"Julia Yu, attorney." Grace Xue smiled as soon as she saw Julia Yu, her expression tinged with apology. "I'm really sorry to bother you so late."
"It's fine, I just got off work myself. Have you eaten yet? Want to eat together?" Julia Yu asked.
"Great, I won't stand on ceremony then. I just got off the plane and I'm starving." Grace Xue didn't hesitate and started eating with her chopsticks. "I'm in a hurry to see you because I heard your Newport City branch is about to get going. I happen to have a few retired veterans I'd like to recommend. They're not locals—they're from the northwest. They're very skilled and would be perfect for security positions. Of course, their abilities still need to be tested by your team. Normally, I wouldn't trouble you with this, Julia Yu, but they once saved my life. I heard they retired this year, so I'm thick-skinned enough to recommend them."
Julia Yu nodded as she ate. "Miss Grace, you're truly kind-hearted. Our company is about to start production, and we do need to hire quite a few employees. In fact, a good portion of our staff are people with disabilities and retired soldiers—it's our way of giving back to society. I'm glad you care so much about them. Since you recommended them, we'll definitely give them priority. Just have them prepare resumes and send them to our HR department. Someone will handle all the details."
"That's wonderful. I'll thank you in advance for them, Julia Yu." Grace Xue was straightforward, speaking as if she and Julia Yu were old friends, chatting while she ate. "Besides that, I have a personal request. I'd like to volunteer to help out at your company. Pay is up to you—I just want to do something meaningful and give back to society."
Julia Yu paused mid-chew and looked at Grace Xue. "Miss Xue, I'll be honest—the company will be run by me, Mr. Mo won't be involved. And I'm only acting as interim manager. Once things are on track, a professional manager will take over."
Grace Xue smiled at Julia Yu. "I know. I admit, I do admire Mr. Mo, but I'm not just obsessed with romance—I want to build my own career too. I'm glad you can be so open with me, Julia Yu. I hope one day we can be great friends."
Julia Yu smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Even though she knew Grace Xue was clever and calculating, people are always judged by comparison.
Compared to Li Si, Grace Xue was downright likable.
That's why Julia Yu didn't mind meeting with her.
If every admirer of Max Mo were this ambitious, Julia Yu thought she could accept it.
Even if Snow Grace tried to imitate Cecilia Gu in every way, Julia Yu felt she could accept that too.
Just look at how many people in showbiz do the same kind of persona.
White lotus girls, green tea girls, straight-A student personas, rich heirs, sweet boys, little wolfdog types—there are so many personas out there.
Everyone is playing some kind of persona, so seeing Snow Grace imitate Cecilia Gu doesn't seem like a big deal.
As long as she doesn't go too far, it's really not a problem.
Snow Grace spoke again, "I'll be heading to N City in a few days too. Our family isn't as rich as the Mo Family, and we can't compare to the Yin Family's status in N City, but if there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask, Julia Yu."
"Alright." Julia Yu nodded. "If I ever need anything, I'll be sure to ask."
Hearing Julia Yu say that, Snow Grace seemed relieved. Then, as if she just remembered, she took a small gift box out of her handbag and handed it to Julia Yu with a smile. "Just a little something, nothing expensive. When I saw it, I immediately thought it would suit you, so I bought it."
Julia Yu glanced at the gift Snow Grace handed her. It was a beautiful fountain pen—not a custom model, but definitely a name brand, worth about three or four thousand yuan.
To Julia Yu, the pen wasn't luxurious—her usual pens were in the same price range.
So Julia Yu didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the gift. "Thank you, it's beautiful and suits me perfectly."
"As long as you like it." Snow Grace saw how ravenously Julia Yu was eating and knew she was truly starving. "How many hours do you work each day now?"
Julia Yu didn't even look up. "About fifteen hours, give or take. My apartment is basically just for sleeping. Every three days, a cleaner comes to tidy up and take things to the dry cleaner. Otherwise, I'm either working or on my way to work."
"Being Mr. Mo's attorney is no easy job," Snow Grace remarked. "No wonder Mr. Mo pays you so well."
"Effort and reward always go hand in hand," Julia Yu smiled.
Back when she first graduated, she made just a thousand yuan a month—barely enough to get by.
During the day, she worked at a law firm; at night, she took odd jobs just to survive.
Now, with just this one job, her annual salary is already in the millions, plus bonuses and perks at year-end.
With all the odds and ends added up, she could make nearly two million yuan a year.
Julia Yu felt content with her life.
Busy as she was, she felt her life was full.
After Julia Yu finished her last bite, Snow Grace promptly stood up. "Look at me, keeping you talking for so long and cutting into your rest. Let's catch up again in N City."
"Alright." Julia Yu nodded.
Snow Grace was the first to leave. When Julia Yu went to pay, she was told her bill had already been settled.
Snow Grace, honestly...
Julia Yu shook her head speechlessly.
After leaving, Snow Grace quickly got back into her car and said to the driver, "Let's go home."
The driver soon took Snow Grace to a brand new residential complex in town. Snow Grace opened the car door and walked into her home with poise.
"Well? Did she agree?" Mrs. Grace asked anxiously.
Snow Grace rubbed her forehead and replied, "She agreed. It wasn't a big request, and I was doing it under the banner of charity. Julia Yu would never refuse."
Mrs. Grace was extremely pleased.
She thought her daughter was the most perfect girl in the world.
"Since she agreed, you have to seize the opportunity," Mrs. Grace couldn't help but remind Snow Grace.
"Mom, I know what I'm doing." Snow Grace sat on the sofa, stretched her neck, and said, "Julia Yu isn't some naive pushover. Winning her favor won't be easy."
Mrs. Grace sat down next to her daughter and asked uncertainly, "Are you really sure Julia Yu doesn't want to be with Max Mo?"
Snow Grace glanced at her mother and instantly felt her intelligence must have come from her father.
Such a simple question and she still has to ask.
"If Julia Yu had that intention, Max Mo wouldn't keep her around. Right now, Julia Yu is technically an attorney, but look—her actual work is basically like a right-hand woman. Max Mo is clearly grooming her to be his deputy. For most women, the position of Mrs. Mo is attractive. But some women think being the CEO's deputy is more meaningful." Snow Grace explained, "Of course, I admire women like her, but that's not my path. Life's too tiring—working hard all year for just that much money? Not worth it to me."
Mrs. Grace nodded in agreement. "Exactly! My Snow is so smart and beautiful, why should she work so hard for money? If you become Mrs. Mo, there's nothing you can't have."
Snow Grace didn't answer her mother, but was already thinking about how to win Julia Yu's approval next.
If she got Julia Yu's endorsement, she'd have a shot at winning Max Mo's favor.
Plus, with her looks, Max Mo was bound to be moved.
Besides, with Lisa Li as the negative example, she only looked better by comparison.
Just thinking about that fool Lisa Li made Snow Grace smile with satisfaction.
The more trouble Lisa Li caused, the smarter and more sensible Snow Grace seemed.
That's exactly the effect she wanted.
It wasn't for nothing that she had put effort into stirring things up—Lisa Li was getting more and more irritable.
"Mom, I'm a little tired. I'm going to rest now," Snow Grace said. "I'll be heading to N City next week. Unless it's urgent, don't call me. I have to keep up my hardworking persona."
"Got it," Mrs. Grace replied, pleased.
Snow Grace went back to her room, took off her makeup, soaked in the bath, and was about to rest when her phone buzzed.
A message popped up: "Xue, I miss you so much."
Snow Grace stared at the message for a long time before she steeled herself and deleted it.
Snow Grace closed her eyes and leaned against the headboard.
I'm sorry, we can't be together.
For the Grace Family, for myself, I have to let you go.
Her phone went quiet—no more messages came, as if nothing had ever happened.
Snow Grace slowly opened her eyes, her gaze now unusually determined.
She knew what she wanted, so she had no intention of regretting her choice.
She opened a magazine and looked at a photo of Max Mo in an exclusive interview. Snow Grace brushed her fingers over the picture and muttered through gritted teeth, "Max Mo, I will be your wife. In this life, no one but me will take that spot."
Just like that, a week flew by.
After Julia Yu finished arranging everything here, she set off for N City.
N City was at its liveliest, with tourists flocking in to experience the unique seasonal vibe.
So this year, N City's GDP got another boost.
Julia Yu drove into the city and immediately felt the atmosphere.
"If I were you, I wouldn't get out of the car," Julia Yu said, glancing at Lisa Li in the passenger seat. "You should know what happens if you do."