At the same time, in the conference room.
Shen Yanci questioned his manager, Li Juan, sharply. “I asked you to find out why those media outlets suddenly disappeared, and it’s already been five hours. Tell me have you found out the reason?”
Every word Shen Yanci spoke carried heavy emphasis.
Li Juan trembled. “Mr. Shen, we’re looking into it… please wait a little longer.”
Shen Yanci couldn’t hold back anymore.
All his previous calm, patience, and charm had been drained by the wait. He slammed the ashtray on the table. “Wait, wait, wait! Is waiting all you can do? Can you come up with some other, practical, reliable methods?”
Shen Yanci stared at Li Juan in disbelief. “Don’t you have any other options besides waiting?”
Li Juan felt deeply wronged.
“Mr. Shen, these things require investigation. You know how tight-lipped journalists are. We have no personal connections with them, so we can’t get anything directly from their mouths. I’ve done my best. Besides, leveraging connections takes time. Usually, for matters like this, it takes at least two or three days to get results.”
Lin Xiaoxiao sat off to the side, watching.
She knew Li Juan was telling the truth.
But Shen Yanci had been spoiled by Xu Mian in the past; any tiny fluctuation, and Xu Mian would sense it beforehand.
Not everyone had Xu Mian’s ability or network.
“Yanci, don’t be angry,” Lin Xiaoxiao said, sitting beside him. “Maybe the journalists left early for some other reason. Be patient you’ll find out why.”
Shen Yanci felt restless.
This sense of helplessness hadn’t visited him since Xu Mian had come into his life.
He had invested heavily in this project. If it failed, he couldn’t foresee how much debt he’d have to bear.
Shen Yanci held a cigarette, silent for a long time.
Lin Xiaoxiao noticed and realized he was thinking of Xu Mian at that moment.
Her gaze softened.
She suddenly spoke softly, “Yanci, all those connections you had before… Xu Mian had always been managing them for you.”
She only said half of it classic Lin Xiaoxiao style.
Shen Yanci looked at her. “What do you mean?”
Lin Xiaoxiao tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Nothing really… I just thought it’s… quite a coincidence. Xu Mian leaves, and suddenly things start going wrong for you.”
Shen Yanci frowned.
“You mean… this has something to do with Xu Mian?”
“I’m just making a reasonable guess. One moment, the journalists were praising you, and ten minutes later, they were all gone. Who else could have such influence besides Miss Xu?”
Lin Xiaoxiao smiled faintly. “But I’m only guessing. There’s no solid evidence. Just listen, Yanci.”
After speaking, she stood up.
She gently took Li Juan’s hand and led her out, whispering: “Don’t cry. It’s unfair that you have to deal with Xu Mian’s mess. Xu Mian is like that if she can’t have something, no one else can. Try to be understanding.”
Shen Yanci stared at the floor, eyes dark.
Xu Mian.
I thought I had treated you poorly.
Yet you’re doing this to me!
Amusing?
You just want me to beg, to obediently return to your side.
But you don’t know this:
I, Shen Yanci, besides this face that drives you crazy, still have some pride. I won’t bow to you for material things.
Just wait.
I will achieve something remarkable enough to make you look at me differently!
Lin Xiaoxiao poured a cup of coffee and came in to see Shen Yanci standing by the window, on the phone with the bank.
He wanted to fund his own publicity.
But the bank refused.
“Mr. Shen, I understand starting a business is hard, but your new company cannot be used as collateral.”
Shen Yanci lowered his voice. “Why not? I remember using Qingni as collateral before.”
Back then, almost cornered by investors, Xu Mian had used Qingni as collateral to secure a bank loan, directly funding that historical drama, allowing Shen Yanci to smoothly earn the title of Best Actor.
“Yes, Qingni worked,” the bank manager said with a smile. “Because Miss Xu was involved, we approved the loan out of respect for her. But you said at the last press release they’ve already parted ways, right?”
Shen Yanci said coldly, “So my Best Actor title is worth less than a manager’s?”
The manager smiled faintly. “You joke. Best Actor titles happen every year; anyone can get one. But to single-handedly support a company from start to finish, only Miss Xu could. Right?”
Shen Yanci hadn’t expected his Best Actor award to be so meaningless.
He hung up in frustration.
Lin Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes and walked to him. “Yanci, how much more money do you need?”
Shen Yanci looked at her. “Promotion costs, plus smoothing over relationships at least ten million.”
Lin Xiaoxiao remembered the card Xu Mian had left.
There was still eighty million left.
She pursed her lips, pretending hesitation. “Yanci, my mother also left a set of jewelry from the auction it was passed down from my grandmother.”
“No!” Shen Yanci immediately said. “I’ve seen that jewelry. Your grandmother treasured it it’s meant to accompany you when you marry. I can’t use it.”
Lin Xiaoxiao smiled gently, eyes full of affection. “Yanci, for you, I’d give anything.”
Shen Yanci’s heart stirred.
Before, everything he did had to be evaluated by Xu Mian. Only Xiaoxiao supported him unconditionally, no questions asked.
He was moved. “Xiaoxiao, consider this money a loan from me to you. When this drama earns money, I’ll return it with interest.”
Lin Xiaoxiao smiled faintly. “Yanci, it’s mine anyway just use it as your own.”
Shen Yanci was moved again.
Lin Xiaoxiao watched him, waiting.
Waiting for him to hug her, to say she was the one who understood him best.
But he didn’t.
Clenching his fists, he swore: “Just wait! I’ll make Xu Mian regret leaving me! I’ll make her cry and beg to return to my side.”
Lin Xiaoxiao froze.
A shadow flickered in her eyes but it quickly disappeared.
She smiled softly, patiently: “Yanci, I hope whatever wish you have, you can fulfill it.”
Shen Yanci’s smile returned, confident and bright. “Mm!”
That day, Lin Xiaoxiao withdrew ten million from the card under the name “Shen Yanci.”
The next morning, when Xu Mian came downstairs, she received a call.
Her mentor, Sheng Ao, spoke with a warm, teasing tone: “My dear student, when are you coming to the institute?”
Xu Mian glanced at the people at the dining table and said lightly: “Not for now.”
Sheng Ao’s tone immediately fell. “Why? You know our research has been waiting for you to catch up.”
Xu Mian saw the others’ gazes sweeping over her. She said faintly: “In a while. I’ll call you later.”
After hanging up, Wang Fang’s eyes lit up, smiling: “Mian, who called you so early? A boyfriend?”
Xu Mian knew what Wang Fang was thinking.
A daughter married off is like water spilled.
Wang Fang secretly hoped this water would quickly be spilled out.
Xu Mian ignored her.
She sat down at the table and casually picked up a bun.
Xu Die frowned at Xu Mian’s lordly posture. “Xu Mian, Mom’s talking to you! Can’t you listen? What’s with your attitude?”
Xu Mian pretended not to hear.
Crossing her legs, her relaxed gaze emanated cold arrogance, a deliberate distance.
Xu Lin wanted to get angry but was held back by Wang Fang.
The trust fund was about to mature. Convincing Xu Mian to hand over the family assets was more important than conflict at this moment.
Wang Fang smiled and started a new topic.
“Xu Lin, did you know? I found out Xu Die’s third surgery is very complex. Globally, only two people can perform it. One is Sheng Ao, famed surgical expert, now head of the International Research Institute.”
Xu Die looked at her mother.
Wang Fang smiled. “The chief surgeon said that although Professor Sheng is now focused on research, his hands are renowned for stability, very skilled with complex operations. Worldwide, he is one of only two experts who have performed this kind of difficult surgery.”
Xu Die was born prematurely, with an underdeveloped heart.
She had already undergone two surgeries.
The third surgery was crucial.
Hence Wang Fang inquired far and wide.
Xu Lin asked carefully, “Two? Who’s the other one?”
Wang Fang said, “Sheng Ao’s top disciple, M. I heard M mastered Sheng Ao’s techniques, surpassing even him. Young, steadier hands. M once completed the world’s most difficult surgical case successfully the patient was the head of state of W country.”
Wang Fang pointed to her chest. “The head of state was attacked during a speech; the bullet was just one millimeter from the heart. All doctors declared him dead, but M saved him from the brink. Since then, the head of state owes M a life debt.”
Xu Die exclaimed, “Dad, I want this M to treat me!”
When Xu Mian left the bun on the table and walked out, she even heard Xu Die say: “I want to be friends with M! Then she can treat me for free in the future.”