《CEO Vengeful wife》


 Chapter 1 - Soulshattering Betrayal.

    <h4>Chapter 1 - Soulshattering Betrayal.</h4>


    "Why?" Jing Lihua was pushed down brutally to the cold floor. She wiped away the blood from her face and found a smirk unfolding on the face of the man on the sofa. "Why must you do it? All I did was love you truly. What did I do wrong...? We were married. We had decided to spend the rest of our lives together, Su Liwei. You had sworn to protect me. You had promised to make me the happiest woman in the world. Everything was so perfect. We had everything we wanted. We could spend the rest of our lives together but you..." Jing Lihua tightened her fists. He had ruined everything. The pain was unbearable. But it was not the physical pain from her injuries. It was emotional pain. "You said you loved me." She helplessly whispered in the end.


    Her words were fruitless on the heartless man in front of her. After listening to her, he merelyughed in the end.


    "I told you that I loved you and you believed me?" His face was full of ridicule. He nced at her contemptuously before rising. He walked to a drawer and picked out a ck shining gun. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t even flinch as she saw her death approaching. Her calm eyes were fixated on him. He turned back and walked to her. "It was your fault for believing me. If you weren¡¯t blinded by your fantasies, you could have seen right through me. But you let your emotions manipte you"


    Su Liwei prepared the gun. In the big room, there were only two of them.


    Jing Lihua was just ten years old when one day, she met a quiet boy named Su Liwei in a small park. They both were alike. Neglected by their families, left in a park on their own. The simrity of their situation led them close. Soon they became best friends. Ever since then, Jing Lihua knew he was the one for her. Whenever she thought about someone with whom she could spend her life, his name would automatically appear.


    They both grew and their paths separated. But Jing Lihua never forgot him. In her heart, he was the only one. Fate had it so. They met again. Her grandfather brought them together. They were engaged. They married. Jing Lihua thought the happiest moments of life would start after that. But she didn¡¯t know that after that day, a horrible nightmare would start that would shatter her world.


    "Was it all fake? All of it?" Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes had silent tears.


    Su Liwei stared at her coldly. He didn¡¯t reply.


    After her marriage, Jing Lihua had inherited the Tang enterprise from her maternal grandfather. Her position was strong. Envied by many. Jing Lihua thought Su Liwei loved her. She trusted him. She gave everything in his hands. To keep him happy, she stayed at her home away from the office, to be an idol wife in his eyes. She thought maybe if she did so, he would like her more.


    But no.


    It had always been something else that was in his mind.


    "Would you not even tell me why did you do it all? Don¡¯t you find it ridiculous that I will die without even knowing what was it all for?" She smiled self depreciatingly.


    Su Liwei went down on his knee in front of her. His one hand grasped her chin while the other hand a gun. His eyes were cold and clear. For the first time, she clearly saw what he really was under his mask.


    "No?" Jing Lihuaughed when he didn¡¯t reply. "If you are going to kill me then fine. You have already killed my grandfather. There is nothing else left in this world for me to want to keep my life anyway. If you are not going to tell me the reason before you kill me, then that¡¯s also fine" Her eyes were fearless; her sharp and clear eyes stared into his eyes with unparalleled strength unwilling to be swayed. "But when you kill me, do it while looking into my eyes. Do not look away when your bullet pierce me"


    Su Liwei¡¯s cold expression wavered for a second before returning to normal. His grip loosened.


    "Do it, Su Liwei. Don¡¯t let your emotions manipte you. Isn¡¯t it what you have always wanted?"


    His grasp on her face tightened to a painful extent. He didn¡¯t intend to kill her. But the way she was now if he told her the truth... "You do not care for your life, do you?"


    "Would it surprise you if I said No?" Jing Lihua said with a smile.


    Su Liwei pushed her away, angrily, making her fall on the cold floor. He rose and raked a hand through his hair. He did not know what to do. Their eyes matched and they froze for a moment.


    "I..." At the same time, the door was thrown open. A woman with a protruding round stomach rushed in.


    "You haven¡¯t killed her yet?"


    "Get out," Su Liwei coldly said.


    The woman rushed into his arms. "You have to do it, Su Liwei. For our child. as long as she is alive, we can¡¯t be together happily."


    "Little sister, what are you trying to do?" Jing Lihuaughed "He knows the baby in your stomach is not his. He has been ying with you all along. Just like he had been ying with me. Have you not realized it by now?"


    Jing Tian¡¯s eyes widened in shock. She was appalled. "How dare you spread lies..." She was horrified and frantically looked at Su Liwei "Brother Su, don¡¯t listen to her words. she is just trying to get a chance to keep her life by creating misunderstanding between us. Brother Su, look at me. You love me right?" Jing Tian was desperate.


    Su Liwei coldly pushed her away. "Take her away"


    "Brother Su, No..." She cried as a few men grabbed her and pulled her away "You F.u.c.k.i.n.g Bitch! I¡¯ll not forgive you!" Once her cries died out, silence dominated the room once again.


    "You want to know why I did all that?" Su Liwei¡¯s eyes looked unfathomable. "Your mother..."


    A shrill noise rang out from her behind. It was followed by two more noises. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t feel any pain. Just something that pierced her heart. In front of her eyes, she saw a horrified face of Su Liwei.


    So strange. He had never looked so scared before. Her body fell down. But she didn¡¯t even feel the impact of fall.


    In front of her eyes, a scene reyed.


    ¡¯Grandfather, why did mother name me Lihua?¡¯ An innocent chid had once asked.


    ¡¯Lihua means pear blossom. It is a symbol of spring. When your mother married your father, she was very sad. But then she had you¡¯ Her grandfatherughed and pinched her small nose adoringly.


    ¡¯Grandpaw don¡¯t do it. I don¡¯t like it!¡¯ She red at her grandfather.


    ¡¯You gave her hope and lightened our world. You gave her a reason to live on¡¯


    Unconsciously, Jing Lihua¡¯s hand reached out to touch those happy memories, but in a moment, they disappeared like they never existed in the first ce. And so eternal darkness swallowed her whole.

 Chapter 2 - Outsmarted

    <h4>Chapter 2 - Outsmarted</h4>


    Jing Lihua walked to the huge ss panes and gazed down at the bustling city at her feet. Her youthful round, puffy face held its innocent charm. But her eyes were reced with that of a maturedy. Her incisive gaze was very different from that of the innocent gaze that the naive Jing Lihua held - the one who cluelessly fell in love. A series of misfortune taught her, matured her. Now, under her bewitching green eyes, hid a cunning fox ready to exploit its enemies and make them pay a hundred times.


    Since Gods had given her another chance, she would definitely not waste it.


    Her A-line, pure white wedding gown cascaded down her petite stature and spread on the floor. Her ck shinning hair was done into a bridal updo braid. Two strands of wavy hair hung loosely on both sides of her squashy cheeks.


    Her slender, snow-white hands exquisitely held a wine ss filled with a deep red wine. This was thest day she would drink. Drink away the sorrows of the past and look forward to her new life. Looking down at the sparkling vehicles running up and down the curving streets created such a beautiful scene. With everything at her feet, she looked like an unreachable immortal, an ethereal beauty. Yet the feelings she harbored were so different from the ones in her previous life.


    In herst life, her heart was filled with delight and optimism as she looked forward to her married life, She had eagerly waited for her husband but this time...


    Her delicate fingers tightened around the ss. Determination and hostility shed across her sharp eyes. Those eyes didn¡¯t have the same cheerfulness and naiveness, but unparalleled strength and cunningness.


    It should be time. She turned to face the door and gracefully took another sip.


    Su Liwei walked in dressed in a slim fit, custom made wedding tuxedo. His chiseled features and wealth could make any woman throw herself on his feet. The same aura of coldness surrounded him that kept his enemies at bay.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s heart wavered slightly but her exterior showed no cracks at all. Su Liwei¡¯s eyes narrowed when he found Jing Lihua equally cold eyes. Jing Lihua knew what he was going to say next. And before he could humiliate her, she took the initiative.


    "Mr. Su, now that all the guests and the media have left, I¡¯ll take my leave. I¡¯ll call the manager to arrange another room for you if you wish to stay overnight" All was said in a smooth professional tune; her voice held an inexplicable strength and was unreasonably soothing to listen; and cing the ss on a side table, she walked out without even waiting for his reply.


    The tall skyscr.a.p.er reaching the depths of the sky, was originally under Tang enterprise real estate so it was natural that she, being the President after her marriage, was responsible for amodating an important guest.


    By this move, she wanted to show Si Liwei that she held the Tang enterprise in more respect than him. She wanted to show him she wasn¡¯t just some weakling. She had great power in her hands.


    Jing Lihua was halted when strong fingers curled around her wrist.


    "What is it, Mr. Su?" She asked without looking at him.


    Wasn¡¯t it how he had treated her before? She had waited upon him impatiently only for him to return and tell her that he would leave for a business trip tomorrow and that she shouldn¡¯t expect anything from him because their wedding was nothing but a matter between families.


    That night, she had cried herself to sleep. In the uing days, in order to please him, she hadpletely forsaken herpany and served him day and night.


    But not this time.


    "It is our wedding night" He took a step back to meet her eyes.


    Momentarily, Jing Lihua¡¯s face filled with surprise. After a silence, her calm, carefully controlled expression returned. She realized Su Liwei was not behaving as he had behaved thest time.


    "I assume Mr. Su already knows that our marriage is a result of the pressure exerted by both sides of families and also there are no personal feelings between us so it is only natural that none of us expects anything from this marriage"


    No feelings? They hadn¡¯t talked to each other for thest five years but before that...


    "As of the short term acquaintance we had in primary school, I¡¯m sure a matured man like Mr. Su wouldn¡¯t be hanging onto that sort of children¡¯s feelings... Would he?..." Her crafty eyes openly mocked him.


    "Absolutely not" Su Liwei was quick to retract his hand from her wrist.


    His face was cold. No one could detect a single wrinkle in his expression. He quietly observed Jing Lihua. For the first time in his life, he couldn¡¯t logicallyprehend the situation in front of him.


    Apparently, the woman had outsmarted him.


    "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave" Jing Lihua walked away gracefully. Su Liwei looked nkly at her retreating figure. Only once she left, his lips curled up into a cold smile.


    She walked smoothly; her shoulders were upright; her gait held unshakable confidence while her long wedding dress flowed at her tail. Su Liwei felt like Jing Lihua had nned what to say to him since the beginning. He realized that the woman wasn¡¯t what he had expected her to be.


    In fact, she was not naive at all. Perhaps it would take much more effort to get to her. After a while, he dialed a number.


    "Chen Feng, cancel all my appointments and clear my schedule for a week"


    "But Mr. Su, what about..."


    "There has been a change of ns"


    Su Liwei nced in the direction Jing Lihua had left. His eyes were unfathomable.


    Author Note.


    Something important. Su Liwei s not the male lead.

 Chapter 3 - Scary President!

    <h4>Chapter 3 - Scary President!</h4>


    The next day, fresh sunlight filtered through the window and lit the beautiful woman wrapped in a thick velvety brown nket. Before Jing Lihua¡¯s opened her eyes, she mentally prepared herself to find herself in the same slums she was reduced to in her previous life. Her eyes met the pink ceiling of her room. With a smile, she rose from her bed.


    She took a quick bath and dressed formally for the office. She quickly reached the foot of the apartment.


    "And you are...?" Jing Lihua nced at the man standing by her car and assessed him with her gaze.


    "Miss Jing, I¡¯m Wang Yi... your new chauffeur" The youthful man replied and bowed.


    "Where is Zhang ZheHan?"


    "He met an ident yesterday. So I was appointed as his recement"


    "How is he? Is he alright?" Jing Lihua¡¯s face filled with concern.


    Nothing like this happened in her previous life. Something had caused a change of events from herst life.


    "He is alright. Just minor injuries"


    "I want him back as soon as he recovers. For now, speed to the Tang conglomerate twin towers" Jing Lihua threw the keys at him. There weren¡¯t many men Jing Lihua trusted. Su Liwei was determined to make herpany fall. He had already filled herpany with moles.


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t waste further time to ponder over small things. There were a lot of things that she needed to do.


    In thirty minutes they arrived. During the ride, Jing Lihua briefly went through the profiles of her current employees. She expected she would meet with difficulty but it took her just one look to recall all the members of the board of directors.


    The car pulled into the private garage of the President. The chauffeur immediately got out to open the door for her. Jing Lihua had neglected her office before. She was worried that her office employees wouldn¡¯t respect her. So it would cause inconvenience. But she met with a pleasant surprise when Mei Xiu was standing right outside the car to receive her.


    "President Jing, I¡¯m your secretary Mei Xiu assigned by Chairman. I just received your message." She bowed respectfully. "Let me take you to the office"


    Jing Lihua nodded. On her way to the elevator, she exchanged a few words with her.


    When Jing Lihua walked to her office through the tenth floor, she noticed her employees throwing curious nces in her direction. They all knew that Jing Lihua had just married. It was unexpected of her to suddenly show up.


    "Did you look at her? She looks different today." A female employee was particrly impressed by Jing Lihua. The way she was dressed, the look in her eyes, the authority in her aura, the manner of her walk... that gait of the Queen. Something was different about this Jing Lihua than the dull girl who used to follow her grandfather in shy dresses.


    A few employees could see their hearts lightening with hope at her sudden change.


    But some of her employers also openly sneered at her. Seeing respect in others¡¯ eyes, they couldn¡¯t stop their snarky tongues.


    "She knows to act all high and mighty. Is she even capable?"


    "What a joke! What is she even here for?"


    "Don¡¯t tell me the chairman has decided for her to be our new President. Of all the capable young Tangs out there, she was chosen? Tang Huang is far better than her."


    "It is expected. She is the direct descendant of Tang Liuwei. Such a pity that all otherpetent Tangs were not chosen. If chairman could only be unbiased..."


    "So she is our new president? She finally knows to show up here after all that time! She hadn¡¯t shown earlier, better not even show up now!"


    "It was better she didn¡¯t show up. With no experience, she is obviously going to disrupt the natural course of things an mess up thepany!"


    "Easy Wang Jianlin. Whatever she is going to do, she is still your President. She can still fire you with a single sign" The female employee defended her.


    "Do you think I care? We all know that in thest five projects, thepany didn¡¯t even reach the threshold goal. Thepany would fall soon. Better if she fires me and I go looking for a new job sooner thanter. Haha."


    "Wang Jianlin is not wrong. I¡¯ve served thepany my entire life. It has been at its lowest. Now with the retirement of the previous President, everyone is in dilemma. Not many think thepany would survive. Now it all depends on how our new President deals with the matter"


    "What are you expecting from that inexperienced novice? Have you not heard what sort of a person she is? She knows nothing better than throwing money and parting around with artistes. Just wearing some formal dress wouldn¡¯t change what she is"


    "All right, enough talking. Go back to your work.", urged their section head.


    Jing Lihua reached the highest floor of twin skyscr.a.p.ers where her office was situated. After taking the seat, she asked Mei Xiu.


    "Mei Xiu, I emailed a list of names to you an hour ago?"


    She had observed in the eyes of her employees, there was neither respect nor fear. She would have to correct that. Latter could be corrected with just a single move.


    "Fire them" Jing Lihua stated simply, surprising Mei Xiu witless.


    Fire them? Mei Xiu eyes filled with shock. Did she hear right? She didn¡¯t know the first thing she had to do after serving the new President was to fire almost fifty employees!


    "President, firing such a huge number of people at once might lead to a revolt. Besides, we are already approaching the deadlines of at least nine projects. I¡¯m afraid with that move, we wouldn¡¯t be able to..."


    "Find recements in time? Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ve already sent you another list of names. No need for interviews. Directly send them contracts. I¡¯ve also sent you a secondary list in case anyone of them declines but that is highly unlikely"


    Mei Xiu looked pale.


    When did her President prepare all that? She got married, for God¡¯s sake, just yesterday! Ah, this President was scary. Thank God she hadn¡¯t done any mistake till now. She would be extra careful from now on!


    In a minute, the letters were sent to all those employees, Jing Lihua knew were cking. And surprisingly, most of it were those who had ndered Jing Lihua. Idlers got nothing but to gossip. The rest who ndered her and luckily spared of being fired trembled in fear.


    "Haha, what is it Wang Jianlin? Didn¡¯t you say just a moment ago that it would be better if she fired you and you go looking for a job ¡¯sooner thanter¡¯?" The female employer mocked him when his face turned white after he opened the letter. "Well then, have fun, looking for a new job! God just granted you your wish! Haha"


    Who didn¡¯t know Tang enterprise was one of the first five enterprises in Beijing and before its recent decline, it used to be No. 1! Anyone would die to get a job here! Wang Jianlin was only bluffing!


    Their President was not someone they could slight!


    "This is not it! We can¡¯t be kicked out like this! We¡¯ve served thepany for so long! I won¡¯t ept this. Neither would my brothers". Wang Jianlin was not ready to ept his defeat yet.


    "What are you nning to do?" The female employee whose name was Yang Mi looked suspiciously at him.


    "You¡¯ll know soon"


    ...


    In the spacious office on the tenth floor. Jing Lihua was quietly going through the lists of all the major investors of thepany. In the list, she marked certain names with big circles in red. Those were the people who had betrayed her enterprisest time. She smiled coldly in the end and separated out ten names.


    Ten of them. They had no idea what rested ahead for them. They had no idea that Jing Lihua was going to y a game of cat and mouse with them until they begged for their own death.


    Suddenly she heard an urgent knock at the door. The noise brought her out of her sweet ns of revenge.


    "Come in"


    Yang Mi rushed in. "President Jing, there is something important I need to report"


    Jing Lihua nced at the young woman. She could recall her from her previous life. Yang Mi was a loyal subject who was neglected by Jing Lihua in herst life. Such a waste. There were so many talented people in herpany and she never realized. "You are from the inspection department. what do you have to say Yang Mi?"


    Yang Mi¡¯s heart felt happy. Her President knew not only where she was from but also her name? No, there was no time to be happy about such small matters. She had to report to her President. "President, I fear the employees are nning a revolt"


    Jing Lihua smiled. Yang Mi was loyal. She knew she could be boycotted by her colleagues for telling on them, yet, she still chooses to do so. Any other self-serving person would just sit and watch the drama quietly. "Thank you Yang Mi. I will never forget you choose your duty above personal benefit. You can leave now"


    "President..." Yang Mi was worried that the President didn¡¯t actually trust her and was chasing her away.


    "I know, you are worried. But when I sent those letters I had expected such an oue. I know how to deal with it." Jing Lihua reassured.


    Yang Mi¡¯s heart filled more and more respect for her. The President knew what she was doing. Finally feeling at ease, she bowed and left to attend her duty.


    Just as Yang Mi had left, Mei Xiu arrived with another news. "President. Ourst Financier suddenly resigned due to personal reasons. As this is an important position, you must immediately take interviews to select one. Candidates have already gathered in the waiting room"


    Jing Lihua nodded. She recalled for what specific ¡¯personal reasons¡¯ their ten years serving Financier resigned. The answer was Su Liwei. Thest financier was a trustworthy man. He was forced to resign by Su Liwei¡¯s hands.


    "I¡¯ll start taking interviews in an hour"


    "Yes, President." Mei Xiu nodded and left silently.


    Jing Lihua walked to the drawer and pulled out the detailed profiles of all those ten major shareholders. The first name was Heng HuiZhong. The Eldest master of the Heng household. Other than Jing Lihua, he had the major shares in the overall conglomerate. He was the major chess piece in Su Liwei¡¯s game.


    Jing Lihua brought the papers to her desk and went through all the profiles. Unknowingly, an hour passed.


    "Zhang Min... So you are the one rmended by Mr. Jing?" Jing Lihua briefly nced at the rmendation letter. Zhang Min was the third candidate Jing Lihua interviewed. Jing Lihua had rejected others after hearing just two to three lines from them.


    "Yes, President" The middle-aged man had a harmless, amiable smile. "President already knew about me. Did the President¡¯s father mention me?"


    "Of course he did. He took a long time praising yourpetency and loyalty"


    Jing Lihua smiled at him enigmatically. Under her cold eyes, no one could tell what bad thing she was nning.

 Chapter 4 - Ass Licking bastard

    <h4>Chapter 4 - Ass Licking bastard</h4>


    Zhang Min was pleased and tried to tter Jing Lihua. "Mr. Jing might have overpraised me. I can never match the President¡¯spetence."


    Jing Lihua tried hard not to roll her eyes. Ha! The ass licking bastard. But if we look it from the other way, the ass licking was what that had brought him where he was.


    "Good. Hurry up quickly and sign and let¡¯s be over with this business." Jing Lihua yawned, handing over him the recruitment contract, purposely acting unconcerned.


    A disgusted look shed across Zhang Min face but he was quick to hide it with his ttering smiles. So this was heiress of Tang¡¯s family conglomerate in whom Chairman (Tang Liwei) had great hopes? The position was important. It deserved as much as a mere nce at his qualifications once. He scoffed. Surely the Tang enterprise was going to suffer a huge loss in theing years.


    "But President, you should at least look at his qualification once..." Mei Xiu couldn¡¯t see such an important ce handed over so carelessly.


    "Why do I need to bother? He was rmended by my father. Surely a father would choose the best for his daughter. Besides, he had also worked in Su enterprise, the NO 1 enterprise in Beijing, under my husband, Su Liwei. Who in the industry has better sight for talent than him?"


    Mei Xiu said no more. She definitely didn¡¯t want to be included in the list of people fired today.


    Jing Lihua gestured with her hand to dismiss Zhang Min.


    "Thank you, President. I¡¯ll do my best to serve thepany." Zhang Min bowed. Before leaving, he sent a triumphant sneer in Mei Xiu direction.


    Just as he stepped out, Jing Lihua¡¯szy and disinterested look was suddenly reced by a cold, icy one. She straightened herself, resuming herposed and collected expressions.


    "President, pardon my boldness, but I must inform you that this Zhang Min background is suspicious. He has, at countless times, been involved in spying on other¡¯spanies and other such treacheries. He was rmended by the President¡¯s father so you must not be doubting him but I must..."


    "Mei Xiu, you don¡¯t have to be polite. I¡¯m aware of my father¡¯s nature. I know why did he send Zhang Min to my office." Jing Lihua smiled at Mei Xiu.


    Confusion appeared on Mei Xiu¡¯s face before understanding settled. It meant her President knew about her father¡¯s malicious intentions. Mei Xiu was delighted to know that. Her President was not as naive as they said.


    "And the fact that he has such background doesn¡¯t mean I shouldn¡¯t keep him." Her eyes glinted like a cunning fox. She winked at Mei Xiu. "It means I should ask my secretary to rece all the financial reports in Zhang Min office with fake information. From now on, you¡¯ll bring the original reports directly to me only."


    "But President, why hire him in the first ce...?" Mei Xiu¡¯s eyes looked confounded. She couldn¡¯t understand her real intentions."It was an important ce. There were a lot of other capable candidates. Besides, how would you be able to handle all that work on your own?"


    "If I didn¡¯t keep him, our enemies would have found another method to meddle with thepany¡¯s affairs. Because we wouldn¡¯t know about their next move, we could have fallen a victim to it. As we know Zhang Min is their man, we can use him to feed them with false information." Her cherry red lips curled up into a smile. Her looks looked so tempting that no one could resist her. She looked like a wicked seductress. "If they want to y with me, I¡¯ll y with them very well"


    Mei Xiu felt a chill. It was not because of winter. It was because of the cold energy her scary President was radiating. Ah... so scary, she would never underestimate her President again.


    Mei Xiu cursed herself to believe those rumors for once that her new President was an inexperienced novice.


    ...


    In the evening when she walked out of her office, her employees¡¯ attitude was much better. They even lined up to greet her following thepany¡¯s proper protocol. Those who had openly sneered at her were now standing with their heads drooping low, terrified. They didn¡¯t want to be spotted by their President. Looking satisfied, Jing Lihua listened to Mei Xiu reports. As she approached the lobby, she could discern loud noises.


    "What is the meaning of this? How could you say that I need to make an appointment to meet your President? Do you know who I¡¯m? I¡¯m the biggest investor of thispany after your President." Heng HuiZhong was having an altercation with the receptiondy.


    Just as Jing Lihua appeared at the scene, Heng HuiZhong addressed her.


    "President Jing." He bowed. "I think your receptionist had made a mistake. She said I can¡¯t meet you without an appointment. You need to be a little strick on your employees. They don¡¯t know how to respect the revered guests." He threw an intimidating nce at the receptionist.


    Jing Lihua smiled coldly. "She has not made any mistake. Mr. Heng if you want to meet me, you¡¯ll have to make an appointment"


    Heng HuiZhong was shocked. Without giving him any face, Jing Lihua walked for the private garage.


    "What is the meaning of this?" Heng Hui Zhong blocked her path. "I¡¯m the biggest investor in yourpany. And you are not going to show me at least some little respect? Your grandfather was a wise man. As long as he held the office, he never disrespected me. If I pull out my shares, your stock price would fall more than fifty percent!"


    "Mr. Heng, please step aside. I¡¯ve some important matters to attend to." Jing Lihua smiled politely at him clearly telling him he was not important enough to im her time.


    Heng HuiZhong was angered to death for being treated like this. "You..." When he tried to follow her, her bodyguards stopped him.


    Jing Lihua leisurely walked for her car.

 Chapter 5 - One down, Nine left.

    <h4>Chapter 5 - One down, Nine left.</h4>


    On her way to her apartment, Jing Lihua stopped by her mother¡¯s tomb. She had brought a fresh boutique of flowers along with her.


    "Mother, thanks for granting me a second chance. I know you¡¯ve always been watching over me. This time, I¡¯ll not disappoint you. I¡¯ll get back at all of those who treated you badly. I¡¯ll not spare a single one of them. I¡¯ll make you proud of me, mother." Jing Lihua bent to ce the boutique. She was surprised when she noticed fresh rose flowers on her mother¡¯s tomb.


    Someone had recently visited her.


    She picked up a rose and looked around. The cemetery was empty. Was there anyone else in this world who missed her mother?


    Jing Lihua arrived at her apartment at six pm. She took a bath and prepared something for dinner. She was halted midway when she received a call. Jing Lihua nced at the number. With a cold smile, she ced down her phone and resumed to cook. The phone continued to ring relentlessly. At the tenth call, she picked up.


    "Jing Lihua, why the f.u.c.k you took so long to pick up? Now that you have married Su Liwei, do you think that you can act so arrogantly in front of me? We both know that Su Liwei cherishes your little sister. If not for your grandfather, he would never have given you a second nce."


    Jing Lihua kept silent for a long time. The party on the other side was growing impatient.


    "Is there anything He Zhoyan?" Jing Lihua¡¯s voice was calm. He Zhoyan felt like Jing Lihua was mocking her by ignoring her.


    "How much you hate me, you still have to respect me! I¡¯m your stepmother! Do you want me to tell your father you disrespected me?" He Zhoyan threatened.


    ¡¯I¡¯m already not hanging up on you. That is far more respect than you deserve." Jing Lihuaughed.


    "You..." He Zhoyan calmed her temper. "Listen to me, your father has invited the host of a famous reality show to our home. She agreed to this show only when we said that you woulde. I want you toe home this Saturday. Your father has been thinking for your sake. You can use this opportunity to clear your bad reputation by behaving well." He Zhoyan said it as if she wanted to help Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua knew that her stepmother only wanted to embarrass her in front of everyone. She wanted to open a door of opportunity for her daughter Jing Tian by introducing her to everyone. This was how she had done it in herst life.


    "Sure I¡¯lle." Jing Lihua gently said. But He Zhoyan failed to get the deeply hidden hint in her tune.


    "Alright." He Zhoyan hung up on her. She had expected it would take more effort to make Jing Lihua agree. Ha! Such a stupid woman. She agreed so readily.


    The next morning, when Jing Lihua arrived at the twin skyscr.a.p.ers, she found a huge crowd at the foot of the building. There were reporters from different media channels. Half of her employees had gathered around along with all of those who she had fired. They were holding banners. Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes filled with amus.e.m.e.nt. She walked out with a calm smile.


    "What is this all about?"


    Mei Xiu quickly sided Jing Lihua. She looked worried. "President, I was going to inform you"


    "President Jing, is it true you fired fifty people just after taking the office without giving them the proper reason?"


    "Have you considered that those people might have families and children? After being fired suddenly, how would they fend for themselves?"


    "How are you going to deal with this situation. Would you return the jobs back to all the people?"


    The reporters fiercely charged hundreds of questions. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t pay them any attention and walked straight to the head of the revolt; Wang Yi.


    "President Jing, we have loyally served yourpany for thest ten years. We have worked hard day and night to bring this enterprise to this current status. Without us, the Tang enterprise wouldn¡¯t stand where it is right now. How could you treat us so unjustly? We demand justice!"


    "If you fired out brothers today, you could fire us tomorrow too! How can we continue to work here if this is how you treat your employees?"


    "President Jing, take back your decision or all of us will resign!"


    The more people behind him raised their banners. Chaos followed.


    Under their using and wrathful eyes, Jing Lihua remained calm. Her smile was steady.


    "Good. If you have served this enterprise loyally, I think you deserve a second chance. Wang Yi, follow me to my office to discuss the terms of negotiations"


    ...


    Wang Yi was horrified. Jing Lihua had just thrown his dirty past in front of him. There were records of his meetings with Tang enterprise enemies. He was selling information for money. Wang Yi gulped. His heart was hammering with fear. His hands were cold.


    "Would you still say that you served the Tang enterprise loyally?" Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes were calm.


    "President I-I..."


    "If I show this evidence to the media that is gathered out, the basis of your revolt would end. Let¡¯s forget about that. I can sue you till you are penniless with this evidence. I can make sure that you spend the rest of your life under the bars. But, luckily for you, I¡¯m merciful." Jing Lihua pulled out a paper and threw it in front of him. "Here, sign on it. That¡¯s an agreement between you and me. You will stop this revolt right now. You¡¯ll tell everyone that it was Heng HuiZhong who was the real head of the revolt. You¡¯ll admit to being a spy of some otherpany and I¡¯ll leave you alone."


    Wang Yi had no choice. This President was fearsome. With trembling hands, he signed on the papers. When he walked out, everyone was eager to know what had happened outside. Reporters and his fellows surrounded him. His face was white.


    He said everything that Jing Lihua had asked him to tell. Meanwhile, Jing Lihua was watching everything from her office on a huge screen. She took a sip of her water and called Mei Xiu.


    "Tell everyone that Heng HuiZhong has been removed from his position at the Boards of directors for breaching the contract of employment and conspiring against thepany."

 Chapter 6 - Her redemption

    <h4>Chapter 6 - Her redemption</h4>


    When Jing Lihua returned to the home, she received a message.


    Mo Liang: "Woah! My Xiao Hua is making quite a headlines today?"


    Zhao Liying: "Xiao Hua, I¡¯m jealous. I¡¯m a model. I¡¯m supposed to appear in headlines more than you. Why is it you and not me?"


    Mo Liang: "Juste with me to dinner. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make the headlines tonight."


    Zhao Liying: "I¡¯m not interested in scandalous fu*kboys."


    Mo Liang: "Too direct."


    Mo Liang: "But still, you¡¯ll appear in the news."


    Zhao Liying: "Don¡¯t want to end my career."


    Jing Lihua wanted to say something but she was too tired after a day of dealing with things. She went straight to her bed without even changing.


    The next day, everything returned to normal. Thepany was back at its foot again. Jing Lihua nced at the list of the names she had encircled the other day. On down, nine more to go. She put down the list and picked up the reports.


    She went through the summary of thetest five projects Mei Xiu drafted for her. Not a single project was going well. All of them were suffering losses. Jing Lihua leaned back against her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose. The projects started off well but in the middle, many small hurdles resulted in their decline. Those hurdles were created by none other than Su Liwei.


    So he had been nning to bring her decline before their marriage? But this time, he¡¯ll have to be disappointed.


    Mei Xiu came in after a knock. "President, I¡¯ve settled all the new employees. The old employees who took part in the revolt feel no grievance towards you. In fact, after Wang Yi admitted to being a spy, they felt very sorry for misjudging you. They even proposed to present a formal apology to you..."


    "No need. Tell them, as long as they work hard they¡¯ll be forgiven"


    "Other than that, Zhang Min insists on keeping his own assistant. He denied the assistant assigned by thepany. President, I fear it is going to be difficult to have him fed with wrong information if his assistant is not our confidant." Mei Xiu looked angry when she told about him. After she knew he was a spy, she wanted to strangle him every time she saw him.


    "He is checking me" Zhang Min was a shrewd man. None less could be expected from someone ¡¯sent¡¯ by her so beloved husband ¡¯Su Liwei¡¯. "Since he saw how uninterested I was, he is now going to see tolerant I¡¯m."


    "He is testing my boundaries. The boundaries he will not cross once exercising his power in thepany"


    "So President, what are your boundaries going to be?" Mei Xiu looked very excited.


    On second thought, working with a scary President, wasn¡¯t that bad. It was exciting!


    "Let him have his own assistant for now." She gave it a contemting thought. "But tell him to send the assistant profile to President office. Tell him it¡¯s only for following the proper protocol and do not mention I instructed to do so unless he creates a fuss about it. And let¡¯s arrange for a private meeting with this ¡¯assistant¡¯ to see if we can bring him to our side."


    "President, when are we going to expose that Zhang Min? I can¡¯t really stand him. He dared to think that he could fool you! I can¡¯t wait to have him exposed and see the look on his face when he realizes that he was the one being fooled all along!"


    Jing Lihuaughed. Mei Xiu was as feisty as she recalled from her previous life. "Soon. First, we must use him to ry false information to our enemies. After that, once I had left him, they would make him suffer even worse for rying false information."


    By dawn, Jing Lihua went through the details of all the present five projects of thepany. If all of those projects failed, she would have to sell her all her subsidiaries in other cities to pay back the debts to the bank. And this was how the downfall of the Tang enterprise had started in herst life.


    After much contemtion, she worked out a n to save three projects. But the two of them had no hope. They were bound to die. Jing Lihua decided to close those projects. She needed to make new investments fast to save herpany. Jing Lihua calcted all the funds she had.


    She grabbed out a small pamphlet about a real estate in Southern Beijing. There were huge acres ofnd. But they were far away from any settlement and the government showed no interest in expanding the city in that direction. So their price was very low. The owner of thends was struggling to do everything to sell off thosends but there was no interested buyer.


    She marked the name with her red marker. This Southern estate was going to be her redemption.

 Chapter 7 - Unpollinated Flower

    <h4>Chapter 7 - Unpollinated Flower</h4>


    Jing Lihua finally got to get a good night¡¯s sleep after stabilizing thepany. When she woke up, it was already evening. Ha...? How long had she slept? She walked out of her room in a huge teeshirt and pajamas while rubbing her groggy eyes and was scared witless when she found a ghost standing at the apartment¡¯s door.


    Later it was revealed it was not exactly a ghost but her best friend. Who looked no less scary than a ghost.


    "When did I gave you my apartment keys?"


    "You never did." Zhao Liying replied cheekily.


    In her previous life, Su Liwei was determined to hurt her in every possible way. He made her cut ties with all her friends. In herst years, he had be too powerful. She didn¡¯t want to endanger any of her friends. So she herself kept her distance. The more people he found that she loved, the more means he had to hurt her.


    "If you stop chuckling, would you care to exin how you passed all the security?"


    "God. I can¡¯t stop. The way you screamed. Haha."


    "You look like in an awfully good mood"


    "Shouldn¡¯t I be? I get to meet my bestie after so long?" Zhao Liying took off her sunsses revealing a gorgeous face and threw her suitcase on the couches.


    "It was just a month"


    Jing Lihua smiled and threw her arms around Zhao Liying. It might be a month for Zhao Liying but it was a lot more than that for Jing Lihua.


    "Wee back"


    "Ladies. Ladies. I know you can¡¯t wait to jump at each other but please wait until you get to the apartment. I can¡¯t stand this obscenity. Don¡¯t defile my v.i.r.g.i.n eyes." Mo Liang poked his head through the open door of the apartment.


    "Jesus can be gay but your eyes can¡¯t be v.i.r.g.i.n." Zhao Liying rolled her eyes.


    "ndering my chastity, are you?"


    "I¡¯m not ndering it. I¡¯m denying its existence."


    "Mo Liang." Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes brightened in happiness. She threw her arms around her blond friend.


    "Hmm... Jing Lihua you smell nice. If you hug me just a little more tightly... Ow! Ow! Let go of my ear!"


    After twisting his ear to her heart content and bruising it to a fine red color, she finally let go of his ear.


    Mo Liang looked at Jing Lihua usingly while cing a hand over his ear, making his typical angel-like face of the former famous star nicknamed Liang Prince that had once won over all the females of Asia. "Hua¡¯er I didn¡¯t know you had such - such perverted orientation but for your love, I¡¯m-I¡¯m willing to endure the pain a-and be y-your submissive..."


    Jing Lihua raised her hand to hit him. He evaded her attack while stepping back with augh. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to chase him around the apartment. It was what he had wanted. So he could make his next joke.


    "Just five minutes in your presence and you have managed to drive the President of Tang enterprise into madness." Zhao Liying fell on the couches and made herselffortable like it was her own home. "Careful. She is not the same Xiao Hua we used to bully. She is now the wifie of Su Liwei and of course, the President of the Tang enterprise. Did you not hear the news? She fired 50 people in the blick of an eye."


    "So what? My father is Mo Ting, the CEO of Mo entertainment. I can bully my flower all I want."


    Mo Liang was the sole heir to a massive entertainment corporate. Mo entertainment. She remembered from her previous life, at the time his fatherpany was not that powerful but after Mo Liang took over the office he had raised it to new heights. It had be an international corporate.


    "But now, her flower belongs to Su Liwei."


    "I believe a flower belongs to no one as long as it is not pollinated." Mo Liang retaliated smoothly.


    Jing Lihua stared at her two shameless friends as they continued without minding her at all. It was alright for Mo Liang but why was Zhao Liying acting this way too? Was his shamelessness contagious?


    "And how can you be sure that this flower is not pollinated by Su Liwei yet?"


    "And how can you be so sure it is?"


    They both red mutually at each other.


    "Then let me remind you that you are currently standing in this flower territory that had just inherited thorns from its grandfather... Your daddy can¡¯t save you"


    "Thorns... That sounds dirty."


    "One more word and I¡¯ll call my bodyguards to kick you out." Jing Lihua¡¯s voice was deadly serious.


    Mo Liang opened his mouth then closed it. Like an obedient child, he ced a finger on his smiling lips and nodded repeatedly.


    Jing Lihua sighed and after ignoring Mo Liang, she asked Zhao Liying.


    "When did you guys arrive? You could have told me. I would have received you."


    "Just this morning"


    "And youe straight to my apartment...? Your mother would be angry"


    "I missed your wedding. I was dying to see how does a married Hua looks!"


    "She is lying. She used you as an excuse to slip from her manager¡¯s hand." Mo Liang ruthlessly exposed her.


    Zhao Liying red at him coldly. "Forget that I¡¯ll ever introduce my colleague to you that you said was hot."


    "You¡¯ll not need to introduce her to me. She¡¯lle to me herself."


    "What happened?" Those two were as dramatic as she remembered. She felt her heart filling with happiness after once again enjoying theirpany.


    "She is getting fat." Mo Liang dropped the bomb directly.


    Zhao Liying¡¯s face was filled with shock before she burst out. "Mo Liang, you f*cking liar! I just got five pounds! Just five pounds! Do you have to say it like that?"


    "Then why did none of my newest tailored dress fit you?"


    Zhao Liying fell silent for a moment before directing the me on Mo Liang. "You took the wrong measurements. You are just finding excuses to me your mistakes on me! How dishonorable!"


    "Her father is angry. He asked her manager to strictly monitor her diet"


    "More like starve me. Xiao Hua, do I look fat to you?"


    Zhao Liying wasn¡¯t an A-list model for no reason. Her looks were heavenly. No matter what dress she wore, somehow she was capable of making it look stunning on her. That would bring out thergest number of orders and the highest biddings in auctions.

 Chapter 8 - VIP guests

    <h4>Chapter 8 - VIP guests</h4>


    "You as pretty as before" Jing Lihua grabbed ab and tried to do unravel the nest of her hair.


    "See? That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been trying to tell that old man! Humph!"


    "She didn¡¯t say you are not fat." Mo Liangughed.


    "You..."


    "Don¡¯t worry Zhao Liying. Fat people are human too. I know you are here to get an immediate reservation at your favorite Italian restaurant. Let me call my secretary to reserve a private room for us. We¡¯ll leave once I get dressed."


    "Now that¡¯s my Xiao Hua." Zhao Liying wanted to jump in happiness. Finally, she could eat something other than tasteless sd. She kissed Jing Lihua and jumped into the couch in front of the television.


    Jing Lihua took a quick shower. After dressing in a Gi light blue silk blouse, white dress pants, and Harry Winston light sapphire diamond earrings, she was ready. She walked into the living room. Mo Liang and Zhao Liying were fighting over the remote.


    "How do I look?" Jing Lihua twirled.


    Both of them stopped the fighting. Their gaze was fixed on Jing Lihua.


    "She is a changed woman." Zhao Liying¡¯s gaze was full of admiration.


    "I can¡¯t think of something smart to say. Wait a second. Let me think something." Mo Liang continued to think but couldn¡¯te up with anything. "Fine. I give up. I¡¯ll just say it. You look gorgeous Xiao Hua"


    "Let¡¯s leave. I¡¯m starving." Zhao Liying couldn¡¯t wait for the food. Her van was already parked at the foot of the apartments.


    On the way, Mo Liang and Zhao Liying continued their banter. asional sounds ofughs would fill the van. An outsider could tell the three people inside shared a very deep rtionship.


    Zhao Liying told Jing Lihua about her recent trip to Japan. She cursed her manager at the part when she described the famous restaurants they visited. The manager wouldn¡¯t let her eat. Mo Liang told her about the tale of a Japanese chick he had gone out with.


    When Jing Lihua stepped out of the van, along with her two out-of-heavens friends, the trio immediately caught the spotlight.


    An ex-star and topnotch fashion designer and an A-list model. But what attracted their sight the most was the elegantly dressed bewitching woman between them. Somehow, between those two extraordinary people, she was capable of attracting people¡¯s attention with her alluring looks. Her twinkling diamond earrings could be spotted from far. The woman had fine taste in fashion. Once they spotted her exceptional green eyes, they immediately recognized who she was and a look of disdain shed across her.


    "Isn¡¯t she the eldest daughter of Jing family? Didn¡¯t she marry Su Liwei just a few days ago? What is she doing here?"


    "Shh, you didn¡¯t listen? The marriage was forced by using the Tang family influence. It was actually the second daughter of Jing family whom Su Liwei admired. Su Liwei must have chased her out."


    "Seems only right. Jing Tian is far better than her"


    "Humph! Such a disgusting woman. She should let go of a man who is unwilling to be with her"


    They heard the whispers. Mo Liang was not happy. He looked at Jing Lihua to see if she was affected by their words. "Xiao Hua, do you want me to ask the manager to throw them out?" He was serious.


    Jing Lihuaughed.


    Wasn¡¯t it what they wanted?


    "Mo Liang, there is no use of meddling with worthless people who believe in silly rumors. We should head to the VIP room." She threw aposed smile in their direction.


    What was the look in her eyes? Like she was looking at a bunch of beggars? That she would not bother to even get angry at their snarky remarks?


    She maintained her graceful exterior while easily countering them!


    Their anger rose to peak after being humiliated but they could only scoff and turn away in embarrassment. If they crossed the line, they would be the first to be thrown out.


    Jing Lihua Tang¡¯s family had close rtions with the owner of this restaurant. So she was always their esteemed guest. Others could hardly manage to book for a normal table after a month of waiting. Zhao Liying walked to the receptionining about how hungry she was.


    "Sister Lihua, is it you? I never expected to find you at the restaurant. I thought you must have left for a honeymoon with your husband." He ZongYingughed. "Oh sorry, I forgot that you are not in good terms with your husband." Her words were aimed to humiliate Jing Lihua.


    Jing Lihua groaned internally. How could be the world so small? Why she can¡¯t have a peaceful dinner with her friends? Jing Lihua didn¡¯t turn her face towards her.


    "I¡¯m talking to you, Sister Jing."


    Jing Lihua looked in He Zongying eyes with a small, unfaltering smile. Her eyes were calm as still water.


    "My sincerest apologies. I thought you were talking to the wall"


    Silence followed for a second. Mo Liang burst outughing.


    "You..." He Zongying was shocked. Her face went white with embarrassment. She heard the hushedughs of people gathered around.


    He Zongying hated Jing Lihua. He Zongying was Jing Tian¡¯s minion to do her dirty work. He Zongying harrassed Jing Lihua to appease Jing Tian. Jing Lihua was always an easy target because of her short temper and polite personality.


    The people who had just mocked her gathered around them once again and perked up their ears anticipating good drama.


    Before He Zongying could decide what to say next, Jing Lihua said:


    "Oh, my. I love your ne. Gifted to you by Jing Tian on your birthday. Wasn¡¯t it?" Jing Lihua stepping forward. She inspected He Zongying¡¯s ne with awe. "Brand Cartier. Isn¡¯t it? I know when it auctioned, I had a fight with Zhao Liying and we kept raising the bid until $11,000. I lost interest in itter on and gave it to Jing Tian when grandpa gifted me a better one. She made a very good decision by giving it to you. It does suit you. But it is expensive for you. Do take care of it."


    When Jing Lihua was done, He Zongying¡¯s face was white. But Jing Lihua didn¡¯t have any mercy.


    "And that handbag. I remember It was also gifted to you with that ne. Jing Tian bought that from some random shop. She must have told you she had bought it from some famous brand? Look closely, it is a replica. You don¡¯t need to look after it that much. After all, you can easily afford a replica." Jing Lihuaughed. Meanwhile, Zhao Liying came back from the reception. Looking at the group of people, she frowned for a second.


    "Jing Lihua, I asked them. They have the top floor room prepared for us"


    "I would love to stay and reminisce with you but my friend here is starving and we had a reservation in the VIP room, so we can¡¯t join you down so take care, Sister ZongYing"


    He Zongying was filled with jealousy. The VIP room was on the top floor. She had never had a chance to visit it. But she had heard it had a very pleasant view. When He Zongying saw the woman she looked down upon going to VIP, her heart burned with jealousy.

 Chapter 9 - Gluttonous woman

    <h4>Chapter 9 - Gluttonous woman</h4>


    Mo Liang wouldn¡¯t stopughing. He was such an ardent drama seeker.


    "Hua¡¯er when did you learn all this?" Zhao Liying was equally surprised.


    "I didn¡¯t learn it. I simply made up most of that myself" She looked nonchnt and took a sip of water.


    "You mean to say..."


    "Do you really think someone as stingy as Jing Tian could gift an $11,000 price ne to someone?"


    "The ne we bid for, it does resemble the one He Zongying was wearing but it was not the one. When Jing Tian forced me to yield that ne, thanks to my father, He Zongying really fancied it. But it was such an expensive item... I assume Jing Tian must have fooled her by giving her a replica.",


    Mo Liang and Zhao Liying were aware of Jing Lihua¡¯s tense rtionship with her family.


    "But why did He Zongying not deny it?"


    "She was confused." Zhao Lying understood; her eyes glimmered with admiration for her friend. "And did you not observe the smoothness of Jing Lihua? Jing Lihua didn¡¯t even give her a chance to retort!"


    "And the handbag..."


    "Oh, that. I knew that the handbag was not worth much. If you looked closely enough, you could see. Other women in the gathering already knew that much. They just needed someone to say it"


    "Fabulous!" Mo Liang broke into ps and dramatically bowed in front of Jing Lihua. "From today onwards, I ept you as my master. Shifu, please ept me as your disciple and teach me the arts of face pping!"


    "You shall not pass."


    "Why?"


    "This Shifu has certain prerequisites for epting a disciple"


    Meanwhile, owing to the quick service of the restaurant, waiters came rushing with mouth-watering dishes. Zhao Liying, being the glutton she was, spared no time and manners and attacked the meat with her chopsticks.


    "And what are they? I shall do my best to meet those prerequisites"


    "No. 1plete s.e.x.u.a.l abstinence..."


    "Why my flower wants to have me all for her self?" Mo Liang winked.


    "No. 2 no more flirting..."


    "You are purposely making hard for me. Aren¡¯t you"


    "No. 3 no more boosting about your ex career..."


    "I feel like this Shifu is too high for me." Mo Liang raised his hands implying he gave up. He busied himself with the food noticing the dishes getting emptied quickly by Zhao Liying.


    Jing Lihua picked up a piece of pork and ced it in her mouth. The meat melted in her mouth as it rolled over her tongue. She m.o.a.ned, savoring the taste. The restaurant was surely top-notch in its service. And after having so many days of tasteless food, she finally came to enjoy something good.


    After a hearty fight with chopsticks about who will get thest dumpling, they reached a peaceful agreement about splitting it into three. But at thest moment, Zhao Liying snatched it away and hastily ced it in her mouth with the swift movement of her chopsticks before anyone could even think otherwise. They both stared at their shameless friend. In response, she only said while gracefully wiping the side of her mouth.


    "When are they bringing the dessert?"


    "You gluttonous monster!" Mo Liang mourned over thatst dumpling that could have ended in his mouth. Only if he was a little quicker!


    In the silence that followed after they finished everything, Zhao Liying suddenly spoke.


    "Jing Lihao, I want to ask you something... How¡¯s Su Liwei been to you? Is he good? He didn¡¯t mistreat you? Did he?" Zhao Liying had genuine concern in her eyes.


    Zhao Liying was aware that how crazy her friend was for Su Liwei. Since primary school, he was the only one she had fancied. She still remembered how happy Jing Lihua was when her grandpa announced the engagement. Su Liwei had always been a bit cold towards her. Zhao Liying never liked him.


    A slight sadness shed across her eyes but Jing Lihao hid it quickly without anyone¡¯s noticing. Or so she thought. Mo Liang had noticed something. He might seem like a shallow person from his demeanor but he had aa deep understanding of everything.


    "And what if he did? What could you do? He is the CEO of Su enterprise." Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes challenged her.


    "I would rip off his d.i.c.k, chop off his balls and feed them to my pig! Now tell me! Did he mistreat you in any way?"


    Mo Liang spat his drink on the table. Even Jing Lihua¡¯s face cracked to a funny expression. After coughing his lungs out, Mo Liang slipped away from Zhao Liying and sat beside Jing Lihua.


    "Remind me never to offend her in this lifetime"


    "You just called her a gluttonous monster"


    Mo Liang looked petrified and defensively ced his hands over his threatened ¡¯things¡¯.


    "But Zhao Liying, there is a problem. You don¡¯t have a pig."


    "Doesn¡¯t matter! I would feed it to my dog."


    "Don¡¯t tell me you would feed Su Liwei d.i.c.k to little fluffy!" Mo Liang made a weird face. He really liked little fluffy. He genuinely didn¡¯t want him to be traumatized for life.


    "Shut up! Or I will feed it yours too." Zhao Liying red at Mo Liang. That threat was enough to scare him into silence. His love for little fluffy was not more than his love for himself.


    "But you told me your dog is very picky. What if it doesn¡¯t like the taste?"


    "I would add some sausages to make it to its taste." Zhao Liying was getting frustrated. She just wanted to know if that Su Liwei bastard was good to her or not. "Doesn¡¯t matter at all! Now tell me he treated you well? Did he?"


    "What if it still doesn¡¯t like the taste"


    Zhao Liying silenced and stabbed a knife in the table. She coldly stared at Jing Liihua with dead serious eyes. Jing Lihua chuckled. Her bestie could be angered to death with such silly things? God, she missed all that teasing in her past life.


    "Alright. He was okay. There had been an important business so he had to leave for Vietnam.", Jing Lihua said; her words sounded so genuine that no one could doubt. Mo Liang took a sip, as he intently listened to Jing Lihua. "Are you free this weekend?" Jing Lihua changed the topic.


    Zhao Liying was a little gullible, so she didn¡¯t suspect a thing.


    "Yup. That old man is going to visit his family in Thand. Finally letting me off. I would have a whole two days to do whatever I want. First I¡¯ll visit my favorite spa. I have already made a reservation" Zhao Lihua looked quite enthusiastic.


    "Good. I want you to apany me. I¡¯ve been invited to a reality show in my home"


    "A reality show? Our little flower getting famous? I would love to go but I don¡¯t get free days every day. So sorry, you¡¯ll have to go alone."


    "You seem to have been mistaken Zhao Lihua. I didn¡¯t ask you to apany me. I told you to apany me" Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes had a foxy spark. " Or else, I will have to send these pictures of you eating fattening food...", as she said she took out her cell and shed her the photos, "...to your diligent manager and he would be right here in next ten minute making you vomit all those dumplings out while dragging your ass away"


    Zao Liying was shocked. The truth sunk in. "You... when did you even take those pictures? Wait... It had all been your n since the beginning. Isn¡¯t it? That¡¯s why you readily agreed to reserve a room for us...?!"


    Even Mo Liang stared at her at the startling plot twist.


    "Too slow." Jing Lihua tilted her head to a side and suppressed augh.


    "You are such a..." Zhao Liying gritted her teeth.


    "Careful. I can send you these pictures right now and you would be deprived of even enjoying these savory deserts."


    "Fine! I¡¯ll go!" Zhao LiYing agreed and grumpily filled her mouth with a spoonful of dessert.


    After that, they talked about different thinkspletely yielding the defenseless desserts to Zhao Liying to do with them as she wished. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t notice but Mo Liang had been a bit quiet all that time.

 Chapter 10 - Shameless woman

    <h4>Chapter 10 - Shameless woman</h4>


    Jing Junhaiughed. "This is not a joke, right?"


    "If I wanted to joke, I could have waited to get home instead of calling you two here to give you the news." Jing Shuping threw the papers on the table.


    "But father, are you sure the news is true?" Jing Tian picked up the papers. "Could it be she is fooling us?"


    "She doesn¡¯t have enough intelligence to think of a n to fool us."


    "I have spies, loyal spies in Tang enterprise. The Tang enterprise failed in thest five projects. She used thest funds in thepany and bought huge acres ofnd in the Southern area. This move is totally inconceivable. She doesn¡¯t have enough manpower or resources to invest in thosends if she nned to turn them to residential lots. Thends are far away from the city center so they are practically worthless. The owner of the real estate had been struggling to get rid of thosends at any price. But there wasn¡¯t a single buyer."


    "I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll need Zhang Min to do anything. She¡¯ll soon end up bankrupting her ownpany." Jing Junhaiughed again. "How about this. We just sit and watch her making the great empire disappear?"


    "Don¡¯t underestimate her. She still has her grandfather behind her. Thepany as big as her¡¯s wouldn¡¯t fall in seconds."


    Jing Shuping didn¡¯t hate his daughter for no reason. She reminded him of that woman who was an obstacle between him and Jing Tian¡¯s mother, He Zhoyan. Besides, she was just a weakling with no talent. At countless times, Jing Lihua had embarrassed the family in front of guests. And the most important thing was she always outshined precious Jing Tian. Jing Tian was from his true love so it was natural that he cherished her more.


    "Once that woman loses her backing, I¡¯ll have you and Su Liwei married." Jing Shuping said with determination.


    "Father... I feel bad for JieJie. Would she hat me for stealing Su Liwei?" Jing Tian looked sad.


    "You don¡¯t need to feel bad for her. It has always been you, Su Liwei liked. She is the one who stole your lover from you." Jing Shuping felt disgusted when he remembered what had she done. "She clearly knew that you loved Su Liwei. Yet she still forced marriage to hurt you"


    "I don¡¯t know what I did to make JieJie hate me. I¡¯ve always tried my best to make her like me."


    Jing Shuping¡¯s heart pained when he saw his daughter crying. "You don¡¯t need to cry for that vixen." He patted her affectionately. "She doesn¡¯t deserve your kindness. After all, she has that woman¡¯s blood running through her veins. It is inevitable she would follow her lead. She is just jealous that you are more aplished and liked than her. But instead of changing her vicious ways, she chose underhand tricks to suppress you."


    "Xiao meimei, you don¡¯t need to worry." Jing Junhai couldn¡¯t bear his little sister crying. "As long as Su Liwei loves you, we¡¯ll find a way to get you two together. Everything would be perfect."


    "That will happen soon. Su Liwei is true to you. He is trying his best to make Tang enterprise fall so that Jing Lihua loses her backing. He is doing it all for your sake so that you two can live together happily. I¡¯m sure once the enterprise falls, he¡¯ll abandon her." Jing Shupingughed. "I wonder where would she run to then? If shees to me begging for shelter then I¡¯ll never ept her. If not for her grandfather, I would have already disowned her. But once she and her grandfather lose their power, I¡¯ll not give them any charity."


    Under the tears, Jing Tian eyes shed with a sinister emotion momentarily before turning back normal.

 Chapter 11 - Qin Jua reality show - 1

    <h4>Chapter 11 - Qin Jua reality show - 1</h4>


    Jing Lihua stepped out of the car, apanied by Zhao Liying. She nced at the three-story European style mansion. A strong strong feeling of nostalgia hit her. When her mother had married her father, he was already in a rtionship with Jing Tian¡¯s mother. He Zhoyan, her stepmother, was amoner so her paternal grandfather never allowed their marriage. Her mother no the other hand was the only daughter of the prestigious Tang family. Under the influence of greed, her father married her mother, Tang Yuyan.


    The marriage was a disaster.


    After her marriage, for some reason, her grandfather had cut her ties with her mother. So she had no background to support her. This mansion was given to her mother at her wedding. Funnily, her mother, her father and his mistress, all lived in the same mansion. Because shortly after Jing Lihua¡¯s birth, her stepmother gave birth to Jing Junhai.


    As her mother had lost her backing, they both took delight in bullying her mother. But her mother endured silently, all for Jing Lihua¡¯s sake. Jing Lihua had countless times witnessed her mother being humiliated in front of guests when her father openly favored his mistress. And even, away from everyone¡¯s eyes, she wasn¡¯t treated better.


    Her mother sessfully protected Jing Lihua until her death when she was ten years old. After that terrible day, Jing Lihua¡¯s nightmare started once she was left all alone in the hands of those beasts.


    Zhao Liying noticed that her Xiao Hua face was darkening. Zhao Liying shuddered when she saw Jing Lihua¡¯s scary expressions. "Are you alright Hua¡¯er?"


    Jing Lihua snapped out of it. "Yes, Let¡¯s go in"


    Jing Lihua walked into the house. She nced around and found countless guests in the lobby. She saw Jing Tian rushing to her.


    "JieJie!" Jing Tian enthusiastically eximed, attracting everyone¡¯s attention and hugged her. "I¡¯ve been waiting for you. You have no idea how much I missed you." To make the act seem realistic, she even cried a bit.


    For a while, Jing Lihua frowned a little. Sheughed inwardly. Then her face expressions changed and she hugged Jing Tian tightly. A warm, heart-rending smile covered her feature.


    "Xiao meimei!" Jing Lihua held Jing Tian¡¯s hands and greeted her with the affection a hundred times greater than Jing Tian. If Jing Tian acting was good then Jing Lihua acting was top-notch. "I missed you even more than you could ever miss me. All the time I was thinking about you. I even prepared a gift for you."


    Jing Tian stared dumbly at Jing Lihua. Jing Tian had expected her to push her away and scoff. Then Jing Tian could act hurt and gather people¡¯s pity by ying the victim card.


    "I have also prepared a gift for you. I sent it to your old room." Jing Tian smiled politely and pulled back. Jing Lihua remembered from herst life what ¡¯gift¡¯ her sister had prepared for her.


    For a moment Jing Lihua¡¯s warm smile turned to a cold one. Her eyes looked sharp. Only Jing Tian noticed the momentary change.


    A sudden chill ran up Jing Tian¡¯s spine. What was that smile about? Jing Tian didn¡¯t know why but when she looked into her eyes, her confidence vanished and she felt an icy feeling at the back of her head. She lost all her words.


    "Such a nice girl. It¡¯s her first visit home after her marriage and she even brought a gift for her sister"


    "Indeed, their sisterly love is so genuine. How ridiculous of me to believe for once those fake rumors that Jing Lihua didn¡¯t treat her little sister well. She surely dotes on her little sister."


    Jing Tian was not happy to hear all those praises. Her first step failed.


    Qin Jua came and introduce herself. She told that they would be starting the live stream soon.


    "I can¡¯t believe it! Is it Zhao Liying? The famous Zhao Liying? Such a pleasant surprise! So are you here to take part in my reality show?" Qin Jua was delighted. If Zhao Liying was also here, her show would be the most viewed in the month; she was sure of that. Zhao Liying agreed. Qin Jua chattered with them cheerfully.


    Jing Tian wasn¡¯t pleased for being ignored.


    "Sister Zhao, It¡¯s such an honor to meet you. I¡¯ve heard a lot about you. As a newbie in the career, it is so great to meet someone experienced. And with you making headlines in media nowadays, you are quite famous." Jing Tian implicated at the recent event while her eyes held subtle mocking.


    Zhao Liying was recently involved in a scandal. The scandal was nothing but a petty scheme devised by her biggestpetitor, Su Lanfen, to nder her when she won the top model award. The scandal was totallyme. But Zhao Liying was famous. The media had still given it quite a huge coverage.


    "I¡¯m sorry who are you?" Zhao Liying feigned a confused face. She was aware that Jing Lihua was at odds with Jing Tian. And her bestie enemy, her enemy! And she was not as merciful as Jing Lihua. She knew how to make her enemies suffer till they begged and sheughed at them. "I¡¯m sorry are you really in the profession? I keep an eye for talented newbies but I don¡¯t recognize you"


    That meant to say that Jing Tian must not be someone talented for Zhao Liying not to know about her. Jing Tian felt cold from the insult but quicklyposed herself.


    "I don¡¯t make headlines in media because of any scandals so it is only natural you wouldn¡¯t know me." Sheughed. "Besides, I¡¯m rtively new so you wouldn¡¯t recognize me"


    "Of course, you wouldn¡¯t make a headline because of scandals." Zhao Liying giggled gracefully, cing her fingers over her lips. "For someone to even make headlines for any reason, he must be famous first. But I still find it strange to not have recognized you. Pardon me. From now on, I¡¯ll widen my standards to include more people in my memory"


    That meant to say Zhao Liying must lower her standards to amodate Jing Tian. Jing Tian couldn¡¯te up with a smart retort and was gradually ignored by everyone. People wouldn¡¯t talk to her anymore and only turn away once she tried to converse with anyone.


    ¡¯Wait till the show starts¡¯ Jing Tian thought angrily ring at Jing Lihua and Zhao Liying. They were surrounded by a crowd of Zhao Liying admirers, taking her autograph and tantly ignoring Jing Tian. They were invited here to embarrass Jing Lihua. But they turned their backs on her once Zhao Liying appeared? Jing Lihua had must have brought Zhao Liying, herpetitor, here purposely to make Jing Tian feel inferior!


    But Jing Tian would get back at her soon. Thinking about it she walked away to get the ¡¯gift¡¯.


    Once Jing Lihua reached her old room, Jing Tian came in after a knock.


    "JieJie, the other day I and Brother Liwei went to shopping, I myself selected this dress for you. Even Brother Su liked it." Jing Tian purposely mentioned Su Liwei expecting Jing Lihua to burst into tears. After all, Su Liwei was her weakness. "I would like it if you wore it for the show"


    "Leave it here. I¡¯ll wear it." Jing Lihua¡¯s voice was cold. Not shattered as Jin Tian had expected. Jing Tian wasn¡¯t satisfied. She wanted to see some tears in Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes to feel satisfied after being embarrassed by Zhao Liying. So she tried again to incite her.


    "You know that day Brother Su even bought me a ne that I¡¯m wearing now." Jing Tian touched her ne. "He said it matched my fair skin. I first objected that it was very expensive but he said I am worth much more than that. I didn¡¯t feel right epting all the gifts from Brother Su so I also wanted to buy him a watch. I even selected one for him. But it was his own mall so they wouldn¡¯t even ept money from me. I felt..."


    "Would you please stop lying for once? Or else I fear I might vomit." Jing Lihua was really irritated by her. When Jing Tian had realized her tricks were not working, she should have given up. Why stay and irritate Jing Lihua? "The ne is fromst year¡¯s collection of Infinity jewelers. Su Liwei malls do not even host that brand. At leaste up with a usible story if you intend to lie. Don¡¯t embarrass yourself like this. It makes me disgusted."


    Jing Tian was aghast. When did her ignorant sister learn about brands? And how did she recognize it with a single nce?


    "Now if you¡¯ll excuse me, I still have to change for the show." Jing Lihua pushed her out of the door and mmed the door shut on her face. Jing Tian stood frozen outside bbergasted.


    Jing Lihua had been managing the enterprise. She had looked through a lot of jewelers brands to decide one that she would host in her uing malls - Her new project. She had seen the ne before. Jing Lihua walked to her bed and looked at the dress.


    She had made a mistake of wearing in herst life once hearing that Su Liwei selected it. But now...


    She picked up a ss a dumped the all juice over it.

 Chapter 12 - Qin Jua reality show - 2

    <h4>Chapter 12 - Qin Jua reality show - 2</h4>


    The most intriguing thing about Qin Jua reality shows was that they were streamed live. So if anyone made a blunder, there was no way to edit it. They had nned a three-hour stream where they would ce minorpetitions and quizzes to make it joyful.


    After setting the camera, she started her interview with the family. Only her aunts, uncles and about twenty such family members were invited.


    "Jing Tian, you look quite pretty in this dress." One of the guestsplimented.


    "My Tian¡¯er always had a fine taste in fashion since she was a little." He Zhouyan praised her daughter with a prideful tone. "Since little, she would design her own dresses. In our industry, even the finest fashion designers would praise her work and get their inspiration from it."


    "Mother, don¡¯t embarrass me!" Jing Tian said shyly.


    "He Zhouyan is right. I have seen her discernment in fashion for my entire life. Expensive clothing is not always the best clothing. One has to find something thatplements his personality as well as represent the current trends. And Jing Tian does that quite right." One of guest, invited from He family, fawned over He Zhouyan.


    "What about Jing Lihua? Does she keep up with thetest trends?" Qin Jua was getting a little vexed at them steering the conversation to Jing Tian. She was here only for Jing Lihua, the wife of Su Liwei and the new President of Tiang enterprise. Jing Lihua was quite a celebrity after their splendid wedding. "She is now presiding over Tang corporate. Must be difficult for her to find time for her looks"


    "Oh, she?" A look of disdain shed across He Zhoyan¡¯s face. She said dismissively, "Since childhood, shecked an aptitude in such simple matter. It has always been Jing Tian who assisted her with her clothing. That girl simply doesn¡¯t know how to dress at all!"


    A few other women also openly criticized Jing Lihua following He Zhoyan¡¯s disapproval. They didn¡¯t intend to hide their disgust of her at all.


    "She prefers bright, blinding colors and doesn¡¯t care about the resent trends at all."


    "Her style is odd. Though her clothing is expensive, it is always too ostentatious for my taste."


    "The child was motherless. There was no one to teach her. And she had always been spoiled by her grandfather. So she barely listened to He Zhoyan kind advice."


    "Wait till shees down. I bet she would be wearing some lurid colors. You will learn yourself about her odd taste."


    Qin Jua was speechless. Qin Jua had studied Jing Lihua¡¯s character before deciding the show. From her past behavior, Jing Lihua appeared to be a little dull. But when Qin Jua observed Jing Lihua, she felt a bit different. Qin Jua was a little hopeful.


    Just then, Jing Lihua walked down through the curved staircase apanied by Zhao Liying. Her slender, white hand glided down the stair golden ir. It created such a beautiful contrast: her pale skin to the golden ir that the spectators couldn¡¯t look away. Her strapless blue c.o.c.ktail dress caught the sight of all the audience and made them gawk at her in awe. Her intricate diamond ne and bracelet furtherplimented her looks.


    Her simple yet elegant dress, along with her hair resting on her right shoulder with slight curls looked so stunning that Qin Jua instantly gave the notion to the cameraman to record the graceful entrance. She climbed down in her midlength blue heels. Despite the stairs, her gait was impable.


    The dressplimented her at its fullest. It was as if it was made for her.


    "Isn¡¯t that dress from thetest winter collection from Zhao boutiques? The one designed by Mo Liang?"


    "No way. It is the one! I had so long wanted to get my hands on that one! I tried all my means but they wouldn¡¯t sell it for any price. Only a handful of privileged customers could get it! How did she get it? The collection was not avable for sale before the fashion week!"


    Who said Jing Lihuacked style? All those who criticized her were now looking away in embarrassment. And those who didn¡¯t criticize her, look continuously at her in fascination.


    "She sure knows how to dress well." One of themmented.


    "It must be Jing Tian who has selected the dress for her." It was He Zongying who had also been invited to the show. She was still full of resentment. "Everyone knows about her horrible tastes"


    Other thought in a union: It must be the reason.


    Jing Tian¡¯s jealousy kicked in when Jing Lihua stole the spotlight. Jing Lihua was gorgeous. With just a simple dress, she could look stunning. Jing Tian knew it. So she never allowed her to outshine her. She constantly fooled Jing Lihua into wearing gaudy dresses at parties.


    Just as Jing Lihua climbed down thest stepped, she quickly walked to Jing Tian and held her hands.


    "Xiao meimei, I¡¯m so sorry," she said; her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I was admiring the dress you gifted me and showing it to Zhao Liying when identally Zhao Liying spilled juice on it." Jing Lihua sobbed. She looked truly remorseful. Everyone felt pity in their hearts at her soft and sad expressions. "I wanted to wear it even then. After all, you gifted it to me with so much love but... Zhao Liying wouldn¡¯t let me wear it!"


    For those who believed that Jing Tian must have selected the splendid dress for Jing Lihua, their conjectures were corrected with that statement.


    "It¡¯s alright." Jing Tian pulled back her hands from Jing Lihua. She was actually confused. Her action felt cold. People noticed it.


    "I¡¯m so sorry to hear that." Qin Jua was intrigued. "The dress would have been very pretty. Just now everyone was praising Jing Tian¡¯s fine taste. Can we show the dress to our audience?"


    Jing Tian¡¯s eyes widened with fear. Even He Zhoyan was worried.


    "There is no need. It wouldn¡¯t be a great idea to bring the dress now that it is ruined, Instead, we can all admire Jing Lihua fantastic dress." He Zouyan tried to bnce the situation tactfully.


    "It wasn¡¯tpletely ruined. In fact, Jing Lihua was insisting on still wearing it. It is still presentable. I¡¯ll ask the maid to bring it." Zhao Liying¡¯s eyes looked excited and she sent a maid. She was averse toing here but now that she was here, it was such fun face pping these people!


    When Zhao Liying saw that horrible dress, she was enraged. How dare that woman think for one that she could fool her bestie! She immediately wanted to teach a nice lesson to that Jing Tian. But Jing Lihua stopped her and told her that she had a better n.


    A maid walked down with a dress.

 Chapter 13 - Qin Jua reality show - 3

    <h4>Chapter 13 - Qin Jua reality show - 3</h4>


    Jing Tian was perplexed with anxiety. She nervously looked at her mother preparing for the words to say.


    The dress was hideous.


    Qin Jua was shocked. But being the professional host, she quickly controlled her expressions. Other people in the room stared at Jing Tian in confusion. If Jing Tian had good taste why would she choose it? Or was she deliberately trying to make her sister look bad? Jing Tian was transfixed with embarrassment.


    "The dress is indeed very...", Qin Jua struggled to find the right word and purposely used an ambiguous word. "Striking." Qin Jua was smart. She quickly understood the sibling¡¯s rtion. She understood that it was Jing Lihua¡¯s n to expose her sister. A little respect developed in her heart for Jing Lihua.


    "I selected this color because JieJie told me she fancied bright colors." Jing Tian quickly came up with an excuse to defend herself. "I would sure have never selected it myself but looking at my sister¡¯s past preferences I was afraid that she would reject the dress if I made a choice on my own." Jing Tian shamelessly lied.


    "Who is she fooling? Any dress would be better than that hideous thing."


    "It is clear she deliberately choose the dress to make her sister look bad."


    "Sister Jing Tian wasn¡¯t it you who said the bright colors suit me best?" Jing Lihua¡¯s face looked utterly confused. Did Jing Tian think that Jing Lihua would not defend herself? "And why are you saying that? I never once rejected the dress you chose for me. I have already told you whatever you choose for me, I would wear it without any objection. I trust my Xiao meimei judgment. I wish I was gifted with such discernment in fashion. But I am gifted with such a wonderful Xiao meimei" Her eyes were filled with sincere admiration.


    The people understood everything. So it has always been Jing Tian who was responsible for the bad dressings of Jing Lihua in the past? They couldn¡¯t hold off the disgusted looks from their faces.


    One sister clearly loves and trusts her sister with everything and the other one, she constantly deceives her?


    "Enough talk about fashion." He Zhoyan came to her daughter¡¯s defense and she red at Jing Lihua from the side of her eyes in a way no one could tell. But Jing Lihua felt her anger and resentment. "Now let¡¯s perform the next activity. What was it again? Yes, the quizzes!"


    They seated on the couches while Qin Jua brought the booklet. There was an evil smile in her eyes. She had hired many schrs from various fields to make all those questions.


    You have impressed everyone with your dress but let¡¯s see how do you pass this challenge!


    Qin was passionate about her job. She liked to test her guests to their limits. Though she said professional words in front of celebrities, no one had ever managed to earn her respect. But this Jing Lihua intrigued her. So she naturally wanted to test her further.


    "Jing Lihua and Jing Tian, you both will be ying. Both of you can select a partner"


    Jing Tian chose a close family member who was known for her love for books. Jing Lihua simply chose Zhao Liying.


    "Rules are simple. I will ask you both 50 questions from general knowledge. Give the right answer and you¡¯ll gain a point. A wrong answer and you will lose a point." Qin Jua exined sounding quite energetic. "The one with the most points wins in thest and will choose the next task ofpetition"


    Being from the future had certain advantages. Jing Lihua knew all the questions and of course their very answers. So whenever Qin Jua asked a question, Jing Lihua quickly answered before Jing Tian or her proudpanion could speak anything. Qin Jua was bbergasted.


    In herst life, she had only answered thirteen questions correctly; she couldn¡¯t even answer the question in the subject she had majored in. While Jing Tian had scored 28 with the help of her friend. Qin Jua reality show wasn¡¯t a small show. It was repeated on various entertainment shows.


    In herst life, there were small 30 seconds clips cut from the shows. They were shared countless times on social media. In the clips, Jing Lihua had given the wrong answers to many questions. She wasughed at, on various video-sharing tforms. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know who was exactly behind it. But Jing Tian had something to do with it.


    In the end, Jing Lihue answered 36 questions, Zhao Liying to 10 answers rted to the entertainment world. Jing Tian and her friend only to three questions. Out of which, two were replied by herpanion. Jing Tian¡¯s head was dropping with embarrassment. Her nails dug in the palms of her hands. She tried her best to maintain a fake smile on her face.


    "Didn¡¯t He Zhoyan always used to unt that her daughter spends hours reading all sorts of good books?"


    "Yes, He Zouyan even told me once that her daughter was a topper in her ss. She said no one could match her ac.u.men. She even humiliated my daughter for not knowing the meaning of an idiom."


    "Humph! She must have been lying. Didn¡¯t we all see how Jing Tian only answered one question? Such an embarrassment! Even a toddler could answer at least five questions. The whole family seems to be a bunch of liars! Leaving Jing Lihua of course who is not only talented but also a big-hearted sister."


    Guests couldn¡¯t stop the admiration from appearing in their eyes once they looked at Jing Lihua. Although most of them were here fawn over Jing Tian, they couldn¡¯t just overlook Jing Lihua. She was so appealing due to her calm temperament and knowledgeable character. They couldn¡¯t stop themselves from admiring her.


    "Who are you and what did you do to Jing Lihua?" Zhao Liying dramatically said. She was the one who was most surprised by Jing Lihua¡¯s change. She knew her Xiao Hua was a little naive. How could she know so much? "My Xiao Hua was a durd"


    "I¡¯m Einstein and I reincarnated in this body after Jing Lihua died tragedically suffering from your bickering"


    Zhao Liying wanted to retaliate but Qin Jua came forward.


    "Since you have won with your extraordinary points, you¡¯ll choose the next task." Qin Jua typical tune cracked and a hint of great admiration revealed. "In my career have never met anybody who answered 32 questions correctly."


    "Sister Qin¡¯s questions were very easy." Jing Lihuaughed as if it was a joke.


    Qin Jua paused. Her face twitched. Easy? You say easy? Tell that easy to those countless celebrities in her previous shows who couldn¡¯t even answer 15 questions!


    "And I bet never in your career you have somebody who couldn¡¯t answer more than one question. Haha..." Zhao Liying nced at Jing Tian. "Don¡¯t take it to heart sister Jing Tian. I¡¯m only joking. It¡¯s not you are bad. But Jing Lihua was much better. I¡¯m sure you would have answered at least five questions if it was not Jing Lihua who stole all the questions."


    Was this supposed to console her or to further sprinkle salt on her wounds?


    The smile on Jing Tian¡¯s face was going stiffer and stiffer. She was so embarrassed that she couldn¡¯t evene up with a proper retort. All she could do was only praise her sister while countless eyes were looking at them.


    "Alright. Now I¡¯ll choose the next task." Jing Lihua was feeling a little pity for her sister. Her bestie was sure ruthless. "A piano duet"


    Everyone was excited. Jing Tian down mood suddenly lifted up. Her wet eyes that looked like about to cry, lightened with happiness.


    Was her sister stupid? Who didn¡¯t know Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t y the piano? She had once made a fool of herself in a formal party trying to y the piano. Her father had gotten so angry back then that he had locked her up in a room for three days.

 Chapter 14 - Qin Jua reality show - 4

    <h4>Chapter 14 - Qin Jua reality show - 4</h4>


    "This is a bad idea." Zhao Liying whispered to Jing Lihua after ncing at He Zhoyan. She was praising her daughter¡¯s piano skills in front of a close family member. She showed them the award Jing Tian had won once ying on a national levelpetition.


    He Zhoyan and Jing Tian looked pretty confident. They were already considering them victorious and sending mocking sneers in Jing Lihua and Zhao Liying direction.


    "Why don¡¯t you understand Jing Lihua, you can¡¯t just randomly y. You have to practice tirelessly to master the notes." Her Xiao Hua was so heartless! Forcing her into a situation like this.


    "Don¡¯t concern about me. You are good with the notes. Nothing else matters."


    "You asked for a piano duet. Also known as two people ying piano together. I¡¯ll also exin it since you are having somenguageprehension problems. It means you will have to y."


    "Do you trust me?"


    "I trust you but I also haven¡¯t ever seen Jing Lihua y the piano before."


    "Who is Jing Lihua? I¡¯m Einstein and Einstein knows how to y a piano"


    "This is not a joke and how could Einstein have known how to y the piano?"


    "Don¡¯t you read? It¡¯s amon fact that Einstein¡¯s mother was an aplished pianist. He could y the piano and violin very well"


    "Since when did you start reading?"


    "JieJie, how about it I go first? So you can watch and know what to do?" Jing Tian was barely holding her happiness. Maybe her sister had learned some tiny bitsy piano skills. But it required a lot of practice to perfect them. Jing Tian had been practicing piano since she was little. So she was confident that she would win.


    This was telling Jing Lihua and everyone else that Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know how to y the piano. So she should watch and learn from Jing Tian.


    "I¡¯ll make sure to watch carefully and learn from you, Xiao meimei." Jing Lihua simply smiled at her. It was contrary to Jing Tian¡¯s expectations. Jing Tian didn¡¯t like it. What had happened to Jing Lihua¡¯s temper? Why was she so calm? Why would she not burst out anymore? Jing Tian was frustrated. Her sister felt like a totally new person.


    Jing Tian strutted to the huge piano in the drawing-room while Qin Jua and the camera crew followed with the few guests.


    "We are going to y the piece ¡¯Chopsticks¡¯." Jing Tian announced.


    Jing Lihua barely controlled augh.


    Couldn¡¯t she find something easier than that? Did her Xiao meimei really underestimate her so much?


    They both yed the piece. Everyone quietened and listened to it silently. Soon there piece was over. Since the piece was easy, there was no mistake in notes. The guests who were eager to please Jing Tian cheered loudly.


    Jing Tian bowed pridefully. She looked at Jing Lihua as if she had already won the match.


    "Everyone please do not be hard on my sister. She actually never seriously learned how to y the piano." She said in a loving sister tune as if she really cared for Jing Lihua. "I don¡¯t know why she even chose the pianopetition. Maybe she wanted me to listen to me ying. JieJie, if you wanted me to y you could just ask after the show. I don¡¯t want anyone to think you arecking in any sort." In sweet words, she mentally prepared everyone to think Jing Lihua was horrible at ying.


    "No one would think I¡¯mcking. How can I becking when I¡¯ve such a wonderful sister?"


    Jing Lihua once again startled Jing Tian with her response. While people were smiling at such a loving exchange, Qin Jua could see everything. It was exciting, to say the least. She was really looking forward to the next surprise Jing Lihua had nned for them. By now, she was confirmed that Jing Lihua was not a normal person.


    The audience, both present in the room and those countless sitting in front of their screens, looked at Jing Lihua and Zhao Liying in deep anticipation, waiting for her to take the next step and either prove herself or make a fool of herself.


    "So what piece are we going to y?" Zhao Liying was feelingpletely hopeless as she walked to the big gloomy piano. There was no way to convince her Xiao Hua, was it?


    "Fantasia in F minor"


    Zhao Liying was horrified. Fantasia F minor was one of the most beautiful and most difficult pieces out there. It was only after six months of constant practice that Zhao Liying had mastered it.


    "Tell me you are joking"


    "You have already yed that piece on a talk show. I saw you. You are quite skilled in it. Just y your part. I know what to do"


    "Xiao Hua, wait. Let¡¯s talk about it. There are plenty of other pieces out there that..." Zhao Liying desperately tried to persuade her but she was given a cold shoulder.


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t listen to her pleas and went in front of everyone and exined the piece she was going to y.


    "The piece we are going to y is the most famous one written by Franz Schubert in his lifetime. It vehemently depicts his unrequited love. The tunes can be sliced into four parts, coveying a lingering longing for his love, the anger outburst and in the end epting and letting go. While the famous pianist might have passed away, he had left his narrative and emotions to be repeated in front of countless people for centuries"


    Her speech seemed to had a dramatic positive effect on the audience. Many of them had heard of the name ¡¯Franz Schubert¡¯. Now they were passionately anticipating the tunes to y.


    Jing Lihua took a seat along with Zhao Liying who seemed less apprehensive after Jing Lihua¡¯s exnation. At least her Xiao Hua knew what she was doing.


    It was when the first note was yed and a magical noise dominated the room as Jing Lihua slender hands rested on the piano. As the music proceeded, an overwhelming subjugation surrounded the atmosphere. Everyone was listening to them with such an intensity that it felt like the room waspletely empty.


    As if there was only just two of them in the room. Nothing else mattered.


    Jing Lihua closed her eyes and let herself drown in the melody. In her lone days, the tune had fascinated to such an extent that she had mastered it. She could very well rte to it. Her unrequited love for Su Liwei, her lingering longing for him, her anger at being rejected constantly and atst her letting go. Only someone who had experienced all that could perceive the true meaning of those tunes.


    As the reached the deeper part of the melody, everyone¡¯s heart was beating with them. Some of them even started crying without knowing. Such a masterpiece. How fortunate they were to experience it in their lifetime?


    The tunes continued for twenty minutes the audience felt like they had had through all the feelings of the narrator in just twenty minutes. The viewership of the reality show that was already exploding due to the Zhao Liying appearance now reached new levels after the beautiful y.


    When they both hit thest notes, suddenly people broke out of the magical trance.


    Qin Jua was trying hard to bring herself out of those emotions that the tune imparted on them, "The way you yed the piano. I could feel all the emotions through those tunes. It was as if I had experienced everything myself. I have listened to countless professionals ying the piano but never had I ever heard something so... so moving."


    With thest stroke, Jing Lihua had truly won over Qin Jua!


    Everyone came forward and the room flooded with praises. Even those who were previously against her forgot everything and praised her heartily. As they did so, Jing Tian, He ZongYing and He Zhoyan stayed standing in a corner,pletely forgotten. Jing Tian couldn¡¯t tolerate it anymore and decided to throw away all the pretense.

 Chapter 15 - Qin Jua reality show - 5

    <h4>Chapter 15 - Qin Jua reality show - 5</h4>


    "JieJie it was such a nice y. Youpletely won over me and everyone else." Jing Tian stepped in front of everyone and said with a fake smile. "It is so sad Brother Su wasn¡¯t here to admire it. Speaking of which... Why didn¡¯t brother Su apany you today? It was your first time home after marriage. He should have apanied you"


    Jing Tian purposely used the word Brother Su than ¡¯brother-inw¡¯. People noticed it. And that Jing Tian mentioned it, they also noticed Su Liwei¡¯s absence. Earlier some of them had expected his presence knowing that it was Jing Lihua first visit home after marriage. They looked at Jing Lihua with questioning eyes.


    It seemed as if their rtionship wasn¡¯t very good. So could the rumors be true that Su Liwei adored Jing Tian and not Jing Lihua?


    Jing Lihua only faintly smiled in response. No one could tell what was hidden under that calm smile. Was it sadness? Was it indifference? Or was it anger?


    "He had some important business to attend. So he couldn¡¯t visit"


    "Is it so?" Jing Tian¡¯s voice was surprised. "Indeed, I received a text from him on the night of your wedding that he was leaving for Vietnam for a business trip. I was surprised myself. What could be so important that he abandoned my JieJie on her wedding night?"


    Hushed whispers surrounded them at the startling discovery. Qin Jua wished she could have stopped her words from being recorded but it was a live stream. No one knew who would say what next.


    Their wedding was magnificent. Millions were spent on it. It took ce in a first-ss royal hall. Many important people from all over the world were invited. Reporters from national and international media groups were present and the whole event was covered and yed on mainstreaming channels countless times. The wedding still remained a hot topic being discussed in entertainment shows.


    "So Su Liwei actually left Jing Lihua on his wedding night?"


    "The most important than that, he sent a text to Jing Tian on his wedding night?"


    "The rumors are indeed true. We all know that. Jing Lihua must have forced the marriage using her grandfather¡¯s influence." He Zongying said when no one else came forward to throw insults at Jing Lihua. They had all been already won over by her. So they were reluctant to do so.


    Zhao Liying was getting angrier by the moment. She was ready to shake off Jing Tian by giving her a few nice insults but Jing Lihua stopped her by holding her back.


    She had thoughts about it beforeing to the reality show. She had nned to reveal to everyone that the marriage between them was only an arranged matter. To tell everyone that they both had no feelings towards each other. That it was only a fake marriage limited to papers. After all, Jing Lihua had no hopes for this marriage. Not after what Su Liwei had done to her in his previous life. It was a lie named as a marriage. Sooner orter she would have to get a divorce.


    But before she could say those fateful words, the house butler Zhou came running to them and informed.


    "Housemistress, Mr. Su is here to visit the eldest miss"


    Everyone was stunned into momentary silence.


    "Are you sure butler? Which Mr. Su are you talking about?" Jing Tian was the first one to break the silence; her voiceking the typical gentleness of her tune.


    "Youngest miss, it is Mr. Su Liwei."


    At this time should he be in Vietnam. He never actually came in herst life. What caused this unpredicted turn of events? Jing Lihua silently pondered.


    "It can¡¯t be. It can¡¯t be Brother Liwei!" Jing Tian said vehemently not caring about her white lotus reputation anymore. She was frustrated beyond words. None of her n to humiliate Jing Lihua had worked so far. Only, Jing Lihua was made to shine more and more and she was embarrassed continuously. There was a limit a person could taking before bursting out. "He is in Vietnam. Old man, you must have seen wrong. You have been getting quite old indeed. Must have gotten some eye problem!"


    Jing Tian had lied about receiving a text from Su Liwei to hurt Jing Lihua. But she knew for sure that he had gone on a business trip. She had her spies inform her about that.


    Butler Zhou was used to Jing Tian¡¯s bad temper and humiliation. After being insulted in front of so many people, he grudgingly said.


    "Youngest miss, if you do not believe this humble servant,e with me and look for yourself. Mr. Su is currently waiting in the lobby"


    "That would be very a for advantageous for us if we can get a word or two from Su Liwei" Her director whispered to Qin Jua. The showtime was about to end.


    "Now that Mr. Su is here. Why don¡¯t we go and wee him?" Qin Jua eyes were gleaming with happiness as she said loudly. Su Liwei was known to be a private person. He never appeared in any talk shows or interviews, let alone a reality show.


    If she could record Su Liwei, her episode would be such a huge sess and the viewership will surely increase.


    "Huh! Liar." A guest who passed by her openly scoffed at her, shoving her away bluntly.


    "Such a repulsive girl. She isn¡¯t at all like her mother ims her to be. Her sister treats her so well but she is hell-bound to make her fall to the extent of lying. I¡¯m never going to let my daughters hang around her again. My daughters love each other dearly. I don¡¯t want them to pick up anything from her."


    "She is just a jealous spiteful vixen. It is understandable. After all, Jing Lihua is so good at everything. But could Jing Tian not put aside her jealousy fo the fact that Jing Lihua is so good to her?"


    No one tried to take her side now that it was proven she had lied. For all they knew, she must have lied about her and Su Liwei too! Now that Su Liwei was not by her side, why would they bother to take her side and insult such a nice girl as Jing Lihua? Once again Jing Tian and her mother stoodpletely forgotten as everyone proceeded to wee the esteemed guest.

 Chapter 16 - Vicious Scheme

    <h4>Chapter 16 - Vicious Scheme</h4>


    Jing Tian had not yet epted her defeat.


    "Brother Su!" She wasted no time to approach Su Liwei, rudely pushing away all the guests in her way who had just insulted her. As long as she could prove that Su Liwei was by her side, nothing was lost. "I¡¯ve missed you so much! How are you back? Did your business in Vietnam end?"


    Everyone was startled at the shameless act. Su Liwei just coldly stared at her and without even recognizing her presence, walked away from her towards Jing Lihua. Jing Tian heard the deriding scoffs of those she had just pushed. She was so embarrassed that she couldn¡¯t even breath. Finally, she couldn¡¯t endure any more of mocking looks and rushed out of there to her room upstairs.


    "Why didn¡¯t you inform me that you were going to visit your home? I could apany you"


    "I thought you would be busy"


    Why could she detect traces of concern in his voice? In herst life, she had asked him to apany her only to be told off by him.


    "You are my wife. I can always make time for you. You should know there is nothing more important than that"


    When people witnessed their warm interaction, all their doubts about their rtionship vanished. If rumors were true, why would Su Liwei be looking at Jing Lihua like that? The way he talked to her... the coupled surely enjoyed a good rtionship.


    Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t understand what was happening.


    He hated her and it was a fact. Nothing could change it. Her past life was enough for her to learn it by her heart that his hate was real for her; much real than anything else in this world, even though she had no idea about the reason.


    But she wasn¡¯t naive.


    If he meant to y with her feelings, she wouldn¡¯t get manipted so easily.


    "Mr. Su, we are having thest moments of our show." Qin Jua tactfully put forth her word. "Would you like to say a few words about your new-wed wife?"


    Su Liwei looked at Jing Lihua with a warm smile.


    She could easily look past his pretense. He could fool Qin Jua, the guests and thousands of viewers but not her. He was a heartless man; a person who didn¡¯t have a shred of affection in his heart for her or anyone else.


    "She has all the qualities than any man can desire for in his wife"


    And with that line, the three-hour show ended


    ...


    Jing Tian was wreaking havoc in her room and breaking her things.


    "That whore! Bitch! I¡¯ll kill her! I¡¯ll kill her!" She screeched. Today was the worst day of her life. "Su Liwei always greeted me first before her! What happened today? Why did he ignore me? What witchcraft that whore used to seduce him?"


    "Calm down Jing Tian." He Zongying tried to cate her.


    "How can I calm down?" Jing Tian said breaking another vase. "Not only I was humiliated three times, but brother Su also ignored me! What I¡¯m going to do? The show will be streamed multiple times. Everyone¡¯s going to love that bitch! I¡¯ve lost my backing!"


    "How about-How about we do what you had suggested earlier? As long as you get back your hold on Su Liwei, everything can be reversed."


    Jing Tian stopped suddenly and listened to He Zongying.


    ...


    Zhao Liying left soon after getting a call from her manager. A thunderstorm struck the Beijing city so Jing Lihua decided to stay the night. At the dinner table, her father and her brother had also joined. While Jing Lihua silently ate, her father kept on fawning over Su Liwei praising Jing Tian in front of him from time to time.


    "And that time, Jing Tian brought the best price for our winter collection. A few of them were so impressed that they even fought to have her endorse theirpany¡¯s product...", and he continued to ramble.


    Who was he fooling? Jing Tian was a newbie. No one in thepany even knew her name. Not to mention, shecked talent.


    Jing Lihua had taken a sip of her tea when she caught Jing Tian stealing a nce of her. She frowned, not quite understanding what was that all about. Jing Tian¡¯s actions had been suspicious. When Jing Lihua pretended to take another sip while keeping her head down, Jing Tian once again looked at her. Jing Tian quickly averting her eyes once Jing Lihua raised her head. But Jing Lihua, being perceptive, observed everything.


    Jing Lihua looked into her tea wondering what was it all about.


    The color was a bit unusual. Even the smell was odd. She ced the cup down and poured herself a ss of water.


    "JieJie, I myself prepared the tea. Why don¡¯t you drink it all? Did you not like the taste?" Jing Tian said. She thought since Jing Lihua was acting nice to her since the morning in front of everyone, she wouldn¡¯t refuse. She made her voice emotional. "I put so much effort into it. If you don¡¯t drink it, all of it will go to waste"


    All the guests had left. There was only her family and Su Liwei. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t care to keep her pretense in front of those people.


    Since Jing Tian looked so fixed on making her drink, Jing Lihua¡¯s doubt was confirmed. So she outrightly refused.


    "Forgive your JieJie. There is something wrong with this tea. The taste is quite odd. After taking just a few sips, I¡¯m having nausea. Sorry, but I can¡¯t stomach anymore. I have to take care of the Tang enterprise. I can¡¯t fall sick. If you are worried about your effort going to waste just drink it yourself. But I doubt you would." Jing Lihua rose. "If you¡¯ll all excuse me"


    Without waiting for anyone to say anything, she left the dining table. Everyone was startled. Jing Tian could y her victim card all she wanted. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t care at all. She had already drunk half of the cup. While she climbed up the stairs to her room, she felt slight drowsiness already taking over her. Whatever they put into her tea, it had already started showing its effect.


    Somehow she managed to reach her room and locked the door.


    "Luckily I didn¡¯t drink the whole cup"


    If she had, she would have surely passed out by now. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know what Jing Tian was nning but she had now to keep her guard up. Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t afford to pass out. So she valiantly fought off the drowsiness.


    ...


    "She didn¡¯t drink the whole cup. Now, what do we do?"


    "Don¡¯t fret. The drug is quite powerful. Even half a cup of tea would suffice. Did Su Liwei drank his cup?"


    "He did..."


    "Then you should hurry up before the effect wears off!"

 Chapter 17 - Distressed Heart

    <h4>Chapter 17 - Distressed Heart</h4>


    "Brother Su, let me take you to your room"


    Su Liwei didn¡¯t say anything but nodded and silently followed her to upstairs. The mansion was big with many rooms and stairs. All the way Jing Tian wouldn¡¯t stop talking while Su Liwei only said a word or two. It was not unusual for him. He was naturally a quiet and aloof person. She showed him to the room, opened the door and guided him inside.


    "You can leave." He dismissed her while taking off his coat. He was feeling oddly hot.


    When he turned, he saw Jing Tian still standing there, staring at him, having no intentions to leave.


    "What do you want?"


    "Brother Su, you know that I¡¯ve always admired you." She approached him slowly. Only now Su Liwei noticed that she was wearing very... revealing clothes. "Ever since I first set my eyes on you, I knew you were the one for me. I could give up anything for your love. Just for the chance to stand by your side."


    "What do you want?" He repeated; his voice grew a bit icy, warning her to not cross the lines. But Jing Tian was too ignorant to trace that warning.


    "Have you not realized by now that what I want?... It is you that I want. Why did you treat me coldly in front of everyone? Tell me, Brother Su. What did I do wrong? You always used to treat me kindly in the past. Where did I go wrong?"


    "I¡¯m your brother-inw now. It would be better if you forget the past and keep your distance."


    "Brother Su" Her eyes glistened, looking quite moving as if she was heartbroken due to the coldness in his tune. "You never loved JieJie, didn¡¯t you? You said it yourself. That you are only marrying her because of your grandfather¡¯s coercion."


    "Whatever I said, doesn¡¯t matter anymore. She is my wife now and you are my sister-inw."


    Jing Tian was shocked.


    "You wouldn¡¯t even look at her once you realized what she did! She put a drug in your tea. Did you know that? Would you still be willing to have her as your wife after her desperate ways to get in your bed when you clearly don¡¯t want her?"


    "How do you know that?"


    "I saw her lurking around the kitchen, talking to a maid. When I interrogated her, she told me that Jing Lihua ordered her to put a drug in your tea or else she would hurt her family."


    Su Liwei was silent. He knew exactly what kind of a person Jing Tian was. He wouldn¡¯t be foolish to believe her words. She was only a small chess piece in a bigger game, a piece that no longer had any use for him.


    "Do you doubt me, Brother Su? If you do, I can call for the maid..."


    "No need, you can leave."


    "You don¡¯t believe my words..."


    "Whether I believe you or not, gives no reason for you to stay here."


    "Are you sure you want me to leave?" Jing Tian stepped forward. "I know you are in pain. You try hard to hide it but you can¡¯t hide it from me. Nobody can know you better than me Su Liwei. If you want me, I¡¯ll have no objection. My heart was always yours. What is it to give you my body?" She raised her hand and touched his arm. "I wouldn¡¯t ask you to take responsibility afterwards."


    "You wouldn¡¯t dare to touch me" His voice was cold as ever. Calm yet strong, revealing no emotion at all.


    Jing Tian¡¯s heart chilled. Didn¡¯t He Zongying say that no one could resist the temptation of that aphrodisiac?


    "B-Brother Su..." She tried to look weak. "Whatever you want, I will..."


    "I want you to get out of here, right now."


    "But..."


    "Get out!" His hold over her wrist tightened to a painful extent before he threw away her arm as if disgusted by her. If her tears were fake before, now they were real.


    "I-I..."


    "Jing Tian, I¡¯ve never raised a hand on a woman before. Do not make me go against my morals."


    His eyes looked quite terrifying. Jing Tian had heard stories, a lot of stories, about him. That how he tortured those who crossed him. Some of the families would even disappear from the world overnight. She didn¡¯t dare to provoke him any further.


    Once again finding his solitude, he struggled to keep himself calm anymore. Women always disgusted him. What could a simple drug do to reverse it? But whenever he closed his eyes to sleep, a picture of certain someone would sh across his eyes.


    He couldn¡¯t know whether it was the effect of that drug or the chaotic weather, his restrained heart strongly yearned for something. Something far beyond his reach. Something that he knew was forbidden for him. But still, his concern regarding her distressed his calm heart to no end.


    She drank the tea, didn¡¯t she?


    What was Jing Tian nning to do with her?

 Chapter 18 - Challanging him

    <h4>Chapter 18 - Changing him</h4>


    Jing Lihua ced her hand against the wall, fighting off the dizziness that was adamant to make her give up. At that point, she heard a quiet knock.


    "Who is it?"


    Jing Lihya was wary of Jing Tian¡¯s next move; she was reluctant to open the door. Jing Tian had no limits. She could fall to any level to reach her motives. Because today Jing Lihua failed all of Jing Tian¡¯s schemes, she was even more sure that her sister would take extreme measures to get back to her.


    There was no answer. Only another knock.


    After much contemtion, Jing Lihua decided to open the door. Because even if she didn¡¯t open the door, if Jing Tian wanted, she could easily get ess to her room with the master key.


    "Mr. Su...?" She was surprised. "What are you doing here at this time?"


    Instead of answering her, he walked in and closed the door behind him. Before Jing Lihua could say anything in objection, he asked.


    "Why didn¡¯t you finish your tea?"


    "I was feeling nauseated... I exined it back then... Is there anything Mr. Su?"


    He didn¡¯t walk all the way to here to ask her that?


    "How much of it did you drink?"


    Did he somehow learn that the tea was spiked? Could it be that it was not only Jing Tian, but Su Liwei who tried to drug her? A lot of bad possibilities rushed through her muddled mind.


    "I don¡¯t remember correctly. A few sips I assume..." Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes lingered at the bedside table where her cell rested.


    If it was true that they both had nned something together, then she had to inform Zhao Liying or Mo Liang at least.


    But before she could make a move, Su Liwei noticed her intentions, grabbed her arm making her face him, forcing her to meet his calm, unfathomable eyes.


    "Answer me correctly. How much of it did you drink?" His voice was smooth yet it held an extreme sense of strength and power. One couldn¡¯t simply refuse to answer his question.


    "Half cup" Her heart was beating loudly. She was alone with him in the room. She didn¡¯t even bring her bodyguard with her.


    Su Liwei let go of her wrist, slowly.


    "If that was all you wanted to ask, you can leave now."


    "I didn¡¯te here to leave"


    "What do you mean"


    "We are a married couple. It is a natural thing that we share a room"


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    "Our marriage was..."


    "Was only due to the pressure by elders?" Su Liwei finished her words with a hint of scoffing."You have already said that once. Whatever the reason for which we got married, it is still a marriage. We signed those papers. We made our vows in front of Gods. We are a married couple in the eyes of the whole world and of course in the eyes of your very family. So the only right thing to do is that I stayed the night with you to prevent any more irritating rumors."


    Since when he cared about rumors? Jing Lihua knew that there were some ulterior motives behind his actions.


    "I don¡¯t care about rumors, not enough to share a room with a stranger and I expect you wouldn¡¯t too." Something flicked in Su Liwei¡¯s eyes once he heard the word ¡¯stranger¡¯ but, like always, it disappeared before any emotion could make its appearance on his face. "So you are free to leave"


    Silence.


    "If you wouldn¡¯t leave. I¡¯ll." Jing Lihua picked up her cell and coat and opened the door. Su Liwei pushed it close with a loud thud. Jing Lihua stared at him, astonished.


    "Don¡¯t defy me. I said you would stay the night with me in this room. So you will."


    Was it a threat?


    "I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Su. I¡¯m a master of my own choices." Jing Lihua¡¯s voice wasposed and serene. "And I don¡¯t follow other¡¯s orders"


    "I don¡¯t care whatever you do and whatever you don¡¯t. But, you will not step out of this room tonight"


    If it was someone else, he would immediately relent to his order. Who he was? The great Su Liwei! The heir of the Su Empire. But it was Jing Lihua, who challenged his fierce warning gaze with her equally unrelenting one.


    Why was he so bent to not let her leave?


    "I would like to see how do you n on stopping me."


    "Don¡¯t... tempt me, Jing Lihua... You¡¯ll regret it"


    Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t tolerate being ordered around by him; not after what she had endured in herst life. In herst life, she had always feared him. But in this life, she wanted to challenge him, to show him that she wasn¡¯t the same weakling that he could oppress. She challenged him with her resolute eyes, never looking away and turned the knob. Or... she tried to because she had just reached the door when a strong arm grabbed her and pushed her against the door. Her coat slipped from her hands and noiselesslynded on the floor.


    "Mr. Su, you wouldn¡¯t..."


    Before she couldplete her sentence, warm, wet lips covered hers.

 Chapter 19 - Mistakes

    <h4>Chapter 19 - Mistakes</h4>


    Jing Lihua was shocked at that sudden kiss.


    In her entire past life, he had never touched her once. For whatever reason, she had already epted that he was disgusted by her. But it was not only her... she had never seen him touch any other woman. He had been with Jing Tian bu she had never seen him touch her physically. Andter, it was also proved that their rtionship was only fake. Then... what was this for?


    "Let go of me" She struggled with her hands. But with one quick easy move, he pushed them above her head against the door. He was far bigger and stronger than him. She was not stupid. She knew stood no chance. So she stopped her struggles, hoping for him to also stop it sooner.


    He pulled back and looked at her; his eyes darkened with something intense. Jing Lihua had never found anything his eyes other than hate and coldness. She couldn¡¯t understand what it really was.


    L.u.s.t? Desire? Regret?


    "I warned you"


    "This is not..."


    Su Liwei grabbed her chin and forcefully kissed her again. She couldn¡¯t grasp what was happening. Her arms and body were still locked by him into a motionless state. His arm circled around her waist and pushed her body into his. He wouldn¡¯t even let her breath.


    "Su Liwei..."


    Soon, she found herself in a situation where her arms stopped resisting and pushing him away. Her body eased and moulded into him. She let him manipte her. She liked it, his lips on hers; his hands all over her. After all, this was what she had dreamed of in her entirest life.


    Suddenly realizing where her thoughts were going, she snapped out and pushed him away.


    Jing Lihua supported her against the door and breathed deeply to regain her senses. It wasn¡¯t good to stop breathing when you were already drowsy from some goddammit drug. Her body was trembling.


    "This is harassment."


    "Why? I¡¯m your husband" Su Liwei straightened and leisurely looked into her eyes. Jing Lihua could see his lips bruised and reddened. She didn¡¯t even want to think about how her face looked right now.


    "Whether you are my husband or not, it is still harassment when I don¡¯t want it."


    "Are you telling me you didn¡¯t want it?"


    She shouldn¡¯t have stopped resisting. Her lips formed a thin line; she stiffened her face trying her best to conceal her inner emotions. But her flushed cheeks and red ears betrayed her.


    "Don¡¯t ever do that to me again" She wiped her mouth angrily as if disgusted of him. She wanted to storm out of the room immediately but Su Liwei had no intention to let her go when he grabbed her arm.


    "What do you want?" She coldly stared at him.


    "How many times do I have to state? I want you to stay in this room. As simple it is."


    "I don¡¯t really feelfortable in your presence. I don¡¯t need to exin why"


    "Are you tempting me again?"


    Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t really understand him. What did he really want? She thought she knew him well. But all his actions totally betrayed all her previous understanding of him.


    "If you are that ufortable to be tempted by such trifle things, allow me to arrange an escort you"


    "Why do I need an escort when I have a wife?"


    "The day we got married, we agreed that we wouldn¡¯t interfere in each other¡¯s personal life"


    Su Liwei smiled lightly; so slight that it was barely visible. "I agreed to no such thing"


    There was no use talking him out of it.


    "Get your hands off me" She growled in a low voice, pulled away her elbow that was secured in his tight, unyielding grip.


    In response, Su Liwei only pulled her towards him; once again securing his arm around her waist.


    "Are you trying to sound threatening? You¡¯ll be disappointed to know that you are terribly failing at it"


    "You bastard!" Jing Lihua wanted to beat him to death. How dare he mock her!


    "Say that again. I dare you." Something clicked in his mind when he heard the word ¡¯bastard¡¯.


    "You are a bast..."


    Jing Lihua was kissed again. Su Liwei grabbed the back of her neck and forced her face towards him to deepen the kiss. This time Jing Lihua didn¡¯t stop and fought with all her might. During struggles, she identally tore off his shirt.


    He chuckled.


    "Very impatient aren¡¯t you?"


    "You..."


    But he didn¡¯t give her a chance to speak and immediately silenced her with another quick yet deep kiss. Jing Lihua bit his lip hard, enough to draw out blood. But the pain didn¡¯t stop him. It seemed as if something had taken over him. He wasn¡¯t himself anymore.


    Next time, he pulled back, Jing Lihua was already fuming with the adrenaline rushing through her. But what angered her the most was the way she felt at his approaches. She was angry at herself. She should be disgusted by him. She should have been disgusted for being forced. But she couldn¡¯t feel any such thing. All the resentment from her previous life rushed in. In a moment of outrage, she raised her hand and pped him across his face, hard.


    It felt quite satisfying.


    But what she didn¡¯t know was that Jing Lihua broke thest bit of the restrain he was holding onto because the next moment, she was pushed down by him.


    "Su Liwei stop it right now!"


    But he wouldn¡¯t listen. He secured her hands in his one big hand and pinned them down above her head, ceasing all her struggles. Jing Lihua¡¯s thoughts were a mess. She could no longer decide what to do and what not to do.


    She felt a trail of kisses along her neck. Every time, his teeth bit her sensitive skin, a gasp escaped her lips.


    Jing Lihua felt the drowsiness taking over her. She couldn¡¯t resist any longer. She didn¡¯t resist any longer.


    She wanted escape.

 Chapter 20 - Chaotic hearts

    <h4>Chapter 20 - Chaotic hearts</h4>


    Outside, it was raining like the heavens wanted to drown the Beijing city. Every now and then, overwhelming noises of thunders would shake the city and chill one¡¯s heart with fear.


    Su Liwei nced at the beautiful woman whoid defenseless on the bed.


    So careless. How could she pass out with a man by her side?


    He pushed away a strand of her hair; his fingertips touched her soft, squashy cheeks and filled his chest with a strong feeling of gentleness towards that woman.


    ¡¯I-I wasn¡¯t... Don¡¯t...Don¡¯t kill my grandfather... Don¡¯t hate me... I would do everything you ask... I..." Silent tears fell down her closed eyes.


    Su Liwei felt a strong sensation in his chest. No matter how hard he tried to stop himself, his hand still reached forward and wiped away her tears.


    "L-Liwee..." Her hand tightly grasped his hand. Instantly, her face eased, her tears stopped immediately and she started breathing became even. It was as if all her pains vanished.


    Su Liwei¡¯s eyes eased a little; his hand froze and his cold face let out allowed those deeply hidden emotions. He looked at Jing Lihua in despair.


    "We can¡¯t be... We are not fated to be. Why don¡¯t you see?" He looked away, out of the ss window at the roaring thunderstorm. The chaotic weather reciprocated the state of his mind and heart. He toughened his heart. No, he must not fall. He couldn¡¯t let them walk down that path of destruction. She didn¡¯t know but he had made a promise to his mother on her death bed. a promise he couldn¡¯t break. A promise that will stand as an eternal unbreakable obstacle between him and her.


    "We were never meant to be. You should hate me. You should try your best to avoid me, to fight me off and push me away. I¡¯m your enemy, not your friend. You should be clear of that.", he said; his eyes darkened once again. " You must be strong. Do not let me destroy you... And do not call for me again."


    He freed his hand from her tight grip. Once his hand left hers, her serene expressions broke and her hands moved around relentlessly in search of something. Her petite body trembled; she whimpered softly. But Su Liwei suppressed his urge to look in her direction again.


    He still remembered the day, he first saw her.


    A boy was sitting under a lone maple tree, all alone to himself, in a small park. That maple tree used to be his onlypanion. He was forced to dress in pure ck clothes. His mother said she didn¡¯t like other colors. They were too irritating to her eyes.


    "I don¡¯t understand why doesn¡¯t mother like colors. They are so beautiful."


    "Haha. Look isn¡¯t it the famous Su Liwei? The rich boy. What is it, rich boy? Why are you sitting here all alone? Is there no who wants to be your friend?" A boyughed.


    "Go away!"


    "And what is it? Oh" The tall boy snatched his drawing. "Are you stupid? Boys don¡¯t draw flowers."


    "Give it back to me!"


    "Take it yourself if you have the strength."


    "Give it to me!" He snarled and lunged towards the other boy, who was twice as him in size. He bit him hard.


    "You bastard!"The tall boy easily threw away the little boy and tore the drawing into pieces in anger andughed at him.


    "Don¡¯t call me a bastard! I¡¯m not a bastard! Don¡¯t you dare call me a bastard!" The boy eyes filled with tears and he once again charged at the tall boy; with a strength ten times more than earlier. The tall boy fell down and he punched him again and again till his face was bleeding.


    "Don¡¯t let go... You monster..."


    The tall boy hardly managed to escape with a bruised face and a bleeding nose.


    When he was gone Su Liwei went down to pick up pieces of his drawing. Tears blinded his eyes. It was his father who had drawn it with him. Other than him, there was no one else who would even talk with him. All of them were scared of his mother. But his father... he also didn¡¯t usually talk to him. Only on his birthday would he spare some time for him. He had kept that drawing with himself for thest month, keeping it safe, treasuring it.


    But now...


    Just as he was picking up those pieces, a pale hand picked up one for him. He looked up to find a pair of bright green eyes; a color so different from the usual ck that he greatly despised.


    So vibrant. So beautiful.


    "Don¡¯t cry. We¡¯ll attach the pieces together."


    "I..." He was to shy to say anything.


    "My name is Jing Lihua. Would you be my friend?"


    Su Liwei snapped out of his thoughts when another loud thunder roared outside. When he could no longer sleep, he called his secretary. His secretary was used to getting calls from him anytime.


    "Mr. Li?"


    "Did you find it?"


    "Yes Mr. Li, apart from thosends in the southern area, Miss Jing used the remaining funds in thepany to buy the shares of a constructionpany that is about to go bankrupt. She had bought 58 percent shares at once." He informed. After a while, he exined his analyses. "I find this move totally unreasonable. Thatpany has been suffering a decline in the stock market for many years. Many experts even say that thepany wouldn¡¯t survive another year. Though there is a small minority of experts who believe otherwise, their conclusions are based on a piece of uncertain information. The risks are not worth such a big investment unless someone is buddha and already knows everything."


    Chen Feng was very proud of him. The mock in his tune was very clear. His analyses had never been wrong before. In his mind, he had already considered Jing Lihua as someone who wasn¡¯t aware of even the basics of business.


    Why was his boss wasting time to track her activities? The way she was now, she would ruin thepany herself in a matter of time. She was just an unexperienced novice.


    "What about thosends? Did you find something suspicious?"


    After a silence, Chen Feng said. "No, Mr. Li. I couldn¡¯t find anything at all. Thosends arepletely worthless from my conclusion."


    "Continue your investigation."


    Su Liwei nced at her sleeping figure who had now s.u.mbed into a very deep sleep. What was she up to?


    "There is one thing more Mr. Su"


    "Speak."


    "Yesterday Ms. Jing canceled the seats to the Maldives she booked before the wedding."


    Su Liwei didn¡¯t expect that. He was already aware of Jing Lihua¡¯s ns for their trip. In fact, it was the reason he visited the Jing family household. Because they wouldn¡¯t meet else way, he had expected her to use this chance to talk to him about the matter. But who would expect she would cancel the seats yesterday? Why did she even reserve those seats in the first ce if she intended to cancel them all along?


    Bu doing that was she telling him that she was letting go of him?

 Chapter 21 - Love Crisis

    <h4>Chapter 21 - Love Crisis</h4>


    In the Sunset apartments.


    The whole residential block was under the Li family property. Only the top wealthiest families in maind China could afford to set a foot in those apartments. In one such building, there was a penthouse on the top floor. In that penthouse, there lived the mysterious eldest young master of the Li family. The young master of Li family, Li Zhiqiang, the one whose name shrouded in fear and reverence.


    "If you want her that much why don¡¯t you get her back..." Li Xun said helplessly when his brother continued staring at those pictures for straight ten minutes while he waited in silence to report to him and have his day off.


    Li Zhiqiang was staring at the scattered photos of a bewitching young girl. A deep longing was apparent in his usual cold eyes. Even it was only a photo, a lifeless material thing, she was capable of putting life into it simply with her those limpid green eyes. Li Zhiqiang¡¯s emotionless eyes looked sad as his fingertips touched her photo. She was beautiful. One in millions. He considered himself lucky, thinking back to that time when he had her in his arms. To be the man who was holding that delicate woman in his arms.


    "You are Li Zhiqiang. There isn¡¯t any woman you desire in this world that you are not capable of getting. Just one order and she will be presented to you next moment." Now f*cking let me go!


    "There isn¡¯t any other woman I desire." What was the use of all this? What was the use of this great Li family? All that fortune and power, when he couldn¡¯t even be with the woman he loved?


    "You are doing this to yourself" And to me too! Li Xun wasn¡¯t the one having a love crisis but he had to suffer along with his brother! Why? Would his brother suffer when he would have his own personal love crisis? No. he would simply mock and scoff at him. He so wished he could do the same but was too scared to even utter a word.


    "She¡¯ll never forgive me after what happened." His pain reflected in his cold voice.


    "It was not your fault." It was not your f*cking fault! Li Xun has lost the count on the number of times he had said that.


    "It was my fault." his brother was adamant.


    It was he who wanted her by my side. He was the one was greedy enough to disregard her safety. He promised her that he wouldn¡¯t let any harme to her or her friend and yet he failed. She will never forgive me for choosing her life over her friend¡¯s. Once she gets her memory back she will hate him forever.


    Li Xun couldn¡¯t shake his brother who was as unreasonable as a troublesome suspicious wife. How many times they had this conversation before? He could only sigh helplessly andment inwardly while struggling to maintain a concerned expression on his face.


    "If she truly loves you, she¡¯ll understand and forgive you." He said again, helplessly. He had to try even though he would be disappointed every time. He could not live his life like that. He knew as long as his brother¡¯s love crisis didn¡¯t solve, he couldn¡¯t even have time to start his own love crisis.


    Li Zhiqiang really wanted to believe she would. But he knew she hadn¡¯t. And he knew she wouldn¡¯t. He silently threw out a few other photos on the table and took another sip of wine to dampen his grief. "Look at this... her marrying another man." And he gulped down all that vine and went to refill the ss, "This is the end"


    What? Jing Lihua married. Li Xun was frozen with terror. H-How the hell world has not ended by now? His brother¡¯s wife... she had married another man? Did he hear right? His ears... were they functioning properly? No, his ears must have malfunctioned after months of torture by his brother¡¯s hands. But then what about his eyes? Had they also crashed? They must have. He needed medical help! He was still in his twenties! He had his whole life waiting for him!


    "B-Brother Li, maybe it is because she still hasn¡¯t gotten her memory back?" Li Xun¡¯s voice sounded like a terrified little girl.


    In response, Li Zhiqiang gulped down another ss of vine.


    Li Xun could see his brother slipping into an abyss of darkness all the while dragging a wailing Li Xun along with him into that endless hole. Why does it feel like the room¡¯s temperature has gone down to minus fifty degrees?


    Brother, stop that... she is still recovering her memory. She¡¯lle back to you once she remembers. We don¡¯t need to die today. Help.

 Chapter 22 - Challenging them

    <h4>Chapter 22 - Challenging them</h4>


    When Jing Lihua woke up in the morning, she was in a daze.


    What happenedst night? Why was she so dizzy? She sat properly and tried to recall everything. shes appeared in her mind. She got drugged. Su Liwei... he was here. She quickly inspected her body.


    "That jerk didn¡¯t fall so low to force me while I was unconscious." Even though Su Liwei hated her, he had never done anything dirty in her previous life. Even if it was one¡¯s enemy, there is a fair way to y the game. In herst life, he could have her r.a.p.ed and stripped with a single order. But he never s.u.mbed to anything that low.


    "Eldest Miss, here are the cups you asked for."


    Jing Lihua smiled sincerely. "Thank you, butler Zhou. I¡¯m sorry if I dragged you in the trouble. In the future, I¡¯ll remember to pay your debt"


    "There is no need eldest miss. Your mother was always good to me" Suddenly, his eyes saddened. "After her death, I couldn¡¯t protect you from those vicious people. I can¡¯t dare to ept your gratitude."


    "Elder Zhou, don¡¯t be hard on yourself. You were helpless. Don¡¯t worry things would change. I would make sure to make them pay back ten times who made my mother suffer."


    Eldest Zhou looked at Jing Lihua. Her brilliant green eyes looked determined. His heart warmed with happiness. House Mistress, your daughter has grown up.


    Jing Lihua walked down, after taking a bath and dressing moderately; she took a table at the breakfast. Everyone ate, ignoring her presence as if she wasn¡¯t there at all to which she was very grateful until her father said to her.


    "Yan¡¯er told me that you wore a dress in the show made by designer Mo Liang before it was even put on sale publically? Do you have an acquaintance with him?"


    "Yes." Jing Lihua said simply, not interested in whatever he had to say.


    "Good. I want you to try to bring him to sign a contract with ourpany. Tell him that we are willing to agree to his all requests. We will pay how much he wants. We will meet all his demands."


    Jing Lihua scoffed inwardly. It was the first time her father talked to her and it was for no reason other than his own profit?


    No asking about how her husband been to her. No asking about how¡¯s she been away from home. Jing Lihua could pretend it didn¡¯t affect her. But the fact was the man was her father, and it did hurt her.


    "Are you listening to me?"


    "He wouldn¡¯t agree."


    "Convey our message to him. Use your connection with him if you have to. Use all possible means to make him agree." Jing Shuping was desperate. "You should think about the best of your family. We¡¯ve taken care of you since you were a child. And all you have done until now is only to bring shame to my name. You haven¡¯t ever contributed to the family¡¯s welfare like Jing Tian has." Jing Shuping had a sense of righteousness in his tune. "That amateur quickly made his name in thepany owing to his fame from his ex career. He has such arrogance! Our Jing boutiques is one of the best out there but wouldn¡¯t even agree to meet me! Right... Consider it as a chance for your redemption. If you seed in bringing him to ourpany, I¡¯ll overlook all your past mistakes."


    If it was the previous Jing Lihua, who was always eager to please her father, she would have been fooled by those words. But now... Who needed his forgiveness?


    "Whatever means I use, he wouldn¡¯t ever agree" She gracefully cut a piece of vegetable. Her actions infuriated Jing Shuping.


    "Just do what you are told. Or else should I conclude from your reluctance that you are unwilling to contribute to the welfare of the family?" Jing Shuping didn¡¯t like her attitude and raised his voice to scare her. "Are you questioning your father¡¯smand?"


    That line used to always work on Jing Lihua and she would immediately yield. Of course, Jing Lihua always used to concede to whatever his father ordered. She still remembered how countless times she was beaten by that man brutally with a simple word from her stepmother.


    "I¡¯m not questioning my father¡¯smand" Jing Lihua smiled lightly. "I¡¯m outrightly refusing to ept it."

 Chapter 23 - Hypocrisy

    <h4>Chapter 23 - Hypocrisy</h4>


    "Insolent!" Jing Shuping mmed his fists on the table. "Just because you have be the wife of Su Liwei, the Su Liwei who doesn¡¯t even hold you in any respect, do you think you can behave that way in front of me?"


    "I surely can¡¯t behave this way just because I¡¯m the wife of Su Liwei, my dear father as much as you sound pleased to mention that your son-inw doesn¡¯t hold your daughter in any respect." Jing Lihua was calm as ever with a hint of sarcasm, her eyes were cold. "But I sure can behave this way because I¡¯m the president of Tang enterprise - one of the top fivepanies in Beijing."


    Jing Shupingughed. "I know everything about the drowning business of your Tang enterprise. With someone as foolish as you presiding over it, thepany is bound to doom."


    Jing Lihua contemted for a while. On second thought...


    "Fine. I¡¯ll make Mo Liang agree to meet you." Jing Lihua hid her smile under her eyes. She would make him agree to meet him but she wouldn¡¯t make him agree not to ept his offer, or not to insult him.


    Jing Shuping looked pleased. His daughter knew that there will be no ce for him when herpany falls. She must have gotten scared after his threat. Ha! She was as boneless as her mother.


    "Just like that. You should know you owe us! Humph!"


    The hypocrisy? Sometimes she wondered how could she share the same blood as him? Jing Lihua was more than happy to walk out of the dining room.


    "Are you telling me you didn¡¯t send him in? Ridiculous! I paid him so much to make him agree to do this deed."


    "How could I have sent him in? Su Liwei... He was with her entire night. I didn¡¯t get a chance to..."


    "Su Liwei was with her entire night?!?!?"


    The quietened once they spotted Jing Lihua. Jing Tian was looking very temperamental. Jing Lihua was surprised when she stomped to her, roughly grabbed her scarf and threw it away.


    "You..." Her eyes widened noticing a trail of hickeys. "You whore!"


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry.


    "I don¡¯t understand your standards Jing Tian. A woman is named a whore for sleeping with her own husband?"


    "Y-You slept with him?"


    "Of course, he is my husband. It is understandable."


    Jing Lihua did sleep with him but not the way Jing Tian was thinking. So it was not entirely a lie. She hid a smile under her eyes.


    Su Liwei rejected her but slept with her worthless sister? How could she tolerate it?


    "You bitch I¡¯ll kill you." Jing Tian charged towards Jing Lihua but she effortlessly dodged her attack. She simply grabbed her elbow, twisted it behind her back and gave her a sharp push, making Jing Tian fall down painfully.


    Meanwhile, her father and brother came in along with her mother hearing themotion.


    "Oh, my little Jing Tian" He Zhoyan quickly went on her knees beside her daughter. Noticing that the situation was in her favor, Jing Tian assumed her usual white lotus face.


    "Mother, Mother I-I just told JieJie that brother-inw left and she got so angry t-that she hit me and pushed me down... Sob... mother I¡¯m hurt..."


    "How dare you Jing Lihua! What has my daughter ever done to you to make you hate her? She always wants the best for you and this is how you treat her?" He Zhoyan was enraged. "Husband, punish her now! I won¡¯t settle for anything else. She hurt your daughter! p her right now or I won¡¯t ever talk to you again!"


    Jing Lihua wanted tough.


    "How vile you can be!" Jing Shuping quickly assumed that it was Jing Lihua who was at wrong after listening to his wife. "Your sister loves you sincerely and always thinks about your welfare and this is how you return her love?"


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t say anything just coldly stared at him. If it was previous Jing Lihua, she would be scared witless. The previous Jing Lihua wouldn¡¯t even dare to hit Jing Tian in the first ce.


    "Apologize to you sister!" Jing Shuping was even more enraged when he saw Jing Lihua¡¯s emotionless face.


    "Why must I apologize? She was the one who attacked me first."


    "You expect me to believe that someone as good as my Tian¡¯er could raise a hand on someone, even if it is someone as despicable as you?"


    Jing Lihua felt a tinge of pain in her heart. Her eyes grew colder.


    "Apologize to her right now or else..."


    "Or else what father?"


    Jing Tian, He Zhoyan and Jing Junhai - they all were taken aback when she challenged her father. What has the worlde to? They Jing Lihua they knew used to burst into tears whenever she saw her father¡¯s angry face.


    She was a boneless wimp!


    "You!"


    "Or else you p me?" Sheughed icily. "Let¡¯s see how are you going to p the President of Tamg enterprise." Just as she said that half a dozen big bodyguards in ck rushed in and surrounded her. "Go on father. Try to touch me now."


    "Jing Lihua!" Jing Shuping fave went red with anger. "Don¡¯t forget you are standing at my mansion!"

 Chapter 24 - Payback

    <h4>Chapter 24 - Payback</h4>


    "Correction father. My mother¡¯s mansion." Jing Lihua wasted no time to rectify his assumptions. "And after her death, as the rightful owner, my mansion."


    "You presumptuous..."


    "Careful father. I can easily throw you all out of my mansion" Jing Lihua smiled at them; their shocked faces pleased her to no end. They could never have guessed that she could say something like that? Well, they must get used to it now. "But I wouldn¡¯t. Not because you are my so-called ¡¯family¡¯. But because I don¡¯t have the time to deal with all the rumors that would result once I¡¯ll throw you out. So I¡¯ll let you have this mansion." She added. "For now"


    Jing Shuping was stunned to silence.


    "How shameful of Jing Lihua to threaten your own father." Jing Junhai came forward. "Do you have no respect for your elders? Where is your filial piety? Don¡¯t forget the man who you just threatened is the one who gave birth to you... I¡¯m ashamed to have a sister like you."


    "Why? The feeling is mutual." Jing Lihua was disgusted by the hypocrisy in his tone. "And don¡¯t talk about filial piety. I¡¯m not the one who tempers with my fatherpany¡¯s finance reports to fill his own pockets only to squander that money on p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.es. If I want to challenge someone Ie at them directly, not like you, who uses underhand tricks."


    Jing Shuping stared at his son, astonished. Even Jing Tian and He Zhaoyan were taken back at the sudden revtion. Jing Jinhai was terrified.


    "H-Husband, she is obviously lying to create fights in our family. How could my Xiao Junhai do something like this?" He Zhoyan quickly came to her son¡¯s defense.


    "F-Father, she is lying..." Jing Junhai was in cold sweats. "What proof do you have? How can you use me of such shameless acts!"


    Damn it! How did she know? Had she been spying on him? If he had known, he would have killed her...


    "Why do need proof when both of us know that it is true."


    "Ha! See? No proof! She is trying to drive a wedge between us!"


    "I might present you a proof if you are that eager little brother. But, too bad; I¡¯m toozy for that. As of what others think, doesn¡¯t concern me at all"


    Jing Junhai didn¡¯t retort. If she had proof and she put it forth in front of anyone, he would surely be killed by his father!


    Jing Shuping noticed his son¡¯s reluctance to deny the usations anymore. So it was true? His face went red with anger. "Jing Junhai how dare you betray my trust! I want you to resign from your position right now!"


    He was suspicious of his son¡¯s activities. But his wife never let him investigate him.


    "Husband, listen to me..." H Zhoyan approached him in attempts to cate him.


    "You shut up!" He threw her away mercilessly. "You knew about it all along, didn¡¯t you? That¡¯s why you never let me investigate him!"


    Their drama continued.


    Jing Lihua had already walked out of there. She wasn¡¯t really interested in listening to their drama anymore. Earlier she had nned to not expose Jing Junhai and let him ruin her father¡¯spany for a little longer, but she couldn¡¯t stand the hypocrisy in his tone. Also, he hadter used his power to conspire against her in her previous life. So it was better to get rid of him sooner thanter.


    "Wang Yi, take me to the outskirts of the city, to the outskirts" When he looked at her with confused eyes, she gave him an address. "To the slums"


    The drive was long. When they reached, Jing Lihua asked him to park the car far away from her destination. Her car was fancy and she didn¡¯t want to attract attention.


    "But Ms. Jing, let me apany you. It¡¯s dangerous." She had already sent off her bodyguards. She didn¡¯t want any attention in the streets.


    "You are my driver. Not my bodyguard. Stay here."


    Wang Yi opened his mouth then closed it. He will have to watch over her. Even if she agreed or not. So he stealthily followed her.


    She walked through the familiar alleys and reached a small noodle shop.


    "Such a pretty girl. What would you like to eat my dear? I wouldn¡¯t charge you. It¡¯s not every day that we have such a pretty girl visiting" Xu BaoZhai had a genuine smile on her face. Jing Lihua¡¯s usual cold eyes twinkled in deep real affection.


    In front of her stood the woman who had supported her at her lowest. In her previous life, when she was forced to live in slums and wasn¡¯t even sure if she would survive another day, she had looked after her; and that without any expectations of reward. She was kind at her heart. She gave her the strength to live on, to struggle and formed the present strong self she now was.


    She taught her never to give up no matter how bad the circ.u.mstances turn up.


    "I would like your special noodle soup. I¡¯ve heard a lot about that. I specially came to try it."


    Xu BaoZhai was delighted after being genuinely praised. She quickly busied herself to prepare a fresh bowl of her special noodle soup.


    "I¡¯ve never seen you here before...? You are not from here child?"


    "Not from here. I¡¯m from the inner city. I came here for some other business. Thought, I would drop by your shop."


    "Oh, my, people know about my noodles even in the inner city? How famous I¡¯m?" Xu BaoZhaiughed. She had noticed the girl¡¯s reluctance to mention her specific whereabouts. So instead, they chattered about other matters. She found that young girl quite warm and charming.


    "Here is your noodle soup, dear." Xu BaoZhai brought a steaming hot bowl.


    Jing Lihua picked up her chopsticks and attacked those noodles without any reserve. As she thought, they were as delicious as she remembered. In fact, ever since she came back, she had been starving for auntie¡¯s noodle.


    "Have your family been starving you, girl?" Xu BaoZhai sighed. "You eat just like my Heng Bingen."


    "It¡¯s not that. Auntie¡¯s noodles are s delicious!"


    "Don¡¯t speak with food in your mouth, child."


    "Sorry."


    "My son is about your age. He would love to meet you." Xu BaoZhai said; her eyes dimmed a little. "It¡¯s so bad we are stuck in this area. My son was so talented. Due to our financial problems, he couldn¡¯tplete his studies and get a degree. As his mother, my heart hurts so much to see such an intelligent youth dragged down because of us"


    "I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll find what he deserves." Jing Lihua smiled. And she would help him.

 Chapter 25 - Mindless people

    <h4>Chapter 25 - Mindless people</h4>


    "Old woman! How many times, I¡¯ve told you not to give away meals for free!" A fat womanshed at Xu Baozhai. "What do you think we¡¯ve opened? A charity house?"


    Jing Lihua put down her chopsticks. It seemed there would be a nasty person who wanted to spoil her blissful moment every time.


    Xu Baozhai looked embarrassed. "I take notes. If I ever give a free meal, I let you cut the price from my sry"


    "Do you think that would suffice? Due to your activities, our shop bes flooded with penniless sc.u.ms! You are ruining my business, don¡¯t you see? Shoo away that girl right now or else I¡¯ll fire you!"


    Xu Baozhai paled.


    "Alright madam Xia, I¡¯ll not give free meals anymore. But the girl is our customer. We shouldn¡¯t be bad towards her. Or else it will ruin your shop name..."


    "Shut up, you wrench! Do as I said or else pack our stuff and get out of here!"


    "Enough!". Jing Lihua rose with cold expressions.


    Themotion had garnered quite an attention from the people in the shop.


    The fat woman sneered at her. "Mind yournguage girl. You are standing in my shop. Either pay for your soup or get the hell out of here!"


    Jing Lihua frowned.


    "I don¡¯t have money with me right now." She had debit cards, credit cards but not material currency. In fact, beforeing to slums, she never had actually held real currency in her hands. There was no need.


    Everyone in the shopughed. The arrogance with which the girl had spoken, they assumed that she was someone influential. But she didn¡¯t have a penny with her?


    That fat woman also barely controlled herughter. "Sc.u.ms like you have nothing better to do than beg for free meals. If you didn¡¯t have any money with you, why did you came here in the first ce?"


    "I don¡¯t think I need to pay..."


    The woman was so angered that she failed to get the subtle hints.


    "This is NOT a charity house where beggers like you can eat whenever they like!" The guts of that girl! She really wanted to p her hard across her face.


    "Let me finish. I don¡¯t think I need to pay because the shop belongs to me."


    If everyone chuckled before, now they wereughing hard.


    "What are you barking? Did everyone listen to what she said? Haha. The woman is crazy. Haha. Must have escaped from a mental faculty. She thinks that the shop belongs to her! Let me tell you, the shop belongs much more than you have spent in your entire pathetic life! You wretched!"


    Jing Lihua sighed. These brainless people always managed to give her a headache. "Ms. Xia, I expect Mr. Chu must have informed you that he had sold the shop?"


    Suddenly the woman¡¯s eyes widened.


    "Y-You are...?"


    "Yes, I¡¯m Jing Lihua. I¡¯m pleased that you recognized me, finally" Jing Lihua scoffed, not sounding pleased at all. Everyone gasped. J-Jing Lihua? The president of Tiang enterprise? That famous celebrity? Some immediately recognized her from the reality show she volunteered to yesterday.


    "It is indeed her! I recognize her. She is my new idol after that fabulous performance in the piano duet! I¡¯m ashamed. How could I have not recognized her earlier?"


    "M-My idol is right in front of my eyes!"


    "Hurry up, take a photo of her. I will need proof when I boost to my friends that I saw her with my own eyes!"


    "Should I ask for an autograph? Would she give me an autograph?"


    Xu Baozhai was also surprised. She could tell the elegance with which the girl held her chopstick that she was of noble birth. But she was the famous Jing Lihua, she couldn¡¯t guess!


    "Mr. Chu specially requested me to let you have the shop and I had originally nned so." Jing Lihua said. Of course, she hadn¡¯t nned so! The woman was obnoxious. She remembered her from her previous life. Now everyone in the shop was gawking at her. "But after receiving such a warm wee from your side, I¡¯ve changed my mind."


    "Miss Jing Lihua forgive me. I-I didn¡¯t recognize you! I insulted you in my ignorance. Trust me if I had known it was you... I-It was all my fault..."


    "Indeed, it was your fault and you must pay the price. But I¡¯m a very merciful person so I would let you off with just firing you. So you must better leave before I change my mind and give a call to my friend in the police department for workce violence."


    All her ns to beg to keep the shop vanished. Terrified, she quickly grabbed her stuff and ran out of the shop like her life depended on it. Once that nauseous woman left, Jing Lihua looked back at the dazed Xu BaoZhai and her warm smile reappeared.


    "Ms. Xu, I¡¯m indeed impressed by your skills. You must be wondering why I bought this shop... The answer is I wanted to open a ce for homeless, orphans and those who can¡¯t afford three times a meal. And, just call it fate, I found you; the right person for this job." Xu Baozhai was dazzled. "So are you willing to work under me? The sry would be 50000 RMB for now"


    50000 RMB? That was twenty-five times more than madam Xia gave her! Xu BaoZhai¡¯s eyes glittered in delight. Today was the best day of her life.


    "Yes," She quickly nodded as if scared she dyed, that wonderful offer will escape from her hands.


    "Good." Jing Lihua smiled. "I¡¯ll call my secretary to send the contract then"


    Jing Lihua originally wanted to stay a little longer and converse with her but people had started gathering. And she didn¡¯t want any trouble. So she had to leave. Maybe another time, she could reconcile with her.

 Chapter 26 - Conspiracy

    <h4>Chapter 26 - Conspiracy</h4>


    Next fifteen days, Jing Lihua was glued to the office, presiding over different meetings trying to save the three existing projects. Alt the while,unching many new small projects and investing in smallpanies.


    "Thank you, President Jing. I¡¯ll never forget your kindness for trusting a smallpany like us." Fu Jianguo bowed in respect.


    "I ept your gratitude, Mr. Fu, but let me remind you if you ever betray my trust and breach our contract, I¡¯ve the ability to ruin you in minutes."


    Fu Jianguo shivered. "Never President, you¡¯ve shown me with kindness and recognized mypany¡¯s potential when no one did. I¡¯ll never dare to go against you."


    Jing Lihua nodded and walked out of the conference room. Who didn¡¯t know there were no friends in business, there was only profit.


    "Did you rece the reports In Zhang Min office?"


    There was no one else Jing Lihua could trust for this confidential job.


    "Yes, President. And here are thetest reports of updated stock prices Jin constructionpany."


    When Jing Lihua read through the reports, a smile lit her face. "Good, did you read it Mei Xiu?"


    "Yes, the stock prices have gone up by 50 % in just fifteen days!"


    "It will go up further!" Jing Lihua was happy. "Just wait and see for half a year, the stock prices will go up by more than a hundred percent"


    "It is understandable President. With the new policy of the government to build shelters for homeless and schools dered just a week ago, they would require a huge construction force. Since there is a sharp increase in demands, the prices would go up."


    With fifty-eight percent shares, she had won the right to make final decisions in thepany. The next person with the highest shares had only neen percent shares.


    "But what baffles me is..."


    "What is it Mei Xiu? Ask away!" Jing Lihua was in a good mood. This fifty percent was much more than she remembered in her previous life. What caused this change of events? Who cares! As long as she was being profited.


    "How did President know? Being as prudent as President, you wouldn¡¯t have bought the shares unless you... somehow knew? But the government policies were kept confidential. Not even the most influential businessmen had any idea."


    Jing Lihua was silent for a while. "Let¡¯s just say I had a hunch... a massive hunch."


    Mei Xiu was a little depressed. Did her President trust her? But how could Jing Lihua possibly exin to her than she was from the future, had died and reincarnated?


    "Oh, right I¡¯ve been keeping you busy a lottely. Arrange for an interview for a separate secretary for thepany. From now on, you would be my personal secretary." Deluding Zang Min wasn¡¯t an easy job. Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t trust anyone else at this point.


    Mei Xiu sighed in relief; she had indeed not been sleeping enough for the past few nights.


    "But President, your schedule is tightly locked"


    "Then make time. I definitely don¡¯t want you to die from the massive workload. You are very important to the Tang enterprise. Besides if you died, where would I find a better coffee maker?"


    In her past life, Mei Xiu had chosen to resign than betray her.


    Mei Xiu bloomed like a flower in spring. "Thank you, President. I¡¯m delighted that you consider me important and...", she smiled, "...a capable coffee maker. I¡¯ll never betray you or Tang enterprise"


    "President, while you were at the meeting, I received a call from Mr. Su secretary."


    "What did he say?"


    "He told me to get your schedule clear for a week the eighteen of the next month."


    "You are my secretary, not his, to order."


    "He said he had reserved two seats to Su family private ind. President, what should I do?"


    Jing Lihua was surprised then slowly the truth sunk in. Sheughed ironically. If somehow she knew in her previous life that it just required her to cancel the honeymoon she nned to make Su Liwei willing to take her to Su family Ind, she would have sure implemented that trick instead of begging him.


    But now it was only trouble for her.


    "Mei Xiu, my husband has nned a trip for us, should I be happy? Should I leave my office behind to enjoy the blissful moments of marital life?"


    "No President Jing. You shouldn¡¯t. Zhang Wei is working for him, conveying information, that thanks to President prudent approach, is false. Leaving him aside, there are upto eight men on board of directors that are Mr. Su loyal spies. Leaving your office would only grant them an opportunity to exploit your absence. What I¡¯ve gathered from this, until now, is that Mr. Su¡¯s motives are purely against us."


    She liked her secretary.


    "Then you know what to do?"


    "I¡¯ll immediately decline him"

 Chapter 27 - Important ally.

    <h4>Chapter 27 - Important ally.</h4>


    "What nonsense!" Jing Tian mmed her fists on the table, scrunched the newspaper, throwing it away angrily. "You old fool! Do you have no brain in you? Why would you allow them to bring this newspaper to me? Is it because you want to provoke me? It must be... You¡¯ve always liked that bitch. You must have done it on purpose!"


    "Youngest Miss, this is the routine newspaper they deliver daily."


    "Then why do I see that bitch on it! I don¡¯t want to even see her ugly face!"


    "Miss, I¡¯ll be cautious from now on" He took away the torn newspaper. On the first page, there was a picture of Jing Lihua. It was all about the charity work she was doing. She had opened a small shop, in the middle of the slums, to feed the homeless and treat the orphans. The page was full of people praising her. Butler Zhou smiled inwardly but he didn¡¯t let it reveal on his face.


    "Tian¡¯er rest easy. We will sure get back at her for what she did."


    "I won¡¯t rest easy as long as that bitch doesn¡¯t disappear from the face of the world! Humph!"


    "It won¡¯t take long. We both are aware of the bad investments she has made. Sooner orter she will end herself on her own. Then she will have no way to go but you. We can easily have our revenge then."


    Listening to it Jing Tian was cated. "You are right. After all, she doesn¡¯t have a bit of talent in her. Just a stupid novice and her stupid grandfather already gave the whole enterprise in her hands. I can¡¯t wait for the day till she makes a fool of herself and ruins thatpany. I would like to see where her arrogance rest then. I would never forgive her even if she begs she for it when the dayes. She will have to suffer the consequences of her actions."


    "That will be soon"


    Meanwhile, her brother walked down the stairs with a somewhat pale face.


    "Xiao meimei"


    "What happened?"


    "Jing Lihua... the shares she brought. Her total investments have exceeded more than fifty percent of profits in just fifteen days. We were totally wrong."


    ...


    On the highest floor of Tang Empire twin skyscr.a.p.ers, Jing Lihua was seated in her luxurious office.


    "Take a seat, Mr. Heng."


    Heng Bingwen walked through the huge office and sat on the seat in front of her. The woman who faced him had a small, confident smile that looked quite warm. Her green eyes were resolute. She knew what she wanted and she would get it by all means.


    Heng Bingwen never trusted those unscrupulous autocratic.


    "Mr. Heng, I suppose you know why you were invited here."


    "I received a letter from Tang enterprise." He intentionally kept his voice low and timid. He would never let the person know who he actually was before properly essing them first.


    "And... Have you decided?"


    "I¡¯m afraid I must decline"


    "Well..." He could trace a fleeting smile on her face as she got up from her chair. What was that about? "Would you care to exin why you decline such a good offer? It is a known fact that one would do anything to get a ce in the Tang enterprise. Then why must you decline?"


    "I think I¡¯m not worthy to serve as the secretary in the Tang enterprise. I¡¯ve no degree, no experience. I don¡¯t see why President Jing, would even be willing to allow me in herpany"


    The whole matter was suspicious. He wouldn¡¯t even have shown up here if it wasn¡¯t the President of Tang enterprise. She was powerful. He couldn¡¯t easily run from her.


    "Why do I not believe you?" She passed across the table and stood in front of him. "You do not decline because you think you are not worthy of Tang enterprise Heng Bingwen" She passed, her brilliant eyes glinted; it looked like she knew everything. It gave Heng Bingwen a sudden chill. "Or should I say Cyber_Knight"


    He instantly stood up. His eyes widened with shock. Did she know? Then did it mean... He shouldn¡¯t havee here. He must get out of here before its toote.


    "You want to run out? My guards are standing just outside. And there are dozens of them. You can¡¯t fight them with your small technical gadgets." Jing Lihuaughed lightly and went back to her seat.


    "What do you want?" His timidness vanished reced with a stern and sharp look. "Is it why you bought my mother¡¯s shop? Is it why you offered her that job? Was it all to lure me out?"


    "You think very highly of yourself. My acquaintance with your mother has nothing to do with you." He could see her eyes mocking him.


    "Is it my Heng family behind it then? I clearly stated I¡¯ll give up my right on inheritance as long as they left me and my mother alone."


    She took her seat and motioned him to sit. Having no option, it was only wise to do as she said. So he sat and listened to her patiently.


    "As I said before your mother has nothing to do with me wanting you in mypany. And I¡¯ve no connections to your Heng family. You do not need to fear me."


    "I do not trust you. My uncle Heng HuiZhong is the biggest investor in yourpany. Why would you want me here?"


    "I suppose you also know that your uncle is a mole installed by Su Liwei."


    Heng Bigwen gaped her for a second before replying. "Why are you even telling me that...? Is this why you want me in yourpany?"


    "I want you in mypany because I recognize your potential."


    "Heng Bingwen, you have suffered a lot by the hands of your family. They are after you so it is only natural you don¡¯t trust anyone readily. You were the rightful heir but you were kicked out. I know they won¡¯t rest until they finish you..."


    "And I also know that with all the things you are trying to do as Cyber_Knight, you have got yourself quite arge number of powerful enemies." He detected something in her eyes. Amus.e.m.e.nt? Admiration? Whatever it was, he couldn¡¯t quite understand her. "But how long can you go? You are one and they are many. You, along with your mother, will always be vulnerable."


    Heng Bingwen fell into silence. His mother was his weakness. He could put himself at risk but, not her.


    "And who will provide us protection? You?"


    "Yes, I¡¯ll, if you ept my proposition"


    "And what exactly is your proposition? I expect it requires much more than just apany¡¯s secretary."


    "I¡¯ll have quite some jobs for you now and then. You must realize the higher one gets, the greater the number of enemies he has. The same. I¡¯ve many. And I want someone proficient to deal with them. Someone proficient and trustworthy."


    "And what makes you think trustworthy?"


    To that, she only smiled at him.


    "A hunch"


    She was crazy.


    "I know that you are still suspicious but with my protection, you¡¯ll have no one to fear. You can grow without any restraint. And most of it...", she looked at him with unfathomable eyes; all the time maintaining an unfaltering smile, "You will have a chance to avenge those who wronged you and your mother."


    This was thest thing Heng Bingwen needed to hear. Every night, he would n out the ways to revenge not only him but his mother. Revenge for the horrible state they have reduced them. If something had motivated him to do all the hard work till now then it was them, the intense hatred he held towards the Heng family. Then how could he resist the temptation? That woman had touched his weak point.


    "I ept your offer"


    "Good. The first thing I want you to do is to find out who is keeping track of my all activities. I tried myself but for some reason, the person seems to be one level above me. I can not find who is it or where is it from. Can you find it?"


    "Consider it done"

 Chapter 28 - The reason

    <h4>Chapter 28 - The reason</h4>


    "Mr. Su, here are the reports" It was harder than drinking poison for Chen Feng to report it to his boss. His face looked like he had been stabbed by a thousand poisoned swords as he spoke. "The reports of the stock price of Jun constructionpany."


    After he handled them and walked out, he heard the hushed whispers of dozens of the employees that worked under him. Their eyes held mocking and satisfaction at his failure.


    "It is the first time his predictions went wrong."


    "Hah! Suits him right for all the arrogance he had!"


    "What did he say? Tangpany would go bankrupt within a year. Look at it where they are right now. Thepany was in such a dire state but with Jing Lihua taking office, within three weeks, she reversed everything. What did he call her again? An ignorant novice?"


    "I suspect the CEO would trust him with everything after that."


    "If will lose his position in his heart forever."


    And so they continued. It was the years of resentment gathered because of Su Liwei¡¯s favor that fueled them. But the other thing that worked as a factor was the certainty with which Chen Feng asserted that they didn¡¯t need to fear Jing Lihua. He was proved wrong. Though holding resentment towards Jing Lihua, he couldn¡¯t help but hold a certain degree of admiration towards her. The woman... she had made something impossible possible all the time fooling her enemies by hiding her true form.


    As someone who had as much experience as him, he could recognize potential with a single nce. It was true he made a mistake once. But he couldn¡¯t be wrong again. Jing Lihua was a gem.


    She wasn¡¯t someone to be taken lightly. His heart trembled suddenly. His boss Su Liwei... Was he rivaled by that sort of woman?


    ...


    In the office, Su Liwei¡¯s eyes coldly swept through the files. In the end, his eyes were burning with anger.


    "What is it?"


    "We underestimated her"


    Su Jiayi snatched the files from Su Liwei¡¯s hands somewhat insolently and read them. She was not very happy to found what the reports revealed to her. With a slender figure, she wasn¡¯t exactly an outstanding beauty but her looks were well maintained. It could be observed from a single nce that millions were spent to keep her in form. As the only daughter of the great Su family, she was spoiled since childhood. She was used to getting what she wanted and always treated like a princess and saint no matter what she did.


    "We didn¡¯t underestimate her." She threw the files on the table. "You did."


    "What are you implying?"


    "Do I need to exin" She sneered at her elder brother. Su Liwei was calm as ever, not at all affected by her temper.


    "I would like it if you exined because I¡¯m not really understanding what you mean" Su Liwei had a small smile.


    "You did it on purpose. Do you think I don¡¯t know what runs through your mind, big brother." Su Liwei¡¯s smile vanished once he listened to his sister. Su Jiayi continued. "You try to hide it. But you can¡¯t... Not from me. You still have feelings for her. That is why we failed in our first step. We failed to break her foundation. And now she is free to climb higher." Su Jianyi was fuming, "You remember when I had taken matters in my hand? I yed my first part best. I made the greatest universities in the world to expel her with just one move, without leaving any evidence. And what did you do? You fail. But you are better than me... a thousand times. How could you fail? It must be because you were lenient."


    "I don¡¯t have any feelings for her."


    "You don¡¯t? Prove it. Let¡¯s do it, brother. Let¡¯s do what I proposed earlier. Let¡¯s have our men abduct her before she climbs higher. I know you are capable of that much now that she has married you. You are capable of getting her alone and vulnerable, away from all the protection. Abduct her and bring her to us and we will have her r.a.p.ed, tortured and humiliated. We will kill her slowly and painfully. We will avenge our mother."


    "I wouldn¡¯t consent to that"


    "Why?"


    "What do you think will happen after that? Tang Liuwei, he will know exactly who did it. That old man might look stupid, but he is not. If we killed his only grand-daughter, he will find out it was us one way or another. And then he will fight us till death. He¡¯ll not have anything to fear any longer. Imagine a man presiding over a big corporate, who doesn¡¯t fear the decline of his ownpany and his sole aim is to make us suffer. We might be the biggest corporate but we are not invincible."


    "Then we kill her grandfather too."


    "We can¡¯t."


    "Yes, we can. All we need is..."


    "Would you be reasonable for once? We can¡¯t do that. Not till he is in that Mansion in the middle of that vast forest guarded by thousands of mercenaries."


    "Coward!" Su Jianyi was angry, "You are just a coward! A coward and an unfilial son, who will s.u.mb to a woman¡¯s seduction and forsake his family."


    "I have already told you that I¡¯m not..."


    "Do I look stupid to you brother? I have my men everywhere. I know what Jing Tian nned to humiliate her. Even though that move was stupid and impulsive on her part, it was good for us to watch and enjoy. But you stopped that... You saved Jing Lihua from that. What excuses you have for that?"


    Su Liwei fell silent.


    "This is it? Does your silence confirm it? Will you betray us for her? For that c*nt? Have you forgotten the promise you made to our mother when she was dying? You promised to destroy..."


    "I want her trust." Su Liwei stood up; his face was expressionless. "She has been cautious from the very beginning. I don¡¯t know how but it seems, she knows about our motives. She has sessfully countered our first attack. Only by gaining her trust, we can manage to find an opening to make a lethal attack."


    Su Jiayi looked unconvinced.


    "It better be the reason. If it isn¡¯t, I will have no choice but to tell our uncle (Su Donghai) about it. You could forget our mother¡¯s suffering but our uncle... he would never forget how Jing Lihua¡¯s mother tortured our mother to the point she decided to end her own life. After all, you might be the CEO but our uncle is the real force behind Su enterprise"

 Chapter 29 - Unintential helper

    <h4>Chapter 29 - Unintential helper</h4>


    "A high acting aphrodisiac and some traces of another powerful drug that causes loss of inhibition." Jing Lihua nced at the reports for the second cup. "A rare, strong sedative. That will cause the person to lose coordination and drowsiness. It will also induce a certain degree of inhibition."


    Jing Lihua was in deep thoughts. So is this why Su Liwei behaved that way? Then... if he knew it was Jing Tian n, why did he stay with her? Was it to stop Jing Tian to carry out her n? But why would he care for her? What were his real intentions?


    "Did you keep the whole process secretive?"


    "Yes, President. No one knows about the reports. I had my trusted friend perform the tests at our own ce"


    "Alright, Bengwen. Your next task is to find out the records for all these drugs. These are not some random products. She couldn¡¯t get her hands on them without a prescription from a doctor. Given how stupid my sister is, she would have left a clue for sure. But make sure, you¡¯ll have to stay as secretive as possible. Our enemy must not even get a whisper of what we¡¯re up to."


    Heng Bigwen¡¯s eyes lightened. His President was a devil incarnation. Her schemes were wless. Slowly, she would make chase her enemies to the corner and torture them until they had no choice but to jump into their trap on their own. She managed to outy her enemies while looking dumb and innocent all along!


    And strangely... he liked her vicious ways!


    "And Mei Xiu, what is the minimum penalty for an attempted assault and drugging someone?"


    Mei Xiu had already given up on being surprised at her President¡¯s astonishing plots and in her heart, she already worshiped her like she was a goddess.


    "Three years in Prison. Is President nning to sue her sister?"


    "No. That would be stupid. I just want to have something to manipte her."


    Jing Lihua knew how stupid her sister was. In herst life, she had trusted Su Liwei and betrayed her own blood for his sake. She had helped him to drown Tang enterprise and Jing family business, making them both go bankrupt. She had handled him everything. She went as far as to get herself pregnant and iming it was Su Liwei¡¯s child.


    Su Liwei¡¯s target was not only Jing Lihua but the whole Jing family. Slowly he destroyed their business whole until they were homeless. In the end, he even discarded Jing Tian who abandoned her family for him.


    "Have you found the person she suborned?"


    "Yes, it was Jing household driver. I sent a man to fetch him. But demanded a mary bribe for testifying against Jing Tian."


    Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes darkened. Sheughed drily. Did he think she was the same simple girl they used to bully in Jing¡¯s household?


    "You know what to do"


    "Yes, President. I already have him detained" Even Mei Xiu eyes burned with anger. How dare that measly driver demand money from her President! Not to mention he once agreed to do such a disgusting thing to their dear President. Even the thought of it burned Mei Xiu blood to no end. Did he think he can escape once the President found him out?


    At best he should have packed his stuff and already flew out of the country. Instead, he dared to demand money?


    There was a deep meaning behind the word ¡¯detained¡¯. Tang enterprise had a hidden underground bas.e.m.e.nt to ¡¯detain¡¯ those people like him. The witnesses and other people who refused to corporate in the frequent court matters her big enterprise had to deal with. They even had specialists to make them open their mouths employing all sorts of legal and illegal methods. Only the President and the trusted secretaries knew about its existence.


    When Mei Xiu left, Heng Bingwen remained.


    "President, I made a progress on the person who is keeping Tang enterprise under surveince"


    "Did you find out who it is?"


    Heng Bingwen looked embarrassed.


    "I couldn¡¯t easily pinpoint their identity. But what I¡¯ve discovered, this is not a single person behind it. There are at least more than fifty of them. They operate day and night without sparing any effort. They all seem professional."


    Jing Lihua was shocked. She took some time to digest all the information. Silence fell on both of them. Who could it be? Who would employ such a big force to keep her under track?


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes... I managed to find out the source from where they are operating. It is a barren ce from Hong Kong. But in my attempts, I-I identally cautioned them. Now they are alert. Now it is even more difficult to track them down."


    Hong Kong. The word resounded in her mind. Jing Lihua leaned back against the leather chair. A massive force from Hong Kong targetting her. Tang enterprise was a big name in Beijing. But in Hong Kong, there existed powers far bigger than her Tang family or Su family. Who wanted to keep her under track? Who could it be?


    "You don¡¯t need to feel guilty. You did your best. They are professionals and not to mention a whole team of them. Instead, it is only you. To be able to track them is alreadymendable. Regardless of that, you have sessfully managed thepany¡¯s setup. Without you, I doubt there it be possible to keep so many moles from our valuable information. And if somehow, Su Liwei had gotten his hands over that information, all our recent projects would have ended up in a failure"


    Did she have an enemy in Hong Kong? She gave it a thought. There wasn¡¯t any she remembered from her previous life. So could it be the downfall of Tang¡¯s enterprise in herst life was not solely caused by Su Liwei? But there was another force from Hong Kong behind it? Could they be coborating with Su Liwei? Or could it be some of her grandfather¡¯s enemies that had nothing to do with Su Liwei?


    But if they intended to harm her, why haven¡¯t they made a move by now?


    "President..." Heng Bingwen was hesident.


    "Go on"


    "I¡¯m not sure but there seem to be two groups of people"


    "What do you mean?"


    "While one team clearly holds malicious intentions towards Tang enterprise and wants to prate in ourwork, the other one... the other one seems to be working to intercede them." Heng Bingwen¡¯s eyes glittered. "It was very interesting the fight between two groups of professionals. And it was due to this chaos, I found a glitch to slip in and lock in on their location. but I don¡¯t know which one of the two groups it is. It might be our enemy in Hong Kong or it might be that unintentional helper"

 Chapter 30 - Scared Friend

    <h4>Chapter 30 - Scared Friend</h4>


    In the afternoon, Mo Liang brought Jing Lihua to a nearby restaurant.


    "Why do you look upset?"


    "Its nothing." Jing Lihua didn¡¯t sound cheerful. Her mind was still stuck on those mysterious ¡¯two groups¡¯ from Hong Kong. "Why did you bring me here? You could have just sent that invitation to the fashion week through my secretary¡¯s hands."


    "Why would I miss a chance to take my darling to dinner?"


    "You are back at it again. Was the previous beating not enough?" Jing Lihua put a piece of sweet and sour chicken in her mouth after giving him a warning re.


    "I¡¯ve a favor to ask from you," Jing Lihua said.


    "If my little flower wants me..."


    "You seriously have forgotten your previous beating." This time Jing Lihua had a dead-serious expression, even her voice grew colder. There was no way she could straighten Mo Liang once and for all. She had to give him constant reminders to keep him on track. He shuddered and buried himself in his chair like a scared kitten.


    "Better" Jing Lihuamented, satisfied. "My father said that he wanted to meet you"


    "And does President Jing want me to meet him?" His voice was noticeably reverent.


    If millions of his fans found out that their Liang price who was notorious for breaking the hearts of countless females, was trembling like a scared cat in front of a woman, they wouldn¡¯t believe it.


    "Of course, I want you to meet him. But I won¡¯t stop you from rejecting him. And also I won¡¯t stop you from offending him in any way. If you know what I mean..."


    "I got it" His eyes glinted devilishly.


    As they continued their dinner and chattered about recent happenings in their lives, Mo Liang¡¯s expressions grew uneasy. Like he wanted to say something but was too scared to utter a thing.


    Poor kid. She didn¡¯t scare him too much, did she?


    "Spit it, what is it?"


    "Your marriage with Su Liwei"


    Jing Lihua tensed. Mo Liang cringed. His chair moved slightly backward as he slipped away from Jing Lihua.


    Seriously? Why was he acting like she was some tyrant? She didn¡¯t threaten to kill him. Okay, maybe she did, once or twice. Maybe more times. But he wouldn¡¯t be stupid enough to believe it. Right?


    "Go on."


    Mo Liang inhaled deeply and said it one breath like he had mustered all of his courage to say those words.


    "Ever since that day you told us Su Liwei has gone to Vietnam, I¡¯ve been worried. I know you don¡¯t like it when someone interferes in your personal matters but I won¡¯t stop pressing you even if you beat me to death."


    "What do you want to know?" Jing Lihua submissively asked. There was no way she could hide it forever.


    But how did hee to suspect? Did she give it away? But she was always cautious. Was she that easy to read?


    "Are you happy? Happy with this arrangement" His eyes looked sincere.


    The sincerity in his eyes made it difficult for Jing Lihua to get mad at him. She thought; at least, she could have somepanion to share her concerns. And she knew she could trust Mo Liang and Zhao Liying with her life. So she decided to reveal everything to him.


    She told him how Su Liwei intended to bring herpany to decline and how she had been countering his ns. Mo Liang was stunned.


    He fell into silence when Jing Lihua finished. After a while, he asked with deep concern in his eyes: "Have you told your grandfather"


    "No."


    "Why? You must inform him as soon as possible and get rid of this marriage."


    "That¡¯s exactly why haven¡¯t I told him. He would want me to get a divorce. But once I divorce him, Su Liwei will know I¡¯ve known of his intentions. Then he¡¯ll not need to use underhand tricks to hurt the Tang enterprise. He¡¯lle at us openly. Su family is the top one in Beijing. With our current strength, we can¡¯t fight him."


    "Why would he even do that?" Mo Liang was still in a state of disbelief. He couldn¡¯t believe it that the man his Xiao Hua loved with all sincerity would attempt to harm her.


    "I wish I could know." She really wished she could know it in herst life. In fact, it was all she wanted to know n herst life. But Su Liwei never told her. And this time she was indifferent.


    If he hates her then be it. But if he tries to attack her or her friends, she¡¯ll not let this happen.


    "Is there anything I can do to help?" His Xiao Hua was the most precious thing to him. He treated her like his little sister. Ever since they were young, they have been best friends. How could he sit and watch his Xiao Hua being bullied?


    "No. Your father might be the richest but you can¡¯t rival him. You know currently Su family tops the Beijing city. And I don¡¯t want to bring you any trouble."


    "How can you shrug it off like this? You loved him your entire life, didn¡¯t you?" Mo Liang couldn¡¯t digest Jing Lihua indifferent when she told him about Su Liwei.


    "Then, would you prefer it if I were crying?"


    "At least show some grief! Your indifferent response is giving me creeps!" Scary. It must mean she was more than angry to be cold and nning something horrifying. He knew his Xiao Hua well.


    Jing Lihua tilted her head to a side and took a sip of her drink.


    "I¡¯m not indifferent. Look into my eyes. Look deeply. What do you see?" She yfully said.


    "I-I see coldness, calmness... no, it¡¯s not that normal sort of calmness, it is calmness before a storm. I see something deep... hate? Despise? Loathe? No, something¡¯s sharp too... wait, is it vengeance?"


    "Would you stop being dramatic."


    After a hearty conversation with Mo Liang, Jing Lihua felt refreshed. Even though his presence irked her to no end, somehow he relieved her stress by recing it with a new one.


    "Would you tell Zhao Liying?" Jing Lihua asked when they were walking out of the restaurant.


    "Of course, she would be happy as hell."


    "Happy?"


    "She never liked that Su Liwei guy. Not after he started ignoring you anyway. She curses him behind your back every now and then. And don¡¯t you remember that she intended to feed his d*ck to little fluffy?"


    "That would be..." Jing Lihua stopped once she hit into someone.


    "Sorry" She mumbled and bent down to pick up the person¡¯s handbag. Even though it was not her fault that she fell because the woman suddenly stopped in her path, she still picked up their stuff. Once her eyesnded on her face, she frowned.


    "Could my cousin not keep you satisfied that start hunting for new males so soon?" Su Lanfen mocked Jing Lihua after throwing a quick nce at Mo Liang.


    The group of women behind her giggled.


    "How shameless"


    "It is only understandable. Su Liwei chased her away after all."


    "Could she not even weight until a month after her wedding?"


    "Such a wench. I pity Su Liwei for having a wife like her. He is so handsome and talented. Such a waste to have a woman like her who doesn¡¯t even appreciate him."


    Mo Liang was ready to snap at them any moment but Jing Lihua raised her arm and stopped him. Her eyes were cold. She had a calm smile on her face as she approached Su Lanfen.


    "Sister Lanfen, here is your purse." Her voice was as sweet as ever.


    The people surrounding them couldn¡¯t help but get a soft spot for Jing Lihua in their hearts. Such a kind girl. To stay polite even after being insulted.


    "Humph!" Su Lanfun didn¡¯t like the overly warm response from Jing Lihua. Why didn¡¯t she get angry at her?


    Just as Su Lanfen reached out to grab her handbag, Jing Lihua let go of it. It hit the floor and all her stuff scattered around. Even her iPhone broke out and its screen cracked.


    Su Lanfen¡¯s face twisted in anger.

 Chapter 31 - Dont shake an unconscious person

    <h4>Chapter 31 - Don''t shake an unconscious person</h4>


    "You..."


    Before Su Lanfen could say anything, Jing Lihua took the initiative.


    "Sister Lanfen, you are so careless." It gave the impression that Su Lanfen had identally dropped the purse.


    "Do you think you can do anything and get away from it? You are nothing. You are nothing without my cousin." Su Lanfen wanted to incite her, to anger her. But to her grief, her words were totally harmless to Jing Lihua.


    Jing Lihua knew how to deal with people like her. It was to never get angered at their words. So she only smiled at her and said in a low voice.


    "You are wrong, sister Lanfen. I¡¯m the President of the Tang enterprise. And I don¡¯t need Su Liwei or someone else to make me something. And listen carefully, I would only say it once. You might have thought that I¡¯m the same Jing Lihua you could easily insult in the past. But I¡¯m not. I won¡¯t dig into the past but in the future, if you test my patience or if you try to do something against Zhao Liying, I know how to counter."


    Su Lanfen was stunned for a second. It was herpany that had leaked those fake scandals about Zhao Liying and tainted her good reputation. But did Jing Lihua know that? If yes, then how?


    And wasn¡¯t Jing Lihua used to be a cowardly girl? She would stop crying once confronted. She would never be spiteful towards Su Lanfen no matter how much Su Lanfen insulted her. Then why was this unexpected change now?


    "Are you threatening me?" Su Lanfen stepped closer to her and sneered at her. "My cousin won¡¯t be happy once he learns what you said to me. Neither would he be happy once he learned you go on dates with other men."


    Su Lanfen knew she could easily scare her using Su Liwei¡¯s name and once listening to his name, Jing Lihua would immediately start begging for an apology from her. After all, she wouldn¡¯t want her to say bad things about her to her husband.


    "You can tell him whatever you want." Jing Lihua only smiled lightly.


    Didn¡¯t she use to yield whenever Su Liwei¡¯s name was brought up? She would do whatever Su Lanfen demanded just so she wouldn¡¯t say anything against her to Su Liwei. What happened to her know?


    "Wench" Su Lanfen shoved Jing Lihua while walking away. Jing Lihua could have easily avoided her but she identally slipped, her head bumped in a table. The crowd around them gasped. Su Lanfen stopped, looked back over her shoulder andughed. Her friends followed her in their insults.


    Mo Liang was panicked. He quickly went down by her side. Her eyes looked dazed. Her face was cold as ice. She didn¡¯t show any movement.


    "Xia Hua. Xiao Hua." He called her and shook her, but she gave no response. Jing Lihua frowned after being oscited continuously. What the hell?


    We don¡¯t touch an injured person, not definitely shake him like that! Did her stupid friend not even know that?


    "I¡¯m alright." Jing Lihua finally said after some time and glowered at Mo Liang. "Stop shaking me now! I said I¡¯m alright!"


    "You are not alright, you are bleeding profusely."


    That gives no reason to continue shaking me!


    Mo Liang looked genuinely concerned that stopped Jig Lihua from cursing him. Finally making sure Jing Lihua pressed the tissue paper against her head and stopped the bleeding, he shouted at Su Lanfen. "Stop right there!"


    By now Su Lanfen had also observed something was wrong. Jing Lihua was bleeding. A lot of people had gathered around Mo Liang and Jing Lihua.


    Su Lanfen stopped and turned back to look. Mo Liang¡¯s face looked terrifying. No one could have guessed that the charming prince Liang could bring out such expressions. "Do you know the consequences of your actions? I won¡¯t let you off! I don¡¯t care if you belong to some Su family or not. I won¡¯t let you off till you pay back for it!"


    Su Lanfen¡¯s looked upset. Exchanging insults in open didn¡¯t matter. Even harming your enemies behind their backs couldn¡¯t hurt much because no one would find any evidence. But this... she had unintentionally injured Jing Lihua in front of everyone. This could be problematic.


    "I-I just lightly bumped into her. She faked the fall."


    "Does that blood look fake to you>"


    "It was unintentional. Why are you creating such a fuss?" Su Lanfen knew she belonged to the great Su family. She didn¡¯t need to fear. They couldn¡¯t do anything to her. Even the rumors could be eradicated using her family influence.


    Slowly, Jing Lihua got up. Still holding a tissue paper against her bleeding forehead, she walked to Su Lanfen. Her eyes were cold and sharp.


    "I warned you Su Lanfen." Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes were cold yet threatening. "Apologize to me and I would let you off. Decline to do so, I would have you and your friends thrown out of the restaurant."


    Su Lanfenughed at her warning. Her friends also followed her and threw insults at Jing Lihua.


    "What does she think?"


    "Is she mad?"


    "She can¡¯tpete with Su Lanfen"


    "Must have gone mad after hitting her head"


    "Who do you think the restaurant manager choose? You or the great ¡¯Su family¡¯. There is a difference in status between you and me, Jing Lihua. You seem to keep forgetting this since this morning. This difference is very big and you can¡¯t climb it then no matter how much you try. You can never rival the Su family. Whatever you do, you are nothing in front of me. I can destroy you in seconds." What a stupid woman. How could she dare to threaten her? But no worries. Su Lanfen would soon show her the right ce she belonged to.

 Chapter 32 - A new enemy

    <h4>Chapter 32 - A new enemy</h4>


    Jing Lihua smiled faintly at the end of her long speech. Yes, yes, Su Lanfen could destroy herter. But right now, Jing Lihua was going to destroy her.


    "I warned you." Jing Lihua informed her, being a good person she was. She didn¡¯t want her toterin that Jing Lihua bullied her.


    She gave a notion to the security guards who had also gathered around along with a small crowd, after listening to themotion. They quickly understood and followed hermand.


    "Miss, follow us out of the restaurant. You have disrupted the moral code. The restaurant will no longer serve you."


    Su Lanfen was stunned.


    "Are you joking? Do you know who I am?"


    "Miss please cooperate with us. Otherwise, we¡¯ll have to use harsh measures."


    "I¡¯ll have your whole family killed before dawn!"


    The security guards looked wary. The nced at Jing Lihua. She gave them an assuring nod. They understood and continued to work on their President¡¯smand.


    "What are you doing? Don¡¯t you dare to touch me..." Su Lanfen looked around. Jing Lihua was smiling; openly mocking her. How dare that bitch! Su Lanfen was not stupid. She knew that Jing Lihua won this match so she yielded. But she would get back at her! She would make her pay a thousand times! "Fine! I¡¯ll follow you out." Su Lanfen red at Jing Lihua and said. "Don¡¯t assume you won. When I make my move, you¡¯ll regret ever crossing me."


    With that, under the humiliating scoffs of all the people in the restaurant, she walked out. Su Lanfen and her friends had their heads lowered. They could discern the faint whispers of the crowd, mocking them. Some of the people had even recorded their interaction. She had never been humiliated like that in her entire life!


    "Idiot. She should have known who she was fighting with." Mo Liangughed. "Bit*h spoiled all the good mood."


    "You don¡¯t seem like your mood is spoiled. On the contrary, you sound quite cheerful." Jing Lihua nced at one of the waiters and said. "Bring me the CCTV recording"


    "Yes, President" The worker quickly brought it. Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t say Su Lanfen was stupid. It wasn¡¯t her fault that she didn¡¯t know this restaurant was already bought by Jing Lihua. In fact, Jing Lihua had only recently bought it. The restaurant was small but it was located at a nice located. The business was good. It was even in nice condition.


    "Let¡¯s get you to the hospital. You need stitches... Between what are you nning to do with that video?" Mo Liang looked excited. He couldn¡¯t just wait to face p that bit*h further. He wanted more drama! He wanted more entertainment! His Xiao Hua was so fun to hang around with!


    "What do you think?"


    "I think you should..."


    Mo Liang said something but Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t listen. Because suddenly, her brain had gone silent. All she could hear was a high pitched scream. She looked around. Mo Liang was talking normally. She could tell that because his lips were moving energetically. But she couldn¡¯t hear him at all. It seemed the voice was only in her head. She ced her hands over her ears. Her head felt light, her vision dizzy. Mo Liang had noticed something was wrong when Jing Lihua stopped and her face paled.


    "Xiao Hua, are you alright?"


    But she didn¡¯t hear anything. Just an ear-piercing scream that numbed her senses. Suddenly, she copsed.


    ...


    In the Sunset Square apartments.


    When Li Zhiqiang received the news from Wang Yi, his heart became unsettled.


    "Brother Li, would you please stop smoking? You know I¡¯ve asthma." Li Xunined. His words were, however, totally disregarded. Silence followed with another stream of thick smoke that suffocated him into crying. Li Xun was going crazy.


    It was Jing Lihua who was injured. Why did he have to suffer!


    "I¡¯ve informed our piolet. Your private jet is ready for the flight to Beijing." Li Xun said.


    Silence.


    "Brother..."


    "What is the name of that woman?" Suddenly Li Zhiqiang broke his silence.


    "Who?" Li Xun was confused for a while. "The one who hurt Jing Lihua? Su Lanfen? Do you want me to have our men kill her? Wait... that would be too kind. So you want me to have her abducted her then slowly tortured her to death?"


    Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t say anything.


    "I¡¯m going to Beijing. You¡¯ve to manage the office during my absence."


    What! Li Xun wanted to cry. He had been happy that with his brother¡¯s absence he could have a few days off. He had even booked tickets for a vacation!

 Chapter 33 - First meeting.

    <h4>Chapter 33 - First meeting.</h4>


    "When would she wake up?" The doctors wouldn¡¯t let them in the VIP room asserting she needed rest. Zhao Liying had rushed to the hospital from the studio leaving her work in the middle. No one knew where had she went. Her manager had been calling her like a madman finally forcing her to switch off her cell.


    "I don¡¯t know. The doctors said that the injury wasn¡¯t that serious. They have stitched it up. She lost some blood. Might have caused her to pass out. She should have woken up by now."


    "About the Su Lanfen..."


    "I¡¯ve already contacted my familywyer. We have evidence. I won¡¯t let her off for hurting our Xiao Hua." Mo family had one of the topwyers in Beijing. He was trustworthy so he definitely couldn¡¯t be bribed and all his family lived aboard and there was no way to threaten him.


    Zhao Liying nodded, though she knew it would not be enough. Su Lanfen belonged to the Su family, the number one in Beijing. At most, they could harm her reputation. But to do more than that... was impossible. She had already tried when Su Lanfen had ndered her. But she couldn¡¯t even harm her reputation.


    The two talked about how to deal with Su Lanfen and as they did, they didn¡¯t notice a man intentionally dressed in a casual attire quietly standing in a corner listening to their whole conversation. After the doctor¡¯s assurance, Zhao Liying left while Mo Liang snoozed off in the waiting room.


    "We have run the tests. Ms. Jing¡¯s condition is not caused by her head injury. The head injury is only superficial. Instead, in her system, we have found a rare lethal drug. The drug has no odor and is barely detectable. It starts to take its effect in just twenty minutes. It was lucky she was brought here instantly otherwise she might have suffered permanent damage to her organs." The director paused for a second when he saw an unsettled expression unfolding on Li Zhiqiang¡¯s face. Scary.


    This morning he had nned to take a day off after a week of night shifts. At 4 am he received a call. The person imed that he was Li Zhiqiang¡¯s secretary. The doctorughed out. Haha! Such a nice prank. But to be safe, he checked the official number.


    And to his terror, the number matched the one he received the call from! He was jolted wide awake. He quickly called back and apologized a thousand times while cursing under his breath and grabbing his white coat, he rushed to the hospital without evenbing his hair or washing his face. The hospital doctor team was surprised to see their head doctor like that. And the funny thing, he couldn¡¯t even justify his panic by revealing them he revealed a call from Hong Kong No. 1pany secretary. He could only say the patient was very important.


    Since then, he had put his whole team of doctors to treat Jing Lihua. He could dare tomit a single mistake while treating such an important patient!


    "There is no need to worry. We have detoxified the drug and cleared it out of her system. ording to the results, the drug was present in herst meal. Once she wakes up, she¡¯ll be free to leave. but for further insurance, I rmend she stay here for another night to get back her strength."


    "You¡¯ll not reveal this information to anyone else. Not even to Jing Lihua."


    The doctor shuddered. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t! His tongue should rot away from massive gangrene if he dares to think about that!


    "Rest assured Mr. Li. I wouldn¡¯t"


    "Give me your coat"


    "Ha...? Um... Alright." Weird. But nevertheless, he obliged.


    Li Zhiqiang took over the coat, walked away towards her room while leaving a befuddled doctor staring at his back. At a distance, he gave his brother a call while heading towards the VIP room.


    "Find out the backgrounds of every member of the restaurant."


    Li Xun was already scratching his head dealing with massive office work. When he heard anothermand from his brother, he wanted to bang his head in the table.


    "And do it yourself. I want you to keep the process secretive. We can¡¯t trust anyone."


    Li Zhiqiang cut off the call, not even troubling to listen to his brother¡¯s wails. He opened the door and walked into the VIP room. His eyes softened. How long had it been since he had seen her? His heart throbbed loudly as he walked closer to her. Even her mere presence had such an intense effect on him.


    Sheid on the white bed. Her eyes were closed. A white bandage was wrapped around her head. Her hand was connected to an IV drip. There were two nurses attending her.


    "Leave."


    They knew who he was some important tycoon so they left without any objection. Li Zhiqiang walked to her side. Her cheeks were paled. He sat on the bed, beside her and grabbed her hand. It was cold. He ced her hand on hisp and rubbed it gently, attempting to warm it up.


    So many intense emotions assaulted him. So many memories; happy and sad. An intense desire to look into her jade-like eyes bubbled in his heart. But she was unconscious.


    "Once again. I¡¯ve failed to protect you"


    He raised his hand and reached her face. The back of his hand caressed her soft cheek. His heart filled with affection towards that woman. Her face was cold. He wanted to hug her and fill her with his warmth but stopped fearing it might wake her up.


    He was so scared when he had listened to the doctor. What if they had dyed? He could even bear the thought of what would have happened then. Would he have lost her forever? He remembered what had happened back then when he thought he lost her. He had gotten into a nightmare. He had lost all his will, became a working machine without emotions; he had lost himself. Only once he knew she was alright, he snapped out of it.


    "Would you forgive me?"


    Suddenly Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes fluttered and they opened slowly. Li Zhiqiang was captivated by those pairs of bewitching eyes.

 Chapter 34 - How dare he!

    <h4>Chapter 34 - How dare he!</h4>


    Author Note:


    I¡¯ll tell you this once and for all. Li Zhiqiang IS THE MALE LEAD.


    Phew!


    I¡¯ve said this before countless times but you guys seem to miss it always. So here, I scream it. Also, Su Liwei is the second male lead. Although he loves FL, he is confused and will make mistakes that will make him lose her. So there are two Male Leads in my novel. We don¡¯t get to see that much in web novels cause Second male lead is often narrated as a trashy, greedy man who hates the female lead and has no feelings for her. But It gets boring after some time. So I wanted to try something new. I hope you support the new setting!


    Love author!


    ---


    Jing Lihua¡¯s vision was blurry. It slowly adjusted to focus. Her eyes met a breathtaking face. She was dazed, not knowing where she was or how she got here.


    "What happened?" She quickly tried to get up into a sitting position. Memories of the yesterday appeared in her mind. She had passed out in the restaurant. Mo Liang... he must have brought her here.


    "Easy." Li Zhiqiang helped her sit.


    "Who are you?"


    Li Zhiqiang fell silent. Did she really not recognize him? Or was she still angry and pretending to not know him? He looked deeply into her eyes. She looked genuinely confused. So she really did forget him? Li Zhiqiang went gloomy.


    She shivered. Why is the temperature suddenly falling? Did she say something wrong?


    "I¡¯m Li Zhiqiang."


    Why did the name sound familiar? Who could it be? She didn¡¯t know any Li Zhiqiang. Then she thought, she was in a hospital room. So it must be a doctor, Right? Who else could it be? And he was also wearing a white coat so...


    "You must be the doctor?"


    No answer.


    The man didn¡¯t say anything. Why is he staring at her like that? She couldn¡¯t exactly describe the look. It was like a child would stare at someone who had stolen his favorite candy.


    Weird.


    But in the end, he didn¡¯t deny being a doctor.


    What a moody doctor! Wouldn¡¯t even reply!


    "Doctor Li? Why are you holding my hand?"


    "I¡¯m taking your pulse." Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t want to let go of her hand so he shamelessly lied.


    Alright, calm down! Calm down. His hand was warm and felt soothing to her cold hand. How much time was required to take someone¡¯s pulse? Why was he not letting go of her hand? The tension in the air was killing her!


    And why was her heart beating so fast? Must be because of the IV drip. Yup. Must be it. She didn¡¯t want to admit that the ridiculously hot doctor in her proximity was the reason her heart was somersaulting. Could he not sit a further away to give her air to breath?


    "Where are my friends? Mo Liang and Zhao Liying?" Jing Lihua attempted to start and conservation and break the suffocating tension in the air.


    Silence. A very long silence. When Jing Lihua finally gave up all the hopes that the moody doctor was going to give her an answer, he spoke.


    "Mr. Mo passed out in the resting room. Ms. Zhao had waited along with Mr. Mo for four hours before she had to leave to attend to some business. Would you like to send someone to wake him?"


    "No, it¡¯s okay."


    Jing Lihua felt concerned for Mo Liang. She knew what kind of azy person he was. And to have him wait for her for so many hours, he deserved this much rest. Suddenly she felt the hold on her wrist tighten a bit. She didn¡¯t know that while her face was filled with concern for Mo Liang, Li Zhiqiang had been intently looking at her, studying her expressions.


    "What is your rtionship with Mr. Mo?" He suddenly asked.


    What happened to the moody doctor now?


    "Friends"


    "Just friends?"


    "Yes...?"


    Silence. His gripped eased. Jing Lihua waited. Was he not going to exin why he asked that? She looked at him with expectant eyes. Still, he revealed no intentions of exining. Finally not being able to endure his silence anymore, she opened her mouth but at the same time, he said.


    "Someone from the family needed to sign the forms."


    So he thought Mo Liang was her husband or something? What the hell! Not only this doctor was moody, but he was also dumb! Who in the Beijing didn¡¯t know she was married to Su Liwei? Did this doctor even know who she was?


    "Doctor Li, how long is it going to have you check my pulse?"


    She wasn¡¯t a doctor but she knew that much that taking pulse didn¡¯t take this long that this dumb moody doctor was taking. To this, the moody doctor finally let go of her wrist. She eased; only now she realized how psychologically pressurizing his hold was on her wrist.


    To her surprise, he went to a side and picked up a tray from the side table, brought it in front of her and ced it in herp. And to her even greater surprise, he took a spoonful of porridge and guided it to her mouth. Jing Lihua tilted her head slightly.


    "What are you doing?"


    "You need nutrition."


    "Alright. I can eat myself."


    "No, you can¡¯t" He nced at her right hand that was connected to the IV drip. Why was his JingJing so stubborn?


    "I can eat with my left..."


    Before she could finish, he shoved the spoon in her mouth.


    F.u.c.k!


    This dumb, moody doctor was crazy too?


    Before she could object, he shoved another spoon in her mouth. She stared at him with big startled eyes filled with incredulity. Li Zhiqiang found her expressions quite cute. Something fluttered in his chest. She looked like an adorable kitten. A severe urge to pat her rose in his heart. But he pushed back his urge, thinking it would be difficult to exin if he did that. He guided another spoonful to her mouth totally ignoring her objections.


    How dare he! How dare he disrespect the President of the Tang enterprise! Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know what the hell was wrong with this doctor¡¯s head. She admitted that he was unreasonably hot but that didn¡¯t give him any excuse to act on his will!


    She glowered at him trying to make her face look as scary as possible. But in Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes, she looked more and more appealing and cute. Surprisingly his JingJing looked more alluring when angry. Hmm... Should he purposely anger her in the future?


    If Jing Lihua knew what was going on through this man¡¯s head, she would have wanted to kill herself. That her seriously maintained scary face with great difficulty and it was having the opposite effect.


    "You want to get fired? Don¡¯t cross lines."


    So his JingJing knows how to threaten. Since thest time, she has really grown ferocious. But he liked the change.


    Why is there amus.e.m.e.nt in his eyes instead of fear? Jing Lihua wasn¡¯t satisfied with his response. What would it take to scare him? She would pay anything just to see a scared look on his face!


    "Do you think I can¡¯t fire you?"


    He only stared at her with a small smile.


    "I don¡¯t care if you fire me. Caring for a patient, not to mention such a beautiful patient, is my utmost concern"


    D-Did he just flirt with her? Does he not know she is married? And why is her heart beating faster? Jing Lihua¡¯s face flushed. She agreed that he was hot but mere the looks shouldn¡¯t have such an effect on her. For some reason, she lost her anger.


    Jing Lihua snatched the spoon from him and grumpily ate the tasteless porridge to show him that she could eat it herself while ring at him from the corner of her eyes with fake anger. This trick seems to work on her employers. Why is it not working on him? The spoon slipped from her hand. She picked it up. It slipped again.


    How difficult it can be to eat with the left hand? She wouldn¡¯t give up. She wouldn¡¯t give that crazy doctor a chance tough at her!


    While struggling with the spoon, she identally pped it.


    Swoosh!


    It flew across the room while spilling porridge everywhere. Her clothes were dirtied, her bedsheets were messed up. Even her face was smeared with it.


    When he saw his JingJing¡¯s beautiful face smeared with porridge, he couldn¡¯t resist the urge tough. He couldn¡¯t control himself. She looked so cute. A kitten ying in porridge.


    No. Don¡¯t you dare. Don¡¯t you dareugh at me! Don¡¯t you know who I¡¯m? I can make your life miserable. Finally, in desperation, she cried.


    "Why are you still standing here? If there isn¡¯t anything else, I would like some time alone to rest"

 Chapter 35 - Crazy Doctor with a satanic withcraft!

    <h4>Chapter 35 - Crazy Doctor with a satanic withcraft!</h4>


    Author Note.


    Hello, my lovely readers. First of let me thank you for taking me in the first 100 original rankings. I love you so much!


    Second, I just created a discord server. I¡¯m so excited! I¡¯ve been nning to create one for a long time. Also, I¡¯ve been looking around searching for my character¡¯s pics. I¡¯ve found Su Liwei, Li Zhiqiang, Zhao Liying, Mo Liang, Jing Lihua pictures. If you want to see them, type this link on google.


    discord.gg/G6QZpBt (I have also typed this link in synopsis and author note so you can copy easily)


    Join my server, go to CEO Vengeful Wife - characters photos and scroll up.


    You can also chat with me on my server, ask questions, get spoilers! I¡¯ll be waiting for you, my dear readers!


    ...


    "I came here to disconnect the IV drip once it finishes. I¡¯ll leave after disconnecting it. No one will disturb you again" His JingJing was really losing her temper. He should not anger her that much. No matter how much he liked it, her health was still recovering. So being thoughtful, he decided it was enough. For only today, of course.


    Jing Lihua saw his serious expressions and became satisfied. Better. She should haveshed at him earlier if it was what that required to keep him in line.


    Somehow, Jing Lihua endured his imposing presence until the IV drip finished. All the while he kept looking at her as if she was some decoration; his favorite decoration. She really wanted to poke something in his eyes. Luckily, the IV drip finished in two minutes. Once it was done, the crazy doctor walked to her right side and gently took out the needle. During so he had to lean over her slightly. Once again Jing Lihua¡¯s heart rate picked up. She cursed under her breath. His faint cologne felt pleasant to her senses. She was intoxicated. His fingers brushed her skin and left a faint tingling.


    Now what? What sort of satanic witchcraft that crazy doctor was using? How could he make the President of Tang enterprise feel like a hormonal teenager?


    Jing Lihua repeatedly pinched herself with her other hand to keep herself from going berserk.


    Just at the time, she felt like she was about to lose her nerves, the door flew opened and Mo Liang came in with disheveled blond hair and groggy eyes.


    "Xiao Hua, you woke up! How are you feeling now?"


    Never in her entire life has she felt more happy to see Mo Liang than now. That goddamit crazy doctor finally left. She gave out a long sigh in relief.


    "While you were unconscious, your secretary, Mei Xiu called. She said there was something important..."


    "You didn¡¯t tell her I was unconscious?"


    "I did... Why?"


    Damn. Mei Xiu would have informed her grandfather. And thest thing she wanted was to listen to an earful from her grandfather. She picked up her cell. She was shocked.


    "What is it Jing Lihua?"


    "Su Lanfen, remember she said she would get back at me? Looks like she has already set herself in action." Jing Lihua tiled her phone to show Mo Liang.


    There were thousands of insults on her social media ount. When they traced the source of those insults, they found countless pictures of her and Mo Liang. In one such picture, it appeared they were kissing. And there was another picture of Mo Liang and Jing Lihua spotted in the hospital. There were numerous rumors on the inte.


    "What a s.l.u.t! How long has it been since she married?"


    "No. I won¡¯t allow this. I won¡¯t allow a married woman defile my Prince!"


    "Guys, look closely. What do these photos reveal? They were spotted in a hospital. Think carefully. What else could it be? The s.l.u.t must have gotten herself pregnant with Mo Liang¡¯s child. Mo Liang must have dragged her there for an abortion."


    "Well if you look at logically, it does seem reasonable."


    "Was she not satisfied with one tycoon that she stole our prince. No. I won¡¯t consent to it. I won¡¯t share my prince with anyone, not certainly with a married woman. @Jing_Lihua leave our prince alone!"


    "@Jing_Lihua go to hell!"


    Before they could continue reading more insults, Mo Liang grabbed the phone from her hands.


    "Jing Lihua, you have just recovered. Don¡¯t get stressed. Don¡¯t read these nastyments. They are just idle haters. I¡¯ll release a statement and clear everything."


    Jing Lihua was calm.


    "The CCTV video? Where is it?"


    "I sent it to your secretary by Wang Yi hands."


    Jing Lihua was a little upset. It would not only be social media. She was sure that the news must have spread to medial channels and already printed to newspapers. As the president of Tang¡¯s enterprise, her reputation was critical. It would have a direct effect on thepany¡¯s worth.


    Her phone rang; an unknown number. Jing Lihua picked it up.


    "Hello?"


    "You must have received the news by now." Jing Lihua heard a cheerfulugh from Su Lanfen. "Do you regret it now? This is just a glimpse of the things I¡¯m capable of doing. Did I not tell you I¡¯ll get back to you for what you did. In my entire life, no one has humiliated me like that. But you dared to do that. Bear the consequences... So what are you thinking now? Probably going to try and remove all those scandals? If you n so, let me tell you, you¡¯ll fail. Unless you get a million people working under you, day and night. But don¡¯t just focus on this little show. There is a lot worseing for you. Trust me I can do a lot worse than that."


    "Sister Lanfen, I could never guess you would do that," Jing Lihua¡¯s deliberately made her voice emotional. "But I¡¯m not a coward. I¡¯ll not forgive you for what you did at the restaurant."


    "I see. You still have your arrogance. But I got all the CCTV cleared while you were away at the hospital. Do you know my favorite rumor? Jing Lihua got pregnant by Mo Liang and he forced her to have an abortion in the hospital? Genius isn¡¯t it? I thought of it myself. You¡¯ve no ground to stand on. The thing that happened, no one will ever know about that. So good luck Jing Lihua, proving that you are not a coward. Haha..."


    Jing Lihua cut the call and rolled her eyes.


    "Idiot" Shemented.


    "You recorded the call, didn¡¯t you?"


    "How do you know me so well?"


    "Sister Lanfen, I could never guess you would do that." Mo Liang mimicked in a high pitched emotional girly voice. "I immediately knew you were recording"


    "Now let us discuss the content of that statement you will post tomorrow."J ing Lihua smiled cunningly. She had it all nned up.

 Chapter 36 - Counter-attack

    <h4>Chapter 36 - Counter-attack</h4>


    Jing Lihua wanted to leave at once but Mo Liang told her that the doctors rmended staying a night. As she didn¡¯t want to be confronted by that crazy doctor, she agreed. In the morning, she traveled straight to her office. Mei Xiu was already in the office.


    "President, while you were away..." Mei Xiu looked tense.


    "I know." Jing Lihua walked into the elevator with her. "I received your message."


    At nine am, Mo Liang¡¯s official ount made a statement.


    "To all my devout fans and followers, first of all, I would like to thank you for the love you show me. My all loyal fans know I don¡¯t beat about the bush and get straight to the point. As most of you know that recently there have been disturbing photos of me and Jing Lihua circting over the social media. I will officially make my statement now. I and Jing Lihua do not have any sort of romantic rtionship. Jing Lihua is my best friend and it is a natural thing to find so my photos of someone with his best friend. As for the ¡¯only¡¯ suspicious photo of us, there¡¯s the same photo from another angle I¡¯ve posted previously. I would leave this decision to my fans to decide whether the photo was tampered with or not. For us being spotted at the hospital yesterday, Jing Lihua got into an ident. Who caused that ident, would be revealed soon. So I request followers not to believe in blind rumors. Love, Your Liang Prince."


    Soon the post was flooded withments.


    "OMG! Mo Liang actually made a statement? I didn¡¯t expect that! What was thest time he used his official ount? I expected that he would be hiding in shame somewhere after being exposed."


    "What are you barking? Get out of here. This section is only for our Prince loyal fans. And we trust what he says. Why would he be hiding in shame when he clearly stated that Jing Lihua was just his friend? There is nothing to be ashamed of."


    "Seriously guys? You had to nder Jing Lihua so much? Why can¡¯t a woman and a man be just friends without fingers rising in objection."


    "We trust your words @Mo_Liang. We¡¯ll support you."


    "Come on guys! It is obviously a lie! He is trying to cover up for Jing Lihua. The sl*t is obviously pregnant with his child."


    "Why are you here again. Get the f*ck out! The loyal fans trust whatever he says. You must be a fake fan."


    "Guys, did you read well? He said someone tampered with the photo. Could there be someone trying to nder our Prince."


    "No way!"


    "I¡¯ll fu*king kill whoever dares to think about that!"


    "It is reasonable. See? Our Prince said Jing Lihua got into an ident. He also said it will all be revealed soon. Could it be a part of a big conspiracy? To nder both Jing Lihua and Mo Liang."


    "I¡¯ve seen a reality show that Jing Lihua volunteered. She was amazing. Since that day I¡¯m her fan too. And I can vouch for her character. She would never do something like that."


    "Yeah, I¡¯ve heard Jing Lihua opened a charity shop in slums. She has a nice heart."


    "This drama is for poprity. Do you really believe that those rich people would care for the homeless? They just want their faces published in tabloids."


    "It must be it; someone is trying to nder them both. Now we all have to wait and see who is it."


    "@Jing_Lihua and @Mo_Liang, we¡¯re with you!"


    Jing Lihua was swapping through her screen briefly ncing at thements. while walking to the Heng Bingwen¡¯s office. Mo Liang had a lot of loyal fans. Just a word from him and a majority of them trusted him. As for the negative responses, she knew who was behind.


    Must be the 50 cent army to change public opinion. How many people Su Lanfen had employed to flood thement sections against her?


    She knocked at the door.


    "Come in." His voice was gruff.


    When Jing Lihua walked in, she saw Heng Bingwen sitting in front of multiple screens. His eyes were bloodshot. When he saw her, he rose in respect.


    "President, why you came in person? You should have called me. How are your injuries now?"


    "I¡¯m fine. Nothing serious." Jing Lihua showed him Mo Liang¡¯s ount. "Will you be able to trace the fake ounts and block them on your own?"


    "Yes, President."


    "Good. This matter is urgent. Suspend other tasks. Focus entirely on stopping this scandal." Jing Lihua personally didn¡¯t care about the scandal. But because of her connection with the Tang enterprise, her reputation would have a direct effect on the corporation. She had to stop it.


    "I had already started working on it since yesterday." Heng Bingwen¡¯s eyes looked groggy. He must have not slept. Poor kid. He deserved a raise. "When I received your message this morning. I started keeping a track of all the media channels. I was ready to corrupt their files if they had something against you. But... I didn¡¯t find a thing. No media channel released the scandal."


    "How is this possible?" Jing Lihua had been expected for worst after Su Lanfen¡¯s critical warning. How could it be possible that no media updated this scandal? Without media coverage, simple social media rumors were useless. They would soon die on their own in a few days.


    "When they didn¡¯t show any sign of activity, I hacked into their CCTV recordings and looked into it thoroughly. It seemed that half of the major media groups had initially nned to release those scandals against you; they even had printed the newspapers and prepared the scripts but they stopped at thest moment. They canceled the broadcasts and altered the headlines. But the most strange thing was that not a single one of the tiniest channel whispered a thing. What do you think it implies? They were scared; scared of something big."


    Jing Lihua had a great hunch about that matter. It wasn¡¯t exactly a nice feeling and it wasn¡¯t, of course, a bad feeling.


    "Who do you think is behind it?"


    "I tracked down the phone record of all of the major anchors and reporters. And only one thing connected them all. They all received a call from a private number from a massive corporate in Hong Kong. And you wouldn¡¯t believe the name of the corporate." Heng Bingwen groggy eyes were reinvigorated with zeal.

 Chapter 37 - A glimpes into the past

    <h4>Chapter 37 - A glimpes into the past</h4>


    "Which corporate is it?"


    "Its Hong Kong¡¯s biggest corporate; the Li..."


    Before he could finish or Jing Lihua could think anything, Mei Xiu rushed to the room without a proper knock.


    "President, pardon my manners. There is something important." She looked pale. Her hands were trembling and she was heavily panting like she had run all the way here.


    "What happened?" Jing Lihua was instantly alerted.


    "The restaurant... the restaurant where President went with Mr. Mo. A man reported to me just now. All the chef crew was found dead in the restaurant kitchen."


    ...


    At the Mealor mansion.


    A middle-aged man was going through an old album. In the photo, there were four people Yang Biyu, Su Donghai, Su Guozhi and Tang Yuyan. In all the photos, Tang Yuyan was in Su Gouzhi arms and one could easily discern with a little attentiveness that the couple shared a more than friendly rtion. The photos belonged to their teen years. They all had smiles on their faces. One could tell they were all close friends and having the best time of their lives. There were their photos from their trips to Japan, Hong Kong, Huwai and Switzend. In fact, there wasn¡¯t a single ce they left.


    Su Donghai turned to the next section. In this section, the tragedy started. The looks Yang Biyu gave to Su Gouzhi changed. Longing and envy appeared in her eyes. The four of them were still smiling but now, only the two of them had real smiles. Neither Su Donghai nor Yang Biyu¡¯s smiles were genuine. Yang Biyu looked longingly at Su Guozhi while Su Donghai looked longingly at Yang Biyu.


    Su Donghai was disturbed by a call from his personal secretary.


    "What happened?"


    His secretary exined everything about the recent activities of his daughter, Su Lanfen. He also informed him how she failed to get the media and how the chefs were found dead in the restaurant. Even the CCTV recordings were cleared by Su Lanfen and there was an obvious evidence of that.


    In the end, Su Donghai was furious.


    "Send for Su Lanfen. Tell her toe and meet me right now!" That stupid girl! How dare she make such a big move without even consulting her father!


    ...


    In the photographic studio.


    After having countless shots, Su Lanfen opened her ount in hopes to find more insults directed towards Jing Lihua. But she was stunned to find an entirely different reality. Her subscriber number had reduced to half and her ount was filled with insults.


    "@Su_Lanfen die you bitch!


    "How dare you turn us against our prince! I¡¯ll personallye and kill you!"


    "From now on I¡¯ll never buy any dress she wears. #Unsubscribe Su Lanfen"


    "I used to be her devout fan but after finding her reality I¡¯m truly stunned. How can I be so blind to follow such a disgusting liar my whole life? #Unsubscribe Su_Lanfen"


    "Congrattions @Su_Lanfen you¡¯ve sessfully turned a devout fan to a devout hater. I¡¯ll make sure to curse you the rest of my entire life on this app."


    "I knew it. No one believed it. I¡¯ve been following Jing Lihua activities for thest few days. She has a decent character. This bi*ch surely tried to frame Jing Lihua and Mo Liang."


    "I don¡¯t understand why did she even make that move against them? What did Mo Liang and Jing Lihua do to make her hate them?"


    "Must be jealous of her recent aplishments. Did you not hear the audio? She surely sounds very proud of her Su family."


    "But what did she said? ¡¯The thing that happened, no one will ever know about that¡¯ I¡¯m very curious about what happened in the restaurant?"


    "What is to be curious about. We know that she is a b*tch and that¡¯s what we need to know."


    Su Lanfen couldn¡¯t endure reading anymore. Her face was paled. She quickly clicked the home page. And there it was, the trending post; the audio originally posted a famous celebrity on the app and then shared countless times. The attention the topic got, was gone overboard. Even the scandal she spread didn¡¯t get that attention. She looked through the app and found that Mo Liang had made an official response that woke up his thousand of fans and resulted in such a dramatic response.


    When she had recklessly called Jing Lihua, she knew that Jing Lihua could have recorded her call. But Su Lanfen wasn¡¯t worried. She believed that even if Jing Lihua had evidence, there wouldn¡¯t be anyone who would dare to nder her because of fear of Su family. Even if they did, with Su family¡¯s power, she could easily ovee the rumors. But she was proven wrong.


    Su Lanfen was going mad. She frantically went through thetest news on media channels. She couldn¡¯t find a thing against Jing Lihua. Su Lanfen¡¯s heart dropped. Not a single reporter whispered about the Jing Lihua scandal. In fact, after typing her name, all that appeared was praises of her charity works and her recent sess. After that, she quickly called her manager.


    "Why the media has not released the scandal yet? I emptied half oy bank ounts to fill their pockets! How dare they turn their backs on me!"


    "Su Lanfen I¡¯m trying to contact them. But no one from the media channels is picking my call. And also there is something impo..."


    "How dared they slight a member of Su family! I¡¯ll have them all killed!"


    "Su Lanfen listen to me! This is important. Your father¡¯s secretary gave me a call. Mr. Su must have gotten the news by now. You need to n what to say to your father. Your father has asked for you to immediately return home. His secretary said he is very angry."


    Su Lanfen¡¯s heart was chilled with terror.


    ...


    Author note.


    Just to tell you all who is who.


    Yang Biyu: Su Liwei and Su Jiayi mother. Su Guozhi wife. Jing Lihua¡¯s mother inw. She is dead.


    Tang Yuyan: Jing Lihua mother. Jing Shuping¡¯s wife. Tang Liuwei (Jing Lihua grandfather) only daughter. She is also dead.


    Su Guozhi. Eldest son of Su family. He is adopted. ¡¯Apparently¡¯ Su Liwei and Su Jiayi father. Su Donghai elder brother. Yang Biyu¡¯s husband.


    Su Donghai. Youngest son of Su family. Su Lanfen¡¯s father. Su Liwei and Su Jiayi uncle. Yang Biyu (Su Liwei mother) lover before her death.


    Su Jiayi: Su Liwei younger sister. Jing Lihua sister inw.


    Su Lanfen: Su Donghai daughter. Su Liwei cousin. An A list model. Zhao Liying strongpetitor.

 Chapter 38 - The real culprit

    <h4>Chapter 38 - The real culprit</h4>


    When Su Lanfen walked out, she found a crowd of people outside her studio. It was not unusual. She was a famous model. Hundreds of her fans would line up outside to just get a glimpse of her. She walked out nervously. She thought after the recent blow to her reputation, she should act nice. She went to them to give her signatures and selfies. But what awaited her wasn¡¯t the was not the praises but insults.


    "Herees the bitch."


    "How dare you nder our Prince?!"


    "Did you think we are here for you? We are here for our prince! We are his loyal fans! Whoever wants to taint his name will have to fight with us."


    Some of the fans even tried toe forward and attack her. But her bodyguards quickly surrounded and safely guided her to her car. Su Lanfen was near to crying.


    It must be that bitch scheme!


    Su Lanfen wanted the insults to end desperately. She quickly picked up her phone and typed a response.


    "I had juste back from mytest shot and was shocked to find all that. How could my fans turn their backs on me at the moment of need? Will you believe I can do something like that? I¡¯ve no idea what Jing Lihua has against me to make her nder me like that but I say it now. I didn¡¯t even know about the rumors about Mo Liang and Jing Lihua till this morning. And though I¡¯ve seen them together on various asions, I never suspected their rtionship. After all, Jing Lihua is married to my cousin and I won¡¯t dare to raise a finger against her. She is my sister-inw. I would never tarnish her reputation. As of the audio, my true fans know it is entirely fake. I hope all my fans make a decision after finding the truth. Love Su Lanfen."


    There were subtle hints of her trying to say that the Mo Liang and Jing Lihua scandal was real. The post was instantly rushed with hundreds of responses.


    "If you say so Su Lanfen we¡¯ll trust you."


    "Everyone deserves a second chance but we won¡¯t forgive if you are proven wrong."


    "I trust my goddess. Listen carefully to the audio. Did you hear the voice? The voice of the person was though identical to our goddess but one could tell it was not the same gentle tone of Su Lanfen. The audio is obviously fake."


    "Jing Lihua is trying to divert the people¡¯s attention towards Su Lanfen and trying to hide her own scandal."


    Su Lanfen felt relieved after she read a series of positivements. Even though she lost half of her fans, the half that remained was true to her. Even the subscribers¡¯ number slowly began to recover after her post. She smiled as she thought about Jing Lihua¡¯s reaction once she looked at thosements that were back at insulting her.


    Unbeknownst to her Jing Lihua was dealing with trouble far greater than her and didn¡¯t even have time to pay Su Lanfen any mind. She walked with Heng Bingwen and Mei Xiu into the restaurant. The police were already involved, reporters were waiting outside. It was not a single murder that could be easily covered.


    It was a massive massacre. Twenty men ughtered brutally. There was no way to cover it.


    "President, you didn¡¯t have toe personally. I¡¯m afraid the scene must be gruesome for you. And you¡¯ve also just recovered from an injury. How about it; I and Mei Xiu inspect it?" Heng Bingwen had noticed that his President hadn¡¯t fully recovered yet. She was still a little weak.


    "How could I note? This restaurant is mine. The workers are my employees. Someone brutally killed my employees. How would I answer my conscience if I didn¡¯te?"


    Jing Lihua walked to the crime scene. Her eyes blurred as she watched the bloodbath in front of her. Forensic technicians were taking the samples and photographs. The scene reminded her of that winter evening in her grandfather¡¯s garden when she was killed.


    It was just like that evening. Dozens of her grandfather¡¯s loyal guards were butchered ruthlessly.


    "Are you alright, President?" Mei Xiu saw Jing Lihua staggering a little.


    "Yes, just go ahead and find the Chief officer"


    The chief officer was already waiting for Jing Lihua. She gave her statement and asked him to report to her from the progress of the case. When she stepped out of the restaurant, she was surrounded by reporters.


    "Mr. Jing, what do you think about the murder? Who do you suspect for is behind it?"


    "The audio released this morning clearly had Su Lanfen voice. She was found saying that she cleared the CCTV recording and no one will ever know what happened."


    "Su Lanfen imed that the audio was fake. What do you say, President Jing? Was it real or fake?"


    "If it was real, could it be Ms. Su behind the massacre?"


    "Would you testify against your sister-inw in the court?"


    "What do you think was her motive behind it?"


    The reporters were less ferocious than other celebrities while dealing with Jing Lihua. Now it wasmon knowledge among them that Jing Lihua had support from a massive force in Hong Kong. As from whom, only a handful of senior reporters knew.


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t reply to a single question unlike those who would have dly taken the opportunity to nder their enemies. She walked straight towards her car as her bodyguards cleared the path.

 Chapter 39 - She would insntall corpses in Tang Enterprise!

    <h4>Chapter 39 - She would insntall corpses in Tang Enterprise!</h4>


    Su Lanfen was crying. Her face had a hand printed on it. Her father had pped her just the moment she entered his study.


    "Why can¡¯t you learn from your cousins? Have you ever seen them take such a stupid step like this?"


    "But father she insulted me. Which means she insulted Su family."


    "Shut up!" Su Donghai didn¡¯t know how to get the situation under control. "Tell me truthfully. Did you get those people killed?"


    Su Lanfen¡¯s eyes widened.


    "No, father. I didn¡¯t", she cried, "Father even you would ask that? Don¡¯t you trust me?"


    "The stupidity you have done; I am ashamed to say that you are even my daughter. Not only you have ruined your reputation to the point of no return you¡¯ve also damaged your profession. We all want the same thing. To get Jing Lihua down. But have you ever seen anyone of us take such irrational measures? Even she could be deheated like that we would have long defeated her long ago." Su Lanfen was really giving him a headache. Why could she not be like Su Liwei?


    Su Lanfen sobbed. She didn¡¯t dare to raise her voice in objection in front of her father.


    "You know what is going to happen next? The drama you created in the restaurant; everybody is going to think it was you who did that. It is not a single murder that can be resolved easily. It is a massacre. The whole media, from all around the world, has been watching closely."


    "F-Father...", Su Lanfen was scared, "It must be Jing Lihua. She must have done it to frame me"


    Su Donghai couldn¡¯t tell if she was Jing Lihua or not. He wouldn¡¯t say something with certainty without carrying out an investigation. But it could be a possibility that it was Jing Lihua¡¯s scheme. After all, Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t cause any serious damage to Su Lanfen unless she took extreme measures. She knew that. Relying on her sources, she couldn¡¯t harm Su Lanfen when Su Lanfen had Su family behind her in any other way.


    Such a malicious wench! Su Donghai was determined to make her pay. But right now, they were in a dangerous position.


    "Listen carefully. Tomorrow, I want you to post a formal apology to Mo Liang and Jing Lihua on your official ount. Give whatever excuses you can. But apologize to them both and end this drama before they take their next step and ruin youpletely."


    "Father no! I won¡¯t apologize to her." How could Su Lanfen bear to humble herself in front of Jing Lihua? She would die than apologize to her!


    "You want to save your profession? Then do what I ask of you. Do it before they make their next move or else I¡¯ll immediately send you aboard and have your contract dissolved"


    ...


    On their way to the Tang enterprise.


    "Who could it be? Was it Su Lanfen?" Mei Xiu voiced what everyone was thinking.


    "I don¡¯t think it was her" Jing Lihua looked at Heng Bingwen who was dipping his head into a strange device in hisp, "Did they let you in the security room?"


    "Using President¡¯s name I managed to slip in the room easily. But I had to disconnect my device soon. I didn¡¯t want them to get suspicious."


    "Would I have to get you in the security room again?"


    "No, I¡¯ve more than enough data. I¡¯ve already started the process to recover the files. Soon, the face of the murderer will be revealed."


    "But that wouldn¡¯t get us the real culprit behind it. Would it?"


    "No, but it¡¯ll sure give us a lead"


    Jing Lihua waited for Heng Bingwen to finish his job while she contemted all the possibilities in her mind. It was not Su Lanfen behind the murders. Jing Lihua was sure of it. Su Lanfen didn¡¯t have a strong motive.


    But why would someone else even want to target those innocent chefs? What could they have possibly done to make a powerful force kill them? Maybe they knew something that would be threatening to the person who wanted them dead. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn¡¯te up with any other possible reason to have them ¡¯all¡¯ targetted at once. Even one or two of them had offended someone then there was no need to kill them all. So that was not the possibility.


    The person behind it obviously wanted to silence them all. But what could have they known?


    Food... Drinks... And suddenly an idea struck Lihua¡¯s mind:- Poison.


    "Mei Xiu. Note down. Later I want you to get through the lists of guests in the restaurant and check if any one of them died or... ended up in the hospital. Also, run an investigation on the restaurant¡¯s previous owner."


    The man was suspicious. As to how he willingly sold such a high functioning restaurant to her at a rtively low price; this had always unsettled Jing Lihua. He could easily sell it at a higher price. No one would go for what he did if he hadn¡¯t seen a greater profit in this choice. There was obviously a reason. Jing Lihua was getting more convinced that reason was connected to the murders.


    Jing Lihua walked straight to her office after sending away Mei Xiu to search for the records. On her way, she could feel a strange atmosphere lingering in the air as if a ghost has just passed from the lobby. All the employees were strangely quiet and extensively focused on their tasks as if suddenly the ghost would appear from a corner and catch them red-handed if they dared to ck.


    Weird.


    Did something happen while she was away?


    They all must have heard about the murders but that would have made them more gossipy and noisy. Why the opposite effect?


    She wanted to find out that method and exploit it to make her employees work that diligently. She made a mental note toter ask Mei Xiu to investigate it. If it was the murders that had scared them into diligence, she would install corpses in the Tang enterprise to make them work like this!


    Jing Lihua walked into her office and went straight for the doc.u.ments but she was halted midway when she noticed someone was sitting in the office chair.


    "Who is it?"


    Who dared to enter her office at his will!


    The chair turned around to reveal a familiar face.

 Chapter 40 - Cunning Grand-daughter

    <h4>Chapter 40 - Cunning Grand-daughter</h4>


    "Grandfather?" That was totally unexpected.


    Silence.


    He just coldly stared at her with his steady eyes as if expecting an exnation. The clock continued to tick in the background but he showed no signs of movements. Was he using some kind of psychological trick on her, he learned to scare his employees into obedience? If it was, it sure was working! She found her heart beating faster.


    Hmm... thinking about it, she should try this trick sometimes. She could learn a lot from her grandfather.


    "Grandfather. How long are we going to have this starepetition?"


    His face twitched in anger. He struggled to maintain a serious, scary face. Is this all she had to say? Is this all after almost giving him a heart attack?


    "You think its a joke?"


    "No obviously not. I just came back after witnessing a brutal massacre. It is obviously not a..."


    "Do you think I care for a bloody massacre?"


    That was a strange thing to say. Jing Lihua was befuddled. Who wouldn¡¯t care for a bloody massacre?


    Tang Liuwei had inquired about the incident from his secretary. But being as old as he was, he had witnessed countless mascaras during struggles for power between notable families of Beijing. All he needed to know was that his granddaughter wasn¡¯t affected. The rest didn¡¯t matter to him. So his cunning granddaughter couldn¡¯t use that excuse to escape.


    "Don¡¯t you dare to act so clueless. I received a call from your secretary. She told me everything. You were knocked unconscious and had to stay two nights in hospital"


    Damn Mei Xiu! I¡¯ll make sure to cut your wages half!


    "You can¡¯t fire Mei Xiu. You might be the President but I¡¯m the Chairman. Her position was decided by me. I had entrusted you to her and she¡¯ll stay to keep you in line."


    "I never said I was going to fire her" Why must she be med?


    "Your face tells everything"


    "Grandfather I know you are worried. But I¡¯m alright. If it was something serious, informing you would be the first thing I would do." Jing Lihua said putting the utmost sincerity in her words. Her grandfather¡¯s love for her was more genuine than anything else in the world. He was the only family she was left with after her mother¡¯s death. In herst life, he was the one who had supported her till her death. She felt guilty for not giving him a call. She should have paid more attention to him. After all, he was her only family.


    "Who said I was worried? I was merely upset about who would look after thepany in your absence"


    "..."


    Screw everything she just thought in her mind.


    Her grandfather finally smiled, letting lose his serious face after pissing his granddaughter off.


    "Stupid Xiao Lizi. You scared me to death."


    "Don¡¯t call me that in my office at least" Thest thing she wanted was to have her employees hear her being called Little pear.


    "When I heard the news I instantly flew to Beijing and went to the hospital straight. But I couldn¡¯t find you. I thought you must have gone back to your apartment to rest but you weren¡¯t also there. Knowing thezy you, this office was thest ce I had decided to look but considering your past, that I always found you at the most unexpected ce, I drove here. And here you are"


    "Grandfather?", Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, "How can you call mezy? I have been working tirelessly these past weeks. Even after getting out of the hospital, I went straight to work despite the doctors telling me to rest. You are the chairmen. I sent every file to you to sign before finalizing. You have seen how many changes I¡¯ve made in the corporate. How can you me me of beingzy?" Jing Lihua felt emotional. She was waiting to be praised for her hard work. But she was called zy¡¯? How unfair!


    Her grandfather¡¯s face turned dead serious again.


    Oops.


    "The doctors asked you to rest and you still came to office?"


    Her grandfather tricked her into telling him everything. And she was tricked... once again.


    "G-Grandfather, it wasn¡¯t that..."


    "You areing with me to my farmhouse right now" His tone was unrelenting. He walked to the ss panes and called his secretary to book two tickets to his farmhouse.


    No, she had to stop it. There was a lot going in here. She couldn¡¯t leave it all in the middle. Especially now that Su Liwei was up to make his next move.


    "Grandfather!"


    "No negotiations"


    "But grandfather, the hospital said that I must go for a check-up for the next two days. if I leave, how will I have those check-ups?", she quickly came up with an excuse. The doctors had indeed told her toe for a checkup. But she had never nned to go, not until that crazy doctor was still in the hospital.


    Her grandfather nced at her suspiciously.


    "They also said if I didn¡¯te for the check-ups immediately after I felt something bad, it can be quite serious." She lied shamelessly.


    Tang Liuwei relented. His grandfather was clever with words.


    "Fine, you can stay here. But, I¡¯ll not let you do any work. And you must stay in your apartment. And if you do anything against that, I¡¯ll immediately drag you to my farmhouse and won¡¯t let you go for a week"


    "Okay" She agreed like an obedient child.


    He wouldn¡¯t be here right. How would he know she had gone to work? Besides she didn¡¯t need to go to the office for work. She just had to call her secretary to bring her the files. She could just ask...


    "And I¡¯ll be staying with you to ensure you follow the doctor¡¯s guide"


    (©×§¥©×)

 Chapter 41 - Truth draws closer

    <h4>Chapter 41 - Truth draws closer</h4>


    After a long argument and a few threats by Tang Liwei, her grandfather seeded in taking her to her apartment and put her toplete bed rest. When Jing Lihua sneakily called Mei Xiu to bring her some files to review, she was caught by her grandfather. He strictly forbade Mei Xiu from bringing her anything work-rted. Jing Lihua was jumping from channels to channels while sprawling over the couches, utterly bored. Even since she had returned to her life she hadn¡¯t spent such an idle day.


    One day you hand such a big corporate in my hands and ask me to manage it on my own and second day you baby me like a child.


    Her grandfather was such a capricious character. She didn¡¯t know how he even saw her? An efficient woman who could manage a mega-conglomerate on her won? Or a spoiled careless girl who needed constant pampering. She sighed and picked up her cell to browse when the television wouldn¡¯t provide her any entertainment.


    She was astonished to find all the media openly using Su Lanfen of the murders. From thetest discovery, it was revealed that it was Su Lanfen manager who had sent people to get the CCTV recordings cleared. Originally, the Su family could cover it up. But the case had gotten too much attention from the public and government. So things were dangerous for the Su family right now. And despite countless efforts, the police couldn¡¯t recover the recordings. So obviously, she was the top suspect.


    Would Heng Bingwen have recovered the recordings? Thinking about it, Jing Lihua gave him a call.


    "Heng Bingwen what is your progress?"


    "President, I just recovered the videos."


    "Found something interesting?"


    "As President had predicted, the killers were professionals. It was just the two of them. They filled the room with some anesthetic gas... From the timing and yellow color, I suspect it was Halothane. They were wearing masks so no clue of their faces and once all the chefs were unconscious, they killed them noiselessly one by one by specifically cutting their jugr vein in the neck region. They wore hand gloves, so also no fingerprints. I¡¯m currently looking for groups with simr ways of killing. Once the professionals are found, I¡¯ll go and look for who had bought their service recently. Then I mighte up with the real culprit"


    "What about the man who sold the restaurant?"


    "Mei Xiu tried to contact him but he didn¡¯t answer. He was aboard so his whereabouts are a little difficult to find. Give me some time president. I¡¯m currently working on it. I¡¯ll discover him till this afternoon"


    "Alright.", Jing Lihua was about to hang up when she remembered, "About Su Lanfen, the video. Do not release it as we nned. She is already being suspected in the whole media. If the video leaks out, it will be over for her. The whole media is searching for a reason for her to do that. Once the video is out, they will get the reason that Su Lanfen did it to avenge herself. I might hate her but still, I think it is too much" See? Jing Lihua was so kind? She internally praised herself for having such a big heart.


    "President..." Heng Bingwen sounded upset.


    "What is it?"


    "I¡¯ve already sent the video to that celebrity and made the transaction. Now even if I ask him to stop, it¡¯ll be useless. The video will get out one way or another"


    "Alright, don¡¯t fret. It¡¯s not a big deal"


    Sorry, sister Lanfen. I tried.


    After instructing him a few more things, Jing Lihua hung up and called Mei Xiu.


    "President?", the sound of paper shuffling appeared from the other end. Jing Lihua wanted to berate her for being more loyal to her grandfather than her, but noticing she was still working behind her presence, Jing Lihua relented.


    "About the lists, I asked you to check... what is your progress?"


    "I just finished the lists", Mei Xiu said as she ced the phone on the other side of her head and ced the stack of files in the cupboard.


    "President, there were only four people that had ended up in the hospital for thest six months. One of them was an old man who had cancer. So it could not be rted to any sort of poison. The second and third ones hadmon gastritis. To confirm it, I even checked for the hospital records. Indeed, it was gastritis and they were soon recovered. None of those three belonged to any powerful family and they had suffered from these three months ago. At that time half of the chef crew was different. And the fourth one..."


    "The fourth one?"


    "The fourth one is you, President"

 Chapter 42 - The real culprit

    <h4>Chapter 42 - The real culprit</h4>


    In the afternoon Zhao Liying barged into her apartment and spoiled the peace of the environment.


    "Xiao Hua! I¡¯m so sorry. I couldn¡¯te when you woke up. I was so worried. I wanted toe but that old man wouldn¡¯t let me. Only by threatening him using your name, could I slip away from his hands. How are you?"


    "Would you be silent for a minute? My grandfather just snoozed off. I don¡¯t want to be forced back into my room."


    Jing Lihua was thinking of the ways to escape while Zhao Liying continued her bber. She couldn¡¯t leave otherwise her grandfather would drag her away from the office at such a crucial moment. Then suddenly, she came up with a brilliant idea. She grinned wickedly at Zhao Liying.


    Zhao Liying stopped her bbering at once. She didn¡¯t like the way her Xiao Hua was looking at her.


    "You said you were sorry for not being able to visit me, right?"


    "Well, y-yes?"


    "Want to make yourself feel less guilty?"


    In that evening a fashionable woman in big sunsses, a pretty dress, and thetest handbag walked out of the apartment. The bodyguards outside the apartment were specially instructed by her grandfather to stop Jing Lihua from escaping. But they didn¡¯t suspect a thing. Once Jing Lihua climbed into Zhao Liying van, she took off her sunsses. She checked her phone. She had just received a text from Zhao Liying.


    "Please be back on the promised time. You know I¡¯ve a flight to Hong Kong. Besides I don¡¯t want to get killed by your grandfather!" Zhao Liying was hiding under a brown nket in Jing Lihua¡¯s bed as she texted. She was wearing Jing Lihua¡¯s favorite pair of pajamas.


    "Don¡¯t worry. My grandfather wouldn¡¯t kill you immediately. I¡¯ll be back to save you if you got discovered by him." Jing Lihua texted back.


    After texting back a few curses, Zhao Liying put her phone under the pillow. Her heart leaped when she heard footsteps from outside. She held her breath and waited. Then she remembered if she is supposed to be sleeping, she should be breathing.


    Tang Liuwei opened the door. He looked at the bulge on the bed scrutinizingly. His eyes narrowed and he kept staring at the bed for almost five minutes. Zhao Liying was about to cry when she finally heard the ¡¯thud¡¯ of the door closing. She heaved in relief and texted a few more curses to Jing Lihua.


    And she thought her old manager was scary. Jing Lihua¡¯s grandfather was scarier.


    Jing Lihua was already on her way to the hospital. Before deciding this move she had sent the sample of the prescribed medicines to Mei Xiu and asked her to know what they were used for. Surprisingly, the results astonished both Jing Lihua and Mei Xiu.


    They were detoxifiers of a deadly poison.


    All of this couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. She came up with the best possible theory. The chefs had added poison to her food. But she survived and the person felt threatened so he killed them all. It seemed like a usible exnation. But the biggest mystery was that why did the doctors lie about her condition?


    They wouldn¡¯t do that own their own. They must be bribed or threatened by someone to do do. Could it be the person who tried to poison her? His reasons must be that she would never know she was poisoned and go to find the person who was behind it. But if the person was capable of doing that, he could just have bribed the doctors into treating her wrongly. She would have died and his objective would have been achieved.


    A series of questions flooded in Jing Lihua¡¯s mind. When she reached the foot of the hospital, she was greeted by the group of her bodyguards. She wasn¡¯t stupid. She knew there was a danger. So her security was needed.


    She walked into the hospital and directly entered the director¡¯s room.


    "How can you...", the director quietened once he saw who the person was and how many muscr bodyguards she was surrounded with.


    "Ms. Jing. Please, take a seat" He took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    Jing Lihua took back the seat and sat leisurely. Two of the bodyguards held the door while two stood on both her sides.


    The director gulped. "Is there anything I can do to help?"


    Jing Lihua quietly ced the medicines on the desk and coldly stared at him.


    "What is this about?" He looked nervous. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t reply. The director¡¯s hands began to sweat. Could it be that Ms. Jing hade to suspect it? Could she have already discovered what the medicine was for? As he thought more about it, the possibility seemed usible. Then what was he supposed to do? He wouldn¡¯t dare to go against Mr. Li¡¯smand. He didn¡¯t want to see his hospital burn to ashes! But he couldn¡¯t offend Jing Lihua either!


    God. What sin did he do to find himself in a situation like this? He was a very dutiful person and always took care of his patients. He was a nice man!


    The silent treatment trick she learned fro her grandfather was surely working. The director looked he was about to cry and she didn¡¯t have to say a single word to make him so.


    "I can exin", he nervously said waiting for Jing Lihua to respond.


    "Exin. I¡¯m listening"


    "The poison... your health was very bad. You couldn¡¯t take on any stress. The drug caused psychological weakness. So I didn¡¯t tell you. I had nned to tell you after the drug waspletely detoxified"


    Jing Lihua frowned.


    "Is this the excuse you thought of doctor Chen. I¡¯m sorry but it sounds very unconvincing"


    He was obviously lying. She had seen a mascara and it didn¡¯t affect her that much.


    "I..."


    Before he could say any further, Jing Lihua¡¯s phone rang. She looked at it. Heng Bingwen.


    "I¡¯ll give you ten minutes to think about whether you want to tell me the truth or not. Trust me I¡¯m a very forgiving person. If you are willing to cooperate, I can assure you that no harm wille to you" She said and went out to pick the call while her bodyguards stayed behind.


    Doctor Chen really wanted to believe it. But Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t save him from the devil.


    Once outside, Jing Lihua picked up the call.


    "Hen..."


    "President. I found an important clue", he sounded very excited, "We checked the man who had sold you the restaurant. I found out he had been missing since yesterday. I got very suspicious so I checked his phone records. It turned out he had been in contact with the secretary of ¡¯Tang Huang¡¯" Jing Lihua was astonished. That was unexpected. Of all the people, her grandfather¡¯s nephew Tang Huang wasn¡¯t the one she had expected to be the real culprit. "I even found out the group of professionals to which the killers were rted to. And to confirm it, I checked if Tang Huang had any contact with the group. And it turned out, he had! It was indeed him who had hired those killers to murder the chefs! President, Tang Huang is the real culprit!"

 Chapter 43 - His brother or an imposter?

    <h4>Chapter 43 - His brother or an imposter?</h4>


    After a hearty chase, Li Xun had finally managed to capture Tang Huang who was ready to fly away from the country after taking the first flight. He was dead tired when his brother finally returned to Hong Kong. He was a little happy that now that his brother was home, he could finally get some rest. Never in his wildest dream would he pray again for his brother to leave Hong Kong!


    When Li Zhiqing climbed out of the ne, Li Xun had already walked there to greet him and to report to him. Li Xun was blinded momentarily when his gaze settled on Li Zhiqiang before his vision adjusted back. His brother... was he smiling? Was he really smiling? When was thest time his brother smiled? Perhaps, never.


    "Where is he?" Li Zhiqiang asked; his voice was not as cold as it used to be. There was no darkness surrounding him. No devils hovering over his head. No fire epassing him as a whole. He didn¡¯t look like a devil anymore. Instead, he looked-he looked like a normal human!


    What the hell did happen? Li Xun was astonished. Was it really his brother? Or was it some imposter?


    "In the bas.e.m.e.nt"


    "Good work" Li Zhiqiang tapped his shoulder and walked away with a smile.


    D-Did his brother praise him? How could this happen? No, he was sure. It was not his brother anymore. His brother must have died and someone else must have reincarnated in his body. Or there might be a demon who would have possessed his body. While Li Xun mind was brimming with crazy possibilities, Li Zhiqiang stopped, looked over his shoulder and said:


    "Stop zoning out. Come along. We have a criminal to interrogate"


    "Y-Yes brother", Li Xun snapped out of it and followed his brother down.


    On their way suddenly a big white tiger pounced on them. Li Xun¡¯s heart almost jumped out of his throat. He ced a hand over his chest and breathed deeply to calm himself. He could never get used to that big scary tiger. He didn¡¯t know why his brother kept such a ferocious creature around.


    "Behave." Li Zhiqiang pushed him down and stroked his fur. Li Zhiqiang had been gone for two days without even meeting him before his departure.


    Babur roared loudly. He looked angry.


    "How about it? We arrange a treat for you"


    Babur¡¯s eyes twinkled as if he was contemting. Then he lowered his head and roared quietly as if giving his consent.


    Li Xun couldn¡¯t understand how his brother understood him. But soon he walked forward and Babur trailed behind him quietly. Just as Li Xun passed by him, suddenly Babur roared loudly making him jump in fright. After scaring Li Xun witless, he resumed walking behind Li Zhiqiang while wagging his tail happily as if he wasughing at Li Xun.


    This pet of his brother took delight in bullying Li Xun. And poor Li Xun couldn¡¯t do anything but quietly endure. Heatless! Just like his brother.


    When they neared the bas.e.m.e.nts, shouts could be heard.


    "How dare you do this to me? Do you know who I¡¯m? My uncle is Tang Liuwei. He wouldn¡¯t spare you once he realizes what you did to me! All of you would die! Let go of me. Call your master! I demand to see him! Once your master realized who my uncle is, he would immediately release me while begging for my forgiveness."


    Soon the door opened and Li Zhiqiang walked in, with a ferocious tiger and his brother.


    "You...", Tang Huang was ready to throw all sorts of insults but his eyesnded on that huge tiger who looked as if he was licking his lips while staring at him. He gulped and said somewhat politely.


    "Do you know who I¡¯m? Your men must have made some sort of mistake. Release me right now and I promise I would forget that it ever happened"


    Li Zhiqiang walked to the couches andfortably fell on them. His steady eyes looked at the middle-aged bulky man.


    "You are Tang Huang. Aren¡¯t you?" Li Xun asked.


    "Yes, but..."


    "Then we don¡¯t have the wrong man"


    Li Zhiqiang coldly nced at him before resting his hand at Babur¡¯s neck, stopping him from making a move.


    "Now you will answer every question my brother asks without any dy. One wrong answer and you lose one finger", Li Xun said.


    "How can you...", before he couldplete a man hit him in the back, making him fall. He writhed in pain on the floor. Two men grabbed his arms, forcing him on his knees and making him face Li Zhiqiang who was leisurely sitting on the couches as if they were having a casual discussion.


    "Who are you guys?" Wang Hiang looked around in fear. He had known that much by now that these people were not normal. They were not scared of ¡¯Tang Liuwei¡¯ name. That meant they must be more powerful than him. But how could he have offended someone so powerful?


    His question was totally ignored.


    "Were you the one who bribed those chefs into poisoning Jing Lihua" Li Zhiqiang¡¯s strong, cold voice reverberated across the room.


    While Tang Huang shivered, Li Xun sighed in relief. Now he could feel with his scary demeanor that his brother was indeed his brother and no some imposter.


    "I-I..." Tang Huang didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Just then a man stretched his arm and brought a knife.


    "I¡¯m telling I¡¯m telling! Please!"


    Li Zhiqiang raised his hand and the man stopped.


    "It was me. I had bribed those chefs. I had been nning it for a long time. The restaurant owner... I had paid him well and asked him to sell the restaurant to Jing Lihua at a low price. Knowing that sooner orter she would visit the restaurant to check its service so they would have a chance to slip the poison in her food. But once she recovered I was anxious that she would find out. So-So I got the chefs and the previous owner killed." Wang Huang was so scared for his life that he blurted out everything.


    Silence.


    "I¡¯ve told you everything. N-Now please let me go."


    "What was your motive behind it?" Li Zhiqiang was silent. Babur was growling impatiently.


    "I-I... If Jing Lihua would have died, as the closest member of the family, herpany would have fallen in my hands."


    "Is this all?"


    "Y-Yes"


    Suddenly, a man brought the knife and made a deep cut along his finger. The knife dipped into his flesh and red blood surged out. Tang Huang cried out and his face twisted in terror.


    "No! Stop! I¡¯m telling you the truth! No, please! It was Wu Junjie! He had named a few European subsidiaries to me! Please, let me go now!"


    Li Zhiqiang put his hand off Babur and walked out of the room. Others followed. Once they stepped out, Babur pounced at Tang Huang.


    From inside the room, screams could be heard. Horrible noises of flesh tearing. And the asional roars of a tiger. But no one turned back to save him.


    "Brother, there is a call from the director of the hospital. He says it¡¯s urgent."


    Li Zhiqiang picked up the call.


    "Mr. Li, Ms. Jing is here. Somehow she realized what the medicines were for. I swear, it was not the hospital. We had given her medicines in different packs so that she wouldn¡¯t get suspicious. She must have run a test to identify them. What should I tell her now?"


    Li Zhiqiang lips tilted up into a smile. His JingJing was sharp. Difficult to deceive. He liked that.

 Chapter 44 - Ill be waiting for you, Jing Lihua

    <h4>Chapter 44 - I''ll be waiting for you, Jing Lihua</h4>


    Zhao Liying looked at the time. It was already at 9 pm. Her manager had started calling her. She was supposed to be at the airport by 8:30 pm. After much contemtion, she had to block him. She couldn¡¯t afford to attend her call. Her Xiao Hua had warned her a lot that her grandfather was a very suspicious man.


    Damn you, Xiao Hua! Where are you? You promised toe back before 8 pm. I¡¯m never going to trust your words again!


    Zhao Liying had already sent Jing Lihua more than twenty messages, half of them consisted of exquisite curses but there was no reply from her side. Jing Lihua had decided to send another text when she heard the sound of footstepsing from outside. She quickly put down her phone and pretended to be asleep.


    Tang Liuwei opened the door to his granddaughter¡¯s room and nced around. He was a little surprised to find that Jing Lihua was still here. His granddaughter was being very obedient and it unsettled him for some reason.


    "Xiao Lizi, wake up! Its time to take your medicine"


    She gave no response. Must be asleep soundly.


    "Xiao Lizi?"


    When he walked closer to the bed intending to wake her up, he heard a muffled cough.


    "Grandfather, I¡¯ve taken the medicine. I¡¯m feeling tired after taking it. So let me sleep"


    "What happened to your voice?" Her voice was strangely squeaky.


    "My throat; it hurts. The Side effects from the medicine. Nothing to worry about" Zhao Liying coughed some more to make her excuse seem realistic.


    "Alright. I¡¯ll leave you then."


    Zhao Liying internally praised herself. God, she was so good! She fooled Jing Lihua¡¯s grandfather! Haha... She would brag about it for the rest of her life.


    Tang Liuwei had just walked out when he suddenly stopped. He quickly walked back into the room.


    "Why didn¡¯t you stop me when I called you Xiao Lizi?"


    Silence followed his sudden burst. Zhao Liying was befuddled when the door had suddenly opened once again. Before she could think of an excuse, Tang Liuwei had already walked to the bed and snatched away the nket from her.


    Mother! She was scared!


    ...


    Jing Lihua walked back into the director¡¯s room with a preupied mind. Now she had to deal with her uncle too? As if Su family members were not enough. Just then she received a myriad of texts from Zhao Liying.


    "Hurry up! Your grandfather caught me!"


    "I¡¯ve to hide to text you! At least reply to me!"


    "He says he¡¯ll kill me if I didn¡¯t tell him where you are!"


    "He has already sent the man to fetch you!"


    "Come and save me. I¡¯m going to cry. Your grandfather is far scarier than my manager!"


    When she wouldn¡¯t stop texting, Jing Lihua switched off her phone. She looked at the director who was sitting in his office chair.


    "Dr. Chen, have you made up your mind whether to tell me the truth or not?"


    "Ms. Jing Mr. Li wants to talk to you" He pushed forward his phone with ease; not appearing tense at all.


    "Who Mr. Li," She asked taking the phone in her hands.


    "The President of Li corporates"


    Jing Lihua stared at the directer. Was he joking?


    Suddenly she recalled Heng Bingwen words. Everything connected. Someone from Hong Kong had been helping them. The most powerful force of Hong Kong had something to do with stopping those scandals:- The Li corporate. And now they had something to do with the hospital too?


    She took the phone into her hands and ced it against her ear somewhat absentmindedly. There was silence but she could feel the imposing presence from the other end.


    "This is President of Tang enterprise, Jing Lihua from Beijing speaking. Your introduction?"


    After a silence, a slightly familiar voice answered from the other side.


    "The President of Li corporate from Hong Kong" The man skipped his name.


    So it was the president of Li corporates? It would be wrong to say that she hadn¡¯t heard about him. He was a famous celebrity. Everyone in the business world would know him. Even though at the moment, she couldn¡¯t recall his name, she remembered his other name... Devil. He was a devil in the business world; ruthless in his dealings and merciless to everyone who defied him.


    Was it really the great ¡¯Devil¡¯ or the director was ying some sort of trick on her to get some time? Jing Lihua looked at the phone, told a man to copy the number and send it to Heng Bingwen to verify. She eyed the directer suspiciously. But he didn¡¯t look nervous at all.


    "Are you the one who asked Dr. Chen to misinform me about my ailment"


    "Yes," A simple answer in an icy voice with a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt. It seemed like the man didn¡¯t intend to reveal anything more than that such as the reason behind it. In case he was really the ¡¯Devil¡¯, Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t force him anyway. She had to y by his rules.


    "And you are the one who caused the media to stop releasing the scandals?" Jing Lihua wasn¡¯t sure that it was exactly ¡¯him¡¯ behind it. But if it was not him, he had something to do with it indirectly from Heng Bingwen spections. She wanted to confirm


    To this, there was a slight silence. As if the person was surprised that how came Jing Lihua knew about it.


    "Yes," His voice had tant amus.e.m.e.nt. Jing Lihua was surprised. She didn¡¯t know why but her heart picked up its pace.


    "May I ask the reasons behind your actions?"


    "If you want to know the reasons, you¡¯ll have toe to Hong Kong. I¡¯ll be waiting for you, Jing Lihua" And the call was ended. Jing Lihua was left bbergasted in more than one way. First, why did he use her first name? And second, the most important thing, now that he spoke a full sentence, she recalled where had she heard this voice before.


    She nced at the director to confirm. Her gaze held reluctance.


    "Is there any doctor Li in your hospital?"


    "Yes," The director lied. He remembered Mr. Li¡¯s words.


    "Can I see him?" Jing Lihua was suspicious.


    "I¡¯m sorry Ms. Jing. He is currently in Hong Kong to attend some personal matters"


    After giving it a thought, Jing Lihua discarded the possibility. She realized she was being too unreasonable. How could that crazy doctor be the President of Li corps? Why would he want to impersonate a doctor? That was too absurd. He was the President of Li conglomerates. He had no reason to do that. So she gave up the idea of investigating that crazy doctor.


    Just at the moment, she received a text from Heng Bingwen confirming it was the personal number of the President of Li corporates. Everything was confirmed.

 Chapter 45 - Cunning grandfather

    <h4>Chapter 45 - Cunning grandfather</h4>


    Jing Lihua climbed back into Zhao Liying van and traveled back to her apartment. On her way, she was preupied with the thoughts of this mysterious ¡¯Mr. Li¡¯. Zhao Liying had already escaped after selling her off.


    "Where were you?" An angry voice rang out from her back when she closed the door after entering her apartment.


    "In the hospital, of course," Jing Lihua turned and said calmly "To get the check-ups"


    "If you intended to go to the hospital, why would you try to trick the guards?"


    "You were asleep. I thought you must be tired from looking after me the whole morning so I didn¡¯t want to wake you up. I knew that the guards wouldn¡¯t let me leave on my own. Grandfather, I was so thoughtful about you and you are suspecting me?" She sounded as if she was being wronged.


    Jing Lihua took out her phone. "I knew you wouldn¡¯t believe me. So I took a photo." She showed him. Even then the crease on his face didn¡¯t lessen, let alone vanish.


    "Grandfather?"


    "Why don¡¯t you understand Xiao Lizhi, you are the only one I¡¯m left with. After I lost your mother, the concern for your safety has given me countless sleepless nights. You¡¯ve no idea how important you are for me. If something happens to you, I¡¯ll never be able to forgive myself... nor your mother. Do you think I don¡¯t know what happened at the restaurant? Someone tried to poison you before the assassination happened that ce. Someone is out there to kill you. And while we don¡¯t know yet who is he, forget about telling your grandfather about it, you recklessly go out in open?"


    Jing Lihua halted and looked at her grandfather. He was truly worried. When did her grandfather discover it? If he had known it since he arrived here, he would have never let her leave. Jing Lihua concluded he must have discovered recently.


    "Grandfather. It was so sudden. I was going to tell you"


    "When?"


    Jing Lihua took a deep breath "It was Uncle Huang. I¡¯ve confirmed it. I didn¡¯t want to tell you because I knew how much you liked your nephew. I didn¡¯t want to hurt you"


    Tang Liuwei looked truly shocked. He fell numbly on the sofa. It seemed that there wasn¡¯t anyone he could trust; not even the closest family. He smiled bitterly and looked at his granddaughter. Strangely, at that time she reminded him of his daughter... Tang Yuyan. "You found out all by yourself? You didn¡¯t care to involve your elder? I see you think you have grown up enough to discard your grandfather." His eyes didn¡¯t hold any anger. Instead, they had a hint of proud in them.


    "Don¡¯t say that grandfather. I know you are saying this because you are worried about my safety. But nothing will happen to me. If someone dares to harm me, I know how to pay them back a hundred times"


    Tang Liuweiughed; his expressions loosened up. "Just like your mother. Fiesty and untamable." Tang Liwei¡¯s eyes clouded for a second as he indulged himself in the memories of the past, "She wouldn¡¯t listen to whatever I said. She would always follow her heart. Just like your grandmother before her. Her blood runs through you all. You are her granddaughter after all"


    "Was grandmother like me?" Jing Lihua eagerly asked but in reality, she wanted to avert her grandfather¡¯s thoughts from interrogating her further.


    "Just like you. Back in those days, it was rare for women to take hold of the office. But she wouldn¡¯t listen to her father or me. She was a determined and confident woman. If I say that the current rank of our enterprise is because of her, it won¡¯t be wrong"


    "Grandfather, I¡¯ve seen the photos of grandmother. She didn¡¯t have green eyes. Where did my mother inherit her eye¡¯s from?" Jing Lihua said casually as she walked away to put her coat down. All the while, she was intently looking at her grandfather¡¯s expressions through the corner of her eyes.


    "Your great-grandmother. She had green eyes." Tang Liuwei¡¯s voice was gruff, his answer was curt implying he didn¡¯t want to discuss this matter further.


    Jing Lihua decided to press her luck and continued further cautiously. "So my mother had them from her grandmother? Must be very rare."


    His face twitched for a second. If she wasn¡¯t so vignt, she would have missed it.


    "Xiao Lizi" Tang Liuwei¡¯s gaze looked reluctant "You¡¯ll always be my granddaughter. No matter what you discover. Keep it in your heart that I¡¯ve only one granddaughter and that is you"


    "What are you implying, grandfather? Is there something I don¡¯t know"


    Tang Liuwei looked away. Heughed and looked back at his granddaughter with sharp eyes. "Good trick my little pear. You were trying to make me forget about your sneaking away by using your grandmother¡¯s name? Your grandmother would have been ttered if she knew that her name could be used as such after her death."


    Jing Lihua realized that her grandfather knew something that he was meticulously hiding. That was the reason he changed the topic. After that, Jing Lihua tried several angles to make him tell the truth; at least give her some hints. But he efficiently countered her with his ¡¯smooth¡¯ responses. Frustrated, Jing Lihua gave up with a humph while her grandfatherughed at her silliness. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to go for it but she also wanted the truth. So she decided to ask Heng Bingwen to check her DNA; to see whether if she was a Tang or not.


    She remembered in herst life Jing Tian hade up with the reports that Jing Lihua wasn¡¯t actually a Tang. With that proof, they had stirred up the trouble and conspired against her; making her deprive of her position as the President. Once the corporate hadnded in Tang Huang¡¯s hands, the real decline started. After that, it just took two years for Su Liwei to make her empire go bankrupt and he emerged as the sole most powerful entity in Beijing. And the Su family; the most powerful family.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s thoughts were interrupted when she heard multiple notification sounds from her phone. After cating her grandfather, she entered her room to make out what was happening. The inte poption had gone into a frenzy when the video was released. The media had been kept in silence since this morning by Su Lanfen¡¯s father. But after the video, the media had broken its temporary silence. The Su family was incapable of controlling the media.


    Jing Lihua traced down the source of all that frenzy. The video was shared countless times. Su Lanfen¡¯s ount, that used to be full of praises and admiration, was now full of insults. Jing Lihua sighed and put away her phone. She wouldn¡¯t be that pathetic to read andugh at those insults. She knew that thoseizens could be very vicious when it came to insults.


    Moreover, the nders of celebrities were only a fleeting matter. In a week or two, t would be the fleeting memory of past; totally forgotten and meaningless.


    The next day, her grandfather continued to nanny her. Only once their family doctor arrived from his farmhouse, checked Jing Lihua and told her grandfather that she was perfectly healthy; her grandfather stopped being her nanny. After that, she somehow managed to convince him to let her have a quick trip to her office with an entourage of bulky bodyguards.


    After assigning the new task to Heng Bingwen, she proceeded to her office. But what she didn¡¯t know was that an unexpected news waited for her.


    "President Jing, this morning I received a call from Mr. Li personal secretary"

 Chapter 46 - Mysterious President Li

    <h4>Chapter 46 - Mysterious President Li</h4>


    "What did he say?"


    "He said he¡¯ll be expecting you tomorrow. They will send a car to pick you up from the airport" Xiu Mei¡¯s face was filled with awe. "President, If I may ask when did you make an acquaintance with Mr. Li? I¡¯ve heard that he is an extremely busy man. Only after waiting for three months, someone can manage to get an appointment with him"


    "The answer to this question is what I don¡¯t know... When did I make an acquaintance with ¡¯Devil¡¯?" Jing Lihua voiced out her thoughts as she nned the ways to turn this acquaintance into something profitable for her.


    Mei Xiu felt confounded for a moment. Her president, like always she couldn¡¯t understand... ah, too confusing.


    A light bulb lightened over Jing Lihua¡¯s head as a brilliant idea struck her. She pped her hands to gather Mei Xiu¡¯s attention. "I know what to do" She excitedly nced at Mei Xiu "Prepare the papers for the Southern real estate. I think we¡¯ve found the best candidate for thosends!"


    Jing Lihua hurried to her work desk. Soon, Mei Xiu rushed with a stack of files and scattered them on her desk. They both worked together to tidy up the mess.


    "I¡¯ll name all the files we require. Check if we miss anything!" Jing Lihua nced at Mei Xiu. Mei Xiu nodded "The ownership papers. The exploratory team report. The analytical team report. All the information rted to the government tax. The contract to sign off thends. And the reports of the updated value of thosends"


    "Aye, president. Everything¡¯s present" Mei Xiu energetically replied "President do you think President Li would be interested in our Southern real estate"


    "If he is as wise as they say, he¡¯ll" Jing Lihua felt very excited, "The only reason we can¡¯t cultivate thatnd is that weck in power. But the Li family... Not only it has power but they have a connection to the underworld. So government obstacles won¡¯t hold them off. Additionally, if you look around, they have recently been showing an interest in the field of mining. Think about it... They have their branches in every possible field. That¡¯s the only remaining field. And to say we can offer them that ce at a rtively low price. I don¡¯t see any reason for them to object. And if we manage to win Li family goodwill, it¡¯ll be a plus point for us."


    "But President thosends, no one knows their worth. If they used underhand tricks to threaten us into handing them over at an ever lesser prize what would we do? The Li family is so powerful. After all, that¡¯s the reason we haven¡¯t contacted any powerful entity yet to sell thosends. Because we feared that they might pressurize us" Mei Xiu voiced her suspicion.


    Jing Lihua ced down the papers and looked at Xiu Mei "Your concern is valid but I have studied him. He might be ruthless, but he is ruthless to only those who defy him first. Besides, we are already offering the estate at such a low price. Why would he need to use underhand tricks? If not for the reason that he was unapproachable, I would have already contacted him. But with such a nice opportunity at our hands, I wouldn¡¯t waste my chance. My decision is final." She rose and inspected the file herself thest time before handing them over to Mei Xiu.


    Mei Xiu trusted her President. She just wanted to have her make the right decision. With Jing Lihua¡¯s exnation, Mei Xiu suspicion settled "Haha. Those who insulted you for buying that territory, they must be having the shock of their lifeing their way once its worth is revealed. All those who criticized you for your inexperience, including a few members from our board of directors, I want to see their faces once the truth is revealed."


    Soon the one hour limit her grandfather had given her, finished and she rushed her way back home. Her grandfather had already the dinner prepared.


    "Eat some more Xiao Lizi. You need nutrition. Remember what the Doctor Yang said? He said you were too skinny. You¡¯ve to take care of your diet" He put some more food into her te.


    "Grandpa. I¡¯ll get fat" Jing Lihua wondered if her grandfather knew about her rtionship with Su Liwei. It had been two days but he didn¡¯t ask any questions where he was or why she was not living at the Mealor mansion with her husband. If her grandfather had a way to know about her being poisoned, he must have a way to know about her rtionship with Su Liwei.


    "Why are you staring at me like that? Focus on eating" He berated.


    "Grandpa, may I ask a question?" Before waiting for his reply she rushed "It was you who came up with the idea of Me and Su Liwei getting married? But I haven¡¯t seen you two together much. What made you feel like he was suitable for your granddaughter? Was it solely because I said I liked him"


    "You never asked this question before. Now child, are you unsatisfied with the marriage?"


    Jing Lihua gulped down her food as she decided what to say. "Just curious" Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t tell her grandfather about Su Liwei. About the office matters, she had managed to stop the information about Su Liwei intervention from reaching her grandfather¡¯s ears. If her grandfather came to know that Su Liwei meant ill, he would immediately demand a divorce. If that happened, Su Liwei would stop acting from shadows. He¡¯lle at them directly. And Tang enterprise couldn¡¯t take a direct attack from Su Liwei... Not just yet.


    "His father Su Guozhi, I used to have a close rtionship with him. He is a very nice man. That¡¯s why. Before your mother married Jing Shuping, he was the one I wanted as my son-inw. Even your mother liked him. But something happenedter. Your mother left him to marry your father"


    "Is that why you broke your contact with my mother before I was born?"


    A sh of guilt passed across Tang Liuwei¡¯s eyes. If only he hadn¡¯t broken the contact with his Tang Yuyan, perhaps she would have still been alive. "Yes. I was ignorant. I made a mistake that I regret to this day. But I won¡¯t repeat that mistake. Xiao Lizi, whatever decision you make I want you to know you¡¯ll have my full support"


    Later that evening Jing Lihua saw off her grandfather. That night, she had a very bad dream. It was about the day she had found out her mother dead in the bas.e.m.e.nt. At the age of ten, she, as a mere child had walked into that nightmare that terrorized her till today.


    Her mother was burned to death. In the bas.e.m.e.nt of her own house. No one knew how the fire started. All that was left was a body burned to charcoal. When she saw that, she had cried. She had rushed to her mother¡¯s remains and hugged her pitifully. She stayed with her mother¡¯s corpse until her father, stepmother and siblings returned from a vacation after two days. She still remembered the way her stepmother hadughed. How her siblings made jokes about her mother¡¯s death. How, instead of being soothed, a child of a mere ten was treated worse than a servant.


    They had hidden the news of her mother¡¯s death for six years. Only once she was sixteen, her grandfather realized his daughter was dead. Only then he came to know that he had a granddaughter and came to her rescue. But the damage was done.


    Jing Lihua woke up from her dream in a bad mood. She took a shower and prepared herself for the flight. Zhao Liying and Mo Liang were already in Hong Kong. Other than the meeting with President Li, she also had to attend the fashion show.


    On her way to Hong Kong, she nced outside of the window and hummed a tune. She walked out of the airport and a man rushed to her.


    "Ms. Jing. I¡¯ve been sent by Mr. Li to take you to his office"


    Jing Lihua nodded. With a smile, she followed the man into the car. Now it¡¯s time to meet this mysterious President Li.

 Chapter 47 - Cool and Confident.

    <h4>Chapter 47 - Cool and Confident.</h4>


    On the quiet rood, the only audible sound was the smooth fraction between the rubber tires and the asphalt road. She recited the words she had nned to say to Mr. Li to make him agree to her proposition. Jing Lihua nced out through the ss and her eyesnded on the forests on both sides of the long road. Her eyebrows furrowed.


    "Where are we headed for?"


    "Mr. Li personal residence"


    Jing Lihua leaned back against the leather seat. She had expected to be taken to his office. But at this unexpected urrence, she didn¡¯t dare to object. She didn¡¯t want to offend that ¡¯Devil¡¯ in any way when he could prove to be such an important ally!


    When she nced at the eerie silence outside, a slight uneasiness crept into her heart. An uneasiness that was specifically associated with this ce. Why was it so? She had never been here before; she was sure of that.


    "How long it is going to take to reach our destination?"


    The driver didn¡¯t say anything. Jing Lihua tore away her gaze from the scenery outside and nced at him. Noticing the suspicious nce, he quickly replied.


    "Two hours Ms. Jing"


    Something was wrong.


    Two hours... She had already checked it. The distance was only one hour. The driver was obviously lying. She bit her lip and decided what to do. The first thought that urred to her was to notify someone. She took out her cell.


    No signals.


    She nced looked around the car. She could see that the driver in the front seat was looking at her through the mirror and noticing her every move. She wasn¡¯t stupid. She wouldn¡¯t act impulsively. Stealthily, she glided her hand along the door and reached out for the lock. She tried to open the door.


    Locked. The driver had already noticed Jing Lihua¡¯s suspicion and locked the car doors.


    "You are not taking me to Mr. Li are you?" Jing Lihua¡¯s voice was chilly. She couldn¡¯t escape from the situation without violence.


    The driver struggled what to say.


    "Ms. Jing, please be cooperative. Our Boss doesn¡¯t intend to harm you."


    "Which Boss?"


    Silence.


    As if she would believe that. If the person employed such a well thought method to kidnap her, his motive was everything but in her favor. He even knew she had an appointment with Mr. Li. The person behind it was obviously not a little character.


    Jing Lihua put her hands into her handbag and tried to look for something. There wasn¡¯t anything applicable she could use. After much thought, she grabbed a handkerchief; her hands staying hidden inside her bag. She twisted it till it was rolled and hardened. With a quick movement, she jumped and put it around the driver¡¯s throat and pressed it till he couldn¡¯t breathe anymore. He chocked and struggled to move.


    "Now listen to me carefully. Move to the corner and stop the car" Her voice was cold and calm. Her every move was confident and clear like she knew what to do and had done it countless times before.


    The driver was shocked. He couldn¡¯t have guessed she would be bold enough to do that. Shouldn¡¯t a normal woman be scared witless in such a situation? Didn¡¯t his boss say she was a coward and he didn¡¯t have to worry about her much? He lost control of the car and struggled to get off the cloth from his neck that was suffocating him.


    "Let go!"


    The car swayed dangerously on the road once his hands tried to get her off. Ignoring the pressure on his neck, he quickly got his hold back on the steering wheel. Was this woman crazy? Didn¡¯t she know he was driving the car? And by suffocating him. she would be killing them both?


    "Let go. We are both going to die!"


    "If you don¡¯t want that to happen, you¡¯ll do as I said"


    The man¡¯s face turned purplish and having left no choice, with great difficulty he managed to get the car parked at the edge of the forest. His hand reached for something in his belt but he was stopped when suddenly, Jing Lihua tightened the grip.


    "Good" Jing Lihua smiled and pulled the cloth with all the strength she had. The man struggled to get her off but he was in a difficult condition. His arms couldn¡¯t reach where Jing Lihua was; he couldn¡¯t get the grip of the cloth on his neck. His suffocation affected his decision-making power; his hands trembled and all he could think of was how to get the cloth off. With so much pressure on his neck, the blood supply to his head stopped and he passed out due to asphyxiation.


    Jing Lihua kicked out the door and inspected the area. It was a long road and it was unlikely she could find anyone traveler. She looked at the passed out man in the front seat. She was horrified to see a gun in hisp.


    So close. Just a few seconds and he would have already shot her.


    She grabbed the gun and entered the thick forest.


    ...


    A handsome man was resting in front of a huge swimming pool. His arms swung around two beautiful foreign women in bikinis as they giggled andughed coquettishly. Just then another man walked into the scenario.


    "Mr. Wu, there is something important that requires your presence"


    Wu Junjie shrugged it off.


    "Can it be more important than my Rose?" He said as he winked at her totally ignoring the man that had just arrived with urgent expressions.


    The woman who was named Rose giggled while the woman in his other arm pouted as ifining.


    "But Mr. Wu..."


    "Of course it is not important than my Angelina too"


    Both the women giggled and he busied himself flirting with them and totally ignored the man who had just appeared.


    "But Mr. Wu..." The man wasn¡¯t sure whether to utter that name here or not. "It is about Jing Lihua"


    Suddenly Wu JunJie¡¯s soft eyes sharpened. His face darkened.


    "Brother Wu..." Rose was confused.


    "Leave" His voice was dark with obvious hints of warning.


    The women quivered and walked away from him at once. What happened to him? They had never seen him like this before. After putting on a red robe, Wu Junjie walked away from there.


    "Did you get her?"


    The man exined everything. In the end, Wu Junjieughed. But his eyes didn¡¯t look happy. They held a mixture of anger and amus.e.m.e.nt.


    "I see that little bird has grown quite some wings"


    "Mr. Wu should we send more men..."


    "No", he had a small smile on his face that looked quite charming and gentle as he walked towards his wardrobe, "Li Zhiqang would have already been alerted by now. We do not n to have directbat with him." No one could tell from his external warm exterior that he could possess such maliciousness inside him.


    "So what should we do?"


    "Li Zhiqiang just had a reunion with his lover. We should go and congratte him"

 Chapter 48 - Voice of the heart

    <h4>Chapter 48 - Voice of the heart</h4>


    Jing Lihua had walked for almost four hours when her vision had started to go blurry. It was only worsening with time. Her face was flushed; she was having a slight fever. The wound on her leg was a big hindrance. She had torn off a piece of her shirt and tightly wrapped it around her leg to stop the bleeding. But when she exerted to move, the blood would seep out.


    "Damn Hong Kong" She cursed the city a thousand times and struggled to move through the thick forest. It was already darkening. Jing Lihua had decided to enter the forest because she feard the people who tried to attack her woulde after her. She was unlucky enough to get her foot entrapped in root and fall down while getting a deep cut across her calf.


    She took out her phone for the tenth time. Still, there were no signals. She put back her phone and rested herst hope on Mei Xiu. Mei Xiu had already left for Hong Kong a night before Jing Lihua to arrange for her. Jing Lihua had nned to meet up with her after the meeting with that ¡¯Devil¡¯. She prayed that Mei Xiu had discovered her absence by now and dispatched a team to search for her.


    Jing Lihua felt something chilly and moist drip on her. She looked up. A loud thunder followed the silence. Jing Lihua wanted to cry but had no tears.


    Why?


    Soon a heavy shower followed andpletely soaked Jing Lihua.


    ...


    Li Zhiqiang stared at the ruthless shower outside. His heart was unsettled. He was quiet as an inanimate ice block. No one could tell what was going through his head. Li Xun would nce at him from time to time while quivering in fear.


    He must find his brother¡¯s wife quick. Or else he feared... ah, he didn¡¯t want to the consequences.


    "Stop the car!" Li Xun noticed a car parked outside. The driver pulled the breaks and the car stopped with a squeak, sshing water everywhere. They rushed to the car and found a man knocked out. Li Xun confirmed from the number te that it was the same car that had picked up Jing Lihua. "Get him in the van. Try to wake him up. He must know where is Jing Lihua."


    A few bulky men pulled out the man and pushed him inside the van. They threw cold water at him attempting to rouse him. Li Xun was anxious. He could feel involuntary chills up his spines. And they were not because of the cold weather. They were because of his brother!


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s quiet eyes silently observed everything around andnded on a spot at the boundary between the road and the forests. Without giving anyone any exnation he entered the forest.


    "Brother" Li Xun rushed after him.


    "Continue your search"


    He didn¡¯t know how long had he walked or to where exactly he was aimed for. For once he let his heart decide and followed the tiny voice in his head that head always been suppressed and denied. He followed the trail that would possibly lead him to nowhere. When he looked up he detected a small visage in the haze. He halted at once and stared at it.


    "JingJing" He whispered and took slow, nervous steps towards her as if afraid she would disappear if he rushed. When a face cleared out of the haze, his lifeless dull eyes finally gained back some color. He quickly rushed to her side, took off his coat and put it around her. She was at thest of her strength when she fell into Li Zhiqiang arms. Her head rested against his chest; her body gave up. Her eyes were dazed. She waspletely soaked; her body felt cold as ice against Li Zhiqiang¡¯s chest.


    "JingJing stay with me, okay?" He grabbed her face by both hands; made her look into his eyes. "Everything¡¯s alright. I¡¯m here"


    When afortable hotness enveloped her face and a soothing voice called to her, her hazy eyes gained back some focus. Her body was gravely tired. Her feet wouldn¡¯t support her weight anymore. Her body rested against his chest and she couldn¡¯t stand on her own even if she wanted to.


    "D-Doctor L-Li?" Her mind could recall who was him but she was too tired to think anything further.


    When she had forced herself to go on, she had put all her happy moments in her mind to motivate her. Zhao Liying, Mo Liang, her grandfather. They had given her the strength to go on and never stop walking. She had pushed her body to itsst limits. Now that she realized the help was finally here, her persistence wore off.


    "I¡¯m sorry JingJing. I promise, this is thest time I¡¯ll let anybody hurt you"


    Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t understand what he meant but a secondter she felt the ground slipping away from under her feet. She was swung in the air and held in his arms in bridal style. Her head rested on his chest. Her arms unconsciously reached out and wrapped around his neck. He hurried back while carrying her in his arms.


    When Li Xun saw his brothering there way with a woman in his arms, he didn¡¯t need to think twice it was Jing Lihua. His brother wouldn¡¯t even bother looking at any other woman. But still, a woman in his arms. The schene looked a little... startling. The bodyguards who weren¡¯t exposed to such a view before stared dumbly at their boss.


    "Bring me the towel" Li Zhiqiang¡¯s strong voice brought everyone out of the trance. He put her in the back seat of the car, grabbed the towel and attempted to dry her body. He rubbed her hands attempting to warm them up.


    To his dismay, she was irresponsive. The car had already sped to his nearest penthouse. A team of best doctors in Hong Kong had already been alerted by Li Xun personally before they left. But still, his heart felt unsettled. Li Zhiqiang ced his hand against her forehead. Her small body was quivering. Her body temperature had fallen to an rming extent. Her cheeks were pale as if all the blood had been drained out of her face.


    Li Zhiqiang leaned in and opened the buttons of her shirt.

 Chapter 49 - I want you

    <h4>Chapter 49 - I want you</h4>


    Jing Lihua felt hotness enveloping her. Finding thefort in that strange hotness, she leaned in and snuggled into it.


    Sofortable.


    Suddenly, her eyes opened widely. Her head was resting against a n.a.k.e.d shoulder. Strong arms were protectively wrapped around her waist; her face was sunk into the man¡¯s neck. A nket covered both of them and kept them warm. Startled, she sucked in a deep breath. Hot breaths hit the top of her head and a faint pleasant fragrance assaulted her nose. Big gentle hands affectionately rubbed her back.


    God!


    She pushed away the man. Her widened eyes focused at him; they were filled with utter shock.


    She was speechless. She recalled his features and quickly recognized him "You..." The man was not wearing a shirt.


    "I can exin..."


    "Get out"


    "JingJing I..."


    "I said get out!" Her voice rose considerably high. Fearing that his JingJing might lose it, he climbed out of the car and waited for her to calm down.


    Jing Lihua threw her head backward and pinched her nose bridge. The vast amount of information was too much for her to handle. Her mind went nk. She was in Hong Kong, right? Last she remembered, she was walking through the forests ready to pass out any moment. Then howe she ended up in that crazy doctor¡¯s arms and why the hell was he half-n.a.k.e.d?


    Jing Lihua wanted to cry.


    Finally calming herself enough, she climbed out of the van and nced around. The ce was huge, spacious and sparkling; brightened by hundreds of fancy lights. There were dozens of limited edition luxurious cars parked around; many of them didn¡¯t look like if they had ever been touched once. Looked like a VIP private garage of some high ranking character. Jing Lihua¡¯s careful gaze trailed to the side of the car. The crazy doctor was leaning against the car frame; his fingers absentmindedly ying with a cigar; his eyes were hazy.


    "Where am I?"


    The sudden voice broke him out of his thoughts; he looked at her with an expressionless face; his deep gaze pierced her heart.


    "Hong Kong" He had already put on a shirt but it not fully buttoned. His torso peeked through the gap between the shirt. Jing Lihua averted her eyes feeling lost.


    During the momentary silence that followed, Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t say anything; just quietly observed her. His lips curled up slightly into a faint smile, barely detectable.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. She steadied her heart. Why was she acting like a child? Her focused eyes met his again.


    "Which ce it is?"


    "Sunset Square apartments"


    Jing Lihua was shocked. "Who are you? How did I end up here..." Jing Lihua charged a series of questions. Sunset Apartments was one of the highest prized ces in Hong Kong. Only those who belonged to the upper ss, on an entirely different level with the wealthiest families, could afford to stand there.


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s faint smile became apparent. His eyes cleared. "We have had our introduction at the hospital before" He squashed his cigar between his fingers and discarded it. "I found you in the forests, passed out and brought you here. That¡¯s how you ended up here"


    The man exuded a severe aura. Like he was some nobility. Jing Lihua¡¯s heart hammered against her chest. She took a step away. A piercing pain shoot through her leg when she moved. She felt dizzy and lost her bnce. She staggered back. At the point when she felt like she would fall, a pair of arms reached out to support her.


    Jing Lihua was a strong woman. How could she ept help from a man?


    "Don¡¯t touch me!" She red at him and pushed away his hand. Moreover, her heart had still not calmed after waking up in his arms; she didn¡¯t want to be touched by that man again.


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes revealed amus.e.m.e.nt.


    "Not a nice way to treat someone who helped you, JingJing"


    All Jing Lihua heard was... What did he call her? What did he? JingJing? She stared at him; her eyes full of incredulity for a moment. The next moment, anger. If she had red at him previously then now she glowered.


    Li Zhiqiang tried his best not tough. Her re... How could she look so cute when ring? He wanted to kiss her right then. In fact, having her in his arms the all the time and not being able to do anything had him quite hot and bothered. If not for the fact that she was injured and he was worried about her, he would have made a move for sure.


    Just for now, he had to burry his urges. Sooner orter he would have her in his arms. He had already made a decision to stay by her side. He couldn¡¯t protect her by keeping her away from him. So from now on, he¡¯ll not leave her side.


    "I¡¯ll have you send the reward for helping me." She coldly said.


    "Reward?" What kind of reward? Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes looked interested. If it was the reward he wanted...


    "Mary reward" Jing Lihua unknowingly burst his bubble of fantasies.


    "I don¡¯t want a mary reward" Li Zhiqiang amus.e.m.e.nt was bing more and more apparent. "I want you"

 Chapter 50 - Who exactly are you?

    <h4>Chapter 50 - Who exactly are you?</h4>


    "Is this a joke?" Jing Lihua was lost. He lookedpletely serious; he didn¡¯t look like he was joking.


    Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t reply. His amused eyes looked at her. He pointed at her leg. "We need to get that fixed first." He leaned forward. With a swift, light moment, he picked her up.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s face filled with utter disbelief. "What are you doing?" With the close proximity, her face was inches away from his face. Moreover, his shirt was still not buttoned. She could feel his body heat through the thin cloth of his shirt. She could even feel his steady heartbeats. She felt like she was going to have a heart attack.


    "Put me down!"


    Li Zhiqiang looked at her in confusion; he had already started walking for the elevator. "Can you walk on your own"


    "Yes!"


    Li Zhiqiang slowly put her back onto her feet. His arm stayed around her waist in case she stumbled. Once free, Jing Lihua quickly pushed him away and pressed herself against the corner of the elevator.


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes filled with mirth. She was acting like a feisty scared cat. He felt a sudden urge to pat her. But he had to restrain her. This cat might w at him or bare its teeth at him.


    "Where are you taking me?" Jing Lihua asked when he pushed the button for the highest floor of the building.


    "To my apartment." He stayed silent for a moment before exining. "I¡¯ve invited some friends. Your wound might get an infection if not tended properly."


    "There is no need really. Just get me my phone. I¡¯ll leave" Jing Lihua waved her hands in protest. She didn¡¯t want to be an inconvenience.


    "You want to leave without giving me my reward?"


    Jing Lihua stared at him. After much contemtion and a long silence, she asked.


    "What exactly you want?" Jing Lihua assumed he must be joking the first time.


    "You."


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    "Can we settle for something else?"


    "No."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know what to do with this man. "Let¡¯s try again Dr. Li. I¡¯ve plenty of properties in Beijing. If you want anything else, I can easily grand it to you. How about this? I ask my secretary to name a subsidiary for you? There is a Subsidiary I have in Hong Kong. It is doing very well in the market. You wouldn¡¯t even need to look after it."


    "I want nothing else"


    Jing Lihua feltpletely defeated. She had presented him with such a nice offer. What else she could tempt him with? "I¡¯m sorry Dr. Li, I can¡¯t give myself to you"


    "Then I¡¯ll steal you."


    This man was impossible. With a deep breath, she looked away. She didn¡¯t want to continue this ridiculous conversation. The elevator door opened into a huge gallery. Jing Lihua was blinded momentarily at the magnificent scene. Pure white walls, pure white floor;rge ss panes covered the entire length of walls. The ceiling was very high. Curved stairs led to the upper floor. Beautiful metallic ir with intricate design decorated the stairs and border of the upper floor.


    "Does this ce belong to you?"


    "Yes"


    Jing Lihua realized why he was not tempted by her offer. She also realized why he was not scared when she threatened to get him fired the other day. This man belonged to some wealthy family. He owned such a magnificent penthouse. The penthouse was worth millions at least. Her subsidiary must be something insignificant in his eyes.


    "Doctors are waiting. Follow me"


    When Jing Lihua tried to move, her leg opposed her. She winced in pain and ced a hand over the wall for support.


    "You can not walk." Li Zhiqiang gently picked her up. The situation was too much for her - This man was treating her like a doll that he could pick up anytime without her consent.


    She protested but Li Zhiqiang turned a blind eye to her protests. He didn¡¯t put her down until he carried her to the bedroom on the second floor. Jing Lihua wanted to tell him an earful but suddenly stopped. In the bedroom, there were at least five senior doctors. She nced around nervously.


    Ten minutester.


    Her leg was bandaged and properly taken care of. She kept her silence the whole time. The doctors worked efficiently like professionals. She didn¡¯t want to create a drama in front of them. All the time, her mind was racing with different theories.


    The click of the door brought her out of her thoughts. Jing Lihua looked up and realized that there were only two of them in the room.


    "Who exactly are you?" She suddenly asked.

 Chapter 51 - First indirect kiss!

    <h4>Chapter 51 - First indirect kiss!</h4>


    "You are very suspicious Dr. Li. I can¡¯t make myself believe that in such a big city like Hong Kong, it was a coincidence that it was you who found me." Jing Lihua voiced out her suspicion. She expected to be given a satisfactory exnation. But she was given a totally different response.


    "It was no coincidence"


    Jing Lihua was perplexed.


    "Were you following me?" Suffused with confusion, her voice was less calm than she intended.


    Li Zhiqiang chuckled, sat on a couch cross-legged and gazed at his JingJing who looked so adorable when confused. No, it was not only when she was confused. She looked adorable all the time. Li Zhiqiang just couldn¡¯t decide when did she look more appealing. When she was angry? When she was confused? Or when she was acting smart? He couldn¡¯t help himself. He was totally head over heels over her. "I don¡¯t pursue a beautiful woman from the shadows. If I like someone, I pursue them openly." His eyes deeply pierced her heart. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.


    She quickly averted her eyes. Her heart was beating fast. Was that doctor using some sort of satanic trick once again? How could he make her feel so? She calmed herself and looked at him again.


    "I¡¯m married to someone whom you can¡¯t afford to offend. So keep your sweet words to yourself." She was blunt with her words. She had had enough of him.


    "And what if I can offend him?" He raised his eyebrow silently. Something was very different about his aura.


    Jing Lihuaughed. Ha! Stupid!


    "Even if you believe you can ¡¯offend¡¯ him, I¡¯m still married." Even if this man belonged to some wealthy family, Jing Lihua didn¡¯t think he would be more powerful than the top families in Beijing


    "Married to a person with whom you haven¡¯t shared a bed yet?"


    Jing Lihua almost fell from the bed. She stared at him dumbfounded.


    How did you know that? How could he possibly know that? A simple doctor couldn¡¯t have the means to know that all. Not even the notable families of Beijing had the means to keep them under the track. Someone only from a ce far above Su Liwei and Tang enterprise could know that. Jing Lihua recalled his words. Did he really mean it when he said he can offend Su Liwei? Was he someone more powerful than them both?


    "Who are you?" For the third time, she asked. He had invited doctors to treat her. If he was a doctor, he wouldn¡¯t need anyone else.


    Li Zhiqiang walked to her bedside table, picked up the tray and ced it on herp. "You didn¡¯t have anything to eat since yesterday afternoon. You need nutrition to recover."


    "Answer me first. Who are you?" Jing Lihua refused to touch the food. If he was not going to answer her, then she was going to be stubborn too.


    "I¡¯m not someone who intends to harm you." He sat on the edge of the bed. His eyes looked so sincere that Jing Lihua felt very inclined to believe. But she forced herself not to.


    "Your words are not enough to make me believe that. I was tried to be abducted. For all know, it could be you who tried to do that. Last I remember I was staggering through the forest. How could you suddenly appear in the middle of the forest? How did you find me?"


    "I saw a car by road"


    "What happened to the driver?"


    "We didn¡¯t find anyone else in the car"


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t feel convinced. The driver was obviously there. Did he gain consciousness and ran away? Or was this doctor lying?


    Li Zhiqiang continued his piercing gaze at her without saying anything.


    "Bring me my phone. I want to contact my secretary"


    Li Zhiqiang quietly pointed at the tray. "First"


    "Why do you care?"


    "How can I not care for such a beautiful woman"


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    She told him she was married and he still dared to flirt? She calmed herself. He wanted a reaction from her. But she wouldn¡¯t give him that satisfaction. Silent treatment would stop him own its own. She ignored him. She paused and nced at the te suspiciously for a moment.


    "It is not poisoned." Li Zhiqiang opened the chopsticks and ced a piece of vegetable in his mouth. "If it is, we will both die together"


    We will both die together - Why does it sound so romantic?


    Jing Lihua maintained her re at him. She picked up the chopsticks without much thought and ate silently. She didn¡¯t know herself how hungry she was. Moreover, the vegetables were very delicious. She couldn¡¯t resist the temptation and emptied everything. Jing Lihua felt like the crazy doctor¡¯s eyes were brimming with happiness.


    She nced at him. But only his eyes looked happy, his face was expressionless as wood. What it could be about?


    After making sure she ate everything, Li Zhiqiang walked out to bring her phone. He was in a very happy mood. They had their first indirect kiss! Finally an aplishment! If Jing Lihua knew what was going through his head, she would have wanted to burn the chopsticks to ashes.

 Chapter 52 - Ill steal you

    <h4>Chapter 52 - I''ll steal you</h4>


    Jing Lihua called Mei Xiu and gave her an address to pick her up. In just twenty minutes, Mei Xiu arrived.


    "President." Mei Xiu rushed to her side after getting out of her car. "Where had you gone to? Why did you not pick up your phone? We¡¯ve all been worried..."


    "Did you tell my grandfather?"


    "...No"


    "Good." Jing Lihua¡¯s tense expressions eased. "It¡¯s a long story. I¡¯ll tell you everything on our way back to the apartment."


    Meanwhile, Wang Yi walked out. For once, his eyes met Li Zhiqiang and he stopped. Something like acknowledgement reflected in his eyes. Li Zhiqiang conveyed something and Wang Yi understood it silently before Wang Yi nonchntly walked to a side as nothing happened. But Jing Lihua sharp eyes noticed all.


    "Wang Yi drive." She had to run an investigation on this crazy man and of course this suspicious driver.


    To her surprise, Wang Yi nced at Li Zhiqiang as if asking for permission. I¡¯m the boss here, alright!


    Li Zhiqiang walked to Jing Lihua to stand in front of her. "You still haven¡¯t given me the reward you promised." His eyes looked frisky.


    "I¡¯ll ask Mei Xiu to send you anything you want." Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to have any ridiculous conversation with this man; not at least in front of her secretary.


    "I don¡¯t want anything else."


    "What you asked is not something I can provide." Jing Lihua¡¯s attention was attracted by an iing call from Heng Bingwen. "When youe up with something reasonable then contact me." She ignored him and walked to the car.


    Wang Yi was appalled. He nced at his boss then at the woman. How could she... How could she ignore him like that? And the most shocking thing was his Boss was smiling after being ignored? Ah... Spooky!


    Only after a permissive nod from Li Zhiqiang, he strode towards the driving seat. The car sped off while Li Zhiqiang stayed frozen at his spot. His eye narrowed at the retreating call. He smiled faintly.


    JingJing if you won¡¯t willingly give yourself to me then I¡¯ll steal you.


    "President, Tang Huang whereabouts are unknown." When Jing Lihua picked up, a rushed voice came.


    "Has he fled the country?"


    "This is what that baffled me. I¡¯ve checked everything and I can say with certainty that he didn¡¯t leave the country. Last he was spotted at the Beijing airport. He had already reserved the seats to flee the country but thest minute... He was abducted by some men."


    Jing Lihua¡¯s face twitched. "Let me guess. This Li family has something to do with it?"


    Heng Bingwen¡¯s silence confirmed Jing Lihua¡¯s spection. Jing Lihua sighed.


    "Did you run the tests?"


    "No President. Your grandfather seems to have guessed our intentions. It is impossible for me to get his DNA."


    Her grandfather was not someone to be underestimated. He would have already guessed her intentions. After a long thought, she came up with an alternative. "Use my mother reports after her death." After exchanging a few more words, Jing Lihua hung up and nced outside.


    "Mei Xiu, what about the meeting with Mr. Li?" She asked after a long pause. Her eyes still gazing out.


    "President I received a call from Mr. Li¡¯s office. They canceled the meetingter that evening. They said their President had something... important to deal with. They even apologized for not sending the car."


    Jing Lihua was relieved. Who knew how that ¡¯Devil¡¯ would have responded if she had failed to arrive on time. From what she knew about him from rumors, he liked to have things on time. And once he closed his doors on someone, there was no way to persuade him the other way around. To have those Sounthers real estate in her hands was really putting pressure on her.


    She wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible. Because once the news was released about their worth, endless chaos would follow. She was aware of Su Liwei¡¯s interests in all her projects. He¡¯ll know sooner orter. Only someone as powerful as President Li could deal with that chaos. And she was also looking forward to his ¡¯answers¡¯ for meddling into her affairs.


    But whatever reason he had to help her, it couldn¡¯t be as serious as her situation.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s thoughts were interrupted when the driver announced that they had arrived.


    Jing Lihua grabbed the keys from the reception and aimed for her room. Before heading for her room, she had asked Mei Xiu to contact an agency to provide her with bodyguards. The person who had tried to abduct her... there was no telling he wouldn¡¯t try again. After a day of chaos, she was dead tired. She just wanted to throw herself on her bed. But fate had other ns for her. Just as she walked out of the elevator, she was met with a familiar face.


    "You...? What are you doing here?"

 Chapter 53 - A vague memory.

    <h4>Chapter 53 - A vague memory.</h4>


    Standing at the distance was the same crazy doctor that Jing Lihua had evaded half an hour ago. Jing Lihua stared at him in shock.


    He merely smiled at her. Without saying anything, he walked to a room adjacent to Jing Lihua¡¯s room. He swiped a card and the door opened. He walked in keeping the door open.


    Jing Lihua understood what happened. But countless questions bubbled in her mind. How did he manage to arrive here before her? The hotel was one of the most expensive ones in Hong Kong and required a reservation at least a month ago. How did he get a room adjacent to hers?


    Only once he disappeared into the room, Jing Lihua snapped out of it. Without giving it any thought she followed him into his room to demand an exnation. And so, without realizing, she walked right into his trap.


    Once she entered, she looked around but didn¡¯t found him. At her back, she heard the door closing and turned back on instinct. She found him standing ahead of the door.


    "You..." She didn¡¯t even know what to say or what to ask. Once she realized that she was alone with him, her heart hammered and her emotions frayed. She found herself unable to speak.


    "Yes...?" Li Zhiqiang had a rare smile. He was quite enjoying her reactions. He didn¡¯t rush, allowing his JingJing time to calm down.


    "Why are you here?" She voiced the first question that came to her mind.


    "Because I reserved a room so naturally..."


    "Stop trying to evade my questions. Are you following me? What do you intend to gain by following me? How did you manage to get a room here? I¡¯ve asked you countless times before but you never reply that who exactly are you? Who are you to me?" Jing Lihua charged a series of questions. Her patience was wearing off. "This can¡¯t be a coincidence anymore. What exactly you want from me?"


    The man stayed silent for a moment. Jing Lihua detectedplicated emotions in his eyes. He slowly walked to her and raised his hand to touch her face. His fingers brushed her cheeks and tugged a strand of her silky hair behind her hair. Jing Lihua found herself lost in his deep eyes, unable to respond.


    "JingJing" He whispered. After a moment he asked. "Have you really forgotten who I am?" Painced his voice. He intently looked into her eyes to find the JingJing he fell in love with.


    Silence followed. Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes wandered over his face to find something. She didn¡¯t know what exactly she was looking for. Ever since the day she met him in the hospital, she had sensed a vague familiarity from him. She had felt an undeniable attraction towards him. She could lie to everyone but not herself. But when she searched her memories, she couldn¡¯t find him.


    He leaned in. Jing Lihua stayed frozen at her ce. His face inched closer. She didn¡¯t move back or tried to push him. His warm fingers were resting on her face. Just a few more inches and their lips would touch. Jing Lihua was holding her breath. But at thest moment, he smiled and pulled back. Subsequently, the warmth of his fingers left her soft skin.


    "I told you if you wouldn¡¯t give yourself back to me, I¡¯ll steal you."


    Just at the moment, looking at his roguish eyes, something shed across Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes. It was a memory, a very vague memory. A face appeared in her mind. A pair of arms were wrapped around her waist. The man looked at her with deep affection, an affection whose strength couldn¡¯t be exined in words. In her memory, she wasughing and giggling in the man¡¯s embrace. She felt happy... truly happy. She took a deep breath. The emotions in her heart were so intense that they scared her.


    "JingJing..." Li Zhiqiang realized that something was wrong and he approached her cautiously.


    But she took a step back to avoid him and rushed out of the room without looking back.

 Chapter 54 - Slighted.

    <h4>Chapter 54 - Slighted.</h4>


    Jing Lihua went straight to her room and closed the door. Memories rushed to her mind.


    "No. No. No..." She ced her hands over her ears and shook her head vehemently. Ever since she had lost her everything in herst life, she had sworn to never let herself fall for those sorts of feelings. But what she had felt with Li Zhiqiang... even if they didn¡¯t do anything, was stronger than her experience with Su Liwei.


    She pushed back those memories that wanted to emerge into the depths of her mind. Whatever her rtion was with that crafty man, whatever was hidden in her heart, she wanted it to stay hidden.


    That crazy man was bad news for her.


    Not long after there was a gentle knock at the door. Jing Lihua¡¯s face twitched. She knew who it was. She didn¡¯t want to answer. After a long silence, she expected the person would have already left and sighed in relief. But to her dismay, there came another knock. After five such knocks, she took couldn¡¯t tolerate the slow torture and opened the door.


    "Is there anything?" She managed to say in a calm tone. She pretended nothing happened. She didn¡¯t want to give him any satisfaction that he had any sort of effect on her.


    "Are you alright?" Li Zhiqiang inquired quietly. No more words. His soft eyes conveyed all the unsaid feelings of genuine concern. The feelings that couldn¡¯t be faked in words.


    "What would happen to me?" She said with a frown continuing to pretend. But her heart rate picked up.


    There was a sh in Li Zhiqiqng¡¯s eyes and he walked in without being invited. Jing Lihua was amazed at his boldness. She turned at looked at his back. He seemed to be inspecting the ce."This is not your home."


    But Li Zhiqiqang seemed to be thinking apletely different thing. "So tant." He looked around and frowned. The room wasn¡¯t the VIP one. How dare those petty managers slight his JingJing when his secretary obviously gave them a call. It seemed he needed to teach them a lesson. They were surely being tant. Had they expected that he would not know?


    Question marks appeared above Jing Lihua¡¯s head. She shook them off. After all, she was addressed to a crazy man. Someone whose words would be random and incoherent.


    "If you won¡¯t mind, Mr. Li, this is my apartment. Would you please note in if you are not invited in?"


    "I mind."


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    "I didn¡¯t invite you." He threw a nce at her before making a quick call.


    Jing Lihua opened her mouth then closed it. She almost gnashed her teeth. He had obviously kept his door open for her to walk in. But she had a feeling he wouldn¡¯t admit it.


    "State your purpose." She said grumpily.


    He raised his phone. "Dinner."


    Would it kill him to say a few more words?


    "Do you want to have dinner with me?" She asked with suspicion.


    Silence.


    Somehow she knew silence was his way of saying ¡¯Yes¡¯.


    "And do you think I would agree to eat with you?"


    Silence.


    "In that case you are mistaken."


    He tilted his head and pointed at her bandaged leg. "You need nutrition. I wouldn¡¯t be able to steal you if you keep ending in hospital."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know how to reply. He was impossible. She hated it when others took the upper hand. She liked to be the one in the control; the absolute control.


    She was thinking about what to say next to drive him out when they heard an urgent knock at the door.


    Li Zhiqiang straightened and strode towards the door expecting the food delivery.


    "Stop." Jing Lihua pulled him back and pushed him into a room. She looked aghast. "Stay here. Don¡¯t get out."


    Before he could say anything, the door was shut on his face. She had called him Mr. Li. It seemed she was getting more and more suspicious.


    "Zhao Liying" Jing Lihua greeted her with a smile. After the attempted abduction, she asked her bodyguard not to let anyone other than her friends in. Not even room service was allowed. And with the impatient knocking, she could easily tell that it was Zhao Liying. Thest thing she wanted was to have her friend see a hot man in her room...te at night.


    "Well... Um... We didn¡¯t get to talk after I..." Zhao Liying tried to hide her guilty face.


    To her good luck, Mei Xiu didn¡¯t inform Zhao Liying about Jing Lihua¡¯s disappearance yesterday. If she had, Jing Lihua would have been being strangled by a hug right now.


    "After you sold me off to my grandfather...?" Jing Lihua teased her.


    "It¡¯s not my fault. Look I had a flight. I didn¡¯t have a choice."


    "That¡¯s not the way to apologize. If that¡¯s what you are here for."


    "Who said I¡¯m here to apologize." Zhao Liying looked around to change the topic "You know what. Su Lanfan is here. Be careful. After your epic battle on the inte, she is filled with deep resentment toward you." Zhao Liying explored the ce. She didn¡¯t look satisfied. The hotel was obviously ignoring her by giving her such a room. "Are you sure you are alright with this room? Would you want me to give a call to my manager?" Zhao Liying suspected it was Su family behind it.


    Jing Lihua was thinking about asking Mei Xiu about the matter with Su Lanfen. After all, she had been too busy prepare for the meeting with that ¡¯Devil¡¯ that she stopped following the Su Lanfen matter. She didn¡¯t know what had happened after the video was released. "It¡¯s alright." Her eyes hid resentment. "They would regret before I even return to Beijing." Because before that she would have had that meeting with President Li. And with the alliance of such an important person, she would be impeachable.


    Zhao Liying threw a smile at Jing Lihua. "I like this Xiao Hua."


    They chattered for some time. Jing Lihua felt at ease when finally Zhao Liying decided to leave but just then, a loud ring bell that came from Jing Lihua¡¯s bedroom shattered the peace of the room.

 Chapter 55 - Hotpot with the Crazy Doctor.

    <h4>Chapter 55 - Hotpot with the Crazy Doctor.</h4>


    In the silence that followed, Zhao Liying froze.


    Jing Lihua froze.


    Inside the bedroom, Li Zhiqiang froze.


    "Is there anyone..." Zhao Liying nced at the bedroom¡¯s closed door, suspicious.


    "Zhao Liying you need to sleep. See howte it is? Tomorrow is a big day for you!. I¡¯ll walk you to your bedroom." Jing Lihua rushed to take Zhao Liying out of her room. But Zhao Liying evaded her.


    "Who is inside your bedroom at this hour?"


    "My bedroom?" Jing Lihua frowned and nced back at the closed door. "Mei Xiu identally left my office phone here. And it gets a lot of sham calls. Especially after the incident with Su Lanfen." She made her expressions like Zhao Liying said something absurd and ushered her back out of her room.


    After leaving her at her door, Jing Lihua returned with somewhat eased expressions. If Zhao Liying had known that she was hiding a man in her bedroom - a very handsome man - then hell would break trying to exin to her.


    When Jing Lihua stepped back into her room, pleasant fragrance molested her nose and yielded her stomach into a grumble. Jing Lihua followed the trail of the fragrance and found a hot pot resting in the middle of the table. Li Zhiqiang was expertly putting vegetables and meat into it. Once he noticed that Jing Lihua was back, he gestured her to sit.


    "There was no need..."


    Jing Lihua wanted to decline. She wanted to push him out and tell him she didn¡¯t want to eat with him. But when she looked at the steaming hot pot and the spicy odor, her determination shook. Hotpot was her favorite. She gritted her teeth and sat beside him.


    Just this time, she would yield. She would push him out if there was another time.


    Jing Lihua grabbed her bowl. Before she could say something, Li Zhiqiang himself filled it with all her favorite ingredients. Jing Lihua was embarrassed as well as shocked. How would he know what she liked so perfectly? But her concerns were thrown out of the window when an appetizing waft drifted to her nose. Splitting her chopsticks, she attacked the food.


    Li Ziqiang also put some ingredients in his bowl but his heart was not into eating, unlike Jing Lihua. His eyes kept on her. She was the reason he was here. His lips curled up thinking that not long after they would be able to enjoy this bliss every day. Unlike Li Zhiqiang, Jing Lihua had fully indulged herself in his delicious cooking. A veryfortable silence lingered in the air as the man and the woman ate,te at night, alone together.


    "The sauce is very rich. Did you make it?"


    Li Zhiqiang nodded.


    "Good. Teach me how you made it sometime." She said casually then paused. Wasn¡¯t she supposed to think of the ways to push him away? Her chopsticks were guiding a piece of meat into her mouth and she nced at him. He had already finished and was staring at her.


    "Sure." He agreed.


    It was toote to regret. Jing Lihua gulped down the lump. F.u.c.k it. If he was her stalker then be it. Everything could be sacrificed for Hotpot. She busied herself with the savory food.


    Jing Lihua finished and picked up the bowls to take them to the kitchte. Li Zhiqiang was away to pick up a call. She nced back. He was still busy with the person on the other end of the phone. Jing Lihua picked up her phone and looked through thetest news.


    As she expected, the video had a dramatic effect. Jing Lihua was surprised when she found a long apology from Su Lanfen. She was not interested in reading the content of it. But before her post, the video was already released so the damage that happened to Su Lanfen was irreparable despite her apology.


    Jing Lihua scrolled down through the screen and read the headlines of media channels situated in Beijing. They imed that murders had nothing to do with the Su family. And Su Lanfen¡¯s manager had cleared the video to merely erase her misbehavior, not the evidence of murders as the analysts had pressed upon earlier.


    In some sense, the video had helped them to clear out their names from the murders at the restaurant. Jing Lihua had no interest in dragging the Su family that was not caused by them. Neither was she a petty person. They should pay for something they did. Not for something they didn¡¯t. But that didn¡¯t mean she would do anything to clear their name.


    The number of media channels following the matter was dwindling. The Su family was doing their best to clear Su Lanfen¡¯s name before the iing top ten model award. Soon this news would die on its own and would be a matter of past. But Su Lanfen¡¯s reputation did suffer a considerable blow. Jing Lihua smirked. That was the consequence of underestimating her.


    She put away her phone and nced at Li Zhiqiang who had also done his call.

 Chapter 56 - Fashion Show

    <h4>Chapter 56 - Fashion Show</h4>


    Probably because Jing Lihua had realized that he was not just a mere doctor, but someone with a strong background, she was tolerant towards him. "Mr. Li, it¡¯ste, don¡¯t you think you should leave?"


    "I appreciate the hotpot and your concern, but I¡¯m a married woman and having a man at my ce sote at night won¡¯t be appropriate."


    "I¡¯ll see you tomorrow." Li Zhiqiang strode out.


    Jing Lihua sighed and slouched down on the couches. She contemted the methods to get rid of that crazy man who intended to ¡¯steal her¡¯. Avoidance was not an option. Maybe if she acted badly in front of him...


    Early in the morning Jing Lihua walked out of her room and headed for the elevator. The elevatordy directed for the tenth floor. Once Jing Lihua stepped out of the elevator, she spotted some familiar faces. At some distance, Su Lanfen had just climbed down from the upper floors. A group of paparazzi rushed from all sides and surrounded her like bees. None of them even hinted at the scandal. She looked quite satisfied being the center of attention. "How much she had paid to shut them up?" Just a nce and Jing Lihua realized. It was also not umon for celebrities to hire paparazzi to make them look good. With a smile, she walked away to meet with Zhao Liying.


    Zhao Liying excused herself from the guests who were gathered around her. "Xiao Hua, so are here so early. Not any other buyer is here yet."


    "There wasn¡¯t anything else to do. I woke up early." Jing Lihua smiled at her. "Besides I¡¯m not here for my business. It was just an excuse toe here. I¡¯m here as your friend; to cheer you up."


    "Did you hear? There are rumors that the tycoon of Hong Kong will be attending."


    Jing Lihua ears perked up. "You mean the President of Li empire?"


    "Yes." Zhao Liying looked excited. "He has only shown up in a few high-ss gs before. So the rumors might not be true. And this event is rtively less important for a person like him. However, even the rumors have put the management team under extreme pressure." The organization including the whole building that was going to host the fashion show was under the Li empire. So when the ultimate boss decided to show up, the employees would surely be panic-stricken.


    That ¡¯Devil¡¯ was obviously an immortal in the realm of mortals. He was from an entirely different level. So he wouldn¡¯t have time to pay her any heed. Even though he helped her, Jing Lihua didn¡¯t think she would matter to him much. He wouldn¡¯t probably even remember her name. But if she had a chance, she would surely like to get some answers.


    "Zhao Liying, you have to be careful today" Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes became serious. "You must know about Su Lanfen and herpany. They are notorious for exploiting underhand tactics. After the recent scandals, they would want to salvage her. And for their purpose, they won¡¯t hesitate to employ any method to make herpetitors look bad."


    That was one of the other reasons Jing Lihua had agreed toe to this fashion show. She hadn¡¯t visited the fashion show in herst life so she wasn¡¯t aware of exact details. But Zhao Liying had undergone an ident and failed to appear making her disappoint millions of fans.


    "I know."


    Jing Lihua chattered around with different people and guests. It was a way to make new acquaintances. Because soon, she would open a new mall and she would need to host products of different designers at her ce. Even though Jing Lihua was here for Zhao Liying, that wouldn¡¯t stop her from reaping all the advantages.


    She had enlisted some names beforeing to Hong Kong who would be attending the fashion show. Jing Lihua skillfully exchanged numbers with them all. Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t settle the uneasiness in her heart. After excusing herself, she headed for Zhao Liying¡¯s dressing room to check on her. In the corridors, she was lost.


    "Excuse me. Do you know where is Zhao Liying room?" Jing Lihua asked politely from a random person. The woman looked up from her phone, fixed her thick sses, and frowned.


    "Another fan? This is no ce for the public. How did the security let you in.?" Disdain shed across her eyes. "Come on, let me take you out." The woman tried to grab Jing Lihua.


    Jing Lihua stepped back. Her expression became cold. The woman was being rude.


    "I¡¯m Zhao Liying friend."


    "That¡¯s what they all say. Now shut up and..."


    "Yang Mi!" A loud voice rang from the back and shook the woman. She quickly reverted her attitude to a reverent one.


    "Manager Chen, this fan found her way here. I was merely guiding her way out..."


    "You were being disrespectful again."


    Yang Mi gnashed her teeth and apologized to Jing Lihua and rushed away from there before the manager could berate her any further.


    "Come with me, Xiao Jing." Ignoring the woman, Chen Li called Jing Lihua with a smile.


    "Uncle Chen, how came the more time that passes, the more handsome and young you look?" Jing Lihuaughed.


    "Don¡¯t try to butter me up. Tell me what you want." Chen Li was a wise man.


    Jing Lihua sighed and nced into the room where Zhao Liying was being surrounded by a group of makeup artists. "Just look over Zhao Liying"


    "You don¡¯t need to ask that from me."


    "It¡¯s not about that. I¡¯ve information that Su Lanfenpany is nning something. And they will do all that requires to make her unable to attend."


    Quickly Chen Li¡¯s eyes looked in the direction Yang Mi to where Yang Mi had walked away. Jing Lihua followed his gaze. "I had my suspicion. Thanks for confiding me, Xiao Jing. I¡¯ll be careful. Our Zhao Liying is lucky to have a friend like you."


    Jing Lihua chattered with Uncle Chen for a while but didn¡¯t go in. She didn¡¯t want to disturb Zhao Liying. After making sure Zhao Liying would be safe, Jing Lihua decided to leave when they announced that the show would be starting soon. But something unexpected awaited her.

 Chapter 57 - Wolf under a warm smile

    <h4>Chapter 57 - Wolf under a warm smile</h4>


    In a distance, Jing Lihua spotted Su Liwei. He turned once he saw Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua paused for a second before walking directly towards him without any reluctance. If it was the Jing Lihua of past, she would have been fl.u.s.tered and tried to avoid him. But this Jing Lihua wasn¡¯t the one before him.


    And for some strange reason as time passed, Su Liwei was losing his effect on her.


    "Mr. Su I¡¯ve been expecting you." She had a calm smile and wore very formal expressions. Like she was not addressed to her husband but to some acquaintance.


    "We are in a gathering. It would be best if you addressed me less formally." Su Liwei¡¯s eyes were calm.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter. "There is no one around us. But if it makes you feel ufortable, I¡¯ll call you by your full name next time." Jing Lihua excused herself but Su Liwei stopped her.


    "I know what are you nning."


    Jing Lihua blinked at him in confusion. Su Liwei leaned towards her but Jing Lihua stood her ground unwilling to back off. In a very light tune, Su Liwei said.


    "I¡¯ve made a reservation to the Su Inds. I¡¯ll be expecting you to arrive next Monday, at the Mealor mansion." With that, he walked away.


    "He thinks he can order me around?" Jing went to find herself a seat. The catwalk started soon and models started to appear along the catwalk. People held their phones and reporters their camera and equipment. Cheers and ps resounded in the Hall when Su Lanfen face surfaced from the corner. All the reporters tensed up and inched closer their camera. People held their breath. Among all the noise and mour, Jing Lihua was calm. Her eyes assessed everything.


    Su Lanfen posed for ten seconds, and turned to walked back. While she was heading back, Zhao Liying emerged from the background. She was wearing long heels. Her gait was smooth and wless. They both stood at the middle and posed around. Then they exchanged their spots. The audience cheered loudly. Su Lanfen and Zhao Liying rivalry was a hot topic, and their double pose would make covers of many, many magazines.


    Especially once the names for top ten models award are nominated.


    Jing Lihua sighed when the first round went smoothly. After the first round, there was a short break. Drinks were served while buyers made contacts with fashion designers. Jing Lihua was approached by some people. In a corner, she saw a rather frantic looking Yang Mi rushing for the exit. Quickly excusing herself, Jing Lihua followed her quietly.


    Yang Mi rushed to a room. She looked around to see if there was anyone. After making sure the corridor was empty, she entered the room and closed the door shut. Jing Lihua came out from and corner and walked to the room. From inside the room, screams could be heard.


    "It¡¯s not my fault! Someone knew what we were up to."


    "We had an agreement. Now that the n is ruined, it is your responsibility toe up with a better alternative. If you fail to do so, not only we would stop the transaction, we¡¯ll make sure that you are totally destroyed."


    "But..."


    "Do as I proposed earlier. I¡¯m giving you this drug. Use whatever method you have to slip it into her ss."


    "What if she finds out it is me...?"


    "We¡¯ll help you out and safely get you out of China."


    Silence followed and shuffling of footsteps could be heard. Jing Lihua quickly walked away and pretending to be going about her own business. The person who came out of the room was Su Lanfen¡¯s manager. After confirming the identity, Jing Lihua didn¡¯t waste any time and found Zhao Liying.


    "Zhao Liying what is Yang Mi job at yourpany?"


    "Yang Mi? She is my makeup artist."


    "Did she prepare you today?"


    Jing Lihua eyes followed Yang Mi every movement. Yang Mi looked nervous as she chatted to a waitress at a distance. She grabbed two drinks and made her way towards them.


    "No. My manager didn¡¯t let her attend me today. Why you ask?"


    "Listen to me. Do not drink whatever she gives you." Jing Lihua had urgency in her eyes.


    Zhao Liying didn¡¯t quite understand what Jing Lihua really wanted. But she grasped the gravity of the situation from Jing Lihua serious look so she nodded.


    "Ms Zhao, you stole the spotlight today." She handed a ss to Zhao Liying. "Here¡¯s a toast to your fabulous performance."


    Zhao Liying grabbed the ss but didn¡¯t drink.


    Yang Mi grew nervous. But she pushed down her nervousness and wore a warm smile. "Come on. You have been preparing long for this day. Would you not even take a sip?"


    Zhao Liying smiled. She nced at Jing Lihua before guiding the ss to her lips. Yang Mi eyes eased like a great burden had been lifted off her shoulders. But she hid her real expressions under a smile.

 Chapter 58 - A setup

    <h4>Chapter 58 - A setup</h4>


    Just as the ss was about to touch her lips, it slipped from Zhao Liying hands, hit the floor and smashed into pieces. Luckily the ce where they were standing, was not crowded and the music was still on in the background so no one noticed.


    "I¡¯m so sorry" Zhao Liying stepped back with wide eyes.


    Yang Mi looked like she was about to cry. She had used up all the drug given by Su Lanfen manager and put it on that ss. With a face full of helplessness and despair, she walked away without even looking at Zhao Liying. Under the desperation, she shed the mask of kindness.


    "You could have just declined the drink."


    "That would have been impolite." Zhao Liying grinned and followed behind Yang Mi. With an amused face, Jing Lihua¡¯s also followed her out of the Hall. At a distance, Zhao Liying caught up Yang Mi.


    "Yang Mi, you made the right decision" Zhao Liying stopped her.


    "Huh...?"


    "I know they have been hard on you. But trust me I¡¯ll never let Su Lanfenpany hurt you. You have proven your worth to us to put your safety aside for the sake of me and mypany and went into their territory. Ourpany will never forget your sacrifice and provide you with the bestpensation." With sheer sincerity in her eyes, Zhao Liying said those words and left Yang Mi befuddled. Her acting was top notch. Yang Mi, who was already at the brink of a nervous breakdown, could not possibly understand Zhao Liying¡¯s intentions.


    But standing at a distance, Jing Lihua understood all. Because not far from them was one of the Su Lanfenpany spies. He quickly conveyed those words to Su Lanfen¡¯s manager. Su Lanfen¡¯s manager went red with anger. "Yang Mi!" She roared, gathered a few men and marched to catch Yang Mi.


    Yang Mi was was on her way to flee after realizing there was no way she could stop Zhao Liying. Yang Mi was paid well as Zhao Liying makeup artist. But when she saw Zhao Liying rolling in money and enjoying such a famed status, she could not stop the envy from appearing in her heart. Over the years, this envy .u.mted into deep hatred and resentment. So when Su Lanfen had contacted her with such a glorious offer, her heart was filled with joy.


    At first, she didn¡¯t want to betray Zhao Liying. After all, Zhao Liying always treated her like a sister. Butter, her greed won. So what if Zhao Lying treated her good? She could never be in the same status as her. She was just a mere artist. So she epted. First, they asked to do small things. In fact, Zhao Liying¡¯s scandal was also made possible with her help.


    Later they asked for big things. Yang Mi was afraid that she might get caught so she refused. But they started to ckmail her. So after increasing the amount of money for the dirt jobs, she started to provide inside information on Zhao Liying.


    "F.u.c.k it. Open up!" With trembling fingers, Yang Mi tried to pen up her car door. But just the next moment, she was surrounded by a group of men.


    "Yang Mi I¡¯ve to admit. I admire you. To be able to have fooled me for so long. So you have been with them all the time. But in the end, you made a mistake... You assumed you could keep fooling me forever. And the bigger mistake to think that they could protect you from us."


    "W-What..."


    "Grab her."


    A couple of men put a ck cloth over her mouth and put her into a ck van.


    "W-Wait! Listen to me. I didn¡¯t know. W-Wait..." She was reminded of Zhao Liying¡¯s words that she couldn¡¯t understand at first. Now she understood. She set her up. F.u.c.k that bitch!


    She was over.


    ...


    Zhao Liying walked back to Jing Lihua. Her best friend was evil.


    "When did you know?" Zhao Liying followed her back into the Hall.


    "After you warned my manager, he ran an investigation. We have already been suspicious of her." Zhao Liying looked a little sad. But it was reced with anger and evilness. Zhao Liying wasn¡¯t the one to spare her enemies. "She was not the only one they bought up. Thankfully after your warning, my manager - he dealt with them all."


    "You sound very proud of him"


    "You must have mistaken. Why would I sound proud of that old man?" Thought Zhao Liying said that there were sparks of admiration in her eyes.


    When they re-entered the Hall, the host was on the stage vehemently introducing the chief guest of the fashion show. Everyone was as quiet as an inanimate statue and an overwhelming coldness dominated the surroundings. All the heads were turned towards the stage to get a glimpse of the rumored ¡¯Devil¡¯ of Hong Kong.


    Jing Lihua raised her head to look up at the stage.

 Chapter 59 - You make it even better

    <h4>Chapter 59 - You make it even better</h4>


    The stage was very far from where Jing Lihua was standing so she couldn¡¯t get a nice view. Besides the angle only made her see his side profile.


    "Why is he here only now?"


    "The previous disy was only a warm-up. The real show will start now. The best selling fashion designer will put their items. So it is only right that he appears now." Zhao Liying looked nervy. "I¡¯ll leave now. Third turn¡¯s mine"


    Now that the matter with the Zhao Liying was resolved, Jing Lihua didn¡¯t feel like attending the fashion show. She looked in the direction where President Li was standing. There was no way she could approach him with such a huge crowd surrounding him. Besides she had made all the other acquaintances she had enlisted before arriving here. She nced at the spot where her seat would be. Besides her seat, Su Liwei¡¯s seat was reserved.


    Jing Lihua naturally didn¡¯t like crowded ces. She walked away and head for the terrace. Once she stepped out of the elevator, the roaring wind weed her. Jing Lihua walked to the edge of the terrace and folded her arms over it. She looked at the bustling city under her. Huge skyscr.a.p.ers lifted into the sky. A smile spread on her lips and she enjoyed the peace and quiet. In thepany of silence, she didn¡¯t know how much time had passed.


    At her back, Jing Lihua heard the footsteps. They stopped at a certain distance from her.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s smile didn¡¯t disappear. Instead, it deepened. She didn¡¯t turn to look back who it was as she said. "How did you find I was here?"


    The man walked to her side and leaned over the fence. He nced at the spot where Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes were fixed.


    "You must be sad. All your effort of waking up so early in the morning went to waste." Li Zhiqiang said. Jing Lihua had purposely left early in the morning to avoid being caught by him.


    "No... If you could find a way to have a room adjacent to me, I knew you would easily find a way to know where I am." She knew she couldn¡¯t avoid him. And for some strange reason, that didn¡¯t bother her as it did before.


    "If I want to steal you, I must know where you are all the time."


    "You seem to take your job very seriously." Jing Lihuaughed. She enjoyed hispany.


    "There hasn¡¯t been any other job I¡¯ve taken this seriously." Li Zhiqiqnag nced at the side profile of Jing Lihua. Her pale skin was soft and delicate, filling his heart with an indescribable urge to caress her soft cheeks and squash them. Her cinnabar red lips were titled up lightly. It looked like she was surrounded by a warm glow. Her beauty was ethereal making Li Zhiqiang feel like he could lose himself into such pleasant sight for eternity if he didn¡¯t look away.


    Jing Lihua smiled but didn¡¯t say anything. They both fell into afortable silence as they looked into the distance.


    "You like solitude."


    After a brief silence Jing Lihua said: "When I was young, my mother and I... let¡¯s just say we were surrounded by a lot of bad people. Especially when there were crowds. We were given a lot of funny looks. Even inside the family, we were not treated any better. The only moments of peace I can recall are those spent in solitude with my mother... away from home. I don¡¯t know even if I should call that hell ce home." Jing Lihua scoffed. "She used to take me to such isted ces. We didn¡¯t use to talk much but we liked it... both of us. Away from the maliciousness of all the people. Where there are only two of us and we can drop our fears. This feeling is associated with my mother. So whenever I¡¯m alone, I feel like she is just beside me."


    After some silence, Li Zhiqiqang asked: "Do I not interrupt your solitude?"


    What Jing Lihua said next made his heart skip a beat. She nced at him, tilted her head and smiled. The wind blew making the strands of hair behind her ear get free and caress her rosy cheeks.


    "No... Instead, you make it even better."

 Chapter 60 - I want you to find me.

    <h4>Chapter 60 - I want you to find me.</h4>


    Jing Lihua looked away abashed at what had she just said. She had been so lost in the moment that she didn¡¯t realize what had slipped her tongue. She coughed and quickly said. "I¡¯m still married. Don¡¯t get your hopes up."


    Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t say anything but Jing Lihua could feel his happiness lingering in the air. She went back to staring into the city not knowing what to say. She mentally pped herself and decided not to let herself lose again.


    "The city looks even better from the terrace of the sunset square apartments"


    "It might. But we¡¯ll have no way to know. The ce is off-limit to the public. It is the private territory of the Li family."


    "If you wish, I can take you there."


    "You can?" Jing Lihua stared at him. In response, he smiled.


    Suddenly an idea struck Jing Lihua. "Do you have any acquaintance with President Li?" The more Jing Lihua thought about it, the more usible it seemed. "Are you some distant rtive of the prestigious Li family?" It exined why he was able to afford a penthouse at Sunset Square apartments. It also exined the reason he could easily get a room adjacent to her at such short notice. Maybe he hade here to apany President Li to the fashion show.


    Surname ¡¯Li¡¯ was verymon so Jing Lihua hadn¡¯te up with this spection before. But she also knew that the prestigious Li family of Hong Kong didn¡¯t have any rtives. It was only the parents, grandparents and the Li brothers. Maybe he was an illegitimate who was kept hidden from the world. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t ask the question in fear that she might hurt his feelings.


    "Maybe. Maybe not."


    "You like to keep yourself a mystery, don¡¯t you?" Jing Lihua felt like the silent, cold man was slowly opening up in front of her.


    "Maybe I want you to find out for yourself who I am."


    "I will."


    ...


    When Jing Lihua returned to the Hall, the fashion show was already done. The most sessful role was yed by Zhao Liying. After their scheme failed, for some reason, Su Lanfen lost her confidence. And confidence is everything in modeling.


    "Serves her right." Jing Lihua congratted Zhao Liying. Mo Liang was being surrounded by his admirers. President Li was nowhere to be found. It seemed like Jing Lihua missed the opportunity. Jing Lihua had asked Mei Xiu to arrange another official meeting with this President Li. So she would have a chance soon enough.


    When Jing Lihua walked her way back to her room, she spotted Jing Tian standing in her way. Her presence here only meant more trouble for Jing Lihua.


    "What do you want?"


    "Don¡¯t think you have won today." Jing Tian voice was dark.


    Jing Lihua frowned and looked around. Now, what was her little sister up to. "I¡¯ve won in many ces. Do tell me what specific situation are you referring to?" Earlier that day Jing Lihua had noticed her sister fawning around Su Lanfen. But Jing Lihua never considered Jing Tian as a potential threat so she didn¡¯t even bother to worry over what she was up to.


    Jing Tian red up but she kept her calm. She was here to anger Jing Lihua, not to lose it herself. "Haha. Everyone knows. Your husband stays in a separate room and you stay in this room. What face are you left with to keep talking to me?"


    "Does that have anything to do with you?"


    Jing Tian realized Su Liwei¡¯s name was not working so she used an alternative approach. "You know what? I still remember your mother. She was just like you. Shameless and a coward. They said she had an affair even after her..."


    "If you don¡¯t want to regret it for the rest of your life, you will shut up." Jing Lihua¡¯s voice was dead cold.


    Jing Tian felt a chill but she gritted her teeth to get over her fear. "Haha. I still remember the day we found her burnt to death. You have no idea how happy we were. Finally, we got rid of that obnoxious woman. Karma gets back at everyone. She was a s.l.u.t and God punished her for..."


    "Shut up!"


    "Remember how you were pathetically crying over her dead body begging for her to return. So disgusting. Ever since that day, you disgust me to..."


    Before she couldplete Jing Lihua raised her hand and pped her hard across her face.

 Chapter 61 - I like you even more now.

    <h4>Chapter 61 - I like you even more now.</h4>


    A p resounded across the corridor. The impact was so harsh that Jing Tian ended up falling on the ground. Jing Lihua¡¯s expressions were terrifying. Years of resentment worked up. She bent on her knees and roughly grabbed Jing Tian¡¯s hair.


    "I don¡¯t care what you are up to. I don¡¯t care if you are Su Lanfen¡¯s new dog or not. But let me tell you, if you ever cross me again that will be your end."


    Jing Tian was horrified. She had expected a response from Jing Lihua but not such a violent one. The murderous look in Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes chilled her to the marrow. She regretted ever agreeing with Su Lanfen for her own benefits. Benefits would only matter if one lived to enjoy them. But looking at Jing Lihua¡¯s scary eyes, she felt like her life was short.


    Jing was a coward. She would act arrogant only in front of those whom she was confident she could stomp under her shoes. Like she used to stomp Jing Lihua under her shoes. But right now, this Jing Lihua looked so different from the one she used to


    "Please..."


    "Shh. I¡¯m not done talking." Jing Lihua sneered. It looked like she was a totally different person. "I know you were the one who drugged me that night. I have all the evidence and reports from the government and even the driver whom you bribed into assaulting me is under in my hands and tortured to that point of losing sanity that he¡¯ll spew everything once he sees my face. Do you really think you want to continue doing whatever you are up to?"


    "I-I¡¯m..."


    "Be a nice dog and go to your master to tell her if she doesn¡¯t stop getting in my way... or Zhao Liying way, I¡¯ll have no choice but to find a way to end her once and for all. Tell her that she was capable of oveing the scandal only because I took pity on her. But next time, I won¡¯t be this generous."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t wait for her to respond. Jing Tian¡¯s face was pale and it looked like she could faint anytime soon. A hand was printed on her cheek, ruining her face perfectly. She covered her ruined face with her hand and dashed out of there as if her life depended on it.


    "She really didn¡¯t think I would kill her, did she?"


    Jing Lihua rose and looked ahead. Her eyes met a smiling Li Zhiqiqang at a distance. She had already spotted him before pping her sister. That was one of the reasons she had pped her. She wanted to show that man that she was such a horrible person. That she would p her own sister. So Li Zhiqiang would quit the idea of chasing her.


    "Do you still want to have any thoughts to steal me?" Jing Lihua smiled. Her voice had a hint of taunt and intimidation in them. Like she was some evil devil.


    "Fiesty." The smile in his eyes wouldn¡¯t go away. "I like you even more now."


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    She brutally pped and terrorized a white lotus in front of him and he says... he says... ¡¯I like you even more¡¯? Her scheme totally failed.


    Jing Lihua sighed helplessly. She would have to think of better methods to chase him away. He was such a difficult person.


    ...


    Su Lanfen was furious. Irritated with impatience, she snapped at her team every now and then. The atmosphere was very tense.


    "Where is she?" She was going mad with frustration.


    "We couldn¡¯t have any contact with Jing Tian. She wasn¡¯t where we were supposed to meet her. In fact, we can¡¯t even contact her." A woman reported


    "I helped her win the contracts with the Irishpany and after getting what she wanted, she abandoned us?" Su Lanfen¡¯s manager mmed her hands over the table. "Uneptable. I spent much effort to collect all the people. Does she underestimate ourpany name? What is she? Just a talentless novice whose name is unknown to everyone. And yet she dared. It seemed like people are really undervaluing not only ourpany but your ¡¯Su¡¯ family name. We must teach them a lesson to shut them up once and for all."


    "Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua." Su Lanfen rubbed her temples. "That vixen has given me too much trouble. Ever since the day at the restaurant, she has been constantly standing in my way, blocking my way to sess." Su Lanfen eyes were filled with hatred. "I won¡¯t let her or Zhao Liying stand in my way to be get the top ten model award."


    "I agree. We must do something to get rid of them." Her manager incited her. "But don¡¯t worry. After you get the spokesman ce in the perfume brand from Hong Kong, your influence will spread in Hong Kong. Not only that, I¡¯ve been contacted by countless people who want you to endorse their products after your performance in the fashion show. By all that, you can spread your influence in Hong Kong. We still stand a chance. Zhao Liying is always one step behind you. As long as we don¡¯t mess up this chance, you can defeat her."


    "That brand is the one under Li corporation fashion department?" Su Lanfen¡¯s eyes suddenly lightened. "You don¡¯t need to worry about the spokesman position. I¡¯ll get that for sure. Earlier that day, the Presiden Li voluntarily approached me. He asked about all the organizations that have shown interest in working with me. I think... he was impressed by my performance."


    "Maybe he liked you."


    "It must be that. After all, you are so beautiful."


    "Tell us more."


    "Did he praise you?"


    "Hush... You girls." Su Lanfen giggled. "It was just professional talk. Nothing like that. He must have been interested in my talents."


    "Is that so?" Su Lanfen¡¯s manager was very happy. If Su Lanfen could strike the contract with thepany, it also meant more profit for her ownpany. "Should I give a call to that perfume brand and use President Li¡¯s name?"


    "There is no need. They will call us themselves for sure. Just wait. Once they call us, they will be begging for me to sign the contract. Make sure to have them raise my privilege. And tell them that only then would I agree." Su Lanfen finally felt like her mood, which was spoiled because of Jing Lihua, was getting better.

 Chapter 62 - She is not here for him.

    <h4>Chapter 62 - She is not here for him.</h4>


    Jing Lihua walked towards the upper floor. The hotel manager was standing at the end looking quite petrified. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t understand the situation.


    "Ms. Jing, let me guide you to your new room. Pardon my previous negligence. I should have personally checked if you were well amodated or not. One of our staff members made the mistake. I clearly asked them to provide you the best service our hotel had to offer. But they... No, it is all my fault. I should have been more careful. In fact, I¡¯ve already fired the staff member who caused all this..." The manager continued to ramble making sure to apologize every few sentences.


    "It¡¯s alright." Jing Lihua was amused. Was it Zhao Lying who was behind it? She must have scared the manager very much.


    "So you wouldn¡¯t take it to your heart? It was all a mistake! We had no hidden motives! I¡¯ll do anything to make amends!"


    Jing Lihua thought the manager was being weird. She coughed. "It¡¯s really alright Manager Zhu." What did Zhao Liying do to this poor thing?


    "Let me take you to your new room." The manager wiped the streaks of sweat from his forehead. "Tell me if you don¡¯t like anything. We¡¯ll change it immediately."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want him to follow her all the way to her room. So after some persuasion, she grabbed the card and went upstairs alone. She walked into the corridor when she was unlucky enough to stumble across the Su Lanfen group.


    She frowned and looked at the floor number. Her room was supposed to be on the upper floor.


    Su Lanfen was being surrounded by her manager and some of her fans who also stayed at the Hotel. When her eyes spotted Jing Lihua, her lips curled up into a sneer. She thought that it was a nice opportunity to corner Jing Lihua. After all, Jing Lihua was alone while Su Lanfen was surrounded by the people who wanted to please her.


    "Are you here to meet my cousin, Su Liwei?" Su Lanfen suddenly stood in her way. After a short silence, she added as if she had forgotten it the first time. "Who is also your husband?"


    "Move aside." Jing Lihua said calmly.


    Other people around Su Lanfen hushed quickly for a moment. When they saw Jing Lihua was all alone, they rushed to surround Su Lanfen showing their support. The enmity between Su Lanfen and Jing Lihua was no longer hidden. After those scandals, although Su Lanfen had eventually gotten control over them, it was still fresh in people¡¯s memory.


    The people by Su Lanfen¡¯s side were either her fans or representatives of differentpanies who wanted to sign her so naturally, they would side her in order to please her.


    "Cousin inw, why are you being so cold? I just wanted to ask if you are here to see my cousin. He might be busy and turn you away but my room is on the same floor so I¡¯ll easily convey whatever you have to say to him. Isn¡¯t it what you are here for? To see my cousin?" Su Lanfen thought there was no other reason for her to be here.


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t say anything. Her face was expressionless, unwilling to reveal any emotion. She didn¡¯t look the one who was being insulted.


    Taking her silence as ¡¯Yes¡¯. Su Lanfen continued in a seemingly low voice but loud enough that anyone could hear. "Think about it. If he turns you away, won¡¯t only it cause others to talk behind your back? You¡¯ll have to trouble again toe to this floor. Afterall your room is on thest few floors. Just tell me whatever you want to talk to him about."


    "Thest few floors?" A woman snickered. "Isn¡¯t it where they put the staff? Why hadn¡¯t they put her with Su Liwei?"


    Jing Lihua ignored her and tried to step away but she was once again stopped.


    "Jing Lihua, agree to what Su Lanfen is saying. It is only right if Su Lanfen goes to say whatever you have to convey. Do not disturb Su Liwei for no reason. Besides, we all know about your two strained rtionship so if you are doing it only to prove that you are on good terms with your husband then you can drop the act. Doing that will only make you look more desperate." It was Su Lanfen stylist who said that. Her name was Ye Xianxian.


    "Do I know you?"


    "No, but..."


    "Then step aside." Jing Lihua passed them.


    Ye Xianxian felt insulted being ignored by Jing Lihua so she couldn¡¯t stop herself from saying. "She is so arrogant. Su Lanfen you are so good to her yet she treats so coldly. Such a person doesn¡¯t deserve your kindness. I don¡¯t see what is she so arrogant about. Her own husband treats her like shit. Yet she still looks down upon other people."


    "Yes Su Lanfen, don¡¯t waste your time on her. Once you get that famed perfume brand contract from Hong Kong conglomerate, your poprity will reach an entirely different level. President Li showed interest in you. You¡¯ll definitely get the role! You have already conquered Beijing. You will also have a solid standing in Hong Kong. It will just take a few weeks for you to conquer Hong Kong. Especially now President Li of the prestigious Li family would be supporting you." The woman who ha snickered earlier said. "Then there will be no one who stands between you and your way to top ten models award. Once you win the reward, the likes of her will be lining up to tter you. After all, she can never match your aplishments."


    "Yes, besides even if she enters Su Liwei¡¯s room, he is just going to ignore her. She is going to make a fool of herself. You offered help but she rejected. It is her fault for being arrogant." Ye Xianxian said.


    "Cousin-inw do you listen to what they say? I just wanted to help you. Why don¡¯t you let me go and try to talk to my cousin? Recently I saw that he was in a very bad mood. His mood might even worsen if he sees you. What if he loses itpletely and snaps at you? I don¡¯t want that to happen. I¡¯ll go first and try to cate him. I might put a few words on your behalf so that he won¡¯t be angry once he sees you."


    "Now Jing Lihua, don¡¯t be so stubborn. Let Su Lanfen go in first. After all, she wants best for you. She is even willing to put god words for you..." Ye Xianxian was halted mid-sentence when she saw Jing Lihua walking past Su Liwei door and heading for the upper floor.

 Chapter 63 - Lets go to dinner.

    <h4>Chapter 63 - Let''s go to dinner.</h4>


    "Wait..." Ye Xianxian uttered.


    "Why would she go upstairs? The higher the floor the more privileged the person who stays there. Why would she go for the next floor?"


    "Could she have made acquaintance with some important person at the party? Now she would have gone to meet him? I had seen her talking to many different businessmen during the fashion show. It could only be the reason. She could not possibly have owned at the room on the next floor. The next floor is reserved for only VIP guests." Ye Xianxan said.


    "Are you joking? Why would she have a room on the next floor? One of the guys under management staff was Su Lanfen admirer. He was Su Lanfen¡¯s loyal fan and followed all her recent activities so he had already known about the scandal. He was so eager to please Su Lanfen that he risked his job to give Jing Lihua a room beside the staff members in exchange for an autograph. Besides now even if sheined they wouldn¡¯t give her another room... And definitely the one room on the top floor. All the rooms are already booked due to the fashion show. And the ones on the next floor are only for the important tycoons. There is no way she would have a room on that floor."


    "What you say is logical. That means she is going there only to meet someone. Let us go and see... What do you say?"


    Su Lanfen agreed and they followed her upstairs. When they were right there, they saw something that made them stunned to silence. Jing Lihua swiped the card and entered the most luxurious room of the Hotel very leisurely.


    ...


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t mind such things much. If anything, it was all trouble for her to go find the next room. "At least I¡¯ll get rid of that crazy man. There would be no way that he got a room here besides mine."


    Jing Lihua¡¯s happiness was short-lived becauseter that day when she got out of her room for dinner, Li Zhiqiang was already standing outside her door. Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes twitched.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "My room is on this floor."


    "I don¡¯t believe you"


    Li Zhiqiang shed his keycard with a smile. Jing Lihua thought that he was starting to smile more and more. The first time she had met him, he was very cold. Slowly he was changing around her. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.


    "If this was your room why did you get another room besides mine?" Jing Lihua started to walk for the elevator. Li Zhiqiqang trailed behind her. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t mind him following her.


    "Wherever you go, I go."


    Jing Lihua rolled her eyes but there was an undetectable smile on her lips. They both entered the elevator that headed for the down floor. "You didn¡¯t state your purpose. Why were you standing outside my door?"


    "I came here to ask you out for dinner." Li Zhiqiang said without any reluctance.


    "And you think I¡¯ll agree?"


    Li Zhiqiang fell silent. Jing Lihua knew what his silence meant. Jing Lihua fell into contemtion. There was no way she could have him stop chasing her with mere avoidance. She needed to actively do something in order to stop chasing him. She quickly thought of a n and her lips turned up into a wicked smile. She got out of the elevator, turned back to look at Li Zhiqiang and said with a sweet smile. "Fine Mr. Li, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at 9 am." Her smile was maizing. She looked like an innocent angel. At the same time, her beauty could seduce any man into oblivion. Her green eyes could charm one¡¯s heart with their allure.


    Li Zhiqiang froze for a moment. His eyes locked with her limpid eyes. Even though he didn¡¯t say anything, the happiness and shock was apparent in his dark pupils until the elevator door close and cut their eye connection broke and so the magic spell ended.


    ...


    Jing Lihua walked for sometime before reaching Zhao Liying¡¯s room. Strangely, the door was half-open. She raised her hands to push open the door and enter but stopped midway when she heard voices from inside.


    "What? You are being ridiculous here! Are you sure it is not one of your countless fantasies." Mo Liang¡¯s voice came out.


    "I swear there was someone in her room that night. Why would it be my fantasy?"


    "Because you so desperately want her to dump Su Liwei and find a better person for her."


    "Look I don¡¯t like Su Liwei. That¡¯s a fact. I¡¯ll never like him after what you have told me that he ns to harm our Xiao Hua. Tell me. Would you not like her to dump him and get over? We both know he is one she loved since she knew what love was. So if she gets over this useless rtionship isn¡¯t it a matter worth celebration? That aside, it is not my fantasy. I swear! There was a man in her room!"


    "How are you so sure that it was a man?"


    "Becauseter that day, I wanted to try a restaurant with her but I smelled something being cooked inside. I became curious because we both know that jing Lihua can¡¯t cook. She would never try to ook something unless she wants to choke herself. When I neared, I heard a man¡¯s voice from inside her room."


    There was a small pause while outside Jing Lihua wondered if her cooking was really that bad? Maybe she should try to feed that crazy man something and he¡¯ll change his mind to chase her.


    "So you want me to investigate if your spection was right or not? And probably if this man is worth Jing Lihua or not?"


    "I¡¯m just worried about Jing Lihua. She has made a mistake once. I was unable to stop her back then. I don¡¯t want to make the mistake twice. I can¡¯t see her heartbroken. Don¡¯t you want the same thing?"


    For a moment Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes softened. She felt so lucky to have such wonderful friends. She was so ignorant to abandon them in herst life.

 Chapter 64 - Wails of tortured stylists

    <h4>Chapter 64 - Wails of tortured stylists</h4>


    "How do I look?" Li Zhiqiang asked the same question the thousandth time.


    "You look very handsome. Perfect Brother. Your mere style can steal the hearts of countless women. You look more handsome than a Korean idol." Li Xun¡¯s eyes were groggy. His voice was raspy and less cheerful than he intended it toe out. God, he felt so sleepy. But there was no way he could retire before nine am.


    "At least I¡¯m not the only one suffering in this Hell." He mumbled and nced at the Hong Kong ten best stylist standing in a line looking like they were about to cry. They were continuously wiping their sweat trying to please the impossible man.


    "This is not it..." Li Zhiqiang threw away his coat.


    All the stylists¡¯ faces looked like they were in great pain. But they could not evenin.


    Another hour passed by as they did their best to dress up President Li. After trying more than a dozen outfits, Li Zhiqiang finally looked like he felt satisfied.


    "Marvelous Brother! You look marvelous! I know women better and I can say with a guaranty that any woman who sees you will fall on her knees kissing your feet..." Li Xun wanted to butter up his brother so that he wouldn¡¯t change his mind. The stylists secretly praised Li Xun in his heart. The young had such a kind heart. Saving them in their despair.


    But to Li Xun terror, his brother gave him a cold re.


    "Jing Lihua is not just any woman"


    Li Xun felt cold. "Of course! Of course! Jing Lihua is the most wonderful woman in the whole China to be able to gather your interest!" He must be careful of his words from now on. Li Xun shuddered. Ah... so scary!


    After a silence, Li Zhiqiang said. "In the whole world"


    "Huh...? Why not! Why not! Sister-inw is the most wonderful woman in the whole world!" He purposely called her sister-inw and saw his brother¡¯s mood improve a bit. Seeing the opportunity, he asked. "So can I leave now?"


    "No."


    "Why not."


    "Since you seem to know what women better than me, I want you to arrange a restaurant for dinner."


    ...


    When jing Lihua suddenly entered the room, they both were momentarily stunned to silence.


    "How long have you been outside?"


    "I just came. Why you ask?" Jing Lihua frowned and then raised her eyebrow. "Have you two been plotting something against me?"


    "N-No. What could we possibly plot?" Zhao Liying gave an awkwardugh.


    Mo Liang sighed. "She knows what we talked about." Being perceptive, he easily read Jing Lihua¡¯s fake expressions. "Jing Lihua since you know already, we¡¯ll ask directly. Have you been seeing someone?"


    "If you have, please make sure to keep it secret from media and especially that Su jerk. I don¡¯t want them an excuse to bully you."


    Jing Lihua smiled at her friends and joked. "Are you two not worried at all that your friend is cheating on his husband?" Such wonderful friends she had.


    "It is true then!" Mo Liang sounded shocked. Jing Lihua thought he was just being dramatic.


    "See? I told you!"


    "I didn¡¯t say I was seeing someone. besides I¡¯m not here for that." Jing Lihua walked to the couches. "Earlier that day I heard Su Lanfen saying that the perfume brand spokesmanship would go to her with certainty. She even said that President Li showed interest in her... Is that true?" Jing Lihua wanted t strike a deal with that President Li. Before that, she wanted to gather as much information about him as she could.


    If he actually admired Su Lanfen then she would have a second thought about selling the real estate to him.


    "Did she tell you that?" Zhao Liyingughed. "Oh my God! How could someone be so delusional? Right... I saw that famous President Li talking to her once she pestered him for some time. But there was anything but an interest in his eyes. I see it now. That President Li is rtively a cold person with mostly an expressionless face. So his emotions are hard to read. So Su Lanfen must have misunderstood him."


    "So what was really his expression?"


    "I can tell you with certainty that he didn¡¯t even bother to look at her. Only once he heard her name, he looked up. But there was nothing like admiration in his eyes. I was close by so I saw it clearly. It felt more like a killing intent. Even from a distance, I felt the chill. He asked a couple of questions and she continued to ramble. If I was her, I would have already left the ce after seeing that look in his eyes. To be given such a terrifying look from such a scary person... I would rather stay away from him rather than trying to tter him."


    When Jing Lihua listened to that, for some reason, she felt happy. She couldn¡¯t exin her happiness.


    "Why did you ask Jing Lihua?" Mo Liang asked.


    "I was just worried that Su Lanfen might get a step ahead of Zhao Liying if she won the spokesmanship. But ording to your exnation, it seems most unlikely. So there is nothing to worry about."


    Later despite Zhao Liying relentless persuasion, Jing Lihua didn¡¯t reveal the identity of the man who was in her roomst night. In the end, Zhao Liying even used all the threats that came to her mind but to no avail. She could only give up with a puff.


    After returning to her room, Jing Lihua took a quick bath. Her eyes wandered to the clock. It was eight am. With a smile, she called Mei Xiu.


    "Have you brought everything I asked you for?"


    "Yes, President. Everything¡¯s ready. I¡¯m on my way to personally deliver it."


    "And the car...?"


    "In the garage."


    "Good." Jing Lihua smiled and hung up. After ten minutes, Mei Xiu arrived with different boxes. Jing Lihua had just gotten out after taking a bath. Jing Lihua opened the box and took out a very expensive dress.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes sparkled with glee as she readied herself. Tonight, she was going to look prettiest and act wealthy to make him inferior.


    Or so... she supposed.

 Chapter 65 - Unexpected news

    <h4>Chapter 65 - Unexpected news</h4>


    Right at nine am, she heard a knock. Jing Lihua gave herself a look in the mirror and smiled satisfactorily. She looked gorgeous. After picking up her pouch bag, she opened the door with a confident smile but her smile dropped and changed to a confused frown when she saw a totally unexpected man standing at her door.


    "Heng Bingwen? What in the seven Hells are you doing here?"


    "There something very important I must tell you!" He was gasping for air. It seemed like he had run all the way here. And indeed, it was true. After he got the news, he went straight to the airport and took thetest flight to Hong Kong. He didn¡¯t even wait for a second for rest and ran straight to where his President was residing.


    "Alright. Come in first." Considering the gravity of the situation Jing Lihua let him in and guided him to the couches. She even brought him a ss of water. "Now tell me exactly what happened?"


    Heng Bingwen looked reluctant. "President, what I¡¯m going to tell you is not going to be easy. I¡¯m afraid you might be shocked greatly. Please prepare yourself well before I tell you this."


    "You are now scaring me. Ipany alright?"


    "It is alright. It¡¯s about the DNA reports."


    Suddenly Jing Lihua felt cold all over her body. Taking in a deep breath, she steadied her heart. The way Heng Bingwen had rushed all the way here. It must be bad news.


    "Are you ready to listen?" Heng Bingwen asked with consideration.


    "Yes, go on." Jing Lihua said in a calm voice but inside her heart was thumping loudly.


    "Alright. It was not easy for me to get the DNA sample of your mother. I mean at the time of her death, her body was totally burned. Besides all the DNA reports from earlier were purposely eradicated by your grandfather. It seemed like he wanted to hide something. After much effort and using a lot of connections, I managed to get a DNA report at the time of her death. After that, I gave the reports to match your DNA. And President..." Heng Bingwen looked reluctant.


    "Please say it..."


    "The reports came out negative. I sent the samples of the DNA three times to confirm. But still negative."


    Suddenly Jing Lihua felt weeks in her knees. She ced her hand on the table to support her body and managed to sit. With a self depreciative smile, she said. "So they were right, weren¡¯t they?" In herst life, Jing Tian and her enemies had used the fact that she was not a Tang to their own advantage. She had been too scared to run a DNA test back then. She was scared that it might turn negative so she chose to live in oblivion.


    "President, this is not all. There is more. You said you said you are ready. Please control yourself. There is a lot more I¡¯ve to tell you." Heng Bingwen seemed to have expected the response from his President. He was genuinely concerned for her but he had to tell her everything.


    "What is more to tell? I¡¯m not a Tang. Listen heng Bingwen we¡¯ll have to keep that a secret from everyone. If the truth leaks out, it¡¯ll adversely affect ourpany."


    "No... President listen to me. I still felt something was wrong so I used my means to get your father DNA. It was rtively easy to find his DNA. And you know what? Even his DNA didn¡¯t match yours!"


    "Isn¡¯t it expected? I am not my mother¡¯s daughter. She must have adopted me. Or my mother¡¯s daughter, the rightful Tang, might be there someone in the world and I might have reced her by ident. But I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not happy to find out that Jing Shuping isn¡¯t my father. Somehow I knew it I can¡¯t have a father like him. Though I can¡¯t say the same for mother."


    "President. Listen to me. After both your parents¡¯ DNA reports didn¡¯t match, I felt increasingly pressured. I tried all means to get your grandfather¡¯s DNA. I did everything possible and put much more effort than before. I couldn¡¯t find the enlisted date on his DNA. So I employed some men to get me a sample of his hair from his home. That was incredibly difficult but I seeded. And when I sent the sample to theboratory, it matched! President, it matched! I couldn¡¯t believe it! I tried three differentboratories and repeated the tests several times. But still. It was positive. President, you are a Tang!"


    When Jing Lihua heard this, she fell into silence. Then she raised her hand and hit Heng Bingwen. "You bastard! Couldn¡¯t you start the story by telling me I was actually a Tang! Did you had to make such long exnations! Did you have to create such suspense?" Jing Lihua¡¯s face was red with anger. If looks could kill, Heng Bingwen would have already been dead ten times by now.


    "Ow! But President, then the story would have lost all the vor if I started with that line! Ow! Don¡¯t hit me! I worked so hard to get all those samples. If I simply told you that you are a Tang, how was I supposed t show how hard I worked! Ow!"


    "You think it¡¯s a joke? You took my breath away!" Jing Lihua chased him around the room.


    Heng Bingwen felt like he really pissed off his President. He hadn¡¯t seen her like that before. He hadn¡¯t even seen anyone being hit by her. Afraid of her scary res, he ran out of the room. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t have the energy to chase him.


    She fell on the couches andughed. But at the same time, she felt like crying. "I don¡¯t even know what to think anymore. I¡¯m my grandfather¡¯s granddaughter but I¡¯m not my mother¡¯s or father¡¯s daughter. What I¡¯m supposed to make of that? Was my mother adopted? But if she was adopted how came my DNA matched grandfather¡¯s DNA. What is the meaning of this." Jing Lihua sighed when she felt like her brain was going to explode.


    Thankfully to save her from going insane, Li Zhiqiang arrived after just five minutes.

 Chapter 66 - Failed by him.

    <h4>Chapter 66 - Failed by him.</h4>


    When Jing Lihua opened the door, for a moment she forgot everything. In front of her stood an incredibly handsome man. His eyes shone like dark gems. His features were clear and chiselled. He was tall, almost a head over Jing Lihua¡¯s head. In the fitting custom made tuxedo, he looked unreasonably hot.


    He was already ridiculously hot, to begin with, but within that dress, his allure went to an entirely different level. Jing Lihua was so lost staring at him that she didn¡¯t even see him cing fresh roses in her hands.


    "Um..." Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know what to say. She had nned to make him feel inferior with her looks but it seemed like the situation was inverted. She was the one feeling inferior in front of him.


    "You look beautiful," Li Zhiqiang said smoothly.


    And uncontrobly Jing Lihua blushed. It was not her fault, alright? Who wouldn¡¯t blush being called beautiful by such a hot piece of meat?


    "Come in. Let me ce the roses in a vase." Jing Lihua said the first thing that came to her mind. Because, for reason, her mind went nk in front of him. And she was no longer the calm, collected woman.


    Facing away from him while putting the roses in a vase, she gritted her teeth and took a few deep breaths to bring herself under control. Finally, when her heart slowed down, with a calm smile she faced him.


    "I agreed to dinner with you. I think it should make up for you saving me. After today, we would be even."


    Li Zhiqiang kept standing at the door. He didn¡¯te in. "Say that after tonight."


    Jing Lihua followed him to the elevator. If Jing Lihua was infatuated by his looks, the same was also true for Li Zhiqiang. He had noticed how prettily she was prepared. When he said she looked ¡¯beautiful¡¯ he meant it. And to think that she prepare so eagerly for the dinner with him, his heart felt strange happiness. Was she trying to impress him?


    Did that mean she was attracted by him?


    While Li Zhiqiang¡¯s head was filled with thoughts full of hearts, Jing Lihua was making evil schemes in her mind. When Li Zhiqiang guided her to a private garage, Jing Lihua paused for a moment.


    She had already failed him in one ce. "Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s got a better car than me. How am I supposed to act like I¡¯m looking down upon him and bring my new custom made car to show off and make him feel inferior? All of Mei Xiu¡¯s efforts would go to waste." Jing Lihua had nned tough at his car and tell him she wasn¡¯t going to ride in that lowly vehicle. Then she had wanted to bring in her car to show off.


    Feeling a little lost Jing Lihua walked with him and what awaited her made her head numb.


    This model...


    "Is that the logo from that... from that Japnesepany?" She had been browsing through the famous brands before ordering a car from a famous Chinesepany. So it was only natural she recognized the carpany.


    "My date is knowledgeable." Li Zhiqiang praised her. It seemed like his brother¡¯s method was working. His JingJing looked impressed. If the date goes sessful, he would give a huge gift to his brother.


    Unbeknownst to Li Zhiqiang, Jing Lihua was not impressed, she just felt like crying. Wah! She failed in second ce too! No worries, there will be more chances in the future. Yes!


    "I¡¯m not your date. I only agreed to dinner. This is no date." Jing Lihua said somewhat grumpily.


    "Is that why you have dolled up so prettily."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know how to counter that sp she chose to remain silent and climbed into the vehicle with Li Zhiqang at the back. The dressed driver sped off the car.


    "Where are you taking me?"


    "That¡¯s a surprise."


    Jing Lihua sighed and looked outside at the city. The Hong Kong city looked so beautiful at night. The skyscr.a.p.ers lifting it to the height of the sky. Jing Lihua frowned. It reminded her of something. She had a strange feeling that she had been here before. "I¡¯ve never been here. I¡¯m sure of that" Then why was there such a strange emotion bubbling in her heart?


    Jing Lihua was so lost then she didn¡¯t snap out until the car pulled into a spacious garage and the bustling city vanished out of sight.


    "We are here", Li Zhiqiang said and like a nice gentleman got out, graciously strode to the Jing Lihua side and extended his hand for Jing Lihua to climb out.


    It would be a lie if Jing Lihua said that she wasn¡¯t impressed with the smoothness of his actions. With a smile, she took his hand and climbed out. But that was just the start of Jing Lihua surprises. Just as the entered the hotel, a team of management staff and the chefs entered to wee them. Jing Lihua was left somewhat bbergasted.


    "Let me guide you to our most famed dining room. The room offers a vibrant view of the whole of Hong Kong. Many foreigners wait for months just to book the room. The room had a great history ever since the existence of the Royal Continental restaurant. Even the past President had once dined in that room." The manager continued the introduction in a professional tune.


    All the while Jing Lihua was in deep contemtion. She nced at Li Zhiqiang through the corner of her eyes. ¡¯It seemed like I¡¯ve greatly underestimated you, the crazy doctor. I was doubtful first but now I¡¯ sure that you are not a doctor.¡¯ To be able to receive such reception in a five-star restaurant, he really wasn¡¯t a small character. Jing Lihua was getting more and more convinced that he had a rtion to the revered Li family.


    Maybe it was him who convinced President Li to help her in the first ce.


    The manager opened the door and the huge curtains on the other side parted. A breathtaking view entered their eyes.


    "Please chose the dishes. They will arrive in no time. May you enjoy your evening President Li." After a bow, the manager left.


    Jing Lihua unconsciously walked towards the ss panes. She had always loved these sights. To be at a ce where she could look at the whole city under her. Her hands touched the ss.


    "I¡¯ve noticed that you liked to look at the city on the terrace. So I specially chose this ce for you." Li Zhiqiang was nervous that his JingJing might not like it so he exined wanting to get a response from her.


    If she didn¡¯t like it, his brother was finished.

 Chapter 67 - I can hold more spice than you!

    <h4>Chapter 67 - I can hold more spice than you!</h4>


    "I love it." Those words left her lips quickly. She was not regretful to say them. She really liked the whole scenery. The ce had touched her heart deeply and she was unable to hide her true feelings. "I can¡¯t thank you enough for taking me here. It had always been my dream to visit somece like that. But I couldn¡¯t find the time."


    Li Zhiqiang smiled and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed in front of him. "Does that mean we are not even anymore? So you owe me one more. We¡¯ll have to settle that in the future. How about this? In the future, I take you to the terrace of Sunsquare apartments?" He didn¡¯t waste the opportunity to create new excuses to meet her for the future.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s lips curled up but she didn¡¯t say anything. She was lost in the scenery. After quite some time, she walked back to the table. The setting created a perfect date atmosphere for a couple. This was wrong. She had only agreed on dinner. Not a date. But no matter how she wouldin, the meticulously thought out setting would make it into a date.


    "Let¡¯s order the dishes." Li Zhiqiang picked up the menu and ced it in Jing Lihua¡¯s hands. The strange names on the menu gave Jing Lihua a spin. After much search, she found a familiar name. She gave a few names. When it was Li Zhiqiang¡¯s turn, he said he would have the same things as Jing Lihua.


    "Are you sure? What I ordered might be too spicy for you. Can you hold the spices?" Sheughed.


    "Try me."


    "If you say so." Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes glinted darkly and she gave a few more names. Let¡¯s see how are you going to act so cool once you taste that all. Jing Lihua could hold spice better than others. She had always loved spicy food. So she was confident that she would beat him.


    Until the food arrived, they chattered about hobbies and likes. But the dishes arrived quick. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know whether it was the quick service of the restaurant or the Li Zhiqiang influence that caused the change.


    When the spicy dishes arrived, Jing Lihua threw a smug look at Li Ziqiang. Li Zhiqiang only smiled back in response. Under the challenging atmosphere, they started dinner.


    Thirty minutester.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes were watering profusely. Her face was flushed red. "Oh, God. Why did I have to act so immature just to see him lose." She chucked down big gulps of cold water. Her face was red as a tomato. Her tongue was burning. She had sworn not to stop eating before he gives up. So even if her tongue was burning, she didn¡¯t give up. She forced herself to eat more and more. And so did Li Zhiqiang. But she reached her limit far before he reached his.


    "You lose." Li Zhiqiang graciously wiped his lips with a tissue paper. His face was also red from the excess of spice but his condition was much better than Li Zhiqiang. At least he was not sweating profusely and gulping down sses of water.


    "You wish." Jing Lihua forced herself to pick the fork once again. But looking at the spicey dish, her heart trembled. But she wouldn¡¯t let him win.


    "Don¡¯t force yourself. I don¡¯t want to apany you in the hospital. Let¡¯s enjoy our time here." Li Zhiqiang was genuinely concerned witnessing her reddening face. If he had known she was so stubborn, he would have voluntarily let her win.


    s, she had grown stubborn. Thest her was so docile and obedient. But strangely, he liked the new her more. She was feisty now. More fun to mess with.


    "Who is ending up in the hospital? If you don¡¯t put away that silly smile from your face you¡¯ll be the one ending up in the hospital." Jing Lihua red at him.


    "What? Why?" Li Zhiqiang felt seriously wronged. He was just concerned about his JingJing and she threatened him.


    Looking at his bullied face, Jing Lihua felt at a loss. "Forget it. I just give up." She put away the forks. "I¡¯ll let you win on this on. But let me tell you, the next time, I won¡¯t be easy on you."


    "Next time?" Li Zhiqiang raised his eyebrow.


    Another slip of the tongue. Oh... f.u.c.k it. She didn¡¯t care anymore. She just wanted to make him lose. "Yes, next time! I¡¯ll be taking you to a ce far better than this in Beijing. They have the spiciest food. Let¡¯s see who wins then!"


    She will properly practice before that and make him lose.


    "I¡¯ll look forward to it." Li Zhiqiang looked at his watch. It was time. "Come with me." He rose from his chair and grabbed Jing Lihua¡¯s arm to drag her away.


    "What? Where?" Though Jing Lihua questioned she followed his lead.


    "Shh. Just watch." He looked out at the city through the huge pane.


    Jing Lihua was reminded of a Koren drama she had watched on Zhao Liying persuasion. She felt weird. It couldn¡¯t be true right? Such things were possible only in dramas. There was no way a man would do something so ridiculous for a girl on the first dinner.


    "Don¡¯t tell me you..." And the fireworks started making Jing Lihua lose her words in her throat.


    "You actually did that..." Her voice died out as she stared outside. She didn¡¯t know what to even feel anymore. The fireworks filled the night sky and created an even more wonderful view. The view was breathtaking would be the least to say. And to be able to enjoy the view from such a nice spot, she felt even more fortunate.


    Jing Lihua nced at Li Zhiqiang. Strangely, he wasn¡¯t looking at the fireworks but instead he was looking... at her. Jing Lihua felt her heart thump and she looked away. She pretended to focus on the fireworks and averted her eyes. She pretended she hadn¡¯t felt that strange atmosphere. But her tries failed as slowly a hand reached out to her face.

 Chapter 68 - Ive found out who you are.

    <h4>Chapter 68 - I''ve found out who you are.</h4>


    His hand reached out to her face. Jing Lihua held her breath and tried her best to pretend she hadn¡¯t observed his movements. It was not until that she felt a soft tissue paper touch her skin that she stopped pretending and looked at him with confused eyes.


    "What...?" She innocently blinked.


    "You had something smeared across your face. Let me." He continued to wipe her face with a liquid tissue paper with utmost interest in his eyes. His touch was gentle and light. It could make the recipient feel a particr way. Jing Lihua felt very weird being stared and treated like that.


    "How did you manage to do it." Jing Lihua continued to stare out of the window.


    "That¡¯s not important. The important thing we enjoy it thoroughly." Li Zhiqiang looked out into the city. He felt to be engrossed in deep rumination. It was as if he was lost in memory very dear to him. Because his eyes had a strange spark and softness in them as he said softly. "It is just like that day."


    "Have you been here to see the fireworks before." After a pause, Jing Lihua added. "With someone else?" She was really interested to know it.


    Li Zhiqiang lips twitched but he didn¡¯t say anything. Once the fireworks died out, Jing Lihua looked at him. There was a new determination in her eyes. It was as if she had reached a decision.


    "I¡¯m ready to know."


    "What do you mean?" Li Zhiqiang looked at her.


    "I know that you know something about me that I don¡¯t." Jing Lihua hid her hands in the pockets of her zers. "There is a certain part of my past that I¡¯ve forgotten. Ever since the day I first saw you, I¡¯ve felt a sense of familiarity from you. What was the reason that it was you who found me in the forests... and you keep following me. You are persistent in following me. There is no way to answer that other than the reason that I must have had a past with you."


    "So you finally want to know why I want to steal you?" There was a hint of happiness in his tone.


    "You have been waiting for me to ask?" Jing Lihua smiled. "It is not needed. I think I know. But the problem is... I don¡¯t recall anything clearly. That means I must have forgotten. Earlier I was doubtful but that day in your room you asked me that ¡¯Have I really forgotten you¡¯. That clearly implied that I¡¯ve forgotten something. Something you know. I would not have believed you even then. But at that moment I recalled something; a memory... And I knew there was something between us, something that I have forgotten."


    "I¡¯m ready to know whatever it is that is there. Because I know I won¡¯t be able to rest until the truth is revealed."


    Li Zhiqiang averted his eyes and nced at the city that fell silent after the fireworks. He didn¡¯t know how to respond to Jing Liihua. He just didn¡¯t want to hurt her in any way.


    "Are you not willing to tell me? I know... You said that you want me to find out for myself that who are you. What if... What if I¡¯ve found out who are you?"


    "Have you?" Li Zhiqiang¡¯s lips curled up as he looked at her.


    "Yes, I¡¯ve Mr. Li." Jing Lihua smiled back at him. Her eyes were calm as still water. "Or should I say... President Li?


    ...


    On the floor downstairs, two people sat across a table dressed in oversized clothes.


    "Have you any idea how much money connections it cost me to get a room here?"


    "It¡¯s all worth it. All worth it. Stopining. We must be willing to do more for our Xiao Hua." Zhao Liying said.


    "How do I feel like you just came here just for the food."


    "Would you stop being whiny for a second. I¡¯m trying to do a job here." Zhao Liying nced at her phone screen hearing a notification. "Dammit."


    "What happened now."


    "He says he couldn¡¯t get into the garage. The security was tight so we can¡¯t investigate by putting the trapping device on his car." Zhao Liying put away the phone. "It seems like the person who dares to seduce our Jing Lihua is not a normal character."


    "Of course he is not a normal person. To be able to get a reservation in this restaurant so easily." Mo Liang yed with the forks. "Why you look so sad to hear that?"


    "Am I supposed to look happy? How are we supposed to deal with him if he turns out to be another Su Liwei? We can barely match the Su family together. If she has found someone far more powerful than him, then what are we going to do. Is Jing Lihua some kind of ma for the powerful men? Why can¡¯t she find a normal man who is easy to kill if he hurts her."


    Mo Liang: "..."


    He sighed. "I think you need to chill. Our Xiao Hua is not the same naive girl who fell for Su Liwei. She is a grown woman. Have you not seen how she had managed her office all alone? She had no assistance. Even then, despite all the adversaries and Su Liwei trying to put her down, she still managed to get an upper hand."


    "You don¡¯t understand. The matters of the heart can¡¯t be taken too lightly. Jing Lihua had her broken once but the second time, I¡¯m afraid... It might break her."


    Mo Liang stared at her. "You sound very different."


    "I have to. Because there is something you don¡¯t know."


    "What is that? You can tell me."


    "Do you remember that Jing Lihua went missing the day she had turned twenty?"


    "Of course I remember. Her sudden unexined disappearance threw all of us into a panic."


    "And you do remember that right after a month she ended up in her own bedroom unharmed. Don¡¯t you think it was quite weird? Especially because she had no recollection of what happened or where she was all the time."


    "That happened a long time ago. What do you want to point at by mentioning that? We had investigated it the best at that time. But we couldn¡¯t find out anything rted to her disappearance and reappearance. The only clue we found out was that..." Suddenly Mo Liang fell silent for a moment. "Directed toward Hong Kong."

 Chapter 69 - You wouldnt believe what I saw!

    <h4>Chapter 69 - You wouldn''t believe what I saw!</h4>


    When Jing Lihua called him ¡¯President Li¡¯ a long silence fell into the room. A silence that showed no signs of ending anytime soon. They both stared at each other. A Lion and a tigress. Caught into a relentless ringpetition.


    In the end, it was Li Zhiqiang whoughed and walked to pour him a ss of Champagne. "How long have you known." He brought the ss to Jing Lihua.


    "Actually I¡¯ve always been suspicious after I heard your voice on the phone." Jing Lihua epted the ss. "I would be a fool if I didn¡¯t realize it by now."


    "But exactly what gave me away? I¡¯m very interested to know."


    "Your involvement with my being poisoned incident. And then your appearance right the next moment in the hospital. That already made me suspicious when we talked through the phone and I found your voice familiar. Secondly, when I set off to your office, only you knew where I was. And it was you who happened to find me. That further strengthened my suspicion. Sunset square apartments were President Li¡¯s personal residence. And President Li and your appearance at the hotel at the same time... Your easily getting excess to whatever room you wanted... I must be a fool if I hadn¡¯t realized by then that it was not you." Jing Lihua took a sip. She liked the taste. "If you intended to hide who you were from me then you did a very bad job. Instead, you brought me to your own restaurant. And the staff treated us with the attitude that was only deserved by a member of the ¡¯Li family. That is not-so like you. You could have done a better job hiding your identity. You disappoint me, President Li."


    "Actually I never intended to hide my identity from you. All that times you assumed I was being careless, I was actually trying to hint you that who I was."


    "Is it why you appeared at the fashion show using that as a chance for me to know who you were?" Jing Lihuaughed and ced the ss down without finishing. Thest thing she wanted was to get drunk. "But too bad. I missed to see you." Jing Lihua sighed. "If you didn¡¯t mind me knowing you could have just told me."


    Li Zhiqiang poured him another ss and chucked it down. Though his exterior looked calm and collected, inside he was very nervous. Only after drinking it all down, he felt a little calm.


    "Now that we both know who you are, you can rify the rtion I had with you in the past... That made you help me behind the scene." Jing Lihua thought of something and said. "Back then the rise in the share of Qin Jua constructionpany had something to do with you, hadn¡¯t it?" She said it with a smile. In reality, she just wanted to show this President Li that she wasn¡¯t someone to be underestimated. That she knew a lot more than he had expected. She wanted to... impress him. "And the Wang Yi... He s also your man. Isn¡¯t he?"


    Li Zhiqiang smiled. Jing Lihua had no idea that the one whom she was trying to impress was already a nervous mess facing her. "Your proficiency lives up to your reputation."


    "Please rify the rtion I had with you in the past." As Jing Lihua said that, she didn¡¯t look so confident anymore. Her sharp softened. Even her voice showed an edge of vulnerability.


    The question Li Zhiqiang was most afraid of was asked. His hold over the ss tightened. Jing Lihua noticed that. "If you don¡¯t want to tell me then it¡¯s alright."


    "No. You¡¯ll know it today that what I was to you... And what you were to me." Li Zhiqiang grabbed her arm and guided her out.


    ...


    Outside, Zhao Liying had been keeping her eye and ears open. And just the next moment, she captured a glimpse of Jing Lihua being dragged away by a man who looked... who looked suspiciously like President Li!


    "Mo Liang, Wake up! WAKE UP!"


    "Ah! What happened?" Mo Liang had just fallen asleep on the table. It was only right. He had been drinking with a few old friends from Hong Kong the previous night so he hadn¡¯t gotten a nice sleep. Besides today they had been very busy. And it was already eleven pm.


    "You wouldn¡¯t believe what I saw!"


    "If I wouldn¡¯t believe, why tell me?" He mumbled. Zhao Liying glowered at him. Mo Liang sighed and said. "Just tell me." He was still a little dazed from just waking up.


    "Quicke with me first. There is no time!" So Zhao Liying grabbed Mo Liang and dragged him toward the elevator. They rushed down. Mo Liang was still trying to get himself fully awake but what Zhao Liying said next ended up his struggles because he automatically felt fully awake.


    "It was President! The famous, terrifying, ultra-powerful President Li whom she was dining with!"


    "You gotta be kidding me!"


    "Do I look like I¡¯m kidding? But that¡¯s not important! President Li was dragging her out rather forcefully. I¡¯m afraid for her safety." Zhao Liying looked panicked. "What if he forced her? Our Xiao Hua is pretty. It can¡¯t be denied. Any man would feel attracted to her! What if he has taken a liking towards her!" Being from the entertainment world Zhao Liying had seen many rich businessmen who thought that they could have their way with any woman. So her concerns were genuine.


    "Calm down first. We need to think of a n."


    "There is no time. We must follow them. If we lost them it will be no use even if we call help from Beijing. There will be no way to find where he took her!"


    "Zhao Liying, calm down! President Li doesn¡¯t seem to be that type of man. I had a conversation with him at the fashion show. He felt... different from the typical businessmen."


    "What do you know? I¡¯ve encountered more such men than you." Zhao Liying continued to convince Mo Liang as they entered the car. "They know pretty well how to hide from people¡¯s eyes. There is no way to know what they really are. Even if he is not a bad man, it¡¯ll cause no harm to take precautions. But in case he intends to harm our Xiao Hua, I¡¯ll personally strangle him to death."


    They chased the car until it led them into the Sunset square apartments. They climbed out and followed them upwards to the terrace. As the door opened and they stepped into the terrace they saw something they couldn¡¯t have expected.

 Chapter 70 - But I dont love you.

    <h4>Chapter 70 - But I don''t love you.</h4>


    "Where are you taking me?" Jing Lihua asked as the car sped in a certain direction.


    "You promised I could take you to the terrace of the Sunset Square in the future. Then why not I take you there today and we find a better spot for tomorrow."


    "I didn¡¯t promise any such thing." Jing Lihua thought that this President Li a.k.a ¡¯Devil¡¯ was so different from what she had heard in rumors. "You said I¡¯ll live up to my reputation but I can¡¯t say the same to you."


    "The me I show you is not the one I show to the other world."


    "Should I be ttered to know that?" Jing Lihuaughed. Though she had told Li Zhiqiang from that she suspected him beginning, in her heart she hadn¡¯t known it till he admitted that it was indeed the President Li. Thankfully, even when she was suspicious, she hadn¡¯t done anything to disrespect him.


    "Why are you so concerned about taking me there?" He had mentioned it at least two times. First ta the terrace. Then in the dining room.


    He didn¡¯t answer.


    When they approached the skyscr.a.p.er, Li Zhiqiang guided her to the terrace. When Jing Lihua stepped out, sharp wind weed her and chilled her to the marrow. Jing Lihua shuddered but the next moment a warm zer was carefully wrapped around her by Li Zhiqiang. "There was no need" His body heat was still inside the zer so when it covered her, she felt quitefortable. Jing Lihua had pale skin so even a little emotional stimulus would cause her blushed cheeks to stand out vividly.


    Right now she was thankful that it was night so her face couldn¡¯t be seen. What would be left of her image if President Li saw her blushing at something as small as this?


    "What now?" Jing Lihua looked at him in confusion. "How is this ce going to help me remember anything?"


    Li Zhiqiang grabbed her elbow and guided her forward. He wasn¡¯t forceful. Jing Lihua followed him. His other hand went around her other elbow as he took her to the edge. Letting her stand there, he retreated.


    "What are you doing?" Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t understand but she didn¡¯t move. She looked around and back at Li Zhiqiang who stood not far. when she saw his face, a memory shed into her mind.


    ...


    Six years ago.


    At the age of twenty. A young girl was standing at the edge. Her eyes were emotionless as she stared at the whole city. "So strange. Such a big city yet I feel so alone." She looked at the pitch-ck sky. That night it was starless,cking its usual charm. Just like her. Shecked her charm that night. The girl who was as flourishing as a fresh flower had withered.


    "Mother." She took a step ahead. She was at the end of despair. "You were the only one who sacred for me. Weren¡¯t you...?" Jing Lihua had stepped forward. She wasn¡¯t feeling pain or anything. It was just emptiness. She felt like there was no point in living anymore. She was so empty, just dead inside.


    She had closed her eyes and remembered what had happened on her birthday before taking another step towards the edge. Su Liwei... It had always been Su Liwei. They were already engaged. It was their first meeting after five years. She wasn¡¯t expecting much from him. After all, they hadn¡¯t seen them for quite long.


    But she wasn¡¯t expecting what met her either.


    On her birthday six years ago, a drunken Su Liwei had arrived at her door and told her countless things. "Ask your grandfather to break off this engagement."


    "Why? Su Liwei... Didn¡¯t you use to say we would get married when we were..."


    "We were just kids. How could you be still holding on those words!"


    "But Su Liwei, I lov..."


    "Don¡¯t say that!" His eyes were bloodshot. His voice was on the verge of a breakdown. Tears were gathered at the corners of his eyes. "We are not meant to be. We can¡¯t be together. I¡¯ve sworn to destroy you. At the dead body of my mother, I made a promise. She made me make a promise before she died..." His voice was emotional. "I can¡¯t break that promise."


    "Su Liwei, it¡¯s okay. We¡¯ll work out something together."


    "No, we can¡¯t! She wanted you to suffer. All of you. She wanted me to destroy Tang Yuyan and everything rted to her. And I... I made that promise."


    "Su Liwei..."


    "Even if I forsake my promise, my uncle won¡¯t let you off. Jing Lihua! He loved my mother. He would do anything for her. My mother¡¯s heart had ckened with vengeance. It was not your fault for what happened to her. But she wouldn¡¯t care. She would go to any extent just to get what she wanted. She killed herself. Did you know that? She killed herself just because I told her that I couldn¡¯t... Even I... No, you don¡¯t know a lot of things and I can¡¯t tell you all. The less you know, the better it is. But you need to understand, we can¡¯t be together. But you won¡¯t be safe alone either. Please ask your grandfather to break off this engagement. And..."


    "I won¡¯t! Su Liwei, I love you and..."


    "But I don¡¯t love you." He had coldly said.


    That one sentence had shattered the whole world of Jing Lihua. She was just twenty, hopelessly in love. Besides Su Liwei, she couldn¡¯t think of anything else. Not even her grandfather. Jing Lihua had no recollection of how she had managed to find her way to the top of Sunset Square. But she did recall wanting to end her life that day.


    She had stepped closer and closer. She had stood at the edge, ready to fall at any moment. She had looked into the endless abyss of darkness and wondered if it would be painful or not. But she didn¡¯t care. The pain would be only temporarily before the relief arrived. It would suffice for the pain.


    She had her body lose and let herself fall when a pair of arms reached out from the darkness, wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.

 Chapter 71 - Ill never leave you. Jing Lihua... Ive never left you

    <h4>Chapter 71 - I''ll never leave you. Jing Lihua... I''ve never left you</h4>


    Jing Lihua had long lost the strength in her legs and ended up falling on her knees. Memories after memories rushed to her brain. It seemed like this ce was a trigger that unchained many deeply hidden memories.


    After Li Zhiqiang saved her life, he had looked over her. He had bought this skyscr.a.p.er and let her stay in a penthouse. Jing Lihua had no idea what had prompted him to care for her. She had even though he might have ill intentions. But with time, he proved himself. In the beginning, he was very cold. But as they spent more time together, he changed slowly.


    She also remembered a cheeky teenager boy who always used to follow them. Li Xun, Li Zhiqiang younger brother. Thinking about him, a smile formed on Jing Lihua¡¯s lips. She wondered how was he right now. He was three years younger than her. At this time, he would be twenty-three.


    As time had passed, they slowly warmed up to each other. Their feelings grew. Jing Lihua enjoyed her time with the Li brothers. She didn¡¯t want to return. That time she had been young and naive, not knowing how much worry she was causing to those who cared for her.


    Li Zhiqiang was always a quiet sort of person. But one day, he surprised her by confessing to her. At that time he was twenty-two. Jing Lihua was flushed. Jing Lihua avoided him in the beginning. But slowly, her heart warmed up to him. In his absence, she would think about it. Jing Lihua had just gone through a heartbreak. She didn¡¯t understand love much. But she knew she felt safe around him. With him, she felt...plete.


    slowly but surely, she had realized that she also possessed feelings for him. It was on the same terrace, they made their first kiss.


    "Are you alright? JingJing, I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have..." He slowly approached her noticing her pained expressions. Recalling everything was obviously taking a great troll on her.


    "What happened to me? Why did I forget everything?" Jing Lihua met his eyes and lightly whispered. "Why did I forget you?" She remembered spending time with him. She remembered falling in love with him but as time passed, her memories blurred until they were lost. There was still a lot she couldn¡¯t recall. Like how did it all came to an end?


    Next, what she could clearly recall was waking up in her bedroom.


    "It was all my fault. Come inside with me first. You look pale."


    Li Zhiqiang reached out to get her but as he did, something very unexpected happened. Jing Lihua grabbed his arm and paused for a second. She pulled down his head and kissed him on the lips.


    ...


    When they get out of the elevator what they saw made them halt in their way.


    "See? He is molesting her!" Zhao Liying rushed forward to push him away from Jing Lihua but Mo Liang pulled her back. "Why stop me! Hey, let me go! Can¡¯t you see? That man is molesting ur Xiao Hua! How dare he touch her like that!"


    "It seems like our Xiao Hua is the one molesting him." Mo Liang tried not to look in that direction."Look closely. Jing Lihua doesn¡¯t look forced. In fact, she is the one holding him down."


    "But..."


    "Come on, let¡¯s just get out of here. We¡¯ll stand outside for some time in case Jing Lihua needs us."


    "But..." Mo Liang dragged her away. All the trouble he had to do. Ending up into nothing. He should have known before following Zhao Liying. But at least, he was happy for Jing Lihua. He had an encounter with this President Li. He was a good person. There weren¡¯t many who could get Mo Liang approval. But this President Li was one of a few exceptions. He just hoped Jing Lihua would find her happiness.


    ...


    When Jing Lihua pulled back, she saw a shocked expression on Li Zhiqiang¡¯s face. He was frozen. His eyes heldplicated expressions. What did this kiss tell him? Was it her way of telling him that she would ept him?


    Even though his JingJing remembered everything, he was anxious that she might not ept him. After all, Jing Lihua had forgotten everything about him and everything that Su Liwei had told him that night he was drunk. So once her memories vanished, she had gone back to blindly loving Su Liwei. Li Zhiqiang could only look from a distance and torture his already anguished heart as she married him.


    "Let¡¯se inside first..." Li Zhiqiang put his arm around her waist and very gently picked her up. As Jing Lihua followed him inside, she was silent and looking down, avoiding eye contact with him.


    When they were inside Li Zhiqiang guided her to a couch. It was much warmer inside. But all the time, he had his arms around her waist as if scared that she might fall anytime. Her waist was so thin. So delicate. he made a mental note to feed her properly in the future. thinking about that, he said. "Your hands are cold. I¡¯ll go and make soup for you."


    Jing Lihua nodded but didn¡¯t say anything. After some time, Li Zhiqiang came back with a bowl of soup. It was steaming hot. He had to personally prepare it because all the kitchen staff was on leave after Li Zhiqiang had gone to stay in the hotel beside it waste at night. So there wasn¡¯t any alternative. even if there was, he would have cooked himself for his JingJing.


    "Why didn¡¯t you respond to my kiss?" Jing Lihua asked suddenly.


    Once again Li Zhiqiang was shocked. He ced down the bowl and walked to Jing Lihua.


    "Was it because you don¡¯t love me anymore?" She asked another question.


    "Why would you think that Jing Lihua, You have always been the one in my heart." He went down on his knees in front of her and grasped her cold hands.


    "Lies!"


    "JingJing..."


    "If I was the one in your heart then why did you let me marry him? Why did you not stop it and where were you when..." Tears filled Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes. Where was he in herst life? When Su Liwei had taken everything from her. Where was he? When she no longer had anyone to rely on, where was he? Why did he not appear in herst life? Why only now? If he truly loved her, he would never have let her suffer like that.


    "Jing Lihua I..." How could he tell her all that in a single night? How could he tell her what happened that night that caused him to leave her side? In the end, he was at fault. He couldn¡¯t protect her from those who intended to harm them.


    "I made a mistake. Please forgive me. I can¡¯t live without you... Not anymore."


    Jing Lihua looked at him with tearful eyes. The sadness in her eyes pierced his heart. He was afraid... afraid that she might reject him. But in the end, Jing Lihua leaned in and hugged him. "Please don¡¯t leave me again." She didn¡¯t care what was he hiding from her. She just wanted to be by his side and have a chance to love her. Ever since she had woken up again on her wedding day, she had felt so... so iplete.


    By only being by his side, she could feel a sense ofpletion. Life was short. She had plenty of regrets in herst life. This time, she was determined to have no regrets. And if she let go of him, she would regret for the rest of her life.


    ut more than that, she trusted him. Whatever he hid from her, Jing Lihua believed that he would tell her at the appropriate time. The Li Zhiqiang she remembered would never do something that would harm her in any way.


    "I¡¯ll never leave you. Jing Lihua... I¡¯ve never left you." Li Zhiqiang pulled back and kissed her deeply.

 Chapter 72 - You are only mine.

    <h4>Chapter 72 - You are only mine.</h4>


    In the morning when Jing Lihua walked out of the bedroom, she was wearing an oversized shirt. She walked around the penthouse but couldn¡¯t find Li Zhiqiang. With a frown, she halted. Last night, they talked tillte at night, cuddled to each other. They didn¡¯t do anything more than that. Li Zhiqiang was understanding. Even though he desperately wanted her, he didn¡¯t do anything and just provided her thefort of his hug. Thinking about that, a warmth spread in Jing Lihua¡¯s chest and a smile appeared on her face.


    "Li Zhiqiang?" Jing Lihua walked to the kitchen and wasn¡¯t surprised to find him there standing in front of the stove cooking very efficiently like he was some highly proficient chef. Last night Jing Lihua had told him that she missed his cooking. Had he appeared here for that?


    "Why are you smiling like that?" Li Zhiqiang asked when Jing Lihua stared at him with a persistent smile. "Do I look that handsome?"


    "Oh, please!" Jing Lihuaughed. "I just recalled I had nned to chase you away by feeding you something I cooked." Jing Lihua pulled a chair and sat.


    "That would not have worked. Everything made by your hands tastes delicious to me."


    "You haven¡¯t changed. Have you?" Jing Lihua still remembered that no matter how bad she cooked in the past, he would eat it all not only without any objection but with eagerness. And to topple it, he would even praise herter and ask for more. On the other hand, Li Xun would be acting like he was being fed poison. But being sent res from his rother, he wouldn¡¯t object and eat obediently.


    "How is Xiao Xun?" Jing Lihua was lost in the memories of the past. There was a lot missing in her life. Recalling the happy moments she had spent with Li brothers, she looked gleefull.


    "He misses you a lot." Of course, he did. Since the day Jing Lihua left, his brother hadpletely changed into a tyrant. He would anything to bring back the brother who wouldn¡¯t re at him every ten seconds. But neither Li Zhiqiang, not Jing Lihua knew that. And she was happy to know that he missed her.


    "Here you are." Li Zhiqiang brought delicious-looking french toasts to the table and sat across Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua¡¯s mouth immediately watered as she nced at them. Without any reserve, she picked up her knife, cut a piece and put it into her mouth. The sweetness and rich vor filled her senses.


    "Delicious." She didn¡¯t wait any longer and put pieces after pieces into her mouth. On the other hand, Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t touch his food and stared at her eating. "What?" Jing Lihua asked with a mouth full of food. Her voice came out rather shrill and... adorable in Li Zhiqiang eyes.


    "You have changed too." Li Zhiqiang smiled. "Still eat like a pig."


    "Who are you calling pig?" Jing Lihua red at him, picked up her te and titled to a side so he wouldn¡¯t see her eating anymore. She ate grumpily.


    "So childish." Li Zhiqiangughed and picked up his fork to initiate eat. Unlike Jing Lihua, his table manners were impable. Like a son of noble birth. His movements were smooth and graceful.


    In the peaceful silence, they both had breakfast together. Once they finished, Li Zhiqiang picked up the tes and took them to the sink.


    "Such a gentleman." Jing Lihua propped her face over her hand and ced her elbow on the table.


    "I should train myself for the future."


    "For the future?" Jing Lihua heart thumped. She looked up at him expectantly. He didn¡¯t seem like he said that casually. Hs expressions told her that he was very serious about that.


    "I told you I won¡¯t leave your side again." Li Zhiqiang walked back to her side after cing away the tes in the sink. He sat across her and looked into her eyes. It was one way to show his sincerity. "In fact. I wanted to talk to you about that matterst night. But I didn¡¯t want to scare you by rushing. But Jing Lihua ever since the day I met you, you were the one I knew I was going to spend the rest of life with. It is either you or no one."


    "What are you trying to say. Please be clear." Jing Lihua knew it would eventuallye to this. Her heart was thumping loudly for some reason. A strange feeling blossomed in her heart as he said those words.


    "Jing Lihua. I want you to marry me." Li Zhiqiang grasped her hand as if scared she might say no if he let go. "Stay with me for the rest of my life. Let¡¯s spend the rest of our lives together happily. Build a family together. Do you remember my mother? She always wanted you her daughter-inw. We¡¯ll always support you. Agree to marry me and make me the happiest man in the whole world."


    Jing Lihua feltplicated. After some time, she took her hand out of his grasp. Li Zhiqiang felt like her heart was being pierced by something sharp when the warmth of her hands left his.


    "If you are not ready now then it¡¯s okay. I can wait. I¡¯ve waited for so long. I can wait more for you." He quickly said. "You don¡¯t need to feel pressured."


    Jing Lihua¡¯s eyes softened when she heard the vulnerability in his voice. "I¡¯m not going anywhere Li Zhiqiang. I just..." Jing Lihua looked away. "There are certain things I need to take care of. "


    "Tell me about anything that worries you. I¡¯ll spare no effort to make the things way you want"


    "I know you have the power to aplish that easily. But these are the things I want to take care of myself. I don¡¯t want anyone else to interfere."


    "I understand." He said quickly. "But promise me, you won¡¯t let any other man touch you until the day you are ready to marry me." As Li Zhiqiang said that his eyes darkened. Even the thought of a man approaching her angered him greatly. If anyone dared to even look at his Jing Lihua in an inappropriate way, he would rip him apart. Now that she had epted him, there was no way he would tolerate anyone.


    Jing Lihua knew he was thinking about Su Liwei as he said that. Sheughed. "You don¡¯t need to ask that from me. Even if you didn¡¯t ask, I wouldn¡¯t go near any man."

 Chapter 73 - Cute Side of President Li

    <h4>Chapter 73 - Cute Side of President Li</h4>


    Li Zhiqiang smiled after listening to Jing Lihua¡¯s promation. He wanted to say something but just then he received multiple messages. He picked up his phone and nced at the screen. "I have to go and take care of the office matter for now." He looked frustrated. It was long after he had a true reunion with his JingJing. He didn¡¯t want to leave her side. "Li Xun has messed up somethings. He still needs to learn a lot."


    "It¡¯s alright. I also have to leave to attend the fashion show anyway." Jing Lihua could understand how busy of a person he was. It was alreadymendable that he found enough time to be with her whole day.


    "Do you want me to drop you by?"


    "There is no need. I don¡¯t want to dy you. Besides, it will be best if we keep our rtionship secret for now. I¡¯m still married and rumors might not be good for mypany..." Suddenly, Jing Lihua felt the temperature drop and nced at Li Zhiqiang. She saw his face was darkening. She almost gulped. She needed to e careful around him. She still recalled he was very possessive around her. Instead, she couldn¡¯t understand how did he let her marry Su Liwei in the first ce.


    If it was the same Li Zhiqiang as she remembered, he would have killed Su Liwei a thousand times by now.


    "Are you scared of rumors?" The temperature continued to fall as he said. "You don¡¯t need to care about that. I¡¯m very interested to see who in the whole maind China would dare to say something about me and you... and makes my JingJing worry." There were dark clouds hovering his head that would make one feel oppressed by a mere look.


    Jing Lihu didn¡¯t know whether tough or to cry. She felt pity for those towards whom his anger was directed. But at the same time... she felt... weirdly happy.


    "Of course! I would never doubt your influence!" Jing Lihua coughed. She quickly mediated the situation. "How about this? After the fashion show ends, you take me to see Li Xun?" She had a bright smile.


    Her smile was effective because it softened him. After that, the temperature finally started to stop to go further down. "Good. I¡¯ll pick you up at nine."


    Jing Lihua sighed in relief.


    "If anyone tries to bully you, just give me a call." Li Zhiqiang reached out his hand and pat Jing Lihua¡¯s head.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    She was at a loss not knowing what to say. She dumbly stared at him. Before she could do anything, heughed at her reaction and strode out of the penthouse without looking back.


    "You are a grown-up man. Would you still do something childish like that?" Jing Lihua remembered that he used to have an obsession with patting her back then. She always red at him when he did that. But secretly she liked it. Sheughed. "I wonder what would be the people¡¯s reaction when they learned that the great ¡¯Devil¡¯ has such a cute side to himself."


    Like Li Zhiqiang had said before, the side he showed to her waspletely different from the side he showed to the whole world. Thinking about it, Jing Lihua smiled. She felt lucky to be able to witness such side of the great President Li.


    Breaking out of her thoughts, Jing Lihua picked up a package from the couch. Earlier that day, Li Zhiqiang, being thoughtful, had asked his secretary to deliver a dress for her. Li Zhiqiang had already shown her the way around the penthouse so she easily found the bathroom. She took a quick bath and slipped into the dress. Surprisingly, it¡¯s fabric was very soft and it fitted her perfectly.


    "No, you didn¡¯t do that..." Jing Lihuaughed as she curiously inspected the tag on the dress. "Of course it is President Li. Affording such expensive things wouldn¡¯t even make him bat an eye."


    Since the fashion show would have already started by the time she went back, Jing Lihua had to properly prepare. She applied some makeup and wore the jewelry that was sent with the dress. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t care about such things but being the President of the Tang enterprise, she had to maintain her image.


    It was a duty more than a hobby.


    When Jing Lihua reached the foot of the Sunset square, in the same luxurious garage, a car was waiting for her. ¡¯So thoughtful¡¯. Jing Lihua climbed into the car and checked her phone. There were a few messages from Xiu Mei, about ten messages from Zhao Liying and two messages fro Mo Liang.


    "Where are you, President?"


    "Why did you not arrive back at the hotel?"


    "We are worried about your safety. Please inform us where you are."


    Jing Lihua felt guilty and quickly replied to Mei Xiu to inform her she was alright and on her way back. When Jing Lihua opened Zhao Liying¡¯s message, her head went numb.


    "Stop the car!"


    The driver was frightened at Jing Lihua¡¯s sudden explosion. He quickly pulled the breaks. Without any exnation, Jing Lihua climbed out of the car. The car had just exited the skyscr.a.p.er. Jing Lihua walked down the way and reached a garage.


    "There you are." With a smile that wasn¡¯t exactly a happy one, she walked to Zhao Liying van and pushed open the door forcefully.


    "Mam you..." The driver nced at Jing Lihua but shut up when he saw who it was and how scary expression she had.


    Both Mo Liang and Zhao Liying were sound asleep. Mo Liang was even snoring. Jing Lihua looked into the car and after some contemtion closed the door. She walked away, leaned against a wall at a distance and called Zhao Liying. After the fourth ring, she picked up.


    "Xiao Hua...?"


    "Where are you?" Jing Lihua¡¯s voice was cold.


    "At the fashion show of course. Why do you ask?" Zhao Liying quickly shook Mo Laing attempting to wake him. Theter only shrugged her off.


    "Are you sure you are at the fashion show?"


    "Y-Yes...?"


    "And what if you are not?"


    "Xiao Hua, why are you asking such absurd questions. If not at the fashion show then where else would I..." Before she could finish, the door of the van was pushed open.


    "You were saying?" Jing Lihua raised her eyebrow.

 Chapter 74 - Silent treatment trick doesnt work everytime

    <h4>Chapter 74 - Silent treatment trick doesn''t work everytime</h4>


    "Wake up you f**ker!" Zhao Liying kicked Mo Liang after throwing away her phone.


    "Huh...? What happened? Why do you have to be so brutal? I was asleep. Why..." He fell silent when his eyes fell on a Jing Lihua with her arms crossed over her chest. "Am I still dreaming?" Mo Liang rubbed his eyes and sat straight. "How did she find out we were here?"


    "Why do you care? Just go back to sleep." Zhao Liying was still angry. Only if Mo Liang had woken up earlier she could havee up with a better excuse on the phone.


    "Can I?" Mo Liang gleamed.


    "You can if you don¡¯t want to wake up again." Zhao Lying threatened. She didn¡¯t want to be the one left to give an exnation to Jing Lihua. Mo Liang was better at this thing. She knew if she tried to exin, she would end up only messing things further.


    "Fine." Mo Liang shed his signature smile at Jing Lihua. "Why are you standing outside Jing Lihua? Come in. It¡¯s very cold out." He generously offered. However, his smile might melt the hearts of countless females but unfortunately for him, Jing Lihua was not one of them.


    She didn¡¯t move.


    "Why do I feel scared?" Zhao Liying nudged away from Jing Lihua.


    "Rx. It¡¯s just a silent treatment trick she has learnt from her grandfather. No need to feel threatened." Though Mo Liang said that in a cheerful voice, he himself was feeling a bit nervous inside. This silent treatment method of this grandfather and daughter pair was surely very effective.


    Finally, Jing Lihua sighed and climbed into the van. "Quick to the fashion show. We don¡¯t have much time." She ordered the driver.


    "Are you not going to demand an exnation?" Mo Liang cautiously asked.


    "I don¡¯t need to. I have already guessed what had happened. Just let me give you a reminder. t mustn¡¯t happen again." Jing Lihua gave off an aura of a tyrant. "I might overlook it but President Li might not."


    "Why do I feel like you are getting more and more matured and collected?" Zhao Liying smiled widely.


    "Don¡¯t try to butter me up. I¡¯m not going to give your manager an excuse for your absence this time. You were here because of your own decision. I had nothing to do with that."


    Zhao Liying felt cold. How did Jing Lihua immediately understood her intention? "We were here because we were worried about you." Zhao Liying argued her way back to the fashion show. Once they arrived, Zhao Liying hurriedly went for her dressing room while Jing Lihua walked her way to the tenth floor.


    Once Jing Lihua arrived at the floor, she was suddenly surrounded by hushed whispers. She frowned and looked around. People would look at her whisper behind her back but once she looked at them they would shut up and go back to acting as nothing happened. ¡¯Now what is this new drama?¡¯


    An acquaintance walked to her with a ss."Ms. Jing, you look pretty today."


    "Thank you, Mr Liu." Jing Lihua epted the ss. "Can you tell me what is this all about?" Jing Lihua nced around indicating the strange atmosphere.


    "I¡¯m surprised, you haven¡¯t known it yet."


    "I was busyst night."


    "Do you recall the famous perfume brand that was invited yesterday? They intended to choose their spokesman. It was rumored all across the social media that the role will go to Su Lanfen. Even Su Lanfen had made a post saying that she¡¯ll be getting the role for sure. And so it happened. Strangely, they quickly signed the contract with her yesterday after her performance. That was out of ordinary. Su Lanfen fans imed that her performance was fabulous that she won their heart. But guess what happened this morning?" Mr. Liuughed.


    "They canceled the contract?" Jing Lihua lips twitched.


    Li Zhiqiang was vicious. First giving happiness then brutally taking it away. The amount of despair it would bring would be a thousand times more than simple rejection. Jing Lihua was sure he would have himself thought of this scheme. She was aware of the other side of the great ¡¯Devil¡¯.


    "What does this all have to do with me? Why are all these people whispering behind my back?"


    "That¡¯s the exciting part. The perfume brand not only canceled the contract, but it also released a statement saying that it would not ept a ¡¯morally corrupt¡¯ celebratory as its spokesman. First, the word ¡¯morally corrupt¡¯ implied to her incident with you. Su Lanfenpany used all its means and had gotten control of the scandal and stopped it from reaching Hong Kong before the fashion show but after the statement by thepany, the incident ismon knowledge everywhere."


    ...


    In a room, all the people were busy attending countless calls.


    Su Lanfen mmed her fists on the table. She looked furious. "Why? They had already agreed to keep me. Why would they change their decision at thest moment?"


    "Su Lanfen don¡¯t worry. I doubt it is Zhao Liying or Jing Lihua doing. Let me contact ourpanywyer. How could they do this? How could they defame you like this? We¡¯ll sue them and have them take down their statement immediately. Ye Xianxain, tell them we won¡¯t rest until they take down the statement. We¡¯ll also press them to givepensation for causing harm to your reputation. If they don¡¯t we will take legal actions."


    "Alright, Manager Xin" Ye Xianxian went to make a call.


    "They must know that they can¡¯t mess with a model of ourpany. We¡¯ll not sit silently and do nothing." Su Lanfen¡¯s manager fixed her sses and nced at Su Lanfen.


    "Thank you, Manager Xin, for sticking to me at a time like this."


    "Don¡¯t mention it." Though her manager showed her sincerity to Su Lanfen, she was actually having thought of abandoning Su Lanfen.


    If not for her strong background, she would have already abandoned Su Lanfen. She was impulsive and had a bad temper. She didn¡¯t possess any talent. In fact, her present situation was brought to herself by her own hands. Someone in this field required a better mind and schemes. Su Lanfen was hard to manage.


    "I just called them. They rejected to take down the statement!" Ye Xianxian announced.


    Su Lanfen¡¯s manager was truly shocked. She hadn¡¯t expected that. "What profit it would bring to them? If they don¡¯t take down the statement, it¡¯ll only bring them the ire of Su Lanfen fans and cause them a loss. Why are they adamant to keep that statement? I can¡¯t understand their motives." She couldn¡¯t understand. In the end, the only conclusion was that it was either Zhao Liying or Jing Lihua doing. "They must have paid something heavily."


    Either way, it would take a long time to have thepany take down the statement. And Su Lanfen manager never actually intended to file a case against them. She couldn¡¯t get in a legal altercation with them. She just wanted to threaten them. After all the perfume brand had some connections with that Li empire name. She wouldn¡¯t want to get against that.


    "Su Lanfen. It seems there is no other choice."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I suggest you go aboard for some time while I fix everything here."


    "Are you being serious?" Su Lanfen couldn¡¯t believe it. Just a moment ago, she was being grateful to her manager and now she wanted to abandon her? It was funny how could people change their attitude in seconds. "Have you forgotten how much my Su family has done for thispany?"


    "I¡¯m just looking out for you." She kept her righteousness demeanor.


    "You..."


    Before they could further anymore, one of their workers stumbled in with a very pale face. "M-Manger Xin, something bad happened!"


    For Manager Xin, who wanted to discard Su Lanfen and find her escape, something more terrifying awaited.

 Chapter 75 - Your mother might still be alive.

    <h4>Chapter 75 - Your mother might still be alive.</h4>


    This morning, for thest stroke, the worker brought a piece of news that shocked Su Lanfen¡¯s manager and made her stumble back in fear. She sucked in a cold breath.


    "Zhao Liying!"


    ...


    In the spacious office, sitting behind an oversized office desk, Li Zhiqiang was silently going through some files. The office was so silent that one could hear the breathing of two people in it. The shuffling of papers would sound sharp and smooth and resound in the whole office. The aura of the person going smoothly through the papers was the most intense presence in the office.


    There was a certain charm in his presence; a gracefulness that couldn¡¯t be mimicked no matter how hard one tried. It was unique to only him.


    "Brother, everything happened smoothly as we nned out. As you instructed me, Jing Lihua¡¯s name was not dragged into it. After all those scandals were released, the whole media attention has been drawn towards them. After this day... Su Lanfen¡¯s career is finished." Li Xun was startled when he looked up and found a smile on his brother¡¯s face.


    He couldn¡¯t guess what his big brother was thinking. "I know Jing Lihua asked me not to interfere. But I wanted to get rid of Su Lanfen because she annoyed me at the fashion show. And not because of her. So she shouldn¡¯t have anything toin about." Li Zhiqiangughed.


    Li Xun. "..." Brother, you clearly approached Su Lanfen yourself on the fashion show and let her pester you. Was it so you could find an excuse to give to your wife for destroying her? Ah... So weird.


    Li Xun couldn¡¯t have guessed his brother did all that... Just to find an excuse.


    "Brother why did you specifically helped Zhao Liying to clear her name from her scandal?" Zhao Liying scandal was caused by Su Lanen. So by exposing Su Lanfen, Zhao Liying name was automatically cleared. "Is it because she is in good terms with Jing Lihua?"


    His brother didn¡¯t say anything and Li Xun knew it counted as a yes. It meany he must befriend his soon to be sister-inw as quick as possible!


    "About the crisis, we had in thepany..." Li Xun¡¯s face looked embarrassed for letting down his brother.


    "It is not your fault. In fact, it¡¯s all Wu JunJie doing." Li Zhiqiang dered; his face devoid of any hint of doubt. He was certain of his words.


    "Brother, how are you so sure?"


    Li Zhiqiang shed the files he had been going through. "Look at this. You are only the in-charge of one department so you mightck sufficient insight. But the overallplication is constructed by the coalesces of many small hurdles created by differentpanies. I¡¯ve inspected all thosepanies and all of them seem to share a connection or a history with Wu family."


    Li Xun was dazed with his brother¡¯s deep insight. "Brother you are a God! How do you manage to do all this with such... with such coolness!" He got lost in emotions and eximed.


    "Silence." Li Zhiqiang threw the files in front of Li Xun. "I have a task for you. Go and talk with the representatives of all the enlistedpanies here. Propose them a better alternative than that Wu JunJie. If they ept then leave with a warning. But if they decline..." Li Zhiqiang nced at his brother and said no more.


    Li Xun understood what to do if those pitiful people declined. Hopefully, they wouldn¡¯t if they knew what was best for them. "Brother is it because of Wu Junjie involvement this time that you are being so upromising?"


    "That bastard needs to know that he can¡¯t toy with us like this."


    "Brother, finally you are going to take action. You have allowed that Wu family to y around a lot in the past. That Wu JunJie always infuriated me to death with his c.o.c.ky attitude. With our unresponsiveness, he assumed that we didn¡¯t have the guts to oppose him."


    Li Zhiqiang had not taken any action till yet because he was afraid that Wu JunJie might direct his indignation towards Jing Lihua. So Li Zhiqiang had been ¡¯rtively¡¯ tolerant. But now that from now on Jing Lihua would be under his direct protection, he didn¡¯t need to hold back.


    "Also, today arrive at our family restaurant before nine am."


    "Ha...? Brother it¡¯s been so long since we visited Uncle Wei restaurant. I greatly miss his cooking. Why do you want to visit suddenly?"


    Then Li Xun eximed. "I know! You want to take sister-inw there?"


    "Be there before nine am. She wants to meet you."


    ...


    After much reluctance, Heng Bingwen finally called his President. Last time he really pissed her off. So he was scared to call her.


    "President, I called to ask for directions. I¡¯ve done all of your assigned task. What must I do next?"


    When Jing Lihua heard his question, she herself was at a loss. "Are you still In Hong Kong?"


    "Yes, President. I¡¯m staying at a friend¡¯s. I had a job to attend at Hong Kong."


    "What do you think those results implied?" Jing Lihua didn¡¯t have time to sort them out. Because soon after that, Li Zhiqiang had given her the shock of her life.


    "President, If I may... There is something else I want to tell you."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t like that. "You haven¡¯t told me anythingst night?"


    Heng Bingwenined. "I wanted to! But you hit me and chased me out. I was so scared... so scared to even call you..."


    "Stop being dramatic and shoot what it is" Jing Lihua felt like that this Heng Bingwen was getting more and morefortable around her to even joke. Jing Lihua liked to be the President who would have her fear deep in her employee¡¯s hearts.


    Though Jing Lihua thought so, she liked that little gal.


    "President, your mother DNA didn¡¯t match yours but your grandfathers did. Also, your mother¡¯s DNA didn¡¯t match her own father. What do you think the most possible answer to this question."


    "My mother was not my grandfather¡¯s actual daughter. And I might be a child from grandfather¡¯s actual daughter who has, for some reason, given me up?"


    "You can say so. But there is something more noteworthy. While there is no doubt in your grandfather and father¡¯s DNA, your mother¡¯s DNA was taken from her dead body. What if... What if the DNA was not actually your mother¡¯s?"


    "You are trying to say..." Jing Lihua trailed off.


    "The dead body they found that day might be not of your mother¡¯s. In other words, your mother might still be alive!

 Chapter 76 - I didnt do that because of you.

    <h4>Chapter 76 - I didn''t do that because of you.</h4>


    "How can you say that with certainty?" Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want her hopes to get up. "The first exnation is more reasonable than the second."


    "Actually I tried hard to find any evidence rted to your mother¡¯s birth to see if she was actually your grandfather¡¯s daughter. But it had been so long and all the records were lost. So I couldn¡¯t reach a conclusion from that. So I checked the records for the day you were born. I got the records from the hospital and matched the facts. It was your mother who gave birth to you. I even confirmed that from a retired nurse, an eye witness. I offered her a huge amount if she told us that either you were brought in the delivery room from outside. But she was adamant that nothing like that had happened. I even checked the CCTV recordings personally."


    Heng Bingwen had indeed worked hard.


    "Maybe the girl born that day was exchanged with meter."


    "Not possible. The hospital is a privileged one and keeps a drop of blood from the newborn in records for the DNA recording. And it matched yours."


    Jing Lihua fell back and rubbed her temples. "I have no idea how to follow all that. Just look into my mother¡¯s death details to see if was she who died or not." Jing Lihua still didn¡¯t make her hoped to go up. Because even if it was not her mother¡¯s body she had found in the bas.e.m.e.nt, there was no telling she was still alive.


    "Alright President."


    Jing Lihua hung up and made her way up to her room. The fashion show had just ended. Su Lanfen hadn¡¯t shown up the whole time. Jing Lihua nned to stop by Zhao Liying¡¯s room before heading for her room. "Now that Su Lanfen was not signed in, it would be Zhao Liying who would they sign." She wanted to congratte her.


    The floor was the one where all the A list models were located including Su Liwei. It was second only to the top floor. When Jing Lihua passed by Su Liwei¡¯s room, she paused for a second and nced at it.


    "Did Su Liwei himself remember what he said to me that night he was drunk?" Jing Lihua wondered. He hadn¡¯t said anything to her again. He had never even mentioned it as if he hadn¡¯t said those words to him in the first ce. "Maybe he doesn¡¯t remember it."


    Jing Lihua shrugged off the thought and continued to walk for the Zhao Liying room. She had promised Li Zhiqiang that she wouldn¡¯t let any other man touch her. The promise included her avoiding Su Liwei at all costs.


    Jing Lihua could hear noises and shoutsing from a room. "Su Lanfen?" She remembered the other day Su Lanfen was crowding this door with her ¡¯fans¡¯. "What is thismotion about?"


    "Jing Lihua!" Mo Liang distracted Jing Lihua. "Did you hear what happened?"


    "What happened?"


    "Come inside first."


    Mo Liang exined everything to Jing Lihua. Zhao Liying looked particrly happy. "So after this, not only Su Lanfen but also her manager is screwed. And now even Zhao Liying name is cleared. Two birds at one stone." Li Zhiqiang was indeed praiseworthy.


    "They were already screwed the day they messed with you."


    "What has any of it to do with me?"


    "It has everything to do with you..." Mo Liang winked "...and President Li. Even if you refuse to tell us we know everything. The perfume brand is affiliated with Li empire."


    Jing Lihua wanted to roll her eyes. "It is not like that." As Jing Lihua said that she grabbed out her phone and typed a message to send to Li Zhiqiang.


    ¡¯You said you wouldn¡¯t interfere. Then what¡¯s this?¡¯ She sent the text.


    "You spent the night at his penthouse and still say it is not like that?" Zhao Liying cackled. "Don¡¯t worry Xiao Hua. We will always support you. However this President might be, he¡¯ll be a thousand times better than Su Liwei."


    "I¡¯m not here to talk about him." Jing Lihua slipped back the phone into her pocket. "I¡¯m here to congratte you on winning the position. Besides, why do you look so overly happy?"


    "Uncle Chen was so pleased with her performance today that he let her have two days off," Mo Liang said.


    "What did she even have to do now? Isn¡¯t fashion show over?"


    "Xiao Hua, you underestimate my duties. I don¡¯tin all the time for no reason. Manager Chen had filled my schedule with official parties thrown by some pompous businessmen. I hate those sorts of parties and the cruelty is you have to smile and pretend to like them." Those were some drawbacks of the profession.


    "Well. Guess you are not alone." Jing Lihua also hates social gatherings. But she didn¡¯t have to pretend.


    "I can try all the restaurants here! We have already decided on the one for tonight. I¡¯ll be going with Mo Liang. Xiao Hua, you want to join us?"


    "Not tonight. I¡¯ve to go to dinner with someone else."


    When Jing Lihua said that, both Zhao Liying and Mo Liang paused and looked at her with question marks popping on top of their heads. Jing Lihua noticed that.


    "Don¡¯t start again." She warned.


    "We didn¡¯t say anything."


    "But Xiao Hua wouldn¡¯t you..."


    "Don¡¯t."


    Zhao Liying sighed and gave up. There was no way to make her Xiao Hua spill everything.


    When Jing Lihua returned to her room, she nced at the papers she had prepared to present to President Li. Jing Lihua smiled. Now that she had a close connection to him, the likelihood of his epting it would increase. After all, it would be highly profitable for him.


    "President Li." Jing Lihua thought how foreign yet close that word sounded. She couldn¡¯tbine the ¡¯Devil in rumors and the Li Zhiqiang in her heart into the same person. They seemed like two entirely different persons.


    She prepared herself for dinner. "Today¡¯s included, I would be eating with Li Zhiqiang for three consecutive nights." Jing Lihuaughed. She couldn¡¯t have imagined it beforeing to Hong Kong that she would be dining with the rumored Devil. But at that time, she also didn¡¯t have a part of her. A part lost in memories that only him made to surface.


    Jing Lihua called Mei Xiu. "Quickly prepare the papers for transferring the properties."


    "Did President Li already signed the contract?" Mei Xiu sounded excited.


    "Not signed yet but he¡¯ll be soon."


    "Alright, President. I¡¯m on it!"


    When Jing Lihua hung up, she had received a text.


    Li Zhiqiang: ¡¯What do you mean? Are you talking about Su Lanfen? Su Lanfen annoyed me at the fashion show. I assure you it hasn¡¯t anything to do with you. I personally admire Zhao Liying skills. So I selected her. Now you wouldn¡¯t want me to ask mypany to kick her because of you... Would you?"


    Jing Lihua¡¯s lips curled up as she shook her head.

 Chapter 77 - Never bet against President Li

    <h4>Chapter 77 - Never bet against President Li</h4>


    "Where is your bother?" Jing Lihua asked as she climbed into the car and found him alone in the car.


    "He¡¯ll arrive a littlete." Li Zhiqiang exined with a smile but under his dark pupils, there was a mischievous spark.


    "From next time, try toe and pick me up with less... limelight."


    "What do you mean by the limelight. There are only five cars for protecting us. Usually, when I go out, there are at least ten cars following us."


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    "You¡¯ll forget your dissatisfaction once you realize where I am taking you."


    "You might have impressed me ta te restaurant. But let me tell you, I¡¯m not that easy to impress every time President Li." Jing Lihua challenged.


    "How about it? If you win, I¡¯ll follow one of your requests. If I win, you¡¯ll let me."


    Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to fall into his trap. "Don¡¯t want to."


    "Means you know that I¡¯m going to impress you big." There was a hint of taunt in his tone.


    "Fine." Jing Lihuaughed. "But if I win, you¡¯ll have a hard time epting what I want."


    "I can give you whatever you want."


    Jing Lihua nced out from the window. Five cars were silently following them. From the other side, she felt a hand reaching up to ers and grasping it into its firm warmth. She smiled, without knowing it.


    "Why do you need so much protection? Is something wrong? Last time I apanied you there weren¡¯t such high protection you required." Suddenly Jing Lihua asked. "Does it have anything to do with me?"


    For a while, Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t answer as if contemtion what to tell to Jing Lihua.


    "It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to tell me."


    "There are some people you need to be careful of. They want us to separate."


    "Are these the same people who are the reason I forgot about you?"


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s silence counted as yes. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to strain the atmosphere. She felt guilty about bringing about the question and putting Li Zhiqiang under stress. To change the situation she quickly said. "How about you tell me about your mother? Did I know her?"


    "Have you forgotten about her?" Li Zhiqiang sounded sad.


    "Don¡¯t worry. I feel like I¡¯m slowly recovering my memories. I¡¯ll remember it all soon. All of it..." She smiled at him. All of it included a lot. A lot of sweet memories they had together.


    "She misses you. After you left suddenly, she wanted me to get you back as soon as possible. It was indeed hard for me to stop her from getting you back already." Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes shone as he talked about her. Jing Lihua could infer that he shared a strong bond with his mother. "You have forgotten all about me and her. So I didn¡¯t want her to get hurt by realizing it."


    "She doesn¡¯t know what happened to me? Then what reason you gave her to pacify her as for why I left suddenly."


    "Well..." Li Zhiqiang coughed.


    "Tell me." Jing Lihua red at him.


    "We have arrived." Evading Jing Lihua¡¯s question, Li Zhiqiang climbed out of the car and strode to Jing Lihua¡¯s side. Jing Lihua wasn¡¯t nning to let him off without telling her whatever he was reluctant to tell her. But once she nced outside, a sh of hidden memory surfaced.


    "Uncle Wei?" A name surfaced in her memories. There were a lot of positive feelings associated with this ce. "Looks like I¡¯ve lost the bet with Li Zhiqiang." Because the ce surely brought her an indescribable feeling of joy. She made a mental note not to ever ce a bet against him.


    ...


    "I can¡¯t believe it." Li Xun wailed. "I can¡¯t f.u.c.k.i.n.g believe it." It was not wrong for him to curse. For his brother had asked something ridiculous out of him.


    Li Xun sighed as his stomach grumbled in objection. F.u.c.k! He had even skipped his lunch running from onepany to another nning the alternatives for them.


    "Why don¡¯t you go in, Youngest Master?" His driver thought he was being weird by standing outside the restaurant and not going inside. Why did hee to the restaurant in the first ce if he never intended to go in?


    "As much as I want I can¡¯t. My brother wants to have as much alone time with sister-inw as possible." Li Xun grumbled. "Isn¡¯t it ridiculous? I was the one whose name he used to bring her here today. But now that she is here, he discards me?" Li Xun felt jealous.


    ¡¯Eldest master?¡¯ ¡¯Sister-inw.¡¯ The driver nced at Li Xun. He felt like his young master has lost his mind. "Youngest Master, are you alright. Do I need to give a call to Elder Master?"


    "I¡¯m dozing off. Just wake me up when it¡¯s ten pm." And Li Xunid down on the back seat.


    ...


    This restaurant was the one they visited frequently during her one month stay in Hong Kong. Though it served rtively simple food, it was delicious and top quality. The Li Brothers shared a special rtionship with this Uncle Wei who looked our the small restaurant. He was the only chef here and treated the Li brothers as his own children.


    "It was your mother who supported this restaurant in the beginning?" Jing Lihua remembered Li Xun¡¯s words when once he had told her the history of the restaurant. Slowly but surely, she was remembering everything.


    In a distance, a warm looking middle-aged man was personally serving the guests.


    Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t know how to feel about Jing Lihua recovering her memory. At one point, it made him feel happy because slowly the JingJing he fell in love with wasing back. But at the same time, he felt scared. It meant she will soon remember what had happened that night... What if she couldn¡¯t forgive him?


    "Isn¡¯t it my most precious customer?" Uncle Wei¡¯s eyes twinkled in happiness once his eyes spotted Li Ziqiang. "How came you decided to show up here? How long has been since youst visited? I see this old man no longer deserves your time, does he?"


    "It¡¯s not like that Uncle Wei. You do know with my father¡¯s recent declining health, all the responsibilities fell on my shoulders. I¡¯ve to support the corporate myself."


    Jing Lihua nced at Li Zhiqiang. Was his father ill?


    "Don¡¯t be hard on yourself. Find time to rx a little. Madame Bao has been worried about you. And who is this prettydy ou bring?" The middle-aged man smiled at Jing Lihua. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "X-Xiao Jing?"

 Chapter 78 - Im here to serve Xiao Jing.

    <h4>Chapter 78 - I''m here to serve Xiao Jing.</h4>


    "Hello, Uncle Wei." Jing Lihua politely smiled at him.


    "Where have you been all that time. Have you any idea? You had driven Madam Bao insane. At that time she had done everything she could to find you. I asked countless times but Li Zhiqiang wouldn¡¯t tell me! How could you leave us all like that!" Uncle Wei looked like he had been wronged.


    Jing Lihua was at a loss of what to say. She nced at Li Zhiqiang as if asking for a direction.


    "Madam must be so happy now that you are back. I can¡¯t begin to imagine her happiness. Let me give her a call to congratte her personally that her daughter-i..." Uncle Wei ready to sprint away.


    "Uncle Wei" Li Zhiqiang interjected. "Mother doesn¡¯t know yet."


    "What do you mean she doesn¡¯t know?" Uncle Wei couldn¡¯t believe it.


    Li Zhiqiang nced at Jing Lihua. "Jing Lihua is not yet ready to meet her."


    "Am I not?" Jing Lihua didn¡¯t say that she was not ready. In fact, she was looking forward to greeting his mother.


    Li Zhiqiang narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you know what will happen if my mother knows that you are here."


    "...No?" Li Zhiqiang sounded like he was not talking about his mother but some dangerous creature. "What could possibly be wrong about Madam Bao. From what I gathered, she doesn¡¯t dislike me." Though she didn¡¯t specifically recall her personality, the image in Jing Lihua¡¯s mind was the one of a sweet, warm motherly figure.


    "You are not ready yet." Li Zhiqiang dered. He looked at Uncle Wei. "Uncle Wei, wait for some time. We will tell our mother ourselves. We are just not ready yet."


    "Don¡¯t worry Da Li, I understand. Now let me know what do you wish to eat tonight. Do you want the same as before?" He smiled warmly and ran away towards his kitchen.


    The first thing he did was to give a call to Madame Bao. She would be so happy to get the news! It was an emergency! He had to tell her before her daughter-inw ran away again!


    ...


    "I don¡¯t think he is not going to tell your mother." Jing Lihua noticed that how excitedly Uncle Wei had dashed out of there. "In fact, I think he is just making a call right now as we talk."


    "He won¡¯t be sessful." Li Zhiqiang¡¯s lips curled up.


    Jing Liha nced at him. This President Li was so cunning. He always had everything nned up. He must has already done something to stop the connection between him and his mother.


    Li Zhiqiang guided Jing Lihua to a table. "Why is your brother not here yet?"


    "I¡¯m training him how to hold the office so he is having a lot of responsibilities to attend to. That must have halted his progress."


    Jing Lihua looked suspicious. ording to her memory, Li Xun admired and worshipped his brother. He would do anything his brother asked him with the best of his abilities just to appease him. If Li Zhiqiang had told him to appear here at a specific time, he wouldn¡¯t have dared to dy.


    "Maybe he changed."


    "He has changed a lot. Always thinking of ways to avoid work. He needs some strick administration. I think I¡¯ve been too easy on him." Li Zhiqiang voiced out his dissatisfaction


    "Don¡¯t be too hard on him. Besides, why do you need to train him in the first ce?"


    "In the future, I¡¯ll have to apany you. So I will need him to look over the office."


    Jing Lihuaughed. "You are so certain that I¡¯ll let you apany me." Jing Lihua nced out and a sh of another memory came to her mind. She frowned and focused on that memory. "I remember something... There had been four of us who came here before. Hasn¡¯t it?" Jing Lihua looked at Li Zhiqiang only to findplicated expressions on his face.


    "Who was the fourth person?" She couldn¡¯t recall his face. She couldn¡¯t even remember whether it was a female or a male. The fourth person¡¯s face was blurry. But Jing Lihua recalled that the person was as close to them as they were to each other.


    When Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t reply, Jing Lihua opened her mouth to say something but just then, Uncle Wei came back with slightly dissatisfied expressions. Two waiters were following him holding different dishes.


    "Uncle Wei why you look so sad?" Jing Lihua politely asked. She still remembered that this middle-aged man had been very nice to her. So returning his kindness was what she must do.


    "There is nothing Xiao Jing. Nothing you have done." Uncle Wei smiled at her and threw a re at Li Zhiqiang.


    "Is there anything wrong Uncle Wei?" Li Zhiqiang asked with innocent expressions. "If not, please have us served the dinner. We are starving."


    "Who said I¡¯m here to serve you? I¡¯m here to serve Xiao Jing." Uncle Wei grumbled and when he looked at Jing Lihua, once again his face immediately blossomed with smiles. "Xiao Jing, make sure to visit meter. I want to have chat with you a lot! Chat with you without the interruption of some people." It was clear Uncle Wei meant ¡¯Li Zhiqiang¡¯ by some ¡¯people¡¯.


    Uncle Wei was opening ways to have Jing Lihua here in the future without Li Zhiqiang so he could kidnap her and hand her over to Madam Bao.


    This, of course, Jing Lihua was aware of. "Don¡¯t worry Uncle Wei. Whenever I visit Hong Kong in the future, I¡¯ll make sure to give a visit to your ce."


    "You don¡¯t live in Hong Kong?" Uncle Wei was all ears. Until now they all had thought that she was also from Hong Kong. He wanted to get as much information as possible. In case he might need to provide that to Madame Bao to search for Jing Lihua.


    "I..."


    "Uncle Wei, Jing Lihua is very hungry. Please have the waiters serve the dinner." Li Zhiqiang didn¡¯t let Jing Lihua reveal any further information and red at her, hinting her to shut up.


    The current number of people he had to deal with to stay with his Jing Lihua was already enough. He didn¡¯t want to deal with his mother too.

 Chapter 79 - You are the strongest woman Ive ever met

    <h4>Chapter 79 - You are the strongest woman I''ve ever met</h4>


    "Let¡¯s not eat till your brother arrives?" Jing Lihua coughed drily. The main purpose of today¡¯s dinner was to greet Li Xun. But somehow she felt like... it was turning to yet another date. "I remembered how much he loved toe to Uncle Wei¡¯s ce."


    "He¡¯ll be here soon." Li Zhiqiang smiled brightly.


    Jing Lihua still remembered how cold he was when she first met him. Six years ago, he was also cold. But slowly, in herpany, his personality would change.


    "I have always wanted to ask you. Six years ago, what had prompted you to take care of me? Back then when... I..." Jing Lihua looked into his eyes. He could just have let his servants take care of her if he had saved her purely due to humanpassion. But he had taken care of her himself, provided her with hispany for the next whole month and had slowly healed her wounds. No matter what way one looked at that, it was not a normal treatment.


    "I could see my past in you." Li Zhiqiang said, his eyes were soft.


    "Did you ever have your heart broken before?" For some reason, Jing Lihua felt a tinge of dissatisfaction thinking about that. Did he ever love someone before her and she broke her heart?


    Li Zhiqiangughed, possibly noticing her jealousy. "It¡¯s not like that. I was just pushed to the end of despair once. Back then I didn¡¯t have anyone look after me. So when I saw you like that, I saw myself in you. I had an urge to look after you myself." Li Zhiqiang let his cold face loose. Only in front of this woman, he would show his deepest vulnerability visible. "Seven years ago, my father was diagnosed with liver failure."


    "I was the eldest in the family so the responsibility of taking care of him fell on my shoulders. I had to console my mother and look after Li Xun. All the time, I couldn¡¯t act weak in front of anyone. I had to maintain a strong demeanor so that others would get their strength from me. While I provided others with a shoulder to lean on and cry, I didn¡¯t have anyone. They said I was cold... I didn¡¯t feel. But in reality, I felt it to an extent far greater than others. I feared that my family might break. People were waiting to see an opening in me so they could make a move. After my father fell if I hadn¡¯t changed to the person who I am they could have seeded."


    Jing Lihua felt the strings of her heart were pulled. She felt a strong feeling of admiration and respect for the man in front of him. Jing Lihua realized why did Li Xun respect his brother this much. He was truly someone to be looked up to; a perfect role model.


    "How could you see yourself in me? Unlike you, I gave up entirely. I was not nearly as strong as you were." Jing Lihua said softly.


    "You think so?" Li Zhiqiang smiled at her. "You are the strongest woman I¡¯ve ever met. I had my mother and brother by my side. But what did you have? Nothing. Your mother had already left. Your family hated you. You had grown up in such adverse circ.u.mstances. Yet you persisted for so long. It didn¡¯t weaken your character. You turned all the misfortunes into your strength. In fact, it was your strength that made me fall for you."


    Warmth surged through Jing Lihua¡¯s heart. She tried to hide her blush. "How¡¯s your father right now?" There was no news of his father¡¯s illness in the media. Jing Lihua concluded that the Li family must have kept it hidden to avoid the negative impact.


    "Average age after liver transnt is five years." Suddenly Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes saddened. "His health is declining quickly since thest year. But at least we found enough time with him to cherish his remaining life."


    "I wish I could do something for him." Li Zhiqiang had done a lot for her. In fact, she owed her life to him. She felt useless for not being able to do something for him.


    "Actually, there is one thing you could do." Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes looked roguish. "Are you sure you will do it?"


    "What is it. I¡¯ll try my best to do it." Jing Lihua was eager to help.


    "Actually, my father is very eager to see his grandchildren. If we could..." Li Zhiqiang trailed off.


    Jing Lihua stared at him looking incredulous. They were not even married yet, in fact, she was married to another man, yet he was talking about children with her? Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know whether tough or to cry. He was impossible. She puffed in resignation.


    Li Zhiqiangughed noticing her cute expressions. "Let me give a call to my brother. Uncle Wei dishes are best when eaten fresh and hot." Li Zhiqiang sent a text.


    Li Xun felt like he was in seventh heaven when he received a text. "Sister-inw is best!" He happily climbed out of the car ad ran for the restaurant entrance.


    In the text, Li Zhiqiang had said that his sister-inw missed him. Of course, if sister-inw hadn¡¯t asked for him, his brother would have felt no moral scruple to have him stand outside the whole night. Even the thought of that happening caused a painful grumble in his stomach.


    At the entrance, he was greeted by Uncle Wei. Li Xun was on his way but he was halted when he saw a familiar face climbing out of a car. A pompous man walked towards the restaurant. There was a small smile on his lips. And he looked quite approachable and friendly from his exterior. "Wu JunJie?" Anger bubbled up in Li Xun¡¯s chest. Why would that bastarde here? "If he intends to spoil my brother¡¯s happiness then he has made the gravest mistake of his life." Li Xun¡¯s eyes burned with a vengeance.


    "I haven¡¯t made a move until now because brother wouldn¡¯t let me. But now that brother is dinning with sister-inw, I think he wouldn¡¯t mind if I did something... overboard." Li Xun quickly made a call after an evilugh.

 Chapter 80 - Kissing was just the start.

    <h4>Chapter 80 - Kissing was just the start.</h4>


    Li Xun came back with a very satisfied expression. Li Zhiqiang raised his eyebrow as if asking what was the matter. Li Xun only smiled innocently as if he hadn¡¯t done anything at all.


    "What did you do?" Li Zhiqiang¡¯s voice turned cold.


    "Xiao Li?" Jing Lihua turned and her face immediately blossomed with a smile. "Come here."


    Li Xun was ready to give sister-inw a hug but when he felt a chill from Li Zhiqiang¡¯s direction, he refrained and retreated to a formal bow. Ah... so jealous. It¡¯s not my fault that sister-inw is so happy to see me, alright!


    "You have grown quite handsome!" Jing Lihua smiled.


    Li Xun gulped when he felt the chilliness increase. Sister-inw, could you please not say such words? "Haha. How could you say that? I can never challenge my brother¡¯s handsomeness. Can I?"


    Jing Lihua noticed Li Xun¡¯s strange behavior. "Li Zhiqiang stop scaring him!" Jing Lihua red at Li Zhiqiang.


    Only then the chilliness subsided and Li Xun sighed in relief. He had to be very careful while trying to win sister-inw!


    "Brother I had temporarily jammed Uncle Wei connection to mother. But I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to stop him for long. He seems particrly enthusiastic about informing our mother. In fact, after serving you, he went out to try different ces to make contact with mother."


    "No need to worry. I would have already married her by then."


    Jing Lihua. "..." President Li, you are very confident, aren¡¯t you?


    "I¡¯m confident." Li Zhiqiang said with a smile.


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    Did he have the power of mind-reading?


    "It¡¯s not that I have any power to read minds. Your expressions tell everything"


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    "Sister Jing, you have to be very careful in big brother presence. You have to take care of even a single twitch of your facial muscle. They don¡¯t call him Devil for no reason. He has supernatural powers! He can immediately tell if someone is lying or not from the mere facial expressions." Li Xun immediately tried to befriend his sister-inw by providing such valuable information. In order to also appease his brother, he also said. "Isn¡¯t my brother so cool?"


    That night when Jing Lihua returned home, she was very tired. She fell on the bed. Her face buried deep into the mattress and she tried to suppress the excessive heat of her face. "He had to do it." Her face was burning tomato right now.


    The dinner was very very eventful. Li Xun was funny to hang around with especially in the presence of his big brother. After dinner, Li Zhiqiang took her to her apartment. Before getting out, he had held her wrist and stopped her.


    "I won the bet. Now you must do what I ask." Li Zhiqiang had an evil smile. whatever he was going to ask wasn¡¯t definitely going to be ¡¯innocent¡¯.


    "Why? I never said I was happy to know where you took me." Jing Lihua coughed drily. She was ¡¯alone¡¯ with himte at night in the back seat of his car. And she had to do ¡¯something¡¯ he was going to ask. That situation could give her a lot of wrong ideas.


    They both knew she was happy than ever. Being an expert in reading others, Li Zhiqiang knew better than anyone. She sighed, giving up. "Fine. What do you want?


    Li Zhiqiang reached out his hand and ced the tip of her finger over her soft lips. The softness of her cherry lips filled his heart with a strong sensation. He wanted to devour her whole. "I want this."


    Jing Lihua was startled at his actions.


    "Cough! Cough! Stop joking!" Jing Lihua pushed away his hand and tried to act seriously. But the jolt her heart received was not going to calm down anytime soon. She red at him, trying to intimidate him.


    What she didn¡¯t know his re turned him on even more.


    "I¡¯m not joking. I want a kiss."


    Jing Lihua¡¯s ears burned. Suddenly Jing Lihua felt like she liked the cold Li Zhiqiang more. At least, he wouldn¡¯t do anything like that! "Can you not ask for something else?" She pleaded. She was never going to ce a bet against him. Ever!


    "Let me think." Li Zhiqiang pretended to be thinking and considering something else.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s heart filled up with hope but then he suddenly said.


    "No. I want a kiss." He smiled. His firm hold maintained on her wrist implying that he wouldn¡¯t let her go if she intended to run. If not for that, she would have already run out!


    Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t find any leeway and cing a stone over her heart, she agreed. "Fine."


    Li Zhiqiangughed and leaned in. Jing Lihua held her breath. Only inches away from her face, he stopped. His hot breath hit her face and made it burn even more. His unique scent intoxicated her into a daze. But he wouldn¡¯t lean in and kiss her. The anticipation was tormenting her. That was what he wanted. Slowly torment her into submission.


    Damn it! He was purposely annoying her, wasn¡¯t he? Jing Lihua felt anger bubbling up in her heart. She red at him.


    In that case, she needed to show him that she couldn¡¯t be messed with. Suddenly Jing Lihua leaned in and closed the small distance between their faces. Their lips connected. She ced her hand behind his head and pushed him towards her to kiss him deeply.


    Through their connected lips, Jing Lihua felt his lips curling up into a smile. Just then she realized that he had seeded into getting what he wanted by ying her.


    But she didn¡¯t care. She threw all the concerns out of the window and let herself loose in his arms. Li Zhiqiang arms curled up around her waist and pushed her into her body. After a very long french kiss, Jing Lihua pulled back. She was gasping for the ear. Her head felt light as she sat on hisp, leaning against his chest. Noticing her situation, Li Zhiqiang smiled with satisfaction.


    He liked what he did to her. He was happy to know his effect on her.


    After regaining her senses, when she looked at him, she was startled. Unlike her, he was calm and cool. Jing Lihua felt embarrassed at her exaggerated response.


    When Jing Lihua noticed thepromising position, she wanted to get away. But Li Zhiqiang had no intention of letting her go... not just yet. He had waited a long for this day. The day he would have her willingly in his arms. The day he would kiss her to his heart content. He pulled her back into his embrace, rather tightly as if telling her that he was not over with her yet.


    "What are you..." Her sentence was cut mid-length because warm lips fell on hers again silencing whatever she had to say.


    And kissing was just the start of what happenedter in the car.

 Chapter 81 - It is inappropiate to call God at a time like this

    <h4>Chapter 81 - It is inappropiate to call God at a time like this</h4>


    Warning. Mature content down. Don¡¯t read if you are ufortable with 18+ s.e.x.u.a.l scenes.


    Once his lips fell on hers again, she lost herself once again. A very intense desire originated in her heart. Li Zhiqiang arms were firmly locked around her waist, tying both of them together. Her front was firmly pressed against his strong chest. There was no way to escape. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to escape either. She wanted to stay in his hold. Forever.


    After much struggle, she temporarily pushed him away. "L-Li Zhiqiang. Let me breath please..." Her tiny body was trembling. She gasped for air before his next assault started. Her hands were resting over his shoulders. When she looked at his reddened lips from the vigorous kissing, another jolt ran up her spine. "Oh, God..." She didn¡¯t want to imagine how she looked right now.


    In the position, she was straddling him. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. Her situation was extremely embarrassing.


    "It is inappropriate to call God at a time like this." Li Zhiqiangughed and leaned in to kiss her cheek.


    When Jing Lihua tried to get up, he didn¡¯t let her. Instead, he tightened his one arm around her waist while his other hand reached to touch her face. "Li Zhiqiang!" Jing Lihua tried to warm him by making her voice stern. But it only came out soft and coquettish, filling Li Zhiqiang heart with a sudden urge to possess her once again.


    His fingered touched her cheeks. Jing Lihua shivered at the soft touch. Li Zhiqiang loved the reaction her body gave at his mere touch.


    "You want me more than I want you." Li Zhiqiang dered with a smile. He tugged a strand of her silky hair behind her ear. Tip of his fingers brushed her ear. Every touch would send a pleasant jolt throughout her body.


    "Like always you are overconfident, President Li." Jing Lihua refused to give in.


    "Are you telling me that you don¡¯t want me?" Li Zhiqiang narrowed his eyes at the woman in his unrelenting grasp. Suddenly his hand reached out and went around the back of her neck. Jing Lihua felt another strong shudder up her spine. But it was a good sort of shudder.


    She smiled at him. "Try me." She challenged him openly. Jing Lihua believed that she had this much self-control over herself.


    "Fine." Li Zhiqiang¡¯s lips curled up. "I¡¯ll have you begging for me." He leaned in towards her. His hot breath hit her neck but Jing Lihua didn¡¯t let her body respond. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to endure.


    Li Zhiqiang breathed in the sweet scent of her body. If his presence intoxicated Jing Lihua then her scent intoxicated him to an extent that was painful. He wanted her so bad. Only by using a sheer amount of self-control he had cultivated in thest seven years, he managed to not push her down already.


    She was like a drug to him. a drug whose addiction couldn¡¯t be shaken off then no matter how hard one tried.


    Li Zhiqiang made sure to lean in slowly, making her sensations peak. His lips touched the crook of her neck. His hot breath spread all over her skin and made it tingle. His tongue tasted her delicate skin. Sweet as he anticipated. Sweeter than anything he ever had.


    When his tongue made contact with her skin, her back straightened as if she had been hit by electricity.


    "Li Zhiqiang!" She had only agreed for a kiss. It was going far beyond that!


    But she still hadn¡¯t made any e.r.o.t.i.c sound. Instead, she kept her breathing stable. Her face was already burning crimson. She knew there was no way to escape now that she was already in his hold. He wouldn¡¯t let her off until he made her beg.


    Why did she have to challenge him again? He was always able to y her into whatever he wanted. She will fall right into his trap.


    The softness of her neck made her want to bite her. He took her skin in her lips and bit softly making sure not to be hard on her.


    The action sent a jolt of pleasurable sensation to her body. Instinctively, Jing Lihua tightened her legs around his waist. But what she felt made her truly shudder.


    Something hard pressed the ce between her legs. Li Zhiqiang took a deep breath and gnashed his teeth. As if he wanted ufortable enough. Did she want to y with him?


    Jing Lihua had heard the deep breath as she identally pressed into his... She wasn¡¯t an idiot. She knew what was it there and... why was it so hard. But it stunned her into a motionless state anyway.


    "Are you trying to seduce me on purpose?" Li Zhiqiang¡¯s voice was hoarse. He sounded a little bit angry. "You might enjoy annoying me for now but let me warn you. I¡¯m a man. I have limited self-control. Especially when I¡¯m around you, even that limited self-control is on the verge. So what happens next... I won¡¯t be responsible for that. Or... you want it to happen?" There was a hint of tease in Li Zhiqiang¡¯s voice.


    Hearing his words, Jing Lihua quickly pulled her back, trying hard not to press into ¡¯whatever was there¡¯.


    "Your words don¡¯t scare me." Jing Lihua maintained the calmness in her tune. She wasn¡¯t going to lose to him! Not so easily!


    Feisty. Li Zhiqiang was liking her more and more.


    "So you think I was joking?" He raised an eyebrow. There was a small smile on his red lips. And a very charming shine in his eyes. His look right now could melt any woman¡¯s heart. And the one who would be sitting on hisp, inches away from his..., would simply pass out of hyperventtion.


    Seeing how handsome he looked, Jing Lihua¡¯s heart beat faster. "If you try to go overboard, I¡¯ll beat you till you are not left with any inappropriate thoughts about me."


    Li Zhiqiangughed. To hear this from a small woman who was entrapped in his embrace was truly funny.


    "It¡¯s not like you will be physically unable to push me away. It is like you will be emotionally unable to push me away. Because both of us know..." He leaned in and whispered into her ear. "You want me more than I do."


    Li Zhiqiang cupped her mouth and kissed her again. This time he pushed her towards him, making her purposely press onto his hardness. The sensation that Jing Lihua felt was too much intense than thest time.


    She felt her body weaken. The double stimulus from between her legs and mouth drove her insane. Jing Lihua couldn¡¯t act like she was unaffected anymore. Li Zhiqiang would have already observed the reactions her body gave.


    She gave up and let him press into her even more deeply and forcefully. Li Zhiqiang held her waist and rocked her over his hardness. The heat radiated from there made her feel even more aroused. She felt something building up in her lower abdomen.


    Jing Lihua was inexperienced in this matter. She hadn¡¯t ever consummated her marriage with Su Liwei in herst life. Even her rtionship with Li Zhiqiang hadn¡¯t gone above a certain point. So she couldn¡¯t possibly tell what was happening.


    What she knew was an even more intense desire to press into him.

 Chapter 82 - Blue Balls.

    <h4>Chapter 82 - Blue Balls.</h4>


    Warning. Be careful. Mature content below.


    Li Zhiqiang pushed her deeper into him. His face sunk into her neck. Jing Lihua was on the verge. Her thoughts frayed. She couldn¡¯t tell what was happening anymore. She could feel her breathing bing short and shallow. Her whole body was trembling and it felt like she was at the edge of passing out.


    And suddenly, it exploded. Jing Lihua felt continuous rhythmic contraction at herdy region. She gasped and the heavenly feeling spread from her abdomen to all of her body. Her abdomen continued to twitch for quite some time. She leaned against Li Zhiqiang¡¯s chest and felt a numbness taking over her.


    Suddenly she felt tired. She stayed in Li Zhiqiang¡¯s embrace for some time until she looked up. His face was rather tense. "What happened?" She asked finding his stiff expressions.


    "You seriously don¡¯t know?" Li Zhiqiang¡¯s lips curled up.


    Jing Lihua frowned at first then it dawned at her. She quickly got away from his embrace. The bulge in his jeans was still huge. "I..." She didn¡¯t know what to say. "I will see you tomorrow." Saying, she dashed out of there without looking back.


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s face twitched as he looked in the direction the ungrateful woman left after getting what she wanted. "In the future, I¡¯ll have you pay for this Jing Lihua."


    ...


    Jing Lihua had run straight for her room. Thankfully, it waste so there were many people outside and no one witnessed her sorry state. Once in her room, she had locked the door and fallen into her bed.


    "I can¡¯t believe it. I did that." Jing Lihua sighed. Now that she was away from that master seductor, she felt much at ease. Her rationally returned and she couldn¡¯t believe that it was her, the calm and collected President Jing, who yielded to her desires and did something so... so disgraceful!


    "Oh God, not only that. I also forgot to mention the real estate to him." Jing Lihua palmed her face. Earlier, she had enjoyed her time with Li Xun so much that she forgot to propose the deal to Li Zhiqiang. Later well... that happened.


    Jing Lihua picked up her phone intending to give Li Zhiqiang a call to arrange for a meeting tomorrow then she put down her phone. How was she supposed to face him after what happened today?


    "I¡¯m screwed."


    That Jing Lihua had a hard time falling asleep. Because whenever she closed her eyes, a very handsome face would pop up in her dream and sessfully ruin her sleep. Even in her dreams, Li Zhiqiang wouldn¡¯t let her off.


    ...


    When Li Zhiqiang traveled back to his penthouse, he was very frustrated.


    "Speak. What did you do?" His voice was especially scary.


    Li Xun shuddered. "Brother, did you have a fight with sister-inw?" This was so wrong. He had hoped his brother¡¯s mood would improve once sister-inw appeared. Why was the opposite effect?


    Li Zhiqiang¡¯s eyes darkened when he was reminded of her. "Next time, I won¡¯t let her off."


    Li Xun opened his mouth to say something then closed it. Why did his brother sound like... Why did it feel like he had gotten... Like they both had then... No. He didn¡¯t want to think in that direction. Li Xun mentally pped himself to keep his thoughts straight. But the curiosity wouldn¡¯t let him off.


    "Brother, did you get blue balls?"


    Li Zhiqiang froze for a second when he heard what his brother had said. Next second, the temperature jumped down straight to minus thousand degrees celsius. Li Xun knew he had crossed the line. He trembled like a terrified kitten.


    "Brother! Stop! I didn¡¯t mean to say it like that. I just wanted to give you some tips to help!"


    The temperature continued to fall down.


    "Brother! I¡¯m sorry! I wouldn¡¯t mention it again. My tongue slipped. I swear!"


    No stop in falling temperature.


    "Brother this is important. Listen to me! Back in the restaurant, I spotted Wu Junjie. I used some moderate means to have him stop from entering and spoil your time with sister-inw. If not for that, you might not have even gotten some time with sister-inw!" Li Xun was very wise. He knew how to use words to prevent his brother ire.


    "Moderate?" Li Zhiqiang raised his eyebrows.


    When the temperature didn¡¯t go down any further, Li Xun finally sighed in relief. Ah... so close. He could have died. He needed to be careful.


    "Well, brother. It was..."


    "He intended to spoil my time with your sister-inw and you used ¡¯moderate¡¯ means to deal with him?" There was cold anger in his eyes.


    Li Xun shivered. When he understood his brother¡¯s words, he bloomed like a flower. He made the right choice! "Elder brother is best! I said moderate earlier because I was scared elder brother would scold me. Actually I didn¡¯t use moderate methods at all."


    "What did you do then?" Li Zhiqiang was interested to know. He crossed his legs over the couch while his brother stood at a distance.


    "I asked a few of our close business friends to pull their shares from hispany in exchange for some benefits. Those who declined, I used their dark past to force them. When Wu Junjie received the news, he had to leave immediately to stop the crisis."


    "By few you mean?"


    "Ten of them. They ounted for a total of twenty-seven percent shares." Li Xunughed.


    Li Zhiqiang felt like his brother was growing. He was bing more and more ruthless like him. "How did you manage to prepare that in such a short amount of time?" His training was being sessful. Perhaps Jing Lihua was right. He didn¡¯t need to be this hard on his brother.


    "I had already prepared all that a long time ago. I was just waiting for a chance to destroy that bastard!" That Wu Junjie was the reason his brother and sister-inw separated six years ago. Li Xun might look like he justined about his brother every time, but he truly admired his brother. So naturally, he cared for him. His brother was his role model.


    "Brother, have you told sister Jing what happened that night?" Li Xun suddenly asked.

 Chapter 83 - Had she relly died?

    <h4>Chapter 83 - Had she relly died?</h4>


    The next day, Jing Lihua had to travel back to Beijing in the evening.


    "Looks like I can¡¯t avoid him." Jing Lihua sighed. She gave up the idea of calling President Li and sent him a message that she wanted to meet him in his office.


    Suddenly a reply came.


    Li Zhiqiang: "Do you want to continue what happenedst night? However, the office might not be a suitable location for that."


    When Jing Lihua read it, her face twitched. She knew he wouldn¡¯t let her off. It was only her fantasy to think that he will forget what happenedst night and treat it like it never happened.


    Before she could type anything, another message arrived.


    Li Zhiqiang: "However if you are that eager, I might arrange something for us."


    Jing Lihua felt a sudden impulse to throw away her phone, stomp on it until it smashed into pieces.


    Calm down Jing Lihua. He is just ying with me. If I lose my temper, he¡¯ll seed. I must not do that and reply to him with something that will shock him.


    With a smirk Jing Lihua typed. "What happenedst night was shoddy for me to be wanting more."


    Li Zhiqiang. "I wouldn¡¯t say that with the way you were gasping and the way your face was turning red."


    Jing Lihua. "You greatly overestimate yourself, President Li. Like always you are overconfident."


    Li Zhiqiang. "Give me a chance to prove myself and you wouldn¡¯t be saying that."


    Jing Lihua bit her lip. Heat crawled to her cheeks but she quickly subsided it by shaking her head. As if she would fall into his trap. She had already fallen more than enough times. He couldn¡¯t try the same thing on her again.


    Jing Lihua: "Not interested. When should I arrive at your office?" She prayed this time he would provide her a direct answer.


    Thankfully he did. Jing Lihua sighed in relief. She had not much to do this morning. This evening she had decided to leave for Beijing.


    "The first thing I should do is to give a visit to my grandfather. He surely knows something that I don¡¯t." Jing Lihua knew her grandfather knew something but to what extent he knew was not known to her. "Maybe he doesn¡¯t know that all."


    Jing Lihua picked up her phone and send a text to Heng Bingwen.


    "Any lead yet?"


    After a long time, Heng Bingwen¡¯s detailed answer arrived.


    Heng Bingwen. "Not yet President. But the more I look into it, the more suspicious I get. The case of your mother is totally cleared. I can¡¯t find any records. This, obviously, proves that the records were purposely cleared. And it, at the least, tells us that your mother¡¯s death was not as simple as it appears to be. There has to be a big power which involved itself to clear the records."


    When Jing Lihua read the message, she fell into a long contemtion. Her feelings were veryplicated. She didn¡¯t want her hopes to get high. Because she was scared that in the end, she would only be met with disappointment.


    Jing Lihua decided to give Zhao Liying a visit to distract herself.


    "Xiao Hua, how was your date with President Li?" Zhao Liying was all smiled. Jing Lihua had just entered her room when she said that.


    "Let¡¯s not talk about President Li, shall we?"


    "I caught the sight of you running to your roomte at night looking all flushed. What exactly happened? Did you finallymit a.d.u.l.tery?" Zhai Liying grinned.


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    Jing Lihua made herself fall on Zhao Liying¡¯s bed.


    "You look tense. Does it have anything to do with..."


    "It has nothing to do with President Li. I¡¯m just worried bout some stuff from work." Jing Lihua was the sort of person who liked to keep things to herself. Not because she didn¡¯t trust anyone but because she didn¡¯t want to worry others. Thinking about it Jing Lihua smiled. In the past days, she had shared a lot with that President Li.


    She didn¡¯t know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.


    "Just don¡¯t stress yourself. Time find to spend with the ones you love. You know the ones..."


    Jing Lihua knew what she was hinting at. "Why are you so obsessed with my rtionship with President Li?"


    "I¡¯m just so happy that you finally got over Su Liwei. You have no idea the amount of disappointment every time you drooled over him. I couldn¡¯t even badmouth him in front of you because you would have discarded me right away I said something against him"


    Jing Lihua frowned. "I never drolled over him."


    "You did. Remember the time on the night of your anniversary party? You were practically blooming. You were so excited to see him that you spent the whole night trying different outfits."


    Jing Lihua did recall that night. She was very optimistic and naive at that time. Thinking about that, what she felt with Su Liwei was more of an obsession. Only after having her experience with Li Zhiqiang, she could tell what was a difference between fantasy and reality.


    "That was the matter of past. I was young back then." Su Liwei had treated her coldly at the anniversary party. Being obsessed with him, she forgave him and even found justification for him treating her like that.


    "Haha. are you kidding? It¡¯s only been six months till then. How were you young then and not now?"


    Because Jing Lihua had died at thirty. So her mind was not exactly twenty six now. From Zhao Liying¡¯s words, she was reminded of that. Now all the reincarnation thing felt like a dream to her. Was it possible for someone to die and wake up?


    Had she really died and reincarnated on her wedding day? Or it was merely a rush of foreign memories that entered her mind that day. And all of it... actually never happened?


    There was no way to know.


    Jing Lihua nced at hr phone. It was almost time. Zhao Liying had helped her distract her. Jing Lihua said farewell to Zhao Liying and headed out. But on her way, she was stopped by Su Liwei.

 Chapter 84 - Confronting Su Liwei.

    <h4>Chapter 84 - Confronting Su Liwei.</h4>


    When Jing Lihua walked out of Zhao Liying¡¯s room, she saw a man standing not far from there. "Su Liwei?" What was he doing here? Standing outside like that. Without giving him much attention, she wanted to head for the elevator. But just as she paused him, she was stopped by him.


    "Is there anything you want to say, Mr. Su?" Her response, like always, was formal. Like she was addressed to a formal acquaintance.


    "Come with me inside. I want to discuss something with you." Su Liwei¡¯s expressions were unreadable. Like always. His voice was cold, unwilling to reveal any hint of his true intentions.


    "What is it that can¡¯t be discussed outside?"


    Su Liwei didn¡¯t say anything.


    "I¡¯m rather busy. I¡¯ve something to do." Jing Lihua thought she was going to bete. President Li was an important man. She couldn¡¯tmit the sin of making him wait for her. He might be a shameless pervert in front of her, but she still recalled why was he called ¡¯Devil¡¯ in the business world.


    "Are you trying to avoid me?" Su Liwei said after a pause of silence. "You haven¡¯t talked to me once on the fashion show. I have noticed it. But it was not only me who noticed that. The guests and the media did too. The rumors that would arise due to this would only result in negative consequences for you."


    Jing Lihuaughed. "I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll care for whether these rumors influence me adversely or not." There wasn¡¯t a ripple in Jing Lihua¡¯s expressions. Like the man in front of him didn¡¯t affect her at all. Her eyes were sharp and determined.


    Su Liwei froze for a second. "I don¡¯t have any reason to hate you so..."


    "You don¡¯t?" Jing Lihua stepped towards him. Her demeanor was confident and unshakable. For a moment Su Liwei almost didn¡¯t recognize the woman in front of him. The aura that surrounded her was so different from the one that Jing Lihua used to possess in the beginning. She used to be weak and delicate, giving a man an urge to shield and protect her. But now, there was an unspeakable strength in her character.


    Was it the same Jing Lihua who would cower and cry at little things? The same Jing Lihua who wouldn¡¯t be able to hold eye contact with him for more than a minute.


    Ever since their wedding, Su Liwei had observed her change. But he felt like her change was only growing more and more pronounced with time.


    "I am aware of your involvement in mypany." Jing Lihua had an unwavering smile. Su Liwei might have affected her in the past but now that she had recovered her memories, he didn¡¯t affect her at all. Jing Lihua was happy to know of that progress. "I¡¯m aware of all the moles you have ced in mypany and all the spies. Over the past five years, they have been constantly trying to bring a decline to mypany. I suppose you have also guessed by now that I¡¯ve discovered you. In fact, discovered you a long time ago. So... Are you still going to say you have no reason to hate me? If not for that, why would you be doing that all?"


    The main confidence of Jing Lihua to fully confront Su Liwei came from Li Zhiqiang. If he was by her side, she had nothing to fear. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t want to rely on him much. But at the same time, she didn¡¯t want Su Liwei to hurt her family.


    Now that Li Zhiqiang was by her side, at least her grandfather¡¯s safety would be assured. And with that, she had nothing that would hold her back. If it was her alone who fought Su Liwei, she wouldn¡¯t have held back since the beginning. Her concern for her grandfather had held her back since the beginning.


    She still remembered the feeling when she had learned in herst life that he died. She was devastated. In fact, the matter had caused her to change.


    When Su Liwei heard Jing Lihua, he merely smiled in response. "You have kept yourself hidden until now. What gave you the confidence toe and confront me directly? Do you think you have grown powerful enough to challenge me in Beijing?"


    "What do you think?" His threat didn¡¯t scare her.


    Su Liwei expressions eased a little. He stepped towards her, intending to grab her wrist. "Come with me inside." His room was just ahead.


    Jing Lihua pulled back her wrist. "I¡¯ll listen to whatever you have to say. But please refrain from physical contact." Her eyes were cold.


    Su Liwei paused, nced at her and with an expressionless face, he walked into his room. Jing Lihua didn¡¯t know whether she should follow him or not. She sighed. It wouldn¡¯t kill her to listen to whatever he had to say. After all, in herst life, he hadn¡¯t ever voluntarily approached her.


    Jing Lihua walked in and closed the door. She leaned against the close door, unwilling to go in the room any further. "Speak. What do you have to say that couldn¡¯t be said outside?"


    "Growing more and more valiant, aren¡¯t you? Be careful. Your bravery might cost you something big." Su Liwei¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t look cold angry. In fact, there was a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt and dare in them.


    Jing Lihua¡¯s lips curled up. "You don¡¯t have to worry about that. I assure you, Mr. Su, you won¡¯t be able to make something like that happen." Jing Lihua was fearless. She had feared him enough in herst life. This time, she was going to show him that she was someone who couldn¡¯t be bullied.


    "It might not be me who intends to bring harm to you."


    "Is this what you intended to tell me? That there is someone who intends to harm me." Jing Lihua maintained her calm smile. "But being a businesswoman, I can¡¯t trust your words only, can I?"


    "But you¡¯ll have to make an exception on me," Su Liwei waled to the couch and sat cross-legged directly facing Jing Lihua."I have a proposition for you. A preposition if you want to save yourself and... your grandfather."

 Chapter 85 - I hope you are ready.

    <h4>Chapter 85 - I hope you are ready.</h4>


    "What proposition?" Jing Lihua was surprised. Looking at his expressions, she couldn''t find anything that could tell if he was being sincere or it was one of his other tricks. Jing Lihua wouldn''t be fool enough to trust him... not again.


    But whatever he had wanted to say did pique her interest. "How''s is it rted to my grandfather?" She wouldn''t do anything that harmed her grandfather. So she had to listen to whatever he had to say.


    "The proposition. I don''t think you are a stupid woman as you have proved in thest few weeks." The side of Su Liwei lips twitched upward. "You must now that if the Su empire turns against you, you''ll stand no chance in Beijing. That is the reason you haven''t confronted me directly till yet. Means you must have known that before."


    "So...?" Jing Lihua didn''t know where he wanted to get by mentioning that.


    "Hand over yourpany willingly and I''ll help you get the best escape out of the situation." He suddenly said.


    For a moment Jing Lihua couldn''t understand what he meant by that. But when she understood, she merely smiled at him. "Thank you for the gracious proposition, Mr. Su. But I''m afraid I must decline."


    "You don''t understand the gravity of the situation." Su Liwei had expected that response. "I am providing you with the best I can within my abilities. I can assure yours and your grandfather''s safety in exchange for that."


    "How am I supposed to understand that? You are asking me to give up mypany. The whole argument isical." Jing Lihua had enough of him. She pulled open the door. "If you''ll excuse me."


    "Then are you sure you ready to fight me?" Su Liwei asked before she left.


    "Yes, I''m" Jing Lihua nced back and answered with a smile. And just like that, she left.


    When she left, Su Liwei stayed at his ce for a long time. "Jing Lihua I hope you are ready. I can''t stop my uncle any longer froming at you."


    ...


    When Jing Lihua walked out of the hotel, she was in deep thoughts. "What could he possibly mean by that?" She had no idea. "What did he want to achieve?" Jing Lihua was inclined to think that he had ulterior motives but...


    There was something wrong there. Either he was being sincere or he an exceptional skill of faking. "He hasn''t done anything like this in my past life." Jing Lihua didn''t want to think about it. She had Wang Yi drive her to Li Zhiqiang''s office.


    During the ride, Jing Lihua nced at Wang Yi. "My previous chauffeur Zhang Zhehan suffered an ident, did he?" Jing Lihua remembered the second day she was reincarnated something that didn''t happen in her previous life happened. The chauffeur was reced by Wang Yi.


    "W-Well, Ms. Jing..." Wang Yi broke into a cold sweat.


    "What did you do to him?" Jing Lihua''s lips curled up. She didn''t want to scare Li Zhiqiang man. She was just curious.


    "Zhang ZheHan declined to give up his position so we had him transported aboard." Wang Yi said.


    "Did he go willingly?" After a pause Jing Lihua said. "Of course not willingly. You guys would have forced him. Now that I know that you intend no ill, have him back if he wishes to. I''ll let you keep your position."


    Jing Lihua climbed out of the car and walked into the spacious lobby. She nced around the interior. And it wouldn''t be wrong to say that she was impressed. "This President Li sure have some taste"


    She walked to the receptiondy. "On which floor, President Li''s office is situated?"


    The receptiondy paused the call and looked up with shock. There hasn''t been anyone who would directly ask for President Li. "I''m sorry miss, you''ll have to get an appointment to meet him." Did she want to see him like that? She must be joking! The type of people they would let in. The receptiondy shook her head and went back to attend her call ignoring Jing Lihua. In any case, the receptiondy thought, the woman didn''t deserve her time.


    "You don''t understand. President Li himself gave me the time." Jing Lihua tried her best to be polite.


    At this, the receptiondy put down the phone. She looked like she was very irritated.? "Are you telling me that President Li, who would not give more than five minutes to the famous tycoon of Hong Kong, would personally give you a call? He has his employees do the job." The receptiondy raised her eyebrow at Jing Lihua. "Please leave the premises. We don''t want any trouble."


    "If you could give a call and confirm it..."


    "I said leave!" Thedy''s voice rose considerably. The receptiondy was already having a bad day. This woman was irking her to death. She just wanted to have her thrown out of there. "Or I''ll have to call the security. I''ll not allow you to go up any further."


    "Do you have to be like this? Just give a call to President Li''s secretary to confirm." Jing Lihua could be polite. However, if the other person was going to be crap, she wasn''t going to act nice either.


    "We have thousands of people like youing every day iming they had an appointment with President Li. Now if we gave a call for every such person, wouldn''t it be troublesome?"


    Jing Lihua couldn''t really grasp the situation. For one, she realized how important a man this President Li was. She walked back to give Li Zhiqiang a call but just then, she spotted Li Xun.


    "What''s happening?" Li Xun observed themotion.


    Catching the sight of Li Xun, the receptiondy''s demeanor changedpletely. The frowns on her face disappeared and were reced by all smiles. She quickly stood and gave a bow to Li Xun showing her respect. "Mr. Li, this woman identally found her way here. I was guiding her out." Her job required her to be respectful towards the visitors. Just now she had been very disrespectful because she was in a bad mood.


    Damn it! Did Li Xun had to appear here right now? But she was confident she could handle the situation.


    "Is that so?" Li Xun was wise. He quickly grasped the situation.


    "Yes, Mr. Li. Thisdy imed that she had been personally invited by President Li. Isn''t that ridiculous? But anyway I followed thepany rules and wanted to guide her out ''politely''. But she had been persistent that I gave a call to President Li secretary. I know that President Li can not be disturbed for matters like this. But thedy refused to leave. So I had no other option but to threaten her that I''ll call the security."

 Chapter 86 - Boss Wife

    <h4>Chapter 86 - Boss Wife</h4>


    After her long speech, Li Xun said. "Yang Mi... It''s your name isn''t it?"


    "Yes, Mr. Li." Her smile froze. That was not the response she anticipated.


    "Report to the rules and regtion department."


    "S-Sir?"


    But Li Xun paid her no need and faced Jing Lihua with a smile. "Sister Jing, I have personallye down to receive you! I am so sorry for the inconvenience caused by my beingte. Please forgive me." Li Xun bowed in apology. His lips curled up into a mischievous smile.


    "There is no need." Jing Lihuaughed.


    "Follow me, Sister Jing. President Li has been waiting for you since morning. I''ll guide you to his office."


    As Li Xun guided Jing Lihua up, the female receptionist was aghast. To be called ''Sister'' by the second master, to be apologized by him and to have the ''Devil'' waiting for her since morning... Just what kind of person that woman was. She broke into a cold sweat. What kind of demon she had offended. She was finished.


    When Jing Lihua walked to the Li Zhiqiang office, she was the object of countless stares. Only once she disappeared from sight, the people broke into ferocious gossiping. They all knew that their President had been waiting for someone since the morning. That had never happened before.


    And it was a woman! It was right if their imagination went wild!


    "No way I thought President Li was gay!" On said.


    "Are you stupid? Do you want to die? If you are so tired of living then die but don''t drag us with you."


    "But truly who is that mysteriousdy who stole our President''s heart!" A more gossipy looking one eximed. "We must know who is she and butter her up if we got a chance. After all, she is going to be our future Ms. Boss!"


    "Why are you all getting so excited about? This is the first time we see her. That''s not enough proof for us to believe that she might be the future Ms. Boss. After all, Wu Xiuqin had made quite a number of visits here."


    "But President had never waite for her. Instead, he would have her wait her long to meet him. And he would drive her out soon. That''s not what you do with someone you have a close rtionship."


    "Why don''t we tter Second young master and ask him who this mysteriousdy is?"


    When Li Xun walked out from the floor, he was surrounded by eager employees. Their tails wagging in anticipation. Surrounded by ttery and praises, he looked smug and happy.


    "Second master, tell us who is thisdy?"


    "Should we expect some good news."


    "Tell us something. We won''t tell anyone. We swear."


    "Humph! If you guys are that eager. I''ll tell you something." Li Xun said. His head high. "But make sure not to wisp a thing to others. You don''t want to create trouble in thepany, do you?"


    "We wouldn''t!" They said in unison.


    He leaned in and whispered in a very low voice as if telling a huge secret. "Thisdy is going to be your future Boss."


    "What!"


    "Shh! Things are not to that point yet. But they will move forward. With me looking over the things, they will for sure. So don''t create any trouble and make sure to treat her with respect. You guys wouldn''t want the thing being ruined before they even started?"


    "We wouldn''t!"


    "Then keep your quiet" Li Xun smiled wickedly.


    In just ten minutes, the rumors had spread to the entire building. Li Xun who was observing all thatughed gleefully. "Now it would take no time for this to reach Wu Xiuqin ears. God, I so eagerly want to see her reaction." Li Xun knew when he had said those words to the few people that they wouldn''t stay secret. And he had done that on purpose.


    ...


    After a soft knock Jing Lihua entered the spacious office. Inside the room, a man was sitting cross-legged behind a huge work desk. He was dressed in a formal dress. His aura, while sitting on that big leather chair, was something very heavy.


    Something that couldn''t be overlooked. Now that Jing Lihua had seen her there sitting all in his majesty, she truly understood the mightiness of the ''Devil''. No wonder he had terrorized the business world. His mere presence was too much.


    "Please take a seat, President Jing." His voice was soft but had an undesirable sense of strength. It broke Jing Lihua out of her trance.


    She walked to his desk but suddenly stopped. S]Looking at his deep eyes, she was reminded of what happenedst night. How they had kissed deeply and... and...


    Jing Lihua''s reactions must have been obvious because Li Ziqiang''s lips curled up. "Something in your mind, President Jing? Something you would want to share with me?"


    Hearing the tease in his tune and quickly grasping what he was implying, Jing Lihua lips pressed into a thin line and got control over herself. "Don''t overthink. President Li. There has been nothing much interesting going on that would stay in my mind." Her words simply implied that she would pay no mind to what happenedst night. That is, it didn''t have as much of an impact on her as he anticipated.


    "Oh?" Li Zhiqiang raised his eyebrow. The curl of his lips never straightened. "Why I don''t believe you?" He slowly rose from his chair, ced his hands over the table and looked at Jing Lihua with apparent mischief in his eyes. Jing Lihua''s heart raced with the way he looked at her. He looked very handsome. In his office and formal dress, there was an entirely different air about him. Something that could unnerve the heart of a calm and collected woman like Jing Lihua. "From the looks of you, President Jing, there has been something very interesting going on your life. Something that kept you up all night."


    Damn! Did he observe her eye bags? Of course, Jing Lihua didn''t have a nice sleepst night thinking about the stuff they... they did.


    But she wouldn''t admit. Over her dead body, she would admit.


    "You are very mistaken President Li." She smiledposedly. "Then again. You have never been wrong before. So it must be your overconfidence that is leading to your wrong conclusions."


    "Am I?" Suddenly the distance between them reduced as Li Zhiqiang made his way to Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua was determined not to step back. But as he approached her heart wavered.

 Chapter 87 - You can take advantage of me

    <h4>Chapter 87 - You can take advantage of me</h4>


    Realizing that she would be cornered eventually, Jing Lihua smiled at him and put forward the files before he could make a move. "Here President Li, I think we should sit down and discuss the preposition I brought." Her smile was calm and very professional. She wouldn''t lose her cool in front of him.


    Li Zhiqiang stopped, inches away from her. His smile never left as he grabbed the files,? carelessly flipped through the pages. He nced at her. "Follow me."


    Jing Lihua followed him to the seat in front of the desk. She pushed the events of thest night out of her mind. Instead, in her mind, he recited the careful words she had nned for the preposition. Even though they were at good terms, the business involved the welfare of the wholepany. Jing Lihua understood that he couldn''t ept her proposal just because of his personal rtionships.


    Keeping that in mind, Jing Lihua opened her mouth. "President Li, as we know yourpany has been--" She was halted midway when she saw him picking up a pen. While still standing, he threw the files on the table and guided the pen to the papers.


    "What are you doing?"


    "Signing." Li Zhiqiang looked at her as if she was the one who was not acting normally. "Isn''t it where I must sign? Or somewhere else." He flipped through some pages. "Oh, there is another ce here." He swiftly signed in his beautiful writing.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    "Shouldn''t you, um, perhaps first read the documents?" That was only proper. "And after then following the normal procedure we should negotiate the terms?" Jing Lihua felt weird. Looking at him signing away at all the ces without even blinking. This was surreal. To expect something like that from the great ''Devil'' was an impossibility.


    "Waste of time." He replied overtly.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    What if I''m taking advantage of you in the contract?


    Li Zhiqiang shed her a blinding smile. "You can take advantage of me however you want sweetheart. I''m all yours to be taken advantage of for an eternity."


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    "Don''t make such a face. It makes me want to kiss you."


    Jing Lihua: "...."


    ...


    In avish car, a woman wearing an eye-catching red dress was sitting. She was middle-aged but the age had been harmless to her. She still looked pretty for her age. There was not a single wrinkle on her fair skin. There was a powerful charm about her that would mesmerize one. Huge eyesses covered half of her face. The door of the car was opened by a dressed chauffeur. But the woman didn''t step out.


    A man rushed hurriedly to the car.


    "Madam Bao! Madam Bao!"


    "What is it little Wei? Why did you call me in such urgency? Did you know I had three appointments today? I have to attend the golden jubilee, a high-end g and an anniversary banquet of Mr. and Mrs. Yang''s eldest son in the evening." Suddenly, Madam Bao looked sad as if reminded of something. Her eyes looked wistful. "I''m so envious of them. Their son got marriedst year. They are expecting a grandchild. It''s not even them. All my friends have their eldest sons got married. They are already asking me to give them a date for my son''s engagement." She sighed. "I''m always lying that he has already someone he is seeing. If I don''t tell them that, they''ll try all means to set their daughters with my Li Qiang."


    "Madam Bao, what I am going to tell you will make you dance in joy and cancel all those appointments in an instant. You will have no longer to lie to those socialites."


    "Little Wei, don''t create suspense. Just tell me what is it. You don''t want to burden this old woman''s heart." Though she said that, with her beautiful and young-looking face, the statement sounded quite contradictory.


    "It is Xiao Jing, She has returned! The other day Da Li and Xiao Li brought her to my restaurant." He paused considerately giving Madam Bao some time to absorb the shock. "Madam, Da Li was with her all the time. Only if he had slipped away a little, I would have brought her to you for sure."


    Madam Bao took off her sunsses. Her beautiful eyes revealed. She looked totally stunned. "Are you sure it was her?"


    "Yes, Madam Li. I can never forget Xiao Jing''s mesmerizing green eyes. You know, her eyes are very unique. Besides, there is always a unique charm in her presence. You used to say that yourself. She and Da Li, they look perfect together. Like they are made for each other. No other woman canplement our Da Li like our Xiao Jing. There is no way I would mistake someone else for her. "


    Madam Bao leaned back into her chair and fell into silence as if the news had taken all of her energy. Then, the next second, her eyes shed with a fire of anger and burning fury. Uncle Wei shuddered.


    What was happening? Madam was supposed to bloom with happiness. Not turn into a devil!.


    "Li Xun! How dare you not tell me! Is your brother more dear to you than your mother?"


    It was always poor Li Xun who would be dragged into it. Uncle Wei felt pity in his heart for Xiao Li. But some sacrifices were inevitable for a bigger good. If Li Zhiqiang didn''t get his wife, the world would continue to suffer in his tyranny. Thinking that Uncle Wei sighed in resignation.


    You died for a good cause Xiao Li.


    ...


    Jing Lihua sighed: "So you signed the papers so quickly just because I could eat breakfast with you?" Jing nced at Li Zhiqiang who was very expertly putting different things on her te. Their office kitchen had already cooked everything before Jing Lihua arrived. "You had it all already prepared."


    "Silence JingJing. Talking during eating is a bad habit."


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    "I told you not to make that face. Or do you want me to..."


    "I''m not hungry. I had breakfast beforeing here." Jing Lihua quickly said before he could say his ''nonsense''. The nonsense that would have a ridiculous effect on her.


    "I can''t agree." Li Zhiqiang shook his head. "You are too skinny. It already took a troll on youst night. If you don''t eat properly and grow a little, how are you going to take me after we got married?"


    Jing Lihua almost spit out whatever was there in her mouth.

 Chapter 88 - Stalking President Li

    <h4>Chapter 88 - Stalking President Li</h4>


    Jing Lihua didn''t know what to do this man. She just... didn''t know. She sighed in resignation. She knew he wanted a reaction out of her. Too bad. She wouldn''t give him that satisfaction. So she continued to eat obediently acting like he hadn''t said that.


    "You are traveling to Beijing today?" Li Zhiqiang asked, his voice sounded pensive.


    "Yes. I''ve a flight in the afternoon." Suddenly Jing Lihua was reminded of something. She looked sad as she nced at Li Zhiqiang. "From now on, you''ll not be able to apany me." Hs corporate was big that surely required his presence.


    "Even if you travel to Hell, I''ll apany you. What is this Beijing?"


    Jing Lihuaughed. "You''ve apany to look for. Will you abandon your empire for a woman?"


    "I can abandon my life for you." Li Zhiqiang was all lovey-dovey as he looked at her with deep eyes.


    Jing Liha sighed. He was so helpless. "Are you going to apany me then?" The thought of it made Jing Lihua heart light with happiness.


    "I promised you that I''ll never leave your side again. I''m going to keep that promise." The passionate look in his eyes never left. "Besides after you transferred the real estate to my name, I''ll have to go look for it. It is definitely a huge project that requires my presence."


    Jing Lihua looked at him with questioning eyes. "How did you know? You didn''t even read the papers I brought today!"


    Li Zhiqiang leaned in and said in a light voice. "I know everything you do JingJing. I know you more than you do yourself."


    "You stalked me!" How could she be dumb? He signed the papers so easily because he already knew what she was going to propose. There was no doubt that he traced her every activity before she remembered who he was.


    Li Zhiqiang raised his hands in apology, "Hey. At least I meant no ill."


    "If you say so, then mind telling me what is this other group from Hong Kong that was trying to hack into my ounts?" Jing Lihua still remembered what Heng Bingwne had told her that day. Two groups from Hong Kong. One meant to harm. Other protected her. Jing Lihua knew the one that was protecting was surely under Li Zhiqiang.? But the one that meany her harm... Jing Lihua didn''t know which enemy she had in Hong Kong.


    Li Zhiqiang was momentary stunned as if not expecting that she would have discovered that. "You know that as time passes, I''m finding myself liking you more and more." She had grown so smart sincest time. That time she was naive. Strong yet naive. But now she was a totally different woman. So sharp and feisty.


    "Don''t try to avoid my question." Jing Lihua wouldn''t let him off.


    "I''m not trying to avoid your question. It''s just... I told you. There might be some people who would want to separate us. They want to harm you and I must keep you safe. At that time, it was indeed me who had ordered this. But not to hack into your ounts to track your activities but to strengthen your firewall."


    Jing Lihua leaned back. "Are these the same who are responsible for making me forget you?" Jing Lihua silently said. There was something akin to anger in her eyes. "The ones who are the reason behind all the sufferings we had to endure."


    Though Li Zhiqiang didn''t say anything but Jing knew it was them.


    "Why don''t you just tell me?" She studied Li Zhiqiang''s expressions. He looked conflicted. "Do you not trust me? I said I trust you. If you don''t want to tell me, I understand. There must be a reason. But I see this confliction in you every time the topic is brought. You want to tell me but you don''t. What is it that is bothering you? Just tell me. Are you afraid I''ll be hurt? But I''m stronger than before. I trust you. I also want you to trust me a little."


    "I trust you JingJing. I trust you more than anyone. It''s just I don''t think the time is right. I think we should wait for a little first." It was not exactly about that. Scared that she might refuse himter, he wanted to get married to her before he told her. Li Zhiqiang sighed helplessly. He didn''t know what to say. He knew he must tell her first. Keeping her in dark... what he was doing was wrong. "You are right. I want to tell you. But I''m scared. That you might not forgive me." He looked into her eyes, trying to sort out her feelings. Would she me her? That night it was his JingJing who was supposed to die. She asked Li Zhiqiang to save Wu Xiuqin. But he declined. He wouldn''t let go of her. In the end, it was Wu Xiuqin who paid. But until now, Jing Lihua didn''t even recall anything. She didn''t even know who was Wu Xiuqin.


    "Did you do something wrong?" He heard her say. "Were your intentions ever wrong towards me?"


    "I never had the wrong intentions towards you. I just never wanted to hurt you..."


    "Then It''s okay." Jing Lihua smiled. "Even if you have made a mistake, as long as it was not intentionally done and you were true to me, it is fine." Jing Lihuaughed. "Even if you ever did something bad to me, I would find it difficult-near impossible-to get angry at you."


    Her words made Li Zhiqiang smile. But he knew once she remembered everything, she would be hurt. Wu Xiuqin didn''t die but she was severely injured. Her wrists bones were crushed and broken. Although Li Zhiqiang did all he could to get that treated, in the end, it couldn''t be brought to like it was in the beginning.


    Wu Xiuqin was a pianist. ying the piano was her passion and profession. It was her who had taught Jing Lihua how to y the piano. She had great dreams. But once her hands were injured, she couldn''t y the piano as she did in the beginning. She was lost, broken. And the one who caused all this... Li Zhiqiang couldn''t do anything about him. Her brother... Wu Junjie.

 Chapter 89 - Weird People of President Li company

    <h4>Chapter 89 - Weird People of President Lipany</h4>


    Jing Lihua observed Li Zhiqiang''s darkening face. "Heye back!" Jing Lihua didn''t know what kind of hell his thoughts had wandered to while she had been silent eating. If it was someone else than Jing Lihua, he would just stumble back and wouldn''t dare to distract the ''Devil'' when he looked so- so- scary!


    Once he faced Jing Lihua, the dark demons hovering over him vanished quickly and were reced with smiling angels. "Why don''t you just return with me? I have asked Li Xun to prepare."


    "With you?" Jing Lihua was reminded of the private jets he owned. How could she forget that she was addressed to one of the richest men in whole maind China. "Fine but I''ll have to bring my secretary with me." Jing Lihua still had a lot to discuss ith Mei Xiu. Earlier that day Mei Xiu had sent her a text that something problems had urred in herpany in Beijing. Something to do with the Su family. Jing Lihua was waiting for the reports and nned to listen to her on her way to Beijing.


    "Why not." Although he smiled, Jing Lihua failed to grasp the hidden devilish glint in his eyes.


    Jing Lihua sent a message to Mei Xiu asking her to arrive at Li family residence in the evening.


    That afternoon when she walked out holding the agreement papers in her hands, she was stared by everyone she encountered on her way. "What are these strange nces about?" If the people were not allowed to take pictures in thepany, they would have already taken her shots and shared countless times. Li Xun''s method was effective. When Jing Lihua walked by the lobby, she didn''t see the receptiondy. In fact, there was another woman who had reced her.


    The new receptiondy shrank back in her chair once she felt Jing Lihua curious nce. There was visible fear in her eyes as she looked away trying to not be spotted by Jing Lihua. "The people in President Lipany are so weird." Jing Lihua couldn''t understand the strange atmosphere.


    Jing Lihua shook hear head and hoarded her car. She gave Wang Yi an address. It took them more than an hour to arrive at the ce in the high traffic of Hong Kong.


    "Stay here. I''ll arrive in an hour." Jing Lihua climbed out of the car and headed for the stairs. The residential block was rtively low key and cheap. Jing Lihua''s lips curled up as she walked into the elevator. On the sixth floor, she walked out and headed for the room no Heng Bingwen had messaged her.


    After just one knock the door was opened.


    "President, you are already here?" Heng Bingwen adjusted his sses. He was a little embarrassed to step aside and let his President in. "Don''t mind the mess." His cheeks flushed as he coughed awkwardly. The floor littered with pizza boxes and dirty cloth.


    Jing Lihua shook her head helplessly. "You need some discipline. In just two days, you managed to ruin this ce. It seems I need to pay a visit to your mother." Youngsters nowadays.


    "President let''s just ignore it. I have already gotten everything you asked me to. We should discuss that." Between all the mess, he very respectfully pulled out a chair for Jing Lihua and took the chair in front of his hugeputers, not far from her and began exining. "Six years ago you had gone missing for a whole month. Someone had cleared the records. But you know me. Nothing can stay hidden from my eyes. President, you would be surprised to find out what I discovered. Your absence six years ago linked to the prestigious Li family of Hong Kong." Hng Bingwen looked prideful. With a smug face at his ''huge'' discovery, he looked at Jing Lihua expecting a shocked gasp from her.


    Only to be disappointed...


    "I already know that. Is there anything worthy you found?" Jing Lihua had very natural and calm expressions.


    Worthy...


    It hurts...


    Heng Bingwen straight shoulders sagged. Two night worth of his hard relentless work went to waste just like that?


    "President try to recall something. Is everything nk within that span of one month you went missing?"


    "I have been remembering a few things recently. It seems to being back to me. Slowly yet steadily I''m remembering things that were totally cked out first."


    "In that case, I want to show you the photo of a person." As he said that a photo surfaced on his huge screen. "Try to recall the person in the photo."


    In the photo, there was a pair of two females. One older and one younger. "It is me." The younger one had a face clearly simr to Jing Lihua. Her features were clear and her hair was short. What she recognized herself with were her green eyes. It was the younger version of her.


    "Who is this woman beside me?" Jing Lihua leaned in and squinted her eyes trying to recognize the woman. The woman was obviously a little older than her, perhaps by two years or more. She had long sleek hair extending to her waist. Her beautiful features were distinctive. The air around her was very warm. And the way her arms rested on top of Jing Lihua''s shoulders and supported her, she could tell that the woman was obviously caring about her.


    Whether it was a genuine concern or fake, Jing Lihua couldn''t tell from the mere photo


    "Who could she be? How could I forget her?"


    "President you don''t recall anything about that woman? Try to look closely." Heng Bingwen sounded disappointed. "I have researched the medical reason for your memory loss. It is something rted to head trauma that can cause memory loss for a specific time span before the injury. And the way to recover your memory is to expose you to the ces or people within the span that had been cked out. You must recall something about this woman. It might give us more clues to find what happened next once sh brought you to Hong Kong..."


    "Wait! Are you telling me that she is the one who brought me to Hong Kong?" Jing Lihua was shocked. "Who exactly is she?"

 Chapter 90 - Wu Xiuqin

    <h4>Chapter 90 - Wu Xiuqin</h4>


    She looked deeply at that picture. Indeed, it was when Li Zhiqiang had brought her to that terrace, she had recalled a few things. Simrly, when she was brought to Uncle Wei''s ce, she recalled again. Memories wereing back slowly when she was brought in contact with ces or people in the ckout span. But still, everything was separated. It seemed... It was all waiting or a line to connect everything.


    And this woman might be that line.


    "Do you know anything else about this woman?"


    Heng Bingwen sighed when Jing Lihua failed to recognize her. "She used to be a piano prodigy. There were countless awards she had won to her name. Her fame extended to the international level. In December, six years ago, she had visited Beijing to attend a show. I couldn''t know much but she has something to do with your arrival in Hong Kong. If the President could recognize her, it would have been a great help." Heng Bingwen looked at Jing Lihua with expectant eyes.


    "But I have never seen her in the media... If she is as famous as you say, I would have seen her somewhere." Jing Lihua showed no signs of recognizing her. Even if she sensed a small familiarity, she kept her face expressions inconceivable. It was not intentional. It had be a habit from the experiences of her previous life.


    "Because as of today, she is no longer on mainstream media. Exactly six years ago, she suddenly stopped ying and appearing inpetitions. It was said that she had suffered from some injury that resulted in her inability to y the piano. As ying was her passion, she sumbed to depression and tried to kill herself countless times."


    Jing Lihua listened to that all with a pensive expression. Piano... The word had something to do with all. "Does she have anything to do with the Li family?"


    "Yes, President. Her Wu family always had a close rtionship with the prestigious Li family of Hong Kong. In fact, there are rumors that in the future, she might be the daughter inw of Li household."


    When Jing Liha heard that, she became tense. Her facial expressions, like always didn''t reveal anything. But lips stretched into a thin line. "Don''t mind that. Those people in the media say all sorts of nonsense." Heng Bingwen failed to notice the subtle change in President''s tune.


    "Yes, President? I wouldn''t be fool enough to believe in baseless media rumors. In fact, in the past, President Li had favored the Wu family greatly. During the period she has fallen ill after her injury, he had visited her countless times. His each and every visit had been exaggerated by media. Especially after the mental breakdown she had suffered after losing her ability to y the piano, he had been by her side. He had helped her cope with her depression. They say President Li favors the ''Wu'' family because of her. Because he cherishes..." Heng Bingwen shuddered when he saw Jing Lihua look. Though her expressions were still cold, there was an eerie air around her. "P-President...?" Heng Bingwen gulped.


    "Continue." His President''s voice sounded so unnatural and ghostly.


    "T-There is nothing more to continue. I told you everything about her rtionship with President Li."


    "What is her name?" Jing Lihua''s eyes looked like a tigress who had focused on his next prey.


    "Coughs... Coughs... Wu Xiuqin. The eldest daughter of the Wu family. Wu Xiuqin."


    Wu Xiuqin...


    When Jing Lihua heard the name, an influx of memories rushed to her brain. "Wu Xiuqin..." She mumbled. Her lips curled up into a cold smile. Then sheughed.


    "P-President?" Heng Bingwen was so scared. His President looked so murderous. Ah... what did he say wrong? "Do you remember anything?" He mustered up his courage and asked.


    "It won''t be appropriate to say I remembered anything. Because I remembered it all."


    Heng Bingwen''s eyes widened in shock. "President, do you..."


    "Thank you Heng Bingwen for your hard work." Jing Lihua rose. "I''ll provide you with a bonus for making you work overtime."


    "There is no need President... If you could just tell me if everything is alright?" Heng Bingwen looked concerned. "I mean you said you remembered everything. And recovering a huge amount of memories might take a troll on your mind so..." Heng Bingwen said no more but Jing Lihua understood his kind intentions.


    Jing Lihua smiled warmly at him. When did this small boy start caring for her? Jing Lihua has shared a strong rtionship with him in herst life. He had epted her as his older sister. Bt in herst life, she had to abandon him and his mother in fear that Su Liwei might hurt them to get back at her.


    She had expected that it would take much effort to win him again in this life because of her different status here. After all, being abandoned by his family, Heng Bingwen hated rich aristocrats.


    "It''s alright. You don''t need to concern about that." Jing Lihua moved towards the door. Before leaving, she turned back and said. "If your uncle ever troubles you, then feel free to contact me. You have done me a lot. I owe you. I won''t hesitate to lend you a hand to deal with those hateful people."


    Jing Lihua strode out, shutting the door while Heng Bingwen stayed frozen at his seat. To have expected something like that from someone cold as her... was unexpected.


    Jing Lihua shook her head as she walked to her car. "That stupid kid. Why would he not ask for my help? Did he think I would decline? Or was he too shy to ask?" ording to the timeline in her past life, about this time Heng Bingwen Uncle Heng HuiZhong has started creating trouble for Heng Bingwen. Jing Lihua suspected that it was the reason Heng Bingwen had came to Hong Kong. "His maternal family lives here. He must havee here to ask for their help."


    Jing Lihua had just walked to the ar when she observed that Wang Yi was not resent. "Where has he gone to?" With a frown, she turned around. But just then she felt a cold metallic thing being pressed behind her ear.


    "Don''t move."


    Her eyes went dark.

 Chapter 91 - Shattering the Pride.

    <h4>Chapter 91 - Shattering the Pride.</h4>


    The next moment, Jing Lihua''s lips curled up into a cold smile. Jing Lihua had remembered it all. She also remembered that bastard Wu Junjie. It must have been him who had tried to abduct her when she arrived in Hong Kong. Jing Lihua had already concluded that. Until now, he would have tried to make a move on her. But he couldn''t...


    Because she was under President Li protection. He had always been with her during her stay in Hong Kong.


    Only now that she was away from Li Zhiqiang, he made a move.


    "That bastard is surely hard working. He had diligently waited to find the best chance until now." Jing Lihuaughed and turned slightly.


    "Don''t move." The man who had the gun behind her ear warned again. He became tense when he saw a smile blooming on the lips of the woman at the gunpoint. She should have been trembling in fear. Or at the very least... should be shocked? Wouldn''t it be the normal reaction?


    The little lowering of guard by the man gave Jing Lihua enough opening to turn swiftly and with the sharp movement of her wrist hit his pressure point at his torso right on the spot. The man didn''t have time to register what was happening before he was knocked down.


    "Idiot. I have taken down bigger scoundrels than you." Jing Lihua reflexes were very fast. It was unexpected that a woman with such a docile appearance would possess that sort of talent. Even for a woman who had learned some self-defensive tactics, it was a rarity to survive an ambush from an armed man let alone take him down with such an impressive precision.


    "President!"


    Jing Lihua heard a scream followed by a couple of shots. At a side, she saw another man being bumped into her car due to the impact of being shot by a bullet fired by Wang Yi. His hand that was holding a gun, loosened making the weapon fall on the ground. Blood surged out from his arm and he copsed on the ground groaning.


    "Wang Yi?" Jing Lihua frowned when she saw him rushing towards the car. A gun was secured in his hands. Wang Yi paused when he saw cold expressions on hs President face, Ehm... Shouldn''t she, perhaps, scream after watching a man being shot in front of her?


    "You missed the aim. The bullet didn''t hit his heart."


    Wang Yi. "..."


    What was up with this woman? He missed the heart on purpose! He didn''t want to traumatize his boss woman by killing a man in front of her, alright! But it seemed it only disappointed her. He should have known. Someone like his Boss would not have chosen a normal woman.


    "But it was good enough. Considering the fact that you were running when you fired. So it is only natural that you missed it. In fact, the shot was stillmendable considering the distance from where you shot." Jing Lihua praised him to lift his spirits when she saw his unhappy expressions. Poord. Must have felt downhearted when she criticized him. How insensible she was? His shot was indeed impressive.


    Wang Yi. "..." Why was he feeling like he was the woman here being consoled?


    "In fact, you are making me want to train you. With your speed, if you could perfect the technique, you would be invincible!"


    Wang Yi. "..."


    Trained by her? Trained by a woman his Boss assigned him to protect? She must be kidding him! Wang Yi felt a dissatisfaction building inside him.


    Who did she think she was? He was one of the best marksmen in the whole of maind China! He had served ten years in military! He had earned countless medals and rose in prominence! Many people had begged him to earn his service and if it was not for the fact that he had to pay back a debt of gratitude to president Li, he would have not wasted his time to be this woman''s driver!


    And this woman so casually said that she would train him? So what if she was President Li woman? It didn''t mean she could be delusional like this. "President Jing, I don''t think I would require your training." He grumpily said. Even if heavily dissatisfied, he addressed her respectfully.


    She was the Boss woman. And only for that reason, he would respect her. Otherwise, she didn''t deserve it.


    "Are you sure you don''t want to? Your speed really amazed me."


    Wang Yi''s shoulders popped out. Of course, it did. He was the best.


    "But if you could adjust your stance a little bit, it would be even better."


    Wang Yi didn''t need to hear that from her. "President Jing, I''m confident in my stance." His tune was prideful. "Now I think we should leave this ce. We are not safe here. Earlier I caught the sight of a pair of men. I saw them headed for the apartments where you went. So I gave the chase. But I lost them. Then I realized to distract me away must have been their purpose so I rushed back. I suspect there are more men hiding here. Its an ambush. We must get somewhere safe as soon as possible."


    "You must have already notified President Li?" Jing Lihua had a calm smile.


    For a moment Wang Yi was bewitched at how calm she was. It was alright for a trained man like him. But for a person in target... not to mention a woman... "I couldn''t. someone has jammed the signals. This strengthens my suspicion. They came fully prepared. I insist we must leave."


    "Don''t be such cowardly. We''ll leave once I do a certain job."


    Did he call him cowardly? Cowardly? She wouldn''t be able to fight?¡ª


    "Lie down!" Jing Lihua''s voice rang after which a myriad of shots could be heard. Swiftly, Jing Lihua picked up two guns from the knocked out man and the man who was shot.


    Wang Yi reflexes were fast so he was able to get behind the shield of the car in time. "Stay behind the car I''ll¡ª" He was stunned once again when he saw her getting up fearlessly. Damn it! What was that woman doing? Was she crazy? If she was shot, his life would be over! That President Li would personally torture him to death!


    But what Jing Lihua did next tunned him to a stupor and shattered his pride into pieces. He couldn''t have expected it from a woman he had looked down upon a moment ago.

 Chapter 92 - Reminds him of Captain GuoZhi

    <h4>Chapter 92 - Reminds him of Captain GuoZhi</h4>


    Jing Lihua''s movements were swift. She rose, her dark green eyes shed with focus and determination. The guns in her hands were light and weightless. The way she handled them, it was as if she was made for them. It was as if she had years of practice. And it was true too. In herst life, dangers lurked from every corner. It was a depressing truth that nevertheless it was the truth-the experience of the past life taught her some valuable skills.


    The shots fired one after another. Her fingers were rapid on the trigger. The recoil of the gun wouldn''t even cause her to stagger a bit.


    Wang Yi was too stunned to act. "Wait... Let me handle this¡ª" When Wang Yi had just stood up, he was once again speechless.


    Jing Lihua had fired only four times and the shocking thing was not even a single one of her bullet missed. There were four men. One bullet hit each and now each one of them was copsed down writhing in pain. "H-How..." Wang Yi craned his neck to look at Jing Lihua and he was reminded of a certain someone from his time back in the army. "C-Captain Guozhi?" He could swear that he saw Captain Guozhi in the woman for a second. The aura around her was the same as his.


    Then Wang Yi shook his head. "No... It can''t be." He must have been delusional. Captain Guozhi had no blood rtion with Jing Lihua. He was her father-inw. Maybe it was possible. Maybe he had trained her. The thought of the possibility made him look at her with a certain light in his eyes.


    Jing Lihua turned and faced him. "Duck down."? Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were cold.


    "W-What¡ª" Wang Yi was still too distracted. His eyes widened when he saw her raising her gun. Not having any option, he quickly lowered his head. Just the second moment, a bullet was fired. "Are you crazy¡ª" He was once again caught midsentence when he heard a man falling down loudly from his back. He turned abruptly and saw a man inches away from him. A gun fell down from the man''s hands. His body was covered in blood in no time.


    Only a few more seconds and the man would have reached Wang Yi and it would have been the end for him. The people who had nned this abduction would have orders not to hurt Jing Lihua... But for him, they wouldn''t hesitate to kill him.


    "You are too careless. You wouldn''t have survived without me protecting you." Jing Lihua shook her head.


    Wang Yi face twitched, He? The great marksman? Being protected by a woman? But when he looked at the men writhing in pain, he shuddered. This woman was not something to be underestimated. He made a mistake. Gods forgive him. She wasn''t bluffing about it when she said she wanted to train him.


    After all, President Li wouldn''t set his eyes on just any normal woman. The way Wang Yi looked at Jing Lihua changed drastically. The way she fought. It was-It was truly... Cool!


    "President, are you alright!" A frantic looking Heng Bingwen rushed in. "I heard gun fires. What could it be¡ª" He almost shrieked and passed out when he saw the bloodbath.


    "Nothing much. Just some scoundrels sent by people who wanted to trouble me." Jing Lihua shrugged.


    The shock Heng Bingwen received from the President''s words was more drastic than what he had received from witnessing that bloodbath. You are surrounded by unconscious people and you say that it is ''nothing much''? His President was not normal. His weak heart almost couldn''t tolerate it.


    "President... Do you need me to find out¡ª"


    "Don''t trouble yourself with these matters. You don''t need to find out because I know exactly who sent these people. Just get rid of these bodies before anyone finds out. Don''t wanna create trouble at a foreign ce, should I?" The ce that Heng Bingwen had chosen was mostly abandoned and scarcely popted. So anyone hadn''t noticed themotion until now.


    "Y-Yes President." The situation was still too bizarre for him. But he quickly controlled his trembling heart. Aye... It was so difficult to keep up with such a scary President.


    "What about the ''certain job'' President talked about?" Wang Yi''s tune changed noticeably. He even sounded excited. He wanted more cool action from the President.


    "Huh...? I already did that. I wanted to convey a message to Wu Junjie. This will definitely convey all my intentions without words." Jing Lihua''s lips curled up into a cold smile. "If he messes with me, this is how he will end up."


    So cool! Wang Yi''s eyes were twinkling with admiration.


    "Wu Junjie...?'' When Heng Bingwen heard the name, he shuddered. "President, are you sure you''ll be alright?" The Wu family wasn''t a small name. Especially with the protection of President Li, they were conceived invincible. Heng Bingwen was worried the President might be in danger is she had made an enemy out of Wu Junjie.


    "Heng Bingwen, are you aware of how President Li dealt with the recent trouble Wu Junjie had caused in thepany? You do need to worry about President Li backing up the Wu family." Jing Lihua understood his concerns and voiced out what she knew to cate him.


    "Yes, President. President Li didn''t give a leeway to the Wu family as he used to in the past. In fact, he was very upromising and didn''t even care about the fall in stock prices when he took revenge due to their neglect of misconduct. He even prosecuted them for past matters. Wait... Does it have anything to do with you, President?" Heng Bingwen was stunned. Even if President Li dealt with them severely once, it didn''t mean the long term good rtionship he had with that family would end. But if it was President Jing behind that change in President Li then...


    Jing Lihua didn''t reply but smiled at him and hoarded the car. Heng Bingwen stood frozen at his spot as the car sped away. "President Jing and President Li." Heng Bingwen was no fool. He had observed how that President Li had been personally helping his President Jing since the beginning. "Could it be these two..." Even the thought of it excited him to no end. A power like President Li. If he could get on their side, they would be invincible!


    Suddenly he felt like he made a very good decision by deciding to follow his president.

 Chapter 93 - Walking into the Lions Den

    <h4>Chapter 93 - Walking into the Lion''s Den</h4>


    "President Jing, are we not headed back to the hotel?" Wang Yi nced through the front mirror at her reflection. Jing Lihua was looking outside with a persistent small smile. Wang Yi had observed that whenever they traveled by car, she would nce outside the whole time absorbed into herself. "I insist again. We must get back to President Li as soon as possible. They might be after us."


    "Wang Yi, where do you think they will expect us to go after they received the news that their ambush failed." Jing Lihua continued her nce outside while propping her face over her wrist.


    "To President Li..."


    "Exactly." Jing Lihua yawned and leaned against the back seat. "Wu Junjie might seem shallow but he is not stupid. Today''s myst day in Hong Kong so it is hisst chance. He would do all he can to get me. They would have already set more ambushes along our path." Even though Jing Lihua said that she sounded quite at ease. "Between have the signals returned?"


    "No President Jing."


    "I expected that." Wu Junjie must have worked quite hard. To have disrupted themunication in such a big area, he must have worked quite hard. Jing Lihua recalled the day she had spent in the forests. She had tried to search for signals everywhere, taking out her phone every few minutes. But she couldn''t. It must have been him who had cut the connection. "It seems after today I''ll have to think of a permanent solution for him." She couldn''t dy it anymore. She had dyed long enough in her ignorance of his existence. Now that her memory had returned, she wouldn''t just sit back and do nothing.


    "But President this location where are we headed for... Isn''t it like jumping into the lion''s den?" Wang Yi was assigned Jing Lihua security so he had to be careful with every move. But the current dire situation had left him with no choice but to follow her lead even though it sounded ridiculous. For some reason, he had started believing in her. Tho woman his boss choose couldn''t be an ordinary one. So he sped the car to where she directed him without any hesitation.


    Jing Lihua had something in her personality that made others want to yield to her leadership. It was like she was made to rule.


    "That''s where they least expect us." Jing Lihua went back to looking outside through the ss into the busy city. Her expressions, for once, turned serious.


    ...


    In a private room of a high-ss nightclub.


    A woman sat alone in the room. Slender fingers curled around a wine ss. Elegantly, the ss was guided to her red plump lips. But before she could taste the bitterness, someone came into the room uninvited.


    "She is here." A female voice was heard from her back. There was a tinge of hesitation and anxiety in the voice. "I told you we must get rid of her sooner. Back then when she didn''t have his protection you should have gotten rid of her. Do you see it now? You have lost him. You have lost him once and for all. She has returned and you have lost your position and that''s all because of your stupidity."


    The woman put down the ss on the counter. Her long eyshes fluttered down and hid her eyes. Her expressions looked grieving.


    "Wu Xiuqin..." The other woman said softly. Suddenly she felt like she had said too much.


    "He was never mine. He could never be mine." Wu Xiuqin picked up the ss and twirled the wine with a sardonic smile. "What''s use it is all? If he could ever be mine, he would have been by now. Six years. Six years is a long enough wait. I tried everything. But he kept his wall. There is no way I could get him."


    "Always this sentimental aren''t you?" The other woman sighed. "If you could just think it from the other perspective. Feelings are one thing and the profits are other. We know that Li Zhiqiang''s father is at hisst. He would not be able tost long. After his death, the family would face strong opposition. They will require support. A marriage bond between the Li and Wu family is the only way they have."


    Wu Xiuqinughed. "You don''t know Li Zhiqiang, Wu Ying."


    "And you do?" Wu Ying took a seat and made herselffortable. "Tell me what you know."


    Wu Xiuqinughed. "You wouldn''t let me off, would you?" She angrily put down the ss. She had wanted to spend the night alone.


    "I have noticed your change. Ever since Li Zhiqiang had made the visit to Beijing, you have been shutting yourself in. You are bing the same way as you were six years ago. And do you think I''ll let you do that?" Wu Ying was very close to Wu Xiuqin. Wu Xiuqin was her little sister. "I wouldn''t let you ruin yourself. Not for some worthless whore like her." If her little sister could get married to Li Zhiqiang, it would mean an endless fortune for the whole of the Wu family. Li Zhiqiang might not like her right now. But time would make him forget his lover. The Wu family had tasted the bliss of being favored by Li Zhiqiang for thest six years.


    If they could have a member of their family married in that household, Wu Ying couldn''t begin to imagine the status they would enjoy.


    Because the Li family was on an entirely different level.


    "If you knew him, you would have been able to make him fall for you."


    "You don''t understand him, Wu Ying. Li Zhiqiang will never fall for me. I have tried everything. It''s only that I know him I say that."


    "That''s not important. He doesn''t need to fall for you to marry you." Wu Ying didn''t want Wu Xiuqin to give up on Li Zhiqiang. "Have you not noticed the recent actions Li Zhiqiang has taken? He has given us no leeway. What does it tell us? It has been less than a month since she had arrived back in his life and he has already started attacking us. If he ever marries her then we will be finished."


    Wu Xiuqin was about to say something but just then, someone very unexpected walked into that private room with a calm smile.

 Chapter 94 - Unexpected Intruder.

    <h4>Chapter 94 - Unexpected Intruder.</h4>


    "How can you just barge into this room like this? This is a private room." Wu Ying was vexed when they were interrupted. "Do you want to¡ª" Wu Ying was startled when she looked at the woman''s face.


    Noticing Wu Ying''s expressions, Wu Xiuqin frowned and turned back to look at the intruder. A long silence followed in which no one of them dared to speak. Wu Ying rose in shock. "How?¡ª" It took a long time for them to recognize Jing Lihua. But her dark green eyes couldn''t be mistaken. It was a feature that was unique to her. Wu Ying didn''t care to hide the contempt in her eyes. The woman was the source of all their misfortune.


    "It''s been a while Wu Xiuqin." Jing Lihua walked towards Wu Xiuqin with a calm smilepletely ignoring Wu Ying. "It was quite hard to find where you were. But I managed. I wanted to give you a surprise before I left for Beijing. After all, it wouldn''t be fair if I left without greeting you considering we had been so close once." Jing Lihua approached her gesturing toward a seat across her. "Would you mind?"


    "No." Wu Xiuqin finally broke out of the stupor. It wasn''t that she wasn''t surprised. It was just that she had expected it. Sooner orter Jing Lihua woulde back at her. Wu Xiuqin knew that Jing Lihua amnesia was only temporary. So Wu Xiuqin wasparatively calmer than Wu Ying. "Do you remember everything?" There was a sh of anxiety in Wu Xiuqin''s eyes. As if there was something that Wu Xiuqin didn''t want her to remember. But her expressions were soft. There was no way to know her real intentions.


    "I won''t be fair to say I recall everything." Jing Lihua''s words were always enigmatic. "But I do recall that it was you who brought me here six years ago. And I do recall how we met. And I do remember the strong bond that once we shared." Her expressions were very natural.


    Wu Xiuqinughed. "So you do remember everything." There was a certainty in her eyes. It looked like she was shedding her disguise.


    Jing Lihua smiled. "You were the one who introduced me to Li Zhiqiang. In that sense, I owe you. So for what happened back then I can forgive you."


    Wu Xiuqin wasn''t surprised to hear that. But listening to Li Zhiqiang''s names bared some wounds and her sardonic face became expressionless.


    "Who do you think you are? What do you mean you forgive her?" Wu Ying didn''t feel good when she was ignored by Jing Lihua. In her eyes, that woman didn''t even deserve to be standing in their sight. The Wu family didn''t know anything about Jing Lihua. Over the years, Li Zhiqiang had been able to keep her identity hidden in order to protect her. It was not until recently Wu Junjie had discovered she was the President of Tang enterprise when Jing Lihua made quite some news after taking hold of the office. But Wu Junjie had still kept her identity as Tang enterprise President hidden from his family. They didn''t even know that Jing Lihua was married.


    "The likes of you do not even deserve to stand at this ce. Isn''t it ridiculous that you stand here saying you will forgive the daughter of the Wu family?" Wu Ying always thought Jing Lihua was just somemoner. That exalted her contempt towards her. She wasn''t aware that Jing Lihua was the President of the Tang enterprise. "How did they even let you in? The service at this nightclub is seriously falling."


    Jing Lihua totally ignored her and kept her eyes on Wu Xiuqin. Like Wu Ying wasn''t even there. "I say I can forgive you for what happened back then because it was not entirely your fault. But that doesn''t mean that if something like that happens again then I''ll forgive you."


    "You have changed Jing Lihua." Wu Xiuqin said. The woman in front of her had the same brilliant green eyes but the spark in them was totally different. Her personality was so strong.


    "If I hadn''t, wouldn''t it be easy for you to get rid of me?" Jing Lihua smiled.


    "Excuse me I had said something to you?" Wu Ying''s patience was at the brink. She leaned in, intending to grab Jing Lihua''s arm in vexation. but Jing Lihua gave her an icy look that froze her into a motionless state.


    "You wouldn''t dare to touch me." Her voice was cold.


    Wu Ying shuddered. Anger bubbled her. Why should she be scared of that woman? "Mind your manners Jing Lihua. I see you have gotten some guts. But remember your ce. Your guts would only get you¡ª"


    "Are you done?" Jing Lihua''s was getting bored at her nonsense. She yawned and looked at Wu Ying withnguid eyes. "If you are done should I continue what I came here for?"


    Wu Ying was startled. She almost gritted her teeth in anger. She had never been treated with such disrespect. Not after Li Zhiqiabg had sided their family anyway. "Are you provoking me on purpose? Do you want me to call the security to kick you out? Do you think I wouldn''t dare that or do you think I don''t have the capability to do that? The club owner has been trying to tter us. If I asked him to do this little favor for me, he would eagerly go any extent to entertain us." Her words were ambiguous. There was a wide range of possibilities that she could have meant by that. "I would like to see how Li Zhiqiang finds you appealing then."


    To her irritation, Jing Lihua didn''t shudder and cringe away as she had hoped for. Instead, she gave an icyugh. "I''ll like to see you try who dares to touch me." Her eyes were resolute and unyielding. The way she looked at Wu Ying was akin to looking at some beggar.


    "We will see." Wu Ying was at the edge. She grabbed out her phone and angrily dialed a number. She had just exchanged a few words when abruptly Wu Xiuqin stood and walked to her. "Elder sister stop." Her eyes looked soft and gentle. Her expressions were so pitiful that they could melt any man''s heart.


    "What are you¡ª"


    "Why do you have to be so acidic? Jing Lihua was here just to greet me. Why do you have to be so bad to her? You are really making our Wu family look bad. Elder sister, you are my blood but sometimes you make me wish you weren''t. I can''t understand what makes you so vicious. " There were even tears in Wu Xiuqin''s eyes as if she was heartbroken. "Please don''t be like this. Otherwise, I might have to..."


    Wu Ying couldn''t believe that her little sister would say something like that.


    But away from them, Jing Lihua''s lips curled up into a smile. Because she knew exactly what had prompted Wu Xiuqin to suddenly say all these things.


    Standing at the door was someone unexpected.

 Chapter 95 - That fateful Night

    <h4>Chapter 95 - That fateful Night</h4>


    Li Zhiqiang still remembered what had happened that night.


    A day before that night, he had taken her to theke where his grandfather used to take him when he was a child. The ce upied a special ce in his heart. And he wanted to associate it with the most treasured memories of his life. He had decided to propose to her that night.


    Under the beautiful fireworks and serene enchantment of starless sky, he had gone down on his knees and presented her with the ring. Jing Lihua was flushed, surprised and everything. It was too sudden. They were both young and hadn''t known each other for more than a month. But they both also knew that they were meant for each other. With trembling hands, she had grasped his hands and epted the proposal.


    Things were about to change. Li Zhiqiang thought eternal bliss awaited him next. But what happened next day shattered their beautiful dream into pieces.


    The next day, only for a few hours, Li Zhiqiang had left her alone at the penthouse. And in those few hours, everything terrible happened.


    Li Zhiqiang still recalled his brother had rushed to him telling something terrible had happened to Jing Lihua. He recalled the phone slipping from his hands and smashing into the floor. He recalled himself not caring at all. What had happened next had been a little nk for Li Zhiqiang. All he could recall that he hadn''t felt that vulnerable in his life. He had rushed to the penthouse not caring for anything or anyone in the world.


    When he had seen his Jing Lihua covered in blood, his heart shattered. It felt like his whole world was crumbling. It was only the rapid rise and fall of Jing Lihua''s chest and her weak pulse that had kept him from going berserk.


    "Wu Xiuqin. Where is Wu Xiuqin? She was there. Li Zhiqiang where is she?" That was the first thing she had said after gaining a little bit of her consciousness back while they were on their way to the hospital. Thinking back about that time, Li Zhiqiang realized how naive she was.


    She had a pure heart. To those she was true, she would do anything to protect. That was one of her qualities that made Li Zhiqiang heart warm up to her back six years ago. That and her indescribable strength.


    Surrounded by all the negativity that she had suffered when she grew up, she had still retained the goodness of her heart. She was still so pure and untainted. Her naiveness was adorable. Yet it was what that had resulted in their separation.


    "Jing Lihua... You scared me. Don''t ever do that again." Once Jing Lihua had woken up Li Zhiqiang hugged her like there was no tomorrow. They were already on their way to the hospital. There was nothing else in his eyes than her. "Stay with me." That was the first time in his life that Li Zhiqiang had felt so scared. If anything had happened to her, he didn''t know what he would do. Even the thought of losing her suffocated him.


    "Wu Xiuqin. She had also been there. Where is she?"


    "Wu Xiuqin..." Li Zhiqiang was reluctant to say. "We didn''t find anyone else there. Recall correctly Jing Lihua. Was she with you?"


    "Yes, she was!" Jing Lihua''s eyes widened in fear. "You have left her there. Li Zhiqiang turn the car! She was there. She was hurt. W-We must get her. "


    "I''ll send someone to get her. Please calm down." Li Zhiqiang hugged her, attempting to soothe her. In no way, he would turn back when Jing Lihua''s wounds were so serious. She had already lost a critical amount of blood. Li Zhiqiang didn''t care about any Wu Xiuqin at that moment. His Jing Lihua was in a dire situation. If he didn''t get her to the hospital soon... Li Zhiquang didn''t want to think of the consequences.


    "No, turn the car. Li Zhiqiang turn the car." Jing Lihua was using thest of her energy to fight him. To see her struggling like that, it ached his heart.


    "Jing Lihua." He whispered holding her face in his hands trying to shush her. "You are injured. I must take you to the hospital. Forgive me... I can''t do what you are asking for. I''ll send someone to get her as soon as possible."


    "Li Zhiqiang. Promise me you won''t let anything happen to her. If you don''t, I''ll never talk to you again." Jing Lihua had vehemently asked, firmly holding his hands. "Promise me."


    "I promise."


    It was just these words that had kept her on. After hearing his promise, she fell unconscious gradually. No matter how much he had called her, she wouldn''t respond. "I promise Jing Lihua. Please wake up now."


    But she didn''t. He hadn''t let go of her hand until doctors told her she was safe.


    But he couldn''t keep his promise. After getting Jing Lihua to the hospital when his men had arrived back for Wu Xiuqin, it had been toote. Though Wu Xiuqin''s injuries were not severe for a pianist who required acute precision such injury was lethal.


    Later Li Zhiqiang had investigated the cause for the explosion and it had everything to do with Wu Junjie. Li Zhiqiang had been furious. He was ready to destroy everything and everyone in sight. But he was stopped by her. By herst words before she had fallen unconscious again.? Because the doctors had told him that while her life was out of danger, she might never wake up again.


    They had told him that even if she woke up, the possibility of her forgetting everything was high. Li Zhiqiang had spent his days and night by her side. He refused to leave. He didn''t eat. He didn''t sleep. He didn''t step out of the hospital room. If he had left... he would have killed Wu Junjie for sure.


    Until one day, her eyes opened. Her consciousness gradually returned. The day she had woken up, she was just like a lifeless doll. Doctors told them that her consciousness might take days to recover.


    When he had walked in front of her what he had seen in her eyes pierced his hearts. She had failed to recognize him. The way she had looked at him was akin to the way she was looking at all the other people in the room. There was not a hint of recognization in her eyes. It was as if all those memories, all those cherished memories, they had created together vanished into thin air.


    It was as if all of it was a lie. All their past time, all those feelings, all those promises that they had made to each other-all never happened in the first ce. He was just another stranger in her eyes. Only Li Zhiqiang knew how he had endured it.


    As time passed, she began to recover her consciousness. But she had never called for him. Li Zhiqiang had been too scared toe in front of her. He used to observe her from a distance fearing to appear in front of her eyes.


    "At least, you are still alive." Li Zhiqiang had said standing outside the hospital room, looking at her lying down on the white sheets. Thick bandages covered her forehead. He had held onto these thoughts. Maybe one day she would recognize him and they would be together once again. That hope alone kept him from breaking apart. "Maybe I would be able to have you fall for me once again."


    But fate was cruel. What she had said the next moment brutally ripped him of even that small hope.

 Chapter 96 - Was it her strength?

    <h4>Chapter 96 - Was it her strength?</h4>


    That day it was not his name she had called for. The words that escaped her lips shattered his heart.


    "Su Liwei..."


    Weeks of waiting and it was not his name but Su Liwei that she remembered.


    Li Zhiqiang knew it was not her fault. He knew that if there was someone who should be med for this was only him. His affection for her attracted the ire of his enemies. But the fact couldn''t do anything to alleviate the pain in his heart. It only made the suffocation worse.


    Li Zhiqiang''s heart was in chaos. A strong possessiveness clouded his heart. He was crazy for her. The thought of letting go of her suffocated him. That day he had wanted to barge into the room and hug her tightly. He would never let her leave. He wanted to make her his willingly... or unwillingly. Even if she hated him for that he didn''t want to part with her. He wanted to keep her by his side ever and forever. No matter what the cost.


    He wanted to eradicate that Su Liwei from her heart and mind.


    His eyes were cold as he looked at her. His face was expressionless. He was losing himself and going to make a mistake he would regret for the rest of his life. He knew it but he couldn''t stop himself. But then he caught the look on the face of that docile woman whoid weakly on the bed and he paused. Suddenly, his eyes softened a bit. "How can I bear to hurt you?" The Jing Lihua at that time didn''t even recall who he was. She was obsessed with Su Liwei. Li Zhiqiang knew how strong-minded Jing Lihua was. It would be impossible to make her yield. It would cause endless suffering for him and for her.


    He had no choice but to let her go. Because true love wasn''t about taking. It was about giving.


    "Even if you remember who I am, you will not forgive me for failing to keep my promise." Li Zhiqiang knew Jing Lihua better than anyone. She would never forgive him for being unable to keep Wu Xiuqin safe.


    Jing Lihua admired Wu Xiuqin. Wu Xiuqin had always been a nice person. A warm and affectionate one who would sacrifice anything for her friends. In fact, it was Wu Xiuqin who had brought a broken heart Jing Lihua to Hong Kong. She was the one who had introduced her to Li Zhiqiang.


    In the beginning, he used to think she was a weak woman. Li Zhiqiang had been very cold to Jing Lihua in their first meeting. He had even said something mean to her and made her cry. He looked down upon her. It was not until Wu Xiuqin had told him her story that he realized that he had mistaken a Jade for a stone. That night he had gone to apologize to her. He had seen her at the edge of the terrace. His eyes widened in fear.


    Sharp winds were blowing at night. Her long hair fluttered in the air and created an enchanting view. Her eyes looked hazy. She was lost in the past, not even aware of where she was headed. Her slow steps were small but determined. Li Zhiqiang had given her a couple of calls confused and wondering what she was up to. But it looked like she wasn''t listening to him or rather his voice couldn''t reach her ears.


    When he realized she wasn''t stopping, he didn''t wait to rush to her. They were far. Looking at the distance, he had felt like he wouldn''t make it. And for some reason, it scared him. A reason more than normal humanpassion. Only at thest moment he reached out his arms and wrapped them around her slender waist. Her body had just loosened when he had secured her waist and pulled her to him. He had hugged her tightly until she fell asleep in his arms.


    "So naive. Why must you end your life for someone who doesn''t deserve it?"


    Jing Lihua had melted in his arms and gradually lost her consciousness. Li Zhiqing still remembered the cold warmth of her body against his chest in the chilly night. "You have been so strong until now. Why give up now?" He had whispered hugging her slowly.


    As time passed he took the liberty to look after her. He made her warm up to him. It had been difficult for a guy like him who hadn''t had any experience with women before. But he made it work. The truth was he had already fallen for him the day he had seen her standing at the edge of the terrace.


    Wu Xiuqin grew distant from them noticing his excess favor to Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua didn''t notice it. Jing Lihua of that time was naive unlike the cunning fox of the present. But Li Zhiqiang did. The truth was it didn''t matter. He had always seen Wu Xiuqin as a sister. Even if he was aware of her feelings. he didn''t want to hurt her. But his feelings for Jing Lihua were true. And he could never abandon her.


    "Why must you do it?" Before the day Li Zhiqiang had proposed to Jing Lihua, Wu Xiuqin had confronted him. With tears in her eyes, she couldn''t ignore Li Zhiqiang''s affection for Jing Lihua anymore. It hurt her. "I have loved you since the day I knew what love was. Whatever I have done in my life, it had been for you. I have always wanted to be an idol woman in your eyes."


    "It is not your fault Wu Xiuqin." Li Zhiqiang couldn''t be harsh with her. He had known her since childhood. Besides she was important to his Jing Lihua. "Feelings can''t be forced. It was Jing Lihua I fell for. I have always admired you but as a sister."


    "Why!" Wu Xiuqin was already sobbing badly. She didn''t care about anything anymore. "What id it in her that is not in me?"


    Li Zhiqiang was silent for a moment. He nced outside and with a smile he said. "I used to think it was her strength that made me fall for her. But it is not quite right."


    £¬

 Chapter 97 - The devil arrives

    <h4>Chapter 97 - The devil arrives</h4>


    "It is just who she is. Her pureness, her kindness, her those sharp green eyes, her cherry red lips, her sweet innocent smiles. Everything about it. I love everything her. There is not a single thing in her that I can find fault with. It''s just I know she was made for me."


    Hearing something about someone else from the man whom you love couldn''t be a happy experience. But Li Zhiqiang had to tell her. He wanted her to give up. He didn''t want her to do something that might hurt Jing Lihua. In the end, the person whom he put first in his mind was Jing Lihua. And all of his actions were intended to protect his beloved Jing Lihua.


    "I can''t return your feelings. I hope you forget about it." His voice was cold, not offering the slightest hint of warmth orpassion.


    Su Xiuqin had enough. She knew she had lost Li Zhiqiangpletely. He was never hers o begin with.? Her big eyshes fluttered as she looked at him with tearful eyes. She never cried in front of him before. Because she knew he liked the strong woman. She had always pretended to look strong in front of him. But today, she was failing. She let her frustration take control of her. "Do you know what I wish for most in this world? I wish I would have never brought Jing Lihua to Hong Kong."


    Li Zhiqiang nced at her for a moment. He was surprised to hear something like this from her. She had always been kind, gentle and sacrificing. Only now she was showing her true colors. Had she been faking it all the time? "That wouldn''t have changed anything. I have told you that I have always seen you as a sister."


    Wu Xiuqinughed. Her eyes were red from crying. "At least I would have to see the one I love happily with some other woman."


    Li Zhiqiang hadn''t said and left refusing to provide any words offort to the crying Wu Xiuqin. The next day he had proposed Jing Lihua. He never told her Wu Xiuqin''s words afraid to hurt her. Before he could have a chance to tell her, that tragedy happened.


    Standing outside the hospital room that night and looking inside Li Zhiqiang had recalled all that. "She would never forgive me." Jing Lihua was crazy about Wu Xiuqin.? It wouldn''t be wrong to say she admired her more than Li Zhiqiang. Her naive self had failed to see the darkness in Wu Xiuqin. What Jing Lihua admired most about Wu Xiuqin was her proficiency in piano. Now that it was lost, she wouldn''t forgive him.


    With a heavy heart, Li Zhiqiang had decided to get her back to Beijing. His fears proved right. As the days passed, Jing Lihua showed no signs of remembering him. Instead, she had turned back to being crazy about Su Liwei. Even though he ignored her that didn''t lower her craze for him. She hadpletely forgotten about his rejection. From far, Li Zhiqiang would observe everything. The way she was crazy about Su Liwei back then, he never dared to show up in front of her, afraid to be hurt by seeing the estrangement in her eyes. And so six years passed.


    During these years, he had closed himself. He became the tyrannical President Li that the world learned to fear. All because of that woman.


    It was until her wedding. It took Li Zhiqiang a huge amount of alcohol and Li Xun tears to keep Li Zhiqiang from flying to Beijing and bust the wedding and steal the bride. The next day of her wedding when he heard they hadn''t shared a room, his spirits lifted. That day made some major changes in herpany and get rid of Su Liwei spies. Li Zhiqiang had been observing her every move from a distance like a loyal stalker.


    What did that move imply?


    Was Su Liwei plotting something against her? Li Zhiqiang went into it further and unraveled Su Liwei schemes. He had crushed the files that his brother prepared about Su Liwei''s involvement in Tangpany scaring Li Xun to tears.


    "Brother don''t be angry. Look at the bright side here! Sister Jing has kicked out Su Liwei man Heng Huizhong out of the boards of directors!" Li Xun said quickly in cold sweats. "She has taken action against Su Liwei. It means Sister Jing no longer trusts Su Liwei. There is nomunication between them. If she still loved him, she wouldn''t have taken action against him in fear of offending him. Maybe she has finally realized that Su Liwei doesn''t deserve her! Brother, you can use this chance to steal Sister Jing! You can have her back again." Li Xun sighed in relief when he finally managed to cool down the temperature.


    As days passed, facts continued to prove that Jing Lihua wanted out of her marriage with Su Liwei. Because she had kept her distance from him. And so he had started to help her behind the scenes.


    Li Zhiqiang walked into the club and went straight for the private room upstairs. The manager wanted to stop the person but once he saw his face and recognized the tyrannical Big Boss, he shuddered cringed away. What in the seven Hells the Devil was doing here? "My god, what chaotic day it has been. First a tigress then a tiger?" He had already been confused when he had received a call from Wu Ying asking to humiliate Jing Lihua.


    It was no doubt Jing Lihua''s name was bigger than the Wu family. She might not be famous in Hong Kong but in Beijing, she was on the top of the food chain. Being in business the manager was aware of the identity and importance of every person. He prayed that things wouldn''t end in chaos and rushed away to prepare the security just in case.


    The door to the room was kept open. Li Zhiqiang''s lips curled up. Jing Lihua must have done it on purpose. Li Zhiqiang stayed outside and listened to everything for a long time. When he heard Wu Ying''s words, his eyes darkened.


    He pushed open the door and stepped in. But just then Wu Xiuqin''s eyes met his and she rose to stop her sister.

 Chapter 98 - I wont give up on him.

    <h4>Chapter 98 - I won''t give up on him.</h4>


    "I can''t return your feelings. I hope you forget about it."


    Wu Xiuqin still recalled Li Zhiqiang''s words. His words have cut through her heart. She loved him dearly and all he did was to say ''I hope you forget about it''. As if it was that simple. No, she wouldn''t give up on him. Since childhood, Wu Xiuqin used to get everything she desired. She had everything she had ever hoped for.


    She wasn''t used to rejection. And Li Zhiqiang was someone she had desired the most. How could she give up on her? She felt a certain degree of guilt for doing something bad to Jing Lihua. But Wu Xiuqin thought she had done enough good for Jing Lihua. "If I hadn''t brought her to Hong Kong, she would have been dead by now. She owes her life to me. So why should I give up Li Zhiqiang for her?"


    With that thought in mind, Wu Xiuqin had abruptly canceled her celebration party and headed straight for the penthouse. After entering the house, the first thing she had said was.


    "Give up on Li Zhiqiang." Wu Xiuqin''s eyes were sharp. She didn''t look like the usually gentle and warm Wu Xiuqin. There was a very different air around her. Jing Lihua could never have guessed that she was capable of looking that arrogant.


    "Why?" She had been confused.


    "Because I love him. I have loved him since the day I have first met him. I wouldn''t tolerate anyone else has him. Jing Lihua if you have any regard for the friendship between us, from the day onwards, you wouldn''t ever see him." There was no hint of flexibility in her expressions.


    "Wu Xiuqin, I love him."


    Hearing it angered Wu Xiuqin. "Do you think you deserve it? Someone like you doesn''t even deserve to make acquaintance with him. Yet you did. Only because of me. don''t you think you are being too greedy by wanting more? Let me tell you, no one is going to ept you with him. His family is going to hate you because of your status. Are you willing to make him suffer because of your greed?" Wu Xiuqin didn''t know about Jing Lihua''s actual background. Up until now, only Li Zhiqiang knew.


    Jing Lihua fell silent trying to understand everything that was happening. The change in Wu Xiuqin had still been too drastic for her to get limated to.


    "I saved your life. You admit for yourself that if I wouldn''t have brought you to Hong Kong, you would have ended your life. You owe your life to me Jing Lihua. I haven''t asked for anything from you since the day I have brought you here. Instead, I have provided you my utmost sincerity and this is how you repay me? Aren''t you being a bit too shameless?" Wu Xiuqin tried every angle to make her give up on Li Zhiqiang.


    "I can''t do what you are asking me for." Jing Lihua''s eyes were cold. It was true that Wu Xiuqin had done great favors on her. She met Li Zhiqiang because of her. But her feelings for Li Ziqiang had nothing to do with it. "Li Zhiqiang has already proposed to me yesterday and I have said yes. We have promised each other to spend our lives together. Besides, Lu Ziqiang is someone I can not give up on. If you had asked for anything other than him from me, I would have dly given it up. But not him."


    "Proposed to you?" Wu Xiuqin heard these words and it was thest straw. "How could you think of marrying him!" Wu Xiuqin angrily grabbed out many papers from her purse and threw it on Jing Lihua.


    "What is this?" Jing Lihua was shocked.


    "They papers to millions of worth of properties in the UK. Sign it and everything will be yours. With all that you canfortably live the rest of your days. This is more than what you could have ever gained in your life. I have already booked a ticket for you. Leave for the UK tomorrow and never appear in front of Li Zhiqiang again!"


    Jing Lihua silently picked up the scattered papers, arranged them and looked at them. "This is how you think of me?" She asked softly. She couldn''t believe that it was the same Wu Xiuqin that she admired even more than Li Zhiqiang. The properties in the papers were worth more than millions. For amoner, it would make life worth living with all the wealth. But Jing Lihua wasn''t amoner.


    She had her grandfather behind her. In front of the Tang enterprise, the properties were nothing.


    "Do you need more? I can provide you more. I know marrying Li Zhiqiang would give you a status and wealth a thousand times more than this. So you would be inclined to choose him over my preposition. But Jing Lihua, I believe you are not this shameless. I hope you take into regards the sincerity I showed you and ept it. For what you owe me, I hope that you will be less greedy and ept this lesser offer."


    "I have no interest in your wealth." Jing Lihua had politely ced the papers in Wu Xiuqin''s hands. Even though Wu Xiuqin said all sorts of those insults to Jing Lihua, she didn''t insult her back. Jing Lihua had always worshipped Wu Xiuqin and feelings couldn''t be eradicated overnight. She had been hurt but she didn''t hate Wu Xiuqin. If anything she felt guilty for stealing Li Zhiqiang from Wu Xiuqin. Furthermore, Jing Lihua at that time was naive and forgiving. With a gentle smile, she said. "My feelings for Li Zhiqiang can''t be reced with wealth. I''m very hurt to know you thought I was this sort of person. But Wu Xiuqin, forgive me. I love him more than anything in the world. I can not give up on Li Zhiqiang."


    "You wench!" Wu Xiuqin pped Jing Lihua hard across her face. And Jing Lihua didn''t fight back. Because she thought, she owed her.


    Author Note.


    Hello, my beautiful readers. Sorry for thete update. I was having the worst cold of my life. Besides medicines made me sleep all day. Thank God it is finally over. I literally thought I was going to die.


    And Happy New Year to all. (Late though. Lol)

 Chapter 99 - Whom would she choose?

    <h4>Chapter 99 - Whom would she choose?</h4>


    Jing Lihua of the past had been too young and naive. Someone whose people loved to take advantage of. Jing Lihua of the present was a shrewd woman. She could judge a person by a single nce.


    And in her view, Wu Xiuqin wasn''t a good person. A hypocrite to be right. Jing Lihua had already paid for what she had owed her by not taking revenge on Wu Junjie for separating them. As for what had happened to Wu Xiuqin''s hands, it was only her brother to me for it.


    That day Wu Xiuqin was supposed to be attending a celebration party for winning an award. So it was supposed to be Jing Lihua alone in the penthouse. She was alone supposed to die.


    Jing Lihua turned. Watching Li Zhiqiang standing at the door, she smiled. She walked to him and grabbed his arm. She looked at him with great affection in her eyes. Li Zhiqiang was shocked at her totally ''different'' response.? "Li Zhiqiang you are here?" Wang Yi must have been able to contact Li Zhiqiang in time. "I asked Wang Yi to contact you. We will be leaving for Beijing so I thought it would be only appropriate if we gave Wu Xiuqi a visit."


    Wu Xiuqin.? With a puzzled look, Li Zhiqiang nced at Jing Lihua. "You remember everything? Are you not mad at me?" His voice was low.


    "Why should I be?" Jing Lihua smiled at him sweetly. She hugged his arm tightly and looked at the pair of stupified sisters with a calm smile.


    Li Zhiqiang understood what she intended to do. His lips curled up. "God, I love this ''new'' you." Instead of being jealous or angry at him, Jing Lihua was showing them that he belonged to her. That he was hers and they shouldn''t dare to think about stealing him. If it was Jing Lihua of the past, she wouldn''t have ever done that. The Jing Lihua of the past was too demure to behave that way.


    "Just earlier now Wu Ying had been telling us how the club manager had been trying to tter her. She even said that he would ask the security to have me thrown out. I just came here to greet them. How rude o her to say that." Jing Lihua made a sad face and stealthily winked at Li Zhiqiang.


    On the other side, Wu Ying was horrified. She didn''t have any idea what to say. She could never have expected the ''Devil; to appear suddenly. Not in a hundred lifetimes, she would dare to offend him


    Li Zhiqiang frowned when he saw Jing Lihua wink. He quickly understood what she wanted and hid his smile. Instead, he made a very serious face. "Did she really say that to you?" Li Zhiqiang feigned a suspicious face.


    Wu Ying saw an opening in Li Zhiqiang''s suspicion. Wu Ying assumed that Li Zhiqiang hadn''t heard her say those words to Jing Lihua. So if she denied it, not only would make Li Zhqiinag dislike Jing Lihua for lying, it would also clear Wu Ying''s name. "Why are you lying Jing Lihua? I understand you don''t like us but why do you have to lie? I just asked you to be a little polite when you said mean things to my sister." Wu Ying looked like she was being wronged.


    "Elder sister stop..." Wu Xiuqin understood what was happening. She knew that Li Zhiqiang had been standing outside all that time. She wanted to stop her sister from falling into their trap but Jing Lihua wasn''t going to give her that chance.


    Jing Lihua gasped as if she was shocked. "Didn''t you also say that you will have the club manager to do some bad things to me in order to entertain you and your sister?" She once again made a vulnerable, sad face as she nudged closer to Li Zhiqiang as if seekingfort for being bullied. "I was scared. What if Li Zhiqiang hadn''te here in time? You would have done those things to me." She sobbed. "You said that it would make Li Zhiqiang abandon me if these people t-touched me. Li Zhiqiang would you abandon me if something like that happened?"


    Was she scared? Not a bit! Instead, she was scaring Wu Ying! Wu Ying was so astonished at how could someone change this much that she temporarily forgot to notice the look on Li Zhiqiang''s face.


    "I would never abandon you. I would make him pay a thousand times who dares to have any ill intentions towards you." Li Zhiqiang''s face darkened. Even though he knew Jing Lihua was acting, he couldn''t ignore that someone dared to say such things to his precious Jing Jing.


    Wu Ying felt a sudden cold. When she had said that she had kept her words ambiguous. But Jing Lihua opened it all. "Stop using me wrongly Jing Lihua. I never said anything of this sort! What kind of woman do you think I am? President Li knows best about my character. He knows I would never say anything like this! Why are you making a fool of yourself by saying such nonsense! No one is going to believe you!"


    "Are you saying I''m lying?" Jing Lihua''s eyes were watery.


    Wu Xiuqin quickly went to Wu Ying''s side and quietly. "Please stop sister. Admit your fault." Wu Xiuqin could clearly see what was happening.


    "Of course you are lying!." Wu Ying ignored Wu Xiuqin''s pleading. "Tell them, Wu Xiuqin. I never said any such thing. Tell them she is lying." Wu Ying faced her sister andughed inwardly. When two people would say that Jing Lihua was lying the more reasonable thing to do would be to believe them. She believed that Li Zhiqiang would trust the words of two people than Jing Lihua alone.


    She considered herself already have won.


    "Tell us Wu Xiuqin. Whatever you say, we will believe." Even Jing Lihua gave her consent. It was what she had wanted to do from the very beginning. She had Wu Xiuqin cornered. "Did your sister not say all those things to me?"


    Everyone looked at Wu Xiuqin. Wu Xiuqin knew Li Zhiqiang had been standing outside all the time and knew everything. It was why she hadn''t said anything bad to Jing Lihua all that time.


    Now if she said her sister said that, she would be betraying her sister. The sisters'' rtionship would suffer. If she didn''t say that, though she would save sisters''s rtionship, she would get Li Zhiqiang to hate her forever.


    Wu Xiuqin fists tightened and she looked at Jing Lihua with cold anger in her eyes. She forced herself to smile.

 Chapter 100 - I am the one in Li Zhiqiangs heart

    <h4>Chapter 100 - I am the one in Li Zhiqiang''s heart</h4>


    "Wu Xiuqin tell them I didn''t say anything of this sort. What are you waiting for?" Wu Ying felt anxious when Wu Xiuqin didn''t say anything for a long time. "The thing she said is so loathsome. I would never imagine saying something like that. I couldn''t imagine the character of the woman President Li fancied would be such as to use such underhand lies. Jing Lihua if you do not care for your reputation at least show some reserve for resident Li''s sake!" Afterall Wu Ying thought Li Zhiqiang was a man of reason and he wouldn''t abandon two against one.


    She greatly underestimated Li Zhiqiang''s affection for Jing Lihua. But Wu Xiuqin didn''t. She knew that man would bring the moon if Jing Lihua asked. And it hurt her but nevertheless it was the truth.


    "Elder sister, you are my family and I love you. But I must not tell lies." Wu Xiuqin refused to meet Wu Ying''s eyes. She looked like it was taking a great troll on her to betray her sister. Her acting was immacte. "Forgive me."


    "Wu Xiuqin!" Wu Ying was stunned. In fear, she quickly looked at Li Zhiqiang who had Jing Lihua in his arms. She noticed the subtle shift of his expressions and it terrified her.


    "You threatened Jing Lihua even though I tried to stop you." Wu Xiuqin kept her head low and sobbed softly. She hugged herself and pretended to be wanting to hide. A virtuous woman who would choose honesty instead of her kins.


    "How could you say that?" Wu Ying couldn''t believe hat her sister would betray her. Getting a cold shoulder from Wu Xiuqin''s side, she started to lose her calm. "President Li, I didn''t say any such thing, I persist. You know me well. Have I ever appeared this sort of a vulgar woman to you?" Admitting her bad deed to the ferocious devil was akin to suicide.


    "Then how do you exin your sister''s words?" His voice was cold yet bone-chilling. Wu Ying even thought it would be better if he sounded angrier and louder. The unemotional tune gave her no idea of how angry he was. And the fear of the unknown is one''s worst enemy.


    "My sister is docile as President knows best. She must have been scared of offending Jing Lihua considering how much you cherish her. She cares for you the most and by bringing any guilt to Jing Lihua''s name, she would have hurt your feeling for Jing Lihua hence hurt you." Wu Ying came up with whatever reasoning came to her mind in the chaotic state. She could swear under her sobbing and fragile mask, she could see Jing Lihua giggling momentarily before returning to Li Zhiqiang''s embrace.


    Wu Ying''s anger rose to peak ''Are we a bunch of clowns to entertain her? Who does she think she is?'' The temporary anger overcame her fear and made her openly re at Jing Lihua.


    "Li Zhiqiang, I''m scared. After today''s incident, what if the Wu family takes offense? What if they target me? Wu Ying has a fiance in a top government agency. It will be an easy task for her to get rid of me. What am I going to do." Jing Lihua shrank back noticing Wu Ying re as if intimidated for her.


    For a moment, Wu Ying felt deep satisfaction. This was how the ''likes'' of her should react in front of her. With fear and respect. Jing Lihua''s act was so genuine that even Wu Ying was fooled.


    Li Zhiqiang couldn''t resist the urge to wrap his arm around her tighter and pat her lightly, assuring her. "You have no need to worry my love. I will never let anything happen to you. If you ever break as much as a fingernail because of the Wu family, it''ll be the whole bloodline of Wu family that will pay with their blood." He said all that in an affectionate lovey-dovey look. As if talking about a honeymoon present and stroked her hair all he pleased. It was the first time Jing Lihua was so eagerly hugging him, be it for the act. He would surely take advantage of this opportunity as much as he wouldn''t regretter.


    Wu Ying froze.


    Wu Xiuqin froze.


    "And what would you do with them?" Jing Lihua pretended to shy away from his touch and coquettishly asked with a quizzical look.


    "Whatever my Jing Jing pleases. I will have them all at thrown your feet. I''ll have them begging for mercy from you. You can do whatever you desire with them. You can torture them as much you want if you want to keep them alive that is." His gentle tune and cruel words were such a contradiction. "I would do anything for you."


    To their horror, Jing Lihua giggled and blushed like they were flirting.


    Wu Ying forgot anything about ring or being angry. She didn''t know whether tough and cry. The way that crazy couple talked was akin to two coldblooded devils.


    Now she realized the worth of the woman in Li Zhiqiang eyes. She even realized the worth of the Wu family in the ''Devil''s eyes. And a moment ago she had been nning to get rid of her and arousing his sister to make a move on Li Zhiqnag. By the looks of it, forget about getting Wu Xiuqin married to Li Zhiqiang, the best they could do was to disappear from the sight of these two and pray that they forget their existence.


    When those two devils were done with their ''flirting'' they both looked at Wu Ying. It didn''t take her more than a second to fall on her knees. "President Li, please forgive me! I made a terrible mistake. I didn''t know that this was the woman in your heart¡ª"


    "Your words betray you, Wu Ying. You always know very well I am the woman in Li Zhiqiang''s heart. Even just a moment ago, you said for yourself I''m the woman he fancied. How dishonorable of you to change your words so soon." Jing Lihua''s demeanor had returned to being a cold and collected one. She had dropped her weak acting outrightly.


    While she said all those things Li Zhiqiang nced at her from a side feeling something in his heart.


    ''I''m a woman in Li Zhiqiang''s heart''


    The words registered in his mind. Was she epting him?

 Chapter 101 - Blind Pride

    <h4>Chapter 101 - Blind Pride</h4>


    While still on the knees, Wu Ying felt a wave of unbridling anger roiling up in her chest. While she was begging to Li Zhiqiang fro forgiveness and kneeling in front of him, she didn''t kneel in front of that hick. When she had first arrived in Hong Kong, the woman had no sense how to even properly dress herself up, neither she had some appropriate skills inmunication.


    Ever since the first meeting, Wu Ying had thought she was just some country bumpkin. Wu Ying been disgusted with her and refused to let her stay in their family manor. Back then her sister Wu Xiuqin sed to do a lot of charitable works like her and frequently brought people home.


    Who knew that her stupid sister would have made that bumpkin stay at Li Zhiqiang ce. If Wu Ying had known that her sister would do that, she would have rather endured Jing Lihua''s presence at their manor to keep her away from Li Zhiqiang.


    And what disgusted Wu Ying the most was that the bumpkin seduced President Li. Talk about getting greedy. She was already getting more than what she deserved by having being taken care of by her sister. She even thought of marrying Li Zhiqiang? A peasant dares to marry the prince? Wu Ying couldn''t be angrier.


    The only reason she couldn''t hope of getting such a fine man while having the opportunity was because of the age difference. So she had sent her sister after him. Someone like her sister who was beautiful, elegant and sophisticated deserved him.


    Wu Ying could bend her knee to President Li but in front of that country bumpkin, she would never bend her knee. She had her pride too!


    "I''m talking to President Li!" She snarled angrily and openly red at Jing Lihua.


    Jing Lihua was amazed at how could Wu Ying still have enough anger towards Jing Lihua that she forgot her fear. Her hatred for Jing Lihua must be quite deep.


    Li Zhiqiang moved forward and hugged Jing Lihua from behind. As he nned before, he wouldn''t spare to take advantage of the opportunity. "Let''s move to the couches and order for some drinks. You must have been tired standing all the while" It was as if he didn''t care much about the Wu sisters. All the time his eyes had been glued to Jing Lihua like an obsession.


    Wu Ying and Wu Xiuqin''s presence were totally ignored. They both were too scared to make a move. Wu Ying kept kneeling. She felt a sense of helplessness and coldness over her body. Wu Xiuqin kept her head low. There had been strange emotions in her eyes.


    ''She must have thought by admitting to her sister''s fault she could have saved her image in Li Zhiqiang eyes and saved future opportunities to carry on her rtionship with him, be it just friendship. But too bad. Li Zhiqiang had just revealed what was their worth in his eyespared to me. After realizing that she must have been heartbroken'' Remembering the p she had received that day and the way Wu Xiuqin had treated her, Jing Lihua didn''t feel bad for her.


    "President Li, I''m truly sorry for having offended you in my ignorance. I knew you fancied that woman but the extent of your affection was something I couldn''t understand." Wu Ying said when her knees hurt for too long. The honorable and prideful her in the society, being kneeling like that, how humiliating it was? But she could only swallow down her spite. For now, of course. "If I knew that woman was so important to you, I wouldn''t say anything."


    "Jing Lihua, we both know you can not hold more than a ss. Do not think about taking another sip." Li Zhiqiang took away the wine ss totally ignoring Wu Ying like she was not even there. Wu Ying felt exceedingly cold. Today was the worst day of her life.


    "It''s myst day in Hong Kong. Let me have some." Jing Lihua fought for the ss but in vain.


    "No, I''m not taking your drunk dead back to Beijing. Besides didn''t your secretary say something bad happened in yourpany and you had to discuss it with her on your way back?"


    "Now you mention it." Jing Lihua gave up the struggle. "Let''s finish up the matter with them. We will have to leave soon."


    "So do you admit you say all those things to Jing Lihua?" Li Zhiqiang questioned finally looking at Wu Ying. His expressions and the cold tune even froze the trembling of her body.


    "I-I had no choice, President Li. SWhat she said was meant to hurt my little sister in her downtime. My affection for¡ª"


    "Did you or did you not?" Li Zhiqiang wasn''t a man of patience.


    "I did but..." Wu Ying didn''t dare say any further.


    "Now that we have a guilty person the punishment should be made ordingly. I believe in being fair and just. How about whatever you nned to do to Jing Lihua, I would have the clubs management done that to do for her ''entertainment''? What do you think Jing Lihua?"


    Wu Ying was horrified. She quickly kowtowed. Tears already streaming out of her eyes. Even Wu Xiuqin looked up with horror in her eyes. "President Li, please have mercy! You are not the kind of man who would do such a thing to a woman!"


    Being humiliated as such was no small thing. In the city, gossips traveled faster than the fire in a forest on a rainy day. What Wu family cared about the most was their reputation. If something like that happened, Wu Ying''s reputation would be ruined forever. She would never be able to show her face to society ever again.


    Li Zhiqiang shrugged. "But I''m also the kind of man who pays doubles for what one does. My already doing what you did is being generous. Besides, I''m not the one you should be begging for mercy. The final decision lies with Jing Lihua. You offended her and she should be the one you should be apologizing from."

 Chapter 102 - Overconfidence

    <h4>Chapter 102 - Overconfidence</h4>


    Jing Lihua still remembered the day Wu Xiuqin had brought her to their mansion. They way Wu Ying had looked at her as if Wu Xiuqin had brought home a beggar. That was how Wu Ying''s contemptuous gaze had made her feel back then when she had nothing. Back when she still naively believed that Wu Xiuqin was an angel in human skin.


    "Do not feel too good about it. Do you wonder why my sister helps the kinds of you?" The night she had barged into the room Jing Lihua was given to stay. Wu Ying couldn''t just tolerate a parasite in her home. If her sister really wanted to show off her charity work, she could have bought that woman a separate ce. "It was purely for charity''s sake. Do you think she helped you because she pitied you? If you think so then you are severely wrong."


    "You do not know Wu Xiuqin well. She is a kind woman."


    Wu Ying scoffed. "She is my sister. I have spent my life with her and you tell me I don''t know her well enough? Since childhood, she would take in petty things like injured animals. She would take care of them and protect them. What she likes is people or things being dependent on her and seeing her as their goddess. She likes to be the virtuous one. It makes her feel better for her. Because she knows exactly how horrible of a person she is. Everything about her is fake. Even though I appear as I''m, I don''t pretend to be someone else just to please the masses."


    "You don''t have the right to say that." Though naive as Jing Lihua was back then when she was 20, she could detect some degree of animosity between the siblings. Be it looks or talents, Wu Xiuqin was far superior to Wu Ying. "You are just jealous of her." Wu Ying reminded Jing Liha of Jing Tian for some reason. Though she saw through Wu Ying deception, her naiveness let her unable to see past Wu Xiuqin''s deception. "Wu Xiuqin is nothing like you. She is far better than you."


    Wu Ying was agitated. "Standing in my house and saying these things to be, you sure are one haughty clod." She had spared no effort to throw all sorts of insults at her and even shoved her away angrily. At that time Wu Xiuqin had appeared in the room acting as the perfect angel and saving Jing Lihua.


    Wu Ying scoffed and turned away announcing that she would not endure Jing Lihua''s presence in the manor. That was when Wu Xiuqin had brought her to Li Zhiqiang. Thinking about it now Jing Lihua wondered whether it was to spread her image as the caring, warm charitable person to Li Zhiqiang.


    Whatever the reason, she had made the decision that she would regret for the rest of her life.


    During the times following that whenever Jing Lihua had an encounter with Wu Ying, it wouldn''t be as pleasant as she wanted to be with the sister of someone she ''admired''. Jing Lihua, naturally, wanting to build a positive rtionship for the sake of Wu Xiuqin was lenient. But Wu Ying would always treat her with coldness and disgust.


    Her insults followed some of her favorite words ''bumpkin'', ''leech'' and ''clod''. She would ignore Jing Lihua greetings as if she wasn''t there at all. And whenever in the presence of Li Zhiqiang she was forced to be a little polite, she would respond to Jing Lihua with curt cold replies.


    Watching her kowtowing in front of her Jing Lihua scoffed and twirled the content of the vine ss. Li Zhiqiang''s strong arm rested over Jing Lihua''s shoulders. His gaze uninterested in the woman''s vigorous kowtowing and instead was fixated on his Jing Jing precious face.


    Wu Ying almost gritted her teeth in anger before she resigned. "I apologize from you Jing Lihua. Please forgive me for the rude words I said to you." She had no other choice. Either Jing Liha let her off or she would suffer by that tyrant''s hands. But it was difficult than swallowingve for her to say those words to someone, a numpty woman


    "Did you say something? I''m sorry I couldn''t hear you." Jing Lihua sounded genuinely confused.


    Anger roiled p inside Wu Ying chest ready to burst any moment. "Don''t try your luck Jing Lihua. Yo clearly heard what I said." Wu Ying wanted to throw some insults at Jing Liha but President Li''s presence stopped her from ding anything of this sort.


    Jing Lihuaughed harshly. "Dear Wu Ying, you seem to be under the impression that once you asked me I would forgive you." Wu Ying wanted to retort that she didn''t need forgiveness from the likes of her but catching sight of President Li''s stiff expressions her words were caught in her throat. That was right. President Li was behind the woman. Whatever she wanted he would provide. Wu Ying defiance was making him impatient and she could see it.


    "But trust me that''s not the case. Did you really think that I was the Jing Lihua of the past or what?" Jing Lihua''s eyes were cold. "My punishment would only be worse than Li Zhiqiang."


    Wu Ying felt cold. Looking into Jing Lihua''s eyes, she once again felt that this woman was not the same she used to harass six years ago. That woman was just a spineless wimp. But this was something different. She had such an unyielding personality. "You wouldn''t be fool enough to be brutal in front of President Li." She eximed with certainty. Which woman wanted to appear violent in front of the man she admired?


    All women possessed those sorts of negative emotions for revenge but they would never let their better half get even the slightest glimpse of it. Not to mention someone like Jing Lihua, who was in the preliminary stages of the rtionship. In order to create a better rtionship, she needed to create a perfect docile and amicable image in front of Li Zhiqiang.


    Thinking about that Wu Ying was reinvigorated with confidence and dared to look in Jing Lihua''s eyes straight.


    But what awaited her was totally out of her expectations.

 Chapter 103 - End for the Wu sisters

    <h4>Chapter 103 - End for the Wu sisters</h4>


    "Why don''t we have her fiance break the engagement? That would be perfect. She will have no means to threaten me in the future. Two birds at one stone." Jing Lihua said with a smile. What had happened today was necessary. She needed to show these people their ce in order to stop them from making trouble for the future. They had caused her enough problems already and she didn''t want them to follow her to Beijing.


    Wu Ying was horrified. All she had done was said a few words of insults. "Please don''t." Wu Ying was fully aware of the fact that President Li was capable of making her engagement break with just a few words. In fact, it was the rtionship of the Wu family with Li Zhiqiang that had led to her engagement. Her hands were resting on the ground. They tightened into fists. "Don''t be this petty. All I did was to say some words to you. No harm was done. And you would go to such extent to get back at me?"


    "And what do you have to say about the assassination attempt? Are you going to insist that you had nothing to do with that too?"Jing Lihua left her shocked.


    Wu Ying froze. "I know nothing of the sort! Y-You are using me on the baseless grounds now!" She was already sweating profusely.


    Jing Lihua gave her a quick nce. ''She had nothing to do with it''. Jing Lihua could tell from her bodynguage. Her shocked expressions were genuine. W Ying should pay for what she did. Not for what she didn''t do. But Jing Lihua also made another surprising discovery.


    Right, when Jing Lihua said the words ''assassination attempt'', Wu Xiuqin cringed. She didn''t even look up as a normal shocked shocked person would. Instead, she meticulously tried to hide her face by keeping it down.


    ''So it had been you all along?'' Jing Lihua smiled and with that, she said to Li Zhiqiang. "Let''s go. We don''t want to bete. I still have a lot to attend back to Beijing." She kissed Li Zhiqiang on the cheek and left. For a moment, Li Zhiqiang stayed frozen at his spot. Only once Jing Lihua broke was far ahead, he broke out of the trance and followed her with a foolish smile.


    Wu Ying finally eased. Her knees hurt with all that kneeling. There were tears in her eyes. "I will not let that whore off!" But she still smiled. She still had managed to maintain a little bit of pride in front of that woman. "That vixen clearly wanted me to crawl and beg in front of her till she let me off. In the end, she didn''t dare to be too vulgar in front of Li Zhiqiang."


    "You made a mistake Wu Xiuqin." Wu Ying''s face was white. "You should have begged her once President Li stepped into the room."


    "What do you mean? We got out of all that unscathed. Didn''t we?"


    ...


    Li Zhiqiang had just ended up sending a quick message to his brother. "What did you say to them?" Li Zhiqiang showed her. There were only two words. ''Destroy Wu family''


    "Isn''t it too ambiguous? What is Li Xun supposed to know from that."


    "He would know enough to have them bankrupt and ended up on the streets. Jing Lihua, you should know that until now it was because of your sake I had been holding up. Now that those people don''t matter to you, I have no need to hold back anything. Especially for that bastard Wu Junjie. He would have no idea what ising for him." Li Zhiqiang looked into her eyes. "But are you really okay with everything?"


    "Before I passed out I said I would never forgive you if you let anything happen to her. I remember."


    Li Zhiqiang''s face was tense.


    "But that was the matter of the past. Besides, you know I was naive back then. I''m a changed woman now. I can see right from wrong." Jing Lihaughed it off.


    "Was it all for the show?" Li Zhiqiang asked, holding her hand. Jing Lihua felt the warmth of his hand enveloping hers and it made her smile unconsciously. Too afraid that Jing Liha might say that it was all for the show, he quickly said. "If it was, I must say I owe those people a great deal for having my JingJing clutch to me like that."


    "Enough with the stupid nickname." Jing Lihua almost facepalmed with embarrassment. She didn''t want anyone to hear call her that. It would be so embarrassing, she would rather die. "It was not a show. You are so impatient as always. Li Zhiqiang I have told you my affections for you are real and still there. What are you worried about? I just need some time to fix my problems. After that, it will be just you and me?"


    "Do you promise?" Li Zhiqiang''s eyes lightened with hope.


    "I wouldn''t promise you. Because I have already made that promise six years ago." Jing Lihua said sweetly with a teasing smile. Her cherry red lips against her fair, smooth skin looked so tempting. Her eyes were big and beautiful. Like some precious jade. Innocent yet holding a spark of mischief in them. Li Zhiqiang was enraptured by the sight before him. For some time, he didn''t say anything.


    "You must know. I''ll always be there for you. Whenever you feel tired or need someone, I''ll always be waiting for you." He didn''t wait anymore and leaned in to capture her tempting lips. Her sweet scent entered his senses and intoxicated him into a euphoric state. She had no idea the effect she had on him. After thest night, he had been constantly thinking about her all day. Especially at the club, with her hugging her so closely yet his being unable to do anything was driving him insane.


    Jing Lihua was shocked Where did thate from? But she didn''t resist and let her body melt int his arms and let him devour her lips.

 Chapter 104 - New President of Su Empire

    <h4>Chapter 104 - New President of Su Empire</h4>


    The flight on the way back to Beijing was not as Jing Lihua had expected. Mei Xiu failed to appear for some reason and Jing Lihua asked her to meet in Beijing immediately. On the way back, Jing Lihua had a lot of alone time with Li Zhiqiang. But no matter how much time they spend together, it seemed too little and passed too quickly.


    Li Zhiqiang made her promise that she would spend more time with her or otherwise he would force her to move in with her. Jing Lihua was aghast. He couldn''t be serious? She was still married! But nevertheless, she wouldn''t be stupid enough to test him. So she agreed. Still looking glum for having to part from Jing Lihua, he was reluctant to leave.


    With a sigh, Jing Lihua gave him a kiss to bribe him. That seemed to do the trick and with an obedient puppy who just got his treat, he obeyed Jing Lihua and let her go.


    Sitting into the car, she spoke. "What happened?"


    "President, do you remember that Fu Jianguo? The one who had entrusted the handlings of the property transfer for the central city?" Mei Xiu handed Jing Lihua the coffee and spread the files on herp. (See chapter 26)


    "Let me guess. He has failed to fulfill his part of the bargain before the deadline? He is ignoring our calls. He wants to drag us inwsuits?"


    "No, President. Quite the contrary. He has gone missing. Thepany is quite in disarray in his absence. With no obvious leader without him, it is impossible for thepany and it might fall and rn into bankruptcy. The other members know that already and instead of making effort to save it, they want to pocket as much money as they can."


    Jing Lihua felt a sense of guilt for misunderstanding him. She shook her head. "Thepany was in crisis back then we contacted them. The construction prizes overshoot and with the Qin Juapany, I had presented them an alternative and provided the manpower with a fair concession to hire their service. All I wanted in return was to have Mr. Fu keep the things secret that. But I guess someone in hispany betrayed him."


    "President Jing trust Mr. Fu?"


    "Of course. As I see the things, Fu Jianguo must have declined to breach the contract even when Su Empire presented him with a better choice. I thought the man seemed honest back then but I wasn''t sure."


    "President Jing seems confident that it was Su Empire that is behind Mr. Fu''s disappearance? Then should we help him?"


    "We need him forpletion. The mall is not yet fullypleted. " Jing Lihua sighed. That Fu Jianguo managed to finish a lot of work before his disappearance but still a little remained. "Only once it ispleted, the ownership would be transferred. And that''s the most crucial step. Because we can start working on our next step only once the ownership is transferred." Jing Lihua had done everything until now to keep it a secret from Su Liwei. Jing Lihua had been keeping a low profile until now. But now that she had formed a business alliance with Li Zhiqiang, she didn''t need to fear.


    She could work in motion the next part of her n.


    "Understood President. I''ll ask Heng Bingwen to dig out Mr. Fu''s location. That, if he is alive." Mei Xiu noted down. "There is one thing else. The President of the Su enterprise has been reelected."


    "Reelected?" That was unexpected.


    "Just yesterday, the board of directors decided to elect Su Donghai, the brother of President Father-inw as the new President."


    "Su Donghai had always been the real power behind Su enterprise." Jing Lihua was less shocked than Mei Xiu had expected her to be. "Su Liwei was just ackey he controlled because he didn''t have a son of his own. I wonder, now that Su Lanfen showbiz career has been ruined, Su Donghai decided to take back the hold of the office. In this way, he would be able to clear the obstacles for her if she wishes to join thepany in the future. Nevertheless, it is still bad news for us."


    Between Su Liwei and Su Donghai, Jing Lihua couldn''t decide which was worse. Su Donvghai would hate her for ruining his daughter''s career and mighte at her as soon as taking hold of the office. "We must speed our steps." Now that Li Zhiqiang was at her back, she felt less worried than before. He was a great support, be it emotional or influential. But she didn''t want to depend on him too much either.


    "I just don''t want anyone I love to be hurt in any way." The loss of her grandfather had stemmed the fear deep in her heart. But it also strengthened her. She was determined to destroy her enemies before they made move.


    After signing off a few documents when she arrived at her apartment, Jing Lihua tried to contact her grandfather. But he didn''t pick up. "He must have realized I discovered something. That''s why he is avoiding me. Looks like I''ll have to go and pay him a visit soon."


    That evening afterpleting all of her office tasks, she decided to pay a visit to Xu Baozhai. (Heng Bingwen mother) They had shared a very strong bond in herst lifetime. In this life, however, due to various circumstances, she hadn''t been able to visit her more than a couple of times.


    Jing Lihua dressed moderately. Before going to her, she asked Wang Yi to stop the car and buy some fruits. Jing Lihua got off the car and gave Wang Yi strict orders not to follow her. She knew that this sneaky driver or bodyguard or whatever he was, would always follow her, sneakily if she didn''t allow him.


    "Yes, President Jing. You do not need to worry. I won''t take a single step away from here!"


    His over-enthusiastic response bbergasted Jing Lihua. Ever since they had the fight with those people, Wang Yi had been different. Jing Lihua shrugged. A bit more obedience and respect were not bad, if only it was a good thing.


    Leaving him alone, Jing Lihua proceeded to head for their apartment number. She frowned when she saw the suspiciously open door to Xu Baozhai.


    And what followed that was screams.

 Chapter 105 - There is nothing to talk about

    <h4>Chapter 105 - There is nothing to talk about</h4>


    Inside the room, Xu Baozhai was kneeling down in front of a woman. Her hands were trembling and she kept on begging. "Madame Lang, please forgive my Bingwen if he did something to offend you or Mr. Heng. He is just a kid. He doesn''t understand. I''ll do my best to stop him once hees back from Hong kong. I''ll give him a good beating. He''ll never do something like this again."


    "Six years ago I let you, mother and son pair, leave out of the pity of my heart. Now, I regret my decision." Lang Lan nced at the woman at her feet with disgruntled expressions. Xu Baozhao was the same age as Lang Lan but she looked younger and still more beautiful than her age. Even though it had been so many years and Lang Lan attended so many spas and salons to keep her appearance, one couldn''t counter the natural beauty.


    "Should we beat her Madam Lang?" A man said. There were three bulky men holding rods.


    "It is not necessary. I''m not that of a vulgar woman. If she understands by my words, there is no need to use violence." Lang Lan waved her hand. "Besides I can not witness violence. You can teach her the lesson once I leave."


    "Madame Lang, your worry is baseless. There would be no way my Bingwen think aboutying any sort of im on the inheritance of the elder Heng. We are both content with our lives. We do not want anything else. We just want to be left alone." Xu BaoZhaoo kept her head low to show her reverence. This woman had already once made their life a living hell. She didn''t want the history to repeat.


    "Silence. Do not pretend that you do not know anything. It must have been you who was behind all the nning. Your son is still a child. He can''t think of suchplex things. He had contacted your family in Hong Kong and wanted their help to get to the elder Heng''s hearing." Lang Lanughed. "But your family is just a bunch of cowards. Not only they declined him any help but they also informed us to stay out of trouble."


    Xu Baozhai was startled. Heng Bingwen had told her that he had gone to Hong Kong to apany his President. "That stupid kid." Once he returned home, Xu Baozhai would surely give him a lot of beating to straighten his rebellious mind. ''I''ve told him countless times about the nature of our family. Yet he still defied me and contacted them? And he didn''t even care about informing me.''


    "But let me tell you if, either you or your useless bastard of a son, appears on the day of inheritance hearing I''ll not let you two walk out alive. I''ve been merciful enough with you two these past years."


    Suddenly something flicked in Xu Baozhai''s eyes. "Say whatever you want about me. But Madame please do not say anything about my son. He is not a bastard." Xu Baozhai was a mother. She would do anything for her son. If not for her son, she wouldn''t ever bend in front of Lang Lan. That was the true strength. A true strength of the mother.


    "Why must I not? He is a bastard. He has no future. Even if he thinks about creating one, I''ll make sure to cripple him of any opportunities for the rest of his life. You can''t do anything. You two both are like pathetic insects in front of our eyes. We can crush you at any moment. Heng Huang abandoned you and your son for me. Your family disowned you. You two have nothing."


    "I was married to Heng Huang when you got into my husband''s bed and had yourself pregnant!" Lang Lan was outraged. "Whatever you do you can''t change this fact and everybody knows about your dirty deeds."


    Lang Lan was agitated. Because she couldn''t deny anything Xu Baozhai said. Sheughed. "Beat that vixen till she can''t stand anymore!"


    The men cornered Xu Baozhai. There was no fear in Xu Baozhai''s eyes. Jing Lihua waited outside for a long time. "Come on. You can easily handle these three men on your own. You were the one who taught me martial arts in myst life. There is no way these three thickheads pose any sort of threat to you. Are you intentionally going to suffer for your son''s sake?" If Lang Lan failed to get Xu Baozhai today she would go for Heng Bingwen next time to hurt Xu Baozhai.


    Jing Liha sighed. It seemed Xu Baozhai was not going to defend herself. She walked into the apartment. "Stop right now." Her voice was not loud yet strong. She assumed the cold, expressionless demeanor she had especially for her enemies.


    "And who are you to barge in like this? Some punny neighbor? Listen, woman, it would be best for you if you didn''t interfere. Otherwise, we wouldn''t hesitate to beat another person." A man threatened but Jing Lihua didn''t stop. She quietly walked to Xu Baozhai''s side. She gave her her hand and helped her to feet.


    The man looked at his madam for direction but he was stopped to see her startled expressions.


    "Those green eyes... You re Jing Lihua?" Lang Lan said unsurely.


    "Having an alone woman corned and beaten by scoundrels. How unexpected of the kindhearted and charitable Madam Lan of the Beijing. My eyes are opened today." Jing Lihua''s eyes were full of contempt and disdain. "And to say that I used to admire you because of your phnthropy actions in the past." Of course, Jing Lihua didn''t.


    "This is not what it looks like." Dammit! Why in the heavens name would that woman appear here right now? Even her husband didn''t know she used to threaten his ex-wife. If the secret was blown, she would be ruined. "How about we sit and talk about it?" Lang Lan very politely asked.


    "There is nothing to talk. I''ve heard everything I had to." Jing Lihua denied outrightly and kept her tone cold.

 Chapter 106 - Innocent smile

    <h4>Chapter 106 - Innocent smile</h4>


    Lang Lan didn''t know what to do. Heng Huang would never be fine with the bullying of Heng Bingwen. After all, he was his eldest son. "The situation is really not what it is like. My husband has invested a lot in yourpany. On ount of that, how about you give me a chance to exin myself?" She very gratingly approached Jing Lihua. But nothing could make Jing Lihua loosen the cold expressions on her face. "This woman intended to harm my son. I''m a mother and I just couldn''t sit and do nothing while someone threatened my son."


    Jing Lihua tilted her head as if thinking. "Did she?" With a smile, she asked.


    "Yes, you have no idea. She sent hooligans to beat up my son. My husband asked me to make her stop. I was just following my husband''s wishes. Jing Lihua, let''s not make a big fuss about it, okay?" For some reason, her smile chilled her more.


    "Do not call me so casually with my name. We are not this close. Besides, I''m not a petty person. I''ll not make a fuss about it." Jing Lihua kept a smile on. To see how much she cared about her reputation, it was amusing. "If you kneel down and ask for forgiveness from Auntie Xu, I''ll forget about itpletely and never mention it to anyone."


    Lang Lan felt cold from embarrassment and fear. She called her ''Auntie''? They were so close?


    Jing Lihuaughed at her expressions. She felt Xu BaoZhai grabbing her hand. Jing Lihua looked at her in confusion. Xu BaoZhai shook her head with uncertainty in her eyes.


    "Are you scared about Heng Bingwen''s safety? When I took you and him in I promised I would keep you two safe. You do not need to lower yourself to these people as long as I''m here." Jing Lihua squeezed her hand to reassure her.


    Jing Lihua faced Lang Lan and her smile disappeared. "Are you kneeling or not?"


    "Jing Lihua you are being petty. Have I ever offended you before? She is just amoner. You want me to kneel to her?" Lang Lan fumed.


    "What are you implying?" Jing Lihua yawned and found herself a spot on the couch to befortable. Her nonchnt actions unnerved Lang Lan.


    "You are using her as an excuse just to humiliate me. I don''t see any other reason for you to stand up for her. You had my husband resigned from his ce. Are you doing this to get back at him? By using her."


    "Enough with your bbering. Kneel or suffer the consequences."


    Lang Lan had never been humiliated this much before. "What would you do?"


    Jing Lihua took out the recording and shed her phone. "I''ll have this posted on social media."


    Lang Lan was horrified for a moment. But she recovered soon. "You are very stupid. If you had the means to threaten me, you should have kept it a secret."


    "Are you thinking about having these scoundrels break my equipment? Sorry to disappoint you, I have already put the video on the inte and set the timer. Unless you know the passwords, that only I know, you can''t ess the video and delete before it is uploaded. So breaking my phone won''t be any use." Jing Lihua was always one step ahead.


    Lang Lan was speechless. She had heard rumors of how cunning this woman was. But she couldn''t have guessed.


    "Now kneel and beg for the apology. Unless I''ll have the video released." Jing Liha was in a nice mood. She recalled in herst life that Lang Lan used to bully Xu Baozhai. At that time, Jing Lihua couldn''t do much.


    Lang Lan''s face was red with anger. But she had no choice. She fell on her knees in front of Xu Baozhai and asked for forgiveness obediently. It looked like it took her everything to do so.


    "You remind me of someone I had on the knees yesterday." Jing Lihuaughed. "Who was it? Og, yes. Wu Ying. She must have been rotting on the streets by now if she is alive that is."


    Lang Lan shuddered and momentarily forgot her anger. What kind of Devil this Jing Lihua was? To say something so ruthless so casually.


    "Auntie Xu, I didn''t have dinner yet. How about we leave her kneeling here for some time while we go and cook your dumpling soup? All that time in Hong Kong, I have been carving your soup." Jing Lihua smiled like a sweet innocent girl. As if she was a cheeky child asking for candy.


    "Why not Xiao Jing? Let me check if we have all the ingredients." Xu Baozhai couldn''t say no to such a sweet request. "And you three, get out of my house. I don''t like crowds." The three men left after getting Lang Lan''s approval.


    Lang Lan felt like dying. How could that Jing Lihua smile so innocently when you had just said all those cruel things? And that Xu BaoZhai didn''t even question her anything? What kind of crazy people they were?


    Auntie Xu started to make the soup, doing her best to make it extra delicious for Jing Lihua paying attention to every detail. While Jing Lihua helped her with cutting the ingredients. She didn''t dare to touch any spice or anything leaving the real thing to Auntie Xu Bazhai. She didn''t want to ruin the precious soup. Her cooking was horrible.


    Both of them privately decided to make the cooking as slow as possible to have Lang Lan suffer longer by kneeling. Outside Lang Lan was already on the verge of the tears. "Why are they taking so long? It doesn''t take this long to cook a soup!" Her knees were hurting. She didn''t dare to call out to them in fear of provoking that crazy woman.


    "Auntie, how''re your things going at the shop? I wanted to give it a visit to see if it needed some renovation. But I have been too busy with all the office and work. I heard from Heng Bingwen that you are also nning to open an orphanage?" Jing Lihua casually asked.


    "I wish it was that simple." Xu Baozhai sighed in destion.


    "Why? What happened?"

 Chapter 107 - Hide and seek

    <h4>Chapter 107 - Hide and seek</h4>


    "Heng Huang and Lang Lan had been creating trouble for us. If I start the orphanage at this? point, they would use it to get back at me." Xu Boazhai looked gloomy. "Elder Heng had just passed away. The hearing of his will be announced soon. He always used to favor Heng Bingwen as the eldest child. It was not until cancer took him down that Heng Huang and his mistress found the opportunity to oppress us. Now they fear the will would be in Heng Bingwen favor. They don''t want him to be present on the hearing day so he does noty any im."


    "Isn''t Heng Bingwen his own child? Why would he not want his own son to inherit? I have heard he treats Heng Bingwen well." Jing Lihua was reminded of her father. She shook her head. That man was not her actual father. Thinking about that made her feel better. Rtively, though Heng Huang abandoned his wife, rumors had it he still kept themunication with his son.


    "I suspect they must have thought that since they had mistreated us, Heng Bingwen would get revenge at them. Besides until now, Heng Huang had been nice to Heng Bingwen only because elder Heng was alive. With Elder Heng''s demise, he doesn''t need to deceive anyone. Xiao Jing, now that you have provoked Lang Lan, she wouldn''t sit quietly." Xu Baozhai looked worried about Jing Lihua.


    "I know. I''ll be ready. They can''t get at me so easily. Let me arrange the dishes." Jing Lihua gaily walked out of the kitchen, set the table with the dishes not paying Lang Lan any mind who was still kneeling. Like she wasn''t even there.


    Lang Lan couldn''t believe it. While they sat and dined, amidst the chatting Xu Baozhai put down her forks. "Xiao Jing, we should let her leave, don''t you think? Its been enough punishment."


    "Why auntie? You are being so kind. It''s far less than what she deserves for bullying you all those years."Jing Lihua fished the dumplings from the soup. She caught the look in Xu Baozhai''s eyes. "But you are right. Having another person in our precious time together is such a nuisance."


    Xu Baozhai let her leave. Before leaving Lang Lan bowed to Jing Lihua and thanked her surprising both of them. Once she left, Jing Lihuamented. "She is smart. She knows I have the upper hand with the video." Jing Lihuaughed. "But I saw past through all the vengeance brewing in her heart through her eyes the moment before she left." Jing Lihua shook her head then looked into Xu Baozhai''s eyes. "Tell me, auntie, what did you want to tell me that you had to shorten her punishment?"


    "You have done a lot for us and I''m ashamed of asking for more"


    "Auntie, you are my elder. Don''t say that." You have done so much for me in thest life that I can never return your favors. Jing Lihua didn''t say that but it was true.


    "You see that rascal of the son I have, I know he won''t rest easy until he gets what elder Heng left for him. I have tried to stop him but he wouldn''t listen to me. It is not about wealth. Heng Bingwen admired his grandfather. He had once promised his grandfather that he would look after his empire once he passed away. And that Heng Huang and his son, you would have already known."


    "I know. They prefer their private benefits our the benefits of the family business. Ever since the elder heng fell because of bad health, the family business had seen a rapid decline." And that had everything to do with their cooperation with the Su empire. "They are filling their own pockets at the expense of the family business in fear that Heng Bingwen mighte to im his right as the eldest son."


    Xu Baozhai sighed. Jing Lihua knew everything.


    "Don''t worry Auntie Xu. I have already decided to help Heng Bingwen even before you asked. If that makes you feel better, I am not doing it as a favor on you guys. You don''t not need to feel indebted. It is because the Heng empire requires a new President. Hengpany has invested a lot in ourpany. We can not simply sever the connection. But at the same, Heng Huang is siding with my enemies. The only alternative is to deprive him of his position."


    Xu Baozhai looked into Jing Lihua''s eyes. There was aplicated expression in her eyes. "Sometimes I feel like you have been sent by God to help us due to some good karma I must have done in myst life."


    Jing Lihuaughed. "You might say so." It was not untrue. Xu Baozhai had done great good to Jing Lihua in the past. It was indeed her good karma that was making Jing Lihua look for her. "And can you pack a serving the soup for me? There is a friend that I fear wouldn''t have had dinner by now." Jing Lihua smiled.


    Later that night, Jing Lihua got out of the apartment and traveled to her apartment with? ''still hot'' serving of Auntie Xu Baozhai dumpling soup. When she entered her apartment, she wasn''t surprised to see the lights on. But she couldn''t find Li Zhiqiang anywhere. "Wants to y hide and see, do you?"


    With a smile, she went to the kitchen and poured the soup into a bowl. She went into the living room and put down the soup on the table. It was steaming hot. She had asked Auntie Xu to make extra spicy for him. Remembering how he had embarrassed her during their spice fight in Hong Kong...


    She looked around and frowned. There were still no signs of Li Zhiqiang. Suddenly, fear settled in her heart. She had been too careless. With Li Zhiqiang''s connection, it was inevitable that a good amount of people would want to im her life.


    She heard a noiseing from her bedroom. With cautious steps, she approached her bedroom. With a jerk, she opened the door. But just that moment, lights went out.

 Chapter 108 - A little kitten

    <h4>Chapter 108 - A little kitten</h4>


    The next second, the lights were back. Jing Lihua blinked and was too stunned to look anywhere when a pair of arms reached out and pulled her back. "You are too daring. When a woman senses someone in her home thiste at night, the first thing she should do is run for help."


    In his arms, Jing Lihua looked up and smiled. "If I had run, your n had been ruined."


    "What n?" Li Zhiqiang acted innocent.


    Jing Lihua pointed into the bedroom. "What are you hiding? I know there is also someone else in the room." He had purposely obscured her vision by pulling her back when the lights were back. And it must have been him who had turned them off in the first ce.


    Li Zhiqiang sighed. "Why is it difficult to hide something from you?"


    "There is someone!" Jing Lihua wasn''t sure first. "Thanks for confirming!"


    Li Zhiqiang. "..."


    Jing Lihua ran into the bedroom then paused. Inside the room, there was no one. "Why is there no one?" Jing Lihua heard Li Zhiqiang walking into the room behind her. She had quizzical expressions as she looked around.


    Her eyes fell onto a shaking packaged box on her bed. The noise wasing from within it. Without waiting for Li Zhiqiang, she climbed into the bed and opened the roughly packed box. Li Zhiqiang walked into the room and stood beside the bed. Looking at her so eagerly opening the box like a kid would his Christmas gift, he shook his head. "Easy, you do not want to provoke her. She is not very nice if provoked."


    "Her?" Jing Lihua was even more excited. With both hands, she picked out a white fluffy thing out of the box. Its marble green eyes stared straight right into Jing Lihua''s eyes. "This is..." Jing Lihua was at the loss of words.


    "I know right. Her eyes are just like yours. That''s why I chose her. I thought you would like her." Li Zhiqiang was anxiously impatient to see Jing Lihua''s reaction.


    Her eyes resemnce was not what Jing Lihua was thinking about. The furry thing squirmed in Jing Lihua''s hands and jumped away. She fixed her ws into the bedsheet and snarled at Jing Lihua as if angry for being treated trivially. Jing Lihuaughed at the cute reaction. She reached out her hand to pat her.


    "Don''t be hasty. They said she is a difficult one. She might not like if you touch her before knowing her well."


    I know hoe to tame of this sort."


    Li Zhiqiang saw Jing Lihua reaching out her hand nevertheless. The cat tried to avoid her and jumped to another spot on the bed. But Jing Lihua didn''t give up. Her hand followed her movements and in the end, she seeded in patting her.? "I''m your new master, you should be good to me." The cat assented to her touch with a low meow. "She is feral" Jing Lihuaughed. "Yet cute. What is her name?" As if pleased at being praised, the cat shed her guard and actively jumped into Jing Lihua''sp.


    Jing Lihua felt like her heart was melting. "I? have always wanted a cat. I had been so busy to n about getting one. I can''t thank you enough!" She hugged the cat.


    "It has no name yet. How about you name it?" Li Zhiqiang got onto the bed and wanted to join the hug but just as he reached out his arms the cat snarled at him. he stopped.


    "Looks like she doesn''t like you." Jing Lihua patted the cat to ease her.


    "Why would she even like me? I had stuffed her into the box for you." Li Ziqiang grumbled.


    "You really didn''t need to do that. Why would you do that when she was unwilling? Poor kitty. She is right. I''m with her on this." She hugged her tightly and red at him.


    Li Zhiqiang: "..." He had a bad feeling.


    Jing Lihua noticed his strange expressions. "Don''t worry. I won''t ignore you. After all, you brought her to me. You''ll always be the first." She kissed his cheek and picking up the cat, walked out. "Let''s go. The soup will get cold."


    Li Zhiqiang stayed at the bed for a long time. "You really need to stop doing that before you arepletely mine." Jing Lihua didn''t really know the effect she had on Li Zhiqiang. That how a slight peck on the cheek made him feel.


    Jing Lihua yed with the cat on the couch while Li Zhiqiang had the soup, grumpily. Unlike Jing Lihua had expected, the spice in the soup wasn''t even noticed by him. He was too unhappy to even notice that.


    "Don''t look so sad." Jing Lihua couldn''t help butugh at his reaction. He was just acting like kids.


    "I wanted to take you out and you already had dinner without me. It seems like you are not fulfilling your promise. Then I''ll have no choice but to have you move in with me."


    "Don''t dare act smart with me. You are sitting right beside me, spending time with me. Besides how long has it been since west met? No more than six hours. Why are you acting like a nagging wife." Jing Lihua didn''t know what to do with him. She had purposely brought the soup today for Li Zhiqiang to avoid going out. In Beijing city, people knew her. And she was still married. Until she wasn''t divorced, she couldn''t be seen with Li Zhiqiang. She didn''t want to create rumors.


    "Are you scared of people?"


    Jing Lihua: "..." She forgot he could read thoughts and let her face reveal her inner thoughts.


    "As long as I''m here you do not need to fear anyone. Anyone who dares to taint your name wouldn''t see the light of the day again. You can always rely on me."


    She didn''t want to rely on anyone. But she didn''t anything, just yed with the little paw of the cat. Later that night, Jing Lihua had hoped to have a good night''s peaceful sleep alone but Li Zhiqiang had other ns.

 Chapter 109 - Guilt and Schemes

    <h4>Chapter 109 - Guilt and Schemes</h4>


    "What do you mean you are not returning?" Jing Lihua couldn''t believe it.


    The white cat was ying with a furball on the floor engrossed into its own world.


    "I told you I couldn''t find a satisfactory ce to stay." Li Zhiqiang shrugged. "I''m here to handle a business scheme proposed by President Jing so it is understandable that she should be the one responsible for my stay and convenience. You wouldn''t want to do an unfinished job that would leave a bad mark on your reputation." Li Zhiqiang was smart with words.


    "And how are you going to find any convenience at my apartment?" Jing Lihua wouldn''t lose to him.


    Li Zhiqiang pretended to look around. "Your apartment looks fine. Better than all those other ces we have checked so far."


    "I have only one bedroom." Jing Lihua''s lips curled up. Her eyes shed with mischief. She knew what he wanted.


    "We could always share¡ª"


    Jing Lihua threw a couch cushion at him. "Or you could just sleep on the couch. I''m sure it would be convenient for you. Let me grab a nket for you." Jing Lihua picked up the white cat and walked into her bedroom whileughing. The cat looked confused and dissatisfied with being stolen away from its newfound toy.


    When Jing Lihua brought him the nket, unlike she had expected he persisted and stayed there. Jing Lihua puffed. "Are you really nning to sleep here?"


    "Were you, perhaps, expecting me to give up?" Li Zhiqiang looked veryfortable on the couch and that irked Jing Lihua.


    "Suits yourself." She unceremoniously threw the nket on him and went back into her bedroom. All the lights in the apartment were turned off.? She hugged the white cat and tried to fall asleep but she couldn''t. It was a cold night and she knew how ufortable Li Zhiqiang would be outside.


    "Damn it! Maybe he went back?" Thinking about that, she got up and went outside. But he was still there. Having his head on the sidearm of the couch and resting his forearm on his forehead, his breathings were even and he seemed to be asleep.


    She tiptoed to him noiselessly, cautious with each step. It waste at night and they were only him and her in the apartment, not counting the white cat. It was not like the cat could do anything anyway. She definitely wouldn''t want him to wake up.


    "So was this your scheme from the beginning? To make me feel guilty towards you?" Jing Lihua leaned in and grabbed the nket. She pulled it up and tried to cover it but stopped momentarily looking at him.


    When her eyes fell on his face, she was mesmerized. During the day, afraid of being caught, she had never been able to get a good look at his face. But right now under the dim light, she could look at him without any fear. His beautiful features made her heart skip a beat. With his looks alone, he could drown the careers of thousands of idols and actors.


    "If you continue to stare any longer, I might start thinking you have naughty things in your mind" Li Zhiqiang''s lips curled up slowly.


    Jing Lihua froze. "You!" She let go of the nket and immediately wanted to take a couple of steps back and create some distance from him. But she was caught red-handed.


    In the next moment, Li Zhiqiang was up and grabbed her wrist refusing to give her leeway. "Are you nning to run now. I wouldn''t let you after you took advantage of me while I had my guard down."


    Jing Lihua. "..." She didn''t know what to do with him. She just didn''t know.


    While she was, unsure what to say or how to react, he tugged her, pulling her into hisp. Jing Lihua was stunned. She was very mindful of her situation. She was an ale at night in thep of that man, that crafty devil that was able to make her, the calm collected President Jing, lose her control. He leaned in and whispered into her ear. "I have been thinking about that night in the car."


    Jing Lihua looked away. She didn''t push him away or tried to get free from his embrace. She knew if she tried to get away, he wouldn''t let her. She could only use other methods. "What about that night?" She acted innocent.


    "We left some unfinished business." He very gently caressed her hair. His arm around her waist never showed any signs of weakening its hold. Like he had guessed her intentions to run away.


    Jing Lihua smiled very sweetly. "Unfinished business?" She pouted.


    "Don''t do that." Li Zhiqiang warned. She had kissed him on the cheek twice. It was already enough temptation. That pout of her made him want to kiss her right then. And he didn''t know that he would be able to stop if started right now.


    "Why? Does that annoy you?" Jing Lihua continued the innocent act.


    "You are very yful today." Li Zhiqiangughed and pulled her closer.


    Jing Lihua''s breath caught in her throat. Dangerous. He was dangerous. One wrong step and it would all go into an unredeemable direction.


    She glided her hand up and brought it to his face. Her fingers caressed his soft skin. Dammit! Even his skin was so soft! Why did he have to be so handsome? That was so unfair! Unfair to all the humans in the world. Even Jing Lihua was feeling slightly jealous.


    She mentally pped herself to keep her thoughts on track. She prepared her next words. "I''m just happy today. You brought me such a nice gift. Or maybe, I-I want to repay you in some way you like." Jing Lihua blushed as if being embarrassed and dropped her face low.


    Li Zhiqiang was silent for a moment. His hold over her waist loosened a bit. He grabbed her chin and made her face up, making her look into her eyes. "How are you going to repay me?" His voice was deep.


    The eagerness and sincerity in his eyes almost made her feel guilty for what she was about to do next.

 Chapter 110 - Are you sure you are ready for it?

    <h4>Chapter 110 - Are you sure you are ready for it?</h4>


    "What do you want me to do?" Jing Lihua tilted her head and asked.


    "That would be a bad idea to let this choice left on me." He had no idea the things he wanted her to do. If he ever told her, he wondered how would be her response. She would probably look away and curse him while blushing.


    Li Zhiqiang pressed down her lower lip with his thumb. The softness filled his heart with a peculiar sensation. His gaze was fully settled on her plump lips. He could never get enough of her.


    "I will do just one thing." Jing Lihua gently bit his thumb to make him lower his guard.


    "Kiss me." Li Zhiqiang suddenly said. His eyes burned with something that made Jing Lihua shudder.


    She was tranced and somewhat scared to see the intensity of passion in his eyes. She was ying a dangerous game. What if it went out of control? But, dammit, it was tote to back out now. She leaned in and kissed him slowly. When her lips met his, she temporarily felt herself losing control. ''Why did he have to be such a damn good kisser?''


    What Jing Lihua didn''t know that it was her own feelings that made her lose control, not Li Zhiqiang skills.


    She tightly shut her eyes and tried to regain some focus. She couldn''t afford to lose control now.


    Jing Lihua felt him easing up. The arms around her waist loosened till they fell down. That was her chance. She quickly pulled back and made a dash.


    Or so she hoped.


    She had just taken a step when she was pulled back and put down on the couch. She heard Li Zhiqiangugh. "How did you know!" Not even a step. How embarrassing! Jing Lihua thought she had himpletely under him. How did he recover so soon from the kiss?


    "How could you suppose that I wouldn''t see through your intentions?" He had her pinned down. His eye looked yful. His fingers yed with her open night hair. During the day, she would keep her hair tied up. With her hair down, she looked ravishing. "You definitely didn''te here thiste at night to repay me in some way."


    "Alright, you saw through me! You are great! You are an omnipotent Boss! Now, let me go!" Being pinned down by him and having been restrained wasn''t a veryfortable position.


    "I don''t think so."


    "This is unfair. I did what you asked me for!" Jing Lihua glowered at him.


    "I''m not the one to me." He continued to y with her hair. "You were the one who took the liberty of ogle at my body thiste at night. You can''t me me for showing a reaction."


    "Ogle at you! I wasn''t ogling at you!" Damn it! She knew he was teasing her but she couldn''t control her temper. "How would you even know that? Your eyes were closed!"


    "What you think? If my eyes were closed I wouldn''t know you were ogling?" Li Zhiqiang grinned.


    Jing Lihua desperately wanted out of the situation and that position. "If you dare to do anything to me, I would make you regret it!" She glowered at him and tried her best to sound serious. Under him, she couldn''t get free with her strength. Her words were all she had.


    Li Zhiqiang''s face fell serious for a second, his mischievous smile disappeared. Jing Lihua had just found a moment of relief in his seriousness when the next moment heughed aloud and hard. And that shattered Jing Lihua''s peace. Like she had told some very funny joke, her threat was futile on him.


    "Why are youughing now?" She wanted to die. Why was he so impossible?


    "Oh, my sweet Jing Jing, you shouldn''t be so confident when you say that." He leaned in and said in a low voice seductively. "Or you are the one going to regretter." His face was confident.


    "What do you mean? Why would I regret it?"


    "Because soon you will be begging me to do things to you." With each word, his face went closer to hers, making her breaths be short and shallower. Finally, inches away from her face, he stopped. Jing Lihua didn''t turn her face or shy away. Even though she kind of wanted to. His approach had an obvious effect on her. Because her cheeks had a hint of red taint now. But she refused to step back. That was the thing he loved about her the most.


    "In your dreams." She continued her re.


    Li Zhiqiang''s roguish smile was still there. Her re felt quite tempting to him. The more and more she reminded him of that white kitten he brought. Feisty and untamable."If you are sure, you wouldn''t how about we y a little game?" He suggested with an innocent look.


    Jing Lihua frowned. "Are you trying to trick me again?" She had been tricked by him enough times already. And by now, she had learned it by heart that betting against him means absolute defeat. He wasn''t called the great ''Devil'' for no reason.


    "Is that a Yes?" Li Zhiqiang asked earnestly.


    "I didn''t say any yes. You are obviously trying to trick me again." She said grudgingly. They both knew he was trying to trick her. Why did he have to act so innocent?


    "Why? Afraid? Or maybe you already know that you can''t resist me after all. You know that you''ll be begging me as soon as I..." He left the words unsaid and let his fingers do the work by caressing her face and tracing her lips. After all, actions leave a stronger impact.


    "What do you want?" Jing Lihua said when she felt his actions bing more and more intimate. She was under him and he wouldn''t let her go anyway. She had no choice but to y by the rules, for now. In the future, she wouldn''t let him off so easily! She will find an opportunity for revenge.


    "Are you sure you are ready?" Li Zhiqiang''s eyes shed with something wicked.

 Chapter 111 - Sweet torture

    <h4>Chapter 111 - Sweet torture</h4>


    "Give me five minutes. Let me do whatever I want to you. If you make a noise, you lose. If you stay put and silent, I lose. Simple as it is."


    "Five minutes?" Jing Lihua pondered over his words. "Wait. What do you mean whatever you want to do? This is not right. I refuse." Jing Lihua didn''t like the ambiguity in his words. ''Whatever'' could mean a huge list of things. She struggled a little but he didn''t let her lose. Dammit! Why was he still better than her after years of training she had in herst life? He had tackled her in a way she had no opening to attack!


    "I won''t go overboard." Li Zhiqiang understood her qualms.


    Jing Lihua ceased to struggle. "If I win you let me go?" There was no other way out anyway. He was a ''Devil''. She had to y by his rules.


    "Why not?." He said after a silence. "If then, you would want me to let you go that is."


    "What do I get if you lose?" She questioned.


    "The losing one would do a thing for the winning one." Li Zhiqiang happily said. "Whatever the other one says."


    For a moment, Jing Lihua felt ridiculous for agreeing to y such a childish game. But she couldn''t deny there was a little part of her that was excited. And of course, she wanted to see him lose. "Wait. This is wrong. This reminds me of something that happened back some time ago. Right, I lose the bet and you made me kiss you" Jing Lihua could see herself slipping into his trap once again. Yet, she couldn''t do anything to stop it.


    "Don''t worry. This time I won''t ask for a simple kiss."


    Jing Lihua. "..." Was that supposed to console her?


    "Don''t make that face. Haven''t I warned you before? It really makes me want to kiss you." Li Zhiqiang thoughtfully told her. What if he identally lost it and kissed her? li Zhiqiang silently shook his head. His Jing Lihua was so careless.


    Jing Lihua. "..."


    "You really want another kiss?" He warned again.


    "I''ll y. If I win, you better watch your back. I won''t be merciful." Jing Lihua suddenly said. She had had enough of him. She had already thought out a great n for revenge. "Now let me go."


    "I never said that I would let you go during our ''little'' game." Li Zhiqiang tsked.


    "What do you mean?? What are you going to do? You!" Li Zhiqiang shushed her by cing a finger over her lips. Jing Lihua saw him taking out his phone from his other hand and setting a timer.


    "Just as I click, the countdown will start. You know the rules. They are simple. If you persist these five minutes, I lose. If you make a single sound, you lose."


    Jing Lihua wanted to object but he had his finger over her lips effectively silencing her. Her eyebrows furrowed in dissatisfaction and protest to which he merely chuckled. But he didn''t allow her to speak. It was toote anyway.


    When the timer started Jing Lihua expected him to pounce at her immediately like a hungry lion. She steeled her heart and was determined not to fall for his temptation; expecting him toe at her any moment. But...


    He didn''t.


    He didn''t even move.


    All he did was to stay still and stare into her eyes silently. Jing Lihua was utterly confused. Was this it? Was this going to be this easy? Jing Lihua remembered he said that he wouldn''t go overboard. But she hadn''t expected him to be turned to be such a gentleman. She almost praised him in her heart. Almost.


    But her wishful thinking was, however, short-lived.


    Because the next moment, he grabbed out something ck and before Jing Lihua realized it, she was blindfolded. And the little bit of dim light in thete night was also stolen.


    Bastard!


    "Why do you look so surprised? I never said I was going to go easy on you." She heard him whisper in a low voice. It was difficult to tell how close he was to her. But she could feel his breaths not far from her. He was close.


    Jing Lihua couldn''t see his expressions. But she was sure he must be having a very smug look on his face. A face Jing Lihua was so happy not to look at. It would only anger her. How did he even have a blindfold with him right now, thiste at night? Did he bring it with him? Did he bring it with him on purpose?


    Holy Mother! Did that mean she fell into his previously well-nned, thought out scheme?


    Jing Lihua wanted to cry now. But she had no tears.


    She shivered when she felt his fingertips touching her neck. She let out a soft sigh but didn''t make any noise. This was too bad. Her neck was too sensitive. His fingers glided down her neck slowly, torturing her with the deliberate touch.


    "You are good. No sound yet. I had expected you would have given up already." She heard him chuckle.


    She had absolutely no idea how close he was. She kept feeling he was getting closer and closer to her. The feelings wouldn''t go away. it kept her on edge. But the funny thing was, his face never touched her. What was that? Was that the dilemma imparted by being deprived of her sense of vision?


    Damn it! He was such a damn maniptor! How did he know all those psychological tricks? Was he really a normal human? Jing Lihua''s judgment told her he wasn''t. How could someone possibly know so many things?


    "You are getting carried away."


    Jing Lihua was stunned when she heard his husky voice less than an inch away from her ear. W-When did he get here?


    Her arms were still pinned above her head by him. She couldn''t move. Couldn''t do more than a wiggle.


    The next moment when she felt a hot breath hitting her corbone, she cried tears of blood. He was clearly approaching her. This time, for real. When would this torture end?


    But it was just the start.

 Chapter 112 - Extremely Picky Cat

    <h4>Chapter 112 - Extremely Picky Cat</h4>


    His soft lips had just touched her neck when, the next moment, the phone rang out loud in the silent apartment spiling the peace.


    "I win!" Jing Lihua didn''t wait to push him off while he had his guard down. She immediately got the blindfold off her face and blinked a couple of times to adjust her vision. She finally felt alive again. With a big smile, she looked at Li Zhiqiang. Her smile dropped when she saw his irritated expressions. "This is unfair. It''s not my fault you lost. Why are you getting all moody? You should have expected it before challenging me." She was puffed up. And why shouldn''t she be? It took her all to keep silent.


    She actually defeated the great ''Devil''! The event was worth a celebration!


    "Silence. No one defeated no one." Li Zhiqiang was ring at his phone like it had murdered his whole family.


    "What do you mean?" Jing Lihua looked at the phone and her face paled.


    "The bastard must have a good reason to call me or otherwise I''m going to make his life a living Hell!" Li Zhiqiang picked up the phone while Jing Lihua slouched down on the couch. She had just gotten a glimpse of the timer. It had only been one minute.


    She couldn''t believe it. It felt like an eternity. In the darkness, enveloped by him the time passed so slowly. This Devil was the master of psychological tricks.


    "Speak." Li Zhiqiang''s cold voice broke her out of her mourning. Even though it wasn''t directed towards her, Jing Lihua could feel the anger.


    Poor Li Xun. Jing Lihua was about to remind Li Zhiqiang no to be hard on Li Xun when she saw his darkening face. Unconsciously she shuffled back and her words got caught in her throat. "Is everything okay?" Out of concern, she asked.


    Li Zhiqiang cut the phone curtly. "I''ll have to leave. There is some emergency." Li Zhiqiang raked his hand through his hair in frustration and rose from the couch. He looked preupied. And somewhat hesitant.


    That was a new. The great Devil had always been sure of what to do. Nothing in this mortal realm had been able to unnerve him. And Jing Lihua knew that better than anyone. "Tell me everything''s alright." Jing Lihua rose and took the initiative to hold his hand. There was open concern in her eyes.


    Li Zhiqiang nced at her expressions and his heart warmed up. Heughed and ruffled her hair yfully. "Everything''s alright. I''m sorry if I scared you with my reaction. But I''ll have to leave."


    "How could everything be alright if you have to leave right now." She mumbled in a low voice. She knew he would never give up the opportunity to be with her. The ''thing'' was probably more important than her to him. And she felt childishly jealous and worried.


    "Hey, I promise, everything''s alright." Then he returned to his flirtatious smile. "Maybe, perhaps, you can''t bear the thought of parting with me? Don'' worry about that Jing Jing. If you want it that bad, I can apany every night from now on."


    Jing Lihua red. "Why would you even think that? Don''t joke President Li. I''m merely worried as the President of Li Empire if something happens to you, it would cause a great loss to me. My concerns are based on professional rtionships with the business partner."


    "Then do you hold hands with other business partners and ask them that everything''s alright?" Li Zhiqiangughed.


    Jing Lihua immediately let go of his hands. She couldn''t believe it. Hw childish he was making her act. She was not like this around other people. he was messing with her.


    "Alright, I''ll have to go. Try not to dream about me during the night." Li Zhiqiang finally stoppedughing. Before he left, he grabbed her face and nted a gentle kiss on her forehead.


    Jing Lihua was unnerved. "Who gave you the liberty to kiss me whenever you want?"


    "I took the liberty myself." Li Zhiqiangughed and with that, he left. When he was gone jing Lihua touched the spot where his lips had touched her skin. It was still tingling. Even she didn''t know that she was smiling. Even if she knew, she would have denied it.


    She went to her bed. The white cat was sound asleep. "Where were you when Li Zhiqiang attacked me? You were supposed to protect me." She sighed and climbed into the bed and hugged the cat, falling asleep soundly.


    In the morning Jing Lihua was faced with a strange problem. A problem, she hadn''t guessed she would ever face. She called Mei Xiu and asked. "Mei Xiu, do you know what cats eat?"


    Mei Xiu was stunned on the other side. That was an unexpected question, especially from someone like her President. "Err... President isn''t that something everyone knows?"


    "Okay, let me rephrase. What does an extremely picky, fussy and hard to please cat eat?" Jing Lihua had tried everything. Li Zhiqiang had mentioned between chats that the white cat could be a little hard to handle sometimes. But that was a serious understatement.


    "President have you tried standard cat food they sell in the markets?" Mei Xiu was still puzzled.


    "Do I look like a fool? Of course, I did that! It failed that''s why I called you." Jing Lihua couldn''t understand why her usually wise secretary was being so foolish. She shook her head in destion.


    "And did the cat not even sniff it?"


    Jing Lihua looked at the mess the white cat had created in the kitchen. "Contrary to that, she felt as if she was being slighted for being fedmoner food and did a nice job with the food." Jing Lihua chuckled. So feisty. She liked feisty things. But that cat had to be tamed. Only for today, she would spoil it as their first day.


    "Eh? President, what did the cat do?" Mei Xiu had herself not much of an experience with pets. But she tried to be the best help to her President she could.


    "She pooped into the food bowl."


    Mei Xiu. "..."

 Chapter 113 - Simple conditions

    <h4>Chapter 113 - Simple conditions</h4>


    Even with the help of Mei Xiu Jing Lihua couldn''t seed in feeding the white cat. They had tried all sorts of things but still failed. "Little kitty, if you continue to be naughty, I''ll name you Fussy." She sighed putting down the cat. "I don''t understand it, why is she acting like this."


    "The ce is new to her. She might take some time to get used to it." Mei Xiu put back all the types of cat foods they tried.


    "What do we do now? Could it be that she is sick? Homesick?"


    "President maybe we can just ask about her diet from her previous owner?" Mei Xiu suggested.


    "Good idea." Jing Lihua immediately dialed Li Zhiqiang''s number. But he didn''t pick up. Jing Lihua felt an uneasiness creeping into her heart. "Maybe he is just busy." But he hadn''t ever ignored her call before.


    ...


    That day Jing Lihua waste for her office. After much effort, they finally managed to make that fussy cat eat something.


    "What is the status with Fu Jianguo?"


    "We found out his location. We have already sent out men to rescue him." Mei Xiu briefed enthusiastically.


    "So fast?" Jing Lihua was surprised. Only yesterday, she had returned.


    "We received a helping hand from some people under the Li empire. With their means, it was no hard job to get to him. Yesterday they proposed their help as a sign of goodwill between Li empire and Tang empire." Mei Xiu was quite excited about the part.


    Jing Lihua smiled, thinking about Li Zhiqiang. "So thoughtful." Even though she would have gotten to Fu Jiangu eventually, it would have taken some precious time from her.


    "Other than that at Qin Juapany, Qian He, the second shareholder with neen percent shares is creating trouble. He has grouped up with other minor shareholders and turned them against the cooperation with Fu Jianguo."


    Jing Lihua frowned. She kept silent, thinking about everything. Then sheughed. "The Su empire seems quite active. Looks like the new President is in for somepetition."


    It was not needed to say that Su empire had coborated with them, probably bribed them with golden offers to go against Jing Lihua. It couldn''t be anyone other than them. Both Jin Lihua and Mei Xiu knew that.


    "President, this morning I received a report that the members of the board are going to have a meeting this afternoon. They are nning to rise the employees against you. They intend to disrupt the normal functioning of thepany and demand to take back the contract with Fu Jianguo. If you deny, they n to go on a riot."


    Suddenly Jing Lihua rose. "Well then, it would cause bad rumors if the Chairman isn''t present at such an important meeting." Jing Lihua''s lips curled up into a smile.


    "President, you are not nning to go there!" Mei Xiu was worried that this might be a plot. They could humiliate Jing Lihua or worse. Things were very heated at thepany.


    "I''m exactly going to do that." Jing Lihuaughed at Mei Xiu''s worried expressions.


    "But President things are extremely heated now. How about we wait for a little before the things settle down?" Mei Xiu thoughtfully suggested. Ah! President was too dangerous. She was sure no one could touch a hair of her President but still, Mei Xiu was worried. Especially after the incident at the restaurant.


    "I''m not going to negotiate with them Mei Xiu. To stall for time is their purpose. I must not let them seed. Now that all the minor shareholders are gathered, I must show them with whom the actual power of thepany lies. They must not forget I''m the chairperson and the power of decision making lies with me. I must strike the iron while it''s hot."


    "And what if they disrespect you?"


    "This is the exact time where the files Heng Bingwen meticulouslypiled against Qian He is going to work."


    Mei Xiu suddenly lightened up. "President, let me apany you!" She didn''t want to miss the face-pping of those traitors! But Jing Lihua mercilessly burst her bubble.


    "No, you won''t." Jing Lihua denied. "Stay here and look over the things. With Heng Bingwen not here, you are the only other person I can trust. Besides, I might end up requiring you help from the office." Having left no room for discussion Jing Lihua left for theplex of Qin Juapany.


    Wang Yi was with her during the ride. As the approached theplex, Jing Lihua looked around and frowned. "They chose such an open spot for a meeting. In fact, holding the meeting at thepany''s conference hall. How courageous of them. But still, if you give it a second thought, If they were going to rebel against me, they should have chosen a quiet spot so I wouldn''t get any news of it. But they didn''t. What does that tell Wang Yi?"


    "That they deliberately did all that. If they wanted, they had the ability to keep the afternoon meeting a secret. but they created such a big fuss. The reason is clear. They wanted you toe to the conference hall today. They must have already arranged something against you." Wang Yi said.


    "Excellent." Jing Lihua''s impression of Wang Yi improved. The youngd might look like all muscles but he had brains too. "You know what to do then?"


    "Yes, President I''ll keep up my guard all the time." Wang Yi puffed up.


    Jing Lihua chuckled at his response. Jing Lihua climbed out of the car and walked towards the conference Hall. When te receptiondy caught the sigh of Jing Lihua, she immediately picked up her phone to dial a number but Jing Lihua gave a signal to Wang Yi.


    wang Yi immediately grabbed the phone from her hands and broke the connection. Jing Lihua walked to the terrified woman.


    "If you are wise enough, you''ll know which side to choose. They might have threatened many of you. You might be afraid that if you go against them, they will target you but trust me being targetted by me would be far worse them being targetted by them." Jing Lihua had a calm smile. "But if you don''t give me a reason to target you, I can also protect you."


    Her conditions were simple.

 Chapter 114 - You deliberately wanted me to come

    <h4>Chapter 114 - You deliberately wanted me toe</h4>


    The receptiondy was wise. She took some time to think but in the end, chose to trust Jing Lihua. She quickly walked out and bowed vehemently in front of Jing Lihua. "President, I''m innocent. They asked me to notify them when you arrive. Please forgive me. If I didn''t do as they asked, they would have me resigned."


    "It seems they are really expecting me at today''s meeting." Jing Lihua pondered. "Is that all?" She looked at the bowing woman.


    The woman cowered being under the scrutinizing icy gaze and bowed even deeply. "President, trust me. This is all I know."


    "Alright, you can get up now. What is your name?" Jing Lihua''s voice was very sweet yet to the woman it sounded eerily haunting.


    "S-Shen Lei." She shuddered.


    "Shen Lei, no need to be this courteous." Jing Lihua gently held Shen Lei''s arm and stopped her stop bowing once again. "I will remember this name. I keep my words. If you are innocent and you told me everything you knew, I''ll protect you. But if it is not so..." The smile on Jing Lihua''s face said everything needed to be told.


    Shen Lei bowed again. This was all she could.


    Jing Lihua silently wondered. ''I didn''t scare her too much, did I?'' Jing Lihua shrugged off the thought. She had a board of directors to fight right now. Jing Lihua found her way to the conference Hall. Along the way, whenever an employee saw her, she could see surprised and anxious expressions on his face. "It seems everyone is expecting some great turmoil in thepany."


    Jing Lihua paused in front of the door of the conference Hall. The next moment, she opened the door without any hesitation and walked in.


    "Presumptuous!" Qian He shouted when a sudden bang of the bluntly opened door interrupted his speech. His outburst followed a sudden hush in the conference hall.


    Qian He was sitting in a position where he couldn''t see who had entered. And having decided that he must show his influence over thepany today, he stuck to an aggressive response. He didn''t even turn to look back who was it, implying he didn''t care and hence to manifest his position. And that was a mistake. "What are you guys waiting for? Someone get those imbeciles out of here. Fire them immediately!" He had assumed that the people must be some secretary.


    "Oh, I''m sorry Mr. Qian, I''m afraid you do not have the authority to do that."


    Hearing that cold yet familiar voice, Qian He froze. The silence in the room was louder than anything. ''Damm it! Why did that receptiondy didn''t give him a call? Soo unreliable!" Qian He cursed under his breath and calmed himself.


    "President, we hadn''t expected you to arrive today." Under his cunning smile, he said.


    "I bet you did, Mr. Qian." Around the ck round table, Jing Lihua noticed he was taking the seat reserved for the President. There was no other seat, untaken. Her lips curled up into a snarky smile. ''Qian He, you really had grown some guts, hadn''t you?'' She looked at Wang Yi. Wang Yi understood everything and left at once.


    "Where would she sit now? Would she ask someone to get up?


    "Shouldn''t one of us give up our seat for her?"


    "Are you mad? Qian He wouldn''t let you off. Just stay out of it. We are no more than sidekicks. Stay away, stay safe. We just have to choose whichever side wins."


    "Wouldn''t it make headlines? Thepany''s President couldn''t find a chair in her own conference room?"


    The whispers came to a sudden halt.


    Everyone saw with incredulity as the man brought back from God knows where a huge chair over his shoulders in no time. He ced it on the most noticeable spot, right opposite to Qian He. Jing Lihua walked to it easily and sat across it.


    Jing Lihua crossed her arms over the table and with a calm smile, looking unconcerned she asked. "Shall we begin." And very non chntly, she asked politely from ady. "Can I have a ss of water?"


    Everyone was speechless. That development was unexpected.


    "I wonder how this meeting''s urrence came to your knowledge. I clearly recall, Ms. Jing, you were not invited here today." Qian He burst when his n resulted in total failure. Instead, it made him look like a joker. He would get back at her.


    "Why? I took the liberty to invite myself." Jing Lihua was not at all angered at his derogatory remark. Instead, she was very calm with a gentle smile. "And whatever happens in apany under may would not find any way to void my intelligence." Jing Lihua epted the water ss with a polite thank you. Then with a sarcastic expression, she said. "And how very rude of you Mr. Qian, to say I was not invited. You intentionally let everyone know, leaving subtle hints about the meeting aimed for the rebellious activities, not even attempting to hide your trails. Instead, you conduct the meeting in the conference hall out in open and expect me to believe I was not invited?" Jing Lihuaughed. "That was a very wee invitation from my point of view."


    Everyone was speechless. They have heard that this woman was a true fox but it was the first time they get to witness her act. And it felt quite terrifying to be standing on the opposite side of that-that Devil.


    Qian He felt the suspicious eyes on him. "Don''t delusion yourself, Ms. Jing." Qian He almost gnashed his teeth. The way he called her Ms. Jing and not President was an obvious sign of disrespect. "We had to hide if we were at wrong. We are being rightful so we have the liberty to hold the meeting at the conference room." His words sounded urgent. Only be sounding rightful he could gather the directors for his cause.


    "So are you saying you really didn''t expect me to show up here today?" Jing Lihua''s eyes shed with something akin to a trap. "You... deliberately didn''t want me toe?"

 Chapter 115 - Im afriad, I must decline.

    <h4>Chapter 115 - I''m afriad, I must decline.</h4>


    "Why would I expect you to show up? You have a big conglomerate to look over. How would you ever have time to show up here?" Qian He made sure to me her the best. He had to use the other director''s grievance at her for his ulterior motives.


    And his words were effective. Because with his words, people suspicious gazes stopped being pointing at him. Instead, their resentment now faced Jing Lihua.


    ''Interesting'' Jing Lihua thought. This Qian He was smart with words. But too bad. He had greatly underestimated his opponent. Fine then.


    "I really didn''t want to do that but you leave me no other choice, Mr. Qian. Then, you shall have it." Jing Lihua acted best like a generous President who cares for her subordinates. Her expressions looked pained for revealing Qian He in front of everyone. She signaled Wang Yi and he brought in Shen Lei.


    "What is the meaning of this?" Qian He sensed something wrong.


    "Shen Lei, kindly tell us what did Mr. Qian instructed you this morning." Jing Lihua put her kindest expression. She had a board of directors to win.


    "H-He asked me to keep an eye on the visitors. Director Qian asked when President Jing enters I must inform him at once." Shen Lei wanted to cry. She didn''t want to be in any such drama. Her head was ducked as low as possible.


    Another deafening silence followed after Shen Lei''s words. Shen Lei felt like she was standing above a ticking bomb.


    "No one is trustworthy nowadays."


    "He ensured us our job''s safety iming he would keep the meeting a secret. I didn''t expect him to trick us like that."


    "He must have ulterior motives. Just as I spected. His rising against President Jing is not for our good. It is for his own profit."


    Another chain of whispers started.


    Qian He mmed his hand on the table and rose. "Lies. All lies. Jing Lihua, how have you threatened her to make her say that? Even if she says that it doesn''t prove anything!" He sounded angry. And he must be. He couldn''t lose the confidence of directors or it was the end for him. And it was happening because suspicious looks were back at him.


    Jing Lihua sighed. "Let''s be more reasonable and respectful towards each other Mr. Qian, shall we? We have some misunderstandings and you decline to call me President. I can understand that. But dropping honorifics can ve taken as an insult." Jing Lihua looked back at Shen Lei. She rose and sided her. "So Shen Lei, are you certain that Mr. Qian asked ''When'' I''ll arrive and not ''if''?"


    Shen Lei nodded without understanding what Jing Lihua wanted to know. A sudden hush dominated.


    "Well, that proves everything. Shen Lei you can leave. And don''t fear. I won''t let anyone harm you. Mr. Qian here knew that I would arrive and he hid it from all of you for whatever his mysterious motive." Jing Lihua took back her seat with apparent triumph in her manner. In her words, she let everyone know someone threatened Shen Lei who couldn''t be anyone else than Qian He in the situation. The way she was cool and respectable even after being slighted, won respect in people''s hearts.


    "This is not it. It doesn''t matter anyway. We are no here to discuss this nonsense. We have some serious questions we want you to ount for. If you are here then that''s a good thing. Because as I said before, we are not here for anything unrighteous."


    Jing Lihua almost rolled her eyes. "Does that mean you deliberately set this and wanted me here without telling your aplices?" She raised her eyebrow.


    "Yes." He admitted but quickly exined. "But only because we are in the right position."


    His speech the righteousness went into waste because many directors were baited into this by being told that the President wouldn''t even get an air of it. And hence their jobs would be safe.? Now they felt betrayed. Qian He wasn''t trustworthy. They held resentment towards Qian He. And that was Jing Lihua''s opening.


    "Ms. Jing, we demand rification for thepany''s past investments. We all have invested a lot in yourpany. But as we see, the contracts you sign with thispany are for your private benefits. You do not take other shareholders in regard. You do not care if thepany is provided with better contracts or not. You reject them outrightly." Qian He took the liberty to talk on the shareholders'' behalf. "Even after all of our directors'' disapproval, you signed the 5-year contract with Fu Jianguopany. Has it gotten us anywhere? Hispany will be bankrupt soon. We fear if we continue to follow you we will also end up in bankruptcy."


    Jing Lihua sighed. "All of you must recall that since I bought off the shares thispany was going to be bankrupt soon too? All of you were struggling to sell off your shares at the maximum possible price and save as much money as possible. No one cared for thispany. This is especially true for you Mr. Qian, the ex-President who sold his fifty-two percent shares to me. I was beingughed at by others for investing in it and you were among one of those whoughed at me. But now look, where is it. Compare thepany''s standing in the stock market from then and now. You all are profited more than you expected."


    Qian He sold the shares and that was the worst mistake of his life. Only if he had waited a little more, all the profits would be his. He held his resentment towards Jing Lihua. ''That vixen somehow knew about the government policy or why else would she buy shares on a whim?''


    "Are you trying to take credit for the constructionpany rise in the stock market? That was? a nationwide rise because of new government policy and it hadn''t anything to do with you."


    "You don''t want to admit it, then don''t. It won''t change the facts. Justpare the rise in share prices with otherpanies who stood beside us in the beginning. We are at least twice more worth than them. And that''s a lot." Jing Lihua frowned. "Between, what is the point of this discussion? What are you trying to get at."


    "We want you to terminate the contract with Fu Jianguopany immediately. Instead, we want you to sign the preposition by Su empire. We see greater prospects for coborating with the Su empire than the group of those novices. We wouldn''t settle for anything else."


    Jing Lihua''s lips slowly curled up. It had been the Su empire from the beginning. She knew it. "I''m afraid, I must decline, Mr. Qian."

 Chapter 116 - Lets hear what Mr. Qian has to say.

    <h4>Chapter 116 - Lets hear what Mr. Qian has to say.</h4>


    "I''m the President of this empire and I hold the supreme authority. You can advise me but you can''t order me." From a generous tune, her voice turned to a cold scary presence. Now that she had heard what was this all about, she had known what she wanted to.


    She didn''t need to pretend to be polite anymore. Others who assumed she had been scared to not be aggressive were totally wrong.


    "Ms. Jing, just because you are the President you can''t y with thepany like its a toy." One of the men beside Qian He protested aggressively. They thought they could pressurize her.


    "You can''t toss away ourmon benefits like that."


    "We are the founding members of thispany. If we all withdraw our shares at once, thepany wouldn''t be anything without us." The threats started.


    "You will have to ept our demands or else all employees would resign."


    "Resigning would only be a start. We will have aplete shut down at thispany."


    The threats continued. Jing Lihua stayed silent the whole time. There were only a few active speakers including the COO, Xie Qiang, who was particrly hostile. Others were here wisely deciding which side to choose sides yet. Jing Lihua knew there were many innocent bystanders who were dragged into it. She acutely took note of all the names who spoke against her. ''So these are the roots of this defiance''


    Once they were all done with their threats expecting to hear a response from Jing Lihua, she smiled.


    "If you all want to pull out your shares, you are weed to. With the industry current worth I can enlist many prominent names who want to invest in." Her smile continued to maintain without any wavering from all the opposition she faced. "If you all want to resign, you are wee. With ourpany''s good name in the industry, a huge list of capable youth would be willing to get a job here. If you all want to go for a strike, then you are all also wee but don''t assume I won''t take legal actions against you."


    People were shocked. To say all these things with that expression of hers. Such a contrast. Evil things should be said with a demonic face; not with an angelic smile.


    "If you imagine I would terminate the contract with Fu Jianguo group or I''ll join in any sort of business association with Su Empire, you are so very wrong." Jing Lihua''s eyes stared right into Qian He eyes. It was clear she said those words specifically to Qian He, telling him she knew what he was up to. Qian He felt a sudden chill.


    "Ms. Jing, do you really have to do it the hard way?" Qian He wasn''t ready to back out. Even if Ms. Jing knew about his connection with the Su empire, he wouldn''t back out.


    "Are you forgetting I''m the President here?" Jing Lihua shook her head. It must have been his privilege from being the ex-President that had gotten into his head. "This is it. No more word games. I''ll give you all a choice. End this drama now and side with me and you''ll be spared. Decline to do so, you''ll have your wish to resign granted. Because in just ten minutes, your assumed leader would be kneeling here and apologizing for siding with outsiders against thepany. Mark my words."


    "This is outright nder!" Qian He barked out. "Everyone knows I''m loyal and devoted to thepany unlike you. ''Siding with outsiders''? Are you trying to divert people''s attention from your fault by spreading false words against me? This is one cheap trick, Ms. Jing. Don''t fall so low, it might tarnish your reputation."


    Jing Lihua didn''t even look at him. "Between did I mention you now don''t have a choice, Mr. Qian. Today, you''ll have to resign and return your shares." Jing Lihua smiled.


    "I do not need your choice. It is you who doesn''t have a choice. I would like to see how are you going to have me resign." Qian He sneered. This was ridiculous. The woman wanted him to return his shares? she must be joking! "Stop it, Ms. Jing, right now. You are a woman so I advise you out of the politeness for the fairer gender. Just go home. This is not how things go. Presidents do have to bend their pride too.?That''s why I say women shouldn''t get themselves involved in such matters when they don''t understand things. You are only going to embarrass yourself."


    Jing Lihua''s smile froze. He had to cross thest line.


    "Five minutes remaining." Wang Yi announced.


    Just that moment, Qian He secretary approached him hurriedly looking petrified. Qian He asked her to leave but she insisted. "Sir, this is important." She leaned in and whispered something into his ear. At that moment, Qian He''s expression was worth to make a shot. He almost fell out of his chair.


    He looked up slowly and when his eyes met Jing Lihua''s calm steady eyes, he almost cried. This woman; was a true demon. Whom had he crossed? All his thoughts of antagonizing her vanished in thin air.


    "Time''s up." Wang Yi announced.


    "Mr. Qian, are you ready to admit what you did wrong?" Jing Lihua''s voice was sweet like a mother persuading her child for admitting his mistake. But for Qian He, it was like sermons to damnation.


    "Are you joking? Why would he admit anything?"


    Xie Qiang spoke up. "Qian He was right. Women shouldn''t be given hold to the office when they are so dense. If everyone shareholder in thepany signs the petition against the President position as perpany rules, we can change the President''s position regardless of her maximum shares. You realize that and still want to go against us." Though he said this to threaten Jing Lihua, it was practically impossible. Because if even one shareholder out of up to a thousand would not sign then the petition would be harmless. And getting one out of a thousand wouldn''t be a difficult feat for Jing Lihua.


    Her smile was persistent. "Let''s hear what Mr. Qian had to say on this matter, shall we?"

 Chapter 117 - This is not it!

    <h4>Chapter 117 - This is not it!</h4>


    Only now, everyone noticed the silence from Qian He''s side. When they all collectively looked at him, they saw his whitening face. He took out a handkerchief and wisped streaks of sweat from his forehead. "I-I suppose we wouldn''t need to go that far." His eyes looked pleadingly at Jing Lihua as if begging her to let it go. Whatever to be said, he still was the President for twenty years and everyone in thepany respected him. To bend his knees and beg, would be humiliating.


    But her cunning eyes showed him no mercy. Instead, he traced mock in her sharp green eyes.


    He took a deep breath. He had no choice. He rose and walked towards the middle.


    "What are you doing Mr. Qian?" His slow staggering steps rose anxiety in Xie Qiang and a few others'' hearts. After all, they all had been so aggressive because they had his assurance. Without that, they didn''t want to lose their position.


    They all saw as he went down on knees in the front of Jing Lihua. "Forgive me, President Jing, I''ve been in wrong." His eyes didn''t even meet Jing Lihua. His voice was low.


    "Qian He! Have you lose your mind?! What are you doing?" Xie Qiang quickly went to his side to pick him up from kneeling but Qian He pushed away his hand. Xie Qiang was shocked.


    "Sorry, Mr. Qian. We couldn''t hear you. Would you mind being a bit louder? Or we wouldn''t know if you are truly sorry or not. You know if we wouldn''t know what you are sorry for, what might happen."


    Qiang He almost gnashed his teeth. "President Jing I was wrong for standing against you." He bowed.


    "Now that your voice is loud enough, you shall also exin in detail what exactly you are sorry for?"


    "I was blinded by greed and coborated with outsiders to cause chaos in yourpany. They promised me as long as I do as they ask, they would win back to me the position of President."


    A loud gasp was followed by a chain of whispers. Jing Lihuaraised her hand to silence everyone.


    "Qian He, you have gone insane! Get up right now!" Xie Qiang was shocked.


    "Mr. Qian, would you mind telling us who was this outsider who promised you President position?"


    Qian He was silent for a long time. He was contemting which side was more dangerous. But as he was reminded of his secretary''s words, he thought ''fuck it''. He didn''t want to rot the rest of his life in prison. "It was Chen Feng, the Su enterprise President personal secretary who had approached me."


    This time the swish of whispers was louder than anything. Jing Lihua was silent for a while then she rose. "Well, this settles everything. I have taken note of all those names who were a part of this. Late this evening, I''ll sed my personal secretary to hand over the list of names. I advise all of them better empty their offices soon." And she walked out. Just like that, leaving a crowd of a shocked audience.


    No wonder she was so confident all the time. People here might not know what exactly was happening but they could specte. Why else would Qian He change his attitude so quickly if not for some dark secrets being gotten into Jing Lihua''s hands?


    "Dammit! I won''t let her off!" Xie Qiang burst with a smoldering re in the direction she had left.


    "Xie Qiang, do not do this. You do not understand what is she!" Qian He was truly traumatized.


    "I''m going down for sure. That bitch would take my position. I might as well give her a blow before going down or I would regret for the rest of my life." Maybe Su Donghai would be pleased and help him out. Thinking about that he dialed a number. "Are all of you ready? She is getting out. Get in position."


    This fight had not yet ended.


    Jing Lihua had just walked out when she sensed something wrong. "Well looks like they have arranged for some more entertainment for us." A dozen of scoundrels dressed office employees dress surrounded them. All holding rods or different things ready to assault. "Seriously? This is ridiculous. I was expecting something better." Jing Lihua shook her head.? So they wanted to create a drama. But Jing Lihua could easily get hold over any such rumors. While rumors might harm her worth, it would only be temporary. "I must warn you. Do you guys know raising a hand against me would get you in serious trouble? Because thest ones ended with fatal injuries."


    Wang Yi took in a position to surround and protect Jing Lihua.


    Hearing her words some of them stopped and hesitated. "Don''t fear y''all. Remember Boss Xie''s words. He said he would get us out of here if we do the job right!"


    "So it is Xie Qiang behind this? Thanks for the info." Now she knew whom to target next.


    The man who said that froze. Another one barked at him. "Damn it! Luo Dong! Can''t you keep your mouth shut for once?"


    Jing Lihua almostughed at their stupidity "Seriously though? You know what your boss Xie Qiang dressed you in employees for a reason. You are supposed to look like unhappy employees who go overboard during their protest and end up injuring the President. So this is how it would seem legit."


    "You know what? The woman is right. Just so as she said." Luo Dong gave it a thought. And they all rushed at Jing Lihua rising their rods and whatever. Wang Yi quickly took the position and grabbed out two guns and aimed at them.


    They all froze. Not a single whisper. No one of them had any gun.


    "So anyone else?" Jing Lihuaughed. No one moved. She looked up and in the balcony, she spotted Xie Qiang standing and looking over everything. His knuckled were turned white as he held into the fence tightly. His anger was visible in his eyes. "Mr. Xie, I thought you could do better than that." She shook her head looking disappointed.


    "This is not it!" He bristled.

 Chapter 118 - What did she do?

    <h4>Chapter 118 - What did she do?</h4>


    Heughed evilly and nced at the entrance to the lobby. He waited, Jing Lihua waited. Wang Yi waited. Everyone else waited.


    No one came.


    "So disappointing." Jing Lihua sighed and continued to walk out.


    "Wait! They are supposed to be here. Just wait for a little longer." Xie Qiang was anxious.


    "Sorry, Mr. Xie I''m a very busy person. I have a huge corporation to look over. If your paps can''t be punctual, you better fire them." And so she vanished from thepany leaving everyone baffled.


    When Jing Lihua walked out, she was suddenly surrounded by a hoard of suited huge men. "President Jing, we are here on behalf of President Li to pick you up."


    "Okay." Jing Lihua felt a little at ease to know that. Ever since he hadn''t returned her call she had been worried. "Is everything alright? Is he okay?"


    The bodyguards looked at each other then looked back at Jing Lihua. "We are here to take you to President Li."


    Of course, they couldn''t reveal. It looked like something was not right. Jing Lihua randomly looked around and she froze. "Um... What is this heap of bodies right there?" She was suddenly reminded of Xie Qiang. "Wait, did you guys do that?" Jing Lihua looked incredulous.


    "These reporters were paid to nder President Jing so we got rid of them on your behalf." One of them answered in a monotonous tune.


    "Cough... Cough... You didn''t have to be..." She looked at the heap of dazed paparazzi. Even though they could be nasty sometimes, they were still humans. Jing Lihua had strange expressions. She felt something akin to pity for her enemies. A phenomenon that hadn''t ever urred before. "...so aggressive."


    "Don''t worry President Jing. We merely used an anesthetic gas. They would wake up on their own ord in a couple of hours. We shall hurry to President Li. He is waiting."


    "Alright." Jing Lihua hopped into the car while Wang Yi drove. During the ride, she gave Mi Xiu a call informing her the problem at the Qin Juapany had been resolved. Jing Lihua sent her a list of names to fire and even sent her a list of recement staff. With the transaction from Li Zhiqiang, she had enough credits to easily buy the remaining shares from Qian He.


    "And one more thing." She told Mei Xiu. "After everything is resolved, make sure to hand over Qian He case files to a government official. It is better to eradicate him once and for all instead of regrettingter. After being humiliated and forced to sell his shares, he woulde for me sooner orter holding vengeance."


    "Yes, President!" Mei Xiu sounded more and more excited.


    Jing Lihua hung up and looked around. "A restaurant?" She walked out followed by Wang Yi and half a dozen ck-suited bodyguards.? Jing Lihua leaned in closer to Wang Yi. "These men are not really under Li Zhiqiang, are they?" Jing Lihua quietly asked. The hotel manager guided her to a VVIP room. She felt a little uneasy at the development.


    "No President Jing." Wang Yi said confirming her doubts.


    "Then do you know who are they under?"


    "We are here. I should better wait outside." Wang Yi bowed deeply and smoothly avoided her questions.


    Hah! Smartass! Jing Lihua noted in her mind to be hard on him in the future. She took a deep breath and walked into the room. Inside the room, there were three people. Li Zhiqiang, Li Xun and another one whom Jing Lihua couldn''t exactly recognize.


    Both Li Zhiqiang and Li Xun were keeping their heads ducked low in front of that whomever scary presence who could make the great ''Devil'' bow his head. The atmosphere looked very severe. She walked in nervously. The woman''s face was not exactly visible. Jing Lihua announced herself and walked in. Once the woman''s entire face became visible to Jing Lihua, she froze. An influx of memories entered her brain.


    "Madame Bao?"


    Her presence triggered many memories.


    ...


    "Can someone tell what is happening there?" Jing Lihua was utterly confused. "Madama Bao, how are you here?" Jing Lihua couldn''t make up the scene. She was supposed to be in Hong Kong. And why did Li Zhiqiang and Li Xun were dropping their heads like they had been traumatized? They didn''t even move their heads to look when she had entered.


    Was something bad? Did Madam Bao hate her now and wanted her sons away from her? Jing Lihua''s heart was filled with anxiety. Li Zhiqiang admired his mother. He wouldn''t ever defy her. So if she was against them, that she would have high chances to be considering that Jing Lihua was still married, there was no hope for their future.


    Perhaps it was the end.


    When Jing Lihua was at the deepest abyss of hopelessness, Madame Bao looked up and showed her the warmest smile in the world. The affection in her smile made Jing Lihua almost stagger back in shock. "Xiao Jing!" In her sweetest voice, she called out her name and got up quickly. She walked to Jing Lihua in hurry and grasped her hands in the warmth of her hands as if she had been waiting for her, her whole life. "Oh! Look at you. You have grown so much. You have no idea how much this olddy missed you!" She looked like she was about to cry


    Old Lady.


    To address oneself as an olddy for a woman who looked no more than thirty was so-so; Jing Lihua no words other than: "..."


    "Um... Madame Bao, how all of sudden y-you..." She didn''t even know what to ask.


    "Oh! Hush it, child. Just give me a hug. We have a lifetime to chat." And Madame Bao pulled her into a bear hug.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    Why was being showered with so much love? What did she do to deserve this?


    Jing Lihua wanted answers and in desperation, she looked in Li Zhiqiang''s direction in pursuit of some guidance but she was shocked to see Li Zhiqiang''s expressions. It was not only Li Zhiqiang but Li Xun was equally scary.


    Jing Lihua could see their resentment practically floating on the top of their heads.


    What?! What did she do?!


    Why do they make her feel like they had to suffer the punishment for something wrong she did?!


    She is innocent, alright!

 Chapter 119 - Im married to someone else perhaps.

    <h4>Chapter 119 - I''m married to someone else perhaps.</h4>


    Madame Bao very affectionately guided Jing Lihua to the table and made her sit beside her.? She treated her like a delicate doll. "Wait. Is it where you wentst night?" Jing Lihua suddenly asked. Of course, what else could make the great ''Devil'' anxious other than the mother of the ''Devil'' herself? That was the reason he couldn''t ept her call!


    Jing Lihua was looking at Li Zhiqiang with expectant eyes hoping for an answer. Li Zhiqiang had just raised his head a little bit of a tiny fraction when Madame Bao''s solemn voice came. "Did I allow you to look up?" Her voice was so icy that it made Jing Lihua almost jump. Li Zhiqiang immediately ducked down his head like an obedient puppy.


    Woah! The great ''Devil'', did he just admit defeat without even a fight?!


    The woman who was talking to her with such affectionate tune just a second ago could talk in such an intimidating manner?! Jing Lihua was shocked.


    Such a contrast. Now she understood what Li Zhqiaing and Li Xun resentment about. "Madame Bao, you are amazing!" Jing Lihua gave her a double thumbs-up. She didn''t care if the Li brothers were feeling resentment towards her. Jing Lihua giggled mischievously. To see Li Zhiqiang like this was so fun. Finally, she could get back at him for torturing her for days like that.


    At least, her long-awaited, sweet revenge!


    "Silly child, don''t call me Madame Bao. You don''t have to be formal. Just call me Mother." When Madame Bao looked back at Jing Lihua, her eyes immediately softened like warm butter. One could easily melt into them.


    "Okay, I''ll call you mother." Jing Lihua was very obedient. She seemed to be enjoying her special treatment. "Why are your sons being punished?" Her grin was wide and mischievous, intentionally taunting Li Zhiqiang. She could sense Li Zhiqiang aura was getting darker and darker by the moment clearly telling ''You better stop or I''ll make you regret this. I''ll get back to you one day. And It will be soon''


    Jing Lihuaughed internally. ''You can get back at me all you wantter but right now you can''t do anything. Right now the bigger ''Devil'' is standing beside me!''


    "Don''t mind these stupid kids. We should enjoy ourselves. We have so much to catch up on. Xiao Jing, this restaurant is famous for its seafood. I have already asked them to prepare the best Tuna rolls the restaurant has to offer. Should I ask them to make it spicy for you? I remember you used to love spicy food." Madame Bao was all lovey-dovey over Jing Lihua.


    "Mother knows me best!" Jing Lihua eagerly chirped. "But Mother isn''t it feeling weird having these two duck down their heads like this? Li Zhiqiang is not looking well. It looks like he is angry at me for some reason. What should I do mother? Does it have anything to do with me? Did I do anything wrong?" Jing Lihua made perfect puppy eyes looking like a scared and bullied kitten.


    Her acting made both Li Xun and Li Zhiqiang almost vomit blood.


    "How would he dare to be angry at you?" Madame Bao gave him a threatening re before turning back to Jig Lihua with an affectionate smile. "If he ever dares as much as to re at you, just give me a call. I''ll be right there for you and straighten him in no time."


    The dark aura around Li Zhiqiangpletely dissipated with helplessness. If not for Madame Bao, Jing Lihua would have beenughing and rolling over the ground by now. To see the great ''Devil'' in such a position, she couldn''t help herself.


    God. It must have the good karma from her previous life that brought this joyful day to her.


    The food was served in no time. Jing Lihua chewed as the delicious sushi while Li Zhqiaing and Li Xun weren''t allowed to touch the food. Li Xun was practically drolling and Jing Lihua couldn''t help but pity him. ''I''ll treat you someday topensate'' She thought inwardly. Li Xun was innocent. Always caught up in middle because of his brother.


    "You do not need to fear Xiao Jing. Li Zhiqiang had told me everything about your injury and selective insomnia. You couldn''t be med for what happened. But those two!" Madame Bao made sure to send her res at them at regr intervals. "Those two didn''t even care about telling me? How could they be so irresponsible knowing very well you are the one and only one who is to be my daughter-inw."


    Jing Lihua almost spat everything in her mouth. "Cough... Cough..." This was going in the wrong direction.


    "You are as careless as before." Madame Bao sighed helplessly like a tired mother. "Be patient while eating. No one is stealing your food."


    "W-What did you mean by daughter-inw?" Jing Lihua''s voice was feeble. She looked scared.


    "Of course, ever since the day Li Zhiqiang brought you home the first time, I knew you were destined to be my daughter-inw." Madame Bai said this as a matter of fact. "In fact, this is why I ave invited you here. We shall discuss the marriage details as soon as possible. These things shouldn''t be left on kids. They always mess up. So here are my ns. I''m nning to have a big party in Hong Kong for your engagement. You wouldn''t mind, right? I would arrange for all your rtives and friends stay in Hong Kong so it shouldn''t be inconvenient."


    Looked like Madame Bao still didn''t know. Jing Lihua gulped and looked in Li Zhiqiang''s direction silently asking for help. But she could see a satisfied look on his face that clearly said. ''Serves you right''


    Jing Lihua was hopeless.


    "What do you say, Xiao Jing? If? Hong Kong is too inconvenient, then we could always choose Beijing. But let me tell you, after your engagement, I want you two to get married within two months and give this olddy some grandchildren as soon as possible. After the marriage, I have selected a few ces for your honeymoon. So you wouldn''t be disturbed by all the guests and media. By that time, Li Xun would support the office so Li Zhiqiang can have some free time with you." Madame Bao continued to chatter.


    "Um... Mother, there seems to be a little problem." Jing Lihua coughed. "We might need to dy this marriage thing."


    "Huh? Why?."


    "Because I''m... perhaps... married to someone else?" Jing Lihua tried to smile but failed.

 Chapter 120 - Sweet Mother is the real Devil

    <h4>Chapter 120 - Sweet Mother is the real Devil</h4>


    A deafening silence followed. Everyone stopped their breaths. It seemed like even the birds outside were holding in their chirps so intense was the silence. In the impending fear of damnation, Jing Lihua felt as if Li Zhiqiang and Li Xun shuddered, ever so slightly in every attempt not to make a sound and draw the real ''Devil''s attention towards them.


    ''What''s happening?'' Jing Lihua was utterly confused. It felt like some monster was about tond right there. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and she looked in Madame Bao''s direction. All the dark aura appeared to be emitting from her. Her face was expressionless yet somehow scary.


    "Xiao Jing, oh my sweet Xiao Jing." Madame Bao smiled sweetly. But something was off about that smile. You couldn''t put a finger on it but something was definitely missing.?And that was frightening.


    It felt like a dead person voice calling to Jing Lihua from theherworld as Madame Bao asked in her same sweet voice. "Tell me you are joking." She was very calm and it unsettled Jing Lihua. The Madame Bao she knew, shouldn''t be this calm.


    Calm is only the indication of an impending storm.


    Being careful, Jing Lihua sneaked a nce at Li Zhiqiang in hope for some guidance. She was shocked to see his terrified face. Li Zhiqiang''s eyes screamed at her and he desperately mouthed out the words. ''Don''t admit it!'' Still not daring to make a sound like his life depended on it.


    Jing Lihua didn''t know whether tough or to cry.


    To see such reactions from the Devil she wanted tough but looking at Madame Bao''s face, she wanted to cry.


    ''Is it that serious? What would happen if I admit it?'' Jing Lihua felt bizarre. Such a weird family, this Li family was. What was wrong with them?! Why did they have to go yandere on little things?!


    "Of course, Mother, I was joking. Isn''t it obvious I was joking? Me and married? Who would even marry me? Wasn''t it such a funny joke?" Jing Lihua gave a fakeugh trying her best to make it sound natural. In her over vignce, she ended up overdoing it making it sound stiff and strange.


    Dammit!


    Li Zhiqiang and Li Xun started sweating profusely. None of them dared to move up his head. Li Xun looked so pale as if he could pass out at any moment. Looking at him, Li Zhiqiang took the role of big brother and stood up to save the day. Why was his Jing Jing so stupid getting them in the situation. She obviously didn''t know their mother well. "Mother, Jing Lihua must have been confused that is why she said that. Don''t be anxious. How can she be married? You know that she is loyal to us."


    Silence. Madame Bao didn''t say anything. She didn''t even berate Li Zhiqiang.


    It was killing Jing Lihua.


    "M-Madama Bao?" Madame Bao didn''t give a response. She was like a frozen status with clouds of Hell surrounding her. Any moment the volcano could erupt.


    Please say something! Anything!


    "M-Mother."


    "Huh? Did someone call me? Xiao Jing, was it you? Sorry, I just dozed off. What were we talking about again?" Her voice back at being normal. It was as if nothing ever happened.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    Li Zhiqiang: "..."


    Li Xun: "..."


    This is not happening.


    "Of course, about the marriage thingy, you were joking. I already know that. Let''s arrange the engagement date for you two the fifteen of next month, shall we?" Madame Bao smiled and ordered the dessert fixing the things as final.


    Jing Lihua: "..." Why were things back there again?


    Sadly for Jing Lihua, she couldn''t object. Things were settled as final by Madame Bao. Only once they all finished up the dinner, Madame Bao went her separate way while Li Zhiqiang stole away Jing Lihua for some time.


    Outside all her sweet smiles disappeared and the first thing she did was to give a call to the familywyer. "Find out to whom Jing Lihua is married to. I want is full detail and send me the files for the legal process of getting them divorced." Her eyes were dark. The back suited bodyguards around them looked at each other nervously. "Come on boys. We have some people to kill." She walked out determined and smoothly in her long heels while the horde of bodyguards followed her.


    ...


    Inside the car, Jing Lihua wasughing.


    After safely transporting a half-dazed Li Xun to the airport back to hong kong, Li Zhiqiang offered to drop Jing Lihua to her office.


    "You don''t believe me?" Li Zhiqiang sighed helplessly. Looking at her like that, he couldn''t say he hadn''t expected such a response from her.


    "It''s not that I don''t want to believe you. What you are saying is simply too ridiculous." Jing Lihua hardly stoppedughing. "And to say that you are saying that with such a serious expression on your face." Sheughed again. It was hrious. Li Zhiqiang was getting delusional.


    "Ridiculousness is the adequate word to define my mother''s antics." Jing Jing didn''t know anything. She just didn''t.


    "Come on, she sounds like a perfect sweetdy! Why do you have to be so salty? I don''t think she would be investigating anything about me behind my back."


    "Yeah, why would she? I mean she totally bought into your fakeugh!" Li Zhiqiang said sarcastically.


    Jing Lihua stoppedughing. "Alright, maybe she didn''t. But..." Jing Lihua couldn''t bear to think of something excessive from a gentledy like Madame Bao. She meant, Madame Bao looked o cam and gentle! How would she do anything like that? Yes, apart from the sudden crazy look around her that time, she was a perfect sweet flower. "Li Zhiqiang, you are overthinking it." Jing Lihua shook her head.


    "You don''t want to believe then fine, don''t. Just wait and see for yourself." Li Zhiqiang knew Jing Lihua wouldn''t believe him. After all, his mother had deceived countless people with her sweet demeanor. "But what are you going to do about our engagement party on the fifteen of the next month?"


    Jing Lihua froze. She totally forgot about that.

 Chapter 121 - Growing smart

    <h4>Chapter 121 - Growing smart</h4>


    "Li Zhiqiang we need to do something about that!" Jing Lihua was stirred.


    "Of course we need to do something. I mean my mother said she wanted grandchildren as soon as possible so we might as well start making babies right now if we want to have them by... Ouch!"


    Jing Lihua pinched him hard. "Can you be serious for once?" She couldn''t believe it. But again, with Li Zhiqiang, you must be ready to get shocked anytime.


    Li Zhiqiangughed. "People usuallyin ''Can you not be serious for once?''"


    Jing Lihua glowered at him but he didn''t stopughing. She pinched him again but he grabbed her hand. "Do you want to pay it rough." He tugged her to him and murmured into her ear. "You know we still haven''t finished what we startedst night."


    The driver in the front seemed to have sensed something and turned on the partition to give the couple some privacy. Jing Lihua noticed that and gaped back at Li Zhiqiang. He merely grinned. "See? Now that we are alone we can do whatever we want."


    Jing Lihua punched him in the chest to get away from him. "Forget it. You are impossible. Why did I even hope for getting some help from you?" She humphed and shouted at the driver. "Head the car to Tangplex." Why would he help her? Didn''t he want the same thing? To get married to her as soon as possible. She could bet these two Mother and son were coborating secretly.


    When Jing Lihua opened the door of the car and was about to step out of it, Li Zhiqiang suddenly moved forward and hugged her from behind. Jing Lihua froze, but not from shock, but another feeling that came when his warmth surrounded her. Unlike her, she didn''t curse him to move away instead she leaned into his hug and let herself melt into his warmth.


    "I''ll work out something." Li Zhiqiang whispered into her ear. This close to her, he could easily smell her and so addicting her scent was. Li Zhiqiang feared if he didn''t et g soon he wouldn''t be able to let go ever. Everything about her as so perfect. "You don''t have to feel pressured. Nothing will happen if you don''t want to." As he said that, the trace of hurt was visible in his voice.


    Dammit!


    If he was again trying to make her feel guilty, then it was working. He slowly let go of her. Jing Lihua didn''t like the feeling of being left by him. She sighed. Before stepping out, she quickly turned around and gave him a small peck. This time, she kissed him right on the lips. Before he could register anything, she quickly moved away from his approach and walked out.


    "Growing smart aren''t you?" Li Zhiqiang smirked looking at her walking away; more like running away. If she had stayed a bit longer after kissing him, he would have pulled her in for sure.


    The tingling on his lips was still fresh. It seemed like he needed to learn to be faster next time to stop her from escaping.


    ...


    Heng Bingwen had juste back. All the events that happened in Hong Kong reyed in his head. "Fuck! Such a waste." He angrily kicked a trash can on the road. He had greeted his maternal uncle in there but he was gravely disappointed. He walked into a dested park and sat on a lone bench and sighed helplessly.


    Not only was he rejected by them, but he was also humiliated by them.


    "All they needed to do was to provide me with a mean to attend the will''s hearing. I offered them the best I could for their help." It was strange how greedy people could be. Heng Binwen unce had some connections. In front of the Heng family, Heng Bingwen was hopeless without anyone on his side. He could always ask Jing Lihua but he didn''t want to. "She has already done a lot for me. I don''t want to drag her into this." She would help him for sure knowing her nature. But for that, she would have to suffer.


    Right at the moment, he received a call. It was his uncle. "Coul it be they have changed their mind?" He quickly picked it up.


    "Uncle Wei" He politely greeted.


    "Don''t try to be overly ttering. You know that your auntie still doesn''t approve of this. But I have reconsidered whatever you said."


    "Reconsider? Does that mean you''ll help me?" Heng Bingwen''s eyes lightened with hope.


    "Don''t be happy yet. I just said I''ll consider." Uncle Wei''s voice was haughty. He wanted to keep Heng Bingwen on a tight rope. "You know that your auntie wouldn''t agree especially because this thing is going to be very dangerous. You understand that, right?"


    "Yes, uncle. I understand."


    "If you want to make her agree, you better provide us with a good preposition for helping you."


    "But I already offered everything I had."


    "If you end up getting your shares, you will get a lot more, right?"


    Heng Bingwen could feel anger bubbling inside him but he kept himself quiet. He was not in a position to fight back. Not just yet. For his mother, he thought.


    "Yes, uncle."


    "Good. I will help you." He was silent for a while. "Your father would be keeping an eye on you to stop you from getting there in time. We must be as discreet as possible. I''ve sent you an address to an abandoned fort. I want you to get to this address tomorrow. Make sure to be alone because we can''t trust anyone. I''ll have some men sent. You will impersonate a guard to get into there and my men will transport you there safely. Once inside, you can shed the disguise and im your right." He pressed on. "But before all that, I want you to sign a document to be clear how much of all you get will belong to me. Do you understand?"


    "Yes, uncle." Heng Bingwen said in a low voice with resignation and hung up the call.


    A woman''sughter resounded in the manor.


    "Dear, do you think he bought it?"

 Chapter 122 - Flufftail

    <h4>Chapter 122 - Flufftail</h4>


    "You know how smart he is? What if he doesn''t trust you. After all, we have given out words to Lang Lan that we will get rid of that leech once and for all." The woman said anxiously.


    "Don''t worry dear. Why else I would create such an borate story for him? I could feel his anger through the phone when I mentioned my desire to have a part in his share. If it wasn''t for him believing in my words, he wouldn''t have been angered this easily. I''ll make sure he appears at the fort."


    "Why don''t you give him a call. Tell him if he doesn''t appear we wouldn''t ever help him again or something?"


    "No." Xin Wei shook his head. "If I press this matter, he would get suspicious. Besides after today, he wouldn''t ever need our help so my threat would be fruitless. I have already done all I needed to do now all we must do is to wait."


    ...


    Jing Lihua dropped by the construction site before returning to her apartment. The mall was deste as of yet. "That is one mega project for the Tang empire. I can''t afford it to fail." Jing Lihua sighed.


    "Mei Xiu what is the update on Fu Jianguo?"


    "President we found him. He is alive and in a physically fine. I asked him to take a few days off as you instructed but he persisted and the first thing he did aftering was to take hold over the office. Once the news of his return arrived, hispany was stabilized."


    "How''s the situation at Qin Juapany?" Jing Lihua asked, preupied with her thoughts.


    "Now that you have dealt with Qian He and others in the Qin Jua constructionpany, and had them hand over the shares, with a majority share you have absolute power. There hadn''t been anyone else who tried to obstruct our path and everything is running smoothly. Fu Jianguo started the cooperation with thepany and things are looking good for the future."


    "Everything is settled then." Jing Lihua smiled.


    "President, there is another problem." Mei Xiu''s voice dropped.


    Jing Lihua''s smile froze. "Exin"


    "It seems that our every activity is being tracked by Su group."


    "What do you mean?" Jing Lihua frowned.


    "There are still some underground people under Su Empire that have kept themselves well hidden. It seems we have been unable to point them out. Our brokers and enterprises who took an interest in having their products hosted by us are being approached by agents of the Su Empire. They are trying to poach our significant investors. There is no possible exnation to this other than that some sharks in our roots."


    Jing Lihua smiled without any hint of mirth in her eyes. That was one cold bone-chilling smile. "It was so naive of me to think that they would let me be. Exin exactly. Why would they need our investors?"


    "There has been news that they are nning to open a mall."


    Jing Lihua was not even surprised to learn that. Because before that, some of her past projects failed because they had openedpetitive branches of the same field. It turned out only her wishful thinking that once Su Liwei left, they would stop meddling in her affairs. "It seemed I have been right. It had always been Su Donghai who was the real power nning against me. Just what in seven Hells have I done to him?"


    "President, how must we deal with this issue?" Mei Xiu looked particrly concerned. "If this continues and this mall ends up in failure then..." She trailed off. After all, she knew how their past ventures had ended up in failure. It was all because of Su Empire interference.


    "I know what to do." Jing Lihua thought of a n. "Just be prepared. I''ll be gone for some days. That would make those spies lower their guards. In my absence, they will take their chance to do something big. That''s our chance." Jing Lihua was energetic and got into the car with Mei Xiu. Her eyes shed with something dark.


    "But President where would you be going? How are we going to inform about your without making us look suspicious." Questions popped up in Mei Xiu''s mind; she was confused.


    "There is no need to specifically let them know because they will know themselves. I''ll be going to Su family''s private Ind."


    "President, you mean." Mei Xiu''s eyes widened. She understood everything. "Wait, should I inform Mr. Su?"


    "No need. Soon I''ll be giving them a visit."


    Jing Lihua returned homete. She was pounced by the white cat. Jing Lihua slumpedzily on the couch with the cat in her ap to offer herpany. She stroked its fur. "I almost forgot about you. Now, what should we name you?" Jing Lihuaughed. "How about Flufftail?"


    The cat snarled clearly not liking the name. "Why? Flufftail sound nice to me. Look at your tail, it''s so..." Jing Lihua was about to touch its tail when it jumped off herp looking grumpy.


    Jing Lihua sighed and fell onto the couch. She picked out her phone. "Should I tell him. I bet he''ll be angry." Li Zhiqiang wouldn''t agree for her to go with Su Liwei. Jing Lihua didn''t know how to bring up the issue. She thought of a n and called him. It was quickly picked up.


    "Can''t stop thinking about me?" A typical Li Zhiqiang''s voice rang out from the other end.


    "Maybe I can''t." Jing Lihua smiled. She had to act nice.


    Silence.


    "What do you want from me?"


    Jing Lihua: "..." Is she that easy to be read? "Why would I want something from you?"


    "Why else would you flirt with me?"


    "When did I ever flirt with you?!" It was so easy for Li Zhiqiang to get on her nerves. "Just saying that I can''t stop thinking about you isn''t flirting"


    "It isn''t?" Jing Lihua could hear an undertone of augh in her voice.


    Jing Lihua saw the contradiction in her own words. "Maybe it is. Whatever just leave it! That''s not why I called you."


    "So you are saying you were indeed trying to flirt with me?"


    Jing Lihua almost hung up.

 Chapter 123 - Dense in a cute way

    <h4>Chapter 123 - Dense in a cute way</h4>


    Why did he have to be so impossible? Even if she flirted with him, why can''t he let it g and run with the flow? Why did he have to rub it all over her face? Jing Lihua wanted to cry but she had no tears.


    "I just wanted to invite you to go try a ce with me." It was taking her every ounce of self-control to keep her voice mild and polite. "Remember at that fancy restaurant you took me? We have decided to try a ce in Beijing. Are you free right now?"


    "The one with spicy food?" Li Zhiqiangughed. "Are you sure you can beat me? Until now, whenever we had apetition, I won every time without even trying. Maybe you want me to win so that I can ask you to..."


    "Don''t let your imagination run wild." Jing Lihua punched a cushion on the couch imagining it was Li Zhiqiang''s face. She took a deep breath. This was wrong. She was supposed to be good with him. But, damn, this man had a tendency to make her lose her calm. "You never won without trying! At that time, in the restaurant, your face was all red." She couldn''t stop herself from retorting. She knew she was acting like kids, but, fuck it!


    "But that doesn''t change the fact that I won every time." Li Zhiqiang chirped. Jing Lihua could imagine his smug face.


    "You didn''t winst time!" Jing Lihua regretted as soon as she said that. She could almost saw Li Zhiqiang smirking and ready to say his next line, She cursed herself and immediately cut him before he could even start. "Don''t you dare to say that!"


    "What? I didn''t say anything." Li Zhiqiang was actually baffled.


    "Just forget it. Are you free right now?" She gave up. She heard him chuckle slightly.


    "I''m currently at a meeting. I''ll be back to my apartment as soon as possible. How about this, you get there first and wait for me? Once I''m back we''ll go together?"


    "You are currently at a meeting?" Jing Lihua had an ominous feeling.


    "Yes"


    "Does that mean you are sitting in a conference room right now?" Jing Lihua''s voice dropped. A secondter, sheughed as if she had said something stupid "Why would you be sitting in a conference room? You must have gotten out to attend the call. How stupid of me to imagine that. You wouldn''t bicker with me in front of all those officials."


    "I guess so...?"


    "Are you outside or not?!" She dropped her tune.


    "I''m in the conference room."


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    Li Zhiqiang couldn''t understand what was wrong with that. But around the huge table, dozens of important officials and a CEO of a foreign megacorporate who was stopped in the middle of his momentous presentation so that the tycoon could attend his call were staring at Li Zhiqiang and thinking collectively. ''There is definitely something wrong with that''


    "Why does it matter. Everything''s more important than you, you know that?"


    In the conference room, everyone''s ears perked up in synchronization. They were all thinking the same thing.


    "This is definitely a girl!"


    "Could she be the legendary mysterious girlfriend of Mr. Li responsible for the break up of Wu Xiuqin and Mr. Li?"


    "Shut up! You know that the media exaggerates. She is not the one who stole Wu Xiuqin''s position in Mr. Li''s heart. I have some inside information and Mr. Li was never in a romantic rtionship with Wu Xiuqin in the first ce."


    "But you can''t deny she must be the one who was behind the Wu family''s current wrecked position."


    Everyone in the room shuddered. "Well, that indicates her position in Mr. Li''s heart. Anything else doesn''t concern us." The Wu family''s current situation was brought upon them by themselves. People could pity them but that was how things worked. Why did that family had to offend the ''Devil'' in any way?


    Everyone was thinking about the same thing. Some of them even secretly sent messages to their agents to find out who that girl so that they could buy her some expensive gifts or get close to her and her family to earn the favor of the "Devil''. They were all in a greatpetition! Everyone wanted to approach that girl before others!


    While people were nning, the great ''Devil'' was still busy talking with his JingJing.


    Jing Lihua sighed. She should just never think about Li Zhiqiang as a normal human being. "There is definitely nothing wrong with that. I''ll be at your ce soon. You do not need to hurry. Attend your meeting with ease." Jing Lihua gave up and ended the call. She had already figured out the situation in the conference room.


    "Great, now everyone''s is looking for me. Thanks, Mr. Li."


    Looked like she needed to tighten her security to stop anyone from getting her identity. She was still married and didn''t want to affect Li Zhiqiang in any bad way.


    "I don''t know what in seven hells is wrong with him." He could be so astute sometimes. But sometimes he could be so dense. Jing Lihua smiled. She couldn''t deny it was in a cute way.


    Jing Lihua picked up the cat and prepared to take it out. She dressed moderately yetfortably because the ce they were going wasn''t a fancy restaurant. Jing Lihua walked with the white cat in her arms and asked Wang Yi to take her to Li Zhiqiang''s temporary address.


    The way to his ce was long. After stepping out of the car, she took a look around. "Of course, the great ''Devil'' wouldn''t settle for something less than the perfect." With the cat in the arms, she walked into the housing apartments. The residential area was one of the most expensive paces avable in Beijing. It won''t be wrong to say the most expensive ce. Where only the VVIP dared to stay. A single night stay cost more than millions.


    Even the most influential families in Beijing alone couldn''t afford it. One of the overseas megacorporate financiers had thisplex made to amodate important business partners. "So even the overseas financiers are sucking up to Li Zhiqiang." Jing Lihuaughed and walked ahead. Unfortunately for her, she stumbled into someone she hadn''t expected to be there.

 Chapter 124 - Cunning smiles

    <h4>Chapter 124 - Cunning smiles</h4>


    "Su Jiayi." Jing Lihua paused in her steps. She was surprised. "What is she doing here? I''m not going to believe this is a mere coincidence."


    In this lifetime, this was the first time Jing Lihua saw her. But she recalled her very vibrantly from herst lifetime. And only one word was enough to describe their rtionship. "Arch Enemies." Jing Lihua didn''t know what problem Su Jiayi had with her. But ever since the first day, she was determined to make Jing Lihua suffer.


    Jing Lihua''s eyes shed with hostility. "Past is past. But if you cross me this time, I won''t be lenient." Jing Lihua had no wish to find trouble with Su Jiayi. Today, she was here to enjoy a good time with Li Zhiqiang. Su family only meant a problem for her. Let it be Su Liwei, Su Lanfen, Su Donghai or Su Jiayi.


    But Su Jiayi had some other ns. At a distance, she noticed Jing Lihua. She smiled and walked directly towards her.


    "Looks like it is unavoidable now." Jing Lihua sighed.


    "Sister-inw. What a coincidence. I didn''t expect to stumble into you here." She greeted Jing Lihua like they had a very warm rtionship. Of course, the ce was full of people and gossips traveled faster than air. Su Jiayi was much wiser than Su Lanfen and that was bad news for Jing Lihua. Wiser enemies are harder to get rid of.


    "The pleasure is all mine. Now if you excuse me." Jing Lihua faked a smile and wanted away. She was not running away. She just didn''t have any interest to deal with Su Jiayi.


    Su Jiayi stopped her. "Why so hurry. We have just met after so long. Wouldn''t you want to sit and hang out?" The Su Jiayi''s act was astute. Jing Lihua scoffed inwardly. She thought: this family was so good at acting. They might as well all join the career.


    Jing tried her best to be polite. "Sister-inw, I have someone very important waiting up for me here."


    "Someone important? Are you sure you are not trying to make up an excuse to get away from me?" There was a tant taunt in Su Jiayi''s eyes. This area was one of the most expensive ces in most maind china. To merely be here, required an invite from someone. In Su Jiayi''s eyes, Jing Lihua wasn''t worth to be invited by someone let alone, someone important. In fact, it was Su Jiayi''s first time here too.


    Jing Lihua frowned and stepped back a little, hugging the cat tighter. "I wouldn''t need an excuse to get away from you." She understood the mock in Su Jiayi words but it didn''t affect her. It didn''t matter to Jing Lihua what Su Jiayi thought of her. In any way, the person waiting for her as very important.


    Her words shocked Su Jiayi but she quicklyposed. "Now, dear sister-inw, you are like a sister I never had. Don''t be angry at me." Su Jiayi was very polite. God knew what horrible thing she was nning to be so polite to Jing Lihua. "Is it because of Su Lanfen that you sound offended? I apologize on her behalf. That girl is too impulsive and has a lot of insecurities. It was obviously her who was in the wrong. She had been given appropriate punishment by her father and sent aboard if that eases your heart."


    "Sent aboard?" Jing Lihua frowned. Until now, she had been thinking that Su Donghai had taken hold of the office to clear the path of inheritance for Su Lanfen but by sending her away it was obviously casting her away. Why else would Su Donnghai take hold of the office if not for his daughter? Isn''t his daughter what for he sought vengeance against Jing Lihua? Or was there a bigger picture behind it all?


    "Also I apologize for my brother''s behalf." Su Jiayi bowed as if deeply apologetic. "I have heard he doesn''t treat you well." In her apology, Su Jiayi mocked Jing Lihua. To be not treated well by a husband is something embarrassing for the wife. But now, it didn''t affect Jing Lihua even a little.


    Jing Lihua couldn''t understand this whole situation. Until secondster, everything revealed itself. Jing Lihua couldn''t believe what she saw next. Right there, Madama Bao appeared there with a gentle but cunning smile. While Jing Lihua was shocked, she walked right to Su Jiayi and said. "Su Jiayi, dear you are finally here. Don''t let me wait so long."


    What was happening?


    "Madame Bao." Su Jiayi was all smiles once she saw Madame Bao. "Did youe down here just to receive me? Madame Bao, there was no need. You are too kind."


    "Jiayi dear, you don''t have to be so polite." Madame Baoughed then she looked at Jing Lihua. Her calm yet cunning smile was still there. She winked at Jing Lihua and said. "And who might this prettydy be?" She smiled at her like she was seeing her for the first time.


    Jing Lihua didn''t know what to think anymore. Her brain had undergone a short circuit. Everything looked so bizarre. Looking at Jing Lihua''s shocked expression, Su Jiayi was very satisfied. ''You wouldn''t have guessed I had made an acquaintance with such an important person, would you?'' She assumed Jing Lihua was shocked because of her friendship to Madame Bao; the mother of the great rumored ''Devil''.


    But Jing Lihua was worried about something entirely opposite. ''Does that mean Madame Bao already knows that I am married?'' This is wrong. Through her eyes, Jing Lihua pleaded to Madame Bao. ''Please don''t kill the Su family.'' But her pleases were, of course, fruitless.


    "This is my sister-inw, Jing Lihua Madame Bao. I''m sorry for herck of manners. She must be too shocked to see you here." Su Jiayiughed at Jing Lihua stunned expressions.


    "Er... right. It''s nice to meet you, Madame Bao. I have heard a lot about you." At Su Jiayi''s words, Jing Lihua broke out of the trance and bowed to Madame Bao as a greeting. She wanted to get out of the ce as soon as possible and find Li Zhiqiang to get some help but Su Jiayi stopped her. In her mind, she was thinking about bragging a bit more in front of Jing Lihua. "Why you hurry Sister-inw. Madame Bao has invited me to a tea party. Let''s go in and enjoy the tea. I am sure Madame Bao wouldn''t mind another guest." Su Jiayi has expected Madame Bao to reject taking Jing Lihua in. After all, Madame Bao was said to be very picky about choosing the people. And she wouldn''t definitely pick up Jing Lihua after Su Jiayi badmouthed her in front of Madame Bao.


    Thinking about it Su Jiayiughed inwardly imagining the imminent embarrassment Jing Lihua would have to suffer.

 Chapter 125 - Innocent yet Haunting Smile

    <h4>Chapter 125 - Innocent yet Haunting Smile</h4>


    No one said anything. Jing Lihua was nning ways to escape and too preupied to pay attention to Su Jiayi''s childish ways to make her feel inferior. Even if she wasn''t preupied, she wouldn''t have paid any mind to Su Jiayi''s stupid antics.


    "It''s okay, Madama Bao if you don''t want her. How insensible of me to take the initiative to invite her on my own while the tea party is hosted by you. I apologize." She bowed to Madame Bao. Then she faced Jing Lihua with a fake apologetic look."Sister-inw, I apologize it seems Madame Bao only wants close people in the party." Su Jiayi continued to bow for a long time waiting for Jing Lihua to say ''Its okay'' in embarrassment.


    But Jing Lihua didn''t say anything. It was awkward. Su Jiayi couldn''t get up before Jing Lihua said something. Su Jiayi wouldn''t have minded Jing Lihua but now that Madame Bao was here, she had to practice best etiquettes.


    "Actually, why not? I would love to have Jing Lihua at my tea party." Madame Bao eyes glittered with something and she moved forward to grab Jing Lihua''s handspletely ignoring Su Jiayi who was bowing.


    Su Jiayi. "..." What was happening? Wasn''t Madame Bao supposed to hate Jing Lihua? Having no reason to continuing bowing Su Jiayi awkwardly moved up. She didn''t know what to say. "W-Well then. It''s good I guess?" She meekly said but she was ignored because neither Madame Bao nor Jing Lihua looked at her.


    "Actually I''ll have to excuse myself. I have someone very important waiting for me. Madame Bao, maybe next time." Jing Lihua tried to get her hands to lose from Madame Bao''s grip. She still remembered how Li Zhiqiang and Li Xun were bowing in the restaurant the other day. This Madame Bao was not someone to be taken lightly. But Jing Lihua dismay, Madame Bao didn''t even let her lose her hands from her tight grip.


    Jing Lihua. "..." What was the meaning of this? She was seeing more and more of Li Zhiqiang in Madame Bao. They both were... How to say it? Equally crazy and unpredictable?


    "How could you say that sister-inw?" Su Jiayi couldn''t believe it. It was one thing that Madame Bao invited Jing Lihua in. Jing Lihua should have been thrilled. But instead, she rejected her?! "Who could be more important than Madame Bao waiting for you?" Su Jiayiughed. "Madame Bao, please don''t mind Jing Lihua words. She must have said that she is too nervous in your presence. You know with all the rumors around, she might be afraid you will judge her." Su Jiayi tried her best to direct the conversation against Jing Lihua. "I''m sorry for her behavior."


    But to Su Jiayi dismay she was once again ignored. "I''m sure whoever this important person is not even yet home. So you could spend that time with us?" Madame Bao as very warm. But Jing Lihua could see the true devil behind her smile.


    Jing Lihua: "..." How did she know that Li Zhiqiang wasn''t home yet? Wait... That''s not important. How did she know that Jing Lihua was supposed to go out with Li Zhiqiang? How the hell she knew any of it?! They had just nned it literally thirty minutes ago! And Li Zhiqiang definitely wouldn''t have told her!


    Dangerous. Madame Bao was very dangerous.


    "I guess so." Jing Lihua realized she couldn''t do anything without her consent so she decided to go with the flow. After all, she was right. Li Zhiqiang might not be home yet so she better go with Madame Bao.


    "That''s a good girl." Madame Baoughed and patted Jing Lihua.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    Su Jiayi: "..."


    All the onlookers: "..."


    "Don''t make that face. That makes me want to pinch your cheek." Madame Baoughed heartily.


    Jing Lihua didn''t know whether to cry or tough. This was ridiculously simr to Li Zhiqiang. While Su Jiayi looked like she was about to snap someone''s neck. What the hell was happening?


    To sprinkle salts on Su Jiayi wounds, Madame Bao put her hands around Jing Lihua and guided her up without giving Su Jiayi a second nce. Su Jiayi was almost considering the possibility that Jing Lihua had used some sort of witchcraft on Madame Bao to make her act that way. There was no other logical exnation for this bizarre situation.


    "Wait for me." She grumbled and followed behind the pair shamelessly. Whatever it was, she couldn''t give up the opportunity of acquaintance with the legendary Li family. Just being on their good sides, was good enough.


    Inside the spacious apartment, Madame Bao personally guided Jing Lihua to her chair and poured her tea while S Jiayi showed herself the way. There were dozens of important societies around the table. Jing Lihua stopped momentarily when she saw Lang Lan in there. "Ms. Lan, I didn''t expect you to be here." Jing Lihua smiled very warmly. Of course, that was a fake smile. She had no warmth for horrible people.


    "H-How are you Jing Lihua?" Hearing her voice, Lang Lan cringed in as if trying to hide from her. Of course, she was scared of that cunning fox. Jing Lihua still had her video and never in her right mind, Lang Lan would do anything to offend that demon again. Her knees still hurt from kneeling for so long.


    "I''m very fine." Jing Lihua took a sip and maintained her smile. She couldn''t deny that seeing that Lang Lan that had tortured her countless times in herst life cringing like that wasn''t fun. Instead, it was a lot of fun. She was feeling appreciative of Madame Bao for taking her here.


    Not long after, Madame Bao arrived. "As you all know that my son has started a business in Beijing. To apany him, I''ll stay here. From time to time, I''ll throw such small parties to strengthen our bonds with the people of this city. I hope you all can be the light of these parties."


    Everyone who had been invited here felt deeply appreciative. It was noteworthy to say that the Li family was no small name in any sense. And ti be invited by Madame Bao was a thing to brag about for generations.


    "But." Madame Bao said. "There is another thing I''m here for." As Madame Bao said that she nced at Jing Lihua. Her smile was innocent yet haunting. Something was wrong about what she was going to say. Jing Lihua had an ominous feeling. She quietly called Li Zhiqiang in her heart.

 Chapter 126 - She has very unique green eyes.

    <h4>Chapter 126 - She has very unique green eyes.</h4>


    "I''m looking for a wife for my Li Zhiqiang in Beijing." Madame Bao said.


    Bang!


    Jing Lihua had dropped her cup. Everyone looked in her direction in shock. They knew Madame Bao was a clean freak and desired perfection. To have broken a cup in her home, not to mention a cup that was from her favorite collection and one of its kind in the world. They all looked at Madame Bao''s expressions. To their surprise, Maame Bao was calmly drinking tea with a teasing smile on her lips.


    "Sister-inw, how could you be so careless? Are you forgetting whompany you are in?" Su Jiayi couldn''t let go of an opportunity to humiliate Jing Lihua. She tried to sprinkle oil on the fire. "Madame Bao forgive my sister-inw, She is not used to being in such tea parties. She is more of an office woman. She mightck adequate etiquettes for these asions. Forgive her on my stance."


    "I''m sorry." Jing Lihua got up and wanted to get away from the situation. Whatever Madame Bao was nning was obviously going to be bad. Indeed, very very bad for Jing Lihua. Jing Lihua that this pair of mother and son was crazy. However, Jing Lihua was caught by Madame Bao.


    "Where are you going?"


    Jing Lihua wanted to cry. Let me go, please. Have mercy.


    Madame Baoughed at her expressions. "Sit clumsy child. I''ll have a servant clear it and have fresh tea prepared for you. Don''t be so impatient again."


    Everyone was startled. To be treated so kindly by madame Bao after breaking. They all wanted to break their cups too and see what happens.


    The next second Madame Bao nced in Su Jiayi''s direction. Her smile was no longer warm and teasing. But cold and sharp almost cutting Su Jiayi. "As of whether Jing Lihua has nice etiquettes or not, I know that very well. We had many chances to hang around while her stay in Hong Kong. And I had her apany me to many parties."


    Everyone gasped. Today was full of surprises.


    "In fact, she is the one who brought the business proposal for which my son is here. You should all thank her for my presence here today." Madame Bao calmly said and took a sip.


    "Madame Bao means that mining business was proposed by Jing Lihua? Howe we never heard of this?" Su Jiayi was the most worried. Minutes ago she was unting about her acquaintance with Li family in front of Jing Lihua to scare her away. But it seemed like tables were about to be turned right now. This was something Su Jiayi could never have expected.


    "The news will be released today. The media had been trying to guess where the location of the mineral deposits is. It was the Southern real estate that had been abandoned long ago." As Madame Bao revealed it, pin-drop silence dominated everywhere. Madame Baough resonated. "Isn''t it funny? The ce you would least expect turned out to be the most valued one."


    The whole city hadughed at Jing Lihua when she had invested in thosends. She was made fun of. Considering that it was the first thing she had done after taking the hold of her office, back then when she still hadn''t earned merit, everyone hadughed at her saying she was an ipetent novice and end up bankrupting herpany in less than a month. But now, things were changed. This oue, no one could have guessed.


    Regret and resentment were filled in everyone''s heart as they looked at Jing Lihua with eyes that were about to cry blood tears. If anyone knew the actual worth of thosend and they had bought it, their life would have been changed forever. People were too shocked to say anything.


    "Madame Bao means those worthlessnds are the ones that are...?" Su Jiayi was at a loss of words. She still couldn''t believe it. She was a businesswoman. She knew the gravity of the situation. If Jing Lihua had entered a business association then she would be impeachable.


    "You can''t say they ware worthless anymore." Madame Bao had a small smile. "And that''s how I met Jing Liua in Hong Kong."


    "So Madame Bao, what about the wife for your Li Zhiqiang?" One of the middle-aged woman started the topic. She didn''t care about any business and stuff. She had two daughters and if she could set up one of them with great ''Devil'', their life would be changed. Even though it would hardlye true, but it was worth a shot. "Have you found any suitable candidate."


    "Actually I have." Madame Bao''s smile was turning mischievous as she nced at Jing Lihua.


    Jing Lihua almost spat the tea back into the cup. She wanted to disappear. ''Li Zhiqiang where are you? Come and save me from your mother''


    All the expectantdies looked dejected as Madame Bao said that. But they sighed, giving up. The hopes were already not hight, to begin with. "Who is the luckydy?" One of the gossip lovers suddenly asked.


    Jing Lihua wanted to kick that woman.


    "What is her name? I would tell you that but I am afraid my future daughter inw wouldn''t be pleased to know that I let others know her name." Madame Baoughed. She was enjoying it very much.


    "Madame Bao, don''t be like this." A gossiper whined. "You do not need to tell us her name. Tell us something else about her. Like her physical features? Her education?" Women were dying with curiosity.


    Jing Lihua really wanted to kill that woman. Don''t put your nose in other''s business or I might cut it half.


    "Hmm, let me think." Madame Bao pretended to be thinking and teased everyone with her stalling. Okay, I''ll tell you one thing about her. But nothing else. You must promise you wouldn''t tell anyone about it."


    "We promise. Now tell us." Of course, they all lied.


    Jing Lihua ducked in.


    "She has very unique green eyes."


    Everyone fell silent. The next second, they all stared at Jing Lihua.

 Chapter 127 - That means you guys have not yet consummated your marriage? Right?

    <h4>Chapter 127 - That means you guys have not yet consummated your marriage? Right?</h4>


    Being stared by everyone, Jing Lihua coughed awkwardly "There are a lot of beauties with green eyes in Beijing. I''m sure of that!" Jing Lihua smiled at Madame Bao. "It seems like your future daughter-inw is a foreigner." Jing Lihua wanted Madame Bao to y along but that was only her wishful thinking.


    "No, quite the contrary. She is national with unique and natural green eyes." Madame Bao smiled very innocently.


    Everyone once again stared at Jing Lihua. Damn it!


    "I hope to meet this mysterious daughter-inw in the future. Being chosen by Madame Bao, she must be a gem; far better than us! Considering the fact we share a resemnce, I expect to get along well with her." Jing Lihua smiled indicating in her words she was not what everyone was thinking who she was. She prayed in her heart that Madame Bao wouldn''t spoil it this time. To her relief, Madame Bao chuckled and decided to let Jing Lihua off for now.


    Everyone else thought what Jing Lihua said made sense.


    Getting away from everyone''s attention Jing Lihua had just sighed in relief when a gossiper suddenly asked: "Jing Lihua I hear that your husband gave up the position to his uncle. He must be very free right now. You guys must be enjoying a nice time together." She winked at Jing Lihua trying to tease her.


    Wink at your mother!


    Jing Lihua was horrified. She craned her neck to look at Madame Bao. She was appalled to see her expressions and almost dropped the cup again. ''W-Why so scary expressions mother? Why are you looking at me like I am cheating on your son? They are talking about my husband. Hey! I never did anything wrong! Then why!''


    The situation was horrendous!


    "It''s not like that!" Jing Lihua coughed. She wanted to disappear. She was surely going to have this gossiper auntie suffer a taste of her medicine. But for that, she needed to first get out of here, alive. looking at Madame Bao''s darkening expressions, that looked difficult.


    Su Jiayi saw an opportunity. "Auntie, my sister-inw is too embarrassed to say it. Don''t be hard on her. So let me tell you on her behalf. Although, my brother had given up his position the workload on him has merely doubled. He doesn''t even often return home. So sister-inw barely gets to see him. Since their marriage, they had barely spent a night together." Su Jiayi forced expression of anguish and heartbreak. "I have told my brother countless times to pay more attention to sister-inw but he never listens. He gives priority to work." Su Jiayi shook her head in a regretful manner. "My heart aches for my sister-inw. I wished he could treat her better considering that they are newly married. If only my words alone could change him." Su Jiayi had gotten too far. After her wless acting, she looked up to see Madame Bao''s expressions to see the disgust in her eyes.


    But she was startled to see Madame Bao smiling and her eyes glittering as she had just heard the most wonderful news of her life! Su Jiayi couldn''t understand anything. While everyone else was looking at Jing Lihua with strange expressions why did Madame Bao looked so happy?


    Jing Lihua sighed in relief. In her mind, she thanked Su Jiayi for saving her. ''Thanks, I owe you one''


    "Well, that''s so bad. I''m so sorry to hear that" Madame Bao said that with a smile not sounding sorry at all. "Pardon my intrusion, but that means you guys have not yet consummated your marriage? Right?" With earnest expressions, she asked like she really wanted an answer.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    Everyone else: "..."


    She did not just say that. No, she can''t say that. That''s Jing Lihua ears deceiving her. How can she say something like that so casually in front of a group of women? It was obviously Jing Lihua hearing wrong.


    Madame Baoughed understanding she might have gotten too far. "Oh, look at you guys. Getting all serious. I was just kidding."


    "Madama Bao, you have a nice sense of humor." People followed herugh attempting to butter her up like usual.


    Jing Lihua sighed and looked at the phone. She had just received a message. "Madame Bao, if you''ll excuse me. Someone has been waiting for me."


    Madame Bao smiled very kindly at Jing Lihua: "Why not? Leave but tell that someone once you meet him that I meant it what I said to him earlier."


    Jing Lihua shuddered. Her words seemed to carry some hidden message. A dark hidden message that only Li Zhiqiang would be able to decipher. While everyone else was puzzled about what Madame Bao meant by those words, Jing Lihua quickly picked up the sleeping cat and ran out of the apartment.


    She had just taken a few steps away when she was called out. "Stop there Jing Lihua!"


    She turned around and saw Su Jiayi standing a few meters away from her. Her expressions were not very happy. Jing Lihua frowned. "Looking for some more trouble, is she?" Jing Lihua mumbled to herself then assumed her signature smile.


    Su Jiayi walked to Jing Lihua slowly wanting to scare her with her cold expressions. When Jing Lihua didn''t step back. Noticing that Su Jiayi said: "It seemed what they all say is true. You have changed Jing Lihua." Su Jiayi scoffed. "But let me tell you no matter how much you change or no matter whom you find out, I''ll see the end of you." Earlier she had been polite to Jing Lihua because madame Bao was nearby. Now that they were alone, she didn''t need to pretend. "You might have gotten some acquaintance with Madame Bao, but let me tell you. Su family has been doing business with them for longer than you can imagine. So don''t think you have any advantage on us."


    Jing Lihua yawned. "Are you done?" Then she made a contemtive face and said. "Why am I even asking? Even if you are not done I''ll leave now. You can continue talking to the air for all I care." Jing Lihuaughed and turned away but just then Su Jiayi reached out her hand to grab Jing Lihua elbow.


    But her fingers couldn''t even touch Jing Lihua when a white feisty cat pounced at Su Jiayi.

 Chapter 128 - Shrewd Cat

    <h4>Chapter 128 - Shrewd Cat</h4>


    "What the f**k?!" Su Jiayi cried out when the cat attacked her face. The cat snarled and scratched her face.


    Jing Lihua turned back, surprised. It happened too fast. She couldn''t keep up with all that.


    All she saw was Su Jiayi and the white cat engaged in a fiery fight. She stood frozen for a moment, the next moment she broke intoughter. Grabbing her belly, she tried hard to stop herself but she couldn''t.


    "What the f**k are youughing for, bitch!" Su Jiayi cried out. "Are you going to help me or not?!" She had just gotten the cat off her face and pushed her down on the floor. But the cat didn''t give her a minute to breathe and the next second, it lurched at her again. Jumping right from the ground to her face. Screams of Su Jiayi and snarls of the cat were mixed together.


    They were a melody to Jing Lihua''s ears.


    She couldn''t stopughing to think of doing anything to stop them.


    Catching sight of Jing Lihuaughing her ass out, Su Jiayi was maddened. But she couldn''t keep that cat off her face on her own.


    Having no choice, she resorted to running away. Jing Lihua has hardly gotten a little control over herughter. But when she saw Su Jiayi running away like that from a little kitten, she once again broke intoughter.


    "Oh, God!" Jing Lihua wiped the tears from her eyes. At her feet, she saw the white cat snarling in the direction Su Jiayi was running. She chuckled and picked up the cat in her arms. Once the cat-faced Jing Lihua, it meowed very cutely. "Now that''s my girl." Jing Lihua patted her andughed again. "You deserve a treat for what you did today."


    With a very happy expression, securing the white cat in her arms, Jing Lihua walked for Li Zhiqiang''s apartment.


    ...


    Su Jiayi bust into the bathroom. Her face was covered with scratched. Some of them were even bleeding. "I won''t ever forgive her for this." She hadn''t ever been insulted like this.


    Su Jiayi had always taken care of her face. She wouldn''t ever have let as much as a pimple tarnish it. But now that, in the bathroom when she saw the sorry state in which her face was, she felt like killing someone. She sshed water onto her face. She didn''t care how cold the water was. Tears were brimming in her eyes. She looked up and stared into her reflection. "Jing Lihua, you are going to regret this!" Her voice was immersed with deep resentment. Tears rolled down her bloodshot eyes.


    She quickly dialed a number. Her breathing was shallow and faster from all the hate and anger. "I want you to do it, right now! I am not going to wait anymore! I want to see her destroyed!" She screamed over the line.


    The person on the other side apparently agreed. Because, the next second, a smile appeared on Su Jiayi''s lips. "Jing Lihua." She said that name. Her eyes shed with something. "If I don''t have you regretting ever crossing me then I''m not Su Jiayi."


    ...


    Li Zhiqiang had been waiting when Jing Lihua appeared at his apartment. "Huh? How long had you been waiting? Did you say you were in an important meeting?"


    "And I also said nothing is more important than you." Li Zhiqiang sounded grumpy.


    "You didn''t just call off the meeting because of me, did you?" Jing Lihua had given up on being surprised at his antics.


    "What do you think?" li Zhiqiang shrugged.


    Jing Lihua sighed, "You did." She would have berated him or objected at the least. But she knew it was no us. This man, he was crazy. There was no saving him.


    She could only sigh for all those in her heart who had been preparing the proposals for the meeting for God knows how long.


    "Let''s forget about it. Where is my kiss?" Li Ziqiang grinned and walked to her.


    "What ''kiss''?" Jing Lihua stepped back.


    "A kiss we had decided to give each other whenever we met after a long time." Li Zhiqiang continued to corner her.


    "I decal recall deciding anything like this with you."


    "Doesn''t matter. Let''s start it from right now." Li Zhiqiang was inches away from her when the white cat snarled suddenly. He stopped.


    Jing Lihua was surprised. She rose te cat in her arms. "You know what I am loving you more and more." Sheughed at Li Zhiqiang. "Be like this. Whenever this man tries to assault me, shoo him away and protect me." Jing Lihua cuddled with the cat. The cat mewed in satisfaction.


    Li Zhiqiang felt a faint ache in his heart. "I was the one brought her to you." Heined.


    "For that, I am very grateful to you." Jing Lihuaughed at his childish behavior.


    "This is not right. I should be the one in your arms right now and not that cat!" Li Zhiqiang red at the cat. To his surprise, the cat returned his re with a snarl. Li Zhiqiang was speechless. After a second, he red at the cat harder. This time, the cat resorted to a different tactic. Instead of snarling back, she shrank in Jing Lihua arms assuming a pitiful look and mewed quietly as if she was being bullied.


    "Don''t scare her!" Jing Lihua secured the cat in her arms protectively. She stared at Li Zhiqiang with incredulity in her eyes. "She is just a little kitten. Why would you look at her like that? What did she ever do to you!?" Jing Lihua felt truly bad for her kitten. Especially after the cat had stood up for her against Su Jiayi, Jing Lihua felt closer to her.


    Li Zhiqiang: "..." He felt helpless. How was he supposed to tell her that the shrewd cat was only using her cuteness to win her pity against him?


    At his silence, the cat mewed at him smugly. That little bit*h!


    "You are such a kid." Jing Lihua shook her head after seeing his expressions. She couldn''t believe the man in front of her was that rumored formidable President Li. She sighed, leaned in and kissed his cheek.

 Chapter 129 - Where were you in my long nightmare.

    <h4>Chapter 129 - Where were you in my long nightmare.</h4>


    A photo rested in his hands. His cold eyes swept through those pictures. In wouldn''t be right to say that he was unaffected. There was a slight ripple in his countenance. But he was able to ovee it quickly before ayone could detect. "What do you want by showing these to me?"


    Su Jiayi was not standing far from him. "I don''t why did you have a sudden change in heart. But this shows everything that Jing Lihua wants. And it doesn''t involve you!" Su Jiayi didn''t pick up the pictures. She wanted her brother to look at them. She wanted him to hate her.


    "I never said I had a change of heart. Su Liwei didn''t look at the photos anymore. He rose and walked to the window and nced outside. His expressions were cold.


    "Then why did you defy uncle?! Why did you resign than hurt her?"


    Su Liwei was silent. He didn''t respond.


    "Your silence can''t hide anything. Before mother died you had confessed to us all your feelings for her." Su Jiayi had bandages over her face. She was still furious.


    She picked up the pictures in which Jing Lihua was seen kissing a man. The picture was taken by a spy instilled by them close to her Tang Enterpriseplex. The face of the man whom she kissed was not visible. Because in the picture, she had turned back and kissed the man in the car while the man hugged her.


    How stupid of her. If she wanted an affair, she could at least be discreet.


    "I have told. I have already given up on her. I don''t want to have anything to do with her." Su Liwei said after a long silence.


    "You can''t escape it, big brother." Su Jiayi was not going to give up. "You can''t escape the promise you made to our mother on her deathbed." Su Jiayi put the pictures back into a file. She was going to have a nice use of these pictures in the future. Be it ckmail or scandals. She wouldn''t spare a single effort to harm Jing Lihua in the worst possible way. "What are you still holding onto? Have you not seen this for yourself. That woman wants nothing to do with you. Then why do you still insist on protecting her?


    Silence. Su Liwei didn''t say anything. His eyes continued to stare out of the window.


    But Su Jiayi wasn''t going to leave.


    "What do you want me to do?" He finally asked. His sister wasn''t here for no reason. She wanted something from him and she would get him one way or another.


    "I want you to take her away for some time." Unlike Su Liwei who had been out of everything, Su Jiayi had kept in connection with her uncle. Whatever Su Empire did now happened with both of their consent and nning. Su Liwei hadpletely given up on everything. "It has been two months since your marriage to her. Back then, she was at the edge of bankruptcy. But right now, she is not far from reaching us to us."


    "How do you expect me to take her away?" Su Liwie calmly asked.


    "You are a newlywed couple. Be it Honeymoon or whatever excuse you have to provide. Just take her away. We want a chance; herpany without her presence. Only then we can do something."


    When Su Liwei didn''t reply, Su Jiayiughed: "What am I assume from this? You are not even willing to do this much? If not for that you want to protect her, why else you behave this way? Su Liwei have you really forgotten how our mother passed away!" Su Jiayi''s voice rose.


    Su Liwei fists tightened. "I''ll take her away."


    ...


    Li Zhiqiang finally looked less grumpy after getting a kiss from Jing Lihua. But from time to time, he would nce at that white cat that rested veryfortably in Jing Lihua''sp.


    "Li Zhiqiang, you need to stop doing this." Jing Lihuaughed whenever she caught the look of jealousy and envy on his face. This guy was just hopeless.


    "Why does the cat get to be on our private time together?" He wouldn''t have minded before but now that whenever he tried to make a move on her if Jing Lihua was unwilling the cat would snarl at him.


    He didn''t like that.


    Listening to hisint, Jing Lihuaughed again. "Are you for real? Let''s just ignore that. We have arrived." Jing Lihua stepped out of the car with a smile. Li Zhiqiang followed her. Just as they stepped out, the cold wind hit them.


    There was a small stall by the roadside. Memories rushed to Jing Lihua. Inevitably, she smiled. "During my teenage years, I used toe here often with Zhao Liying and Mo Liang." Sheughed.


    "How strange. Don''t the young mistresses of wealthy families prefer rich fancy restaurants?" Li Zhiqiang smiled put off his coat and put it over Jing Lihua''s shoulders. The cat meowed lightly. Therge coat even covered her entirely.


    "That was before my grandfather connected with me. Before that, I wasn''t a rich mistress. Back then I was the child of an ex-wife and you know that how they get treated." Though Jing Lihua talked about those hurtful days, there was a gentle smile on her lips. She was strong. When Li Zhiqiang looked at her admiration would appear in his heart.


    "After my grandfather connected me, I can''t deny that suddenly being showered with so much wealth I wasn''t spoiled. After all, before that, I had lived without ever getting a penny to spend on my own. For a few years, I spent quitevishly."


    "Then what caused you to change?"


    That was a difficult path. What had caused her to change? Jing Lihua sighed. "A very long nightmare. I saw everything that could happen if I was to continue like that in a dream." Her past life felt like a dream to her now. "That time, I understood the worth of everything I had."


    Li Zhiqiang quickly put his arms around her. "Now that I''m with you, you can continue to live the way you want. You can act spoiled. You can spendvishly. You can be however you want to be."


    Jing Lihua smiled. In a light whisper, she said: "You say that now but where were you in my long nightmare?"


    A photo rested in his hands. His cold eyes swept through those pictures. In wouldn''t be right to say that he was unaffected. There was a slight ripple in his countenance. But he was able to ovee it quickly before ayone could detect. "What do you want by showing these to me?"


    Su Jiayi was not standing far from him. "I don''t why did you have a sudden change in heart. But this shows everything that Jing Lihua wants. And it doesn''t involve you!" Su Jiayi didn''t pick up the pictures. She wanted her brother to look at them. She wanted him to hate her.


    "I never said I had a change of heart. Su Liwei didn''t look at the photos anymore. He rose and walked to the window and nced outside. His expressions were cold.


    "Then why did you defy uncle?! Why did you resign than hurt her?"


    Su Liwei was silent. He didn''t respond.


    "Your silence can''t hide anything. Before mother died you had confessed to us all your feelings for her." Su Jiayi had bandages over her face. She was still furious.


    She picked up the pictures in which Jing Lihua was seen kissing a man. The picture was taken by a spy instilled by them close to her Tang Enterpriseplex. The face of the man whom she kissed was not visible. Because in the picture, she had turned back and kissed the man in the car while the man hugged her.


    How stupid of her. If she wanted an affair, she could at least be discreet.


    "I have told. I have already given up on her. I don''t want to have anything to do with her." Su Liwei said after a long silence.


    "You can''t escape it, big brother." Su Jiayi was not going to give up. "You can''t escape the promise you made to our mother on her deathbed." Su Jiayi put the pictures back into a file. She was going to have a nice use of these pictures in the future. Be it ckmail or scandals. She wouldn''t spare a single effort to harm Jing Lihua in the worst possible way. "What are you still holding onto? Have you not seen this for yourself. That woman wants nothing to do with you. Then why do you still insist on protecting her?


    Silence. Su Liwei didn''t say anything. His eyes continued to stare out of the window.


    But Su Jiayi wasn''t going to leave.


    "What do you want me to do?" He finally asked. His sister wasn''t here for no reason. She wanted something from him and she would get him one way or another.


    "I want you to take her away for some time." Unlike Su Liwei who had been out of everything, Su Jiayi had kept in connection with her uncle. Whatever Su Empire did now happened with both of their consent and nning. Su Liwei hadpletely given up on everything. "It has been two months since your marriage to her. Back then, she was at the edge of bankruptcy. But right now, she is not far from reaching us to us."


    "How do you expect me to take her away?" Su Liwie calmly asked.


    "You are a newlywed couple. Be it Honeymoon or whatever excuse you have to provide. Just take her away. We want a chance; herpany without her presence. Only then we can do something."


    When Su Liwei didn''t reply, Su Jiayiughed: "What am I assume from this? You are not even willing to do this much? If not for that you want to protect her, why else you behave this way? Su Liwei have you really forgotten how our mother passed away!" Su Jiayi''s voice rose.


    Su Liwei fists tightened. "I''ll take her away."


    ...


    Li Zhiqiang finally looked less grumpy after getting a kiss from Jing Lihua. But from time to time, he would nce at that white cat that rested veryfortably in Jing Lihua''sp.


    "Li Zhiqiang, you need to stop doing this." Jing Lihuaughed whenever she caught the look of jealousy and envy on his face. This guy was just hopeless.


    "Why does the cat get to be on our private time together?" He wouldn''t have minded before but now that whenever he tried to make a move on her if Jing Lihua was unwilling the cat would snarl at him.


    He didn''t like that.


    Listening to hisint, Jing Lihuaughed again. "Are you for real? Let''s just ignore that. We have arrived." Jing Lihua stepped out of the car with a smile. Li Zhiqiang followed her. Just as they stepped out, the cold wind hit them.


    There was a small stall by the roadside. Memories rushed to Jing Lihua. Inevitably, she smiled. "During my teenage years, I used toe here often with Zhao Liying and Mo Liang." Sheughed.


    "How strange. Don''t the young mistresses of wealthy families prefer rich fancy restaurants?" Li Zhiqiang smiled put off his coat and put it over Jing Lihua''s shoulders. The cat meowed lightly. Therge coat even covered her entirely.


    "That was before my grandfather connected with me. Before that, I wasn''t a rich mistress. Back then I was the child of an ex-wife and you know that how they get treated." Though Jing Lihua talked about those hurtful days, there was a gentle smile on her lips. She was strong. When Li Zhiqiang looked at her admiration would appear in his heart.


    "After my grandfather connected me, I can''t deny that suddenly being showered with so much wealth I wasn''t spoiled. After all, before that, I had lived without ever getting a penny to spend on my own. For a few years, I spent quitevishly."


    "Then what caused you to change?"


    That was a difficult path. What had caused her to change? Jing Lihua sighed. "A very long nightmare. I saw everything that could happen if I was to continue like that in a dream." Her past life felt like a dream to her now. "That time, I understood the worth of everything I had."


    Li Zhiqiang quickly put his arms around her. "Now that I''m with you, you can continue to live the way you want. You can act spoiled. You can spendvishly. You can be however you want to be."


    Jing Lihua smiled. In a light whisper, she said: "You say that now but where were you in my long nightmare?"

 Chapter 130 - Special Spice

    <h4>Chapter 130 - Special Spice</h4>


    Li Zhiqiang stared at her. Her expressions were very serious. Whatever she had said seemed to hold importance in his heart.


    "Whether I appeared or not, Jing Lihua if I knew you were in trouble, I would have abandoned everything just to be by your side." His eyes held unparalleled sincerity as he replied to her.


    Jing Lihua continued to stare into his eyes. It was not until the white cat jumped out of her arms, suffocated with the heavy coat that they both broke out of the trance.


    The catnded on the ground and mewed angrily at Li Zhiqiang.


    Looking at that Jing Lihuaughed. "We totally forgot about her." She went on her knees and patted the cat. "Be good. And you will get the treat I promised."


    An old uncle walked up to them gleefully. "Xiao Jing? Is it really you? How long had been since you visited me? I almost thought you forgot about this old uncle." The man looked like he hade from a vige. His manner and way of speech were simple and straightforward. He didn''t even know who Jing Lihua was. He simply knew her as Xiao Jing. "You have even brought a guy. Now, who might this be. Your boyfriend?" He teased her in his own manner.


    Jing Lihua smiled: "Uncle we are here for apetition. You know the same with my other friends."


    "I get it! I will bring two servings right away!"


    Jing Lihua guided Li Zhiqiang to sit in the open air. "You haven''t ever been to a ce like this before, have you?" She challenged.


    "I haven''t. But being with you makes it worth it." He winked at Jing Lihua. Meanwhile, Jing Lihua put the cat''s treat in the bowl. The cat jumped around and feasted on it gleefully.


    "You are going to spoil her."


    "Are you being jealous of her again?" Jing Lihua shook her head.


    "How can you imagine I would be jealous of a pet? So ridiculous." Li Zhiqiang would never admit.


    "Whatever you say." Jing Lihua prepared herself as the two servings of uncle''s special noodles were brought in. She opened her chopsticks and shot Li Ziqiang a challenging stare.


    Li Zhiqiang was confident and returned her stare with his smug face. However, this time when Li Zhiqiang put the first thing in his mouth, his tongue burned and he quickly spat it out. "How is anyone supposed to eat this?"


    "Don''t overreact. Uncle uses a special type of spice he brings from his vige. It is delicious." Jing Lihua already looked smug. "And of course, I can hold this one better than anyone." Jing Lihua had an obvious advantage here. She had a lot of practice with Zhao Liying and Mo Liang before.


    "You tricked me." Li Zhiqiang couldn''t believe his Jing Jing could be this cunning and cruel. Jing Lihua grinned at him.


    "Does that mean you give up already?"


    "Don''t be too happy with yourself. I was just surprised with the first taste." Li Ziqiang wasn''t born to ept defeat. Especially now that he was challenged so openly.


    "Don''t be too hard on yourself. We don''t want you to end in the hospital, do we? That would be so embarrassing. Just imagine the headlines. The heir of Li Empire, The great ''Devil'' ended up in the hospital in Beijing due to spice overdose." Jing Lihuaughed and initiated her dinner effortlessly. Her ears turned but that couldn''t stop her. Instead, she seemed to be enjoying it.


    Looking at that, Li Ziqiang''s heart fell. When he looked at the bowl, his stomach objected with a low grumble. "I''m not losing to you!" He grumbled and started putting big masses into his mouth.


    And so the battle started.


    It was a piece of cake for Jing Lihua. She ended her bowl ten minutes before Li Zhiqiang. His eyes were watering, his nose was flowing. His face was a red tomato right now. Looking at her smug face, Li Zhiqiang steeled his hard and ate till thest sip. Finally done, he put down the bowl on the table with a loud thump. "You don''t win." He was gasping.


    "Who says?'' Jing Lihua raised her eyebrow. She pped and the uncle came running with two bowls full and brimming with his spicy soup.


    Jing Lihuaughed. "Uncle, make sure to keep ready the third serving. My friend here has a huge appetite." Jing Lihua wasn''t going to let Li Zhiqiang off today. After days, she had finally gotten a chance to enact her revenge. He hadn''t been easy on her all those times previously no matter how much she begged.


    When a new bowl was ced in front of Li Zhiqiang, with trembling fingers he picked up the chopsticks.


    "Delicious, isn''t it? I can''t stop eating." Jing Lihua didn''t wait for a little to feast on the noodles soup.


    Looking at her Li Zhiqiang''s face turned green. He forced himself to eat.


    ''Come on give up already'' Jing Lihua prayed in her heart. Was this man''s stomach made of steel or what? He was obviously close to vomiting. Why was he forcing himself then? Was losing to her so difficult for him?


    Of course, Jing Lihua didn''t have this much of spice as in Li Zhiqiang bowl. She and the stall uncle had a bit of mutual understanding. They decided to add something ''extra'' in Li Zhiqiang''s bowl.


    But you couldn''t me her for being unfair! Whilepeting with a God, how else she was supposed to win other than doing a little cheating? Yes, she only cheated only a little! Her bowl also had a fair amount of spice in it.


    But Li Zhiqiang bowl had uncle''s special form.


    Finally, Li Zhiqiang couldn''t take it. Grabbing his stomach, he rushed to a side to empty out everything while Jing Lihua was rolling withughter on her chair. After quite some time, Li Zhiqiang returned with glum expressions.


    "Well, that decides one thing." Jing Lihua put down her bowl. "Don''t look so sad. You had been winning all this time. One should taste failure at least once to enjoy the sess at its fullest." Jing Lihua shrugged. She didn''t feel good about cheating but she had to win today for a reason.


    "Now that I have won, you would agree to one of my requests." Gradually, her face fell bing serious.

 Chapter 131 - Things never change.

    <h4>Chapter 131 - Things never change.</h4>


    "Is that wish all for what you brought me here?" Li Zhiqiang easily guessed.


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    "Don''t make that face. Or could it be you forgot I can read minds? From the moment you first flirted with me over the phone I already knew you were up to something."


    "I didn''t flirt with you!" Jing Lihua just couldn''t stop herself when she was with him. Countless times, she had tried to persuade her that bickering him with was a totally useless thing. But every time, she ended up doing the same. "Forget it. That doesn''t matter."


    "Of course that matters. You had gone as far as to cheat for that purpose. It must matter a lot."


    Jing Lihua froze: "You knew? How did you realize." Looked like there was no way to fool the tycoon.


    "Hah! So you really cheated? How shameless of you Jing Lihua. I was just testing right now with my words."


    Jing Lihua: "..."


    "Remember you had used the same trick on me when I brought the cat for you." Li Luxianughed and sat across her. "It doesn''t matter. It was just a little game. The thing that matters was that we were able to spend time together. And one way or other I was able to make youugh. Even if that was by bullying me."


    "Stop it." He was making her feel guilty about what she was going to ask of him.


    Li Zhiqiang sighed and pulled his chair closer to her. He grabbed her hands in the chilly winter. "Tell me what is it about."


    "I might need to go with Su Liwei on a trip." Jing Lihua slowly said; keeping her voice low.


    Li Zhiqiang froze. For a moment his eyes darkened. Before he could say anything, Jing Lihua grabbed his hands tightly. "It is for mypany''s sake. I want to get away for some time. Only then, they would make a move and I would be able to point out the spies in our ranks. I must go Li Zhiqiang; to bait them. I wouldn''t if it wasn''t absolutely necessary."


    "Whoever it is you know that I can eradicate them for you with a singlemand." Li Zhiqiang''s voice was light.


    "I know that Li Zhiqiang. But since the beginning, I have told you I don''t want to rely on you. For what they did to me, I want to be the one to do the same to them. Li Zhiqiang, do you not trust me?"


    "It''s not that I don''t trust you." Li Zhiqiang sighed. "I can''t bear the thought of leaving you in thepany of another man. What if he tried something on you?" Even the thought of that happening made Li Zhiqiang blood boil.


    Jing Lihua smiled at him: "Do you really think that I can be bullied that easily?"


    "Jing Lihua you do understand how I feel about you, don''t you?" At the moment, he wanted to tell those words to her. He wanted to say those three words that had been stuck in his heart for thest five years. But at thest moment, he couldn''t get himself to say them. Something there stopped him. Perhaps it was the fear of being rejected. Or perhaps he didn''t want to trouble Jing Lihua.


    Nevertheless, it wasn''t the right moment.


    "I know." Jing Lihua''s voice was soft and gentle."That''s why I am asking for your permission. If you do not want me to go, I wouldn''t Li Zhiqiang." Jing Lihua had realized by now, between revenge and Li Zhiqiang if she had to choose one thing then that would choose Li Zhiqiang. He was far important to her than anything else.


    The importance he held in is heart even scared her sometimes. After she was reborn, she had thought she had gotten over all of her fears. She could move forward without caring for any consequence. But after she met him, things changed. A new fear arose in her heart. She was scared of losing him.


    Li Zhiqiang thought for a long time. "Fine." He knew that he couldn''t tie her to himself forever. She was a free bird and he wanted to see her fly; to see her standing on her feet on her own. That would not be possible if he didn''t let her face any dangers on her own. "I won''t mind it. But you must take some precautions. Take some sprays with you and I''m also going to teach you some defense moves in case he tries something on you."


    "Thank you, Li Zhiqiang." Jing Lihua threw her arms around him. She was happy. "I never thought you would agree so easily. Thank you for being so understanding."


    "I''ve not fully agreed you know. How about you bribe me with a few favors to make me agree ''wholeheartedly''?" Li Zhiqiang winked at her. Jing Lihua punched him yfully.


    That night they had a very good time together. Laughing and joking around, it was not until midnight Jing Lihua returned back to her apartment. Exhausted, she fell asleep quickly without even changing.


    In the morning, she quickly got dressed and headed straight for the Mealor mansion. As her destination drew closer, a strange trepidation arose in her heart.


    In herst life, she had visited the manor once. And that didn''t turn out to be a very good experience. Back at that time, she had gone there looking for Su Liwei. She was thrown out. She was humiliated. She was demeaned in every possible way. Not even the servants of the mansion respected her.


    However, this time things were different. Jing Lihua wasn''t going to step in without any security. The car passed through severalyers of security around the manor. After that followed a long field of greenery. Su family was known to enjoy their extravagant lifestyle. Despite taking the Tang empire to second ce in Beijing, Jing Lihua still stayed in an apartment far lesser than what she could easily afford.


    While the Su family was a different story.


    When Jing Lihua stepped out of the car, no one came down to greet her. Her lips curled up. "Some things don''t ever change."

 Chapter 132 - Enigmatic family

    <h4>Chapter 132 - Enigmatic family</h4>


    It was a normal custom to have the butler sent to bring in an important guest. Along with a myriad of servents.


    Passing from the front door, the housemaster, Su Donghai, would have been informed of her arrival. Yet no one showed up to receive her. If it wasn''t belittling her then what?


    But Jing Lihua didn''t need any of it. Because she had brought her own servants. Whit a click of her finger, half a dozen of ck-clothed men surrounded her. One of them grabbed her purse and they guided her inside with the true protocol that she deserved.


    "Shall we go in?" Jing Lihua''s eyes shed; her expressions were inexplicable. There were some memories associated with this ce that she would rather avoid. But now that she was already here things couldn''t be avoided. "I am not going to run away this time." Determining in her heart she walked into the manor.


    ...


    Su Donghai was informed when Jing Lihua''s car had first entered the mansion. He was surprised at her sudden appearance. "What could she here be for?" By now he had realized that this Jing Lihua wasn''t a simple person. He scoffed. "No matter what, she is still the daughter of that woman. How different can she be any different from her?" The unreasonable hate in his eyes was clear.


    "Housemaster, how shall we receive her?"


    "Recieve her?" Su Donghai closed his newspaper and stared at the butler. "There is no need to receive her. She can find her own way in."


    "But, Housemaster." The butler was puzzled. The situation was unexpected. After all, if anything ever went wrong those servents would be the first ones to be med.


    "Silence. Just do as I told you!"


    He followed the House Master words. But they could not have expected that Jing Lihua would bring her own army of servants. The Butler quickly rushed to Su Donghai to give him the update.


    Su Donghai''s face turned red with anger when he heard the Butler. "Who does she think she is?!" He threw away a few newspapers onto the floor. After a second, heshed out at everyone in the sight.


    "Spread this to every person in the mansion. Do not tell her a single thing. If she asks any question about directions, ignore her. Pretend she isn''t here!"


    ...


    Jing Lihua knew her way in. She had been here in her past life. The mansion was massive and intricate. She was here for a purpose and she didn''t need to stay long. Inside the Mansion, she observed whenever a servant would identally encounter them, he wound quickly run away and disappear from sight like a terrified kitten.


    Jing Lihua shook his head: "I wonder what Su Donghai had told them to have them act this way." That man surely hated her guts.


    "You guys wait here. I will find my own way inside."


    In the cold silent Mansion, her steps echoed. She knew exactly where she was headed for. There was a steady smile on her lips. But her eyes held a certain degree of sadness. As she approached closer, with uncertain steps, she reached the room she had aimed for.


    Inside the room, a middle-aged man was sitting across the chess table. However, he was alone. There was no other participant in the game. With a contemtive frown, he was looking at the table. It seemed like he was in a difficult position in the game he was ying with himself.


    Jing Lihua invited herself in with a smile. She picked up a piece and moved it forward.


    "Brilliant!" The middle-aged man suddenly cried out. Not minding the intrusion, at all. "You must be a genius to know this move." When the man finally looked up at the intruder, he froze. Someone reflected in his eyes. But he was quick to hide it and reced it with a small smile.


    "Fancy a small match? This old man has been lonelytely."


    Jing Lihuaughed and readily took a chair across the table without introducing herself: "How can this old man be lonely? There are plentiful of servants in the manor. You can ask anyone toe to match against you."


    Su Guozhi kept his eyes low for a moment. It seemed like he was struggling to hide something. "True. But they are not worth a match."


    "And what makes you think I am?" Jing Lihua arranged the chess pieces on the table.


    "We will know that once we start." Su Guozhi looked up and so they both started.


    ...


    The matchsted a long time. Su Guozhi was an expert. Jing Lihua or anyone was no match for him. In fact, he had purposely stalled the match and strectched it longer to have Jing Lihua stay. In the end Jing Lihua who had to suffer the defeat.


    "And checkmate." Su Guozhi seemed to be enjoying himself a lot.


    Jing Lihua pressed her lips into a thin line. Even if it wasn''t what she was here for, she wasn''t particrly happy about being lost. "Don''t get too over yourself. You win because I got distracted."


    "Why would you be distracted?" Su Guozhiughed assuming it was just an excuse. This Jing Lihua, she was just like her mother; Tang Yuyan.


    "I am in a hurry. I have to leave and arrange some things."


    Su Guozhi paused then he looked up. "Then fancy another match in the future?" There was something inexplicable in his eyes. Like he wanted to say some words but he would never be able to say them. Other than that, there was this wish in his eyes. He wanted her to stay. He seemed to be enjoying herpany even if they didn''t talk much.


    Jing Lihua had caught this all. But it wasn''t anything new to her. This whole Su family was totally enigmatic to her, ranging from their hate towards her to the totally different attitude of this father-inw. Jing Lihua had a vague idea about the reason behind it.


    "Just forget it. I am sure you would be very busy." Su Guozhi went back on arranging the pieces to have another match with himself like before with a smile.

 Chapter 133 - Just call me Father

    <h4>Chapter 133 - Just call me Father</h4>


    "Actually, I would." Jing Lihua smiled. "This is the least I can do for the only person in the world other than me who still remembers my mother." Jing Lihua recalled the second-day od her reincarnation, she had visited her mother''s cemetery. There was as a lone rose flower resting on her grave. She couldn''t have guessed who it was.


    Until her grandfather told her about her mother''s past with Su Guozhi.


    Su Guozhi didn''t say anything for a while and quietly arranged the pieces back in order. "Are you not going to ask why I didn''t attend your wedding with Su Liwei?" There was a tinge of helplessness in his tone. He wanted her to ask. But at the same, he was also reluctant to answer.


    Jing Lihua nced at him getting up from the chair. She still needed to see Su Liwei. "I know about father-inw-"


    "Just-" Su Guozhi suddenly cut her; his voice was curt and impatient. "-call me father." Something akin to guilt shed in his eyes.


    He didn''t want her to call him father-inw?


    ''Is it that he wanted to be closer to me by letting me call him father or is it he never wanted me to marry Su Liwei and can not ept me as his daughter-inw?'' Jing Lihua would never know the real reason.


    "Father." Jing Lihua said, unaware of how much that word affected that man in front of her. "I know that you don''t like spending time here. It''s alright with me."


    Su Donghai recalled this man from her childhood. He used to visit her often but his visits were always discreet. He used to be very kind to her. In fact, he was the one who had united her with her grandfather after her mother died.


    But Su Liwei was also this man''s son. He must have been aware that his son and brother were up to destroy Jing Lihua. But even then, he let Jing Lihua and Su Liwei get married. Jing Lihua couldn''t me him in any way. Because she knew Su Guozhi held no power in the Su family.


    He was the adopted son; he was never treated fairly by this family. They had excluded him from the property unwilling to give him any shares. Later, after getting married, he had abandoned his family and joined the military. There, he had risen to the ranks of Captain. As for his children, they stayed in the manor. Mainly because Su Donghai let Yang Biyu stay because he was close to her.


    If not for Su Liwei''s mother, Tang Biyu heritage, Su Liwei would never have been able to make a standing in the Su Empire. Also because Su Donghai had no sons, Su Liwei could be elected as the president.


    Even with the backing from his mother''s side and that all, he still lost the position to Su Donghai in the end.


    But when it came to Su Guozhi, he had no actual influence. So he wouldn''t have been able to stop Su Liwei and Jing Lihua''s wedding even if he wanted to.


    Su Guozhi''s eyes were on the table. The whole time he hadn''t looked up. "I have been keeping an eye on you, Jing Lihua. You have been doing great. If things ever go out of control and you feel like you have nowhere else to go, you cane to me. There is always a ce that will ept you."


    Before Jing Lihua could even open her mouth to ask any question, Su Guozhi rose. "Well then," Even after arranging the table, he didn''t y, "You must not keep the people waiting for you. I am sure they all must be fretting where you disappeared all of sudden." Heughed lightly and guided her out. He didn''t give her a chance to ask any question and closed the door.


    "What could he even mean by that?" Jing Lihua was puzzled. Like always, this Su family was far beyond herprehension.


    Following what she had nned for, Jing Lihua wanted to go and find Su Liwei now. However, the people who were fretting over her disappearance had nned other things.


    ...


    "Housemaster, she entered the Captain Guozhai room and stayed there for twenty minutes." The poor house butler was tasked to report Jing Lihua every movement to Su Donghai.


    "How did she found her way in? Who told her?" Su Donghai'' voice rose considerably. ''Of course, his brother would take her side. He wouldn''t have been able to forget that Tang Yuyan'' Al these events bared some old wounds on Su Donghai. Those wounds that would never have been suffered by him if there was no Su Guozhi.


    "No one did Housemaster. As you had instructed not a single servant guided her.''


    Su Donghai grimaced: "And you let her in? Just like that?"


    "But housemaster, you instructed us not to interfere."


    "I asked you not to guide her in. But who does she think she is allowing herself in like that on her own? I am the master of this household. And the first person she goes to see is that Su Guozhi? Is she belittling me or what?!"


    "Housemaster, Captain Guozhi is her father-inw so maybe that''s why Madam thought-" The butler broke into cold sweats when he caught the infuriated look on the housemaster''s face.?He was not taking her side! He just wanted to clear the misunderstandings and avoid the fights!? What was wrong with that?!


    He just didn''t want to end up as a scapegoat!


    "You get some servents and send them to her. Ask them to bring her in front of my room." Su Donghai'' voice was stern. His butler knew from the temper he better not do something wrong and end up jeopardizing his future. The housemaster was truly scary today.


    "W-What do we do after bringing her here?" The butler''s calm and professional voice broke.


    "Make her kneel in front of my door. Have the servants stand guard over her so that she isn''t able to leave on her own. Tell her that she would not be allowed to leave unless she asks for forgiveness for what she did."


    "Actually, I would." Jing Lihua smiled. "This is the least I can do for the only person in the world other than me who still remembers my mother." Jing Lihua recalled the second-day od her reincarnation, she had visited her mother''s cemetery. There was as a lone rose flower resting on her grave. She couldn''t have guessed who it was.


    Until her grandfather told her about her mother''s past with Su Guozhi.


    Su Guozhi didn''t say anything for a while and quietly arranged the pieces back in order. "Are you not going to ask why I didn''t attend your wedding with Su Liwei?" There was a tinge of helplessness in his tone. He wanted her to ask. But at the same, he was also reluctant to answer.


    Jing Lihua nced at him getting up from the chair. She still needed to see Su Liwei. "I know about father-inw-"


    "Just-" Su Guozhi suddenly cut her; his voice was curt and impatient. "-call me father." Something akin to guilt shed in his eyes.


    He didn''t want her to call him father-inw?


    ''Is it that he wanted to be closer to me by letting me call him father or is it he never wanted me to marry Su Liwei and can not ept me as his daughter-inw?'' Jing Lihua would never know the real reason.


    "Father." Jing Lihua said, unaware of how much that word affected that man in front of her. "I know that you don''t like spending time here. It''s alright with me."


    Su Donghai recalled this man from her childhood. He used to visit her often but his visits were always discreet. He used to be very kind to her. In fact, he was the one who had united her with her grandfather after her mother died.


    But Su Liwei was also this man''s son. He must have been aware that his son and brother were up to destroy Jing Lihua. But even then, he let Jing Lihua and Su Liwei get married. Jing Lihua couldn''t me him in any way. Because she knew Su Guozhi held no power in the Su family.


    He was the adopted son; he was never treated fairly by this family. They had excluded him from the property unwilling to give him any shares. Later, after getting married, he had abandoned his family and joined the military. There, he had risen to the ranks of Captain. As for his children, they stayed in the manor. Mainly because Su Donghai let Yang Biyu stay because he was close to her.


    If not for Su Liwei''s mother, Tang Biyu heritage, Su Liwei would never have been able to make a standing in the Su Empire. Also because Su Donghai had no sons, Su Liwei could be elected as the president.


    Even with the backing from his mother''s side and that all, he still lost the position to Su Donghai in the end.


    But when it came to Su Guozhi, he had no actual influence. So he wouldn''t have been able to stop Su Liwei and Jing Lihua''s wedding even if he wanted to.


    Su Guozhi''s eyes were on the table. The whole time he hadn''t looked up. "I have been keeping an eye on you, Jing Lihua. You have been doing great. If things ever go out of control and you feel like you have nowhere else to go, you cane to me. There is always a ce that will ept you."


    Before Jing Lihua could even open her mouth to ask any question, Su Guozhi rose. "Well then," Even after arranging the table, he didn''t y, "You must not keep the people waiting for you. I am sure they all must be fretting where you disappeared all of sudden." Heughed lightly and guided her out. He didn''t give her a chance to ask any question and closed the door.


    "What could he even mean by that?" Jing Lihua was puzzled. Like always, this Su family was far beyond herprehension.


    Following what she had nned for, Jing Lihua wanted to go and find Su Liwei now. However, the people who were fretting over her disappearance had nned other things.


    ...


    "Housemaster, she entered the Captain Guozhai room and stayed there for twenty minutes." The poor house butler was tasked to report Jing Lihua every movement to Su Donghai.


    "How did she found her way in? Who told her?" Su Donghai'' voice rose considerably. ''Of course, his brother would take her side. He wouldn''t have been able to forget that Tang Yuyan'' Al these events bared some old wounds on Su Donghai. Those wounds that would never have been suffered by him if there was no Su Guozhi.


    "No one did Housemaster. As you had instructed not a single servant guided her.''


    Su Donghai grimaced: "And you let her in? Just like that?"


    "But housemaster, you instructed us not to interfere."


    "I asked you not to guide her in. But who does she think she is allowing herself in like that on her own? I am the master of this household. And the first person she goes to see is that Su Guozhi? Is she belittling me or what?!"


    "Housemaster, Captain Guozhi is her father-inw so maybe that''s why Madam thought-" The butler broke into cold sweats when he caught the infuriated look on the housemaster''s face.?He was not taking her side! He just wanted to clear the misunderstandings and avoid the fights!? What was wrong with that?!


    He just didn''t want to end up as a scapegoat!


    "You get some servents and send them to her. Ask them to bring her in front of my room." Su Donghai'' voice was stern. His butler knew from the temper he better not do something wrong and end up jeopardizing his future. The housemaster was truly scary today.


    "W-What do we do after bringing her here?" The butler''s calm and professional voice broke.


    "Make her kneel in front of my door. Have the servants stand guard over her so that she isn''t able to leave on her own. Tell her that she would not be allowed to leave unless she asks for forgiveness for what she did."


    "Actually, I would." Jing Lihua smiled. "This is the least I can do for the only person in the world other than me who still remembers my mother." Jing Lihua recalled the second-day od her reincarnation, she had visited her mother''s cemetery. There was as a lone rose flower resting on her grave. She couldn''t have guessed who it was.


    Until her grandfather told her about her mother''s past with Su Guozhi.


    Su Guozhi didn''t say anything for a while and quietly arranged the pieces back in order. "Are you not going to ask why I didn''t attend your wedding with Su Liwei?" There was a tinge of helplessness in his tone. He wanted her to ask. But at the same, he was also reluctant to answer.


    Jing Lihua nced at him getting up from the chair. She still needed to see Su Liwei. "I know about father-inw-"


    "Just-" Su Guozhi suddenly cut her; his voice was curt and impatient. "-call me father." Something akin to guilt shed in his eyes.


    He didn''t want her to call him father-inw?


    ''Is it that he wanted to be closer to me by letting me call him father or is it he never wanted me to marry Su Liwei and can not ept me as his daughter-inw?'' Jing Lihua would never know the real reason.


    "Father." Jing Lihua said, unaware of how much that word affected that man in front of her. "I know that you don''t like spending time here. It''s alright with me."


    Su Donghai recalled this man from her childhood. He used to visit her often but his visits were always discreet. He used to be very kind to her. In fact, he was the one who had united her with her grandfather after her mother died.


    But Su Liwei was also this man''s son. He must have been aware that his son and brother were up to destroy Jing Lihua. But even then, he let Jing Lihua and Su Liwei get married. Jing Lihua couldn''t me him in any way. Because she knew Su Guozhi held no power in the Su family.


    He was the adopted son; he was never treated fairly by this family. They had excluded him from the property unwilling to give him any shares. Later, after getting married, he had abandoned his family and joined the military. There, he had risen to the ranks of Captain. As for his children, they stayed in the manor. Mainly because Su Donghai let Yang Biyu stay because he was close to her.


    If not for Su Liwei''s mother, Tang Biyu heritage, Su Liwei would never have been able to make a standing in the Su Empire. Also because Su Donghai had no sons, Su Liwei could be elected as the president.


    Even with the backing from his mother''s side and that all, he still lost the position to Su Donghai in the end.


    But when it came to Su Guozhi, he had no actual influence. So he wouldn''t have been able to stop Su Liwei and Jing Lihua''s wedding even if he wanted to.


    Su Guozhi''s eyes were on the table. The whole time he hadn''t looked up. "I have been keeping an eye on you, Jing Lihua. You have been doing great. If things ever go out of control and you feel like you have nowhere else to go, you cane to me. There is always a ce that will ept you."


    Before Jing Lihua could even open her mouth to ask any question, Su Guozhi rose. "Well then," Even after arranging the table, he didn''t y, "You must not keep the people waiting for you. I am sure they all must be fretting where you disappeared all of sudden." Heughed lightly and guided her out. He didn''t give her a chance to ask any question and closed the door.


    "What could he even mean by that?" Jing Lihua was puzzled. Like always, this Su family was far beyond herprehension.


    Following what she had nned for, Jing Lihua wanted to go and find Su Liwei now. However, the people who were fretting over her disappearance had nned other things.


    ...


    "Housemaster, she entered the Captain Guozhai room and stayed there for twenty minutes." The poor house butler was tasked to report Jing Lihua every movement to Su Donghai.


    "How did she found her way in? Who told her?" Su Donghai'' voice rose considerably. ''Of course, his brother would take her side. He wouldn''t have been able to forget that Tang Yuyan'' Al these events bared some old wounds on Su Donghai. Those wounds that would never have been suffered by him if there was no Su Guozhi.


    "No one did Housemaster. As you had instructed not a single servant guided her.''


    Su Donghai grimaced: "And you let her in? Just like that?"


    "But housemaster, you instructed us not to interfere."


    "I asked you not to guide her in. But who does she think she is allowing herself in like that on her own? I am the master of this household. And the first person she goes to see is that Su Guozhi? Is she belittling me or what?!"


    "Housemaster, Captain Guozhi is her father-inw so maybe that''s why Madam thought-" The butler broke into cold sweats when he caught the infuriated look on the housemaster''s face.?He was not taking her side! He just wanted to clear the misunderstandings and avoid the fights!? What was wrong with that?!


    He just didn''t want to end up as a scapegoat!


    "You get some servents and send them to her. Ask them to bring her in front of my room." Su Donghai'' voice was stern. His butler knew from the temper he better not do something wrong and end up jeopardizing his future. The housemaster was truly scary today.


    "W-What do we do after bringing her here?" The butler''s calm and professional voice broke.


    "Make her kneel in front of my door. Have the servants stand guard over her so that she isn''t able to leave on her own. Tell her that she would not be allowed to leave unless she asks for forgiveness for what she did."

 Chapter 134 Playing into words

    134 ying into words


    "Huh? He is not here?" Jing Lihua finally managed to have a servant tell her. "Thanks." She decided to head back. If Su Liwei was not here, there was no other reason she would stay there. She came here for the sole purpose of talking to him about that trip.


    "Miss Jing, please follow us. HouseMaster wishes to see you'' Suddenly a maid rushed to her and bowed deeply in front of her.


    "HouseMaster?'' Jing Lihua frowned. She nced around and found several servants nearing her. Her lips curled up into a smirk. ''Looks like I don''t have a choice, do I?" If she declined, thy would surely force her to go with them. And she was outnumbered here.


    "Miss Jing, please follow us. HouseMaster is the eldest of this household. You must report to him following the family rules:'' "Finer Jing Lihua''s smile was light. In this life, this was going to be her first encounter with Su Donghai. Jing Lihua wasn''t scared at all. In fact, she was looking forward to this meeting. It was still earlier than expected. Before meeting him, she had wanted to get rid of the marriage so that she wouldn''t have any restrictions while using her words on him. However once she was called in front of the door, all of them halted in their steps. "What now?" Jing Lihua frowned. "Miss Jing, Housemaster says you must kneel down and beg for forgiveness before you are allowed in to pay respect to him." The same maid said.


    "For what?" Jing Lihua raised her eyebrow casually.


    The maids look at each other. Why was this woman calm in a situation like this? Jing Lihua''s confidence gave people an unreasonable fright. They wouldn''t be able to figure her out. Her smoothness would make them wonder if she was one step ahead''of'' them. Eventually, they would lose focus.


    "F-For noting straight to Housemaster to pay your respect. After Miss Jing had entered the Manor, the first ce she should have visited would have been Housemaster:'' The maid exined. "Miss Jing, please kneel down and reflect on your actions."


    Jing Lihua scoffed. She nced at the closed door. ''I''m pretty sure that Su Donghai would have been listening to this all. Does he really think he can oppress me if I am in his ce? Did he think I would appear here without preparation?''


    "What do you think we guys are in? Medievges? Where I have to go and pay respects to family elders. And if I do not, I would kneel and beg for forgiveness? Ridiculous.'' Sheughed openly. "Do you think I am a child who would reflect on my action? Your words are making meugh!


    Her words shocked all the servants in the room. In the manor, the Housemaster was viewed as a God. And disrespecting him in any way as such as defying him was considered sphemy.


    "I am not going to kneel to anymumpsimuses. The person who deserved my respect, I have already paid him. I don''t think there is anyone else who deserves it." Jing Lihua''s lips were curled slightly as she nced back at the door.


    As she anticipated, she could hear shifting from behind the door following her invective. To say that Su Donghai would lose his calm to such an obvious trick, Jing Lihua could tell that he underestimated her.


    ''But then he is not wrong for underestimating me. It''s barely been a few months since I reincarnated and changed. Though he might be cautious, internally, he must be seeing me as an ipetent, weak woman:


    ...


    Su Donghai had expected every sort of defiance from Jing Lihua. But he couldn''t have expected her to insult him openly.


    "Who does she think she is?" He threw away his newspaper. The servants around him were ducking down their heads. But Su Donghai could see mock in their eyes. His face grew red in anger.


    It was one thing if she insulted him in seclusion ut she had insulted him openly, in front of everyone. If he had overlooked it, he would have lost face. He quickly rose and made his way to the door


    His steps were heavy and fast. The servants around him shuddered. They had never seen their Housemaster in such a state.


    The door was pushed open and Jing Lihua came face to face with her real enemy. In this lifetime, this was the first time she had seen him. The things he had done to her in herst life surfaced in her mind once her eyes met his. It didn''t scare her. It only hardened the resolve in her heart to destroy that man.


    She smiled sweetly at him confusing Su Donghai for a bit. "Now that I am forced to face you, I must greet you properly'' She said politely and bowed in respect.


    To see that reaction from her, Su Donghai felt his hands trembling in anger. He could clearly see the mock in her tune and the look in her eyes. The bow was obviously not a sign of respect.


    She had seeded in having hime outside merely with her words. Su Donghai now understood the reason behind her words. Once he realized he had fallen into her words, he felt like losing it.


    "You-" Su Donghai quickly got a hold over his anger. After all, he was in control here. He had to reveal a collected countenance. All the servants in the manor were watching. won''t overlook what you did. Kneel in and apologize:''


    "What did I do?"


    "You broke the family rules. If you had married into this family, you should have learned its rules with heart. If you had entered the mansion, it should have been me you should have greeted first: The animosity between Su Guozhai and Su Donghai was no hidden matter.


    Jing Lihuaughed lightly. "Doesn''t family rules also state that once an important guest arrives, not to mention the daughter-inw, the house butler, and servants should be sent to fetch him: Jing Lihua was aware of those absurd rules. She had learned them by heart in herst life. ''Shouldn''t it be Elder Su?" She smiled faintly but her eyes were cold.


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