Cursed by Ancient Love, Redeemed by Modern Hearts

Another Long Day

Liang Xinyi barely glanced at the clock as she stepped into her office, already scanning the latest reports waiting on her desk. It was past nine at night, but the world of business never slept, and neither did she.

She let out a quiet breath, rolling her shoulders as she took her seat. Today had been endless.

Meetings. Reports. Damage control. Too many fires to put out and too few hands to do it.

Mei, ever efficient, placed a fresh cup of green tea beside her. "Zhao Rui's report just came in."

Xinyi nodded, taking the folder without a word.

As she flipped through it, her sharp eyes moved over each line.

Media coverage had finally started to slow.

The initial storm of speculation had burned itself out, and without new symptoms or additional incidents, the news cycle had begun to turn elsewhere.

The factory workers who had collapsed had now fully recovered.

No lingering health concerns. No worsening conditions. No permanent damage.

They had been monitored, tested, questioned, and yet the answer remained the same—after a few days of rest, they were fine.

Xinyi's grip on the paper tightened.

Something about that didn't sit right.

But logic dictated that if there was nothing left to investigate, she had to move on.

Still, a part of her lingered on that detail.

Mei spoke again, "Zhao Rui also confirmed that some media outlets were going in circles, reporting the same things without anything new to add. We've neutralized the worst of it."

"That means someone was fueling the rumors," Xinyi muttered.

Mei hesitated. "You think it was internal?"

"I think we'll find out soon enough."

Because there was one person in town who would benefit from her downfall.

She flipped to the last page of Zhao Rui's report and smirked slightly.

Zhao Rui had already anticipated the next step. She had gone to the factory herself, speaking directly to the workers.

Xinyi liked people who stayed ahead.

She closed the folder and leaned back slightly. Now, onto the next problem.

...

A Not-So-Welcome Family Reunion

The restaurant was luxurious but quiet, one of the few places in the city where privacy was guaranteed.

Xinyi arrived precisely on time, stepping inside with the kind of presence that made even the staff straighten their backs.

She spotted him immediately—Liang Jianyu.

Her cousin.

A walking disappointment in a designer suit.

As she approached, the waiter was already placing a bottle of wine on the table. A specific vintage.

Xinyi's eyebrow arched slightly. Her favorite.

Jianyu grinned at her as he swirled his glass. "I figured if I was going to ask you for a favor, I should at least butter you up first."

She took her seat without a word, watching as the waiter poured her a glass.

Xinyi lifted it, inhaled the familiar notes, and took a sip. Smooth, just the way she liked it.

She placed it down and leaned slightly forward. "Let's skip the pleasantries, Jianyu. To what do I owe the honor?"

Jianyu sighed dramatically. "You're no fun, Xinyi."

"Neither are people who waste my time."

He chuckled, taking another sip of his own wine. "I hear you've had a bit of a media mess on your hands."

There it was. The real reason for this meeting.

She didn't react. "It was handled."

"But it could have been worse," he continued, swirling his glass lazily. "People lose their seats over things like this."

Her eyes remained cold. "Only if they don't know how to play the game."

Jianyu's smirk widened, but there was something calculating in his gaze.

"You know… I've been reconnecting with some of the board members," he said lightly. "They seem… concerned."

Xinyi finally leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Ah, and concerned people need solutions, don't they?"

Jianyu chuckled. "Exactly."

"So you think the solution is removing me?"

Jianyu shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. "It's not personal. They just need to feel secure."

Xinyi studied him for a moment. "Tell me, Jianyu… how much did you pay to keep the rumors alive?"

His fingers tensed around the wine glass.

Just a fraction. But she saw it.

He covered quickly with a laugh. "What are you talking about?"

Her lips curved slightly. "A good villain never reveals their plan so early."

Silence.

Then—he laughed again, but this time, it was forced.

Xinyi tilted her head slightly. "Nervous, cousin?"

Jianyu exhaled, setting down his glass. "I should have known you'd figure it out."

"So what now?" she asked. "You lose your little influence campaign, or do you want to try again?"

Jianyu smiled, but there was nothing friendly about it.

"You're sharp, Xinyi. But that just means you'll always have people waiting for you to slip."

She didn't flinch. "Then I suppose I should never slip."

Jianyu finished his drink, then stood. "It's been lovely catching up. See you at the next board meeting."

As he walked away, Xinyi took another slow sip of her wine.

He was right. There would always be people waiting for her to fall.

But they would be waiting for a very, very long time.