The city was dusted in a thin layer of frost, the sidewalks glistening under the afternoon sun. Gold Corporation's headquarters loomed ahead—sleek, glassy, and intimidating as ever—its mirrored surface reflecting the controlled chaos of Country C's financial district.
Hua Shu stepped out of a black car, her coat flaring behind her in a sweep of burgundy wool. Ning Hua trailed her, flipping through her schedule on a tablet, rattling off meetings and press calls with her usual crispness.
"After the 2:30, you have a call with the European team—"
"Push it to 4," Hua Shu said, already heading toward the building. "Make sure the new portfolio is on my desk by the time I'm done with the investor brief."
But before she could reach the entrance, someone stepped into her path.
"Miss Hua."
She stopped mid-step, sharp eyes narrowing at the familiar voice.
Leng Meixuan stood a few feet away, dressed in charcoal gray, her hair pinned up, lips pale from the cold. There was no entourage, no flash of the usual Leng confidence—only a woman standing still against the tide of the city.
Hua Shu's voice was flat. "You must be lost. The Leng Corporation's is in country f"
Meixuan's jaw clenched, but she didn't rise to the bait. "I didn't come for business."
Ning Hua tensed beside her boss, clearly ready to intervene, but Hua Shu held up a hand, eyes never leaving Meixuan's.
"So what did you come for?"
"I want to speak with you," Meixuan said quietly. "In private. Not here."
A silence fell between them as the wind picked up, fluttering loose strands of Meixuan's hair and tossing Hua Shu's coat hem around her legs.
"Bold of you to show up uninvited after what your family did," Hua Shu said. Her tone wasn't angry—it was worse: calm, clipped, and dangerous. "Even bolder to ask me for anything."
Meixuan swallowed. "I'm not asking for favors. Just… an audience."
"You don't have the luxury to request one," Hua Shu snapped, but then she took in the stillness in Meixuan's face—the kind not born of arrogance, but quiet resolve. She tilted her head. "This about Lu Jingyan?"
Meixuan gave a small nod.
"I'm not her shield," Hua Shu said.
"I know. But you're the one person who would make sure the conversation wasn't about pity or politics."
Hua Shu studied her for a long moment, then turned to Ning Hua. "Clear my 11 a.m. next Thursday."
Ning Hua blinked. "You mean—?"
Hua Shu cut in, gaze flicking back to Meixuan. "Be at the Mo residence in three days. If you're late, the door won't open."
A mix of relief and disbelief flickered across Meixuan's face. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Hua Shu said, already walking past her toward the building. "She hasn't agreed to see you yet. But if she does, you better not waste her time."
"Understood."
"And Meixuan," Hua Shu called over her shoulder. Meixuan looked back.
"Leave whatever pride you still have at the gate. You won't need it in that house."
The doors to Gold Corporation slid shut behind her, sealing off the exchange as if it had never happened.
Meixuan stood alone for a moment longer, the sound of traffic rushing around her, before she finally turned and walked away—three days to prepare for a conversation that might not offer redemption, but perhaps, a beginning.
"Be free on Thursday. 11 am" Ning Hua texted Lu Jingyan
"Why?" She replied
"You'd see"
"Is this for the Leng family?" Lu Jingyan asked
"Yes"
"Am not meeting"
"It's Leng Meixuan"
"Alright" Lu Jingyan replied after some minutes