Chapter 26: Song Ning's Show Was Cancelled

She didn’t even have a chance to close the door and escape; the housekeeper, just back from grocery shopping, caught her in the act.

“Oh, Miss Lin, you’re back?” the housekeeper called out cheerfully. “Why are you still standing outside? It’s so hot out here—come in, come in.”

Lin Xi took a few steps back. “I have to head over to the Cheng family’s place. There’s something urgent at work. I’ll be back later.”

Hearing that it was work-related, the housekeeper didn’t press her further. Lin Xi hurried off toward the Cheng residence in her high heels, as if fleeing. By the time the lady of the house came out to investigate the commotion, only the housekeeper, groceries in hand, was left at the door.

“Was that Xi Xi? I thought I heard her voice. Where did she go?”

“Miss Lin said she had urgent work business and went to the Chengs’ to find their young master.”

—

Lately, Old Master Cheng’s health hadn’t been good, so Cheng Si spent most of his time there. While the old master rested, Lin Xi and Cheng Si sat in the living room, sharing tea.

When he heard that she was hiding out here to avoid someone, Cheng Si couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s going on between you and that boy from the Lu family, anyway?”

Caught off guard by the question, Lin Xi hesitated, unsure how to explain.

She started to speak but fell silent. Cheng Si thought he understood.

“He’s pursuing you, isn’t he?”

“Something like that,” Lin Xi replied, taking a sip of her tea, only to burn her tongue and suck in a sharp breath. She put down her cup to recover.

“His mother’s very pleased with me, too. They’re both at my house right now, but I don’t think they came specifically for me today. I just had the bad luck to run into them.”

Cheng Si clicked his tongue, unconvinced. “Even if they didn’t come for you, it’s probably you they’re really after—getting close to your mother as a pretext.”

Thinking of what Qin Yu had said on the phone a few days prior, Cheng Si laughed, his meaning layered: “He’s certainly persistent.”

Lin Xi only felt a headache coming on. “I’ve already turned him down.”

“What can you do? I heard that boy from the Lu family’s never even dated before, and now he finally likes someone. And his first love is so dazzling—ah, it’ll be hard for him to get over it.”

Lin Xi raised an eyebrow. “So it’s my fault?”

Cheng Si raised his hands in surrender. “Mine, mine, I admit it. By the way, tomorrow’s the Qixi Festival. Is he going to ask you out? You’d better come up with a good excuse.”

“I already refused him. Why should I bother with an excuse?”

Cheng Si was momentarily speechless.

“Besides,” she added, “we’re not even together. There’s nothing to celebrate on Qixi.”

“So, what are your plans for tomorrow? Want to go out with me? I’ve got a dinner party—come along?”

Cheng Si had an easy way with people, his friends a lively set of heirs from the city’s elite. But Lin Xi had no desire to join the revelry or be in that kind of scene.

“No, thanks. I’ll be working late.”

Cheng Si was taken aback. It was the first time he’d seen an employee more enthusiastic than the boss.

“If you keep this up, I’ll have to take the company public just to keep up with you.”

“Great idea.” Lin Xi snapped her fingers. “Go for it, President Cheng.”

Now it was Cheng Si’s turn to feel a headache. “Am I the one who hired you, or are you the real boss here?”

They really seemed to have swapped roles—the boss didn’t care a whit for the company’s future, while the employee was full of ambition, ready to seize control and take the company public overnight.

“Seems like Feiyun’s future will really depend on you. Pretty soon, I’ll be the one working for you, President Lin.”

Lin Xi lifted her teacup and clinked it with his. “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

Cheng Si sighed. “The HR department hired a new assistant for you. How’s it going?”

“How should I know? We barely exchanged a word.”

The television was still on—Old Master Cheng had forgotten to turn it off earlier. As the commercial break ended, a program began.

“Good evening, viewers. I’m your host, Song Ning.”

Lin Xi raised her brows and poured herself more tea.

Cheng Si didn’t even glance at the TV behind him, instead calling out, “Aunt Wang, turn off the television.”

He kept chatting with Lin Xi.

But Lin Xi, propping her chin on her hand, watched the screen. “Why turn it off? I haven’t seen her show yet. Seems pretty popular.”

“What’s so great about it?” Cheng Si scoffed. “It’s all pre-recorded anyway.”

“What difference does that make?”

Cheng Si said languidly, “A big difference. You won’t be seeing her on TV much longer.”

“Hmm?”

Just then, the housekeeper came in to switch off the TV, giving Lin Xi a quick chance to look more closely at the screen. Song Ning had her long hair swept up, dressed in a pale pink suit, looking poised and polished. But what Lin Xi noticed most was Song Ning’s voice.

Song Ning had formal training and, after graduating and returning to China, had joined the city’s television station. Her voice was indeed a gift—clear, warm, and perfectly suited for broadcasting.

Online, people said she was the heir apparent to one of the station’s most prominent hosts, and barring any missteps, it was just a matter of time before she took over.

Cheng Si tapped the table, signaling Lin Xi to stop watching. Lin Xi turned her attention back to him.

“Her show is about to be canceled.”

“With ratings that high? Why?”

“What else could it be? She offended someone.” Cheng Si winked at her.

Lin Xi caught his meaning immediately and hurried to distance herself. “Me? I don’t have that kind of power.”

“Come on, you’re the Lin family’s darling. All it would take is a word from you.”

Though his tone was teasing, Cheng Si wasn’t exaggerating.

The Lin family had always been formidable. Four generations, and not a single one of them had been ordinary.

Lin Xi’s great-grandfather had died on the battlefield. Her grandfather had taken his place at a young age, survived against the odds. Just the accomplishments of those two elders were enough to ensure the family’s standing for generations.

Not to mention her uncle and father—one a businessman, the other in the military—and even Lin Xi’s older brother followed the same paths.

None of them were ordinary people. At present, the only one who might seem less accomplished was Lin Xi herself, simply because she had chosen a different path. But had she wished, she could have seamlessly stepped into her parents’ roles.

And Beijing was unlike anywhere else; here, it was all about circles. Even the wealthiest tycoons had to show respect to those in her family’s network.

Their connections were beyond ordinary imagination.

In the city’s upper echelons, there was no one who hadn’t heard of the Lin family. Especially when Lin Xi’s parents were still alive—others would line up just to curry favor with her.

So, as Cheng Si said, if Lin Xi wanted to bring someone down, it would be all too easy.

“It really wasn’t me.” Lin Xi sat up straight, genuinely baffled by his suspicion. “I don’t like Song Ning, but not enough to go that far.”

“I never said it was you.”

“Then why are you looking at me?”

“Maybe someone else is taking revenge on your behalf.”

He smiled mysteriously. “Who do you suppose cares about you enough that, with just a word from you, they could cut off someone’s career the very next day?”