“President Hu, hello.”
The timeline rewinds to half an hour earlier. Shortly after Li Feng left, Hu Yuanyuan and Song Zhiyuan arrived in the hall. At that moment, a seductive middle-aged woman approached Hu Yuanyuan with a smile.
“Mo Xing, it’s you.” Hu Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up upon seeing her. This woman was none other than the vice president of Minfeng Bank, which had business ties with Fengyuan Group. Minfeng Bank was Tianhai City’s largest private bank, and Fengyuan Group currently had several hundred million in financing loans there.
“President Hu, you look stunning today. If I were a man, I would definitely pursue you.” Mo Xing looked Hu Yuanyuan up and down.
“You are joking, Mo Xing. You look particularly beautiful today too.” Though Mo Xing wore only a simple black suit and skirt, it could not hide her curvaceous figure. Full and sensual, with hair in an elegant bun, willow brows, phoenix eyes, a flushed face radiating confidence and pride mixed with mature charm.
“No matter how beautiful I am, I cannot compare to President Hu.” Mo Xing smiled, her gaze shifting to Song Zhiyuan beside her. “This must be President Hu’s boyfriend? Truly handsome and dashing.”
“You are joking, Mo Xing. This is Song Zhiyuan, a friend of my husband.” Hu Yuanyuan smiled.
“Husband? President Hu, you are married?” Surprise flashed in Mo Xing’s eyes.
“Yes.” Hu Yuanyuan nodded.
“What a pity. With your status, President Hu, you should not have married so soon. Once a woman marries, she stops being beautiful. Soon she becomes a worn-out wife. Look at me. I married too early, and now my husband has no interest in me.” Mo Xing shook her head, looking regretful.
“Mo Xing, no need to exaggerate.” Hu Yuanyuan found it amusing. She had not expected Mo Xing to be so humorous.
“President Hu, running into you here is perfect. Why not find a place to talk?” Mo Xing looked at her.
“This…” Hu Yuanyuan hesitated. Li Feng had asked her to wait in the hall, and after witnessing the scheming at this business alliance meeting, she did not want to leave alone.
“What are you worried about, President Hu? We can go to the lounge ahead.” Mo Xing pointed forward. “It is right there. I came to this meeting alone today and know few people. Seeing you, I just want to chat properly. Surely President Hu will not deny me this face?”
“Alright.” Hu Yuanyuan hesitated but agreed.
“I knew I was not wrong about you, President Hu.” Mo Xing smiled, a glint in her eyes.
Hu Yuanyuan said something to Song Zhiyuan, then turned to Mo Xing. “Mo Xing, lead the way.”
“President Hu, follow me.” Mo Xing smiled and led her out of the hall.
“Mo Xing, is it not the lounge?” Following her, Hu Yuanyuan saw Mo Xing pass the lounge without stopping and continue down the corridor. She could not help asking.
“President Hu, did you not see people in the lounge? Would you dare enter? Though everyone here looks respectable, let me remind you, which of these men does not have a loyal wife at home and lovers outside?”
Mo Xing was not surprised by Hu Yuanyuan’s reaction. She glanced back and continued, “President Hu, you are so beautiful. If you entered that lounge, those wolves would stare hungrily. Forget touching. Their gazes alone would be unbearable.”
“Then where are you taking me?” Hu Yuanyuan thought it made sense but felt something off, though she did not dwell on it.
“Look, there are private rooms ahead. Let us pick one.” Mo Xing pointed. “Just us two, no disturbances.”
Hu Yuanyuan nodded and followed.
Soon, under Mo Xing’s lead, they entered a private room.
Sitting on the sofa, Mo Xing said to Hu Yuanyuan, “President Hu, do you know? I have good news.”
Hu Yuanyuan jumped, eyes wide. “Mo Xing, you are pregnant?”
Mo Xing was nearly forty. Pregnancy at that age shocked Hu Yuanyuan. It was her first time hearing of it.
“Where? I found a beauty product.” Mo Xing smiled at her.
“Beauty product? What kind?” Hu Yuanyuan did not react immediately.
“The one you saw in my office last time. A university student.”
Mo Xing’s lips curved into a charming smile. “A fine young man. Youthful, strong, full of vigour. Lacking nothing.”
“Lacking what?” Hu Yuanyuan began to understand.
“Just me.” Mo Xing laughed. “President Hu, we are both women. Let me speak from the heart. Men are no good. My husband pursued me with sweet words, but how long did it last before he changed?”
Pausing, Mo Xing said angrily, “Why can men have loyal wives at home and lovers outside, while we women must follow the three obediences and four virtues, raise children? So years ago, I started keeping lovers outside, just like those stinking men.”
“Oh.” Hu Yuanyuan lost interest. She thought Mo Xing had something important, not this. She had no interest in such matters.
“President Hu, you just married, so you do not feel it yet. But in two years, you will find that life unbearable for any woman.” Mo Xing paused, looked at Hu Yuanyuan, and asked, “By the way, President Hu, who is your husband?”
“Our company’s vice president.” Hu Yuanyuan said calmly.
“Oh, from your company?” Mo Xing looked surprised. “President Hu, did a poor guy climb the ladder and win a rich beauty like you? But if your husband is vice president, be extra careful. They say rabbits do not eat near their burrow, but for men, it is keeping the fat water in their own field. Watch his secretaries closely. Men have a saying: when there is work, the secretary does it; when there is none, do the secretary. Once they taste it, you cannot stop them.”
“You are joking, Mo Xing. Impossible.” Hu Yuanyuan shook her head. Li Feng did not even have a secretary.
“Ah, President Hu, you think impossible means more possible. Men are all actors. Sweet words are their specialty.” Mo Xing said.
“Mo Xing, you did not bring me here just for this, right?” Hu Yuanyuan was reaching her limit. She regretted coming.
“President Hu, you may think it nothing. But I tell you, it is very possible.” Mo Xing glanced at her. “President Hu, you are the most beautiful woman I have seen, but do not let beauty be your pride. A woman’s beauty lasts only a decade or so. Then, no matter your skills, you cannot keep a man’s heart.”
Pausing, Mo Xing continued, “President Hu, why must women try to keep a man’s heart? Men can carouse. Why not women? Men have lovers everywhere. Why not women? I was naive like you once, but after finding my husband had someone outside, I swore to change. Do you know how?”
“No.” Hu Yuanyuan answered helplessly.
Mo Xing did not expect an answer. She looked at Hu Yuanyuan, a glint in her eyes. “I went back to my alma mater. As a department manager at Minfeng Bank, a success, I was warmly welcomed. After a speech, I kept a boy. Very shy. I just removed my coat, and his eyes blazed, wanting to devour me.”
“That was my first lover. President Hu, you cannot imagine the thrill. Do you want to try?”
“Mo Xing, enough.” Anger flashed in Hu Yuanyuan’s eyes. She had not expected Mo Xing to joke like this. She stood. “I am leaving.”
“President Hu, no rush.” Mo Xing grabbed her, smiling. “Do you not want to know the best beauty product?”
“I do not.” Hu Yuanyuan said coldly. She now had no good feeling for Mo Xing, wanting to slap her.
“President Hu, women talk like this normally. You must have heard.” Mo Xing ignored her anger, smiling. “For us women, the best beauty product is a man. Strong, vigorous. Today I brought you to introduce the best. You will love it. I guarantee enjoyment. Do not forget to thank me.”
“Enjoy it yourself.” Hu Yuanyuan flung off her hand and walked out.
At that moment, the door opened. A young man entered, gaze on Hu Yuanyuan, lips curving into an evil smile. “President Hu, since you are here, no need to rush off.”
