Days had passed, leaving behind whispers of secrets and unspoken wounds. Yue Lusi, cloaked in a black fitted pantsuit that mirrored her unyielding resolve, walked alongside her loyal bodyguard and secretary, Si Chang. The polished corridors of Jinghua Dynamics gleamed under the cold white lights—modern, sterile, but brimming with ambition.
As they turned the corner, a familiar figure appeared—Mei Linghua. Her smile was practiced, the kind that didn't reach her eyes.
"Welcome," Linghua said smoothly, offering a hand. "I'm Mei Linghua, President Li Xuanyin's newly appointed personal assistant."
Her voice was devoid of tension, as if the past hadn't clawed through them both.
Yue Lusi met her hand with an unreadable expression. "A pleasure," she replied, her tone civil but laced with cold steel.
Linghua led them through the glass-paneled hallway toward the main conference room. As they passed employees bowing and whispering, the air grew taut with expectation.
The room they entered was a marvel of contemporary architecture—floor-to-ceiling screens, AI control panels, and a holographic table that flickered to life at their arrival.
Tomorrow, the world would watch as Jinghua Dynamics and YJ Corporation announced a partnership meant to shake the foundation of the industrial tech world. And with it, President Li Xuanyin would make a surprise public appearance… and unveil his fiancée.
Speculation about the mystery woman had reached a fever pitch.
Si Chang stepped forward, his voice commanding attention.
> "Let's begin with the contract outline:
1. Joint Development—our R&D teams will co-design advanced logistics robots and autonomous systems tailored to YJ Corporation's complex workflow.
2. Technology Integration—Jinghua Dynamics will embed its AI-driven proximity detection and autonomous transport systems into YJ's main factories.
3. Research Collaboration—we'll launch industry-academic alliances for next-gen innovation in robotics.
4. Training and Support—our engineers will provide on-site, 24/7 implementation and diagnostics.
5. Global Expansion—joint branding efforts for entry into European and Southeast Asian markets."
As the terms unfurled, so did the magnitude of the partnership. It wasn't just business—it was a shift in the industry's core DNA.
Yue Lusi's gaze flicked toward Linghua.
> The past hadn't vanished. It had simply put on a new suit and waited for the opportune moment.
____________
Later That Night – Li Xuanyin's Office
The door clicked open.
Linghua entered like a storm wrapped in silk.
"I heard," she said softly, "that you're announcing your engagement tomorrow."
Xuanyin turned from the window, eyes dark with restraint. "It's true."
A soft green light shimmered in Linghua's palm—a translucent orb pulsing with faint light.
Xuanyin's eyes widened in horror. "That's... her heart core?"
Linghua's lips curved into a bitter smile. "You know she can't live without it."
His voice faltered. "I never thought... you were capable of this cruelty."
Linghua's expression twisted with grief, the agony of centuries reflected in her immortal gaze. "You made me this way, Xuanyin. You cast me aside, and now you think I should let her have your heart?"
"What do you want?" he asked, dreading the answer.
"Marry me."
Silence. It was sharp enough to cut.
Xuanyin stepped back. "Never."
Linghua exhaled slowly, then turned to the door. "Then I'll keep her heart core safe. For now. But remember—without it, Yue Lusi's soul will fade."
She left without a backward glance, her footsteps echoing through his despair.
__________
The Next Morning – Press Conference
Flashes burst like stars as Li Xuanyin entered the hall, arm-in-arm with Yue Lusi. Dressed in white with a jade pendant at her throat, she looked regal, unreadable.
Li Xuanyin addressed the audience. "Today, we're not just announcing a collaboration that will change our industries—we're announcing our future. We're engaged. The wedding is in two Months."
Cheers erupted. Cameras whirred. On the massive screen behind them, the contract highlights beamed—until, suddenly, the screen flickered.
A new image appeared.
A pregnancy scan.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
And then: "Xuanyin Gege, I'm pregnant with your baby."
All heads turned. Mei Linghua, clad in a crimson dress, stood with tears in her eyes.
Chaos.
Reporters screamed questions. Flashbulbs blinded. Social media exploded.
Li Xuanyin lunged for a mic. "This is nonsense! She's lying!"
Yue Lusi stepped forward, her face unreadable. "I trust my fiancé. This event is now over."
__________
Aftermath – Yue Lusi's Villa
Her phone buzzed. Li Xuanyin's name lit up again and again.
She didn't answer.
She stared at the jade pendant resting on her chest—the one that pulsed faintly when her emotions surged. Her thoughts were a maze of betrayal, confusion, and pain.
___________
The Next Morning – Yue Lusi's Office
The rain battered the windows like war drums. She sat, alone, in darkness.
The door flew open. Li Xuanyin stood, drenched, his breath uneven.
"Yue Lusi," he said, stepping inside. "Please. Listen."
She looked up slowly, her voice weary. "What's left to say?"
"I didn't touch Mei Linghua. She's doing this to break us."
"And she succeeded," Yue Lusi whispered.
The almighty Li Xuanyin unexpected dropped to his knees before her. "I love you. I would never betray you. Look into my eyes—don't you see it?"
Her eyes welled with tears. "Xuanyin … I'm scared."
"So am I. But we can't let fear or lies decide for us. Not when we've fought this hard."
A long pause.
Then, her trembling hand reached out, brushing his cheek. "Then fight with me."
Relief washed over him. He embraced her tightly, and she let herself lean into him, finally allowing herself to breathe.
Outside, the storm raged on. But inside that room, they had found their anchor in each other again.
Their love had been bruised, tested, and publicly scorched—but it had not broken.
Now, united once more, they stood ready for whatever darkness would come next.