Chapter 8: World One【8】

Before meeting her future partner, Shang Siyu received an invitation from Xue Fan first.

This time, Xue Fan did not invite Shang Siyu directly. Instead, he asked a classmate from their high school to contact Shang Siyu under the pretext of organizing a class reunion.

“I’m quite busy lately. Just let me know when you’ve settled on a time; if I’m free, I’ll definitely be there.” Toward her former classmate, Shang Siyu’s tone was polite.

“There’s no need to change the time just for me. Pick a time when most people are free.” A hint of detachment crept into Shang Siyu’s voice.

“Is that so? There’s also a plan to visit our Class Teacher. If I can’t make it, please give my regards to her for me.”

“It’s not a pity. I saw our Class Teacher during the New Year, so it’s not like I haven’t seen her for seven or eight years.”

After chatting with the old classmate on the other end for five minutes, Shang Siyu hung up the phone, a trace of worry hidden between her brows.

【Are you worried there’s something fishy about this reunion?】

“It’s not worry. I’m certain Xue Fan organized this reunion for some specific purpose,” Shang Siyu said.

“If it’s just to see me, that seems like making a mountain out of a molehill.” Shang Siyu couldn’t help but frown. “What exactly does Xue Fan want?”

【Since you’re certain it’s a trap, just avoid it.】

【Xue Fan’s intention is easy to guess. He probably wants to show off in front of classmates, flaunt his success. Then casually reveal your difficulties, and finally, like a savior, offer to invest in you.】

【Xue Fan wants to reclaim the face and self-esteem he lost before; he wants to feel superior to you.】

Shang Siyu imagined the scenario along the lines of what Jing Ke said, then couldn’t help but rub her arms. “Would that really satisfy him? I think he’d only get some superficial flattery.”

【As it happens, that’s exactly what Xue Fan enjoys most. Whether sincere or insincere, flattery makes him happy.】

A complex emotion appeared in Shang Siyu’s eyes. “I don’t really understand that way of thinking.”

【That’s normal. You’re completely different people; it’s normal for your views and thoughts to differ.】

Shang Siyu gave an ‘mm’ of acknowledgment, saved the classmate’s name from the call, and then put the matter out of her mind.

The classmates from high school had long since scattered across the country. For most of them to join, it would have to be during a short holiday like the Mid-Autumn Festival or National Day.

And both holidays were half a month away, so it wasn’t something Shang Siyu needed to worry about right now.

What did Shang Siyu need to worry about now? Naturally, the partner she was meeting tomorrow afternoon.

A partner willing to essentially give away two hundred million yuan—Shang Siyu racked her brains but couldn’t figure out how Jing Ke had found them, or how she’d persuaded them to invest.

“Jing Ke, did you promise them something extra? Like helping that Investor foresee certain things, in exchange for what’s practically a charitable investment?” Even after washing up and lying in bed, Shang Siyu still hadn’t found the answer.

【Not really. She’s willing to invest so much money simply because the partner is you.】 Jing Ke told the truth.

Shang Siyu pulled the thin blanket over herself, leaving only the small nightlight on. “Then is she very optimistic about my patents? Or firmly believes I can change the Prosthetic Limb market?”

【Probably because you’re a very good person.】

“Hmm?” Shang Siyu didn’t quite understand what Jing Ke meant.

【It’s ten o’clock, time to rest. Good night.】

Jing Ke ended the topic at an appropriate time. She feared that if Shang Siyu kept asking, she wouldn’t be able to keep a certain little secret hidden.

“Alright, good night.” Shang Siyu didn’t press the issue either.

After all, she would meet the person tomorrow. If she was truly curious, she could just ask the person directly.

Today was a rest day, so Shang Siyu’s alarm didn’t go off, and she slept soundly until past nine.

She tossed aside the thin blanket and got up, stepping barefoot onto the soft carpet. Against the gray carpet, the tops of her feet and ankles looked especially fair.

She reached out and pulled open the curtains, sunlight streaming through the glass and falling upon her. The slightly tousled flyaway hairs were gilded with a layer of golden light.

【Good morning. The weather is very nice today.】 Jing Ke’s voice popped up.

Shang Siyu squinted slightly toward the window. “Yes, it’s a nice sunny day.”

After transitioning from a Researcher to a company Boss, Shang Siyu’s residence had changed as well.

From a small single room to a higher-standard suite, and now when she opened the window every day, she no longer saw tightly packed buildings but a pleasant community park.

Shang Siyu had to admit that after her living environment improved, her morning mood got much better.

“I’m meeting that future partner this afternoon. Is there anything I should pay attention to?” After washing up, Shang Siyu asked while making breakfast.

【No, just be yourself.】

“It seems like they know me well? Could it be someone I know?” Shang Siyu probed, the idea she had dismissed yesterday popping up again.

It was hard to suppress curiosity about something like this.

【You could say that.】

Noticing Shang Siyu’s particular emphasis on the future partner, Jing Ke couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.

【What kind of partner would you prefer?】

“An ideal partner… someone willing to believe in me, who won’t waver in their trust over some twists and turns.” Shang Siyu dished out the golden fried egg.

【Just that?】

“Achieving that alone is already not easy. Investors are mostly here to make money. If this person is willing to trust me consistently, that means they’ll share the risk with me. That’s already quite rare.” Shang Siyu carried the food back to the dining table.

Hearing this answer, Jing Ke felt a bit relieved.

After breakfast, Shang Siyu changed clothes and started a two-hour workout to make herself look more energetic.

The appointed time with the future partner was 2:30 in the afternoon, at a private room in a tea house. The quiet environment inside was perfect for discussing important matters.

Although Jing Ke said no special preparation was needed, Shang Siyu still carefully picked out clothes, put on makeup, and arrived at the designated place fifteen minutes early.

After giving her name, the tea house server led Shang Siyu into the private room and asked her to wait a moment.

After the server left, the room fell silent, so quiet that Shang Siyu could clearly hear her own breathing.

“Jing Ke, I’m a little nervous.” Shang Siyu’s hands on her knees clenched involuntarily.

【You could have arrived just five minutes early.】

“I know, but arriving fifteen minutes early shows that I value them more.” Shang Siyu let out a soft breath, a hint of unease in her eyes.

That was an investment of two hundred million yuan, enough to determine the life or death of New Life Technology. Of course she had to have the right attitude.

Jing Ke was silent for a moment, and only when there were five minutes left until the appointment did she speak.

【I have something to take care of, I need to leave for a while.】

“You’re leaving?” Shang Siyu blurted out, breaking the silence of the room.

【Just for a little while. You’ll see me soon.】 There was a hint of laughter in Jing Ke’s words.

【We’ll meet very soon.】

After leaving those words, Jing Ke’s consciousness temporarily departed from Shang Siyu’s body.

Shang Siyu’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Recalling Jing Ke’s words, a ridiculous but not impossible guess popped into her mind.

Jing Ke’s existence couldn’t be explained by current science, so if she did something even more absurd, it wouldn’t be strange, right?

Before Shang Siyu could figure it out, a knock came from outside the door.

As the door opened, a young woman in formal attire appeared in Shang Siyu’s sight.

The woman was about Shang Siyu’s height and build, but her features were softer. Her amber eyes were clear and transparent, and her wavy chestnut hair cascaded down her back, making her look more composed than her peers.

Upon seeing Shang Siyu, the young woman’s lips curved into a pleasant smile, and she walked over proactively.

“Hello, I’m your future partner.” The young woman extended her hand, stating her identity but not volunteering her name.

“Hello, I’m Shang Siyu, the head of New Life Technology.” Shang Siyu shook the young woman’s hand, clearly feeling the warmth from the other person.

Meeting the young woman’s gaze, Shang Siyu tried to find something familiar in her eyes to confirm her guess.

“I’ve long heard of your reputation.” The young woman’s smile grew, and she released Shang Siyu’s hand. “Shall we sit and talk?”

“Alright. How should I address you, my future partner?” Shang Siyu sat back down.

“What do you think?” The young woman tossed the question back to Shang Siyu.

“Jing Ke? Or Ms. Jing, or President Jing?” Shang Siyu’s tone gradually relaxed, and a distinct smile appeared on her face.

“Any is fine, but I’m more accustomed to you calling me by my name.” Jing Ke took out some tea leaves, then picked up the hot water Shang Siyu had boiled earlier and began brewing tea.

Hearing Jing Ke’s admission, Shang Siyu breathed a sigh of relief inside.

“Jing Ke, are you a Human, or a System?” Shang Siyu asked.

“Mm, that depends on how you define my existence.” Jing Ke set down the kettle. “Right now, I’m a person with a legal identity. I can keep this identity, or I can give it up.”