Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight-Chapter 280 From the Beginning, She Was the Bait

"Third Young Master? Third Young Master?"

Sang Ran tugged at the arm of the man beside her.

Gong Chen came back to his senses, his expression indifferent, "What’s the matter?"

Sang Ran’s face stiffened for a moment, then she smiled and said, "We’re heading back now."

"You and President Wen head back first; I’m going to the company," Gong Chen withdrew his hand and swept a cold glance over Wen Qing.

Wen Qing felt a chill down her spine. She had wanted to urge Sang Ran to follow Gong Chen, but under his gaze, she could only fake a calm smile.

"Xiao Ran, I’ll accompany you back. Let’s not delay the Third Young Master’s work."

"Alright."

Sang Ran nodded and got into the car with Wen Qing.

After they left, Chen Jin parked the car in front of Gong Chen and opened the door for him.

Gong Chen, pressing down on his suit jacket, said in a low voice before getting in the car, "You personally follow Lin Zhiyi."

Chen Jin was perplexed, "She has nothing in her hands now, she shouldn’t dare to act rashly."

"You don’t understand her."

"Yes."

...

On the way back to the Gong Family residence.

Sang Ran gazed thoughtfully out of the window.

Wen Qing furrowed her brows, "Xiao Ran, why aren’t you happy? Now that the Third Young Master has also moved back in, you and your husband should have more opportunities to spend time together."

Hearing this, Sang Ran turned to stare at Wen Qing.

"Auntie, was it you who went to the elder and had all the Third Young Master’s things moved back from Su He Bay?"

"I did it for your own good," Wen Qing declared as if it were a matter of course. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"Auntie! What would the Third Young Master think of me? Am I that desperate for a man? Can’t I even wait until we’re married?"

Sang Ran was so angry she could hardly breathe.

Seeing this, Wen Qing quickly took a pillbox out of her bag and fed Sang Ran the medicine.

While helping to calm her down, she spoke earnestly, "Xiao Ran, I just want you two to get along well."

Sang Ran took a deep breath and asked, "Auntie. did you already know about Zhiyi’s marriage to He Yao?"

Wen Qing paused, then vaguely admitted, "I heard it from Mrs. He while playing mahjong. Besides, given Lin Zhiyi’s status, it’s her good fortune to marry into the He Family."

Sang Ran had almost been raised by Wen Qing. She didn’t want to speculate too much about Wen Qing’s intentions.

"Auntie, I don’t want to have encounters like today’s anymore. I don’t want to compare myself with others. Zhiyi may have her faults, but she’s not a bad person."

"You... you really are naive!" Wen Qing looked at Sang Ran with a mix of frustration and disappointment.

Sang Ran’s status and background were top-notch, whether in Hai City or Jing City.

Yet, she always adopted a non-competitive, non-aggressive attitude.

If she had Sang Ran’s power and status, not only Lin Zhiyi and Liu He, even Gong Shiyan would have begged for her favor.

Without showing any signs on her face, Wen Qing pursed her lips and advised, "Xiao Ran, you may be kind, but that doesn’t mean others think the same. I didn’t invite Lin Zhiyi over, and you didn’t have time to notify her, so how did she know to be here?"

Sang Ran bit her lip and remained silent for a long time.

Wen Qing took her hand and gently patted it twice, "Xiao Ran, I saw her and knew she was up to no good. I wanted her to back off. I consider you my own daughter and will not allow anyone to ruin your wedding."

Sang Ran wanted to argue, but she also harbored her own selfish interests.

In the end, she just sighed, "Let it be, auntie. She’s going to be married soon anyway; let’s put past rumors behind us."

Wen Qing hummed in agreement, then turned to look out the car window, her lips curling into a sly smile.

...

In the car.

Lin Zhiyi propped her chin in silence.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated twice.

She opened it up to find a message from He Yao.

"Where are you!!"

It was not a question but a demand, which showed how furious He Yao was.

Lin Zhiyi deliberately ignored He Yao’s messages.

Clearly, He Yao couldn’t stand being ignored, as in the next ten minutes, he sent all kinds of harassing texts.

Lin Zhiyi still didn’t respond.

Sang Li closed the documents his assistant, Zhou Zhao, had just handed to him and pinched the corner of his eye, "Who’s in such a hurry?"

"Did I disturb you? I’m sorry," Lin Zhiyi said apologetically, about to answer when she noticed a car that had been following them all the way.

Normally she wouldn’t pay attention to such details, but too many things had happened recently, making her more cautious of her surroundings.

The car had been trailing them since they left the bridal shop.

Sang Li was working on documents in the car, so they weren’t driving fast, and the vehicle behind them patiently followed.

After considering for a moment, Lin Zhiyi casually said, "It’s a client, not very satisfied with the design, so they’ve given a lot of feedback."

Sang Li turned to look at her, his voice low, "You don’t trust me that much?"

Lin Zhiyi pursed her lips, knowing how childish her lies must seem to the shrewd businessman.

She thought for a second and then pointed to the plaza ahead.

"Drop me off up ahead."

Sang Li was suspicious but still told the driver to stop at the intersection.

Before getting out, Lin Zhiyi grabbed Sang Li’s hand tightly.

Moments later, she left the car without looking back.

Inside the car, Zhou Zhao turned to look at Sang Li.

"Young Master, now..."

"We’re being followed," Sang Li said coldly.

"I understand."

Zhou Zhao glanced at the rearview mirror and revealed a mischievous smile.

...

After getting out of the car, Lin Zhiyi went straight into the shopping mall and walked into a luxury brand store.

"Welcome, Miss... Is it you?"

"I’m being followed. I need help," Lin Zhiyi said helplessly.

"Follow me."

The shop manager gestured for Lin Zhiyi to follow her further in.

The manager was an old colleague of Liu He’s. Whenever Liu He had a gathering, she would bring Lin Zhiyi along, making them fairly familiar with each other.

That was why Lin Zhiyi had chosen to get off there.

Through the store’s back door, Lin Zhiyi followed the manager down the employee passage.

"This exit leads to the backstreet of our shopping mall. Be more cautious in the future," the manager advised.

"Thank you."

"Say hello to your mom for me. Why hasn’t she been chatting with us these past days?"

"My mom is on a mountain retreat, and the signal isn’t great. She’ll treat you to dinner when she’s back," Lin Zhiyi smiled.

"Alright."

The manager waved goodbye to Lin Zhiyi and sent her on her way.

As Lin Zhiyi merged with the crowd in the backstreet, her phone continued to vibrate. When she checked it, He Yao had sent her hundreds of messages.

From initial demands to orders and now to threats filled with rage.

Just the mere words about killing her were enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

Lin Zhiyi knew He Yao was capable of such threats.

But this was the result she wanted.

Because... from the beginning, she was the bait.

Looking for evidence was just an eye shielding technique.

Lin Zhiyi continued walking with her head down when suddenly, footsteps approached from behind.

As a suspicious scent reached her nose, her body went limp.

...

Chen Jin sensed something amiss and rushed to the luxury store, only to find no sight of Lin Zhiyi inside.

He immediately realized he’d been duped.

Under persistent questioning, the manager at last pointed towards the shopping mall’s backstreet.

When he chased out there, Lin Zhiyi was already gone.

He signaled his men to search but soon encountered an obstacle.

Zhou Zhao rolled up his sleeves, wrapped his belt around his fist, and smiled at Chen Jin.

"Assistant Chen, we meet again. Since when do you have the habit of following women?"

Chen Jin frowned at him, "Step aside, I don’t have time for your nonsense."

"I’m not stopping you. Try me," Zhou Zhao beckoned with his fingers.