In a high-end restaurant in City S—
"Miss Nan, your reserved seat is by the window. Please follow me." The waiter smiled as he led me through the dining area. The sound of my high heels clicked crisply against the marble floor.
Xu Manli was already seated there—my younger cousin, fresh out of university. Today, she wore a sleek black dress with her hair pulled into a neat bun, looking far more mature than her actual age.
I sat down across from her, trying to keep my tone light. "What's the urgent matter that made you ask to meet so suddenly?"
Xu Manli's eyes darted around briefly before she reached into the briefcase beside her and pulled out a manila folder, sliding it toward me. "Take a look at this first."
I opened the folder to find a document stamped "Huaxin United—Confidential." After flipping through just a few pages, my brows furrowed involuntarily. It was a draft prospectus for Huaxin United's upcoming Hong Kong IPO, but unlike any I'd seen before—the margins were crammed with handwritten notes and questions, some financial figures marked with large question marks, even hand-scribbled calculations and arrows pointing to glaring inconsistencies.
"This is…" My voice dropped instinctively. "Financial fraud?"
Xu Manli nodded, taking a sip of her wine. "There are issues with Huaxin United's listing materials. I think Lin Xuyan, the deputy finance manager, must know about it."
"Manli, how did you get this?" I closed the folder, locking eyes with her. "This is an internal working document from the sponsor."
A faint smirk played at the corners of Xu Manli's lips as she leaned in slightly, the delicate scent of her perfume drifting over. "My boyfriend… well, sort of boyfriend—he's part of the sponsor team handling this IPO."
I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Our little Manli is dating someone? Since when? Who is he?"
"Ugh, Nan Zhi!" Xu Manli's cheeks flushed pink. "That's not the point! Cheng Lang… well, he's still pursuing me. I haven't said yes yet." She waved her hand dismissively, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
"By the way, I heard Xingyue is officially pushing you into the entertainment industry?" Xu Manli quickly changed the subject.
The corners of my lips lifted. "Yeah, a supporting role in an urban drama. Filming starts next month."
"Congratulations! With your following and this face, you're definitely going to blow up!" It was clear Xu Manli was genuinely happy for me. Even though I'd taken on a new identity, her care for me remained the same. Having family by my side like this felt truly comforting.
I continued, "I also recommended Zhou Yuqing for a small role."
Xu Manli's smile froze instantly. "…What? You recommended her?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Nan Zhi, why would you do that?"
"You exposed her as a homewrecker before, but look at her now—she's doing just fine. Ever wonder why?" Xu Manli shook her head, and I went on, "She spread rumors about me drunk-driving and getting into an accident, which not only got me dragged online but nearly cost me all my endorsements. Do you have any idea how high the brand penalties would've been? If Mr. Fang hadn't stepped in, I might've been bankrupt by now."
Xu Manli frowned. "But I still don't understand why you'd help her…"
I tilted my head slightly, my smile not reaching my eyes. "Manli, ever heard the saying, 'If you want someone to perish, first let them grow reckless'? Right now, Qingqian Baby is just a minor influencer. Even if I wanted to ruin her, it wouldn't make much of a splash." My voice was soft but carried a chilling certainty. "But if she enters this industry, gains fame, builds a fanbase… then when she falls, it'll be a complete and utter destruction."
Xu Manli drew a sharp breath, finally understanding my intent. "You mean—"
"Only those who climb high can fall hard. I'm going to personally lift her to the top—just so I can watch her crash into oblivion."
By the time Xu Manli and I left the restaurant, night had fallen. Neon lights painted the sky of City S in hues of violet and red, while pedestrians hurried along the bustling streets.
"Nan Zhi, next time we should try that new Japanese place—" Xu Manli was saying, but my attention snapped to the scene across the street.
A familiar black Maybach was parked by the curb, license plate ending in 8888—Fang Yichen's car. Beside the door stood a tall, elegant woman adjusting his tie. She wore a tailored beige suit, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, her profile strikingly refined under the streetlights.
The woman said something, and Fang Yichen responded with a faint smile before gallantly opening the car door for her. They both slid into the backseat, and the car drove off smoothly.
Something heavy lodged itself in my chest—
"Nan Zhi? What's wrong?" Xu Manli followed my gaze, puzzled. "See someone you know?"
"Nothing." I forced myself to look away, but my voice came out drier than I intended. "Just… remembered some unfinished work."
Xu Manli studied me skeptically. "You look pale."
"Really, I'm fine." I managed a weak smile.
"Okay." She nodded, though concern flickered in her eyes.
Once inside my car, I finally let my expression collapse. Outside the window, the city glittered brightly, yet I'd never felt so alone.
So Fang Yichen had a girlfriend. I should've known—a man like him would never lack for exceptional women around him. Those ambiguous moments, those seemingly casual attentions… maybe they were all just my wishful thinking.
The car crossed the river bridge, moonlight shimmering on the water below. I took a deep breath, shoving those untimely emotions back down. My revenge plan had only just begun—I couldn't afford to be distracted by something like this.
As I pulled up to my apartment building, I spotted a familiar figure waiting downstairs.
Lin Xuyan.
He'd taken the bait.