Chapter 149
Country X International.
At this time, Xiao Yongze was having afternoon tea with his wife, Song Jiaxi, in his office.
"Honey, what do you think, how much longer can Xiao's Company hold on? I've heard that they've spent another million in loans," said Song Jiaxi, taking a bite of strawberry cake and sighing. "I reckon their next move will be to mortgage the company and factories."
Xiao Yongze gently wiped some cream from the corner of Song Jiaxi's mouth with his finger. "Even if he intends to do that, it won't help. I estimate his shareholders won't agree and may even pull out. He'll probably come begging us for help soon."
No sooner had he spoken than his secretary knocked and entered.
"Boss, here are some documents that need your signature." The secretary was long used to the couple's private moments in the office and simply placed the stack of papers on the desk.
"Oh, that's right, Boss. Xiao Group's secretary Zhao called earlier, saying their boss wants to see you."
Xiao Yongze raised an eyebrow, giving his wife a meaningful look as if to say "See, I was right." "Oh? And what did you tell them?"
"I said, 'My boss's schedule is booked for the next two months, but I could pencil you in for May 9th if needed.' But they seemed rather urgent, even wanting to speak with you directly. I refused for now."
Song Jiaxi burst out laughing. "Two months from now, it'll be too late to do anything! Ha ha ha!"
Xiao Yongze nodded. "I see. If he calls again, put him through to me."
"Yes, sir." The secretary nodded and left.
Song Jiaxi looked at her wily husband, her eyes twinkling. "So Boss, what's your plan?"
Xiao Yongze's lips curved into a smile. "Before, I thought I'd wait until Xiao caught them cutting corners, then move in. But I've been thinking, Xiao's Company was the life's work of the previous generation. It's declined, but I still want to preserve it.
"So when the shareholders start pulling out, I'll buy up their shares and become the largest shareholder. Then I'll publicly expose all of Xiao Wenyao's crimes and let the law deal with him."
"After that's settled, I'll restructure Xiao's Company. In a few years, we can let our son Shu Ning get some practice running it."
Not wanting their daughter to stay at the hospital any longer, Gu Qi and Ye Junli sent the kids back home to the Ye Family Villa.
"Shu Ning, He Junting, don't you two have work today?" Ye Jinmeng looked at Shu Ning and He Junting, puzzled that they had come home.
Shu Ning cleared his throat. "I was just worried about you. Plus, I've taken care of things at the company, so there won't be any issues."
He Junting said, "I wanted to stay with my wife."
"Don't talk nonsense, who's your wife!" A flush spread over Xu Wanwan's face as she tried to punch He Junting's chest, but he caught her little fist.
Ye Jinmeng shuddered. "Ugh, Shu Ning, got any sugar-free candy? This is way too sweet, it's making my teeth hurt!"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.
Red-faced, Xu Wanwan asked, "Jinmeng, what would you like for dinner tonight? I can make something simple since I'm not good at complex dishes yet."
Ye Jinmeng didn't hesitate. "I want beef noodles, and a separate plate of braised beef too!"
Remembering the beef noodles that Zhao Di had eaten, she couldn't help swallowing hungrily at the memory.
Xu Wanwan checked the fridge. "Sure, easy enough. We've got beef, so beef noodles it is. I'll show you guys what I can do!"
"Yay, thanks, sis!" Ye Jinmeng sweetly called her "sis."
"No problem. You guys just hang out, I'll have it ready soon."
He Junting stood up. "I'll help you so we're not a third wheel over there."
And so in the kitchen, one lovey-dovey couple cooked, while in the living room, another couple exchanged shy glances.
"Shu Ning, I think tonight's dinner is going to be super sweet with how much sugar those two are sprinkling around in the kitchen."
Shu Ning glanced toward the kitchen, hesitating. "Then... should we sprinkle some sugar around the living room too?"
"You wish!" Ye Jinmeng blushed and glared at him.
"But Jinmeng, was everything you guys said this afternoon true? Why has no one ever mentioned anything like that to me before? I feel like the only one left out of the loop."
Shu Ning gave her his most pitiful look, as if he'd been ostracized.
"No, Shu An and Jian Jian didn't know either, besides you."
Shu Ning almost choked, pulling Ye Jinmeng into his arms and pinching her little face viciously.
"Is that what I meant? Huh?"
Ye Jinmeng's face was squished into a pout as she whined. "Ow! Shu Ning, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Shu Ning released her face and gave her pouting lips a loud smack of a kiss. "Since you're being so earnest about it, I'll let you off for now."
In truth, he didn't really need to know everything. It was just that today's revelations had been such a shock, seeing the others were all aware of this rebirth business caught him off guard.
Ye Jinmeng licked her lips and grinned. "Shu Ning, I didn't mean to hide anything from you. Remember when I got stabbed protecting Wanwan, and you asked me why I protected her? I said it was because of something I owed her from before.
"It's because in her previous life, she was me - ah no, she was the Ye Jinmeng that I had killed. So in this life, I have to properly protect her.
"But that was Wanwan's secret, so I couldn't just blurt it out. Then after she told He Junting the secret, I did plan to tell you too when I got a chance. But then... everything kept happening, so I forgot.
"So Shu Ning, I really didn't mean to hide it from you. Don't be mad, okay?"
Shu Ning smiled. "I'm not mad, I just needed some time to process it all."
Ye Jinmeng's lips formed a pout. "So... Shu Ning, will you mind that I'm not the real Ye Jinmeng?"
Shu Ning patted her head. "Don't be silly. It's you I've always liked, never that other Ye Jinmeng."
"In my memory, I disliked the Ye Jinmeng from before age five. She used to bully the other kids. It was only after you got that head injury and amnesia that I really enjoyed playing with you."
"So, don't let your mind wander, okay~"
Ye Jinmeng's mood instantly improved, and she planted a big kiss on Shi Shuning's lips.
"Meng Meng, Senior Shi, time for dinner~" Soon after, Xu Wanwan called the two of them to the dining room.
Ye Jinmeng washed her hands and skipped merrily to the dining room.
"Mmm, smells so good!" Ye Jinmeng drooled at the aroma of the braised beef.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a small taste. "Wow, Wanwan, this is so delicious, the best beef I've ever had!"
Xu Wanwan smiled and teased, "You just say that about everything."
Ye Jinmeng dug in heartily.
"Oh, by the way, today is March 4th, so tomorrow is the 5th. Meng Meng, don't you have to go back to school for a makeup exam?"