Chu Baiwei felt like a lone leaf falling into a turbulent sea, tossed by the waves, helplessly drifting and being battered from all sides.
She lost track of time; her mind went blank. Just when she felt she might die, the storm subsided.
This time, Cao Yang showed no mercy at all. His strength carried a hint of emotion—he was angry at Chu Baiwei for breaking her promise and had been storing a year's worth of resentment.
"Are you okay?" Cao Yang asked, looking at her flushed, motionless face.
Chu Baiwei didn't respond. The faint rise and fall of her breath was the only proof that she was alive.
Cao Yang carried her, replaced the sheets with clean ones, took a quick shower himself, lit a cigarette, and waited patiently for her to recover.
About half an hour later, Chu Baiwei's consciousness gradually returned.
She shot Cao Yang a sharp glare, a mix of blame, grievance, and helplessness in her eyes.
Cao Yang realized he might have gone too far and gently pulled her into a hug.
"Sorry, I lost control for a moment."
Chu Baiwei opened her mouth, but seemed too weak to speak.
Another half hour passed before she fully recovered. She wrapped her delicate arms around Cao Yang's neck, pressing her face to his chest.
Seemingly tender and intimate, yet in the next second she bit down hard!
"You bastard! Don't treat me like a thing!"
"Alright, alright! Let go!" Cao Yang begged.
After some playful scuffling, they began catching up on recent events.
Chu Baiwei hadn't changed much—she was still the head of the Libao Group branch. Her marriage to Han Jiang remained distant, more in name than in reality.
From her, Cao Yang learned that Gao Yourong and Chu Haoyuan had married six months ago, and Gao Yourong was now pregnant.
"I really don't get what that little Gao has that makes my brother so crazy about her," Chu Baiwei complained.
Chu Baiwei had never been particularly fond of Gao Yourong—not hatred, but a sense that she wasn't worth Chu Haoyuan's devotion.
"Why care so much? As long as she's happy," Cao Yang remarked.
"I'm defending my brother! Gao Yourong married into our Chu family—she's overreaching. And yet, my brother just tolerated it!"
Chu Baiwei grew more agitated the more she spoke. She thought Chu Haoyuan was utterly undisciplined.
"Your brother even tells you these things?" Cao Yang asked, feeling a bit guilty.
"No, he doesn't say a word. I guessed it by his mood after the wedding night."
"That little Gao seems innocent, but she's not exactly a saint," Chu Baiwei added.
Cao Yang coughed twice, reminding her: "Before talking about others, look at yourself first."
Chu Baiwei pinched him: "What do you mean? You're upset I mentioned her? Don't tell me she's…?"
Her mouth dropped open, realizing it wasn't entirely impossible.
Cao Yang had partnered with Gao Yourong before and had been close. Gao Yourong apparently had some feelings for him, and Cao Yang, being the flirt he was, made the speculation plausible.
"Stop talking nonsense! She's Xia Dongdong's good friend. I'm Xia Dongdong's boyfriend. How could I possibly…?"
"True. Even you, with all your lechery, wouldn't go that far."
Chu Baiwei changed the subject. "And that Situ Meixin—what's your relationship with her?"
"Just normal friends!"
"Really just friends?"
"Absolutely! We're as innocent as scallions with tofu—pure and clean. Don't jump to conclusions or you'll embarrass yourself."
"Hmph! I'm not imagining things; I just don't want you imagining!"
"Wait… what? Me imagining? Are you jealous?"
"What kind of jealousy? Our relationship is… clandestine, not open to the world. What jealousy are we talking about?"
"Your words are harsh!" Chu Baiwei frowned, turning her head away.
Cao Yang nudged her: "Back to business. The project is going through—can you get my people released?"
"I told you, I can't decide that."
"What about your dad?"
"Not him either. Only Han Qingshan can decide. He's the one in charge."
"Then can you guarantee it? If not, forget your oil field!"
Chu Baiwei sighed: "Cao Yang, honestly, your people are trivial compared to the Nanluo oil field. But a country has its laws, and the law's baseline cannot be used as a bargaining chip."
Cao Yang sneered: "Do you even believe your own words?"
Chu Baiwei smiled: "Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter. At least officially, publicly, that's the stance. Who could refute it?"
"So… that means it's impossible? Fine, you go back tomorrow. Forget the oil field!"
Chu Baiwei laughed and shook her head: "I'm just giving my opinion. Whether it works depends on Han family approval. I can't negotiate with them myself—our relationship would backfire. Only my father can do that."
"But don't trust anything he promises lightly. He's not reliable."
"You can request to speak with my grandfather. If he guarantees it, then it's settled."
"Actually, our families have some history. My grandfather knew your great-grandfather—they fought the Japanese together."
"Oh? So we're old family friends?"
Chu Baiwei tilted her head, puzzled: "Do you know how your great-grandfather died?"
"On TV, it said he was bombed by the Liberation Army."
"Who led that squad?"
"I didn't notice… couldn't be your grandfather, right?"
"Hahaha… impossible. Let bygones be bygones."
"In a few days, I want to visit your great-grandfather. Can you arrange it?"
"Why visit him?"
"As I said, our families have history. Out of courtesy, I'll pay my respects. Also, I want to check if our old drilling platforms are still usable. Most importantly, I need to gauge your great-grandfather's attitude—whether he'll cooperate or sabotage us."
Cao Yang chuckled: "As long as you cooperate, my great-grandfather will cooperate with you."
"You overestimate yourself. Matters involving such huge interests aren't decided emotionally."
"By the way, one more thing. Don't tell Han family about your subordinate, Liang Feng—he has escaped prison and is now nationwide fugitive. Don't mention him in negotiations."
Cao Yang was stunned, then gave a thumbs-up in admiration. Liang Feng truly lived up to his reputation—a top soldier under his command, even escaping prison without shaming him.
But… where had he gone? Why hadn't he contacted him?
With all the phone numbers changed countless times, it was unlikely Liang Feng could reach him. Moreover, with Liang Feng's character, even if he could, he probably wouldn't. He had likely gone into hiding with his sister for a peaceful life.