The tea lounge was quiet for a beat, the air thick with the scent of polished wood and jasmin. Li Ziqing kept her expression calm, her fingers brushed lightly against the folder in front of her—a subtle signal toward Zhou Yichen. Negotiation wasn't her battlefield; she knew when to step back.
Zhou Yichen picked up on it instantly, his lips curving into a faint, controlled smile. "Mr. Song, you're absolutely right. Huiheng is a newborn compared to Song Group and Hongtian Real Estate. On our own, we wouldn't have the capability to bring such a project to life."
Feng Zhaotian, who had been listening quietly, raised an eyebrow, "That's a refreshing level of honesty. So what exactly does Huiheng group brings to the table, aside from ambition?"
Zhou Yichen spread his hands slightly, voice calm but steady, "Three key things: capital flow, vision, and the land itself. Through Huiheng Law Firm, Qingyan Pavilion, Huiheng Commercial Tower and now another high end restaurant soon opening in Nanjing, we have consistent, massive liquidity. The idea is ours, the land is already secured, and we're willing to shoulder half of the total investment cost."
Song Renshu's fingers tapped against the table, "Half the investment is commendable, but if you lack manpower, Connections and experience, why should Huiheng get the lion's share? You'll need our reputation and execution power just as much as we need your land."
Zhou Yichen spoke without missing a beat, "Agreed. That's why we came to you and Mr. Feng. Song Group's reputation is unmatched; your name alone can attract top-tier partners and government support. As for construction and manpower, Hongtian Real Estate's track record is second to none. But the concept and risk are Huiheng's. Without us, this land is just forest. Without you, the execution slows down. We complement each other."
Feng Zhaotian interjected smoothly, his tone probing, "So you're asking for what? Sixty percent for Huiheng, and we split the rest?"
Zhou Yichen's smile didn't falter, "Correct. Sixty percent Huiheng, twenty-five percent Song Group, fifteen percent Hongtian. Once the company goes public, Huiheng will give up five percent to the market, which also benefits all shareholders by boosting valuation."
Song Renshu leaned forward, eyes narrowing slightly, "That's generous—for Huiheng. Why should I, with my reputation, and Mr. Feng, with his manpower, settle for less than Huiheng? If I put my name on this, I need more than a quarter."
"Because this is not about who has the bigger name; it's about who takes the bigger risk. Huiheng is providing the concept, the land, and half the initial funding. Your contributions are crucial, yes, but you're coming in when the groundwork has been laid. The heavy lift of securing the land and planning has already been done." Zhou Yichen said.
Feng Zhaotian chuckled, leaning back with his arms crossed, "You've got guts, Mr Zhou. But guts alone don't get projects built. Hongtian will be putting thousands of workers on this, managing logistics, construction, compliance—it's not as simple as providing a logo. I'd want at least thirty-five percent myself."
Zhou Yichen tilted his head slightly, as if considering, "Mr. Feng, we recognize Hongtian's vital role. But let's not forget: the higher your percentage, the more capital you'd have to commit upfront. Are you prepared to match Huiheng groups and Song group's investment proportionally?"
Feng paused for a fraction of a second; Zhou's words hit home.
Song Renshu interjected smoothly, "What about this—we settle at fifty-five percent for Huiheng, thirty for Song Group, fifteen for Hongtian. Once listed, Huiheng's public float reduces you to fifty, but by then the valuation surge benefits all of us."
His words hung in the air, crisp and calculated.
Zhou Yichen didn't respond immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted to Li Ziqing, the faintest flicker of inquiry in his eyes. The room grew still, the weight of millions resting on her next move.
Li Ziqing's lashes lowered slightly as she ran the numbers in her mind, her thoughts running erratic.
Zhou Yichen observing her dillema immediately leaned in closer to her ears and said, "Miss Li, Fifty-five percent maintains controlling interest—vital for Huiheng's strategic vision. Thirty percent for Song Group ensures synergy without ceding influence. Fifteen percent for Hongtian incentivizes their resources without risk of over-leverage. Post-IPO dilution to five is acceptable if paired with projected valuation growth; net equity will still exceed pre-offer benchmarks."
Her gaze lifted, calm and deliberate, and she gave a small, decisive nod.
A faint smile tugged at Zhou Yichen's lips as he turned back to the table. "A fair adjustment," he said smoothly. "Huiheng retains majority control to align long-term vision, and both Song Group and Hongtian secure healthy stakes. I can agree to that."
Across the table, Feng Zhaotian's brow furrowed as he calculated, lips moving ever so slightly. Finally, he nodded, his voice low and thoughtful. "And you're confident about immediate project initiation if we sign?"
Li Ziqing's answer came without hesitation, her tone crisp and authoritative. "Absolutely. The funds are fully liquid and earmarked. With Song Group's reputation and Hongtian's workforce, we can break ground within thirty days."
Song Renshu's lips curved into a faint smirk, his gaze flicking to Zhou Yichen. "You're a persuasive man, Mr. Zhou. No wonder Ms. Li trusts you to handle her negotiations."
Zhou Yichen responded with a subtle smile, a quiet acknowledgment of the remark.
Feng Zhaotian gave a slow nod, his voice steady. "Then it's settled. Fifty-five to Huiheng, thirty to Song, fifteen to Hongtian. Post-listing public float as agreed."
Zhou Yichen reached for his porcelain tea cup, the movement unhurried yet commanding. He raised it in a symbolic toast. "Gentlemen, I look forward to building not just a resort but a solid and coordinated partnership."
The others followed suit, porcelain cups clinking softly in the refined silence. Warm tea slid down their throats, sealing the deal in old-world elegance rather than champagne.
As the momentum shifted toward closure, Li Ziqing spoke once more, her voice firm yet poised. "From this point on, I'll delegate all project responsibilities to Mr. Zhou. Tomorrow, let's convene at Huiheng Commercial Tower, Huiheng hospitality headquarters—for the formal signing ceremony. You'll also receive the finalized blueprints and design proposals, which are already prepared."
No one objected. Instead, nods circled the table as they agreed on 11 am the following day. The meeting adjourned with a quiet gravity befitting the magnitude of their partnership.
By the time Song Renshu and Feng Zhaotian's cars departed from Qingyan Pavilion, the night had deepened. The clock read half past ten.
Only Zhou Yichen and Li Ziqing remained by the entrance, the glow of lantern light washing over their silhouettes. For a moment, neither spoke—the cool evening air carrying the lingering tension and triumph of the deal they had just sealed.
For a long moment, silence lingered in the room.
Even Li Ziqing felt a flicker of guilt. She knew she had been piling work onto Zhou Yichen's shoulders. He was already managing the Huiheng Group while overseeing its rapid expansion, and now, this multi-billion-yuan project had landed squarely on him as well.
Just two days earlier, he had been consumed with the final preparations for the Qingyan Pavilion's grand opening. Yesterday, he had flown to Nanjing for expansion. And today—before he had even had time to draw breath—another monumental task awaited him.
Li Ziqing turned her head, her gaze softening as it fell on him.
There was no hint of complaint on Zhou Yichen's face. His expression remained calm, steady, unwavering. His eyes—deep as still water—were fixed on her, patient and resolute, as though her burden was his to bear without question.
A sigh slipped past her lips, quieter than the rustle of silk.
"Mr. Zhou," she asked softly, "do you think I'm making you work too much?"
The words caught him unprepared. For a brief heartbeat, his composure cracked, a flicker of surprise flashing across his features. But almost at once, he steadied himself, his posture firm, his gaze returning to its usual calm.
"Miss Li," he replied, voice low yet unshakable, "I don't think so."
The truth was, compared to the relentless duties he had once shouldered in Singapore, this workload felt almost light. But the concern shimmering in Li Ziqing's eyes carried a weight that pressed against his chest, heavier than any corporate responsibility.
He hesitated—just long enough for sincerity to color his words—before speaking again.
"Miss Li, working for Huiheng is not a burden. It is my duty—and more than that, it is something I genuinely love." A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved his lips. "Not only do I get to experience food unlike anything else in this world… but many of the most difficult matters—land acquisitions, talent recruitment, business models—are already resolved by you before they even reach my desk. In truth, my work is far lighter than it appears."
Li Ziqing lowered her gaze, her long lashes veiling the flicker of thought in her eyes. He was right. The System had already carved a path for her. That was why everything seemed seamless, effortless—though she knew it was anything but.
Li Ziqing turned her gaze toward the bustling Jiangshan Road. The neon lights shimmered like restless stars scattered across the night, a city alive with both promise and sleepless ambition.
"But even so," she murmured softly, as if speaking more to herself than to him, "the road ahead will only become more demanding. You know my vision for Huiheng. This path has no pause button, no retreat. To ease your burden, I've been searching for someone with strength equal to yours—someone who can share the weight you carry."
What she didn't confess was the silent prayer in her heart: that the System might one day grant her another Personal Summoning Coupon—someone as extraordinary as Zhou Yichen. Yet, with no clue how to even increase her attribute points, such rewards remained little more than wishful thinking.
Zhou Yichen's composure faltered. On paper, his salary was enviable, and the endless workload could be rationalized as fair exchange. But Li Ziqing's sincerity—her concern for his well-being—was something rare, something that stirred an unfamiliar warmth in his chest.
He straightened slightly, schooling his expression. "Miss Li, you needn't concern yourself with me. I can manage. But… if you're truly intent on bringing someone in, I do know of a candidate. A friend of mine—we completed our PhDs together at MIT. He's available these days, and… he might be willing to work with us. If you'd like, I can reach out."
Li Ziqing's eyes brightened instantly, a flicker of relief softening her otherwise composed features.
"Of course! If you believe in him, then so do I. I trust your judgment completely, Mr. Zhou. If you say he's capable, then I have no doubt he must be excellent."
But Zhou Yichen's brows drew together, hesitation flickering across his face. He opened his mouth, closed it, then finally let out a breath as though the decision cost him something.
"Miss Li," he said carefully, lowering his voice, "he is brilliant—without question. But…"
Li Ziqing leaned forward, her tone calm yet unyielding.
"But what? Speak plainly."
A faint sigh escaped him.
"He's… eccentric. To put it simply—he doesn't fit into conventional molds. His habits, his temperament… most people find him difficult."
Her brows arched ever so slightly, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Eccentricities don't matter to me. Genius often comes hand-in-hand with strangeness. What matters is whether he can deliver. If he's as capable as you say, then the rest is irrelevant."
For a moment, Zhou Yichen remained silent, as though debating whether to reveal more. Explaining his friend's peculiarities wasn't simple—perhaps it wasn't even necessary. Finally, he inclined his head in reluctant agreement.
"Very well. I'll contact him tomorrow and see when he can come to Wuhan."
A rare smile curved across Li Ziqing's lips—genuine, unguarded. For once, it wasn't the System that opened a new path forward. It was trust. Trust in Zhou Yichen, trust in the people she chose.
---
At that very moment, the Wuhan City No. 1 Middle School forum on Renren was experiencing an unprecedented surge in traffic. Threads that usually idled with gossip about exam scores or weekend hangouts were now buried beneath a single post—an anonymous entry that had gone viral in less than half an hour.
The subject of the post was none other than the school's most dazzling figure—the so-called school belle.
The image attached was deceptively simple: a photograph taken from behind, showing a slender girl in uniform walking out through the school gates. Her face was not visible, but her poised silhouette was unmistakable. Yet the focus was not her ethereal back view, nor the graceful sway of her long hair—it was the bag slung casually over her shoulder.
A Hermes Evelyn.
For most schools, it might have gone unnoticed. But Wuhan City No. 1 was not an ordinary institution. It was an elite academy, filled with children from powerful families who had grown up surrounded by luxury. To them, brands were second nature, and recognizing a Hermes was as easy as breathing. Within minutes, the thread exploded with comments.
And then came the heart of the post—the write-up that turned a simple picture into a wildfire scandal:
"Everyone knows our school has a so-called 'goddess'—the belle who turns heads wherever she goes. Today, someone happened to capture a picture of her leaving campus. Look carefully, not at her back, but at the bag she's carrying.
That, is the Hermes Evelyn. The price tag? Three hundred thousand yuan and with Hermes' purchasing quotas, this goes for at least 1.2 million Yuan .
Now let's think carefully. This so-called school belle—everyone knows she's from the northern district. Her mother runs a breakfast stall on the street. With such a background, how is it possible to afford a Hermes?
It doesn't add up. A family that can barely make ends meet, a girl who probably couldn't even afford a proper meal not long ago… and now she's casually carrying a Hermes Evelyn? Do you believe in fairy tales? Or do you believe in the truth?
The truth is simple: some people may act innocent and aloof, but behind the scenes… who's footing the bill? Who's buying the Hermes?"
The comments section beneath the viral post was exploding with activity. Every passing minute, hundreds of replies poured in, so much so that it had already surpassed the heated thread about Shen Zeyan from that very morning.
"That's not just any bag. That's Hermès' so-called Casual Kelly, officially known as the Hermès Evelyne. I recognize it instantly."
"Exactly. It's a bag designed for the jet-set crowd—the kind of rich kids who think nothing of carrying hundreds of thousands on their shoulders."
"I just checked the price. The market tag is 300,000 yuan, and with the three-to-one purchase quota ratio, the resale value easily climbs to 1.2 million."
"Wait… are they implying this is our school belle?"
"No way. That can't be possible. She doesn't strike me as that kind of person."
"You can never judge a book by its cover."
"If she really craved vanity and luxury, why did she reject Zhu Jinyan's proposal last year? He's the son of Wuhan's richest man—he could've gifted her dozens of such bags without blinking."
"True, but who knows what goes on in a girl's mind? Maybe she thought playing the low-key, pure act would help her snag an even fatter fish later on."
"In school she acted like a saint, practically Virgin Mary herself… but outside, it seems she's something else entirely."
"I feel sick to my stomach. I actually had a crush on her. Just thinking about it now disgusts me."
Meanwhile, in the Southern District, Rong Ruxue was lying comfortably on her bed, scrolling through the forum with an amused smirk. With a few casual taps, she switched to her anonymous account and typed a comment that struck like a dagger:
"And this is the so-called School Belle of Wuhan City No.1 Middle School? A school belle represents the school's image. Are we really going to let this kind of person represent us?"
Her words acted like a match thrown into dry grass. The replies flooded in, sharper and more unified than before:
"She's right. A school belle should reflect the values of our school, not bring shame to it."
"Agreed. The title shouldn't just be about looks. Character matters more."
"We should reconsider who deserves this title. Someone honest, upright, and genuinely admirable."
"Maybe it's time we elect a new school belle. One who actually fits the role."
"Totally agree. We need someone we can proudly associate our school with."
But just as the discussion was shifting toward electing a replacement, the thread suddenly grew darker. A new wave of aggressive, venomous comments surged forward, drowning out the more measured voices:
"Forget the school belle title. She doesn't even deserve to stay in this school!"
"Exactly. Expel her. People like her will only corrupt the school's atmosphere."
"Throw her out! We don't need students like that dragging our reputation down."
In the span of a single night, a vague, anonymous post had transformed into a raging storm. The forum that once praised Li Ziqing for her elegance and beauty now brimmed with venom, as if the entire school had turned its back on her.
Unaware of the storm brewing around her, Li Ziqing slept soundly through the night.
The next morning, as soon as she stepped into the school grounds, she could feel the weight of countless eyes on her. But unlike before—when those gazes brimmed with curiosity or admiration—this time they were filled with disdain.
Her brows knitted ever so slightly, and she sharpened her hearing. Few words floated to her ears.
"…Hermès Evelyn…"
Hermès Evelyn? Li Ziqing's steps faltered for a moment. Isn't that my bag? But what does it have to do with anything…?
Confusion swirled in her heart. Yet she kept her expression composed, ignoring the whispers as she walked down the corridor. Still, the stares followed her, crawling across her skin like ants, making her irritation mount. By the time she reached her classroom, her patience was stretched thin.
The moment she stepped inside, the room fell eerily silent. Dozens of eyes shifted toward her, sharp and accusatory.
Li Ziqing was about to dismiss it, as she always did, when a mocking voice pierced the silence.
"Well, well… if it isn't the former school belle."
She turned toward the voice. Meng Qianyi stood there, flanked by Fan Yuelin and Gong Xinyue, their smug expressions radiating malice.
Fan Yuelin sneered. "Li Ziqing, don't you have any shame? After doing something so disgusting, you still dare to show up here?"
Gong Xinyue crossed her arms, her lips curling into a smirk. "Is this the pride you're always bragging about? Shameless."
A frown etched across Li Ziqing's face. She truly had no idea what they were talking about. Her gaze swept over Meng Qianyi's smirking face before her lips curved into a cold sneer.
"Don't you understand human language?" Her voice was calm, cutting. "Didn't I make myself clear yesterday? Why do you people insist on showing up in front of me like stray dogs I've already kicked away?"
"You—!" Gong Xinyue's eyes widened with fury. "How dare you call me a dog? Li Ziqing, have you grown tired of living?"
Fan Yuelin immediately chimed in, her tone dripping with venom. "You bitch! Do you even know who she is? Gong Xinyue is the daughter of the Gong family! Even if your sugar daddy tries to protect you, he won't be able to save you from them!"
The words struck Li Ziqing like a thunderbolt.
Sugar daddy?
Her pupils contracted, a storm raging in her chest. Anger boiled in her veins, but before she could respond, another voice cut through the tension.
"That's enough."
Everyone turned. Pan Mingzhe stepped forward, his expression hard as steel, positioning himself in front of Li Ziqing like a shield.
"Just because of an anonymous post, you think you can slander her?" he said coldly. "Fan Yuelin, don't you have any shame?"
Meng Qianyi's smile faltered. "Pan Mingzhe, stay out of this. This has nothing to do with you."
He gave a sharp, disdainful laugh. "On the contrary, it has everything to do with me. You may hate her, but when she's being cornered like this, we should stand by her side—not trample her down. She's our classmate."
A derisive laugh echoed across the room. Gong Xinyue tilted her head, her eyes glinting with mockery.
"Oh, I see. The noble hero rushing to save the damsel in distress?" She chuckled darkly. "Don't delude yourself, Pan Mingzhe. She doesn't need you. Otherwise, why do you think you were rejected in the first place?"
The jab landed cruelly, but Pan Mingzhe's jaw only tightened. He snapped back, voice raised, "Say whatever you want about me, but let me be clear—I don't believe a word of the filth spreading online. If you had even half a brain, you'd think before making baseless accusations."
Gong Xinyue opened her mouth to retort, but a loud voice boomed from the doorway, silencing the room.
"Li Ziqing. The principal wants to see you. Now."
A heavy silence settled over the classroom.
Pieces of whispers, fragments of accusation—though she still didn't understand the full picture, one thing was clear: someone had targeted her deliberately. Rage simmered beneath her calm surface, especially after hearing Gong Xinyue's venomous words.
But right now, there was no time for that. The more pressing matter was uncovering the truth.
Drawing in a steady breath, Li Ziqing straightened her back, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she stepped out of the classroom, following the boy who had come to summon her.
___
Thank you so much for the Power Stones Kulsum_Bano, mwansa0, Patricia_East, Cindy_Rella_4389. Your support means a world to me☺️🙏❤️