The car hummed softly along the road, weaving through the morning traffic with ease. Golden light filtered in through the tinted windows, brushing Bai Zhiqi's face as she sat quietly, eyes on the scenery rushing by. Her fingers rested on the delicate box of guzheng strings beside her, a gift from Ji Yanluo, hand-selected from a rare artisan in Suzhou.
She hadn't said a word since they left the penthouse.
Xiao Lin, who sat beside her in the backseat instead of her usual spot up front, glanced sideways with a grin tugging at her lips.
"Still thinking about yesterday?" she asked, voice feather-light.
Bai Zhiqi blinked once. "No."
Xiao Lin snorted. "That wasn't even convincing."
"I'm just reviewing today's song in my head."
"Uh-huh," Xiao Lin said, crossing her arms. "Sure. Totally not thinking about a certain tall CEO who stood in the hallway last night, staring at your door like he was calculating quantum physics."
Zhiqi didn't respond, but her ear twitched—Xiao Lin noticed, of course.
"I mean," Xiao Lin continued, unable to resist, "it's kind of romantic. The way he waited without knocking. Like one wrong move and you'd vanish into smoke. That's very male lead behavior."
"He was probably wondering if I was asleep," Bai Zhiqi murmured, keeping her tone neutral.
Xiao Lin leaned in. "He knew you weren't. He asked me. Twice."
A pause.
Zhiqi turned her head, expression unreadable. "You told him?"
"I said you were composing and not to disturb your genius." Xiao Lin smirked. "Honestly, it felt like lying to a lovesick teenager who just failed a test."
Bai Zhiqi tried not to smile. "You're exaggerating."
"Am I?" Xiao Lin leaned back dramatically, gazing at the car ceiling. "Bai Zhiqi, you have this man wrapped in strings like a guzheng. And I don't mean just business-wise. The way he looks at you—it's almost… soft."
"That doesn't sound like Ji Yanluo."
"Exactly!" Xiao Lin beamed. "Which is why it's so shocking. You've melted the Ice Emperor."
Bai Zhiqi lowered her gaze. Her hands brushed the silk ribbon tied around the string box. "You talk as if it's a fairytale."
Xiao Lin's voice softened. "Maybe it isn't. But it's real. And rare."
The car turned a corner, and the gates of the Jade Pavilion came into view, its elegant silhouette reflected in the nearby pond.
"Anyway," Xiao Lin added cheerfully, pushing the mood back toward teasing, "you looked ridiculously calm last night, but I saw it. That tiny smile when he tucked your hair. You loved it like the moment will disappear."
"I was nervous."
"Oh, so tea helps your nerves now?"
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to," Xiao Lin said smugly. "I'm observant."
The car began to slow as they approached the pavilion's entrance. Outside, a modest crowd had already formed—fans, curious passersby, a few reporters pretending not to be.
Zhiqi adjusted the veil over her face, checking the mirror. Her fingers stilled for a moment.
Xiao Lin caught the hesitation and nudged her gently. "Hey. No matter what happens today, they're here for your music. That's all you need."
Bai Zhiqi nodded slowly. "I know."
"And if anyone tries to pull your veil off again, I've hidden pepper spray in my sleeve."
That earned her a real smile. "You didn't."
"I absolutely did. I'll protect your anonymity with spicy vengeance."
Zhiqi chuckled as the driver stepped out to open the door for them. The chatter outside grew louder, flashes of cameras ready.
Just before stepping out, Xiao Lin leaned close and whispered, "She'll be watching. You know she never misses your performances."
Bai Zhiqi didn't answer, but her posture straightened. She stepped out gracefully, her long hanfu sleeves trailing like mist, and as the wind lifted her hair, Xiao Lin followed with a proud smile.
Behind the veil, Bai Zhiqi's eyes scanned the crowd—not for fans, not for recognition.
But for her.