The private room was quiet, filled with the faint scent of sandalwood, exuding an air of solemnity.
As Zhao Yijun stepped inside, the atmosphere instantly put her on edge.
Behind a intricately carved “Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” folding screen, a man in a black suit sat at the round table. When his eyes landed on Zhao Yijun, his practiced smile faltered slightly.
Damn, the resemblance is uncanny…
“Assistant Ji, this is Manager Zhao from our company,” her companion quickly introduced. “She just returned from the U.S. with dual master’s degrees from Harvard. Our general manager sent her to ensure your company receives the utmost professionalism—no interns this time.”
Zhao Yijun offered a reserved smile, her expression tinged with quiet pride.
And rightfully so. At her age, few could match her achievements.
“Assistant Ji, here’s the revised proposal, including additional financing plans.” She took a seat across from him, sliding the documents forward with confidence.
She was certain her Ivy League pedigree had produced a plan far superior to anything those interns could’ve cobbled together.
Ji accepted the file with a neutral expression, flipping through it briefly before resisting the urge to sigh.
This “top-tier graduate” clearly never saw Ye Shaohua’s proposal.
His phone lit up with multiple notifications. After a quick glance, his expression shifted imperceptibly. He closed the file.
“Manager Zhao, where’s the Second Young Miss I originally worked with?”
“She resigned today,” Zhao Yijun replied smoothly. “Youth these days lack perseverance—always chasing unrealistic dreams.”
Ji’s phone buzzed insistently. He skimmed the messages, eyebrows lifting slightly before settling into resolve.
“Manager Zhao, I came today prepared to sign a contract with Miss Ye.” He stood, adjusting his cuffs. “But it seems fate has other plans. Goodbye.”
Zhao Yijun’s smug smile froze.
But Ji was already walking away, uninterested in further discussion.
After several interactions with Ye Shaohua, he’d grown accustomed to her visionary ideas. Zhao Yijun’s rigid, uninspired proposal paled in comparison.
And now? The “big boss” was pissed.
The conglomerate had long dominated industries with an iron grip, its influence spanning both legitimate and shadowy realms.
Opponents who crossed Feng Hua either faced government scrutiny or… disappeared overnight.
The business world had learned one hard rule:
Never provoke the mad dog.
General Manager Ding hadn’t just lost the Feng Hua deal—several near-finalized contracts with old partners had also inexplicably collapsed.
One setback was coincidence. Multiple? Someone powerful was sending a message.
A seasoned player, Ding scrambled for answers.
Finally, a well-connected friend whispered the truth: Feng Hua was behind it.
But why? The deal had been all but signed!
Frantic, Ding retraced his steps, oblivious that the root cause was the very person he’d dismissed—Ye Shaohua.
…
Liu Yizhou rummaged through his medicine cabinet, nursing a cold from his birthday party antics.
The meticulously organized box had each medication’s purpose neatly labeled in precise calligraphy.
His chest tightened.
The harder he tried to forget, the more memories surfaced.
He caved and called his assistant.
“How is she?”
The assistant paused. “She…?”
“Ye Shaohua.”
A quick investigation later, the assistant reported, baffled: “Miss Ye worked at Zhao Yijun’s company but… recently resigned.”
“Resigned?” Liu Yizhou’s frown deepened. After returning his money, now this? “Arrange for her to intern at Yong Teng.”
If she’s so desperate for cash, why quit? What’s going through her mind?
Then again—stubbornness was so like her.
The assistant stared at the hung-up phone, stunned.
Did the boss just… invite his ex to work here?
Shaking off his shock, he forwarded the order to HR, though he doubted Ye Shaohua would accept.
Zhao Yijun arrived at Yong Teng, exhaustion lining her face. Company troubles weighed heavily.
Spotting the assistant, she forced a smile. “Busy day?”
The assistant discreetly shuffled files away. “The总裁 is very considerate. Please, go ahead.”
Zhao Yijun’s gaze lingered on the paperwork, her smile not reaching her eyes.
Out of sight, her fists clenched.
…
After visiting her mother, Ye Shaohua returned to campus to retrieve her academic records.
Ji had called repeatedly, subtly offering her a position at Feng Hua. She’d declined.
Her dorm room was unusually full—all four roommates present.
One girl, painting her nails at Ye Shaohua’s desk, sneered and retreated to her bunk upon her entry.
The air thickened with silence.
Then—
“Shaohua…” The eldest roommate gaped at her laptop. “Do you know Yong Teng’s CEO?”
Ye Shaohua turned. “Hm?”
The screen displayed a viral forum post:
[EXPOSÉ: The College Girl Living the High Life!]
Below—crystal-clear photos of Ye Shaohua with Liu Yizhou, and another with Ji beside a luxury car.
