The atmosphere in the meeting room remained heavy with tension. Lin Wanning stared at Shen Sihan's profile—her heart turbulent beneath a calm exterior.
"President Shen," she finally spoke, her voice steady and cold. "You've shown your sincerity regarding the collaboration. So why don't we discuss what exactly you want from the Lin Corporation?"
The corners of Shen Sihan's lips lifted slightly. "What I want," he said mildly, "is a win-win outcome."
"Someone like you doesn't make unprofitable deals," Lin Wanning raised an eyebrow. "You've never lacked access to projects or resources. Going through all this trouble—just for a 'win-win'?"
"Of course not." Shen Sihan gently pushed a file toward her. "Aside from the collaboration proposal, I have one condition."
Lin Wanning glanced at the file but didn't open it. Her tone remained indifferent. "Go on."
"For this project, I'm willing to invest Shen Group's capital at the lowest return rate and assign our strongest team to see it through," he paused, his gaze darkening slightly, "but on one condition—you must personally serve as the chief project manager and be the sole liaison with me."
"…You mean," Lin Wanning let out a cold laugh, "we can work together—but only if we see each other every day?"
"To be precise, I expect close cooperation," Shen Sihan said unhurriedly. "You, more than anyone, understand how I operate."
Lin Wanning's fingers tapped lightly on the table, a flicker of mockery flashing in her eyes.
"Shen Sihan, are you here for business—or because you can't let go of the past?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he met her eyes and said quietly, "Wannig, I just don't want to watch you walk away again."
Their eyes locked. The air grew suffocating.
Lin Wanning slowly stood, looking down at him from above. "President Shen, I'll accept your capital, but your personal agenda—I suggest you keep it in check."
She picked up the contract, skimmed through a few pages, and replied with poised sharpness, "I'll consider the collaboration. But as for the project lead—I'll be appointing someone else."
"Unless you're not serious about working with me," Shen Sihan's eyes darkened, his voice calm but forceful. "Otherwise, it's my terms—or no deal."
A fierce standoff had officially begun.
That night, Lin Wanning stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the city lights, her mind replaying Shen Sihan's words.
He claimed it was business, but each move was calculated, step by step attempting to reclaim a place in her world.
But she was no longer the woman who once yielded for love.
She murmured, "Shen Sihan, if you want to come close again—you'll have to endure the sharp edge of this distance."
Turning toward her desk, she picked up the phone and dialed, "Call Vice President Li Cheng to my office. I'm reassigning the lead role on the Starlight Plaza project."
For Lin Wanning, the war had only just begun.
4o