Chapter 12

As night fell, darkness enveloped the city, which was soon illuminated by the streetlights, twinkling like stars.

A black car drove into the Bai family’s villa. A moment later, a middle-aged man in a black suit, carrying a briefcase, stepped out. As he entered, he ran into Bai Yun.

The man was momentarily stunned, then furrowed his brows. “Where are you going this late?”

Bai Yun’s expression was indifferent. “I have something to do.”

“What could be more important than your father?” Bai Jinyou’s tone left no room for argument. “I’ve just returned with difficulty, and you’re not even going to have dinner with me?”

“I’m not a child anymore, not eight or nine years old. I don’t need anyone to accompany me for a meal,” Bai Yun’s tone shifted. “Besides, with your wealth in the billions, aren’t there plenty of women who would be happy to have dinner with you? You don’t need me.”

Her expression was cold, and the sarcasm in her tone was impossible to hide.

Since she was very young, she had caught her father cheating with other women. But back then, she was too young to understand the importance of it, so she was easily deceived by her father and the other woman.

Even now, her father remained dishonest. She didn’t even know how many women he had been involved with. Just thinking about how her former best friend, Si Xiang—now Bai Run—had seduced her father made her feel physically sick.

Of course, she didn’t sympathize with her father. It was simply his karmic retribution for his indulgence in women, but when this retribution affected her, it was a different matter.

Bai Yun suppressed her anger. “In your eyes, a biological daughter can never compare to the women outside. Why bother with this fake concern?”

“You—” Bai Jinyou was furious at her attitude and raised his hand to strike her.

Bai Yun didn’t avoid or resist, she looked at him coldly. “Go ahead, hit me. If you do, will my mother be satisfied? Do you want to get rid of me, your own daughter?”

Bai Jinyou’s chest heaved in anger, but in the end, he lowered his hand. He spoke in a low voice, “Do you have to speak to me like this?”

“You used to treat me the same way. I’ve just learned your ways and, if anything, I haven’t even caught up to you.”

Bai Yun didn’t want to say anything more to him. She walked around him and left the villa.

Bai Jinyou, infuriated, felt dizzy. “Unfilial daughter!”

The butler heard the commotion and came out to check, quickly supporting the pale-faced Bai Jinyou back inside.

“Sir, are you okay?”

—

Bai Yun drove away from the Bai family villa and called Si Xiang on the way.

“Are you asleep?”

After days of coldness and rejecting any meetings, Bai Yun suddenly contacted her. Si Xiang, who had been worried and trying to find a way to ease things, felt relieved.

“Not yet, I just finished showering.”

“What’s going on? Yunyun, I thought you were ignoring me? I was really scared.”

She really was scared, because all her private matters had been exposed on the variety show by Qiao Chuchu.

Although Si Xiang tried her best to convince Bai Yun not to listen to strangers and to trust their friendship, Bai Yun’s subtle distance made her uneasy.

Would Bai Yun hire someone to investigate her? Would she try to destroy their friendship? Did she already know her true identity?

Since the variety show ended, Si Xiang hadn’t slept well a single night. She didn’t dare to look for Bai Jinyou amidst all this turmoil.

Even though she was meticulous in everything she did, there was always the possibility of leaving behind some trace or clue, and those could be the evidence that would bring her down.

Bai Yun listened expressionlessly, no longer moved by her act of playing the victim. Instead, she felt disgusted, but she still needed to proceed with her plan.

“I’ve been busy with work these past couple of days. You know, as celebrities, we don’t have much personal time.”

Si Xiang was very understanding. “I understand, Yunyun. Don’t overwork yourself. If you get sick, someone will worry about you.”

“Mm.” Bai Yun responded softly, “I’m not busy tonight. Do you want to come over to my place?”

It wasn’t the first time Bai Yun had invited Si Xiang to her house, but this time, it would be the last.

Since she had started treating Si Xiang as her best friend, she would invite her over frequently. Sometimes, Si Xiang would even stay for a while.

Bai Yun had three small villas, and she usually stayed in those, rarely returning to the Bai family’s old home because she didn’t want to be around her father.

Later, it was because Si Xiang said she wanted to see the place where Bai Yun grew up, so she took Si Xiang back to the Bai family home.

Little did she expect that this time would give Si Xiang the chance to get close to Bai Jinyou.

Bai Yun clenched her fingers. Si Xiang could approach her father, but she was not allowed to involve her, nor was she allowed to take over the Bai Group. The rise of the Bai family had also been influenced by her mother, and Bai Yun wouldn’t allow Si Xiang to destroy it.

“Sure.” Si Xiang agreed without a second thought. “I’ll come over now.”

If Bai Yun hadn’t brought it up herself, Si Xiang would have found another reason to visit her. Now, things were slipping out of her control, and she had to take control back.

—

Bai Yun drove around, then entered the villa area from the back gate, parking her car by the roadside. She took out her phone and switched to the surveillance page.

Meanwhile, with the help of the butler, Bai Jinyou had taken a quick-acting heart medication, and his rapid heartbeat slowly returned to normal.

The butler asked with concern, “Sir, have you eaten?”

“Miss had the chef prepare a whole table of dishes. Some of them are your favorites. She originally planned to wait for you to come back, but unfortunately, she got called away by a phone call.”

“Is that so?” Bai Jinyou’s expression softened a little. He had no appetite for food, but since the butler mentioned it was Bai Yun’s request, he decided to try it.

“Yes, actually, Miss treats you quite well.” The butler looked at his expression and said, “Sir, when you have the time, come home more often to spend time with Miss. Your father-daughter relationship will improve.”

Bai Jinyou casually replied, not really having much affection for his biological daughter. The only thing he wanted was his children’s obedience.

But his daughter, Bai Yun, had the same stubborn temperament as him. She wasn’t as gentle and well-mannered as her friend.

Just as the bowls and chopsticks were being set, the sound of an electronic door lock was heard from the front gate. Bai Jinyou thought it was Bai Yun returning. Without turning around, he said, “So you finally decided to come back.”

To his surprise, a soft voice called out from behind, “Uncle Bai.”