The man who appeared in C City, which I’m guessing is Gu Bei, is right here! Is he here for Zong Jinghao?
Right then, Shen Peichuan answered her call. “Hello?”
As this was a new number that Lin Xinyan got after moving to C City, the man hadn’t saved it in his contacts list yet.
Lin Xinyan gripped her phone tight. “What happened to Qin Ya?”
Shen Peichuan was taken aback to hear her voice. It took him a while before he answered, “She’s in the hospital.”
“Is she hurt?” Lin Xinyan asked anxiously.
“Yes, and she’s caught a fever. The doctor is treating her now.”
However, Lin Xinyan immediately misunderstood his words.
She’s hurt? She also caught a fever?
The thought of the stark naked Number Four whom she saw in the news flashed in her mind, and she instantly assumed that Qin Ya had been sexually assaulted.
She lowered her gaze and choked out, “Does Su Zhan know?”
Shen Peichuan answered, “Yes, he does.”
“Which hospital are you at now?” Lin Xinyan continued.
“Are you coming over now?”
“Not now. I’ll be there later.” She had to find out why Gu Bai had come to Zong Jinghao first.
“First People’s Hospital,” Shen Peichuan replied.
“Got it,” she replied curtly before hanging up.
She pushed the door open and informed the driver, “Wait for me.”
She planned to go to the hospital after.
The driver nodded before driving to the underground car park because the weather was too hot.
Lin Xinyan entered the lobby alone. Zong Jinghao didn’t announce her identity to the public, but he had informed everyone in his company about her. Hence, no one stopped her from entering the company and treated her with the utmost respect.
She’d smile politely at all the staff who greeted her.
After getting off the elevator, she saw Guan Jing. The man shot her a smile and inquired, “Are you here for Mr. Zong?”
As Zong Jinghao’s most trusted man, Guan Jing knew everything about his boss even though he wasn’t involved in his boss’ private affairs like Shen Peichuan and Su Zhan.
“Yes. Is he busy now?”
Guan Jing responded, “He’s with someone now.”
“Is it a man in a grey suit?” asked Lin Xinyan.
Guan Jing nodded. “Yes. Did you see Mr. Gu earlier?”
After hearing Guan Jing’s reply, she was certain that the man was indeed Gu Bei. Otherwise, Guan Jing wouldn’t have addressed him as “Mr. Gu.”
She inclined her head. “Yes.”
“Do you want to wait in the waiting room?” Guan Jing offered.
Lin Xinyan shook her head. “No need. I’ll go in and see what they’re talking about myself.”
She headed to Zong Jinghao’s office, but before she could head in, her phone started ringing.
She took out her phone and saw that it was her Uncle Er. Once she answered the phone, she went straight to the point. “Uncle Er, did something happen there?”
There was no reason for him to call her right now.
“No, it’s nothing. We’re doing fine. Some customers wanted to order custom clothing, but I told them we had too many orders to fulfill for now. They would have to wait if they insist on ordering. The factory is operating as usual. Both Qin Ya and you left so suddenly with the kids, so I knew that something must’ve happened. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have left in a hurry. I just want to tell you that I can lend a listening ear if you need me. You need to trust your parents. Wealth isn’t the only thing they left behind, got it?”
Lin Xinyan looked at her toes and answered, “Got it.”
“Mm. How are the kids? I miss them so much.” He had gotten used to them; his life felt so quiet now.
“I’ll ask them to video call you tonight,” said Lin Xinyan.
“Okay. I’ll hang up now,” Shao Yun returned.
After hanging up, Lin Xinyan stood rooted to the spot for some time. Shao Yun had never mentioned her father, but she somehow knew what her father was like after spending some time with him.
Anyhow, she’d remember him as a good person, since that was what Wen Xian had told her in the letter.
She clamped down on her emotions before heading to the office. At the door, she knocked before someone called out, “Come in!”
Straightening her back, she opened the door and strode in.
Zong Jinghao was seated on the sofa with his back to her. Gu Bei was on the sofa across from him. The coffees served to them were both untouched. It was obvious she had interrupted their conversation.
Upon seeing her, Gu Bei blinked awkwardly before shooting her a smile. “We meet again.”
Zong Jinghao turned around slowly before realizing it was her. He furrowed his brows at her sudden appearance before asking gently, “Why are you here?”
As Gu Bei had sent photos to Lin Xinyan, he knew who she was and her relationship with Zong Jinghao.
Lin Xinyan came over to Zong Jinghao and grinned. “Can’t I come to visit you?”
As she said that, she plopped onto the sofa beside him.
Gu Bei licked at the corner of his lips in amusement. “Are you going to show your affection in front of an outsider?”
“Is there an outsider here?” Lin Xinyan chuckled.
Gu Bei laughed and swept his gaze across Zong Jinghao. He wanted to embarrass the man, so he deliberately said, “Ms. Lin, you mean I’m not an outsider? I think we’re on close terms, too.”
Is she acting this way because I “saved” her back in C City?
“No. I didn’t see you.” Lin Xinyan was still all smiles.
“Ha! Interesting. Ms. Lin, you can’t see me? Am I not a human being?” Gu Bei’s smile faded away.
Lin Xinyan’s smile never wavered. “I didn’t say you’re not a human being. But since you yourself think you’re not a human being, I shouldn’t correct you.”
Gu Bei froze abruptly before a smirk flitted across his lips. “Men don’t like sharp-tongued women. Be careful; your husband might fall for another woman.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” Lin Xinyan’s lips curved up. “I didn’t know who you were back in C City, so I didn’t get to thank you. I received your present. Thank you, you must’ve spent a lot of effort on it.” As she said that, she met Zong Jinghao’s gaze. They immediately read each other’s minds without talking.
Chuckling, she continued, “Mr. Gu has given us such a big gift. Aren’t you going to return his gesture?”
Zong Jinghao reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear gently before giving her an affectionate smile. “Of course. We should reciprocate his generosity. It would be rude of us to not return his gesture.”
He gazed at Gu Bei. “What do you think of my gift in return?”
Gu Bei narrowed his gaze. “You provoked me first.”
“Mr. Gu, don’t say that. You were the one who agreed to help Wen Qing hire the kidnappers, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you think the Zongs are pushovers who can be kidnapped anytime?” Zong Jinghao’s voice grew increasingly menacing.
“Did I kidnap someone from the Zong family? Everyone knows that Cheng Yuxiu is a mistress. Mr. Zong, you hate this stepmother of yours, don’t you? Why are you becoming my enemy because of her death? What benefit will you gain from this?”
