087

Gu Jianxi's eyes couldn't help but fix on Lin Meng's small hand. The lid hadn't been twisted open yet, and it was very tightly joined with the bottle, a bit difficult to twist. Lin Meng actually put in quite a bit of effort. Perhaps because it was summer and the weather was hot, her small hand was a little sweaty at this moment, the friction wasn't enough, and it became even harder to twist.

Gu Jianxi should have stepped in, but he didn't. He felt that if he took the bottle back and personally opened it for her to drink, then this act would seem even more sinful. It was better...to let her twist it herself, to let her make the choice!

While Lin Meng was working hard, a call diverted her attention.

"Dreamy!"

Lin Meng's hand relaxed, and she subconsciously looked up towards the sound. She was a little surprised that it was her father.

Lin Bao stood at the school gate, wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt and trousers, with a slight smile on his face, looking at her.

Lin Meng immediately stepped forward, because Lin Bao personally came to the school to find her, which seemed very unusual. Before this, Lin Bao rarely did so.

"Dad."

Lin Meng greeted them. Gu Jianxi frowned and had to follow along.

"Dad, how did you get here"

There was still a trace of joy in Lin Meng's heart for this unique "honor".

Lin Bao didn't answer her, but just shifted his gaze to Gu Jianxi. "Your classmate"

Lin Meng nodded and immediately introduced Gu Jianxi to Lin Bao. Gu Jianxi politely called out, "Uncle," at once. Lin Bao smiled with narrowed eyes in response and then said to Lin Meng with a smile, "Mengmeng, Dad has something to tell you. Come on, let's get in the car."

Lin Meng naturally nodded and turned back to say goodbye to Gu Jianxi.

Gu Jianxi lowered his eyes and looked at the drink in Lin Meng's hand. He was both worried and unwilling. He couldn't take the drink back, it was very unwise to do so. But if he just let Lin Meng leave like this, what if she drank the drink Then, who would he vent his anger on This kind of drug, without a man to relieve her, would eventually lead to excruciating pain, as if thousands of ants were biting all over her body. In the end, even after the effects wore off, her nerves and brain would suffer severe damage. But now it was obviously a private conversation between the father and daughter, he couldn't forcefully intervene. What should he do!

Gu Jianxi was a little annoyed with Lin Bao, feeling that his arrival was really hindering him.

He slowly closed his eyes and raised his head, smiling warmly. "Then you talk to your father, I'll wait for you here."

What he meant was that he hoped Lin Bao could be more clever, finish talking to Lin Meng, and immediately let her go!

But, his abacus was empty again. This time when Lin Bao came, he was definitely going to take Lin Meng away.

"Hmph, Gu Jianxi, you go home first. I'm taking Mengmeng home." Lin Bao said.

Gu Jianxi pursed his lips, but since this was Lin Meng's father speaking, he could only helplessly nod. Thinking about the drink, he had a sudden urge to take it back, but doing so would inevitably make him lose points in Lin Meng's eyes. Despite Gu Jianxi always priding himself on his intelligence, at this moment, he couldn't come up with a single solution and watched helplessly as Lin Meng and Lin Bao got into the car together.

When the car drove away, he stamped his foot in annoyance and hailed a taxi to follow. He'd figure out what to do later.

As soon as I got into the car, the air conditioner made it cool. Lin Meng didn't feel too thirsty anymore and decided not to fight with the bottle cap. She casually put the juice aside.

"Daddy, what's wrong" she tilted her head, smiling and asking, but was rather surprised to see Lin Bao frown again, purse his lips, his whole face looking a little gloomy. Hearing him let out a sigh, she couldn't help but feel a tightening in her heart.

"Dad, what's wrong What happened" She felt like her father was troubled by something, looking very distressed. She hadn't been home for a few days and didn't know what was going on at home. She was worried that something might have happened while she was away.

Lin Bao let out a long sigh again. "Mengmeng, Dad is finished this time!"

Like a heavy hammer striking the heart!

Lin Meng frowned, concern immediately appearing on her face. "Dad, what's wrong Tell me!"

“Oh, Mengmeng, you probably know that Dad needs to buy steel bars, cement, and other building materials to build the house. Dad used to get them from an old friend, but recently that person suddenly stopped supplying. Dad couldn't do anything about it, so he went to find others, but no one else would provide either. The construction site is about to be halted! You need to know that if a construction site stops working for a day, the house will be delayed by a day, and that kind of loss is huge. These days, Dad has been running around for this, but all the suppliers are saying they don't have any stock. What can Dad do Then, by chance, a big boss found me and said he could supply the goods. Dad was overjoyed at the time and didn't think much about it, so he signed a contract with that person. But that person made some tricks in the contract, and Dad was careless for a moment and wasn't prepared at all. Besides, Dad never thought that such a big boss from a big company would do this kind of thing! Now, after that boss took my deposit, he doesn't supply any goods and keeps dragging me on. Dad is almost exhausted!”

"What... What should we do now! No... No... We'll sue them!"

“Once a contract is signed, how can we sue them!” Lin Bao frowned. “They didn’t break the law, they just didn’t specify the delivery time in black and white. They claimed the goods weren’t ready on their end, so they couldn’t ship. What can I do! Even if we sue, we’d definitely lose. In the end, we’d end up making an enemy of that big boss, then my dad wouldn’t even be able to operate in J City anymore.”

"What should we do next" Lin Meng panicked, biting her lip and desperately trying to come up with a solution.

Lin Bao let out another long sigh, making Lin Meng's heart clench.

"Meng Meng, this time Dad really messed up. I used all the money to prepay for the steel and cement order. Now we don't have any cash left. Without these building materials, we can't finish the house. If the house isn't built on time, Dad will be sued. Those wealthy and powerful developers will definitely send Dad to jail!"

"How is this possible!"

Lin Meng shouted, anger flashing in his eyes.

"That boss is so awful, I... I'm going to ask Rong Ling to help you!" She seemed like a valiant warrior breaking an arm, biting her lip fiercely, her delicate lips almost bleeding. Because she was reluctant to ask him again!

Lin Bao shook his head. “No, even if Rong Ling came, it wouldn't help. That big boss monopolizes the building materials in our three neighboring provinces. Dad only found out recently that those small suppliers weren't providing goods because they were instructed by this person. This person set a trap from the beginning, luring my dad into it. He wants to ruin my dad!”

"What's he doing!" Lin Meng's eyes were blazing with anger. "Does he have a grudge against my father"

"No grudges!" Lin Bao snorted low.

What on earth does he want to do!

Lin Meng was furious. How could there be such people in the world!

Lin Bao furrowed his brows deeply and growled, "He wants you!"

"Huh" Lin Meng suspected she had misheard.

"He wants you, so I came to find you!" After saying that, Lin Bao pursed his lips. His face, tanned by the sun, was gloomy as if he were Yama, the god of hell.

Lin Meng froze in place, his face gradually paling, speechless for a long time.

Lin Bao quietly sized up Lin Meng's expression, brewed his emotions for a moment, and sighed with feigned helplessness: "Ai...Mengmeng, it's all Dad's fault. But...but you don't want to see Dad die, do you"

Lin Meng's face drained of color instantly. She turned to look at Lin Bao, her eyes wide open, but they were bottomless pits of blackness, filled with terror.

"Daddy, why...why would you say that" she whispered, her voice fragile, as if it might shatter with the slightest touch.

Lin Bao's face immediately clouded with deep sorrow. "Dad has been set up this time. If he doesn't meet that person's demands, he'll surely end up in jail. Perhaps, that person will even go further and bribe the judge to give Dad a severe sentence. Dad is already so old, if he goes to prison, his life will be over. If he ends up dying in prison, then Dad might as well just die now. It would only leave you, your sister, and your brother behind. How will you children survive And what about those creditors who keep coming to collect the debt Ai..."

Lin Bao was speaking, and tears streamed down his face.

Lin Meng immediately couldn't bear it, her eyes also turned red. "Dad, don't say that, you... you won't have an accident. That person... what does that person want to do"

He said he wants you, wants you... to spend a night with him, just one night!" Lin Bao's voice was heavier, biting down on the word "one night."

Lin Meng trembled slightly, lowered her eyes, and a wave of sadness washed over her.

"

“No... It’s impossible, let him be…”

"

"So, Mengmeng, do you want to see your father die" Lin Bao looked at Lin Meng with pain. "Dad knows you don't want this, and Dad doesn't feel good either, but can you really bear to watch your father die To watch everything Dad has accumulated over half a lifetime disappear, to watch your brothers and sisters and mother all end up homeless!"

Lin Meng shook his head in a daze.

Lin Bao's mouth drooped, and he continued, "That man said that as long as you spend a night with him, he would immediately let our family go. Then, Dad's misfortune could be over right away. Mengmeng, it's just one night, won't you agree"

If Lin Bao was feigning weakness at this moment, he was a bit domineering right now. He looked at Lin Meng with a stern expression.

"Dad knows you're a good child, and you wouldn't stand by and watch your family, especially your own father, suffer. Meng Meng, will you agree

"

“I…”

“That man said that tonight is the last night, after tonight, he will no longer give Dad a chance. Dad hesitated for many days, thought about it for many days, several nights couldn't sleep at all. Today is the last day, Dad really can't do anything, so he came to find you! Mengmeng, don't you want to see Dad die!”

Lin Meng shook her head violently, her fingertips numb with cold.

Lin Bao smiled slowly. "Dad knew you weren't raised for nothing. When you see Mr. Huang later, be obedient, okay! The hopes of our whole family are riding on you!"

I don't want...

Lin Meng wanted to say no in her heart, but with how serious Lin Bao had described the situation, she couldn't bring herself to utter a single word! This man beside her, he was her father, her biological father!

But, to spend a whole night with that Mr. Huang, how is that possible! Just thinking about it makes her feel sick, how could she possibly endure that man treating her like that!

No... no...

What can I do What should I do!

She clenched her fingers helplessly, and the figure of Rong Ling flashed through her mind suddenly.

It's not okay, if Rong Ling finds out, he won't want her anymore. He said that if she were touched by someone else, he wouldn't want her anymore.

...restraint... restraint...

"Dad..." she croaked. "Rong Ling... he'll be very angry..."

Lin Bao was taken aback, his tiny eyes slowly narrowed, but he remained silent.

"I... I asked Rong Ling to help you!" Lin Meng gritted her teeth, an idea immediately forming in her mind. "Rong Ling is so capable, he might have a way!"

A tinge of gloom flashed in Lin Bao's eyes, and he snorted. "What can he possibly do! First off, Rong Ling isn't even in the city right now. He's too far away to help with this burning fire. Even if Rong Ling came, what could he possibly do to Huang Huang has been ruling over three provinces for ages; he's not someone to be messed with!"

"I...we always have to try!" Lin Meng refused to give up, even if there was a slight possibility, she had to find a way to try it. To accompany that person...she didn't want to!

Saying that, she took out her phone from the backpack on her lap.

Lin Bao looked at her new phone immediately stunned. When did this girl get a phone! Then, he panicked. She was definitely going to call Rong Ling. If Rong Ling answered... what then! Today's plan was his, hatched while Rong Ling was out of town. He intended to cut the Gordian knot, taking preemptive action and creating a fait accompli before anyone could object.

In fact, what Lin Bao had said before about the supplier's shortage was true. Huang Zong had long been coveting Lin Meng's beauty and had already greeted Lin Bao beforehand, asking Lin Meng to spend some time with him after her one-week period with Rong Ling ended. At that time, Lin Bao hadn't discovered his daughter's immense potential and value, so he readily agreed with a smile.

Unexpectedly, things took a turn. In the end, Lin Meng was taken in by Rong Ling and became his protected person under his name.

That Mr. Huang was unwilling to concede, so he made things difficult for Lin Bao, pushing him into a corner. When Mr. Huang questioned Lin Bao about why he didn't keep his promise, this Yellow Liang, though not as exaggerated as Lin Bao said, being a building materials supplier covering three provinces, still had a considerable influence. This man was both courageous and shrewd, daring to fight for what he wanted, making his business thrive. However, his biggest flaw was his love for beautiful women; whenever he saw a woman he liked, he would try every means to get her.

He had his eyes on Lin Meng and naturally wouldn't be willing to let her go easily. Besides, Lin Bao, this small-time construction company owner, still had to look at his face for everything he did. Asking him to provide a daughter as a companion He wouldn't dare refuse! It's just that Rong Ling's sudden appearance made things complicated.

Huang Liang had a knot in his heart, thinking of that night when he stood under the dim lights and shadows, with long hair flowing and red carpet beneath his feet, Lin Meng, who was as beautiful as a painting. His heart always felt itchy. He made things difficult for Lin Bao because he wanted to vent, to let Lin Bao know that he wasn't easy to mess with. At that time, he didn't really want to go against Rong Ling. He probably knew something about Rong Ling, knowing that the young CEO was not someone to be trifled with.

But when Lin Bao came to his door, Huang Liang immediately changed his mind.

Lin Bao is also a smart man, knowing that the mastermind behind the scenes was Huang Liang after, he had figured out all the twists and turns of this place thoroughly. He wasn't too happy about his delicate daughter being kept by Rong Ling, because that way, the benefits he received were really too little. Unlike what he had planned before, holding Lin Meng in his hand, he could walk among various big bosses, directly sit on the ground to bargain, and even tower above all those big bosses.

He has always been one to cater to others' wishes, but this time, the tables have turned and it is these people who are looking to him for direction. Isn't that delightful!

He weighed the matter in his mind and then sought out Huangliang. The two of them conspired together, their schemes both covert and overt, resulting in a win-win situation for all involved. Huangliang offered Lin Bao many benefits, while Lin Bao swore oaths to deliver Lin Meng over and have her spend a night with him.Huangliang was really just an addict; what he couldn't get always seemed best. Once he had it, it didn't matter much anymore. He wasn't greedy, he only wanted Lin Meng for one night. After sleeping with her, he wouldn't think about her again and wouldn't feel that gnawing unease in his heart every day.

Just as well, Rong Ling isn't in the city right now, making it convenient for Lin Bao to make his move. He's been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He really hopes that Rong Ling will dump his woman, so he can truly have his way with her.

Although Lin Bao was a little afraid of Rong Ling, he thought of himself as Lin Meng's father. Moreover, with Huang Zong's help this time, he felt confident. His own daughter, as a father, wanted his daughter to do whatever she wanted, what did it have to do with outsiders! He wasn't afraid that Rong Ling would know, at worst, Rong Ling would get angry and make things difficult for him. The benefits Lin Bao received from Huang Zong should be enough to compensate. Besides, he also thought of some excuses to prevaricate Rong Ling. Moreover, as long as Rong Ling got angry, Lin Bao thought to himself that he could probably take his daughter home. Then, hehe...

Lin Bao was rubbing his abacus, imagining countless mountains of gold and silver rolling in, and his heart was filled with delight.

Or, perhaps Ling doesn't take things seriously at all. In that case, after this test, Lin Bao could find other excuses to bring Lin Meng out to entertain guests.

In a nutshell, Lin Bao believed that if this day's event were successful, his era would come immediately.

Looking at Lin Meng talking on her phone, Lin Bao felt an impulse to snatch it away and throw it out the window. But he held back, knowing that if he actually did it, he'd look incredibly foolish! All he could do now was silently hope that she wouldn't answer the call.

Perhaps Lin Bao had a sudden burst of good character. Although Lin Meng's call went through, it wasn't Rong Ling who answered. A stranger's voice, thick with familiarity, almost shocked Lin Meng to her core.

“I… I want to find Rong Ling!” She could barely speak.

"Brother Rong is taking a bath!" He Yalan hummed languidly over there, her soft voice, paired with that lazy tune, was so irritating!

Lin Meng's heart was pounding. She took a deep breath and gritted her teeth, saying: "Give him your phone, I need to talk to him!"

"I'm taking a bath right now. What's up Tell me, and I'll pass the message along!"

Lin Meng pursed her lips, a trace of sadness and indignation flashing in her heart.

"No!" Then he slammed the phone down hard.

There, Lin Bao let out a huge sigh of relief, pretending not to hear anything. He feigned eagerness and asked, "Well, what did Rong Ling say!"

Lin Meng shook her head, "I... I'll give him a call later!"

This won't do! Lin Bao frowned imperceptibly and immediately slammed the accelerator, intending to speed up and get Lin Meng to the designated location as quickly as possible.

Lin Meng's mind was filled with questions: why did He Ya have Rong Ling's phone Why was Rong Ling showering Why were they together at this moment... She clearly remembered Rong Ling telling her his phone number before, saying not to tell others easily. He protected that number so much, only a few people knew it. If he protected his number like that, shouldn't he protect his phone even more Shouldn't he prevent others from touching it

Some bad guesses, started to swirl in her mind, pricking her heart again and again.

She didn't notice the speed increasing, she was almost overwhelmed by those terrifying thoughts. She didn't know how long she had been lost in them, but in a daze, she dialed the phone again. In fact, it had only been two minutes since the last call.

"Mmm..." she hummed lazily, her voice still as sweet as ever.

"Hello!" Lin Meng replied with difficulty. "I'm looking for Rong..."

She froze, for she sensitively heard a low panting sound, so ambiguous, it pierced her heart like an arrow. She wasn't foolish, able to guess that such panting was out of place, that it was... the sound made during intimacy!

Her heart, all at once, felt empty. Her eyes stared blankly at her own backpack, her vision blurring. Over there, He Ya inexplicably giggled, accompanied by a sudden, hurried gasp, as if she had been bitten or touched by something!

Lin Meng bit her lip, a trace of blood sliding out.

"I'm looking for Rong Ling. Please have him answer the phone." She almost gritted her teeth to say these words. Her heart ached, and her face was devoid of any blood color.

He Ya mumbled something and snorted unhappily, "Didn't I say I'm taking a shower Why are you calling me You're so annoying! Call back in an hour!"

After finishing his words, he hung up the phone.

There was a sour and astringent feeling in her eyes, as if something was about to well up. Lin Meng reached out and covered her eyes with her hand, blocking the sourness. An hour! Rong Ling taking a bath had never taken this long! On the other hand, when doing that... he... could last a very long time…

Lin Meng helplessly dropped her hand. Her phone slipped from her grasp and fell to the bottom of the car seat. She didn't go to pick it up, only clutching her schoolbag tightly with her hand. Her slender fingers, due to excessive force, began to turn white, fragile like jade bamboo, as if just a little more pressure could break them.

Lin Bao didn't speak, his mind entirely focused on accelerating faster and faster.

"Here we are!" he suddenly braked the car and said.

Lin Meng trembled, lifting her head. Her eyes were bloodshot. Turning to look at Lin Bao, her lips moved slightly, a wave of sadness flashing in her eyes, broken and faint, like the last ripple on still water.

Lin Bao looked down, his heart pounding. At that moment, he felt a pang of sympathy.

"Is there no other way!" she asked in a whisper, her voice so soft it was like the wind.

Lin Bao shook his head, clenched his teeth, and looked up at Lin Meng with a mournful expression, begging, "Mengmeng, will you help your father You don't want to see your father die, do you!"

But Dad, aren't you pushing me to death!

Lin Meng's lips moved, but she ultimately didn't shout it out!

A single tear, suddenly slipped from her eye socket, rushing down, splashing, as if jade shattered!

She gazed blankly upward, forcing back the tears welling in her eyes. Her face was so pale it seemed she was consumed by illness, and her eyes flickered faintly, like a white candle burning down to its very last wick.

"Let's go..." she sighed softly, a self-deprecating smile on her lips. She reached out, wiping away the lingering tears from the corners of her eyes. Her lips pursed tightly, her face tensed, her chin slightly raised. She unfastened her backpack, picked up her phone, and silently opened the car door for herself before stepping out.

If this is her sin, this is her debt, this is her karma, then let her settle it all after this night.Ling could absolutely handle something as simple as eating. This man has equally capable hands!But, this woman was so proactive in offering to feed him!Rong Ling smiled inwardly, why should he explain...