Business, Rivalry and Hidden Tensions

Afternoon – A Business Discussion with Lu Zeyan

The atmosphere in the private conference room was tense, a silent battle of wills playing out before a single word was spoken.

Ruolan sat beside Yichen, her posture straight, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Across from them, Lu Zeyan leaned back in his chair, a relaxed smile curving his lips as his sharp gaze flickered between her and Yichen.

This wasn't their first meeting.

The last time they had been in the same room, Ruolan had been a mere observer—a silent presence beside Yichen as the two men conducted business. But today, something was different.

"Assistant Xia," Lu Zeyan greeted smoothly, his lips twitching in amusement. "It's a pleasure to see you again. I see President Li still keeps you close."

Ruolan maintained a polite smile. "It's my job to assist President Li as needed."

"Hmm," Lu Zeyan mused, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "I wonder how much of that 'assisting' extends beyond business."

Yichen's eyes flickered up, cold and sharp. "If you're done wasting time, let's get to the point."

Lu Zeyan chuckled. "No need to get worked up, President Li. I was merely making conversation." He turned his attention back to Ruolan. "But I must admit, Miss Xia, you leave an impression. Not many can sit beside Li Yichen and hold their ground."

Ruolan wasn't sure whether to take that as a compliment or a challenge.

The negotiations that followed were calculated and strategic, neither man willing to bend easily. While Ruolan remained silent for the most part, she observed closely, taking note of every subtle power play between them.

But what she hadn't expected was the occasional glances Lu Zeyan sent her way, as if trying to gauge her reactions. It was subtle but undeniable.

And while Yichen remained outwardly indifferent, she didn't notice the way his fingers briefly tensed against the table every time Lu Zeyan's attention lingered on her for too long.

By the time they exited the meeting, Ruolan exhaled softly.

Yichen, walking beside her, spoke without looking at her. "Don't engage with Lu Zeyan unnecessarily."

Ruolan blinked. "I wasn't planning to."

Yichen didn't respond, but his jaw was set in a firm line.

~~

Evening-

The grand ballroom of the hotel was illuminated with golden chandeliers, a place where only the most powerful figures in the business world gathered.

Ruolan, dressed in an elegant yet understated evening gown, moved through the crowd with practiced ease. She had no illusions about where she stood here—she wasn't one of them. She was merely an assistant, a presence beside Yichen.

And yet, eyes followed her.

Not because she was important, but because she was with him.

Li Yichen commanded attention effortlessly. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his presence was an unspoken warning—untouchable, unreadable, unstoppable.

Ruolan remained at his side, greeting those who acknowledged them, but keeping her distance whenever necessary.

Then, a voice sent a chill down her spine.

"Ruolan."

She turned, her heart lurching slightly.

Jiang Wei stood there, looking as composed as ever. Dressed sharply, his expression unreadable, but his gaze on her was unmistakably intent.

Ruolan took a steady breath. "Jiang Wei."

His lips quirked slightly. "It's been a while."

Before Ruolan could reply, Yichen's presence shifted beside her. He hadn't moved, hadn't spoken, but something about the air between them changed—an unspoken tension.

Jiang Wei's gaze flickered toward him. "President Li."

Yichen regarded him with his usual indifference. "Jiang."

The exchange was brief, but the weight behind it was undeniable.

Before things could escalate, another voice joined in.

"Well, well. Looks like all the interesting people are gathered in one place."

Ruolan turned to see Lu Zeyan approaching, his gaze flickering between the three of them, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Miss Xia, it seems you attract quite a bit of attention," he mused, before glancing toward Yichen with a smirk. "But I suppose that's not surprising."

Ruolan resisted the urge to sigh. What was with tonight?

First Jiang Wei, now Lu Zeyan.

She wasn't naive. She could feel the silent tension between the men.

But before she could process it further, another presence joined them.

"Ruolannn~"

She barely had time to react before Feng Xinya looped her arm through hers, pulling her close.

"I was looking for you everywhere," Xinya said, her voice light but her gaze sharp as she took in the scene before her. She then smirked, tilting her head. "Hmm, interesting company."

Jiang Wei. Lu Zeyan. Yichen.

Ruolan suddenly felt like she was stuck in the middle of a very dangerous battlefield.

And she had no idea how this night was going to end.