Chapter 101
Many wealthy families were amused to see Zhou Qingyu and Zhou Yanci competing against each other. Healthy competition was beneficial for the company’s growth, but the two had reached a point of irreconcilable hostility. Once Zhou’s Father passed away, they would inevitably split the family assets, and the glory of the Zhou family would fade.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, the two arrived together in the same car, appearing to be on good terms?
No, no—when Yan Xi stepped out of the Lincoln, Zhou Yanci gallantly offered his hand to assist her. But when Zhou Qingyu exited the car, Zhou Yanci didn’t even glance her way.
Their relationship was clearly not that harmonious!
It was just a superficial show of peace!
Zhou Qingyu ignored the curious gazes around her. As Pei Hanli approached, she naturally looped her arm through his and headed toward the villa to collect her gifts.
Meanwhile, Yan Xi walked arm-in-arm with Zhou Yanci. Surprisingly, Zhou Yanci didn’t immediately dive into business discussions with his partners. Instead, he strolled leisurely with Yan Xi, drawing a mix of curious, assessing, and envious looks from the crowd.
Yan Xi asked, "Aren’t you going to mingle?"
Zhou Yanci took his time answering. When she spoke, he deliberately leaned in close, his head nearly touching hers.
"Later. No rush."
The proximity was undeniably intimate—Yan Xi could feel the warmth radiating from him.
Zhou Yanci was making a statement.
If they were going public, he might as well stake his claim.
But even so, a stunning socialite boldly approached.
"President Zhou, I’m Xu Qingqian of the Xu family. May I have a word?"
The girl introduced herself with effortless grace, though her eyes flicked to Yan Xi in a calculating manner—not hostile, but far from friendly. It was the look of someone appraising merchandise.
Zhou Yanci replied coldly, "Not interested."
Xu Qingqian smiled. "President Zhou, let’s be frank. Since Zhou Qingyu arrived with Pei Hanli, it’s clear she’s secured the Pei family’s support. That gives her an edge in your rivalry."
"I know Madam Meng has been pushing for you and Lu Wanning, but given Lu Wanning’s temperament, even if she doesn’t love you, she’d never tolerate your little mistress."
Her gaze slid pointedly to Yan Xi.
"But I would. Business cooperation, mutual benefits. As for personal matters—just give me face at events like these, and what you do in private is your business."
Her offer was shockingly bold—an open proposal for a marriage of convenience, with no objections to infidelity.
Yan Xi was speechless. Though she’d grown up in elite circles, few were as brazen as Xu Qingqian.
Zhou Yanci’s expression darkened. Before he could retort, a figure in a pale yellow dress abruptly inserted herself between them.
Fang Shuyao had barely arrived at the birthday banquet when she spotted Xu Qingqian making advances toward Zhou Yanci. It nearly made her blood boil.
She stormed over and jabbed a finger at Xu Qingqian. "Xu Qingqian, have some shame! Not everyone is as shameless as you, flaunting your promiscuity like it’s something to be proud of! Zhou Yanci isn’t that kind of man!"
Zhou Yanci gave a subtle nod of agreement.
Exactly. He’d never stoop to such behavior.
Nearby, Fang Ruoran watched Fang Shuyao’s bold intervention with approval.
Who knew the usually quiet Fang Shuyao could be so fierce when it came to love? If she could win Zhou Yanci over, the Fang family’s future would be secured!
But then, Fang Shuyao whirled around and scolded Zhou Yanci instead.
"Zhou Yanci, what’s wrong with you? She’s practically bullying Yan Xi right in front of you! Shouldn’t you be kissing her senseless to prove she’s the only one for you?"
Yan Xi: ?
Zhou Yanci considered this for half a second before nodding. "You make a valid point."
Yan Xi: ?!?!?!
What on earth was happening?!
Fang Shuyao was over the moon. Ah, so sweet! Just seeing them together made her heart flutter.
Xu Qingqian’s face darkened, her fingers tightening around her skirt.
"Fang Shuyao, what’s your game? Cutting in on my moment?"
She’d been the one to approach Zhou Yanci first!
"Cutting in? Don’t flatter yourself!" Fang Shuyao planted her hands on her hips. "Are you blind? Can’t you see they’re a couple? So desperate to be the other woman? Then again, with your father keeping a harem and your mother surrounded by toy boys, I guess it runs in the family. Have some dignity!"
"You—!"
Now it was Xu Qingqian’s turn to see red.
If Zhou Yanci had entertained her proposal, she could’ve salvaged her pride. But he hadn’t even spared her a glance, his attention wholly fixed on Yan Xi.
Humiliated, Xu Qingqian stomped away.
Fang Shuyao turned back to find Zhou Yanci and Yan Xi holding hands, fingers tightly interlaced.
Ahhh! Her heart couldn’t take it!
Zhou Yanci studied Fang Shuyao. "You’re Chairman Fang’s youngest daughter?"
"I’m your number one shipper!"
Fang Shuyao’s eyes sparkled. "I’ve watched every episode of The Journey, live and recorded! I even founded your CP fan community!"
Zhou Yanci looked slightly baffled at the term "shipper," but Yan Xi understood immediately. She knew she and Zhou Yanci had fans—just like she and Lu Beiyu did. Fans could be oddly creative, shipping couples even without direct interaction.
"Don’t mind me! Carry on!"
Fang Shuyao quickly retreated to Fang Ruoran’s side.
A true fan knew to keep a respectful distance! Just watching them together was enough to make her happy.
Fang Ruoran, however, was exasperated. "What nonsense is this? I brought you here to introduce you to Zhou Yanci! What are you doing?!"
Fang Shuyao shrugged. "What’s fun about dating? Watching other people fall in love is way sweeter!"
Thanks to Fang Shuyao’s interruption, other socialites hesitated to approach Zhou Yanci. Unlike Xu Qingqian, they had reputations to uphold—no one wanted to be publicly branded a homewrecker.
Zhou Yanci remained by Yan Xi’s side, free from interruptions. Yan Xi, however, exchanged business cards with a few investors interested in film projects.
—Starlight Entertainment had multiple projects lined up for next year. While sole investment promised higher returns, the entertainment industry was volatile. Spreading the risk was wiser.
While networking, Yan Xi spotted Lu Wanning in the distance.
It had been a while since she’d seen anyone from the Lu family.
Last time, she’d secretly swapped Aunt Zhang’s blood sample for her own, leading the Lu family to confirm a blood relation—but failing to locate their true daughter. The search had quieted down since.
Yan Xi hadn’t confronted them yet because the story wasn’t over.
But now, the plot had concluded.
They were all free.
Yan Xi gazed at Lu Wanning, unconsciously tightening her grip on the champagne flute. Unlike other wealthy heiresses, Lu Wanning wasn’t dressed in an evening gown. Instead, she wore a crisp white suit—a somewhat androgynous style, yet her cascading waves of hair added an undeniable allure.
She stood at the center of a group of business tycoons, discussing projects with effortless confidence, never once overshadowed. Yan Xi wanted to approach her but hesitated.
[Host, are you worried that another DNA test will confirm no relation?] The system’s voice echoed beside Yan Xi.
Yan Xi sighed. "No relation would be the expected outcome."
Her earlier words to Lu Beiyu by the pool hadn’t been entirely an excuse. In a sea of billions, finding blood-related family was nearly impossible.
[But you’ll never know unless you try!]
The system encouraged her, yet Yan Xi still didn’t know how to broach the subject. After all, she had once manipulated the Lu family to defy fate, raising their hopes only to dash them. If she failed again, she wouldn’t know how to explain herself.
Zhou Yanci stood silently by Yan Xi’s side, saying nothing.
A moment later, Lu Wanning turned and noticed Yan Xi and Zhou Yanci. A faint smile graced her lips as she approached them.
"President Zhou," she acknowledged Zhou Yanci first, then turned to Yan Xi. "Miss Yan, we meet again."
—Even if Yan Xi wasn’t related to the Lu family, Lu Wanning still felt an inexplicable closeness to her.
Yan Xi nodded politely. "President Lu, what a coincidence."
"Not a coincidence," Lu Wanning replied with a light chuckle. "I came specifically for you."
Yan Xi’s heart skipped a beat.
But then Lu Wanning shifted her attention back to Zhou Yanci. "President Zhou, your schedule is notoriously hard to pin down. My assistant tried several times, but you were always unavailable. So, I had to track you down at this birthday gala. I have an AI-related project and was wondering if you’d be interested?"
Zhou Yanci had invested in numerous internet companies during his university years alongside Pei Hanli, and in recent years, he’d been among the first to back AI ventures. It was no surprise Lu Wanning sought him out for collaboration.
The two excused themselves to discuss business, leaving Yan Xi to step aside discreetly.
The moment they were gone, Fang Shuyao rushed over.
"Xi Xi, how could you let Zhou Yanci leave with Lu Wanning? Don’t you know they almost got together before?"
Meng Yingrong had once made it clear that Lu Wanning was her only choice for a daughter-in-law. For a time, even the most persistent social climbers had backed off.
"They’re just talking business," Yan Xi said dismissively.
Fang Shuyao groaned. "You’re way too relaxed! That’s Lu Wanning we’re talking about!"
Lu Wanning was the nightmare of every wealthy heiress—the epitome of a "perfect child" in their parents’ eyes. Take Zhou Qingyu: beautiful, from a prestigious family, but academically average. Or Yan Xi: stunning, brilliant, but lacking in family background.
Lu Wanning, however, combined all their strengths. On top of that, her business acumen was unmatched. Since taking over the Lu Group, profits had soared year after year. She was a flawless, all-rounded prodigy.
If Fang Shuyao were a man, she’d have fallen for Lu Wanning too.
"But I think you’re amazing in your own way," Yan Xi said, resting her chin on her hand as she sipped her champagne. "I’ve seen your fan-edited videos—the music sync, transitions, and pacing are all spot-on. Zhou Yanci and I are just ordinary people, yet your videos still hit millions of views. That’s pure skill."
"Are you professionally trained in editing? If you pursued this seriously, you’d be incredible."
Fang Shuyao stared at Yan Xi, stunned.
Growing up, as a girl, she’d never been given much. Like Fang Ruoran, her parents saw her primary value as a pawn in a marriage alliance to strengthen the Fang family.
Fang Shuyao had once believed that too.
People called her obedient, well-mannered—future wife material. But no one had ever praised her, let alone for something as trivial as fan-edits.
Fang Ruoran lowered her lashes, suddenly feeling her nose sting and her eyes grow damp.
.
In an unnoticed corner, a pair of shadowed eyes watched Yan Xi intently.
A man in a silver-gray suit blended into the garden’s darkness, the red wine in his glass resembling fresh blood.
His gaze followed Yan Xi, growing increasingly sinister.
Chu Mo’s fingers itched with irritation.
He hadn’t expected Yan Xi to end up with Zhou Yanci.
All that time she’d spent clinging to Zhou Qingyu, enduring the spoiled heiress’ tantrums—it had actually paid off.
After chatting with Fang Shuyao, Yan Xi excused herself to touch up her lipstick on the villa’s second floor, her champagne having dulled the color.
Just as the door was about to close, a hand suddenly forced its way in!
Startled, Yan Xi slammed the door harder, leaving an angry red mark across Chu Mo’s knuckles.
With a single push, he shoved the door open.
Yan Xi took two steps back. "What do you want?"
"He won’t marry you," Chu Mo said coldly.
Rage churned in his eyes, dark and turbulent.
Due to the arranged marriage between the Chu and Lin families, Chu Mo had always seen Yan Xi as his property. Even after she left the Lin household, in his mind, a background-less orphan like her would likely end up as his mistress.
Seeing Yan Xi arm-in-arm with Zhou Yanci, witnessing their intimacy, filled him with the humiliating sense of having something stolen from him.
Yan Xi scoffed, looking at him with disdain. "Whether Zhou Yanci marries me or not is none of your business. Stop meddling."
Chu Mo’s brows furrowed. He hadn’t expected Yan Xi to be this foolish.
Her lack of connections was a weakness, but her closeness to Zhou Qingyu was an advantage. Having her as a mistress wouldn’t raise objections from the Chu family.
He grabbed Yan Xi’s wrist. "He won’t marry you, but I will!"
"Chu Mo! Are you insane?"
Yan Xi struggled, the cold red diamond bracelet on her wrist swaying slightly.
Chu Mo noticed it and froze.
"Zhou Yanci gave you that?"
"Yes, he did! What, you want to marry me? Then get me one too!"
Chu Mo choked. Even with his limited knowledge of jewelry, he knew red diamonds were the rarest of colored gems. Even if the stones in this bracelet weren’t top-tier, it had to be worth at least 500 million.
500 million—what kind of concept was that? Half the wealthy families here tonight didn’t even have that much to their names!
Was Zhou Yanci actually serious about Yan Xi?
Had he lost his mind? Marrying a girl with no background—was he throwing away the Zhou Group?
In his daze, Yan Xi seized the moment, delivering a sharp kick between his legs!
Chu Mo gasped in pain, doubling over as he released her.
.
Yan Xi fled the room, rubbing her wrist.
Chu Mo had gripped her hard enough to leave a vivid red mark.
Whatever. Consider it a scratch from a stray dog.
Almost simultaneously, Yan Xi sensed two sharp gazes piercing her from behind.
She turned around to see Zhou Qingyu and Zhou Yanci approaching with dark expressions—their faces far more thunderous than hers.
Zhou Yanci strode forward swiftly, grasping her hand. When he noticed the red marks on her wrist, his expression darkened further.
Without a word, he pulled out a tissue and meticulously wiped her wrist, inch by inch, as if determined to erase every trace of the imprint.
Zhou Qingyu, meanwhile, was fuming, hands on her hips. "What the hell! How dare anyone lay a finger on my people at my own party! That bastard Chu Mo must have a death wish!"
Yan Xi murmured, "Actually... it wasn’t that bad?"
Sure, Chu Mo had grabbed her wrist, but she’d retaliated far more brutally—by kicking him where it hurt most.
"That’s not the point!" Zhou Qingyu lifted her chin defiantly. "No one touches what’s mine! If I don’t teach him a lesson, I’ll write my name backward for the rest of my life!"
Though Yan Xi didn’t care much about Chu Mo, she couldn’t help asking, "You’re not planning to have him beaten up or... disabled, are you?"
Zhou Qingyu visibly faltered.
Even Zhou Yanci paused.
Yan Xi: !!!
She knew it!
"That’s illegal!" she protested.
Zhou Yanci had already crossed a line when he beat up Meng Xuanyu. If it weren’t for Yao Chi’s connections and the fact that Meng Xuanyu had kidnapped Yan Xi first, she’d have worried about Zhou Yanci facing legal consequences.
This time, Chu Mo had merely grabbed her wrist. Crippling him would be outright criminal!
These people had just transitioned from "villains" to "background characters"—they couldn’t afford to relapse into lawlessness!
Zhou Qingyu’s eyes darted away. "There are plenty of ways to ruin someone without resorting to violence!"
Zhou Yanci ruffled Yan Xi’s hair reassuringly. "Don’t worry. I’ll handle it."
---
Zhou Qingyu, Yan Xi, and the others returned to the party, where most guests had already arrived. The garden was filled with the soothing strains of a violin.
As the host, Zhou’s Father cleared his throat—it was time for his grand gesture, the gift for his daughter.
He loved this tradition. While others presented their gifts upon arrival, he always saved his for the grand finale.
Of course, as Hai City’s wealthiest man, everyone was curious what he’d give Zhou Qingyu for her 25th birthday.
Yao Chi made a flamboyant entrance in a shimmering purple sequined suit, carrying a document folder. He handed it to Zhou’s Father, who then passed it to Zhou Qingyu.
Zhou Qingyu blinked. "Paperwork? Another property?"
Over the years, her father had gifted her this European-style estate, a vineyard in Li City, a luxury penthouse in downtown Hai City, and a yacht docked in the bay—none particularly sentimental, but all astronomically expensive.
Zhou’s Father beamed. "Open it!"
Zhou Qingyu unfolded the documents, and her eyes widened at the bold heading: Equity Transfer Agreement.
She skimmed the contents in disbelief—it was a transfer of Meng Corporation’s shares.
During the M-brand scandal, Zhou Qingyu had used her father’s funds to acquire 36% of Meng Corporation’s shares, while secretly purchasing an additional 2% herself.
Though she’d been appointed chairwoman as the project lead, the shares technically belonged to Zhou’s Father. She was merely his representative, with no real ownership.
But now, he was transferring the remaining 36% to her. With Meng Corporation’s stock prices stabilized, those shares were worth billions!
Overwhelmed, Zhou Qingyu hugged her father’s arm. "Dad, you’re the best!"
Zhou’s Father smirked. "Like it?"
He’d built his fortune in real estate, but it was Zhou Yanci’s expansion into IT that secured the Zhou family’s position as Hai City’s richest.
Zhou Qingyu, however, had no head for business—her talents lay in fashion and luxury. Though she lacked management skills, her instincts for high-end branding were impeccable. With Yu Xiao as CEO, the M-brand thrived under her nominal leadership.
Now, Zhou’s Father felt confident entrusting Meng Corporation to her.
The guests gasped when they realized what the gift was.
Good lord, this was beyond extravagant!
When Pei Hanli had gifted Zhou Qingyu an antique crown worth hundreds of millions, they’d thought it excessive. But this? Billions in shares!
Truly befitting the city’s wealthiest man.
Envious whispers rippled through the crowd.
Before this, Zhou Qingyu had been just another wealthy socialite—her title as Meng Corporation’s chairwoman was hollow, easily revoked by her father.
But now, she was the undisputed owner. Even better, since the shares were purchased with Zhou’s Father’s personal funds rather than Zhou Corporation’s, her stake in the family business remained untouched.
Someone sighed, "Zhou’s Father really dotes on his daughter."
"Does this mean Zhou Yanci is being sidelined?"
"Imagine marrying her—not just Hai City’s top heiress, but the chairwoman of Meng Corporation!"
Zhou Qingyu happily signed the transfer agreement.
Who wouldn’t be thrilled? The dividends from her previous 2% had been substantial—now she had 38%!
Yan Xi gently tugged her sleeve.
"Qingyu, I have a gift for you too."
Zhou Qingyu immediately set aside the shares, intrigued. "What is it?"
"It’s nothing compared to your father’s..."
Zhou Qingyu laughed. "That old man only knows money. Don’t worry—it’s the thought that counts!"
Yan Xi handed her another document.
Zhou Qingyu teased, "More paperwork?"
Inside was the registration certificate for a music studio—including the trademark for "Zhou Qingyu."
"I remember you said in high school that your dream was to be a musician."
Zhou Qingyu had studied at Berklee College of Music for four years, pursuing that dream. Even after returning to China, she hadn’t forgotten it—until the plot forced her into a lovestruck obsession with Pei Yubai, derailing her career.
Lately, she’d been adrift, disinterested in the entertainment industry but unsure what to do next.
Until Yan Xi’s gift.
Zhou Qingyu’s eyes reddened.
The billion-dollar shares hadn’t moved her this much, but this—this made her want to cry.
After all these years, even she’d forgotten.
But Yan Xi remembered.
"The studio is set up at Star Glory. I reserved an entire floor for you—practice rooms, a recording studio, a soundproof mini-theater, meeting spaces..."
Yan Xi chattered on, knowing full well her gift couldn't compare to Zhou's Father's, but she still hoped it would bring Zhou Qingyu joy. More than anything, she wished Zhou Qingyu would rediscover her old dreams—because that was what she loved most.
To Yan Xi, Zhou Qingyu on the music stage had always been radiant, glowing with an undeniable light.
As Zhou Qingyu listened to Yan Xi's rambling, tears spilled unbidden down her cheeks.
Suddenly, she reached out and pulled Yan Xi into a tight embrace.
"Xi'er, thank you."
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