novelraw Chapter 716: Hypocrisy, Rationality, Cowardice, and High-Profile
Chapter 716: Hypocrisy, Rationality, Cowardice, and High-Profile
Hearing these words, the frenzied expression on Su Yu's face instantly froze solid.
She seemed completely unprepared for such a response, her beautiful amber eyes filled with utter disbelief.
"Sister Xianyue... what did you just say?"
Her voice trembled lightly, brimming with shock, as if unable to believe what she had heard.
An acting performance worthy of an award-winning actress.
Instantly, she perfectly portrayed the image of a woman desperately grasping at her last straw in despair.
Being stared at by those complex, blazing eyes, even Ouyang Xianyue couldn't help but feel her face flush and heart race.
But her top-tier composure and experience kept her outwardly calm and collected.
Fighting over a man's affections...
This phrase felt both unfamiliar and distant to her.Since her husband passed away and she began managing that enterprise, her life had been tightly bound by words like "responsibility," "the bigger picture," and "dignity."
She had grown accustomed to strategizing from high positions, accustomed to measuring everything with rationality rather than following emotional impulses.
But after all, she was still a woman.
That night in Rongcheng, the kiss Tang Song left on her cheek still sent ripples through the lake of her heart even now.
That palpitation was real, but layers of identity constraints and worldly concerns forced her to maintain impeccable reserve.
And Su Yu's current near-self-destructive determination undoubtedly provided her with the perfect excuse.
Yes, I was forced into this.
Jin Meixiao embodied international capital, with an extremely strong desire for control.
Su Yu was an extreme believer in emotions—impulsive, crazy, and reckless of consequences.
Whichever of these two forces ultimately gained the upper hand would spell disaster for both Tang Song and the hard-won stable situation.
She had to step forward, using her power and her dignity to stabilize this core.
Thinking this, a feeling of awkwardness, shyness, yet also relief quietly welled up in her heart.
Ouyang Xianyue released Su Yu's hand, picked up her half-glass of red wine, and drank it all in one go.
The spicy liquid slid down her throat, like lighting a fire, causing a blush with a mature charm to spread across her cheeks.
"I said, I can help you... fight for him. But you must understand, competing with Jin Meixiao for affections isn't just a matter of emotions;
it affects the stability of the entire situation and involves countless risks behind the scenes."
Su Yu stared intently at her, seemingly unable to heed any rational advice now: "I don't want to think about that right now. I just ask you one thing, Sister Xianyue, are you sure you want to step in and help me?"
Her voice carried a desperate, all-or-nothing tone.
"I..." Ouyang Xianyue met her aggressive gaze, paused for a moment, and finally slowly uttered two words: "I'm sure."
Their eyes remained locked for a moment.
The frenzied and desperate expression on Su Yu's face slowly faded, replaced by a complex, knowing smile.
Ouyang Xianyue's heart suddenly tightened, followed by an indescribable feeling of embarrassment and shame.
She was acting!
This award-winning actress had seen right through her deeply hidden feelings from the very beginning.
She had laid out an irresistible excuse for her, a script that allowed her to "gracefully step down" under the guise of "considering the overall situation."
Yet, even though both parties understood the truth now, this play had to continue.
Exposing it would only leave both sides unable to save face.
Ouyang Xianyue straightened her skirt, her face regaining its usual calm and nobility.
She elegantly changed the subject: "Xiao Yu, why do you think Jin Meixiao is targeting you so specifically?"
A sharp curve lifted the corner of Su Yu's lips, "Because I'm the one who made her taste what it's like to lose Tang Song."
She said this lightly, but it sent a subtle ripple through Ouyang Xianyue's heart.
She had indeed achieved that once.
During that period, Tang Song had poured almost all his energy into [Tang Entertainment] and his "star development plan."
He wrote songs for her, scripts for her, canceled all unnecessary business engagements for her...
He personally lifted her from the mud and shaped her into a radiant, unique work of art.
This preferential treatment, poured into her with such effort, was both an immense honor and a fatal original sin.
"Not just that." Ouyang Xianyue sighed softly, "Your biggest threat isn't that you gained his love, but that you possess emotions that cannot be controlled."
"Jin Meixiao is a woman with an extremely strong desire for control. She has some degree of surveillance over all those... lovers around Tang Song. From security at their residences to the people around them, it's pervasive. While this is to prevent them from betraying Tang Song, it's undoubtedly excessive."
She paused, then voiced her deepest concern:
"What I fear most is that this desire for control will eventually extend to Tang Song himself."
Su Yu lowered her eyes slightly and let out a cold laugh.
She seemed to find something amusing, raised her glass, and swirled it slowly, "Hmm, I know. There have always been her people around me;
I just couldn't be bothered to expose them. Occasionally, I can even use this opportunity to scare her a bit, which is quite fun. You don't know, right after Tang Song left me last time. Every time I privately joked about filming intimate scenes with some male celebrity or creating dating rumors. Within two days, her call would come. Ridiculous, she doesn't trust me, but do I trust her?"
Ouyang Xianyue's gaze flickered, and she nodded slightly.
Actually, this was the fundamental contradiction between them.
Jin Meixiao believed she represented Tang Song's absolute will and maintained an almost paranoid vigilance against anyone who might shake his position or reputation.
But from Ouyang Xianyue's perspective, Jin Meixiao herself was also an unpredictable variable.
Her parents resided overseas year-round, she had close ties with the Kate family who controlled international public opinion, and she secretly cultivated countless lobbyists and think tanks serving Wall Street's interests.
The vast, mysterious, and intricate offshore financial network she controlled was itself a beast difficult to fully tame.
A sword can harm others, but it can also harm oneself.
When this sword becomes too sharp, even beyond control, another force is needed to balance it.
This is the art of maintaining balance through struggle, the strategy of emperors.
It was also the unspoken understanding between her and Tang Song.
In the past, she chose to support Su Yu precisely for this reason.
Only now, she had developed personal motives, wanting to use this as an excuse to claim a part of his emotions for herself.
Clearly, this female star had long seen through her thoughts.
She was even trying to drag her into this chess game as a pawn against Jin Meixiao.
Ouyang Xianyue looked at the stunningly beautiful yet cold and alluring female star before her and said, "Xiao Yu, I can set aside my dignity and step into the forefront, but you need to do one thing for me."
Su Yu chuckled lightly, "Of course, no problem."
The night grew deeper.
Inside the black Toyota Alphard, it was completely silent.
Ouyang Xianyue leaned back in her seat, eyes closed in contemplation, sitting as elegantly as a sculpture.
After a while.
She opened her eyes, her gaze now completely clear.
"Give me my phone."
Secretary Chen immediately handed the phone from the front seat.
Ouyang Xianyue unlocked the screen, tapped lightly with her fingertip, and opened Weibo.
As expected, the hot searches were completely explosive.
#Su Yu Announces Suspension of All Commercial Activities# (Explosive)
#Su Yu Studio Announcement# (Hot)
#Su Yu Hints at Enduring "External Pressure"# (Boiling)
#Su Yu x Ms. Ouyang# (New)
It all stemmed from the Weibo post Su Yu published half an hour ago:
["Creation is a process of burning one's soul, and my flame seems to be flickering in the cold wind. I need some time to protect this faint light. Fortunately, I have my confidante accompanying me, and I also thank Ms. Ouyang for her comfort."]
Below was attached a photo of her and Ouyang Xianyue on the hotel suite balcony. Although the lighting was hazy, their silhouettes were clearly recognizable.
Subsequently, the [Tang Entertainment] studio cooperatively released an announcement stating they would temporarily suspend all of Su Yu's commercial activities, film promotions, and public appearances.
As a currently super popular megastar, Su Yu's influence domestically was unmatched.
Coupled with the involvement of Ouyang Xianyue, a top-tier entrepreneur's name, it instantly caused an uproar across the entire internet.
Fan panic, media frenzy, public speculation...
Directly leading to an explosion of public opinion.
Ouyang Xianyue watched the rapidly scrolling comments and various marketing accounts' interpretations on the screen, her eyes flickering.
She exited Weibo and directly dialed a number.
"Hello? Qiudong."
Zheng Qiudong's steady voice came from the other end: "Ms. Ouyang, good evening. You... finished your busy schedule?"
"Hmm, I just left Su Yu's place."
"Miss Su Yu..." Zheng Qiudong paused, clearly having already noticed the online activity, "Did you see her hot search?"
"Hmm, saw it." Ouyang Xianyue pondered slightly, her tone carrying a hint of weariness, "Her emotions spiraled out of control again;
we just had a big argument."
"You argued?" Zheng Qiudong's voice immediately turned serious, "What happened to her?"
"She wanted to expose everything to force Tang Song to compromise. She even wanted to confront Director Jin head-on and make a huge scene." Ouyang Xianyue presented the pre-prepared script, explaining Su Yu's plan.
"What?!" Zheng Qiudong's voice suddenly rose, "Then... this is troublesome. Is there anything I need to do?"
"Not for now." Ouyang Xianyue fell silent for a few seconds, as if weighing and struggling, finally using a tone almost self-mocking with helplessness: "We said some harsh, threatening things in the heat of the argument. I ended up bluntly saying that a man like Tang Song—not just Jin Meixiao, but even I love him—and I would never allow her to do such foolish things. Then she latched onto that point... We talked a lot, I compromised a lot, and finally managed to calm her down. Qiudong, you should understand... the current situation with Tang Jin. Some decisions, I was forced to make."
Over the receiver, Zheng Qiudong let out a very soft, sharp intake of breath, "Hmm, I understand, Ms. Ouyang."
As if unaware of his shock, Ouyang Xianyue's eyes flickered, and she changed the subject:
"I'll handle calming Su Yu. There's another important matter. I've studied the proposal Dejurenhe submitted earlier about providing a 'Global Investment Promotion, Talent Attraction, and City Brand Strategy' package for several core new districts. I held it back before because I felt the timing wasn't right and was worried it might attract unnecessary public attention."
She paused, then said slowly:
"But now, I think perhaps we can put this on the agenda. Prepare on your end;
I'll arrange for relevant personnel to connect with you. I will personally push this matter forward."
After a brief silence, Zheng Qiudong immediately understood the heavy significance behind these words.
"Okay, Ms. Ouyang... Thank you for your support."
"We're all on the same side;
no need for such formality." Ouyang Xianyue gently tapped her knee, "Let's leave it at that for now."
"Goodbye."
After hanging up, the car interior returned to silence.
Ouyang Xianyue casually placed the phone aside, her gaze returning to the flowing night outside the window.
Her slender fingertips unconsciously brushed against the cold window glass.
In the reflection cast by the light and shadows, the corner of her lips curved into a self-mocking arc.
Sure enough, Jin Meixiao wasn't wrong.
I really am a hypocritical woman.
But so what?
...
Imperial Capital, No. 8 Xiaoyun Road.
The lighting was soft, the air filled with the faint scent of pine wood incense.
Secretary Jin wore a loose white silk loungewear set, her brown long hair casually pinned up with a shark clip, revealing a smooth forehead and a long, swan-like neck.
A pair of delicate glasses rested on her nose bridge, adding a touch of lazy scholarly charm to her exquisitely beautiful face.
She sat cross-legged barefoot on the soft sofa, quietly flipping through a German original copy of "The Interpretation of Dreams."
Shangguan Qiuyas stood by the small table beside her, reporting softly:
"...Ms. Ouyang arrived at the hotel at 7:15 PM and met with Miss Su Yu. She left at 9:28 PM. During this time, they had dinner together and drank a bottle of 2011 Château Margaux. According to information provided by the hotel, only the two of them were in the room throughout the meeting."
"Regarding the public sentiment on Weibo, President Mo has given feedback, saying that Su Yu's mental state has issues and they will handle it promptly. Ms. Ouyang has already provided comfort."
Secretary Jin's fingertips lightly traced the page, seemingly not paying much mind to this expected information.
The report had just ended.
"Buzz—"
Shangguan Qiuyas's personal phone vibrated.
She glanced at the caller ID, her expression tightening slightly, and said in a low voice, "It's Chairman Zheng from Dejurenhe."
"Answer it." Secretary Jin's gaze remained fixed on the page, her tone indifferent.
Shangguan Qiuyas answered the phone, her voice very low: "Hello? Chairman Zheng."
"..."
"Hmm, it's convenient. I'm currently with Director Jin. Please go ahead."
"......"
"Huh?... What... Okay... Hmm... I understand."
After hanging up, an extremely strange and grave expression appeared on Shangguan Qiuyas's face.
"What is it?" Secretary Jin looked up, her calm gaze falling on Shangguan Qiuyas's face from behind her glasses.
Shangguan Qiuyas took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words, and reported in a low voice: "According to Chairman Zheng, when Ms. Ouyang met with Miss Su Yu tonight, they had a fierce argument. Miss Su Yu's emotions spiraled out of control;
she wanted to publicly release clips of President Tang's cameo in the movie, even including the proposal scene, to officially announce their relationship. Ms. Ouyang stopped this."
Hearing the word "proposal," Secretary Jin's finger, which was turning the page, paused slightly.
A cold glint flashed in her eyes behind the glasses.
Shangguan Qiuyas pursed her lips, her voice becoming even more cautious: "However, according to Chairman Zheng, during the argument, to calm the out-of-control Su Yu and prevent her from taking more extreme actions... Ms. Ouyang... personally admitted her own private feelings for President Tang."
"Snap."
The German original "The Interpretation of Dreams" was forcefully closed, emitting a crisp yet dull sound.
The air instantly froze.
"Heh, Ouyang Xianyue." Secretary Jin murmured this name softly, slowly standing up.
Shangguan Qiuyas immediately held her breath and lowered her head, not daring to make a sound.
Thanks to the unique nature of Dejurenhe's business, Zheng Qiudong maintained good relationships with all core figures within the "Tang Jin" system.
The only reason he could learn such private details so quickly was—
Ms. Ouyang was deliberately sending signals externally.
Whether this was good or bad for Director Jin was truly difficult to judge.
The benefit was that Director Jin's biggest hidden worry had always been Ms. Ouyang, this "widow" holding substantial industrial power. If she were to marry into another family in the future, her husband and children might use the opportunity to encroach on the power of the "Tang Jin" family office.
Now that Ouyang Xianyue's target was President Tang, this major external risk was completely eliminated.
The downside, however, was even more fatal.
The nature was completely different now.
This was no longer a lovers' quarrel over affections;
it was a clash of ideologies strong enough to shake the entire power structure.
It was a premeditated "declaration of war."
The air was terrifyingly silent;
Shangguan Qiuyas could even hear her own heartbeat.
After an unknown length of time, Secretary Jin slowly turned around.
Her exquisitely beautiful face showed no anger, no disappointment,
Only an enigmatic, elusive smile.
"Shangguan."
"Here."
"Have Qin Yingxue contact Ouyang."
Jin Meixiao sat back down on the sofa, elegantly crossing her legs.
"Say that the 7% equity in [Qingning Technology] held under my personal name is prepared for a change."
"I plan to transfer all this equity into a newly established trust fund. The sole beneficiary of this fund is Liu Qingning."
She lifted her eyes, looking out at the deep night, her voice devoid of emotion: "Consider it a trivial compensation for what we owed her back then."
"...Understood."
Shangguan Qiuyas's pupils contracted slightly, instantly understanding Director Jin's intention.
This was fundamentally not "compensation";
it was an unavoidable, open scheme.
It was well known that Liu Qingning had always been a special existence.
Back then, almost everyone, including Su Yu, had, to varying degrees, emotionally deceived and taken advantage of this true "Bai Yueguang" of President Tang.
Now that Ms. Ouyang had personally entered the fray, admitting her feelings for President Tang,
It was equivalent to admitting that she, too, owed Liu Qingning something.
Since there was a debt, and Director Jin was taking the lead in "compensating," then they (Ouyang Xianyue, Su Yu) would also have to make some gesture.
Otherwise, if everything were exposed later, Liu Qingning would certainly have her own thoughts.
The main institutional shareholders of [Qingning Technology] were [Tang Yi Precision], Smile Holdings, and the Tang Jin family office, while Director Jin, Ms. Ouyang, and Su Yu were all individual shareholders.
This move essentially used a method almost like "moral blackmail" to force Ouyang Xianyue and Su Yu to also surrender their personally held shares in [Qingning Technology].
It was equivalent to helping Liu Qingning complete the "MBO" (management buyout) of [Qingning Technology].
Once Liu Qingning achieved absolute control over [Qingning Technology], her weight within the family office system would be completely different.
By then, she could even use [Qingning Technology]'s deeply intertwined relationship with [Tang Yi Precision] to in turn encroach on the equity and board seats of [Tang Yi Precision].
This was subtly pulling the rug out from under them, indirectly weakening Ms. Ouyang's industrial influence within the entire system!
Director Jin was indeed cunning and experienced!
...
Yangcheng, Liwan District.
The night gently enveloped this old city. Occasional melodious Cantonese vendor calls came from outside the window, filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.
Inside the rental apartment, the lighting was bright and warm.
Zhang Yan curled up on the sofa, holding the plump orange cat Juzi in her arms, quietly listening to her mother Zhou Hui's chatter.
Today was her mother's first day out of the hospital.
The effects of the CAR-T cell reinfusion therapy were already showing on her. Her face, once haggard from illness, had regained its rosy color, and her mental state had improved significantly.
During this time, Zhang Yan had almost set aside all work to focus on accompanying her mother.
This was the first time in many years that mother and daughter had spent such a long period closely together. The past oppression and heaviness were gone, replaced only by the warmth of survival after disaster and the harmony of relying on each other.
"...That caregiver Xiao Chen is such a good kid. She's meticulous in her work, and the soup she makes is delicious too..."
Zhou Hui leaned on the sofa, stroking Juzi's smooth fur while sighing with emotion.
When Zhou Hui stopped talking, Zhang Yan said softly, "Mom, I need to go on a business trip starting next Monday, for about a week."
"Business trip?" Zhou Hui was momentarily stunned, then asked with concern, "Where to? You just started working not long ago. Will you be alright alone outside?"
"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Sister Wen Ruan said someone will take care of me. During this time, caregiver Sister Chen will still accompany you."
Hearing the name "Sister Wen Ruan," a grateful smile appeared on Zhou Hui's face, and she nodded repeatedly, "Ah, this Boss Wen is really incredibly good to our family. Of course, it's also because of Tang Song's influence."
Saying this, Zhou Hui mysteriously leaned closer to her daughter, lowering her voice, "By the way, A Yan, you and Tang Song... Mom never dared to ask, what exactly is your relationship now?"
Zhang Yan's face instantly flushed bright red to the tips of her ears, as if scalded.
She stammered for a good while before whispering, "I... I... this business trip... I'll first go to Yancheng for three days, then go to the headquarters in the Imperial Capital for training."
"Ah?!" Zhou Hui's eyes instantly lit up, her tone full of surprise and delight, "Yancheng? That's great, that's great! When you go this time, make sure to properly thank that Tang Song."
"Got it, Mom..." Zhang Yan said, her face red, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Seeing her daughter's shyness, Zhou Hui became even more certain of her guess.
But she still wanted a definite answer: "A Yan, Mom just asks one thing, are you two boyfriend and girlfriend now?"
"I... I... maybe... just..."
Zhang Yan opened her mouth, her fingers unconsciously scratching through Juzi the cat's soft fur, feeling all the blood rush to her head.
On the day before they parted, she mustered the greatest courage of her life and said those words of "confession."
And his response was, "I like you."
According to the normal process, they should be, right?
But the inherent inferiority deep within her heart prevented her from stating this relationship with such confidence.
Especially when it came to Liu Qingning.
Due to work reasons, she had already joined the WeChat group for content ecosystem cooperation with [Xuanji Optical World].
The group gathered representatives from all participating parties. Liu Qingning, as the head of [Qingning Technology], had spoken several times in the group, discussing the deep integration of AIGC technology and content creation.
Her speech was clean, confident, and composed.
Between the lines, she exuded an excellence that felt unattainable.
And she, from beginning to end, was just a lurking observer, only daring to silently reply "Received" when notifications came.
"A Yan." Zhou Hui called softly, noticing her distraction.
Zhang Yan lifted her burning hot face and looked at her mother.
Zhou Hui handed her the phone, saying carefully, "Mom has saved some photos of you from junior high here. When you meet Tang Song this time, you can show him. Aren't you junior high classmates? You can reminisce about the past together."
Zhang Yan was taken aback, then looked down at the phone screen.
The photo had a slightly yellowish tint, freezing a thin girl in time.
She wore a brand-new white printed T-shirt and light blue jeans, sitting on a slightly worn bamboo mat bedsheet, tightly holding a fluffy teddy bear in her arms.
Her long, black hair still had some natural curls. Under her bangs, those clear almond-shaped eyes looked somewhat restrained at the camera, her cheeks naturally flushed.
That should be a photo from her second year of junior high.
At that time, her mother had secretly returned to see her, bringing her fashionable clothes from Yangcheng, as well as that teddy bear.
It was one of the few times in her gloomy life as a dependent child that she was wrapped in pure happiness.
She remembered being so happy she couldn't sleep all night. As soon as school started, she wore the new clothes to school.
Not to show off, mainly to let her deskmate know she also had new clothes, and she quietly told him she had a very cute teddy bear.
And that little bear had been treasured by her like a precious gem, until later, when she moved from the Imperial Capital to Yangcheng for livelihood, it was accidentally lost during the constant moving and displacement.
Her fingertips lightly slid across the cold screen.
One by one, old photos carefully organized by Zhou Hui slowly unfolded before her eyes.
Zhou Hui sat beside her, smiling peacefully, talking about the origins of these photos, remembering every detail clearly.
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar self in the photos, listening to her mother's words, Zhang Yan's eyes grew slightly moist.
So, Mom had always kept these photos and remembered them so clearly.
The night grew deeper.
Zhou Hui took her daughter's hand. Those hands, made thin and dry by illness, were now unusually warm and strong.
"A Yan, I remember you said Tang Song has a place in Yancheng, right? If you go there, you'll definitely stay at his place, right?"
"Ah?!" Zhang Yan let out a low exclamation, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, her whole body almost jumping up, her cheeks burning red, "No... I... Mom, don't talk nonsense."
Seeing her daughter like this, Zhou Hui didn't expose her further, just continued on her own:
"Just right, tomorrow morning, let's go to the market to buy some fresh meat and make some Cantonese-style roasted meats. You can take them with you and eat them with him."
Hearing her mother's words, Zhang Yan's entire body stiffened, a buzzing sound filling her mind.
She really hadn't thought about her accommodation issue in Yancheng.
In principle, the company should have arrangements, probably a hotel.
But Sister Wen Ruan never mentioned it, only confirmed the hotel for the Imperial Capital business trip.
She hadn't thought much about it before.
Looking at it now... accommodation would be a big issue then.
Surely, she couldn't actually stay with Tang Song, could she?
She felt like she was about to faint.
...
December 10, 2023, Sunday.
Early morning, 6 AM.
The sky over Yancheng was still a deep ink-black.
Lan Feng International High-end Apartments, Unit 2002.
Lin Muxue opened her eyes, without any desire to linger in bed.
She walked barefoot to the bed, pulled aside a corner of the curtain;
below was the city not yet fully awake.
Lights twinkled like scattered embers.
She simply stood there quietly for a while, then turned and walked straight into the spacious bathroom.
After using the toilet, she couldn't help but lean forward, carefully examining her reflection in the mirror.
High nose bridge, large eyes, sharp, straight eyebrows...
Still so beautiful, beautiful to the point of being aggressive.
Since childhood, "beautiful" had been the most distinct label attached to her.
It was also her only advantage.
Because of it, she could do less farm work, receive more candy than her brother during New Year's, and hear a few sour remarks like "The second daughter will surely marry into a good family someday" in the relatives' gossip.
After a while, she smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
She began meticulously using a full set of Lamer skincare products, carefully cleansing, toning, and nourishing her skin. Every step was carried out meticulously, filled with a sense of ritual.
After finishing this, she changed into workout clothes and performed a set of high-intensity Pilates on the yoga mat until sweat soaked through her back.
After her morning exercise, she drank two cups of carefully prepared healthy smoothies.
While eating breakfast, she couldn't resist opening her phone again to check Su Yu's hot search news.
When she suddenly saw this news yesterday, it really scared her too.
She never expected Ms. Ouyang and Su Yu to be so close privately, even taking an intimate photo together.
What she feared most was whether her closeness to Ms. Ouyang and receiving so many benefits would anger Director Jin.
However, she quickly comforted herself.
After all, Tang Song was about to become the CEO of [Xuanji Optical World], and Ms. Ouyang was the Chairman of [Tang Yi Precision].
This indicated that within their circle, Ms. Ouyang's network was very powerful.
As Tang Song's "own person," building a good relationship with Ms. Ouyang was beneficial without any harm.
She couldn't possibly distance herself from this thick and long connection just because of some baseless speculation.
She turned off her phone, meticulously took a shower, applied makeup, and changed into the already ironed high-end custom suit she had prepared.
Put on jewelry and a wristwatch.
Soon, a tall, upright "Luna" exuding an elite aura that kept strangers at a distance appeared in the dressing mirror.
The inferiority and restraint carved into her bones during her girlhood had long been washed away by strong self-confidence and the foundation built by money.
Facing her reflection in the mirror, she slowly curved her lips into a cold, alluring smile.
"Ding dong—" A phone notification sounded.
[Emily: "Luna, the convoy has arrived downstairs at Lan Feng International. Ready to depart for the airport anytime."]
She replied simply.
Lin Muxue picked up her suitcase and bag, walking calmly out of the apartment.
The crisp "tap, tap" of her high heels struck the polished marble floor like the beat of a war drum, firm and rhythmic.
Downstairs, three black Mercedes-Benz business vehicles were already neatly parked in front of the apartment building's main entrance.
The project team members from Rongliu Capital heading to Chang'an for the inspection were already waiting there.
Seeing her appear, they immediately greeted her in unison.
Looking at these elite subordinates from all over the world before her,
The long-suppressed feeling of "returning home in glory" in her chest was completely ignited at this moment.
She nodded slightly and, welcomed by the driver, got into the back seat of the central main vehicle.
The door closed, shutting out the cold wind outside.
Her gaze looked westward, as if already piercing through the winter haze of Yancheng, seeing the ancient capital a thousand miles away.
Chang'an, I, Lin Muxue, have returned.