Chapter Nine: Such a Beast (1)

Page 1 of 3

On the thirty-sixth floor of a business club in the heart of S City, the atmosphere was tranquil and elegant. From above, one could gaze down on the bustling city below. Inside, an array of cuisines from across the nation and around the world were on display.

Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out from a seat near the window, utterly out of place in such a refined setting. “Ah…” In an establishment of this caliber, in such a quiet environment, the sudden shriek was shocking. If not for the guests’ strong hearts, someone might have been sent to the hospital. As it was, several startled patrons dropped their knives, forks, chopsticks, or spoons onto the table or the floor. Instantly, all eyes turned toward the source of the disturbance.

“Dongfang, I have an urgent matter—I'll leave first. Next time, I’ll treat you…” The final word trailed off as the woman had already stepped out the door.

With her departure, everyone’s attention shifted to the man still seated at the table. Clad in casual attire, handsome and distinguished, he gazed in the direction of the exit, a hint of helplessness in his smile.

Tian Ni had never worked at her father’s company; instead, she had opened her own advertising firm. Though her father, Tian Hao, was not among the elite tycoons, he was still a man of considerable wealth and connections, and Tian Ni herself was outgoing and resourceful, making her business a success. Not long ago, Dongfang Yi had helped Tian Ni connect with several clients. While relationships played a part, business was business—without ability, nothing could be achieved. Thanks to Tian Ni’s efforts, these deals were secured, and so today she had especially invited Dongfang Yi for a meal.

Dongfang Yi had been in high spirits over this invitation. Though it wasn’t the first time Tian Ni had invited him, such occasions were rare. For years, he had persistently pursued her, though she had told him she felt nothing for him. He believed that perseverance would eventually win her over, so he had never given up, and as a result, their relationship remained subtly complex.

Now that Tian Ni had left, Dongfang Yi lost his appetite. He raised his hand for the waiter, handed over his card, and turned to look down below. From this height, it was impossible to make out individual people, yet he found himself deeply puzzled. No one knew Tian Ni’s temperament better than he did; he was intimately familiar with her every gesture and habit.

Though Tian Ni was usually outgoing and cheerful, to strangers she might seem impulsive, but Dongfang Yi knew otherwise. She was, in fact, meticulous, raised in privilege and well-versed in etiquette and propriety. Never, in all these years, had he seen her so agitated. From her conversation, he’d gathered that the call had been from her father, Tian Hao—but what could have been said to elicit such a reaction, to leave her so shaken and out of sorts?

As he pondered this, he handed his card to the waiter and settled the bill. Order was soon restored.

A woman in a white business suit, her long hair cascading to her shoulders, ran quickly in high heels, the sharp clack of each step drawing curious glances. Her hair fluttered as she moved, her handbag gripped tightly in one hand. Her bright eyes blinked anxiously; she was none other than Tian Hao’s youngest daughter, Tian Ni, who was the object of Xiao Tianci’s secret affection.

Page 2 of 3

She sprinted all the way from the club to her car, then sped off, urgency in every motion. Whenever she was forced to stop at a red light, she anxiously drummed her fingers on the steering wheel.

All these years, she had longed to know who her mother was—whether she was still alive, where she might be. Yet, ever since she could remember, she had never received a satisfactory answer from Tian Hao.

That was why, upon hearing Tian Hao mention her mother, her excitement had become uncontrollable. Out of the city she went, accelerating again and again.

If Lao Ma and Gu Qiang could calculate the time it took her to drive home from the gas station, they would have been astonished.

Panting heavily, her chest heaving, Tian Ni burst through the door.

Tian Hao, who had been waiting in the living room, looked up as the door opened and saw his daughter standing before him, breathless and flushed with excitement.

Prepared for this moment, Tian Hao addressed her kindly, “You! How old are you, and still so impulsive? Come, sit down, catch your breath. Why rush like that?”

The living room was over two hundred square meters, with an imported Italian sofa set arranged at the center, professionally designed to match Tian Hao’s taste for grandeur and luxury. The main seat faced the entrance, and Tian Hao was seated there now.

He had always doted on his only daughter, so his gentle chiding warmed Tian Ni’s heart.

She sat down, and her father poured her a cup of freshly brewed tea, handing it to her himself. “Here, have some tea and rest. You’re not a child anymore. You must learn to take care of yourself. If you keep acting like this, how can I ever feel at ease?”

He spoke with the concern of a loving father, but to Tian Ni, his words sounded oddly out of place. Still, with her mind on news of her mother, she didn’t dwell on it and quickly asked, “Dad, you said on the phone there was news of Mom. Is it true?”

Tian Hao nodded, his expression somber. “Yes. Actually, all these years I’ve been searching for your mother. She was the best woman I ever met. When you were little and asked about her, I always lost my temper—but in truth, it hurt me more than it hurt you!”

Page 3 of 3

“Dad…” Tian Ni had never spoken with her father about her mother before. Hearing him say this now, she was deeply moved, especially as she saw the pain on his face. For years, she had resented him for having so many women in his life, believing he had long forgotten her mother and didn’t want to mention her. She never imagined he still harbored such feelings.

“All these years, I never stopped searching for your mother. Heaven rewards the diligent, Ni’er… I…”

Tears welled up in Tian Hao’s eyes.

Had anyone else been present, they would have been astounded by his performance. Most importantly, he was deceiving his own daughter, yet felt not the slightest sadness or remorse. In fact, he considered himself a father who had secured happiness for his child. Once his daughter married into the Xiao family, she would enjoy endless blessings.

Fortunately, he had made this decision in time. He knew his daughter well, and for her sake, he could not let her learn the truth now. In time, she would understand what a good future he had arranged for her.

Looking at her father, Tian Ni felt all her years of resentment and bitterness melt away. She quickly set down her teacup, moved to sit beside him, and tried to comfort him.

After a while, Tian Hao composed himself and said, “Ni’er, not long ago, the people I sent out finally found news of your mother. But…”

He trailed off, as if hesitating, and Tian Ni pressed him impatiently, “Dad, what is it? Where is Mom? What’s happened? Tell me!”

He sighed. “Fate can be cruel, Ni’er. Your… mother is now…”

Tian Ni’s personality was straightforward and impatient; Tian Hao’s hesitation made her anxious. “Dad, what is it? Please, just tell me!”

At last, Tian Hao finished, “Sigh… your mother is in a psychiatric hospital now.”

(Brothers and sisters, Ping Fan Xin is striving for the new book rankings—please vote! I’ll post another chapter soon. Throw those votes at me; the more you vote, the more I’ll update!)