Manager Yang, including everyone under her command, knew that the report on her phone was in English.

Because there was simply no Chinese version of the report.

Why was it in English?

First, some of the new terms for cutting-edge technologies were so new that the Chinese translations hadn’t even been officially released yet.

To avoid communication errors caused by translation, they simply didn’t translate it.

This was a technical issue.

Second, the meeting was with Americans, and they speak English, so why translate?

But now, English has become so common that almost anyone can speak a few words, and it’s not uncommon to meet someone fluent in it.

Plus, Business Lady Shang Xinglu, who was part of a wealthy, worldly family, could speak English—it seemed like just a social skill, nothing more.

However, Manager Yang and her team knew this industry too well and understood the technical difficulties within the report.

As mentioned earlier, the report was not translated because the technical vocabulary was too new, and even professional translators would find it difficult and time-consuming to deal with it.

This young woman, who looked like a princess whispering in the emperor’s ear, was reading the report on her phone while traveling from home to the office. She finished reading it…?

…What the heck!

Could it be that she’s some big expert?!

The team stood frozen, staring at Business Lady Shang Xinglu, who occasionally talked to a young woman beside her. The young woman appeared calm and intelligent.

Manager Yang and the team figured it out.

She must have hired external help, who was handing her cheat sheets whenever needed.

Hmph, rich people are shameless, trying to buy knowledge with money!

At this point, Marilyn, who was confused, blinked her innocent big eyes and asked, “Madam, why are they staring at us?”

The technical team under Manager Yang had low emotional intelligence, and were deeply puzzled by what was happening.

But Business Lady Shang Xinglu, seeing their expressions change, had a pretty good guess of what they were thinking.

She said, “Well, for my sake, try to act wise and mysterious.”

Marilyn clenched her fist and said, “I’ll try, Madam!”

Among Manager Yang’s team, there was a young woman wearing glasses who was skeptical of their guesses.

Before the meeting started, she handed Shang Xinglu some tea and boldly asked, “Miss Shang, how do you understand that report? Did you study a related field before?”

Shang Xinglu casually responded, “It’s just English; who doesn’t know English these days?”

The translators in the room, who had to check dictionaries and discuss with each other to understand the report, were on the verge of flipping the table.

Gritting their teeth!

Her arrogant words made Manager Yang and the others even more convinced that Shang Xinglu’s earlier display was entirely because she had “professional assistance” behind her!

But the truth was, Shang Xinglu really understood the report.

After all, she used to be a science and engineering girl at a research institute.

Even if she couldn’t come up with her own papers, she had to read them, and most of them were in English.

If she couldn’t understand them, she would have to quit the academic world and go work at a construction site.

Moreover, the research project at Yunshi, though not her field of expertise, was the specialty of the girl living across from her apartment.

The two of them often had meals together, and over time, she picked up some basics.

Manager Yang and the others thought that Shang Xinglu was pretending to read the materials as the video conference with the Americans finally started.

The American team appeared on screen, led by a brown-haired man with a team of more than ten people, none of whom were familiar to Shang Xinglu.

Hmm, although it’s “Stark Industries,” it seems like Tony Stark himself isn’t here.

Shang Xinglu suspected it might be a different company with the same name.

The leader of the team gave a brief self-introduction and apologized, saying, “Sorry, Mr. Tony Stark was originally scheduled to join this meeting, but due to scheduling conflicts, he won’t be able to join us.”

I know! Iron Man is probably out saving the world!

Shang Xinglu felt quite excited. With Marvel’s popularity right now, even if she wasn’t a fan, she had watched superhero movies, and since she was a fan, she was extra thrilled.

She asked, “Is this the same Tony Stark who graduated from MIT’s Department of Electronic Engineering at the age of 15 with the highest score?”

“Yes.”

Shang Xinglu:!!

Ahhh, could I get his signature on the contract?!

The conference representative asked, “Are you an alum of Mr. Stark?”

Shang Xinglu: “No, no, I’m just a fan of his achievements. MIT was also my top choice for university. And it’s not just his academics—his inventions are beyond world-leading standards, like the Quinjet—it’s ten years ahead…”

She couldn’t stop singing his praises, using all the technical terms she knew, and it all flowed smoothly in English because of the movies.

The pleasantries before the meeting were completely handled by Shang Xinglu. Her endless flattery made the representative dizzy with joy.

Although she wasn’t flattering him personally, it felt more like corporate and international compliments, making the other party feel delighted and joyful.

As for Yunshi’s team…

They were dumbfounded.

The speed of her speech, her vocabulary, her professional knowledge—terms like energy reactors and propulsion systems were hard to understand for anyone not in the field of communication…

The translator even felt embarrassed.

One of them, who was specifically assigned by Manager Yang to assist Shang Xinglu, went straight to him and said, “Manager Yang, I don’t even need to step in.

After seeing Miss Shang’s level, I think I should apply for further training to improve my business skills. Otherwise, I feel ashamed to translate for her.”

Manager Yang: “………”

Is she really that amazing?

He looked at Shang Xinglu with a complicated expression.

He had received some prior information and had already formed a judgment. But after seeing her appearance, his suspicions were only confirmed.

This… this is supposed to be the useless beauty?!

What a joke!

The meeting lasted for two days due to the time difference. After finishing in the morning, there was more to do the next morning.

Shang Xinglu went to the commercial street opposite the office building to eat.

According to the ever-knowledgeable Marilyn, there was a Western restaurant with good salads.

Shang Xinglu was touched by Marilyn’s recommendation, but she didn’t want to eat greens, so she ruthlessly declined.
But she still went to that Western restaurant, though she was there for steak—large chunks of meat to make up for the sugar she had over-consumed earlier this morning.

As soon as she entered, Shang Xinglu spotted Xiao Zai, the pretty boy, who was waiting for his meal.

He was dressed in a proper suit, looking like an office worker.

Xiao Zai looked up, and his gaze met Shang Xinglu’s.

Xiao Zai: “Ah.”

Time seemed to freeze.

The waiter came to serve the food.

“Sir, your meal is ready. Please enjoy.”

In the next moment, Xiao Zai, not even caring about the food in front of him, grabbed his phone and tried to leave.

Shang Xinglu, with her high heels, quickly scurried over like a spider demon and grabbed his wrist, smiling as she said to the waiter, “I ran into an acquaintance, we’ll share a table.”

If you ignored the veins on her temple and the ones bulging from her arm as she gripped his wrist, it really did look like a casual meeting between old friends.

Xiao Zai was sweating cold sweat down the back of his neck.

But he had no way to refuse.

Because he was forcefully pushed into a seat by Shang Xinglu’s personal assistant.

Now, Xiao Zai was sitting in a nice, pricey Western restaurant.

In front of him was a fragrant meal.

Opposite him was a smiling beauty.

Ah, everything was so perfect.

… If you ignored the dark aura emanating from the beauty behind the smile.

Shang Xinglu leisurely ordered her meal.

Then she smiled and said, “Since you know you’re about to run, you must know what you did to deserve me cutting you down, right?”

Cutting down…

Xiao Zai: …

The cold sweat on the young man didn’t stop.

He quickly said, “It’s all a misunderstanding!”

Shang Xinglu tightened her grip on the knife, still smiling.

“Hmm, you tell me. If I’m not satisfied with what you say… hehe.”

Xiao Zai: …

No, please put the knife down and let’s talk calmly.

Xiao Zai, feeling guilty, sighed and sincerely said, “Well, it was an accident, but the consequences were caused by me. If you want me to apologize in any way or take responsibility, I will do it.”

Most girls, just by looking at his face, would probably forgive him by now.

Shang Xinglu’s smile didn’t change, “Then, you should strip down and run three laps around this commercial district naked, shouting that you work at Huanlong Corp, asking everyone to come visit, and I’ll forgive you.”

Xiao Zai: ………

This person was really a devil!

He had heard Shang Xingyu talk about her before and thought it was an exaggeration.

Now, he only felt that if Shang Xingyu could endure this, he must be a masochist!

Xiao Zai finally gave up on using slick tricks.

His face, caught between youth and maturity, cleared his expression, now perfectly neutral.

Xiao Zai said, “I did delete the video. I only have one copy stored on my phone, but…”

“…”

“There’s something called cloud storage…”

Shang Xinglu: ……….

Xiao Zai said helplessly, “That’s why I said it was an accident.”

Actually, Shang Xinglu knew that bothering Xiao Zai wouldn’t help.

…but she could threaten him in return, like making the previous agreement between them void.

That was her intention, but just as she was about to bring it up, Marilyn suddenly looked anxious.

She leaned over to whisper in Shang Xinglu’s ear, “Madam, madam, I see the sir, he’s right here…”

Before she could finish, the doorbell rang.

Ding-dong, the doorbell echoed.

Lin Heng and his assistant stood at the entrance, being led to their table by the waiter. His gaze swept through the restaurant…

It stopped abruptly.

Shang Xinglu remained unfazed.

… Or rather, her smile froze.

She kept repeating in her mind, I cannot be the one at fault, I cannot be the one at fault, alimony, I cannot let a single penny go!

In desperation, she smiled and waved, “Husband, what a coincidence! Come sit here!”

Lin Heng remained composed as he walked over.

The waiter pulled out a chair for him, and he sat next to Shang Xinglu, with an empty seat beside him, and Xiao Zai next to that. Marilyn and Assistant Yuan sat at another table.

This meant that Xiao Zai and Lin Heng were facing each other.

Lin Heng had no expression.

Xiao Zai, however, kept sneaking glances at Shang Xinglu.

This boy was sharp, knowing when to strike and never hesitating.

Shang Xinglu knew full well.

But she could not let Xiao Zai slip up!

She quickly kicked him under the table, making sure to express her feelings by kicking several times.

She thought Xiao Zai would understand.

But this boy was still making subtle gestures.

Shang Xinglu, furious, kicked him again. This time, instead of the expected fleshiness, her ankle was grabbed.

Lin Heng’s calm face turned to look at her.

His gaze was calm, but his eyes were deep.

He said, “Why are you kicking me?”

Shang Xinglu: ……………??????!!!!

What the hell?!