C11 He Couldn't Leave Alive

"Mengyao, I'm acting in the best interest of our family. We can't predict when your father might come out of his coma, but the engineering team can't just stop working. The negotiations with Dingfeng Corporation are critical to the survival of the Xia Family. To ensure we don't fail, we need to pool all our resources," Xia Hao declared with a sense of noble purpose.

Xia Zilan saw her chance to get back at Xia Mengyao and quickly agreed, "Xia Hao is absolutely right. Mengyao, now is not the time to be selfish. What's the harm in making a few sacrifices for the sake of the family?"

Just the day before, Xia Zilan had been slapped by Xia Mengyao and Chen Feng, and she harbored a deep-seated resentment towards them. She would do anything to trip up Xia Mengyao.

If it weren't for Zhao Shihua holding her back, cautioning her against acting rashly, she might have already sought out some tough characters to give Xia Mengyao a taste of her own medicine.

Other relatives of the Xia Family chimed in, voicing their agreement.

Some were looking to ingratiate themselves with Xia Hao and his son, the prospective heads of the family.

Others saw an opportunity to push Xia Weiguo's family out of the inner circle of the Xia Family, which would mean a larger share of the profits for them.

The biting remarks of the crowd reached Xia Mengyao's ears without missing a beat. In the conference room, filled with dozens of people, not a single one stood by her side.

Xia Mengyao's eyes were red with fury, her body shaking with indignation. She had never imagined she would be subjected to such cold indifference, especially from her own family.

Desperately, Xia Mengyao looked to Xia Yunsheng, seated with authority at the board table, hoping he would speak up for her in honor of her father, Xia Weiguo.

But Xia Yunsheng's response only deepened her despair.

"Let Wei Guo stay in the hospital and focus on his recovery," he said, clearly signaling his support for Xia Hao.

Xia Mengyao's complexion turned ashen. Her face drained of color as Xia Yunsheng's words effectively sealed her father's fate. It seemed there was no hope left for her family to reclaim their standing.

"Let's call it a day. Meeting adjourned!" Xia Yunsheng rose leisurely from his chair and exited the conference room.

Xia Hao stood as well, but instead of leaving, he approached Xia Mengyao, towering over her with a smug look. "Still think you can stand against me, Xia Mengyao?" he taunted.

"Despicable!" Xia Mengyao hissed through clenched teeth, her eyes fiery with rage.

"My being despicable is of no consequence. Haven't you noticed? Even Grandpa sides with me, the despicable one," Xia Hao boasted with a hearty laugh. In the Xia Family, Xia Yunsheng's word was law. Whatever decision he made, the Xia Family would follow through with it without question, even if they knew it to be wrong.

"Just scurry on back home and be a delivery boy alongside your useless husband. That's more your speed," Xia Hao sneered, then strolled out, whistling a jaunty tune.

Once the conference room was deserted, Xia Mengyao could no longer contain her emotions. She collapsed onto the table, her sobs echoing in the empty space.

That evening, Chen Feng returned home early, set the rice to steam, and was about to head out to fetch Xia Mengyao. But as he opened the door, there she was, already at the threshold.

"Why are you home so early?" Chen Feng inquired nonchalantly.

Xia Mengyao remained silent. Noticing her red-rimmed eyes and the strong scent of alcohol, Chen Feng's concern deepened. Xia Mengyao drinking? In their three years of marriage, she had barely touched alcohol. What had driven her to drink today?

She wandered into the house, a shell of herself, and slumped onto the couch.

Chen Feng, filled with worry, was about to ask what was wrong when Lin Lan emerged from the bedroom.

"My dear, what happened? Who upset you?" Lin Lan asked, her voice filled with concern.

Upon seeing her mother, Xia Mengyao's composure crumbled, and she burst into tears, wrapping her arms around Lin Lan.

"Sweetheart, who has upset you? Tell me, is it that jerk Chen Feng?" Lin Lan assumed, her protective instincts kicking in.

Shaking her head amidst sobs, Xia Mengyao confessed, "I've disappointed Dad."

"What's wrong?"

It was then that Xia Mengyao, with a face full of hurt, relayed the entire ordeal. Lin Lan, upon hearing it, was livid with rage.

"A bunch of jerks! I'm going to confront them. Your dad's just in a coma, not dead. What gives them the right to push us around like this?" Lin Lan was seething, on the brink of madness. Their finances were already tight, and if they lost their construction crew, it would mean the end of their family's livelihood.

Chen Feng's expression turned to ice. Xia Weiguo had dedicated years of hard work to the Xia Family. His achievements might have been modest, but his effort was undeniable. Now, merely because of a car accident that left him unconscious, these people were all too eager to kick him while he was down. Their treatment of Xia Mengyao was utterly reprehensible!

But Chen Feng knew better than to confront Xia Hao and the others; it would only lead to further humiliation. No one dared to challenge Xia Yunsheng's decisions.

So, Chen Feng attempted to pacify Lin Lan, "Mom, let's take a moment to calm down before we—"

"Calm down?" Lin Lan snapped back, her glare cutting through Chen Feng. "If you weren't so useless, would our mother and daughter be subjected to such bullying?"

"Mom, it's not Chen Feng's fault. I'm the one who's useless," Xia Mengyao interjected, her cheeks streaked with tears.

"Don't blame him? If he hadn't brought shame to the Xia Family, Grandpa wouldn't have been so disappointed with Dad, and we wouldn't be facing this backlash from everyone else," she continued. "None of this would be happening today!"

"It's all his fault! If this good-for-nothing had any competence, you wouldn't be in this situation!"

Lin Lan's voice dripped with contempt for Chen Feng, while Xia Mengyao wept bitterly.

"Mengyao, mom's right. I lack the strength to protect us. I promise to make this right," Chen Feng said, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He didn't resent Lin Lan; her words were not without truth. Xia Weiguo's lack of standing with Xia Yunsheng was indeed connected to him.

If there was anyone to blame, it was himself for not being strong enough before.

Xia Hao, watch out! A glint of icy determination flashed in Chen Feng's eyes. It was bad enough that he had been repeatedly insulted, but for Xia Mengyao to suffer the same was utterly inexcusable.

After expressing his resolve, Chen Feng strode out the door and immediately called Chen Zhong.

"Who's overseeing the Mount Yuquan Project?" Chen Feng's voice was icy.

Chen Zhong, sensing the barely contained fury in Chen Feng's tone, quickly responded, "Young Master, it's Lin Zongwei, one of our own from the Chen Family."

"Inform Lin Zongwei that the Xia Family will be approaching him about a partnership tomorrow. I expect them to leave in disgrace," Chen Feng commanded.

"Understood, Young Master," Chen Zhong replied, a shiver running down his spine. He was clueless about what the Xia Family had done to provoke Chen Feng's wrath.

After hanging up, Chen Feng cast a chilling look toward the Xia Family Headquarters. They aspired to be involved in the Mount Yuquan Project and elevate the Xia Family to the upper echelons? Wishful thinking.

The following day, Xia Qichao and his son, donning their best attire, set out early for Dingfeng Corporation.

Apprehension hung over them as they traveled; rumors had swirled that many had sought an audience with Dingfeng's leadership to no avail.

Doubts plagued their minds about the likelihood of securing a meeting.

Upon their arrival at Dingfeng Corporation, Xia Qichao merely mentioned the Xia Family name, and to their surprise, they were promptly escorted to the general manager's office.

It wasn't until they stepped into the elevator that Xia Hao grasped the gravity of the situation. Dingfeng's head had turned away countless firms, yet they were granted an audience. What could this mean?.