Chapter 1072: Earned his place

Liu Shan stepped forward and placed several documents on her desk.

They discussed the progress of ongoing projects before moving on to matters concerning her other companies.

After a while, Liu Shan handed her his tablet.

"These are the new hires for An Qing."

Yue Ling accepted it.

She began scrolling through the list, carefully reviewing the candidates’ qualifications and assigned departments.

Everything appeared satisfactory.

Then her finger stopped.

A familiar face appeared on the screen.

Beneath the photograph was a name.

’Liu Ye.’

Yue Ling’s expression softened.

"He’s made his decision?"

Liu Shan clasped his hands behind his back.

"He applied to join the Cyber Security Team."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Did he?"

"Yes. He passed every stage of the recruitment process."

Yue Ling studied the information displayed beneath his photograph.

She remembered offering Liu Ye an opportunity to join An Qing’s IT Specialist Team.

Given his technical abilities, she had believed he would be a valuable addition to the company.

However, the young man had expressed a greater interest in cybersecurity.

And after considering his skills, Yue Ling had agreed that the department might suit him even better.

She had offered to help him secure a position.

But Liu Ye had declined.

He wanted to earn his place through his own abilities.

No special treatment.

No exceptions.

And now, he had done exactly that.

"Good for him," Yue Ling said.

Liu Shan nodded.

"He performed exceptionally well during the technical assessment. The recruitment team was impressed."

"Then he deserves the position. I’m sure having to learn under Lin Hui has helped him greatly."

She continued reviewing his information.

A small sense of satisfaction settled in her chest.

Liu Ye had been given an opportunity to rebuild his life.

What he chose to do with that opportunity was entirely his own achievement.

After reviewing the remaining candidates, Yue Ling returned the tablet.

"Everything looks good."

Liu Shan accepted it.

"Understood."

Yue Ling reached for her coffee.

"How are the Liu siblings adjusting? Do they need anything else for their new place?"

Liu Shan’s expression softened.

He had worked beside her long enough to understand something that many people often overlooked.

Han Yue Ling might appear indifferent toward the world, but once she accepted someone under her protection, she rarely neglected their well-being.

She did not always express her concern openly.

More often than not, it appeared in small, practical gestures.

A place to live.

An opportunity to work.

A chance to attend school.

Things that might seem ordinary to others but could mean everything to someone who had lost them.

"They’re adjusting well," he answered. "Liu Ye starts work today, and the two younger ones will begin school tomorrow."

Yue Ling nodded.

"That’s good."

"Liu Jingyu will be attending the same school as your brother."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Everything has already been arranged."

Yue Ling considered this for a moment.

"Then I’ll ask Jingxu to look out for her."

Liu Shan smiled.

"I’m sure he’ll be happy to."

"Provided he doesn’t get himself into trouble first."

Liu Shan chuckled.

"That might be asking too much."

Yue Ling sighed, though there was affection in her expression.

After a brief pause, Liu Shan spoke again.

"There’s one more thing."

Yue Ling looked at him.

"What is it?"

"Liu Jianan asked if he could visit you."

She blinked.

"Jianan?"

Liu Shan nodded.

"He mentioned it when I checked on them."

Yue Ling fell silent for a moment.

She remembered the ten-year-old boy.

Despite everything the siblings had endured, he had retained a sweetness that made it difficult not to feel protective of him.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

"I should visit them."

Liu Shan watched her without interrupting.

"I’ve arranged a place for them to live, but I haven’t gone to see how they’re settling in."

She set her coffee aside.

"Tell them I’ll make some time to stop by."

Liu Shan smiled.

"I’m sure they’ll be happy to hear that."

"Let me know when their schedules are free."

"Of course. Once you’ve decided on a day, I’ll clear your schedule."

"Thank you."

Yue Ling glanced at the cup of coffee before her, then raised her eyes to her assistant.

"Do they know what happened to their father?"

Liu Shan’s heart skipped a beat.

For a moment, he struggled to maintain his composure.

She was asking about Liu Peng.

The man who should have been a father to Liu Ye, Liu Jingyu, and Liu Jianan. Instead, he had been the very nightmare they needed saving from.

Liu Shan lowered his gaze.

"They know, but not the full extent of it."

It wasn’t entirely a lie.

He and Lin Hui had personally sat the three siblings down and informed them that their father was dead. They had been careful with their words, especially for Liu Jianan’s sake, sparing them the more disturbing details.

At the time, they had believed it to be the truth.

But that was before they discovered Liu Peng had survived.

The man they had assured the children would never hurt them again was still alive.

And somewhere out there, he remained a threat.

Liu Shan felt his stomach tighten.

He had already concealed enough from Yue Ling concerning Liu Peng and Choi Li Sun. Now, standing before her, he found himself withholding yet another truth.

Worse, this secret carried the power to shatter Yue Ling in ways none of them dared to imagine.

After everything she had endured, Liu Shan feared that the truth might destroy the fragile peace she had only just begun to find.

Yue Ling studied his expression.

"That’s probably for the best," she said quietly.

"They’ve suffered enough because of him."

Liu Shan’s fingers tightened around the tablet.

"Yes, Boss."

His answer came a little too quickly.

He knew Yue Ling would never forgive Liu Peng for the things he did.

And if she discovered that the man was still alive, there was little doubt she would make finding him a priority.

But until they understood what kind of deal Liu Peng had with Choi Li Sun, he needed more time.

Just a little more time.

Because the last thing he wanted was to give those children hope of a peaceful future, only for their father to return and destroy it.

Yue Ling returned her attention to the documents.

"That’s all for now."

Liu Shan nodded.

"Understood, Boss."

He should have turned around and left.

Instead, he remained standing.

His fingers tightened around the tablet.

The familiar office suddenly felt uncomfortably quiet.

As he looked at Yue Ling, the information he had spent the previous night reviewing resurfaced in his mind.

Choi Li Sun.

Liu Peng.

Lee Shin.

The unanswered questions surrounding the past.

And the growing possibility that the danger they were investigating was closer to Yue Ling than any of them had initially realized.

His gaze lingered on her.

She was smiling more these days.

Not merely the polite smiles she offered during business meetings, but genuine ones.

The kind that reached her eyes.

After everything she had endured, she was finally allowing herself to be happy.

And he was standing before her, concealing information that threatened to tear that happiness apart.

"Liu Shan?"

Her voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He blinked.

Yue Ling had stopped reading.

"Is there anything else?"

For a moment, he almost told her.

The words rose to his throat.

’Boss, there’s something you need to know.’

But he couldn’t bring himself to say them.

Not when they still lacked the evidence necessary to explain everything.

Not when a single careless revelation could place her in greater danger.

His hand tightened into a fist behind his back.

"No."

He forced a faint smile.

"Nothing else."

Yue Ling studied him.

Liu Shan quickly returned to his usual professional demeanor.

"I’ll check on the other departments and see how the teams are progressing."

She nodded.

"All right."

He gave a polite bow before turning toward the door.

Only when he stepped into the hallway did he allow his expression to fall.

The door closed quietly behind him.

Liu Shan released a long breath.

He hated this.

He hated looking his boss in the eyes and withholding something so important.

Especially when she had always placed so much trust in him.

But until they knew exactly what Choi Li Sun was planning, revealing everything would only burden her with uncertainty.

’Just a little longer, Boss.’

His gaze lowered.

’Give us a little more time.’

Once they had the truth, he would tell her everything.

No matter how difficult the conversation might be.

With that thought, Liu Shan straightened his shoulders and made his way toward the elevators.

There was still work to be done.

Inside the office, Yue Ling waited until the door had closed before leaning back in her chair.

Her gaze remained fixed on the entrance.

Something was troubling Liu Shan.

That much was obvious.

She had known him for too many years not to recognize the subtle changes in his behavior.

The forced smile.

The hesitation.

The way he had lingered as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Her fingers tapped lightly against the desk.

It was unlike him.

Liu Shan had always been straightforward with her, particularly when it concerned work.

Yet today, he seemed distracted.

Almost conflicted.

Yue Ling narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.

’What are you hiding, Liu Shan?’

For a moment, she considered calling him back.

But she dismissed the thought.

If it was something he wished to discuss, he would eventually come to her.

She trusted him.

And trust, she believed, also meant knowing when to give someone space.

With a quiet sigh, she reached for the next document.

Just as she was about to begin reading, her phone chimed.

Yue Ling glanced at the screen.

A message from Zhao Ya’Er.

She opened it.

Her eyes widened slightly.

The message consisted of several excited emojis, countless hearts, and enough fireworks to fill the screen.

Beneath them was a short message.

Zhao Ya’Er: ’Yue-Yue!!! That photograph was so romantic! You have to tell me everything! Lunch today? Please say yes!’

Yue Ling laughed softly.

She could practically hear Zhao Ya’Er’s excited voice through the message.

Yue Ling: ’Lunch sounds good.’

She had barely sent her response when another notification appeared.

This time, it was from Lee Hana.

Lee Hana: ’I just saw your post! I can’t believe you kept something this beautiful to yourself! I’m so happy for you, Yue Ling. You both deserve every bit of happiness coming your way.’

Yue Ling’s expression softened.

Yue Ling: ’Thank you, Hana. That means a lot.’

Another message arrived.

Then another.

Madam Lu had sent her a string of heart emojis accompanied by a warm congratulatory message.

Madam Lu: ’My dear, I saw your photograph. It was beautiful. I’m so happy to see you and Tian sharing such a wonderful moment. Come over for dinner when you have time.’

Yue Ling smiled.

Yue Ling: ’Thank you. We’ll visit soon.’

Next came a message from Grandfather Ji.

Grandfather Ji: ’My granddaughter has finally decided to show the world how happy she is. Good. Don’t let that boy forget how fortunate he is.’

Yue Ling chuckled.

She could already imagine the old general’s expression as he typed the message.

Yue Ling: ’Don’t worry, Yeye. I am fortunate to have him every day.’

Almost immediately, another message appeared.

Grandfather Ji: ’Oh? So, Lu boy is the lucky one.’

Yue Ling shook her head with a smile.

Then came Ji Jingxu.

Ji Jingxu: ’JIE!!!’

She stared at the screen.

A second message followed.

Ji Jingxu: ’You posted a romantic photo and didn’t tell your favorite little brother?!’

Yue Ling raised an eyebrow.

Yue Ling: ’Since when did I have more than one little brother?’

His response arrived almost instantly.

Ji Jingxu: ’That’s not the point!’

She laughed.

Ji Jingxu: ’Anyway! You two look happy. Well, your hands do.’

Yue Ling smiled.

Yue Ling: ’Thank you, Jingxu.’

Ji Jingxu: ’Tell Brother-in-law he better keep making you smile.’

Her expression softened.

Yue Ling: ’I will.’

For a moment, she simply looked at the messages.

There was something comforting about knowing that the people she loved were sharing in her happiness.

She had spent so many years keeping her emotions guarded.

Yet now, even something as simple as a photograph had brought warmth into the lives of those around her.

Another notification interrupted her thoughts.

This time, the sender was Lu Tian.

Lu Tian: ’Your photograph has made my morning rather interesting.’

Yue Ling smiled.

Yue Ling: ’Oh?’

Lu Tian: ’Everyone keeps bothering me about it.’

She could imagine his expression perfectly.

The slight crease between his brows.

The restrained irritation.

The way he would pretend to be inconvenienced while secretly enjoying the attention.

Yue Ling: ’Is that a complaint, Mr. Lu?’

His response came a moment later.

Lu Tian: ’An observation.’

Yue Ling laughed under her breath.

Yue Ling: ’Then consider it proof that everyone can see how much I love you.’

For a few seconds, there was no reply.

Then her phone chimed.

Lu Tian: ’I never needed proof.’

Yue Ling’s smile softened.

Another message appeared.

Lu Tian: ’But I like knowing the world does.’

She lowered her gaze, warmth spreading through her chest.

Yue Ling: ’Good. Because I don’t intend to hide it anymore.’

His response was immediate.

Lu Tian: ’Neither do I, wife.’

Yue Ling bit back a smile.

Yue Ling: ’Get back to work, husband.’

Lu Tian: ’Only if you promise to eat lunch.’

She shook her head.

Even through a phone screen, he couldn’t resist reminding her to take care of herself.

Yue Ling: ’I already have lunch plans.’

Lu Tian: ’Who?’

Yue Ling: ’Your cousin.’

A brief pause followed.

Lu Tian: ’All right. Enjoy yourself.’

Then another message appeared.

Lu Tian: ’And drive carefully when you leave.’

Yue Ling laughed.

Yue Ling: ’Yes, Mr. Lu.’

She set her phone aside, still smiling.

Outside her office, the familiar sounds of De L’amour continued.

Employees moved between departments.

Designers prepared their latest creations.

Business carried on as usual.

Yet somehow, the morning felt different.

Lighter.

Warmer.

Perhaps it was because she had finally stopped treating her happiness as something that needed to be hidden.

Or perhaps it was simply because, after so many years of loss and uncertainty, she had begun to believe that she was allowed to enjoy the life she had now.

Yue Ling glanced once more at the photograph displayed on her phone.

Two intertwined hands.

A promise made beneath a sky filled with fireworks.

Her smile deepened.

Then she locked the screen and stood.

Work still waited for her.

After gathering the documents she needed, she stepped out of her office.

She intended to join Liu Shan for the morning rounds and review the progress of De L’amour’s upcoming collection.

Unbeknownst to her, the man she was about to meet was carrying secrets that threatened the very happiness she had so openly shared with the world.

And while the internet celebrated Han Yue Ling’s love story, those closest to her were quietly racing to uncover the dangers gathering around it.

For now, however, she knew none of that.

She simply walked down the corridor with a faint smile on her face.

For the first time in a long while, the future was something she looked forward to.

And she intended to enjoy every moment of it.