Lin Jing

The small metal piece, suspected to be a remote control component, found near the electrical distribution box, acted like a cold wedge, driving into the surface of the "unexpected power outage." The laboratory maintenance personnel were unable to immediately determine its origin and purpose, only stating that they would submit it along with the incident report to their superiors for verification.

An invisible pressure, like the lingering smell of disinfectant in a laboratory, permeated the air. Jiang Mo clearly felt that the eyes hidden in the shadows, or rather, the hand that controlled everything, were no longer satisfied with smear campaigns and remote threats; they were beginning to attempt to invade and even destroy the physical space she shared with Shen Zhiyan.

Shen Zhiyan didn't say much about it, but simply checked all the access permissions for the laboratory again and strengthened the electronic monitoring of some key areas. His actions spoke louder than words in illustrating the seriousness of the problem.

The afternoon after the power outage, Jiang Mo received a call from an unknown number. She intended to hang up, but inexplicably answered.

"Is this Miss Jiang Mo?" A gentle yet powerful female voice answered the phone, enunciating clearly with a unique, unhurried rhythm.

"Yes, that's me. And who are you?"

“My surname is Lin, Lin Jing.” The other person paused, seemingly giving her time to react, “I am Shen Zhiyan’s mother. If it’s convenient for Miss Jiang, I would like to meet with you and have a chat.”

Jiang Mo's heart skipped a beat. Shen Zhiyan's mother? At this sensitive moment? She could almost immediately connect this phone call with "Mingyan Capital," with Shen Huaiming, and with the series of recent events.

“Of course.” Jiang Mo steadied herself, her tone polite and restrained. “Aunt Lin, you set the time and place.”

They eventually arranged to meet at a quiet, members-only teahouse not far from the data science center. Jiang Mo arrived ten minutes early and chose a secluded booth by the window. She ordered a pot of Pu'er tea, watching the deep red tea ripple gently in the white porcelain cup, quickly rehearsing in her mind all the possible directions of their conversation.

Lin Jing arrived on time. She wore a high-quality dark gray cashmere cardigan, frameless glasses, and her hair was neatly tied back in a bun. Her appearance bore a resemblance to Shen Zhiyan, especially her calm eyes, but her gaze held a gentle warmth honed by time, and an imperceptible scrutiny.

"Miss Jiang, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Lin Jing sat down opposite her, her posture elegant.

"Hello, Aunt Lin." Jiang Mo stood up, nodded slightly, and poured her some tea.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lin Jing didn't mince words and calmly looked at Jiang Mo's face: "Miss Jiang, have you encountered any trouble lately?"

Jiang Mo's fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, but her expression remained unchanged: "What does Aunt Lin mean?"

"Some rumors circulating online, and... I heard your family was a little frightened recently?" Lin Jing's tone remained gentle, but the information in her words sent alarm bells ringing in Jiang Mo's mind. She even knew about her parents' "minor accident"?

"Thank you for your concern, everything has been taken care of," Jiang Mo replied cautiously.

Lin Jing sighed softly, a sigh carrying a complex meaning, not entirely concern, but more like... a helpless understanding. "Zhiyan has been stubborn since he was little, just like his grandfather. Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it. Sometimes, being too persistent and inflexible can put himself and those around him in a passive situation."

Jiang Mo listened quietly without interrupting. She realized that Lin Jing hadn't come to interrogate her, nor to act as a mediator; she was more like... an all-knowing observer, someone trying to maintain some kind of balance on the edge of the storm.

“His personality is a good thing in academia, allowing him to focus and concentrate. But in other places…” Lin Jing shook her head slightly, not finishing her sentence, but Jiang Mo understood. “Other places” referred to the clashes with his father Shen Huaiming’s world.

“He is a very good scientist,” Jiang Mo said sincerely. “He taught me a lot in the lab.”

Lin Jing glanced at her, a faint hint of relief flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "He's a good kid. It's just that parents always hope their children can have a smoother path with fewer setbacks." She changed the subject slightly, lowering her voice a bit, "Especially now, his father is under a lot of pressure. Many things aren't as simple as they seem on the surface."

Just then, a clear, cold voice broke in:

"mom."

Jiang Mo looked up and saw Shen Zhiyan standing next to the booth at some point. He was dressed casually, his face was a little tense, his gaze first fell on Lin Jing, then turned to Jiang Mo, his eyes carrying a questioning look, and also a hint of something that was hard to detect... protectiveness.

Lin Jing didn't seem surprised by her son's sudden appearance, and simply smiled faintly: "You're here? Sit down and have a cup of tea."

Shen Zhiyan sat down in the empty seat next to Jiang Mo, his upright posture somewhat out of place with the gentle atmosphere of the teahouse.

"Why are you here?" he asked Lin Jing, his tone relatively calm, but one could hear the disapproval in his voice.

"I came to see Miss Jiang and have a chat," Lin Jing said calmly, taking a sip of tea. "What, are you worried I'll make things difficult for her?"

Shen Zhiyan did not answer directly, but only said, "I will handle my own affairs."

“I know you can handle it.” Lin Jing put down her teacup, her gaze sweeping between her son and Jiang Mo. “I just hope that some things can be considered more rationally before they get out of control.” She said this as if she were speaking to Shen Zhiyan, but also as if she were speaking to Jiang Mo.

A brief silence fell between the three. Jiang Mo could feel the tension emanating from Shen Zhiyan beside her, as well as the worry and warning beneath Lin Jing's gentle exterior.

“Aunt Lin,” Jiang Mo spoke again, breaking the silence. She looked at Lin Jing, her gaze clear and firm, “Thank you for reminding me. I know what to do.”

She made no promises, nor did she back down; she simply stated her position.

Lin Jing gave her a deep look, seemingly trying to discern more from her face. Finally, she nodded and didn't continue the conversation. She sat for a while longer, asked a few questions about Shen Zhiyan's work, then got up to take her leave.

After Lin Jing left, only Jiang Mo and Shen Zhiyan remained in the booth. The atmosphere was subtly tense.

"What did she say to you?" Shen Zhiyan asked first, his voice low.

“He didn’t say anything,” Jiang Mo shook her head, picked up the slightly cooled tea and took a sip, “He just reminded me that your father has been under a lot of pressure lately, and told us to…be extra careful.”

Shen Zhiyan was silent for a moment, her hand on the table unconsciously clenching slightly. "She's always been like this. Trying to reconcile things, but some conflicts are irreconcilable."

“I can tell she cares about you,” Jiang Mo said softly.

Shen Zhiyan did not deny it, but turned her gaze to the bustling street outside the window, her profile appearing somewhat cold and hard. "Concern can sometimes become a burden."

Jiang Mo looked at him and suddenly remembered how Lin Jing had subtly slipped a folded note into her hand as she left, while casually reaching for her bag. Now, that note lay quietly in her pocket, like a small, burning piece of charcoal.

Back in her apartment, Jiang Mo unfolded the note under the light. It bore Lin Jing's neat yet strong handwriting, containing only a short sentence:

"Be careful of the foundation's recent special audits, especially regarding the flow of overseas funds."

Jiang Mo's pupils contracted slightly as she looked at the words. Was Lin Jing... issuing a warning to her?