After leaving the police station, Bai Jinghong returned to the Bai Family Estate.
He slept in for a while, then brought Shen Yaoyao along and headed back to the Bai Corporation.
By the way things were developing, Chen Lin couldn’t make any more trouble for now.
Mu Yanbing would definitely investigate in his direction.
Of course, it wasn’t that Chen Lin was exposed. As a police officer, Mu Yanbing’s first step would be to investigate anyone who had a grudge against him.
She’d use that to draw inferences.
The feud between Chen Lin and himself had been the talk of the town lately. Coupled with Chen Lin’s sudden appearance, Mu Yanbing would certainly put Chen Lin on the suspect list.
Whether Mu Yanbing and Chen Lin connected through the original storyline or through this case, that would be his moment to strike.
For the time being, Bai Jinghong had nothing urgent to do. He decided to commit fully to the act and pretend to be working hard.
That way, when Qin Chuchu’s proposal was ready later, it would seem like he was taking it very seriously.
Shen Yaoyao would inevitably try to find out what it was.
The more secretive something appears, the more it piques curiosity.
A two-pronged approach was more reliable.
While Bai Jinghong was busy pretending to work diligently…
In a parking lot not far from the Bai Corporation’s building, a Porsche pulled into a parking space.
Inside the car sat two stunning beauties.
One of them looked terrible. Faint dark circles ringed her eyes from a slight hangover, making her look like she had panda makeup.
Though still radiant, she noticeably lacked her usual vitality.
She was Fan Ning’er.
The other was Fan Ning’er’s best friend, Zhang Xiaoya.
Early this morning, as soon as Fan Ning’er arrived at her company, a flood of bad news had poured in.
Many long-standing business partners were demanding payment. Some had even come to the company to make a scene.
This placed immense pressure on Fan Ning’er.
Even when she wanted to borrow or get loans to cover the payments, the banks wouldn’t approve them.
Even her father, Fan Xiangming, had come out to think of solutions.
But it was completely useless.
Calls to old friends went unanswered.
Fan Ning’er was painfully aware of the dangers of their group’s stock being suspended.
Combined with internal strife and external threats, if this dragged on, the Fan Corporation would be driven to bankruptcy.
And they’d end up on the national credit blacklist.
Fan Ning’er had originally hoped that by bringing Bai Jinghong to her father’s birthday banquet, she could win back some support.
But who could have guessed? Those shrewd old foxes were utterly unmoved. It was as if, until Bai Jinghong said it personally, it was all a sham.
They had used every method, but nothing worked.
Right now, the only one who could save the corporation was Bai Jinghong.
With the Fan family at their wits’ end, Fan Ning’er had called up her lousy best friend and rushed to the Bai Corporation, planning to beg Bai Jinghong.
With a heart full of anxiety, carrying a carefully prepared gift, Fan Ning’er stepped out of the car and walked with heavy steps, one by one, towards the Bai Corporation’s main entrance.
Zhang Xiaoya followed closely behind.
Looking up at the skyscraper corporation building before her, a pang of regret hit Fan Ning’er.
If she had married Bai Jinghong that day, how would things have turned out?
Perhaps she would still be held in Bai Jinghong’s palm, treasured like a precious gem.
A single thought’s difference, yet the outcome was worlds apart.
It was all because of that idiot Chen Lin. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have made the wrong choice.
Zhang Xiaoya was an old hand at reading people. She could clearly see that Fan Ning’er was regretting things right now.
Just as they were about to enter the Bai Corporation building, the two were stopped directly by security.
“Sorry, you don’t have work badges. Can’t just let anyone in!”
Fan Ning’er froze and pointed at herself. “You don’t recognize me?”
The security guard was burly and looked a bit simple, but he wasn’t stupid. “I recognize you. You’re Miss Fan!”
“If you recognize me, then you should know I’m here to see Young Master Bai.”
The security guard still didn’t let them pass. “Sorry, you’ll need to wait a moment. I have to ask first.”
With that, the guard went into the security booth to call in.
In the past, if Fan Ning’er came to the Bai Corporation, the guards would have to be insane to stop her.
This lady was the woman Young Master Bai adored!
But now? Things were different. Those messy affairs had spread everywhere.
If he rashly let Fan Ning’er in and it angered Bai Jinghong, he’d be fired on the spot.
Only after a long while did the security guard come back out and say to Fan Ning’er, “You can go in now!”
Fan Ning’er felt utterly humiliated.
In the past, why would she have ever needed to care what these minor characters said?
But times had changed. If the security guard said she couldn’t go in, she had to stand there and wait!
Upon entering the corporation, countless pairs of eyes fixed on Fan Ning’er and Zhang Xiaoya.
And a flurry of hushed whispers followed.
“Look, is that Fan Ning’er? Is she here to see Young Master Bai?”
“Definitely. She’s here to beg Young Master Bai to change his mind and take her back.”
“Tsk tsk tsk. Only know to cherish it once it’s gone, huh?”
Listening to those whispers, Fan Ning’er’s expression grew even more sour.
“Ning’er, don’t forget why you’re here. Ignore those rumors!” Zhang Xiaoya reminded her.
Fan Ning’er nodded but still forced down her anger and stepped into the elevator.
When the two reached Bai Jinghong’s office, what they saw was that Shen Yaoyao!
At this moment, Shen Yaoyao was seated to the right of Bai Jinghong’s desk.
She was processing some matters, flipping through the documents in front of her.
Next to the files on the right were a milk tea and some snacks.
Fan Ning’er was astonished. Even if she were a secretary, she shouldn’t be working right inside the Vice President’s office, right?
And drinking milk tea and eating snacks during work hours?
Just how close was her relationship with Bai Jinghong to warrant such privileges?
A sour feeling rose in Fan Ning’er’s heart. She walked over and said, “Where is Jinghong?”
Shen Yaoyao, who was working, looked up briefly, glanced at Fan Ning’er, and said flatly, “Young Master Bai is in a meeting. Go wait on the sofa over there!”
Saying that, she lowered her head again to continue her work.
She didn’t forget to pop a couple of potato chips into her small mouth. Crispy, chicken-flavored, with calories over ten times that of beef.
Zhang Xiaoya was also inwardly surprised.
She shot a helpless look at Fan Ning’er.
Originally, Fan Ning’er should have been the mistress here. Now, even a little secretary was favored.
Zhang Xiaoya almost wished she’d applied to be Young Master Bai’s secretary herself.
Then it would be “take care of business, then take care of business with the secretary”—a way to rise in status.
About ten minutes passed before Bai Jinghong returned to the office.
Dressed in a sharp business suit, his mere appearance made Fan Ning’er and Zhang Xiaoya’s eyes go wide.
Right now, Bai Jinghong looked handsome no matter how you looked at him.
The two stood up, wanting to greet Bai Jinghong.
But Bai Jinghong walked straight over to Shen Yaoyao, picked up some of the snacks she was eating, and popped them into his mouth.
“These are high-calorie. You should eat less of them!”
Shen Yaoyao puffed out her cheeks. “You bought me a ton of these, and now you’re telling me to eat less.”
The two women watching from over there felt truly awful.
Bai Jinghong’s treatment of this little secretary could practically be called doting.
“Oh right, those two over there are looking for you!” Shen Yaoyao gestured.
Only then did Bai Jinghong seem to notice Fan Ning’er, as if for the first time. “Oh my, I’m so sorry. The office is too large; I didn’t see you right away.”
“Ah, President Fan, what brings you here today?”
Bai Jinghong walked towards them as he spoke. “Have you been waiting long?”
“No, no, not at all. Just a little while,” Zhang Xiaoya interjected when she saw Fan Ning’er just staring dumbly at Bai Jinghong without speaking.
She couldn’t help but speak up for Fan Ning’er.
Zhang Xiaoya saw things more comprehensively.
Since Bai Jinghong was willing to see them, it meant some feelings still remained.
And Bai Jinghong’s deliberate display of sweetness with the little secretary just now was probably meant to provoke Fan Ning’er.
All in all, based on her analysis, there was still a chance!
