Entering the clubhouse,

Zhao Yingjun quickly connected with the female singer.

After meeting the female singer, the exchange between the two parties went smoothly.

This female singer's stage name is Ilk, Miao Ke. Lin Xian had also heard her songs. Her voice was very sweet and indeed very suitable for singing the theme song for Rhine Cat.

It could be seen that Zhao Yingjun had put her heart into this matter.

Miao Ke also praised the demo after listening to it, and liked the song very much.

The collaboration was thus happily reached.

Everything went as Lin Xian wished, efficient and time-saving.

Subsequently,

the ball reached its formal stage.

The music of the waltz rang out, and all the handsome men and beautiful women danced with their partners, twirling into the dance floor.

Lin Xian wisely left the middle of the hall and sat with Zhao Yingjun at the outer tables to eat snacks.

He knew that Zhao Yingjun never danced at balls.

Even when many outstanding and handsome men invited her, she always politely refused.

With him around today, she was spared even the trouble of refusing.

Usually, when people saw that she had a male companion beside her, they would tactfully leave without disturbing her.

Lin Xian knew his role very well. He just needed to sit here eating and drinking, acting as a shield.

But even so...

every now and then, a few obscure male celebrities and male models would come to invite Zhao Yingjun to dance.

Lin Xian admitted that these men were indeed handsome and exquisite, like sculptures, and there were quite a few foreign models.

They had probably all discerned that Zhao Yingjun was wealthy and wanted to seek some opportunities.

As for those who lacked tact... Zhao Yingjun didn't even bother to look at them. Lin Xian directly turned them away for her:

"Sorry, our CEO Zhao is already very tired."

Those people could only glare at Lin Xian and leave in disappointment.

...

"Do you find today's ball very boring?"

As the music in the hall grew more enthusiastic, Zhao Yingjun ate snacks, drank red wine, and looked at Lin Xian.

Lin Xian neither nodded nor shook his head:

"It's alright, I don't think it's much different from Chu Shanhe's banquet before."

"The difference is huge; they're not on the same level." Zhao Yingjun glanced at the men and women twirling on the dance floor:

"Do you know what the most solemn, grand, and highest-standard banquet in the Donghai City business circle is every year?"

Lin Xian shook his head.

"It's the Donghai Chamber of Commerce New Year's Eve banquet that Chu Shanhe organizes every year, five days from now, on the twenty-eighth day of the lunar month."

Zhao Yingjun smiled:

"That's a truly grand banquet where big shots gather, and it's the most important event in Donghai City every year. You should really go there and take a look."

Suddenly,

the music in the entire hall stopped abruptly.

The dancing men and women all stopped their steps, looking towards the entrance of the hall.

Several policemen with serious expressions sealed off the entire gate. The leading police officer surveyed the crowd in the hall:

"Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to disturb your enjoyment."

"But in order to ensure everyone's personal safety, please stand where you are and do not move, cooperate with our investigation!"

Lin Xian looked at his watch.

It was only a little after nine o'clock. He had originally planned to chat with Zhao Yingjun for a while longer, then make an excuse, drive Zhao Yingjun away early.

But what were these policemen here for?

For a time, the whole place was in an uproar.

Everyone was talking about it.

The leading police officer signaled everyone to be quiet and explained the reason:

"We received a report that one of the female singers among you, because of her public relationship announcement a few days ago, has been resented by a fanatic fan, who publicly stated in a QQ group that he wanted to commit suicide with this female singer."

"This kind of thing is not uncommon, but most of it is limited to online statements and there is no action. But this fanatic fan may have some mental problems... As a precaution, we plan to directly protect the target. Please do not move and cooperate with our search work."

"Now we don't know where the criminal is or whether he is lurking nearby. We suggest that you end this activity immediately after the search and leave the clubhouse as soon as possible."

...

After the police officer finished speaking, the female singer Miao Ke, who had just discussed with Lin Xian and Zhao Yingjun, turned pale!

Miao Ke, as her name suggests, was very sweet and lovely, and followed a pure and sweet route.

But apart from her main job as a singer, she had not been involved in the entertainment and variety show circles, and could be considered a very conscientious singer.

Some time ago, she went public with her relationship. The other party was her childhood sweetheart, who was also her manager.

Without any scandals or gossip, their love was blessed by many netizens and fans.

Actually, times have changed now, and everyone can gladly accept the relationships of some celebrity singers.

This was not a big deal in itself.

It had no impact on Miao Ke's career.

She was originally taking the path of a powerful singer and did not need to create a persona.

However... celebrities can't control their fans after all, and there's nothing they can do when fans act crazy.

"I, I'll go back now!" Miao Ke was pale and terrified.

The leading police officer nodded:

"Don't be afraid, we will safely escort you home. But first, we have to control the scene and do a basic search. Please, everyone, don't move. It will be over soon."

...

Afterwards, the police searched every corner of the venue and confirmed that there was nothing serious.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

But with this incident, everyone was certainly not in the mood to continue the banquet, and they all left.

"Let's go too, Lin Xian."

Lin Xian nodded, took out the Bentley car key from his pocket, and walked to the parking lot with Zhao Yingjun.

The sudden incident just now was quite frightening.

Fanatic fans have been causing trouble a lot these years.

Lin Xian had a hunch that in the original course of history, Zhao Yingjun might have been involved in this shooting.

After all, shootings are still very rare on Long Country soil, and the probability of two occurring in the same place on the same day is extremely small.

Now everything was clear.

The armed criminal was indeed not here for Zhao Yingjun. His target was the female singer Miao Ke.

The criminal wanted to kill her, then commit suicide, and so-called die with her...

Lin Xian guessed.

In the original history, the criminal may have indeed successfully shot and killed Miao Ke, but he didn't know why Zhao Yingjun would be involved.

Anyway, in the original

course of history, the shooting was to happen at midnight, which was still a long time from now... which meant that the criminal was most likely ambushing Miao Ke elsewhere.

But leave the case to the police.

As far as Lin Xian's purpose was concerned,

getting home early and going home by a roundabout route were the most important things.

...

The people at the ball scattered like frightened birds.

Miao Ke left under police escort, and the remaining men and women ran to the parking lot in a chaotic manner to get in their cars and leave.

Lin Xian and Zhao Yingjun walked straight to the luxurious Bentley Continental GT. This blue convertible luxury car was really eye-catching, standing out from the crowd.

Zhao Yingjun pulled open the car door and sat straight in.

Lin Xian also sat in the driver's seat, started it with one button, turned out the door, stepped on the accelerator and accelerated away.

...

Buzz buzz buzz--

The sound and vibration of the 12-cylinder engine were intoxicating.

Lin Xian drove very fast, passing one intersection after another.

Zhao Yingjun looked at the scenery on the side of the road and suddenly turned her head:

"Are you going in the wrong direction?"

"Ah, am I?"

Lin Xian pretended to react, looked at the road sign at the intersection ahead:

"It seems like I really went in the wrong direction. Sorry, I was thinking about something just now."

"You should have changed lanes to the right to get on the elevated road..." Zhao Yingjun smiled helplessly, resting her right cheek on the door frame with her elbow:

"Hey, I can't change lanes now. You've completely gone the long way. You have to go a long way to get back."

Lin Xian smiled embarrassedly:

"The main reason is that I'm not familiar with this area, and I don't drive often, so I'm a bit rusty."

"I can see that."

Zhao Yingjun looked at the scenery on the right and said lightly:

"Your driving skills really aren't very good. You have to find time to practice."

"Okay."

"Turn left ahead to get on the elevated road, but don't go wrong again. It's already a long way around."

"Mm, okay."

Lin Xian turned on the left turn signal, got on another elevated bridge, and advanced around the outermost circle of Donghai City.

The evening breeze fluttered past,

blowing up Zhao Yingjun's bangs:

"Lin Xian."

She said softly:

"I'm still very grateful to you for helping me so much during this time."

"Without your help, whether it's Rhine Cat, Professor Xu Yun's authorization, or the theme song for Rhine Cat this time... perhaps they wouldn't have achieved what they have now by far."

She turned her head, her pupils reflecting the distant, bustling neon lights:

"You are indeed a very capable person, not just in terms of talent, but in all aspects, you are very admirable."

Lin Xian maintained his speed and smiled:

"It's my honor to be recognized by you like this."

The roaring 12-cylinder blue beast drew a graceful arc in the night, merging into the main elevated road and continuing its solitary journey.

"If one day, you really want to leave X Company, I will support you too."

Zhao Yingjun lowered her head, then looked ahead again:

"Just as you said a few days ago, you also have your career ambitions, and you want to make your own career. I'm not the kind of person who holds on to talent. On the contrary, I admire those who have ideas, are capable, and are persistent."

"But... there's one thing I'm still very curious about."

She smiled inexplicably beautifully, brushing her cheek hair behind her ears with her slender index finger, letting the wind dance:

"To be honest, I always thought you weren't such an ambitious person before."

"Although I haven't had much contact with you before, I have a general impression of everyone in the company. The feeling you gave me before was always a very Buddhist, very ordinary person..."

"I'm not saying that this kind of lifestyle is bad. As far as I'm concerned, as long as each of you can do your job well, then you are a good employee."

"But obviously... you have changed a lot during this period. You have become very active and attentive in many things. Your whole mental state has changed, as if... you suddenly have a goal."

She turned her head again, looking at Lin Xian.

The light and shadow of the distant Oriental Pearl Tower were reflected in her eyes, shining two colorful patches:

"Can you tell me... why is that?"

...

The speed limit on this elevated line was 80 kilometers per hour, but the speed at this time was getting faster and faster.

Lin Xian didn't know how to answer this question.

He couldn't figure out the purpose of Zhao Yingjun's question.

Was it a test?

Had she discovered his "purpose"?

Or was it... just simply caring about a subordinate?

Actually, Lin Xian himself realized that he had changed a lot in various ways since Xu Yun's death.

It wasn't that he had transformed into a hero-like savior, but he would more or less blame Xu Yun's accidental death on himself... which led to guilt, then regret, and then,

and wanting to find out everything and find the murderer.

Now there was no doubt that the murderer must be related to the Genius Club.

So Lin Xian's current actions did have a clear "purpose", including his active participation in Zhao Yingjun's affairs... the purpose was still to gain her trust as soon as possible, learn the password to the office password door, and then see the contents of that invitation letter.

Zhao Yingjun was right.

His transformation was indeed purposeful.

But at this time...

how should he explain it?

"Because I have tasted the taste of success."

Lin Xian looked at the road conditions ahead and said softly:

"I've been mediocre and ordinary for 23 years of my life, and I've never achieved any success. The most impressive achievements I've had before might be the city parkour league champion for three years in high school and the several school celebration gala hosts I was during college."

"Perhaps I've always been in a state of low desire because I couldn't get in touch with desire itself. Actually, the current me..."

After a pause, Lin Xian glanced over, looking at the neon lights in Zhao Yingjun's eyes::

"Now I'm very eager for success. I don't want to live an ordinary life."

After hearing this, Zhao Yingjun didn't say anything more.

She just leaned back, lying on the seat cushion.

Closing her eyes,

she exhaled a long breath.

"Alright then."

...

A few minutes later, Zhao Yingjun's WeChat notification sound rang.

She opened it and saw that it was a message from Miao Ke.

"Miao Ke is home safe."

Zhao Yingjun said to Lin Xian:

"I said hello to her when I left earlier, and told her to send a message when she got home safely."

"Mm, that's good." Lin Xian focused on driving.

"You know Miao Ke?!"

Suddenly!

A hoarse voice came from behind!

This...

This was a car speeding at 100 kilometers per hour on an elevated bridge!

Lin Xian and Zhao Yingjun turned their heads in shock——

Under the narrow back seat, a slovenly dressed man climbed up from below!

He stood up with a ferocious face, holding a bunch of flattened flower bouquets in his arms...

Click!

The man pulled out an old-fashioned double-barreled shotgun from the bouquet, pointing it at Lin Xian's brow!

"Turn back and concentrate on driving!"

He looked fierce, his voice hoarse:

"Turn around now..."

"Take me to see Miao Ke now!!"