60: Chapter 61 The Game Has Only Just Begun

Yin Tianxue listened quietly, feeling the powerful heartbeat beneath his chest and the heavy, unquestionable conviction in his words. The momentary sting and chill she had felt when she first heard him say "I suppose I would" were gradually melted and covered by his subsequent, more determined and burning confession.

She knew she had asked a silly question. In this world, there are no "ifs." But women are like that sometimes; even when they know the answer, they still want to hear it from the other person's own mouth, wanting to confirm their unique and irreplaceable weight in his heart.

Yu Bo's answer did not disappoint her. He was even more honest and... domineering than she had expected.

"Who wants to hear your sweet talk?" Yin Tianxue buried her face in his chest and spoke in a muffled voice, though her ears had quietly turned red. "You just know how to coax me."

"I'm not coaxing you; it's the truth." Yu Bo cupped her face, forcing her to look into his eyes, which held undisguised deep affection and possessiveness. "Yin Tianxue, listen to me carefully. In this life and the next, don't even think about shaking me off. And don't think about pushing me to anyone else, even if they are someone you 'don't mind.' I, Yu Bo, am yours in life and in death. Do you understand?"

This almost overbearing declaration made Yin Tianxue's heart skip a beat, followed by a massive surge of sweetness and security. She looked at the serious expression on the man's face before her and suddenly smiled. That smile was as bright as sunlight, dispersing the last trace of gloom caused by Shen Nian's visit.

"I get it, you domineering man." She stood on her tiptoes and took the initiative to kiss his lips, pulling away as soon as they touched, her eyes flashing with a mischievous light. "However, if you dare to have any stray thoughts about other 'peaches,' I will..."

"You'll what?" Yu Bo raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I'll..." Yin Tianxue's eyes darted around, and she suddenly reached out to give the soft flesh at his waist a firm pinch. "Let you taste my power!"

Yu Bo hissed in pain and let out a low laugh, suddenly sweeping her up in his arms. "Who's powerful? Hmm? It seems you've rested enough this afternoon and have the energy to provoke me?"

"Ah! Yu Bo, put me down! I was wrong!" Yin Tianxue cried out, laughing as she playfully hit his shoulders.

"Too late." Carrying her, Yu Bo strode toward the bedroom, a wicked smirk curving his lips. "Tonight, I'll let you see exactly what 'my power' is."

The bedroom door was kicked shut gently, isolating them from the outside world.

That night, there was no Shen Nian, no Su Man, and no external disturbances. There were only two people in love, using the most primitive and intimate way to confirm each other's existence and belonging, completely burning away those hidden insecurities and tests.

At the other end of the city, Shen Nian sat alone before the floor-to-ceiling window of her apartment, holding a glass of red wine. Looking at the brilliant night view outside, the perfect smile on her face had long since vanished, leaving only a cold calm and deep contemplation.

Tonight's "making her way inside" was very successful, even smoother than she had anticipated. Yin Tianxue's guard was lowering, and Yu Bo... although still distant, at least hadn't shown strong rejection. She had successfully planted a seed named "friend" between them.

Next would be patient watering, waiting for it to take root and sprout, growing slowly until... it was lush enough to shake certain seemingly solid barriers.

She took a sip of red wine, her gaze appearing deep and unfathomable in the night.

Yu Bo, Yin Tianxue... the game has just begun. I have plenty of time and patience. We'll take it slow.

As the night deepened, the red wine swayed in the glass, reflecting the bottomless glimmer in the depths of Shen Nian's eyes. The gentle, appropriate, and measured demeanor she had displayed during dinner had now entirely faded, leaving only a nearly cold-blooded sobriety and a determined resolve to get what she wanted.

She set down her wine glass, walked to her desk, and opened her computer. On the screen was the detailed information and suggestions she had organized for Mingtu Technology to participate in the Deep City Supply Chain Conference—systematically analyzed and of immense value. She knew this was currently the most effective way to impress Yu Bo and the most "reasonable" way to approach him—by providing irreplaceable value.

But that alone was not enough. Value could only buy respect and cooperation; it couldn't buy what she truly wanted.

She clicked on another encrypted folder, which contained various public and non-public information she had people collect about Yu Bo and Yin Tianxue recently. Yu Bo's investment trends, Yin Tianxue's schedule, even the restaurants and clubs they frequently visited... the information was fragmented, but pieced together, it was enough to outline the general contours of their lives.

Her fingertips slid gently across the touchpad, finally stopping on several candid photos. They showed Yu Bo and Yin Tianxue dining at a restaurant, shopping at a mall, and even... sharing a goodbye kiss downstairs at Yin Tianxue's apartment. The shooting angles were discreet, and the resolution was decent.

Shen Nian's gaze lingered for a long time on the photo of Yu Bo holding Yin Tianxue. In the photo, Yu Bo's eyes held a tenderness and focus she had never seen before; that total protection and possessiveness made her heart ache slightly, but that pain soon turned into an even more blazing desire for conquest and refusal to accept defeat.

She closed the folder and rubbed her brow. Candid photos and stalking were low-end tactics that could easily backfire. She, Shen Nian, disdained and did not need to use such dirty methods. What she wanted was to walk into his life and his heart openly, even if only into a corner.

Tonight's visit was a successful test. She had confirmed several points: First, Yin Tianxue was not entirely repulsed by her and might even be open to accepting her because of her "harmless" performance and the value she provided. Second, Yu Bo's vigilance toward her was very high, but he temporarily had no effective way to push her away completely and could only maintain a surface-level politeness. Third, their relationship was very good and stable, making it difficult for external forces to damage it directly.

Therefore, her strategy needed adjustment. A direct assault wouldn't work; indirect infiltration was the best course of action. She would continue to consolidate her identity as a "valuable friend," build up plenty of goodwill with Yin Tianxue, and establish an impeccable professional image with Yu Bo. Meanwhile, she would look for any tiny cracks in their relationship or... create opportunities.

She thought of the slight hint of playfulness and fatigue Yin Tianxue had occasionally revealed tonight regarding Yu Bo's "excessive demands." Could this... be a point to exploit? Not through belittling or sowing discord, but by demonstrating another "possibility"—the possibility of a more mature female partner who understood consideration and boundaries better.

Of course, this required extremely subtle operation; she couldn't leave any tracks.

A cold arc slowly curved at the corner of Shen Nian's mouth. She wasn't in a hurry; she had plenty of patience. A man like Yu Bo was worth her finest net and most patient wait.

She picked up her phone and sent a message to her assistant: "Tomorrow morning, help me book a private session at the 'Contemplative Delight' yoga studio for ten o'clock. Also, check if Ms. Yin Tianxue has a habit of practicing there regularly and what her class schedule is."

"Contemplative Delight" was one of the most high-end yoga clubs in Jiangzhou, known for its privacy and professionalism; many celebrities and wealthy socialites liked to go there. She vaguely remembered hearing someone mention that Yin Tianxue seemed to have a habit of practicing yoga.

If they "happened" to be at the same club and "happened" to have a common hobby, then becoming "Yoga buddies" would be perfectly natural, wouldn't it? Compared to business partners, connections established between women due to shared hobbies were often more personal and harder to refuse.

After sending the message, Shen Nian walked to the window and looked toward the general direction of Yin Tianxue's apartment, her gaze dark and unreadable.

Yu Bo, Yin Tianxue... we have a long time ahead of us.

Under the same night sky, Yu Bo's room presented a different scene.

The bedroom was filled with the lingering, ambiguous atmosphere of intimacy. Yin Tianxue was so tired she didn't even want to move a finger, curled up in Yu Bo's arms and sleeping soundly with a peaceful expression of satisfaction.

Yu Bo, however, wasn't sleepy. He lay with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling, as everything that happened tonight replayed in his mind.

Shen Nian's "perfect" performance, Yin Tianxue's joke about "sharing," and her later "if" question were all like tiny thorns pricking his heart. He knew that Shen Nian's visit tonight was definitely not on a whim. Every step she took carried a clear purpose.

He gently pulled his arm out from under Yin Tianxue's head, got out of bed, and walked to the living room. Without turning on the lights, he used the faint light filtering through the window to pour himself a glass of ice water and drank it all. The cold liquid sliding down his throat cleared his chaotic thoughts slightly.

He walked to the balcony and lit a cigarette. He rarely smoked, only touching them when he was extremely irritable or needed to think.

The smoke curled upward, blurring his cold, sharp profile.

Shen Nian was like a beautiful and cunning snake that had already flicked its tongue and slithered into his territory. He couldn't drive her away crudely; that would make him look ungentlemanly and might cause Yin Tianxue to feel repulsed. But he certainly couldn't allow her to coil herself there and slowly infiltrate.

He needed to counterattack, but it had to be a silent, traceless counterattack.

First, he had to cut off or control the opportunities for Shen Nian to have private contact with Yin Tianxue. This kind of "visiting the home" must never become the norm. He had to find a way that didn't seem intentional but would allow Yin Tianxue to naturally reduce unnecessary private interactions with Shen Nian.

Secondly, he needed to accelerate the layout of "Listening to the Waves" in the field of Hard technology, especially the accumulation of resources in the supply chain and downstream channels. He couldn't always passively accept Shen Nian's "help"; he had to make himself and "Listening to the Waves" a stronger and more reliable backer for the likes of "Bright Path," diluting Shen Nian's importance.

Finally, regarding Shen Nian herself... Yu Bo's gaze darkened. He had to figure out what Shen Nian actually wanted. Just him as a person? Or the resources of "Listening to the Waves"? Or both? Only by clarifying her ultimate goal could he formulate an effective response strategy.

Perhaps... he could utilize the system? For example, conduct a deeper "probe" of Shen Nian? Although he had seen basic information before, perhaps there were more hidden, unknown weaknesses or leverage?