Upon hearing this, Qi Tianxiang's face instantly darkened. He snorted coldly and said, "What do you mean 'we got our wish'? Think whatever you want! Ever since your legs were crippled, you've become paranoid and suspicious all the time!"
"Are you sure I'm being paranoid? Isn't it a fact that Qi Yu is your illegitimate daughter?" Qi Huan reminded him again.
Qi Tianxiang's expression turned ugly. "Don't harp on about this endlessly! Xiao Yu has already been severely taught a lesson by you for her loose tongue. Surely you don't intend to have her killed just because she's my illegitimate daughter!"
"Of course I wouldn't kill her just because she's your illegitimate daughter, Father. But if I find out she was behind the kidnapping plot, then I'll have no choice but to deal with her lethally." Qi Huan said this while looking at Qi Yue. "Isn't that right, Qi Yue?"
Qi Yue, standing to the side, stiffened slightly, but he forced down the resentment in his heart and spoke in a gentle, ingratiating tone: "Big Brother is right. However, both Father and I hope you recover well. After all, the company still relies on you to steer the ship."
Qi Huan let out a light laugh. "What's the matter? Encountered some difficulties at the company you can't solve?"
Qi Yue hadn't expected that when he dragged his still-injured body to the company today, the several important projects he had taken over would start having problems one after another. When he anxiously called to inquire, all he received were questions about his competence and cold replies about terminating cooperation.
Clearly, all of this was Qi Huan's doing behind the scenes, meant to deliver a harsh warning and make him clearly recognize his own limitations!
Though unwilling, Qi Yue knew very well that if he didn't obediently lower his head and admit his mistake before Qi Huan, the massive losses he would cause the company were something he simply couldn't bear.
Thus, Qi Yue had no choice but to humble himself further, saying, "There indeed have been some issues at the company, caused by my lack of ability."
Qi Huan chuckled. "Good that you know. I'll return to take charge once I'm discharged. As for you, just stay home with Father and live off the family fortune. Just don't make things worse."
Previously, he had let Qi Yue take over managing the company in his stead, while silently providing support from behind the scenes, which prevented Qi Yue from making major mistakes.
But this gave Qi Yue the mistaken impression that he could do it too, that he could easily replace Qi Huan's position in the company.
After this, Qi Huan would no longer give Qi Yue the chance to enter the group's headquarters.
Hearing this, Qi Yue abruptly looked up. "Big Brother, I know I'm not capable enough, but I still want to share your burden..."
Qi Huan's smile vanished. "Not necessary."
Qi Tianxiang spoke up again at this point. "Qi Huan, don't go too far. He's your own brother. If you don't want him at the group headquarters, fine, but at least send him to a branch office to gain experience, instead of saying such unpleasant things about him living off the family with me!"
Qi Huan, however, said, "Indeed, for incompetent people like you who refuse to admit it, the truth is always hurtful."
Qi Tianxiang was so angry his face twitched. "Your brother Qi Yue and I were worried about your health and came specifically to see you. And you? Every sentence mocks me and your brother! It seems we shouldn't have come to visit you!"
"Indeed, there was no need to come. You can leave now." Qi Huan nodded in agreement.
Qi Yue: "..."
Qi Tianxiang snorted coldly. "Yue'er, your brother is simply unreasonable now! Let's go! If he won't give you a chance to gain experience at the company, we'll go find your grandfather. I refuse to believe he truly thinks he can do whatever he wants in the Qi family!"
Qi Yue, however, still maintained a pleasant tone. "Big Brother, rest well. What Father said just now was in anger. He was very worried about you the whole way here. Father and I will come see you again tomorrow."
After saying this, he turned and walked out of the hospital room with Qi Tianxiang.
After the two left, Qi Huan's dark eyes turned cold.
"Whether Qi Yue is truly my biological brother or not, we must find out, no matter what method we use."
Cheng Jing nodded. "Understood, Young Master."
...
Late at night, Jiang Yonghe pushed open the door to Jiang Zhao's hospital room and slowly walked over to Qin Yulian, who was sitting by the bedside.
"Mom, it's midnight. You go rest first. I'll keep watch for the latter half of the night. Don't let yourself collapse from exhaustion before Second Brother wakes up. Don't worry, I'll watch over him here."
Qin Yulian initially wanted to refuse, but she couldn't fight her increasingly heavy eyelids any longer. She nodded, powerless. "Alright. You must watch your Second Brother carefully. Talk to him more, try to wake him up. That way, your Second Brother's usual affection for you won't have been in vain."
"Of course, Mom. I'll definitely take good care of Second Brother," Jiang Yonghe said obediently.
"Then I'll go rest now. After I'm rested tomorrow, I'll go settle accounts with Jiang Youli." The mere mention of Jiang Youli made Qin Yulian wish she could strangle her.
Jiang Yonghe nodded. "Go ahead."
Qin Yulian yawned, rubbed her lower back, and left the room, dragging her exhausted body.
Jiang Yonghe saw Qin Yulian to the door, waited until she entered the elevator, then turned back, closed the room door, walked step by step to the bedside, sat down, and looked down at Jiang Zhao lying there with his eyes closed.
"Second Brother?" she called softly.
"Can you hear me?"
"The doctor said if we talk to you more, you have a chance to wake up."
"If it were before, I would have really hoped you would wake up soon."
"But now, I don't want you to wake up anymore."
"Do you know why?"
"Because you actually sent people to investigate me."
"Second Brother, why did you investigate me? Don't you trust me anymore? Don't you see me as your sister?"
"If you found out that, before Jiang Youli was brought back, I did indeed send someone to try to rape Jiang Youli and film a video to use against her later, would you be very disappointed in me?"
"But there was no other way. I didn't want Jiang Youli to take away all your love for me before she even returned, or to be driven out of the Jiang family."
"The facts prove I was right. You see, Jiang Youli indeed can't tolerate me. Second Brother, you were originally a sharp blade for me to use against Jiang Youli, but now that blade is turned towards me. That is something I absolutely cannot allow."
As Jiang Yonghe spoke emotionally, she took out from her bag a small syringe disguised inside a lipstick tube.
She gently pushed the plunger up, and two drops of colorless liquid seeped from the fine needle tip.
Then, she aimed the needle at a vein on Jiang Zhao's elbow and slowly pushed the plunger until all the liquid inside was injected into his bloodstream before pulling the needle out.
Finally, she placed the small syringe back into the lipstick casing, wearing an expression of reluctant sorrow.
"Second Brother, this injection is a drug that will keep you in a permanent coma. Don't blame me. Blame Jiang Youli. If only she had obediently listened and agreed to be the substitute bride, instead of trying to drive me away."
"And blame yourself too. Why did you send people to investigate me? Why did you stop trusting and loving me unconditionally?"
"Second Brother, I wish you could sleep forever and never wake up. That way, in your heart, I will always remain that pure, flawless little sister I once was."
Lying on the hospital bed, Jiang Zhao listened in disbelief to the words Jiang Yonghe kept speaking into his ear. He struggled to open his eyes but found himself utterly unable to. Yet, his consciousness was undeniably awake.
