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{Chapter: 349 Finger marks!}
Her joy was radiant—like a flower in full bloom. Her excitement wasn't just professional; it was personal. She had tested countless skincare products over the years. Never had she experienced something so visibly transformative.
Seeing her happiness, Lin Yuan smiled calmly and said, "I'll finalize the written formula. Production can begin immediately. But don't go public with it just yet. We'll need to build momentum."
He continued, his tone turning strategic.
"Use the next few days to tease the product's potential. Hint at a revolutionary beauty formula, but don't release anything concrete. Create mystery and anticipation both online and offline. That's our bait."
"From the recent moves of Ye Feng and the Chen family, it's clear they're planning something. I predict they'll jump into the facial mask industry within three days. Their goal will be twofold: profit and disruption. They want to hurt Yanyue Company and provoke me into reacting."
"Even though we blocked Feng Dahai's last batch of facial mask sheets, they'll likely find lower-quality alternatives and flood the low-end market."
Lin Yuan's eyes gleamed with confidence.
"When that moment comes, we'll strike. We'll launch our product head-to-head. Not only will we prove its superiority in quality and effect—we'll dominate the narrative."
"We'll turn their attack into a public comparison, and the gap between their product and ours will destroy their credibility. Use all our PR, marketing, and media channels to show the world what true innovation looks like."
"Let this product be the sword that cuts through all their plans."
Yan Ruyue listened attentively, nodding repeatedly as she absorbed every detail.
"Understood," she said firmly. "We'll begin groundwork right away. And when the time comes—we'll bury them."
In that moment, their gazes locked. No longer just business partners—they were comrades, standing side by side on the battlefield of the market.
And together, they were ready to turn the tide.
"By the way," Lin Yuan said calmly, a flicker of seriousness in his voice, "even though I still have the same, or perhaps even better, skincare formulas than the one we just used, I need you to keep that information strictly confidential."
Yan Ruyue looked at him, her expression immediately turning solemn. "Understood," she replied with a firm nod, acknowledging the importance of secrecy.
The first priority was to establish a small but secure production team made up of individuals who were absolutely loyal and trustworthy. These would be people handpicked not just for their competence, but for their integrity and ability to follow strict confidentiality protocols.
There were several measures in place that could be used to protect the formula. For example, the ingredients could be referred to only by numbers or internal codes—no one on the production line would know the actual names of the medicinal materials. Additionally, access to the lab would be tightly restricted, and no raw ingredients would be allowed outside of the designated rooms.
Fortunately, most of the herbs and medicinal ingredients Lin Yuan used weren't commonly found in the market. Many of them were rare, obscure, or had unique appearances. Without labels or guidance, even an experienced pharmacist might fail to identify them. This made it even harder for someone to replicate the formula if they tried to steal or reverse-engineer it.
Yan Ruyue nodded once more, signaling that she completely understood the need for discretion. She had always been good at keeping secrets, both in business and in her personal life.
Lin Yuan knew this about her and was visibly relieved. He gave her a reassuring smile and said, "Good. I knew I could count on you."
After they had finished discussing the protective measures around the formula, Yan Ruyue suddenly raised her head. There was a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, and her voice held a subtle softness as she asked, "Can we have dinner together tonight? I still have a few things to handle for the company, but I should be finished by evening. After that… could we go out to eat?"
Her invitation was sincere and filled with anticipation. She didn't hide the fact that she was looking forward to spending time with him.
However, Lin Yuan shook his head gently, though he did so with a calm expression. "Not tonight," he said. "Maybe another day. I know you still have a lot to do at the company, and I wouldn't want to take up your time."
That, of course, was the reason he gave out loud. It wasn't a lie—Yan Ruyue was busy—but there were deeper reasons behind his decision.
Firstly, as he had mentioned, Yan Ruyue had a lot on her plate. The recent crisis had been averted thanks to Lin Yuan's help, but numerous smaller issues still needed her attention. Tonight would not be the right time for distractions.
Secondly, based on the day's developments, Lin Yuan could tell that while Yan Ruyue's affection toward him had grown, it might not yet be at the level he needed for a full breakthrough in their relationship. He didn't want to rush things prematurely.
And third—the most critical reason—was that he already had an important commitment that evening. He had made plans to meet with Qiu Wanxi, who had just been discharged from the hospital. Not only was he going to spend quality time with her, but he was also preparing to deepen their relationship significantly.
So, as much as he appreciated Yan Ruyue's offer, he had no intention of canceling his plans.
Of course, Yan Ruyue didn't know any of this. What she did know was that Lin Yuan was right—she still had a mountain of work to handle. While she was disappointed, she accepted his response with grace.
After all, Lin Yuan had just helped her solve a major crisis. That alone showed his trust and support. She didn't want to disappoint him now by neglecting the smaller follow-up matters. These tasks might seem minor, but they were vital to keeping the company running smoothly.
Yan Ruyue also realized something else: with Lin Yuan's wealth and talent, he could have easily launched his own skincare brand from scratch. He didn't need to collaborate with her. The fact that he chose to meant he saw potential not just in the Yanyue brand, but also in her leadership. That knowledge filled her with a renewed sense of responsibility and motivation.
If she couldn't manage the company effectively, then not only would she be letting Lin Yuan down—she would be betraying her own ambitions.
With conviction shining in her eyes, she nodded and declared, "I'll handle everything. I won't let you down. I'll build a brand that you'll be proud to work with! And I'm not going to stop there—we'll go head-to-head with Ye Feng and the Chen family. We'll push them right out of the market!"
Her beautiful, determined face was full of serious resolve. Lin Yuan looked at her, amused and slightly moved by her enthusiasm.
He chuckled inwardly. If only she knew I'm having dinner—and something more intimate—with another woman tonight…
Of course, he didn't say that out loud. It wouldn't help anyone to stir jealousy at this point.
Women, in his experience, could be far more jealous than men were possessive. Once her affection level reached its peak, everything would fall into place. There was no need to rush it now.
And besides, Lin Yuan was a patient man.
Still, looking at the icy beauty's unusually serious expression, he couldn't help but tease her a little.
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms. She gasped softly, caught off guard.
Then, with the same calm smile he always wore, Lin Yuan leaned closer and began to "play some games" with her—harmless, flirtatious little exercises designed to increase her lung capacity… and test her sensitivity to his presence.
The once ice-cold president, Yan Ruyue, blushed uncontrollably as she found herself caught in his rhythm once again.