*3..2..1, Camera Rolling*
The studio lights came on one by one, bathing the set in a clean, professional glow. Feng Yan took his seat opposite the interviewer, posture relaxed yet assured. The cameras rolled silently into position.
Interviewer: "Mr Feng, thank you for joining us on Business Week. Feng Capital Group has been making headlines recently for its aggressive global expansion. Could you share with us what's driving this strategy?"
Feng Yan: "Thank you for having me. Global expansion isn't about being aggressive—it's about being deliberate. Markets today are interconnected. To remain resilient, we need diversified investments across regions, industries, and currencies. That's the foundation of Feng Capital's strategy."
The interviewer nodded, clearly engaged.
Interviewer: "Japan has become one of your recent focal points. What attracted Feng Capital Group to this market?"
Feng Yan: "Japan offers stability, technological depth, and long-term value. We're particularly interested in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and AI-driven infrastructure. These sectors align well with our vision of sustainable growth rather than short-term returns."
Interviewer: "Some critics say rapid globalization can dilute a company's core identity. How does Feng Capital maintain its standards across borders?"
Feng Yan's gaze was steady, his tone calm.
Feng Yan: "Standards don't weaken with distance—they strengthen with discipline. We operate on a centralized governance framework while empowering local teams. That balance allows us to respect regional cultures without compromising our principles."
The interviewer leaned forward slightly, intrigued and captivated.
Interviewer: "Looking ahead, what can viewers expect next from Feng Capital Group?"
A faint, confident smile appeared on Feng Yan's lips.
Feng Yan: "You'll see continued investment in emerging technologies and cross-border collaborations. But more importantly, you'll see us investing in people—talent, partnerships, and innovation. Capital alone doesn't build the future. Vision does."
Interviewer: "This is truly impressive. With such depth of knowledge and insight, I believe you've given our viewers an even clearer understanding of Feng Capital Group's global expansion."
Feng Yan inclined his head slightly.
Feng Yan: "Thank you. It's been a pleasure sharing our vision."
The interviewer glanced down at the tablet in her hands and smiled.
Interviewer: "Mr Feng, before we end the show we've received a question from one of our viewers."
She chuckled lightly. "It seems not all of them are about investments."
A ripple of quiet laughter passed through the studio.
Interviewer: "A viewer from Shanghai asks—'Mr Feng, with such a successful career, may we know if you're currently single?'"
The question hung briefly in the air.
Off-camera, Yi Han stiffened almost imperceptibly, her gaze instinctively shifting toward Feng Yan.
Feng Yan paused for a moment, then looked calmly into the camera. There was no trace of discomfort—only composure.
Feng Yan: "I believe Business Week is about business," he said evenly. "But since it's a viewer's question…"
A faint, unreadable smile touched his lips.
Feng Yan: "I'm not married."
The answer was concise—neither confirming nor denying anything else.
The interviewer caught the nuance immediately.
Interviewer: "That's very diplomatic of you," she said with a light laugh, smoothly steering the conversation back.
"Thank you once again, Mr Feng, for sharing your insights with us today. We look forward to witnessing Feng Capital Group's continued success."
Feng Yan: "Thank you for having me."
The camera light dimmed, marking the end of the interview.
Off-camera, Yi Han watched intently, her earlier nerves replaced with quiet satisfaction. She knew, in that moment, that bringing Feng Yan to this set had been worth every risk she had taken.
Yi Han's phone vibrated quietly in her hand. She glanced down. It was a message from Manager Lin.
---
Manager Lin:
Yi Han, the viewership numbers just came in—and they're exploding.
Mainland China, Japan, and Southeast Asia are all showing record spikes. Social media engagement is through the roof, and Business Week is trending across multiple platforms.
Excellent work. Securing Feng Yan and coordinating this segment overseas wasn't easy, but you handled it brilliantly. Your professionalism and persistence truly paidoff.
---
Yi Han's fingers tightened slightly around her phone.
A slow breath escaped her as relief and quiet pride settled in.
All the waiting, the pressure, the risks she had taken—it had been worth it.
Across the set, Feng Yan was speaking calmly with the crew, unaware of the numbers surging across screens and regions. Yi Han looked up at him, a small, composed smile forming on her lips.
As the crew began dismantling the set and the crowd slowly dispersed, Yi Han took a breath and walked toward Feng Yan.
"Mr Feng," she said, stopping a polite distance from him. "Thank you for taking the time to appear on the show. I know how tight your schedule is, and I truly appreciate it."
Feng Yan turned to her, his expression calm but attentive. "You did well," he replied simply. "The segment was well-prepared."
Before Yi Han could respond, a sudden stir rippled through the studio entrance.
"Yi Han!"
She turned—just in time to see Zhou Yang walking in briskly, still in his coat, eyes fixed on her. His presence felt abrupt, almost jarring against the professional calm of the studio.
Several staff members looked up, recognition dawning on their faces.
"Oh! That must be your fiancé," one of them said cheerfully.
"Congratulations in advance!" another chimed in. "We heard your wedding is coming up soon."
Smiles and congratulatory remarks followed, light and well-meaning.
Yi Han stiffened slightly, caught off guard.
Zhou Yang stepped closer, his arm moving as if to claim his place beside her. "I came to pick you up," he said, his tone controlled, eyes briefly flicking toward Feng Yan.
Feng Yan's gaze shifted from Zhou Yang back to Yi Han—quiet, unreadable.
The air between them subtly changed
Zhou Yang's gaze lingered on Feng Yan for a moment longer—then recognition struck.
The realization that the man standing before him was Feng Yan, CEO of Feng Capital Group, freshly featured on Business Week, made his expression shift almost instantly. The stiffness in his posture eased, replaced by a practiced smile.
"Mr Feng," Zhou Yang said, stepping forward quickly. "I didn't expect to meet you here. I'm Zhou Yang—Yi Han's fiancé." He extended his hand eagerly. "I've been following Feng Capital Group's growth closely. Your insights just now were truly impressive."
Feng Yan glanced at the outstretched hand, then at Zhou Yang's face. His expression remained indifferent, with just a slight nod.
He neither reached out or return the handshake.
"Chen-xi," Feng Yan said calmly, turning away, "let's go."
Chen-xi nodded at once, already moving to clear the way.
Feng Yan cast Yi Han a brief, unreadable look—one that held neither acknowledgment nor explanation—before walking past Zhou Yang without another word.
The smile on Zhou Yang's face stiffened, his hand still suspended awkwardly in the air
Zhou Yang let out a low scoff as Feng Yan's figure disappeared down the corridor.
"So arrogant," he muttered, finally lowering his hand. His lips curled into a cold smile. "Just because he's Feng Yan of Feng Capital Group, he thinks he's untouchable?"
He straightened his suit jacket, ego bruised but pride quickly filling the gap.
"One day," Zhou Yang continued, his voice edged with resentment, "I'll overtake Feng Capital Group. When that happens, people like him won't even be worth mentioning."
The words were spoken loudly enough to be heard by some people around them.
Yi Han turned to look at him, her expression unreadable—neither impressed nor comforted.
Around them, the studio staff exchanged awkward glances, sensing the shift in atmosphere. What had moments ago been celebration now felt strained, heavy with unspoken tension.
Yi Han turned back to Zhou Yang, her brows knitting slightly.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone cool and clearly displeased. "This is my workplace."
Zhou Yang paused, then forced a smile. "I wanted to surprise you," he said quickly. "I heard about the Business Week segment and thought we could celebrate your success together."
Yi Han looked at him for a long second.
"…I see," she replied evenly.
Not wanting to create a scene in front of the staff, she straightened her posture and let a faint smile surface—professional, controlled.
"Alright," she said after a brief pause. "Let's have dinner."
The words came out smoothly, but there was no warmth in them.
Zhou Yang's face brightened immediately, taking her agreement at face value. "Great. I'll make a reservation."
Yi Han nodded, already reaching for her bag.
As they walked out of the studio together, her expression remained composed—but beneath it, she knew this was merely an act.
____________
Back in the car, the city lights of Tokyo slid past the windows in a quiet blur.
Feng Yan leaned back against the seat, gaze unfocused. His thoughts, wondering.
How is she coping?
The image of Yi Han standing composed in the studio replayed in his mind—professional, calm, unwavering. And yet, Zhou Yang's sudden appearance lingered like a pest. A unfaithful fiancé who showed up unannounced, postured loudly, and reeked of insecurity.
His jaw tightened slightly.
It wasn't his place to interfere. He knew that. And yet, a faint, unfamiliar concern surfaced—quiet but persistent. Yi Han had fought hard for her work, for the show, for every inch of credibility she held. The last thing she needed was someone disrupting her balance at a time like this.
From the driver's seat, Chen-xi caught the subtle shift in his boss's demeanor—the prolonged silence, the distant gaze, the way Feng Yan hadn't reached for his phone once.
Chen-xi said nothing.
The car continued on in silence, the tension unspoken, until it finally pulled into the hotel driveway. Only then did Feng Yan straighten, the moment sealed away behind his usual composed exterior.
The doors opened.
And whatever concern had crossed his mind remained unvoiced—at least for now.