180 — Tong Zhian Has News

"Mom, I didn't mean it that way. I was only trying to make sure my Big brother wasn't heading for another trap." Li Lianmo said defensively.

"And the best way to go about that was to hurt your Big brother and his future wife? In spite of how nice she was to you, you questioned her like a criminal and sought to embarrass her. Was that also for your Big brother's good?" Zhang Heying questioned seriously, leaving Li Lianmo tongue-tied.

"Well, I have decided." Zhang Heying said, straightening up further. She called for Butler Nan.

When he arrived, she said, "Book the next available flight to the Capital now." Turning to Li Lianmo, she said, "And you, go pack your bags."

"Wh-what for Mom?" Li Lianmo asked, trembling.

"You're going back to school immediately. Since you can't even stand the sight of your Big brother's wife, I don't think you need to attend the wedding. You can just go back and concentrate on your studies. Maybe you would like her a bit more when you return after graduation."

"Mom!" Li Lianmo shouted in disbelief. Was her mother really telling her to leave immediately and not come home for the next four years?

She looked at her father for help, but Li Qianye was unwilling to stand on her side this time. He hadn't said anything since, but he was as disappointed as his wife.

Seeing that no help was coming from that quarter, she finally understood the severity of the matter. She moved closer to her mother.

"Mom, I was wrong. Please forgive me." Li Lianmo pleaded. As much as she didn't like Pei Yueran, she wanted to be on good terms with her elder brother.

"Wrong? How? Didn't you say it is for your Big brother's good? Since we are all blind and only you have working eyes, I decided that you need to fly back quickly and use your sharp eyes where they're actually needed." Zhang Heying said with a thin smile.

Everyone present knew that her calm tone and smile were the exact opposite of how she was currently feeling.

"Junmo, please beg Mom on my behalf. I don't hate her, I was just—"

"Future Doctor Li, if you're still trying to justify your actions at this time, then just save it because I'm not listening." Zhang Heying cut her off.

Butler Nan spoke up at this time, "Madam, there are no flights to the Capital remaining today. The next one is for tomorrow evening. Should I book it?"

Zhang Heying frowned, "Tomorrow is very late. Perhaps our sharp-eyed future doctor would not be able to sleep well tonight because Ran'er is in this city as well. Put a call through to the handler. Can the private jet be readied in a few hours?"

"Mom please. I'm very sorry. I'll reflect on myself properly and also apologize to Sister-in-law, as well as Big brother. I want to be present at their wedding, please. Forgive me." Li Lianmo said sincerely.

Li Junmo did not say anything, but the pleading look on his face mirrored his sister's, making them look very similar.

Zhang Heying paused, frowning. Then a while later, she said, "Fine. You have one last chance. Of course, if you don't want to make things right, I'm not forcing you. But the bride cannot be unhappy on her wedding day."

"I absolutely want to make things right Mom." Li Lianmo vouched.

Zhang Heying continued to say, "The only thing Ran'er did wrong was to fall for an ice block like your brother, but first she was almost drugged, then someone attempted to assassinate her. And now, even her future sister-in-law dislikes her for no reason.

"Why should the daughter-in-law we carefully chose have to suffer this way? That's why I have to protect her. As for you, just go and reflect as you said. I hope it bears fruit."

Knowing that she didn't have to fly back to school immediately, Li Lianmo heaved a sigh of relief. "Yes Mom, right away. I apologize once again, Mom, Dad."

Li Qianye nodded, putting an arm around his wife as he helped her to her feet. "Princess, you didn't offend us."

"Understood Dad. I'll apologize to Big brother and Sister-in-law immediately." Li Lianmo reiterated before turning towards her room.

Once there, she locked her door, pounced on her bed and laid facing the ceiling without removing her clothes.

Scenes from earlier flashed through her mind. Pei Yueran's expressions, smiles and her demeanor. Her eyes strayed to the gift that was still in its packaging.

She felt very conflicted. Was she really wrong about her? Was she overreacting?

For the rest of the evening, she did some serious soul searching in her room.

*****

The snow fell in light flakes, turning the Capital into a fairyland of sorts. It was freezing cold outside, but to the people looking through the window from the comfort of their toasty warm rooms, it looked ethereal.

Gao Tinghua was looking out of the window of his office, but his mind was not on the beauty of the snow covered rooftops. He was preoccupied with recent events.

The agency he hired had not gotten back to him, but the deadline he gave them would not arrive until the end of the day, so he didn't hurry them up.

Just as he was thinking, there was a knock on his door, after which it swung open to admit Tong Zhian.

Gao Tinghua wanted to berate him for not waiting for his permission before letting himself in, but he held his tongue at the look on his face.

He must have come bearing news. He took his seat.

"Sir, it's done." Tong Zhian said immediately he got to Gao Tinghua's side.

"Is that why you're so excited? Let me see." Gao Tinghua said with false calm. The hand he stretched towards Tong Zhian was trembling a bit, but he collected the report from him without incident.

"I'm sorry sir, I thought you would want to have it as soon as possible." Tong Zhian replied.

"What do you take me for? Tong Zhian, you know how perfect I am, right?"

Tong Zhian wondered where this was going to, but he still nodded while crossing his fingers behind his back. He hoped this lie would not be counted against him someday.

"Good. If I can be said to have any flaw at all, what do you think that would be?"

"The fact that you're too full of yourself and have a caustic tongue?" Tong Zhian wondered where the sudden courage came from, but the words were already out, and he couldn't take them back.

He sent an awkward smile towards Gao Tinghua while scratching his head in embarrassment.