Chapter 9: QUEEN.

Outside, the city skyline twinkled like a distant galaxy, a mesmerizing tapestry of lights that seemed to dance in the night. As the moon cast its gentle glow through the window, Mrs. Yun sat by her daughter's bedside in the VIP ward of the hospital. The room, bathed in the soft luminescence of dimmed lamps, seemed to hold its breath, enveloping them in a cocoon of tranquility.

Mrs. Yun's silhouette, illuminated by the faint light, exuded a serene strength as she tenderly clasped her daughter's hand.

"Darling, the doctor says you're not in critical condition, so you're free to leave the hospital," She murmured softly, her voice suffused with tenderness as she gazed upon her beloved daughter.

"How is it, Mom? Can you make that wretched woman suffer for what she's done to me?" Yun Ning's voice trembled with urgency as she sat up, clutching her mother's hand with desperate intensity.

Mrs. Yun's heart sank as she sighed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gloominess. With a gentle shake of her head, she conveyed the truth.

"Why can't you make her pay, Mom?! Don't tell me you're going soft on her! She's the reason I'm lying here!" Yun Ning's frustration erupted like a volcano, her words echoing with raw emotion as her anger blazed uncontrollably.

"Ning'er, please, listen to me!" Mrs. Yun pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency as she reached out to her daughter, her eyes brimming with concern. Despite the gravity of the situation, she felt compelled to disclose the truth about Han Lixin's identity. "She is Han Lixin...The Eldest Young Miss of the Han Family. She isn't a servant!"

"Han Lixin..." Yun Ning repeated softly, her brow furrowed in concentration as she struggled to recall the significance of the name.

"I've never heard of her!" Yun Ning declared, her tone resolute after a moment of contemplation.

"Darling, you needn't concern yourself with her. Just know that I share your sentiments. I, too, harbor a deep-seated resentment towards her. I will never allow her to find happiness!" Mrs. Yun affirmed, her touch gentle as she brushed a stray lock of hair from her daughter's forehead, her eyes betraying a steely resolve beneath the facade of maternal warmth.

"Why did she appear at today's party?" Yun Ning asked, her confusion evident in her furrowed brow.

"It's because she is Cheng Yuze's official wife," Mrs. Yun explained.

The moment the words left Mrs. Yun's lips, Yun Ning, always known for her charm and wealth, felt a surge of emotions overwhelm her. Unable to contain her rage, she screamed with fury, her body trembling with anger.

"Mom! I despise that woman! I want to kill her! She's not right for Ah Ze!" Yun Ning clutched the bedsheet tightly, her eyes burning with intensity.

"I know, my dear. We will visit Mrs.Cheng tomorrow. It will be our chance to destroy her," Mrs. Yun reassured, rising slightly to embrace her daughter, her touch offering solace.

Deep inside, Mrs. Yun's feelings mirrored Yun Ning's turmoil. Her reputation had been tarnished by that woman's presence.

She will make her pay!

...

As the morning sun gently filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow into the spacious bedroom, the tranquility of the new day began to unfold. The soft golden rays danced across the room, illuminating every corner with a soft, ethereal light.

In the center of the room, a large bed adorned with plush pillows and luxurious linens stood as a sanctuary of comfort and serenity. A woman lay peacefully on the bed, her delicate features bathed in the gentle morning light. A small towel rested on her forehead, as she slept soundly, her breaths steady and calm.

Beside the bed, a figure stirred on the couch, the morning sunlight casting a warm halo around him. It was Cheng Yuze, his form relaxed as he slept, his presence a silent guardian watching over the person on the bed.

With a soft exhale, Han Lixin slowly opened her eyes, the morning light filtering through the curtains casting a warm glow around her. As her vision adjusted to the brightness, she reached out with delicate fingers and gently brushed the small towel resting on her forehead. The fabric was cool to the touch, offering a soothing sensation against her skin.

Han Lixin sat up, her movements fluid and unhurried. She carefully placed the small towel aside, her gaze momentarily lingering on it before shifting to the figure sleeping soundly on the nearby couch.

Cheng Yuze lay sprawled on the couch, his features softened in sleep. His arm was draped casually over his forehead, the rise and fall of his chest steady and rhythmic. Despite the peacefulness of his slumber, a faint furrow marred his brow, hinting at the burdens he carried even in his dreams.

She remembered conversing with Cheng Yuze last night, but the details eluded her grasp despite her efforts to recall them. Perhaps it was because of the fever, or else this man wouldn't appear here with the small white towel on her forehead.

"How long are you going to stare at me?" The cold, magnetic voice jolted Han Lixin from her reverie, prompting her to hastily avert her gaze from Cheng Yuze, whose presence had captivated her attention for longer than she intended.

"A proud peacock indeed," Han Lixin muttered under her breath speechlessly. With a determined stride, she descended from the bed, purposefully ignoring Cheng Yuze as she made her way toward the bathroom.

"Not even a word of thanks," Cheng Yuze grumbled in annoyance, straightening up and rubbing his temple to dispel the remnants of sleepiness that clung to his mind.

Slipping his hand into his pajamas pocket, he retrieved his phone and unlocked it, only to be met with a flurry of missed calls from Jian Yu. Glancing at the time, he was taken aback to realize it was already nearing ten o'clock.

"Damn..." Cheng Yuze cursed inwardly. He berated himself for oversleeping. His gaze involuntarily drifted towards the closed bathroom door, his thoughts lingering on the woman within. It was her fault, after all; he had spent the entire night taking care of her.

With a sense of urgency, Cheng Yuze hastily dialed in Jian Yu's number.

"What's wrong?" he demanded as soon as Jian Yu picked up, his tone was serious. Cheng Yuze knew his assistant well enough to discern that multiple missed calls meant something significant had transpired.

"Thank goodness you finally answered!" Jian Yu's relief was palpable through the phone line.

"Tell me, what's going on?" Cheng Yuze pressed, his focus unwavering as he prepared himself for the report that followed.

"Young Master! The CEO of CP Bank has just launched a new project, and it's gaining unprecedented traction among customers! Their user data is surpassing ours!" Jian Yu didn't mince words, swiftly delivering the urgent news.

"Are you referring to Lu Mofan, the CEO of the CP Bank?"

Lu Mofan was known as the youngest CEO in the business world. He had been promoted to CEO by his father at the age of 20, taking over the reins after Chairman Mo retreated behind the scenes. Many doubted whether Lu Mofan could handle the responsibilities at such a young age, but he surprised everyone with his unique business acumen.

"Yes, it's him," Jian Yu responded through the phone.

"CP Bank has always been ranked second to ours...This time, they've managed to reach the top?" Cheng Yuze asked slowly, his brows furrowing in surprise at the sudden ascent of the other party.

"Yes... It's because..." Jian Yu hesitated, unsure whether he should share the recent rumors he had heard regarding CP Bank's success.

"Speak your mind," Cheng Yuze ordered sternly, sensing Jian Yu's hesitation.

"I heard a recent rumor that the new project CP Bank launched wasn't Lu Mofan's idea. There's someone behind the scenes helping him, rumored to be a new mysterious business consultant. Everyone at CPs calls her PRINCESS..." Jian Yu gulped lightly, feeling a bit afraid that his next sentence might anger his boss.

"The most important point is that PRINCESS contacts them through the internet rather than appearing in person. I asked our people to investigate her too, but they found nothing. She conceals her identity well; our people can't even trace her location through her account. This situation reminds me of something that happened before, Young Master... Her existence somehow reminds me of..."

Before Jian Yu could finish his sentence, Cheng Yuze cut him off coldly.

"QUEEN."