Chapter 147: The Identity of the Girl Who Fell into the Water

“It can’t be such a coincidence, can it? Gao Zheng, are you sure that uncle just now is really the head of B.H. Company?” Liu Na asked in disbelief.

“Heh, there’s little chance I’m wrong. Look at the back of this business card—see that building? That’s the headquarters of B.H. Entertainment. As far as I know, only the head of B.H. Company has cards like this. They’re rare and only given to important people. To put it simply, holding this card means you can have any artist under B.H. Company work for you—and for free,” Gao Zheng said with a light chuckle.

Everyone looked at the card and indeed saw the emblem on the back. Gao Zheng was part of the industry, so he was familiar with such insider matters.

“So, you mean the girl we rescued is a rich and beautiful heiress?” Wang Tao blurted out instinctively.

“Heh, rich and beautiful, I suppose,” Gao Zheng smirked slightly. To ordinary people, the daughter of B.H. Entertainment’s head would be considered a wealthy heiress. But in Gao Zheng’s eyes, she was just average. His own status far surpassed even that of B.H.’s head. Gao Zheng’s family was among the elite in the capital’s social circles.

“The head of B.H. Entertainment is named Lin Yuan. He does have a daughter—Lin Annie, I believe. She studies at the Capital Film Academy and was reportedly specially admitted,” Gao Zheng said, tapping his head thoughtfully. As he mentioned Lin Annie attending film school, his eyes flicked toward Xiao Lin. He wasn’t sure if Xiao Lin knew about the last time he slapped Ma Yunrou. In truth, Ma Yunrou hadn’t told Xiao Lin, fearing further warnings from Uncle Xiang after Gao Zheng’s incident.

Hearing Gao Zheng’s detailed account, everyone finally believed the story was true.

“A rich and beautiful heiress, huh? Tsk tsk, you saved her this time, she’ll surely pledge herself to you. Just like that, you’ve transformed from a commoner to a phoenix,” Wang Tao said, slapping Yuan Weiye’s back so hard he started coughing uncontrollably.

“Don’t mock me. It was Xiao Lin who pulled her from the water and Xu Tong who helped bring her ashore. How did it become that I saved her?” Yuan Weiye said with a bitter smile.

“You can credit Xu Tong for that, but who knows if Lin Lin will agree,” Wang Tao said slyly, glancing at Tan Linlin.

“No, no... I didn’t save her,” Xu Tong quickly waved his hands, seeing Tan Linlin clenching her fists and scared to admit it.

“Yuan Weiye, didn’t you say the drowning girl looked like Meng Ranran? Well, here’s your chance. This girl is way prettier than Meng Ranran. You better seize it,” Lin Xudong said with a grin.

Under the group’s persuasion, Yuan Weiye finally accepted the reality.

“Sky blue waits for rain, and I am waiting for you...” Just as they teased Yuan Weiye, Xiao Lin’s phone rang. Seeing it was a call from his grandmother, he immediately gestured for everyone to be quiet.

“Hello, Grandma.”

“Lin Lin, where are you? It’s nearly evening, why aren’t you home yet?” Grandma Xiao’s anxious voice came from the phone.

“Well, Grandma, I probably won’t be able to come home today. I have some study matters to discuss with classmates, so I’ll be staying at their place tonight—the same Xu Tong’s family we went to the snow village with,” Xiao Lin explained, waving at Xu Tong. Xu Tong hurried over and spoke into the phone, “Grandma, this is Xu Tong. Do you remember me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Xiao Lin will be staying at my place tonight, so please don’t worry. We’ll go to school together tomorrow.”

“Oh, alright then...” Grandma Xiao, hearing Xu Tong’s voice, said a few more words before hanging up.

Xiao Lin exhaled deeply, glancing approvingly at Xu Tong. That was quite a convincing lie. He didn’t want his grandmother to know he was in the hospital; otherwise, she would be terribly worried. Left with no choice, Xiao Lin had to resort to this. Yuan Weiye didn’t need to lie since his parents weren’t in the capital.

The group chatted for a while longer. Seeing it was late, everyone prepared to leave. Xiao Lin and Yuan Weiye had to stay in the hospital—Yuan Weiye for observation to ensure his safety before discharge, and Xiao Lin because his cold had worsened and required ongoing treatment.

“Xiao Lin, Yuan Weiye, we’re heading off for now. We’ll come see you tomorrow,” Xu Tong and the others greeted before leaving the ward.

Gao Zheng then approached Wang Yuqing quietly, “Yuqing, let me walk you home.”

Wang Yuqing hesitated but declined, “No need. I’m walking with Tan Linlin and the others. Don’t trouble yourself.”

Just then, Tan Linlin, who had reached the doorway, overheard Wang Yuqing’s words. She turned to glance at Xiao Lin lying on the hospital bed, rolled her eyes, then deliberately raised her voice, “Yuqing, Xu Tong and I have to go somewhere, so let the white sweet potato take you home.”

“Linlin? Where are you going?” Xu Tong was caught off guard by Tan Linlin’s remark. Before he could finish, Tan Linlin gave him a sharp kick, causing him to grimace in pain.

Wang Yuqing looked at Tan Linlin, puzzled by her meaning. Then she saw Tan Linlin wink, and she pulled Xu Tong out of the ward.

“Xiao Lin, we’re leaving now,” Gao Zheng said to Xiao Lin. “Yuqing, shall we go?” He gestured politely to Wang Yuqing. Wang Yuqing glanced back at Xiao Lin, who wore an indifferent expression. Suppressing her inner hurt, she nodded slightly to Gao Zheng and left the ward.

Watching Gao Zheng escort Wang Yuqing away, Xiao Lin felt a pang of bitterness—this was all his own doing.

The next day, after a full day of observation, Yuan Weiye was cleared for discharge. Xiao Lin, however, was not. His cold remained and required continued hospitalization. Reluctantly, Xiao Lin asked Xu Tong to help him request sick leave and to take notes on the lessons and review materials to deliver to the hospital after school. At this point, he had no choice but to study from the hospital.

...

“Xu Tong, please take this to Xiao Lin,” Wang Yuqing said as school ended one afternoon, handing him a notebook.

“What’s this?” Xu Tong asked, puzzled.

“These are the notes I took in class. They might help him,” Wang Yuqing whispered.

“Hey, Yuqing, let’s go,” Gao Zheng waved to Wang Yuqing outside the classroom. Since the hospital incident when Gao Zheng walked Wang Yuqing home, he had been coming to pick her up after school every day. At first, Wang Yuqing resisted, but with Gao Zheng’s persistence, she eventually agreed.

“Make sure Xu Tong gives this to him. I’m leaving now,” Wang Yuqing said firmly before leaving the classroom.

“What’s going on? Could it be our dear Yuqing is falling for that Gao Zheng guy?” Xu Tong said indignantly.

“Ha, who can she blame? It’s all that idiot lying in the hospital’s fault—he gave up on Yuqing himself,” Tan Linlin scoffed, still bitter about Xiao Lin abandoning Wang Yuqing.

“Oh, I just remembered!” Suddenly, Xu Tong slammed the desk, as if recalling something.

“You’re going to give me a heart attack with all these surprises,” Tan Linlin said, startled.

“Linlin, when Xiao Lin was rescuing the drowning girl and Yuan Weiye, he told me something as he was going into the water,” Xu Tong said excitedly.

“What did he say?” Tan Linlin, intrigued, leaned in.

“If I can’t come back up, tell Yuqing that I really love her,” Xu Tong recalled with emotion.

“Yes, yes, that’s the exact phrase. That was Xiao Lin’s original words,” Xu Tong said, finally remembering what Xiao Lin had said.

“Nonsense. If Xiao Lin really loved Yuqing, why would he break up with her? Men’s words are never trustworthy,” Tan Linlin snorted disdainfully and pinched Xu Tong.

“Linlin, you don’t understand the situation back then. It’s very possible Xiao Lin really thought he wouldn’t make it, and he was serious when he said it. I wouldn’t dare make up such a thing,” Xu Tong explained anxiously when seeing Tan Linlin’s disbelief.

“Fine, even if you’re right, and I agree Xiao Lin and Yuqing suit each other better, Xiao Lin still gave up on Yuqing, didn’t he?”

“There must be a reason. Haven’t you noticed how Xiao Lin’s personality has changed? He’s become cold and distant. I’m sure something happened between them in Donghai. We were all fine when we were at the snow village, but the moment we returned to school, trouble started. On top of that, Xiao Lin suddenly has a new girlfriend, and Yuqing even accepted what that girl said as truth. Linlin, can’t you see something’s wrong here?”

Tan Linlin felt dizzy from Xu Tong’s words. “I know something’s wrong, but it’s definitely not Yuqing’s fault.”

“Linlin, I’ve been Xiao Lin’s friend for three years. I know what kind of person he is. From what I know, Xiao Lin isn’t one to start and then abandon.”

“Then whose fault is it? That Ma whatever her name is?” Tan Linlin always forgot Ma Yunrou’s name.

“Linlin, I think we should find out why they broke up. Only then can we help them. But asking Xiao Lin directly won’t get us anywhere—so the only breakthrough is Yuqing. That’s where you come in,” Xu Tong said earnestly.

“Hmph, why should I help Xiao Lin?”

“That’s helping Yuqing too. Can’t you see Yuqing still has feelings for Xiao Lin?” Xu Tong teased, gently flicking Tan Linlin’s nose.

“Fine. I’ll find a chance to ask Yuqing,” Tan Linlin finally nodded.