581 Strategic Retrea

"Miss Yu… Is there anything that you can do?" Lily asked. "Aside from being all red and angry. Is there anything else that you can do to stop your father?"

"You— "

"What records are you talking about?" Madam He interjected. "I mean… if she is someone dangerous. We should…"

Her words were interrupted when she heard Lily snicker. Madam He instantly narrowed her eyes at her. "Miss Lily, reputation is very important. We can't have someone whose reputation is questionable. We can't have people think that we are raccoons of the same hill."

"Reputation." Lily snorted. "Coming from you�� That is a very big word! " She then made a deliberate pause before giving a peal of sarcastic laughter. "This makes me wonder what will happen if someone in your neighborhood cheats on their husband or wife. Would you avoid them too?"

"That— "

"You should not spout nonsense like that." Yu Yanwan blurted. "Cheating is a sensitive topic for some women."

"I agree." Lily nodded and shifted her gaze towards Yu Yanwan. "My apologies if I offended you."

"I — " Yu Yanwan's expression changed. She eyed Jiang Ruo and Madam He, unable to utter a single word. "That does not apply to me." She managed to say. "And — stop straying the topic! If you think you can make father give you everything because you are more successful than us, then you are wrong."

"Then… why don't you talk to your father?"

"Sister… I think this is enough. I think it is better to reschedule this lunch. Let's avoid causing any more trouble."

Yu Yanwan scowled. "Shut it! Jiang Ruo… I will remember what you did today!" In Yu Yanwan's mind, this is all Jiang Ruo's fault. She was the one who invited Lily and even let the woman bullied her. Because of this, she lost the possible connection that she was about to establish with the Liu Family. She narrowed her eyes at Lily. Yu Yanwan's complicated emotions shone in her eyes.

Growing up, Yu Yanwan never felt the love of her father and mother. With her three brothers, fighting for their attention had become a part of her day. Yu Yanwan felt that the only person who made her feel that she was valued is her husband. Feeling unfavored and alone, Yu Yanwan harbored some deep anger towards her father and mother.

Lily being acknowledged by her father only made her feel worse.

It was something that she used to feel as she grew up. This instantly made her decide to warn Lily to stay away from her family. The fire was her first plan. She needed Lily and Zhou Jingren to leave The Peak, hoping that it would make them fear for their safety.

And she succeeded. Lily and Zhou Jingren is temporarily not living near her parents. However, seeing Lily with her father at the mansion immediately made her rage. How could Lily blatantly ignore her warning? Why is she still trying to involve herself in the Yu Family's matter?

Isn't this infuriating?

Yu Yanwan huffed as she rose from her seat. She needed to prevent Lily from gaining the attention of her father. She needed to keep this woman away from her family. A sinister glint flashed in Yu Yanwan's eyes. "Stay away from my family!" she uttered before she strode out of the room.

"I — I guess… I will have to leave. I mean… I guess the meeting is already over." Madam He said before she followed Yu Yanwan out of the restaurant. After all, Lily just gave her some clue that she is aware of Madam He's infidelity. What if Lily will inform her husband about this matter?

"You are really good at making people angry." Jiang Ruo instantly noted when the other two women left. "Is this a talent? Or something that you developed because of the business industry?"

"Sometimes… you have to stir the water to catch the fish." Lily answered as she looked at Jiang Ruo. "But that is not the reason why you invited me here, right?" Lily smiled. "You have been trying to talk to me for days."

"I — " Jiang Ruo lowered her gaze. She had been trying to invite Lily for lunch and shopping or spa. Yet, the latter always declined her invitation. So when Jiang Ruo receive the news that Yu Yanwan would join them today, she immediately took advantage of this opportunity to invite Lily. She hoped that this was enough to entice Lily to see her. "You are right." She added.

"Hmmm?" Lily lifted an eyebrow, waiting for the older woman to say something.

"My mother-in-law is dying. I — I'm not even sure if you already know that." Jiang Ruo gave a mirthless chuckle. She then turned towards Lily. "It will be chaotic so… my husband and I are planning to leave the country after the funeral. He is planning to submit his resignation after his mother's death."

Lily pursed her lips and said nothing. Seeing this, Jiang Ruo continued. "I mean — We are not saints and we don't have the right to dictate you but my son. Yu Jing is ambitious and he might… he might make a hasty decision to join in the chaos."

"I would assume that you will ask me not to hurt him?"

"He is my son." Jiang Ruo uttered. "He is not perfect but I don't want him to get hurt. As you can see… Yu Yanwan is very determined to win. Her second brother will not allow that to happen."

"And you are planning to offer me something in return?" Lily asked. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, and Jiang Ruo knew this.

"Information." Jiang Ruo said before she opened her bag. "This place does not have cameras in their private rooms." She handed Lily a flash drive. "Please open this once you have the time."

"Do you think this is enough to make your son safe?"

Jiang Ruo eyed Lily as she nodded . "This… I think this is enough to protect my family." She added. Just like Yu Yanwan, Jiang Ruo had seen those reports about Lily. She knew about this woman's capability and because of this, she and her husband decided to give up before the fight even started.

After all, they were not stupid people. Strategic retreat might make them lose their dignity, but this will make them live to fight again. Moreover, they have enough funds to last them a lifetime to comfort. Why waste energy in a pointless battle that they cannot win?

....

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36 strategems. #36: Runaway