Jin Xin's hands trembled as she gently stroked the boy's face in the photo, tears welling up in her eyes along with a deep sense of pain. "Haojue, I can finally rest assured now that you're marrying Xiao Fan… She is a good girl, and I believe you'll gradually discover that. If someone can take care of you in my place, this inadequate mother can die in peace…"
If not for that promise made all those years ago… Just as Jin Xin was lost in thought, there came a knock on the door, followed by Xiao Fan's concerned voice, "Aunt Jin, are you okay? Do you want me to keep you company?"
Hearing Xiao Fan's voice, Jin Xin quickly placed the photo back into the drawer. She couldn't let anyone know about her relationship with Li Haojue. Wiping away the tears from the corner of her eyes, she confirmed that her expression showed no signs of distress before walking over to open the door. "Xiao Fan…"
Xiao Fan: "Aunt Jin, if there's something on your mind, just tell me. Didn't you always say that you consider me family? There's nothing we can't talk about between family members."
"Come in first…" Jin Xin pulled Xiao Fan in. She struggled to find the words and finally said, "Xiao Fan, there's something, I don't know if you'd be willing to promise Aunt Jin…"
Xiao Fan quickly nodded, "Aunt Jin, just say it. As long as I can do it, I'll promise you."
Jin Xin asked cautiously, "Um… in a couple of days, you're going to try on wedding dresses with that young master from the Li family, right? Can I accompany you?" She hadn't seen him and hadn't had the opportunity for frequent contact ever since Li Haojue was born. Now that he was getting married, she wanted to have a look at him.
Thinking that Jin Xin was reluctant to see her leave, she held Jin Xin's hand. "That's it? If you want to go with me, I would absolutely and without hesitation agree. So, it's settled."
"Okay, okay…" Jin Xin nodded excitedly. She not only wanted to see her son but also to witness Xiao Fan in a wedding dress. After all, Xiao Fan was going to be her daughter-in-law… However, this matter had to remain a secret forever, buried deep in her heart.
Two days later, on the day Li Haojue and Xiao Fan had planned to try on wedding dresses, scandalous news broke about Li Bowen, the Second Young Master Li. News involving gambling, bullying, and mistreating women, caused a tremendous public outcry.
In the Li family, both Fang Hui and Li Yourong wore unpleasant expressions. Li Bowen, having made a mistake, dared not say anything, sitting with his head lowered on the sofa. Fang Hui, reading online comments, became even more furious as people criticized Li Bowen. "Li Haojue! This must be his doing! Go, call him over!"
With Li Bowen's scandals exposed and each one backed by solid evidence, many of the business collaborations that Li Corporation had negotiated fell through. Nowadays, potential business partners were scrutinizing not just the business aspects but also the character of the individuals involved. As the current CEO of Li Corporation, Li Bowen's improper behavior posed a significant risk for prospective collaborations.
After Li Haojue was brought out, he said self-deprecatingly, "Aunt Fang, aren't the accusations against me a bit too much? What can I possibly do with my condition? But Bowen… I didn't expect him to do such things."
Fang Hui, infuriated, stood up directly. "Don't act innocent with me! Li Haojue! Besides you, who else would target Bowen like this? I think you're just resentful that we didn't let you interfere in the company affairs. Bowen surpassed you to become the CEO of Li Corporation, and you've held a grudge, wanting to retaliate against us!"
Li Haojue shook his head. "You're overestimating me. I know my body. I don't have the interest or capability to be the CEO of the company. Instead of harboring suspicions here, why not find a way to mitigate the damage and salvage the company's reputation? As for who leaked the information behind it, Li Corporation has had many competitors over the years… Suspecting them makes more sense than suspecting me."
"It has nothing to do with you?" Li Bowen dropped the pretense, showing a sinister expression as he confronted Li Haojue.
Li Haojue sat quietly in his wheelchair, ignoring Li Bowen.
At this moment, Li Yourong warned, "Li Haojue, if I find out that you were indeed behind this, I'll make sure you won't get away with it!"