Chapter Forty-Four: President Fu Can Simply Fire Me

President Lin watched the woman not far away. Dressed in a black velvet gown, her figure was accentuated with alluring curves—no wonder she was the one Fu Zhichen favored. She was indeed different from those ordinary, painted faces.

"That's right, President Lin."

Luo Yuan, having caught the flash of admiration in the man's eyes, sat down gracefully. "However, her character is truly questionable. Relying on her relationship with Fu Zhichen, she has never missed a chance to bully her competitors."

As she spoke, she wore a pitiful expression.

President Lin had harbored some goodwill toward Pei Susu, but upon hearing this, his face gradually turned cold.

"Is that so?"

Fu Zhichen didn’t seem like the kind of muddle-headed leader, but history was replete with men who made poor decisions for the sake of beauty. Perhaps even Fu Zhichen could not escape such a fate.

Noticing the shift in his expression, Luo Yuan curled her red lips in satisfaction.

With this preconceived notion, no matter how Pei Susu behaved, President Lin would only see her as a scheming woman.

Luo Yuan had thus achieved her aim.

"Pei Susu has always been like this—appearing pure and resilient, but who knows what she’s up to behind the scenes?" Luo Yuan sighed, her downcast eyes brimming with sorrow. "Perhaps you don’t know, President Lin, but I was once Vice President at Fu Corporation. Because of some disputes with her over a project, she had Fu Zhichen dismiss me outright."

President Lin deeply respected Luo Yuan’s capabilities. Hearing this, he became all the more convinced that Pei Susu was not to be trusted.

Meanwhile, Pei Susu’s gaze swept across the guests at the banquet, finally coming to rest on President Lin of Lin Group, not far away.

If she could secure President Lin's collaboration for the upcoming projects, it would be a stroke of fortune. She had tried contacting Lin Group before, but President Lin was always elusive, meeting only through trusted introductions.

She hadn’t expected to encounter him here today.

Pei Susu stepped forward, and when she saw Luo Yuan at his side, her brows lifted in surprise. She had already found it odd to see Luo Yuan at this event; the earlier obstruction at the door was little more than a petty setup, costing her nothing significant.

"Why, isn't this Miss Pei?"

Luo Yuan was the first to rise and extend her hand toward Pei Susu.

"I must apologize for bumping into you at the entrance earlier—it was entirely accidental."

Pei Susu ignored her outstretched hand. There was nothing to say to someone like Luo Yuan. She walked directly to President Lin.

"President Lin, good evening. I’m Pei Susu from Fu Corporation. May I have the honor of a brief conversation with you today?"

Her manner was poised and gracious. Though President Lin could not reconcile this Pei Susu with the one Luo Yuan had described, her disregard for Luo Yuan was genuine.

President Lin frowned, unreservedly cool.

"Is this how all Fu Corporation people behave—so lacking in manners?"

Pei Susu was momentarily taken aback, then realized what had happened. She glanced at Luo Yuan, who kept her eyes lowered with feigned injury, but the triumph at the corners of her eyes nearly spilled over.

So that’s it.

Somehow, Luo Yuan had managed to establish a connection with President Lin.

"President Lin, Miss Pei and I have never seen eye to eye. Her attitude toward me is not surprising," Luo Yuan said as she sat beside President Lin, her demeanor intimate. "I’m just a little upset, it’s nothing serious."

Upon hearing this, Pei Susu arched an eyebrow. Her porcelain-like face showed no shame or anger as she looked calmly at Luo Yuan for a moment, then bent down slightly.

"Since President Lin prefers not to discuss business during private time, I’ll formally send an invitation to Lin Group’s official email. We can talk business then."

With that, she turned and left.

"I don't see what she has to be so proud of. President Lin, I don’t mean to speak ill of her…" Luo Yuan sighed as Pei Susu walked away. "The few achievements she has at Fu Corporation are all thanks to Fu Zhichen embellishing her résumé. Who knows how many people he roped in to help her accomplish them."

President Lin’s expression grew darker. Seeing the effect she wanted, Luo Yuan allowed herself a smug smile where he could not see.

"One really does encounter all manner of monsters in this circle," President Lin remarked.

Luo Yuan echoed his sentiments.

Not far away, Chu Qingzhu had witnessed the entire scene and smiled faintly.

Pei Susu, aren’t you supposed to be so resourceful?

Let’s see whether your resourcefulness can outdo our network of connections.

Pei Susu had barely walked a few steps when she realized that with Luo Yuan as an obstacle, any collaboration with Lin Group would now be fraught with difficulties. But what baffled her even more was why President Lin would believe Luo Yuan so readily.

What had Luo Yuan been up to lately?

As she pondered, a sudden murmur of admiration rose from nearby. Pei Susu turned to see Mo Qingyu reappear in a new gown—a vivid scarlet that matched her commanding presence. Several onlookers were openly staring.

"President Mo really is stunning—she could rival any celebrity on TV…"

"That aura of hers, no celebrity could compare. She’s simply breathtaking!"

Compliments flew thick and fast. Mo Qingyu scanned the crowd and finally locked eyes with Pei Susu, then strode purposefully toward her.

"Miss Pei, you really helped me out just now."

Pei Susu was a bit puzzled, but saw that Mo Qingyu’s expression was as cold as plum blossoms in the depths of winter.

"My previous dress had been tampered with at the seams. If I hadn’t changed in time, there would have been trouble soon enough."

Pei Susu’s eyes flashed with surprise.

"I just thought the neckline seemed a bit off—who would have guessed…"

Tonight was Mo Qingyu’s birthday banquet, with journalists present. Had she worn that gown, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Mo Qingyu smiled sincerely.

"In any case, I owe you my thanks. If there’s ever anything I can help with, don’t hesitate to ask, Miss Pei."

Pei Susu was not shy. She nodded.

"Very well, I’ll remember President Mo’s promise."

Fu Zhichen, having concluded his conversation with a business partner, strode over and naturally slipped an arm around Pei Susu’s slender waist, lowering his head.

"Is there something you need from President Mo?"

He was like a jealous hound, guarding his possession.

Mo Qingyu gave a slight, amused smile.

She’s a woman—was such vigilance really necessary?

Pei Susu could only force a helpless smile, for Fu Zhichen’s warm breath on her neck was impossible to ignore. She looked apologetically at Mo Qingyu.

"It’s nothing. I have matters of my own to attend to," Mo Qingyu replied, her gaze turning icy and sharp.

"I’d very much like to know who had the audacity to cause trouble at my birthday banquet."

With another word of thanks, Mo Qingyu left.

As Mo Qingyu walked away, Pei Susu finally extricated herself from her overly possessive companion, taking a deep breath, resignation clouding her brows.

"Xiao Chen, I’m busy with important matters."