Qi Tianxiang once again feigned sternness and reprimanded in a low voice, "Little Yu, your elder brother and I are talking. Mind your words and don’t be disrespectful."
Qi Yu responded with an "Oh," sticking out her tongue playfully.
Though Qi Tianxiang appeared to be scolding Qi Yu, he was actually shielding her.
"Are you absolutely certain about marrying the Jiang Family’s true heiress?" Qi Tianxiang asked again.
Qi Huan withdrew his gaze and replied calmly, "I’m certain. My engagement was always meant to be with the Jiang Family’s daughter. Since Jiang Yonghe isn’t the real one, I naturally won’t marry her."
Qi Tianxiang glanced at Qi Yue beside him, a faint trace of amusement in his eyes, and nodded. "Fine. Since you’re willing to proceed with the engagement to the Jiang Family’s true heiress, we’ll attend her welcoming banquet tomorrow night to show our support."
A barely perceptible smirk also flickered in Qi Yue’s eyes.
A man with crippled legs marrying a so-called "true heiress" with no real capabilities—Qi Huan was as good as finished.
At that moment, Qi Tianxiang spoke up again. "By the way, Little Yu mentioned that you had Cheng Jing discipline her yesterday for a few careless words?"
Surprised that his father would bring this up, Qi Huan replied, "Yes. Is there a problem? Do you think it’s inappropriate for me to teach Little Yu some manners?"
Qi Tianxiang’s displeasure was evident. "Little Yu is still your sister, a young lady of the Qi Family. She merely spoke out of turn—why make such a fuss and have Cheng Jing punish her?"
"Father, let’s not forget—Little Yu is only your adopted daughter, taken in for Qi Yue’s sake. She’s not your real daughter," Qi Huan reminded coldly.
Qi Yu’s face darkened.
Qi Tianxiang’s expression wasn’t much better. "Even if she’s adopted, she’s been a benefactor to your brother, grew up alongside him, and has called me ‘Father’ for years. In my heart, she is my real daughter. Having Cheng Jing discipline her was unacceptable. She’s been upset all day. Apologize to her now. As for Cheng Jing—an assistant who dares to strike a young lady of the Qi Family has clearly overstepped. I don’t trust him to remain by your side."
Qi Yu smirked triumphantly at Qi Huan, adopting a coy tone. "Big Brother, just apologize, and I’ll forgive you."
Cheng Jing glanced at his master.
Qi Huan’s dark eyes hardened as he stared at his father. After a long silence, he finally said, "Father, my legs were crippled saving Qi Yu. Yet she repeatedly says things in front of me that I dislike—whether intentional or not. If she isn’t taught a lesson, she’ll never realize her mistakes."
Qi Yu pouted. "Big Brother, how could you think I’d do it on purpose?"
Qi Tianxiang frowned impatiently. "She’s always been blunt—why take it so seriously? Just apologize. Little Yu was right—ever since your accident, you’ve become overly sensitive. Besides your leg treatments, we should arrange for a psychologist to help you."
Qi Huan’s gaze remained locked on Qi Tianxiang. Seeing his father’s insistence, he suddenly laughed coldly. "Little Yu, come here."
Delighted at his apparent surrender, Qi Yu strutted over. "Big Brother, you’d better mean it, or I won’t accept it."
But the moment she approached, Qi Huan uttered softly, "Cheng Jing."
In a flash, Cheng Jing seized Qi Yu’s wrist, yanked her forward, and slapped her across the face.
Slap!
"Ah!" Qi Yu staggered back, stunned.
She never imagined Qi Huan would dare have Cheng Jing strike her in front of their father!
Qi Yue shot to his feet, equally shocked.
Qi Tianxiang’s face turned thunderous. "Qi Huan! What is the meaning of this?!"
Unfazed, Qi Huan replied coolly, "That was for her, as an adopted daughter of the Qi Family, daring to tattle to you about me."
Then he raised a hand. "Cheng Jing, again."
Another sharp slap landed on Qi Yu’s other cheek.
Slap!
The force sent her stumbling back to Qi Tianxiang’s feet.
"And that," Qi Huan continued icily, "was for mocking my disability in front of you."
Tears streamed down Qi Yu’s face as she wailed, "Dad! Look what Big Brother did—how could he?!"
Qi Tianxiang helped her up, his voice shaking with rage. "Enough, Qi Huan! Since your accident, your temper has grown unbearable. Defying me like this—have you lost your mind?!"
Qi Yu glared daggers at Qi Huan, but he remained indifferent, smiling faintly. "Father, don’t forget—your standing in the family was earned by my achievements in front of Grandpa. Without me, you were nothing."
His words were brutally frank, stripping Qi Tianxiang of all dignity.
The older man’s expression twisted in fury.
Qi Huan pressed on. "Do you think that now that I’m crippled, I’m useless? That with your newfound influence, Qi Yue can simply take over everything I’ve built?"
Qi Yue quickly interjected, "Big Brother, you’re misunderstanding Dad! He’d never think that way."
Qi Huan chuckled softly, each word weighted like stone. "Whatever you believe, remember this—as long as I live, everything you have, I can take away."
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. I have a chess game with Grandpa tonight."
His gaze shifted to Qi Yue, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Come to think of it, Qi Yue, you’ve been back for three years and still haven’t played a single game with Grandpa, have you?"
Without waiting for a response, Cheng Jing wheeled Qi Huan out of the hall.
...
Once outside, Qi Huan stared coldly into the night before speaking. "Cheng Jing, investigate my father discreetly. Find out the true nature of his relationship with Qi Yu."
Cheng Jing was taken aback. "Investigate your father and Qi Yu?"
Qi Huan met his gaze evenly. "Yes."
Cheng Jing nodded solemnly. "Understood."
Qi Huan’s eyes were icy.
Years ago, his younger brother Qi Yue had been sent away after a fortune-teller labeled him a curse. But now, Qi Huan suspected there was more to it.
No matter how he rationalized it, he couldn’t comprehend Qi Yue’s cruelty—plotting his assassination just to seize the heir’s position.
And now, his father’s inexplicable favoritism toward Qi Yu only deepened the mystery.
Qi Yu was merely an adopted daughter who had only been with the Qi Family for three years—why on earth did Father dote on her so much?
