Wu Zekai's composure cracked, just slightly.
He Ting's face went pale.
The pen in Secretary Du's hand stilled above the contract.
The room froze—papers on the table waiting for a signature that would not come.
Wu Zekai tried again, his voice laced with patience that was starting to fray.
"President Qin, please understand. Young Master Cao rarely entrusts matters like this to anyone. The fact that he allowed me to handle tonight's meeting already shows his confidence in this project."
Across from him, Qin Yichen's expression was like stone. He didn't raise his voice, didn't slam the table, yet his silence pressed heavier than thunder.
When he finally spoke, it was slow and deliberate, every word carrying the weight of a line he would not cross.
"I didn't come here for confidence. I came here for sincerity. Do you know how much effort it took to arrange this meeting?"
Wu Zekai opened his mouth, but Qin Yichen cut him off.
"For years, I've poured everything into this—this team. Now, I finally have the chance to build something of my own, and you expect me to hand it over with few casual words from a manager?" His eyes sharpened, voice low but unshakable. "Dreams are not toys to be tossed around. If Young Master Cao thinks so little of this, then there's no point continuing."
He rose to his feet, movements sharp with finality.
Wu Zekai stood hurriedly, hands half-raised in a futile attempt to salvage the collapsing deal. "President Qin, please—if you leave like this, it will only create more misunderstandings. Young Master Cao truly—"
"Enough."
The single word landed like a gavel.
Secretary Du closed the folder with composed precision, sliding the documents back into his briefcase. His voice was calm, professional, but every syllable struck with the authority of the Qin family's heir at his back.
"If your Young Master Cao genuinely values this collaboration, then let him show it in person. Until then, there will be no agreement."
Wu Zekai's mouth opened, then closed. The finality in Secretary Du's tone left no room for negotiation.
He Ting stood by the door, his face pale as paper, caught between fear and confusion. He bowed quickly, words tumbling out in a hushed rush.
"I… I apologize, President Qin. Secretary Du. This… this wasn't how it was supposed to go."
Neither man responded. Qin Yichen was already striding toward the door, his tall figure carrying a presence that silenced the room more effectively than any words. Secretary Du followed, his measured steps the echo of professionalism, leaving nothing behind but the cold certainty of their refusal.
The door closed.
For a long moment, silence reigned.
He Ting exhaled shakily, bowed once more in apology to Wu Zekai, and slipped out with hurried steps, leaving the manager alone in the smoke-filled room.
Wu Zekai stood still, his shoulders sagging with helpless frustration. Then, with a sharp exhale, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
The line connected after only one ring.
"You heard everything?" His voice was low, tight with resignation.
On the other end, silence lingered for a beat before a sigh drifted through. The tone was soft—too soft for the figure the world believed Cao Zhiyu to be. "I did. Come back. We'll think of something else."
Wu Zekai's brows furrowed. His tone carried both concern and frustration. "Does it really have to be this way? Hiding, avoiding, making me face all the fallout in your place?"
"Yes," the voice replied without hesitation. Though faint, it carried a firmness that brooked no argument. "It has to be this way, at least for now."
Wu Zekai closed his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at his lips as the line went dead.
He lowered the phone slowly, staring at the darkened screen with an expression caught between loyalty and helplessness.
At last, he muttered to himself, "Cousin… how much longer can you keep this secret?"
The words were swallowed by the silence of the room, unanswered.