2:45 PM — Shen Pharmaceuticals, Executive Floor
Shen Yinyin walked briskly down the hallway, tablet in hand, heels echoing with quiet authority. Behind her, Zhao Qiulan, 27, tall and sharp-eyed, kept pace.
Qiulan had only joined the executive circle six months ago, but her reputation had already grown—calm, competent, and dangerously observant.
"You handled Liu Jingsen well," Qiulan said as they entered the elevator.
Yinyin gave a noncommittal hum.
"But he was too easy. Someone handed you that dirt."
Yinyin looked at her assistant, brows slightly raised.
"And?"
Qiulan smirked. "Nothing. Just wondering who's feeding you their sins."
Yinyin didn't answer.
Because the answer was obvious.
And that disturbed her more than she let on.
3:15 PM — Quiet Café in Xuhui District
Qiulan sat across from a woman wearing oversized sunglasses and a scarf that didn't quite hide her elegance.
Li Meiyun, 42. Zhenyu's mother.
Her beauty was understated but commanding—like someone used to being watched, and always two steps ahead.
"You have something for me?" Meiyun asked without pleasantries.
Qiulan passed her a flash drive.
"Meeting transcripts. Shen Yinyin's calendar. Internal whispers about her doubts."
Meiyun didn't react. She sipped her jasmine tea.
"She's beginning to question him," Qiulan added. "And I think... a part of her doesn't want to know the truth."
Meiyun gave a thin smile.
"That's how love works. It survives only when you're willing to lie to yourself."
4:00 PM — Feng Yun's Hidden Office, French Concession
Feng Yun sat in silence, looking at an old photo.
It showed three people:
A young Li Meiyun
A man with sharp eyes — Li Xiuyuan
And a younger version of himself — before the scars.
He turned the photo over. A message was written in faded ink:
"What we couldn't finish, he will."
Feng Yun's lips curled.
"He doesn't even know his father's death was a decision."
His assistant entered. "Sir, your contact from Beijing says Meiyun is moving. She's watching her son more closely."
Feng Yun nodded. "She always knew he'd outgrow her."
Meanwhile — Shen Yinyin's Office
She closed the door and sat at her desk, fingers trembling slightly.
She opened her husband's private file — the one she wasn't supposed to access. Biometrics cracked via a cloned fingerprint from his watch.
Inside were shadow account details.
Six companies in her name.
She never registered them.
She never signed anything.
Yet they were legally hers.
Profits, off-shore accounts, silent mergers — all tied back to Li Zhenyu.
And one message file titled: "IN CASE SHE BETRAYS ME."
She didn't open it.
Her hands were shaking too much.
7:00 PM — Penthouse Living Room
Zhenyu was pouring himself a drink when Yinyin entered.
"Busy day?" he asked.
She kissed his cheek, slow and affectionate. "Always."
"You seem tense."
She looked into his eyes — those beautiful, dangerous eyes.
And smiled.
"Nothing I can't handle."