Chapter 5: Seeds of Disruption
The engagement dinner transitioned into a more relaxed mingling, and Li Yuwei used the opportunity like a seasoned strategist surveying a battlefield. She subtly observed Li Meili, who was now holding court by the ornate fireplace, regaling a small group of relatives with exaggerated tales of her "invaluable assistance" in the wedding preparations. Meili's every gesture was designed to highlight Li Yuwei's supposed meekness and her own indispensable role.
Li Yuwei's gaze, however, was drawn across the opulent room to a familiar face: Mr. Song, a sharp, astute lawyer who had once handled some of her family's more complex business dealings. He was discreetly sipping champagne, observing the scene with a cynical detachment she recognized. He was a man of integrity, though fiercely pragmatic, and had expressed concern when she'd abruptly stepped back from her career years ago. He was a potential ally, a piece on her board.
Moving with a newfound grace and confidence that seemed to part the crowded room, Li Yuwei approached him. Her presence was no longer timid; it was a quiet force.
"Mr. Song," she greeted, her voice a low, pleasant tone that cut through the general hum. "It's good to see you again. You're looking well."
Mr. Song, startled, turned, his eyes widening slightly as he took in her changed demeanor. "Miss Li Yuwei! My, it truly has been a while. You look… remarkable." There was genuine surprise and a hint of admiration in his voice. He remembered the shy, overwhelmed young woman from years past.
"Time does tend to refine one, wouldn't you agree?" Li Yuwei replied, her smile small but genuine. She glanced briefly towards Meili, then back at Mr. Song, a subtle, knowing glint in her eyes. "I recall you mentioning an interest in renewable energy investments a few years back. Are you still actively pursuing that sector?"
Mr. Song's professional instincts immediately clicked. "Indeed, Miss Li. It's an area with immense potential, especially with the shifting global market. Why do you ask?"
"Purely out of curiosity, of course," she demurred, though her next words held a subtle, calculated weight. "I've been... reconsidering some of my own long-term interests. Sometimes, one needs to step back, get a clearer view, before plunging back into the fray. Especially when there are sharks in the water." Her eyes flickered towards Meili again, then to Shen Mochen, who was now engaged in conversation near the entrance, but occasionally glanced their way. "And I've decided I prefer being the shark."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Mr. Song's lips. He caught her drift. This wasn't idle chatter; this was a signal. "A very wise perspective, Miss Li. The market is indeed unforgiving." He paused, then leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "It's a shame you stepped away from the corporate world. Your insights were always… ahead of the curve."
"Perhaps I merely needed a longer sabbatical," she replied, her gaze firm, meeting his. "One can only tolerate so much… stifling before they need to breathe again. And when I breathe, I breathe fire."
A glint of genuine intrigue lit Mr. Song's eyes. This was not the same Li Yuwei. He was witnessing a transformation. "Well, if you ever find yourself requiring... guidance on re-entering the fray, my door is always open. My firm has diversified considerably since we last spoke." It was an invitation, subtly extended.
"I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Song. Thank you," Li Yuwei acknowledged, a flicker of satisfaction passing through her. First contact established. The groundwork is laid.
Just then, Shen Mochen, having concluded his conversation, began to make his way towards them. He had been watching Li Yuwei's interaction with Mr. Song, a man known for his sharp mind and impeccable reputation. His eyes narrowed slightly as he approached, a subtle possessiveness tightening his jaw.
"Yuwei," he said, his voice smooth, asserting his presence. "Are you monopolizing Mr. Song? I'm sure he has many guests to greet."
Li Yuwei turned, her expression coolly pleasant. "Not at all, Mochen. We were merely discussing the intricacies of the market. Something I imagine you're quite familiar with, given your… enthusiasm for such matters." The word "enthusiasm" was delivered with a subtle, almost imperceptible emphasis that suggested a history of his overbearing business focus at the expense of other things.
She looked directly at Shen Mochen, her gaze unwavering, radiating an unexpected confidence. "In fact, I've realized something tonight. For too long, I let others define my path, even my ambitions. But those days are over. I've got plans now, big ones. And if you think I'll cry over you or any past mistakes, please, I value my tears far too much to waste them on such trivialities."
The statement hung in the air, a bold declaration. Shen Mochen's eyes widened, a muscle ticking in his jaw. The dismissive, compliant Li Yuwei was gone. In her place was a woman who spoke with the sharp, unyielding certainty of someone who knew exactly what she wanted, and was prepared to take it. The shift in his demeanor was palpable; a flicker of confusion, then a burgeoning intrigue, mixed with a hint of something that looked dangerously like dawning respect. He was seeing her, truly seeing her, for the first time in years.