Chapter 91: Chapter 91

As it turned out, leisure time was always fleeting.

With the release of the new technology by Fu Corporation Technologies and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from users, An Ning's credentials as the developer quickly landed on the desks of major corporations in the capital and even high-ranking officials.

Even online, traces of Dr. Xu's reputation began to surface.

It had to be said that the curiosity and capabilities of netizens were not just for show. Moreover, An Ning had already established a considerable reputation in the industry during her time working under her advisor, Professor Decker.

However, as the saying goes, laymen watch for excitement while experts discern the craft. The new technology Fu Corporation had heavily invested in was nothing short of a golden goose. Naturally, they wouldn't let others take a share of the profits before reaping substantial rewards themselves.

Especially when there were clear indications of military involvement behind the scenes.

But was this technology's true value limited to just that?

Beyond the brainwave-extracting helmet, what truly made high-tech industries salivate was the underlying AI technology.

This technology could significantly impact fields like smartphones, computers, and even automobiles.

The high-tech industry was ruthlessly competitive—sometimes, falling just one step behind meant facing obsolescence or replacement.

Moreover, considering her age—only twenty-six—and already achieving this much, who could predict what heights she might reach in the future?

Calling her potential limitless wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Why wouldn’t anyone want to befriend such talent?

For these reasons, despite Fu Sheng's best efforts to manage the situation, invitations and visiting cards from all directions soon piled up around An Ning.

However, An Ning had never been fond of such social engagements. She didn’t need these connections to chase greater benefits.

Money, to her, was just a means to live comfortably—beyond a certain point, it was merely numbers.

Why sacrifice precious leisure time to engage in empty pleasantries with strangers? Exhausting, wasn’t it?

Without hesitation, she handed over the patent management rights to Fu Sheng and continued lounging on her rocking chair, basking in the sun.

Pity. Sipping the slightly chilled fruit wine, An Ning lamented that she wouldn’t be able to travel anytime soon.

In fact, due to the technology's fame, even the apartments below hers had two new occupants—people eagerly seeking opportunities to meet her.

The crowd desperately looking for chances to connect: "......"

Fu Sheng, who had been so busy lately that his usually well-maintained hair had started thinning: "......"

Yep, still the same girl he knew.

Remembering that this was her way of showing trust, the overworked CEO instantly perked up.

Glancing at the meeting request from the Ji Group handed to him by his assistant, Fu Sheng's expression darkened momentarily.

Ji Ze. Muttering the name that somehow sounded pretentious and irritating, Fu Sheng couldn’t resist the petty urge to schedule him last.

As for how long Ji Ze would have to wait?

Well, with dozens—if not hundreds—of people lined up to see him, CEO Fu was far too busy these days!

Honestly, An Ning wasn’t particularly surprised when she saw the familiar face again.

What did surprise her was that Madam Ji—someone who valued propriety above all and had always maintained an image of grace and elegance, especially in front of the original host—would disregard decorum and wait outside her residential complex in the freezing cold.

Allowing the wind and snow to dampen her luxurious fur coat.

Not intending to humiliate her, An Ning gestured for the driver to open the car door promptly.

It was the same private room as before, yet in less than five years, their positions had completely reversed. Now, it was An Ning sitting there composedly while Madam Ji fidgeted with unease.

Truth be told, when Madam Ji first saw her again after five years, she barely recognized her—even doubting her own eyes for a moment.

What had Xu An Ning been like before?

Just a naive girl. No matter how well she pretended, Madam Ji had seen right through her.

Pretty and ambitious, desperately clawing her way up yet clinging to misplaced pride and absurd self-respect.

To Madam Ji, it had all been laughably contradictory.

Only her son could have genuinely believed this girl was some pure, untainted angel.

Before coming, Madam Ji had already prepared her approach. In her view, no matter how intelligent or educated someone from humble beginnings was, certain ingrained traits couldn’t be erased.

The first thing people did after sudden success was to trample those who had once looked down on them—to relish the sight of their former superiors bowing before them, compensating for past humiliations.

And Xu An Ning? From what she knew, the girl might not be ruthless enough for extreme vengeance.

If she could let her vent her grievances and factor in Ji Ze’s past affection, the past could be water under the bridge.

But now, facing this woman, Madam Ji wasn’t so sure anymore.

Staring into those ice-cold eyes, she saw no gloating, no condescending arrogance—just calm detachment. Yet under that gaze, Madam Ji felt utterly exposed, as if stripped bare under sunlight.

Every plan, every thought she had, seemed nothing more than a farcical performance in An Ning’s eyes—transparent and pitiful.

Clutching her handbag tightly, Madam Ji wondered:

Could five years truly change someone so drastically?

Or had the trauma from back then—especially the revelation about her parents—been too much to bear, altering her personality entirely?

If... if that were the case...

Her face paled further at the thought, but she forced herself to speak:

"I know... what I did back then was excessive. But the Ji Group was in crisis—I had no choice..."

"Hate me, resent me—I accept that. Direct it all at me. But A-Ze... A-Ze never once wronged you..."