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Lin Ruoyin finished her afternoon meeting with the design department and returned home late at night.

In the early hours of the morning, the Lu residence was quiet.

After finishing dealing with the backlog of documents, Lu Yan rubbed his aching temples and went downstairs, hoping to replenish his energy. As he passed the study on the second floor, he noticed a sliver of light leaking from under the door.

He paused, then gently pushed open the slightly ajar door. A warm, yellow light illuminated the figure behind the desk.

Lin Ruoyin sat there, her laptop screen lit up. She was wearing headphones and speaking fluent English to someone on the other end of the screen.

"Lin, I must be honest, recent news has made me very uneasy."

"Please believe that the impact of these recent business attacks on the Lu family will not last long."

She is reassuring key investors across the ocean who are shaken by recent turmoil.

Lu Yan stood in the shadows by the door, watching quietly.

This wasn't the first time he'd seen her handling these things alone late at night. Before, he might have taken it for granted, but now, watching her working hard alone in the study, watching her, despite being utterly exhausted, still force herself to carefully craft her words to protect the reputation of the Lu family, a mix of guilt and indescribable heartache suddenly surged into his chest.

He recalled the dizzying array of reports he had just seen in the room, and the forced growth he had been forced to undergo during this period. Meanwhile, the person before him had already single-handedly steered this massive ship through raging storms for so long.

He quietly slipped away and went downstairs to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, he returned upstairs carrying a white porcelain cup filled with a health-preserving tea for those who stay up late, its faint herbal fragrance filling the air. He entered the study, gently placed the cup on the table, and gave Lin Ruoyin, who was looking at him, a slight smile, without uttering a single word.

After finishing these tasks, Lu Yan returned to his room, sat down at his desk again, took a deep breath, and laid out the terms and data that had been giving him a headache once more. This time, his eyes held less frustration and more calm determination.

The night grew deeper. The light in the study remained on for a long time, while the light in the other bedroom stayed on until the early hours of the morning.

Meanwhile, at the Mexican Core Building.

Xu Jia sat on the dark sofa, his figure almost blending into the thick night. The office's electronic screen was silently lit, repeatedly playing footage from today's Lu Group press conference.

Lin Ruoyin linked arms with Lu Yan, turned her head and smiled, her eyes bright and clear, her posture intimate yet resolute.

Lu Yan looked down at her, his gaze focused, and the way his arm was protecting her was unmistakable.

The two stood side by side under the flashing lights, looking like a perfect couple, weathering storms together, deeply in love.

The image captured the moment when they held hands and looked into each other's eyes, which was given a striking headline by the media: The Lu couple made a joint appearance, dispelling outside speculation.

The cold light from the screen reflected on Xu Jia's face, outlining his sharply defined profile, taut jaw, and the icy coldness surging deep within his eyes.

He watched with extreme focus, even with a cruel meticulousness, as if trying to etch every detail of the scene into his mind.

The air was deathly still.

Zhou Hui quietly pushed open the door and entered, holding the latest report in his hand. He saw Xu Jia's back and the image frozen on the screen, and his steps paused almost imperceptibly.

“Mr. Xu.” He walked to the table and put down the report. “The press conference at Lu’s Group had a certain effect. Public opinion has shifted dramatically, and… there is also an increase in positive discussions about the personal image of Director Lin and Lu Yan, which has diverted some focus from Lu’s Group’s business crisis.”

Xu Jia remained almost unmoved, his gaze still fixed on the loving couple on the screen, his thin lips pressed into a cold, emotionless line.

In the scene, Lu Yan leaned slightly forward, seemingly whispering something in her ear. The curve of her lips deepened, and that smile stung Xu Jia's eyes.

After a long silence, Xu Jia’s deep, hoarse voice rang out, each word sounding as if it had been pulled from an ice cellar: “Our work doesn’t seem to be quite right.”

Zhou Hui felt a chill run down his spine: "The further blockade of upstream raw materials and the plan to poach employees from several of Lu's key contract manufacturers are already in place. In addition, we have noticed that Lu's cash flow is becoming increasingly tight, and they are likely to seek external financing or emergency loans in the near future."

Xu Jia: "You are more professional than me in these fields."

Zhou Hui awaited further, more specific instructions.

Xu Jia closed his eyes and said, "I don't want to see them smiling like that on screen anymore."

Zhou Hui: "...Understood."

The next day, Lin Ruoyin still appeared in the office on time. However, the overstretched dam will eventually break.

In the afternoon, a cross-departmental coordination meeting on supply chain alternatives and cost control lasted from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Five hours of intense brainstorming, with various thorny practical issues clashing back and forth, filled the meeting room with a stifling atmosphere and an invisible pressure.

Lin Ruoyin remained seated in the main seat, listening, taking notes, asking questions, and making decisions. Her mind remained sharp, but her face grew paler, and her fingertips, hovering over the touchpad, trembled slightly.

As the meeting drew to a close, Lin Ruoyin gave her final summary, her voice already quite hoarse.

"Let's proceed in this direction. The purchasing department will renegotiate the prices of the backup suppliers, the design department will adjust the drawings accordingly, and the finance department will calculate the final cost ceiling. I need to see the updated plan by noon tomorrow."

After she finished speaking, she closed her notebook and tried to stand up.

In that instant, everything went black, as if all the light had been sucked away, and a sharp buzzing sound filled her ears. A dizzying sensation swept over her, and her body swayed uncontrollably to the side. Her hands frantically tried to grab something, but only touched the cold edge of the table.

"President Lin!" Xiao Tang, who was sitting diagonally behind her, was the first to notice something was wrong. He rushed over and supported her swaying body.

Everyone stared in astonishment at the scene.

Lin Ruoyin was half-supported and half-carried by Xiao Tang, barely managing to stand. The terrifying black mist slowly dissipated, restoring her vision, but a severe headache and a nausea churning in her chest surged forth, and cold sweat instantly soaked her forehead and back.

She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, straining to focus, meeting the horrified or worried gazes that filled the room.

"It's nothing," she heard her own voice, weak but still trying to stay calm, "It's probably low blood sugar. Everyone, let's go home."

Then, without looking at anyone, she turned around, her steps somewhat unsteady, but she tried her best to maintain a normal posture, pushed open the conference room door, and walked out.

Xiao Tang hurriedly followed.

As soon as she stepped out of everyone's sight, Lin Ruoyin's strong will suddenly gave way, and she staggered, almost falling over, but was firmly supported by Xiao Tang who was following closely beside her.

"Mr. Lin! Mr. Lin, how are you? Let me take you to the hospital."

"No need." Lin Ruoyin leaned on Xiao Tang, using her support to move with difficulty towards her office. "I just need to rest for a bit."

Her voice was barely audible, her face was as white as paper, and her lips had lost all color.

Xiao Tang helped and carried her back to the office, then locked the door behind him. Lin Ruoyin could no longer hold on; she leaned against the cold door and slowly slid down, her forehead resting on her knees, letting out a painful gasp.

Xiao Tang squatted down beside her, at a loss for what to do: "President Lin, don't scare me... I'll go get the doctor, I'll go get President Lu..."

She closed her eyes, her thick, curled eyelashes trembling violently, and cold sweat trickled down her pale cheeks.

As Lu Yan was carrying a newly completed research report from the marketing department back to his office, he happened to run into Xiao Tang, who was rushing out of Lin Ruoyin's office.

Xiao Tang looked anxious and almost bumped into Lu Yan's arms.

"Mr. Lu..." She grabbed Lu Yan's arm, "Please go and check on Ms. Lin, she just fainted in the conference room!"

Lu Yan steadied Xiao Tang, who was almost unsteady on her feet, and his voice suddenly rose: "What happened? Where is she now?"

"In the office."

Lu Yan didn't ask any more questions. He strode towards Lin Ruoyin's office and pushed the door open abruptly.

The office was dimly lit, with the curtains half-drawn. Lin Ruoyin was curled up on the sofa in the reception area, covered with a thin cashmere shawl, her body rising and falling slightly, as if she was trying her best to suppress something.

Lu Yan's heart clenched instantly. He walked over and squatted down beside the sofa.

"Ruoyin?" he called her softly, his voice trembling without him even realizing it.

Lin Ruoyin frowned deeply and did not respond.

Lu Yan saw her pale profile, her eyelashes tightly closed, and her hair soaked with cold sweat, sticking to her temples.

"Ruoyin..." he called out again, this time in a softer voice, filled with panic and heartache.

Lin Ruoyin finally opened her eyes slowly. Her usually clear and calm eyes were now veiled with tears, appearing unfocused and unfocused. She glanced at Lu Yan, as if she wanted to say something, her lips moved, but only a painful gasp escaped her lips.

Lu Yan reached out and touched her forehead; it was burning hot to the touch.

"You have a fever!" Lu Yan's heart sank. He immediately got up, took out his phone, and was about to dial an ambulance.

"Don't call an ambulance." Lin Ruoyin knew Lu Yan's style of doing things all too well. She finally spoke, her voice hoarse and almost inaudible, "Don't make a scene that everyone knows about."

"You're already like this, why are you still worrying about these things!" Lu Yan almost shouted, but seeing her close her eyes in pain again, he forcibly suppressed his anxiety and changed his words, "I'll call my private doctor over, don't worry about so much, just rest."

This time, Lin Ruoyin did not object. She simply closed her eyes wearily, as if she had exhausted all the strength to argue.

While waiting for the doctor to arrive, Lu Yan squatted by the sofa, soaked a towel in warm water, and carefully applied it to Lin Ruoyin's burning forehead.

He looked at Lin Ruoyin's face. The Lin Ruoyin who used to always have a straight back, sharp eyes, and seemed capable of solving all problems was gone. In her place was this woman, weak and exhausted.

A sharp, piercing pain shot through my heart. The pain was so clear, yet so unfamiliar.

The doctor arrived quickly; he was the Lu family's longtime family doctor, surnamed Chen. He quickly performed a preliminary examination on Lin Ruoyin, taking her temperature, listening to her heart and lungs, and examining her tongue and fundus.

"Prolonged periods of high stress and overwork have severely weakened her immune system, leading to acute pneumonia," Dr. Chen said gravely as he prescribed medication to Lu Yan. "Fortunately, it didn't develop into more serious complications. But Mrs. Lu's body is severely depleted; she must immediately stop all work, rest absolutely, and cooperate with medication. Otherwise, developing chronic illnesses would be a minor issue; if this continues, her heart and nervous system could also suffer."

As Lu Yan listened, his face grew paler and paler, and his fingers unconsciously clenched.

“I will give her an antipyretic injection and antibiotics to bring her temperature down and control the infection. But she needs to be hospitalized for systematic treatment and observation.” Dr. Chen looked at Lu Yan.

Lu Yan didn't hesitate: "Arrange it immediately, a VIP ward, send it over now."

"Okay." Dr. Chen nodded and started making the call.

Under the influence of the drugs, Lin Ruoyin was drowsy and half-asleep. Lu Yan carefully wrapped her in a blanket and picked her up. The moment she lost her balance, she instinctively flinched, and Lu Yan immediately tightened his arms, holding her more securely in his embrace, and whispered in her ear, "Don't be afraid, don't think about anything, just leave it to me."

His voice was soft, carrying an unprecedented gentleness and firmness.

Lin Ruoyin, in a daze, unconsciously buried her burning cheeks in his chest.

Lu Yan carried her step by step out of the office and down the corridor. Under the astonished gazes of several employees, he remembered Lin Ruoyin's worries, so he stopped and looked at each of their faces one by one. He said seriously, "I don't want even the slightest bit of news to leak out."

The employees nodded repeatedly.

On the way to the hospital, Lin Ruoyin remained unconscious. Lu Yan let her lean against him, holding her with one arm and tightly gripping her hand with the other.

He looked down at her pale sleeping face, her brow still slightly furrowed even in her sleep, as if bearing an unbearable burden. Lu extended his fingers and gently stroked her brow, then his palm rested on her cheek.

At that moment, he clearly heard the voice of his own heart—

From now on, he will always stay by her side.

It's not out of possessiveness.

It's true.

...

Lin Ruoyin stayed in the hospital for a full week.

Acute pneumonia subsided quickly under strong medication, but the exhaustion and weakened immunity left by the severe overexertion required a longer period of rest to recover. Dr. Chen repeatedly emphasized the need for complete relaxation and avoidance of any mental stress or overexertion, otherwise recurrence was highly likely, and could even trigger more serious immune system problems.

For Lin Ruoyin, this week was an almost luxurious blank.

Most of the time, she was in a deep sleep due to the medication and her body's natural healing needs. When she occasionally woke up, the ward was always unusually quiet, with only the regular low beeping of the monitoring equipment and the occasional shadow of a bird flying past the window.

Lu Yan comes every day.

He always appeared in the afternoon after finishing his company business, sometimes with flowers, white tulips, blue daisies, and so on, and sometimes with a few art magazines.

Lin Ruoyin noticed some subtle changes in him.

He still looked dignified in his suit, but the restlessness and frivolity between his brows had faded, replaced by a more composed demeanor. His tone was also much gentler when he spoke to her.

"How are you feeling today?" he would ask every day, his voice extremely gentle.

"Much better," Lin Ruoyin always replied.

"That's good." Lu Yan nodded, reached out to adjust the height of her pillow, or handed her a cup of warm water.

Once, Lin Ruoyin was half asleep when she heard him talking on the phone in a low voice.

"...Yes, the third clause of the supplementary agreement with the OEM manufacturer must be made clearer regarding liability for breach of contract. We cannot leave any room for ambiguity..."

His voice carried a clear sense of decisiveness.

Lin Ruoyin did not open her eyes, but a feeling of relief and emotion, like seeing the clear sky after the clouds had parted, welled up in her heart.

The day I was discharged from the hospital, the weather was exceptionally sunny, and the warm sunshine filled me with energy.

Lu Yan personally drove to pick her up. He opened the passenger door for her, and after she was seated, he leaned over and carefully fastened her seatbelt.

"I want to go to the company." After being isolated from the world for a week, Lin Ruoyin was still uneasy and spoke up before Lu Yan started the car.

Lu Yan was silent for a few seconds. "Okay. But the doctor said you need to rest. I'll take you home in a little while."

As the car entered the Lu's Building, Lin Ruoyin took a deep breath. A week had passed; she wondered what kind of turmoil had taken place outside.

However, she was somewhat surprised when she stepped into the office.

Everything looks well organized.

Upon seeing her, Xiao Tang immediately jumped up from his seat: "President Lin! Are you feeling better?"

"It's alright now." Lin Ruoyin smiled at her.

Lin Ruoyin walked into her office and sat down. Returning to a familiar environment seemed to lift her spirits somewhat.

She looked at Xiao Tang and asked, "How's the supply chain alternative plan going? Have the negotiations with the spinel supplier yielded any results? What's the progress of the design department's drawing adjustments?"

Xiao Tang immediately opened his tablet and reported clearly: "President Lin, during your hospitalization, President Lu chaired three special meetings. President Lu personally negotiated with the spinel supplier twice, and finally controlled the cost increase to 12%, which is better than our previous estimate of 15%. The contract has been signed, and the first batch of raw materials will arrive next week."

"The design department has basically completed the adjustment of the drawings. After review by the process department, they believe that the new plan will only delay the construction period by about 10 days compared to the original plan, which is within a controllable range. Director Zhao Wen also reported that after further communication, most of the core clients have accepted the replacement plan and the corresponding compensation terms. Currently, only three clients are still hesitant, but their attitude has softened."

Lin Ruoyin listened quietly, each point clear and progressive, even exceeding expectations in its optimization. She subconsciously glanced at Lu Yan standing to the side.

He noticed her gaze and their eyes met. "You just got out of the hospital, don't overexert yourself. Xiao Tang has already reported everything that needed to be reported, I'll handle the rest of the trivial matters." He walked to her desk, picked up her bag and coat, and said, "Let's go, I'll take you home."

Lin Ruoyin paused: "I just sat down."

Lu Yan said without giving any reason, "It's been almost half an hour. Dr. Chen said you need to eat on time and get more rest."

Lin Ruoyin glanced at Xiao Tang, who nodded in agreement with President Lu's statement. Lin Ruoyin was somewhat amused and exasperated.

She stood up and let Lu Yan gently drape his coat over her shoulders.

For the next week, Lin Ruoyin followed the doctor's advice and spent most of her time resting at home, only going to the company for half a day each day to handle some core decisions that required her approval.

Lu Yan took on most of the work and did a good job.

During this period, Mohe's "Newborn Sapphire" was launched as scheduled, causing quite a stir in the mid-price market. Several secondary distributors who had cooperated with Lu's for many years tentatively inquired about the possibility of introducing some product lines with higher cost performance. Lu's stock price rebounded briefly after the press conference, but then slowly declined due to the overall market's pessimistic outlook on the traditional luxury goods industry.

One afternoon, Lin Ruoyin was reviewing the latest quarterly financial statements, her brow furrowing deeper and deeper. Although Lu Yan was trying his best to control costs and explore new financing channels, rising raw material costs, the loss of high-end orders, and increased channel fees... each item was eroding cash flow. The numbers on the statements were like ropes that were gradually tightening.

There was a gentle knock on the office door.

Financial Director Li Mingyi pushed open the door and walked in.

"President Lin..." Li Mingyi said cautiously, "I'm sorry to disturb your rest..."

Lin Ruoyin looked at him: "Come in, Director Li. Sit down and let's talk."

Li Mingyi sat down in front of Lin Ruoyin, his face heavy with worry and hesitation: "President Lin, given our current financial situation, we may not be able to survive until next quarter."

Lin Ruoyin's heart skipped a beat, and then she felt a strong sense of falling into the air.

“During your hospitalization, we have tried all the conventional channels.” Li Mingyi spoke quickly, with a sense of desperation. “The bank credit line has been exhausted, and given our current situation, the possibility of renewal or new credit is extremely low. Several large private equity and industrial funds that we had previously contacted have withdrawn from negotiations after the latest due diligence, citing structural challenges to our business model and excessively high short-term risks.”

Lin Ruoyin opened the documents Li Mingyi had brought; they were filled with dense data analysis and cash flow forecasting models. On the last few pages, a shocking figure indicating a funding gap was circled in red.

"Currently, we are mainly contacting some emerging investment institutions and individuals with relatively aggressive styles. Their decision-making processes are not as rigid as those of traditional institutions... Perhaps, there is still a glimmer of hope."

Lin Ruoyin hadn't expected that despite all her efforts to repair it, she still couldn't stop the rapid collapse. She sighed heavily and asked, "What exactly are they?"

Li Mingyi quickly flipped through the documents, which listed three investment companies.

"Gu Zhixing, the founder of this 'Zhixing Capital,' expressed interest in us in a private exchange at an industry summit about two years ago. Although we didn't delve into it at the time for various reasons, it shows that he was interested in our type of assets."

"Have we submitted preliminary information?" she asked.

“I submitted a simplified version. His team gave a very official reply, saying they would ‘take it into consideration,’ but nothing came of it.” Li Mingyi smiled wryly. “Investors at this level receive mountains of proposals every day. Without a sufficiently compelling case study and a unique value proposition, it’s difficult to get their real attention.”

She knew why Li Mingyi had come to her, not Lu Yan. There were some ideas about the true transformation of the Lu family business that only she could fully articulate and convincingly articulate.

Lin Ruoyin: "I will arrange for someone to refine the plan. You continue to stay in touch with the other party. I will let you know."

Li Mingyi nodded emphatically, as if he had regained his strength: "Understood."

A few days later, Lin Ruoyin met Gu Zhixing in a uniquely designed standalone building in the western suburbs of Shanghai.

The reception room features a minimalist industrial style, with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a meticulously manicured dry landscape garden. Gu Zhixing himself appears younger than in the photos, wearing a comfortable dark turtleneck sweater and thin-rimmed glasses, exuding a refined and cultured air.

Without exchanging pleasantries, Li Mingyi briefly introduced the current predicament of the Lu family and its core transformation plan. Gu Zhixing listened attentively, occasionally asking one or two pointed questions, but his attitude remained gentle throughout.

Lin Ruoyin listened quietly most of the time, until Li Mingyi finished his introduction, at which point Gu Zhixing turned his gaze to her, who had remained silent.

“A very ambitious plan,” Gu Zhixing said, his voice steady and devoid of emotion. “But all transformation stories ultimately have to answer two questions: First, why now? Second, why can you succeed?”

Lin Ruoyin met his gaze without flinching: "Because if we don't transform now, the Lu family may not have a future. As for why we were able to succeed..." She gently pushed the document beside her towards him.

“Because I can promise that once I receive the necessary financial support, I will immediately initiate all the actions on this list. This includes divesting non-core stores that cannot generate profits within three years, restructuring the design team to focus on new businesses, and… using a portion of my personal equity as a gesture of goodwill to share the risks with investors.” Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear. “Mr. Gu, you have invested in projects that have survived against all odds. I believe you understand that the determination of the operators to fight with their backs against the wall and their unwavering execution often conceal unexpected power.”

Gu Zhixing picked up the list and quickly scanned it. The terms listed were decisive, even radical, demonstrating a determination far exceeding that of the average entrepreneur.

He stared at it for a long time.

Finally, he put down the documents, leaned back in his chair, and placed his hands folded in front of him.

"President Lin, I sense your determination," he said slowly, his tone still calm, yet tinged with an inscrutable caution. "This proposal, and your personal commitment, certainly carry more weight than any materials we've received before. But..."

He paused, his gaze piercing through his glasses, seemingly weighing something more complex: "The Lu family faces not only challenges to its business model, but also comprehensive pressure from Mohe and a decline in public perception. This is a multi-dimensional war. Your determination and authority are necessary ammunition, but is the arsenal itself sufficient to sustain us until the strategic turning point? I need time... to more carefully assess the risk variables here."

He didn't say "no," but he also didn't give any positive signals. Behind that "it needs time to evaluate" was obvious hesitation and concern.

Lin Ruoyin's heart sank. She knew that for an investor like Gu Zhixing, hesitation often meant rejection. He saw value, but he also saw a massive vortex of risk that could devour that value. Betting in the eye of the storm requires not only foresight, but also almost insane courage.

The meeting ended in a superficially polite atmosphere. Gu Zhixing politely saw them to the door, said "Keep in touch," and then turned and returned to the quiet building.

On the way back, Li Mingyi tried to analyze the possibilities behind Gu Zhixing's words, but his tone became increasingly uncertain. Lin Ruoyin simply watched the street scene rushing past the window in silence.

The car stopped in the parking lot of the Lu Group. Lin Ruoyin told Li Mingyi to go upstairs first, while she looked up at the glass building that once symbolized glory but now seemed to be on the verge of collapse for a while.

The evening wind was a bit chilly, carrying a sense of desolation.

Before my eyes was the leaden gray sky reflected in the glass curtain wall, and in my ears were the occasional conversations drifting from the parking shed.

At first, Lin Ruoyin didn't pay attention, until the content of those words entered her ears, causing her to involuntarily stop in her tracks as she was about to leave.

"...Recently, it seems like President Lu has become a different person. He's no longer late or leaving early for meetings. I heard that he's cracked a tough nut in the supply chain, and the price negotiation went even better than expected." A younger male voice said, his tone tinged with excitement.

"Yes, judging from the way they were at the press conference, President Lu and President Lin were standing together, they seemed quite responsible," another voice chimed in.

After a brief silence, a slightly deep, husky male voice rang out, lowering its volume: "Don't be too optimistic."

Lin Ruoyin vaguely recognized the voice; it seemed to be a senior employee in the finance department, surnamed Zhao.

"Old Zhao, what you're saying... did you hear something?" the first young man asked immediately, his tone tense.

“Brother Zhao, don’t scare us like that. I still have 30 years left on my mortgage, my child was just born, and my wife just quit her job…” another voice said anxiously.

Old Zhao took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaling a long puff as the smoke curled away in the dim light. "Anyway, don't be too optimistic. There are some things... I can't say."

After a long silence, Old Zhao's voice rang out again, "Damn, you cried?"

After she finished speaking, a sob could be heard. "I can't be without a job. My whole family depends on my salary... What will I do if the Lu family really goes under..."

"Don't think about it anymore, there's always a way out."

"Oh dear. How did things get like this?"

...

Lin Ruoyin stood rooted to the spot. The chill seeped into her skin, seeping into her bones. The anxiety, fear, and helplessness in the employees' conversations felt like fine needles pricking her heart.

The following evening, in a private room at a private club on the Bund in Shanghai.

A small, industry-wide dinner.

Besides several well-known investors with substantial funds, those present included rising tech elites like Xu Jia, as well as one or two highly respected industry veterans with extensive networks. The conversation ranged from macroeconomics to cutting-edge technology, and from international affairs to domestic policy trends.

"...Therefore, traditional brick-and-mortar industries, especially high-end retail and luxury goods, are indeed facing enormous pressure to transform." An elderly man with gray hair and a refined demeanor took a sip of tea and remarked with emotion, "Consumer habits have changed, and young people are pursuing different things. Mohe's move this time was very insightful and its entry point was sharp; it has taught the industry a lesson." As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Xu Jia, who was sitting slightly to the side of the main seat, listening silently, with admiration.

Xu Jia nodded slightly, his expression calm: "You flatter me, Elder Zhang. We were just trying to offer another possibility."

“Mr. Xu is too modest,” another middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses and a shrewd demeanor chimed in. He was a partner at a top domestic investment bank. “We have been closely monitoring the market response to ‘New Sapphire,’ and its impact on the mid-price market has been immediate. More importantly, the closed loop you have built, from material research and development to digital narrative and channel integration, has tremendous potential. What the market lacks right now is this kind of new story that can break the old pattern.”

The conversation naturally turned to investment trends and project evaluations. After a few drinks, the atmosphere became more relaxed, and some more inside information began to circulate.

Gu Zhixing sat diagonally opposite Xu Jia. He didn't talk much tonight, mostly listening and occasionally chiming in with his opinions, which were always mild and cautious. When an investor mentioned several traditional brand projects he had recently looked at, Gu Zhixing seemed to suddenly remember something, put down his wine glass, and casually said, "Speaking of which, people from the Lu Group came to see me a couple of days ago."

The laughter and conversation in the private room quieted down slightly, and several pairs of eyes turned to Gu Zhixing. Everyone present was well aware of the recent turmoil plaguing the Lu family.

“Oh? The Lu family? They are now…” someone showed an interested expression.

Gu Zhixing smiled, a hint of helplessness in his smile: "Lin Ruoyin came in person to discuss this, bringing with her a rather radical transformation plan, as well as a pledge of her personal shares. She's very determined."

"It seems we've truly reached a dead end." The investment banking partner who spoke earlier shook his head. "They've staked everything on this; it's a do-or-die situation. However, the Lu Group's business has too many holes; determination alone probably isn't enough. Mr. Gu, what do you think?"

Gu Zhixing said slowly, "The risk is indeed very high. I haven't given a final answer yet."

The private room was dimly lit, and several investors stood in twos and threes by the window, talking quietly. Gu Zhixing was saying goodbye to the elderly man with gray hair. The two shook hands, both wearing polite smiles.

Xu Jia took the coat from the waiter but did not leave immediately. His gaze lingered briefly on the crowd before he strode through the scattered people and headed straight for Gu Zhixing, who had just finished exchanging pleasantries with the old man and was turning to leave.

"President Gu." Xu Jia's voice, though not abrupt amidst the slightly noisy background, clearly reached Gu Zhixing's ears.

Gu Zhixing paused, turned around, saw Xu Jia, and gave a polite smile: "President Xu, you haven't left yet?"

"There's something I'd like to ask Mr. Gu privately."

"Mr. Xu, you're too kind. Please go ahead."

"Regarding the Lu family's investment, I'd like to know, what decision will you ultimately make?"

Gu Zhixing was aware of the competitive relationship between Mohe and the Lu family, so it was not difficult for him to understand why Xu Jia had sought him out alone to understand the situation.

He smiled and frankly told Xu Jia, "I will probably refuse them."

Xu Jia paused for a moment, then said to Gu Zhixing, "I understand. I have a favor to ask, Mr. Gu."

Gu Zhixing: "Please speak."

Xu Jia: "Mr. Gu, could you please reply to the Lu family? Are you willing to cooperate with them?"

...

The news reached Lin Ruoyin the afternoon of the following day.

Li Mingyi practically burst into her office, his face brimming with barely suppressed excitement, his voice trembling slightly: "President Lin! There's news from Gu Zhixing!"

Lin Ruoyin was reviewing a design drawing when she heard the sound. She looked up and saw Li Mingyi's expression. Her heart skipped a beat: "What do you mean?"

“His assistant just contacted me, saying that President Gu was deeply impressed by the last meeting. After a preliminary internal assessment, he believes that although Lu's transformation plan is extremely risky, the determination and execution shown by the core team constitute a special opportunity for a potential distressed asset. They are willing to formally initiate due diligence negotiations!” Li Mingyi spoke quickly, his eyes shining. “President Gu has asked you to discuss this in detail at 3 pm tomorrow, saying that he wants to hear more about your plans for the specific implementation path.”

A strong, almost dizzying hope suddenly rose from the bottom of her heart, dispelling the heaviness and anxiety of the past few days.

"That's great." Lin Ruoyin heard her own voice tremble slightly with disbelief. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. "Director Li, immediately review all the detailed plans we've prepared, including the financial model, execution timeline, and risk response plan, to ensure everything is foolproof. Tomorrow's meeting is crucial."

"I'll go prepare right away." Li Mingyi nodded emphatically, turned around and left quickly, his steps much lighter.

After the door closed, Lin Ruoyin sat alone in the office, her heart pounding rapidly.

She immediately summoned Xiao Tang and convened an emergency meeting with the heads of the design and marketing departments to further finalize the details of several key aspects of the transformation plan. Throughout the afternoon, Lin Ruoyin was enveloped in a long-lost atmosphere of tension and excitement.

That night, she meticulously considered every question that might be raised in tomorrow's meeting, every angle of her response, and the accuracy of every piece of data. She forced herself to go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's meeting.

The next day, she carefully selected a pearl white suit. Looking at herself in the mirror, her eyes were bright and full of hope.

At 2:40 p.m., Lin Ruoyin arrived at the clubhouse in the western suburbs on time. The waiter, who had obviously been informed in advance, respectfully led her to a secluded courtyard at the very back.

In the courtyard, there was a small pond where several koi carp swam leisurely, and a few stalks of green bamboo rustled softly in the autumn breeze. The door to the private room was a traditional wooden lattice door, slightly ajar.

Lin Ruoyin stopped at the door, took another deep breath to calm her slightly racing heart, and then raised her hand to gently push open the wooden door.

The private room was dimly lit. A person sat by the tea tray by the window, with their back to the door, gazing at the courtyard scenery outside.

This was not the refined and cultured Gu Zhixing I had imagined.

The man was wearing a well-tailored black suit, with broad shoulders and a tall, upright figure... familiar.

Hearing the door open, he slowly turned around.

The sunlight streaming through the window outlined his sharply defined profile, his high, straight nose, his tightly pursed thin lips, and his deep, icy eyes that looked up at her.

Xu Jia.

The faint glow on Lin Ruoyin's face vanished completely the moment she saw his face clearly.

Xu Jia quietly watched the rapidly changing expressions on her face, from anticipation and nervousness to astonishment and disbelief.

He picked up the white porcelain teacup in front of him, took a sip, and did so with composure.

He put down his teacup, his calm voice ringing out cruelly in the quiet space, "Director Lin, please sit down."