She was in an excellent mood, having not ridden a horse like this in a long time—it was thrilling.
"A woman of true mettle."
"You flatter me." Chu Lingzhi's smile grew even brighter.
Soon after, Nangong Yehen's horse arrived.
He stopped beside Chu Lingzhi.
Sitting on horseback, she looked dashing and spirited. "Master Nangong, do you concede defeat?"
Nangong Yehen gazed at her radiant, smiling face, a flicker of emotion passing through his deep eyes—something neither she nor Huo Luan could detect.
He deliberately darkened his handsome features, wearing an expression of reluctant defeat, and asked coldly, "Tell me your three demands."
"Restore the Chu Corporation to its former glory."
Nangong Yehen paused slightly, then raised an eyebrow and smirked at her. "Wasn't the Chu Corporation's collapse exactly what you wanted to see?"
"When did I ever have such a thought?" Chu Lingzhi said with a smile.
She didn't like the Chu family home, but she wasn't malicious enough to wish for their company's downfall.
If the Chu Corporation had collapsed due to Chu Mengling's mismanagement, she truly wouldn't have cared.
But since Nangong Yehen had orchestrated it deliberately, she didn't want him using underhanded tactics against the Chu Corporation.
Besides, Chu Jianjue had begged her, so she might as well let it go.
It wasn't out of kindness—she simply felt there was no need to intentionally drive the Chu Corporation to ruin.
She wasn't worried about Chu Jianjue and Li Meirong starving, but the Chu Group had countless employees who would lose their jobs.
That weighed on her conscience.
Moreover, Chu Jianjue and Li Meirong knew about her background.
After a moment's thought, Nangong Yehen said slowly, "I never considered a small company like the Chu Corporation worth my attention. Since you've brought it up, I'll show some mercy."
"Master Nangong is truly kind."
Nangong Yehen snorted coldly. The word "kindness" didn't exist in his dictionary.
"What about the rest?"
"Make Mu Yu a top celebrity. She loves acting and has amazing skills—just bad luck."
Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow. "That woman lying in the hospital?"
"Yes."
"What is she to you?"
"Best friend."
"Beware of friends, no matter how close," Nangong Yehen snorted.
"Mu Yu is different. She's been good to me these past few years."
Nangong Yehen raised an eyebrow, looking at her skeptically. "Is that so? Then why does she owe you so much debt?"
Chu Lingzhi looked at him. "Master Nangong, not all friendships are built on money. If she gains fame and gets roles, she'll earn money and naturally pay me back."
"That demand isn't excessive." The entire T City was already his, and Kaisi International was grooming new talent anyway. Promoting someone else was the same as promoting this girl's friend.
Hearing this, Chu Lingzhi smiled. "I didn't expect Master Nangong to be so easy to talk to."
Earlier, she had thought he was the cold, ruthless type who did as he pleased—the more you begged him, the more he'd make things difficult for you.
"That depends on who I'm dealing with." Nangong Yehen lightly tapped the reins, and his horse began to walk forward slowly.
Chu Lingzhi followed, and Huo Luan mounted his horse, trailing behind them.
Chu Lingzhi's horse drew close to Nangong Yehen's, as if they were walking side by side.
"So, what kind of person am I?" Chu Lingzhi asked, seeing he was in a good mood. This man, when not cold, could be quite warm and sunny.
She didn't really care what he thought of her; she was just making small talk.
After all, he was the father of her two children—it was better to keep things cordial than not.
"A foolish woman."