Chapter 94: The Young Lady Goes Wild, Unstoppable

Bai Jing’s answer was well within Lin Yang’s expectations; still, he didn’t press further. The most crucial task now was to perfect every detail of the preparations, so that once the Golden Silkworm Powder hit the market, it would take Jin Hai by storm.

Time always passed quickly during discussions, and as they were about to part ways, Dong Yingying—well-known for her aversion to men—suddenly made an almost impossible decision that caught everyone off guard. She suggested Lin Yang play the male supporting role in the advertising commercial. When Dong Yingying voiced this idea, both Bai Jing and Lin Yang widened their eyes in shock, as if someone had just discovered a new continent.

But the real amusement was yet to come. When Bai Jing asked Dong Yingying why she chose Lin Yang, a complete stranger, Dong Yingying replied with a reason that nearly made Lin Yang choke in exasperation: “He doesn’t look dangerous. He won’t hurt me.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yang nearly spat blood on the spot. No harm? What nonsense! How could he, Lin Yang, not be considered a bona fide handsome man? Yet in her eyes, he was utterly harmless. That was too much of a blow. After hearing those words, Lin Yang fled in embarrassment.

With Bai Jing’s laughter ringing behind him and Dong Yingying covering her mouth to stifle her giggles, Lin Yang dashed out of the Baifu Pharmaceuticals building, looking for all the world like a young maiden fleeing after being teased.

Phew. Only after collapsing into his car seat did Lin Yang finally breathe easy. He peered out the window to make sure that the sharp-tongued, long-legged beauty hadn’t followed him. Then he leaned back, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, tapped one out, and lit it.

Smoke curled from his lips as he muttered to himself. Could it be that the beautiful model was smitten by his dashing charm? But on second thought, he knew that was impossible. He understood aversion to men well enough—no matter the relationship, even the closest of friends would be pushed away by a woman with that condition, let alone a stranger like him. Dong Yingying’s sudden choice of him was baffling. If he believed her last comment, what did that make him?

Unable to make sense of it, cigarette still in his mouth, Lin Yang started the engine and sped off. He decided to catch up on some sleep; after all, it was only seven thirty, and there was still plenty of time before Thirteen Blades Hospital opened for business.

…

Watching Lin Yang flee in disarray, Bai Jing laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. In all the time she'd known him, she’d never seen Lin Yang so flustered.

She hesitated a moment, glancing at Dong Yingying, who was sitting on the sofa, before curiosity finally got the better of her. “Yingying, can you tell me why you chose Xiao Yang? Don’t you dislike strange men?”

But Dong Yingying simply shrugged, utterly unconcerned. “I don’t really know, he just doesn’t seem that annoying.”

Bai Jing was speechless, but didn’t pursue the matter further. She dragged Dong Yingying off for a screen test—the lead role had to be right, and Lin Yang would just need to muddle through when the time came. That was why she hadn’t stopped him from leaving. Besides, the best time for filming the commercial would be at dusk, when the setting was more suitable for an advertisement.

…

Lin Yang sped all the way home. As soon as he got out of the car, he spotted Leng Nini pacing and peering about at the entrance, which puzzled him. Usually, this girl slept like a log and would barely get up even for work—what on earth had gotten into her today?

Curious, he quickened his pace and approached her, glancing around to make sure nothing was amiss before asking, “Nini, what are you looking at?”

“Hmph, confess—where have you been messing around again?” Leng Nini scowled, fixing Lin Yang with a glare. As she spoke, her small hand shot out and pinched the soft flesh at his waist. Before Lin Yang could make sense of her actions, she twisted hard.

“Aargh!” Lin Yang yelped in pain, knocking away her mischievous hand. “What’s gotten into you? Up so early, not sleeping—daydreaming again?”

Leng Nini shot him a fierce glare and, with an angry stomp, spun around and ran into the loft.

Watching her storm off, Lin Yang was left scratching his head. What was that all about? She’d waited at the door just to scold him for fooling around? It made no sense at all. He headed into the villa, determined to give the little troublemaker a good talking-to. If he didn’t keep her in line every few days, she’d end up causing real havoc.

He pushed open the glass door to the first floor hall. There sat Zhang Qiqi, lost in thought on the sofa, staring blankly toward the entrance. Even as Lin Yang walked in, her gaze didn’t shift in the slightest.

He walked over and patted her shoulder. Only then did she snap out of her daze. Lin Yang asked curiously, “Qiqi, what are you thinking about? Oh, and why aren’t you at work today?”

“Oh, you’re back, Brother Yang. I have the day off. No work today,” Zhang Qiqi replied, hurriedly tucking her feet under her and managing a smile, though she couldn’t hide the worry in her eyes.

Lin Yang’s perception was sharp—he immediately noticed her anxiety. After a brief hesitation, he couldn’t help but ask, “Qiqi, is something troubling you?”

“No, I’m just worried about my father’s illness,” she replied, forcing a smile while unconsciously avoiding his gaze.

Her evasive eyes and nervous tone told Lin Yang she was hiding something from him, and something serious at that. He distinctly remembered her days off were usually on Saturdays, but today was only Tuesday. It didn’t add up. Still, since she didn’t want to say, he wouldn’t push. After eight years apart, they’d both changed too much.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Uncle Feng’s illness as soon as possible. You can count on that,” he reassured her, choosing to play along.

Still, his thoughts returned to the Tianyang Pill. Zhang Zifeng’s condition was dire; the toxins could break out at any moment, so he had to speed up his practice of the Thirteen Heavenly Blades technique. Ever since his unexpected discovery with Tang Yixue—that the union of yin and yang could accelerate his cultivation—he’d tried it a few more times, but the effects had diminished drastically after the first time, nearly to nothing.

Now, with the successful improvement of Golden Silkworm Powder, he was confident he could perfect the Tianyang Pill as well. The challenge was finding an excuse to borrow the expert team from Bai Jing for his own purposes without arousing suspicion. He didn’t want his secrets exposed; the Golden Silkworm Powder was already an exception.

After some thought, he decided that if all else failed, he’d claim to be researching another formula, slip in the substitute for living ganoderma, and conduct his experiments on the sly—a case of borrowing one day to replace another.

“Oh, by the way, Brother Yang—my mom saved breakfast for you. She said to eat when you got back. I’ll fetch it,” Zhang Qiqi said, not waiting for Lin Yang’s response as she slipped her slippers on and hurried to the kitchen.

Watching her slender figure vanish into the kitchen, Lin Yang could only smile wryly. But now that she mentioned it, he realized he really was hungry.

A home-cooked meal was far more delicious than the usual street fare. After so much takeout, the change in flavor revived Lin Yang’s appetite, and he polished off enough food for three people all by himself. Even then, he looked as if he could eat more, completely oblivious to Zhang Qiqi’s astonished expression.

After eating, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked, “Qiqi, what’s going on with Nini today?”

“I’m not sure. Didn’t she say she was going outside to wait for you? Why isn’t she there?” Zhang Qiqi replied as she tidied up, sounding genuinely puzzled.

Her reaction reminded Lin Yang that she’d been spacing out when he came in—she must not have noticed anything odd about Leng Nini.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ll go upstairs and take a look,” he said, getting up and heading to the second floor.

Meanwhile, Leng Nini, fuming, had slammed her bedroom door shut, thrown herself onto the bed, and buried her face under the covers. Her large eyes brimmed with tears, and her sobs broke out uncontrollably.

As Lin Yang reached the upstairs corridor, he heard her muffled crying, which only deepened his confusion. What on earth had he done to upset the little troublemaker?

He hurried to her door and tried the handle, only to find it locked from the inside. He had no choice but to knock and call out, “Nini, what’s going on? Say something! Aren’t you afraid you’ll suffocate, crying alone in there?”

Even in moments like these, he couldn’t resist teasing her.

But no matter how long he called, his throat growing hoarse, Leng Nini refused to respond, leaving Lin Yang feeling as if he’d punched cotton.

He knocked harder, frustration mounting. “If you don’t open the door, I’ll kick it down. If I see something I shouldn’t, that’s on you!”

“Hmph! Go ahead and kick it down if you dare. I’ll tell you now, I’m not wearing anything. Kick it, I dare you!” Leng Nini shouted back between sobs.

Lin Yang awkwardly lowered his raised foot. Still, at least she was responding—he’d been worried she might do something foolish in a fit of anger.

“Hey, little troublemaker, what do you want? If something’s wrong, just say it—don’t cry like some girl,” he said, pounding on the door, his tone both exasperated and concerned.

“I am a girl, and I’ll cry if I want to!” Leng Nini snapped, her voice even louder than before.

Lin Yang could only curse himself for his careless words—he’d really shot himself in the foot this time.

“No matter what, just open the door and tell me what’s bothering you. Don’t bottle it up—you’ll make yourself sick,” he persisted, still trying to prod her into talking.

Hearing the commotion upstairs, Zhang Qiqi didn’t even bother removing her apron; she dashed up, followed closely by Su Qin, who’d been caring for her husband in their room.

Both women reached the door at nearly the same time and asked in unison, “What’s going on? What happened to Nini?”