The day Ji Ling shared his idea with Yan Yixuan, the man didn’t say much—just told him to get ready to present the plan to the strategy team at Yan Corporation.
Ji Ling knew he made it sound casual, but deep down, he was definitely taking it seriously.
The next day, Ji Ling called Mo Yulan back from out of town, pulled together a small team of core members, and spent three intense days prepping before heading over to Yan Corporation.
Their group stepped into the lobby under the building’s glass dome.
“Whoa, this place is fancy,” the receptionist muttered, clearly in awe.
Mo Yulan gave her a disapproving look and said, “Can you not act like some clueless bumpkin? At least try to carry yourself with some presence.”
The receptionist looked offended. “What part of me looks like a bumpkin?” She glanced down at herself and added, “I just wanted to ask the boss—when are we getting an office this cool?”
Ji Ling chuckled and replied, “Make more money, and we’ll get one too.”
Someone came down to meet them and led the team upstairs.
Mo Yulan was clearly familiar with the place—people even greeted her along the way.
She had left Yan Corporation on good terms, so coming back didn’t feel awkward at all. If anything, her presence eased the atmosphere for Ji Ling’s team, making everyone more relaxed and confident.
They arrived at a multimedia conference room in the strategic development department, where some mid-level managers were already waiting.
Ji Ling exchanged a few pleasantries, then instructed his team to start setting up. A while later, Yan Yixuan walked in.
Ji Ling took one look at him and had to hold back a smile.
Yan Yixuan was still pretending to be impartial and ‘needing time to consider,’ but Ji Ling could tell he was taking the proposal seriously.
Among those who came in with him, Ji Ling recognized the president of Yan Corporation. The others were probably top-level executives too.
Ji Ling walked up to greet them. Yan Yixuan didn’t act like he didn’t know him, but he also didn’t play friendly—just responded in a neutral, professional tone.
Ji Ling didn’t waste time and signaled his team to begin presenting their cinema development strategy to Yan Corporation’s middle and upper management.
Since Yan Corporation had no prior experience in the entertainment industry, Ji Ling’s team went into detail—explaining the current state of the market, potential issues, how to break into the cinema scene, what resources were needed, what they already had, and their long-term plans.
Even Ji Ling found himself getting completely drawn in as he listened.
They’d done a ton of prep for Yan Corporation’s first major step into a new sector. They’d lined up overseas suppliers for equipment, worked out deals for projection tech, and even designed a complete cinema membership system. On top of that, they tied it all into Yan Corporation’s upcoming shopping mall projects and laid out a very promising vision.
Ji Ling wrapped up the presentation with a clear pitch: “We came here because we’ve got the resources and the confidence to back this up. We’ve got Tiansheng Entertainment upstream, keeping the whole industry chain running smoothly. If Yan Corporation wants to enter this field, we’ll be the best partner you could ask for—and your strength is exactly what can make our blueprint a reality.”
He glanced at Yan Yixuan, who was also looking straight at him.
Ji Ling thought, ‘He may not be good at painting big dreams, but he sure knows how to build the ship. I’ll just be the one to steer it out into the deep sea.’
Then he said out loud, “I’m confident enough to say this: if Yan Corporation is willing to invest, the cinema chain can be launched right away.”
The managers exchanged looks as they listened, then began asking questions. They had a lot of questions—and Ji Ling knew that was a good sign. The more they asked, the more interested they were.
The meeting stretched from morning all the way into the afternoon, finally ending with a line from Yan Corporation’s president: “We’ll follow up with further discussions—let’s stay in touch.”
Ji Ling looked at his team—everyone looked worn out but buzzing with excitement. He patted their shoulders with a smile and praised them.
Yan Yixuan had been quietly watching Ji Ling the whole time.
Even though it was mostly Ji Ling’s team doing the talking, Ji Ling’s presence was strong—he’d guide the flow, jump in at key points, and command attention without even trying.
It was Yan Yixuan’s first time working with Ji Ling in a formal setting.
So this was what he was like—confident, calm, but not flashy. Professional, convincing, sharp. Surrounded by his battle-tested team, he looked like a natural-born leader.
Young and full of drive, but with an air of steadiness—that mix made him even more likable.
They say a man looks his best when he’s focused. Watching Ji Ling completely immersed in his pitch, Yan Yixuan finally saw just how magnetic he was.
Surrounded by people, the way they looked at him, the way they leaned in—it was like he was the moon and they were the stars. That thought made something sting in Yan Yixuan’s chest.
He couldn’t help speaking up: “I still have some specific questions I’d like to ask Mr. Ji. Why don’t we continue the conversation in my office?”
Ji Ling gave him a deep look and nodded, then told his team to head back first. Mo Yulan said she wanted to stay a little longer to catch up with people, and Ji Ling let her be.
He followed Yan Yixuan to the executive floor. The moment he stepped onto the carpet, memories came rushing back.
He’d been here before. The last time, it was because Yan Yixuan had forced an investment into his company—trying to swallow it whole. Back then, he’d been furious, ready to fight him to the death.
But standing here again now, his state of mind was completely different.
Yan Yixuan dismissed the others and led Ji Ling into his office.
Last time, Yan Yixuan was still just acting chairman. Now, he was the real deal—the head of the entire group, the true owner of this office.
Ji Ling looked around the chairman’s office. It seemed a few things had changed. Some of the antique decorations were gone, replaced with sleek, modern art that had a real sense of design.
The price probably wasn’t cheap either—totally matched Yan Yixuan’s flashy and extravagant style.
Looking up, Ji Ling saw an entire wall of glass framing the whole coastline like a painting. The view left a deep impression. Yan Yixuan walked behind his desk and sat down, like he was the king of the sea and sky.
Something flickered in Ji Ling’s eyes—an emotion he couldn’t even name—that made Yan Yixuan’s heart itch.
“Sit,” Yan Yixuan said, gesturing for Ji Ling to take a seat.
Ji Ling dragged a chair over himself and plopped down right next to Yan Yixuan’s desk—so close his hands could rest on it. Which he did, leaning all the way in with a grin, eyes locked on Yan Yixuan.
“…” Yan Yixuan leaned back warily. “Can you scoot over a bit? Why’re you sitting so close?”
Ji Ling smiled. “What’s there to be afraid of? Didn’t you call me in here to show how close we are?”
Yan Yixuan held shares in Ji Ling’s company. Mo Yulan, once Yan Yixuan’s secretary, was now a top executive at Ji Ling’s firm. And now the two were having a private meeting. Everyone knew Ji Ling was backed by Yan Yixuan. The word around was that this whole plan to break into the theater industry was Yan Yixuan’s idea.
Yan Yixuan knew that too. That’s why he had Ji Ling start from the strategic department and follow the full process, pushing the proposal step-by-step to the board. If the idea came directly from him, it would seem too heavy-handed and wouldn’t convince anyone.
And besides, he wanted to see for himself if Ji Ling’s plan held water.
Ji Ling went on, “So? Was I impressive today or what?”
Seeing how smug he looked, Yan Yixuan couldn’t help but laugh. “Look at you, all proud. Not bad, actually. I didn’t think you’d pull it off this well.”
Ji Ling leaned back like it was no big deal. “Of course. I haven’t even figured out what to do with Luo Teng’s money yet. I was gonna keep it for myself at first, but then I thought, might as well bring our young master along for the ride. Get rich together, y’know?”
Yan Yixuan chuckled and shot back, “Don’t talk to me with that sarcastic tone.”
Ji Ling laughed out loud. “For real though, do you think my proposal has what it takes to beat Yan Yili’s investment in that brokerage company?”
Yan Yixuan gave him a crooked smile. “We’ll see. Gotta argue it out in the next meeting.”
He sounded cautious, but the relaxed tone gave him away—he had more confidence than he let on.
Ji Ling couldn’t hide his excitement. “Since I made you look good today, shouldn’t I get a little reward?”
As he said that, he stood up, leaned over the desk, and reached out—clearly trying to get a little handsy with Yan Yixuan.
But—
“What’s the point of having such a huge desk?” Ji Ling grumbled when his hand still couldn’t reach him.
Yan Yixuan, clearly amused by Ji Ling’s rare awkward moment, laughed and said, “Then climb over here.” Then he grabbed Ji Ling’s tie and yanked him forward, leaning in for a kiss.
Just as the two were about to kiss, a loud noise came from the door.
“Vice Chairman, the Chairman is in a meeting with another company’s CEO right now. Please let me inform him first.” It sounded like Yan Yixuan’s secretary, frantically trying to stop someone.
Whoever it was didn’t say a word and seemed dead set on barging in.
The secretary quickly knocked and raised her voice. “Chairman, Vice Chairman Yan Yili needs to see you. It’s urgent.”
Ji Ling silently cursed Yan Yili eighteen times in his head, then quickly pulled back and sat down, adjusting his tie.
When Yan Yili walked in, this was what he saw:
Yan Yixuan giving him a strange look, while Ji Ling sat absurdly close to the desk, fiddling with his tie and looking visibly annoyed.
Yan Yili didn’t overthink it. He went straight to the point: “We’re about to make a huge investment, and now you’re saying you want to enter the theater business? What’s this about?”
Yan Yixuan calmly replied, “You mean that brokerage firm? When did we ever confirm the investment? It’s still under review—anything can change.”
Yan Yili had only just heard today that Ji Ling was here for a partnership talk. He was furious and stormed over to confront Yan Yixuan. “You’re making decisions behind everyone’s backs! Who else knows about this?”
Yan Yixuan’s tone was cold. “Isn’t that how you usually operate? And I didn’t go around anyone—I had the strategic department review it first. Once they approve it, it’ll go to the higher-ups. I’m following company protocol to the letter.”
Yan Yili realized he’d been played. Even though the CEO had been involved in the meeting, he hadn’t been informed. But Yan Yixuan hadn’t broken any rules, which left him with no solid argument.
Still, Yan Yili wasn’t ready to back down. “This company’s never had any experience in the cultural sector. Jumping into it out of nowhere is just asking for a loss. When that happens, everyone’s gonna laugh at us. You really gonna throw away a guaranteed profit for some cinema nonsense?”
“Enough.” Yan Yixuan cut him off sharply, his voice serious. “Don’t bring that street market tone into a business discussion. I let you talk back at home, but not here. Be professional. Whether it’s profit or loss, that’s for proper evaluations to decide—not this argument.”
He stayed seated behind his desk the entire time, never once standing up, and looked straight at the still-standing Yan Yili with a tone that left no room for debate. “Like I said, company plans are decided by the company. At the next board meeting, I’ll present both proposals for a vote. If you want yours to pass, quit wasting time here and go get ready.”
Yan Yili stared at him in silence for a moment, then turned and left without a word, his sleeves flaring as he went.
While they’d been arguing, Ji Ling had been quietly fixing his tie. By the time Yan Yili left, he’d already retied it in a whole new fancy knot.
“So annoying,” Ji Ling muttered.
“What?” Yan Yixuan asked, confused. “I knew he’d come, so I was ready. Didn’t bother me.”
Ji Ling laughed. “I meant he’s the one who must be pissed off right now.”
Yan Yixuan paused, then laughed too. “He’s always trying to fight me.” He looked around the office and added, “But I’m not giving in either. One of us is always going to be mad.”
With the sea at his back, the light outside cast a dramatic shadow over Yan Yixuan. Sitting there calmly and seriously in his office, he looked every bit like a king.
Ji Ling once again thought the desk was too damn big. This office was too big. And outside the windows, the world was even bigger. Who wouldn’t want all this?
No wonder Yan Yili was trying so hard to replace him.
Looking at the high-and-mighty Yan Yixuan, Ji Ling thought back to the meetings earlier that day—everyone bowed to him. But he, Ji Ling, was close enough to reach out and touch him. That filled him with a strange urge to conquer.
From the moment he walked through the door, he’d wanted to take down this buttoned-up Chairman.
Staring straight at Yan Yixuan, eyes full of complicated emotion, Ji Ling said, “If the board approves my proposal, how about we celebrate a little?”
Yan Yixuan raised a brow. “How do you want to celebrate?”
Ji Ling grinned, all mischief. “Why not have a round right here?”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
ji ling 🤪