Right at this moment, someone knocked “knock knock knock” at the door, the sound abrupt and urgent, suddenly interrupting the flow of the pen.

Wen Tingli coughed lightly in fright, Lu Shicheng frowned toward the door. The door had not been closed; they could only hear the person outside speaking quietly and urgently: “Mr. Lu, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Boss Liu of Zhenlin Pharmaceuticals called saying they want to come visit Mr. Lu at the hospital.”

Wen Tingli was startled—how could the outside world know Lu Shicheng was hospitalized here? The Lu family had always been airtight about such matters…

Lu Shicheng was clearly thinking about the same question. He turned to look at the small table beside him, casually flipping through a thick stack of newspapers beneath it. The headline on the topmost paper read:

【Master Lu Shicheng, Eldest Grandson of Elder Lu Hongjun of the Nanyang Maorong Lu Family, Hospitalized Due to Severe Injuries.】

Not just this one—the other newspapers on the tea table carried roughly similar headlines. It looked as though Lu Shicheng had been investigating this matter all morning. Kuang Zhilin was also knocking at the door, reporting to Lu Shicheng: “I’ve already responded to them according to Mr. Lu’s earlier instructions.”

He glanced at Wen Tingli in the room, waved for the attendants to withdraw, and entered, saying: “Overnight, news of young Master Lu’s injury has stirred up the whole city. We’re currently busy investigating where the leak came from. Miss Wen, allow me to ask presumptuously—these past few days, have you perhaps inadvertently mentioned to anyone that Mr. Lu is hospitalized here?”

“Of course not!” Wen Tingli said firmly.

Lu Shicheng shot Kuang Zhilin a reproachful look. Kuang Zhilin smiled wryly: “I certainly know Miss Wen is careful by nature, but walls have ears, as they say—I only worried that when Miss Wen called to ask about Mr. Lu’s condition, someone might have— never mind, given Miss Wen’s cautious character, this guess doesn’t hold up either. I was too abrupt; I hope Miss Wen won’t take offense.”

Wen Tingli shook her head to show she didn’t mind, then suddenly said: “I remember now—yesterday, Miss Dong and I passed by the hospital and happened to see Principal Zou and Mr. Kuang entering together. Qinfang thought it was unusual at the time; perhaps she mentioned it to someone without thinking when she got back, and some interested party overheard. Should I go ask Qinfang? She’ll definitely remember who she talked to about this yesterday.”

Kuang Zhilin looked at Lu Shicheng: “Understood, I’ll go make a few calls right away.”

The moment he stepped out, Principal Zou’s voice came from the corridor.

“Old Kuang, I was just looking for you. Zihe saw this morning’s news and insisted on coming with me to visit Shicheng. I thought of how her mother and Shicheng’s mother were the best of friends, and the two children had crossed paths several times before, so I took the liberty of bringing her along. Did Shicheng sleep well last night?”

Lu Shicheng and Wen Tingli exchanged a rapid glance; Principal Zou had already stepped inside.

Kuang Zhilin followed Principal Zou into the room, his expression somewhat unnatural. On Principal Zou’s arm was a young woman—none other than Zhu Zihe.

Wen Tingli hastily rose to greet her: “Good morning, Principal Zou.”

“Wen Tingli?!” Principal Zou was greatly startled. “Why are you here?”

Zhu Zihe looked at Wen Tingli with a meaningful gaze.

Lu Shicheng “attempted” to push his wheelchair, but since his hand injury hadn’t fully healed, he got “stuck” the moment he moved. Sure enough, Principal Zou’s attention immediately shifted to Lu Shicheng, and she hurried forward to steady him.

“Don’t move, your injuries haven’t healed yet.”

This gave everyone in the room ample time to deal with the sudden turn of events. At Lu Shicheng’s hint, Kuang Zhilin was about to discreetly escort Wen Tingli out, but Wen Tingli had another idea. She smiled at Principal Zou and Zhu Zihe: “Yesterday I suddenly broke out in a large rash for no reason, and it scared me into seeing a doctor overnight. I happened to run into Mr. Kuang at the emergency department, and seeing no one was looking after me, he asked the doctor to arrange a private room for me. This morning I read the newspaper and learned that Mr. Lu was also hospitalized here. Having received Mr. Lu’s care many times before, I hurried upstairs to visit once I learned he was ill, and happened to run into Mr. Kuang at the door, who brought me in.”

Principal Zou’s suspicions immediately vanished. She set aside her concern for Lu Shicheng for the moment and came close to examine the rash on Wen Tingli’s neck, asking with a face full of concern: “What did the doctor say?”

Wen Tingli recounted yesterday’s visit to the doctor. Principal Zou sighed: “You’ve had a hard time of it—your father just passed away, you still have a younger sister to look after, and you have to raise your own college tuition… Running around like this would wear out even the toughest person, let alone a half-grown child like you.”

Wen Tingli seized the moment to wrap her arms around Principal Zou’s shoulders and act coquettish: “Principal, I’m not a half-grown child anymore, I’m already eighteen.”

“You are!” Principal Zou said in a doting tone. “You still are! To me, all of you are still half-grown children.”

She pointed at Lu Shicheng too: “He is too!”

Lu Shicheng smiled and invited Principal Zou to sit down and talk. Zhu Zihe seized the opportunity to speak up: “Were Mr. Lu and Miss Wen having breakfast just now?”

Lu Shicheng glanced up at Zhu Zihe.

Prompted by this remark, Principal Zou turned to look at the tea table and was surprised to find the whole table of pastries piled entirely on Wen Tingli’s side. She couldn’t help but look startled, glancing at Lu Shicheng, then at Wen Tingli.

This time, though, Lu Shicheng appeared perfectly composed, evidently not planning to offer any explanation for it. Wen Tingli wanted to say something, but the moment she lowered her head, her attention was immediately drawn back to the note on the table.

On it were written three characters, glaring up at her.

【Because I—】

It was that unfinished sentence Lu Shicheng had been about to write.

What was his answer?

Her heart began pounding wildly once more.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Kuang Zhilin could only laugh loudly and take up the conversation: “Miss Wen already ate in her own room earlier. It’s young master Cheng and I who haven’t eaten yet—the staff know I love sweets, so they bought extra pastries. Have Principal Zou and Miss Zhu had breakfast? Would you care to join us?”

Principal Zou suddenly understood: “Old Kuang, your taste hasn’t changed in all these years, watch out for your teeth. Zihe and I have already eaten. You and Shicheng go ahead and eat.”

Regardless, the topic was dropped. Zhu Zihe, smiling, presented the large bundle of fresh flowers in her arms to Lu Shicheng.

“I only found out you’d had an accident when I read the paper this morning. These past days in Shanghai I’ve relied so much on your care, and that night—I heard you were seriously injured, and I simply had to see you with my own eyes to feel at ease. I didn’t call ahead either, Aunt Zou just brought me along. I hope you won’t mind my presumption. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”

Wen Tingli’s ears pricked up—that night? What night?!

Lu Shicheng regarded the thing Zhu Zihe held out to him coldly, neither reaching to take it nor signaling for Kuang Zhilin to accept it.

This was the first time Lu Shicheng had ever embarrassed someone in public.

Principal Zou looked at Lu Shicheng, then at Zhu Zihe: “What’s this about? Is there some misunderstanding?”

Zhu Zihe merely smiled. Kuang Zhilin hastened to smooth things over: “Young master Cheng is already injured, and he’s been busy since early morning, it’s only natural he’s a bit low on energy.”

Principal Zou sat down to carefully ask about Lu Shicheng’s injuries, while Wen Tingli, with great interest, sat down beside Zhu Zihe.

“What has Miss Zhu been busy with these days?”

“Keeping Aunt Zou company, wandering around, buying gifts for my mother. Oh, and last time you won the champion title in the Shanghai Beauty contest—I still haven’t congratulated you. I saw your stage photos from the competition; truly original.”

“Miss Zhu’s performance was also wonderful,” said Wen Tingli. “We haven’t properly shown you around since you came to Shanghai. Xiaowen keeps talking about wanting to have fun with you properly—why don’t we all go see a movie together sometime?”

Zhu Zihe smiled. “Speaking of Xiaowen, I ran into her the other day at Wing On Company on the Bund. She said she hasn’t been able to reach you lately either, doesn’t know what you’ve been busy with all day.”

Wen Tingli glanced at Lu Shicheng and said, expression unchanged: “My film is about to start shooting soon. I’m worried I won’t adjust well once I’m on set, so these past days I’ve mostly been at home memorizing my script.”

“I see. So when exactly does your film start shooting?”

At this point, Principal Zou, having found out when Lu Shicheng could be discharged, couldn’t help but feel relieved: “Good thing you can be discharged in a couple days, at least you won’t spend your birthday in the hospital. How are you planning to celebrate this year? Just a bowl of longevity noodles like previous years?”

Kuang Zhilin said with a smile: “From what the old master implies, since young master Cheng is now in charge of the Lu family, this year they must throw a proper celebration no matter what, especially after this recent incident—warding off bad luck with festivities isn’t a bad idea either. But young master Cheng doesn’t like fuss, so he hasn’t agreed yet.”

Zhu Zihe immediately took up the thread: “When is Mr. Lu’s birthday?”

“This weekend,” Principal Zou answered. “Oh right, didn’t you say yesterday that your art gallery needs to expand its influence? Why not stay to attend Shicheng’s birthday banquet before you leave? If he does decide to hold a banquet this year, you could meet some accomplished people from various circles there, which would help your career too.”

Zhu Zihe leaned into Principal Zou’s embrace, acting coquettish: “Timing-wise it could work out, I just don’t know if Mr. Lu himself—”

Wen Tingli looked up and was surprised to find Lu Shicheng’s gaze fixed heavily on Zhu Zihe. Zhu Zihe, who was always composed and measured in public, seemed a bit startled to be stared at like this by Lu Shicheng, but she clearly had plenty of experience handling such situations, and soon broke into a smile, asking: “Does Mr. Lu have something to say to me?”

Unexpectedly, Lu Shicheng took a name card from his jacket pocket and handed it to Zhu Zihe.

Wen Tingli’s eyes went wide.

Printed on the card were the three characters “Lu Shicheng.”

Kuang Zhilin also seemed somewhat taken aback. While reading the room, he put on a smile and explained: “Mr. Lu would like to invite Miss Zhu to attend his birthday celebration. Would Miss Zhu care to honor us with her presence?”

Zhu Zihe accepted Lu Shicheng’s card with easy grace.

“Since Mr. Lu extends such a sincere invitation, I would be most honored.”

Lu Shicheng nodded calmly.

Wen Tingli abruptly stood up.

“Principal, I’m afraid I can’t stay to keep you company any longer—the doctor wants me to change my dressing at ten o’clock.”

Having said this, she didn’t look at Lu Shicheng again, and walked straight out the door and downstairs.

After changing her dressing, Wen Tingli silently packed her things in her room.

Since her condition had stabilized either way, she planned to be discharged immediately.

She couldn’t figure out what Lu Shicheng was up to. At the very least, judging from Principal Zou’s attitude toward Zhu Zihe just now, Lu Shicheng hadn’t yet raised his suspicions with Principal Zou—he respected Principal Zou so much that, once he learned Zhu Zihe had problems, he would never let Zhu Zihe stay by Principal Zou’s side.

Yet he remained inactive. Either he had no suspicion of Zhu Zihe at all, and had willingly given her his card—

Or he intended to use this birthday banquet as an opportunity to lure Zhu Zihe into exposing herself.

The former seemed more likely.

So be it—as the saying goes, “there’s no deceit too great in war.” Without doing this, how else could the enemy be lured in?

What truly pierced her heart was that “that night” Zhu Zihe had mentioned. Even if Miss Zhu had ulterior motives in saying it, she wouldn’t dare fabricate facts right in front of Lu Shicheng.

Clearly, “that night” between them had really existed.

No wonder Lu Shicheng had always kept her at arm’s length—perhaps he had taken a liking to Miss Zhu Zihe from the start, and that night he’d broken their appointment not only because of the White Dragon Gang’s ambush, but because he had fallen for Miss Zhu’s honey trap.

Thinking this through, everything suddenly made logical sense.

As for all his care toward her these past days, it was purely out of a sense of gratitude—let it end here. She would no longer indulge in wishful thinking, and Lu Shicheng had better stop using such misleading gestures to stir her feelings.

Otherwise she would definitely show him a thing or two!

She finished packing her things and resolutely pulled open the door.

Who would have known two attendants were standing outside carrying food boxes.

“Miss Wen didn’t get to eat anything in her room earlier. Mr. Lu was worried Miss Wen might be hungry, so he specially had fresh congee and pastries made and sent over.”

Wen Tingli’s words caught in her throat.

The two enthusiastically set out the contents of the food boxes plate by plate on the table—all nutritious yet light dishes, as far as the eye could see.

Wen Tingli stood there without moving. It wasn’t that she was easily moved by this gesture—she had simply suddenly remembered the large bundle of fresh flowers Zhu Zihe had given Lu Shicheng.

Trouble! What if they were poisoned? She took off running outside. According to new leads uncovered by the people Li Chengying had sent to Tianjin, Zhu Zihe most likely had some fatal weakness held over her by Gang Leader Cao—and once a person was threatened by the White Dragon Gang, there was nothing they wouldn’t do.

Never mind what Lu Shicheng currently thought—she couldn’t just stand by and watch him be murdered by Zhu Zihe.

Her heart racing with anxiety, she rushed back to Lu Shicheng’s hospital room, only to find it empty.

Kuang Zhilin happened to return just then, and Wen Tingli hurried to meet him: “Where has Mr. Lu gone?”

“To the imaging room, the head of otolaryngology is waiting to consult with Mr. Lu.”

“And Miss Zhu?”

“Left together with Principal Zou,” Kuang Zhilin said, puzzled.

Suddenly seeming to remember something, he pulled Wen Tingli aside and asked in a serious tone: “Dr. Louis said that young master Cheng spoke during his critical illness, and that Miss Wen personally heard it with her own ears?”

Wen Tingli was startled: “Yes.”

Kuang Zhilin’s face lit up with wild joy: “What exactly did young master Cheng say? How many words? Were they clear?”

“He only called out ‘Mama’ in his dream. It was very clear, but he didn’t say anything else.”

“Mama…” Kuang Zhilin’s expression turned astonished and bitter, and after a long moment he sighed softly. “Director Xie of the throat department is an expert well versed in both Chinese and Western medicine. When he heard about this, he thought young master Cheng might have hope of recovering—we thought this severe injury might prompt him to speak again, but so far it hasn’t gone smoothly. Perhaps some new stimulus is still needed to—”

Before Wen Tingli could hear the rest, she rushed anxiously into the room and scooped up the bouquet of flowers. She guessed there was no bomb hidden in the flowers, since Zhu Zihe couldn’t guarantee when she’d be able to leave Lu Shicheng’s room—so there was most likely poison hidden inside instead.

She had to throw the thing out as quickly as possible.

“Miss Wen!” Kuang Zhilin chased after her in astonishment.

“I like this bouquet. Mr. Lu has so many flowers here anyway, let me just take this one back to put in my room.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do.” He paused, then forced a smile. “Young master Cheng specifically instructed that Miss Zhu’s gift not be touched. If Miss Wen likes flowers, I’ll have someone buy a few fresh bouquets right away.”

Wen Tingli, her mind in complete disarray, couldn’t help blurting at hearing the first part: “I insist on this one! If Mr. Lu objects afterward, just tell him to come find me and settle the matter himself.”

She rushed downstairs clutching the bouquet, not daring to open it to check along the way. Instead, through a corridor window, she flung it into an empty corner of the alley behind the hospital, then immediately called Li Chengying to report the situation.

Li Chengying’s people had a contact station nearby; they were highly experienced in handling such items.

Before long, Li Chengying called back.

“No poison, no bomb, but there’s a close-up photo of Zhu Zihe inside.”

So Zhu Zihe wasn’t using force this time, but switching to a soft approach? Whatever method Zhu Zihe intended to use against Lu Shicheng, judging by how he looked, he seemed quite willing to accept it. Even heroes struggle to pass the beauty’s gate—why should she meddle in this?

She decided not to get involved anymore, and went back to her room to find the untouched congee and pastries. Upholding her principle of not wasting food, she forced down a couple of bites, then picked up her book bag again, intending to leave the hospital.

Suddenly she heard the sound of a wheelchair outside the door, and an attendant say: “Young master Cheng.”

Wen Tingli froze.

Lu Shicheng arrived quickly; soon a soft knock sounded at the door outside.

Wen Tingli turned and pressed her back against the door.

“Mr. Lu? Why have you come here?”

“Knock knock knock” — Lu Shicheng’s knocking carried a faint trace of anxiety, which really didn’t suit his usual composed manner.

“I know, Mr. Lu must want the flowers back from Miss Zhu,” Wen Tingli said, arms crossed. “I’m terribly sorry, that bouquet really rubbed me the wrong way! I’ve already thrown it in the trash.”

The knocking stopped abruptly.

Through the thin door, not a sound came from the corridor.

Unable to hold back, Wen Tingli opened the door a crack to peek outside, and suddenly met a pair of deep, dark eyes. Lu Shicheng wasn’t angry at all—he was even smiling.

Meeting his smiling eyes, Wen Tingli’s cheeks burned. She shut the door again, still saying: “Why haven’t you left yet, Mr. Lu, are you here to hold me accountable?”

No more knocking was heard, but something was slipped under the door. She picked it up—it was a note.

【I’d like to invite you to my birthday party. There’s something very important I want to give you.】

“But Mr. Lu has already invited someone else. I’m the type with a very strong possessive streak, and quite domineering too. Unless I’m the only one invited, I’d rather not go.”

A faint sound came from outside the door again. Wen Tingli held her breath, waiting for his next note.

Suddenly she heard several people hurrying down the corridor: “Young master Cheng, the old master has arrived. He just got to the entrance, Mr. Kuang has already led everyone to greet him. If you don’t leave now, the old master might come looking for you here himself, and given his temper, there’s no telling if he might embarrass Miss Wen in front of everyone.”

Wen Tingli’s heart pounded with fright at hearing this. By the time she pulled the door open again, there was no one outside. She’d heard two days earlier that Old Master Lu had set out to return to the country, but she hadn’t expected him back so soon, and to cause such a stir the moment he arrived.

In fact, she had always been curious what this legendary figure of the Lu family looked like. As the second-generation successor of the Lu family, this Old Master Lu had been born with a golden spoon in his mouth, yet in his youth he hadn’t simply coasted on his family’s wealth like other rich young men—instead he had worked diligently and steadily, and in just over a decade, successfully doubled the Lu family’s holdings in Nanyang.

Lu Shicheng and his father’s outstanding personal abilities had clearly both been inherited from this Old Master Lu.

But Old Master Lu was, to put it mildly, a complete mess when it came to handling family relationships. The tragedies of the Lu family had all originated with him, and because of this, Lu Shicheng’s relationship with his grandfather was far from close.

Wen Tingli stood dazed for a while facing the empty corridor, then, to avoid unnecessary trouble, decided to retreat back into her room. It was only then that she noticed she was standing on a slip of paper, apparently left behind by Lu Shicheng just now. She unfolded it and read.

【No one else. Only you.】

Her heart began pounding uncontrollably.

That evening, Wen Tingli once thought of going to visit Lu Shicheng at the hospital, but worried she might run into Old Master Lu. Until Lu Shicheng explained things clearly to her, she really didn’t want to stir up any more gossip.

Unexpectedly, over the following two days, Lu Shicheng never called her even once, and even Kuang Zhilin sent no news at all.

Wen Tingli’s mood rose and fell. At first, she guessed Lu Shicheng’s condition might have worsened, but the next day’s paper reported the news that the Lu family was going to hold a birthday banquet, which showed Lu Shicheng’s health was rapidly improving.

She next guessed Lu Shicheng might be busy dealing with his grandfather. While waiting for news, she suddenly realized that as long as a person truly wanted to, no matter how busy, they could always find a chance to call her.

This showed that Lu Shicheng didn’t miss her all that much—and here she’d thought he’d be unable to resist coming to find her right away.

Still, the Lu family guards continued standing watch outside her house day and night.

Besides this, the female dermatologist came punctually every day carrying her medical case to treat her. Such a doctor’s fee could not possibly be low, yet the woman never once mentioned payment, suggesting the fee had already been settled in advance.

Regarding this, Wen Tingli had her own understanding of it—as that Lu family attendant had said, since Lu Shicheng regarded her as his benefactor, it wasn’t surprising he’d take such care of her no matter what.

Thinking this over, Wen Tingli crumpled up those few notes and tossed them into a drawer, resolving not to trouble herself further, and instead turned all her attention to her new film.

Every day she went to the set before dawn and didn’t return home until dark. Whenever a scene was being filmed in the studio, she mixed in among the crew to study and learn, watching how the veteran actors positioned themselves and precisely expressed emotion before the camera.

Once one scene finished filming, she’d rush to the next. When hungry, she’d mooch a meal with the crew; when thirsty, she’d drink the plain water she brought from home.

After a few days, her progress was remarkable. The people on set, seeing how diligent and earnest she was, all took a liking to her. Some industry veterans, unable to remember her name, affectionately called her “that little girl.” Whenever a scene needed reshooting, they would even proactively call Wen Tingli over to let her observe and learn. Wen Tingli gradually felt right at home on set.

The one exception was the crew of Sands of Time. The male lead of that production, Deng Tianxing, relying on his status as a popular young star, had repeatedly driven Wen Tingli away several times. Wen Tingli, being a total newcomer, could only end things by apologizing whenever it got out of hand.

At noon this day, Huang Yuanshan found Wen Tingli in the dressing room. After sitting down, she said nothing at first, just curiously looking Wen Tingli over.

Wen Tingli found this strange: “What is it? Did Deng Tianxing complain about me again? I really don’t know where I’ve offended him, he’s always looking for trouble with me for no reason.”

Huang Yuanshan narrowed her eyes. “You’re troubled about something. Strange—you, Wen Tingli, aren’t the type to worry. Has something been bothering you lately?”

“My biggest worry is that school’s about to start soon, and this film still hasn’t officially begun shooting. I’m worried about how I’ll ask the school for leave when the time comes.”

Huang Yuanshan clicked her tongue. “You’d worry over something this small? You’ve always been the type who firmly believes ‘there’s always a way when you reach the mountain.’ Are you in love, perhaps? No wonder you’ve been scarce lately.”

Wen Tingli jumped as if stung by a wasp: “Who would I be in love with? Sister Huang, don’t talk nonsense.”

But Huang Yuanshan wasn’t so easily deflected, her words cutting straight to Wen Tingli’s heart: “Last time I analyzed things with you at your place, did you ever ask Lu Shicheng out to talk? What did he say to you?”

“Who’s Lu Shicheng? Why would I ask this person out? I have nothing at all to do with him, I really think you’ve gotten confused from being too busy.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I’m confused. Not just me, everyone’s confused.”

Huang Yuanshan rose leisurely and fixed her hair in front of the mirror, humming a little tune she made up herself: “Ah, love, you really confuse people, you’re such a wicked thing, you never let people figure you out. You think he thinks this way, but actually it’s that way; he thinks your mind is thinking that way, but actually it’s this way, my heart’s been tormented ruined by this wicked thing, oh oh oh…”

Just as Wen Tingli was about to slip away elsewhere, her eye caught sight of the exquisite beige-gray Western dress Huang Yuanshan was wearing.

In Wen Tingli’s impression, Huang Yuanshan rarely dressed up so elaborately—she hated dressing up more than anything, believing that rather than wasting so much time and money on makeup and adornment, one should put that energy into study and career.

Liu Menglin, the big boss of Golden Film Studios, had once tried to get Huang Yuanshan to wear qipao and get her hair permed, saying he wanted to build her image as a “beautiful director,” claiming her films would generate more buzz that way.

Huang Yuanshan had spat right back at him on the spot.

“Want me dressed up? Sure, you men put on flowery skirts first and show me how pretty that looks.”

Just picturing that scene made Wen Tingli want to laugh. “Sister Huang, why are you dressed so formally today?”

“Going to Lu Shicheng’s birthday banquet after work,” Huang Yuanshan said, dashingly smoothing down her thin coat. “Tonight I’m not just representing myself, Huang Yuanshan, but the entire Golden Film Studios. Dressing eye-catchingly can help pull in some sponsorships at the banquet too—this is my battle armor for tonight.”

Wen Tingli’s smile froze—so it was already the weekend without her realizing.

“Lu Shicheng is a low-key, down-to-earth person; this is his first time properly holding a birthday banquet. I’ll give you a ride there. Hey, why are you spacing out for no reason, are you going or not?”

A man’s voice drawled lazily from outside.

“Sister Huang, others may not want to go, but Miss Wen will definitely go—she wouldn’t miss a chance to show off like this.”

The one speaking was none other than Deng Tianxing, the lead of Sands of Time. This man had originally been a casino waiter, and after being noticed by a certain director for his handsome, dashing looks, he’d shot to fame playing a westernized young playboy in The Tomb. After becoming famous, his lowlife nature hadn’t changed a bit—arrogant, putting on great airs. A few days ago while Wen Tingli was observing filming, Deng Tianxing suspected she was a “spy” sent by a rival to steal techniques, and had instructed his assistant to chase her off several times.

Because of this, the whole crew mistakenly believed Wen Tingli had come to steal their craft, and since she was merely a newcomer who hadn’t even appeared in a single film yet, no one gave her a good look.

Wen Tingli narrowed her eyes at Deng Tianxing. Huang Yuanshan was about to fire back a retort on her behalf, but Wen Tingli had already picked up her book bag and stood. “Sister Huang, I’m going out to get something to eat.”

Behind her came another contemptuous laugh. Wen Tingli scoffed and headed downstairs, where she ran into a staff member coming the other way, holding a note, asking as he walked: “Is there someone here named Wen Tingli?”

“There, that’s her.”

The man turned to Wen Tingli with a curious look and said: “Miss Wen, there’s a Mr. Lu waiting for you downstairs.”

“Mr. Lu, which Mr. Lu?” Deng Tianxing and the others exchanged glances.

Wen Tingli stood stunned for a moment, then without a word hurried downstairs. Looking around, she saw a black car parked beneath the phoenix trees by the roadside.

The moment she appeared, the car slowly drove toward her. The driver was none other than Lu Shicheng himself. The bandages on his head had been removed, but there were still faint scars at his temple and near his mouth—because of his fair skin, they stood out all the more under the autumn sunlight.

The moment he got out of the car, people immediately came forward to greet him, but Lu Shicheng walked straight to Wen Tingli.

He solemnly handed Wen Tingli a light gold invitation card.

Wen Tingli kept her expression stiff, but instinctively took the invitation.

It was an invitation card, with several lines written neatly upon it.

【Ms. Wen Tingli is cordially invited to attend Mr. Lu’s birthday celebration, where there will be fine wine, sweets, and comedy… Miss Wen’s presence is earnestly hoped for. Lu Shicheng awaits eagerly. Respectfully, Lu Shicheng.】

Wen Tingli held the invitation for a long moment without responding. Looking up, she found Lu Shicheng quietly watching her.

Though there wasn’t a single unnecessary word or gesture, she could sense in those eyes an open, genuine sincerity.

Wen Tingli bit her lip. He really was—

Did he think that just by delivering the invitation personally, she would go? What was the meaning of not contacting her for three whole days?

And another thing! “Comedy, wine, and sweets”—what was that supposed to mean? Was he trying to lure her with these things? She scoffed inwardly, she wouldn’t be tempted by such trifles.

Her heart hadn’t known a moment’s peace these past few days. To preserve her inner calm, she would keep her distance from Lu Shicheng from now on.

She glared lightly at him; he seemed able to see straight into her heart.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to refuse, she caught sight of the crisscrossing scars on the back of Lu Shicheng’s hand. She remembered clearly the scene that night when Third Master Lu had run the wheelchair over it—that spot had been an absolute mess of torn flesh.

She also remembered every detail of caring for him while he recuperated at her house—during those days, Lu Shicheng had slipped in and out of unconsciousness several times.

Now, though he’d been discharged, all those wounds on his body couldn’t possibly have healed in such a short time. Yet today he’d driven here himself. Didn’t his wounds hurt?

He didn’t look at all like someone who had been well cared for and well-fed—clearly he hadn’t been resting properly these past days.

Her heart softened in an instant.

Looking around, everyone was watching the two of them.

Looking at Lu Shicheng again, he paid no mind to the onlookers’ gazes, simply waiting there earnestly for her reply.

Even if she meant to ask him to his face for a clear explanation, this hardly seemed the place for it. Besides, she still had so many doubts unresolved.

So she nodded at the invitation: “Since Mr. Lu has come in person to deliver the invitation, I’ll consider going.”

At these words, the onlookers raised their eyebrows in astonishment. Lu Shicheng’s eyes, though, rippled with a smile. He bowed formally to Wen Tingli, returned to the car, and nodded gravely toward Huang Yuanshan and the others.

Then, smiling as he glanced once more at Wen Tingli, he opened the car door and got in.

Wen Tingli stood in place, watching him drive away.

The moment the car left, several people swarmed around Wen Tingli: “Wen Tingli, who knew you were so close with Lu Shicheng—if it weren’t for that Rolls-Royce, we’d suspect it was someone impersonating the Lu family.”

Deng Tianxing looked at Wen Tingli, then at the invitation in her hand, his face flushing red then pale. A while later, when Wen Tingli went back to work, Kuang Zhilin called to confirm her wrap time that day, so he could arrange to have someone pick her up for the banquet.

After Wen Tingli finished the call, Huang Yuanshan said beside her: “I invited you and you wouldn’t go, but Lu Shicheng invites you and you agree right away—still won’t admit you and Lu Shicheng have something going on?”

“I’m only going for the ‘comedy, sweets, and wine.’ You never told me beforehand how fun it’d be, Sister Huang.”

“Keep talking tough all you like—say what you will about everything else, but I’ve never once heard of Lu Shicheng personally delivering an invitation to anyone.”

That’s only because he sees her as his life-saving benefactor, Wen Tingli muttered quietly to herself.

Despite her inward grumbling, after wrapping up work, she still made a special trip home to change clothes. Before heading out, she called Li Chengying again.

“I’ve changed my mind, I’ve decided to go to the Lu residence myself,” Wen Tingli said resolutely. “I want to know what Zhu Zihe is really up to. If she takes action tonight, being there myself means I can respond on the spot.”

Li Chengying seemed to laugh on the other end, but replied to Wen Tingli in an earnest tone: “Alright, we’ll do it your way then. Lawyer Bao isn’t in Shanghai these days, but Liu Yaqiao will attend the banquet. Over in Tianjin, we’ve found a long-lost relative of the Zhu family who’s quite familiar with the situation of Zhu Zihe and her mother. I think by tonight at the latest, we’ll know the truth.”

Wen Tingli hurriedly gripped the receiver to press for details.

After finishing this call and stepping outside, she saw the Lu family car already waiting at the mouth of the lane. Wen Tingli walked over unhurriedly and got in. Halfway there, Wen Tingli suddenly asked the driver to swing by the nearby Yongxing Western Paper Shop.

An hour later, the car carrying Wen Tingli slowly pulled into the tree-lined avenue in front of the Lu residence. Wen Tingli gazed out the window at the shimmering, splendid Lu residence, unable to help recalling the scene from her first visit here.

That day, Huang Yuanshan had brought her to visit Lu Shicheng. She’d walked into this dignified, elegant garden with a heart full of curiosity, remembering only that the surroundings were vast, deep, and very quiet. On a lush green lawn, she had seen a young man feeding pigeons there—he was so silent, handsome, and refined.

On that late spring evening, his figure had merged with the warm golden sunset, a world of glittering brilliance—a scene she might never forget even into old age.

Months later, looking through the car window again at that lawn gleaming silver under the night lights, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unreality, as though a lifetime had passed.

The moment the car came to a stop, an attendant immediately came to open the door. Wen Tingli looked up—the person wasn’t the familiar Steward Chen she’d seen several times before, but an unfamiliar face.

Ever since that incident with Lu Shicheng, the people around him had been entirely replaced—Steward Chen, and also that Mr. Fang Da, both had vanished without a trace.

Speaking of which, the last time she’d seen Fang Da was at Dawn Tower, the day Fang Da had represented Lu Shicheng in signing the “Xili Pear Juice” advertising contract with her. After signing, she had bravely asked Fang Da to tell Lu Shicheng that she would be waiting for his invitation at Taotao Ju.

It was on that very day that Lu Shicheng had been ambushed. Afterward, because she suspected Fang Da had problems, she had once reminded Lu Shicheng of this to his face—and from his expression at the time, he’d already had suspicions of his own. At the very least, during his recovery, she had only ever seen Dr. Louis and Kuang Zhilin at his side.

Judging by the current situation, not only Fang Da, but that Steward Chen too, had both been cleared out.

“Miss Wen, please follow me.” The new steward was very courteous to Wen Tingli.

Just as she stopped at the entrance to the hall, a whirlwind of purple-violet came sweeping toward Wen Tingli.

“Haha, you finally showed your face!” Gao Xiaowen seized Wen Tingli’s hand. “What have you been busy with this whole half month?! We invited you to see movies several times and you never came—today you’d better explain yourself, or I won’t let this go.”

“Don’t rush to interrogate her yet.” Zhao Qingluo and Yan Zhenzhen laughingly pulled the two apart. “At least let Wen Tingli go greet Principal Zou first.”

Wen Tingli only saw Principal Zou among the crowd, but no sign of Zhu Zihe. “Where’s Miss Zhu?”

“Just went to the powder room,” Zhao Qingluo pointed in that direction. “Look, Sister Zihe’s back.”

The girls came forward to chat with Zhu Zihe—these past days everyone seemed to have gotten along quite well with her, even the usually slow-to-warm Yan Zhenzhen calling her “Sister Zihe” without hesitation.

Gao Xiaowen noticed a note in Zhu Zihe’s hand and couldn’t help feeling curious.

“What’s that?”

Zhu Zihe casually closed her fist around it. “Nothing, an address from a friend.”

But her face was noticeably a bit flushed. After saying this, she strolled slowly over behind Wen Tingli and picked up a glass of champagne to drink, then leisurely tucked the note back into her handbag. Because her movements were slow enough, Wen Tingli managed to catch what was written on the note.

【In ten minutes, I’ll be waiting for you in the small study at the end of the east corridor on the second floor of the back building.】

Wen Tingli felt as though someone had struck her hard across the top of her head with a whip.

She knew that handwriting all too well.

In that instant, she felt a chill run through her body, her stomach churning with discomfort. The line of text flew before her eyes like an insect, leaving her almost unable to think. For the first time in her life, she wanted to flee a place immediately, yet found she couldn’t move a single step. Forcing her muddled mind to turn, she went over everything from beginning to end several times, gradually calming down, and looked at Zhu Zihe with deep meaning in her eyes.

Zhu Zihe, however, seemed lost in some reverie of her own—for a minute or two, she merely held her wine glass, smiling to herself in thought, so distracted she barely responded even when Principal Zou spoke to her.

Before long, Zhu Zihe indeed found an excuse to slip away.

Wen Tingli picked up a glass of champagne, took a sip, and resolutely followed.

She’d only taken two steps when she saw Kuang Zhilin coming toward her.

“Miss Wen.” Kuang Zhilin stopped her. “A word, if I may.”

“I’m in a hurry to get to the powder room, Mr. Kuang, what is it? Perhaps I could come find you later.”

“It’s a rather urgent matter. Well then—the powder room in the main hall is a bit crowded, the Maple Evening Pavilion over there is quieter, let me take Miss Wen there right away, and I can tell you about it on the way.”

In just the time it took to say these few words, Zhu Zihe ahead had disappeared.

Wen Tingli grew anxious inside, unable to help suspecting that Kuang Zhilin had come specifically to stop her. And it made sense—that note was unmistakably in Lu Shicheng’s handwriting, arranging to meet Zhu Zihe in ten minutes at the “small study in the back building,” and Kuang Zhilin happened to show up right now wanting to take her to some “Maple Evening Pavilion.”

This meant that, for the time being, Lu Shicheng didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone.

Given the situation, the smartest thing to do tonight would be to pretend she knew nothing, and later cut off ties with Lu Shicheng forever. But if Zhu Zihe had been ordered to harm Lu Shicheng, then ten minutes from now could very well be the moment of his death.

However disappointed she might be, she couldn’t stand by and watch him die without helping.

Should she just tell Kuang Zhilin directly that Zhu Zihe was dangerous? But how would she explain having known in advance about Zhu Zihe’s connection to the White Dragon Gang? Such a complex web of connections wasn’t something a student like her could possibly have uncovered on her own—doing so would sooner or later expose Li Chengying and her companions.

In an instant, she made up her mind.

“Alright then, but let me first say hello to my classmates, so they won’t worry if they can’t find me later. Please wait here a moment, I’ll come find you right away.”

She pretended to turn and look for Gao Xiaowen and the others. It happened that several of her classmates were in the concert hall eating and watching the show. Wen Tingli squeezed into the crowd and chatted with her friends for a bit, then, while Kuang Zhilin wasn’t paying attention, quietly slipped out through the floor-to-ceiling window of the main hall into the garden.

That time she’d feigned a sprained ankle and lingered at the Lu residence refusing to leave, she’d been cared for by an old woman surnamed Chen. During that time, when Old Chen crossed the lawn to the back building to fetch gauze and hot towels for her, she had watched Old Chen’s route through the window—Old Chen had entered from the right side of the back building, and she guessed there must be a side door there.

Just as she expected, there was an inconspicuous entrance beside the banana trees on the east side. At a glance, she immediately slipped inside the back building.

Right at this moment, Kuang Zhilin came chasing out from the front building. Someone in the shadows immediately came to ask for instructions: “Mr. Kuang, should we stop Miss Wen?”

Kuang Zhilin looked, astonished, in the direction Wen Tingli had vanished, and said with a wry smile: “No need.”

Wen Tingli got her bearings in the corridor and crept up the steps as quietly as a cat. She’d already noticed how unexpectedly smooth this path had been—along the way, she hadn’t run into a single guest, hadn’t even seen a single servant’s shadow. She understood at once—Lu Shicheng must have arranged all this in advance for this rendezvous.

Thinking of Lu Shicheng and Zhu Zihe meeting upstairs right now, Wen Tingli simply couldn’t suppress her curiosity.

To her mind, Zhu Zihe’s approach seemed rather deliberate, as if intentionally trying to draw her attention.

But more than that, she was even more curious about Lu Shicheng’s reaction—after that incident at the hospital, she didn’t believe Lu Shicheng couldn’t see that something was off about Zhu Zihe.

With this thought, Wen Tingli’s heart itched like a cat scratching at it—she absolutely had to see with her own eyes what tricks Lu Shicheng was up to.

Once upstairs, she walked along the east corridor on the second floor. In just that short stretch, she’d broken into a sweat from excitement and tension.

There was only one room at the end of the path—this must be the “small study” mentioned in Lu Shicheng’s note. At a glance, she froze completely.

Above the door hung a plaque, reading “Maple Evening Pavilion” in three characters.

How could this be such a coincidence?

Kuang Zhilin had just said he wanted to take her to “Maple Evening Pavilion” too.

But if she came here, wouldn’t she just happen to run into Lu Shicheng and Zhu Zihe? How could Kuang Zhilin make such a foolish mistake—no, everything Kuang Zhilin had done could only have been at Lu Shicheng’s own direction.

So—

In just a few seconds, she understood everything. A feeling welled up in her chest, indescribably sweet or perhaps relieved. Holding her breath, she quietly gripped her gun and stepped forward to open the door.

Right at that moment, a muffled thud sounded from inside the room. Her mind exploded—gun in hand, she swiftly threw the door open. It hadn’t been closed, and she saw a woman lying on the floor, looking utterly wretched.

A flash of white light went through Wen Tingli’s mind—it was Zhu Zihe.

Lu Shicheng knelt on one knee, gun pressed firmly against the back of Zhu Zihe’s head.

Zhu Zihe struggled, saying: “You set this up on purpose to trap me and expose me? Listen to me explain first—for the sake of my mother and your mother once being close friends, please hear me out!”

There was a “click” sound—Lu Shicheng, far from being moved by these words, expressionlessly loaded the chamber.

Zhu Zihe closed her eyes and let out a miserable scream. Hearing the commotion at the door, she struggled to look up and saw Wen Tingli had arrived. Far from feeling ashamed or angry, she instead looked as though she’d found a treasure: “You finally came! Quick, save me! He’s going to kill me!”