To Raise a Soul 48.2

After handling the issue with Feng Wei, Yin Yan led Yu Zhen to the parking lot.

Pretending to feel nonchalant, Yu Zhen asked, “Do you want to meet Han Ya at the restaurant?”

Yin Yan shook his head and fished out his phone. He called Fu Wenhua and Ai Rui, explaining that Han Ya had asked to meet him. He then asked them to go there on his behalf. After hanging up, he started the car. 

“No, let’s go home and have our fish dinner.“

Yu Zhen’s mood lifted. Watching Yin Yan’s serious driving expression, an itchiness scratched at his heart. He thought about Xin Xiaoxiao’s suggestion, and overcome by a hotheaded impulse, he took a deep breath, unfastened his seatbelt, and rushed forward.

Whether I die early or late, I will die either way! If I die early, I’ll be freed earlier! Grandpa give me your blessings!

With his constant attention on Yu Zhen, Yin Yan stepped on the brakes as soon as Yu Zhen removed his seatbelt. The car stopped and then he turned and began, “What is it? Did you forget to bring-”

Yu Zhen had originally only planned to plant a kiss on Yin Yan’s face, but with one head moving downwards and one head moving upwards, his lips met with Yin Yan’s directly.

… I also bumped my nose. It hurts.

Before Yu Zhen could indulge in the feeling of having his lips upon Yin Yan’s, pain from his nose flooded his senses and his eyes reddened. Tears welled up and fell. He clutched his nose and hissed in pain.

“It hurts… Why did you turn your head so suddenly… hissss. I’ll definitely have a nosebleed.”

Yin Yan was speechless. His head remained turned and he was frozen in place.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

The clear drumbeats of Yin Yan’s heart were impossible to ignore. Stunned, Yu Zhen looked up again.

Yin Yan looked down at him, his throat visibly bobbed up and down. Abruptly, he undid his seatbelt and left the car. His movements were lightning fast. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from Yu Zhen’s sight.

Yu Zhen: “…”

What’s with this damned reaction!?!?

He straightened up and looked out of the window, into the empty parking lot. Feelings of happiness, grievance, stuffiness, and a need to bite someone swelled in his heart.

That heartbeat just now was definitely not mine! I was in so much pain I could die! My heart couldn’t beat that fast. S-so… It should be just as Xin Xiaoxiao had said, Yin Yan’s heartbeat did get faster. But also he tossed me aside and ran away! What does this mean?!

“Asshole!”

The fingers which covered his nose felt hot. Lowering his hand, Yu Zhen saw it was coated in bright red blood. Seething with anger, he almost wanted to bite the car seat.

“What birthday? I’m not celebrating it with you anymore!”

He pulled out some tissues from the tissue box in the car and wiped away the blood. Then he plugged up his nostrils with the tissues and clambered into the driver’s seat. Without hesitation, he stepped on the gas and sped out of the parking lot.

When Yin Yan returned with medicine from the company, he was met with the sight of the empty parking space.

Where is he?

He scrunched up his eyebrows and pursed his lips. After a brief moment, his expression softened and he brought up a hand to cover the lower half of his face. Walking back and forth, he checked his surroundings, but he couldn’t find Yu Zhen. Forgetting that he could use magic to track Yu Zhen down, he took out his phone and made a call.

“Dududu…”

No one answered the phone.

Was he frightened by my reaction?

Yes! That’s right, my disciple reveres my teachings. He must have been shocked. 

The pure-hearted sect master frowned. Subconsciously, he raised a hand and touched his lips, but he then promptly lowered it. He patted his clothes, found his own car keys and quickly walked to his car. Under the dim shine of the utility lights in the parking lot, Yin Yan’s ears appeared slightly red.

Yu Zhen drove chaotically. When his anger had mostly subsided, he found that he had driven to the Japanese restaurant mentioned in Han Ya’s invitation. 

He stared blankly for a moment. Then he yanked out the tissues stuck in his nostrils. Seeing as the blood had stopped flowing, he dampened some tissue and wiped his face. All the while, he gloomily cursed himself for his immaturity.

Han Ya is an emotional debt left by the original master of that body, not Yin Yan. Why do I care about this? If Yin Yan knew I came running over here, I’d be laughed at.

He cleaned up his face and restarted the ignition to leave. However, he caught sight of a spectacle from the corner of his eye. Han Ya was being dragged out of the restaurant by a woman with curly hair. They were followed by Fu Wenhua and Xiao Shiyang.   

“Han Ya! What do you mean?! Hmm?! What do you mean?! In the past you used me as a weapon to attack someone, fine, that was in the past. But now you had someone send a letter to Yin Yan to mess with his marriage?! Do you even have any face left?! And! What hardships were you complaining to Shiyang about? What? Has your heart been moved because you know Shiyang’s family has quite good conditions?! You want to snare my man?!”

“Ai Rui, you’ve misunderstood. Me and Shiyang didn’t…”

“If there was nothing going on then why did you avoid me as soon as you saw me?! Look at how pale you’ve made up your face, are you going to put on a drama of a terminally ill person for Yin Yan? And you’re even getting Shiyang to pick you up and drop you off! Ha! I didn’t realize you were this kind of person in the past. I was blind to have treated you as a friend!”

Han Ya’s reputation couldn’t be upheld when she was scolded in public. She silently wept, then tried to explain, “I really didn’t. I had Shiyang drop me off and pick me up because he happened to be free. I really didn’t.”

Embarrassed as he stood on the sidelines, Xiao Shiyang reached out to Ai Rui and explained, “Ai Rui, you’ve really misunderstood. There’s nothing between me and Han Ya…”

“If there was nothing why did you lie to me so that I’d go to a business meeting? Xiao Shiyang, I’m telling you now, I’ve seen many lousy, wavering men like you. Scram. I’ll think of it as being bitten by a dog in my youthful years. Playtime is over! We’re through!”

Xiao Shiyang panicked at her words. He hurriedly moved to hug her and continued to reason, “There really is nothing between me and Han Ya. We’ve been friends for a few years. If she came to me, it wouldn’t be right to not drop her off. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to make you angry. She said you’ve got an anxious nature, so I – ” 

“Whatever she says is right? Is she your girlfriend or am I your girlfriend?! She turns around and says I’m anxious and malicious. She says I’m not suitable for you. She says I bully her and scheme against her. Didn’t you believe her? You doubted me and asked me questions. I’m telling you, Xiao Shiyang, for these kinds of cheap and old scheming plots, once I have seen one part, I can already guess the next part. You’ve already been taken in by her. Splitting up with me was only a matter of time. Since you trust her so much, let’s get it over with and break up!”

“I didn’t…” Xiao Shiyang had no idea how to explain. He simply tried to hold her in vain.

Han Ya’s cries became even more pitiful. She stepped closer and whimpered, “Ai Rui, don’t misunderstand Shiyang. I made you lose your sense of security. I’ll go. Shiyang is a good man. He really loves you. In the future you and him…”

Smack.

Ai Rui suddenly turned around and slapped Han Ya. One of the restaurant’s staff had been hesitating about asking them to leave the doorway but was scared back inside.

“Han Ya. You’re still trying to drive a wedge between people at this time. You’re a real piece of work. Xiao Shiyang, what did you think of what she just said? Did you think I’m making trouble without reason? And that she’s been wronged?”

Xiao Shiyang didn’t look at Han Ya. Instead, he tried to hold Ai Rui again as he shook his head and said, “No. No. I was wrong. You’re like this because I lied to you. I won’t do it again in the future. Let’s not break up, okay? I promise I won’t see her again in the future, and I won’t have contact with her. If you don’t like her, I won’t see her. Don’t be angry.”

“Get out of my way!” Ai Rui pushed him away. She walked to Han Ya and pulled aside the hand which covered her face. “Did you hear that? Shiyang won’t see you again in the future. Don’t secretly pester him. I’ll give you a piece of advice. Think less about other people’s men. If they can be snatched, they’re trash. You’ll never be able to snatch away the good ones. Han Ya, don’t make yourself so cheap!”

Finished with her speech, she flung Han Ya’s hand aside and kicked Shiyang while she was at it. Then she got into her own car and left.

Anxious at her departure, Xiao Shiyang followed after her without giving Han Ya a second glance.

Fu Wenhua watched them leave, one after the other. He sighed and looked at Han Ya with complicated eyes. “You… You should do your best. Let’s forget about the past few years of friendship.” 

In a flash, Han Ya was the only one left standing in front of the restaurant. Holding the cheek which had been slapped, she looked extremely pitiful.

But the pitiful person had hateful parts about her.

Yu Zhen’s mood was a little complicated. He started up his car again since he didn’t want to face her. However, as Han Ya’s gaze swept about aimlessly, she caught sight of Yu Zhen and her expression changed. She glared at him.

Emm, my peeking has been spotted.

In his embarrassment, he didn’t know what he should do. At that moment, a familiar black car approached. 

Yin Yan parked close to Yu Zhen’s car, then he walked over and looked at Yu Zhen through the window while remaining silent. 

Yu Zhen: “…”

Is today’s drama not going to end?

“Yan!” Han Ya shouted. Her tears continued to fall slowly, and her white skirt swayed in the wind. She was as beautiful as a painting.

Choked with resentment, Yu Zhen frowned and rolled down the window. “She’s calling you. Didn’t you hear?”

“I’m sorry.” 

Yu Zhen stared blankly. Yin Yan appeared calm, but there was an apologetic look in his eyes. Yu Zhen’s heart skipped a beat, and voice slightly hoarse, he asked, “Wh-what?”

Why did he say sorry? Is he going to turn me down?

“I’ll take responsibility for this.”

Yin Yan suddenly lowered his head and reached out a hand to cup Yu Zhen’s face. He hooked Yu Zhen’s chin with a finger and bent over, kissing him.

Yu Zhen’s eyes widened.

Badump…Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! 

Only the loud sound of heartbeats remained in Yu Zhen’s ears.

Han Ya, who had been performing a solo scene across the road, also looked on with widened eyes.

A whistle and a familiar voice floated down from the second floor of the restaurant. Han Ya stiffened and looked up. Wu Xuan was leaning out of the window to watch the drama. Seeing her glance up at him, he even waved a hand in high spirits. 

“Wow, what a coincidence. Hello, heroine of an idol drama.”

Han Ya’s face turned a shade paler. Lips trembling, she asked, “W-why are you…”

“This restaurant isn’t bad. It’s a good place for brothers to eat together.” Wu Xuan watched her expression with interest, but he hid his mockery with false indifference. Looking behind himself, he asked, “Don’t you think so, brothers?”

“Indeed.”

There was light laughter. A handsome young man wearing a flax colored shirt walked up to the window and stood beside Wu Xuan. His gaze swept over Han Ya, then to Yin Yan and Yu Zhen. He laughed heartily and added, “This really is a good place.”

A few more friends joined them around the windows. They were all people to whom the Han family needed to show deference to. 

They watched Han Ya as if she was a joke or a plaything, but kept a mask of indifference to hide their mockery. They appeared to be polite and restrained. 

The only thing Han Ya felt was her pride and self-respect being crushed under their gazes. Her gaze moved to the man in the flax-colored shirt and she clutched her skirt.  

I’m done for.

It’s not just me. My family is also done for.

For the business circle and the cultural research circle to see such a show, my family and I can no longer gain any foothold in this city.

She couldn’t help but look at Yin Yan, whose back remained turned to her, and a genuine tear finally fell. 

And my love is also completely finished.