Chapter 598: Unmoved by Honor or Humiliation

“So that’s how it is,” Ye Qiuyu said coolly. “What about Yu Zong? Doesn’t he do anything?”

“He doesn’t do anything at all! I heard Yu Zong dotes on his girlfriend—whatever she says goes. So even though our boss lowered himself and reached out several times, it was completely useless.”

“Really?”

Ye Qiuyu’s tone was neutral, but a sarcastic smile curled at his lips—he wasn’t the least bit surprised. After all, he’d occasionally kept in touch with Chang Mo’s former colleagues, and he knew full well that Chang Mo had long since become Rong Ci’s one-man rule.

On the other side.

Lian Ningyu walked up to Rong Ci and Yu Moxun and introduced himself: “Yu Zong, Rong Zong, I’m Lian Ningyu, current head of the Lian family. This is our first meeting—please give me your guidance.”

Yu Moxun’s smile faded slightly, but he still shook the man’s hand.

Rong Ci did the same.

Lian Ningyu: “It’s a pity we couldn’t collaborate this time, but there’s plenty of time ahead—I’m sure we’ll have many more opportunities to work together in the future.”

By saying this, Lian Ningyu was already signaling his desire to cultivate goodwill with them.

Yu Moxun replied with an ambiguous tone: “Fair enough.”

Lian Ningyu knew Yu Moxun and Rong Ci wouldn’t change their attitude toward him immediately—but he wasn’t in a hurry.

Yu Moxun and Rong Ci did harbor a grudge by association toward Lian Ningyu, and their reluctance to collaborate or grow close to him stemmed not only from their dislike of Lian Ningqi, but also from fears that if they ever did cooperate, Lian Ningqi would cause trouble.

If that’s the case, why take the risk?

At that moment, someone else came over to speak with them, and Yu Moxun coldly told Lian Ningyu: “Lian Zong, we have other matters—excuse us.”

Lian Ningyu smiled: “No problem.”

Yu Moxun and Rong Ci left.

But they didn’t go far—staying nearby to chat with others.

The Lian family still maintained decent connections in Ducheng, and now others came over to initiate conversation with Lian Ningyu.

While speaking with them, Lian Ningyu accidentally caught sight of Rong Ci out of the corner of his eye.

Rong Ci was talking with Professor Liu and others.

He listened carefully—they were discussing AI-related knowledge. Rong Ci spoke calmly and steadily, yet Professor Liu and the others looked delighted, as if they were seeking her guidance.

He’d naturally heard some rumors about Rong Ci, Feng Tingshen, Lin Wu, and Yu Moxun.

Before meeting Rong Ci, based on what his sister had told him, he’d assumed she was someone who craved attention and was full of self-satisfaction.

But when he reached out to her directly, her tone made him feel Rong Ci was actually quite reasonable.

He sensed that although she was upset about his sister refusing to cooperate, she had no intention of targeting him personally.

Precisely because he sensed this, he had come today to actively mend ties.

Aside from their first communication, now seeing Rong Ci in person—even though they’d barely exchanged words—he realized she truly appeared calm, unperturbed by praise or blame, and utterly unassuming.

At that moment, Lian Ningqi approached, following his gaze and asking: “Brother, what are you looking at?”

Lian Ningyu pulled his gaze away. “Nothing.”

He asked again: “Have you finished talking?”

Lian Ningqi gestured toward Lin Wu. “They’re busy. I can’t spend all day being a third wheel.”