Chapter 71: Bai’s Father’s Outburst

In the study, Bai Shaofeng slammed his fist down on the documents, shattering his pen in two.

The person on the other end of the phone could sense his anger and quickly tried to calm him down.

“Shaofeng, I know you’re worried about Qiaoqiao. I, your uncle, am worried too. But you know, this is a crucial time. The more Qiaoqiao stands out, the more dangerous she is. Just… “

Bai Shaofeng closed his bloodshot eyes and pressed his fingers hard against his bridge of nose. He suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice, “Zhao Cheng.”

The person on the other end paused and sighed, “Shaofeng, I know…”

“Five years.”

The voice on the other end abruptly stopped, leaving a deathly silence.

Bai Shaofeng opened his bloodshot eyes, “Do you know what five years means to a girl?”

The other end remained silent.

Bai Shaofeng took a deep breath and tilted his head back.

“Back then, because of your words about ‘the greater good,’ I watched helplessly as my daughter was sent to the countryside as a hostage, her future ruined. Again, because of your words about ‘the greater good,’ I watched helplessly as she got married, entering that kind of family, her marriage ruined. Now, you want to use ‘the greater good’ again to make her lose the career she has finally fought for…”

“No, Shaofeng, listen…”

“Zhao Cheng! Zhao, the great leader! I know that as a public servant, everything should be for the people, everything should be for the country’s interests. But damn it, I’m a human being with flesh and blood! I’m a father! Year after year, do you know how I’ve endured these years? Do you know how I feel every day watching Shiyun and the others suffer but not being able to say anything?”

The other end remained silent for a long time. The room fell into a long silence, making the rapid breathing and panting even more noticeable.

After a long time, a heavy sigh came from the other end.

“Shaofeng, I know how difficult it is for you. I also know that Qiaoqiao has suffered injustice and hardship. The country will not let her down. It’s just that this is truly a critical moment. We’ve all been guarding this for so many years. We can’t let it all go to waste.”

Bai Shaofeng took a deep breath and tilted his head back again. His Adam’s apple bobbed for a long time before he spoke in a hoarse voice, “Zhao Cheng, I trust you, which is why I’ve waited until today. But I don’t want to wait for a corpse one day. I’m telling you, I won’t interfere in this matter, and you’re not allowed to interfere either. This opportunity is something she fought for herself. No one can take it away. Also, I’m giving you a deadline. At the latest, this year. If you still can’t catch the big fish, then I will. Even if I have to give up this chair under my ass, I’ll go after him.”

“No, Shao…”

“Bang!” The phone was hung up.

Bai Shaofeng slammed his fist on the table again. The veins on his arm bulged, revealing his agitated state.

He reached out and opened the drawer, took out a bottle of medicine, and tremblingly opened it, pouring out two pills and swallowing them.

Then he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a while. His breathing gradually calmed down.

After a while, he slowly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling. After a while, he sat up straight, lowered his head, and looked at the documents on the table.

Looking at the documents about his daughter’s recent situation, when he saw that she had been exceptionally recruited into the textile factory and might even become the deputy director of the department, his eyes softened, and pride welled up in them.

This was his daughter, Bai Shaofeng’s daughter. Even in the mud, even in adversity, she could rise up.

But as soon as he thought about the dangers surrounding her, his heart ached.

He pursed his lips and pulled out another document, about Zhao Sihai’s recent situation.

Although he was unhappy about his daughter being tricked into marriage, through these years of testing and observation, this man was at least decent.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have endured until now before erupting.

But he couldn’t wait any longer…

He stared at Zhao Sihai’s name, his eyes filled with a churning darkness.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

He suddenly came to his senses, instinctively reaching out to grab a stack of documents and cover them up. He rubbed his face before calling out, “Come in.”

Liao Shiyun opened the door and walked in, carrying a bowl of soup.

Seeing his expression, his eyes red and his brow furrowed, she frowned and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Bai Shaofeng tried to calm his expression, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. “Nothing. Some machines broke down recently. We need to buy them from R country, but they’re asking for a lot. I’m just annoyed.”

Hearing this, Liao Shiyun could only try to calm him down. After all, this was something she couldn’t control.

“Drink some soup first. Don’t get into a fight with those people. It’s not worth getting upset and ruining your health.”

“Hmm.” Bai Shaofeng took the soup bowl and took a sip before looking up at her and giving her a reassuring smile. “You go and rest.”

But Liao Shiyun didn’t leave. After hesitating for a few seconds, she still asked, “I have something I want to ask you.”

Bai Shaofeng paused his hand as he was scooping soup and then asked, “What is it?”

“It’s about what you said before. Will the resumption of the college entrance exam be confirmed this year?”

Bai Shaofeng gritted his teeth before slowly putting down the spoon and nodding. “It should be this year, but the specific time is still uncertain.”

Hearing this, Liao Shiyun immediately breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest. “That’s good. Then you have to keep an eye on it for me. No matter where Qiaoqiao takes the exam, you have to tell me as soon as possible. She’s 21 years old this year. How many years does a girl have for her prime? It’s a good thing the college entrance exam is being restored. Otherwise, at least next year, no matter what, we have to get her back to the city.”

Bai Shaofeng looked at his wife’s expression, which was a mixture of relief, guilt, and heartache. His hand, which was resting on his leg, unconsciously clenched.

Liao Shiyun had been talking for a long time, but she realized that her husband hadn’t responded. She turned her head and saw that he seemed to be in a daze. She couldn’t help but ask in confusion.

“Lao Shao? Lao Shao!”

Bai Shaofeng came to his senses, “Hmm? What’s wrong?”

Then he realized his unusual behavior and quickly pinched his brow, “I was just thinking about work.”

Liao Shiyun frowned. She couldn’t help with this matter, so she could only sigh, “Don’t worry too much. Go and rest.”

“You go first. I still have some important things to do.”

“Alright.” Knowing that her husband was always meticulous and responsible when it came to work, she didn’t persuade him further. She just told him to rest early and then left.

As soon as Liao Shiyun left, Bai Ruoyan, who had been peeking from the hallway, ran over and pulled her mother to the stairs.

“Mom, how is it? Is everything okay? Did Dad really know that Second Brother went to find Qiaoqiao?”

The sound insulation of the room wasn’t very good. Although they couldn’t hear what they were saying, everyone heard Bai Shaofeng slam the table earlier.

It just so happened that they had recently received a letter from Bai Juntao, saying that the place where he was on a business trip was not far from where his younger sister was sent down to the countryside. His work was already finished, and he wanted to go and see her secretly.

Since receiving this letter, the mother and daughter had been both excited and anxious. They didn’t dare to tell their father/husband about it.

Perhaps they were also harboring a glimmer of hope. Finally, someone was going to break this stalemate. Maybe everything wouldn’t be as bad as they imagined. Maybe it would be a good outcome?

Author’s Note:

I see in the comments that many people don’t understand why the Bai family doesn’t know about their daughter being harmed. I’ve explained it before. It’s not as simple as the result. There are many complex factors involved. I can’t spoil it.

It will be gradually revealed later. Don’t be impatient. Qiaoqiao only saw the surface in her previous life. There are many things she didn’t know, including the truth about Zhao Sihai and An’an’s deaths. They will be revealed through this incident.

In her previous life, Qiaoqiao lived in a Truman Show world. She was just an ordinary person, so she could only be trapped in the mud built by others. But this time, she’s reborn, she has resources, she can foresee the future, so she can pry open that backdrop and take a different path. And those ‘directors’ behind the scenes will be forced to come out because they can’t sit still.

Also, although Qiaoqiao is reborn, she’s still an ordinary person, not an omnipotent god. Like in her previous life, she had the system, became the world’s richest person, and had a high position in the country, but she still didn’t have the authority to investigate what Zhao Sihai did before he was discharged from the army.

I understand some of you feel frustrated when you see Qiaoqiao being wronged, but we’re writing about people, not gods. If she could start off by killing everyone in the countryside and even go back to the north to kill people, then this story would have to be labeled as ‘revenge.’ Qiaoqiao’s main storyline is still about starting a business, making a fortune, and building her business empire.