After Qiao Wenxing returned this time, he received praise from some old-timers in the company. These veterans who had watched him grow felt that Qiao Wenxing had "finally matured." However, their next words were always a shake of the head and a sigh: "What a pity…”
What a pity indeed, for with Qiao Chengyu’s shining reputation ahead, even if Qiao Wenxing dazzled at that moment, he could not be compared to his more accomplished older brother.
People often join forces for their own benefits. Compared to Qiao Wenxing, who had only just begun to mature, these veterans would rather see their leading figure be the steady and decisive Qiao Chengyu.
Qiao Wenxing did not respond to those who speculated on him or watched him with interest. He diligently managed the two companies entrusted to him by his father, knowing that if he performed well, even if he couldn’t claim the title of heir, his father would still grant him more power and benefit.
Having come this far, there was little more he could do for himself.
In the past, he had brimmed with youthful bravado and looked down on managing business matters, often leaving them to professional managers while he basked in titles like “youthful talent” and “business elite.” But now he was different. After experiencing the hardships of starting his own venture independently, returning to manage a company backed by a large corporation, with its high efficiency and smooth funding flow, brought him an indescribable sense of relief.
At this moment, Qiao Wenxing had shed the distractions of love; he was gradually becoming a mature man, his focus now entirely on his career.
Three months later, the acquisition deal involving the Han family was completed smoothly, and Qiao Wenxing was invited to the celebration banquet.
The star of the banquet was Han Yanyan. Though a bit proud and headstrong, Miss Han was, under her influential father, a diligent student and hard worker. Han’s father was behind the scenes managing affairs while Han Yanyan took charge at the front. Naturally, at this celebration, she was the undisputed main character.
From across the crowd, Qiao Wenxing observed her, feeling a strange sense of hesitation.
They had known each other for many years, and both understood that they might one day marry. However, their relationship, though close, had not crossed into romance; they were comfortable in their easygoing coexistence, a dynamic that had not changed even after their engagement.
Qiao Wenxing often felt that Han Yanyan was exceptionally talented, her interest in business far surpassing any affection for him as a fiancé. With such a strong and assertive fiancée, he found it hard to resist Xiao Baiyue, a delicate junior who reminded him of a soft flower. He had once truly loved Bai Yue and even entertained thoughts of a lifelong commitment. But ultimately, they were from different worlds, and forcing their lives together left them both with wounds.
Standing amidst the splendor of the banquet hall, he gazed at Han Yanyan, radiant and bright, and suddenly realized what kind of wife he truly wanted.
Yet, beside the person he should love, someone else unexpectedly appeared. That person, calm and composed, exuded an overwhelming presence. But upon standing next to her, he wore a gentle smile in his eyes. Qiao Wenxing stopped in his tracks, watching Qiao Chengyu and Han Yanyan, feeling lost.
In his confusion, the crowd suddenly became dizzy. The crystal chandelier above shook, and someone stumbled and fell.
Qiao Chengyu swayed slightly but quickly steadied himself against a pillar. His first response was to grab Han Yanyan’s wrist since there had been an earthquake and he wanted to pull her outside.
But he couldn’t move her.
Han Yanyan also wobbled slightly; her slender and light body allowed her to regain her balance quickly. When Qiao Chengyu grasped her wrist, she reversed her grip and held onto him.
"Earthquake! We need to leave!" Qiao Chengyu shouted.
Han Yanyan stood still, not panicking but instead smiling. Finally, she wasn’t alone; finally, someone was experiencing the world’s tremors with her.
She looked toward Qiao Wenxing in the crowd.
Noticing her unusual calmness, Qiao Chengyu followed her gaze, and in the chaotic crowd, he spotted Qiao Wenxing standing out, especially noticeable.
At that moment, an unusual sensation stirred in Qiao Chengyu’s heart.
Qiao Wenxing was unaffected by the shaking. It was Han Yanyan’s gaze that pulled him back to reality. He looked around at the panicked crowd, momentarily stunned, wondering what had just happened.
As he regained his composure, the sudden shaking ceased. The guests, still in a state of shock, were just regaining their bearings. A few waiters who had recently entered from outside stood bewildered: "What happened? Sir, are you alright?"
Guests murmured in a mix of fear, saying, "It was an earthquake, didn’t you feel it?"
The waiters exchanged glances. They hadn't been in the banquet hall and had felt nothing in the preparation room.
Due to this unexpected incident, the banquet concluded early. Media present that night rushed back to write reports, discussing the earthquake during the banquet. The next morning, the editor immediately returned the article: “Nonsense, there was no earthquake yesterday!”
But the earthquake was not something only one person discussed. The guests at the banquet were all prominent figures, each claiming there had indeed been an earthquake. It was unlikely so many would lie simultaneously, especially since they were all reputable. Thus, the incident became an extraordinary phenomenon, garnering attention for a full week.
After the guests departed, Han Yanyan did not leave immediately. She turned to Qiao Chengyu and said, "I need to freshen up," and went into the ladies' lounge.
The ladies' lounge was empty, filled with sofas and several dressing tables. Han Yanyan closed the door, resting her hands on the table and looking at herself in the mirror.
“Leo, come out!” she called into the mirror.
A few seconds later, the ladies' lounge remained eerily silent.
Calmly, Han Yanyan pulled out a butterfly knife from her bag, smoothly opening it—a skill taught to her by Ding Yao. She looked in the mirror, placing the blade against her carotid artery.
“Hey!” Leo exclaimed in a panic. “Hey hey hey! What are you doing!”
In this world, one could be called upon just by saying a word. Han Yanyan covered her mouth to suppress a cold laugh, lowering the knife. “Since you didn’t respond, I had to use another method.”
“Wasn’t everything going smoothly? Why did you call me out?” Leo asked, irately.
“Just wanted to confirm something from earlier,” Han Yanyan put the knife away and returned it to her bag. “Was that situation just now—does it mean the task is almost complete?”
“Yes, just a little more to go!” Leo replied. “Just a tiny bit, give him a bit of a push, and you can walk away victorious!”
Han Yanyan stared into the air.
“...Just leave this world, right?” she inquired.
“Yes, when the mission is completed, it’s over here.” Leo affirmed.
“What about everyone else? My parents? My fiancé?” Han Yanyan lifted her gaze, questioningly staring at the ceiling.
Leo chuckled derisively. “Them? Surely, you shouldn’t care about… hmm.” Mid-sentence, he seemed to realize something, stopping short. “They don’t matter; the mission target is what’s important. Don’t mind anyone else apart from the mission target.”
After waiting a while outside, Han Yanyan emerged from the ladies' room. Compared to her earlier vibrant self at the banquet, she now appeared slightly fatigued and unsteady on her feet.
“Yanyan,” Qiao Chengyu approached and asked, “Are you tired?”
Han Yanyan paused, looking up at him. A moment of confusion flickered across her face before she masked it. She stared at Qiao Chengyu, suddenly tiptoeing to give him a light kiss.
“I’ll come over to your place today.” She smiled.
Qiao Chengyu sensed that she must indeed be tired. Though she smiled, it lacked her usual brightness and felt weary.
That night, Han Yanyan was particularly affectionate, clinging closely to him. After their intimate encounter, she wouldn’t allow him to retreat to his study, lying on his chest and chatting away.
She had always been bold and spirited, both in business and in emotions, effortlessly flowing here and there. This clingy side of her made Qiao Chengyu’s heart soften. He liked her like this.
He held her close, listening to her ramble about things that didn’t quite make sense.
“Do you know what I like about you?” Han Yanyan said, propping up her head to gaze at him.
“What?” he queried.
Her eyes sparkling with unshed tears and unexpressed feelings, mixed with a hint of unnameable sorrow, she replied softly, “I like your handsome face.”
“I like your great figure; those abs are impressive.”
“I like your height, and your hair is so dark and thick.”
“I love how you look in a suit and shirt, so composed.”
“I love how devoted you are when you work, completely focused.”
“I appreciate your seriousness.”
“I admire your persistence for your desires, never giving up.”
“Striving for success, yet maintaining your boundaries.”
“Oh, and I love your hands, the shape of your collarbone and Adam's apple.”
Qiao Chengyu initially listened with a smile, but gradually, his expression shifted.
“Yanyan.” His voice was slightly hoarse from the intimacy, sounding deeper than usual. He looked at Han Yanyan and asked, “...Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing.” Han Yanyan rested her chin in her hands, smiling playfully. “Just thought you should know I like you.”
Qiao Chengyu fell silent.
From their first meeting to forming an alliance, becoming engaged, and evolving into a romantic relationship, nearly two years had passed. He was astute and perceptive, carrying a lingering question in his heart.
He really wanted to ask Han Yanyan: Who hurt you?
It certainly wasn’t Qiao Wenxing; he lacked the prowess.
Qiao Chengyu was sure that in Han Yanyan’s past, there had been a man who deeply wounded her, leaving scars that had yet to heal.
Because of this man’s presence, he had to exert more effort to warm her heart.
But ultimately, he did not ask anything. If she didn’t want to speak about it, he would not push. He simply caressed her face, seriously telling her, “I love you too.”
What’s the difference between love and like?
Han Yanyan gazed greedily at her handsome fiancé, smiling as she leaned in for a kiss.
“Which do you prefer, an everlasting bond or fleeting moments?” she asked, looking into his eyes.
“Let’s just cherish the moments…” Her whisper sounded like a sigh.
She wondered if she had forgotten to tell him just how much she appreciated that he understood her, that his gaze held so much he desired to express yet he could always restrain what shouldn’t be said.
Why didn’t she choose eternity? Qiao Chengyu pondered.
In two more months, they could achieve that everlasting bond.
In just two months, Han Yanyan of Han Corporation, and Qiao Chengyu of Qiao Corporation would be wed in a grand, luxurious, and romantic ceremony.