C11 He Can't Leave Alive

"Mengyao, I'm doing this for the good of our family. We don't know when your father will wake up, but the construction team can't just stop working. This negotiation with Scussa is a matter of life and death for the Xia family. To ensure absolute success, we must pool all our resources," Xia Hao declared with a sense of noble purpose.

Xia Zilan saw an excellent opportunity to punish Xia Mengyao and quickly chimed in, "I agree with Xia Hao. Mengyao, now is not the time to be selfish. What's wrong with making some sacrifices for the family?"

Having been slapped by Xia Mengyao and Chen Feng the day before, Xia Zilan harbored a deep-seated hatred for them. She was eager to trip up Xia Mengyao at any chance she got. If Zhao Shihua hadn't cautioned her against impulsive actions, she might have already sought out underworld figures to deal with Xia Mengyao.

Other relatives of the Xia family expressed their agreement as well. They were motivated by two factors: to ingratiate themselves with Xia Hao and his son, who were poised to become the future leaders of the family, and to push Xia Weiguo's family out of the family's inner circle, thereby securing a larger share of the profits for themselves.

The disdainful remarks of the others reached Xia Mengyao's ears without missing a beat. In the meeting room filled with dozens of people, not one stood by her side. Xia Mengyao's eyes brimmed with tears, her slender frame shaking with anger. She had never imagined being treated with such indifference, especially by her own family.

Desperate for support, Xia Mengyao turned her gaze to Xia Yunsheng, seated at the head of the table, hoping he would speak up for her in consideration of her father, Xia Weiguo. But Xia Yunsheng's next words only deepened her despair.

"Let Weiguo stay in the hospital and focus on his recovery," he said, clearly siding with Xia Hao.

Xia Mengyao's complexion turned ashen. Her face drained of color, a clear sign of defeat. Xia Yunsheng's statement was tantamount to sealing Xia Weiguo's fate, leaving her family without a glimmer of hope for redemption.

"Let's call it a day. Meeting adjourned!" Xia Yunsheng rose slowly and exited the conference room.

Xia Hao stood up as well, but he approached Xia Mengyao, towering over her with a smug look. "Xia Mengyao, do you still dare to oppose me?"

"Despicable!" Xia Mengyao clenched her teeth, her eyes brimming with tears.

"It doesn't matter if I'm despicable. Didn't you notice? Even Grandfather supports this despicable person," Xia Hao said with a laugh. In the Xia family, Xia Yunsheng's word was law! Whatever decision Xia Yunsheng made, the Xia family would follow it without question, even if they knew it was wrong.

"Just go back home and be a delivery person with your good-for-nothing husband. That's what you're suited for," Xia Hao sneered before leaving, humming a tune.

Once the conference room was deserted, Xia Mengyao could no longer contain her emotions. She collapsed onto the table, weeping.

That evening, Chen Feng came home early, put the rice in the steamer, and was about to leave to pick up Xia Mengyao. To his surprise, he found her already at the door when he opened it.

"Why are you home so early today?" Chen Feng asked nonchalantly.

Xia Mengyao remained silent. Looking up, Chen Feng sensed something was amiss. Her eyes were red, and she reeked of alcohol.

Had Xia Mengyao been drinking? Chen Feng's brow furrowed. In their three years of marriage, she had barely touched a drop. Why did she smell so strongly of alcohol today?

Xia Mengyao entered the house, looking lost, and sat blankly on the sofa.

Chen Feng, filled with concern and about to inquire, was interrupted as Lin Lan emerged from the bedroom.

"My dear daughter, what's the matter? Who has upset you?"

Upon seeing Lin Lan, Xia Mengyao's composure shattered, and she embraced her mother, crying uncontrollably.

"Sweetheart, who has upset you? Tell Mom, is it that jerk Chen Feng?" Lin Lan instinctively assumed Chen Feng was the cause of Xia Mengyao's distress.

Xia Mengyao shook her head, crying, "I've let Dad down."

"What's going on?"

Xia Mengyao finally shared the entire ordeal, her face etched with distress. Upon hearing the details, Lin Lan was seething with anger.

"A bunch of jerks! I'm going to confront them. Your dad is just unconscious, not dead. They have no right to bully us like this!" Lin Lan was furious. Their financial situation was already precarious. If they lost their construction team, their family would be stripped of their livelihood.

Chen Feng's expression turned icy. Xia Weiguo had been diligently serving the Xia family for years. His achievements might have been modest, but his effort was undeniable. Now, after a mere car accident had left him comatose, these people were quick to kick him while he was down. Their treatment of Xia Mengyao was utterly reprehensible!

But Chen Feng was acutely aware that confronting Xia Hao and the rest would be futile and only lead to further disgrace. Xia Yunsheng's decisions were final, leaving no room for dissent.

So, Chen Feng gently advised Lin Lan, "Mom, let's try to stay calm for a moment. About this situation..."

"Calm down?" Lin Lan spun around, fixing Chen Feng with a fierce glare. "If you weren't so useless, would we be in this position, subjected to such bullying?"

"Mom, it's not Chen Feng's fault. I'm the one to blame," Xia Mengyao interjected, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face.

"Not blame him? If he hadn't brought shame upon the Xia family, Grandpa wouldn't have been displeased with Dad, and we wouldn't be shunned by everyone else," she continued. "None of this would be happening!"

"It's all his fault! If this good-for-nothing had the slightest bit of competence, you wouldn't be suffering like this!"

Lin Lan's words were laced with contempt for Chen Feng, while Xia Mengyao wept bitterly.

"Mengyao, Mom is right. It's my lack of ability that's at fault. I promise to make this right," Chen Feng said, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He bore no resentment towards Lin Lan; she had spoken the truth. Xia Weiguo's diminished standing with Xia Yunsheng was indeed connected to him.

If there was anyone to blame, it was himself for not being more assertive in the past.

Chen Feng's eyes flashed with a cold light as he thought of Xia Hao. Enduring personal insults was one thing, but the repeated humiliation of Xia Mengyao was unforgivable—it was as if they were seeking their own demise.

After his declaration, Chen Feng pushed open the door and strode out, promptly calling Chen Zhong.

"Who's overseeing the Jade Hill project?" Chen Feng inquired, his voice icy.

Chen Zhong, picking up on the suppressed rage in Chen Feng's tone, responded hastily, "Young Master, it's Lin Zongwei from our Chen family."

"Inform Lin Zongwei that the Xia family will approach him tomorrow to discuss a partnership. I expect to see them humiliated!" Chen Feng demanded.

"Understood, Young Master," Chen Zhong replied, a shiver running down his spine. He couldn't fathom what the Xia family had done to provoke Chen Feng's wrath.

Chen Feng ended the call and cast a chilling glance towards the Xia family's headquarters. They aspired to be involved in the Jade Hill project and elevate the Xia family to the upper echelons? Wishful thinking.

The following morning, Xia Qichao and his son Xia Hao, donned in formal attire, set out early for Scussa. Anxiety gnawed at them during the journey; rumors had circulated that many had failed to even catch a glimpse of Scussa's manager in recent days, much less engage in talks of collaboration.

Doubts clouded their minds about the likelihood of meeting Scussa's manager.

Upon their arrival at Scussa, Xia Qichao merely mentioned the Xia family name, and to their surprise, the receptionist promptly escorted them to the general manager's office.

It wasn't until they stepped into the elevator that Xia Hao fully grasped the situation. Scussa's head had turned away countless companies, yet they were willing to meet with them? How extraordinary!