Chapter 289: Chapter 289

Bai Zhirui listened, entranced. It was a life she had never experienced. Zhang Jing tucked the quilt around her.

"What you should do now is eat well and sleep well," Zhang Jing said gently. "As for the rest, think about it when you’re better."

Zhang Jing’s voice seemed to have a magical quality. Bai Zhirui obediently closed her eyes. Zhang Jing held her hand, gently patting it from time to time. This was an intimacy and warmth Bai Zhirui had never felt before.

The home and family she had once fantasized about felt just . So, Fu Bing had been living in such an atmosphere all along? No wonder... She was so good, so outstanding... She envied Fu Bing so much...

After Zhang Jing went to take care of Bai Zhirui, Jian Si immediately came over to accompany Fu Bing. Jian Si updated Fu Bing on Zhang Jing’s situation. The most update n0vels are published on NoveIꜰire.net

Fu Bing nodded. "Zhang Jing has a vibrant energy that’s very infectious. She’s the most suitable person to be with Bai Zhirui."

Thinking of Zhang Jing’s face, Jian Si smiled too. "She might not look intelligent, but she’s like Xiaomei—wise beneath a veneer of foolishness."

Fu Bing laughed. "Are you praising her?"

Jian Si chuckled as well.

Fu Bing went downstairs with Jian Si. Auntie Zhang was currently living in the villa with Jian Si and the others. Knowing that Ren Ye and Ren Zhi had helped Fu Bing a great deal, she had taken it upon herself to cook their daily meals. Ren Ye particularly loved Auntie Zhang’s cooking; these past couple of days, he had been busy arranging to open a restaurant for her featuring prepared meals. Auntie Zhang was flattered but hesitant to accept, afraid it would cause trouble for Fu Bing. Only after Ren Ye’s repeated assurances did she finally agree.

Ren Ye found a promising location and asked Fu Bing to come take a look. As soon as Fu Bing got into the car, Ren Ye remarked, "You truly have all sorts of talented and loyal people around you. It’s wonderful."

"I’m just lucky," Fu Bing replied with a smile, observing Ren Ye closely. She noticed his complexion had improved significantly, and his face looked fuller.

"It seems Auntie Zhang’s cooking really suits you, Uncle."

Ren Ye nodded. Thinking of the steamed buns he had for breakfast made him feel hungry again. The buns had thin skins and generous, exceptionally flavorful fillings. They looked incredibly appetizing.

"No wonder you’re in such good shape," Fu Bing said. "Eating well makes a person look younger."

Cooking for Ren Ye over the past few days, Auntie Zhang had gradually grown accustomed to this business magnate worth hundreds of millions. She always put her best effort into serving those who were kind to Xiaobing. She had discussed Ren Ye’s suggestion for her to open a restaurant with Shen Yao.

Both Shen Yao and Xu Si supported her opening a restaurant in Jiangnan.

They understood in their hearts that anyone capable of running a restaurant successfully for a long time was by no means ordinary. If Auntie Zhang could open a restaurant in Jiangnan frequented by the wealthy, it could become a source of vast potential connections down the line.

It was after hearing Shen Yao explain this that Auntie Zhang agreed.

Xiaobing wasn’t short of money now. But who would ever complain about having too little? Besides, Fu Bing was destined for greater things, and connections would be indispensable for her journey. Apart from cooking, Auntie Zhang had no other skills, so she resolved to assist Xiaobing in this way as best she could. She also had a feeling that Xiaobing would be spending more time in Jiangnan in the future. By opening a restaurant there, she could take care of Xiaobing’s daily meals. The thought made her very happy.

When it came to inspecting the potential restaurant, Fu Bing and Ren Ye were merely accompanying her. Auntie Zhang would decide if it was suitable and what needed to be purchased. The two of them were simply responsible for footing the bill.

Even though Auntie Zhang knew Ren Ye was wealthy, she was still shocked when she saw the restaurant space, which spanned over a thousand square meters across its upper and lower floors.

Auntie Zhang waved her hands repeatedly. "Mr. Ren, this... this is too big! I’ve never managed such a large restaurant. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass you."

"You don’t need to worry about managing the restaurant," Ren Ye told her. "Just recommend someone you trust to manage it, and you can focus on your cooking."

Auntie Zhang looked towards Fu Bing.

Fu Bing said, "Uncle Ren and I will handle the management, so don’t worry. Just see what you need, make a list, and we’ll get it for you. You’ll have shares in this restaurant; it will be your security for old age."

Auntie Zhang was deeply moved.

At her age, her biggest worry was her retirement. She couldn’t count on her children. Her only hope had been that when she died, Shen Yao and the others would ensure she had a proper burial. Now, Xiaobing had planned everything for her old age. Even if one day she could no longer work, with money and with Xiaobing and the others around, she wouldn’t have to worry about her retirement. She also wouldn’t have to worry about lacking money and becoming a burden to them.

"I will definitely do my best!" Auntie Zhang exclaimed.

Seeing they had finished talking, Jian Si leaned in and whispered a few words into Fu Bing’s ear. Fu Bing nodded.

The moment she stepped out of the restaurant, she was pulled into a broad, familiar embrace. His mouth descended on hers, fiercely, demandingly.

Who else could it be but Qin Jinhai?

Qin Jinhai’s large hand cupped the back of her head, preventing her from pulling away. Only when he had kissed his fill did he reluctantly release her.

"I know you don’t like me kissing you," he said, his breath coming in ragged gasps, "but I have to go back to Jiangcheng to deal with a mess. I won’t be able to see you for a short while."

After speaking, he hugged her tightly once more, then quickly got into his car. The car swiftly disappeared into the stream of traffic.

If not for the faint, lingering ache on her lips from his kiss, Fu Bing might have thought Qin Jinhai’s appearance had been a hallucination.

Just as Fu Bing was lost in thought, Ren Ye’s cough sounded from behind her. Fu Bing struggled to control the faint blush rising on her cheeks.

"I have a meeting to get to," Ren Ye said. "You accompany Auntie Zhang and continue looking around."

"Take care, Uncle," Fu Bing replied.

Ren Ye looked like he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he remained silent.

Although Fu Bing and Fu Ya weren’t mother and daughter, they were fundamentally very similar. Once they set their minds on something, they would forge ahead even if it meant hitting a wall. All he could do was protect her from the sidelines.

Bai Zifeng had sought out numerous renowned doctors, but he couldn’t persuade a single one to come. Furious, he smashed a pile of things at home.

Liu Lan was also seething. "It must be Fu Bing pulling strings behind the scenes!" she raged. "I heard Qin Jinhai isn’t in Jiangnan. Let’s find someone to kidnap Fu Bing and force her to treat our son!"

Bai Zifeng retorted, "Kidnap her? Why don’t you suggest kidnapping Qin Jinhai to treat Xiaofen? Aren’t Jinhai’s medical skills even better?"

Liu Lan felt somewhat wronged by his rebuke. "This won’t work, that won’t work! Our son is in the ICU, and you, his father, can’t even find a decent doctor! What have you been good for all these years?"

Bai Zifeng felt aggrieved too.

He was, after all, in this field, yet his own son was critically injured, and he couldn’t even assemble a competent medical team. How could he possibly maintain his standing in the industry after this?

He wiped his face. "Try contacting Bai Lin. She’s Xiaofen’s biological aunt, after all. She can’t just stand by and watch him die!"

The mere thought of Bai Lin infuriated Liu Lan. "I called her, but she doesn’t answer at all! She doesn’t even stop to think about who helped her marry into the Shen Family! Such an ungrateful wretch, kicking down the ladder once she’s climbed it. No wonder she can’t control her own husband!"

In a hospital room, Bai Lin couldn’t help but sneeze.

Bai Zhirui looked at her swollen face. "Who hit you?"

Bai Lin just smiled and said nothing.

"Now that the Bai Family has no one of use left, do the Shen Family look down on you even more?" Bai Zhirui asked.

Bai Lin, peeling a piece of fruit for her, replied, "These are just minor injuries; they’ll heal in a few days. Did Miss Fu say if your legs would be able to support you again?"

Bai Zhirui took the fruit and the knife from her. "Aunt, have you ever thought about divorcing him?"

"And what good would divorcing do?" Bai Lin said, a bitter smile on her lips. "Shen Shichen’s father is just like Shen Shichen; they both treat women like disposable clothes and are extreme male chauvinists. Even if I divorced him, in their eyes, I’d still be his woman. He could hit or scold me whenever he pleased. If I don’t divorce, at least I have some status as his wife. If I divorce, I’ll have nothing left."

Bai Zhirui looked at the network of dark bruises revealed on Bai Lin’s arm as she moved. A look of determination hardened Bai Zhirui’s expression.

"We can collaborate with Fu Bing," she declared. "We’ll bring down both the Bai Family and the Shen Family. Once their businesses are gone, they won’t be able to act so arrogantly anymore!"