"Stalled?" Di Mingjue surveyed the room. "You're overthinking. I'm only concerned about the whereabouts of those three funds. Without any unexpected situations, everything is proceeding normally. If there were any, do you think the project could still be underway?"
The question was directed at Di Dongsheng, leaving the decision in his hands. It was also a subtle reminder that if he didn't want the project to be suspended, he should refrain from plotting.
Di Mingjue glanced at Di Dongsheng and instructed Shen Lin to push him away.
With the dangerous man gone, Wu Jie seemed to have been resurrected, his complexion regaining some color. "Young Master Di, you really are resourceful. You have no idea how terrified I was by President Di's demeanor."
Alice, with her keen observational skills, brought over two cups of coffee.
With a gulp, the paper cup made a gurgling sound. Wu Jie let out a satisfied burp and patted his stomach.
The other cup was discarded by Di Dongsheng. "You heard what was said. Have someone compile the expense details and send them to my email."
"Young Master Di, won't you join us for a meal?"
As the words fell, he was already leaving the conference room.
Wu Jie watched the receding figure, the paper cup in his hand crumpled.
"What's with the arrogance? Does he really think he's a top figure in the Di family now?" he scoffed, turning to Alice. "Head to the construction site later and investigate who's been gossiping."
"Alright." Alice followed him out of the conference room.
...
Di Residence.
"She's still in her room and hasn't come out?"
"No."
"She's not even eating. She's risking her life this time."
Wu Xuerou complained to a servant, popping an orange segment into her mouth. Her gaze darted furtively towards the upper floor.
The reminder from Di Ruihe the previous night surfaced in her mind. She put down the remaining half of the orange, wiped her mouth with a tissue.
Knock, knock~
A knock at the door. Wu Xuerou pressed her ear to it, calling out softly, "Sister-in-law, are you there?"
There was no response from inside.
Her wrist ached from holding the plate. She placed it on the ground and knocked again. Seeing no immediate response, Wu Xuerou paced outside the door, staring at it blankly.
"Shall I open the door and go in?" Saying this, Wu Xuerou twisted the doorknob.
The door was unlocked, and Wu Xuerou entered. Glancing around, she saw Zhao Yanxia lying flat on the bed, almost merged with the covers. She went to the bedside and sat down along the edge.
"Sister-in-law, are you feeling unwell?" Wu Xuerou placed her hand on Zhao Yanxia's forehead, but her eyes suddenly opened, startling her.
Zhao Yanxia turned her head in disgust, shaking Wu Xuerou's hand off her forehead. "What are you doing here?"
"The servants mentioned you haven't come down and haven't eaten, so I brought you some food."
She presented the plate, which held a bowl of white porridge and some side dishes.
Zhao Yanxia didn't even look, raising her hand to push the plate away.
The plate wobbled, spilling some of the porridge from the bowl.
Seeing that her good intentions were unappreciated, Wu Xuerou felt a flicker of annoyance. She placed the plate on the bedside table, crossed her legs, and said casually, "Why are you doing this? By starving yourself, you're just making way for that woman outside. In the end, your husband, house, and children will all belong to someone else, and you'll be left nowhere, wronged."
Every word struck a chord with Zhao Yanxia. She looked at Wu Xuerou, and the image of Di Dongsheng pushing her aside to enter the coffee shop to see Jiang Feifei flashed in her mind.
She had been here all day, not eating or drinking, yet Di Dongsheng hadn't shown his face.
Zhao Yanxia suddenly sat up from the bed, grabbed the bowl of white porridge, and began to eat it greedily. She didn't sample any of the side dishes, finishing the bowl of porridge.
After eating her fill, Zhao Yanxia placed the bowl down and looked at Wu Xuerou.
"We've been sisters-in-law for so many years, and I don't want you to be bullied like this by a mistress," Wu Xuerou said, patting Zhao Yanxia's hand, adopting the air of an elder sister.