Chapter 6: The Unraveling and the Proposition
The engagement party wound down, leaving behind a lingering scent of lilies and a trail of scattered pleasantries. Li Yuwei, however, felt no weariness. Her mind was alight, processing every interaction, every subtle shift in the room. As guests began to depart, she deliberately positioned herself near the coat check, knowing Li Meili often lingered for final farewells and compliments.
Sure enough, Meili soon approached, her arm linked with a distant aunt who gushed over Meili's "invaluable help" with the wedding planning. "Honestly," the aunt trilled, "Yuwei is so lucky to have such a diligent sister looking after everything, especially with her… delicate nature."
Li Yuwei's eyes, cool and assessing, fixed on Meili. "Indeed, Auntie. Meili has always been incredibly generous with her time, hasn't she? Even offering to manage my social media presence and 'curate' my public image after I stepped back from work." She paused, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "I remember one particular photo she insisted on posting. A rather… unflattering angle of me, with a caption implying I was too ill to attend a charity gala. A genuine concern for my well-being, I'm sure."
Meili's saccharine smile stiffened, a faint flush creeping up her neck. Her eyes flickered nervously. That photo, innocuous to most, was a calculated move from the past, designed to subtly undermine Li Yuwei's public image and reinforce her "frail" narrative. The aunt, however, simply chuckled, oblivious.
"Well, dear, Meili always has your best interests at heart," the aunt said.
"Oh, I know," Li Yuwei purred, her voice dripping with an sweetness that was almost unsettling. "She always goes above and beyond. Like with that unfortunate incident concerning my investment portfolio. I distinctly remember her insisting I diversify into that promising, yet ultimately disastrous, tech startup. She even offered to 'handle the paperwork' for me." Her gaze bore into Meili's, a silent, chilling accusation. "Such foresight, my dear sister. Such selfless advice."
Meili's face went from pale to ashen. She gripped the aunt's arm tighter, her false composure rapidly crumbling. The memories Li Yuwei was subtly referencing were concrete instances of Meili's financial manipulations that had contributed to Li Yuwei's eventual destitution. This wasn't just a jab; it was a targeted strike at Meili's carefully constructed image of helpfulness and competence, subtly hinting at deeper deceit.
"Yuwei, what are you talking about?" Meili forced a strained laugh. "That was years ago! Just a bad investment, darling, it happens."
"Of course," Li Yuwei agreed, her smile unwavering, "It does happen. But some people seem to have a particular talent for making sure it happens to others, while they remain miraculously unscathed. Funny, isn't it?" She left the implication hanging heavy in the air, a poison dart hitting its mark.
As Meili stammered for a response, Li Yuwei turned away, her mission accomplished. She had planted seeds of doubt, subtly exposed Meili's calculated "helpfulness" as something far more sinister, all without raising her voice or losing her composure.
Later that evening, after the last guest had departed and her parents had retired, Li Yuwei found herself alone in the vast living room. She pulled out a sleek, new tablet she'd purchased earlier in the day—an item the 'old' Yuwei would have deemed an extravagant impulse buy. On it, she opened a meticulously organized spreadsheet. Project Phoenix, she'd named it. The first tab was a detailed timeline of key market shifts she remembered from the future, particularly in the tech and green energy sectors. The second tab was a list of her former allies and contacts, now categorized by their current influence and potential usefulness. Mr. Song's name was already highlighted.
"Feelings won't build my future. Plans will," she murmured to herself, her finger tracing a projected revenue stream. Her hands, once soft and hesitant, now moved with purposeful confidence. This wasn't just about revenge; it was about reclaiming her identity, her capabilities, her entire future. She began to draft an email, a carefully worded inquiry to a former associate in venture capital, subtly hinting at her renewed interest in a specific, high-growth startup that she knew would explode in value within the next two years. Her first step towards financial independence was underway.
A sudden shadow fell over her, and she looked up to see Shen Mochen standing in the doorway, framed by the soft glow of the hall light. He hadn't changed from his formal suit, his tie loosened slightly. He looked less like the powerful CEO and more like a man contemplating a complex puzzle.
"You're still awake," he stated, his voice a low, unexpected rumble. He walked further into the room, stopping a few feet from her, his gaze fixed on her face, then on the tablet in her hand. "What are you working on?"
Li Yuwei calmly minimized the spreadsheet. "Just catching up on some industry news. And perhaps mapping out some personal projects." Her tone was cool, disarming.
"Personal projects?" He took another step closer. "You've changed, Yuwei. Today… you were different. Sharper. You never used to speak to Meili like that." There was a curious note in his voice, a blend of observation and genuine intrigue. He wasn't accusing; he was assessing.
"People evolve, Mochen," she said, meeting his gaze head-on, her eyes reflecting the lamplight like polished obsidian. "Or perhaps they simply remember who they truly are. I don't argue, I end things. And I've decided to end the version of myself that was… easily overlooked."
He watched her for a long moment, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his deep-set eyes. He was seeing past the surface, past the woman he thought he knew. "Easily overlooked?" He scoffed softly, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "I don't think that's ever been true of you, Yuwei. Just… perhaps you were always too quiet for your own good. Too willing to step back." He paused, then continued, his voice lowering, taking on a more direct, almost challenging edge. "But what I saw today… that was something new. Something compelling."
He stepped closer, his presence almost overwhelming in the quiet room. "Tell me," he began, his voice a low, intense murmur, "if you've rediscovered yourself, what does that mean for us? For the engagement?" It was a direct question, a challenge, and an implicit proposition rolled into one. His eyes held a newfound intensity, a dangerous spark that hinted at a game Li Yuwei was only just beginning to play.
Li Yuwei held his gaze, a ghost of a smile touching her lips. "That, Mochen," she replied, her voice soft but laced with steel, "is a question whose answer you will have to earn. I have high standards, you see. And I have even higher pride. You think I'll simply fall back into step? Do I look like a fool to you? Better check again."
She watched his reaction, a slow, confident smile spreading across her face. The true game had just escalated.