After tormenting Nan Chen, both the children entered Ning Ran’s room.
She happened to be lying down while reading her script. However, her mind was wondering what the kids and Poker Face were discussing in the study.
When she saw both of them enter, she quickly sat up as she was keen to find out what was going on.
“What’s up?”
“Mommy, we finished talking to Daddy,” Dabao stated.
“So are you here to tell me about what you discussed?”
“More or less.”
“Alright, so what did you talk about?”
“We talked about your relationship with Daddy.”
“My relationship with him?”
“Yes.”
“What about our relationship?” Ning Ran felt that this was a strange topic to talk about.
“You don’t like Daddy,” Dabao declared upfront.
Ning Ran was just as shocked as Nan Chen was when Dabao broached the topic.
“What do you mean?” Ning Ran was filled with shock.
This time, Erbao seized upon the opportunity to speak. It was essentially the same words Dabao used a while ago. “Since you don’t like Daddy, you shouldn’t stay together just for our sakes. Instead, it’s better that you break up.”
Ning Ran’s eyes widened in utter shock. What’s does she mean? What in the world is going on?
“What did you say?” Ning Ran asked.
“We meant what we said.” Erbao put on the same serious expression that Dabao used with their father.
Ning Ran looked at Erbao and then back at Dabao.
Are they acting on Poker Face’s behalf to probe me?
But that’s unlikely because they are closer to me. I’m sure they won’t do something like that behind my back.
“What are you guys up to? Fess up now!” Ning Ran ordered sternly.
“The man who gave you flowers seems pretty good. You should consider him,” Erbao suggested.
Now that Erbao was familiar with the modus operandi, she didn’t need Dabao’s help at all. All she had to do was to follow the script.
“How did you know that?” Ning Ran was surprised.
“There’s nothing that Dabao doesn’t know. Whatever he knows, I’ll know,” Erbao explained.
There was nothing wrong with her statement as that was a fact.
“That report is untrue, so you shouldn’t take it seriously. Besides, I hardly even know that man.”
“Mommy, you don’t have to feel shy about it. We know everything after all,” Erbao declared.
“What do you know? Do you think you’re playing house? How dare you!” Ning Ran scolded.
After being reprimanded, Erbao didn’t dare utter another word and looked towards Dabao for help.
At the crucial moment, Dabao had to step up.
“Erbao is right. Since you don’t like Daddy, you shouldn’t force yourselves to stay together. All you’re doing is just hurting each other and making yourselves to hate one another,” Dabao explained with a serious expression.
“Did Nan Chen ask you to tell me this?”
“No, he didn’t,” Erbao interrupted.
“Then where did both of you suddenly get such a strange idea from?”
“Dabao and I have decided after discussing it. Mommy, we want to meet that man. If he can accept us, you should get him to be our Daddy.”
Ning Ran was utterly shocked.
You can eat anything you want, but the same doesn’t apply to speaking. If Nan Chen heard what you said, it will be a disaster!
“Kids shouldn’t spew nonsense. It’s not your place to say something like that! You’re just being rude and disrespectful. Go to bed right now!” Ning Ran yelled.
Taken aback, Erbao looked towards Dabao again as she considered whether to back off.
“We are serious as it’s really tough for you to take care of both of us alone. Since you don’t like Daddy, you should break up with him and find us a new one,” Dabao suggested in earnest.
“Hold your tongue! Dabao, you’re getting increasingly naughty to the extent you dare to say anything. How can you speak so brazenly?”
Ning Ran felt really frustrated. She knew if Poker Face heard what Dabao said, the consequences would be terrible.
Despite it being the children’s idea, Poker Face will definitely assume that it is my intention. When that happens, I will land in hot soup for sure.
Although she wasn’t afraid, she was cognizant that the gulf in power and influence between them was just too wide. To go against Poker Face would be no different than suicide.
When Dabao saw that his Mommy was troubled, he hesitated. He was now no longer sure whether he should follow through with his scheme.
“We can meet that man but may not necessarily approve him to be our Daddy,” Erbao added.
Dabao nodded in agreement.
Looking at both of them, Ning Ran felt that their idea was unbelievably ridiculous. She could hardly fathom what their true motive was.
“This is just impossible. I already told you that we hardly know each other. Anyway, that’s enough talking for today. I’m going to be angry if you persist,” Ning Ran warned.
After exchanging glances, Dabao and Erbao knew that their plan had failed, and they had no choice but to give up.
Knowing that they might have infuriated their Mommy, they decided to drop it for fear of angering her further.
…
The next day at Yunfeng Hill – located twenty kilometers away from Flower City.
It was the largest hill within a hundred-kilometer radius of the city. In the middle of the hill, there was a temple named Yunfeng Temple.
The Yunfeng Temple had existed for ages. Legend had it that it was built during the Ming dynasty and was therefore considered a famous landmark. After being ransacked many times throughout its history, it was rebuilt subsequently.
Today, the road up Yunfeng Hill was closed off because there was a VIP who was coming to visit and pay his respects.
At 11 a.m., a convoy of black cars arrived at the foot of Yunfeng Hill. Many senior members of the temple leadership were already waiting to welcome their VIP guest.
From the car, an elderly man with a silver beard emerged. It was the patriarch of the Nan family – Old Master Nan.
When the Nan family fell into a crisis, Old Master Nan stayed in the temple for a week, praying for his family to come through.
In his prayers, he promised that he would make an annual pilgrimage if the Nan family survived their crisis.
Old Master Nan was a man of his word. Every year since then, he returned to the temple for a week’s stay.
During his stay, he would meditate and pray all day. Mostly, he would pray for the continued success of the Nanshi Corporation.
Other than his annual pilgrimage to the temple, the Nan family would also donate a lot of money for the temple’s upkeep and repairs.
As long as the money kept flowing, the temple and he were always on good terms.
During the week Nan Zhengde was there, Yunfeng Temple would bar all guests from visiting under the pretext the temple was under repair. This was done to ensure his safety and security.
When he arrived at the temple entrance, Nan Zhengde saw that there were two persons on their knees. Taking a closer look, he realized it was Nan Zhiyuan and Bai Hua.
“What are you doing here?” Nan Zhengde asked.
“I knew you would be coming, so I brought Bai Hua here to take care of you,” Nan Zhiyuan explained.
“Didn’t I tell you not to ever appear in front of me again?” Nan Zhengde fumed.
“Dad, you’re getting older, so we’re worried about you. Hence, we decided to accompany you here. We used to be stupid and made a lot of mistakes. Regretting all that we’ve done, we hope to redeem ourselves by praying at the temple. Bai Hua has a chronic disease, and her days are numbered. Her only wish now is to take better care of you. I do hope you will give us a chance to demonstrate our filial piety towards you.”
Just as he spoke, Nan Zhiyuan gave Nan Zhengde a hopeful look.
“Sir, you should forgive them. It is fate that decides whether we can be together or apart. As it’s important to have a harmonious family, why don’t you give them a chance?” the temple abbot persuaded Nan Zhengde.
Since the abbot had spoken, Nan Zhengde was obliged to comply.
“On your feet. Zhiyuan can stay with me here while Bai Hua will have to stay at a hotel outside. It’s not appropriate for ladies to stay in the temple,” Nan Zhengde instructed.
Nan Zhiyuan and Bai Hua gave each other a look as they exchanged glances.
Now that the second stage of their plan was successful, they knew the day of their return to the Nan family was just a matter of time.
