Guo Yan stepped out and returned an hour later with the injection. After administering it, he handed Ling Mei anti-inflammatory medication before quietly leaving the estate.
Ling Mei stood by the window, watching as his car disappeared beyond the gates. She let out a slow breath.
One problem handled.
She walked back to the bed and picked up her phone. She had declined Ling Bao's calls all day. After a brief hesitation, she dialed his number.
He answered immediately.
"Ling Mei! Where have you been? I called you countless times — why didn't you pick up?"
He didn't even give her room to respond.
"Calm down, Grandpa. Don't overstress yourself," she said gently, worry flickering in her eyes.
"Don't tell me to calm down when you disappear for almost a day!" Ling Bao snapped.
She sighed softly. "I was busy with new collections. I didn't need distractions. I'm perfectly fine."
There was a pause. He sensed something was off, but chose not to press.
"Feng Zhi's mother sent a message. She wants to meet you. When will you be free?"
Ling Mei nearly choked.
They were already involving parents? She hadn't even agreed to the proposal.
If only she could punch that overbearing man in the head.
"I'll get back to you, Grandpa," she muttered.
"You better. Or I'll send Song Min to pick you up."
The call ended before she could protest.
Ling Mei groaned.
Were all the Fengs insufferable?
—
Jun Xinyi sat in one of the high-end cafés in B City, dark sunglasses shielding her identity. She slowly stirred her sweetened coffee while scrolling through her phone.
A chair scraped against the floor.
Someone sat down across from her.
Jun Xinyi lifted her head, irritation flashing in her eyes — then froze.
The girl sitting opposite her was breathtaking. Elegant. Expensive. Every inch of her screamed old money.
"You must be Jun Xinyi," the girl said with a pleasant smile.
Jun Xinyi's fingers tightened around her cup. How did she know?
"Who are you?" she demanded, irritation sharp in her tone.
The girl smiled lightly.
"Ling Li."
Jun Xinyi's eyes narrowed.
Ling Li? Ling Mei's sister?
"I'm Ling Mei's sister," Ling Li confirmed smoothly. "And we share the same interest."
She leaned forward slightly.
"I want to see Ling Mei fall from her pedestal."
Now that? That caught Jun Xinyi's attention.
"How do you know what I want?" Jun Xinyi asked cautiously.
Ling Li traced her fingers across the polished table.
"I've been watching you. You're flawless. Much better than my sister."
Jun Xinyi's pride stirred. Of course she was better.
"Follow me," Jun Xinyi said suddenly, standing.
Outside, they entered her Porsche 911 Carrera, its windows heavily tinted. Ling Li wasn't impressed — she expected nothing less.
Once seated, Jun Xinyi turned serious.
"What do you have to offer?"
"A lot," Ling Li replied calmly. "But nothing comes for free."
Jun Xinyi smirked. "I don't pay for promises without proof."
Ling Li opened her handbag and pulled out a brown envelope. From it, she produced a neatly preserved court document.
"This is a court statement. Dated twenty-two years ago."
Jun Xinyi scanned the pages.
Her eyes widened.
Before she could study it further, Ling Li smoothly retrieved the file and sealed it back inside the envelope.
Jun Xinyi frowned, annoyed.
"I don't make empty promises," Ling Li said, placing a black-and-white card on the dashboard. "A good payment — and this is yours."
She opened the door gracefully and stepped out.
Jun Xinyi stared at the card.
Her lips slowly curved.
Ling Mei…
This time, you won't escape.