Gong Xueyan returned after receiving a phone call from home.

Lately, she has been focusing all her energy on Lu Jinxuan, neglecting many of the family matters.

"Dad, you called me back, is there something you need?"

As soon as Gong Xueyan returned, she went into the study, where Gong Hongming was alone, leaning on a chair, with a drink beside him.

"Hmm…" Gong Hongming, upon hearing his daughter's voice, looked up, "Xueyan, you're back… Come, give your mom a call, tell her to come back."

Gong Xueyan was taken aback, then sneered, "Now you want to think of my mom? In Donghua, to care for that little elf, you didn't let my mom suffer. She's mad at you! She won't come back!"

"You dead girl!" Gong Hongming snapped at his daughter harshly, having no interest in wasting words with her, "Are you lecturing your father now? Don't bother! Call your mom back quickly."

"I don't have that capability." Gong Xueyan resented her father as well, "Mom has her own studio now, she's doing well without you."

Gong Hongming frowned, "Are you calling or not? If you don't call, I won't even be able to provide your dowry."

Upon hearing this, Gong Xueyan was stunned, "What happened? Is there trouble at home?"

Gong Hongming didn't speak, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, urging his daughter, "Quickly call your mom!"

"…Oh."

Gong Xueyan frowned, thinking that something must indeed be wrong at home, otherwise her father wouldn't bow to her mother.

Mrs. Gong still had some affection for Gong Xueyan, so sure enough, as soon as Gong Xueyan called, Mrs. Gong showed up. However, even when she arrived, she maintained a cold attitude toward Gong Hongming.

"Xueyan, wasn't it you who needed something?" Mrs. Gong implied that she didn't want to see Gong Hongming.

Gong Hongming signaled to his daughter, and Gong Xueyan quickly smiled, "Mom, Dad knows he was wrong and has something to tell you! Take your time talking!"

Saying this, she retreated to the doorway and closed the door.

Only the couple was left in the study, and Mrs. Gong didn't even look at Gong Hongming, "What do you want?"

"Whew!" Gong Hongming exhaled a smoke ring and said straightforwardly, "Transfer some of your studio funds to me, I'm having some turnover problems lately."

"What?" Mrs. Gong couldn't believe it, "Gong Hongming, have some shame! The Gong Family is large and wealthy, and you're actually thinking of me? Don't forget, we are already separated!"

"Separated?" Gong Hongming chuckled, "But we're not divorced yet, are we?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Mrs. Gong's expression stiffened, "Gong Hongming, it was you who were unfair first, don't blame me for being heartless! I won't take out my studio's money for you!"

It was ironic, back in the day when Gong Hongming fought hard to win over Tu Shanni, he spared no efforts, using any means necessary. However, the couple who formed through such struggles ended up like this.

Despite being refused, Gong Hongming wasn't rushed.

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, looking at his wife mockingly, "Fine! If you won't help me, once the fact that you're Fu Xianlin's ex-wife is exposed, everyone will know what kind of person you are! Those in the Gao Ding service industry are for the high society."

He paused, "Tell me, if those ladies knew what kind of person you are, would they still give you face?"

"You…"

Mrs. Gong's face stiffened, not expecting Gong Hongming to act this way.

"Shameless!"

Instinctively, she raised her hand to slap him.

Yet, her wrist was caught by Gong Hongming, who looked at her fiercely, "I'm shameless? When the Fu Family fell, and you followed me, you didn't say that then! Not giving me funds? Don't forget, everything you have now is thanks to me! Without me, Gong Hongming, who would even know who you are?"

This was one point that couldn't be argued.

Mrs. Gong was originally an obscure designer. After marrying Fu Xianlin, she was cherished by him and had no ambition in her career.

Over the years, by leveraging Gong Hongming's name, she managed to secure a place in the Gao Ding industry.

She endured these hardships, made mistakes in the past, losing family, husband, and daughter, leaving only the studio behind, which she couldn't let go of!

Mrs. Gong weighed her options and had to agree through gritted teeth, "How much do you want?"

"Tsk." Gong Hongming sneered, very pleased, "If you had been this obedient from the start!"

He extended his hand, showing a number, "This much."

"..." Mrs. Gong gritted her teeth, "Alright!"

...

Guan Chao.

Lu Jinxuan was on a video call with Mr. Lin, who was unable to appear himself, so everything was arranged by someone under Lu Jinxuan's instructions.

"How is it going?" Mr. Lin asked about the progress over the computer screen.

Lu Jinxuan nodded, "Uncle, rest assured it's proceeding smoothly, and the commotion is so big that Gong Hongming will take the bait. Once he gets involved, he will be completely trapped with no way out."

"Good." Mr. Lin nodded with a faint smile, "With you on board, things are indeed going smoothly."

After discussing business, naturally, their personal relationship couldn't be left hanging.

Mr. Lin suddenly asked, "Taotao, do you want to see her?"

"..." Lu Jinxuan frowned and fell silent for a moment.

If Yu Sangwan hadn't been pregnant, he might have forced himself to stick to the original engagement. However, now that Wanwan is pregnant, things are different.

The reason Lu Jinxuan is working so hard for Mr. Lin now is to repay the Fu Family for past favors and… for being unable to fulfill the promise of this engagement.

Yet, he has always been a deeply reserved person, accustomed to keeping everything to himself.

Lu Jinxuan's thin lips moved, "Uncle, it's better not to for now… Gong Xueyan is currently living next door to me, Taotao's safety is more important."

"...Hmm." Mr. Lin nodded, "You're right, we think alike, Taotao is too simple, these matters are not suitable for her. Once we have achieved our great success, we will bring her back. I remember you got along well as children…"

Recalling the past, Mr. Lin laughed.

"Remember that night? We found you both in Taotao's room, on her princess bed, you were holding her as you slept… She was usually naughty, but became very obedient with you."

Lu Jinxuan frowned slightly, still having some memories of these events, recalling the little girl who resembled a peach in his memory.

"Yes." He nodded, but his heart was filled with the image of another girl.

Feeling guilty, Lu Jinxuan forcibly shifted the topic.

"Uncle, when will we expose Gong Hongming?"

Hearing this, Mr. Lin's expression became serious, "Wait until he falls into your trap, hit him from both sides, and ensure he never recovers!"

"...Alright." Lu Jinxuan nodded.

From his standpoint, he was even more anxious than Mr. Lin. He needed to finish all this before he could go to Yu Sangwan.

After ending the video call, he turned off the computer.

Lu Jinxuan stood up and walked to the window. He reached to undo his shirt button, and from inside, he pulled out a red string. Attached to one end of the string was a Peach Seed Whistle.

"Tsk." Lu Jinxuan smiled, lifting the peach seed to his lips and giving it a kiss, "Wanwan, don't be anxious, please wait for me… Trust me, I have plans for our future, just wait for me, keep waiting for me."

...

At breakfast time, as soon as Lu Jinxuan went downstairs, he met Gong Xueyan.

The person who Gong Xueyan once was, how proud she was when they first met, now she is just as humble.

Fortunately, Lu Jinxuan's 'power' is deep, treating her as if she didn't exist, he sat down on a chair on his own.