It was Ye Can’s birthday, after all. As her older sister, Ye Shen had still prepared a gift for her—a small safe. After Tong Lin drove them back to the hotel, she handed the safe to Ye Can. “Miss Ye Can, this is a gift from the Chairwoman. Happy birthday.”
Ye Can raised an eyebrow, eyeing the safe Tong Lin offered. She drawled lazily, “Take it back. I’m not close to her. I don’t want her gift.”
She was a woman of principles. Since she’d made it clear she didn’t want Ye Shen as her servant anymore, she wouldn’t have any further entanglements with her.
Tong Lin stubbornly pushed the safe toward Ye Can. “The Chairwoman said other things can be refused, but you must take these.”
Ye Can tsked lightly, glaring at the robot-like Tong Lin with an unfriendly tone. “You seem pretty free. Want to spar with me?”
Considering how Tong Lin had guarded Lin Zixi for her and driven them around every day lately, Ye Can had shown her a bit more respect recently.
But Tong Lin was forcing the issue, and Ye Can’s temper flared.
Tong Lin remained expressionless. “You’re mistaken. I won’t spar.” Her duty was protection, not serving as a sparring partner for the second-in-command.
Besides, they’d clashed before. Ye Can was impressive, but Tong Lin figured she couldn’t beat this emotionless robot of hers.
Ye Can barely registered Tong Lin’s words before Lin Zixi yanked her behind her.
Lin Zixi looked up at Tong Lin with a light chuckle, taking the box from her hands. “Ye Can accepts Director Ye’s gift. Thanks for her kind intentions.”
Lin Zixi grabbed Ye Can’s hand and led her toward the hotel. “Ye Can and I are heading up first. Drive safe. Bye.”
Tong Lin watched Ye Can get dragged away by Lin Zixi, sighing inwardly: Thank goodness for Lin Zixi. Thank goodness it’s a society governed by law. Otherwise, someone like Ye Can would’ve gotten herself killed ages ago in ancient times.
With that thought, Tong Lin drove into the underground garage.
Ye Can trailed behind Lin Zixi into the elevator, grumbling at the item in her hand. “Why’d you take Ye Shen’s gift? I’ve cut ties with her. I don’t want her anymore. You’re so close to her now—makes it awkward for me.”
Lin Zixi ignored her. When the elevator reached their floor, she strode out.
Ye Can followed, muttering under her breath. “Don’t tell me you actually think Ye Shen’s my sister? Like, blood-related?”
Ye Can had raised the question twice now. Lin Zixi sighed softly and turned to her. “Ye Can, no matter what you think, Ye Shen is your blood sister. You’ve seen her sincerity. No need to keep targeting her.”
Ye Can huffed. “So what if we’re blood-related? That doesn’t mean anything. Lots of things in this world depend on fate—even family bonds.”
“Without that fate, blood ties alone won’t make you close sisters.”
Not every royal sibling got along in the Yan Prince’s Palace. True brotherhood or sisterhood depended on whether you clicked.
Ye Can’s mind was a bit twisted. Back in the palace, she hadn’t been close to any siblings. Blood relations felt thin to her.
And because they were so thin, her understanding of them ran deeper.
Her words carried a philosophical weight. Lin Zixi paused, then said, “Maybe you’re right. But having blood ties is a pretty good kind of fate. Ye Shen… she’s good to you.”
Lin Zixi turned and pressed the safe against Ye Can’s chest. “At least look at what she sent. Don’t spurn someone who’s good to you.”
Ye Can lowered her gaze to the box shoved in her face. She went silent for a moment, then reluctantly took it.
Like a forced little cabbage, Ye Can said, “Fine. For your sake in putting in a good word for her, I’ll reluctantly open it.”
Ye Can carried the safe to the sofa and sat down. Following the instructions on it, she slowly opened it. “Let’s see what treasure’s inside.”
When she opened it, she found her personal documents inside. Next to them, Ye Shen had placed a gift box—that seemed to be the real birthday present.
Lin Zixi, spotting Ye Can’s ID card, university diploma, and the like in the safe, smiled faintly. “Your sister put some thought into this.”
At eighteen, Ye Can no longer needed a guardian. By sending over her documents now, Ye Shen was acknowledging her as an adult—no more meddling in her life.
Perhaps this was Ye Shen’s way of extending an olive branch.
Lin Zixi thought of that and told Ye Can, “Keep these safe. ID and diplomas are important.”
Ye Can turned to her. “So, am I still using this identity now?”
Lin Zixi sighed and ruffled Ye Can’s hair. “You are Ye Can. These things are yours by birthright. No reason to refuse them.”
“Ye Can, rebellion isn’t the only path. Carrying your past scars while forging a new road—that’s a valid choice too.”
Ye Can pondered it seriously. This was all the Immoral God’s arrangement anyway. She’d already been tormented by that god into acting every day. Using the identity the Immoral God gave her didn’t seem like a big deal now.
A true hero can bend and stretch, she figured. At most, she just wouldn’t bully Ye Shen anymore. And she wouldn’t order her around either.
Having sorted it out, Ye Can slammed the safe shut, locked it, and shoved it at Lin Zixi. “Alright, I’ll take what’s inside. You keep it for me.”
Lin Zixi blinked. “That casual?”
Ye Can replied righteously, “I don’t use this stuff often. If not you, who?”
Lin Zixi rubbed her forehead. “At least take out your ID first. And that little gift box from Ye Shen—you’re not even gonna peek?”
Ye Can said “oh” and reopened the safe, pulling out her ID and the small box.
Opening the box, Ye Can discovered a watch. Sleek design… and expensive.
Lin Zixi thought, The world of the rich is unimaginably lavish. A multimillion-yuan watch, just like that.
Easily appraising its value, Lin Zixi pursed her lips and asked Ye Can, “Gonna wear it?”
Ye Can snapped the box shut. “Nah. And I don’t like it. I’ll return it to Ye Shen later.”
She jangled the Golden Leaf bracelet on her wrist at Lin Zixi, grinning brightly. “I’ve got this on my wrist. That’s enough—no need for anything else.”
Lin Zixi glanced at the few-thousand-yuan gold chain on her wrist, then down at the multimillion-yuan watch in the box. The rich really are different. To them, the cheap stuff’s the treasure—rarity makes it precious for Ye Can.
It had been years since Lin Zixi last envied the rich, but inwardly she sighed: Damn these evil wealthy people! That watch alone is my entire net worth. Infuriating!
After New Year’s Day, filming for Calamity Nation hit its stride.
Lin Zixi gradually immersed herself in the role of Gantang. Her on-screen chemistry with Ye Can ignited more fiercely, often drawing whoops from onlookers.
Though their sparks flew wildly on set, Lin Zixi wasn’t a method actor. Once a scene wrapped, she’d revert to her doting “old mother” mode.
But in Lin Zixi’s eyes, Ye Can was a method actress who stayed in character. Even off-camera, she’d linger in the Faint Lord’s persona.
Ye Can was constantly draping herself over Lin Zixi on set—front hugs, back hugs, endlessly clingy.
Lin Zixi usually couldn’t stand it. The moment Ye Can leaned in, she’d poke her forehead to keep her at bay.
Ye Can ignored it, relentlessly pulling her into an embrace.
Ye Can hugged; Lin Zixi pushed. Pushed, then hugged again.
After a dozen cycles, Lin Zixi gave up, letting Ye Can hold her.
The beautiful girl was like a clingy little puppy, nuzzling her “owner” post-scene—cuddles and hugs galore. It was so sweet, the crew couldn’t handle it.
Some even started a group chat to ship their CP.
Daily chatter was all “Did Teacher Lin get hugged today?” or “Mother-son bonding deep enough?”
It drove the shippers wild.
Lin Zixi minded a little what others thought of Ye Can, but since Ye Can didn’t care, Lin Zixi let it slide.
Over time, rumors spread on set. Those unaware of Ye Can’s background assumed she was Lin Zixi’s plaything “little puppy.”
Of course, with Ye Can now fully dependent on Lin Zixi for food, lodging, and everything else—short of total devotion—she already resembled Lin Zixi’s kept fresh meat.
Seeing the CP hype rise, Yu Ming’s urge to drop some sugar grew restless.
After shooting the scene where Gantang whispered pillow talk to You Wang in court, Yu Ming couldn’t hold back.
Post-wrap, he approached Lin Zixi and Ye Can, fidgeting. “I think… um… we need to add a bit to one scene.”
Lin Zixi blinked, confused. “Which one? Should I revise the script?” Ever the screenwriter, she reminded him of her other role.
Yu Ming rubbed his hands, sheepish toward Lin Zixi. “No need, it’s simple. Set’s already there—just shoot it.”
“I was thinking… could You Wang and the Beauty have a passionate kiss scene?”
Lin Zixi’s eyes widened in shock. Yu Ming rambled on, “See, this is Gantang’s first pillow talk. You Wang knows everything—surely she’d want compensation, right? So…”
Before he finished, Lin Zixi cut him off. “Impossible!” Kiss scene? Not a chance!
But her co-star disagreed. “Sure!”
It was just a kiss—nothing major.
Yu Ming clapped at Ye Can’s agreement, laughing heartily. “Ye Can’s an adult anyway. Let’s shoot the kiss!”
