Chapter 22: The strong are always good at seizing opportunities

Walking down the street, Yun Shuiyao was in a great mood.

Yan Qingxin wasn’t mistaken—she was indeed smiling, and brightly at that.

But sadly, it didn’t show on her face; the smile was all in her eyes.

Last year at this time, she ran into Lu Zhao on the street.
She wanted to greet him but noticed a woman beside him.

Though the woman was stunning, she clearly didn’t match Lu Zhao’s age.

And most crucially, there was no smile on Lu Zhao’s face.

Today was different.
She saw a genuine smile on Lu Zhao’s face, one that came from the heart.

That was enough.
As long as he was doing well, that was enough.

Who hasn’t had a secret crush in their youth that ended before it could be confessed?

Her father was a reckless man, her mother a youngest daughter of a prominent family.
At an age full of romantic dreams, her mother met him and even left her family for him.

But in the end, it was a mistake.

Having shamed the family, her mother couldn’t face returning.
She passed away early, consumed by regret and resentment.

Fortunately, Yun Shuiyao was a girl—and a beautiful one at that.

The family took her in, raising her with the thought that one day she might be useful for an arranged marriage to another family’s heir.

Yun Shuiyao had long accepted her fate.

But that afternoon, in that library, she met her angel.

“You can have it. I’m not in a hurry.”

The smiling boy, his gentle words, barged into her heart without reason.

“Thank you.”
The girl’s face flushed slightly.

From then on, she had a junior who always came to her with study questions.

She didn’t care about the other girls’ gossip behind her back.
Being by his side was enough.

After graduation, the dream was supposed to end.

During that chance encounter, she held back.
But it didn’t matter—they wouldn’t meet again anyway.

Yet, she never expected he’d end up at the same university.

When she calmed her excited heart and went to find him, she discovered he already had a girlfriend.

Yes, Yun Shuiyao had seen Yan Qingxin before.

She already knew.
She just… backed off again.
She didn’t even dare appear in front of Yan Qingxin.

Yan Qingxin didn’t know she existed.
It seemed Lu Zhao had never mentioned her.

That made sense.
To Lu Zhao, she was just an ordinary senior.

There was one thing Lu Zhao forgot to ask: why was she at the abandoned orphanage?

No real reason.
She just wanted to see the place where he’d lived.

‘Meeting him here was great. He’s found his own happiness… that’s great. Now I can rest easy.’

The street view through her glasses was a bit blurry.
Yun Shuiyao took them off and wiped her eyes.

“This is a good thing. I should be happy.”

Her trembling lips curved slightly.
Putting her glasses back on, she walked into the distance.

*

Meanwhile, in the top-floor meeting room of Yan Ruyue’s company in E City.

It was the hottest time of summer, but the attendees felt a chill, as if the air conditioning was blasting their necks, making them shiver.

The reason was simple: Yan Ruyue, seated at the head of the table, had a dark expression, her presence heavy and oppressive.

It all started when she woke up this morning.

She’d exercised alone late into the night, so she got up a bit late today.

She’d planned to take advantage of Lu Zhao’s softened attitude and visit him.

But to her surprise, when she checked her phone, she realized she’d been blindsided!

No… not blindsided.
More like the old family ran off on their own long legs.

How could that not frustrate her?

And worst of all, because of Ling Chenxi, she couldn’t get away to go to Bin City.

“Is this the best plan you can come up with? Don’t you know it’s exactly this kind of thing that let Ling Chenxi’s people screw us over?!”

Grabbing the documents in front of her, she tossed them forward, papers scattering across the conference table.

Two equally infuriating matters piled together made Yan Ruyue’s chest heave with anger.

The department heads below kept their heads down, none daring to be the one to stand out now.

Yan Ruyue, perhaps feeling her outburst was a bit unseemly, softened her tone slightly.

“Shen Yuqiu.”

“Here!”

The woman whose name was called stood up like a student answering a teacher.

But no one dared mock her.
In front of Yan Ruyue in this state, who wasn’t a student?

The woman had a refined appearance, her hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, dressed in a fitted black silk office outfit, the picture of a professional beauty.

“Send out your PR team. I’m allocating funds. Find out what Ling Chenxi’s company is planning next, no matter what.”

Before Shen Yuqiu could respond, another woman interrupted.

“President Yan, doesn’t this risk being seen as stealing company secrets? That’s not ideal, is it?”
Liu Min, from the legal department, spoke up.

Yan Ruyue glanced at her, a smirk forming.
“Director Liu, you should know I’m not sending spies, just the PR team.”

“If those women at their company get charmed by some guys and spill things they shouldn’t, how is that my fault?”

“You agree, right?”

Her loaded words made a few people in the room uneasy.

It was a dirty move, but effective.
Which of these executives hadn’t been tempted by men sent from rival companies?

Sometimes, they’d let slip something they shouldn’t while drunk, though the consequences were never too severe.

Seeing them silent, Yan Ruyue snorted.

“Remember your place. I better not hear anyone talking recklessly. Meeting adjourned.”

“Sigh…”
Yan Ruyue rubbed her temples.
How could she not know her team had made mistakes?

But there was no choice.
There was no one else to use.
As long as they didn’t cross the line too far, she had to let it slide.

“Qingqing, get me a coffee.”

“Yes, President Yan.”

The girl standing behind her turned to leave.

She was Yan Ruyue’s secretary, fresh out of college for six months, placed here by a partner’s family for training.

Yan Ruyue didn’t usually rely on her much, just let her learn what she could in the company.

Pulling out her phone to look at the message from Yan Qingxin, Yan Ruyue muttered to herself:

“Stupid kid, running off just like that. Wait till you’re back—see how I deal with you.”

Lu Zhao’s fears had come true.
He shouldn’t have shown concern.
Otherwise, Yan Ruyue wouldn’t have dared approach him for a long time.

Turning to look out the window, “I wonder what that woman’s up to. Hmph, always using underhanded tactics.”

The woman in question?
Ling Chenxi, of course.

She was already on a flight to Bin City, set to arrive in an hour.

“My dear daughter, becoming friends with Yan Qingxin is just perfect. Whether you get a little brother or sister later, Mommy won’t play favorites.”

Behind her sunglasses, her eyes gleamed with excitement.
‘Yan Ruyue, you still want to compete with me? Eat my dust!’

As for little Qingxin, don’t blame Auntie for being ruthless—your boyfriend is just too charming.

Hmph!

Though her training props hadn’t arrived yet, she decided to secure Lu Zhao first.

The strong always seize opportunities!