Chapter 41: Happy Birthday

Wei Zi and her group arrived fifteen minutes early, seating themselves in a luxurious imperial banquet private room whose opulence far exceeded Wei Zi's expectations.

They did not have to wait long before a waiter ushered in President Leng and his female companion.

This was not the first time Wei Zi had laid eyes on Leng Lie, but it was certainly the closest she had ever been to him.

Before her rebirth, Leng Lie's true identity had been revealed during a ferocious beast tide. Under his leadership, the Iron-Blood Mercenary Corps shattered the savage beast rampage. Initially, Wei Zi had been certain she would perish on that battlefield, but she had never anticipated the terrifying strength of the Iron-Blood Mercenary Corps. Without Leng Lie and Iron-Blood, Wei Zi would undoubtedly have died without a doubt.

Therefore, the mercenaries who survived that battle held profound gratitude toward Iron-Blood. Up until the moment of her death, Leng Lie had maintained an immaculate reputation.

To this day, she could still vividly recall him channeling profound arts to unleash a tier-four profound art tornado that pulverized the charging savage beasts.

"President Leng, it is a great honor to have invited you. Allow me to introduce Miss Wei Zi, the future heir of the Cheng Corporation, and President Leng Lie of the Leng Corporation!" Attorney Zeng introduced.

Leng Lie wore a standard, polite businessman's smile. He was far from cold; in fact, he was quite witty. He gently shook hands with Wei Zi and smiled, saying, "I never expected Miss Wei Zi to be so strikingly radiant. It almost makes me lose the heart to negotiate with you!"

"President Leng flatters me!" Wei Zi replied with a faint smile, though she felt immensely pleased. Being praised by someone she had previously idolized brought a deep sense of joy to her heart!

However, Xing Haotian on the other side was not feeling quite so joyful!

Why did Wei Zi smile so gently at this Leng Lie, yet refuse to afford him the same gentleness?

Leng Lie's gaze fell upon Xing Haotian. His eyes behind his contact lenses narrowed slightly, and then he feigned casualness, saying, "Allow me to introduce my secretary, Miss Su Anni. And this gentleman is?"

Leng Lie's cunning as a businessman was on full display. He refrained from asking directly, choosing instead to introduce his companion before inquiring about Wei Zi's guest. He refused to proactively bring up Xing Haotian's identity, as doing so would place him at a disadvantage.

After all, Xing Haotian's status was exceedingly sensitive. Just as Xing Haotian had anticipated earlier, showing up in full military uniform would have felt somewhat like using power to intimidate others.

Wei Zi was momentarily at a loss for how to introduce him, but Xing Haotian straightened his back and declared, "Xing Haotian, a friend of Wei Zi!"

He extended his hand and shook Leng Lie's without a single superfluous word!

"So it truly is General Xing Haotian. Please forgive me for failing to recognize you immediately!" A glint of shrewdness flashed through Leng Lie's eyes, though inwardly he began to scramble, realizing he might need to alter his previous plans somewhat!

"Today, I am merely a friend of Wei Zi!" Xing Haotian said calmly.

Leng Lie could not help but sneer inwardly: Even if you are Wei Zi's friend, does that mean you are no longer a general of the Huatian Kingdom?

With the host and guests seated, the discussion turned to the contract. Because Xing Haotian was present, the negotiation proceeded exceptionally smoothly. Wei Zi secured the exact valuation determined by Attorney Zeng's market research: seventy-three percent of the shares would be sold to Leng Lie for one hundred and fifty-six million, while the annual rental fee was finalized at thirty-four million. In reality, Leng Lie had originally intended to acquire the land plots at a much higher price.

Now, however, he certainly did not dare to kick someone while they were down.

Throughout the negotiation, Leng Lie displayed impeccable grace, causing Wei Zi's favorable impression of the behind-the-scenes boss of the Iron-Blood Mercenary Corps to deepen once more!

She only wondered if, following her rebirth, she would be able to join Iron-Blood. That had been her ultimate goal before her rebirth!

Yet, she firmly believed that with her current talent, she would undoubtedly gain entry.

With the contract signed, Wei Zi felt a heavy burden lift from her heart. Of course, the agreement would only take effect a week later. Should Wei Zi perish before her birthday, the contract would naturally be rendered null and void!

Following the conclusion of business, the group enjoyed a delightful meal, with both host and guests thoroughly satisfied.

"President, you really showed mercy today. I never took you for someone who would show tenderness to a delicate woman!" After bidding farewell to Wei Zi and the others, Su Anni, addressed as Secretary Leng, crossed her arms and said with a cold smirk.

"Anni, what do you mean by that? I smell a hint of jealousy in the air!" Leng Lie said with an innocent expression.

"President, I think my salary is due for an increase. The necklace Miss Wei Zi was wearing is none other than 'Frozen', the newest masterpiece released by Master Fan this year. I am filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred!" Su Anni retorted, completely unfazed.

With a helpless sigh, Leng Lie replied, "My dear Anni, I literally just closed a massive deal and haven't even collected the money yet. For you to be so extravagant and wasteful right off the bat proves you're hardly a good boss's wife!"

"Men truly cannot be depended upon!" Su Anni stomped fiercely on Leng Lie's foot before marching away in her high heels with sharp, rhythmic clacks.

Leng Lie drew in a sharp breath of air, but ultimately began limping after her while calling out, "Anni, I was wrong! Buy it! Buy whatever you want!"

Meanwhile, having resolved this major issue, Wei Zi felt an overwhelming sense of physical relief, and even time no longer felt like a prolonged agony.

Every day passed productously for Wei Zi. She trained her physical body alongside Xing Haotian, and spent the remainder of her time mostly comprehending the Ninefold Frost Domain and the Ninefold Ice Body. These two profound arts possessed a full nine tiers. The first tier consisted of the First-fold Frost Domain and First-fold Ice Body, which could be unleashed at the G-grade. However, the profound runes within them were obscure and difficult to decipher. Although they had been directly imprinted upon her profound core, Wei Zi needed to comprehend their true meaning before she could release them at will.

Otherwise, an interruption or backlash during the execution of a profound art, or an overly protracted release time, would spell extreme danger in actual combat.

Time slipped away quietly, and the day of Wei Zi's birthday finally arrived. Everything she had dreamed of reclaiming before her rebirth was now being so effortlessly realized!

Once the clock struck midnight, Wei Zi would be fully of age, the contract would take effect, and with a single stroke of her pen, the entire Cheng Corporation would no longer belong to Wei Dongming!

So excited that she could not sleep, Wei Zi paced restlessly back and forth inside Xing Haotian's villa.

Just as midnight arrived, all the lights inside the villa suddenly extinguished!

"A power outage?" Wei Zi uttered in surprise. Gathering profound energy into her eyes, her vision instantly pierced through the darkness, rendering the surrounding scenery clear once more. At that moment, she caught sight of a flickering light source—the glow of candlelight.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

Xing Haotian emerged holding an exquisite cake. His voice was deep, husky, and magnetic, and as it turned out, he sang wonderfully. Despite his towering height of 1.9 meters, the cake in his hands looked remarkably delicate and stunning, adorned with sixteen burning candles. As he walked forward, casting dancing shadows, Wei Zi suddenly felt as though her eyes were burning, and tears instantly streamed down her cheeks.