Chapter 122: Chapter 117: Cause and Effect Tug
Lin Xian sat up in bed.
He drew back the curtain, looking at the warm sun in the sky.
But he felt no warmth.
After 12 o’clock tonight, it would be Zhao Yingjun’s 24th birthday.
“According to the original course of history, Zhao Yingjun is certain not to survive tonight.”
January 14, 2023, 10 a.m.
[12 hours until Zhao Yingjun’s death, as predetermined by history.]
How could he save her?
The day before yesterday, on January 12, Zhao Yingjun was supposed to meet with a composer, but after singing the Rhein Cat Theme Song live, she called off the meeting.
Yesterday, on January 13, Zhao Yingjun had planned to meet with an animation MV director, but because of his dinner invitation, she also made an exception and cancelled the meeting, choosing to have dinner with him instead.
Today, on January 14, Zhao Yingjun had mentioned yesterday that she was going to meet a female singer to discuss the Rhein Cat Theme Song, the demo of which she had prepared herself to present to the singer.
He couldn’t possibly find a reason to make her call off today’s meeting as well, could he?
That would be too deliberate!
There can be a first and a second time, but not a third.
If there is a third, it must be suspicious.
Considering that Zhao Yingjun might be a member of the Genius Club… Lin Xian couldn’t take that risk and put his life in jeopardy.
In face of Zhao Yingjun’s life and his own, it was clear that his own life was a bit more important.
Is there any perfect solution?
In Zhao Yingjun’s office, which remained consistent as ever, there was still the illusion of time standing still.
When Lin Xian played the guitar the day before yesterday, he sat in front of the sofa and wiped the dust off the sofa… that was probably the cleanest spot in the whole room.
“How’s the demo coming along? Is it done?”
Zhao Yingjun looked up from the documents in her hands and asked Lin Xian:
“I’ve got a meeting with that female singer tonight, and it would be easier to communicate if she could listen to the demo directly.”
“It should be almost done,” Lin Xian replied:
“I just got in touch with the studio, and they said the demo is nearly finished. They’ll have me pick it up this afternoon.”
“Okay, bring it over as soon as you can.”
Zhao Yingjun continued to go through the papers on her desk, glancing up at Lin Xian:
“Do you want to come along tonight?”
Lin Xian was surprised that Zhao Yingjun would invite him:
“Why not…” Zhao Yingjun said with a smile, looking down:
“Tonight’s meeting isn’t of a private nature. There’s a showbiz dance party tonight, and I’ve already arranged to meet the singer there.”
“Originally, I just wanted to say hello, but since you’ve already prepared the demo, we might as well let her listen to it directly.”
“If you don’t have anything else to do, come along. It’s your cat, after all; you should have a say on whether or not she performs the theme song. Moreover… if you come, you can save me a lot of unnecessary trouble.”
Thinking back to the last dinner event he attended, Lin Xian understood.
Zhao Yingjun’s main reason for inviting him seemed to be to use him as a shield.
In the world of entertainment, such dance parties are bound to be mixed, and many men would inevitably come with various intentions to ask Zhao Yingjun for a dance.
If she simply rejected everyone, it might not look good; after all, appearances matter.
But if she actually danced, Zhao Yingjun certainly wouldn’t be willing to.
Was to bring him along.
With him standing beside her, at least everyone would know that Zhao Yingjun had come with a dance partner, and those with any sense wouldn’t invite her to dance; even if there were some without a clue, Lin Xian could help her decline, which would be more polite and courteous.
That’s the way social circles work: don’t hit where it hurts, and always leave room for face-saving.
“I don’t have anything else planned for the night anyway. I’ll go and listen to that female singer’s voice and see if she is suitable.”
It was like finding a path through mountains and rivers where one doubted there was a way, only to see the bright flowers beyond the dark willows.
He had been looking for a way to “manipulate” Zhao Yingjun to stay away from the shooting, to avoid this death.
But now everything became clear and easy.
From what he knew so far, the shooting occurred at [midnight], on [Zhao Yingjun’s original itinerary].
So if both the [time] and the [itinerary] were changed, he could certainly avoid the shooting.
That was Lin Xian’s plan.
Even if the female singer’s voice was terrible, Lin Xian would applaud and declare her the perfect choice!
No need to discuss the details, just decide on her!
He was going to conclude the collaboration as quickly as possible and leave the event early with Zhao Yingjun.
For example, they could look for an opportunity to leave around 9 p.m.
By doing this, Zhao Yingjun’s [original time of leaving the party] would be changed, and she could be home well before midnight if things went smoothly.
But to be on the safe side, Lin Xian planned not only to change the time Zhao Yingjun left the party but also her [original route home].
On the way back, he would take a little detour, change direction, and make an excuse that he had something to do elsewhere, asking Zhao Yingjun’s driver to drop him off. She would certainly not refuse.
As long as he could find a destination in a vertical direction to their original route, have Zhao Yingjun’s driver drive there, then get out of the car himself, her route home would be altered as well.
With these two measures in place, he could 100% avoid the shooting.
Seeing Lin Xian agree, Zhao Yingjun nodded.