Was that... an invitation?
Had Mandy mentioned something?
During the afternoon meeting, Cheng Yi found herself half-distracted while taking notes. The four of them were finally back together, gathered for a project planning session. The project involved the acquisition of an American company by the Chinese firm, Changsheng Industries. Everyone's roles were the same as before:
The Big Boss was in charge of decision-making;
Mandy handled public relations and coordination;
Ye Minglang gathered market and company information;
Cheng Yi took care of document organization, record-keeping, logistical, and—most importantly—meals.
The project was officially underway
Cheng Yi was no stranger to Changsheng Industries. In fact, they were one of the very first clients the team had taken on four years ago. Changsheng had always been low-profile, starting out in manufacturing and staying largely under the radar outside of their industry.
Back then, without any prior introduction, they had approached the newly formed team directly, seeking help to acquire some U.S. assets during the financial crisis. Changsheng was particularly interested in acquiring a U.S. tech company that had been severely impacted by the crisis and was on the verge of bankruptcy. They successfully helped the client purchase 80% of the company's shares at what now seems like an unbelievable price, giving Changsheng a strong foothold in the smart products industry and rapidly boosting its reputation.
They had expected deeper collaboration in the future, but the client had deliberately avoided them since then. Industry whispers claimed they never worked with the same consultant twice. They had no interest in going public to raise funds, nor did they follow the trend of diversifying into real estate or emerging internet industries, sticking instead to their core business.
The most intriguing part was their largest shareholder. Rumor had it, even Changsheng's top executives had never met in person.
Last night, the client suddenly reached out again. They wanted the team to handle this new acquisition. Their legal and executive teams were flying in within 48 hours. The team immediately snapped into high gear. Roles were assigned; deadlines set.
This project reignited Cheng Yi's long-dormant passion for work. She had missed the feeling of being part of a team, all moving toward the same goal.
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No matter how big the project, the Big Boss had one unbreakable rule: everyone stops working before 10 p.m.
Just like before, Cheng Yi had booked hotel rooms and a conference suite nearby to eliminate commuting stress. Meals and rest were all handled in-house so the team could stay focused and well-rested. By ten each night, she'd prepare a light snack, her gentle signal that it was time to wind down.
Tonight, she brought a chilled bowl of mung bean soup to Big Boss, who was still working at his laptop. As she turned to leave, he stopped her.
"Let's talk."
"Sure."
Cheng Yi sat down respectfully, head slightly bowed. The Big Boss typed as he spoke, focused yet deliberate.
"Minglang's probably been bothering you."
"No, it's fine. Just... one more pair of chopsticks at dinner."
"How have you been?"
"Alright. And you?"
"Busy."
He asked, she answered—short and to the point.
The Big Boss remained distant, and Cheng Yi was deliberately evasive.
"If you don't want to join this project, you can leave anytime. You're not obligated."
"I want to."
Cheng Yi answered without a trace of hesitation. His fingers came to a pause just above the keyboard, but he didn't look up. His gaze stayed fixed somewhere beyond the screen.
"I'll say it again: you have the right to do what makes you happy."
"I'm happy being here with all of you."
This time, he looked up. His deep, unreadable eyes locked onto hers, as if trying to see straight through her. Instinctively, Cheng Yi leaned back just a little.
"Anything else?"
"N-no... that's all."
She lowered her gaze, lifted the lid of the food container, and gently slid it toward him.
"Goodnight, Mingzhe."
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The client's first meeting was scheduled in the hotel's conference suite. Cheng Yi arrived early to set up the room and test the equipment.
Less than twenty minutes before the meeting was due to start, the laser pointer stopped working. Cheng Yi was instantly on edge. She dashed to the front desk, hoping they had a spare. Thankfully, they did. By the time she returned, the room was already filling up. She spotted the Big Boss across the room, exchanging pleasantries with the clients.
Suddenly, a flustered Minglang appeared and pulled her aside into the lobby.
"Beijing just sent over some urgent files. I need you to go sort them now. We'll need that data tonight. Leave this meeting to us. Just give me the pointer."
"But... isn't this the more important task?"
"We've got it covered. Go prep the documents."
Still confused, Cheng Yi handed over the laser pointer and allowed herself to be "banished" from the meeting.
Wasn't the Beijing client on vacation with family? Could their business really be that urgent? But this wasn't the first time she had to juggle multiple projects, rushing from one crisis to another. Something about Ye Minglang seemed off today, Cheng Yi thought as she walked away.
Ye Minglang was seething as he looked at the Big Boss's calm demeanor. Driven by frustration, he dared to glare at the older brother he usually feared and respected.
"I don't care why you're doing this," he snapped. "But I won't let Yi get hurt."
With that, he stormed into the conference room, leaving the Big Boss standing outside, expression as unreadable as ever.
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Cheng Yi asked the hotel staff to deliver coffee for the meeting, hoping to make her entrance into the meeting room less conspicuous.
The moment she saw Fang Zhiyuan sitting across the table, she finally understood Ye Minglang's intentions. All she wanted was to find a reason to leave fast. One moment, Minglang had looked smug; the next, he was watching her with a mix of anger and disappointment.
How was she supposed to handle this situation? Who could help her?
Fang Zhiyuan had come for Cheng Yi, and when he didn't see her, he suspected that someone was deliberately keeping her away. As Cheng Yi entered the room, Fang Zhiyuan appeared calm, but the slight smile tugging at his lips was impossible to hide. As long as they kept meeting, he was confident he could win her back.
There's no way years of growing up together could be outweighed by just a few years apart.
The Big Boss remained composed as ever, leading the presentation, laying out the acquisition plan, and handling the clients' questions with practiced ease. The clients nodded in approval, fully engaged in the discussion and seemingly unaware of the quiet tension threading through the room. When the presentation ended, he announced a short break, ostensibly to give everyone a rest, and offered to answer questions one-on-one.
Ye Minglang immediately pulled Cheng Yi aside, seething with frustration.
"Why are you here again?"
Cheng Yi couldn't bring herself to meet his furious gaze, keeping her head down and blushing with regret.
"I didn't know your email password. I came to ask."
Ye Minglang wanted to bang his head against the wall. This? This was what ruined everything? After all that scheming, all that confidence—how could it fall apart over something so basic? He'd strutted in thinking he had everything under control, only to be brought down by the dumbest oversight. His brother had scolded him for mistakes like this more times than he could count. Tonight, even if he admitted defeat, it was already too late.
Defeated, he slumped forward, resting his head on Cheng Yi's shoulder, seeking comfort.
Fang Zhiyuan couldn't stand their closeness, his expression darkening, eyes blazing as he prepared to intervene. At that crucial moment, the Big Boss took control of the situation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce one more of our key team members—Cheng Yi. We're all expatriates here, and with her on board handling translation and documentation, we're confident we can better understand your company's needs and ensure a smooth acquisition."
He smiled lightly.
"She was just finalizing arrangements for tonight's welcome dinner. Would you give us the honor of hosting you?"
With just a few words, he shifted the tone entirely, turning confrontation into courtesy and guiding all three of them—Yi, Minglang, and even Fang Zhiyuan—back into the rhythm of work.
Cheng Yi sighed inwardly. Now that she was here, she knew that whatever the outcome might be, there was no walking back out that door.