“Where on earth has Bai Rourou gone!”
Gong Nanxue anxiously scratched her head, sitting in her gaming chair staring at the high-end gaming PC before her, but she couldn’t summon even a shred of interest to play.
Back when everything was normal, she would play at least two hours every day, but ever since Bai Rourou disappeared without a trace, it had been a whole week, and she hadn’t touched the computer once.
All her energy had been spent searching for Bai Rourou.
She was worried Bai Rourou might have developed some psychological issues from the things online and had lost control…
“If Bai Rourou has committed suicide…”
At the thought that Bai Rourou might harm herself under psychological pressure, Gong Nanxue felt restless and couldn’t eat or sleep.
Besides searching for Bai Rourou, Gong Nanxue had also forced Cai Jinger to stop her actions and even spent a large sum of money herself to suppress the online heat.
Luckily, the suppression was timely; the rumors about Bai Rourou hadn’t spread nationwide.
Only a few high-view marketing accounts and university circles in A City still had some residual buzz.
Given how fast online trends changed, the topic would likely be forgotten within half a month.
“But the school…”
Thinking of the notice issued by the school today about Bai Rourou’s expulsion, Gong Nanxue’s heart sank.
She hadn’t expected the school to act so quickly—expulsion, just like that—right when the heat was just starting.
Perhaps it was because it was a private university, but the speed was too fast.
Gong Nanxue suspected Cai Jinger had a hand in it.
Now, she completely regretted agreeing to Cai Jinger’s demands.
Although Bai Rourou had been particularly troublesome those few days, she was genuinely kind to her, and there was no major problem.
Why would she think of driving her away?
She especially hadn’t expected “driving away” to mean expulsion.
Cai Jinger’s approach was ruthless.
“I have to talk to Cai Jinger seriously.”
Gong Nanxue felt that Cai Jinger had changed, and there was a strange subtle shift in their relationship.
Their interactions no longer felt like those in high school; it was some indefinable difference.
***
“How do you have time to come over and hang out?”
Cai Jinger, wrapped in a bathrobe, leisurely poured a cup of tea for Gong Nanxue, her face flushed with an unusual rosy glow.
Gong Nanxue thought it was probably just steam from a recent shower.
“Strange.”
Gong Nanxue wrinkled her nose slightly and frowned, “Why does your place have a weird smell?”
“What smell?”
Cai Jinger kept a calm expression and waved her hand to change the subject.
“Maybe it’s the scent from a new body wash I bought recently. By the way, Xue’er, what brings you here so late?”
She had just been having a good time with Bai Rourou when the knock on the door almost scared her out of her wits.
“I came to ask about Bai Rourou’s expulsion. Was it you?”
“Hm?”
Cai Jinger feigned surprise.
“Your school expelled Bai Rourou?”
“Jinger, you didn’t know?”
“Of course not.”
Cai Jinger shrugged helplessly, “I’m busy juggling school and your company every day, when would I have time to care about Bai Rourou? By the way, have you found her?”
“No.”
Gong Nanxue studied Cai Jinger’s face carefully but couldn’t detect anything unusual, which made her feel even more puzzled.
Could it be that Cai Jinger really didn’t know?
Or was she lying?
Then again, when dealing with Bai Rourou before, Cai Jinger had even asked for her opinion, so it wouldn’t make sense for her to lie about this.
While Gong Nanxue was thinking, a loud clatter suddenly came from inside, like some iron object had fallen to the ground.
“What was that?”
Gong Nanxue glanced sideways.
“Does someone else live with you?”
“Uh…”
Cai Jinger’s body stiffened, and a brainstorm immediately started in her mind—what excuse could she come up with?
Calling that tight-clothed Bai Rourou to pretend?
That was impossible—Gong Nanxue had looked at that girl plenty of times before; if she said she wanted to meet her, what then?
Before Cai Jinger could think of a reason, another loud crash came from inside.
“That damn Bai Rourou!”
Fuming, Cai Jinger immediately activated her electric shock and looked at Gong Nanxue to explain, “It’s probably a puppy I just got, knocking against the cage nonstop.”
She knew Gong Nanxue disliked dogs, so hopefully, that would be enough.
“A puppy?”
Gong Nanxue was confused—could a puppy make such a loud noise?
Her sixth sense told her something was off.
“What breed?”
Gong Nanxue sipped her tea and casually asked.
“Just a common Chinese rural dog.”
Cai Jinger smoothly diverted the topic: “Xue’er, you probably came to ask about Bai Rourou, right? Do you want me to help you find her?”
Gong Nanxue was stunned for a moment. “If you’re willing, I’d definitely want your help.”
“Eh, Xue’er, why not just report it to the police?”
“Well…”
Gong Nanxue pursed her lips. She thought Bai Rourou might be hiding or maybe serving some lady owner.
If she involved the police, it might just add another headline to the news.
At that moment, Cai Jinger’s phone suddenly rang.
Cai Jinger gave Gong Nanxue an apologetic smile, then quickly answered the call.
After a few serious nods, her expression turned very grave.
The call ended soon, and Cai Jinger hesitated before telling Gong Nanxue, “Xue’er, your father’s health is deteriorating; he’s now critically ill.”
“Ah?”
Gong Nanxue froze for a moment but felt no real emotion.
She had no feelings for that so-called stepfather, since she only officially recognized him at sixteen, and her memories were mostly of hard times with her mother.
Seeing Gong Nanxue’s indifferent reaction, Cai Jinger continued, “Xue’er, do you have control over the company’s shares? I’m worried your father’s other children might try to take them.”
The mention of Jingxue Capital in jeopardy immediately made Gong Nanxue shove Bai Rourou’s matters aside.
“The rights to exercise the shares are in my hands, but the actual shares seem to be held by a foundation.”
Upon hearing this, Cai Jinger’s face grew serious.
“Xue’er, you have to act quickly to retrieve those shares. Otherwise, the company we’ve worked so hard to build will be taken over by others!”
“What should I do?”
Gong Nanxue started to panic slightly.
This company was something her mother had fought for on her behalf and was their livelihood for the rest of their lives. If it was taken away, it would be a huge problem.
“You have to listen to me.”
Suddenly confident, Cai Jinger smiled: “My Cai Group will lend a hand in helping you reclaim your assets. If we can get a piece of the pie, you deserve a share of the Gong family fortune!”
“Then I’ll listen to you.”
A lifelong friendship made Gong Nanxue trust Cai Jinger without question, and she nodded in agreement immediately.
“Then let’s start with…”