"Yijing, go record an apology video right now. Your attitude must be sincere." Jiang Yuan said sternly to Song Yijing.
Song Yijing's face was full of disdain.
"Your mess has already started to affect your father's business. More importantly, the Zheng family is considering an alliance with us through marriage. If the engagement goes through, our business will rise to another level." Jiang Yuan continued.
At the thought of the beautiful eldest daughter of the Zheng family, Song Yijing's expression shifted slightly. Leaving aside family interests, he was fond of Zheng Yu, that striking beauty.
But to apologize? He truly couldn't do it.
"Yijing, it's not like you're losing a piece of flesh. And it's not even an in-person apology to your sister." Jiang Yuan tried to soothe him.
At her words, Yijing's eyes flickered.
"Your father values you, that's why he's so anxious. Go record it quickly, don't make us worry about you." Jiang Yuan pushed Yijing upstairs.
Song Boyuan was about to speak, but Jiang Yuan had already gone over to massage his shoulders.
…
Back in his room, Song Yijing swallowed his pride and recorded an apology video. Just as he was about to upload it, a call came in from an unfamiliar number.
"Hello, my dear brother." Song Yining's cheerful voice came through.
The moment Yijing realized it was her, his face twisted with rage.
"Let me guess—what are you doing now? Getting ready to upload an apology video?" Yining chuckled. "As I thought, my little brother has no courage. No wonder you wet your pants that time."
"Well then, see you on Weibo. I'll be waiting." Without giving him a chance to reply, she hung up.
The next second, Yijing swept everything on his desk onto the floor.
Damn bitch!
That night, despite Jiang Yuan and Song Boyuan arguing themselves hoarse, Yijing still refused to upload the video. In the end, they had no choice but to issue a public apology letter in the name of Song Corporation.
The effect… was self-explanatory.
"Don't be afraid. Tonight there's a banquet—only people of real standing can attend. Our family has two invitations, you'll go with your father. Find a chance to meet Miss Zheng, and you must secure her." Jiang Yuan stroked Yijing's hair.
He lifted his head, his eyes full of hatred for Song Yining.
…
At the Jade Bay Hotel, a high-end banquet was taking place. Security was extremely strict, the standards lofty.
When Song Yining arrived, guests were already streaming in.
Only those with invitations, verified at the entrance, could enter.
Just as she ended a call with Maomao and put her phone away, a mocking voice reached her ears.
"Well, well, who do we have here? Isn't this the ex-wife the Xu family kicked out?"
Yining looked up to see a neatly dressed young woman glaring at her with hostility.
She didn't respond. Judging by the girl's attitude, she was probably one of Xu Jichen's admirers.
"Song Yining, were you even invited by the Lu family?"
As Yining queued to enter, Song Yijing stood on a step above her, smirking.
"The Song family only got two invitations. What are you doing here?" In front of so many people, mocking her felt euphoric to him.
Yining stepped closer, leaned in, and whispered, "A clown craving attention. No wonder—you're the illegitimate child of a mistress. No class at all."
"You bitch—!" Yijing swung a fist at her. Yining sidestepped gracefully, moving another step upward. But Yijing pressed on, still trying to hit her.
Suddenly, an arm reached over Yining and restrained Yijing's. From her perspective, she only saw the exquisite cufflinks on the man's tailored suit.
Yijing, caught, was about to speak, but security had already come over to escort him out.
"Why?!" Yijing's voice rang out loudly, but no one cared—because the crowd had already erupted in murmurs of shock.
"Isn't that… President Lu?"
"Looks like this Song family son… is finished."
"President Song, please."
Amid the exclamations, a man whose figure was even more striking than his face extended his hand toward Yining.
She glanced at him, then nodded. "Thank you, President Lu."
The man gave a slight nod, then led Yining past the invitation checkpoint, directly into the hall.
Yining didn't let her gaze linger on the man beside her. As they walked, she asked casually, "President Lu, was it you who had the invitation sent to me?"
She wore a sleek black dress tonight. With each step, the hem brushed lightly against the man's trousers, carrying a subtle sense of intimacy.
Lu Mingyu nodded. Taller than her by a head, he inclined slightly to match her height as he replied, "Yes, it was me."
"I'm glad President Song was willing to come tonight." Lu Mingyu arched a brow. The two of them walked forward side by side, under the eyes of everyone else, as if the world belonged only to them.
He hadn't called her "Miss Song." He called her "President Song."
From the corner, Zhou Yan nudged Xu Jichen's arm, whispering in astonishment, "Old Xu, when did Song Yining get acquainted with Lu Mingyu???"
Xu Jichen glanced at that slender back, but said nothing.
Zhou Yan kept staring at the two figures, then suddenly remarked, "Old Xu, you know what's even stranger?"
"Back when we were kids, Lu Mingyu always felt untouchable—so cold it was terrifying. But why is it… that your ex-wife doesn't seem affected by his presence at all when standing next to him?"
Xu Jichen, hearing that, finally cast a real look toward Yining. But by then, she had already walked out of his line of sight.
…
Yining thought that once Lu Mingyu had escorted her in, he would leave. Unexpectedly, he led her straight into a private reception room.
Inside, there was no one else—only the two of them.
"President Lu, the reason you invited me today… is it because that night I drove away the car that tried to hit yours?" Yining asked directly.
She wasn't a fool. Her recent movements had been predictable, except for that one night.
So, the passenger in the targeted car must have been President Lu.
Lu Mingyu nodded. His gaze on Yining was deep, tinged with curiosity and assessment.
"President Song may name her terms. Today, I wish to repay the favor." Lu Mingyu smiled.
Yining looked at the man across from her. Without hesitation, she said, "I want to cooperate with Zheng Yu."
"That's all?" Lu Mingyu raised a brow.
"Don't worry. I'm a businesswoman too—I won't use a favor as leverage. My purpose tonight is Zheng Yu." Yining replied.
Zheng Yu was the Zheng family's eldest daughter. In the eyes of society, she was frivolous—rejecting the family business to run a media studio instead.
But Yining had studied her account before coming. The logic was clear, the promotion creative. She was a very promising partner.
And Yining also knew Zheng Yu was Lu Mingyu's cousin. That was precisely why the Song family was desperate for a marriage alliance with the Zhengs.
"President Song, you… Are you not Song Yining?"