Chapter 123: Not Anyone’s Possession

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The next day was Saturday. Early that morning, Yin Mi’er came to ring the doorbell. When Lin Zhiwei opened the door, still bleary-eyed with sleep, Yin Mi’er saw not the slightest trace of tension on her face and grew so anxious she could hardly contain herself.

“Zhiwei, are you really going tonight? Alone?”

Lin Zhiwei yawned and collapsed onto one end of the sofa, replying weakly, “Alone.”

“Then what about Nan Yu? Or Young Master Liang? Either of them could accompany you. It’s far too dangerous for you to go by yourself.” Yin Mi’er helped the drowsy girl sit upright and urged her earnestly. Going alone was simply too reckless.

“Darling, don’t worry. I… I can handle it.” Lin Zhiwei’s gaze was unfocused and hazy. It was far too early for this. Still, seeing how genuinely concerned Yin Mi’er was for her, she forced her misty eyes open.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. Completely. Without the slightest doubt.”

“Then what did your movie star say?”

“He didn’t get involved at all.”

“What?” Yin Mi’er sprang to her feet, her beautiful face blazing with anger. “He actually doesn’t care what happens to you? Is he even your boyfriend? Even if he trusts your abilities, he shouldn’t simply ignore the matter!”

Yin Mi’er’s outburst cleared Lin Zhiwei’s head considerably. She widened her eyes, then burst out laughing at the sight of her furious friend.

“Darling, you look beautiful when you stand up for me.”

“Don’t change the subject.” Yin Mi’er refused to be diverted.

“All right, all right.” Lin Zhiwei pulled the indignant girl down beside her and soothed her. “A wise person always has a plan. I guarantee that she won’t do anything to me. In fact, she’ll have to send me out with the utmost courtesy.”

Yin Mi’er’s mouth fell open in disbelief. Had she heard correctly? Was Lin Zhiwei really talking about Ye Linyun?

“You’ll believe me tomorrow.” Lin Zhiwei folded her arms with the composure of someone who had everything under control. Seeing her confidence, Yin Mi’er finally felt a little reassured.

“Does your movie star really not care?” Yin Mi’er asked tentatively. She truly wondered whether Ling Ruoyu loved Zhiwei at all. Why was he completely unconcerned when Zhiwei was about to put herself in danger?

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“It’s not that he doesn’t care. On the contrary, he cares very much—that’s precisely why he hasn’t interfered.” Lin Zhiwei closed her eyes to rest, yet answered with absolute certainty.

Yin Mi’er looked utterly bewildered. “What kind of logic is that?”

Lin Zhiwei suddenly opened her eyes. Ripples shimmered through her limpid gaze.

“Mi’er, what kind of person do you think I am? I mean, in terms of my abilities at work.”

Yin Mi’er could not quite follow her train of thought, but she answered dutifully. “You’re naturally capable. You can handle things on your own, and you have ideas of your own. It’s as if following you is sure to lead to success.”

“Exactly. If I’m capable enough to inspire people’s confidence, what is there to worry about?”

“But—but you’re still a girl…”

“Mi’er, do you remember what I looked like when I rescued you? I was dressed as a man.”

“Of course I remember.” How could she ever forget? Even now, Yin Mi’er could still see Lin Zhi standing in the night, eyes bright and penetrating, supporting her with a stern yet calm composure.

“So do I look like a woman who’s been kept by a man, with her hands tied, unable to make decisions for herself?”

Uh…

Yin Mi’er was stunned speechless by the girl before her, who rested her chin on one hand and wore a lazy smile.

The girl before her smiled like a flower. Perhaps because she was so beautiful and radiant, Yin Mi’er had always felt that she ought to be cherished like a delicate blossom. Yet she had forgotten that Lin Zhiwei was no greenhouse flower. She was a phoenix soaring through the heavens. Wherever she might be, her radiance could shine as brightly as Ling Ruoyu’s. She was not some dependent creature sheltered beneath his wings.

“I… I understand now.” Ashamed of her earlier worry, Yin Mi’er finally realized that her concern had amounted to a lack of faith in Lin Zhiwei.

“It’s all right, darling. I’d be hurt if you didn’t worry about me.” Lin Zhiwei put an arm around the dispirited girl beside her. “He isn’t worried because he’s respecting my feelings. You’re worried because you’re looking after my safety. They say true health requires both body and mind, so clearly I need both kinds of care.”

Yin Mi’er was instantly amused by her reasoning and burst into laughter. “You really can come up with endless crooked arguments.”

“Zhiwei, I truly envy you. No matter what situation you find yourself in, you always seem to have a plan of your own.” After saying this, Yin Mi’er lowered her head. She thought of her own past—alone and helpless, she had been hidden away, threatened, and even imprisoned. If Lin Zhiwei had never appeared, she might already have been reduced to living off men’s drinking money and flattery.

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“Darling, it’s actually the opposite. I’m fearless because I don’t know where my goal lies, or where I’ll eventually end up.” Lin Zhiwei interlaced her hands behind her head. By now, she was fully awake. A month ago, all she had known was that she could come to China’s entertainment industry to gain experience. She had had no idea where the road would ultimately lead.

There were many times when she even wondered who she was. Was she Lin Zhiwei? And who, exactly, was Lin Zhiwei? A voice dormant deep within her kept stirring restlessly, seeming to want to tell her something, only to jolt her awake in the middle of the night just as she was about to grasp it, leaving not even the faintest clue behind.

Watching Lin Zhiwei lost in thought, Yin Mi’er understood that there were many painful things she could not explain. She therefore rallied herself and offered comfort.

“Then let’s make our way through the entertainment industry together. Since neither of us knows what else to do, you should give it a try too, Zhiwei. Acting, singing, variety shows—choose whatever direction you like and develop in it. Use your real appearance to do what you enjoy. You might even fall in love with the stage.”

“That makes sense.” Lin Zhiwei turned to her and looked at Yin Mi’er with open approval. In those serious, fearless eyes, Yin Mi’er seemed to glimpse Lin Zhi once more. For no reason she could explain, her face flushed, and she guiltily looked away.

“Since my beloved is a movie star, I can’t very well remain merely an executive who disguises herself as a man. I’ll have to try winning Best Actress too. Otherwise, how am I supposed to support him?”

Yin Mi’er burst out laughing at her grand ambitions. “Weren’t you just saying that your movie star’s acting still wasn’t good enough? Now you’re praising him?”

“Criticism is still necessary when criticism is due. I’m a professional.” Lin Zhiwei lifted her chin proudly.

“Yes, yes, you’re the fairest and most impartial person in the world. I’ll cook you something delicious for lunch, so you’ll be ready to face the vicious Medusa tonight.”

“Aw oo, darling, you’re so wonderfully capable. I really want to marry both you and my beloved and bring you home. Then the two of you can take turns cooking delicious meals for me every day.”

“Stop talking nonsense and go back to sleep for a while. I ordered the ingredients, and they’ll be here soon.”

“Love you. Muah.”

Lin Zhiwei gave Yin Mi’er a vigorous hug, then returned to bed, satisfied, to catch up on her sleep.