A Game of Push and Pull

Lin Wanzhao stood before her like a cat that had finally cornered a mouse. At this distance, the office was drowning in an undeniable, thick ambiguity.

Yu Qingkong stared at her for a moment, then shifted her gaze to the hand braced against the door. When she spoke, her voice was so calm it was impossible to detect a single ripple of emotion.

“The flight is at 7:35 PM. It’s currently just after 5:30. It takes half an hour to get to the airport if there’s no traffic—if there is, who knows. Plus, we need to arrive at least an hour early to check-in…”

At this, Yu Qingkong turned her head back to look Lin Wanzhao in the eye. “Does CEO Lin want to miss our flight?”

Lin Wanzhao studied her for a few beats before her hand finally released the doorknob. She smiled.

– Of course not.

Then, with her back perfectly straight, Lin Wanzhao walked out. Yu Qingkong stared at the floor for a second, took a breath, and followed.

As expected, the rush hour traffic was heavy but manageable. They reached the airport just before 6:30. After checking in, Yu Qingkong fetched two coffees and sat down next to Lin Wanzhao in the VIP lounge.

“CEO Lin, your coffee.”

Lin Wanzhao looked up from her tablet and reached for the cup.

– Thank you.

“You’re welcome.” Yu Qingkong sat down and checked the time.

– Two years ago, the former CEO opened ten ‘An Kang’ stores in Jing City, up north. Today, only one remains, barely hanging on. What’s your take on that?

Lin Wanzhao asked after a sip. She hadn’t worked in her father’s industry before taking this role, so her knowledge was still academic in many areas.

Yu Qingkong thought for a moment. “I had just joined the company then and wasn’t part of the northern expansion team. By the time I reached my current position, the former CEO had already scrapped the plan and retreated to the southern market.”

– So you don’t know exactly what went wrong?

Lin Wanzhao rubbed her temples. She needed this to work. Her deal with her father was simple: if she succeeded here, they would leave her alone to live her life—single, married, man, or woman—as she pleased.

“Theoretically, yes. However…” Yu Qingkong stroked her chin.

– Speak.

“I have some insights.”

– Let’s hear them.

“An Kang is a young company. It lacks the history and brand recognition of the old-guard giants. We thrive in southern cities like Shengcheng and Bi City because we were among the first to enter those industrial zones when they were developing. There was no competition,” Yu Qingkong explained, opening a map on her phone and pointing to various markers.

In “work mode,” Yu Qingkong’s eyes were sharp, and her aura was magnetic. Lin Wanzhao found her increasingly captivating.

– And?

“Outside those specific pockets, our presence is weak. Northern cities like Lincheng have long-established economies dominated by the ‘Big Three’ healthcare giants. They have decades of trust. People don’t think; they just buy from them. An Kang went in with a price war, but without brand loyalty, we had no edge.”

Lin Wanzhao nodded, watching Yu Qingkong’s profile. Beautiful, capable, and sharp.

“But the landscape is changing,” Yu Qingkong continued. “With the new 5A tourist status and the Shengda business district, the Big Three are now looking at our home turf. They’ve opened ‘test’ stores around Shengcheng. The former CEO saw the threat and tried to attack their northern base as a defense. He failed because he didn’t understand that northern customers have zero emotional attachment to our brand.”

– So he just gave up because it was difficult?

Lin Wanzhao sneered.

“That’s why he’s the former CEO,” Yu Qingkong replied. She had no loyalty to her previous boss; he never listened to the truth anyway.

Lin Wanzhao laughed. She liked that answer. Though, mentioning the Big Three reminded her of “Rong An,” the company owned by the family of that greasy guy her father had tried to set her up with.

– So, do we attack or defend?

“First step,” Yu Qingkong said, “is to make An Kang stand out. Create a unique brand identity and enough noise that the ‘Big Three’ can’t ignore us. Once we have that, we can attack or defend as we please.”

– Any specific ideas?

“A few.” Yu Qingkong picked up her coffee.

Just then, the boarding announcement echoed through the lounge.

“Let’s board first. I’ll pull up the data on my laptop once we reach the hotel.”

***************************************

Two hours later, they arrived in Jing City. It was past 10:00 PM by the time they checked into their hotel. Neither had eaten a real meal.

– It’s late. Let’s just order in. What do you think?

Lin Wanzhao asked, clutching her key card.

“Fine with me.”

– Help me order something we can share,

Lin Wanzhao said as they reached the elevator.

– That way we can get a variety. I can’t finish much on my own.

Yu Qingkong hesitated, then nodded. “What do you want?”

– Braised snacks.

Lin Wanzhao said after a pause.

“You like braised food, too?”

– I suppose so.

Lin Wanzhao stepped into the elevator.

– Someone I once liked was very fond of it, so I ended up liking it too.

Yu Qingkong pressed the button for their floor. “I like it, too.”

Lin Wanzhao watched her. She was still as refined as she was years ago, but now with a seasoned, steady charm—like fine wine.

“Anything else?”

– You decide. But no rice for me, just the dishes.

The elevator opened, and Lin Wanzhao rolled her suitcase out.

– I’ll leave my door unlocked for you.

That “waiting for you” was whispered with a soft, lingering tone that made Yu Qingkong’s heart skip a beat. She didn’t respond, just dropped her bag in her own room and headed back to Lin Wanzhao’s.

She stepped inside and closed the door.

– You’re here?

Lin Wanzhao stood up from her open suitcase, her fragrance immediately filling the space between them.

“Just dropping off a bag, of course I’m fast.” Yu Qingkong’s eyes inadvertently brushed over the pale, smooth curve of Lin Wanzhao’s shoulder.

– Have a seat.

Lin Wanzhao pointed to the sofa before grabbing a silk nightgown and underwear.

– I’m going to shower first.

“Go ahead.”

Yu Qingkong ordered a braised platter, sautéed greens, and tomato meatball soup. As the sound of the shower started, she found her eyes drifting toward the bathroom. The frosted glass obscured the details, but the silhouette was clear enough. She swallowed hard and forced her eyes back to her phone. What is wrong with me?

When the food arrived, Yu Qingkong set it out on the table. Soon after, the shower stopped, and Lin Wanzhao emerged.

Yu Qingkong looked up and froze. Lin Wanzhao was in a loose, thin V-neck slip dress. She was slender, yet curved in all the right places. In Yu Qingkong’s eyes, she was dangerously close to perfect. Memories of that hotel night—the skin, the sounds, the note—rushed back.

Yu Qingkong clenched her hands on her knees.

– What’s wrong?

Lin Wanzhao walked over, her movements fluid and deliberate.

– And why have you been staring at me since I walked out?

“I haven’t,” Yu Qingkong lied, looking away. “I just think… your neckline is a bit low.”

– Too low to look at?

Lin Wanzhao looked down at herself. It was just a nightgown.

– The food is here. Come eat.

Lin Wanzhao sat down beside her, her voice dropping.

– Why are you so shy? You’ve seen much more of me than this. You’ve even… touched it.

Yu Qingkong snapped her head back to look at her. Lin Wanzhao was the picture of temptation—damp hair, shimmering eyes, and a knowing smirk.

– Am I wrong?

Lin Wanzhao tilted her chin up slightly, her gaze heavy.

Yu Qingkong stared into those eyes for a long moment, then suddenly, the corners of her mouth curled into a cold, artificial smile.

– What are you laughing at?

Yu Qingkong leaned in close to her ear, her voice a low, vibrating hum.

“Based on what you just said… if that’s how it is, why are you wearing clothes in front of me at all?”

Lin Wanzhao, the one who usually held the reins, was caught off guard. She felt her resolve softening just from Yu Qingkong’s proximity. This was the woman she remembered—never fully pushing away, never fully letting in. It was a distance that was both infuriating and intoxicating.

“Well?” Yu Qingkong whispered, her eyes fixed on Lin Wanzhao’s pink earlobe.

Lin Wanzhao’s lips curved. She tilted her head, locking eyes with Yu Qingkong at point-blank range.

– Then… do you need me to take it off?