Chapter 444: Angels in White
Cao Pingao strode up to the female doctor and asked with a smile,
"What do you need me to help with?"
Gulina blinked her beautiful large eyes and looked up slightly, saying,
"I saw you wandering around nearby for quite a while. Why don't you come over and help us move some things?"
Cao Pingao grinned. "Sure, lead the way."
After turning a corner in the camp, the two quickly arrived in front of several large tents marked with red crosses.
At this moment, five or six men were constantly going in and out, moving various medical supplies from the tents one by one onto several small trucks outside.
Cao Pingao didn't waste any words; he immediately took off his wool overcoat, placed it on a nearby cardboard box, and joined the team of movers.
Not long after, Dian Wei and Xu Chu, who had suddenly realized their boss had wandered off and disappeared, found their way there.
"Bos—"
Just as Dian Wei was about to shout "Boss," Cao Pingao stuffed the cardboard box in his hands into Dian Wei's arms and gave him a look.
"Old Dian, Old Xu, you two arrived just in time. Help move these things together."
Dian Wei and Xu Chu exchanged a glance and then had no choice but to continue working alongside their boss.
With everyone's efforts, the small trucks were soon fully loaded and departed one after another to deliver the goods.
Inside a tent, Gulina carried a tray with three cups of hot tea and walked over to Cao Pingao, Dian Wei, and Xu Chu.
"Thank you three brothers for your help~"
Cao Pingao and the others took the tea cups. "You're welcome."
Gulina brought over a plastic stool and sat down next to them, taking off her mask as she spoke.
"My name is Gulina, and I'm a local from Aksu. Where are you three brothers from?"
The moment the Western Xinjiang beauty took off her mask, Cao Pingao, who was already mentally prepared, was still stunned by her divine beauty—
Bright large eyes, thick curly long lashes, a high bridge of the nose, a delicate small mouth, and fair skin... every frown and smile was so captivating.
Sitting next to Cao Pingao, Dian Wei and Xu Chu immediately understood why Boss Cao, a billionaire, was suddenly willing to roll up his sleeves and do manual labor.
"My surname is Cao, his is Dian, and his is Xu. We are all from Jiang City," Cao Pingao said with a smile. "Do you know Jiang City, beautiful?"
Gulina nodded. "Of course I do. I've always wanted to travel to Jiang City to see the Yangtze River Bridge and the Yellow Crane Tower, and to taste authentic Hot Dry Noodles~"
Cao Pingao laughed. "Hahaha, you're more than welcome to visit Jiang City. When you do, I'll definitely fulfill my duties as a host and treat you well, my friend from afar."
"Hey, why don't we add each other on wechat? It'll make it easier to stay in touch later."
Gulina hesitated for a moment while looking at Cao Pingao, thinking: Someone who traveled so far to bring disaster relief supplies to my hometown shouldn't be a bad person.
"Okay, Brother Cao, wait for me while I go get my phone."
Just as the Western Region beauty stood up to get her phone from the desk, a young man wearing a military coat hurried into the tent and handed a list to Gulina.
"Doctor, Aqiata Town is in urgent need of this batch of medicine, and they also said they'd like you to go over and help out."
Taking the list, Gulina immediately turned serious. "Alright, come with me to move the medicine."
Seeing this, Cao Pingao also stood up with Dian Wei and Xu Chu. "We'll help too."
Gulina nodded, her eyes full of gratitude. "Thank you."
Before long, the van at the tent entrance was packed full of various medical supplies.
Just as Gulina was about to set off with the young man, he suddenly slipped and nearly fell to the ground.
Seeing this, Dian Wei quickly stepped forward to support him, and Gulina hurried around the front of the car.
"Tuoheti, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"
The young man named Tuoheti shook his head and barely straightened his body. "I'm fine. I just haven't rested well these past two days while busy delivering supplies. Just let me catch my breath for a few minutes."
Gulina took off her glove and reached out to touch the young man's forehead; her brows immediately furrowed.
"My goodness, Tuoheti, you have such a high fever. You need to rest and take medicine. I can't let you drive this delivery."
Seeing Tuoheti still trying to persist, Cao Pingao, who was standing nearby, also spoke up to advise him, "Little brother, it's too unsafe for you to drive in this condition."
"Think about it, you're not the only one in the car; there's also Doctor Gulina who's going with you."
Under everyone's persuasion, the young man finally listened and lay down on a hospital bed inside the tent.
Gulina looked around the camp but couldn't find a replacement driver for the moment. She could only approach Cao Pingao, Dian Wei, and Xu Chu again with some embarrassment.
"Three brothers, do any of you know how to drive a van?"
Cao Pingao grinned. "Doctor, I'll go with you. Neither of them can drive."
Dian Wei and Xu Chu both turned their heads to look at their boss simultaneously and then said to Gulina,
"The two of us really don't quite know how to drive."
Gulina bit her lip and said, "Alright then, delivering the goods and saving people is what matters most. I'll have to trouble Brother Cao to come with me."
---On the highway beside the Toshkan River at the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, a white van loaded with medical supplies was traveling westward at a steady speed.
A cheerful Cao Pingao chatted with the Western Region beauty, Gulina, who was sitting in the passenger seat beside him, while he drove.
Cao Pingao said, "So you're a top student studying for a PhD at the Imperial Capital Medical College. I thought you were a doctor from a local hospital."
Gulina said with a smile, "Actually, it's not wrong to say that, because I'll graduate with my PhD in another year, and then I'll return to Aksu to become a pediatrician."
Cao Pingao asked with some surprise, "With such high qualifications, are you sure you don't want to stay and develop your career in a major hospital in the Imperial Capital?"
Gulina shook her head gently. "Compared to the Imperial Capital, which has abundant medical resources, my hometown needs me more."
Cao Pingao glanced at Gulina's beautiful profile and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: This is truly a beautiful and kind-hearted girl.
Then Gulina turned her head to look at Cao Pingao. "By the way, Brother Cao, don't just talk about me. Tell me about yourself. What kind of work do you do in Jiang City?"
Cao Pingao gripped the steering wheel and laughed. "Me? I just run a small business in Jiang City."
"This time, I was entrusted by the Jiang City Entrepreneurs Association to bring the relief supplies donated by all sectors of our city to you."
Gulina said with eyes full of gratitude, "I thank you all on behalf of my hometown."
"Heh, you're welcome." The corners of Cao Pingao's mouth kept curling up as he thought: This can be considered a case of "good deeds being rewarded"—if I hadn't come to deliver these supplies, how would I have had the chance to meet you?
//445//
Chapter 445: Aftershock
Over an hour later, Cao Pingao and the others arrived at the health center in Aqiata Town.
The driver, Cao Pingao, was responsible for unloading the cargo with two local townsfolk, while the medical student, Gulina, hurried into the health center to help care for the injured.
The two remained busy until evening before meeting again in the health center's small canteen.
Gulina brought Cao Pingao a serving of mutton pilaf and a bowl of meat broth:
"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Cao. I hope this food is to your liking."
Cao Pingao, who hadn't done so much physical labor in a long time, took the spoon Gulina handed him. While wolfing down the food, he chuckled, "I'm not a picky eater to begin with, let alone in a situation like today's."
Seeing him eat with such gusto, Gulina sat down opposite him with a smile and began her dinner as well:
"Brother Cao, after we finish eating, could I trouble you to drive me to Aru Village west of the town to deliver some medicine to them as well?"
Cao Pingao turned to look at the sky outside the window and said, "Are you familiar with the road? Visibility while driving at night is much worse than during the day."
Gulina nodded. "I'm quite familiar with the roads in this area."
Cao Pingao: "Alright, then let's go together after dinner."
Watching Cao Pingao continue to bury his head in his food, Gulina said somewhat apologetically, "Thank you, Brother Cao.
You could have rested comfortably in the county hotel today, but I dragged you here to be a driver and porter all day."
Cao Pingao looked up and smiled. "It's fine. Once the disaster is over, just find an opportunity to treat me to a meal."
Gulina's pretty face flushed. "Okay, it's a deal."
After dinner, Cao Pingao drove the van, carrying Gulina and several boxes of medicine, and left the town in the darkness, heading toward Aru Village in the west.
Visibility was poor at night, so Cao Pingao drove very slowly and carefully the whole way.
However, halfway there, an accident happened—the entire road surface suddenly began to heave up and down.
Cao Pingao immediately slammed on the brakes to stop the van. "Holy crap, another earthquake!"
"Ah!" Out of fear, Gulina subconsciously leaned toward Cao Pingao and reached out to grab his arm.
Cao Pingao took the opportunity to pull the Western Regions beauty into his arms. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. It's likely an aftershock."
About two minutes later, the shaking ground gradually settled.
Cao Pingao let out a long breath and smiled at Gulina in his arms. "That was close. I thought I was going to meet my end here today."
Only then did Gulina realize she was snuggling in the man's embrace.
She hurriedly pulled away from Cao Pingao's embrace with a blushing face:
"I'm sorry, Brother Cao. I was a bit scared just now, so I..."
"It's alright, I was pretty scared too," Cao Pingao joked. "Besides, I don't lose out by being hugged by a beauty like you."
Hearing him say that, Gulina's face turned even redder, and she lowered her head shyly. "Then... then let's keep going."
"Mm, alright." Cao Pingao restarted the car and drove forward along the dirt road even more carefully.
Before long, the van arrived at a small stone bridge.
Using the high beams, Cao Pingao looked closely and found that the road surface of the small stone bridge had been completely destroyed in the aftershock.
He turned to look at Gulina in the passenger seat. "Besides this road, are there any other ways to get to Aru Village?"
Gulina frowned slightly and said, "If we don't cross this stone bridge, the other roads require a detour of dozens of kilometers further west."
Cao Pingao said with a serious expression, "Driving that far at night is too unsafe, and after that aftershock, there's no guarantee that the long way is even passable.
I think we should head back to town for tonight and figure out a way to deliver the medicine to Aru Village tomorrow during the day. What do you think?"
Gulina nodded. "Alright, let's go back to town first and find a place to stay for the night."
Subsequently, Cao Pingao turned the steering wheel, carefully making a U-turn next to the small stone bridge, and then headed back the way they came.
However, less than five minutes after he started driving, the road ahead was blocked by a pile of large rocks that had rolled down from the nearby hillside.
Cao Pingao: "It's over. Now the two of us will have to spend the night out in the middle of nowhere."
Gulina felt extremely guilty, her eyes turning red as she said, "I'm sorry, Brother Cao. It's all my fault for dragging you along to deliver medicine..."
"What are you talking about?" Cao Pingao interrupted her directly. "I came with you voluntarily to deliver supplies to the disaster-stricken villagers, and you couldn't have predicted the aftershock."
"Brother Cao..." Seeing that Cao Pingao didn't blame her at all, Gulina felt even more guilty.
"Let's report that we're safe to our families first." Cao Pingao took out his phone and saw that there was no signal at all.
Gulina tried her phone as well. "I'm not getting any signal here either."
Cao Pingao comforted her with a smile, "The nearby base stations probably malfunctioned because of the earthquake just now.
Don't worry, the signal should be restored tomorrow during the day, and someone will come to rescue us then."
"Mm, okay."
Looking at the confident Cao Pingao, who didn't have a trace of fear on his face, Gulina's originally uneasy mood quickly calmed down.
Cao Pingao turned off his phone to save power, then climbed from the driver's seat into the back of the van to rummage around. In the end, besides the medicine, he only found half a case of mineral water and an unopened army-green sleeping bag.
He first laid a layer of cardboard on the floor of the van, then opened the new sleeping bag and spread it on top:
"Doctor Gulina, I've prepared your bed for tonight."
Gulina leaned over the back of the passenger seat and said, "Maybe you should use the sleeping bag. I can just sleep sitting up."
Cao Pingao laughed. "That won't do. How can I, a grown man, watch a young girl like you freeze?"
After some back and forth, Gulina couldn't win against Cao Pingao and had to obediently take off her coat, trousers, and shoes, crawling into the sleeping bag wearing only her thermal underwear.
Cao Pingao sat back in the driver's seat. One lying down and one sitting, they chatted idly.
---Although it was only the end of October, the nighttime temperature in the outskirts at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains quickly dropped below zero degrees.
Additionally, the old van's air conditioning was broken, so the temperature inside the van soon became little different from the outdoors.
The wool coat Cao Pingao was wearing was useful when it was warm during the day, but by now, it was completely insufficient for warmth.
Lying in the warm sleeping bag, Gulina also felt the sharp drop in temperature inside the car:
"Brother Cao, is it very cold in the car?"
With his teeth chattering, Cao Pingao forced a smile. "I'm alright."
With only half her face showing, Gulina said again, "Maybe I should let you have the sleeping bag after all. I'm a local, so I'm definitely more resistant to the cold than a Southerner like you."
"A Southerner?" Cao Pingao chuckled. "I suppose so. To you, I really am a Southerner.
Forget it. Just sleep warmly in your sleeping bag. It's enough for me to freeze alone; there's no need for both of us to take turns freezing."
Soon, the van fell silent, and Cao Pingao's somewhat trembling breaths became increasingly obvious.
After a period of internal struggle, the beautiful and kind-hearted Gulina simply couldn't bear to watch the good man Cao Pingao—who had come all the way from Jiangcheng to help her disaster-stricken hometown—freeze all night in front of her.
She bit her lip and said with a blush, "Brother Cao, this sleeping bag is actually quite large.
How about... how about we sleep together..."
//446//
Chapter 446: Aftershock (Part 2)
"Alright."
Upon receiving the invitation, Cao Pingao didn't hesitate to climb from the driver's seat into the rear compartment, stripping off his outer layers with lightning speed.
Gulina's pretty face flushed red as she moved her body to one side of the sleeping bag, making space for him to lie down.
Cao Pingao hurriedly slipped inside. "Whoa, it's really warm in this sleeping bag.
By the way, try not to touch me for now; my body is still very icy."
"It's okay." Gulina proactively reached out her warm little hand and grasped Cao Pingao's large hand.
"Heavens, why are your hands so cold!" the Western Regions beauty said with a face full of apology. "I'm sorry, Brother Cao, I should have let you sleep in the sleeping bag with me earlier."
Cao Pingao admired Gulina's delicate, melon-seed-shaped face from up close. "It's fine. After all, there's a difference between men and women; it's normal for you to feel embarrassed."
At this moment, Gulina felt extremely guilty. If Brother Cao hadn't been trying to help her, he wouldn't have been trapped out here in the wilderness freezing in the middle of the night—she wriggled her body inside the sleeping bag and proactively leaned against Cao Pingao's somewhat cold torso.
Cao Pingao saw through the young girl's intention and asked with a smile, "Am I very cold?"
"It's alright~" Gulina lowered her head slightly, too shy to look Cao Pingao directly in the eye.
Just as the Western Regions beauty was slowly helping Boss Cao's body temperature rise, a new wave of aftershocks arrived.
The earth trembled, and mountain rocks shattered.
The van parked on the ground suddenly seemed to turn into a small boat floating on the sea, "swaying with the waves."
Gulina was so frightened she dove straight into Cao Pingao's embrace. "Brother Cao, I'm scared~"
Cao Pingao quickly held Gulina tightly and comforted her in her ear:
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you."
About a minute later, the second aftershock passed without further incident.
However, the young man and woman lying in the sleeping bag at this time were still tightly embracing each other.
Needless to say for Boss Cao, he certainly wasn't going to let go easily of this great opportunity "created" for him by the heavens.
The reason Gulina didn't let go was that she felt an extraordinary sense of security being held in the arms of the solidly-built Cao Pingao.
"Brother Cao, do you think we'll die here?"
Cao Pingao laughed. "Of course not. You haven't graduated and returned home yet, and you haven't started using the medical knowledge you've studied for years to benefit your fellow villagers.
God wouldn't harm an angel in white with a heart as beautiful as yours."
Gulina's face turned beet red from the praise. "Oh, Brother Cao... I'm not as good as you say~"
Cao Pingao felt the atmosphere was just right, so he lowered his head and slowly approached the Western Regions beauty's small mouth.
Held tightly in the man's arms, Gulina bit her lip and then gently closed her beautiful large eyes—[Legendary Multiple Birth Badge Activated]
[Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the Many Children, Many Blessings Mission]
[Breeding target Gulina Bakhtiyar has successfully conceived naturally; system reward: 40 million yuan]
[Skill Reward: Holy Healing Technique (Trial Version)]
[When the baby is born healthy, the skill will be upgraded from the trial version to the permanent official version]
[Holy Healing Technique: Intimate interaction with the host can treat various diseases of the interaction partner]
[Random Reward: 4 great tonic strengthening pills]
A shy Gulina snuggled in Cao Pingao's arms and grumbled coquettishly:
"You're awful~ I was afraid you'd freeze and kindly let you sleep in the sleeping bag with me, but you took the chance to bully me instead~"
Cao Pingao held the soft-bodied Western Regions beauty and laughed. "I couldn't help it, you're just too beautiful. I accidentally lost control of myself just now.
---Hey, don't you think the sleeping bag is much warmer now that we've exercised together like that?"
Gulina nodded with a red face. "Mhm~ it really is warmer now than when I was wearing thermal underwear~"
After a while, Gulina's heartbeat slowly calmed down, and logic reclaimed the high ground. "Brother Cao~ can I ask you a personal question?"
Cao Pingao: "Of course, ask away."
Gulina: "Are you married?"
Cao Pingao chuckled. "I was married once before; currently, I'm single and divorced."
Gulina bit her lip and asked again, "Then do you have a Girlfriend in Jiangcheng?"
Cao Pingao thought for two seconds and then spoke honestly, "I don't want to lie to you. I do indeed have a Girlfriend in Jiangcheng."
Although Gulina was somewhat mentally prepared, hearing Cao Pingao say this still made her heart feel a pang of bitterness:
"I don't like being a third party who destroys someone else's relationship.
Let's leave the 'accident' that happened tonight right here in tonight."
Cao Pingao naturally wouldn't give up on Gulina just like that, but he knew that getting a kind-hearted Western Regions beauty to accept his playboy nature would require taking it one step at a time.
"Fine, then everything that happened before dawn will be a secret known only to the two of us."
After saying that, Cao Pingao lowered his head and kissed Gulina's moist cherry lips.
---The next morning.
While Cao Pingao and Gulina were lying in the van, huddled together in deep sleep, a search and rescue helicopter buzzed overhead.
"Hmm? Why do I hear the sound of a helicopter?"
Cao Pingao gently shook Gulina awake in his arms. "Nana, did you hear the sound of a plane just now?"
"No, you must have misheard. How could the rescue people get here so fast?" Gulina, who was exhausted from the night before, didn't even open her eyes as she clung to Cao Pingao's arm and continued to sleep.
Cao Pingao reached out to turn on his phone, only to find there was still no signal.
"It's still early; I must have misheard."
Cao Pingao put down his phone and continued to sleep in with the smooth-skinned Gulina in his arms.
But they hadn't been back to sleep for long when a series of urgent thumps on the car door suddenly startled them awake:
"Boss! Boss! Are you inside the car?
Old Xu, hurry up and use the crowbar to pry the door open."
"Okay, move back a bit."
Cao Pingao quickly shouted toward the car door, "Old Dian, Old Xu, don't pry the door! We're fine, we're coming out right now."
Five minutes later.
A re-dressed Cao Pingao held the hand of a slightly blushing Gulina as they jumped down from the rear door of the van together.
Dian Wei, who usually never showed his emotions, let out a long sigh of relief upon seeing Boss Cao alive again.
Beside him, Xu Chu said with a beaming face, "Boss, your sudden loss of contact really scared us to death."
Cao Pingao laughed. "Heh, who knew we'd hit an aftershock halfway? Even more coincidental, both ends of the road were blocked.
The phone had no signal so I couldn't report that we were safe. I've made you two worry."
Dian Wei said with a serious face, "The two of us don't matter. The key is that with you out of contact, the two General Managers Chen, General Manager Jian, General Manager Shen, and Miss Jin were all scared out of their wits."
Cao Pingao: "Ah? I was only out of contact for one night. How did you end up alarming everyone back home?"
Dian Wei shook his head. "It couldn't be helped. You suddenly went missing and lost contact in a disaster area. When General Manager Chen and the others asked us about the situation, we didn't dare hide anything."
After speaking, he pulled a satellite phone from his lower back and handed it to Cao Pingao.
"Boss, General Manager Chen and the others are all waiting for news in Aksu. You should hurry and call them to let them know you're safe."
//447//
Chapter 446: Rapid Rescue
The night before.
Inside the Donghuwan Villa Area.
The first girl to realize something was wrong was Chen Xue, who lived in Villa No. 1:
"What's going on? Why hasn't Hubby replied to my wechat for so long?"
Sitting on the large sofa, Chen Xue stroked her bulging belly while calling her man. It turned out Cao Pingao's phone was switched off.
"Huh? Hubby's phone is never turned off, though?"
Feeling uneasy, Chen Xue immediately called Chen Shuting:
"Sister Shuting, Hubby's phone suddenly turned off. Can you contact Master Dian and Master Xu, who went with him to Xijiang, and see what's happening?"
Chen Shuting, who was helping Lele with her homework, held her phone and said, "Okay, I'll call them right away. Wait for my update."
Next, she called Dian Wei:
"Master Dian, is the boss with you? Why did his phone suddenly turn off?"
Dian Wei on the other end was silent for two seconds before speaking: "Ms. Chen, there have just been two small aftershocks here in Aksu, and the boss has lost contact with us."
Chen Shuting's pupils constricted, and she nearly dropped the phone she was holding:
"Master Dian, please tell me everything about the situation on your side."
---20 minutes later, in the study of Villa No. 1.
Chen Shuting called Chen Xue, Jie Jie, Shen Qingyu, and Jin Yao together:
"All of you, please sit down first."
Only after the four girls were seated did she speak with a serious expression:
"An hour ago, the area where Hubby is located experienced two small aftershocks. His phone is currently off, and he has lost contact with the outside world."
Chen Xue: "---"
Jie Jie: "---"
Shen Qingyu: "---"
Jin Yao: "---"
Chen Xue and Shen Qingyu looked completely incredulous, while Jie Jie and Jin Yao immediately hugged each other and started crying.
Chen Xue widened her eyes and asked, "Sister Shuting, shouldn't Master Dian and the others be by Hubby's side protecting his safety? Why did Hubby lose contact alone?"
Chen Shuting pursed her lips and said, "Hubby went with a local doctor to deliver medicine to the disaster area. There wasn't enough space in the car then, so Master Dian and Master Xu didn't go along."
She then turned to Jie Jie and Jin Yao: "Xiao Jie, Yaoyao, stop crying for now. Hubby has only temporarily lost contact. I believe he is blessed with great fortune and longevity, and he wouldn't suddenly abandon such a large family."
Shen Qingyu helped wipe the tears of Jie Jie and Jin Yao with a tissue, asking:
"Sister Shuting, what should we do next? Should we tell the other sisters in the family about this?"
Chen Shuting shook her head: "Keep this matter confidential for now, to avoid unnecessary panic.
Xiao Xue, contact the airport and see if we can take a private jet to Xijiang tonight."
"Okay." Chen Xue quickly took out her phone and started making calls.
Chen Shuting turned to Jie Jie and Jin Yao again: "Xiao Jie, Yaoyao, quickly prepare around 20 million in cash. We'll use it to hire more rescue teams locally."
"Mhm, okay." Upon receiving the instructions, Jie Jie and Jin Yao immediately stopped crying and started working separately.
---In the early hours of that night, at Jiangcheng Tianhe Airport.
Chen Shuting, Chen Xue, Jie Jie, Shen Qingyu, and Jin Yao—the five girls—along with five bodyguards, Zhang Wenyuan, Le Jin, Yu Jing, Zhang He, and Xu Huang, boarded a Gulfstream G700 private jet. This plane was usually used by Chen Xue to travel between Jiangcheng and Modu.
After flying all night, the private jet finally arrived at Aksu Hongqi Airport around 5 AM.
Standing below the airstairs were Dian Wei and Xu Chu, who had been up all night.
As soon as Chen Shuting and the others disembarked, the two immediately approached them with a map:
"Ms. Chen, according to the information provided by the head of the Aqiata Town Clinic, the boss lost contact last night while driving with Doctor Gulina on the way to Aru Village.
It's roughly in this area."
Chen Shuting asked with a serious expression, "Is the information accurate?"
Dian Wei replied with equal seriousness, "It should be accurate."
Chen Shuting nodded lightly: "Good. Then mobilize all available rescue resources and start searching immediately."
---In a luxury suite at the Aksu International Hotel, not far from the airport.
The five girls sat around the sofa in the living room, silently waiting for news from the two helicopter rescue teams.
They waited from dawn until past 9 AM before the satellite phone on the coffee table suddenly rang.
Chen Shuting quickly picked up the phone: "Master Dian, have you found him?"
But then, Cao Pingao's relaxed voice came from the other end: "Sister Shuting, it's me. I'm fine. Sorry for making you worry."
Hearing Cao Pingao's voice again, Chen Shuting, who had been holding it together all night, finally broke down, crying while yelling into the satellite phone:
"You heartless scoundrel! Were you trying to scare us to death?"
---Cao Pingao and Gulina rode a rescue helicopter back to Asuke City from the outskirts where the roads had been destroyed by the earthquake.
As soon as he got off the plane, Boss Cao was surrounded by five beautiful women whose faces were already tear-streaked:
"Hubby~ You really scared us to death this time~"
"If anything happened to you, what would we, and the children, do~"
"Next time, we absolutely won't let you go anywhere dangerous again~"
Just as Boss Cao was smiling and comforting the five girls one by one, Gulina also jumped off the plane.
At this moment, the girls' attention was immediately drawn to her.
Gulina also looked at Chen Shuting and Chen Xue with curious eyes.
Chen Shuting looked meaningfully at the beautiful woman of the Western Region, who had delicate and defined features: "You must be Doctor Gulina?"
Gulina nodded: "Hello."
Seeing that the girl who had put their man in danger was so beautiful, Chen Shuting, Chen Xue, and the others instantly felt pangs of jealousy.
Seeing this, Cao Pingao quickly tried to break the ice: "Nana, you worked hard all day yesterday and were stranded outdoors all night. Why don't you come back to the hotel with us to rest properly before returning to the county's disaster relief camp?"
Gulina looked at Cao Pingao, who was surrounded by five beauties, and a hint of sadness appeared in her large, beautiful eyes:
"No need. Please just drop me off at the bus station on your way. I can take a bus back to the county myself."
//447//
Chapter 447 – The Great Philanthropist (Part 1)
Long-distance bus station.
Gulina asked Cao Pingao to walk her alone to the door of the coach.
She glanced once more at the five girls—Chen Shuting, Chen Xue and the others—standing not far away, then lifted her chin slightly and, with complicated eyes, asked Cao Pingao:
"Big Brother Cao, which of those five sisters is your Girlfriend?"
Unwilling to deceive the kind-hearted beauty from the western regions, Cao Pingao gave a soft sigh and answered:
"All of them."
Although Gulina had sensed it, hearing Cao Pingao's definite reply still made her pupils tremble:
"The two elder sisters surnamed Chen are both heavily pregnant, so the babies in their bellies—"
Cao Pingao nodded again.
Gulina: "—"
After learning the truth, the beauty from the western regions could not keep her large, beautiful eyes from glistening:
"I understand. I'll keep the memory of last night with me forever."
Gulina rose on tiptoe and kissed Cao Pingao's cheek:
"Good-bye, Big Brother Cao~"
With that she turned and boarded the coach.
——After temporarily parting from his beauty from the western regions, Cao Pingao returned to the Aksu International Hotel accompanied by Chen Shuting and the others.
He showered and changed clothes in the suite, and then the whole group went to the restaurant on the hotel's second floor for lunch.
Seeing Cao Pingao look dispirited and pick at his food, the five girls exchanged glances; the eldest, Chen Shuting, spoke:
"Honey~ Judging from how Dr. Gulina said good-bye at the station, did something happen between you two when you spent the night outdoors?"
Cao Pingao blinked, then smiled: "Sister Shuting, I promised Gulina I'd keep last night confidential."
The moment Boss Cao said that, every girl at the table understood.
Chen Xue, the most jealous, pouted and spoke in a vinegary tone:
"Darling, you're amazing~ Last night there was an earthquake, you lost contact, you were trapped in the wilderness, yet none of that affected your mood for romancing the pretty doctor~
I feel the five of us worried for nothing, rushing all night from Jiang City to find you—completely unnecessary."
Cao Pingao quickly slid his chair closer, slipped an arm around Chen Xue's waist and laughed:
"Xiao Xue, don't say that. Without the five of you organizing that lightning rescue, Gulina and I might still be freezing and starving out there.
As for last night, there was only one sleeping bag in the van, and both of us are young and full of energy—things just happened."
Chen Xue shot him a sidelong, resentful glance: "You always have your excuses~
All I know is that while we five were terrified for your life, you were lying in a sleeping bag having a fine time with the pretty doctor.
Tell me, is that fair to us?"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Cao Pingao kept coaxing her:
"Of course it isn't. Especially to you and Sister Shuting—making two pregnant girls fly thousands of kilometers overnight to worry about me was inexcusable.
Sister Shuting, Xiao Jie, Qingyu, Yao Yao, I promise I'll be more careful next time and won't let this happen again."
——That afternoon, on the private jet back to Jiang City.
Cao Pingao gazed through the window at the vast land of Xinjiang, last night's scenes of holding Gulina in the sleeping bag replaying in his mind.
Chen Shuting, seated beside him, asked: "So lost in thought—missing your Dr. Gulina?"
He withdrew his gaze, slipped an arm around her shoulders and laughed: "You saw through me."
Chen Shuting tilted her head: "Not every girl can accept our family's special situation; you can't force things."
Cao Pingao nodded gently: "I know."
She smiled again: "But that Dr. Gulina is so beautiful—my husband definitely won't give up easily."
"Hahaha, knowing me best—Sister Shuting." He leaned down, kissed her cheek and asked, "Any clever ideas? Tell me."
Chen Shuting pursed her lips: "I don't have any clever ideas, but every woman has a soft spot.
Once you find and capture it, even something like being a playboy with many Girlfriends isn't absolutely unacceptable."
Cao Pingao's mouth curved slightly: "Just like your soft spot was Lele; when you saw how I treated her like my own daughter, you were willing to be with me."
Chen Shuting tilted her mouth in a wicked smile: "You dote on Lele so much, she likes her new daddy so much, and your stamina is so good—of course I can't leave you~"
Cao Pingao laughed: "So Sister Shuting is after my body."
Chen Shuting lifted her neck, kissed his cheek, her pretty face slightly flushed: "Of course—no use for a man who can't perform~"
——The day after returning to Jiang City,
Cao Pingao immediately set about establishing the Cao Wei Charity Foundation.
Its first major project was to donate 400 million yuan to disaster-hit Aksu, Gulina's hometown, to repair and upgrade every county hospital and township clinic.
This "selfless" act sent Boss Cao's personal prestige soaring and earned him the media title of "Jiang City's Great Philanthropist."
Riding the wave, Cao Wei Group's businesses took off, catching rival Dongwu Group off guard.
——City, top floor of Dongwu Group headquarters, Chairmans Office.
Sun Dajian's face was as ugly as could be while reading the Jiang City branch's financial report.
Sun Feng opposite him bowed, head lowered, not daring to breathe.
With a slap the report was thrown at Sun Feng:
"Sun Feng, as head of the Jiang City branch, tell me—do I even need that branch to exist?"
Sun Feng kept his head low: "Chairman, our Jiang City branch's profits are indeed poor, but the Group has already opened a shopping center, a hypermarket and two Dongwu International Hotels there.
If we pull out now—wouldn't the Group's losses be too great?"
Sun Dajian's face was livid: "Hmph, big losses? Better to cut losses than let the whole Group be dragged down!"
Sun Feng lowered his head in silence for a moment, then spoke again:
"Chairman, we still have a chance to build good relations with Cao Pingao and share the Jiang City market."
Sun Dajian's eyes sharpened: "You want me to send Shangxiang to Jiang City as a 'peace bride'?"
Sun Feng cautiously watched Sun Dajian's reaction, then lowered his head again:
"Chairman, I know this method troubles the general manager, but the Group is in crisis, and Cao Pingao has shown her clear affection—"
"Enough." Sun Dajian cut him off, "I'll think about it. Return to Jiang City and await orders."
——City, top floor of Dongwu Group headquarters, Chairmans Office.
Sun Dajian's face was as ugly as could be while reading the Jiang City branch's financial report.
Sun Feng opposite him bowed, head lowered, not daring to breathe.
With a slap the report was thrown at Sun Feng:
"Sun Feng, as head of the Jiang City branch, tell me—do I even need that branch to exist?"
Sun Feng kept his head low: "Chairman, our Jiang City branch's profits are indeed poor, but the Group has already opened a shopping center, a hypermarket and two Dongwu International Hotels there.
If we pull out now—wouldn't the Group's losses be too great?"
Sun Dajian's face was livid: "Hmph, big losses? Better to cut losses than let the whole Group be dragged down!"
Sun Feng lowered his head in silence for a moment, then spoke again:
"Chairman, we still have a chance to build good relations with Cao Pingao and share the Jiang City market."
Sun Dajian's eyes sharpened: "You want me to send Shangxiang to Jiang City as a 'peace bride'?"
Sun Feng cautiously watched Sun Dajian's reaction, then lowered his head again:
"Chairman, I know this method troubles the general manager, but the Group is in crisis, and Cao Pingao has shown her clear affection—"
"Enough." Sun Dajian cut him off, "I'll think about it. Return to Jiang City and await orders."
//449//
Ch 449-
The Great Philanthropist (Part 2)
Time flew, and it was already mid-November.
Third floor, St. Marys Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
Cao Pingao had his arm around Yueran's shoulders as they sat together in the waiting area outside the delivery room, her belly heavily swollen.
"Honey, I'm so worried about Big Sister," Yueran said, her face full of concern.
Cao Pingao stroked her smooth cheek and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Yueran. Dr. Xiao is highly skilled and experienced. Let's just relax and wait for the good news."
Seeing the confidence on her man's face, Yueran's anxious heart gradually calmed.
Not long after, Qiao Weigong arrived at the hospital with the equally pregnant Li Ping, having received the news.
The moment Yueran saw her stepmother Li Ping—barely older than herself—her little mouth curled in disdain, and she whispered into Cao Pingao's ear:
"That vixen sticks like glue; she won't leave Dad's side for a second."
Cao Pingao chuckled. "Come on, show your sister and your dad some respect today. Don't pick a fight with her."
Yueran pouted in grievance. "Fine."
Qiao Weigong led his young wife over to sit beside Cao Pingao and asked about Yunran's condition, then joined them in patient waiting.
Less than an hour later, Xiao Ya emerged from the delivery room in surgical scrubs, mask, and goggles.
"Congratulations. Madam Qiao has given birth to a little princess."
Yueran was over the moon. "Wonderful! I have a niece!"
Qiao Weigong, a first-time grandfather, beamed with joy.
Moments later, sweat-drenched Yunran was wheeled out by several Little Nurses.
Cao Pingao hurried forward and took her hand. "Yunran, you've worked hard."
Yunran gently shook her head and gazed with boundless tenderness at the infant cradled in her arm.
"Honey, have you already picked our daughter's name?"
Cao Pingao smiled. "Yes. Our daughter is called Xuanyun—Cao Xuanyun."
After two days of observation at St. Marys Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Cao Pingao brought Yunran and their baby home to the Tongque Garden villa for her postpartum confinement.
That morning.
40th floor, Donghu Bay Tower A.
When Cao Pingao stepped into his office, he noticed two plainly dressed young women in the outer secretarial area:
Name: Wu Zihan
Age: 18
Bare-face score: 77
Figure score: 79
Undergraduate student, intact, non-smoker, non-drinker, no tattoos, good health
System assessment: qualified breeding subject
Name: Xiong Qianqian
Age: 18
Bare-face score: 78
Figure score: 80
Undergraduate student, intact, non-smoker, non-drinker, no tattoos, good health
System assessment: qualified breeding subject
Li Xiaoman and Xiao Lili, their own bellies beginning to swell, rose from their desks as Cao Pingao entered.
"Good morning, Boss."
Cao Pingao nodded toward the two slightly nervous girls standing by the wall.
"What's their story?"
Li Xiaoman replied, "They're part-time secretaries recommended by Cao Wei Human Resources, waiting for you to interview them personally."
"Cao Wei Human Resources?" Cao Pingao raised an eyebrow. "Sent by Manager Qian?"
Li Xiaoman nodded. "Yes, Manager Qian brought them up herself."
Cao Pingao grinned. "That Qian Wan has plenty of schemes, but she always delivers when I need something done."
He glanced once more at the two eighteen-year-olds and told Li Xiaoman,
"They've passed my interview. Take them to Human Resources Department to onboard in a moment.
Oh, and afterwards bring them to buy a couple of business suits."
With that, he strode into the inner Chairman's Office.
In the secretary room, Li Xiaoman, Xiao Lili, and the two college girls were all dumbfounded.
Xiao Lili whispered to Li Xiaoman, "These two students dress so frumpily and don't even wear makeup—I thought the boss wouldn't bother interviewing them himself—yet he passed them with a single look?"
Li Xiaoman looked equally puzzled. "The boss has his reasons for picking people; we shouldn't gossip.
You hold the fort; I'll take them to finish the paperwork and buy the suits."
Xiao Lili nodded. "Alright."
Li Xiaoman picked up her phone and waved to Wu Zihan and Xiong Qianqian, who were still standing by the wall.
"Come with me."
"Oh, okay." The two still-dazed college girls hurried after him.
—Soon, that very afternoon, the two fresh-faced part-timers officially reported for duty in the Chairmans Secretary Office.
But right now Cao Pingao had no appetite for these two rather ordinary "side dishes"; his beauty from the western regions still hadn't answered his wechat or returned his calls.
Cao Pingao sat back in the roomy executive chair and muttered to himself:
"It doesn't make sense. I've spent so much money and done so many good deeds for her hometown—she shouldn't be ignoring me."
Suddenly the phone on the desk vibrated.
Cao Pingao picked it up: District Mayor He was calling.
"Hello, District Mayor He."
"Mm-hmm, you're saying Aksu has invited us over so they can thank and commend us?"
"All right, if you're making time in your busy schedule, how could I refuse?"
—Three days later Cao Pingao boarded the flight to Aksu again, this time with Dian Wei and Xu Chu.
Dian Wei and Xu Chu had received a "dead-serious" order from Chen Shuting and Chen Xue:
Under no circumstances was Cao Pingao to slip out of their sight or enter any risky area.
Besides District Mayor He and her most trusted aide Lü Xiaomeng, more than ten other Jiangcheng philanthropists who had donated money or goods were also on the trip.
Yet they—including District Mayor He as the government representative—were only the supporting cast; the undisputed star was the tycoon who had donated a breath-taking four hundred million in one go: Cao Pingao.
—Aksu Hongqipo Airport.
The moment Cao Pingao stepped off the airstair he was surrounded by local reception staff.
A man in an administrative jacket seized Cao Pingao's hand, beaming: "Mr. Cao, we've been counting the minutes till you arrived!"
Cao Pingao glanced around: crimson welcome banners, two rows of pupils clutching bouquets, and a neatly formed ceremonial band playing in his honor—
the full red-carpet treatment.
All this pomp made the philanthropist—who had come with a few private motives—feel slightly embarrassed.
Surrounded by the crowd, the great philanthropist Mr. Cao Pingao was escorted to a VIP car and driven to the city's grand auditorium for an elaborate award ceremony.
After the ceremony came a lively, lavish thank-you banquet.
—That night, in an executive suite of the Aksu International Hotel.
Once Dian Wei and Xu Chu had carried the tipsy Cao Pingao onto the big bed, Lü Xiaomeng—smartly dressed, glasses perched on her nose—said to them:
"Thanks for your hard work, Master Dian, Master Xu. Go and rest; I'll stay and look after him tonight."
"If anything comes up that I can't handle, I'll call you."
Dian Wei and Xu Chu both nodded to her.
"Very well, Miss Lü."
After they left, Lü Xiaomeng fetched a warm towel from the bathroom and sat gently wiping Cao Pingao's face.
"Honestly, husband, if you can't hold your liquor, don't drink so much~"
Sprawled on the bed, Cao Pingao grinned:
"No choice—the people of Aksu were so enthusiastic, I couldn't bear to refuse them."
As he spoke he slipped a hand inside her collar.
"Ah~" Adjusting her glasses, cheeks flushed, she kept dabbing his face. "You're this drunk; just rest tonight~"
Cao Pingao chuckled. "I'm too drunk to move, but you're not, little Meng."
Her eyes turned flirtatious. "After all that wine, will you even work?"
Cao Pingao: "Try me and find out."
Just as she shyly lowered her head, the suite's doorbell rang.
"I'll see who it is."
After tucking him in, Lü Xiaomeng hurried to the door—and found a Western-Region beauty in a white down jacket, her features delicate and striking.
Even the pretty Lü Xiaomeng was dazzled.
"Hello, may I ask who you're looking for?"
The beauty's long lashes fluttered as she hesitated:
"I'm looking for Boss Cao from Jiangcheng—does he stay here?"
//450//
Ch 450-Big Brother Cao, let's get the marriage certificate first.
Because Lü Xiaomeng lived in Villa No. 8 with Chen Shuting, Jie Jie, Shen Qingyu and the others—and they were close—she'd already heard about how Cao Pingao had 'met' a beauty from the western regions the last time he delivered disaster-relief supplies to Aksu.
"Beauty, you're Doctor Gulina, right?" Lü Xiaomeng asked, eyes full of curiosity.
Gulina's pretty face flushed as she nodded. "Mm, yes—um, how do you know my name?"
"I heard it from Sister Shuting and the others." Smiling, Lü Xiaomeng ushered Gulina inside. "The Mr. Cao you're looking for, the one from Jiangcheng, drank too much at tonight's thank-you banquet and is lying in the bedroom resting."
Hearing that, worry instantly filled Gulina's delicate face.
"Big Brother Cao drank too much? Does he feel unwell? Did he take anything for it?"
"Don't worry, he isn't that bad," Lü Xiaomeng said with a laugh.
"Since you're here, I'll go back to my room—he's all yours tonight."
Just then, Cao Pingao, who had been lying on the bed with his eyes closed, sensed someone sit down beside him again.
He opened his eyes to find not Glasses Girl Lü Xiaomeng but the beauty from the western regions he'd missed for over a month, Gulina, looking at him with concern.
"My God, Nana, am I dreaming? Is it really you come to see me?"
Gulina reached out to caress his cheek, her face full of tenderness. "Drinking too much hurts your body—don't do it again."
Cao Pingao caught her small hand against his face.
"All right, Nana, I'll listen. Next time I won't drink like that—but you can't ignore my wechat messages and calls for so long."
Gulina's lips curved in a pout, jealousy clear in her tone.
"You already have five gorgeous Girlfriends in Jiangcheng—why bother contacting me?"
"Hey, feelings don't follow rules." Cao Pingao grinned. "Nana, from the first moment I saw you, I liked you.
No matter who else is beside me, my feelings for you won't change one bit."
Gulina's eyes were flirtatious as she feigned anger. "Hmph—you scoundrel, how can you say something so shameless?"
"Hahaha, no choice—I was born this loving; when I see a kind, beautiful girl I want to take care of her for life."
While sweet-talking, Cao Pingao gave a gentle tug and pulled the beauty from the western regions into his arms.
"Ah—what are you doing—stop it—"
Gulina only struggled symbolically before going limp in his embrace, letting him kiss her cherry lips. After a long, sweet kiss,
she nestled against his solid chest, arms around his neck.
"Big Brother Cao… I missed you so much this month."
Cao Pingao stroked her silky hair. "I missed you too, Nana.
I donated a bit of money to your hometown partly because I'd seen how hard life was for the folks in the disaster area.
But mainly I wanted to catch your attention—turned out it didn't work, you still ignored me."
"Who says you didn't catch my attention?"
Gulina half sat up, face serious. "Big Brother Cao, you're a truly kind man.
And four hundred million is definitely not 'a bit of money'—it helped my hometown enormously—thank you."
Cao Pingao smiled. "So you came tonight just to thank me for the donation?"
Gulina's pretty face reddened. "That's one reason. There's something else I need to tell you face-to-face."
Cao Pingao's heart was crystal clear. "Mm, Nana, go on."
Gulina lowered her head shyly and whispered, "Big Brother Cao, I'm pregnant."
Cao Pingao hugged her in delighted surprise. "Really, Nana? That's wonderful!"
Gulina gave a shy nod.
"Ever since that night we were stranded in the wilderness, my period never came.
I went to the hospital a few days ago and found out I'm carrying your Little Baby—and it's twins."
Cao Pingao beamed. "Fantastic, Nana. I love kids; I'll take good care of you and the two Little Babies."
Gulina looked up, eyes full of meaning. "Don't celebrate too soon—I haven't said I'll definitely give birth."
Cao Pingao smirked. "Since you came to me tonight, you've obviously decided to keep them—
otherwise you could've stayed away and never told me."
Gulina pouted prettily. "Hmph—seen right through me.
Conceiving twins in one night feels like a gift from heaven, so I will definitely have the babies.
But my plan to go home and practice medicine after my PhD hasn't changed. Big Brother Cao, I hope you'll respect my choice."
Cao Pingao thought for a moment and nodded. "All right, I respect your wishes—I won't force you to live in Jiangcheng."
"Thank you for understanding." Gulina nestled into his arms again. "Big Brother Cao, while you're still in Aksu these two days, let's get married first."
Cao Pingao's heart skipped. "Nana, when you say married, does that include the certificate?"
Gulina suddenly turned serious, little mouth pursed. "Of course. Both the marriage certificate and the ceremony—nothing less, or I won't have the babies."
Cao Pingao: "—"
Seeing his nervous face, Gulina couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Look how scared you are. I already talked it over with Sister Shuting and Sister Chen Xue.
I don't need you to register with me—just come home and hold a local wedding.
Relax, I won't make any special demand that puts you on the spot."
Cao Pingao exhaled in relief. "You gave me a fright—Nana, you've contacted Sister Shuting privately? They didn't breathe a word to me."
Gulina grinned mischievously. "I asked them to keep it secret so I could tease you."
Looking at the clever, sprightly beauty from the western regions, Cao Pingao suddenly remembered: she's a genuine medical PhD candidate at Imperial Capital Medical University—the highest-degree holder among all his Girlfriends.
"Hahaha, bold of you."
Cao Pingao swept her onto the soft bed. "Daring to trick your man—ready for your punishment?"
Gulina's eyes shone with desire. "Mm—I'm ready."
///451//
Ch 451-Working Them Another Round
The next morning.
When the local reception staff arrived at the hotel, they discovered that the great philanthropist Boss Cao and his two bodyguards had vanished.
As they panicked, Secretary Lü Xiaomeng, bespectacled and poised, stepped forward.
"Don't worry, everyone. Boss Cao had some personal business; he'll be back in two or three days."
An anxious staffer asked, "Secretary Lü, what about the schedule we arranged for Boss Cao?
There are still several county commendations and thank-you banquets waiting for him."
Lü Xiaomeng smiled. "District Chief He and the other charitable entrepreneurs will attend in his place."
The staffer sighed. "All right, that's the only option."
—Southern Aksu, Awati Town.
Cao Pingao followed Gulina home, met her strikingly attractive parents, and a whole houseful of equally good-looking relatives.
Surrounded and unable to understand the Western Region tongue, Cao Pingao could only sip tea like a simpleton while watching the blushing Gulina chatter with her parents.
Soon Gulina returned to his side.
Cao Pingao asked at once, "Well? Do your parents approve of us?"
Gulina nodded shyly. "At first they weren't keen, but once they heard you were the tycoon who donated four hundred million to disaster relief, they agreed."
Cao Pingao laughed. "Haha, good deeds truly pay off; I'll have to keep at it."
Gulina bit her lip. "Then propose to them right now, and we'll hold the wedding tomorrow~"
"Deal."
Cao Pingao glanced at Dian Wei and Xu Chu sitting nearby; the two burly guards promptly stacked two neat piles of crimson banknotes on the wooden table before Gulina's parents.
Cao Pingao bowed politely. "Uncle, Auntie, Nana and I love each other sincerely; please allow me to marry her."
Her parents smiled and nodded without even looking at the money.
The instant they consented, the whole household sprang into motion, preparing for the next day's ceremony.
—That night Cao Pingao stayed at Gulina's home, sharing a room with Dian Wei and Xu Chu.
The following day their traditional wedding went off without a hitch.
Western Region weddings differ only in food and drink; otherwise the rites mirror those of the Central Plains, save that a senior church elder sits between the couple as they bow to their elders.
Once the formalities ended, nearly a hundred friends and relatives feasted noisily in the courtyard.
At long last night fell; after the last teasing guest left, the festooned bridal chamber held only groom and bride.
Cao Pingao stepped to the bed and looked at Gulina in red dress and veil, only her lovely eyes visible. "Over a month ago when I first saw you, only your eyes showed then too—only you wore a mask then, and a red veil today."
He lifted the veil gently; the beauty from the western regions sat flushed with crimson clouds on her cheeks.
"Nana, you're breathtaking!
I must have amassed great karma to wed a girl so kind and lovely."
Gulina whispered, "Marrying a man like you is my blessing~"
Unable to wait, Cao Pingao swept her onto the bridal bed—five days later.
Aksu Hongqipo Airport.
Gulina clung to Cao Pingao's waist, reluctant to let go.
"Nana, I transferred another five million to your Alipay. Take care of yourself and our two Little Babies in Aksu; your husband will visit whenever he can."
Tears glistened in her eyes. "Mm~ Husband, look after yourself in Jiang City; don't work too hard."
After a long farewell she finally released him and watched until he passed security.
Beyond the checkpoint he turned; the tear-stained beauty still waved.
He sighed, waved back, and headed for the gate.
—Time flashed to December; 2027 was drawing to a close.
Three second-pregnancy moms—Chen Shuting, Chen Xue, and Li Jing—were due this month.
Under Xiao Ya's care they delivered in turn:
Chen Shuting bore another son, named Cao Jing;
Chen Xue's second child was also a son, Cao Ye;
Li Jing delivered a daughter, Cao Xuanjing.
Along with Cao Ye came the fifth Silver prosperous husband badge.
Counting Qiao Yueran due next month, Cao Pingao would soon hold six Silver prosperous husband badges.
He needed only three more prosperous husband badges to craft the Legendary prosperous husband badge.
Then, even lying idle, he'd receive ten percent of his total assets in cash each month.
Watching Chen Xue nursing, he mused:
So far only Sister Shuting, Xiaoxue, Xiao Jie, Qingyu, Yaoyao, and Yueran have ever "carried" a prosperous husband badge.
Looks like he'd have to work them another round before hitting max level.
—40th floor, Tower A, Donghu Bay Building, Chairmans Office.
While Cao Pingao studied financials, the heavily pregnant secretary Li Xiaoman entered.
"Boss, President Sun of Dongwu Group is here to see you."
Without looking up: "Show her in."
High heels padded across the carpet, a faint perfume drifting in.
He looked up to find Sun Shangxiang in a white suit, strikingly handsome.
"Well, President Sun, please sit.
When did you return to Jiang City?"
She settled into the leather chair. "This morning; I came straight from the airport."
Cao Pingao smiled. "In such a hurry—something important?"
Sun Shangxiang bit her lip, cheeks tinged pink.
"Mr. Cao, you said if the Sun and Cao families became in-laws, our groups could coexist peacefully and share Jiang City's market.
Does that offer still stand?"
Cao Pingao grinned.
"So, President Sun, you've thought it through?"}
//452//
Chapter 452: The Dispute Over Seats
Sun Shangxiang's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her eyes, saying:
"I have no choice; my father's orders are hard to disobey. For the sake of the Dongwu Group and the interests of the entire family, I am willing to make certain sacrifices."
Cao Pingao leaned back against his chair, crossing his legs with a smile. "What? In President Sun's eyes, being my, Cao Pingao's, woman is a sacrifice to you?"
"I didn't mean it that way," Sun Shangxiang quickly explained. "It's not that I think Boss Cao isn't good enough for me—it's just that, after all, we have no emotional foundation between us."
The corner of Cao Pingao's mouth curled up. "That's not a problem. Feelings can be slowly cultivated later through 'daily' interaction."
Sun Shangxiang pursed her lips and added:
"Boss Cao, I know a successful entrepreneur like you, a young billionaire, won't lack women by your side.
As far as I know, the Qiao sisters of Jinqiao Group, Jiang Qianqian, the daughter of Jiang Shi Industrial, and Chen Shuting, Chen Xue, Jie Jie, Qingyu, Xiao Rong, and Binbin from your Cao Wei Group—all these girls have very close relationships with you.
I want to know, besides them, exactly how many 'Girlfriends' do you have?"
Cao Pingao rubbed his chin and smiled. "Regarding that question, if you come to my house today for a casual guest meal, you'll know everything."
---That afternoon, Sun Shangxiang rode in Cao Pingao's rolls-royce phantom and returned with him to the Donghuwan Villa Area.
After the car passed through the dark-gold iron gates, the first thing that came into view were two rows of beautiful lake-view villas.
Then, Sun Shangxiang saw a large group of young children laughing and chasing each other on the spacious lawn, under the care of several young women.
"Boss Cao, which of these villas are yours?"
Cao Pingao laughed. "The entire villa area is mine."
Sun Shangxiang was stunned for a moment. "Then those children on the lawn are also... yours?"
Cao Pingao nodded with a look of pride.
Sun Shangxiang: "..."
At first, she didn't quite believe it, thinking Cao Pingao was joking with her.
But as soon as the two of them got out of the car, that group of children, who looked to be only about two or three years old, swarmed over under the lead of a seven or eight-year-old girl:
"Daddy, Daddy~"
"Daddy, you're back~"
"Yes, Daddy's back." Cao Pingao happily picked up his second daughter, Xuanyi, from the ground and kissed her chubby little cheek. Then, starting from his eldest daughter Lele, he caressed the children's little heads one by one:
"Were you all good at home today? Did you listen to your mothers?"
"Yes! Daddy, we were all very obedient today~"
After interacting with the dozen or so children surrounding him, Cao Pingao put Xuanyi back on the ground. He looked back and found Sun Shangxiang staring at him with a look of disbelief:
"What is it, Miss Sun? For a family with my economic conditions, isn't it normal to have a few more children?"
Sun Shangxiang curled her lip. "I guessed you would have several children, but I really didn't expect there to be this many."
Cao Pingao laughed. "These dozen or so who can run and jump and will start kindergarten next year only account for a small portion of all my children.
The others are either still nursing in their mothers' arms or have just learned to walk and can't keep up with these older brothers and sisters to play together yet."
Sun Shangxiang: "..."
---6:00 PM.
The women living in the villa area arrived at Villa No. 1 one after another, preparing to have dinner together as usual.
After strolling around the large dining room and observing everything, Sun Shangxiang took it upon herself to sit in the seat at the main table that originally belonged to Chen Xue.
This made Chen Xue, who had just arrived in the dining room, quite unhappy. "Miss Sun, you are sitting in my seat."
Sun Shangxiang looked calm. "I'm sorry, Miss Chen, but your name isn't written on this seat, so I just sat down randomly.
Can't you find another seat to sit in?"
Chen Xue said with a cold face, "No."
Seeing the other's firm attitude, Sun Shangxiang stood up, then sat down in Jin Yao's seat next to it.
This scene directly amused Qian Wan, who was sitting nearby: Great, another troublemaker has arrived. I want to see if Jin Yao's seat remains stable this time.
After Chen Xue sat down, she frowned slightly and said, "You shouldn't sit in that seat either; that's Yao Yao's seat."
At this, a hint of displeasure appeared on Sun Shangxiang's face. "Then you tell me, where should I sit?"
The corners of Chen Xue's mouth curled up slightly. "There is no seat for you at this table."
Sun Shangxiang: "You—"
Jin Yao, who had just come out of the kitchen, saw Chen Xue and Sun Shangxiang arguing and hurried over to smooth things over:
"It's fine, it's fine. Miss Sun, you just stay here. I'll find another seat to sit in."
Chen Xue said indignantly, "Yao Yao, why are you giving up your seat to her?"
Jin Yao leaned down and whispered in Chen Xue's ear, "Forget it. It's her first time eating at our house today; she's a guest after all—and I don't want to make things difficult for Hubby later."
At this time, Cao Pingao, having finished in the restroom, also arrived in the dining room and sat in his main seat.
He looked at the displeased Chen Xue on his left, then at Sun Shangxiang on his right, and Jin Yao sitting next to Sun Shangxiang, immediately guessing the gist of it.
Cao Pingao didn't say much. He finished dinner while chatting and laughing with the women, then took Sun Shangxiang alone into his study.
"Miss Sun, today you are a guest, which is why I allowed Yao Yao to give up her seat to you.
Once you officially join this big family of ours, I will have other arrangements for your seat."
Sun Shangxiang pouted slightly and asked, "I know that Jin Yao is currently the Person in charge of the household.
But after I, the eldest daughter of the Sun family from City, move in, shouldn't I be the one to have the final say in family matters?"
"You're overthinking it," Cao Pingao laughed. "If you want to win my trust and have a voice in the family, earn it through your own actions.
As for being the eldest daughter of the Sun family, I don't care, and no one else will either."
Sun Shangxiang frowned slightly. "If you won't let me manage things at home, what about the company? What position do you plan to arrange for me?
At the very least, it should be on the same level as Chen Xue, Jie Jie, and Qingyu, right?"
Cao Pingao looked at Sun Shangxiang meaningfully for a moment and said, "I can give you both Cao Wei Plazas to manage; after all, it fits your expertise.
Once you produce results, I will consider including you in the group's core management team."
---In the evening, Cao Pingao personally saw Sun Shangxiang to his rolls-royce phantom:
"Master Dian, it's been hard on you. Please take Miss Sun back to her hotel."
Dian Wei had a serious face. "Yes, Boss."
Cao Pingao leaned down and said to Sun Shangxiang in the car, "Miss Sun, I've shown you my situation openly, and I've clearly stated the conditions I can offer. As for whether you accept, that's up to you."
Sun Shangxiang nodded gently. "I will think about it for a few days and give you an answer as soon as possible."
---After returning to her hotel room.
Sun Shangxiang dialed the number of Sun Dajian, who was far away in City:
"Dad, things are a bit more troublesome than imagined.
There are more women around Cao Pingao than I estimated, and many of them are quite capable.
I might need a long time to win his trust and enter the core of the Cao Wei Group.
Yes, I understand. I won't forget the task you gave me."
//453//
Chapter 453: Losing the Wife and the Soldiers
Three days later, Sun Shangxiang called Cao Pingao, saying she was willing to join his Cao family and fully comply with his arrangements.
Next, their engagement banquet was scheduled for the 15th of next month, to be held in City.
---Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, December passed and January arrived.
This morning.
In the master bedroom on the second floor of Villa No. 1 in the villa area.
Cao Pingao slowly woke up in Chen Xue's plump and soft embrace—
[host possesses the prosperous husband badge (Gold): Rewards 5% of total assets every month]
[According to system big data calculations, the host's current total assets are: 11.86605 billion yuan]
[The cash reward for the month is: 593.3 million yuan, which has been transferred to the host's designated bank account via the Central Bank]
[The host's current total cash balance is: 3,122,756,119.53 yuan]
After listening to the system broadcast, Cao Pingao felt refreshed and immediately began using the "facial cleanser" beside him to wash his face.
Chen Xue, her pretty face slightly flushed, gently held his head and said, "Hubby~ you must stay safe when you go to City today~"
Cao Pingao looked up and gave her a kiss: "Don't worry, Xiaoxue. In broad daylight, would Sun Dajian dare to detain me in City?"
He got up, washed, dressed, and went downstairs to have breakfast with Chen Xue.
As soon as he stepped out of Villa No. 1, Cao Pingao saw a small motorcade consisting of a rolls-royce phantom and four mercedes-maybachs, parked neatly on the main road of the villa area, waiting.
In the front seat of the lead Phantom sat Dian Wei and Xu Chu, while a total of 16 bodyguards in suits sat in the four maybachs behind.
At this moment, Chen Shuting, Jie Jie, Shen Qingyu, and Jin Yao walked over across the lawn together.
Chen Shuting said, "Hubby~ how about I go to City with you?"
Cao Pingao reached out and touched her smooth cheek, smiling: "No need, Sister Shuting. I've already taken your advice and brought along the 18 most elite security personnel from the group's security department. Are you still worried?"
Chen Shuting said with a worried expression, "Anyway, I'm very uneasy about Sun Dajian arranging the engagement banquet in City.
After you finish the noon banquet, return to Jiangcheng on our private plane as soon as possible this afternoon. Don't stay in City for too long."
Cao Pingao nodded: "Okay, don't worry. Just think of it as me going out for a meal; I'll be back before dinner."
After kissing each of the five girls goodbye, Cao Pingao strode to the main road and got into his rolls-royce phantom.
Then, the dark gold iron gates opened automatically, and the motorcade drove out of the villa area one by one.
---Noon, Gulou District, City.
The engagement banquet for Cao Pingao and Sun Shangxiang was grandly held in the banquet hall on the 3rd floor of the Jinling Hotel.
Sun Dajian's eldest son, Sun Bofu, felt very unhappy as he watched his own sister drinking nuptial wine with Cao Pingao on stage:
"Dad, why don't we take this good opportunity today to keep this guy named Cao in City to'stay' for a while?"
Sun Dajian calmly took a sip of red wine: "Bofu, don't be impulsive. He is now a celebrity in the Jiangcheng business world and some well-known philanthropist.
Look at that row of bodyguards he brought. If we try to force him to stay, it'll be hard not to cause a scene.
---We should stick to the plan. Once your sister gains his trust, we will work together from the inside and outside to dismantle the Cao Wei Group in one fell swoop."
Sun Bofu gritted his teeth: "Fine, Shangxiang will just have to sacrifice herself for the family for now."
---After the noon engagement banquet ended.
Cao Pingao declined Sun Dajian's repeated invitations to stay and immediately rushed to City Lukou International Airport with his newly acquired fiancée, Sun Shangxiang, and 18 bodyguards. He then returned safely to Jiangcheng on his Gulfstream G700.
That night, in the bedroom on the east side of the second floor of Villa No. 1, Donghuwan Villa Area.
Sun Shangxiang was wearing a purple silk slip nightdress, her two snow-white legs crossed, leaning against the headboard of the large bed while scrolling through her phone.
Cao Pingao, who had just finished bathing, wore a white bathrobe and plopped down beside her:
"Xiangxiang, when I toasted your older brother at noon today, I felt like he wanted to tear me apart on the spot."
Sun Shangxiang covered her mouth and laughed: "If it were your own sister 'forced' to marry a philandering scumbag, how would you react?"
Cao Pingao placed his hand on Sun Shangxiang's snow-white calf and smiled: "Xiangxiang, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want.
I didn't force you to be my fiancée. You can't just wait until dawn tomorrow to send me off to eat at the state's expense."
Sun Shangxiang glanced at him sideways and smirked, "If you're worried about that, then don't touch me tonight."
Cao Pingao also grinned mischievously: "Worry is one thing, but since you're so beautiful, I still want to try."
With that, his large hand moved upwards, and he leaned over to kiss Sun Shangxiang's cherry lips.
Sun Shangxiang didn't resist; instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately— [Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the Many Children, Many Blessings Mission]
[Breeding target Sun Shangxiang has successfully conceived naturally; the system rewards 10 million yuan as a pregnancy maintenance fee]
[Skill Reward: prosperous husband badge (Bronze)]
[The Loyalty Badge will upgrade as the baby is successfully born]
[host possesses the prosperous husband badge (Gold): Rewards 5% of total assets every month]
[Random Reward: 3 great tonic strengthening pills]
---The next morning.
As soon as Sun Shangxiang opened her eyes, she saw Cao Pingao sleeping soundly beside her.
After multiple instances of intimacy last night, Sun Shangxiang couldn't help but feel a deep sense of attachment to the man beside her.
She reached out and gently stroked Cao Pingao's cheek, feeling very conflicted in her heart:
My dad wants me to be a corporate spy and help him dismantle the Cao Wei Group from within. Should I really do that?
Wouldn't doing that be unfair to my fiancé?
Soon, Cao Pingao also woke up.
He reached out and pulled Sun Shangxiang into his arms: "Xiangxiang, did you sleep well last night?"
Sun Shangxiang enjoyed the man's firm embrace: "It was good. I slept soundly after the exercise.
Hubby, when can I start working at the group?"
Cao Pingao stroked her smooth face and smiled: "What's the rush? Didn't you say we didn't have an emotional foundation before?
From now until the Lunar New Year, let's get to know each other deeply.
After the New Year, I'll put you in charge of both Cao Wei Plazas."
Sun Shangxiang could only nod obediently: "Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."
---For the following half month, Cao Pingao would talk all night with Sun Shangxiang in the large villa every evening.
With one deep exchange after another, under the influence of the Loyalty Badge, Sun Shangxiang's loyalty to him quickly rose to 85.5%.
The mindset of the eldest miss of the Sun family also underwent a significant change:
A wife follows her husband; since I am already his woman, I absolutely cannot do anything to betray him!