Chapter 13: You Are Ruan Liuzheng

Ruan Liuzheng pursed her lips, found a parking spot, and decided to get out and walk around.

It had been a long time since she last came here.

Surrounded by an artistic atmosphere, her heart grew calm, and that lingering thought in the depths of her mind began to rise again.

As she walked, she unknowingly arrived in front of Sofan. Seeing the employees inside hustling about, Ruan Liuzheng stopped in her tracks.

Sofan Art & Design Co., Ltd. was a company she had founded with like-minded friends during university.

Back then, full of youthful ambition, they vowed to ascend to the top of the world together.

But now…

Ruan Liuzheng lowered her eyes and gave a helpless, bitter smile.

She still vividly remembered the look of disappointment and anger on her friend’s face when she announced she was leaving the company.

Her departure dealt the company a heavy blow. Even now, it likely hadn’t fully recovered.

And because of that, her friend cut ties with her—five years of no contact.

Taking a deep breath, Ruan Liuzheng mustered her courage and walked toward the main building.

The mistake she made—it was time to make amends.

The dream she had shelved—it was time to reignite it.

…

“Miss, may I ask how I can help you?”

The receptionist at Sofan looked at Ruan Liuzheng politely and respectfully.

Her smile was courteous and professionally detached.

Ruan Liuzheng nodded. “Please let President Luo know someone with the surname Ruan is here to see him.”

The receptionist looked surprised.

She had noticed Ruan Liuzheng the moment she walked in—her aura was just too unique.

It was rare to see someone who blended cool elegance and warmth so seamlessly.

And now she was here to see President Luo?

Could she be another admirer of his?

Despite her curiosity, her professionalism kicked in. She smiled and said, “Of course, Miss Ruan. Please wait a moment in the lounge over there. Once President Luo agrees, I’ll inform you right away.”

Ruan Liuzheng nodded and silently walked over to the lounge.

Sitting on the sofa, she gazed at the lush money trees on both sides, her expression touched by nostalgia.

She had been the one who personally bought and placed those trees there back then.

The symbolism was old-fashioned—wishing for prosperity and wealth.

Five years had passed, yet they were still there, flourishing even more. Clearly, someone at the company had taken good care of them.

A faint smile formed on Ruan Liuzheng’s lips as she gently touched the green leaves, then picked up a magazine from the coffee table and began flipping through it while waiting.

She expected her friend to still be angry and to leave her hanging for a while.

But as time passed, she found herself increasingly restless. The magazine in her hands became harder to read, and the urge to flee grew stronger.

She didn’t know how to face her old friend.

After about an hour, the receptionist finally came over and gestured politely with a smile. “Miss Ruan, President Luo will see you now.”

Ruan Liuzheng’s palms grew damp with sweat.

She took a deep breath, nodded to the receptionist, and walked toward the elevator.

…

In the CEO’s office, Luo Sent sat behind a wooden desk, wearing a pair of silver-rimmed glasses on his nose. His narrow, light blue eyes gleamed with a shrewdness typical of a businessman.

He was mixed-race, not fully Chinese.

He had met Ruan Liuzheng by chance back then.

Now, seeing her again, his face showed none of the warmth of an old friend reuniting—only indifference.

The heated argument from years ago still lingered in his memory.

His tone was flat. “What are you doing here?”

Ruan Liuzheng’s palms were slightly clammy, and she lowered her gaze.

In a hoarse voice, she said, “I want to come back to the company.”

“Oh? Did Fu Yanci kick you out of Fu Group? Or are you tired of playing the rich housewife and want to slum it in our little company for fun?”

Luo Sent pushed up his glasses, a sharp glint in his eyes. “Ruan Liuzheng, this company doesn’t take back employees who abandon their posts so easily!”

“It won’t happen again, Luo Sent. I’m serious. I won’t walk away from the company again.”

Ruan Liuzheng took a deep breath and raised her eyes, her clear gaze steady and firm. Her tone was solemn: “I’m preparing for divorce. If you’re still willing to trust me, please give me another chance…”

“Let’s lead Sofan to the top—together!”

Luo Sent fell silent.

Ruan Liuzheng now looked just like she had before she met Fu Yanci.

Calm, intelligent, and ambitious—those qualities had finally returned to her.

Standing in the middle of the office, Ruan Liuzheng felt like a defendant awaiting judgment, unconsciously clenching her hands.

She stared at Luo Sent intently.

In the past, she would never have been this uncertain. She would’ve confidently raised her chin and proudly declared her return.

But now, she lacked that courage and confidence.

She’d been away from the art world too long.

No matter how talented she once was, she wasn’t sure she could reenter the industry—or if her skills would still be recognized.

Too many unknowns. She couldn’t help but feel insecure.

After a long silence, Luo Sent finally moved. He stood and walked to a guest chair, then motioned to the seat opposite him. “Have a seat.”

Ruan Liuzheng exhaled in relief. She knew that was his way of agreeing.

Blinking back her excitement, she sat down across from him.

“Take a look at this.”

Luo Sent handed her a thick file. His voice had softened a bit. “This has the company’s recent projects and specific information on the design department. Familiarize yourself with it. Start tomorrow?”

“You… you’re not afraid I’ve lost my edge?”

Ruan Liuzheng hesitated before taking the file, looking at him as she asked.

Luo Sent chuckled, looking at her with unwavering trust behind his silver-rimmed glasses.

“If I can’t trust your ability, who else could I trust? Don’t forget—you are Ruan Liuzheng.”

That same Ruan Liuzheng who stunned everyone at Q University’s art department the moment she enrolled.

The Ruan Liuzheng whose talent once shook the entire art world.

Her talent didn’t fade with time. It never needed to be questioned.

Ruan Liuzheng felt her heart stir.

All the unease and self-doubt melted away.

Yes—she was Ruan Liuzheng!

Doubt and fear had no place with that name.

Because the name Ruan Liuzheng was confidence and brilliance.

Having made up her mind, she reached for the file with determination, lifting her gaze slightly.

“That’s right. Other than me, I doubt you’ll find anyone else fit to be the director of design.”