C16 It Was Getting More and More Interesting

Two days before Lin Ci's disappearance, she met with her half-sister, Lin Ya, in a secluded spot, as if they didn't want anyone to know about their meeting.

After Shen Yejin finished speaking, Fu Yuanyi remained silent, offering only a slight smile.

"It seems the plot is thickening," Fu Yuanyi remarked.

"What do you mean? Are you suggesting..." Shen Yejin, no fool himself, could see through the family intrigues.

"But it's also clear that Lin Ci's relationship with her cousin, Lin Shuangning, isn't as rosy as the rumors suggest," Shen Yejin mused aloud.

"Rumors say Lin Ci is weak and easily bullied, but is she really?" Fu Yuanyi replied dismissively.

"True, the last time I saw Lin Ci, you tried to pressure her, yet she didn't flinch. Instead, she seemed to have the upper hand over both you and me, her expression calm throughout. It's hard to figure out what she's thinking," Shen Yejin continued, lost in thought.

Fu Yuanyi didn't respond, just curled his lips into a smile, finding himself increasingly intrigued by her.

The three-day deadline was fast approaching, and he was eagerly anticipating seeing her again.

On Sunday, Lin Ci and Yang Lingling had plans to meet at a café. However, Lin Ci had another agenda. As soon as they entered, they headed straight for a private booth, perfectly avoiding Bai Chongyuan's watchful eyes at the entrance.

Lin Ci and Lingling each ordered two cups of coffee and some pastries. Lin Ci then said to Lingling, "Lingling, I need to step out for a bit. I'll be back within an hour. Can you cover for me? Bai Chongyuan has been having me watched, but I have something important to take care of."

"Sure, go ahead, Lin Ci. Be careful," Lingling replied without hesitation.

"Aren't you curious about what I'm up to?" Lin Ci asked, a bit surprised.

"It's fine. I trust you. You'll tell me when you're ready," Lingling said. Hearing this, Lin Ci's eyes welled up with tears. Being trusted unconditionally felt wonderful.

Lin Ci gathered her thoughts and headed to the restroom. A few days ago, she had arranged for a set of makeup and men's clothing to be stored there. Money makes things easier; the makeup was for a disguise, and the clothes were to dress as a man and conceal her identity. She bought these items while shopping with Lingling. As for how they ended up here, she had discreetly asked a woman leaving the restroom to store them for her, offering a thousand dollars to ensure they were placed there by Sunday. As luck would have it, no one took them before she arrived.

Lin Ci quickly applied her makeup. The reason for the disguise was rooted in her past life. During a difficult childbirth with Linlin, her husband Bai Chongyuan was rarely by her side. She didn't recover well postpartum, leading to depression and premature aging, which left her with many wrinkles. Afraid of Bai Chongyuan's disdain, she forced herself to master makeup techniques during that time, becoming quite skilled at it.

Lin Ci confidently admired her makeup in the mirror, smiling with satisfaction. Dressed in men's clothing and wearing elevator shoes, she exuded a masculine aura. Standing at about 5'7", the added height made her disguise convincing; at a glance, no one would suspect she was a woman.

Lin Ci walked boldly past the watchful eyes of the surveillance cameras.

By nine o'clock, she was already there, having prepared herself a cup of tea.

"Isn't it a bit early for the host to start drinking before the guests arrive?" came a voice, though the speaker was not yet visible.