Chapter 21: Flirting?

Shen’s company was a sole proprietorship, but this unique position also implied a sense of subordination.

If Ms. Xu lacked the necessary investment capital, she could borrow it from them. Shen Muyan curved her lips, her smile reaching her eyes.

Xu Ling, with her sharp and unyielding features, had not reached such a level of refinement. Her words were gentle yet firm, her pronouncements final, leaving no room for modification.

“How?” Xu Ling raised an eyebrow, her gaze questioning.

Truly, the more beautiful one is, the more discerning they become. They can discern the nuances, and effortlessly strike at the heart of the matter.

In the fashion field, everyone had opposed her in succession, to the point where she had relied solely on her own shares and branch offices to secure enough research and development funds.

The research and development stage was risky. To secure investment, she needed to bring in other companies to support the venture.

It just so happened that Shen’s company had arrived in Shanghai, and their CEO was also a woman. She would surely be interested in the fashion industry.

“How?” Xu Ling, her eyes narrowed, was not pleased. She straightened her posture and lightly glanced at Shen Muyan.

Ms. Xu had grand ambitions, but she felt that the project’s profits were not enough to entice Shen’s company to participate.

Xu Ling’s approach wasn’t wrong, but Shen Muyan felt it was too limited, confined to the sale of cosmetics, and merely that one product line.

If they could double down and expand into the beauty industry, their total sales would increase significantly.

However, Xu’s company seemed to lack support for this idea. Only Xu Ling was pushing for it, and to act rashly with such a risk was quite dangerous.

Shen Muyan herself was a newcomer to the business world. She had been treated like a rabbit by countless others, tricked and deceived. Would things go according to their wishes this time?

The “Number One Leather” project was complex. Qin Xian’s words earlier had been quite insightful.

If the other party invested, they would be the emperor.

If that was the case, why be so stingy? In an instant, Xu Ling felt a surge of inexplicable bitterness. She forced a smile and drained her glass of red wine.

Her seductive and flamboyant features now seemed like a wilted rose.

“Ms. Xu, perhaps you could consider the jewelry field.”

Shen Muyan didn’t say anything. After a moment, sensing the change in the atmosphere, she excused herself to leave.

But Xu Ling had indeed taken her words to heart.

Night.

Shen Muyan couldn’t sleep, so she simply went out onto the balcony and sipped some red wine to help her relax.

Shen’s company had invested a significant amount of capital in “Number One Leather,” but they had no plans to expand into other industries for the time being. They were only building the model.

At the very least, it would take two years.

Her mother had arrived and was planning to return to Hong Kong.

She took a few pictures and posted them on her Moments.

At the airport, she was a solitary figure, her slender back and ankle-length dress swaying gently in the dynamic image. The hem of her skirt fluttered in the breeze, radiating an ethereal aura.

Qin Yanzhou, looking at the live pictures from the airport, carefully recalled the recent events in the circle, but nothing seemed related to Hong Kong.

Had Shen Muyan returned?

“Qin Xian, the meeting is about to begin.”

Another round of international conferences. After the meetings ended, the members waited for Qin Yanzhou to leave before they dared to move. But the chairman’s seat remained empty, the screen of his phone illuminating his face, devoid of any expression.

“Everyone can leave first.”

Lu Lin, noticing that Qin Yanzhou was still dealing with matters, nodded and motioned for the executives to leave.

“Why did you suddenly return to Hong Kong?”

Qin Yanzhou asked himself this question, and impulsively sent a message to Shen Muyan.

But she didn’t reply. He waited for several minutes, but there was no response.

He simply sat down at his desk and immersed himself in work, filling his mind with his career, to distract himself from other thoughts.

“Because my mom is coming.”

Shen Muyan’s voice message was as soft as it was in person, gentle and soothing, yet it held a subtle hint of defiance.

A very comfortable voice.

“Long time no see.”

“Just say you’re taking a vacation.”

Qin Yanzhou let out a chuckle, a strange, inexplicable sound. He put his phone down on the side, but the countdown timer was still running. Shen Muyan, unable to bear the silence, called him.

Shen Muyan felt herself being swept away by Qin Yanzhou.

He even had an airport VIP pass. Ning Qing trailed behind, pulling a suitcase. She really had called him.

He answered after a pause, his voice calm and composed.

“What?”

“I’m not that lazy!” Her voice, a mixture of anger and the surrounding commotion, came through the phone. She must still be at the airport, talking while rushing.

He was worried that Shen Muyan would fall again, so he first gave her a warning.

“Okay, don’t fall and blame me.”

“Why are you always so playful?”

“Don’t shift the blame.” Qin Yanzhou refused to admit it. He looked at the video call, seeing her radiant and energetic, and he realized she was teasing him.

“You’re like…”

“Flirting.”

“It’s so much fun coming to Hong Kong.” Shen Muyan took the initiative to invite him. After all, Shen’s company would be hosting a banquet and could invite Qin. If Qin Yanzhou came, Qin’s father would definitely come too.

Qin Yanzhou placed his face flat on the phone and picked it up again, calmly stroking the diamond at the top of his pen. His voice was smooth and steady: “This invitation…”

Her phoenix eyes, shimmering with just the right amount of laughter, looked at him expectantly.

She had just admitted it herself.

“Are you inviting me to come over, and will you come too?” Shen Muyan didn’t beat around the bush, but instead engaged with him, cautiously probing.