"Miss Zhang, let's go on a date tomorrow by the same time and in the same place as Mr. Fang," Chuanli announced with a hint of mischief, but Zhang Liling didn't notice it.
"What?!"
She was far too shocked about him asking her to go on a date with him, to think properly.
At this juncture, Chuanli knew she had misunderstood him, and took his time with clearing her confused mind.
"Miss Zhang, it looks like you misunderstood me. I will help you crash Mr. Fang's date properly. If the two of us appear together, it will be a lot more encouraging, or don't you think so?"
There was a pause as silence ensued. Zhang Liling was really thinking about his suggestion.
When he thought that she would refuse him since she always had her own crazy way of doing things, she agreed.
"Dr. Li, let's do this together!" Zhang Liling said with her arm up.
After thinking about the benefits of going out with Chuanli, she knew her chances of getting what she wanted, would be high.
After ending the conversation with him, she got to her feet and went to her closet to look for the perfect dress for tomorrow's date Invasion.
Going through her closet with her eyes and pushing things out if the way, she saw a short flay red dress with an off shoulder and smiled to herself.
"Perfect!" She said to herself aloud.
She had decided to go all red tomorrow, and that was she colour for attention.
There was no way she would walk into a room dressed in red, and no one would notice her, it wasn't possible. That colour could easily leave a lasting impression after getting someone's attention.
Zhang Liling's plan was to get Mr. Fang's attention.
While sorting out her outfit for tomorrow's date, Chuanli on the otherhand, phoned Bolin to ask about Fang Bingwen's date.
"Where is Bingwen going on a blindate?"
Bolin replied to his question without being surprised that he would know about such matter.
'Good!' Chuanli smiled as he noted the name of the restaurant in his head before going on to ask, "Which family is this lady from, what's her age and occupation?"
To that question, Bolin had no idea about it. "Grandlady Fang didn't mention her name, because she didn't want Mr. Fang to have any reasons to not go on the date."
Chuanli frowned slightly. "Wouldn't it be unjust if the lady knows about Bingwen, and he doesn't know anything about her?"
"For that, the old lady had already settled things. Mr. Fang's blindate doesn't know he is her date." Bolin explained.
"I see..."
*******
"Have you thought about your marriage? Is there anyone you have in mind?" Shi Wenqian asked Zhang Xiaoling.
They were currently drinking tea and chatting when she brought up the marriage topic.
"I really want to marry into the Fang family, but Dad is acting somehow, and I don't want to offend him. He is still the one looking after my fianances." Zhang Xiaoling said with a slight frown.
"If I want something, I will do anything to get it, and you should be like that too."
Zhang Xiaoling shifted her gaze to her. She was starting to regret not leaving when she came to join her at the balcony.
So many times, she had wanted to ask why she went into organ harvesting. How could someone have the heart to do that?
Let's say she wasn't compassionate about Human lives, shouldn't she be afraid of the consequences of her actions?
Shi Wenqian felt her change in aura and smiled to herself. "You should make a decision before Zhang Renshu helps you to make one. And, you can always ask for my help."
Zhang Xiaoling didn't bother hiding her disgust this time around. It was very clear in her eyes that she would rather allow her stepfather to arrange a marriage for her, than to ask for her help.
"You have given me no choice but to never ask for your help. I don't want to be linked to your dirty business. I don't want to owe you anything." She said and looked away.
"Do you think that if you don't ask for my help, you still don't owe me anything?" Shi Wenqian asked with an amused expression.
She couldn't help finding her daughter's logic to be meaningless.
Zhang Xiaoling didn't find her facial expression and attitude funny. "Mum, I believe that after showing me that horrible scene, and I still kept my lips locked, should be enough to repay my debts to you."
"How dare you be repulsive of my hardwork?!" Shi Wenqian's tone changed, but she didn't dare to raise her voice.
"Hahaha... hahaha" Zhang Xiaoling laughed sarcastically without saying any other thing.
"That money I have been giving to you to live an extravagant life, where did you think it all came from?" Shi Wenqian asked.
"Obviously, I thought it all came from the health foundation you opened to deceive everyone!" Zhang Xiaoling retorted angrily as her chest heaved up and down.
She didn't mind her mum doing a few shady things to have her own source of wealth, but what she discovered now, was not even an option. It was beyond her human compression.
For her mother to mention about her spending money gotten from a bloody illegal means, made her so angry.
"I will be waiting for you to ask for help." Shi Wenqian said as she stood to her feet and stared hard at her before walking away.
Zhang Xiaoling's fingers curled into a fist by her sides. That was a disguised threat from her mother.
She knew the important role her mother has played in her life so far. At least, she would take her opinions into consideration unlike her stepfather who didn't really care.
But at this point in her life, she would rather take whatever that man gave to her, than to seek help from her mother.
This is why she had to build a connection for herself. By walking for her stepfather, she can get everything she wants, except for her happiness.
By the time she grew on her own and built a route for herself, she wouldn't have to listen to anyone anymore, and be controlled by them.