Song Xinya arrived at the company's first-floor lobby. The moment she saw the visitors, a strategic smile flashed through her clear eyes.
As she had expected, the visitors were Song Xuanli, Li Cuirou, and Zhang Yingying.
Perfect timing.
If they hadn't come, the play she had meticulously orchestrated wouldn't be able to begin.
Song Xuanli, Li Cuirou, and Zhang Yingying were just eager, unpaid clowns throwing themselves into her trap.
The click of her high heels against the floor was light, rhythmic, and crisp. Song Xinya walked toward the three of them.
Her slender, tall figure was graceful and alluring, and the undulating hem of her dress swayed with infinite charm.
Even the breeze in the air seemed to swirl around her.
Zhang Yingying stared at the approaching Song Xinya, her eyes completely captivated, unable to look away.
How could the slimmed-down Song Xinya be this beautiful!
It wasn't just that her features had grown prettier or her figure more slender; the most striking thing was the aura radiating from within her. Even though she wasn't wearing a single piece of jewelry at the moment, she still exuded an undeniable sense of nobility.
Song Xuanli and Li Cuirou were also staring at Song Xinya in a daze.
Both of them were secretly doing their own calculations.
Li Cuirou thought: If I had known Song Xinya would be this beautiful after losing weight, I should have ruined her face back then.
Song Xuanli thought: If I had known Song Xinya would be this beautiful after losing weight, I should have forced her to diet sooner, kept her in the Song family, and used her to drink with clients and bring in business.
Song Xinya stood in front of the three of them, arms crossed, looking down at them. "What do you want? Make it short, I'm in a hurry to eat."
Song Xuanli: "Is eating really that important?"
Song Xinya: "Of course. The only thing I can't let go of in this life is my chopsticks."
Li Cuirou took out a lunchbox, unpacked the food inside, and laid it out on the table. "Xinxin, Mom specially brought you some food. I kept it warm in my arms the whole way, so it's still hot. Eat up."
Unrushed, Song Xinya pulled a thick needle from her bag and began stabbing it repeatedly into the lunchboxes.
The smooth boiled egg was poked into a mangled mess.
The perfectly square tofu was mashed into tofu dregs.
The thin potato slices were reduced to mashed potatoes.
Li Cuirou: "Xinxin, what are you doing?"
Song Xinya: "Testing for poison with a silver needle. I was worried you might have laced the food with arsenic to kill me."
The air suddenly grew quiet as a breeze blew past.
Zhang Yingying: "How could my mom poison you? My mom is such a kindhearted person."
Song Xinya put away the silver needle and said slowly, "Flies never think they are dirty, mice never think the food they eat is stolen, and bad people never think they are bad. There is no need for a paternity test; just from your values, anyone can tell you are your mother's biological daughter."
Zhang Yingying: "Oh, so you're the only kind one, right? You're the kindest person in the whole world, right?"
Song Xinya: "Compared to you, I am the Goddess of Mercy."
Putting the silver needle back into her bag, Song Xinya spoke casually, "If you came looking for me today just for this nonsense, don't waste my time. I'm leaving."
"Don't go," Song Xuanli hurriedly called out to stop her. "We came to see you today to talk about getting the Qin family to approve the Song family's bidding documents."
Song Xinya's words were loud and clear: "I stand by what I said. First, rename Rouying Education Technology Co., Ltd. to Yating Education Technology Co., Ltd. Second, transfer twenty percent of the shares of Yating Education Technology Co., Ltd. to my name."
Song Xuanli gritted his teeth hard, as if a piece of his flesh was being sliced off, and said, "I came here today with sincerity. The company's name will not change; it will still be called Rouying Education. As for the shares, I will give you twenty percent."
"Song Xinya, you have to understand that after giving you twenty percent of the shares, I will only have twenty percent left in my hands. You and I will be tied as the company's largest shareholders."
Song Xuanli looked at Song Xinya and said, "You should be satisfied this time, right?"
Song Xinya smiled faintly. "You still lack sincerity."
She turned and walked away, her back resolute, not hesitating for a single second no matter how Song Xuanli called after her.
Negotiation is inherently a game of chess; only by holding the initiative in your own hands can you become the ultimate winner.
...
After finishing lunch in the company cafeteria, Song Xinya returned to her office.
She sat down at her workstation, and an arm reached out toward her.
Chen Siyan: "Teacher Song, have some spicy strips."
Song Xinya glanced at the packaging bag in his hand. "I don't eat them unless they're Weilong brand."
Chen Siyan: "Spicy Prince brand is also very delicious."
Song Xinya: "If it's Spicy Prince, I only eat the extra numbing and extra spicy flavor."
Chen Siyan: "With your taste, you must be a regular at the proctology department, right?"
Song Xinya: "I still can't compare to you. You've had hemorrhoid surgery three times."
Chen Siyan: "Stop right there. Please don't spread rumors about my hemorrhoids; they are still growing perfectly well on my butthole."
Song Xinya: "Wishing you both a long and happy life together."
Chen Siyan: "Thank you. I will definitely be with them for a very long time."
While the two were chatting and joking, Song Xinya had already packed her things and was ready to head out.
Chen Siyan asked, "Is Manager Zhao going with you today to visit that Blond Young Master?"
Zhao Yinian passed by and spoke up, "I gave the client Jin Ruizhi to Teacher Song. She's going by herself today."
Chen Siyan had worked with Zhao Yinian for several years and understood her personality quite well. He immediately caught on. "This client must be particularly hard to deal with. Probably even more troublesome than the little princess of the Qin family."
Zhao Yinian glared at him coldly. "What do you mean? Are you saying I dump low-quality clients on others?"
Chen Siyan lowered his head, bit into a spicy strip, and slurped it up. "We're all adults here. Let's be honest, you'd definitely sign the easy contracts yourself and keep the easy clients for yourself."
Zhao Yinian: "I'm not like you guys. I'm from a prestigious family; I'm not as selfish as you."
Chen Siyan: "Which prestigious family? Is your dad the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy?"
Zhao Yinian: "Since you love eating spicy strips so much, I wish you get hemorrhoids in the future."
Chen Siyan: "Your blessing came too late, I already have them. Plus, I don't think it's a bad thing. When I'm bored sleeping at night, I can pinch them for fun. Even if they pop out when I fart, I can just poke them back in with my finger."
The impact of his words was too great. Zhao Yinian was stunned for a moment, unable to think of a response.
Looking at her bewildered expression, Chen Siyan smiled and slurped up another spicy strip.
Song Xinya picked up her bag and walked out.
Chen Siyan grabbed his backpack, slung it over his shoulders, and followed her. "Teacher Song, I'll go with you."
Song Xinya: "Don't you have anything to do this afternoon?"
Chen Siyan: "That Blond Young Master is too stubborn and unruly. I'm not comfortable with you going alone, so I'll go with you."
Zhao Yinian made a passive-aggressive remark from behind, "Teacher Chen, you care so much about Teacher Song, could it be that you like her?"
Chen Siyan: "Of course I like her. Teacher Song is beautiful and has a great personality. Just ask anyone in the company who doesn't like her. An excellent woman deserves to be liked by everyone. But look at yourself, you're like a Goubuli steamed bun—hated by humans and despised by dogs."
He slurped the last spicy stick from the bag into his mouth, looking at Zhao Yinian as he said, "What does it feel like to be with someone you don't like? You wouldn't even want to share half a spicy stick with them."
...
Song Xinya and Chen Siyan arrived together at the door of the Blond Young Master's house.
Song Xinya reached out to press the doorbell, but Chen Siyan said, "Wait."
Song Xinya asked, "Wait for what?"
Chen Siyan pulled a large water gun out of his backpack, holding it to his chest, ready for battle.
"If that kid squirts pee at me again later, I'll run to his bathroom, fill this up with pee, and squirt it right back in his face!"
Song Xinya said, "...Mr. Chen, we are here to talk business."
Chen Siyan replied, "That kid and I share a grudge over a squirt of pee, and we cannot live under the same sky!"
Song Xinya suggested, "How about you wait out here for a bit? I'll go in by myself."
Chen Siyan refused, "No way. If that kid tries to squirt pee at you, I'll jump in front of you and take the hit."
Mr. Chen was simply too loyal.
Song Xinya said, "After work today, I'll treat you to dinner."
Chen Siyan agreed, "Deal. Let's call Tiantianquan along. You host, I'll pay."
He reached out and knocked on the door.
The villa's door opened, but the person greeting them wasn't Jin Ruizhi; it was a servant.
Song Xinya asked, "Excuse me, is your young master home?"
A frivolous young boy's voice drifted over from the courtyard, "I am right now, but I won't be very soon."
Chen Siyan retorted, "What's wrong? Did you get a terminal illness?"
Jin Ruizhi replied, "When I say I won't be, I mean I'm about to go out."
Chen Siyan gripped his water gun tightly, maintaining his combat readiness, prepared at any moment to rush into the bathroom, fill it with pee, and squirt it all over the other guy's face.
But Jin Ruizhi didn't even spare him a glance. He walked straight out, looking urgent, his face bearing the eager anticipation of a young boy in love.
Song Xinya asked, "What is Young Master Jin going to do?"
Jin Ruizhi answered, "I'm going to pursue the girl I like."
Chen Siyan sneered coldly, "You haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you're already trying to date like an adult."
Jin Ruizhi shot back, "You've grown all your hair, so how come you still can't get a date?"
Chen Siyan choked on his words for a second, "There are plenty of girls chasing me. I'd rather go without than settle for just anyone."
Jin Ruizhi replied, "Every man who can't get a date tries to save face like that. After all, you can't exactly admit that you lack masculine charm and can't win over the girl you like."
Chen Siyan scoffed, "The pot calling the kettle black. You haven't managed to win her over either."
Jin Ruizhi stepped out the door, "I'm going to pursue her right now."
Song Xinya didn't try to stop him. Teenagers at this age were incredibly rebellious; the more you told them not to do something, the more they would go against you and insist on doing it.
She asked him, "How do you plan on pursuing the girl you like?"
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles. Song Xinya chose to get a clear understanding of the situation first.
Jin Ruizhi smiled carelessly, his eyes full of unruliness and wildness, "Why should I tell you?"
Song Xinya replied, "Because I can teach you."
Jin Ruizhi asked, "You want to teach me how to pursue girls?"
"No," Song Xinya looked at him and said, "I want to teach you what true love is."
Jin Ruizhi froze for a moment, then smiled dismissively, "Does love really need to be taught? Do you think I don't know how to love a girl? I like her so much, I'll love her well without you having to teach me."
A car drove over and parked at the entrance of the Jin family villa.
The car door opened, and Zhang Yingying stepped out.
"Young Master Jin, let's go. I'll take you to pursue the girl you like."
Zhang Yingying wasn't surprised to see Song Xinya, as she already knew Song Xinya was there.
"Song Xinya, you're too late. Young Master Jin is my client now. He has already agreed to let me be his tutoring teacher."
Song Xinya asked, "Have you signed a contract with Young Master Jin yet?"
Zhang Yingying replied, "Not yet."
Song Xinya said, "Then what are you bragging about?"
Zhang Yingying's face stiffened. After a moment, she said, "Young Master Jin and I have already made an agreement. As long as I help him win over the girl he likes, he will sign the contract with me."
Song Xinya retorted, "Talk to me when you actually help him win her over."
Feeling snubbed, Zhang Yingying turned to Jin Ruizhi and said, "Young Master Jin, let's go."
Jin Ruizhi walked up to the car, and Zhang Yingying eagerly opened the door for him. "Young Master Jin, be careful, don't bump your head."
Zhang Yingying got into the car and flashed a smug smile at Song Xinya.
The car started and sped away.
Chen Siyan asked, "Ms. Song, should we head back?"
Song Xinya replied, "Don't bow your head to difficulties so easily, because then you'll just see the fat on your belly."
Chen Siyan asked, "So what do you think we should do now?"
Song Xinya got into her iced-berry pink sports car, gripped the steering wheel tightly, and started the engine. "We catch up with Zhang Yingying and poach the client right out of her hands."
"All the good things in the world are fought for. Only the weak sit around waiting for things to be handed to them."
Chen Siyan pulled open the car door and sat down next to her. "Fight! We absolutely must snatch the client away from Zhang Yingying!"
Song Xinya took Chen Siyan and tailed Zhang Yingying's car all the way.
She had assumed that the girl a wealthy Beijing circle young master like Jin Ruizhi liked would be some prominent young lady from the same elite circle.
But the reality left Song Xinya quite shocked.
The car stopped at the entrance of a wet market.
There were rusty corrugated iron sheds, and the dirt road at the entrance was full of potholes. The water in the puddles was black, and the piles of rotten vegetables and fruits nearby emitted a foul stench.
Jin Ruizhi stepped out of the car, with Zhang Yingying following closely behind.
Glancing at their surroundings, Zhang Yingying covered her nose in disgust. "Young Master Jin, what are you doing in a place like this? Don't tell me the woman you like sells vegetables?"
Jin Ruizhi replied, "She doesn't sell vegetables. She sells tofu."
A contemptuous smile appeared on Zhang Yingying's face. "Sells tofu? In a place like this? Her status is certainly lowly enough."
"There are so many beautiful young ladies in the Beijing circle. Why don't you like them, and instead insist on liking a girl from such a poor background?"
Jin Ruizhi countered, "Who says you can only like women from noble backgrounds? Women of any background deserve to be liked."
"Every girl has her shining points; they all have adorable traits that make them worthy of love. I like her for who she is, not for her family background."
Zhang Yingying scoffed inwardly. What was there to like about a poor woman? This Young Master Jin really didn't know what was good for him.
Outwardly, she chimed in with agreement, "You are absolutely right, Young Master Jin. I think so too."
Jin Ruizhi walked into the wet market. Zhang Yingying followed behind, disgustedly covering her nose with her hand. The way she looked at the people around them was full of haughty superiority, as if just coming to a place like this would lower her class.
"Young Master Jin, where is the woman you like?"
Jin Ruizhi pointed to a corner of the market. "She's over there."
Zhang Yingying looked over and saw a girl wearing a white T-shirt with her hair tied up in a ponytail.
The girl was sitting behind a stall filled with tofu, her head bowed as she earnestly read a book in her hands.
People were bustling all around. The sounds of hawking, footsteps, chopping meat, and people asking for prices all mixed together in a noisy environment.
But her eyes remained fixed on her book, completely unaffected by the chaos.
Her fair, delicate face bore a certain resemblance to Song Xinya's...
