C25 Chapter 25

Just thinking of that face—so eerily identical to Xia Yanyou’s—made Xia Bing’s heart pound.

Could it be him?

The man from five years ago?

Was her other child in his hands?

Saang Shijuan went to the restroom. The moment he stepped inside, he called Xue Xiaorou, the general manager of Lingchuang Clothing, his voice icy. “Who’s in charge of the sponsorship for the fashion competition?”

“Director Hao Yun from Operations.”

“Call him right now. Tell him to handle the judges and eliminate a designer named Du Yawei.”

Xue Xiaorou froze for a moment before finally snapping back to attention. “Yes, Mr. Saang. It’s just that there are four judges on the panel. Three of them shouldn’t be a problem, but one is Ivan, the internationally renowned designer specially invited from Paris. He’s famous for judging only the work, never personal connections. That’s one of the main draws of this competition—it’s supposed to guarantee fairness and impartiality…”

“Then tell the operations director to figure it out. Whatever it costs, charge it to my personal account first.”

“...Understood.”

Saang Shijuan ended the call, his eyes dark and cold.

The way Du Yawei had carried herself just now—so smug, so superior—while dismissing Xia Bing’s design as worthless still stirred a slow, simmering anger in him.

Even though Xia Bing hadn’t ended up on the losing side, letting Du Yawei off that easily still didn’t sit right with him.

He was not a generous man. Years of being tempered in the business world had long since made him someone no one dared provoke.

If you show mercy to the wicked, the only one who suffers is yourself.

He had fought his way to the top, not to swallow humiliation.

So anyone who made him unhappy would get no softness from him at all.

.

Saang Yuxin had already finished a drawing in the car. He checked the time and frowned.

He pressed the call button on his watch and called his father. His young voice was still cool and sharp. “Why aren’t you done yet?”

Saang Shijuan was already seated in the VIP section with Zhong Xinyi. Hearing his son urging him over the phone, he arched a brow. “Did I ever say I’d be done soon?”

“Couldn’t you tell I don’t like Zhong Xinyi? Why are you still in there wasting time with her?”

Saang Shijuan adjusted his jacket, crossed his legs, and replied leisurely, “Your dad is sponsoring this fashion competition, so of course I’m staying until it’s over. What, are you bored? If you are, have Huo Zhou bring you inside.”

Saang Yuxin let out a cold huff. “No way.” Then he hung up, clearly upset.

The little boy leaned back in his seat, frowning as he thought it over.

His dad was acting strangely this time. In the past, if there was a woman he didn’t like, his father would never waste another minute on her.

But this time, his dad had obviously gotten the message, yet he still openly left him behind to spend time alone with that woman.

His eyes lowered, thick lashes casting broken shadows under the sunlight streaming through the window.

His brows knitted tightly, and Saang Yuxin suddenly had a terrible thought. His dad had definitely fallen for that woman.

No way. He didn’t like her. She acted fake, just like all those other women who wanted to marry rich.

He couldn’t let his dad bring that woman home. He had to stop this.

Click. The car door opened, and his short little legs climbed out.

Huo Zhou, who had been smoking nearby, saw him and quickly stubbed out his cigarette before jogging over. “Young Master Saang, what’s wrong?”

Saang Yuxin answered flatly, “I need to pee.”

Huo Zhou glanced around. “The nearest restroom is inside the venue. Let’s go there.”

Saang Yuxin nodded. “Okay.”