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squeezed her cheek, savoring the triumph of a successful prank."I'm going to take a shower!"Then she left on her own. She came to her senses and, feeling ashamed, pulled the blanket over herself. Then...The Guangda Group originally had two major shareholders: the chairman, Ruan Cangsheng, and his adopted brother, Li Song. The two worked together in their early years, finally establishing the Guangda Group. Over the years, the relationship between the two has been good, supporting each other through thick and thin as they navigated the ups and downs of the company. However, this time due to Ruan Chengyi's mistake, the company suffered heavy losses. Although some compensation was made, it was clear to everyone that Guangda was now at its end, making it difficult to maintain its previous path.

Because of the failed overseas investments, Guangda's stock has plummeted, repeatedly falling below the upper limit. The company's shareholders are now panicked and very pessimistic about Guangda. Gradually, some people have been selling their shares, which further exacerbates Guangda's already precarious situation.

Li Song was considered the second-in-command of the company, and even more so, a veteran. He couldn't bear to watch the company be ruined under Ruan Chengyi's leadership. At this time, he also revealed his intention to short the stock. In the end, Ruan Cangsheng stepped forward to mediate. Li Song expressed that he could not short the stock and would transfer all the shares to Ruan Cangsheng, but he had a condition: he wanted to take away nearly half of the company's assets. This was equivalent to him using his stock holdings in exchange for almost half of Jiangshan, thus ensuring Guangda's survival!

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy with tension. After a series of lengthy negotiations, Lin Meng, as Ruan Cangsheng's legal wife and designated agent, signed the agreement on his behalf. Signing alongside her was Ruan Chengyi, the ever-constant general manager of Dangran Company.

Once this agreement takes effect, CITIC Bank will no longer be the same CITIC Bank!

More than just half of the company's outstanding talent was taken away by the lawsuit, including subsidiary downstream factories and some major client data.

While Ruan Chengyi still had a high profile, his company saw its workforce shrink drastically from tens of thousands to nearly a thousand. If you exclude the workers in the downstream factories, there were only about a hundred people actually working for the company!

"He's taking advantage of the situation!"

Ruan Chengyi cursed angrily in the nearly empty meeting room, his heart wishing he could bite Li Song to death! He had always respectfully addressed him as "Uncle Li," but now...

Nguyen Cheng Huy also had a sullen face, a cigarette in his mouth, silently puffing away.

Now that's done, the Guangda Group has shrunk significantly, and most of the management team is gone. Guangda has truly become the Ruan family's domain. With just Ruan Cangsheng alone, he holds nearly 80% of the company's shares. Adding to that the small amount of shares held by his three sons, the family's stake reaches over 90%. This has truly become a family business. In Ruan Cangsheng's words, let his three sons mess around with their family's industries. Whether it succeeds or fails, everything now depends on their performance. This time, no one came out to criticize them. They can completely do things their own way. If they fail, they can't blame anyone!

"What does this old man mean by sending us a wedding invitation!" Ruan Chenghui angrily waved the invitation card in his hand and threw it on the extended conference table. "As soon as we finish signing the agreement, the old geezer gives us an invitation to his new company's opening ceremony! Damn it, Li Lao is up to something sinister, he has been scheming against our family business for a long time! The old fool, after so many years, he raised a white-eyed wolf without realizing it. When he gets old, he even gives him a big company!"

Then Nguyen Cheng Huy no longer called him "Li Shu," directly calling Li Song "Old Man Li"!

Ruan Chengyi pursed his lips, his expression grim! Although he didn't say a word, the clenched fist and exposed veins were clear evidence of his suppressed rage!

"I'm not going!" Ruan Chengrui snorted. "Extremely Group, just by the name, it's clearly targeting our company. I wouldn't go if I were you, it would be embarrassing!"

He stood up, kicked a chair angrily, and was about to leave.

"Hold it right there!" Lin Meng narrowed his eyes and said in a cold voice.

That day's wine party, you, me, and Cheng Yi all have to go!

Nguyen Cheng Huy struck down with a violent fist, the heavy desk seeming to jump under the impact. He glared menacingly at Lin Meng, stating in a cold voice, "I said, I'm not going!"

Lin Meng straightened her body and glared sharply at Ruan Chenghui before letting out a mocking smile.

A bereaved dog will naturally hide its head and tail!

"What did you say!"

Ruan Chenghui suddenly became furious, and with a single kick of his leg, he smashed a chair to pieces! The way he did it was clearly meant to intimidate Lin Meng.

Lin Meng wasn't afraid at all. She calmly raised her voice and retorted against Ruan Cheng Hui. "Damaging a company chair, that will be recorded in the account books. When the time comes, the compensation fee will be deducted from your salary!"

"Saying that, he stood up and said coldly, "If you don't want to be seen as a bereaved dog, then stand tall that day and attend the banquet properly. Don't let people laugh at you for not having even a shred of dignity!"

"You this stinky --"

"Cheng Hui, shut up!" But it was the ever-silent Ruan Chengyi who spoke!

"Big brother!" Ruan Chenghui refused to accept it, angrily huffing.

Ruan Chengyi glared fiercely at his younger brother, then turned to watch Lin Meng walk away gracefully, his gaze gradually becoming profound!

... First published by Xioxiang Academy.

At the banquet, both Ruan Chengyi and Ruan Chenghui had attended. Naturally, the looks they received were mixed: some with schadenfreude, some with pity and sympathy, and some with expressions that were simply unreadable. Fortunately, Lin Meng, the newly appointed acting CFO of Guangda, was also present.

Today, she wore a milky white long dress. Her long hair was pulled back slightly, leaving some strands to fall over her shoulders. This revealed her beautiful and charming neck, making her appear extraordinarily stunning. Because of her excessive beauty, almost as soon as she appeared, she attracted the attention of many people. Everyone was guessing who the woman accompanying the two young masters of the Ruan family was, wondering why they had never seen her in social circles before. Naturally, a few people felt vaguely familiar with this woman, as if they had met her somewhere before, but—they couldn't quite remember at the moment.

As it is just flowers, it will inevitably attract bees and butterflies! Men who pursue beauty will naturally use various excuses to gather around.

The two brothers secretly held a slight disdain for Lin Meng in their hearts, thinking to themselves, "She's just a vase." The old man sent her to keep an eye on the company, but how could she, a young woman, possibly do that! They even thought, more maliciously, that perhaps the old man had sent her over to implement a beauty PR strategy!

Although they thought this way, after all, the two of them were formally educated. No matter how much they despised Lin Meng in their hearts, it was impossible for them to sell her on the spot. Therefore, there was a fake smile on their faces as they introduced Lin Meng out. With a "Little Madam," the reluctance was beyond words.

Lin Meng was actually not feeling well inside. Since she had already reached this position, she naturally put her heart into working for the benefit of the company. Taking advantage of the opportunity to meet people, she smiled and invited them to take care of her business in the future.

It's worth mentioning that Guangda used to be primarily in the furniture business. Later, as the company grew, its scope expanded to include interior design services and a variety of office supplies like desks, bookshelves, curtains, and large office equipment such as printers, scanners, and fax machines. This kind of business relies heavily on networking. The wider your network, the more willing people are to support you, and then a simple conversation can lead to a deal.

Banquets, dances, and similar events are the best places for businessmen to conduct business!

The two sons of the Ruan family have always been responsible for eating, drinking, and having fun. In this regard, while Ruan Chengyi knows he should talk more with businessmen, this man has a bit of an aristocratic air about him, disdainful of lowering himself to smile and please others to take care of his business. As for the second young master, Ruan Chenghui, he is not interested in business, nor is he interested in those older, portly middle-aged men. Once at a banquet, more often than not, his piercing eyes would be fixed on the women at the banquet!

Lin Meng watched the two sons, both taller than her, without a change in expression. A faint sigh escaped her lips. Before coming here, she had clearly instructed them, kindly and respectfully, to seize every opportunity at these gatherings and strive to bring back more orders for the company. Yet, it seemed her words had fallen on deaf ears. Perhaps they simply didn't take her seriously, believing she was unworthy of giving them advice!

That's it!

Lin Meng smiled in her heart and wasn't in a hurry. She would wait until the day they stumbled, then they would naturally know the pain and desperation. What she said now was just scratching the surface; it wouldn't be very helpful.

Although a group of men have gathered around Lin Meng, they haven't made any sales so far. This is probably because Lin Meng is a woman, and a beautiful one at that. Most of these men are more interested in admiring her than making a purchase.

Men have always been like this, even after getting married and establishing their own families, they can't help but think about other women. From those men's gazes, Lin Meng saw more lust. Although she had made it clear that she was Mrs. Ruan of the Ruan family, perhaps they didn't really take the fallen Ruan family seriously anymore, so when they looked at Lin Meng, their eyes were still a bit unrestrained. Even, some even subtly expressed their interest in Lin Meng.

Although Lin Meng had a smile on her face, she felt intense disgust in her heart. If she could, she would slap those men a few times! They looked so glamorous and polished, but they were truly disgusting hypocrites! Yet, she had to endure it. At this homecoming banquet, the first one since her return, she had to fulfill her duty as a loyal member of her faction, to act in accordance with her position.

"I see you're quite adapting to this kind of situation!" Ruan Chenghui, the playboy, sneered in Lin Meng's ear as another batch of people dispersed. "Let me warn you, even though the old man is not in the country, don't give him a green hat!"

Lin Meng gave him a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Ruan Chenghui, mind your own business first!"

Nguyen Cheng-hui glared at her, slightly annoyed, and gulped down the champagne in his glass.

In such a situation, he was truly fed up. Those eyes filled with comparison made him even more disgusted. All of this should have been glorious, rightfully belonging to their Ruan family. But today, they, the Ruan family, were forced to be present, watching as that little man who had taken over most of the glory strutted about!

The host droned on, introducing the newly established conglomerate with a litany of thank-yous before inviting the conglomerate's CEO, Li Sung, to the stage. The thunderous applause that erupted seemed like shards of glass piercing the ears of the two Ruan brothers. Their hearts were heavy with resentment, as if they could bleed from within. Yet, at this juncture, they had no choice but to clap along, maintaining a composed facade for the sake of decorum!

To make matters worse, Li Song, who had just become the CEO of a large corporation, suddenly called out the names of the two Ruan brothers and Lin Meng, asking them to come on stage. On stage, the 50-something Li Song was suave and charming, smiling as he said, "Although we have split our family business, our feelings remain." He also generously asked all the business partners present to give their support to everyone in the future!

Ruan Chengyi was never a jovial person, but his face darkened considerably now. He didn't think suing him was helpful; instead, he believed it was a treacherous act of taking advantage of his misfortune and publicly humiliating him with a slap in the face! Even Ruan Chenghui's expression soured.

The audience's faces were strange and grim, with little response. Suddenly, there was a chill silence!

A slight movement passed through Lin Meng's heart as she smiled and accepted the letter of intent from Li Shu. With a generous air, she said: "Since that's the case, then I'll represent Guangda and thank Uncle Li first. Business deals may not always go smoothly, but friendship remains. Borrowing Uncle Li's good words, I hope everyone present will be more attentive to Guangda in the future!"

Lin Meng was exceptionally beautiful. Every gesture, every movement she made, exuded a subtle elegance that needed no explanation. The smile that occasionally graced her face, and the eyes that shimmered with a gentle brilliance, held an alluring charm as she looked around, captivating hearts effortlessly.

A beautiful woman's smile, a moment of playful annoyance, naturally transformed the mundane into something magical. Immediately, countless people joined in agreement. Let alone what those agreeing were truly thinking, the deadlock had been broken, which was undeniable!

Li Sheng looked at Lin Meng with a steady expression, and inwardly praised her. The new wife of his old friend was indeed capable, much stronger than those three useless sons. Under such a disadvantageous situation, she cleverly leveraged their fame to promote herself tirelessly. This woman truly had some skills!

However, he glanced at the two nephews who were almost like his own sons and shook his head slightly. It seemed that the two nephews were completely out of it, and in the short term, they were still useless and a burden to this woman!

However, look at this woman, she is so delicate and young. She also has a captivatingly alluring appearance. If I want to do business with her in the future, I'm afraid...

Li Song glanced at the businesspeople in the audience. He saw that more than half of them were interested in Lin Meng. He thought, "If Guangda wants to become even stronger, it won't be easy!"

If this woman is truly capable and strong, she can handle anything. But she just...has such a captivating appearance! With the unspoken rules of the business world, where men take advantage and women are exploited, can she stand it! Can Ruan Cangsheng, who's far away in America, tolerate this happening

The lawsuit was dismissed, and he glanced at Lin Meng without a trace. Seeing her, several men immediately surrounded her, causing him to frown involuntarily!

Meanwhile, someone in the audience was so surprised that their eyes widened!

Feng Tan looked at the woman surrounded by several men, a smile on her face, although polite but somewhat distant. He blinked his eyes unconvinced again, which worried his female companion who kept asking him if something had gotten into his eyes. Feng Tan couldn't help feeling a twinge of disgust in his heart and immediately sent the actress aside, letting her go play by herself. His eyes, however, were fixed intently on Lin Meng!

Like!

Just like that!

Compared to four years ago, the person in front of me is even more beautiful and more mature. There's a hint of femininity about her that makes people yearn for her even more.

By the way, how did you introduce her just now Mrs. Ruan, the wife that Ruan Cangsheng married!

She's the type of woman who deserves to be cherished and pampered by a man, so why did she marry such an old man! What does that old man have going for him besides money What can he possibly offer her to satisfy her! Especially since she's young, can that old man satisfy her in bed!

Thinking of this, Feng Tan's heart surged with a strong sense of displeasure. He clearly recognized that it was jealousy, laced with anger!

She disappeared, but he never thought she would reappear in such a way!

Lin Meng!

If it's her name, then it must be her! There is no other woman in the world who could have such a captivating charm! No other woman could make his heart race!

Spotting Ruan Chengrui, the second young master of the Ruan family, Feng Tan narrowed his eyes and walked over. After a casual greeting, he jokingly said, “That’s your stepmom!”

Ruan Chenghui nodded.

You described her so badly, I thought she was a terrible beauty. But this person seems a little different from what you said!

Feng smiled lightly. “If your stepmom had married your grandfather four years ago, I think I would have met her!”

How do you say that!

"Hmph…"

Feng talked and laughed, but did not answer. Because he had already gotten the answer he wanted from Ruan Chenghui's expression.

"Hey, haven't you always felt secretly resentful of your step-mom! Don't you want to kick her out of your house!"

Ruan Chenghui and Feng Tan were good friends. Both were sons of wealthy families and had played together before, having a wild time. Back then, the two were like kindred spirits, close friends who shared many similar interests. They were known to have many romantic encounters. However, in recent years, Feng Tan has toned down his behavior and hasn't been as promiscuous with women. Ruan Chenghui, on the other hand, remains unchanged in his playboy ways. Despite this change, their friendship from those earlier days remained strong, so they've always gotten along well!

Over the past two years, since Feng Tan became the young master of Tianye Entertainment, he has constantly provided Ruan Chenghui with opportunities to work with stars. Their relationship has grown even closer because of this. Otherwise, Ruan Chenghui wouldn't have confided his family matters to Feng Tan, an outsider!

These two men knew each other well, and Feng Tan's eyes showed a flicker of interest. Ruan Chenghui sensed it.

"Are you thinking..."

"Heh heh…" Feng Tan smiled faintly, "This matter isn't urgent. I'll get to know you, my little stepmother first. It's been many years; it's probably a bit awkward!"

Listening to him talk, it almost feels like I have to go and inspect the goods!

Just as he had taken a few steps away, a commotion suddenly erupted in the hall. In such an occasion where business elites gathered, for there to be a commotion, it wasn't the arrival of a distinguished guest, nor was it someone making a fool of themselves in public. Out of curiosity, Feng Tan followed the direction of the commotion with a glance and instantly froze!

Oh no!

Still this man!

Indifferent, aloof, and condescending! How long has it been since he appeared in such a place With his status, such an occasion would likely be beneath him. Just like he wouldn't have attended if not for his connections with the Li Litigation and the Ruan family. But just his presence doesn't cause too much surprise from others!

This is bullying!

Remember the last time the renowned tycoon of the electronics industry, Chairman Qingyu Electronics, hosted a banquet He was absent again, drawing a few sighs. It felt natural, though. This man's worth has soared over the past four years, and he spends most of his time flying around the world on business trips. He rarely attends banquets. Only individuals of significant weight in politics and business, or those close to him, would entice him to attend. But even then, he usually only makes a brief appearance before disappearing as quickly as he came!

So, if a certain family were to host a banquet, Rong Ling's attendance would be a great honor for the host! Although Rong Ling has a low attendance rate, no matter what family hosts a banquet, an invitation is always sent to him.

Feng Tan was astonished!

I'm sure Feng Tan wasn't the only one who felt shocked. That's why there was such a commotion, and even the entire hall seemed to fall silent for three seconds precisely because of this man's arrival. Then, as the host of the banquet, Li Song immediately, with astonishment on his face, hurried to greet Rong Ling. His high-arched lips couldn't hide Li Song's excitement!

This man was dressed in a linen suit today, and with his exquisitely crafted face, he was strikingly handsome, enough to make men envious and women smitten. His companion, also a familiar figure in the industry, was a renowned socialite from a prominent family!

Hello, Ya!

The jewel in the palm of He's new generation, a princess highly anticipated to marry into the Rong family!

Compared to four years ago, she had matured a lot. The pure white evening gown wrapped around her skin, which was unusually creamy in color, making any woman who saw it feel ashamed of her own complexion. She already had a devilish figure and an angelic face, but now wearing that low-cut evening dress perfectly showcased her tiny waist and ample chest. Paired with her meticulously sculpted face, lightly dusted with powder, it was simply astonishing how beautiful this woman was!

Of course, for this to actually work, the prerequisite is that Lin Meng doesn't show up tonight!

Although everyone was amazed, they had already been stunned by Lin Meng's "naturally sculpted" beauty before. So after the initial shock, they quickly calmed down.

Feng Tan smiled faintly, a hint of amusement playing at the corner of his lips. Watching the man, who was worshipped by the industry, calmly assess the entire scene during his conversation with Li Song, he suddenly understood why Rong Ling would appear so out of place in this situation! Since Rong Ling was here, he believed his judgment had been correct!

Lin Meng!

She must be Lin Meng from four years ago!

Only that woman has the ability to make a man like Rong Ling deviate from his normal path!

Isn't that interesting!

Feng talked and smiled, walking towards Lin Meng.

And Lin Meng's gaze locked onto Rong Ling, her expression flickering with surprise. It wasn't because of his arrival that she was surprised, but rather the person beside him!

He Ya, that woman had been a thorn in her side four years ago. Four years later, she was still there, watching as she affectionately held Rong Ling's arm, appearing as his girlfriend, her smile so sweet, her fair face flushed with the blush of love. Her heart ached faintly. Was this woman, after four years, still the thorn in her side!

Rong Ling's gaze swept over her, but it was just a fleeting glance, then turned away, just like how he looked at everyone else. It seemed that in his heart, she was an ordinary passerby, no different from anyone else! This was the first time Lin Meng felt disappointed and bored after entering this banquet. She suddenly wanted to leave, to escape all this gloom, to leave these insincere compliments and smiles with ulterior motives!

"Hi, long time no see!"

Lin Meng shifted her gaze and was unexpectedly met with an old acquaintance. Her heart warmed, for seeing the familiar face suddenly brought a sense of comfort.

It's been a long time!

She smiled gently, her smile sincere. She remembered that this man had sent her flowers at first, although Rong Ling had thrown them away later. It was one of the few times in her life she had received flowers, and she found it hard to forget. She also remembered that after she faced the embarrassment brought by her father, this man appeared many times, cleverly helping her out of trouble. She would remember a person's kindness for a long time.

So, she laughed sincerely. The slight upward turn of her eyebrows, paired with those captivating eyes, exuded a mesmerizing allure. In an instant, it sent Feng Tan's heart racing again!

This woman, she's even more captivating than four years ago. And the level of captivatingness has increased by more than a little! Her porcelain skin, dark eyebrows, and rosy lips are breathtakingly beautiful. If someone told me she was a fairy, I would believe them!

He smiled and extended his hand.

"I'm really afraid you'll forget me!"

She politely extended her hand, shook Feng's hand briefly, and responded with a smile: "Oh no!"

She wanted to pull away, but Feng Tan held her hand tightly. She frowned slightly, a touch of melancholy flashing across her face. Still, every smile and frown captivated the heart. Feng Tan felt the softness in his palm with a dazed expression. After holding her small hand for over ten seconds, he finally let go!

Lin Meng didn't retreat, instead she took a step forward and asked in a low voice, "Did I get something on my face!"

She attributed Feng Tan's absent-mindedness to this aspect. Naturally, she couldn't be this intimate with the other men present. But the person before her was an old acquaintance, so she felt no reservations!

Feng Tan suddenly felt like laughing. Actually, some things haven't really changed much, have they! This woman still possesses that rare purity of heart, even though she tries so hard to armor herself, to hide it, even going so far as to put on a show of strength and cunning just now on stage. But before him, her facade crumbled so easily.

Feng Tan felt a surge of excitement because this proved that he held a special place in her heart. Then, it would be easier for him to win over the woman before him!

He wanted her. It was a decision he hadn't changed in four years! Even though she was already married now. But that didn't matter! Marriage could be dissolved! Feng Tan's past experiences weren't exactly shining either, so he naturally wouldn't expect his wife to be pure as snow. And most importantly, at the moment, only this woman could move his heart so strongly. Four years ago, he made that decision because of her; in those four years, even though she disappeared, he still persevered, couldn't stop. All his efforts were just to one day catch up with Rong Ling, and then make her feel that he was reliable.

But —

Feng Tan furrowed his brows deeply. Rong Ling was simply a monster. To catch up with that terrifying man, he found it incredibly difficult. Four years ago, he was still arrogant, thinking that Rong Ling was nothing special. But after four years, he poured his whole heart into his career and experienced various setbacks and failures. He would never underestimate that man again!

It's not that he isn't as good, it's his practicality and self-awareness!

But he already has confidence, able to let this woman in front of him rely on him!

Even better, he should be grateful that she was married. That way, there would be no possibility between her and that man. The Rong family, a prominent clan like that, would never allow such a wife to enter their home.

In his career, he couldn't compete with this man. He thought, perhaps he could win in love.

The woman before him was Opium. He knew well, once he had tasted her sweetness, no man could let go. Not even a powerful one like Rong Ling!

Smiling, Feng Tan reached out his hand and lightly touched Lin Meng's face. Lin Meng naturally dodged slightly and raised her beautiful eyebrows.

"There's some ash on your face!" Feng Tan lied, not feeling the slightest bit guilty. Instead, he looked calm and composed.

Lin Meng also believed him, and even allowed Feng Tan's fingertip to lightly brush against her face.

"Alright!"

Feng Tan laughed again, a sense of satisfaction in his heart. Although he intensely felt the coldness of a gaze, sharp as a blade, piercing him the moment his fingers touched Lin Meng's face. It must have been from Rong Ling, Feng Tan almost didn't need to guess!

But, so what!

"I didn't expect you to be married so young."

Feng Tan chatted with Lin Meng calmly. When Lin Meng was mentioned about this, she felt a little embarrassed. After all, she was only 21 years old this year, and she hadn't even reached the legal age of marriage in China. However, she wasn't the same Lin Meng as four years ago. Her mentality had changed a lot, so she quickly organized her emotions and chatted with Feng Tan calmly.

After catching up on each other's lives, Lin Meng discovered that Feng Tan was actually the young master of the renowned Tianye Entertainment Company. He offered his most sincere congratulations. He never expected that the man who used to seem like a carefree playboy had transformed into such a successful entrepreneur.s and trying to repay it with spite!'"Lin Meng shook her head."Alright, let's not talk about him anymore. You know perfectly well that in my heart, he can't even compare to you. I only care about you!...