If Xiao Cheng had previously harbored intense hatred for Meng Jingwei, even contemplating inflicting severe torment upon the damned woman upon meeting her, he now felt a vast chasm between them. It was as if he could no longer reach her.
Over there, Lin Meng, sobbing softly, scrambled to her feet with difficulty. She glanced back at Xiao Cheng and Meng Jingwei before rushing downstairs in a hurry.
To ensure Lin Meng's safe departure, Meng Jingwei could only sit beside Xiao Cheng and engage him in conversation.
"While I haven't paid much attention to the Xiao family's affairs, I know Xiao Qitian was very harsh with you. After all that has happened, not only did he fail to show you concern, but he also pressured you like this. As a father, he is truly unqualified."
Initially, Meng Jingwei had believed Xiao Qitian's harshness stemmed from a desire for Xiao Cheng to excel. However, she later realized that Xiao Qitian's attitude towards Xiao Cheng was laced with a great deal of resentment, making him a deeply conflicted individual. He seemed to want to be good to Xiao Cheng yet also wished to torment him.
"Call Qing Muyue and tell him not to obstruct our Xiao family's survival. Otherwise, Lin Meng will not be able to leave this building." Xiao Cheng ignored Meng Jingwei and proposed his condition.
"What... what do you mean?"
"Xiao Qitian used the company as collateral. Why do you think those banks are unwilling to grant him loans? It's all because Qing Muyue is playing dirty tricks behind the scenes." Xiao Cheng shot a chilling gaze at her, his icy stare sending shivers down Meng Jingwei's spine.
"How do you know?"
"Heh, everyone in Lancheng knows; only you don't." Xiao Cheng sneered.
How could Meng Jingwei not know? Even without a deep dive into the Xiao family's affairs, she understood that Qing Muyue must have instructed the banks covertly, and naturally, the banks would assess the Xiao family's risks. However, given the Xiao family's capabilities, the banks wouldn't have refused so outright; there would likely have been room for negotiation. She was saying all this to stall for time, allowing Lin Meng to escape.
But... Xiao Cheng's statement, "Lin Meng will not be able to leave this building," filled Meng Jingwei with dread.
"How much money do you need for liquidity?" she asked.
"At least five hundred million," Xiao Cheng said, not exaggerating, as he knew the banks might not release the funds. Just five hundred million would resolve the company's current cash deficit and provide a brief respite. The Xiao family had finally achieved their current standing, and he didn't want to see them collapse like this.
"So much? I..." Meng Jingwei stammered. Just as she was about to change the subject, she saw Xiao Cheng pick up the intercom and say to the person on the other end, "Hang Lin Meng up. If you don't receive a message from me in five minutes, throw the person straight down from the building."
"Yes, boss." The intercom beeped, and the voice from the other end responded.
Meng Jingwei's heart pounded, and her palms grew sweaty. "Okay, okay. I'll call Qing Muyue right now. Don't be rash, Xiao Cheng. Lin Meng is truly innocent; don't do anything reckless."
She wondered what sin Lin Meng had committed to be kidnapped by Xiao Cheng. If she were to lose her life because of her, how would she face Lin Meng's young child? Speaking of which, Lin Meng's child was still hospitalized, and this matter was inextricably linked to Xiao Cheng. If Xiao Cheng hadn't contacted Lin Meng's husband, Jiang Quan, in the first place, Jiang Quan wouldn't have gone to prison, leading Jiang Quan's mother to resent Lin Meng, beat her, and accidentally injure the child. All these events, while not directly related to her, were undeniably connected.
Meng Jingwei sighed, took out her phone, found Qing Muyue's number in her blocked list, hesitated for a moment, and then called him.
Ring, ring, ring— As soon as the phone rang, the man on the other end answered. "A'wei, where are you?" he asked again. This time, his voice was somewhat urgent, and Meng Jingwei had a bad feeling that Qing Muyue had somehow found out.
"What do you care where I am? Qing Muyue, I'm asking you, what exactly have you done to the Xiao family?" She asked knowingly, wanting to conceal the current tense situation from Qing Muyue, fearing he might detect something amiss.
"You don't need to worry about the Xiao family's affairs; I'll handle it."
"What do you mean you'll handle it? Qing Muyue, don't go too far. Xiao Cheng is my friend, and he's helped me a lot. Can you please not push him to a dead end?" She roared at Qing Muyue on the phone.
While speaking to Qing Muyue, Meng Jingwei gestured to Xiao Cheng, signaling that she couldn't directly tell Qing Muyue to stop targeting the Xiao family without raising his suspicions.
"Where are you? Tell me." The man on the other end asked instead of answering. This question made Meng Jingwei's heart skip a beat, unsure how to respond. Unsurprisingly, the next moment, Qing Muyue said, "Xiao Cheng is with you, isn't he?"
Meng Jingwei: "..." Sometimes, being too intelligent was truly a headache.
"Qing Muyue, if you want me to forgive your mistake this time, it's simple: stop preventing the banks from lending to the Xiao family."
"You want to help Xiao Cheng?"
"Yes. No matter what, he was once my friend." Meng Jingwei appeared calm and composed, but inwardly, she was terrified. Her hands, tucked into her pockets, kept clenching, and she swallowed nervously, her fear palpable.
"And if I refuse?"
"Fine. If you dare refuse my condition today, then from now on, we don't need to see each other again." Meng Jingwei delivered her ultimatum, hoping Qing Muyue would cooperate.
At this moment, Xiao Cheng raised his wrist and tapped his watch, reminding Meng Jingwei of the time. Her face paled slightly, and she immediately said to Qing Muyue on the phone, "I'll give you half an hour, no, fifteen minutes. If the banks still don't grant the Xiao family a loan, our relationship ends here."
As astute as Meng Jingwei was, she understood that Qing Muyue likely had a suspicion by now. She hoped Qing Muyue would come, at least to save Lin Meng, yet she also didn't want him to come because if he did, Xiao Cheng might lose his life. Meng Jingwei felt so conflicted for the first time in her life.
After speaking with Qing Muyue, Meng Jingwei hung up the phone. She let out a silent sigh of relief and said to Xiao Cheng, "I've already told Qing Muyue, and he agreed. Can you release Lin Meng now?"
"Fifteen minutes. I'll wait for news from the Xiao family. If it's not settled, Little Wei Wei, Lin Meng's death will be the testament to our broken friendship." Xiao Cheng said with a smile. He held a cigarette between his lips, exhaling smoke. His smile carried a trace of weariness and pity, yet the scar on his face seemed to tell endless stories.
"You... okay, okay. Let's wait. Since Qing Muyue agreed, there shouldn't be a problem." Meng Jingwei silently prayed that Qing Muyue wouldn't falter, otherwise, how would she face Lin Meng's child in the future?