Chapter 1: The Forum

Lingjing City was in the transition between summer and autumn.

After several days of intermittent showers washing away the remnants of summer, the air began to carry the coolness of early autumn.

Xu Wu opened the taxi door and stepped out. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and unfurled a transparent umbrella. Raindrops splashed onto her umbrella, spreading into faint water stains as she walked.

The leaden clouds gathered densely, and the sky was overcast with rain weaving through the air at an angle. A cold wind and dampness surrounded her, prompting her to quicken her pace instinctively.

Familiar with the route, she entered the company’s lobby and watched the elevator numbers ascend from the second floor.

Xu Wu had just returned from a business trip. After landing, she dropped off her luggage at home, and right on cue, Director Chen Haili called, asking her to come to the office today. Before she could respond, he hung up.

This building housed multiple companies. Her multinational advertising firm occupied three floors.

She quickly arrived at the twentieth floor. The company’s exterior was luxurious and bright, with a prominently displayed sign: Lingmei.

Lingmei was a 4A advertising agency whose core businesses included advertising, management, creativity, public relations, and marketing communications. Headquartered in New York, many famous advertising campaigns originated from Lingmei.

At half-past seven, Chen Haili hadn’t arrived yet. Xu Wu, having taken a red-eye flight, was tired and somewhat drowsy. She picked up her cup and headed to the pantry to make some coffee to wake herself up.

The coffee liquid poured into the cup, emitting the rich and unique aroma of coffee beans, instantly awakening her sluggish senses.

By the time Xu Wu finished making her coffee, someone appeared beside her desk.

Intern Shu Ke pulled a blue leather folder from under her desk.

She dusted it off and said with relief, “Thank goodness I found it.”

Shu Ke was a new intern working under Xu Wu. Though casual at work, she was otherwise excellent.

That folder probably served as a makeshift table pad a few days ago.

Noticing someone watching, Shu Ke looked up to see Xu Wu and asked in surprise, “Sister Xu Wu, aren’t you supposed to be off today? Why are you here?”

Xu Wu smiled and set down her porcelain cup, “Director Chen asked me to come for something.”

Recalling that Xu Wu usually arrived just in time, she asked curiously, “Why are you here so early today?”

Shu Ke swung her folder, her smile collapsing as she slumped into her seat, her voice quivering.

“Director Chen was angry yesterday, and I happened to be caught in the crossfire. He saw me playing games at my desk and ordered me to compile this month’s data and write a report by the weekend.”

Including today, that left three more days.

Xu Wu glanced at the stack of folders on her desk; three days seemed tight.

Shu Ke, being new, couldn’t handle all this alone. Xu Wu took some files from Shu Ke’s desk and added them to her own.

“The time is short, I’ll help you with this part.”

Xu Wu’s gentle voice was like the soothing breeze of early autumn, bringing comfort.

Shu Ke’s eyes lit up, her face instantly brightening, “Thank you, Sister Xu Wu, you’re the best! I’ll treat you to a feast next time!”

Xu Wu smiled faintly, sipped her coffee, and asked, “No need. Why was Director Chen angry yesterday?”

Shu Ke looked around and leaned closer, whispering, “Did you check the WeChat group?”

Xu Wu shook her head.

Recently busy coordinating a project in Shencheng, she had no energy for unrelated messages.

Shu Ke immediately unlocked her phone and showed Xu Wu the chat interface.

Besides official work groups, various colleagues formed private chat groups.

These were filled either with complaints about trivial matters or company gossip.

Shu Ke was part of one such group.

She rolled her office chair closer to Xu Wu and started sharing gossip, “Sister Xu Wu, yesterday Director Chen was looking for Xu Tianya in the work group and got extremely angry about it.”

Xu Wu lowered her head, scrolling through the chat records. In summary: Xu Tianya offended Boheng Technology, a long-term partner, which sent a termination contract and legal notice the next day.

Initially, Xu Tianya snatched the Boheng Technology collaboration from Xu Wu, thinking she could do better. However, her pursuit of high-end branding overlooked Boheng Technology’s emphasis on authenticity and practicality.

During the advertising campaign, she exaggerated the product’s performance excessively, disregarding brand philosophy, thus crossing Boheng Technology’s line.

“But Boheng Group only wanted to change the project manager. Without consent, Xu Tianya directly posted the advertisement on Weibo. Boheng’s president, Lin Dongyu, even intervened to retract the ad, sending the contract and legal notice overnight.”

Boheng Group and Lingmei had cooperated for years without incident, but overnight, the other party chose to terminate the long-standing partnership.

“Boheng Technology wants to dissolve the cooperation with our Lingmei. Yesterday, you didn’t see it—Director Chen turned black upon seeing the legal notice, and Xu Tianya hasn’t shown up since…”

Xu Wu made no comment, pondering the content while recalling Director Chen’s morning call. She could roughly predict what he wanted.

Lingmei had numerous departments, each handling different advertising fields. Both she and Xu Tianya were in the PR department, dealing mostly with tech industry advertisements. Among the PR team, Xu Wu and Xu Tianya stood out in business capability.

Each had their distinct style.

If Xu Tianya was a thorny red rose, striking and aggressive, then Xu Wu was a quietly blooming orchid, a serene stream in a secluded valley, exuding subtle fragrance.

Xu Tianya and Xu Wu had been competing for years, known to most observant colleagues.

“Sister Xu Wu,” Shu Ke’s mind raced, eyes darting, “Is Director Chen asking you to…”

“Cough, cough, cough.”

Before finishing her sentence, a middle-aged man’s cough interrupted.

Seeing Director Chen Haili, Shu Ke closed her mouth awkwardly and quietly slid her chair back to her desk.

—

Steam wafted from the kettle spout, and a light tea scent permeated the office.

“Little Xu, this tea is from my recent business trip. Try it.” Chen Haili pushed a freshly brewed cup towards Xu Wu.

The tea leaves slowly unfurled, floating gently in the cup.

Judging by the packaging, it was a common supermarket tea, inexpensive.

Watching the green tea deepen in color, Xu Wu didn’t reach for the cup, “You called me to the office. Is there something?”

“Ha,” Chen Haili sipped his tea, “Regarding Boheng Technology, you know about it, right?”

Xu Wu nodded.

Chen Haili retrieved the legal notice and termination contract from his desk, speaking earnestly, “Little Xu, your abilities are outstanding, witnessed by all. This matter can only be entrusted to you.”

Xu Wu understood Chen Haili’s intentions and was about to decline when he continued, “Now, quarterly evaluations are approaching. With your capabilities, seize this opportunity for promotion, don’t you agree?”

“I’ve already mentioned it to higher-ups, and they agree. This longstanding relationship with Boheng Technology will now be handed over to you.”

“Our company’s reputation faces difficulties. This is your chance to shine.”

Mentioning promotion, Xu Wu swallowed her prepared refusal. Promotion meant a salary increase.

Forcing a smile, “I’ll do my best to resolve the Boheng Technology issue.”

Chen Haili took an invitation letter from his drawer and handed it to Xu Wu, “We attempted negotiations with Boheng’s President Lin, but all were rejected. This evening is the Science and Technology Innovation Forum.”

“Many influential figures will gather. President Lin should be there. Remember to negotiate well.”

“It’s getting colder; the tea cools quickly. Drink up and get to work.”

Xu Wu stood up, merely glancing at the tea, her tone soft yet clear.

“Thank you for your kindness. Enjoy this good tea yourself. I hope the company and you handle this matter fairly.”

“Since the company has given me this opportunity, I’ll do my best. Now, I have work to attend to.”

—

“As expected, Chen Haili, that hypocritical old fox, claims it’s for the company’s benefit, but he’s really making you ‘clean up the mess’!”

Shu Ke inadvertently noticed Xu Wu searching for information on Boheng Technology’s president. It was obvious what Chen Haili discussed with Xu Wu in the office.

Such incidents weren’t rare, and Shu Ke sympathized with Xu Wu, “It’s unfair. Xu Tianya caused this mess, yet instead of apologizing for the company’s sake, you’re stuck fixing it.”

“They always say it’s for the company’s interest, Sister Xu Wu. You should slap him twice, expose his hypocrisy, and say, ‘I quit!’”

Xu Wu chuckled softly, “Then who would support me if I lose my job?”

Shu Ke patted her shoulder confidently, “Me! How could anyone discard such a beautiful person?”

Her gaze remained fixed on Boheng Technology’s website, her expression calm, “Alright, focus on analyzing those documents first.”

Shu Ke looked at the ceiling and complained, “If not for my brother returning from abroad pressuring me with my dad and threatening me with credit cards to toughen up in society, I would’ve done that long ago.”

Despite dressing appropriately like an ordinary office worker, her expensive shoes and bag logos hinted otherwise, worth a year’s salary for an average worker.

After reviewing Boheng’s recent products, Xu Wu exited the website and searched for forum details.

Shu Ke: “Sister Xu Wu, are you attending this forum?”

Xu Wu slowly browsed the introduction, replying softly, “Yes, Boheng Technology’s President Lin might appear there.”

Her slender hand moved the mouse, scrolling to the third column’s introduction when a familiar yet distant photo appeared.

Xu Wu stopped moving the mouse, her breath catching.

Shu Ke, focused on Xu Wu’s computer screen, failed to notice her anomaly and continued, “LUNAR has developed overseas. Founder Zhou recently returned to the country, causing quite a stir. I remember this photo from a journalist interview.”

“Sigh, Sister Xu Wu, if we collaborate in the future, I can connect through my brother. He knows Zhou well.”

Xu Wu didn’t respond, subtly gripping the mouse tighter, gazing at the photo.

Unlike the formally dressed individuals, the man in the photo sat in a race car, wearing a black racing suit, helmet covering his head, revealing only intense eyes. His brows slightly raised, eyes looking ahead, dark and deep, long lashes framing star-like eyes brimming with latent fiery passion.

Just one glance through the screen, Xu Wu knew it was him.

She had seen him with her own eyes.

That late autumn.

Her birthday.

On a Saturday, she was studying alone at home when Zhou Jin Ye came to take her to a racing club.

The youth gripped the steering wheel, pressing the accelerator, and the race car roared like an unleashed beast on the track. The deafening engine roar and screeching tires thrilled Xu Wu sitting in the passenger seat.

After the race, the youth removed his helmet, turning to her with smoldering eyes.

He pulled a box from his pocket and gave it to her, “For you. I’ll spend every birthday with you from now on.”

As Zhou Jin Ye spoke, he leaned over to remove her helmet and replace it with a necklace from the box.

He was close, his breath brushing her skin, the engine’s residual vibrations still echoing in her heart.

The person before her was like sunlight streaming through the window. She couldn’t resist kissing him, tasting the warmth of sunlight enveloping her entire body.

Outside, the cold wind howled.

Inside the confined space of the car, the temperature gradually rose, mingling with heated breaths. Only they were lost in the moment.

She quickly snapped out of the memory, swiftly scrolling the mouse, suppressing her emotions, “Back to work.”

The necklace around her neck suddenly grew hot. She silently removed it and placed it in a corner of her drawer.

Sealed memories began fermenting in her heart, gradually spreading throughout her body. She clearly remembered—it had been seven years since that day…

Xu Wu shut down her computer. Her departing figure was reflected on the black screen, gradually fading.

---

________________________________________

The forum was scheduled to begin at six in the evening, and Xu Wu arrived fifteen minutes early. She presented her invitation and entered smoothly.

At this hour, the crowd was sparse, with acquaintances gathering to chat about their companies. Xu Wu’s seat was in the third row from the back. Uninterested in listening to others engage in mutual flattery, she kept her eyes on the entrance, observing everyone who came in.

She glanced at her wristwatch—five minutes remained. The venue gradually filled up, but among the attendees, there was no sign of the person she sought: President Lin.

Xu Wu grew uncertain and decided to step outside the venue.

She approached a nearby staff member who had some free time and politely asked, “Excuse me, may I ask if anyone from Boheng Technology was invited to this forum?”

The staff member found the question odd but smiled at her gentle tone and replied, “Yes, we sent an invitation to Boheng.”

“President Zhou,” the staff member called out behind her.

The surname Zhou.

She had reviewed the guest list earlier—there was only one person with that name.

Her body froze in place as if threads of a spider’s web were weaving through her heart, slowly extending into her chest.

The sound of her heartbeat drowned out the chatter of the surrounding staff. All she could hear was the sound of leather shoes tapping against the tiled floor.

A figure brushed past her, carrying the faint scent of wood. Invisible molecules of the fragrance swirled around her nose.

The scent was too familiar. She turned her head and locked eyes with the person.

Staring at the familiar face under the bright fluorescent lights, his sharp features carried a hint of coldness. He shifted his gaze away indifferently.