Lin Wan’er smiled faintly: “This matter is simple; I can write the script myself. Even if Wu Feiyan spots it as my work at first glance, it does not matter, as long as she cannot find me, she can only fret in vain. As for the bitcoins, this little woman has over one hundred thousand scattered across hundreds of electronic wallets; it is more than enough for this bit of mischief, even enough to torment her repeatedly for decades.”
With that, Lin Wan’er smiled playfully and continued: “I plan to keep Wu Feiyan’s name as Wu Feiyan in the script I write; I will not even change her name, letting her experience the thrill of social death!”
An Chengxi sighed in admiration: “This move alone would sow chaos in the Po Qing Society’s ranks; it is truly an exquisite psychological assault!”
After speaking, she recalled that Lin Wan’er had met her and they had chatted so much without touching on Ye Chen, so she rose proactively, bowed deeply to Lin Wan’er, and said: “By the way, senior, you once saved Chen’er’s life; as his mother, this junior is deeply grateful in my heart. Today, I finally have the chance to thank you in person!”
Lin Wan’er was somewhat surprised and asked her: “How did madam come to know of the Earl of Changsheng’s self-detonation of his mud pill palace? That incident is known only to me, the young master, and the Earl of Dingyuan who was present that day.”
An Chengxi said with some embarrassment: “In truth, this junior realised it only afterwards. I originally thought that, with Chen’er’s strength, dealing with a mere Earl of Changsheng should pose no issue, but unexpectedly, a massive rumble came from the mountainous suburbs of Nanjing that day. By the time my people arrived, the site of their clash had been levelled flat. It was then that I realised the Earl of Changsheng must have had some hidden trump card I knew nothing about.”
Without waiting for Lin Wan’er to inquire further, she stated directly: “At first, this junior did not know if Chen’er lived or died, until later when he returned safe and sound; I then guessed that either senior saved him, or the ring left to you by your father did. I wonder if this junior is correct?”
Lin Wan’er smiled sweetly, nodded lightly, then sighed: “Communicating with Mrs Ye is truly refreshing; straightforward, no beating around the bush, no corners cut.”
With that, she put away her smile and said solemnly: “Wu Feiyan has hunted me for so many years, all for the sake of obtaining that ring. I had long grown weary of this life of constant hiding; the only belief sustaining me from ending it all was that ring.”
“Though I am but a weak woman with no ability to personally slay Wu Feiyan, my father’s killer, I absolutely cannot and will not allow Wu Feiyan to get that ring.”
“So, I originally planned to guard that ring until Wu Feiyan’s five hundred years of lifespan were exhausted; that has been my conviction and mission for the past three hundred years.”
Lin Wan’er’s gaze held resolve, mingled with a touch of disdain as she said: “In a war, it is not necessarily the stronger who wins; as long as she cannot kill me, whoever lives to the end is the greatest victor. After all, I am younger than her; when her five hundred years are up, I will still have twenty years left to live.”
At this, Lin Wan’er sighed softly and continued: “However, I did not expect that during my time in Northern Europe, Wu Feiyan nearly captured me, and the ring almost fell into her hands; fortunately, the young master appeared in time and saved me from peril.”
“In that moment, I realised that I might not have the ability to safely guard that ring until Wu Feiyan’s five hundredth year, so I simply gifted the ring to the young master.”
“If advancing a step, that ring could lend the young master a helping hand.”
“If retreating a step, that ring could ensure the young master’s life is free from worry.”
“If retreating yet another step, it could guarantee that even if Wu Feiyan captures me someday, she still gets no ring.”
“Without that ring, Wu Feiyan has less than a century left to live.”
