Chapter 51
The girl’s eyes and words warmed Jiang Chenyin’s heart. She suddenly had the illusion that she was being protected by this girl who loved to nestle in her arms.
This feeling was very comfortable and didn’t make her feel uneasy at all. It should have been her protecting Bo Muyu, but now, being comforted and reassured by her, she only felt that both her body and mind quickly adapted and became dependent.
She had always been unable to refuse Bo Muyu, whether it was dependence or being depended on.
“Thank you for listening to me,” Jiang Chenyin said, her hand covering Bo Muyu’s, which was cupping her cheek. A hint of warmth appeared in her teary eyes. “I understand everything you said. I’m just scared. I’m afraid that what I thought was a good deed was a hurt to others. I haven’t faced this for a long time. I don’t dare to talk about it, don’t dare to fully recall it. I just hope it will never be brought up again.”
In the first few days after the incident, she had repeatedly relived the scene in her dreams. She was scared, terrified, but even in her dreams, she could not curse her family as the other person had demanded.
She didn’t believe in the illusory, but she would never dare to gamble with her family.
“Don’t say thank you to me,” Bo Muyu said, her fingertips touching the corner of her eye. “I said I would protect you. I wasn’t lying.”
Jiang Chenyin’s lips curved up. She closed her eyes to hide her tears, then opened them again, pulling Bo Muyu’s hand down and then lovingly pulling her into a hug, whispering, “Why are your eyes red too?”
Bo Muyu just shook her head. She knew that Jiang Chenyin understood everything.
The panic in Jiang Chenyin’s heart still lingered. After holding Bo Muyu for a while, she said in a low voice, “The boy in the story just now, his name was Shao Sinan.”
Shao? Then…
Bo Muyu looked up. “That Mrs. Shao just now is his mother.”
Jiang Chenyin nodded. “Yes. Shao Sinan also has a younger brother named Shao Sibei.” She paused and sighed. “Shao Sibei was still very young back then. And it was later investigated that Shao Sinan did indeed have a mental illness.”
“I see…” Bo Muyu’s expression became solemn, her eyes full of understanding.
With this, everything made sense. But it had been over a decade since Shao Sinan’s incident, and his mother was still holding on to Jiang Chenyin. Then this matter was probably not going to be resolved so easily.
“Auntie Yin, after so many years, that Mrs. Shao still won’t let you go. I don’t think she will give up easily.”
That greedy look made Bo Muyu feel a little uneasy.
“I understand,” Jiang Chenyin’s thoughts also returned to track, much calmer. “My bottom line is my family and the people around me. About that incident, I see it clearly, but I can’t completely get rid of it.”
Bo Muyu sat up straight and held her shoulders. “Then the next time you think of it, don’t run away. Don’t just think about whether you did the right thing or not. Remember what I told you just now. You were not wrong. Also, today’s help is the last time.”
Jiang Chenyin met her reassuring gaze. She couldn’t help but curve her lips for Bo Muyu. “Okay, I’ll remember everything you said. But you have to promise me too. Don’t let anyone know that I’m helping the Shao family. I don’t want my family to worry.”
“No problem,” Bo Muyu said, pinching her cheeks to deepen her smile. “This is our secret.”
Jiang Chenyin let out a soft laugh and let her have her way, widening the smile on her lips.
Bo Muyu paused, looked at Jiang Chenyin for a few seconds, then let go of her hand and lowered her head.
“You told me before that you would be good to me for a lifetime,” she said with her head down, hooking her right pinky with Jiang Chenyin’s left. “Then I’ll tell you too. I was still young then, so I didn’t know your fear. Now I can see and hear it. I will protect you for a lifetime.”
Jiang Chenyin bit her lip and was silent for a long time. Gazing at Bo Muyu, she felt that something in her eyes and heart was about to overflow. She had to turn her head and sniffle, then turned back with a laugh.
“This is the first time I’m glad that I have a good memory, so that I can firmly remember what you’ve said to me.”
A good memory was needed to remember how Bo Muyu had grown from a quiet child to the quick-witted, upright, and brave person she was today.
Bo Muyu looked up. “That’s not so good. It would be better if I could forget what I shouldn’t remember.”
Jiang Chenyin said matter-of-factly, “You can also stack up what you should remember, layer by layer. Over time, what you shouldn’t remember will be buried at the bottom, and it will be hard to think of it again.”
Bo Muyu was taken aback for a moment, and then she felt that the warmth had finally returned to Jiang Chenyin’s eyes.
The two of them looked at each other and smiled. Bo Muyu took her hand and stood up, walking towards the bed.
“Then let’s go to sleep first. When we wake up, we can start remembering what we should remember,” Bo Muyu said, pulling the blanket over the two of them as soon as she lay down. It was dark under the covers.
Jiang Chenyin reached out to turn off the light, then moved over to hug Bo Muyu, asking with a smile on her lips, “Muyu, have you showered?”
“I showered before I started working just now. Let’s go to sleep,” Bo Muyu said, wrapping her arms around Jiang Chenyin’s neck and burying her face there to breathe, her voice soft and slow as she tried to coax her, “Tomorrow will be a new beginning. Don’t question your actions. Your intentions were good. You have always been good.”
Jiang Chenyin’s smile faded. She quietly held Bo Muyu, feeling the regular breathing by her ear, her heart unprecedentedly calm and peaceful.
She said softly, “Goodnight.”
She was beginning to feel that tomorrow would be the real new beginning, after she had been honest with Bo Muyu.
As February approached, the festive atmosphere of the New Year gradually became apparent in Qinzhou. Shops on every street and alley were adorned with bright red couplets, and supermarkets were stocked with various goods related to the Spring Festival. A joyous mood was everywhere.
Bo Mingliang and Ye Xialan made a surprise visit to Jiang Chenyin’s place. Everything was as usual, nothing special. What was more noticeable was that Bo Muyu had become more filial to her elders. She even knew to cook a meal for her parents without letting Jiang Chenyin help.
This made Ye Xialan feel that leaving Bo Muyu with Jiang Chenyin was much better than having her at home.
In early February, Bo Muyu finished writing the script for God of War. All preparations during the scriptwriting period had been carried out efficiently. In late February, Su Man announced that the project would officially start after the Spring Festival holiday.
Having finally completed her task, Bo Muyu sat in front of Su Man’s desk and let out a sigh of relief.
The corners of Su Man’s lips lifted, and she tapped the folder in her hand on the desk. “What, feeling relieved?”
Bo Muyu smiled. “At least the Spring Festival holiday will be much more relaxed.”
Su Man put down the folder, leaned back, and said in a casual tone, “Are you satisfied with the actors I’ve chosen? You weren’t willing to specify anyone, so I could only screen them based on your descriptions.”
“I think they’re good enough,” Bo Muyu nodded thoughtfully. “Gao Changgong is recorded in history as having a gentle voice and a beautiful appearance, and being brave and skilled in battle, so the male lead’s looks and heroic spirit are both indispensable. As for the female lead, his wife, there is no clear record of her in official history. I’ve looked through many unofficial histories and only found some vague records, so I’ve largely fictionalized the parts about her.”
A hint of helplessness suddenly appeared on Su Man’s face. “Actually, my first choice for the role of Princess Zheng was Lan Yuxin, but her schedule couldn’t be arranged. And she’s with Jiayi. To be honest, I hesitated for a while.”
Bo Muyu was taken aback. “Sister Lan?”
Since it was just a casual chat, Su Man didn’t hide her praise. “Mmm, Lan Yuxin’s acting is commendable. Although she’s not particularly outstanding in this industry, she’s definitely not just a pretty face. The main thing is that her acting range can be broken through. It’s not limited to her looks and temperament.”
Bo Muyu hesitated. “For example…”
Su Man pressed her lips together. “For example, those actors who can only play a deadpan face, or those who can only play a silly, sweet girl? Anyway, Lan Yuxin has a wide range and acting skills, and she’s also very popular.”
Bo Muyu nodded. “You can consider her next time.”
Su Man smiled. “We’ll see next time.”
As usual, Jiang Chenyin, who had no social engagements, came to pick up Bo Muyu from work. The two of them cooked dinner together, and Bo Muyu would subconsciously take on a little more of the work than before.
Ever since she had heard Jiang Chenyin talk about her past, Bo Muyu had been taking the initiative to do more of the housework. She felt that she had been too young back then, and now she couldn’t even remember if Jiang Chenyin had shown any negative emotions at that time.
She couldn’t make up for it, so she wanted to take care of Jiang Chenyin, just as she had promised her.
After dinner, the two of them watched TV in the living room for a while. Jiang Chenyin was about to do the dishes, but Bo Muyu pushed her upstairs to work out and took on the task of washing the dishes herself.
In the gym, Jiang Chenyin was doing alternating knee-tuck push-ups as she thought, sweat dripping down her face.
She felt that this child had been getting more and more diligent lately. It wasn’t that she wasn’t diligent before, but she felt that Bo Muyu had a kind of indescribable quality to her now. It made one feel that this person was very reliable and would arrange things properly without any mishaps.
It was a very good thing for Bo Muyu to become like this. It would also make it easy for people to have a good impression of her at work.
After her workout, Jiang Chenyin went downstairs to her room. Bo Muyu was working. Seeing her enter, she handed her a glass of water that she had prepared in advance. “Auntie Yin, have some water.”
Jiang Chenyin’s lips curved up as she took the glass and drank, the feeling in her heart growing stronger.
After she finished, she asked, “What are you writing?”
Bo Muyu took the empty glass from her and replied, “I’m looking at the script I wrote in university. It’s the next project Senior is planning to start.”
Jiang Chenyin crossed her arms and smiled. “Oh? What’s the story?”
Bo Muyu pulled her to the desk, put down the glass, and said, “The story is called Dust World. The protagonist is a girl who experienced her mother being killed by her father, her father being sentenced to death, and being molested by her adoptive father in her adoptive parents’ home.”
A document was open on the screen, with a large block of text describing the plot.
Jiang Chenyin quickly turned around and smiled at her helplessly. “Don’t let me see. We’re competitors, aren’t we?”
Bo Muyu’s cheeks puffed out slightly, and she frowned as she put an arm around Jiang Chenyin’s shoulder and said in a small voice, “You won’t do anything. It’s okay to take a look.”
“You trust me that much?” Jiang Chenyin turned her head and said deliberately, “What if I remember it and have Jiayi’s screenwriters write it?”
Jiang Chenyin was taller than her. When she turned her head, she could use her height advantage to admire her beautiful, delicate eyelashes from above, and from this angle, her flawless side profile, as fine as beautiful jade, and her eyes, which flowed with a quiet light.
“You wouldn’t,” Bo Muyu said, gazing at her smiling eyes. “You wouldn’t do that. Not to mention that there are many screenwriters at Jiayi who are more outstanding than me. Just from what you said just now, you’re not that kind of person.”
“You’re always coaxing me. I’m old. I can’t take it,” Jiang Chenyin couldn’t help but curve her lips, still feeling a hint of sweetness in her heart.
“I’m not coaxing you. I’m telling the truth,” Bo Muyu said, dissatisfied with Jiang Chenyin’s reply, and wrapped her arms around her waist.
Jiang Chenyin, who had just finished her workout and come downstairs, was still only wearing a sports bra on her upper body. The sweat had been wiped away, and her fair skin was firm and smooth. Bo Muyu’s hands clasped tightly on Jiang Chenyin’s abdomen, and a strong sense of attachment instantly welled up in her heart.
If only I could hug her anytime I want. In the morning when we say goodbye to go to work, in the evening when we’re together, and when I miss her.
Jiang Chenyin’s body stiffened. Before Bo Muyu could fully enjoy the feeling, she patted her hand and urged, “Muyu, let go. I’m all sweaty and haven’t showered yet.”
“You don’t smell like sweat,” Bo Muyu said, hugging her even tighter. “You smell very good.”
Jiang Chenyin only felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly pried Bo Muyu’s hands away and turned around. “What do you mean, smell good? Go and take a shower. You can shower in this room. I’ll go to the one next door.”
“I still want to hug you,” Bo Muyu said, licking her lips and lowering her head, her eyes fixed on Jiang Chenyin’s waist.
“It’s very late. Go and take a shower,” Jiang Chenyin said, wanting to continue urging her but couldn’t help but laugh. She gave her a little push. “You can hug me after your shower. Go on.”
Bo Muyu’s eyes lit up, and then she pointed at the bed. “Your nightdress is there.”
Jiang Chenyin went to get her nightdress, and Bo Muyu also turned off her computer and was about to go and take a shower.
The bathroom door closed with a “thud.” Jiang Chenyin stopped and looked at the door.
For some reason, when Bo Muyu’s hands had touched her waist without any barrier just now, another image had suddenly appeared in her mind. It was a picture of Bo Muyu hugging someone else, from behind.
Her thoughts were immediately in a jumble, because Bo Muyu had occasionally hugged her from behind or from the side recently. The earliest time was when she was cooking congee after Bo Muyu’s fever had just broken.
Perhaps it was because this was the first time Bo Muyu had touched her body under her clothes while hugging her in this position that she had thought of another image.
She thought of Bo Muyu having a boyfriend in the future. Would she still be the same, a straight shooter, not knowing how to be tactful? Would she still not know that “shyness” was an emotion that many girls often had? Would she still like to hug the other person in this position?
Jiang Chenyin clutched a corner of the nightdress in her hand and turned to go to the room next door.
After they had both showered and were lying in bed with the lights off, Bo Muyu moved over and wrapped her arms around Jiang Chenyin’s waist.
Although the texture of the nightdress was very good, she felt that it was not as good as direct skin contact. She bit her lip and resisted the urge to reach in. That seemed too strange.
To make that strange thought fade, Bo Muyu said, “Auntie Yin, the Spring Festival is coming up.”
Jiang Chenyin stroked the hair at the back of her head. “Mmm, you’ll have to move back home for a few days. You can come back after you start work again.”
“Then can I see you on New Year’s Eve?”
Jiang Chenyin smiled. “I’ll be at my parents’ place on New Year’s Eve.”
“Oh right… you have to go back to Grandpa and Grandma Jiang’s,” Bo Muyu was a little dejected. That was too far away.
Jiang Chenyin’s heart softened. After a moment of thought, she said, “If you want to see me, call me early.”
Bo Muyu was taken aback for a moment. Although it wasn’t the holiday yet, she felt as if fireworks were blooming in her heart. Her words were tinged with a slight joy. “Really? I can see you on New Year’s Eve?”
“Really,” Jiang Chenyin laughed out loud, using the dim light of the bedside lamp to look at her, whose eyes seemed to reflect a brilliant firework display.
The thoughts from before her shower surfaced in Jiang Chenyin’s mind. She remembered that she had never asked Bo Muyu what type of boy she liked.
She also thought of another thing. After the Spring Festival, in another half a year, it would be Bo Muyu’s twenty-third birthday. A beautiful age, one that could attract boys with admiring hearts.
Jiang Chenyin had to admit that she had almost forgotten that Bo Muyu had already reached the most suitable age for a relationship.
Bo Muyu would probably have a boy she mutually liked soon, and the focus of her life would gradually have nothing to do with Jiang Chenyin. This realization made Jiang Chenyin taste the bitterness of loss in the dead of night.
