Li Chengying, for her part, didn’t press for further details, only cautioning Wen Tingli over the phone to be careful.

On Sunday, Wen Tingli arranged with Yan Zhenzhen to go study at Zhao Qingluo’s house.

Zhao Qingluo had her own private study, and studying there was much quieter than in the noisy hospital room at Cixin Hospital.

By the time morning had passed, Wen Tingli had reviewed a good deal of her coursework, and at noon the three of them ate lunch at the Zhao family’s home.

After the meal, the three friends sat together looking over admissions announcements from various schools when Mrs. Zhao knocked on the door. “Qingluo, Xiaowen’s calling for you on the phone.”

The three exchanged glances — Gao Xiaowen was both their classmate and Zhao Qingluo’s cousin, but unlike Zhao Qingluo, Gao Xiaowen wasn’t fond of studying. Her father was the candy magnate, so she’d never need to worry about her future; Gao Xiaowen herself admitted she’d only come to Wushi in the first place to get a middle school diploma. While her classmates were busy preparing for exams, she spent her days riding horses and attending dances.

“She’s probably calling to invite us over to her place again. Let me go turn her down,” Zhao Qingluo said, pushing back her chair.

Before long, Zhao Qingluo came stomping back upstairs, but instead of coming into the room, she stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, thoroughly annoyed. “That girl, honestly!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Gao Xiaowen says her elder brother just opened a new department store on Avenue Joffre — supposedly even more modern than Xinxin Department Store. Before the official opening, the Gao family’s eldest brother is holding a grand reception, and he’s invited a whole slew of celebrities from around town to attend, and even went to great lengths to get the Lu family to help cut the ribbon. Xiaowen says it’s sure to be a lively affair and insists I go see it for myself. I told her I’d go after exams, but she says she already sent an invitation over an hour ago and stressed that this is a major event for her family — if I don’t go, she’ll cut ties with me. Isn’t she being unreasonable?”

Yan Zhenzhen, flipping idly through her textbook, said, “Gao Xiaowen never holds a grudge. If you don’t want to go, just turn her down directly — she’ll sulk for a couple of days at most and let it go.”

Hearing the words “the Lu family,” Wen Tingli’s ears immediately perked up, but then, recalling her original purpose in inviting Lu Shicheng to dinner, they drooped again. In any case, Li Chengying had already begun investigating the Lu family’s Third Master, so it wouldn’t hurt for her to hold off for now. She said nothing more on the matter, and only kept urging Zhao Qingluo along: “Never mind wasting time on this, come look at this problem — Zhenzhen and I got different answers for it.”

An hour later, the Gao family did indeed send over several invitations — one each for Mr. and Mrs. Zhao, and one specifically for Zhao Qingluo.

The invitation’s design was true to the Gao family’s usual ostentatious style — a dark red background with rococo relief patterns, the edges trimmed in gold, not content to be understated in the slightest. The date was set for Saturday.

Zhao Qingluo asked Wen Tingli and Yan Zhenzhen what she should do, but neither offered any suggestions, so Zhao Qingluo, in a fit of pique, locked the invitation away in a drawer.

Wen Tingli stayed studying at the Zhao residence until five in the evening before leaving. Before she left, Zhao Qingluo specifically had a car called from the car company to take her two friends home.

That evening, Wen Tingli ate dinner in the hospital room with Xiao Taozi and Zhou Sao. The attendant came in with a newspaper. “I just heard from a few of the doctors that there’s been another shooting in Zhabei. Miss Wen, you can read — take a look and see what the paper says.”

Wen Tingli was about to grab the newspaper to look, when Huang Yuanshan came looking for her. The moment she entered, she set down some fruit and other items by the hospital bed. Wen Tingli, not having seen Huang Yuanshan for a while, felt a mix of surprise and delight: “Sister Huang.”

Huang Yuanshan pointed at Wen Desheng on the hospital bed and said gently, “I’ve come to see how your father’s doing.”

She stood by the bed asking a few caring questions, played with Xiao Taozi for a bit, and finally used a look to signal Wen Tingli to step outside with her.

The moment they were out the door, she asked, “I heard someone named Qiu from the Bailong Gang has been giving you trouble?”

Wen Tingli made a sound of agreement.

Huang Yuanshan thought it over. “Here’s what we’ll do — Vice Chairman Lin of the Film Association is on good terms with the great Lawyer Bao at the Shuguang Law Firm. You’ve heard of Lawyer Bao, haven’t you? Even Cao Zhenyuan gives him a wide berth. I’ve already asked Vice Chairman Lin this morning to arrange an introduction — in a few days we’ll all have dinner together, and at that point Lawyer Bao will let it be known publicly that he and your father were old friends from way back. I’ll also find a few reporters to spread the word in the papers, so all of Shanghai will know you have the Film Association and a famous lawyer backing you up — that Qiu fellow certainly won’t dare give you trouble again.”

Wen Tingli was secretly delighted — Li Chengying’s side was already moving quickly on this.

Having the Film Association step forward to introduce her to Bao Yaming was, of course, the most natural cover imaginable.

She said happily, “Sister Huang, you’re too good to me.”

Huang Yuanshan snorted. “I just can’t stand watching a bunch of hoodlums bully a young girl, that’s all. Besides, I’m not helping you for free — your costumes are nearly finished being tailored, and it cost me a small fortune, let me tell you!”

She spread her palm to indicate a number. “The money’s already spent, so I really don’t want anyone messing things up halfway through. Wen Tingli, let me remind you — you agreed to start filming the moment you graduate. Don’t you dare come up with some excuse to back out then.”

Wen Tingli thumped her chest. “Rest assured. My word is as good as four horses chasing it down!”

Not long after Huang Yuanshan left, Head Nurse Liu came to find Wen Tingli, and once again led her to that same unused storage room from before. Stepping inside, she found Li Chengying waiting there.

“Did the people from the Film Association come to see you?” Li Chengying asked with a smile.

Wen Tingli nodded gratefully. “Thank you for your trouble on this. And please pass along my thanks to that group of old ladies from before as well.”

Li Chengying looked apologetic instead. “That day, it just so happened that Lao Bao and I both had urgent matters to attend to — we very nearly failed to get there in time to help you.”

Wen Tingli hurriedly said, “Not late at all! I knew you would send people to help — I just had to find some way to stall for time.”

Li Chengying smiled. “You trust us that much?”

Wen Tingli smiled back. “Just going by your friendship with Superintendent Deng, I’ve never once doubted you.”

Li Chengying turned and took something out of her handbag, placing it into Wen Tingli’s hands.

It was a small hard-shelled case.

Heavy and cold to the touch.

Wen Tingli opened the case curiously, and at the sight, a flash of white light seemed to cross her mind.

“This is—”

Li Chengying pressed down on Wen Tingli’s shoulder, signaling her to keep quiet.

“After what happened this time, I think we ought to reconsider the question of your personal safety. Even with people guarding you day and night, we can’t rule out sudden emergencies, and besides, Superintendent Deng just woke up…”

Wen Tingli was stunned, then blurted out excitedly, incoherently: “She’s awake? Can I go visit her at the hospital again?”

Li Chengying sighed. “Taking you to see her last time was already a considerable risk. Going again now would only put you in danger as well. Last night, the moment she woke up, word spread almost instantly — at noon someone tried to sneak into her ward to assassinate her, and it’s only thanks to our people intervening in time that it was stopped. It seems whoever’s behind this won’t rest until she’s dead. Right now, Lao Bao and I are both focused on protecting the Superintendent while trying to find whoever’s behind all this as quickly as possible.”

Wen Tingli’s heart leapt into her throat. “Did that person confess who ordered it?”

“He’d bribed some constables in the French Concession, but the moment he was exposed he fled — took a bullet in the back while escaping, though. If he doesn’t get treatment soon, he’ll bleed out and die. I’ve already had people keep an eye on every pharmacy and private clinic — the moment there’s any sign of him, we’ll move.” Li Chengying’s voice turned cold. “Also, there’s fresh movement on the ‘Lizuishi’ trading house front — that newly appointed manager has just bought a house in Hong Kong, and it’s highly likely the Lu family is the one financing it. We’ve already made contact with people at a bank in Hong Kong to trace the source of that money — if we can confirm it, we’ll know for certain whether it’s Third Master Lu or Lu Shicheng behind this.”

She went on, “By the way, any new leads on Lu Shicheng’s end?”

Wen Tingli answered honestly. “I didn’t learn anything at all from that dinner. I haven’t seen either Lu Shicheng or Kuang Zhilin since then.”

Li Chengying’s gaze was sharp, though her question was delicately put. “Little Wen, is there something weighing on you?”

Wen Tingli hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded honestly. “I’ve been approaching Lu Shicheng far too often lately — I’m worried that if this continues, it’ll only make him suspicious. And besides—”

That day, Lu Shicheng needn’t have concerned himself with her at all, and yet he had still come rushing to her aid.

Faced with someone who had helped her like that, she really couldn’t bring herself to be two-faced about it.

Li Chengying looked at her with understanding. “Little Wen, you’re someone who draws a clear line between kindness and grievance — but as long as we haven’t found whoever’s behind this, Superintendent Deng remains in danger every single day. Besides, while you’re investigating Lu Shicheng, he might well be investigating you in turn — have you considered that what he did that day might also have been a way of testing you?”

Wen Tingli looked abashed for a moment, then lifted her head with determination. “You’re right, I have let my emotions get the better of me somewhat. But if I’m not mistaken, the Lu family may already have some suspicions about me — if I act rashly now, it’ll only deepen those suspicions.”

Li Chengying’s expression turned unusually grave. She paced quickly across the room a couple of times. “You may not know this, but the reason Lao Bao and I couldn’t get there in time that day was that a comrade of ours was shot dead in Zhabei. He’d just retrieved the files on Lizuishi from Wuhan, and the moment he reached Shanghai he contacted us — but before the two sides could meet, this friend was murdered.”

Wen Tingli was shocked — the victim in that news story the attendant had mentioned earlier, was he Li Chengying’s own comrade?!

Li Chengying, her voice trembling slightly, closed her eyes. “So you understand now, don’t you — time is against us. If we don’t uncover the mastermind behind this soon, more of our comrades will die. We’ve asked for your help not only because of the private connection you share with Superintendent Deng that no outsider knows about, but also because your background can withstand scrutiny from the Lu family — as long as they can’t produce solid proof against you, you can openly approach them. You must understand, in this kind of work, suspicion from the other side is unavoidable — the only way through it is to rely on your own wits and act according to circumstances.”

Wen Tingli listened with a look of shame, then straightened up seriously. “I think I know what I need to do now.”

Li Chengying solemnly took out the “box cannon” pistol from the case.

“Take it. Starting today, Head Nurse Liu will spend an hour every night teaching you to shoot.”

Perhaps because the room was so quiet, Wen Tingli could almost hear her own heart pounding. She carefully touched the body of the gun.

“There are no bullets in it,” Li Chengying reminded her. “While Head Nurse Liu teaches you to shoot, she’ll also teach you some self-defense techniques, so you can respond more flexibly to emergencies in the future.”

Wen Tingli asked, holding her breath: “Once I’ve completed this mission, will this gun still be mine?”

Li Chengying said with a smile: “It’s yours from now on.”

Wen Tingli’s eyes grew hot; she hurriedly gripped the gun tightly in her hands. That cold, heavy weight gave her a sense of security she’d never felt before. She turned it over in her hands for a long while before finally asking, voice trembling: “How is Superintendent Deng recovering? Can she eat yet?”

Li Chengying shook her head. “Lao Bao told me that although the Superintendent isn’t entirely lucid, the moment she saw him last night she pointed at her own briefcase. We’d already inspected that briefcase — there was nothing inside but some hospital documents. Not understanding what she meant, Lao Bao took the items out one by one to show her. When he got to her notebook, the Superintendent suddenly nodded. It was only when he flipped to the last page that Lao Bao realized — Superintendent Deng was asking after you. She was afraid that when you rashly went to Li Cha Restaurant to find her that day, you might have accidentally been caught in the crossfire. Once Lao Bao told her you were fine, she was able to close her eyes in peace.”

Wen Tingli fell silent, tears falling for a long while. “Please tell her — she must take good care of herself and recover well. Once she’s better, I’ll bring her a late-night snack every single night again.”

Li Chengying patted Wen Tingli’s shoulder, and without another word, picked up her briefcase and left.

That night, Wen Tingli treasured the gun carefully, hiding it away. That evening, she called Zhao Qingluo.

“Qingluo, could you help find out who exactly has been invited to the Gao family’s reception?”

A few days later, through the introductions of Huang Yuanshan and others, Wen Tingli formally “met” Bao Yaming.

The news made the papers the very next day. From that day on, Wen Tingli could finally call the Shuguang Law Firm openly, without any need for secrecy.

On Friday evening, Bao Yaming received a call from Wen Tingli. Without even thinking, he said, “If you’re calling about tomorrow’s Gao family reception, let me give you a word of advice — I can get you an invitation, but the Lu family and the Gao family have never had any dealings before. Lu Shicheng doesn’t usually attend this sort of event either — the fact that he’s suddenly agreed to help the Gao family cut the ribbon this time must mean something’s up. And from what I know, Lu Shicheng’s temperament is nowhere near as easygoing as it appears on the surface — be careful not to walk right into some trap of his.”

But Wen Tingli said, “I’m not calling to ask for an invitation. I want to discuss something else with you. I’ve already found out who’s been invited to the Gao family reception tomorrow night. Your assistant, Miss Liu Yaqiao, is a cousin of the Dong family at Xinxin Department Store, isn’t she? I need to borrow her for a bit.”

After hearing Wen Tingli’s plan, Bao Yaming seemed somewhat surprised. “Did you come up with this idea yourself?”

“Of course.”

“Not a bad plan at all — this way, we’d be turning the tables and taking the initiative. But it’s easier said than done.”

Wen Tingli said, “For anyone else it’d be difficult. For you, it should be simple enough.”

This remark made Bao Yaming laugh. “Miss Wen, with a tongue like that, it’s a shame you’re not becoming a lawyer. All right, I’ll give it a try, but let me remind you once more — Lu Shicheng is an extremely meticulous man. Even if we do this without leaving a trace, there’s no guarantee he won’t grow suspicious.”

Wen Tingli threw Li Chengying’s words back at him: “Time is against us. If we keep hesitating like this, when will Superintendent Deng ever be free of danger? I’ll just have to take the risk once.”

Bao Yaming ended with, “Wait for my word, then.”

On Saturday evening, the entrance of the Yifeilin Department Store was crowded with the city’s elite.

The Gao family hadn’t exaggerated — this newly built department store was even more lavish in every respect than Xinxin Department Store. Five stories in all, with a rooftop garden and amusement area, its display windows designed entirely in the latest Parisian fashion.

The Gao family had spared no effort for this reception. In Shanghai alone, they’d invited over a dozen popular stars including Duan Miaoqing, Le Zhiwen, and Shen Yingying, and quite a few well-known figures from the arts world in Beiping, Tianjin, and elsewhere had come as well. All manner of luxury automobiles filled the street outside, and inside the hall, men and women in vivid finery could be seen everywhere.

To build up momentum, the Gao family had also sent invitations to several influential Shanghai newspapers; at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, reporters swarmed in droves. Given tonight’s grand spectacle, Yifeilin was sure to make a name for itself in Shanghai in no time.

Lu Shicheng had just gotten out of his car at the entrance when young master Gao came out with a large entourage to greet him.

After the ribbon-cutting came the grand banquet.

After a while, Kuang Zhilin came over to Lu Shicheng, leaning in to speak quietly in his ear: “That Miss Wen hasn’t come. That’s strange — I already had people make arrangements the other day so that if Miss Wen wanted to, she’d have plenty of ways to get an invitation from her friends. Maybe she’s just running late for some reason — let’s wait a bit longer and see.”

Lu Shicheng turned his face slightly to the side. Kuang Zhilin caught his meaning: “Don’t worry, it’s certainly not because she’s grown suspicious and stayed away. We’ve handled this very discreetly on our end — even if Miss Wen is sharp, it would be very hard for her to notice anything off.”

Lu Shicheng thought it over and gestured for Kuang Zhilin to simply watch and wait.

Shortly after, young master Gao came over to invite Lu Shicheng: “To be honest, besides this department store, I’m also planning to open a large amusement park in Hongkou. If Mr. Lu has any interest in that project as well, might I have the pleasure of telling you more about it?”

Lu Shicheng let young master Gao lead him around for a look, then settled, as a matter of form, into a game of bridge in the reception hall.

He’d just sat down when a man took the seat across from him.

Immediately after, an indifferent, cool gaze fell upon him.

Lu Shicheng met the man’s gaze as he looked up — he recognized this person; his name was Meng Qiguang. Lu Shicheng had once accepted his calling card at a banquet hosted by the Wen family some time before.

Oddly, Meng Qiguang’s manner wasn’t as warm as it had been last time — rather cool, in fact. After sitting down, he studied Lu Shicheng several times without a word before finally greeting him amiably: “Young Master Lu.”

Young master Gao looked at Meng Qiguang in some surprise: “Zhiping? Didn’t you say you’d never play bridge tonight? What’s brought on this sudden change of heart?”

“Simply because I saw Mr. Lu had an interest in it that I came over to join in the fun. This Meng hasn’t yet had the pleasure of witnessing Mr. Lu’s skill at the table.”

Lu Shicheng nodded to Meng Qiguang. He couldn’t quite tell if it was his imagination, but there seemed to be a hint of hostility in Meng Qiguang’s gaze; yet on closer inspection, his face showed nothing but sincere warmth.

Puzzled as he was, none of it showed on his face; he calmly accepted the cards handed over by the waiter.

Next to the reception hall was the parlor, where a dozen or so bejeweled society ladies had already been sitting and chatting. Seeing Lu Shicheng arrive, one lady visiting from Tianjin whispered, “So that’s young master Lu. Just as remarkable as they say — I really ought to bring my own good-for-nothing sons here to learn a thing or two about this kind of aristocratic bearing.”

Mrs. Gao, who happened to be bringing her own family’s ladies over to socialize, overheard this and said with a smile, “Would you ladies like to go say hello? Young Master Lu may not be much of a talker, but he’s a very easygoing person by nature.”

The ladies were about to rise, when they saw an especially imposing young lady walking toward them instead.

It was Dong Qinfang, chairwoman of Xinxin Department Store — the most capable of the younger generation in the Dong family, having formally taken over the family business a few years ago. Under her leadership, Xinxin’s fortunes had only grown stronger, well on its way to becoming Shanghai’s number one department store.

This time, with Gao Ting newly opening Yifeilin, there was clearly an intention to rival Xinxin directly.

“Miss Dong!” everyone rushed forward to greet her warmly.

After a round of pleasantries, Dong Qinfang finally managed to slip away, casually picking up a cocktail and sitting down on the sofa, discreetly assessing the interior décor of Yifeilin’s reception hall, when someone suddenly sat down beside her.

“Yaqiao.” Dong Qinfang looked over, surprised.

Liu Yaqiao was her cousin, a graduate of Soochow University’s law school, now serving as an assistant to the famous Lawyer Bao at the Shuguang Law Firm — her salary reportedly higher than that of several of the family’s own sons working elsewhere.

Liu Yaqiao gestured at the magnificent hall before them, smiling at Dong Qinfang. “Honestly, Sister Qinfang, once Yifeilin opens, it might just put your Xinxin to shame.”

Dong Qinfang smiled faintly. “That’ll only be a novelty for a few days. Our Xinxin has stood strong in Shanghai for so many years — it won’t be so easily outdone.”

“Don’t forget, before your Xinxin opened, the most fashionable department store around here was Yilan. The moment Xinxin appeared, Yilan didn’t last long before shutting its doors.”

“That’s because Yilan only knew how to cling to the old ways — our Xinxin will never follow in their footsteps.” Dong Qinfang poked Liu Yaqiao’s forehead with a finger. “What’s gotten into you tonight — are you genuinely worried for our Xinxin, or just here to watch me squirm?”

“Am I really the type to enjoy watching trouble unfold? It’s just that seeing young master Gao’s unstoppable momentum, I couldn’t help but worry a little for Sister Qinfang.”

“Then tell me — if we don’t want to be outdone by Yifeilin, what should Xinxin do about it right now?”

Liu Yaqiao thought for a moment. “I’m a complete outsider when it comes to running a department store, but speaking purely as an ordinary citizen who loves a bit of excitement — if Xinxin could put together some grand cultural performances right now, you wouldn’t have to worry about drawing in both old and new customers. Throw in some customer-appreciation promotions at the same time, and you’ll have already knocked down half of the Gao family’s momentum.”

“Cultural performances.” Dong Qinfang mused over this.

Liu Yaqiao reminded her: “Things like singing contests, comedic opera performances, all of that would work. The year Grand Cathay Cinema opened, they brought in famous performers from Beiping to sing for several days straight. And besides, celebrities are always the biggest draw for the public — take tonight, for instance, the Gao family invited Duan Miaoqing and Le Zhiwen to lend their support. You could take a page from that book too.”

Dong Qinfang’s mind worked quickly, and she made up her mind at once: “No need for celebrities — that would just make people say we’re copying Yifeilin. What kind of shows do you like best yourself? What if our Xinxin held a grand beauty pageant under the title ‘Xinxin Department Store’s Most Beautiful Calendar Girl’ — would that interest you?”

Just then, a lady happened to walk by and exclaimed in surprise, “A beauty pageant? Where’s this beauty pageant being held?”

Her voice wasn’t quiet at all, drawing the attention of the guests around them.

Lu Shicheng and Meng Qiguang looked up from the card table as well.

Young master Gao said, half-joking, “Miss Dong, surely you’re not trying to compete head-on with our Yifeilin?”

Dong Qinfang found an excuse to pull Liu Yaqiao off to another spot. Liu Yaqiao said admiringly, “Sister Qinfang, when you really set your mind to something, no one can match you. Since you’ve decided against inviting celebrities, then the contestants in this competition will need to be exceptional enough on their own to cause a sensation. As the saying goes, ‘under a generous reward, brave men will surely come forward’ — you’ll need to set the prize money high enough to draw in participants.”

“Inviting a celebrity isn’t entirely out of the question either — just listen to this headline: ‘Film Star Duan Miaoqing Personally Presents Award to Xinxin Department Store’s Beauty Pageant Champion’ — doesn’t that sound irresistible? The public will be dying to know which is more beautiful — the film star, or Xinxin’s chosen champion. It’s sure to be a spectacular night.”

The two of them continued discussing enthusiastically over there, while on the other side, Lu Shicheng was already preparing to leave.

Tonight he’d decided to use himself as bait, to find out just what Wen Tingli’s real angle was — but from start to finish, there’d been no sign of her at all.

Staying any longer would only be a waste of time.

Once outside, Kuang Zhilin looked utterly puzzled as well, turning to instruct his men: “Go check if anyone in the area has run into any trouble.”

His men soon returned: “Nothing.”

So Wen Tingli truly hadn’t come.

Kuang Zhilin looked at Lu Shicheng. “Should we—”

Lu Shicheng took out his pen and wrote a line on paper.

[Have you found out the details about that group of old women from before?]

“We have. It’s an underground women’s organization called the Weiying Society, founded thirty years ago, dedicated to standing up for impoverished women. Whenever someone calls on them for help, they send people to intervene. To avoid exposing their identities, the members disguise themselves differently with each operation — sometimes as rickshaw pullers, sometimes as old women, sometimes as young ladies. That’s why, despite existing for so many years, hardly anyone knows the truth behind them.”

He added, “We still don’t know how Miss Wen managed to get in contact with the Weiying Society. I hear they have very strict rules about confidentiality — if Miss Wen promised to keep their secret, it would make sense that she wouldn’t tell us the truth.”

But this still didn’t explain why Wen Tingli kept turning up in front of him again and again.

Over the next few days, the Lu family arranged two more events in succession, and under Kuang Zhilin’s careful management, each event “happened” to provide Wen Tingli with an opportunity to attend.

But on both occasions, there was no sign of Wen Tingli at all.

By this point, Lu Shicheng had finally lost patience with testing her.

Coming out from the event that day, he stood on the steps, silently looking around. A gust of wind blew past, and he thought to himself, perhaps it really had all just been coincidence after all.

The following days passed without incident, and just as Lu Shicheng was resolving to put the whole matter out of his mind, Wen Tingli actually came to the Lu mansion of her own accord.

When the household steward came in to report this, Lu Shicheng was in his study signing documents. Hearing the name “Miss Wen,” his pen paused.

“It’s the same young lady who came by before to receive the ‘Yu Ying Award,'” Steward Chen said, thinking Lu Shicheng had forgotten. “The very lively girl, remember?”

Lu Shicheng’s expression remained unchanged.

[What has she come for?]

“Miss Wen has come today to ask Young Master to sign something for her. She says she wants to enter some kind of competition.”

Lu Shicheng didn’t answer right away, continuing to sign documents.

Steward Chen ventured, “Vice Principal Michelle has already agreed to let her compete, but Wushi’s rules require students to get board approval before participating in any off-campus activities, so she still needs Young Master to sign the letter of recommendation.”

“Also, don’t forget — Mr. Meng Qiguang of Dachang Industries and young master Gao of Yifeilin are due to visit at seven o’clock, and the timing happens to coincide. If Young Master doesn’t have time to see Miss Wen, I’ll go tell her right away.”

Wen Tingli waited for news outside the side gate of the Lu mansion.

Though standing still, her eyes couldn’t help but dart about restlessly — glancing now at a cluster of nandina flowers behind the gate, now looking up at the rows of pine trees in the distant garden, scanning left and right, taking in every detail of the Lu mansion’s grounds within view.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t sit still; she simply felt a bit uneasy inside.

To avoid arousing Lu Shicheng’s suspicions, she and Bao Yaming had been busy these past few days, and with Miss Liu Yaqiao’s dedicated cooperation, everything so far had gone very smoothly.

It was just that they’d originally intended to encourage Xinxin Department Store to hold a cultural competition — the kind she herself excelled at — but that capable and shrewd Miss Dong Qinfang had, in her effort to outdo Yifeilin, come up with the idea of a beauty pageant instead.

When Liu Yaqiao had come to tell her this the night before, Wen Tingli had been quite taken aback — this clearly hadn’t been part of their original plan. Still, fortunately, beauty pageants were a common enough occurrence in Shanghai; in years past, students from prestigious schools like Wushi and the Sino-Western Girls’ School had entered such competitions before. Wushi’s atmosphere was famously among the most progressive in the city, so if she insisted on entering, the school likely wouldn’t stand in her way.

Even if the school didn’t approve, it wouldn’t matter — she now had a perfect excuse to have more contact with Lu Shicheng and Kuang Zhilin, which was far more natural than forcing herself to appear at whatever social gatherings Lu Shicheng happened to attend. This was what she and Bao Yaming had called “turning the tables and taking the initiative.”

Yesterday she’d brought the completed application form to Michelle. Ever since the incident last time, Michelle had treated her amiably at every encounter, and this time was no different — she signed the letter of recommendation without any difficulty at all.

Now it was Lu Shicheng’s turn to sign his approval.

But the steward had gone in to relay the message a while ago now, and still hadn’t come back out.

She suddenly recalled that whether it was the first time she’d come with Huang Yuanshan to visit, or the second time as a student to receive her award, Lu Shicheng had always had her shown in right away — which meant he generally understood how to be considerate of others. So why was it taking so long for a response today?

Could it be he still suspected—she was confident she’d arranged the whole affair naturally enough, but there was no guarantee some detail somewhere hadn’t given it away. Or, perhaps, he simply didn’t have time to see her. She should have thought to send a formal note ahead to the Lu mansion…

Finally, someone from the Lu household came out. Wen Tingli’s heart tightened, but she kept her expression composed, continuing to admire the wisteria by the gate, only turning naturally once the person reached her.

The steward said with a smile: “Miss Wen, please follow me.”