Chapter 149: Ruan Liuzheng: Your Bai family's ancestors have nothing to do with me.

The next day, Ruan Liuzheng received a call from the Bai family, as expected. But the caller was her father, the one she had long since severed ties with and swore she would never acknowledge again .

A gentle hypocrite!

Ruan Liuzheng sat in the driver's seat, listening to the sentimental words coming from her phone. She curled her lips slightly, a hint of sarcasm etched across her beautiful features.

Her face remained calm, her clear, rational almond-shaped eyes intently focused on the road ahead, her tranquil heart unperturbed by Bai Xunan's words.

When Bai Xunan on the opposite side talked until his mouth was dry, he finally stated his purpose, "Liu Zheng, we haven't seen each other for a long time. As your father, I haven't cared for you all these years, and I am really ashamed."

Bai Xunan lowered his tone, and there was endless guilt in his gentle voice, "It just so happens that I am free today, so why don't we have a good chat as father and daughter? I think your mother would be very happy that we have restored our relationship."

Ruan Liuzheng's eyes suddenly turned cold, "Don't use my mother as a cover, Bai Xunan, you don't even have the qualifications to talk about her!"

"I know what you are going to say, but I can tell you my answer clearly, it's impossible! The Ruan family's things have been devoured by you and Feng Zhuyi over the years, and I don't care much about those things, but Jiahe... don't even think about lifting a finger!"

Ruan Liuzheng slowly gripped the steering wheel, without a trace of emotion on her face, as cold as ice. She said in a cold voice, "There must be a limit to your greed, otherwise... I advise you to take care of yourself!"

After that, she freed one hand to turn off the phone.

Bai Xunan, perhaps anticipating Ruan Liuzheng's behavior, spoke impatiently, "Wait a minute! Even if I've failed your mother and the Ruan family, you still have half my blood in you."

"Don't you really want to return to your roots?"

Ruan Liuzheng sneered, her eyes growing colder. She said expressionlessly, "My last name is Ruan, and your Bai family's ancestors have nothing to do with me!"

"Then what about your grandparents' belongings?"

Bai Xunan's throat clenched, as if he hadn't expected Ruan Liuzheng to be so disrespectful to him. The anger in his heart surged uncontrollably.

But when he thought of Feng Zhuyi and Bai Huanqing's sad expressions, he took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the phone, and even trembling slightly.

His brow furrowed, a dark glint flickering in his usually gentle eyes. "You and your mother left in such a hurry that you didn't have time to take many things with you."

"Liu Zheng, I've already discussed this with your Aunt Feng. If you'll give us a chance, we'll definitely return those things to you intact."

Bai Xunan's eyes were deep, and a faint smile curved the corners of his lips. His gentle tone held a hint of reassurance.

This was his trump card!

Ruan Liuzheng paused slightly, and she smiled softly, a laugh that was indescribably ironic.

Her cold, almond-shaped eyes gradually darkened.

It had to be said that Bai Xunan's inducement was successful. Besides Jiahe, what she most desired were the relics left behind by her grandparents.

These tokens of their love carried a lifetime of beautiful memories.

Even if her grandfather's will didn't specify otherwise, Ruan Liuzheng secretly didn't want those things to fall into the hands of Bai Xunan and Feng Zhuyi.

This was her responsibility as their granddaughter, and also her filial piety.

Ruan Liuzheng gently raised her eyes, a coldness in their depths. "I don't want to discuss the time and place a second time!"

Seeing Ruan Liuzheng's agreement, Bai Xunan quickly said, "I've already reserved a table at that timeless restaurant you loved as a child. Just say my name when you come."

Ruan Liuzheng said, "Got it. Remember to bring my grandparents' things. If I don't see, Bai Xunan, I don't mind exposing your scandal to the world!"

...

Ten minutes later, Ruan Liuzheng arrived in front of Xunxianglou. She gazed at the familiar building, a hint of irony in her cold, almond-shaped eyes.

Xunxianglou was a long-established restaurant in Yuncheng, and one Ruan Liuzheng had frequented as a child. Back then, whenever there was a family celebration or something important, the family would gather there for a small celebration.

Sometimes, they would simply come because they missed the food. At that time, Bai Xunan hadn't yet revealed his true colors, and he was almost completely obedient to her and her mother.

Whenever they came to Xunxianglou, it was always the three of them together. Naively, she truly believed she was the happiest child in the world.

With a well-educated mother, a family of great influence, and a father as gentle as jade who always put mother and child first, there was no one in all of Yuncheng who could be happier.

However, good things are always fleeting.

Ever since Bai Xunan's true colors were exposed and her grandfather passed away, Ruan Liuzheng hadn't been to Xunxianglou again.

Firstly, it was for financial reasons, and secondly, she felt it was unnecessary.

Things had changed, and coming again would only be a replay of her past foolishness.

Ruan Liuzheng smiled faintly, frowning to hide the complex emotions in her eyes, and then walked calmly into Xunxianglou.

She asked the front desk and found that the private room Bai Xunan had booked was the same one her family used to frequent.

She gave the front desk a sarcastic look, nodded, and then walked upstairs with ease.

When Ruan Liuzheng arrived at the private room, Bai Xunan was already seated, a steaming pot of tea before him, evidently having been waiting for a while.

Her eyes flickered, and she sat down across from Bai Xunan with a calm demeanor. Her pure, refined face was devoid of any trace of guilt or apology,

as if Bai Xunan had been expected to wait for her.

Ruan Liuzheng's expression was impassive, and she got straight to the point. "Have you brought everything?"

Bai Xunan smiled faintly, his gentle eyes filled with tolerance. He nodded, picking up a small suitcase from the seat beside him. "Yes. After all, I'm your father, and I wouldn't lie to you about such a small matter."

Ruan Liuzheng ignored Bai Xunan's pretentiousness and opened the suitcase, carefully counting the contents one by one, to prevent him and his men from cutting corners.

Bai Xunan's distrust stirred a strange rage in his chest, his eyes sinking, but he held it in.

He kept a straight face and waited quietly for Ruan Liuzheng's confirmation, a hint of displeasure flickering across his gentle eyes.

In the years since he became the chairman of the Bai Group, no one had dared to treat him this way.

But thinking of Feng Zhuyi and Bai Huanqing, he thought for a moment and chose to remain silent, his emotions quickly concealed.

At this point, having sacrificed so much, he couldn't let it go to waste.

...