Love is a mistake that cannot be escaped

The phone screen gradually dimmed, but I remained in the position of holding the phone, the words echoing in my ears.

"I am Gu Yichen's... younger brother." Younger brother? He had never mentioned having a younger brother before!

"What's wrong?" Yichen noticed my odd behavior and reached out to pick up the phone.

"Don't move!" I almost screamed to stop him, my voice trembling slightly with panic. "He...he said he's your brother, and he also said..."

Before I could finish speaking, the person on the other end of the phone seemed to realize something and hurriedly hung up.

"What did he say?" Yi Chen's expression turned serious, revealing a hint of unease.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. "He said... he knows some company secrets and wants to meet with you to discuss them in detail."

"Confidential?" Yi Chen's brows furrowed tightly. "Did he say exactly what it was?"

"No, he just said it's a very important matter and he wants you to see him alone."

I shook my head, my heart filled with doubt and unease.

Yi Chen was silent for a moment, a sharp glint flashing in his deep eyes. "It seems we are about to face new challenges."

“Let’s go together!” I said firmly, holding his hand. “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

Yichen grasped my hand in return and nodded, "Okay, let's go together."

The agreed-upon location was a secluded teahouse, where the antique-style private rooms were filled with a faint aroma of tea.

Yichen and I walked into the private room side by side and immediately saw the person sitting by the window.

He was dressed in a black suit, with a tall and straight figure and a cold profile. He held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand and slowly turned them.

Although he had his head down, I recognized him at a glance—Zhao Lixuan, Yichen Company's biggest competitor before.

My heart sank suddenly and an ominous premonition came over me.

It seems that this "younger brother" was just a cover, and Zhao Lixuan was the mastermind behind it all.

What on earth does he want to do?

As if sensing our arrival, Zhao Lixuan slowly raised his head, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.

"Mr. Gu, it's been a long time."

He stood up and walked slowly to us, his gaze shifting between Yi Chen and me. "This must be Miss Fu, I've heard so much about you."

His tone was full of insincere politeness, which made me feel nauseous.

I gave him a cold glance and didn't say anything.

"Mr. Zhao, I think you should know that I don't like beating around the bush."

Yi Chen's tone was icy as he asked bluntly, "What exactly is your purpose in inviting me here?"

Zhao Lixuan smiled, calmly poured himself a cup of tea, and said slowly, "President Gu, let's not beat around the bush. I'm here today to discuss a deal with you."

"A deal?" Yi Chen raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "What kind of deal could we possibly have to discuss between us?"

“Of course.” Zhao Lixuan put down his teacup, his gaze sharpening. “I know your company is currently developing a new product, and it’s progressing very smoothly. As long as you give me the core technology of this product, I can guarantee that all the troubles your company has encountered before will be resolved.”

His words stunned both Yichen and me.

I never expected that he would know so much about the company, even about new product development.

"Are you threatening me?"

Yi Chen's voice was as cold as ice, and he exuded a powerful sense of oppression.

"No, I'm just giving you a chance."

Zhao Lixuan showed no fear, his tone tinged with smugness, "An opportunity that could revive your company. Of course, the choice is yours; you can choose to refuse, but the consequences..."

He deliberately left the conversation unfinished, but the threat he conveyed was obvious.

Yichen and I both understood that if we refused his request, we would face utter destruction.

The air seemed to freeze. Yichen and I stared at each other in silence, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

Zhao Lixuan's conditions were undoubtedly harsh. The core technology of the new product was something we had worked hard to develop and it was also the hope for the company's future development. How could we easily give it away?

However, if we don't agree to his demands, the company will face a crisis or even go bankrupt, and all our efforts will be in vain.

Just then, my phone rang, breaking the silence in the room.

It was a call from the kindergarten teacher. Her voice was extremely anxious: "Ms. Fu, please come quickly! Xiao Chen suddenly has a high fever and keeps calling for his mother..."

My heart clenched. Xiao Chen has always been frail, and this fever came on so suddenly; I didn't know how serious it was. I ignored Zhao Lixuan, grabbed my bag, and rushed out. Before leaving, I held Yi Chen's hand tightly and whispered, "Yi Chen, I'm leaving the company's affairs to you. I have to go see Xiao Chen."

Yi Chen grasped my hand in return, his deep eyes filled with worry and understanding: "Don't worry, Xiao Chen is the priority. I'll handle things at the company."

I nodded, turned around, and ran away.

When we arrived at the kindergarten, Xiao Chen was already delirious with fever, her face flushed, and she was unconsciously calling out "Mommy".

I held him tightly in my arms, comforting him constantly, but his fever only got higher. I was frantic and rushed him to the hospital.

After a series of examinations, the doctor said it was a viral infection and that the patient needed to be hospitalized for observation for a few days.

My heart finally settled down, but I was also even more exhausted.

Looking at Xiao Chen's pale face, I couldn't help but blame myself. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have had to live in fear with me, and he wouldn't have gotten sick.

Just when I was completely exhausted, the door to the ward was pushed open, and Lu Mingxuan and Gu Yichen walked in.

Seeing Xiao Chen's sick appearance, Lu Mingxuan's face was full of worry. He walked to my side and asked softly, "How is Xiao Chen? Is she feeling better?"

I shook my head and said wearily, "The doctor said I need to be hospitalized for observation for a few days."

Gu Yichen walked to the bedside, looked at Xiao Chen, and a trace of heartache flashed in his eyes. He gently touched Xiao Chen's forehead and said softly, "Xiao Chen, be good, listen to the doctor and get better soon."

I gave him a grateful look. Since what happened last time, Gu Yichen had rarely bothered us. I didn’t expect that he would take the initiative to visit Xiaochen when he was sick.

"Where's Yichen? Why didn't he come?" Lu Mingxuan looked around and, not seeing Gu Yichen, asked.

I sighed and briefly recounted Zhao Lixuan's situation to them.

After hearing my explanation, Lu Mingxuan and Gu Yichen's expressions both became serious.

"That Zhao Lixuan is truly despicable and shameless! He actually resorted to such underhanded tactics!"

Lu Mingxuan said angrily, "We must find a way to help Yichen; we can't let him shoulder everything alone!"

Gu Yichen nodded in agreement, saying, "Yes, sister-in-law, don't worry, Mingxuan and I will do our best to help."

Looking at the two of them, a warm feeling welled up inside me, and even though I was exhausted, I felt full of strength.

In the hospital corridor, the three of us analyzed Zhao Lixuan's intentions and suspicious points in detail.

Gu Yichen's business acumen exceeded my expectations; he offered some perspectives I had never considered, while Lu Mingxuan used his connections to begin investigating Zhao Lixuan's background.

A few days later, Yi Chen came to the hospital, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but unable to hide his joy.

He told me that Zhao Lixuan's "evidence" was all fabricated, that he had found a breakthrough and had already reported the case to the police, who were collecting evidence to prepare for his arrest.

My heart finally settled down, and Xiao Chen gradually recovered her health; everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction. However, just when we thought everything was resolved, news arrived like a bolt from the blue, plunging us back into despair.

Zhao Lixuan disappeared. Just before the police were about to arrest him, he vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated into thin air.

What's even more unsettling is that he left a message saying that if we continue to investigate, we will face unimaginable retaliation.

For a moment, we seemed to be caught in an even bigger mystery. No one knew where Zhao Lixuan had gone or what crazy thing he would do next.

Looking at the gloomy sky outside the window, a strange unease welled up in my heart.

Is this storm truly over? Or is it merely the beginning?