Chapter 2252 - 723: First Love (2)

Liu Qingning felt a tightness in her chest, "What happened? Take your time."

"Our CEO was transferred back to Tangyi Precision Headquarters! The new global CEO is... is Tang Song! It’s your Tang Song!" Liu Shuang’s voice was filled with incredulous joy, "We received the notification an hour ago, Chairman Ouyang personally sent a group email, then we had a meeting until now. My God, Qingning! Tang Song, he... he actually became the CEO of Xuanji Light Realm, it’s unbelievable!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Qingning’s breath suddenly halted.

So this was the "big news," that "surprise" he mentioned this morning.

Hang up the phone.

Silence returned to the office.

Liu Qingning slowly sat in the large office chair, taking several deep breaths to barely calm the intense emotional turmoil within.

This event was indeed a surprise.

For her and Tang Song, the most beautiful memories undoubtedly were those three years in high school.

Childhood companions reunite in high school, where fleeting feelings grew amidst the sea of textbooks.

Between them existed not only feelings but the deepest friendship, being each other’s true soulmates.

They talked about everything.

She would tell him about her menstrual cycle, complain about the inconvenience caused by her rapid chest development, help him with his homework, watching his worried expression...

Tang Song would talk to her about comics, stories, tell jokes to cheer her up, listen to music together, take care of her when she was sick, sneak out to buy meat sandwiches...

Even without being in love, they would be the world’s closest friends.

And after graduating from high school.

To keep this relationship pure and maintain harmony in the future, she chose to distance herself both emotionally and physically from this friend for a while.

She thought it would be a romantic chase leading to a Peak Meeting.

Unexpectedly, the one in her eyes still needing care, "Song," silently ascended to the pinnacle in a few years at a pace she couldn’t comprehend.

And the one accompanying him was that suffocating Jin Meixiao.

This was her greatest regret and deepest pain.

Ever since learning about Jin Meixiao’s true existence from Su Yu, a huge insecurity gripped her like a bone-deep ailment.

She could only force herself to strive, compete, and strategize.

Even though she had successfully started a company at the mere age of 26, commanding Qingning Technology, now among the world’s top tech giants, was nearly impossible.

She was still too young, lacking sufficient experience and prestige.

Now, he’s coming to Xuanji Light Realm to be the CEO.

This means his work focus will completely shift to Shen City.

This means numerous legitimate interactions between them, whether in life or work.

Now, it’s the eve of an AI technological explosion. They can, as imagined in high school, stand together in the forefront of technology, uniting to change the world.

Liu Qingning’s eyes exuded gentle yet firm light.

Unsure how much time passed.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

An audible knock on the door.

"Come in."

Liu Qingning concealed all emotions, reverting to the calm and capable President Liu she was known as.

The office door opened, and there came her mentor, Professor Wang Chang.

"Professor, you are here." Liu Qingning promptly stood up to welcome.

"Qingning." Professor Wang Chang wore a gentle smile, "Just finished the onboarding, so I thought I’d report to you first."

Professor Wang Chang held some prominence in the domestic AI field, having just switched roles as the head of Qingning Technology’s newly established "AI Ethics and Social Responsibility Institute," tasked with defining safety boundaries for the company’s more aggressive AI technologies.

Also quite the news.

"Please sit down." Liu Qingning personally poured her a drink, "Professor, I’ve arranged a sumptuous lunch at home. Let’s celebrate over lunch."

"You are too kind."

"It’s deserved."

They chatted a bit about the company before heading downstairs together.

Walking across the street, they arrived at Shencheng Bay No.1, Building T5 opposite.

Swiping the card, they entered the luxurious flat.

Aunt Mei welcomed them with a smile, "Miss Liu, Professor Wang."

"Aunt Mei." "Hello."

Changing into indoor shoes, they headed to the dining room.

Liu Qingning uncharacteristically opened a bottle of champagne, pouring a little for each.

"Professor, welcome once again to Qingning Technology."

"Thank you, Qingning."

They gently clinked glasses.

At the dining table, the conversation shifted to the past.

"Looking back, I’m very grateful to you. If it weren’t for you leading me to the AI path, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Professor Wang Chang chuckled, "That was also the result of your hard work."

"Professor," Liu Qingning asked casually, "Why did you suddenly favor me, just a second-year undergrad, and resolutely added me to the startup competition team?"

Professor Wang Chang’s smile froze, not expecting Liu Qingning to ask suddenly.

She instinctively averted her gaze and took a sip of champagne, "Of course, it’s because of your talent. Your understanding of algorithms was the best among all students I’ve seen..."

At this moment.

Liu Qingning suddenly put down her wine glass, raising her clear and pure eyes, staring directly at Wang Chang.

"You’re lying."

Her voice was soft yet penetrated with an undeniable force.

"..."

"I’ve known you since 2017, and before that, your attitude was nice but just like any other student. But from 2018, it suddenly changed."

Wang Chang’s eye twitched, breaths quickened slightly, "Qingning... you mean..."

Liu Qingning fixed her gaze on her, asking, "Professor, your sudden willingness to relinquish university tenure and join Qingning Technology, who arranged that?"

"I mentioned it to you before, it’s your Senior Sister Qin..."

"Senior Sister Qin was Chairman Jin’s former assistant, right?"

Wang Chang’s hand trembled, her face paling slightly.

Liu Qingning asked in a quasi-assertive tone, "Was it Chairman Jin?"

"I..." Wang Chang’s forehead was covered in a thin sweat.

Looking into her student’s eyes, seemingly able to see through everything, Wang Chang finally nodded with difficulty, "Yes."

"So, the reason you suddenly ’picked’ me, encouraged me, led me down this path was all because of Chairman Jin’s arrangement?"

"... Yes."

"I understand now."

Liu Qingning lowered her head and picked up her chopsticks again.

Turns out, her proud "chosen path" was merely a carefully planned move on someone else’s chessboard.

They’ve been calculating against me.

The sprawling dining room fell into a deathly silence.

Professor Wang Chang sat restlessly, face full of guilt and awkwardness, lips moved slightly but said nothing.

After finishing the sumptuous lunch.

Liu Qingning stood up, with a gentle smile back on her face.

As if the near "break-the-face" confrontation earlier never occurred.

"Professor, I’ve arranged your accommodation already. I hope that moving forward, our mentor-student relationship along with Senior Sister Ziyin will together strive to bring Qingning Technology to new heights."

Professor Wang Chang pressed her lips, finally sighing, "Qingning... I’m sorry..."

Hearing this.

Liu Qingning shook her head, eyes devoid of resentment, possessing a clear calmness.

"Professor, what’s past is past, I hold no other intentions.

Regardless, we’ve known each other for so many years, your guidance and help are remembered in my heart.

In my mind, I’ve always regarded you as my closest elder.

Our relationship is definitely sturdier than any outsider."

She paused, earnestly adding, "Qingning Technology will be mine in the future, and I will strive to protect it."