Chapter 11: Two Women at odds with each other.

The summer sun lingered late before setting.

Sunlight slanted from the west, bathing the fountain at the hotel entrance in a golden glow, scattering vibrant, multicolored rays.

Under this radiance, one discreet luxury car after another rolled into the century-old star-rated hotel in Goose City.

Lu Zhao instinctively rubbed his hands. It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t nervous. This was supposedly a “private” gathering led by the deputy mayor, involving entrepreneurs from across the province.

But with officials present, how private could it be?

For someone like him, this was uncharted territory.

The biggest event he’d attended was his high school’s hundred-day pledge rally.

Yan Qingxin sidled up, offering her arm for him to take.

Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “Nervous? If you’re nervous, stick close to me.”

His unease was novel to her. Usually, she felt oddly overshadowed by him.

Now, seeing his vulnerable side, she found it amusing and couldn’t resist teasing him.

Lu Zhao opened his mouth but closed it again.

Fine, nervous it is. It’s normal for a guy to feel this way in others’ eyes.

As the saying goes, if you’re not embarrassed, someone else will be.

Realizing this, his nerves eased.

Yan Ruyue glanced at them. She’d never seen this side of Lu Zhao, and it stirred her more than it did Yan Qingxin. But their relationship was in a delicate state.

If she did anything to upset him further, he might avoid her entirely.

Taking a deep breath to calm her turbulent thoughts, she shifted her gaze to the familiar car she’d spotted nearby.

Dressed to the nines, Yan Ruyue’s aura was commanding.

Her regal, elegant, yet sharp queenly presence made even the female greeters hesitate to approach.

Those who worked here were savvy. Following Yan Ruyue’s line of sight, they understood why she suddenly seemed so formidable.

Yan Qingxin tugged Lu Zhao back with a troubled look, signaling him to step aside.

“?” Blinking in confusion, he complied, quietly asking what was wrong.

Yan Qingxin sighed softly. “I never told you about my family’s business, did I?”

Lu Zhao nodded. He’d never asked, nor cared.

It was only after dating for a while that he learned his girlfriend was a second-generation rich kid—or maybe third.

Talk about unlocking a forbidden hidden gem.

“Ahem.” Yan Qingxin cleared her throat. “My mom’s company has a major rival. Just recently, they snatched a deal from us.”

Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow. Stealing business from Yan Ruyue? That’s impressive.

“Is their competitor a woman?”

Yan Qingxin didn’t get why he asked. “Of course. Who else—a guy like you?”

She playfully pinched his nose.

Lu Zhao swatted her hand away, his gaze settling on Yan Ruyue’s back.

He wasn’t sure why he asked about gender, but he wanted to know.

A breeze stirred her hair, star-like glints shimmering in it. Sunlight hit her gown, as if even light bowed to her.

Lu Zhao couldn’t help but wonder—was this really the woman he knew?

He didn’t know her well enough.

The car pulled up to the entrance, and a greeter promptly opened the door.

Finally, Lu Zhao saw who was inside—and was shocked to recognize one of them.

Turning to Yan Qingxin, he said, “That’s…”

“Shh… yeah, what a coincidence.”

As Lu Zhao looked over, the woman there spotted them too, but like Yan Qingxin, she only acknowledged them with a glance.

Ling Cang, Yan Qingxin’s roommate and one of the masterminds behind her pursuit of Lu Zhao.

A cool girl with a high ponytail and short hair, her looks leaned more toward striking handsomeness than beauty.

She was wildly popular among their university’s girls—a true “pretty boy.”

Lu Zhao had interacted with Ling Cang a few times and knew her soft personality.

Today, she stuck to her usual style, forgoing a gown for a tailored men’s suit.

The suit accentuated her long legs, paired with black heels that made her even taller.

Her specially tailored shirt didn’t look odd despite her chest, instead exuding a unique charm.

Her androgynous face was, as always, lightly made up.

Standing next to Lu Zhao, most would think they were two handsome guys.

Seeing her like this, Lu Zhao, after a mental whirlwind, asked Yan Qingxin, “Is it really okay for her to dress like that at an event like this?”

Yan Qingxin shrugged. “Used to it.”

“…Wow.”

Rich people really play differently.

“President Yan, still standing out here? Not going in?”

As Lu Zhao turned, a gentle voice drew his attention.

If Yan Ruyue was a fierce, aggressive flame, the woman before her was a tender stream, every smile and gesture soft and warm.

She wore a teal qipao with subtle patterns, her full chest contrasting with a delicate waist that seemed almost too frail, yet her hips curved generously—a slender stem bearing rich fruit.

Her dark hair was casually but securely pinned, pearl tassels dangling at her temples, a jade dragonfly hairpin’s blue wings swaying with her steps.

Her peach-blossom eyes, lined with dark teal, held a soulful depth, a vermilion mole between her brows vivid as a teardrop.

A jade bracelet on her pale wrist caught the fading sunlight, her qipao’s slit revealing plump thighs in snowy silk.

White heels enhanced her gentle, pure aura.

Yan Ruyue, slightly taller, looked down at her, her tone dripping with unmasked sarcasm.

“If President Ling doesn’t show up, who dares go in? If I don’t wait for you, your company might trip me up again next time.”

The woman raised a hand to her mouth, laughing softly, her voice calm and warm. “President Yan, you jest. It’s just comparing offers. Why make it sound like we’re targeting you?”

To Lu Zhao, it looked like a tiger baring its fangs at a rabbit to intimidate.

But the rabbit wasn’t scared, even swaying its hips, certain the tiger wouldn’t pounce.

Shaking off the weird mental image, he whispered, “Who’s she? Ling Cang’s mom?”

Yan Qingxin, unfazed, pursed her lips. “Yup, Ling Chenxi. She and my mom never get along.”

“So… they’re just gonna stand there?”

The tension between them was palpable, causing a traffic jam behind them, yet no one dared honk.

“Sigh…” Yan Qingxin sighed helplessly and walked toward them. Ling Cang, glancing at Lu Zhao, did the same.

“Mom, why’re you butting heads with Auntie Ling again? You’re blocking everyone. Let’s go in.”

“Yeah… yeah, Auntie Yan, Qingxin’s right.”

Lu Zhao froze at the scene.

Yan Qingxin linked arms with Ling Chenxi, while Ling Cang took Yan Ruyue’s hand.

With the younger pair mediating, the two stunning women finally relaxed.

“Hmph, your daughter’s much more sensible than you. Look, Qingxin’s grown so tall I can barely reach her,” Ling Chenxi said, patting Yan Qingxin’s head.

Yan Ruyue shot her a look, then smiled at Ling Cang. “You could learn from Little Ling Cang. See how well-behaved she is.”

Lu Zhao, lost in their rhythm, started pondering who he was and where he was when a sharp-eyed greeter approached.

“Young man, you’re with President Yan’s daughter, right? Please, come in.”

“Oh… thanks.”

The woman’s hungry gaze made Lu Zhao realize—he was the rabbit here!

Also, did Ling Chenxi just glance at him?