Phoenix’s Revenge: The Business Battle

Chapter 1:Bear Trap

The city lights glittered brilliantly, glasses clinked in a symphony of celebration. In the top-floor banquet hall of the Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai, the air was thick with a complex scent that mingled champagne, bespoke suits, and a touch of ambitious scheming. Gu Wanqing took a deep breath, trying to calm the tumultuous emotions that swelled within her chest. This night was pivotal to her career—the roadshow for the listing of "Jinlin Technology," led by her, was about to begin. For this moment, she had sacrificed countless sleepless nights and negotiated tirelessly with discerning investors, transforming a once obscure tech firm into a rising star.

She was dressed in a sleek black gown, a delicate silver chain gleaming faintly across her collarbone beneath the chandeliers' glow. This was the only keepsake her mother had left her, a soft tether to her heart. The unassuming chain served as a silent reminder, constantly urging her not to repeat her mother’s mistakes, to stand firm in this ruthless financial world with her own hands.

Her gaze swept through the crowd, eventually resting on Cheng Yu, who was laughing and chatting with several impeccably dressed clients nearby. He wore a deep blue suit, tall and striking, with a smile that was just the right touch of charm, exuding the confidence and charisma of a successful man. A warmth surged within Gu Wanqing’s chest. They were the golden couple in investment banking, the perfect pair in everyone's eyes. Cheng Yu was not only her boyfriend but also her best partner at work. Together, they had overcome countless obstacles in pursuit of higher goals. At least, that’s what she believed.

With just fifteen minutes left until the roadshow began, Gu Wanqing needed to do a final check on the presentation and speech. Holding her briefcase filled with documents, she made her way through the bustling crowd toward the backstage preparation room. As she pushed open the partially ajar door, the scene inside hit her like a cold bolt of lightning, shattering all the illusions of happiness she had harbored.

The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the heavy scent of perfume and a subtle, unmistakable aura of intimacy. Cheng Yu had his back to the door, his shirt unbuttoned, exposing his muscular back. In front of him, a woman dressed in a red, low-cut evening gown was clinging to his waist, a satisfied flush on her face. On the carpet, crumpled tissues lay scattered alongside a tipped-over empty wine glass, with red liquid spilling out like a blooming poppy flower, its vibrant color stark against the room's muted tones.

Gu Wanqing stood frozen, her mind blank, as if trapped in a soundless world. Her briefcase slipped from her grasp, the thud it made upon hitting the floor echoing through the room, alerting the two occupants.

Cheng Yu spun around abruptly, his smile faltering, replaced by a mix of panic and anger. The woman in red turned, her face flashing a look of smug satisfaction and provocation upon seeing Gu Wanqing.

"Wanqing, you... what are you doing here?" Cheng Yu’s voice was hoarse, his eyes flickering as he tried to cover up his disarray.

Gu Wanqing’s lips trembled. Her throat felt as though it was constricted, unable to produce a single sound. She stared at Cheng Yu, disbelief and indescribable pain reflected in her eyes.

The woman in red, noticing the tension, curled her lips into a sneer and coquettishly remarked, "Oh, Cheng, who is this?"

Cheng Yu’s face darkened further. He tried to step forward, to take Gu Wanqing’s hand, but she instinctively pulled away.

Before Gu Wanqing could demand an explanation, the woman in red seemed to recall something, exclaiming, "Oh my, how forgetful of me! I almost forgot the main thing!" She then picked up a half-filled glass of red wine from the table, pretending to spill it as it splashed toward Gu Wanqing.

The crimson liquid splattered like the bloom of blood-red petals, landing squarely on the briefcase Gu Wanqing held, instantly soaking the documents inside. The meticulously prepared roadshow materials, crafted through countless hours of effort, were now irrevocably tainted.

"My apologies, Miss Gu, I was so careless," the woman said, her tone dripping with insincerity, her expression gleaming with malicious satisfaction.

Gu Wanqing stared at the wine-soaked documents, fury erupting inside her like an uncontrollable volcano. Her gaze snapped to Cheng Yu, her eyes cold as ice. In that instant, she understood that everything she had believed in was nothing but a carefully woven lie. This man, the one she had once loved and trusted, had proven himself to be nothing but despicable and shameless.

Just as Gu Wanqing was about to explode, a calm, magnetic voice rang out from the doorway, sharp and commanding, as though the chimes of a midnight bell, drawing every gaze in the room.

"Cheng Yu, what is going on here?"

The lights in the banquet hall had somehow grown even brighter, and a tall figure in a black suit appeared at the doorway. He was backlit, his features obscured, yet he exuded a powerful aura, like a predator waiting to strike, sending a shiver down everyone’s spine.

It was Shen Xubai.

The capital tycoon returning from Wall Street, the head of Shengshi Capital. Despite his youth, he had already risen to prominence in the cutthroat business world, commanding respect and awe. His piercing eyes, like the depths of a cold abyss, always bore an air of aloofness and cynicism. His arrival added a layer of tension to the already volatile atmosphere.

Cheng Yu’s complexion turned ashen at the sight of Shen Xubai, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He rushed forward, stammering, "Mr. Shen, please, let me explain, this... this is all a misunderstanding."

Shen Xubai ignored Cheng Yu’s frantic attempts at justification. His gaze swept past him, landing on Gu Wanqing, whose pale face betrayed her shock, and then on the wine-soaked documents she clutched in her hand. His brow furrowed slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible shift in his expression.

The next moment, he retrieved an elegant silver lighter from his suit pocket, flicking it open with a snap. As the flame flared to life, he strode to Gu Wanqing’s side, took the sodden pages from her hands, and placed them on the ground.

The fire licked at the edges of the paper, swiftly consuming it, turning the carefully crafted words that had carried her hopes and dreams into ash. The acrid scent of burning paper filled the air, bitter like the remains of love that had once flourished.

Cheng Yu tried to intervene, but was immediately blocked by Shen Xubai's bodyguard.

The firelight illuminated Shen Xubai’s chiseled features as he gazed down at Cheng Yu with an icy coldness. His voice, devoid of warmth, carried a chilling finality: "Effective immediately, suspend all of Cheng Yu’s ongoing projects and reassess his position."

The room fell into stunned silence. Everyone present knew that Shen Xubai’s words were tantamount to a death sentence for Cheng Yu’s career.

Gu Wanqing stood there, entranced, watching the flames slowly die down, her emotions a tumultuous swirl of confusion, disbelief, and reluctant gratitude. She didn’t know why Shen Xubai had done this, but his intervention had given her an unexpected shield in her moment of utmost vulnerability.

As the last embers flickered out, her gaze inadvertently fell on Shen Xubai’s hand. His right index finger was adorned with a jade ring, glowing faintly under the dim light, casting an eerie coldness on his skin.

Her heart skipped a beat, an invisible jolt racing through her veins. That ring… she had seen it before. Three years ago, on a stormy night, she had been saved by a mysterious man. The man had worn that same jade ring.

Could it be… him?

Her mind raced, desperately trying to recall the details of that rainy night, but the memory was shrouded in mist, hazy and elusive. She only remembered the cold touch of the jade ring and the man’s deep, magnetic voice.

As the murmurs in the banquet hall subsided, Shen Xubai turned, his gaze once again falling on Gu Wanqing. His eyes, deep and enigmatic, seemed to hold a universe of secrets.

"Miss Gu, it seems that tonight’s roadshow will not be proceeding," he said, his voice tinged with an almost imperceptible amusement.

Gu Wanqing fought to keep her composure, squashing the surge of shock and confusion within her. She met his gaze, her tone steady as she replied, "Mr. Shen, thank you for your help."

Shen Xubai’s lips curled into a slight, knowing smile. "Help? Miss Gu, you’re too kind. I simply dislike seeing my employees ruin the company’s image in public."

With that, he turned and left the preparation room, leaving Gu Wanqing alone, watching the remnants of her hard work burn away into ash, the acrid smell lingering in the air.

Late that night, in the penthouse office of Shengshi Capital, the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering skyline of Shanghai, like an endless river of stars, dazzling in its beauty. Gu Wanqing sat before the Bloomberg terminal, the screen alive with countless complex numbers and graphs, telling the silent, harsh tale of this unforgiving financial world.

Behind her, Shen Xubai stood, hands in his pockets, his tall figure as imposing as ever, radiating an almost dangerous allure.

"In just a few hours, Miss Gu’s credit default swap rate has skyrocketed to 300%," Shen Xubai’s voice broke the silence, tinged with a hint of amusement.

Gu Wanqing’s fingers tightened on the mouse, her knuckles whitening with the pressure. She understood what he meant. The events of the night had cast a shadow over her career, and Cheng Yu’s suspended projects had made her the center of gossip and speculation.

"What does Mr. Shen want?" Gu Wanqing asked, her voice cautious. She didn’t believe Shen Xubai would help her without some ulterior motive—everything he did had a purpose.

Shen Xubai moved closer, his breath warm against her neck as he leaned over her chair, his scent faintly reminiscent of cologne. The closeness sent a strange, inexplicable tension through her.

"Miss Gu, your position is rather precarious. No one will want to work with a tarnished analyst. However..." His voice dropped, coaxing her in a way that seemed almost hypnotic, "I might offer you a chance."

Gu Wanqing’s heart sank. She knew that the real "dark pool deal" was only just beginning.

"What chance?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Shen Xubai bent down, his lips near her ear as he whispered, "How about a bet? If you can resurrect Jinlin Technology’s project within three months and take it public, then… I can help you out of this mess, even reward you with more than you could imagine."

His voice was like the hiss of a serpent, seductive and dangerous. Gu Wanqing’s mind raced, torn between the risks of this offer and the desperate need for an opportunity to prove herself, to take revenge on those who had betrayed her.

"What if I fail?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse.

Shen Xubai straightened, his smile cold and predatory. "If you fail... Miss Gu, you’ll pay a much higher price."

His gaze was sharp, as if he already saw through the layers of her desires and frustration.

Gu Wanqing paused, silence stretching out between them. Finally, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting his with unwavering resolve. "Alright, I’ll sign."

In that moment, as she made her decision, she failed to notice the faint, scorched corner of a page from the documents Shen Xubai had burned earlier. A few blurry words were visible: "Columbia Shooting Incident." This detail, consumed by flames, was like a buried seed that would one day sprout, revealing a long-buried truth.