Hidden truth, intricate love

Chapter 159 Telegram Invitation

After the exhibition, Lin Yue and Li Hao returned to their company with a wealth of gains. After several days of intense activities, their project has received more attention and support, and several companies have contacted them, expressing their willingness to cooperate in promoting rural culture.

Lin Yue sat at her desk, flipping through the meeting minutes and letter of intent from the exhibition, her eyes focused, a satisfied smile on her lips. She had always been a capable person, quick to find solutions when faced with problems, leaving no room for emotion. But this time, a lingering uneasiness still lingered within her.

Li Hao pushed open the door and walked into her office, placing the documents in his hand on her desk. "Here are some proposals from this morning. Several companies are willing to provide financial support for our project. As long as the plan is confirmed, the contract can be signed soon."

Lin Yue nodded, looked up at him, and smiled slightly, "Yes, this exhibition has given our project a significant boost. You performed very well, and your work efficiency is even higher than before."

Li Hao sighed softly and relaxed in the chair opposite him: "Yeah, I've been so busy these past few days that I've even had less time to sleep. I really need to find a chance to rest well."

Lin Yue smiled and was about to speak when she felt her phone vibrate. She looked down and saw a text message from Chen Wan.

"Lin Yue, nice to meet you. I'm really interested in your project. Is there any chance for further cooperation with you?"

The message seemed polite, but Lin Yue felt a tinge of displeasure. Chen Wan, knowing full well that her connection with Li Hao was blocked, had turned directly to her. Lin Yue's brow furrowed slightly, a sense of caution rising in her heart. **It seemed this woman really wouldn't give up easily.**

She didn't reply, but simply put her phone on the table and continued to look through the documents as if nothing had happened. But she knew that this secret war was far from over.

A few days later, Lin Yue returned from a meeting and saw Li Hao standing at the door of her office, looking a little helpless. He was holding his phone, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yue asked. Her intuition told her that this matter might be related to Chen Wan again.

Li Hao looked up at her and gave her a helpless smile. "That was Chen Wan who just called. She wanted to invite me to a public welfare lecture on rural revitalization. I politely declined, but she still wanted to meet me to talk."

Lin Yue snorted coldly, her eyes icy. "She's truly persistent. I've long said her intentions aren't simply about cooperation." She paused, her tone growing firmer. "Li Hao, you should understand that some people won't give up just because you avoid them."

Li Hao was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly: "I understand. From now on, I will be more direct in rejecting her invitations and completely cut off this connection."

Lin Yue's eyes softened slightly, and her tone became a little gentler: "I believe you. But the longer this matter drags on, the more disadvantageous it will be for us."

Her steadfastness reassured Li Hao. He knew Lin Yue had always been his most trusted partner, someone he cherished even more deeply. He didn't want Chen Wan's obsession to affect their cooperation and relationship, so he secretly resolved to completely sever the ties of their old relationship.

Although Li Hao tried to avoid contact with Chen Wan, things did not go as he wished. A few days later, he and Lin Yue met Chen Wan at a cultural promotion forum. As the curator of the organizer, she attended the forum's keynote speech and gave a speech about rural culture.

Chen Wan stood on the stage, dressed in a smart professional attire, with a calm demeanor and sincere words, sharing her understanding and concern for the inheritance of rural culture. Her speech won much applause from the audience, clearly gaining their approval.

However, Lin Yue felt a sense of unease. She could sense that some of the ideas Chen Wan had mentioned in her speech were clearly similar to the project concepts Li Hao had shared with her, and even had a touch of Li Hao's personal style.

"She's borrowing Li Hao's ideas to attract attention." Lin Yue sneered inwardly, feeling a hint of anger. But she suppressed her emotions and sat expressionlessly in the audience, quietly waiting for the speech to end.

After the speeches, everyone gathered in the conference room's tea break area to chat. Lin Yue and Li Hao went to a quiet corner to discuss their upcoming work arrangements. Just then, Chen Wan approached with a glass of wine in hand and greeted them with a smile.

"Li Hao, Lin Yue, long time no see." Her tone was natural, as if nothing had happened.

Lin Yue nodded gently with a polite smile, but didn't respond much. Li Hao also seemed a little reserved, but he nodded anyway.

Chen Wan seemed to be unconcerned with their indifference, and continued to speak easily: "My speech just now was mainly aimed at the promotion of rural culture. I hope to bring more attention to this field. In fact, Li Hao, your project has inspired me in many aspects." As she spoke, she looked at Li Hao with a smile.

Lin Yue raised her eyebrows slightly and said in a cold voice, "Chen Wan, our project has been researched and planned extensively, and its content is quite original. Since you are also interested, why don't you formally submit a cooperation application so that we can discuss it from a professional perspective."

A trace of embarrassment crossed Chen Wan's face, but she quickly concealed it, still wearing a faint smile: "Lin Yue, you misunderstood. I just wanted to express my respect and admiration for Li Hao."

Lin Yue smiled faintly, with a subtle hint of sarcasm in her tone: "Respect and admiration should be kept at an appropriate distance, otherwise misunderstandings are likely to occur."

This sentence caused the atmosphere to freeze for a moment. Chen Wan, looking slightly embarrassed, turned to look at Li Hao. "Li Hao, do you remember those activities we planned together in college? Back then, you were much more free-spirited than you are now."

An uneasy look crossed Li Hao's face, as if he had been transported back in time. Lin Yue watched their interaction coldly, an indescribable anger rising in her heart.

That evening, Lin Yue and Li Hao met in the hotel lobby to prepare dinner. Lin Yue walked silently ahead, her face stern. Li Hao noticed her displeasure and asked softly, "Lin Yue, are you unhappy with me today?"

Lin Yue stopped, turned around, and looked at him sharply: "Li Hao, I feel that your attitude towards Chen Wan is very unclear. No matter how much she tries to get close to you, if you are decisive, she will not push her any further."

Li Hao was stunned for a moment, then said helplessly, "I've tried my best to avoid contact with her. I didn't expect her to bring up the past in public..."

Lin Yue took a deep breath, her eyes calm and resolute. "Li Hao, I don't want this kind of person or thing to affect our project, and I don't want it to ruin our cooperation. Do you understand?"

Li Hao looked at her and nodded slowly: "I understand. I will draw the line more clearly to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

Lin Yue's expression softened slightly, but she still held a certain degree of vigilance. She knew that Chen Wan's presence had become a hidden danger between them, and if it wasn't completely resolved, it would likely lead to more trouble.

At night, Lin Yue stood alone in front of the window of her hotel room, overlooking the night view of the city. Her heart was still restless. Chen Wan's appearance made her feel an indescribable crisis.

She knew that she was not only maintaining the integrity of the project, but also defending the trust between her and Li Hao.