Rat, Rabbit, And Rabbit Transformed Into Humans And Married Their Natural Enemies. Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Xie Yuzhan kept his voice as steady as possible and said, “It has been a year, from last year until June this year. Zhizhi, have you been happy this past year?”

Bai Zhi didn’t need to think about the question, answering immediately, “Very happy. Much, much better than I initially expected. I originally thought I just needed to muddle through this year, but unexpectedly, I gained a lot.”

Xie Yuzhan could tell Bai Zhi wasn’t lying; his words were sincere.

Before he could utter the carefully prepared words he had in mind, Bai Zhi’s next statement made him pause, and a smile immediately curved his lips.

Bai Zhi continued, “I came today to discuss something with you. How about we postpone the divorce? There’s no rush. Let’s wait until after the shareholders’ meeting. One month won’t make a difference. Your current affairs should be the priority; you shouldn’t have to divide your attention.

“This matter is the most important.

“I hope everything goes smoothly without any further complications.”

He understood how long Xie Yuzhan had waited for this moment and how crucial it was. Therefore, everything else could be pushed back; it didn’t matter.

If this matter was successfully resolved, Xie Yuzhan would have given his parents an answer and would be able to move past this hurdle and truly start a new life.

Xie Yuzhan hadn’t expected Bai Zhi to voluntarily suggest postponing the divorce, but it certainly aligned with his wishes. Things should be handled one at a time.

He sighed softly and pulled Bai Zhi into his arms. “Thank you.”

Bai Zhi patted Xie Yuzhan’s back lightly and smiled, “Don’t mention it. Do what you need to do. We are all by your side, including your parents.”

Xie Yuzhan acknowledged this, tightening his embrace.

He looked out the floor-to-ceiling window not far away. Half the city was shrouded in a gloom that suggested an imminent storm, but in his eyes, there was an intense, almost burning dark fire.

This moment had truly been long awaited.

On the day of the shareholders’ meeting, Bai Zhi saw Xie Yuzhan off after breakfast.

Noticing that Xie Yuzhan had chosen the cufflinks and tie clip he had given him, Bai Zhi tilted his head up, his smile somewhat unrestrained, and his tone lifted as he said, “Win it for me.”

Xie Yuzhan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I will.”

Bai Zhi leaned in and kissed Xie Yuzhan’s cheek. “I’ll wait for you to come home.”

“Okay, see you tonight.”

“See you tonight.”

Bai Zhi watched the car drive into the sunlight, finally disappearing around the corner, his gaze lingering long after it was gone.

He didn’t stream today. To avoid causing trouble for his little sprouts, he simply stayed in the study, flipping through books. But from morning until afternoon, the book remained open to the first page; he hadn’t absorbed a single word. It wasn’t until five in the afternoon that he received a call from Xie Yuzhan.

He practically sprang out of his chair, nearly dropping his phone in his haste to answer.

Fumbling to pick up, he didn’t even dare to breathe heavily, asking quietly, “What’s the situation?”

“The shareholders’ meeting just ended. Xie Minghong has been taken away by the police. I wanted to share this good news with you first. We can discuss the rest in detail when I get back tonight.”

“Great!”

There was still a lot of chaos at the company, so the two exchanged a few brief words before hanging up. Bai Zhi stood there, clutching his phone, stunned for a moment before suddenly snapping back to reality.

He rushed downstairs to share the good news with Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng. Little cake, he needed a little cake to celebrate!

The huge weight in his heart had finally lifted.

It was nine o’clock at night when he finally saw Xie Yuzhan.

He waited under the porch and gave Xie Yuzhan a powerful bear hug, smiling brightly. “Although I said it on the phone, I still want to tell you in person: Congratulations! After all these years, you finally have a good outcome.”

Xie Yuzhan steadily caught Bai Zhi. The other man’s smiling eyes were radiant and bright; it was clear he was genuinely happy for him.

He ruffled Bai Zhi’s hair, his expression carrying the light relief of having shed a heavy burden. “I’ve finally given an answer to my parents, my friends and family, and myself.”

“Mhm!”

Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng were both deeply relieved. After so many years, the guilty party had finally paid the price. With the past settled, Xie Yuzhan could truly let go of his burdens and move forward.

The four of them went into the study to briefly review the events.

During today’s shareholders’ meeting, in the presence of all the shareholders, Xie Yuzhan presented irrefutable evidence that Xie Minghong had planned the plane crash to murder his brother and sister-in-law many years ago. Human testimony and physical evidence were complete, the chain clear and unbroken, leaving no room for rebuttal.

As for the motive? Naturally, it was coveting the Xie Group, which his brother and sister-in-law had built from scratch.

His prolonged refusal to return the CEO position showed his intent to embezzle the company; he never planned to give it back.

Xie Minghong was unwilling to admit it, but in the face of ironclad evidence, all his sophistry was pale and powerless. The reputation he valued most was shattered and trampled on the floor. He was forced to resign as Chairman and CEO, leave the Xie Group, and return the money he had misappropriated over the years.

However, it wasn’t over yet.

Just before the meeting concluded, the police directly escorted Xie Minghong away from Xie’s headquarters. Everyone in the company knew that within half an hour, this news would spread throughout the entire circle.

Without any dissent, Xie Yuzhan naturally assumed the duties of CEO and Chairman. The shareholders’ meeting was postponed and would be reconvened a week later.

After recounting everything, Xie Yuzhan showed little emotional fluctuation. “Xie Minghong has been detained starting today, and bail is not an option.”

Bai Zhi nodded. If a person like that were released on bail, they would try to escape in a second.

He squeezed Xie Yuzhan’s hand. “He deserves it. I’ve been following the online discussion; the heat is high. Did you arrange for that? With everyone watching, they won’t dare to pull any strings in the dark.”

Xie Yuzhan curved his lips slightly. “Exactly. I just need to ensure the trial proceeds fairly and justly.”

Lin Haiyan and Zheng Feng exchanged a look and let out a long breath.

Lin Haiyan couldn’t hold back her tears. Xie Yuzhan was like a son to them, and his parents were their benefactors. For all these years, there hadn’t been a day when she didn’t want the culprit to pay the price. Now, they had finally waited for it.

She hugged Xie Yuzhan lightly and finally said, “Your parents would be proud of you.”

Xie Yuzhan was noncommittal. “Regardless, it’s all over now.”

“Mhm.”

Zheng Feng patted Lin Haiyan’s shoulder. “Then we’ll head out first. I’m sure you two have a lot more to talk about. How about some late-night snacks?”

Lin Haiyan wiped her eyes, her tears turning into a smile. Today was a day for happiness. Following her husband’s lead, she asked with a smile, “What would you like? I’ll prepare it.”

Bai Zhi glanced at Xie Yuzhan. “Whatever you think is best, something simple will do.”

“Alright.”

That night, Bai Zhi stayed up late talking with Xie Yuzhan about everything, from when his parents were still alive, to the immediate aftermath of the incident, and then to the years spent plotting revenge. They talked about everything.

It was the most they had ever discussed this matter.

By the time they finished talking, the first light of dawn was breaking.

Bai Zhi’s gaze toward Xie Yuzhan still sparkled with gentle, light warmth. “It’s been fifteen years. Every step of these years has been difficult. You worked hard.”

Xie Yuzhan drank the last sip of wine in his glass, as if he had completed the final step of a long, arduous journey.

He set the glass down, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy and weariness. “Fortunately, it was all worth it. From now on, Xie Minghong is no longer the good younger brother who remembered his siblings’ kindness, saved the company, and valued loyalty. He is a villain with malicious intent who repaid kindness with enmity.

“The law will give him a fair judgment, and public opinion will nail him to the pillar of shame.”

Bai Zhi nodded. “What he cares about most, you break it and take it away for him to see.”

Xie Yuzhan agreed. That was precisely what he had been doing all along.

Having told Bai Zhi everything completely tonight, he wouldn’t speak of it again in the future. He had given his parents an answer and himself closure. Only by concluding and letting go of the past could he continue to move forward.

He looked toward the increasingly bright morning light. The gloom settled deep in his eyes was gradually replaced by the warm light. The long night was finally over; dawn had broken.

He looked at the person beside him and chuckled softly. “Do you want to know what my plans are next?”

Bai Zhi tilted his head. “I do, but for now—”

He drew out the word, standing up and pulling Xie Yuzhan out of his chair. “We’ve talked enough. Now you should go get some sleep. We have plenty of time to talk about future matters slowly; there’s no rush.

“I don’t want you to have dark circles under your eyes. Our CEO Xie’s refined and elegant persona must not crumble!”

Xie Yuzhan was amused by Bai Zhi’s deliberately exaggerated tone and replied, “Alright then, sleep first, and we’ll talk later.”

“Mhm mhm!”

Bai Zhi stretched and immediately yawned. He hadn’t been sleepy moments ago, but as soon as he mentioned sleeping, the drowsiness hit him. Well, his sleepiness was quite considerate.

Xie Yuzhan wiped a tear from the corner of Bai Zhi’s eye and asked in a low voice, “Will you sleep with me for a bit? I have to go to the company this afternoon, so I can sleep until noon. We can have lunch together.”

Bai Zhi nodded. It was a special circumstance, and besides, Xie Yuzhan wasn’t asking for anything excessive.

Having just completed a major task, there might be a sudden empty space in his heart, which was why he was a little clingy. Bai Zhi understood and was very glad he could be by his side.

Moreover, he had a selfish reason for agreeing to sleep with Xie Yuzhan.

With the matter concluded, their marriage, which had a time limit from the start, should also come to an end. Their time together was now counting down in hours. Every glance was more precious.

After Xie Yuzhan fell asleep, despite being very tired, Bai Zhi didn’t want to sleep yet. He quietly used his index finger to lightly trace the contours of Xie Yuzhan’s face, his eyes holding a fondness and reluctance he hadn’t expected to feel.

But he knew it had to end.

No matter what.

He felt he would inevitably succumb if he stayed by this person’s side. The river of love was too wide and deep for him to cross. Withdrawing while he could still control himself was the wisest choice.

No matter how reluctant he was, he had to let go.

Aside from the parties involved, many people in the circle didn’t sleep that night.

The reputations of the Xie family uncle and nephew had completely flipped. The kind-faced uncle had become a rat everyone wanted to beat, and the timid, weak nephew turned out to possess a resilience they couldn’t have imagined.

Recalling the veiled and open ridicule directed at Xie Yuzhan over the years, some people tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. Would the unfathomable CEO Xie, who was about to legitimately take over the Xie Group, hold grudges?

They were sweating profusely.

Who could sleep now!

After waking up, Bai Zhi checked the online news and liked every comment that mocked and ridiculed Xie Minghong and his actions.

How to put it? He knew this couldn’t erase the wrongs the man had committed, but every extra bit of public condemnation added weight to the truth, which was late but finally vindicated.

No amount of cursing was too much.

However, the true final conclusion would have to wait for the court’s verdict, which would take some time.

Over the next few days, Bai Zhi had intended to briefly discuss the divorce with Xie Yuzhan, leaving the specifics until after the shareholders’ meeting. But every time he brought it up, Xie Yuzhan would vaguely change the subject.

Fine, he would wait two more days.

He assumed Xie Yuzhan was busy lately.

Time flew by, and the day the shareholders’ meeting concluded arrived.

During dinner, the two briefly discussed the meeting. Everything had gone smoothly. Xie Yuzhan’s years of private planning helped him secure the support of most people. The rest, seeing the situation was settled, reluctantly chose to agree, which was sufficient.

The smooth transition of power was necessary to minimize the impact on the Xie Group.

Setting down his chopsticks, Xie Yuzhan composed himself and gave Bai Zhi the gift he had prepared. “Here, congratulations on officially becoming the CEO and Chairman of the Xie Group. With Xie’s in your hands, it will surely develop better and reach higher and farther places.”

Bai Zhi blinked and added with a smile, “I believe in you.”

Xie Yuzhan loved the word “believe” that Bai Zhi used. He opened the gift box to find a custom-made fountain pen, very exquisite and perfectly matching his aesthetic.

He closed the box. “Thank you, Zhizhi. I love it. I can use it starting tomorrow.”

“Mhm!”

Bai Zhi recalled the recent public opinion. “After these recent events, they now know you have an iron fist and that you’re not to be trifled with. No one will dare to speak about you like that again.

“The plan is complete. It’s good to show more of your edge.”

Who would dare to gossip about a profound, capable, and ruthless big shot who was now the head of the company? If it reached his ears, it could bring untold trouble upon themselves.

Xie Minghong was the chicken that was killed to warn the monkeys.

Xie Yuzhan indeed had this consideration. There was no need to deliberately hide anymore. Concealing his sharpness was for the sake of lying low; now, revealing it was for the future he desired.

For what he thought and loved.

He stood up, his gaze toward Bai Zhi growing deeper and gentler. “Come to the study with me. I have something to give you.”

Bai Zhi nodded, following Xie Yuzhan upstairs, knowing what the other person was going to give him.

It must be the divorce agreement.

Once they signed the divorce agreement, they would find time in the next few days to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau, complete the divorce procedures, and they would no longer be legal partners.

They would be unrelated.

Thinking this, his heart felt heavy, making it difficult for him to speak.

Xie Yuzhan noticed Bai Zhi’s low spirits. Was he expecting him to bring up the divorce?

No, that was impossible.

Not today, and not ever.

Since he hadn’t managed to help Bai Zhi accumulate enough courage and confidence to confess, it was time for him to clarify everything. Yes, a confession—

He owed the other man a confession.

Entering the study, Bai Zhi remained silent, watching Xie Yuzhan put down the fountain pen and then take out a small, exquisite gift box from the desk drawer. A pile of question marks popped up in his mind.

Wait a minute, something didn’t seem right?

Xie Yuzhan handed the small gift box to Bai Zhi, his eyes gentle, his voice soft, and a slight smile on his face. “Open it and take a look?”

Bai Zhi frowned. This feeling, this atmosphere—even the most obtuse person could tell something was off!

But his hand moved faster than his brain. Curiously, he opened the small box in Xie Yuzhan’s hand. Inside was a warm orange sapphire ring!

It looked very expensive.

It absolutely could not be a divorce gift.

He looked up at Xie Yuzhan, his lips trembling slightly, and he spoke with difficulty, “What are you doing? We’re about to get divorced, but you’re giving me such a valuable gift. I can’t accept it!”

After saying those few words, his breathing became rapid.

Especially under Xie Yuzhan’s gaze, which was sincere and burning, he felt like he was about to catch fire. This wasn’t right, was it?

Was this the rhythm of a divorce?!!

Whose divorce rhythm was like this!