp. The emotional mailbag she hosted on *Leisure Time* often received more responses than those of the other guests.

The cameras were rolling as the four of them sat in a circle.

There was also a man on the phone.

Tan Huan, catching on, replied calmly, “So, you’re still pursuing Meng Ying, huh?”

On the other end of the line, the man remained silent for a long time before finally responding, “Yes.”

“I hope Meng Ying can accept you soon. I can tell you’re a good man.”

A good man.

Xu Dian fell silent.

After hanging up, the room in the inn grew quiet for a moment. Tan Huan handed the phone back to Meng Ying and looked at her intently, the camera also focusing on Meng Ying.

Meng Ying took the phone and asked Tan Huan, “How do you know he’s a good man?”

Just from one phone call?

So confident?

“Intuition,” Tan Huan replied, observing Meng Ying’s calm demeanor before continuing. Meng Ying smiled again, leaning back and saying, “The most handsome men are often the most fickle. They have too many admirers, too many beautiful women with slender waists and long legs vying for their attention. With just a flick of their fingers, countless women would throw themselves at them. That’s why such men find it the hardest to be good men.”

“Oh? So, are you saying the man on the phone is good-looking?” Tan Huan seized the key point, finding Meng Ying intriguing for the first time.

Although they hadn’t interacted much, Meng Ying had always come across as somewhat conservative, at least based on her public persona. In this industry, it was rare to see her closely associated with anyone.

“Yes, he’s good-looking. If he weren’t, would I still have his number?” Meng Ying was candid. Since the cameras were rolling and emotions were being probed, she decided to give them something to work with.

“Wow!” Li Yuan’er was shocked.

“…” Liang Qiao subconsciously adjusted his clothes.

Tan Huan chuckled, pointing at Meng Ying. “This is worth digging into. You’re different from the other female guests.”

Very different.

Most of the previous female guests, when discussing relationships, would stick to safe, virtuous, and crowd-pleasing answers. Even when calling their suitors, they would say things like “he’s a good person” or “I’m still considering it.” None of them were as direct and open about their views on relationships as Meng Ying.

Meng Ying took a sip of juice, smiling.

Tan Huan pressed further, “So, you admit you’re into looks?”

“Of course. Aren’t all of you?” Meng Ying glanced at Li Yuan’er and Liang Qiao, who both straightened up slightly and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Li Yuan’er stared at Meng Ying, suddenly feeling that Meng Ying was going to blow up—big time. She was too bold, unafraid to say anything.

Tan Huan laughed. “True, we all start with superficial attraction before diving deeper. Can you tell us more about you and this gentleman?”

She was hinting at wanting to dig for more.

Meng Ying smiled and pushed Li Yuan’er’s phone toward Tan Huan. “Hey, it’s her turn now.”

Tan Huan chuckled.

“Alright.”

She took Li Yuan’er’s phone and started dialing.

After hanging up, Xu Dian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He remained silent for a long time, his face dark, jaw clenched, and veins bulging on the back of his hands.

His deep eyes fixed on a magazine on the coffee table.

The cover featured Meng Ying, wearing a long dress with her legs peeking out, exuding sensuality and beauty.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly.

In his mind, all he could hear was her voice saying she didn’t love him.

Hmph.

The recording usually went on until past ten at night. After sharing cake, the four of them got up to clean. There were no maids or helpers—they had to do everything themselves. As they got busy, Tan Huan and the others were even more surprised. Meng Ying was incredibly efficient, using little tricks to get things done quickly. Li Yuan’er stood nearby with a broom, stunned. “Meng Ying, you’re way too fast.”

“I can’t believe it. I admire you.”

What was even more impressive was that Meng Ying was wearing a dress, her long hair flowing, yet it didn’t hinder her housework at all. Tan Huan grabbed Meng Ying’s hand and said, “Your hands are so beautiful. It’s a shame to see them doing such chores.”

Meng Ying smiled and pulled her hand back. “Your hands are just as precious.”

After finishing the cleaning, they returned to their rooms. Meng Ying and Li Yuan’er took turns showering. Li Yuan’er went first, and after coming out, she sat on the bed, drying her hair and glancing at Meng Ying and then at the camera.

The camera had already stopped rolling.

Li Yuan’er hesitated for a moment before asking, “So, you and President Xu… it’s really not just an ordinary relationship, huh?”

Meng Ying picked up her pajamas and glanced at her. “It is an ordinary relationship, in a way.”

“But you don’t love President Xu,” Li Yuan’er pressed, turning around to follow Meng Ying. “He’s such a good-looking guy, and he treats you well, right? During the filming of *Twins*, he went out of his way to please you.”

How could she not love a man like that?

Meng Ying seemed heartless.

The bathroom door opened, and Meng Ying stepped inside. Just as she turned on the shower, Li Yuan’er walked over and leaned against the door. “Hey, when I heard him say ‘love,’ my heart skipped a beat. Meng Ying, if he told you he loves you, would you really feel nothing at all?”

The sound of rushing water filled the air.

Meng Ying stood under the showerhead, tilting her head back.

A man like Xu Dian…

“I love you.”

Those three words were harder to get out of him than climbing to the heavens.

In the over a year they were together, he never even said “I miss you.”

Tsk.

But then again, she was just a stand-in.

Not worth the words.

After finishing her shower, Meng Ying put on her pajamas. Not wanting to disturb Li Yuan’er, she dried her hair in the bathroom. By the time she came out, Li Yuan’er was already asleep. Meng Ying walked over, drew the curtains, and then lay down on the bed, quickly falling asleep.

In her dream, a thick fog surrounded her.

She wandered through it, and from all directions, a man’s voice echoed.

“Love.”

“Love.”

“Love.”

The word repeated over and over. She covered her ears, trying not to hear it, but it was inescapable. She kept searching for an exit, desperate to leave, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find one. Just then, a series of vibrations pulled her out of the dream. Meng Ying’s forehead was drenched in sweat as she reached for her phone.

She put it to her ear and answered, “Hello?”

A deep, low voice came from the other end. “Were you asleep?”

Meng Ying rolled over. “Yeah.”

Then silence.

Still groggy, Meng Ying held the phone quietly.

After a while, the sound of a lighter came through the phone. Xu Dian lit a cigarette and said in a low voice, “A year ago, I already had feelings for you. I didn’t just see you as a stand-in. I know I made a lot of mistakes, and I can’t change the past, but I’ll treat you better from now on. Can you… just give me another chance?” The last sentence seemed to trample on his pride.

“Not love.”

Those two words.

Cut like a knife.

Even though he knew it, he hadn’t expected it to hurt so much to hear.

The lights in the room were off, with only the faint glow of the bedside lamp and the light from her phone illuminating the darkness. The night made people vulnerable. Meng Ying pulled the blanket over her head, covering her face completely. She stayed silent for a few seconds under the covers before saying, “A year ago, I felt the same way.”

I also hoped you would give me another chance.

*Thud—*

Something fell on the other end.

He cursed under his breath, then took a drag of his cigarette, his lips parting slightly.

Meng Ying continued, “I don’t mean to retaliate against you. I just feel like I’m enjoying the way things are now. I also understand why you did what you did back then.”

“A ready-made friends-with-benefits situation is really nice, so don’t expect too much emotional investment. If you can’t handle it…”

“Shut up,” Xu Dian snapped coldly.

“I won’t give up, and you can forget about being with any other man.”

Xu Dian stubbed out his cigarette, one press after another, his eyes fixed on the ashtray. His voice softened as he said, “You’ve learned well. You’ve mastered it.”

Meng Ying chuckled. “No, I still have a long way to go.”

“What the hell else do you want to learn? I’ll teach you myself!” Xu Dian said through gritted teeth.

Meng Ying laughed again.

But she didn’t answer.

After a moment, she said, “I’m hanging up now. There’s someone else in the room.”

After speaking, she didn’t wait for his response.

Meng Ying hung up the phone.

She went back to sleep and didn’t dream again. The next day, they would welcome new guests. These guests had signed up online, gone through a screening process, and were finally selected to stay.

Today’s guests were a married couple who had come specifically to see the autumn maple leaves. They would stay for two days. Liang Qiao went to pick them up, while Meng Ying, Li Yuan’er, and Tan Huan prepared a welcome ceremony at the inn. The weather was nice, with a bit of sunshine. The sound of a car and jingling bells came from the entrance.

It seemed the guests had arrived. Meng Ying put down her phone and stood up to greet them.

From a distance, the couple looked very elegant. The man was tall and refined, while the woman had beautiful peach-blossom eyes. For a moment, Meng Ying had the illusion that she was looking at Xu Dian.

Liang Qiao carried a box and pushed open the glass door with his shoulder. Meng Ying quickly pulled it open and smiled at the couple. “Welcome, Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Mrs. Xu stepped forward and grabbed Meng Ying’s hand.

Meng Ying was stunned. Mrs. Xu blinked her peach-blossom eyes and stared intently at Meng Ying. After a couple of seconds, she said, “You’re so beautiful, just like on TV.”

Her enthusiasm was sudden.

Meng Ying took a moment to process it. She wasn’t the type who was usually popular with elders. Back in her hometown, she had never been good at socializing.

So, her neighbors didn’t have a great impression of her.

Chen Jiao’s dislike for her was partly due to the gossip from those busybodies. They always said she was too introverted, wouldn’t marry well, and wasn’t good at household chores.

This made Chen Jiao resent her even more.

Meng Ying was about to speak when Liang Qiao explained, “Mrs. Xu is your fan. She said she’s watched your dramas and even bought your magazines.”

“The magazines? My son bought them,” Mrs. Xu said with a smile, still looking at Meng Ying. Today, Meng Ying was dressed simply in a white top and gray pants, but even in such casual attire, she looked stunning.

“Your son likes Meng Ying too?” Liang Qiao asked curiously.

“Of course he does. How could he not like such a beautiful girl?” Mrs. Xu glanced at her husband and nudged him. Xu Yi nodded and said, “Yes, such a beautiful girl would make a great daughter-in-law.”

Li Yuan’er and Tan Huan were momentarily confused.

Why were they already talking about making the show’s female guest their daughter-in-law?

Meng Ying took it as a joke and said, “Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu, let me show you to your room. Please follow me.”

“Sure.”

Mrs. Xu was still holding Meng Ying’s hand and added, “My name is Zhao Qiao. You can call me Auntie Qiao.”

“How about calling you Sister Qiao?” Meng Ying glanced at Mrs. Xu. Her eyes really did resemble Xu Dian’s. Zhao Qiao laughed and said, “You’re so adorable. Sure, call me Sister Qiao. I’ll accept that.”

“Okay.”

The two of them walked ahead.

Mr. Xu and Liang Qiao followed behind, carrying the luggage. Mr. Xu looked so distinguished that Liang Qiao flipped through his profile but found nothing special—just an ordinary family.

Probably an intellectual family, Liang Qiao thought.

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