Chapter 24 The Leads’ Chance Encounter

Chapter 24: A Chance Encounter

As Lu Jingtang updated her social media, Fu Nanyu, along with Li Chen and others, was aboard a cruise ship, watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks illuminate the Silver Bund.

The colossal cruise liner, capable of hosting over ten thousand guests, boasted every conceivable amenity: a bar, hotel, billiards room, restaurant, cinema, and various entertainment facilities. This exclusive vessel, owned by a prominent family, was positioned directly opposite the Silver Bund. Fireworks, each worth millions, exploded in a seemingly endless cascade, yet the revelers on board, immersed in their opulent pursuits, paid little heed to the dazzling, extravagant display.

Most eyes, however, were drawn to the ship's uppermost deck—a realm inaccessible to the vast majority.

On the second deck, the harmonious strains of a piano and cello duet filled the air. At the ship’s bow, a figure in a crimson gown danced gracefully in the night breeze. Amidst the shimmering lights and music, her skirt billowed, her delicate wrists and slender waist swaying like a willow in the wind, transforming the spectacular fireworks behind her into a mere backdrop.

As the dance concluded, thunderous applause erupted across the ship. Ji Yunyin’s chest rose and fell subtly, her radiant, fair skin glistening with a fine sheen of sweat. A sharp ache shot through her ankle; it seemed she had twisted it slightly during her performance.

Smiling, she accepted a rose presented to her, lowering her head to inhale its fragrance. The sight of the beauty savoring the bloom stirred the hearts of every gentleman present.

Yet, Ji Yunyin’s true motive for boarding the cruise ship was not to bask in admiring glances. She was there for the individual on the top deck. Ideally, she wished to have no dealings with Fu Nanyu whatsoever. However, a recent project she was involved in had fallen under the purview of the Fu Corporation. Despite its success, the project had been plagiarized and sabotaged by competitors, leaving her no choice but to confront Fu Nanyu.

“What a magnificent dance! Tell me, Mr. Fu, weren’t you even a little captivated?”

On the top deck, Li Chen, with a mischievous grin, draped an arm over Fu Nanyu’s shoulder. Observing Fu Nanyu’s perpetually impassive, almost ascetic demeanor—as if he were poised for monastic retreat—Li Chen mused, *Surely not?* He then playfully patted Fu Nanyu’s chest and whispered conspiratorially, “Brother, be honest: are you secretly in love with me or Qi Heng?”

Fu Nanyu’s expression remained unchanged. His gaze swept over Li Chen from head to toe, an arrogant, dismissive appraisal. “You?”

That single word inflicted a crushing blow on Li Chen. Indignant, he retorted, “What’s wrong with me? This year, I was voted among the top ten most eligible bachelors globally!”

Fu Nanyu shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. “You mean that dubious ‘pay-to-play’ list? I heard some three-hundred-pound American billionaire spent tens of millions to buy his way to the top spot.”

Li Chen was left speechless. It was true—when he first saw the link, he’d been elated, only to discover that he, a dashing young billionaire, ranked fifth, while the top position was occupied by a three-hundred-pound middle-aged man.

Across from them, Qi Heng roared with laughter, nearly choking on his drink—a near-catastrophe that would have left the Qi family without an heir.

Qi Heng playfully jabbed at Li Chen: “If you keep messing around like this, by the time Nanyu has twins, you’ll still be stuck in the ‘chase-your-wife-through-the-crematorium’ phase, hahahaha!”

Little did Qi Heng know that years later, his words would prove prophetic, and he would, in turn, become the target of Li Chen’s vengeful pursuit.

Access to the top deck was restricted. As Ji Yunyin approached the entrance, she was immediately intercepted by bodyguards. “Miss Ji, may I help you?”

“Your boss, Mr. Fu, asked to see me,” Ji Yunyin fabricated.

Even if she was a favored candidate for Grandpa Fu’s granddaughter-in-law, the bodyguards only took orders from Fu Nanyu. Unyielding, they stated, “Apologies, but we must first consult with Mr. Fu.”

Ji Yunyin couldn’t possibly allow them to contact Fu Nanyu. In a desperate gambit, she feigned a tantrum: “Do you know who I am? I am Fu Nanyu’s fiancée!” For the sake of her project, she was prepared to endure Fu Nanyu’s disdain.

The bodyguard remained impassive. “I’m sorry, Miss Ji, please don’t make things difficult for us. We advise you to wait a moment.” People behind her were already preparing to enter.

Panicked, Ji Yunyin seized the moment the door opened, kicked off her high heels, and charged recklessly inside. The bodyguards, all men, hesitated to physically restrain a woman, and in that fleeting moment of indecision, she burst through.

Fu Nanyu and his two companions were enjoying their drinks when a commotion erupted. Ji Yunyin, barefoot, stormed in, followed by a dozen pale-faced bodyguards.

“Our apologies, Mr. Fu,” the bodyguards stammered.

Not only Fu Nanyu, but even Qi Heng, usually affable and perpetually smiling, now wore a strained expression. These scions of wealthy families had received elite education from childhood. In the cutthroat world of business, they were masters of deception and strategy; without sharp wits, one could not hold such a position. Consequently, they possessed a strong sense of territoriality. Ji Yunyin’s abrupt intrusion was utterly unwelcome.

“We’ll leave you to it.”

Li Chen, sensing the situation, discreetly steered Qi Heng away, giving Fu Nanyu space to handle the matter.

Fu Nanyu lifted his gaze to her, his dark eyes like frosted obsidian, still radiating an icy, emotionless chill. Ji Yunyin’s hands trembled. She told herself inwardly, *Ji Yunyin, this man has never, from beginning to end, harbored any affection for you—not in this lifetime, nor the last. When will your heart cease to ache for him?*

In this life, she vowed that those who had wronged her would pay, especially Lu Jingtang. She would return every ounce of suffering she had endured.

Composing herself, Ji Yunyin presented her business proposition in a professional manner. After listening, Fu Nanyu let out a sudden, mocking chuckle. He said, “Miss Ji, if your project proposal was plagiarized, you should pursue legal action. The Fu Corporation is merely a collaborating partner.”

Ji Yunyin countered, “I understand, but it’s difficult for me to sue the other party alone. They only plagiarized a portion. If the subsequent phases of the project don’t align, wouldn’t that also result in a significant loss for the Fu Corporation? That’s why I’m seeking your cooperation. Isn’t this a win-win?”

Fu Nanyu’s expression remained detached, his clear, moon-like eyes glinting with cold light. In truth, it would have been far quicker for Ji Yunyin to approach Grandpa Fu, who owed her family a favor. Yet, she had gone to such elaborate lengths to create this scene before him.

“Very well. Bring the materials to the company next week,” he conceded, settling Grandpa Fu’s debt.

A surge of joy filled Ji Yunyin. She smiled faintly, a touch of girlish charm unconsciously appearing on her face as she looked at Fu Nanyu. “Really? Thank you so much.”

Fu Nanyu didn’t even glance at her. Seeing her still standing there, he asked, “Anything else?”

“No, I’ll go now.” Dejected by his question, Ji Yunyin only realized the excruciating pain in her foot as she began to walk. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. Weakly, she asked, “I’m sorry, Mr. Fu, may I rest here for a while before leaving?”

Fu Nanyu: “...As you wish.”

Then, he, Li Chen, and Qi Heng exited the top deck, leaving her alone. Ji Yunyin stood stunned for a moment, then let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. After resting a bit longer, she finally made her way out.

A bodyguard was waiting for her outside. “Miss Ji, there’s a doctor on the cruise ship. I’ll escort you.”

Ji Yunyin paused, a flicker of hope stirring within her despite herself. “Did Fu Nanyu ask you to wait for me?”

The bodyguard: “...” *Damn, work is already annoying enough without dealing with a hopeless romantic.*

“Something like that,” the bodyguard replied, expressionless.