The next day.
After Chu Zilan's fever had completely subsided, Rong Ci finally returned home.
She hadn't prepared a gown for the banquet tomorrow night yet. In the afternoon, Rong Ci headed out.
Upon arriving at a high-end luxury boutique, the shop manager and several clerks were gathered around a specific gown, meticulously attending to it. They only noticed Rong Ci once she drew near.
"Forgive me, Miss. How may we help you?"
"I'll just look around first."
"Of course."
Although she had married into the Feng Family, she had rarely attended banquets over the years. After all, Feng Tingshen and Sang Qian wouldn't bring her along, even if there were formal occasions to attend. As for Old Madame Feng, she had been retired from the social spotlight for years and no longer cared for such vanity fairs.
Rong Ci didn't have much experience with gowns, but since Chu Zilan worked in high-end apparel, Rong Ci had developed a basic aesthetic sense through osmosis over the years.
However, there were so many beautiful dresses in the shop that it was a bit overwhelming. Rong Ci didn't plan on being too picky; she felt anything decent would do.
Just as she thought this, the gown the clerks had been fussing over came fully into her view.
Rong Ci froze for a moment.
It was a lavender semi-sheer tulle gown with a cinched waist. The floral embroidery at the waist was exquisite and unique, and when paired with the elegant, precious necklace on the mannequin's neck, it perfectly blended ethereal grace with opulence.
She couldn't help but walk toward it.
She reached out, wanting to feel the texture of the fabric, but before her hand could touch the gown, the shop manager grabbed her arm firmly.
Rong Ci frowned in pain.
The manager quickly let go. "Apologies, Miss. I didn't mean to be rough, but this gown is a private custom piece for one of our VIP clients. It is the only one of its kind in the world and is incredibly expensive. If anything goes wrong, we wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility..."
"It's all right."
Rong Ci felt a surge of disappointment to find it already belonged to someone else.
The gowns in the shop ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, with the most expensive exceeding a million. Yet, even the shop's priciest pieces seemed mediocre and plain next to that one.
Ultimately, Rong Ci chose a cream silk maxi dress with a floral pattern.
As she was checking out and having the dress wrapped, she overheard two clerks whispering nearby.
"I heard that the necklace and the gown together cost over thirty million. That's like wearing a whole luxury villa. Rich people are so extravagant."
"I know, right? And she'll probably only wear it once..."
Thirty million...
It was that expensive. Even if it hadn't been reserved, she couldn't have afforded it.
Rong Ci shook her head and turned to leave.
Back home, Chu Zilan called to say she wanted to treat her to a big meal tomorrow night. Upon hearing that Rong Ci was attending a banquet, she rushed over the next afternoon, insisting on doing Rong Ci's styling personally.
Rong Ci had good taste; the dress she had picked was excellent. Combined with the makeup Chu Zilan meticulously crafted, Rong Ci's gentle, dignified, and clean temperament was highlighted perfectly.
When Yu Moxun came to pick her up that evening, he was immediately stunned by her appearance. "You're beautiful. It suits you perfectly."
"Thank you."
Once they were in the car, Yu Moxun asked, "So, you're officially returning to the company tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"It just so happens that Lin Wu" He realized Rong Ci didn't know who that was and explained, "That algorithm genius I mentioned before. She starts tomorrow too. I'll introduce you then"
Rong Ci's expression faltered. "Lin Wu? Did you say her name is Lin Wu? Written with the character for 'desolate'? Did she just return from Country A recently?"
Yu Moxun nodded, looking surprised. "Yes. You know her?"
"She is my paternal half-sister."
Yu Moxun was stunned. He knew a bit about Rong Ci's family situation. He hadn't expected such a coincidence.
Rong Ci's gaze turned cold as she added, "She is also the woman Feng Tingshen is having an affair with."
The car screeched as Yu Moxun slammed on the brakes.
His eyes widened. "You"
Rong Ci shook her head. "I'm fine." Her voice was calm as she continued, "Call it an abuse of power if you want, but I do not agree to her joining our company."
Yu Moxun's expression turned solemn, and he agreed without a second thought. "Not at all. I support your decision."
Rong Ci felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you." After a pause, she added, "It's just that you're losing a genius because of this."
Yu Moxun let out a small laugh and glanced at her. "She might be a genius in algorithms, but compared to you, she is worthless."
He spoke the last few words with absolute gravity.
Rong Ci blinked, thinking he was being hyperbolic. Knowing what she was thinking, Yu Moxun smiled. "It's the truth."
Rong Ci hadn't expected him to say that. After a moment of thought, she asked, "She interviewed quite a while ago. Why hasn't she started until now?"
Yu Moxun shook his head. "She said she had some personal matters to handle. I didn't ask for details."
Ten minutes later, they reached their destination. Rong Ci remained lost in thought.
"What's on your mind?" Yu Moxun asked.
"I just don't quite understand why she would want to come to our company."
While their company was doing well, there were plenty of larger, more prominent firms in the country. With Lin Wu's background and education, she had numerous options. Rong Ci was a major shareholder, yes, but for specific reasons, her identity was kept hidden. Lin Wu shouldn't know about her connection to the company.
So, Lin Wu couldn't be coming specifically for her.
Yu Moxun rubbed his chin and suddenly laughed. "When we talked that day, she mentioned our company's programming language. She said she was very interested in CUAP."
Rong Ci had developed CUAP when she was seventeen, leading a research team. At the time, many thought it was ordinary, but it was actually the company's most formidable moat. Over the years, the industry had come to realize just how powerful it was.
Many professional teams had tried to deconstruct and analyze it, but no one could crack it. Now, this programming language had become an untouchable existence in the industry.
There was no doubt about it; Lin Wu was after that programming language.
"Come to think of it, over the past few years, quite a few top-tier talents have come to us specifically for that programming language."
Rong Ci hadn't expected that to be the reason.
Yu Moxun looked at her and patted her head with a smile. "So, when I said she's worthless in front of you, I really wasn't exaggerating."
As her senior who knew her best, how could he not know just how much of a genius Rong Ci was in this field?
After all, before Rong Ci appeared, he was the one everyone praised as a genius.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).