Chapter 97 - Spy
Bai Sung looked at his daughter's blushing face, a soft sigh slipping from his chest. In his heart, he already knew—this girl of his would definitely agree to marry this boy. He could see it in the way she lowered her head, the way her ears reddened, the way she kept trying not to meet Fu Jian's eyes. A father knew.
The awkward silence hung between all of them like a thick curtain, until Fu Jian's voice finally broke through the air, clearing his throat softly.
"Please don't misunderstand… Bai Xia was just helping me drink some water."
Grandpa Fu raised a brow and snorted, unimpressed.
"Does giving water involve holding hands?"
Bai Xia instantly stiffened, shrinking like a little mouse caught stealing rice. She kept her gaze on the floor, her fingers curling slightly as if trying to disappear into the tiles. Her heart hammered—they saw it, all of them actually saw it.
Fu Jian felt heat rush to his ears. Embarrassment flooded him, especially with his father-in-law standing a few feet away staring right at him. "Grandpa, she really was helping me."
"It's alright, it's alright," Grandpa Fu waved his hand, though his eyes clearly said it is absolutely not alright. "We have something to discuss with you."
He stepped closer and stood beside Fu Jian. Bai Xia instinctively moved to stand between her parents—Chu Sun's gentle hand rested on her shoulder protectively. Her husband had told her about Fu Jian earlier, and she could already see how much her daughter liked this boy. That alone softened her heart.
Grandpa Fu began slowly, but his voice carried a certain weight that made the room still.
He looked directly at Fu Jian.
"Fu Jian, do you want to marry Bai Xia, the second lady of the Bai family?"
Fu Jian's eyes widened for a split second. What was his grandfather doing? Of course he wanted to marry her—he had already been planning how to propose properly—but saying it openly in front of her parents? Would his father-in-law think he was rushing? Being disrespectful? Or worse… overly eager?
But this was a chance.
A clear, undeniable moment to declare his intentions.
He straightened up as much as his injured body allowed, his back firm despite the pain.
"Yes, Grandpa. I would like to marry her."
Bai Sung turned toward his daughter, leaning slightly so that only Chu Sun and Bai Xia could hear his words.
"Xia'er, do you want to marry him too? Do you like him enough to get married? Don't feel pressured, okay? You can say no."
Bai Xia's chest tightened. Her father's gentle voice, his reassurance, the tenderness in his eyes—it all warmed her heart. She bit her lip softly, feeling heat crawl up her cheeks. After a pause, she answered honestly.
"Dad… I really like him a lot. And I would also like to marry him."
Chu Sun squeezed her shoulder, unable to hide the excitement shimmering in her eyes. Her daughter was getting married—to a responsible, capable man with a good background, and she would have a loving mother-in-law as well. She suddenly remembered Bai Xuan and made a mental note to arrange a blind date for that stubborn girl.
Bai Sung turned back to Grandpa Fu with calm acceptance.
"After Xia'er's birthday in a few weeks, you can pick a date to send the engagement gifts."
Fu Jian's heart almost burst out of his chest from happiness. He forced himself not to show too much emotion—at least not in front of everyone—but his gaze kept sneaking toward Bai Xia, trying to catch even one glimpse of her face. But she kept her head lowered deeply, hair falling like a curtain to hide her pink cheeks.
The two families spoke for a while—Bai Sung exchanging thoughts with Grandpa Fu, Chu Sun chatting with Fu Jian's mother. Warm words, polite smiles, future plans casually floating in the air.
Until Bai Xia finally spoke.
"Mum… I want to go eat something."
Her voice was soft, almost shy. Chu Sun immediately nodded and escorted her out of the room into her own hospital ward.
When Bai Xia entered, she found only Stella inside. The room was quiet, sunlight filtering through the curtains and painting a gentle glow on the walls. Chu Sun guided her to sit on the bed.
"Xia'er, just wait. I'll get you some food."
With that, her mother left the room.
The moment the door closed, Bai Xia's gentle expression vanished. Her eyes turned sharp, cold, business-like—the aura of a woman who carried an entire company on her shoulders.
"Well?"
Stella straightened immediately.
"Miss Xia, the car accident was really an accident. Nothing fishy. The driver is an honest man—he handed himself over to the police."
Bai Xia exhaled slowly, relief loosening the knot in her chest.
"What about the company? Are the jades in processing?"
Stella lowered her head slightly.
"Well… not yet, ma'am."
"What do you mean not yet?"
"Due to the absence of materials and Miss Xuan, the design department hasn't worked on any of her designs yet."
Bai Xia frowned. Her brows knitted tightly together.
"What about the models?"
"The audition is scheduled for Saturday, after your entrance exam."
Entrance exam?
Bai Xia blinked. She had almost forgotten—her exam started tomorrow and would last two days. She rubbed her forehead; everything was moving slowly, and at this rate, the fashion line would be delayed.
"Stella, tell the tech department that I will have a meeting with them on Monday about a new project."
"Yes, ma'am."
Bai Xia leaned back slightly, her eyes falling half-lidded as her mind churned. It's time to make another storm in the world… She could already see the steps forming in her mind—business moves, expansion plans, a new innovation she wanted to push forward. Her ambition burned quietly but fiercely.
She was deep in thought when Stella's voice cut in again.
"Miss Xia… there is a problem in the company."
Bai Xia's heart clenched.
Immediately, she sat up.
"What problem?"
Stella swallowed.
"I think… we have a spy."
Bai Xia's breath caught. Her eyes widened, turning dangerously sharp.
A spy.
Inside her company.