How I Became The Devil's Last and Only Love
Chapter 168 - 154: The Trap Set by He Tingchen

Chapter 168: Chapter 154: The Trap Set by He Tingchen

"Yaya, what’s wrong?"

Anning was suddenly contacted by Qi Yaya, who was weeping inconsolably on the phone, so she quickly asked in surprise.

"Anning, something terrible has happened to our family." Qi Yaya said through her tears.

Anning was shocked, "What happened?"

"Anning, a project our family invested in has run into trouble, and my aunt has been arrested," Qi Yaya explained tearfully.

Anning frowned and quickly tried to comfort her, "Yaya, don’t cry. There are so many adults in your family, they will surely find a way. Plus, your aunt is an adult, if she didn’t do anything bad, she won’t be in trouble. Crying won’t help, this is not something a little girl can handle, and I don’t understand these matters either. We are both laymen, helpless."

She was actually puzzled inside, the Qi family’s business trouble and Qi Wenli’s arrest, what does that have to do with her?

Even if Qi Yaya felt sad, she shouldn’t be calling her, unless...

"Anning, only you can help with this," Qi Yaya sobbed.

As expected.

Anning sighed and asked, "Do you want me to ask He Tingchen for help?"

Qi Yaya sobbed and replied, "Yes, besides Mr. He, no one else can help."

"But Yaya, I’m sorry, I can’t agree to this. I am He Tingchen’s wife, but I do not interfere in his business affairs, so you’re asking the wrong person."

"Anning, please help me this time. I can think of no one else. Everyone is panicking at home, saying Mr. He has set a trap for our family. They tried to call Mr. He, but he won’t answer, and my grandfather is almost sick with worry. I really had no choice but to call you. I know it probably won’t help even if you talk to him, but please, just bring it up with Mr. He, if he really won’t help, I won’t blame you," Qi Yaya cried.

Anning’s brow furrowed, and she immediately said, "Helping you is a favor, not helping you is my right, whether it works out or not, you shouldn’t blame me in the first place. Yaya, my friendship with you is not about your family background or status, but about your character. If you try to morally blackmail me just because of our relationship, then I misunderstood you."

Qi Yaya fell silent.

Perhaps she felt she was wrong and apologized in a low voice, "Sorry Anning, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have said those things to you, making such an unreasonable demand."

Anning, who usually is hardened against force but softens to gentleness, softened a bit when Qi Yaya spoke like this.

"I can try and ask him, but like I said, I can’t guarantee the outcome. I’ll do my best, so don’t blame me."

"Of course, I won’t blame you, I spoke wrongly earlier. I’m already very thankful you are willing to help me, how could I blame you?" Qi Yaya quickly said.

Anning hung up the phone, frowning.

She had been busy discussing wedding preparations with Miss Min lately and hadn’t paid much attention to external affairs.

So she immediately looked up news about the Qi family and discovered that, indeed, the Qi family was in trouble.

The news mentioned briefly that the Qi family had invested in a project, and Qi Wenli, the controlling stakeholder of this project, had been arrested for appropriating company funds, which was reported to the authorities. The Qi family suffered as a result, with their stocks plummeting. The project was government-funded, and due to bad influences from the Qi family, they were ousted from the project.

The details of the project seemed clear and straightforward, leaving little room for doubt.

But regrettably, one of the other shareholders in this project was He Tingchen, and another was Bai Yunyang from the Bai family, which unavoidably cast suspicion over the matter.

Anning paused to think for a moment, then called Bai Yunyang to inquire about it.

Bai Yunyang was surprised, "Why do you ask about this?"

"Qi Yaya from the Qi family is my friend, she called me, so I wanted to understand more," Anning answered.

Bai Yunyang said, "This matter, your family’s He Tingchen knows best, you should ask him if you want to understand, not me. Although our Bai family is also involved, we hold a minor share. Now the Gu family dominates since the Qi family’s out."

"So what you mean is, it was He Tingchen’s doing?" Anning asked.

Bai Yunyang replied, "I didn’t say that, but that’s always been his way. He used to be a gentle person, but I don’t know why he has become so ruthless and decisive; this also why we parted ways as close friends. Anning, you need to be careful around someone like him. I have always said, if you want my help to leave him, I can help anytime."

"Thanks, but it’s not necessary, and I don’t believe he’s ruthless. Business is like warfare, whoever has the capability should take control, it’s only natural. He’s a businessman, not a saint, as long as he treats me well, why should I care how he is with others?" Anning scoffed.

Bai Yunyang was speechless, not expecting Anning to say something so detached.

"You two really are a match made in heaven," Bai Yunyang said.

Anning smiled, "Thanks for the compliment, Mr. Bai. I have asked everything I needed to. About the previous favor, consider it repaid by Mr. Bai this time, no need to mention repaying favors in the future."

"So, we’re even then?" Bai Yunyang asked with a bitter smile.

"Are you unhappy, Mr. Bai? This situation seems more advantageous for you, no matter how you look at it."

"You’re right, this situation indeed benefits me more, but..."

"But what?" Anning asked.

"Nothing, I have other things to take care of, I’ll hang up now," Bai Yunyang promptly ended the call.

Anning frowned, puzzled about what Bai Yunyang was going to say after that ’but.’

However, she didn’t dwell on it and thought about how to bring this matter up with He Tingchen.

From what Qi Yaya and Bai Yunyang shared, she roughly understood that Tingchen had set up the scenario, successfully ousting the Qi family from the project.

On the business battlefield, there’s no right or wrong, only who’s more cunning and competent.

But since she had promised Yaya, she couldn’t just ignore it.

After some thought, she decided to wait for He Tingchen to return and ask him then.

Tingchen came back from work early as Anning was due soon and he had been declining many social engagements for the past while. If possible, he came home early to be with her.

After dinner, Tingchen walked with her in the garden.

The doctor had said it’s good to move around more when close to labor, as it makes the delivery easier.

"Qi Yaya called me today."

Anning had thought hard before finding such an opener.

Tingchen knew she was close to Yaya, and they often kept in touch, he "Hmm" in acknowledgment after hearing this.

Anning hesitated and then said: "Aren’t you curious what she talked to me about?"

Tingchen smiled, "I think it would be about her aunt Qi Wenli."

Anning was surprised, "You guessed it?"