There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then a voice exclaimed excitedly:
“Sister-in-law! You’re looking for our regiment commander?!”
Xie Li’s mouth twisted in surprise. Well, a regiment commander? Could it be an old man?!
Grandpa Xie hadn’t told her Shen Huainian’s age. In the original story, Shen Huainian wasn’t even named only the Shen family was mentioned briefly.
“Oh dear, sister-in-law, bad timing! Our regiment commander went on a mission yesterday. Not sure when he’ll be back! Sister-in-law, you can tell me what you need, and I’ll pass it along to him. I’m Commander Shen’s bodyguard; just call me Xiao Qi!”
Xie Li thought Xiao Qi was a bit too enthusiastic. She said, “It’s nothing, thanks, goodbye,” and hung up.
Xiao Qi scratched his head as he listened to the dial tone.
“Oh no, looks like I scared the sister-in-law.”
It wasn’t his fault. How could he not be excited? Their usually awkward, single regiment commander finally had a fiancée!
Over the past few days, Xie Li had been quietly observing the situation.
As soon as the political movement began to show signs, those in the know started moving their assets.
They were transferring family wealth to Hong Kong, ready to flee if things went south.
Especially the members of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce they were all on the liquidation list and had started hustling.
These people didn’t want the movement to escalate, but they had to secure an escape route!
If it came to it, they’d abandon everything in Shanghai, take their families and fortunes, and run!
Compared to the other families in the Chamber, Xie Qingsong and Wu Fengrao appeared calm.
They went about their daily routines, showing no signs of moving their wealth.
People couldn’t help but marvel: as heads of the Xie family, they remained composed even with Mount Tai collapsing before them. No wonder Xie Qingsong became the Chamber president!
Xie Qingsong had his own plan.
He had bribed government officials and received confirmed intelligence: his family was first on the liquidation list there was no escape.
He had already arranged a ship, ready to go at a moment’s notice.
If they moved their assets too early, they could draw the attention of the revolutionary committee. Then, they might not only lose their wealth but even their lives.
But he had the jade bracelet Grandpa Xie left behind!
Once activated, he could transfer the entire Xie family fortune into it, including wealth that would never be spent.
“Qingsong, why don’t we take Silin and leave early? With so much in the jade bracelet, we don’t need the rest at home!”
Wu Fengrao felt uneasy.
Xie Qingsong had been basking in praise these past few days.
The entire Shanghai Chamber admired him, saying he stayed composed even with Mount Tai collapsing before him.
He had been supported by Grandpa Xie to become president of the Chamber. Those old men might not show it to his face, but behind his back, they resented him!
This time, he’d show them that he, Xie Qingsong, was truly capable.
Xie Qingsong remained calm, lightly patting his wife’s hand:
“What’s there to fear? Trust me, this wealth is more than most people could spend in several lifetimes. We must take it all! Leave Xie Li behind to draw attention for us.”
Wu Fengrao hesitated and said:
“But Xie Li is still our biological daughter…”
A trace of guilt crossed her face:
“Otherwise, before we leave, we could just slip her some rat poison. That way she won’t suffer, and she can’t reveal the secret of the jade bracelet.”
The couple nodded in agreement.
Just then, Xie Li, hiding at the door, clenched her fists until they creaked.
Are these people human?!
These selfish, wicked scoundrels! They say it’s for my own good, but really it’s just to shut me up they’re afraid I’ll reveal the jade bracelet’s secret!
The housekeeper, Wang Ma, brought over a tray with two cups of hot tea. Xie Li ran forward to take it:
“Wang Ma, I’ll deliver this to Mom and Dad!”
With one hand holding the tray, she knocked on the door:
“Mom! Dad!”
The room instantly went quiet. The parents felt guilty for a second.
“Mom, Dad, I just came by to discuss something. Wang Ma happened to bring tea.”
Xie Li smiled and walked in.
Xie Qingsong cleared his throat and nodded:
“Put it down here, Xiao Li. Your parents are a bit busy these days. If it’s nothing important, don’t disturb us.”
Xie Li obediently nodded.
“All right, Dad! Enjoy your tea!”
She raised the cup to Xie Qingsong.
Suddenly!
Her hand trembled uncontrollably, as if she had Parkinson’s!
“No! I’m having an episode!!”
Before Xie Qingsong and Wu Fengrao could react, Xie Li splashed the scalding tea all over them! Every drop landed squarely on their faces. Their skin turned bright red instantly.
“Ahhhh!!!”
They screamed.
“I’m so sorry, Mom and Dad! When I was a child, a high fever triggered epilepsy, and when this happens, my hands don’t listen! Oh no… ahh!! Move away! I can’t control myself!!”
Xie Li clawed at their eyes with her hands shaped like talons.
“Ahhh!!”
The screams turned into shrieks of agony!
“Mom! Dad! Get out of the way! I can’t control myself! Hahaha!!”
Xie Li couldn’t stop laughing:
“Hahaha!! When I get bad, I even laugh! Go on, leave! Hahaha! Move!! Hahaha!”
Xie Qingsong and Wu Fengrao were terrified.
In their eyes, Xie Li had become a vengeful ghost, claws reaching for them!
She grabbed both of their necks, smashed their heads together while shouting:
“Cheers!! Cheers!! Cheers!!”
They rolled their eyes as she banged their heads together.
After enough, Xie Li let go.
Shivering and apologetic, she said:
“Mom, Dad… are you still alive? I’m sorry! I can’t control myself, sob sob!”
She covered her face and ran off.
Half an hour later, Wang Ma found Xie Qingsong and Wu Fengrao, faces covered in blisters, and quickly called an ambulance.
Xie Li watched the ambulance drive away, lips curling in a faint smile:
“A family should be together.”
Xie Qingsong, Wu Fengrao, and Xie Silin all ended up in the same hospital room three beds, just enough for the three of them.
At the Pei household, Pei Shuchen, traumatized, locked himself in his room.
He felt as if the sky had fallen his life was ruined.
Exposed to everyone, reputation ruined, beloved woman now against him.
All because of that vile Xie Li!
He wanted revenge!
Yes! He had to get revenge!
Pei Shuchen finally left his room. Qi Yuehua, overjoyed, teared up.
“Mom, have my two cousins arrived in Shanghai?”
Pei Shuchen’s brown eyes were full of hatred. Qi Yuehua gasped:
“They arrived a long time ago…”
Pei Shuchen’s lips curled into a cold smile:
“Good. Then it’s time for me to give Xie Li a big gift!”