Lin Yu picked up the pen, which glinted coldly under the light, resembling a drawn sword or an old friend accompanying her through the battles of the business world.
She took a deep breath, as if expelling all her stress while inhaling every ounce of determination.
With a swift motion, she let the pen glide across the contract, its tip dancing like a performer on stage or a swordsman striking down foes on the battlefield.
Finally, on the blank space of the last page, she signed her name. Each stroke was filled with strength, every curve radiated decisiveness.
As Lin Yu completed her signature, she exhaled deeply, feeling as if she had just finished a grueling marathon. A sense of relief washed over her, as if she had shed a heavy burden. "Done!" she exclaimed, lifting her head to reveal a radiant smile that blossomed like a sunflower basking in the sun, full of vitality.
With a playful wink at Jiang Chen, her tone carried a hint of pride and satisfaction, reminiscent of a mischievous kitten that had stolen a fish or a triumphant general returning from battle.
Jiang Chen looked at her; his usually nonchalant expression softened into rare seriousness and warmth.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, forming an attractive arc like a crescent moon casting gentle silver light.
His gaze was filled with admiration and tenderness, akin to the warm sunlight of winter illuminating Lin Yu, making her feel immensely comfortable and secure, as if all fatigue and pressure had vanished in that moment.
"Congratulations, President Lin," his voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with an almost imperceptible tremor and genuine sincerity, like an old friend truly happy for her success.
"Congratulations to you too, President Jiang," Lin Yu replied playfully, her eyes sparkling like a lively little bird hopping on branches or a whimsical sprite frolicking in the forest.
Her mood was as bright and warm as the sunniest spring day.
With the signing of the cooperation agreement, Lin Yu's company had completely escaped its crisis, rising like a phoenix reborn from flames, rejuvenated and ready to soar.
The news spread rapidly through every corner of the company. Each employee felt as if they had heard the call to arms—blood surged with excitement and anticipation.
Cheers erupted among the staff like a flock of joyful birds chattering about their future. Their eyes sparkled with hope and dreams, envisioning a bright tomorrow for the company.
In the office, cheers, applause, and laughter intertwined like a cheerful symphony or a lively painting.
Some employees embraced each other in excitement; others jumped for joy; still others shed tears of happiness. The entire company was immersed in a sea of joy, each person genuinely thrilled about their rebirth.
Lin Yu watched all this unfold with heartfelt emotion, akin to a loving mother observing her children thrive—her heart swelled with pride and contentment.
She knew that all of this was hard-earned, the result of everyone's collective efforts and the diligent contributions of each employee.
Walking to the window, she gazed out at the bustling city, a surge of ambition swelling in her heart.
She believed that in the days to come, her company would thrive just like this vibrant city, full of energy and hope, continuously growing and expanding.
“Inverse Light, we did it!” Lin Yu silently declared to the system, her tone filled with excitement and joy, like a child receiving their beloved toy, brimming with enthusiasm, or a warrior celebrating a hard-won victory, filled with pride.
Her voice echoed in her mind, tinged with a slight tremor, a hint of pride, and a vision for the future.
“Congratulations, Host, mission accomplished!” The voice of the system “Inverse Light” was equally enthusiastic, like a loyal companion sharing in its master’s joy; its mechanical tone sounded particularly pleasing at that moment.
After the celebration, as the noise faded away and the crowd gradually quieted down, it felt like a beach returning to calm after the tide receded. Lin Yu and Jiang Chen entered the office and closed the door, shutting out the outside clamor. The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat delicate, like a tightly strung bowstring that could snap at any moment, or the oppressive stillness before a storm.
“Lin Yu, actually…” Jiang Chen hesitated, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, like a bottomless lake that was hard to read, or a fog enveloping his heart, obscuring his sense of direction.
Lin Yu looked at Jiang Chen; his usually playful face was now etched with seriousness and conflict.
A sense of unease crept into her heart, like a vigilant little rabbit perking up its ears or a seabird sensing an impending storm in the air.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her tone laced with curiosity as if probing for something.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath as if summoning courage or making an important decision.
“Actually, I approached you with an agenda at first.” His voice was low and hoarse, sounding like a confession or an admission; each word seemed to be squeezed from deep within him, heavy with gravity and helplessness.
Lin Yu's heart sank abruptly, like a stone dropped into water creating ripples or being struck by a heavy blow—painful and dull.
“What agenda?” she forced herself to ask calmly, but her voice trembled slightly like leaves in an autumn breeze or a flickering candle flame that could extinguish at any moment.
Jiang Chen looked at Lin Yu, his eyes filled with guilt and regret, like a child who had done something wrong awaiting punishment from their parents.
“I… I initially intended to use you to obtain your company's trade secrets.” His voice grew quieter, almost inaudible like a mosquito buzzing or a pebble thrown into still water creating ripples.
Lin Yu's face instantly turned pale, like a blank sheet of paper, devoid of any color, as if all her strength had been drained away, leaving her weak and powerless.
She felt a wave of dizziness, as if struck by lightning, her body limp, like a beautiful soap bubble ruthlessly popped, vanishing into thin air.
She could never have imagined that Jiang Chen would treat her this way. She had once trusted him so deeply, considering him her closest companion, yet he had been deceiving her all along, using her like a sharp knife that deeply pierced her heart.
"Why?" Lin Yu's voice trembled, like an injured little bird emitting a faint whimper, each word carrying endless pain and disappointment.
Jiang Chen looked at Lin Yu's suffering expression, his heart filled with guilt and sorrow, as if being gnawed by countless ants, the pain unbearable.
"I'm sorry, Lin Yu, I..." He wanted to explain but didn't know how to articulate it, like a mute with a thousand words trapped inside, or a sinner facing the victim's accusations, rendered speechless.
"Stop talking!" Lin Yu interrupted Jiang Chen. She didn't want to hear his explanations anymore; she just wanted to be alone for a while, like an injured little beast wanting to hide in a corner and lick its wounds.
"Just go. I don't want to see you again." Her voice was cold and resolute, like a sharp knife that stabbed Jiang Chen's heart and formed an icy wall that completely separated them.
Jiang Chen looked at Lin Yu. The face that once radiated sunshine and smiles was now filled with pain and disappointment.
His eyes were filled with anguish and helplessness; he knew he had completely lost Lin Yu's trust. There was no way to salvage it now, like a shattered vase that could never be restored.
"I'm sorry, Lin Yu." After saying this, he turned and left the office. His back was lonely and desolate, like a lost traveler or an abandoned child—alone and helpless.
Lin Yu watched Jiang Chen's departing figure with mixed emotions swirling within her heart, like a spilled jar of flavors—sweet, sour, bitter, salty—all kinds of tastes surged up inside her. It felt like a colorful palette where all the colors blended together, making it impossible to discern what she truly felt.
She didn't know what to do; she just wanted to be alone for a moment to sort out her thoughts, like a lost lamb unable to find its way home.
"Inverse Light, what should I do?" Lin Yu asked the system in her heart, her tone filled with confusion and helplessness—like a lost child unable to find their way home or a drowning person grasping for a lifeline.
"Host, you are doing well. Don't be deceived by his sweet words," the system Inverse Light comforted her. "Remember, you are the best!" Its mechanical voice now sounded full of strength and warmth, like a bright light illuminating Lin Yu's path forward.
"But..." Lin Yu wanted to say more but was interrupted by the system, like a child who hesitated to speak being silenced by an adult.
"Host, what you need now is to calm down and think carefully about what to do next," Inverse Light said firmly. "Do not let your emotions control you; analyze the situation rationally." Its voice was strong and powerful, guiding Lin Yu toward the right direction.
Lin Yu took a deep breath, striving to calm herself, like a small tree swaying in a storm, trying to root itself and maintain balance. She knew the system was right; she couldn't let her emotions dictate her actions. She needed to analyze the problem rationally and find a solution, like a composed chess player strategizing on the board.
Suddenly, Lin Yu had an idea. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a mischievous smile, akin to a cat that had successfully stolen a treat, proud and cunning. "Inverse Light, what do you think would happen if I made Jiang Chen my employee too?" she mused playfully, her tone laced with jest.
"Ah?" The system, Inverse Light, paused for a moment, clearly taken aback by Lin Yu's suggestion, like a student caught off guard by an unexpected question. "Host, do you mean…?" Its mechanical voice carried an unusual hint of confusion.
"Exactly," Lin Yu replied with a smile that resembled a blooming poppy—beautiful yet dangerous. "Since he initially intended to use me to obtain my company's trade secrets, I can turn the tables and make him work for me, creating value for me instead. Isn't that killing two birds with one stone?" Her words brimmed with confidence and wisdom, reminiscent of a queen orchestrating her strategy.
"Host, that's brilliant!" Inverse Light exclaimed excitedly, like an explorer who had just discovered new territory. "Not only can this defuse the crisis, but it also makes him pay for his previous actions—it's truly a double win!"
Lin Yu nodded with a smile, her eyes filled with determination and confidence, like a general preparing for battle, her gaze piercing.
"That's right; I want him to know that I, Lin Yu, am not someone to be trifled with. He will pay for his actions." Her voice was strong and resolute, like a sword drawn from its sheath, sharp and ready.
At that moment, the office door swung open abruptly. Jiang Chen returned like a gust of wind, standing once again before Lin Yu.
With a serious expression, he said to Lin Yu, "Actually, there's a secret I haven't told you..." His voice was low and earnest, as if he were announcing an important decision or making a final confession.
Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, looking at him with an amused yet scrutinizing gaze—like a queen surveying her subjects. "Oh? What other secret could there be?" She was curious to see what tricks this man still had up his sleeve.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath as if summoning great resolve and said, "Actually... I lied to you. I didn't approach you for the trade secrets..." His voice grew softer but each word resonated clearly in Lin Yu's ears like pebbles creating ripples in the calm surface of her heart.
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