166. Happy cooperation

''Hello goddess Orchid. I'm Cui Yichen.''

With a simple introduction, Cui Yichen had already said a lot.

''From Itaka High? Why are you searching for me?'' Li Zhilan asked with a calm tone. It seemed as if what she had expected had happened so there wasn't a trace of shock to be seen.

''Aren't you going to ask me why we haven't met before?'' Cui Yichen asked as he sat in the seat opposite Li Zhilan after Director Cui emptied it and left.

''Why would we meet? I don't think we are connected enough for us to meet. It's normal that two strangers wouldn't have met before.''

Hearing Li Zhilan's answer, Cui Yichen smiled amused.

''You really are just like I heard you are. Sauve and minding your own business.''

''There are many things about me going around Imperial High. It isn't strange you heard about a thing or two.''

''Nah... Ah. The things I heard about you aren't from Imperial High.'' Seeing the confused yet 'whatever' look on Li Zhilan's face, Cui Yichen couldn't help smiling before continuing, ''Well, its connected with why we didn't meet before.''

As if a light bulb went off, Li Zhilan said, ''Ah... so you were the one sent to Itaka High.''

''As heard about your smartness. You didn't let me down.''

''A piece of free advice from your senior, Don't ever trust what you hear. It might just lead to your biggest pain.''

''Who knows. Till now, what I have heard about you all seems true.''

''Little kid, you are too young to work with me.'' Li Zhilan said as she stood up ready to walk away but Cui Yichen's words stopped her in her tracks.

''Miss Li. I would still like to talk about the script. No more joking around.'' His words weren't hurried and neither did he look flustered that she would leave. He looked confident that she would stop and stay.

''I dont like repeating useless stuff but since you are young, not by age but mental development, I think I'll repeat once again. You. Are too young to work with me.''

This time, Cui Yichen seemed to be really flustered.

''Alright. Sorry sorry. Really. Let's start discussing the script, seriously. Sit sit.'' Cui Yichen said as he ushered Li Zhilan to sit down.

''This movie would be mostly be directed focusing on the female lead...''

The script was about a girl who would be all sweet and innocent infront of her love but is actually the daughter of the most feared mafia in reality. It's about her journey of meeting a 'sweet innocent' boy for whom she tries to change herself. At the end, because they both hid things from eachother, they ended up breaking up before meeting five years later. While one inherited the position of mafia Boss, the other one ended up inheriting the position as the Boss of her enemy gang.

''What do you say? Isn't it nice? So happy cooperation?'' Cui Yichen asked as he pushed the contract towards her and raised his hand for a shake.

Li Zhilan took out her pen and signed her name on the contract before shaking his hand.

''Happy cooperation Mr Cui.''

Just then, their hands that was just clapsed together for a few seconds were forcefully torn apart by another pair of hands.

''What the-" Cui Yichen was about to curse before he stopped himself mid sentence after seeng Qi Longwei's hardened face. Instead he put on a jolly face before calling out, ''Brother Qi, long time no-"

But before he could complete his sentence, Qi Longwei was already walking out the Cafe while pulling Li Zhilan, who seemed dumbstruck, behind him.

''Aish... such a strong sour smell.'' Cui Yichen said with a teasing smile.

On the other hand, Li Zhilan only came to herself when she felt the sof breeze outside the Cafe. Immediately, she tried to pull herself free.

''What the heck. Let go. Hey...'' But the other party didn't seem to want o listen to her. He opened the door of his passenger seat and made her sit inside before going around the car and sitting in the driver's seat himself.

Peiyi, who was there all this time wanted to go forward at first but upon seeing that it was Qi Longwei, she just turned her back to them and acted as if she didn't see them.

...

The car drove on at a high speed for almost an hour before coming to a sto infont of a large mansion.

''Qi Longwei. Where are we?'' Li Zhilan said in Country M's language. Due to all the uncertainties, she felt quite unsettled so while panicking, she used tge language she was most comfortable with, the language she used for the majority of her life.