Mingde had secured investment, and Jin Yaotiao hadn’t even finished the process when a new contract arrived.

The intermediary she had been in contact with called her, saying that some investors had actively proposed to invest in Mingde.

And it was a large sum.

The intermediary’s tone was full of disbelief: “With the economy in such a tough spot, everyone’s being cautious. It’s hard to find such a willing partner. Mingde is really lucky.”

Jin Yaotiao was also surprised but remained rational.

Although getting this investment would certainly give her a boost, with the initial funding secured, both she and Mingde now had more leeway.

There was no need to rush: “Alright, you can contact the investors and arrange a meeting. After the meeting, I’ll decide whether to proceed with the next step of cooperation.”

The intermediary, eager for commission, was even more impatient: “Don’t be too indecisive!”

Jin Yaotiao immediately felt something was off: “Is there something wrong with the investors?”

The intermediary had no choice but to admit: “…The investors don’t want to show their faces and have fully entrusted us to handle everything. But don’t worry, we have a good reputation in the industry, and you can trust us!”

Jin Yao-tiao grew more cautious and lost interest in the investment: “Is that so?”

She was ready to reject the offer but, before doing so, casually asked: “Which organization is it?”

The intermediary gave a name.

Jin Yaotiao froze for a moment.

She swallowed her rejection and instead said: “Send me the details.”

Soon after, the intermediary sent an email. Jin Yaotiao opened it and saw the familiar name.

She squinted her eyes in surprise.

She hadn’t expected to see this name again.

Although she had been an excellent investment recipient before, giving the investor far better returns than expected, it had been a very worthwhile deal in the capital market.

But privately, she still wanted to meet the partner who had given her her first opportunity when she was at her lowest.

In the past, there hadn’t been a chance. Now, it seemed there might be one.

However, the investor still maintained the same mysterious, reclusive approach, which made things a bit tricky for her.

Luna, who had emptied all her savings to invest in Mingde, came to find her.

She was already holding two trays of food filled with dishes from Mingde’s canteen, happily saying, “You didn’t have time to eat, so I brought food for you! Yaotiao, you guys really eat well!”

She had been in Shenzhen for many days, with no intention of returning to Linjiang.

Jin Yaotiao hadn’t persuaded her to leave either.

It wasn’t because Luna had invested all her money in Mingde, but because Jin Yaotiao had a hunch that this carefree beauty was making some decisions by staying away from Linjiang.

The two trays of food were the same, and Jin Yaotiao knew just by looking that the dishes included the leek-crusted bass and golden-baked duck she had recently modified at the canteen.

The tray also contained the common Mingde canteen’s pickled pork with crystal skin and a small bundle of fresh greens.

Besides rice, each tray also had a thick meat-filled pie.

Jin Yaotiao: “…”

This amount of food, is this something someone who’s always saying they want to lose weight could eat?

The fragrance of the dishes filled the air, and Luna, who had once mocked Hu Wanyue for photoshopping her double chin, completely forgot about that and handed Jin Yaotiao a pair of chopsticks.

She sat beside her and started eating.

The leek-crusted bass was made with red and green onions fried into oil, but surprisingly, after the oil was fried, the onions were discarded.

The oil was then used to pan-fry the fish, and after the fish became golden, it was cooked further until the fragrance from the oil fully infused the fish, making it taste fresher than any other method.

Luna was eating and moaning in delight.

The golden-baked duck was more difficult to make, requiring constant sliding in the hot pan to get it golden on all sides before it could be filled with seasoned ingredients.

After being stewed and smoked, the skin remained tight while the meat inside became tender and juicy.

Luna was eating and purring like a cat.

The pickled pork and crystal skin were delicious as usual, with the pork being tender without being greasy and the skin made from pig’s trotters and yellow soybeans, giving it a rich flavor in every bite.

So much food, and Luna even managed to finish the thick meat pie, squeezing out the juice from the filling, leaving her in a frenzy, not even able to pay attention to Jin Yao-tiao.

Jin Yaotiao: “…”

So much for dieting. Well, as long as she can eat, she might as well enjoy it.

After finishing the meat pie, Luna finally asked: “What are you looking at? Don’t you have time to go to the canteen?”

Jin Yaotiao glanced at her screen, smiled without explaining, and suddenly heard some noise.

Turning around, she saw the wealthy Madam Xu Wan again, coming to deliver a drink.

Madam Xu had recently appeared frequently, especially when Luna was around.

Jin Yaotiao often ran into her.

She didn’t think much of it but did feel a bit awkward, since this wealthy lady was about to officially become Mingde’s investor.

She said, “Aunt Xu, you don’t need to bother with this. Go ahead and eat.”

Xu Wan smiled, “I’ve already eaten.”

Jin Yaotiao was surprised: “You ate so fast?”

Xu Wan: “….”

Madam Xu looked at Luna, who was already eating Jin Yaotiao’s food while she devoured hers.

After a few bites, Luna pulled out two more trays of food, and Madam Xu immediately guessed Luna was probably there to see Jin Yaotiao again.

She couldn’t understand how Luna could still eat.

Madam Xu was troubled, but she couldn’t speak her mind.

She could only casually hand Jin Yaotiao the juice and ask, “You’re not going to the canteen to eat, what’s so busy?”

Jin Yaotiao pointed at the computer: “Looking at a document.”

Madam Xu Wan followed her gaze, then glanced at the familiar name at the bottom of the page, surprised: “Does Mingde have a partnership with Jingmao?”

Jin Yaotiao: “What?”

Madam Xu seemed puzzled by her question and pointed at the document: “This institution—this was set up by Jingmao in Switzerland. It doesn’t show itself much and only deals with special projects. Not many people know about it. It was handed over to Qiming to manage years ago.”

At that moment, Jin Yaotiao’s expression changed, and she suddenly stood up, phone in hand, walking towards the exit.

She dialed a number as she walked.

The phone rang a few times before it was answered.

Shen Qiming’s voice was slightly cold with a hint of confusion: “…Yaotiao?”

Jin Yao-tiao asked coldly, “Where are you?”

Shen Qiming took a second to answer: “What’s wrong?”

Jin Yao-tiao didn’t respond and asked again, “Where are you?”

Shen Qiming sensed something was off, his voice slowing: “I’m at the Jingmao campus.”

Jingmao had an office in Linjiang and a campus in Shenzhen.

After getting the answer, Jin Yaotiao hung up and walked towards the company gate, her long legs moving with confidence, her black hair flowing as she walked, exuding an imposing aura that made the employees nearby freeze in place.

“Wow, is the prince going to kill someone?”

Luna finally realized Jin Yao-tiao wasn’t angry because of her stealing food and chased after her: “Wait for me, duck!”

Madam Xu Wan, left behind: “…?”

Who did Jin Yaotiao just call?

Is she going to kill someone?

Who’s the unlucky one?

Luna finished the second meat pie, wiping her hands while savoring the taste in her mouth.

The pie was filled with beef and celery, its crust thin and soft, juicy and full of stuffing.

She didn’t even know how the meat was seasoned, but biting into it released a burst of fresh broth.

She could easily eat five more!

Jin Yaotiao didn’t let her leave, but she didn’t speak along the way, sitting in the car with sharp eyes, staring out the window.

Luna could tell that she seemed to be in a bad mood, which is why she had followed her.

Now, she stayed by her side, cautiously watching her expression.

“YaoTiao,” she asked, “What’s wrong? Did Mingde get into some trouble?”

Jin Yaotiao continued to look out the window but didn’t take out her frustration on Luna.

After a moment, she replied, “No.”

There was no emotion in her voice, but her eyes were growing darker.

What was this?

A silent sum of money, like those inexplicably appearing pieces of jewelry in the wardrobe.

If the jewelry was a salary paid on time, what about the money—was it a breakup fee?

Or alimony?

Shen Qiming really was a good Samaritan who did good deeds without leaving a trace.

---

In the Jingmao Park district, the assistant office received a call from the park security.

The one who answered the phone was Ning Meng.

She was supposed to stay in Linjiang and had secretly been pleased by Shen Qiming’s actions, which seemed to avoid any suspicion.

However, that small pleasure was quickly shattered when Shen Qiming casually dismissed it one day.

Afterward, she worked hard to take on some tasks related to the Shencheng district company, securing her spot in Shencheng.

As expected, Shen Qiming, as he had shown, didn’t care at all that she had appeared in Shencheng.

Ning Meng didn’t know if she should be happy or worried about his indifference.

But no matter what, she still came.

She was one of the most efficient workers among her colleagues, and despite the other assistants’ attempts to exclude her, her position didn’t change.

Otherwise, how could she have so many chances to appear by Shen Qiming’s side over the years?

She knew what Shen Qiming valued most, and in the end, she succeeded.

She had successfully secured a position in the Shencheng assistant department.

As she looked at the closed office door, a surge of hope rose within her.

The phone rang, and she answered with a smile.

The security guard on the other end said that a guest without an appointment had come to see Mr. Shen and asked if she could pass on the message.

Ning Meng agreed, asking for the guest’s name.

The guard replied, “A lady named Jin Yaotiao.”

Ning Meng’s smile immediately disappeared.

She pressed her lips together and said, “Alright, I’ll inform Mr. Shen. Please ask the guest to wait.”

After hanging up, she looked at the extension button on the phone, which could connect to the office, but instead of pressing it right away, she turned and dealt with other tasks.

Another ten minutes, she thought.

---

The car that Jin Yaotiao was in was stopped outside the park.

The security guard learned she was looking for Shen Qiming but had no appointment, so he said he needed to notify the assistant department.

Jin Yaotiao didn’t make it difficult for him; it was a normal procedure.

Since she didn’t have an appointment, it was understandable that he had to report it.

After making the call to the assistant office, Jin Yaotiao stood at the entrance of the Jingmao Park, staring at the empty space inside.

When she didn’t immediately get an answer to enter, she knew she would have to wait for a while.

It was the same in the past.

Sometimes when she visited Shen Qiming, worried that he might be busy, she didn’t call ahead, and even after informing the front desk, she had to wait for at least fifteen or twenty minutes.

He really was a busy person, so busy he didn’t even have time to meet with his fiancée or wife.

She had gotten used to waiting all those times, but now, there was a surge of anger rising inside her.

To hell with it! Get lost!

All that talk about understanding, being a good wife and mother—it didn’t matter anymore.

I’ve already broken up with you! What the hell are you?

She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Shen Qiming.

He answered quickly as usual: “Yaotiao?”

“Mr. Shen,” Jin YaoTiao said, “You really are a busy man. I’ve been waiting outside your park for five minutes. Do you know when I’ll be allowed in?”

Shen Qiming was taken aback. “You’re at Jingmao?”

“Are you kidding me?” Jin YaoTiao laughed in anger. “Five minutes ago, I saw the security guard call your assistant department. You’re telling me you don’t know I’m here?”

In the background of the call, the sound of chairs being moved was heard, followed by the sound of a door opening.

Shen Qiming’s voice grew deeper as he said, “I’m coming out to meet you. Wait for me outside.”

In the assistant area, Ning Meng was timing things perfectly, about to call the office soon, when suddenly the office door swung open.

Shen Qiming, who should have been working, quickly stepped out with the phone in hand, surprising everyone in the hallway.

Many assistants instinctively stood up to follow him. Shen Qiming walked briskly, scanning the crowd with cold eyes. “Who took the visitor’s call from the security guard?”

Ning Meng’s mind went blank, and her face turned pale instantly.

How did he know?

Had Jin YaoTiao really called him? How could that be? With her personality, there was no way she’d complain about waiting a few extra minutes!

Ning Meng was frozen by Shen Qiming’s rare fury, unable to speak.

---

Jin Yaotiao waited outside the park with Luna. Staff members who saw her whispered to each other:

“That girl is so pretty. Who is she?”

“I heard she’s here to see Mr. Shen.”

“Then why is she waiting at the door?”

“The security guard probably wouldn’t let her in. Mr. Shen is so busy, he can’t meet every woman who comes.”

As they were talking, a group of people walked out of the first office building, led by Shen Qiming.

His face, even from two streets away, could be seen in the corner of their eyes.

His imposing presence made everyone stop in their tracks.

What was going on? Why was Mr. Shen coming out?

It was rare to see him outside the top floors or underground garage.

Shen Qiming walked directly toward the two visitors waiting at the door.

When he saw the dark-haired girl they had just been gossiping about, his cold aura softened a little.

He called out, “YaoTiao.”

The visitor waiting outside sneered. “Mr. Shen, you’re so busy. Why bother to come down personally?”

Hearing this, the staff members gasped. Mr. Shen didn’t seem angry at all. Instead, he apologized: “Sorry, you’ve been waiting for so long.”

He didn’t explain that he didn’t know Jin YaoTiao was coming.

No matter how he excused himself, she had still been waiting for him for a long time.

The security guard, now frightened by the scene, came out trembling and explained, “Mr. Shen, I didn’t know this was your guest, or I would have let her in. I did call the assistant department…”

Ning Meng, who had followed him out, turned even paler when she heard this.

She knew she couldn’t escape being held accountable, but looking at Jin Yaotiao, she was still stunned, unable to recognize her.

It wasn’t that her appearance or clothes had changed, but that…

How could Jin Yaotiao have directly called Shen Qiming and scolded him?

And how could she mock him after he personally came to meet her?