It’s been two weeks since the high-level meeting, and Shu Rui was still unwilling to consider the plan to give up the high-end market. His attitude has not softened at all.

Luo Qi had to have a serious talk with him, “Don’t lose sight of the big picture for the small. Even if you don’t give up the high-end market, you still can’t compete with Yuanwei Medical, and eventually you will lose even the mid-end market.”

She stated, “In the future, the R&D team will still be under your charge, as that is your strength, and the field will be under my charge. If we work together well, our profits will not be inferior to Yuanwei Medical.

“I hope that Ruipu can grow bigger and make more money much more than you do. You know that my family is in debt. From the very first day, I came to Ruipu with sincerity.”

That night, she received an email from Shu Rui, asking her to arrange time to visit Linghong Group—one of Ruipu’s major clients—to negotiate a contract.

This was a tacit approval of her proposal and willingness to take her to meet clients.

… …

Before the new year ended, Luo Qi and Shu Rui went to Shanghai. Linghong had been involved in the medical service industry early and made their fortune from it.

In the past decade, Linghong has invested in a number of private specialty hospitals overseas.

Cui Ran was responsible for all of Linghong’s purchases and the decision-making power lay solely in her hands.

When Shu Rui first met Cui Ran, she had been very interested in Ruipu’s 3D printing capabilities. Ruipu focused on orthopedics and dentistry, which corresponded directly to Linghong’s business interests.

At that time, Ruipu had a team and a dream—but no money. Cui Ran introduced Xu Xiangyi to him, which led to the angel investment¹ from Lingjia Capital.

It was not until some time ago that he found out that Cui Ran was Cui Peng’s cousin.

“Cui Ran took her mother’s surname. Her mother is Cui Peng’s paternal aunt,” Shu Rui said to Luo Qi.

“The two cousins have completely opposite personalities. Cui Ran is strong and decisive. The reason why she wants to meet you this time is probably related to Cui Peng.”

Shu Rui was worried that the confrontation would lead to unpleasantness, so he gave her a heads-up in advance, “Try not to say anything after we meet. I’ll do the talking.”

Luo Qi had read up on how Linghong had made fortune and said nonchalantly, “Why shouldn’t I say anything? It’s not as if I’m the mistress. I’m not afraid of her.”

“…” Shu Rui was speechless.

“This is not a question of whether you are afraid of her or not. When you are under someone’s eaves you have to bow your head. She is Party A, and her husband is the nephew of Xu Xiangyi’s wife. She has the background. Is that reason enough?”

Luo Qi just smiled.

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

They met Cui Ran at 2:30 in the afternoon in Cui Ran’s office at Linghong Group.

Cui Ran had just finished a meeting. She walked in with a breeze, wearing a high-end suit and had short, dark chestnut hair. She looked a little bit like Cui Peng in her eyes and brows. The most eye-catching thing was her black and red manicure.

“You’ve had a hard journey. Please sit down.” She only smiled slightly while speaking, and it was very faint.

From the scrutinizing look in Cui Ran’s eyes, Luo Qi sensed clearly that she would find fault with her.

Anyway, when the water comes, build a dam to block it². Luo Qi sat down and sipped her tea leisurely.

Cui Ran sat opposite them. She had always had a good impression of Shu Rui. They had worked together very happily these past years. Even though their positions were different, it did not affect her appreciation for Shu Rui, otherwise she would not have raised funds for him in the first place.

But this Luo Qi in front of her was really unpleasant to the eyes.

“Both of our time are precious, so I won’t waste anyone’s time. Today I have two things to discuss: first, Luo Qi. And second, our future cooperation.”

… …

Wasn’t this her opening remark during the Ruipu high-level meeting?

So it was to give her a warning.

Luo Qi found it funny and said, “I’d like to hear more about it.”

Cui Ran was too lazy to even lay the groundwork. “Cui Peng is my cousin. You distorted the truth and humiliated her in public at a high-level meeting, making her a laughing stock and causing her to be unable to stay in Lingjia. You were betrayed by a man during your ten-year relationship. You loved and was betrayed, and I understand you. But you should take revenge on the man instead of taking your anger out on my sister. She is also a victim.”

Luo Qi smiled, “She said she was a victim?”

“Of course my sister is not completely blameless. If you want to blame someone, blame her for not being able to judge people. She is simple-minded and easy to deceive. She believes whatever a man says. When Pei Shixiao said that he had broken up with you and canceled the engagement, she really believed it.”

Shu Rui didn’t interrupt and looked at Luo Qi.

Luo Qi listened with great interest, “Ms. Cui, please continue.”

“Pei Shixiao told my sister that after he moved to Shanghai, your feelings for each other faded. You quarreled with him every day, and he got tired of it. But you kept pestering him and wouldn’t let go, so he had a cold war with you for several months.”

“Really?” Luo Qi smiled faintly.

“My sister didn’t believe him at first. After all, you two were so much in love, and you’re already engaged. It’s not that easy to break up.”

“Until your birthday came, the day you were supposed to get your marriage certificate, Pei Shixiao didn’t celebrate your birthday, didn’t get your marriage certificate, didn’t visit you in those few months, and you didn’t go to the company to find him. During this period, Pei Shixiao was inseparable from my sister, working overtime with my sister until midnight, eating dinner with her after work, and buying her breakfast the next morning. She never saw you even call, so my sister believed what he said.”

Cui Ran’s mouth was dry after talking for a while, so she drank a few sips of water before continuing, “The video you played was of them just coming back from a business trip abroad and taking a vacation together. How could she know that you two hadn’t actually broken up yet?”

Her cousin was in tears when she talked to her about this, and she choked up several times through it all and couldn’t speak.

She could see how heartbroken her cousin was. She had fallen in love but ended up being deceived by the man, causing her to lose her job and being labeled a mistress— a label she couldn’t get rid of even if she wanted to.

“As for calling Pei Shixiao when she was drunk in the middle of the night, it was because Pei Shixiao told her to find him when she felt bad. They were already dating as a couple, so who else could she find if not him? And can sending a birthday blessing at midnight also be a point for you to ridicule her?”

Senior executives from both companies were present that day, just watching the fun. No one spoke up for Cui Peng. Even Yu Bo didn’t defend his subordinate.

Not only did she not give Cui Peng any face, she didn’t even consider Cui Ran’s face at all.

“You relied on being on your Ruipu territory to bully a little girl who is also a victim of emotions and directly let her lose all face. Ms. Luo, don’t think you can go too far.”

“Ms Cui—” 

Cui Ran interrupted Shu Rui before he could finish his words, “It’s not that I’m not giving you face, it’s that I can’t. I told you I would discuss two things. The first one is Luo Qi. Let Luo Qi apologize to my sister in person, and then clarify and apologize in Moments, saying that she misunderstood my sister. Once she apologizes, we can continue to discuss the next cooperation.”

“Of course,” Cui Ran smiled, “You can also not apologize—then there would be no need to discuss the second matter.”

The cooperation would end here.

Seventh Year of My Secret Love for You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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T/N: Does this Cui Peng ever say anything that is true? 🙄

If you’re enjoying my translations, do consider buying me ko-fi. Thanks for your support! ❤️

A list of all advance chapters is HERE.
Chapter 57.2 — I Will Move to Yuanwei After the Spring Festival, and I Will See You Often
Chapter 57.3 — I Will Move to Yuanwei After the Spring Festival, and I Will See You Often

FOOTNOTES:

1. An angel investment is one that is given to a start-up businesses—meaning the risk of failure is still very high. While an investment is naturally about making money, angel investors are also interested in supporting young entrepreneurs or a budding industry.  ↩︎
2. When the enemy invades with soldiers, fight back with military might; when the flood comes, cover it with soil (build a dam). It means the problem will be solved with the appropriate solution. ↩︎