The atmosphere in the room grew tense in an instant, as if the very air had frozen solid.
Qi Yu’s face darkened with anger. "What do you mean by that, Miss Jiang? Stop speaking in such a mocking tone!"
Jiang Youli clicked her tongue. "Already getting worked up? As the adopted daughter of the Qi family, little Huan treated you better than anyone could ask for. But after he saved you and ended up losing the use of his legs, how did you repay him? People who are never satisfied, who greedily take and take, will only bring about their own downfall."
Listening to her taunts, Qi Yu gritted her teeth. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
At that moment, Qi Huan asked gently, "Do you like this place, little Li'er?"
Jiang Youli shifted her gaze away from Qi Yu and glanced around the room before nodding in approval. "The location is excellent, and the interior design is quite tasteful. What, is little Huan planning to give this to me as a wedding gift?"
Qi Huan shook his head with a smile. "It’s far too shabby for a wedding home. But if you like it, I’ll give it to you as part of the betrothal gifts."
Hearing this, Qi Yu immediately stood up in protest. "Eldest Brother, Second Brother arranged for me to live here! If you give this place to Miss Jiang, where am I supposed to go? Or are you here today to take me back to the Qi family?"
Qi Huan cast her a sidelong glance, his smile laced with derision. "Qi Yu, did you really think Qi Yue could afford a property in such a prime location in Jing City? This house is under my name. After I kicked you out of the Qi family, I never expected Qi Yue would dare to settle you in one of my properties."
Qi Yu’s eyes widened, her lips trembling slightly.
This house… wasn’t even her brother’s?!
Jiang Youli smirked. "Since little Huan is being so generous, I won’t hold back."
"We’ll be husband and wife soon. What’s mine is yours—no need for formalities." Qi Huan tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair before turning his attention back to Qi Yu. "Call Qi Yue immediately. Tell him to come and pick you up in person. Otherwise, you might not leave this place unharmed."
Not leave unharmed?
Qi Yu stiffened, forcing a weak laugh. "Eldest Brother, what do you mean by that? You’re joking, right? You know how easily frightened I am—don’t scare me like this."
She tried using the same coquettish act that had worked in the past whenever she’d made mistakes and begged for Qi Huan’s forgiveness.
Unfortunately, that tactic only worked on the Qi Huan who had once treated her like a beloved younger sister.
Now, watching her exaggerated display, Qi Huan found it utterly laughable.
"Qi Yu, my patience has its limits."
Meeting his dark, unyielding gaze, she finally realized he wasn’t joking—nor was he open to negotiation. The gravity of the situation sank in, and with trembling hands, she pulled out her phone to dial Qi Yue’s number.
As she waited for the call to connect, she kept stealing nervous glances at Qi Huan, terrified he might act against her at any moment.
After what felt like an eternity, the line picked up.
"Xiao Yu—"
Before Qi Yue could finish, Qi Yu blurted out in a panicked voice, "Second Brother! Eldest Brother is here at the Water Pavilion Residence where I’m staying! He’s forcing me out and says you have to come get me yourself, or else I won’t be allowed to leave safely!"
Her voice quivered with fear, clearly shaken by her predicament.
"Don’t be afraid. I’ll be there right away."
Once the call ended, Qi Yu cautiously looked back at Qi Huan. "Eldest Brother, I’ve done as you asked."
"Good." Qi Huan nodded, then added coldly, "You’ve been expelled from the Qi family. You’re no longer an adopted daughter, so don’t call me ‘Eldest Brother’ anymore. In your current position, you’re not worthy of addressing me that way."
The word "unworthy" stung, but Qi Yu bit back her resentment.
Until her brother could eliminate Qi Huan as an obstacle and claim his rightful place as the Qi family heir, her status would remain in the shadows.
She had no choice but to endure!
Pursing her lips, a flash of hatred flickered in her eyes. As if she even wanted to call him "Eldest Brother"!
If not for her brother’s plans, why would she have to humble herself like this?
Jiang Youli settled onto the sofa, crossing her legs and shaking her head in amusement. "Little Huan, look at that—she still has the nerve to glare at us. Honestly, you’re too soft on her because of sentimentality. You should be harsher."
Being threatened by Qi Huan was bad enough, but now Jiang Youli was butting in!
Qi Yu couldn’t hold back her irritation. "Miss Jiang, this is a private matter for the Qi family. What business is it of yours? Stop meddling! Eldest Brother has treated me like a sister for three years—do you really think he’d harm me just because I spoke out of turn?"
Hearing this, Cheng Jing, who stood behind Qi Huan, tensed, his gaze flickering toward his master.
If Qi Yue and Qi Yu’s provocations had been nothing more than minor annoyances to the young master, then any disrespect toward Jiang Youli was an entirely different matter.
Qi Huan’s tolerance for that was zero.
Jiang Youli tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Hey, little Huan, she just snapped at me. If you don’t do something, I might lose my temper."
Qi Huan sighed. "I had planned to wait until Qi Yue arrived before dealing with Qi Yu in front of him. But since she still hasn’t learned her lesson and dares to insult you right in front of me—well, she’s practically begging for punishment. Cheng Jing."
Cheng Jing bowed slightly. "Yes, Young Master."
"Eldest Brother, what are you planning to do to me?" Qi Yu could no longer suppress her panic. She stood up, backing step by step toward the open doorway, searching for a chance to escape.
Qi Huan watched her with an icy smile. "Nothing much. Just returning the favor—an eye for an eye."
Qi Yu’s face paled. "What do you mean? Are you really going to cut out my tongue? Qi Huan, you can’t do this to me! If you hurt me, Second Brother—your own blood brother—will hate you for the rest of his life!"
Seeing that Qi Huan showed no intention of stopping Cheng Jing, she doubled down on emotional manipulation:
"Qi Huan, your brother was sent away the moment he was born. All these years, I was the one who stayed by his side through his darkest days. Without me, he might not have survived long enough for you to bring him back to the Qi family! In your brother’s heart, I matter more than you think. If you so much as lay a finger on me, he’ll turn against you—and he’ll stop at nothing to avenge me!"
"Didn’t you always want to make it up to him? You wouldn’t want to break his heart, would you?"
She emphasized her importance to Qi Yue over and over, invoking the bond between brothers.
Yet, Qi Huan’s expression remained unmoved.
This time, he was dead serious.
Jiang Youli propped her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she watched the scene unfold.
As Cheng Jing closed in, Qi Yu’s heart pounded wildly. She staggered backward, nearly reaching the door—
But the moment she spun around to flee, a glass cup hurled by Jiang Youli struck her calf.
Her legs buckled, and she crashed to her knees.
By the time she recovered, pushing herself up from the floor and whipping her head around—
Cheng Jing was already standing right behind her.
Her pupils suddenly dilated, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Stay away! Don't come any closer!"
