Hard to Deceive

“……”

Wen Yifan had never thought about it before. He was silent the whole time and treated her like nothing. However, he decided to lower his dignity by asking her, just to invite business to his own bar.

She kept quiet for three seconds until she couldn’t resist asking, “Is your bar facing financial difficulties?”

“The bar isn’t earning much. So, I have to make some effort to promote it.” Sang Yan lazily said, “Are you coming or not? I’ll be generous and give you a housemate discount if you come.”

Wen Yifan was tempted to go, “How much is the discount?”

It will be great if there are discounts.

I can save some money while showing consideration to his business.

It’s a win-win situation.

Sang Yan tilted his head and thought, “It will be 1%.”

“......” Wen Yifan couldn’t believe her own ears, “How much?”

Sang Yan didn’t look like he knew anything was wrong with what he said, and he patiently repeated, “1%.”

“……”

No wonder you don’t have any business.

You just wait for your bar to go out of business then.

After staring at him for a while, Wen Yifan said, “You’re quite generous.”

She didn’t directly reject, “I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, let me know in advance if you’re coming,” Sang Yan continued scrolling through his phone, “I’ll open a table for you.”

“Okay.” Wen Yifan kindly reminded him after thinking that he had helped her a lot, “Although it is important to promote the bar, you also have to reconsider the design of the bar.”

Sang Yan looked up, “What do you mean?”

Your sign board is hardly noticeable. It doesn’t look like a bar.” Wen Yifan paused as she was doubtful if it would upset him, “It looks like a barbershop instead.”

“……”

“When I first came to this bar, I searched for ‘OverTime’ for a long time before I found it.” Wen Yifan honestly said, “The bar doesn’t spark the urge for people to go in.”

There was utter silence in the living room.

Wen Yifan wasn’t sure if this advice was mentioned to him before, and she felt that she didn’t have the qualifications to comment on his bar. She finished the rest of the coffee and took the initiative to ease the atmosphere, “But I was just giving some opinions.”

“Since it’s so difficult to find,” Instead, Sang Yan did not seem to care much about her words and repeated, “And there’s no spark of urge for people to go in…”

He paused at the perfect timing playfully, “So, why did you come to my bar for the first time?”

“……”

Wen Yifan gasped and couldn’t quite answer.

Even if it wasn’t her initiative, the purpose was indeed impure.

Sang Yan was surprisingly thoughtful to not continue questioning her. He looked away and casually said, “I’ll consider your suggestion.”

Wen Yifan breathed a sigh of relief, “Then…”

“But.” Sang Yan’s tone was snobbish, “I don’t intend to change it.”

“……”

Wen Yifan had a feeling that she was wasting her time talking to him. She finished her cookies before putting on her coat and went out. It was almost time for lunch when she arrived at the company.

Su Tian was sitting at her desk and she asked, “Why are you so late today?”

“There’s nothing much to do today, there’s only an interview in the afternoon.” Wen Yifan added, “My life is more important than work. I feel like I won’t survive until next year if I don’t get enough sleep.”

“Geez, you’re right. I don’t even want to go out during my days off, I just want to snuggle in bed all day.” Su Tian rested her head on the table and grumbled, “Can time move faster, fast forward to the New Year, I want to enjoy my holidays!”

Suddenly, Su Tian sat up and said, “Oh ya, I forgot to tell you.”

“What?”

“Wang Linlin had texted me on WeChat just now, she wants me to let you know to reply to her WeChat message.” Su Tian added, “Didn’t you reply to her? But why is she asking for you? It looks urgent because she had asked me.”

Wen Yifan opened her computer, “I’ll have a look at it later.”

Her emotions had always been calm, so Su Tian didn’t notice anything, “But, Yifan, you’re so kind. She moved away as soon as you moved in. If I’m you, I would definitely move out as well.”

“She rented the house anyway.” Su Tian rolled her eyes, “I think she’s secretly very happy right now because she can get her deposit back in advance.”

“It’s not a big deal.” Wen Yifan said, “I like the unit a lot.”

Su Tian sighed, “That’s why I said that you’re kind.”

……

Qian Wei Hua had been on a business trip to Linzhen for an uproaring murder case. He also had a follow-up interview on hand and the director had been rushing him to complete it. However, he was up to his ears for the rest of his work, so the interview was handed over to Wen Yifan.

It was an attempted rape on the night of the 17th.

The female victim was held hostage by a man with a knife on her way back home from work. She was dragged into a remote alley in the North District. A male stall owner who happened to be passing by discovered them and rescued her, and the female victim escaped.

During the confrontation, the nerves of the male stall owner’s hand were seriously damaged.

After sorting out the outline of the report, Wen Yifan felt that it was almost time. She got up and looked around, “Where’s Fu Zhuang?”

Su Tian, “He seemed to have been called out for an interview. I’m not sure.”

“Alright.” Wen Yifan didn’t care much about it, “Then I’ll go myself.”

Wen Yifan joined the column group as a text reporter. However, when the team was understaffed, she had to do whatever that had to be done.

She had to learn whatever she didn’t know how to.

She had been in charge of videography, interview, writing, editing and post-production alone.

Wen Yifan took her equipment and went to the general hospital alone.

Wen Yifan found the ward where the male stall owner was located. After obtaining his consent, she did an interview on his current situation.

The male stall owner was in his early thirties and he seemed to be a simple and honest man. He answered all of Wen Yifan’s questions seriously. He was too shy to look into her eyes, and his face even turned red when he accidentally met her eyes.

After asking the questions on the outline, Wen Yifan added in some impromptu questions and didn’t bother him from resting after that. She took her videography equipment, thanked the male stall owner and decided to go to his attending doctor for further details.

Wen Yifan was called just when she left the ward.

“You… Eh, Wen Yifan?”

She looked in the direction of the voice.

A girl who looked familiar was hesitantly looking at her two or three meters away. She looked young and was holding a fruit basket as if she had come to visit the sick.

Wen Yifan smiled at her, but she couldn’t think of who she was for a while.

“When did you return to Nanwu?” The girl frowned, “Why didn’t my mother mention it?”

This question made Wen Yifan recognize her instantly.

Zheng Kejia.

She was the daughter of Wen Yifan’s stepfather.

Speaking of which, the last time Wen Yifan met her was during her sophomore year.

Zheng Kejia was only in her junior high school year. She didn’t know how to dress up back then, and her personality was coquettish but stubborn. Now that she had grown up and learned how to dress herself up, it was a far cry from what she looked like back then.

Wen Yifan didn’t expect to meet her here.

Zheng Kejia noticed what Wen Yifan was holding and guessed, “Are you on a business trip?”

“No, I moved back to Nanwu.” The weight of the camera was heavy, Wen Yifan impatiently replied, “I still have work to do, I’ll contact you when I have time.”

Zheng Kejia mumbled, “Who wants to contact you…”

“Well.” Wen Yifan nodded, “Then we can both save our time.”

“......” Zheng Kejia was speechless by her reply, she took a long time before saying, “Why are you back when you have nothing to do in Nanwu?”

“I can only be back here when there’s something?” Wen Yifan smiled, “You don’t have to worry. Although I’m back in Nanwu, it doesn’t mean I will go home. Just act like we didn’t meet each other today, no one else will know as long as you keep it to yourself.”

Zheng Kejia frowned, “I didn’t say that you can’t go home.”

Wen Yifan, “Okay, you didn’t say it.”

“Why do you have to be so annoying?” Zheng Kejia was slightly upset, “Can’t you see that I’m trying to have a normal conversation with you? It was a long time ago when I said I didn’t want to live with you, I didn’t say it now.”

Wen Yifan stood still and looked at her quietly.

Zheng Kejia gradually lost her confidence as she spoke, “And it was ages ago, I was still young…”

“It indeed was a long time ago, I almost didn’t recognize you. I think there’s no need for us to catch up.” Wen Yifan added, “Go visit who you’re going to visit, I sure it’s tiring to hold that fruit basket.”

“Wait! Are you going home for Chinese New Year?” Zheng Kejia asked, “Don’t you want to come back and meet your younger brother?”

The younger brother that was mentioned by Zheng Kejia was Zhao Yuandong’s son whom she gave birth to after remarrying for three years.

Wen Yifan had never met him before, even until now.

But Zhao Yuandong had occasionally sent her photos of the boy.

“No, I’m not.” Wen Yifan simply found an excuse, “I’m very busy with work and I basically have no holidays.”

There was silence for a moment.

Zheng Kejia took out her mobile phone and asked, “Then let’s exchange contacts in WeChat. Can we have dinner tonight? I want to apologize to you, I was wrong back then…”

“Zheng Kejia,” Wen Yifan had to pay the police station a visit later, and she had to write manuscripts and edit video footage in the office. She really didn’t have time to talk to her, “I just want to live my own life.”

“……”

“I didn't come back to Nanwu for anyone, and I decided not to go home not because of you.” Wen Yifan said softly, “Everything for myself.”

“……”

Wen Yifan looked at the time, “I’m really in a hurry, I’ll be leaving first.”

Zheng Kejia moved her lips but said nothing.

Wen Yifan turned around and looked at the signboard. She walked towards the Department of Neurology without waiting for Zheng Kejia to respond.

Wen Yifan found the attending doctor of the male stall owner. She didn’t want to delay the doctor’s patient consultation time, so she didn’t take a long time for the interview. She asked a few questions according to the situation of the male stall owner before thanking the doctor and left.

Wen Yifan went to the toilet before leaving the hospital.

Wen Yifan bent down to turn on the tap, she subconsciously shivered when she touched the ice-cold water. She was dazed and confused for a moment, probably because she just met Zhang Kejia.

It reminded her of old memories.

Wen Yifan remembered what her father, Wen Liangzhe, once told her.

Our Little Shuang Jiang is a girl, don’t touch cold water frequently.

All those years, it seemed like Wen Yifan’s emotions would only be affected when she thought of Wen Liangzhe. There was a lump in her throat, she blinked her eyes hard and washed her hands slowly when she recovered.

Wen Yifan’s nickname during high school was not simply made up by the students. It was well-founded.

She really didn’t know how to do anything at that time. Her roommates had taught her how to maintain cleanliness in their hostel. She had a good temper, and she wouldn’t bear grudges when people got impatient and angry with her.

Wen Yifan, who was pampered when she was brought up as a child, was the only child in the family. She was the apple of Wen Liangzhe and Zhao Yuandong’s eyes. They supported whatever she wanted to do, without expecting much from her. They only wanted her to live her life happily and safely.

Wen Yifan lived a carefree life during that time.

Although she didn’t have many friends in her class, she was still happy.

Because she had received sufficient love.

But Wen Yifan never thought she would have such a day.

She was sent to stay with her grandmother by Zhao Yuandong because Wen Liangzhe had passed away, Zhao Yuandong had remarried, and Zheng Kejia was afraid of her snatching away her father’s favour.

Then, she was sent to her uncle’s house because of her grandmother’s poor health condition.

That was probably Wen Yifan’s most sensitive stage in life.

She felt that no one wanted her.

Although she had a place to live, she still felt that there was no place in the world where she could live peacefully.

She couldn’t feel any sense of belonging.

Wen Yifan was very afraid of making mistakes. She had lived her life in fear and anxiety. Even when she was eating, when the chopsticks and bowl collided, her breathing would stop subconsciously.

Wen Yifan inexplicably recalled a past event.

There was once during a weekend.

Her aunt had given her 20 Yuan to go out and buy a box of shredded chicken.

Wen Yifan went out with the money.

Wen Yifan went to the shop designated by her aunt to buy the shredded chicken. She found that the money was gone when she was going to pay.

Her brain went blank at that time, she looked at the owner’s face and told that she would come back for it later. Then, Wen Yifan walked along the path she took earlier and stared at every corner on the ground.

She just went back and forth several times.

Wen Yifan didn’t see any traces of the 20 Yuan.

She could still remember the feeling.

Immensely panicked, but yet, helpless.

Although she thought about it now, it was simply a small matter that seemed to be a ridiculous joke.

It was just 20 Yuan.

She had only lost 20 Yuan.

Just because of such a small thing.

Wen Yifan didn’t go back home for the whole afternoon. She walked around aimlessly until the sky turned dark. She stopped at an empty bus stop, sat on the bench and stared at the grey concrete floor.

She felt like everything had slowed down.

She was afraid to go back.

She was afraid that she would be sent to some other relative’s house by her uncle because of this incident. Then, such an incident would repeat again and again. 

She would become a burden that everyone wanted to get rid of.

Then.

At that moment, Sang Yan seemed to fall from the sky as he appeared out of the blue in front of her. He seemed to have just returned from a basketball match, with a basketball in his hand, his upper body and hair were drenched in sweat.

Sang Yan youthfully walked up to her and bent down. He knew her nickname at that time, as if on purpose, he never called her real name anymore, “Wen Shuang Jiang, what are you doing here?”

Wen Yifan slowly looked up when she heard his voice, she remained silent.

Sang Yan raised his eyebrows, “What’s with the expression?”

Still, silence.

Sang Yan touched her with the basketball, “Say something.”

“Sang Yan,” Wen Yifan responded softly, “Can you lend me 20 Yuan?”

“……”

“I came out to buy things and I lost the money.”

Sang Yan was stunned. He searched through his pockets, “I didn’t bring any money when I came out.”

Wen Yifan immediately lowered her eyes, “Then it’s fine……”

“What do you mean it’s fine, I don’t have the money now, it doesn’t mean that I won’t have the money after five minutes.” Sang Yan stood up straight, “Just sit here for five minutes.”

“……”

After some thought, Sang Yan pushed the basketball into her hands.

“Wait for me.”

Sang Yan had already run away without waiting for her to respond, she didn’t know where he went. She lowered her head once again and stared at the dirty basketball in her hands and the texture on it. 

The evening breeze was blowing quietly.

Cars passed by in front of her one after another.

Wen Yifan didn’t know whether it took five minutes.

She only remembered that Sang Yan was back very soon, and he was still gasping for air. He squatted in front of her and pulled out 20 Yuan from his pocket, “Take it, remember to pay me back.”

Wen Yifan’s hand was a little stiff, she took the money, “Thank you.”

Sang Yan looked up at her as the droplets of sweat trickled down his forehead, “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

“……”

He smiled, “There’s no need to be so touched.”

Wen Yifan pressed her lips together and repeated, “Thank you.”

“Come on, it’s no big deal.” Sang Yan scratched his head when he noticed that her mood was still the same as before, but he didn’t know how to comfort her, “It’s just 20 Yuan.”

“……”

“Give me a call if you lose money again next time.” The boy was bubbling in enthusiasm, he said, “I’ll lend you any amount, okay?”