Zhao Sili said, "Actually, I'm back to stay in City C for a while."
"You're staying in City C? Not going back to your parents?"
"Yeah, there's some family arrangement." Zhao Sili lowered her head, clearly keeping something from Tao Xinrou. Then she leaned in mysteriously. "Secret—I'll be working at Yunlu Hotel too, probably in admin or branding, helping out."
Tao Xinrou was genuinely surprised. "What? Sili, why are you coming to Yunlu? Whose help?"
She had seen glimpses of Zhao Sili's future and knew her family was well-off and her parents doted on her, but she never pried into others' secrets.
Now she was truly stunned that Zhao Sili was connected to Yunlu.
Zhao Sili stuck out her tongue and made a "sorry" face. "Oh well, I can't hide it anymore. Actually... my mother is from the Ying family."
"The Ying family?" Tao Xinrou didn't react immediately.
"Yeah, the one that runs Yunlu now. My mother is... well, not a core member but not on the fringes either. So my coming back is also a kind of family arrangement—to gain experience and check out the domestic situation."
Tao Xinrou was completely stunned. Her mouth opened, and it took her a few seconds to find her voice. "So... you're saying you're the... princess of Yunlu Group?"
"Oh, not really a princess, just a distant relative." Zhao Sili waved her hand, not wanting to take the identity too seriously. "I didn't mention it before because I didn't think it was necessary. The family never asked me to get involved, but now that I'm joining, it wouldn't be fair to keep it from you. Xinrou, I didn't mean to hide it—I just thought this identity is sometimes troublesome and might affect our pure friendship. You don't blame me, do you?"
Tao Xinrou looked at her sincere and slightly anxious eyes, and the initial shock and confusion slowly melted into warmth.
"How could I blame you? I just didn't expect the world to be so small, and you to be part of the Ying family."
"Now that you know my secret, you have to keep it for me." Zhao Sili made a "shush" gesture.
Tao Xinrou smiled and nodded.
"By the way, speaking of Yunlu, I heard that icy-faced cousin of mine is now the boss there? Pretty impressive, right?"
"Cousin? Do you mean Ying Jingsheng?"
"Yeah, he's my third uncle's son, my cousin. I heard he's been doing great with the hotel and has quite a reputation in the family. Hmph, when I start working there, I'll show him I'm not easily messed with."
Zhao Sili pouted, clearly not fond of Ying Jingsheng.
Tao Xinrou was utterly dumbfounded. From now on, she would be a legitimate insider at the hotel.
Zhao Sili continued, "You know? My cousin has always been rigid and meticulous, completely lacking in warmth. When I came back, my mother told me to visit him and bring something. Ugh, just thinking about it gives me a headache. How boring would it be to have dinner with someone like that? So I just sent him some desserts as a token."
Hearing this, something clicked in Tao Xinrou's mind.
"Does your cousin like desserts?"
"Who cares if he likes them or not? I just need to do my part." Zhao Sili sighed again. "Ugh, thinking about having to deal with his face at work is depressing. Xinrou, you're not bothered by this too, are you?"
Tao Xinrou shook her head. "No, it's someone else."
"That's good. Once I'm there, I'll keep an eye out for you. I can't stand people who play dirty tricks. If I get a chance, I'll mention you to my cousin, ask him to look out for you. No matter how cold he is, he'll have to show me some face."
Tao Xinrou smiled. "Actually, your cousin is pretty nice."
"Really? This is the first time I've heard anyone say my cousin is nice. I hope he hasn't bullied you. If he does, you must tell me. Anyway, remember, from now on at Yunlu, you've got me!" Zhao Sili patted her chest, then remembered something. "Oh yeah, I saw you carrying that bag of desserts—it's the same as the one I gave my cousin. Did you sneak out to buy it?"
"Ah?"
Tao Xinrou froze. So her earlier guess was correct?
Her face flushed instantly, blaming herself for thinking Ying Jingsheng might have a girlfriend.
She quickly changed the subject. "Ah, yeah, I heard this shop's desserts are good, so I bought some."
"Wow, you're really well-informed. This shop is super popular in the UK. I heard it opened in City C, so I bought a box for my cousin to try."
So that explained everything.
But the fact that Ying Jingsheng gave her his cousin's gift... that was a bit...
She couldn't let Zhao Sili know she was holding the gift meant for Ying Jingsheng.
Zhao Sili kept chattering, but Tao Xinrou's mind was already wandering.
Their relationship was not only complicated but also carried a different implication?
If Zhao Sili knew that she and Ying Jingsheng not only knew each other but were living under the same roof in a bizarre landlord-and-tenant arrangement, what would she think?
They were chatting when Zhao Sili's phone rang. Tao Xinrou accidentally glimpsed the screen—it showed "Ying Jingsheng."
"My cousin's calling." Zhao Sili pouted and answered, her tone bratty and perfunctory: "Hello? Cousin?"
"Didn't the driver deliver the stuff to you? ... The macarons, from that new shop downstairs, a British brand. I heard you like sweets, so I just bought a little something as a token... Huh? You don't like them? Fine, do whatever you want. The gift's been delivered." Zhao Sili answered nonchalantly, stabbing a shrimp cracker on her plate with a fork.
"Next Monday, right? Okay, I'll report on time... Brand promotion in the publicity department? Oh, okay, whatever you arrange... What? You already know? Who's been blabbing? ... Huh? Wang Anran? He's way too nosy!" She pouted, annoyed. "Fine, fine, you're the president, you're the boss. ... Meeting? We'll see. I'm exhausted from just getting back... Oh, I know, I won't embarrass you. Gotta go, bye!"
After hanging up, Zhao Sili let out a long sigh and made a face at Tao Xinrou, full of disdain. "See? I told you. He's rigid and meticulous, even micromanaging when I report and which position I take. He even had Secretary Wang keep an eye on me. Feels like I have no freedom at all."
"He's probably just concerned about you."
"No way, he's testing me. He's sharp. Forget him, let's go shopping after we eat."
On the other side, Ying Jingsheng hung up, frowning.
Wang Anran had just rushed in to report that Tao Xinrou had gone to a Thai restaurant and was meeting his cousin Zhao Sili.
He quickly called to confirm Zhao Sili's situation. Though he had known a few days ago that Zhao Sili was coming to work at Yunlu, he hadn't thought much of it. But now something seemed to be brewing.
She actually knew Tao Xinrou.
"President Ying, Miss Tao and Miss Zhao just finished their meal at the Thai restaurant and parted ways. Miss Tao took a taxi home, and Miss Zhao was picked up by the family driver. No unusual contact throughout. Should we continue monitoring Miss Tao's subsequent movements?"
"Continue monitoring."
"Understood."
Wang Anran left to carry out the order, leaving Ying Jingsheng sitting at his desk, tapping a pen rhythmically, each tap interweaving with his thoughts about Tao Xinrou.
He didn't truly suspect Tao Xinrou of having any agenda, but her background, her purpose in investigating her father's old case, and her close friendship with Zhao Sili forced him to re-evaluate her.
It seemed the little trust that had been built was now faced with collapse.
Perhaps he needed to observe further.