Under the Mask

When Lu Chenyuan uttered the name Qin Ya, Lu Qianqian stood up in shock.

"Qin Ya?! Big brother, are you serious?"

"The Qin and Mo families are sworn enemies. Yuanlong Tech is currently allied with Mo Enterprises—how could Qin Ya possibly invest in us?"

"We’d be lucky if she doesn’t despise us."

This made no commercial sense whatsoever.

"Sometimes, the greatest enemies can become the best partners," Lu Chenyuan said, his tone layered with meaning.

"Go meet her without any preconceptions. Present your 'Horizon' plan to her exactly as it is."

"She’ll give you a surprise."

Lu Qianqian was skeptical after hearing his words.

But out of absolute trust in her brother, she decided to give it a try.

Through Ren Qian’s connections, she quickly obtained Qin Ya’s contact details.

To Lu Qianqian’s surprise, when she introduced herself and stated her purpose, Qin Ya’s secretary simply said, "Please hold," and minutes later, gave her a confirmed meeting time.

The next afternoon, at a private club near the Qin Group headquarters.

Lu Qianqian arrived ten minutes early.

Qin Ya was a full half-hour late.

When Qin Ya walked in, it was like a gust of wind.

She was dressed in her signature flamboyant red, her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses.

"Apologies, something came up," she said casually, removing her shades to reveal a strikingly beautiful face with an aggressive edge.

She studied Lu Qianqian with undisguised scrutiny.

"Little princess of the Lu family, tell me—what brings you here today?"

Lu Qianqian didn’t buckle under her imposing aura.

She slid a prepared proposal across the table.

"President Qin, I’m not here today as a member of the Lu family, but as the founder of the 'Horizon' Foundation."

"I’d like to invite you to join our cause."

Qin Ya didn’t glance at the proposal.

She signaled a waiter and ordered the most expensive coffee on the menu.

Then she leaned back on the sofa, eyeing Lu Qianqian lazily.

"Go on."

Lu Qianqian took a deep breath and began.

She spoke of what she’d witnessed abroad, the flaws of traditional philanthropy, and Horizon’s precise, efficient, and self-sustaining model.

Her words were measured but carried weight, drawn from personal experience.

Qin Ya listened quietly, her expression unreadable, occasionally sipping her coffee.

Only when Lu Qianqian finished did she speak, her tone unhurried.

"Not a bad idea. So, you need funding?"

"Yes. I need like-minded partners."

"How much did Mo Qingli invest?" Qin Ya asked abruptly.

The question caught Lu Qianqian off guard.

She hadn’t expected Qin Ya’s focus to land here.

"...Sister Qingli invested 100 million in her personal capacity."

"Oh?" Qin Ya’s lips curled into an amused smile.

"How generous of her."

She set down her coffee cup and leaned forward.

"Fine, I’m in."

"She put in 100 million? I’ll double it—200 million."

"What?!" Lu Qianqian wondered if she’d misheard.

"I said, I’ll invest 200 million," Qin Ya repeated, as casually as if she were saying, "I’ll buy a handbag."

"But I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"In all future promotional materials for Horizon, my name must appear before Mo Qingli’s."

Lu Qianqian was stunned.

She stared at the woman before her, finding the demand absurd.

Spending 200 million just to outrank her rival in name placement?

"President Qin, isn’t this... a bit frivolous?" she couldn’t help saying. "This is a serious endeavor."

"Frivolous?"

Qin Ya suddenly laughed.

The laziness and amusement vanished from her smile, replaced by a sharp, knowing intensity.

She shed the spoiled heiress act, her entire demeanor shifting into one of steely authority.

"Lu Qianqian, did you really think I’m some fool who throws money around just to spite Mo Qingli?"

Lu Qianqian couldn’t respond.

"Sure, I despise Mo Qingli. I can’t stand her—that’s a fact. And yes, I’d love to overshadow her in reputation if I can."

"But do you take me for an idiot? Would I really burn 200 million just for momentary satisfaction?"

Qin Ya picked up her coffee, her gaze turning profound.

"I was half an hour late because I was in a pricing strategy meeting—one that’ll determine the Qin Group’s fate for the next decade."

"I agreed to meet you because your brother is Lu Chenyuan. I was curious about what kind of person his sister would be."

"And I’m investing in you—not because of Mo Qingli."

"It’s because your project is genuinely impressive."

She locked eyes with Lu Qianqian, enunciating every word.

"You think reputation is just a few flattering headlines?"

"Wrong. Real reputation is influence. It’s leverage. It’s the key that unlocks doors money alone can’t."

"Your foundation works on international projects, bridging cutting-edge tech with grassroots needs. Done right, this does more for a family’s soft power than any ad campaign ever could."

"Two hundred million for a platform that generates lasting positive impact—and a chance to irk my rival? Lu Qianqian, tell me—isn’t that a bargain?"

Lu Qianqian gaped at her.

It felt like she was seeing Qin Ya for the first time.

The reckless, troublemaking heiress from the rumors was just a facade.

Beneath it was a shrewd, decisive leader with a razor-sharp understanding of power and human nature.

"I understand," Lu Qianqian said, standing to bow deeply.

"Thank you, President Qin. On behalf of Horizon, I welcome you aboard."

Qin Ya waved a dismissive hand, slipping her sunglasses back on and reverting to her languid persona.

"Enough with the formalities. Bring the contract—I’ll sign."

"From now on, deal with my assistant. I’m too busy for childish games."

With that, she rose and strode out, her heels clicking like a retreating storm.

Lu Qianqian remained seated, taking a long moment to collect herself.

She picked up her phone and dialed Lu Chenyuan.

"Big brother, I met Qin Ya."

Her voice still carried traces of awe.

"She’s... nothing like what you said, or what everyone says."

On the other end, Lu Chenyuan’s voice was calm and warm.

"Now you see?"

"Yes."

"Good," he chuckled.

"Welcome to the real game, Qianqian."