The Ninth Heroine

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Zhou Zhuofei initially thought it was some passerby trying to cut in line and was about to turn around with a polite smile to refuse.

But when she looked back, she found that the person calling her was a handsome young man dressed casually. His fashionable appearance made him stand out among the office workers lining up.

Yet, even if he was good-looking, cutting in line wasn’t acceptable.

She put on a courteous smile. “Hello.”

The man showed a surprised and embarrassed expression and scratched his nose. “Don’t you remember me?”

What was he talking about?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhuofei noticed that everyone in line had turned to look, their eyes all too familiar—just spectators waiting for some entertainment.

But she truly didn’t recognize the man before her. Usually, a handsome guy like him would leave a lasting impression if she had ever met him.

Seeing the situation, he pointed to her handbag as a reminder. “I accidentally bumped into you yesterday. I even left my business card. Do you remember?”

Only then did Zhou Zhuofei recall. No wonder his style of dress seemed familiar; it was just that he wasn’t wearing a hat today, so she didn’t recognize him.

“Your name is Jiang Shen, right?”

The man visibly relaxed and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, that’s me.”

Seeing the line had reached Zhou Zhuofei, she didn’t have time to chat. She quickly told the clerk her order and was about to hand over the cash when a hand beat her to it and paid.

She glanced sideways and saw Jiang Shen smile brightly at her. “Let me pay. I didn’t get a chance to apologize properly yesterday.”

She was about to say it was fine when the clerk took Jiang Shen’s cash. Not wanting to hold up the line, she accepted her breakfast first.

Once they walked a little further, she intended to return the money, but he refused.

“No worries. Think of it as treating you.”

It was only a few yuan, and Zhou Zhuofei didn’t want to insist, so she nodded in thanks. “Thank you for breakfast.”

Seeing her accept so calmly, his smile grew wider. “Thank you for forgiving me.”

“It’s no big deal. I have to get to work now. Let’s talk another time. Goodbye.”

“Okay, goodbye.”

Zhou Zhuofei took a few steps but noticed Jiang Shen was following her. It seemed they were headed to the same place.

Catching her glance back, Jiang Shen took the initiative. “I’m guessing you work at Huanyu.”

“Yeah, you too?”

Jiang Shen’s smile was carefree and broad. His features were striking—deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge—and even his exaggerated gestures didn’t ruin his looks, making him seem effortlessly casual.

Zhou Zhuofei felt a surge of vitality from him, completely different from office workers like herself, so she immediately dismissed her earlier assumption.

“You guys at Huanyu have such high standards, I wouldn’t be able to get in.”

In his words, Jiang Shen subtly complimented Zhou Zhuofei, striking just the right tone so it didn’t sound forced.

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“I’m here on business.”

They had entered the lobby already. Zhou Zhuofei showed her employee card and passed through the security gate, but Jiang Shen went to the front desk.

Zhou Zhuofei waited by the elevator, her gaze falling diagonally on the reception desk. Since she had nothing better to do, she watched Jiang Shen get a visitor pass.

Usually, the company’s reception services wouldn’t start this early, and judging by Jiang Shen’s casual attire, he didn’t look like a business type. Her years of work experience told her that the more casually dressed someone was here, the more capable they usually were.

At that moment, Du Yu’s words and that tarot card flashed uncomfortably in her mind.

Could it really be that accurate?

The elevator arrived, and Zhou Zhuofei followed the crowd inside. Jiang Shen was still at the front desk, unaware of someone watching him from a distance.

As the elevator ascended, Zhou Zhuofei quickly gathered her thoughts.

A romantic encounter like this was impossible for her. In other words, the author wouldn’t waste words describing the life of a random passerby.

Once she sat down at her desk, she felt even clearer-headed.

When she first graduated, she bought many romance novels to study. Her conclusion was that being the heroine wasn’t easy: first, you couldn’t be petty; second, you needed a good mindset; and finally—crucially—you had to endure plenty of turmoil.

By contrast, she neither liked going out nor socializing. She was guarded and petty—traits unfit for a heroine. So it made sense she couldn’t play that role.

After coming to terms with herself, Zhou Zhuofei calmly finished her breakfast and prepared for the day’s work.

Zhan Zilang arrived just on time. Though it was only his third day, he was already greeting colleagues around his workstation confidently, and everyone responded warmly.

If not for his conversation with Zhou Zhuofei yesterday, he would have believed the warmth was purely due to his own charm.

After greetings, he went to Zhou Zhuofei for tasks. Whether urged by Xiao Wang or by his own reasons, he was eager to learn from her.

Not for any other reason but because he liked her straightforwardness.

He had long been tired of flattering words, and though honesty wasn’t always popular, Zhou Zhuofei seemed to have a gift for communication, skillfully balancing honesty without offending, while sparking interest.

Zhou Zhuofei was amazed by Zhan Zilang’s eagerness. “You’re really motivated today. Looks like Secretary Xiao’s instructions work.”

“Not really. It’s because Sister Zhou’s leading me.”

“All right, thanks for cooperating.”

Seeing Zhou Zhuofei take it lightly, Zhan Zilang emphasized again, “I’m telling the truth!”

“My thanks are genuine too!”

Just as they were about to debate further, the office phone rang. Zhou Zhuofei quickly dropped her playful expression and picked up.

Her quick change surprised Zhan Zilang.

“Hello?”

On the other end was Ye Ru: “Is Luo Jing there?”

“He just stepped out.”

“Then take a pass card to Secretary Xiao, quickly.”

“Okay.”

Zhou Zhuofei hung up and said to Zhan Zilang in a coaxing tone, “Go get to work.”

She retrieved a card from Luo Jing’s desk. His role was to distribute access cards, so he kept some pre-set ones ready.

When she arrived at Xiao Wang’s office, she unexpectedly ran into Jiang Shen again.

“Well, we meet again.” He wiggled his fingers at her.

Xiao Wang was surprised. “You two know each other?”

“Yes, just met today. You’re Zhou Zhuofei, right?”

“Yes.” Zhou Zhuofei replied politely and handed the pass card to Xiao Wang, who then gave it to Jiang Shen.

“Thanks for running this errand, Zhou.”

“No trouble. I’ll be going now.”

Just as she left, Jiang Shen stood up too. “I’m leaving as well.”

Xiao Wang was about to look away but quickly said after noticing Jiang Shen’s move, “Mr. Jiang, I’ll see you out.”

Jiang Shen hurriedly waved him off, quickening his step. “No need. You keep busy. Please tell Ling Yu for me.”

“Will do.”

Xiao Wang watched Jiang Shen leave, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. Hopefully, he was overthinking—that Jiang Shen just wanted to leave early.

While waiting for the elevator, Zhou Zhuofei bumped into Jiang Shen again, and they chatted briefly.

The fact that Xiao Wang had requested a pass card for him implied Jiang Shen’s identity was special, so Zhou Zhuofei spoke politely.

“I don’t know where you work. Your business card doesn’t say anything.”

Jiang Shen answered casually, “I wouldn’t say I work anywhere. I guess I’m self-employed.”

“So, a freelancer?” Zhou Zhuofei expressed genuine envy. “That’s great.”

Originally, Jiang Shen wasn’t telling the whole truth, but Zhou Zhuofei’s sincere admiration piqued his interest. Clearing his throat, he asked teasingly, “Then can you guess what exactly I do?”

“How could I guess?” She made a show of reluctance but still offered a guess. “Maybe a model, or something related to the arts?”

After denying several of her guesses, Jiang Shen finally revealed the truth: “Actually, I’m a private detective.”