Chapter 47 Jealousy

The aftermath of Taifeng Resources' fatal blow was like a depth charge, causing huge waves within Genesis Building and Hongyuan Group.

Wang Dehai's face, transformed from arrogant and caustic to utterly sullen, became one of the most impactful images in Yu Ling's career. Following the deathly silence in the conference room, the Hongyuan Group representatives hurriedly left the room, and Lin Wei and the Genesis executives were stunned and overjoyed. The investigative report she had led, with its complete chain of evidence, not only completely shattered Wang Dehai's attempts at obstruction but also became Genesis's unparalleled bargaining chip at the negotiating table.

The subsequent handling was astonishingly swift. Wang Dehai was urgently recalled to Hongyuan Group headquarters and reportedly held strictly accountable. Hongyuan not only withdrew all unreasonable demands, but also gave the green light to Chuangshi's new proposal, even offering to increase the project budget as a gesture of sincerity. Meanwhile, Taifeng Resources Southeast Asia faced overwhelming international condemnation, strict investigations and heavy penalties by local governments, and the fury of shareholders. Wang Jun's career was essentially over.

Yu Ling's name became legendary overnight within Genesis. From a discarded pawn nearly replaced to a hero who turned the tide and sealed the victory with a single strike, this dramatic turnaround earned her unprecedented praise, awe, and... attention.

Lin Wei personally applied for a generous project bonus and exceptional promotion nomination on her behalf. In high-level meetings, her name was repeatedly mentioned with undisguised admiration. Colleagues who once doubted her abilities now only had admiration mixed with a subtle sense of distance. And Zhou Qian, the woman who nearly doomed her, had completely vanished from the scene, reportedly transferred to a marginal department.

Walking down the company corridors, Yu Ling could clearly feel the gazes cast upon her—inquiring, envious, even cautiously flattering. People at her workstation began offering snacks and asking questions. She was no longer the newcomer who needed to be cautious, but a core member with real say and influence.

All this glory and change left Yu Ling feeling a sense of surreal distance. She relished the sense of accomplishment and respect earned through her wisdom and courage (and... someone's precise "hints"). The shadow of Zhao Chen's secret seemed to be temporarily dispelled by the high profile of her career. She even began to work overtime, basking in the fulfillment of the project's smooth progress, trying to fill the anxiety she had been deliberately ignoring with busyness.

Friday evening, downstairs of Genesis Building.

The setting sun shone like a golden hue, coating the glass curtain wall with a warm hue. The evening rush hour traffic had already begun to roar. As Yu Ling stepped out of the revolving door, a clear voice called out to her.

"Sister Ling! Wait!"

Yu Ling turned around and saw Chen Mo, the new intern assigned to their project team, jogging after her. Chen Mo, a returned overseas graduate, was handsome, capable, and outgoing. He had quickly won everyone's favor with his excellent communication and coordination skills. His face was filled with the youthful vigor and a hint of shyness.

"Sister Ling, regarding the agenda details for the project kick-off meeting with Hongyuan next week, I have sorted out a few optimization points and would like to meet with you again. Is your time convenient?" Chen Mo handed over a tablet computer. The screen showed a dense but well-organized meeting schedule. "It's mainly about the parallel process of technical docking. I think we can compress the time and improve efficiency." His eyes were focused, full of enthusiasm for work and an attitude of striving for excellence.

Yu Ling was very impressed with this smart and hardworking intern. She took the tablet and stood in the bright light at the building entrance, reading it carefully. Chen Mo's ideas were indeed very constructive, and several of the adjustments hit the mark.

"Well, this parallel setting idea is good," Yu Ling pointed at the screen with an approving smile on her face, "especially moving the data verification forward to the testing phase and performing it simultaneously, which can save at least half a day! Chen Mo, your sense of efficiency is great!" She raised her head and looked at Chen Mo, her eyes full of pure appreciation for her subordinate's ability.

Chen Mo felt a little embarrassed by her straightforward compliment. He scratched his head and smiled brightly, "Sister Ling, you're too kind! It's mainly because the framework you laid out earlier was so clear, and I was able to optimize it much more smoothly. And this part..." He leaned in slightly closer, his finger sliding across the screen, detailing another adjustment point. They weren't too close, but in this bustling doorway, their focused discussion, their figures elongated in the setting sun, seemed somewhat... close.

Yu Ling was listening attentively to Chen Mo's analysis, nodding from time to time, with a happy smile on her lips as the work progressed smoothly.

At this moment, a low and gentle voice, yet with a barely perceptible chill, suddenly interrupted the two of them like a ghost:

"Lingling?"

Yu Ling and Chen Mo were startled at the same time and looked up.

Zhao Chen had unknowingly stood beside them, so close that one could almost feel the cool night breeze from him. He was still dressed in his washed-out jeans and simple white T-shirt, looking as fresh as a fresh-out-of-college student. A gentle, harmless smile graced his face. His gaze first fell on Chen Mo, with just the right amount of politeness and a hint of stranger distance, then turned to Yu Ling, his gaze instantly shifting to a gentle, inquiring smile.

"What are you talking about? You look so engrossed?" He asked casually in a natural tone, but his arm naturally and with unquestionable possessiveness gently wrapped around Yu Ling's waist and brought her to him. His movements were as smooth as breathing, instantly breaking the subtle "work partner" distance between Yu Ling and Chen Mo.

Yu Ling's cheeks flushed slightly at his sudden approach and assertion of sovereignty. Subconsciously, she took a half-step closer to him before awkwardly introducing him: "Oh, this is Chen Mo, an intern from the project team. We're discussing the agenda for next week's kick-off meeting." She turned to the dazed Chen Mo and said, "Chen Mo, this is my husband, Zhao Chen."

"Hello, Mr. Zhao!" Chen Mo reacted immediately, put on a polite smile on his face, and extended his hand, "I've heard a lot about you! Sister Ling has praised you for your thoughtfulness a lot in the company!" His words were full of the cleverness and flattery unique to young people.

"Hello, Chen Mo." Zhao Chen stretched out his hand and shook hands with him gently. There was a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were like the most sophisticated scanner. He stayed on Chen Mo's sunny and handsome face and slightly restrained movements for a moment, then let go, and said casually, "Lingling works hard. I'm sorry to trouble you. You continue chatting, I'll wait for her over there." As he spoke, his hand around Yu Ling's waist did not mean to let go. He just turned slightly to the side, making a gesture of not disturbing them, but his eyes still fell on the two of them, with a silent, strong presence of gaze.

Chen Mo felt a little uncomfortable under his gentle yet oppressive gaze, especially with Zhao Chen's hand on Yu Ling's waist, asserting his sovereignty like an invisible barrier. Even if he was a fool, he could sense the subtle "territorial awareness" in the air. He quickly shoved the tablet back into Yu Ling's hands and spoke faster, "Sister Ling, I've emailed you the details of the changes! Just take a look! I won't bother you and Mr. Zhao anymore! Have a nice weekend!" With that, he said goodbye hastily, almost fleeing, and merged into the crowd of people leaving work.

Yu Ling looked at Chen Mo's hurried back, and then looked at Zhao Chen who was smiling gently as if nothing had happened, and she didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "What are you doing? You scared the kids!" She nudged him lightly with her elbow, with a hint of anger in her tone.

"Little girl?" Zhao Chen raised an eyebrow and looked down at her, his amber eyes filled with innocence and a hint of subtle grievance. "I think he's quite tall and handsome, and capable at work. He was discussing it with you so enthusiastically, I thought your project team had hired some capable person." His tone was sour, and his arm around her waist tightened slightly, leading her towards the parking lot. "Lingling is now a great contributor to the company. Even the new interns admire you so much. As a 'househusband', I'm under so much pressure."