What kind of identity qualifies someone to be called Boss Lin?
To be called "Boss" at such a young age proves her status is extraordinary.
Though he was engrossed in his writing, he was still well aware of the social landscape in Shanghai. Only one person could possibly be referred to as Boss Lin.
He just hadn't expected that this Boss Lin would be such a young and beautiful lady.
"Host, the male lead is at your ten o'clock position."
The system's voice echoed in Lin Yan's mind. Following the direction the system indicated, Lin Yan saw Zhou Wenjie, who was also looking at her.
This male lead was young, and unlike the arrogant demeanor of the male leads in previous worlds.
After all, he had experienced hardships in life, unlike those who were born with everything or knew the plot by heart.
After meeting the male lead's gaze, Lin Yan offered a polite smile and a nod before turning to speak with the person next to her.
"Host, this male lead seems a bit dull," the system complained. It had encountered many types of male leads, and this one appeared more subdued than the others.
"But this male lead is more normal than the previous ones."
"Then, Host, do you want to go and get acquainted with him?"
"No need, it's unnecessary. Let's just mind our own business." Lin Yan did not want to get involved with the male lead.
However, while Lin Yan wished to remain uninvolved, the male lead, Zhou Wenjie, was eager to meet Lin Yan. He admitted it might be a case of attraction at first sight, but he truly felt he had fallen in love with Boss Lin at first sight.
Yet, just by looking at her, he knew she was not someone he could easily approach.
Right now, he could only watch her from afar, with no opportunity to strike up a conversation.
After agreeing to several orders with the merchants present, Lin Yan found an excuse to step out for some air.
She was now in the garden pavilion, gazing at the moon.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" a man's voice came from behind her.
Lin Yan turned around. It wasn't the male lead, but a person she had no recollection of. Lin Yan offered a polite smile, not engaging him in conversation, and prepared to leave the pavilion.
"Miss Lin is leaving? Don't you like my company?" the man raised an eyebrow, attempting a witty remark.
"Sir, you exaggerate. I'm simply not accustomed to being with strangers," Lin Yan said, preparing to depart.
But the man blocked her path.
"Is there something you need, sir?" Lin Yan did not step forward but took a step back, looking directly at the man's face.
"Can't I chat with Miss Lin if I have nothing else? Such a beautiful moon, such a beautiful Miss Lin, it truly makes one want to get closer!" He took a step forward, intending to approach Lin Yan.
"Flowers are for beauties. Miss Lin, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He produced a rose from somewhere and offered it to Lin Yan.
"I'm sorry, I don't like flowers." Lin Yan refused outright. "May I ask who you are, sir? And why are you blocking my way? I wish to leave now, please let me pass."
"Miss Lin seems to be a bit unromantic. Does my identity matter? I am merely one of Miss Lin's admirers, drawn to your beauty and talent. That's why I followed you out, hoping to show you my sincerity."
"Sir, you jest. Please step aside!" Lin Yan's tone grew colder.
Pursuing her? And carrying a gun while pursuing someone?
"Alright, alright. I'll let you pass. Miss Lin, please don't be angry." He smiled and moved aside.
"Sir, a word of advice: your acting is terrible. You should stop playing the role of a playboy next time!"
As Lin Yan passed him, she left him with this remark. In the man's somewhat stunned gaze, she left the pavilion and returned to the main banquet hall.
"Interesting!" It seems this Boss Lin is not as simple as she appears. So, everything she's done isn't backed by her father, but truly by her own efforts?
If that's the case, then perhaps they have underestimated Miss Lin!
He casually tossed the rose into the flower bushes outside and, instead of returning to the main hall, took another path towards the main entrance.
When Lin Yan reached the hall, she casually glanced back at the pavilion. As expected, the man was no longer there.
Was he after her or her father? She could only be sure he was Chinese. So, even with the significant contributions she had made, the government was still not satisfied?
Or had her father truly aroused suspicion on that side?
Lin Yan did not mention seeing this man to her father upon returning home. After all, she couldn't confirm his identity. If she made a move, it might alert them.
Therefore, she decided to lie low for the time being. Coincidentally, she could invite Ye Xiu Yuan to join her research. Thinking of this, she immediately prepared to write a letter inviting Ye Xiu Yuan to her laboratory.
Her face was still a bit too attention-grabbing, so she wouldn't go to him in person.
However, this incident also reminded her that Shanghai was likely no longer safe. She had originally planned for Lin Tong to come to Shanghai now that her father was fine.
She had even persuaded her second aunt. Could she now tell Lin Tong not to come?
Even if Lin Tong didn't come, she had no excuse to ensure her father's safe evacuation from Shanghai.
So, all she could do now was to find out what these people wanted. Whatever it was, if she could afford it, she would offer it in exchange for her father's safety.
Back home, Zhou Wenjie was in a daze for several days. When asked by Madam Zhou, he could only stammer out vague replies.
He began to gather information about Boss Lin. He learned she had studied abroad and that her father was the Minister of Finance.
But the more he learned, the more despair he felt. Someone like her was like the moon in the sky, completely out of his reach.
Even if his books sold exceptionally well, they were a mere drop in the ocean compared to Lin Yan's businesses, which were practically printing money.
He lay dejectedly at home for a few days until his editor pulled him out of bed.
"You haven't written your manuscript yet, what business do you have lying in bed?" Editor Lu had no idea what was wrong with his author, but he didn't seem ill, nor did he have a fever.
"Let me rest for a few days. I truly don't have time to write now." He tried to crawl back into bed, genuinely lacking the spirit.
His love, which had withered before it could even bloom, his first love in two lifetimes, had died before it could even sprout.
"What's wrong with you? Weren't you fine after attending the banquet?"
"Don't talk to me about the banquet!" He buried his head in the covers.
"What happened at the banquet?" He had attended too. Wasn't it just a normal banquet? He had even met quite a few businessmen there, opening up new avenues.
But Zhou Wenjie kept his head buried, unwilling to answer his editor's question.