Volume One, Chapter Three: An Auspicious Day, Perfect for Breaking the Engagement with the Huo Family

“Mom, Dad, Sunday is an auspicious day, perfect for going to the Huo family to call off the engagement.”
“All right, then Sunday it is.”

Tang Zhenguo and Jiang Wanyu had no objections about when to go to the Huo family to break off the engagement; they deferred entirely to Tang Ruan. They had long felt that Huo Yanchuan was not a suitable match. If it weren’t for being unable to persuade Tang Ruan, they would have ended the engagement long ago. Now that Tang Ruan had made up her mind to break the engagement with Huo Yanchuan, whether it was Sunday or even right this moment, they would rush to change clothes and head straight to the Huo residence without hesitation.

“Ruan Ruan, will you come with us on Sunday?”

Tang Ruan shook her head. “No, Mom and Dad. I’m flying to Y Country on Saturday night.”

The Tang Group was preparing to launch a new production line, and one of the critical raw materials needed to be sourced from TG Company in Y Country. The salesperson previously dispatched had failed to reach an agreement with TG. She wanted to go there herself to assess the situation.

Firstly, to understand the circumstances firsthand and try to facilitate cooperation. After all, this raw material was vital to the new production line. If the deal with TG fell through, they would have to purchase it from other countries at a higher price. That would increase both the investment and product costs.

Secondly, it was also to take a breather. She had heard that Y Country had a Mount Helen, atop which stood Helen Castle. It was said that making a wish facing Helen Castle would grant any desire. She wanted to make a wish there—for her parents’ good health and for the Lin family to overcome their crisis.

“Y Country? The TG matter?”

“Yes.”

Tang Zhenguo, thinking something over, comforted her, “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best.”

“I understand, Dad.”

“By the way, Ruan Ruan, have Jie Jie come to the Tang Group tomorrow.”

He handed her a folder. “This project aligns with the Lin Group’s business and has a short payment cycle. It should help Lin Group.”

“Have Jie Jie review it, and if interested, go to the sales department tomorrow to sign the contract.”

“Thank you, Dad!”

Tang Ruan walked upstairs with a light step, clutching the folder. Once in her room, she eagerly photographed the documents and sent them to Lin Jie.

The next second, Lin Jie’s video call popped up. Tang Ruan clicked ‘Answer.’

“Ahhh, Ruan Ruan, Ruan Ruan, I love you to death!”

“That was my dad’s idea.”

“I love Uncle Tang to death!”

Tang Ruan sighed helplessly. “You look at the content first. If it’s okay, come to the Tang Group’s sales department to sign the contract tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there first thing tomorrow morning!”

“See if the business terms are acceptable…”

“Of course they are!”

“…You haven’t even looked yet.”

“Lin Group doesn’t have much choice these days.”

Lin Jie pouted slightly, her tone a bit downcast. “Ruan Ruan, you don’t know. Those who used to beg Lin Group for cooperation now just say they’re considering it when I approach them. In reality, they have no intention of choosing Lin Group.”

“Even those who called my dad ‘brother’ before—I go to their companies, but can’t even meet them.”

“I see them walk into the office with my own eyes, but their secretaries say they’re on business trips out of town.”

Lin Jie’s voice grew softer and softer. During this time, she had truly experienced the coldness of human relationships.

Tang Ruan looked at Lin Jie and said each word carefully, “Jie Jie, things will get better.”

“You and the Lin family, both will get better.”

“Thank you, Ruan Ruan.” Lin Jie murmured hoarsely.

“All right, get some rest. See you at the coffee shop downstairs at nine tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Tang Ruan went into the bathroom to wash up. Half an hour later, she emerged wearing a lotus pink robe. She went to her desk, opened her computer, and began reviewing information about TG.

To know oneself and the enemy is to win every battle.

The glow from the screen illuminated the mask on her face and the slightly damp black hair on her shoulder. Unconsciously, the night outside deepened.

Early the next morning, Tang Ruan stepped into the plaza before the Tang Group building and headed toward the coffee shop.

Passing the parking lot, she paused.

She thought she saw a familiar car.

Quickly shaking her head to dispel wandering thoughts, she reminded herself to get more rest. She had stayed up too late last night and was feeling foggy. How could Huo Yanchuan have come to Tang Group’s territory on his own?

As she pushed open the coffee shop door, she saw Lin Jie waving at her from the innermost seat—the place they usually met.

Tang Ruan smiled and walked briskly inside.

Along the way, many greeted her, “Young Madam Tang.”

“Good morning, Young Madam Tang.”

Tang Ruan responded to each with a smile.

This café, located beneath the Tang Group building, was mostly frequented by Tang employees, though occasionally employees from neighboring companies came for coffee as well.

“Good morning, Young Madam Tang~” Lin Jie teased with a grin, pushing the coffee she had ordered long ago in front of Tang Ruan. “Sugar-free Americano, Young Madam Tang’s favorite.”

“Thank you, Little Madam Lin~” Tang Ruan mimicked her tone.

Lin Jie shivered with goosebumps all over. “Oh no—stop it already.”

Tang Ruan raised an eyebrow. “Who told you to start it first?”

“I was wrong.”

“All right, I forgive you.”

Tang Ruan took the folder out of her bag, opened it, and pushed it toward Lin Jie. “Take a look first.”

Lin Jie closed the folder. “No need. If I can’t trust you, who else can I trust?”

She knew very well that the Tang Group was never short of partners. This time, offering Lin Group this chance was purely out of Tang Ruan’s goodwill. If she couldn’t believe that, she would be ungrateful indeed.

“Jie Jie, relationships are one thing, cooperation is another.”

“A written contract, no matter how close the relationship, must be examined carefully.”

Lin Jie was silent for a moment before opening the folder and reading line by line.

After finishing, she looked at Tang Ruan gratefully. “Ruan Ruan, this cooperation is truly a godsend for Lin Group—”

Before she finished, her expression suddenly changed. “Ruan Ruan, watch out!”

Tang Ruan caught it in the corner of her eye but had no time to stand and dodge. She grabbed the bag beside her and held it up in front of her face.

Since she was destined to get hurt, she chose to minimize the damage.

“Ahh—”

Even prepared mentally, the moment the coffee splashed onto her hand, she gasped sharply in pain.

Such hot coffee—it must have just been made.

Her luck today seemed rather poor.

“Ruan Ruan!”

“Young Madam Tang.”

“Young Madam Tang, are you okay?!”

...

A crowd quickly gathered around. Someone handed her tissues, others asked questions.

Tang Ruan put down her bag, and the remaining coffee dripped from her hand and bag onto the floor.

Though most of the coffee was blocked by the bag, her white shirt was inevitably speckled with coffee stains.

“Excuse me.”

The crowd quickly parted to make way.

Tang Ruan hurried to the sink, turned on the tap, and placed her reddened hand under the running water.

“Let’s go to the hospital,” Lin Jie said as she approached.

Tang Ruan shook her head. “It’s fine. I have burn ointment in my office.”

With prompt treatment, it wasn’t a big problem.

Five minutes later, the redness on Tang Ruan’s hand had faded somewhat, and the pain had eased. After applying some burn ointment, it would heal in a few days.

The Tang employees who had gathered earlier dispersed upon her signal—some left, some returned to work.

The large café was nearly empty except for the staff. Both staff and customers deliberately avoided the area.

Besides Lin Jie, only the staff member who had spilled the coffee on Tang Ruan remained.

From her figure, it was a young woman wearing a baseball cap and mask, her face obscured.