“We went to the same school, no need to be so formal,” Liang Yufan continued. “Our CEO graduated from the same computer science program we did. Later he founded this company himself. He has very specific ideas about software development—anything AI-related you want to understand, he can probably handle.”
Curious, he added, “I thought you were a Chinese literature major. How come you’re so interested in AI?”
Qin Sang’s eyes flickered nervously. She forced a smile. “AI is a hot topic right now… and I happened to have some free time visiting Harbor City, so I thought I’d see what the tech world looks like firsthand.”
Liang Yufan was about to probe further when someone called him. Resigned, he said, “I have to go work at the venue. See you later.”
“All right, go ahead.”
The launch began. Journalists and media outlets swarmed the venue, cameras clicking incessantly.
Qin Sang wasn’t deeply interested in software development—she barely understood the technical jargon—but she cared about the speaker on stage. She wanted to know if current technology could fully restore a video that had been altered by AI face-swapping.
Finally, the Q&A session started. She watched the man in the tailored suit on stage answer questions with a calm, polite smile. For some reason, though, despite his courteous and composed demeanor, Qin Sang felt… uneasy. There was something about him that gave off a faintly off-putting, almost sleazy vibe.
Shaking her head to banish the thought, she reasoned it was probably just the aura of being a CEO—like Sheng Yu, whose presence always made people instinctively step back.
As the Q&A ended, Qin Sang received a message from Liang Yufan and hurried over.
The CEO, Xu Chen, flanked by bodyguards and his secretary, moved toward a private entrance, heading straight for the elevator. There was barely a chance to speak.
Unable to restrain herself, Qin Sang called out to his retreating back, “Mr. Xu!”
Xu Chen, in his early forties, with a slightly slick air about him, paused. Seeing her, his eyes lit up. He stopped, scanning her from head to toe several times, a smarmy, unsettling smile tugging at his lips.
Raising a hand, he signaled the bodyguards to step aside, telling his entourage, “You all can go. Only Xiao Wang stays.”
Xiao Wang was his driver and personal bodyguard.
The others obediently retreated. Only Xu Chen’s female secretary shot Qin Sang a scowl before following suit.
Xu Chen considered himself well-acquainted with beautiful women, but the moment he turned and saw Qin Sang, even calling her simply beautiful felt inadequate. She wasn’t flashy or coquettish—her beauty was rare, almost untouchable. Her delicate eyes stirred desire, and he couldn’t help imagining her legs beneath the black trousers: smooth, flawless, and perfectly proportioned.
As Qin Sang was about to figure out how to persuade him for a few minutes, Xu Chen strode up to her and extended a hand:
“Hello. I’m Xu Chen. People usually call me Mr. Xu.”
Relieved that he was speaking to her directly, Qin Sang extended her hand and replied, “Hello, Mr. Xu. I’m Qin Sang. I’m sorry to take up your time…”
As she spoke, she tried to withdraw her hand, but Xu Chen held it firmly. His gaze, uncomfortably suggestive, met hers as he said:
“I haven’t eaten yet. How about we find a quiet place to talk over a meal?”
Sensing danger, Qin Sang struggled and finally freed her hand. Xu Chen, amused, commented:
“Not bad… you’ve got some spirit.”
On high alert, Qin Sang glanced at him and tried to slip away—but Xiao Wang blocked her path.
Just then, Liang Yufan arrived, a familiar and welcome sight.
Still unaware of the tension, Liang Yufan greeted respectfully: “Hello, Boss.” Then he turned to Qin Sang: “How’s the conversation with Mr. Xu going?”
Qin Sang almost breathed a sigh of relief—but before she could speak, Xu Chen intercepted Liang Yufan. He picked up Liang’s ID badge, reading the name, and said meaningfully:
“Liang Yufan, huh? There’s a promotion assessment coming soon. I’ll be watching. Focus on your duties. Don’t meddle.”
Xu Chen’s eyes lingered on Liang, heavy with implication, before he returned the badge. Liang Yufan, realizing the meaning too late, stole a guilty glance at Qin Sang.
He admitted he liked her—but he wanted the promotion more.
Without hesitation, he tore his gaze away from Qin Sang and bowed obediently: “Understood, Mr. Xu. I’ll focus on my work. Thank you for your guidance.”
With that, he turned and left without another word.
“Ah?! Senior Liang!” Qin Sang exclaimed, stunned.
She had always thought of him as upright and sunny. This sudden betrayal was shocking. But there was no one to blame—it was human nature. She had already seen darker, more hopeless sides of people and the world.
Her only lifeline gone, Qin Sang forced herself to stay calm and addressed Xu Chen:
“Mr. Xu, there are cameras everywhere. Why risk your reputation over someone as insignificant as me?”
“Oh?” Xu Chen’s smile was oily, hiding a sharp edge. “You’re suggesting somewhere out of camera view? Perfectly fine with me.”
He extended his hand in a mockingly polite gesture: “After you, Miss Qin.”
As Xiao Wang moved to guide her into the private corridor, Qin Sang panicked, dodging backward. But again, the path was blocked.
Then, a familiar, commanding voice cut through the tension.
“Mr. Xu, where do you think you’re going?”
It was… Sheng Yu.
Qin Sang looked up, startled, and saw him approaching.
This time, his previously slicked-back hair was replaced by a slightly tousled short style, fringe brushing his brow—less sharp, less intimidating, yet the natural commanding presence remained.
He wore a black suit, a black coat casually draped over his shoulders, chin lifted, exuding effortless authority. Behind him, Ye Huai and a bodyguard followed.
With the lights of the banquet hall illuminating him, Sheng Yu seemed like a god descending into the storm. Tall, imposing, utterly composed.
Qin Sang couldn’t help but feel reassured by his presence.
Xu Chen, previously all smiles and scheming, stiffened at Sheng Yu’s arrival, trying to maintain composure. “Mr. Sheng, here for the launch too? Interested in our new software?”
“No interest,” Sheng Yu replied coldly, his voice cutting. His gaze fixed solely on Qin Sang, sparing no glance for anyone else. Then, softer but still commanding, he added:
“I’m more interested in the woman next to you.”
Xu Chen froze. Sheng Yu’s circle was famously unattached—rumor had it no woman could even pass the threshold of his villa without permission. And now… this woman?
Quickly, the businessman realized Sheng Yu’s purpose and stepped aside, addressing Qin Sang politely:
“So, this is Mr. Sheng’s associate. My apologies for speaking to you earlier—please don’t misunderstand.”
Not wanting to linger, he added with a forced smile: “I have another meeting to attend. I’ll make up for this visit later.”
Sheng Yu found Xu Chen’s presence irritating and coldly replied with a single word:
“Mm.”
With that, Xu Chen promptly retreated.
Once the crowd dispersed, Sheng Yu turned to Qin Sang, who was still tense and alert, her eyes wary.
She had gone to others for help rather than come to him.
All these years, he had kept his old phone line active, always reachable—but she never once called. She had vanished completely from his world, leaving him no trace.
Even in hardship, she sought help elsewhere, never thinking of him.
Under the banquet lights, standing a few paces apart, their reflections stretched across the marble floor. Sheng Yu’s chest tightened. Frustrated, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes, he extended a hand toward the girl frozen before him:
“Come over.”