“Dr. Sader said the surgery was very successful,” a voice spoke behind her.
The bullet’s angle just avoided all nerve sources. His life is saved, but he hasn’t awakened yet, and it’s difficult to predict potential complications from the brain injury.
“Dr. Sader?” Ou Xueman turned to Owen. Dr. Sader, president of the Royal British Medical Academy and a world-renowned brain surgery authority, was unexpectedly the lead surgeon for Tong Yifeng.
Owen explained, “He was invited by him.”
Though he didn’t specify who “he” was, Ou Xueman inferred it was Di Xihuang. Dr. Sader’s quick arrival after Tong Yifeng’s accident highlighted Di Xihuang’s capabilities.
Ou Xueman continued to watch the person inside. The car stopped beneath the towering building, and Jessica and her three bodyguards surveyed the surroundings.
When the car door opened, Ou Xueman stepped out, dressed entirely in black, her elegant demeanor reminiscent of a natural-born aristocrat.
“Miss TONG, hello. My name is Abel Smith. Here is my card; I’m proud to help you.” Abel Smith seemed familiar with Jessica and her group, who did not intercept him, indicating who had sent him.
Glancing at the business card, Ou Xueman paused—he was a lawyer? She looked around but found nothing amiss. She had not expected such thoughtfulness. Shaking hands with Smith, she indicated they could proceed together.
Her jet-black hair lightly brushed her shoulders, and her serious, composed face was partly hidden by sunglasses. She stepped towards the hall, her hair flowing in the breeze. In her black attire, she appeared mature and capable, a ray of sunlight casting a confident glow that captured everyone’s attention.
As Ou Xueman and her group of six advanced, their presence intimidated others, causing people to move aside.
In the modern conference room, well-dressed individuals sat around the meeting table. The men exuded elegance; the women displayed grace, all listening to the verbose Eastern man, many nodding in agreement.
“So now we look at the world situation. The best policy to deal with the financial crisis is to return funds,” he concluded after his lengthy speech.
A moment of silence followed, then low whispers of discussion emerged.
“We have also discussed the proposal for several days; the views of all shareholders can hardly be unified,” said a distinguished middle-aged blonde man, “it will only be a vote of the Board of Directors.”
A hint of excitement at imminent success flashed in the Eastern man’s deep brown eyes as he raised his hand first.
“Wait,” a melodious Chinese voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention.
Although it was a female voice, the Eastern man broke into a cold sweat. As the door opened, the person who entered possessed an extraordinary presence, like a queen’s arrival.
After she sat down, the Eastern man finally asked, “Who are you?”
Ignoring his question, Ou Xueman continued in Chinese, “What you should be most concerned about now is your debt of over a million dollars.”
The Eastern man was startled, but relieved that no one present understood Chinese, which restored his courage. He glared at Ou Xueman, “Do you know where you are? This is not a place for a woman to cause a scene. If you continue talking nonsense, I can have security throw you out at any time.”
Seeing his expression, Jessica and her team stepped forward, causing Tong Yitian to sink back into his chair.
Ou Xueman remained calm, signaling her team to stay composed, a slight smile on her lips, “Mr. Tong Yitian, although I’m not a major shareholder, I do own a small stake. I happened to be curious today and came to take a look.”
Tong Yitian was stunned.
He had heard from Tong Yifeng about a mysterious shareholder on the board, whose identity was unknown but whose shares were significant enough to secure a seat. He never expected it to be this beautiful woman.
Seeing Tong Yitian looking embarrassed, Ou Xueman smiled calmly, “I want to ask why President Tong Yifeng is not attending today’s board meeting?”
Her sudden change of topic lifted the awkward constraint, and Tong Yitian responded arrogantly, “My brother has become a vegetable. I’m handling his duties.”
“Oh, is that so?” She raised an eyebrow with a hint of anger, “What qualifies you to act as president? Just your silver tongue?”
“You…” Tong Yitian’s face darkened, “I am the vice president. With my brother gone, I naturally take over.”
“Vice president? If Tong Yifeng is not president, with your skills, you don’t even qualify to be a trader,” Ou Xueman’s sarcasm was clear, deliberately provoking Tong Yitian to expose his true nature.
The others present couldn’t understand the conversation but noticed Tong Yitian’s poor expression, raising doubts about Ou Xueman.
At this time, many shareholders began to hesitate, including those who originally supported Tong Yitian’s proposal.
“However, if no funds, we are not the future,” Tong Yitian quickly refuted. This echoed Ou Xueman’s concerns, creating uncertainty in her ability to persuade the board of directors.
Although she was puzzled by Tong Yifeng’s insistence on holding a large number of Di’s securities, which strained the company’s cash flow—critical for a securities investment firm—she understood Tong Yitian’s intentions. From Jessica’s materials, she knew Tong Yitian aimed to use cash to cover stock market losses during the financial crisis. She could not let Tong Yifeng’s eight years of effort go to waste.
Just as she searched for a solution, Smith stood up with his gentle smile and said, “If someone is willing to inject it?”
His words caused an uproar in the venue. Amid the global financial crisis, who would invest money? Smith continued to smile as he took out a stack of project proposals from his briefcase and distributed them to all shareholders.
Suddenly, Tong Yitian shouted, “Di Consortium?”
Ou Xueman glanced at the proposal and fell silent. Although he promised not to appear in front of her again, she felt his presence everywhere.
“Yes, we are willing to inject capital into the consortium,” Smith responded gently.
The shareholders were instantly angry. Although Di was world-renowned, acquiring the company meant they would receive a considerable sum but lose management rights. The company’s promising future was the main reason they were willing to invest.
“Please do not worry…” Smith tried to explain, but as an outsider, he struggled to calm everyone down. The only person who could do that was Ou Xueman, or more precisely, Tong Yixuan’s identity.
“Grace, thank you for taking care of my brother all these years,” Ou Xueman said sincerely, touched by her affection for Tong Yifeng. She encouraged her, “If you really love someone, tell him that; otherwise, he may never know. Despite spending years in the UK, he remains a subtle Oriental at heart.”
A bitter smile appeared on Grace’s lips as she shook her head. “Useless. He does not love me, which I have long known.” To suppress her despair, she began to play with her hair.
Ou Xueman was slightly stunned.
She did not know that Tong Yifeng had someone he liked. Guilt arose as she realized she had been selfish this year, immersed in past grief and neglecting to care for others. Just as she was about to ask who Tong Yifeng liked, she noticed Grace’s serious expression.
“Selina, although you have always been mysterious to outsiders, perhaps nothing is wrong with you or Mrs. Di, is it?” Grace asked excitedly.
The mention of “Mrs. Di” made Ou Xueman stiffen. This unfamiliar title stirred emotions within her.
A sarcastic smile lingered on her lips, “I have never denied it, nor have I acknowledged it.”
Grace’s face turned pale. “Is this the result, so you only have to bear the ethical love?”
Ou Xueman pointed at herself and then at Tong Yifeng on the sickbed. “We love?”
