Chapter 151: An Unexpected Situation

Alice’s sudden resignation was actually somewhat related to Zhang Tianfeng. After the two of them crossed boundaries, Alice’s father found out and was furious. Although Alice was his illegitimate daughter, he had long planned to marry her off to the son of a business partner to strengthen their alliance. To avoid further complications, Alice’s father used his power to forcibly bring her back to the United States.

Even for an arranged marriage of convenience, proper procedures had to be followed, and wealthy families were particularly concerned about health. During the premarital medical examination, it was suddenly discovered that Alice suffered from a congenital infertility that was untreatable. Upon hearing this news, the partner’s son immediately backed out. The failed alliance nearly caused the partnership to collapse, and Alice’s father vented his anger on her.

At that time, Alice’s mother was diagnosed with a serious blood disease requiring long-term treatment. Surrounded by countless mistresses who yielded no investment returns and only spent his money, Alice and her mother were cast out of the family.

“This... this is so melodramatic,” Zhang Tianfeng thought to himself. He had always believed such plots were only found in television dramas and novels, never expecting to witness one firsthand. Indeed, the wealthy were ruthless, treating their children as mere investment tools—once they lost value, they were discarded without hesitation.

“You’re good at writing novels, aren’t you? You should be used to this kind of thing by now,” Gao Ran teased. “Why don’t you go comfort her? Weren’t you looking for someone worth nurturing? She’s a good candidate.” Gao Ran continued, “When I was listening to her story, I saw the hatred in her eyes. If you can help her out of this plight, you’ll become her godsend. You can trust me on this.” She nodded firmly to emphasize her point.

“You... you don’t mind?” Zhang Tianfeng asked hesitantly.

“Don’t think of me as petty, okay? What’s there to mind? Go quickly. She needs you now.” Gao Ran’s frankness made Zhang Tianfeng uneasy. After some thought, he decided to check on Alice’s situation first.

Once Zhang Tianfeng left and the door closed behind him, Gao Ran hummed a tune as she went to fetch a change of clothes. Even if she and Zhang Tianfeng eventually became a couple, she wasn’t worried about Alice’s presence. How could a woman who couldn’t have children compete with her? She’d just be a harmless distraction—a good brother for Zhang Tianfeng to vent with.

In the newly rented room, Alice was still sitting on the sofa, hugging her knees and crying. After standing beside her for some time, Zhang Tianfeng finally spoke: “I’ve heard about your situation. If you need help, just ask.”

“I do need help!” Alice said. “Miss Gao Ran told me you’re powerful and wealthy now, and you need an agent in the U.S. I can do that.”

“Do you need money badly?”

“My mother is seriously ill, and the treatment will cost a lot. If you can help me, I’ll do whatever you want—even work for you.”

“I’ll lend you the money for the treatment first. You can repay me by working.”

“That’s fine.”

Without hesitation, Zhang Tianfeng pulled out a card and tossed it to Alice. “Go get your mother treated right away. This can’t be delayed. Come see me tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, thank you, boss. I promise I’ll come back. Don’t worry.” Alice nodded repeatedly as she headed for the elevator.

Only after she entered did Zhang Tianfeng signal Xiang Chen outside. Xiang Chen understood immediately and arranged for two people to follow her.

“Hey, I thought you’d be tongue-tied around women,” Gao Ran teased, leaning against the doorway.

“Why don’t you come to my room and see if I can’t walk away?” Zhang Tianfeng shot back, not to be outdone.

This time, Gao Ran was the one blushing. She turned away, closed the door with a huff, and Zhang Tianfeng followed suit.

His money was not to be taken lightly. If Alice decided to abandon her mother and run off with the money, the two tailing her wouldn’t hesitate to retrieve it. If the money was truly used on treatment, those two would keep a close eye on Alice until she returned the next morning to sign the contract.

Once the contract was signed, many matters would no longer be up to Alice herself.

Having accomplished two tasks today and half of a third, Zhang Tianfeng was pleased. After some drinks with Xiang Chen and the others, he happily drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Alice returned promptly, hope shining in her eyes. Zhang Tianfeng presented the contract he had drafted overnight. “Sign this labor contract, then I’ll take you to the company.”

Without even glancing at it, Alice signed immediately.

Zhang Tianfeng didn’t waste time. He put the contract away, instructed Xiang Chen to drive, and headed to where Alex was.

Alex, who hadn’t expected Zhang Tianfeng’s prompt arrival, was whistling and drinking coffee when the boss suddenly appeared, making him drop the bread in his hand.

“Bo-boss, what are you doing here?”

“I have many things to attend to, so no need for chit-chat,” Zhang Tianfeng replied, pointing to Alice beside him. “From now on, this lady is your direct superior. She’s in charge of all company projects. If you have any issues, bring them to her.”

“Yes, boss.”

Alex thought he had been abandoned due to incompetence. He was completely mistaken. Zhang Tianfeng never really trusted him. The reason he was brought back to help with recruitment was simply to stabilize the U.S. branch of BlueSide Toys temporarily.

Now that a trustworthy person was found, Alex was no longer needed.

After a brief meeting with Alice to explain the branch’s basic operations and requirements, Zhang Tianfeng left. He had witnessed Alice’s capabilities firsthand and needed no further verification. Still, necessary restraints were applied.

Next, Zhang Tianfeng went straight to Boss Qiao’s studio and, under his guidance, met with several auditing firms. From then on, all income and expenses of BlueSide Toys would be cross-checked by two different auditing companies to ensure Alice couldn’t manipulate anything.

After a day and a half of busyness, everything was settled. The rest of the time was free.

On the third day in the U.S., Zhang Tianfeng officially took Gao Ran, Yun Qian, Xiang Chen, and the others on a tour across the country, including a thrilling and grueling journey through the western wilderness.

It wasn’t until the sixth day that they began their return trip.

Before departure, Zhang Tianfeng met with Boss Qiao alone again, visited Silicon Valley, stopped by the branch office, and then boarded the plane to head home.

Upon landing, just as Zhang Tianfeng and the others approached the arrival gate, a group of people charged toward them fiercely.

Xiang Chen thought there was trouble and immediately led his men forward. Fortunately, Gao Ran stopped him in time.

“Don’t make a move. Those are bodyguards sent by my father.”

She walked up to them and asked, “Weren’t you supposed to wait at home for me? Why are you here now?”

“Miss, the boss wants you to return to Xikang Province immediately. Your mother is seriously ill.”

“What!”