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Mo Yuwei's black heels tapped against the polished wooden floor of the restaurant's private floor corridor, each step echoing softly in the quiet space.
She wore a beige trench coat over a slim black dress, tailored to perfection, her silhouette graceful and poised.
Her hair, styled into soft waves, framed her elegant features with an effortless charm that always made her stand out, even when she didn't try.
She had just exited the private room where she had attended a quiet lunch with a few business partners and was heading toward the elevator, her phone in hand, when she heard a voice echo softly behind her.
"Sister Yuwei?"
The familiar voice made her stop mid-step.
She turned, her heels pausing mid-click, and slowly glanced over her shoulder.
Her gaze fell on two women approaching from the corridor— Liang Qianyu and Su Meilin.
"You're back," she said coolly, turning her gaze to Liang Qianyu, subtly ignoring the woman beside her.
Liang Qianyu gave a small smile. "Yes, just got landed last night. How have you been?"
"Busy." Mo Yuwei gave a small nod slipping her phone into her coat pocket. Her eyes barely acknowledged Su Meilin, whose lips pressed into a faint, uneasy smile.
"I have something to take care of," Yuwei added. "I'll visit Grandfather Liang tomorrow."
Without waiting for a reply, Mo Yuwei gave a graceful nod and resumed walking toward the elevator.
Her figure disappeared behind the closing doors, leaving behind the faint scent of her elegant perfume.
Su Meilin stared after her, eyes unreadable.
Why did Mo Yuwei always make her feel invisible?
She turned toward Liang Qianyu and asked in a soft voice, "Does she... not like me or something?"
Su Meilin stood frozen for a second, watching the elevator numbers drop. Her smile cracked.
Liang Qianyu shrugged lightly. "That's just how Yuwei is. She doesn't talk much to anyone. Not even me. But it's fine, once you marry my brother and become part of the family, you'll get to know her. Our families are close, after all."
Su Meilin nodded slowly, forcing a smile, but her thoughts churned behind her calm expression.
Mo Yuwei.
Even her name made Meilin feel a sharp twist of envy.
Even though they'd met a few times, Su Meilin always felt like she was her competitor.
She had always been envious of Mo Yuwei.
They were both born into the richest elite circles—Mo Yuwei from the Mo family and Su Meilin from the Su family. Around the same age, both raised with the best education and social grooming money could buy.
But somehow, Mo Yuwei always seemed to be ahead.
She'd always felt that Mo Yuwei was her shadowed competitor—the woman who effortlessly stood where she had to struggle to reach.
Mo Yuwei had built a company from the ground up and become its CEO before thirty.
GlowVine Cosmetics was a globally rising skincare and beauty company that catered to luxury markets.
While Su Meilin had struggled to prove herself in the shadows of family expectations, Mo Yuwei had risen like a phoenix.
To make matters worse, as if fate hadn't spoiled her enough, she was married to the nation's most beloved heir from the powerful Chen family, Chen Linfei.
Her husband doted on her endlessly, and they were a symbol of perfection to the public.
There were five first-tier families that ruled the upper echelon of society.
The ancient and elusive Jiang family, whose roots traced back generations and rarely made public appearances.
The powerful Liang family and Chen family—both equals in prestige and influence. Then the Mo family, known for their refined discipline and financial prowess.
And finally, the Su family—her family—wealthy but always one step behind.
It felt like Mo Yuwei had everything Su Meilin ever wanted.
She herself had only recently started laying the groundwork for her own brand. She always dreamed of marrying Liang Yexuan.
But Liang Yexuan had never spared her more than a glance.
He had always been distant, uninterested.
Cold.
She clenched her fists.
She wanted to someday be someone like Mo Yuwei.
She shook off the thoughts and followed Qianyu into the private room.
After they placed their orders, Qianyu lifted her glass of warm water and said casually, "After we eat, let's stop by Liang Conglomerate. Brother might be free."
Su Meilin perked up slightly. "Alright."
---
On the top floor, past the frosted glass doors etched with the golden emblem of the Liang Conglomerate, stood Lin Yue.
Her heart pounded like a drum inside her chest. Her breath came out in shallow gasps.
This was it.
The first time she would meet him alone.
Since he became Liang Yexuan again.
Would he say anything?
Would he continue pretending not to know her?
She inhaled shakily, raising her hand to knock. Her fingers trembled.
Knock knock.
A moment passed.
"Come in," a cold voice replied from within, low.
The sound chilled her spine.
She turned the handle slowly and stepped in.
The office was breathtaking.
Floor-to-ceiling windows lined one side, revealing a panoramic view of the city. Bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes stood against the opposite wall.
A luxurious Persian rug stretched across the polished floor, and a massive mahogany desk stood at the center like a throne.
Behind it sat Liang Yexuan, dressed impeccably in a tailored navy-blue suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean frame.
His jet-black hair was styled back, revealing a sharp jawline and flawless, pale skin.
His lips were thin, slightly pursed in concentration, and just beneath the left corner of his mouth was a small, distinct mole—a mark that had always fascinated her.
The golden light brushed against the sharp lines of his jaw and the cool elegance of his features, making him look like a painting come to life.
He was flipping through a document, his pen moving swiftly as he signed. He hadn't looked up.
Even doing something as mundane as paperwork, he looked breathtaking. Regal.
He was… painfully handsome.
Lin Yue stared for a moment too long.
He hadn't changed much… Yet somehow, he had changed completely.
Without looking up, he said in that same deep, chilly voice, "Don't stand there. Come in."
Snapped from her daze, Lin Yue stepped in and gently closed the door behind her.
Her footsteps were light as she walked up to the desk, heart hammering in her chest.
He closed the folder and finally looked up.
His eyes met hers—and in that moment, Lin Yue's breath caught in her throat.
Her heart clenched.
Because there was still no flicker of recognition in those eyes.
Nothing.
They were cold, detached, like he was staring at a stranger.
She stood there, frozen.
For a second—just a second—his eyes flickered. Surprise?
Awe?
She looked beautiful.
Dressed in a soft white pastel dress with delicate lace at the collar and cuffs, she looked gentle, almost ethereal. The dress fit snugly at her waist before flowing down to her knees. Her hair was let down in soft curls, framing her porcelain face.
Her large, innocent eyes looked straight at him, filled with a thousand unspoken emotions.
His brows twitched subtly.
There was a quiet elegance about her that demanded attention.
Shaking off the momentary distraction, he gestured to the chair in front of him.
"Sit."
She obeyed quietly, her fingers clutching the hem of her dress to stop them from trembling and lowered herself onto the soft leather seat before his desk.
She sat, careful to keep her back straight, her hands clutched lightly on her lap. Her heartbeat refused to slow. He was so close now, yet the emotional distance between them was oceans wide.
She swallowed hard.
His gaze was cold. Unfeeling. Like that of a stranger.
There was no hint of the man who once smiled at her, held her, made silent promises.
The man who once held her so gently, who used to whisper her name like it was sacred—now looked at her like she was no different from any other employee.
He leaned slightly to the side and picked up the rolled canvas from the floor beside his desk.
Holding it up, he studied it for a moment, then turned his gaze back to her.
"What's your name?"
She hesitated. "Lin Yue."
He nodded, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You drew this?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Where did you learn the technique of blending modern and traditional art like this?"
Lin Yue paused. Her heart squeezed at the memory.
She remembered Mrs. Tang, her kind old neighbor. When she was just a little girl, hurting from a broken family and the sting of loneliness, she would sneak into Mrs. Tang's courtyard.
There, under the plum tree, she would paint. Mrs. Tang taught her to mix softness with structure, feelings with forms.
Her lips parted, searching for the right words. "I… I was taught by someone when I was younger. I admired how tradition could still live in modern forms."
His gaze didn't waver.
"Why this theme? What made you choose it for the project?"
She lowered her eyes to the canvas, tracing the lines in her mind. "Because… the past and the present are both part of who we are. We carry them with us. About how even when something changes… its core can remain."
He tilted his head.
"Interesting philosophy."
Then he paused.
He frowned slightly and looked down again at the signature on the corner of the canvas.
Lin Yue.
His gaze lifted slowly.
And in a voice slightly lower, more deliberate, he said,
"Lin Yue..."
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