Dai Zhiqiang dreamed of having such a pleasant time with his family. He bought them a sumptuous meal, and they sat together at the table as they laughed and chatted.
Dai Bolin was still plump, not all skin and bone. Dai Shenqiang was still that bright kid who wore his feelings on his sleeves. He grinned cheerfully before showing his recent drawing, which was a beautiful picture of a wedding.
His and Li Caiyi's wedding.
Surprised by the elaborate and dreamy drawing, Dai Zhiqiang asked whether he was teasing him. Which was responded to by a look of confusion on his brother's face.
"What do you mean teasing you? Why would I do that when it's the truth."
The next moment, a pair of white and smooth arms encircled his neck from behind. A pleasant smell wafted to his nose, and he could feel someone's warmth and softness against his back.
Dai Zhiqiang was shocked to death to see Li Caiyi suddenly appear at the Dai family meals. When he asked her why she was there, she curled up her beautiful lips before pressing a kiss to his cheeks.
Dai Zhiqiang thought his heart was about to stop.
"Hubby, are you still in a daze after working so much? I'm your wife. Where would I be if not by your side?"
Dai Zhiqiang's heart soared in the sky. Everything he always wished for was right here in front of him. If this was a dream, he wished he would never wake up again.
"Father, Shen, Li Caiyi, I missed you. Please stay with me forever."
***
Dai Zhiqiang woke up feeling lethargic.
The white ceiling was so familiar, and looking at the grim expression of Lin Xiang, who sat beside his bed, he realized he had awakened to the harsh reality again.
"What are you doing here?" Dai Zhiqiag asked curtly.
Lin Xiang lowered his gaze before answering, "I heard you collapsed in the hospital. About your father, I—"
"I don't need your fake concern or your pity. Mind your own business," Dai Zhiqiang interjected mercilessly.
Lin Xiang pressed his lips into a hard line before answering, "I know we have wronged you a lot. But you should take care of yourself. I leave you alone because I know you mustn't want to see me, but that's not an excuse to live like this."
Dai Zhiqiang sneered. "Why do you care anyway? Just return to your beloved boss and be a good lap dog like you always are. Don't be hypocritical here and make me sick."
Lin Xiang didn't mind his cursing and finally raised his head to look at his eyes directly. "You almost killed those kids."
"They deserved it. You should have heard what they talked about Shen. I thought my ears would rot. They aren't kids but monsters."
"I know, and I don't intend to judge you for it. But some of those kids have powerful backing, and now they will do anything to track you down."
Dai Zhiqiang laughed. "Then bring it down. I can teach their parents some lessons, too, for failing to teach their kids how to be human while I'm at it."
"You know that's not what I mean."
Dai Zhiqiang had had enough. His eyes narrowed dangerously before he grabbed Lin Xiang by the collar and pulled him, so his surprised face was right in front of him.
The latter flinched, seeing the defiance and loath slowly corrupting his reddened eyes.
"Listen here. I am not obligated to report my personal matter to you or your shitty boss. You guys broke the promise first; I'll remember this betrayal for the rest of my life. fr eewebn ovel.com
You owe me a big time, so don't ever think you can control me. I won't ask you to cover for me, so stop your bitching and just get the hell out of my way. Never show yourself in front of me again."
After saying his piece, Dai Zhiqiang pushed him and got out of bed. Ignoring the nurse who had just entered the room in confusion, he went to check on Dai Bolin.
According to the doctor, his father didn't have much time left, and not even surgery could prevent his eventual demise. There was no guarantee he would wake up too.
Dai Zhiqiang realized that life and death were out of human control. Yet, he wasn't ready to give up. That was why he would still continue to work with Ye Wang. No matter how slim the chances were, he intended to fight until the bitter end.
"Father, take care. I will definitely not let you die. You have to survive."
Dai Zhiqiang held his father's hand before reluctantly letting it go. Both his mind, body, and heart were in tatters. It was only by sheer willpower he still had the energy to stand.
He wanted nothing more than to have one or two days off to calm his mind, away from Ye Wang and the foul country that took his beloved one away from him.
Then, he suddenly remembered the dream he had just had and felt the strong urge to see Li Caiyi. It was a fleeting dream that embodied his desire and longing for her.
It had been 5 years since he left the S country. During that period, he returned several times to handle some matters and get a glimpse of Li Caiyi.
The last time he saw her was three years ago when he pettily brought back one of Li Caiyi's things with him.
"That's right. I should give it back to her." Dai Zhiqiang muttered. Perhaps if he was lucky, they could even talk a bit more. It would definitely cheer him up.
After making up his mind, Dai Zhiqiang wasted no time and booked the first flight back to the S country. He had her keychain in his bag and couldn't wait to see her again.
Throughout the flight, he was restless and thought about various scenarios that might happen once he landed. He bet she had grown more mature and beautiful since then.
Many men must have their eyes on her, but he knew too well that Li Caiyi only had her eyes for one person.
Did she still harbor romantic feelings for Meng Renshu, like how he never stopped thinking about her in the past years?
"What should I tell her? I accidentally found this and forgot to return it to her? But how should I answer if she asked how I knew it was hers?"
Those thoughts occupied his mind until he landed safely.
The first thing he did after arriving was to contact his subordinate stationed in S city. They were some people he made connections with while working here and were loyal to him, not Ye Wang.
From them, Dai Zhiqiang found out that Li Caiyi was living well. Apparently, too well, since her marriage with Meng Renshu was just right around the corner.
The news shocked him so much that his mind drew a blank.
"Hello? Boss, are you listening to my report?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! The news is already all over the city. They said it would be one of the biggest weddings of the century, considering the standard of the Meng family. While you are working overseas, your girl was stolen! What should we do? Should we kidnap the bride?"
Dai Zhiqiang was too confused to respond to his subordinate's suggestion. "But why? Shouldn't Meng Renshu be married to Li Chunhua?"
There was a brief silence from the other side before the other person hesitantly answered, "Uhm, about that…."freewebno(v)el.com
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