Cherry Miller grumbled inwardly. Why did Yina Yin dump this troublesome situation on her?
If she'd known Mr. Tang was targeting her and not Yina Yin, she never would've taken on this mess!
Cherry took a deep breath and said, "I know Mr. Tang is handsome and accomplished, the heartthrob of many heiresses. But honestly, I'm not considering this right now. I just want to focus on my work, ease Mrs. Yin's burdens, and serve Miss Yin. Everything else can wait. How about this, Mr. Tang—if I'm still single in ten years, and you're still unattached, then maybe I'll consider it. After all, the Yin Family invested so much time and money in raising me. If I just went off and got married, wouldn't that be unfair to them? You're right, in Newport City, no one dares disrespect the Yin Family, and I don't want to cause trouble for such a talented man like you, either. Sure, the Tang Family is impressive, but going up against the Yin Family would only end with both sides losing, wouldn't it?"
Cherry's words were both a plea and a warning, and Mr. Tang understood her perfectly.
Originally only mildly interested in Cherry, Mr. Tang now found himself much more intrigued by her.
No wonder Mrs. Yin picked her early on to stay by Yina Yin's side.
Her poise and intelligence truly matched the role.
"Since you've put it that way, how could I refuse? But, I have a small request." Mr. Tang, trying to be suave, said, "If we can't be lovers in these ten years, can we at least be friends?"
"Of course, Mr. Tang. Thank you for thinking so highly of me." Cherry glanced at Yina Yin in the distance, smiled slightly, and said, "Sorry, I have to go."
With that, Cherry turned and walked away without hesitation.
Mr. Tang watched Cherry's retreating figure, a meaningful smile spreading across his face.
As the son of a media tycoon, Derek Tang usually wouldn't spare a glance for a mere executive assistant.
But three months ago, in Lakeview, Cherry Miller wowed everyone with her eloquence at a speech, landing a three billion RMB investment.
It was Cherry's graduation speech.
She was the only one who turned her graduation speech into a full-blown investment pitch.
That's when Derek Tang realized the Yin Consortium had raised a truly gifted and capable young woman.
He started to take a real interest in Cherry Miller.
He'd originally set his sights on Yina Yin—marrying her would mean securing half the Yin Family's support.
But now, he'd changed his mind.
Winning over Yina Yin was too hard—he wasn't confident he could beat her fiancé, Miles Gu. But Cherry Miller was single, and she held a high place in Yina's heart.
If he could win Cherry over, it wouldn't be much different than winning Yina herself.
Besides, Cherry wasn't just a pretty face—if he could marry her, she'd bring him plenty of connections and support.
So Derek Tang set his sights on Cherry Miller, even following her all the way back to China.
He went to great lengths to get an invitation for tonight, using the excuse of looking for Yina Yin, but she quickly handed him off to her assistant—leading to the conversation just now.
Cherry returned to Yina Yin's side. Yina noticed Cherry looked upset and asked, "What's wrong? What did Derek Tang say to you?"
"He wants to pursue me." Cherry pressed her lips together and said, "Funny, isn't it? If he can't get the Yin heiress, he goes after me instead. He must think I'm really something."
Yina Yin burst out laughing and reached up to ruffle her much shorter assistant's hair. "It just proves the whole world knows my assistant holds special status in the Yin Family."
"I've played your shield more times than I can count." Cherry looked at Yina helplessly.
Every time someone tried to pursue Yina, they'd end up switching targets to Cherry, who would then politely but firmly turn them down.
"Hey, I'm sorry, okay? It's just that I can't stand dealing with those people—and I can't exactly wrestle them to the ground, can I?" Yina Yin pouted at Cherry. "Just bear with it a little longer, please?"
"Oh, you." Cherry looked at Yina with a mix of affection and exasperation. "Now that Miles Gu is around, those guys should know better. Miles Gu wouldn't let them off easy!"
"Yes, yes, my hardworking executive assistant!" Yina Yin started giving Cherry a shoulder massage, and the two laughed together like sisters.
Ethan Yin tried several times during the banquet to approach Cherry Miller for a chat, but kept getting stopped by other guests.
Too many people wanted to cozy up to him.
With no other choice, Ethan Yin gave up for now, planning to find another time to talk with Cherry and ask why she'd suddenly grown distant.
After the banquet ended, Cherry left with Yina Yin. At the door, Derek Tang, ever the gentleman, stepped up to help open it.
Yina Yin gave Derek Tang a meaningful look, nodded, and walked out.
"Ms. Miller." Derek Tang called out to Cherry.
"Is there something else, Mr. Tang?" Cherry asked politely.
"Are you free the day after tomorrow, Ms. Miller?" Derek Tang looked determined. "I'd love to treat you to a meal. Would you honor me with your company?"
"I'm very sorry, I already have plans that day." Cherry refused without hesitation.
"Actually," Derek Tang persisted, "I'm especially interested in your speech from three months ago. Are you still looking for funding?"
"Still don't need it, thanks." Cherry kept her distance.
"I heard you just came back and are helping Miss Yin manage her assets. There's a mobile game company under her name that's not very profitable, and I happen to be interested in acquiring a game company. Would it be convenient to discuss this?" Derek Tang pressed on.
Cherry actually stopped in her tracks.
That mobile game company was something Yina Yin started out of boredom at eighteen, using her own New Year's money. She developed the game just for herself, not for profit or release.
This chapter isn't over yet~.~ Click next page to keep reading!
So after playing for a while, she just left it aside.
Now the company is basically idle, and every year it costs a lot just to keep it running.
As Yina Yin's chief executive assistant, Cherry Miller couldn't just let this small company drag down the main office, so she convinced Yina to sell it.
Yina Yin had already forgotten all about that game company, so when Cherry said she'd take care of it, Yina agreed without a second thought.
This was Cherry's first major move to clean up Yina Yin's assets since returning to China, and Derek Tang had heard all about it.
So he dangled this bait, convinced Cherry Miller wouldn't be able to resist.
Sure enough, Cherry smiled and said, "Since you're interested in the game company, Mr. Tang, we can definitely have a proper discussion. How about this: you get your team ready, I'll organize mine, and our teams can negotiate. What do you think?"
"I think it would be better if you personally handled it, Ms. Miller. After all, this is your first big move since coming back. If it goes well, you'll shine in front of Mrs. Yin, won't you?" Derek Tang was twenty-eight, a mature man who knew how to win battles.
Cherry knew exactly what Derek Tang was up to, but he had a point.
It was her first time handling one of Yina Yin's assets, so she did want it done perfectly.
"Alright, the day after tomorrow then." Cherry nodded, accepting Derek Tang's invitation. "See you then."
Cherry quickly caught up with Yina Yin, and they left the villa together.
Derek Tang watched Cherry's departing figure, a determined smile on his face.
Not long after Yina Yin and Cherry Miller left, Ethan Yin prepared to go as well.
In the parking lot, a figure stood in front of Ethan Yin's car.
"Who is it?" Quentin Sheng called out, "Who's there?"
Ethan Yin narrowed his eyes. In the shadowy darkness, he could make out the figure of a woman.
At that moment, Ruby Jiang stepped out of the shadows and walked right up to Ethan Yin before stopping.
"Ethan Yin, why did you ignore me at the banquet?" Ruby Jiang asked, clearly disgruntled.
She'd been a beauty since childhood, praised from kindergarten through college.
Countless rich heirs had knelt before her, begging for just a glance.
But tonight, why hadn't Ethan Yin looked at her even once?
She couldn't accept it.
She wanted answers.
"Who are you?" Ethan Yin looked at the woman in front of him, frowning.
Ruby Jiang felt as if she'd just heard the biggest joke in the world!
How could he not remember her!
She was Ruby Jiang!
In Singapore, she was known as the most beautiful pearl!
How could Ethan Yin not recognize her?
Quentin Sheng stifled a laugh and said, "Miss, would you please step aside? We're leaving."
Ruby Jiang couldn't help but step forward, fixing Ethan Yin with a determined look. "Ethan Yin, a man like you deserves a woman as perfect as me. Are you really going to turn me down?"
Ethan Yin had no interest in dealing with such a narcissistic, brainless woman.
Over the years, plenty had tried to throw themselves at him, but few were this clueless.
Ethan Yin turned to walk toward his car, but Ruby Jiang blocked his way again, demanding, "Ethan Yin, why don't you like me?"
"Miss Jiang, are you that desperate for a man?" Ethan Yin's tone was impatient. "Don't block the way, thanks!"
With that, Ethan Yin brushed past Ruby Jiang and got into his car.
Ruby Jiang stared in shock as Ethan Yin's car sped away, unable to react for a long moment.
Ruby Jiang stomped her foot hard. "Impossible! This makes no sense! There's no man in the world who can resist my charm! Ethan Yin, I've set my sights on you, and I won't let you go!"
At that moment, James Jiang appeared and asked his sister, "What are you doing here?"
"Brother!" Ruby Jiang cried, instantly clinging to James Jiang's arm. "I've set my sights on Ethan Yin, and I'm going to marry him!"
James Jiang fell silent for a moment. "Are you serious?"