Hearing Su Chen's inner voice, Yang Yuxin pursed her red lips, her eyes lingering on Su Chen with greed, as if she couldn't wait to strip him bare on the spot. Meanwhile, after Yang Yuxin appeared, Lin Qingyan intentionally leaned closer to Su Chen. Su Chen found himself staring into the face of a beautiful and bubbly woman. Good heavens! Were the two women about to fight over him again? This won't do!
At this moment, Su Chen decided to take action.
[Yang Yuxin, since when did you start meddling in my affairs?]
After saying that, he looked at Yang Yuxin's malicious smile. Su Chen had his suspicions.
[What's with her smile? Does she have some plan? She wouldn't appear without reason, after all.]
"Isn't this Miss Yang Yuxin? Why the uninvited appearance?" Lin Qingyan said with a smile. It was only then that Su Chen recovered and noticed that Yang Yuxin had already approached him, with a hint of anger in her expression. However, Su Chen could tell it wasn't directed at him. "I heard your Lin family is in trouble. The Su family wants to give your Lin family a gift, through me," said Yang Yuxin. Despite her evident irritation, her impeccable acting made her look calm, but Su Chen could still detect the anger between her brows.
Su Chen inwardly exclaimed at how cunning and shrewd Yang Yuxin was. She had already made her stance clear: she was the fiancée approved by Chen Qing. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Yang Yuxin, but I think we'll manage without," Lin Qingyan responded coldly. She had been keeping tabs on Su Chen's whereabouts lately and was well aware that he had been close to Yang Yuxin. Initially, Lin Qingyan had been confident, especially since Su Chen had broken off his engagement with Yang Yuxin to be with her. But upon realizing that Su Chen didn't love her as much as she had thought, Lin Qingyan began to doubt herself, especially now, faced with Yang Yuxin's provocations. The tension between the two women was palpable.
Both women were unparalleled beauties, irresistible to most. And Su Chen, being the man in the middle, was feeling increasingly restless. This couldn't go on. Su Chen decided he had to put an end to this cold standoff. "Yang Yuxin, quit playing games. What did my mother ask you to do here? Speak clearly." The Su family's support for the Lin family was well-known, but most of the initiatives usually came from Su Chen.
The sudden appearance of Yang Yuxin did catch Su Chen off guard, leaving him wondering what his mother was up to. Regardless of her intentions, he was sure it must have been influenced by Yang Yuxin. Upon hearing his words, Yang Yuxin's face showed signs of imminent rage, yet she managed to restrain herself. Women, especially in front of their romantic rivals, generally wouldn't lose their temper easily. Otherwise, they'd immediately be at a disadvantage. This was the wisdom Chen Qing had imparted to Yang Yuxin, which she clearly remembered.
"Didn't you want the Lanxing Technology Company, Lin Qingyan?" Her voice was even, but it struck a chord with Lin Qingyan. The main reason the Lin family couldn't progress was that their primary industry was real estate, a sector that required significant cash flow and could easily be interrupted. This is why Lin Qingyan was eager to diversify, focusing her company's development on technology.
However, many of the domestic tech industries were under Chen Qing's control, and Lanxing Technology was one of the most coveted. Lin Qingyan had even tried to acquire it at a great cost, but Chen Qing had remained unyielding. Now, with this statement, the members of the Lin family were stirred.
Lin Tianlong, Lin Qingyan's father, responded with a grin, "We truly appreciate this generous gesture from Miss Chen. Our Lin family will always be grateful." Even though Lin Tianlong wasn't the head of the family, he was deeply concerned about his daughter's matters and recognized the significance of Lanxing Technology.
Originally, he had never dared to approach Chen Qing, but now, all of this was thanks to Su Chen! If they acquired Lanxing Technology, it wouldn't be long before Lin Qingyan could break free from her dependent status. As for the fate of the Lin family, he wasn't too concerned. At least that was the case for Lin Qingyan.
Lin Tianlong was genuinely happy for his daughter, primarily because his weakness had given her a challenging childhood. Now, seeing her with an opportunity to overcome her struggles, he was overjoyed.
But Lin Qingyan didn't share this sentiment. Why would Yang Yuxin bring such good news out of the blue? They were both cunning foxes. She could even tell that Yang Yuxin's affection for Su Chen far surpassed her own.
Furthermore, what troubled Lin Qingyan the most was why Chen Qing allowed Yang Yuxin to come in the first place. Was she pleased with Yang Yuxin? Lin Qingyan suddenly felt immense pressure, sensing that aside from being Su Chen's fiancée, she was falling behind Yang Yuxin in every other aspect.
"Yang Yuxin, for such a generous offer, you came personally? What are your terms? Lay them out," she challenged, igniting a new round of confrontation. The two women locked eyes, neither willing to back down.
Yang Yuxin: All you have is the title of the main female lead, but our Su Chen will never like you.
Lin Qingyan: You're just flaunting your close childhood relationship with Su Chen and being cozier with that old woman Chen Qing. What's there to show off about?
Both women were determined not to yield to the other. The atmosphere at the scene suddenly dropped to a freezing point. The first to break the stalemate was Yang Yuxin.
She spoke seriously, "It's simple. You don't even have to pay. You can have control of the company, and I will also invest 150 billion!" Pointing at Lin Qingyan, she continued, "I want you to agree to break off the engagement with Su Chen!" After saying this, she spoke with righteousness, "Lin Qingyan, think clearly. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You don't even like Su Chen anyway. If I were you, I would definitely agree."
At this moment, Yang Yuxin seemed like Lin Qingyan's close friend, speaking words that seemed to be for her benefit. However, deep inside, she wished for nothing more than Lin Qingyan's misfortune. A canceled engagement? Getting such excellent benefits without any cost was a dream! Lin Tianlong was genuinely happy for his daughter from the bottom of his heart.
"I'm sorry, I don't need such a gift!" Lin Qingyan flatly refused without a hint of hesitation. Admittedly, Yang Yuxin had studied her character and weaknesses thoroughly. If it were the previous Lin Qingyan, she probably would've chosen to end the engagement, even if she truly liked Su Chen. But after being reborn, her mindset had changed, placing Su Chen as her top priority.
As Lin Qingyan voiced her decision, everyone present had various thoughts. Lin Tianlong, as her father, fully realized that her feelings for Su Chen were genuine. The most surprised, however, was Su Chen. He had accurately analyzed Lin Qingyan's character and was somewhat astonished that Yang Yuxin could come up with such a tactic. Yet, he couldn't deny it was the best solution.
However, Lin Qingyan had rejected it.
[How could Yang Yuxin come up with such an excellent plan?]
Su Chen thought. Yang Yuxin, hearing Su Chen's thoughts, nearly burst out laughing, for she knew of Lin Qingyan's weakness through his thoughts. Still, she hadn't expected Lin Qingyan to genuinely refuse.
Yet she wasn't overly flustered. From Zhang Li's predictions, she had already anticipated such an outcome.
[Who would have thought Lin Qingyan truly loved me? Such charm!]
Yang Yuxin immediately scowled.
"Pah! Apart from me, who would even like you?" she retorted internally. Although she felt this way, Yang Yuxin had to admit that Lin Qingyan genuinely loved Su Chen. This realization caused a moment of doubt, but she quickly dismissed it. She would never let Su Chen be with that annoying woman, Lin Qingyan. If it weren't for Lin Qingyan, her child with Su Chen would already be attending school by now.
Sworn enemies! To Yang Yuxin, Lin Qingyan was an enemy she couldn't share the sky with. "Alright, Yang Yuxin, you've said your piece. Your offer is indeed tempting, but I will never agree to your terms," Lin Qingyan voiced her refusal once again.
Yet, those words seemed to delight Yang Yuxin deep down, though her face remained cold as frost. "Miss Lin, do you find the terms too harsh?" she challenged. "Haven't you seen how many benefits the Su family has provided you over the years? Have you grown so entitled, thinking everything is a given? And don't you forget, your title of Su Chen's fiancée was snatched from my hands. Do you really believe that just because Su Chen likes you, you can forever lay claim to that title? Or perhaps you wish to use Su Chen as the Lin family's long-term ATM?" Yang Yuxin added, "If you truly have the capability, prove it to me. Prove it to Aunt Chen. How about it? Dare to strike a bet with me? If you win, I'll have nothing to say. It's also Aunt Chen's wish!"
Of course, Chen Qing had never spoken such words; Yang Yuxin added them for impact, thinking that bringing up Chen Qing would make Lin Qingyan even more defiant. While these words were part of her scheme, they also reflected Yang Yuxin's genuine feelings, and she didn't hold back in the slightest, fully confronting Lin Qingyan. Indeed, battles between women can be this fierce.
Did Lin Qingyan truly believe she was exceptional? Without Su Chen's relentless pursuit, how could Lin Qingyan have possibly gained such fame? As for her company's rise, to outsiders, Lin Qingyan appeared to owe nothing.
But in their eyes, Lin Qingyan and the Lin family enjoyed the protection and benefits of the Su family, the hidden advantages of which were immense. However, Yang Yuxin was still slightly anxious. What if Lin Qingyan wasn't as proud as she seemed?
"What's the bet?" Lin Qingyan glared at Yang Yuxin, her determination to prove herself evident. She wanted to show both Yang Yuxin and Su Xian'er that she wasn't just Su Chen's fiancée.
Hearing Lin Qingyan's acceptance, relief flooded Yang Yuxin's heart. She had genuinely feared Lin Qingyan's refusal, which would've complicated things, leaving her without any alternative.
Now, she thought, as long as Lin Qingyan agreed, it wouldn't be long before... Yang Yuxin's face turned slightly red, but she quickly composed herself, "It's simple. You get control of Lanxing Tech Company, and Su Chen and I will just be shareholders. Within a year, raise the market value of Lanxing Tech Company by 500 billion!"
"Agreed!" Lin Qingyan immediately accepted without a second thought. She had confidence in herself, bolstered by memories of her past life and her newfound business acumen.
She was entirely sure she could raise Lanxing Tech Company's market value by 500 billion within a year. By then, she'd be curious to see what Yang Yuxin would have to say.
Lin Qingyan had it all planned out; when the time came, she would have Yang Yuxin be her bridesmaid. Meanwhile, a weight was lifted off Yang Yuxin's heart. Initially, she wanted to set the bar higher, but she feared Lin Qingyan might refuse, so she compromised in the end. As for Lin Qingyan aiming to increase the company's value?
Pfft! Yang Yuxin had already thought it through; she would seize the opportunity to stir up trouble, possibly by leaking internal company information. In short, Lin Qingyan accomplishing her task would be impossible.
In the battle between the two women, would Su Chen be the beneficiary? Although he'd been enjoying the spectacle from the sidelines, he was thrilled inside. Unexpectedly, this challenging problem had been resolved so quickly.
Now, he didn't have to rush discussing marriage matters with Lin Qingyan and wasn't worried about his mother pushing him to marry Yang Yuxin. It was simply perfect.
[I'm so fond of Yang Yuxin; she's incredibly clever. When the time comes, I'll sabotage Lin Qingyan's efforts, curious to see how she'll achieve that 500 billion goal.]
Yang Yuxin was delighted, thinking, "I never expected Su Chen to have the same plan as me; we're truly a perfect match." Yet she sensed,
[This woman still seems to harbor ill intentions towards me; I need to find a way to get her to give up.]
Yang Yuxin clenched her fists tightly.
[I really want to confront Yang Yuxin and ask if she has come to terms with things, and if she hasn't, she better be cautious.]