Chapter Forty

All the models Lin Yu had arranged had arrived, but after waiting for a long time, there was still no sign of Yu Yunxi. In reality, there was no need to worry about the quality of the models from Dreamze Entertainment; anyone could see at a glance that each one was a top figure in the modeling world.

Nevertheless, Shen Huaiqing still hoped Yu Yunxi would come and take a look. Since they had come together, it was only right to consult each other. With that in mind, Shen Huaiqing headed toward the restroom, only to see Yu Yunxi standing frozen at a corner, staring blankly at her phone as though her soul had been sucked away.

“All the models are here. We’ve been waiting for you, but you never showed up, so I came to look for you,” Shen Huaiqing explained, all the while carefully observing Yu Yunxi’s expression.

Yu Yunxi forced down the anxiety in her heart and smiled, “It’s nothing, really. I just got a call from my family and was thinking about some things at home.” As she spoke, she naturally linked her arm through Shen Huaiqing’s. “Let’s go! It’s fine now.”

Though Shen Huaiqing still had some doubts, if Yu Yunxi was deliberately hiding something, she must have her reasons.

“Alright, but if things at home are difficult, you can take care of them first. If you need my help, just ask,” Shen Huaiqing comforted her.

Yu Yunxi hurriedly waved her hands. “It’s nothing serious, really.”

When the two returned to the meeting room, Lin Yu sat expressionless, staring at his phone. The moment he saw them, his demeanor changed instantly, replaced by a polite smile.

Seeing Lin Yu, Yu Yunxi no longer felt the surprise and admiration she’d had when she first saw him downstairs. On the contrary, recalling the conversation between the assistant and Kelly, a chill settled deep inside her. In Yu Yunxi’s eyes, Lin Yu’s current smile was the last supper a hunter offered his prey.

But Yu Yunxi’s greatest dilemma now was whether or not she should send out that recording.

Throughout the subsequent model selection, she was absent-minded, merely going through the motions with Shen Huaiqing. Shen Huaiqing assumed she was preoccupied with family matters and didn’t press her further.

Lin Yu, however, was completely baffled. Wasn’t this woman supposed to be the diligent type? Why was she being so perfunctory?

He spun the pen in his hand, his tone tinged with mockery. “Well, looks like even Editor-in-Chief Yu isn’t up to the task—just going through the motions at work, is that it?”

Yu Yunxi was lost in her thoughts. Suddenly hearing her name, she looked up in a panic, meeting Lin Yu’s narrow, charming eyes. Uneasily, she fiddled with her hands. “I just got a call from home, some issues came up. I’m not in the best state today, I hope you don’t mind, President Lin.”

“Personal matters and work should be kept separate. Surely Editor-in-Chief Yu knows that after all these years on the job? Besides—” Lin Yu hadn’t finished when he felt a sharp gaze cut toward him like a blade.

Shen Huaiqing stared him down. “President Lin, don’t you bring your personal matters into the office as well? I imagine Wen Manchu is probably waiting for you at the hotel right now.”

The moment Shen Huaiqing mentioned Wen Manchu, the conversation she’d overheard replayed like a curse in Yu Yunxi’s mind. She lowered her head, thinking of that woman who should have been dazzling under the spotlight, now enduring who knows what hardships.

The thought made goosebumps rise on Yu Yunxi’s skin.

Lin Yu hadn’t expected his carefulness to be seen through by Shen Huaiqing. He brushed the hair from his forehead and replied nonchalantly, “That doesn’t count as personal business—at most, it’s just a transaction.”

Shen Huaiqing was about to mock him further when Yu Yunxi tugged at her arm. “Huaiqing, since we’ve finished with the models, why don’t we leave now?”

Shen Huaiqing looked at her with concern. She’d never seen Yu Yunxi so absent-minded—had something really happened at home?

But Yu Yunxi gave her a reassuring look, so Shen Huaiqing could only nod.

Lin Yu stood, straightened his clothes, and said formally, “Let me see you out.”

Yu Yunxi stood by the door, giving Lin Yu a complicated look and saying calmly, “That won’t be necessary, President Lin. You should get back to work.”

Lin Yu was puzzled. The Yu Yunxi from before and the one now seemed like completely different people. She clearly wasn’t just dealing with family matters. Her expression and deliberate avoidance of him felt strange.

At that moment, his assistant entered. Seeing that only Lin Yu remained in the room, he said blandly, “President Lin, the matter you instructed me about has been taken care of.”

Seeing his assistant, Lin Yu suddenly thought of something. All trace of a smile vanished from his face as he questioned coldly, “No one else saw or overheard you while you were handling it, did they?”

The assistant was taken aback. He was always meticulous, but as he thought back, he did recall hearing some faint sounds.

“Absolutely not, President Lin. I never make mistakes in my work.” Even as he reassured Lin Yu, he kept his doubts to himself, knowing Lin Yu's temperament too well to invite trouble.

Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, studying his assistant, then clapped him heavily on the shoulder, a forced smile curving his lips. “As long as you’re certain. But if anything goes wrong…”

He left the sentence unfinished, merely smiling at the assistant, leaving him to imagine the consequences.

The assistant mustered a confident nod. He had to appear certain, or he’d risk being found out.

Lin Yu said nothing more and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Yu Yunxi pulled Shen Huaiqing out of Dreamze Entertainment’s building. It was nearly dinnertime. At dusk, the setting sun painted the vast sky in dazzling colors, orange light glinting off the concrete and steel, scattering blinding reflections across the buildings.

Neon lights began to flicker to life along the street.

Before Shen Huaiqing could speak, Yu Yunxi said eagerly, “Huaiqing, do you have any plans? Let’s find somewhere to eat—I have something to discuss with you.”

Yu Yunxi had mulled it over for a long time. Right now, the only person she could trust was Shen Huaiqing. She had no choice but to confide in her.

Shen Huaiqing had already planned to treat Yu Yunxi to dinner. Now that she brought it up herself, Shen Huaiqing naturally agreed, curious to know what could have thrown Yu Yunxi into such a state.

Yu Yunxi brought Shen Huaiqing to a quaint, traditional two-story restaurant—a place she often used for meetings with gossip reporters or informants. The restaurant was quiet, the private rooms well-insulated from noise, and the food was excellent.

After they sat down and ordered, Yu Yunxi nervously lowered her voice. “Huaiqing, earlier, when I left to use the restroom at Dreamze Entertainment, I accidentally overheard a conversation between Lin Yu’s assistant and Wen Manchu’s agent, Kelly.”

Just hearing those two names, Shen Huaiqing felt a sense of foreboding.

She patted Yu Yunxi’s hand gently, signaling her to calm down. “What did they say?”

Yu Yunxi was silent for a moment, then unlocked her phone, found the recording, and carefully held it up to Shen Huaiqing’s ear.