Ying Jingsheng had finally found the answer he was looking for, but to be honest, he had long let his guard down around Tao Xinrou. He couldn't pinpoint when it started, but he had even begun to feel a flicker of affection for her. Perhaps it was when he observed her kindness, simplicity, and charm. That was why he wanted to stand in front of her, to protect her. To fulfill her requests and wishes.
He smiled, and Tao Xinrou looked back at him, her expression reverting to the one she had when they first met Fang Rong. Time seemed to freeze for a moment, but Ying Jingsheng was the first to look away, gazing elsewhere.
"Does anyone else know about your ability?" Ying Jingsheng asked.
"My relatives all know, but that's from when I was a child. They might not remember now."
"How did you come to have this ability?"
"I don't know. I fell into water once when I was young, and then I gained the ability to foresee the future. I didn't believe it at first, but as it was repeatedly verified, I had to believe."
She saw Ying Jingsheng stare at her for a long moment, a glimmer of trust surfacing in his calm eyes. "It seems fate is helping you."
"I think so too," Tao Xinrou replied.
"Next time, don't tell anyone else about this ability. If it falls into the wrong hands, they could use you for evil."
Tao Xinrou nodded. "I know, but I trust you won't."
She noticed a flicker in Ying Jingsheng's eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. After a moment, he said, "I hope this is the last time you tell anyone. Whether you trust me or not, I will keep it a secret."
Tao Xinrou nodded again. "Okay."
"Get some rest. Good night."
Ying Jingsheng stood up and went to his room. The moment he closed the door, he felt his cheeks flush for the first time. This girl had handed her weakness to him.
*
News of Tao Xinrou's suspension quickly reached Ying Huaishan. He was flipping through the Southwest Branch accounts that had been removed, listening to Minister Gao's report.
"We have already made the City Hotel provide the necessary explanations as you requested. The hotel is in complete chaos now, and we've also arranged for some people to cause trouble at the hotel entrance."
Ying Huaishan put down the documents, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "What was President Ying's reaction?"
"President Ying spoke up for her in the meeting room and even came to headquarters specially, but I had already informed the others, so he had to leave disappointed."
"Good, Gao Da, you've done well. But... my clever nephew will definitely think of other ways."
"Yes, President Ying. Zhang Hongbin just reported that President Ying has asked the hotel to provide surveillance footage and internal testing personnel records, demanding a thorough investigation."
"Let him investigate. He needs to figure out the whole thing to realize where he went wrong."
Gao Da said nothing, nodded, and withdrew. Ying Huaishan looked at everything before him, as if savoring the grand chess game he had orchestrated.
"Jingsheng, oh Jingsheng, no matter how much the old man favors you as his successor, you can't outplay your second uncle. I've walked more roads than you've eaten salt."
Ying Huaishan laughed coldly, his eyes dark and sinister. He wanted him to know that the girl he thought he was protecting by opposing him was actually harming herself.
*
On the fifth day of Tao Xinrou's suspension, Tao's mother finally sensed something was wrong.
In the morning, Tao's mother saw Tao Xinrou still sitting on the sofa in her pajamas and asked suspiciously, "Xiaorou, why aren't you going to work today? Tell me the truth—were you laid off by the hotel?" Her voice trembled. "Mom knew it. You shouldn't have waded into this mess."
"Mom, it's not that. I just want to rest for a few days."
"Don't lie to me. I can tell. Besides, you haven't even been there a full year—how could they give you such a long vacation?"
"Why not? I could take a whole month off if I wanted, as long as I don't get paid. Our hotel is great," Tao Xinrou said, her eyes darting away as she touched her nose.
"Xiaorou, Mom doesn't blame you. Let go of your father's matter. As long as we mother and daughter live well, that's all that matters. And, I've made up my mind—I don't want to live in fear anymore. I'm going to talk to that President Ying today and tell him clearly that our family can't afford to house such an important person. He should find another place to rent." With that, she braced her knees to stand up.
Tao Xinrou grabbed her mother's arm. "Mom, don't get worked up. I'm really just on leave for a few days. Nothing's wrong."
"Don't fool me. Every time you lie, you can't look me in the eye. Tell Mom, what happened?"
Seeing her mother's red-rimmed eyes, Tao Xinrou's heart ached, and she finally confessed.
"Okay, Mom, I've been suspended. But it's not because of any work mistake. Someone deliberately framed me. President Ying is already looking into it for me."
"Why would he help us?" Tao's mother was puzzled.
"Because... because he's been coerced by his family. He's now the manager of Yunlu Hotel."
Tao's mother was completely stunned. "How did that happen so quickly? He's been discovered. Is it appropriate for him to stay with us?"
"I asked him that too, but he's investigating a case. And the case he's investigating is related to Dad's case."
"Related?"
"Yes." Tao Xinrou didn't want to tell her mother about Ying Huaishan just yet.
However, Tao's mother's expression didn't relax; instead, it grew tenser. "Xiaorou, do you know what you're doing? The Ying family—we can't afford to provoke them. Your father back then was..."
"Mom, of course I know what I'm doing," Tao Xinrou interrupted. "It's precisely because of what happened to Dad that I can't stop. Ying Jingsheng has access and connections—he can find things I can't. That's why I need him."
"Xiaorou..."
Tao Xinrou knew where her mother's concern lay. She took her mother's arm and smiled, continuing, "Mom, I know you're worried about me, but I've grown up. This is something I've always wanted to do. Otherwise, I'll never have peace of mind."
Tao's mother looked at her, tears finally falling. "How could Mom not worry? I'm terrified something might happen to you."
"It won't," Tao Xinrou said firmly. "Mom, just trust me this once, okay?"
Tao's mother looked at her daughter, who had never caused her worry since childhood, and finally sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement.
*