When Mr. Li, who he was having business talks with earlier, noticed Bai Yinning’s gaze, he asked, “Do you know her?”
Bai Yinning shook his head. “No.”
He was not intentionally drawing a line between him and Lin Xinyan; he did not want Mr. Li to know about his relationship with her. Business was business. Bai Yinning did not want to show any part of his private life to others.
He said to Gao Yuan, “Let’s go.”
Gao Yuan glanced at Lin Xinyan before lowering his head to look at Bai Yinning. He sighed inwardly. I’ve been working for you for a long time. How can I not know what you’re thinking about?
The colder he looked on the outside, the more emotions surged on the inside.
Lin Xinyan had been focused on changing the tense atmosphere; she did not notice Bai Yinning’s presence.
After drinking the juice, she looked at the rest. “We’re all from different places, but we’ve met each other here. I think this is fate. I hope we can work harmoniously.”
“Of course. I was too rash earlier. I shouldn’t have asked you those questions,” the woman who had started the heated discussion answered. After all, she had only been curious; she had no intentions of crossing anyone. Lin Xinyan’s right. We’re colleagues. It won’t be good for us if this dinner end terribly.
“Come, let’s toast. We’ll toast with tea instead. Let’s put our past behind us. Sometimes, we just say the wrong words. It’s normal. But after drinking this glass, we’ll put this behind us. We’ll still be friendly with each other.” Qin Ya was first to raise her glass to toast with the others. After Lin Xinyan and Qin Ya’s speech, no one dared to continue the topic.
Lin Xinyan and Shao Yun were some of the nicer bosses they had come across. Furthermore, it was not long since they had started work, but they already had a gathering. Everyone was relatively satisfied with the job, and they were more than willing to put effort into their work. After all, no one would say no to the good pay.
When dinner was over, Shao Yun was the one to send the others back. On the other hand, Lin Xinyan and Qin Ya led the kids as they slowly walked out of the restaurant.
It did not seem like a long dinner, but the sky was dark now. Lin Xinyan pulled open the car door to let the two children climb into the car.
“Can I have a word with you?”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind her. It sounded familiar, but she did not dare to jump to conclusions on the identity of its owner. Lin Xinyan slowly turned around to see Bai Yinning in his wheelchair. Baffled, she thought, Why is he here?
“Are you free?” Bai Yinning asked again, hearing no response from Lin Xinyan.
Lin Xinyan nodded, coming back to her senses. She then looked at Qin Ya and muttered, “Please send the kids home first.”
Zong Yanchen tugged on the edge of her shirt. “Mommy, come home quickly. Yanxi and I will be waiting for you.”
He did not hate Bai Yinning, but he was afraid of this man stealing his mother away while his father was not here.
If he had to choose, he would naturally pick his biological father. Moreover, his parents did not split because of relationship issues. Therefore, Zong Yanchen had to be wary of Bai Yinning’s sudden appearance.
He had to keep his mother safe while his father was away; he could not let someone with such intention steal her away from his father.
Thinking that her son was only concerned about her, Lin Xinyan patted his head and smiled. “All right. I’ll go home soon.”
Qin Ya peered at the road before she drove off.
It was after the car had left, did Lin Xinyan turned back to face Bai Yinning. She inquired, “Why are you here?”
“For business. There have been many issues with the company, so I have to come to expand my business. I can’t let the Bai family’s business collapse while I’m in charge. Otherwise, I’ll let my adoptive father down.” He sounded nonchalant, but he had been busy and exhausted recently. Although the company did not collapse, its issues had hit it hard, and he had to leave the real estate industry.
In the past, Lin Xinyan would not know what his words truly meant. However, after starting up the embroidery studio and textile factory, she realized running a business was no easy task.
Even though she did not have many employees, she had come across many matters.
For example, a fight nearly started during dinner today. They’re right about inevitable conflicts within a group.
“Shall we walk?” Bai Yinning suggested.
Lin Xinyan nodded. Instead of picking somewhere specific to head to, they strolled at the side of the road.
“I’m afraid I’m breaking my promise again. I said I won’t see you, but I’m doing that again.” He lowered his gaze.
He had made a decision not to go to B City back then. He had mustered all his courage and persistence and told himself it was time to let go.
Yet, fate had made them meet each other again. What does that mean?
Is God toying with me? Have I not suffered enough? Do I have to desire for her even though I know it’s fruitless?
Lin Xinyan was quiet as she slowly walked beside him.
“Why are you here?” What he wanted to ask was “Did something happen between Zong Jinghao and you?” but he did not voice it out loud. After all, it did not seem like the right question to ask.
She was not alone here; her two children were with her. That was why Bai Yinning could not help but overthink.
“I have some things to do. That’s why I’m here.” Lin Xinyan did not know how to explain her circumstances. She felt her identity might sound ridiculous.
Upon hearing her answer, Bai Yinning knew she was not telling him the truth; the answer was too vague.
However, he did not voice that out loud too. Instead, he queried, “Does it have something to do with him?”
Both knew he was talking about Zong Jinghao.
Lin Xinyan murmured, “We’re fine. Don’t think too much about it.”
Bai Yinning smiled. “Honestly, I’m gloating a little on the inside. I’m hoping that he’d fall in love with someone else, and that’s why you’re here. That you’ve come to patch yourself here, and God has arranged for our fated meeting. That I can take care of you.”
“You might want to try out for a screenwriter position.”
“I want to. I want to let go of the mess I have right now and spend the rest of my life freely. But I can’t be that heartless. I can’t just leave everything behind.” He stared numbly at the pavement in front of him. Bai Yinning, who always covered up his joy and sorrows with a smile, could not plaster on a smile now.
Hearing his words, Lin Xinyan asked, concerned, “Trouble with the company?”
It was only sympathy for him; no emotion was involved in her question.
Bai Yinning softly hummed in response.
“Is the competition too strong?” Lin Xinyan asked.
“No. It should be someone venting their anger.” Bai Group knew it was not as simple as a competition among his peers. Bai Group’s three key businesses had suffered a hit at the same time. Clearly, this was premeditated.
Lin Xinyan raised a brow. The business world was a battlefield without gunfire; everyone in it would do anything for profit.
However, it sounded like Bai Yinning’s company matters stemmed from a grudge. “What did you do to make them hate you so much?”
Bai Yinning stopped his wheelchair, and Lin Xinyan’s footsteps faltered. He looked up and stared at her quietly on the dark road.
Lin Xinyan reached out to touch her face. “Is there something on my face?”
He shook his head. In his eyes was an indescribable emotion. “I was eyeing someone’s wife. That’s why he retaliated. Don’t I deserve it?”
