{Chapter: 198 Shock and admiration!}
Of course, the most eye-catching part of her figure was her shapely and well-proportioned curves—especially her round, firm buttocks that swayed slightly as she moved. It was a natural charm that could effortlessly stir the heart of any man.
Before long, Mei Yuxian returned gracefully with the bottle of Romanee Conti in her hand. She expertly poured a glass for Lin Yuan and herself, the soft crimson liquid catching the warm glow of the room's light.
Initially, Mei Yuxian only intended to engage in a bit of light conversation, nothing too serious. Just casual chat over a glass of fine wine. But after a few exchanges, the conversation took a different turn.
As the minutes passed, she found herself drawn deeper into conversation with Lin Yuan.
That was because Lin Yuan truly understood her—almost unnervingly well.
Their conversation danced smoothly from topics like wine culture and rare vintages to the intricate nuances of classical poetry. They spoke of winter plum blossoms and antique porcelain, of art and history, of beauty and philosophy.
It was as if their minds were completely in sync.
Mei Yuxian gradually realized something: she and Lin Yuan were incredibly similar in taste, thought, and emotional rhythm. It felt like reconnecting with a dear friend from a previous life—a kindred spirit she'd somehow known all along.
More than once, she found herself thinking: Where has this young man been hiding?
For someone like her—a woman in her thirties who owned a conglomerate worth hundreds of billions—money had long ceased to be a concern. What she lacked wasn't wealth, but genuine connection.
Despite her social success and strong presence in business, she had always felt somewhat isolated. No one in the Mei family or within the vast Mei Group truly understood her. Everyone obeyed her, respected her, and even feared her. But nobody knew her.
Yet here was Lin Yuan, a man ten years younger, who somehow saw straight through the layers she had built around her.
For Mei Yuxian, that mattered more than anything.
It was a warmth she hadn't felt in years.
[Ding! Mei Yuxian's favorability +5! Reward: 300 counterattack points!]
[Ding! Mei Yuxian's favorability +5! Reward: 400 counterattack points!]
[Ding! Mei Yuxian's favorability +5! ...]
The system prompts rang continuously in Lin Yuan's mind. It was as if he were on a speedrun toward winning Mei Yuxian's trust and admiration.
In matters of human connection, the more someone feels understood, the more their affection and goodwill toward the other person rise exponentially. That's what made these conversations so effective.
And just like that, Mei Yuxian's favorability score toward Lin Yuan surged up to 60 points.
However, at 60, it stalled.
The momentum slowed, and Lin Yuan realized the limit he had hit: the barrier of perception.
Although Mei Yuxian was undeniably impressed with Lin Yuan and had grown emotionally closer, she still hadn't fully acknowledged him as a man—at least not in the romantic sense.
She admired him. Respected him. Trusted him.
But she still saw him as a younger peer, a confidant perhaps, but not someone who stirred her physically or romantically.
That was the hurdle Lin Yuan now needed to cross.
Ironically, his goal at this moment wasn't anything too bold—it was simply to be seen by Mei Yuxian as a man, not a boy.
She had already drunk over half the bottle of red wine. Her fair cheeks now bore a soft blush, and her glimmering eyes—usually so calm and distant—were now dreamy and gentle, sparkling like stars reflected in still water.
She looked enchanting, mesmerizing even.
Realizing this perfect moment, Lin Yuan leaned slightly closer, his voice calm and sincere as he offered a heartfelt compliment.
"Sister Yuxian," he said softly, "you are truly beautiful."
The sudden compliment caught her off guard. Her heart, which had remained silent for many years, fluttered unexpectedly.
Being praised by this young, handsome man stirred something deep inside her.
Although she instinctively wanted to deflect it, she couldn't deny the warmth that bloomed within her.
Her smile was elegant but slightly bashful as she replied, "Xiao Yuan, you must be teasing me. Your sister isn't some young girl anymore. That kind of flattery doesn't work on me."
Lin Yuan smiled but said nothing more.
He knew the compliment had landed deeper than her words suggested.
Still, the favorability remained stuck at 60.
It seems age remains a psychological hurdle, he thought. 'To break through it, I must strike at the core—her values, her drive, her ambitions. That's where I'll make the real impact.'
He had already broken down the wall of formality.
Now he needed to redefine their dynamic.
He wanted her to see him as not just a confidant, but a capable man worthy of her attention on every level.
Just as Mei Yuxian opened her mouth and seemed about to say something—perhaps even express her thoughts or clarify their relationship—Lin Yuan gently interrupted her.
"Sister Yuxian," he said, his tone shifting subtly to one of businesslike seriousness, "we've shared so many thoughts on stories, poems, and music tonight. But now, I'd like to talk about something else—something that I believe matters to both of us. Let's discuss business. Specifically, the development between our families and how we can grow together."
Mei Yuxian blinked in surprise.
Her eyes lit up, the haze of alcohol vanishing like morning fog before sunlight.
"You… want to talk about family development and business cooperation?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
The shift in her posture was immediate. She straightened her back, her gaze sharp, focused, and filled with interest.
This was her domain—her battlefield.
And now, Lin Yuan had just stepped into it with calm confidence.
"Let's start by discussing Sister Yuxian's Mei Group," Lin Yuan said with a calm and composed tone. "The company is currently undergoing a critical transformation phase, correct? Many of its traditional sales models are being phased out or restructured."
Lin Yuan then began laying out a thoughtful and comprehensive analysis of the Mei Group's current business strategies and potential future directions.
As the one at the helm, Mei Yuxian naturally had her own vision for the group's future. And on a broad strategic level, she had always been accurate. After all, it was under her guidance that the Mei Group had risen to become one of the top conglomerates in the region.
What truly surprised her, however, was how closely Lin Yuan's analysis aligned with her own.
"Your perspective is sharp, and your observations are grounded in reality. They're eerily similar to mine… I'm starting to wonder if you've somehow read my internal strategic plans," Mei Yuxian said, her eyes narrowing with curiosity and amusement.
Lin Yuan smiled faintly in response. Thanks to his knowledge from the original novel's storyline, he had more or less "read" Mei Yuxian's plans. But he only offered surface-level insights, nothing too revealing. The real reason he could speak with such confidence and depth was that he had recently leveled up his business proficiency to an advanced tier—giving him clarity and insight into high-level operations and macroeconomic trends.
Next, Lin Yuan moved on to analyze the broader regional landscape of Jiangbei. Drawing from his deep familiarity with the events and dynamics within the novel's world, his strategic evaluation was nothing short of exceptional.
Throughout his explanation, Mei Yuxian found herself nodding again and again.
Lin Yuan's points echoed her own thoughts and intuitions. In some instances, he even presented details she hadn't fully considered yet. The depth of his foresight made her reevaluate him—not just as a young man with a charming smile, but as someone with genuine strategic talent and business potential.
Lin Yuan wasn't speaking idly. His true aim was to gain Mei Yuxian's recognition and trust—not only as a confidant but as a capable business partner. This conversation was a stepping stone to something bigger.
While Mei Yuxian was still mulling over the ideas he had laid out, Lin Yuan suddenly leaned forward and spoke with conviction: "Sister Yuxian, I'd like to propose a collaboration."
"Hmm?" Mei Yuxian raised her eyebrows with interest. "You mean a partnership between the Mei Group and the Lin Family? What kind of cooperation are you suggesting?"
"No," Lin Yuan shook his head with a calm smile. "I'm not proposing a partnership with the Lin Family. I want to cooperate with you as an individual—just me."
That statement caused Mei Yuxian's interest to dip slightly. While she had grown fond of Lin Yuan and even started to see him as someone she could call a friend, business was business. Her instincts naturally leaned toward caution and pragmatism.
When it came to emotional matters, she could be playful and warm. But when the subject shifted to the boardroom and balance sheets, she was all steel and precision.
In her eyes, a partnership with the Lin Family held the promise of major ventures and powerful alliances. But cooperating solely with Lin Yuan? Even if his company had a valuation of five billion, that was still modest in her world. The scale was just too small.
So, her response was lukewarm. Her enthusiasm for the proposal dimmed.
Lin Yuan, of course, immediately noticed the change in her demeanor. But he was prepared for this. With a calm chuckle, he quickly added, "Sister Yuxian, I didn't mean to say that I'd never involve my family. While I'll be relying primarily on my own team and my own company, I will have the support of my family's influence when necessary."
"Wait… You can actually leverage your family's resources?" Mei Yuxian blinked, then lightly slapped her own forehead in realization. She suddenly remembered how familiar Lin Yuan was with figures like Cui Yunrong. It made perfect sense—of course he could tap into his family's connections and resources.
"Xiao Yuan, my apologies for underestimating you. So, tell me, what exactly do you want us to cooperate on?"
Lin Yuan's expression grew serious. "I want us to destroy the Qingshan Gang."
"The Qingshan Gang?" Mei Yuxian's brow furrowed slightly. Her interest did not grow—in fact, it waned a bit more.
The Qingshan Gang was indeed a significant presence in Jiangbei, with fingers in many industries. But this kind of proposition didn't exactly excite her. It seemed more like a personal vendetta than a business opportunity.
*****
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