Genius Club

Chapter 149: Chapter 134 Pretense

Zhao Yingjun was amused to laughter.

She looked at Ji Lin:

“President Chu Shanhe personally invited you to the banquet… Surely you don’t fail to recognize even his daughter, do you?”

“I’m sorry, I’ve always been abroad and am truly unfamiliar with the situation in Donghai.”

He looked up at Zhao Yingjun:

“So that being said… are you his girlfriend?”

Zhao Yingjun chuckled lightly, crossing her arms:

“Mr. Ji Lin, it’s quite impolite to persistently inquire about someone else’s privacy like this. Is this a common problem among mystery novel writers?”

“Indeed, many people say so. But I think… it’s probably just because I’m naturally more curious.”

“Well, too bad for you since your curiosity will be disappointed,” Zhao Yingjun said as she sat down in her chair again.

She took a sip of her red wine, looked at Lin Xian and Chu Anqing laughing and moving through the dance floor, and shook her head:

“I’m just his boss.”

…

On the second floor.

The conductor’s right hand vibrated rapidly, reaching the climax of “The Voices of Spring Waltz” amidst the intense drumbeats and the hurried sound of violin strings!

Then, at once!

It came to an abrupt halt with a crisp note, concluding the piece!

The men and women in the dance floor also stopped accordingly, directing their genuine applause toward Chu Anqing, whose dress fluttered to a rest in the center of the floor.

Discounting the factor of flattery, Chu Anqing’s dance truly deserved the applause.

But this made Lin Xian feel somewhat embarrassed.

After smiling and waving to the crowd with Chu Anqing, the two headed over to Zhao Yingjun’s table.

“Senior Lin Xian, you dance so well!”

Chu Anqing sincerely admired, her eyes shining:

“Senior, you really are an all-rounder! Not only are you talented in design, your hosting skills high, and your artistic insights extensive and scholarly, you’re great at painting too! To think you’d be so amazing at dancing!”

“Dancing is nothing special,” Lin Xian shook his head with a smile:

“I’d rather not show off my amateur skills in that area.”

“Not at all, Senior, you’re too modest!” Chu Anqing took a small hop to get in front of Lin Xian, walking backward with her hands clasped behind her back, giggling as she looked at him:

“After you finished delivering a lecture at our college… many senpai were discussing you! They said you were very popular back in school, that many girls liked you. Why didn’t you find a girlfriend? What were you busy with at that time?”

This question really stumped Lin Xian.

What was he busy with in college?

It felt like the four years indeed just flew by in the blink of an eye.

“I was busy dreaming,” Lin Xian said with a laugh:

“Actually, there are quite a lot of interesting things in dreams.”

“Are there houses of gold in your dreams?”

“There are.” Lee Cheng’s place.

“Are there beauties with skin as fair as jade?”

“There are too.” CC barely counts, but Lee Ningning is definitely one.

“Wow… then I really envy you, Senior, for having such beautiful dreams,” Chu Anqing smacked her lips:

“I can’t do that; I’m scared to dream because I always have nightmares.”

“What kind of nightmares do you have?”

“All kinds, but I can’t quite remember them when I wake up. Sometimes, though, it really scares me. I wish I could have beautiful dreams like you.”

As they chatted and laughed, the two approached Zhao Yingjun.

Lin Xian noticed a person standing behind Zhao Yingjun, someone both unfamiliar and familiar.

“President Zhao, this is…”

“Let me introduce Lin Xian to you,” Zhao Yingjun set down his wine glass, looking at the two:

“This is the genius mystery novelist you mentioned before, Mr. Ji Lin. You’ve probably met briefly at Professor Xu Yun’s memorial service, but you might have just brushed by each other without noticing.”

“Ji Lin, this is the founder of Rhein Cat I just mentioned to you, the youngest team leader at MX Company, Lin Xian. All the creativity and design behind Rhein Cat come from him.”

“Hello.”

Ji Lin extended his right hand to shake hands with Lin Xian.

“Nice to meet you.”

Lin Xian also extended his right hand, grasping this pale and delicate hand that was almost like a woman’s.

It was very smooth.

Not like a boy’s hand at all.

But considering this best-selling young author, he must also be a young master who didn’t do manual work, his well-maintained skin a testament to that lifestyle.

“Mr. Lin, I really like the design of this Rhein Cat.” Ji Lin picked up his keychain again, with the Rhine Cat Doll dressed in a cheongsam and sporting a bun bobbing in the air:

“Could you sign it for me?”

“Of course.” Lin Xian smiled politely:

“You can just call me Lin Xian; we are about the same age, no need to be so formal.”

Lin Xian took the pen and keychain from Ji Lin.

Chu Anqing laughed looking at the Rhein Cat Doll:

“Great minds think alike! My favorite is also the bun-headed cheongsam version! But… the one you got can only be the second signature from Senior Lin Xian, my own has the first one, and it says NO.1!”

“Oh? Is that so?” Ji Lin looked at Lin Xian.

Lin Xian nodded, pressed the doll’s fabric tag down on the table, and then signed his name:

“Honestly… I never thought there would be a second signature, so this is quite flatteringly unexpected for me.”

“Then could you write NO.2 for me as well?”

“You two really know how to enjoy yourselves,” Lin Xian said with a laugh and a cry.

They were both so childlike.

Liking the same bun-headed cheongsam version of the Rhein Cat was one thing, but wanting serial numbers on their signatures… What an odd penchant.

After signing the fabric tag, Lin Xian also granted Ji Lin’s request and wrote NO.2 in the corner.

Then he returned the pen and keychain to Ji Lin:

“I’ve read your ‘Broken Bridge,’ a fantastic mystery novel. If we have the chance to meet again… I’ll bring a book for you to sign.”

“We’ll have the opportunity to meet,” Ji Lin said as he took his keychain back. “I plan to stay in Donghai City for a while.”

“By the way… Lin Xian, have you ever considered designing a Gothic-style Rhein Cat? This contrast style could be quite nice.”

Gothic style?

Lin Xian recalled for a moment, feeling like he had never seen such a peculiar Rhein Cat in the toy store of his dreams.

After all, it’s a children’s toy, and Gothic style… well…

It didn’t seem quite child-friendly.

At least not for this cat.

“Sorry, not at the moment,” Lin Xian replied:

“Gothic style is a bit too gloomy. The original intention behind designing this cat was to be a mascot for the Rhein brand, something more sunny and cute.”

“Is that so, that’s a bit of a shame.”

At that moment.

A few men who looked like executives ran over in a fluster:

“Mr. Ji, so you were here; we’ve been looking for you over there for quite a while.”

“Shall we go inside to talk?”

“Mr. Ji, this is my business card… please, take it for now.”

Ji Lin took the keychain and pen from Lin Xian, put them in his pocket, and then waved to the three men:

“I’ll go over there for now, see you later.”

“Bye.” “Goodbye.” “Let’s go.”

…

Ji Lin followed those few uncles away, and Lin Xian watched Zhao Yingjun:

“Who are they?”

“They are some publishing house executives and media company bosses, probably wanting Ji Lin’s help with something.”

“Oh, I see.”

Lin Xian nodded, as expected.

“Then I’ll go over there now, Senior Lin Xian, thank you for dancing with me.”

Chu Anqing waved goodbye to them:

“Sister, have fun!”

Having said that, she disappeared into the crowd like a streak of green smoke.

Zhao Yingjun took a sip of red wine, set down the glass, and dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief:

“I think… I know why you received Chu Shanhe’s invitation.”

“Why?” Lin Xian asked.

“Is it that hard to guess?” Zhao Yingjun looked at Lin Xian with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Lin Xian did not speak…

Looking down at the fork and knife in front of her.

Indeed.

Is it that hard to guess?

In fact, many things are clear to everyone, but people often like to ask knowingly.

The world of adults is very hypocritical.

Mostly it’s feigning ignorance despite understanding.

Does Zhao Yingjun really believe that the sketch wasn’t drawn by Chu Anqing?

Does Chu Anqing really believe the drawing isn’t of herself?

Lin Xian isn’t foolish.

Neither are they.

It’s all just playing along in the scene.

In this world, the only person who really takes things at face value is probably Big Face Cat.

There’s no time for dreams today.

Lin Xian still misses Big Face Cat a little.

If one day everyone could live on the same timeline, he would still very much like to be friends with Big Face Cat.

…

Before long.

The banquet ended.

Amidst the congratulatory laughter and well-wishes, people gradually left the scene.

“Did you still come by taxi?” Zhao Yingjun looked at Lin Xian.

Lin Xian nodded.

“I’ve had some wine, so you should drive me.”

With that, Zhao Yingjun tossed a red and black car key.

Lin Xian caught it and recognized the classic design instantly.

Ferrari car keys have always been clichéd like this, their craftsmanship and design even seem inferior to Emma electric scooters.

Very surprising.

Lin Xian felt that for a business occasion like today, Zhao Yingjun would not have driven such an ostentatious car.

And more surprisingly… she still did not have her driver take her today.

Arriving in the parking lot, most of the surrounding cars had left, and a red hard-top Ferrari sat inconspicuously in its parking spot.

This car…

Lin Xian approached for a closer look, sincerely nodding her head:

“This is a nice car.”

She had thought the Bentley Continental W12 she saw last time was impressive enough, but compared to the Ferrari LaFerrari she was looking at now, it fell quite short.

This was one of only 499 Ferrari LaFerraris in the world, priced at 20 million but due to various reasons, the actual price would not be less than 30 million, and often even more.

Its V12 engine is far more powerful than the Continental GT’s W12, with a peak horsepower of over 900, and its speed is razor-sharp, accelerating to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds.

“With your driving skills, don’t you deserve a better car?”

Zhao Yingjun smiled slightly, walked around the front of the car, and as the LaFerrari’s scissor door rose slowly, she got in:

“Take me for a ride, let’s see your driving skills.”

Lin Xian circled the car carefully, ensuring no one was hidden in various spots before sitting in the driver’s seat… once bitten by a snake, ten years scared of well ropes.

“Where shall we go?”

“Anywhere is fine,” Zhao Yingjun’s face was a little flushed, seemingly affected by the alcohol:

“I’ve had a bit too much to drink today, let’s find a place to catch some breeze.”

?

Lin Xian was somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Yingjun today… seemed a bit peculiar.

There was a sense that she had a lot on her mind tonight, even during their conversation, sometimes she would hesitate.

Lin Xian was planning to send her home early and get some sleep herself…

But now she wanted to go out for some fresh air?

Roar!!!

The roar of a naturally aspirated engine was more distinctive than that of a turbo, a longstanding Ferrari tradition. Their designers have always believed turbocharging to be heresy, steadfastly upholding the banner of natural aspiration.

And it must be said, in terms of sound alone, naturally aspirated engines completely outperform turbocharged ones.

The red taillights swept across the road, leaving one shadow after another… the roaring LaFerrari darted through the night, facing the wind, reflecting the moonlight, and entering the winding roads on the outskirts of Donghai City.

…

“Is your hometown Hang City?”

By the banks of the Huangpu River, the place where Gao Yang once took Lin Xian for a lakeside barbecue.

With its scissor doors propped up, the LaFerrari was parked askew nearby, and Lin Xian leaned against the railing with Zhao Yingjun, who was draped in a coat, watching the mighty east-flowing river.

“Yes.” Lin Xian nodded.

“Planning to go back to your hometown soon?”

“In a few days. Just going to buy some things and then head back.”

“That makes sense. Donghai and Hang City are so close, there’s no need to plan your trip too far in advance.”

Zhao Yingjun pulled her coat up a little and looked up at the moon covered by dark clouds.

The weather was not good that day, the clouds hung low and seemed to signal rain.

After a long silence.

Zhao Yingjun lowered her head and turned around:

“There’s something that I’ve been thinking about these last few days, on how to bring it up to you. Considering your current situation… it’s still somewhat awkward to say.”

“What is it?”

A flash of lightning lit up the distant sky! A fierce rumble of thunder followed seconds later.

The inky clouds rolled in the sky, the remaining slivers of moonlight tightly obscured. The whole of Donghai darkened, and the lights from the other side of the river couldn’t illuminate the gloomy riverside.

“Lin Xian.”

Zhao Yingjun raised her head.

In her dark eyes, stained with the starless night sky:

“Would you be willing… to be my secretary?”