Three years later.
Xia Yuan had just finished filming when Zhong Le handed her a glass of water, saying, “Sister Xia, you’ve worked hard.”
Xia Yuan took a sip; it was pleasantly cool, but she frowned in dissatisfaction, “Why isn’t it iced?”
It was the height of summer, and the set was stifling.
After being by Xia Yuan’s side for so many years, Zhong Le had long figured out her temperament and knew how to appease her. “This is what President Meng instructed. He said you caught a chill last time from drinking something too cold and told us to let you have less iced water.”
Xia Yuan couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile. She took another sip of the water, which was sweet, and coughed lightly, her eyes sparkling with charm. “He really cares too much; I’m not a child anymore.”
If her expression hadn’t been so playful, Zhong Le might have believed her. She had heard this kind of teasing countless times before and casually replied, “Isn’t it because President Meng cares about you too much, Sister Xia?”
Xia Yuan laughed playfully, “After all these years, she still likes me so much.”
Watching her act coy, Zhong Le suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and reported her schedule, “Sister Xia, you have a party invitation today.”
Xia Yuan had been lukewarm in her career over the years; the news of her coming out three years ago had long lost its heat in the ever-changing entertainment industry.
In the entertainment world, news was always more explosive than the last, and the audience had long forgotten the events of years past.
Moreover, in these three years, Xia Yuan hadn’t produced any notable works; she had always played supporting roles with little screen time, treating it merely as a way to pass the time.
Everyone in the industry basically knew about Xia Yuan’s background, and at various gatherings, hardly anyone invited her. Naturally, she wouldn’t force her way in; even the parties her close friends organized were too many for her to attend, let alone others.
“What party?” Xia Yuan glanced at the time; she had something else to do today.
Zhong Le quickly mentioned the name of one of Xia Yuan’s plastic friends, and Xia Yuan stubbornly replied, “Cancel it; I have something to do today.”
“Okay, Sister Xia.” The professional Zhong Le immediately responded.
Two years ago, Lin Qi had turned to become a professional agent for her dreams. Xia Yuan had a good impression of Lin Qi and gave her a push from behind, and now Lin Qi was thriving in the entertainment industry.
Now that Zhong Le had taken over Xia Yuan’s scheduling, she was a person without much ambition. Xia Yuan’s salary was three times the industry standard, and her days were quite leisurely, with occasional perks. She was living her best life, and in her heart, Xia Yuan was like a little ancestor whom she had to support.
Just after Zhong Le sent a message to cancel the party, Xia Yuan received a call from Ji Shi.
“Xia Yuan, aren’t you coming to the party tonight?”
Xia Yuan could see Ji Shi’s projection in front of her.
This was virtual VR technology, which had a 95% penetration rate, produced by N.S.
Xia Yuan replied, “Yeah, I have something to do today.”
Ji Shi asked, “What could be more important than a sister gathering? Didn’t you say last time that you wanted to steal the spotlight? You even specially ordered clothes and bought plenty of jewelry from abroad.”
Xia Yuan explained, “Meng Xiyue has an interview tonight, and I need to be there. You know, if I don’t go, Meng Xiyue will definitely be super disappointed.”
Seeing her proud and sweet expression, Ji Shi asked, “…What made your significant other decide to take an interview?”
In three years, N.S had become a legend in the industry, significantly boosting the international status of the country.
With the backing of the country and the Xia family, no one dared to provoke them.
As the head of N.S, Meng Xiyue was worth hundreds of billions of dollars and ranked eighth on the Forbes billionaire list. She was usually incredibly low-key and rarely appeared in public.
Ji Shi was curious about what had prompted this low-profile President Meng to agree to an interview.
Xia Yuan pouted, “I’m not sure either, maybe the company needs it.”
Ji Shi had already given up on her naive friend: “…Alright, don’t forget to come to the company for a meeting the day after tomorrow, and we can catch up.”
“If you don’t come, you’ll be prioritizing romance over friendship.”
With shares in two companies, Xia Yuan found herself with a lot of disposable income. She happened to learn that Ji Shi was struggling at work, with her boss pressuring her and even secretly altering her design concepts without her knowledge.
Ji Shi rarely cried, but that day she sobbed uncontrollably in front of her.
Xia Yuan, with her fiery temper, rallied the members of their sisterhood to create a ruckus at the company.
Then, she went ahead and funded the establishment of her own company.
Officially, she was the chairwoman, but in reality, she was just a mascot, attending quarterly report meetings when necessary, and that was about it.
The company had been running for almost a year, and the industry reputation was decent. As for profits, there wasn’t much, considering it was just getting started.
But who cared? Xia Yuan was wealthy and didn’t mind these things.
Xia Yuan: “Got it.”
……
At five in the afternoon.
Xia Yuan finished work and got into the chauffeur-driven car. Zhong Le followed her, while another assistant had to leave early due to family matters, which Xia Yuan didn’t hold against her.
The driver was in front, and Zhong Le couldn’t help but say, “Sister Xia, tonight’s program featuring President Meng is definitely going to have explosive ratings.”
Xia Yuan raised an eyebrow, “Isn’t that obvious?”
Zhong Le: “…” Fine, she wouldn’t say anything more.
This was the peak time for getting off work and school, and they were stuck in traffic. Watching the time tick closer, Xia Yuan grew anxious, “What’s going on?”
The driver replied, “It seems there’s been a car accident up ahead…” Noticing Xia Yuan’s displeased expression, he swallowed the words about how at least no one was hurt.
Zhong Le quickly suggested, “Sister Xia, why don’t you give President Meng a call?”
It would take twenty minutes to get to the TV station, and it was already nearly five fifty; they wouldn’t make it.
Xia Yuan hummed in agreement and called Meng Xiyue.
With VR technology, it felt as if Meng Xiyue was right in front of her. Unable to hold back, Xia Yuan expressed her disappointment, “I’m sorry, Xiyue, I can’t make it; I’m stuck in traffic.”
“It’s alright, Yuan’er.”
Compared to three years ago, Meng Xiyue appeared even more elegant and refined, yet she remained as gentle as ever when facing Xia Yuan.
“After the interview, I want to eat sweet and sour ribs. Can you make them for me?”
“Sure! After you finish, we can go grocery shopping together. I have some dishes I want to eat, and you can make them.” Hearing this, Xia Yuan’s earlier gloom completely vanished. “You should eat something first to avoid upsetting your stomach.”
Over the years, Meng Xiyue, who had never experienced stomach pain, obediently replied, “Okay.”
The two chatted for a while longer before hanging up.
Zhong Le listened to their sweet exchanges from the side, having grown accustomed to it. At first, she thought that President Meng had shattered the image she had of her in her heart.
Six o’clock.
Zhong Le pointed at the large screen in the square, excitedly saying, “Sister Xia, it’s starting.”
Meng Xiyue was also Zhong Le’s idol.
In front of the big screen, Meng Xiyue’s hair had slight curls, unlike Xia Yuan’s glamorous waves. She wore her usual light makeup, with red lips that contrasted with her strikingly beautiful eyes, giving her a cool and aloof demeanor.
She exuded an air of elegance and nobility.
At that moment, Xia Yuan opened her phone. In VR, she could feel Meng Xiyue’s gentle and shallow breaths, as if she were right there in the scene.
Yao Tong was an experienced host at the station, but her appearance was not as youthful as the younger hosts. Originally, the hosting was assigned to the station’s mainstay, but unexpectedly, the president of N.S specifically requested her.
The reasons behind this were still unclear, but for Yao Tong, it was an opportunity.
As soon as the camera started rolling, Yao Tong found herself momentarily breathless under Meng Xiyue’s imposing presence, even though they had previously had a brief conversation. However, she quickly adjusted and got into the flow.
The conversation gradually deepened.
Meng Xiyue answered with ease, clearly satisfied with Yao Tong’s hosting skills. She chose Yao Tong because the latter had previously hosted a financial program that Meng Xiyue liked, but unfortunately, it had changed hosts, and she hadn’t watched it since.
Xia Yuan felt an overwhelming excitement just seeing Meng Xiyue’s elegant and aloof demeanor.
A sense of pride welled up within her.
Look, this is my wife!
Instinctively, Xia Yuan opened the bullet comments, and the dense stream of comments almost blinded her.
[This is my wife, no arguments accepted.]
[I feel like I’ve wasted my life. At the same age, I’m still eating steamed buns while others are worth billions.]
[I could admire this face for a year.]
[Ahhh, I’m dying! She could rely on her looks but insists on her talent. This is what a goddess looks like.]
[Are you still hiring? I have a PhD.]
[Oh my, let me absorb some of that wealth.]
[……]
A massive wall of comments made her eyes hurt.
The interview continued, with Yao Tong asking, “Time Magazine has described you as ‘the greatest innovator in the history of technology.’ You personally opened the door to holography, which has epoch-making significance for the world.”
“What are your thoughts on this?”
Meng Xiyue smiled lightly, “Regarding the theory of holography…”
The comments exploded again.
[Looking at the holographic chamber at home, I fell into deep thought.]
[The steamed bun in my hand suddenly lost its appeal.]
[Ahhh, I had to balance myself; I was scared I thought this president Meng developed holographic technology herself. Turns out it was her tech team; otherwise, I would have thought she was an alien.]
[I’m not sure if you’ve seen her resume, but she graduated from the Manhattan School of Music. I’m so envious; maybe this is what genius looks like.]
[In less than four years, she has led N.S to its current status. President Meng’s business acumen is truly impressive.]
[…]
Xia Yuan watched the barrage of admiration in the comments, her smile never fading as she gazed at Meng Xiyue, her eyes growing brighter.
Up close, she met a pair of cold eyes that resembled moonlight. In that instant, those eyes curved slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
So beautiful.
Instinctively, Xia Yuan touched her chest.
Her heart was racing.
Her face felt so hot.
[Ahhh, I can’t believe I’m being flirted with by a big sister.]
[OMG, I’m blushing. I don’t care; it’s the first time in twenty-three years I’ve blushed. She has to marry me.]
[Everyone move aside; she’s smiling at me.]
[That smile is mine to protect.]
[…]
Seeing these comments vying for attention, Xia Yuan proudly closed the window.
What nonsense! She was smiling at her.
The interview was only half an hour long, and most of it had already passed. Towards the end, they had gone over the script, and Meng Xiyue had agreed to share a bit about her personal life.
Yao Tong, knowing the boundaries, smiled and asked, “I didn’t expect President Meng to be so young and already married.”
Meng Xiyue glanced at the ring on her ring finger and smiled lightly, “Yes.”
Seeing the gentle affection in her eyes, Yao Tong, who was also married and even a mother, gradually lost her initial awkwardness around Meng Xiyue. “It’s clear you love her very much. She’s really lucky; I bet many people are jealous of her.”
Meng Xiyue shook her head slightly, “No, I’m the lucky one to have met her.”
Yao Tong was taken aback and quickly asked, “I wonder what kind of person is the one who captured your heart?”
Meng Xiyue withdrew her gaze from the ring, and when she spoke of her partner, a smile that couldn’t be hidden appeared on her face, transforming her previously cold demeanor: “She’s a very childish person.”
Yao Tong asked, “What do you mean?”
Meng Xiyue replied, “She’s quite willful, a bit spoiled, has a bit of a young lady’s temper, but she’s also very protective and knows how to act cute. For that, I can’t refuse any of her requests.”
When Yao Tong heard about the young lady’s temper, her heart skipped a beat; she hadn’t expected that Meng Xiyue’s partner was a woman.
She maintained her professional composure: “Just hearing you talk, I can almost imagine that she must be a very cute girl.”
Meng Xiyue smiled gently, “Yes, Yuan’er is very cute.”
That statement revealed more than enough.
Unfortunately, the interview time had come to an end.
Meng Xiyue didn’t care how she left behind a bombshell; she just walked away.
As soon as she stepped out of the television station, she saw Xia Yuan standing there with sunglasses. The moment she spotted her, Xia Yuan rushed over, exclaiming, “Hey, I heard your confession to me.”
Meng Xiyue wrapped her arm around her to prevent her from tripping, noticing that Xia Yuan’s heels were too high and she was still so restless. “Hmm,” she replied, then asked, “Are you hungry?”
Xia Yuan clung to Meng Xiyue’s arm, saying, “I’m hungry! I could eat three bowls of rice today.”
Meng Xiyue smiled and glanced at her stomach. “Then I’ll cook a bit more, just in case it’s not enough.”
Xia Yuan pouted and shot her a glance.
She felt that Meng Xiyue had changed.
Though she still had that elegant demeanor, she was now joking around and her personality was no longer so reserved.
With a soft huff,
Meng Xiyue tucked Xia Yuan’s hair behind her ear and planted a kiss on the corner of her lips. “Don’t be mad.”
Xia Yuan’s face flushed, and she mentally noted another change in Meng Xiyue.
She had become more passionate.
Unable to resist, Xia Yuan leaned closer to Meng Xiyue’s ear and whispered mysteriously, “Meng Xiyue, let me tell you a secret.”
Meng Xiyue focused her gaze on her, her eyes filled with warmth and affection, as if she were looking at the most precious treasure in the world. “What is it?”
“I really like you.”
Meng Xiyue blinked, her cool expression softening. “I like you too.”
TL: Wow what a ride! Alright everyone, this was the official ending of the novel, however there is still a small extra segment that I’ve tossed in just for you lovely premium subscribers. Thank you for supporting my work <3
