Chapter 14

Although Fang Junrong didn’t often involve herself in company affairs, she occasionally had to accompany Li Wangjin to banquets. In the past, she would have approached these events with a work mindset, looking for opportunities to secure contracts for the company. But now…

She had little attachment to what was essentially Li Wangjin’s one-man show of a company. Even if it went bankrupt, it wouldn’t concern her—as long as it stayed afloat until her divorce was finalized. So she leisurely nestled in a corner, unhurriedly sampling the banquet’s desserts while offering occasional critiques.

In the past, Li Wangjin had disliked how his wife insisted on meddling in company matters when she could have simply enjoyed being a full-time socialite. Yet now, seeing her completely detached from business affairs, he couldn’t help but feel a faint displeasure. Several new policies had been introduced this year, and the company, struggling to adapt, had posted losses this quarter. Among tonight’s attendees were a few influential second-generation heirs—two of whom had been Jun Rong’s high school classmates and remained on good terms with her. He had brought Fang Junrong along hoping she might glean some insider information from these old connections.

After chatting with a few executives, he couldn’t resist approaching Fang Junrong. Curving his lips into a gentle smile, he softened his voice as if afraid of startling her. “Jun Rong, I noticed some of your friends are here. Won’t you go catch up with them?”

Fang Junrong glanced up. At the center of the crowd stood her high school classmate He Jianbing, scion of S City’s venerable He family—a decades-old powerhouse with unshakable influence and Beijing’s elite backing, granting them access to privileged intel.

While not as close as her bond with Xu Weiwei, Fang Junrong maintained solid ties with He Jianbing. Over the years, the Li family’s business expansion had largely relied on the Fang family’s connections. Memories surfaced of how, in her past life, the He clan—once S City’s local titans—had crumbled when He Jianbing’s niece He Shuhua foolishly set her sights on underworld crown prince Wang Xiao, insisting on becoming his fiancée. Upon discovering Jiang Yage’s existence, the niece had targeted her. Wang Xiao, infatuated with Jiang Yage, retaliated by framing the He family, landing many in prison before absorbing their remnants to become S City’s new overlord.

Truly, lovestruck idiocy was a curse! Especially that niece, who’d leaked family secrets to curry favor with Wang Xiao, hastening the He clan’s downfall.

Fang Junrong’s hatred for Wang Xiao ran bone-deep—not just for killing her daughter, but for his ruthless methods. He scoffed at laws and morality, acting on whims, crushing anyone who crossed Jiang Yage with brutal efficiency, leaving ruined lives in his wake.

She approached He Jianbing—not to pave Li Wangjin’s way, but simply to chat with an old friend. And perhaps offer a warning. If the He family remained standing, Wang Xiao would never rise unchallenged, and she’d gain a powerful ally.

He Jianbing’s eyes widened at her approach. “Your complexion looks even more radiant—have you discovered some miraculous elixir?”

Fang Junrong’s lips curved slightly. “Yes, I’ve been taking a new Beauty Pill recently with good results. I’ll give you some in a few days.”

“Great.” He Jianbing didn’t stand on ceremony with her. It was clear the two wanted to talk privately, and those with tact naturally gave them space.

Fang Junrong recalled the book she’d read earlier and offered a reminder. “I remember your family is preparing to bid on a piece of land, right?”

He Jianbing nodded. “Want to join us?” she joked, though she knew it was impossible. With bidding starting next week, neither the Li family nor the Fang family could register now even if they wanted to.

Fang Junrong lowered her voice. “You have a niece who’s Wang Xiao’s fiancée, don’t you? Be careful not to let her know your bottom price.”

In her past life, that land had ultimately been won by Wang Xiao, dealing a heavy blow to the He family. All their previous investments had gone down the drain, resulting in significant losses.

He Jianbing’s expression turned serious. She knew Fang Junrong’s character—she wouldn’t have warned her without being at least 90% certain. This was almost certainly true. The thought made He Jianbing want to strangle her niece.

Had she lost her mind? If the He family suffered, without their backing, where did she think she’d end up?

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, He Jianbing clinked glasses with Fang Junrong. “Thank you.” She was about to share some information in return when Fang Junrong raised a finger to her lips, signaling it wasn’t necessary.

Though surprised, He Jianbing didn’t press. She suddenly recalled the rumors about Li Wangjin she’d heard before—gossip she’d dismissed as malicious slander from those jealous of Jun Rong’s happy marriage. Could they have been true after all?

“You and Li Wangjin…”

A cold detachment entered Fang Junrong’s expression. “Don’t mention him.”

He Jianbing understood. The He family’s previous assistance had been entirely for Fang Junrong’s sake. It seemed that support could now be withdrawn. With silent understanding, she changed the subject to a fashion show she’d attended last week, and both tacitly avoided further business talk.

Nearby, Li Wangjin watched their cheerful conversation and felt relieved. Emboldened, he approached with his wine glass.

…

For Sun Mei, who detested Fang Junrong, seeing her thriving without a care in the world was unbearable. Especially today, when her own husband had shamelessly brought his secretary—her current lover—right in front of everyone.

Watching Li Wangjin play the doting husband to Fang Junrong in public made her sick to her stomach.

Sun Mei was the type who couldn’t stand others’ happiness when her own life was miserable. In a fit of pique, she decided to stir trouble.

She approached Li Wangjin with exaggerated surprise. “Oh, Mr. Li, you brought Jun Rong today? I thought you’d bring someone else.”

Her tone dripped with malice, clearly hoping for drama.

Fang Junrong thought Sun Mei’s timing was perfect. Playing along, she feigned confusion. “Who else would he bring besides me?”

Sun Mei’s smile widened. “A few days ago, Director Li often went out to play with that mother-daughter pair. They looked just like a family of three.” Although Sun Mei hadn’t investigated Jiang Yage and Wen Sixian’s identities, their similar facial features led her to mistake them for mother and daughter, even suspecting the younger one might be Li Wangjin’s illegitimate child. Thinking of this, her mood improved further. At least her husband, despite usually not giving her face, hadn’t produced any messy affairs like illegitimate children.

Fang Junrong frowned slightly at Li Wangjin.

Li Wangjin remained composed, having already prepared for such a scenario. He said nonchalantly, “It’s no one else but Yage and her aunt. Her aunt returned from abroad, and since Yage has been feeling down lately, I took her to meet her aunt.”

“I mentioned this to you before.”

Fang Junrong showed a sudden realization. “I forgot about that.”

She turned to Sun Mei and said, “Sun Mei, in the future, make sure of such matters before speaking. Don’t always take hearsay as truth. The person you mentioned is our goddaughter and her aunt. We’ve known each other for years, so I understand you’re just overly concerned, but others might think you’re deliberately sowing discord.”

Li Wangjin, who had nearly been exposed, was thoroughly annoyed with Sun Mei for constantly stirring trouble. He abandoned his usual politeness and said coldly, “If you have so much free time, spend it on your husband instead of always trying to create drama. No wonder Director Su can’t stand the sight of you.”

As the saying goes, “Don’t rub salt in the wound,” but Li Wangjin had thoroughly stripped Sun Mei of her dignity. Furious, she wanted to hurl her wine glass at him, her teeth grinding audibly. At that moment, Li Wangjin surpassed Fang Junrong to become Sun Mei’s most hated person.

Right then, Sun Mei made up her mind: she would hire someone to surveil Li Wangjin around the clock. Once she captured evidence of his infidelity, she’d see how he could still act so high and mighty in front of her.

Fang Junrong hadn’t expected Li Wangjin to draw all of Sun Mei’s hatred, which delighted her. It seemed Sun Mei would undoubtedly become the top propagandist for Li Wangjin’s scandals, making Fang Junrong’s efforts at provocation worthwhile.

Because of this, her mood remained excellent afterward.

When the banquet ended, Li Wangjin left with her.

On the way, Li Wangjin asked about his biggest concern, “What did you and He Jianbing talk about tonight? Did she share any insider information with you?”

Fang Junrong’s smile faded slightly as she replied indifferently, “No, we just discussed some fashion shows this year.”

Li Wangjin’s expression darkened. “Aren’t you close friends? She keeps secrets even from you?”

Fang Junrong scoffed. “Precisely because we’re close friends, I wouldn’t pry into what she doesn’t want to share. Our friendship is based on mutual understanding, not benefits.”

She looked at Li Wangjin with disappointment. “I thought you’d understand the purity of our friendship, but it turns out you’re just as vulgar. You’ve really let me down.”

In the past, Jiang Yage often claimed she befriended people based on compatibility rather than benefits, earning praise for her childlike innocence and kindness.

Fang Junrong realized that although Jiang Yage’s words were nauseating, they worked remarkably well against Li Wangjin.

Li Wangjin had nothing to say in response.