Chapter Thirty-Five: She Is Not Worth Such Devotion

When Mai Xijun finished speaking, the corners of her lips curved into a new moon, and from a distance, Luo Youcong stood in a corner of the company lobby, witnessing the scene with perfect clarity.

Mai Xijun was never one to hold grudges easily, nor someone who would make things difficult for others or herself. Once she saw the truth of a matter, she let it go. She yearned for peace, for the company of family, for a life that flowed gently with the tide.

But now, she was being provoked again and again. Not only had an arrogant mistress snatched away her fiancé, but that same woman had come knocking at her door and slapped her hard in front of the company entrance. Was Mai Xijun really such easy prey? Was she truly so ill-fated?

A few onlookers, colleagues from her company, had been startled when Mai Xijun delivered her second slap. One timid soul cried out, hastily covering her mouth. Given He Jingjing’s brash and aggressive nature, most people in the office kept their distance, wary of incurring her wrath.

Moreover, He Jingjing came from a wealthy family—rumor had it her father was the president of a renowned advertising firm. Anyone who had crossed her had never met a good end. Coupled with her usual abrasiveness, her colleagues were all the more fearful of falling victim to her malice, so they hurriedly tugged their friends and made a quick escape.

The disdain in Mai Xijun’s smile mirrored the depth of her former care. She had always believed that as long as someone was kind to her, the opinions of others mattered little. Yet she hadn’t expected that the well-meant warnings she’d once received would one day become her reality...

“Hmph,” Mai Xijun scoffed coldly, shaking off He Jingjing’s hands. But He Jingjing only gripped her arm more tightly, a mocking sneer playing at her lips.

Mai Xijun tried to break free, but He Jingjing’s hold only tightened.

“Mai Xijun, do you know? Do you know why Shen Yanlie approached you?” Her words came through gritted teeth, her brows arched and eyes wide with menace, sending a chill down one’s spine.

“Do you really think Shen Yanlie cares for you? Do you fancy yourself so desirable? Don’t be so smug! He’s just using you! Think about it—what does he lack? Why would he choose you? In the end, you’re nothing but a pawn, a piece he’s using to swallow up the Lu Corporation!”

He Jingjing let out a cold, disdainful laugh, tossing her tousled hair arrogantly. “Yes, I took your man, but have you ever wondered why he left you? Seeing how utterly defeated you look is pure delight for me, hahahaha...”

“You...” Mai Xijun’s face flushed with anger, nearly losing her composure, but then she curled her lips into a smile. “He Jingjing, you’re really something. Honestly, it’s not just others who praise you—you truly treat men like clothes, changing them at will. Aren’t you afraid of catching something?”

“You—!” He Jingjing had been gloating, but that final retort from Mai Xijun left her fuming, her face flushed red, all traces of arrogance vanished. She raised her hand, but couldn’t bring herself to strike.

Mai Xijun lifted her chin and pointed to her cheek, offering He Jingjing a better angle. “Go ahead, hit me, you wretch! But let me warn you—I have nothing left to lose. If you keep provoking me, you know my temper well enough. I may not be reckless, but I’m close! If I gain nothing from this, you won’t come out unscathed either!”

He Jingjing was seething, but couldn’t find a single word to retort. She had driven Mai Xijun to the edge herself; she could hardly blame her for being sharp-tongued.

Yet He Jingjing had never imagined that beneath Mai Xijun’s calm, resolute exterior lay such a venomous side. She had assumed Mai Xijun would quietly turn away, unruffled, even after losing Xue Lizan to her. But she’d never expected that once provoked, Mai Xijun would retaliate like a tiger awakened, ruthless and merciless, eyes fixed on her with an icy glare.

“Hmph!” Mai Xijun snorted, knocking away He Jingjing’s hand, freeing her wrist, and walked toward the lobby without so much as a backward glance.

Even as Mai Xijun stepped into the elevator and disappeared, she remained oblivious to the gaze that had followed her from one corner of the lobby—a gaze that lingered until the elevator doors closed, before its owner finally moved toward the elevator himself...

﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡

President’s Office, Eurasia Trading Company.

“Master, are you truly planning to go through with this?” Mo Shaoxing inclined his head slightly, a hint of concern in his voice.

The man standing before him faced the floor-to-ceiling glass, his back to Mo Shaoxing. One hand clasped the other’s wrist, seemingly fastening a shirt cuff. Every movement radiated an inescapable, magnetic charm.

No lights were on in the office. From where he stood, the city’s lights illuminated only the chiseled outline of his face; the rest was enveloped in shadow.

Shen Yanlie gazed into the distance, silent, lost in thought.

“I wonder if this plan might alert our enemies,” Mo Shaoxing ventured. Yu Wen Si set down his tablet, turning his full attention to the conversation.

“Shao Xing, let me tell you—Lie always acts with measured intent. If he says nothing, it means he won’t repeat himself. You’ve worked with him long enough to know his temperament. Just do as you’re told,” Yu Wen Si said, swirling his wine before taking a leisurely sip, his other hand draped casually over the back of the sofa.

Yet Yu Wen Si never truly trusted Mo Shaoxing. He always felt the man harbored too many secrets—deep, inscrutable ones. He could never be treated as a confidant, for intuition warned him that Mo Shaoxing would one day prove a formidable adversary.

“Well, very well.” Mo Shaoxing hesitated, then turned to leave, letting out a silent sigh. He was only twenty-four—his zodiac year. Several fortune-tellers had once warned him he wouldn’t live past twenty-five. Though he’d never believed them, the repeated warnings had begun to gnaw at his mind.

He wondered: would his life end with this move? Would he fall in this very battle?

As he took his second step, Shen Yanlie, who had been standing with his back to them, slowly turned. His usually impassive face was sharply defined, his eyes piercing and profound. “Shao Xing, do as you suggested. As for LOV, I’ll handle it myself.”

Yu Wen Si started, nearly choking on his wine. “Lie, that’s not like you. Why not eliminate LOV along with the Lu Corporation? If you don’t pull the weeds out by the roots, they’ll grow back with the spring breeze!”

Mo Shaoxing paused, saying nothing, listening quietly. When Shen Yanlie remained silent, Yu Wen Si took up the thread again. “Lie, it’s true that using that woman as a pretext to take down the Lu Corporation is a clever move. But what about next time, when you need to deal with LOV? Don’t tell me you’ll use her again. Be careful you don’t get tangled up in your own game. You know what they say—women are just clothes. She’s not worth such effort from you!”