Chapter 12

This contract renewal was handled very formally.

Four days later, the same black car arrived to pick her up. The driver, silent as ever, took her to the company. At the entrance, she was greeted by Lin Jingwu, whom she hadn’t seen in over half a month. He seemed to have gained some weight and looked paler. As soon as he saw her, he immediately placed his hand on her head and pressed down a couple of times.

“At first, I was really worried that taking this job might end up harming you. But now it seems like you, silly girl, have some dumb luck after all,” he said, his hand still resting on her head as he pressed down a couple more times. He sighed, “Just how good is your cooking that the Qi family keeps making exceptions for you?”

…

Chi Zhihan forced a dry laugh, rubbing her sore head as she followed him to the general manager’s office.

This contract renewal… it definitely wasn’t because of her cooking skills. She couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with the person across the hall overhearing her phone call that day.

“I’ve already looked over the contract. There’s nothing wrong with it,” Lin Jingwu whispered as they walked. “The people here to sign the contract with you today are quite intimidating. I’m giving you a heads-up so you don’t get nervous and embarrass me.”

Chi Zhihan gave him a helpless look as Lin Jingwu, while complaining about her, nervously wiped the sweat from his face.

“I don’t know what you’ve been doing over there, and you absolutely shouldn’t tell me,” Lin Jingwu quickly cut off any attempt by Chi Zhihan to speak. “These people, who could earn your annual salary in a nap, are taking the time to renew your contract. They must need something from you.”

“So, be smart about it. Don’t agree to everything. Nod when you should, and raise questions when you need to. Got it?” He emphasized the last part, his tone fierce, making Chi Zhihan’s eyes heat up slightly.

“No matter how good the benefits they offer you, this isn’t a lifelong job. The winter video shoot is coming up, and you’ll need to make time for that,” Lin Jingwu stopped just before the door, delivering his final piece of advice. “I mentioned this to the boss yesterday. If they bring it up today, say what you need to say. Don’t be timid, understand?”

“Understood!” Chi Zhihan replied with genuine sincerity. The people around her were the reason she kept smiling and moving forward.

…

Lin Jingwu clicked his tongue, giving her an uneasy look before sighing with resignation. Leaning in close to her ear, he whispered as quietly as possible, “I don’t know who you’re serving across the hall, and there’s a reason he can’t leave. But you’re different. Don’t be stupid and agree to stay locked up in that house forever, got it?!”

Chi Zhihan finally understood why Lin Jingwu had been so talkative.

And she was even more touched.

She knew Lin Jingwu’s personality—cautious, careful, and always looking out for himself. For him to say something like this meant he truly saw her as family and was worried about her.

“The person across the hall is very kind,” Chi Zhihan whispered back before opening the door, hoping to ease Lin Jingwu’s concerns.

She had never planned to stay in that little house forever, and she believed the person across the hall wouldn’t ask her to either.

…

Even with Lin Jingwu’s thorough preparation, Chi Zhihan was still startled by the people who introduced themselves to her.

Three people were seated in the office. The company’s boss wasn’t there, and Qi Ning was the only person Chi Zhihan recognized. A month had passed, and Qi Ning was still dressed in her professional attire, though her belly was slightly rounded now.

“Four months along,” Qi Ning explained casually, noticing Chi Zhihan’s gaze. There was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

“Congratulations…” Chi Zhihan mumbled. After their previous encounters, she was quite intimidated by this woman. Whether Qi Ning was smiling or expressionless, Chi Zhihan felt out of her depth, as if her only role around her was to carry her bag.

The other two people were strangers to Chi Zhihan. The older, bespectacled man seemed friendly and handed her a business card as soon as she entered. However, the title on the card left her stunned.

Psychologist, Director of some prestigious association.

She was just here to renew her contract… did she need to undergo an evaluation? And by someone who, judging by the card, was clearly very expensive and highly professional.

The other person sat in the main seat. He was in his thirties, with a robust build that even a thin autumn jacket couldn’t hide.

His identity? None other than Qi Peng, the eldest son of the Qi family.

Chi Zhihan was sure she had seen him in the newspapers more than once.

He was an astrophysicist, based in the U.S., and rarely returned to the country. Local newspapers often reported on his achievements, and whenever the Qi family’s heir was mentioned, his name came up.

But the muscles on this scientist… seemed a bit…

Chi Zhihan swallowed hard and chose a seat far from them, resigning herself to the situation.

“This contract renewal might be different from what you expected,” Qi Peng began with a rather obvious statement. Chi Zhihan nodded cooperatively.

“You’ve been working as a private chef in the house for a month. What’s your impression of the person across the hall?” The question caught Chi Zhihan off guard.

“He’s a kind-hearted person,” she replied after a moment of hesitation, deciding to be honest.

Qi Ning glanced at her, then exchanged a look with Qi Peng.

…

Chi Zhihan’s mind was screaming, ‘I’m just here to renew my contract, why is this turning into an interrogation?’ But on the outside, she maintained a sweet, obedient smile, though her face was starting to ache.

“He is a patient,” Qi Peng stated flatly, his tone devoid of emotion. It wasn’t a rebuttal to Chi Zhihan’s earlier comment, just a simple statement of fact.

For some reason, those five words made Chi Zhihan’s heart clench.

The previously relaxed atmosphere in the office grew quiet after those words.

“The Qi family’s status is unique, and our trust in Miss Chi is still limited. So, we still won’t tell you the identity of the person across the hall or what illness he has. We hope you can understand,” Qi Peng paused after speaking.

Chi Zhihan nodded. Qi Peng’s way of speaking reminded her of the note the person across the hall had written her—equally formal, almost archaic in tone.

Despite the lack of trust, her first impression of Qi Peng was better than her impression of Qi Ning.

“Ning Ning previously asked you to communicate more with the person across the hall. You’ve done very well. His health assessment this month has improved significantly compared to last month, which is why we want to renew your contract,” Qi Peng smiled, his next words sincere. “For that, I am personally very grateful to you. Thank you.”

…

Chi Zhihan shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

And the reason for the renewal really wasn’t because of her. At the very least, the reason these three people wanted to renew her contract was completely different from why the person across the hall wanted to renew it.

“After the renewal, you’ll only need to continue maintaining positive communication with him. The term is one year. If his condition gradually improves during this time, we hope you can deepen the way you communicate,” Qi Peng finished, and the psychologist, Dr. Zhao, stood up, handing Chi Zhihan a form.

They wanted her to transition from communicating through notes and the camera to texting or using WeChat, eventually leading to face-to-face conversations.

What seemed like a simple task was laid out in meticulous detail on the form Dr. Zhao handed her. It was filled with various methods, strategies based on the other person’s reactions, and progress markers.

A quick glance revealed that most of it was about how she should respond if the other person resisted.

A year, just to get the person across the hall to talk to her face-to-face. What kind of illness was this?

“This form is a standard treatment process, for reference only,” Dr. Zhao explained. “Your current method of communication has been well-received by the patient, so you can also proceed at your own pace.”

“Just don’t go too fast, and always be mindful of whether the other person might react negatively,” Dr. Zhao smiled. “Don’t feel too pressured. You’ve done very well so far.”

…

“The renewal… is for treatment?” Chi Zhihan finally grasped the key point. “What about the private chef work?”

“That continues,” Qi Peng said without hesitation. “He’s afraid of people approaching him under the guise of treatment. Your role as a private chef helps him let his guard down.”

…

Chi Zhihan blinked.

She really didn’t want to criticize, but she couldn’t help feeling that the person across the hall had probably already figured out why she was initiating communication with him.

That patient wasn’t that clueless…

“This treatment is phased, with the first stage being your face-to-face meeting. Once this stage is completed, you must notify us immediately,” Dr. Zhao’s eager gaze made Chi Zhihan’s skin crawl. “I’ll also be regularly reviewing the surveillance footage from your time as a private chef for the Qi family. If you encounter any obstacles during the process, you must contact me immediately. The number on the card is my personal line, and I’ve already set your number as a priority contact. I’ll answer anytime.”

…

The second important person to set her phone number as a special contact…

“Your agent went over the contract with you yesterday. He mentioned the video shoot, and I have no objections. You can bring the relevant people over to film in that kitchen, provided you get permission from the person across the hall,” Qi Peng flipped through Chi Zhihan’s contract again. “The annual salary we’re offering is already quite generous. I trust you won’t have any issues with it. Ning Ning promised to help you find your mother, and the Qi family will do everything we can. As for your debts…”

“That’s my own business,” Chi Zhihan cut in quickly. “Being a private chef is my job. You just need to pay me what I’m owed. A ten percent raise is more than enough for me to be grateful.”

“I’m very thankful for your help in finding my mother, but if you can’t find her, it won’t affect my work,” Chi Zhihan looked at Qi Ning. “I know nothing about psychological treatment, but if I can help someone, I’ll do my best. As for the 100,000 yuan you personally transferred to me, I haven’t touched it. You can deduct the difference from my annual salary.”

If she could help the person across the hall, she would.

Because he really was a good person.

Qi Ning’s fingers traced the back of her phone, a smile playing on her lips. “Miss Chi, you used to live comfortably, didn’t you?”

“Rich people sometimes have this flaw—they trust people more when they’re paid to do something rather than when they act out of goodwill,” Qi Ning locked eyes with Chi Zhihan, her smile still in place. “That money means nothing to me, but it can help you do a lot. Compared to you saying you’ll act out of conscience, I’d rather you were someone who acts for money.”

…

Chi Zhihan was at a loss for words.

“Actually, I’m curious. Why didn’t you like me from the start?” Qi Ning suddenly seemed interested, tilting her head in a way that didn’t match her usual elite demeanor.

Chi Zhihan pressed her lips together, swallowing the words on the tip of her tongue.

“Just say what’s on your mind. With me here, Ning Ning won’t dare do anything to you,” Qi Peng also smiled.

Was this… an attempt to lighten the mood or to build rapport?

“It’s clearly you who didn’t like me from the start,” Chi Zhihan played along, her tone sincere and a little aggrieved.

Qi Ning laughed.

Just as Chi Zhihan felt a chill run down her spine, Qi Ning spoke again, “There’s something I forgot to apologize for. The guy who stole your family’s business? My husband was the one who bankrupted him. But we acted too quickly and didn’t realize there was an IOU.”

“Now he’s desperate and has been lurking around your house. I really didn’t expect that, and I truly need to apologize,” she said, still smiling.

Chi Zhihan, however, felt a strong urge to strangle her.

So, from the very beginning, they had planned to renew her contract. And to ensure she had no way out, they had orchestrated this whole situation.

The Qi family had avenged her.

But it was a revenge that brought her no joy…