Bai Yujing was the sole obsession that fueled Jiao Meibi's endurance over the years, the reason she gritted her teeth and held on.
Even though his actions, such as "recognizing a thief as his father and selling his mother for glory," had deeply pained Jiao Meibi.
But ultimately, he was Jiao Meibi's only hope in this world.
So then—
What if Jiao Meibi had another child?
And that child was conceived with a man of her own choosing.
This would signify the formal beginning of her new life!
The weight of Bai Yujing would rapidly diminish in her heart.
Jiao Meibi understood this principle perfectly.
She had even fantasized about it before.
But her years of captivity, the cruel reality of being merely a tool, had shattered her dreams.
Now—
Li Qianfan looked at Jiao Meibi and said, "Once you have another child, you might forget these past bitter experiences."
"Can I... can I really still bear children?"
Jiao Meibi's lips trembled, and she asked in a hoarse voice.
Tears of excitement welled in her eyes, shimmering incessantly.
Jiao Yin, kneeling opposite her, lightly pursed her lips and lowered her head.
At this moment—
Jiao Yin suddenly felt a sliver of guilt towards Jiao Meibi.
After all, Jiao Meibi was her half-sister!
Li Qianfan was unaware of Jiao Yin's awakening conscience.
He simply looked at Jiao Meibi and nodded, "If I say you can still bear children, then you can."
Jiao Meibi hastily asked, "Then, then who do you plan to send me to?"
"I won't send you to anyone, nor do I have that authority."
Li Qianfan replied, "When you go abroad later, you can find a man you like. I believe that as long as you can calm your mind, accept a simple life, and bravely face life, with your beauty, finding a man who truly cherishes you will be quite easy."
Jiao Meibi's eyes began to gleam.
It was the luster of a new beginning!
"How about this, you go to Dongyang."
Li Qianfan picked up his phone from the table and said to the woman, "Go change your clothes now. I'll call Du Tianci and have him pick you up from Liushui Pavilion. After the sixth day, he'll take you with him when he goes to Dongyang. But remember, it's best not to return to Dongtu in the future."
"I promise! Thank, thank you."
Jiao Meibi stammered her thanks and quickly walked towards the brocade couch.
The sky gradually darkened.
—The Du Family of Tiandong—
Du Tianci, the young master who had never been valued by Du Yuanhang, was now acting exceptionally arrogant, his legs crossed as he discussed the future development of the Tiandong Du family with his father.
Li Qianfan was right.
Given Du Yuanhang's intelligence, with Du Yingjun incapacitated and Du Tianci now a subordinate of Li Qianfan, he would make the most correct decisions in the shortest amount of time.
If Du Yuanhang harbored hatred for Du Tianci due to the pain of his second son being crippled, then he was unfit to be the head of the Du family.
Du Yuanhang's change of attitude, which had caused Du Tianci anxiety upon his return, made his admiration for Li Qianfan boundless, like the Yellow River flowing ceaselessly.
His phone rang.
"I'll take a call first."
Seeing his phone screen light up, Du Tianci waved his father away, signaling him to shut up, and answered the phone.
Upon seeing the caller ID—
Du Tianci, who had exchanged contact information with Li Qianfan, immediately leaped from his chair, bowing subserviently, "Boss, what are your orders?"
Li Qianfan curtly commanded, "Drive here to Liushui Pavilion immediately."
Before Du Tianci could respond, the call ended.
But the esteemed Du Tianci—
He glanced at his father from the corner of his eye, then nodded and mumbled for a long time before putting down his phone.
"Mr. Qianfan wishes to discuss something important with me, I must go."
Du Tianci strode towards the study door and said to his father, "Of course, I'll seize the opportunity to ask Mr. Qianfan if you can represent the Tiandong Du family as guests at the Su family in Si Jiu on the sixth day."
"Alright, I'll wait for you."
Du Yuanhang stood up and said, "Drive safely on the road."
Du Tianci paused.
He had never seemed to enjoy such "fatherly love and concern" from his old man before.
But it was all because Du Yingjun was crippled—
"Damn it, if I had known, I should have found someone to cripple Du Yingjun earlier."
The esteemed young master Du Tianci slapped the back of his head.
What would have taken an hour to drive usually, Du Tianci covered in forty minutes.
Upon entering the front courtyard of Liushui Pavilion with a face full of loyal devotion, eager to die for his boss, he froze.
Because in the living room—
How could there be two Madam Bai!?
"Sit."
Li Qianfan gestured for Du Tianci to sit down and said directly, "The Madam Bai wearing the white down jacket is the Madam Bai who was involved with Wang Dagui and others. She is also Bai Yujing's biological mother. But the Madam Bai you saw during the day is her."
This "her."
Was naturally Jiao Yin, who had changed into a simple, plain home outfit.
Du Tianci blinked his eyes, looking utterly bewildered.
Jiao Yin grew impatient, "Du Tianci, I am actually the third president of the Dark Web! This woman who shares my figure and appearance is merely a tool I used to ensnare Du Yuanhang and others! Now, she has regained her freedom. But you'd best not spout nonsense outside. Otherwise, even if you are Li Qianfan's lackey, I will eliminate you."
Du Tianci shivered violently.
He sobered up, "Please rest assured, Boss, and Your Excellency the Third President. I may not have other skills, but I can certainly keep my mouth shut!"
"Hmph, you'd better remember what I said."
Jiao Yin snorted and slammed her hand heavily on the table.
The tempered glass table immediately showed cracks.
Du Tianci's pupils contracted sharply, and he leaped to his feet.
"Master, I'll go to the backyard to cook for you."
Jiao Yin said to Li Qianfan, then quickly walked out. She paused at the door and looked back at Jiao Meibi with a complex expression, sighing silently.
With that faint sigh.
The deep-seated enmity between the Jiao sisters, like the sigh itself, was blown away by the cold wind, leaving no trace.
After Du Tianci sat down again.
Li Qianfan entrusted Jiao Meibi to him in the clearest terms.
"Please rest assured, Boss."
Du Tianci stood up and said with utmost seriousness, "I will definitely accomplish the task you've assigned me to the best of my ability!"
Du Yuanhang's attitude towards the esteemed Du Tianci—
Made him feel smug and secretly praise his own decision that afternoon to intercept Li Qianfan as incredibly wise and correct: "In the entire Tiandong Du family, who can rival the esteemed Du Tianci!?"
It was precisely because of these events that Du Tianci became even more resolute in his belief to follow Li Qianfan closely, no matter what.
Buzzzzzz.
Li Qianfan's phone rang.
It was Du Junlin calling.
"You guys chat, I'm going to take a call."
Li Qianfan said casually, walking out of the living room with his phone.
Du Junlin's call was naturally to inquire if he would be attending the Zhizhi Club tonight.
She also frankly told Li Qianfan that both she and Bai Ziyan had witnessed his confrontation with Jiao Yin in the underground cave.
Li Qianfan pondered for a moment and said, "Tonight, I might be at Liushui Pavilion, as I haven't yet discussed future cooperation terms with Jiao Yin."
"Alright. Then I'll wait for you at the club."
Du Junlin added, "Oh, right. How do you plan to distribute those 3.1 billion yuan? Don't tell me all that money is for me."
"Ha, you wish."
Li Qianfan chuckled and walked into the small pavilion, holding his phone.
He needed to carefully consider how to allocate the 3.1 billion yuan.
And he was certain that Bai Ziyan was also very interested in how this big cake would be divided.
"How about this."
Li Qianfan pondered for a long time before saying, "Allocate three hundred million to Bai Ziyan. Allocate one billion as funds for Qingyun to expand production. The remaining eighteen billion will all be placed in the Su family's private account. After all, for the Su family to become strong, it's difficult without capital."
Bai Ziyan was quite satisfied with Li Qianfan's distribution.
Du Junlin, however, pouted, "I put in a lot of effort. You also promised me four hundred million. How is it that in the end, my personal funds have all become public property for the Su family?"
Did Li Qianfan ever promise to give Du Yaoyao four hundred million in personal funds?
Also, didn't she just punch Bai Fu to death and sever Bai Yujing's left hand?
Did that count as putting in a lot of effort?
Li Qianfan retorted unhappily, "I'm not keeping a single cent for myself, why aren't you mentioning that?"
Cough.
Du Junlin coughed dryly, "Give me at least ten million in personal funds. I need to win all the underpants off the caterpillars!"
What kind of person is this?
Only thinking about gambling!
"Given how pitiful you are, I'll grant your wish."
Li Qianfan didn't want to haggle with Yaoyao over "small change" of tens of millions, "It will be distributed as I said. Oh, give the phone to Bai Ziyan."
He wanted to discuss his arrangements for Jiao Meibi in detail with Bai Ziyan.
Regarding his arrangements—
Bai Ziyan's response was straightforward, "Dispose of that woman however you please. She never treated me as a daughter anyway, so I don't need to acknowledge her as my mother!"
Alas.
Poor child.
After ending the call, Li Qianfan shook his head and saw Du Tianci emerging from the living room, looking at him expectantly.
Li Qianfan waved him over.
"Boss, can I ask you for a favor?"
Du Tianci, in a fawning manner, offered Li Qianfan a cigarette.
Li Qianfan asked, "What is it?"
"Boss—"
Du Tianci gritted his teeth, his gaze flickering elsewhere, and he said softly, "I want to be Bai Yujing's stepfather, do you agree?"