As they stepped out of the Tianjin Magic Association Tower, the crisp afternoon air hit their faces. Qin Yu'er exhaled a deep breath, her composed exterior finally breaking as a small smile crept onto her face.
Mo Fan caught her expression and chuckled. "What's that look for, Miss Ice Queen? Didn't think you had it in you?"
Qin Yu'er gave him a playful glare, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Easy for you to say! I thought I'd mess up at least ten times." She let out a small laugh, a mix of relief and happiness.
"But did you see his face, Mo Fan?" she asked, a bit giddy. "I swear he was almost trembling when I mentioned the Konstantinov name. I actually think he might be rethinking his entire career right now."
Mo Fan chuckled, giving her a nod of approval. "You were impressive in there, Qin Yu'er. You practically had him wrapped around your finger. Good Job! You stuck to the script perfectly."
Qin Yu'er smiled shyly, her cool demeanour melting just a bit. "Well, I was nervous, honestly. But that script you gave me was… it worked like a charm. I just kept telling myself, 'Be the ice queen.' And I think I managed not to let anything show."
Mo Fan smirked. "Oh, you were ice cold, alright. I could almost feel the room temperature drop when you walked in. And Mr. Li? Poor guy didn't stand a chance."
They shared a laugh as they walked down the steps, feeling the weight of their accomplishment lift the tension. After a moment of silence, Qin Yu'er looked over at him with a satisfied glint in her eyes. "Well, looks like we've got this deal in the bag."
Mo Fan glanced at her and shook his head, "Not so fast, 'Dear Sister'. This was just the first round. We might have gotten Mr. Li to reluctantly agree, but there are a few more rounds ahead. There are other officials who'll want a piece of this as well, and I'm damn sure that greedy fat-ass won't let this go so easily."
Qin Yu'er's smile faltered for a second, "Right. Well, if there are more rounds, we'll be ready. With a little more help from you and your scripts, of course."
Mo Fan shrugged. "Hey, I think you're handling it just fine on your own. You don't need my script anymore. You just needed that little nudge to get started." He winked, adding, "Who knows, maybe by the end of this, you'll be the one writing the scripts."
She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "I'll leave the scripts to you, thank you very much. You know, if it weren't for you, I don't think I would've ever had the nerve to do something like this."
"Don't sell yourself short, Qin Yu'er. You're pretty formidable," he said with a playful smirk. "Just remember, we've got a lot of work to do before we can really celebrate. So keep that ice queen persona ready, alright?"
She rolled her eyes, "Fine, fine. But when we're done with all these rounds, and this deal is officially in the bag, you're buying me a nice dinner. Deal?"
Mo Fan chuckled. "Sure. But let's make it to the end first."
...
Mr. Li sat in his office, seething with rage as the door shut behind Mo Fan and Qin Yu'er. His smug façade had crumbled, leaving behind an expression twisted in anger and frustration.
"How dare she! That arrogant bitch and her smug little shitty brother. Just who do they think they are, coming in here as if they own the place?" He slammed his fist onto his desk with such force that the papers on it jumped, scattering across the surface.
How could he, a seasoned businessman, be outplayed so thoroughly by that cold, calculating woman? The very thought of her icy gaze and calm dismissal of his every move only fuelled his fury further.
"Konstantinov Family, Russian conglomerate…" he muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with contempt. "They think they can waltz into my country and buy up land like they own the place? Konstantinov or not, they'll regret ever crossing me." His eyes narrowed, glinting with malice. He wouldn't let them walk away with that land so easily. If they wanted it, they'd have to fight for it—on his terms.
A twisted, vengeful grin spread across his face as an idea began to form in his mind. His eyes gleamed with a dark satisfaction, and he leaned forward, the shadow of his bulk casting an ominous air over the desk.
If they thought they could make a fool of him, they were sorely mistaken. He would make sure their plans hit a wall, even if he had to drag the government into it.
He reached for the intercom on his desk, jabbing a button. "Get your ass in here, you bitch!," he barked.
A few moments later, his assistant, a young woman in her twenties with a professional demeanour, stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. She glanced nervously at Mr. Li's furious expression but kept her composure. "Yes, Mr. Li?"
He leaned back in his chair, a twisted smile on his face. "I want you to contact the Foreign Affairs Department," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Tell them a Russian family—the Konstantinovs, no less—plans to purchase a massive piece of land near Bohai Bay. Stress that it's prime land with strategic implications. We don't need foreign hands meddling in our country's assets, especially in such sensitive areas."
The assistant qhesitated, caught off guard by the venom in Mr. Li's voice. "But, sir, wouldn't it be wise to handle this discreetly? They do seem to have significant resources, and if they're serious about—"
"Did I ask for your opinion?" Mr. Li snapped, his face contorting with irritation. "These foreigners think they can stroll in here with their fancy cars and designer clothes and act like they own the place! No... no, I won't be humiliated by some Russian upstarts. If they want land, they'll have to work through every bureaucratic barrier we can throw at them."
His mouth twisted into a sneer, almost savoring the thought of Qin Yu'er's cold, perfect composure cracking when she learned of the obstacles he intended to put in her path.
"Make sure the Foreign Affairs Department understands the... risks," he continued, emphasizing the last word. "This is no ordinary acquisition. Who knows what they intend to do with it? We wouldn't want the wrong type of influence... creeping into our borders, now would we?"
The Assistant hesitated for a moment, "Understood, Mr. Li," she replied, carefully neutral.
"And another thing," he continued, his tone growing even colder. "I want a full report on both of them—the bitch and her so-called 'brother.' Dig up everything. I want to know who they really are, what they've done, where they're from... Everything."
The Assistant nodded, though a flicker of unease crossed her face. "That may take some time, sir. They're foreign nationals, and I'll need to go through some of our... discretionary contacts."
"Do it," he snapped impatiently, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "I don't care how long it takes, but I want that information as soon as possible. I refuse to let some icy bitch and her pretty-boy sidekick walk in here and make a fool of me."
"Yes, Mr. Li," she said, suppressing a sigh as she turned to leave.
Mr. Li leaned back, a grotesque smirk curling his lips, "Good," he muttered, his tone dripping with malice. "Let them see what happens when they cross me."