Volume 1 Chapter 11 Surveillance Footage  

Tan Xiu reported, “President Shi, Miss Qin Xiao has contacted Madam.”  

Shi Jianchuan’s phone was connected to surveillance cameras that currently showed Qin Ya.  

His phone’s background storage contained over a hundred gigabytes of videos and photos.  

Sometimes even Tan Xiu broke into a cold sweat for Qin Ya.  

President Shi’s illness seemed to have improved—or perhaps grown worse.  

Shi Jianchuan responded indifferently, “Mm, noted.”  

“Also, tomorrow’s meeting with Wan Li, the representative of RT Group, is scheduled for 10 a.m.”  

In the past, merely hearing this name would cast a heavy gloom over Shi Jianchuan for quite some time. But this time, his reaction was unexpectedly composed.  

Shi Jianchuan reached out and lightly touched Qin Ya’s image on the screen.  

What choice would Ya-ya make tomorrow?  

He had controlled himself well, maintaining a near-perfect facade.  

She had better not disappoint him.  

＊  

Years later, Shi Jianchuan and Wan Li met again in the conference room.  

The once-youthful men had now matured.  

At a glance, Wan Li did bear a slight resemblance to Shi Jianchuan—perhaps one or two similarities.  

But upon seeing Shi Jianchuan in person, that faint likeness was instantly overshadowed.  

Wan Li now exuded the aura of a businessman.  

His entire demeanor screamed “success,” from the obligatory luxury watch to every carefully chosen accessory.  

Even his cuffs were meticulously styled.  

Yet this deliberate refinement paled in comparison to Shi Jianchuan, coming off as forced and inferior.  

After studying Shi Jianchuan for a few seconds, Wan Li extended his hand first. “President Shi, long time no see.”  

Shi Jianchuan lifted his gaze slightly and reciprocated the gesture. “Likewise.”  

Without further pleasantries, the meeting commenced.  

Wan Li pressed forward aggressively, but Shi Jianchuan yielded no ground.  

Wan Li had come fully prepared, knowing Shi Jianchuan would be difficult—but not this difficult.  

His company had sent him precisely because of his alumni connection with Shi Jianchuan, hoping to leverage it for favorable terms.  

Yet Shi Jianchuan showed no regard for past ties.  

Perhaps he still remembered the incident involving Qin Ya?  

“Perhaps RT isn’t truly prepared for this collaboration,” Shi Jianchuan remarked, his pen tapping lightly on the table as he made a subtle move to rise.  

A flicker of urgency crossed Wan Li’s eyes. “Jianchuan, expanding into overseas markets means you can’t bypass RT. A partnership between Qin Corporation and RT is mutually beneficial.”  

“You’ve been in the domestic market too long and don’t understand international dynamics. What works here won’t translate abroad. Besides, even a mighty dragon can’t suppress a local serpent. If you want to expand, this is your only viable path.”  

“We may have some differences, but I assure you—this is a win-win.”  

Back in university, Wan Li had affected an air of lofty detachment, sneering at anything tainted by greed. Now, his rhetoric had grown far more polished.  

Shi Jianchuan remained impassive. “We do need to choose a partner.”  

“Gemstone has recently reached out to us as well.”  

This caught Wan Li off guard. RT and Gemstone operated in overlapping sectors and had always been competitors.  

But Gemstone’s executives were notoriously arrogant, often dismissive of Asians. He hadn’t expected them to proactively extend an olive branch to Qin Corporation.  

He forced a chuckle. “I haven’t heard of any major moves from Gemstone lately.”  

“Their CEO, Vito Ward, is in Jing City these days. Care to join us for a discussion?”

“Perhaps not. I have other matters to attend to, and time is quite tight these days.”

Wan Li steered the conversation back, “Although Gemstone has been established longer, their upper management’s thinking is more rigid. Unlike RT, which is more dynamic and innovative, better suited for our collaboration.”

Shi Jianchuan leaned back, listening quietly to Wan Li’s words.

Wan Li was still trying to squeeze a bit more advantage from Shi Jianchuan.

Shi Jianchuan’s expression revealed neither joy nor anger.

Only after Wan Li had finished speaking did Shi Jianchuan leisurely respond, “RT has an 80-million funding gap. I can afford to wait, but can RT?”

The moment these words left Shi Jianchuan’s lips, Wan Li’s expression changed instantly, and even his entourage showed a flicker of panic.

This confidential information was known only to a dozen or so top executives—how did Shi Jianchuan find out?

This statement also signaled that they had completely lost the upper hand in this negotiation.

Negotiations aren’t concluded in a single session. Wan Li had no choice but to stand up. “Very well, we understand Mr. Shi’s position. Our company will carefully consider this matter and strive to present a more satisfactory cooperation proposal within three days.”

He rose and shook hands with Shi Jianchuan.

Shi Jianchuan also stood, reciprocating the courtesy.

Both sides gathered their belongings and prepared to leave.

Perhaps on impulse, Wan Li suddenly asked, “Mr. Shi, you’re not still holding onto that university incident, are you?”

Shi Jianchuan’s aloof demeanor, his eyes devoid of any emotion, unsettled him.

It was as if nothing could ever catch his attention.

From university until now, it had always been this way.

Wan Li was a year below Shi Jianchuan and had always been referred to as “Little Shi Jianchuan.” While this title had brought him many benefits, it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Meeting again under these circumstances, he had assumed Qin Corporation would be begging for their cooperation. Who could have predicted things would turn out like this?

Without thinking, Wan Li blurted out, “Although Jiang Ya pursued me back then, we haven’t been in contact for years.”

“I heard your marriage to her was under duress. Qin Corporation is merely sewing bridal gowns for others. Why not join us at RT? You’d certainly have more freedom here.”

The RT staff who understood Chinese widened their eyes in disbelief. How had they never noticed Wan Li could be this foolish?

The Qin Corporation team collectively held their breath.

Eyes downcast, minds blank.

Was this something they were supposed to hear?

Were RT’s hiring standards this low?

Wan Li hadn’t genuinely intended to poach Shi Jianchuan—he’d simply wanted to flaunt a bit of superiority. The moment the words left his mouth, regret set in.

He scrambled to backtrack.

“Husband.”

Qin Ya, who had been waiting for a while, made her dazzling entrance the moment the meeting concluded.

She wore a fitted red gown paired with a black trench coat, the dress cinched at the waist to accentuate her slender figure.

Her wavy hair framed delicate features, and matching earrings swayed with her movements.

She was stunning—like an Incarnate fairy, a rose in full bloom, breathtakingly beautiful at first glance.

Approaching, she linked arms with Shi Jianchuan. “Husband, I’ve been waiting so long for you. Why did the meeting take so long?”

“I brought you lunch—soup I made myself.”

The chill around Shi Jianchuan dissipated almost instantly.

“Hmm, waited long?”

“Not too bad, just over an hour. But knowing I was waiting for you made every minute worthwhile.”

Qin Ya smiled, her entire demeanor taking on the charming allure of a beautiful fox spirit.

Yet those doe eyes of hers still shone with crystal clarity.