Who's going to be the female lead's simp? Aren't the supporting female characters mor

The spotlights were like a silent bombardment, illuminating the podium in a stark white light.

Bai Jingyou sat behind a long table covered with a red velvet tablecloth, a flawless business smile on his face, as he signed the last contract.

Feng Rui, standing beside him, was genuinely smiling, his wrinkles almost burying the two shiny, polished walnuts between them.

"Click, click."

The sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly.

"Young Master Bai, let's shake hands, so we can make a good front page for tomorrow's headlines." Feng Rui stood up and extended his large hand, which was adorned with a jade thumb ring.

Bai Jingyou stood up, straightened his cuffs, and grasped his hand. "Uncle Feng, you're too kind. From now on, Hongye and the Bai family are one family. We'll make money together, and if there's trouble... you'll have to bear it for now."

The last half of the sentence was spoken in a very low voice, only the two of them could hear it.

Feng Rui tightened his grip slightly, still smiling, "Young Master Bai, you're quite the joker. However, besides the two of us main characters, I've also invited a special guest for today's performance. Young Master Bai, you don't mind, do you?"

Bai Jingyou raised his eyebrows slightly.

[Old fox, were you waiting for me here? Are you afraid the Bai family will become too powerful after acquiring the Chu family's assets, so you're looking for a third party to check their strength? Let me guess, in Haicheng, who can catch this old man's eye, and who also has some connection to the Bai family…]

"Of course I don't mind." Bai Jingyou withdrew his hand and looked towards the side entrance. "More people means more chopsticks, and I love a lively atmosphere."

The moment the words were spoken, the side door was pushed open.

The previously noisy venue fell silent for a moment, followed by an even more frantic clicking of camera shutters.

The woman who walked in was wearing a minimalist white suit with a black silk shirt underneath, exuding a strong sense of asceticism.

She wore frameless blue light blocking glasses on the bridge of her nose, her long hair was casually tied back with a pencil, and she carried no designer bags, only a silver-gray laptop.

Bai Qianqian.

She walked straight to the front of the stage, her high heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor, without glancing to the side.

"Sorry, there was traffic on the way, so I changed an algorithm in the car." Bai Qianqian's voice was cool and clear, like a glass of lemonade with ice. She put the computer on the table, pushed up her glasses, and her gaze swept over Feng Rui before finally settling on Bai Jingyou's face.

There was no warmth of a long-awaited reunion in his eyes, only a scrutinizing look as if he were examining a precision instrument.

"Mr. Bai, it's been a long time."

"It hasn't been long." Bai Jingyou pulled out the empty chair next to him and gestured for him to sit down. "The last time I saw you, Mr. Bai, was when I was signing a check for you."

Bai Qianqian paused for a moment, then sat down naturally and turned on her computer: "That was angel round investment. Based on the current valuation, your return on investment has already exceeded 300%. You won't lose money on this deal."

The reporters in the audience were like sharks that had smelled blood.

"Miss Bai! Does the presence of Qianlan Technology here imply that they also intend to participate in the division of Chu Group's assets?"

"Mr. Feng! Does this mean Hongye Capital doesn't trust the Bai Group?"

"Young Master Bai! What's your opinion on this sudden appearance of a third party?"

Before Bai Jingyou could even speak, Bai Qianqian had already connected to the large screen's projection interface.

"To clarify, it's not a division, it's a technological restructuring."

Her slender fingers tapped a few times on the keyboard, and the candlestick charts symbolizing money on the screen disappeared instantly, replaced by a complex 3D model—a simulation of the production line of the precision instrument factory under the Chu Group.

"Although Chu's production line is large-scale, its core control system is still stuck five years in the past. If Bai's Group doesn't implement a digital upgrade after taking over, this pile of scrap metal will generate 400 million yuan in maintenance costs every year." Bai Qianqian pointed to the red dot on the screen, her tone completely flat. "Uncle Feng asked me to come here to give this pile of scrap metal a brain. As for Young Master Bai..."

She turned to look at Bai Jingyou, her glasses reflecting the light: "I'm not sure if a capitalist like you, who only knows how to throw money around, can understand what I'm saying."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

This woman is the first to dare to publicly criticize the eldest son of the Bai family.

Feng Rui stood to the side, smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, clearly enjoying the scene of young people flirting and making no attempt to salvage the situation.

Bai Jingyou leaned back in his chair, looking at this prickly woman, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Mr. Bai is right." Bai Jingyou picked up the microphone and even led the applause. "I'm just an ordinary person, I have nothing but money. Since Mr. Bai is so professional, then I'll consider this 400 million in maintenance costs as tuition for Mr. Bai. However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, leaned forward, and lowered his voice to say into the microphone, "I want 51% of the patent rights to this intelligent control system."

Bai Qianqian's fingers suddenly stopped typing.

She turned her head and stared intently at Bai Jingyou.

The look in his eyes was as if he were looking at a robber taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

"This is a monopoly."

"This is business," Bai Jingyou said, spreading his hands. "Mr. Bai, my money came from a windfall, but I can't let it slip away. You need the technology, I need the market, and Uncle Feng needs a share of the profits. That's called the iron triangle, understand?"

Feng Rui interjected at the opportune moment: "Haha, Young Master Bai is right. Qianqian, when it comes to business, sometimes you have to learn to humble yourself. Besides, apart from the Bai family, no one else in Haicheng dares to take over the mess that Chu's family is making."

Bai Qianqian bit her lower lip, her gaze lingering on Bai Jingyou's smug smiling face for three seconds.

Finally, she took a deep breath and closed her laptop.

"49%. That's the bottom line. Also, I'm not responsible for drinking with customers, nor for public relations; I'm only responsible for the technical aspects."

"Deal." Bai Jingyou snapped his fingers. "Chen Mo, draft the contract."

The signing ceremony ended in an atmosphere that was both eerie and harmonious.

……

Half an hour later, in the VIP lounge.

The noise was shut out outside the heavy mahogany door.

Feng Rui had to take a phone call from Beijing, so he left early, leaving only Bai Jingyou and Bai Qianqian in the room.

Bai Qianqian sat in the corner of the sofa, holding a cup of black coffee, quickly browsing the contract terms on her tablet. She was very focused when she worked, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she wanted to break down every word and check it.

"This isn't like you," Bai Qianqian suddenly said without looking up.

"People always change." Bai Jingyou turned around, walked to the sofa opposite her, and sat down. "Like you, you used to be a bookworm who only knew how to write code, but now you've learned to wear Armani haute couture suits, haven't you?"

Bai Qianqian glanced down at her clothes, her ears turning slightly red: "These are rented. Just to make an impression."

"Pfft—" Bai Jingyou couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Bai Qianqian asked, somewhat annoyed. "Spending money on research and development would be more worthwhile than spending it on these fabrics."

"Yes, yes, yes." Bai Jingyou took out a black card from his pocket, held it between two fingers, and gently pushed it in front of her. "This card has no limit; consider it an additional investment from me personally. Go buy some decent clothes. You'll be representing Bai's and Hongye at various events in the future, so don't embarrass me."

Bai Qianqian looked at the card but did not take it.

"Are you keeping me as a sugar daddy?"

"Cough cough..." Bai Jingyou almost choked on his saliva. "Mr. Bai, can you please stop having such a vivid imagination? This is clothing expenses! It's included in the company's operating costs!"

Bai Qianqian stared at him for a long time, seemingly trying to confirm whether he had any ill intentions.

After a long while, she stretched out two fingers, pinched one corner of the card, and put it into her bag as if she were holding some dangerous item.

"I will have the finance department issue an invoice."

"Whatever you want." Bai Jingyou shook his head helplessly.

"And one more thing." Bai Qianqian stood up, straightened her clothes, and resumed her aloof demeanor, "To thank you for your previous investment, and... for this collaboration, I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

Bai Jingyou was taken aback: "Eat?"

"What? Afraid I'll poison you?" Bai Qianqian raised an eyebrow. "It's just a Shaxian snack shop downstairs from the company. If you don't like it, then forget it."

"Shaxian snacks?" Bai Jingyou's smile deepened. "That's a top international brand. Since Mr. Bai has extended such a warm invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"

"6:30, no exceptions."

After Bai Qianqian finished speaking, she turned and left with her laptop. But as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, her back to Bai Jingyou, and said, "Bai Jingyou, thank you."

The sound was soft, yet very clear.

The door closed.

Bai Jingyou stared at the closed door, his fingers gently stroking his chin.

"Boss." Chen Mo emerged from the shadows of the suite like a ghost. "Are you really going to eat at Shaxian Snacks? Miss Ye seems to have invited you there tonight..."

"I declined." Bai Jingyou stood up and stretched. "That woman Ye Lingqing is just trying to trick me into talking. Eating with her is too tiring; I have to be careful not to be sold out. Eating with an engineering student is much more relaxing; at least I don't have to worry about her hiding a listening device in my duck leg rice."

Chen Mo adjusted his glasses: "But boss, you're going to a banquet at the Jiang family's house this weekend. And now you're getting so close to Miss Bai... If Miss Jiang finds out..."

"Chen Mo." Bai Jingyou patted his assistant on the shoulder, speaking earnestly, "This is what you don't understand. Business cooperation is about casting a wide net and catching as many fish as possible."