Chapter Ninety-One

Judging from Lin Ling’s tone, she was not lying. This was exactly Wu Guanzhong’s usual rest time. Perhaps her urgency and annoyance stemmed from his call at the wrong moment. It was the first time he realized how terrifying Lin Ling could be when angry; her fury, though subtle, sent a chill through the phone. It seemed contacting Wu Guanzhong at this hour was unwise. It would be better to keep up the charade with the scammer-kidnapper for a while.

In the span of a single call, his screen filled with insults directed at him. Though the words themselves were more amusing than hurtful, their presence was especially grating to Yu Xingyue. She couldn’t delete them all; she needed to use this information to let Wu Guanzhong know her precise location.

The scammer-kidnapper claimed to be a human trafficker, but Yu Xingyue simply smiled and ignored him. She’d rather rest than waste time trading insults. Lying on the bed, she breathed in the faint floral fragrance and soon drifted off to sleep, switching on the air conditioner as she did. The room quickly cooled, and her troubles faded for now.

Let us turn our gaze now to Lin Zimo, who hadn’t appeared for some time. At this moment, she was furiously pummeling a sandbag. Ever since she’d gone out with Yu Xingyue and ended up in a brawl, she’d resolved to learn boxing. She was skilled with her legs but lacked hand techniques, so she took up boxing to better protect herself.

Her younger sister, Lin Xianxin, wasn’t so lucky. She supported Lin Zimo’s decision, insisting Lin Zimo wasn’t some hothouse flower. But when training began, she quickly regretted it. Because of budget constraints, they hadn’t bought a proper sandbag, so Lin Xianxin had to serve as one herself.

Lin Zimo didn’t bother checking her sister’s injuries—it was her own doing, after all, and besides, Lin Xianxin had volunteered. The rougher the treatment, the better; it would toughen Lin Xianxin up. Lin Zimo’s logic was inscrutable: if repeated beatings turned her sister invincible, they’d never need to buy a sandbag again; Lin Xianxin could serve just fine.

Unable to bear the blows any longer, Lin Xianxin protested coquettishly, “Sister, can’t you be a bit gentler? My old bones are about to break! If something happens to me, mom and dad will blame you first.” Her words carried a hint of threat, but Lin Zimo only grew prouder, clearly enjoying her sister’s suffering.

Lin Zimo chuckled, “Isn’t this perfect? If one day you become unbreakable from all my training, we won’t need any sandbags—just you. Take you out with me and you can be my shield: economical and safe.” She shared her musings, and Lin Xianxin’s face twisted in exasperation.

“So this is how you treat your own sister?” Lin Xianxin tore off her protective gear, ready to leave, but Lin Zimo blocked her way. “You think you can come and go as you please? Just now, I was holding back. Try leaving, and I’ll give you a punch to the waist so you’ll know what a herniated disc feels like!” Her fist trembled with barely-restrained energy. Lin Xianxin knew she wasn’t joking—Lin Zimo had always been a woman of action.

Just as things were about to escalate, the doorbell rang. Lin Xianxin quickly seized the opportunity. “Someone’s here, I’ll get it!” She vanished so quickly that even Lin Zimo couldn’t keep up. Lin Zimo chuckled to herself, thinking, “What a waste she isn’t a long-distance runner. I ought to take her out for some fun—after all, I owe her a lot.”

Lin Xianxin soon returned, saying, “Sis, I peeked through the peephole. It’s a woman, but I don’t know her—maybe you do?”

It was only natural for Lin Xianxin to react this way. Since arriving in China, she’d rarely gone out. The last time she did, she was accosted by a creep and if not for Lin Zimo and Lin Ling, things could have turned out badly. That incident left her reluctant to go out, preferring the safety of home.

Lin Zimo checked the peephole. So it was Wang Tianqi. If she guessed correctly, Wang Tianqi had come to discuss the issue concerning Huang Feifan. Lin Zimo opened the door, but Wang Tianqi didn’t step inside. She simply stood at the threshold, addressing Lin Zimo.

“Zimo, listen up. I just spoke with Chen Siyu—we’ll meet with Huang Feifan to apologize. You’re the last one; don’t you dare back out, understood?” It sounded more like a drill sergeant addressing her troops.

Lin Zimo replied irritably, “So Chen Siyu doesn’t mind your finger injury anymore and forgave you? Well, if she agreed, I have no reason to refuse. Just give me some time to prepare. Once I’m ready, I’ll let you know, alright?”

“Alright! That’s your promise. Don’t let me catch you slacking off.” Just as before, Wang Tianqi closed the door for her, her footsteps fading down the stairs. Peeking out the window, Lin Zimo saw Wang Tianqi make a knowing gesture.

After Wang Tianqi left, Lin Zimo put aside her boxing and texted Huang Feifan. Huang Feifan had already forgiven her, but Lin Zimo wouldn’t have known if she hadn’t reached out herself. Huang Feifan wanted to play a prank on Wang Tianqi, and Lin Zimo agreed.

Perhaps it was a moment of impulsiveness, but by the time she realized it, it was too late. Maybe she’d agreed because she’d long wanted to see Wang Tianqi, the so-called “young lady,” get her comeuppance. With this, Huang Feifan’s plan was one step closer to success.

Lin Zimo messaged, “Remember to call me when it’s time. I’m forgetful, after all.”

Huang Feifan replied, “No problem. If it works out, I promise you’ll have a chance to be alone with Yu Xingyue. Maybe she’ll be your reward? See you then.”

Lin Zimo’s face flushed. She quickly covered her burning cheeks. How did the conversation turn to Yu Xingyue? And how did Huang Feifan know she liked Yu Xingyue? It had to be Lin Ling or Wang Tianqi—they were the only ones who knew about her crush. But seeing Huang Feifan use that cheeky emoji, maybe it was just a coincidence. If Huang Feifan could guess correctly, she really was something.

Wu Guanzhong woke up from his sleep, basking in the comfort of the perfectly cooled air. Tempted to drift off again, he forced himself up—work was piling up and wouldn’t complete itself. Perhaps his reluctance to leave the air-conditioned room was why empty bottles littered his computer desk.

Sitting at the computer for long stretches left Wu Guanzhong constantly dehydrated. Lin Ling always bought the water herself, knowing exactly what he needed and tending to every detail. He remembered a conversation with her—though the timing was now hazy—where he’d told her, “Once I’ve taken care of everything, I’ll marry you. No hardship can defeat us.”

But to this day, Lin Ling hadn’t responded. Perhaps it was too soon for her. Bringing it up now would only burden her with unnecessary pressure, and pressure inevitably changed the course of life.

Hearing Wu Guanzhong stir, Lin Ling came into the room and said, “Guanzhong, my junior Hugo is looking for you. Here’s his number—call him when you have time. I have to head out now.” With that, she left.

Maybe he’d been so absorbed in his work that he’d neglected Lin Ling, his care for her growing ever more perfunctory. Wu Guanzhong silently cursed himself for being so useless, unable to give her a romantic life.

But these were just thoughts—he never put them into action. He wondered if perhaps he wasn’t suitable for Lin Ling after all: a reclusive hacker with a multi-talented, capable woman was a waste. Maybe leaving would be the right choice.

Nevertheless, Wu Guanzhong dialed Yu Xingyue’s number, as Lin Ling had instructed. When the call connected, he could still hear the drowsiness in Yu Xingyue’s voice. Wu Guanzhong’s tone was cold and distant. “I heard you needed something from me. Make it quick—I’m very busy.”

“It’s nothing now,” Yu Xingyue replied with a yawn. “I was going to ask you to find someone, but forget it. No need to trouble you. Since you’re busy, I won’t bother you.” The dial tone echoed through the room.