Chapter 688: Sha Bai Tian Has Changed

Setting aside the intricate scheming struggles for now, Lin Dongfan's thoughts are solely on his wife at home and the braised pork she specifically requested.

He specifically had Lao Ba take a detour to buy the pastry from that old-established shop that Chu Lingxi loves most.

Only then did he head back home.

The car drove into the villa courtyard; Lin Dongfan got out holding the pastry. Before entering, his mind was full of thoughts about what ceremony to use to coax Sha Bai Tian upon seeing her.

However…

He pushed open the front door, but what greeted him was not the expected aroma of food, but an overly quiet emptiness.

"Lingxi?"

Lin Dongfan called out, but there was no response from inside the house.

Only the maid poked her head out from the kitchen, replying cautiously: "Mr. Lin, the madam went out this afternoon and didn't say she'd return for dinner."

Lin Dongfan's smile froze instantly.

Braised pork…

Looks like he won't be getting any.

He felt awful inside.

The first thing Lin Dongfan thought was that Sha Bai Tian must still be angry; after his previous apology, all the apparent calm was merely a facade.

Before, whenever Sha Bai Tian went out, she would always leave him a note.

Today she hasn't returned this late, not even a phone call— isn't this the legendary silent treatment? This approach is more agonizing than a direct argument.

It seems…

The matter of the illegitimate child has become like a thorn lodged in Sha Bai Tian's heart, also lying between them, turning into a poisonous spike that pierces their feelings.

The more he thought about it, the more Lin Dongfan felt vexed, suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, as if spilled water could not be gathered back.

Lin Dongfan asked the maid glumly: "Did the madam say where she was going?"

"She didn't say when she left," the maid replied, shaking her head.

"Watch the kids, don't let them run around."

The two children were sitting in the living room watching cartoons; Lin Dongfan gave the maid a quick reminder, then set down the pastry in his hand, took out his phone, and dialed Chu Lingxi's number.

The phone rang for Along time before it was answered.

"Hello, wife, I'm home—where are you?"

Lin Dongfan's vexed tone was like a man's final stubbornness—he might be wrong, but he would never admit "I was wrong" outright.

On the other end, Chu Lingxi's voice remained as gentle as ever, yet carried a hint of unwillingness to explain: "I'm out handling some things; you go ahead and eat, no need to wait for me."

"What's up? Where are you? I'll come pick you up," Lin Dongfan pressed.

"No need, it's just a small matter; I'll be back soon."

Chu Lingxi hung up hastily, seemingly unwilling to say another word.

Hearing the busy tone from the phone, Lin Dongfan furrowed his brows—saying he wasn't vexed would be a lie. Before, Sha Bai Tian would constantly call him 'husband' and have endless things to say. Today she didn't call him 'husband' at all, and the phone call ended as soon as it was hung up. Sure enough, Sha Bai Tian is still angry; how should he coax her this time?

After a moment's thought, Lin Dongfan pulled up the location app on his phone.

Having offended many people at work before, for safety's sake Lin Dongfan had long set up emergency location tracking on his family's phones.

Usually out of respect for Chu Lingxi, Lin Dongfan never casually checked the location data, but now he couldn't care less about that.

The map showed Chu Lingxi's location at a high-end car brand's 4S store in East City.

"Why go to the 4S store? Is Sha Bai Tian thinking of changing cars?"

Lin Dongfan's mind filled with doubts—could there have been a traffic accident? Thinking it over, it didn't seem right; her calm tone just now didn't sound like someone who'd had an accident.

Since he couldn't figure it out, Lin Dongfan didn't bother to think further, reasoning that if Sha Bai Tian really wanted to change cars, that would be a good thing—it gave him a chance to perform well.

Lin Dongfan shouted: "Lao Ba, come with me to the Mercedes-Benz Center."

Meanwhile.

Inside the Mercedes-Benz 4S store.

The lights were bright, the mirror-like floor reflecting the dazzling array of luxury cars.

Chu Lingxi stood before a brand-new S-class sedan, listening to the sales manager's introduction. She was somewhat absent-minded, however; she hadn't come here today to change her own car.

Sun Zhiqing.

That name was like a tiny thorn, occasionally making her feel uneasy.

It wasn't out of jealousy or hatred, but because of that suddenly appeared child, and the possible repercussions it could have on the Lin family's reputation.

She knew Lin Dongfan had already dealt with the related issues.

But she always felt that, as the mistress of the Lin family, she should also do something. As Aunt Xie Yuxin said, the mistress of the Lin family cannot be as insubstantial as air.

Sun Zhiqing's car, previously seized and auctioned off due to debt, now makes her travel inconvenient.

After thinking it over, Chu Lingxi decided to give Sun Zhiqing a car.

Not to curry favor, but to let Sun Zhiqing know who the mistress of the Lin family is!

This is one way to draw a clear line—I'm giving you the car; from now on, please keep your distance voluntarily, stop causing trouble for the Lin family, and don't ruin Dongfan's prospects.

Chu Lingxi spent Along time choosing at the 4S, finally settling on the S-class sedan before her.

This car is dignified and steady without being ostentatious, matching Sun Zhiqing's former bearing as a daughter of a prestigious family, and it sufficiently demonstrates the Lin family's 'sincerity' and 'magnanimity'.

"Swipe the card, full payment."

Just as Chu Lingxi was about to hand her credit card to the sales manager,

A slightly mocking jeer came from the entrance: "Oh, who do we have here? Isn't this our former campus belle, Miss Chu?"

Chu Lingxi turned her brow, involuntarily furrowing it a little.

She saw a woman in a chiffon dress, draped with a fur shawl, dripping with jewels, her makeup exquisite yet unable to hide the spite in her brows, leaning on a lame man as she approached.

This woman was her university classmate—Xu Yaqiu.

Back then, this little slut once tried to seduce her husband Lin Dongfan, using every trick she had but failing to hook him; later she settled for second best and married Li Hengbo, who walks with a golden cane.

After not seeing each other for years, I never expected Xu Yaqiu to still have that sharp, venomous mouth.

"Long time no see."

Chu Lingxi maintained basic courtesy, her tone flat.

Xu Yaqiu strode over in her ten-centimeter stilettos, tap-tap-tapping to the side of that S-class car, lightly dragging her perfectly manicured fingernail across the paint, and clicked her tongue twice: "Chu Lingxi, is the Lin family about to collapse? After looking around, you've only set your sights on this entry-level S-class? Does that befit the status of Lady Lin?"

Her voice wasn't low, drawing the attention of nearby salespeople and customers.

Chu Lingxi's face darkened slightly: "What car I buy is hardly your concern; why are you meddling so much?"

"I'm just looking out for you, old classmate."

Xu Yaqiu linked arms with the lame man beside her, feigning intimacy: "Let me formally introduce you—this is my husband, Li Hengbo, Chairman of the Rebirth Group."

When she said the three words "Chairman," Xu Yaqiu deliberately emphasized her tone.

Chu Lingxi glanced at Li Hengbo indifferently and replied lightly: "No need for your introduction; I know him. Back then he pursued me, even knelt at my doorstep to propose, but I refused."

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Hengbo's face turned ashen.

Xu Yaqiu's face also flushed red in an instant, and she angrily demanded of Li Hengbo: "You cripple! You pursued her—how could I not know?!"

"She's bragging—who ever pursued her? Nonsense!" Li Hengbo's skin is so thick now that a needle prick wouldn't draw blood.

He carried himself like a king full of superiority.

He then turned around and sneered at Chu Lingxi: "Lady Lin, to regain that pittance of face, you're truly shameless, actually fabricating that I pursued you."