She Lost Memory Before the Divorce
Chapter 249 - Chapter 249 Chapter 0249 Open Rivalry and Secret Struggle (1)

Chapter 249: Chapter 0249: Open Rivalry and Secret Struggle (1) Chapter 249: Chapter 0249: Open Rivalry and Secret Struggle (1) Pei Zhao’s face still wore a smile, and his tone carried a hint of surprise.

“What does CEO Huo mean by that? Director Liu is not an outsider, please speak openly.”

Huo Tingxiao knew he was deliberately trying to infuriate him. After all, Director Liu was a cunning old fox who was going to retire next year. It was critical that no scandals emerged at this time that could tarnish his career.

“I just mentioned it in passing, Mr. Pei, there’s no need to be so tense.”

Director Liu glanced at both men, who seemed unshakable on the surface, but beneath that, the currents ran deep. Although he didn’t know the nature of their discord, there would be consequences if they caused trouble under his watch.

“I’m getting on in years, and Sea City belongs to the younger generation now. The current climate isn’t great, and young entrepreneurs like you need boldness and drive. Healthy competition is good, but there’s a limit to everything.”

His words were carefully chosen, and both men understood the message: they could have their squabbles in private, but they needed to maintain decorum.

After all, the Huo Family, being a century-old lineage, had deep roots and yielded many advantages, especially with someone as outstanding as Tingxiao at its helm.

Pei Zhao was different. In Sea City, he was a bit out of his depth to compete with Huo Tingxiao, so if he couldn’t make his moves in the open, he resorted to playing games in the shadows, even if it meant sustaining losses to hurt his rival. What he wanted was simple: to vex Tingxiao.

“With Director Liu asking, I shall certainly comply. After all, as an outsider in this place, I need CEO Huo’s care. I’m just afraid he might find me too insignificant to bother with.”

Pei Zhao feigned a posture that didn’t elicit a single frown from Tingxiao, who responded with lukewarm pleasantries.

“You’re too modest, Mr. Pei.”

Huo Tingxiao had attended the dinner only out of respect for Director Liu. Afterward, the director had taken a moment to speak to him privately.

“I’m retiring next year and can’t be dealing with any turmoil. You young folks ought to avoid being as sharp as needles and as fine as thistle. Mutual benefit is much better.”

“Director Liu worries too much.”

Without saying much else, Director Liu took his leave.

Seemingly unintentionally, Pei Zhao ended up in the same elevator as Huo Tingxiao.

Both faced forward as the elevator descended. Pei Zhao broke the silence with a chilly tone:

“Unexpectedly, you’ve quite the appetite, wanting to swallow those two plots of land whole. Eating all the cake yourself, aren’t you afraid of choking?”

Huo Tingxiao ignored his sarcastic tone and replied incisively:

“Being able to swallow it all is my ability. Choking is still better than being sour about not getting a taste.”

Pei Zhao raised an eyebrow.

“That confident?”

Tingxiao let out a cold laugh.

“Do you still have the stomach for cakes after snatching that plot from Sheng Xueqin’s hands?”

The mention of this soured Pei Zhao’s expression. He knew Tingxiao had used that move as a feint; if he had known the western city plots would become available later, he wouldn’t have gone after that particular parcel.

“We’ll see when the time comes.”

Tingxiao was unfazed by Pei Zhao’s challenge; he had been eager to vent his anger, and Pei Zhao had provided just the opportunity.

“Sure.”

Tingxiao’s side was busy minimizing the impact of the worker injury incident, but some were intent on making a bigger issue of it, fanning the flames and escalating the tug-of-war. In the end, Tingxiao addressed the root of the problem, restoring the facts of that day. But this time he wasn’t so lucky; without surveillance footage, it quickly devolved into a war of words.

Previously, such matters never required Tingxiao’s personal attention, but knowing Pei Zhao was behind it, he had no choice but to get involved.

Mu Lan felt that since their late-night snack together, Tingxiao seemed to have deliberately created distance between them, no longer pursuing her as closely nor occasionally professing his genuine feelings as before.

On one hand, she felt relieved, but on the other, along with relief, there was an inexplicable emotion. She didn’t have the time to explore and make a big deal of it, choosing instead to immerse herself in work.

“Ms. Mu Lan, Ms. Mu Lan, Luo Ning’s agent called to say she wants to custom-order our clothes to wear at this year’s Golden Phoenix Award.”

Mu Lan was stunned for a moment. Luo Ning? The Best Actress Luo Ning who had won the “Triple Gold”?

“Are you…sure?”

Tang Xin smiled so wide she could barely close her mouth.

“Of course, I’m sure. They also said if possible, they’d like to arrange a meeting with you in the next few days to discuss a custom gown for Luo Ning.”

For a moment, Mu Lan’s heart soared. If Luo Ning wore her brand, it would be like a walking billboard.

“Okay, you confirm the schedule with them.”

The response came quickly, the time and place were at a mansion on the outskirts of the city.

Mu Lan had heard of the place, but it was rumored to have been bought by a wealthy foreign businessman, and she never imagined that the address Luo Ning gave would be there.

It wasn’t strange that her gossip-loving heart was starting to flutter. After all, there were too many rumors in the entertainment world, and she couldn’t help but wonder, could this be Luo Ning’s boyfriend? But she had always declared herself single… A wealthy boyfriend, that’s typical for a top actress.

Yun Xi drove into the estate and parked the car. Mu Lan got out and walked to the main building’s entrance, where the butler greeted her very politely.

“Miss Mu, hello.”

“Hello.”

Following the butler inside, they entered a living room on the left side of the first floor, where Luo Ning was enjoying an English afternoon tea, dressed in a silk gown and wrapped in an Hermes shawl, holding a delicate teacup in her hand.

“Miss Luo, Miss Mu has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Ning looked up with a charming smile to greet her.

“Miss Mu, I have long admired you.”

Mu Lan wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt there was something indescribably odd about the way the other party sized her up.

“Miss Luo is too polite, the one I’ve long admired is you.”

Luo Ning was full of charm, and while she was three years older than Mu Lan, she was well-maintained, her skin tight and glowing, her face adorned with delicate makeup.

A palm-sized face, good bone structure–truly a movie-star face.

“It’s a shame someone as young and beautiful as Miss Mu isn’t in the entertainment industry.”

Mu Lan kept a polite smile on her face, unsure whether Luo Ning’s comment was a compliment or… something that made her feel oddly uncomfortable.

“You jest, there are many beauties in the entertainment industry.”

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow, examining every subtle expression on Mu Lan’s face, curling her lips into a smile.

“Miss Mu is being too modest. Even with all the beauties in the industry, some people still have their hearts set on one.”

Mu Lan slightly furrowed her brow.

“I do not understand what you mean, Miss Luo.”

Luo Ning covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand now, you will in time. Let’s talk about the custom gown. I’ve seen your previous work in Paris, and I really like your style.

In one month, the Golden Phoenix Award ceremony will take place, and I hope Miss Mu can design a unique gown for me, not too extravagant but definitely with texture and a sense of design.”

Mu Lan nodded her head.

“Of course, Miss Luo can rest assured on that point.”

As they were talking, a voice came from the entrance, and the butler greeted respectfully:

“Sir, you’ve returned.”