344—There Was Still Time

After she left, he drove out for miles before stopping at a secluded area. He leaned on the steering wheel, heart beating at the enormity of what he had gotten himself into.

He had just sold off Han Yichen's birthright and made it so that he would be unable to get Pei Yueran back.

Although he knew the chances were pitifully slim, he still couldn't help but hold on to hope.

But remembering Li Chuanmo's look at the hotel that day, Han Leifeng tightened his hand into a fist. He didn't know the man could be so ruthless.

But what was scarier was the fact that the man was able to push an entire company toward the edge of the precipice and cause him to be in such desperate straits. A company that had been in existence for generations.

It was terrifying.

He was well and truly caught in a trap of his own making.

But if Pei Yueran and her army of helpers thought that he would give up so easily, then they had another thing coming.

*****

On the other hand, Bai Meixiang went back in to meet Liu Zhizhen sitting on her favorite sofa in the living room.

"I thought you were going to invite him in, I've been waiting," she spoke immediately she realized that Bai Meixiang came in alone.

Although irritated, Bai Meixiang thought quickly and put up an aggrieved look, "I'm sorry Mother, I told him to come in, but he was adamant."

"So, what did he want to talk to you about?" Liu Zhizhen tried to sound caring, but it came out nonchalantly. She knew it was Han Leifeng, but when Bai Meixiang was informing her, she said it was her cousin, her mother's brother.

Bai Meixiang hesitated, then put her head down as if trying to hide her smile, "Nothing much, he was asking me for help."

Liu Zhizhen nodded with a smile. This daughter-in-law of hers was finally falling into the trap. If she thought she could hide the obvious by lying, then she would not expose her.

"I see. If it's something you need the Han family for, don't hesitate to tell me. I can still handle such trifles."

Bai Meixiang looked very touched, as if she had just seen her savior, "Mother..."

Liu Zhizhen patted her hand with 'love', "It's nothing."

"You know what Mother, let me call him now and tell him this good news. He'd be so happy."

Liu Zhizhen smiled at her and nodded. Now she wanted to call her lover openly?

Once Bai Meixiang turned back, Liu Zhizhen's smile dissolved. She was flaunting her immoral relationship with the person she loathed, but this was also fine.

She was just waiting for the right time to expose and ruin that b*st*rd once and for all. As for this naive daughter-in-law, she would think about what to do with her later.

On the her part, Bai Meixiang's look of adoration and excitement quickly evaporated as well. Her mother-in-law was so out of touch with the world that it was laughable.

She really thought Han Corporation was still in the position to help others? Who needed help at this point?

But she would not correct her. There was no need to. Reality would set her straight pretty soon.

So she walked away, pretending to dial her cousin's number. Instead, she started to conduct a play by herself.

Liu Zhizhen had just settled down against the headrest when she heard Bai Meixiang's panicked voice.

Bai Meixiang ran back to the living room, lips quivering, "Mother, I just received a call now that my mother is not feeling very well."

Before she could continue, Liu Zhizhen waved her hand in understanding, "You should go to her quickly. Should I tell the driver to take you?"

"There's no need Mother, I will manage. I should be back early enough tomorrow."

Liu Zhizhen nodded, "Give her my regards."

Bai Meixiang agreed and hurried out, leaving Liu Zhizhen to scoff. It was too early in the game to catch them red-handed, else she would have followed and gotten hold of the evidence.

Still, she could put someone on their tail. She quickly sent a message to one of her men to follow her. When the man replied twenty minutes later that she stopped at the gate of the Bai family house, Liu Zhizhen was surprised.

So she was actually telling the truth.

As she sat tapping manicured hands on the armrest, she smiled.

It was not a problem. There was still time.

*****

Bai Meixiang didn't avoid the plain black car that was tailing her and drove to the Bai Family house.

The butler greeted her respectfully as she brushed past him into the living room. Her parents were there, waiting for her.

"Xiangxiang, you're here," her mother said by way of greeting.

"So has he agreed to our terms?" her father, who had no patience for frivolities, asked directly.

Bai Meixiang as she took her seat and told them what Han Leifeng said in summary.

Once she was done, her father nodded, "We'll help him."

Bai Meixiang's mother, always in support of whatever her husband said, nodded as well before speaking, "How's your grandfather- in-law doing?"

"He's still in the intensive care unit. His condition hasn't worsened further though."

Her father stood up as he spoke, "Don't hurry to stand out. Just follow the lead of your parents-in-law. Go to the hospital when they go, and stay at home if they stay. Han Likang was just too impatient, this wasn't the right time to move. But no matter, it's all to our advantage."

Bai Meixiang shrugged. She didn't care either way. Whichever side she took, she was just a tool. Each side viewed her as a means to an end, so she didn't pity anyone.

Not even Han Leifeng.

She only chose him because she was ready to carve her own path.

Since she found out that Han Likang was drugging his father's tea, the Bai patriarch had started viewing her highly. Once the Han patriarch died, they would have the means to put Han Likang under the Bai family's thumbs and let Han Leifeng take over.

Once he was in control, it meant that their Bai family was in control.

Her father's voice cut through her thoughts, "I'll be going to the Gao family to cash in the favour tomorrow morning. It's almost a waste of such good opportunity, but what can we do?"

He was referring to a matter that happened back when the Bai family's former patriarch had helped Gao Zhipeng's father out of a rough business patch. The new generation had grown apart, but the saving grace was still there. He was sure that the Gao family would have no choice but to grant his request.