Chapter 34: CH 34

Two days had already passed after Bai Zhen Zhen received the call before she finally returned to the city and visited Father Bai in the hospital.

Coincidentally, Ling Hao Chen, Song Ling and Su Meng were on the same flight as Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang. Song Ling was even seated next to Bai Zhen Zhen.

Song Ling felt bad about what happened yesterday, and initially wanted to chat with Bai Zhen Zhen.

However, Bai Zhen Zhen put on an eye mask throughout the whole flight and ignored her.

Once they got off the plane, Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang bade Su Meng farewell, before passing through the VIP passage to meet Uncle Cai who came to pick them up.

As soon as they arrived at the carpark, Bai Zhen Zhen was stunned.

The entire Area A carpark had been reserved by Uncle Cai’s men. Not only were the twenty lots filled with identical looking cars, there were also fresh flowers and bears holding hearts sitting on the bonnets. At the center of it all was a black Lincoln limousine parked at the forefront.

99 stalks of roses were placed on the bonnet, forming a full heart shape, with a pair of bears wearing wedding garbs.

Uncle Cai stood by the car door and bowed to Huo Xiang and Bai Zhen Zhen.

“Young Master, Young Madam, welcome back!”

Huo Xiang was also stunned by this scene. Sure enough, poverty had limited his imagination. It was just a flight, did they need to send a whole team over?!

Bai Zhen Zhen massaged her forehead and asked Uncle Cai: “Are we going directly to the wedding banquet?”

Compared with Bai Zhen Zhen’s joking tone, Uncle Cai responded extremely seriously: “Young Madam, rest assured. The Old Master has instructed that your wedding will definitely be the grandest wedding in the world, with hundreds of cars and over tens of thousands of roses accompanying and protecting you the whole way!”

Bai Zhen Zhen inhaled sharply.

She would no longer complain about this old-style of writing. That scene was simply too dreamy! She’s willing!

Coincidentally, Ling Hao Chen and Song Ling also came out from the same exit.

A black Bentley drove up to pick them up. As the chauffeur stored their luggage away, the two of them couldn’t help but glance over.

Bai Zhen Zhen sighed quietly: “Even the esteemed CEO of the Ling Corporation is looking at us weirdly, it seems like our family is really wealthy…”

“Don’t go casually calling it ‘our family’, don’t forget the agreement is still in your drawer!” Huo Xiang grumbled coldly by the side.

Bai Zhen Zhen looked at him cutely: “With our relationship, isn’t your family my family too!”

“If you’re capable, then marry me for real!” Huo Xiang lowered his voice and whispered in Bai Zhen Zhen’s ear.

Bai Zhen Zhen similarly leaned in close to his ear, mercilessly whispering: “You wish!”

Uncle Cai watched as they flirted right in front of him, his eyes twinkling with an ambiguous light — Young Master and Young Madam are so loving!! It seems like the Old Master’s wish to have a grandchild will be fulfilled soon!!

****

On the way, Bai Zhen Zhen made up an excuse to alight the car and went straight to the hospital.

The moment she stepped in, before Bai Zhen Zhen could even take a look at Father Bai, Yang Su Ping rushed towards her and started scolding her, her spit flying everywhere: “Bai Zhen Zhen, I see you still know your way back home! Your dad has already been hospitalised for three days, and they almost failed to resuscitate him yesterday!”

“It’s that serious?” Bai Zhen Zhen frowned, “Didn’t he just finish the operation not long ago? Why did his condition suddenly deteriorate?”

“How would I know!” Yang Su Ping spoke angrily with her hands on her hips.

Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t be bothered with her.

At this moment, Father Bai was lying on the hospital bed, a blanket wrapped around his whole body and a hat on his head. He looked sickly, with sunken eyes and sallow skin. Currently, he was looking at Bai Zhen Zhen exhaustedly.

“Zhen Zhen… I’m sorry, to have asked you to come back again and causing inconvenience for your work…” Father Bai said.

Bai Zhen Zhen sat by his side, casually replying: “You didn’t cause any inconvenience, because I haven’t found a job yet.”

“What?!” Yang Su Ping was startled by her words, and started pacing about, muttering, “She hasn’t even earned any money, yet she has already spent it on those expensive flight tickets…”

Father Bai heard Yang Su Ping’s words, and his grief deepened.

“Bai Zhen Zhen ah, Bai Zhen Zhen. You’ve already been gone for almost a week, yet you haven’t earned a single penny. You still have the guts to come back…”

Bai Zhen Zhen turned a deaf ear to Yang Su Ping’s words. On the other hand, Father Bai hurriedly defended her: “Su Ping, don’t speak of Zhen Zhen in that manner. It’s not easy for her out there alone…”

“Yes, it hasn’t been easy for me,” Bai Zhen Zhen nodded, “I was almost kidnapped. I’ve been cooperating with the police over the incident these few days, and there are the court matters to deal with after as well; I’ve been very busy.”

“What?! Kidnapped? Are you alright?!” Anxiousness seeped into Father Bai’s words.

If this was the first time Bai Zhen Zhen came into contact with Father Bai, she might have been touched. However, after being angered into speechlessness by him multiple times, she had completely seen through him, and was immune to his faked concern.

Bai Zhen Zhen said: “I’m alright, but in order for the perpetrator to get their just desserts, there’s still many things left for me to handle. I may not be able to accompany you for this period of time, you wouldn’t mind, would you?”

This was the explanation Bai Zhen Zhen had specially thought of before coming.

“Of course not…”

Before Father Bai could finish speaking, Yang Su Ping interrupted.

“Bai Zhen Zhen, what do you mean by that? You’re trying to shirk your responsibilities to your father?” Yang Su Ping asked in agitation, afraid that this burden would fall on her shoulders.

“I love my dad so much, how could I not care about him! It’s just that I haven’t earned any money yet. I don’t have the time or ability to arrange for the medical treatment…” Bai Zhen Zhen paused, “Ah, that’s right. Didn’t Bai Meng Ru sign a contract with an entertainment company? She should be starting to earn money already, right?”

“Meng Ru has just joined the company, how much could she earn! Bai Zhen Zhen, you better not have any ideas regarding her!” Yang Su Ping immediately retorted.

Bai Zhen Zhen spread her hands in helplessness: “Then there’s no way. If even Bai Meng Ru’s salary is not enough for dad’s medical treatment, in my penniless state, I can’t afford it either.”

Father Bai let out a heavy sigh: “It’s all my fault; I’m a burden to you all…”

As he was speaking, Bai Meng Ru walked in, carrying some packed dinner. She paused for a moment, startled upon seeing Bai Zhen Zhen, before immediately bursting into a smile.

“Sister, you’re back!”

Bai Zhen Zhen continued from the topic earlier, asking: “Meng Ru, you’re back just in time. I was talking with your mother about you. Didn’t you go for a few interviews recently? Which company did you join in the end?”

Bai Meng Ru pretended to be modest as she replied: “It’s not a very big company, just relatively well-known within our city only. It’s called ‘Chirp Entertainment’.”

The name sounded familiar to Bai Zhen Zhen. Upon closer thought, wasn’t that the company that Zhen Wei started! So, Bai Meng Ru was rejected by Bright Entertainment and had no choice but to run to her old lover?!”

“How’s your company’s benefits like? It must be profitable to be a celebrity, right? Then dad’s medical fees will depend on you!” Bai Zhen Zhen said.

Bai Meng Ru was taken aback. She never expected that Bai Zhen Zhen would be so direct, throwing this burden on her so righteously. In the past, no matter how much Bai Zhen Zhen had to suffer, she would never say such things.

“Sister, I think you might have misunderstood…” Bai Meng Ru hesitated.

Yang Su Ping was more direct than her, shouting at Bai Zhen Zhen: “Bai Zhen Zhen, didn’t I say this earlier? Meng Ru has just joined the company, and she still needs to pay for her training fees! She doesn’t have the money to pay for your father’s medical fees! To pay for his hospital stay these few days, she even went to borrow money from her friends… Speaking of which, it’s a few thousands of dollars!”

Yang Su Ping was aggressive, but Bai Zhen Zhen didn’t opt for a direct confrontation this time. Instead, she changed her attitude, suddenly acting cute towards Father Bai.

“Dad…” Bai Zhen Zhen pouted and looked at Father Bai, “Speaking of which, I’ve been paying for this family for five years already… If I could afford it, I will definitely pay. But I’ve just lost my job, even if I wanted to, I really can’t help…”

Father Bai sighed: “Zhen Zhen, dad doesn’t blame you. I only have myself to blame for being so useless…”

“Didn’t you divorce the Huo family’s Young Master? Didn’t you ask for any alimony?!” Yang Su Ping glared at Bai Zhen Zhen, “Why are you so stupid!”

“To ask for his money is to destroy dad’s principles and dignity. I can’t do this kind of thing!” Bai Zhen Zhen spoke sharply, before turning to Father Bai, “Isn’t that right, dad?”

Father Bai smiled superficially, but still nodded.

“However, since Meng Ru has started to earn money now, I believe it’s time for her to show her filial piety?” Bai Zhen Zhen led the topic back to Bai Meng Ru.

Bai Meng Ru turned towards Father Bai, saying: “Dad, I know that sister has worked very hard. In fact, I also want to be filial to you…”

“Meng Ru, dad understands your intentions…”

Father Bai’s words were interrupted by Bai Zhen Zhen.

“Dad, since Meng Ru has already said this much, shouldn’t we give her a chance? If not, it would spoil our reputation if others heard about it!” Bai Zhen Zhen said.

Bai Meng Ru’s tactic of ‘retreating to advance’ was intended to make Father Bai place the burden on Bai Zhen Zhen again. Naturally, Bai Zhen Zhen wouldn’t let her succeed.

Father Bai paused. Hearing Bai Zhen Zhen phrase it in that manner, he also turned to Bai Meng Ru, wanting to hear her opinion.

“Sister, there’s always a way in times of difficulties. As a high school graduate, I was able to support the family for five years. You’re already in university, it can’t be that you can’t even do this, right?”

“Can you even compare our Meng Ru to you?! She is…”

“Alright, I’m willing to pay for dad’s medical fees for these few days.” Bai Meng Ru suddenly agreed, “Since sister is utterly helpless, as the younger sister, I should bear my part of the responsibilities…”

Yang Su Ping was stunned, and hurriedly tugged on Bai Meng Ru’s sleeves: “Meng Ru, what are you talking about? You finally made some money, how could you…”

“Mom, the doctor said that dad’s treatment cannot be halted. I will bear the cost of treatment during this period.” Bai Meng Ru said firmly.

Father Bai was so moved that he immediately took Bai Meng Ru’s hands and said, “Meng Ru, dad didn’t dote on you in vain, you’re truly a good child…”

“However, sister, you should quickly find a job. With us sisters working together, we can help dad get better sooner, don’t you think so?” Bai Meng Ru looked towards Bai Zhen Zhen and said sincerely.

Bai Zhen Zhen smiled brightly: “Of course! Why don’t we take turns each week! There’s three days remaining in this week. Dad’s medical and hospitalisation fees will be borne by you. I will bear the cost for next week.”

“Ok.” Bai Meng Ru nodded in agreement.

Yang Su Ping still felt that they had lost out. She pulled a long face and angrily stuck her hands on her hips.

On the other hand, Bai Meng Ru had a slight smile on her face. When Father Bai and her looked at each other, it was the picture of filial piety.

Bai Zhen Zhen looked at this “father and daughter” and couldn’t help but sigh in her heart.

Who would have thought that Father Bai would end up depending on his most treasured daughter. This was part of the original novel, and would soon become part of this world.

After what happened in Hai Cheng, Bai Zhen Zhen’s mentality changed completely. Although Jiang Mu Yu had almost hurt her, but it also gave her “inspiration”.

In fact, she knew about many conspiracies and schemes in the novel. If she chose to avoid these, it’s likely that new ones would pop up and she would have no knowledge of how it would play out. In comparison, it would be better to follow the original plot of the novel and lure out the dangers, before dealing with them in one fell swoop.

Thus, rather than escaping, it was still better to take the initiative.

And the first target she chose to attack would, naturally, be her loving step-sister, whose vicious behavior was comparable to that of Jiang Mu Yu’s — Bai Meng Ru.