Chapter 396 - The Final Gamble

After shaking hands with Lu Xiaoman, Wei Ziling realized it was somewhat awkward to only be wearing her pajamas, so she turned to Ye Fan and said, “Mr.

Ye, I’ve warmed up the medicinal soup for you; it’s ready to drink.”

Then, she went back to her room.

After Wei Ziling had left, Ye Fan said, “You seem pretty tired today as well, how about you go ahead and wash up, then sleep early, alright?”

“Okay,” Lu Xiaoman replied, her pretty face suddenly flushing red.

Seeing Lu Xiaoman’s sudden blush, Ye Fan immediately understood that she had misunderstood something.

Of course, he didn’t find it appropriate to correct her, to avoid embarrassing Lu Xiaoman, so he pointed to another room and said, “You can sleep in this room tonight.

The closet should have some clean pajamas provided by the hotel.”

“Alright.” Lu Xiaoman knew she had misunderstood Ye Fan and her cheeks turned even redder, as she turned and practically fled into the remaining empty room.

Ye Fan watched Lu Xiaoman’s awkward retreat and couldn’t help but smile, trying hard to suppress his laughter.

Half an hour later, Lu Xiaoman had finished her bath, sat briefly in the living room, and then returned to her room to sleep.

Despite it already being past one in the morning, Lu Xiaoman couldn’t fall asleep as she lay on the soft bed, her mind as tumultuous as the tides.

Ye Fan had already gotten married, and his wife was Li Zhaojun, who once seemed beyond her reach.

This was too much of a shock for her, completely beyond her expectations.

She knew she couldn’t compete with Li Zhaojun, even though she had now become the distinguished young mistress of the Mo family.

However, she had fallen completely in love with Ye Fan and didn’t dare imagine what parting from Ye Fan would be like, so she wisely decided to retreat in order to seek alternatives.

Although, before today, she had never thought of becoming a man’s secret lover.

She had always been self-respecting and striving, yet today she chose to submit easily because she loved Ye Fan too much.

Of course, she still harbored some fantasies in her heart, that being Ye Fan and Li Zhaojun actually getting a divorce.

“Lu Xiaoman, you have to keep going, you have to become outstanding as quickly as possible.

Even if I can’t reach the heights of Li Zhaojun, I shouldn’t fall too far behind.” She clenched her fists tightly without saying a word, silently admonishing herself.

As Lu Xiaoman lay awake from insomnia, Li Zhaojun was also sleepless.

Only two weeks were left for Ye Fan to decide whether or not to divorce, which ironically was the timing she had suggested.

Apart from regret, she couldn’t blame Ye Fan at all.

She had thought that after so many intimate encounters, she had reclaimed Ye Fan’s heart, but she didn’t expect that Ye Fan was still reluctant to move into the Imperial Bay neighborhood, into her villa, to live together with her.

This afternoon at six o’clock, when they visited Elder Li together, Ye Fan’s attitude towards her obviously turned colder.

“What should I do?” Li Zhaojun lay on the soft big bed, deep in thought, “Do I have to plead with my husband like other women facing divorce?

Impossible!”

She had believed that by increasing her contact with Ye Fan, relying on her charm she would be able to make Ye Fan change his mind.

However, during this time she tried everything to create more intimate opportunities with Ye Fan, yet it was evidently a failure.

“No, I absolutely cannot let someone steal my husband!” She suddenly opened her beautiful eyes, shooting out a bright and resolute gaze, “Two more weeks, I have to make my final move!”

The next day was Monday.

In the morning at work, Li Zhaojun quickly handled some urgent documents for the group, then glanced at the time—it was already past ten.

She picked up her phone, scrolled through to a number she had never dialed before, took a deep breath, and then firmly pressed the call button.

The phone rang two or three times before it finally connected.

“…Mom, hello,” Li Zhaojun greeted with a smile, “Is it okay to call you at this time?

Am I disturbing your work?”

A pleasant and graceful laugh came from the phone, saying, “Giggle, how could you?

It’s rare for you to call me, even if the sky were falling, I’d pick up your call first.”

Li Zhaojun felt a wave of shame and said, “I’m sorry, Mom.

Ever since I got married, I’ve never called you; it really is…”

“Giggle, it’s alright, I understand how you feel,” Ye Fan’s mom, Qiao Feixuan, replied with a smile, “You and Fan have barely known each other since you were young, and suddenly getting married, it’s natural to feel some resistance at heart.

How are you and Fan getting along now?”

“Not bad,” Li Zhaojun said, “How are you and Dad doing health-wise?”

“Hehe, all good, all good,” Qiao Feixuan laughed, “By the way, how is your grandfather doing?

Has that boy Ye Fan been accompanying you often to visit your grandfather?”

Li Zhaojun replied, “Grandfather’s health isn’t too good, but there’s nothing serious at the moment.

Ye Fan always accompanies me to visit Grandpa.

There were a couple of occasions when Grandpa had some issues, and it was Ye Fan who personally took care of things.”

“Oh, that’s good.

If that kid dares not to accompany you to visit Old Master Li, I’ll definitely tell his grandpa to break his legs!” Qiao Feixuan said, “Don’t be scared of him; if you suffer any grievances, just tell me, and I’ll take care of it for you!”

“Thank you, Mom.” Li Zhaojun said, somewhat touched.

Qiao Feixuan chuckled, saying, “What’s there to thank?

Although we haven’t seen each other much, in fact, since you were born, I’ve always kept an eye on your growth and the little things in your life.

When you were a baby, I held you many times.

So, I’ve considered you part of the family for a long time.

And, I’m very pleased with you as my daughter-in-law.

From now on, let’s keep in touch more often, okay?”

“Understood,” Li Zhaojun responded, her voice slightly hoarse.

After a pause, Li Zhaojun said, “Mom, are you planning to make a business trip to Hua Hai City soon?”

“Eh?” Qiao Feixuan sounded surprised, but immediately realized why, and laughed, “Giggle, I do need to make a business trip to Hua Hai City.

Hmm, I’ll be there on Wednesday for a few days and then back to Si Jiu City on Sunday.

Hehe, I never get used to hotels, so I might nag you at your villa for a few days, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all, not at all, very welcome,” Li Zhaojun replied with joy, as this was exactly her intention for making the call.

Qiao Feixuan smiled and said, “Alright, then.

If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.

In a little while, I’ll give Fan a call about this.”

“Okay, that’s fine.

Mom, goodbye,” Li Zhaojun said.

After hanging up, Li Zhaojun looked at her phone, and her entire being couldn’t help but feel exhilarated.

She had never imagined that Ye Fan’s mom, Qiao Feixuan, would care so much about her, having kept an eye on her since she was a child.

Suddenly, she remembered some things from the past; during her growth, including after she graduated from college and was founding Emali Group, she faced several crises and difficulties.

Back then, she didn’t know how, but the issues were somehow resolved.

She used to think that others acted on the account that she was from the Li family or were attracted by her charm, but now, looking back, she suspected it was Ye Fan’s mom who had been helping her quietly behind the scenes.

Thinking of this, she felt even more mortified and was all the more determined not to divorce Ye Fan.