<h4>Chapter 1335: Three Years Later</h4>


    “Is that so?” Gong Yi snorted.


    “Sun Xiaoxiao ims to know of a secret that’ll interest you. She’s willing to part with this secret of hers if you get her out of prison.”


    What secret?


    Gong Yi stood up. “Beibei, I’ll be right back. I need to take a call.”


    Smiling up at Gong Yi, Bai Beibei nodded.


    Gong Yi walked out after inclining his head in acknowledgement.


    However, before he could leave, his sleeve was tugged by a small hand.


    “Beibei, what’s wrong?” He asked gently


    Bai Beibei shook her head. She took onest look at Gong Yi, her dimplesing into stark focus. “Gong Yi, I think I’ve said this to you before, but let me repeat it. Meeting you has been the greatest blessing of this life of mine.”


    Gong Yi listened in stunned silence, caught t-footed by the suddenness of Beibei’s confession. Shock gave way to ardour and ardour to tenderness. “What’s wrong with you today? You’re behaving very strangely. Is there something you aren’t telling me?”


    “Yes. I shan’t lie. There is something I’m not telling you, but it can wait. You should take that call of yours. I’ll tell you all that I need to when you return.”


    “Okay.” Gong Yi did not suspect anything, deciding to take the call before all else.


    ...


    In the corridor.


    “Ajie, inform Sun Xiaoxiao that freedom is impossible, but if her secret happens to be of any value, then I’ll make sure the Qian family won’t persecute her.”


    “President Sun Xiaoxiao says that this secret is rted to Miss Beibei and Li Xiyang and that the information is definitely valuable.”


    “Alright, tell her that I’ll guarantee her personal safety. She shouldn’t think to try anything else. If she agrees, have her tell me this secret of hers.”


    A few minutester, Ajie returned. “President Gong, Sun Xiaoxiao has agreed.”


    “What’s the secret?”


    “ording to Sun Xiaoxiao, Li Xiyang didn’t touch Beibei that night.”


    Gong Yi trembled upon hearing confirmation of his own thoughts. Although he had guessed as much, it was still good receiving validation.


    “How can I be sure that she’s telling the truth?”


    “Sun Xiaoxiao said that there were cameras in the lounge. Everything that happened that night was recorded and stored in herputer. Her original n was to use it as leverage against Li Xiyang. She said that If you don’t believe her, you are free to investigate.”


    There was no need for him to investigate. It was the truth of the matter. It seemed Li Xiyang had treated Beibei with sincerity.


    He could not wait to tell Beibei the good news.


    “Alright, that’s it then.” Gong Yi hung up the phone, returning to the private dining room where Beibei was with light steps.


    He pushed open the door and said, “Beibei, I have good news for you...”


    The room was empty.


    Bai Beibei had disappeared.


    “Beibei, Beibei!” Gong Yi called out worriedly. When Beibei did not answer, Gong Yi rushed out the doors and into the hotel’s lobby, expanding the field of search.


    However, there was no sign of Bai Beibei.


    Gong Yi’s heart sank. A chill ran down his spine. Beibei had been behaving in a very odd manner all day. It was as if she was trying to prepare him for something – some warning of what was toe. Was she nning... to leave him?


    Gong Yi whipped out his phone and dialled Bai Beibei’s number.


    The phone rang twice before connecting. Gong Yi was overjoyed. “Hello? Beibei! Where are you?”


    “Gong Yi...” Bai Beibei’s hoarse voice rang out. “I’m leaving. Please don’te looking for me. Forget about me. I... I wish you happiness.”


    “Beibei! Are you out of your mind? Do you know what you’re talking about? Are you leaving me now just as we’re about to get married? Stop fooling around! Return this instant lest you anger me!”


    “I’m sorry...”


    “Bai Beibei, I don’t want to hear your apologies. Don’t cheapen what it means to apologize!” Gong Yi roared.


    Realizing how harsh he sounded, Gong Yi did his best to reign in his anger. “I’m sorry for shouting at you. I lost control of my temper. It was wrong of me. Beibei,e back. We’ll talk and pretend none of this happened. Please, juste back. We’ll get married tomorrow, and I’ll treat you very, very well. I’ll pamper you like a princess – you’ll be my whole world.”


    A veritable wall of silence met his words. “Bai Beibei! If you don’te back this instant, I’ll never forgive you!” Gong Yi growled, his bloodshot eyes taking on a maddened look.


    Once again, his words were met by silence from the other end of the line, which was abruptly cut short when the line went dead.


    She hung up the phone!


    She actually had the nerve to hang up on him!


    Yet, such a small setback was not about to deter him. Immediately, he redialed Beibei’s number. An automated voice call answered. “I’m sorry, the number you’ve dialled is currently unavable.”


    Gong Yi cursed under his breath, jumping into the driver’s seat of his Lamborghini. Licking his dry lips, he called Ajie.


    “Ajie. Find out where Bai Beibei is right now. Be quick!”


    “President, what’s wrong? Did something happen?”


    What happened?


    Hah! Not even he fully understood what had just transpired between them. Everything had been smooth sailing until Beibei decided to up and leave without reason!


    Gong Yi felt like he was in a waking dream. Dazed, he wondered what he had done wrong. He had given her his whole heart, only to be ruthlessly let down without so much as an exnation or a proper goodbye. Beibei’s one act of leaving him was as good as sentencing him to death.


    No. He would not allow it to happen again. When he retrieved her from wherever she was, he would ensure he hardened his heart. Never again would he allow her to trample on his feelings – even if it meant he needed to be harsh on her.


    That, like most things, was under the pretext that he found her.


    Where did she go?


    Gong Yi red up at the windshield. The fire in his chest burned in a Molotov of confused feelings. It felt like someone had hollowed out his heart and pushed him into the abyss where nothing existed but boundless darkness.


    The smile stered on his face was empty.


    Gong Yi drove as fast as he could, speeding down the street, not realizing how he’d sped through a red light. Just then, arge truck wheeled around the corner. With a bang and a shower of sparks, the world faded to grey...


    ...


    Three yearster.


    Universal International, Singapore.


    Bai Beibei was sitting in her office chair. She was wearing her uniformprising a white shirt and a narrow ck skirt. The uniform outlined her graceful figure.


    Her ck hair was tied up, revealing her snow-white ears and swan-like neck. Though the shape of her face remained unchanged, she looked more mature than she had been in the past. She was as delicate and beautiful as a sparkling pearl.


    “Bai Beibei.” At this moment, the CEO of Huanyu International, Jin Taijiao, walked over.


    Bai Beibei quickly stood up and greeted him, “CEO Jin.”


    Jin Taijiao’ stopped in front of her. “Beibei, get ready. I’m flying to China tomorrow to discuss a coboration. Bring the financial n I asked you to prepare. I would like you to apany me tomorrow.”


    China?


    Bai Beibei panicked. She had not returned to China in the three years of her self-imposed exile.


    “Is there a problem?” Jin Taijiao asked.


    Bai Beibei quickly shook her head. “No.”


    “Alright, pack up. The ne leaves at 8 am sharp.”Jin Taijiao announced.


    Bai Beibei sat back in her chair, troubled. Zuo Ying used her momentary distraction to her advantage, wandering over with a look of envy on her face. “Beibei, for the past half a month, we’ve been guessing who the boss was going to bring to China. Who would have thought that he would decide on you? Now, everyone is green with envy!”


    “Sister Ying, what’s there to be envious about? It’s just a job.”


    “Nonsense! Beibei, do you really not understand, or are you simply pretending to be thick? Our boss is quite the catch! He’s a bachelor, tall, handsome, and of mixed blood. Haven’t you noticed how everyone seems to ogle him when his back is turned? Imagine the opportunities that would present themselves on a business trip like this! That lucky woman who ensnares his heart will definitely be the boss’s wife.”