Volume One, Chapter 20: Targeted, Cooperation Lost
Song Wanxi clenched the strap of her backpack tightly, silent, her chest feeling as if weighed down by a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.
“No, that can’t be right. With your personality, how could you have offended anyone? It must be me who’s upset someone,” An Xiao muttered to herself.
At that moment, a deep male voice came from behind, “Miss Song, there you are. Just in time—I have something to discuss with you.”
Hearing this, Song Wanxi turned around and saw the property manager approaching. She nodded politely. “Hello, Manager Yue.”
Manager Yue said, “Miss Song, I just received a call from the landlord. After your lease for the pharmaceutical research institute expires in August, they have no intention of renewing it. They hope you can find a suitable new place and move out as soon as possible.”
An Xiao froze, her lips trembling as if about to burst into tears.
Song Wanxi’s expression remained calm as she replied quietly, “Alright.”
“I’ll take my leave then,” Manager Yue said, hands behind his back, and turned to leave.
The morning sun shone brightly upon Song Wanxi, yet an icy chill rose from the depths of her heart.
An Xiao stepped forward, eyes brimming with tears. “Wanxi, I truly don’t know who I’ve offended.”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Song Wanxi responded with a bitter smile. She raised her hand to gently touch An Xiao’s distressed face before pulling a contract from her bag and handing it to her.
“What’s this?” An Xiao took it, eyes wide with shock. “An investment contract from the You Group?”
Song Wanxi nodded. “Yes.”
“What does this have to do with anything?” An Xiao couldn’t make sense of it.
“She probably doesn’t want You Jin to help me,” Song Wanxi reminded.
An Xiao’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding. A surge of anger rose to her forehead as she raised her voice, “It’s Hanzi Tea, isn’t it? Hanzi Tea is targeting you.”
Song Wanxi’s tone was as calm as still water. “I’m not certain it’s her yet, but with her abilities alone, she couldn’t have done all this. Someone must be assisting her.”
Fuming, An Xiao grabbed Song Wanxi’s hand. “Come on, let’s find You Jin and tell him what’s happening.”
Song Wanxi pulled her hand away, her voice turning heavier. “What good would that do?”
An Xiao stamped her foot in frustration. “Whether it helps or not, at least find someone to deal with Hanzi Tea. It’s infuriating.”
Song Wanxi’s heart ached as tears welled in her eyes. Her voice grew weaker. “Xiao Xiao, a favored child, even if she commits murder or arson, will be forgiven and protected. But a child unloved—even her very breath is wrong.”
An Xiao gazed at Song Wanxi’s reddened eyes, unable to fully understand but deeply sympathetic.
She stepped forward and wrapped Song Wanxi in an embrace.
The sudden warmth comforted Song Wanxi’s melancholy heart.
Unable to hold back any longer, tears silently slipped down her pale cheeks, glistening like crystals.
---
She had longed for a hug for so long, resting her face against An Xiao’s shoulder, her voice soft yet resolute. “Xiao Xiao, everything I have today is because I walked every step on my own. I don’t need a man’s pity. I have paid all my dues and secured every legal document I should have. I may not be an extraordinary woman, but I will never be easily defeated.”
“Yes,” An Xiao whispered, stroking her back gently. “Since we met in college, you have always been my role model—the Song Wanxi I admire most, gentle in manner but fiercely strong at heart.”
Song Wanxi pulled away from An Xiao’s embrace, wiping her tears secretly. She took a deep breath. “Let’s go in and get those people out.”
With that, she stepped forward.
An Xiao followed anxiously. “Those people are tough to deal with. They clearly want to cause trouble.”
Song Wanxi remained unfazed.
Inside the office, several middle-aged men sat on the sofa, their faces flushed as they argued heatedly with a salesperson over animal protection issues.
As Song Wanxi entered, the salesperson brightened as if seeing a savior. “This is the legal representative of our company. Whether to release these animals is her decision.”
The men, seeing only a young, fragile woman, grew arrogant and stood up to intimidate her, but Song Wanxi spoke first.
“Releasing these animals is possible, but your Animal Protection Association will take full responsibility for all consequences.”
The eldest man responded boldly, “We’ll take responsibility.”
Song Wanxi explained, “My laboratory houses hundreds of monkeys needed for experiments. More than half carry rare viruses with high infectiousness. The rest are ill. The medications I develop serve both as experiments and cures for them. If they leave my lab, within two weeks, all will perish. If mishandled, your association will be the first group infected by these rare viruses. As for how far the virus spreads afterward, I cannot predict.”
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, their faces paling with fear.
Detecting their apprehension, Song Wanxi calmly pressed, “So, will you release them or not?”
The senior man hesitated, then, fearing the animals might cause a widespread epidemic and unwilling to bear such responsibility, he angrily said, “You wait to be sued.”
With that, he left with his entourage.
The salesperson exhaled in relief.
An Xiao smiled warmly and gave Song Wanxi a thumbs-up.
But Song Wanxi could not smile back.
She felt this was only the beginning; greater, more hellish challenges awaited.
---
The following day:
The clutter blocking the fire escape was cleared.
The tax audit passed without any issues.
As for the Animal Protection Association’s lawsuit—it was utterly baseless, and Song Wanxi did not concern herself with it.
With several months until August, she could submit an application to the government, who could arrange a new laboratory for her.
---
Night had deepened.
The moonlight was beautiful. A spring breeze stirred the light curtains. In the bright, tidy living room, Song Wanxi sat with her hair dried after a shower, reviewing research data.
The clock on the wall showed 9:05 p.m. The door opened.
She looked up from her papers.
You Jin entered, having changed his shoes.
His handsome face was weary, his steps heavy as he removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie. His deep eyes fixed on Song Wanxi.
They met each other’s gaze, yet neither could fathom the other's thoughts.
Song Wanxi did not greet him; he seemed unwilling to break the silence.
He walked straight toward the bedroom.
Song Wanxi picked up the contract nearby and quickly stood. “You Jin.”
He paused, back still turned.
She approached and handed him the contract. “The one you left on the coffee table this morning—I’ve signed it. Please sign as well.”
You Jin exhaled softly, then turned to look at her before glancing down at the contract. “Let’s put this matter aside for now.”
Put aside? Song Wanxi’s heart pricked sharply, stinging.
In other words, the cooperation was off.
You Jin would not invest in her company.
Nothing could be more ironic.
“Fine.” Song Wanxi showed no desire to salvage it and turned toward her room.
Suddenly, a strong hand gripped her wrist, stopping her.
A warm sensation spread from her wrist as her body tensed. She looked toward her wrist.
Her eyes followed the man’s long arm upward, locking with You Jin’s deep black eyes, and an inexplicable flutter stirred within her.
You Jin frowned slightly. “Aren’t you going to ask me why?”