Lin Zhi looked at the photo he had just taken with great satisfaction and sent it to Grandfather.

In the photo, Ming Yao was sitting on the bed in his pajamas, his usual cold and stern aura somewhat softened.

Old Master Ming was so surprised he sent several exclamation marks he wouldn't normally use, expressing how he felt.

The Old Master specifically put on his glasses to study the photo, wondering how Lin Zhi had managed it — how had Ming Yao allowed him to take it?

Although Ming Yao's expression as he looked into the camera was not pleasant, Old Master Ming, who knew him well, could tell he hadn't been particularly angered, and this look was far better than his usual cold and rigid expression.

[Lin Zhi]: I wasn't quite at ease, so I went to check on him.

[Grandfather]: He didn't chase you away?

[Lin Zhi]: He tried to, but I brought up your name. Ming Yao knew you were worried about him, so he didn't have me thrown out.

Even so, Old Master Ming felt something was unusual. He knew his grandson's personality very well — simply invoking his name was absolutely not enough to make Ming Yao tolerate someone so easily, and many times Ming Yao was extremely resistant to care from outsiders.

[Lin Zhi]: If Ming Yao brings it up to you, Grandfather, remember to put in a good word for me.

[Lin Zhi]: I just felt it wasn't good for him to be so lifeless all alone. I'm counting on him to support me for the rest of my life, so he'd better stay safe and sound.

Such blunt honesty was far more endearing than hollow concern. The Old Master was left somewhere between laughter and tears with Lin Zhi's words, and gave him his word.

Outside, the sound of rain came in waves. The Old Master thought of the fish in the stone pond in the courtyard — it was the fish making a fuss that kept the pond from becoming a pool of stagnant water.

The next day the sky cleared, and small puddles still gathered by the roadside, reflecting the silhouettes of buildings.

Lin Zhi got up for breakfast and ran into Ming Yao, who was about to leave.

A well-tailored suit traced the broad shoulders of the man in the wheelchair. Lin Zhi recalled the lines of Ming Yao's arms he had glimpsed the night before — the muscles visible beneath his clothing proved he trained his upper body regularly. If he had that kind of dedication, why was he unwilling to do rehabilitation?

Thoughts spun rapidly through Lin Zhi's mind. He heard Ming Yao say: "Take the sheets and bedding from my room and burn them. They're dirty."

Lin Zhi was certain Ming Yao had done it on purpose — he was looking right at him as he said it. But Lin Zhi wasn't angry, nor did he feel his pride had been wounded. If anything, he found it a little amusing.

When it comes to people you don't care about, even speaking an extra word is a waste of time.

Ming Yao thought he was expressing a clear rejection. Lin Zhi, however, thought he was being a little childish.

Come to think of it, it made sense. Ming Yao had been in a car accident in his youth, and his personality had become reclusive afterward. His family had then suffered one change after another, and he carried unresolved feelings deep within him. All his time was consumed by business dealings, and he was unwilling to let anyone into his world.

Apart from his grandfather, he had severed all emotional, and naturally, all the complications that came with them. A person like that was incomparably mature, while also carrying an absolute, contrasting purity.

Lin Zhi played along with his words: "What about the bed — should that be burned too? If you don't want the bed either, you might as well move it into my room. Your bed looks like it would be wonderfully comfortable to sleep in."

Ming Yao realized he had still underestimated this person's shamelessness. Radiating a chill from his entire body, he left.

The elevator descended. Ming Yao's hand tightened on the armrest.

He hadn't slept well last night because of the lingering scent Lin Zhi had left behind, and even in his dreams there was the image of Lin Zhi asking that day whether he could add a hundred thousand.

If he could, he truly wanted to go back to that moment — to firmly tell Lin Zhi to stay far away from his grandfather and never visit the house again.

Uncle Jin had even said he was quite endearing, and his grandfather had praised him for being obedient and well-behaved. It was simply laughable. This person was plainly shallow, vain, greedy, and hypocritical — a gilded exterior concealing rotten stuffing within.

As the sun gradually moved westward, Ming Yao went to Old Master Ming's place after work to keep him company for dinner. It had been some time since his last visit.

The Old Master was in the courtyard tending to his precious flowers. The sudden rain the day before had sent him rushing to bring them all inside, but due to the excessive humidity, two of the more delicate ones had already begun to wilt, which pained him greatly.

The Old Master listened to his grandson, who had called out 'Grandfather' and then fallen silent, and thought to himself: < Lin Zhi was right — the boy really was as lifeless as stagnant water >

Dinner was a quiet affair. Grandfather and grandson talked mostly about company matters and strategic planning. The Old Master wanted to make casual conversation but couldn't think of what to say, so he used Lin Zhi as a starting point.

"This soup really does settle the stomach and strengthen the spleen. I've been feeling like my appetite has improved these past few days. In previous summers, I never felt like eating much, but this year has been different. The medicinal recipe was brought by Lin Zhi — it's quite effective."

"It's only right that he makes the effort."

Ming Yao gave a barely perceptible cold snort. He was giving the man three hundred thousand a month — Lin Zhi had better make the effort.

"That's true. After all, he is my grandson-in-law."

The Old Master said it deliberately, wanting to see Ming Yao's reaction.

Ming Yao said coolly: "You know the nature of our marriage."

Old Master Ming sighed, a little helpless.

"I'm old, and perhaps I won't be around to keep you company for much longer. Ming Yao, what happened was not your fault. You should try to..."

"Grandfather, you will live to a hundred."

Ming Yao cut off the Old Master's words, his tone measured and even.

His attitude was as unyielding as ever. The Old Master shook his head and said nothing more.

System No. 01 informed Lin Zhi immediately when Ming Yao visited his grandfather.

This was within Lin Zhi's expectations. He had System No. 01 keep track of Ming Yao's upcoming schedule, and a few days later found an opportunity for a chance encounter.

Ming Yao would be attending a certain banquet, and Qiming Real Estate would also receive an invitation.

Lin Zhi approached Hu Tong. Hu Tong had no interest in this kind of business-oriented banquet, but hearing that Lin Zhi was interested, he decided to let his friend broaden his horizons and procured an invitation for him.

The venue was on the top floor of a luxury hotel, a spacious area with a sweeping view of the city's night skyline.

Crystal chandeliers refracted the splendor of the human world. Beneath the strains of string music, guests conversed quietly, chatting and laughing.

Lin Zhi handed over his invitation and, under the attendant's smile, stepped inside.

Fortunately, the original owner had bought some high-end suits in the past for appearances' sake. They weren't particularly expensive, but they were adequate for the occasion.

Lin Zhi didn't have much liquid capital on hand at the moment. The money Ming Yao had previously given him had been swiftly invested into that ice cream factory, and it wasn't yet time for next month's payment.

It really had been a long time since he'd been this strapped for cash. Lin Zhi gave a quiet inward sigh. What a rare feeling.

At events like this, one didn't need to be acquainted to exchange greetings. You could pick up a glass of wine, lean casually near a group of people, catch what they were discussing, and join in naturally.

If both parties found something of interest, introductions and the exchange of business cards could follow just as naturally.

Lin Zhi had not had business cards printed, but given his polished way of speaking, his familiarity with the topics at hand, and the impression he gave, everyone simply assumed he was the son of some notable family and didn't press further.

Lin Zhi had been circulating and conversing at the venue for over an hour, and had accumulated dozens of business cards in his pocket, yet Ming Yao still hadn't appeared.

System No. 01: [He's finally arrived. If I hadn't been keeping track of his location the whole time, I'd have thought he wasn't coming.]

There was naturally only one person System No. 01 could be referring to. Lin Zhi wasn't surprised by this. At an event of this caliber, the fact that Ming Yao had shown up at all was already doing them a favor. Many people in attendance had come specifically because of Ming Yao. If it were an important product launch or symposium, Ming Yao would certainly attend on time.

Ming Yao's arrival did indeed cause a small stir, and people began gravitating toward him with an almost instinctive awareness.

Lin Zhi did not approach. He held his glass and took in the view outside the window.

System No. 01: [Host, aren't you going over?]

Lin Zhi took a sip of wine and replied in his mind: [Of course not. He doesn't want anyone to know about our relationship.]

Besides, there was nothing he particularly needed to discuss with Ming Yao, and with everyone watching, it wouldn't be long before someone started digging into his identity.

System No. 01 was baffled: [Then what did we come here to engineer a chance encounter for?]

Lin Zhi: [For the moment when the event ends, of course.]

Who said a chance encounter could only happen in the middle — it could just as well be at the beginning or the end.

"Good evening."

A voice came from nearby. Lin Zhi turned his head and exchanged a greeting with the newcomer.

It was a refined and gentle-looking young man, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a notably mild air about him.

"My name is Qiu Qingrong. Pleased to meet you — here is my card."

Lin Zhi accepted the card and read the line printed on it.

— Hesheng Biotechnology —

Ming Corporation was essentially the industry leader in biotechnology. Hesheng occupied a complex position with respect to it — sometimes ally, sometimes rival. The two had joined forces against foreign capital and co-developed products, but also competed behind the scenes, maintaining what could be called a healthy competitive relationship.

Lin Zhi was a little surprised by his initiative in striking up a conversation, and said what had been the most frequently repeated line of the evening: "My name is Lin Zhi. I apologize — I may not have a card."

"I know. I've been watching you for a while. This might be a little forward of me to say, but I've found myself agreeing with a great many of your observations and views — for instance..."

Qiu Qingrong was quite the conversationalist, steering topics along with natural ease.

From the moment Lin Zhi had walked in, Qiu Qingrong had noticed him.

An unfamiliar face no one recognized, an identity unknown to all — moving through the world of fame and fortune like a fish at ease in water. These were the reasons that drew his attention, and of course the young man's own appearance was not something easily forgotten.

Not the secluded orchid of a quiet valley, nor as cold and aloof as the moon — more like profuse flowers blooming quietly in some dim place, disarming in their harmlessness, and yet, for that very same harmlessness, prompting a certain wariness.

Qiu Qingrong raised this observation in a light, bantering tone, drawing a soft laugh from Lin Zhi: "Mr. Qiu has such an interesting way of speaking."

What a bold and direct probe, Lin Zhi judged inwardly, while giving nothing away on the surface.

Lin Zhi's appearance and the manner he projected made it easy for opponents to underestimate him — only to regret it afterward, upon realizing he was a man-eating flower in disguise.

Lin Zhi naturally guided the conversation to the next topic, and Qiu Qingrong followed along with perceptive ease.

Talking with intelligent people was apt to put one in good spirits, especially when the other party intended for you to feel that way.

Lin Zhi sensed a hint of intent behind his words and made no particular response to it.

In another time, Qiu Qingrong might have been someone he found interesting. But now, with Ming Yao standing before him as a precious jewel and a golden standard, his interest in others had naturally dwindled.

Men sometimes felt to Lin Zhi much like money — sometimes meaningless in themselves, their significance lying only in the emotional value they brought him.

Lin Zhi felt a gaze sweep across him. He looked toward Ming Yao at the center of the crowd and raised his glass in a distant toast.

Ming Yao met his eyes for a moment, then turned away indifferently and resumed his conversation with others.

Qiu Qingrong was somewhat curious: "You know him?"

Lin Zhi smiled: "You could say that."

It would hardly occur to anyone that they were a married couple.

"Would you like to go over and say hello together?"

Lin Zhi didn't care whether it was a polite gesture or something else — he declined tactfully.

"Then I'll head over. Do give me the pleasure of tasting wine together sometime, Mr. Lin. It's been a genuine pleasure talking with you."

Hearing Qiu Qingrong's words, Lin Zhi gave a slight nod and watched him make his way toward Ming Yao.

The original owner's alcohol tolerance wasn't particularly strong, and Lin Zhi drank quite a bit that evening. He set down his glass, went to the restroom to wash his hands, and casually dropped Qiu Qingrong's business card into the wastebasket.

System No. 01 was puzzled: [What's wrong with him?]

Had something happened? Hadn't the whole exchange just been perfectly pleasant?

Beneath the steady sound of running water, Lin Zhi carefully washed his hands.

Lin Zhi knew that Qiu Qingrong had a favorable impression of him. Unfortunately, his personal standards were too high.

Qiu Qingrong was measured in his advances and grace in his manner. These very admirable qualities also hinted at a certain breadth of experience. Perhaps not extensive, but he had already moved beyond the range of Lin Zhi's consideration.

A few drops of water splashed onto the mirror. Lin Zhi’s reflection smiled gently back at him: [He's depreciated.]

Currency like waste paper, incapable of generating any positive emotional value — he would never entertain the possibility of forming any emotional or physical connection with men like that.

Of course, if a necessary business transaction arose, he would not allow any personal feelings to color it. That was the most basic quality of a businessman.

If this were his own world, he would never discard a business card that might prove useful. But in this world, his goal was Ming Yao — there was no need to cultivate deeper ties with anyone from Hesheng.

Lin Zhi thought of Ming Yao, and the smile on his face widened.