Shenzhen Bay No. 1, Building T5.
Liu Qingning slowly slumped onto the sofa, clutching the smooth Green Gourd Pendant pressed against her chest, her whole body drained of strength.
Last night, she had barely slept a wink.
She just lay there in bed, repeatedly replaying every detail of her eting with Su Yu in the darkness.
Su Yu’s face, so perfect it seed unreal;
her seemingly gentle yet sharply witty words;
and that glaring photo of Tang Song standing alongside Jin ixiao.
Jealousy, fear, and a deep sense of betrayal churned inside her, forming a storm she could hardly control.
She knew Smile Holdings had its origins starting in the second half of 2016, precisely when they had just entered their freshman year.
Tang Song and Jin ixiao had known each other since then, working together so closely for so many years.
She was no stranger to Jin ixiao, in fact, she knew her quite well—from various financial reports and internal docunts, and later through Qingning Technology, gaining even deeper insight.
Both were so-called "genius girls." Jin ixiao ca from a prestigious family, attended Ivy League schools, held dual degrees from Harvard, and had already made waves in the international financial markets before turning twenty.
And what about her?
She was just a “test taker” from a small town.
Relying on talent and hard work, she got admitted to Imperial Capital University, participated in startup competitions, cautiously began her life, and struggled to climb upward.
From every angle, Jin ixiao was like a "perfectly evolved version" of herself.
She simply couldn’t compete.
That was why she uttered the words "break up" in that morning video.
Not as a test, nor a joke.
She genuinely wanted to try.
She wanted to forcibly place herself into such an outco to see if she could endure it.
She was a decisive person, used to math and programming, always trying to solve problems in the most rational way, even if it brought intense pain.
But when the scenario actually happened, she realized she simply couldn’t bear it.
Before, when they were just ambiguous friends, the feelings were restrained and buried deep, she could stay clear-headed.
But when they truly beca a couple, when those feelings accumulated over more than ten years erupted like a volcano,
she had long fallen deep into it, unable to extricate herself.
If this ti she really let go completely, it would an she had utterly lost to the inexplicably appearing Jin ixiao, lost to the dazzling Su Yu.
It also ant she would lose him forever.
So she could only slyly use a joke to mask this utterly shattered "stress test."
Outside the window, dawn gradually brightened the sky.
"Miss Qingning, breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now?"
At so point, Auntie i’s voice ca, breaking her train of thought.
Liu Qingning ca back to her senses, shaking her head dazedly, her voice hoarse: "I don’t have much of an appetite right now. I don’t want to eat."
"Are you feeling unwell? You look pale." Auntie i ca over with concern. "Should I contact your private doctor?"
"It’s nothing. I just didn’t sleep well last night."
Liu Qingning stood up and headed straight to the bedroom.
Back in her room, she didn’t turn on the light but sat down by the bed.
After a long while, she took out her phone and opened QQ Space.
In the photo album, pictures bearing the marks of ti lay quietly,
almost all featuring his figure.
The playground, classroom, dormitory building, small woods, cafeteria...
She just stared, and tears welled up again, rolling down one by one.
After a long ti, she slowly closed her eyes.
It was as if she had returned to those carefree teenage years.
No one knew how long had passed before she opened her eyes again, all vulnerability and sadness in her gaze faded away,
replaced by a cold fla.
She walked into the bathroom, letting the icy water pour down from above,
then returned to bed and drew the curtains.
Forcing herself to fall asleep.
When she woke up again, it was already past ten in the morning.
Sunlight filtered through the curtain cracks, casting bright patches on the floor.
She walked to the living room and told Auntie i, who was cleaning: "Auntie i, I’m hungry."
Auntie i was stunned, then imdiately showed a relieved smile and quickly set down her work.
"Oh, what would you like to eat? I’ll prepare it right away!"
"No trouble, Auntie i. Just reheat the morning porridge and snacks. I’m very hungry."
"Okay, just a mont." Auntie i nodded instantly and hurried into the kitchen, busily moving about.
Soon, plates of delicate and abundant breakfast were served again.
After finishing quickly, Liu Qingning went to the study and sat at her desk.
She first turned on the computer and calmly typed keywords like "Smile Holdings," "Jin ixiao," "Tang Yi Precision," and "Tangjin Family Office" into the search box.
She carefully reviewed all the publicly available information she could find.
Then she picked up her phone and swiped on the screen,
found a contact, and dialed directly.
The call was quickly answered.
"Hello! President Liu!"
"Lili, do you have ti to talk now?"
"Just a mont..." From the receiver ca hurried footsteps and suppressed breathing. After several seconds, Huo Lili whispered softly: "President Liu, did you need for sothing?"
"Lili, are you still planning to change jobs?"
"Of course. President Liu, I don’t have many friends here in Shen City. I’ve always wanted to continue working with you!"
"That’s perfect. Qingning Technology currently has a position suitable for you. Prepare your latest resu and send it to ."
"Ah! Okay, I’ll do it right away! Thank you, President Liu! Thank you so much!"
"You’re welco. You’re the employee I personally recruited to Shen City. Of course, I have to take responsibility for you."
After hanging up, her fingers didn’t pause.
Huo Lili was an old employee Liu Qingning had personally recruited from Imperial Capital and brought to Shen City.
Before, she had repeatedly hinted at wanting to continue following her after leaving Century Zhixue.
But back then, Liu Qingning had just taken over Qingmi AI, was new and eager to prove herself to Tang Song and the others by achieving results.
If she had rushed to form factions and set up her own base, she would have been seen as mixing personal with professional interests, disrupting the original team’s stability.
But now, the situation was different.
She imdiately dialed a second number: Li Ziying.
The mont the call connected, the seriousness on her face faded, replaced by a relaxed smile reserved for close friends.
"Hello? Ziying, where have you been having fun recently?"
"Just arrived in Sydney two days ago, spacing out by the opera house. What’s up, my busy friend?"
Li Ziying was her core startup partner at Century Zhixue, in charge of data business, very capable.
After cashing out and leaving together, she had started traveling around the world.
"Ziying, have you had enough fun?" Liu Qingning teased slightly. "I rember you wanted to dive deep into AIGC applications in business, right? Qingmi AI is building a new comrcial data team. Interested in coming to fight alongside ?"
On the other end, a silence lasting several seconds filled with breathless excitent followed.
"Hello? Shuangshuang, didn’t you say before you wanted to apply internally from Tang Yi Precision to Xuanji Optical World but lacked the qualifications?"
"Now, the opportunity has co. Submit your internal transfer request now, and I’ll handle the rest."
"Don’t be so formal with . I’ve always looked forward to truly working with you on a project."
"Okay, bye."
One call after another went out.
Liu Qingning’s face kept a smile as she spoke with those forr colleagues and classmates who were close and capable.
Before eting Su Yu and uncovering the truth, although she knew Qingning Technology was co-founded by Tang Song, subconsciously, she saw herself more as a "professional manager" or "proxy holder" entrusted with responsibility.
But now, with her intelligence and wisdom, she had naturally connected all the clues.
This company was created from start to finish by Tang Song.
And deliberately nad “Qingning,” the significance was self-evident.
This should have been the most exquisite romance in the world.
But behind this romance were Su Yu and Jin ixiao...
Those invincible, overwhelmingly powerful rivals she could never defeat.
Since she couldn’t give up a twelve-year-long relationship, and couldn’t retreat to the point where she could pretend none of it ever happened,
she could only charge forward.
She had to take the initiative to fight for the place that should belong to her and defend the glory nad after herself.
...
Imperial Capital.
Smile Holdings Headquarters, top-floor VIP reception room.
Xiao Jing sat upright on the soft sofa, hands neatly placed on her knees, spine straight like a schoolchild waiting to be called on by the teacher.
Her bright, lively eyes held nervousness, determination, embarrassnt...
and a hint of morbid excitent.
The reception room door was knocked.
Imdiately after, Shangguan Qiuyas entered. "Xiao Jing, Director Jin has finished her business. I’ll take you over now."
"Oh, oh! Thank you, Sister Shangguan."
Xiao Jing hurriedly stood up, tidied her outfit in front of the glass window, then followed Shangguan Qiuyas out.
Today, to make a better impression on Director Jin, she had deliberately dressed in “Director Jin style”:
light gray suit jacket, silk blouse, skirt, stockings, nude high heels...
Even her hairstyle was copied.
They passed through the familiar busy corridor
and arrived outside the executive director’s office.
“Knock knock knock—” Shangguan Qiuyas lightly knocked on the door.
“Co in.”
A cold, echoing female voice ca from inside, calm in tone yet causing involuntary tension in the shoulders.
“I’ll wait outside for you.” Shangguan Qiuyas glanced back at Xiao Jing with a aningful look, then turned and blended into the corridor’s light and shadow.
Xiao Jing’s throat involuntarily swallowed, and she slowly pushed open the door.
This was already her second ti entering Director Jin’s "divine domain."
But unlike last ti, when she ca as a promising trainee,
now she ca as the "new favored consort" who knew a shocking secret, to "pay respects" to the true "empress."
It was still the familiar, steady, luxurious office.
A faint white tea aroma perated the air, elegant and restrained, much like Director Jin herself.
Sunlight stread through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting the magnificent city skyline outside into the room.
She stood in the center of the office.
Tall figure, sharp shoulder lines, slender yet strong waist, smooth curves of the hips—like the work of a sculptor.
Unlike the stern and capable air last ti, today Director Jin looked more “down-to-earth.”
She wore a loose silk blouse with a slightly open collar, revealing delicate collarbones.
Thick brown hair was casually pinned at the back, with a few wisps falling by her cheeks, softening her exquisitely beautiful face.
Those clear, spring-like eyes quietly fixed on Xiao Jing.
Not intimidating, yet tightening the chest involuntarily.
Xiao Jing’s gaze lowered slightly, not daring to et them.
~0_O~
So scary! This is definitely the “Conqueror’s Haki” empress Hancock! Feels like the next second she’ll be petrified by her sweet fruit and rcilessly suppressed!
Her face flushed slightly as she respectfully bowed, "Dir.. Director Jin, hello. It’s a pleasure to see you again."
"Hello, Xiao Jing." Director Jin’s voice was gentle, with a clear sense of propriety. "Shangguan said you wanted to speak with ?"
"Yes."
"Sit."
They sat opposite each other, white porcelain teacups releasing wisps of steam.
Xiao Jing straightened her chest, silently rehearsing the words Tang Song had told her.
Then she summoned her courage, lifted her head, and clearly stated her personal wish to join Dejurenhe.
Smile Holdings was not only a shareholder of Tang Yi Precision but also a major shareholder of Dejurenhe, and her personnel file was with Smile Holdings.
This "job transfer" was actually a reasonable internal reassignnt.
Director Jin listened calmly without interruption or affirmation.
When Xiao Jing finished, she smiled faintly and asked casually, "You know that Zheng Qiudong’s team is composed of top consultants poached from McKinsey and Bain. Compared to them, where do you think your advantages lie?"
Xiao Jing’s expression instantly froze, a little stunned.
What?!
This wasn’t in the script!
She thought it would be a reprimand from the "main wife versus concubine," but suddenly it beca a serious HR interview?!
Regarding professional ability, ten of her tied together couldn’t match those elite talents at Dejurenhe!
But the thing is... Xiao Jing was here to use connections!
When Tang Song arranged this, he explicitly said she didn’t need to deal with actual business...
Director Jin said nothing, her clear eyes seeming to see through everything.
She naturally exuded a suffocating absolute calm belonging to the pinnacle of power.
Under enormous pressure, Xiao Jing’s mind raced and finally said sowhat uncertainly, "In the HRBD position at Tang Yi Precision, I’m mainly responsible for talent strategy and organizational developnt. In the process, I... deeply realized the importance of high-end talent to the group’s ecosystem and gained so cross-departnt coordination experience..."
Her voice grew softer, even she thought her reason was flimsy.
"Is that so?" Director Jin lightly interrupted. "As far as I know, your biggest achievent at Tang Yi Precision was successfully pushing through the ‘Afternoon Tea Break Variety Optimization’ and ‘Office Pet Friendly Day’ projects. That’s indeed... very ‘creative’."
"I... um..."
Xiao Jing’s cheeks instantly flushed bright red.
I’m dood! Definitely being bullied by the main wife! Is Director Jin going to spank ?!
So scary! Lord Tang Song, save !
She looked up at Director Jin’s exquisitely beautiful face and the "comic-style hand" completely different from Tang Song’s, trembling with fear.
(lo/)
Sensing her distraction, Director Jin’s tone remained calm but added an undeniable pressure:
"Internal transfers in the group are never casual. Xiao Jing, think carefully again—what exactly is your real advantage?"
Facing the powerful, confident, and imposing empress before her, and her penetrating gaze,
Xiao Jing’s clever mind lit up, seemingly understanding the true test behind this "interview."
She hurriedly stood up and bowed, "I think my greatest advantage is— I understand your needs better than they do, Director Jin, and I’m more... loyal!"
Director Jin’s brows and eyes finally relaxed, a subtle smile appearing in her eyes.
She stood and ca beside Xiao Jing, naturally smoothing the wrinkles in her collar like an old friend.
"Good. From now on, anything around you must be reported to imdiately."
Ahhh, she touched ! Her hand is so gentle and fragrant...
"Y-yes, I understand, Director Jin."
"If it’s in private, you can call 'Sister Smile.'"
"… Sister Smile."
"Wait a mont." Director Jin chuckled softly and walked to the desk. She took out a delicately wrapped blue gift box from the drawer and handed it to her. "I didn’t give you a gift last week on your birthday. Consider this a make-up."
"Thank you, Director... Sister Smile." Xiao Jing hurriedly took it with both hands, her face flushed with excitent.
Wow! Is this palace intrigue? It feels even more exciting than in ani! I actually survived! And... got the empress’s favor! [V]
Does this an I can play with Director Jin from now on? Hehehe~
While she was daydreaming,
Director Jin stretched out that perfect “comic-style hand” and grabbed hers. "Sit down and tell about you and Tang Song."
Feeling the smooth, jade-like touch in her hand, Xiao Jing’s eyes sparkled with excitent.
As a professional hand enthusiast, she couldn’t refuse and even squeezed back gently.
Director Jin adjusted her brows but said nothing.
They sat again on the sofa.
Xiao Jing talked shyly about her “little stories” with Tang Song while feeling Director Jin’s hand,
yet nervously glanced down at her chest.
There, a miniature recording device was hidden, constantly emitting heat that made her heart tremble.
(。人。)
This was a "task" assigned by Lord Tang Song, supposedly to preserve evidence for later "review and study."
But she always felt it was more like Tang Song’s perverted hobby.
Now, on the surface, she was Director Jin’s "puppy," but secretly remained absolutely loyal to Lord Tang Song’s orders.
Like a legendary "master’s task."
She wondered if, after completing this mission smoothly, Lord Tang Song would go even further.
Sending her to the "wilderness," "silent street," "office**"...
Or making her do even more perverse and shaful things.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jing nervously squeezed her stocking-covered leg, her cheeks burning with a sickly blush.
.......
At eleven in the morning.
The office door was lightly knocked again.
Shangguan Qiuyas entered and quietly reported at the desk:
"Director Jin, Tian Jing has already left."
"Hmm." Director Jin looked up. "Any new developnts on Liu Qingning’s side?"
Shangguan Qiuyas imdiately beca serious. "Just as you predicted, Liu Qingning actively contacted Ying Xue. She proposed several personnel transfer suggestions for Qingning Technology.
Also, she hopes Ying Xue can help her good friend Liu Shuang at Tang Yi Precision apply for the Xuanji Optical World project team.
Ying Xue fully cooperated with your instructions and agreed to her requests."
"Good."
Director Jin slowly stood and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the city grid below like a chessboard.
Her full lips curved into a perfect arc.
After a mont of silence, she spoke again: "Contact Professor Wang. Qingning is still too young and needs her teacher’s help nearby."
Shangguan Qiuyas imdiately bowed and replied: "Understood."
Looking at Director Jin’s breathtakingly beautiful back, Shangguan Qiuyas felt deep reverence and admiration.
She had been by Director Jin’s side for seven years and witnessed how carefully every step was arranged.
First, cleverly arranging for the highly respected Professor Wang Chang from Imperial Capital University to et Liu Qingning as a "ntor," encouraging her to compete and start a business, subtly guiding her growth while precisely grasping all her thoughts.
Later, pushing to move Qingning Technology’s headquarters from Imperial Capital to the distant Shen City, promoting closer cooperation with Tang Yi Precision.
And now, through the Xuanji Optical World project, officially integrating the two at the business level.
Every step was thoughtful and interconnected.
Director Jin had once said that at her core, Liu Qingning was very much like herself:
proud, smart, rational, and fiercely competitive with a bone-deep refusal to give up.
Now, this once proud “white moonlight” had passively accepted Lord Tang’s "affection," her heart filled with unwillingness and a sense of crisis.
Such a person, when greatly stimulated and given enough power, would definitely unleash unimaginable energy.
Compared to You Jing, who only wanted to be a “salted fish,” Liu Qingning was the most suitable to compete for control of Tang Yi Precision.
Shangguan Qiuyas understood Director Jin’s worries and fears.
Ms. Ouyang’s background was too complicated;
she had a past marriage and a huge family behind her.
No one could guarantee that this powerful “ally” wouldn’t remarry or bring others or their descendants into the core of the Tangjin Family Office.
Even if she no longer bore children, she still had a vast “clan” force behind her.
Given her influence and Tang Yi Precision’s current strategic position, she was ultimately a huge potential threat.
Appropriate weakening was inevitable, but they couldn’t truly anger Ms. Ouyang. Liu Qingning was the best candidate.
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