A week later, Qian Fei's company received a project—an asset restructuring for a listed subsidiary under the renowned Qiansheng Group.
The deputy general manager approached Qian Fei, informing her that they intended to assign this project to her and asked if she felt confident.
Qian Fei was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening. She couldn’t believe her ears and asked, "Deputy Manager, there are so many experienced sponsors next door. How could such a good opportunity land on me?"
Qiansheng Group was such a powerhouse. Successfully completing a project for them would allow her to walk tall anywhere in the industry.
The deputy manager nodded with certainty. "Yes, it’s yours! Actually, this was Qiansheng Group’s request. They specifically asked for a beautiful female sponsor to handle the project, thinking it might boost stock prices when the project is completed and makes the news. The two female sponsors next door are indeed experienced, but they fall far short of the word ‘beautiful’!"
Qian Fei felt her luck was beyond unbelievable—it was all thanks to Qiansheng Group’s bizarre and flamboyant style.
●︶3︶●
Qian Fei had a preliminary meeting with Deputy Manager Liao of Qiansheng Group and collected a lot of materials from him. When they exchanged business cards, Qian Fei mused that she seemed to have quite a fateful connection with people surnamed Liao lately.
Thanks to her past experience organizing work drafts, she could skim through materials quickly and grasp the key points. Within a few days, she had a general understanding of the group and its dozen-plus subsidiaries.
One evening, while reviewing the materials at home, Li Yifei dropped by after working overtime.
Hands behind his back, Li Yifei sidled up to her and asked in a teasing, exaggerated tone, "Sponsor Qian, do you need my help drafting a restructuring plan for this project?"
Qian Fei looked up at him, thought for a moment, and said, "Actually, I want to complete this project independently! Here’s my thinking—if I can handle the asset restructuring of Qiansheng’s listed subsidiary all on my own, without relying on anyone, I’ll have the confidence to tackle any project in the future!"
Li Yifei nodded and said, "Good girl, then keep at it," before sauntering off to the bathroom with a wave of his hand.
Once the door was closed, he brought the phone he had been holding to his ear and whispered into it, "Did you hear that? Still worried I’d help her behind the scenes? Even if I wanted to now, she wouldn’t let me! Old man, with your petty suspicions, no wonder the company’s struggling!"
A cold laugh came from the other end of the line. "Come gloat to me again after she’s completely nailed this!"
●︶3︶●
A few days later, Qian Fei led several team members to Qiansheng’s headquarters for a meeting with the executives. Deputy Manager Liao explained that the chairman couldn’t attend due to personal matters, so he would chair the meeting for now.
During the meeting, Qian Fei shared her insights on the group’s situation.
Her perspective was unanimously approved by all the executives, who praised her highly for grasping the group’s complexities so clearly in such a short time.
Qian Fei then presented the restructuring plan she had designed.
Her proposal earned continuous praise from the executives.Vice President Liao nodded repeatedly and said, "Regarding the proposal Director Qian has put forward, I don't think any of us executives present have objections. However, since the chairman is ultimately the decision-maker, I'll need to consult him and hear his opinion."
He asked Qian Fei to wait while he stepped out to call the chairman. But after leaving the meeting room, he headed straight for the chairman's office.
In the office, Li Qiansheng and Li Yifei were both present, staring at a computer screen together. They had watched the entire meeting live.
Vice President Liao asked, "Old Li, what do you think?"
Li Qiansheng responded leisurely, "Hmm, not bad. Let's give it a try as she suggested."
Li Yifei scoffed beside him, "What do you mean 'not bad'? It's absolutely brilliant! Look at you—full of praise yet forcing yourself to downplay it. No wonder you've got heart problems from all that repression!"
●︶3︶●
When Vice President Liao returned to the meeting room, he told Qian Fei, "The chairman thinks the proposal is good and we can proceed with it!"
Qian Fei said, "Then let's start confirming the intermediary agencies now. Once that's done, we'll all sign confidentiality agreements and quickly convene a coordination meeting with the intermediaries!" Vice President Liao replied, "We'll proceed exactly as Director Qian has arranged!"
After the meeting adjourned, Vice President Liao requested Qian Fei to come to his office to discuss hiring other intermediary agencies.
Qian Fei followed him to his office, and after about half an hour of discussion, she helped draft preliminary selections for the accounting firm and valuation agency.
Just as she was about to leave after wrapping up the discussion, someone knocked on the door.
Vice President Liao called out, "Come in."
The door opened.
Qian Fei turned to look and froze. The person walking in was none other than Liao Shiyu.
●︶3︶●
Qian Fei sat to the side, listening to the conversation between Liao Shiyu and Vice President Liao.
Liao Shiyu was there to resume her position.
And she accidentally called him "Uncle."
Qian Fei felt her mind buzzing into chaos as countless thoughts surged to the forefront.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, forcing herself to calm down, and gradually grasped a few key points amid the turmoil.
Back when she had just broken up with Wang Ruohai, Yao Jingjing had told her, "That woman is the niece of one of their company's senior executives!"
Some time ago, Liao Shiyu had said to her, "That wasn't the first time we met. We've interacted long before, except back then I only heard your voice and didn't see your face."
That day while shopping, Liao Shiyu had asked if she would add an ex-boyfriend on WeChat. When Qian Fei said no, Liao Shiyu posted their photo together on her Moments, then replied to someone: "What's the rush? It's not like I'll bite, hehe."
Who was that message meant for?
Then, after returning home, Wang Ruohai had called her strangely. When she asked what was wrong, he hesitated and said it was nothing.
And that day Li Yifei had asked her to fetch a nonexistent suit. After she returned, Liao Shiyu suddenly announced she was moving out because her apartment was ready.
What had he and Liao Shiyu talked about during that time she was sent away?
...
Amid the chaos, she gradually pieced things together, her mind clearing with unprecedented clarity.
How stupid she had been—only now realizing who this woman before her truly was.
●︶3︶●
During a pause in Liao Shiyu and Vice President Liao's conversation, Qian Fei briefly excused herself and left.She had just stepped out of the office when she heard the sound of a door opening behind her after walking only a few steps.
Liao Shiyu called out to her from behind.
She stopped, stood still, and turned around.
Liao Shiyu walked up to her with a smile and said, "Qian Fei, I apologize for not telling you earlier where I work. I’m currently in charge of the group's financial affairs. If you have any questions regarding finances, feel free to ask me."
Qian Fei lightly furrowed her brows. She felt there was far more the other woman should be apologizing for than just what she had mentioned.
After a moment’s thought, she asked, "What’s your position?"
Liao Shiyu replied, "Finance Section Chief."
Qian Fei curved her lips into the most polished professional smile. "I’m sorry, but your rank isn’t sufficient. Your superior will need to coordinate with me on this matter!"
With that, she saw Liao Shiyu’s expression stiffen slightly. Maintaining her smile, Qian Fei bid her farewell with a "Goodbye" and turned to leave.
Step by step, she walked forward, her heart filled with a whirlwind of emotions.
What kind of mindset was this woman approaching her with? Did she want to see how much Qian Fei fell short in comparison?
Fortunately, she hadn’t lost to her.
But if this had happened two years ago, she would have been like a clown next to Liao Shiyu—no comparison needed, the difference would have been glaring.
Yet today, she stood on equal footing with her—no, she even held a higher stance, more confident and unyielding.
She wondered, who was it that had brought about such a transformation in her over these two years?
A man’s name echoed in her heart.
●︶3︶●
That evening, back at home, Qian Fei called Li Yifei and asked him to come over for dinner after work. She had prepared a large plate of stir-fried eggplant strips, beautifully arranged on the porcelain dish she had decided to treasure.
Li Yifei sensed something unusual in the air, as if there were invisible currents swirling around them. He said to Qian Fei, "You seem different from usual today."
Qian Fei asked, "How so?"
Li Yifei replied, "Like you’re bursting with gratitude and looking for an outlet to vent it!"
Qian Fei laughed. "You’re right! Today, I just want to vent all this gratitude on you!"
Li Yifei grinned. "I’d much prefer you vent something else on me—like, say, primal desires."
Qian Fei smirked. "Aunt Flo isn’t letting you near me these days."
Li Yifei groaned. It seemed tonight was only about vegetables, not meat.
He asked Qian Fei, "Jinjin, what’s really going on with you today?"
Qian Fei looked at him intently and said, "Nothing much. I just suddenly realized that all this time, what you’ve quietly done for me goes far beyond what I’ve seen." Her voice grew slightly hoarse as she added, "I’m a little moved."
Li Yifei chuckled and tapped her head. "You look ridiculous! Your face is all scrunched up like a steamed bun! Don’t try being sentimental—it’s too ugly for me to look at!"
Qian Fei burst out laughing.
●︶3︶●
A week later, the intermediary coordination meeting was held in Conference Room No. 1 at Qiansheng Group’s headquarters.
Originally, the attendees were supposed to be the group’s senior executives, the management of the subsidiaries involved in the restructuring, and key technical personnel. But when Li Yifei went to inspect the meeting room setup, he specifically instructed his personal assistant, "Notify Finance Section Chief Liao and Business Department Director Wang Ruohai to attend the meeting as well."Since Qian Fei had told him that she already knew who Liao Shiyu was, he decided to let these two women witness together the mesmerizing transformation of Qian, the sponsor representative.
He had long made up his mind—he would give his woman a stage to shine, to let the one who had betrayed her see just how radiant she had become.
●︶3︶●
Wang Ruohai was only a mid-level manager at the group headquarters. At his rank, he could only sit further and further down the long conference table.
Across from him sat Liao Shiyu.
He glanced at her, noticing the mysterious and eerie smile on her face.
Uncertain of its meaning, he frowned and looked away.
Meetings of this caliber were rare for him to attend. Rumor had it that this one was for the asset restructuring of the group’s listed subsidiary, and every attendee had to sign a confidentiality agreement. The reason he was invited, apparently, was to facilitate the securities firm’s deeper understanding of the group and its subsidiaries’ operations.
The door beside him opened as senior executives filed in, taking their seats at the head of the table.
Strangely, the central seat was left vacant—even Deputy General Manager Liao didn’t take it.
He wondered who that seat was reserved for. The chairman? Unlikely—the chairman was recuperating, leaving all affairs to Deputy General Manager Liao.
Then who could it be, someone important enough to sit in that pivotal position, strategizing and calling the shots?
More people entered the room.
He overheard two core technicians nearby whispering that these were accountants and appraisers.
They took their seats opposite the senior executives. The head seat remained empty.
He guessed it must be reserved for the sponsor representative from the securities firm.
Just as he was thinking this, there was movement by the door again.
He turned his head and glanced up casually—only to freeze in shock.
This time, it was Qian Fei who walked in.
She strode in like a queen at the forefront, head held high, exuding confidence and composure. Every step she took in her tailored suit and trousers resonated powerfully. Behind her followed several men in suits, willingly slowing their pace to trail her in a show of deference.
As she walked past, she was truly radiant.
Looking at her now, he could hardly recall what she had been like two years ago.
She made her way to the front of the conference room. Deputy General Manager Liao personally stood up, greeted her, and pulled out the head chair for her.
She politely declined at first but ultimately couldn’t refuse and took the seat.
His heart trembled as he watched the person now seated at the head of the table.
So that seat had been reserved for her.
Sitting at the far end of the table, his chest ached.
This was the gap between them—one he had never imagined in these two years.
Author’s Note:
Some readers have mentioned that the later parts aren’t as fun. I’d like to say that the later parts can’t be fun… The earlier sections depicted the two characters’ initial interactions, filled with daily activities and banter. But this current part is about serious business, meant to highlight Qian Fei’s professional achievements. Adding playful banter here wouldn’t be appropriate—after all, joking around during important projects wouldn’t suit the tone, nor would it reflect Qian Fei’s maturity and steadiness in her career.I feel that every piece of writing has its ebbs and flows—rising and falling, twists and turns—it can't stay at a high pitch all the way through. This part of the plot can only maintain this tone: a bit serious, not too snarky or comedic. If some lovely readers only enjoy the funny parts and aren’t keen on this section, feel free to skip ahead to the ending—I predict Qian Fei and Old Li will have a delightfully snarky showdown there. ~ Thanks to everyone for supporting me this far. I think we’ll wrap things up in just a few more chapters, don’t worry, it won’t feel rushed. As for Yao Jingjing’s big arc, I’ve already outlined it, and just drafting it made me giddy with excitement (I must be crazy, haha). Hope you’ll enjoy it when the time comes! ^_^
To all you wonderful readers—really, truly, thank you. Even on days when I was too busy with overtime to update, you still showered me with gifts, support, and encouragement! Thank you all so much, bowing in gratitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OpenNovel