About thirty minutes later, the Yang Group delegation arrived at the headquarters of the Shen Corporation alongside Shen Xue.
Members of the Shen family were already waiting downstairs. Even Shen Xue's father, Shen Tianming, had come to greet them personally.
"Dad," Shen Xue stepped forward quickly, "this is the team sent by the Yang family. They're here to discuss several major projects."
Shen Tianming's eyes flickered. Though surprised and a bit skeptical, he still smiled politely. "Welcome, everyone. Let's move to the conference room."
Once seated, the Yang team swiftly took their positions.
Standing at the front, Bai Nuoxue spoke with calm professionalism. "Mr. Shen, good afternoon. We represent the Yang Group and have come to discuss a potential collaboration. We've brought several of our key upcoming projects."
With a signal from her, several assistants stepped forward and placed thick stacks of documents in front of Shen Tianming.
"These projects total around 50 billion yuan. We will do our utmost to accommodate your company's needs."
Shen Tianming was momentarily stunned—fifty billion? What was the Yang family really after?
He glanced at Shen Xue, who nodded seriously. His brows furrowed slightly.
"May I ask," he said cautiously, "why the Yang Group chose our Shen family for such a large-scale cooperation?"
Bai Nuoxue replied with a polite smile, "As for the deeper reasons, we aren't entirely sure. Perhaps... Miss Shen can shed more light. But what we can assure you is this: every project is legitimate, thoroughly vetted, and low risk."
Hurry up and sign, she thought silently. If this drags on, I won't be able to answer to the boss.
Shen Tianming skimmed through the proposals, growing more astonished with each page. These were the hottest, most promising projects on the market, with detailed risk assessments and financial models.
After a moment of contemplation, he finally said, "Shen Xue, go fetch the company seal."
Shen Xue nodded and turned to instruct an assistant.
"You'll sign these," Shen Tianming said softly, "and you'll take full responsibility for execution and oversight."
Shen Xue took a deep breath. "Yes, sir."
Shen Tianming narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched her stamp and sign the contracts with utmost formality. In that moment, he understood.
For the Yang family to offer fifty billion upfront and let his daughter take full lead—there was no way this didn't involve personal sentiment.
Still, he didn't expose it. Instead, he said nonchalantly, "Since you're in charge now, find some time to bring that young man home for dinner. Let your mother and I meet him."
"Dad!" Shen Xue's cheeks flushed crimson. "It's not what you think!"
Shen Tianming chuckled and waved her off. "Come on, girl, you think you can hide your little thoughts from your old man?"
With that, he turned and walked out of the conference room. His steps were steady, his expression calm—but a subtle warmth lingered on his face.
Shen Xue watched his retreating figure, heart still pounding. She knew this wasn't just a vote of trust from Yang Tian—it was a burden and responsibility for her family's future.
Shortly afterward, the Yang Group delegation exited the Shen building. Bai Nuoxue led the group downstairs, immediately pulling out her phone to make a call.
"Boss, the job is done. The contracts have been signed. We'll assign an on-site team to begin operations and report back regularly."
Yang Tian's voice came through, short and direct: "Good."
Then the call ended.
At the base, Yang Tian calmly closed a folder. His expression remained as composed as ever. This fifty-billion deal was only the beginning.
What he truly wanted… was to place a key piece on the board.
At that same moment, the campus bell rang for lunch break.
Liu Ruyan sat near the window, sunlight gently tracing the lines of her face. Her phone buzzed.
Her heart skipped slightly.
Could it be a message from Yang Tian? He hadn't contacted her for days now…
But it wasn't a message from him. It was a news alert:
Breaking: Yang Group to Invest 50 Billion in Shen Corporation — Regional Resource Chain Rumored to Restructure
She froze, eyes glued to the headline.
"Yang Tian... and the Shen family?"
She tapped to view the full article. The contents were detailed and technical, yet one line stood out like a dagger in her chest:
'Insider reports claim the deal was personally signed and led by Shen Corporation's heiress.'
Liu Ruyan's fingers clenched around her phone. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Shen Xue.
She suddenly recalled that day in the library—Shen Xue sitting quietly beside Yang Tian. It had been just a brief glance, but now it felt like a foreshadowing.
"When did they get... so close?"
Outside the window, tree shadows danced in the wind, but for the first time, she felt a hollow pang of loss deep in her chest.
In the Shen Corporation's boardroom, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting sharp reflections on the 50-billion-yuan contract.
Shen Xue held the company seal with steady hands. With a crisp thud, the red stamp landed on the paper—her signature followed immediately.
Standing beside her, Shen Tianming's expression was unreadable.
He was no longer the naive businessman of his youth. The Yang family's motives were now crystal clear. And in Shen Xue's eyes—he saw something else.
Affection. Possibly love.
"You'll take full charge of these projects," he said, voice calm but carrying weight.
After a pause, he added more casually, "If you've got time, bring that kid over for dinner. Let us meet him."
"Dad!" Shen Xue's face burned again. She quickly looked away. "It's not what you think..."
Shen Tianming snorted, chuckling as he waved his hand. "Don't take me for a fool. Go do your work. Make me proud."
With that, he strode out under the sunlight, his figure steady and confident.
Shen Xue remained rooted in place, staring at the pile of signed contracts. Her palms were slightly sweaty, but for the first time, she felt... grounded.
This was Yang Tian's gamble—but also his trust.
Meanwhile, the Yang Group team was leaving the building. Bai Nuoxue led the way, phone in hand.
"Boss, it's done. Mr. Shen personally authorized the contract. Shen Xue has full control. We'll maintain communication and ensure timely progress."
A brief pause on the line, then Yang Tian's deep voice: "Good."
Short. Decisive. Just like him.
Bai Nuoxue exhaled quietly. This 50-billion cooperation had put her under immense pressure.
Inside Shen Corporation, the project teams were already mobilizing. An unseen battlefield was slowly unfolding.
During lunch break, the campus was unusually quiet.
Liu Ruyan leaned at her desk by the window. Sunlight flickered on the pages of her book—but her mind was far away.
Her phone vibrated softly.
Her eyes lit up as she picked it up, hoping, just maybe, it was a message from that person.
But no.
Another financial news update:
Headline: Yang Group Injects 50 Billion into Shen Corporation — Regional Power Structure to Shift?
Her fingers froze over the screen.
The names "Shen Corporation" and "Shen Xue" seemed to glare at her.
Her heart sank like a stone.
"Yang Tian... you actually partnered with Shen Xue?"
That library scene came flooding back—Shen Xue sitting beside Yang Tian, their quiet coordination. She had overlooked it then.
But now… she saw it clearly.
It had started then.
She stared at the screen as the comments rolled in—speculation about a strategic alliance, whispers of a business-political marriage, discussions about rising powers.
For the first time, Liu Ruyan felt a kind of helpless frustration—like something she had taken for granted… was slipping away.
Outside, summer leaves rustled in the wind, cicadas hummed, but she no longer noticed.
Something was changing.And maybe, something was already lost.