Zhou Mingfu let out a cold laugh. "Sending Wen Ran to F City this time is all part of my plan. Do you really think my car accident was just a coincidence? Do you think I randomly suggested you should go with her?"
"Dad, don't tell me you deliberately got into that accident? But why?" Zhou Lin's eyes widened in disbelief.
She didn't understand. A car accident to achieve a goal? That was like harming yourself just to hurt the enemy. What if it had ended up like Wen Hongrui's incident and cost him his life?
Zhou Mingfu's face darkened slightly as he said in a low voice, "If I didn't use a trick like that, Wen Ran wouldn't let her guard down. I underestimated her before. She's not alone—she has Mo Xiuchen now, and even Wen Jin has woken up. I visited him in the hospital the other day—he was clearly implying that he suspects me."
"He suspects you? About the car accident?" Zhou Lin asked, growing worried. She remembered her father telling her that Wen Jin had long been investigating his corruption and other shady dealings.
"Yes. Wen Jin isn't as easy to deal with as Wen Ran. But he loves her dearly. If something bad were to happen to her... there's a good chance the shock would put him back in a coma."
Zhou Mingfu knew exactly where Wen Jin's weakness lay. If Wen Ran suffered, Wen Jin would never recover emotionally. And as for Mo Xiuchen—imagine the look on his face when a man who can't perform watches his wife get...
Zhou Lin's expression twisted in shock. A moment later, she asked again, "Dad, do you think Wen Ran will really fall for it? She's different now—more guarded and mature than before."
Back then, Wen Ran had lived in a bubble, sheltered from the darkness of the world. But ever since her family's downfall, she'd grown up overnight. She had even become cold and distant toward Zhou Lin, who used to be her closest 'sister.' Now, even getting a single conversation from her was difficult.
"She won't have a choice. This time, there's no lucky escape for her like there was with the car accident," Zhou Mingfu said, his eyes flashing with menace. He knew she wouldn't be easy to fool. That's why he had a backup plan. As long as she went to F City, she wouldn't be able to run.
Meanwhile, in Wen Ran's office...
Bai Xiaoxiao was leaning over her desk, her face filled with pleading as she said, "Ranran, take me with you, please. I promise I won't cause any trouble."
Wen Ran glanced at her, then looked back at her monitor. She was currently evaluating some rare herbs they needed to stock up on. Autumn was already here, and once the weather turned colder, those herbs would be even harder to source.
She was considering whether to increase the order this time. Just yesterday, she had visited her brother in the hospital, and he had shared some good news—Kangning Hospital planned to start using their factory's injections and two types of Western medicine.
Thinking of that, she picked up her desk phone and dialed the internal line.
Bai Xiaoxiao frowned, sitting back in her chair to wait patiently. Once Wen Ran finished her call, she perked up again. "So? Have you decided yet?"
"Don't you have work?" Wen Ran asked casually.
"Nope! I've taken half a month off!" Bai Xiaoxiao beamed.
"You took leave?" Wen Ran gave her a strange look. Bai Xiaoxiao worked at her own family's company—her father doted on her so much he barely let her lift a finger. What kind of vacation could someone like that need?
Bai Xiaoxiao pouted. "My dad's been working on a partnership with the Xiao Group. And he is the one handling it. I didn't want to see him, so I took time off."
Wen Ran instantly knew who she meant—Xiao Yuting. The Bai and Xiao families were both prominent, and Bai Xiaoxiao had chased after Xiao Yuting for years, despite his womanizing and cold demeanor.
Seeing the faint sadness in her friend's eyes, Wen Ran's heart softened. Smiling, she said, "Fine, I'll take you with me to F City."
"Ranran, you're the best!" Bai Xiaoxiao lit up. "You won't regret this—I promise!"
Wen Ran raised a brow playfully. "I hope not. This is a work trip. You'll have to keep yourself entertained."
"What time's the flight? I'll go pack now!" Bai Xiaoxiao jumped up with excitement, accidentally sending her chair sliding a few feet back.
Wen Ran gave her a mock-stern glare. "Nine a.m. tomorrow. No need to panic."
"Oh! That reminds me—I almost forgot!" Bai Xiaoxiao had actually come to talk about something important, but when she found out about the trip, she'd completely forgotten.
She smacked her forehead in frustration.
Wen Ran frowned. "If you knock yourself silly in here, your dad's going to make me pay him back with a daughter."
Bai Xiaoxiao giggled and dragged her chair back, sitting down again with mock grace. "Ranran, you know the MS Group commercial building project, right?"
Wen Ran rolled her eyes. "Doesn't everyone in G City know about that?"
Bai Xiaoxiao smiled sheepishly and said, "My dad wants to partner with MS Group. I heard Mo Xiuchen is in charge. Could you show this proposal to him?"
"This is what you call being on vacation?" Wen Ran raised a brow as she looked at the document Bai Xiaoxiao pulled from her bag.
Bai Xiaoxiao laughed awkwardly. "Ranran, I'm not asking you to make him agree—just ask him to look at it. If he says no, that's fine. I just need to tell my dad I tried."
"I don't know if I even can get him to look. Is this your proposal?" Wen Ran asked, placing the document on her desk.
Though she was married to Mo Xiuchen, their relationship wasn't a romantic one. She couldn't just ask him for favors.
Even if they had been truly in love, she still wouldn't pressure him professionally.
"It's not mine," Bai Xiaoxiao said, bowing playfully. "You don't have to say anything good about it—just give it to him. That's all I ask."
"Alright. I'll pass it to him, but I can't guarantee he'll read it," Wen Ran replied. She still remembered how Bai Xiaoxiao had persuaded her father to offer a loan of 50 million when she'd needed it most. Even though she never took the money, she had always remembered that kindness.
"Thank you, Ranran. Seriously, thank you!" Bai Xiaoxiao said with heartfelt gratitude.
After Bai Xiaoxiao left, Wen Ran picked up her phone and dialed Mo Xiuchen's number.
It rang several times before he finally answered. His deep voice came through, barely audible over the roar of construction equipment:
"Hello?"