43
Bian Xun looked down at his watch.
He looked up.
Then he looked down at his watch again.
It was early morning, and the entire city was just beginning to wake up. Everyone wore a smile to greet the brand new day; only this mysterious Eastern CEO remained silent and numb.
His wealth was evaporating into thin air, and it felt as though the whole world was conspiring to rob him blind.
"Daddy?"
With Mommy gone, Taotao took charge of the situation.
Seeing her father staring gloomily in the direction the bus had departed, Ning Zhitao took the initiative and sensibly reached out her little paws, grasping her dad's inexplicably ice-cold hand.
The sweet little girl patted him comfortingly. "It's okay, Daddy, I can take care of you too."
Once a person reaches a certain age, they should act like an adult! But right now, Daddy seemed a few years younger than before, which the clever four-year-old Taotao felt she could understand.
Bian Xun stayed silent for a moment, let out a sigh, and decided to take the child to buy ice cream first.
Because her mother insisted she could only have one, Ning Zhitao stood at the shop entrance, thinking very seriously for a long time. Finally, she settled on the chocolate crisp with crushed pistachios flavor and tugged at her dad's sleeve.
Bian Xun silently and absentmindedly took out his wallet. Remembering that all their cash was with Ning Ye, he pulled out a card and fluently switched to English to order.
The electronic receipt was pushed directly to his phone, converting the currency to RMB based on the exchange rate, once again reminding him of the speed at which his balance was currently draining.
The CEO's dark eyes were completely numb.
In just the span of a few breaths, a minute had passed, and six thousand yuan had vanished from the face of the earth.
Seeing the little Eastern girl struggling to make a choice for so long, the friendly middle-aged clerk smiled warmly. "If you buy two flavors, the second one is half price!"
The benefit of Ning Zhitao watching English cartoons every day finally showed. She understood one of the words and excitedly tugged at her dad. "Wow, what a great deal, Daddy! It's a flash sale!"
Bian Xun remained expressionless. He nodded and bought the other flavor Ning Zhitao had been agonizing over: chocolate raspberry.
Flash sale.
He was the one being flash-killed. :)
This feeling of spending money every single second was truly dizzying.
Another minute passed.
Another twelve thousand yuan of the CEO's money was scattered into the foreign air like ashes.
He raised a hand to prop up his forehead just as a transnational call came in.
Assistant Zhang was still in the country handling the work arrangements following the CEO's departure from Beijing. His flight would arrive tomorrow. With a ten-hour time difference between the two locations, Assistant Zhang had to constantly keep an eye on the time.
"Mr. Bian, the local staff dispatched by the group didn't manage to pick you up at the airport, but they will be arriving at the designated hotel shortly. The room type Miss Ning booked for her business trip has been upgraded to a family suite. Local SIM cards, daily necessities, and other items will be delivered to you very soon. Is there anything else you need?"
Bian Xun looked in the direction the bus had just disappeared. His thin lips parted a few times before he finally spoke in a low, hoarse voice. "...Get me a car."
Assistant Zhang: "Understood! Mr. Bian, are you planning to take Miss Ning and Taotao on a road trip?"
Bian Xun fell silent. "...You could say that."
Assistant Zhang: "Alright, Mr. Bian. I'll arrange for someone to fill up the tank and drive it over to you!"
Bian Xun: "...Mm."
Was his car running on gas? No, it was burning money.
Heh.
Ending this international roaming call that cost far more in abstract terms than its actual fee, the CEO's expression remained taut.
The father and daughter formed a sharp contrast. Ning Zhitao was relaxed and happy, pulling her dad to sit on a roadside bench like the locals. Her round cheeks were flushed pink as she held up two chimney cake ice creams, looking left and right.
But she was still very well-behaved. "Daddy, I'll only eat half of each flavor, so it still counts as just eating one."
It was obvious that the core of this family had always been the child's mother. Ning Ye wasn't fierce, nor was she strict with the child, but the little one just naturally wanted to listen to her mom.
People came and went outside the ice cream shop, and the locals all looked very relaxed.
Bian Xun couldn't relax at all. Watching his child eat until she had a ring of chocolate sauce around her mouth, he wiped it for her while gently coaxing, "After you finish eating, how about I take you to find Mommy?"
"No way." Ning Zhitao obediently shook her head. "Mommy told me to go play by the fountain around here. We can't follow her—because Mommy still needs to buy me a Christmas present, hehe."
Ning Zhitao happily covered her eyes. "I can't peek ahead of time~"
Bian Xun also temporarily closed his eyes.
The child said she wanted to play nearby; could he really refuse to take her?
Fortunately, Ning Ye was just going to pick up her work badge and materials today. Aside from the long commute, it at least wouldn't take the whole day.
What Bian Xun wanted to know more than anything was: what exactly was the reason for his draining balance?
He neither understood nor respected his future self.
Ning Zhitao contentedly ate half of each ice cream, then somewhat reluctantly handed the rest over to her dad.
Bian Xun had always been a severe germaphobe. Other than Ning Ye, he would never share food with anyone. However, the child's eyes, full of trust and anticipation, made it impossible for him to refuse. Bian Xun silently picked up the wooden spoon and took a small taste.
Then he realized that if it was his own child, it didn't seem so unacceptable after all.
The CEO's numb heart received a bit of icy comfort.
Ning Zhitao cupped her face in her hands. "Daddy, have you decided what Christmas present to buy for Mommy? I'm allowed to know this one in advance~"
Bian Xun turned his head, a certain Zen-like tranquility resting between his handsome brows, and told his daughter, "I am currently purchasing the most expensive thing in the world."
The innocent little girl believed him completely, her eyes widening in anticipation. "What is it?"
Bian Xun looked around with a detached air and smiled faintly. "Time."
Ning Zhitao blinked twice.
To a normal adult, such words would sound incredibly pretentious, but to a four-year-old child, they were just right.
Ning Zhitao nodded, pretending to be deep. "I know, Daddy. Anyway, you said before that money is something invisible."
Bian Xun's half-drooping eyelids suddenly lifted, a wave of clarity washing over him.
He had actually forgotten one thing—
The "before" the child spoke of was actually their future. So theoretically speaking, the information the little girl could provide was actually far greater than what that future photo album held.
Thus, he might be able to get details regarding why his wealth was draining away.
Bian Xun turned sideways, wiping the child's little paws as he asked, "What else did I say?"
Ning Zhitao had a very good memory, and she quickly dug up two more sentences from her little brain.
"Daddy also said—money is the most important thing, but it's also the least important thing."
Bian Xun's eyes narrowed.
What kind of hint was this?
Did his future self know very well how much he valued profit, and was therefore reminding him not to care?
Bian Xun remained expressionless.
Had he lived long enough in five years that he now enjoyed dragging his wife and child out to starve in the cold?
?
What was he being so pretentious for?
...
Ning Ye sat by the window of the bus as it drove all the way from the city center towards the outskirts.
The weather today was clear and sunny. The bright blue sky reflected off the snow-capped mountains behind rows of houses. Varying depths of snow had already covered most of the peaks, and the winter lakes exuded a tranquil aura. She looked at these novel sights along the way, feeling a faint sense of joy in her heart.
The bus had only been driving for half an hour when a message from Bian Xun popped up on her phone.
[Are you almost there?]
A question mark practically popped up over Ning Ye's head: [It's still early]
Bian Xun: [How long until you come back?]
Ning Ye assumed he was just anxious about taking care of the kid and comforted him: "I'll be back as soon as I pick up my things, a few hours at most."
The other side replied: "."
A simple period, expressing the author's deep homesickness.
But Ning Ye didn't read into it. She put away her phone and continued looking out the window, suddenly noticing a huge, brightly lit billboard.
The car happened to stop at this intersection for a moment, and this time, Ning Ye understood the slogan on the sign.
It was an advertisement for an international film festival taking place over these two days.
Coincidentally, it was being held in a country neighboring Country S. The two countries were right next to each other, even closer than Beijing and Hebei.
Ning Ye suddenly became alert. Without a doubt, this was part of the original novel's plot. The Best Actress female lead, after bravely revealing the fact that she had a child, received the support and blessings of the vast majority of netizens. Of course, a small group of anti-fans still insisted that she had abandoned her career ambitions—but how could the female lead's radiance ever be dimmed?
The Best Actress quickly proved herself at the next international film festival. With the film "Mother," she won a highly prestigious award. It could be said to be a complete underdog triumph, not only solidifying her identity as a mother but also proving her worth to the entire internet after secretly giving birth.
Ning Ye looked at the billboard outside the window. It seemed that even though there was a major deviation in the previous segment, the award the female lead was going to receive would not change. Although it wasn't as satisfying as in the original plot, returning home after this award was announced would still be a triumphant comeback—Xu Lanyi would still rise to the top.
This meant that the plot was still continuing to develop.
Thinking about it from another angle, it made sense—if the power of the plot didn't exist, then shouldn't Taotao not be in their current timeline?
Ning Ye tapped her fingertips lightly on her knees. Then, as the "male lead," to what extent would Bian Xun intervene in the plot?
A message popped up on her phone again: "Do you miss the child?"
Ning Ye pulled back her thoughts, looking down to reply: "?"
The other side finally fell silent.
Ning Ye felt a bit baffled. Even if Bian Xun had a sudden burst of fatherly love and his emotions became sensitive and delicate—it wouldn't go to this extent, would it?
But after replying to the message, Ning Ye's mood inexplicably relaxed. Although she had a faint sense of crisis, at least there were two of them now. Mom and Dad working together, there was nothing to fear.
Having a teammate was truly a reassuring thing.
Ning Ye looked up and found that the bus had stopped in front of an old building with a clock tower and a timetable.
She listened to the driver's explanation and realized that the bus didn't go directly to the conference venue. Instead, they had to transfer to a small train here to reach their destination.
Ning Ye couldn't compliment Western efficiency. She got off the bus and followed the crowd into the station, waiting for the little red iron train.
After entering the station, she ran into her team leader and a few colleagues from Wujiang, which helped her relax further.
She originally wanted to let Bian Xun know, but figuring the father and daughter were probably playing right now, Ning Ye decided not to disturb them.
The little train was somewhat faster. Outside the window, the modern park slowly came into view.
They called it modern, but it was actually renovated from a local grand cathedral. The ancient Western artistic atmosphere was preserved on the stone walls and spires. It was originally solemn and elegant, but at the moment, it carried a playful charm due to the Christmas decorations.
A giant Christmas hat was placed on top of the church spire, its tip drooping casually, covered with a layer of artificial snow.
They took Christmas very seriously here, and the various customs were especially attractive to Ning Zhitao. Since they were already here, Ning Ye wanted to make sure the little one had a proper celebration.
The colleagues arrived at the venue together. This conference was an event hosted by the World Environmental Protection Organization, exploring the significance of artificial intelligence in climate action and promoting sustainable development across various industries as well as technological innovation in global governance.
Ning Ye had also prepared before coming. She gathered a large amount of information on carbon neutrality and AI city operations, focusing on organizing Wujiang Group's initiatives in these fields over recent years.
Ordinary attendees like them weren't provided with translators, so she had spent a week cramming most of the core terminology in advance.
At first, Ning Ye was a bit shy about speaking English with foreigners. Although her English grades had always been good in exams, it wasn't her native language after all, and she always worried about making a fool of herself when speaking.
However, when they were going through customs, Bian Xun told her that English wasn't the first language for the people here either, and her grammar might actually be better than theirs.
Ning Ye slowly tried speaking and found that her English level was indeed sufficient for basic communication, which took a weight off her mind.
Gradually, her posture became more relaxed and confident, and she was even able to help translate a few sentences for her older team leader and the others.
Walking beneath the cathedral, she calmly handled her work. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, falling on the top of her head and her brow. Ning Ye felt as if she could see her 19-year-old self from many years ago, who used to keep her head down, slowly lifting her face.
It turned out that the distance she once thought was so heartbreaking and unreachable was something she could cross all by herself.
For some reason, Ning Ye found herself missing her child a little bit.
And perhaps she was also thinking a little about the child's father, who was in poor health.
After picking up the meeting minutes and work badges, and familiarizing themselves with tomorrow's schedule, there were no other arrangements for the day. Local staff members accompanied them as they walked out, chatting and laughing. "We originally invited someone in a very high position from your company, but he didn't accept the invitation."
The person stuck out their tongue helplessly. "It seems that his invitation requirements are very high, and unfortunately, ours is a free public welfare event."
Ning Ye and her colleagues silently exchanged glances.
This cold-blooded, profit-driven capitalist nature that didn't even bother to put on an act... Could it be their Boss Bian? Surely not.
The group acted as if nothing had happened, not daring to gossip about their boss.
But considering the CEO's hourly rate, he really wouldn't attend events casually!
Escorting them back to the train station, the staff member enthusiastically introduced, "It's almost Christmas Eve! You must try our local activities. The fathers here all dress up as Santa Claus to bring gifts and blessings to their children. There are also Christmas market performances in the city center."
Saying that, the staff member blinked. "If a reindeer holds out a hand to you, don't forget to give them a tip."
Tipping was very common around here.
...
Ning Ye boarded the little train heading back.
She opened her phone, only to realize that Bian Xun had sent several more messages within the past two hours.
The tone was calm, but it faintly carried a certain gloominess.
Ning Ye checked the time. She had been gone for about three hours; nothing should have gone wrong.
But she still replied to the message: "Taking the little train back now."
On the other side.
The statue of Jesus above the fountain pool looked holy and benevolent.
Inside the cafe overlooked by Jesus, a gloomy and frustrated handsome man suddenly opened his eyes.
He was a little happy, but also felt a mix of complex emotions.
At least Ning Ye was now taking the initiative to report her whereabouts to him.
However, over the past three hours, the CEO had accumulated a million and donated it to God.
He had only ever given Buddha 8.8 yuan.
Heh.
The CEO picked up his and the child's coats with a complicated expression.
Sitting across from him, Ning Zhitao scratched her head, "Daddy, are you still drinking this orange juice?"
For some reason, Daddy had been very earnest when playing with her today, but he seemed to struggle unusually hard when buying things. Just now, when he was looking at the menu, his breathing even grew heavy!
Their family wasn't going bankrupt, were they??
Ning Zhitao didn't dare waste a single drop, sipping up every last bit of her orange juice.
Bian Xun took a deep breath. "I'm not drinking anything. We'll wait until we pick up your mom to have dinner together."
Ning Zhitao missed her mom too. "Okay!"
Bian Xun stood up. A new car parked at the hotel entrance slowly drove over, and the driver stepped out and bowed. "Mr. Bian, do you need me to drive?"
Bian Xun raised a hand. "No need."
He lowered his eyes and entered an address into his phone, looking up Ning Ye's route to see where her bus and train transfers were.
By the time he drove to the transfer station, she would be arriving right on time.
They were moving closer to each other and would meet very soon.
Was this not a kind of mutual rushing toward each other?
The CEO suddenly felt this wasn't so hard to accept after all.
Bian Xun opened the car door and saw a new child seat prepared in the back. His mood, which had been anxious for hours, settled into mild satisfaction, and he nodded at the dispatched company employee.
The legendary big boss not only remembered his face but also showed appreciation. The employee instantly grew excited. "Mr. Bian, let me drive for you and the little miss. The traffic conditions here are quite complicated—"
"No need." Bian Xun got in and tested the wheel. Since he didn't have to switch between left- and right-hand drive, there were basically no issues.
He placed Ning Zhitao into the child seat, checked and fastened her seatbelt securely, and looked down at his phone to bring up the navigation to the bus transfer station.
By now, he had swapped to an international SIM card and connected to the foreign network. Suddenly, a news notification popped up.
The T2a0 local train from xx to xxx has suspended operations due to a massive railway workers' strike.
Bian Xun: "?"
He checked the train number; it was the exact one Ning Ye was currently on.
It had barely left the station before it was halted.
The employee beside him chuckled. "You see, this is exactly what I meant. These foreigners are always pulling some sort of stunt. Good thing you're not in a hurry, right?"
"..." Bian Xun remained silent, shifted gears, and had already forced himself into a state of calm.
All of this felt like a personal obedience test directed right at him.
He was just preparing to drive directly to the train station to pick her up, but a new news update popped up.
The recently suspended T2a0 train, stranded on the tracks, has been visited by local thieves!
Putting robbery so politely.
Bian Xun's fingertips tightened on the steering wheel, his dark eyes suddenly deepening.
His tone was calm as he turned to tell Taotao to sit tight, and then, at the fastest yet most stable speed possible, he drove off.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Ning Ye wondered what in the world was going on.
First, the train went on strike right after departing, and now she was hearing that several thieves had climbed through the windows of other carriages.
Fortunately, she and her colleagues were sitting together, giving her a slight sense of security. Thieves ran rampant around here, mainly seeking money rather than taking lives. Seeing how many of them there were, they probably wouldn't dare rob them in broad daylight, right?
But Ning Ye suddenly remembered something. Her expression remained unchanged, but her body stiffened slightly as she hugged her backpack tightly.
The cash Bian Xun had exchanged was all with her.
If it was discovered, it would be a disaster.
Ning Ye kept her cool.
On the roadway not far outside the train, a black sedan was parked.
A woman withdrew her gaze, a meaningful smile appearing on her lips.
It matched. It all matched up perfectly.
It was none other than Xu Lanyi, who had come abroad to attend a film festival.
She had just gone through the worst period of her life, spending her days in a daze, suffering from depressive episodes to the point where even Zixun was afraid of her.
Her career had suffered a heavy blow, she had lost a massive number of fans, and she had to pay a staggering sum in compensation to various brands. When she attended group events, her rivals would make all sorts of passive-aggressive remarks, and even a brainless bitch like Yue Shiqing could step all over her—
However, all these setbacks were merely the darkness before the dawn. Her chance for a comeback arrived so timely, as if destined by fate.
Xu Lanyi had started frequently dreaming about more of the plotline. She dreamed that her movie would win an award, and sure enough, after her team's extensive maneuvering, she won it;
She dreamed that Ning Ye, this sheltered woman who had never seen the world, would eagerly get an international business trip, only to run into a workers' strike on a train in a neighboring country and get robbed by thieves. She had come here specifically, and sure enough, it came true once again.
The plotlines she foresaw would all happen.
After confirming this fact, a sense of superiority far stronger than what came from family background, looks, or talent spontaneously arose within her.
Xu Lanyi got out of the car, and several bodyguards behind her immediately followed.
Supported by her bodyguards, she stepped onto the train tracks, signaled them to pull the train door open, and slowly walked inside.
Ning Ye had already noticed her by this time.
To say the least, she wasn't surprised.
This was the first time the two had met since the photo incident.
Xu Lanyi elegantly waved at Ning Ye, originally thinking the other party wouldn't move. After all, from Ning Ye's perspective, she probably thought she had already trampled this Best Actress down to rock bottom, right?
Who knew that Ning Ye, clutching the backpack in her arms, would ponder for merely a second before walking toward her.
In case anything happened, clinging tightly to the protagonist was the safest bet.
The other party didn't understand Chinese and would only think they were a group.
This train was very empty, with only a scattering of international guests coming from the venue, and the carriage they were in hardly had anyone else.
Xu Lanyi unhurriedly sat down in a row of seats. Just as she was about to tell Ning Ye to "sit," Ning Ye had already sat down closely beside her with a tranquil expression.
Xu Lanyi was slightly stunned, then narrowed her eyes, smiled calmly, and leaned back against the seat.
The entire train was completely at a standstill.
Yet she could feel that something in this world was flowing.
Every minute, every second.
The storylines belonging to her would all come true, and the most impossible to ignore among them was Bian Xun.
A trace of hatred flashed through Xu Lanyi's eyes, but within that hatred, there were also more complex undertones.
She was here this time to take revenge on Bian Xun.
It could be said that her reputation could still make a comeback, but the massive compensation for contract breaches and terminations, along with soured relationships, were what truly severely damaged her vitality.
And the wave of contract terminations from major brands and companies had all been initiated by Wujiang, with behind-the-scenes capital operations adding fuel to the flames, thoroughly pushing her into a situation where everyone kicked her while she was down.
Bian Xun was truly ruthless.
He was the most heartless, indifferent, and venomous man she had ever met.
But he was also, in a universal sense, the most outstanding man she could acknowledge.
Love and hate mingled in Xu Lanyi's eyes, and finally, she gave a soft laugh. Today, she was going to personally deliver this lesson back to Bian Xun.
Between them, they were evenly matched.
"The news that you are trapped here has already been released," Xu Lanyi smiled faintly.
Ning Ye, however, acutely sniffed out another implication.
Xu Lanyi appearing with such precision and just happening to witness it—wasn't it a bit too coincidental?
Her words could be understood as her helping them call for rescue.
However, Ning Ye's brow twitched as she suddenly realized that Xu Lanyi very likely also had a way of learning the plot.
And she was definitely not doing this to help them out of trouble.
"Multiple employees of Wujiang Group on a business trip were attacked on a train, encountering a robbery. Casualties unknown."
Xu Lanyi slowly read the news out loud, then smiled again. "Of course, your personal safety won't actually be in any real danger."
She was about to win an award and stand at the pinnacle of the international stage; how could she possibly bring trouble upon herself at a time like this?
Her goal was simply to send this news back to their home country.
The capital forces of the Xu and Gu families would step in together to guide public opinion.
When they dug up the real "Bian Xun" and told the public that he was by no means a benevolent entrepreneur, no one could predict how the incident would ultimately be characterized—
Employees' personal safety is not guaranteed.
A ruthless capitalist.
A corporation lacking social responsibility.
Exploiting the working class...
Would Bian Xun's stock price plummet once again? Xu Lanyi waited to see.
Just now, they had clearly photographed several employees inside the train from the outside. By now, the photos should have already spread all over the Chinese internet.
"Bian Xun should be working on an emergency risk control plan right now."
Wasn't this exactly what Bian Xun was best at? Thinking of the precise blow she had been dealt, her eyes filled with resentment, yet she couldn't bring herself to hate him completely.
"As for you?" Xu Lanyi finally turned her gaze to Ning Ye.
This was just an ordinary woman who was traveling abroad for the very first time.
Once she was crowned with honors and made her triumphant comeback, dealing with Ning Ye would be beneath her status.
"Bian Xun must be busy stabilizing public opinion right now; he won't have the energy to care about you."
After all, their daughter wasn't by Ning Ye's side either. Ultimately, Ning Ye's most important significance to Bian Xun was merely the fact that she was the mother of his biological daughter, rather than any intrinsic value she possessed as a person.
Ning Ye nodded. That would be for the best.
Taotao was currently with Bian Xun, and she truly didn't want her to come over.
Ning Ye's porcelain-white profile remained calm throughout. Xu Lanyi had been talking to herself for quite a while, only to realize that the other woman hadn't shown the slightest ripple of emotion.
She was indeed a woman who could maintain her composure.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have secretly given birth to a child and raised her for so long.
Xu Lanyi suddenly smiled. "Aren't you curious?"
Ning Ye withdrew her gaze. She had been listening to the commotion in the front carriage, which had stopped for a while now. Looking at Xu Lanyi's car parked outside and the few bodyguards standing guard, she thought this was somewhat of a lucky coincidence.
She turned her head and asked, "Curious about what?"
Xu Lanyi stared at this young, clean, and gorgeous face. "Aren't you curious about your value in Bian Xun's heart?"
"Would he give up the window period for public opinion control just for you? Would he disregard the drop in Wujiang's stock price and rush over for you? A cold-hearted, mean, and selfish man like him. Would your importance in his heart be higher than 'money'?"
Ning Ye quietly and politely listened to her finish, then said, "Of course not."
Xu Lanyi's expression paused.
Ning Ye thought to herself: what kind of person was Bian Xun? If he were that emotional, could he have ruthlessly seized power from a toxic, feudal den like the Bian family?
Xu Lanyi felt inexplicably displeased, but the result was what she wanted.
She curled her lips. "Indeed, I also think—"
Before she could finish her sentence, the headlights of a speeding car shone over, followed by the sirens of a string of police cars.
Bian Xun parked outside the train as steadily as possible. He pulled open the car door, picked up Ning Zhitao, and with a dark expression, strode towards the train carriage.
Xu Lanyi's face suddenly stiffened.
Ning Ye also looked surprised. She pressed against the train window, feeling a bit anxious.
Why did he bring Taotao over!
Fortunately, as soon as the police cars appeared, the thieves acted like mice seeing cats. They jumped out of the windows one after another. They appeared to be a few young people looking like homeless individuals, along with two dressed as Romani people, scattering into the night.
Bian Xun strode into the carriage, pulled up Ning Ye, who was still tightly clutching her backpack, and strode out.
Ning Ye took Taotao from his arms. The little girl still didn't know what had happened and thought her dad was just taking her for a joyride!
Ning Ye held Taotao's hand and got off the train. Seeing the police cars opposite them, she finally felt completely at ease.
It was a close call, but they were safe!
Bian Xun glanced inside the carriage, turned around to leave, and Xu Lanyi's unwilling cry rang out behind him: "Bian Xun!"
The man didn't even turn his head.
The emotions in Xu Lanyi's eyes were too complex to distinguish. She suddenly asked aloud, "Did you really come for Ning Ye?"
Bian Xun half-turned his face, his profile sharp and cold. "What else? I can't leave her. I have to see her all the time, and I have to stick to her every single second."
"Is it any of your damn business?"
With that, the CEO strode away.
Xu Lanyi's face alternated between red and white. She clenched her fists fiercely. Impossible! There must be something going on that she didn't know about—
Ning Ye stood by the car, watching Bian Xun stride over.
Actually, she also felt that Bian Xun must have some special reason.
That was why he could abandon the potential stock price fluctuations, corporate image damage, and financial risks to rush over so quickly.
Bian Xun stopped in front of her and lowered his eyes.
"Are you alright?"
Ning Ye quickly unzipped her bag and showed it to him. "The money is all here."
Bian Xun took a deep breath, his dark eyes like deep pools. "I asked if you are alright."
Ning Ye let out an "oh," feeling a bit of warmth in her heart. Bathed in the light of the police cars, the lines of her face looked soft.
"I'm fine. I didn't even see the thieves' faces."
Bian Xun gave an "mm," opened the car door, and let her get in.
"What about the other employees—" Ning Ye hurriedly looked up.
Bian Xun remained expressionless. "The police will handle them."
At this time, the other employees had already seen the police through the windows and felt relieved. Then, they vaguely saw their ultimate boss, wondering if they were seeing things?
Bian Xun didn't deny it at all.
He truly had no social responsibility or empathy for anyone else.
He only cared about her.
...
As the car drove back to the city center, Bian Xun's phone kept ringing along the way. The capital forces of the Xu and Gu families were indeed stepping in to manipulate the market. Wearing a Bluetooth headset, he provided remote guidance to his team back home.
Xu Lanyi had set this up well in advance, wanting to get revenge for what happened last time.
Assistant Zhang was currently waiting for his flight at the airport. There was a time difference between the domestic executives and President Bian, increasing the cost of communication. His slightly anxious voice came through the headset.
"President Bian, the other party came prepared this time. Analysts predict that Wujiang's stock price might drop by 5 points."
"What should we do?"
Bian Xun drove the car, his expression showing neither sorrow nor joy.
He had gotten his person back safely.
And with that, his rationality returned.
Bian Xun glanced in the rearview mirror at Ning Ye, who was sitting with their child. His eyebrows suddenly lifted. "It doesn't matter."
The stock price was going to drop.
The second opportunity to buy the dip had appeared.
Bian Xun withdrew his gaze, his heart slowly and quietly settling down.
The ten billion he had missed out on last time.
This time, he was going to take back everything that belonged to him.
In the back seat, the mother and daughter were chatting about their itineraries for the day, their sweet and soft voices intertwining.
Along the streets of the city center, Christmas trees decorated in red and green were covered with lights and balloons, warmly welcoming tomorrow's Christmas Eve.
As Bian Xun drove them back, his mood suddenly became relaxed and at ease.
The depletion of his balance was certainly rapid.
But there was more than one way to make money.
His dark eyes looked into the rearview mirror again, meeting Ning Ye's gaze as if she had sensed it. For a brief moment, their eyes locked.
Ning Ye gently squeezed Taotao's hand, feeling a bit of tenderness in her heart as well.
Bian Xun withdrew his gaze without leaving a trace and adjusted his posture in the driver's seat.
Everything was dialectical.
Just like before, when Ning Ye swiped his card, the expenses inflated by ten thousand times, but the investment returns were also ten thousand times.
Right now, they were far apart, and his balance was draining at an accelerated rate.
Then, if they were pressed close together, would the balance rapidly increase back?
The car stopped at the hotel entrance. Bian Xun closed his eyes slightly.
He did not continue down this train of thought, but his mood quietly lifted into pure satisfaction.
The CEO got out and opened the car doors for the older and younger passengers in the back seat.
Ning Ye stepped out carrying her bag. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and looked at him a bit shyly, wanting to say thank you.
Bian Xun gently stopped her. His dark eyes were shining, and his voice was low and clear, Let us spend Christmas Eve together tomorrow.
On the frantic drive over, he had not harbored any other thoughts.
Money is important.
But your safety is the most important.
Ning Ye understood his underlying meaning, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.
Beside them, Ning Zhitao was the first to cheer and jump up, Merry Christmas!
Bian Xun's lips curled into a smile, deliberately avoiding looking at Ning Ye's expression.
A wooden stall by the roadside blinked with red and green fairy lights, displaying beautifully wrapped apples.
Bian Xun thought about how they would soon be sharing the same suite upstairs, and that the suite only had two beds, one large and one small. The curve of his lips grew even more uncontrollable.
He walked casually over to the apple stall, reached out to pick one, and took out his card to pay.
We want them both, for peace and safety. He heard the gentle, clear female voice beside him.
Even without turning his head, he could feel Ning Ye's clear, soft gaze resting on him, carrying an unspoken emotion.
A wave of thrilling numbness shot down the CEO's spine from the back of his neck.
Then the apple vendor finished swiping the payment and handed his card back.
Bian Xun elegantly took the card, a smile still playing on his lips, and cast his eyes down at it.
? He had swiped the wrong card.
This was the card from the future.
The two black cards looked exactly the same.
The CEO: .
The CEO had smiled enough for one day.
Tomorrow must be earlier than today!!!
