Zhan Beijue was enjoying a leisurely time with Jiang Nanfang and their child in Bali, unaware that in Nancheng, Gong Beibei was a bundle of nerves, on the verge of going mad.
Since his return, his father's gambling had not only failed to subside but had worsened, leading him to gamble away the family's last two old houses in Aocheng during his spare time.
As a renowned socialite of Nancheng, Gong Beibei was now left with nothing but an empty title.
She couldn't afford to wait any longer.
If she waited any longer, her father's dealings would be exposed, and she would lose everything.
Even her last chance at marrying into a wealthy family would be gone.
Therefore, she was anxiously waiting for Zhan Beijue to return quickly and solidify their relationship.
Huo Dongning was deeply affected by the trouble her cousin Li Huiwen had gotten into.
She posted photos of Jiang Nanfang and Zhan Beijue in Bali to a socialite group, spewing curses and slandering Jiang Nanfang as shameless and Zhan Beijue as blind.
The circles of the wealthy were always small. Gong Beibei happened to be in the group.
Upon seeing the photos of Zhan Beijue with Jiang Nanfang, she felt as if she had grasped the last lifeline. She immediately took the photos to Mrs. Zhan.
Hearing that Zhan Beijue had reconciled with his ex-wife, and that the woman had undergone plastic surgery and was planning to remarry, Mrs. Zhan was furious.
“How could Ah Jue be so foolish? He’s ignoring so many good girls and instead fixating on that worthless ugly creature.”
“I absolutely cannot allow him to make the same mistake again. Beibei, you need to hurry and finalize things between you two.”
Gong Beibei looked pitiful.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, Aunt Zhou. You know Ah Jue’s temper.”
“He’s been blinded by that vixen. He doesn’t see what I do, nor does he listen to what I say.”
It seemed she had to intervene personally.
Mrs. Zhan immediately conspired with Gong Beibei to devise a forced marriage plan.
Soon, the wedding ceremony in Bali concluded.
With a pile of work to handle at the company, Zhan Beijue had to return to the country with the child.
Zhan Beijue's recent work attitude had been good, and he was showing a semblance of fatherly behavior towards the child.
Jiang Nanfang’s plan to leave was once again put on hold.
Every mother cherished their child. If she could have both maternal and paternal love for her child, why would she want to disrupt this peace?
Perhaps, she should give Zhan Beijue another chance and observe him.
If he could maintain his current demeanor and stay in Nancheng, it might be more beneficial for the child's physical and mental development.
Mrs. Zhan used the excuse of missing her grandchild. On the day of their return, Jiang Nanfang checked into a hotel alone, while Zhan Beijue took the child home.
At the dinner table, Mrs. Zhan handed Zhan Beijue an invitation.
“Your grandfather, your father, and I are all alumni of Nanda University, and it is our duty to give back to our alma mater.”
“Last year, I donated a new library to Nanda University under the name of Zhan’s Group. Now, for Nanda University’s 150th anniversary celebration, we are invited to attend. Tomorrow, no matter what, you cannot refuse this event.”
His grandfather and mother had always been enthusiastic about public welfare.
Furthermore, public welfare was indeed a fast and efficient way to enhance the company's reputation, so Zhan Beijue naturally couldn't refuse.
“I understand. I will be there on time tomorrow.”
After dinner, it was getting late. Exhausted from the past few days, Mrs. Zhan let Zhan Beijue go back to rest.
Back in his room, after freshening up, Gong Beibei suddenly knocked on his door.
“It’s so late. We can talk tomorrow,” Zhan Beijue blocked the doorway, not letting her in.
Gong Beibei didn't force her way in. She handed him a glass of wine and said,
“I was just worried you were tired and wouldn’t sleep well tonight, so I wanted to come and have a drink with you. Since you don’t want to, then forget it. You drink it yourself.”
Zhan Beijue refused to accept Gong Beibei, and even refused her wine.
“No need. I don’t want to drink today. You should go back to sleep.”
She knew he would be so rigid and unfeeling. Fortunately, Mrs. Zhan had already tampered with his food earlier.
Gong Beibei left. Not long after, Zhan Beijue fell into a deep sleep on the bed.
Who would have thought that when he woke up the next morning, there would be someone else in the bed?
Gong Beibei, naked, with her delicate face, woke up beside him.
“How did you get into my room?”
Recognizing her, Zhan Beijue leaped out of bed in shock.
Gong Beibei looked wronged, “This is my room, Ah Jue.”
“Don’t you remember what happened last night? You insisted on coming to my room, you insisted on… with me…”
This was Gong Beibei’s room?
Zhan Beijue turned his head to look, and indeed it was.
But he hadn't drunk any wine last night, so how could he have ended up in her room?
As they were speaking, the room door opened, and Mrs. Zhan walked in.
Seeing them in this state, Mrs. Zhan had a knowing expression.
“You’re up? The Nanda anniversary ceremony is about to begin. Hurry up and get dressed, we need to leave.”
“You’re both not young anymore. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Since you’ve taken this step, it’s time to finalize your relationship.”
“Beibei is a girl from a respectable family. We cannot mistreat her.”
Zhan Beijue naturally refused.
Before he could even figure out what was going on, how could he finalize his relationship with Gong Beibei?
“Mom, it’s not what you see. She and I… there’s nothing between us.”
Gong Beibei, covering herself with the blanket, leaped out of bed.
“What do you mean there’s nothing between us? Ah Jue, what do you mean by saying that?”
“Could it be that everything that happened last night doesn’t count? What do you take me for?”
Mrs. Zhan looked at Gong Beibei.
She saw purple marks all over her neck and shoulders.
“Ah Jue, as a man, how can you say something so irresponsible?”
“The facts are right in front of us. How can you hurt Beibei’s feelings like this? What do you want to do? Be a faithless scoundrel like your father?”
Zhan Beijue knew that he wouldn’t react to anyone except Jiang Nanfang.
Even if they had ended up lying together haphazardly yesterday, nothing could have happened.
Just as he was about to explain to Mrs. Zhan, she waved her hand.
“Let’s not talk about this now. The event is important. We can discuss matters of love after the event.”
“Beibei, don’t worry. Aunt Zhou will give you a proper explanation.”
Zhan Beijue, feeling dejected and displeased, followed his mother to the Nanda campus.
The 150th-anniversary celebration was very grand.
Thousands of students were seated on the sports field, and dozens of media outlets had cameras set up around the stage, taking pictures.
Celebrities, entrepreneurs, and school leaders took turns speaking on stage.
Mrs. Zhan, as a representative, was invited to speak. The entire event was proceeding very smoothly and was very inspiring.
Zhan Beijue, as an outstanding alumni representative and a renowned entrepreneur, was arranged to be the final act.
He read his speech without any emotion, completely sticking to the script.
After a few minutes, the speech was over, and he could finally leave the stage.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, a loud uproar erupted from the crowd.
The reporters keenly turned their cameras towards the audience.
Zhan Beijue followed their gaze and saw a woman in a white wedding dress, beautifully and exquisitely dressed, walking towards the stage from the crowd.
This woman was none other than Gong Beibei, who had had a misunderstanding with him that morning.