Chapter 107

 

People often say, “Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west.” But in the ever-changing world of business, to maintain glory and prosperity for a long time—let alone thirty years—even ten years is difficult.

Everyone present today knew the situation of Haiou well, not just Ming Xi.

Haiou was already an empty shell company that only looked impressive on the surface. How could He Yuan still serve as vice chairman of the industry? Were they supposed to elect a joke together?

The voting for He Yuan began, and Ming Xi lowered her head slightly. It wasn’t to avoid awkwardness; she simply didn’t want to look at He Yuan any longer. Still, she was a little curious and wanted to see who would vote for him—and who, like her, would remain unmoved.

Quite a few colleagues shared similar thoughts, and their eyes met Miss Ming’s with a kind of tacit understanding.

During such a serious voting session, this kind of eye contact might seem a little excessive. But everyone here was a businessperson—if one wasn’t a little excessive in life, how could one win business?

He Yuan’s gaze once again shot through his cold lenses straight at Ming Xi. He already knew she would not cast a vote for him. But seeing the look on her face—as if she were watching a good show—made the anger in his heart hard to suppress. It almost showed openly on his face.

Watching a show?

Not at all!

Ming Xi pressed her lips together slightly, feeling somewhat wronged for being blamed for nothing.

Thinking carefully about it, it was no wonder He Yuan and Ming Yue had ended up together. In certain ways the two were similar—whenever something went wrong, their first reaction was always to blame others, never to reflect on themselves. Over the past few years, despite serving as the association’s vice chairman, He Yuan had not done a single thing for the industry. All he thought about was pursuing personal gain. If she were in He Yuan’s position, she would have been on pins and needles. But Boss He remained unperturbed, as if none of it had anything to do with him.

The saying “leave a little room for the future so that people can meet again later” was true. Ming Xi truly had no intention of showing off or humiliating He Yuan now. But… this year she had been too much in the spotlight. Perhaps without realizing it, she naturally displayed a certain confidence that might have been mistaken by Boss He as arrogance.

Miss Ming lightly rested both hands on the table and looked around calmly. She noticed that one of the other council members, who had been hesitating about whether to raise his hand, made eye contact with her and actually withdrew his hand in embarrassment.

Well… that really was unfortunate.

In reality, today’s election was, to some extent, just a formality. The result was already expected by the authorities.

Naturally, Boss He did not even receive half the votes.

Over the past few years, Director Sheng—the chairman of the association—had been fully aware of He Yuan’s actions. And among those dissatisfied with Boss He’s behavior, Ming Xi was far from the only one.

After the meeting ended, Boss He—having lost both face and composure—walked straight toward Ming Xi. At that moment several colleagues were gathered around her. They had been happily discussing strategies for overseas e-commerce expansion, and the atmosphere had been quite pleasant. He Yuan’s sudden approach naturally broke that harmony.

“Lamia, no matter what, you came out of Haiou back then. There was no need to be so confrontational today,” He Yuan said angrily, his words like cold arrows shooting directly at Ming Xi.

At this moment colleagues stood both in front of and behind her. It was obvious that He Yuan had deliberately chosen to confront her in public, wanting to make her lose face along with him and vent his dissatisfaction.

“That’s right, Mr. He was Miss Ming’s former boss. Today, Miss Ming should at least give Mr. He a vote!” A portly businessman also stepped forward to support He Yuan. This man was also Mingzhou’s competitor. His support for He Yuan wasn’t likely due to a good relationship, but rather because Mingzhou had taken a significant share of his business. They were all profit-driven businessmen; they gathered when there was profit and dispersed when there wasn’t.

And when it came to targeting women, unscrupulous men were always strikingly similar.

After the portly boss’s encouragement, He Yuan began pretending to be the reasonable one. In a tone that sounded both helpless and incredulous, he said, “Lamia, we’ve known each other for so many years. Just because of that little conflict involving your parents, you still hold a grudge against me. If not for the monk’s sake, then for the Buddha’s sake—you should still show some consideration. After all, I’m now the one taking care of your parents.”

What did he mean by taking care of her parents?

Weren’t those Ming Yue’s parents?

Ming Xi showed a hint of amusement, but no anger. He Yuan deliberately called her by her English name and brought up her parents in public, simply trying to put her down in front of everyone and display the authority of a former employer. This was utterly foolish.

Ming Xi hardly needed to speak at all—several people around her had already stepped forward to speak on her behalf. Mr. Qian (Kevin) even openly sided with her: “Mr. He, I was having a good conversation with Miss Ming when you suddenly came in, interrupting our conversation. Miss Ming, where were we just now?”

Ming Xi smiled helplessly. Kevin’s move allowed her to ignore He Yuan directly, which was not bad. However, she did not want people to misunderstand matters concerning such a serious election.

He Yuan raised his voice in front of everyone, portraying their past grievances as the main reason she had not voted for him—as if she were the principal culprit behind his defeat.

When the other businesspeople turned their eyes toward Ming Xi, she instead looked sincerely at He Yuan and gently asked: “Mr. He, have you become confused from anger? What kind of grievance could there possibly be between you and me?

“Perhaps you see it as a grudge, but to me, I’m not your Ming Yue’s enemy; I’m merely her creditor.” After explaining this, Ming Xi softly murmured an acknowledgment, then shook her head slightly before returning to the topic of the vote: “As for your defeat today, Mr. He, as someone who once worked at Haiou, I do feel regret. Precisely because I worked there before, you should understand best why I didn’t vote for you. Don’t you understand? I’ve always judged matters, not people.

“This isn’t elementary school electing class representatives. Who would form cliques just to vote for someone? Everyone here is a responsible and impartial council member. The reason I didn’t vote for you is simply because you’re not suitable for the position. That’s all.”

In simple terms: your virtue does not match the position.

Ming Xi ultimately still left him a bit of face and did not say the harsher words that followed. While responding, her face maintained a gentle smile like a spring breeze. Beside her, Kevin from Xinghai Foreign Trade stood protectively like an older brother. Someone else even placed a hand on He Yuan’s shoulder—on the surface to comfort him, but in reality to prevent him from acting impulsively and harming her.

But Ming Xi knew very well that He Yuan wouldn’t dare. He merely wanted to splash some mud on her one last time. She didn’t need to dodge at all, because the mud wouldn’t splash on her. She was just a council member; there was nothing to be hypocritical about. She didn’t want to be the chairman anyway.

Without giving He Yuan another glance, Ming Xi walked past him, accompanied by Mr. Qian of Xinghai, the newly appointed vice chairman.

No one would remain glorious forever—not even Miss Ming. Therefore, one must be objective, a principle Miss Ming had never changed. It wasn’t that she looked down on He Yuan only because she was now successful. When a person is at a low point, it is even more important to accumulate good character and reputation. In the past few years, Ming Xi had built a considerable reputation for herself.

At the meeting entrance, another senior figure called her over for a few words.

“Miss Ming, why haven’t you been playing golf lately? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you in Yuexi,” the older man chatted with her.

“I really haven’t played golf in a while. Recently I’ve been learning boxing,” Ming Xi replied with a smile.

“Everyone listen to that—Miss Ming really has the energy of youth. Playing this today, that tomorrow,” Old He joked, with a hint of praise.

Ming Xi laughed as well. “I may be a bit younger than Director He, but Director He not only earns money better than us, you also doesn’t lose to young people when it comes to enjoying life.” She paused, then raised an eyebrow at Kevin. “Right? Mr. Qian, who’s also young.”

Whenever these boring meetings happened, people liked gathering around Miss Ming. It wasn’t just because Mingzhou had been doing well in recent years, but talking with her made everyone feel younger themselves. Kevin smiled so broadly that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes appeared, nodding repeatedly. Yes, yes—he was still young!

In business, no one can do everything perfectly, but one must never leave behind a handle for others to criticize. No matter what, today’s result—He Yuan losing—would never leave such a handle on her.

The election task had been completed, and Ming Xi didn’t want to stay much longer. Several colleagues invited her to dinner at the hotel that evening, but she declined them all, saying she had other commitments.

She had come cleanly and would leave just as decisively.

Her driver had already returned and was waiting at the hotel entrance.

Ming Xi got into the car with her bag.

Being a boss looked glamorous, but it was just as tiring. Today was the New Year’s Day holiday; employees were resting, while she had been negotiating business and attending meetings all day. After a busy day, the hardworking Boss Ming could finally go home.

The car had only driven halfway onto the elevated highway when a kind-hearted but gossipy Miss Jiang sent her a photo via email, along with the text: “I know Boss Liang is completely devoted to you, but just sharing some gossip. The number-one beauty manager at Minshen Investment Bank is secretly making a move on your Boss Liang!”

Huh, is that so?

Ming Xi tapped the phone screen and opened the photo Jiang Meiqian sent. It showed Liang Jiancheng and the well-known beautiful investment bank manager seated one behind the other at a small meeting table. From the picture, there was no physical contact and no eye contact between them.

Boss Ming suddenly considered something: if the contract expired and Boss Liang breached it at the last moment, she could still receive quite a handsome penalty fee. After a brief amused thought, she set aside the contract matter. Emotionally speaking, she had never doubted Liang Jiancheng. Even if she doubted herself, she would never doubt him. If one day Liang Jiancheng truly “found another opportunity,” she wouldn’t even be able to blame him—she could only regret it alone, regretting that when they were together she hadn’t spent more time with him.

In the evening, Ming Xi returned to Tianxi No. 2.

Alone at home, she opened the refrigerator but found nothing to eat. Unable to decide what she wanted, she took out a packet of instant noodles, added two eggs and some ham, and prepared to cook them together. There were also a few vegetable leaves in the fridge, and half a box of braised beef Xinyu had given her earlier. With this combination, the dinner turned out quite good—at least more comfortable than attending a hotel banquet.

A cold wave was hitting outside, the air biting with chill, but inside the house was well-heated. Ming Xi removed her coat and suit jacket; underneath was a thin cashmere-silk turtleneck sweater, fitted and elastic, making her shoulders look slender, her waist narrow, and her chest full.

In the kitchen, Ming Xi cooked a large portion of instant noodles in a small pot, the aroma of the instant noodle seasoning packet filling the air, rich and enticing.

Ming Xi carried the small pot to the bar counter. Just as she was about to start eating, the sound of someone entering a password came from the foyer. Holding a soup spoon, she sat casually on a barstool and glanced sideways, seeing Liang Jiancheng open the door and walk in.

Administrative jacket, suit trousers, proper Oxford leather shoes, neatly combed slicked-back hair… His features and figure were still striking and refined. With a bit more steadiness, he appeared even more mature and masculine. But the symbolism of this formal outfit was too strong; it really had the bureaucratic aura Jiang Meiqian had mentioned—especially since Liang Jiancheng was carrying a rather old-fashioned briefcase that matched the outfit perfectly.

Ming Xi frowned, looked at him deeply for a moment, then the corner of her lips lifted as she teased: “Hello, Leader Liang?”

Liang Jiancheng: …

For the past two years, Liang Jiancheng had been busy with the equity restructuring of Xinghai Technology, and this year he was busy with the IPO. Now that things had mostly settled, he could finally breathe. Just like Ming Xi today, he had turned down several dinner invitations and rushed back with great effort—just to have a proper meal with Miss Ming.

Their three-year contract was expiring soon, and he, as the service provider, felt a bit insecure about whether it could be renewed or if a new cooperation model could be implemented. For the past few years, Boss Liang had consistently tried his best to provide emotional support and attentive service to his client. Yet the meaningful glance Ming Xi gave him when he entered made the normally dignified Boss Liang feel, for a moment, somewhat ashamed.

His attire wasn’t a change in aesthetic sense; it was purely to blend in. In the many meetings within the system, always being impeccably dressed in a suit inevitably made him stand out. In the early years, city leaders loved teasing him, often laughing and saying, “Boss Liang is a handsome man, but don’t keep staring at him—let’s focus on the meeting’s main topic!”

Liang Jiancheng removed the administrative jacket at the entrance, revealing a pure black turtleneck underneath. Instantly his whole presence became lighter and more energetic. His figure was still tall and well-built, though the thoughtful look between his brows added a touch of seriousness to his refined face.

Boss Ming was most afraid of serious leaders, so she quickly lowered her head and ate her instant noodles.

“Miss Ming attended the association’s leadership transition meeting today, and the newly appointed chairman didn’t even treat you to a proper meal, leaving you to eat instant noodles instead?” Liang Jiancheng stepped forward, his smile making him appear much gentler.

Miss Ming had been quite impressive outside, but in front of Boss Liang, she dared not be presumptuous. Especially after he caught her eating such nutritionally poor instant noodles, she cautiously raised her eyes and explained while holding the spoon, looking gentle like a little woman waiting for her husband to return home: “The noodles at home will expire if I don’t eat them soon. To avoid wasting them, I came back to eat my own.”

Liang Jiancheng’s lips curled slightly, then he leaned down to plant a kiss on Ming Xi’s glossy lips.

Since his lips had now picked up a bit of instant-noodle flavor too, could the thrifty Miss Ming reward him with a few bites? He had rushed back in a hurry and hadn’t eaten dinner yet.

Previously Ming Xi had always hired a housekeeper to help manage the home, but near the end of the year the housekeeper had returned to her hometown. Whenever Liang Jiancheng came over, he used to call the housekeeper personally to remind her to leave dishes for dinner. No matter how busy he was, he wanted to eat a few dishes and soup with Miss Ming. To be honest, in these past years Liang Jiancheng felt that aside from the lack of a formal title, the way he and Ming Xi lived together was hardly different from that of a married couple.

It was just that their time living together was too little. Even something as simple as sharing a few home-cooked dishes—or eating a pot of instant noodles together—felt especially precious.

A person must know how to cherish blessings to realize that eating with the one you love is also a kind of happiness. Over these three years, despite being busy, they always tried to make time to return to their shared love nest—to eat together, chat, and do the most intimate things lovers do.

Regarding all of this, Liang Jiancheng had never been dissatisfied, nor had he ever felt unfulfilled.

His only worry was that Miss Ming had quite a few suitors—and of rather high quality. Just in the past half year, among the suitors he knew were wealthy tycoons, powerful second-generation elites, and even handsome younger men. There was also Ji Runze—wasn’t he also Miss Ming’s good friend?

Liang Jiancheng considered himself quite handsome, and he had initially won over Miss Ming with his presentable looks. Was he no longer fresh enough? Had his attractiveness declined? Hmm? Just that glance from Miss Ming earlier—although it only revealed a hint of confusion—Liang Jiancheng was too perceptive not to notice the clue.

Ming Xi: …

Everyone knew Boss Liang acted quickly in business. Who would have thought that when it came to complaining about rivals in love, Boss Liang could also seize the initiative first?

Unfortunately, the time Miss Ming and Boss Liang spent together was too precious; even a discussion like this couldn’t be wasted unnecessarily. Even though Boss Liang’s jealousy was surging, he could not bear to vent it on Miss Ming, especially since the contract was about to expire. Regarding the contract, Liang Jiancheng never mentioned it. If it were brought up and the contract were to end, then their relationship would have to fundamentally change, for example by confirming it through legal means.

Liang Jiancheng had gone to the United States early for his studies and considered himself someone whose way of handling things leaned toward freedom and democracy. Yet for the first time he felt that a planned economy, compared with an open market economy, was indeed more stable and less prone to mistakes.

When two people love each other to the extreme, merely embracing physically seems to make their souls tremble together…

Today, because of the photos Maggie sent, Ming Xi still returned the call. Her original intention was to explain that the state of her relationship with Liang Jiancheng was very stable. Jiang Meiqian, however, threw a realistic question at her: “You two aren’t getting married, and you’re not even properly dating. Every day you’re both busy with your own things. Are you planning to live like this for the rest of your lives? You’re already twenty-eight this year. I’m not saying you’re old—I mean… Boss Liang isn’t young anymore. I’m not urging marriage. Marriage itself is meaningless. Many people think the happy ending of love is marriage, but often it’s marriage that ends up destroying love.”

Jiang Meiqian had a free-spirited and open personality. When she spoke about marriage, her words contradicted themselves, conveying a complicated emotion that seemed both encouraging and clearly negative.

“That’s right. What I want to know is—how will your relationship with Liang Jiancheng reach a good ending?”

Neither she nor Liang Jiancheng had reached the end of their lives, so how could there be any “good ending”? Ming Xi replied to Jiang Meiqian like this.

Both she and Liang Jiancheng were patient people, the kind who enjoyed the process rather than chasing results. That was why they had come this far together in such tacit understanding. As for whether things should change in the future, Ming Xi truly hadn’t decided yet.

From the perspective of love, she and Liang Jiancheng… still hadn’t reached any kind of “good ending.”

When people love for a long time, even making love can become routine. Yet every time Boss Liang made her feel the utmost pleasure—wasn’t that another kind of good ending?

After the climax, her thoughts drifted away. Ming Xi unconsciously became distracted, her gaze wandering. This subtle expression did not escape Boss Liang. Liang Jiancheng suddenly lowered his head and planted a deep kiss on Ming Xi’s neck, leaving a clear mark that boldly displayed their lovemaking.

Ming Xi’s skin was very thin; even a slight bump would easily leave a bruise. The next morning, wearing her pajamas, she stood before the sink washing up. At one point she stretched her neck and looked at the obvious mark in the mirror, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed.

Not far away, Liang Jiancheng casually picked up a shirt and stood calmly in front of the dressing mirror, his long fingers fastening the buttons one by one.

As the end of the year approached, both of them had many things to deal with. There was a saying that made sense: big bosses move their mouths, small bosses run until their legs break, and bosses who are neither big nor small must use hands, feet, and mouth all at once. Boss Ming happened to be exactly that kind of boss—not big, not small.

Talking about the cold weather this month, Liang Jiancheng could not predict how cold it would become either. Compared with uncontrollable factors like weather, the international financial crisis would be far more fatal to the foreign trade industry. By the end of this year, many factories in Guangdong had already shut down early. According to economic patterns, after a period of prosperity and expansion there would inevitably come a period of recession and adjustment. The only uncertainty was whether the domestic economy in 2008 could withstand the pain brought by this downturn.

Just before leaving, Liang Jiancheng and Ming Xi said goodbye in the underground parking garage.

“Boss Ming, in 2008, I wish Mingzhou continued stability and a solid foundation. The key is to seek steadiness, not speed.” Liang Jiancheng raised his hand and brushed through Ming Xi’s hair, offering both a New Year’s blessing and advice for Mingzhou.

Even after years as lovers, Boss Liang’s casual body language still revealed something: his male hormones surged only because of Miss Ming.

Regarding the economic trends and industry situation of 2008, Ming Xi, Dezi, and Han Junjun had all attended the private economic analysis tea meeting organized by Liang Jiancheng, listening carefully to the discussions. Liang Jiancheng, who was usually optimistic in economic judgment and willing to take risks, had even proposed seeking stability rather than speed. Even though Mingzhou had dominated the outdoor-products field in 2007, Ming Xi still decided to face 2008 with a cautious attitude.

In business, profits and losses are normal. The important thing is doing things well. “Thank you, Mr. Liang. This year, I will keep your four-words mantra in mind in all my decisions—seek stability, not speed.”

“I can see that Miss Ming has a very good mindset, so I’m relieved.” Liang Jiancheng gently touched Miss Ming’s smooth face once more, reluctant to stop.

“If there’s business, then I’ll do business. If there’s no business, I’ll do something else,” Ming Xi said suddenly, blinking playfully, a clever curve appearing at the corner of her eyes.

Liang Jiancheng thought for a moment but truly couldn’t guess what Miss Ming might plan to do besides business.

Seeing this, Ming Xi sighed lightly and turned to get into her car. She drove past Liang Jiancheng, rolled down the window, leaned her head out, and looked at him with smiling eyes. “If Boss Liang can’t guess the answer, it means you still don’t understand women well enough. Bye!”

The car drove away lightly. Liang Jiancheng blinked and stood alone in the underground garage. An answer was already about to emerge. If it were really like that, perhaps the ancestors of the Liang family were finally showing their power. Liang Jiancheng shook his head, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously, his tongue unconsciously licking his lips. At his age, he actually felt a little shy!

Even when life goes well, one cannot always enjoy it to the fullest. Liang Jiancheng was like this, and Ming Xi was the same.

Even though Xinghai Technology had achieved significant breakthroughs in production capacity and technological innovation, at the end of the year Liang Jiancheng and his mother, Gu Shuangyang, accompanied a ministerial-level leader to pray for blessing at the most prestigious temple in Haigang. The temple was cleared for the occasion, but the incense remained burning. Liang Jiancheng did not believe in Buddhism, yet in the solemn atmosphere filled with Zen and Buddhist learning he closed his eyes and made a wish. He did not pray for his career or for children—he only prayed that Miss Ming would live her life safely and in good health, without disasters or misfortune.

However, not long after the beginning of 2008, Miss Ming was involved in a serious car accident.

A week later, the weather became even colder. Even in the southern harbor city, outdoors it had reached the point where dripping water could freeze into ice. If one stayed outside in the cold wind for too long, the face could swell from the freezing air. Under such severe cold, Ming Xi was more worried about factory production than about orders.

It was once again the critical time just before the workers’ holiday.

On Friday afternoon, Factory Director Lou—who should have returned from Guangzhou—called her anxiously. Last month, through Liang Jiancheng’s introduction, she had arranged for the directors of two factories in Ning City, along with several outstanding backbone employees, to go to Guangdong to study at an advanced factory. They should have returned yesterday to discuss next quarter’s production plans with her. Unexpectedly, they had not been able to return yesterday, and today they were still stranded.

“So many factories in Guangdong shut down early this year. Migrant workers are all returning home together—the scene is unbelievable. The whole train station is packed with people!

“It’s not that tickets can’t be bought—the trains can’t even depart. Guangdong is having a snowstorm!

“Oh dear! The situation is terrible. Old Jiang and I can’t get back, and the factory can’t distribute the year-end bonuses. The workers are all counting on that money before the Lunar New Year. Chunhua told me two days ago some workers have already started causing trouble…”

The call lasted several minutes. It was the first time Ming Xi had ever heard Factory Manager Lou speak with such panic, especially when mentioning the crowds at the Guangdong train station.

Over the past few years, Boss Ming had experienced many things. Even in urgent situations, she calmly reassured Factory Director Lou, saying that if the train still couldn’t depart the next day, she would personally go to Ning City to handle the remaining work.

“It’s alright, safety first. Take care of yourselves in Guangdong,” Ming Xi repeatedly emphasized.

After hanging up, Ming Xi immediately contacted her partner bank to schedule a large cash withdrawal. The bank manager she had been dealing with for years was still somewhat hesitant, so Ming Xi made a firm statement: “If I can’t get 600,000 yuan in cash by noon tomorrow, I’ll immediately switch partner banks next spring.”

The next day, Factory Director Lou still couldn’t return. At noon, Ming Xi drove to the bank and retrieved a full bag of cash.

Besides going to the factory to handle the final matters, Boss Ming also had another concern. If trains in Guangdong were suspended, Ning City would likely be affected too. Her workers might not be able to return home on time. So while Haigang had not yet started snowing, she had to hurry to the Ning factory to distribute bonuses and finish the arrangements.

The car drove onto the elevated highway as usual. But not long after, the dark sky suddenly whipped up a wild snowstorm.

Ming Xi had never seen such heavy snow before, far heavier than the first snowfall she and Liang Jiancheng experienced during their first year together. The highway scene looked almost apocalyptic in its vastness. Inside the car the heater was on, so she couldn’t feel the cold outside, but she could see the snow and ice hitting the ground and quickly freezing instead of melting.

With such extreme cold, the road conditions naturally weren’t good. Ming Xi slowed down as much as possible and followed the flow of traffic.

Halfway along, at a fork in the road ahead, police vehicles were parked in the middle of the road, directing all cars to exit the highway because the road ahead had been closed.

The police shouted through a loudspeaker: “For safety, all vehicles, please exit the highway in an orderly manner!”

Ming Xi slowly exited the ramp. Between switching to the national road or turning back to Haigang, she hesitated for a few seconds and decisively chose the national road. If she drove slowly, she should still reach the Ning factory before nightfall.

On her passenger seat, a bulging leather bag full of cash sat securely. Since the accountant couldn’t return in time, bonuses had to be distributed in cash.

For a woman boss, being beautiful was useless. She had to handle things beautifully. Only then would her subordinates follow her with confidence. Over the past few years Ming Xi had earned the recognition of employees, factory directors, and workers by properly handling every matter—not by letting people speculate that she had merely relied on a rich man and started a business for fun as someone’s mistress.

More than the outwardly glamorous boss, what workers hoped for most was to receive their money in the last few days of the year and return home proudly. Ming Xi had grown up in the countryside and understood this clearly. If she delayed payment by one day, the workers would have to wait one more day—and that extra day might mean they couldn’t make it home for the New Year.

Therefore, even as the heavy snow continued and gradually covered the windshield, Ming Xi still chose the national road and continued driving toward the Ning factory.

Along the way there were many vehicles like hers stubbornly pushing forward. But as the snow continued, the freezing became more severe and cars began slipping more frequently.

Just then, Ming Xi received a call from Liang Jiancheng.

Liang Jiancheng had originally called to tell Ming Xi not to drive herself after work; he planned to pick her up personally. He had never imagined she was already driving on the road toward Ning City.

“Ming Xi, stop the car immediately!” It was the first time Liang Jiancheng spoke in a commanding tone.

“Liang Jiancheng, it’s really fine. I’m driving very slowly,” Ming Xi explained. Although the sudden weather change would make anyone uneasy on the road, Ming Xi was used to remaining calm. She had been driving carefully and safely the whole way.

“No, find a safe place right now and pull the car over. I won’t allow you to continue driving—” Liang Jiancheng’s attitude was firm and unyielding.

Ming Xi didn’t want to argue or lose concentration, “I’m hanging up—” she told Liang Jiancheng.

Then, in that instant, the accident happened.

Just as Ming Xi was about to hang up the call with Liang Jiancheng, the car in front of her had stopped by the roadside because of a rear-end collision. The lane itself was not wide to begin with, and the crashed vehicles completely blocked her lane, leaving her no choice but to borrow the opposite lane to pass. Just as she turned the steering wheel slightly to change lanes, a large cargo truck, badly skidding, rushed toward her from ahead at high speed.

Accompanied by a piercing screech of brakes, Ming Xi’s pupils suddenly contracted. At that critical moment, she suppressed the instinctive urge to panic and slam the brakes. Instead, she quickly spun the steering wheel sharply, skillfully and smoothly avoiding the oncoming truck. With a loud crash, the overturned truck barely slid past the Mercedes sedan.

She had succeeded, successfully avoiding a head-on collision However, because the evasive maneuver had been too sudden, the car instantly lost control and began to skid, rushing straight off the guardrail-less national road and flying out—

It truly flew out! Ming Xi felt her body lift into the air. For a moment, she wasn’t even sure if she had made a sound at the last second, but she clearly heard Liang Jiancheng calling her name, his voice trembling and hoarse—

“Ming Xi!”

“Ming Xi!”

“Ming Xi…”

On the tenth floor of Xinghai Technology office building in Haigang, Liang Jiancheng was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, talking on the phone. When the violent sound of collision suddenly came from the other end of the line, followed by utter silence with no response, during those brief yet unbearably long few seconds, Liang Jiancheng’s mind went blank for the first time, completely ceasing to think.

Clutching the phone tightly, he instinctively called out Ming Xi’s name twice. Then, his steps trembling, he rushed out of his office.

He had to stay calm—he had to stay calm! He couldn’t fly to Ming Xi’s side immediately. If she had really been in a car accident, the only people who could reach her fastest right now were the road rescue teams.

Liang Jiancheng’s face turned deathly pale as he almost crashed through the conference room door.

At that moment, in Xinghai Technology’s conference room, state leaders were holding a meeting with scientific and technological personnel. Without a word, Liang Jiancheng walked to Mr. Liao, who sat at the head of the table, and without any formalities, spoke directly: “Miss Ming is on the national road from Haigang to Ning City. There’s a high probability she was in a car accident. I need help immediately to locate her as quickly as possible and contact road rescue personnel…”

Being able to say those words was entirely an instinctive reaction formed through Liang Jiancheng’s long-trained habit of calm reasoning.

Mr. Liao, who came from a state-owned background, had worked with Liang Jiancheng for several years and knew very well what kind of person Miss Ming was to him. The meeting ended immediately. Mr. Liao took out his phone and began calling people to handle the matter.

After Liang Jiancheng finished speaking, he turned and walked out. The people from Xinghai Technology rushed forward to stop him. The reason was simple: no matter how fast Mr. Liang was, he could not reach the scene faster than road rescue teams. Staying and waiting for news was the most rational choice.

Liang Jiancheng took a deep breath. For the first time, he was unable to remain rational or calm. Every second, he felt as though his heart were about to explode, as if the blood flowing inside it might burst out all at once. His legs went weak and he could barely stand. He dared not imagine the terrible scene that might be happening to Ming Xi, yet he also could not close his eyes and stop thinking about it.

His whole body nearly collapsed.

The dozen or so minutes that were the darkest for Liang Jiancheng were also the longest minutes of Ming Xi’s life.

When the car flew out, an unexpected thought flashed through Ming Xi’s mind: One really shouldn’t be too arrogant in life!

There were indeed a reason Chinese people always emphasized living modestly. Who could have imagined that Miss Ming, who had been in the height of glory in 2007, would “come to an end” in such a way at the beginning of 2008?

The cargo truck skidded and overturned, dragging Ming Xi’s Mercedes off the road. In the end, the car crashed upside down into the snow-covered fields, landing heavily and sinking into the snow.

Snow was still falling wildly, quickly covering the underside of the car in white. Naturally, the engine had already stopped running.

Ten minutes passed, and several passing drivers on the national road got out, looking anxious. The more reliable ones had already begun calling 119 and 120.

Some kindhearted people also prepared to go down and check on the driver who had flown off the road.

Before the rescue teams arrived, the Mercedes, buried in snow, stalled and flipped upside down, suddenly emitted a sharp sound. The driver inside was using a safety hammer to smash the window glass.

Half a minute later, a slender, pale hand gripped the car window frame tightly—

Using that leverage, the trapped woman inside slowly crawled and squeezed her way out through the shattered window.

The sky was silent. The fields stretched out white and empty. The wind and snow seemed determined to freeze Ming Xi’s car forever into this land.

But Miss Ming absolutely couldn’t be trapped inside!

She still had too many things to do. There were many things she had not yet had the chance to say to Liang Jiancheng. She still had to protect Mingzhou, that “little universe.” At the very least, she still had to distribute the bonuses to those workers waiting to return home for the New Year.

So the trapped Miss Ming still had endless strength. After briefly losing consciousness and waking again, she had only one thought: how to escape from the car.

First she unfastened the seatbelt. Because the windows could no longer open normally, she found the safety hammer. Then she twisted and turned her body repeatedly, inch by inch moving herself out.

Besides getting herself out, Miss Ming also dragged out a leather bag of money.

That was the workers’ New Year’s money; she couldn’t leave it behind.

Finally, when both she and the money were completely out, Ming Xi lost all strength. She lay motionless on the icy snow, gasping for breath. Yet her blood seemed to burn hot. She looked up at the white expanse ahead, her eyebrows and eyes defiant and vivid, filled with disbelief and relief after surviving disaster. Not only was she alive, she was alright…

How wonderful! She could still live on arrogantly!

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