Chapter 10: Unannounced Guests

Xinyi: A Morning of Disruptions

Liang Xinyi set her coffee cup down, barely cooled enough to sip, as she scanned the first report of the day. Friday morning. The last hurdle before tomorrow's signing ceremony.

This was the third factory collapse in two weeks.

The first time, it had been a disaster response issue. The second time, it was an unsettling coincidence. But a third time?

That meant a pattern.

And Xinyi hated patterns she didn't control.

She had scheduled a meeting with Zhao Rui and Mei to go over the latest findings.

The door clicked open, and Mei stepped inside first, followed by Zhao Rui, who looked slightly more exhausted than usual. Hospitals and late-night interrogations tended to do that.

Before they could start, a knock interrupted them.

Mei frowned. "We weren't expecting anyone else."

The door opened slightly, and an assistant peeked in.

"Ms. Liang, one of the elders is here to see you."

Xinyi's fingers paused mid-turn over a page.

That was… strange.

The elders rarely left their estates—and when they wanted a meeting, they summoned her. They didn't come to her office.

Zhao Rui and Mei exchanged glances.

"Who?" Xinyi asked, voice even.

"Elder Liang Zhen."

That got her attention.

Liang Zhen wasn't just any elder. He was one of the few who still had direct influence over the family's legacy.

Xinyi closed the report folder. "Send him in."

Mei and Zhao Rui started to rise, but Xinyi turned to them. "Wait outside."

Before they could move, a voice from the doorway stopped them.

"No need," Elder Liang Zhen said as he entered. "This is about business first."

Xinyi narrowed her gaze slightly, but if he wanted them to stay, she wouldn't argue.

She gestured for them to sit again as the elder lowered himself onto the chair across from her.

His presence carried the weight of generations of power. He wasn't here for casual pleasantries.

"You've been managing the company well," he admitted. "But the board is… restless."

Xinyi's jaw tightened, but she kept her expression cool. "Restless?"

"The collapses. The news. Jianyu whispering in their ears."

Xinyi exhaled through her nose. Of course. Jianyu had been looking for an angle, and he found it in the rumors.

"If the situation escalates, the votes could swing." Liang Zhen's voice was calm but firm. "You are still their CEO, but confidence is a delicate thing."

Xinyi's fingers curled slightly over the armrest.

So that's why he came himself.

Not just because of the curse—but because she might need to start playing politics.

She met his gaze steadily. "I'll handle it."

Liang Zhen studied her for a long moment before nodding. "See that you do."

At that moment, the door opened again.

The PR chief stepped inside, giving a respectful nod to the elder before looking at Xinyi.

"Ms. Liang, everything is under control," she reported. "No major leaks, and the signing ceremony preparations are complete."

Xinyi inclined her head. "Good. Keep it that way."

As the PR chief exited, Xinyi turned back to Liang Zhen.

The elder's lips curled in something like approval.

"Tomorrow will be important," he said. "Let's see if you can prove yourself to the ones who doubt you."

Xinyi simply smiled.

She had no intention of failing.

Then, Liang Zhen shifted slightly in his seat.

"Now, let's discuss something more… familiar."

Xinyi's expression remained unreadable, but she understood immediately.

He meant the curse.

She turned to Zhao Rui and Mei. "Give us the room."

This time, she didn't let him stop her.

Once the door shut, Liang Zhen leaned in slightly.

"You've noticed it, haven't you?" he murmured.

Xinyi exhaled. "How could I not?"

...

Wei: A Change of Plans

Zhang Wei arrived at his office feeling calm, focused.

There was no crisis waiting for him—no last-minute media disasters, no shareholder panic. Just another day of business.

Feng was already waiting inside, a thin folder in hand.

"The flagging system worked," Feng reported as Wei took his seat. "The worker in Guangzhou Factory was caught right on time. No major injuries."

Wei tapped his fingers lightly against his desk. Finally, something working in their favor.

"The worker?" he asked.

Feng nodded. "Expected to return on Monday. He reported no lingering symptoms, though I'd still like a proper evaluation."

Wei gave a small nod.

Feng continued, "I suggest we bring him to the office for a one-on-one. If he's fine, we get confirmation. If there's anything off, we'll know immediately."

Wei exhaled, then shook his head.

"No," he said simply. "I'll go to the factory."

Feng blinked, slightly caught off guard. "You want to go personally?"

Wei leaned back in his chair. "I need to see it myself. It's not just about the worker—I want to observe the factory, the environment."

Feng absorbed this quickly, nodding. "Understood."

Wei glanced at his schedule.

"The partner's visit is on Monday," Feng added. "You could do both—meet the worker and give them a tour."

Wei smirked slightly. "Two birds, one stone."

Feng chuckled. "Efficient."

Wei simply nodded, already shifting his focus to the next steps.

If there was a pattern to these collapses, then Monday's factory visit might give him the first real piece of the puzzle.

And if not?

Then he'd simply keep looking.

Because he wasn't going to sit back and let this happen again.