Doesn’t Seem Like Acting

After giving instructions, Han Xi assigned her subordinate some simple tasks.

“I’ll return to the office tomorrow to handle affairs. Sort through what’s urgent and leave it on my desk.”

The subordinate quickly assured her, “Got it, no problem, Ms. Han.”

Aware of Han Xi’s work ethic, he dared not slack off. Then, with some hesitation, he asked, “Weren’t you planning to go to Altay in Xinjiang soon?”

Han Xi’s eyes dimmed, recalling Fang Zhou’s headaches and today’s trivial matters. She realized she wouldn’t have much free time soon and casually replied, “Something came up; we’ll go next month.”

“By the way, Ms. Han, your father’s 55th birthday is next week. Should we arrange a gift?”

The reminder caught Han Xi off guard, jogging her memory—it was indeed her father’s birthday.

She hadn’t planned to attend.

Each year’s party was similar, and she had hoped to travel instead.

Now, with no trip, not attending seemed unreasonable, though she hadn’t thought of it amid recent events.

Her company faced issues, with performance lagging and competitors seemingly anticipating her plans, causing chaos below.

Though not a major issue for her, it was like a fly buzzing around, irritating.

With so many trivial matters, other things slipped her mind.

“Alright, prepare it for me. I’ll take it back then.”

And bring Fang Zhou to make things clear.

Whether they agreed or not, it was her decision.

After hanging up, Han Xi reopened her computer, analyzing recent data to find the root of her company’s struggles.

***

The mountain’s atmosphere was stifling, mirrored by the tense mood in the car below.

Chu Xinran and Qin Yun sat silently in the back seat, exchanging glances, their expressions heavy.

They had just faced defeat, the source being Fang Zhou.

Their hearts were filled with frustration and helplessness, unwilling to speak.

The car descended the mountain, distancing them from Fang Zhou.

Chu Xinran couldn’t hold back, asking first.

“Didn’t you spend time alone with him?

Didn’t he slip up? Or does he hate us so much he won’t admit it?”

Both knew who “he” referred to.

Qin Yun glanced at her, eyes weary and unfocused, as if waking from a nightmare.

Her gaze wandered, searching, but settled on the front seat.

Meanwhile, the patter of rain filled her ears.

The sound, like pearls falling, was clear and pleasant.

Yet now, it irritated her, each drop a heavy thud on her heart.

She silently endured the pain, trying to drown it in thought.

But closing her eyes only amplified the rain, reminding her of inescapable reality.

Uncomfortable, she straightened, changed position, and replied slowly.

“I watched his expressions; it didn’t seem like acting.

He truly didn’t recognize us, not even reacting to Fang Wenjing’s photo.”

Qin Yun had studied micro-expressions, analyzing truth from behavior, speech, and actions.

But Fang Zhou’s performance was flawless, leaving no hint of deceit.

“Not even recognizing his sister, my God…”

Chu Xinran’s breath caught, considering a possibility, grabbing Qin Yun’s hand nervously.

“Could he be under a spell?”

A folk legend of witchcraft controlling thoughts and behavior, affecting health.

The more Chu Xinran thought, the more plausible it seemed.

Despite Han Xi’s cool demeanor, she had sensed it.

Han Xi harbored a calm madness, unmatched in intensity!

“Yes, she must have had him bewitched, so he doesn’t know us. It’s despicable!”

Her angry, stubborn voice filled the car.

Loud enough to draw the driver’s attention, glancing back in the mirror.

Though professionalism dictated he ignore it, curiosity got the better of him.

Qin Yun rolled her eyes, baffled by Chu Xinran’s belief in such things.

But her words offered a new perspective.

She withdrew her hand, resting it on her lap, pondering.

“Doesn’t seem likely.”

“If anything, it seems like hypnosis.”

A familiar technique Qin Yun had used on Fang Zhou, resurfacing in her mind.

On the dating show, she’d hypnotized him to sleep, crafting a pleasant dream, but failed.

Suddenly, everything connected.

A flash of insight struck her.

She clapped her hands, excitedly saying, “Right! I’ll ask my mentor!”

She’d only learned the basics; her mentor was the true hypnosis genius.

Famed for hypnotizing a professor to give him top marks.

Perhaps his advice would solve everything.

Chu Xinran scratched her head, puzzled. “We have a simpler solution: report her for illegal detention.

A DNA test would reveal the truth.”

She spoke of her past methods without hesitation, unapologetic.

Compared to Han Xi, who muddled Fang Zhou’s mind, leaving him confused.

Qin Yun recalled Fang Zhou’s resistance, knowing this wouldn’t work.

She shook her head, sighing, “No, with his awareness, he might accuse us of slander.”

Recalling Fang Zhou’s insistence on being Zhou Chong, Chu Xinran felt overwhelmed, her heart aching.

She needed a plan to get Fang Zhou out of that villa.