Song Yingfei sensed something off. Xu Miaoli's gaze on Liu Weiwei held a peculiar warmth, almost conspiratorial.
"Aunt Miaoli, we're here to discuss potential cooperation between our companies," Song Yingfei interjected, eager to dispel the odd vibe. "Can we take a bit of your time?" Liu Weiwei flashed a sweet smile, chiming in, "Exactly. Tianding and Tianhua are giants in the domestic market. A partnership would be a win-win. Chairman Xu, would you review our proposal?"
Xu Miaoli snapped back to the moment, realizing she'd overstepped and spooked the young women. "My apologies," she said, her tone softening. "Miss Liu, you remind me of someone—it caught me off guard. May I ask, how old are you?"
Liu Weiwei hesitated. Asking age mid-business talk felt off, but as an elder, Xu Miaoli's question seemed harmless—woman to woman. "I'm twenty-six," she answered.
"Twenty-six, twenty-six…" Xu Miaoli murmured, calculating. Her son, Zhengyang, was only twenty-one—a five-year gap. A tad wide, perhaps, but if he liked her, what did age matter? Catching the women's curious stares, she laughed awkwardly. "Alright, enough of that. Let's talk business, Yingfei. The proposal—let me see it. Have a seat, both of you."
When work took over, Xu Miaoli was a powerhouse, personal matters shelved. She scanned the concise proposal in minutes, noting its skeletal framework. Song Yingfei leaned in. "Aunt Miaoli, what do you think? We can hammer out specifics later."
This outreach to Tianhua was a test, Song Yingfei knew. Longteng's unstoppable rise demanded allies, and though her grandfather hadn't spelled it out, her channels confirmed Tianhua's cozy ties to Longteng. Xu Miaoli smiled. "Yingfei, Tianding's thriving, yet your proposal hands Tianhua hefty profits. Care to explain why?"
Song Yingfei gave a wry smile, knowing her tactics wouldn't fool this seasoned matriarch. "Alright, Aunt, I'll be straight. I want to ride Longteng's wave. Its dominance is undeniable—any move against it is futile. You won't deny Tianhua's link to Longteng, will you?"
Xu Miaoli chuckled softly. "Clever girl. While others poach Longteng's talent, you circle to me. Since you're honest, I'll be too. I can influence Longteng, but I don't control it. Cozying up to Tianhua won't guarantee you a seat on Longteng's train."
Song Yingfei nodded. "Thank you, Aunt. I've made my choice. I'd still like you to accept this proposal—I trust my instincts."
That boldness wasn't universal. Xu Miaoli admired Song Yingfei, often wishing she'd become a Lei granddaughter-in-law. A sharp mind like hers would've let Xu Miaoli retire in peace. But Song Yingfei's heart held only grudges for the Leis, not love. Still, her decision was sound. Xu Miaoli couldn't dictate Longteng's moves, but her son held the reins. One word from Mom, and Zhengyang would comply. If Tianding and Tianhua forged a deep alliance, their fates would intertwine—Longteng wouldn't stand idly by if Tianding faltered.
The proposal favored Tianhua on paper, but both women knew the real score. Xu Miaoli was certain of the outcome; Song Yingfei, eighty percent sure. "Since you trust Tianhua so much, I'll give you a shot," Xu Miaoli said, smiling. "Draft the details. If it's profitable, why not?"
Song Yingfei exhaled, relieved. Despite last year's personal rift, business ties held strong—a comfort. "To a fruitful partnership," she said, shaking Xu Miaoli's hand.
But Xu Miaoli had a curveball. "Miss Liu, would you join me for lunch?"
Song Yingfei froze. Inviting Liu Weiwei alone, in front of her boss? Was Xu Miaoli sowing discord, poaching Tianding's star? No, that was too crude for her. Song Yingfei laughed, pivoting. "Good point—it's lunchtime! Aunt Miaoli, with our partnership taking shape, how about a celebratory meal? My treat, all of us together."
Normally, no one would decline, but Xu Miaoli did. "No need. We'll celebrate when the contract's signed. Lunch with Miss Liu is personal."
"Personal?" both women echoed, baffled.
"I'd like to introduce my son to Weiwei," Xu Miaoli said, beaming. Qiuping had raved about Liu Weiwei's kindness to Zhengyang in Tianhai—living together, sharing meals. A reunion now could reignite their spark, setting Zhengyang on a proper romantic path.
Song Yingfei's blood ran cold. "Aunt Miaoli, you mean—"
"Yes, my youngest, Zhengyang," Xu Miaoli confirmed. "Yingfei, you'd rather not see him, I assume. But if you don't mind, I'm happy to include you."
Song Yingfei gasped. That jerk? As a mother, Xu Miaoli's concern for her son's future was natural, but pairing Liu Weiwei with him? It was throwing a lamb to a tiger. No way. "Miss Liu, you won't turn me down, will you?" Xu Miaoli pressed, her warmth disarming.
Liu Weiwei, caught off guard, couldn't refuse such earnest hospitality. "Of course, I'd be honored to join you, Chairman Xu," she said. Meeting someone new was fine—her heart was already claimed, leaving no room for others. It'd just be a friendly lunch, no big deal. Plus, as Tianding's operations president, she saw it as a chance to impress Xu Miaoli, smoothing future dealings.
But Song Yingfei panicked, mind racing for a way to shield her friend. Before she could speak, Xu Miaoli said, "Yingfei, you're free to go. I've booked a table—Miss Liu and I should head out."
Song Yingfei's worry was palpable, but Liu Weiwei reassured her. "Relax, I won't drink. I'll be back by two, no excuse for you to dock my pay." She smiled, unaware of the storm brewing.
Song Yingfei wanted to protest, but Xu Miaoli's approach silenced her. In the underground parking lot, Liu Weiwei and Xu Miaoli chatted amiably as they boarded a car. Song Yingfei, uneasy, gritted her teeth and tailed them. Meeting Lei Zhengyang was too risky—she had to protect Weiwei. If anything happened, she'd never forgive herself.
Xu Miaoli spared no expense, choosing the five-star Jinghe Hotel's opulent private room. There, Liu Weiwei met Xu Miaoli's son. "Miss Liu, this is my youngest, Lei Zhengyang," Xu Miaoli said, smiling. "You two know each other, don't you?"
Of course they did. Their eyes locked, both stunned—no introduction needed. "Weiwei, it's you!" Zhengyang exclaimed.
"Zhengyang, you—" Liu Weiwei's voice trembled, anger giving way to tears. "You're back, and you didn't call? Did you forget me?" Her heart, aching from months of waiting, nearly broke.
Zhengyang scratched his head, sheepish. Truth be told, he had forgotten. The capital's chaos—endless tasks, no rest—had consumed him. He'd also avoided contacting Liu Weiwei, not wanting to entangle her in his complicated life. But he hadn't expected the capital to be so small, nor his mother to orchestrate this reunion. "Mom, you think it's cool to just stare like that?" he said, noticing Xu Miaoli's gleeful expression, ready for a show. "Maybe give us some space?"
Liu Weiwei's face flushed scarlet. "Aunt, I'm so sorry—I got carried away. Zhengyang and I go way back. Seeing him after so long… don't laugh at me, please."
Xu Miaoli caught her son's look—classic got-a-girl, ditch-Mom vibes. She sighed, mock-wounded. "Fine, glare at your poor mother. I've got pride, you know. All sons ditch their moms for a girl—such is life. I'm out, okay?" Turning to Liu Weiwei, her tone softened to pure warmth. "Weiwei, I like you a lot. Have Zhengyang bring you home sometime. I'll leave you two to catch up."
Xu Miaoli exited, leaving them alone in the lavish room. Their eyes met, a spark of unspoken love flaring, ready to ignite.