23: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

"Because, I went to see CEO Lan again today."

The surprise in Xie Mengya's eyes grew even more intense.

Lin Chao then recounted how he had received an emergency call from Lan Yanran this morning, and how, during the massage, he had subtly 'slandered' Zheng Guangzhi, adding a bit of flair to his analysis of that 'deceitful villain's' facial features.

Of course, he cleverly omitted the parts regarding Lan Yanran's emotional and hormonal changes.

Xie Mengya's eyes widened as she listened.

Those beautiful eyes, usually sharp and shrewd, were now filled with disbelief.

She just stared at Lin Chao quietly, as if looking at a monster.

It took a long time before she managed to squeeze a sentence out of her throat.

"Lin Chao..."

"You truly deserve to be your company's Gold Medal Salesperson."

This praise came from the bottom of her heart.

Killing without a visible blade!

This kid was simply a born actor!

Lin Chao looked at Xie Mengya, his gaze suddenly becoming somewhat complex.

He thought about it and finally decided to lay everything out on the table.

"President Xie."

"CEO Lan also gave me one million."

Xie Mengya: "???"

Her hand, which was picking up the teacup, froze mid-air.

Lin Chao looked at her face full of question marks, took a deep breath, and said word by word.

"She gave me a one-million-yuan private bonus to convince you to go all out and keep Zheng Guangzhi in check."

Xie Mengya was completely stunned.

Lin Chao didn't give her time to react, immediately recounting the conversation he had with Lan Yanran in the restaurant regarding 'initiative' exactly as it happened.

"...She said that if she approached you proactively, she would be 'begging' you, and the initiative would be in your hands."

"But if I mediate in the middle and get you to approach her proactively, the situation is completely reversed."

"At that point, she can get more of the benefits Lantu Group wants from you."

In the quiet tea room, only Lin Chao's clear voice remained.

Xie Mengya listened dumbfoundedly, her mind going blank.

In her head, which was usually full of business strategies and flawless calculations, only four words remained.

—It can be like this?!

But after the shock, a wave of immense joy instantly swept through her entire body!

Since Lan Yanran was willing to pay this million to have Lin Chao act as a middleman and play out this 'seizing the initiative' drama... it meant that in her heart, she had already decided to completely abandon the cooperation with Zheng Guangzhi!

In other words... Xie Mengya suddenly looked up, staring fixedly at Lin Chao!

Lin Chao's task... was complete!!!

She asked him to sabotage the cooperation, and not only did he sabotage it, he even brought back one million in 'military funds' from the enemy commander!

This speed!

These methods!

It was simply miraculous!

Xie Mengya's heart began to beat violently and uncontrollably!

Most importantly!

Since Lan Yanran wanted to contact other small companies while keeping Zheng Guangzhi on the hook... it meant that old fox Zheng Guangzhi knew absolutely nothing about it!

He would only think there was still hope for cooperation and pour all his energy and resources into the game with Lantu Group!

And this was the perfect time for her to consolidate company power and kick Zheng Guangzhi out of the game for good!

Her chance had come!

The chance was here!

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Once the cooperation between Zheng Guangzhi and Lantu Group completely fell through, that old fox would truly lose everything!

At that time, who among those old fogies on the board of directors would still believe him?

His power in the company would be divided and dismantled by her bit by bit!

As for Lan Yanran... that woman wanted her to keep Zheng Guangzhi in check?

It was simply a godsend!

As long as she started making trouble on her end and officially went to war with Zheng Guangzhi for power, that old thing wouldn't have the mind to worry about which small companies Lantu Group was contacting behind the scenes!

He would be overwhelmed with his own problems!

She was already planning to seize power from him!

Now, Lan Yanran had essentially given her a huge assist for free, winning her the most precious time and opportunity!

As for... letting Lan Yanran have the so-called initiative?

A disdainful sneer curled at the corner of Xie Mengya's mouth.

That was worth nothing!

Compared to watching that old bastard Zheng Guangzhi successfully cooperate with Lantu Group and drive her into a dead end, this so-called 'face' and 'initiative' weren't even worth mentioning!

She had absolute confidence!

Once she kicked Zheng Guangzhi out of the power center and completely controlled the company... by the next quarter, she could sit in front of Lan Yanran again as the ultimate project leader to discuss the next round of cooperation!

At that time, it would be hard to say who would be proactive and who would be passive!

Xie Mengya's heart was in turmoil, but her face gradually returned to calm.

She looked up and glanced at Lin Chao again.

Her inner feelings were extremely complex and mixed.

The man before her... a massager salesperson who knew practically nothing about company operations or capital games... had actually shifted the balance of cooperation between two groups in just two short days, creating such a perfect dead end for her!

No, it was a path to life!

A path to life for her, Xie Mengya, and a dead end for Zheng Guangzhi!

Looking at Lin Chao's frank, clear eyes that even carried a hint of seeking credit, her heart suddenly stirred.

A thought popped up irrepressibly.

"Lin Chao."

Xie Mengya's voice carried a hint of raspiness that she hadn't even noticed herself.

"Why... did you tell me all of this?"

Lin Chao was stunned for a moment.

Xie Mengya stared at him fixedly.

"According to the logic you told Lan Yanran, you could have completely kept it from me and used your own methods to convince me to help you complete the task she gave you."

"That way, you could have gained the trust of both of us at the same time and played both sides, couldn't you?"

That would be the way to maximize interests.

That was what a truly smart person should do.

But he didn't.

He chose the dumbest and most direct way—laying it all out.

To her surprise, upon hearing her question, Lin Chao's face actually showed an expression of utter astonishment.

That expression was as if he were hearing a tall tale.

"President Xie..."

"I thought we were already friends."

His tone carried a hint of 'it goes without saying'.

Friends?

Xie Mengya's heart felt as if it had been hit hard by something.

Coming from a man she had only known for two days, these words didn't make her feel he was being flippant; instead, they caused a... long-lost vibration.

Lin Chao looked at her complex expression, the surprise on his face slowly fading, replaced by a clear sense of disappointment.

Like a child who had done something wrong, he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

"Sorry," he said softly, "it seems... I was too arrogant."

The way he looked was like a Golden Retriever misunderstood by its master, the light in his eyes dimming.