The Cold White Moonlight Desires Me Every Day - Chapter 46

“Shishi? Ni Yunshi!” Ruan Tang searched the entire room but couldn’t find Ni Yunshi anywhere.

She rushed downstairs in a panic, only to find Gu Hewan calmly eating breakfast in the dining room.

“Xiao Tang, don’t shout. Shishi went to the office early,” Gu Hewan said, pointing to an empty plate on the table.

The sandwich bread and meat patty had been devoured, but the tomato and lettuce leaves remained untouched. The milk in the glass had been drained clean, leaving only a sweet residue.

It seemed Ni Yunshi preferred protein, carbohydrates, and sugar, showing no awareness of fiber or vitamins.

Ruan Tang made a mental note, her earlier panic subsiding.

If Ni Yunshi could go to the office on her own, at least it meant she wouldn’t be running around aimlessly anymore.

After breakfast, Ruan Tang and Gu Hewan also headed to the office.

After holding a meeting with her own company’s executives, Ruan Tang went to the group’s executive conference room for the weekly routine meeting.

When Ruan Tang returned from the meeting, her expression was full of hidden meaning.

“What’s wrong? Did those old geezers upstairs give you trouble again?” Gu Hewan asked with concern.

“No, I just find it strange that they didn’t give me trouble,” Ruan Tang replied truthfully.

During the meeting, no one questioned her about Ni Yunshi’s embezzlement of public funds.

Logically speaking, now that she had finally revealed a weakness, they should have been relentless in their pursuit.

“The matter with Shishi is still just suspicion; there’s no concrete evidence to prove anything,” Gu Hewan reassured her. “Besides, now that she’s back, they’ll definitely shut up.”

After all, the scheme she had secretly orchestrated was logically sound. Her only goal was to get rid of Ni Yunshi, not to harm Xiao Tang. Though the situation had temporarily calmed down, all it would take was adding a spark at the right moment…

Gu Hewan mused to herself, her smile unwavering.

Ruan Tang returned the smile silently, her own thoughts hidden deep within.

Neither spoke further.

Ruan Tang buried herself in her work, rapidly processing documents, eager to finish quickly so she could go downstairs to Bai Mei’er’s office.

But today’s workload was unusually heavy. By noon, she was still only halfway through.

“Xiao Tang, let’s eat lunch first and finish this afternoon. What do you want? I’ll order takeout for you,” Gu Hewan suggested.

At that moment, a knock sounded on the office door.

“Come in,” Ruan Tang called out.

Li Xiao entered, carrying a lunchbox. “President Ruan, this was sent up from downstairs.”

Even without opening the insulated lunch bag, the aroma of stir-fried dishes and rice filled the air. Ruan Tang’s nose twitched, instantly recognizing her favorite mushroom stir-fry with meat and poached shrimp.

Clearly, Ni Yunshi had prepared this in the break room’s kitchenette.

A warm feeling spread through Ruan Tang’s heart. She set aside her mouse and keyboard and arranged the meal before her.

After taking a couple of bites, she pushed the container toward Gu Hewan. “Try some. Shishi’s cooking is excellent.”

“Mm, it looks and smells delicious,” Gu Hewan replied with a smile, a hint of something deeper in her eyes.

“You eat first. It’s better than anything you can buy outside. I’m going downstairs for a bit.”

Ruan Tang said this and, without waiting for Gu Hewan to respond, hurried out of the office.

However, after taking the elevator downstairs, asking the receptionist, and even checking with Ni Yunshi’s assistant, she couldn’t find a trace of the woman she longed to see.

“President Ni had to go out on business,” the assistant explained. “Something about a social engagement or delivering some documents.”

“Even you don’t know her schedule?” Ruan Tang frowned.

The assistant shook her head apologetically. “Actually, ever since you went abroad, President Ni has become completely different. I’ve worked for her for years, but she rarely shares anything with me anymore.”

That’s true, Ruan Tang thought. She can even hide half her thoughts. Aside from her lustful tendencies, she’s truly a closed book.

“When she gets back, have her call me immediately,” Ruan Tang instructed.

Waiting by the tree won’t catch a rabbit!

However, during her lunch break, instead of hearing from Ni Yunshi, Ruan Tang received notice of an emergency meeting.

Ruan Tang and Gu Hewan headed to the executive conference room together.

As they entered, they noticed everyone seemed to have been seated for quite some time. The PowerPoint presentation on the screen had already finished, indicating the first half of the meeting was over. They had clearly been invited in midway.

Ruan Tang’s mind raced with confusion, her heart pounding. Her gaze swept the room, and her brow furrowed sharply.

Among the attendees, Ni Yunshi was present!

Her rank isn’t even as high as mine. What kind of meeting would she be invited to, while I wasn’t even notified?

At that moment, not only Ruan Tang was shocked; Gu Hewan’s expression darkened as well.

“President Ruan, please take a seat,” the lead shareholder greeted her. “Miss Ni just briefed us on your plans for deeper collaboration with her. You truly are a rising star in the group! The proposal you had her draft is remarkably beneficial to all!”

Ruan Tang felt even more bewildered, but she forced a smile and sat down.

After reviewing the documents handed to her, Ruan Tang finally understood. Ni Yunshi had expanded the scope of her earlier suggestion to have several artists endorse Bai Mei’er.

She personally selected two dramas, provisionally finalized the list of actors from Ruan Tang Company, and assigned all promotional projects for the shareholders and other companies to these actors.

Furthermore, she ensured that the production work for the dramas was contracted to internal companies within the group.

This arrangement allowed everyone to profit while simultaneously allowing Ruan Tang to win favor with the stakeholders.

The only downside was that Bai Mei’er would cover all the actors’ endorsement fees, likely resulting in little to no profit from this venture. Its primary purpose was to cultivate goodwill.

After reviewing the plan, Ruan Tang lifted her gaze, her eyes piercing as she looked at Ni Yunshi. “This proposal is indeed quite impressive.”

If she wanted to build connections, she could have simply told me. Why sacrifice such significant profits?

Ni Yunshi averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact.

Helpless, Ruan Tang turned to the person who had handed her the documents. “So, the purpose of this impromptu meeting is to determine when I should have the crew assembled and begin filming?”

“Of course not. It’s about Bai Mei’er’s embezzlement of public funds.”

As the words left the speaker’s lips, Ruan Tang’s hand tightened on the document. Before she could ask further, the speaker continued.

“Miss Ni submitted a comprehensive report on the matter, including evidence and witness statements, before the lunch break.”

At this, Gu Hewan’s face, which had been impassive until now, darkened.

I thought I’d suppressed this issue. How dare Ni Yunshi bring it up again? Doesn’t she know about my connection to the Tang Zhao Group? Does she really think a single recording can get rid of me?

No, she can’t. Even if Ruan Tang and I have a falling out, they’ll always share a bond of gratitude.

Ni Yunshi can’t touch me this time!

With this thought, Gu Hewan slowly relaxed her clenched fist.

Meanwhile, Ni Yunshi stood up across from her. “Regarding the allegations of embezzling company funds, I have thoroughly investigated the matter. It was all a misunderstanding orchestrated by Li Huai as an act of revenge.”

“!!!”

Gu Hewan stared at Ni Yunshi in utter disbelief.

Beside her, Ruan Tang was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the praise for Ni Yunshi’s competence still forming in her mind.

But then Ni Yunshi bowed deeply. “Though I am not at fault, this incident ultimately stemmed from my actions. To express my sincere apologies, I hereby tender my resignation.”