After Bringing Joy to the Short-Lived Mad Young Lady - Chapter 24

Fang Yi’s heart skipped a beat, her fingers freezing on the phone screen.

She hadn’t expected the girl to be so direct, yet she found herself unable to refuse.

At most… she just hadn’t given a clear answer yet.

Lin Shuxing watched Fang Yi’s subtle expression shifts with amusement, and when the corners of her lips trembled slightly, a flicker of affection rose in her. She decided to spare this rigid little teacher—for now.

With a playful smile, Lin Shuxing’s gaze drifted to the check pinned under Fang Yi’s palm. She tilted her chin up slightly. “I’m serious.”

“That product you demonstrated the other night—I loved it.”

Her smile faded, replaced by a tone so professional it could rival any seasoned investor. “I’ve analyzed the market potential of this project thoroughly. This money can help you increase your equity stake and accelerate your R&D progress.”

Setting her book aside, she sat up straight, her demeanor exuding a composure and decisiveness far beyond her years—even carrying a hint of the poised arrogance one might find at a negotiation table. Gently, she extended an olive branch:

“I believe in you.”

A fully immersive holographic game was, with current technology, little more than a fantasy.

The gap between them was no smaller than a human standing on Earth, reaching for the stars with bare hands.

But that night, Lin Shuxing had truly felt a seed sprouting at her fingertips, wrapped in the damp scent of soil, blossoming into a flower that soared into the clouds.

Fang Yi had already stretched out her hand in the wilderness, pulling an impossible dream within reach—and from that moment, infinite possibilities were born.

“Take it. Your project will need a lot of funding. This is a long-term investment.”

“I want to support your dream.”

The girl’s voice was soft, devoid of any grand declarations, yet it stirred a tempest in Fang Yi’s heart.

No creator could resist such absolute trust and praise for their work.

The way she touched her creation so tenderly was no different from touching a fragment of her soul.

Beyond words, the emotions hidden within the work—those too delicate to voice—were now entirely in the girl’s grasp.

Fang Yi’s heart raced, a thrill surging through her even more intense than any physical touch could evoke.

That night, she had only wanted to cheer her up. Never had she imagined the girl would take the project so seriously—

Or invest so generously.

Many had praised their vision, but it always ended with the same caveat: It’s too hard to execute.

Turning science fiction into reality, grasping the future in their hands—

It would be an arduous journey.

In the beginning, even Fang Yi herself couldn’t predict how many years it would take to bring this beautiful dream to life. After discussions with Wang Quan, they had settled on a more conservative approach, planning to develop iteratively, step by step, starting with simpler products for the market.

At the very least, they needed steady revenue to sustain such an ambitious project.

And the check Lin Shuxing held was enough to buy out a mid-sized game development studio with mature technology and market presence.

“You know finance better than I do. This project is high-risk, with a long cycle…” Fang Yi carefully chose her words, trying to suppress the storm of emotions stirred by that astronomical figure, forcing herself to stay composed.

“Maybe you should discuss this with Lin Lan again, have a lawyer draft a proper agreement. We can follow the formal corporate process.”

The girl trusted her too easily—and that wasn’t entirely a good thing.

She had handed over her faith without hesitation. What if she met a fraud instead?

Even Fang Yi herself couldn’t help but entertain improper thoughts for a fleeting moment when she confirmed the amount.

Her fingers tightened around the check, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the string of zeros printed on it.

Fang Yi’s throat trembled slightly as she lifted her eyes again, meeting Lin Shuxing’s bright, moonlit smile.

Human greed was boundless—this was far too dangerous.

She had to, she should, protect this innocence of hers—

“I told you, this is my money. I don’t need anyone’s permission.” The girl pressed her lips together, clearly dissatisfied with Fang Yi’s reaction.

She had long been investing and starting her own businesses—earning enough to support Fang Yi was more than manageable.

But the girl still patiently turned the screen around, sliding her phone forward to reveal Lin Lan’s face in the passenger seat.

“Ms. Lin is aware, and so is my legal team.”

In the frame, Lin Lan tilted her head slightly toward the window, her gaze as calm as a lake’s surface, though a trace of resignation flickered in the corner of her eyes. “Mm.”

“Lin Lan?!”

Fang Yi instinctively leaned back before realizing—no wonder Lin Shuxing looked so radiant today. Had Lin Lan picked her up from school?

The girl, immersed in happiness, had a rosier complexion than usual, like peach blossoms in early spring, carrying a faint smile.

Then that meant—everything had been heard—

Fang Laoshi.

For no reason at all, even though it was the most proper form of address, the moment an outsider became aware of it, Fang Yi suddenly felt her ears burn. She immediately lowered her head to adjust her keyboard, pretending to be busy.

The screen tilted slightly, and another sweet voice chimed in from the side.

“Fang Laoshi—”

Lin Qingwan’s face appeared beside Lin Shuxing. The two girls were wearing matching hair clips today, leaning close together in an intimate manner.

Lin Qingwan deliberately dragged out the last syllable in a syrupy tone, mimicking Lin Shuxing’s cadence, mischief dancing in her eyes.

Though she was addressing Fang Yi, her gaze remained firmly fixed on Lin Shuxing.

“You can’t call her that.”

Lin Shuxing raised a delicate brow, proudly extending a finger to poke Lin Qingwan’s forehead, her tone laced with unmistakable possessiveness. “Only I can.”

“Ahem… Hello, you two.”

Fang Yi coughed a few times, quickly composing herself, her expression stiffening into something as solemn as if she were presiding over a UN meeting.

Her gaze involuntarily lingered on Lin Qingwan, who was pressed close to Lin Shuxing.

What exactly had happened after Lin Shuxing returned home?

After the truth of her identity was revealed, had it somehow brought their family closer?

Or had the heir’s position already been decided, making Lin Shuxing no longer a competitive threat in Lin Qingwan’s eyes?

Fang Yi’s eyes met Lin Shuxing’s sparkling ones, and she sighed quietly to herself.

But no matter what, Lin Shuxing’s happiness at this moment was real.

Lin Qingwan didn’t mind the poke on her forehead at all. Instead, she cheerfully unwrapped a piece of soft candy and gently brought it to Lin Shuxing’s lips.

Her movements were so natural, as if they truly were inseparable sisters.

Up front, Lin Lan turned her head slightly, her cool voice cutting in. “Don’t snack too much. Aunt Wang has already prepared dinner…”

After the call ended, the warm, harmonious family scene seemed to linger in the quiet office.

Was this what a normal family was like?

The smile that had unconsciously tugged at Fang Yi’s lips slowly faded as she sank back into her chair, a vague sense of unease settling in.

Something still felt… off.

She rubbed her temples, forcing herself to refocus on work. After typing a few lines of code, she mercilessly deleted them again.

This was probably the kind of scenario Lin Shuxing had been hoping for too.

Why was she still doubting it?

Her phone lit up again.

AAA Fiancée: Forgot to mention—after the exams, I’ll be staying with my birth mother for a while. Ms. Lin has already agreed.

AAA Fiancée: You can come with me.

Her birth mother. Fang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Did this count as… meeting the parents?

Right, there was also Lin Shuxing’s birth mother, Lin Xinyou.

Would Lin Lan really agree to let them meet?

Fang Yi was momentarily dazed, her fingers swiping across the screen while her thoughts got lost in those words.

Before her brain could fully process it, the words “Okay” had already been typed out and sent.

Fang Yi stood up, grabbed a can of ice-cold cola, and took a big gulp. The sharp fizz burned her throat, finally bringing her thoughts back into focus.

She dialed a number.

The automated voice informed her that no one was available to take the call and to try again later. Fang Yi had no choice but to sit back down in her chair. The neatly organized black-and-white code on the screen was a clear testament to the order she had meticulously built.

To make a full-dive VR game a reality, comprehensive upgrades in both software and hardware were needed. The revolution it would bring would ripple through every aspect of life.

Fang Yi thought for a moment, then snapped photos of the checks and sent them to Wang Quan and He Shuanghua.

Wang Quan reacted like an overeager customer service rep trying to meet a quota—or maybe an AI bot—instantly replying with a meme.

Wang Quan: Haha, still playing it safe, huh? Give me a hundred billion! Let’s just buy out SG and make them our outsourcing team.

Wang Quan: Wait. Is this photoshopped?

Wang Quan: The more I look at it, the more real it seems. Hold on!

Wang Quan: Big Boss, what kind of money is this?? Did you sell yourself to Lin Shuxing???..!

Wang Quan’s fingers trembled as she typed, her mind instantly conjuring up a hundred thousand words of melodramatic love and betrayal.

She jumped up from the couch, more excited than if she’d won the lottery.

Wang Quan: SAY SOMETHING!!! I might not be able to buy you back, but, but… Oh, magical conch maiden, good people really do get their rewards! I believe in love again!!

Fang Yi: No idea what you’re talking about. She said this money is for me to invest in our project.

The other side stayed on “typing…” for a long while before exploding again.

Wang Quan: The three-year mark has arrived! All hail the return of Z City’s ultimate power couple!!! I always knew you two were made for each other, Big Boss—just surrender already!!! When’s the wedding??? I want to be the godmother!!!

Wang Quan: Is this Lin Shuxing’s personal assets? I was wrong, I was so wrong. I used to foolishly think my family was the richest in Z City. How does she have so much disposable wealth at her age?! When I was 18, I was still playing in the mud QAQ

Wang Quan: My hands are so cold. I want to warm them in the Lin family’s vault.

Wang Quan: For real investment? For real? For real?

Fang Yi: Yeah.

Wang Quan: Stay in your office. Don’t move. Lock the door, close the windows. I’m having security lock down the building right now. Don’t open the door for anyone until I message you.

Fang Yi glanced outside. Most of her colleagues had already left.

Fang Yi: Terrorists?

On the other side of the screen, Wang Quan burst into laughter for a full three minutes before finally catching his breath.

Wang Quan: I’ve told Finance and Jiang Xiye to bring Legal back for overtime immediately. We’re having a quick meeting to finalize this right now—before she changes her mind!!

Wang Quan: Holy sh1t, get closer and take a clear photo for me. I’ll send it to my mom—our first major investment!!

Who would’ve thought? After a year of starting up, we’ve landed angel funding!!!

Wang Quan kept dropping hints, fishing for gossip, but Fang Yi pretended not to notice. Just then, the call she hadn’t gotten through earlier finally rang back.

Fang Yi sent Wang Quan a vague “Mm,” then answered the phone.

“Hey, what’s up?” The woman’s voice on the other end was hoarse, sounding utterly exhausted.

Fang Yi asked, “Any results on that matter?”

“Oh, hold on. Let me grab some water and sit down. Just finished three surgeries back-to-back—I’m dead on my feet.”

Even through the phone, the sound of gulping water was audible. It went on for a while before stopping, followed by a loud, unladylike burp.

“Wait, let me move somewhere quieter. I’ll explain it better.”

Her footsteps were heavy, even dragging slightly, paired with that weak, raspy voice. Fang Yi almost worried she’d collapse in some deserted corner.

The woman was the one who’d provided her with medication that night—a doctor with a rather unique background.

Fang Yi frowned. “You should rest first. It’s not urgent—we can talk when you’re free.”

“No, I’m fine.” The woman switched the phone to her other hand, clattering noises suggesting she was handling something.

“Let me cut to the chase. This condition has zero risk of transmission through breastfeeding, and it’s extremely rare. Genetically speaking, Lin Shuxing has a 99% chance of being Wen Qianxue’s biological child.”

“The remaining 1% accounts for the impossibility of a paternity test—can’t rule out cloning.” The woman chuckled.

“The Lin family has a dedicated foundation for this specific disease, but after years of research, they’ve only managed to control and delay it, not cure it.”

When speaking about her field, her voice took on a magnetic quality, calm confidence overriding the exhaustion in her words.

Even through the phone, it was easy to picture her in a white coat, eyes sharp with focus.

“I went out of my way to talk to Wen Qianxue’s attending physician from back then.”

“Her condition worsened during pregnancy. Hormonal changes caused all her metrics to spike abnormally—something she was aware of.”

“The good news is, barring pregnancy, with a healthy lifestyle, diet, and emotional well-being—plus the foundation’s specialized medication—the symptoms are largely manageable.”

She drew out her words, finally getting to the point after all that buildup. “So, that ‘dead by twenty’ nonsense is pure fearmongering.”

With the most critical question answered, Fang Yi’s grip on the phone loosened slightly, her whitened fingertips relaxing. After a brief silence, she spoke slowly, “Got it. Thanks. I’ll send the money over later.”

“Feeling relieved now?”

The woman let out a breathy laugh, sounding pleased. “No need to thank me—it was nothing. Just bring me a pack of smokes next time you’re around.”

“Here’s a bonus piece of info, on the house.”

“Lin Lan’s daughter, the one she later acknowledged, is also her biological child. A paternity test was done at a private institution several years ago. Isn’t that interesting?”

“Several years ago?”

Fang Yi unconsciously furrowed his brows. If Lin Lan had already found Lin Qingwan years ago, why did she only bring her back to the Lin family and reveal her to the public this year?

What had initially seemed like a simple matter was growing increasingly peculiar.

Fang Yi faintly felt he had brushed against the tip of an iceberg hidden in the mist.

“I can’t tell you the exact time or details—it would violate confidentiality rules.”

“But if you still have doubts, you can bring me their hair. I’ll personally run a test for you.”

“Thanks, that’s all for now.” Fang Yi pressed his fingers to his temples. “And you should cut back on the smoking. It’s bad for your health.”

“Ugh, always with the nagging. Aren’t you tired of saying that? I’m the doctor here, not you.”

The woman scoffed, her voice sharp like metal clashing. Just before ruthlessly hanging up, the provocative sound of a lighter flicking open came through the receiver, as if to taunt him.

This woman.

Fang Yi shook his head almost imperceptibly. After sitting silently for a long while, he lowered his gaze to the pinned photo of a Siamese cat and suddenly arrived at a rather absurd conjecture.

Could it be… that Lin Shuxing is actually Wen Qianxue’s child with someone else?

Is that why Lin Lan treated Lin Shuxing so poorly at first?

The system, clutching popcorn, froze in place, its tiny brain short-circuiting: Wow, shockkkkkkkkkkk—

Fang Yi: …Hold off on the shock. It’s just a baseless guess for now.