"Wan Wan, I'm going to exchange 41 million bucks for your custody, is that alright?"
He Yi did not have high hopes when she asked the question as she knew that Chu Tianyi would never agree to it, not because he loved Wan Wan but because of his image.
His reputation would definitely be ruined if the news of the Chief Executive Officer of Rong Yi Group selling his daughter's custody for 41 million bucks went out and he would become the laughing stock of the whole corporate industry.
He Yi was trying to grab the opportunity to disclose about the continuance of the hotel's tenancy to get an upper hand so that she could shut the Chu family's mouths.
Chu Tianyi's face turned crimson instantly as flames of fury burned within his eyes. He looked as if he wanted to grab He Yi and throw her off with his clenching fists.
"No! I don't want to leave daddy!" Wan Wan ran to hold Chu Tianyi's legs hurriedly. As a child, she did not know what the 41 million bucks meant, her only concern was that her father would abandon her. "Daddy, I don't want to leave you!"
Despite everything was within He Yi's expectations, she realized the seriousness of the issue when she saw how reliance Wan Wan was on Chu Tianyi. There would be a series of after-effects even if Wan Wan returned to her.
Chu Tianyi who was close to an outburst suppressed his anger because of Wan Wan's pleas and he bent his towering figure over to carry her. He maintained his composure as he said, "I will not let you go!"
The girl's cries became smiles after Chu Tianyi's assurance, even the wrongs she suffered became unimportant.
Su Anqi was not happy with the pair's reconciliation, she almost vomited blood from anger, "Aunt, Tianyi and I wanted to give you the hotel as a gift and yet He Yi turned up and ruined our plan! You can't forgive her easily!"
Chu Pianyu's chest rose and fell with anger, her makeup could not cover the crimson rage on her face. "I wouldn't have wasted my time on this hotel if I knew that it's hers!"
She proceeded to leave without saying goodbye to Su Anqi and Chu Tianyi. She was clearly infuriated as she cared about her image a lot.
She swore not to set foot in the hotel again to show how distasteful she was of He Yi.
Su Anqi called her from behind a few times and gave up eventually when Chu Piaoyun ignored her. She returned and looked at Chu Tianyi with wrong. "Tianyi, she's mad! This is all He Yi's fault, you can't let her off easily!"
A hint of anger flashed past Chu Tianyi's eyes. Instead of lashing out at Su Anqi, he turned to He Yi and stared at her coldly. One word came out from his pursed lips after a moment, "Leave!"
He Yi was stunned for a moment before she understood. "You are never going to return Wan Wan to me! You have the hotel's rental for the past five years, what else do you want? I'll give you all my money! If you're not letting Wan Wan go with me, can you not take my rental money?"
Chu Tianyi's face was crimson. He wanted to choke He Yi despite being under the attention of a child's pure and innocent eyes. "Secretary Qi, transfer 26 million bucks to her and get her to leave at once!"
"No way!" Su Anqi objected firmly. "Tianyi, how can you give her the money? Her father owed you a great sum and these aren't even enough to cover for the interests! You should ask her to give you all the money she received from the signing of the continuing contract and transfer the hotel to you!"
"That works, too!" He Yi answered immediately. "I'll give you the rental and the hotel to you as long as Wan Wan returns to me! Chu Tianyi, do we have a deal?"
Wan Wan grabbed Chu Tianyi's neck with fear, she was worried that he would give in to the temptation and give her away because He Yi increased the amount. "Daddy, don't give me away! I don't want to leave you!"
Chu Tianyi choked with anger and ordered Secretary Qi to transfer 26 million bucks to He Yi's account in front of everyone before turning to his other men, "Get this woman off this place, I don't want to see her face ever again!"
*
He Yi left Guibin Hotel and got inside her car. She wiped the tears on her face and ordered Ji Xueshan to drive.
She did not specify the location and Ji Xueshan refrained from asking.
He Yi was in an extremely terrible mood. All she wanted was some distractions.
The convertible car roared down the streets of Yun City. The wind blew He Yi's tears dry and yet, her dilemma remained.
He Yi finally spoke. "Xueshan, do you think that I'm a bad person?"
Ji Xueshan gave her a glance and thought for a moment before answering her softly. "You didn't have a choice. Wan Wan would understand when she grows up!"
"I used her!" He Yi mumbled, "I knew that Chu Tianyi would never give her to me for the money so I used her as a prop to conduct a show. I got what I wanted but I feel like Wan Wan is more distant from me now!"
She was her only family left and yet she used her to obtain money and benefits in order to survive, the relationship between them would never be pure anymore after that. Her love for Wan Wan became contaminated.
When Wan Wan rejected her and turned to Chu Tianyi's arms, He Yi knew that there would always be a barrier between the two of them and they would never be close.
He Yi was still not strong enough to fight against Chu Tianyi, she lost to him in both money and family. All she could do was to hold onto any resources she could get to build back the He family's name and get revenge for her father.
"Blood is thicker than water. Wan Wan will surely understand your reason!" Ji Xueshan paused for a moment before continuing, "Not to mention, what you fought for is yours in the first place!"
He Yi maintained silent for a moment before giving Ji Xueshan a slight smile with admiration. Then, she asked with concern, "Is your mother doing better?"
Ji Xueshan's mother had severe uremia and she had to live in the Intensive Care Unit for the long term because she needed emergency treatment and hemodialysis constantly to stay alive.
A hint of gloom appeared on Ji Xueshan's beautiful face when her mother was mentioned. She forced herself to lighten up and replied, "She is. Thank you for your concern."
*
The tea room on the first floor of the Yi family house.
A pile of documents and photos were laid out on the coffee table. All of them contained newly-sought information related to He Yi.
As one of the greatest families in Yun City, it was extremely effortless for the Yi family to look into someone.
However, regret was written on Old Lady Yi's face as she stared at the extremely detailed information and photographs. She gave Fang Yaqin a look before the both of them sighed with disappointment.
"Sigh! She is a divorcee!"
"Sigh! She has a child!"
"Sigh! She is 28 years old!"
"Sigh! She went to prison and she just got out!"
"Sigh! Her ex-husband is the current husband of Su Anqi, Liangze's distant relative!"
"Sigh! She is too complexed, we'll be the laughing stock if this gets out!"
...
They were hopeful toward He Yi and wanted her to seize Yi Liangze's heart so that he could finally end his single status. They did not expect to get a huge shock from the reports.
They could not accept He Yi who experienced a lot into their family. She was even more complex than Yu Shujun!
In the midst of their disappointment, Old Lady Yi noticed something huge. "Hey, get me my glasses!"
She put on her glasses, flipped, and stared at a photo a few times before giving it to Fang Yaqin and asked, "Look! Don't you think this baby girl looks extremely similar to Bao Bao?"