Shang Xinglu tried to pull her hand away.

She couldn’t.

…Yin Yao’s grip was surprisingly strong.

But this seductive handshake style…

Shang Xinglu was a little taken aback.

Female lead, wake up! I’m your defeated opponent, can you please just give me a cap at this point?!

Since she couldn’t pull her hand away, Shang Xinglu could only say, “Miss Yin… well, your hand.”

Yin Yao seemed to realize and released her grip.

“Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t aware. I was a bit anxious just now and grabbed your hand.”

Shang Xinglu waved her hand, “It’s fine, no need to be so nervous.”

Anyway, Yin Yao, my little ray of sunshine, is no longer my sunshine… my opponent’s betrayal has really broken my heart…

However, at this point, Yin Yao stared at Shang Xinglu for a while.

Shang Xinglu was feeling down and didn’t notice.

Then Yin Yao sighed, “Louise, I’ve realized you actually have such a good personality. Sigh, not believing in gossip is easier said than done… although I knew it, actually practicing it is really hard…”

Shang Xinglu was a little confused.

Is… is it time for some professional flattery?

Yes! It’s time for some mutual flattery!

She thought hard for a few rainbow compliments she usually heard from her girlfriends.

— “Wow, your chest, the elasticity, the softness, the shape… amazing! If I were a man, I’d [beep——]!”

Ahem, Yin Yao wasn’t flat-chested, so let’s reject that.

— “I really want your bag! Is it custom-made by the brand just for you?”

Yin Yao’s bag… not sure about the next one.

Then there’s also: — “Go! Crush those little bitches on the opposite side, this way you’ll live up to your majestic aura!”

The more Shang Xinglu thought about it, the more desperate she felt.

What kind of people are these girlfriends of hers?

Either materialistic, or **, or fighting and killing, can’t they learn from others and praise each other’s soul in terms of quality, spirit, and character?

Yet, even though Shang Xinglu gave a cold reception, Yin Yao didn’t stop her compliments.

She said, “At the Lin family banquet in New York, I felt you were different from what the rumors said. You were very straightforward and real. Later, because of some family matters, I went to eat, but when it came time to pay, I found that my card was frozen and I couldn’t pay the bill. Although Mr. Lin helped me, he told me that he hadn’t noticed me at first, but it was you who encouraged him to help.”

“I’ve never encountered such a situation before, it was so embarrassing. Luckily, you stepped in to help, thank you so much.”

Really… so… heartfelt.

Shang Xinglu scratched her face.

She was a bit stiff.

How can you make someone feel so embarrassed?

She usually deals with the best of the best by being even more extreme, so she doesn’t fear being criticized, but when it comes to compliments, especially like these, she doesn’t know how to handle them.

Moreover, her intention back then wasn’t pure; she just wanted to help Lin Heng improve Yin Yao’s impression.

But now, Yin Yao was thanking her so seriously…

Ah! Her conscience is in turmoil!

“Uh… it’s been so long, I would’ve forgotten if you didn’t remind me. It was just a small thing, you don’t have to be so formal.”

Yin Yao, however, said, “In our circle, who really does ‘small things’? Every action has a purpose, so your ‘small favor’ is rare.”

Shang Xinglu’s face turned a bit red.

No, stop complimenting me! Please! Treat me in a straightforward and rough way!

“I think, if it weren’t for those misunderstandings, we could become friends.”

Shang Xinglu finally nodded.

Then she shamelessly asked, “Since that’s the case, can I ask you—what kind of person do you like?”

I’ll tailor a “boyfriend” for you based on your preferences!

She wisely kept the second part of her sentence to herself.

“I’ve actually always liked a certain type of man, it’s not really a secret.”

As soon as the topic came up, Yin Yao smiled, a little shy.

“I like someone who is upright and kind, with a sense of justice. It’s best if their personality is open and honest. I don’t like lovers who are always guessing about each other. Sometimes being a little shy is fine too. As for looks, of course, it’s best if they’re above average…”

Yin Yao looked at Shang Xinglu and smiled slightly, “But the most important thing is the feeling, I can’t quite explain it.”

Got it, the feeling type… most tricky!

Shang Xinglu was fully prepared.

She paused for a moment. This description sounded a bit familiar…

Then Shang Xinglu realized.

Isn’t this exactly like Mr. Lin?!

Mr. Lin is barely upright and kind, he can be considered to have a sense of justice, open and honest, occasionally shy, and his looks are above average…

Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy.

This is a sure thing!

After chatting a bit more with Yin Yao at the café and trying to gather some intel, Yin Yao was even more pleasant to talk to than she expected.

The time flew by, and when Yin Yao had to leave, Shang Xinglu returned to the city with the others.

That night, Lin Heng came home for dinner.

Shang Xinglu heard from Marilyn that Lin Heng hadn’t come home when she wasn’t around, but now that she was back, he came back too?

It was clear he didn’t want her to be comfortable.

Hmph, this petty man!

Lin Heng was in the living room, his suit already changed into casual home clothes, without his usual entourage of bodyguards and assistants, so there was no sense of distance.

He had just finished a phone call and opened his laptop, not sure what he was busy with.

Shang Xinglu, on the other hand, was observing Lin Heng carefully.

Correction, pretending to read while secretly watching her current husband and future ex-husband.

She compared the characteristics of Mr. Lin with Yin Yao’s “future lover requirements” that she had just heard.

Then Shang Xinglu reached a conclusion.

Mm, this is a 90% sure thing.

Shang Xinglu couldn’t help but laugh.

Lin Heng, hearing the laughter, didn’t raise an eyebrow, didn’t even glance over. He said, “Sit opposite me.”

Shang Xinglu:?

Dad Lin, what’s this about?

But Shang Xinglu still obeyed.

Lin Heng finally glanced at her.

Really, just one glance.

He said, “Your book hasn’t been turned.”

Shang Xinglu: “……”

Wait, wasn’t Mr. Lin busy? How could he notice whether her book was turned or not?

Does he have a third eye like Erlang Shen?

Lin Heng continued, “If you want to look, just look openly. Look to your heart’s content.”

Shang Xinglu: “I wasn’t looking at you!”

As if she were some lovestruck fool, that was an insult to her character! Was she the kind of person who would be aroused by appearance?

“I was just observing you! Like how you would observe the GN-Z11 galaxy through the Hubble Space Telescope!”

Lin Heng: “…………”

She could really make spying sound so fresh and refined.

Lin Heng continued typing away on his computer and asked, “GN-Z11 galaxy? Since when did you become interested in astronomy?”

Shang Xinglu raised her neck high. “You don’t know the half of it, and I know even more!”

What was that? It was almost like a tongue twister, meant to confuse people.

“I don’t know how much you know, but I do know why several venture capital firms stopped funding Yunshi.” Lin Heng finally paused, pushed his glasses, and nonchalantly asked, “Would you like to know?”

Louise: “…………”

A mere fluffy Mr. Lin…

He dared to put words in her mouth…

However, in Shang Xinglu’s world, dignity wasn’t worth a thing.

She immediately changed her tone. “I do! Please, Mr. Lin, the scholarly and talented one, forgive my ignorance and tell me!”

Lin Heng: “……”

She was being overly flattering now.

He closed his laptop, decided to take a break, and had a servant bring him tea and cookies.

He drank some tea, ate some cookies, then drank more tea and ate more cookies.

It was a loop.

But he didn’t speak.

Shang Xinglu refilled his cup.

She poured while rolling her eyes.

Teasing… drink, drink, drink, and choke on it!

Finally, Lin Heng spoke.

He said, “I asked several venture capitalists, and there are indeed people behind the scenes slandering Yunshi. The financial reports of listed companies are made public every year…”

At this point, Louise froze.

…What had she been working so hard for?

Well, at least she’d gotten some other reports.

This wasn’t a total loss, she thought with a bit of relief.

“Yunshi’s situation isn’t great. Plus, there are so-called ‘insiders’ who leaked internal information, including Yunshi’s current operations and this quarter’s financial reports, giving everyone more reason to believe the rumors about Yunshi’s mismanagement.”

“And this information came from a financial company that has some ties with Yunshi, which made people more inclined to believe that this ‘insider information’ was true.”

“The name of the financial company is ‘Bu Zheng Financial.’ You should be familiar with it by now.”

Lin Heng thought that by mentioning the name, Shang Xinglu would immediately understand.

…But she still looked confused, like a student who failed their level four exam and was staring at an IELTS paper full of unfamiliar words.

Lin Heng: …

He wasn’t sure whether she was unwilling to accept it, or if she really didn’t know.

Lin Heng sighed.

“Specifically, the people involved are your uncle and aunt.”

Upon hearing this, Shang Xinglu put on a deeply troubled and wise expression.

“Edmond, thank you, I understand now.”

“No need to thank me, it was nothing,” he replied.

That night, before going to bed, Lin Heng came out of the bathroom and overheard Shang Xinglu on the phone.

“…Uh, what were our aunt and uncle’s names again?”

Lin Heng: “…”

Shang Xinglu continued speaking quietly on the phone, “No, of course I know who they are! I just didn’t save their names in my phone, and after such a long time, how would I remember their names?!”

“You’re so smart and clever, so why don’t you tell me what our great-great-grandfather’s name was? No, at least tell me what our great-grandfather’s name was. If you can answer that, I’ll admit I lost!”

A few seconds later, “…Alright, I admit I lost.”

Shang Xinglu’s voice grew irritated, “I just don’t remember, hurry up and tell me!”

The siblings’ conversation continued.

Lin Heng held a towel, drying his hair.

He did it without anyone noticing.

He kept drying his hair.

Then Lin Heng thought about Louise’s deep and solemn face just now, and her phone call.

Lin Heng: ………

He knew Yunshi was doomed sooner or later.