Apparently, the Bei couple were now filing for a divorce, causing quite a ruckus in the process.
Shi Sheng took the opportunity to rob the house while it was on fire1— pei! — to fish in muddied waters.2Since Father Bei was too busy to manage Bei Enterprises, she would magnanimously lend him a hand. It didn’t take too long before those business rivals who had been initially sitting on the fence succumbed to the temptation of going after such a juicy target.
A sturdy wall would eventually collapse if a big enough crowd keeps on pushing at it.3If they don’t jump in and grab some benefits now, they wouldn't be able to get even left-over scraps in the end.
All Shi Sheng did was supply information about Bei Enterprises; she didn't actually make any moves on them. Without any conflict of interests, these people were naturally more willing to believe her.
"Boss, this method of yours is really… underhanded." Her CEO gave his evaluation.
This wasn't an above-board commercial competition. But he had to admit, it was very effective.
Which vulture wouldn't want a peck of a fat, juicy piece of meat? Perhaps they hadn't moved before because this meat had been guarded by a lion, but now that it has been lured away, any vulture who still wouldn’t swoop in is an idiot.
"The ends justify the means. As long as I get the results I want, it doesn't matter what method is used to achieve it."
'Though the law sounds very high and mighty, it's just of use to normal people. Look at the upper class and tell me which one of them doesn't use loopholes in said law?'
"When are you going out of the country?"
"In a few days. I'll leave it to you to take care of sweeping up the remainder of Bei Enterprises. As for Gao Anlang, you just have to keep an eye on him."
Shi Sheng left the country a few days after making her arrangements.
Ji Xiaoyu had always been looking for an opportunity to get close to Bei Zhi, but the girl leaving the country completely went beyond her expectations. 'She didn't display any signs of wanting to abroad before so… why?'
Even when Gao Anlang summoned Ji Xiaoyu over, she was still in a muddled state.
"Ji Xiaoyu, where is she?" Not all of the bandages on his body had been taken off; his arms and legs were still bandaged.
"…Out of the country." Ji Xiaoyu hesitantly answered.
"Out of the country? Ji Xiaoyu, from the way I see it, this was probably all just a hoax, eh?" Gao Anlang's temper was flaring up.
Ji Xiaoyu had told him that Bei Zhi caused his injuries, so he ordered her to trick the little bitch over. But look at what happened?
After so many days, not only was the person still not brought over; she had even gone abroad.
Adding on to the fact that when he came looking for Jiang Nana, her family had scared him off with the tape, Gao Anlang was now on the edge of bursting.
"It's not! It really was her—Jiang Nana looked for her the moment she returned! Lots of people saw it too." Ji Xiaoyu anxiously explained.
Gao Anlang waved his hand dismissively. "No need to explain anymore. She's already out of the country. And you've already said she's close with that fellow Fu Qin. Even if I had evidence, I might not be able to do anything to her."
Ji Xiaoyu could feel that there was something off with his words—true enough, he continued:
"Since the person in question can't be found, then I suppose you're going to have to be my outlet in her stead, Ji Xiaoyu." The people standing to the side immediately stepped forward and restrained her.
"Gao Anlang, what are you doing?!"
"What am I doing?" Gao Anlang's laughed viciously. "Why, giving you a taste of living hell, of course."
"No!" Ji Xiaoyu's face paled, seemingly recalling what happened last time. "Anlang-ge, please don't. I'll obey your every order."
"These pleading looks of yours aren't enough." Gao Anlang gave a derisive laugh and signalled for them to continue.
Ji Xiaoyu was tormented in front of Gao Anlang, with no single patch of unscathed skin on her body by the time they were done with her. They had even videotaped the whole thing.
"Ji Xiaoyu, come when I call you, understand? If you dare to retaliate… this video's going to make it to all the major websites. I guarantee you'll be famous in an hour."
Gao Anlang's threat kept reverberating in her ears. She didn't know how she had gotten home; the moment she got back, she shut herself up in the bathroom and rinsed herself over and over. She scrubbed to the point where blood started seeping out, but even then she didn't stop.
Papa Ji hadn't been coming home as of late. Even when he did, he'd usually be plastered, reeking of alcohol and women's perfume, so naturally he wouldn’t be in the mood to care about Ji Xiaoyu.
Ji Xiaoyu hugged her knees as she sobbed inside the bathroom. 'Why…? Why is it like this? I can't accept this…'
Three years later, a woman who was pushing onto some luggage stood in the middle of a bustling airport. Her gaze landed on the young man behind her.
"So slow—didn't you eat anything for breakfast?!"