"What exactly do you want?"

Can't you just be more straightforward?

Jing Min spoke slowly and deliberately on the other end of the phone.

Wasn't I blunt enough that day?

Chu Wuyang retorted without even thinking.

"Change to something else"

She ultimately wanted to try and negotiate; it would be best if there was room for discussion.

Jing Min chuckled.

"You think you still have the right to negotiate with me?"

Chu Wuyang looked like she had given up entirely.

"Then I'll take my life. I'm already dead anyway, so why should I care who gets dragged down by whom?"

Do whatever you want, a scholar can be killed but not humiliated!

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then the tone became colder.

“I’m not interested in necrophilia,”

"I'm not that perverted,"

Chu Wuyang's lips twitched as she listened, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly.

If you're not a pervert, who is?

He was wasting his time and money just to sleep with her!

Whether it's investing in projects or leveraging personal connections, every step involves spending real money.

The manpower and resources were mobilized, and the scale of the operation was even larger than that of a merger or acquisition.

Do they really think they're so great just because they have a few stinking coins?

If anyone knew about Jingmin's extravagant spending and yet made such an absurd request...

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was acting out a scene from a novel, a dramatic tale of a domineering CEO forcefully pursuing and loving his wife.

Only she knew that this despicable man was humiliating and retaliating against her, even though she knew that she despised such behavior the most!

However, she was long past her naive years; having spent many years in the business world, she had learned to be shrewd and make trade-offs.

As long as they aren't pushed to the brink of death, there's still room for negotiation; and as long as there's a glimmer of hope, she naturally doesn't want to let it go.

It seems that Jing Min doesn't want her dead for the time being.

As the saying goes, as long as she's alive, there's hope. Even if her life isn't taken, she can still maintain some control.

"In short, you either get something else, or you take my life."

She spoke with great confidence, anticipating that Jingmin would definitely back down.

As expected, Jing Min's attitude softened considerably, unlike a few days ago when he seemed ready to kill her. He sounded like he was easy to talk to.

"Then tell me, what can you offer me in exchange for your body?"

Chu Wuyang blinked, gritted her teeth, and said in a forced, strained tone,

"I can break up with my boyfriend."

Didn't he make this request that day?

It should be feasible, right?

The so-called boyfriend was just a fictitious character she made up to provoke him, and it also stemmed from a childish competitive spirit—just to prove herself in front of her ex.

She had been worried that one day Jingmin might actually develop a man's competitive spirit and insist on meeting her "inferior" new boyfriend.

She really won't be able to refuse then.

Now it's convenient to resolve this "blunder".

A soft chuckle suddenly came from the other end of the phone; it was hard to tell whether it was genuine pleasure or a sarcastic jab at her naivety.

She treated him like a fool, mocking him for valuing herself so much and using a meaningless excuse to fob him off.

Chu Wuyang felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, and his palms clenched involuntarily.

She couldn't explain it herself; was she afraid of what Jingmin might say next to humiliate her for being delusional, or was she afraid he would see through her?

The very next second that she tensed up,

The crisp sound of clinking glasses came from the other end of the phone, like background noise from a banquet.

Someone approached him and whispered their congratulations.

Congratulations, Mr. Jing!

"Congratulations……"

Chu Wuyang felt contempt; some were happy, some were sad.

While Jing Min was celebrating their takeover of the Haicheng market, she was still struggling to survive.

It was rare for Jingmin to speak.

"Congratulations are definitely warranted."

His cold laughter made it impossible to discern his true emotions. Chu Wuyang imagined his expression—extremely handsome, yet as cold as frost.

If she guessed correctly, he was probably in the crowd right now, holding a wine glass, exuding an aloof and unapproachable air as he dealt with toasts and small talk.

Then suddenly, a slight smile appeared on his lips, but his eyes remained completely expressionless.

It was as if the corners of his mouth moved beneath a mask, a forced, insincere smile.

Chu Wuyang figured the other person must have been scared away, otherwise why would it suddenly be so quiet on the other end of the phone?

"Can,"