The corner coffee shop in downtown S City was quiet, dimly lit with soft jazz playing in the background. Ji Lingxue sat by the window, a warm latte in front of her as she scrolled through messages on her phone. Dressed casually in a soft beige sweater and jeans, she looked like a typical university student—not the younger sister of Ji Yanluo or the Vice Director intern with power in Lingfeng's circles.
The bell over the door jingled as Zhao Min stepped in, glancing around until she spotted her. "Miss Ji! Sorry to keep you waiting."
Ji Lingxue looked up, eyebrows raised. "Zhao Min?" she asked coolly. "You asked to meet. What's so urgent?"
Zhao Min offered a nervous smile as she slid into the seat opposite her. "I didn't want to bring this up at the company, since, well, it's a bit sensitive."
Lingxue didn't reply. She just sipped her coffee and waited.
"I'm worried about someone you've brought in," Zhao Min said carefully, lowering her voice. "The new intern—Bai Zhi."
At that name, Ji Lingxue's fingers paused around her cup.
Zhao Min took that as encouragement. "I know she works under Su Ming's department, but she's always getting picked up in private cars, and she's too quiet. We don't even have her full record in HR. It's all vague. Don't you think that's suspicious?"
A few feet away, near the counter, *Han Su* stood in line waiting for a takeout order. He wasn't even paying attention—until he heard "Bai Zhi."
He glanced over, pausing.
Ji Lingxue's tone was mild. "So you called me out here to gossip?"
Zhao Min shifted in her seat. "Not gossip. Concern. There are whispers at the office. That she's hiding something. I mean, who really is Bai Zhi? And why does someone like Han Su pick her up personally?"
Han Su's expression didn't change, but his ears sharpened.
"You're very interested in someone else's life," Ji Lingxue said flatly.
Zhao Min leaned in. "She's close to the President's assistant. And she got into Lingfeng without going through any official channels. Don't you think that says something?"
Ji Lingxue leaned back in her chair, looking amused. "It does. It says she's someone with skills you clearly don't have."
Zhao Min blinked. "Miss Ji—"
"I don't like nosy people," Lingxue said calmly, her voice cool with an edge. "You think whispering behind someone's back is harmless, but it reeks of jealousy."
Zhao Min's face flushed. "I just thought I should inform you."
"You're not informing me," Lingxue said, placing her phone down. "You're trying to pull me into a petty game. But I've watched Bai Zhi work. She minds her business, works hard, and doesn't indulge in gossip or drama. That alone puts her ahead of you."
Zhao Min's throat went dry. "I... I didn't mean—"
"Yes, you did," Ji Lingxue cut her off. "You meant to ruin her reputation and expected me to support it. You thought I'd be easy to manipulate."
Zhao Min looked around, flustered. "I didn't think it was a big deal—"
"It is," Lingxue said, standing. "Here's something you should remember, Zhao Min. Not everyone needs to explain their worth to people like you. And if I hear you trying to stir this up again, I'll report you directly to HR."
Zhao Min stared up at her, stunned into silence.
Lingxue grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and gave her one last look. "Some advice? Focus on improving yourself instead of dragging others down."
She left the table and walked out, her head high.
Across the shop, Han Su stepped forward as his order number was called, lifting the bag of coffee quietly. He watched Zhao Min sit there, pale and humiliated, and then walked out into the cool evening air.
He didn't need to say a word. He'd heard enough.
He pulled out his phone and texted:
*"She defended her. Without hesitation. Just like you predicted."*
The reply came quickly from Ji Yanluo:
*"Good. Let's see who else shows their true colors."*
Han Su tucked the phone away, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Let the games continue.