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Join the ServerThe scenery outside the car window kept sliding backward as silence spread through the vehicle.
After a long while—or perhaps not that long at all—
Lin Zhiyan finally found her voice. Gritting her teeth, she began making things up on the spot.
“I thought you wanted to review it personally, so I’ve already sent it to your email.”
“Really?” Zefi raised an eyebrow. His gloved hands folded together as he said, “I’ve changed my mind. Are you questioning my decision?”
Amazing.
So he really intended to drag her into this imaginary roleplay with no script at all.
“Well, but—”
Lin Zhiyan paused for a few seconds, determined to continue bluffing through it, when an irritated voice suddenly came from the back seat.
“You can talk about work after the trip, can’t you?”
—It was Le Mans.
Lin Zhiyan glanced at the rearview mirror.
Le Mans rested his chin in his hand, green eyes reflecting the scenery outside. He yawned lazily.
Whether he was complaining to Zefi and Li Siheng or merely speaking casually, his tone sounded indifferent.
“My mood’s already bad enough. I don’t want to listen to this.”
Li Siheng’s brows twitched slightly.
“How about talking about something lighter?”
“You have a point. I’ve been too focused on work and forgot to consider your feelings.”
Zefi smiled.
“But neither of you looks very well. Did something happen?”
Lin Zhiyan’s cheeks tensed.
Curling herself deeper into her seat, she frantically started typing.
[yzy: Sorry. I originally wanted to give you all—]
She deleted the word all and rewrote it.
[yzy: Sorry. I wanted to surprise you, so I begged Zefi to let me appear like this. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem very supportive of us meeting alone. Sigh.]
After sending the message, she secretly opened the car’s internal surveillance feed.
Since the privacy partition wasn’t raised, the backseat appeared clearly on the palm-sized screen.
Le Mans and Li Siheng were both looking at their terminals.
One pursed his lips, though the corners of his mouth were lifting.
The other lowered his gaze, his expression visibly softening.
Zefi folded his arms.
The moment he lifted his eyes, he noticed the monitor.
And through the screen, those icy gray eyes met hers directly.
One message sent—two pairs of eyes watching!
Three silent people, five hearts haunted by ghosts!
What in the world am I supposed to do now?!
Inside her mind, a tiny version of herself swept back her robe and began strutting across a stage while singing opera dramatically.
Meanwhile, Li Siheng became the first to answer Zefi’s unanswered question.
“I accidentally fell last night.”
His voice was calm.
“It hurt quite a bit. I’ve been feeling uncomfortable ever since, so my condition isn’t great.”
As he spoke, he lifted his chin slightly, revealing a faint bruise on one side of his face.
His expression remained composed, yet there was a hint of grievance hidden within his gray eyes.
“Is that so?” Le Mans replied. “I thought it was because no one came to see you off.”
Li Siheng smiled.
“That too.”
Then he added,
“But now I don’t think it matters anymore.”
“Just like you said.”
His dark gray eyes settled on Le Mans.
After a brief pause, he continued:
“People who want to come will come even if knives are falling from the sky. People who don’t want to come won’t come no matter what.”
The moment he heard that, Le Mans visibly brightened.
His voice remained somewhat hoarse.
“Exactly.”
“Looking at it negatively, even if someone comes, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re sincere. So honestly, not coming at all is more straightforward.”
His lips curved upward as he spoke.
It sounded casual, but every word carried a hidden barb.
He deliberately avoided looking toward the front seat.
He still remembered their agreement—to keep their relationship hidden from Li Siheng.
And, admittedly, he was still sulking a little.
The moment she heard that, Lin Zhiyan knew he was talking about her.
She immediately started typing another reply.
This time, she sent it to both of them.
[yzy: I’ll probably break out from hiding my face this long. Isn’t that sincere enough?]
[yzy: Sigh. Fine then.]
Le Mans stared at the message.
A smile appeared at his lips.
The corners of his mouth rose a little higher.
Li Siheng’s gaze softened.
Lowering his eyes, he tapped lightly on his terminal before replying to Le Mans.
“Someone willing to come is still better than someone unwilling.”
“I just think…” Le Mans said in a much better mood, “if there were a bouquet of flowers at a farewell, I’d believe the other person really put their heart into it.”
“But you’re right. Just coming is already enough.”
Lin Zhiyan wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Her ears remained perked up, carefully listening to every word.
At least for now, neither of them seemed suspicious.
Just endure a little longer.
Soon they’d arrive.
Unfortunately, things never went as planned.
The more she feared something, the more likely it was to happen.
Very quickly, she noticed through the monitor that Zefi’s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
In a light, casual voice, he said:
“The woods outside are quite beautiful.”
“You should put your terminals away.”
His gaze briefly swept toward the camera—toward her.
Then he added jokingly:
“What? Is someone keeping you occupied on the other end? You’ve both been chatting nonstop since getting in the car.”
Sweat.
Gritted teeth.
A murderous urge.
Seriously?
Was he still angry about last night’s phone harassment?
If he was that mad, he could try calling her himself!
The moment Zefi finished speaking, exactly as expected, both Li Siheng and Le Mans seemed to realize something.
They exchanged glances.
Even through the tiny monitor, Lin Zhiyan could feel their mutual suspicion.
Her heart climbed into her throat.
“What nonsense.”
Le Mans put away his terminal and launched the first probing attack.
“Why don’t you guess who I’ve been talking to?”
Zefi maintained his gentle smile.
Like an adult watching children play.
“If you won’t tell me, there’s nothing I can do.”
“After all, elders should act like elders, even if the age difference isn’t that large.”
“I don’t have that much free time.”
Li Siheng slowly rubbed the edge of his terminal and looked at Le Mans.
“Then who have you been chatting with for so long?”
Lin Zhiyan felt as though she was moments away from death.
Why could the three of them casually stab at each other while sounding like they were joking?!
“You’re all so boring.”
Le Mans glanced out the window.
“You know I’ve been in a terrible mood lately.”
His green eyes briefly swept toward the front seat before turning away.
“When someone’s in a bad mood, naturally they’ll spend more time talking to their personal therapist.”
Li Siheng gave him a half-smile.
“You never mentioned that to me.”
“Not everything has to be reported to you.”
Le Mans shot him a sidelong glance.
“Aren’t you the same?”
“You said the people who were supposed to see you off canceled, but you never told me who those friends were.”
A trace of probing flashed through Li Siheng’s eyes.
Then he sighed softly.
“I’ll introduce them to you someday.”
“You know them.”
“We only know so many people.”
Le Mans raised an eyebrow.
Whether it was a test or a joke, no one could tell.
“Once we get there, I’ll make a group chat and ask every one of them. I’ll figure it out sooner or later.”
Lin Zhiyan practically strangled herself.
Her body curled up into a ball.
Her face twisted like dried bean curd left in the sun.
Even the driver looked alarmed, repeatedly stealing puzzled glances at her.
Help.
Help.
Help!
Lin Zhiyan suddenly burst into a violent coughing fit.
The sound was so desperate it seemed she might cough up her lungs.
“Are you okay?” the driver asked. “I thought earlier—”
“I-I’m fine.”
Her voice was hoarse.
“Just a cold. And I was busy with something last night, so I didn’t sleep well.”
“I didn’t either.”
Zefi’s pale gray eyes curved into crescents.
“Looks like the driver is the only person in this car who actually got a good night’s sleep.”
The driver chuckled awkwardly.
Lin Zhiyan also wanted to laugh.
Then throw herself out the window.
“I have cold medicine.”
Li Siheng searched through his bag.
“I’ll get some for you.”
“How rare.”
Le Mans sounded displeased, though he tried not to show it.
“You usually look like you don’t care about anything. Now you’re suddenly considerate?”
“I was sick myself a few days ago.”
Li Siheng remained calm.
“So naturally I’m a little more concerned about others now.”
Then he paused.
“But if it bothers you, forget it.”
“What am I supposed to be bothered by?”
Le Mans immediately objected.
“You’ve already taken it out. Am I supposed to make you put it back?”
Li Siheng nodded.
“That makes sense.”
He handed the medicine forward.
“The blue tablets are for colds.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing.”
Lin Zhiyan twisted around to accept it.
As she did, Li Siheng’s little finger lightly hooked her palm before withdrawing instantly.
The sensation shot through her scalp like a feather brushing her skin.
Fortunately, he was sitting sideways.
Le Mans didn’t notice.
Zefi, however, saw everything clearly.
One eyebrow lifted.
The whole situation was becoming absurdly entertaining.
“Zefi works his employees too hard, doesn’t he?” Le Mans remarked. “Making them work even after getting home?”
Zefi shrugged.
“Perhaps she simply can’t manage her personal affairs very well.”
Just as he was clearly preparing to stir up trouble again, Lin Zhiyan swallowed the cold medicine whole before he could continue.
Then she adopted a calm voice layered with hidden meaning.
“It was a personal matter.”
She paused.
After seeing both Le Mans and Li Siheng watching her seat through the monitor, she continued:
“My abilities are limited.”
“Opportunities to accompany Mr. Zefi and report directly to him are very rare.”
“So I spent all night communicating with him instead of preparing for today’s work.”
Zefi’s lips twitched.
“By communication, do you mean calling me nonstop?”
“I really wanted to come.”
Lin Zhiyan softened her voice, adding a breathy sincerity.
“This was very important to me.”
Zefi let out a cold laugh.
The memory of being repeatedly awakened by phone calls all night clearly remained vivid.
But he also knew perfectly well these words weren’t meant for him.
He could distinctly feel the tension between Li Siheng and Le Mans dissolving.
Both of them looked subtly pleased.
…
He truly couldn’t understand it.
How could they believe such slick-tongued performances and obvious theatrics?
In the end, the tense atmosphere finally ended when Zefi closed his eyes to rest.
He intended to nap briefly.
Li Siheng and Le Mans were also growing sleepy.
Soon, the car fell quiet.
The air became thick with exhaustion.
Lin Zhiyan finally let out a long breath.
She didn’t dare sleep.
What a nightmare.
At least she’d managed to get through it.
But when they finally reached their destination, she realized another problem:
Neither of them was satisfied with a simple farewell.
The moment they got out of the car, their messages practically forced her out as well.
The texts were short.
[Le Mans: Come with me.]
[Li Siheng: I’ll be waiting in the VIP lounge.]
Lin Zhiyan: “…”
Seriously?
Were they going to split her in half again?
“You two go to the lounge first.”
Le Mans casually pointed at Lin Zhiyan.
Looking at Zefi, he said:
“Lend her to me. I need someone to carry my shopping bags.”
“Let the driver do that.”
Li Siheng sounded equally casual.
“I’d like to hear her report work matters to Zefi. Maybe I’ll learn something about the company’s projects.”
Le Mans raised an eyebrow.
“Since when did you become so hardworking and considerate?”
“I’m heading to District Four soon.”
Li Siheng’s expression remained unchanged.
“I should improve myself.”
Then he shot back:
“Though seeing you use shopping to heal emotional wounds is quite a sign of personal growth.”
Le Mans curled his lip.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been bringing that up all day.”
“You started acting strange first.”
Li Siheng narrowed his eyes.
“No matter what I say or do, you find something to criticize.”
Lin Zhiyan wanted to run in circles with her head in her hands.
But she had no choice except to continue playing dead behind Zefi.
Zefi happened to turn around.
He immediately saw her hunched over miserably, glasses pushed onto her forehead, eyebrows and eyes scrunched together in utter despair.
The sight became increasingly amusing.
Ridiculous, even.
This pathetic little swindler.
A shameless troublemaker who relied on underhanded tricks.
And yet somehow she had two young men raised in luxury spinning around her finger.
Zefi raised a gloved hand.
His knuckles lightly tapped the glasses perched on her forehead.
The glasses slid obediently back down onto her nose.
Then he turned to the other two.
“I still haven’t finished hearing her report.”
“You can head to the lounge or walk around first. There’s still some time before the airship arrives.”
Li Siheng bit his lip.
“I can listen too.”
“Some matters aren’t yours to interfere with.”
Zefi looked at him calmly.
“Go wait in the lounge.”
Then he looked at Le Mans.
“After we’re done talking, I have another meeting.”
“At that point, you can order her around however you like.”
After Zefi said that, both Le Mans and Li Siheng visibly relaxed.
Suspicion still lingered, but they no longer objected.
Eventually, they headed inside.
Only after their figures disappeared from view did Lin Zhiyan collapse against the car.
She nearly melted into a puddle and slid to the ground.
Zefi let out a laugh.
“I thought you had some impressive skills.”
“I really did my best.”
Lin Zhiyan clutched her chest and gasped for air.
Without another word, Zefi turned and walked away.
“Follow me.”
Lin Zhiyan’s eyes widened.
“Huh? Where are we going?”
“To buy flowers.”
His gray-white hair fluttered in the breeze.
“Didn’t Le Mans want flowers?”
She froze in surprise.
“Since when did you become such a good person?”
“Le Mans and Li Siheng are still my younger brothers.”
Zefi smiled faintly.
“Since they’ve already been fooled senseless by you, they might as well stay in the dream a little longer.”
His pale gray eyes held no emotion.
“Even if it’s a cheap and vulgar dream.”
Hearing that, Lin Zhiyan pushed her glasses back onto her forehead.
Tilting her head, she studied him.
“But you call Le Mans a fool and treat Li Siheng like a puppet.”
“Is that really how an older brother acts?”
Mockery touched Zefi’s lips.
“I only maintain the minimum amount of consideration.”
Lin Zhiyan blinked.
“Oh. What a cold-blooded businessman.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Zefi raised an eyebrow.
“Though your opinion has no value.”
“In your eyes, nothing has value.”
She paused.
“No, that’s not right.”
A few strands of hair lifted as her glasses slid upward again, making her pale face appear even more delicate.
Her dark eyes sparkled with amusement.
“In your eyes, everything is worth less than its asking price.”
“You always have to bargain.”
Then she delivered her verdict:
“Petty. Calculating. Vindictive.”
“Good.”
Zefi continued walking steadily ahead.
“Remember that.”
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Looking For My Child's Father is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Looking For My Child's Father
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