Sunlight streamed through the bright glass windows of the café, casting warm spots of light on the latte art in front of Wen Yan.
Just then, Wen Yan’s phone rang—an unfamiliar local number.
She frowned slightly, instinctively assuming it was another work-related call, feeling somewhat reluctant to have her rare moment of relaxation interrupted.
But out of professional habit, she answered politely.
“Hello, who is this?”
A middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end of the line, sounding unusually polite, even carrying a hint of barely noticeable urgency and caution: “Is this Wen Yan, Miss Wen?”
“Yes, it is. May I ask who’s speaking?” Wen Yan’s voice remained calm.
“Miss Wen, hello, hello! I apologize for disturbing you! I’m Li Zhaohai, Li Zhaohai from ‘SwiftRide Tech.’” The other party immediately introduced himself, his tone growing even more respectful.
Li Zhaohai? Chairman Li of SwiftRide Tech? The internet mogul she had tried everything to secure an interview with but was effortlessly invited by Gu Weiwei as the first guest for In-Depth Dialogue? Why would he call her directly?
A wave of confusion and wariness instantly rose in Wen Yan’s heart, though her expression remained unchanged. “So it’s Chairman Li. Hello. May I ask what brings you to call me?” Her tone was polite yet distant.
“Miss Wen, I’m truly sorry to disturb you at this time.” Li Zhaohai’s voice was filled with apology, even sounding somewhat submissive. “I… I’m calling specifically to offer my sincere apologies for my foolish daughter, Li Mo, and what happened last night! That child has been spoiled by me—she doesn’t know her place and had the audacity to splash red wine on you in such a setting. It was truly thoughtless! After I found out last night, I gave her a stern lecture!”
Wen Yan’s fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
She hadn’t expected Li Zhaohai to personally call and apologize. Was it because of Li Yanzhou’s statement about “terminating all cooperation”?
She didn’t respond immediately, simply listening quietly.
Seeing her silence, Li Zhaohai grew even more anxious. “Miss Wen, all the fault lies with us! Mo Mo is young and ignorant—please don’t take it to heart! I promise nothing like this will ever happen again! I beg you to be magnanimous and let it go…”
He paused, as if steeling himself, before continuing, “Also, regarding the interview… I was indeed too busy before and couldn’t fit it into my schedule. I’ve been following your program, Finance Frontier, and its professionalism and depth are widely praised. If you’d still like to arrange an exclusive interview, I’m available anytime to accommodate your schedule. Just let me know when it’s convenient for you.”
From the secretary’s cold “Chairman Li’s schedule is full” to now “available anytime to accommodate your schedule,” the attitude had done a complete one-eighty. Wen Yan inwardly scoffed, though her expression remained calm. “Chairman Li, you’re too kind. Regarding the interview, it depends on the overall arrangements of the station’s program. I can’t decide on my own. Still, I appreciate your kind offer.”
She deftly steered the conversation back to a professional level.
Li Zhaohai clearly sensed her evasion and grew even more anxious, his tone almost pleading: “Miss Wen, the interview is no problem at all—we can schedule it entirely at your convenience! The key is… the key is regarding President Li… About the angry words President Li said last night, could you perhaps put in a good word for us in front of him? Our ‘Xunchi Technology’ has always had a very pleasant collaboration with the Li Group. This time, it was truly Momo’s fault, and I promise to discipline her strictly from now on! But the cooperation… the cooperation can’t just end like this! The losses would be too great!”
He had finally revealed his core purpose—fearing that Li Yanzhou would terminate their partnership and hoping to use Wen Yan, the “Mrs. Li,” as an intermediary.
“Miss Wen, as long as you’re willing to help speak a word for us, any conditions are negotiable! I can even bring Momo to personally apologize to you and President Li at your home! What do you think?” Li Zhaohai’s voice was filled with anxiety, completely devoid of the confidence and vigor he usually displayed as an internet industry leader.
Wen Yan held her phone, listening to the other party’s almost humble pleas, her feelings extremely complicated.
Just a few days ago, securing an interview with this Chairman Li had seemed nearly impossible for her, while Gu Weiwei could easily arrange it through connections.
And now, the other party was proactively reaching out, his attitude so humble it bordered on fawning—all because she was “Mrs. Li,” all because of Li Yanzhou’s threat to terminate all cooperation.
She was experiencing the taste of power so directly for the first time.
“Chairman Li,” she spoke, her voice clear and steady, betraying little emotion, “Matters of cooperation are business decisions of the Li Group. As an outsider, it’s not appropriate for me to interfere, nor am I familiar with the specific details. As for last night’s incident, it’s already in the past. There’s no need for you to mention it again, Chairman Li.”
Li Zhaohai on the other end of the line clearly understood her meaning. He knew the hope of directly changing Li Yanzhou’s decision through her was slim, but at least Wen Yan hadn’t completely shut the door, nor was she pursuing the matter further. This was already the best possible outcome.
He hurriedly offered another round of apologies and thanks before hanging up the phone with trepidation.
Wen Yan set down her phone and noticed Su Wan across from her, eyes wide with gossipy excitement, silently mouthing the words: “Who? Chairman Li? That Li Zhaohai?”
Wen Yan nodded and briefly recounted Li Zhaohai’s apology and plea over the phone.
After listening, Su Wan’s mouth formed an “O” shape, staying that way for a good while before snapping shut. She suddenly slapped the table, drawing glances from nearby customers, then lowered her voice: “Oh my god, Yanbao, did you see that? This is the power of being Mrs. Li. That Chairman Li who used to look down his nose at everyone is now apologizing to you like a grandson and begging you for an interview. This reversal is just too satisfying!”
Her face flushed with excitement: “Li Yanzhou’s move was ruthless, hitting right where it hurts. Now let’s see who dares to bully you again! Gu Weiwei must be fuming. Her biggest ‘resource’ is now trying to curry favor with you instead.”
Wen Yan picked up her now slightly cooled latte and took a sip, but she didn’t share Su Wan’s exhilaration.
This kind of “respect” and “convenience” gained through another person’s power and influence felt somewhat illusory and uncomfortable to her.
It had tangibly changed her situation, yet it also constantly reminded her of the nature of this marriage and the vast power disparity.
“Wanwan,” she said softly, “there’s nothing to be happy about. This wasn’t achieved through my own efforts.”
Su Wan was taken aback for a moment, then understood her meaning. Her smile faded slightly as she took Wen Yan’s hand. “But Yanbao, this is reality. Now that you have this status, you must learn to use it to protect yourself and fight for what you deserve. Interviewing Li Zhaohai was an opportunity you should have earned based on your professional skills, yet it was snatched away by someone with connections. How opportunities come about—the process doesn’t matter, only the outcome does!”
Wen Yan looked into her friend’s sincere and determined eyes, and the discomfort and unease in her heart gradually eased a little.
Su Wan was right. She couldn’t abandon the opportunities she deserved just because she resisted the additional effects this status brought.
She would use her abilities to match, or even surpass, the opportunities this status afforded her.
She nodded, her gaze once again clear and resolute.
“Yes, I know what to do now.”