Even Chairman Li was inwardly impressed, noting that Mo Lian's composure was rare. If he used that composure in negotiations between the Mo family and clients, he could easily overwhelm them with his presence.
Mo Yushen clicked on the audio, which contained only one sentence: "That project, xx, looks promising, but it's likely to lose money nine times out of ten. We'll withdraw later once Mo Lian's money comes in."
They recognized the voice; it belonged to Mr. Qian, the head of their Mo's Real Estate partner.
Mo Lian lightly twirled the pen in his hand with two fingers. He was quite certain that President Qian couldn't have said those words. But the recording did indeed come from President Qian.
Mo Yushen repeated the sentence twice before closing the window. "If you feel that this project is worth continuing, then you should continue."
He closed his notebook, bowed slightly, and left the meeting room.
Leaving midway through the meeting was something only Mo Yushen dared to do.
Mo Yushen has already stated his position that he will not vote. And this crucial audio recording shows that Mr. Qian wants Mo Lian to take over, allowing Mr. Qian's capital to exit.
Perhaps, Mr. Qian and Mo Lian reached some kind of private agreement.
No director dares to easily vote on this financing.
The meeting adjourned.
Mo Lian called President Qian, but no one answered. He scoffed.
The secretary whispered, "If we're going, I'll go to Shanghai myself tonight?"
Mo Lian tossed his phone onto the table: "No need."
A few weeks ago, Mo Yushen went to Shanghai. He assumed Mo Yushen was there for Xi Jia's illness, but in fact, Mo Yushen went to see President Qian, though discreetly. He overlooked this.
Secretary: "So, what's next?"
Mo Lian leaned back in his chair, squinted, and remained silent.
Mo Yushen ended his project, which he had been working on for almost a year, with the ruthlessest and fastest methods.
The secretary's phone rang with a message. After reading it, she reported to Mo Lian, "Mr. Mo, we haven't found out yet what benefits Mr. Qian received from Mo Yushen."
Mo Lian remained silent. How could Mo Yushen possibly handle these matters himself? His friends could simply pass the money through any of their accounts.
Perhaps, money always cooperates with the Ji family and profits from them.
He lost this round.
Mo Lian gestured for his secretary to leave and attend to other matters, then spent some time alone. He had been working late into the night for the past few days, and he leaned back in his chair, dozing off.
When he woke up, it was already 7:30.
The office lights were off, but the city lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the office.
Mo Lian stood at the window for a while.
He worked overtime throughout the New Year's holiday. He didn't have a single friend in Beijing. Since joining Mo's company, everyone he knew was driven by self-interest and hypocritical.
Actually, I know one too.
He was abroad at the time, and he and Xi Jia went out together. Unfortunately, she was Mo Yushen's wife.
Mo Lian grabbed his trench coat and left the office.
The elevator went directly to the underground parking lot. He stepped out of the elevator, but after taking a few steps, he stopped.
Jiang Qin was walking towards me, her head down, sending a voice message: "I'll be there soon. Press the elevator button for me upstairs."
She looked up and paused, startled. Mo Lian was staring at her.
Jiang Qin thought for a moment. The last time she saw Mo Lian was a few years ago. At that time, she hadn't broken up with her ex-boyfriend yet, and they bumped into each other in New York.
She was having dinner with her boyfriend when she ran into Mo Lian at the restaurant, but she didn't greet him.
She disliked Mo Lian from her teens.
Mo Lian wanted to take a step, but he didn't lift his foot. He wanted to say something to her, but he was afraid she would find it offensive.
Jiang Qin walked over, brushed past him, then turned back. "Mo Lian, what do you want from me to let this go? Mo Yushen has let you off the hook time and time again, never holding it against you. If it weren't for Grandpa Mo's sake, if it weren't for the Mo Group's interests, he would have approved your lousy project. The cash flow would have dried up, Mo's Real Estate would have collapsed, and he could have used that to kick you out of the Mo Group. But he didn't do that, because you're not worth it. He cares more about the long-term development of the Mo Group."
Mo Lian didn't respond, nor did he dare to turn around.
Jiang Qin: "How did you become just like your mother? So gloomy that you can't see a ray of sunshine in your heart, it has overturned my understanding of people."
Mo Lian's fingers curled slightly unconsciously.
Jiang Qin: "You weren't like this when you were little. You were clearly very kind." She opened her mouth, wanting to say a few more words, but then felt it was pointless.
He is already stubbornly clinging to his delusions; she cannot wake someone who is pretending to be asleep.
The elevator doors opened, and Jiang Qin quickly stepped inside.
Mo Lian didn't turn around until the elevator doors closed.
When Jiang Qin arrived upstairs, Mo Yushen was waiting for her at the elevator entrance.
Jiang Qin was startled and flattered. In the past, Mo Yushen would never even pour her water when he came over, but this time he actually lined the street to greet her.
"You've finally had a change of heart and realize how good I've been to you, haven't you?"
Mo Yushen: "You've been sitting for too long, come out and stretch your legs."
Jiang Qin: "..." She glared at him.
She's still on his WeChat blacklist.
She sometimes marveled at her own greatness, realizing that her love for him and Cheng Weiming was undoubtedly genuine.
Jiang Qin came here today to discuss Cheng Weiming's birthday party with Mo Yushen.
In the past, when they celebrated their birthdays, they never invited anyone else; the three of them would just have a meal together and chat.
This year is different because Mo Yushen knows that Cheng Weimo also likes Xi Jia. If only the three of them get together, it will definitely be awkward and quiet.
When they arrived at the office, Mo Yushen made her coffee.
Jiang Qin stared at him suspiciously; something was definitely amiss. "Tell me, is there another trap here?"
Mo Yushen: "These past two years, I've always made you give in to Xi Jia. That's caused you a lot of grievances."
Jiang Qin was a little unaccustomed to this sudden emotional outburst. "I am a compassionate person."
Mo Yushen: "You've been acting in a period drama lately?"
Jiang Qin smiled. It really is true.
She picked up her coffee and sniffed it; the instant coffee tasted pretty good. "It's Cheng Weiming's birthday, I want to go out with him."
Mo Yushen: "Where to?"
Jiang Qin: "I haven't decided yet. After I finish filming this drama, we'll take the Spring Festival holiday together. I haven't traveled in a long time."
A few seconds of silence.
She looked at Mo Yushen and said, "I've come to terms with it. It won't be like nothing happened anytime soon. Before, I was afraid you'd grow apart and hoped you wouldn't hold any grudges. I was too demanding. Actually, things are pretty good now. You still trust him so much and entrust the company's business to him. Cheng Weimo is the same; he still cares about you and hopes you and Xi Jia are both doing well. As you grow up, you definitely won't be like you were when you were little, showing your emotions on your face. Of course, I still hope that one day, we can each take our children to play in Wutong Alley."
So much has happened in the past two years.
They've all matured, and so has she.
Mo Yushen: "Do you have any acting projects planned for next year?"
Jiang Qin: "I'm currently selecting scripts. There are many, but I'm not very interested in the themes or character settings. My agent said, 'Better to have none than something bad.' Let's talk about it after the New Year. There's also a lot of promotion for 'The Rest of My Life,' and I promised Zhou Mingqian I'd attend every single one."
Of course, it was also out of respect for Xi Jia.
Everyone was looking forward to this drama, and she did her part in doing her best.
Mo Yushen: "If Xi Jia recovers well next year, I plan to invest in her script. The female lead in it is quite similar to you in personality. Plus, you can ride horses."
More importantly, Jiang Qin knew what state Xi Jia was in after suffering from amnesia and tinnitus.
The more you know, the better you can portray those feelings.
During this time, Xi Jia also changed the female lead's profession, from a diving instructor to an equestrian athlete.
Jiang Qin was interested in this subject matter, and if she wasn't mistaken, it was definitely being filmed and produced by Zhou Mingqian's team. However, she might not have the opportunity to play the female lead.
"We'll see when the time comes; Xi Jia might not even let me act."
Mo Yushen: "She clearly distinguishes between public and private matters."
Let's leave this topic here.
He went home and asked Xi Jia who would be cast if it were made into a TV series.
Mo Yushen changed the subject, casually asking, "What has Cheng Weimo been busy with lately?"
Jiang Qin: "What else could he be busy with? Didn't you ask him to help Xiang Luo? Xiang Luo's case isn't over yet."
Mo Yushen nodded.
Jiang Qin deliberately made things difficult for him, "Hey, the Spring Festival is just around the corner, and it's going to be a new year. When are you planning to remove me from the blacklist?"
Mo Yushen didn't say anything, but poured her another cup of coffee.
——
As the Spring Festival approaches, the streets and alleys are filled with the festive atmosphere.
Xi Jia's medical team held their final debriefing meeting before the Lunar New Year.
Xi Jia's memories began to persist, with important events lasting for two or three days before gradually fading.
Some unimportant things are still forgotten the next day.
However, the overall recovery exceeded expectations.
No side effects occurred during the medication period.
The only concern now is whether long-term use of this medicine will affect fertility.
Mo Yushen: "I don't plan to have children."
Everyone looked at him.
Especially Ji Zhenghe and Xi Yelan, the bitterness in their hearts was indescribable.
Mo Yushen: "Continue with the medication."
The doctor nodded and then reminded Mo Yushen, "Xi Jia's memories are dwindling with use. Once they're all used up, who knows what will happen?" Her memories will become discontinuous, and she might experience pauses or blockages.
Mo Yushen: "It's alright. No matter how bad things get, it won't be worse than before."