587: Chapter 582 What do I need to give in return?

Chen Guangke also nodded in sincere admiration.

This plan guaranteed the project's stability while not abandoning the exploration of new technologies, and it also gave the technical staff a chance to atone for their faults.

It was practically perfect.

"Meeting adjourned."

Shen Yan finished speaking, picked up his coat, and walked straight out of the conference room.

An internal conflict that could have suspended the project for a month was completely resolved within the ten minutes of his appearance.

Back in the office,

Shen Yan processed several backlog documents and listened to Ava Chen's briefing on a few investment projects.

The first data report from the Sand Viper Tribe's "Divine Stone" smelting also arrived.

Everything was back on track.

His personal phone on the desk suddenly vibrated.

It was a text message from an unfamiliar number.

"Mr. Shen, hello, I am Li Jing. Are you available to take a call right now?"

Shen Yan's fingertip paused on the screen.

He dialed the number back.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Mr. Shen..."

Li Jing's voice carried a hint of cautious testing.

"It's me."

"Um... I think, I want to talk to you in person, about... about what you mentioned yesterday."

"You can."

Shen Yan glanced at his watch.

"In one hour, at 'Jing Yu' Coffee Shop in the south of the city."

"Okay, okay! I'll head over right away!"

After hanging up, Shen Yan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

Wealth intelligence in the intermediate Artificial Intelligence field.

He was determined to obtain it.

Jing Yu Coffee Shop.

The name was elegant, and the location was secluded.

When Shen Yan arrived, he chose a spot in the farthest corner.

Not long after, Li Jing arrived.

She was wearing a cream-white professional skirt suit today, and her hair was meticulously pinned up; it was clear she had dressed with great care.

However, the awkwardness and unease on her face could not be concealed.

She sat down opposite Shen Yan, her hands nervously clasped on her lap.

"Mr. Shen..."

She started, but then didn't know how to continue.

Thanks? That seemed too light.

Inquiry? That seemed too eager.

Shen Yan did not make things difficult for her.

He pushed the glass of lemon water the Waitress had just brought towards her.

"Ms. Li, let's make a deal."

His voice was calm, as if discussing the weather that day.

Yet, it exploded like a thunderclap in Li Jing's ears.

A deal?

She stared at him blankly.

Shen Yan ignored her shock and continued speaking on his own.

"I can help you. Assemble the top legal team in Hong Kong City to help you win the defamation and copyright ownership lawsuits."

"I can mobilize my resources to have an investigation company gather evidence of Gao Jun and Sun Miao stealing your designs."

"I can even make them lose all reputation in the entire jewelry design industry, with no chance of ever recovering."

With every sentence he spoke, Li Jing's heart beat faster.

These were all things she dreamed of achieving.

But she also knew very well that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

She forced herself to calm down, her voice slightly dry.

"What... what do you need me to give?"

Shen Yan picked up his coffee and took a light sip.

"Your future."

Li Jing's pupils contracted sharply.

"I want you to work for me for ten years."

Shen Yan set down his coffee cup. The cup and saucer collided, making a crisp, light sound.

"I have established a new jewelry brand in Hong Kong City, a brand that only deals in ultra-luxury. You will be the Chief Designer."

"I will give you the industry's highest salary and independent stock dividends."

"I will give you an unrestricted creative space, a platform for you to realize all your design ambitions."

"Your work will appear in France, Milan, New York City, in all the top show venues and display windows."

The blueprint he painted was an irresistible temptation for any designer.

Li Jing's heart pounded violently.

But she still latched onto the most glaring word.

"Ten years..."

She murmured to herself.

"What's the difference between that and a contract of servitude?"

She had just escaped the cage of one marriage; was she supposed to jump into another professional cage?

"There is a difference."

Shen Yan looked at her, his gaze devoid of sympathy, only the calm and frankness of a businessman.

"A contract of servitude makes you lose yourself. What I am giving you is the chance to find yourself, and even become a better self."

He leaned forward slightly.

"Ms. Li, forgive my bluntness. In your current situation—plagued by lawsuits, notorious, and burdened with huge breach of contract fees—no company in Hong Kong City, no, not even the entire country, would dare to hire you?"

"Even if you are incredibly talented, who would be willing to offend the Brilliant Era for your talent?"

His words were like a sharp knife, slicing open the shell of strength Li Jing had pretended to wear, exposing the bloody reality beneath.

Yes.

She could barely afford Anqi's tuition fees.

What future? What design studio? There was no time to talk about those.

"But... but ten years is too long.", her voice held a trace of pleading, "In the future, I still want... I still want to have my own design studio."

"My brand can be named after you."

Shen Yan threw out a new bargaining chip.

"'Jin Li,' or any name you desire. It will become a legend, and you will be the creator of that legend. Isn't that better than opening a small, struggling studio?"

Li Jing fell completely silent.

She lowered her head, looking at her hands resting on the table.

Those hands had once designed the 'Tears of the Stars and Moon' that stunned the entire graduation exhibition.

But now, they could only be used to carry plates, wash dishes, and rush around for a meager salary.

Freedom?

For a mother who could barely support her daughter, talking about freedom was an extravagance.

Shen Yan was very patient.

He didn't rush her.

He just quietly drank his coffee, giving her ample time for an internal battle.

He knew she had no choice.

What he offered was currently her only, and best, path.

After a long time, so long that the coffee was almost cold,

Li Jing slowly raised her head. Her eyes were somewhat red, but her gaze was no longer lost.

"Mr. Shen, I need to see the contract."

She had made her choice.

Trading ten years of freedom for a chance at revenge and a bright future.

A barely perceptible curve finally curled at the corner of Shen Yan's mouth.

He took out a document already prepared from his briefcase and placed it on the table.

"My legal team is on standby twenty-four hours a day."

"You can contact them anytime after you finish reading."

With that, he stood up and straightened the hem of his suit.

"Happy cooperating, Designer Li."

"Later, send me the materials you have and the specific details of how your ex-husband stole your design sketches."

He didn't linger for another second and turned to leave the coffee shop.

Leaving Li Jing alone with the contract that would change the rest of her life.