Chapter Forty-One: The Fox’s Scheme

Jealousy—what a promising sign... Watching Rong Qing’s retreating figure, Huo Lingtian’s smile shimmered with springtime delight, so dazzling that even the girls nearby were nearly blinded by its brilliance.

“Huo, do I have the honor of sharing a drink with you?” A man approaching briskly blocked Huo Lingtian’s path. As a newly risen star among the social elite, none could rival this man before him. Standing over six feet tall, sporting gold-rimmed glasses and a prominent, refined nose, he exuded intelligence and confidence. His handsome face wore a self-assured smile, while the expensive diamond-studded watch on his wrist made his status clear. Here was Yan Zhengke, a graduate of Harvard Law, founder of a law firm in the United States, and now newly returned to his homeland. He was also the legal representative Huo Corporation hoped to recruit.

Huo Lingtian recognized him at a glance and responded, “Of course.”

They found a small lounge to sit down privately, the outside world’s admiration and commentary only serving to elevate this rising Chinese star’s worth. Huo Lingtian lounged lazily on the sofa, holding a glass of wine with casual elegance. His custom-tailored shirt outlined his strong, athletic build, and his dark eyes gleamed with the sharpness of a panther—aloof, untouchable. Yan Zhengke, seated beside him, was far less at ease than he had appeared moments ago; he sat rigidly, his bespoke Versace suit wrinkled, and his anxious gaze betrayed his nerves.

“You’re smart,” Huo Lingtian said bluntly. “I rarely involve myself in Huo Corporation’s affairs, but you’ve managed to catch my attention.”

Yan Zhengke’s fingers twitched. Beneath those gold-rimmed glasses, his unease was obvious. “You live up to your reputation, Huo. Perhaps, as you are now, you wouldn’t regard a newly returned academic like myself as worthy of notice, but all I ask is for a chance to prove myself—not just as Huo’s legal representative.”

“Wolves only stand out through constant competition and ruthless struggle. So, what gives you that right? Is it your expensive attire and your second-rate American enterprise?” Huo Lingtian’s gaze cut through the superficial glamour with surgical precision.

“This…” Yan Zhengke was momentarily struck dumb. His attire was indeed overly luxurious, lacking in substance, but wasn’t that how most people dressed? Seeing the look of contempt on Huo Lingtian’s face, the words “nouveau riche” hammered through his mind. Whatever pride and confidence he’d had vanished before the master of the Huo family. Not yet given a chance to shine, the green newcomer had been struck a heavy blow. Yan Zhengke’s head drooped in chagrin.

Satisfied with the lesson, Huo Lingtian continued, now more enticing, offering an olive branch: “Still, Huo Corporation only takes useful talent. I’ll give you a chance. In three days, at the Wang Real Estate acquisition meeting, you’ll represent the company—take over Wang’s operations completely.”

Reeling from self-doubt, Yan Zhengke was suddenly struck by this windfall, feeling as though the heavens had dropped a great pie right in his lap. “Huo… Huo, are you serious?”

“Are you questioning my authority?” Huo Lingtian’s eyes narrowed, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

“No… of course not. I won’t let you down!” Sparks of determination ignited in Yan Zhengke’s eyes. He had never imagined that the famously upright, iron-fisted Huo would open a back door for him. His respect and gratitude deepened further.

Ah, if only Gu Lingfei and the other four who toiled so bitterly for Huo Corporation were present, they would surely have exposed Huo Lingtian’s ploy—first breaking you down until you can’t lift your head, then gathering your loyalty while you lose hope in yourself and the world, making you work for him. By the time you see through the schemes of this wily wolf, it’s too late, and you’re already too far down a road of no return.

“Very well. Report to Huo Corporation tomorrow. Familiarize yourself with the acquisition plan,” Huo Lingtian said, eyes narrowed, his foxlike schemes unfolding one by one.

“Yes.”

Meanwhile, Rong Qing sat on the steps by the pond in the small garden. The moonlight was gentle, the breeze caressed her face; compared to the lively bustle of the banquet inside, this was far more comfortable.

Her white dress fluttered at the water’s edge, the mermaid cut accentuating her graceful figure. She dipped her hand into the water, the ivory moonlight illuminating her peerlessly beautiful face—holy, pure. She was like a mermaid frolicking by the sea, and time itself seemed to freeze in this moment of beauty.

A drunken man staggered out from the hall, sobered a little by the cool air, but upon seeing the ethereal moonlit goddess before him, he felt utterly intoxicated. The young man tiptoed closer, afraid to startle this celestial being.

Rong Qing’s obsidian eyes reflected the lakeside’s mirror image; she noticed a shadowy figure creeping up behind her. In a flash, the man lunged for this vision of a fairy, but she, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, dodged just in time—leaving him nearly tumbling into the pond.

She met his gaze coolly, but her heavy mermaid skirt made escape difficult. Her serene, aloof expression held no power to intimidate, but in the man’s eyes, it only added to her forbidden allure.

Damn, he thought, feeling like he’d struck gold. His mind was a muddle, clinging only to the sight of this unreal beauty before him. He swallowed thirstily, eyes burning with impatience.

“If you come quietly, I promise you’ll live in luxury. I have several villas… all of them can be yours,” he pleaded, inching closer, arms outstretched, afraid to scare her away.

Rong Qing silently retreated. She had already noticed that someone else was aware of the situation here. She just needed to hold out a little longer; right now, her mind was filled with Huo Lingtian, and, unexpectedly, she found herself trusting and relying on him.

“This is Huo family territory. Aren’t you afraid of offending them?” she parried lightly, masking her anxiety as she inwardly prayed for help to arrive.

———End of Chapter———

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