An hour later, Gao Weiwei called Xiao Tiance, asking him to bring Xiaoxiao upstairs. When they arrived, Chen Shuzhen and Gao Zheng had already left, leaving only Gao Weiwei and her younger sister, Gao Xiaoying, in the apartment.

Gao Xiaoying glanced at Xiao Tiance deeply, suppressing her curiosity without asking further questions. After all, her sister's situation was the most important thing right now. She had overheard Chen Shuzhen and Gao Zheng discussing the conditions set by the Gao family for Gao Weiwei's return. She felt that these conditions were quite difficult and wasn’t sure if Gao Weiwei could meet them.

Gao Xiaoying took Xiaoxiao from Xiao Tiance's arms, while Gao Weiwei's expression looked grim, her mind clearly burdened. It was understandable—Xiao Tiance had just been expelled from the military and was currently unemployed. Even if he tried to find a job, it wouldn’t happen in just a day or two; it might take a month or more. During this time, their family of three would have to rely on her income. Plus, they still needed to pay rent. Because Chen Shuzhen didn’t want to see Xiao Tiance, she had also forbidden Gao Weiwei from staying at home.

Seeing Gao Weiwei's troubled expression, Xiao Tiance cautiously asked, "Weiwei, what’s wrong? Can you tell me?"

Gao Weiwei shook her head, took a deep breath, smiled at Xiao Tiance and Xiaoxiao, and said, "I have to go out and take care of something. I might be back late. Xiao Tiance, why don’t you take Xiaoxiao and look for a cheaper place to rent nearby? Staying in a hotel all the time isn’t ideal."

After speaking, Gao Weiwei turned to Gao Xiaoying and said, "Xiaoying, if you’re free these next few days, could you help take care of Xiaoxiao? Her father also needs to go out and look for a job. I’d really appreciate it."

Gao Xiaoying quickly waved her hand and said, "Sis, I'm your sister—don’t talk to me like that. I’m free these days, so don’t worry. You take care of your business, and let brother-in-law find a job. I’ll take care of Xiaoxiao."

Gao Weiwei nodded, gave Xiaoxiao a kiss, and said to her, "Xiaoxiao, Mommy has to go out and take care of something. Will you stay with Daddy and Auntie today?"

Xiaoxiao, understanding, nodded and kissed Gao Weiwei on the cheek, saying, "Yes, Mommy, don't worry. I'll stay with Daddy and Auntie."

After hearing this, Gao Weiwei gave Xiao Tiance one last look, then, looking slightly exhausted, she stood up and left the room without saying anything else.

Once Gao Weiwei had left, Xiao Tiance frowned. He felt that Gao Weiwei was hiding something from him. Puzzled, he looked at Gao Xiaoying and asked, "Xiaoying, what's wrong with your sister?"

Gao Xiaoying’s expression became very complicated. She sighed and shook her head, saying, "My dad wants my sister to return to the family business. After all, now that you’re back, working in the family’s company would be convenient. But Grandpa gave her three conditions. Of course, it’s not that she has to meet all three, just one. But… sigh… all three are really difficult."

Xiao Tiance calmly asked, "What exactly are they? Can you tell me?"

Gao Xiaoying continued, "One is for my sister to collect a two million yuan debt from the Wang family in the south of the city. Another is for her to secure three new business partnerships for the Gao family. The last one is to solve a long-standing issue for the family. None of these are easy tasks. I think they’re just trying to make things difficult for her—these are practically impossible to accomplish."

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At this moment, Xiaoxiao, who was in Gao Xiaoying’s arms, quickly interjected, "Daddy, Daddy, Mommy is in trouble. You have to help her! I don’t want Mommy to work so hard."

Hearing Xiaoxiao’s words, Gao Xiaoying’s eyes lit up as she looked at Xiao Tiance intently. Xiao Tiance smiled and nodded, saying, "Xiaoxiao, I’m sorry, Daddy just got back and doesn’t know anyone here. I’m afraid I can’t help your Mommy right now. But you have to believe in Mommy—she can do it on her own, right?"

Xiaoxiao tilted her head and thought for a moment, then adorably nodded, saying, "Yes, I believe in Mommy. Mommy is amazing. She can definitely do it. Then, Great-grandpa won’t abandon Mommy and me."

Xiao Tiance nodded. Then, along with Gao Xiaoying, he checked out of the hotel and went out to look for an apartment with Xiaoxiao. Since Gao Xiaoying had grown up in Beijiang City, she knew the city well. By 3:00 PM, she had found a two-bedroom apartment for them through a friend. It wasn’t in the city center, so the rent was quite cheap. With the help of her connections, the rent was only 1,500 yuan a month, which Xiao Tiance paid without hesitation.

Afterward, led by Gao Xiaoying, the three of them bought a lot of household items. Gao Xiaoying took one room, while Xiao Tiance, Gao Weiwei, and Xiaoxiao shared the other.

By 6:00 PM, Xiao Tiance had prepared dinner, but Gao Weiwei still hadn’t returned. After calling her, the three of them ate without her. It wasn’t until 8:00 PM that Gao Weiwei finally came back.

However, when she returned so late, there was a faint handprint on her right cheek, slightly swollen, and her eyes were red and puffy, indicating she had cried again. Xiao Tiance narrowed his eyes, and a flash of anger surged in his heart. But no matter how he asked, Gao Weiwei insisted that it was nothing, saying she was just tired before taking Xiaoxiao to bed.

After finishing cleaning up in the kitchen, just as he was about to call Tianyi to investigate, Gao Xiaoying came out of Gao Weiwei’s room.

"Xiaoying, what happened to your sister? Did she tell you anything?" Xiao Tiance asked Gao Xiaoying.

Gao Xiaoying gritted her teeth and said angrily, "My sister went to the Wang family's company in the south of the city this afternoon to collect that two million yuan debt. But she didn’t even get to meet anyone from the Wang family; she only saw a manager from their company. I noticed her face was a bit swollen, and after I kept asking, my sister finally told me that the manager, named Shi Qian, slapped her and threw her out."

After finishing, Gao Xiaoying glanced at Xiao Tiance, sighed, and said, "Brother-in-law, don’t overthink it. The Wang family hasn’t repaid that debt for seven or eight years—they’ll never pay it back. Sigh, I’ll go try to persuade my sister to give up." With that, Gao Xiaoying turned and went back to her room to continue persuading Gao Weiwei.

After the door closed, Xiao Tiance slowly turned his head to look at the room where Gao Weiwei and Xiaoxiao were. A murderous aura surged from him. He had originally planned to have Tianyi quickly handle the Gao family's affairs, but he hadn’t expected Gao Weiwei to be so eager, going there today.

The Wang family in the south of the city! You’re asking for death! Xiao Tiance silently vowed. He wanted to go to the south of the city right then, but it wasn’t the right time—Gao Weiwei and Xiaoxiao were not asleep yet. He couldn’t leave without explaining. So he sent a message to Tianyi.

Time passed slowly—one hour, two hours, three hours. It wasn’t until midnight, when Gao Weiwei and Xiaoxiao were sound asleep, that Xiao Tiance opened his eyes.

The next moment, he carefully got up, quietly opened the door, and went downstairs, heading into the darkness. As he descended, the murderous intent on him could no longer be concealed. Anyone who dared to bully his wife would not live to see the sun rise.

Unbeknownst to him, as he walked downstairs, a small gap appeared in the curtains of Gao Xiaoying’s room upstairs. A moment later, Gao Xiaoying’s eyes peeked through the gap.