Cecilia Gu paused mid-step.
She turned around, curiosity in her eyes as she looked at Lisa Li.
Lisa Li didn’t seem like the same person she was a few years ago. Though her personality was still a bit overbearing, she’d definitely toned it down compared to before.
Cecilia nodded and said, "Alright."
She was curious to see what Lisa Li wanted to talk about.
Lisa Li walked up to Cecilia, sat down directly in front of her, and got straight to the point. "Someone from Zachary Qu’s side reached out to me in private."
Cecilia raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"He wants to get close to Max Mo," Lisa said. "He’s ambitious."
Cecilia smiled. "And what’s the point of telling me all this?"
"I’m worried you’ll fall for Zachary Qu’s schemes and drag Max Mo into it," Lisa blurted out, her face suddenly flushing red. But her tone grew more forceful. "No one’s told me exactly what happened, but I’m not stupid. I can sense this trip to Malaysia isn’t as simple as it looks. The Qu Family is way more complicated than I thought. Zachary Qu is just a kid raised outside the family who’s never been favored—why is he so desperate to get close to Max Mo? It must be about fighting for power in the Qu Family. Since Max Mo cares so much about you, Zachary Qu is trying to win the Mo Family’s approval by getting close to you. It makes sense."
Cecilia laughed again. "Then why don’t you think Zachary Qu is getting close to me for the Yin Family? The Yins aren’t exactly small-time, are they?"
"I don’t care who Zachary Qu is after. Just don’t hold Max Mo back," Lisa said stiffly.
"Alright, don’t worry. I won’t hold him back," Cecilia nodded.
Lisa hadn’t expected Cecilia to agree so easily. She was caught off guard—she’d actually prepared a whole speech for this.
But Cecilia just agreed right away, leaving Lisa a little at a loss.
"And about Julia Yu," Lisa said, still stiff. "Don’t think Max Mo put her by your side because it means anything."
Cecilia seemed to get what Lisa meant. She raised a hand to order a juice, took a sip, and said to Lisa, "You’re wary of Julia Yu."
"I am not!" Lisa retorted sharply.
"Maybe it’s not my place to say this, but I’ll give you a piece of advice: if you really want to be with Max Mo, don’t try to be clever." Cecilia tapped her head and spoke seriously. "Max Mo has never liked women who think they’re smarter than everyone else."
With that, Cecilia stood up. "Alright, I’ve said what I needed to say. Goodbye."
Cecilia left lightly, leaving Lisa sitting there, fists clenched, struggling to calm herself.
Before Lisa could compose herself, Zachary Qu, who had just left, returned.
Zachary Qu ordered a gorgeous cocktail for Lisa. "A beautiful drink for a beautiful lady."
Lisa’s attention was immediately drawn to the cocktail Zachary had ordered.
The cocktail had three layers: a seductive red on top, a deep blue in the middle, and pure gold at the bottom.
Each color was distinct, yet somehow they blended together perfectly, creating a dazzling display.
"Zachary Qu, what do you want to know from me?" Lisa wasn’t stupid; she cut straight to the point. "If you’re trying to ask what I talked about with Cecilia just now, I’m sorry—I can’t tell you."
Zachary let out a soft laugh. "You’ve got it all wrong. I just wanted to give you a drink. And maybe hear if Miss Lisa Li has any misunderstandings about me."
"Misunderstandings?" Lisa looked up at Zachary.
Zachary nodded. "There’s something I think I should clear up."
Lisa looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.
"The people who approached you weren’t mine," Zachary said.
Sure enough, Lisa’s expression visibly changed.
Compared to Cecilia, she really was out of her depth.
Zachary lowered his gaze and sighed. "Someone used my name to approach you, didn’t they? My brothers really will do anything to stir things up!"
"What are you talking about?" Lisa felt a bit lost. "Why use your name?"
"Probably to ruin my reputation with Mr. Mo," Zachary said with a bitter smile. "I’m just an illegitimate child born to a mistress—even though I’m listed under the Third Madam, it doesn’t change my origins. But my brothers never let up, always afraid I’ll steal their resources. I didn’t mean to overhear your conversation with Miss Yun, I just happened to catch a bit, so I had to come clear things up."
Lisa’s face flushed red.
Getting caught talking behind someone’s back is embarrassing for anyone.
"Someone used my name to approach you and said a bunch of misleading things. My image with Mr. Mo is ruined—for good. No matter how well I behave in the future, he’ll never see me differently. That move was brutal—really ruthless." Zachary looked helpless.
Lisa felt a little embarrassed too. "Sorry, I had no way to verify if those people were really yours."
"It’s fine. As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up," Zachary said, looking unconcerned. "I just follow my eldest brother. I’ll never inherit the Qu Family—maybe I’ll get some shares, enough to live comfortably. I just don’t want my name dragged through the mud. But Miss Lisa Li, I really admire how much you care about Mr. Mo."
That one sentence made Lisa drop her guard, and she replied, a little shyly, "What’s there to admire?"
"You’re always thinking of Mr. Mo, putting him first in everything. That kind of devotion is really touching." Zachary’s eyes sparkled with sincerity as he gazed at Lisa.
After all, Lisa was just a recent college graduate—she was no match for a smooth talker like Zachary. A couple of compliments and she was completely flustered.
Lisa answered instinctively, "Of course. If I don’t protect him, who else would I protect?"
"Exactly! It’s rare to meet someone you truly care about. If you do, you should fight for it and cherish it," Zachary agreed.
Lisa was happy Zachary agreed with her, so she asked, "Zachary, do you have someone you like too?"
"I didn’t understand before. But just a few days ago, I finally met the person who made my heart race. Sadly, I like her so much, but she can’t give me any response. It’s tough." Zachary looked dejected. "The person I like already has someone else in her heart."
Lisa immediately felt a connection. "Yeah, it’s tough when your feelings aren’t returned."
A hint of amusement flashed in Zachary’s eyes, though his face stayed dejected. "It’s our first time meeting, Miss Lisa Li, but it really feels like we’re old friends. I hope you don’t mind me reaching out—I just want to be friends, nothing more. It’s just, we seem to share the same troubles, so I couldn’t help but open up."
"No, not at all! I hope you get what you wish for." Lisa was no match for a charmer like Zachary—she went from adversary to kindred spirit in no time. "You have a lot going for you. Whoever you love will be lucky to have you."
"I really want to make her happy," Zachary said, a little shy. "I want to tell her how I feel, but I’m not sure she’ll give me the chance. Miss Lisa Li, since we’re kindred spirits, could I ask you to say a few words for me? I hope it’s not too much trouble."
As he spoke, Zachary took out a brocade box and set it on the table. "I happened to come across a little trinket—not worth much, but it suits you perfectly. Even the prettiest things need someone to wear them to show their true value. You’re beautiful, kind, and sweet—this is just right for you."
Lisa had planned to refuse.
But when she saw what was inside the box, she couldn’t say no.
It was a diamond brooch shaped like a bellflower—absolutely gorgeous.
It was obviously worth a lot.
And the diamond in the brooch was a rare pink diamond.
Natural pink diamonds are rare, but one carved so beautifully is even rarer.
Lisa fell in love with it at first sight, so she couldn’t bring herself to refuse Zachary.
"Zachary, what do you want me to help with?" Lisa asked.
Zachary chuckled. "Not much—just on my father’s birthday, could you help invite her out? I want to surprise her."
Lisa thought it over—it was just helping set up a confession, no big deal. Easy enough.
Getting such a beautiful brooch for something so simple—totally worth it.
As long as Zachary wasn’t after Max Mo, she didn’t care who he liked or who he wanted to confess to!
Thinking this, Lisa accepted the brooch and smiled. "A true friend helps others find happiness. Since you’re sincere, I’ll help you out."
Zachary’s smile widened. "Thank you, Miss Lisa Li. I won’t bother you any longer. Goodbye."
Zachary got up to leave, and as he walked away, a determined smile appeared on his face.
He’d never failed to get what he wanted.
No matter the cost, he was determined to succeed.
The Qu Family—he was determined to win.
After Zachary left, Lisa happily pinned the brooch to her chest, her smile impossible to hide.
Meanwhile, Max Mo’s assistant hurried over and said to him, "The Qu Family has started making moves."