The faint glow of dawn seeped through the sheer curtains, painting soft streaks of gold across the room. Su Ning opened her eyes, her breathing calm and even. She had been cultivating through most of the night, her energy refined and balanced, her mind unusually quiet. Still, even with the vitality surging through her veins, she decided to rest for a few hours — sometimes, peace was its own cultivation.
When she woke again, it was already past eight. The air in the suite was cool and crisp, carrying a faint floral fragrance from the humidifier by the bedside.
Stretching lightly, she rose from the bed and entered the ensuite bathroom. Steam curled around her as the warm water cascaded down her skin, washing away the remnants of fatigue. Her reflection in the mirror afterward was bright and refreshed — her skin seemed to glow faintly, like a soft sheen of morning light.
She changed into an outfit that matched her quiet confidence — a fitted white silk blouse tucked neatly into a red high-waist pencil skirt that ended just above her knees. The fabric caught the light subtly when she moved, while her thin ruby belt added a touch of sophistication.
She wore light jewelry — small diamond studs and a slender silver watch. Her long black hair, still slightly damp from her bath, was brushed into loose waves that framed her delicate features. A faint red gloss tinted her lips, mirroring the fiery accent of her outfit.
Su Ning admired the look briefly before slipping on her pointed white heels.
"Perfect," she murmured, satisfied. She took out her phone and took few selfies to post later, she couldn't disappoint her growing fans.
She looked at the pictures in satisfaction and smirked.
She ordered a light breakfast, oatmeal, fruit, and a cup of warm tea. As she ate, she browsed through the morning headlines briefly, noticing that her name was still trending online. Her expression remained calm, fame was a tool, not a destination.
Once finished, she packed her few belongings into her space leaving the suite spotless. Just as she reached for her phone, it rang — Zhao Qi.
"Miss Su," his steady voice came through, polite and professional. "I'm at the restaurant entrance with the contract ready. Would you like me to bring it up?"
"No need," she replied. "I'm heading down now."
The line ended.
She stepped out of the suite, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as she made her way toward the elevator. The hotel lobby was already bustling, but the moment she entered, heads subtly turned, her presence carried a quiet authority, an aura that drew attention even without intention.
At the restaurant entrance, Zhao Qi stood waiting with his usual composure. The man bowed slightly when he saw her.
"Chairwoman Su."
"Good morning," she greeted with a faint smile.
He handed her a sleek black folder. "This is the finalized draft for the investment partnership with Xia Lin. Everything is reviewed and sealed by our legal department."
Su Ning opened it briefly, scanning through the pages. Her eyes moved swiftly, efficient yet precise. When she was satisfied, she nodded.
"Good work, Director Zhao."
Zhao Qi bowed again, his respect evident. "It's an honor, Chairwoman."
After a few minutes of discussion, he excused himself to attend another matter.
Once he left, Su Ning entered the restaurant.
Near the window sat Xia Lin neatly dressed but clearly nervous. His hands gripped a folder, his leg bouncing slightly beneath the table. When he saw Su Ning approach, he immediately stood, bowing so low that several diners glanced over curiously.
"Chairwoman Su! Good morning!" he greeted anxiously.
Su Ning's lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. "Sit down, Mr. Xia. You don't need to be so tense."
He straightened awkwardly, his face flushed, and sat only after she did.
She placed the folder on the table, sliding it toward him. "This is the contract. Two copies. Read carefully. If there's nothing you find unsatisfactory, we can sign today."
Xia Lin hesitated briefly before opening it. His eyes widened almost immediately. The air around him seemed to still as he flipped through the pages again, disbelief flickering across his expression.
"Chairwoman Su…" he stammered softly, "there must be a mistake."
She tilted her head slightly. "Oh? What kind of mistake?"
"This…" he swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly as he pointed to the section on equity distribution. "You've given me forty-eight percent shares — and sixty percent control of project operations. That's… unheard of. Even top-tier investors wouldn't—"
"Wouldn't?" she interrupted gently, sipping her tea. "Wouldn't take a fair deal?"
He looked utterly flustered. "No, I just—this kind of generosity… I don't know what to say."
"Then don't overthink it," she said, tone calm but firm. "You have vision, Mr. Xia. But vision alone doesn't build an empire. I'm investing because I see potential — not charity. Forty-eight percent means I trust your competence. Don't waste it."
Her words struck him deeper than praise could have. His throat tightened. "Chairwoman Su… I'll work hard. I'll prove you didn't make a mistake choosing me."
"I know you will." Her gaze softened slightly, but there was still steel in her voice. "Now, let's talk about your project in detail."
Xia Lin exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. "The idea is a full-spectrum skincare line that focuses on natural regeneration — I've been researching hybrid herbal formulas that adjust to different skin tones and climates. The focus is inclusivity, from fair to dark skin types."
"Chairwoman Su, do you have a name in mind?" he asked cautiously.
Su Ning lifted a finger slightly, "It will be called MELANIN."
He blinked, stunned. "MELANIN?"
"Yes," she said with quiet certainty.
"Because beauty shouldn't bleach itself to be seen. It's a name that reflects confidence in every shade — power in every tone, one that could easily be remembered."
Xia Lin stared at her for a moment, almost in awe. He felt as though every word she spoke carried weight — not loud, but undeniable. "MELANIN…" he repeated under his breath. "That's perfect."
"Then it's settled," she said, signing her copy of the contract. "You'll handle development, and my team will handle manufacturing and marketing. You'll report to me directly for all final decisions."
"Yes, Chairwoman."
"Also," she continued, "I want the product standards to be top-tier — non-synthetic formulas, skin-type adaptability, and international certification. We're not creating another brand. We're creating a legacy."
Xia Lin's hands tightened on his pen. "Understood."
They continued to discuss the timeline — manufacturing schedules, target markets, possible brand ambassadors, and digital campaigns. Su Ning's insight was sharp, blending corporate precision with creative instinct. Xia Lin could barely keep up, yet each word she spoke lit a new idea in his mind.
At some point, Su Ning leaned back, studying him. "Are you familiar with Vogue Pharmaceuticals in London?"
Xia Lin nodded immediately. "Of course. They're known for their clinical beauty line and revolutionary skincare biotech. Everyone in this field dreams of working with them."
Su Ning's lips curved faintly. "Good. Then you might want to get familiar with their headquarters soon."
He blinked. "Pardon?"
"Well, Vogue belongs to me," she said simply, her tone light — as if she had just mentioned owning a café instead of a billion-yuan company. "And I'll be going to London next week. You'll come with me."
The world seemed to tilt for a moment. Xia Lin froze, the pen slipping slightly from his hand. "Y-you mean…"
"I mean exactly what I said." Her eyes glimmered slightly, both amused and firm. "You'll move to London. From there, we'll begin building Melanin under Vogue's supervision. You'll have access to their labs, researchers, and distribution channels. I'll handle the legal frameworks and international contracts. You focus on innovation."
Xia Lin's breath hitched. His chest constricted as emotions surged — disbelief, joy, relief, all tangled together. For a moment, he couldn't speak.
When he finally found his voice, it came out strained. "Chairwoman Su… I— I don't even know how to thank you. For years, I've tried to find investors. People laughed at me, said I was dreaming too big. I've been turned away more times than I can count." His eyes reddened slightly. "And now, you're giving me a chance I never imagined I'd have."
Su Ning watched him quietly, her gaze unreadable. Then she said softly, "Don't thank me yet. Prove to me that my investment wasn't misplaced. That's how you thank me."
He nodded vigorously, wiping his eyes quickly before signing his name at the bottom of the contract. "I will, Chairwoman Su. I promise, I won't disappoint you."
"I believe you won't."
When they were done, she gathered her copy and stood. "That'll be all for now. Prepare your travel documents and everything you need. I'll have someone from Vogue contact you with the itinerary."
"Yes, Chairwoman," Xia Lin said, standing too.
They walked together toward the restaurant's exit. Su Ning's tailored car was already waiting outside — sleek, black, and understatedly luxurious. The chauffeur stepped out, opening the door for her.
Xia Lin stopped beside her, hesitating. "Chairwoman Su…" he began, his voice trembling slightly. "Before you go — I just want to say… thank you again. You didn't just invest in my project. You gave me back my faith in what I can do."
Su Ning looked at him, her expression softening. "Then make sure you don't lose that faith again," she said simply. "Dreams are fragile things, Mr. Xia. Protect yours."
With that, she stepped into the car.
As the vehicle pulled away from the hotel, Xia Lin stood by the entrance, the morning breeze tugging gently at his shirt. He watched the car until it disappeared into traffic, still in quiet disbelief.
Then, slowly, a smile broke across his face — one of pure, heartfelt joy. For the first time in years, he wasn't standing at the edge of failure. He was finally walking into his future.