"Fang Yan, be careful with your choice of words."
The siscon Cheng Youlin couldn't watch Fang Yan insult Shi Nian for another second. "Today's meeting—"
Shi Nian cut him off. "Brother Youlin, let me deal with this." She gave him a look of quiet consolation.
"Such a loving pair of siblings," Fang Yan snickered.
"Miss Fang Yan, BaiYue is very serious about this proposal. We hope you'll give us a chance to discuss it." Shi Nian spoke with steady conviction.
"It's not like I have a choice in whether I work or not." She paused, removing her hood and face mask. "But can you work with this face? Even my fans wouldn't want to see it."
Shi Nian took the opportunity to study her face. After a moment, she only nodded. "Even so, we still intend to work with you."
"You're really bold. Even I find myself disgusting to look at.
Unfortunately, it's not just my face—it's my entire body." She stared at Shi Nian. "BaiYue ruined me. Why would I work with the young mistress of the company that destroyed my life?"
Not waiting for a response, she continued, "Young Miss, I advise you to take your proposal elsewhere.
There's hardly anything good left about me." Her voice was desolate.
Fang Yan removed the gloves covering her hands. Under them, the damage BaiYue's product caused was painfully clear.
After a few weeks of using the BaiYue Milk Skin Cream & Serum, her body reacted violently.
It started with severe itching—only a rash at first. Then the rash blistered. The blisters swelled. Her skin broke open.
Small wounds multiplied into larger sores. They spread across her face, arms, hands, and eventually her entire body.
Even with surgery aided by cosmetic procedures, she would never fully recover. The infection had spread too deeply, and her body had no immunity against the bacteria.
The hospital could only offer soothing cream and medication to manage the itching.
Eyes red, Fang Yan looked at the siblings. "Your two companies ruined my life. And you dare come to me with a contract?
You want to use me as a spectacle—for the world and for the industry.
Such a good plan you both have."
In her mind, Shi Nian and Cheng Youlin planned to squeeze out the last bit of her value to restore BaiYue's reputation. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Clatter—
Fang Yan threw the cup of coffee to the ground.
"Fang Yan!" Cheng Youlin snapped. He called his secretary to bring the cleaners to handle the mess.
Fang Yan remained unmoved.
"Miss Fang Yan, you've suffered the brunt of our last cooperation. But what about listening to my proposal before rejecting it?" Shi Nian said within the rising tension.
"Hmph." Fang Yan turned her face aside.
Taking her silence as reluctant consent, Shi Nian continued, "This time, BaiYue plans to sign a life-long contract with you.
For all current and future products.
This is our gesture of sincerity."
"Such generosity. Trying to clean up BaiYue's reputation through charity, are you?
Never mind—what future does a dying company have?" Fang Yan sneered.
Shi Nian ignored her mockery. "By the New Year, BaiYue will release the enhanced version of the Milk Skin Cream & Serum.
During the press conference, you will be introduced as our brand ambassador."
"Cheng Youlin, you must be insane if you expect me to endorse the same product that ruined me.
Don't you see your sister's scheme?
Isn't she just looking for a catchy headline?
'Fallen international artist endorses the brand that destroyed her.'
Very catchy. Miss Shi Nian, your plan is brilliant—but I'm not interested."
Cheng Youlin stayed silent. He wanted to end the meeting when Fang Yan called Shi Nian insane, but Shi Nian insisted on being here. He had to support her.
Shi Nian spoke calmly, "Miss Fang Yan, you're right. BaiYue is interested in the attention you can bring.
You would need to show your skin during the press conference.
But BaiYue now has a solution for your condition."
Fang Yan's eyes widened. She expected manipulation, but Shi Nian's last sentence shook her.
"Such bold words. What treatment could you possibly have?" she asked, arms crossed.
"If you followed BaiYue's developments, you would know that before the fall of the former Chief Director, Cheng Yuemin, she and her research team were working on new skin technology.
The part revealed to the public was its effect on skin regeneration.
We have since developed an enhanced version—one that doesn't just regenerate skin, but revitalizes dead skin cells.
Now, BaiYue has succeeded.
We are 99.9% confident we can restore your skin to its original state—without scars, without blemishes."
Fang Yan was shaken. Even Cheng Youlin felt jolted.
He knew about his aunt's research. It had been Cheng Yuemin's lifelong dream. Even she couldn't bring it to life.
He forced himself to remain calm, but he had already decided to question Shi Nian later.
Fang Yan, however, couldn't hide her shock.
"Chief Director Shi… are you bluffing?" she asked softly, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
Shi Nian didn't answer the question directly.
"If you didn't hold on to hope, you wouldn't still be sitting here.
You have nothing to lose. Why not confirm it with your own eyes?
You may visit BaiYue anytime this week."
Shi Nian could tell she had almost convinced her.
"Chief Director Shi, there's no point. I've already decided—"
"Fang Yan." Cheng Youlin cut in. "Before rejecting, why not think about it properly?"
He wanted the best for both women, but his bias was obvious.
Fang Yan wasn't just a signed artist—she was his childhood friend, practically his childhood sweetheart.
He couldn't bear to see her live in defeat.
If Shi Nian was telling the truth, this was her chance.
"Youlin, I wouldn't bully your cousin!" Fang Yan snapped.
Her raised voice only made it clearer to him that her stance was softening.
"BaiYue needs a lab rat. I'm willing to take the chance," Fang Yan muttered, grabbing her bag and walking out.