Chapter 217: Unlawful Daughter

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Just as Ye Mo's car slowed, a Porsche pulled alongside. The window lowered, and a young man in his twenties said, "Bro, your driving skills are impressive. Want to race? I couldn't keep up earlier."

Ye Mo rolled down his window and looked at the young man. He smiled but didn't respond. He revved the engine and turned apologetically to the nun. "Sorry, Sister Zier, I used to love racing and competed often. After an accident, my family forbade me from driving. It's been five or six years. Driving feels a little unfamiliar. I'll shake this kid off so he doesn't bother us."

He offered an innocent smile. Ye Mo wasn't sure if it would alleviate her suspicions, but he had to try.

Jing Xi frowned, watching Ye Mo accelerate. Was this kid really a racer who hadn't driven in a long time? His skills were excellent. If he was a racer, it made sense; he'd be rusty after five years. And his competitive spirit suggested he wasn't particularly clever.

Ye Mo sped away, quickly leaving the Porsche far behind. He glanced back before slowing down.

The Porsche stopped. The young man emerged, patted the hood, took a deep breath, and watched the disappearing Audi. He muttered, "That guy's a maniac! I bet he's a professional racer."

...

Beijing Song Family.

Song Qiming and Dongfang Xi were conversing when Song Hai burst in.

"What is it?" Song Qiming knew Song Hai. Usually calm, his desperate demeanor indicated something serious.

"Leader, Nie Shuangshuang left Beijing two hours ago. We don't know her destination. Her school leave request is for one month," Song Hai said, looking at Dongfang Xi. Dongfang Xi had devised the plan, but its key player had vanished, rendering it largely useless.

Song Qiming and Dongfang Xi both frowned. Nie Shuangshuang's departure was suspiciously timed—precisely when the plan was implemented.

Song Qiming reacted quickly, anxiously looking at Dongfang Xi. "Mr. Dongfang, what should we do? Should we stop her?"

Dongfang Xi considered this. "Finding Nie Shuangshuang is like searching for a needle in a haystack. But I have a few alternatives. Let me think."

Song Hai and Song Qiming waited silently.

After a moment, Dongfang Xi said, "Then I won't be polite. I hear the Song Family leader has an illegitimate daughter, Tang Beiwei, living in poverty. However, her looks should rival Nie Shuangshuang's. Song Family leader, you know about this. If she could replace Nie Shuangshuang…"

Song Qiming's face paled. This was his illegitimate daughter from twenty-one years ago. He'd only learned of her existence two years ago. To protect her mother, his daughter, and his position, he'd had no contact with them. He didn't know how Dongfang Xi knew.

He'd planned to bring them to Beijing once his position was secure, but Dongfang Xi's knowledge was unexpected.

While common in large families, Song Qiming had abandoned the mother and daughter for over twenty years after fathering the child. This information would be devastating to his political opponents if leaked. Only he knew; he'd conducted the investigation himself. Yet Dongfang Xi knew.

"In that case, I have nothing more to say, but I must remind you that inaction may cost you dearly. I'm leaving." Dongfang Xi stood to depart.

"Mr. Dongfang, please," Song Qiming pleaded, his face pale. "I've wronged them for over twenty years. To use them now… I'm no better than an animal. Please choose someone else."

Dongfang Xi remained seated. "The auction is less than a month away. You know why I chose those two. Nie Shuangshuang is a natural actress and alluring. Tang Beiwei won acting awards in high school—she's talented. "

"Then I'll find someone from the acting academy," Song Qiming offered hopefully.

Dongfang Xi shook his head. "I've investigated the major academies. No one matches Nie Shuangshuang and Ning Qingxue in beauty. And they're too pretentious, not Ye Mo's type. The crucial point is, Tang Beiwei would give her life for you, unlike others who would simply act."

Song Qiming shook his head. "If Tang Beiwei knew I was her father, she'd hate me. How could she give her life for me?"

Dongfang Xi chuckled, sipping his tea. "What if it were for her mother?"

Song Qiming's face contorted. "What's wrong with Tang Jin?"

Dongfang Xi sneered. Song Qiming was ruthless—exactly the type he needed. Song Qiming looked worried, but he'd never truly cared for them.

He said slowly, "Tang Beiwei's mother has been gravely ill for six months, and the family is heavily in debt. Tang Beiwei works three jobs, but it's not enough to cover her mother's medical expenses. If the Song Family offered to solve these problems in exchange for her help, she'd agree without hesitation."

Dongfang Xi hadn't expected that, with Nie Shuangshuang gone and a suitable replacement, his plan would become flawless.

Seeing Song Qiming's hesitation, Dongfang Xi remained calm. He wasn't worried about his agreement. He'd agree for his current wife and daughter, let alone his illegitimate daughter. He understood him perfectly.

If there was a flaw in the plan, it was Ye Mo. He'd never met Ye Mo; his information was secondhand.

...

Tan Du was known for its beauty. Many wealthy people lived there, but a few months prior, a large explosion destroyed the most luxurious mansion, killing all its occupants. Wealthy residents began to leave, fearing it was a dangerous place. Ye Mo and Wen Dong were unaware their explosion had this effect.

In Tan Du's Second Hospital, an emaciated woman lay on a bed, staring at the ceiling with vacant eyes. Her IV bag was empty, but no nurse attended to her.

A disheveled girl entered quickly, carrying a thermos. Seeing the empty IV bag, she rushed to call a nurse, who eventually replaced the bag but failed to switch to serum. Before the girl could speak, the woman on the bed pulled her closer.

The woman sighed. "Xiao Wei, let's go home. I have something to tell you."

"No, Mum, don't worry. I'll save enough for the bills; you'll get better," the girl insisted.

The woman shook her head, retrieving a bracelet from under her pillow. "Keep this. It belonged to your family. Don't lose it; it's part of a pair. When you find the other, you'll find your family."

"Mum, you're my only family," the girl sobbed, clutching her mother's hands.

"Sigh…" The woman sighed. "I fear I won't last much longer. There are things I need to tell you…"