Qi Tianxiang shuddered and didn’t dare to speak another word.
Qi Yu and Qi Yue also kept their heads lowered, not daring to interject.
Grandpa Qi continued mercilessly, “Qi Tianxiang, you are the most useless among all my children. If it weren’t for your capable wife and the exceptional son she bore you, you’d still be wallowing in mediocrity—do you really think you’d have the right to live here otherwise?”
This was the Qi Family’s centuries-old estate.
Grandpa Qi only allowed those children or grandchildren he acknowledged to reside here, which indirectly signified their status as future heirs.
In other words, Qi Tianxiang, Qi Yue, and Qi Yu could live here solely because of Qi Huan’s influence.
At this point, Grandpa Qi cast a cold glance at Qi Yu. “My grandson Qi Huan is currently the only heir I recognize for the Qi Family. To disrespect him is to disrespect the Qi Family itself. Qi Tianxiang, you’d better decide how to handle this adopted daughter of yours—don’t force me to step in personally.”
Qi Yu looked at her father in panic. “Dad…”
To pacify the situation, Qi Tianxiang gritted his teeth and resolutely slapped Qi Yu across the face.
Slap.
The sharp sound of the strike echoed loudly in the night.
Qi Yu’s cheek immediately reddened.
Her eyes welled up as she stared at her father in hurt silence.
Unable to bear her expression, Qi Tianxiang averted his gaze and commanded sternly, “Xiao Yu, apologize to your elder brother at once!”
Clutching her stinging face, Qi Yu hesitated for a long moment before reluctantly stepping forward. In a strained voice, she muttered, “Elder Brother… I’m sorry. I was wrong. I didn’t know my place. Please… forgive me this once.”
As she spoke, she reached out to grasp Qi Huan’s hand.
Qi Huan smoothly wheeled his chair back, evading her touch. With a light chuckle, he said, “No need for that, Xiao Yu. I much prefer your defiant spirit. I hope you’ll keep it up even after leaving the Qi Family.”
Qi Yu trembled faintly.
Being cast out of the Qi Family would strip her of her status as the Third Young Miss—and with it, the family’s protection.
If anything happened to her outside, no one would lift a finger to seek justice.
And if Qi Huan truly wanted to retaliate… he would seize the opportunity without hesitation.
No. She couldn’t be driven out!
Desperate, Qi Yu shot another pleading look at her father.
Qi Tianxiang clenched his fists and turned to his son. “Huan’er… You’ve treated Xiao Yu like a real sister these past three years. Do you really have the heart to throw her out?”
Qi Huan’s smile remained serene. “Father, isn’t it a bit late to plead for leniency now? I gave you chances. Had you corrected and disciplined her earlier—taught her to learn from her mistakes—we wouldn’t be at this point. She’s merely an adopted daughter of the Qi Family. Since she’s forgotten her place, what’s the harm in letting her go?”
Seeing that Qi Huan wouldn’t yield to his authority as a father, Qi Tianxiang’s fists tightened further.
This humiliation reminded him of the past—when he’d had to endure the disdain of Qi Huan’s mother.
Back then, merely showing a little friendliness toward a young woman at the company had led to his wife reporting him to her family. They’d all descended upon the house to berate and warn him: if he ever wronged his wife, they would make sure he suffered.
Now, his son was doing the same.
Qi Yu had only made a few petty remarks, yet Qi Huan had escalated it to Grandpa Qi, insisting on her expulsion!
Mother and son—both so alike in trampling his dignity.
Qi Huan added leisurely, “Father, you’re so reluctant to let Xiao Yu go… Could it be that she’s actually your biological daughter?”
At this, Qi Tianxiang’s heart lurched. He glared furiously to mask his panic. “Qi Huan! How dare you spout such nonsense!”
Amused by his reaction, Qi Huan’s dark eyes cooled imperceptibly, though his smile didn’t waver. “Just a joke, Father. No need for anger.”
Grandpa Qi, however, gave Qi Yu a thoughtful look, his thoughts unreadable.
Realizing Qi Huan’s stance was unshakable, Qi Tianxiang swallowed his pride and turned to Qi Yue. “Yue’er, since you were the one who brought Xiao Yu home, you’ll be the one to take her away now.”
Qi Yue glanced at Qi Huan and tried one last appeal. “Elder Brother… Are you truly set on this? Before I returned, it was Xiao Yu who stayed by my side. Without her, I might not have survived those dark days abroad.”
“This is already a light punishment,” Qi Huan mused. “Unless… you’d prefer I cut out her tongue instead? Then she could stay here with you. How does that sound?”
Qi Yu immediately covered her mouth in terror.
To her, this was no joke—it was a threat. A warning of what might await her outside the Qi Family’s walls.
After a heavy pause, Qi Yue forced a bitter smile. “If this is your decision, Elder Brother, I’ll respect it. But it’s late now. Let me send her away tomorrow—”
“No,” Qi Huan cut in. “She leaves tonight. As long as she remains here, my anger won’t settle—and I won’t sleep well.”
Then, as if offering kindness, he added, “If you’re so worried, why not leave with her? I wouldn’t mind you staying outside to… take care of her.”
Qi Yue: “……”
With a strained smile, Qi Yue conceded. “You jest, Elder Brother. I’ll take Xiao Yu away now so she won’t disturb your rest any longer.”
He turned and held out a hand to Qi Yu. “Let’s go.”
Tears brimming, Qi Yu silently let him lead her away.
Qi Tianxiang’s expression remained stormy.
“Father, don’t waste your concern on how your adopted daughter will fare outside,” Qi Huan said lightly. “You should worry about yourself first.”
Shocked, Qi Tianxiang demanded, “Me? You’d dare punish me now?!”
Qi Huan laughed. “Father exaggerates. You’re still my father—how could I punish you over something as trivial as failing to discipline an adopted daughter? However, while Qi Yu lived here, she enjoyed the same privileges as Qi Yue. I never mistreated her. But now that she’s exiled, she won’t receive another cent from the Qi Family.”
He paused, then continued with a smile. “So I’ll have to ask you to tighten your belt from now on. All your cards will be frozen. You’ll receive a modest monthly allowance, and if you need anything beyond that… you’ll have to come to me with a very good reason.”
Qi Tianxiang’s face purpled with rage.
“Qi Huan—this is an insult!”
