The previously silent Grandpa Qi finally spoke up, "How dare you bring up being insulted! Have you forgotten that all these years of your extravagant, free-spending lifestyle were funded by Qi Huan's hard work in the business world?"
Qi Tianxiang felt a lump in his throat, unable to retort.
Though it was the truth, the words stung like salt on a wound.
"Enough, Father. That's all I have to say. I’ll retire to my room now—I should follow your advice and focus on healing my leg injury." Qi Huan then turned to Grandpa Qi and added, "Grandpa, I won’t see you out."
Grandpa Qi waved him off. "Go ahead."
Once his grandson Qi Huan had left, Grandpa Qi’s expression darkened instantly as he fixed a piercing glare on his youngest son, Qi Tianxiang.
"Speak! Is Qi Yu really your illegitimate daughter?"
Qi Tianxiang immediately denied it. "Dad, how could you believe Huan’s nonsense—"
Grandpa Qi’s face hardened, and he scoffed. "I hope it is nonsense. If it turns out Qi Yu is indeed your illegitimate child, Qi Huan will never let you off the hook! If you weren’t my own son, useless as you are, I wouldn’t even bother warning you!"
With that, he stormed out in fury.
Qi Tianxiang clenched his fists tightly as he watched his father’s retreating figure.
Fine. One after another, they all looked down on him!
One day, he would repay every ounce of humiliation a hundredfold!
——
Back in his room, Qi Huan immediately took out his phone. Seeing Jiang Youli’s message, the coldness in his eyes melted into tenderness.
A soft chuckle escaped him as he read the simple greeting on the screen. He replied:
[Yes, I’m home now. Just dealt with some annoying family matters.]
[I’m tired… and a little upset. Could use some comfort from my future wife.]
——
Jiang Youli burst into laughter at Qi Huan’s message and sent a flurry of flying-kiss emojis in response.
He replied again:
[I’d prefer a real one.]
Jiang Youli hadn’t expected Qi Huan to be so shamelessly bold.
Jiang Youli: [Little Huan, where’s your subtlety?]
Qi Huan: [If I were subtle, would you give me a real kiss then?]
Jiang Youli teased: [Then maybe we should skip our usual spot for your treatment tomorrow and book a presidential suite instead?]
Qi Huan: [No need. The pavilion has more ambiance. Booking a room would make our relationship seem impure.]
Jiang Youli was thoroughly amused by his words.
Jiang Youli: [Little Huan, aren’t you afraid of ruining your image in my eyes with such bluntness?]
Qi Huan: [You only care about this face of mine, don’t you? As long as it stays intact, who cares about image?]
Jiang Youli suddenly realized that when it came to shamelessness, she was no match for Qi Huan.
Jiang Youli: [Alright, it’s late. Go shower and rest. As for the kiss… if I remember tomorrow, I’ll deliver.]
Qi Huan quickly sent a screenshot—multiple alarms set every half hour, each labeled: "Youli’s kiss."
Jiang Youli sent back an emoji: [Find a word to praise this clever little devil.]
Qi Huan: [Sleep well. See you tomorrow.]
Jiang Youli: [See you tomorrow.]
Lifting her gaze from the phone, Jiang Youli found three pairs of vertical snake eyes staring at her with scrutiny.
"What’s with you three?"
The little snakes exchanged glances before Xiao Green and Xiao White intertwined their tails into a heart shape.
Jiang Youli: "…"
Mating symbolism?
She straightened up, hands on her hips. "Oh, so you’ve all learned to tease me now, huh?"
Xiao Green immediately slithered away, followed closely by Xiao White and Xiao Black.
Jiang Youli shook her head, smiling helplessly.
——
By the time Qi Yue settled Qi Yu in, it was nearly 1 a.m. Returning home, he found his father, Qi Tianxiang, still waiting in the hall.
"How is Xiao Yu?" Qi Tianxiang rubbed his temples, exhaustion evident.
Qi Yue’s expression was grim. "She’s distraught, crying nonstop. Since she’s staying outside now, I’ve stationed bodyguards nearby for her safety."
Qi Tianxiang sighed. "She’ll have to endure this for now. Once we fully seize control, we’ll bring her back."
Qi Yue stepped behind his father, replacing Qi Tianxiang’s hands with his own as he massaged his temples. "I never thought Qi Huan would be so ruthless—dumping Xiao Yu after three years together."
Qi Tianxiang’s eyes turned icy. "Indeed. His mild temper all these years made me underestimate his cruelty."
Qi Yue frowned. "Father… do you think he’s actually uncovered something?"
Qi Tianxiang recalled Qi Huan’s accusation about Qi Yu being his biological daughter and nodded. "He likely suspects it."
Strangely, he felt a hint of relief. "Let him focus on Qi Yu. Better that than shifting attention to you. Your identity must never be exposed."
"I understand. I’ll be even more cautious around Qi Huan. But…" Qi Yue hesitated. "Father, the Jiang Family’s true heiress isn’t the useless fool we investigated. She’s clearly favored. If she marries Qi Huan, she could become a wild card in our plans. Should I intervene to sabotage this arranged marriage?"
Qi Tianxiang shook his head. "Think about it—someone else is more desperate than us. Jiang Yangxu’s family must be regretting not reclaiming their daughter sooner. They’ll try everything to bring her back, or else they’ll lose their share of the Jiang Family fortune to her uncle’s side."
Qi Yue looked puzzled.
Qi Tianxiang explained, "If they fail, this marriage means Jiang Yangxu’s family gains nothing while handing their inheritance to his elder brother. Do you think Jiang Yangxu will let that happen?"
Qi Yue understood. "So we don’t need to worry about the Jiang heiress strengthening Qi Huan—Jiang Yangxu will eliminate her for us."
"Exactly. Your priority is winning Grandpa Qi’s favor. Learn to play chess with him, earn his approval. Replacing Qi Huan as the Qi Family heir is only a matter of time."
Qi Yue nodded. "I won’t fail. Once I take Qi Huan’s place, I’ll make sure he suffers tenfold for what he did to Xiao Yu!"
——
The next morning, Jiang Youli had just come downstairs for breakfast when noises from the entrance caught her attention.
"Sister-in-law, we’re family! Why treat us like thieves? Grandpa Qi would be displeased—harmony is what matters!"
Nanny Wang emerged from the kitchen with breakfast and explained, "Miss Youli, you’re awake. Second Madam brought Jiang Zhao and Jiang Yonghe to apologize to you."
