The Bai Family Villa.
In the study.
Smoke hung thick in the air.
The Bai father and son sat across from each other, both smoking, their expressions dark.
Bang!
Bai Jianjun suddenly slammed his hand on the table, furious. “That bastard Ye Qiu ruined my plans. I really want to kill him.”
“Forbidden City told me to hold off for now, saying if I get myself killed, they won’t protect me,” Bai Yujing said. “It’s all because my master’s dead—otherwise, Ye Qiu wouldn’t still be breathing.”
“That bastard wrecked our marriage alliance with the Pei family, and now my future’s done for.”
Bai Jianjun fumed, “This afternoon, I got word that Old Pei’s subordinate has taken a post at Jinling Military District as deputy commander.”
“My plan to join Jinling Military District is toast. Not only that, I can’t even go back to the Northwest.”
“Long Haisheng called me, saying my position’s been reassigned and told me to rest at home for a while.”
“Rest? This isn’t rest—it’s stripping me of my rank!”
Bai Jianjun gnashed his teeth. “I’ve worked my ass off for decades, climbed to where I am, and was this close to the next step. But because of that bastard Ye Qiu, it’s all gone.”
“Half a lifetime of effort, and it’s all for nothing. Damn it!”
His face twisted with rage, as if he’d tear Ye Qiu apart right then and there to vent his hatred.
“Father, get ready. We’re leaving in a couple of days,” Bai Yujing said.
“Leaving?” Bai Jianjun blinked. “To where?”
“Abroad,” Bai Yujing replied. “I’ve already moved our assets overseas through secret channels.”
Bai Jianjun frowned. “Yujing, I don’t want to go abroad. I’m not familiar with it, and I don’t speak the language—I’d be helpless there.”
“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll get you a professional translator. Language won’t be an issue.”
“Even the best translator can’t be with me all the time. At my age, learning a new language isn’t realistic.”
Bai Yujing glanced at him. “Father, it’s not really about the language, is it? You’re still clinging to hopes for your career, aren’t you?”
“Yujing, I’ve fought for decades to get here. To walk away now—I’m not reconciled!”
“Everyone has their ups and downs,” Bai Jianjun argued. “Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu, started with nothing, built his legacy, faced surveillance and exclusion, then rose again to become emperor. And Ming Yingzong, Zhu Qizhen—emperor at nine, captured by the Wala, reduced to a prisoner, then after returning, locked up by his brother for seven years. Yet he staged a coup, reclaimed the throne, and ruled again. If the ancients could stage comebacks, why not me?”
He chuckled. “Sure, I’m sidelined now, but with your help, I’m confident I’ll be back in the military soon—maybe even holding real power.”
Bai Yujing gave him an odd look. “Father, where’s this confidence coming from?”
“At this point, you’re still dreaming of wielding power? Are you out of your mind?”
His tone was sharp. “The War God, Ye Wudi, the Tang and Long families, Dragon Gate, even the top leader—they’re all on Ye Qiu’s side.”
“As long as they’re alive, do you think you’ll ever hold power again?”
“Let me tell you, putting you on leave is just step one. Step two is dismissal. Step three, they’ll lock you up.”
“If we don’t leave, you and I will spend the rest of our lives in prison.”
Bai Jianjun brushed it off. “Yujing, aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
“Exaggerating? Heh…”
Bai Yujing sneered. “Father, how much money have we pocketed over the years—don’t you know?”
“And how did Bai Bing’s parents die? Have you forgotten that too?”
Instantly, Bai Jianjun’s face paled.
Bai Yujing pressed on. “Years ago, to consolidate the family’s support behind you alone, I helped you stage that car accident to kill Uncle and Aunt. If that gets uncovered, neither of us will survive.”
“They… they can’t find out, right?” Bai Jianjun’s voice trembled.
“Father, don’t kid yourself with wishful thinking. We’ve got one path left—going abroad.”
“Only by leaving can we save our lives.”
Bai Yujing’s stance was firm.
“Yujing, if we go abroad, can we ever come back?” Bai Jianjun asked.
“Of course,” Bai Yujing said. “When the Forbidden City crew comes out, that’s when we return to the capital.”
“Once they’re out, they’ll deal with the War God, Ye Qiu, Ye Wudi, and the rest.”
“Then we can make our comeback.”
Bai Jianjun’s mood lifted slightly. “When will they come out?”
“Latest word: a year at most, six months at least.”
Not too long—manageable.
Bai Jianjun sighed. “It’s a shame. If the old man could’ve held on a few more years, we wouldn’t have to leave.”
“Father, drop that idea. The old man’s in bad shape. Zhang Jiuling told me he could die any moment…”
Beep beep beep!
Suddenly, the phone on the desk rang urgently.
Bai Yujing picked it up, listened for a few moments, then hung up, standing silently by the desk.
“Who was it?” Bai Jianjun asked.
“The hospital,” Bai Yujing replied. “That bitch Bai Bing took Ye Qiu there. They’ve even wheeled the old man up to the rooftop.”
Bai Jianjun’s brows shot up. “What are they up to?”
“Looks like they’re trying to save him,” Bai Yujing said.
“Ridiculous!” Bai Jianjun barked. “The old man’s condition is terrible—I’ve consulted countless famous doctors, and none could help. Bai Bing’s letting that kid treat him? That’s nonsense!”
“Hahaha—”
Bai Yujing burst into laughter.
Bai Jianjun, confused, asked, “Yujing, what’s so funny?”
“Father, our chance to deal with Ye Qiu has come.”
Bai Yujing explained, “Grandpa’s a three-dynasty elder, a founding hero. If Ye Qiu screws up and kills him, the blame falls squarely on him—he’s a dead man.”
“But if Ye Qiu somehow manages to save him, Grandpa will side with us. Then, Father, you won’t need to leave the country—you might even get a promotion.”
“With Grandpa’s status, connections, and network, securing you a better post would be no trouble.”
Bai Jianjun’s face lit up. In this scenario, whether the old man lived or died, they’d come out on top.
Bai Yujing snuffed out his cigarette. “Father, let’s go to the hospital.”
