Extra Chapter - He is the Moon in the Sky - Illusion

Regarding this seemingly endlessly compatible junior, Ren Qian didn't think of it in any other light.

She simply attributed it to Lu Chenyuan's talent for recognizing and utilizing people effectively.

She never noticed,

that before every meeting, a cup of water at just the right temperature would always appear on her desk, right on time.

She also never noticed,

that every time she worked late into the night, Lin Yuan would always, seemingly inadvertently, drape his jacket over the back of her chair.

She noticed even less,

that the look in Lin Yuan's eyes when he gazed at her always held a kind of careful tenderness she had never quite deciphered.

And a hidden, profound admiration.

He watched her, radiant and spirited during meetings.

He watched her, delighted and overjoyed by a single word of affirmation from Lu Chenyuan.

He hid all his feelings behind those glasses.

Then, he would turn around and handle all the potential troubles for her.

...

That afternoon.

A girl, dressed to the nines, suddenly appeared at the company reception.

She was wearing the latest Chanel suit, carrying a Hermès handbag, and teetering on a pair of red-soled shoes with excessively high heels.

Every logo blatantly announced its price tag.

Her face was adorned with a full, meticulous makeup look, as if she were heading to a high-society gala, completely out of place in her surroundings.

This girl asked for Lin Yuan by name at the front desk.

Ren Qian happened to be walking out of a conference room with a stack of files and witnessed the scene.

"My name is Qian Shanshan. I'm your Director Lin's girlfriend."

The girl immediately introduced herself upon seeing Ren Qian.

She introduced herself proactively.

Especially when saying "your Director Lin," she deliberately emphasized the words.

She leaned forward slightly, intentionally letting Ren Qian get a clear look at the eye-catching logo on her handbag.

Her eyes, however, kept darting around, appraising this seemingly promising company.

She even took out her phone.

With the Dragon Abyss Technology reception as her backdrop, she unabashedly took several selfies as if no one else was around.

Then posted them on social media.

The look in her eyes wasn't that of someone looking at a company.

It was more like she was appraising a piece of luxury goods, something to show off.

Ren Qian was far too sharp.

With just one glance, she saw right through the calculating glint in this girl's eyes.

Lin Yuan soon emerged from his office.

Upon seeing Qian Shanshan, his normally capable and steady expression instantly became somewhat unnaturally stiff.

"What are you doing here?"

His voice carried a hint of reluctance to deal with personal matters at the office.

"I missed you!"

Qian Shanshan immediately stepped forward, exaggeratedly linking her arm with his and pressing herself against him.

"Come shopping with me at China World tonight, okay? I've got my eye on a new Bulgari necklace."

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the receptionist and passing employees to hear.

The boastfulness in her words was completely unconcealed.

"I... I have an important technical review meeting."

Lin Yuan looked somewhat awkwardly at Ren Qian.

"Just cancel it! Work, work, that's all you ever think about!"

Qian Shanshan immediately began putting on an act, coquettishly shaking his arm,

"I don't care, you have to come with me today!"

Ren Qian frowned.

She looked at Lin Yuan, entangled by Qian Shanshan, his face a mix of embarrassment and weariness.

That same Lin Yuan who was cool, meticulous, and unyielding at the negotiation table.

Now, he resembled a puppet being pulled along by its strings.

Ren Qian wanted to say something.

To give a hint to this junior who was incredibly astute at work but painfully oblivious in matters of the heart.

But the words reached her lips, and she swallowed them back.

Matters of the heart were not for outsiders to interfere with.

And besides...

Wasn't she herself deeply mired in her own one-sided affection for Lu Chenyuan, unable to extricate herself?

"Director Lin, you go ahead."

Ren Qian ultimately just resumed her business-like tone and said calmly.

"For the meeting later, let the project lead present first. You can review the minutes tomorrow."

"But..."

Lin Yuan was still hesitant, wanting to say something more.

But Qian Shanshan was already pulling him away, out of the company.

Ren Qian watched his somewhat disheveled retreating figure.

An inexplicable wave of irritation rose in her heart.

She shook her head, trying to dispel this strange feeling from her mind.

She had more important things to do.

She needed to help Lu Chenyuan conquer this new frontier.

She returned to her office and immersed herself in the endless work.

She was lost in this illusory happiness of burning herself out for Lu Chenyuan, automatically shutting out everything from the outside world.

Also shutting out that starlight that had always been silently guarding her by her side.

Dragon Abyss Technology was her new world.

Ren Qian's world was now reduced to Dragon Abyss Technology alone.

She was like a never-tiring engine.

Pouring all her drive into this newly born kingdom.

She was happy.

This happiness came from the heart.

Ten years.

For the first time in ten years, she felt she was standing on the same battlefield as Lu Chenyuan.

They were comrades-in-arms, fighting side by side, co-founders.

...

Another day, again at eleven o'clock at night.

The conference room was brightly lit.

The whiteboard was covered with dense analysis.

The core technical team had just adjourned.

Everyone was utterly exhausted.

Only Ren Qian, Lu Chenyuan, and Lin Yuan remained inside.

"The test data for the first-generation powertrain exceeded expectations."

Ren Qian's voice held a trace of excitement.

"But the cost is still too high. There's still a gap before mass production."

Lu Chenyuan looked at the whiteboard, silent for a long time.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table.

Ren Qian did not disturb him.

She knew he was thinking.

After a long while, Lu Chenyuan spoke,

"We need to change our approach."

"Step one, we don't build the car first. We become the top-tier, technology supplier."

Ren Qian's eyes instantly lit up.

"I understand."

She immediately had a new direction.

"You've worked hard."

Lu Chenyuan looked at her, his eyes holding the familiar appreciation he had for a capable subordinate.

Though it was an ordinary phrase, it meant more to Ren Qian than any reward.

She was indispensable to him.

That was enough.

Three days later.

Dragon Abyss Technology was besieged by public opinion.

Everyone believed "Boundless" was nothing but a scam.

Inside the company, morale was shaken.

Everyone was on edge.

Only Ren Qian remained composed and confident.

In her office, she watched the live stream of the press conference.

When Lu Chenyuan, accompanied by Lu Chenjin, walked onto the stage holding the World Runner-up trophy.

Ren Qian smiled, a proud and triumphant smile.

This was the man she followed.

He never explained.

He only used facts to crush everything.

Then, Mo Qingli took the stage.

Dragon Abyss Technology and the Mo Group jointly established "Boundless."

On the live stream, the comment section went wild.

Everyone was discussing how perfectly matched this golden couple was.

But Ren Qian only saw the perfect commercial strategy.

She even somewhat admired him.

Using the gossip of a marriage alliance to secure the Mo family's firmest support.

Turning the competitors' siege into the most magnificent debut for his new brand.

Brilliant, truly brilliant.

Mo Qingli.

In his eyes, she was probably also just a piece, the optimal choice.

A piece, beautiful, and powerful.