Shen Yunmian's team worked with remarkable efficiency.
Although Yu Sheng had deliberately avoided real-name transport systems and used cash, through hotel records and surveillance cross-referencing, they eventually pinpointed her location.
A coastal tourist city famous for its sea views.
However, knowing her location didn't mean they could contact her.
Yu Sheng's phone remained stubbornly powered off, completely isolating her from the world.
Shen Yunmian sat in her office, fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk.
Knowing where the other person was but being unable to communicate made her feel even more restless than total disconnection.
She was used to control, used to everything following clear logic and plans. Yu Sheng's "loss of control" this time had completely disrupted her rhythm.
After several failed attempts to call Yu Sheng, her frown deepened.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the rising irritation, and had someone find Gu Wanqing's number.
The phone rang for a while before being picked up. In the background were faint sounds of waves and distant music.
"Hello?" Gu Wanqing's voice came through.
"Miss Gu, it's me, Shen Yunmian." Shen Yunmian's voice was as steady and cold as ever, revealing no emotion.
There was a brief silence on the other end, then it was like a switch had been flipped. Gu Wanqing's speech sped up instantly, firepower fully unleashed:
"Oh, President Shen? What a rare guest! What's this—our busy CEO finally remembered she has a wife who just lost her child and needs rest, wandering outside? Your concern is a bit late, isn't it? What, finally finished your billion-dollar project? Or finished comforting your precious 'good sister' before you had time to spare a little attention?"
Her words were like a barrage of bullets, filled with sarcasm and undisguised hostility.
Shen Yunmian held the phone, listening expressionlessly. Only after Gu Wanqing's rapid-fire attack paused did she speak coldly, her voice without a trace of emotion: "Miss Gu, every word you just said has already been recorded."
On the other end, Gu Wanqing clearly hadn't expected this move, and her momentum faltered instantly:
"…Recorded? What are you trying to do?"
"Miss Gu, your remarks constitute a personal attack against me." Shen Yunmian's tone was businesslike, as if stating contract terms. "Although the circumstances are minor and not enough to file a case, I don't mind having my legal department send you a lawyer's letter on that basis. Or perhaps have a 'friendly' chat with the person in charge of the new company you're currently seeking investment from."
Gu Wanqing sucked in a sharp breath, her voice trembling with anger, yet she was indeed restrained by those words.
She feared nothing, but her newly started career was her hard work—she couldn't let a moment of impulsiveness ruin it.
She subconsciously turned to look at Yu Sheng, who was lying on a beach chair nearby sunbathing, and complained angrily: "Sheng Sheng, she recorded it! She's even threatening me!"
Yu Sheng had already heard the commotion. She slightly lifted her chin, signaling for the phone.
Shen Yunmian, not getting a response, repeated with an unquestionable command in her tone: "Miss Gu, please let my wife answer the phone."
At that moment, a cool voice with obvious impatience came through the receiver, calling her full name directly: "Shen Yunmian."
Hearing that voice, Shen Yunmian's tense mood visibly eased.
Ignoring the hostility in Yu Sheng's tone, she tried to make her voice sound as calm as possible: "Yu Sheng, I know you've been wronged. I've already handled Xingyao's matter. If you have any requests, we can sit down and talk. Running away from home and cutting off contact is a very irrational behavior. It won't solve any problems…"
The same rational analysis she was already sick of hearing made Yu Sheng's irritation reach its peak.
Yu Sheng coldly cut her off, "Are you done being annoying?"
Shen Yunmian's words stopped abruptly.
"I said I need to rest. Can't you understand human language? Don't call again!"
After saying that, Yu Sheng didn't give her any chance to respond and directly hung up.
The busy tone came through. Shen Yunmian held the phone, still in the posture of answering, frozen in place.
She… got hung up on again? And was even called "annoying"?
A few seconds later, unwilling to give up, Shen Yunmian called back again.
Yu Sheng glanced at it, hung up immediately, and decisively blocked the number.
The world instantly became quiet.
She tossed the phone back to the stunned Gu Wanqing, lay back down in the chair, and laughed at herself: "With her personality, she won't let this go. Now that she's tracked us here, she'll probably show up soon."
Gu Wanqing looked troubled and leaned in to whisper, "Then what do we do? Should we… change locations again?"
Yu Sheng shook her head. "No need. Hiding forever isn't a solution. If she comes, even better."
"Better?" Gu Wanqing was confused.
"Mm." Yu Sheng put on her sunglasses, hiding the emotions in her eyes, her tone resolute. "If she dares to come, I'll show her what real 'losing control' looks like."
"Huh?" Gu Wanqing was even more confused.
Yu Sheng laughed softly. "Anyway, I've got nothing to lose now. I don't care about losing face. But she—President Shen—she does."
Gu Wanqing looked at her friend, whose personality had completely changed, no longer the love-struck fool she used to be, and her eyes lit up.
Nice. Shen Yunmian's good days were over.
—
On the other side, after being hung up on repeatedly and blocked, Shen Yunmian's expression completely darkened.
She slammed the phone onto the desk with a dull thud.
At that moment, there was a soft knock on the office door.
"Come in." Shen Yunmian suppressed her anger, trying to steady her voice.
The door opened, and Lin Ruoyan walked in.
She was dressed in a soft beige suit today, her makeup delicate, holding a cup of coffee with a gentle smile. "Sister Yunmian, you seem tired lately. I made you a cup of coffee to help."
She walked closer and placed the coffee on the desk. Her gaze swept across Shen Yunmian's face, then suddenly froze as if she noticed something. She covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes instantly filling with concern and worry. "Sister Yunmian, your face… what happened? How did you get hurt? Is it serious?"
As she spoke, she instinctively reached out to touch it.
Shen Yunmian slightly turned her head to avoid her, her tone indifferent: "It's nothing. Just accidentally scratched."
She didn't want to mention the origin of the wound—it would remind her of her rare embarrassment that night.
Lin Ruoyan's hand froze midair before awkwardly withdrawing. Her eyes were full of concern and just the right amount of indignation. "How could you accidentally get hurt this badly? Could it be… related to your wife? I heard she…" She trailed off deliberately, looking like she wanted to say more but held back.
Shen Yunmian frowned, not wanting to discuss this.
Observing her expression, Lin Ruoyan cautiously said, "Sister Yunmian, how about… I help you talk to your wife? Maybe she's just overthinking things for the moment. If I talk to her, she might come around?"
"No need." Shen Yunmian refused without hesitation. "You don't need to worry about this. Just handle your own matters."
Lin Ruoyan was momentarily choked up. A trace of disappointment and unwillingness flashed across her face, but she quickly adjusted her expression and nodded obediently. "Alright, I'll listen to you." She paused, as if suddenly remembering something, her tone turning light with a hint of coquettishness. "By the way, Sister Yunmian, Director Wang sent over a new film script. I've read it—the production team is pretty good. Do you think you could let me play the female lead…"
Before she could finish, Shen Yunmian interrupted her: "Ruoyan, there's something I forgot to tell you. I've transferred the shares of Qiyun Film to Yu Sheng. From now on, she has the final say in all matters there."
"What?!" The smile on Lin Ruoyan's face froze instantly, and she nearly shouted, "Transferred to… Yu Sheng? Why? Sister Yunmian, Qiyun Film is something you put so much effort into…"
She couldn't accept this at all!
Qiyun Film was practically a kingdom Shen Yunmian built for her, with all resources tilted toward her—and now it was handed over to Yu Sheng just like that? That woman who, in her eyes, was good for nothing but pretending to be gentle and generous?
"This matter is already decided." Shen Yunmian's tone left no room for negotiation. She added, "Yu Sheng isn't in good health right now and needs rest. We'll talk about everything after she returns."
Lin Ruoyan's nails nearly dug into her palm. It took immense self-control to keep her expression from falling apart.
She knew Shen Yunmian too well—once she made a decision, no one could change it.
She didn't dare question or defy her.
But that unwillingness and resentment grew wildly in her heart like poisonous vines.
Yu Sheng! Why does she get to overshadow her in everything!
"I… I understand." Lin Ruoyan lowered her head, trying to hide the turmoil in her eyes. "Then Sister Yunmian, I won't disturb you anymore."
She turned and left hastily, her back stiff and slightly awkward.
Shen Yunmian watched her leave, rubbing her temples, with no energy to care about her emotions.
Her gaze returned to the phone screen, troubled over how to coax her angry wife back.
Little did she know, what awaited her was a loud slap.
—
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