Chapter 5: Show Time

Lin Zhiwei listened with a smile, her eyes turning thoughtfully. Ah, truly heaven helps me; it comes so easily, without any effort at all. She had never imagined that someone would willingly pave the way for her like this—it almost made her want to throw her head back and laugh to the sky. Sadly, Xue Yuanyuan knew nothing about her "friend" Lin Zhiwei.

At that moment, Shen Qian was at Xue Yuanyuan’s side, watching her as she chatted gracefully with her classmates, her every gesture refined. The light in his eyes burned like a flame. Xue Yuanyuan caught his gaze from the corner of her eye, straightening her posture even more, proud and elegant as a swan.

"Yuanyuan, could you come to the terrace in a bit? I have a surprise for you," Shen Qian asked softly, a trace of nervousness in his voice.

A flush crept up Xue Yuanyuan’s cheeks as she smiled shyly, "Alright."

Lin Zhiwei caught this exchange perfectly, raised her chin, stretched her neck, and thought to herself: show time!

She took out her phone and called Zhao Qianlu.

The call was answered immediately. "What is it? Any progress?"

Lin Zhiwei cleared her throat and spoke quietly, "Right now, whatever it takes—trick him or whatever—bring Qi Heng up to the 16th floor of the Floating World Tower. Shen Qian’s cocktail party."

"Right now?" Zhao Qianlu was startled. "What are you up to?"

"Just bring him here, and don’t say a word about it."

"And then?"

"Then you just..."

Once everything was arranged, Lin Zhiwei hung up, satisfied, and finished the last sip of her martini.

Ling Ziheng had been watching Lin Zhiwei from afar since returning to his seat. Years of experience in the entertainment industry had honed his instincts—this woman definitely had an agenda.

Her looks were nothing to speak of—plain, even bordering on unattractive—and her dress was an odd, mismatched skirt that was frankly an eyesore. Yet her eyes were extraordinarily bright, alert, and always watching her surroundings.

Ling Ziheng stood near the curtains, quietly eavesdropping on the young ladies’ conversations. He wasn't far away, and from their expressions and animated gossip, he could guess they were discussing some unsavory rumor about Lin Zhiwei.

Yet she just lingered at the edge, occasionally smiling, seemingly both participant and outsider, which only made her intentions more suspect.

Liang Qisheng waved a hand in front of him, snapping his fingers. "Hey, what are you looking at?"

Following his gaze, Liang caught sight of Lin Zhiwei wandering freely and nearly spat out his drink in surprise. "You think that’s worth watching?"

Ling Ziheng shot him a glance but remained silent.

Lin Zhiwei timidly approached Xue Yuanyuan and whispered, "Yuanyuan, I’m so bored. Would you keep me company for a bit? I don’t know anyone here."

Though Xue Yuanyuan was anxious, she couldn’t refuse her outright. She softened her tone, "Sorry, Zhiwei, I was chatting and lost track of time. Let’s go get something to eat together."

Lin Zhiwei cheered, "Ah, Yuanyuan, you’re the best! You’re the only one willing to keep me company." She threw her arms around her enthusiastically, and with deft fingers, quietly slipped the phone from Xue Yuanyuan’s bag.

Xue Yuanyuan was eager to find Shen Qian but was trapped by Lin Zhiwei’s clinging presence, growing more and more anxious as she considered how to politely make her escape.

She knew Shen Qian would make a move tonight. After this evening, he’d be hers. Given the Shen family’s standing, she couldn’t possibly stand out enough to win the patriarch’s approval, but that didn’t matter. As long as she could step over Lin Zhiwei’s ruined reputation, there would be a path forward.

Lin Zhiwei, once you’re disciplined, I, the adopted daughter of the Lin family, will naturally rise. So, Lin Zhiwei, I suppose I should be nice to you for now—wasting a little time with you doesn’t cost me much.

Thinking this, Xue Yuanyuan smiled to herself and took Lin Zhiwei to the dining area, watching her devour the food and maintaining polite, idle conversation as she waited. Letting Shen Qian wait a while was just as well—it would be a good test of his patience.

As Lin Zhiwei ate, she mentally counted the minutes. It was about time; Zhao Qianlu and the others should be arriving. Chewing, she said, "Yuanyuan, I’m fine as long as I have food. Go chat with your friends; I’ll be all right alone. Come back for me later."

Xue Yuanyuan was composing excuses in her mind. Hearing Lin Zhiwei offer first, she was delighted, not suspecting a thing. She smiled apologetically, "Are you sure you’ll be okay?"

"Of course, I’m not a child," Lin Zhiwei replied, pride in her voice.

"Alright, I’ll go then. I’ll come back for you soon." With that, Xue Yuanyuan walked briskly toward the terrace, her face lit with anticipation, not bothering to check her bag or touch up her makeup for fear of missing her chance.

Lin Zhiwei, full and content, stretched her neck, took out Xue Yuanyuan’s phone, and unlocked it—the password was still her own birthday.

How unimaginative, she thought. But then, Xue Yuanyuan had never considered her a threat and had never felt the need to be cautious.

Lin Zhiwei opened the other WeChat account, the one with the same profile picture as hers, and messaged Qi Heng: I’m waiting for you on the 18th floor terrace of Floating World. Come alone, I have a surprise for you.

Qi Heng replied immediately: You’re at Floating World too? On my way.

Done—simple and easy. All that remained was to wait for the results.

At the same time, Lin Zhiwei messaged Zhao Qianlu from her own phone: In a moment, he’ll slip away and head to the 18th floor terrace alone. Show time—you just need to follow and act as the situation unfolds.

Zhao Qianlu replied at once: Got it.