Tang Moyu's narrowed at him with suspicion. He wasn't trying to trap her using the project, right?

  "I'm sorry, I have to decline, President Yun. My calendar is full at the moment and my dinners are exclusively booked by my children. I hope you understand. You can give my assistant a call later to set an appointment if you want to discuss more about the project." She declined his invitation on the spot.

  What was he thinking, being so shameless all of a sudden? Thankfully, her team had already left and they were talking in private and were out of everyone's earshot. But that didn't mean that she was saved from rumors that would spread like wildfire later about her involvement with the president of Yun Group.

  Tang Moyu had long set a strict requirement on herself, and that was to never get romantically involved with her business partners or associates, or give them any indication that she had any romantic interest in them.

  "I see. I'll do that then. I'm looking forward to meeting you again." Despite his smooth tone, Tang Moyu could sense the disappointment in his voice. Did he really think she would give him a chance?

  Tang Moyu rose from her seat and straightened her posture, followed by Yun Zhen. She shook his hand briskly, maintaining an eye contact professionally, fully aware that his larger and stronger hand had completely engulfed hers. He was starting to get on her nerves for a reason and Tang Moyu didn't appreciate it one bit.

  "At least let me see you out, Moyu." He told her as they stepped out of the room together, seeing Tang Moyu's team and Lu Tianxin standing there, waiting for her.

  The empress could only grit her teeth and walked a little faster, making sure that there would be enough distance between her and Yun Zhen. She saw her cousin gave her an inquisitive look, but Tang Moyu's lip only turned down in annoyance in response.

  Just as he said, Yun Zhen saw Tang Moyu out and even went as far as following them to the parking space, where the cars were waiting. He watched Tang Moyu slid inside her car with her cousin and drove away.

  Once she was out of sight, he inhaled deeply. That woman was the same girl who had promised that she would marry him when she grew up. But seeing her today, Yun Zhen felt that there was no hint of the innocent girl he'd saved years ago. He could only sense her coldness towards him.

  Her familiar scent remained imprinted on his mind, a subtle floral scent with a hint of baby powder. It was quite charming and lovely at the same time.

  After years of being apart, the Tang Moyu who came back from overseas looked m.a.t.u.r.ed and she still emenated the same regal aura she had before her exile. Even her body had improved in many ways compared to the last time he'd seen her.

  Her black skirt suit flattered her feminine curves, making her appear serious and regal at the same time, not giving anyone an impression that they could challenge her authority.

  She had this amazon corporate look that Yun Zhen usually found distasteful on other women in their failed attempt to establish their reputation, but not on Tang Moyu. It looked s.e.xy and naturally charming when it came to her and she wore those high heels that had emphasized her shapely legs.

  Yun Zhen shook his head and walked back to the private elevator leading to his office, pushing the button to the highest floor. He watched as the doors closed and the lights on each floor flashed as the elevator moved up.

  The collaboration project between Tang Enterprise and Yun Group was supposed to draw the empress by his side while keeping her enemies at bay. She might not have liked the idea of him showing his intentions to her, but who cares?

  He reveled in the idea that they would eventually get together someday, and had briefly enjoyed seeing their pictures together months ago, but it suddenly disappeared completely and he couldn't find out who had done it.

  Just who was it that was brave enough to challenge him for the empress's hand? He purposely allowed the rumors to keep going for a reason, even if Tang Moyu didn't like it.

  However, he decided that he would do his best to change that. Five years ago, Tang Moyu should've been his. She should've become Madam Yun after he'd snatched her from Feng Tianhua.

  But along the way, his plans derailed and Tang Moyu ended up on another man's bed. He did not manage to save her from Xing Yiyue, and she ended up in another man's hands.

  Yun Zhen was set to marry Tang Moyu since the first time he'd met her. He intended to save her, take her away from her abusive family all those years ago, but none of it happened as she'd left the country as soon as Feng Tianhua kicked her to the curb. His hatred towards that man was way worse than what he felt for the Tang family.

  Anyway, he needed to change Tang Moyu's impression of him now. Yun Zhen was willing to overlook the fact that she had borne children from another man and simply wanted her by his side. She was supposed to be his, his wife, but Feng Tianhua and the Tang family had repeatedly obstructed his way to get her, but not this time, not anymore.

  He was aware of the importance of this project to Tang Moyu and would do his best to make sure that she would have the upper hand against Feng Tianhua and the Tang family, even if she wasn't aware that he'd purposely sent the proposal her way to get a better footing within Tang Enterprise.