“I want to go out for some fresh air,” Ou Xueman replied.
“I’m sorry, Madam, but the master has instructed that you remain in your room,” Tina said apologetically.
Fuming, Ou Xueman slammed the door, her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. She had to see Tong Baichuan.
Both Di Xihuang and Di Ying seemed to have an hidden connection with Tong Baichuan. Meeting him directly might resolve the situation and save the Tong family from danger. But Di Xihuang clearly wanted to prevent her from discovering their connections.
As she paced the room, a warm breeze flowed through the half-open European glass door leading to the balcony. She noticed the garden outside, where Old Li was trimming flowers, and suddenly had an idea.
They would likely be in Di Xihuang’s study, accessible from the balcony using the ladder.
Returning to her room, she locked the door, twisted bed sheets and curtains into ropes, tied them together, and hung them from the balcony to the first floor. She then slowly climbed down.
Old Li was stunned by her actions. After a moment, he helped move the ladder to beneath Di Xihuang’s study balcony.
She climbed the ladder, entering from the most concealed corner of the balcony and signaled Old Li to quietly move the ladder away.
Outside, the sun shone brightly, and the fragrance of flowers wafted in the breeze, but inside, the atmosphere was strange.
From the reflection in the open glass door, she saw Di Ying, sitting elegantly on the sofa in her black kimono, with a gloomy expression as she gazed at the cup in her hand.
Besides the old witch, nobody else was visible, not even Di Xihuang. She didn’t dare get closer, so she hid and observed.
The old witch’s voice, usually cold, contained a few soft tones. “Yes, I didn’t expect we would become in-laws. Xihuang is quite independent. We elders can’t say much about what he does. If I hadn’t come to Hong Kong, I wouldn’t have known he married a Tong family daughter.”
Her lowered eyes glanced forward, seemingly focused on no one in particular.
“A Ying, you…” The heavy voice, softened yet identifiable as Tong Baifu’s, was quickly interrupted by Di Ying. “I am now a married woman, with the surname Tian Mu.” The previous softness had turned cold, tinged with disgust.
“Madam Tian Mu.” The calm and refined voice of Tong Baichuan eased the tension caused by the interruption. Ou Xueman rejoiced—his presence might help uncover the truth.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed, and Tong Baifu stood up, slapping the table. “Di Ying, where is my child now?”
Child? Ou Xueman was shocked, realizing the situation was becoming more complicated.
“Child? There has never been one, and even if there were, it has nothing to do with you,” Di Ying responded, her disgust toward Tong Baifu evident.
Tong Baifu’s anger was palpable. “Nothing to do with me? I am that child’s father.”
Father? This left Ou Xueman bewildered.
“President Tong,” a low, authoritative voice cut through the tension, “I don’t care about any grudges you had with my aunt, but please remain calm.”
That unmistakable authority belonged to Di Xihuang.
“Aunt?
Tong Baichuan’s voice was surprised. Did he not know the relationship between Di Xihuang and the old witch? Ou Xueman was also surprised.
“Then, what is the relationship between Di Yun and you?” Tong Baichuan asked nervously.
“Since he can call me aunt, what relationship could he have with my sister?” Di Ying replied before Di Xihuang.
Tong Baichuan seemed doubtful. “Is that so?” He responded to Di Ying’s answer perfunctorily.
Silence filled the room, as if a hidden contest was ongoing. Just as Ou Xueman was about to rush in, Tong Baichuan spoke again.
“Although Xihuang’s surname is Di, he should call you aunt, but he calls you aunt instead…” Tong Baichuan said leisurely.
“So what?” Di Ying stared at him, her displeasure evident.
“A Yun and her ex-husband had a child who took her surname. She later sent the child to the U.S. to the biological father and had no news since,” Tong Baichuan paused, slowly walking towards Di Ying, his eyes observing elsewhere. “So I can’t help but suspect that Xihuang is that child.”
“Hmph, since that child is out of touch, how would I know where they are?” Di Ying said impatiently, warning Tong Baichuan not to say more.
Tong Baichuan scrutinized Di Ying, “You know about the ST Fund, right?”
Di Ying’s expression changed, and after a deep breath, she replied, “Of course, it’s what the man who abandoned my sister left her.” Putting down her teacup, she continued, “But now this fund is in your hands, hmph.”
Ou Xueman outside was grinding her teeth; this woman was trying to probe the whereabouts of the fund.
Tong Baichuan sighed, “Actually, that fund…”
Ou Xueman rushed in, “Don’t say it, Dad. They’re here for that ST Fund.”
The others in the study were shocked by her sudden appearance. Di Xihuang, sitting behind the desk, observed them with half-closed eyes.
“Xuan Xuan, how did you come in from the balcony?” Tong Baichuan asked with concern, noticing her thin and haggard appearance.
Ignoring her surroundings, Ou Xueman grabbed Tong Baichuan’s hand, “Dad, this is all a trap.”
Everything they’ve done is for the ST Fund. Whether it’s the cooperation project with Tong Group in SZ City or today’s stock plunge, it was all orchestrated by them to obtain the ST Fund.
Di Ying revealed everything she knew, shocking Tong Baichuan. He then burst into laughter, surprising the others present.
“Di Ying, you’re still clever but self-serving,” Tong Baichuan reprimanded sharply. “No wonder A Yun would rather give the fund to me than you.”
Everyone turned to see Di Xihuang had broken his pen in frustration. “If it weren’t for that strange traffic accident, the fund wouldn’t have fallen into your hands.”
Tong Baichuan, having seen many emotions, noticed the hatred in Xihuang’s eyes and asked, “I don’t know how Di Ying informed you of the past, but she was present during that accident and was the only one unharmed.” He smiled faintly, “If you are indeed related to A Yun and here for the ST Fund, I’ll share more.”
“Dad,” Ou Xueman said uneasily, unsure of Tong Baichuan’s intentions.
Tong Baichuan gently patted her hand. “Xuan Xuan, you should know this now because you will be the next guardian of the fund.”
Guardian?
Everyone was stunned, not understanding what he was talking about.
“This fund,” Tong Baichuan continued, “is to be inherited by A Yun’s child. Even if others access it, they can only be guardians and cannot withdraw a single penny.”
“What do you mean?” Di Xihuang asked in confusion.
Tong Baichuan smiled slightly, “This was A Yun’s will. After A Yun and my son had an accident, the lawyer informed me that she had established such a will long ago.”
“So you’ve been left with nothing, right?” Di Xihuang said, hinting at his glee.
Tong Baichuan stared blankly at Di Xihuang. “It seems Di Ying has told you a lot and distorted some facts.”
Di Ying scoffed, “I’m not as despicable as your Tong family.”
“Then let’s lay everything out,” Tong Baichuan said, looking directly at Di Ying. “This fund was entrusted to me by A Yun. If I find that child, I will return the fund to him. If,” he glanced at Di Xihuang, “you are that child, I will help you process the inheritance without any tricks…”
“Sounds good, so go and process the inheritance with Xihuang. Xihuang is the child of his sister and that man,” Di Ying interrupted.
“Okay, but words are empty.”
“Bring proof that he is A Yun’s child,” Tong Baichuan said.
“Hmph, here come the excuses again,” Di Ying replied sharply.
Tong Baichuan smiled faintly. “It seems you can’t provide proof. Fortunately, A Yun left a blood sample.” He looked at Di Xihuang. “A DNA test can confirm if you are that child.”
