Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO-Chapter 561 Underestimated

Seeing Shi Hongda make no effort to conceal his curiosity about the Bai family's secrets, Bai Lejing looked conflicted. "This..."

"Mister Bai's request is not difficult for me to fulfill, of course. However, I hope we can be more frank with each other, as it would be better for everyone," Shi Hongda said with a beaming smile.

In his view, escorting someone with the backing of the Bai Family and the Northern Dragon Guard to Tianhai was incredibly simple. If he hadn't sensed something fishy, agreeing right away wouldn't have been a problem. Now, if he could wring out some unknown information in the process, he would certainly be more than happy.

Even if this information is likely pointless, why not take it if it's free? Shi Hongda thought.

"Ah, in that case, Elder Shi, please come with me. I will explain the details to you in private," Bai Lejing said, standing up as if he had made a difficult decision.

"Of course, that's not a problem," Shi Hongda replied with a slight smile.

Just then, Xu Ke spoke up with a cheerful smile. "Elder Shi, Mister Bai, no one here is an outsider. Why go somewhere else to talk? I'd like to listen in, too. Besides, Elder Tang and I are perfectly capable of escorting Miss Bai Qian'er to Tianhai."

Xu Ke's acting is so convincing... Bai Qian'er cursed inwardly. If I didn't know the full story, I would've actually believed he knew nothing.

Bai Lejing was taken aback and looked troubled. "This... Mister Xu, isn't that inappropriate?" As he spoke, he glanced defensively at Xie Jiancheng.

"We're all on the same side here, what's so inappropriate?" Xie Jiancheng snorted coldly, though he inwardly praised Xu Ke's shrewdness. He also wanted to know exactly why Bai Lejing had to entrust an outsider with escorting Bai Qian'er.

Xu Ke inwardly praised Xie Jiancheng as well. The reason he had spoken up to stop Bai Lejing from leaving the private room was to provoke Shi Hongda's contrarian nature and make him agree to Bai Lejing's request more quickly. He had been worried he couldn't achieve the perfect effect alone, but Xie Jiancheng had unexpectedly provided an assist. What a great wingman!

"Uncle Xie, this is another family's private affair. It's better not to intervene." At that moment, Fang Caizhe unexpectedly spoke up, sneering at Xu Ke. "With just your strength and that of your guard, you think you can compare to Elder Shi and the two Yin Yang Elders? I'd advise you to just go crawl back into bed."

Fang Caizhe believed he was helping Bai Lejing, so he spared no effort in ridiculing Xu Ke and stopping Xie Jiancheng.

Bai Qian'er glanced at Fang Caizhe. Seeing his proud and smug expression, she shook her head almost imperceptibly, a look of utter speechlessness on her face.

"Exactly!" Shi Hongda looked smug, staring down at Xu Ke with disdain. "Since Family Head Bai wishes to speak with me in private, we must leave the room. Family Head Xie, please wait a moment."

"As for you, you insolent whelp, you should keep your mouth shut. Do you think having Tang Yingchang with you makes you stronger than the three of us? You're just a frog at the bottom of a well; you have no right to escort Miss Bai."

He was a master of the Innate Great Perfection realm, yet in the half-month since meeting Xu Ke, he had never once been able to assert his dominance through sheer power. The frustration was suffocating. Now that he finally had a chance to use his strength to righteously look down on Xu Ke, how could he not revel in it?

Fang Caizhe nodded. "Elder Shi speaks the truth!"

The two exchanged a look, both feeling a sense of regret for not having met sooner.

Xu Ke's smile was ambiguous as he was just about to speak. Xie Jiancheng also intended to chime in.

Just then, Bai Qian'er, who hadn't wanted to interfere and was tired of watching Xu Ke's act, knew it would seem too strange if she didn't speak up.

"All right," she said. "Dad, Elder Shi, please sit down. I don't need to trouble Elder Shi for protection."

"I'll make the arrangements. Children shouldn't butt in," Bai Lejing cut Bai Qian'er off bluntly, then looked at Shi Hongda. "Elder Shi, let's step outside."

Shi Hongda nodded slightly, and the two left the private room.

Seeing this, Xie Jiancheng showed a hint of regret. He was quite curious about what Bai Lejing needed to discuss with Shi Hongda.

A while later, a satisfied Shi Hongda returned, and Bai Lejing was also smiling.

After sitting down and speaking briefly with the Yin Yang Elders, Shi Hongda announced, "Alright, we agree to this matter."

"Then I'll arrange for the car to be downstairs tomorrow. My daughter will travel with the three of you?"

"No problem!" Shi Hongda said with a beaming smile, casting a sidelong glance at Xu Ke.

Xu Ke didn't react, simply continuing to eat his food in silence.

Seeing this, Shi Hongda grew even more smug. He figured Xu Ke must be feeling crestfallen and didn't dare to meet his gaze.

***

After dinner, everyone returned to their own rooms. Bai Qian'er and Bai Lejing, meanwhile, drove away from the Deyun Hotel.

「In the car.」

"Are you sure helping him deal with Shi Hongda and his group is a good idea?"

"Dad, weren't you the one who thought Xu Ke was a better investment than the Huang and Qin Families?"

"That's true, but... Ah, never mind. Just make sure you protect yourself above all else."

"I know!" Bai Qian'er nodded slightly.

Bai Lejing said no more.

***

「Late that night, on the seventeenth floor.」

"What is this?" Tang Yingchang asked curiously. He had been watching Xu Ke fiddle with a pile of medicinal herbs ever since dinner, wondering what he was up to.

"It's a feigned-death drug," the Poison Elder, who was watching over the resting Ghost Elder, glanced over and said.

"A feigned-death drug? You can really feign death by taking it?" Tang Yingchang was immediately astonished.

"It's not that exaggerated," Xu Ke replied without turning his head. "The name is just for dramatic effect. Its main function is to evade the qi-locking of an Innate Great Perfection expert. This is for the Ghost Elder and the Poison Elder to take."

Hearing this, Tang Yingchang paused for a moment before smiling. "Oh! I see."

"But you've already prepared them, haven't you? What are you still busy with?" Tang Yingchang had clearly seen two pills already placed in a vial, yet Xu Ke hadn't stopped working. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I need to prepare a big gift for Shi Hongda and the Assassin's Alliance!" Xu Ke stopped what he was doing and said with a grin.

Hearing this, Tang Yingchang's eyes widened slightly.

***

「The next morning, at seven o'clock.」

In front of the Deyun Hotel, a reinforced, bulletproof van was already parked by the entrance.

"We're taking this back?" Fang Caizhe's expression soured when he saw the vehicle. As the young master of the Fang Family, when have I ever ridden in a vehicle like this?

"If you don't want to ride in it, you can take a plane. No one is forcing you to come with me," Bai Qian'er said coldly.

Fang Caizhe's expression stiffened. "No, I was just making an observation. I'll ride in it."

"I'll drive." Duan Zhuo'er glanced around before heading straight for the driver's seat. He was generally responsible for driving whenever their group traveled.

Neither Bai Qian'er nor Fang Caizhe had any objections.

Just then, Shi Hongda and the Yin and Yang Elders walked out of the hotel entrance. "My young friends, you're here so early?" Shi Hongda greeted them with a smile.

"Yes, Honored Elders. There's no time to delay, so let's head out now," Bai Qian'er replied.

The Yin and Yang Elders nodded slightly.

"No problem," Shi Hongda responded.

Just as he was about to step forward, a voice came from behind them. "Wait a minute. You forgot to count two of us."