The Changing Phases - Chapter 24 - Not in Good Health

In the evening, the room felt very harmonious. Jin was typing away furiously on her novel, immersed in its dramatic twists and turns. Wenhui, on the other hand, was diligently doing the housework-washing Jin’s clothes, mopping the floor, and wiping the tables. He even pulled Jin away from her computer to give her a facial and massage her shoulders. Meanwhile, Liu Yuxin was holed up in her room, intensely studying her training materials.

Liu Yuxin was very stubborn. She didn’t want others to look down on her. Why should she be the one on stage as the negative example? Liu Yuxin wanted to achieve something to show them.

Liu Yuxin wanted to become strong, no longer just an unnoticed employee. She aimed to climb high enough to do whatever she wanted to.

Thinking of this, Liu Yuxin was filled with determination. She felt every nerve and cell in her body brimming with passion and vitality. She went online and watched many speeches by excellent trainers, taking detailed notes. Although those trainers were not from Lanyu Company, she could still learn from their experiences and select the speaking techniques that suited her style. Watching their confident expressions, Liu Yuxin couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.”

Liu Yuxin summarized their strengths and wrote an opening speech tailored to herself. She took some dolls from the bed and placed them on the table, treating them as her audience, and practiced repeatedly.

Wenhui came back home almost at midnight and early the next morning he brought freshly bought breakfast. He actually had a lot of good qualities, except for a bit of lack of masculinity. Liu Yuxin teased him with a smile: “Wenhui, you really are a great househusband, so considerate! Why don’t you just move in with us? Traveling back and forth is such a hassle.”

Wenhui clapped his hands excitedly: “Really? Liu Yuxin, dear, how did you know that’s what I was thinking?”

Liu Yuxin regretted it immediately after hearing his response. It seemed like she couldn’t joke easily.

“Wenhui, where did you buy this breakfast? Could it be from the nearby Jiujiu chain breakfast shop?” Jin asked, picking up the breakfast Wenhui had bought.

“Yes, their variety is quite extensive,” he replied.

“Ahhh!” Jin and Liu Yuxin screamed simultaneously, startling Wenhui. Jin said, “Didn’t you watch the news? The filling in their buns is made from leftover dishes and meat! Many people have gotten food poisoning from it. Quickly, throw it away!”

With no breakfast to eat and it being time to head to work, Liu Yuxin and Wenhui took the bus to the Dynasty Grand Hotel. As soon as they entered the training classroom, Liu Yuxin sensed something was off; the atmosphere was heavy. A few girls were secretly talking among themselves, but stopped upon seeing Liu Yuxin, shooting her jealous looks as they returned to their seats. Liu Yuxin’s female intuition told her that they had been discussing her.

“Liu Yuxin.” Han Mengwei walked over to Liu Yuxin with disdain written all over her face. “I heard you’re Yang Hongyi’s girlfriend? That’s quite a fairy tale.”

Han Mengwei, regardless of appearance or figure, was indeed outstanding. Judging by what she just said, she probably admired Yang Hongyi herself. By mocking Liu Yuxin in front of everyone, she intended to isolate her.

Not wanting Han Mengwei to succeed, Liu Yuxin placed her bag on the table and smiled. “It’s just a rumor, why take it seriously?”

Han Mengwei retorted with a sneer, “I think the three slots for this time are already reserved, right?”

Liu Yuxin refused to back down. “Miss Han, do you perhaps have some insider information? Please share it with everyone. If those slots have indeed been reserved, I might as well head back to the company early.”

Sensing the tension, Wenhui quickly stepped in to mediate. “Ladies, even though Liu Yuxin herself did say that Yang Hongyi is her boyfriend, what does that have to do with the spots? I saw her studiously taking notes last night. We shouldn’t make random assumptions.”

What? She said it herself? Hearing this from Wenhui, everyone began to chatter. This woman just loves to brag! Besides, if she is already with Yang Hongyi, why is she so entangled with Wenhui? Her private life is clearly a mess.

Han Mengwei couldn’t hold back her sarcasm any longer. “Oh my, I was wondering why Yang Hongyi would like a woman like you. Turns out it’s just wishful thinking on your part.”

Everyone started agreeing, and Liu Yuxin shot Wenhui a fierce glance. Was this supposed to be mediation? It was causing more trouble. Realizing his mistake, Wenhui could only retreat to a corner and remain silent.

“Seems like everyone is early today.” A voice from the doorway caught everyone’s attention. It was Yang Hongyi, walking in with a bright smile and holding a white plastic bag that exuded the aroma of chicken legs.

“Hongyi,” Han Mengwei’s face lit up with a smile as she eagerly approached Yang Hongyi, trying to flaunt their relationship. “Haven’t had breakfast yet?”

Yang Hongyi casually slung an arm around Han Mengwei’s shoulders, chuckling, “Haha, Weiwei, you look lovely today.” Han Mengwei immediately blushed deeply. Yang Hongyi then withdrew his arm and walked over to Liu Yuxin, placing the plastic bag on her desk. “Silly girl, you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?”

Silly girl?? Liu Yuxin’s eyes widened in shock at his sudden gesture. What was Yang Hongyi doing? Wasn’t he already causing enough trouble for her? She replied coldly, “Thank you for your kindness, but I already had breakfast with Wenhui.”

Yang Hongyi glanced sideways at Wenhui, then turned back to Liu Yuxin with a smile, “It’s okay. If you don’t want it, you can throw it away.” He then bent down, lightly tapping Liu Yuxin on the forehead, and straightened up, addressing everyone. “Yuxin, you must give it your all so that no one can say you were pre-selected.”

The girls who had been gossiping earlier blushed with embarrassment. Oh no, did Yang Hongyi hear what we said? So Liu Yuxin really is Director Yang’s girlfriend. Even though Director Yang changes girlfriends quickly, for now at least, Liu Yuxin is the one. Han Mengwei might have a point; if Liu Yuxin endures the training period, she’s likely to be one of the pre-selected. With only three slots available, now there are just two left. What are they supposed to do?

The most furious had to be Han Mengwei, who sat to the side, her face full of displeasure. Why should Liu Yuxin be Yang Hongyi’s girlfriend? She had no looks, no talent, and was nowhere near Han Mengwei’s level. What was Yang Hongyi thinking?

But no one knew how helpless Liu Yuxin felt. What was Yang Hongyi trying to do to her? Was he out to get her? This early in the morning, he had made everyone misunderstand her. All she had done was inadvertently start a rumor, and he wouldn’t let it go, putting her in such a difficult position.

Yang Hongyi seemed very pleased with the result. He glanced at Wenhui in the corner, and as if a thought had just struck him, furrowed his brow and asked seriously, “Wenhui, what’s wrong with you? You don’t look so good today.”

Don’t look so good? Wenhui was stunned, reflexively touching his face. Could it be from staying up late last night? Had he dreamed of Jin?

Yang Hongyi insisted, “Really, your complexion is terrible. Are you sick?”

Wenhui felt even more uneasy. He looked around, noticing that Liu Yuxin had her head down and wasn’t looking at him. Although the other girls hadn’t noticed anything wrong, Director Yang said Wenhui didn’t look well, so it must be true. They all nodded seriously.

Wenhui spent the entire morning in a state of anxiety, convinced he might actually be sick. He couldn’t focus on the lessons, frequently pulling out a small mirror to check his face. After class, he even asked others, who all confirmed he didn’t look quite right. Extremely worried, he said to Liu Yuxin, “It seems I really am sick. Liu Yuxin, should I take a sick leave?”

Liu Yuxin looked at him helplessly. “Do you still want to join the training department? Every class these days is crucial. If you don’t want to get in, then go ahead and take a leave.”

Wenhui pulled out the mirror again, examining himself with great unease. “Liu Yuxin, look at me. I really don’t look well today. I’m pale and sallow. I must be sick.”

Liu Yuxin rolled her eyes at him. “I think it’s all in your head.”

When lunchtime arrived, Yang Hongyi suggested eating together. However, upon seeing Wenhui, he started shaking his head again. With a deeply concerned expression, he said, “Wenhui, I think you should go to the hospital. Don’t let it get worse.” He then sighed dramatically and muttered under his breath, “I had a friend who looked just like that before he got diagnosed with cancer. Sigh, life is so fragile.”

Wenhui seemed almost stricken by these words, losing any appetite he had. He sat there in a daze, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, his complexion looking worse by the minute. With an infinite sadness, he said to Liu Yuxin, “I bet it’s because I’ve eaten too much from Jiujiu Breakfast. Now I’ve got a terminal illness!”

Liu Yuxin quickly patted his back in an attempt to comfort him. “It’s okay, don’t worry. You shouldn’t take everything Yang Hongyi says to heart. You should go to the hospital and get checked to know for sure. I think it’s just all in your head.”

Wenhui was still deeply distressed. “Liu Yuxin, I feel like I’ve aged so much. My whole body feels uncomfortable.” He spoke with a tone filled with sorrow and on the verge of tears, “If I’m not around someday, you must tell Jin to take good care of herself and live well.”