Volume One, Chapter 8: Encountering Someone Who Resembles Huo Yanchuan Greatly

She shook her head, strode to the side of the road, and hailed a taxi.

Upstairs, a tall, slender figure stood by the window, his gaze fixed intently on Tang Ruan below, watching her duck into the car. As the vehicle pulled away, he couldn't bear to look away even when it dwindled into a tiny black speck. His knuckles, prominent and sharp, rested against the window frame, slowly tightening as a surge of suppressed restraint roiled in his dark eyes.

"Knock, knock—"

The sound of the door interrupted him. He pulled back his gaze. "Enter."

"President, you have an appointment with Countess Katie tonight—"

"Cancel it."

Secretary Chen suspected he had misheard and let out an audible "Ah?"

"I have matters to attend to."

Secretary Chen quickly nodded respectfully. "Understood, President."

Even after leaving the office and walking a significant distance away, Secretary Chen still could not wrap his head around it. Had the sun risen from the west? What kind of day was this? First, the President had broken all precedent by agreeing to receive an outside guest, and now he was canceling a dinner with Countess Katie.

Who was Countess Katie? She was of the British royal lineage, the only countess among the six currently holding titles in the country. Her status was prestigious. While it was common knowledge that Countess Katie harbored personal designs on their President, her social standing was such that if they could cultivate a good relationship with her, TG’s influence in the British business world would soar to new heights. Furthermore, the Countess was stunningly beautiful with a fiery physique; his President wouldn't exactly be at a loss.

In the UK, night falls early; by four or five in the afternoon, the sky had already begun to darken. Tang Ruan changed into casual clothes and took a taxi to Helen Mountain. According to the travel guide, Helen Mountain and Helen Castle were best visited at night—not only were wishes said to be more likely to come true than during the day, but one could also see the breathtaking view of the castle illuminated by colorful lights.

When she arrived, there were already many people at the foot of the mountain, some heading up and others coming down. Looking at the winding stairs, she felt fortunate to have worn flat shoes. Tang Ruan walked up at a comfortable pace, and when she reached the summit, a glance at her watch showed only half an hour had passed. Helen Mountain itself was not very high, but it occupied a vantage point with a high elevation.

Standing there, one could overlook the entire city. Directly opposite the observation deck at the summit sat Helen Castle, its entire silhouette outlined by vibrant, multicolored lights. A Chinese couple walked hand-in-hand toward the deck. "Come on, let’s go make a wish."

Watching their retreating figures, Tang Ruan’s thoughts drifted far away. A long time ago, someone had also held her hand and told her that once she came of age, they would come to Helen Mountain together to make a wish at Helen Castle.

*May we never be parted, year after year.*

From that moment on, she had looked forward to that day, until... disappointment became the norm. Seven years later, she had finally let go.

***

Tang Ruan pressed her palms together and made a silent wish in her heart.

*I will be happy and joyful in the future.*

*Everyone in the Tang family will be safe and sound, and the Tang Corporation will flourish.*

*The Lin family will also successfully weather this crisis.*

After finishing her three wishes, Tang Ruan opened her eyes. Just as she turned to leave, a heavy force collided with her from behind, sending her stumbling backward.

"Help—"

Before the word could escape her lips, her waist was suddenly seized, the arm beneath the fabric feeling firm and powerful. Someone had saved her! She looked up and locked eyes with a familiar gaze. The lighting was too dim, and with the stranger wearing a mask, nothing else could be seen besides those eyes.

Those eyes were so incredibly familiar that Tang Ruan couldn't help but ask, "Do we know each other?"

The stranger lowered his gaze slightly. After steadying her, he shook his head.

*They don't know each other?* But why did she find those eyes so familiar?

"You can understand Chinese—are you Chinese as well?"

The stranger’s gaze flickered. After a long moment, he nodded.

"I apologize, I have somewhere to be, I must go."

With that, he turned quickly and strode away. His retreating figure had an unmistakable air of someone fleeing in haste. Tang Ruan opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He was the one who had saved her; why was he the one apologizing? What a strange person.

However, once bitten, twice shy; this time, Tang Ruan was extremely cautious, staying as far away from the crowds as possible. The descent went smoothly. By the time she reached the hotel, finished washing up, and crawled into bed, she sprawled out her limbs in comfort. Her phone rang, and she saw it was a video call request from Lin Jie.

As soon as she answered, Lin Jie’s fresh, makeup-free face filled the screen.

"Ruan Ruan, how is it? Did TG agree to the partnership?" Lin Jie asked impatiently. She knew that Tang Ruan’s trip to the UK was specifically to secure a deal with TG. For a company like theirs, the Lin family couldn't even get a foot in the door; in the entire Southern City, perhaps only the Huo and Tang families had the strength to partner with TG.

Tang Ruan propped her phone against the nightstand, freeing her hands to lie back in a comfortable position. "Not yet."

"What? You went there and still didn't manage it? Why is TG so hard to deal with!"

Tang Ruan curled her lips. "They are indeed difficult."

The Tang Corporation had never had any direct or indirect dealings or contact with TG, nor had they ever had any conflicts. She couldn't understand why the TG President was blocking a partnership between the two companies.

This was an answer she would only know once they met tomorrow.

"So what now? If the partnership doesn't go through, you should be able to come back soon, right?"

Tang Ruan shook her head. "I'll know tomorrow."

Lin Jie: "?"

"I have an appointment to meet the TG President tomorrow."

"Ah!" Lin Jie jumped up from her bed and shrieked, "Ruan Ruan, you actually got an appointment with the TG President!"

Although the Lin family couldn't even touch the heels of TG, because of Tang Ruan, Lin Jie had learned a little about the company over the past few days. Even more striking than TG’s rapid growth was the outside world's curiosity regarding the true identity of the TG President. It was said that the President never received outside guests, and all important business banquets were attended by his secretaries on his behalf. Even within TG, few employees had ever seen the President’s true face.

Such a legendary, elusive titan had actually agreed to meet her best friend! Lin Jie felt a sense of reflected glory, as if she were the one meeting the TG President tomorrow. Suddenly, a negative possibility crossed her mind. Her smile faltered, and she hesitated before saying, "Ruan Ruan, you... do you think you might have encountered a fraud..."

After all, the TG President never met with outsiders.

"I don't think so." Tang Ruan narrowed her eyes slightly. "Whether it is real or not, I will know tomorrow."

"That's true." Lin Jie giggled and brushed the topic aside. "By the way, Ruan Ruan, I saw the photos you posted—you went to Helen Mountain today, didn't you?"

Tang Ruan hummed in agreement.

"Did you make a wish?"

"I did."

"What did you wish for?"

"That the future will be better." She added, "We will all be better—the Tang family, and the Lin family too."

*And you and I as well.*

"Wuwuwu, Ruan Ruan, you're the best sister ever!" Lin Jie was deeply moved.

Tang Ruan smiled. After a long while, she turned her head, looked at the phone screen, and asked softly, "Jie Jie, do you think there are two people in this world who look very similar?"

"Two very similar people?" Lin Jie scratched her head. "I suppose that would only be true for twins." Aside from twins, few people looked alike.

*Twins...*

"Ruan Ruan, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"I met someone who looks very much like Huo Yanchuan."