Ji Yuning murmured, "Does she not want you anymore either?"
Another tear fell.
…She doesn't want me anymore.
Chapter 72
Three years later.
In front of the Fang family villa in Hushi.
Yuan Yizhen stood by the car, and after a while she saw someone come out.
He was about 1.7 meters tall, with a slender figure. He was in his early twenties, and the childishness on his face had completely faded compared to when we first met. His indifferent eyes were devoid of any emotion.
Yuan Yizhen stepped forward and called out, "President Ji."
Ji Yuning nodded: "Mm."
Did you get anything out of that question this time?
After Yuan Yizhen finished asking her question, she saw that Ji Yuning's expression had turned cold, and she knew in her heart that she would get nothing this time.
For the past three years, Ji Yuning has returned to Hushi from Beijing every few months in order to get news about Fang Bai from Fang Maozhou.
Initially, Fang Maozhou only gave one answer: he didn't know. However, as Ji Yuning came more and more often, Fang Maozhou had no choice but to tell the truth: he also couldn't contact Fang Bai.
Yuan Yizhen paused for a moment, then said, "Perhaps Mr. Fang is telling the truth?"
Fang Maozhou said that Fang Bai gave him a phone number before leaving, but a year after Fang Bai left, that number could no longer be reached.
They also called that number, but the call couldn't be connected. They even discovered that Fang Bai's plane ticket for leaving that year was purchased using that number.
A cold smile flashed in Ji Yuning's eyes.
How could it be true?
Given Fang Maozhou's personality, would he be as calm as he is now if he couldn't contact Fang Bai? It's just a bluffing excuse.
Fortunately, Ji Yuning didn't expect to get any information from Fang Maozhou. She came to find Fang Maozhou, but only to seize a one in ten thousand chance.
Ji Yuning's phone rang in her pocket. She glanced at the caller and quickly answered.
"Any news?" The indifferent voice carried a hint of eager anticipation.
The person opposite replied respectfully, "Yes, Miss Fang seems to have appeared in New Zealand."
Ji Yuning's eyes flickered.
The person on the other end added, "But that was half a month ago."
"Okay." Ji Yuning hung up the phone and said to Yuan Yizhen, who was opening the car door for her, "Sister Zhen, book me a plane ticket to New Zealand."
Yuan Yizhen was taken aback: "Now?"
"Hmm." Ji Yuning smiled at Yuan Yizhen after speaking, her eyes sparkling. "She's in New Zealand."
Seeing the smile on Ji Yuning's face, Yuan Yizhen couldn't smile; only bitterness remained.
Over the past six months, Ji Yuning received three calls from that number, and each time she went to three different countries, but each time she returned empty-handed.
The bright, sparkling eyes that appeared before the journey faded with each return.
Yuan Yizhen felt that if this happened a few more times, her eyes might not shine anymore.
Yuan Yizhen still remembers the call she received from Ji Yuning three years ago. When she arrived at the villa to pick up Ji Yuning, she only saw a small figure squatting in front of the villa, like a homeless person.
She drove Ji Yuning to Beijing.
Yuan Yizhen didn't know what Ji Yuning and Chairman Lu talked about, she only knew that from that day on, Ji Yuning never smiled again.
Only after receiving a phone call six months ago did Yuan Yizhen see a long-lost smile on Ji Yuning's face.
Although it was faint, at least there was a sense of human presence, rather than living lifelessly like a walking corpse.
After more than two years of hard work, Ji Yuning finally managed to find news about Fang Bai, which made Yuan Yizhen feel both heartache and admiration.
Regardless of the credibility of the news, Yuan Yizhen smiled and said softly, "I hope you see Miss Fang."
Ji Yuning smiled and said, "Yes."
South City.
A silver Mercedes drove out of the airport. After the car had been driving for a while, Hao Yingman turned her head and glanced at the person in the passenger seat who hadn't said a word since getting in.
It was May, and the woman was wearing a light blue floral dress. She seemed to have a strong preference for light colors; it was the first time they had met, and the other woman was wearing a light-colored outfit…
Hao Yingman glanced at her again. The other woman had her hair tied up at the back of her head, looking elegant and poised. When she noticed that she was being looked at, she didn't say a word, but instead looked out the window.
"Ancestor, why aren't you saying anything?" Hao Yingman turned off the car music so her voice could be clearly heard. "Are you angry with me?"
Fang Bai was amused by Hao Yingman's way of addressing him, turned to look at the driver's seat, and asked, "Why am I angry with you?"
Seeing that Fang Bai smiled, Hao Yingman knew that he was probably not angry, but she still explained, "Calling you back to China would have delayed your experience of New Zealand's cultural heritage."
To put it bluntly, it's ruining your trip.
Fang Bai raised his eyebrows. "I haven't experienced the culture of Nancheng either."
Hao Yingman chuckled, "How thoughtful of you, you can even make up a reason to comfort me."
"Then why aren't you saying anything? Are you tired? Or hungry?" Hao Yingman asked without waiting for Fang Bai's reply. She continued, "Don't be tired yet, I was planning to take you to that restaurant."
"The one you've been talking about?" Fang Bai asked.
Hao Yingman: "Of course! I booked a table for you when I booked your plane ticket, just so you could taste how delicious it is."
Hao Yingman had mentioned how delicious that restaurant was to her countless times, and now that she could finally try it, Fang Bai felt a little excited. She smiled and said, "Okay."
"Are you really hungry?" Hao Yingman asked.
Fang Bai smiled slightly but didn't say anything.
Fang Bai turned her head to look out the window again, her gaze falling on the passing scenery, but her mind was elsewhere, already wandering far away.
It's not that I'm hungry.
Having not returned to China for three years, I felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
If Hao Yingman hadn't asked her for help, Fang Bai felt that returning to China might have been a distant prospect for her.
Thinking of this, Fang Bai looked at Hao Yingman again, "Where's the information? Let me see."
She met Hao Yingman in Italy a year ago. They first bumped into each other at a restaurant. Because of her Asian appearance, Fang Bai stepped aside to let her pass. The only words they exchanged were Hao Yingman's "thank you."
However, Fang Bai and Hao Yingman ran into each other three more times, and after a while, their acquaintances went from nodding to talking about everything.
Of course, the main reason is that Hao Yingman is a chatterbox and keeps talking non-stop, which is why the two of them were able to stay in touch even after their trip to Italy ended.
"You're already starting work? Shouldn't you rest for a couple of days before starting? Otherwise, I'll feel so embarrassed." Although she said that, Hao Yingman pointed to the bag on the back seat, "It's in there, take it yourself."
They didn't seem embarrassed at all.
Knowing that Hao Yingman didn't treat her like an outsider, but the first half of the other party's words was too hypocritical, Fang Bai crossed her arms and pressed her back against the chair back, "Too lazy to get it."
"Hey!" Hao Yingman was amused. "If you're not worried about getting into a car accident, I'll get it for you."
Threats are ineffective.
Fang Bai chuckled: "You dictate it."
Hao Yingman thought to herself that this was an ancestor she had begged for, so she couldn't be angry with him and had to obey him.
After mentally preparing herself, and mentally reviewing the information, Hao Yingman said, "I won't go into what I already told you, the rest is..."
Hao Yingman works in real estate. Recently, a large company is coming to Nancheng to discuss cooperation. All the real estate companies in Nancheng are eager to participate and are determined to win this project.
Hao Yingman was the same, but she was more self-aware. She knew clearly that she was not capable enough and might not be able to snatch this piece of fat meat from the mouths of wolves and tigers.
Therefore, she needs an assistant, someone who can add the finishing touches.
Fang Bai is the first choice.
Hao Yingman had seen Fang Bai talk business before; it was very different from his usual gentle demeanor. Instead, he seemed to have everything under control. When faced with difficulties, Hao Yingman's sixth sense told her that Fang Bai could help her.
After making up her mind, Hao Yingman called Fang Bai to discuss the matter. She originally intended to communicate over the phone, but no matter how convenient the internet is, it is not as good as face-to-face interaction.
Three days ago, when Hao Yingman spoke with Fang Bai, she told him she wanted him to return to China, but Fang Bai refused.
Fortunately, Hao Yingman's greatest strength was her thick skin. After three days of persistent pleading, Fang Bai agreed to come back.
"...That's about it." After explaining the available information, Hao Yingman looked at Fang Bai, "If my dad hadn't put pressure on me, saying he'd cut off my card if I didn't get this plan, I wouldn't have bothered you like this."
Hao Yingman may be thick-skinned, but she still felt bad about it.
Fang Bai smiled faintly and said, "Haven't you troubled me enough already?"
There are quite a lot.
Hearing this, Hao Yingman was comforted by Fang Bai.
"Then, Sister Bai, starting today you will be my specially hired assistant. If we successfully secure the project, I will give you all of my share."
Fang Bai raised an eyebrow in surprise, and said in a calm tone, "No need, just give me my salary."
Hao Yingman said, "Hmm? Do you know how much the commission is?"
At least 300,000.
Fang Bai took a piece of fruit candy out of his pocket and said as he tore open the wrapper, "I'm just offering suggestions, you're making the decisions. The success of the business is entirely up to you, and the percentage of the profits has nothing to do with me."
Hao Yingman laughed and said, "Tsk, I have a good eye, I didn't misjudge you. Sister Bai, you're such a genuine person, I want to have a couple of drinks with you later."
"I won't drink," Fang Bai said directly.
"No way!" Hao Yingman said, "I know you can't hold your liquor. You drink tea, and I'll drink alcohol."
This time, Fang Bai did not refuse.