It was so annoying. She really wanted to rest, and besides, she had a lot of work to do tomorrow.

The company had signed a new contract and was about to launch a new project, so she had many things to arrange. She simply didn’t have time to keep CEO Qi company. At the same time, she really wished Qi Longbing would go back to City A. She couldn’t understand why, after signing the contract, he remained in City B.

Moreover, the matter concerning Candy was also troubling her. She felt that the longer Qi Longbing stayed in City B, the more dangerous it seemed. She hoped he would return to City A, as keeping their distance would be beneficial for Candy.

But his legs were his own, and she couldn’t persuade him to leave. Everything depended on him realizing certain things for himself.

"Tomorrow night, alright then. Let’s meet tomorrow at 7:00 PM at the usual place. You must come," Qi Longbing said quickly, and then hung up the phone. He knew she wouldn’t come right away. Hua Xiaomo was, indeed, a very self-centered person. Yes, very self-centered. Otherwise, why would she have gotten pregnant, given birth five years ago, and then stayed away for another five years? Even when she returned, she hadn’t said she wanted to be with him. Instead, she rejected him, which solidified his resolve to marry Pan Yutong. Thinking about it now, he truly regretted it. He should never have married Pan Yutong. Now, it turned out Hua Xiaomo had borne his child, who was already born. Candy was already five years old, and he was her father. This was a fate no one could alter, making Candy an illegitimate child. Suddenly, Qi Longbing recalled a conversation he once had with Hua Xiaomo. At the time, she had asked him if he had any children. He had told Hua Xiaomo that if she wanted to bear his child, she should. However, Xiao Mo had said she didn’t want to bear his child, as she didn’t want the child to be illegitimate. But now, didn’t it feel like she had slapped her own face? She had still borne him an illegitimate child. And that child was Candy.

That night, Qi Longbing didn’t sleep well. His mind was filled with many thoughts. He felt the current situation was very unsettling, making him uncertain about what the future might hold.

But, regardless, Candy was his child. It was unequivocal: he had to keep her by his side.

「The next evening」

Qi Longbing was waiting for her at the Rose Grand Hotel. Soon, Hua Xiaomo arrived, dressed in a very professional suit. Her hair, slightly longer now, rested on her shoulders. Lightly made-up, Xiao Mo appeared very professional and capable.

Qi Longbing leaned against the door, watching her walk in. He couldn’t help but go to the bar to pour two glasses of Lafite, one of which he handed to her.

"Thank you!" Hua Xiaomo accepted it, her eyes holding a faint shimmer. "I’m sorry I couldn’t come out last night. It was too late."

"It’s alright. You’re here now, aren’t you?" Qi Longbing said with a smile, his tone very gentle as he looked at her face. "You must have had dinner by now, right?"

"Yes, I had a little," Hua Xiaomo said. This conversation felt somewhat neutral, different from before. He used to give her such an overbearing feeling, but now, for some reason, he evoked a sense of... pity? She didn’t know why.

"How is Candy doing?" Qi Longbing suddenly asked. He thought of that adorable child, his daughter.

"Candy is at a boarding school. She usually doesn’t come home, only on weekends," Hua Xiaomo said slowly, suddenly feeling uneasy. Why did he suddenly mention her daughter? Although he had met Candy twice, they weren’t so familiar that he would show such concern for her daughter. In her memory, Qi Longbing wasn’t that kind of person. What he cared about was probably just some lingering passion from the past. Sometimes Hua Xiaomo thought that perhaps as time passed and they both grew older, this passion would fade, and they could then calmly live their separate lives.

"So that’s how it is. Hua Xiaomo, you’ve indeed had a tough time these past few years. You had to run a business, make money, and also take care of a child. You’ve truly been through a lot, Hua Xiaomo!" Qi Longbing said slowly, then sipped his Lafite. His thoughts gradually settled as he looked at her. Maybe it was time to reveal his hand.

Hua Xiaomo was speechless for a moment upon hearing his words. "President Qi, you’ve been in City B for a very long time now. Aren’t matters at Qi Imperial Court keeping you busy?"

Her words clearly carried an underlying meaning, and Qi Longbing could hear the implication that she wanted him to leave. However, he didn’t get angry; he just squinted his eyes slightly.

"I suddenly had a thought. What if we relocate the headquarters of Qi Imperial Court to City B? Wouldn’t that be a good thing?" Qi Longbing said with a smile, clearly noticing Hua Xiaomo’s expression change.

"Xiao Mo, why are you so nervous? Could it be you’re afraid you can’t keep certain things hidden anymore?" Qi Longbing’s voice lowered, a sharp light shining in the depths of his eyes, giving his faintly blue eyes an unfathomable glow.

Hua Xiaomo was startled, her face instantly turning pale. Could it be that Qi Longbing already knew about Candy? Oh God, this feeling was terrifying.

Hua Xiaomo remained silent for a long moment, the panic in her eyes intensifying. She didn’t know what to say. Right now, silence was the best option.

She picked up her glass of Lafite and took a couple of slow sips. The taste was the same as before, but why did her heart feel such a vast disparity?

Qi Longbing watched Hua Xiaomo’s growing nervousness, finding it difficult to voice what was on his mind. But if he didn’t speak up, could this all be pretended away as if it never happened? Could she just go on as before? Just like five years ago, when she became pregnant with his child, gave birth, and then, without a word, lived alone with the child for five years? Alright, so he hadn’t known then, and she hadn’t told him, causing him to miss out on his rights as a father. But now he knew. He knew Candy was his daughter. How could he possibly pretend he didn’t know? Unless he was a truly, utterly heartless man. But he wasn’t. Qi Longbing was a man of flesh and blood. And surely, Hua Xiaomo knew by now what his feelings for her were!