Chapter 20: May the Best Man Win
"Sure, it's very kind of you to call me 'Uncle'," said Anguohua as he shook the USB drive in his hand. "Now, can you explain what's going on here, my dear niece?"
Lin Yike looked at him with innocent eyes. "Uncle Anguohua, you must have misunderstood. I bought this thing at a high price from someone else. They must have had bad intentions and wanted to discredit you. How could I let you suffer?"
Although her argument was full of loopholes, Lin Yike managed to say it with a straight face.
Anguohua couldn't help but want to laugh.
They were both smart people, and of course, they understood each other. Lin Yike's argument didn't need to be perfect; she just needed to give Anguohua a way out.
"So, does that mean I owe you a favor?" Anguohua said with a smile.
Lin Yike propped her chin with one hand and nodded impolitely. "I know you don't like to owe people favors, Uncle Anguohua. I happen to have something I'd like to ask for your help with."
"Oh, what is it? Tell me," Anguohua asked casually.
Lin Yike placed her juice glass on the table, looking very serious. "I heard that Director Chen is preparing to shoot 'The Mermaid Princess.' I know you have some connection with him and I hope you can introduce me to him."
Anguohua was surprised. "I thought you wanted to use the spy video to threaten me and get me to help you get into the company, even onto the board of directors. I even thought you were a bit overconfident."
But now, he suddenly felt that he had underestimated this young girl in front of him; she was really smart.
Lin Jianshan and Lu Huixin held the company firmly, and would never let Lin Yike intervene. But if Lin Yike could enter the company as a contracted artist, Lin Jianshan would relax his guard. And introducing Lin Yike to Director Chen was just a small favor for Anguohua. He was happy to do this easy favor.
"It's no wonder you're Qin Lao's granddaughter. You're really talented," Anguohua exclaimed, but he also reminded Lin Yike, "There's a rumor going around that your sister, Lu Yutong, is the lead actress in 'The Mermaid Princess.'"
"It's just a rumor. In the end, it depends on who has the ability," Lin Yike smiled confidently and boldly.
After parting ways with An Guohua, Lin Yike did not go directly back to her home, but drove to the apartment on Lin'an Road. She hadn't seen Xiaofanfan for many days and missed her dearly.
Lin Yike had the key to the apartment and let herself in. She changed her shoes in the foyer and heard the beautiful sound of piano music coming from upstairs.
Following the sound, Lin Yike went upstairs and found the door to the master bedroom slightly ajar, the music coming from within.
She stopped at the doorway, hesitant to disrupt the serene scene before her. The setting sun cast a warm orange glow through the windows, illuminating a black grand piano and a handsome man sitting in front of it. His sharp features were accentuated by the sunlight, and he cradled a small child in one arm while his other hand gracefully played the piano keys.
The child waved his tiny arms excitedly, thoroughly enjoying the music, as his father played a popular tune, "Ode to Joy," which sounded ethereal and transcendent in this moment, as if every note had penetrated her mind and etched itself onto her heart.
Even after the music stopped, Lin Yike was still in a trance, until the man spoke.
"You're here. Come on in," he said without turning around or mentioning her name. But Lin Yike knew he was addressing her. She wondered if he had eyes in the back of his head.
Lin Yike walked over and sat beside him on the long piano bench. With one hand propping up her chin, she looked directly at him.
Gu Jingting was dressed casually in a white V-neck sweater and black trousers, exuding a subtle yet elegant aura.
"Do I look good?" he asked, turning his head slightly to meet her gaze.
His deep black eyes were so profound that Lin Yike was momentarily intimidated and couldn't meet his gaze directly.