Chapter 56: Sigh! Invitations & Capitalism

Kui Furen didn’t pursue the matter of the Bone Porcelain Epiphyllums any further.

Lin Zhiyan quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, the damages had already amounted to several thousand credits.

Starting your first day of work by owing your boss money was definitely not a good omen.

Lin Zhiyan swore she would control her temper in the future.

Though she also knew her vows were about as reliable as a dog’s barking.

It had to be said that even with the most advanced automated equipment, processing flowers remained a tedious and time-consuming task.

The two of them worked for nearly two hours before finally finishing the mountains of fresh flowers around them.

Throughout the process, Lin Zhiyan asked questions with utmost sincerity, while Kui Furen answered with a smile.

Yet somehow, the atmosphere remained strangely tense, like a drawn bowstring.

After placing the final batch of flowers into cultivation bottles, Lin Zhiyan’s back ached terribly.

She straightened up and pounded her sore waist.

Kui Furen, meanwhile, showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever.

Even the curve of his smile hadn’t changed.

It was as if he possessed endless energy when it came to tending flowers.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Lin Zhiyan asked,

“Does the shop do good business?”

“Not particularly.”

Kui Furen stood up and brushed leaves and petals from his clothing.

Several strands of hair clung to his cheek.

Smiling, he said,

“But don’t worry. I can definitely afford your salary.”

“I was just wondering—if business isn’t that good, why buy so many flowers?”

Lin Zhiyan asked.

“Oh, it isn’t that much.”

His amber eyes seemed filled with flowing honey.

“We only do this once a month.”

Then he smiled at her.

“You happened to come on that day. It was exhausting, wasn’t it?”

Who are you kidding?

You chose my starting date yourself.

You deliberately picked today so you’d have an excuse to find fault with me.

“Not really.”

Lin Zhiyan complained internally while replying aloud.

“I’ve had much tougher jobs before.”

“At least flower processing lets me sit down.”

“That’s good.”

Kui Furen seemed relieved.

There was a faint flush on his face, and beads of sweat lingered along his skin.

“You should rest for a bit.”

“I’ll clean up.”

That’s strange.

Lin Zhiyan found herself thinking.

He never seemed tired.

Yet he sweated so easily.

And back in the greenhouse, where it had been unbearably hot, he’d still wrapped himself in a blanket as though he were cold.

The contradiction was bizarre.

Still, she obediently sat down to rest.

By now she had made up her mind.

No matter what Kui Furen implied, she would remain a dense block of wood incapable of understanding subtext.

Kui Furen picked up a cleaning device and began clearing away scattered branches and water from the floor.

His apron was still on.

Hair clung to his cheeks.

The faint floral scent surrounding him seemed to drift through the air with every movement.

…Wow.

Perspiring elegantly.

The cleaning machine appeared custom-made.

Its design was simple and beautiful, but its power was impressive.

The leaves and water disappeared effortlessly into the machine.

Soon afterward, loud processing noises filled the room.

Kui Furen noticed it as well.

Looking toward Lin Zhiyan, he said,

“It’s pretty noisy.”

“Why don’t you wait in the control room?”

“Or go upstairs and rest in the lounge.”

After speaking, he tilted his head slightly and leaned against the cleaning device.

Smiling gently, he added,

“Go on. It’s fine.”

Maximum dad energy.

Lin Zhiyan nearly blurted out Daddy on the spot.

Fortunately, she restrained herself.

Otherwise Kui Furen might very well have vanished into thin air the next second.

Although he had spent the entire afternoon nitpicking her work, he currently looked so absurdly domestic that she decided to grab two bottles of water.

She chugged one herself.

Then she took the other over to him.

Unfortunately, the cleaning machine was too loud.

She called out several times, but her voice was swallowed by the noise.

In the end, she had to trail after him and shout:

“Boss!”

“Boss!”

“Drink some water!”

Kui Furen turned around, looking surprised.

Stopping his work, he smiled.

His eyes curved into crescents.

Taking the bottle, his cool fingertips brushed hers for only an instant before withdrawing.

“How nice.”

He smiled warmly.

“You’re so thoughtful.”

As he spoke, he unscrewed the cap and drank a few mouthfuls.

He only took a little.

His lips glistened with moisture.

Even his eyes looked refreshed.

Then he handed the bottle back to her.

“You should drink some too.”

Lin Zhiyan shook the bottle in her own hand.

“I already have one.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how much this scene resembled one of those public-service advertisements.

Her emotions instantly became complicated.

Kui Furen seemed half teasing and half serious.

He extended the bottle toward her again.

“At least take one sip.”

“So I’ll know you’re not disgusted by me.”

Lin Zhiyan:

“…”

Brother, you’re really pushing your luck.

Blinking, she calmly opened her own bottle and drank several more mouthfuls.

Then she held it out toward him.

“Of course I wouldn’t dislike you, Boss.”

“But for fairness’ sake, you have to drink from mine too.”

Kui Furen raised an eyebrow.

The beauty mark beside his lips seemed even redder after being dampened by water.

His gaze lingered on her.

There was curiosity in it.

And amusement.

“That’s fair.”

Lin Zhiyan froze.

Then immediately tried to pull the bottle back.

But Kui Furen caught her wrist.

Leaning forward, he drank directly from the bottle she was holding.

His lips closed around the opening.

His amber eyes slid sideways toward her.

At the exact same moment—

The bottle in his hand pressed against her lips.

Lin Zhiyan:

“…”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

The irritation in her chest immediately flared.

Tilting her bottle, she drank nearly half of it in one go.

Head raised high, she swallowed aggressively.

Ignoring the bottle pressed against her mouth, her mind filled with a mixture of annoyance and mischief.

An urge to retaliate took over.

So she pushed harder.

Harder.

Shoving the bottle toward Kui Furen’s mouth.

The bottle bumped against his lips and teeth.

Water mixed with air.

A split second later, the liquid went straight down the wrong pipe.

Kui Furen began coughing violently.

Water streamed down from his jaw to his neck.

The bottle fell with a loud clatter.

Water splashed everywhere, soaking both their shoes and pant legs.

Lin Zhiyan withdrew her bottle and looked shocked.

“Oh no.”

“Boss, are you alright?”

“I was focused on drinking and didn’t notice what my hand was doing.”

Kui Furen continued coughing.

He staggered back half a step and gripped the cleaning machine tightly for support.

Lin Zhiyan immediately rushed over, looking deeply concerned.

Then she enthusiastically began pounding his back.

WHACK!

WHACK!

WHACK!

“Boss!”

“Are you okay?!”

WHACK!

Kui Furen:

“Cough—cough—”

“S-stop…”

“I-I’m fine now…”

He grabbed her wrist.

His breathing was uneven.

His chest rose and fell rapidly.

Looking down at her, the corners of his eyes were red and damp with tears.

Water glistened along his lips and jaw.

His gaze was blurred.

The grip around her wrist tightened.

“You… you…”

Another coughing fit interrupted him.

His face flushed even redder.

Ha.

Can’t keep pretending now, can you?

Lin Zhiyan sneered inwardly.

Outwardly, however, she looked frightened.

Her body trembled.

Tears immediately gathered in her eyes.

“S-sorry, Boss.”

“It’s all my fault.”

“Are you okay?”

Her expression was full of concern.

Tears trembled but never fell.

Her slender figure was completely overshadowed by his taller frame.

At first glance, she looked exactly like a helpless victim.

Kui Furen’s eyes shifted.

The strength in his grip loosened.

The flush on his face remained.

Then he smiled again.

Returning to his usual considerate demeanor, he said,

“It’s alright.”

“Don’t be afraid.”

Letting go of her wrist, he continued,

“Did I scare you?”

“It’s fine.”

“You didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Why would I blame you?”

Lin Zhiyan clasped her hands at her chest and looked up gratefully.

“Thank you, Boss.”

“I still feel terrible about it.”

Kui Furen glanced at her sideways.

Still smiling.

His voice was softer now, though slightly hoarse from coughing.

“What is there to feel bad about?”

“I simply wasn’t careful enough.”

Then he paused.

“I didn’t realize you were this energetic.”

Lin Zhiyan gazed up at him.

Her dark pupils almost completely swallowed the whites of her eyes.

Several tears still clung to her eyelashes.

Like a student being reprimanded, she listened attentively.

One hand still clutched her shirt.

No wonder Lu Weixi and the others had fallen for her tricks in the beginning.

She was far too good at lowering people’s guard.

Far too good at making them suffer silent losses.

For some reason, Kui Furen found himself thinking exactly that.

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His throat, nose, and even his back still burned from the incident.

And all of it had been caused by a girl so many years younger than him.

The absurdity of it should have irritated him.

Instead, it filled him with a strange excitement.

Like being challenged.

Slowly, he raised a hand and placed it on her head.

Those innocent-looking eyes widened even further.

He gently patted her twice.

“Go wait in the control room.”

“I’ll teach you how to use some floral equipment and basic packaging techniques.”

“After that, we’ll call it a day.”

Then he smiled.

“Off you go.”

Lin Zhiyan immediately ducked backward out from under his hand.

Then she spun around and fled toward the control room.

Relief washed over her.

Part of her thought she should stop provoking him.

The other part thought—

Why should I be the one putting up with it?

Sigh.

Tomorrow I’ll definitely work on my temper.

Some time later, Kui Furen joined her in the control room and patiently taught her the necessary skills.

Perhaps because she had successfully counterattacked him twice already, he behaved much more normally this time.

The almost hypnotic charm was gone.

The hidden barbs beneath his gentle words were gone too.

Though Lin Zhiyan still noticed him studying her with curious, probing eyes—as though observing prey—it was nothing compared to earlier.

Time passed quickly.

The evening sky filled with colorful clouds.

Orange and gold sunlight filtered through the glass greenhouse and stretched across the corridors.

After saying goodbye to the still-busy Kui Furen, Lin Zhiyan left the workspace and headed upstairs.

She changed out of her work apron.

Then proceeded to annihilate every pastry and drink available in the lounge.

By the time she finished, she was almost hiccuping.

Heh heh.

That’s dinner money saved.

Feeling pleased with herself, she headed downstairs.

Just then, she noticed Kui Furen opening a small room on the first floor.

By now she had learned the purpose of most rooms in the flower shop.

Only that one remained a mystery.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked,

“Boss, what’s that room used for?”

Looking up at her, Kui Furen stood in the doorway.

“It’s a little complicated.”

“It’s my private area.”

Lin Zhiyan immediately thought of every horror story she’d ever heard.

With utmost seriousness, she declared:

“Got it.”

“I won’t go in.”

“See you tomorrow!”

She turned and prepared to flee.

But Kui Furen placed a hand on her shoulder.

His voice drifted down as lightly as the sunset itself.

“If you’re curious…”

“…you can take a look.”

Lin Zhiyan nearly screamed.

Turning around stiffly, she stared at him.

But he had already released her and walked inside.

So she cautiously leaned forward to peek.

The next second, she relaxed.

The room looked like a storage area.

Shelves displayed photographs, medals, trophies, newspaper clippings, and magazine cutouts.

An honor room?

Walking inside, Lin Zhiyan examined the photographs.

Then she froze.

One photo showed a young man smiling proudly while holding a floral-design competition trophy.

He looked vibrant and full of life.

Wait.

He looks familiar.

A second later—

Isn’t that the employee who handed over my work duties?!

Lin Zhiyan was shocked.

The employee she’d met was cheerful enough, but somehow always carried the exhausted aura of an overworked office worker.

So employment really does age people.

She continued examining the photos.

Soon she realized the people came from all walks of life.

Every one of them looked energetic and hopeful.

She even recognized an internet celebrity.

Several years ago, the woman had become briefly famous.

Then scandals erupted one after another.

The last news she’d heard was that the woman had broken down during a late-night livestream while using drugs.

Wait.

What exactly is this guy’s relationship with all these people?

Completely baffled, she turned toward Kui Furen.

Standing beside the window, his hair glowed under the sunlight.

The light softened his features, making him appear gentle and tranquil.

Seeing her confusion, he slowly explained.

“These are all people I know.”

“Friends. Employees. Subordinates.”

“Classmates. Relatives.”

Lin Zhiyan blinked.

“Huh?”

Smiling, he pointed toward the display cabinets.

“Those honors all belonged to them.”

“Then why are they here?”

She was even more confused.

Crossing his arms, one hand supporting his chin, Kui Furen replied in a clean, gentle voice:

“They often talk to me about their lives.”

“I’ve always been the type to take care of people.”

“So they’re grateful.”

“Most of them happily showed me their achievements and entrusted them to me for safekeeping.”

“So that I could witness their growth.”

Then regret appeared on his face.

“Unfortunately, life is full of ups and downs.”

“Most people suffer a small setback and never recover.”

“And the minority?”

Lin Zhiyan asked.

Kui Furen’s eyes curved into crescents.

“They rotted.”

His voice was soft.

“They traded away what was beautiful.”

“For something rotten.”

“And slowly lost all vitality beneath the sun.”

The more Lin Zhiyan listened, the colder she felt.

Yet she couldn’t quite identify why.

Then she asked,

“Do you really think it’s a pity?”

“You don’t seem sad.”

“If I weren’t sad, I wouldn’t replace the flowers every day.”

Kui Furen pointed toward a bouquet nearby.

“Fresh flowers wither.”

“Gemstones lose their shine.”

“Even the most precious objects are eventually destroyed.”

“What a shame.”

He spoke sorrowful words.

Yet throughout the entire speech, an oddly pleased smile remained on his lips.

At that moment, Lin Zhiyan finally understood the source of her discomfort.

It came from the faint malice hidden beneath his gentleness.

A patient malice.

One waiting quietly for opportunities.

One that seemed ready to drink in the misfortune of others.

She remained silent for several seconds.

She knew silence was probably the correct response.

But Kui Furen watched her with expectation.

Almost eagerness.

Like someone waiting for a curtain to rise and reveal a shining gemstone.

“Yes, yes.”

“What a pity.”

Lin Zhiyan merely nodded.

“Anyway, I’m heading home now.”

“Thanks for taking care of me today, Boss.”

Kui Furen showed no disappointment whatsoever.

Instead, he simply said,

“Travel safely.”

Then he smiled.

Like a blessing.

“I hope you don’t end up like them.”

A deeper chill spread through Lin Zhiyan.

She gave no reply.

Instead, she quickly left the flower shop.

The entire situation felt strange.

Yet she couldn’t explain why.

At that moment, she took out her terminal.

Her first instinct was simple:

Harass Zefi.

She absolutely had to figure out what Kui Furen was trying to do.

Zefi had said before that Kui Furen meant no harm.

But that had been then.

Who knew whether things had changed?

And if there was malice—

Where was it coming from?

Her thoughts were in disarray.

Every instinct screamed at her to contact Zefi immediately.

But when she opened her terminal, she discovered an email that had arrived sometime earlier.

Dear Ms. Lin Zhiyan,

As one of Ringstar’s long-established and respected media organizations, Denar Pioneer – Political Commentary remains committed to providing deep, objective, and insightful political analysis.

We would like to invite you to visit our offices and discuss contributing articles to our publication.

Lin Zhiyan nearly dropped her terminal.

Denar Pioneer?!

While not a newspaper everyone read, it was still one of the official publications distributed free in many public schools.

Granted, she’d mostly used her copies to patch holes in walls.

But still.

It was a legitimate, well-known media outlet!

Holding her head, she sat there in shock.

Then more emails arrived.

Interview invitations from online news studios.

Appearance requests from variety programs.

Even invitations to contribute articles to joint university publications.

Wait.

What’s going on?

When did everyone suddenly discover my talent?!

Lin Zhiyan stood frozen outside the flower shop.

Her mouth slowly fell open.

Behind her came the soft ringing of a wind chime.

She turned around.

Kui Furen was closing the door.

Looking at her curiously, he smiled.

“Why are you still here?”

“Weren’t you heading home?”

“Uh… nothing.”

“I’m checking messages.”

Lin Zhiyan stammered.

Meanwhile, her brain raced.

Was all this because the leaked video had attracted attention?

“Then it sounds like good news.”

Kui Furen smiled.

A strand of hair drifted across his face.

Deep in his eyes flickered something like firelight.

“I hope every day brings good news.”

Lin Zhiyan found the statement strangely unsettling.

Still, she simply nodded.

Turning away, she began walking.

Her steps felt oddly light.

Ah.

So that’s why I feel like I’m floating.

I’m walking toward a shining future!

The little person in her heart happily delivered terrible jokes.

Meanwhile, the world before her eyes transformed.

In her imagination, she stood atop a towering building overlooking the city.

Dressed as an elegant scholar, black spectacles perched on her nose, she held a calligraphy brush before a grand plaque.

With a magnificent flourish, she wrote eight bold characters:

Using My Pen as Wings, Soaring Toward Great Horizons.