Serena Li collapsed onto the sofa. After talking so much with Victor Mo today , she felt as if her chaotic mind, which had been in turmoil since Monday, had finally found its best release. She felt much lighter now, with an indescribable sense of exhilaration, but also felt utterly listless.
***
As the new week began, on Monday, Serena Li returned to school and handed the materials to Principal Liu.
As she was leaving the principal’s office, Principal Liu asked her, seemingly casually, “Xiao Li, I heard you recently got a boyfriend, is that right?”
Serena Li was startled upon hearing this, recalling the Frank Wang incident, and smiled, saying, “Yes, we’ve only been dating for a short time.”
Principal Liu chuckled awkwardly, “What a pity. I was thinking of introducing you to a friend, but someone beat me to it so quickly.”
Serena Li was not so impressed and left after exchanging a few polite words.
In the following days, Serena Li lived a simple and ordinary life, and had no further contact with Victor Mo.
Serena Li realizes that what she said in the parking lot that day was incisive and harsh, perhaps a bit too much for someone who had helped her so many times. But only by making things clear and putting an end to his thoughts could she avoid further entanglement.
He had helped her several times, especially with the incident of secretly filming her, for which she was extremely grateful. But gratitude shouldn’t be mistaken for affection; if it’s not right, it’s not right. Rather than risk being hurt later, it’s better not to start in the first place.
On Friday afternoon, just before school ended, Serena Li suddenly received a call from Stella Jiang .
After the party at MD in September, she and Stella Jiang hadn’t been in touch much. So many years had passed since graduation, and everyone had met different people and experienced different things. When they met again, they didn’t have much in common to talk about, so they could only reminisce about the past. So when Stella Jiang said on the phone that she was near her school and asked her to have dinner together, Serena Li was a little surprised.
After school, as soon as I stepped out of the school gate, I saw a woman leaning against the door of a red Maserati. With her fashionable attire and beautiful appearance, it’s easy to imagine how many heads she would turn.
Stella Jiang saw Serena Li come out, she took off her sunglasses, smiled charmingly, and waved to Serena Li .
Serena Li said while fastening her seatbelt, “Your outfit today has been attracting a lot of attention from the boys at school!”
Stella Jiang glanced at her and said with a smile, “I don’t believe they didn’t see you flirting during class. A beauty like you is the real campus goddess!”
Serena Li rested her elbow on the car window and shook her head, saying, “I’m quite strict with them. They’ll get criticized if they don’t pay attention in class!”
Stella Jiang smiled and said, “It seems you have quite a way of disciplining students!”
Soon the two arrived at a restaurant called Longyueju. Just from the exterior and decor, Serena Li knew that this was a high-end restaurant.
Once they arrived at the private room and sat down, Serena Li said to Stella Jiang , “Yazhi, it’s just an old classmate reunion. You don’t need to bring me to such a high-end place for dinner. I’ll feel uncomfortable.”
Stella Jiang cut to the chase, flashing an official smile, and said, ” Serena , I also have something to discuss with you today.”
Serena Li raised an eyebrow and asked, “Oh? What is it?”
Stella Jiang took off her coat and handed it to the waiter, saying, “Let’s order first, then we can chat and eat.” After saying that, she asked the waiter to bring two menus.
Stella Jiang took the menu and introduced the restaurant’s specialties to Serena Li . Serena Li could tell from her manner that she was a regular customer.
After ordering, Stella Jiang poured Serena Li a cup of tea, saying, “Try the Wuyi Narcissus tea here. It has a particularly good aftertaste. Your throat must be dry after lecturing all day, so drink some more.”
Although they are the same age, the way Stella Jiang interacts with her is different from how she interacts with Lynn Yan and Joyce Wu. Stella Jiang’s obviously ingratiating attitude makes Serena Li feel a little awkward, but she still keeps a normal expression on her face.
Stella Jiang quickly got to the point, saying, ” Serena , are you familiar with Genting Technology?”
Serena Li nodded and said, “It’s a well-known internet company in Pengcheng. It seems that the games that students like to play were all developed by this company.”
Stella Jiang continued, “They’ve done exceptionally well in the internet sector, and in recent years they’ve also ventured into artificial intelligence. Our parent company, MD, is collaborating with Genting Technology on a new project—AI research and development. To put it simply, this collaboration forms an entire industry chain. One aspect involves our two companies acting as investors in a technology challenge program about AI, airing on Pengcheng TV, featuring human-computer interaction and human-computer competition segments.” She paused, then added more formally,
“I’d like to invite you to be a guest on a few episodes.”
Serena Li was astonished after listening. “Yazhi, although I don’t know the production process of this kind of program, from what you’ve said, the investment must be considerable. And this kind of program needs an eye-catching leader. Wouldn’t it be more impactful to find some high-IQ professors or researchers from universities to participate?”
Stella Jiang shifted her posture, chuckled, and said, “Hehe, Serena , you’re too modest. Don’t I know you? You’re never lacking in intelligence. Back when you represented Z University in the international mathematics competition, you won first place. I’ve always thought it’s a waste that you’re a high school math teacher. If you want to change careers, you could come to MD…”
Before Stella Jiang could finish speaking, Serena Li interrupted her with a smile: “Yazhi, you think too highly of me! Back then, I was young and impetuous, and my mind was sharp. Now my memory isn’t what it used to be. I think being a teacher suits me well. You know my dad is always on assignment in other countries. Teachers have a lot of holidays, so it’s convenient for me to visit him.”
Stella Jiang continued to persuade her, “Let’s not talk about your profession for now, Serena . Don’t you think inviting you as a guest is more prestigious than inviting a dull university professor? People prettier than you aren’t as smart as you, and people smarter than you aren’t as pretty. Audiences like you just the way you are. The ratings will go up as soon as you stand there.”
Serena Li chuckled, “Yazhi, the way you put it, I thought your show was a beauty pageant!”
Stella Jiang : “That’s how all TV shows are these days; who doesn’t like watching beautiful women!”
Serena Li : “Isn’t it common for programs to be manipulated behind the scenes? I believe that with Pengcheng Radio’s capabilities, if they find the right person to package it, the effect will definitely be there!”
At this moment, the waiter brought the dishes over. Seeing that Serena Li hadn’t given in, Stella Jiang stopped trying to persuade her, but she had other plans in mind.
During the meal, the two chatted about other things, and the whole meal was quite pleasant.
After dinner, Stella Jiang escorted Serena Li to the parking lot and led her to a van, saying, ” Serena , I have another engagement later, so I’ll arrange for a driver to take you home first. The program won’t start until the end of next month, so you might want to think about it some more when you get back. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”
Serena Li shook her head and smiled, “Elegant, thank you for dinner and for your kind words, but I’m afraid I’m not up to the task.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the driver took Serena Li away.
After the van drove away, Stella Jiang took out cigarettes from her designer handbag, picked up the slender cigarette with her fair fingers, put it in her mouth, and heard a “click.” A lighter was then extended from the side to light the cigarette for her.
Stella Jiang didn’t need to turn around to know that this person was her assistant, Dennis.
Dennis smiled and watched the departing van, saying, “She’s a stunningly beautiful woman with a cool and aloof demeanor, but I don’t think she’s so easily manipulated. Actually, there are quite a few beautiful, intelligent people in universities these days who are eager to become famous overnight. And these kinds of people are very cooperative when they want to be famous. You can mold them however you want, and with a little packaging, you’re bound to succeed. Why did you bother asking your old classmate?”
Stella Jiang exhaled a smoke ring, but smiled without saying anything, and then instructed her assistant to drive.
Why Serena Li ?
Stella Jiang, who was in charge of coordinating this production project, came up with a series of plans after seeing the information on the chief R&D engineer from Genting Technology.
Genting poached an engineer from a well-known American AI company with a high salary, which was one of the reasons that attracted MD to cooperate with them. And that person happened to be someone Serena Li knew— Gary Gu , her boyfriend from college .
Stella Jiang recognized the chief engineer immediately upon seeing his photo. Imagine her ex-boyfriend’s AI technology and his ex-girlfriend bumping into each other on a TV show – that’s a selling point in itself, especially since they’re a handsome couple. With some marketing and hype, viewership is practically guaranteed, and the benefits to the overall project are self-evident.
Finally, Stella Jiang became a key contributor to the overall project, which allowed her to get one step closer to that person!
Therefore, persuading Serena Li to participate in the show was a must for her.
Dennis dropped Stella Jiang off at a villa in Luyuan and then left.
Stella Jiang got out of the car, the villa’s butler led her to a luxurious private room on the second floor, where two tall, handsome men were standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, smoking.
On the left is Victor Tan , the president of MD , and on the right is Victor Mo.
Unlike Victor Mo’s handsome and rugged appearance, Victor Tan wears glasses and looks warm and humble. In particular, the hint of melancholy between his brows and the sense of vicissitude in his eyes are what captivate so many women, including Stella Jiang .
Victor Tan saw Stella Jiang appear at the door, he smiled and then held out a hand, gesturing for her to come over.
Stella Jiang went in, nodded to Victor Mo in greeting, and Victor Mo nodded in response.
Stella Jiang walked up to Victor Tan , she looked up at the man who fascinated her and asked softly, “Have you finished talking with Mr. Mo?”
Victor Tan gently put his arm around her waist, nodded, and then said, “Did you go out to dinner with a client just now?”
Stella Jiang shook her head and said, “I had dinner with an old classmate and invited her to participate in the program we produced with Pengcheng TV, but it will take some time to convince her.”
After saying that, he turned to look at Victor Mo and said, “Mr. Mo also knows this old classmate of mine. At the last MD party, Mr. Mo only danced with her.”