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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 – The First Strike

Chapter 4 – The First Strike

The next morning, Huajin buzzed beneath a sky of pearlescent gray. The city's early hum grew louder as cars filled the main streets and office buildings lit up in golden sequences. Amidst it all, Meilin Xue stood poised in her high-rise apartment, wearing a crisp white blouse tucked into a slim navy skirt. Her long hair, now blown into elegant waves, shimmered like black silk under the pendant lights.

She had slept little, her mind filled with memories of the past life—and strategies for the future.

The Celestial Marriage System pulsed faintly in her core, like a second heartbeat. But unlike before, it was quiet today, as if waiting.

Meilin glanced at her phone. 8:04 AM.

"Right on time," she whispered to herself, lips curving into a cold, calculating smile.

Today was the day she would make her first strike.

---

Huajin Fashion Group Headquarters

The lobby was as grand as she remembered. Tall marble columns rose like sentinels on each side, and the polished floor reflected a ceiling chandelier shaped like a phoenix. Staff members moved briskly, none sparing a second glance at the young woman in heels who walked toward the executive elevators with unwavering confidence.

It had been ten years, but Meilin remembered every corner of this building. She had once come here often—back when Lin Jue still pretended to care. Back when her name could open doors.

Today, she wasn't here as a dutiful wife-to-be.

She was here as a storm in silk.

At the reception, the young clerk stood up quickly. "Excuse me, miss—do you have an appointment?"

Meilin smiled faintly and tapped on her phone. "Tell Director Zhang there's a special shareholder requesting five minutes of his time. He'll want to see this."

She held up the screen. The clerk's eyes widened at the contents: a confidential stake transfer document bearing the seal of the Xue Family Holding Group.

---

Five Minutes Later – Executive Office

Director Zhang nearly stumbled out of his office. A man in his late fifties, his face was pale, and sweat dotted his temple. "M-Miss Xue?!"

"Long time no see, Uncle Zhang," Meilin said smoothly, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

He closed the door, his voice low and panicked. "You—you're supposed to be studying abroad. Why are you back? How did you get that document? That share was never—"

"Transferred? Official? Authorized?" Meilin's tone was silky, but her eyes were sharp. "It's all legal. You may want to brush up on the latest filings. My mother had those clauses included before she died. I now hold 18% of Huajin Fashion's voting rights."

Director Zhang collapsed into the chair, stunned.

"Lin Jue thinks he has full control now that I'm 'out of the picture,'" Meilin continued. "He moved against my father's legacy, stripped key departments, and replaced loyal managers. I won't let that go unanswered."

"But Lin Jue—he has powerful backers now. The Lin Corporation, the East Sea Group—"

Meilin placed a slim file folder on the desk.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Proof," she said. "Fraudulent dealings, asset laundering, manipulation of board members… enough to shake Lin Jue's position before the next shareholders' meeting. But I don't want to destroy the company. I want it clean. Righteous."

Director Zhang stared at her, breath caught.

"I'll leave it with you. Think carefully before choosing your side." She smiled again, but this time it was ice wrapped in velvet.

As she turned to leave, the system inside her flickered.

> 📜 Celestial Marriage System

⚡ Favor earned: +3 Influence Points

🛡️ New passive skill unlocked: "Iron Veil" – increased resilience against emotional manipulation.

Meilin paused at the elevator, a soft breath escaping her lips. She could feel it—her second life truly beginning.

---

Later That Day – Café in Jingyun District

A warm breeze stirred the lace curtain of the outdoor café where Meilin now sat with a laptop in front of her. She had always liked this place—a little hidden spot with cappuccinos dusted in cinnamon and quiet jazz playing in the background.

She sipped her drink, scanning through a list of names—former victims of Lin Jue's expansion tactics, shareholders pushed out, loyal employees terminated.

"Each one of you deserves justice," she murmured.

Her plan was coming together like threads of a finely woven tapestry.

"Working hard?"

The familiar voice broke her thoughts.

Meilin's hand froze on the mouse. She looked up slowly.

There, in tailored black, stood Li Yanzhou.

Today, he wore no tie, just a fitted dark shirt beneath his jacket. His sleeves were rolled slightly, exposing a hint of a silver bracelet at his wrist. There was something almost predatory in the way he looked at her—as if he had expected to find her here, and her surprise amused him.

"What are you doing here?" Meilin asked warily.

He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down as if they were old acquaintances.

"I had a feeling you'd come to this café again," he said casually. "You used to come here during your university breaks."

Her eyes narrowed. "You've been following me?"

"Let's call it... strategic interest," he replied, his gaze lingering on her features. "After all, it's not every day the daughter of the Xue family returns from the dead and starts shaking up corporate towers."

Meilin's heart skipped a beat. "You know."

"Not everything." He leaned forward. "But enough to know Lin Jue should be very afraid right now."

She didn't reply. Instead, she studied him in silence.

Li Yanzhou… the man who had risen from obscurity to command power across Huajin's financial, underground, and elite circles. In her past life, she'd only seen him from a distance—at galas, in rumors, in the headlines.

Now he was here, right in front of her.

"What do you want from me?" she asked.

His eyes darkened. "I haven't decided yet."

Before she could respond, her system chimed again.

> 📜 Celestial Marriage System

💠 Emotional fluctuation detected

🧭 Potential fate link: Li Yanzhou – Compatibility: 79%

🔓 Special Event Unlocked: 'Collision of Fates'

Meilin's chest tightened.

No. Not him. Not now.

---

Evening – Xue Mansion

Back in the sanctuary of her family home, Meilin sat by her mother's old garden. The flowers had bloomed in soft twilight colors, their petals stirring in the wind.

She gently touched the jade bracelet on her wrist.

"I've started," she whispered to the night. "I won't stop until everything is returned to its rightful place. For Father. For you. For me."

The moon above watched silently.

Her phone buzzed.

It was a message from an unknown number.

> "You made your move today. Impressive. Shall we call it Checkmate next?"

— L.Y.

Meilin stared at it, then slowly, a smile bloomed on her lips.

Let the game begin.

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