The hum of discussion and tapping keyboards filled the sleek conference room on the top floor of Mo Corporation. Mo Tianyi stood at the head of the long table, briefing his assistants and board members. His voice was calm but authoritative, cutting through the air with precision.
"We'll push the next phase of Jingyan's public image rebranding forward. A joint campaign with two major labels—Jingli, prep the media teams. I want coverage across three major outlets."
"Yes, Director Mo," Jingli responded, already taking notes.
The meeting was at full swing when the doors flew open.
A harsh gust of wind followed as Leng Xuanmo strode in—dark coat flaring slightly, eyes cold but purposeful. Li Zeyan trailed after him, anxious and breathless.
"I told him you were in a meeting—" Li Zeyan tried, but was swiftly ignored.
"I'm not here for business," Xuanmo said curtly, locking eyes with Mo Tianyi. "We need to talk. Now."
The room froze. Mo Tianyi's gaze hardened.
"Clear the room," he ordered calmly.
The staff hesitated, eyes darting between the two men, before quietly filing out and shutting the door behind them.
Mo Tianyi leaned back against the table, arms folded. "You've got nerve, showing up like this."
"I don't care how it looks," Leng Xuanmo said, stepping forward. "This isn't about face. This is about Lu Jingyan."
Mo Tianyi didn't move, didn't blink. "You saw her last night. What do you want now?"
Leng Xuanmo's voice lowered, but it didn't lose its intensity. "Last night… was the first time she looked at me without hate. The first time I realized how far apart we are."
"And now what?" Tianyi asked coldly. "You want a medal for realizing you destroyed her?"
"I'm going to pursue her. For real this time."
That flickered surprise across Mo Tianyi's face, but only briefly. She remained guarded. "You think she hasn't heard that before?"
"I'm not asking for her forgiveness right now. I just want you to know. Because I know how much she means to you," Xuanmo said steadily. "And I don't expect your blessing. But I'm not walking away again."
Mo Tianyi's jaw clenched slightly. "And why tell me this? You think saying it out loud makes it more noble?"
"No," Xuanmo replied. "But you've always protected her. I owe you this. You deserve to know what I intend to do."
Tianyi looked away for a second, her arms still crossed. "You're here declaring war on your past. Why now?"
"Because I finally saw her—not the heiress I ruined—but the woman she's become. She's not just standing. She's soaring. And she doesn't need me anymore. That terrifies me. But it made me realize—she's the only one I want beside me."
Mo Tianyi's voice dropped. "Do you want her because you love her? Or because you hate losing something that once belonged to you?"
"Because I never stopped loving her," he answered, without pause. "I just never knew how to love her the right way. But I will learn. I swear I will."
Silence.
Then Tianyi moved slowly, eyes narrowing. "She cried on my shoulder, Xuanmo. You didn't just hurt her. You shattered her. Don't come back into her life unless you're ready to handle the fire she's become."
"I know," he murmured. "And I'm not afraid. I came to Country C for her. Nothing else."
Tianyi studied him for a beat. Then, she opened a drawer, pulled out a thick file, and shoved it across the table.
"Golden Age's next month of appearances. If you're serious, then start here. No surprises. No theatrics. She's not your past. She's her own future now."
Xuanmo picked up the file, eyes scanning it briefly before nodding. "I won't let her slip through my hands again."
Mo Tianyi gave a faint smirk, though her eyes remained cool. "You'd better not. Because if you do… this time, I won't just stand and watch."
He nodded once, bowed slightly—not out of obligation, but respect—then turned and exited, with Li Zeyan silently falling into step behind him.
When the door shut, Mo Tianyi stared after him, then muttered under her breath, "This better not be another storm.