So, in the end, you're really just after the formula, huh?

This time, Pang Jun didn't stay silent. Instead, he smirked coldly with a trace of mockery.

"Lao Pang, can you stop being so stubborn? Is it wrong for me to want the formula? The emergence of the Flawless Cream has disrupted the entire industry. Do you know how many brands will go bankrupt and how many employees will lose their jobs because of it? I know you've always wanted to leave your mark in the industry, but if you share the formula, the entire field will remember you forever, Pang Jun!"

Ding Chengjun continued, "If Ye Chen were a noble person with a strong sense of justice, I wouldn't object to you helping him. But he's a complete scumbag! His actions clash with the principles and ethics you've always upheld. Besides, let's be realistic—do you really think there's a future for you under someone like him? You think he won't betray you once he's done with you? No, he absolutely will!"

Pang Jun exhaled deeply, shaking his head.

"Enough. No matter how much of a scumbag he is, I will never share the formula—especially not with you! Even if I leave Yiren Ruxue, even if I quit working under him, even if I change careers, I will never reveal the formula! The reason Flawless Cream made it to market so quickly isn't just about money or trust. It's because he helped me break through countless obstacles in development. Without him, it would have taken years to succeed!

For that reason alone, my principles won't allow me to betray the formula. So don't waste your time. I'll say it once—there is no chance I'll hand it over!" Pang Jun declared firmly.

"There's no room for negotiation?" Ding Chengjun asked.

"None!" Pang Jun responded without hesitation.

"You're really going to keep supporting that scumbag?" Ding Chengjun frowned.

Even though he had expected this outcome, facing Pang Jun's unwavering stance still made his blood boil.

"It's a separate matter. In short, stop eyeing the formula," Pang Jun said resolutely.

"How can someone like you exist? Are you just single-minded to a fault?" Ding Chengjun snapped.

Pang Jun glanced at him sideways.

"Absolutely," he replied seriously.

"Damn it, suit yourself. You'll pay for being so stubborn sooner or later!"

With that, Ding Chengjun stormed out.

As he left, his gaze shifted toward the bar, where Lin Mengxi sat—lightly made up, dressed conservatively, her hair in a ponytail. She lacked her usual sultry charm but exuded a refreshing elegance.

Even with her changed appearance, Lin Mengxi's beauty was undeniable. Several men had already approached her at the bar.

When her eyes briefly met Ding Chengjun's, no words were exchanged. Yet, everything was said in that fleeting glance.

Meanwhile, Pang Jun sat still, caught in an internal struggle after Ding Chengjun's departure.

His once-admired leader now revealed a side he despised the most.

Faced with such conflicting feelings, even someone as steadfast as Pang Jun couldn't help but waver.

But when he thought about Ye Chen and Chen Yinuo's relationship, and Ye Chen's conduct at work, it didn't seem to align with the negative rumors circulating online.

Yet, those scandals couldn't have been fabricated out of thin air, either.

"Can someone really change so much in just a few months?" Pang Jun murmured to himself, shaking his head and reaching for his beer.

By his third bottle, a graceful figure dressed in simple casual clothes sat across from him.

Smiling, she said, "I've heard that people drink alone because they have stories. Is that true for you too?"

Caught off guard, Pang Jun stared blankly for a moment.

But when he registered her face, he froze.

Though he wasn't gawking like Ding Chengjun had earlier, Pang Jun was definitely captivated.

Ponytail, light makeup, conservative dress, simple and refreshing—this was exactly the type of woman he envisioned as his ideal partner.

But after a brief daze, he quickly snapped back to reality.

"Uh... do we know each other?" he asked awkwardly.

"Well, we do now." Lin Mengxi lifted her cocktail with a smile.

Pang Jun glanced around nervously before blurting out, "Why me? Am I really that charming?"

Lin Mengxi laughed, covering her mouth.

"That's pretty narcissistic! You're not even close to the guys who tried to hit on me earlier," she teased.

"Then why me?" Pang Jun pressed, as straightforward as ever.

"Because you seem honest," Lin Mengxi replied sincerely.

"So... are you here to make me your backup plan?" Pang Jun blurted without thinking, instinctively glancing at her abdomen as if influenced by online stereotypes.

The atmosphere shifted instantly as Lin Mengxi's expression darkened.

"Sorry to bother you," she said coldly, standing up to leave.

But at that moment—

Slap!

Pang Jun smacked himself across the face.

"What are you doing?" Lin Mengxi paused, startled.

"I said something wrong, so I'm punishing myself," Pang Jun said seriously, his eyes showing urgency as if afraid she would walk away.

"You're kind of adorable," Lin Mengxi said, her earlier annoyance dissolving.

"I don't know about adorable, but I do know my EQ is pretty low. I've heard plenty of people say so," Pang Jun admitted.

"It's not low EQ—you just lack common sense!" Lin Mengxi teased, smirking.

With that, she turned to leave, though she silently counted in her head.

One.

Two.

Three.

"Wait!" Pang Jun called out, just as she expected.

"What is it?" Lin Mengxi turned with a slight frown.

"Can... can... can..." Pang Jun stammered nervously.

Mustered by a rare surge of courage, he finally blurted out, "Can I add you on WeChat?"