"The current situation? Mr. Ye is joking. I am just a businesswoman, and I have no other opinions on political affairs."
Lin Yan did not respond to Ye Xiuyuan's words. It was not advisable to discuss personal matters with someone one barely knew, especially not on Mr. Du's territory.
"But I don't think Boss Lin is that kind of person. If Boss Lin were just a businesswoman, she wouldn't have chosen girls from poor families for her new store's opening.
Boss Lin must be very disappointed with the current state of this country. You probably wish to change this situation, regardless of whether you are making money for your own purposes or to save the people.
You have taken action, haven't you? And your efforts have yielded some results. You have at least changed the lives of the common people in Shanghai." Ye Xiuyuan praised Lin Yan.
"For this alone, you have done more than many businessmen, and even those who claim to be patriotic individuals."
"Mr. Ye flatters me too much. I am a woman, and I simply don't want to see girls my age, or even younger, live such difficult lives.
The poor can only look after themselves; the prosperous should help the world. Although I cannot help the entire world, being able to save these few children is a good deed, isn't it?"
Lin Yan was unwilling to admit that her actions were for any grand patriotic cause. After all, if she were lauded too highly, it would hinder her private endeavors.
"But I don't think Boss Lin is as you described. I don't know what Boss Lin is concerned about, but I trust my own judgment. However, since Boss Lin denies it, let's not discuss this topic anymore."
Ye Xiuyuan abandoned the subject and began asking about mechanical knowledge. He also informed Lin Yan about his current work in Shanghai.
"I used to teach at Beijing University, but I came to Shanghai to visit a certain gentleman, which is why I am here. However, this gentleman is rather hard to find, so I visited Boss Lin first."
"Mr. Ye is truly remarkable. To be a teacher at Beijing University at such a young age."
"Not as impressive as Boss Lin," Ye Xiuyuan said humbly.
They talked extensively, covering experiences studying abroad and knowledge in fields like mechanics and physics.
Ye Xiuyuan found himself increasingly impressed with Lin Yan, as she seemed able to engage in any topic he brought up.
When the food was served, he was still reluctant to end the conversation. It had been a long time since he had felt such an exhilarating exchange. The last time was during his studies abroad, conversing with his professor.
He had already discovered that this "Mr. Lin" had studied Art Appreciation abroad. He hadn't expected, however, that she would be so familiar with engineering and science. He was curious whether "Mr. Lin" was also highly knowledgeable in other academic fields.
Yes, he had already changed his address for her from "Boss Lin" to "Mister," as he felt Lin Yan deserved such a title.
Of course, he wasn't entirely surprised, as he had heard from friends about Lin Yan's assistance in improving factory equipment and developing new formulas.
He had initially dismissed these accounts as exaggerations, believing that such work might have been done by Lin Yan's subordinates. But now, he had no doubt that everything originated from Lin Yan.
It seemed that the years of study abroad had not been wasted, and she had acquired a great deal of advanced knowledge.
The gathering lasted for over four hours. Ye Xiuyuan asked Lin Yan many questions that had been bothering him recently, and she answered them all, greatly benefiting him.
Subsequently, Ye Xiuyuan wished to arrange another meeting, but Lin Yan informed him that she would be leaving Shanghai in the next few days to return to her hometown.
Although Ye Xiuyuan was reluctant to see Lin Yan leave, he knew he had no grounds to prevent her from doing so.
However, he still asked for Lin Yan's hometown address, mentioning that he would send her letters. Lin Yan promptly wrote her hometown address on a piece of paper and handed it to him.
She realized that Ye Xiuyuan was a genius in science and engineering, and he would be an excellent assistant if she were to develop the mechanical industry in the future.
She had also learned from the system about his identity in this world. This time, he was a minor antagonist, someone who would be easily defeated by the male protagonist later because of his condescending attitude.
And his character's role was merely to provide satisfaction points for the male protagonist.
Therefore, she wanted to help him find a new place and a new job, preferably far from the male protagonist, to spare him the humiliation of being defeated. She felt some affection for him, as he was, in a way, part of her "family."
However, she remembered that he was supposed to come to Shanghai from Beijing in the middle of the plot. Why was he leaving Beijing so early in the story?
He mentioned he was looking for a certain gentleman; she wondered who this elusive gentleman was.
Regardless of who he was looking for, she would recruit him into her research laboratory. Calculating and drawing blueprints were much more suitable for him than teaching.
With these thoughts, Lin Yan left the Peace Hotel.
"What did Boss Lin and Mr. Ye talk about?" Mr. Du called the waiter who had been serving at the private room's entrance.
"Replying to Boss Du, they kept talking about mechanics and laws. I couldn't understand much, but that Mr. Ye seemed very impressed with Boss Lin."
"It seems Mr. Ye is a scholar," Mr. Du said, still not entirely at ease. "You may return to your work now."
"Yes, Boss Du." The waiter obediently withdrew.
Mr. Du remained unsettled. Regardless of Lin Yan's feelings towards Mr. Ye, he needed to ascertain Mr. Ye's identity and confirm that he would not cause any trouble.
"Investigate Mr. Ye's background," Mr. Du instructed the person standing behind him.
"Yes, Mister!"
Lin Yan was far too important. With her, he had the foundation to establish a powerful faction.
Do kings and generals have a predetermined destiny? Why wouldn't he, Du, be ambitious?
Moreover, in such chaotic times, having one's own power provided a sense of security. He did not wish to be as subservient to foreigners as this government.
He needed to possess his own leverage, the kind of leverage that would allow him to challenge foreigners. And now, Lin Yan was that leverage.
When Lin Yan returned home, Zhang Ma and the others had already packed most of her luggage. Upon her return, her father, Mr. Lin, curiously inquired about her day's activities.
After all, his daughter had told him she would be returning to her hometown for a wedding, but had scheduled her departure for tomorrow. She had mentioned having an appointment today, so Mr. Lin was curious who Lin Yan had met.
"A scholar from Beijing. He came to the factory to find me earlier, and since I was busy, I arranged to meet him for lunch today."
Lin Yan did not elaborate to her father. After all, nothing was finalized yet, and there was no need to report to her father so early.
"A scholar? Did Principal Gao recommend him to you?" Since his daughter had translated so many books, it was not unusual for someone to seek her out.
"No, Principal Gao wouldn't disclose my identity to others."
"But Yan Yan, Principal Gao sent you a letter. It's in your study. That's why I was curious if this person was recommended by Principal Gao."
When Lin Yan left, a postman had delivered a letter from Principal Gao. Zhang Ma had received it and placed it directly in Lin Yan's study.
However, since Principal Gao was a friend of Mr. Lin, Zhang Ma had informed him. Mr. Lin had returned home slightly earlier than Lin Yan, so he was aware of the letter beforehand.