Chapter 409 Unwillingness

Chapter 409: Unwillingness

Although there were some unpleasant incidents at the beginning, the subsequent academic exchange went smoothly.

Ye Xiaoxiao freely shared the surgical techniques she had learned in her previous life, exchanging knowledge with others.

As a result, their impression of Ye Xiaoxiao had completely changed.

She wasn’t just young and pretty—she really knew her stuff.

After the academic conference concluded, Director Zhou even swapped numbers with Ye Xiaoxiao, saying he’d keep Xiao Xiao in the loop about any future events.

After leaving the venue, Qiao Yunhu asked Ye Xiaoxiao if she wanted to head back to the compound together.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sure, I’ve got the day off anyway. It’s a good chance to visit Grandpa and Grandma."

Qiao Yunhu: "I’ve got my car. I can drop you off."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I brought a driver too, but getting back to the compound’s a hassle."

Since her driver would have to go out of his way, and given that she had a familiar companion, Ye Xiaoxiao decided to ride back with Qiao Yunhu.

When Qiao Yunhu pulled up to Ye Xiaoxiao’s place, Lu Jie was hauling her bags.

"Sister-in-law."

Lu Jie greeted Xiao Xiao shyly.

"You landed a job already?"

"Yes, I’ll be working as an intern teacher at Beijing No. 13 Primary School. The school arranged a dormitory, so I’m taking my luggage there," Lu Jie explained.

Beijing schools were a big step up from those in their small county, and the teacher dormitories even had private rooms.

Though Lu Jie wanted to stay in the city, she knew she couldn’t mooch off the Lu family forever. She was already grateful that they had helped her find a job so quickly.

"Drop by whenever. If you run into any difficulties, you can call."

Though Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t close to Lu Jie, as a relative, she could offer a helping hand.

Lu Jie gave a slight bow to Ye Xiaoxiao. "Thank you, Sister-in-law. And please thank Grandpa and Grandma for taking care of me all this time. I’ll be going now."

The Lu family driver gave Lu Jie a lift. After saying goodbye to Lu Jie, Ye Xiaoxiao finally turned to say goodbye to Qiao Yunhu.

"I’m heading inside. Wanna come in?"

"Nah, I’d better get going."

Qiao Yunhu had originally planned to go straight home, but remembering the drama in the compound lately, he paused. "You’ve heard about the Hao mess, right? No matter what happens over there, it’s best if you don’t get involved."

Qiao Yunhu didn’t know much about Ye Xiaoxiao’s past, but he meant well.

Others were also watching to see if the Lu family would step in.

But for now, He Qiaoxiang’s situation was more serious, and she probably wouldn’t walk away clean.

"I have no connection to the Hao family."

Hearing this, Qiao Yunhu felt relieved.

...

He Qiaoxiang's case is still under investigation, but she'll likely face prison time.

In contrast, Hao Yanyan's situation wasn't as serious.

She only needs to hand over her ill-gotten gains and pay some compensation to Ningyuan Company.

She only got ten days in detention.

However, after her release, Hao Yanyan discovered that the Hao residence had been sealed off, and she was barred from returning.

If Xu Jianwen hadn't let her keep the house in the divorce, she wouldn't even have a place to stay.

With no way to get information from others, Hao Yanyan had no choice but to seek out Xu Jianwen herself.

She cornered him at the entrance of his workplace.

"Did you know my mother was going to be investigated?" Hao Yanyan asked.

She had wondered why their divorce had been so abrupt. Now it seemed clear he must've gotten wind of it in advance and hurried to cut ties.

Xu Jianwen looked at his ex-wife emotionlessly.

"Our divorce was due to problems in our relationship. It has nothing to do with this situation."

Hao Yanyan knew pushing him was useless. She just wanted his help.

"Please, can you help me get any information? Is there any way I can see my mother?"

Xu Jianwen replied, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you with this. Your mother was taken by the investigation team. No one can see her until the investigation wraps up."

"Is there really no way?" Hao Yanyan's voice trembled.

Xu Jianwen could only tell her, "Since the investigation team is involved, your mother is definitely connected to the case. What role she played isn't clear, but given that her own brother turned her in, the accusations are probably true."

Hao Yanyan felt like her world was ending.

Why hadn't she heard about such news in her previous life?

If she had, she would have prepared in advance.

Perhaps her rebirth had changed how things played out.

She distinctly remembered both the Hao and He families living in prosperity.

Now, the He family was bankrupt, her mother faced imprisonment, and her father was suspended while under investigation.

With all her assets confiscated, she couldn't even pay for information.

Before leaving, Xu Jianwen advised, "Just go home and wait for updates. Nobody will stick their neck out for you right now."

Even the once-close Xu family was eager to distance themselves.

Xu Jianwen walked away, leaving Hao Yanyan huddled by the curb, motionless for a long time.

The sky was gloomy, covered with dark clouds, and heavy rain could fall at any moment.

Hao Yanyan was filled with regret.

Why...

Why did it come to this?

...

He Qiaoxiang had a close working relationship with a certain disgraced official.

Although He Qiaoxiang did not hold any position in relevant departments, she used her connections, playing the middleman, profiting from it and racking up many illegal profits.

Many assets had even been transferred abroad and were beyond recovery.

The disgraced official, given the gravity of the case, had already been sentenced to death.

Many others were implicated, like He Qiaoxiang.

He Qiaoxiang's final sentence was fifteen years in prison and confiscation of property.

The only consolation was that there was no evidence to prove Hao Chengbing's participation.

So although he could no longer stay in the military, at least he was free.

Hao Chengbing could only stay with Hao Yanyan for the time being.

He radiated defeat.

"Dad, have some water."

Hao Yanyan wasn't prepared, but Hao Chengbing's return was already the best they could hope for.

For Hao Yanyan, the life of privilege she had worked so hard to pursue was now completely ruined, a bitter pill to swallow.

Although the authorities had let Hao Chengbing save face by publicly stating he had resigned voluntarily, those who knew the truth knew the score.

"I never imagined that after so many years of marriage, your mother would pull something like this behind my back."

Hearing Hao Chengbing say this, Hao Yanyan scoffed inwardly.

Hadn't her father enjoyed the money her mother brought home all these years?

He probably knew all along but chose to look the other way.

Now that trouble had arisen, he was pinning all the blame onto others—how irresponsible.

"Dad, now isn't the time to point fingers. Is there really no way to get Mom out of this?"