Dong Qihua had nothing to complain about.
However, given Wen Xiang Yuan's current status, there was absolutely no need for her to be so cordial.
Before arriving at the meeting, she had assumed this was merely a dinner for show, and that Wen Xiang Yuan would not say anything of substance.
"There is indeed a small favor I need from you."
Wen Xiang Yuan's smile was incredibly magnetic. With her looks combined with a smile honed through years of training, she was difficult for anyone to resist, regardless of gender.
Dong Qihua remained silent for a moment before asking cautiously.
"What is it?"
"I want to start a collaboration with the Dong family. But I do not necessarily have to talk to your father; I could talk to you instead."
Dong Qihua sat up straight, her eyes gleaming slightly.
She realized what Wen Xiang Yuan was handing her.
The lever of power.
If Wen Xiang Yuan chose Dong Qihua as her partner, her status and influence within the Dong family would be incomparable to what they were before.
Wen Xiang Yuan was building her own network, and she had been chosen.
"What do I need to do?"
Dong Qihua was no fool; Wen Xiang Yuan's choice definitely came with conditions.
In other words, she needed to provide something to prove her value.
Wen Xiang Yuan enjoyed dealing with smart people. She swirled the wine in her glass, lazily observing the delicate patterns of the liquid.
"I want the administrator identity for the Scavenger Project's monitoring and operation system."
Dong Qihua's eyes widened.
"This..."
The Dong family had built their fortune on world operation monitoring systems. Their industry spanned various projects, but the Scavenger Project was undoubtedly a very special one.
While other projects were within the Federation, where the Dong family's system acted more like an intelligent security guard—a second line of defense.
The Scavenger Project, however, was located in an alternate space and relied entirely on the Dong family's system to maintain its operation.
This was the most important project the Dong family possessed.
"You should be very clear about the Dong family's attitude toward the Scavenger Project," Wen Xiang Yuan said slowly, her tone seemingly indifferent.
"Is the Scavenger Project important? Yes. But it is an old project. Your Dong family has long since pushed it to the back of your minds, have you not?"
"What you want is a project that can make the Dong family stand out in the Federation once again."
"The collaboration I am offering is also related to the Scavenger Project. The difference is that it is a Scavenger Entertainment Project aimed solely at the Federation's elite."
Wen Xiang Yuan's smile was sincere. "So, you understand now, do you not? My request for the administrator identity is not an outrageous demand."
Dong Qihua gritted her teeth. From Wen Xiang Yuan's words, she gathered that they intended to repurpose the Scavenger Project from the other world and offer it to financial magnates with extremely high entertainment thresholds.
Only a world of such visceral reality could pique their interest.
"The administrator controls are with my brother..."
Wen Xiang Yuan did not speak. She listened quietly. If Dong Qihua could not do it, she would simply find another partner.
She had chosen her because... their situations shared certain similarities.
If the other woman could demonstrate her worth, she did not mind giving her a hand.
"I will find a way."
In the end, Dong Qihua steeled her heart and agreed.
Wen Xiang Yuan smiled. "What spirit."
Dong Qihua was drenched in sweat. After just one dinner, she discovered that this Miss Wen—who had been out of the public eye for a long time and was supposedly destined to marry the President's nephew—was unfathomable.
Rumors were flying about why Lan An had suddenly changed his mind.
Most were speculating about Lan An's thoughts, while the general perception of Miss Wen remained the same.
That she was just a beautiful woman.
But Dong Qihua was now certain that Wen Xiang Yuan was anything but simple.
The fact that she could suddenly topple Wen Gan Ting and become the person in Lan An's eyes was entirely due to her own capabilities.
"Are you still going to enter the political marriage with the President's nephew?"
Dong Qihua was curious. Had Wen Xiang Yuan not already reached a point where she no longer needed to be a pawn for marriage?
Wen Xiang Yuan gave her a strange look. "Of course I am."
"Why would I refuse?"
It was such a perfect opportunity to expand her sphere of influence.
The cost was negligible. Marriage? Dignity? Face? Her body?
Those were all trivial matters.
As long as she gained power, as long as she could achieve her ultimate goal.
Wen Xiang Yuan was willing to give up anything.
Dong Qihua's eyes flickered.
It seemed she had misjudged her as well.
Wen Xiang Yuan had never been a weak girl; she had been incredibly ruthless toward herself from the very beginning.
After obtaining power, she did not indulge in luxury or become overbearing. She did not even refuse the things she was supposedly unwilling to do.
She accepted everything that came her way.
"That Scavenger Entertainment Project..."
Wen Xiang Yuan set down her wine glass and gently dabbed her lips with a napkin.
"Once I have the administrator identity, I will formally discuss it with you."
Dong Qihua nodded, hesitating for a moment before speaking.
"I just feel... a bit... uneasy."
She did not notice the woman across from her pause her movements as she continued. "Even though the people in that project are all artificial humans, they can still be considered human."
"I entered the monitoring system once before. They truly treat the purification project as their faith..."
"And now, an entertainment project is going to be added..."
Dong Qihua's gaze was conflicted, but she quickly cast aside that pity.
She was powerless to change it. Everyone had their own fate, just like in the Federation.
They were the upper class, far better off than the scavengers or the people at the bottom.
Yet they also could not control their own lives.
It was even possible that, aside from their wealthy lifestyles, their spirits and freedom were more impoverished than those at the bottom.
All living beings were slaves to the Federation.
"I am sorry. Please do not take what I just said to heart."
Dong Qihua apologized solemnly. The other party had offered such a rich reward; she could not be ungrateful and turn around to criticize them.
She was prepared to lose this chance to change her fate because of her recklessness.
However, the woman across from her did not seem angry. Instead, she looked at her with a meaningful gaze.
"Miss Wen?"
Wen Xiang Yuan took a deep look at Dong Qihua. "Miss Dong, if you can fulfill my requirements and follow me loyally, I can give you far more than you imagine."
Dong Qihua looked at Wen Xiang Yuan in surprise. The other woman had already stood up elegantly. "Then, I shall wait for your good news."
...
Wen Xiang Yuan sat before her vanity mirror while two newly replaced maids helped her with her makeup and hair.
A stern-faced woman stood behind her. Wen Xiang Yuan watched her through the mirror.
"Wen Shen, have you finished the task I gave you?"
Wen Shen nodded respectfully.
"All the servants around Master Wen have been replaced."
"I will monitor his daily schedule and report any situation to you, Miss."
Wen Xiang Yuan held a sapphire earring against her ear to check the fit. "Mm. And what about Grandfather's side?"
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