The morning unfolded with the kind of subtle chaos only the media could create, with flashing cameras, murmured speculations, and a collective hum of curiosity rippling through the capital's business district.
By nine o'clock, Su International's headquarters was surrounded. Every major publication, financial columnist, and entertainment outlet had gathered to confirm the rumour that the mysterious woman leading the Gu Foundation had joined Su International's executive board.
Inside the towering glass building, Su Ruoyan adjusted the cuffs of her tailored ivory blazer, a simple, elegant design that exuded quiet authority. Her long hair was pulled into a low twist, revealing diamond-studded earrings once gifted by her late grandmother. Her makeup was restrained yet flawless, emphasising the serenity in her gaze rather than the beauty of her features.
Standing before the mirror, she saw only herself, the woman who had walked through ruin and rebuilt her name with quiet, ruthless grace.
Qi Meilin entered, tablet in hand, eyes bright. "Ah Yan, the press is ready. Your brother will open, then you'll follow. The media already received our statement, but they're expecting your first public comment."
Ruoyan turned, composed as ever. "Any unusual questions we anticipated?"
"Mostly about your background," Meilin said. "Some reporters have already linked the Gu Foundation's funding to Su International, though none have proof. They're just guessing, but nothing's confirmed yet."
A small smile touched Ruoyan's lips. "Then let them guess a little longer."
They left the dressing room and walked through the quiet hallway leading to the main conference hall. Inside, her eldest brother, Su Chengyuan, stood near the stage, speaking with two senior directors. As always, his presence commanded immediate respect.
He turned when she entered, giving her a subtle nod. "Ready?"
"I've been ready for years," she replied softly.
He studied her for a moment, and she caught a flicker of pride in his eyes before it was replaced by calm professionalism. "Then today, the capital meets the new face of Su International."
The conference began with poised precision. Chengyuan addressed the media first, announcing new philanthropic ventures and expansion plans between Su International and the Gu Foundation. His tone was measured and strategic, laying the groundwork for Ruoyan's introduction.
When he called her name, the room erupted with flashes, shouts, and murmured disbelief.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Chengyuan said smoothly, "our new Executive Director, Ms Su Ruoyan."
She stepped forward, calm amid the storm of lights. Cameras clicked like thunder, but her gaze remained steady.
Her voice, low and melodious, carried through the hall.
"Good morning to all media houses. It's an honour to stand here today. Su International and the Gu Foundation share one belief that progress should uplift, not exploit and together, we aim to redefine how corporate responsibility can coexist with ambition."
Her words were precise, measured with a perfect balance of warmth and authority. The media leaned forward, captivated by her quiet confidence.
Then came the questions.
"Director Su, this is your first public appearance, and I notice that you share the same surname as the Su family. Would you mind sharing your relationship with Su International?"
Ruoyan met the reporter's gaze head-on. "There are many people with the surname Su in the capital, and I'm very fortunate that my name happens to match theirs, but it stops there. My surname doesn't dictate my achievements, so I hope our media friends can focus on my current projects, and today, we should be talking about the future."
Her tone neither denied nor confirmed; it was dismissed, elegantly.
Another reporter raised a hand. "There are claims that the Gu Foundation was secretly supported by Su International from its inception. Is that true?"
Ruoyan smiled faintly. "The Gu Foundation has always been independent in its operations. However, we share the same vision, and naturally, collaboration followed."
It was the perfect half-truth, one that Su Chengyuan had prepared, but only she could deliver so effortlessly.
By the end of the session, the narrative had shifted. Social media was flooded with excitement over the Gu Foundation's enigmatic leader.
WhoAreYou: Who is this Su Ruoyan? She's stunning!
Yansikong: Isn't she the woman involved in that recent divorce scandal? The name matches.
HeyYouTheAbove: No way. The woman in that scandal was limping. Gu's boss isn't limping — she walks like she owns the world. Jie jie, do you need a sister? Can I be your honorary one?
Across the city, whispers spread like wildfire. Every company has started making quiet calls to Su International, sensing which way the tide was turning, and somewhere in a high-rise office of Lu Corporation, Lu Shenyang slammed his phone onto the table, his face dark.
"She planned this," he muttered, jaw tightening. "Every damn step."
His secretary hesitated before speaking. "Sir, Su International's stock rose two per cent within the hour. Media sentiment is entirely on their side."
Lu Shenyang's hand curled into a fist. The woman he'd once dismissed as harmless had just shifted the balance of the capital, and without mentioning his name even once.
Meanwhile, back at Su International, Ruoyan stood by the window after the conference, watching the frenzy unfold below.
Her brother entered quietly. "You handled them perfectly," Chengyuan said.
She exhaled softly. "It's strange, ge ge. These people used to chase scandals, but now they're chasing me for answers, to know who I am."
"Power changes the narrative, Ah Yan," he replied. "And you've taken it back."
He handed her a sleek black envelope embossed with gold foil. "By the way, this just arrived, an invitation from the Capital Business Summit. They've invited you as the guest of honour, alongside me."
Ruoyan raised a brow. "The same summit that once rejected my proposal when it came under Lu Shenyang's name?"
Chengyuan's mouth curved slightly. "Well, how times have changed."
She accepted the invitation, fingers tracing the golden crest. "Then let's give them something to remember."
When he left, Ruoyan remained by the window. Below, the city pulsed with the rhythm of lights, traffic, and ambition. Somewhere amid that chaos, Mo Zhenyan was watching too, from a distance neither far nor near.
Her reflection in the glass no longer belonged to the broken woman who once hid behind closed doors. The world had witnessed her return, and this time, she would not fade into anyone's shadow.
"Su Ruoyan," she murmured to herself, her voice like a vow. "Let them remember you."
The phoenix had risen with grace, deliberation, and unstoppable force.
As dusk fell over the capital, the golden envelope on her desk glimmered beneath the fading light, marking the next step in her ascent.