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The Hyatt Hotel’s private ballroom was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the aroma of Chanel No. 5 mixed with alcohol.

Su Ning stood at the door, took a deep breath, and loosened his tie.

This time, Liu Na prepared a deep V-neck silk shirt for him, saying that "it should be subtly revealing to be truly captivating."

"Oh! Little Su is finally here." Mr. Li's voice cut through the noise.

She wore a sequined dress today, and the jewels covering her body sparkled under the chandelier.

She stepped forward and took Su Ning's arm, then introduced him to the five women around the round table: "This is the handsome young man I told you about, the rising star of Lanyang Insurance! Remember to contact Su Ning if you ever need insurance business!"

Five pairs of eyes swept over at once, shining like searchlights on Su Ning from head to toe.

They were all between forty and fifty years old, and the Patek Philippe on their wrists, the Cartier on their necks, and the pigeon egg rings on their fingers silently proclaimed their wealth.

"Xiao Su, I heard you graduated from Shanghai University? My daughter is studying finance there too, maybe you'll even meet." The woman in the purple cheongsam patted the seat next to her. "Come on! Sit here with me."

"it is good."

Over the next half hour, Suning tried three times to explain the newly launched "Premium Annuity Plan," but each time he was interrupted.

"Stop with the nonsense," Mr. Li poured him a glass of Moutai. "Let's drink first! We sisters just like straightforward people!"

The woman in the purple cheongsam immediately chimed in, "That's right! As long as you finish this bottle of wine, Auntie will buy you a lifetime insurance policy!"

The crystal glasses clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

Suning tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, feeling the burning sensation travel from his throat to his stomach.

He caught a glimpse of Mr. Li giving the waiter a wink, and immediately realized that tonight's topic was not insurance at all.

"Little Su has a good alcohol tolerance!" The short-haired woman filled his glass again. "Come on! Try this bottle of Lafite, a treasure from my husband's wine cellar."

The second cup, the third cup... By the time the eighth cup was down, the women began to stagger.

The woman in the purple cheongsam had half of her false eyelashes fall off, yet she still insisted on "crossing cups" with him; Mr. Li's high heels had somehow been kicked off, and she was rubbing his calf under the table with her feet painted with scarlet nail polish.

"You guys... no way... can't let me drink alone, let's all have a good time together..." Su Ning pretended to slur his words, but actually quickly digested the alcohol in his stomach.

The "Immunity to Drink a Thousand Cups" skill granted by the system became a lifeline at this moment.

"Haha, good! That's great! Little Su, you have a bright future."

Then, as the women took turns bombarding Su Ning with drinks, they inevitably found themselves being urged to drink by him as well.

Suning, in particular, was eclectic and had a lot of fun, quickly winning over several older women with smiles on their faces.

At one o'clock in the morning, all six women were slumped in their chairs.

Mr. Li had lipstick smeared on his cheek, and he was still muttering, "Open another bottle"; the woman in the purple cheongsam simply lay down on the table and started snoring.

"Have you ladies had a good time drinking?" Su Ning stood up, her voice unusually clear-headed. "Would you like me to call a car for you?"

However, no one answered.

Then Suning pressed the service bell next to him, and the three male waiters who came in all had knowing expressions on their faces.

"Please help escort these ladies back to their rooms." Su Ning took out the room key given to her by General Manager Li. "Especially this one, she's staying in the presidential suite."

As I stepped out of the hotel, the night breeze brushed against my burning cheeks.

My phone vibrated; it was a voice message from Mr. Li, with the sound of vomiting in the background: "Xiao Su... why are you running away... come to my company tomorrow... to sign the contract..."

"..." Actually, these old women are quite trustworthy, and Su Ning's efforts have clearly yielded equivalent benefits.

……

Meanwhile, in the archives room on the 22nd floor of Lanyang Insurance, Xue Xiaozhou was frowning at the computer screen.

The cold light from the monitor reflected on his pale face, and his eyes behind his glasses were fixed on an electronic insurance policy—the 800 million yuan annuity insurance policy that Hu Manli had signed five years ago.

The more I looked at her, the more I admired her, and I thought she was a true goddess of insurance.

"Commissioner Xue hasn't left yet?" The door to the archives room suddenly opened, and Chen Fang, the director of the claims department, walked in with a cup of coffee.

Xue Xiaozhou subconsciously switched screens: "Good morning, Director! I'm currently compiling the cases of denied claims from last quarter."

Chen Fang gave him a meaningful look: "President Jin just called to ask about the progress of Hu Manli's investigation."

He put down his coffee cup and explained, "The Nanyang Star selection closes next week."

"We've already discovered a few suspicious points," Xue Xiaozhou said, adjusting his glasses, "but we need more evidence."

"Hurry up." Chen Fang turned back before leaving. "By the way, the paper files from 1998 to 2002 are in row 3 of section B. Back then, the electronic system wasn't perfect. These might be your breakthrough point in the investigation."

"clear."

After closing the door, Xue Xiaozhou walked deeper into the archives room.

The third row of section B was covered in dust. He pulled out a yellowed folder containing Hu Manli's first batch of insurance policies from when she first joined the company.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Hu Manli was driving to a niche bookstore in Pudong.

On the passenger seat was her husband's planner, which read "Book Club - Being and Time - Maple Forest Academy".

In the rearview mirror, her carefully drawn eyeliner was slightly upturned.

Today I specially changed my contact lenses, wore a wig, and even replaced my usual Hermes bag with a regular tote bag.

In a corner on the second floor of the bookstore, Ding Zhiyuan was explaining Heidegger.

Among the more than twenty audience members, a young girl in a white dress stood out.

She gazed at him intently, her eyes shining with admiration.

Hu Manli stood in the shadow of the stairs, silently taking several photos with her phone.

When the girl stood up to ask a question, the school badge on her chest was clearly visible: Donghua University Graduate School.

“It really was her…” Hu Manli gritted her teeth.

The photo was enlarged, and the girl's notebook cover page had her name written on it: Wang Xue.

……

The following day at noon, at the Chanel boutique in the IFC Mall.

Hu Manli, accompanied by her assistant Chunlu, selected her "battle outfit" for next week's Nanyang Star Awards ceremony.

"How about this one?" She picked up a beige tweed coat.

“It suits your temperament very well,” Chunlu said respectfully, glancing at the price tag—68,000.

The dressing room curtain was suddenly pulled open, and a woman in a leopard-print dress reached out and took the coat that Hu Manli had her eye on: "Do you still have my size?"

The male sales clerk behind her looked embarrassed and explained, "Ms. Qiu, this is the last one, so we only have this size M left."

"It's alright! Wrap it up for me." The woman took out her black card.

The jade bracelet on her wrist is worth as much as a Mercedes-Benz.

Hu Manli squinted her eyes.

I just learned from the introduction of the luxury store clerk that the woman in front of me is Qiu Lisu, the famous "Black Widow" of Shanghai. Her two husbands died unexpectedly one after another, leaving her a huge inheritance.

Then Qiu Lisu looked at Hu Manli with a half-smile, "What? This lady, you don't have any objections, do you?"

“It’s alright, a gentleman doesn’t take what others love.” Hu Manli smiled and stepped forward. “I am Hu Manli from Lanyang Insurance. I’ve long admired Ms. Qiu.”

Qiu Lisu raised an eyebrow: "That insurance salesman, Manager Hu? I've heard my best friend mention you."

Ten minutes later, the two were sitting in the VIP room drinking champagne.

Hu Manli skillfully steered the conversation towards "asset preservation": "Successful women like you need to plan ahead even more..."

Spring Dew secretly admired him from the side.

Hu Manli's "three-encounter rule" is about to work again: the first encounter establishes an impression, the second demonstrates professionalism, and the third facilitates a transaction.

As she left, Hu Manli instructed Chunlu in the elevator: "Find out the places Qiu Lisu frequents. We need to 'bump into' each other at the Peninsula Hotel for afternoon tea at the same time next week."

"Understood." Back at the company, Hu Manli found an envelope on her desk.

Inside were several photos—Ding Zhiyuan and Wang Xue walking side by side on a tree-lined path on campus, the girl holding a copy of "Being and Time".

There was no signature, but Hu Manli immediately knew who sent it; to be precise, she had hired a private investigator to find out.

……

Meanwhile, in Sales Zone 2, Suning was surrounded by his colleagues.

This morning, Ms. Li called the company directly, specifically asking him to be in charge of all the insurance policies for herself and her group of girlfriends, with an estimated annual premium exceeding five million.

"Wow, kid!" Liu Na punched him lightly. "Those women of President Li's are notoriously difficult to deal with, and you actually managed to get away unscathed?"

Team leader Zhao Zhiqiang patted him on the shoulder, a rare occurrence for him: "Next week I'll take you to meet a big client, Qiu Lisu, whom Director Hu couldn't handle."

Su Ning smiled and responded, but out of the corner of her eye she caught Hu Manli walking past the office area in her high heels, her exquisite makeup unable to conceal the dark circles under her eyes.

Behind her was a thin girl carrying documents; she must be the legendary Chunlu.

Their eyes met briefly.

A hint of surprise flashed in Hu Manli's eyes—perhaps she hadn't expected that this newcomer, who rose to prominence by "accompanying customers for drinks," could get close to her target client so quickly.

On the glass wall of the office area, two completely different insurance careers are reflected: on one side is a newcomer who is just beginning to taste success, and on the other side is a king who is lonely at the top.

Unbeknownst to them, a folder on Xue Xiaozhou's computer named "Investigation Records" was quietly devouring everyone's secrets.

……

The LED screen at Fenglin Academy is displaying a preview of today's event: An in-depth interpretation of "Being and Time" by Professor Ding Zhiyuan of Donghua University.

Hu Manli stood across the street, her scarlet Max Mara "battle robe" like a bloodstain across the gray street.

She checked her phone for the third time—the text message from Ding Zhiyuan that morning saying "worked overtime at school" was still in her inbox.

"Madam, please show your invitation." The staff member stopped her as she was about to enter.

“I am Professor Ding’s wife.” Hu Manli raised her chin, the Cartier necklace on her collarbone gleaming coldly.

"Sorry, advance reservations are required for this event..."

"Teacher's wife?" A clear voice came from behind.

A girl in a white knitted dress was carrying a stack of documents; the Donghua University badge on her chest was dazzlingly bright. "I'm Wang Xue, Professor Ding's teaching assistant. Would you like me to show you in?"

Hu Manli's fingernails dug into her palm.

That's the face—the girl looking up at Ding Zhiyuan in the photo.

She forced a smile: "Thank you for your help."

As they walked down the corridor, Hu Manli deliberately lagged half a step behind, her sharp gaze sweeping over the girl's entire body: cheap flat shoes, unmanicured fingers, and a hair tie that cost ten yuan for three on her ponytail.

Ding Zhiyuan betrayed her for this kind of scum?

"Is Wang a close friend of our Zhiyuan?" Hu Manli suddenly asked.

“Professor Ding is my mentor.” The girl’s ears turned red.

"Is that so?" Hu Manli pulled a photo from her bag and tossed it into her arms—Ding Zhiyuan and Wang Xue were sitting side by side on a school bench, the girl holding a copy of "Being and Time." "Do you know how many years a man is sentenced to for bigamy?"

Wang Xue suddenly stopped, scattering documents all over the floor.

Hu Manli bent down to help her pick up the items, her voice low and sharp as a blade: "Stay away from my husband. I can get Donghua University to cancel your postgraduate admission as easily as crushing an ant."

The venue was already full of listeners.

Ding Zhiyuan was adjusting the microphone on stage when his eyes, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, suddenly narrowed the moment he saw his wife.

Hu Manli walked straight to an empty seat at the back and sat down, her red suit standing out like a wound between the gray-blue seats.

"Next is the Q&A session." As soon as the host finished speaking, Hu Manli raised her hand.

"The lady in the red dress." The host handed her the microphone.

All eyes turned to him.

Hu Manli slowly stood up, a cold smile curving her red lips: "Professor Ding mentioned in his article 'The Dilemma of Modern Family Ethics' that the essence of marriage is 'the truth of coexistence'."

She paused deliberately, "Do you consider yourself happy?"

The venue fell silent instantly.

Ding Zhiyuan's fingers trembled slightly on the podium, and the reflection from his glasses obscured his eyes.

Students in the back row started whispering among themselves.

“This issue…” Ding Zhiyuan cleared his throat, “involves the private sphere…”

“Personal?” Hu Manli pulled a yellowed card from her bag. “Then let’s talk about this— ‘Zhiyuan: Every time I listen to your explanation of Heidegger, it’s like touching the essence of Being. So refined and elegant.’”

She deliberately read in a sweet, cloying tone, causing a stir in the audience. "By the way, Wang Xue, do you like to use pseudonyms when you write love letters?"

Wang Xue stood at the staff table, her face ashen, shaking her head frantically.

Just then, a familiar figure stood up in the third row—Qiu Lisu was wearing a dark green cheongsam today, and her jade earrings swayed gently with her movements.

“Manager Hu, you’ve got the wrong person.” Qiu Lisu’s voice was like champagne with ice. “‘Yangchun Baixue’ is my pen name.”

Hu Manli's cold smile froze on her face.

She watched as this "potential client," whom she had only considered developing a relationship with yesterday, gracefully walked towards the podium, her high heels clicking crisply on the marble floor.

"In 1998, Ding Zhiyuan was the main speaker at the Fudan University Philosophy Department's reading group." Qiu Lisu took out an old photo album from her crocodile skin bag and opened it to a page—a photo of Ding Zhiyuan and Qiu Lisu in their youth under a cherry blossom tree. "Back then, Director Hu was still selling accident insurance, right?"

Ding Zhiyuan suddenly grabbed his briefcase and rushed off the stage.

His gold-rimmed glasses fell off during his escape and were crushed by his own foot.

Wang Xue chased after him in a panic, and the meeting room descended into chaos.

"Shall we talk?" Qiu Lisu gestured invitingly.

Hu Manli then noticed a faint ring mark on her left ring finger, exactly the same spot where Ding Zhiyuan always wore his wedding ring.

In the lounge, Qiu Lisu locked the door from the inside: "Before Zhiyuan and you got married, we lived together for five years."

"So what?" Hu Manli's nails dug into the leather sofa. "His legal wife is me now."

"The law?" Qiu Lisu suddenly burst into laughter. "Back then, he needed an image of 'stable family' to get promoted to professor. And you..."

She gave Hu Manli's designer suit a meaningful look, "She just happens to need an intellectual husband to embellish her image. It's a marriage where each person gets what they want, so what's the point of talking about feelings?"

Hu Manli grabbed a teacup and smashed it against the wall, shards of porcelain flying everywhere: "What right do you have...?"

“I know he has a birthmark on his back, and I know he has insomnia if he doesn’t use earplugs…” Qiu Lisu slowly applied her lipstick. “By the way! Has he started taking paroxetine again recently? That medicine is bad for the stomach, remember to remind him to take it after meals.”

Then Hu Manli left the VIP room with embarrassment, bumping right into Xue Xiaozhou outside the door.

Immediately afterwards, Xue Xiaozhou angrily pushed the door open.

Xue Xiaozhou burst in, panting, his white shirt soaked with sweat: "Qiu Lisu! What are you up to now? Are you addicted to being a mistress?"

“Xiaozhou…” Qiu Lisu gently brushed his hand away, as if brushing away a speck of dust, “It’s a misunderstanding! Let me explain…”

Thirteen years ago, Qiu Lisu was playing cards with Xue Xiaozhou's mother, but she took the opportunity to seduce his father.

However, his father kicked Xue Xiaozhou and Xue Xiaozhou's mother out of the house.

After Xue Xiaozhou's father died, Qiu Lisu took over his company.

Now Qiu Lisu wants to sell her father's house to solve the company's crisis and has promised to give Xue Xiaozhou 500,000 yuan.

However, Xue Xiaozhou firmly disagreed, because that was his father and mother's home before their deaths, and Qiu Lisu had no right to sell that house.

...(End of chapter)