Chapter 22

Qi Linyuan had simulated ten thousand ways to die of embarrassment in his mind, but curiously, some people simply possessed the ability to rescue others from awkward situations.

Ji Yuchen neither dodged nor took the opportunity to embrace him; he merely shifted sideways, wrapped an arm around Qi Linyuan’s shoulder to steady him, then quickly let go. The motion was so smooth that few people at the scene even noticed this little episode.

Qi Linyuan hadn’t expected to escape disaster. His mind went utterly blank, and only after a while did he realize what had happened. His admiration for Ji Yuchen surged like a mighty river, never ceasing.

Truly worthy of being President Ji! Today, his image rose even higher in Qi Linyuan’s heart.

For a second, Ji Yuchen did suspect it was intentional; however, seeing Qi Linyuan standing firm with a look of rebirth, his gaze brimming with tangible gratitude and awe, Ji Yuchen reflected inwardly, chastising himself for judging others by his own petty standards.

He was about to ask if Qi Linyuan was alright, but Qi Linyuan spoke first.

“Thank you, President Ji! I’ve always admired you. When I joined Windrise, I fantasized about meeting you, but I never imagined it would happen so easily. May I have your contact information?”

Ji Yuchen was taken aback; the sense of incongruity he'd felt before resurfaced.

Qi Linyuan clearly had no intention of throwing himself at him or deliberately getting close, and yet—he was, in fact, deliberately approaching. How odd...

“Sorry, I’m afraid I can't agree to that.”

Qi Linyuan showed a moment of regret. “I see... Then, could you give me a chance to chat with you?”

Ji Yuchen suspected he was being played; this man never really wanted his contact info—it was just a maneuver to get Ji Yuchen to agree to the second request.

His curiosity about Qi Linyuan only deepened. After a brief thought, he agreed, “Alright, let’s go outside. There’s a small garden out there.”

Ji Yuchen spoke, pausing deliberately to observe Qi Linyuan’s expression. “You need a discreet environment—there’s something you want to tell me, isn’t there?”

Qi Linyuan hadn’t expected him to say that; surprise flickered in his eyes, but he quickly assented, “Alright.”

Ji Yuchen caught that fleeting expression, his sense of puzzlement intensifying.

The batch of artists signed by Windrise, aside from their careers, had more or less other conflicts with their former companies.

Qi Linyuan’s conflict stemmed from his previous company’s tradition of coercing artists into unsavory dinner parties, which he clearly resisted.

Yet such a person... Why did he accept Ji Yuchen’s invitation without any caution, as if he had no concern for Ji Yuchen’s character?

Qi Linyuan truly never suspected Ji Yuchen might have ulterior motives toward him. In his eyes, Ji Yuchen was the epitome of integrity, so he lowered all his defenses.

They exited to the garden, where the lights cast a gentle glow. After finding a bench and sitting down, Qi Linyuan instinctively pressed his lips together, then after a long pause, spoke, “President Ji... seems a little too trusting.”

---

Ji Yuchen genuinely hadn’t expected to meet someone so adept at turning the tables.

Yet, observing Qi Linyuan sitting properly, earnestly pondering his words, Ji Yuchen confirmed again: this man truly had no intention of using intimacy to climb the ranks.

His curiosity deepened; he maintained a calm facade and replied, “What do you mean?”

Those were the words Qi Linyuan had wanted. He carefully chose his words, hoping to convey his thoughts, “For example, right now—if I were hiding a knife, or had planted a bomb outside intending to harm you, you’d already be in trouble.”

Ji Yuchen truly hadn’t anticipated this line of conversation.

His confusion only grew. Qi Linyuan, absorbed in his thoughts, continued seriously, “When strangers approach suddenly, they often have ill intentions; when familiar people get close, they may have hidden knives behind their backs... With Windrise behind you, President Ji, you should be even more cautious.”

Ji Yuchen could not fathom what Qi Linyuan was thinking.

Yet Qi Linyuan’s seriousness was so genuine that Ji Yuchen felt a strange illusion—this wasn’t just idle talk, but a heartfelt concern for his safety.

Such incomprehensible concern left Ji Yuchen momentarily speechless, and Qi Linyuan, as if predicting his reaction, smiled and shifted the topic, “President Ji, you seem to enjoy live performances?”

Ji Yuchen was silent for a while before responding, “I suppose so.”

He certainly couldn’t admit, right in front of the person, that he found both the man and his performances rather amusing.

Qi Linyuan followed up eagerly, “Have you ever seen a stage play? A live several-hour stage play—I can recommend some to you. If you don’t mind, we could go together.”

Ji Yuchen instinctively wanted to say, “I’m afraid I can’t sit through hours of theater where I can’t answer my phone,” but seeing the expectation in Qi Linyuan’s eyes, he found himself unable to utter the words. In the end, he rubbed his temples and changed his reply, “I’m afraid I can’t watch theater, but I have no problem attending an art exhibition.”

Qi Linyuan’s eyes lit up completely, “Art exhibitions? I have some knowledge as well. Would you mind if, when there’s a suitable event, we attend together?”

Ji Yuchen couldn’t understand how a simple conversation to hear what Qi Linyuan wanted to say had led to this situation.

Yet it was he who had suggested the art exhibition. Looking at Qi Linyuan’s hopeful expression, Ji Yuchen finally sighed, “Alright.”

Qi Linyuan immediately broke into a smile, so bright that Ji Yuchen was almost dazzled. “Great, then I’ll contact your assistant when the time comes...”

“No need,” since he had agreed, Ji Yuchen simply recited a string of numbers, “That’s my number—contact me directly.”

Qi Linyuan hadn’t expected such a gain, but he quickly took out his phone and noted it down.

Having achieved his goal beyond expectations, he didn’t say more, just stood up and smiled, “President Ji, let’s head back!”

Ji Yuchen helplessly replied, “Alright.” They walked back together, and as they neared the hall, Qi Linyuan stopped once more, reminding, “President Ji, giving your phone number to strangers is also quite risky...”

---

Ji Yuchen gazed at him; Qi Linyuan laughed, pressing his index finger to his lips, “Alright, I won’t say anything.”

He quickly re-entered the hall, offering Ji Yuchen a final smile instead of a wave, then found a corner seat, radiating satisfaction and joy.

Ah! Mission accomplished beyond expectations!

But Ji Yuchen really was as trusting as he’d imagined. Qi Linyuan resolved to seize every chance to meet him and remind him properly...

Meanwhile, Ji Yuchen, “utterly defenseless,” ignored the curious stares around him and returned straight to Qiao Shi’s side.

Qiao Shi, like everyone else, was deeply intrigued by the pair’s actions, but unlike the others, he could joke openly, “Our President Ji, who is immune to beauty, just got taken down in one meeting?”

Ji Yuchen shook his head, recalling Qi Linyuan’s behavior tonight and seeing how satisfied he was after obtaining his number—content to stay in a corner, not wanting to move. After a while, Ji Yuchen suddenly said, “I suspect he likes me.”

Qiao Shi nearly spit out his drink, staring at Ji Yuchen in disbelief, “Are you saying... like your previous assistant, hoping to use you to climb the ladder...?”

“No,” Ji Yuchen quickly denied, “Not that kind—it’s as if he truly likes me...”

Qiao Shi was stunned. He wanted to ask what exactly had happened to make Ji Yuchen think so, but seeing Qi Linyuan return safe and sound, chatting happily with Ji Yuchen, and other artists coming over to converse, he could only set aside his doubts for now and respond graciously.

At the end, seeing Ji Yuchen as composed and unruffled as ever—cool-headed, not at all like someone seduced by a beauty—Qiao Shi wondered, perhaps Ji Yuchen’s judgment was right? Maybe Qi Linyuan really did like him?

Qi Linyuan had no idea what sort of label had been attached to him. He sat contentedly in the corner, thinking himself quite accomplished! In a single day, he’d secured future outings with Ji Yuchen, and even obtained his number.

But he couldn’t afford to be careless; this was only the beginning. He needed to forge a deeper friendship with Ji Yuchen, so he could be the first to know when the murderer entered Windrise and drew near to Ji Yuchen...

To achieve this, first! He had to start studying art!

With this in mind, Qi Linyuan pulled out his phone and searched for “artworks.” Seeing the images that popped up, he fell into deep thought.

Why did these things look so strange? Did he really have to pretend to be interested and passionate about them? Well... he supposed he could manage.

But, speaking of which, what was the connection between “artworks” and “live performances”? Did Ji Yuchen find his performances equally... abstract?