Chapter 2205 - 712: Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Kidnapping_5

When she rose from the depths and was granted power by Tang Song, truly standing on a higher dimension built by ambition and ability, having fulfilled a certain desire within her.

Only then did she dare to truly face the darkest and most unwilling-to-admit corners deep within her heart.

In fact, she and Lin Muxue were the same kind of people.

Hidden beneath the surface was the same kind of stubborn inferiority and fear.

They used "beauty" and "success" as armor, using diligence and desire to resist fate’s disdain inch by inch.

To this day, she can still vividly recall many scenes from her childhood.

She remembers her father’s face filled with humble smiles as he was rudely driven out of his stall at the market;

She remembers her mother’s back chasing the supplier to plead during a pouring rain to retrieve a meager debt, clutching the heavy vegetable basket;

She remembers more vividly the little girl curled up in the corner on a rainy night, listening to adults sigh.

These deeply etched images not only influenced her worldview, but also shaped the background of her life.

With an almost pathological obsession with "power" and "being respected."

Therefore, she strongly resisted those superiors who wanted to exploit money and status to establish unspoken rules, secretly hating them in her bones yet lacking the courage to confront them with anger.

Therefore, she desperately craved the power and security from Tang Song, yet hoped to be respected and valued in his presence, eagerly maintaining her pathetic pride and self-esteem, constantly torn.

Therefore, she never dared to face her innate yearning for pure love.

For her,

This summit was not just a change in professional identity, but also a true "rite of passage."

...

On the second floor, in the best view VIP room.

Thick soundproof glass isolated all the noise from downstairs.

Ouyang Xianyue withdrew her gaze, with a trace of an elusive smile in her eyes.

Secretary Chen cautiously asked beside her: "Miss Ouyang, do you need to call Assistant Shen up to report the work to you?"

"No need." Ouyang Xianyue held up a teacup, took a sip, "Focus on recording Shen Yuyan’s performance today and her words and actions at the summit, then send it to President Tang."

Tang Song had previously told her that this summit was a "assessment" for Shen Yuyan, advising her not to interfere.

Since he said so, she would definitely not interfere.

Therefore, even if Qin Yingxue wanted to contact her, she would not intervene.

"Understood." Chen Jing paused, continued to report: "Another thing. Anne Kate, Ms. Kate, is also in another resting room on the second floor. She just sent someone over to say she wants to meet you."

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Ouyang Xianyue chuckled lightly, "Tell her people that I’m very busy today, no time during the summit. If she truly has sincerity, she can stay in Shen City for two more days."

"Understood."

Ouyang Xianyue put down the teacup, casually asked: "By the way, when will Professor Jiang Yourong officially join Xuanji Light Realm?"

"Currently uncertain." Secretary Chen answered truthfully, "Chairman Jin’s meaning is that the specific entry time and position arrangement need to be decided by President Tang ultimately."

"I see."

Ouyang Xianyue nodded gently, didn’t say much more.

But her fingertips tapped twice on the warm Ru kilns teacup wall, slowly and deliberately.

What truly made her feel uneasy at this moment was, in fact, tonight, the impending private meeting with Su Yu.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but tense up uncontrollably.

Probably feeling... guilty somehow towards this female star.

They had known each other for many years, maintained good personal rapport due to Tang Song’s connection. She appreciated Su Yu’s talent and tenacity, and Su Yu respected her.

But now, she decided to "step into the fray."

Whether her intention was to counterbalance Jin Weixiao, or driven by that uncontrollable selfish desire, at its core, she was competing with Su Yu for the same man.

Such a matter, for her, was indeed... difficult to talk about.

Yet, even if it was difficult to speak of, she had to take that step.

Let others know that she’s also entering the arena.

...

o’clock in the morning.

Yan City Normal University, faculty apartment.

The indoor heating was completely turned on, warm and cozy, the air filled with a lazy atmosphere inducing sleepiness.

Jiang Yourong wore comfortable, loose home clothes, sat cross-legged with pleasure on the soft long-hair carpet in the living room, leaning against the sofa.

She was watching the live broadcast on the TV screen with interest.

On the screen was the official live broadcast of TY Precision’s "Next-Generation Intelligent Hardware Ecosystem Summit" held far away in Shen City.

Accompanied by majestic background music, one prominent figure in the tech circle after another took the stage to deliver foresight views on future technology trends.

From Huawei executives explaining the 5G+AI integration strategy, to Tencent Vice President depicting the grand vision of "full hyperconnectivity,"...

Every topic precisely landed on her knowledge points, making her watch with pleasure.

A delicate fruit platter was placed on the low table in front of her, it contained not only plump red strawberries, but also several creamy puff pastries rich in milky aroma.

Professor Jiang, while listening to the business leaders’ speeches in the broadcast, occasionally reached out her fingers to pick up a plump puff pastry, and popped it into her mouth.

Experiencing the blissful sensation of the crispy exterior and the cold, sweet cream exploding in her mouth, delightfully.