Chapter 23: It Is Time to Come Out

"Mr. Xiang, please sign the contract immediately."

Cheng Gang presented the document to Xiang Zhenhai at the perfect moment. Xiang Zhenhai was so infuriated that he could not find the words to berate him. He could only glare at him with eyes weathered by decades of hardship.

"I can give you the shares." He took a deep breath, as if having reached a difficult decision. At this point, Xiang Zhenhai knew that clinging to the An family shares was futile. Whether he agreed or not, Xiang Zhihua would seize them today. Persisting would not only be useless but would also bring him further suffering. It was better to use this as leverage to negotiate with Xiang Zhihua.

"However, as long as you live, you must not lay a hand on Lin Wanqing." This was the last thing he could do for her.

Xiang Zhihua curled his lips. Even now, the old man was still worrying about that reckless woman. How truly... sentimental. He wondered if the old man would still be so desperate to secure a future for her if he knew of Lin Wanqing’s betrayal.

"Young Master Xiang!"
"Zhenhai!"

Just as Cheng Gang took the signed share transfer agreement to hand it to Xiang Zhihua, a charming female voice drifted from the entrance of the banquet hall.

"Wanqing!" Shock filled Xiang Zhenhai’s eyes. Hadn't she been kidnapped by Xiang Zhihua’s men? Why was she here?

"Zhenhai, are you alright?" Lin Wanqing rushed over and grabbed his hands, looking him up and down. Seeing he was unharmed, she glared indignantly at Xiang Zhihua. "Xiang Zhihua, he is your father! How could you hurt him?"

Xiang Zhenhai was her life insurance. Losing him meant losing all chances of survival.

"Wanqing, where did you go?" Xiang Zhenhai, oblivious to the nervousness and hidden threat in her eyes, gripped her hands tightly in excitement. He clung to her like a lost treasure, indifferent to the eyes of everyone in the room, even pulling her into an embrace to kiss her.

A flash of embarrassment and disgust crossed Lin Wanqing’s eyes. Once he released her, she regained her usual tender expression and looked up at him. "Zhenhai, wasn't it your people who said a document was missing at the office and told me to take a subordinate's car to retrieve it?"

Xiang Zhenhai’s face turned ugly and furious. "You played me!" He looked at Xiang Zhihua with icy eyes. If he didn't understand what was happening now, he would have lived in vain.

"Mr. Xiang, you may leave now," Cheng Gang said, gesturing toward the exit.

"Zhenhai, what is happening?" Seeing his grim expression, she wondered if something unpleasant had occurred before her arrival.

"It's nothing," Xiang Zhenhai muttered, suppressing his rage. "Wanqing, as long as you are safe, that is all that matters!" He held her hand tightly, as if he had come to a realization. "Let's go. Let's leave this filthy place." Staying here a second longer was an insult to him. Though puzzled, Lin Wanqing didn't press him and followed him out.

As the banquet drew to a close, everyone finally realized the truth. This was no jewelry banquet; it was merely a pretext to extort Xiang Zhenhai. A chill ran through the guests.

***

On the second floor, Lu Yao had watched everything with growing fear and panic. She knew well that Xiang Zhihua was notoriously ruthless in the Hong Kong circle. Having declared in front of everyone that she was "his person," she could only imagine how he would deal with her later. It was a headache-inducing thought.

"Miss Lu, what are you thinking about?" Cheng Gang, who had come to collect her, asked as he saw her staring blankly at the sofa. He was curious about the courage she had found to claim she belonged to Young Master Xiang. In all of Hong Kong, many women desired that status, yet none dared to make such a bold claim for fear of trouble. This young woman, however, was quite shocking—and admirable. Xiang Zhihua lacked nothing, but perhaps he lacked a brave soul like her to help him open his heart.

Lu Yao snapped back to reality and stood up.

"Young Master Xiang is waiting in the car. Please." Cheng Gang gestured for her to follow. Lu Yao wanted to refuse, but she had gone too far to pretend nothing had happened. She braced herself and followed him downstairs.

A black sedan was parked at the entrance of the Dongping Hotel. Cheng Gang opened the door for her. "Thank you!" Lu Yao nodded politely and prepared to step in, only to find Xiang Zhihua sitting in the back seat. Dressed in a sharp gray suit, he projected an immense sense of oppression.

Lu Yao momentarily wanted to flee. Xiang Zhihua, sensing her hesitation, looked up. "Not getting in?" His simple question carried an unspoken, overbearing threat. Since this girl dared to lie at the banquet, why hadn't she considered the consequences?

Lu Yao had no choice but to stiffen and climb inside. They remained silent throughout the ride; Xiang Zhihua sat with his eyes closed, while Lu Yao stayed as close to the window as possible, trying to pretend he wasn't there.

Suddenly, a phone rang, breaking the awkward silence.

"Young Master Xiang, it’s the Old Master," Cheng Gang said from the passenger seat, holding up the mobile phone.

Xiang Zhihua opened his eyes, stared at the phone for a moment, then took it and pressed the answer button.

"You’ve got guts, boy," the Old Master’s booming voice came through. "That is your own father, and you still managed to strike. Still, this upheaval serves as a stern warning to him." The Old Master’s tone softened. "Now that you have what you wanted, when do you plan to come to the old mansion to see your grandfather?"

The last sentence was the true purpose of his call. Though he hadn't witnessed Xiang Zhihua’s dominance tonight, he had heard all about it. "You’ve been staying in that villa for over ten years; it’s time to come out."

Ever since Xiang Zhihua moved out of the old mansion, he had severed almost all social ties, never once attending the Old Master’s birthday banquets. This had always been a source of pain for the Old Master. If he had intervened to stop Xiang Zhenhai from surrounding the kidnappers back then, Xiang Zhihua would not have become the man he was today. When the Old Master finally saw his grandson after he was rescued, regret was already too late. Out of guilt, the Old Master had chosen not to attend the banquet.