At the banquet, everyone knew Lin Siya.
Ever since Huan Yuan Pharmaceutical launched their scar-removal ointment — New Life — she had become one of the most talked-about figures in the business world. People seemed to have forgotten that she was once the abandoned daughter of the Lin family.
New Life couldn't erase the kind of deep, disfiguring scars caused by major injuries, but for ordinary scarring, it worked wonders — gone in three months, no laser treatment, no surgery, no side effects. Naturally, it became a sensation. Especially among women; who didn't dream of flawless skin?
Tonight's grand business gala was filled with guests drawn by Huan Yuan's fame. Some came to learn about the company's mysterious "core technology." Others, with more calculating minds, were already plotting ways to poach its researchers — or even Lin Siya herself.
Her professional ability was undisputed. Years ago, when she'd offended Gu Yan and been cast out of the Lin family, everyone thought her finished. No one expected that this same young woman, barely in her mid-twenties, would return to society as a dazzling, confident executive commanding her own empire.
Gone was the prideful, impetuous girl of the past — in her place stood a calm, radiant woman.
And now, with Huan Yuan's meteoric rise, even the mighty Gu family was no longer something to fear. Some had considered targeting the company directly, but before they could act, Huan Yuan stunned everyone — by donating the entire research formula of "New Life" to the state, free of charge.
They still remembered the reporter's question from that now-famous interview:
"Miss Lin, why give away the formula? Keeping it could bring you enormous profit."
Lin Siya's response had been calm and sincere:
"Creating 'New Life' — a formula that can remove surface scars — is already the limit of our current research. We wanted to go further, to find a way to help the skin truly regenerate, but we simply couldn't.
So we decided, unanimously, to donate this achievement to our country. We believe that with national support, one day, those who were burned, scalded, or disfigured will all be able to regain their hope — their new life."
Countless people who had intended to profit from New Life had been furious. Before they could make a move, the company had already placed the technology in the hands of the government.
And who would dare to move against a company backed by the state?
A firm that contributed selflessly to humanity's well-being?
The interview brought tears to many who bore scars — literal and emotional ones. Whether or not Lin Siya's words came from the heart, her product worked, and that alone rekindled hope in countless lives.
Meanwhile, Huan Yuan's reputation soared. Even without New Life, orders for its regular pharmaceutical lines flooded in. Profits remained stable, and now they had national funding besides.
Thinking back on the company's journey, Lin Siya felt a quiet awe. Huan Yuan's rise was nothing short of a legend.
And when she thought of the woman who would be arriving tonight — the woman behind it all — she couldn't help smiling. She's the real miracle, she thought, taking a sip of red wine.
Yuan Xin hadn't arrived yet.
"Ya-ya."
The familiar voice pulled her back to the present. She looked up and froze. The man walking toward her wore an expression of surprise and barely-contained excitement — the same boy who had once chased her overseas, who had once lost to Gu Yan.
Her lips curved lightly. "Mu Sen. Long time no see."
"Yeah, it's been ages." His gaze never left her. "I just got back to the country. When I heard what happened to you, I was worried sick. Are you okay now?"
"I'm fine."
No matter how warm his eyes were, they couldn't reach her heart anymore. That space was already filled — not by burning passion, but by something gentler, steadier, deeper. Fire scorched; warmth healed.
"Ya-ya, when it all happened, why didn't you come to me?" Mu Sen asked, voice low. "Didn't you trust me? Did you think I couldn't protect you?"
Protect me?
She smiled faintly. She didn't believe for a second that he hadn't known what she'd gone through. When her feud with Gu Yan had made headlines — when her engagement fell apart — could he really have been ignorant?
Three years ago, if he had shown up right after it all collapsed, maybe she would've reached for him, clung to that familiar affection.
But not now.
People change. Feelings fade.
And the boy who once adored her had disappeared long ago.
So when she met his gaze again, her voice was soft, but distant:
"It's all in the past."
Her calm only made his heart twist tighter. He wanted to say something more, but a sudden hush swept through the hall.
Then came the collective intake of breath — a faint hiss spreading like a ripple.
"Who is that?" someone whispered.
Lin Siya turned automatically toward the entrance — and the sight made her hand tremble. The stem of her wineglass wobbled precariously; the liquid within rippled like a storm. Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs.
A woman stood framed by the doorway, and for a long moment, nobody looked anywhere else.
Her face was unfamiliar, but her presence commanded the room.
Shoulder-length hair, ends softly curled, tucked neatly behind pearl-adorned ears.
A clean, understated makeup look — soft brows, natural red lips, eyes gentle yet impossible to read. Her white tailored suit was fitted to perfection, three black buttons tracing her slim waist; the asymmetrical hem and matching trousers hinted at both elegance and power.
She moved with effortless poise, every step precise and graceful, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The faintest glimmer from the diamond studs on her clutch followed her like trailing starlight.
Her gaze swept the crowd once — and then stopped. On Lin Siya.
As she walked closer, Lin Siya could hardly breathe. That face might be new, but those eyes—she knew them instantly.
Yuan Xin.
All around, people murmured and stared, mesmerized. Lin Siya felt a pang of irrational jealousy rise in her chest. Haven't they ever seen a beautiful woman before? she thought furiously. Don't they have deals to make, people to flatter? Stop staring!
The familiar scent reached her first, pulling her back to herself. Her knees went weak; the glass in her hand trembled dangerously.
Then Yuan Xin stood before her. Seeing Lin Siya's flushed cheeks and the unsteady glass in her hand, she asked softly, "How much did you drink?"
"Huh?" Lin Siya blinked, startled. She almost dropped the glass before Yuan Xin reached out, steadying it effortlessly. "I asked how much you've had," Yuan Xin repeated.
"Just… one sip," Lin Siya stammered. Her heart was racing so wildly she could hardly think. One sip — that was true. The dizziness and warmth weren't from wine; they were from her.
Yuan Xin gave her a skeptical look, the kind that said 'One sip, really?' Lin Siya couldn't explain. How could she say that it wasn't the alcohol making her blush, but the woman standing inches away?
Everyone was watching, eyes fixed on Yuan Xin's stunning face. That only made Lin Siya's jealousy burn hotter.
She's mine to look at, she thought helplessly. Stop staring.
Her pulse quickened, her legs turned to water. Who would have guessed that beneath that old "punk" look had been such devastating beauty? Even ghosts would fall for her, Lin Siya thought in despair.
"Siya."
"Ah?" She blinked up dazedly. Yuan Xin sighed, convinced now that she was drunk.
"Do you want to rest for a while?"
Lin Siya hesitated. She wasn't drunk — just overwhelmed. But with all those eyes still lingering on Yuan Xin, she felt her chest tighten with something possessive.
"Yeah," she murmured, cheeks pink. "I drank too much. Take me to rest, okay?"
Yuan Xin nodded and guided her away from the crowd.
Barely a minute after they left, the doors of the hall opened again.
A man, a woman, and a young boy stepped in together.
The guests immediately turned, murmuring with excitement.
"President Gu — you've brought your wife and son tonight!"
The atmosphere flared alive once more.