Chapter 16: A Habit of Holding Hands

“Get in,” Shen Zhihan said quietly.

Lin Mo understood: she thought someone might be watching, so they had to keep up the act. This time she took the passenger seat rather than the back. He buckled up and drove away without asking.

“Your performance was average,” she said.

His heart sank. If the boss wasn’t satisfied, would he lose his bonus or even have his pay docked?

“But nothing went wrong. No bonus, no penalty.” Her tone was as cold as ever; the affectionate woman at the villa had vanished.

Relieved, he said, “Sorry, Ms. Shen. I’ll do better next time.”

“You’re right. There will be a next time.” She looked at him. “I may need you to play my boyfriend again at any moment. Understand?”

“Understood!” He was paid to do as his boss asked, as long as he didn’t have to sell his body. He grinned. “But let’s be clear: I’m selling my skills, not myself.”

She was caught off guard. Memories of their two encounters surfaced, and her face reddened. “Quiet. Don’t say things you shouldn’t.”

“Yes, Ms. Shen.” He glanced over and saw her ears had turned red. The famed ice queen wasn’t cold every moment after all.

After a pause, she asked, “You said you knew medicine. Were you serious?”

“If there’s one thing I do well, it’s tell the truth. I know a little medicine. Why?”

“No reason.” She studied him. “You can fight and practice medicine. Why deliver food and work as a driver?”

He couldn’t exactly tell her that a kick from his ex-girlfriend’s new lover had awakened his bloodline. “A man’s got to make a living.”

She accepted the answer. Everyone had their difficulties, and she didn’t press him, though she found herself more curious about him.

At her building, she got out. “You’ve worked hard today. Eight tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Ms. Shen!” He was almost fawning in his eagerness to please his boss.

She went upstairs. As he drove toward the complex entrance, he remembered. “I forgot to tell her her grandfather was poisoned.” Calling now might make her think he was cursing the old man, he reasoned. He would find a chance tomorrow.

On his way back, he thought of Su Yanyan, especially how she’d mocked him. “Just you wait,” he muttered. Next time he would show her what he was made of.

His apartment was still uninhabitable, and he hadn’t found another, so he returned to the inn. As he entered the lobby, a red Audi stopped across the street. Shen Mingxuan was at the wheel.

He had followed them from the Shen villa to his sister’s complex and then here. Lin Mo had been occupied with Zhihan and thoughts of Yanyan and hadn’t expected a tail.

“Just as I thought. It’s fake.” Mingxuan watched the inn. “Sis, I’ve found your secret. Give me something worthwhile, or don’t blame me for talking.”

At her building he’d seen how distant she and Lin Mo were, so unlike their hand-holding at the villa. He concluded that she had hired the man.

…

At 8:30 the next morning, Lin Mo dropped Zhihan at the office and went to find breakfast. When he’d delivered food, there never seemed to be enough time; now it passed slowly. He bought two steamed buns and wondered how to occupy himself.

The Divine Emperor’s inheritance included divination. Perhaps he could set up a fortune-telling stall nearby. “Let’s do it!” He bit into a bun and went to buy supplies.

Meanwhile, Zhihan had an unwelcome visitor: Mingxuan, sitting cross-legged in her office.

“Why are you here?”

“I’m your best brother. I came to see you.” He grinned.

“Do you believe that yourself?” She knew him too well. He never came like this without wanting something.

He got up and checked the door furtively. Her curiosity sharpened. “What is it? Say it or leave.”

“I’m just worried someone might overhear your secret.”

Her expression cooled. “My secret?”

“Let’s be direct. I followed you and that delivery man last night. I saw and heard what happened outside your building. He’s not your boyfriend. You’re both fooling Mom, Dad, and Second Aunt.”

“You followed me?” She was furious.

“Shh. Don’t put it like that. I didn’t come to expose you. Keeping quiet is easy enough.”

“How much?” She knew money could make him do almost anything, and perhaps he could even help with their parents.

“You know me best!” He stood behind her and rubbed her shoulders. “Not much. Five million.”

“Five million? I gave you that much last week. Where is it?”

“I lent it to a friend who needed cash. And there’s a new car I want, but I’m short. Think of it as helping me out. I’ll pay you back when I have money.”

She doubted he was telling the truth, but she needed him quiet. “Not five million. I’ll give you one million. Keep your mouth shut; you know what you can and can’t say.”

“One million works!” He was delighted. It would be enough to make a comeback. With luck, he could win back his losses in one go and perhaps even profit.

She transferred the money. “Get out.”

“Yes, ma’am!” He saw the balance, stood at attention, saluted her, and rushed out, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

“He’s hiding something.” Uneasy, Zhihan called Lin Mo. “Bring the car downstairs. Now.”

He was just about to buy his stall supplies. Though surprised, he agreed. Apparently setting up a stall wouldn’t be easy if she could call at any moment.

He pulled up outside Shen Group. Two minutes later, Zhihan emerged in a long white dress. He opened the rear door, and she handed him her phone. “Follow that location.”

He understood immediately: she wanted him to follow another car. “Understood!” Playing a secret agent in broad daylight sounded interesting.

…