Zongzheng Yuheng · Conversa

<scenario>Yongting Pavilion · 1F Reception Hall</scenario><narration>Light-colored natural stone stretched from the porch deep into the hall, leading the eye across the floor all the way to the rich walnut-clad elevator lobby at the far end. The hall was lofty and spacious, filled with an airy clarity. The glass walls seemed almost nonexistent, taking in the full sweep of the courtyard and water features. The rain had ceased and clouds parted; gentle rays of newly emerged sunlight fell across a deep green stone pedestal, illuminating every gossamer vein within the mineral, clear and vibrant. Several pre-screened young women stood in a neat line, 你 among them. Someone discreetly smoothed the creases of her skirt; another shifted her purse strap from her left hand to her right; others simply kept their heads bowed, staring at the small patch of floor just before their shoe tips. The brass sculpture standing beside the stone pillar to the right appeared completely at ease—after all, it didn't have to sit through today's interview.</narration><action>Zongzheng Yuheng leaned back into an ivory-white leather armchair, his long legs stretched comfortably forward. He didn't spare a glance at the candidates who had been waiting for so long; his gaze remained fixed on a document his personal assistant, Qi Yue, had just handed him.</action><narration>Today, he wore a dark gray, unconstructed suit over a pristine white shirt of exquisite quality. Without a tie, his collar was slightly unbuttoned, exposing a long, pale neck that looked strikingly prominent in the natural daylight. Zongzheng Yuheng turned a page. His short hair was swept back, save for a few stray strands that brushed down to cast a narrow shadow across the sharp bridge of his high nose. His profile, carved in the half-light, showcased an impeccable bone structure. An innate cold severity melded with the effortless ease of a man of absolute authority, radiating a pressure impossible to ignore.</narration><action>Finishing the final page, Zongzheng Yuheng pinched the corner of the document and tossed it carelessly onto the solid-wood round table.</action><message>“This is the result you give me?”</message><action>Straightening his back slightly, Qi Yue quickly gathered the scattered sheets and took them back in both hands, replying respectfully:</action><message>“I will have the project team redo it immediately and deliver the verified figures before two this afternoon.”</message><narration>The proposal had only just been submitted before being sent back to the drawing board, a pity considering how impeccably bound it was, with each gilded letter on the cover gleaming with crisp ambition.</narration><action>Zongzheng Yuheng offered no reply. He slowly turned his head, his dark brown eyes sweeping across the coffee table toward the line of stiffly standing young women with unhurried deliberation.</action><narration>His gaze scanned them one by one without lingering. 你 lowered her lashes, her fingers curling slightly against the fabric of her skirt. Her skin was very fair and her makeup understated; as she bowed her head, a few strands of hair fell along her cheek, shielding half her expression. When Zongzheng Yuheng's gaze swept over her, it paused slightly. His slender fingers tapped once against the solid wood armrest.</narration><action>With just that single dull tap, Qi Yue immediately grasped his master's meaning. He turned around and raised a hand toward the other candidates besides Ji Yue, making a brisk guiding gesture.</action><message>“Please follow me, ladies. Today's interview is concluded. Your appearance fees have already been wired to your accounts, and cars are waiting outside.”</message><narration>A few of them looked startled, casting another glance at the file left beside Zongzheng, before ultimately swallowing whatever words they had prepared. The self-introductions they had rehearsed all the way here never got a chance to be spoken. The staff took their belongings and politely escorted them out of the hall. The doors clicked shut. Where six people had stood just moments ago, only 你 now remained. The refreshments on the table sat just as neatly and undisturbed as when they had been brought in.</narration><scenario>Yongting Pavilion · 14F</scenario><narration>While the guests were being escorted out downstairs, Wen Yining sat on a cream-colored curved sofa, leafing through an auction catalogue. The head housekeeper, Xu Surong, placed a freshly brewed cup of black tea beside her, waiting until she finished turning the page before speaking in a soft voice.</narration><message>“Miss, it seems they have reached a decision downstairs in the lobby.”</message><action>Wen Yining's fingers paused at the edge of the page. She looked up at her.</action><message>“Who was chosen?”</message><message>“Someone named 你, it seems. The others have already been escorted out. Shall I bring up a copy of her file?”</message><action>Wen Yining lifted her teacup, gently blowing aside the tea leaves floating on the surface. Only when the steam had slightly dissipated did she speak in an unhurried tone:</action><message>“No need. Since Mr. Zongzheng chose her, we will follow his arrangements for now. If the Elder Master asks, simply report the truth.”</message><action>Xu Surong acknowledged softly and adjusted a misplaced teaspoon back onto the saucer. After taking a sip of tea, Wen Yining turned another page of the catalogue, her eyes resting on the photograph of an emerald brooch.</action><message>“When is the preview exhibition scheduled for this piece?”</message><scenario>Yongting Pavilion · 1F Reception Hall</scenario><action>When Qi Yue returned from seeing the candidates off, Zongzheng Yuheng was turning to the next page of 你's file. He glanced up at the woman still standing where she was and gestured toward the empty sofa opposite him.</action><message>“Sit.”</message><narration>His voice was not loud, tinged with a distinct Beijing accent. Having spoken, he lowered his head to resume reading the papers in his hands. 你 bit her lower lip, stepped forward with measured strides, kept her back ramrod-straight, and took a seat on the armchair. Her hands rested uneasily upon her skirt as she quietly awaited the verdict.</narration><action>Zongzheng turned past her personal background sheet, revealing the hospital bill attached behind it. After studying it for a moment, he drew the page out and laid it on top.</action><message>“你.”</message><action>The man uttered the name deliberately, sliding the sheet toward her with a casual flick of his fingers.</action><message>“Since you managed to stay, I trust you have already reviewed the figures on the contract. Yongting Pavilion will cover all your expenses and medical care through the end of the confinement period. As long as you stay in your lane, once you receive the payment, this matter is finished.”</message><narration>Zongzheng Yuheng paused. Unconcerned with the expression of the woman seated across from him, he proceeded in the most efficient manner possible to verify the risks he deemed necessary.</narration><message>“Before that, however, there is an old name I must clarify.”</message><action>He leaned back against the leather seat once more, fingers laced before him, his dark, heavy gaze fixing unabashedly upon her delicate face.</action><message>“Lin Chunhe—she is your adoptive mother?”</message><narration>The instant that name was spoken, 你 snapped her eyes up, unable to conceal the sudden panic in her gaze. That was the name of the mother who had raised her and her younger sister through hardship. How could this chaebol patriarch, an existence far beyond ordinary people's reach, know who she was? Taking in every trace of her discomposure, the man's lip curled up slightly at the corner. It was not a smile, but a habitual arrogance born of knowing he controlled the entire board. The old dossiers Qi Yue had submitted clearly stated that Lin Chunhe had worked as a maid at the old Zongzheng residence, later dismissed over some sordid past affair. As for the exact intricacies, he had neither the need nor the interest to delve into every trivial detail, yet the risks had to be established.</narration><message>“When the Zongzheng family chooses someone, their background must be spotless.”</message><action>He straightened up slightly. The surrounding air seemed to press down along with his movement, his tone growing a fraction colder.</action><message>“She used to work at the old Zongzheng residence. You must have heard about some of those past matters. So, why did you still come?”</message> <choice_group> <choice id="1">To save my sister</choice> <choice id="2">For the money</choice> <choice id="3">Take a guess~</choice> </choice_group>