Flame War Anthem: Beyond the Galactic River (GL) - Chapter 11
Italy, at dusk. The setting sun draped the earth in a particularly dazzling golden veil.
Wu Chen, dressed in a simple yet elegant off-the-shoulder sapphire blue gown, arrived as promised at the grand party hosted by Venos in his private, luxurious castle.
Built in the 1930s, the castle was a quintessential example of European architecture—solemn and refined. Its towering spires, exquisite reliefs, and thick stone walls all spoke of its former glory and prestige. The security here was tight, and Wu Chen had only visited three times in total, including tonight.
The party was ostensibly held to bid her farewell, wishing her success in expanding and beautifying the Chinese market. In reality, it was an opportunity for those filled with jealousy and malice to witness how she, seemingly stripped of power, still carried herself with unshaken pride.
The North American NAS, which she had meticulously developed, now soared like a fully-fledged eagle, leaving without a trace of nostalgia. Yet, she held her head high, striding confidently through the crowd of insatiable, gluttonous individuals.
Unfortunately, her usual lively and engaging conversation partner, Claude Barton, was absent this time—otherwise, she wouldn’t have felt so utterly bored.
Her cold, disdainful gaze swept like a sharp blade through the crowd until Venos approached her with steady steps.
He wore a tailored, dark gray pinstriped tuxedo, the fine cut and premium fabric accentuating his tall, robust frame. A black bow tie around his neck added a touch of sophistication. His thick, bushy beard exuded maturity and authority, while his shoulder-length golden curls swayed slightly.
His usually reserved and stern face, rarely given to smiles, now bore an expression of seemingly gratified—yet secretly smug—amusement. The complex emotions in his gaze made Wu Chen long to turn and flee this suffocating den of hypocrisy and scheming.
But she suppressed her disgust and aversion, elegantly raising her champagne flute with a faint, perfectly measured smile—one that was flawless yet devoid of warmth.
She clinked glasses with Venos, effortlessly delivering a brief yet flattering and diplomatic remark from her crimson lips.
Sen Jie stood silently not far behind her, his gaze fixed intently on her. He had no interest in the lively, joyous scene around him, nor any desire to participate.
No matter how extravagant or intoxicating the party might be, the only thing that captured his full attention—the only thing that stirred the softest corners of his heart—was the figure in the sapphire blue gown amidst the crowd.
“Chen, are you truly decided on going to China?”
Wu Chen stood alone on the castle’s first-floor balcony. As she lifted her head, she saw Lee Soo-yu approaching gracefully.
Also of Asian descent—Korean by birth—Lee Soo-yu had once been a tragic orphan before being adopted and eventually settling in Italy with her foster parents.
She wore a form-fitting red mini dress that accentuated her slender, curvaceous figure. Beneath her willow-like brows were narrow, single-lidded eyes, a slightly upturned nose, and lips as red as vermilion. Her long, wavy hair cascaded loosely over one shoulder.
Her fair left wrist was adorned with a silver diamond-studded watch, while the right bore a woven colorful bracelet that appeared somewhat aged.
Though not conventionally beautiful, the alluring charm radiating from within made her irresistibly captivating, leaving many men spellbound.
“What, you want to come with me?”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corners of Wu Chen’s lips, her eyes remaining as calm as still water.
Li Xiuyu rested one hand elegantly on the elbow of the other, which held a wine glass. Her gaze narrowed slightly, her smile laced with a hint of cool detachment. “Forget it. I have no interest in China… Chen, if you leave NAS’s North American division, aren’t you worried your influence will crumble into someone else’s hands?”
Wu Chen turned slightly, her smile fading as she gazed at the exquisitely lit garden outside, her voice as cold and emotionless as ice. “Those with ability will naturally rise to the top… Xiuyu, you’ve long coveted the North American division. If I leave, you’ll have your chance to seize it, won’t you?”
Li Xiuyu’s sharp eyes lingered on Wu Chen’s back. Even from this angle, she was a woman whose beauty could easily ensnare hearts.
Yet, she hadn’t expected Wu Chen to lay things bare so bluntly.
Though their interactions had been few, both were well aware of each other’s true nature.
For years, many had envied the immense profits she commanded in North America.
Yet, through countless battles—both overt and covert—no one had ever managed to wrest control of those lucrative resources from her grasp.
What stunned everyone was how readily she had agreed to Venos Cadan’s proposal.
She had willingly handed over the coveted North American territory—a move so shocking it left jaws on the floor.
Li Xiuyu was no fool. The hardships she had endured to climb to her current position were unimaginable, and naturally, she too hoped for a share of the spoils.
She would never be as foolish as Wu Chen. How could China possibly compare to the riches of North America? Moreover, with its strict laws and limited maneuvering room, opportunities there were scarce.
“At NAS, my seniority is no less than yours. Besides, Mr. Cadan would never tolerate anyone posing a threat to him. Your influence has grown too vast—if it were anyone else, he would have acted long ago…”
Holding her wine glass, she stood gracefully beside Wu Chen.
“I’ve never had such intentions.”
Wu Chen’s tone remained as placid as ever.
“Whether you do or don’t mean little to others… Still, Chen, you’re clever. You know when to step back. As long as you don’t oppose NAS in the future, you can carve out your own path.”
Li Xiuyu seemed to have seen through her thoughts. After all, if Wu Chen stubbornly stayed, an inevitable and brutal clash with Venos awaited.
After a long silence, Wu Chen sighed with regret.
If only they were ordinary women, untouched by the complexities of power and profit, perhaps they could have been close friends—confidantes who understood each other deeply.
But alas, such thoughts were nothing more than wistful fantasies.
“Xiuyu, my departure is merely the start of something new. Are you truly content to remain forever as someone else’s pawn… In a place like North America, where right and wrong blur amidst endless smoke and conflict, the only way to stand firm is to make yourself strong enough to survive and thrive.”
Many only see the glory and wealth others attain, turning a blind eye to the relentless effort behind them.
Wu Chen had sensed long ago that Venos Cadan was growing restless, making an early exit the wisest choice.
Besides, there was truly nothing left here to hold her back—her goal was simply to gain control of the NAS domestic branch through indirect means.
This way, she could better collaborate with local law enforcement to dismantle their operations, making her five long years of covert survival abroad after faking her death worthwhile.
Li Xiuyu understood the deeper meaning in her words all too well. But some rare opportunities, if not seized with every ounce of effort, might never come again.
“Chen, good luck!”
“Take care too.”
The crisp Mandarin syllables slowly faded into the air as Wu Chen turned and walked away from the balcony with steady steps…
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