After a brief conversation with Zhou Xiufang, Gu Xicao noticed Wang Rongyan returning with a pale face.

She sat down, her expression as if she had just seen a ghost, and stared at Gu Xicao.

Her mind replayed Yuan Tai’s words from earlier: “Yes, my age was adjusted by two years. I’m actually 20. Chairman Wang, how did you know?”

Twenty years old. It was undeniably correct.

Wang Rongyan tried to speak, but her lips were so dry that they stuck together. Finally, she managed to stammer, “You were right. He… he did have his age changed.”

Zhou Xiufang was astonished. “Why would he do that?”

Wang Rongyan attempted to light a cigarette, but her hands were trembling too much. Frustrated, she threw the lighter onto the table and let out a bitter laugh. “He said he was raised by his grandmother, who’s elderly and sickly. To start working and supporting her sooner, he had someone adjust his age and began working earlier.”

This…

What could one say about this?

It was filial piety, yes, but it had nearly “killed” his biological mother in the process.

“Ms. Wang, do you still need to ask anything else?” Gu Xicao inquired.

“I do!” Wang Rongyan raised her head, her eyes fierce and resolute. “This whole situation—does that bastard Wu Qiangzhi know about it?”

Her reaction was quick. After the initial shock, she recalled Wu Qiangzhi’s unusual behavior when she had assigned Yuan Tai to the secretary department.

Wu Qiangzhi was known for opposing her in the company.

From major decisions like product launches to minor issues like employee benefits, he would go out of his way to make her life difficult, even if it meant hurting the company.

Yet when she placed Yuan Tai in the secretary department, Wu Qiangzhi hadn’t said a word.

Looking back, it all seemed suspicious.

“Yes, he knows,” Gu Xicao replied. “Your mother didn’t have a good relationship with you, so years ago, she sold this information to Wu Qiangzhi. Yuan Tai himself doesn’t know about it, but his entry into the company was orchestrated by Wu Qiangzhi.”

So that’s how it was.

It all made sense now.

Wang Rongyan clenched her fists tightly. Her mother had been an addict, draining money recklessly. Wang Rongyan, however, was resolute and refused to fund her addiction. Their relationship had fractured because of this.

Later, her mother had died of an overdose on the streets. When Wang Rongyan went to claim her body, she had wondered where her mother had gotten the money.

Now she understood everything.

“Ms. Wang, are you okay?” Zhou Xiufang asked, unable to hide her concern.

Ms. Wang had really been dealt a cruel hand.

To have a mother like that…

“I’m fine. Knowing the truth is what matters.” Wang Rongyan shook her head. At this moment, she straightened her back, her gaze firm. She looked at Gu Xicao with a complicated expression. “Thank you, Master Gu. Thank you for warning me. No wonder you said this could affect my reputation.”

“No need to thank me. I’m just doing my job.”

Gu Xicao waved it off. “Ms. Wang, you’re incredibly capable. If someone as despicable as Wu Qiangzhi managed to harm you and steal your company, now that would be unjust.”

Arranging for her biological son to seduce her in order to drive her out of the company—such a plan was vile beyond words.

“Don’t worry. I know what to do.”

Wang Rongyan wrote a check and handed it along with her business card to Gu Xicao. “This is a token of my gratitude. Please accept it.”

Seeing the amount on the check, Gu Xicao’s face lit up with a big smile. “Thank you, Ms. Wang. Wishing you success in your career!”

Wang Rongyan paused, then said softly, “Thank you.”

Carrying the 50,000 yuan check she’d just earned, Gu Xicao returned in high spirits.

Wang Laoshi saw her and teased, “What’s this? Another big win?”

“Not too bad, just enough to get by,” Gu Xicao replied with a laugh. “By the way, Uncle Wang, are there any shop for rent nearby? I’d like to rent a spot.”

“A shop? How big are you looking for?”

Though slightly envious, Wang Laoshi was still willing to help.

After thinking for a moment, Gu Xicao said, “Around 100 to 200 square feet would be ideal.”

“That size won’t come cheap. Rent’s at least 5,000 to 6,000 a month!” Wang Laoshi exclaimed, his eyes wide. “Are you sure about this?”

“Five or six thousand is fine. It’s a necessary expense.”

Though the cost pained her, Gu Xicao was firm in her decision.

Fortune-telling often involved private matters, and as her reputation grew, curious onlookers would occasionally gather. Respecting her clients’ privacy was crucial for retaining repeat customers.

“Alright, I’ll ask around for you,” Wang Laoshi agreed. “By the way, Mrs. Leung mentioned that your Lin Yuan will be starting school in a few days. Don’t forget to buy him a school bag and supplies.”

“What? He’s starting school?”

Wang Laoshi stared at her incredulously. “You’re his guardian, not me. How could you not know this?”

Feeling embarrassed, Gu Xicao lowered her head.

Monday morning.

When Yuan Tai arrived at the Haha Foods office, he noticed the lights were already on in the chairman’s office. He put down his belongings, made a cup of coffee, and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” came Wang Rongyan’s voice from inside.

Pushing open the door, Yuan Tai walked in with a smile. “Chairman Wang, I’ve made you a cup of Blue Mountain coffee, your favorite.”

Looking up from her work, Wang Rongyan’s expression grew complicated.

How could she explain this? Someone she had regarded as a potential future boyfriend was now revealed to be her biological son.

The awkwardness and absurdity of the situation were unimaginable.

“Thank you. Set it down and take a seat,” she said, closing her file and gesturing to the chair opposite her.

Seeing her serious expression, Yuan Tai couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Could something have happened to the company?

But that didn’t make sense. The sales of the new chicken soup instant noodles last month had been excellent, and everyone in the company was thrilled about it.

“Ms. Wang, are you unhappy?”

Outside of work, Yuan Tai addressed her as “Ms. Wang” rather than “Chairman Wang” when they were alone.

“No, I’m very happy.”

Wang Rongyan tapped the desk, finding it difficult to get the next words out. “Yuan Tai, I’m thinking of transferring you to the sales department.”

Yuan Tai froze, visibly confused. “Why? Ms. Wang, did I do something wrong?”

Wang Rongyan awkwardly curled her toes under the table. “No, not at all. You’ve been doing great. It’s just that I think the sales department offers better growth opportunities for you. Also… there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

Seeing Wang Rongyan’s troubled expression, Yuan Tai couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.

“Qiangzhi, you’re really something. I can’t believe you thought of this!”

As the meeting time approached, Wu Qiangzhi was still lounging in his office with his brother-in-law, bragging. When his brother-in-law learned about Wu Qiangzhi’s plot against Wang Rongyan, he clapped in admiration. “Once they announce their marriage, we’ll expose everything. Let’s see how she’ll face the world then.”

Wu Qiangzhi took a drag on his cigarette, spinning in his chair with a smirk. “That old woman thinks she’s so clever, trying to take over the company. Dream on! I’ll make sure she’s utterly ruined!”

“Well said!” his brother-in-law cheered, applauding enthusiastically. “If she hadn’t taken advantage of the situation back then, you’d be the chairman of this company by now. Once you reclaim the shares and get rid of her, we’ll be set for life!”

Knock, knock.

A secretary knocked on the door. After receiving permission to enter, she said, “Gentlemen, the chairman has called for a morning meeting. There’s an important announcement. Please head upstairs.”

“Got it,” Wu Qiangzhi replied grumpily, his expression sour.

The secretary left, closing the door behind her.

Wu Qiangzhi sneered. “Another meeting to brag about her so-called achievements. Just because those stupid noodles sold a little better, she thinks she’s invincible. I can’t wait to see her become the laughingstock of all Hong Kong!”

“Exactly! I’ll make sure the newspapers run it as the top headline, spreading this scandal worldwide!” His brother-in-law grinned maliciously.

The two exchanged a knowing glance and burst into laughter, deliberately stalling until the secretary came to fetch them for the third time before heading to the conference room.

“Apologies for being late. We’ve just been so busy,” Wu Qiangzhi said nonchalantly as he entered.

The shareholders and senior executives were already seated, with Wang Rongyan at the head of the table. Seeing her seated there while his own seat was at the end of the table, Wu Qiangzhi’s lips curled in disdain.

However, when he noticed Yuan Tai standing beside her, a sly smile of satisfaction crossed his face.

“Not a problem. Please take your seat, Manager Wu,” Wang Rongyan said politely.

Wu Qiangzhi snorted and strutted to his seat with his brother-in-law.

After scanning the room, Wang Rongyan cleared her throat. “I’ve called everyone here today not for work-related matters, but to share some happy news.”

Happy news?

Wu Qiangzhi and his brother-in-law immediately perked up, exchanging eager, expectant looks.

His brother-in-law couldn’t resist teasing, “Chairman Wang, are you getting married?”

His grin was full of malice.

“Is it to Secretary Yuan?” Wu Qiangzhi added with a laugh, his voice drawing disapproving frowns from others in the room.

Wang Rongyan’s face darkened. “Please refrain from making baseless remarks. This isn’t about marriage. I’m here to announce that I’ve found my biological son. It turns out that Secretary Yuan is the son I lost many years ago.”

What?!

The entire room fell into stunned silence.

One elderly shareholder was so shocked that he fell back into his chair, utterly dumbfounded.

After a moment of silence, voices erupted in confusion.

“Chairman Wang, you must be joking. How could Secretary Yuan possibly be your son?”

“Today isn’t April Fools’ Day. Please don’t joke about something like this. If there’s an issue, just tell us directly.”

“Exactly. We old folks can’t handle such shocks.”

Remaining calm, Wang Rongyan raised her hand, gesturing for everyone to quiet down. Slowly, the room settled, and all eyes turned to her.

Wu Qiangzhi and his brother-in-law, however, were on the verge of grinding their teeth to dust.

How could she possibly know Yuan Tai was her son?!

“I have Manager Wu to thank for this,” Wang Rongyan said, smiling as she turned to Wu Qiangzhi. “If Manager Wu hadn’t brought Yuan Tai into the company, I wouldn’t have noticed how familiar he looked. That prompted me to investigate his background, leading me to discover that he’s the son I had in my youth.

“Back then, I thought the child had passed away, as I was told. But to my surprise, he had been adopted by kind-hearted people, raised well, and grown into such a diligent and capable young man.

“I wanted to let everyone know that I plan to nurture Yuan Tai carefully. I hope all of you, as his uncles and mentors, will guide him well.”

Yuan Tai stepped forward and bowed deeply. “I humbly ask for your guidance, uncles and mentors.”

The room exchanged glances, and after a brief pause, the senior shareholder, Uncle Xu, stepped forward to help Yuan Tai up. “Of course! Congratulations, Ms. Wang. Now you have a worthy successor!”

“Thank you, Uncle Xu. It’s all destiny,” Wang Rongyan said with a radiant smile.

Her gaze swept over Wu Qiangzhi and his brother-in-law.

Both turned pale, fully realizing the gravity of the situation.

Knowing Wang Rongyan’s vindictive nature, they were certain she wouldn’t let this slide.