221: Chapter 222 Zhang Fan is forced to accept the harem alliance
Twilight in Jiangcheng drifted over the blue-tiled, white-walled houses, and warm yellow lights flickered on in Zhang Fan's private villa.
On the long dining table, the delicacies under the warming covers were still steaming, yet no one touched their chopsticks—Zhou Yurou, Liu Ruyan, Song Zhiwei, and Lin Wanyi sat on one side, while Zhang Fan sat alone opposite them, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the bone china cup.
This was the first time in his life he had been this nervous, his heart racing even faster than when facing the financial strangulation of Tianming Group.
"Today... thank you all." Zhang Fan broke the silence first, his voice slightly hoarse.
The lingering fear from the rescue scene had not yet dissipated.
He looked at the four women before him, who had endured danger yet remained composed, his throat bobbing as he spoke, "When I saw you were safe outside the warehouse, I made up my mind: I can no longer hide anything from you."
He raised his hand to press on the tabletop, his gaze sweeping over each person's eyes in turn, unreservedly honest: "Liu Ruyan, you were my partner fighting side-by-side during the initial stages of my startup; your rationality and technical talent are the cornerstone of Singularity; Sister Rou, you used your perseverance on the production line to help me stabilize during the most difficult moments; your warmth is my harbor when I am exhausted; Wanyi, you have broken through deadlocks for Singularity time and again on the battlefield of public opinion; your competence means I never have to worry about external storms; Zhiwei, your intelligence and security have protected us all like a shield."
"I know this is very selfish." Zhang Fan's voice deepened.
"But I really don't want to let any of you down."
"I called everyone here today just to hear your thoughts. Whatever decision you make, I will accept it."
The air was silent for a few seconds.
Zhou Yurou spoke first, pushing up her glasses, her tone still rational but warm: "Zhang Fan, we have known each other for ten years; I know your sense of responsibility better than anyone."
"From the day you cleared Uncle Li's name, I knew you were not someone who would shirk responsibility."
"Singularity is not just your career; it is our shared life's work. I understand the burden you carry and the complexity of these feelings."
She looked at the other three, her tone sincere: "We are not dodder flowers relying on him; each of us has our own career and value."
"Instead of agonizing over who is the 'one and only,' it is better to think about how we can work together to protect the people and things we care about."
Liu Ruyan held her warm water cup, her fingertips tinged with a faint pink.
Her voice was gentle yet firm: "I'm not good with words, but... we haven't been strangers for a long time; we are family."
She looked up at Zhang Fan, her eyes shining: "I accept this way, not as a compromise, but because I believe we can protect both our 'home' and our career together."
Song Zhiwei set down her chopsticks with a "clack."
Always competent, her eyes were sharp but carried a smile: "I'll be blunt: agonizing over emotional belonging is a waste of time."
"Now Tianming Group still has remnants, the eastern technology standard has just been implemented, and a pile of things is waiting for us to handle."
"I propose we form a 'Harem Alliance.' No petty jealousy, just division of labor and cooperation!"
These words instantly ignited the topic.
Lin Wanyi raised an eyebrow, her eyes bright beneath her neat short hair: "I raise both hands in favor."
"Division of labor and cooperation can perfectly leverage our strengths."
Zhou Yurou took over the conversation, counting on her fingers as she analyzed, "Liu Ruyan understands technology and strategy; she will be responsible for Singularity's corporate direction and R&D planning—this is her specialty; Zhiwei has the support of the Song family and knows the production side like the back of her hand; supply chain and factory management can be left to her, which will be absolutely foolproof; I will be responsible for media relations and overseas cooperation, holding our ground in public opinion and the market; Wanyi can act as the bridge to her brother, and besides, Wanyi is also the most skilled in matters of public opinion."
She looked at Zhang Fan, her tone teasing: "As for you, just be our 'central hub.' Focus your energy on core technology and the big picture; we will shoulder the trivial matters of home and career for you."
Zhang Fan watched the four of them discussing the division of labor with gusto.
His hanging heart finally settled, and his eyes grew slightly warm.
He had originally prepared to be blamed or rejected, but he hadn't expected them to use this method to turn a potentially awkward "showdown" into an alliance of fighting side-by-side.
"Finally, I'd like to add one more point."
Zhou Yurou took out her notebook and quickly wrote down a few items.
"The alliance must have rules: First, major decisions must be discussed collectively, especially those involving safety and corporate strategy; Second, we must hold regular meetings to synchronize progress in our respective areas of responsibility; Third, whoever encounters difficulties, the others must provide unconditional support—just like this kidnapping; we were able to save ourselves because of our mutual cooperation."
"These are good rules!" Liu Ruyan immediately agreed.
"Last time my production line was missing a special sensor, it was Zhiwei who transferred it to me from the R&D center overnight. This kind of tacit understanding must be maintained."
Lin Wanyi took four small silver badges out of her pocket, engraved with the words "Qidian Alliance," with the initials of each other's names on the edges: "I had the security department make these; consider them the token of our alliance."
"From now on, no matter where you are, if you see this badge, you'll know it's one of our own."
The four of them took the badges and pinned them on each other's lapels.
The warm yellow light shone on the badges, reflecting a soft yet firm glow.
Song Zhiwei raised her water cup and smilingly proposed: "Come, let's toast to our 'Harem Alliance' and to the future of Singularity!"
"Cheers!"
The five water cups clinked gently, emitting a crisp sound, knocking away all previous ambiguity, awkwardness, and concerns, turning them into a tacit understanding of moving forward together.
After dinner, Song Zhiwei stayed in the living room to organize materials for overseas cooperation, Lin Wanyi went to the kitchen to prepare snacks to take to the factory the next day, while Zhou Yurou and Liu Ruyan discussed the R&D plan for the next-generation Photon Chip with Zhang Fan in the study.
Zhang Fan stood in front of the study's floor-to-ceiling window, watching Lin Wanyi's figure carefully marking the defense line in the yard, and then glanced back to see Zhou Yurou circling technical points on the blueprint; the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to Gu Jingshen: "I'll have to trouble the authorities to strengthen the investigation into the remnants of Tianming Group. Our 'alliance' is in place, and it's time to thoroughly clean house."
Zhou Yurou walked to his side, followed his gaze, and said softly: "Don't worry, we are not fighting alone anymore."
"You are responsible for charging into battle, and we will help you guard the rear."
Zhang Fan held her hand and looked up at Song Zhiwei's focused profile in the living room.
The scent of osmanthus tea brewed by Qin Xue drifted from the kitchen, and Lin Wanyi's footsteps in the yard were steady and powerful.
He knew that this "family meeting" sparked by emotions had not only resolved their estrangement but had also formed a "core alliance" stronger than any commercial team.
The night grew deeper, and the villa's lights were warm and bright.
The remnants of Tianming Group were still lurking in the shadows, but they would never know that around Zhang Fan, the most powerful force had already coalesced—a force unrelated to profit, but rooted in trust and protection, which would become the strongest backing for them to completely defeat their enemies.