Outside the president's office.

The corridor was deathly silent.

Only the faint sound of the central air conditioning's airflow made the atmosphere feel even more oppressive.

Lin Muxue unconsciously rubbed the carpet with the tip of her shoe.

She would occasionally turn her head to stare at the tightly closed solid wood door, then perk up her ears, trying to catch any slightest movement inside.

However, thanks to the excellent soundproofing, she couldn't hear a thing.

What was going on inside?

Had they started fighting yet?

One was a national diva who was red-hot across the nation, the other was the all-powerful Golden Misfortune.

If these two really came to blows...

Pulling hair? Slapping each other?

That kind of scene...

Though terrifying, oh my god, she really wanted to see it!

Lin Muxue's mind uncontrollably ran wild with imagination.

But then it occurred to her, when Su Yu went in, it was she who let her pass.

What if Director Jin mistakenly thought she had switched sides? Wouldn't she be held accountable later?

Hey, Little Snow's life matters too!

Sigh.

She swallowed hard, unable to stand still any longer, and shuffled half a step to the side, lowering her voice to test the waters: "Assistant Shangguan, maybe... we should go in to deliver some water? And check the situation while we're at it?"

Shangguan Qiuyas, who had been standing quietly to the side all along, didn't even shift her gaze, replying calmly:

"Assistant Lin, there's no need to worry. Director Jin knows what she's doing."

"...Alright."

Lin Muxue withdrew her neck, continuing to draw mental circles in her head.

After another agonizing wait.

Shangguan Qiuyas glanced at her wristwatch and said softly, "The timing is about right, I'll go in first."

With that, she picked up her briefcase, didn't even knock, and directly pushed open that heavy door, her figure disappearing inside.

Lin Muxue instinctively craned her neck to peek inside, straining her ears to listen.

No crying, no sounds of things being thrown.

It was very quiet, a silence that made one's heart uneasy.

"Click—"

The door closed tightly again.

Now only Lin Muxue remained outside the door.

She glanced left and right, confirming that the tactful administrative director had retreated to the distant elevator lobby, making this area temporarily safe.

She bit her lip, quickly slipped behind the secretary's workstation outside the office, and pulled out her phone.

Her fingertips flew as she sent a message to Tang Song: "President Tang, there's a bit of a special situation at the company. Miss Su Yu was taking a nap in your office at noon and happened to run into Director Jin. Everything seems normal for now."

After sending the message, she clutched her phone, her palms sweating.

She waited a moment.

"Buzz buzz buzz—"

[Tang Song: I know. It's fine, I know what's going on.]

Seeing his words, Lin Muxue's heart, which had been in her throat, instantly settled back into her stomach.

She quickly replied: "Understood, President Tang! By the way, what time will you arrive at the company? Do you need me to arrange a car to pick you up?"

[Tang Song: "No need. Just be ready at the company, I'll be there around 1:30."]

Lin Muxue: "Received (well-behaved emoji)"

She put away her phone and patted her chest.

"Whew—"

Thank goodness.

After all, Tang Song was the core of this whole conflict.

His calmness meant the situation was still under control.

She, as his personal assistant, was also secure.

She had heard a thing or two about that Bai Yueguang, Liu Qingning.

Tang Song didn't hide it from her; occasionally when he was on voice calls with the other party, she was right there.

Plus, Shen Yuyan had mentioned details about the Jing County Yizhong school anniversary, so she was crystal clear about the situation.

That's why today she was very sensible, didn't disturb them, and just did her work step by step.

Just after putting her phone away, not even two minutes passed.

Faint noises came from inside the door.

Lin Muxue immediately straightened her back, plastering a standard professional smile back on her face.

"Creak—"

The door opened.

Secretary Jin walked out first.

She still looked the same, with her hair perfectly in place and flawless makeup.

Her expression was calm, even the corners of her mouth still carried that signature perfect smile.

Not a single wrinkle could be seen on her clothes.

Shangguan Qiuyas followed behind, carrying the briefcase, her expression normal.

"Director Jin." Lin Muxue quickly bowed, her posture respectful.

"Have you eaten, Luna?"

Secretary Jin stopped, looking at her with gentle eyes.

"Not yet." Lin Muxue answered honestly, but her heart was pounding wildly.

"Then let's eat together." Jin Meixiao slightly raised her chin, her tone composed: "I'll wait for you all at the executive dining room on the 38th floor. Go call Shirley too, I have something to say to you both."

Call Shen Yuyan too?

Lin Muxue was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood.

Was this a meeting? To convey... the spirit?

"Understood!" she swiftly responded, "Shirley is at the holographic exhibition hall on the 2nd floor, I'll go call her right now."

"Mhm."

Secretary Jin gave a slight nod, then headed toward the private elevator with Shangguan Qiuyas.

Watching their figures disappear, Lin Muxue let out a long sigh of relief, turned, and quickly walked toward another elevator further inside, pressing the down button.

The elevator stopped at the 2nd floor.

Before the doors opened, she quickly smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, straightened her back, and stepped out in her high heels.

Xuanji Optical World · Holographic Future Exhibition Hall.

Even during the lunch break, this place was still bustling with noise and astonishingly high energy.

As the core exhibition area for the afternoon inauguration ceremony, it was packed with engineers making final equipment adjustments, media reporters carrying all sorts of cameras, and well-trained protocol staff.

Giant holographic projections in the air morphed into various sci-fi geometric shapes and data streams.

Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, a strong sense of futuristic atmosphere washed over everyone.

This headquarters inauguration ceremony might have originally been just a routine internal celebration.

But with the personal attendance of Director Jin and others, its scale had long been invisibly elevated to the top tier.

Even many domestic tech giants had arranged for core executives or even founders to personally attend.

The air was thick with the restless anticipation of a major event about to happen.

Walking through the crowd.

Employees who recognized her would occasionally nod respectfully in greeting.

This made her posture even more upright.

As she approached the central area of the exhibition hall.

A familiar and striking figure came into view.

Shen Yuyan.

This newly appointed Chief Ecosystem Officer was surrounded by a group of technical leads and media personnel.

She wore a standard black women's suit, her makeup was exquisite, and her demeanor was poised and graceful.

Speaking eloquently, her every gesture exuded the confidence and charm of a tech elite executive.

Not bad, really stealing the spotlight.

The corner of Lin Muxue's mouth twitched slightly.

This was their first formal meeting since parting in New York twenty days ago.

As the most direct competitor by Tang Song's side, she could clearly sense the change in Shen Yuyan.

It wasn't just the confidence brought by the position.

It was more the almost overflowing sense of high spirits and... a certain glow in her eyes.

She had definitely gotten a taste of the meat.

Otherwise, how could she have recovered so quickly from the state of being beaten down by Director Jin before?

She was even more composed and confident than before.

Lin Muxue strode forward.

Her exquisite features, slender waist, round hips, curvy figure, long legs, plus the demeanor she deliberately imitated from Secretary Jin.

Wherever she passed, she instantly attracted many admiring glances.

Shen Yuyan at the center of the crowd quickly and keenly noticed that familiar aura.

Their eyes met.

A spark flashed for an instant.

Shen Yuyan politely apologized to the media she was speaking with, then gracefully turned and walked over in this direction.

The two quickly approached.

The surrounding noise seemed to fade into background music.

Two similarly capable and dazzling figures converged in the center of the exhibition area.

They looked at each other and smiled.

"Luna, finished with your work?"

"Shirley, long time no see."

The two female assistants, who had once been at odds, displayed astonishing rapport and harmony at this tech exhibition, under the gaze of countless cameras and eyes.

Lin Muxue leaned in slightly, approaching the other's ear, whispering in a volume only the two of them could hear:

"Director Jin is at the executive dining room on the 38th floor. She asked me to call you to join for lunch together."

Shen Yuyan's breath hitched, then a flash of excitement lit up her eyes: "Okay."

She knew exactly what this meant.

This was a summons to the inner circle.

After becoming Tang Song's woman, she had finally stepped into the core area she had long dreamed of.

One in front, the other behind, they walked through the crowd with synchronized steps toward the elevator lobby.

The crisp, rhythmic echo of high heels on the polished marble floor created a strangely harmonious feeling with the flowing technological atmosphere of the exhibition hall.

"Has President Tang not arrived yet?" Entering the elevator lobby, Shen Yuyan couldn't help but ask, her tone carrying anticipation.

"Not yet, expected around 1:30." Lin Muxue pressed the up button, explaining: "After all, this isn't a real product launch event. Gotta maintain a bit of that exclusive aura."

"Mhm." Shen Yuyan turned to look at her, "Luna, I have a very strong premonition."

"What premonition?"

"This afternoon, what will first ignite a full-scale online discussion about Xuanji Optical World won't just be Xuanji Optical World's products, but the first high-profile public appearance of this new CEO himself."

Lin Muxue was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously.

"I think so too."

In this era where traffic is king and everyone is a self-media creator.

26 years old.

Global CEO of [Xuanji Optical World], Chairman of [Rongliu Capital].

Impeccable physique, appearance, and bearing.

This image of a new-generation tech leader that combines "hardcore technology," "trillion-dollar capital," and "personal charm" into a trinity.

It perfectly merges all the fantasy elements the public has about "sapiosexuality," "CEO novels coming to life," and "tech nouveau riche."

He himself is the most viral, most explosive narrative material of this era.

Once he steps from behind the scenes to the front stage.

There's absolutely no reason he wouldn't ignite public opinion.

Actually, this isn't a bad thing at all.

Whether it's Musk in Silicon Valley or the new generation of tech leaders domestically, they've all started consciously managing their personal IPs.

Not for the traffic itself, but to enhance market confidence, obtain capital premium, and endow the brand with personified charm.

For a future-facing consumer product like [Xuanji Optical World], an extremely charismatic founder is in itself the best brand totem.

"We are right in the midst of the wave of technological transformation." Shen Yuyan said softly: "And we are also witnessing history."

"Ding—" A crisp chime sounded. The elevator doors slowly slid open. Bright light from the cabin poured out.

Lin Muxue's heart, however, skipped a beat uncontrollably at that moment.

Witnessing history.

She couldn't help but take one last look back at that massive exhibition hall before stepping into the elevator.

Those floating holographic images, busy R&D personnel, investors and media shuttling between them, and the top elites gathered here for the same core purpose....

The interplay of light and shadow was like a dream.

Sometimes, she really felt a strong sense of unreality.

Was all of this real?

After all, just a year ago.

She was still a receptionist at a medium-sized financial company in Yancheng, an online fake socialite.

To save ten bucks on cab fare, she walked to work in high heels every day.

And now.

She was standing at the core exhibition of a world-class tech enterprise, participating in the most top-tier resource allocation.

The people she interacted with, chatted and laughed with, were figures like Jin Meixiao, Su Yu, Ouyang Xianyue, who stood at the apex of the power pyramid.

The Gears of Fate had turned too fast.

Fast enough to make one dizzy.

Lin Muxue took a deep breath and stepped into the elevator.

In the mirrored wall, she saw that refined, confident self who had completely transformed.

Suddenly, she gained some clarity.

Shencheng Bay No.1, Tower 5.

In the open kitchen, a white enamel pot was bubbling, emitting waves of the savory aroma of home-cooked food.

Liu Qingning wore loose beige cotton loungewear, her jet-black long hair casually pinned up with a claw clip, a light blue small floral print apron tied around her waist.

She was holding a spatula, intently stir-frying the dishes in the wok, the soft light casting a faint sheen of sweat on the tip of her nose, making her look exceptionally charming.

Tang Song sat at the dining table, but his gaze was fixed on the empty space before him.

[Su Yu (SSR)]

[Role: Actress]

[Status: Pondering... Relieved... Relaxed]

[Current Location: Shen City? Xuanji Optical World Headquarters Building]

...

The reason Tang Song could remain steady as a rock, even having the mood to wait for dinner here.

Was of course because he had cheats.

Even though he wasn't on site, he could still observe the mindset changes of Su Yu and Secretary Jin through the system's [Character Center].

Judging from the system's feedback data.

There was no explosive conflict between Secretary Jin and the actress; instead, they seemed to have reached some subtle harmony.

He actually wasn't surprised by this.

He could sense that Secretary Jin held no hatred towards Su Yu.

Otherwise, back in New York, it wouldn't have been just leaving a few hickeys on him.

"Food's ready! Stop spacing out over there!"

A crisp, pleasant voice full of liveliness interrupted his thoughts.

Liu Qingning brought the last dish to the table.

"Thanks for the hard work, Chef Liu."

Tang Song closed the system interface, looking at the table full of steaming hot dishes, warmth filling his heart.

"Hmph, just verbal praise isn't sincere enough." Liu Qingning playfully wrinkled her nose, with a hint of coquettishness seeking credit.

Tang Song smiled and stood up, walked to her side, wrapped an arm around her waist, and planted a firm kiss on her smooth, lovely cheek.

"So fragrant."

"Ah... I haven't washed my face yet, my hands are oily!"

Liu Qingning shyly pushed him, a blush rapidly flying onto her cheeks.

She somewhat flusteredly shoved a pair of chopsticks into Tang Song's hand, but sat down first herself, carefully picking off the tenderest piece of meat from the fish belly and putting it into Tang Song's bowl.

"Hurry up and taste it, the timing should be just right. I timed it with a stopwatch while steaming."

"Mhm! Really good, I didn't expect my Qingning to be so skilled."

"Of course, I'm smart, I learn everything fast!"

"Then do you want to learn how to bite? I'm looking forward to it."

"Get lost! Making dirty jokes again!"

"When did I make a dirty joke? Clearly, your mind is in the gutter."

"You... you... give my fish back! I won't let you eat it!"

"No!"

...

The afternoon sun slanted into the spacious dining room, casting long shadows on the floor.

The two sat facing each other eating.

Occasionally minor bickering, occasionally chatting about roadside stalls they used to eat at, occasionally snatching food from each other's bowls.

The air was full of sweetness.

12:40 PM.

After finishing the meal, Tang Song went to the washroom to freshen up briefly.

Standing in front of the large vanity mirror, he tidied his hair.

Then he walked into the walk-in closet and took out that custom-made suit Secretary Jin had personally delivered.

He put it on meticulously.

The top-quality wool fabric in navy blue had a high-end matte texture under the light, the tailoring was extremely fitted, perfectly outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Sharp, tall and straight, noble.

"Little Song, changed your clothes yet?" Liu Qingning's voice came from outside.

"Done." Tang Song responded.

Immediately after, Liu Qingning pushed the door open and came in.

The moment she saw Tang Song, she was slightly stunned, then her eyes curved into crescents, filled with undisguised fondness: "So handsome. These clothes suit you so well, it's like they grew on you. Hurry out, it's my turn to change now."

Tang Song's eyes lit up, a mischievous smile curling his lips, "I'll help you change."

"No!" Liu Qingning's face turned red, she lightly punched his firm chest: "You go out, don't mess around."

"Why not? It's not like I haven't seen before. Didn't we just this morning..."

"You're saying it again!"

Liu Qingning flushed with embarrassment and covered his mouth, pushing him toward the door: "Just no!"

Even though their relationship had already crossed the final line, they were still such long-time good friends.

Making her take off her clothes in broad daylight right in front of Tang Song was just too embarrassing.

Tang Song smiled and took the opportunity to step back out, didn't press further, just leaned against the doorframe waiting quietly.

After a while.

Liu Qingning, now changed, walked out.

She wore a champagne-colored silk blouse on top, with well-draped suit trousers below.

Her jet-black hair was neatly tied into a low bun, her earlobes adorned with two flawless round white pearls, and on her feet were nude-colored thin high heels.

The pure cuteness in her balanced out this intellectual and mature outfit, looking very harmonious.

"How is it? Okay? Won't it seem too plain?"

Liu Qingning asked somewhat anxiously, turning in a circle on the spot.

For her, today afternoon's inauguration ceremony wasn't just a business event.

It was also a test.

She would formally make her appearance in Tang Song's circle filled with power and influence.

More importantly.

There would be Jin Meixiao there, Su Yu, and other women connected to him in countless intricate ways.

She didn't want to lose face. Even more, she didn't want to let him down.

"Very beautiful. So beautiful that I almost don't want to take you out."

Tang Song looked at the pure white moonlight before him, undercurrents surging in the depths of his eyes.

He couldn't help but step forward, lowering his head to fiercely kiss her slightly upturned red lips.

"Mmm..." Liu Qingning was caught off guard by this sudden passionate kiss, her hands pushing against his firm chest, protesting indistinctly: "Hey, my lipstick will smudge... time to go."

Tang Song didn't let go, instead deepening the kiss.

Only when Liu Qingning was almost breathless, her legs slightly weak, did he reluctantly release her, then kissed the tip of her nose again.

Taking her hand, he walked out.

"Let's go, my little Qingning."

"Ah, don't call me that, it's too childish!"

"I like it."

Amidst the bantering, the tension brought on by facing an important occasion seemed to be diluted.

Liu Qingning glanced sideways slightly, looking at the Little Song beside her who was now tall and fully grown.

Her eyes were full of bashful happiness and deep cherishing.

A few minutes later.

The black Rolls-Royce drove out of the underground garage of Shencheng Bay No.1, merging into the slightly busy afternoon traffic.

Winter sunlight streamed through the car windows, casting alternating light and shadow inside.

On both sides of the street, skyscrapers and crowds sped past.

As the car drove onto the coastal boulevard.

That sci-fi shaped [Xuanji Optical World] global headquarters building gradually came into view.

Glistening in the sunlight.

Tang Song sat in the spacious, comfortable genuine leather seat in the back.

As the distance to that building grew closer.

All the laziness and casualness on him completely vanished, his gaze gradually becoming profound.

......

42nd floor, inside the private rest suite of the president's office.

The light was still dim.

Su Yu, barefoot, was curled up on the spacious genuine leather sofa.

Leaning forward slightly, her gaze dry and focused on the tablet in her hands.

This was the information left by Shangguan Qiuyas when she came in.

A deeply researched and organized document.

About [Tang Yi Precision], and Ouyang Xianyue's complete power structure.

The words Jin Meixiao said before leaving still lingered in her ears:

"Since you're officially entering the scene now, you should see the current situation clearly. Many things, even if I tell you, you might not believe. Seeing for yourself is more useful than listening to my explanations."

That was indeed true.

She resisted Jin Meixiao from the bottom of her heart.

Even though rationally she now understood that the other's suppression and isolation back then was essentially for system stability and risk control, the emotions and resentment accumulated bit by bit over those years wouldn't easily dissipate just because of a few explanations.

She always half-believed, half-guarded against Jin Meixiao's words.

The reason she ultimately chose to accept that proposal was more based on her unreserved love for Tang Song, to help him eliminate hidden dangers.

And in her emotional perception.

That Ms. Ouyang, who had offered her shelter during her hardest times, was still an ally she could rely on.

This point, she hadn't changed.

It was just that at this moment. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

As she scrolled through line after line of information on the screen, her breathing gradually became somewhat heavy.

In the past, she had actually always been isolated outside the core layer of the [Tangjin System].

This document, however, presented an entire area she had never clearly seen before her eyes.

For the first time, she truly understood what Ouyang Xianyue's "authority" actually meant.

In her past understanding,

Ouyang Xianyue was just the actual controller of [Tang Yi Precision].

A top-tier female entrepreneur controlling a super manufacturing giant.

But in fact.

[Tang Yi Precision] was never the entirety of her power; it could only be considered the most visible industrial flagship.

Its predecessor, [Xin Kaihang], originated from the industrial system of her late husband's Lin family.

And the Lin family wasn't a single-enterprise family, but a typical "manufacturing + local resource-type" traditional prominent family.

Rooted locally for decades, possessing a complete industrial chain network, local industry connections, and a large amount of hidden assets.

On this foundation.

Ouyang Xianyue completed three key integrations:

Family industry restructuring, capital platform reconstruction, governance structure re-binding.

The document, in an extremely restrained tone, broke down her asset system into three layers.

The bottom layer was the Lin family's original industrial system.

The middle layer was the control framework centered around family shareholding platforms and long-term trust structures.

The top layer was the resource-type capital platform she had gradually built over the years, including industry funds, local collaborative funds, and the strategic investment network centered around high-end manufacturing.

These funds didn't have profit maximization as their goal.

Instead, they invested in upstream supply chains, key technology companies, and industrial park projects,

Then incorporating them into [Tang Yi Precision]'s collaborative network.

This was also what Jin Meixiao mentioned before, that Ouyang Xianyue had started to bind the core interests of Tang Yi Precision more deeply with her resource system.

Even if completely separated from the [Tangjin System].

Her influence within the domestic manufacturing and industrial capital sphere still remained at an extremely high level.

Upon careful scrutiny, with Su Yu's intelligence, she could actually understand the logic of all this.

She clearly knew that Ouyang Xianyue had always maintained an instinctive vigilance and wariness towards the international capital network represented by Jin Meixiao, and the Western financial conglomerate system behind Annie.

These deeply entangled networks were actually a form of long-term balancing tactic.

Using the real economy to hedge against financial capital.

Using local resources to resist external penetration.

Using family structure to stabilize control.

From Ouyang Xianyue's standpoint, all of this could even be said to be perfectly reasonable.

They were essentially all for Tang Song and Tangjin.

The problem was, Ouyang Xianyue was never alone.

Behind her stood a truly vast family system,

A complete community with its own interests and long-term strategy.

This question, perhaps even Ouyang Xianyue herself might not be able to give an answer at an absolutely rational level.

Su Yu's gaze wandered slowly across the screen, her eyes flickering.

This was indeed an enormous hidden danger.

But the direction of her thinking was completely different from Jin Meixiao's.

Jin Meixiao looked at structure, risk, and system stability.

While Su Yu was more accustomed to judging the situation from the "person" itself.

She understood women.

She understood even more the unspeakable little thoughts of her good friend Ouyang Xianyue.

Human nature was like a spring.

The more a woman was suppressed to the extreme, once she tasted the flavor of desire, once truly unbound by a man.

The rebound would be even more fatal, even more impulsive.

And an impulsive woman was very terrifying.

Just as Su Yu's brain was rapidly deducing.

"Ring ring ring—" Her phone rang.

Su Yu's thoughts returned, she fished her phone out of the trench coat pocket draped over the sofa.

Glanced at the caller ID.

Answered, "Hello? Secretary Chen."

"Oh, I'm already rested, I'll head over right away."

"Mhm, okay, then have Ms. Ouyang wait for me a few minutes."

Hanging up.

Su Yu put the tablet in her bag.

Put on the trench coat.

Pushed open the president's office door.

The corridor lights were bright and cool.

She didn't head straight for the elevator lobby, but walked half a circle along the corridor, her pace neither hurried nor slow.

Soon.

She arrived at the nearby [Chairman's Office].

"Knock, knock, knock."

The knocking was rhythmically restrained and elegant.

The door was quickly opened from the inside.

Secretary Chen stood at the door, slightly stepping aside: "Miss Su Yu."

Su Yu nodded and walked straight in.

Secretary Chen, being extremely tactful, stayed outside the door, completely giving up the space.

This office was noticeably smaller than the president's office.

Its location also wasn't the best-view area on the entire floor.

But the furnishings were more steady and composed.

Behind the desk.

Ouyang Xianyue closed the folder, slowly stood up, a gentle and tolerant smile appearing on her face.

"Little Yu, you're here."

"Sister Xianyue."

Su Yu walked forward, the corners of her lips curling into a bright, charming arc.

Ouyang Xianyue glanced at her wristwatch and smiled: "There's less than an hour until the formal inauguration ceremony starts. Calculating the time, Tang Song should be arriving soon. Let's have some tea, then head downstairs together later."

"Mhm, sounds good."

Su Yu obediently nodded.

Walking to the side, she casually hung her trench coat on the redwood coat rack.

Then, walked to the full-length mirror by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Facing the mirror, she absentmindedly fixed her hair and makeup.

The light in the mirror was soft.

Her figure was slender and tall, her features exquisite to the point of near unreality.

Without knowing when, Ouyang Xianyue had already walked to her side.

She didn't deliberately scrutinize, just glanced at the reflection in the mirror, letting out a soft sigh, remarking with emotion:

"Every time I see you, I can't help but feel the Creator is indeed biased. This kind of beauty, really makes it hard to look away."

This sentence contained undisguised admiration,

And also faintly mixed with a deep envy from a mature woman facing youthful peak beauty.

Su Yu met her gaze in the mirror.

The corners of her eyes curved, a radiant smile.

"Sister Xianyue."

"Mhm?"

"Can I ask you a... slightly presumptuous question?"

Ouyang Xianyue paused slightly, but didn't evade, instead smiling calmly: "What question?"

Su Yu took half a step forward, her beautiful eyes staring straight at the noble lady.

"How many children are you planning to have?"