Chapter 12

Author's POV:

The tension hung thick in the air as Chen Xinyi paced back and forth in the grand living room, her manicured brows furrowed in deep contemplation. The events of the previous night still weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her with a profound sense of unease. That man's blackmail had given her a restless night, robbing her of the precious sleep she so craved.

She knew she had to act fast, lest this looming threat jeopardize everything she had worked so hard to build. The mere thought of her carefully crafted façade crumbling, her darkest secrets spilling out for the world to see, sent a shiver of dread down her spine. Chen Xinyi was all too aware of the ravenous appetite the media had for such juicy scandals, and she had no intention of becoming the next headline sensation.

Gripping her phone tightly, she made the decision to handle this situation in the only way she knew how - through sheer ruthlessness and cunning. There was no room for mercy, no quarter to be given. This man dared to challenge her, to hold her very livelihood hostage, and she would not stand for it.

Pressing the familiar number, Chen Xinyi waited with bated breath as the line connected, her heart pounding in her ears.

"Well, well, well," a deep, gravelly voice drawled on the other end, "I never thought I would ever receive a call from the almighty Chen Xinyi herself."

She wasted no time with pleasantries. "I need your help," Chen Xinyi stated, her tone clipped and devoid of warmth.

"No hellos, good morning, how is life treating you after I left you in the dust?" the man chuckled, his jibe laced with underlying resentment.

Gritting her teeth, Chen Xinyi replied, "1 million."

The line went silent for a long moment, and she could practically hear the gears turning in her brother's mind. "Life is good for you now, isn't it, offering 1 million yuan just like that. What do you want, Xinyi?"

"That man is blackmailing me," she said, the words laced with venom.

Another pause, and then a resigned sigh. "Damn, why didn't I think of that first? Oh, right, because I'm your damn brother, and I'm supposed to protect you."

Chen Xinyi's grip on the phone tightened. "I want him gone, okay? I can't have him going around with so many secrets. He's a walking time bomb."

"You left me out and dry, forgot what we both have been through growing up. I literally raised you, Xinyi, when our parents died, but when you hit the jackpot, you forgot I even existed. You didn't even invite me to your wedding. Too ashamed of being associated with me, aren't you?"

The bitterness in her brother's voice stung, and Chen Xinyi felt a twinge of guilt, though she would never admit it. "You know why I didn't invite, and I've been sending you money every month. Don't be too greedy."

"Money? You call 10,000 yuan money? You're a millionaire, heck, maybe even a billionaire," he scoffed.

"You know I don't have access to too much money. I only give you from what my husband gives me as an allowance," she explained, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice.

"Fine, I'll do the job for you, but you have to increase the money you give monthly. I can't survive on 10,000 yuan; I have expenses," he bargained.

Chen Xinyi held the bridge of her nose, feeling the beginnings of a migraine. "Fine, 1 million for his head, then 20,000 yuan monthly."

"30,000. Take it or leave it, sis," he said firmly.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Chen Xinyi relented. "Fine, he gave me two days. I want him gone before this day ends, okay?"

"Deal. Consider it done," her brother replied, the satisfaction evident in his tone.

The call ended, and Chen Xinyi felt a slight sense of relief, though the lingering unease remained. While she was irritated by her brother's high demands, she knew that he was the one person she could rely on to handle this delicate situation with the utmost efficiency and discretion.

As the hours ticked by, Chen Xinyi found it increasingly difficult to focus on her daily routine. She caught herself repeatedly glancing at the clock, her fingers drumming anxiously on the mahogany desk in her study. The weight of the impending deadline weighed heavily on her mind, and she found herself silently praying that her brother would succeed in his task.

Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Chen Xinyi's phone chimed with a familiar ringtone. Answering it with bated breath, she heard the reassuring voice of her brother.

"It's done, sis. The problem has been taken care of."

A wave of relief washed over her, and she allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't mention it," he replied. "Just remember our little arrangement, hm?"

"Of course," Chen Xinyi affirmed, her composure swiftly returning. "The monthly payments will be made as discussed."

"Excellent. Well, I best be on my way. Enjoy the rest of your evening, dear sister," her brother said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

The line went dead, and Chen Xinyi allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. The crisis had been averted, and her secrets remained safely tucked away, out of the prying eyes of the public. She had once again proven her mettle, her ruthlessness shining through when it mattered most.

As she made her way to the dining room for the evening meal, Chen Xinyi couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Her family's legacy was secure, and she would stop at nothing to ensure its continued prosperity. No one, not even a lowly blackmailer, would dare to jeopardize all that she had built.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur, with Chen Xinyi maintaining her usual composure and grace, effortlessly navigating the social niceties that were expected of her. But underneath the polished veneer, her mind was already turning, contemplating her next move.

The encounter with that brash, uncouth transmigrated girl had shaken her to the core, exposing the fragility of the carefully constructed world she had created. Song Yanyan's sudden transformation had thrown everything into disarray, and Chen Xinyi knew that she could no longer afford to be complacent.

As she retired to her bedroom, Chen Xinyi's eyes narrowed, her expression hardening with determination. She would not allow this upstart to undermine everything she had worked so hard to achieve. 

Chen Xinyi's heart skipped a beat as the familiar ringtone of her husband, Song Bo, filled the air. A flicker of trepidation passed through her, like a child caught being naughty, but she quickly composed herself before answering the call.

"Hello, dear," she said, her voice as smooth and composed as ever, betraying none of the internal turmoil she felt.

"Xinyi, my love," Song Bo's deep, rich voice came through the line. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all, my dear," Chen Xinyi replied, the relief evident in her tone. "I'm simply enjoying a quiet evening in the comfort of our home."

There was a brief pause, and Chen Xinyi found herself holding her breath, bracing for the inevitable questions about the previous night's disturbance. However, to her surprise and relief, Song Bo's next words were entirely unexpected.

"I wanted to let you know that the business deal in Japan has been a resounding success," he said, his tone filled with pride and satisfaction. "I'll be returning home in three days' time."

Chen Xinyi felt a wave of relief wash over her, the tension in her shoulders instantly melting away. "That's wonderful news, my darling," she said, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I'm so pleased to hear that the negotiations went well. We'll have to celebrate your return."

"Indeed we will, my dear," Song Bo chuckled. "I've missed you terribly, and I can't wait to see you again."

"And I you, my love," Chen Xinyi replied, her heart swelling with affection for her husband. In that moment, all of her previous worries and concerns seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of profound gratitude and relief.

"Well, I should let you get back to your evening," Song Bo said. "I just wanted to check in and share the good news. I'll see you soon, my love."

"I look forward to it, dear," Chen Xinyi said, her voice softening with emotion. "Safe travels, and I'll be here waiting for you."

With that, the call ended, and Chen Xinyi found herself exhaling a long, steady breath. The weight that had been pressing down on her shoulders had lifted, and she felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.

Leaning back in her chair, Chen Xinyi allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability, a small, contented smile playing on her lips. Her husband's return would provide the perfect opportunity to solidify her position and regain control of the situation.