The night before the college entrance exam results were released, I redeemed my Peking University ad

"Hey? What brings you here, Mr. Ye, calling me?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Then came a soft, cool voice, carrying a hint of amusement:

"God Ji, Heavenly Emperor Ji, Ancestor Ji, have you forgotten something?"

Ji Bai slapped his forehead.

broken!

This past month has been filled with news of superconductivity projects being implemented, patent battles, and dealing with Hausen; I've been so busy I haven't had a moment to spare, and I've completely forgotten about this matter.

The other person paid the full amount upfront, and he didn't even write a demo. That's really a bit unfair.

The boy instantly changed his tone, his words dripping with sweetness: "Oh, sister, I've just been so busy! Don't worry, when has your little brother ever been bad at anything?"

"I have all the songs memorized, they're all hits of the same caliber, I absolutely won't tarnish your diva reputation!"

"Hehe, now you know to call me 'older sister'?"

Ye Lan sneered, her tone leisurely: "I know you're busy, busy taking walks and dating with the beautiful teacher by the river, how could you have time to write songs for me?"

"what?"

Ji Bai was completely dumbfounded.

No, what's all this about?

He walked around the river with Li Mei twice yesterday, how come even Ye Lan from the capital knows about it?

So, it turns out that the whole world knows about my flirting with my old boss, except for the local people of Fucheng?

Can't people have any privacy at all?!

Ji Bai was both angry and guilty.

"Sister, what are you thinking? Do you think I'm the kind of person who forgets their roots?"

"What date? It was just... a field trip! Yes, a field trip!"

"I've been thinking about my sister's songs, so I went out to collect some inspiration!"

"As a once-in-a-century diva in the Chinese music scene, that song must be worthy of her..."

"Alright, stop with the smooth talk."

Ye Lan interrupted Ji Bai's teasing: "Sister, I'm almost at the entrance of your research institute. Tell someone to let me in."

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]

After saying that, he hung up the phone without waiting for Ji Bai to say anything more.

Inside the van, Ye Lan took her phone away from her ear and realized that her cheeks were burning.

The tips of her ears were especially red.

She worried that if she listened any longer, the cold expression she had finally managed to maintain would soften under that brat's persuasion.

That bastard knows how to sweet-talk people.

What are those phrases like, "Sister, what are you thinking?" and "Am I the kind of person who forgets their roots?" Each one is more pleasant to hear than the last.

I don't know how he coaxed that girl last night.

Thinking of this, Ye Lan's expression turned cold again.

She gazed out the car window at the approaching gates of the research institute, her jaw slightly tense.

"Ye Lan, wake up! You're here to collect a debt."

She said it to herself silently.

But whether she wanted the song or an explanation, she herself wasn't quite sure.

On the other end, Ji Bai hung up the phone and the first thing he did was call his secretary, Li.

"Hey, can you guys give me some privacy? I just had dinner with someone last night, how did the whole world know?"

Secretary Li immediately stood up straight.

"Ji Bai, I'm so sorry! I apologize for revealing your whereabouts last night!"

"Rest assured, the relevant personnel have been dealt with, and it has been clearly stated that you will no longer need to report any of your private matters!"

"Unless there is a significant security risk involved, no one may inquire about, disseminate, or discuss your personal privacy."

After a pause, Secretary Li added, "Something like last night will absolutely never happen again! I assure you."

Ji Bai nodded, his expression softening.

"Alright, when a woman comes over later, let her in."

At this point, the boy's tone became somewhat complicated and difficult to define:

"What a tragedy!"

Secretary Li almost lost her composure.

This was the first time he had ever seen Ji Bai with such an expression.

So even the god of the season has his day.

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." Secretary Li suppressed a laugh and turned to leave.

……

The perimeter of the Ji Bai Research Institute.

A black van slowly pulled up in front of the door.

Ye Lan sat upright in the back seat, her face expressionless.

The agent, Xu Jing, her assistant, and the driver didn't dare to breathe loudly.

They've followed Ye Lan for years; what kind of situation haven't they seen?

Red carpet events, award ceremonies, high-end banquets, and private parties—every time they're surrounded by fans and reporters.

But today's situation is completely different.

Xu Jing noticed the car before it even got close to the gate.

The two security guards at the entrance looked casual, but their positions were extremely deliberate, covering the main entrance, side entrance, driveway, and pedestrian entrance entirely in blind spots.

Looking further out, the black sedan on the street corner was clearly bulletproof. The "passersby" across the street all walked with almost identical strides, their gazes seemingly casual, but in reality, they would glance this way every few seconds.

This is only what's on the surface.

Who knows how many more people are hiding in the shadows?

"Is this... a research institute or a military restricted area?"

The assistant's voice even became softer.

"Don't talk nonsense," Xu Jing scolded in a low voice.

The driver dared not drive any further and obediently stopped at the designated location, waiting for security to come forward for inspection.

Xu Jing sat in the passenger seat, her mind in turmoil.

A month ago, this kid was just an unknown high school student who dared to step on even the most insignificant cats and dogs.

While they were waiting downstairs for him to "take a dump," they even dared to complain behind his back about how arrogant he was.

It hasn't been long, and they've already moved into a heavily guarded research institute, becoming a national treasure cherished by the entire country!

The difference is like a dream.

In less than a month, the boy had reached a height she could never have imagined.

The level of security at the gate, the imposing atmosphere at the entrance...

Honestly, it was a bigger event than when Ye Lan went home to visit her grandfather.

It's even stricter than the old man's place.

What shocked them even more was that Ye Lan's "collecting debts" actually meant coming to collect them from this person.

Xu Jing glanced at Ye Lan in the rearview mirror, and carefully considered her words before speaking:

"Lanlan, be careful what you say when you go in later. They're busy with important national matters right now. As for songwriting, put it off if you can. Don't make them unhappy."

Ye Lan didn't speak.

Xu Jing continued, "I know you, Miss Ye, are certainly not afraid, but you also need to consider the impact. You represent more than just yourself now!"

"If others find out that you flew to Fucheng in the middle of the night just to bother this person with a few songs, what will your rivals say? In the end, it will be your Ye and Qin families that will be affected."

Ye Lan leaned back in her chair, gave a cold laugh, and remained silent.

She knows better than anyone else what's going on.

Born into the Ye family and raised within its walls, she possessed a political sensitivity far exceeding that of most people.

If Ji Bai is really busy with scientific research and defense projects, she won't even show her face, let alone urge him to sing. She would never waste a single moment of his time.

But he wasn't.

He's on a date.

The thought of this made her furious.

Why should I?

He took her full payment and her tokens, then turned around and abandoned her to indulge in romance with someone else?

Ye Lan had never been treated this coldly before in her entire life.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the car door, and Secretary Li's voice came from outside: "Ms. Ye, hello, please come with me."

Ye Lan straightened her skirt, opened the car door, and got out.

The stiletto heels made a crisp sound as they stepped on the smooth stone pavement.

She stood up straight, her face bearing her usual aloof expression, but a hint of barely suppressed anger lurked in her eyes.

Kid, if you don't give me a satisfactory answer today...

This isn't over!