Zong Yanxi wriggled around in Zong Jinghao’s arms and asked, “Daddy, when can we see Mommy?”
Lowering his head, he looked at his daughter, patted her back, and coaxed, “Sleep for a while. You’ll see her when you wake up.”
If they set off now, they would reach C City before sunset.
Two figures standing by the river quickly flashed past the car window.
When Zong Jinghao glanced at the window, he had already passed that stretch of the road and missed Lin Xinyan.
On the other hand, Lin Xinyan, who was standing beside the river, was unaware that her children and Zong Jinghao had just passed by.
She was still astounded at the fact that Bai Yinning was only marrying for his business’ sake.
This was something she disagreed with.
“You’re going to marry a woman who’ll accompany you for the rest of your life. You shouldn’t just focus on how powerful her family is!”
“Then, what should I aim for?” Bai Yinning raised his head and looked at her.
“At the very least, you must like the person. Otherwise, the girl who married you might hate you if she discovers that you only married her for your career.”
Marriage was akin to the second beginning of a woman’s life. Previously, she had no choice over which family to be born in or who her parents were.
However, she had the autonomy to choose her husband. She could decide on the person who would accompany her for the rest of her life.
Yet, Bai Yinning was blatantly exploiting the poor girl.
“I want to like her too. But, how can I control my feelings?” asked Bai Yinning with a bitter smile. “Do you have a way to do that? Can you teach me?”
Lin Xinyan averted her eyes, dodging his passionate gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Actually, Bai Yinning wished to say that as long as she was not his bride, it made no difference who he ended up marrying.
“You’re really pretty today.” His gaze landed on Lin Xinyan’s dress – a pink evening gown with a plunging V-neck. It fitted snugly on her petite body. The silky dress reached all the way to her knees, revealing her thin legs. Small flowers that were decorated with pearls were embroidered all over the dress. Her slightly protruding stomach further added a gentle beauty to the elegant and luxurious evening gown.
Perhaps only a mother could exude such a gentle and tender aura.
Lin Xinyan did not respond, simply smiling politely.
She thought that regardless of what she said, Bai Yinning would reply with something that would render her speechless again.
Hence, she decided to stay silent.
Neither of them spoke. They stood there silently as the sun ascended above the clouds, slowly shifting their shadows on the riverbank.
Lin Xinyan broke the silence. “It’s a joyous occasion for you today. You probably have a lot of things to settle, so you should head back earlier.”
Bai Yinning grunted a reply and summoned Gao Yuan. They then left the river together.
On the other side, Zong Jinghao, who had just entered the highway, received a message from Qin Ya. Instead of texts, the message consisted of pictures after pictures.
With Lin Xinyan’s permission, Qin Ya looked at the items in the folder and was utterly shocked. She now understood why Lin Xinyan’s expression had looked so ugly back then.
She did not know if it was a conspiracy, nor did she have as many considerations as Lin Xinyan did. All she wanted was to inform Zong Jinghao about this and ask him whether it was real.
She feared that Lin Xinyan would get hurt.
Having experienced betrayal in the past, she knew how it felt like.
Zong Jinghao was equally shocked. He had never even seen the woman in the photos. Why were there so many of them?
Where did Qin Ya get those?
He quickly called Qin Ya, who picked up the call almost instantly.
Her anxious voice sounded, “What happened? Are the photos real?”
“Where did you get those photos from?” Zong Jinghao shot her another question coldly. Who took those photos? Even Qin Ya knows about it. In that case, has Lin Xinyan seen them before?
Has there been a misunderstanding?
“Didn’t I mention to you the previous time that an anonymous person sent something over? Ms. Lin told me to pass it to you, and you told me to keep it first.”
“She knows about it? Has she seen the photos?” Zong Jinghao was starting to lose his composure. He was afraid that Lin Xinyan would believe it and misunderstand. If she got angry, it might harm her body—she was a pregnant lady, after all.
Rationally speaking, if such photos of Lin Xinyan appeared in front of him, he would go mad too.
“Of course she’s seen it! She was completely shaken up after. That’s why I’m curious to know if the photos are real!”
“Of course not! Look after her for me. I’ll return immediately.” Just as Zong Jinghao was about to end the call, Qin Ya’s voice sounded again. “She’s not here. She went to Baicheng.”
“What?”
“She went to Baicheng. She was invited to attend Bai Yinning’s wedding.”
“Okay.” He hung up the call and instructed Su Zhan, who was driving the car. “Turn around. We’re going back to Baicheng.”
Confused, Su Zhan asked, “Why? Who did you call just now? Did something happen?”
Zong Jinghao snapped sternly, “I told you to turn around! What’s with all these questions?”
He was starting to feel anxious. Lin Xinyan going to Bai Yinning at such a coincident timing. Who knows what tricks he has up his sleeve?
Now that Lin Xinyan’s resolve is wavering, will he try to take advantage of the situation?
A wedding?
Who is he marrying? He’s marrying so quickly? Is this a deliberate plot to trick Lin Xinyan?
He knew Bai Yinning’s feelings for Lin Xinyan, so he felt extremely frustrated.
When Su Zhan glanced towards the back, he noticed Zong Jinghao’s ghastly pale face. Hence, he did not dare utter a single word. After exiting the highway, he turned around and drove in the opposite direction.
Zong Jinghao closed his eyes, wondering if he was being too impulsive. He tried to calm himself down and think about it again. How did those photos appear in front of Lin Xinyan?
It’s obvious that the person is targeting me while knowing about my relationship with Lin Xinyan.
After calming himself down, he called Shen Peichuan, who quickly picked up the call.
Before he could say anything, Shen Peichuan’s voice sounded, “I was about to call you.”
“What happened?” Shen Peichuan would not call him if nothing happened.
“Didn’t you tell me to keep an eye on Gu Bei? I didn’t manage to find him. He’s not in B City.” Shen Peichuan found the situation quite fishy.
Zong Jinghao instantly understood. Gu Bei was probably the culprit behind those photos.
If he’s not in B City, is he in C City?
He asked, “Have you been busy recently?”
Shen Peichuan’s superior, who had high hopes for him, was planning to promote him at work. Hence, Shen Peichuan was inundated with work recently.
However, he still told Zong Jinghao that he was not busy.
Since Zong Jinghao asked him that, it meant that the man had a favor to ask.
“Go to C City. If I’m not wrong, he’s probably over there. See what he’s up to.”
Shen Peichuan was shocked. “Is he trying to stir up trouble with sister-in-law?”
“Investigate him first. I’ll fill you in on the details when I get back.”
Shen Peichuan wanted to ask Zong Jinghao if he was at C City.
However, he stopped short before the words left his mouth. Instead, he said, “Okay. I’ll head over today.”
If Zong Jinghao was in C City, he would not ask Shen Peichuan to make a trip there.
Su Zhan drove silently, not daring to say a single word.
After an hour, they returned to Baicheng.
As the wedding was probably going to be held in Baicheng’s largest hotel, Zong Jinghao instructed Su Zhan to drive there.
Nearing the hotel, they could already tell that someone was hosting a joyous occasion there. Fresh flowers were scattered on the ground while rows of cars were parked by the roads. There was even a huge crowd on the streets, eager to witness the event.
Zong Jinghao frowned. Is Bai Yinning really getting married?
At that moment, the car stopped at the hotel entrance. The kids, who were initially asleep, jolted awake. “Are we home already?”
Zong Jinghao patted them. “Not yet. Go back with Uncle Su first. I have something to settle.”
He did not know what was happening inside, so he instructed Su Zhan to bring the kids back to the Cheng family while he entered the hotel alone.
Although Zong Yanxi was a bit reluctant, she still nodded.
Zong Jinghao pushed the car door open and alighted from the car. After watching Su Zhan drive away with the kids, he strode into the hotel.
