Facing Ye Shen, Lin Zixi considered for a moment before replying, “I have time this afternoon. May I ask where Director Ye would like to meet?”
Ye Shen’s chief secretary said, “Where is Miss Lin right now? Director Ye says to pick a place that’s convenient for you.”
Lin Zixi said, “I’m at Fanhua Film City. There’s a coffee shop nearby—if Director Ye is willing, we can meet there.”
The chief secretary agreed. “Four o’clock sharp this afternoon. Please wait for Director Ye at the coffee shop, Miss Lin. And don’t tell Miss Ye Can about this.”
Lin Zixi nodded. “I understand.”
They set the meeting for four o’clock, and there was still time. After hanging up, Lin Zixi glanced at her computer, hesitated for a bit, then grabbed her tablet and left.
Although there was time, Lin Zixi had lost the mood to keep writing in the office. Instead of wasting time there, she might as well change scenery and try to knock out a few scenes at the coffee shop.
Lin Zixi arrived at the coffee shop and took a seat by the window. She ordered a cup of coffee, opened her tablet and portable keyboard, and started typing away efficiently.
The winter sunlight was glaring, streaming through the crystal-clear glass window and spilling onto the coffee beside her hand. It had a grand presence but no real warmth. After writing a couple of scenes, Lin Zixi’s hands started feeling cold. She cupped them and breathed warm air onto her palms.
Footsteps approached, soon stopping right beside her. Lin Zixi looked up at the newcomer and stood to greet her. “Hello, Director Ye.”
Ye Shen was dressed in a camel-colored overcoat paired with a white blouse and gray tapered pants, looking approachable and down-to-earth. She wore her straight, long hair loose behind her and, as she gestured for Lin Zixi to sit back down, tucked a strand from her right temple behind her ear.
This was a far cry from the commanding aura of a top-tier family leader she’d exuded at their first meeting. Right now, Ye Shen seemed like a friendly big sister from next door.
Lin Zixi didn’t for a second think Ye Shen was treating her this way because of who she was personally. Their social classes were worlds apart—the friendlier Ye Shen acted, the clearer it became that Ye Shen saw high value in her.
She and someone born at the pinnacle of the pyramid like Ye Shen would never cross paths otherwise. Their only connection was Ye Can. So Ye Shen seeking her out had to be about Ye Can.
Once Ye Shen sat down, Lin Zixi asked politely, “What would Director Ye like to drink?”
Ye Shen glanced at the tablet and coffee beside Lin Zixi’s hand and smiled faintly. “Would Miss Lin mind if I order another coffee?”
Lin Zixi replied courteously, “Not at all. It’s my honor to have coffee with Director Ye.”
Hearing this, Ye Shen asked about her taste and ordered two cups. After the server left, Ye Shen looked straight at Lin Zixi. “Miss Lin is a smart woman. You should know why I’ve come to see you today.”
Lin Zixi nodded. “Director Ye, please just say what you need.”
Ye Shen gazed into her eyes. “I’d like to ask how you and our Ye Can met. From what I know, Ye Can had never seen you before.”
Lin Zixi answered truthfully. “It was around ten-thirty the night before last. I spotted her wandering alone by the roadside near the bus stop by Fanhua Film City on Fanhua Road, so I took her home.”
“I don’t know why she was out alone so late at night, but it’s very dangerous. I hope Director Ye can pay more attention to her from now on.”
Lin Zixi figured Ye Shen was the type of parent too busy with work to look after her kid properly. And Ye Can’s ordeal that night had tugged at her heartstrings, so she couldn’t help but add that.
But those words stirred up huge waves in Ye Shen’s heart.
Because around ten-thirty that night, the Tracking Chip implanted in Ye Can’s body had shown her staying home all day without stepping out.
Ye Can had a reclusive personality. Though she sometimes dove into crowds, she mostly avoided contact with people.
Since turning fifteen, Ye Can had disliked having anyone around the house—including Ye Shen.
Ye Shen had once feared Ye Can couldn’t care for herself and tried assigning her bodyguards and a cook. But it enraged Ye Can again; that day, she smashed everything breakable in the house and threw Ye Shen out, forbidding her from ever setting foot in it again.
Plus, Ye Can had sharp instincts by nature—anyone tailing her would be spotted quickly. And whenever she did, she’d throw insane tantrums, even attempting suicide multiple times. After going back and forth over a dozen times like that, Ye Shen grew even more afraid to provoke her.
With no other choice, Ye Shen arranged for meals to be delivered daily. She secretly drugged Ye Can and implanted the chip to monitor her vital signs and location.
Ye Can didn’t go to school or therapy, just muddled through in a daze for two years. By now, aside from her intense self-destructive tendencies, she hadn’t shown any extreme behavior.
Especially in the last two months, Ye Can had been driving out frequently—to bookstores, the beach for fun—acting just like a normal person.
Ye Shen felt relieved and emotional but didn’t dare approach rashly. She decided to observe and wait until Ye Can improved more before getting close.
Then yesterday, she finally got a call from Ye Can.
It was the first time in ages that Ye Can had reached out proactively. Overjoyed, Ye Shen rushed over—and that’s when she noticed Lin Zixi.
Ye Shen checked the surveillance and chip data daily, noting everyone Ye Can spoke to.
In two years, the only person to capture Ye Can’s attention like this was Lin Zixi.
Ye Shen had assumed it was an intelligence oversight, that Lin Zixi and Ye Can had just met by chance. But after hearing Lin Zixi’s account, doubts flooded her mind.
Ye Can went out that night? How did she leave without the Tracking Chip registering it?
The questions made Ye Shen’s heart race, but years dominating the business world had taught her to keep a poker face. She paused, then said, “I’ll look into this when I get back.”
Lin Zixi’s concern had sounded genuine, and Ye Shen had reviewed her background—her character was impeccable.
Ye Shen smiled warmly. “Miss Lin, what do you think of our Ye Can?”
Lin Zixi froze for a second. I’ve only known her two days—not exactly well enough to judge.
But in certain situations, people had to say things they didn’t fully mean. Lin Zixi thought it over and replied carefully, “Ye Can… is a good kid. She works hard, has patience and perseverance, and she’s very persistent.”
That persistence borders on obsession and stubbornness.
It was like all parents gushing about their kids. “Exactly, she’s such a great child. She excelled in school from a young age—started learning Sanda and fencing at four or five, and we have shelves of trophies at home.”
“She finished university courses by fifteen—isn’t she a genius?”
Lin Zixi was stunned. She’d pegged Ye Can as a spoiled rich kid with more money than sense, never imagining she was such a prodigy.
Lin Zixi said sincerely, “She really is a genius.”
Ye Shen sighed. “Yes, she is.” Maybe that’s why heaven balanced it with such a bizarre illness.
After that, Ye Shen looked at Lin Zixi. “But Ye Can is lonely, doesn’t have many friends. From what happened yesterday, though, she seems to really like you, Miss Lin.”
“I took the liberty of looking into your reputation in the industry, and I think you’re someone worth befriending.”
“So I’d like to ask a favor—could you be friends with Ye Can? At least while she’s here having fun, indulge her a bit more, show her extra care.”
Lin Zixi felt an odd sensation, like Ye Shen had mistaken her for a daycare director—or the plain Jane Cinderella about to be coerced into marrying the domineering CEO’s sickly son under a pile of money.
Either way, nothing good.
Out of politeness, Lin Zixi replied, “Ye Can and I are already friends.” So Director Ye, you don’t need to interfere.
But Ye Shen wasn’t satisfied. She smiled faintly. “If it were just friendship, I wouldn’t be here. Ye Can likes you—I hope you can pay her even more attention, make her your top priority during this time.”
“She’s a genius, a bit unusual, so please bear with her.”
Lin Zixi stared at Ye Shen, thinking this plot mirrored every Cinderella story where the girl falls for the wealthy heir.
Probably written too many scripts, she thought. Any second now, she’ll slap a check down.
Her premonition was spot-on. Moments later, Ye Shen slid a check across the table. “This is a five-million check. I hope during the time Ye Can bothers you, you’ll be patient with her—whatever you do, don’t hurt her.”
Lin Zixi lowered her gaze to the check. Art really imitates life, but life is even more melodramatic.
She didn’t take it. Ye Shen watched her meaningfully. “I know you’ve been funding several orphanages these years. I’m willing to donate to them.”
Hearing this, Lin Zixi looked up at Ye Shen. It was a clear message: I know everything about you. A show of goodwill—and a threat.
Rich people’s money was never free. Besides, Lin Zixi was past the age of desperately scraping for cash.
Lin Zixi pushed the check back calmly. “Director Ye, that’s kind of you. I really like Ye Can, so no need for the check. If you want to do charity, donate to those orphanages directly.”
She flashed a professional smile, neither servile nor overbearing. “Is there anything else, Director Ye? If not, I’ll head back to writing.”
“Cold coffee doesn’t taste good. Please enjoy yours, Director Ye.”
With that, Lin Zixi packed up and stood. “I’ll be going now. See you, Director Ye.”
She walked out.
She disliked Ye Shen’s move, disliked the idea that money could buy affection.
Lin Zixi had always sensed something off with Ye Can—now it seemed the problem was her family. Poor Ye Can.
A genius with no friends and a family like that—no wonder she wandered the highway at night like a lunatic.
Lin Zixi stepped out of the coffee shop and glanced up at the blazing sun. The light scorched her dry eyelids, stinging for no reason. In that moment, she inexplicably thought of Ye Can.
Right now, Ye Can was running an extra over in the neighboring crew. Maybe I should go see her.
