Seeing his own son truly comparing him to a beggar, Qi Tianxiang could no longer restrain the fury in his heart. His face darkened as if water could drip from it, and he asked word by word, "So you really don't intend to give me the one million?"
Qi Huan responded with undeniable certainty, "Go back and submit an application first."
Hearing this, Qi Tianxiang's anger instantly reached its peak. He lifted his foot and viciously kicked a nearby stool, cursing loudly, "You really should have died in that kidnapping when you saved Qi Yu!"
After cursing, Qi Tianxiang turned around furiously, intending to leave.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Jing, having received a signal from Qi Huan's eyes, stepped forward first to block his way.
"Cheng Jing, you dare to stop me..."
Before the words "what are you doing" could be spoken, Qi Tianxiang's face met Cheng Jing's fist. He grunted and stumbled back two steps, staring at Cheng Jing in disbelief.
Then, they heard Qi Huan's voice, cool and detached, "Father, this is the punishment for your careless words that reopened my old wounds. In the future, before you make harsh threats to me, think first about the consequences your illegitimate daughter Qi Yu faced for her disrespect towards me."
Never expecting Qi Huan to truly disregard his dignity as a father, Qi Tianxiang covered his face, grinding his teeth and saying, "...Fine, very good! A son hitting his father, you are truly formidable! I'll remember this!"
Swallowing his humiliation, he stormed out, slamming the door heavily behind him.
Qi Yue, however, did not follow. Instead, he stayed in the hospital room, wearing a hurt expression, and said, "Big brother, do you really intend to have such an irreparable falling out with Dad, even severing ties, all because of the fact that Xiao Yu is Dad's illegitimate daughter? You must know how harmonious and happy we, Xiao Yu, and Father have been these past three years..."
Qi Huan interrupted him, "Qi Yue, do you know? After mother passed away, being able to bring you back to the Qi family was the happiest thing for me before my legs were crippled."
After this sentiment, he continued regretfully, "It's a pity that you and Qi Yu were too impatient. If you had accompanied me in acting for a few more years, perhaps I would have truly been willing to serve as your stepping stone."
Qi Yue's face changed slightly, and he hurriedly explained, "Big brother, do you still suspect that the kidnapping incident involving Xiao Yu was orchestrated by us?"
"I admit, when I was first brought back, I did resent you somewhat. I was jealous. As children of the same parents, why could you live a life of luxury in the Qi family all along, while I was sent away to live a life of hardship?"
"But later, seeing how well you treated me, I gradually began to let go. My being sent away back then was all because of that damned fortune teller, not because you harmed me, big brother. What right did I have to blame you? Moreover, if it weren't for your efforts in persuading Grandfather three years ago, I might not have been able to return to the Qi family smoothly."
"So, deep down, I have always been grateful for everything you did for me. How could I possibly want to harm you or wish you dead?"
"As for why Xiao Yu and I seemed to change our attitude towards you after your legs were crippled... actually, I was afraid that our sympathy might make you more sensitive. So, I intended to use a harsh attitude to ignite your fighting spirit. I just never expected it would lead to such a misunderstanding from you, big brother, and even cause you to act so severely against Xiao Yu."
"Big brother, you and I are brothers bound by blood. No matter how deranged I might be, I would never repay kindness with enmity and hurt you." As Qi Yue spoke, his eyes reddened, almost on the verge of tears.
Listening to Qi Yue's tearful words, Qi Huan remained unmoved, his gaze indifferent as he said, "Whether the kidnapping of Qi Yu was a conspiracy planned by you together, I will investigate. If it wasn't you, I naturally won't make things difficult for you."
"You staying behind probably isn't just to play the emotional card with me, is it? Oh, I remember now. Yesterday, I didn't allow you to enter the group. Father said he would go argue with the old master. It seems that didn't yield results. The old master isn't planning to arrange for you to gain experience in the company either, is he?"
Having his intentions laid bare so bluntly by Qi Huan, Qi Yue looked somewhat embarrassed, a bitter smile touching his lips. "Big brother guessed right. Grandfather, knowing about the successive problems with the company's major projects, believes I'm not suited for company management. He won't allow me into the company from now on, saying if I truly want experience, I should find a way to join and learn at another company myself."
Hearing this, Qi Huan found it quite reasonable. "That's actually a good idea. If you can't gain experience in a Qi family company, you can try other major corporations. No one there will indulge you; it will truly test your abilities."
Qi Yue was taken aback, unsure how to respond.
Qi Huan casually waved his hand and continued, "If you have nothing else, go back and think carefully about how to draft the application report for Father. At his age, he shouldn't get sick over a mere million."
After a moment of silence, Qi Yue replied in a low voice, "...I understand. Please take good care of your health, big brother."
With that, he turned around. His originally deferential face was instantly hidden in shadow as he quickly left the hospital room.
Qi Huan watched Qi Yue's departing back, his deep, pool-like eyes appearing even darker and more somber.
...
Outside the hospital, people came and went in a bustling crowd.
Qi Yue hurriedly got into the black car waiting outside.
As soon as he got in, Qi Tianxiang, sitting in the back seat, asked with a grim face, "Well? Did you succeed in regaining Qi Huan's trust?"
Qi Yue shook his head, his face full of gravity. "No. No matter what I said, he never dispelled his suspicions towards us."
Hearing this answer, Qi Tianxiang's already gloomy expression grew even more severe. He was somewhat annoyed. "This really is Xiao Yu's fault! Her blind confidence and reckless actions are what made Qi Huan so wary! The situation is truly troublesome now. I have no money on hand; wanting to do anything is extremely difficult!"
Qi Yue also sighed helplessly and despondently, "Yes. Relying solely on our own strength now, dealing with Qi Huan is probably as difficult as climbing to the sky."
A brief silence fell in the car.
After a moment, Qi Tianxiang could no longer contain his inner anxiety. "Is there really no good plan? We can't just sit here waiting for doom!"
Qi Yue thought for a moment and said, "At Qi Huan's engagement banquet with the Jiang family's true daughter, won't all the other Qi family members be present? We can find a way to sow discord among them then. I don't believe no one wants to take the chance to bring Qi Huan down. We'll just reap the benefits!"
Qi Tianxiang found this reasonable. "Right! All these years, my elder brothers and sisters have been suppressed by Qi Huan. Now, seeing a chance to carve up the Qi family fortune, I don't believe they won't be tempted!"
"But I'm still worried about one thing. According to Cheng Jing, that Jiang family true daughter is treating Qi Huan's legs. Do you think she might actually be able to cure them?" Qi Yue's biggest concern lay here. "Should we find someone to deal with Jiang Youli... at least cripple her hands? Dad, you heard at the welcome banquet, Old Master Jiang kept praising Jiang Youli's medical skills. She probably really has some ability."
With Qi Huan crippled, he still had a sliver of a chance to seize the position of Qi family heir.
But if Qi Huan's legs were healed, he would definitely have no chance at all!
Therefore, he absolutely would not allow Qi Huan's legs to be cured by anyone!
