A Smile Too Sweet to Trust

Ye Ruihuan couldn't stop herself from recalling the smooth, soft skin and the sweet, innocent expression that had appeared in her dream. The way she had spoken—tender and sugary—still echoed in her mind. A pink haze filled her heart just thinking about her. But all she could do was hold herself back, watching from a distance, never daring to make a move.

Restless and unable to sleep, Ye Ruihuan tossed and turned in bed. Two hours passed, and her eyes remained open. Eventually, she gave up and sat up with a sigh, staring out at the pitch-black sky beyond the window. For a brief moment, she even felt the irrational urge to climb out the window and sneak into her room.

"Ugh..." she let out a long, weary breath.

The next morning, Ye Ruihuan rushed to the living room the moment she woke up. As expected, Lin Ruijiao wasn't there. The house felt empty. Back at the Lin residence, after returning home, Lin Ruijiao's assistant Jing Jing had already left. Aunt Lin was on break for the holidays, and so was she.

"Jiaojiao, you're back!" Her mother immediately came forward to help with her luggage.

"Welcome home!" Her father poked his head out of the kitchen, still wearing his apron.

"Perfect timing. Your dad's simmering some pork rib soup. I'll get you a bowl in a bit." Her mom tugged her to the sofa, bustling about cheerfully.

"Didn't you say you had an assistant with you? Where is she?"

"She went home. I can't expect her to work through the New Year, can I?" Lin Ruijiao smiled lightly as she accepted a hand warmer.

"Well, still, she came all this way with you. The least we could've done was invite her in for a meal."

"She said it wasn't necessary—maybe next time." Lin Ruijiao followed her mom through the house, swaying slightly from side to side.

Back in the Yuwan villa, Ye Ruihuan sat in a daze, staring blankly at the large screen in front of her.

"Ye Ruihuan! Dinner!" came Ye Zhi's voice shouting from afar.

"So noisy," Ye Ruihuan muttered, shooting her a glance.

"Hmph, I'm just saying—you had it so nice at Guiting. Ever since you moved here, I haven't been able to adjust." Ye Zhi grumbled as she sat down.

"...I didn't ask you to come over."

"Oh please. You think I wouldn't come bug you when I heard Lin Ruijiao left? I figured you'd be all alone, wallowing in loneliness—"

"Enough." Ye Ruihuan quickly stuffed a piece of pork knuckle into Ye Zhi's bowl to shut her up.

"You do know Mom and Dad went overseas for vacation, right?" Ye Zhi grinned, clearly pleased with herself.

"I know," Ye Ruihuan replied, thoughtfully. "They're not coming back for the New Year, are they?"

"Doesn't seem like it. Grandpa's definitely going to blow up this year."

"I'm not going back either," she said quietly, as if something had just crossed her mind.

"You're not going back? To Grandpa's place? Are you insane? What about me?" Ye Zhi bristled like a porcupine, firing off questions.

"It's fine. Mom and Dad can take the blame."

"...Suit yourself. But Grandpa's definitely going to call you." Ye Zhi paused, then asked curiously, "So? You heartbroken or something? Going on a trip to heal?"

"...What's Ye Junhua up to lately?"

"What? Why are you asking about him?" Ye Zhi's hand trembled as she reached for her wine glass.

"Nothing. Just remembered seeing him at the gala. You two seemed close."

"...We're okay," her voice dropped, "Why the sudden interest in me?"

Ye Ruihuan's eyes sparkled with playful mischief.

"Why are you looking at me like that?! We're bros, you know? Just bros!" Ye Zhi dropped her gaze and started shoveling food into her mouth.

"Don't know about that..." Ye Ruihuan shook her head.

With that, the topic shifted, and Ye Zhi finally stopped her relentless chatter.

Meanwhile, at the Lin household, Lin Ruijiao was sitting on the sofa, happily watching TV with her parents, when a knock came at the door. She got up with an apple in hand, only to open the door and find the last person she expected—Ye Ruihuan.

She blinked, puzzled. "Why are you here?"

Ye Ruihuan gave her a smile, ignored her question, and stepped right inside.

"Jiaojiao, who is it?" Her mom came over and, seeing the guest, immediately brightened. "Come in, come in! Sit down!" She ushered Ye Ruihuan in without hesitation. "I know you! You look so familiar, you're that actress from... from..."

"Ye Ruihuan," she quickly replied, juggling several bags in her hands.

"Yes! That's it! Jiaojiao, how could you not tell me you had a friend coming over?" Her mom shot her a half-scolding look.

"Mom, I..." Lin Ruijiao stood there awkwardly, apple still in hand, glancing between her mom and Ye Ruihuan, completely at a loss.

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Jiaojiao's friend," Ye Ruihuan said sweetly, a smile lighting up her entire face. Her tone was warm and sincere.

"Good, good. Come in, sit down!"

"..." Lin Ruijiao found herself speechless, completely sidelined by the interaction.

"Hello, Uncle."

"Hello, hello. Thank you for looking after our Jiaojiao while she was away... I feel like I've seen you before..." Her father squinted at her, clearly trying to place her.

"She's that actress from the movie we watched!" Her mother jumped in helpfully.

"Oh right! You were amazing, such talent at such a young age!" Her father beamed.

"Exactly! Jiaojiao should learn from you. You're so pretty, even prettier in person. It's like you stepped right out of the screen..." Her mother took her hand affectionately.

"Thank you, Auntie, Uncle," Ye Ruihuan's smile was soft and radiant, exuding a warmth that made her seem like a completely different person.

"No need to thank us. Just have a good time with Jiaojiao, and don't mind us."

"Not at all, it's really nice here. Thank you for having me," Ye Ruihuan replied smoothly, winning over Lin Mom in an instant.

Even Lin Ruijiao, who knew her well, had never seen this side of her. She sat there, dumbfounded, watching the exchange.

"Alright then, you two hang out. We'll go pick up a few things from the market."

"Alright, Auntie. Safe travels." Ye Ruihuan gave her a cheerful farewell.

As the door closed with a clunk, the smile vanished from Lin Ruijiao's face.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice sharp and suspicious.

"It's New Year's, Jiaojiao. I messaged you." Ye Ruihuan's face remained calm, her eyes full of gentle longing.

Lin Ruijiao quickly looked away and checked her phone. She had, indeed, received a message.

"I didn't reply... Shouldn't you be spending New Year's with your family?" Her only wish was to get Ye Ruihuan to leave.

"...Jiaojiao, you don't understand. There's no one at my house." The smile faded from Ye Ruihuan's face, her shoulders slumped with a touch of melancholy.

It struck Lin Ruijiao that, in both this life and the last, she'd never really known anything about Ye Ruihuan's family—except for Ye Zhi.

The world of the wealthy was murky. Being a daughter in that kind of household probably wasn't easy. Her mind suddenly filled with dramatic scenes from cliché family dramas.

"Fine..." Whether it was guilt or the fear of her parents making wild guesses, she relented. "But you better behave. Don't say anything weird in front of my parents." Her round eyes narrowed in warning, full of seriousness.

"I know," Ye Ruihuan said gently, her expression softening. But she made sure to keep a trace of sorrow in her eyes—just enough to let Lin Ruijiao see it.