Chapter 126: An Irresistible Descent

A few days into the event, the media was saturated with news about Yuwen Media. Newspapers, magazines, and digital outlets all carried the same story, proclaiming the overwhelming success of the initiative and pushing Yuwen Media into an unprecedented spotlight.

Following the recent uproar caused by Oura’s acquisition of the Lu Corporation and the subsequent takeover of LOV, this was set to be the next major headline in the business world. As a titan in the entertainment industry, Yuwen Media had its own internal team crafting these reports. There was no doubt that Yuwen Si’s strategy was meticulous, driving the event to its absolute zenith.

Shen Yanlie observed the coverage, a foxy curl playing on his lips. He had always been this way—preferring to watch quietly from the sidelines, overlooking the city, observing every cause and effect with cool detachment.

His phone vibrated. Shen Yanlie picked it up from his desk and answered.

"Seen the results yet?" Yuwen Si boasted, fishing for credit. He didn't care much for medals; what he craved was the process—the thrill and the profound sense of accomplishment. Bringing down Luo Youcong had been his goal for years, and he intended to savor every moment of it. Besides, he had sworn to repay twofold the dirty tricks Luo Youcong had played on him in the past. This was only the beginning.

"Not bad," Shen Yanlie replied coolly. His brows arched slightly toward his temples, his nonchalant tone making him appear perfectly at ease, as if everything had unfolded exactly according to his expectations and was hardly surprising at all.

Yuwen Si chuckled, wondering if Mai Xijun had seen his grand ambitions. Would she be filled with admiration if she saw them? At the thought, he let out a giggle, sounding as subtle and naive as a fresh graduate stepping out of school.

Shen Yanlie couldn't help but frown. "Yuwen Si, if you dare to target her again, I will tear you apart."

Shen Yanlie hung up immediately. Caught off guard by the dial tone, Yuwen Si realized that his intentions had been completely transparent to Shen Yanlie. The annoying man had extinguished his pride just when he wanted to show off.

Shen Yanlie pursed his lips, resting his elbows on the desk, his fingers rhythmically rubbing against his mouth in a gesture that was incredibly alluring. This Yuwen Si was becoming increasingly daring, taking advantage of his absence to get Mai Xijun to help with designs at his company.

And this little woman—she was becoming less and less obedient. Hadn't he told her to stay quietly at the office or at home waiting for his return? Had she treated his words as mere wind?

Though Shen Yanlie knew Yuwen Si wouldn't truly harm her, he felt it was time to discipline her. Had he not returned when he did, she might have already been thrust into the center of the storm, surrounded by prying media. As a former key subordinate of Luo Youcong and a member of LOV, now working as his assistant, she was bound to face gossip. Even if she was already surrounded by a certain degree of attention, he refused to let her suffer even the slightest harm. She was his woman, and he would never allow anyone to risk hurting her. Never.

***

Half a month later.

Yuwen Media’s stock surged, surpassing all expectations. The organizing team was emboldened, pouring all their ambitions into the project.

On the other side, Luo Youcong’s face was dark. His somber expression left Xie Yunting, sitting nearby, afraid to even move, lest he hurl his wine glass at her in a fit of rage. Luo Youcong rarely lost his temper with her—a fact she knew well—but since returning to his side, his temperament had soured significantly. She feared that when he snapped, he might swallow her whole.

Mo Shaoxing approached the office door and knocked tentatively. Xie Yunting held her breath, watching Luo Youcong’s face.

When Luo Youcong finally responded, Mo Shaoxing knew he couldn't escape. He had known this moment was coming; otherwise, he would have made a clean break long ago.

"Do you feel your life has been too comfortable?" Luo Youcong asked, his face a mask of cold, emotionless calm.

"You have broken your promise to me again. I will not trust you anymore. Here is what you wanted. I hope you vanish from my sight from now on." Before Mo Shaoxing could explain, Luo Youcong tossed a manila envelope onto the desk. The sharp *thud* made Xie Yunting jump.

Luo Youcong seemed deeply wounded, but everyone present knew he wasn't joking. He lacked the grace or the mood for it. He had always spoken in riddles to Mo Shaoxing, but this disappointment was brutally frank. Mo Shaoxing had slipped from his control, and now Luo was letting go. If Mo Shaoxing had stayed, he might have tried to trust him once more, but now that he was leaving, there was no point in holding on—and he knew he couldn't anyway.

Mo Shaoxing glanced at the envelope, understood the situation, picked it up with steady steps, and left without a word.

Once the office door clicked shut, Xie Yunting tried to compose herself, her lips pressed tight.

Luo Youcong rested his forehead in his hand. This was his first time facing such a violent storm in his many years in business. Yuwen Si was determined to oppose him, and Shen Yanlie had already reached out to strike. One wrong move and the Luo Corporation would be destroyed. Shen Yanlie’s methods were always shockingly effective. Though Luo was an elite player himself, his resources were dwindling. Even if he fought back, Yuwen Si was waiting in the shadows with a "What can you do to me?" attitude.

Yet, he had always enjoyed intrigue; he wouldn't be defeated so easily. If he hadn't had a final contingency, he never would have let Mo Shaoxing go.

Xie Yunting watched Luo Youcong’s sinister smile and felt a chill crawl up her spine.

Ten years ago, at her lowest point, she had found herself sitting in the rain, the streetlamps making her misery all the more stark. That was when she met him. She knew he was cold and ruthless, but he had offered her a sliver of warmth. She had clung to the belief that one day, she would warm him in return.

But even with the passage of time, he remained the same heartless Luo Youcong. Even when she felt he loved her, he still pushed her toward another man with a blank expression.

That man was Shen Yanlie. She had approached him, gathering intelligence for Luo Youcong, step by step. She knew they were rivals. She had begged him, and through careful orchestration, she had drawn closer to Shen Yanlie’s heart.

She had thought Shen Yanlie didn't know, but she had forgotten that a man with eyes as sharp as a night hawk could see through her little tricks. Yet, he had chosen to believe her and give her a chance. He was so gentle and warm, healing the scars she had carried—a kind of tenderness she had never felt from Luo Youcong, whose pity had felt like a luxury.

Shen Yanlie had given her more than she had ever received, but everything changed the moment Luo Youcong provoked him and she fell ill.

Deep down, she knew Luo Youcong was pushing her, but she had willingly moved toward Shen Yanlie. Even when Luo Youcong demanded her return, she couldn't stop. She couldn't leave Shen Yanlie. That man was too outstanding; she had fallen for him, unable to look away.

Luo Youcong had once said that if she wished, his world would be her world, and he would give her everything he had. But Xie Yunting always knew that in his world, his ambition came first. Her place was small, and when he was busy, she became dispensable.

Yet, the more she learned about Shen Yanlie, the more she found herself willingly imprisoned by her feelings for him. Her love was a dangerous gamble. Even as she reminded herself of her original purpose in approaching him, she fell deeper into his gentleness with every step.

Meeting him, she had no choice but to love.
Meeting him, she had no choice but to believe in love.