Undeniably, being kept in captivity for six years is a terrible experience. However, why did Bai Yinning tell me this story?
Giving it some thoughts, Zong Jinghao understood Bai Yinning’s intentions.
Zong Jinghao turned towards Bai Yinning and asked, “So, President Bai, your intentions for telling me this story is to ask for my help. Am I right?”
Exposed, Bai Yinning was surprisingly not flustered nor embarrassed. Letting out a laughter, Bai Yinning revealed, “Seems like you have figured it out. If you are willing to investigate further, I am certain that you would be able to find out more.”
“And how would that benefit me?” Zong Jinghao questioned.
Zong Jinghao obviously did not want to be involved in this matter. If not for Lin Xinyan, he would not even be here at all.
He wants to take advantage of me? What a joke!
Bai Yinning’s expression became more serious. Without a doubt, making use of Zong Jinghao without him realizing, was impossible.
In order for Zong Jinghao to take interest in this matter and start investigating, Bai Yinning knew that he needed a bait.
“My foster father remained single his entire life due to his first love. They were even engaged. However, due to some reasons that I am not aware of, they were separated. In the end, his first love married your father, Zong Qifeng. Remember, my foster father was locked up for six years…”
“What are you trying to imply? My father intervened their relationship?” Zong Jinghao advanced, cutting Bai Yinning off. Zong Jinghao never liked Yuxiu in the first place and now, she was the cause of every single incident that happened. This realization irritated Zong Jinghao even more.
At first, Bai Yinning also suspected that his foster father was abducted by Zong Qifeng in order to force Yuxiu to stay by his side. If she refused to comply, Bai Hongfei would be harmed. This was his explanation for Bai Hongfei’s kidnap and severed fingers.
However, Bai Yinning could not understand one thing: if Zong Qifeng was the mastermind, how was it possible for him to avoid the Wen family’s fury?
Zong Qifeng and Wen Xian were husband and wife. If Zong Qifeng went to such extremities, how was it possible for the Wen family to not do anything about it? Hence, his suspicion could not be verified nor explained.
“Have you ever wondered why didn’t the Wen family stop your father from marrying Cheng Yuxiu right after your mother’s death? How was this possible?” Bai Yinning spoke.
Regardless of influential families or ordinary citizens, who would be tolerant enough to accept their son-in-law to marry another woman right after their daughter’s death? It was really strange that the Wen family was able to accept it!
“What did you just say? Cheng Yuxiu?” Zong Jinghao was alarmed.
Zong Jinghao was always indifferent to Yuxiu and had never interacted with her willingly. However, he definitely knew what was her name and also knew that his father would always introduce her as Yuxiu, not Cheng Yuxiu.
Hearing how Bai Yinning addressed her, Zong Jinghao was bewildered.
Why did she conceal her surname? What is she trying to hide?
Zong Jinghao knew that Bai Yinning was deliberate in revealing those information in order to use him to investigate more about the past. Yet, despite so, Zong Jinghao was willing to uncover the truth, or else he felt that he would be living in lies.
“President Zong, are you willing to collaborate with me?” Bai Yinning suggested as he felt that Zong Jinghao was slightly convinced.
“To be very honest with you, my achievements today are not possible without my foster father. He has already passed away and all I can do now is to avenge those who hurt him. I am sure you would also like to find out the entanglement between your father and Cheng Yuxiu. If we were to cooperate, finding out the truth would not be difficult at all. What do you think, President Zong?” Bai Yinning continued.
Chuckling, Zong Jinghao answered, “I can find out the truth alone, why would I need your cooperation?”
Zong Jinghao implied that Bai Yinning lacked the bargaining power to get his help.
Bai Yinning lowered his head and smiled bitterly, “Taking advantage of President Zong is so difficult. And yes, I have another piece of evidence regarding this matter.”
Initially, Bai Yinning did not want to reveal everything to Zong Jinghao. However, at this point of time, if he did not reveal his trump card, Zong Jinghao was very unlikely to work with him.
“There is a tea silk weaving master. His name is Cheng Yuwen,” Bai Yinning uttered.
The Cheng family was once influential and glorious. However, as they gradually went into a decline, they started to live in seclusion.
Cheng Yuwen and Cheng Yuxiu?
“If I am not wrong, Ms. Lin knows about everything,” Bai Yinning added.
That day, Bai Yinning excused himself for work, but in actual fact, he was investigating the vehicle parked in the backyard. That day, Bai Yinning was already informed that Cheng Yuxiu brought Lin Xinyan to see Cheng Yuwen, even before Zong Jinghao was notified.
“Before Ms. Lin went to pick up the two children, she was at the Cheng Mansion for an entire day. Cheng Yuxiu was there too,” Bai Yinning finally disclosed everything he knew.
Zong Jinghao clenched his fists.
Is this the reason why Lin Xinyan changed her attitude? What did Cheng Yuxiu tell her during her stay at the Cheng Mansion?
“Is this all that you know?” Zong Jinghao asked, maintaining his composure although he had made up his mind to work with Bai Yinning.
Even so, Zong Jinghao would not let Bai Yinning have the upper hand.
“That’s all. If I had known everything, I would not need President Zong’s assistance,” Bai Yinning declared.
Deep in thought, this matter seemed to be pretty complicated. However, this was Bai Yinning’s territory and he would continue to investigate further here while Zong Jinghao would be in B City. With both of their connections, finding out the truth should not be too difficult.
“Daddy…” Lin Ruixi called out, interrupting the silence.
In these days when Lin Xinyan was not around, Lin Ruixi was too used to Zong Jinghao’s embrace as she slept. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Qin Ya wanted Lin Ruixi to change into her pajamas and prepare to sleep. However, Lin Ruixi was adamant for Zong Jinghao to be beside her as she slept. Helpless, Qin Ya finally brought Lin Ruixi to Zong Jinghao.
“She is unwilling to change into her pajamas,” Qin Ya depicted.
Stepping forward, Zong Jinghao picked the little girl up and walked towards the yard. Before he left, he affirmed, “I will leave it to you to find out more about what happened here.”
“Of course, don’t worry. I will find out the truth soon,” Bai Yinning exclaimed.
He knew that Zong Jinghao was willing to cooperate with him.
In his territory, to investigate what happened to the Cheng family in the early years was definitely manageable. If the event actually happened, it was not possible to not leave a single trace.
“Daddy, when is mommy returning back?” Lin Ruixi inquired with her arms wrapped around Zong Jinghao’s neck. She was starting to miss grandma.
“Soon, my dear. It’s time to sleep,” Zong Jinghao comforted as he gently pat her head.
“President Zong, you’re the most generous man I have ever met,” Bai Yinning added. In his wheelchair, Bai Yinning followed behind them.
“Usually, a child will bear his father’s surname but you are willing to let your children have your wife’s family name. Your love for your wife is admirable,” Bai Yinning chortled before returning back to his room.
Obviously, Bai Yinning was mocking him. He knew that when Lin Xinyan gave birth to the two children, Zong Jinghao was not by her side. Leaving her no choice, they had to bear her surname.
Stopping in his tracks, Zong Jinghao raised an eyebrow at Bai Yinning. “That’s my intentions, you don’t have to worry,” Zong Jinghao retorted. As long as they were their children, he was not particular about their surname. Even if Zong Jinghao wanted a child that bore his surname, they could simply just have another child.
After understanding what Zong Jinghao implied, Bai Yinning’s smile that was originally etched on his face slowly faded.
