Two Alphas And A Lie

Ye Ran is awakened by a nightmare.

A car accident, the entire car is wrecked, the hood spewing hot white smoke that grows thicker, blinding the eyes. The surroundings are noisy with fire trucks, ambulances, and people shouting.

In the dream, that persons face is covered in blood, their complexion pale, as they are lifted onto an ambulance.

She wants to scream, but no matter how she struggles, no sound comes out.

Later...

The dream ends, leaving cold sweat on her back, her nightgown soaked through.

"Ye Ran, did you have a nightmare?" Its a little girl, her voice soft yet exceptionally pleasant. "Be good, dont be afraid, let me pat you."

The little girl is about four or five years old, resembling her in some ways, especially her eyes—big, double-lidded, like black pearls.

"Did it scare you?" Ye Ran lifts the thin blanket, "Get up now."

"Today is Saturday, I dont have to go to kindergarten," the little girl lazily lies back down.

"Ye Sheng, today is the first day of the month, were going to Jiming Temple," Ye Ran places the clothes shes going to change into beside the bed.

Ye Sheng is four years old and already has a sense of aesthetics, becoming increasingly picky about clothes. Ye Ran thinks children nowadays are really different from when they were young.

After promising her two lollipops today, Ye Sheng finally agrees to go to Jiming Temple.

Ye Ran has a habit of spending a few days in the temple whenever she has time throughout the year.

There are some things she cant save herself from, she can only pray to Buddha.

Jiming Temple is one of the oldest temples in Ningcheng, known as the first temple of the Southern Dynasties. On the first day of the month, there are naturally many people coming to offer incense. Ye Ran buys a ticket, asks for three sticks of incense at the entrance, and instructs Ye Sheng, "Dont run around later, follow me, okay?"

"Okay, I know, Im not a child anymore."

Ye Ran lights the incense by the incense burner, walks to the large platform in front of the incense table, and worships in the four directions—east, south, west, and north. She closes her eyes, her brow slightly furrowed, her expression solemn. There is an indescribable sadness between her eyebrows.

After about a minute, Ye Ran opens her eyes, her gaze now clear.

Ye Sheng stands quietly to the side, waiting for Ye Ran to finish worshipping and insert the incense into the burner.

"Ye Ran, can Buddha hear our wishes like this?"

Ye Ran responds in a low, silent voice.

"What did you wish for?" Ye Sheng asks in a childish voice, causing a fellow worshipper to turn around and say, "Little friend, what you say to Buddha should not be spoken out loud, it should be kept in your heart, otherwise it wont come true."

Ye Ran smiles and pats Ye Shengs head, "Did you hear that?"

Ye Sheng sticks out her tongue; later she will quietly tell Buddha to give her endless candy and chocolate, of course, without letting her get cavities.

Ye Ran walks around the Medicine Buddha Pagoda for the last circle, takes Ye Shengs hand, "Lets go, lets eat."

Ye Sheng mutters, "Are you going to take me to eat vegetables and tofu?"

She smiles with the corners of her mouth, "This way Buddha can help us, Ye Sheng little friend."

"But Im still a child, Im still growing, I should eat more meat."

"Shh, forgot what I told you? You cant say meat in the temple, or Buddha will be angry."

Ye Sheng immediately covers her mouth.

The two walk down the steps out of the temple.

Ye Ran looks back, wondering if Buddha heard what she just said.

Her wish: Buddha, please let me see Fu Yanbei soon.

Ye Sheng cant walk anymore and fusses for a hug. Ye Ran has no strength, "Be good, just a few more steps, then well take a taxi."

"I cant walk anymore, I cant walk anymore," Ye Sheng repeats, "You only let me eat one piece of candy, my legs are going on strike."

Ye Ran really regrets it now, she didnt intentionally forget to bring candy. "Be good, Ill definitely give you some when we get back."

"Youve tricked me three times," she raises her fingers, indignant. Can adults words still be trusted?

"I said it wasnt a trick, it was a forget," Ye Ran takes her hand, trying to drag her away. Just at that moment, a monk in a robe stops in front of her, "Ye devotee——"

"Master——" Ye Ran lets go of Ye Sheng and greets the master. At twenty, she had participated in a meditation class organized by the temple and met Master Hui Neng.

Master Hui Neng nods, "How have you been lately?"

Ye Ran is silent for a moment, finally curving her lips with a hint of helplessness, "Master, I cant forget, I cant let go. So Ive decided to go find him."

The masters expression is indifferent, "Do not force it, let everything be."

Let everything be?

Ye Ran doesnt want to hear this kind of talk anymore, she believes in taking matters into her own hands.

Ye Ran was born in Ningcheng, later moved north with her family, and years later, she took the college entrance exam and was admitted to a university in Ningcheng. Life is like this, going around and around, coming and going.

On Monday morning, there is a flurry of activity. Ye Ran drops Ye Sheng off at kindergarten, promising again to pick her up on time in the afternoon. The little girl instantly holds back the tears that were about to fall, "Then its settled, Im going in. Have a good day."

Ye Ran exchanges glances with the teacher in their class, always feeling that her own experience is not as good as a four-year-old girls.

She checks the time and rushes to the Deep Sea Building.

Today she is going to sign a lease contract with Manager Xu of the Deep Sea Building.

Ye Ran specially changed into a dark professional suit, looking a bit more mature. The elevator stops at the 26th floor, she steps out step by step, her hands unconsciously clenching her bag, her heart suddenly filled with anticipation.

The Deep Sea Building is one of the properties of Fu Group, and also her target since returning to Ningcheng.

Manager Xu of Fu Group receives her.

"Miss Ye, please review the contract again, if there are no objections, we can sign today."

Ye Ran flips through the contract, Fu Group has a professional legal team, they definitely wont make things difficult for her in the contract. "Manager Xu, I saw in a magazine last month that Deep Sea has a new general manager?"

"Miss Ye, please rest assured, Mr. Fus return will not affect the contract."

Ye Ran hesitates, how to say it, "Manager Xu, may I ask if you are familiar with this Mr. Fu?"

This Manager Xu is stunned, obviously not expecting Ye Rans request. He coughs lightly, "Miss Ye, please look at the contract——"

Ye Ran tugs at the corner of her mouth, knowing that there is no hope of finding out from Manager Xu. She inadvertently turns her head, outside the glass wall, the sunlight is dazzling, a group of people are walking over. The person in the lead, dressed in a dark suit, well-groomed, someone is reporting to him, he keeps a straight face, occasionally nodding.

Ye Rans heartbeat stops. Its him! Buddha must have heard her wish.

The previous crew cut has been changed to a big back comb, the features are distinct, the face is full of righteousness, the momentum is overwhelming. When lifting his hand, the cuff shines brightly.

Ye Ran stares blankly, slowly turning her head, until they are about to pass by. Ye Ran hardly thinks, "Whoosh" she pulls the door open and runs out.

A month ago, Fu Yanbei just graduated from the United States and officially took over two commercial buildings in the center of Ningcheng from Fu Group. In half a month, every plan he wants to implement has been opposed.

"Mr. Fu, please look——"

"Fu Yanbei——"

It has been a long time since anyone has called his name so directly, hearing the call, he stops and looks over.

Ye Ran walks step by step towards his direction, she is wearing high heels, trying to control her steps, but her foot still twists.

Fu Yanbei squints his eyes, looking at her coldly. He feels that the girl in front of him is dressed in an old-fashioned way, with a pretty face, but dressed like a principal. Those eyes are motionless, just looking at him, deep as the sea, as if looking at a lost and found treasure. He seems to have seen these eyes somewhere, but where?

Who on earth