The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Changes to Take the Black Moonlight Script - Chapter 34

Shang Shiqian attended as an intern from the Wei Group.

Apart from her, the others accompanying Wei Yixian were either her top-tier assistants, secretaries, or senior executives from subsidiaries handling aerospace engine components.

These executives had also brought their own assistants.

With over a dozen people in the exhibition group, Shang Shiqian blended in seamlessly.

However, being the lowest in status, she had to walk at the very back of the group.

Outside, Wei Yixian paid her no attention.

Though everyone was curious why Wei Yixian would bring an intern to such an important exhibition, they assumed it was due to the common flaw of family-run businesses nepotism.

Naturally, they categorized Shang Shiqian as a “nepo hire.”

Seeing that Wei Yixian ignored her, they speculated she must have been arranged by the chairman’s side.

Well-versed in workplace politics, they followed suit and ignored Shang Shiqian as well.

Only Xie Mei waved at her before boarding the car: “Intern, ride with me.”

Shang Shiqian: “…”

Was she planning to force her hand once she got in the car?

Specifically, by making her remove her mask.

Earlier, Xie Mei had wanted to see her face but was interrupted by Wei Yixian stepping out of the elevator.

After learning from the system that Xie Mei was Wei Yixian’s long-trusted right-hand woman, Shang Shiqian grew even more resistant to unmasking.

What if Xie Mei recognized her?

Just then, the female secretary approached Xie Mei and said, “Assistant Xie, the CEO wants to switch cars with you. She has some matters to discuss.”

Xie Mei: “…”

Speechless, she boarded Wei Yixian’s car.

“CEO, what urgent matters do you need me for?”

Wei Yixian glanced at her. “I know you often deal with those seasoned veterans, so your demeanor has inevitably been influenced. Take some time to engage with younger colleagues learn their energy. Don’t be so frivolous and slick.”

Xie Mei: “?”

She was utterly baffled.

“Frivolous and slick?!” she blurted out. “Who slandered me?”

It never crossed her mind that Shang Shiqian could be the source, after all, today was their first meeting, and Shang Shiqian hadn’t spoken to Wei Yixian since joining the group.

Was it the female secretary?

But she’d never interacted with her beyond work matters.

Apart from a handshake, there had been no physical contact either.

Shang Shiqian boarded the company car with the female secretary.

Coincidentally, the driver was Old Ma, someone she knew.

“Uncle Ma, you’re working here today?”

Old Ma smiled at her. “Yes, Miss Shang.”

Arranged by the CEO herself.

At first, he thought he’d messed up and been demoted to a company driver.

But seeing Shang Shiqian, he understood Wei Yixian didn’t trust the regular drivers and had assigned him specifically!

The realization that “the intern knows the CEO’s personal driver” further cemented the others’ belief that Shang Shiqian was a nepo hire.

The female secretary whispered to Shang Shiqian, “Your surname is Shang?”

“Yes, I’m Shiyu, Time Waits for No One.”

“Oh, Shang Shiyu.” The secretary felt something was off about the name.

A moment later, her eyes widened wasn’t this.

Ahem. Old Ma coughed pointedly.

The female secretary immediately understood and said, “My name is Yin Lian. ‘Yin’ as in the magistrate’s title, and ‘Lian’ meaning compassion.”

–

The exhibition halls were all located near the suburban areas, and coincidentally, it happened to be the national college entrance examination period. Traffic control would be implemented near schools, causing normally smooth roads to become heavily congested.

Fortunately, the Wei Group delegation had set off early. By the time they arrived at the exhibition center, there were still about twenty minutes before the opening ceremony began.

Although today’s event was only for industry representatives and professional visitors, it involved fifteen industries in total, each with procurement buyers from countries worldwide.

As thousands of people arrived at the exhibition center one after another, the temperature inside gradually rose.

The crowd was dense, and one might easily lose track of someone if not careful.

Most men at the venue were either dressed in suits or wore polo shirts with dress pants, while women’s attire showed slightly more variety and brighter colors.

Most attendees from Xia Country wore face masks, making Shang Shiqian blend seamlessly into the crowd.

After Wei Yixian entered the opening ceremony hall, the rest of the entourage had to remain outside the cordoned-off area.

Shang Shiqian was looking around for members of the Shang family when she suddenly overheard a conversation:

“Will Shang Yunyu be coming?”

“Haven’t heard anything.”

“Isn’t she the chairperson of the Aeronautical Society? Would she really skip an exhibition hosted by them?”

“There was a leadership change this year. She’s now focused on research and only holds an advisory position.”

Hearing that her mother wouldn’t be attending, Shang Shiqian felt somewhat disappointed.

However, the next moment, she spotted the Shang family entourage approaching amidst a crowd.

“The Shangs have arrived.”

Shang Shiqian’s heartbeat quickened.

Leading the group was the CEO of Phoenix Group, Shang Xuanyan, known as the Phoenix Eldest Princess.

Shang Xuanyan was the eldest daughter of Shang Yu Huang, the current chairperson of Phoenix Group. By traditional familial terms, Shang Shiqian should address her as “Aunt.”

But in the Shang family, she addressed all women of her mother’s generation as “Aunt.”

She nearly blurted out “Aunt Yan” but managed to restrain herself.

Half a step behind Shang Xuanyan was Shang Shixing, followed by Shang Xuanyan’s two daughters, Shang Zizai and Shang Ziru, along with a young girl.

Compared to the other Shang family members, the young face seemed unfamiliar to those around, prompting whispers: “Who’s the girl at the back?”

“The youngest daughter of Shang Xuanzhao, the Phoenix Second Princess Shang Conglan. She just turned eighteen this year.”

Shang Shiqian studied Shang Conglan carefully:

Little Lan has grown so much? Truly, a girl changes eighteen times before reaching womanhood.

“But shouldn’t she be taking her college entrance exams right now? Why is she here?”

Exactly! Shang Shiqian was equally curious.

“She was already admitted to the University of Science and Technology through early admission. No need to take the exams.”

Shang Shiqian inwardly exclaimed, “Wow!” She hadn’t realized Little Lan was such a top student!

Though to be fair, most of their family were academic high-achievers.

Only she had gained admission to Xia Normal University by winning the national Go championship.

Oh, and there was also Shang Shidai, who got into Dongcheng Art Institute through art specialty admission with bonus points.

The nearby discussion continued:

“Is the Shang family officially paving the way for her now?”

“Absolutely. Just look at which university she got into University of Science and Technology! The gathering place for current and future scientific talents.”

“Still, only Shang Shixing came from Shang Yu Feng’s branch this time.”

“That branch of the family is too low-key, and after the incident with Shang Si, they’ve become even more discreet.”

Mentioning Shang Si seemed to press some kind of mute button, the surrounding air fell silent for a second.

Someone quickly made a dismissive sound and shifted the topic: “The one in the middle of the third row, isn’t that Wei Yixian? Why is she here this year?”

“Isn’t that obvious? She’s been rotating through branch offices and subsidiaries before finally making her way back this year. Of course she’d only qualify to attend now.”

“Did the Shang family let her off?”

Hearing this, Shang Shiqian couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the deal between the Shang family and Wei Yixian?”

The person glanced back at her, then nervously scanned the surroundings before walking away indifferently.

They had no intention of engaging with a stranger like her.

Frustrated, Shang Shiqian turned to Yin Lian. “Sister Yin, do you know what’s going on?”

Yin Lian was delighted by the term “sister” and replied, “I, I’m not sure either. I was only recruited after the New Year.”

Shang Shiqian had no choice but to suppress her curiosity for now and turn her attention to the Shang family.

Whether by coincidence or deliberate arrangement, Shang Shixing’s seat was also in the third row, just two seats away from Wei Yixian.

But she didn’t greet Wei Yixian.

Wei Yixian didn’t spare her a glance either.

However, when Shang Xuanyan from the second row took her seat, Wei Yixian stood up to greet her, exchanging a few pleasantries.

No one around them batted an eye.

Even Shang Shixing didn’t react with any visible displeasure.

After all, Shang Xuanyan was not just a member of the Shang family, she was also the CEO of Phoenix Group.

Her priorities leaned more toward corporate interests than the educational and research pursuits of Shang Yu Feng’s branch.

Moreover, Phoenix Group and Wei Corporation had business collaborations in aerospace manufacturing.

Shang Shixing was well aware of this, which was why her family had never imposed their personal grievances on the rest of the clan.

Watching this scene, Shang Shiqian felt as if a hundred claws were scratching at her heart, it was unbearable.

No wonder she hadn’t seen Wei Yixian interacting with the Shang family at all these days.

Their relationship had already deteriorated to the point of being complete strangers.

Was it her death that caused this rift between Wei Yixian and her family?

Or had some irreconcilable conflict arisen between them over the years?

At this moment, she desperately wanted to step forward, to stand between them and uncover what had happened in the past eight years.

But when she caught sight of Shang Shixing chatting with a faint smile, she forced herself to stop.

–

In the guest seating area.

Wei Yixian, who was exchanging pleasantries with Shang Xuanyan, subtly turned her head to glance into the crowd.

Shang Shiqian was facing this direction, but her attention was clearly fixed on the Shang family.

Wei Yixian pressed her lips together, her gaze inscrutable.

Only she knew the turbulent undercurrents beneath her calm exterior.

‘The Shang family is right here. What will you do?’

Wei Yixian both dreaded and longed for Shang Shiqian to take that step.

This contradictory, complicated feeling had tormented her for days.

Ever since she confirmed that Shang Shiyu had a 99% probability of being Shang Shiqian, her heart had never known true peace.

Shang Shiqian’s return from the dead was undoubtedly a joyous surprise, but it came with countless unanswered questions.

For example:

Why was the system so insistent on making Shang Shiqian pursue her?

If the sole purpose was to alter the original plot, what benefit would that bring to the system?

For energy?

But why would changing the original plot yield energy?

And why does the system repeatedly emphasize the importance of energy?

Moreover, Shang Shiqian could have returned to the Shang family at any time. Yet, apart from those two days when they reunited when she lingered outside the Shang residence for a while she never went back, let alone made contact with the Shang family.

Was Shang Shiqian under some constraint that prevented her from returning?

Did the system forbid her from revealing her identity?

In any case, these mysteries couldn’t be simply explained away with terms like “system,” “strategy,” or “original plot.”

Wei Yixian had brought Shang Shiqian out and created opportunities for her to approach the Shang family precisely to see how she would act.

If she chose to reveal herself to the Shang family, it would mean she wasn’t under any restrictions she simply didn’t want to return.

But Wei Yixian knew the likelihood of that was extremely low.

If Shang Shiqian truly didn’t want to return, she wouldn’t have waited outside the Shang residence for so long.

If Shang Shiqian had the chance to return but still didn’t.

At this thought, Wei Yixian’s heart sank to the depths.

–

As Wei Yixian and the Shang family took their seats, all that remained for Shang Shiqian were the backs of their heads.

She moved to the side of the guest seating area. At least here, she could see her family’s profiles, and there were fewer people around.

Wei Yixian tilted her head slightly to glance at her.

Noticing Wei Yixian’s gaze, Shang Shiqian reluctantly tore her eyes away from her eldest sister and gave a small wave in front of her.

Wei Yixian curled her lips slightly and looked away.

Just then, Shang Shixing turned to speak to the person beside her, and her gaze inadvertently landed on the audience seats beyond the railing.

She spotted a young woman wearing thick-framed glasses and a mask covering most of her face clearly someone who had just entered society.

For some reason, she sensed an inexplicably familiar aura from the girl.

Before she could dwell on it, the host’s speech interrupted her thoughts.

By the time Shang Shixing looked again, the girl had already vanished.

Shang Shiqian: And you call yourself my sister? You didn’t even recognize me.

Shang Shixing (brandishing a cane): I burned so many maps for you, and you still couldn’t find your way home. How dare you say that?

Shang Shiqian (pointing at Wei Yixian): Blame her.

Wei Yixian: …

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