Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

Far away in Northern Tree Continent, in Country A. The convoy rolled steadily along the highway toward the next state.

Unlike the chaos unfolding in the Middle Kingdom, Ling Qingyu's side of the world seemed almost peaceful.

At least on the surface. She hadn't encountered another active shooter or gun spree incidents. Nor had her guards participated.

Perhaps, her personal flight crews were in fear, feeling supernatural beliefs that they turtled inside the hotel. Not even bothering to visit or tour around, even if she promised she would provide security. That was just coincidences; her explanation was taken one ear and popped out of another.

With Athena's manufactured licensed documents, as well as, vetted by the previous city and state government, Spirit Fox operators could wield weapons without worries about legality issue.

In fact, politicians even quietly praised Ling Qingyu's willingness to save their careers regarding last active shooter scenario where casualties were controlled.

The armored SUVs and support vehicles moved in a disciplined column beneath the afternoon sun. Security personnel occupied the lead and rear vehicles, Spirit Fox operators armed to the teeth.

Black SUVs, mighty and heavy formation drew eyes wherever the convoy went. It looked excessive to outsiders, but nobody around Ling Qingyu considered it unusual anymore.

Too many incidents had happened over the years. Too many enemies. Too much money. Well, Ling Qingyu was simply overthinking but she needed secure and calm atmosphere to think and strategize properly.

A convoy had gradually become normal. She was too used to it that it seemed odd to travel light.

Ling Qingyu sat beside the window in the back seat, lazily scrolling through reports on a tablet while the scenery drifted by outside.

Across from her, Kate was buried in financial documents. Astrid was reading through a folder while occasionally glancing outside.

William occupied an entire seat by himself in the trunk area and looked as though he had been contemplating a nap for the last hour.

The atmosphere inside the vehicle was relaxed. They had spoken to each other and more words might sound pretentious. Ling Qingyu confessed it was William's presence that stopped her prying behavior.

She wasn't relaxed or comfortable as people thought, she complained inwardly. The convoy was heading to another state where the reunion event would be held.

Ling Qingyu stretched slightly and placed the tablet aside.

For the first time in a long while, she felt genuinely satisfied with how things had unfolded. Even though nothing had changed or followed what she imagined yet, the feeling of sowing several major seeds that would rock the world brought detached peace and anticipation.

.

She praised her former self for lusting over a pair of doctor and nurse. Else, she might have some regrets.

Ling Qingyu occasionally found herself wondering what might have happened had she not planned to attend that particular gathering, had she not followed Mo Yunxi and Yin Jingfei, had she not intervened when she did, or had she simply continued living according to her old habits.

The answer was unpleasant.

Fortunately, reality had taken another route.

Not everything.

That would be impossible.

But enough.

Kate was alive.

That alone changed many things.

Now Kate looked less like a struggling entrepreneur and more like a predator that had finally been released into a forest filled with prey.

The woman was thriving. Every week seemed to bring another acquisition or takeover of dead patrons.

Another contract.

Another investment.

Another expansion.

Given the deterrent momentum, gifted by her friend, Kate established her authority with lightning speed and pressed on with her vision. Anyone who sensed something amiss dared not touch her.

Sometimes even Ling Qingyu was surprised by how quickly Kate could identify opportunities. She was a naturally born businesswoman. A merchant to the soul.

Money appeared to multiply wherever she directed her attention.

Kate had once possessed talent without resources. Now she possessed both.

The results were predictable. And Kate was a great confidante to warm up a relationship, despite the philanthropic changing of male partners every day.

Sometimes, Ling Qingyu really wanted to shake some sanity into this woman. Have some decency, please.

But then, it wasn't her life, and Kate didn't give trouble to anyone else.

Fortunately, Kate stopped inviting her to the private club to enjoy the night together. Recalling the horrifying ghostlike experience, Ling Qingyu shivered and bitterly chuckled.

At the bare minimum, connecting with Kate allowed Ling Qingyu to create a foothold for future plans in Country A. Better for a local to be an agent than presenting herself as a foreigner.

Then, Ling Qingyu smiled slightly.

Kate noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Kate narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"You're smiling at me. Darling, what's the matter?"

"I am?"

"Yes."

Ling Qingyu looked genuinely confused.

"Or are you thinking about which area has the best men to spend the night in the next state?" Kate teased.

Ling Qingyu choked and coughed, snatching a plastic cup of water from Astrid's hand.

Astrid immediately laughed. "She's right. Why don't I help from the side?"

Ling Qingyu rolled her eyes. Girl, when was the last time they shook hands, fighting over a nonsensical man?

Feeling offended out of nowhere, William brushed away his intuition and looked up from his seat. "Should I be concerned?"

"No," Kate replied.

"Then I'm going back to sleep."

William immediately resumed his previous position. He was the only man in the convoy. He couldn't stand the nervousness surrounded by so many tigresses. One wrong move, his heart feeling fragile.

Heck, a single mistake might even lead him to eat dust on the road. Who was it that said being surrounded by many women was a paradise? He wanted nothing to shove his shoes to that bastard's mouth.

The women laughed.

Ling Qingyu hopped her eyes back and forth between Astrid and William. She found out her girlfriend seemed to have figured things out. Astrid detached her immersive feelings and realized she didn't love the man as she had thought. It was obsession.

This was the best outcome; Ling Qingyu beamed inwardly. That way, she could move Astrid with her actions.

Astrid shook her head. "Honestly, I'm glad you came back."

Ling Qingyu looked surprised.

Astrid continued before she could answer. "A few years ago I would've never believed we'd be sitting together like this."

Neither would Ling Qingyu. Or the former self. Their relationship had not exactly been smooth. There had been misunderstandings during the university years when people should have enjoyed the best time.

Old frustrations.

Pride.

Distance.

The usual ingredients that accumulated over time.

Yet somehow those issues now felt strangely insignificant.

Perhaps age changed people.

Or perhaps surviving enough hardships simply altered one's perspective. Nope, she changed inside out. So the problem didn't exist.

Ling Qingyu smiled. "So am I."

Astrid blinked.

Then rolled her eyes.

"That's surprisingly sincere."

"I am always sincere."

"No," Kate interrupted. "You can be terrifying. That's different."

Ling Qingyu glared at her.

Kate grinned. "It's a secret that we both know."

Her winking tease filled the vehicles with laughter again. Oh, poor William and Astrid, Hmph, I am the only one aware of Qingyu's secret, Kate snorted inwardly.

Astrid noticed the deeper connections between her best friend and Kate. Her curiosity piqued by the mysterious interactions.