Yan held onto Jue Jue's hand, feeling the palm grow increasingly warm.
She tilted her head up proudly like a little swan, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
The two walked hand in hand, and for a mont, Yan found herself moving awkwardly, her steps out of sync.
She looked at Jue Jue, and Jue Jue looked back at her—then, inexplicably, they both burst into laughter.
That morning, as alumni of Bin University made their way back to campus, so encountered a young couple in matching gray coats, the man handso and the woman lovely, swinging their clasped hands like carefree children as they walked.
Since it was the last day of the weekend and the roads were bound to be crowded with returning students, Yan and Zhu Jue first took the subway before boarding a car Lan Ruo had sent to pick them up.
Their eting with Lan Ruo was set at a high-rise revolving restaurant in Bin City. Led by a waiter, they took a private elevator upstairs, where Lan Ruo greeted them warmly the mont they stepped out.
Over a month had passed since their last eting, and Lan Ruo seed transford.
At first glance, Yan was montarily stunned.
Lan Ruo wore a short taupe blazer with matching trousers, her posture upright and poised.
Her once-smooth, ink-black hair had been cut short, now just brushing her shoulders and styled in a side part.
Aside from the fraless glasses on her nose and a wristwatch on her left arm, she wore no other accessories, her simplicity almost striking.
She was still the sa person, with the sa face, but the golden halo that once crowned her was gone, replaced by a newfound quiet confidence.
Compared to the ticulously polished, aristocratic elegance Yan had seen before—both in person and online—Lan Ruo now exuded understated serenity.
If not for their familiarity, Yan might not have recognized her at all.
"A month apart, and you’re surprised by the haircut?" Lan Ruo chuckled, noticing their expressions.
"A little," Yan admitted.
They say life’s three greatest joys are promotion, wealth, and the death of a husband. Though Lan Ruo’s foolish husband hadn’t yet t his end, she certainly seed revitalized.
As they were seated, Yan and Zhu Jue realized the restaurant had been reserved for them. The vast, rotating dining space held only three guests, and they were given the best table.
"Life’s been hectic lately, and maintaining long hair was too much trouble, so I cut it all off," Lan Ruo explained.
"There’s a saying, isn’t there? ‘Sever the three thousand strands of worldly sorrow.’"
"After the haircut, I felt lighter, as if a burden had lifted. Many things suddenly beca clearer."
Her tone was relaxed, and Yan suspected the "burden" she referred to might well be Xie Zhen.
"The new look suits you. You seem more energetic," Yan said.
"Exactly—new image, new energy."
"Yesterday, I saw Miss Yan’s social dia post and realized you’d returned to Ning City. With the police matters settled and our eting with Miss Ding Ling, I thought it was ti to see you both again and catch up."
Lan Ruo studied the young couple before her. Earlier, she’d contacted Ding Ling and learned that the enigmatic pair had returned to Bin City for school. Since then, she’d been planning this reunion.
But what gift to give? How to properly thank them? Even now, she had no clear idea.
She could easily offer sothing exorbitantly priced, but monetary value didn’t guarantee genuine appreciation—and it might seem like an attempt to buy her way out of gratitude.
Ding Ling had told her that their eting at the temple had been both chance and fate. The "cause" set in motion a chain of events, and now, with the latest "effect" resolved, Lan Ruo needed to et Yan again to complete their own cycle.
Ding Ling often spoke in riddles, but Lan Ruo’s logical mind didn’t resist. In matters of the mystical, she trusted the expert’s advice.
Even now, recalling what had befallen Xie Jin sent shivers down her spine.
With Ding Ling’s help, she’d visited a peculiar place and seen him.
Xie Jin couldn’t speak, so their communication relied entirely on Ding Ling’s diation.
Thanks to her, Xie Jin—aware of the current situation—had provided unexpected assistance. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Lan Ruo could now secure her position as board director with absolute control.
According to Ding Ling, Xie Jin’s journey to becoming a fully coherent "spirit" would take ti. Until then, the company remained in her hands.
During the Xie family’s absence, Lan Ruo was almost grateful it had happened during the New Year break. With the entire group on holiday, including partners and suppliers, she’d had more ti to familiarize herself with operations.
But above all, she owed her deepest thanks to the two before her.
Had Ding Ling not hinted at it, and had Lan Ruo not pieced it together later, she’d never have realized that Yan and Zhu Jue’s deliberate delay of a month had carried deeper significance.
"I wasn’t sure what you’d like to eat. This restaurant is under our company—it offers both Chinese and Western cuisine. Order anything you’d like."
Lan Ruo handed them gilded nus, which Yan noticed were freshly printed.
"We’re easy to please. We’ll eat anything," Yan said.
Lan Ruo smiled, studying them. Despite their mysterious background, the young couple gave off an approachable, almost sibling-like vibe.
This, she mused, must be what they called "returning to simplicity" or "embracing the unadorned."
A waiter appeared soundlessly, took their orders, and vanished just as quietly. Yan hadn’t even heard footsteps—the spacious restaurant once again held only the three of them.
By the window, the view was breathtaking: the Bin River, the skyline, the clustered high-rises of the CBD, including the Xie family’s tower.
"Yesterday, I also t Officer Zheng Yi," Lan Ruo ntioned.
The couple turned to her in unison. "Officer Zheng Yi?"
Yan was surprised. "She’s in Bin City?"
From what Ding Ling had shared, Zheng Yi’s "Cold Case Unit" operated directly under the Ministry of Public Security, typically based in the capital.
ntioning a familiar face sparked conversation. Lan Ruo nodded. "Yes, she ca yesterday to wrap up so details with another team."
"The investigation is closed, but an officer’s schedule isn’t sothing I’d pry into." She had no idea what Zheng Yi’s next steps were.
"Compared to our first eting, seeing Officer Zheng Yi again yesterday felt entirely different," she added with a smile.
"Did you co straight from the office to et us today?" Yan asked, eyeing Lan Ruo’s formal work attire.
"After yesterday's announcent, even though the company is on leave, it's hardly peaceful. I ca out to escape the noise and handle so matters," Lan Ruo said.
Yan nodded while gazing at her, resting her chin in her hands.
"The way you are now is exactly like the kind of strong urban career woman I dream of becoming."
Lan Ruo chuckled at her words. "I'm not a career woman."
"But..." She took a sip of tea.
"I am indeed learning how to be a competent leader," Lan Ruo said, looking directly at the two of them.
There was another thought she kept to herself: I hope I won’t disappoint you.
During these days of refining her skills, Lan Ruo suddenly realized another layer of aning behind that month-long body swap with Xie Zhen.
Why had they switched back on the very day Officer Zheng Yi appeared? Why had it taken so many years to resolve?
During that month, appearing as Xie Zhen, she had attended high-end property auctions and purchased luxury hos—not just to secure material benefits for "Lan Ruo," but more importantly, to familiarize herself with the intricacies of the conglorate’s operations.
Signing docunts, chairing etings, handling business negotiations, processing paperwork, and representing the group at banquets—Lan Ruo had swiftly mastered Xie Zhen’s responsibilities, honing her instincts and decision-making through news and intelligence.
So, during the period when the Xie family mbers were detained, despite countless people waiting to see the company collapse, Lan Ruo maintained her routine: arriving at the office daily, working late into the night, and steadying the anxious employees. Everything continued to run smoothly.
In fact, the staff had grown accustod to seeing her in the lobby every morning, greeting her with "Good morning, Chairwoman Lan" or "Good morning, President Lan."
Chairwoman Lan, President Lan—these titles sounded far more pleasing than the previous Mrs. Xie.
Since the case was still under investigation, her parents and brother had publicly disowned her. Lan Ruo couldn’t have been happier. After taking over the company, she imdiately severed all collaborations with the Lan family.
The Lan family had been a downstream partner relying on the company for contracts. Now that ties were cut, she made sure to cleanly break all connections.
Yesterday’s announcent ant the case would soon proceed to court. Not just Bin City—countless people were waiting to see the Xie family’s downfall, anticipating the company’s collapse like vultures circling prey.
Lan Ruo held little affection for the Xie family. But considering the shares she was about to acquire—assets Xie’s father would transfer under her elder brother’s influence—if the company collapsed, it would be her money, her assets at stake!
Her fortune was not sothing she could afford to lose. Even if the market value shrank, it would still far exceed the houses, cars, and savings she had painstakingly accumulated before.
She chatted lightly with the young couple, sharing amusing mishaps from work and her gradual plans for company reforms. The al passed unnoticed, though Lan Ruo ate sparingly, just sampling the dishes.
"If you ever need anything in the future, I, Lan Ruo, will go through fire and water without hesitation," she said, escorting them to the elevator. She laughed at her own words.
"That sounds like sothing from a TV drama, but I an it sincerely," Lan Ruo added earnestly.
To her, this couple had done her an imasurable kindness. A simple "thank you" felt too shallow—no words could fully express her gratitude.
......
Chu Bingbing arrived at the eting location in a chauffeured car arranged by her asset agent, taking a private security elevator upstairs. By now, she was completely unfazed.
She was no longer her old self. After playing the role of an extravagant tycoon so often, her tolerance for extravagance had risen, and she’d grown accustod to it.
But she never expected that the seller transferring ownership of the siheyuan to her today would be soone she’d gossiped about just yesterday!
"Hello, Ms. Chu. I’m Lan Ruo."
For a mont, Chu Bingbing was stunned. She forced herself to stay composed as she shook hands.
Her mind raced, suddenly understanding why the reward process for her New Year’s spending mission had been so delayed.
It’s this family’s siheyuan! Unbelievable! Lan Ruo’s ex-husband is still in jail awaiting sentencing—no wonder the procedures were slow!
She glanced around the upscale private dining room, noting the absence of any outsiders.
When the waiter presented the nu, Chu Bingbing saw Lan Ruo suddenly clap her hands.
"Is this the nu used by those two distinguished guests earlier?" Lan Ruo asked.
"Yes, Chairwoman Lan. Would you like...?"
"Bring a fresh one for Ms. Chu. Give these two to ."
Chu Bingbing was puzzled. Was this a gesture of respect? Though the nus looked perfectly clean to her, she kept silent.
"These nus are personalized," Lan Ruo said, pulling a fountain pen from her suit pocket.
"Ms. Chu, my apologies. It’s been a busy day. I’d like to note down the nas of the two friends who were here earlier," she explained with an apologetic smile.
Chu Bingbing watched as Lan Ruo’s pen moved decisively, inscribing two nas she knew all too well.
Chu Bingbing: !!!
Eyes wide with shock.jpg
What’s going on?! Holy—Yan and the others were just supposed to be on a date! They had a al with this trending figure?!
"It’s fine. They must be very dear friends of yours," Chu Bingbing said softly.
Having finished writing, Lan Ruo handed the nus to the waiter. "Store these separately and carefully."
At Chu Bingbing’s remark, she replied almost playfully, "Yes. They’re my lifesavers, in fact."
Chu Bingbing: !
Did she just hear so earth-shattering secret?!
Yan! What have you been hiding from us this ti?!
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