Lend Me Your Shoulder - Chapter 26
Chapter 26
After finishing her conversation with Lu Yanbai, Xu Yeyu put down her phone and continued to deduce.
“So, if we calculate it this way,” Xu Yeyu blinked, “Bana got into the car at 20, remembered she hadn’t taken her things at 30, told the driver to return to the hotel, and got out at the entrance at 40.”
Xiang Wei: “Uh-huh.”
Xu Yeyu flopped down, sprawling on the pillow. The moment her head touched the pillow and she closed her eyes, she remembered the conversation between two service staff she’d overheard before entering the room today:
“The head chef’s been busy these past few days, and the boss doesn’t want to deal with it, so they usually close after the 9-ish guests finish their meal.”
“Who doesn’t want to get off work early? So as soon as the guests leave, we clean up the tables super fast and then close up. It usually doesn’t take more than ten minutes, it’s really quick.”
At that time, Xu Yeyu even asked, “Is it like this every day?”
The answer was a definite: “Yes.”
Going over Bana’s statement in the logical chain, Xu Yeyu suddenly sat up abruptly, her lips slightly parted, and blinked.
Xiang Wei saw her sudden movement and asked, “What’s wrong? Found a loophole?”
Xu Yeyu’s eyes darted around: “…It seems so.”
The next morning, after breakfast, Xu Yeyu immediately rushed to the hotel.
Because the USB drive was missing, after notifying the staff, private room 310 had not been used by any other guests.
Xu Yeyu found the server who had attended to them that day and asked, “Excuse me for bothering you, but could you tell me when private room 310 was closed on the 7th, the day the USB drive went missing?”
If she remembered correctly, this five-star hotel had a rather peculiar rule: because the decorations in the private rooms were quite expensive, fearing theft or accidental breakage by passing children, the private rooms would be locked after guests left.
She wanted to know if the room was locked immediately after they left.
Because according to what the server had said before, if they cleaned the room as soon as guests left, they should have seen the computer and the USB drive.
The server thought for a moment and said, “It was closed around twelve o’clock, I think.”
“Twelve o’clock?” Xu Yeyu frowned. “But we left at eleven, didn’t you usually come to clean around eleven?”
The person flipped open their notebook and said, “Yes, we’re supposed to clean as soon as guests leave, but that day, a guest came in halfway through and asked us to close later.”
…
A certain premonition in her heart gradually fermented. Xu Yeyu asked, “Why?”
“That guest said she would come back again.”
“…………………………”
It really was like that.
Xu Yeyu suppressed the discomfort within her and asked, “Was it a woman with long, golden curly hair, wearing bright red lipstick, and a black and red dress?”
The server nodded: “She also told me not to tell anyone, but given the current situation, I should still cooperate with you to find the item.”
Xu Yeyu: “I understand. Thank you.”
As she expected, Bana’s plan to return was premeditated.
But, if she only realized the USB drive was left in the private room ten minutes after getting into the car, then why did she tell the server halfway through the meal that she would return?
The server left after answering Xu Yeyu’s questions, leaving Xu Yeyu to ponder alone at the entrance of room 310.
A little while later, Bana and the others arrived.
“I thought we came early enough, but someone’s even earlier than us,” someone said, arms crossed, looking at Xu Yeyu. “Why come so early? Afraid we’ll find evidence?”
The speaker was Zheng You, who had a good relationship with Bana, so she naturally sided with Bana, assuming Xu Yeyu was the one who took the USB drive.
“Don’t put it that way,” someone else, who had just arrived, interjected to smooth things over. “If you wanted to destroy evidence, you could come at six and leave at seven. There’s no need to pick a time when everyone’s about to arrive. Isn’t that just giving yourself away?”
Zheng You immediately turned around and snapped, “You’re deliberately opposing me, aren’t you!”
“No, I’m just telling the truth.”
Xu Yeyu glanced at Bana, still pondering her earlier question.
Soon, everyone had arrived, and Lu Yanbai also appeared, standing in front of the screen.
Strangely, his presence gave her confidence and a sense of security.
Everyone discussed for a few moments. Seeing that the time was right, Xu Yeyu hinted, “Do you think someone might have left something in the private room, then came back later to pick it up, and inadvertently took the USB drive as well, then forgot about it themselves?”
“That assumption is unlikely, isn’t it?” someone said. “Who would randomly leave their belongings here and then plan to come back for them later?”
“Maybe they had an event nearby and left heavy things like clothes here, then came back to pick them up after the event.”
“I certainly didn’t,” that person said.
“Me neither.”
“Me neither.”
One by one they spoke, and when it came to Bana, Bana immediately shook her head: “I certainly didn’t either.”
She meant that she hadn’t left anything in the private room beforehand and then returned after the event.
Xu Yeyu lowered her head.
Bana hadn’t left anything else in the private room, yet she told the waiter she would return. Doesn’t this indirectly prove that her initial plan was most likely the USB drive incident?
The truth was getting closer.
Everyone searched the private room for clues for a while. Someone said they were hungry, so they decided to go out for lunch.
People filed out. Lu Yanbai stood in front of the screen, looking at Xu Yeyu, who hadn’t moved: “Not going?”
Xu Yeyu nodded: “I had a very full breakfast. You go first; I’ll eat later.”
She didn’t say that she actually wanted to search for clues herself when Bana wasn’t around.
At this point, from her perspective, the matter was already taking shape.
Lu Yanbai nodded and left, but Zheng You didn’t.
Zheng You looked at Xu Yeyu, still with a hint of hostility: “What are you staying here for?”
Xu Yeyu: “To find clues. I won’t be hiding the USB drive, don’t worry.”
Zheng You wasn’t malicious. At this moment, she said, “It’s just the two of us now. I’ll tell you honestly, if you really took the item, give it to me now. I won’t say it was you; I’ll say we found it together in the corner.”
Xu Yeyu was a bit dumbfounded: “You think I took the USB drive and am now cornered, so you’re giving me an out?”
Zheng You’s tone was very serious: “As long as you understand. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s good to turn back in time.”
“I’m very curious, why exactly do you think I’m the one who took the item?” Xu Yeyu asked.
“Bana said so,” Zheng You replied. “I think Bana’s analysis makes a lot of sense.”
“Have you known Bana for a long time?”
“Not really. I only met her through this project. We’ve known each other for a few months, and we often go shopping together,” Zheng You’s eyes were clear, and she was still dangling a keychain in her hand. “This keychain was bought with her. So, don’t hide it from me. Hand over the item, and I promise not to tell anyone else.”
From her eyes, it was clear that Zheng You wasn’t malicious; she seemed like a pampered young daughter from a wealthy family.
She probably wasn’t really targeting her, but influenced by Bana, she believed Xu Yeyu was the one who took the item, which is why her initial words were harsh.
Xu Yeyu suddenly noticed the small charm on her keychain, closed her eyes briefly, and something flashed through her mind.
When Lu Yanbai took her to toast, she had touched this small charm underneath the USB drive.
Although she didn’t remember the major events after getting drunk, there were occasionally one or two fragmented frames that remained in her mind.
She asked Zheng You, “You bought this keychain with Bana?”
Zheng You squeezed the keychain in her hand: “Yeah, this is what was hanging under the USB drive.”
The keychain flickered in her hand.
Xu Yeyu’s heart trembled: “It glows in the dark?”
“Mm,” Zheng You seemed to mock her overreaction. “It’s very bright. It has a special, very clear glow at night.”
After speaking, she even demonstrated for Xu Yeyu, placing the item in her palm and closing her hand. A faint light subtly seeped out through her fingers.
Xu Yeyu suddenly reacted, first closing the door, then walking into the private room and drawing the curtains.
She also turned on a small flashlight, covering it with her thumb, so she could see without making the room too bright.
Zheng You was startled by her: “What are you doing?!”
Xu Yeyu didn’t speak, quickly scanned the private room, but found no glowing spots.
Zheng You realized she was looking for the USB drive.
“Will it work?”
Xu Yeyu searched around and finally, her gaze fell on the bathroom door.
This private room had an independent bathroom.
She opened the bathroom door, slowly walked in, and then stopped.
Zheng You noticed her silence, rushed over, stood behind her, and immediately saw the small glowing object in the corner, by the trash can.
Zheng You covered her mouth: “Oh my goodness!”
Xu Yeyu was about to walk over when she suddenly heard the door outside open, accompanied by Bana’s voice: “Is anyone there? Zheng You? Are you in there, Youyou?”
Zheng You was about to speak, but Xu Yeyu tugged her sleeve and made a “shush” gesture.
Zheng You looked at her blankly and closed her mouth.
Xu Yeyu slowly led her to hide behind the door, then turned off the flashlight, holding her breath and standing there.
Zheng You was also smart, knowing what she was waiting for. She also softened her breathing, waiting with a tingling scalp.
Footsteps grew closer and closer. Bana kept calling, “Youyou? Not here, are you?”
After confirming no one was inside, Bana walked into the bathroom.
Zheng You nervously swallowed.
Bana’s high heels clacked on the floor, each step clear and impossible to ignore, confidently heading towards a destination.
Xu Yeyu stood at the doorway, her eyes now adapted to the darkness, almost able to see what Bana was doing.
Bana walked to the trash can, picked up the USB drive, and sighed with relief, “Thankfully it’s still here, not discovered.”
Bana tore off the glowing charm and threw it into the trash can, then pulled out a few tissues to cover it.
The next second, Bana raised her hand and tossed the USB drive into the artificial rock garden used for decoration in the bathroom.
As she threw the USB drive in, Bana was recalling all the fragments that had happened earlier.
If Lu Yanbai hadn’t brought an appreciated student who seemed interested in him, would she have been forced into this situation?
She and Lu Yanbai had known each other for almost three years. Lu Yanbai had never brought her to any projects or dinners, nor had he ever spoken up for her or helped her out when she was surrounded and attacked by others. And that student, without having to pay anything, got what she coveted?
She could see Lu Yanbai’s different treatment of that student. While jealous, she was even more determined to drive Xu Yeyu out of this circle.
First, she would ruin Xu Yeyu’s reputation, stain her, so Lu Yanbai would abandon her. Even if Lu Yanbai didn’t abandon her, if this circle ostracized her because of her stained reputation, Lu Yanbai wouldn’t have any chance to develop anything with her.
By driving away the student who posed the greatest threat to her and was most on Lu Yanbai’s mind, she was one step closer to success.
Just thinking like that, halfway through the banquet, she noticed Xu Yeyu’s interest in the USB drive’s charm, and the plan quietly took shape.
Women in love are blind, Bana knew, so she indulged in this blindness and didn’t bother to struggle.
After all, it was just a student; how could she possibly outwit her?
Xu Yeyu, hidden behind the door, witnessed all of this.
Clearly, Bana was the one who put the USB drive there, knew where it was, and knew she had to hide it.
Xu Yeyu could now confirm that Bana was the one who set up the entire scheme.
Xu Yeyu really felt like laughing and also found it absurd.
Where did all this false accusation come from?
Just because she touched the USB drive halfway through the meal, Bana thought she could frame her, so she prepared all this halfway through the banquet?
Xu Yeyu pushed open the door, walked out from behind it, hissed, and reminded her politely.
“Sister, these palace intrigues you’re playing, I stopped writing them in fifth grade.”
Zheng You forcefully slammed the light on. Bana was startled, immediately withdrew her hand, and looked at them, her face instantly turning crimson: “How are you here?!!!”
Zheng You’s face was even redder than hers. She didn’t answer Bana’s question, only angrily exclaimed: “You’re too much, Bana!!!”
Before Bana could speak, Zheng You stormed out.
“You told me Xu Yeyu stole the item, made me scold her with you, slandered her, and then spoke so sarcastically about her this morning!”
“The USB drive was clearly with you; you hid it. You framed her, making everyone think she did it… How could you do that???”
Zheng You was genuinely furious. She felt like she had been played for a fool and used as a pawn: “You really enjoy messing with everyone’s intelligence, don’t you??”
Bana had left the lunch early, and now that everyone was back, they heard Zheng You’s shouts clearly from outside the door.
Caught red-handed, Bana was speechless: “Listen to me…”
“Speak!” Zheng You clenched her fist. “You knew I’d be on your side because I’ve known you for a few months and would believe your deductions, yet you still deceived me like this. Now I feel so foolish for trusting you, and I feel even more foolish for genuinely considering you a friend. You’ve disappointed me greatly.”
After speaking, Zheng You pushed the door open and stormed out without looking back.
After all, she was a privileged young lady who was too trusting of others, and the person she had considered a friend had manipulated her, and she had even despised others because of her. No one could accept that.
Outside the door, everyone had already understood the truth just by listening to Zheng You’s words.
Someone suddenly laughed: “I knew it—I’m not saying anything, but is it really that serious, just because Professor Lu brought a student he liked, and you couldn’t stand it, so you pulled this whole stunt? That’s going too far.”
“You went to all that trouble to stage such a grand drama, did you ever consider what a malicious thing it would be if you actually slandered someone and added a blemish to their life’s record?”
“Not to mention Xu, you wasted so much of our time, disrupted the project’s progress, just for Bana’s sick pleasure? Are you sick? Have you ever truly considered others?!”
Xu Yeyu stood there, feeling like she couldn’t go in or out.
Lu Yanbai, fearing that Bana might react drastically from being yelled at, walked into the bathroom and led Xu Yeyu out.
Everyone chatted noisily for a while. Xu Yeyu tugged Lu Yanbai’s sleeve, signaling that she wanted to speak to him.
Lu Yanbai lowered his head, and Xu Yeyu whispered into his ear: “She threw the USB drive into the artificial rock garden. You should find someone to get it. I’m afraid she’ll flush it down the toilet later.”
Lu Yanbai looked up and said a few words to someone nearby, and a few people walked towards the bathroom.
Sounds of a struggle and crying came from inside. Bana collapsed and said, “You don’t understand anything!”
“We don’t understand,” someone finally spoke. “You don’t need to participate in this project anymore.”
“And from now on, no need to contact us again. I won’t use you anymore.”
The USB drive incident finally came to an end, and Xu Yeyu became the subject of everyone’s discussion.
Someone patted Xu Yeyu’s shoulder and apologized to her.
“I’m truly sorry for causing you so much trouble. Please don’t take it to heart. Your article was still very well written.”
“Bana doesn’t represent everyone. You’re great, staying clear-headed to analyze and argue at a time like this.”
Someone even elevated it to Lu Yanbai: “Truly worthy of being Professor Lu’s student, smart and understanding the bigger picture, much better than Bana.”
The farce concluded, and everyone went home.
Xu Yeyu asked Lu Yanbai, “Professor, where are we going next?”
He looked at her as if she were strange: “Aren’t you going back?”
“Don’t… don’t we celebrate?” she brazenly asked. “Celebrate that I, your student, have finally escaped an unfounded nightmare and ushered in a new life.”
“…”
Considering that she had indeed been working herself to the bone for this matter these past few days, and this matter also seemed to be partly because of him.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Yanbai then said, “Where do you want to celebrate?”
“As long as I’m with you, anywhere is fine. I’m willing to flee to the ends of the earth,” she smiled, narrowing her eyes.
“…”
Because the time was awkwardly in the afternoon, Xu Yeyu decided to go for afternoon tea.
She and Lu Yanbai found a seat in a dessert shop. He casually ordered a drink, and she ordered a drink and a matcha crepe cake.
She didn’t know why, but it felt like things between them were different now.
When Bana targeted her, he protected her. This protection was based on any situation, any condition, an almost instinctive, primal guardianship.
And when Bana and she were together, he pulled her out of that place out of concern for her. This care wasn’t just on a superficial level.
He wanted to protect her, and this unwavering protection seemed to have crossed a certain line that had always existed between them…
The afternoon sun was perfect, falling sparsely through the blinds onto his shoulders and shirt. A clear speck of light glinted on a shirt button.
Xu Yeyu rested her head on her hand, watching him pick up a porcelain white cup, lower his gaze, and slowly take a sip.
The shirt wrinkled at his elbow, every fold like an artist’s stunning brushstroke.
Lu Yanbai put down his cup and glanced at her.
Caught peeking, Xu Yeyu’s mind went blank. She didn’t know why, but seeing a faint layer of foam in his cup, she suddenly pulled out a tissue to explain her blatant staring.
“You… I… You…”
Lu Yanbai looked at her: “What about me?”
Xu Yeyu pointed to the corner of his mouth, bluffing: “You have a little white foam on the corner of your mouth.”
Lu Yanbai wiped the corner of his lips with a tissue.
“No, not there.”
He moved a little to the right.
“Still not.”
Moved to the left.
“No.”
Xu Yeyu suddenly stood up, borrowing the courage of a bear and a leopard from the North American forest, and leaned forward with the tissue, her finger touching the corner of his lips.
“I’ll wipe it for you.”
Feeling his obvious surprise, Xu Yeyu was reluctant to let go. She carefully wiped the corner of his lips, taking the opportunity to observe his beautiful lip shape.
Her finger brushed his cheek, seemingly without effort. Xu Yeyu pursed her lips, thinking many things in that moment.
She thought, maybe she could take a step forward.
Meeting Lu Yanbai’s eyes, Xu Yeyu slowly, softly asked.
“Can I stop using honorifics with you now?”