C18 This Was Not Something a Gentleman Would Do

Lin Ci understood what she meant. As long as her father's killer remained unpunished, Zhao Shiyin would never find peace.

After Liu Hanzhou left, Lin Ci slowly poured herself a cup of tea and said, "Eavesdropping, is that what a true gentleman does?"

Behind the hidden wall, Shen Yejin was taken aback. How did she know? Meanwhile, Fu Yuanyi smiled indulgently, as if to say there was nothing she couldn't figure out.

Fu Yuanyi opened the hidden wall and slowly walked over. Shen Yejin, eager to speak first, said, "We weren't eavesdropping; we were listening openly."

Lin Ci let out a cold laugh and said, "Is there really a difference between eavesdropping openly and doing it cautiously?"

Shen Yejin chuckled awkwardly and asked, "How did you know? I thought we were being discreet enough!"

Lin Ci replied with a smirk, "You were careful, but you overlooked something. This place is open from north to south, with ventilation in those directions. The hidden wall faces east-west, where there are no windows. How could there be a draft? Clearly, something's off with this wall."

"A draft?" Shen Yejin asked, puzzled.

"Even though it was faint, I noticed it," Lin Ci said calmly. "You two were eavesdropping to figure out why I met with Liu Hanzhou. Now that you know, can you trust me?"

Her words hit the mark, leaving Fu Yuanyi and Shen Yejin feeling a bit embarrassed.

Lin Ci chuckled softly.

Fu Yuanyi, curious about her amusement, asked, "What’s got you so happy, Miss Lin?"

Turning to him, Lin Ci said, "I never expected the esteemed Chairman Fu of Fu's Company to have an awkward moment. It's just too funny." She laughed again.

When Lin Ci looked directly into Fu Yuanyi's eyes, it was as if she could see right through him. She waved her hand dismissively and walked away.

Fu Yuanyi watched her leave, lost in thought.

Shen Yejin remarked to Fu Yuanyi, "Is this really the mindset of a college student? It's kind of scary, isn't it?"

Fu Yuanyi simply nodded and walked off.

Lin Ci quickly made her way to the café restroom to remove all her makeup and change back into her usual clothes. She hurried to the small private room where she had arranged to meet Lingling, who was idly flipping through magazines.

Lingling's eyes lit up when she saw Lin Ci, and she exclaimed happily, "You're here!"

Lin Ci, equally pleased, replied, "Yes, I'm here."

With an apologetic smile, Lin Ci added, "Sorry for keeping you waiting so long."

Lingling, her cheeks round and cheerful, said, "No worries at all. I'm just glad you're here. It's been too long since we had a good chat. I've really missed you."

Lingling, looking utterly dejected, said to Lin Ci, "You have no idea how tough things are for me right now. My stepsister, my half-sister, keeps stirring up trouble in front of my dad, making it seem like all the mistakes are my fault."

Lin Ci suddenly remembered.

In the past, Lingling's life hadn't been good at all; it was downright miserable. Her half-sister was cunning, and Lingling was no match for her. Eventually, due to various schemes and false accusations, Lingling's father became deeply disappointed in her and hastily married her off. Her husband was a complete playboy, partying every night and constantly flirting with other women. After the marriage, Lingling's spirit visibly declined.