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As dawn broke, Xu Jiacai seemed to be awakened by the morning light, and slowly moved his stiff fingers.
He spent the whole night in an old studio in the suburbs, but didn't get a wink of sleep.
Whenever he closes his eyes, he recalls how he had contemptuously insulted Lin Ruoyin for marrying into the Lu family for money, how he had coldly watched her struggle for the Lu family and even secretly obstructed her, how he had pressured her with the harshest conditions in business negotiations, and how... in the private room of the club, he had hurt her in the most despicable way.
My stomach suddenly spasmed, and the familiar feeling of nausea surged up again.
For the next few days, he remained in this state, silently spending his days in the old studio.
He started having insomnia.
I stayed awake all night, staring at the blurry outline of the canvas in the darkness, until dawn broke.
My appetite also decreased rapidly.
Every day or two, Zhou Hui would come and find that Xu Jia was rapidly losing weight, his jawline was becoming increasingly sharp, his eye sockets were sunken, and his already cold and austere features were given a sickly paleness and fragility.
“President Xu,” Zhou Hui looked at Xu Jia’s face, paused for a moment, and then spoke: “As you instructed, the debt restructuring negotiations between Lu’s Group and its major creditors resumed this morning and are progressing better than expected. Lu Yan seems to believe that another foreign institution he had previously contacted played a role.”
Xu Jia nodded mechanically.
"Our studio, 'Yinsheng,' was initially blocked from participating in next year's Paris International Jewelry Fair due to its short establishment period and qualification issues. However, we received a confirmation letter from several senior members of the French Arts and Crafts Association, who recommended and vouched for us. We have secured a spot. The association will keep the source of the recommendation confidential."
“Understood.” His voice was hoarse and low. “Keep an eye on the Lu family. If there are any new funding gaps or technical problems, resolve them in a similar manner. The same goes for ‘Yinsheng.’ Make sure she… make sure the studio develops smoothly, but don’t leave any trace.”
"Yes." Zhou Hui paused, seeing Xu Jia's condition, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. "Mr. Xu, you really need to eat something. I'll have the nutritionist..."
"No need." Xu Jia interrupted him, her tone flat but her refusal leaving no room for argument. "Go back. Take care of the company's affairs."
Zhou Hui hesitated, then sighed inwardly, put away the documents, and quietly left, closing the door gently behind him.
at the same time.
Lin Ruoyin set down her stemmed glass, the bottom of which lightly touched the white linen tablecloth. Soft jazz music filled the restaurant, and candlelight danced on the silver cutlery, reflecting in Lu Yan's eyes.
He had just finished recounting the details of the successful signing of the Lu Group's debt restructuring agreement, his tone steady, but the relaxed lines between his brows and the slightly loosened shoulder line still betrayed a hint of relief. "...It's temporarily stabilized. The board's attitude has also softened considerably." He looked at Lin Ruoyin, his gaze carrying a sincerity born of having weathered a storm, "You've worked hard during this time. Without your support, the situation would probably be even more difficult."
Lin Ruoyin was somewhat moved by Lu Yan's growth. She shook her head and sincerely encouraged Lu Yan: "You withstood the pressure yourself. The results prove that you can do it."
Upon receiving Lin Ruoyin's affirmation, Lu Yan's lips immediately curved into a smile.
At this moment, a waiter came forward to refill Lin Ruoyin's water. She waited for the waiter to leave before continuing, "I also have some good news to share with you. This afternoon, Yinsheng received an invitation to the Paris International Jewelry Exhibition."
Lu Yan stopped cutting his steak, looked up, and his eyes shone with genuine joy for her: "That's wonderful."
Lin Ruoyin smiled, but the smile didn't fully reach her eyes; instead, a faint doubt surfaced. "However, 'Yinsheng' has been established for too short a time. Logically speaking, its qualifications are far from sufficient. I've looked into the past vetting process, and it's almost impossible to obtain this kind of direct entry qualification."
Lu Yan pondered for a moment before speaking: "Sometimes opportunities are like that; not every step can be explained by common sense. Perhaps your design concept, or the 'sound-based' positioning, just happened to impress a key reviewer."
Lu Yan's words made some sense, but Lin Ruoyin still had doubts in her mind.
Seeing this, Lu Yan raised his glass and laughed, "Don't think too much. Enjoy life while you can."
Lin Ruoyin was amused by Lu Yan's recitation of poetry, and no matter what she was thinking, at least a smile appeared on her face at that moment.
She raised her glass, but paused slightly when she saw Lu Yan's gaze on her face. In the candlelight, her eyes shone with undisguised affection.
Lin Ruoyin held the glass steadily in the air, her smile unchanged, and gently added, "To our comradeship."
Lu Yan's hand, holding the glass, froze in mid-air for a moment. He looked at her; her eyes were clear and open, filled with gratitude, trust, and the tacit understanding of overcoming difficulties together, but lacking the same flutter of emotion he felt for her.
A faint sense of loss, like an undercurrent, silently slipped by, but was quickly embraced by a broader tranquility. He had long anticipated this, and was learning to accept it. Some things cannot be forced, nor can they be rushed.
He smiled, a smile that showed understanding and relief. "Alright, to my comrade."
After dinner, on the way back, Lin Ruoyin looked out the car window, a vague guess forming in her mind.
That person?
But she quickly suppressed it.
He might be planning his next attack. How could he possibly help him instead?
Lin Ruoyin had been trying her best not to think about the scene from that day, but at this moment she couldn't help but recall Xu Jia's departing figure at the club.
Did his conscience finally awaken?
Just as she was lost in thought, the screen of her phone lit up, displaying a financial news notification:
[Mocore Technology's major product launch event is scheduled! Founder Xu Jia may announce a disruptive new technology, potentially stirring up the intersection of artificial intelligence and materials science?]
Lin Ruoyin's heart sank suddenly.
My fingers moved faster than I could think, and I tapped the notification.
The news article was brief, but the keywords were striking: Ink Core, Xu Jia, technology launch event, disruptive, new materials...
Just when things seemed to be going too smoothly for some reason, dark clouds gathered again.
What new weapon is he about to unveil?
Lin Ruoyin's heartstrings, which had just relaxed slightly due to her career's slight improvement, quietly tightened again.
The press conference is scheduled for three days from now in the panoramic banquet hall on the 47th floor of the Mohe Building.
The news spread like wildfire, quickly dominating headlines across major technology and finance sectors. Speculation ran rampant, with everyone discussing which technologies Xu Jia would integrate this time and in what form he would once again disrupt the industry.
At the eye of the storm, the interior of the ink core remained strangely calm, or rather, tensely silent.
Zhou Hui stood outside Xu Jia's office, clutching a newly drafted press conference agenda and final speech in his hand. The edges of the paper were slightly wrinkled from his grip, and his knuckles turned bluish-white from the force.
Zhou Hui took a deep breath before raising his hand to knock on the door.
There was a longer silence than usual inside before a low, almost inaudible "Go in" could be heard.
Pushing open the door, I entered the office. Only a floor lamp was on, casting a dim, yellowish light. Xu Jia sat on a single sofa by the window, not on his computer, not looking at any documents. He simply sat there, his back still straight, yet exuding an indescribable sense of desolation.
Zhou Hui gently placed the document on the coffee table in front of him.
"Mr. Xu, this is the final process and speech." His voice was a few decibels lower than usual, with a hint of tension that was barely perceptible. "...All the steps have been prepared according to your requirements."
He paused, his gaze falling on Xu Jia's expressionless profile, and swallowed back the words he had originally intended to use to report on the media's reaction. The fervent anticipation at this moment seemed all the more ironic and cruel compared to the impending destruction.
"Okay," Xu Jia replied with only one word.
"Mr. Xu." The words, which had been churning in his throat countless times, finally burst out, filled with anxiety and a last glimmer of hope: "Are you really going to do this?"
Xu Jia finally slowly raised his eyes.
The light slanted down from above, casting deep shadows on his sunken eye sockets and tightly pressed lips. Those eyes, once sharp as an eagle's, gleaming with burning ideals or cold decisiveness, were now nothing but a bottomless, empty calm.
"right."
All of Zhou Hui's words of persuasion were shut down. He looked at Xu Jia and suddenly realized that the man in front of him no longer cared about the so-called empire, his hard work, or his reputation.
"I see."
Zhou Hui understood that saying anything more would be futile.
"You can leave now," Xu Jia's voice came from the window. "Don't let anyone bother me before the press conference."
"Yes." Zhou Hui could only utter this one word in the end before turning around and quietly leaving the office.
Meanwhile, the "Yinsheng" studio.
On the computer screen were preparation materials and preliminary design sketches for the Paris International Jewelry Fair, but Lin Ruoyin couldn't concentrate at all. Her mind was constantly filled with news and analysis articles about the Inkcore press conference.
The Lu family's crisis has just eased, and "Yinsheng" is back on track. What is Xu Jia's goal in holding a press conference at this time?
My phone vibrated; it was a message from Lu Yan: "Saw the news? Don't worry too much. We'll deal with whatever comes our way."
Lin Ruoyin stared at the line of text, her fingertips lingering on the cold screen for a moment, but ultimately did not reply.
Time, in a strange calm and undercurrent of anxiety, slid second by second toward that predetermined moment.
On the day of the press conference, media outlets with their cameras and microphones gathered early at the foot of the Mohe Building, flashing lights constantly. Invited guests, investors, and industry leaders filed in, their hushed conversations filled with anticipation and speculation.
In the backstage dressing room, Xu Jia had already changed into a black suit. The makeup artist tried to use foundation to cover his overly pale face and the fatigue in his eyes, but with little success.
Zhou Hui checked the procedures one last time, his tone grave: "President Xu, there are ten minutes left. After the opening video plays, please come up from the left. All the equipment is ready."
"Um."
“President Xu…” Zhou Hui looked at his overly calm profile, and his ominous premonition grew stronger.
Xu Jia shook his head slightly, indicating that there was no need to say anything more.
Zhou Hui pursed her lips, gave him one last look, and turned to walk toward the control panel.
The enormous banquet hall was packed. The lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight focused on the center of the stage. The opening video was incredibly impactful, rapidly editing together Mocore's milestones since its founding, stunning digital art visuals, and bold visions of the fusion of future technology and art. The rousing music brought the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
The video ended, the lights dimmed for a moment, and then a spotlight shone on the left entrance of the stage.
Xu Jia came out.
His steps were steady, yet carried an air of detachment and heaviness that seemed out of place with the enthusiastic atmosphere. He walked to the center of the stage, stood behind the standing microphone, and his gaze swept across the sea of people below. The camera zoomed in, and his face was clearly reflected on the large screen. Beneath his carefully groomed appearance, however, lay an unconcealed weariness and an almost martyr-like resolve.
The noisy scene fell silent. Everyone waited, waiting for this young emperor, hailed as an "industry disruptor," to throw out the next earth-shattering move.
Xu Jia slightly adjusted the microphone and spoke.
Thank you all for coming.
He paused for a moment, and the audience was silent except for the soft click of camera shutters.
"What we are going to announce at today's press conference is neither a new technology nor a new business strategy."
A subtle commotion and whispering began to break out in the audience.
Xu Jia seemed oblivious.
Zhou Hui's palms were completely sweaty as he stood to the side of the stage.
Xu Jia continued calmly, “Over the past five years, under my leadership, Mohe Technology has used every commercial means to systematically and specifically target the Lu Group and its affiliated companies. From supply chains and channels to public opinion and core technologies, we have spared no effort.”
Each word was like a block of ice, crashing into the hall and instantly freezing all sound. Everyone was stunned, staring incredulously at the man on stage calmly delivering his "statement of guilt."
What is he doing?
Wait!
This is being broadcast live!
The audience was no longer just in uproar; they were engulfed in shock and chaos. The live stream chat exploded, and related topics on social media surged exponentially. Hashtags like #XuJiaGoesCrazy# and #MoheSelfExposes# quickly climbed to the top of trending searches.
“In the process, I hurt many innocent people, destroyed many potentially healthy business ecosystems, and brought shame to Mohe, a company whose values are ‘innovation’ and ‘doing good’.” Xu Jia took a slow breath, which was probably the first subtle movement showing emotional fluctuation since he took the stage. “The most unforgivable thing is that I caused continuous and profound harm to Ms. Lin Ruoyin. Whether it was public humiliation, relentless commercial pressure, or even… more excessive words and deeds.”
When he uttered the name "Lin Ruoyin," his voice trembled almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his restrained composure.
"Today, as the founder and CEO of Mocore Technology, I would like to formally extend my sincerest apologies to the Lu Group, Mr. Lu Yan, all partners and employees affected by this, and... Ms. Lin Ruoyin."
He bowed slightly. This man, who always stood tall and chin slightly raised in front of countless flashes and cameras, lowered his head for the first time in public.
After a few seconds of pause, he straightened up and looked ahead again.
"To express our apology and to thoroughly correct this mistake, I hereby announce: First, Mocore Technology will unconditionally terminate all competitive actions against the Lu family and its affiliated companies, and is willing to actively cooperate with the Lu family in the necessary restoration and reconstruction work within the legal and commercial framework. The specific compensation and settlement plan will be handled by Mr. Zhou Hui, the newly appointed CEO of Mocore, who will be fully responsible for liaising with the Lu family."
A new CEO?! The audience erupted in chaos again! The cameras frantically panned to the side of the stage, trying to capture Zhou Hui's reaction.
"Secondly, effective immediately, I will resign from all positions at Mocore Technology and permanently withdraw from the company's daily operations and management. My shares will be entrusted to a trust institution for management, and my voting rights will be fully transferred to the new management team and the board of directors."
Xu Jia didn't care about anyone's reaction in the audience, nor did he pay attention to the almost roof-lifting discussions and exclamations.
Before anyone could process Xu Jia's words and was in complete disarray, the press conference moved on to the next stage.
Several professional logistics personnel appeared and carefully carried the huge long box onto the stage. The heavy protective material was peeled away layer by layer, revealing a corner of the picture frame wrapped inside.
The five paintings in the "Black Muse" series were taken out one by one, their somber and intense colors arranged on a specially made easel like five hideous scars, facing countless eyes below the stage.
A breathless silence fell over the scene.
Xu Jia's gaze swept over the paintings one by one, as if he were staring into the eyes of the distorted lines and heavy darkness on the canvas.
"The Black Muse series was never art from the very beginning. It is a product of prejudice, misunderstanding, and hatred... it is evidence of guilt."
The breathless silence continued, because everyone felt that the person on stage was only a hair's breadth away from being insane.
"I hereby declare that I have reclaimed all ownership and disposal rights over these five paintings from the 'Black Muse' series. They should no longer circulate in the market, should no longer be displayed in any space, and should no longer be discussed by anyone in the name of art."
He turned to look at the incinerator, which was already prepared. A pale blue flame burned silently within the furnace, waiting to be consumed.
"Now, I will publicly destroy them here, in your presence."
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene erupted in chaos.
"He's gone mad!" someone in the audience exclaimed in shock.
"A publicity stunt! This is absolutely insane publicity!"
"Black Muse" has set records in the international auction market, and people in the art and investment circles felt their hearts stop and rose up in anger.
Xu Jia, as always, ignored it.
He stood before "Black Muse I." That work, depicting a distorted figure struggling in the darkness, had been interpreted by many critics as a profound satire of the alienation of the soul in the age of consumerism, imbued with various lofty meanings. But now, standing before it, Xu Jia saw only a pair of deliberately blurred, yet undeniably familiar eyes deep within the canvas. Those were the essence of Lin Ruoyin, painted stroke by stroke with his hatred. The twisted lines were the spasms of his heart, gnawed by jealousy and overwhelmed by despair; the profound darkness was not a philosophical metaphor, but the world losing its light after he believed himself betrayed.
Without hesitation, Xu Jia lifted the picture frame with both hands, walked to the incinerator, and thrust his arm forward.
Black Muse I slips into the furnace.
"boom--"
Flames shot up, instantly engulfing the canvas. Thick black smoke was quickly drawn away by the purification device, but the image of the canvas curling, charring, and disintegrating in the high temperature was imprinted with unparalleled clarity in everyone's eyes. A faint crackling sound emanated from the flames, like something groaning in pain, or the crisp sound of shackles breaking.
One after another.
The audience was in complete chaos. Reporters were frantically explaining incoherently to the camera, while most people were simply speechless, their mouths agape, stunned by the surreal scene of destruction.
As the last wisp of flame licked the outline of the figure in the painting, turning it to ashes, and only dark red embers and drifting black ash remained in the furnace, an eerie silence fell over the scene.
The incinerator was slowly pushed off the stage.
Xu Jia stood still, slowly turned to the camera, and bowed slightly again.
Then, he straightened up, said nothing more, turned and walked off the stage. His figure was swallowed by darkness at the empty stage entrance and disappeared completely.
The spotlight went out.
The stage was empty, with only the lingering, slightly burnt smell in the air, reminding people that what had just happened was not an illusion.
Lin Ruoyin didn't miss a single second of the entire live stream.
She stood frozen in front of the chair in the studio.
Slow and confused.
Why did he do that?
Is this how they atone for their actions at the club that day?
Or will they use this extreme method to drag her back into the center of public opinion?
She couldn't understand it.
The heatwave from the flames seemed to penetrate the screen and rush towards you.
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