Chapter 40: Acquiring Snow Kiss for Her

Fushi Group President’s Office.

Fu Yancheng sprang up from his chair, the panic in his eyes swiftly replaced by a resolute determination.

He was going to bring Qiao Xi back.

Without hesitation, he pressed the intercom. “Zhou Ze, get in touch with the M Country branch. I’ve changed my mind about the celebration event I previously declined.”

“Arrange the trip immediately—book the earliest flight.”

On the other end of the line, Zhou Ze was clearly taken aback but recovered quickly. “Yes, sir!”

—

At that very moment, Qiao Xi was in a law firm’s office with her core team.

“The Miller team moved fast. They’ve bought out the top spots on all major platforms and industry media,” the lawyer said, gesturing at the screen dominated by a barrage of headlines.

“The topic of ‘Snow Kiss suspected of plagiarizing Backlight’s design’ has exploded.”

Qiao Xi’s phone had been inundated with harassing calls and messages, forcing her to switch it off. She now relied on a temporary number for essential contacts.

“We must immediately request a judicial freeze on their so-called evidence, for forensic analysis,” the lawyer said. “Especially that so-called original draft they claim predates ours.”

Qiao Xi’s voice was astonishingly calm and clear. “We cannot let them dictate the tempo.”

Since its launch, Snow Kiss had outperformed Backlight in sales, which had sparked Karl Miller’s jealousy and malicious framing.

Their opponent had come well-prepared, and public opinion was overwhelmingly one-sided. The reputation of “Snow Kiss” was crumbling at a pace visible to the naked eye.

—

Fu Yancheng had already arrived in M Country.

He stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the branch office’s top floor, his gaze heavy and brooding.

For what felt like the hundredth time, his phone relayed the message: “The number you have dialed is currently unavailable.”

Fu Yancheng had worked all night, leveraging every connection to confirm Qiao Xi’s arrival on a flight two days prior.

But after she entered the country, her trail vanished.

“Keep looking,” he ordered his assistant.

“Expand the search. Check surveillance at all nearby airports...anywhere she could be.”

“Yes, sir.”

His assistant then added, “President Fu, that Snow Kiss brand you’ve always kept an eye on—there’s trouble. The tech and finance news sections...it’s all over the place.”

Fu Yancheng’s brows furrowed sharply as he took the tablet.

On the screen, the shocking headline leapt out: “Snow Kiss Suspected of Plagiarizing International Giant Backlight’s Design.”

The accompanying photo showed Karl Miller at a press conference, his expression full of righteous fury.

—

The article bristled with accusations of concrete proof and theft, while the comment section overflowed with vicious abuse.

Fu Yancheng scrolled through the reports, his expression growing darker with every line.

Nearly every major media outlet had jumped on the story, fueling a one-sided public lynching.

“Snow Kiss...”

He murmured the name.

This upstart brand, which had emerged with spiritual, unique designs in the beauty industry over the past six months, had always caught his eye. He’d even considered acquiring it as a gift for Qiao Xi.

Now, Snow Kiss was isolated and embattled—the perfect opportunity for Fushi Group to make its move.

“Contact the current head of the Snow Kiss brand,” he commanded. “Express, on behalf of Fushi Group, our high regard for their brand value and market potential.”

“And, given the circumstances, state our preliminary intention for a full acquisition.”

His subordinate hesitated. Snow Kiss was mired in scandal, its value at rock bottom—perhaps even worthless. Making an acquisition offer now was an enormous risk.

“President Fu, with all the negative press...shouldn’t we assess—”

“Do it now.” Fu Yancheng cut him off. “No bargaining. Present an offer generous enough to tempt them.”

“Emphasize that Fushi will provide all necessary legal and public relations support, unconditionally, to help Snow Kiss weather this crisis.”

The subordinate dared not protest further and hurried off.

Silence reclaimed the office.

Fu Yancheng turned back to the window, his gaze darker than the night itself.

—

When Gu Ranran, the interim head of Snow Kiss, received Fushi Group’s astonishingly generous acquisition proposal, she could hardly believe her ears. She immediately relayed the news to Qiao Xi, who was still locked in a desperate battle at the law office.

Qiao Xi was stunned.

Fu Yancheng?

Why would he make an acquisition offer at a time like this? Was it merely coincidence, or...did he know something?

Her “Snow Kiss” would never be allowed to fall into anyone’s hands—least of all his—while it was in such a desperate state!

Without hesitation, she ordered Gu Ranran, “Reply to Fushi Group and thank them for their interest.”

“Snow Kiss is our labor of love and is not for sale. Not now, not ever.”

“Tell him to give up.”

A few days later, a gala attended by the business elite unfolded at M Country’s landmark hotel.

Fu Yancheng was present, glass in hand, distractedly responding to the small talk swirling around him.

Karl Miller was there as well. Upon seeing Fu Yancheng, he laughed heartily and strode over with enthusiasm. “Old friend! It’s been too long!”

—

Fu Yancheng acknowledged him with a slight nod.

At that moment, Qiao Xi quietly slipped into a corner of the ballroom.

She wore a wide-brimmed hat that shadowed most of her face, paired with black-rimmed glasses that concealed her lively eyes.

Securing an invitation through Gu Ranran’s private connections, she had a clear goal: to get close to Karl Miller and uncover any information that might help turn the tide.

As Qiao Xi focused on adjusting a tiny device pinned to her brooch, inching closer to Miller, she inadvertently turned—and nearly collided with a solid chest.

She instinctively stepped back, lifting her head to apologize in English. “Sorry—”

But the words froze in her throat.

Despite the hat’s brim concealing part of her view, Qiao Xi instantly recognized the man before her—Fu Yancheng.

Why was he here?

Her heart pounded wildly, a bittersweet ache and longing surging up within her.

She quickly lowered the brim of her hat and ducked her head, terrified he might recognize her.

Fu Yancheng, engaged in conversation, sensed the collision and instinctively stepped aside.

He glanced briefly at the woman before him—her appearance so inconspicuous that her features were nearly impossible to make out—and gave her no further thought.

Seizing the moment as his gaze shifted away, Qiao Xi melted into the crowd, cold sweat prickling her back.

She leaned against a pillar, willing her frantic heartbeat to calm.

Yet her eyes were drawn involuntarily to Fu Yancheng’s silhouette.

He was right there, yet she could not reveal herself.

Fu Yancheng, as if sensing something, paused his conversation and glanced once more toward the spot where the mysterious woman with the wide-brimmed hat had stood.

But he saw only the bustling crowd; she had already vanished without a trace.

He frowned slightly, the inexplicable sense of loss resurfacing in his chest with nowhere to go—blaming it on his anxiety over searching for Qiao Xi.

For days now, he had been worried sick, searching for any sign of her.

Qiao Xi tamped down her turbulent feelings for Fu Yancheng, readying herself to approach Miller once more.

She had only taken two cautious steps when Gu Ranran’s urgent voice crackled through the minuscule earpiece hidden in her ear canal: “Xi, retreat immediately! Now!”

“What happened?” Qiao Xi froze, her heart tightening.

Gu Ranran replied in a rush, “They’re onto us—they’ve detected surveillance! We’re about to be exposed!”