Chapter 577: Chapter 577: Opposing Me Won’t End Well

As soon as Ren Xiya finished speaking, her phone rang.

She shushed, and answered the call.

Ren Xiya spoke weakly, “Is it fun to play this trick every time?”

Old Mr. Gong’s authoritative voice slowly came through the phone.

“Whether it’s fun or not, at least it’s effective. I’ve said it before, going against me will not end well.”

Ren Xiya remained silent, even her breathing hinted at some restraint.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Third Young Master?”

“Ren Xiya, have you forgotten why you were suspended? Embezzlement is no small accusation, if Gong Chen helps you, he’ll be stigmatized too. Wouldn’t your efforts at the conference be in vain?”

The ginger gets spicier as it ages.

Always knowing how to control others’ next steps.

Ren Xiya raised her eyes to look at the two serious-faced people in front of her.

“What exactly do you want?”

“Your mother has been with me for so many years, I can’t bear to hurt her. As long as you withdraw from the Gong Group, explain that the man was just a misunderstanding, and leave the country immediately, I won’t pursue you or your mother.”

The old man spoke casually, as if dealing with outsiders.

Ren Xiya was very clear in her heart, once they left the country, the old man would not give them any more chances.

Lin Zhiyi also realized this.

Once they’re abroad, out of reach of the emperor, things could easily go wrong.

She shook her head at Ren Xiya.

But Ren Xiya lowered her eyes slightly and said flatly, “Fine, I agree to your terms. When can I see my mom?”

“Your mother will be free once that man is out.”

The old man had a businesslike attitude.

Ren Xiya’s gaze dimmed, her pale lips parted and came together several times, turning into a self-mocking chuckle.

“Alright.”

Soon after, the phone buzzed with a rapid busy signal.

The ward fell into silence once more.

Lin Zhiyi sensed that Ren Xiya’s mood was off, and quickly pushed the breakfast on the table over.

“Eat something first. I also made some ginger tea.”

Ren Xiya looked at the lavish breakfast and the steaming ginger tea in front of her, pursing her lips.

Still unaccustomed to others’ concern.

“You guys go ahead, don’t let anyone notice, I’ll handle the rest myself without you needing to step in.”

“Don’t overthink it, just remember to eat.”

Having said that, Lin Zhiyi pulled Li Huan away from the ward.

Outside the ward.

Li Huan, inexplicably, said, “Does she always talk like this… sharp and harsh?”

Lin Zhiyi thought for a moment.

“She’s always been fair in slaughtering everyone equally.”

“Then I feel balanced.” Li Huan took a breath.

“But we’ve never taken advantage of her.” Lin Zhiyi glanced at Li Huan’s hand.

“…”

Li Huan glared at Lin Zhiyi.

Lin Zhiyi smiled, “Not joking, she’s like that because of extreme insecurity. Since childhood, she’s had to take care of herself and her drug-addicted mother, so she doesn’t dare accept others’ kindness. In her eyes, her mother’s downfall began with accepting something.”

Hearing that, the dark air between Li Huan’s brows eased slightly.

“Did you misunderstand something?”

“No, I’m off.”

Lin Zhiyi turned and chuckled to herself.

A little while later, the ward door opened again.

Ren Xiya opened her eyes alertly, only to find a hot water bottle on the bed.

She knew who it was from, picked it up and was about to throw it.

But the furry texture of the water bottle made her pause.

In the end, she stuffed it under the covers.

…

Lin Zhiyi hailed a taxi to the studio, just as the designer arrived too.

They walked around inside, taking measurements.

Lin Zhiyi shared her ideas with the designer.

The designer, being professional, grasped her meaning immediately, and showed her similar effect pictures on the computer.

The two clicked instantly.

“Miss Lin, I’ll get the renderings for you as soon as possible. If there are no issues, we can start construction, aiming to let your studio shine when spring arrives.”

“Thank you, but I think Mr. Sang must have mentioned that everything needs to be confidential.”

“Rest assured, we’ve signed confidentiality agreements. Any ideas you have later, you can contact me.” the designer said.

“Hmm.”

After chatting, Lin Zhiyi saw the designer off, then returned to stand by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking towards the square not far away.

While deep in thought, her phone vibrated.

Caller ID showed Liu He.

“Mom, what’s up?”

“Tomorrow’s the family banquet, the old man wants you there too.”

“Me?” Lin Zhiyi was somewhat incredulous.

Now the person the old man least wanted to see should be her.

“I wanted to decline for you, but since you will be with Lao San in the future, sooner or later you’ll have to meet, so why not take this chance to ease relations.”

Liu He also viewed this from a mother’s perspective.

She hoped Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen could settle down early.

Lin Zhiyi understood, “I got it.”

Thinking further, she realized something wasn’t right.

“Mom, is tomorrow really not a family banquet day, why is it set so suddenly?”

“The old man is discharged, everyone wants to gather.”

“Did he say anything else?” Lin Zhiyi pressed.

“No.”

Lin Zhiyi had a brief conversation before hanging up.

She gazed into the distance, feeling that the family banquet this time was anything but simple.

Sure enough.

As she left, she received a call from Gong Chen.

“What’s up? Because of the family banquet?”

“Hmm, he’s being discharged today, I have to go back to the house for a night.”

No matter how bad things got privately, in the end, they’re father and son, with so many eyes watching from inside and out.

The scene must be done beautifully.

“I understand, see you tomorrow then.”

As Lin Zhiyi walked, phone in hand, she looked around, wanting to buy a bottle of water.

As she was about to cross the square, a woman carrying shopping bags bumped into her, causing her phone to drop.

“Can’t you see? Do you know how expensive these clothes are?”

The woman didn’t apologize, instead, she disdainfully patted nonexistent dust from her clothes.

Lin Zhiyi was about to retort, but seeing the woman’s face, she immediately feigned coughing and covered her mouth and nose.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

The woman immediately stepped back several paces, waving her hand in front of her nose.

“How unlucky! You’re going to…”

Before finishing her sentence, the woman’s expression changed to a gentle smile directed behind Lin Zhiyi.

“President Bai.”

A gaze landed on Lin Zhiyi’s back.

“Miss Lin, what a coincidence.”

The voice sounded friendly.

But to Lin Zhiyi’s ears, it carried a chilling undertone.

She felt a chill down her spine but had no choice but to feign surprise and turn around.

“President Bai, what brings you here? Sorry, I have a bit of a cold, I wouldn’t want to pass it to you.”

Upon seeing the woman’s face, Lin Zhiyi anticipated that Bai Zhengxian wasn’t far.

Because this woman was the one in the photo with Bai Zhengxian’s hand on her thigh.

Bai Zhengxian nodded with a smile. When he turned to the woman, a terrifying glint appeared in his eyes.

The woman stood stunned and silent.

Bai Zhengxian turned his smile back to Lin Zhiyi, “Out to discuss something, didn’t expect to run into two acquaintances.”

Lin Zhiyi played along with a smile, “Since we’re familiar, let’s consider this a misunderstanding with the lady. I won’t hold up President Bai any longer, I’ll take my leave.”

Just as she turned to go, Bai Zhengxian’s raised hand blocked her path.