Chapter Forty-Two: Take Action

At this moment, Liu Minghe was sitting in his office, deep in thought. Opposite him sat Kim Won, the president of Empire Group. The two men faced each other in an unusually quiet, spacious office.

Liu Minghe cared deeply for Yin Ruiying, so Kim Won had helped him investigate the woman named Ya Li Ying, only to inadvertently uncover traces of an old acquaintance.

Lee Wonji, who was also an heir, was about the same age as Kim Won. Back in school, both were prominent figures, their relationship reminiscent of Kim Tan and Choi Youngdo. However, Lee Wonji had gone abroad early on, and their connection gradually faded. Yet not long ago, Lee Wonji became president of Universe Group, and at the welcome banquet, Kim Won attended with Liu Rachel.

Regarding Ya Li Ying, they found some clues, as their social circles overlapped considerably.

"Who would have thought President Lee could be so devoted," Kim Won mused, idly playing with his wine glass. In the past, he might have thought being lovestruck was foolish, but now he felt rather impressed.

The information about Ya Li Ying came mostly from Lee Wonji’s acquaintances; they didn’t know much, and it took time to dig up. But in Korea, it was easier—they had found Han Jinghui’s identity and current address.

"Love really is a dangerous thing," Liu Minghe remarked.

Kim Won raised his lips in a slight smile. "So, should Ruiying know?"

Liu Minghe hesitated. He wasn’t usually indecisive, but this would surely be a heavy blow to Ruiying, especially since she had only just returned after clearing her mind. "I don’t know. What do you think?"

Kim Won had no advice to offer. "I can’t decide this for you."

He stood and walked to the window. From behind, his posture was upright and relaxed, holding his wine glass as if he were at home. He took a slow sip, savoring it for a while.

"Good wine. Bringing it over from England wasn’t easy."

Liu Minghe’s furrowed brow didn’t relax, not even at Kim Won’s jest.

"Rachel was upset with me for quite a while recently," Kim Won continued.

Liu Minghe finally showed some interest, looking up.

Kim Won went on, "She said there are many things I shouldn’t hide from her—even if it’s for her own good, she wants to know and face them together."

Liu Minghe laughed. He’d always thought Rachel was too young, that pairing her with Kim Won was comical (not in a disparaging way). Yet reality had proven that Kim Won and Liu Rachel were the most stable couple in their circle.

"So is this your way of suggesting I tell her the truth?"

"I never said that."

—

While Liu Minghe and Kim Won discussed their options, Ruiying and Rachel were chatting.

Having finished her finals and successfully surpassed Yin Chanrong, Liu Rachel was completely relaxed, especially since her mother would soon marry Yin Zaigao. Her usual coldness had vanished.

Han Zhien, recently at odds with Lee Youngjae over Jiang Huiyuan, had simply moved in with Ruiying.

"Once, I was on a date with Zhu Wang, and we ran into Ma Ling. She insisted on joining us, got drunk, and demanded that Zhu Wang carry her. Later, I realized she was only pretending. I told Zhu Wang, but he said I was being petty," Ruiying vented angrily.

Han Zhien was astonished. "How could someone like that be called a friend? She’s practically an enemy!"

"And another time," Ruiying continued, having found an ally, "Ma Ling knew Zhu Wang was coming to my house, so she hid under my blanket in advance. Zhu Wang didn’t realize it wasn’t me and tickled Ma Ling’s feet. They played around for a while. There are countless incidents like this."

Liu Rachel paused her nail painting, looking at Ruiying. "Is this the kind of friend you keep around for the holidays?"

Han Zhien nodded in agreement, thinking of her own problematic friend. Clearly, cutting ties would prevent future troubles.

"To be honest, it was Rachel and Kim Won who helped me back then!" Ruiying said.

With regular barbecues and gatherings, their little group had formed, and both Han Zhien and Ruiying now called Kim Won "Brother Kim Won."

Liu Rachel loved this life, grateful for her breakup because it had brought her the most precious love and friendship.

Ruiying echoed Han Zhien, "Girls need a few tricks. I was just too naive."

Listening to Ruiying, Liu Rachel suddenly asked, "That woman, Yin E, who’s been troubling your mother and now took your boyfriend—what’s her motive? She must hold a grudge against your family."

Ruiying was troubled, "I don’t know. I wonder if Minghe has found anything."

Mentioning Liu Minghe, Han Zhien and Liu Rachel exchanged a knowing smile.

—

Ma Ling arranged another meeting with Ya Li Ying, ostensibly for writing. Ya Li Ying was gentle with Ma Ling, unlike Ruiying, who was always at odds with her. So Ma Ling preferred Ya Li Ying.

"That Ruiying girl, really," Ma Ling complained—just as Ruiying had been grumbling about Ma Ling. But this suited Ya Li Ying, who wanted to hear updates about Ruiying.

Ma Ling had no guard with Ya Li Ying, spilling everything about Ruiying and Liu Minghe, and she included Kim Won, Lee Youngjae, and other prominent figures, embellishing it all. It was a story begging to be written.

Ya Li Ying, however, had her own thoughts. She knew Kim Won, having heard about him from Lee Wonji during their relationship. Now that Liu Minghe and Kim Won were close, and Liu Minghe was pursuing Ruiying, her sense of foreboding grew stronger. Ya Li Ying resolved to meet with Yin Zhengkui—if she didn’t act first, things might get out of hand.

After chatting with Ya Li Ying, Ma Ling decided to confront Ruiying. Some things are easier left unsaid, but once spoken, her own sense of imbalance only deepened. In truth, Ma Ling’s behavior toward Ruiying stemmed from a hidden jealousy. Ruiying had always led a better life: a good job after graduation, about to marry Lee Zhu Wang. Though they maintained the appearance of friendship, Ma Ling constantly found fault with her. Every time Ruiying silently got angry or was misunderstood by Zhu Wang, Ma Ling felt a subtle satisfaction.

At this time, Shen Xiuzhen was probably out shopping with friends, and Yin Zhengkui must have been at work, so Ruiying was alone at home.

Ma Ling knocked on the door and waited, considering how to bring up her meeting with Ya Li Ying and how to tell Ruiying that Ya Li Ying’s relationship with Zhu Wang was going well.

But when the door opened, it wasn’t Ruiying.

Han Zhien was asleep, Ruiying was texting Liu Minghe, so Liu Rachel was watching TV alone in the living room. Uhey and Kang Shinyu’s "We Got Married" was filming its third season, and Liu Rachel never missed an episode; today was a new release.

Then, the doorbell rang.

Ruiying had just come downstairs and signaled Rachel to answer the door, seeing Ma Ling as she entered.

It was Ma Ling’s first close encounter with Liu Rachel. She immediately became nervous, unable to find words. Liu Rachel’s aura was formidable—her cold expression made Ma Ling afraid to speak. She belonged to a different social class, which made her feel a mixture of envy and intimidation.

"Hello," Ma Ling said cautiously, glancing at Liu Rachel, then spotting Ruiying on the stairs. She wished more than ever that Ruiying would rescue her.

Liu Rachel ignored her, glanced once, then returned to watching TV.

So aloof—Ma Ling didn’t dare look at her.

Ma Ling carefully walked over to Ruiying and whispered, "Can we go to your room?"

Ruiying replied, "No, Zhien is sleeping. Let’s stay in the living room."

She had already decided to cut ties with Ma Ling, though she couldn’t say it outright. She planned to let things fade naturally; it didn’t matter if she abandoned old friends for new ones. Compared to Han Zhien and Liu Rachel, Ma Ling hardly counted as a friend.

Ma Ling was displeased, pulling Ruiying toward the dining room.

"Ya Li Ying is amazing—she can dance, cook, and write great scripts."

"…"

"Ya Li Ying is so gentle. Her eyes are beautiful; just one glance is captivating, especially for men."

"…"

"Ya—"

"Are you finished yet?" Ruiying finally exploded, her temper frayed from enduring so long. "You know she stole my fiancé, yet you keep talking about her! What’s your point?"

Normally, Ma Ling wasn’t afraid of arguing with Ruiying, but suddenly Liu Rachel was leaning casually in the kitchen doorway, holding a plate of salad, watching them.

But Ma Ling wasn’t one to back down. She retorted, "Why can’t I talk about her? Isn’t it your fault for not winning Zhu Wang’s heart?"

Ruiying trembled with rage. "I wouldn’t want his heart anyway!"

"Oh, come on! Haven’t you often cried alone because Zhu Wang ignored you?"

Unable to take it, Ruiying threw the contents of her cup at Ma Ling. Ma Ling froze, then grabbed the fruit platter from the table to hurl at Ruiying, but before she could, Liu Rachel stopped her. Ma Ling, furious, tried to strike Liu Rachel, and Ruiying panicked, shoving Ma Ling to the floor.

It wasn’t the first time Ruiying and Ma Ling had fought. Last time, Ma Ling was so aggressive that Ruiying fainted. But this time, Ma Ling had no chance.

Han Zhien was awakened by the commotion and rushed over. Though she wasn’t much of a fighter, the three of them standing by the doorway had a formidable presence. Ma Ling, alone, burst into tears.

Ruiying’s heart softened immediately; Han Zhien was also conflicted.

Liu Rachel, however, showed no sympathy.

"So, by your logic, what does that make you?" she said calmly. For some reason, Ma Ling’s crying stopped.

"You claim you and Ruiying have been friends since childhood, yet you’ve always coveted her fiancé, used tricks to get close to other people’s boyfriends. Now that her fiancé has been stolen, you keep poking at her wounds. A friend like you is rare—almost impossible to find."

Han Zhien chimed in, angry for Ruiying. "Besides, that fiancé is ugly and unfaithful. Ruiying doesn’t want him. If you like him, take him—otherwise, he’ll soon be unsalable goods."

Ma Ling couldn’t win against the three and ran off crying, throwing a tantrum at Zhao Yingchun’s shop. Zhao Yingchun called Shen Xiuzhen to resolve their daughters’ conflict and suggested Ya Li Ying and Ma Jun should be together.

In this respect, Zhao Yingchun and Ma Ling truly were mother and daughter.

—

Liu Minghe ultimately decided to tell Ruiying everything. Though Ya Li Ying’s methods weren’t sophisticated, they were difficult to guard against. After learning Ya Li Ying’s story, Liu Minghe was unsure how to judge the situation.

Ya Li Ying had suffered for years, finally becoming a scriptwriter to carry out her revenge, sacrificing her love and happiness—a foolish endeavor, yet he respected her courage.

But he couldn’t let this revenge affect Ruiying. Though some impact was inevitable, he couldn’t stand by if she was directly targeted.

He had no idea about the little drama at Ruiying’s house, so he drove over himself to pick her up. He didn’t run into Han Zhien or Liu Rachel, since Han Zhien, upon hearing Lee Youngjae was coming to get her, left with Liu Rachel to stay at her house.

Han Zhien was determined to divorce Lee Youngjae. She loved him deeply, but his heart was devoted to Jiang Huiyuan. He’d stood her up three times, and her wedding ring was still missing.

Han Zhien’s heart was broken.

So Liu Rachel decided to take her away for a few days of fun, and told Ruiying that if Ma Ling brought her whole family to cause trouble again, she should call Liu Minghe or Kim Won.

At that moment, Ruiying was dressed beautifully, dining with Liu Minghe in a quiet barbecue restaurant.

Ruiying was very happy, since Liu Rachel and Han Zhien had stood up for her. She excitedly told Liu Minghe about the afternoon’s events. He grilled meat for her as he listened, though his mood was not light.

Ruiying’s heart skipped—would Minghe think she was over the top? Zhu Wang used to say she was petty, and she’d grown afraid.

Liu Minghe didn’t notice her cautiousness, focused on the grill, flipping the meat. He smiled slightly, saying, "Girls’ matters are always complicated. But if anything like this happens again, you must call me."

He flipped a piece of beef tendon, still not looking up. "If you know she’s coming to cause trouble, don’t meet her."

…

After a while, with Ruiying silent, Liu Minghe looked up to find her staring at him.

Huh?

Ruiying snapped out of it, quickly lowering her head.

She’d just thought Minghe looked incredibly handsome—what should she do? Lately, he seemed even more attractive every day.

They ate in silence, each lost in thought. Liu Minghe drove Ruiying out for a walk, the atmosphere growing increasingly ambiguous. Ruiying felt nervous; Minghe seemed unusually serious today.

He drove to the banks of the Han River, deserted in winter.

"Want to take a walk?"

"Mm." Ruiying got out with Liu Minghe.

She hadn’t brought gloves or a hat, and felt the cold wind immediately.

Liu Minghe thoughtfully pulled up the hood on her coat.

"Don’t, it looks ugly." Ruiying tried to dodge, but Liu Minghe caught her.

"Keep it on, it’s cold." His tone was gentle, yet left no room for refusal.

Ruiying lowered her head, thinking—this feels… off? Yet she couldn’t help feeling a strange anticipation.

They walked quietly for a while. Suddenly, Liu Minghe took Ruiying’s hand. She was startled and tried to pull away, but he held her tighter.

"I’ve found out everything."

"Really?" Ruiying stopped struggling and looked at him, sensing something was wrong. "It’s… bad news, isn’t it?"

Liu Minghe said, "I’m telling you because you have the right to know, but I hope you can bear it."

He held her hand firmly, as if giving her strength. Ruiying felt dizzy, unsure what was happening.

Then Liu Minghe succinctly told her Han Jinghui’s story.

Author’s note: Apologies to S, it was a misunderstanding—sorry~ I just finished six hours of exams today, utterly exhausted. My little angels, won’t you praise me? [teary eyed]

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