After being kicked out of the wealthy family along with her yandere childhood friend

Bai Tao pulled the blanket over her face, revealing only her tightly closed eyes and a small section of her nose.

Pei Jin didn't press the matter further. He turned around, walked back to the stove, turned off the fire, and scooped out the corn and eggs, placing them on a plate.

He glanced at the time; it was time to go out.

On the subway, Pei Jin gripped the handrail. The carriage swayed slightly, and his gaze fell on a couple leaning against each other in front of him.

The girl leaned on the boy's shoulder with her eyes closed.

His gaze lingered between the two men for a moment, then shifted away.

His workplace is too far away. If Bai Tao doesn't need to work, how can he trick her into moving with him...?

This way, I can rent a better house and spend more time with Bai Tao.

The time he spent cuddling with Bai Tao last night made him never want to sleep alone again.

If he had never seen the sun, he could have endured the darkness.

He glanced down at his phone; the screen displayed a rental app. Several apartments were available for rent in areas closer to his company, priced similarly to his current basement, but all better.

He glanced at it a few times, then locked his phone.

Pei Jin looked up at the tunnel lights receding outside the window.

So, now that Bai Tao has slept with him, it's time to go and ask her for a formal title tonight.

Bai family —

Lin Meng stood on the stairs, looking down at the viewer.

She was wearing a plain-colored loungewear set, her hair loosely tied back.

Lin Meng raised her hand and slapped Bai Shen across the face for the first time.

A merciless slap sent Bai Shen's face to the side.

Immediately afterwards, she slammed the photos and reports she was holding onto Bai Shen's face.

Photos of Bai Tao in the basement, photos of her living with Pei Jin, and photos of her eating hot pot with three men were scattered across the tiles of the Bai family home.

Several sheets fell at his feet, face up.

The sharp edge of the paper cut his face, leaving a thin, long bloodstain below his eye. Blood slowly seeped out and slid down his jawline.

The servants were startled and quickly lowered their heads, quietly retreating.

Lin Meng spoke, her voice revealing no anger, but it was also completely devoid of its usual gentleness.

"Bai Shen, are you crazy? You dare to help Bai Tao lie to me?"

Bai Shen lowered his head, his eyes downcast, and remained silent.

Lin Meng looked down at him, her gaze fixed on the bleeding gash on his face.

"Do you even realize you've ruined 23 years of hard work by your father and me! You're gambling with the entire Bai family's future!"

Bai Shen raised his head, his eyes slightly red, his voice trembling with a tremor he hadn't anticipated.

"I didn't, Mom!"

He looked at her.

"Our Bai family is already doing very well. Even if we don't need my sister to go through a marriage alliance, the Bai family will only get better and better."

Under his leadership, Bai's business lines are being consolidated, and new strategic directions are gradually being rolled out. He has enough confidence and patience.

Lin Meng's voice didn't rise, but it was colder than before.

"Do you know what it means for her to marry into the Xie family?"

Do you know how much it costs to cultivate a white peach over 23 years?

"You know that if it weren't for the Bai family, your sister wouldn't have been born at all!"

"Besides, she's just going there for a political marriage, not to die."

Bai Shen clenched his fists, lowered his head, and stood at the bottom of the steps, letting Lin Meng beat and scold him.

Lin Meng looked at him for a while, then glanced at the door of Bai Zhongjing's study upstairs.

"Go see your father. So you don't forget who's really in charge of the Bai family now."

Her voice returned to its initial gentleness. She reached out and gently touched Bai Shen's swollen cheek, her fingertips brushing against the bloodstain on his face before withdrawing them.

"You'll understand."

"Your daughter will follow this path in the future."

Lin Meng had also made an appointment with someone, and Mrs. Zhou was already waiting in the flower room.

So far, only the Zhou family has shown interest in Bai Zhenzhen; Mrs. Shu has remained completely silent.

Lin Meng picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and looked past the rim of the cup to Mrs. Zhou across from her.

Mrs. Zhou was holding a piece of osmanthus cake, smiling as she talked about her son's recent performance at the company, her tone carrying just the right amount of pride.

Lin Meng smiled and agreed, but her heart remained unmoved.

Her ultimate goal was never the Xie family. People always have to get closer to their goals step by step; you can't get fat in one bite.

She didn't interrupt Mrs. Zhou, but just as she put down her teacup, she added a timely remark.

"Zhenzhen is still young and doesn't understand many things yet, so I need you to give her more guidance."

Mrs. Zhou's smile widened even more after hearing this.

Lin Meng didn't say anything more, but just lowered her head and watched the tea leaves floating in the cup slowly sink to the bottom.

Pei Jin walked all the way down to the company building before preparing to hang up the voice call with Chi Shibao.

Chi Shibao kept repeating the contents of his paper across from him, his eyes becoming somewhat unfocused.

He will be going to the battlefield in three days.

He tilted his head back, slumped on the sofa, his phone resting on his stomach, his voice carrying a weariness that seemed to have been repeatedly crushed.

Pei Jin would occasionally correct his pronunciation and logical errors on the other end of the phone, his voice neither hurried nor slow.

Chi Shibao looked at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, its light casting dappled patterns on the white walls. He had never thought that studying abroad was such a boring thing.

Until Pei Jin asked a question before hanging up the phone,

Have you ever confessed your feelings to a girl?

Chi Shibao sat up abruptly, his phone slipping off him. He quickly picked it up and sprang off the bed.

What did he hear?!

His internet teacher is going to confess his feelings to the person he likes!

"Is that Sister Peach?"

His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Pei Jin did not answer immediately.

Chi Shibao paced back and forth in the hall excitedly. He was so enamored with these two people that he couldn't help but ask someone to inquire about them.

He knew perfectly well who Pei Jin was going to confess to, but he still asked; he needed to be 100% sure.

"Speak up, bro! Is this Sister Peach?"

"Yes. I was in the elevator just now."

Pei Jin's voice carried a hint of barely suppressed laughter, but the next second, he moved his phone away with a look of disgust.

"Aa ...

"Where's the housekeeper?! Buy me tickets! School's suspended, I want to see it in person!!"

Pei Jin chuckled at his words.

"Then you won't see it tonight."

"Seriously, bro? You're confessing your feelings tonight? And it's so late? You're only asking how to confess now? That's way too rushed!"

Pei Jin frowned, glanced at the time. There were still several hours until evening. Was it too rushed?

He had planned to say it this morning.

He really couldn't wait any longer; he had to take Bai Tao with him when he moved.

"This is so rushed, bro! This confession has to be accompanied by a sea of ​​flowers and fireworks!"

Chi Shibao paced anxiously in the living room. He adored Sister Bai Tao and wouldn't allow her to suffer any injustice.

"We don't live in the suburbs, where fireworks aren't allowed."

"Hey! Bro, no offense, but this is way too rushed. Couldn't you have waited a week?"

"I'll personally go back to China to handle it for you, and I guarantee you'll have a grand and impressive wedding!"

"Holding a grand and extravagant party" doesn't sound like a compliment, but Pei Jin knew he meant well.

"It's urgent. You don't understand. You'll know when you have someone you like. The next second, I'll want her to be my girlfriend."

"Oh dear! Oh dear!"

Chi Shibao was so anxious on the other end of the phone that he kept slapping his thigh.

"Then you should at least go to a high-end restaurant, have fresh flowers, and then formally ask Sister Peach if she wants to be your girlfriend!"

And I've heard that girls take these things very seriously; ideally, they should also have their makeup done beautifully.

Pei Jin frowned and thought for a moment.

"She's beautiful even without makeup."

"That won't do. I'll call my brother right now and have him find someone to help you."

"Feed? What did you say? I can't hear you."

The next second, Pei Jin hung up the phone.

Chi Shibao meant well, but he would prefer to spend more time with Bai Tao. However, he would consider whatever he said.

Moreover, if Bai Tao doesn't like him and rejects him, having too many people around would put pressure on her.

He didn't want it to be like this.