The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie
Chapter 393: 393: Xu Fang's pregnancy becomes known

Chapter 393: 393: Xu Fang’s pregnancy becomes known

“You ask me if it is necessary? Jiang Weili, has your conscience been eaten by a dog?”

Fuli had just come downstairs when she heard this.

“What are you two arguing about?” she asked irritably.

“Nothing much,” Jiang Weili replied dismissively, picking up the photo.

As Fuli walked over and glanced at the photos on the floor, she bent down to pick one up.

Jiang Weili immediately snatched it back, “This is between your mother and me; stay out of it.”

Changfang also said, “Fuli, go upstairs.”

Fuli didn’t listen and went upstairs. The two continued to argue downstairs, and when the voices moved from the living room to the bedroom, she went down and found two photos in the trash.

She took a picture of them and dialed a number, “Find out who the woman in these photos is.”

The woman was neither young nor beautiful, but her father had not only taken her to a hotel but had also taken her to several villas, which didn’t seem like a casual affair.

Zhou Group.

Tang Xiang had called Wu Ting into the conference room alone, “Have you remembered the three billion in accounts?”

After hesitating briefly, Wu Ting confessed, “I falsified the accounts and moved the money.”

“Where is the money now?”

Without a second thought, she replied, “Lost it gambling.”

A check by Tang Xiang confirmed that Wu Ting was indeed a gambler. Tang Xiang slid a file across the table, “This overseas company only started working with us, the Zhou Group, in the past three months, and your nephew is in charge of the purchasing, right?”

Seeing the company’s name, Wu Ting’s eyes flickered, “Yes.”

Tang Xiang turned to the last page of the file, “Why is the purchase price thirty percent higher than the market rate?”

Wu Ting stammered incoherently and couldn’t explain why.

“I’ve roughly calculated, the difference along with the falsified accounts’ taxes, comes to about three billion.”

Tang Xiang, having audited before, was familiar with these financial issues and her remarks hit the mark.

Unable to defend herself, Wu Ting confessed, “The company is fake, it doesn’t exist—I had people impersonate the officials there. I intentionally purchased at high prices, then bought cheap raw materials to bring here, using the price difference and import duties to siphon off the company’s money.”

Financial fraud—a scenario all too familiar to Tang Xiang.

“Whose account did the money finally go into?”

Wu Ting could hardly look at her and stammered, “Into, into my own account.”

Tang Xiang gazed at her, “You’re lying.”

Jiang Mansion.

Xu Jiuru had been mentally well these past few days, able to get out of bed and walk. The morning was pleasant, not too sunny, and she trimmed flowers and plants in the backyard.

Jiang Chuan came over from the gallery.

“Found out?”

Jiang Chuan replied, “Yes, it’s exactly as young master said. Ming Hongwei’s son gambles on horses abroad and has accumulated a huge debt. He tried borrowing from banks in his personal capacity but was rejected.”

Driving someone to desperation and then offering a lifeline was a tactic devised by Jiang Zhi; now they just had to wait for the Jiang family to throw that lifeline.

At that moment, Mrs. Gui came to say, “Old Madam, the young master is back.”

Today was the fifteenth.

Xu Jiuru instructed, “Call him over.”

Mrs. Gui went back to the main house.

Soon after, Jiang Zhi arrived.

“Grandma.”

Xu Jiuru, having just washed her hands, sat on a wicker chair next to a tree, “Brother Zhi, come sit.”

Jiang Zhi sat down.

She looked at him carefully, concern showing on her face, “You seem to have lost more weight. How’s your health?”

Jiang Zhi was neither warm nor cold, “Nothing’s wrong, I’ve been discharged.”

Ever since the drug-tampering by the second branch was exposed, he hadn’t taken any medications from the old residence and had regained some of his health, no longer looking as sickly as he did last winter. However, after Zhou Xufang’s ‘disappearance’, he had become considerably more melancholic.

Xu Jiuru poured him a cup of tea and pushed the tea snacks toward him.

“Have you seen Ming Hongwei?”

“Yeah.”

Xu Jiuru casually asked, “What did he say?”

Baidex Medical Equipment was the largest supplier to the Lu family. To move against the Lu family, they had to first pull Ming Hongwei into the Jiang’s fold.

“He wants to see our Jiang family’s sincerity,” Jiang Zhi said. “Aside from us, he has another option—to seek help from the Lu family.”

Striking first was crucial, it was now a matter of who could show Ming Hongwei the “sincerity” first.

Xu Jiuru, sipping her tea, thought for a moment, “What are his demands?”

“The Jiang family can have a controlling stake, but he doesn’t want to completely hand over management rights, besides that, there’s one more condition.”

More demands—an insatiable greed.

“What else does he want?”

Jiang Zhi said slowly, “Five percent of the Jiang shares.”

Xu Jiuru looked displeased and scoffed, “He has a big appetite.”

“Mother!”

“Mother!”

It was Changfang shouting.

Xu Jiuru momentarily halted the conversation, scolding, “What’s this commotion about?”

The couple walked over together, tugging at each other.

Changfang pushed her husband’s hand away, “Mother, please stand up for your daughter-in-law.”

Jiang Weili tried to pull her back again, his face stern and extremely impatient, he barked, “Stop this nonsense, come back with me!”

Changfang struggled, “Don’t touch me.”

Jiang Weili signaled with his eyes, his voice low—a warning, “Let’s talk at home.”

Changfang retorted coldly, “What, afraid of a scandal?”

Unable to endure anymore, Jiang Weili grabbed her hand and dragged her outside, “Stop this nonsense and come with me!”

Changfang refused to leave, and disregarding the presence of the younger generation, she began to curse her husband.

Xu Jiuru harshly reprimanded her, then instructed her second son, “Weili, let her go first, let me hear what Changfang has to say.”

Changfang threw off her husband’s hand and ran to Xu Jiuru, her eyes red, accusing, “This bastard has someone else outside, still afraid of how I might deal with that fox spirit, and stubbornly refuses to disclose her whereabouts.”

Xu Jiuru frowned, her tone severe, “Weili, is this true?”

Just then, the younger generation had also gathered around after hearing the noise.

Jiang Weili, always concerned about appearances, argued, “Don’t listen to her nonsense. It’s common for men to flirt outside, there’s no fox spirit or anything like that.”

Changfang, usually adept in all social graces, lost her composure when it came to her own affairs, “You’re still denying it? The photos were sent to me, that fox spirit is flaunting her power to me, yet you still defend her. If there’s really nothing, why won’t you tell me who she is?”

Jiang Wei Li was increasingly suspicious as he refused to reveal anything. With secrets so tightly guarded, there had to be some shady dealings. After over two decades of marriage, she knew all too well how cunning Jiang Wei Li could be. She had a feeling that the situation with that woman was definitely more than just a passing fling.

Jiang Fuli stepped forward to mediate, “Mom, let’s go home and discuss this.”

At that moment, Gui Family hurried over, “Old Madam, people from the prosecutor’s office are here.”

Xu Jiuru was astonished, “What are the people from the prosecutor’s office doing here?”

As they spoke, three officials approached, led by a man in a business suit who was a familiar face to Jiang Wei Li. “Which one of you is Luo Changfang?”

This man was the chief prosecutor, whom Jiang Wei Li recognized. He asked politely, “What brings you gentleman here?”

The man flashed his work badge, “There has been a report accusing Ms. Luo Changfang of financial fraud and misappropriation of public funds.” He continued in an official tone, “Which one of you is Ms. Luo Changfang?”

Luo Changfang’s expression became slightly panicked, “I am.”

The prosecutor looked at her, “Take her away.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Jiang Wei Li called out to the officers and walked over to Luo Changfang, whispering, “Don’t say anything rash.”

Soon after, Luo Changfang was taken away.

Jiang Wei Li and his daughter went to sort things out and contact a lawyer.

Xu Jiuru was still unclear about what had happened and quickly instructed his eldest grandson, “Lin, go find out what exactly is going on.”

“I’m on it.”

Jiang Xiaolin had just left when Jiang Zhi followed, the two walking one after the other along the corridor.

Jiang Zhi, trailing behind, commented leisurely, “Fast action, huh?”

Jiang Xiaolin looked back, “Likewise.”

He had just reached the front yard when his father, Jiang Weikai, appeared, “Xiaolin, come with me for a moment.”

Jiang Weikai had just returned and, seeing Luo Changfang being taken to the prosecutor’s car at the entrance, gathered bits and pieces of information from the servants.

Father and son retreated to their own quarters.

“Was it you?” Jiang Weikai knew his son was investigating Jiang Wei Li and his spouse.

Jiang Xiaolin admitted frankly, “It was me.”

Jiang Weikai didn’t say much else and only asked, “Are you after the shares of the second branch?”

His reply was unrelated, “Dad, what do you think of Tang Xiang?”

Why the change in topic?

Jiang Weikai was puzzled, “Which Tang Xiang?”

“The one previously with the Luo Family.”

Smart, principled, and uncorrupted despite being in the Luo Family’s environment, she was a good girl.

Wait.

The real question was, “Why did you suddenly bring her up?”

His tone was half-joking, “How about making her your daughter-in-law?”

“…”

The son who never sought out women had suddenly declared his intention to marry!

Jiang Weikai found it unbelievable, “Are you seeing her?” It wasn’t a mistake that required fixing by marriage, right?

“Not yet, I’m still pursuing her.”

“…”

That was still a long way off from getting married.

Jiang Weikai returned to the main subject, “What does this second branch issue have to do with her?”

“The money Luo Changfang embezzled belonged to the Zhou Group, which she manages.”

The more he spoke, the more Jiang Weikai felt like this was someone else’s son’s business; his unexciting, “stuffy” son couldn’t possibly be acting rashly for a romantic interest.

His father was skeptical, “Is it for her?”

“Yes.”

The usually mild-mannered, mature, and community-conscious Jiang Family’s eldest grandson now seemed like a love-struck youth. Jiang Weikai thought he had misjudged his son.

“When did you start noticing her?”

Jiang Xiaolin looked away, “Almost ten years ago.”

Jiang Weikai: “…”

Was this really his son? Such a romantic at heart.

“Pathetic!” he scolded as he went upstairs, returning shortly to quip, “If you had more gumption, I could be holding my grandson by now.”

Ten years, and in that time, one could have had a second child progressing rapidly, maybe even old enough to fetch soy sauce.

On June 8th, Luo Changfang was detained due to the vast sums involved in the financial case. The incident caught media attention and was taken very seriously, especially because it implicated the Jiang Family, and the personnel of lower rank dared not handle it; only the most influential figures in the Imperial City stepped forward.

On June 9th, the Lu Family conducted a “funeral” at the mortuary for Lin Qiunan. Since there was no body to retrieve, the Lu Family could only place some clothes in the coffin. High-profile individuals from Imperial City came to pay their respects, all except the Jiang Family. Firstly, the Jiang Family was not in peace, and secondly, the Jiang Family and the Lu Family were not on good terms. It was normal for the Jiang Family not to attend.

Ding Dong.

The doorbell rang. Mr. Fang, busy washing up in the kitchen, didn’t hear it. Fang Lixiang in the yoga room shouted, “Dad, please open the door.”

Having said it once without response, she shouted again.

Mr. Fang wiped his hands, “Coming, coming.” He opened the door. “Who is it?” A very familiar old lady in simple clothes, holding a floral cloth bag.

“I’m Grandma Jiang Zhi, here to see Xu Fang.”

Oh, the one involved in the funeral proceedings for the Lu Family.

Mr. Fang, having heard about it from Xiao Fang, invited her in quickly. He called out towards the yoga room, “Xu Fang, Grandma Jiang Zhi is here.”

The music from the yoga room stopped.

Zhou Xufang, dressed in pink sportswear and wearing a cool black sports headband, instantly softened her tough demeanor upon seeing Lin Qiunan, “How did you come here?”

Lin Qiunan took a sealed container out of her bag, “Lu Sheng made some spicy chicken feet. I was idle at home, so I brought some over for you.”

Spicy chicken feet!

Zhou Xufang immediately settled on the sofa.

Fang Lixiang followed behind and noticed Lin Qiunan’s glance at her protruding belly, “You must be Lixiang.”

Fang Lixiang greeted her warmly, “Hello, Grandma Lin.”

Lin Qiunan had brought dinnerware in an elegant box, offering a pair of chopsticks, “Can you handle spicy food? Want to try?”

Fang Lixiang responded eagerly, “Yes!”

The two pregnant women sat side by side, devouring boneless chicken feet.

Mr. Fang emerged from the kitchen with a soup ladle, cautioning them, “There’s still soup simmering in the pot. Don’t eat too much; save some room for the soup.”

“It’s so spicy,” Fang Lixiang fanned her mouth, “Xu Fang, doesn’t it bother you?”

Zhou Xufang picked up a tiny chili with her chopsticks and chewed, “Not really.”

Fang Lixiang noted her changed taste, “You didn’t use to handle spice so well; you must be carrying a girl.”

Zhou Xufang said with a hint of pride, “I can handle sour too.”

Fang Lixiang chuckled, “Then it must be twins.”

Lin Qiunan suddenly realized, “Xu Fang, are you pregnant?”