ASHES CH13: Past

Yunding Coffee Shop.

Luo Cheng loosely clenched her fists, sitting nervously upright opposite Director Gong Hanrou.

She wanted to audition for the role of the abducted female college student, so she specifically avoided excessive makeup and dressing up. She only applied some sunscreen, tied her hair in a neat high ponytail, and wore simple, plain clothes.

But a twenty-year-old girl, especially one raised with pampering and who had never tasted hardship, still possessed the unique, graceful radiance of her age even without powder or paint.

She was a perfect fit for a youth campus or urban idol drama, but undeniably, she was worlds apart from the character profile of a documentary.

Gong Hanrou only came to sit here because of an invitation from the son of an old friend.

“That’s how it is.” A middle-aged female assistant in professional attire was very polite, returning the portfolio to Luo Cheng. “Little sister, I’m very sorry…”

Seeing the other party was about to politely refuse, Luo Cheng anxiously said, “Please wait a moment!”

The assistant paused, her gaze falling on her in confusion.

“Could you give me a chance?” Luo Cheng gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, “I really like this story.”

Luo Cheng mustered her courage: “I can sign an agreement… I told Brother Chenbai about it.”

As she spoke, Luo Cheng couldn’t help but quietly turn her head to glance at Ren Chenbai not far away.

She was really starting to feel a bit wronged now.

Luo Cheng originally thought that if her father just adjusted the family company, and she helped her second brother drive away the people in the way, there wouldn’t be any more trouble or twists and turns.

But who knew things wouldn’t be as simple and smooth as imagined.

Jian Huaiyi had always been Luo Jun’s deputy, and Huaisheng Entertainment was the first company he officially managed. He was so busy every day that he was nowhere to be seen. The team and resources promised to Luo Cheng were delayed time and time again.

The people at Huaisheng Entertainment were also strange; those department managers were incredibly cold to her. They wouldn’t arrange anything unless President Jian ordered it. Their attitude couldn’t be faulted, but outsiders could easily see their polite distance.

Even Brother Chenbai, who promised to mediate for her, hadn’t been known what he was busy with these past few days. When he came, he just kept his head down, drank coffee, and sent messages. Aside from greeting Teacher Gong, he hadn’t said a single extra word.

Luo Cheng lowered her head, biting her lower lip, and had to continue herself: “I heard people say that Teacher Gong’s crew has a type of agreement…”

The assistant guessed what she wanted to say: “Are you talking about the on-set liability waiver agreement?”

Luo Cheng nodded quickly: “Yes, yes, that’s the one.”

As a director, Gong Hanrou had always excelled at documentary-style films, and the most important thing for documentaries is authenticity and reproduction.

Things that have already happened obviously cannot be recorded by a camera again; they can only rely on actors to reinterpret and shoot. To find the most fitting state, actors for some important roles must join a closed set for the entire process, semi-immersively witnessing and even personally experiencing all the tragic or cruel truths.

There were once actors who couldn’t step out of character for a long time after shooting ended, which caused quite a bit of turmoil and even went to court. After that, a new agreement emerged that had to be accepted by both parties in advance.

“I completely accept it. No matter what problems arise, I will be responsible for myself.”

Luo Cheng hurriedly promised, “I am already prepared.”

The assistant didn’t answer immediately. She first looked back at Gong Hanrou, then withdrew her gaze and looked at Luo Cheng.

“Alright,” the assistant nodded, “What preparations have you made?”

Luo Cheng froze for a moment, and a hidden surge of pleasant surprise immediately welled up in her heart.

She quickly seized the opportunity and recited in one breath: “I read a lot of materials and asked the acting teachers at school. After studying and understanding, I already have a full understanding of the nature of this crime—”

What followed was hastily interrupted by a gasp.

In her panic, Luo Cheng shoved the table hard, stumbling backward in fright, and accidentally knocked over the coffee on the table.

…

The assistant rolled down her sleeves, covering those hideous, sprawling, shocking scars on her arm.

She seemed long accustomed to this kind of thing, calmly nodding and apologizing to the waiter, asking someone to help clean up the mess in front of them.

Luo Cheng’s mind went blank for a long while before she finally realized what had happened, muttering in a low voice, “I’m sorry…”

The assistant didn’t take up her words, merely saying, “You are protected very well by your family.”

“Alright.” Gong Hanrou spoke up at this time, gently waving her hand. “It’s about time.”

As a titan-level director, her rhythm of speaking possessed a unique crispness and decisiveness. If it weren’t for her short, grayish-white hair, you could hardly tell she was over sixty.

While the assistant and Luo Cheng were talking, Gong Hanrou had been listening quietly, occasionally glancing thoughtfully at Ren Chenbai.

The Ren family had once invested in the film and television sector for a period. Gong Hanrou and Ren Chenbai’s mother met at an awards gala, hit it off instantly, and later became pen pals whose friendship transcended age.

Although they rarely met and only communicated in their professional fields, their temperaments were similar, and they shared common interests. Their relationship had always been very good.

Ren Chenbai’s mother passed away hastily. From diagnosis to death, it was only half a year. Everyone around her didn’t even have time to prepare.

After that, aside from holiday greetings, Ren Chenbai rarely contacted her on his own initiative.

Gong Hanrou naturally understood this sentiment; she similarly didn’t know how to comfort her good friend’s only son, so the relationship between the two families gradually faded. Later, Ren Chenbai took over his mother’s agreement with Director Gong and continued to provide documentary materials, which restored some communication.

Probably hearing Gong Hanrou’s words “It’s about time,” Ren Chenbai finally put away his phone, stood up, and walked toward them.

Luo Cheng could tell her hopes were slim no matter what. She pursed her lips tightly and looked at him, the rims of her eyes turning red with grievance.

Ren Chenbai, however, just walked up to Gong Hanrou: “Auntie Gong.”

Hearing his form of address, Gong Hanrou also recalled many past events. Her expression softened, and she stopped to nod.

She happened to have something to ask Ren Chenbai, signaling her assistant to wait aside first: “After so many years, is it still inconvenient to disclose who exactly ‘Little Spark’ is?”

After asking this, Gong Hanrou shook her head first, smiling helplessly: “Forget it, pretend I didn’t ask.”

Such subject matters were too sensitive, and every victim had wounds that were hard to heal.

Some people chose to face the matter head-on, some gradually accepted it, and some chose avoidance and forgetting. None of these choices were something outsiders could comment on.

Ren Chenbai’s mother told him a story in a letter but never mentioned the boy’s identity. Gong Hanrou had some vague guesses, but she respected the boundary and never sought her friend for verification.

Later, by a twist of fate, there was no longer an opportunity to verify.

In the spirit of respecting her late friend, Gong Hanrou decided not to press further: “He should be doing quite well now, right?”

Ren Chenbai smiled faintly: “What if he isn’t?”

Gong Hanrou was startled, then rendered speechless: “Little Chen, are you joking with me?”

Ren Chenbai didn’t say yes, nor did he say no. The smile in his eyes faded quickly. He remained silent for a moment, took out an envelope, and handed it to the assistant.

This was agreed upon with Gong Hanrou’s studio. Although the protagonist’s true identity was concealed, the relevant material would be organized as reference material for the documentary’s filming.

The documentary would track events right up to the present day. Because “Little Spark” was about to officially start pre-production, this was probably the last batch of materials provided.

“Teacher Gong,” Ren Chenbai asked, “Must documentaries completely restore reality?”

Gong Hanrou was still puzzled. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but laugh: “Of course. It needs both authenticity and detail, otherwise, how could it be called a documentary?”

“In that case, there is indeed a detail that hasn’t been provided yet.”

Ren Chenbai seemed to be waiting for this sentence and nodded: “He later caused the death of his adoptive mother.”

As his words fell, the air seemed to quiet down.

The most intense reaction actually came from the assistant behind Gong Hanrou. She frowned deeply and took a step forward: “How is that possible?! He wouldn’t be that kind of person—”

Gong Hanrou raised her hand to stop the assistant from continuing.

“Her name is Zhao Lan. She is the female college student from your mother’s story.”

Gong Hanrou briefly introduced her to Ren Chenbai: “She is my assistant now.”

Ren Chenbai had been nearby listening to their chat and already had his guesses. He nodded: “A pleasure to meet you.”

“What you just said.” Gong Hanrou signaled for everyone to sit down first. “Is there any evidence? What did the police say?”

Ren Chenbai spread his hands.

He had never mentioned this matter to anyone. Only now, saying it out loud, did he realize the hatred and disgust seemed to have been buried deep within his body early on, constantly seeping a chilling aura.

No wonder Luo Zhi was afraid of him and tried every possible way to run away.

Luo Zhi’s disappearance over the past few days, the accidental destruction of his mother’s belongings, Luo Cheng’s stupidity and cold-bloodedness… irritation upon irritation accumulated at the bottom of Ren Chenbai’s heart, finally thoroughly dragging up the even colder, older hatred that had never truly faded.

Monsters born despicable, capable only of selfishness and greed, were always the most sensitive to this kind of threatening hostility.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made it out alive from the place where he was trafficked.

The thorn buried deep in his heart was triggered by that word. A hint of cold mockery seeped through Ren Chenbai’s eyes, then was quietly concealed away.

…Luo Zhi really was very good at running away.

“There’s no way, no evidence could be found.”

Ren Chenbai said, “His adoptive mother had an episode late at night. He was terrified and failed to find the medicine in time… When people came the next day, it was already too late.”

The words “was terrified” were bitten off lightly by Ren Chenbai, yet they sounded completely devoid of any specific emotion.

But among the people present, even Luo Cheng, who had only read a plot summary and was completely unclear about what they were discussing, knew very well what that boy had done when he was trafficked.

A seven-year-old boy, while on the way to being sold, had actually managed to find an opportunity to release the younger sister kidnapped with him.

Beaten to the brink of death so many times, yet he still had the courage to plan escapes.

Together with an unarmed female college student, the two of them dared to spark a massive brawl in the village, using the chaos to escape and call the police.

…

Someone capable of doing these things couldn’t possibly have the slightest relation to a description like being “terrified” when an adoptive mother had an episode.

“He wouldn’t be that kind of person.” Assistant Zhao Lan continued to shake her head. “Mr. Ren, is there some misunderstanding here?”

Ren Chenbai nodded in acknowledgment: “In your impression, what kind of person was he?”

Zhao Lan wanted to speak, but stopped herself.

She looked back at Gong Hanrou, finding some courage in the older woman’s clear, sharp eyes, and continued: “I have no impression… I just feel he isn’t someone who would do such a thing.”

Those years of experience were like an endless nightmare. After being rescued, her brain’s spontaneous protection mechanism helped her block out that memory.

With her entire family’s meticulous care and companionship, and later forming an even happier family of her own, it still took her over a decade to finally step entirely out of that shadow.

At that time, Director Gong Hanrou was preparing to shoot this documentary. She wanted to try and find the self she was during that time. With her family’s encouragement, she applied for Gong Hanrou’s assistant position.

“I’m ashamed to say… when I most resisted that memory, I even deceived myself into firmly believing that the one trafficked was my younger sister, not me, and that I was there to protect and take care of her.”

Zhao Lan’s expression held some self-mockery: “My sister didn’t argue either. She felt that if doing so made me feel a little better, then it didn’t matter.”

Luo Cheng was moved. She reached out to hold her hand: “Sister, it’s not your fault. You were just in too much pain. If it were me, I would protect you too…”

Zhao Lan smiled at her and withdrew her scar-covered hand: “I’ve gone off-topic a bit.”

“Mr. Ren, I really don’t remember much about that time, but I don’t believe Little Spark is that kind of person.”

Zhao Lan hesitated slightly, but still asked: “Can you let me see him? I’ll go talk to him and ask clearly what exactly happened back then.”

“Unfortunately, I am also looking for him.” Ren Chenbai shook his head. “He ran away.”

Zhao Lan couldn’t help frowning: “What?”

“Because of him, a very precious item… was destroyed.”

Ren Chenbai bypassed the matter regarding the car and continued explaining: “We fought very fiercely. During the argument, I asked him about what happened back then, asked him if he intentionally killed his adoptive mother.”

Ren Chenbai said, “He escaped from the hospital the next day, and we still haven’t found him.”

Reacting this way at such a time was indeed overly suspicious.

Even though Zhao Lan absolutely refused to believe it, it wasn’t appropriate to say anything more immediately. She just frowned tightly, lowering her gaze heavily with things on her mind.

Luo Cheng had been restless since hearing the word “hospital.” She was still afraid about concealing Luo Zhi’s illness. Hearing Ren Chenbai to the end, her eyes widened in surprise.

…Before coming today, she had just heard Second Brother Jian say on the phone that Luo Zhi couldn’t be found anywhere.

Luo Cheng seemed to guess a certain answer.

She was so nervous she could barely sit still. She took a few deep breaths before carefully tugging at Ren Chenbai’s clothing: “Brother Chenbai, that person is…”

Ren Chenbai nodded.

Luo Cheng couldn’t help letting out a gasp, raising her hand to tightly cover her mouth.

“These are all things of the past. Words are empty proof, and perhaps what I saw was just my subjective speculation… It is indeed not suitable as documentary material. Just pretend I never said it.”

Ren Chenbai smiled gently and said, “Let’s talk about today’s matter. Teacher Gong, actually I recommended Xiao Cheng because she not only knows the person involved, but they have a very good relationship.”

He took the tea brought by the waiter, bowed slightly, and personally offered it to Gong Hanrou: “If you let her join the crew, filming will be more convenient, and many details can be more accurate.”

Gong Hanrou listened quietly to their conversation the whole time without speaking.

She didn’t take the tea. Her gaze landed on Luo Cheng, who was secretly delighted by Ren Chenbai’s words, and paused thoughtfully for a moment: “Can you bring the person involved to the crew?”

This time, without waiting for Ren Chenbai to speak, Luo Cheng blurted out: “I can!”

Only after responding did she realize her breach of etiquette. She hurriedly lowered her head and explained in a small voice, “He… he won’t refuse. If I go beg him, he will definitely agree…”

“You’re agreeing for the person involved?” Zhao Lan finally couldn’t listen anymore and interrupted to ask, “What if he doesn’t want to recall the events of the past? What if this matter is extremely painful for him?”

Luo Cheng hadn’t considered this. Her face paled a bit, and she bit her lower lip.

“Alright.” Gong Hanrou interrupted. “If you can bring the person here, joining the crew can be considered.”

Zhao Lan turned around, her voice breaking: “Teacher Gong!”

Gong Hanrou had her own plans. She pressed down on her arm and shook her head slightly: “Go see Miss Luo out.”

Zhao Lan swallowed her words. Seeing Luo Cheng thanking Gong Hanrou while suppressing her excitement and joy as if granted amnesty, her frown deepened. Still, she stood up silently and escorted her out of the coffee shop.

Ren Chenbai watched the backs of the two leaving. Suddenly, he heard Gong Hanrou call him from behind: “Chenbai.”

Ren Chenbai retracted his gaze: “Auntie Gong.”

“Call me Teacher.” Gong Hanrou asked, “Who was that child’s adoptive mother? Was it your mother?”

Ren Chenbai’s figure paused slightly. He took the coffee and smiled: “How could that be?”

He stopped for a moment, as if trying to persuade himself: “If she were, how could I have taken care of him up until now?”

“I also always thought you were taking care of him up until now, which is why I felt so reassured about this story’s ending.”

Gong Hanrou looked at him: “But now I am a bit worried. Perhaps something went wrong somewhere.”

Gong Hanrou said, “It might not be too late to correct it.”

Ren Chenbai slowly gripped the coffee cup.

The newly served coffee had a very hot rim, yet he seemed entirely oblivious to it, his fingers still applying force.

He gripped that cup of coffee as if he wanted to completely crush the delicate white porcelain.

“Chenbai,” Gong Hanrou reminded him. “Don’t do things you will regret.”

Ren Chenbai smiled: “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

The more irritatingly out of control he felt inside, the more gentle, refined, and flawless he appeared on the surface. He put down the coffee, stood up, and saw Gong Hanrou off.

A waiter holding a plate of delicate pastries looked at this table of guests that was almost empty and hesitated: “Sir…”

Ren Chenbai took out his phone, scanned the code, and settled the bill.

The waiter felt an inexplicable fear and trepidation. Not daring to say more, he put down the pastries and bolted.

Ren Chenbai didn’t move an inch, sitting in his original spot for a long time.

He stared blankly at the plate of pastries. Suddenly, as if remembering some very distant past event, he casually picked up a piece of pastry, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly.

Sesame filling.

Disgustingly sweet.

Ren Chenbai took a sip of coffee and swallowed the pastry.

For some reason, what repeatedly appeared in his mind at this moment were Luo Zhi’s dropping eyelashes.

…

The last time they met, Luo Zhi slowly closed his eyes in his hands.

Like a puppet held in one’s hands and pulled around for fun in childhood, one that could only move and function by twisting its strings.

The strings pulling the body wound to their very end, so the long-loosened limbs fell quietly, and even the neck dropped down powerless, no longer giving him any reaction.

…

“Chenbai.” Gong Hanrou’s voice. “Don’t do things you will regret.”

…

Luo Zhi closed his eyes very, very slowly in his arms. The light inside was finally completely gathered and extinguished, and his eyelashes drooped as if unable to bear the weight.

Like a farewell without any warning.

Luo Zhi couldn’t hear, nor did he look at him anymore.

…

“How could I.”

Ren Chenbai let out a mocking laugh, not knowing who he was answering: “How could I regret it?”