240: Is that all you're asking for? Or should we add something else?

Ye Chen: "..."

Sure enough.

What was bound to come had finally arrived.

Ye Huasheng coughed from the side, pretending to lower his head to read the newspaper, but his ears were clearly perked up.

Ye Chen rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a bit helpless. "Mom, this matter... there's no rush, right?"

"How is there no rush?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yufen's voice rose several decibels.

"You've already been divorced once, and Xiao Lan isn't getting any younger either!"

"The girl has followed you and takes such good care of us; you should at least give her a proper status, right?"

"You can't just act like it's nothing just because Xiao Lan has a good temper and doesn't push you!"

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, waving the spatula in her hand.

"I'm telling you, Ye Chen, I like Xiao Lan from the bottom of my heart! She's sensible, capable, and looks like a celestial fairy!"

"And she's even better to you! During the few days you were in Yanjing, she was busy with The Group during the day, yet she still remembered to come back and brew soup for your father and me at night!"

"Where else are you going to find such a good girl?"

"You must give me a straight answer! When are you going to hold the wedding!"

Bombarded by his mother's rapid-fire marriage pressure, Ye Chen's scalp felt numb, and he hurriedly waved his hands to beg for mercy.

"Mom! Don't get excited first!"

"This matter needs to be planned carefully!"

He edged toward the door as he spoke.

"Bing Lan must have her own plans as well; we have to respect her thoughts, right?"

"Besides, I really have a lot of things to handle on my plate right now..."

"Don't give me that nonsense!" Zhuang Yufen wouldn't listen to his explanation at all, pointing the spatula forward. "I don't care what business you have, your lifelong happiness is the biggest business! If you try to dodge me again, don't even think about leaving the house tonight!"

Seeing that his mom was really about to blow a fuse, Ye Chen had a sudden inspiration and slapped his forehead.

"Oh! I just remembered!"

"Bing Lan told me earlier that there's a very important collaboration to discuss today. I need to hurry over and check on it so nothing goes wrong!"

After saying that.

He didn't give Zhuang Yufen any time to react, slipping out the door in a flash, leaving only a drifting voice behind.

"Mom, don't wait for me for dinner, we'll eat out!"

"You brat! Get back here!"

Zhuang Yufen chased him to the door, only to see the elevator doors slowly closing, making her stomp her feet in anger.

Only then did Ye Huasheng look up from behind the newspaper and say leisurely, "Alright, the child has his own plans. Pushing him too hard will only backfire."

"All you know how to do is play peacemaker!"

Zhuang Yufen glared at him and turned back to the kitchen, muttering, "No, I need to find some time to have a good talk with Xiao Lan..."

...Downstairs at the Shuyue Group building.

Ye Chen parked the car and looked up at the towering glass curtain wall.

He didn't call Bing Lan, intending to go up and give her a surprise instead.

Entering the first-floor lobby, a young girl with a ponytail was sitting at the front desk.

The girl was looking down, organizing documents. When she heard footsteps and looked up, her eyes instantly lit up.

"Mr... Mr. Ye? You're back?"

The current Ye Chen could be said to be a major internet celebrity.

Plus, with his connection to President Bing, naturally, no one in The Group didn't recognize him.

Ye Chen smiled and nodded. "Mhm, is President Bing in?"

Hearing this, the front desk girl hurriedly explained.

"President Bing isn't at The Group."

"Not here?" Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Where did she go?"

"President Bing and Sister Qin went out early this morning, saying they were going to discuss a collaboration."

The girl answered honestly, "It seems to be a big star from the Entertainment Circle who wants to cooperate with our group on jade jewelry advertisements."

Ye Chen was somewhat surprised to hear this.

Although Bing Lan was once a top-tier star, after retiring to manage Shuyue Group, she rarely took the initiative to contact resources from the Entertainment Circle, let alone personally negotiate an advertising contract.

This time she actually went out in person and even took Li Qin along?

Ye Chen frowned. "Do you know where they're meeting?"

"It seems to be at the Yunyao Tea House."

The girl checked the schedule and explained, "That star's surname seems to be Lin, called Lin... oh, Lin Mei! The one who's been especially popular lately!"

Lin Mei?

A man?

Ye Chen's confusion deepened, but he still nodded. "Okay, thanks."

"You're welcome, Mr. Ye!"

The front desk girl's face flushed slightly again.

Ye Chen turned to leave and sat back in his car. As he started the engine, he pondered.

Bing Lan was a top star in the Entertainment Circle before, so it wasn't unusual for her to associate with people in the circle.

But with her current status and the scale of Shuyue Group, general celebrity advertising collaborations didn't require her personal presence, let alone an appointment at an outside tea house.

This Lin Mei... what exactly was his background?

Thinking of this.

He drove straight toward the Yunyao Tea House... Inside a private room at the Yunyao Tea House.

The fragrance of tea curled in the air.

Bing Lan sat upright on a rosewood chair, dressed in a simple white western suit and skirt, which made her look as cool and elegant as an orchid.

Li Qin sat beside her, wearing a sharp black professional outfit with a high ponytail. At this moment, she was slightly frowning, her eyes carrying obvious impatience.

Opposite them sat a young man in a royal blue casual suit.

The man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with fair skin and handsome features that were somewhat feminine. A seemingly gentle but subtly aggressive smile played at the corners of his mouth.

He was precisely the top-tier young idol currently making waves in the Entertainment Circle—Lin Mei.

"Senior Bing Lan, it's been a year since we last met. You've truly become more and more beautiful."

Lin Mei spoke first. "Retiring behind the scenes has instead added a few hints of mature charm, making it hard to look away."

Bing Lan put down her teacup and looked up, her gaze as cold as frost.

"Lin Mei, let's get straight to the point."

"Group affairs are busy; my time is limited."

The smile on Lin Mei's face faltered slightly, but it quickly returned to normal, even taking on a hint of grievance. "Senior, don't be so distant. We can be considered old acquaintances; when I first entered the industry, I received quite a bit of guidance from you."

Bing Lan didn't speak.

Lin Mei paused and continued.

"I came to Xiamen City this time, firstly to pay you a special visit and catch up."

"Secondly, I truly want to discuss a collaboration with Shuyue Group, to become the sole jewelry spokesperson for Shuyue Group."

"And thirdly..."

He drew out his words, his gaze becoming ambiguous. "I'd like to invite you to grace me with your presence for dinner. I know a very good French restaurant with a private environment and dishes that are..."

"Mr. Lin."

Li Qin couldn't help herself and interrupted him directly.

"I think of your three points, the last one is the real point, right?"

"Another pursuer of Sister Bing Lan?"

"Unfortunately, you're late. Sister Bing Lan already has a partner, and their relationship is very good, so don't waste your efforts."

The smile on Lin Mei's face froze, and a flash of annoyance crossed his feminine eyes.

But he quickly forced out an even brighter smile.

"Has a partner?"

"Even if a flower has a master, the master can be changed, can't they?"

"Nothing in this world is eternal, especially feelings."

"You!" Li Qin's brows shot up as she prepared to slam the table.

Bing Lan gently raised her hand and pressed down on her wrist.

"Lin Mei."

"I don't think there's any need for us to continue this conversation."

As she spoke, she prepared to stand up.

"Wait!"

Seeing this, Lin Mei finally dropped his hypocritical, affectionate act, and his expression darkened.

He quickly took his phone out of his clutch and swiped the screen a few times.

"Senior Bing Lan, don't be in such a hurry to leave."

"I know Shuyue Group has been promoting jewelry recently and is even more intensely preparing for an IPO; the future looks bright."

His tone shifted, carrying a threatening undertone.

"But tell me..."

"If at this critical juncture, some 'dirt' about The Group's president—that is, you yourself—from your time in the Entertainment Circle suddenly surfaced..."

Lin Mei paused deliberately, enjoying the sight of Bing Lan's slightly furrowed brows.

"Some 'dirt' that's explosive enough, eye-catching enough, and something for the gossip-hungry public to relish."

"Like a messy private life?"

"Like using improper means to rise to the top?"

"Or perhaps... some sudden leaks from 'insiders'?"

He shook his phone.

"Then, would Shuyue Group's path to listing become exceptionally bumpy?"

Bing Lan's frown deepened, her voice cold. "I have dirt? Why didn't I know that myself?"

"Senior, if you walk by the river often, how can you not get your shoes wet?"

Lin Mei shrugged, acting as if it were a matter of course.

"You were so famous back then; you were a thorn in the side of countless people."

"Hard evidence might be difficult to find, but catching shadows, grafting images, taking things out of context... you should be clearer than I am about the methods the Entertainment Circle uses to manufacture dirt, right?"

Li Qin trembled with rage. "During the years Sister Bing Lan was a star, she kept herself clean, had zero scandals, and her professional abilities were top-notch. There's absolutely no dirt; you're slandering her! This is defamation!"

"Does it matter if the dirt is real?"

Lin Mei sneered, leaning back in his chair leisurely.

"What matters is whether the people eating the gossip believe it."

"What matters is when this dirt appears, who releases it, and how big of a wave it can stir up."

He leaned forward and lowered his voice, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

"Senior Bing Lan, I'm a very direct person."

"I've taken a liking to you, not just for your beauty, but also for your current status and position."

"By being with me, your group's listing will go smoothly, and my connections and resources can all be used by you."

"We can become the most enviable power couple in the Entertainment Circle and the business world."

"But if you refuse..."

Lin Mei's gaze suddenly became sinister and ruthless.

"I don't mind using a few 'little tricks' to make you and your Shuyue Group lose your reputation and shatter your dreams of listing!"

"What I, Lin Mei, cannot have, others shouldn't dream of getting easily!"

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

Bing Lan's face was as cold as ice.

Li Qin was just about to burst out in anger when a light voice drifted in from outside.

"Just this one request?"

"Why not add a few more?"