Fan Shengmei watched Meng Yanchen's departing figure, her heart churning like a stormy sea. The business card in her hand felt incredibly heavy. She knew it might be the key to changing her fate, yet she was also afraid it would open a door to unknown dangers. Just as she was about to leave, feeling lost and disoriented, a voice sounded behind her: "Miss Fan, please wait." She turned around and saw Meng Yanchen standing not far away, looking at her with deep eyes.
The hotel corridor was eerily quiet. Soft lighting spilled onto the thick carpet, as if draping the space in a dreamlike veil. Fan Shengmei could hear her own rapid heartbeat, which sounded exceptionally clear in the tranquil environment. Meng Yanchen approached step by step, his footsteps soft yet carrying an invisible sense of pressure.
“Miss Fan, we can have a talk.” Meng Yanchen’s deep and magnetic voice echoed in the quiet corridor.
Fan Shengmei nodded slightly, trying to calm herself down, but her hands still unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.
Meng Yanchen stared directly at Fan Shengmei, his eyes sharp and insightful: "Miss Fan, in my opinion, your disguise is not very clever."
Fan Shengmei was startled, the color drained from her face instantly, and a look of panic flashed across her eyes. But she quickly put on a brave face, raised her chin, and replied in a feigned composure, "President Meng, I don't understand what you mean."
Meng Yanchen's lips curled up slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Miss Fan, there's no need to pretend anymore. From your behavior at the party and your unfamiliarity with your surroundings, I know you're not a real socialite. However, I admire your frankness, or rather, your materialism."
Fan Shengmei bit her lip, knowing that her disguise had been completely seen through, so she simply stopped trying to hide it: "Since President Meng has seen through it, then why bother coming to me?"
Meng Yanchen, hands in his pockets, turned slightly to the side, his gaze still fixed on Fan Shengmei: "I have a suggestion, which might be a rare opportunity for you. I know you're burdened with debts from your family of origin and your life is difficult. I can help you with some of your debts, but in exchange, you have to stay by my side and act as a special 'partner'."
Fan Shengmei's eyes widened, her heart filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, Meng Yanchen's offer was extremely tempting; if she agreed, she could temporarily escape a portion of her heavy debt burden. On the other hand, she didn't know what this so-called "special partner" meant, and the future was full of uncertainty. Images of her family's greedy faces flashed through her mind, along with the countless days and nights she had spent worrying about money.
"President Meng, what exactly do you mean by 'special partner'? What do I need to do?" Fan Shengmei asked cautiously, her voice trembling slightly.
Meng Yanchen raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly satisfied with Fan Shengmei's reaction: "At appropriate times, cooperate with me to attend some events and play the role you are supposed to play. Of course, in other aspects, you will remain free."
Fan Shengmei fell into deep thought. She knew this was an opportunity to change her fate, but she was also afraid of the huge risks hidden behind it. If she agreed, she would be inextricably linked to Meng Yanchen, and her future life might be completely changed; if she refused, she might continue to struggle in the quagmire of her family's debts.
Meng Yanchen watched Fan Shengmei quietly, without urging her, knowing that this decision was not easy for her.
After a long while, Fan Shengmei slowly spoke: "President Meng, why did you choose me? You should have plenty of people around you who can play this role."
Meng Yanchen smiled gently, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "Because of your specialness and your honesty, you are especially precious in this hypocritical arena of fame and fortune."
Fan Shengmei's heart skipped a beat. She had never imagined that her materialism and honesty would be seen as something special by Meng Yanchen. She was once again caught in a dilemma, torn between her own conscience and her own desires.
At that moment, a gentle breeze wafted in through the window at the end of the hotel corridor, softly ruffling Fan Shengmei's hair and stirring her conflicted heart. She looked at Meng Yanchen, trying to find a clue in his eyes, but Meng Yanchen's gaze was deep and calm, making him impossible to read.
Fan Shengmei thought of her broken family of origin and the countless times she had cried in the dead of night because of her debts, and the scales in her heart gradually tipped towards agreeing. But reason told her that she couldn't make such a hasty decision.
"Mr. Meng, could you give me some time to consider?" Fan Shengmei raised her head and looked at Meng Yanchen with a firm gaze.
Meng Yanchen nodded slightly: "Okay, I'll give you three days. I hope to hear your reply in three days." After saying that, he handed Fan Shengmei a slip of paper with his contact information written on it, and then turned and left.
Fan Shengmei watched Meng Yanchen's retreating figure, clutching the note tightly in her hand, her mind a jumble of thoughts. This deal was a double-edged sword; it could sever the shackles of her debt, but it could also lead her into an unknown and dangerous world. What should she choose? How would this decision alter the trajectory of her life?
In the quiet corridor, Fan Shengmei stood alone for a long time, until the surrounding air seemed to freeze, before she slowly turned around and left with heavy steps. Each step felt like stepping on her own heart, leaving a deep mark.
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