Volume One, Chapter 26: What Kind of Man Is Worthy of Her?

“Come with me this afternoon to Xie Yunzhou’s media company. I’ll go prepare the materials first.” Fu Yuting’s crisp, decisive voice brooked no refusal.

She turned and strode out.

Half an hour later, a new contract appeared in Zhou Lin’s inbox. He frowned throughout, then finally let out a scream.

“Ting-jie! You’re my goddess!”

That afternoon, outside Xie Yunzhou’s studio.

Fu Yuting parked the car steadily at the entrance, gazing through the window at the building—a fusion of tradition and modernity. The glass curtain wall was adorned with Chinese lattice patterns, yet the stone lions at the entrance exuded a sleek contemporary style.

This Xie Yunzhou not only founded his own studio, but clearly had a flair for design.

A formidable figure indeed.

“Are all the documents ready?” She turned to Zhou Lin in the passenger seat.

Zhou Lin patted his briefcase. “Everything’s here: market analysis, competitor data, and three alternative proposals.” As the Marketing Director of the Lu Group, he’d chosen a deep navy suit today, looking both professional and sharp—though his demeanor and mannerisms seemed at odds with his cultivated air.

Fu Yuting nodded, checking her makeup one last time in the rearview mirror.

She’d opted for a crisp black suit, accented only by a pair of pearl studs on her earlobes—professional, yet feminine.

They entered the lobby, immediately drawn in by the space’s design. The reception desk was a single curved slab of raw wood, with an ancient-style brand ad starring Xie Yunzhou hanging on the wall behind.

“Hello, do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked with a smile.

Fu Yuting calmly handed over her business card. “Fu Yuting from Lu Group. I’m here to discuss a partnership with Mr. Xie.”

After checking her computer, the receptionist apologized. “I’m sorry, Mr. Xie’s schedule is full today, and I don’t see your appointment.”

Fu Yuting was prepared. “Please let Mr. Xie know we’ve brought a brand-new marketing strategy tailored for him—just ten minutes of his time.”

“I’m afraid…” The receptionist shook her head apologetically. “Mr. Xie specifically instructed: no appointment, no meeting…”

“Sis? What a coincidence!”

A saccharine voice piped up behind them. Fu Yuting didn’t need to turn—she already knew who it was: Xu Qian.

She spun around, a professional smile already in place. “Long time no see.”

Xu Qian wore a beige suit with a silk scarf at her neck, radiating gentle warmth.

She waved an invitation in her hand. “Mr. Xie invited me to discuss the second half of this year’s partnership.”

She feigned surprise, glancing at Fu Yuting held up at reception. “You… didn’t book ahead?”

Zhou Lin couldn’t help but frown, but Fu Yuting’s expression remained unchanged. “Market research is all about the unexpected. We wanted to surprise him.”

Xu Qian giggled behind her hand. “You’re still so witty, sis.”

She turned to the receptionist. “Xu Qian from Jiahe. My appointment’s at 3:30.”

The receptionist instantly nodded, respectful. “Vice President Xu, Mr. Xie’s assistant has been notified. Please follow me.”

Xu Qian turned to Fu Yuting, her gaze feigning concern. “Would you like me to pass a message?”

Fu Yuting’s lips curled slightly. “No need. We have our own ways.”

Xu Qian shrugged and followed the receptionist toward the elevator.

As the doors closed, she deliberately waved at Fu Yuting, her smile deepening.

“This woman—” Zhou Lin rolled his eyes. “She makes me want to gag…”

Fu Yuting watched the elevator numbers climb. “She just got promoted to vice president this year. The pressure’s on. She has to secure Xie Yunzhou’s endorsement.”

She turned to Zhou Lin. “You’ve worked with Xie’s agent, Wang Lei, before—still have his contact?”

Zhou Lin nodded, immediately pulling out his phone. “We partnered at last year’s music festival.”

He dialed, exchanged pleasantries, then got to the point. “Brother Wang, I’m downstairs… Yes, a fantastic marketing plan… Totally different from last time, trust me!”

After hanging up, Zhou Lin’s eyes sparkled. “Wang Lei’s coming down to meet us! After all, Lu Group’s reputation precedes us.”

Fu Yuting’s lips curled with satisfaction. “Excellent.”

Meanwhile, in the conference room on the 28th floor, Xie Yunzhou sat listening to Xu Qian’s enthusiastic PPT presentation.

Xu Qian gushed, “Our proposal blends finance and traditional aesthetics—perfectly suited to your image!”

Xie Yunzhou sipped his tea, inwardly scoffing.

Another gilded PPT…

Last time, someone wanted me to cosplay the God of Wealth and livestream selling mutual funds.

He glanced at Xu Qian’s “cultural proposal”—page three read:

Teacher Xie wears Hanfu and explains stock charts—guaranteed to go viral!

He felt suffocated.

Does your finance circle misunderstand “culture”?

He checked his watch, pondering a polite way to end the meeting.

His assistant knocked, leaned in, and whispered something to him. Xie Yunzhou’s brows lifted. “Lu Group?”

Here they come again!

Is this the power of money?

Xu Qian’s face faltered. “Lu Group? How…”

Xie Yunzhou’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded to his assistant. “Have them wait in the lounge.” He turned to Xu Qian with a professional smile. “Vice President Xu, that will be all for today. We’ll be in touch if needed.”

Xu Qian bit her lip in frustration but didn’t dare protest, gathering her files as she left.

She passed Fu Yuting and Zhou Lin being led into the lounge. Their eyes met; Fu Yuting nodded politely, while Xu Qian forced a smile.

Why does that wretch Fu Yuting always compete with me?

Unnoticed, her palm had turned pale from her grip.

Xie Yunzhou’s studio, lounge.

Sunlight filtered through the rice paper screens, casting mottled bamboo shadows across the tea table. Xie Yunzhou listened as Fu Yuting outlined her proposal, his previously aloof expression slowly softening.

This plan was indeed distinctive—not mere monetization of traffic, but a long-term strategy tailored to his personal brand.

“So this co-branded initiative packages financial products as ‘Ancient Book Restoration Fund’?” He traced the silk sample with his fingertip. “Each purchase donates ten percent toward digitizing Dunhuang manuscripts?”

Fu Yuting nodded, smiling.

“Interesting.” He looked up at her. “How did you come up with this angle?”

She smiled. “Market intuition.”

She flipped open her tablet, displaying the design. “The certificate will feature your calligraphy of ‘Fragment Scroll Pattern’ as the background, paired with AR technology—scan it, and you’ll see your animated performance of ‘Orchid Pavilion Preface’.”

Xie Yunzhou chuckled. “Better than the last company that wanted me to cosplay the God of Wealth to sell funds.”

Zhou Lin ducked his head, embarrassed.

Xie Yunzhou toyed with the AR demo. “How did you settle on ‘Orchid Pavilion Preface’?”

“Because last year, in your interview,” Fu Yuting tapped a video clip, “you said: ‘Wang Xizhi’s drunken authenticity is more real than ninety-nine percent of current livestreams.’”

On screen, a tipsy Xie Yunzhou ranted, “Capital-packaged traditional style is crap!”

The room fell silent.

Fu Yuting calmly closed the video. “We believe authenticity matters more than perfection.”

Wow, this woman is so cool, so beautiful.

Sunlight fell on Fu Yuting’s nose as she tilted her face upward, the light flowing along her lashes and pooling in a shimmering spot on her tip—she seemed to glow.

“Let’s sign, Miss Fu. I look forward to working with you,” Xie Yunzhou said decisively.

The group summoned a lawyer, confirmed the details, and signed the contract.

As Fu Yuting bent over the contract, sunlight cast a small shadow beneath her lashes.

Xie Yunzhou unconsciously traced the rim of his teacup, then suddenly spoke. “Miss Fu, do you usually prefer—”

“Don’t even think about it!” Zhou Lin abruptly interjected, clapping Xie Yunzhou’s shoulder and whispering in his ear, “Stop staring. Ting-jie has a husband—devastatingly handsome and filthy rich! You can’t compete.”

The teacup clattered against the sandalwood table.

Fu Yuting’s pen stabbed through the contract. “……”

That brat—must be Zhou Ye’s big mouth.

Tonight Zhou Ye is enrolling his brother in a ‘How to Speak’ workshop.

Xie Yunzhou calmly slipped out the ruined contract. “We’ll need a fresh copy.”

He turned away, ears slightly flushed, and clarified, “I meant to ask if Miss Fu prefers white tea or pu-erh.”

Fu Yuting closed the proposal, looking up at him. “If there’s no issue with tomorrow’s schedule, we’ll proceed as planned.”

Xie Yunzhou tapped the table, expression steady. “I’ve cleared my schedule.”

He paused before adding, “Although, a variety show production team was originally set to meet tomorrow. I asked them to reschedule.”

Fu Yuting arched a brow. “Penalty fee?”

“Not important.” Xie Yunzhou replied coolly. “Once I’ve agreed, I don’t let business suffer.”

Zhou Lin muttered, “Is this what top-tier idols are like…”

Fu Yuting shook her head, exasperated—she still couldn’t fathom how he’d become Marketing Director.

Maybe Zhou Ye spent a fortune?

No wonder the marketing department was so mediocre.

“We’ll take our leave. The signing ceremony is at nine tomorrow morning. Tonight, I’ll instruct all major media to announce the surprise endorsement.” Fu Yuting’s words were swift and decisive.

Xie Yunzhou’s eyes brimmed with curiosity and admiration.

What kind of man could match her?

She truly was dazzling.

“Very well. See you tomorrow.” Xie Yunzhou’s deep voice carried a smile.

Zhou Lin stepped out, stretched exaggeratedly, nearly splitting his suit trousers. “Ah—so satisfying!”

He spun around to Fu Yuting. “It really has to be you, Ting-jie! I’m your devoted fan now!”

As their figures receded…

Xie Yunzhou and his agent Wang Lei watched them go. Wang Lei whispered, “Are you really dropping that S+ variety show? It’s the platform’s annual flagship.”

Xie Yunzhou gazed at Fu Yuting’s departing figure and replied quietly,

“Some partnerships matter more than variety shows.”