The Creator's Grace - Chapter 20

The banquet held by the Chi Group for the lunar mining rights had already invited numerous media outlets, and the kiss between Chi Yu and Ran Jin quickly became explosive news.

As Chi Yu intended, this “Forbidden Kiss” rapidly spread across the internet, igniting a firestorm of public opinion overnight.

By the following morning, the technology news section had practically turned into a social tabloid. Every tech and business platform featured the event on their front pages. Entertainment apps were even worse—haters and Ran Jin’s supporters fought a bloody battle in the comments, while the “melon-eating” public looked on in amazement.

Aside from sparking a war of words and general voyeurism, Chi Yu indeed achieved her desired effect. Because the trans-lunar orbit was locked, the partners who had originally stood behind Ran Jin saw the methods of Chi Li’s legendary sister for the first time. They couldn’t help but re-evaluate their future cooperation plans with the Chi Group. The lunar mining project and its related ventures were hit; many people began to adopt a wait-and-see attitude, and some even showed signs of backing out.

The entire Chi Group had only just recovered from the shock of the former Chairperson’s passing, only for the current Chairperson to fall into a scandal of forbidden love…

That morning, the employees didn’t even need to speak. One look at each other’s eyes—bright with the glint of gossip—was enough to read the eagerness within.

“Did you see it?”

“I saw it. You saw it too?”

“I saw it too!”

Xiao Yang and her colleague Mang Mang from the Planning Department were exchanging cryptic signals while touching up their makeup in the restroom.

“Honestly,” Mang Mang whispered, scanning the room to ensure they were alone. She leaned in so close her lips almost touched Xiao Yang’s ear, her voice barely audible. “President Ran broke up with President Chi, and President Chi is gone. Even if she’s with the Younger President Chi now, can you really call it forbidden love? What era is this? What’s so forbidden about dating?”

Xiao Yang also felt the injustice. “Exactly. The news headlines get more sensational by the second. Just looking at them, you’d think the Younger President Chi was trying to swallow the Earth whole.”

“But speaking of which, the Younger President Chi seems to be coming to the 18th floor a lot lately. Who knows what’s going on with her and President Ran. After all, there are still rumors about why President Chi died…”

“Shh!” Mang Mang slapped Xiao Yang’s arm. “Do you want to die? Gossip about anything, but don’t gossip about President Chi. That is the real forbidden topic.”

Someone walked in, and they left arm-in-arm.

Xiao Yang asked curiously, “Why is mentioning it so dangerous?”

Mang Mang gave her a quick rundown on the missing Hong Yiling. Combined with the recording played at the banquet claiming President Ran was the killer, Xiao Yang felt a chill run down her spine. She shivered involuntarily. “So… is the Younger President Chi here for revenge? Using a relationship with President Ran as a weapon?”

Mang Mang sighed, clutching her heart. “It’s too melodramatic, it makes my heart ache. I just hope that no matter how they fight, they don’t bring the battlefield to the company and drag us down with them…”

Just as they reached the office pantry to get coffee, they saw the protagonist of their conversation—Chi Yu—walking through the door.

Xiao Yang and Mang Mang froze.

“Morning.” Chi Yu smiled and greeted the people she met, seemingly unaffected by the previous night’s events. Radiantly beautiful, she headed straight for Ran Jin’s office.

Xiao Yang and Mang Mang: “…”

The two sat at their computers, looking miserable, and simultaneously opened recruitment websites.

Everyone assumed that after the scene at the banquet, Ran Jin wouldn’t show up at the office today. To their surprise, Ran Jin arrived early, entering the doors almost at the same time as the cleaning crew, leaving the entire company sitting on pins and needles.

She arrived so early that her assistant, Xiao Zhang, hadn’t appeared yet. She poured herself a cup of black coffee and drained it in one go to sharpen her exhausted mind.

Sitting at her computer, she assessed the situation. The verification of the navigation route precision for the lunar orbit would take at least three months. And after those three months, Chi Yu might have other plans. Based on Ran Jin’s understanding of her, if she said she wanted to take back the Chi Group, she wouldn’t have planned for only a three-month window.

Ran Jin’s hand holding the mouse felt slightly weak. What Chi Yu had done to her last night still lingered in her physical memory. Every time she tried to clear it from her mind, it backfired; the more she tried not to think about it, the more it forced its way in.

“I will take it back tenfold. I will show you what pain is, what despair is. I will let my sister in heaven see you get exactly what you deserve.”

Chi Yu’s final words pierced Ran Jin’s heart, jolting her into clarity. The Chi Group could not be given to her.

Ran Jin took a deep breath, her grip on the mouse tightening, her gaze turning sharp. With the lunar route temporarily locked, she had to find another way. Aside from securing the support of the board and ensuring Chi Yu couldn’t use the orbit as leverage to control them, Ran Jin needed a survival route.

She told her assistant to send invitations to all major shareholders; she would host a dinner tonight and requested everyone’s attendance. Then, she pulled up her contacts and found Zhou Yu, the founder of Tomorrow Tech.

Tomorrow Tech was one of the Chi Group’s most important partners, and they had their own trans-lunar orbit. Although using Tomorrow Tech’s route was much more expensive than the three Ran Jin had originally bid for, compared to the astronomical costs incurred by a total blockade, the Chi Group could afford the burn.

Just as Ran Jin was about to contact Zhou Yu, a news notification popped up on her phone. To keep track of industry trends, Ran Jin had numerous work-related apps, and the events of last night were being pushed to her relentlessly. Ran Jin already knew how the outside world would report this. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, so she had set her phone aside, clearing the notifications first thing in the morning—out of sight, out of mind.

So, the news being pushed to her now was particularly eye-catching. Ran Jin took one look and felt her headache intensify.

The group’s PR team had reacted with lightning speed and had already started releasing press statements. The notification cited an “insider” claiming that the incident at the ball was a complete accident. Because her former lover had passed away so suddenly, Ran Jin had been in a daze lately. Seeing the younger sister, who looked remarkably similar, she thought of her late partner and was momentarily overcome by emotion.

Similar press releases were popping up everywhere, and the comments sections were flooded with people praising Ran Jin’s “devotion.”

Ran Jin: “…” Is the PR department worried the fire isn’t big enough?

Ran Jin hadn’t slept at all last night, and the night before that she had only napped for two hours in her study. She was reaching her limit. Yet, she couldn’t sleep. She had been groggy, but after reading this ridiculous news, she was wide awake.

Between Zhou Yu and the PR department, Ran Jin chose to contact PR first to have them retract the pointless statements.

“Let the world say what it wants. I will handle the partner companies. If someone chooses not to collaborate with the Chi Group because of my private life, then they aren’t a reliable partner anyway. If they don’t fail us today, they will fail us tomorrow.”

Before the PR representative could finish speaking, the office door opened. Ran Jin looked up guardedly. She was always serious at the office; her subordinates generally kept a respectful distance and would never barge in without knocking.

When she saw a smiling Chi Yu standing in the doorway, she quickly hung up her call with PR.

“Sister Ran, you’re so early.”

Chi Yu’s greeting was affectionate, her lips curled into a meaningful smile. Wearing heavy makeup, she possessed a sort of effortless, mature aura. She closed the door behind her and walked up to Ran Jin without hesitation, placing her phone on the desk with the screen facing her.

Ran Jin, sitting in her chair, tried to stand up, but Chi Yu propped one hand to her left, blocking her movement.

“Sister Ran is so devoted.” Chi Yu stood behind her to the right, leaning down slightly. The way she reached past Ran Jin’s shoulder to brace against the desk made it look like she was taking her into an embrace. “I asked a friend to check. This is a press release sent out internally by our group. This ‘tragic love’ card is quite unexpected.”

Ran Jin looked expressionlessly at the phone pushed in front of her. The screen displayed that absurd news story. Her voice was as cold as ice: “This was indeed sent out by the PR department, but it was not my intention.”

Chi Yu smiled and leaned even lower, her vivid red lips close to Ran Jin’s small ear. Without arguing over whether the PR move was hers or not, Chi Yu whispered: “When you were kissing me yesterday, were you thinking of my sister? You thought of her, so you ‘unintentionally’ allowed me to kiss you passionately…”

At this point, Chi Yu laughed. “I’m a bit curious. Over the years, did you think of Sister when you saw me, or did you think of me when you saw Sister?”

Ran Jin turned her head, her eyes flashing with anger. She raised her voice: “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Chi Yu didn’t get angry at all. She maintained her composed smile, her gaze falling precisely on the drawer attached to the underside of the desk.

“Otherwise, Sister Ran, explain what the flower hidden in this drawer means.”

Chi Yu opened the drawer and pulled out the preserved flower, holding it before Ran Jin’s eyes with her slender fingers. Sunlight fell upon the white rose, fragile and pure.

Ran Jin’s lashes fluttered. She quickly asked, “What about the flower?”

“Do you need me to help you remember its origin?”

Ran Jin tilted her head back, her chin and neck forming a beautiful curve. Her tone remained steady: “I’m all ears.”

Chi Yu thought that by producing the white rose, she would gain leverage over Ran Jin. To her surprise, Ran Jin became even more composed.

Chi Yu placed the rose on the desk. “The year of my graduation ceremony, Sister didn’t come. You came in her place. This is the flower I gave you that day. Why, Sister Ran, has your memory suddenly become so poor?”

“Oh, so you gave me this flower.” Ran Jin casually ran her fingertip over the resin surface and smiled. “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten long ago.”

Chi Yu said nothing.

Ran Jin kicked off the floor, swiveling her chair around to face Chi Yu directly. “I’ve always liked various fossils; you should know that. When you used your sister’s authorization to enter my apartment yesterday, you must have seen the fossil rubbings I have on my walls. Those are pieces I’ve spent years collecting. Preserved flowers are essentially a type of fossil. Years ago, I wanted to make one as a decoration, so I just picked this one up.”

Chi Yu’s smile gradually stiffened. She indeed knew Ran Jin liked fossils. Usually, Ran Jin was busy working for her sister, with very little leisure time and few hobbies. Collecting fossils was truly her only recreation. Chi Yu had been so focused on the secret of Ran Jin’s feelings lately that she had completely overlooked this.

Ran Jin’s answer was effortless and self-consistent, delivered with an aggressive momentum.

“Then,” Chi Yu’s gaze shifted behind Ran Jin, “what about the computer password? Why use my birthday?”

Ran Jin laughed upon hearing this. “It seems you’ve been sneaking into my office and trying my password. If you would do it, others would too. Whether I used your sister’s birthday or my own, it would be easy to guess. Using yours is the safest.”

Ran Jin was acting perfectly, swatting away all of Chi Yu’s questions. She stood up and spoke to Chi Yu with earnest weight: “That night when I saw your accident, seeing you covered in blood… I was indeed worried sick. I watched you grow up. You are your sister’s closest relative, and I’ve always treated you like a younger sister. Of course I would be anxious. if those things caused you any misunderstanding, I apologize.”

At this point, Ran Jin had clearly regained control of the situation. Continuing further would only lead to more awkwardness.

But Chi Yu did not lose her composure. She pondered for a moment, smiled faintly, and lowered her gaze to Ran Jin’s slightly pale lips.

“That mouth of yours… sometimes it’s very tight, and sometimes it opens so easily.”

Ran Jin suddenly understood what she was referring to. The kiss last night had been too sudden for her to anticipate.

Chi Yu noticed that Ran Jin’s expression didn’t change. She was indeed someone who had spent years in the business world; no matter what her internal emotions were, she could keep her face perfectly still.

Unfortunately, physiological reactions cannot be controlled. Chi Yu waited to see how Ran Jin would argue this time.

Ran Jin’s lowered eyes fell upon Chi Yu’s smooth neck. She said, “The year we met, you were only sixteen. I watched you grow up bit by bit. When you treated me like that last night, I was indeed very surprised.”

Chi Yu listened to her continue without expression.

Ran Jin looked up, a hint of playfulness in her eyes that pressed into the depths of Chi Yu’s heart. Even her tone became flippant:

“I’ve said it before: I am a lesbian. To be suddenly and forcefully kissed by such a beautiful sister-in-law, there was bound to be some panic, and it would trigger certain instinctive reactions. Xiao Yu, this has nothing to do with love. You are too young and have never been in a relationship; perhaps you don’t understand yet. To put it bluntly, it was just a moment of ignited passion. If any beautiful woman treated me that way, I would likely have the same reaction.”

Chi Yu hadn’t expected her to say that. Her face turned terrifyingly dark. “So, you’re actually a person who acts on raw instinct?”

Ran Jin propped one hand on the desk and nodded with a smile. “Why not? In your heart, I’m probably even worse than that.”

Chi Yu stepped closer to her, not wanting to drag this topic out further; otherwise, she would look self-indulgent.

“Sister Ran, no matter what is in your heart, why you came to our family, or what you want to take from us… I once called you ‘Sister,’ and you were my ‘Sister-in-law.’ I took that bond seriously. How exactly did my sister die? Was it your doing? If you tell me the truth you know, I will…” Chi Yu paused. “I will keep this matter within the smallest possible scope of public opinion.”

As she said this, Chi Yu felt a twinge of softheartedness, which felt unfair to her murdered sister. She grasped Ran Jin’s arm and raised her voice: “If you remain stubborn and continue to occupy Sister’s industry without handing over the Chi Group… I have plenty of time to go to each shareholder one by one. I’ll let them know the situation with the lunar orbit. I’ll make them understand that supporting you will only burn their money. I can lock the orbit for three months, and I can lock it for more. Even if you find other routes, you’ll still be losing blood. Do you think the board will continue to stand by you?”

Ran Jin noticed Chi Yu’s fingertip seemingly “unintentionally” probing the gap of her cufflink. she immediately tried to pull her wrist back.

Chi Yu followed her retreat, moving even closer. “Sister Ran, you really have so many secrets.”

The right wrist was her forbidden zone. Chi Yu had confirmed it.

Ran Jin completely put away her smile. “As I told your uncle and the others at the funeral: no one but me can hold this group together, inside or out. Even if it were handed to you, it would be the same. Xiao Yu, do you understand the Chi Group? Do you understand how to operate such a massive corporation? You don’t understand at all. If the Chi Group fell into your hands, it would only decay rapidly.”

Chi Yu’s eyelids trembled involuntarily. “Whether it was Sister or her life’s work, they were just tools to you, weren’t they? Used to satisfy the desires of that filthy heart of yours!”

Hearing this accusation, Ran Jin’s heart no longer ached quite so much.

Before leaving, Chi Yu said to her, “If you won’t step down, then the only path left is to burn our bridges.”

Ran Jin stood at her desk, weary. “Xiao Yu, I will hand your sister’s life’s work back to you.”

Chi Yu froze.

“But not now.”

Chi Yu let out a sharp laugh. “Truly, as expected of a former actress. This exquisite acting is exactly how you deceived my sister for all those years, isn’t it?”

With that, Chi Yu slammed the office door shut.

Chi Yu was gone, and the office fell silent, but her voice remained ringing in Ran Jin’s head. Alone, she finally relaxed and sat back in her chair. No matter what storm had just passed, the white rose pushed into the daylight by Chi Yu remained quiet and beautiful.