After hanging up the phone, Yan Xia pondered for a moment. When something like this happened, the first person she thought of was Shangguan Yao.
Logically speaking, the police wouldn't take action against her establishments without consulting her first, unless something had changed.
She called Shangguan Yao but there was no answer. Just when she was about to give up, the earpiece crackled and Shangguan Yao's voice came through.
"The incident happened suddenly. I didn't have time to tell you. You're asking about the underground casino, right?"
By now, Yan Xia had already arrived downstairs at Shengshi. As she got out of the car, she said, "These establishments have been causing problems ever since they came into my hands. Not only have they failed to make a profit, but they've also cost Third Master Lu several connections. If this incident isn't handled properly, our cooperation may come to an end."
Third Master Lu would no longer trust her.
Shangguan Yao should understand this better than she did. Without Yan Xia's help, they might not be able to find a more suitable person who could get close to Long Tao without arousing Lu Qianzhou's suspicion.
"Third Master Lu's establishments were indeed reported today. Even though we're concerned about the cooperation, we still have to conduct an investigation. Otherwise, we'll be open to criticism and suspicion."
Yan Xia walked into the office building and got into the elevator. She pressed the floor button.
"So what about me? You have to give me an explanation."
"Why don't we just go with the flow and put on a show for outsiders?" Shangguan Yao said. "Come to my place later and put on an act. After we release the people, those involved will probably think it was because of your influence."
Especially Long Tao. Although he had evaded their probes several times, he must have privately investigated her personal information recently. She remembered that night at the club when Lu Qianzhou had hugged her and they'd run into Long Tao.
So he would definitely find out about the police releasing the people because of her.
Having made up her mind, Yan Xia agreed.
Just as the elevator doors opened, who should be waiting outside but Peng Shiyi? She looked completely different from her usual self, and nothing like the way she'd first appeared in front of Fang Jiangyi.
She was gentle, considerate, and her smile was extremely cute.
Standing beside her were Fang Jiangyi and a well - maintained, still charming woman. Judging from the woman's features, which bore a slight resemblance to Fang Jiangyi's, Yan Xia immediately guessed her identity.
This was Fang Jiangyi's mother, who had been ill and staying at home. She'd been recuperating at home all this time. Yan Xia wondered why she'd suddenly come to the company.
Yan Xia's gaze met Fang Jiangyi's, and she immediately averted her eyes, pretending not to know him.
She'd heard that Fang Jiangyi's mother really liked Peng Shiyi, so it was better not to say anything and cause trouble. At this moment, she should avoid unnecessary problems.
Unexpectedly, just as she stepped out of the elevator, the old lady suddenly turned around and called out to her.
"Xiaoxi."
Perhaps because she and her sister Cheng Yanxi were related and looked somewhat alike, the old lady had mistakably thought she was Cheng Yanxi.
Yan Xia was also a bit stunned. Fang Jiangyi looked at Yan Xia and his mother with a complex expression.
Fang Jiangyi tried to persuade his mother, "Mom, you've made a mistake. She's not Xiaoxi."
Peng Shiyi stepped forward, took the old lady's hand, and held it in her palm. She made the old lady look into her eyes. "Auntie, I'm Xiaoxi. Didn't I say I'd accompany you downstairs? You've really made a mistake."
"Nonsense! This is clearly Xiaoxi! You're taking advantage of an old woman with poor eyesight and pretending I can't recognize Xiaoxi." Fang's mother glared at Fang Jiangyi, then stepped forward and took Yan Xia's hand. Her smile was full of relief. "Xiaoxi, didn't you say you'd accompany me downstairs?"
Yan Xia's gaze shifted between Fang Jiangyi and Fang's mother. Now she finally understood why Fang Jiangyi had been so cautious and concerned about his mother's illness.
It was only when she saw it with her own eyes today that she realized how serious Fang's mother's condition was.
Yan Xia signaled Fang Jiangyi with her eyes, asking him for a solution.
Fang Jiangyi had no choice but to say, "It'll only take you a few minutes. Accompany my mom downstairs."
Yan Xia didn't refuse again. She obediently supported Fang's mother and got into the elevator.
Just now, Peng Shiyi had been called Xiaoxi over and over again. Now she stood there stiffly. It was only when the elevator doors were about to close that she rushed in.
She looked at the hands of Fang's mother and Cheng Yanxia tightly clasped together, and it just looked so irritating. She'd accompanied Fang's mother so carefully for so many years. Even though she'd always been treated as a substitute for Cheng Yanxi, she'd endured it.
Today, she'd brought Fang's mother to visit Fang Jiangyi. She'd heard so many rumors these days. Fang's mother was really worried, and since she'd been recuperating at home, she wanted to go out for a walk. So she'd brought her to Shengshi.
Who would have thought that as soon as she saw Cheng Yanxia, Fang's mother would mistake her for Cheng Yanxi and completely ignore her.
This was her last trump card. If even Fang's mother didn't recognize her now, she was really finished. All her efforts over the years would have been in vain!
She'd waited and hoped for so long, just hoping to stay by Fang Jiangyi's side with the help of Fang's mother. Even if she couldn't marry him, she could at least stay by his side and prevent other women from getting close to him.
Thinking of this, she became even more panicked. She immediately squeezed from the corner of the elevator to Fang's mother's side, pushing Yan Xia aside.
"Let me do it. I'm used to accompanying Auntie. I know her habits and temper better." Peng Shiyi skillfully hooked her arm through Fang's mother's.
Being pushed aside, Yan Xia didn't show any particular reaction.
She was just curious. Back then, Fang Jiangyi had also introduced her sister to his parents. Just how far had their relationship developed that the old lady was so dependent on her sister and still missed her so much even now?
Fang's mother looked at Yan Xia lovingly and asked, "Xiaoxi, what kind of job are you doing now?"
Yan Xia looked at Fang Jiangyi, thought for a moment, and then replied, "I'm working with Brother Jiangyi. But he's my superior, so he has more things to do."
Fang's mother nodded as if she understood. She reached out and patted Fang Jiangyi's arm.
"Why didn't you tell me that Xiaoxi is working with you now?"
Fang Jiangyi said, "It's not too late to know now."
Peng Shiyi had been holding back her emotions. She just wanted to leave this place quickly. Maybe after leaving Cheng Yanxia, Fang's mother would see her as Cheng Yanxi again.
Fang's mother nodded approvingly. "It's good that you're working together. You have to remember, she's your future wife. I only recognize this one daughter - in - law. You have to protect Xiaoxi well and don't let others bully her."
These words were like needles pricking Fang Jiangyi's heart. The more people mentioned his relationship with Cheng Yanxi in front of Yan Xia, the further away he would push her.
He should be grateful that Yan Xia was cooperating with him and didn't expose him on the spot.
Soon they reached the ground floor. Yan Xia helped Fang's mother into the car. Standing beside the car, Fang's mother waved goodbye to Yan Xia reluctantly.
"Xiaoxi, don't work too hard. If you need anything, just ask Jiangyi for help. Come to my place when you have time and have a meal with me. I miss you so much."
Yan Xia nodded and agreed.