Chapter 95 — Stirring Winds

Li Manya's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Su Wanwan cast her a cool glance and walked calmly into the break room. The murmuring inside ceased abruptly. Only after she had left did the whispers cautiously resume.

"Do you think she heard us just now?"

"So what if she did? We didn't say anything bad about her."

An employee who had just picked up her coffee sat down at the crowded table, her face full of confusion.

"What's going on?"

"Didn't Sister Manya seal that deal? I saw the signature—wasn't it hers?"

A haughty woman, chin slightly raised, clicked her tongue and drummed her fingers on the tabletop.

"You were on leave recently, didn't travel abroad with us. No wonder you don't know the details."

"There's a lot more to it than meets the eye."

"The day we arrived in the States, Joe Zhen from the Peige Group sent someone specifically to pick us up and arranged our hotel and dining in detail."

"I thought it was odd too. With the Ye Group's current standing, how could we warrant such extravagant hospitality?"

"Only later did I realize—they were not just high school classmates… they had that kind of relationship."

"After dinner, they dismissed the rest of us and went to a bar alone."

"Don't forget—before we left, Li Manya swore the project was all but in the bag."

"Whether the negotiations happened across the table or beneath the sheets, that we'll never know."

The group couldn't help but murmur in astonishment.

"I never thought she was that kind of woman…"

"No wonder she's so loaded—sponging off her husband and Joe Zhen both. You really can't judge a book by its cover."

Outside the break room, Li Manya stood trembling, her body convulsing in rage. Tears streamed down her face, her sobs forcibly stifled, a searing bitterness constricting her throat. She had thought Su Wanwan's help would secure her a promotion. Yet soon after she handed the signed contract to Ye Nan, her colleagues lodged complaints behind her back, embellishing sordid tales about her and Joe Zhen. Because of this, not only was she denied a promotion—Ye Nan even demoted her!

Li Manya could scarcely believe that these colleagues, once so eager to flatter her, had stabbed her so cruelly in the back. And now, they were spreading vile rumors, subjecting her to scornful stares wherever she went. She wiped away her tears and turned back.

As the lunch bell rang, the crowd surged toward Su Wanwan.

"Wanwan, let's grab lunch together!"

"Yes, there's a new restaurant nearby—it's supposed to be amazing!"

"Bashan Night Rain?"

"Yeah, have you been?"

"Haven't you heard? That place apparently crossed the wrong people—it was shut down just yesterday."

"You're kidding! Isn't that place owned by Li Zhen?"

The chatter buzzed in Su Wanwan's ears like a swarm of bees, making her temples throb. She rose, her voice cold.

"Move. You're in my way."

As she strode away unsteadily, Li Manya hurried to catch up. Just as they reached the building's entrance, Su Wanwan stumbled, her toe catching the threshold. A hand shot out to steady her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Thank you," Su Wanwan replied coolly.

The two walked in silence to a nearby restaurant and requested a private room. Su Wanwan leisurely poured herself a cup of tea.

"Whatever it is, say it."

Li Manya bit her lip, her face burning with shame. She forced a bitter smile, her voice low and weary.

"I think I finally understand what you must've felt. Being ostracized like this—it's... suffocating."

"You're overthinking it," Su Wanwan interjected.

Startled, Li Manya looked at her, puzzled, hoping for clarity.

"When the wind stirs, the grass bends."

"But sometimes, the grass bends even when there's no wind at all."

"Why let such people dictate your emotions?"

To put it plainly—they were all opportunistic cowards. Li Manya's plight was a textbook case of kicking someone when they're down.

"You've been in that managerial chair long enough. Can't you tell who's sincere and who's just sycophantic?"

"Or perhaps… you enjoyed being idolized and flattered a little too much?"

Li Manya was speechless.

Had it been any other day, such sharp words from Su Wanwan would've enraged her. But now, they poured over her like cold water—washing away the filth clouding her vision and forcing her to see the truth for what it was.

Su Wanwan was right. Everyone has vanity. She was no exception.

After a long silence, Li Manya suddenly curved her lips into a wistful smile.

"I just wanted to prove myself in front of Liang Yixing. I didn't want to be a housewife, fading away in obscurity."

"I like to show off. I like flaunting my success. I relish the envious stares."

"Even though I know that while they praise me to my face, they secretly wish I'd fail."

She lifted her gaze, eyes filled with complex emotion as she looked at the unreadable woman before her.

"Su Wanwan, I must admit, sometimes I really do admire you."

"But… I still don't understand—why did you help me?"

"Or rather… why did you help the Ye Group?"

"If it weren't for your intervention, the company might've gone under."

"Ye Nan betrayed you. He got involved with your sister. Doesn't that make you angry at all?"

Su Wanwan took a sip of tea, her obsidian eyes still and fathomless. The name "Ye Nan" no longer stirred anything within her.

"If you hadn't called me in, you could've secured the contract alone."

"The outcome would've been the same."

"Besides, Ye Nan is a clown—he can't stir up any real trouble."

The Ye Group was so insignificant, she didn't even consider acquiring it.

What would be the point? A dying company would only drag her down.

"That's true…" Li Manya muttered awkwardly.

She had heard Su Wanwan's conversation with the vice president of Peige Group loud and clear—and it confirmed her suspicion: Su Wanwan was no ordinary woman.

"What's more, I didn't help for free. Perhaps this move will help me gain a little more ground within the Fu family…"

Su Wanwan's low murmur went unheard by Li Manya.

After lunch, they returned to the office. From a distance, Su Wanwan saw Ye Nan pacing anxiously by her desk. Just as she hesitated to approach, he picked up a call, and after a few words—his face broke into a grin and he strode off swiftly.