After Qin Xuan and Chris left, the door closed, and the entire hospital room seemed isolated from the outside world.
Ye Shanshan lightly touched Gong Yue’s palm again, his finger softly tracing—a confirmation that it was real. The corners of his mouth curved with some difficulty.
“We clearly agreed to watch the premiere together, but you didn’t keep your promise at all. That’s not good. When I took this role, I was already imagining the moment you’d watch the ending, realizing that I was the big boss who carried out his plan and even killed himself afterward. Such a ruthless move—you’d definitely be surprised. I thought about it for so long and imagined it so many times. Now the movie is finally about to premiere—”
After a pause, he changed the topic, still rambling.
“You rarely show any emotions, not at all like me, so lively and humorous. If the weather were any colder, you’d practically turn into an ice sculpture. So, I can already guess—even if the ending surprises you, you wouldn’t show it at all.”
Ye Shanshan reached out and poked Gong Yue’s mouth corner.
“But it’s fine. I know what you’re thinking. You don’t have to show it—I know anyway.”
As he spoke, a sharp pain rose in his throat. After a while, Ye Shanshan continued,
“Ge, look, this winter is so cold. If you’re not here with me, I’ll definitely catch a cold and get sick, unable to sleep well at night. It won’t be long before spring arrives. By then, the flowers will bloom, and the sun will be warm. I plan to build a swing set by the lake. But I can’t play on it alone. You have to come with me—it’s really fun. When summer comes, I’ll give you more than half of my ice cream. Whatever flavor you want, it’s yours.”
Ye Shanshan sniffled, looking pitiful.
“So, you need to wake up soon. If you don’t wake up, no one will keep me warm when I’m cold. When the weather warms up, no one will bask in the sun or swing with me, and no one will share ice cream with me. Look how pitiful I am.”
He hooked his pinky finger around Gong Yue’s. “We’re making a promise. Since you didn’t object, it means you’ve agreed.”
Feeling an emptiness in his heart, Ye Shanshan took off his shoes and coat, lifted the blanket, and lay on the bed next to Gong Yue. He curled up into a ball, pretending the other person was holding him.
After a while, he reached out to hug Gong Yue, leaning over to kiss his cheek.
“I’ll warm you up. I won’t be able to stay with you for long, so I’ll lie here for a bit now. Once Qin Xuan brings my clothes, I’ll have to leave.”
With his ear pressed against Gong Yue’s chest, listening to the steady heartbeat, Ye Shanshan felt much calmer.
“Don’t worry. You can sleep a little longer. I’ll clear all obstacles for my emperor.”
After saying that, he quickly corrected himself, “That was nonsense. You still need to wake up soon.”
Giving himself ten minutes to feel weak and sad, Ye Shanshan picked up the materials Qin Xuan had prepared and flipped through them quickly. He had to absorb all the previously overlooked information in a short time. He couldn’t afford to retreat a single step in the upcoming battle.
Half an hour later, Qin Xuan returned with Ye Shanshan’s formal attire from the Manhattan apartment. After setting it down, he said, “Young Master Ye, Butler Hawk is already on his way.”
Ye Shanshan nodded. “Thank you for your hard work.”
“It’s my duty.” With that, Qin Xuan left the hospital room to wait outside.
Ye Shanshan removed his casual clothes and changed into a crisp white shirt and a tailored black suit. He tied his own tie and combed his hair back, exposing a clean forehead.
Standing before the mirror, he studied his reflection—a version of himself that seemed unfamiliar, as sharp as a blade. He stared for a moment in a daze.
After some thought, he turned and walked toward the bed. The beige wool carpet muffled his footsteps. Standing by the bed, he bent down and gently kissed Gong Yue’s lips, softly slipping his tongue inside. Only when he felt the warmth between the other’s lips and teeth did he straighten up.
Saying nothing more, he donned a long coat and left the room.
*One day, if you fall temporarily, I will be the one to support you.*
—
At the Gong Group’s New York headquarters, the building was designed by a renowned architect. The master utilized a blend of steel frames and transparent glass, creating corridors with excellent natural lighting that made it feel like walking in mid-air.
As Ye Shanshan walked through the middle section of the corridor with his team, he suddenly stopped. Looking at the towering buildings in his line of sight, he realized he was seeing the same view Gong Yue would always look at when passing through here. His mood brightened significantly.
*As expected, the big boss always gives me strength.*
When he reached the meeting room door, Qin Xuan stepped forward to open it. Without pausing, Ye Shanshan walked straight in.
The moment his footsteps echoed, the room seemed to fall into silence, as if someone had pressed the mute button. All eyes at the long table turned toward the young man who had unexpectedly entered.
Those present were familiar with Ye Shanshan. They often saw him accompanying Gong Yue, but no one had anticipated that he would one day sit in Gong Yue’s seat.
Ignoring the varied gazes, Ye Shanshan quickly scanned the room. As he walked toward the main seat, he matched each person’s face with the profiles he had memorized and found their expressions amusing.
Stopping at the empty seat at the head of the table, Ye Shanshan was about to sit down when someone abruptly spoke up, “You have no right!” The words were sharp and quick.
Ye Shanshan ignored it. Only after he sat comfortably in the high-backed chair did he leisurely look at the speaker. “Mr. Carter, if you have any opinions or suggestions, please feel free to share.”
He spoke slowly, enunciating each word clearly.
Qin Xuan instinctively glanced at Ye Shanshan, sensing that his speech pattern was different from usual—familiar yet distinct.
Carter was firm. “You have no right to sit in that position!” His tone was filled with dissatisfaction and warning.
The room was filled with silence as the others watched, seemingly waiting for Carter to test Ye Shanshan’s capabilities.
“Right?” Ye Shanshan’s tone rose slightly at the end as he fixed his sharp gaze on Carter. “The fact that I’m sitting here and you’re not only proves that I’m more suited for this position than you. That’s all.”
He didn’t look at Carter again. “Let’s start the meeting.”
Seeing Carter stand up abruptly, his expression full of indignation, Ye Shanshan remained unbothered, showing slight impatience. “Do I need to remind you of the rules of conduct?”
Without waiting for the other party to respond, Ye Shanshan continued, his tone perfectly measured:
“On my way here, I briefly reviewed the proposal you submitted four days ago regarding the development of the Borser Bay oil field. I identified four areas lacking thorough consideration and investigation, as follows.”
He then recited the contents of the submitted document in full and provided detailed suggestions for revisions. Predictably, this elicited a rebuttal:
“Your comments are riddled with flaws! I absolutely will not accept so-called guidance from a non-professional!”
Ye Shanshan remained utterly composed, his patience unwavering. “Apologies, but I believe you’re unaware of my credentials and thus unqualified to pass judgment. Additionally, I reviewed your personal profile, which states you graduated with honors from the Roden School of Business and were jointly recommended by your professors upon joining Gong Corporation?”
“Yes.”
“Then I truly feel sorrow and disappointment for your mentors and principal. After seven years with Gong Corporation and rising to a senior position, I assumed you understood that I hold nearly half of the company’s shares. Sitting here isn’t to have my words subjected to meaningless doubt. If you still can’t comprehend the significance of this, then I think you’re not suited to remain here.”
Carter was visibly infuriated, his nostrils flaring and veins bulging on his neck.
Ye Shanshan tilted his head slightly and asked Qin Xuan, who was seated beside him, “I recall the records clearly stating that his EQ score is very high, correct?”
“Yes, sir,” Qin Xuan responded. At that moment, he realized why Ye Shanshan’s demeanor felt both unfamiliar and oddly familiar. Ye Shanshan was mimicking Gong Yue’s tone, speech rhythm, and even subtle facial expressions.
It was so uncanny that Qin Xuan unconsciously addressed him as “sir.” Comparing this version of Ye Shanshan to his usual self, it was hard to believe they were the same person.
“I believe his emotional regulation and information-gathering skills are significantly deficient. Clearly, he is not suited for his current position.”
As he spoke, Ye Shanshan looked around at the other attendees. Without further explanation, he lightly placed something he was holding onto the table.
In the quiet room, the low *thud* was exceptionally clear.
Everyone instinctively turned their attention to see what it was. Ye Shanshan was toying with a brass-colored seal. The intricate gryphon engraving on it was unmistakable—it was the official seal of the Gong family, passed down to the head of each generation.
And now, it rested in Ye Shanshan’s hand.
Those who had been considering raising objections decided to hold back.
“You have no authority to make this decision!” Carter shouted, his chair scraping loudly as he stood. His voice was jarring in the silent meeting room.
Qin Xuan glanced at Ye Shanshan, whose expression was cold and unyielding, and calmly closed the pen in his hand.
“Mr. Carter, Mr. Ye holds the entirety of Mr. Gong Yue’s shares, as well as a significant portion of the assets gifted by Madam Gong Youli, including all her stocks. This gives Mr. Ye a majority stake, granting him the authority to bypass consultation and make this decision directly.”
After Qin Xuan finished speaking, the atmosphere grew even more stifling. Some began whispering quietly. The general belief had been that Ye Shanshan only held Gong Yue’s shares. No one expected that Gong Youli’s shares had also been transferred to him.
This brought Ye Shanshan’s total holdings to nearly 50%—a staggering figure for Gong Corporation. It represented unquestionable decision-making power and immense wealth.
After Carter was escorted out by staff, Qin Xuan glanced at Ye Shanshan, seated with a composed face, casually toying with the brass seal, lost in thought.
Carter had been a prominent figure opposing Gong Yue within the company. Due to various considerations, Gong Yue had refrained from taking action. Qin Xuan had not anticipated that Ye Shanshan’s first move upon assuming his role would be to dismiss Carter.
Qin Xuan was unsure whether Ye Shanshan was establishing authority and Carter simply became the target, or if Ye Shanshan had already calculated this and Carter’s actions merely simplified the process.
Lowering his gaze, Qin Xuan realized this was beyond his ability to speculate.
After Carter left, his seat remained empty. Ye Shanshan paid it no mind and maintained his focus throughout the next four-hour meeting without so much as a glance at the vacant chair.
During those four hours, Ye Shanshan’s performance exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Though a newcomer, he demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of internal operations and had a firm grasp of each attendee’s responsibilities. His efficiency was unmatched. Most strikingly, his style of handling matters was nearly identical to Gong Yue’s, to the point where distinguishing between the two was nearly impossible.
Many in the room began speculating privately: Could Gong Yue be perfectly fine and discreetly guiding things from behind the scenes? Was this temporary retreat an intentional move to use Ye Shanshan as a weapon to reshape the upper management structure—just as Carter had been?
By the end of the meeting, everyone left with something to ponder.
It was close to 10 p.m. when the meeting concluded.
Ye Shanshan stood, his posture upright, and nodded slightly toward the others. “Thank you all for your cooperation.” Without lingering to converse with anyone, he departed the conference room with his team.
Standing in the hallway once again, Qin Xuan organized his words carefully. “Young Master Ye, do you need to familiarize yourself with a few key individuals?” He was implying whether Ye Shanshan should meet Gong Yue’s immediate family members.
Ye Shanshan declined without hesitation. “No need,” he said as he looked out at the glittering city lights through the steel frames and glass windows.
“I only need to keep the steering wheel steady during Gong Yue’s absence, nothing more. Beyond that, I don’t need to spend additional effort.”
Seeing the icy look in Ye Shanshan’s eyes, Qin Xuan lowered his head and refrained from asking further.
—
Whether Carter’s dismissal was merely a show of authority or a premeditated move was now blatantly clear.
When the group arrived at Gong Corporation’s press room, it was exactly 10:30 PM. Without changing his attire, Ye Shanshan merely concealed the dark circles under his eyes before stepping onto the stage alongside the head of public relations and Gong Corporation’s spokesperson.
Photography was not permitted at the event; all released photos had to come from the company’s PR department. As a result, the venue was quiet and orderly.
Seated at the conference table, Ye Shanshan pulled out his phone to check on Gong Yue’s condition. There were surveillance cameras installed in Gong Yue’s hospital room.
Seemingly gaining strength from the sight, his expression softened noticeably.
When the Q&A session began, a reporter from *The New York Times*, seated in the front row, was the first to ask:
“Mr. Ye, there are rumors that you have very close ties with the Gong family and that, in addition to all of Gong Yue’s transferred shares, you also hold shares transferred by another family member at least two years ago. Is that true?”
“Yes,” Ye Shanshan replied succinctly before saying, “Next.”
“Mr. Ye, it was reported that Mr. Gong Yue collapsed in the conference room recently. According to hospital information, his condition is critical. Is this true?”
“No. His physical condition is fine, but he’s mentally exhausted and needs time to recover.” Clearly unwilling to elaborate, Ye Shanshan lightly tapped his fingers on the table. “Next.”
The reporters in attendance were somewhat taken aback.
From the information they had gathered, this young man who suddenly appeared at Gong Corporation was an actor in China. Many were eager to extract valuable information from him.
However, it was evident that his style closely mirrored Gong Yue’s—concise, cold, and reserved—making it nearly impossible to uncover any sensational news.
A reporter from *Financial Express* asked rapidly, his tone slightly aggressive:
“Will this abrupt transfer of shares lead to market instability, senior management unrest, or a stock sell-off?”
Ye Shanshan’s tone remained steady, entirely unaffected. “The scenarios you described will not occur. At least, not while I am in charge. Time will verify the truth of my statement.”
With another tap of his fingers, Ye Shanshan continued, “Next.”
“Wait!” The white male reporter interrupted, “As an outsider suddenly given power, what gives you such confidence? Is it just blind arrogance?”
After a few moments of silence, Ye Shanshan gestured subtly. “Please escort this gentleman out. From now on, the publication he represents is prohibited from reporting on Gong Corporation.”
The security personnel standing nearby immediately stepped forward to remove the reporter.
Ye Shanshan turned to the remaining journalists. “Alright, you may continue.”
—
Within half an hour after the press conference, headlines dominated the front pages:
– *The New York Times*: *Ye Shanshan Appointed CEO of Gong Corporation, the First Non-Gong Family Head in a Century.* Young, capable, and armed with prestigious academic credentials, he is expected to bring innovation. However, details about Gong Yue, the soul of the company, remain shrouded in secrecy, sparking curiosity.
– *Voice of Today*: *Challenges Await the Newcomer CEO of Gong Corporation.* A sudden leadership change could weaken entrenched alliances built over a century. Ye Shanshan’s massive shareholding will be a critical factor in stabilizing the situation.
– *Financial News*: *Surprisingly Smooth Transition of Power at Gong Corporation.* While Gong Yue’s exact condition is unknown, the new leader’s competence reassures the market, helping stabilize the previously volatile financial environment.
—
Qin Xuan summarized the headlines aloud before closing the newspaper. “Sir, a meeting has been scheduled with Madam Six for 9:30 tomorrow morning. She readily agreed to my invitation.”
Ye Shanshan nodded, feeling a wave of fatigue. “Dismissed. Thank you for your hard work today.”
—
Returning to the hospital room, Ye Shanshan hung up his coat and walked to the bedside. Kneeling on the carpet, he placed his hand over Gong Yue’s. His voice was soft:
“Gong Yue, I’m so tired. I’ve lost my appetite. If you don’t wake up soon, I’ll get too thin.”
He kissed Gong Yue’s slightly cool hand and remained silent for a long while before murmuring, “Good night.”
1You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you and Enjoy reading! ❤️ -TL: Ysiad
