At the heart of the capital, Tianding Group's headquarters soared sixty-three stories into the sky, a towering testament to its glory, demanding awe from all who looked up. Liu Weiwei had been with Tianding for months, settling into the capital's rhythm. Her career surged—promotions stacking, opportunities expanding—making her the envy of white-collar elites. Yet, no one saw the ache in her heart.
He was supposed to be a fleeting stranger, a chance encounter destined to fade. But she couldn't forget him. Couldn't. In the capital, her captivating beauty drew suitors by the droves, yet none sparked the thrilling mix of fear, nerves, and joy he had. She told herself he'd call. One day, two days, a month, two months—nothing. Liu Weiwei hated to admit it, but he'd likely forgotten her.
"Weiwei!" The office door swung open, and Song Yingfei breezed in, beaming. Since resolving her tangle with the Lei family, she'd shed a crushing burden, embracing a carefree life she cherished. "Weiwei, what's got you so lost? Didn't hear my knock—thought you were out!" Though her boss, Song Yingfei was Liu Weiwei's closest friend, navigating their professional divide with ease. Kindred spirits, they valued their rare bond.
Snapped from her reverie, Liu Weiwei gave an awkward smile. "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night—feeling groggy."
Song Yingfei's grin widened. "No wonder, with all those suitors! If you dined with each, your food budget's set for the year. Weiwei, I'm baffled—some of those guys are catches. Why aren't you even a little swayed?"
Before Liu Weiwei could respond, Song Yingfei pressed on. "Don't feed me that 'I have a boyfriend' line again. I've heard it a dozen times, but in all your time here, I've never seen this guy—not even a phone call, right?"
The truth stung. A wave of grievance surged in Liu Weiwei's chest. It had been months since they parted—he should've returned to the capital by now. Why no call? Did he truly care so little? Song Yingfei saw the hurt and softened. "Weiwei, I see you as a sister. I'm worried. You've been down lately. What kind of jerk tosses you aside like this? I want to knock some sense into him!"
Liu Weiwei managed a faint smile. "I'm fine. Maybe it's just me, dreaming up something that wasn't there. He never promised me anything, never said a word. I just need time to let him go. It'll pass."
Song Yingfei shook her head, sighing. She'd never truly loved, but she knew a woman's heart loves deeply once, and deep love cuts deeper. Liu Weiwei, so rational, was sinking. That kind of love didn't fade—it was self-deception to think otherwise. Reflecting on her own past, Song Yingfei thought, Men are no good. She'd broken free, breathing fresh air, but her beautiful friend was trapped in love's whirlpool, unable to escape.
"Enough sad talk," Song Yingfei said, shifting gears. "Let's drown it in work. Weiwei, check this proposal—I just drafted it." Neither was seasoned in love; they were novices, with no sage advice to offer. Best to sidestep it.
At the mention of work, both women lit up, passion igniting. Liu Weiwei scanned the document, then frowned. "Tianhua Group? Boss, you said Tianding and Tianhua were sworn enemies. Why partner with them now?"
Song Yingfei gave a wry smile. "I don't want to, but I got wind that Tianhua's tied to Longteng. You know Longteng's rise is unstoppable. I have to swallow my pride and push for this collaboration."
Liu Weiwei, sharp as ever, caught on. "You think Tianhua has sway over Longteng?"
Song Yingfei nodded. "Not full control, but significant influence. Did you know Longteng's boss is a Lei family son-in-law? Though the Leis never acknowledged him."
"That's a weird family," Liu Weiwei mused. "A son-in-law and a daughter—why split into two companies?"
"It's for safety," Song Yingfei explained. "Longteng's profits are massive. The Leis play it smart. Everyone guesses the connection, but no one dares say it aloud. I've got to hand it to Wang Jiansheng—his no-name company birthed a game-changing system. No wonder people are jealous."
"What's to admire?" Liu Weiwei scoffed. "It's not like he built it alone. It's his research team's work."
Song Yingfei laughed. "I thought so too, but here's something you don't know. Since Longteng launched, its research team became hot property. International software giants threw insane offers—irresistible money. Longteng lost a third of its team, but guess what? No one's cracked Longteng's core code. Not even a knockoff exists. The system's so advanced, it's shocked the nation. Amateurs don't stand a chance. Word is, Wang Jiansheng holds the core tech. As long as he's there, poaching his staff means nothing."
Liu Weiwei's curiosity piqued. "Hearing you talk, I want to meet this legend."
"Hold off," Song Yingfei said. "Today, we're meeting someone just as big."
"Who?"
"Tianhua's chairman, Xu Miaoli."
Liu Weiwei's face flushed. "Yingfei, if it's awkward for you, I can handle the proposal with Chairman Xu alone. Save you the discomfort." She knew Song Yingfei's history with the Leis—once sworn to never cross paths. Though the feud was settled, a meeting could still sting.
Song Yingfei shook her head. "Business is business, personal is personal. I'm clear on that. Besides, not showing up would disrespect Chairman Xu. She's my elder—I can't be rude."
That afternoon, the two women stepped into Xu Miaoli's office. Xu Miaoli greeted them at the door, her warmth deliberate. As Tianhua's chairman and an elder, she didn't need to stoop so low, but this was her way of apologizing for her son's past wrongs to Song Yingfei.
"Aunt Miaoli, good afternoon," Song Yingfei said, surprised at her own calm. She'd dreaded facing the Song family again, but now, the past felt truly buried, forgotten.
Xu Miaoli smiled. "Yingfei, it's been ages. How've you been?"
"Thanks for your concern, Aunt. I'm doing well."
"That's a relief," Xu Miaoli said. "Last year, my boy did something foolish. I owe you an apology on his behalf."
"It's behind us, Aunt. No need to bring it up." Song Yingfei gestured to her companion. "Let me introduce our operations executive president, Liu Weiwei—"
Liu Weiwei extended her hand, polite and respectful, but Xu Miaoli's gaze lingered, almost dazed. "Chairman Xu, a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance."
Xu Miaoli didn't know this woman, but the name Liu Weiwei rang a bell. Then it hit her—Qiuping had mentioned her. Wasn't this the woman Zhengyang had lived with in Tianhai? Could it be her? "Miss Liu, you seem unfamiliar," she probed. "Where did you work before?"
"I graduated from Tianhai Huadan and worked there until a few months ago, when President Song brought me to Tianding's headquarters," Liu Weiwei replied.
It's her! Xu Miaoli's eyes gleamed, studying Liu Weiwei with newfound intensity, unnerving her. Is my outfit off? she wondered. It was standard business attire—nothing amiss. Little did she know, Xu Miaoli was sizing her up as a potential daughter-in-law.