Campus Ace Girl-Chapter 728 - 729: I am One of the 3000 Who Will Live or Die With Beicheng
Within an hour, everyone who was expected had arrived, along with someone who wasn’t.
This person was none other than Old Mr. Bo.
Wang Jingchuan settled them in the conference room. After a short while, Jingyao strolled in, Min Xin by his side.
Old Lin and others had already heard about this matter from Wang Jingchuan. It concerned thousands of lives, so naturally, no one spoke rashly. Finally, Old Mr. Bo broke the silence. "This matter ultimately requires Mr. Wang’s decision."
Jingyao exhaled a smoke ring and gave a bitter smile. "Right now, we have to gamble everything—Beicheng, and everyone present. Not just your lives, but your assets and your children as well."
He finished, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally resting on Zhou Yunchen. "Yunchen, what are your thoughts?"
Zhou Yunchen remained silent for a moment before saying, "This matter not only requires Mr. Wang’s careful consideration but also the agreement of those under us. We cannot afford any missteps; handling all these aspects is quite challenging."
Jingyao watched him intently. "It seems you already have an answer in mind."
"It’s exceedingly risky," Zhou Yunchen replied, also with a bitter smile. "But we have no other choice now. If Mr. Wang cannot bring himself to sacrifice Beicheng, then Beicheng cannot be defended later on."
His gaze swept around the room again before he slowly continued, "I’m inclined to believe Anxi has found leverage on someone crucial. As it stands, Beicheng and the Eastern Region share a common destiny, and that person is the key."
Jingyao nodded repeatedly. "Yunchen, my thoughts align with yours."
At this point, Min Xin interjected, "Zhou Yunchen, do you understand her that well?"
Hearing this, Old Mr. Bo couldn’t help but sneer, "Yes, how do you understand her so well? Do you harbor some improper intentions towards her?"
Zhou Yunchen deliberately provoked him, "That’s right. I used to have a crush on her."
Old Mr. Bo was so angry he snorted. He touched his nose and then turned on his daughter-in-law, "Look at this! You still keep such a wolf by your side. Aren’t you worried about Xichen being cuckolded?"
Mrs. Bo sneered. "You’re overthinking it. I’ve seen the way you eye the household staff. The Old Mistress can barely rest in her grave. Perhaps you should worry more about her."
Old Mr. Bo had become somewhat intimidated by her lately, so after this rebuke, he didn’t dare utter another sound.
Only then did Mrs. Bo relent. Turning back to Zhou Yunchen, her expression softened considerably. "Good child, please continue. I find what you’re saying very reasonable."
Zhou Yunchen smiled and continued, "Exactly. Bo Qing—true to his name—is obsessed with his lineage and has suffered from deep-seated insecurity since childhood. Therefore, he doesn’t truly want to destroy Beicheng. His main target is the East, aiming to make Mr. Wang lose popular support. That would make it much easier for him to usurp Mr. Wang’s position. Anxi has undoubtedly realized this. She’s likely betting on that key individual now."
Mrs. Bo was full of praise. "No wonder you grew up with Anxi. Mr. Gu Yuntian taught you very well."
Zhou Yunchen simply smiled.
Mrs. Bo spoke again, "What does Mr. Wang think?"
Jingyao stubbed out his cigarette, paused for a moment, then looked at Min Xin. "What do you say?"
This wasn’t a decision he could make alone; everyone needed to agree before they could proceed.
Min Xin, usually very calculating, felt a surge of passion after hearing Zhou Yunchen’s analysis. "If no one else is afraid, I’m in."
Hearing this, Jingyao chuckled and teased, "What do you mean, ’you’re in’? Think this is a card game?"
After saying this, he gestured for Min Xin to continue.
Min Xin spoke softly, "If we sacrifice millions of lives in the East for Beicheng’s safety, would we, as leaders, still be human?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Hearing this, Jingyao chuckled. "It’s rare to hear you say something so humane."
Min Xin was speechless. After a moment, he grumbled, "I’m not that depraved."
Jingyao agreed. "It’s all relative. With Bo Qing as a contrast, your image immediately becomes quite refreshing and refined."
Min Xin forced a smile but didn’t offer a rebuttal.
At this moment, Jingyao raised his hand. "Alright, I’ll call Xichen and see what their stance is."
Wang Jingchuan immediately made the call. After dialing, he handed the phone to Jingyao.
Jingyao spoke with Bo Xichen for a while before hanging up.
Everyone’s eyes were on Jingyao. He laughed. "Why are you all staring at me like that?"
He added, "Xichen will arrive there soon. Let’s wait for news from him!"
Everyone dispersed from the meeting.
However, Min Xin stayed behind. Jingyao went over and patted him on the shoulder. "I know what you want to say. If you want to make arrangements, do it as soon as possible. It will be difficult to manage once everything is out in the open."
Then, he added with determination, "At that time, all access to Beicheng will be sealed."
Min Xin’s voice was slightly choked. "Thank you."
"You don’t need to thank me." Jingyao sat down, lit a cigarette, thought for a moment, then offered one to Min Xin. They both lit up, puffing out clouds of smoke.
"Min Xin, can you even count how many years we two have been fighting?" Jingyao smiled faintly.
Min Xin also shook his head and chuckled. "I’ve lost count. It seems like it’s been over twenty years."
Jingyao sighed. "After all these years, you still haven’t managed to beat me. But, you did get lucky marrying Zhou Yu. How did a beautiful flower like Zhou Yu end up planted in your... cow dung?"
Min Xin’s face darkened completely. "Back in the day, I was also quite charming. Why wouldn’t Zhou Yu like me and prefer an old tree bark like you?"
Jingyao was unconcerned. "With that pretty face of yours back then, you could only fool someone naive like Zhou Yu. You were dirt poor. I was just too focused on my career to compete with you. If I had, what would have been left for you?"
Min Xin was instantly furious. "You didn’t compete? I wonder who it was that once wrote love poems to Zhou Yu."
"Did that sting?" Jingyao laughed. "Actually, Min Xin, you just lack self-confidence. If you were truly confident, you wouldn’t be so easily wounded or see me as an imaginary rival. Tell me, apart from your career and background being inferior to mine, are there other areas where you don’t measure up?"
Min Xin was seething.
After a long pause, he finally muttered in a gruff, heavy voice, "I’m doing just fine."
On this, Jingyao agreed. "That’s right. You must be doing well. If not, how could you be sowing your wild oats everywhere!"
Min Xin was deeply dissatisfied. "I thought we were supposed to be reconciling."
Jingyao feigned surprise. "Yes, we are reconciling. We’re just chatting. Look at you, so sensitive. That’s what a lack of confidence does to a man."
Min Xin was speechless.
Jingyao chuckled. "Alright, don’t be angry. Your wife is yours, your children are yours. Can’t I at least get some verbal satisfaction?"
His words always carried a faint trace of bitterness. Min Xin was momentarily stunned, and after a while, he managed to say in a hoarse voice, "I didn’t mean it that way."
Wang Jingyao waved his hand. "Alright, it’s getting late. Go home early. I’ll give you half a day off to see Zhou Yu off."
Min Xin took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and asked softly, "Jingyao, should I arrange for your parents to leave as well?"
Wang Jingyao shook his head and said calmly, "No need. They were born and raised in Beicheng; they’ve lived here their whole lives. Their only son is staying to live or die with Beicheng. How could they leave?"
Min Xin was momentarily taken aback.
Wang Jingyao walked over, patted his shoulder, and smiled faintly. "Those of us in these positions enjoy immense glory, but we must also bear commensurate risks. The Old Master and Old Madam went through those times; they understand. I believe Zhou Yu’s parents are the same."
This made it clear: only Zhou Yu could leave. Not even her parents.
Jingyao was already making a significant exception for Zhou Yu.
Min Xin’s voice was hoarse. "Thank you."
With that, he turned and left without a backward glance. He went downstairs, got into his car, and drove away himself.
On the drive, Min Xin’s mind raced. He thought about the prestige of these past years, the pain he had endured in his relentless climb to power. He realized now that all of that was nothing. The true torment was Jingyao’s decision today.
「Late that night」
His car pulled up to the villa where Zhou Yu was staying. Zhou’s father opened the gate; the elderly couple were still awake.
Min Xin entered, evidently having traveled through the night. Zhou’s father hesitated for a moment before asking, "What brings you here so late?"
Min Xin looked at him for a moment, struggling for words. He glanced towards the stairs before asking in a hushed voice, "Is Zhou Yu asleep?"
Before Zhou’s parents could reply, footsteps sounded from upstairs.
It was Zhou Yu coming down.
She wore loose cotton pajamas, and a small baby bump was discernible.
Even dressed so simply, Min Xin found himself somewhat mesmerized.
Zhou’s father cleared his throat. "You two talk."
Min Xin, still gazing intently at Zhou Yu, said, "Let’s talk upstairs."
Zhou Yu bit her lip. "We can talk here." The incident last time had left its mark; she was afraid he would try to take advantage of her if they were alone.
Min Xin’s voice was slightly hoarse. "Alright then."
He looked at Zhou’s parents. "The situation in Beicheng is very complicated right now. At this moment..."
He took a deep breath before he could continue, "Currently... only one person can leave Beicheng. I want to send Zhou Yu away tonight. After tonight, it will be impossible."
Hearing this, Zhou’s parents understood instantly and were rendered speechless.
After a long moment, Zhou’s father finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion, "Min Xin, then we’ll have to trouble you to send Zhou Yu away. We’re old; it doesn’t matter if we stay here. It’s just..."
Though he struggled to articulate it, the old man continued, "Please make sure Zhou Yu is well taken care of. She’s never had to be independent all these years. Help her arrange things, at least so she can live stably until the child is a bit older."
Min Xin detected the desolation in Zhou’s father’s voice, the grim resolve. He replied hoarsely, "It might not come to that. We’re just sending Zhou Yu away first as a precaution."
Zhou’s father nodded and looked at his daughter.
Zhou’s mother also recovered from her daze and said softly, "I’ll help you pack her bags and get some other things ready, at least enough for her daily needs."
As for a place to live and a hospital for the baby’s birth, they would have to rely on Min Xin to arrange everything...
