《Pregnant and Divorced by My Disabled Husband》 Chapter 1 - 1 1 Lets Get Divorced! ?1: Chapter 1 Let¡¯s Get Divorced! 1: Chapter 1 Let¡¯s Get Divorced! ¡°Miss Jian, congratulations, you¡¯re pregnant, four weeks along, and all the indicators for the child are normal!¡± Jian Si, holding the pregnancy test report, excitedly headed home, wanting to share the good news with her husband, Lu Youting, as soon as possible. ¡°Lu Youting, I...¡± ¡°Jian Si, let¡¯s get a divorce.¡± Both spoke at the same time. Jian Si felt as if someone had doused her with a bucket of cold water, chilling her to the bone, as she forcefully swallowed the words ¡°I¡¯m pregnant¡± back down. ¡°Why?¡± Her voice trembled, desperately trying to contain the piercing heartache. Even if she were to die, she wanted to die understanding why. Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes cold as the sea, without a trace of warmth. ¡°Qingqing is back.¡± Hearing those words, Jian Si¡¯s complexion turned ashen, inch by inch, like transparent colored glass. The woman who had disappeared for two years, whom Lu Youting had loved so profoundly, had actually returned. Lu Youting took out a check and placed it on the desk: ¡°Here¡¯s one billion yuan, part of it is your divorce settlement, the rest is for your bone marrow.¡± Jian Si asked warily, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Qingqing has aplastic anemia and urgently needs a bone marrow transplant! And your bone marrow matches hers by ninety percent. You¡¯re her sister, it¡¯s your duty to save her.¡± This wasn¡¯t a discussion, it was an outright command. Jian Si¡¯s heart plunged to the depths: ¡°What if I refuse to donate, are you still going to force me onto the operating table?¡± A flash of coldness passed swiftly through Lu Youting¡¯s eyes as he silently looked at her, his silence undoubtedly giving Jian Si her answer. Jian Si¡¯s blood froze in that moment. It felt as if a chunk of her heart had been crudely cut out, causing pain so severe it felt like death. Their two years of marriage couldn¡¯t compare to a woman who had once abandoned him. In that moment, her heart died completely. ¡°I will absolutely not donate bone marrow to Ye Qingqing. Her mother, a homewrecker, caused my mother to suffer from depression and commit suicide. Now that she¡¯s suffering from a blood disease, it¡¯s the just deserts for her and her mother. To expect me to save her, it¡¯s impossible. If you still have any regard for our two years of marriage, then don¡¯t force me. Otherwise, I will hate you for a lifetime.¡± Her words caused Lu Youting¡¯s heart to suddenly tighten. It wasn¡¯t clear what he felt. It was a bit uncomfortable. Jian Si didn¡¯t notice his reaction and picked up a pen from the desk, decisively signing her name on the divorce agreement. ¡°I will move out immediately, from now on we go our separate ways, to grow old without any further contact.¡± After speaking, she put down the pen and prepared to leave. Just as she turned around, she bumped into Ye Qingqing who had just entered the room. Ye Qingqing wore a white dress, her long hair draping over her shoulders, her pale face as white as paper, her eyes glistening wetly, like a pure lily. ¡°Sister, I know you hate my mother, but you don¡¯t know the real story. My mom and dad met first, but grandpa didn¡¯t approve, he forced my dad to marry your mom. They...¡± Before she could finish, Jian Si interrupted her. ¡°Enough, don¡¯t say anymore. If dad truly loved your mom, he shouldn¡¯t have compromised and married my mom in the first place. Once married, he should have taken responsibility for the marriage. Likewise, since my parents were married, your mom shouldn¡¯t have intruded into their marriage.¡± Saying this with a self-mocking laugh, she cast a cold glance at Lu Youting: ¡°It¡¯s funny when you think about it. Your mom stole my mom¡¯s man, and now you¡¯re stealing my man. Did my mom and I slaughter your entire family in our past lives? Or are there no other men left in the world, that you have to compete with us for them?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, his slender brow revealing a chill. ¡°Jian Si, enough, stop talking.¡± Jian Si scoffed: ¡°What, just a few words and you¡¯re already heartbroken?¡± Layers of gloom began to seep into Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, a clear sign that his patience was exhausted. Ye Qingqing stole a glance at Lu Youting, and clear tears began to fall one by one from her eyes. ¡°Sister, how can you accuse me like this? Youting was originally my fiance?; you were the one who stole my fiance?, how can you blame the victim?¡± Jian Si retorted fiercely: ¡°If he truly was your fiance?, why did you disappear on the day before the wedding? You clearly despised him for his disability, afraid he couldn¡¯t perform as a man, that¡¯s why you ran. I married him to pick up the pieces after the mess you left. Now that he¡¯s better, you shamelessly come back. Ye Qingqing, don¡¯t you have any shame?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s icy gaze flickered with surprise. He was accustomed to her obedient side. Seeing her show another side, while he was angered, he also found it novel. ¡°Sister, how can you wrong me?¡± Ye Qingqing sobbed, wiping away tears. Looking at her hypocritical performance, Jian Si felt nauseous: ¡°Enough, I¡¯m not Lu Youting, your tears are useless on me! Since you want him, I¡¯ll give him to you. But to want my bone marrow, never!¡± After finishing, he pushed her, who was blocking his path, away and left the study without looking back. Watching his departing figure, Lu Youting felt an inexplicable pain in his heart. Then, he laughed at himself mockingly. How could he feel heartache for such a vain and selfish woman who wouldn¡¯t save his sister¡¯s life? It must be an illusion brought on by being married for too long. Under Jian Si¡¯s repeated humiliations, Ye Qingqing¡¯s face almost couldn¡¯t hold back her distress as she looked at Lu Youting with a pitiable gaze, ¡°Youting, if your sister won¡¯t agree, what should I do?¡± Lu Youting said indifferently, ¡°I will have Lu Ya continue to search for a suitable bone marrow donor for you.¡± Implicit in his words was that this issue should be dropped. ¡°But...¡± Ye Qingqing was reluctant. She had finally found a marrow match with a ninety percent compatibility. She couldn¡¯t bear to give up just like that. A flash of irritation crossed Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, and his handsome face was shrouded in coldness, ¡°I don¡¯t like to force others.¡± Seeing his firm attitude, Ye Qingqing didn¡¯t dare to continue and lowered her head, her expression slowly twisting into a hideous snarl where he couldn¡¯t see. Letting her give up? Impossible. No matter what, she had to get Jian Si¡¯s bone marrow. ... Jian Si grabbed her suitcase and walked out of the bedroom, staring at the tightly closed door of the study, her chest feeling sour, and unconsciously, her hand rested on her flat belly. Goodbye. The man she had loved for ten years. From now on, it would just be her and the baby depending on each other. Jian Si took a deep breath, pushed the tears back, and dragged the suitcase out of the place she had lived for two years. She drove to the small apartment left by her mother before she passed away. While taking her luggage out of the trunk, suddenly, someone covered her mouth and nose from behind. Then, a pungent smell rushed into her nostrils. She tried to struggle, but found herself without strength, and after persisting for a while, she finally succumbed to the invading darkness, her body going limp and falling into an endless abyss of blackness. She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed. In excruciating pain, the unconscious Jian Si let out a painful, broken moan. She tried hard to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like they were filled with lead. She could only smell the strong scent of disinfectant and hear faint murmurs of conversation. ¡°Sir, the lady is pregnant. If we proceed with the bone marrow transplant, the child in her belly might not survive. Are you certain you want to continue?¡± ¡°She¡¯s pregnant?¡± It was the surprised voice of Lu Youting. Jian Si, as if grasping at a lifeline, desperately tried to speak and tell Lu Youting that she was indeed pregnant, with his child, and he couldn¡¯t disregard the child¡¯s safety for Ye Qingqing. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t make a sound. ¡°Yes, she must be about a month along.¡± Jian Si thought that no matter how cold-blooded Lu Youting was, no matter how much he disliked her, he would spare her for the sake of the child. Unfortunately, she was terribly wrong. ¡°Ye Qingqing¡¯s condition cannot wait. Continue with the surgery, and do not stop.¡± His words were like a sharp knife, piercing deeply into Jian Si¡¯s heart. She could never have fathomed that Lu Youting would be so merciless. For the sake of Ye Qingqing, he could disregard the life of his own child. ¡°But the child in the lady¡¯s belly...¡± ¡°How can her and the child¡¯s worthless lives compare to Qingqing¡¯s health? I just want Qingqing to be well.¡± The harsh words completely threw Jian Si into an abyss without a bottom. Her heart ached sharply. Something hot trailed down her cheeks. She was enveloped by despair as she had never felt before. In that moment, she finally understood what it meant to have a heart turned to ashes. She wanted to run, to cry out for help, but she was helpless, only able to endure the cold surgical instruments entering her body... Chapter 2 - 2 2 Returning in Style with a Cute Baby ?2: Chapter 2: Returning in Style with a Cute Baby 2: Chapter 2: Returning in Style with a Cute Baby Five years later. Lu Group. Top floor. The entire floor was enveloped in dark clouds, exuding a low atmosphere. Inside the conference room, a full room of programmers sat densely packed, each with a computer in front of them, their fingers typing rapidly on the keyboards. Lu Youting sat in the main seat, his features deep-set, his brows tightly knitted, his thin lips tightly closed, his eyes like a hawk, cold and bottomless, exuding an air of inaccessibility. ¡°Still haven¡¯t tracked it down?¡± His voice was icy, like a judge controlling life and death. Everyone instantly broke out in a cold sweat. Suddenly. A young man with thick glasses excitedly said, ¡°President, I found it, I found it...¡± Lu Youting immediately stood up and walked over to him. The computer screen scrolling with English letters suddenly displayed seven large characters. ¡°I am your daddy, haha...¡± A deep and overwhelming murderous intent immediately surfaced on Lu Youting¡¯s face. This person had some nerve. Not only did he breach their company¡¯s solid firewall, hack their most important internal files, but he also toyed with them repeatedly. Yet all their programmers combined couldn¡¯t track his whereabouts. Damn it. Once he caught him, he was going to flay his skin. Just then, Lu Ya¡¯s computer suddenly made a ¡®beep beep¡¯ sound. He stood up excitedly, ¡°President, we¡¯ve tracked him down, the person is currently at Jiangcheng International Airport.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes dangerously narrowed, and he decisively said, ¡°Go to the airport immediately, keep a close eye on his whereabouts, and keep me updated at all times.¡± After speaking, he left with Lu Ya and several bodyguards and drove to the airport. Today, he was determined to catch him personally. Meanwhile. Inside the VIP lounge of Jiangcheng International Airport. Two adorable children, looking as if they had stepped out of a mural, sat side by side on chairs. Si Chen, the older brother, had a small laptop on his lap, a wicked smile on his lips, and his fingers lightly pressed the enter key, sending another virus to his beloved father. Jian Yue, the younger sister, watched the successful virus transmission, feeling slightly guilty. ¡°Brother, do you think it¡¯s wrong for us to hack into our daddy¡¯s company to earn some money?¡± Si Chen¡¯s pretty little face twisted. ¡°He¡¯s not our daddy, he¡¯s a scum who abandoned his wife and child.¡± ¡°But...¡± Jian Yue still had some concerns. They heard that Daddy was very powerful, and she was afraid of getting caught by Daddy. Si Chen huffed, ¡°But what? His money is for his mistress and their children, it has nothing to do with us. I won¡¯t pity him. Have you forgotten how he treated our mommy initially? I¡¯m just taking back what Mommy deserves.¡± Hearing this, all of Jian Yue¡¯s concerns instantly vanished. ¡°Brother is right, this is the punishment he deserves!¡± After successfully sending out the virus, Si Chen packed up his computer and put it in his backpack. At this moment, Jian Si appeared from the restroom, ¡°Your godmother has already arrived, let¡¯s go now!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± ¡°OK!¡± The two children simultaneously jumped off their chairs in agreement. Jian Si put Jian Yue on a suitcase, holding it with her left hand, and holding Si Chen¡¯s hand with the right, they left the lounge. As they were about to exit, there was sudden commotion ahead¡ª Lu Youting, surrounded by people like stars around the moon, walked over with big strides. Dressed in a formal black suit and a gray shirt, his distinguished and mysterious demeanor shone like an attention-grabbing gem, firmly capturing everyone¡¯s gaze. Jian Si hadn¡¯t expected to encounter Lu Youting just after disembarking, her breath momentarily stalled. Past grievances flashed through her mind like movie scenes. Despite five years having passed, every time she remembered his cruelty and heartlessness, she still seethed with rage. Jian Yue, seeing Lu Youting, covered her mouth in fear: ¡°Brother, it¡¯s awful, that scum daddy has found us. Have we been exposed?¡± Si Chen¡¯s lips held a smirk, ¡°As expected of Lu Group, gathering only the top experts. I was only online for a moment, and he managed to track me down.¡± Jian Yue¡¯s heart thumped wildly in fear. ¡°What should we do? Will we get caught?¡± Si Chen looked up at his mother who was staring blankly at Lu Youting and calmly took out three duckbill caps and masks from the suitcase, gently tugging on Jian Si¡¯s clothes. ¡°Mommy, Mommy, quickly put on the hat and mask, be careful not to let that scum man spot you.¡± Jian Si snapped back to reality. She hastily took the duckbill cap and mask from Si Chen, put them on, lowered her head, and forced herself to remain calm as they walked past Lu Youting. As they brushed past, Lu Youting, as if by telepathy, instinctively looked towards her. Upon seeing that familiar silhouette, his throat tightened, and he immediately wanted to follow, but then he heard Lu Ya saying, ¡°Boss, the signal is gone.¡± He halted his steps. His eyes dangerously narrowed. ¡°The signal is gone again?¡± Lu Ya¡¯s face flushed red with embarrassment, lowering his head in shame, ¡°He was traceable two minutes ago, but now he¡¯s gone.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face was covered with a ferocious mood, ¡°Can you find out where he last appeared?¡± Lu Ya bowed his head even lower, ¡°This person is very cautious, we still can¡¯t track him down.¡± A fiery blaze ignited in the depths of Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, like an enraged lion, his sharp gaze sweeping around, noticing almost everyone holding a phone or a laptop, realizing monitoring wouldn¡¯t yield any results. Feeling the fury from the big boss, Lu Ya wished he could disappear on the spot, yet he had no choice but to steel himself and continue reporting, ¡°Twenty minutes ago, another virus invaded our company system, costing us nearly two hundred million.¡± As his words fell, the air instantly froze. A chilling coldness wildly spread. Everyone was as silent as a cicada in winter, not daring to breathe. Just then, Lu Ya¡¯s phone rang. Thinking it was another disaster at the company, he hurriedly answered the call, and his face changed dramatically after hearing the content. ¡°Boss, the nanny just called, saying the young master has disappeared from the hospital.¡± The young master was the boss¡¯s life. If anything happened to the young master, they were all ruined. A bone-chilling coldness erupted from the depths of Lu Youting¡¯s eyes. ¡°A bunch of useless, can¡¯t even keep an eye on a child, send someone to find him now.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Lu Ya took the command, leading the bodyguards and hurriedly exited. Before leaving, Lu Youting deeply glanced toward the direction Jian Si had left, contemplative. Why did that silhouette look so much like Jian Si just now? Could she truly have come back? Hah. Five years ago, she disappeared without a trace while their sick child was suffering, and now she even had the face to come back¡ª Chapter 3 - 3 3 Looking Forward to Meeting the Ex-Husband ?3: Chapter 3 Looking Forward to Meeting the Ex-Husband 3: Chapter 3 Looking Forward to Meeting the Ex-Husband Jian Si searched everywhere and finally found her best friend Su Wan in the parking lot. Su Wan hugged Jian Si excitedly and jumped around, ¡°My dear Professor Jian, you have finally come back. I¡¯ve waited for you for a whole year, and I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡± Looking at her former bestie, Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but tear up. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you too, so much that it¡¯s driving me crazy.¡± If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Wan, she wouldn¡¯t have survived until today. Five years ago, Lu Youting, regardless of her pregnancy, forced her onto the operating table. She thought she would lose the child. But to her surprise, the child had a strong will to live and miraculously survived. Later, she had a difficult and premature birth and delivered triplets. The eldest and the second were boys, and the third was a girl. The second child, due to congenital insufficiency, suffered from severe congenital heart disease and needed a large sum of money for medical treatment. Being penniless at the time, she had no choice but to send the second child to Lu Youting. She hoped Lu Youting would save the child¡¯s life for the sake of blood ties. Afterward, to avoid Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing, she took the other two children abroad. If it hadn¡¯t been for Su Wan¡¯s constant company, helping her through the most difficult first three years abroad, she would never have held on until now. Su Wan let go of Jian Si, filled with anticipation, ¡°You¡¯re not planning to leave again this time, are you?¡± Jian Si had a fleeting hesitation in her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I came back this time to treat Xiao Bai¡¯s heart disease, and everything depends on Xiao Bai¡¯s recovery.¡± Su Wan asked curiously, ¡°Does Lu Youting know that the cardiac specialist professor he hired for a high fee is you?¡± Thinking of the past, Jian Si¡¯s expression turned colder by the degree, even with a hint of expectation, ¡°He doesn¡¯t know! But he¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± Su Wan didn¡¯t continue to ask but squatted down, took Jian Sichen and Jian Yue¡¯s little faces in her hands, and smothered them with kisses. ¡°My little Si Si, little Yueyue, I finally get to see you. Did you miss me?¡± Jian Yue sweetly hugged Su Wan¡¯s neck and kissed her face all over. ¡°Yueyue missed godmommy so much. You¡¯ve gotten even prettier these few days I haven¡¯t seen you.¡± Su Wan¡¯s vanity was immensely satisfied. ¡°Little girl, your mouth is getting sweeter. I¡¯ll buy you some candy later.¡± Jian Yue grinned, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents, ¡°Thank you godmommy!¡± Su Wan then turned to Jian Sichen, ¡°What about you?¡± Jian Sichen replied with a sweet smile, ¡°Of course I missed godmommy too! Godmommy always buys candy just for sis. I want some too.¡± Su Wan¡¯s heart melted by their cuteness and she couldn¡¯t help but pinch his soft little cheek, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t miss out.¡± Jian Yue patted her round tummy with a pitiful look, ¡°Godmommy, Yueyue is hungry.¡± Su Wan took both little ones by the hand, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go eat something yummy.¡± After saying that, she put the luggage in the back of the car and drove off. After lunch. Su Wan brought Jian Si and the two kids to Longjing Bay Apartments. Pointing at the spotless house, Su Wan tilted her head proudly, ¡°Knowing you were coming back, I specially had cleaners scrub this place top to bottom yesterday. It¡¯s just as you left it five years ago. Not even a pair of socks is missing.¡± Looking at the familiar house. Remembering it was the only legacy left by her mother, Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but tear up. At the same time, her hatred for Lu Youting deepened. After a brief moment of sorrow, Jian Si squatted down, touched Jian Sichen and Jian Yue¡¯s little heads, and instructed with concern, ¡°Chenbao, Yueyue, mommy is going to report to the hospital. Stay at home and don¡¯t run around, okay? Godmommy will stay and keep you company.¡± After that, she looked at Jian Sichen, ¡°Especially you, you¡¯re the naughtiest! You must listen to godmommy, okay?¡± ¡°All right, all right, I got it! You better hurry to the hospital. Don¡¯t be late on your first day and leave a bad impression on the leaders.¡± Jian Sichen waved his hand like a little adult. Jian Si, torn between laughter and tears, gently flicked his nose. ¡°You cheeky boy, I¡¯m the one they hired for a hefty fee; I¡¯m not afraid of being late.¡± Jian Sichen pouted, sarcastically without sparing her feelings, ¡°Mommy, do you know your face is thicker than city walls?¡± ¡°You cheeky boy, your mouth is just as toxic as your dad¡¯s!¡± Jian Si gave him a flick on the head and turned to Su Wan, ¡°Xiao Wan, take good care of them for me, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Su Wan thumped her chest in assurance, ¡°Leave them with me, I¡¯ll take care of them.¡± Only then Jian Si left with peace of mind. As soon as she was gone, Jian Sichen and Jian Yue completely let loose. Jian Sichen cunningly rolled his eyes, giving Jian Yue a signal. Jian Yue quickly understood and sent him back a signal. After a silent exchange and confirming their plan, Jian Sichen pretended to yawn, ¡°Godmommy, I¡¯m so sleepy, I¡¯m going to my room to sleep first. You play with sis.¡± Not suspecting a thing, Su Wan escorted him back to the bedroom, made sure he was in bed, and then tiptoed out, closing the bedroom door behind her. Jian Yue grabbed Su Wan¡¯s hand, her eyes sparkling, ¡°Godmommy, let¡¯s go to the supermarket to buy some daily necessities! The luggage is too much to carry, we didn¡¯t bring a lot of things back.¡± ¡°To the supermarket?¡± Su Wan, hesitant, glanced at the firmly closed bedroom door. Sisi had entrusted her to take good care of Chenbao. What would Chenbao do if they left like this? Reading her concern, Jian Yue quirkily said, ¡°Brother sleeps a lot every day, we¡¯ll be back by the time he wakes up! Don¡¯t worry, nothing will go wrong.¡± After speaking, afraid Su Wan wouldn¡¯t agree, she started to coquettishly plead, ¡°Come on godmommy, please, you just promised to buy me candy.¡± Unable to resist her persistence, Su Wan¡¯s heart softened and she nodded in agreement right away. Not long after they left, the tightly closed bedroom door suddenly opened. Jian Sichen poked his head out, making sure they were gone, then sneaked out with his backpack, wearing a cap and a mask. He hailed a taxi at the entrance of the community and headed to Jiangcheng Hospital. Chapter 4 - 4 4 Mistaking the Cute Baby ?4: Chapter 4: Mistaking the Cute Baby 4: Chapter 4: Mistaking the Cute Baby Jiangcheng Hospital was a private hospital established by Lu Youting for his son, Lu Yanbai. It was located in the most central area of Jiangcheng. It gathered the most authoritative cardiac disease experts and professors from across the country. During her four years in Country A, Jian Si had been dedicated to advancing her studies in both cardiology and cardiac surgery, hoping that one day she could personally perform surgery on her second child and enable him to be a normal kid. After four years of effort, heaven finally rewarded the diligent. She had finally become a leading cardiac surgeon globally. Just a week ago, she received an invitation from Lu Youting to return home and treat Xiao Bai. The director of the hospital had long heard about Jian Si¡¯s reputation in the medical field, and his attitude was very enthusiastic, ¡°Professor Jian, nice to meet you, I have been looking forward to your arrival.¡± Jian Si apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being late, because there were many things to hand over at the hospital where I used to work.¡± The director hurriedly said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay, I understand! Let me first take you to your workstation to familiarize yourself, and introduce you to your colleagues along the way.¡± Jian Si nodded and followed the director to the outpatient department for a tour. She gained a preliminary understanding of the doctors in the outpatient department. Then, she was taken to the inpatient department. The director joked, ¡°With Professor Jian¡¯s arrival, the average age of our hospital¡¯s staff has suddenly increased. Before you arrived, Professor Ye was the youngest professor in our hospital. I always thought it was not easy for someone her age to become an associate professor, but you are even more impressive, becoming a professor at an even younger age than hers.¡± ¡°Professor Ye?¡± At that moment, they just reached the office door of the doctors. The director pointed inside, ¡°You will be seeing Professor Ye very soon.¡± He then took Jian Si inside and introduced her to everyone inside one by one. After the introductions, when he noticed that Professor Ye was not seen, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Where is Professor Ye?¡± A nearly bald male doctor pushing up his glasses answered, ¡°The little Crown Prince of the Lu Family is missing, Professor Ye and Director Lu have gone to look for the child.¡± The little Crown Prince of the Lu Family? Was he talking about Xiao Bai? Jian Si felt her heart leap into her throat. ¡°The young master is missing? Where did he go? Could he be in danger?¡± The director¡¯s temples throbbed, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry, the young master is just having a tantrum. This kind of thing happens almost every week; he doesn¡¯t go anywhere else, he always just sneaks back home.¡± ¡°Every week?¡± Jian Si¡¯s heart ached as wild thoughts raced through her mind. Xiao Bai must be unable to bear the torment of his illness, which is why he often runs away. Thinking this, her heart couldn¡¯t help but ache. The director advised Jian Si, ¡°This hospital was opened by Director Lu specifically for this little Crown Prince, and Professor Ye is the Crown Prince¡¯s aunt. The little Crown Prince has a very quirky temper and is not easy to handle, you should be cautious in the future.¡± Jian Si exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Professor Ye is Ye Qingqing?¡± The director nodded, ¡°Yes, Professor Ye¡¯s real name is Ye Qingqing. She is also renowned for her research in cardiac diseases, possessing both talent and beauty.¡± Jian Si saw a chill flash in her eyes. Talk about a narrow path for enemies. She was now colleagues with Ye Qingqing. And she even outranked her. How interesting indeed. After becoming familiar with the hospital, Jian Si confirmed her starting time with the director and then prepared to go home. Just as she reached the parking lot, she saw a familiar little face sneaking around, peeking here and there. Jian Si, with a huff, walked over and grabbed his ear, ¡°You rascal, didn¡¯t I tell you to stay at home and not to wander around? Why did you still follow?¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s neck tilted back from pain, his handsome little face squeezed into a grimace. ¡°You dare pull my ear? Looking for trouble?¡± Jian Si laughed with exasperation. ¡°Who gave you the courage to talk to me like that?¡± Lu Yanbai struggled fiercely. Jian Si, afraid of really hurting him, let go, allowing him to wriggle free. ¡°You...¡± Lu Yanbai tilted his little head back, about to explode with anger. But upon seeing Jian Si¡¯s face, his entire demeanor froze, his eyes quickly shifting through emotions from initial anger to surprise, then disbelief, and finally settling on deep grievance. ¡°Mommy.¡± God knows how many times he had repeated this strange address. Yet, no one had ever responded. Seeing others with their mommies and not having one himself, he was truly envious. Seeing him like this, Jian Si could no longer bear to scold him, she bent down to pick him up from the ground, gently blowing on his ear. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, did Mommy hurt you just now? Mommy apologizes, don¡¯t be mad at Mommy anymore.¡± Even though this was their first meeting. But Lu Yanbai felt her voice was incredibly familiar. It was as if he had heard it countless times in his dreams. ¡°Are you really my Mommy?¡± Jian Si said speechlessly, ¡°What? You don¡¯t recognize your own mother now?¡± Upon hearing this, Lu Yanbai could no longer hold back his tears. He hugged Jian Si¡¯s neck tightly, repeatedly shouting, ¡°Mommy, Mommy, Mommy...¡± It seemed like he could never say it enough. It was as if he wanted to shout out all the years of longing. Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but be moved; the little fire in her heart completely extinguished as she gently patted his back. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m not angry anymore, stop crying, okay?¡± Lu Yanbai cried for a while, then finally let go of Jian Si. Suddenly, a ¡®gurgling¡¯ sound came from next to his ear. Jian Si looked incredulously at his belly. ¡°Are you hungry again?¡± Didn¡¯t you just eat a lot? Lu Yanbai¡¯s little face turned bright red, the irritable little lion suddenly turned into a docile kitten, quietly nestling in Jian Si¡¯s arms, too embarrassed to speak. Jian Si shook her head helplessly. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go home. Mommy will make you something delicious.¡± Lu Yanbai obediently nodded. Jian Si stuffed him into the passenger seat and sat down in the driver¡¯s seat herself. Lu Yanbai couldn¡¯t believe this was real, afraid he was dreaming, he pinched his own cheek hard, instantly gasping from the pain. ¡°It¡¯s not a dream; it¡¯s real.¡± Jian Si could not help but laugh. ¡°Silly boy, don¡¯t do such stupid things in front of others in the future! They will laugh at you.¡± Lu Yanbai tilted his head, his gaze not daring to move away from Jian Si¡¯s face for even a moment. Jian Si let him look, finding his silly appearance quite adorable. On the other side. Lu Youting had people search all the places where Lu Yanbai might have gone, but still did not find him, his handsome face dark and murderous. His subordinates were so frightened they dared not breathe. Ye Qingqing walked over to comfort him. ¡°Youting, Xiao Bai will be fine, he doesn¡¯t have any money, he definitely won¡¯t have gone far, look more around the hospital.¡± Although she said this, she cursed in her heart, hoping Lu Yanbai would die outside. That way, when she married Lu Youting in the future, their child would be the legitimate heir. Just then, Lu Ya hurried in. ¡°Boss, we retrieved all the surveillance from around the hospital, and we finally found the young master¡¯s whereabouts!¡± Having said this, he plugged the USB into the computer and opened the video. After seeing the contents of the video, his handsome face seemed to be enveloped by a layer of frost. It was really Jian Si. ¡°Youting, is that person Jian Si? Has Sisi come back? Did she take away Xiao Bai?¡± Seeing Jian Si, Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes nearly popped out. She couldn¡¯t have imagined that Jian Si, who had been missing for five years, had suddenly come back. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes emitted a terrifying chill, his face expressionless as he instructed Lu Ya, ¡°Call the police!¡± Lu Ya was stunned. ¡°Really call the police?¡± This was the Lady! The young master¡¯s birth mother. Lu Youting coldly raised an eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? Do I need to say it again?¡± Lu Ya immediately broke out in a cold sweat and dialed the police station. Ye Qingqing, watching Lu Youting¡¯s face grim as King Yan¡¯s, deliberately stirred up trouble. ¡°Youting, why has Sisi suddenly come back? She wouldn¡¯t want to come back and fight you for Xiao Bai, would she?¡± Lu Youting stared sinisterly at the computer screen, then suddenly chuckled low in his throat. ¡°Fight for Xiao Bai, she¡¯s not worthy.¡± After speaking, he grabbed his car keys and left. Ye Qingqing watched Lu Youting leave, shaking with rage, her hands clenched into fists. Five years. Jian Si had actually come back. To steal her man, no way. And it instantly trended on hot search¡ª Chapter 5 - 5 5 Five Years Later, the Couple Meets Again ?5: Chapter 5: Five Years Later, the Couple Meets Again 5: Chapter 5: Five Years Later, the Couple Meets Again Jian Si did not take Lu Yanbai home, but went to a supermarket to buy groceries first. As she walked out of the supermarket with her overflowing shopping bags, a group of police officers apprehended her, causing her shopping bags to fall to the ground and spill their contents. ¡°Ma¡¯am, you are currently involved in a kidnapping case, please come with us.¡± Jian Si was stunned. ¡°Who did I kidnap?¡± ¡°The little boy with you.¡± Jian Si laughed in exasperation, ¡°Officer, he is my son. Why on earth would I kidnap my own son?¡± The police refused to listen and forcibly dragged Jian Si into the police car. ¡°Mommy!¡± Lu Yanbai tried to follow, but the police held him back. ¡°Master Lu, your father will be here soon. Be a good boy and don¡¯t make him angry anymore.¡± Lu Yanbai stopped struggling. He knew that once Daddy gave the order, no one dared to disobey. To get Mommy out, he would need Daddy¡¯s approval. Just moments after the police car left, a luxurious Rolls-Royce screeched to a halt in front of Lu Yanbai. Lu Youting stepped out of the car radiating a cold aura. The police immediately handed Lu Yanbai back to him, ¡°Director Lu, Master Lu is unharmed. The kidnapping suspect has been taken away by my colleagues and will be dealt with according to the law.¡± Upon hearing the police officer¡¯s words, Lu Yanbai panicked. ¡°I went with Mommy willingly, why did you arrest her? Let my mommy go...¡± For his son, who suffered from heart disease, Lu Youting¡¯s love was deep-rooted. He lifted Lu Yanbai into the car and sat him on his lap, gently massaging his head with his sturdy hand, ¡°That person is not your mommy. Your mommy died four years ago.¡± Lu Yanbai covered his ears and shook his head desperately, ¡°I don¡¯t believe you, you¡¯re lying! Great-grandfather showed me a photo of my mommy, I recognize her, that¡¯s my mommy. Take me to her!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face darkened, a hint of severity appearing between his brows, ¡°People can look alike. They just happen to resemble each other.¡± Lu Yanbai couldn¡¯t accept it, tears streamed down his face, ¡°Daddy, you¡¯re a bad person, you had the police arrest mommy, I hate you, I don¡¯t love you anymore!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s forehead visibly throbbed. Layers of gloom sprouted in his eyes, signaling that his patience was exhausted. Yet, seeing Lu Yanbai¡¯s tears, the anger simmering inside him vanished without a trace, leaving only heartache. He hugged Lu Yanbai closer and instructed the driver to go to the hospital. ¡°If you behave and go back to the hospital, I¡¯ll release her.¡± Upon hearing this, Lu Yanbai looked up at Lu Youting with tearful eyes, ¡°Really?¡± Lu Youting wiped away the tears from his face, ¡°A gentleman¡¯s word is as good as his bond; I would never lie to you.¡± Lu Yanbai finally broke into a tearful smile, pitifully bargaining, ¡°Then, can I see her? Or, can you bring her to see me?¡± Lu Youting did not respond clearly. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after we get back to the hospital.¡± Lu Yanbai leaned against Lu Youting, muttering expectantly to himself, ¡°Daddy, did Mommy come back specifically for me? Does she miss Xiao Bai? Mommy won¡¯t leave me again, right? Will I be able to see her every day?¡± Every sentence was about Jian Si. A flicker of irritation passed through Lu Youting¡¯s eyes. This could not continue any longer. He had to put a stop to it. ... Lu Youting took Lu Yanbai back to the hospital and instructed Lu Ya to personally look after him, then drove to the police station. In the detention center within the station, he met the woman he had hated for five years. Jian Si wore a white high-collared wool sweater with a beige wool coat draped over it. The light cast a beautiful halo on her, making her fair skin seem even more radiant, her already pretty features looking extraordinarily delicate. On seeing each other again. The once chubby girl had shed her youthfulness and transformed into a sexy and mature woman, stunning like a fairy. Lu Youting never knew she could be so beautiful. Seeing him staring at her silently, Jian Si frowned and spoke unhappily, ¡°Director Lu, what is this? Why have you locked me up?¡± Lu Youting stared at her delicate face, warning her word by word, ¡°Years ago, you despised Little Bai for his heart condition and abandoned him. You are unfit to be a mother! You haven¡¯t been by his side for the past five years, so I hope you won¡¯t disturb his life in the future.¡± Jian Si, with tearful eyes, explained, ¡°I had no choice back then! Xiao Bai¡¯s heart condition required a large sum for medical expenses, and I was penniless. The only option was to leave him with you.¡± More importantly, she had two other children to take care of. Realizing she had no ability to pay for Xiao Bai¡¯s medical expenses, ¡°Heh...¡± Lu Youting¡¯s cold eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, ¡°Don¡¯t make excuses for your irresponsibility.¡± If there¡¯s no money, can¡¯t you still stay by Xiao Bai¡¯s side? Jian Si knew she was wrong. No matter how much she said, it couldn¡¯t change the fact that she had abandoned Xiao Bai. Seeing that she offered no explanation, Lu Youting took it as an acknowledgment, his handsome face clouded with anger, ¡°If you don¡¯t want Xiao Bai to suffer because of you again, then don¡¯t admit you¡¯re his mother.¡± Jian Si had never thought of acknowledging Lu Yanbai. As long as she could watch over him and be with him every day, she was content. ¡°I will not recognize him.¡± Surprised by her quick agreement, a flicker of astonishment passed through Lu Youting¡¯s eyes. ¡°Is this a strategic retreat?¡± Jian Si was amused by his confidence, ¡°Director Lu, don¡¯t assume everyone is as vile as you. I¡¯m doing this not for you, but for Xiao Bai.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face instantly turned dark. ¡°Don¡¯t ever appear in front of me and my son again.¡± With that, he stood up and left without looking back. Jian Si really wanted to tell him that they would meet again soon. But, the words reached her lips and she swallowed them back. She was looking forward to seeing Lu Youting¡¯s expression when he found out she was the cardiac surgeon he had paid a fortune to hire. Lu Youting was true to his word and ordered the police to release Jian Si. Once released, she immediately called Su Wan, ¡°Xiao Wan, has Chenbao returned?¡± ¡°What returned? He has been sleeping at home. Right now¡ª¡± Su Wan paused, then suddenly screamed, ¡°Ah... Where¡¯s Chenbao? He was sleeping when I left!¡± A spasm twitched at Jian Si¡¯s mouth, realizing that Xiao Wan had been tricked by Chenbao. Just as she was about to say something, she heard Su Wan again, ¡°He¡¯s back, Chenbao is back! You scared me to death, I thought I had lost the child!¡± Relieved to hear that Chenbao had safely returned home, Jian Si let out a sigh of relief. After ending the call, she hurried home. Longjing Bay. Su Wan had gone to cook dinner. Jian Yue finally found the opportunity, her eyes sparkling with excitement, she eagerly asked Jian Sichen, ¡°Brother, did you see our second brother? Did you tell him about his sister?¡± Jian Sichen shook his head disappointedly, ¡°Xiao Bai ran away from the hospital. That jerk dad has people searching everywhere for him.¡± Jian Yue asked worriedly, ¡°Did they find him? Is our second brother okay?¡± Jian Sichen replied disappointedly, ¡°They found him! But that jerk dad has people guarding him, and I couldn¡¯t meet him. We¡¯ll just have to wait until next time.¡± Jian Yue also looked disappointed. But she wasn¡¯t discouraged. There would be plenty of opportunities for the siblings to meet in the future. Upon rushing home, Jian Si¡¯s first task was to check on Jian Sichen¡¯s condition. ¡°Were you scared at the entrance of the shopping center just now? Are you alright?¡± She feared that her arrest by the police had traumatized Chenbao. Jian Sichen, blinking his innocent eyes, looked at Jian Si, ¡°Mommy, what are you talking about? I wasn¡¯t with you just now.¡± Jian Si paused, a bold thought crossing her mind. ¡°You, you didn¡¯t go to the hospital to look for Mommy?¡± Jian Sichen shook his head, ¡°I really wanted to go to the hospital to find Mommy, but I didn¡¯t find you.¡± His reply confirmed Jian Si¡¯s suspicions. Thinking that the one who had been with her was her long-lost second son, she couldn¡¯t stop her body from trembling, overwhelmed by emotions such as excitement, sorrow, and disappointment. No wonder Chenbao had clung to her crying earlier, no wonder Lu Youting hadn¡¯t inquired about Chenbao¡¯s situation. It turned out that it wasn¡¯t Chenbao, it was Xiao Bai. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue, unaware of what had happened, anxiously asked, ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s wrong? Has something happened?¡± Not wanting them to worry, Jian Si forcefully sniffed, holding back her tears, and collected her emotions, ¡°I¡¯m fine, kids, go play for a while, I¡¯ll go help your godmother in the kitchen.¡± Then, she stood and walked into the kitchen. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue exchanged a glance, feeling that Mommy was acting strangely, not as if nothing had happened as she said. But Mommy had her secrets, and since she didn¡¯t want to talk, they wouldn¡¯t press her. Chapter 6 - 6 6 Five Years Later, Rivals in Love Meet Again, Ex-Wife Overpowers the Mistress ?6: Chapter 6: Five Years Later, Rivals in Love Meet Again, Ex-Wife Overpowers the Mistress 6: Chapter 6: Five Years Later, Rivals in Love Meet Again, Ex-Wife Overpowers the Mistress The next day. Jian Si got up early to make breakfast. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue brushed their teeth, washed their faces, changed their clothes, and used the toilet in an orderly fashion. After breakfast, Jian Si took them to the kindergarten across the road from their community. Su Wan had already completed the transfer procedures for both little ones a week prior. Jian Si only needed to take them to the kindergarten entrance and personally hand them over to the teacher. Before leaving, Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but to warn Jian Sichen, ¡°You better behave yourself. Don¡¯t run around, and look after your sister. If the teacher tells me you bullied your classmates or skipped school, I won¡¯t be lenient with you.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Jian Sichen sighed like a little adult. ¡°Why do I even have to go to kindergarten with them? Being with them is an insult to my intelligence.¡± ¡°Repeat that?¡± Jian Si glared at him fiercely, full of warning. Jian Sichen immediately shut up, flashed her a sweet smile, and bowed 180 degrees: ¡°Dear Mother Supreme, please go to work with peace of mind, I¡¯ll be very well-behaved. Take care on your way.¡± Jian Si was amused by him. These two treasures. No matter how bad her mood was, they always found a way to cheer her up, pulling her out of the gloom. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be off!¡± ¡°Bye-bye Mommy.¡± ¡°See you later Mommy.¡± The two of them waved goodbye to Jian Si with smiley faces. Jian Si drove to the hospital in the car borrowed from Su Wan. Everyone at the hospital knew that a big shot was about to join the Cardiology Department. This was an individual President Lu had lured from A country¡¯s most authoritative heart specialty hospital with a hefty sum, having completed both a master¡¯s and doctorate, graduating from A Medical University in A country, and had come to prominence two years ago for a major heart transplant operation. In the following two years, she advanced by leaps and bounds using one major heart surgery after another to gain worldwide fame, becoming the youngest heart disease specialist professor. When Jian Si showed up to report yesterday afternoon, many doctors were not around, so they had not seen her in person. Now knowing they were about to meet her in the flesh, everyone was incredibly excited. Ye Qingqing glanced at them and said with a tinge of jealousy, ¡°Don¡¯t get your hopes up too much. There are plenty of experts who have an inflated reputation. Whether they have real substance or not, you¡¯ll know once you see them in action.¡± The young female intern following her, Lin Xinyu, hurriedly agreed to please her: ¡°Professor Ye is right. In terms of ability, among the younger generation, who can compare to Professor Ye? I think this Professor Jian is all smoke and mirrors.¡± A round of flattery went down well with Ye Qingqing. Although she secretly looked down on the incoming professor, she did not show it. The nearly bald male doctor who had met Jian Si in the office yesterday laughed, ¡°I don¡¯t know about her abilities, but I saw Professor Jian yesterday, she¡¯s a super beauty.¡± Another male doctor teased, ¡°A super beauty? How beautiful can she be? More beautiful than Professor Ye?¡± Everyone knew that Professor Ye was the renowned beauty of their hospital. With both skills and beauty, she was the dream of all male doctors. The nearly bald male doctor glanced at Ye Qingqing and chuckled without saying a word. His expression undoubtedly told Ye Qingqing the answer. It seems the new Professor Jian came with high praise even from their most bookish doctor and was no ordinary person. Very soon, her ominous premonition was realized. Jian Si arrived at the office right on time. Today, she deliberately wore light makeup, her petite oval face paired with delicate and pretty features, slightly upturned eyes like peach blossoms, looking as captivating as a fox spirit. Even a simple white lab coat could not conceal her beauty and charm. Standing next to Ye Qingqing, Jian Si¡¯s temperament and appearance completely outshone her. ¡°Jian Si?¡± Ye Qingqing couldn¡¯t help but exclaim. Nobody expected that the Professor Jian they spoke of would actually be Jian Si. A doctor questioned, ¡°Professor Ye, do you know each other?¡± Jian Si and Ye Qingqing exchanged a glance, their silent understanding hiding the truth of their relationship. Ye Qingqing replied with an awkward smile, ¡°Yes, we know each other, but not very well.¡± Faced with the beautiful and capable Jian Si, everyone became very enthusiastic, eagerly asking her to share her experiences. Ye Qingqing, always the center of attention, found herself sidelined, her face darkening with resentment, wishing she could tear Jian Si to pieces. After acquainting herself with everyone, Jian Si went to the ward to see Lu Yanbai. Being new here, Lu Yanbai was her only patient. Approaching the ward but not yet inside, she heard a chaotic uproar, Lu Yanbai smashing things around and throwing a tantrum. ¡°Get out, all of you get out! Daddy is a liar, you promised me, and now you go back on your word. I hate you, I hate this place, I want to leave, I don¡¯t want treatment anymore, just let me die.¡± Lu Youting, at a loss for what to do, said irritably, ¡°I told you, she is not your mommy. She just looks a lot like her.¡± Lu Yanbai refused to listen, continuing his rampage, ¡°She is my mommy, she is my mommy, I won¡¯t mistake her, if you don¡¯t bring her to see me, I won¡¯t take my injections or my medicine or eat. I¡¯ll starve myself to death.¡± Lu Youting was exasperated, his frown throbbing, but helpless, he could only continue to coax, ¡°Xiao Bai, be good.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t, I won¡¯t, I hate you, I want mommy...¡± Lu Yanbai stubbornly covered his ears. His crying and shouting were loud, Almost the entire building could hear it. Standing outside the door, Jian Si¡¯s eyes were already moist, her chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton, suffocating, struggling to breathe. Had Xiao Bai always been like this all these years? He longed so much for his mother¡¯s company, and yet she... Thinking of this, her heart ached unbearably. Just then, Ye Qingqing heard the commotion and hastily made her way over. Seeing Jian Si at the door, whether intentionally or not, she bumped hard into her shoulder, gave her a smug look, and walked into the ward. Noticing the mess in the room, Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes flashed with impatience and disdain, but she quickly concealed it, and approached the bed, intending to embrace Lu Yanbai affectionately. ¡°Xiao Bai, tell Auntie what happened. Why are you so angry? Auntie will take care of it for you.¡± Lu Yanbai dodged her touch, unceremoniously retorted, ¡°You¡¯re not born to my grandpa, you¡¯re not my auntie, don¡¯t touch me, I hate you...¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s face turned livid with rage, grinding her teeth to contain her anger. She had to endure it, as Lu Youting cherished him despite his unruly and violent personality, and everyone else was at their wits¡¯ end with him. For Lu Youting¡¯s sake, she could only bear it. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes grew icy with a sudden chill, ¡°Lu Yanbai, watch your language.¡± Everyone knew this was the prelude to the big boss¡¯s fury. But Lu Yanbai wasn¡¯t scared at all. ¡°I hate all of you, get out, I don¡¯t want to see any of you again...¡± As he spoke, he picked up the last glass on the table and hurled it at them. Lu Youting was at his wits¡¯ end, his handsome brows knitted tightly. Ye Qingqing asked Lu Youting with concern, ¡°Youting, what happened to Xiao Bai? He usually listens to me, why is he so angry today?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother with him, he¡¯ll be fine after a few days of fussing!¡± Lu Youting was visibly annoyed. He would rather have Xiao Bai create a fuss than have him see Jian Si again. At that moment, Jian Si walked slowly into the room from outside, giving Lu Yanbai a tender smile, ¡°Xiao Bai, what¡¯s happened? Why have you turned the ward into such a mess?¡± Seeing her, Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face instantly seemed frosted over. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Chapter 7 - 7 7 You Have No Right to Recognize Your Son ?7: Chapter 7 You Have No Right to Recognize Your Son 7: Chapter 7 You Have No Right to Recognize Your Son Unlike his reaction, when Lu Yanbai saw Jian Si, his irritated eyes suddenly brightened. He jumped off the bed and ran toward Jian Si. He wasn¡¯t wearing shoes, and fearing that his feet would be cut by the glass shards on the floor, Jian Si immediately ran over and picked him up. ¡°Be careful, remember to wear shoes next time.¡± Lu Yanbai, who had just been fierce like an enraged little beast, now behaved gently like a kitten, vigorously nodding his small head. ¡°I¡¯ll remember, I¡¯ll definitely wear shoes next time.¡± ¡°Good boy!¡± Jian Si doted on him, rubbing his head. For the first time, knowing he was her son, she truly held him in her arms. Her heart felt sour and bitter, yet there was a hint of relief and satisfaction. Lu Youting watched his son, who had just been throwing a tantrum at him, now obediently listening to Jian Si. His heart felt as if a jar of vinegar had spilled, full of sourness. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Facing his questioning, Jian Si calmly placed Lu Yanbai back on the bed and extended her hand toward him with a stranger¡¯s demeanor. ¡°Director Lu, hello! I am the cardiothoracic surgeon, Jian Si, that you hired. Please advise me in the future.¡± Lu Youting stared in disbelief. ¡°You are Professor Jian?¡± Jian Si hid her hatred toward him and answered graciously and appropriately, ¡°My alias is Jian Ning, but my real name is Jian Si.¡± Hearing this, Lu Youting¡¯s face turned as ugly as if it had been splashed with ink. ¡°You are actually Jian Ning.¡± The professor he had tried so hard to bring here was actually his ex-wife. Seeing his expression, Jian Si felt a surge of satisfaction, smiling confidently. ¡°Rest assured, I will do my utmost to cure your son.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face grew even darker, and he dragged her toward the door. ¡°Mommy...¡± Afraid that Lu Youting might hurt Jian Si, Lu Yanbai panicked and tried to follow. Ye Qingqing immediately reached out to stop him, but he slapped her hand away. ¡°Get away, don¡¯t touch me.¡± His palm left a bright red mark on the back of her hand, the pain darkening her face and filling her eyes with a hateful glare, almost wishing she could strangle him. Seeing him about to run down barefoot again, Jian Si, worried he might cut his feet, quickly said, ¡°I¡¯ll discuss your condition with your daddy. Sit there and wait for me. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Sure enough. After hearing her words, although still worried, Lu Yanbai obediently sat on the hospital bed without moving. Ye Qingqing clenched her molars, her forced elegance and generosity nearly collapsing, disgust nearly spilling from her eyes. She had painstakingly looked after him for four years, yet she couldn¡¯t compare to Jian Si, who had abandoned him since his childhood. Truly an ungrateful wretch. Lu Youting dragged Jian Si into the hospital corridor. ¡°Jian Si, do you remember what you promised me yesterday?¡± Jian Si replied calmly, ¡°Lu Youting, rest assured, I didn¡¯t come back to take Xiao Bai from you. I promised I wouldn¡¯t acknowledge him, and I absolutely won¡¯t. Once his heart condition is treated, I¡¯ll leave here and never return. I don¡¯t want my presence to disrupt his peaceful life.¡± Lu Youting looked at her skeptically, clearly not quite believing her. ¡°Really?¡± Jian Si replied unflinchingly, ¡°Currently, Xiao Bai and I have only the relationship between doctor and patient, and with you, Director Lu, the relationship between doctor and patient¡¯s family member. That¡¯s all.¡± Lu Youting, as if he could see through everything, stared at her intently for a moment. Seeing she didn¡¯t seem to be lying, he reluctantly let her go. ¡°Remember what you said, if I find out you go back on your word, I will not let you off.¡± Jian Si looked at him playfully, then turned and left. Her final glance left Lu Youting puzzled, unsure of what it meant. Jian Si returned to the hospital room. The hospital room had been cleaned by the janitorial staff. Seeing Jian Si return, Lu Yanbai immediately jumped off the bed, ran barefoot for a couple of steps, then remembering Jian Si¡¯s instruction, he went back to put on shoes and hugged Jian Si¡¯s legs tightly, sweetly calling out, ¡°Mommy!¡± Feeling a warning glare from someone, Jian Si crouched down, touched his little face, and gently said, ¡°I¡¯m not your mommy, okay? I¡¯m your chief physician, my name is Jian Ning.¡± Lu Yanbai had already decided she was his mother and wouldn¡¯t listen to her explanation. ¡°You are my mommy, I¡¯ve seen your photo at great-grandfather¡¯s place, I can¡¯t be mistaken.¡± After saying that, he pulled out a photo from under his pillow. ¡°Look, this is mommy, looks exactly like you.¡± Jian Si took the photo and looked at it. It was indeed a photo taken with Lu Youting the year they got divorced, accompanying the old master and the lady. The old master and the lady sat in front, while she stood behind, bending over with her hands on their shoulders, happy like a child. She hadn¡¯t expected that after all these years, the grandparents had kept this photo. Her heart ached in waves, and she had a lot to say but didn¡¯t know where to start. Seeing her silent, Lu Yanbai pointed at her in the photo and said, ¡°Mommy, look, isn¡¯t this you?¡± Jian Si forcefully held back her sorrow, forcing herself to stay composed, ¡°It really looks alike, but people do resemble each other, there are many people in the world who look alike, it¡¯s just a coincidence.¡± Lu Yanbai wasn¡¯t convinced, ¡°If you¡¯re not my mommy, then why didn¡¯t you deny it that day in the parking lot?¡± Jian Si took a deep breath, already having thought of an excuse, ¡°Because I knew you were the young master of the Lu family who had run away from the hospital, I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t go back, so I could only use this method.¡± Seeing that she still would not admit it, Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes filled with tears, and they began to fall. ¡°Why won¡¯t you admit you¡¯re my mommy? Don¡¯t you like me? Don¡¯t you want to acknowledge me? I promise you, I will be good and not throw tantrums in the future, mommy, please don¡¯t reject me, okay?¡± His words were like a sharp blade, slicing through Jian Si¡¯s heart. She was nearly swayed by her own soft heart. But remembering her promise to Lu Youting, she had to force herself to stay strong, ¡°Xiao Bai, don¡¯t cry, you¡¯re very well-behaved, and I would love to have such a handsome and obedient son. But I really am not your mommy. If you don¡¯t mind, you can call me godmother, and I¡¯ll take you as my godson.¡± Lu Yanbai, having just calmed down, erupted again, pushing Jian Si away like a wild beast with blood-red eyes and a twisted face. ¡°You are all liars, despising me, not wanting me, just go... I don¡¯t want to see you...¡± he said, ripping out the IV from his hand. Blood suddenly sprayed out, splattering on Jian Si¡¯s face. The warm liquid jolted Jian Si back to reality, suddenly realizing Xiao Bai¡¯s situation might not be as simple as it seemed. Lu Yanbai began to smash things. He overturned everything that could be overturned. Even things that couldn¡¯t be overturned, he tried to overturn. Lu Youting immediately rushed over, held him tightly in his arms, and shouted to Ye Qingqing, ¡°Hurry up!¡± Ye Qingqing quickly pulled out a sedative and forcefully injected it into his body. The previously agitated Lu Yanbai immediately quieted down, collapsing into Lu Youting¡¯s arms and fell deeply asleep. Ye Qingqing then quickly attended to his bleeding. Finally, the hospital room quieted down. Lu Youting glared fiercely at the shocked Jian Si, ¡°More trouble than help, had I known this, I wouldn¡¯t have asked you to come back.¡± His cold and harsh words snapped Jian Si back to reality. She got up from the floor, fiercely grabbed Lu Youting¡¯s collar, and angrily demanded, ¡°Tell me, what exactly is wrong with Xiao Bai? How did he become like this?¡± This wasn¡¯t merely a bad temper. It was like, like bipolar disorder¡ª Chapter 8 - 8 8 I Want to Acknowledge My Son ?8: Chapter 8 I Want to Acknowledge My Son 8: Chapter 8 I Want to Acknowledge My Son Lu Youting was holding Lu Yanbai in his arms and had yet to react when Ye Qingqing rushed over and pushed her away. ¡°What right do you have to question him! Xiao Bai is like this because of you! That¡¯s right, you guessed it correctly, he does have bipolar disorder, and his condition is getting out of control. Now you know, are you satisfied?¡± Her words made Jian Si feel as if the world was spinning. She only knew Xiao Bai had a heart condition, but she hadn¡¯t expected that someone so young could also have a mental illness. How could this have happened? ¡°Why didn¡¯t you list it in the medical history you gave me?¡± Lu Youting gently placed Lu Yanbai on the bed and tucked him in, looking at her emotionlessly: ¡°There¡¯s a lot that wasn¡¯t recorded in the medical history. Do you want me to go through it all with you?¡± Jian Si felt her heart skip a beat. ¡°What else is there?¡± A mocking light flashed in Lu Youting¡¯s eyes: ¡°He also has asthma. Two years ago, he took his pocket money and a little backpack to secretly run away from home, hoping to find you. But he caught a serious cold on the way. In the end, his life was saved, but he was left with asthma.¡± Jian Si¡¯s legs went weak, and she staggered back a step. Lu Youting continued: ¡°He also has severe gastritis. Because he missed you, his mother, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to eat, which led to gastritis at such a young age.¡± Every word was an accusation against Jian Si. As if to say, if it weren¡¯t for you, he wouldn¡¯t be like this. After listening, Jian Si couldn¡¯t hold back her tears any longer. What had Xiao Bai been through all these years? At a time when he needed his mother the most, she hadn¡¯t been by his side. She, as a mother, had failed him. With this thought in mind, she also made a decision in her heart. A dark shade passed through Lu Youting¡¯s inky pupils: ¡°Just do your job. The rest is none of your concern.¡± Jian Si took a deep breath, her voice trembling: ¡°Lu Youting, I¡¯m sorry...¡± Those brief three words caused Lu Youting¡¯s imposing frame to jolt sharply. Before he could recover, Jian Si added: ¡°I might have to break my word!¡± Lu Youting narrowed his eyes dangerously: ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Jian Si spoke with the gravity of a major decision: ¡°I want to acknowledge Xiao Bai!¡± As soon as she finished talking, the air around them turned cold abruptly. A tumultuous gloom clouded over Lu Youting¡¯s eyes as he spat out fiercely, ¡°You dare!¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s palm clenched subconsciously, her nails digging into her flesh, as she spoke indignantly: ¡°Sister, how could you do this? You abandoned Xiao Bai four years ago, and Youting and I finally managed to raise him. Now you suddenly come back wanting to acknowledge your son. What do you think we are?¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t be bothered with her and fearlessly met Lu Youting¡¯s gaze: ¡°Xiao Bai¡¯s illnesses are caused by me, and it is my duty to take care of him until he recovers. Since his greatest wish is to find his mother, why not fulfill it? If the obsession in his heart is gone, his mental condition will improve a lot, and his body will naturally recover better.¡± Lu Youting hadn¡¯t considered this, and suddenly felt somewhat moved. For Xiao Bai¡¯s sake, he was willing to do anything. Seeing his expression soften, Ye Qingqing gritted her teeth secretly, resentful: ¡°Don¡¯t spout nonsense; all this is just your excuse for wanting to take back the child.¡± Jian Si stared unflinchingly into Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, as if waging a psychological battle: ¡°Director Lu, don¡¯t you want Xiao Bai to get better quickly? Does it matter so much whether he¡¯s with me or with you?¡± That statement undoubtedly struck a chord in Lu Youting¡¯s heart. In the end, Lu Youting compromised. ¡°Fine, I agree, but remember, Xiao Bai is my son. Don¡¯t even think about taking him away from me.¡± Seeing him agree, Jian Si let out a slight sigh of relief. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I just want Xiao Bai to be healthy. I don¡¯t care about the rest.¡± Ye Qingqing didn¡¯t expect Lu Youting to agree so easily. The thought of Jian Si being able to spend day and night with Lu Youting under the guise of caring for the child made her insanely jealous. ¡°Youting, do you really believe her ridiculous words? She¡¯s lying to you.¡± Lu Youting frowned impatiently and said in a deep voice, ¡°Xiao Bai is fine now, you can go. I¡¯ll call you if I need anything.¡± The message to leave was clear. Even though Ye Qingqing was extremely reluctant, she did not dare to stay any longer and could only leave unwillingly and resentfully. Jian Si skillfully conducted a series of examinations on Lu Yanbai. She found that Xiao Bai¡¯s condition was much worse than she had expected. ¡°His physical condition is not suitable for surgery right now. The most urgent thing is to stabilize his condition first. I will take good care of him in the future and get his health back on track.¡± Lu Youting looked at the sleeping Lu Yanbai with worry but said nothing. Jian Si reluctantly stroked his small cheek and said to Lu Youting, ¡°I¡¯m going to prescribe some medicine for him. I¡¯ll replace all the prescriptions Ye Qingqing had given before. You stay here and watch him closely, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± After speaking, she returned to her office and replaced all the medicine Lu Yanbai had been using. The medicines Ye Qingqing had prescribed for Xiao Bai were indeed for heart disease; although effective, they were very strong. Xiao Bai was only four years old; his body could not withstand such aggressive medication for long. The medicines she prescribed did not work as quickly, but they were relatively milder and more suitable for long-term care. Many of these medicines were developed in conjunction with her mentor at the research institute in Country A, and they worked very well for treating heart disease. She had gone to great lengths to convince her mentor to supply these medications to their hospital. But the quantity was limited, and they could only be used by her. After prescribing the medicine, Jian Si thoroughly went over Lu Yanbai¡¯s medical case again, including his manic depression and gastric issues. Being newly appointed, there was a lot to do, and the hospital had also assigned her some new patients who had just been admitted. Consequently, Jian Si was very busy in the morning and didn¡¯t even have time to drink water. By the time she was done, it was already noon. Jian Si checked the time and thought that Xiao Bai might be waking up soon. She was about to go and check on him when her phone suddenly rang. It was a video call from her son. Considering that it was her son and daughter¡¯s first day of school and worried that they might not be adjusting well, she stepped into the hallway to take the call: ¡°Chenbao, Yueyue.¡± Two small faces crowded into the phone screen. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue waved excitedly at her: ¡°Mommy, Mommy, are you at the hospital right now? How was work today? Did anyone bully you? Did you see Xiao Bai brother? How is he doing? Is he feeling any better?¡± The little ones bombarded her with a flurry of questions. Jian Si patiently answered each question: ¡°I¡¯m in the hospital right now, everyone is nice to me, no one¡¯s bullying me, and I saw Xiao Bai this morning. His condition is not too bad, so don¡¯t worry.¡± She paused before asking, ¡°How do you feel about your first day of class? Were you naughty? Did you listen to the teacher? Can you adapt to the new environment?¡± ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re good!¡± Jian Sichen wanted to say more but was pushed aside by Jian Yue. ¡°Mommy, did you mention me and brother to Xiao Bai? We miss him so much, when can we see him?¡± Seeing the longing in her eyes, Jian Si¡¯s gaze grew dim. ¡°It¡¯s not the right time yet. When the time comes, I¡¯ll let you meet him.¡± Jian Yue was simple-minded and understood her mother¡¯s concerns, nodding her little head: ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll wait for your good news.¡± Jian Sichen pushed Jian Yue aside, finally finding an opportunity to ask, ¡°Mommy, did you see that scumbag dad? Did he bully you?¡± Before Jian Si could respond, a commotion suddenly erupted from upstairs. The quiet VIP ward was once again filled with the sounds of smashing and crashing. Knowing that Lu Yanbai had woken up and was causing trouble again, Jian Si held her breath and quickly said to the kids, ¡°You two be good and listen in kindergarten. Mommy¡¯s a bit busy right now, but I¡¯ll make something delicious for you when I get home.¡± Chapter 9 - 9 9 Baby, I am your Mommy ?9: Chapter 9 Baby, I am your Mommy 9: Chapter 9 Baby, I am your Mommy Lu Yanbai¡¯s commotion was loud, causing headaches for both doctors and patients. Jian Si could hear Lu Yanbai¡¯s roars from a little distance away, ¡°Everyone get lost, I want to find Mommy. All of you are liars, all of you are big bad guys, I don¡¯t want to see you.¡± Lu Youting had been trying to calm him for a long time and was nearly at his limit when he growled, ¡°Go get Jian Si.¡± As Lu Ya left the sickroom, he saw Jian Si approaching and immediately sighed in relief, ¡°Lady, please come quickly; the young master is crying for you.¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t notice his form of address as she hurried into the sickroom. The room was in a mess, the newly inserted IV had been pulled out again, and blood was spurting out, covering the floor and the bed everywhere. The hard-to-come-by medication from Country A had spilled all over the floor. Seeing her arrival, Lu Youting stepped back automatically to make space for her. When Lu Yanbai saw her, he paused in the act of throwing a water glass, then turned and threw it directly at her. Jian Si didn¡¯t dodge; her eyes were filled with nothing but Lu Yanbai, as she stepped closer to him. The water glass brushed past her leg and shattered on the ground. ¡°You¡¯re not my Mommy, what are you doing here? Go away, I don¡¯t want to see you, I only want my Mommy! I don¡¯t need someone who just looks exactly like her.¡± For two years, he had searched for his mother time and again, only to be disappointed each time. He had thought it impossible to ever reunite with his mother in this lifetime and had almost given up. But the moment he saw Jian Si yesterday, he seemed to see hope again, reviving his once-despairing heart, even more intensely than before. He wanted to see his Mommy. Desperately wanted to see her. It was like a dying patient who desperately wants to see their loved ones one last time. Thinking about how Lu Yanbai had looked for her unknowingly and faced disappointment again and again at such a young age, bearing pains he shouldn¡¯t have, brought tears to Jian Si¡¯s eyes. As Lu Yanbai picked up another object to throw, she finally choked up and spoke. ¡°Xiao Bai, I am your Mommy, Jian Si. Be good, listen to me, give me what¡¯s in your hands. Mommy doesn¡¯t want to see you like this.¡± Hearing the word ¡®Mommy,¡¯ Lu Yanbai visibly flinched, his little face flashing with various emotions. Bewilderment, helplessness, surprise, and finally anger. He threw the object in his hand at Jian Si without hesitation, shattering it by her feet. Pieces scraped past Jian Si¡¯s calves and ankles, and blood immediately seeped from the wounds. Yet, she felt no pain at all, her entire attention on Lu Yanbai. Lu Yanbai raised a vase high, threatening her, ¡°You liar, trying to trick me again; I won¡¯t be fooled. Go away, or I¡¯ll smash it on you.¡± Jian Si took out her ID card from her pocket, which she had prepared earlier, and handed it to him, ¡°Look, this is my ID card, the name is Jian Si, not Jian Ning. Your great-grandfather must have told you your Mommy¡¯s name, right?¡± Lu Yanbai instinctively looked at the name on the ID card. Indeed, his great-grandfather had told him that his mother¡¯s name was Jian Si. Simple ¡®Jian,¡¯ longing ¡®Si.¡¯ And it was the first name he had learned to write, not Lu Yanbai, not Lu Youting. So, he could not mistake these two words. This was Jian Si. The name of his biological mother. Lu Yanbai¡¯s expression softened notably, ¡°Since you¡¯re my Mommy, why won¡¯t you acknowledge me? Why lie to me?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s pupils shrank sharply, dangerously peering at Jian Si like a fierce beast lurking in the shadows, ready to tear her apart and devour her if she dared to reveal the truth. Jian Si crouched down to be level with Lu Yanbai, looking at him tenderly, ¡°Mommy was just playing a joke with you. Didn¡¯t I already admit yesterday in the parking lot that you¡¯re my son? I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be this upset. I¡¯m sorry, Mommy was wrong. Can you forgive Mommy?¡± Her submissive words disarmed the naive Lu Yanbai of all his defenses. ¡°Are you really my Mommy?¡± Jian Si nodded with tear-filled eyes, ¡°I truly am your Mommy, Mommy is back. Mommy has missed you so much these years, my baby. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± ¡°The word ¡®sorry¡¯ deeply stabbed Lu Yanbai¡¯s fragile heart. Tears gradually gathered in his watery big eyes. Jian Si knew the timing was ripe, slowly reached out to take the vase he was holding high, gently placed it on the ground, and after the vase was completely out of danger, she stretched out her arms towards Lu Yanbai. ¡°Xiao Bai, come, let Mommy hug you.¡± Seeing his mother, whom he had longed for every day since he could remember, Lu Yanbai couldn¡¯t hold back anymore and burst into her arms, crying aloud, releasing years of longing. ¡°Mommy, Xiao Bai missed you so much, you¡¯re finally back.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but cry with him. Mother and son clung tightly to each other, afraid of losing each other again. The scene moved even Lu Ya, who couldn¡¯t help but get teary-eyed, sniffing hard, and inadvertently caught Lu Youting beside him with red corners in his eyes, immediately staring wide-eyed in surprise. Caught in an awkward moment by his assistant, Lu Youting shot him a cold look. Lu Ya immediately averted his gaze, not daring to look any longer. Watching Xiao Bai and Jian Si reunite, Lu Youting felt a mix of emotions and suddenly regretted all the obstacles he had put in their way. If he had found Jian Si earlier, would Xiao Bai¡¯s illness not have become so severe? For the first time, he questioned his own decisions. After Jian Si hugged Lu Yanbai and cried for a while, worrying that crying too much might hurt his body, she took a breath, lifted him from the ground to the bed, and gently wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, ¡°The injection was prescribed by Mommy, will you accept the treatment nicely? Mommy will be with you every day from now on, making you delicious food. Let¡¯s get our health back together so we can always be together.¡± Regardless of whether this promise would be kept. But the priority was to stabilize Lu Yanbai¡¯s emotions and help him recover quickly. The rest could wait. As long as Jian Si didn¡¯t leave, Lu Yanbai agreed to everything, nodding obediently like a docile little bunny, ¡°Mmm! Xiao Bai will listen to Mommy.¡± Jian Si immediately made a gesture to Lu Youting. Understanding her cue, Lu Youting whispered instructions to Lu Ya. Soon after, the nurse arrived with a new IV. ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Jian Si took the IV from the nurse, giving Lu Yanbai a gentle smile, ¡°I¡¯ll personally administer your IV, Mommy¡¯s not very skilled, it might hurt a bit, so be a good boy and don¡¯t move.¡± At this moment, Lu Yanbai felt so sweet inside that he hardly cared about the pain, nodding eagerly. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of the pain, just go ahead, I¡¯m willing to be your guinea pig.¡± Jian Si, relieved, patted his head. Because of frequent injections, there wasn¡¯t a single unmarked spot on Lu Yanbai¡¯s hands. Seeing the various needle marks and bruises all over the back of his hands, Jian Si¡¯s heart pinched with a pang. After searching for a while, she found a small vein deep under the skin, secured its position, tied a tourniquet, disinfected with iodine, and finally inserted the IV. One stick, blood flashed. All movements flowed smoothly. A teaching template. Normally, the little one who would scream at the sight of needles was unusually quiet today, his glistening big eyes never leaving Jian Si from start to finish, afraid she would disappear in the blink of an eye. After the IV was in, the unfinished medication was wasted. Jian Si had no choice but to go back to her office to prescribe it again. The little one, afraid Jian Si wouldn¡¯t return, clung tightly to her, insisting on accompanying her to the office. Knowing his insecurity, Jian Si let him. When Lu Yanbai appeared in the office clinging to Jian Si, the doctors in the office widened their eyes, incredulous. Especially Ye Qingqing. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, the redness in her eyes almost violent, wishing she could kill Jian Si. Willingly donating her own bone marrow. Chapter 10 - 10 10 The Mistresss Set-Up Exposed by Jian Si ?10: Chapter 10: The Mistress¡¯s Set-Up Exposed by Jian Si 10: Chapter 10: The Mistress¡¯s Set-Up Exposed by Jian Si Someone gave her a thumbs-up, full of admiration, ¡°Professor Jian, you really have a way.¡± Even the tough Crown Prince is taken care of. Of course, the latter part was only dared to be said in one¡¯s heart, not blatantly out loud. Jian Si patted his head, her face full of indulgence, ¡°He¡¯s so well-behaved and obedient, quite charming indeed!¡± The atmosphere instantly froze. Everyone¡¯s expressions on their faces simultaneously stiffened, showing different degrees of cracks. They couldn¡¯t help but groan inwardly. Only Professor Jian would say he¡¯s well-behaved and obedient. Those two adjectives simply don¡¯t fit him, Lu Yanbai, do they? He was a complete little devil incarnate. Seeing that no one else spoke, Jian Si walked to her desk and let Lu Yanbai sit obediently on her lap while she started prescribing medicine on the computer. Lu Yanbai sat quietly, his eyes curiously fixed on the computer screen. Suddenly, a pair of hands blocked his view, followed by Jian Si¡¯s gentle voice ringing in his ears, ¡°Children should not stare at the computer screen too much, it¡¯s not good for their eyes.¡± As her voice faded, those present collectively drew in a breath of cool air, secretly clutching their hearts for her. Daring to talk like that to the little Crown Prince, Professor Jian was definitely the first. They could already foresee the dreadful scene to come. Even Ye Qingqing was prepared for Lu Yanbai¡¯s wrath. After all, her pseudo-nephew was notoriously bad-tempered, throwing and smashing things at the slightest dissatisfaction, not even Lu Youting could handle him. However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, not only did Lu Yanbai not throw a fit, he actually buried his head into Jian Si¡¯s embrace and softly agreed, ¡°Oh!¡± Such a simple word, even with a hint of pleasure. His mood seemed pretty good. Everyone¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment, shocked as if they were seeing something incredible, they could hardly believe that this was the same fearsome Crown Prince who made everyone keep their distance. Suddenly, someone teased, ¡°Professor Ye, look, your own aunt can¡¯t compare to a newcomer.¡± An unintentionally teasing remark made Ye Qingqing¡¯s face turn red instantly. She walked over to Jian Si, indignant and reaching out to hold Lu Yanbai, ¡°Xiao Bai, Professor Jian needs to write a prescription, and it¡¯s not convenient for you to be on her lap. Come to your aunt first, and you can go back after Professor Jian is finished.¡± Unexpectedly, as soon as her hand touched Lu Yanbai, he forcefully broke free, screaming without any regard for her feelings, ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, I only want her, just her, you get lost...¡± His rejection left Ye Qingqing extremely embarrassed, her small face instantly turning as red as a monkey¡¯s butt, wishing she could crawl into a hole. Jian Si, worried that his hard-won stable mood would become uncontrollable again, quickly held him closer, ¡°No need, he¡¯s not in the way while sitting in my lap.¡± Ye Qingqing withdrew her hand sullenly. Yet, she clearly felt that everyone¡¯s gaze at her held a bit of a meaningful look. Almost every doctor in the office was there. Her face had completely lost face this time, and her hatred for Jian Si and Lu Yanbai deepened. After Jian Si finished prescribing the medication, she disregarded everyone¡¯s probing gazes and carried Lu Yanbai back to the ward. Since the mother and son recognized each other, Lu Youting had completely become invisible. Lu Yanbai clung to Jian Si all day long. He wanted her to hold him for injections, she had to feed him his meals, and he even wanted her to accompany him to the restroom. Lu Youting¡¯s heart was like being soaked in a vat of vinegar, sour enough to bubble. The little guy, who had never been in the habit of napping, surprisingly fell asleep on Jian Si¡¯s body, his small hand still tightly clutching her clothes for fear that she would leave. Jian Si had exhausted a lot of effort, but still couldn¡¯t pull her clothes out of his hand, so she just gave up trying and let him hold on. Lu Youting finally found the opportunity, took a deep breath, and exhaled the turbid air that had been pent up in his chest all day, sourly saying, ¡°A real ingrate, after raising him for so many years, he¡¯s not even as close to you as he is to me after half a day.¡± The thought alone was disgusting. Jian Si gave him a sidelong glance and said speechlessly, ¡°So childish!¡± Lu Youting stared at Lu Yanbai¡¯s grip on Jian Si¡¯s clothes, the sight growing more and more irritating. Jian Si noticed his gaze and couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Ever heard of a mother-child bond? He was carried by me for ten months, he¡¯s a piece of flesh that fell from my body. When I was pregnant, I talked to him every day, told him stories, and you, only contributed a single ¡®J¡¯.¡± Lu Youting was at a loss for words and fell silent. But his heart felt even more stifled. Seeing his unhappy expression, Jian Si¡¯s mood suddenly improved a lot. Jian Si glanced outside at the light of day and pulled out her phone to check the time, ¡°It¡¯s four o¡¯clock, I¡¯m off work now!¡± Chenbao and Yueyue got out of school at five. It took her half an hour from the hospital to the nursery school, and then another half an hour to buy groceries. The timing was just perfect. Hearing that she was about to leave, his face rapidly darkened, recalling the scene where the little tyrant wouldn¡¯t see her upon waking up, Lu Youting shuddered violently. He was really frightened by this little guy¡¯s antics. Guessing his concerns, Jian Si said, ¡°If he wakes up and looks for me, let him send me a video! I¡¯ll talk to him.¡± After saying this, she took out her phone and asked, ¡°Does Xiao Bai have a phone or a phone watch?¡± Lu Youting, with a dark face, took a phone watch out of the drawer, only to discover it was already broken by the little ancestor. Out of options, he and Jian Si added each other on WeChat. The little guy was probably in deep sleep, because when Jian Si tried to pull at her clothes again, they came out with a light tug, she properly covered him with the blanket, took one last look at him and left with reluctance. After changing into her regular clothes, Jian Si arrived at the parking lot, just opened her car door when suddenly a hand came out of nowhere, slamming the car door shut. Jian Si followed the arm upward and was met with Ye Qingqing¡¯s fierce and twisted face. Jian Si¡¯s alarm bells rang, and without making any fuss, she covertly glanced at the nearby surveillance camera, and with a pressed smile said, ¡°My dear ¡®sister¡¯, what urgent matter do you have stopping me like this?¡± The word ¡®sister¡¯ was heavily emphasized. It carried undisguised contempt and mockery. Instantly reminding Ye Qingqing of her own origins, her face turned even uglier. ¡°If you had left, why did you come back? Wasn¡¯t it good staying abroad? Why did you come back to fight over Lu Youting and Xiao Bai with me?¡± Jian Si scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in Lu Youting, if you want him, take him, I won¡¯t fight with you over him. But Xiao Bai is my son, what right do you have to claim him?¡± Ye Qingqing suddenly grew agitated, grabbed Jian Si¡¯s arm and shook violently, ¡°In the four years you weren¡¯t here, it was me who cared for him tirelessly, sacrificing my dreams to study medicine for his sake. I¡¯ve given up no less than you have as a mother, how can you come back and simply negate my efforts?¡± Jian Si was amused by her words. ¡°Did you do it for him or to please Lu Youting, you know very well in your heart, can you not paint yourself so saintly?¡± Her true motives exposed, Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes flitted with embarrassment, and she lost the momentum she had with her words. It was at this moment that she saw Lu Youting approaching from behind Jian Si. A malicious scheme surfaced in her mind. Her lips curled into a wicked sneer, grabbing Jian Si¡¯s hand she cried out, ¡°Sister, let go of me, where are you taking me? I don¡¯t want to go...¡± With that, she let go, falling backward, her palms hitting the ground first, the pain caused her to sharply inhale. From Lu Youting¡¯s angle, it looked exactly like Jian Si had pushed Ye Qingqing down¡ª Chapter 11 - 11 11 Jian Si Teaches the White Lotus Mistress a Lesson ?11: Chapter 11 Jian Si Teaches the White Lotus Mistress a Lesson 11: Chapter 11 Jian Si Teaches the White Lotus Mistress a Lesson Ye Qingqing cried out with grievance, ¡°Sister, I know you were very angry with me for stealing Youting five years ago. If you really like him, I can give him up for you. Why are you doing this to me?¡± Jian Si furrowed her brows, feeling that this scene was somewhat familiar. It was like the plot of a villainess in a TV drama, where she directs and performs a scene to frame the heroine. It wasn¡¯t until she heard Lu Youting¡¯s voice from behind her that she confirmed she wasn¡¯t mistaken; she really was being framed by Ye Qingqing. ¡°What happened?¡± Lu Youting walked over from behind Jian Si, bent down to help Ye Qingqing up from the ground, his whole being seemed to be enveloped in a layer of frost, cold air pouring out wildly. Ye Qingqing feigned a hiss, deliberately retracting her hand, and successfully made Lu Youting see the injury on her palm. Lu Youting¡¯s brows knitted into a stern ¡°Sichuan¡± character: ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Ye Qingqing shrank fearfully into Lu Youting¡¯s embrace, tears falling down like pearls. ¡°Youting, don¡¯t blame Sisi, she just loves you too much. It¡¯s because she lost her temper that she did something so excessive. She didn¡¯t mean it.¡± This acting, Jian Si swore, was truly better than many professional actors nowadays. She was the epitome of an innocent white rabbit that had been wronged, while Jian Si was the big bad wolf that wanted to devour her. Lu Youting raised an eyebrow, looked at Jian Si, and asked teasingly, ¡°So, you love me too much?¡± Jian Si laughed at herself. Five years ago, everyone knew she loved him. Loved him to the point of having neither dignity nor self. Yet he still doubted her feelings for him today. Quite ridiculous. Jian Si did not respond to her question, but coldly turned to Ye Qingqing: ¡°You just said, if I really liked him, you would let him go for me?¡± Ye Qingqing couldn¡¯t grasp the meaning behind her words, but she had already spoken, and there was no turning back now, so she could only nod stiffly. ¡°If Sisi likes him, I would even give up my life.¡± In other words, Lu Youting was her life. If you really liked him, then take him away! If Jian Si really took him, it would be disregarding sisterly affection. If she didn¡¯t take him, then she would just be making trouble for the sake of it. Either choice would mean victory for Ye Qingqing in this game. Jian Si didn¡¯t take her bait and decisively said: ¡°Since you¡¯ve agreed, then break off your engagement with him, and we¡¯ll pick a good day soon to remarry. It just so happens our family of three can reunite.¡± Ye Qingqing had not expected her to really go through with it and froze, forgetting how to react for a moment. Lu Youting¡¯s normally calm heart seemed to have been severely struck, shuddering fiercely, giving rise to an indescribable feeling. Jian Si had long known she was just acting and wouldn¡¯t really give Lu Youting up. She tugged at the corner of her mouth and said sarcastically, ¡°Five years later, and you¡¯re still as hypocritical as ever.¡± Having said that, she opened the car door, ready to leave. But the frustration in her heart wouldn¡¯t subside. Since she had already been accused of a groundless crime, if she didn¡¯t do something about it, it would be a disgrace to the accusation! With that thought, she suddenly turned around, raised her hand, and gave Ye Qingqing two fierce slaps before pushing her forcefully backward. Her actions were so fast and sudden that neither Lu Youting nor Ye Qingqing could react in time. By the time they came to their senses, Ye Qingqing had already been pushed to the ground. Jian Si dusted off her hands, proudly saying, ¡°I¡¯m not one to suffer losses. Since you framed me for pushing you, then I might as well push you for real. At least now I won¡¯t be taking the loss.¡± After speaking, she opened the car door, bent down to get into the car, and then honked the horn frantically. Her eardrums were almost shattered by the sound of the horn. Lu Youting helped Ye Qingqing up from the ground and moved to the side. Jian Si turned the steering wheel a few times, skillfully maneuvered the car out of the parking space, stepped on the gas, and drove off into the distance. Ye Qingqing felt like she was going to explode with rage. Her hand hurt, her face hurt, her buttocks hurt, everything hurt. She had not expected that after five years of not seeing her, the Jian Si whom she used to bully had completely changed into someone incredibly sharp-tongued and now even dared to lay a hand on her. Today was truly a case of stealing chickens without managing to lose the rice. Lu Youting watched the direction Jian Si had driven off in, feeling dazed for a moment, hardly believing that the small wild cat that bared its fangs at him just now was his former wife, who used to be submissive and obedient, never asserting her own opinions. Seeing him staring blankly in the direction Jian Si had left, Ye Qingqing suddenly felt a sense of crisis. To regain his attention, she purposefully let out a pained hiss. Lu Youting came back to his senses, his gaze returning: ¡°How are you feeling?¡± His tone and expression were indifferent, showing no excessive concern or anxiety. Ye Qingqing shook her head, pretending to be magnanimous: ¡°I¡¯m fine, I know she is still blaming me. She¡¯ll be okay once she cools down.¡± Lu Youting did not take the bait, nor did he continue to inquire about the true cause of their conflict, saying indifferently, ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the hospital to get your wound treated.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Ye Qingqing obediently nodded, her petite body curling into his embrace. Lu Youting subtly created distance between them without a sound, offering a polite but measured support to her wrist. And that was exactly what Ye Qingqing didn¡¯t want, yet she was powerless to change it and could only blame Jian Si for her predicament. After bringing Ye Qingqing to the emergency room for her injuries, Lu Youting left early, citing the need to take care of Lu Yanbai. Ye Qingqing looked at her injured palm and swollen wrist, nearly exploding with anger. It was a move badly played. Not only had she failed to drive a wedge between them, but she had also gotten a beating from Jian Si. She had never suffered such humiliation in her life. Just wait. One day, she would get her revenge. Jian Si, having triumphed over Ye Qingqing, was in an especially good mood. She hummed along with the car music while rhythmically swinging left and right, her slender fingers tapping on the steering wheel. But ecstasy led to tragedy; in her carelessness, she failed to notice the road conditions ahead. By the time she slammed on the brakes, it was too late. A person was already hit and lying on the ground. She hurriedly got out of the car to check the situation. Fortunately, this wasn¡¯t a main road, and the sparse traffic didn¡¯t draw much attention. ¡°Are you okay? Are you hurt?¡± The man got up from the ground, seemingly unaffected by the incident, nonchalantly dusting off his clothes: ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± Jian Si saw that his palm was scraped and blood was oozing out. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding and you say you¡¯re fine. Wait for me, I¡¯ll be right back!¡± After speaking, she returned to her car, fetched the first aid kit, and expertly disinfected the wound, reminding him as she worked: ¡°Remember, don¡¯t get it wet for 24 hours, and try to use your other hand.¡± Her focus was so intense she didn¡¯t notice the man¡¯s gaze was fixed on her face. Not until he called out ¡°Sisi¡± did she abruptly look up, only to be met with exquisitely handsome features paired with an ivory-colored shirt that highlighted his clear and dewy complexion, like a refined gentleman, exuding a casual and suave charm. That face? ¡°Ah Che?¡± Despite the many years and his face etched in her mind, the long separation made Jian Si hesitant to confirm it was him, fearful of mistaking a stranger for her acquaintance. Ji Mingche smiled broadly: ¡°Yeah, I am Ji Mingche.¡± Jian Si hadn¡¯t expected a reunion, and overwhelmed with the joy of seeing him after so long, she embraced him tightly. ¡°It really is you, we finally meet again, I thought we¡¯d never see each other in this lifetime.¡± She could never forget that when her mother committed suicide due to depression, it was Ah Che who accompanied her through the darkest moments of her life. After Ye Qingqing and her daughter entered their lives, he was the one who always protected her from being bullied. If it weren¡¯t for him, there would be no Jian Si of today. Ji Mingche, ignoring his injured hand, hugged her back tightly: ¡°I thought I recognized the wrong person just now! Can¡¯t believe it¡¯s really you, have we not seen each other for ten years?¡± Jian Si nodded vigorously, released him, and asked with teary eyes: ¡°Yes! It¡¯s been ten years. Didn¡¯t your whole family move to the U.S.?¡± ¡°Ji Family is planning to start a branch in Z country, and I came here for inspection! On the first day back, I went to the Jian Family to find you. Uncle Jian said you disappeared five years ago. I¡¯ve been asking around for a long time but couldn¡¯t find any news about you. Where have you been these five years? What happened?¡± Jian Si felt it was too complicated to explain in a few words and, not wanting to delay picking up her kids from school, she went back to the car, took out a business card, and handed it to him: ¡°I have to pick up the kids from school now. This has my contact information on it; let¡¯s set a time to meet up properly another day.¡± Ji Mingche paused, something flashing in his eyes. ¡°You got married?¡± Jian Si¡¯s face flushed: ¡°I got divorced a long time ago!¡± Ji Mingche visibly relaxed. ¡°Alright then, go pick up your kids; I¡¯ll contact you.¡± Jian Si nodded, glanced at the time on her phone, got into her car, waved goodbye to Ji Mingche from inside the vehicle, and drove off. Ji Mingche looked at the business card in his hand, his lips slowly curving into a gentle smile, his eyes gleaming warmly. At that moment, a well-dressed assistant approached: ¡°Director Ji, everything at the hospital has been arranged; we can go now.¡± Ji Mingche nodded, crossed the flower bed, and got into the Bentley parked by the roadside. An hour and a half later, the Bentley entered the grounds of a mental hospital in the suburbs. Ji Mingche stood outside a securely sealed room. Inside sat a man. The man¡¯s back was to the door, staring blankly out the window, body rocking, mumbling incoherently. Ji Mingche gripped the stainless steel railing above the door to control his surging emotions, and called out hoarsely, ¡°Brother...¡± The man turned his head slowly, revealing a face identical to Ji Mingche¡¯s; he gave a chuckle, saliva dripping down from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Little brother, you¡¯re here.¡± Ji Mingche felt a piercing pain in his heart, his eyes filled with a torrent of hatred, and tears blurred his vision¡ª Chapter 12 - 12 12 Ruthlessly Torture the Ex-Husband ?12: Chapter 12: Ruthlessly ¡®Torture¡¯ the Ex-Husband 12: Chapter 12: Ruthlessly ¡®Torture¡¯ the Ex-Husband Due to this little incident, Jian Si couldn¡¯t make it to buy groceries and went directly to the kindergarten to pick up the two little ones. Just as she arrived at the school gate, Jian Sichen and Jian Yue walked out hand in hand. Seeing Jian Si, they immediately ran excitedly toward her and hugged her thighs. Jian Sichen affectionately rubbed against her leg, ¡°Mommy, I¡¯ve missed you so much after a whole day!¡± Afraid of being outdone by her brother, Jian Yue hurriedly chimed in, ¡°Me too, me too...¡± Looking at her lively and adorable children, Jian Si felt her heart brim over with warmth. ¡°Mommy got held up and didn¡¯t manage to do the grocery shopping, so how about we go to the supermarket together and then cook dinner at home?¡± Jian Yue loved going to the supermarket and cheered, jumping up, ¡°That¡¯s great, I can buy chocolate again.¡± After receiving a warning look from Jian Sichen, she immediately closed her mouth, looked down, and her little mind worked furiously. The three of them went to a nearby supermarket and picked out some fresh ingredients. As they passed the snack aisle, Jian Yue nearly drooled, swallowing repeatedly. ¡°Mommy, I won¡¯t buy a lot, just a little bit. I haven¡¯t had chocolate in so long, please, can you buy me just a little bit?¡± Jian Si was firm, ¡°No, you¡¯ve had too much sweet stuff recently. If you eat any more, you¡¯ll get cavities. You must resist.¡± Jian Yue looked down, her expression as pitiful as could be. Jian Si couldn¡¯t bear it and compromised once again, ¡°You said just one box, and after that, no more chocolates.¡± ¡°Yesss, I knew Mommy loved me the most!¡± Jian Yue was so happy she wanted to jump up and kiss Jian Si, but with her little arms and legs, she could only reach Jian Si¡¯s waist. Jian Si instinctively crouched down to bring her face closer. Jian Yue immediately planted a kiss on her face, ¡°Mommy, I love you to death.¡± Jian Si was entertained by her innocent cuteness and laughed heartily. After finishing their shopping, Jian Si took them to the snack aisle. The deal was to buy only one box of chocolates, but they ended up buying loads of snacks, big and small¡ªa large bag of chips, Oreo cookies, pine nuts. Jian Si had no choice but to give in to them. Back home, Jian Si went to the kitchen to cook, while the two little ones rolled up their sleeves and started sorting vegetables to help. Jian Sichen brought up old matters, ¡°Mommy, you haven¡¯t told us how Xiao Bai is doing today? Is his illness serious? Are you confident about curing him? Does he know about Yueyue and me?¡± Remembering Xiao Bai, Jian Si¡¯s heart ached again, but she had to appear relaxed so the children wouldn¡¯t worry. ¡°Who is Mommy? The world¡¯s most authoritative heart specialist. If I can¡¯t even save my own son, then I might as well resign.¡± Hearing this, the two little ones were visibly relieved. Jian Yue couldn¡¯t wait to ask, ¡°When can we meet him?¡± Jian Si fell silent, her face hesitant. Jian Sichen sensed her concern and probed, ¡°Mommy, is it that we still can¡¯t meet him for now?¡± Jian Si nodded, ¡°You and Xiao Bai look exactly alike. If you two met, Daddy would definitely find out and he would take you away from me.¡± Even though she had grown stronger now. The Lu Family was immensely wealthy. She couldn¡¯t be a match for Lu Youting. The two little ones couldn¡¯t hide the disappointment on their faces. Jian Sichen, playing the adult, patted Jian Si¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t worry. One day I will grow strong and I¡¯ll rescue my little brother for you.¡± Jian Si took this as his way of comforting her and didn¡¯t take it too seriously. After sorting the vegetables, the two little ones went to the living room to watch TV, and Jian Si headed to the kitchen to stir fry. It wasn¡¯t long before Su Wan came in, dragging her suitcase, excitedly saying, ¡°Hello, I¡¯m here! I¡¯ve decided to move in and live with you guys, do you welcome me?¡± Jian Sichen and Jian Yue immediately ran over, each hugging one of her thighs. ¡°Welcome, welcome, from now on we can see our godmother every day, that¡¯s fantastic!¡± Jian Yue sweet-talked her with her sugary mouth, making Su Wan beam with joy. Su Wan took her suitcase to the guest bedroom. Jian Si was in the middle of cooking when Lu Youting¡¯s video call came through, as urgent as the summoning of the dead. Knowing that Xiao Bai must have woken up, she couldn¡¯t afford to delay. She asked Su Wan to finish cooking and immediately went to her room to answer the call. As soon as the restless Xiao Bai saw her, he calmed down, his little shoulders shrugging, looking utterly forlorn. ¡°Mommy, where are you? Did you abandon Xiao Bai again?¡± Jian Si¡¯s heart ached at his crying and she quickly soothed him, ¡°How could Mommy abandon Xiao Bai! Mommy knows you have a sensitive stomach, so I came back to cook for you especially. Just two more dishes to go and then it¡¯s ready. Can you wait a little while longer for me?¡± Lu Yanbai, frightened by past abandonments, was still a bit insecure, ¡°Really?¡± Jian Si swore earnestly, ¡°I promise, I¡¯ll be there within an hour. Mommy has made chicken soup for you, and it tastes really good.¡± Seeing her serious expression, which did not seem deceitful, Lu Yanbai could barely bring himself to believe her. ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for you, you must come, okay?¡± Jian Si nodded and coaxed the little one for a while before managing to get him to hang up the phone. By the time she came out of the room, Su Wan had already finished cooking the remaining two dishes. Jian Si hastily had a couple bites of rice then went to take a shower and change. Afterward, she placed the stewed chicken soup from the stove into a thermal lunch box and also packed some rice and dishes. ¡°Xiao Wan, I might not come back tonight, please take care of Chenbao and Yueyue for me! And take them to kindergarten tomorrow morning.¡± Jian Yue¡¯s voice was filled with reluctance as she called out, ¡°Mommy!¡± Jian Si rubbed her little head with a pained heart, ¡°Behave and listen to your godmother. Your second brother is sick right now, I need to take extra care of him. You won¡¯t be mad at Mommy, will you?¡± Having depended solely on her mother for four years and sleeping together every night, this was their first night apart, so Jian Yue inevitably felt sad, yet she was very understanding. ¡°Mommy, I won¡¯t blame you! Brother and I have had you all to ourselves for four years, it¡¯s only right for you to spend some time with second brother. Don¡¯t worry, I will behave and listen to godmother and brother.¡± The more understanding she was, the more Jian Si¡¯s heart ached. Concerned that she might be worried, Jian Sichen looped his arms around Jian Yue¡¯s shoulders, promising fervently, ¡°I¡¯ll take good care of my sister. You just focus on looking after Xiao Bai, Mommy.¡± Jian Si felt a sourness at the tip of her nose, touched by his words. Remembering Xiao Bai who was waiting for her, she left with a heavy heart. Upon arrival at the hospital, Xiao Bai was sitting on the bed facing the door, eagerly watching it. Each time there was any movement at the door, he would stretch his neck to look out, his hopes rising and then falling with disappointment. When Jian Si pushed the door open, the dim light in his eyes finally brightened. He jumped off the bed, put on his shoes, and darted towards Jian Si. ¡°Mommy, you finally came!¡± Careful not to scald him with the hot chicken soup, Jian Si held the thermal lunch box away with one hand while embracing him with the other. ¡°Be careful, slow down when you run! What if you fall?¡± Lu Yanbai smiled, his eyes curving like the crescent moon above. ¡°I¡¯m just so happy to see Mommy. I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t come.¡± Jian Si knew his behavior stemmed from a lack of security since childhood. She released him, set the chicken soup on the bedside table, and then lifted him back onto the hospital bed. As she ladled soup for him, she said, ¡°Mommy promised to come, so of course I would! Are you hungry? This is chicken soup I stewed myself; it¡¯s still hot and good for the stomach.¡± Lu Youting, who was being ignored by the two of them, furrowed his brows tightly enough to kill a fly. He looked at the chicken soup with faint yellow oil floating on top and twisted his mouth with disdain: ¡°Xiao Bai doesn¡¯t like chicken soup.¡± The kid was very picky. Because of this, he had even specially learned how to cook. But the little guy was still picky, only sticking to those few dishes he liked and not touching anything else. Especially chicken soup, which he claimed smelled fishy and made him uncomfortable just from the scent, let alone drinking it. His words seemed to be addressed to the air; neither Lu Yanbai nor Jian Si paid him any mind. Jian Si skimmed off the oil from the soup with her spoon, blew gently on a scoopful to cool it, and then brought it to Lu Yanbai¡¯s lips. The little one, who normally detested chicken soup, actually took a sip. Not only was there no sign of distaste, but he also even praised its deliciousness. Jian Si turned her head and fiercely glared at Lu Youting with a look that seemed to accuse him of lying to her again. Lu Youting found himself at a loss for words, his frown deepening and the corners of his mouth twitching spasmodically. The aroma of the chicken soup filled the entire ward. Watching the little one gulp down one mouthful after another, Lu Youting¡¯s stomach embarrassingly made a ¡°gurgle¡± sound. He pursed his thin lips, set aside the laptop from his thighs, and walked over slowly. He glanced at the food in the thermal lunchbox and asked with thin lips barely parted, ¡°What about mine?¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t turn her head as she asked, ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten yet?¡± Lu Youting was speechless. Did he have time to eat? Concerned that Lu Yanbai would make a fuss, he had stayed here the whole time, dealing with official business right from this spot. He was used to hunger. His eating habits had never been regular, and when he was busy, he wouldn¡¯t feel hungry. But seeing Xiao Bai, so picky, enjoying the soup so much, he actually felt his stomach growling. Seeing that he didn¡¯t reply, Jian Si couldn¡¯t be bothered to ask further and said absent-mindedly, ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t know you hadn¡¯t eaten. I only brought Xiao Bai¡¯s portion.¡± Lu Youting was left speechless again. Chapter 13 - 13 13 Lu Youting Rejects Ye Qingqing ?13: Chapter 13: Lu Youting Rejects Ye Qingqing 13: Chapter 13: Lu Youting Rejects Ye Qingqing Jian Si didn¡¯t bother with Lu Youting anymore, spooning soup and rice into Lu Yanbai¡¯s mouth bite by bite. The aroma of the dishes mixed with the fragrance of the chicken soup constantly tantalized Lu Youting¡¯s taste buds, making him hungrier as he kept peeking into the lunchbox, thinking that if Xiao Bai couldn¡¯t finish it, he could help clean up the leftovers. After all, Xiao Bai had always been a light eater. And he didn¡¯t really like the dishes. He probably wouldn¡¯t eat them. Unexpectedly, not only did Xiao Bai eat everything cleanly, but he also looked as if he still wanted more. ¡°Mommy, the food you make is really too delicious, can you make it for me again tomorrow? I want to eat more! The chicken soup is also delicious, truly leaving a lingering taste, making one crave for more.¡± This was the highest praise he had ever given. Jian Si happily agreed. ¡°Of course! Mommy will make it for you again tomorrow. As long as you want to eat, I can make it for you every single day.¡± Lu Yanbai loved the words ¡®every day¡¯ the most. He hugged Jian Si tightly around the waist, burying his little head into her embrace, greedily inhaling her scent: ¡°Mom, you smell really nice.¡± ¡°Silly child!¡± Jian Si indulgently stroked his little head: ¡°It¡¯s still early, we just finished eating. Let me take you down to the garden for a stroll, help with digestion, and prevent indigestion.¡± Lu Yanbai was all compliance to her words. After nodding vigorously, he put on his shoes and jacket and left hand in hand with Jian Si. From the beginning to the end, he didn¡¯t even glance at Lu Youting, not even giving him a look, as if he were invisible. Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face turned grim as if frosted by the cold. He felt like his chest was about to explode with anger. Not giving him anything to eat, huh? Couldn¡¯t he buy his own? With that thought, he resolutely took out his phone and called Lu Ya. ¡°Order me a dinner, I want a portion of free-range chicken soup, stir-fried cucumbers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and stir-fried corn with shrimp.¡± These were all dishes Jian Si had just made for Xiao Bai. They seemed really delicious. Hearing the dishes the boss ordered, Lu Ya fell silent. Seeing that he wasn¡¯t speaking, Lu Youting raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear clearly?¡± Lu Ya spoke despairingly: ¡°Boss, do you really want to eat these dishes?¡± These were dishes the boss usually wouldn¡¯t even touch! Lu Youting furrowed his brows, annoyed, and growled lowly: ¡°If I told you to go, then go!¡± Lu Ya dared not ask further and immediately carried out Lu Youting¡¯s order. Lu Ya was very efficient. In no time at all, the meal was delivered. Lu Youting had just opened the meal and neatly arranged it on the coffee table, yet before he could even start eating, Jian Si returned with Xiao Bai. ¡°...??¡± Jian Si was momentarily taken aback by the sight of the meal on the coffee table, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. ¡°Is this what you¡¯re eating?¡± She remembered that Lu Youting never ate these things. Two years into their marriage, she knew his tastes inside and out from cooking for him. Lu Youting felt as though he was caught red-handed. The atmosphere turned somewhat awkward. Finally, with a guilty cough, Lu Youting said: ¡°Can¡¯t I change things up once in a while?¡± Jian Si looked at him as if he were a rare animal, almost not believing he would actually eat these things. Feeling uneasy under her gaze, Lu Youting slowly picked up a piece of the stir-fried cucumber from the bowl and put it into his mouth. At the taste, his facial expression obviously stiffened. Had it not been for Jian Si watching, he would certainly have spit it right out. How could it taste so bad? Where did Lu Ya buy this from? Jian Si observed his expression with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile and kept her gaze fixed on him. Under her scrutiny, Lu Youting continued to eat, steely and determined, but each bite made his stomach churn. He was puzzled. Xiao Bai had seemed to enjoy his meal just a moment ago. Why was it so disgusting now? What exactly went wrong? Seeing Lu Youting¡¯s increasingly strange expression on his face, Jian Si teased with a sneer at the corner of her mouth, ¡°Do you know who Xiao Bai takes after?¡± The sudden question left Lu Youting momentarily confused, ¡°...?¡± Jian Si snorted softly, ¡°He¡¯s like you, that¡¯s why he¡¯s so fussy!¡± Having said her peace, she mercifully averted her gaze, and Lu Youting took the opportunity to spit the scrambled eggs with tomatoes he¡¯d just put in his mouth into the trashcan beside him. He quickly cleaned up the tea table while Jian Si was in the bathroom bathing Xiao Bai and threw the unfinished food in the garbage bin of the hot water room. Unable to contain his anger, he called Lu Ya. The phone had just connected when, without waiting for Lu Ya to speak, he questioned harshly, ¡°Where did you buy this from? Why is it so disgusting?¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Ya felt wronged and stuttered, ¡°The hotel opposite the hospital.¡± That was the luxurious five-star hotel that Lu Youting had built especially to take care of Lu Yanbai¡¯s diet. All the chefs inside were carefully selected by Lu Youting and had won international awards. ¡°...¡± Lu Youting¡¯s throat choked up slightly, ¡°Their skills are too poor; fire them all and find new ones.¡± Normally obedient to Lu Youting, Lu Ya couldn¡¯t help but defend the chefs, ¡°They were meticulously selected by you, and until now, no one has complained. I¡¯ve tasted their cooking too, and it¡¯s quite good. Perhaps you¡¯re not used to those dishes. How about I ask them to prepare a few different dishes for you?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face tensed, and he knew he was being unreasonable. He took a deep breath and let out the turbid air that was stuck in his chest, ¡°Forget it! It¡¯s nothing.¡± After hanging up, he took several deep breaths to calm himself. As he walked out of the hot water room, he bumped right into Jian Si. Jian Si was holding a kettle, with the persistent Lu Yanbai by her side. Their eyes met. A clear flicker of guilt flashed in Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, which he quickly covered up. He frowned, pretending to be displeased, ¡°What are you doing in the hot water room?¡± Jian Si lifted the kettle in her hand, looking at him as if he were a fool. Feeling even more guilt-ridden, Lu Youting snatched the kettle from her hand, ¡°Xiao Bai can¡¯t come here. You take him back first, I¡¯ll do it.¡± Jian Si cast a suspicious glance at him, then looked past him to his rear. Without a sound, Lu Youting stepped aside, blocking her view. Jian Si gave him a meaningful look, slowly curved her lips into a smile, and walked away with Lu Yanbai. Unable to guess how long she had been standing outside and how much she had heard, Lu Youting stared at Jian Si¡¯s retreating figure, his eyes ablaze with flames, almost wishing he could devour her. He filled the kettle with hot water and returned to the hospital room. Lu Youting was out of sorts. Especially seeing his son, whom he adored deeply, completely ignoring him and concentrating all his attention on Jian Si. He felt an aching jealousy, as if he were superfluous. After sitting for a while, unable to stay any longer, he stood up to leave. ¡°Since you¡¯re staying here with him tonight, then I¡¯ll leave now. I¡¯ll come back in the morning.¡± Jian Si and Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t even glance at him, just waved their hands in response. Lu Youting was close to exploding with anger, his chest feeling like it was stuffed with cotton, the frustration neither dissipating nor easing, excruciatingly uncomfortable. He left with the caretaker, leaving only Jian Si to care for Lu Yanbai. Waiting for the elevator, Lu Youting ran into Ye Qingqing, who was about to head home after her night shift. Using a hand injury as an excuse, Ye Qingqing hoped Lu Youting would take her home. Since it was still early, Lu Youting agreed. On the way home, Ye Qingqing, sitting in the passenger seat, stared absentmindedly at Lu Youting¡¯s profile. The sharp lines of his face, the high bridge of his nose, the thin lips, the perfect jawline, and the sexy Adam¡¯s apple all emitted a seductive charm under the intermittent street lights. Such an outstanding man¡ªif not for that car accident years ago, if he hadn¡¯t been confined to a wheelchair due to leg injuries, and if she hadn¡¯t run away from the marriage out of fear he would be incapable¡ªwould they now be a sweet and loving couple? The more she thought about it, the more discontented she felt. Lu Youting was clearly her man. What right did Jian Si have to intervene? And even think of coming back to compete with her? Who did she think she was? Was she even worthy? Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart raced, and she couldn¡¯t help but cover Lu Youting¡¯s hand on the gear shift with her uninjured hand. ¡°Youting...¡± Her voice was hoarse, carrying an endless allure. The implication was clear. Chapter 14 - 14 14 Mistress Rejected by Ex-Husband ?14: Chapter 14: Mistress Rejected by Ex-Husband 14: Chapter 14: Mistress Rejected by Ex-Husband Lu Youting slightly furrowed his brows and subconsciously tried to withdraw his hand, hesitated for a moment as if remembering something, but remained still. Seeing that he offered no resistance, Ye Qingqing grew bolder, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you at the hospital accompanying Xiao Bai tonight?¡± Mentioning Xiao Bai reminded Lu Youting of the frustrating incident earlier, his handsome face suddenly darkened. ¡°Jian Si is with him now, he doesn¡¯t need me anymore.¡± His tone was sour, even carrying a hint of grievance, as if someone had snatched away a treasure he had carefully cherished. With the confirmation that he didn¡¯t need to accompany Lu Yanbai tonight, Ye Qingqing¡¯s breathing became heavier. After Lu Youting parked the car in front of his own villa, she boldly grabbed his hand and pressed it against her face. ¡°Youting, come up and have some tea! My parents haven¡¯t seen you in a long time, they miss you.¡± Lu Youting detected the hidden suggestion in her words and disgustingly withdrew his hand. ¡°It¡¯s late, they must be sleeping, I¡¯ll visit some other time.¡± Ye Qingqing bit her lower lip tightly, unwilling to let go of such a rare opportunity. ¡°It won¡¯t disturb them, you can come up and keep me company! Since we got engaged, we haven¡¯t had a chance to meet alone!¡± Faced with her invitation, Lu Youting felt a sudden repulsion, withdrew his hand, and a trace of impatience flickered between his eyebrows, ¡°I¡¯m really busy with the company recently, I don¡¯t have time to accompany you.¡± After speaking, he took out a Black Card and handed it to her, ¡°If you¡¯re really bored, find someone to go shopping with you.¡± His refusal was crystal clear. Ye Qingqing felt utterly humiliated, her face flushed red, still not giving up, she called out, ¡°Youting...¡± Lu Youting unlocked the car, ¡°It¡¯s late, I need to go back now, I have things to handle at the company.¡± His intention to dismiss her was apparent. Ye Qingqing reluctantly opened the car door, attempting one last struggle, but seeing Lu Youting¡¯s indifferent face, she could only open the door and slowly get out. After walking a few steps, still unwilling to give up, she walked around to the driver¡¯s side, opened the door, bent down inside, and before Lu Youting could react, she hooked his neck and kissed his lips. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes sharply narrowed, blocking her with his hand. Her red lips landed squarely on his palm. Her perfume lingered at his nostrils, nauseating him. ¡°It¡¯s late! You should go up now.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes reddened with grievance, wanting to ask why he was treating her this way, yet fearing she couldn¡¯t withstand the answer, she had to choke back her tears, stiffly pulling up a smile, giving herself an out, ¡°This is a goodnight kiss! Goodnight! Be careful on the road.¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t respond. Ye Qingqing let him go and closed the car door. This time, Lu Youting didn¡¯t linger and immediately started the car and left. After getting home, Ye Qingqing couldn¡¯t hold back any longer, she screamed loudly to vent her rage. Hearing the noise, Xu Jiaorong hurried down the stairs, seeing her daughter upset, she anxiously embraced her and asked, ¡°Qingqing, what happened? I saw Director Lu drop you off from the window just now, why didn¡¯t you invite him up for a while?¡± Remembering Lu Youting¡¯s behavior just now, Ye Qingqing angrily choked, ¡°Mom, that bitch Jian Si is back! Ever since she returned, Lu Youting¡¯s attitude towards me has completely changed.¡± Xu Jiaorong¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Jian Si is back? When did she return?¡± Ye Qingqing recounted everything that happened today to Xu Jiaorong from beginning to end. The more she spoke, the uglier Xu Jiaorong¡¯s face became. ¡°That bitch, we didn¡¯t kill her five years ago, and she left behind that monster Xiao Bai, which has made it impossible for you to enter the Lu Family¡¯s door until today.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes narrowed sinisterly, her hands clenched into fists. ¡°I absolutely won¡¯t allow her to steal what¡¯s mine.¡± Thinking she had already devised a plan, Xu Jiaorong eagerly asked, ¡°Do you have a way?¡± Ye Qingqing sneered, took out her cellphone, and found videos sent to her by her apprentice Lin Xinyu. The video content was of her altercation with Jian Si in the parking lot today. She hadn¡¯t expected Lin Xinyu to be so coincidentally in the parking lot, and her dashcam had captured the entire event. This time, she planned to utterly ruin Jian Si¡¯s reputation. ... The next day. As dawn broke, the news of Jian Si hitting Ye Qingqing exploded like thunder in the hospital¡¯s online forum. The video deliberately had the sound removed, and started from the moment Ye Qingqing fell to the ground to Jian Si slapping her face and walking away. Although they couldn¡¯t hear the conversation, from the video content, Jian Si appeared aggressive and domineering, bullying the weak, while Ye Qingqing looked pitiful like a helpless little rabbit being bullied. Instantly, the video went viral throughout the entire hospital. The comment section was unsightly. Some were innocently following the drama, others deliberately stirring things up. Floor 24: ¡°I¡¯m totally confused, why would Professor Jian hit Professor Ye? Isn¡¯t today her first day at work?¡± Floor 28 replied to 24: ¡°Professor Ye¡¯s fiance?, Director Lu, was also there, could it have been jealousy?¡± Floor 31 replied to 28: ¡°Although Director Lu is outstanding, to be jealous on the very first day of work? Is that likely?¡± Floor 38: ¡°I got a little insider info, heard that on her first day, Professor Jian had the Crown Prince well under control. Who is the Crown Prince? He¡¯s a notorious little devil, even Director Lu listens to him. But Professor Jian managed to handle him on her first day, what do you think? What method did she use?¡± Floor 50 replied to 38: ¡°Damn, seems like Professor Jian is quite capable, is she trying to steal Professor Ye¡¯s fiance??¡± Floor 66 replied to 50: ¡°Snatching a nephew and a fiance?, Professor Jian sure has the skills, no wonder being pretty is an asset.¡± Floor 80: ¡°She climbed to such a high position, she could not possibly have slept her way up, could she?¡± Floor 83: ¡°I heard from a friend in Country A that they don¡¯t even know any Professor Jian, there isn¡¯t a Professor Jian among the famous professors in Country A. Maybe this Professor Jian is a scam artist?¡± Floor 85 replied to 80: ¡°Remove ¡®could not,¡¯ I think it¡¯s exactly by sleeping around, how else could someone so young become a professor. I heard her teacher in Country A is the second young master of the Ho Family conglomerate; they say it¡¯s a teacher-student relationship, but there must be some unsavory dealings behind it.¡± Floor 99: ¡°Let me tell you guys another explosive piece of news, last night Professor Jian spent the whole night in the Crown Prince¡¯s hospital room...¡± Floor 111 replied to 99: ¡°Damn, that escalated quickly, aren¡¯t they ashamed in front of the child?¡± Floor 130 replied to 111: ¡°Shameful people would sell their bodies, right?¡± Floor 142 replied to 130: ¡°Right, haha¡± Floor 190: ¡°I¡¯ve taken a ten thousand damage hit.¡± Floor 320: ¡°This is truly a rat feces spoiling the pot in our hospital, tarnishing our doctors¡¯ reputations...¡± ¡°...¡± The situation escalated. From the director to the patients, everyone in the hospital knew, all except Jian Si. Chapter 15 - 15 15 Xiaosan Sets Up Jian Si ?15: Chapter 15 Xiaosan Sets Up Jian Si 15: Chapter 15 Xiaosan Sets Up Jian Si Jian Si woke up early due to her biological clock. The little guy in her arms was afraid she would leave, so even in his sleep, he clung tightly to her clothes, unwilling to let go. Jian Si carefully pried off his hands, one by one, and after getting ready, she went to the balcony to video call Jian Sichen. Jian Sichen seemed to have just woken up, yawning lazily, and without waiting for Jian Si to ask, he reported automatically, ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t worry, Yueyue and I are awake. We¡¯re about to brush our teeth and wash our faces. Godmother has already prepared breakfast, and we¡¯ll head to kindergarten after we eat.¡± Jian Si nodded with satisfaction, ¡°How did you sleep last night without Mommy?¡± Jian Sichen said considerately, ¡°I¡¯m not used to it and missed you a lot. But I know my brother needs you more. Mommy, you must hurry and cure Xiao Bai so we can all be together again.¡± His understanding tugged at Jian Si¡¯s heart. ¡°Okay, Mommy promises you, I¡¯ll cure Xiao Bai as soon as possible. Take good care of your sister.¡± Jian Sichen playfully gave her the ¡®ok¡¯ sign. They were prepared to chat a bit longer when Lu Yanbai suddenly woke from a nightmare, ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t go, don¡¯t leave Xiao Bai behind.¡± Hearing his voice filled with panic, Jian Si¡¯s breath caught. Jian Sichen heard it too and quickly said, ¡°Mommy, Xiao Bai must have woken up, go check on him quickly. I¡¯m going to brush my teeth.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jian Si hastily hung up and rushed into the ward. Lu Yanbai, who was about to get out of bed to look for her, stopped when he saw her enter. As soon as Jian Si approached, he flung himself into her arms, hugging her waist tightly and began to cry out of lingering fear. ¡°Mommy, I thought you had left Xiao Bai behind!¡± Jian Si tenderly patted his back, providing comfort. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Mommy will never leave you again!¡± Upon hearing her words, Lu Yanbai finally calmed down a bit. Jian Si noticed that Lu Yanbai was so accustomed to being waited on that he even waited for someone to help him brush his teeth and wash his face. To remedy this habit, she prepared two cups and taught him step by step: how to fill them with water, squeeze the toothpaste, then how to brush his teeth, wash his face, and apply children¡¯s face cream. It was Lu Yanbai¡¯s first time being exposed to these tasks, and he found them fascinating, slowly learning from Jian Si. Fortunately, he was smart and a quick learner, mastering the skills in one attempt. After learning, he felt a special sense of achievement. Jian Si stroked his little head and smiled, ¡°How about we both start doing things ourselves from now on? You¡¯re already four years old; you can¡¯t expect others to help you anymore.¡± Chenbao and Yueyue, both under two, had started brushing their teeth, washing their faces, and dressing themselves, organizing their belongings. She didn¡¯t want Xiao Bai to be spoiled by the Lu Family into a young master who can¡¯t do anything on his own. Luckily, Lu Yanbai listened well to Jian Si and readily agreed to her suggestions. So, Jian Si taught him how to dress and undress, fold his clothes, and tidy his bed. Lu Yanbai followed patiently as he learned. When Lu Youting arrived, he saw Lu Yanbai folding his blanket. The little guy did it very meticulously, requiring each corner to be sharp and the blanket to be square. He would restart at any hint of a wrinkle until it was as neat as a block of tofu. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes nearly popped out in surprise. He could hardly believe this was his own son, who had been so delicately pampered that the thought of spoiling or melting him had been worrisome. After finishing, Lu Yanbai proudly said to Jian Si, ¡°Mommy, look, did I fold it well?¡± Jian Si kissed his face as a reward, ¡°Baby, you did very well!¡± Being kissed by Mommy for the first time, Lu Yanbai¡¯s fair cheeks instantly turned red, spreading to his ears, and he bashfully lowered his head, his hands and feet jittery with excitement. Lu Youting couldn¡¯t stand it any longer, afraid that he¡¯d end up sending Jian Si away if he continued to watch. He cleared his throat to interrupt them, ¡°I brought breakfast, come and eat quickly!¡± Speaking, he habitually prepared the tableware for Lu Yanbai. Jian Si gave him a stare and looked at Lu Yanbai, ¡°Xiao Bai, you do it yourself.¡± Lu Yanbai wasn¡¯t upset, nodded vigorously, unscrewed the thermos, took out the sections filled with porridge and vegetables, and placed them on his tray. Although his movements were clumsy, he managed them successfully. Jian Si raised her thumb and lightly pressed it against his forehead, ¡°Xiao Bai, you¡¯re awesome, Mommy gives you a like.¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s small vanity was greatly satisfied, and he passed a pair of chopsticks to Jian Si, ¡°Mommy, eat with me.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jian Si agreed with a smile. The two of them began to have breakfast together. Once again forgotten, Lu Youting was like, ¡°...??¡± Since Lu Yanbai was unwell, there was only white rice porridge and a few organic vegetables. As the food entered his mouth, his tiny eyebrows immediately furrowed. ¡°It tastes awful.¡± Lu Youting was like, ¡°...??¡± Jian Si tasted a bite. ¡°No, it¡¯s actually quite good!¡± Lu Yanbai pouted and shook his head, ¡°Not tasty, not as good as Mommy¡¯s cooking. Mommy, I want to eat your cooking.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Okay, Mommy will go home after work and cook for you, then bring it to you! From now on, Mommy will cook for you every day.¡± Lu Yanbai happily hugged Jian Si¡¯s neck and planted a firm ¡®mwah¡¯ on her face. ¡°Mommy, I love you!¡± His lips were soft, melting Jian Si¡¯s heart, ¡°Eat up for now, you can¡¯t go hungry with your stomach condition.¡± Lu Yanbai obediently nodded and agreed, his eyes curving into crescents. Seeing that he held such high regard for Jian Si¡¯s culinary skills, Lu Youting couldn¡¯t help but swallow his saliva, and couldn¡¯t resist the desire to try and see if it was as good as Xiao Bai said. After having breakfast with Xiao Bai, Jian Si handed him over to Lu Youting and then went to work. Just as she walked out of the ward, she saw that the hallway outside was crowded with people, all craning their necks to look inside. When they saw her emerge, they quickly shifted their gazes guiltily and started to make awkward conversation with those next to them. Jian Si had a nagging feeling that something was off and asked with a frown, ¡°We¡¯re about to do rounds, what are all of you doing here?¡± The patients scattered in all directions. Mystified, Jian Si returned to her office. As she passed by the head nurse, the other nurses seemed to be busy with their work, but they kept stealing glances at her out of the corner of their eyes. It was even stranger when she reached her office. Her colleagues, who had been warm to her yesterday, now avoided her as if she were a plague. At first, Jian Si was quite puzzled. That was until she received a WeChat message from Su Wan. ¡°Damn, girl, you¡¯re trending!¡± After that, she sent a link straight away. Jian Si didn¡¯t know what to expect and clicked on it. As soon as she saw the content, her face turned pale, and her confusion finally cleared up. After that, Su Wan sent another message. ¡°Girl, you¡¯re badass, just got back and already slapped Ye Qingqing, taking your husband back, impressive, I support you! That bitch deserved it.¡± Jian Si¡¯s forehead throbbed as she replied, ¡°Do you think I would do something so stupid?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jian Si sighed, ¡°From the moment, five years ago, when Lu Youting disregarded mine and our child¡¯s life and death, strapping me to the operating table, I lost all hope in him. Do you think I would be jealous over such a man?¡± ¡°So, you¡¯ve been framed?¡± ¡°Obviously! The video was maliciously edited.¡± Su Wan asked with concern, ¡°Damn, who is so despicable? What are you going to do?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, I won¡¯t have any problems!¡± Just after chatting with Su Wan, Ye Qingqing walked into the office, her hand bandaged, still wearing that pitiful guise on her face. Chapter 16 - 16 16 Framed by the Mistress, Jian Si Prepares to Fight Back ?16: Chapter 16: Framed by the Mistress, Jian Si Prepares to Fight Back 16: Chapter 16: Framed by the Mistress, Jian Si Prepares to Fight Back Seeing her, everyone showed sympathy on their faces. ¡°Professor Ye, is your hand okay?¡± Ye Qingqing feigned concern with a glance and smiled, shaking her head, ¡°I¡¯m fine, just scraped a bit of skin. I¡¯m afraid of infection, so I wrapped it with gauze.¡± A female doctor named Liu Yun gave Jian Si a meaningful glance and said in a mocking tone, ¡°You need to be careful in the future. Don¡¯t let anyone intrude upon your many years of relationship with Director Lu.¡± Ye Qingqing smiled slightly and said gracefully, ¡°That won¡¯t happen. I have confidence in my fiance?.¡± Liu Yun¡¯s face was full of disdain, ¡°Director Lu is a good man, but that doesn¡¯t stop others from tempting him! In any case, listen to me and guard him closely, or you¡¯ll end up crying later.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sister Yun!¡± Ye Qingqing showed a grateful face. Jian Si knew Liu Yun¡¯s words were targeted at her, and her brows knitted tightly together as she approached Ye Qingqing and asked without expression, ¡°Ye Qingqing, let¡¯s be clear, was it you who deliberately fell on the ground to frame me yesterday, or was it me who pushed you?¡± Ye Qingqing hesitated for a moment, her eyes gradually reddening. She lowered her head, and her shoulders started to shake, ¡°If you think it was intentional, then let¡¯s say it was intentional! This has nothing to do with you; it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Jian Si laughed out of anger. ¡°In terms of shamelessness, you, Ye Qingqing, would rank second to none.¡± The blunt words made everyone¡¯s face change in unison. Lin Xinyu immediately protected Ye Qingqing behind her, filled with righteous indignation, ¡°Professor Jian, even though you are a principal-grade professor, you can¡¯t bully people like this! My master is clearly the victim, and here you are blaming the victim and shirking responsibility.¡± Liu Yun also stood up to speak for Ye Qingqing. ¡°Professor Jian, you went too far this time. You¡¯re not only stealing someone else¡¯s fiance? but also bullying her like this. We all can¡¯t stand to watch it. Don¡¯t think just because Director Lu and Young Master Lu also fancy you that you can be so arrogant.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t be bothered with them and stared fixedly at Ye Qingqing, ¡°I¡¯ll give you one last chance, will you speak or not? If you don¡¯t tell the truth, don¡¯t blame me for making you embarrassed later.¡± Ye Qingqing cried even harder, ¡°What do you want me to say? Isn¡¯t all the truth in the video?¡± ¡°Heh...¡± Jian Si coldly sneered and nodded, ¡°Okay, very good, Ye Qingqing. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t give you a chance.¡± After speaking, she didn¡¯t want to waste any more words and left to check on the wards, carrying the medical records. Watching her leave, Ye Qingqing lowered her head with a triumphant smile creeping at the corners of her mouth. Jian Si initially thought the incident had only spread among the doctors, but she didn¡¯t expect it to have also circulated among the patients. The patients she had newly taken on yesterday had requested a change of doctor, citing her bad character. In the end, she was left with only Lu Yanbai as her patient. Even the hospital director had summoned her to the office. ¡°Professor Jian, I know we have no right to inquire into your private life, but I hope you¡¯ll be more careful in the future. You represent the face of our hospital, and I don¡¯t want your personal life to tarnish our hospital¡¯s reputation.¡± After being scolded by the hospital director, Jian Si¡¯s complexion was ashen and looked terrible. While playing with Lu Yanbai, although she maintained a smile with effort, Lu Youting still saw through her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡± Remembering that the incident stemmed from him, Jian Si felt irritated, and her tone inadvertently became harsh. ¡°Whatever has happened to me is none of your business.¡± Having a warm face met with cold indifference and being scolded without cause, Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face tightened, and his brooding gaze was like ice, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. ¡°Ignorant.¡± His words, like the flame to a firecracker¡¯s fuse, made Jian Si explode. ¡°With all this time you spend being nosy, you might as well keep an eye on your fiance?e! She never changes, always loving to play dirty tricks.¡± Lu Youting immediately grasped the key point in her words. ¡°Does this have something to do with Qingqing?¡± Overhearing their conversation, Lu Yanbai seemed to realize something and quickly asked, ¡°Mommy, did you have a fight with auntie? Don¡¯t be angry; I will take revenge for you.¡± Thinking of Lu Yanbai at her side and not wanting to negatively influence the child, Jian Si was too lazy to argue further and soothed Lu Yanbai¡¯s cheek, ¡°I didn¡¯t fight with your auntie. You be a good boy; Mommy doesn¡¯t need you to take revenge.¡± After all, Ye Qingqing was ruthless and cunning. Should Xiao Bai provoke her, it would be terrible if she did something extreme. Lu Yanbai nodded vigorously, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll listen to Mommy.¡± His obedient and compliant nature comforted Jian Si, and her gloomy mood lightened slightly. Unjustly angered, Lu Youting¡¯s face darkened, and the whole room was filled with shadows. He took out his phone and sent a message to Lu Ya. ¡°Investigate what happened between Jian Si and Ye Qingqing this morning.¡± It wasn¡¯t long before Lu Ya¡¯s message came back, with a URL following the text. Lu Youting clicked in and, after reading the contents of the webpage, his hawk-like eyes immediately filled with frost-like gloom. He replied, ¡°Seal the post, freeze all related keywords.¡± Lu Ya was very efficient in his work. In no time at all, the post had vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed. When Ye Qingqing discovered the post had disappeared, she guessed it was Lu Youting¡¯s doing and was nearly furious. The post had already had its effect. Whether it was deleted or not didn¡¯t matter to her. But if it was Lu Youting¡¯s doing, that meant something entirely different. When Jian Si knew about the disappearance of the post, she also guessed it was Lu Youting¡¯s doing and gave him a cool glance, slowly uttering four words, ¡°Mind your own business.¡± ¡°...?¡± Good intentions were treated like a donkey¡¯s liver and lungs. There was not a single word of thanks, only to be told to mind his own business. Lu Youting laughed out loud, wrapped in his cold aura. Jian Si couldn¡¯t care less about him and, after playing with Lu Yanbai for a while longer, she left work under the pretext of making dinner for him. This time the little guy was especially sensible, not fussing or fighting. He sent Jian Si all the way to the door, smiling and waving at her, reminding her to come back quickly. As soon as Jian Si left, Lu Youting went to the terrace to call Ye Qingqing. Once the call connected, he didn¡¯t waste any time and went straight to the point, ¡°Was it you who released the video?¡± Ye Qingqing hadn¡¯t expected Lu Youting to confront her about this matter. She was so angry she trembled, yet she deliberately feigned a wronged and aggrieved demeanor, ¡°Youting, we¡¯ve been together for so many years, don¡¯t you know what kind of person I am? You actually don¡¯t believe me?¡± Lu Youting furrowed his brow, ¡°So it really wasn¡¯t you?¡± Ye Qingqing sobbed, ¡°It really wasn¡¯t me. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can send someone to investigate. Sisi is my sister. For the past five years, I¡¯ve always been guilty, how could I do anything to hurt her?¡± Thinking he might have wrongly accused her, Lu Youting pressed his lips together in a complex mood, a tinge of faint remorse surfacing, ¡°Alright then, I was just asking casually. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Ye Qingqing feigned concern, ¡°Youting, it¡¯s all my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have clashed with my sister, which gave others a handle on us.¡± ¡°This matter has nothing to do with you, don¡¯t overthink it.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Ye Qingqing nodded her head, paused, and then tentatively asked, ¡°Youting, now that Sisi is back and looking after the child, when will you have time? Let¡¯s go watch a movie! A new romance film just came out, and I heard it¡¯s doing really well at the box office.¡± Lu Youting replied without thinking, ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer, I¡¯m not at ease about Jian Si.¡± Ye Qingqing, not content, bit her lower lip and agreed to pretend to be generous. ... Meanwhile, Jian Si, on her way to the parking lot, overheard people around her gossiping. ¡°Isn¡¯t she the Professor Jian who was exposed on the internet yesterday?¡± ¡°That¡¯s her. I recognize the hair clip on her head.¡± ¡°Even a doctor, and yet stealing someone else¡¯s fiance, how shameless.¡± ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the hospital fired her? Why keep her?¡± ¡°Director Lu wouldn¡¯t bear to fire her!¡± Ignoring their idle talk, Jian Si drove away, first to the market to buy groceries, then to pick up Jian Sichen and Jian Yue from the kindergarten. Once home, Jian Si did not start cooking immediately, but pulled Jian Sichen aside, ¡°Chenbao, are you really good with computers?¡± Jian Sichen tilted his chin up proudly, ¡°Of course, I am the highest-paid hacker out there¨Cthere¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t do.¡± Jian Si rolled her eyes at him, ¡°Okay, okay, I know you¡¯re capable! Could you do something for Mommy?¡± It was rare for Mommy to ask for help, and the whole of Jian Sichen became excited. ¡°What is it, just tell me.¡± Jian Si explained the whole situation to him. After hearing it, Jian Sichen was nearly fuming with anger. ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t worry, I will definitely help you! I won¡¯t let that bad woman, Ye Qingqing, get away with it.¡± Jian Si had a plan in her mind already and so she shared her strategy with Jian Sichen. Chapter 17 - 17 17 Jian Si Lets Meng Bao Collect Evidence of the Mistress ?17: Chapter 17 Jian Si Lets Meng Bao Collect Evidence of the Mistress 17: Chapter 17 Jian Si Lets Meng Bao Collect Evidence of the Mistress After hearing her plan, Jian Sichen gave her a thumbs-up. ¡°Mommy is really smart! I¡¯ll do it right now!¡± Having said that, he returned to the study, turned on his laptop, and after a series of operations, the post that Lu Youting had blocked reappeared on the hospital forum. Jian Sichen even added fuel to the fire, pushing the matter onto the trending searches. In an instant, the issue was no longer just an internal conflict at the hospital, but had escalated to the entire internet. Jian Sichen even deliberately set the tone, turning everyone against Jian Si. All kinds of ugly words were thrown. There were those who berated her for being shameless. There were those who said she didn¡¯t deserve to be a doctor. And even more so, some brought her parents into it. The harsher the internet berated, the more satisfied Jian Si was, keeping Jian Sichen updated on the online situation while she went to cook. Meanwhile. Lu Youting, who was accompanying Lu Yanbai at the hospital, received a call from Lu Ya. ¡°Boss, the post I blocked has reappeared.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face suddenly darkened, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°It¡¯s C.¡± ¡°C? Are you sure?¡± Lu Ya affirmed, ¡°I sent people to trace along the network, and it¡¯s confirmed that it is the same computer used by the hacker who infiltrated our company¡¯s system.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes grew cold, and his face turned almost steely, ¡°Did you track his IP address?¡± ¡°No! He¡¯s smart, deliberately hiding the address, but Shen Qing is still on it, trying to crack it.¡± Shen Qing is the most skilled programmer at Lu Group. He was also the one who found C at the airport last time. Lu Youting asked again, ¡°Can the post still be blocked?¡± Lu Ya paused, struggling, ¡°It can¡¯t be blocked, he not only released the post but also sensationalized it so that the whole internet is aware of it.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s lips tightened into a straight line, his eyes swirling with a sinister chill, lowering the air pressure in the hospital room. ¡°Speed up, find him for me quickly.¡± After ending the call, Lu Youting fell into deep thought. This matter was clearly targeted at Jian Si. What grudge does C have against Jian Si? Why does he want to harm her? Lu Youting couldn¡¯t figure it out. After dinner, the post was still at the top of the trending search. After a while, someone claiming to be a colleague of Professor Jian suddenly broke the news, laying out the entire incident as it happened. Jian Sichen topped the news again, manipulating public opinion with his splurge comments, steering the narrative towards the positive side. 500th floor: ¡°So the truth of the matter is actually this, isn¡¯t Professor Jian wronged?¡± 721st floor: ¡°What is Ye Qingqing¡¯s true motive? She knows Professor Jian is wronged but doesn¡¯t come forward to explain, causing Professor Jian to be scolded all day.¡± 801st floor reply to 721: ¡°I also feel she has ill intentions, could it be because Professor Jian is above her in rank and she can¡¯t stand it, so she fabricated the story to frame Professor Jian?¡± 922nd floor reply to 801: ¡°I think your guess might be true; Professor Jian is younger, prettier, and a full professor, she must be jealous of her.¡± 1008th floor: ¡°I heard that when Professor Jian was 22, she performed heart bypass surgery for a patient with many underlying conditions since many doctors didn¡¯t dare to take it on, but she did. The surgery was successful, and the patient recovered very well. She became famous because of that surgery.¡± 1889th floor reply to 1008: ¡°Wow, is Professor Jian really that incredible?¡± 2000th floor reply to 922: ¡°Remove the word ¡®might¡¯; I think it¡¯s definitely true.¡± Seeing Jian Sichen fervently boasting about himself, Jian Si herself was embarrassed. ¡°Enough already, if you keep boasting, I¡¯ll be embarrassed.¡± Si Chen proudly said, ¡°I¡¯m not boasting, I¡¯m stating facts. My mommy is really that impressive.¡± Jian Si laughed at his comment. Jian Yue¡¯s round eyes stared unblinkingly at the computer, her worry evident as she asked, ¡°Mommy, do you think Ye Qingqing will post as you wish?¡± Jian Si was very confident, ¡°She will!¡± Ye Qingqing, such a hypocrite, wouldn¡¯t miss an opportunity to ruin her. So, if she sees public opinion starting to turn, she¡¯ll definitely make a move. Jian Yue¡¯s pretty little face scrunched up, infuriated, ¡°How can this woman be so despicable? She is really too evil.¡± Jian Si instructed Si Chen, ¡°Chenbao, let this stay on trending overnight, remember, just one night, don¡¯t take it down.¡± ¡°OK!¡± Si Chen cheekily made a gesture to Jian Si. Seeing that it was getting late, Jian Si, worried Lu Yanbai might be thinking about her, handed the matter over to Si Chen and left first with a thermal lunch box. The effect of trending was soon apparent. After she arrived at the hospital, people either avoided her or whispered behind her back. One phone call after another came from the director. Jian Si, as if nothing had happened, smilingly brought dinner to the hospital. During a break in Lu Yanbai¡¯s meal, Lu Youting pulled her to the balcony and asked, ¡°Tell me, who have you made an enemy of in the past?¡± Jian Si gave a smile that was not quite a smile, ¡°Ye Qingqing, she is my only enemy.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s dense eyebrows furrowed slightly, ¡°Do you know someone called C?¡± ¡°What C?¡± Jian Si was baffled. Her reaction gave Lu Youting his answer. ¡°This afternoon, not only did the post I blocked reappear, it was also deliberately pushed to trending. I suspect someone is targeting you intentionally. Be careful these days. I¡¯m afraid this person might have more tricks up their sleeve.¡± ¡°...¡± Jian Si paused, then laughed. She laughed so hard she doubled over, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Lu Youting, you are too funny! Rest assured, this person is definitely not my enemy, they won¡¯t hurt me! Instead of worrying about me, you¡¯d better wash your eyes or maybe elevate your taste.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, his handsome face slightly darkened, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°To think you would fall for a woman like Ye Qingqing, you really need to wash your eyes!¡± After saying that, she left an infuriated Lu Youting behind and walked back to the ward. Lu Youting, frustrated and unable to vent his anger, simply walked away. Out of sight, out of mind. ... Jian Family. Ye Qingqing watched as public opinion increasingly leaned toward Jian Si, putting herself at the center of a storm, her delicate face twisted in anger, almost smashing her phone. Xu Jiaorong¡¯s complexion turned from pale to flushed. ¡°Qingqing, why is public opinion favoring that little wretch? If this continues, not only will she clear her name, but it might destroy your reputation instead.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s forehead veins bulged, her chest heaving with rage. Moments later, she suddenly laughed. It was a sinister, venomous laugh. ¡°Think she can turn the tables? Impossible!¡± Ye Qingqing gritted her teeth, logged into her verified Weibo account, and posted a statement. ¡°I am Ye Qingqing, and I swear on my integrity that the video content is true, with absolutely no intention of framing or defaming Professor Jian! I do not know why the video was leaked, and if it has caused any trouble in Professor Jian¡¯s life, I am truly sorry. Let bygones be bygones, I hope this matter will stop here, please do not pay any more attention to it, and grant us some peace.¡± With those words, she appeared righteous and magnanimous, telling everyone the video was not faked while also displaying her generous, forgiving side. Chapter 18 - 18 18 Cute Baby Stands Up for Mommy ?18: Chapter 18: Cute Baby Stands Up for Mommy 18: Chapter 18: Cute Baby Stands Up for Mommy Seeing that she had actually made the declaration, Jian Sichen jumped up excitedly. Jian Yue was excited too, ¡°Mommy is so smart, that bad woman actually released the statement.¡± Jian Sichen felt proud to have such a smart mommy, ¡°Of course, if Mommy weren¡¯t smart, how could she have given birth to such a smart son like me?¡± What they hadn¡¯t anticipated was not only Ye Qingqing, but several of her colleagues from the hospital also spoke up to support her. Liu Yun, a certified cardiologist on Weibo: ¡°Professor Ye is a very serious and responsible professor. We have worked together for several years, and I can assure everyone that what she says is true.¡± Intern Lin Xinyu: ¡°My master is better than Professor Jian in both character and medical skills, she should not be subjected to this humiliation.¡± Cardiologist Li Hongtao: ¡°Professor Ye is beautiful and kind-hearted, I hope everyone won¡¯t misunderstand her.¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, expressionless he said, ¡°Since you¡¯ve come to me, I won¡¯t be polite.¡± After saying that, his slender little hands skillfully operated on the keyboard again. Within a short time, that statement surged to the top trending. Jian Sichen once again used online bots to give Ye Qingqing the illusion that her plan had succeeded. Before he could even enjoy it, a sudden alarm sounded from his computer. Jian Yue¡¯s breathing hitched, anxiously she asked, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s wrong? There¡¯s no problem, is there?¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s attractive eyebrows furrowed tightly together and he irritably said, ¡°That lousy dad is so annoying, always messing around at the side, trying to break through my firewall and disturb my progress, it¡¯s so annoying.¡± Jian Yue anxiously said, ¡°What do we do then? If lousy dad finds us, it will be troublesome.¡± A sly glint flashed in Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes as he snorted coldly, ¡°Thinking of tracking my movements, wishful thinking!¡± As his voice fell, his fingers tapped a few times on the keyboard and the computer screen immediately turned blue with white English letters crazily scrolling across it. The other party did not give up either. Both sides began to compete. There was a strong smell of gunpowder. Jian Yue watched for a while but couldn¡¯t understand, her eyelids began to droop, and soon she fell asleep on the desk. Jian Sichen called Su Wan to come and carry her away, continuing to challenge Shen Qing. He barely paid attention and almost let the other party track his location, but he managed to block it just in the nick of time. Even so, he still let Shen Qing catch a bit of information. ¡°Director Lu, I just couldn¡¯t track his exact location through his IP, but I can confirm he is currently in the Southern City mountainous area.¡± ¡°Mountainous area?¡± Lu Youting searched his mind and found no useful information, ¡°Keep going, you have to find him for me.¡± The competition between experts often excites people. But this time, Shen Qing felt like crying. Because ¡®C¡¯ was just too powerful; he was no match for him. But since the boss had ordered, he had no choice but to carry on reluctantly. Lu Youting stood up and walked behind another programmer, looking at the top trending that remained steadfast on the screen; his face darkened enough to drip water. ¡°Can¡¯t the trending topic be taken down yet?¡± The programmer wiped the sweat from his forehead, ¡°President, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve tried my best.¡± Lu Ya, fearing Lu Youting would vent his anger on the programmers, quickly said, ¡°This has nothing to do with them, the technical staff at Weibo also can¡¯t take down the trending topic.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips tightly pressed into a straight line, his handsome eyebrows twisted tight, in his dark eyes flickered an unfathomable deep meaning. Just who is C? Perhaps we could bring him into Lu Group¡ª The competition continued until the next morning. Because Shen Qing had been unable to hack into Jian Sichen¡¯s computer, three trending topics about Jian Si stayed up all night on Weibo. The incident had caused a huge uproar and everyone knew about it. As usual, Lu Youting punctually brought Lu Yanbai breakfast. Perhaps feeling guilty towards Jian Si, he also brought one for her. Jian Si sat down and had breakfast with Lu Yanbai. Lu Youting hesitated but couldn¡¯t resist asking with concern, ¡°I heard about the hot search; are you okay?¡± Jian Si shook her head as a response. Thinking she was in a bad mood, Lu Youting immediately reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already asked someone to handle it. We¡¯ll bring down the hot search soon.¡± ¡°...?¡± Hearing his words, Jian Si finally reacted, ¡°I beg you, leave my matters alone. With your time, why not accompany your fiance?e properly? If it weren¡¯t for you, none of this would have happened.¡± ¡°What does it have to do with me?¡± Lu Youting felt wronged. Jian Si didn¡¯t even glance at him, ¡°Anyone with eyes can see Ye Qingqing is behind this. Are you telling me you didn¡¯t know?¡± His attitude made Lu Youting furious, ¡°Lu Ya investigated; the video didn¡¯t come from her IP address. I know you have a grudge against her, but you can¡¯t falsely accuse her.¡± Seeing him defend Ye Qingqing regardless of right or wrong, Jian Si had lost the energy to argue with him. Once again receiving the cold shoulder from Jian Si, Lu Youting ran out of patience. During the meal, Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes darted back and forth between Jian Si and Lu Youting. Though he said nothing, he seemed to get the gist of the situation. Just then, Ye Qingqing arrived beaming with joy. As if nothing had happened, she approached Lu Yanbai with a smile and tried to affectionately touch his little head, ¡°Xiao Bai, Auntie came to see you. How have you felt these past days? Is your health better?¡± Unexpectedly, before her hand could touch him, he slapped it away. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, you bad woman!¡± Ye Qingqing, touching her stinging hand, asked aggrieved, ¡°Xiao Bai, why would you say that? What has Auntie done wrong? I¡¯ve loved you the most since you were young.¡± Lu Yanbai yelled, ¡°You bullied Mommy, you¡¯re a bad woman.¡± Feeling extremely wronged, tears circled in Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes, she glanced qat Lu Youting without a sound. ¡°Xiao Bai, I¡¯ve been so good to you, how can you treat me like this? Has your mommy said something about me? Is that why you misunderstand Auntie?¡± Faced with her attempt to sow discord, Jian Si just rolled her eyes, exasperated. Lu Youting¡¯s deep eyes, cold as a thousand-year-old pool, fixed on Jian Si, ¡°Jian Si, how can you say these things in front of a child? Adult grievances shouldn¡¯t involve children.¡± Already accustomed to Lu Youting¡¯s favoritism, Jian Si had no desire to explain, ¡°If you care so much about her, then keep her locked up at home and spare me the sight. Otherwise, I might actually kill her someday.¡± Her outright and undisguised hostility towards Ye Qingqing caught both Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing off guard. Ye Qingqing immediately cried out pitifully, ¡°Sister, I know you still hold a grudge about what happened five years ago, but that¡¯s all in the past, and besides, Youting has always liked me. Even when you two got married, it was nothing more than an accident. I don¡¯t want us to become enemies over a man. If you truly like Youting that much, I¡¯m willing to step back, just please don¡¯t hate me.¡± Seeing her falsely accuse his mommy, Lu Yanbai grabbed his bowl of porridge and hurled it fiercely at Ye Qingqing. ¡°Get out. I don¡¯t want to see you again. If I catch you bullying my mommy again, I won¡¯t show any mercy...¡± Chapter 19 - 19 19 Jian Si and Lu Youting Relationship Exposed ?19: Chapter 19 Jian Si and Lu Youting Relationship Exposed 19: Chapter 19 Jian Si and Lu Youting Relationship Exposed Ye Qingqing was caught off guard and was hit squarely, with the porridge splashed all over her limited-edition clothes, anger turning her little face from green to white, barely maintaining her feigned smile. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes darkened with rage, his voice growing cold and forceful, ¡°Lu Yanbai, what are you doing? Apologize to your aunt.¡± ¡°Hmph! No one is allowed to bully my Mommy!¡± Lu Yanbai shielded Jian Si behind him, fearless. Jian Si, touched by his small figure protecting her, felt a twinge at the tip of her nose. She held Lu Yanbai in her embrace, looking at Ye Qingqing, ¡°Ye Qingqing, there¡¯s no need to be hypocritical here. You know full well the truth of this matter. I hope you can remain so composed when it all comes to light.¡± After that, she didn¡¯t look at her again, sharing the remaining porridge with Lu Yanbai. ¡°Sister, you¡¯re really going too far!¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s tears streamed down as she covered her mouth and ran off, heartbroken. Lu Youting¡¯s temples throbbed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, exhausted. Jian Si ignored them and, after finishing breakfast with Xiao Bai, put on her white coat and headed to the office. As soon as she entered the office, Liu Yun began berating her fiercely, ¡°Professor Jian, I know you have a special relationship with Director Lu and that you¡¯re a professor, different from us doctors. But you can¡¯t just bully people like this! Look what you¡¯ve done to Professor Ye?¡± Lin Xinyu also spoke angrily, ¡°Professor Jian, the master is really nice. Please, don¡¯t bully her anymore. Yesterday, she was almost driven to suicide by online trolls.¡± Even the normally silent doctors couldn¡¯t stand by and started to speak up for Ye Qingqing. ¡°Professor Jian, I think you¡¯ve gone too far this time! No matter what, you¡¯re an outsider. Crown Prince is Professor Ye¡¯s nephew and will be her step-mother in the future. How could you stir up trouble between them?¡± ¡°Although you have the right to pursue love, you can¡¯t steal a colleague¡¯s fiance?! What you¡¯ve done is really too much.¡± Jian Si looked at Ye Qingqing and raised an eyebrow, ¡°Too much?¡± Ye Qingqing, tears running down her face and shoulders shaking, said, ¡°Professor Jian, I know my fiance? is outstanding, and all the women in Jiangcheng want to marry him. If you really like him, you could have told me directly, there¡¯s no need for behind-the-scenes schemes to stir up trouble between us. Even if Xiao Bai likes you, my fiance? doesn¡¯t, so you won¡¯t have a chance.¡± Jian Si watched her act, giving her a mocking look before walking away with the case file. That look of contempt was as if Ye Qingqing was a mere clown. Ye Qingqing started crying again. Everyone came over to comfort her. ¡°Professor Ye, don¡¯t stoop to her level. People like her will get their comeuppance someday.¡± ¡°Yes, let her be content for now. Director Lu will one day see her true colors and drive her away.¡± ¡°We will all stand by you and keep an eye on her.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s tears flowed even more fiercely, her face full of gratitude, ¡°Thank you, thank you all... I don¡¯t know what I would have done without you.¡± After leaving the ward, Jian Si sent a message to Jian Sichen. ¡°Make your move.¡± Jian Sichen had taken the day off from kindergarten to help Jian Si with this matter. Upon receiving Jian Si¡¯s directive, he immediately posted the full video anonymously on the hospital forum and boosted it to the hot list. By the time the doctors finished their rounds, the post was already trending on the forum. As soon as Ye Qingqing entered the office, she felt the meaningful glances of everyone. At first, she didn¡¯t pay attention, thinking they were still sympathizing with her over the Jian Si incident and feigned her gratitude, ¡°Thank you so much for your support! But I hope we can stop mentioning this matter. After all, Professor Jian is our colleague, and I don¡¯t want any discord because of me.¡± At these words, their expressions became even more peculiar. There was no agreement, only evasive glances avoiding her. At that moment, she finally realized something was off and looked at Liu Yun in astonishment, ¡°Dr. Liu?¡± Liu Yun, who was ordinarily close to her, immediately turned away, pretending to be busy. A sense of unease began to loom in Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart. Before she could figure out what was happening, Jian Si walked in; Ye Qingqing immediately greeted her with a beaming smile, ¡°Professor Jian, you¡¯re here! I hope you¡¯re not upset, everyone is just looking out for me.¡± Jian Si smirked, her smile not reaching her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m not upset. Why should I be? The one playing them is you, not me.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s face stiffened, and, once again, she turned on her dramatic flair, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jian Si pursed her lips, shrugged her shoulders, and returned to her desk to start working. Colleagues, thinking they had misunderstood Jian Si, came over hesitantly, faces full of apology, ¡°Professor Jian, I¡¯m so sorry, I blamed you without knowing the whole story. I was wrong!¡± Seeing someone had started an apology, a few others also came forward, sincerely apologizing. ¡°Professor Jian, we¡¯re sorry. We shouldn¡¯t have wronged you by only listening to one side of the story. We hope you can forgive and forget our small-minded actions and not blame us.¡± ¡°I also feel very sorry. I didn¡¯t expect the truth of the matter to be like this.¡± Everyone¡¯s unusual attitude only amplified the unease in Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into all of you? Clearly, I¡¯m the victim. Why are you apologizing to her?¡± As soon as she finished speaking, everyone turned to look at her with eyes full of contempt and blame. Liu Yun was the first to speak up: ¡°Professor Ye, you¡¯ve really gone too far. It was clearly your fault, yet you counter-accused Professor Jian and framed her. How can you be so malicious?¡± Ye Qingqing was completely dumbfounded. With Liu Yun breaking the ice, the rest grew bolder. ¡°Yes, Professor Ye, how could you be so despicable? It¡¯s bad enough you framed Professor Jian, but you dragged us into this as well! We were trying to be fair for you, yet you¡¯ve played us for fools.¡± ¡°I used to think you were kind-hearted, but I didn¡¯t expect you to be so malicious. We were completely wrong about you.¡± ¡°I had no idea you were so scheming. You are truly terrifying.¡± A barrage of accusations left Ye Qingqing¡¯s face alternating between shades of red and white with anger. At that moment, Lin Xinyu suddenly burst into the office with her phone in hand: ¡°Master, something terrible has happened...¡± Upon seeing everyone present, she quickly lowered her voice and handed the phone to Ye Qingqing: ¡°Master, look!¡± Ye Qingqing took the phone, and as she saw the content, her mind went ¡®boom¡¯ as if something had exploded. Her face turned deathly pale, and her body began to tremble faintly. ¡°Who? Who did this?¡± Only she and Lin Xinyu had the complete video. If it wasn¡¯t her, then it could only have been Lin Xinyu. With this thought, she abruptly turned to Lin Xinyu and, without asking any questions, slapped her across the face: ¡°Did you post the video? Why would you do this?¡± She had used all her strength in that slap. Lin Xinyu¡¯s face was turned to one side from the impact, and a clear handprint emerged, burning with pain. She felt extremely wronged, and her eyes brimmed with tears: ¡°Master, it wasn¡¯t me, how could I betray you? Why would I do such a thing!¡± Ye Qingqing had forgotten to maintain her facade, and anger caused her to lose her reason, her face twisted as she accused: ¡°If it¡¯s not you, then who? Only the two of us had the video!¡± Lin Xinyu held back her tears, took the phone, and accessed the top trending topic on Weibo. Unlike the hospital forum. Here, not only was there the complete video that Lin Xinyu had taken, but also the full video from the parking lot surveillance, and even several screenshots of chat records. There were screenshots of her chats with Lin Xinyu, as well as screenshots of her online conversations where she had someone edit the video before anonymously posting it to the forum. The second top trending hashtag was #ShockingRevelation, Professor Jian and Ye Qingqing are paternal half-sisters#. The title was accompanied by three family photos. The first photo was a family portrait of Jian Si at the age of five, standing between her father Jian Shihai and her mother Su Nian, both Jian Si and Su Nian sporting happy smiles while only Jian Shihai frowned, clearly unwilling. The second photo was similar to the first, with five-year-old Ye Qingqing standing between her father Jian Shihai and her mother Xu Jiaorong, all three wearing happy smiles. In the third photo, taken eight years ago, Jian Shihai and Xu Jiaorong sat in the front chairs, with Jian Si, Ye Qingqing, and a boy around ten years old standing behind them. Jian Si¡¯s face no longer held the innocence and happiness of youth, as if they were the family of four and she was the extra person. Ye Qingqing was one month older than Jian Si. The whistleblower had even laid out a timeline for everyone. Su Nian and Jian Shihai got married in October, Jian Si was born the following October, Ye Qingqing was born in September, Su Nian committed suicide due to depression when Jian Si was eight years old because of Xu Jiaorong¡¯s affair, and two months later, Xu Jiaorong married Jian Shihai with her eight-year-old daughter and five-year-old son. Fearing gossip, Ye Qingqing and her brother Ye Weihao never changed their last name and were presented to the public as stepchildren. Ye Qingqing, at the age of nineteen, fled her wedding to Lu Youting because she believed the rumors that he wouldn¡¯t be humane. Jian Si took her place at the last minute and married Lu Youting. Two years later, Ye Qingqing and Lu Youting got back together, casting out the pregnant Jian Si. The timeline was crystal clear, as if the whistleblower had experienced it firsthand. Chapter 20 - 20 20 The Mistress Gets What She Deserves, Despised by Others ?20: Chapter 20: The Mistress Gets What She Deserves, Despised by Others 20: Chapter 20: The Mistress Gets What She Deserves, Despised by Others The sudden truth flipped the situation on its head. Before the truth was clear, Jian Si faced widespread online attacks. A chorus of cursing echoed. Netizens who once defended Ye Qingqing felt deceived. As bitterly as Jian Si had been scolded before, now Ye Qingqing faced the same severity. The intensity was even suspiciously surpassing. 10,000th floor: ¡°Damn, were we played?¡± 20,200th floor replies to 10,000th floor: ¡°This isn¡¯t being played, it¡¯s being used blatantly.¡± 30,010th floor: ¡°I really didn¡¯t expect this. Ye Qingqing looked so innocent, yet she was so scheming, self-directing this whole drama.¡± 50,203rd floor: ¡°Ye Qingqing and her mom are shameless homewreckers, stealing someone else¡¯s husband and child, have all the men in the world died? Why only target Jian Si and her daughter¡¯s man? Like mother, like daughter, I suppose.¡± 61,789th floor: ¡°No wonder the Lu Family¡¯s Crown Prince was so fond of Professor Jian, turns out she¡¯s his real mom. Ye Qingqing knew it all along but kept it from everyone and let Professor Jian be slandered by everyone. Such a heart deserves condemnation.¡± 78,010th floor: ¡°Men really are pigs, loving every one they see. And here I thought Director Lu was a good man, turns out he¡¯s scum.¡± 89,091st floor: ¡°Do you guys think the trending search last night was also bought by her? It was up all night, I¡¯ve never seen a trending search last the whole night.¡± 109,010th floor replies to 89,091st floor: ¡°No need to guess, it¡¯s definitely her, someone as malicious as her is capable of anything.¡± Reading through the comments, Ye Qingqing felt like she was submerged in cold water, thoroughly chilled, her mind felt like exploding with tension, panic, and helplessness. Who? Who did this? Who had the capability to arrange so much? Lin Xinyu, covering her swollen face, said with grievances, ¡°Master, do you believe me now? It really wasn¡¯t me.¡± Ye Qingqing was on the verge of collapse, feeling dizzy as people around her seemed to swirl, apparently mocking and insulting her. ¡°Mistress.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really vicious.¡± ¡°Shameless.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s tightly wound nerves snapped, and she crazedly rushed to Jian Si, ¡°It was you, it must be you! Why do you treat me like this? Why? I am your blood sister!¡± Jian Si¡¯s shoulder throbbed from her grip and pushed her away. ¡°Blood sister? Why didn¡¯t you mention that when you were setting me up? When you played the innocent and let me be attacked and cursed by everyone, why didn¡¯t you say you were my blood sister then? Ye Qingqing, this is all your retribution, you deserve it. Don¡¯t say it wasn¡¯t me, even if it was, what can you do to me? I gave you chances, but you didn¡¯t cherish them.¡± ¡°You...¡± Ye Qingqing, fury distorting her features, raised her hand to strike Jian Si but was swiftly caught and thrown harshly to the ground. Ye Qingqing fell unexpectedly, hearing a ¡®crack¡¯ as her wrist seared with pain. She gasped sharply, her small face contorted in agony. Jian Si gazed down coolly at the disheveled Ye Qingqing, expressionless, ¡°Ye Qingqing, I¡¯m no longer the old Jian Si you can bully! If you dare bully me again, I will return it a hundredfold.¡± Chilling and imposing. The other doctors in the office stared in shock. After speaking, Jian Si prepared to leave, but upon looking up, saw Lu Youting, who had appeared at the door at some unknown time. Lu Youting stared at her intensely, as if trying to peer into her soul. Jian Si¡¯s breathing slowed momentarily. She immediately regained her composure and walked past Lu Youting with forced calm. Ye Qingqing also noticed Lu Youting standing at the door, afraid he would despise her, and scrambled to her feet, grabbing his sleeve. ¡°Youting, listen to my explanation, it¡¯s not what it seems!¡± Lu Youting brushed off her hand with an emotionless face, his whole being wrapped in a bitterly cold demeanor, his eyes a mix of disgust, disappointment, and anger. ¡°Ye Qingqing, I am so disappointed in you.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s blood froze in that instant, her tears falling continuously, ¡°Youting...¡± Seeing her tears only made Lu Youting feel more repulsed by her deceit. ¡°You personally told me the video wasn¡¯t released by you, I believed you!¡± He pursed his lips, giving a self-mocking laugh, ¡°But you weren¡¯t worth my trust.¡± With that, he turned and left, leaving Ye Qingqing with a hard, cold silhouette. His words, like a whip, struck Ye Qingqing, making her legs buckle, and she fell to the ground, crying out loud, unconcerned with appearances. Her crying drew a crowd of onlookers. Unfortunately, this time no one sympathized with her. What she received was everyone¡¯s indifference and schadenfreude. ¡°She got what she deserved, such a malicious mind, this is her retribution.¡± ¡°Yes, she made me misunderstand Professor Jian. I even switched to her care; I wonder if it¡¯s too late to switch back?¡± ¡°Such a person, with such malintent, really shouldn¡¯t be a doctor, who knows which affair might displease her and lead her to poison someone.¡± ¡°I hope Director Lu can see her true colors, and divorce her, getting back together with Professor Jian.¡± Ye Qingqing clenched her fists, enveloped by a sense of defeat like never before. Unable to watch any longer, Lin Xinyu lowered her head, helped her up from the ground, and amidst everyone¡¯s stares, braced herself and left. Chapter 21 - 21 21 Jian Sis Successful Counterattack ?21: Chapter 21 Jian Si¡¯s Successful Counterattack 21: Chapter 21 Jian Si¡¯s Successful Counterattack Lu Youting blocked Jian Si at the door of the hospital room. Jian Si looked up at him coldly, ¡°Director Lu, I have other things to do, please let me through.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face was full of apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± It was the first time she had heard these three words from his mouth, and Jian Si found it amusing. ¡°Don¡¯t be, you haven¡¯t wronged me. There¡¯s no need to apologize.¡± As she spoke, she deliberately used the polite ¡®you¡¯ and emphasized her tone. Hearing her sarcasm, Lu Youting, fully aware that he was at fault initially, didn¡¯t take it to heart. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have distrusted you.¡± Jian Si immediately stopped him with her hand. ¡°Stop, your trust means nothing to me, and I don¡¯t need it, so no need to apologize. It would give me nightmares.¡± Her words were filled with barbs. Each one mercilessly stabbed into Lu Youting¡¯s heart, making him tremble with anger. ¡°Jian Si, what do you mean? I¡¯m just concerned about you, and you¡¯re ungrateful, like a dog biting Lu Dongbin without recognizing the good intention.¡± ¡°Concern?¡± Jian Si chuckled coldly, bitterness in her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t need your concern. We ceased to have anything to do with each other five years ago. Your concern now is hypocritical and makes me nauseous. If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Bai, I wouldn¡¯t want to see you for the rest of my life.¡± The cold, indifferent words sent Lu Youting¡¯s blood rushing to his head, his face alternating between pale and flushed, his heart uncontrollably clenching in pain. He couldn¡¯t understand why Jian Si¡¯s hostility towards him was so intense. Was it merely because he divorced her for Ye Qingqing? ¡°Even though we are divorced, do we have to be enemies? I¡¯ve forgiven you for abandoning Xiao Bai and leaving, can¡¯t you forgive me?¡± ¡°Forgive?¡± Jian Si sneered, pulling a smile. ¡°You¡¯re not worthy of my forgiveness.¡± After saying that, she pushed him away to leave. Lu Youting refused to let her go, grabbing her wrist. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about our past grievances for now. I just want to know, who helped you get the complete video?¡± And that person was the one he had been desperately searching for: C. Jian Si glanced at him. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Lu Youting analyzed calmly, ¡°The timeline laid out so clearly could only be done by someone from the Jian Family, not outsiders, not Uncle and Aunt Jian, and Ye Qingqing wouldn¡¯t do this. Other than you, I can¡¯t think of anyone. And those three photos, outsiders wouldn¡¯t have them.¡± Jian Si smirked, ¡°I think you¡¯re overthinking it. Ye Qingqing did a lot of bad things; maybe someone just couldn¡¯t stand her and decided to help me take revenge.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, his face slightly darkened. ¡°You think I¡¯m that easy to fool?¡± Jian Si unconcernedly said, ¡°I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re easy to fool, but I really don¡¯t know that person!¡± After saying that, she pushed him away. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have things to do. Please step aside.¡± This time, Lu Youting did not stop her. Watching her disappear from his sight, he was certain, feeling assured, that Jian Si knew C; otherwise, her expression wouldn¡¯t have been so calm. Perhaps Jian Si was indeed a breakthrough. Regardless, he had to find C. Elsewhere. Ye Qingqing, like a soul drained from her body, was sent home by Lin Xinyu in despair. Xu Jiaorong, seeing her daughter looking haggard, anxiously asked, ¡°What happened? Weren¡¯t you fine when you left this morning? How did it come to this?¡± Lin Xinyu explained everything that had happened and even took out her phone to show her the trending searches. After seeing the content of the trending searches, her face turned deathly pale, and rage surged to her chest. ¡°It¡¯s Jian Si, it¡¯s definitely that bitch!¡± she said, holding Ye Qingqing¡¯s face, consoling her with heartache, ¡°Qingqing, what¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t scare Mommy! Please, talk to me.¡± Seeing that she remained silent, her gaze unfocused, she hurriedly said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mommy will surely avenge you. I will make that bitch pay for what she did today.¡± Hearing the word ¡®avenge¡¯, Ye Qingqing finally reacted. Her gaze focused, looking at Xu Jiaorong. After a few seconds, she burst into tears, hugging Xu Jiaorong and crying. ¡°Mom, you must avenge me! That bitch made me a laughingstock in the hospital, I¡¯ve lost face now. Even Youting is angry with me, unwilling to listen to my explanation. What if he calls off our engagement? No, I can¡¯t lose him, I can¡¯t let them be a happy family of three.¡± Xu Jiaorong¡¯s heart ached as her daughter cried, patting her back to console her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mommy won¡¯t let this happen! Youting is yours; no one can take him away.¡± Feeling it was inappropriate for her to stay any longer, Lin Xinyu found an excuse to leave. Xu Jiaorong took Ye Qingqing back to her room, letting the housekeeper, Sister Lin, bring up a bowl of ginseng soup. After finishing the ginseng soup, some color returned to Ye Qingqing¡¯s face, and she gradually calmed down. ¡°Mom, what should we do now? I thought I could get rid of Jian Si this time, but instead, I brought myself down.¡± Xu Jiaorong didn¡¯t speak immediately, her face serious as she thought for a while, then a light seemed to flash in her mind. ¡°I have an idea!¡± Saying that, she leaned close to Ye Qingqing¡¯s ear and shared her plan. After hearing her plan, Ye Qingqing still hesitated, ¡°Is it really feasible? What if she refuses to come back?¡± Xu Jiaorong confidently declared, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll have your dad call her personally. She has a grudge against us, how could she not recognize your dad!¡± Ye Qingqing felt her mother made sense. A smile finally appeared on her face, a sinister glint crossing her eyes, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows. ... Thinking the trending search had hung around long enough, Jian Si sent a message to Jian Sichen, asking him to pull it down. Within a short time, the heat of the trending search gradually subsided. At the same time, Shen Qing was reporting the tracking status to Lu Youting. ¡°Director Lu, Miss Jian indeed sent a message a few minutes ago. The content was ¡®pull down the trending search.¡¯ We wanted to track the phone number she used to send it, but the other party had hidden the IP. By the time I tried to crack it, the person had gone offline, completely losing the trail.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s gaze was ice-cold, his face expressionless. ¡°Are you certain?¡± Shen Qing firmly said, ¡°I am certain. That¡¯s why I can confidently say Miss Jian knows C.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Did you find any other information?¡± ¡°C is very cunning; unless he lets his guard down, we basically can¡¯t track any information about him. We can only start with Miss Jian.¡± ¡°I understand! Continue to monitor every move of C, and report to me immediately if anything comes up.¡± After ending the call, Lu Youting fell into deep thought. How could he get information about C from Jian Si? Suddenly, an idea popped into his mind¡ª Chapter 22 - 22 22 The Ex-Husband Saw the Video with the Cute Baby ?22: Chapter 22: The Ex-Husband Saw the Video with the Cute Baby 22: Chapter 22: The Ex-Husband Saw the Video with the Cute Baby When Lu Youting returned to the ward, Jian Si was holding Lu Yanbai and chatting. ¡°Mommy, do you know? When you weren¡¯t by my side, I missed you and looked at the photograph. Every time I looked at it, I felt like you were with me.¡± Jian Si looked at the photograph carefully tucked under the pillow by Lu Yanbai, her nose tingling slightly and her eyes almost welling with tears. ¡°Xiao Bai, I¡¯m sorry for not being by your side all these years! Do you blame me?¡± Lu Yanbai shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t blame you, Mommy. I know you must have had your own things to handle, and now you are back, aren¡¯t you?¡± His understanding moved Jian Si profoundly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mommy will never leave you again and will always be by your side.¡± Lu Yanbai nodded vigorously, his eyes forming crescents, his little chubby face flushed and incredibly adorable. This scene gave Lu Youting an unusual feeling. Suddenly, he thought that if every day could be like this, it wouldn¡¯t be too bad. He pursed his lips and said solemnly, ¡°Can Xiao Bai go home after his injection?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Jian Si looked at him, slightly puzzled by his question for a moment. Lu Youting walked over, rubbing Lu Yanbai¡¯s head, ¡°He hasn¡¯t been home in a month since he was hospitalized! Qingqing said it¡¯s best that he shouldn¡¯t leave the hospital. But I know he doesn¡¯t want to stay here. If it doesn¡¯t affect his treatment, I hope he can sleep at home at night and return to the hospital in the morning.¡± Jian Si frowned, ¡°Ye Qingqing said he can¡¯t go home?¡± Lu Yanbai pouted, dissatisfied, ¡°Yes, Aunt won¡¯t let me go home! But I don¡¯t want to stay in the hospital; I want to go home.¡± Jian Si scoffed internally, ¡°He can go home! As long as we are careful, it should be fine.¡± Hearing that he could go home, Lu Yanbai was so excited that he almost jumped up, ¡°Yes! That¡¯s great, I can finally go home! Mommy, you should come back with me! I don¡¯t want to be away from you.¡± Jian Si paused, ¡°Me? Go back with you?¡± Thinking she was reluctant, Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes immediately filled with tears, resembling a pitiful little bunny. ¡°You don¡¯t want to?¡± Unable to bear seeing him disappointed, Jian Si reluctantly agreed and then looked at Lu Youting: ¡°Director Lu, may I go? If not, I could take Xiao Bai to stay at my place.¡± Lu Yanbai looked hopefully at Lu Youting. Lu Youting stiffly twitched his lips, haughtily uttering two words, ¡°Whatever.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great, Daddy, I love you to death!¡± For the first time, Lu Yanbai hugged Lu Youting and planted a big kiss on his face, leaving him covered in saliva. Lu Youting wiped the saliva off his face, suddenly feeling that this arrangement might not be so bad, as it would keep Jian Si under his watch while giving him a chance to investigate C, and also please his son. After the treatment, Lu Yanbai finally returned to his long-missed home. Lu Youting had urgent documents to deal with, so he went to the study as soon as he got home. Having not returned for five years, everything here had been renovated. Except for the housekeeper, Xiang Sister, all other servants were now Ye Qingqing¡¯s people. Seeing Jian Si and Lu Yanbai walking in hand in hand, Xiang Sister thought she was seeing things and rubbed her eyes fiercely. When she realized her vision was clear, her eyes immediately reddened. ¡°Lady, you finally came back! The young master has been thinking of you every day.¡± Standing in the grand hall on the first floor, Jian Si also felt as if she were in a different world. She had never imagined she would be able to return here one day. ¡°Xiang Sister, long time no see. How have you been over these years?¡± Tears welled up in Xiang Sister¡¯s eyes as she nodded continuously, ¡°Very good, very good! How have you been, Lady?¡± Remembering her days in Country A over the years, Jian Si¡¯s eyes darkened slightly, and she managed a strained smile, ¡°Everything has been fine, just missing Xiao Bai, day and night.¡± Xiang Sister comforted her, ¡°Rest assured, the sir has taken very good care of the young master and has changed a lot for the young master.¡± Jian Si gave a self-deprecating laugh and said nothing. If they had taken good care, he wouldn¡¯t be riddled with illnesses. Congenital heart problems are one thing, but what about the depression and stomach issues? The two initially wanted to spend more time together, but Jian Si was dragged upstairs by Lu Yanbai. ¡°Mommy, I¡¯ll first show you the room to familiarize you with it, then I¡¯ll take you around. Daddy built a wisteria trellis in the yard, and it looks so beautiful when it blooms.¡± ¡°Wisteria?¡± Jian Si was slightly surprised, a misconception flashing through her mind, and then she found the idea ridiculous and quickly dismissed it. No. Impossible. Lu Youting would never plant wisteria because of her. He never knew she liked wisteria. After Lu Yanbai had shown Jian Si around the house, he pulled her to the garden, where a fifty-meter long wisteria trellis stretched before them. To ensure the wisteria was always flourishing, Lu Youting had spent a fortune on a temperature-controlled shed. During the blooming season, the shed automatically retracted; during the other three seasons, it would rise automatically, adjusting the temperature based on the weather. At that moment, under the operation of the temperature-controlled shed, the wisteria bloomed vibrant and glorious, a sea of purple flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their fragrance overwhelming, a beauty that was hard to look away from. ¡°When was the wisteria planted here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s always been here!¡± Jian Si: ¡°...??¡± So, it had been planted for a long time already? Lu Yanbai took Jian Si around the yard, which not only had wisteria but also several date trees, now heavy with crisp, sweet fruits. ¡°Daddy loves eating winter dates the most, he always picks them himself when they¡¯re ripe.¡± Jian Si felt a moment of daze. If she wasn¡¯t sure that Lu Youting had always liked Ye Qingqing, she might have suspected that he liked her. Because Lu Youting never touched common fruits like winter dates. Wisteria and winter dates were her favorite. Jian Si chuckled self-deprecatingly, dismissing the absurd thought from her mind, and then continued to stroll in the yard with Lu Yanbai. After lunch, she took him back to their room for a nap. Lu Yanbai, excited and energetic, took a while to fall asleep. Once Lu Yanbai was asleep, Jian Si tiptoed to the balcony to make a video call to Jian Sichen. It took a long while for the call to connect, and Jian Sichen appeared on the screen, his eyes droopy and heavy as if they were filled with lead, his speech weak. ¡°Mommy, what do you need?¡± Jian Si asked with concern, ¡°Baby, are you very tired?¡± Jian Sichen shook his head: ¡°It¡¯s not because of Mommy. It¡¯s all because of that jerk Dad. His employees chased me all night long, and I didn¡¯t get a chance to sleep.¡± He was only supposed to pin the trending search and use a bot to power off and sleep. But that jerk Dad went out of his way to pull the trending search. To keep up the heat, he had to stay at his computer all night, which exhausted him. Jian Si couldn¡¯t bear to disturb him further: ¡°Okay, then you rest well, I¡¯ll talk to you later.¡± ¡°Okay, muah, I¡¯ll hang up now!¡± Jian Sichen nodded listlessly, puckered up to kiss the screen, then dozed off again before even hanging up the call. Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but laugh silently. Just as she was about to end the call, a chill suddenly ran down her spine. She turned around sharply and saw Lu Youting standing behind her unawares, causing her to break into a cold sweat, uncertain of how much he had heard or knew. ¡°You, when did you get here?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s dark pupils locked tightly on her, shimmering with an inscrutable cold gleam: ¡°Who were you video calling just now? Why does he look exactly like Xiao Bai?¡± Jian Si¡¯s heart skipped a beat, sinking down sharply, she thought to herself in alarm. It was over, Lu Youting really had discovered it. Chapter 23 - 23 23 Jian Si, are you hiding something from me ?23: Chapter 23 Jian Si, are you hiding something from me? 23: Chapter 23 Jian Si, are you hiding something from me? Seeing her not speaking, Lu Youting¡¯s eyes suddenly turned ice-cold, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Jian Si, are you hiding something from me?¡± Jian Si forced herself to calm down and curved her lips into a smile, ¡°Who am I to you? Even married couples have their privacy, don¡¯t they? Why can¡¯t I keep things from you?¡± Her words were undoubtedly an admission. Lu Youting¡¯s face turned as ugly as if it had been smeared with ink, ¡°Don¡¯t obfuscate the matter; you know exactly what I¡¯m talking about.¡± Jian Si pretended to be dumb, ¡°How would I know what you¡¯re talking about if I¡¯m not the worm in your stomach?¡± Lu Youting suddenly gripped her wrist, ¡°What¡¯s on your phone? Jian Si, don¡¯t try to fool me! I¡¯m not stupid.¡± ¡°Ouch... it hurts...¡± Jian Si¡¯s wrist ached from his grip, and she inhaled sharply, ¡°Let go of me quickly, stop manhandling me. If you really want to know that badly, then I¡¯ll let you see; it¡¯s not a big deal anyway.¡± Upon hearing this, Lu Youting slowly released his hand. Having gained her freedom, Jian Si took out her smartphone and generously handed it over for Lu Youting to see. Sure enough, the screen only displayed a photograph of Lu Yanbai sleeping. The little guy was tilting his head with a slight smile, sleeping very sweetly. Jian Si explained, ¡°Seeing Xiao Bai sleeping so soundly, I couldn¡¯t help but take a few more photos. What¡¯s the matter? Can¡¯t I sneak a peek?¡± Lu Youting obviously wasn¡¯t so easily deceived, ¡°Then who were you talking to?¡± Jian Si replied with resignation, ¡°I gave birth to such an adorable and handsome son, can¡¯t I just marvel at that to myself?¡± Lu Youting looked at her with half-belief and half-doubt. He always felt that there was more to it. But he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on what was amiss. Jian Si watched the changes in his expression without a hint of reaction. Seeing that he was not further suspicious, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, her phone had a privacy screen protector. Lu Youting must have only seen a rough image, not the details, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been so easily hoodwinked by her. Fearing that staying longer might give him a chance to see through her, Jian Si prepared to escape, ¡°Director Lu, do you have anything else you need? If not, I¡¯m going back to my room!¡± Lu Youting furrowed his brows, ¡°Must we be so estranged between us?¡± ¡°Otherwise?¡± Jian Si raised an eyebrow, asking with a half-smile, half-mockery, ¡°Should I not call you Director Lu and instead call you Youting like Ye Qingqing does, or maybe Youting? Please, I¡¯ll have nightmares.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s molars ground together with a gnashing sound. For a moment, he despised the sharp-tongued woman before him. ¡°Lu Youting, after a couple divorces, it¡¯s impossible to just become friends!¡± Jian Si said, approaching him and enunciating each word, ¡°Especially between you and me, we will never reconcile in this lifetime. I will never forgive you for what you did to me in the past. You can pretend nothing happened, but I can¡¯t.¡± After speaking, she let out a cold laugh and left indifferently. Lu Youting, not understanding the origin of her hatred towards him, was infuriated to no end, taking deep breaths repeatedly to soothe the rage in his heart. Though they were divorced, he had given her a substantial compensation. Why did she hate him so much, as if he were the killer of her father? No sooner had Jian Si entered her room than her phone in her pocket rang. The incoming call displayed a string of unfamiliar numbers, but those numbers were etched deep in her memory, unforgettable even in death. She silently watched the numbers bounce on the screen, neither hanging up nor answering. Suddenly, Lu Youting¡¯s voice echoed from behind her, ¡°Is it a call from Jian Uncle? Why aren¡¯t you answering?¡± Jian Si snorted with self-derision, ¡°Five years and not a single call, and now, the moment Ye Qingqing is wronged, here comes the phone call! What do you think he wants from me?¡± Lu Youting replied discontentedly, ¡°There¡¯s no father who doesn¡¯t love his child; don¡¯t paint him in such a bad light.¡± ¡°Think?¡± Jian Si coldly twisted her mouth into a sneer, pulled Lu Youting onto the balcony, answered the call, switched on the speakerphone, and before she could speak, Jian Shihai couldn¡¯t wait to burst out. ¡°Jian Si, how could you air our family matters in public? Where am I supposed to put my face?¡± After five years without contact, the first call contained no comfort, no care, only reprimand and concern for face. Jian Si glanced at Lu Youting with a mocking expression on her face. Lu Youting stayed silent. Jian Si asked emotionlessly, ¡°Did you call just to scold me? If so, I¡¯m very busy and might not have time to listen to your scolding.¡± Jian Shihai paused momentarily, apparently unable to believe that his normally obedient and submissive daughter would stand up to him. ¡°What kind of attitude is that? I¡¯ve raised you all these years, and I can¡¯t even scold you once?¡± Jian Si responded impatiently, ¡°If you don¡¯t get to the point soon, I¡¯m hanging up.¡± Fearing she would really hang up, Jian Shihai, even though angry, had to temporarily hold back, ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in five years, and now that you¡¯re back, we, father and daughter, should get together. Tomorrow at eleven noon, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at home.¡± His tone was assertive, with an air of intolerance to refusal. Jian Si was also curious to see what changes might have occurred in her father after five years of absence and readily agreed, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be there on time.¡± The call ended. Jian Si looked towards Lu Youting and sneered, ¡°Now do you think I¡¯m just imagining him to be worse than he really is?¡± Lu Youting was certain, ¡°Misunderstandings between father and daughter can be sorted out through conversation, no need to be like enemies. How Director Lu has treated you these past five years, I¡¯ve seen it clearly. He¡¯s been looking for you the whole time.¡± Jian Si laughed at his naivety. She knew in her heart that her father was an utter hypocrite; otherwise, Ye Qingqing and Ye Weihao wouldn¡¯t have kept their surname unaltered for so many years. And since Lu Youting liked Ye Qingqing, he saw her through rose-colored glasses, in addition to Jian Shihai¡¯s ability to disguise himself, so he never knew his true colors. Jian Si couldn¡¯t be bothered to explain and decisively said, ¡°Since you think he¡¯s that great, do you dare to accompany me to the Jian Family tomorrow? I¡¯ll let you see their true colors.¡± ¡°That is your family matter; it has nothing to do with me!¡± Lu Youting, unwilling to discuss further, walked away without looking back. Her heart ached with anger, Jian Si took several deep breaths to calm her emotions before heading down to the kitchen, where she used the available ingredients to stew an abalone vermicelli soup for Lu Yanbai. She placed the ingredients into the soup container, then turned the stove flame down to the lowest setting. After tasting the soup to make sure it was fine, she left. No sooner had she left, A sneaky figure skulked in immediately afterward. Seeing no one around, they clandestinely added a small bottle of transparent liquid to the soup and left as covertly as they had arrived. At dinner time, The family of three rarely sat together for the meal. Lu Yanbai drank the soup Jian Si had made, his smile nearly reaching his ears, heaping praise on her, ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re so amazing; your cooking is really good, the soup is delicious!¡± Watching him drink, Jian Si was filled with satisfaction, her heart brimming with happiness. ¡°Little brown-noser,¡± Lu Youting said with a dismissive glance, arrogantly lifting a spoonful of soup to his mouth. A rich fragrance burst across his palate in an instant; the seafood had no fishy taste but retained the abalone¡¯s fresh flavor, the texture silky and melting upon entering the mouth. No wonder Xiao Bai always praised Jian Si¡¯s cooking skills. It wasn¡¯t bootlicking; the skills were genuinely good. Lu Youting slurped down two bowls in quick succession. Just as he was about to start on the third, Jian Si shot him a deadly glare, ¡°What, planning to finish it all? I made this for Xiao Bai, why are you competing with him?¡± ¡°...?¡± Lu Youting, still with a longing look, set down his bowl and watched as Xiao Bai kept drinking, unable to help swallowing his saliva. Lu Yanbai had a small stomach and after two bowls was full, personally went to the kitchen to serve Jian Si a bowl, ¡°Mommy, you drink too!¡± Touched, Jian Si ruffled his little head and picked up the bowl to take a sip. As soon as the soup entered her mouth, something felt off. Thinking it was her imagination, she took another sip, still detecting a very faint sweet taste. Although the sweet taste was almost completely masked by the seafood flavor, she recognized it immediately. She swiftly returned to the kitchen and scooped a spoonful from the soup container. The sweetness was still there. What¡¯s going on? She clearly remembered not adding that kind of seasoning to the soup. Chapter 24 - 24 24 Someone Wants the Cute Baby Dead ?24: Chapter 24 Someone Wants the Cute Baby Dead 24: Chapter 24 Someone Wants the Cute Baby Dead Jian Si hadn¡¯t had a chance to clear her thoughts when suddenly, with a ¡®boom,¡¯ Lu Yanbai collapsed to the ground. His tiny body curled up, his little face deathly pale, lips turning cyanotic, hands clutching his neck as he desperately gasped for air. ¡°Xiao Bai...¡± ¡°Xiao Bai!¡± Jian Si and Lu Youting exclaimed in unison. Lu Youting immediately squatted down, picked up Lu Yanbai from the ground, and laid him on the couch, then roared at the maid, ¡°He¡¯s having an asthma attack, hurry up and get his medicine.¡± Frightened and flustered, the maid scrambled to find the medicine. But after turning the medicine box inside out, she couldn¡¯t find the asthma medication and was at a loss for what to do. ¡°Sir, the medicine, the medicine is gone! I remember we always kept it in the medicine box, but now it¡¯s missing.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s hawk-like eyes filled with a frost-like gloom, his normally commanding face twisted like Satan from Hell, instilling terror. ¡°Call Lu Ya, tell him to bring the medicine immediately.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± The maid quickly went to make the call. Lu Yanbai lay on the couch, his little face turning increasingly ashen due to the lack of oxygen, eyes rolling back as if he could suffocate at any moment. Despite being accustomed to countless such scenes, Jian Si still trembled with fear upon seeing her son in such a state for the first time. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to remain calm. She walked over, pushed Lu Youting aside, helped Lu Yanbai sit up, leaned him forward, and while helping him breathe, said to Lu Youting, ¡°Xiao Bai¡¯s bedside drawer has a compound ipratropium bromide solution and other short-acting bronchodilators, go get them quickly!¡± Without questioning, Lu Youting hurried upstairs and indeed found the medicine in the bedside table. Jian Si skillfully placed the nozzle in Lu Yanbai¡¯s mouth and pressed, ¡°Xiao Bai, breathe in quickly, take deep breaths...¡± The instinct to survive prompted Lu Yanbai to inhale deeply. After a while, Lu Yanbai¡¯s condition finally improved. Although his face was still pale, the cyanosis had slowly faded, and his breathing became much smoother. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who said he could be discharged? Why has it come to this?¡± Lu Youting asked with a hint of irritation, a shadow looming over him. Jian Si¡¯s concerns were all focused on Lu Yanbai and she wasn¡¯t in the mood to argue, ¡°Help me call Assistant Lu and ask him to prepare something as I instruct.¡± Lu Youting, enveloped in a cold aura, hesitated briefly before dialing Lu Ya¡¯s number. Jian Si gently patted Lu Yanbai¡¯s back to help his breathing while taking the phone and telling Lu Ya what to buy. Once Lu Ya had brought back the items, Jian Si took Lu Yanbai to his room, sat him up in bed, and skillfully gave him an intravenous injection. Watching her lively son suddenly become lifeless pained Jian Si deeply, her eyes welling up with tears, ¡°Xiao Bai, you rest for a bit, Mom will stay by your side the whole time.¡± Lu Yanbai obediently closed his eyes, seemingly exhausted from the ordeal, and soon fell asleep. Sitting by the bed, Jian Si held Lu Yanbai¡¯s hand, her heart still racing from the scare, thinking back to the earlier incident with dread. Luckily, she had placed extra medication in her bag after finding out about Xiao Bai¡¯s asthma. Otherwise, she dared not think of the consequences. She had to catch whoever it was that had tried to harm her son, no matter what. ¡°Is there surveillance in the house?¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t understand why she would suddenly ask this, but answered truthfully, ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°And the kitchen?¡± ¡°The kitchen too!¡± Only then did Jian Si slowly suggest, ¡°I suspect someone has tampered with the soup.¡± ¡°What did you say? Say that again?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face became shrouded in malice. Jian Si said gravely, ¡°I tasted something else in the soup just now, but before I could figure out what it was, Xiao Bai fell ill. And coincidentally, his medicine disappeared. Don¡¯t you find that very strange?¡± ¡°You mean someone poisoned Xiao Bai? Why am I fine?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome brows furrowed, a bloodthirsty glint suddenly flaring in his eyes. Jian Si shook her head. ¡°Not poison! Does Xiao Bai have allergies to anything? Like pollen, for instance.¡± As if recalling something, Lu Youting¡¯s eyes suddenly narrowed. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s allergic to honey.¡± Jian Si¡¯s face turned visibly colder. ¡°That¡¯s exactly it! Allergies can trigger an asthma attack, and if they¡¯re severe, they can even be life-threatening. Take a sample of the soup and get it tested at the hospital to see if there¡¯s any honey in it.¡± Without hesitation, Lu Youting turned around and headed for the kitchen. Regrettably, by the time he made it to the kitchen, the soup can had been washed clean, and the uneaten soup had all been poured into the sink and washed away. Even the soup Jian Si had left unfinished on the table had been cleared away. If he had had any doubts about Jian Si¡¯s words before, at this moment, Lu Youting was completely convinced. He narrowed his elongated eyes, which turned devilish, and roared, ¡°Who cleaned up the kitchen?¡± The little maid mopping the floor was so frightened that her legs gave out, almost causing her to kneel. ¡°I... I cleaned it up...¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face turned icy. ¡°Who allowed you to dump the soup?¡± The maid broke out in a cold sweat and stiffly said, ¡°Sister Xiang said the house should not keep leftovers from the previous day, so we clean up any uneaten food after each meal.¡± Hearing the commotion in the kitchen, Sister Xiang hurried over and bowed her head. ¡°Sir, it was your rule, have you forgotten?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s chest tightened with anger. Even though he was aware that someone wanted to deliberately destroy the evidence, he had nothing to say. Furious, he left the kitchen and went to pull up the surveillance footage. Coincidentally, the kitchen camera had mysteriously broken that morning and had not been repaired. The living room camera worked fine, but since many people had come in and out of the kitchen all afternoon, it was impossible to determine who had added honey to the soup. There was no definite time when the medicine cabinet had been tampered with, which made it even harder to investigate. Lu Youting¡¯s face darkened in an instant, looking as though he had emerged from the pits of Hell. When he learned of this outcome, Jian Si didn¡¯t seem too surprised. ¡°I predicted this! Whoever acted must have prepared thoroughly; how could they let you catch them so easily?¡± Lu Youting gritted his teeth. ¡°None of them can stay!¡± Jian Si hurriedly stopped him. ¡°Even if you replace them, if someone is intent on harming Xiao Bai, they will find a way to infiltrate again. Rather than constantly being on edge, it¡¯d be better to catch the mastermind behind the scenes.¡± Lu Youting raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you have a way?¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t answer but responded with an enigmatic smile. Unable to swallow his anger, Lu Youting called Lu Ya and had him investigate all the household staff¡¯s backgrounds and connections. That night, Jian Si stayed by Lu Yanbai¡¯s side. Lu Youting, uneasy, refused to leave and simply brought his computer to work in the room. Afraid that Jian Sichen¡¯s call might arouse Lu Youting¡¯s suspicions, Jian Si secretly sent a message to Jian Sichen, telling him to rest early and contact her tomorrow. In the dead of night, by the time Lu Youting finished his work, Jian Si had already fallen asleep on the bed. The dim light enveloped her, casting a soft glow over her, accentuating her delicate features and creamy skin; every fine hair was distinctly outlined. Lu Youting couldn¡¯t help but be spellbound. This was the first time he had looked at her so closely since their reunion. She seemed a little different from his memory. Just as the atmosphere was right, suddenly, Jian Si¡¯s phone by her side ¡®dinged¡¯ with a notification. Lu Youting glanced over subconsciously, only to see a message pop up on the screen: ¡°Sisi, it¡¯s Ah Che, this is my WeChat, add me.¡± Chapter 25 - 25 25 I am so glad that I divorced you back then ?25: Chapter 25 I am so glad that I divorced you back then 25: Chapter 25 I am so glad that I divorced you back then Lu Youting¡¯s eyes suddenly turned icy cold. Ah Che? The Ah Che that Jian Si dreamed about calling out? As this thought flashed through her mind, Jian Si woke up, rubbed her sleepy eyes, picked up her phone, and decisively accepted Ji Mingche¡¯s friend request. Ji Mingche immediately sent a message: ¡°So late and you haven¡¯t rested yet?¡± Jian Si: ¡°Yeah! What about you, why haven¡¯t you rested yet?¡± Ji Mingche: ¡°I was away on a business trip these past few days, not in Jiangcheng. I just got off the plane. When are you free? Let¡¯s set a time to have a meal?¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t hesitate to agree: ¡°Sure! When are you generally free?¡± Ji Mingche: ¡°I¡¯ll be in Jiangcheng recently, anytime you want to meet, I can make it!¡± Jian Si sent a shy emoji. On the side, Lu Youting, who was openly watching their chat: ¡°...??¡± Jian Si: ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll message you once I arrange the things at hand.¡± Ji Mingche: ¡°OK! It¡¯s late, rest early, getting up early is good for the skin.¡± Jian Si: ¡°You too!¡± Ji Mingche: ¡°Good night!¡± Jian Si: ¡°Good night!¡± Watching the two reluctantly say goodnight, Lu Youting pursed his lips, his handsome face expressionless, his heroic brow engulfed by a cold frost. Engrossed in the chat, Jian Si was completely unaware of Lu Youting behind her until a chilling shadow loomed over, and only then did she suddenly turn around, meeting Lu Youting¡¯s icy, bone-chilling gaze, startling her. ¡°You, when did you start standing there?¡± Lu Youting smiled, but the smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes: ¡°Just in time to see the entirety of your chat.¡± His tone was weird and sour. Jian Si immediately frowned: ¡°Ever heard of privacy?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t!¡± Lu Youting still smiled, but his cold eyes seemed to freeze over, the chill emanating from his gaze. Seeing such childish behavior from Lu Youting for the first time, Jian Si paused, forgetting to be angry, her face full of surprise. Annoyed by his own abnormal behavior, Lu Youting stormed off in a huff. Jian Si checked her phone. It was already 1 AM. She hadn¡¯t eaten dinner and was now feeling a bit hungry. Seeing Lu Yanbai sound asleep, she tiptoed from the floor and headed downstairs to find something to eat. After a search, she found some meat and noodles in the refrigerator. She cut the meat into strips, fried it, and poured it over the noodles after they were cooked, finally topping it with a fried egg, her aromatic bowl of meat noodles was ready. The kitchen was fragrant, mouthwateringly so. Just as Jian Si was carrying the noodles out of the kitchen, she got startled by Lu Youting, who had been sitting at the dining table without her knowing. ¡°What are you doing? Suddenly appearing like a ghost, you almost scared me to death.¡± Without a blush or a heartbeat, Lu Youting said: ¡°I want to eat too.¡± ¡°No way, if you want some, make it yourself!¡± Jian Si quickly refused and deliberately sat next to him, fanning the aroma of the noodles toward her nose, closing her eyes, enjoying: ¡°Smells so good!¡± Had it been before, Lu Youting definitely wouldn¡¯t have been tempted. But having tasted her stew before, he had no doubts about the truthfulness in her words. As Jian Si was about to start eating, he reached out and moved the bowl of noodles in front of himself, starting to eat. ¡°...??¡± Jian Si was left speechless by his brazen move: ¡°Lu Youting, those are my noodles, have you no shame?¡± Shamelessly, Lu Youting responded: ¡°Eating your food is my privilege.¡± ¡°Heh heh...¡± Jian Si chuckled dryly, ¡°thanks a lot! Thanks to your whole family!¡± Upon saying that, she realized it wasn¡¯t quite right, glared at him fiercely, stood up, and returned to the kitchen to prepare another bowl for herself. ¡°Add more, this isn¡¯t enough.¡± Was he treating her like a servant? Jian Si laughed angrily. ¡°I¡¯m not a chef, go find your family¡¯s cook if you¡¯re hungry.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like what they make!¡± His implication was that enjoying the noodles she cooked was a privilege for her, and she should be grateful. Jian Si was so livid she almost had a heart attack. ¡°Director Lu, please understand, I¡¯m not your servant, nor am I obliged to serve you.¡± Lu Youting declared confidently, ¡°But you are using our ingredients. I provide the ingredients, you provide the effort, and we are even.¡± ¡°...??¡± Jian Si was momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing her not moving, Lu Youting grew impatient, ¡°Hurry up, I¡¯m almost done eating.¡± Jian Si was so angry she gritted her teeth. She wanted to storm off with dignity, but her stomach kept embarrassingly rumbling. After weighing her options, she gritted her teeth and prepared another bowl for Lu Youting. Lu Youting seemed in a good mood, not sparing any praise as he ate, ¡°Your cooking has improved a lot in the past five years, even better than many five-star chefs.¡± No wonder even Xiao Bai could savor something as simple as stir-fried cucumbers. Jian Si said self-deprecatingly, ¡°My skills haven¡¯t changed, yours have.¡± Back when she had married Lu Youting, he was in poor health, so she went to learn how to cook and take care of his well-being especially for him. Unfortunately, her efforts were never appreciated by Lu Youting. His heart was only set on Ye Qingqing. In these five years, her culinary skills hadn¡¯t changed, but the hearts of those who ate her meals had. ¡°Is that so?¡± Lu Youting paused his eating, his dark eyes flickering with some indecipherable meaning. Remembering the stir-fried cucumber, he suddenly wanted to taste it again, ¡°Make stir-fried cucumber tomorrow! The same one you made for Xiao Bai in the hospital! And also tomato fried eggs, native chicken soup, corn stir-fried with shrimp.¡± Jian Si slammed her chopsticks down on the table in anger, ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m your chef?¡± Lu Youting took on a business-like tone, ¡°I can pay you.¡± Jian Si held her head high with pride, ¡°I can make my own money, I don¡¯t need it!¡± Lu Youting stopped eating, eyeing her provocatively, ¡°The money you earn is also given by me.¡± Jian Si defiantly responded, ¡°I earned it through my own abilities.¡± Lu Youting sneered with a mocking face, ¡°This is also earned through your abilities! They¡¯re the same.¡± His harsh words pierced Jian Si¡¯s heart like a dagger, one stab at a time. She froze, her eyes gradually dimming, the light in her eyes seemed to extinguish, a sense of despair enveloped her from inside out. If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Bai, she really wouldn¡¯t want to stay here for another second. Her strong pride made it intolerable to bear such humiliation, and she stubbornly said, ¡°Now I¡¯m actually glad that I divorced you back then!¡± With that, she stood up and left without looking back. Watching her leaving figure, Lu Youting felt as if his blood had rushed to his head, his heart as though sharply stabbed by a knife, leaving him nearly breathless, the noodles in his mouth suddenly tasteless. He slowly put down his chopsticks, filled with regret. Although those hadn¡¯t been his true feelings just moments ago, thinking about her sweet interaction with Ah Che, hurtful words had inadvertently slipped out. Now, he deeply regretted it. Chapter 26 - 26 26 The Scum Father Sets Up the Hongmen Banquet ?26: Chapter 26: The Scum Father Sets Up the Hongmen Banquet 26: Chapter 26: The Scum Father Sets Up the Hongmen Banquet Jian Si returned to her room, her heart aching, tears flowing like a freshly dug spring. Suddenly, her WeChat notification sounded on her phone. The message was from Jian Sichen. ¡°Mommy, are you available? Yueyue and I miss you so much, can we see you?¡± Not wanting to worry them, Jian Si lifted her head, took a couple of deep breaths, and held back her tears. Once she was sure she looked normal, she went to the bathroom and initiated a video call to Jian Sichen. He answered immediately. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue¡¯s heads were squeezed onto the tiny phone screen. ¡°Mommy, we miss you so much, why didn¡¯t you come home today?¡± After saying that, Jian Sichen noticed Jian Si¡¯s red-rimmed eyes and hurriedly asked, ¡°Mommy, why are your eyes red? Did you cry? Did that scumbag Daddy bully you?¡± Reminded by him, Jian Yue also noticed something off about Jian Si¡¯s expression and immediately puffed up her cheeks, ¡°Mommy, how did scumbag Daddy bully you? Tell me and brother, and we¡¯ll avenge you.¡± Jian Si shook her head, managing to squeeze out a smile uglier than crying, ¡°Lu Youting didn¡¯t bully me, I accidentally got face wash in my eyes just now while washing my face.¡± Clearly not believing her, Jian Sichen asked suspiciously, ¡°Really?¡± Jian Si nodded, and, to prevent them from asking further, she put on a stern face, ¡°It¡¯s already late, why haven¡¯t you two gone to bed yet? What did I tell you? Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy.¡± Jian Sichen said, ¡°I slept too much during the day and can¡¯t sleep now. Mommy, tomorrow is the weekend, can you come back and be with Yueyue and me? You promised to take us to the amusement park.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t bear to refuse them. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she said, ¡°Okay, I need to visit your grandfather¡¯s house tomorrow! The day after tomorrow, I¡¯ll take a day off to go with you.¡± Hearing this, the two children¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Mommy, you promised us, so no going back on your word! Otherwise, we¡¯ll get angry.¡± Jian Si laughed, ¡°When has Mommy ever gone back on my promises to you? By the way, Chenbao, is the surveillance broken, and can we watch the playback after it¡¯s fixed?¡± Jian Sichen asked curiously, ¡°Mommy, why are you asking about that?¡± Jian Si urged him, ¡°Don¡¯t ask, just answer me quickly!¡± If they could watch the playback, they could find out who was the one adding honey to the soup. Jian Sichen smiled confidently, ¡°You¡¯re asking the right person. In principle, you can¡¯t watch playback in this case! But then again, who am I, the computer genius!¡± Jian Si saw a glimmer of hope, ¡°You mean, you can?¡± Jian Sichen tilted his head proudly, his little expression couldn¡¯t be more smug, ¡°Of course! There¡¯s nothing in this world that I can¡¯t do.¡± Jian Si breathed a sigh of relief, a plan slowly forming in her mind, ¡°Alright, it¡¯s late, you two should go to bed! As for the surveillance, we¡¯ll talk when we meet the day after tomorrow.¡± Jian Sichen gave her an ¡®OK¡¯ gesture. ¡°Mommy, good night!¡± ¡°Mommy, good night!¡± After ending the call, Jian Sichen¡¯s smiley little face instantly turned cold, his eyes filled with endless chill, just like Lu Youting when he was angry. Jian Yue pouted in sympathy, ¡°Mommy really treats us like little kids. Can¡¯t we tell the difference between crying and something getting in the eyes? It must be scumbag Daddy who bullied Mommy, but Mommy doesn¡¯t want to tell us because she¡¯s afraid we¡¯d worry.¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s little brows knitted tightly, ¡°Dare to bully my mommy, I¡¯ll make him pay.¡± Hearing this, Jian Yue immediately asked excitedly, ¡°Brother, do you have an idea?¡± Jian Sichen grinned mysteriously, his eyes shrewdly spinning around¡ª On the other side, Jian Si, having calmed her emotions in the bathroom, walked out of the room only to unexpectedly see Lu Youting sitting on the sofa. The dim light enveloped him, making it impossible to see his real expression. ¡°Who were you just talking to?¡± His voice was deep, emotionless. ¡°It¡¯s none of your business,¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t want to engage with him, her gaze sweeping over him dismissively, ¡°Since you¡¯re here with him, I¡¯ll go rest next door.¡± Having said that, she attempted to leave. Watching her retreating back, Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips parted, the words of apology caught in his throat, unable to be voiced as he watched her walk away, powerless. Under Jian Si¡¯s careful attention, Lu Yanbai¡¯s condition improved the next day. Jian Si got up early and personally cooked breakfast for him. ¡°You just got sick yesterday, so you need to be careful with your diet. I made you some rice soup and vegetables. Just fill your stomach for now! When you feel a bit better, I¡¯ll make you something delicious.¡± Lu Yanbai took a spoonful of rice soup and put it into his mouth, then closed his eyes in contentment, his face full of enjoyment, ¡°Mommy, your cooking skills are truly amazing; even rice soup tastes like a delicacy.¡± Jian Si laughed dryly, ¡°Little flatterer!¡± Lu Yanbai took another bite of vegetables, ¡°I¡¯m not a flatterer, I¡¯m telling the truth. Daddy found me lots of chefs, but none of them cook as deliciously as you do. I really love eating what Mommy makes.¡± Jian Si¡¯s face flushed red with the compliments. The mother and son were having such a good time chatting. Just then, Lu Youting came downstairs. Jian Si¡¯s face instantly fell, and she wouldn¡¯t even give him a direct glance. Lu Youting took his seat at the head of the table, and Sister Xiang immediately served up the steaming hot Bird¡¯s Nest Porridge and a sandwich with hot milk. Lu Youting glanced at the simple dishes in front of Lu Yanbai, which were just two dishes but somehow were appetizing. After taking a sip of Bird¡¯s Nest Porridge, he subconsciously reached out with his chopsticks to grab some food, but Jian Si moved it away. ¡°Director Lu, I¡¯m sorry. I only made enough for Xiao Bai, if you eat it then there won¡¯t be any left for him.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face couldn¡¯t take the hit, and through gritted teeth, he said, ¡°He won¡¯t finish it. I¡¯ll help him.¡± Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Lu Yanbai immediately hugged the dishes close to his chest, warily eyeing Lu Youting. ¡°Who says I can¡¯t finish it! Mommy¡¯s food is delicious, I can eat it all. Daddy, don¡¯t fight with me for it.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face turned instantly somber. He bit his lip in secret, retracted his hand, and took a bite of the sandwich. His usually favorite food now tasted like wax. After breakfast, Lu Youting drove Jian Si and Lu Yanbai to the hospital. The entire way there, Jian Si didn¡¯t say a word to Lu Youting, nor did she even give him a glance. An unnamed rage was stirring in Lu Youting¡¯s chest, and yet he had nowhere to vent it. By the time it was nearly noon, Jian Si saw that it was almost time and prepared to hand Lu Yanbai over to Lu Youting and leave. ¡°I¡¯ll need to go home for a bit, take good care of Xiao Bai, and contact me immediately if anything happens.¡± Hearing she was leaving, Lu Yanbai immediately grabbed her hand, ¡°No, I don¡¯t want Mommy to go.¡± Jian Si smiled gently, ¡°Mommy needs to visit your grandfather¡¯s house, don¡¯t worry. Once I sort things out, I¡¯ll come right over. I won¡¯t leave you behind.¡± Lu Yanbai replied without hesitation, ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± ¡°Huh? Go together?¡± Lu Yanbai nodded firmly, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go with Mommy. I haven¡¯t seen Grandpa in a long time, and this is a good opportunity to go with you.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t bear to refuse him, but considering his health, she had to be firm, ¡°No, your health isn¡¯t good. You need to stay in the hospital to recuperate.¡± Lu Yanbai clung to her hand, pleading. ¡°Mommy, let me go with you, please! I really want to go with you. Mommy, Mommy...¡± Under his repeated calls for Mommy, Jian Si nearly gave in, but thankfully she stopped herself at the last moment, letting reason triumph over emotion. ¡°No, it¡¯s for your own good!¡± Seeing that he couldn¡¯t get his way with her, Lu Yanbai turned to Lu Youting. ¡°Daddy, take me with you! You haven¡¯t taken me there for a long time, and I really want to see Grandpa, please let me go see him!¡± Under his persistence, Lu Youting¡¯s heart softened. ¡°Let him go! We should take the opportunity for children to bond with the elderly, I¡¯ll go with you. I¡¯ll take good care of him!¡± Jian Si really didn¡¯t want to take Lu Yanbai to the Jian Family¡¯s Dragon Pond and Tiger Cave. Jian Shihai had arranged to meet with her today, definitely not for something simple, and she didn¡¯t want to drag Xiao Bai into it. But she couldn¡¯t bear to refuse him either. After a struggle in her mind, she eventually agreed to his request. Lu Youting drove them to the Jian Family home. Because of Lu Yanbai needing an IV drip, they were half an hour later than the originally planned time of eleven o¡¯clock. While Lu Youting was parking, Jian Si led Lu Yanbai inside. As soon as they entered, the sarcastic voice of Ye Qingqing could be heard, ¡°Dad, I told you, she doesn¡¯t take you seriously at all. She said she¡¯d be here at eleven o¡¯clock sharp, and what happened? She¡¯s a full half hour late.¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s face turned dark with anger, ready to erupt, but when he saw Lu Yanbai following Jian Si, he paused and then became even angrier. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Afraid I¡¯ll bully you? Bringing a child with you for backup?¡± Chapter 27 - 27 27 The Baby Gets Hit, Ex-Husband Gets Angry ?27: Chapter 27: The Baby Gets Hit, Ex-Husband Gets Angry 27: Chapter 27: The Baby Gets Hit, Ex-Husband Gets Angry Jian Si fought back unwillingly, ¡°Xiao Bai is your own grandson. Isn¡¯t it okay for a grandson to miss his grandpa and want to come see you? Or are you feeling guilty? Scared the child will see something?¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s face contorted into a snarl. ¡°What nonsense are you talking in front of the child? I...¡± Before he could finish speaking, Lu Yanbai suddenly grabbed a vase from the side and hurled it at Jian Shihai, his cute little face flushed red with anger, resembling an infuriated little beast. ¡°You bad guy, I won¡¯t let you bully my Mommy. If you dare to bully her again, I¡¯ll kill you...¡± Jian Shihai was caught off guard, and the vase hit him squarely in the chest. The vase shattered on the ground with a ¡®bang.¡¯ Jian Shihai¡¯s face changed colors, and his heart bled for the loss. More painful than the physical hurt was the agony in his heart. This was a Ming Dynasty antique vase he had purchased for one hundred million, the only one of its kind, and now it lay in pieces. His rage surged like a firestorm, and Jian Shihai raised his hand, ready to slap Lu Yanbai. Jian Si immediately shielded Lu Yanbai behind her, tilting her head back high, her bloodshot eyes flashing with shocking coldness, ¡°You dare touch him and see what happens?¡± Her gaze was fierce and vicious, her aura fully unleashed, the murderous intent palpable. Jian Shihai had never seen her like this and inexplicably felt a surge of fear. His raised hand stiffly froze in mid-air, unable to fall for what seemed an eternity. Ye Qingqing came over, sneering, ¡°Five years haven¡¯t seen you, sister, you truly have changed. You even dare to contradict your own father, you really are an ungrateful white-eyed wolf.¡± Jian Si missed the deeper meaning in her words, about to retort, when Lu Yanbai suddenly rushed out from behind her and bit down hard on Ye Qingqing¡¯s arm. ¡°Ah...¡± Ye Qingqing felt as if her flesh was being bitten off, crying out in pain, and reflexively kicked Lu Yanbai away. Everything happened too fast for Jian Si to intervene, and by the time she realized what was happening, Lu Yanbai¡¯s small body had already been sent flying. ¡°You little bastard, you dared to bite me, you...¡± Ye Qingqing cursed, holding her injured hand, the peripheral sight of a figure at the door shocked her nearly to the point of fainting. Lu Youting stood against the light, his expression unseen, but the chilling aura he exuded was crystal clear. The air seemed to turn to ice. Time appeared to stand still. Lu Yanbai held his stomach, curled up on the ground. ¡°Xiao Bai...¡± Jian Si was the first to snap out of it, her tears flowing as she rushed over, lifting him up from the ground, ¡°Xiao Bai, how are you? Does it hurt a lot?¡± Lu Yanbai was so in pain that his face turned white and he couldn¡¯t speak a word. Jian Si¡¯s tears spilled over in her urgency, trying to lift him, her arms too weak to muster any strength. Just then, Lu Youting strode over, picked up Xiao Bai, laid him down on the couch, and carefully rolled up his shirt, revealing a large bruised area on his little belly. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, his whole being as if wrapped in the extreme cold of a blizzard. ¡°Daddy, it hurts so much!¡± Lu Yanbai looked at Lu Youting with pitiful eyes, filled with tears, like a little dog that had been bullied. Jian Si¡¯s heart ached for him, she slapped Ye Qingqing without a second thought, ¡°You¡¯re so cruel; Xiao Bai is just a child. How could you be so vicious to him?¡± Ye Qingqing couldn¡¯t believe that Jian Si had hit her again, and in front of their parents, no less. She clutched her sore face, glaring heartily at Jian Si, her eyes brimming with murderous intent. Even though she despised Jian Si, she didn¡¯t dare to act out with Lu Youting present, sidestepping toward him while twisting the hem of her clothes, her lips trembling as she explained. ¡°Youting, it¡¯s not what you think, this is a misunderstanding... It hurt so much I blanked out. So, uh, on impulse I kicked, but if I knew it was Xiao Bai, of course, I wouldn¡¯t have done that.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s lips curled into a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes, ¡°So this is how you usually treat Xiao Bai.¡± Ye Qingqing panicked, squatting down and grasping his hand, tears in her eyes, ¡°Youting, you know very well how I normally treat Xiao Bai. You can¡¯t deny my past kindness to him just because of my mistake today!¡± His touch made Lu Youting feel disgusted; he shook her hand off without mercy. ¡°From now on, you are not allowed to appear in front of Xiao Bai!¡± His voice suddenly became chillingly sinister. This was undoubtedly like sentencing Ye Qingqing to death. She felt darkness before her eyes and a sense of despair in her heart. Jian Shihai noticed that something was wrong and ran over, giving Ye Qingqing two slaps across the face. Ye Qingqing was stunned by the blows, her ears ringing, tears streaming down her face. Watching her cry twisted Jian Shihai¡¯s heart, but he had no choice but to shout, ¡°You unfilial daughter, what have I always told you? No matter what happens, you have to take care of Xiao Bai. He¡¯s your biological nephew and will also be your son. You have to treat him even better than your own son, yet you take my words for granted.¡± Saying this, he turned to Lu Youting, putting on a righteous facade, ¡°Youting, it¡¯s my fault for failing to teach Qingqing right. If you have to blame someone, blame me. She¡¯s still young; please give her another chance. I guarantee she won¡¯t dare to bully Xiao Bai again. If she does, I will surely kick her out of the family.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face remained dark, and with heartache, he gently touched Lu Yanbai¡¯s abdomen, hoping to alleviate his pain. At that moment, Xu Jiaorong also brought the first aid kit, ¡°Yes, Youting, my daughter has been spoiled by me since childhood. Forgive her just this once for my sake. She was a bit impulsive this time, but she truly loves Xiao Bai. When you were busy, she was the one accompanying Xiao Bai in the hospital. Before Sisi came back, wasn¡¯t she always his favorite aunt?¡± She glanced meaningfully at Jian Si as she spoke. Jian Si wasn¡¯t foolish; she naturally understood the implication in those words. She was telling Lu Youting that Xiao Bai¡¯s current treatment of Ye Qingqing was all because she was whispering poison in his ear. Ha! As insidious and hypocritical as always. Lu Youting still didn¡¯t speak, taking the medicine from her hand and carefully applying it to Lu Yanbai. The moment the medicine touched the skin, Lu Yanbai immediately hissed in pain, his little face crumpling. ¡°Pain, pain, pain... Daddy, it hurts...¡± Lu Youting immediately lightened the pressure of his hands. But Lu Yanbai kept crying out in pain. Lu Youting instantly saw through his little ploy, gave him a helpless look, and handed the medicine to Jian Si. Jian Si took the medicine and gently applied it to the injured area on Lu Yanbai. Lu Yanbai whined, ¡°Mommy, I want to sleep...¡± Jian Si obediently leaned down and blew on his little belly. Lu Yanbai immediately stopped crying out in pain, lying quietly as Jian Si blew and applied the medicine, a smile on his lips, his face filled with sweetness. Ye Qingqing clenched her hands into fists, filled with both hatred and jealousy. She hated how Jian Si had effortlessly taken away everything that belonged to her upon her return. She was jealous of Lu Yanbai¡¯s unguarded dependence on and fondness for her. If it wasn¡¯t for Xiao Bai¡¯s staunch opposition and interference, her engagement to Lu Youting wouldn¡¯t have gone on indefinitely without a wedding. Seeing that Lu Youting had nothing more to say, Jian Shihai immediately lightened the mood, ¡°It¡¯s time for lunch, let¡¯s eat! As for Qingqing, I will definitely discipline her properly, so this never happens again.¡± The atmosphere during the meal was oppressive and heavy due to this interlude. Even though Jian Shihai tried everything to lighten the mood, Lu Youting remained silent, causing a heavy air to loom over the surroundings. Chapter 28 - 28 28 Father and Son Stand Up for Jian Si ?28: Chapter 28: Father and Son Stand Up for Jian Si 28: Chapter 28: Father and Son Stand Up for Jian Si Lu Yanbai cunningly rotated his eyeballs. He tasted every dish on the table and then spat them all out. ¡°The meat is too tough.¡± ¡°The fish is too fishy.¡± ¡°The soup is so salty, it¡¯s killing me.¡± ¡°The bird¡¯s nest is too fake, are you too stingy to spend money? If you don¡¯t have money to buy, my family has plenty, I can give you some.¡± ¡°The lobster has a muddy smell.¡± ¡°These dishes are really terrible, not as good as my Mommy¡¯s cooking.¡± He disparaged almost every dish, and finally concluded, ¡°Daddy, the food here is too terrible, let¡¯s not come here again. The people here are not good either. Auntie hit me, and Grandpa hit me too; they are not good people! Only Mommy is good to me, she protected me when Grandpa wanted to hit me.¡± Hearing this, Jian Shihai¡¯s heart instantly tightened. ¡°Xiao Bai, what are you talking about? What if you make your Daddy misunderstand? When did Grandpa want to hit you? You broke Grandpa¡¯s antique vase; he was trying to pick it up.¡± While defending himself, he didn¡¯t forget to inform Lu Youting about Lu Yanbai¡¯s misconduct. He thought Lu Youting would scold Lu Yanbai, but the little guy spoke first, ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m a fool? Auntie said my Mommy is a white-eyed wolf; she said I¡¯m a little bastard! You think you can bully us when Daddy is not here. Humph!¡± These words broke Jian Shihai out in a cold sweat. He looked at Lu Youting and chuckled awkwardly, ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Xiao Bai is still young; he must have heard wrong! Youting, you mustn¡¯t believe his words.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s obsidian-like pupils hid a chilling gleam, ¡°You don¡¯t need to explain. I have the ability to discern right from wrong.¡± Jian Shihai immediately fell silent, occasionally casting resentful glances at Lu Yanbai, wishing he could kill the little beast. The meal was finished in such a tense atmosphere. After the meal, Jian Si wanted to leave but was called to the study by Jian Shihai. Lu Yanbai, concerned, wanted to follow, but Jian Si stopped him, asking Lu Youting to watch him closely while she followed Jian Shihai alone into the study. Once the study door closed, Jian Shihai immediately showed his true colors and backhanded Jian Si across the face. Jian Si was prepared; she stepped back and dodged his hand. Jian Shihai narrowed his eyes and glared furiously, ¡°You have quite the nerve to dodge.¡± Jian Si curled her lips and forced a smile, ¡°Did you think I¡¯m still the Jian Si from five years ago that you can bully at will?¡± Jian Shihai was infuriated, ¡°No matter what, I am still your father.¡± Jian Si felt the word ¡°father¡± was the most ridiculous thing. ¡°Father? Just because of this word, I can¡¯t blame you for my mother¡¯s death. Just because of this word, when I was being bullied by Xu Jiaorong and her sons, I didn¡¯t dare to retaliate. Just because of this word, I agreed to marry Lu Youting, which ended in divorce. How much longer do you intend to morally blackmail me with this word?¡± ¡°You...¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s old face turned shades of blue and white. Jian Si felt a sourness at the tip of her nose, with a layer of tears forming in her eyes. She took a deep breath, holding back her tears, ¡°If you only called me back today to lecture me, then I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m very busy and don¡¯t have time for lessons.¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s face turned iron blue, suppressing his urge to strangle her, and he forcefully said, ¡°You must leave Jiangcheng by tomorrow at the latest! Ever since you came back, Xiao Bai has been completely on your side, which is not conducive to Qingqing marrying Lu Youting.¡± Faced with his unreasonable demand, Jian Si felt her blood run cold, and a feeling of desperate sadness enveloped her, her face white as paper. Seeing her silent, Jian Shihai added, ¡°I know you¡¯ve been living in City A, I¡¯ve already bought your plane ticket for you; tomorrow morning at eight, I will personally send someone to take you to the airport. If it¡¯s not necessary, don¡¯t ever come back in this lifetime.¡± Jian Si felt a chill throughout her body, as if something was stuck in her throat, a bitterness spreading from her eyes. After suppressing her emotions for so many years, she finally couldn¡¯t hold back anymore, and all her feelings surged out. ¡°I am your daughter too, why do you have to be so cruel to me? For the past five years in Country A, you didn¡¯t care at all, leaving me to fend for myself. Now I have returned, and if it weren¡¯t for Ye Qingqing, wouldn¡¯t you refuse to see me? Why can you be so biased? Why do you hurt me over and over again for her?¡± Jian Si looked on with an expression of utter heartbreak, but Jian Shihai was unmoved. ¡°This is all because you owe Qingqing. If I hadn¡¯t married your mother twenty-something years ago, she would have been the Miss of the Jian Family. Seven years ago, if you hadn¡¯t married Lu Youting, Qingqing would have been the official daughter-in-law of the Lu Family. You rightfully should return to her what you owe.¡± Jian Si felt a heart-wrenching pain, as if she were plunging into an endless abyss, her eyes dim and lifeless, filled with desolation. This was her father. He could capriciously place baseless charges on her. There¡¯s nothing sadder than a broken heart. This time, she was utterly disillusioned with this so-called father. ¡°I won¡¯t leave Jiangcheng!¡± Jian Shihai narrowed his eyes. ¡°What did you say? Say it again?¡± Jian Si stretched her lips into a forced smile and asserted forcefully, word by word, ¡°I said, I absolutely will not leave Jiangcheng!¡± ¡°You...¡± Jian Shihai raised his hand in anger. This time Jian Si didn¡¯t dodge, tilting her head high, her face defiant. ¡°If you dare, hit me! If you do, then I¡¯ll have no ties with the Jian Family from then on.¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s chest heaved violently with rage. Thinking about Lu Youting downstairs and fearing to leave marks on her face, he forcefully withdrew his hand. Jian Si emphasized again, ¡°Five years ago, after I donated my bone marrow to Ye Qingqing, I owed her nothing. What needed to be repaid, I have repaid. From now on, I will live only for myself, for my child. I absolutely, absolutely will not leave Jiangcheng, unless you drag me away.¡± Having said this, she no longer looked at Jian Shihai¡¯s colorfully changing face and turned away without looking back. The study door opened, and when she saw Lu Youting and Lu Yanbai standing at the door, she froze. Lu Youting¡¯s narrow eyes were slightly narrowed, an ominous aura enveloping him, chilling to the bone. Lu Yanbai¡¯s small face was covered in a cold layer, his eyes reddened, with tears shimmering. It took Jian Si a moment to find her voice again. ¡°You, how did you get here?¡± Hearing the voice, Jian Shihai shuddered, promptly walking out of the study, and upon seeing Lu Youting and Lu Yanbai, his face immediately filled with smiles. ¡°Youting, Xiao Bai, you¡¯re here! Do you need something from me?¡± Lu Yanbai lifted his foot angrily and kicked fiercely against his shin. ¡°You villain, you¡¯re bullying Mommy again!¡± This kick was with all his might, and since Lu Yanbai was wearing children¡¯s leather shoes, Jian Shihai¡¯s face twisted with pain. Jian Shihai dared not cry out in pain, and playing dumb, he said, ¡°Xiao Bai, what are you talking about? Grandpa was not bullying your mommy, we were just talking.¡± Lu Yanbai puffed up his cheeks. ¡°Do you really think we are deaf? We heard everything you said! You were forcing my mommy to leave me, and you even tried to hit her.¡± Realizing they had heard everything, Jian Shihai¡¯s face suddenly became more colorful than a palette. Lu Youting looked at Jian Si¡¯s strong effort to hold back tears and felt an inexplicable pain clutching at his heart. He took Jian Si¡¯s hand, his voice softer than ever before, ¡°You are right, not all parents deserve to be parents, nor do all parents love their children.¡± Jian Si hadn¡¯t wanted to cry. She had held back her tears for a long time, but upon hearing Lu Youting¡¯s words, her defenses broke down. The tears flowed uncontrollably, as though she wanted to cry out all her grievances at once. The more she cried, the grimmer Lu Youting¡¯s expression became, his heart seared with pain as if scorched by hot oil. Chapter 29 - 29 29 The White Lotus Gets What She Deserves ?29: Chapter 29: The White Lotus Gets What She Deserves 29: Chapter 29: The White Lotus Gets What She Deserves Seeing her cry, Lu Yanbai hugged her leg and started crying as well. Lu Youting, ¡°...??¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s palms were sweaty with shock as he tried to explain, ¡°Youting, there has been a misunderstanding! Sisi and Qingqing are both my daughters. I admit that I did favor Qingqing, but that was because she was unwell and I felt guilty towards her. I just wanted to compensate her more. Not only did Sisi fail to understand my good intentions, but she also hurt Qingqing repeatedly. I was so disappointed that I lost control and nearly hit her.¡± It was not just a case of blaming others for his faults, but pushing all the blame onto Jian Si. Lu Youting¡¯s pupils constricted, and his eyes suddenly turned cold, with a fierce curve, ¡°Your debt, why must Jian Si pay it for you? What about what you owe her over these years, what will you use to repay that?¡± With one sentence, Jian Shihai was rendered speechless. Lu Youting was like a provoked lion, with cold anger swirling in his icy eyes, ¡°Suspend all of Ye Qingqing¡¯s duties at the hospital until the Jian Family sorts out its household affairs. She can resume her position whenever that happens.¡± After saying that, he picked up Lu Yanbai with one hand and held Jian Si¡¯s hand with the other, leaving without looking back. Jian Shihai¡¯s face turned ashen. Jian Si didn¡¯t struggle and let Lu Youting lead her obediently. For the first time, she realized how good it felt to have someone stand up for her. As Lu Youting led Jian Si through the garden to the parking lot, they encountered Xu Jiaorong and Ye Qingqing holding fresh flowers. Ye Qingqing, oblivious to the unusual atmosphere, presented them like a treasure, ¡°Xiao Bai, these are the flowers you asked me to pick. Are there enough? If not, I¡¯ll pick some more?¡± Xu Jiaorong added, ¡°These flowers need to be put in a vase immediately after we get back; otherwise, they¡¯ll wilt.¡± As soon as she finished speaking, they both saw Jian Si and Lu Youting¡¯s tightly clasped hands. Ye Qingqing¡¯s face turned pale, and trembling lips asked, ¡°Youting, what are you doing?¡± Lu Youting ignored them and resolutely took Jian Si and Lu Yanbai away. Ye Qingqing, not understanding what had happened, grabbed Jian Shihai who had rushed out, ¡°Daddy, Youting was just fine, why did he suddenly leave? And... and why was he so close with Jian Si?¡± Jian Shihai, grinding his teeth, briefly explained what happened. Hearing she had been suspended, she felt dizzy and nearly fainted. She wanted to chase after Lu Youting to explain, but it was too late; the Maybach had already driven away. Unable to control her tears, she started hitting Jian Shihai frantically. ¡°How could this happen? Why has it come to this? Didn¡¯t you promise me that you would send Jian Si abroad? Didn¡¯t you swear she would definitely leave Jiangcheng? Why did things turn out this way?¡± She had even thought about forcing Daddy to make Jian Si leave. Even if Jian Si refused to leave, they could kidnap her to make sure she never appeared in front of Youting again. But she hadn¡¯t expected things to turn out like this. Jian Shihai felt guilty towards this daughter, deeply sorry for her, blaming all her grievances on Jian Si. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that Jian Si would bring Lu Youting and Lu Yanbai to back her up. If it weren¡¯t for those two, things wouldn¡¯t have turned out this way. Don¡¯t worry, I will find a way to get rid of her. Lu Youting is yours; no one can take him away.¡± ¡°Now that Youting and that little bastard are backing her, what can you do to make her leave?¡± Jian Shihai said gravely, ¡°There are plenty of ways to make her leave. Lu Youting and his son can protect her for a while, but can they keep a constant watch over her?¡± Hearing this, Ye Qingqing stopped crying and wiped away her tears, ¡°Daddy, do you really have a way?¡± ¡°Of course! Daddy will never let you suffer the slightest grievance,¡± Jian Shihai narrowed his eyes, a deeply hidden chill flashing within them¡ª ... On the way back to Yuting Mansion, Lu Youting drove while Lu Yanbai and Jian Si sat in the back. Lu Yanbai climbed onto Jian Si¡¯s shoulder and whispered in her ear, ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t worry about me, I was just pretending earlier, my stomach doesn¡¯t hurt at all. I did it on purpose to let Daddy stand up for you.¡± Jian Si, relieved, rubbed his little head and scolded him, ¡°It¡¯s all bruised, how could it not hurt! Don¡¯t ever do that again! Mommy is an adult, I can protect myself.¡± Lu Yanbai hugged her neck and said, ¡°When I saw them bullying you, I got angry! You are my mommy, and I won¡¯t let anyone bully you.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but have her eyes well up with tears, choking up and unable to speak. Lu Yanbai added, ¡°Mommy, it¡¯s not just me protecting you, Daddy is too! If it wasn¡¯t for Daddy sending the aunt and her daughter out to pick flowers just now, we wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to come up! Otherwise, you would have been bullied by grandpa.¡± Hearing this, Jian Si scoffed in her heart. What¡¯s the use of protection now? From the moment he bound her to the operating table five years ago, ignoring her and her child¡¯s life and death, her hatred for him had been deeply buried in her heart, and she would never forgive him for the rest of her life. As for his help now, other than saying thank you, what else could she do? Seeing that she did not respond, thinking she was still scared, Lu Yanbai gently patted her back over and over, ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t be afraid, Daddy and I will always protect you.¡± Jian Si hugged him tightly to her chest, with so much force it was as if she wanted to meld him into her heart. As they talked, Lu Yanbai gradually fell asleep. After arriving at Yuting Mansion, Lu Youting carried him back to his room and gently laid him on the bed, then found the deeply troubled Jian Si on the balcony. Looking at her profile, Lu Youting parted his lips, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out three words, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Jian Si looked at him incredulously, thinking she was hearing things. Seeing her unresponsive, Lu Youting explained, ¡°I misunderstood you yesterday! You were right, Jian Shihai really is an extremely hypocritical person, deeply deceptive, even I was fooled by him.¡± ¡°You understand now,¡± his words did not clear the gloom in Jian Si¡¯s heart, and her chest still felt tight. Seeing her mood was still not good, Lu Youting added, ¡°I did not mean to humiliate you last night. You have reached your current position on your own efforts, your capabilities are clear to everyone, and my paying a high price to bring you back acknowledges your ability.¡± With the first apology out, this time it was much smoother. Jian Si smiled sarcastically, pulling at her lips and said sarcastically, ¡°Where, the money is still given by you, right? If you didn¡¯t give it, how could I earn it?¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression froze, he coughed lightly twice to hide his embarrassment, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say, I didn¡¯t mean to humiliate you, why are you holding onto it?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong? One sorry, and it¡¯s like nothing happened?¡± Jian Si closed her eyes, took a deep breath, ¡°I appreciate your help just now, but that¡¯s one thing, the emotional and physical harm you¡¯ve done to me, can¡¯t be compensated in this lifetime, and it¡¯s not something a sorry can fix.¡± Having said her piece, she ignored him and headed for the room. Lu Youting was left confused by the rebuke. Was it just a couple of harsh words from him? How could it be so severe that he could never repay it? As he was feeling depressed, Jian Si came back, ¡°I need to head back home for a bit today, tell Xiao Bai after he wakes up that I¡¯ll come over tomorrow night. If he misses me, he can video call me.¡± Lu Youting unconsciously recalled last night¡¯s WeChat conversation, a tightness forming in his chest, ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Jian Si responded emotionlessly, ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± ¡°...?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s pupils shrank sharply, and his facial features tensed up ugly. Jian Si couldn¡¯t be bothered with him, went back to the room to pack her essentials into her bag, took her car keys, and left. It had been a long time since she had seen Chenbao and Yueyue because of staying with Xiao Bai, she had to go back and spend time with them tonight, and discuss the kitchen surveillance matter with Chenbao. Watching her departing back, Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face was as glum as if frost had struck it. Chapter 30 - 30 30 Follow the Vine to Find the Puppet Master ?30: Chapter 30: Follow the Vine to Find the Puppet Master 30: Chapter 30: Follow the Vine to Find the Puppet Master Jian Si opened the front door and stood frozen as she saw the scene inside, then she burst into laughter with a ¡®pfft.¡¯ Su Wan was hiding under the dining table, her fair little face covered in every color of marker. Her body was full of paintball gun marks, not a spot left untouched. Messy and dirtied, she looked like a famine-stricken refugee. The once bright and spirited eyes now dull, reflecting complete despair. This was Jian Si¡¯s first time seeing Su Wan like this. She didn¡¯t want to laugh, but she couldn¡¯t help it and doubled over in laughter, clutching her stomach in pain. Looking like she was nearly driven mad by the two little ones, Su Wan ran over and embraced Jian Si¡¯s arm, sobbing loudly. ¡°Wuwu, you¡¯re finally back. If you didn¡¯t return, I¡¯d be gone forever.¡± Jian Si teased, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you missed them? This is great, giving you more time to play with them.¡± Su Wan was on the verge of tears, ¡°How could I have known they had so much energy? It¡¯s like they¡¯re completely different after not seeing them for just one year, restless from morning until now. I¡¯ve never had to hide under a table in my life, but today it¡¯s all over.¡± Jian Si poked her forehead, ¡°You indulge their mischief, and of course, they take it even further. You need to learn to say no.¡± Su Wan pouted, ¡°But I just can¡¯t bear to!¡± Jian Si rolled her eyes at her, ¡°Where are they?¡± Su Wan replied listlessly, ¡°They should be in their room.¡± Dropping her bag, Jian Si found Jian Sichen and Jian Yue playing on the computer. Seeing her return, the two kids dashed over and hugged her legs, ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re finally back. We missed you so much.¡± Jian Si glanced at the computer, realizing something, and knocked on Si Chen¡¯s head. ¡°You rascal, if you dare to play tricks on your godmother again, I won¡¯t be so lenient.¡± Si Chen played dumb, ¡°Mommy, what are you talking about? We were just playing games with godmother, didn¡¯t trick her.¡± ¡°Making her hide while you play games here, if that¡¯s not tricking her, then what is? Don¡¯t think I¡¯m unaware of the little scheming in your head.¡± That son of hers was always full of sly ideas. It must have been a deliberate ploy to make Su Wan hide with the pretense of playing with paintball guns while they secretly played on the computer, making Su Wan stay hidden and not dare to move. Her clever little scheme exposed, Si Chen cheekily stuck out his tongue, whispering, ¡°Just playing! It¡¯s like a welcome-back gift for godmother.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± One short word, full of warning. Si Chen immediately hung his head, not daring to make a sound anymore. Jian Yue shook Jian Si¡¯s arm, tilting her little head up, ¡°Mommy, Mommy, how is Second Brother? Now that you¡¯re back, what about him? Will he miss you?¡± Jian Si pet her little head, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he¡¯s got your Daddy to keep him company, it¡¯s fine! Didn¡¯t Mommy promise to take you to the amusement park tomorrow? Go to bed early tonight, so we can leave early and play longer.¡± Jian Yue¡¯s eyes sparkled with anticipation, ¡°Can we take Second Brother along? I really want to see him.¡± Without a second thought, Jian Si flat out refused, ¡°No! He looks exactly like Chenbao; they can¡¯t meet, otherwise your Daddy will take you away from me.¡± ¡°Okay then,¡± Jian Yue replied, crestfallen. Si Chen¡¯s eyes mischievously twirled, ¡°Why not just cover my face and I¡¯m good to go?¡± Jian Si looked at him incredulously, ¡°How will you cover it?¡± Si Chen pulled out a baseball cap and mask from the wardrobe, showing them off proudly, ¡°I don¡¯t believe he could recognize me with all this gear on.¡± ¡°...?¡± Jian Si hesitated. It seemed like a good idea. But she was still a bit scared. Tugging on her arm, Jian Yue cooed, ¡°Mommy, I think it¡¯s a great idea! Please say yes! We really miss him and want to see him. I don¡¯t look like them, so he definitely won¡¯t recognize me.¡± Jian Si was well aware of their longing for Xiao Bai, which was no less intense than her own. After an inner struggle, she finally nodded in agreement. ¡°I can bring him over tomorrow, but Chenbao must keep his mask on at all times; if you can¡¯t breathe, go to the bathroom to catch your breath.¡± With her agreement, the two little ones were too excited to care about anything else and readily agreed to her condition. ¡°In that case, I need to return to Yuting Mansion tonight. Tomorrow morning I¡¯ll take Xiao Bai to the hospital for an IV, then bring him directly to the amusement park. You go with your godmother, and remember, no more pranking her, got it?¡± ¡°Understood!¡± ¡°Roger that!¡± The kids agreed cheerfully. Once done discussing the outing, Jian Si moved on to the serious matter and recounted the entire incident of Xiao Bai¡¯s asthma attack to Chenbao. The children¡¯s faces turned red with anger after hearing the story. Especially Si Chen, with eyes blazing red, looked ready to kill. ¡°Someone dared to put honey in my brother¡¯s soup; they¡¯re really asking for trouble! Mommy, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find the person responsible.¡± Jian Si said somberly, ¡°I suspect Xiao Bai¡¯s asthma isn¡¯t a simple matter. It¡¯s possible that allergens have been repeatedly mixed into his food, and this is just the first time I¡¯ve discovered it.¡± While it¡¯s true that failing to treat a cold or cough promptly could lead to asthma as a sequela, with Lu Youting¡¯s status, the doctors treating Xiao Bai would certainly be top-notch. The odds of such an occurrence were slim. Unless someone did it deliberately. Si Chen asked, ¡°Mommy, what do you want me to do?¡± Jian Si replied, ¡°First, get the kitchen¡¯s surveillance footage for me. I need to find the perpetrator.¡± Si Chen made an ¡°OK¡± sign with his hand, then promptly sat at the computer and began working deftly. To not disturb him, she took Jian Yue out of the room. Si Chen was quick and efficient, and in just a short time, he completed the task, presenting it to Jian Si like treasure. In the surveillance video, after she left the kitchen, a figure sneakily entered, glancing up to make sure the camera light was off, then poured a small bottle of clear liquid into the soup before vanishing without a trace. The moment she looked up at the camera, Jian Si saw her face clearly, and her eyes widened in shock, filled with disbelief. It was her¡ª Si Chen asked, ¡°Mommy, should I copy the video for you as evidence of her crime?¡± Jian Si nodded, ¡°Good! You¡¯ve worked hard, my dear.¡± Si Chen plugged a USB drive into the port and cut the relevant video portion, then dragged it into the drive. Jian Si didn¡¯t immediately tell Lu Youting about the incident but instead placed the USB drive in her bag. Now that she knew who added the honey, she could follow the trail and use that person to find the mastermind behind the scenes. Chapter 31 - 31 31 Confronting Jian Si, Ex-Husband Loses Control ?31: Chapter 31: Confronting Jian Si, Ex-Husband Loses Control 31: Chapter 31: Confronting Jian Si, Ex-Husband Loses Control Afraid that someone might target Lu Yanbai again, Jian Si arrived back at Yuting Mansion before dinner. Lu Yanbai was sulking at the dinner table, his arms crossed and his little lips pouted high. Lu Youting¡¯s expression was gloomy, and he seemed to be in a bad mood as well. Neither father nor son acknowledged the other, just staring down one another, the air ripe with tension. ¡°I want to find Mommy.¡± ¡°Your Mommy has her own things to do, she can¡¯t be with you 24 hours a day, you can¡¯t selfishly keep her tied to you forever.¡± Lu Yanbai wouldn¡¯t listen, relentless, ¡°No, I want Mommy.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s temples throbbed visibly, and he squeezed out three words through his clenched teeth: ¡°Lu¡ªYan¡ªbai¡ª¡± Unfortunately, his words held no deterrence for Lu Yanbai. ¡°If you won¡¯t let me send a video to Mommy, I won¡¯t eat, and if you can bear it, just let me starve!¡± A dark storm seemed to spread across Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, chilling the surrounding air. Watching the father and son at odds, Jian Si shook her head helplessly and sat down next to Lu Yanbai, ¡°Xiao Bai, you¡¯re already four years old, you need to be good and stop arguing with Daddy.¡± Seeing her finally back, Lu Yanbai excitedly hugged her neck and planted a firm kiss on her face. ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re back! I missed you so much.¡± Jian Si smiled, ¡°I missed you too!¡± Lu Youting cast her a brief, indifferent glance, picked up his utensils, and began eating deliberately, his voice tinged with sarcasm, ¡°Back so soon? Didn¡¯t stay to chat a bit longer?¡± He stubbornly thought Jian Si had just gone to meet Ah Che. A sour feeling inexplicably flooded his heart. Jian Si ignored him. Lu Youting felt as if his chest was stuffed with cotton, his breath neither able to rise nor fall. Oblivious to his discontent, Jian Si picked up her chopsticks, tested each dish on the table to make sure there was no honey in them, and then served some to Lu Yanbai. ¡°Quick, eat up! Sleep early tonight, I¡¯ll take you to the amusement park tomorrow.¡± Upon hearing her words, Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°You¡¯re really taking me to the amusement park tomorrow? Is Daddy coming with us?¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t even look at Lu Youting and answered without hesitation, ¡°He¡¯s not going, it¡¯ll be just you and me.¡± Lu Youting: ¡°??¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s lips pouted, his face filled with disappointment, ¡°I¡¯ve never been to the amusement park with Daddy, I want to go with him.¡± ¡°I...¡± Lu Youting was about to agree when Jian Si interrupted him, ¡°He¡¯s busy, he doesn¡¯t have time! We¡¯ll ask him to take you next time.¡± With that said, although Lu Yanbai was still unhappy, he had no choice but to accept. Thus arranged by Jian Si, Lu Youting: ¡°...¡± Jian Si urged, ¡°Then you should eat quickly, Mommy will introduce you to new friends tomorrow.¡± Lu Youting instantly became alarmed, ¡°Who?¡± Jian Si glared at him, ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s temples throbbed painfully, and his molars ground together, wishing he could strangle the woman in front of him. That evening, after Jian Si put Lu Yanbai to sleep, she took a USB drive to find Lu Youting, but unexpectedly came across Lu Ya, who was reporting for work. Lu Ya paused. Jian Si decided to leave first and return after they were done, but Lu Youting stopped her. ¡°Keep talking, there¡¯s no need to hide it from her.¡± Lu Ya continued reporting, ¡°All the servants in the house have been thoroughly investigated. They have clean backgrounds, no bad associations, no recent unusual financial activities, and their actions are not suspicious.¡± Lu Youting, with a steely face, turned to Jian Si, ¡°What do you think?¡± Jian Si handed the USB drive to Lu Youting. Lu Youting inserted the USB into the computer, and after seeing the contents, his whole body was covered with a layer of ice, chilling to the bone. ¡°It¡¯s actually her.¡± Lu Ya couldn¡¯t believe that the person who harmed Lu Yanbai was someone they trusted the most. Jian Si said to Lu Ya, ¡°Go investigate her household registration, her recent whereabouts, and all her relatives. I don¡¯t believe she did this willingly; there must be something hidden.¡± Although her personal feelings were involved, she trusted her instincts. Lu Ya hesitantly looked at Lu Youting, and after seeing Lu Youting nod, he turned and left. Lu Youting¡¯s unfathomable eyes stared intensely at the video. Suddenly, he spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Wasn¡¯t the kitchen surveillance broken? How did you manage to get this?¡± Jian Si¡¯s breathing hitched. It was bad. She had been exposed. In her zeal to find the mastermind, she had forgotten such a crucial detail as the broken surveillance. Jian Si tried to remain calm, showing no signs of guilt, ¡°I specifically paid a professional technician to retrieve it.¡± Lu Youting stood up, approached her, his long fingers grasping her chin slightly with a dark force, forcing her to tilt her head up, his pitch-black eyes unblinkingly staring into hers. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯m easy to fool? Tell me, is it ¡®C¡¯?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about? Who is C? I don¡¯t know them! Let me go now,¡± Jian Si shook her head, trying to shake off his grip, but he held her even tighter. ¡°Shen Qing is the top programmer in the world, and even he couldn¡¯t do it, so who did? Take me to that person; the Lu Family loves to recruit talents.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s voice was husky and sexy, laced with lethal danger. Jian Si hated his overbearing confidence as if everything was under his control. She slapped his hand away, ¡°Do you think everyone likes going to the Lu Family? And, why should I answer just because you asked? Who do you think you are? I¡¯ve said what needs to be said; I¡¯m going back to my room to rest.¡± With that said, she turned to leave. Lu Youting grabbed her wrists with both hands, ruthlessly pinning them to the sides of her head and pressed her against the wall like an enraged lion. ¡°Jian Si, don¡¯t think that just because you¡¯re Xiao Bai¡¯s biological mother, you can provoke me time and again, my patience has limits.¡± Jian Si mockingly laughed, the more he pressed, the more rebellious she became, ¡°I won¡¯t say, what can you do to me?¡± Lu Youting gazed at her face, his eyes twinkling dangerously, ¡°Really not going to say?¡± ¡°Not saying!¡± Jian Si replied firmly and decisively. Seeing her triumphant little face, Lu Youting sinisterly curved his lips upward. Jian Si¡¯s breath hitched, a bad premonition just sprouting in her mind when Lu Youting leaned down, fiercely kissed her lips, the kiss was not gentle, and carried a punishing intent. Jian Si¡¯s breath was swallowed up, and after a short stunned moment, she began to struggle desperately. Lu Youting let her go, looking down on her from a height, ¡°Will you speak now?¡± Jian Si was so frustrated her chest heaved violently, ¡°Lu Youting, you are despicable!¡± Lu Youting did not waste further words; he lowered his head again and fiercely kissed her lips once more, ¡°Will you speak now?¡± Jian Si was infuriated, ¡°Not saying, not saying, just not saying; you think you can coerce me into submission, I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s impossible...¡± Lu Youting kissed her lips again, ¡°Going to speak now?¡± Never having encountered such a shameless person before, Jian Si burst out, ¡°I won¡¯t say, even if you kiss me to death, I won¡¯t say. It¡¯s just a kiss; who¡¯s afraid of who? It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t been kissed before.¡± No sooner had her words fallen, Lu Youting kissed her again. This time, it wasn¡¯t a fleeting touch; this kiss was prolonged and filled with aggression, as if intending to devour her whole, sparing no room even for her to breathe. Jian Si was kissed until her brain was oxygen-deprived, losing the ability to think, her body gradually losing strength. The sweet fragrance of a young girl filled his nostrils. Lu Youting¡¯s breathing grew heavy, gradually losing himself, one hand imprisoning her hands above her head, the other laying across her waist, his large palm audaciously wandering on her back, probing towards her sensitive spots¡ª Chapter 32 - 32 32 The Three Cute Treasures Finally Meet ?32: Chapter 32 The Three Cute Treasures Finally Meet 32: Chapter 32 The Three Cute Treasures Finally Meet Jian Si suddenly woke up, unable to believe he was serious, desperately struggling in fear. ¡°Lu Youting, what on earth are you trying to do? Let go of me now!¡± Lu Youting was like a crazed beast, mercilessly ravaging her lips over and over, his fiery kiss trailing down to her neck as if wanting to vent all the pent-up rage in one go. Realizing his intention, Jian Si was truly scared, tears escaping her eyes and falling on Lu Youting¡¯s face. The scalding tears brought back some semblance of sanity to Lu Youting, and looking at Jian Si, with tears streaming down her disheveled collar, he was seized by a strong sense of guilt and self-reproach. He couldn¡¯t believe that he, who was always calm and self-disciplined, had lost control and almost forced himself on her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Lu Youting tried hard to steady his rapid breathing, suppressing the stirring tide of emotions, wanting to tidy her clothes for her, only to be pushed away by her. ¡°Lu Youting, you¡¯re truly shameless!¡± A deep sense of humiliation enveloped Jian Si. She felt as if her dignity had been trampled underfoot by Lu Youting, her tears falling even more fiercely. Clutching the torn collar of her clothes, she made a disheveled escape from the study. Her departing figure was etched deeply into Lu Youting¡¯s mind. He sat in silence, not understanding how things had come to this. His gaze inadvertently fell to the ground. There, a button lay quietly. It was the one he had forcefully torn off. Bending down, he picked up the button¡ª ... Elsewhere. Jian Si returned to her room, the lingering warmth on her lips not yet completely faded. She ran into the bathroom and continuously washed her lips with cold water. It was Lu Youting¡¯s scent, once her favorite. But now it brought her nothing but feelings of humiliation and discomfort. After washing for a long while, nearly rubbing her lips raw, she finally stopped. Looking up at her disheveled reflection in the mirror, she couldn¡¯t understand why Lu Youting would treat her this way. Was the hurt he inflicted on her five years ago not enough? Did he have to humiliate her like this now? Being too grief-stricken led to insomnia. She tossed and turned in bed, only managing to fall into a light sleep as dawn approached, and when she woke up, her head was heavy and her eyes were severely dry. Lu Yanbai was startled by her appearance and asked with concern, ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s wrong with you? Are you sick? Shall I take you to the doctor?¡± Jian Si shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine, just went to bed late last night.¡± Lu Yanbai hurriedly offered his heartfelt suggestion, ¡°Then we shouldn¡¯t go to the amusement park today. Let¡¯s go next time, and you can rest well today.¡± Jian Si smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, I just need to wash my face! Wait for me downstairs; I¡¯ll be right down.¡± Lu Yanbai stared at Jian Si for a while and, once assured she was okay, left. After he was gone, Jian Si dragged her weary body out of bed, went into the bathroom to wash her face with cold water, and only began to get dressed after her head felt clearer. Her state was not good, and neither was Lu Youting¡¯s. His first instance of insomnia had left his eyes red and swollen, with a faint shade of dark circles beneath them. During the meal, the two of them sat opposite each other in silence. Even the air around them felt stifling as if it had frozen over. After breakfast, Jian Si gave Lu Yanbai his medicine and prepared the doses for noon and evening before getting ready to leave with the little one in tow. Lu Yanbai reluctantly looked at Lu Youting and asked pitifully, ¡°Mommy, can¡¯t we bring Daddy along? I want Daddy to go with us.¡± Lu Youting straightened his collar, filled with joy in anticipation of the invitation. But Jian Si decisively said, ¡°He¡¯s very busy, he doesn¡¯t have time!¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...¡± Lu Yanbai lowered his head in disappointment. ¡°Okay then, let¡¯s go!¡± Jian Si took Lu Yanbai by the hand and left, leaving Lu Youting alone on the couch. On the way to the amusement park, Jian Si sent a special message to Su Wan, asking them to meet at the entrance of the park. To avoid being discovered by Lu Yanbai, Jian Sichen wore a baseball cap and a mask, revealing only a pair of big eyes. Jian Si parked the car properly, and took Lu Yanbai to the entrance of the amusement park, where they could see from a distance the three people waiting at the entrance. Jian Yue saw them and immediately ran towards them excitedly. ¡°Second brother, Mommy...¡± Jian Sichen was so startled he was beside himself. Lu Yanbai looked up and asked, ¡°Mommy, who is that girl? Why does she call me second brother and you Mommy?¡± Jian Sichen was nearly dumbfounded by this little sister¡¯s naivety, grabbed her hand, and warned in a low voice, ¡°If you want to be caught by that scumbag dad and sent back, then keep shouting like that.¡± Realizing her mistake, Jian Yue immediately closed her mouth and stood still, not daring to move. Jian Si gave her a sideways glance, having already thought of an explanation, took Lu Yanbai by the hand, and walked over, pointing and introducing them one by one: ¡°This is Mommy¡¯s best friend Aunt Su Wan, these are her two children, big brother Si Chen, and little sister Yueyue. I¡¯m their godmother.¡± Then, she put on a show and introduced to Su Wan and the others: ¡°This is my son, Lu Yanbai.¡± Jian Yue immediately gave Lu Yanbai a big hug: ¡°Little brother Xiao Bai, I¡¯m so happy to meet you! I¡¯ve heard godmother mention you all the time, and finally, I get to see you in person.¡± Used to being introverted since childhood, his warmth made Lu Yanbai feel awkward, his little face turned red, and he didn¡¯t know where to place his hands and feet. Seeing his awkwardness, Jian Sichen pulled Jian Yue away and extended his hand politely: ¡°Hello, my name is Si Chen, I¡¯m older than you, you can call me big brother.¡± The word ¡°big brother¡± was unfamiliar to Lu Yanbai. He looked timidly at Jian Sichen, not sure how to respond. Jian Si noticed his awkwardness and knew that his world had only a few close relatives, with no friends or brothers. She crouched down, smiling and said, ¡°Mommy knows you¡¯ve had no friends since you were little, your circle has only Daddy and aunts, but it¡¯s okay, they can become your friends. They¡¯re all very nice, and you¡¯ll surely become friends who can talk about anything.¡± Lu Yanbai obediently nodded his head. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue busily took him by each hand. ¡°Xiao Bai, let¡¯s go play together! Have you ever been to an amusement park before? It¡¯s so much fun here, there are roller coasters, rapid rivers, pirate ships, Horror House, Star Wars...¡± Jian Yue chattered nonstop, her eyes excitedly sparkling. Their affectionate gestures made Lu Yanbai so stiff, he could hardly walk properly. But inside, he felt an inexplicable warmth from their touch, as if they were the closest relatives whom he could not help but draw closer to. Jian Si and Su Wan followed behind. Su Wan stared at Lu Yanbai¡¯s back, clicking her tongue in wonder. ¡°He really looks exactly like Chenbao; if it wasn¡¯t for Chenbao wearing a hat and a mask, and they both stood in front of me at the same time, I really wouldn¡¯t be able to tell them apart.¡± Jian Si laughed: ¡°It¡¯s easy to tell them apart! Chenbao¡¯s eyes are lively and clever, Xiao Bai¡¯s are clear and innocent, the two are completely different.¡± Su Wan was dumbfounded: ¡°You can tell that much? You really are his mom!¡± Jian Si just smiled and didn¡¯t speak, closely following the three little ones, fearing that they might get lost if not careful. Jian Sichen and Jian Yue were very enthusiastic. Jian Yue stood at the entrance of the Horror House, unable to move: ¡°Big brother, little brother Xiao Bai, I want to go in and play.¡± Jian Sichen rolled his eyes: ¡°How childish, it¡¯s all fake inside, what¡¯s there to enjoy?¡± Jian Yue pouted and acted spoiled: ¡°No! I want to go in and play, you guys come with me!¡± Jian Sichen shook his head: ¡°I¡¯m not playing, it¡¯s too childish; I¡¯m going to play Star Wars.¡± Failing there, Jian Yue could only pin her hopes on another person, holding Lu Yanbai¡¯s hand and acting coy: ¡°Little brother Xiao Bai, will you accompany me, please? I¡¯m scared to go in alone!¡± Seeing Jian Yue¡¯s watery big eyes and flushed cheeks, Lu Yanbai¡¯s face instantly turned red with shyness, his mind blanked out, and he nodded in agreement without thinking. Jian Si asked Su Wan: ¡°Are you going to accompany Chenbao to play Star Wars or entering the Horror House?¡± Su Wan didn¡¯t hesitate: ¡°Of course, I¡¯m going to play Star Wars! I¡¯m scared, I won¡¯t play in the Horror House.¡± After dividing their tasks, Jian Si accompanied Jian Yue and Lu Yanbai into the Horror House, while Su Wan went with Jian Sichen to play Star Wars. Little did they know, at the moment they split up, Lu Youting and his two brothers, Shen Xiuyi and Gu Yuchen, appeared at the entrance to the amusement park¡ª Chapter 33 - 33 33 Lu Youting Admits His Mistake to the Cute Child ?33: Chapter 33 Lu Youting Admits His Mistake to the Cute Child 33: Chapter 33 Lu Youting Admits His Mistake to the Cute Child Gu Yuchen took off his sunglasses, eyes wide with surprise upon seeing the bold letters ¡®Amusement Park.¡¯ ¡°Boss, are you sure we¡¯re in the right place? The three of us, grown men, coming to play at the amusement park? We¡¯re influential business tycoons, do you think this suits us?¡± Shen Xiuyi pinched the bridge of his nose, speechless, ¡°Boss, I think you should have brought Xiao Bai here to play, not us.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips slightly curved upwards, ¡°Isn¡¯t that why I brought you here, to find him?¡± Gu Yuchen asked, ¡°Xiao Bai is here?¡± Lu YouTing nodded and took the lead toward the interior. Gu Yuchen glanced down at his suit, following from behind and yelling in frustration, ¡°Boss, if we¡¯re here to play, why didn¡¯t you tell us earlier, so we could change into something more appropriate? Have you ever seen anyone wearing a suit to an amusement park? People will think we¡¯re trying to show off.¡± Lu Youting seemingly ignored his complaints and continued walking further inside. Shen Xiuyi shook his head in resignation, and dutifully followed. Gu Yuchen called out again, ¡°This place is huge, how are we supposed to find Xiao Bai? Why don¡¯t you give him a call?¡± Lu Youting still didn¡¯t respond. After entering the amusement park, he began to look for Jian Si¡¯s figure¡ª Meanwhile, in the Horror House. Jian Yue, like a tomboy, charged ahead. Lu Yanbai was walking in the middle; it was his first time in this place, which was pitch-dark, and he didn¡¯t know what awaited him, his palms sweating from fear, his body quivering slightly. Jian Si stayed closely behind them. In the narrow corridor, eerie and frightening music echoed, with dim green lights flashing intermittently. Suddenly, a dark shadow swept past in front of them. Lu Yanbai gave a small shiver of fright. Before he had time to feel afraid, a person with long hair and white clothes, with dishevelled hair and an indistinct face, slowly floated down from above. ¡°Hee hee... hee hee... Welcome to the eighteenth level of Hell... I am Bai Wuchang...¡± came a high-pitched, chilling voice from his throat. ¡°Ah...¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest, screaming in fright, and instinctively hid in Jian Si¡¯s arms. Jian Si immediately held him to comfort, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, it¡¯s all fake. If you¡¯re too scared, we can turn back and not play anymore.¡± Jian Yue, noticing he was seriously frightened, said hurriedly, ¡°Xiao Bai, are you really scared? If you are, we don¡¯t have to keep playing.¡± Lu Yanbai poked his little head out from Jian Si¡¯s embrace, stealing a glance at the ghostly figure suspended in mid-air. Although still terrified, he didn¡¯t want to ruin Jian Yue¡¯s fun, so he shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not scared anymore, we can keep playing.¡± Jian Si was not reassured, ¡°Xiao Bai, don¡¯t force yourself. If you¡¯re really scared we can get out, this isn¡¯t just for laughs.¡± Jian Yue echoed repeatedly, ¡°I suddenly don¡¯t want to play anymore, let¡¯s get out!¡± Lu Yanbai knew they were concerned for him, and while hating his own cowardice, he shook his head, ¡°No, we just got here, we haven¡¯t even started playing!¡± Jian Yue pretended to be indifferent, ¡°I¡¯ve played many times. All horror houses are the same, and it¡¯s not fun! Let¡¯s go play something else!¡± Lu Yanbai, ¡°But...¡± Jian Yue cut him off, ¡°No buts, let¡¯s get out! I want to go play the rapid river!¡± Saying this, without waiting for his refusal, she pulled him back the way they came. Outside, the sunlight was bright. Lu Yanbai had never longed for sunshine as he did at that moment. Standing at the entrance of the Horror House, he suddenly felt rejuvenated. The Horror House was genuinely terrifying. He couldn¡¯t understand how Yueyue, a girl, could enjoy such frightening things. Knowing Lu Yanbai had never been to an amusement park before, Jian Yue didn¡¯t dare take him on any more thrilling rides and chose the gentlest attractions, like the merry-go-round and the mini train. Lu Yanbai knew everything Jian Yue did was for him. He was touched beyond measure and his good feelings for her soared rapidly. It was his first time encountering these attractions, and he found each one novel and fun. Gradually, he completely let loose, shedding his initial restraint and nervousness. In comparison, Jian Sichen engaged in much more thrilling activities. He tried almost all the rides and attractions that were suitable for children. Midway through, he drank too much and made a trip to the restroom. While washing up at the sink, he looked up and saw the reflection of a person in the mirror, which turned his face pale with fright. ¡°Crappy... Daddy...¡± Why would Crappy Daddy be here? He wouldn¡¯t know his identity and was planning to snatch him away from Mommy, would he? Lu Youting¡¯s lips were thinly pursed into a straight line, his noble brows knitted tightly together. ¡°Why are you alone? Where¡¯s your Mommy?¡± Does Crappy Daddy mistake him for Xiao Bai? Thinking this might be the case, Jian Sichen breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°How did you get here?¡± And dressed in a tailor-made Italian suit to a game park. Was he here to play, or to make an acquisition? At that moment, Gu Yuchen and Shen Xiuyi appeared out of nowhere. Gu Yuchen placed his hand on his shoulder and panted, ¡°Xiao Bai, do you have any idea? To find you, we¡¯ve already walked half the game park with your Daddy! If I hadn¡¯t happened to need the bathroom, we¡¯d still be looking for you!¡± Jian Sichen recognized them. They were Crappy Daddy¡¯s best friends, one named Gu Yuchen and the other Shen Xiuyi. Gu Yuchen, the youngest and most carefree, was a playboy who flirted his way through life. Shen Xiuyi was reserved and calm, with a gentle temper and polite to everyone. Jian Sichen glanced at the hand on his shoulder and grimaced, ¡°What do you want from me? I¡¯m not a three-year-old kid.¡± Gu Yuchen chuckled at his comment, ¡°Right, you¡¯re not three. You¡¯re four.¡± Jian Sichen: ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting looked around, his brows furrowing even tighter, ¡°Where¡¯s your Mommy? Why isn¡¯t she with you?¡± Jian Sichen was afraid Jian Si and Yueyue would come looking for them with Xiao Bai. He craned his neck to look around and when he didn¡¯t see Jian Si, he breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes shifted slyly, ¡°Mommy had something come up suddenly, so she asked Su Wan godmother to come with me.¡± Saying that, he shouted, ¡°Godmother...¡± Su Wan rushed in from the outside immediately. When she saw Lu Youting, she almost died on the spot from shock, ¡°Lu Youting, what brings you here?¡± ¡°You really have the knack, Jian Si,¡± Lu Youting said in a not-too-pleasant tone, his whole presence exuded a shadow, as if something inside him was begging to burst out. ¡°...??¡± Su Wan was confused and saw Jian Sichen signaling her with his eyes, and instantly understood. She stammered an explanation, ¡°Sisi had to take a call suddenly, something came up? So, so I¡¯m just watching the kid for a bit.¡± ¡°Did she have to leave because of something coming up? Or did she go out on a date?¡± Using the child as a front to actually do something unspeakable. The more he thought about it, the uglier Lu Youting¡¯s expression became. His originally noble face twisted into something like Satan from Hell, evoking terror in those around him. Su Wan was completely baffled, ¡°What date?¡± Lu Youting closed in on her, interrogating intensely, ¡°Tell me, where is Jian Si meeting that man?¡± Su Wan detested his aggressive and domineering attitude. She was so angry her face turned bright red, and she spoke without thinking, ¡°In what capacity are you questioning me? As Jian Si¡¯s ex-husband? Who she goes out to eat with is none of your business! What, just because you¡¯re divorced, she¡¯s not allowed to find someone else?¡± Her words undoubtedly confirmed Lu Youting¡¯s suspicions. His eyes narrowed menacingly, and the air around them grew thin. Chapter 34 - 34 34 Feeling a Fathers Love for the First Time ?34: Chapter 34 Feeling a Father¡¯s Love for the First Time 34: Chapter 34 Feeling a Father¡¯s Love for the First Time Si Chen was afraid that Su Wan would blurt something out in a fit of anger and hurriedly grabbed Lu Youting¡¯s hand, ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m tired of playing, let¡¯s go home first!¡± Su Wan, boiling with frustration, didn¡¯t think too much and rejected him without hesitation, ¡°Go home? No way, I promised your Mommy I would take good care of you!¡± Si Chen was infuriated by her and kept giving her meaningful glances, ¡°I¡¯ll explain things clearly to my Mommy! Godmother, you go back first, or play for a while by yourself, Daddy and I will head home first.¡± Su Wan, who was slow to catch on, glared angrily at Lu Youting and walked away. Si Chen playfully shook Lu Youting¡¯s arm, ¡°Daddy, let¡¯s go back! I¡¯m so tired.¡± Lu Youting, dizzy with anger, didn¡¯t notice his odd behavior and prepared to take him and leave. Unexpectedly, Gu Yuchen pulled them back, refusing to let them go, ¡°No way, since we¡¯re here, we¡¯ve got to play for a while! I just saw quite a few attractions that looked really fun.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to play!¡± Si Chen firmly refused. Gu Yuchen nonchalantly said, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to play, I will, just watch me!¡± ¡°...??¡± Si Chen¡¯s eyes rolled around, and he feigned a stomachache, crumpling his little face, ¡°No, Daddy, my stomach hurts, take me to the hospital quick.¡± Lu Youting immediately forgot his anger, and anxiously asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? You were just fine, why does your stomach suddenly hurt? Did you eat something unclean?¡± Si Chen secretly pinched his thigh really hard, making tears come out, ¡°I don¡¯t know, Daddy, my stomach really hurts! Am I going to die?¡± Lu Youting instantly forgot his anger, bent down to pick him up, ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll take you to the hospital right away.¡± With those words, he ran off. Gu Yuchen didn¡¯t want to leave and pulled Shen Xiuyi, ¡°Second Bro, come play with me. I want to try the drop tower, it looks like it could be fun.¡± Shen Xiuyi gave him a look, ¡°Xiao Bai¡¯s stomach hurts? And you still feel like playing?¡± Gu Yuchen casually said, ¡°He¡¯s unwell every other day, I¡¯m immune to it! With Big Bro there, he¡¯ll be fine! Come on, let¡¯s go play the drop tower.¡± Saying that, he dragged Shen Xiuyi to the drop tower despite his unwillingness. As the drop tower started ascending slowly, they saw Jian Si approaching, holding Lu Yanbai with one hand and a little girl with the other. He immediately widened his eyes and vigorously tapped Shen Xiuyi, ¡°Second Bro, look, it¡¯s my Sister-in-law and Xiao Bai, and she¡¯s holding a little girl¡¯s hand. Wasn¡¯t Xiao Bai supposed to go back with Big Bro? Who is that little girl?¡± The amusement park was too crowded, and Shen Xiuyi couldn¡¯t spot them after looking around. Gu Yuchen rolled his eyes exasperatedly, pointing to where Jian Si was, ¡°Right there, that spot...¡± As the drop tower went higher and higher, Shen Xiuyi, being nearsighted, squinted and looked in the direction Gu Yuchen was pointing, only to see blurry figures, unable to make out their faces clearly. ¡°Xiao Bai clearly left with Big Bro, how could he be here? No, I have to call Big Bro! There could be some secret we don¡¯t know about here.¡± Saying so, Gu Yuchen reached into his pocket to get his phone. But his hand slipped, and the phone slid straight out of his pocket, plummeting down and shattering on the ground. His expensive phone was smashed to pieces on impact. Gu Yuchen: ¡°...??¡± Shen Xiuyi: ¡°...??¡± After a moment of stunned silence, Gu Yuchen let out a stream of curses, ¡°Fuck, that was my custum-built private phone worth hundreds of thousands, and it had the numbers of all my girlfriends saved in it.¡± Shen Xiuyi glanced at him as if he were an idiot. Gu Yuchen, not giving up, reached for Shen Xiuyi¡¯s pocket, ¡°Second Bro, give me your phone, I need to call Big Bro!¡± Shen Xiuyi began to suspect that his brain was filled with grass, slapping away his hand and warning sternly, ¡°If my phone gets damaged, I¡¯ll chop off your hands.¡± ¡°Second Bro, how could you be like this, you...¡± Before he could finish, the drop tower paused at the top for a moment before plummeting down rapidly in circles, tossing the seats out like swinging on a giant swing. The sensation of weightlessness turned Gu Yuchen¡¯s face pale with fear, too terrified to scream, feeling as though he might be flung out at any second, utterly petrified. Several minutes later. After the freefall ride came to a stop, the safety harnesses automatically detached. Shen Xiuyi¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he slowly straightened out his clothes, and took a few steps outside only to realize Gu Yuchen hadn¡¯t followed. Impatiently turning back, he found Gu Yuchen with his head down, motionless. ¡°...??¡± Following that was the anxious voice of a staff member, ¡°This is bad, someone has fainted. Hurry, take them to the medical room.¡± ¡°...??¡± Shen Xiuyi felt utterly embarrassed. If it weren¡¯t for the little bit of brotherhood he still remembered, he really would have left immediately. Gu Yuchen was taken to the medical room. Shen Xiuyi followed along¡ª Jian Si was queuing up at the rapids ride ticket entrance with Lu Yanbai and Jian Yue. Su Wan ran over, gasping for air. Without taking a moment to catch her breath, she panted, ¡°Sisi, quick... let¡¯s go... he¡¯s here!¡± ¡°Which ¡®he¡¯?¡± Jian Si was confused and didn¡¯t understand her at first. Su Wan gestured frantically, nearly blurting out Lu Youting¡¯s name several times. But due to Lu Yanbai¡¯s presence, she forcefully swallowed the words back. Jian Si instantly understood, her eyes widened in astonishment, ¡°Him?¡± Finally catching on, Su Wan¡¯s eyes reddened with emotion, and she kept nodding, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s him! He mistook someone else for his own, and now Chenbao has been taken away by him!¡± Jian Si quickly came to her senses and analyzed calmly, ¡°If he has taken Chenbao away, then he probably won¡¯t come back! We might as well play to our hearts¡¯ content without worry.¡± Su Wan: ¡°...??¡± Why did she feel like what Sisi said made a lot of sense? Jian Si said, ¡°Since we¡¯re here, we have to enjoy ourselves! We can¡¯t let this trip go to waste!¡± Right at that moment, it was Lu Yanbai and Jian Yue¡¯s turn! Jian Si accompanied them in and even got Su Wan an extra ticket. The four of them had a blast. On the other hand, Jian Sichen wasn¡¯t having as much fun. After leaving the amusement park, he was directly taken to the hospital by Lu Youting and forced to undergo a series of medical tests: X-rays, ultrasounds, blood draws, urine and feces samples¡ªall without exception. The rest went fine, but when it came to drawing blood, he felt his legs weaken with fear and stubbornly refused. ¡°I don¡¯t want to have blood drawn, my tummy doesn¡¯t hurt anymore, really, it doesn¡¯t. I don¡¯t want to have blood drawn...¡± Lu Youting thought he was just avoiding the blood test and held him, soothing him patiently, ¡°Good boy, this is the hospital¡¯s best doctor, it won¡¯t hurt.¡± Jian Sichen retorted in anger, ¡°It¡¯s not you getting your blood drawn, of course you¡¯d say it doesn¡¯t hurt!¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t get mad but said gently, ¡°Then I¡¯ll join you! You draw one tube, and I¡¯ll draw one too. As father and son, we¡¯ll share our blessings and face our troubles together!¡± Jian Sichen was taken aback for a moment, ¡°You¡¯re really willing to have blood drawn with me?¡± Without hesitation, Lu Youting rolled up his sleeve, stretched out his arm, and had a tube of blood drawn without changing his expression. Jian Sichen suddenly felt an odd sensation welling up inside him. His eyes grew warm, touched to the point of wanting to cry, and he realized, the trashy dad seemed a bit different from what he had imagined. He thought his trashy dad was only taking care of Xiao Bai out of obligation. Now, it seemed like it wasn¡¯t just out of responsibility. Chapter 35 - 35 35 Ex-husband Discovers the Other Two Children ?35: Chapter 35: Ex-husband Discovers the Other Two Children 35: Chapter 35: Ex-husband Discovers the Other Two Children Lu Youting rubbed his head, ¡°My blood test is over, now it¡¯s your turn! As a man, you must keep your word!¡± Jian Sichen, in a tough spot, stretched out his arm like a brave man going to his death. Afraid he would be scared, Lu Youting pressed his head into his chest, covered his eyes, and didn¡¯t let him see. His thick palm gently patted his back, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, Daddy will always be with you.¡± His voice was low, as if with piercing power, inexplicably comforting. The one most afraid of pain felt no pain at all when the needle pierced in, his heart and eyes filled with the father holding him. After a series of check-ups were complete, the results showed everything was normal. The doctor explained it was just a chill in the stomach and advised to apply a hot compress to the little belly and drink more hot water. Back home, Lu Youting took matters into his own hands, applying the hot compress to his belly and personally spoon-fed him water. ¡°How is it? Feeling any better?¡± His concern made Jian Sichen¡¯s nose tingle, and his eyes moistened. ¡°Daddy, do you treat me well because you sincerely love me, or because I am your son and you feel obliged to?¡± As soon as he spoke, he realized he had asked a very foolish question. Deadbeat dads aren¡¯t overflowing with love; if he weren¡¯t his son, why would he treat him so well? Sure enough, in response to his question, Lu Youting couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Because you are my son, that¡¯s why I sincerely treat you well!¡± Warmth flooded Jian Sichen¡¯s heart. The fatherly love he had always craved was fulfilled at that moment. He couldn¡¯t help but climb onto Lu Youting, tightly hugging his neck and planting a firm ¡®smack¡¯ on his face. Lu Youting was completely stunned. He looked at him incredulously, his pupils trembling. ¡°Daddy, I love you!¡± Although he loved him, he could not forgive him for the hurt he caused his mother. Lu Youting couldn¡¯t help but touch the place he had just kissed, The warmth was still there. Had Xiao Bai really kissed him? His throat choked up, too delighted to speak, and he tightly hugged Jian Sichen in his arms, ¡°Daddy loves you too! You are my life.¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s little hands tightly circled his waist, feeling the true and cutting presence of his father¡¯s love for the first time. Knowing how picky Xiao Bai was eating, and fearing someone might add honey to his food, Lu Youting decided to cook his favorite dishes himself: abalone vermicelli soup, salt and pepper shrimps, and spinach and jellyfish rolls. Jian Sichen, normally only having homemade stir-fry, finished these delicacies in one go. His little belly was full. ¡°Daddy, you¡¯re really amazing, the food is so delicious.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes reddened with excitement. He had learned to cook for so long for Xiao Bai, never having received any recognition. Hearing praise for the first time today made him feel his efforts were worthwhile. ¡°As long as you like it! Daddy will often cook for you.¡± Jian Sichen vigorously nodded, his smile stretching to his ears, ¡°Good!¡± After dinner, Lu Youting hesitated but couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Xiao Bai, after your Mommy left you with your godmother, do you know where she went? Did you see any other man pick her up?¡± Jian Sichen immediately sounded the alarm, ¡°Why are you asking this?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes guiltily darted around, ¡°I¡¯m just curious, wanted to ask.¡± Jian Sichen craftily rolled his eyes, deliberately saying, ¡°Yes, I saw a very handsome uncle picking up Mommy! They seemed very close.¡± At those words, Lu Youting¡¯s handsome features darkened under the bright lights, almost dripping with gloom. He had indeed guessed right. Jian Si really did dump Xiao Bai to Su Wan and then went to meet another man. Seeing the expression on Jian Sichen¡¯s face, he struggled to hold back his laughter. ¡°Daddy, what¡¯s wrong? Why do you look so terrible? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face was grim as his good mood disappeared instantly. While using the restroom, Jian Sichen sneakily sent a message to Jian Si. ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m trapped at Yuting Mansion. When you come back tonight with Xiao Bai, message me in advance. I¡¯ll find an excuse to slip out, then you can take Xiao Bai home, and I¡¯ll return by myself.¡± Jian Si replied quickly. ¡°I¡¯ll bring Aunt and Yueyue with us, so you can go back with them. I¡¯m not comfortable with you being alone.¡± After thinking it over, Jian Sichen felt there shouldn¡¯t be any problems and agreed. Coming out of the bathroom, Jian Sichen found Lu Youting in his office during a video conference. Thinking about their impending separation, he reluctantly crawled into Lu Youting¡¯s arms. Lu Youting allowed it, careful not to let him fall, and even specially placed his hands on his waist. Suddenly, in the middle of the meeting, the computer turned off. Lu Youting tried several times to restart it without success, his face turning ashen as he called Lu Ya, ¡°Tell Shen Qing to come over immediately.¡± Grinning, Jian Sichen said, ¡°Daddy, no need to ask someone else. I can do it.¡± Lu Youting looked at him skeptically, clearly doubting his abilities. Without further ado, Jian Sichen¡¯s little hands began tapping away. In no time, the computer turned on. ¡°Daddy, your computer has a virus. Let me clean it up for you!¡± As he spoke, one hand was on the keyboard, the other on the mouse, swiftly clicking and pressing. Lu Youting watched, dazzled by the programs his son was using, which he had never seen before. Within minutes, Jian Sichen finished and, clapping his hands, confidently declared, ¡°OK! All done! I¡¯ve cleaned all the viruses from your computer. Daddy, from now on, don¡¯t click on anything that pops up. It might have a virus! Also, don¡¯t go to any adult sites, but if you want, I can download some for you onto the computer.¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting suddenly found his son very unfamiliar. Kissing him suddenly and praising his skills, and now fixing a computer. Is this really his son? ¡°Xiao Bai, when did you learn to fix computers?¡± Jian Sichen matter-of-factly responded, ¡°It¡¯s really simple! Do you even need to learn?¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting was about to continue questioning when Jian Sichen interjected, ¡°Daddy, you should continue with your meeting. They¡¯re still waiting.¡± Lu Youting gave him another doubtful look and continued the video conference. By the time the meeting ended, it was already evening. Suddenly, there was a rather loud commotion downstairs. ¡°Boss, boss, come down quickly, I have something urgent to tell you, boss...¡± Shen Xiuyi, head spinning, said, ¡°Third brother, we haven¡¯t figured it out yet! Don¡¯t rush to tell the boss, let¡¯s clarify it first, it might be a misunderstanding.¡± Gu Yuchen patted his chest, pledging earnestly, ¡°I swear to heaven, I didn¡¯t see it wrong, otherwise I¡¯ll be punished to never get married in this lifetime.¡± ¡°...?¡± Shen Xiuyi¡¯s temples throbbed. Hearing the noise, Lu Youting went downstairs with Jian Sichen in his arms. Gu Yuchen ran over, looking Jian Sichen up and down: ¡°Boss, after you picked up Xiao Bai at noon, has he been with you the whole time?¡± Lu Youting: ¡°Hmm! What¡¯s wrong?¡± Gu Yuchen widened his eyes, looking utterly shocked, ¡°Then it¡¯s a big deal! When Secondary and I were on the roller coaster, we saw Sister-in-Law holding another Xiao Bai.¡± At that moment, Jian Sichen¡¯s breath sharply caught, almost forgetting to breathe. Damn, Mommy and Xiao Bai had been spotted. Even Yueyue had been discovered. Chapter 36 - 36 36 Father and Son Confrontation ?36: Chapter 36: Father and Son Confrontation 36: Chapter 36: Father and Son Confrontation Lu Youting furrowed his brows. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Gu Yuchen took a deep breath, slowed his tone, and said word by word, ¡°When I and the second brother were on the free fall ride, I saw Sister-in-law Jian holding two children, a girl and a boy. The boy looked exactly like Xiao Bai! I swear, I really didn¡¯t see it wrong.¡± Lu Youting asked in a deep voice, ¡°Sister-in-law Jian? Jian Si?¡± ¡°Yes, it was Sister-in-law Jian Si!¡± Gu Yuchen nodded vehemently. Lu Youting repeated his words, ¡°You said you saw her holding Xiao Bai and a little girl? When? Where?¡± He clearly didn¡¯t believe him. Gu Yuchen felt a pang in his chest from annoyance. ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth! It was just after you left with Xiao Bai, about twenty to thirty meters southeast of the free fall ride.¡± Lu Youting looked at Shen Xiuyi, ¡°Did you see it?¡± Shen Xiuyi shook his head. ¡°I didn¡¯t see it!¡± Compared to their calm, Gu Yuchen seemed like a rash youngster, impetuous and impulsive. ¡°He¡¯s nearsighted, he definitely didn¡¯t see! If you don¡¯t believe me, you can check the surveillance! I swear to heaven, Sister-in-law Jian has always been in the amusement park.¡± Lu Youting and Shen Xiuyi exchanged a glance. Seeing that he still wasn¡¯t believed, Gu Yuchen continued, ¡°Boss, I think there must be secrets here you don¡¯t know about! Why are there two Xiao Bais who look exactly alike? Who is the little girl that Sister-in-law was holding? Don¡¯t you want to find out? What if, I mean just what if! What if Sister-in-law gave birth to more than just Xiao Bai? Could that little boy and girl be Xiao Bai¡¯s siblings? You should quickly have Lu Ya check the surveillance.¡± Fearing that Lu Youting might believe him, Jian Sichen quickly said, ¡°Daddy, the free fall ride was too thrilling, Uncle Gu must have had a hallucination.¡± Recalling how Gu Yuchen fainted from fear while on the free fall ride, a spasm twitched at the corner of Shen Xiuyi¡¯s mouth. Lu Youting¡¯s narrow eyes emitted a chilling light, making one shudder, and the air around them grew thin. Seeing his anger, Shen Xiuyi quickly grabbed Gu Yuchen, ¡°That¡¯s enough, stop talking, the boss is getting angry.¡± Gu Yuchen didn¡¯t understand why they wouldn¡¯t believe him, and frustrated, he flopped down on the sofa. ¡°Why won¡¯t you guys believe me! I saw it while we were ascending on the free fall ride, it definitely wasn¡¯t a hallucination from being scared! My vision is 2.0, and I¡¯ve watched Xiao Bai grow up, I definitely wouldn¡¯t make a mistake!¡± Lu Youting quietly stared at him for a while and seeing him so serious, he momentarily believed his words and dialed Lu Ya, asking him to pull today¡¯s surveillance footage from the amusement park. Jian Sichen inwardly panicked. If they really checked the surveillance, then he and Yueyue would definitely be discovered by that despicable dad. No, he couldn¡¯t let that despicable dad find out. With this thought, he deliberately yawned, ¡°Daddy, you guys discuss your serious matters! I¡¯m going upstairs first!¡± Lu Youting, unsuspecting, let him go. Jian Sichen prepared to sprint upstairs with a clatter. Just as he stepped on the first stair, he heard Gu Yuchen say, ¡°Boss, Lu Ya always works efficiently, it shouldn¡¯t take long to pull up the surveillance, let¡¯s go wait in the study! There¡¯s a computer there.¡± Jian Sichen, who was about to go to the study to tamper with the surveillance footage, abruptly stopped in his tracks, wishing he could silence Gu Yuchen for good. Lu Youting fell silent for a moment, seemingly thinking Gu Yuchen¡¯s suggestion was reasonable, and then took the two of them upstairs to the study. As they passed by Jian Sichen, he even heard Gu Yuchen taking credit, ¡°Boss, I noticed something was wrong, so I rushed to tell you right after I woke up. When you find your other son, you really should thank me!¡± Jian Sichen was infuriated. He anxiously paced back and forth in his room. His heart thudded wildly. The air around seemed to tighten with tension. If that despicable dad saw the surveillance, then everything he and Mommy had painstakingly hidden would be discovered. No. This can¡¯t be allowed to happen. After briefly pondering, Jian Sichen took out his cell phone and called Jian Si. The call connected, but no one answered on the other end. Jian Sichen¡¯s palms sweated anxiously. He quietly prayed nonstop, ¡°Pick up the phone, Mommy, please pick up the phone...¡± Unfortunately, even after several calls, no one answered. Jian Sichen was so anxious he was nearly crying. As time ticked by, if he didn¡¯t handle it now, everything would be exposed. Suddenly, he remembered something and called Su Wan. Fortunately, the call connected quickly, and Su Wan¡¯s lazy voice came through, ¡°Chenbao, what do you need from your godmother?¡± Jian Sichen urgently said, ¡°Where¡¯s my mommy? Please let my mommy answer the phone.¡± ¡°Your mommy? Your mommy is playing with Xiao Bai and Yueyue. I¡¯m in the bathroom!¡± Jian Sichen urged, ¡°Hurry, give the phone to my mommy, I have an emergency!¡± Su Wan drawled, ¡°Hold on, I just got in here! Let me finish up first.¡± Jian Sichen was so agitated he nearly couldn¡¯t catch his breath, ¡°Come out first, let me talk to Mommy and then you can continue. Hurry, another minute and someone could die.¡± ¡°What is so serious? A matter of life and death?¡± Su Wan did not take him seriously. Jian Sichen stomped his foot anxiously, ¡°Hurry, right now, immediately! Otherwise, if something happens to my mommy, you¡¯ll be too late to regret it.¡± His urgent and tense tone inadvertently made Su Wan start to take the situation seriously. ¡°Alright, alright, hold on, I¡¯m coming out to give the phone to your mommy... Really, what¡¯s the matter, why are you so rushed...¡± Rustling sounds came from the other side of the phone. After a while, Jian Si finally came on the line, ¡°Chenbao, what happened? Your godmother said you needed me urgently.¡± At this moment, her voice was like music to Jian Sichen¡¯s ears. Jian Sichen was so moved he almost cried. ¡°Mommy, does Xiao Bai have a computer? Any computer will do.¡± Jian Si asked, confused, ¡°What do you need a computer for?¡± Jian Sichen put it succinctly, ¡°Gu Yuchen saw you and Xiao Bai at the amusement park, and right now, he¡¯s waiting for Lu Ya to get the surveillance from the park! If that scumbag sees you, mine and Yueyue¡¯s identities will be exposed. I must clean up the surveillance video before Lu Ya can access it.¡± Upon hearing this, Jian Si¡¯s heart leapt to her throat, not daring to waste any more time, she hurriedly said, ¡°There¡¯s a laptop in the first drawer of Xiao Bai¡¯s wardrobe! The password is your birthday!¡± At that moment, she was truly relieved; thankfully, she had brought a laptop with her. Otherwise, today would have been completely ruined. Hearing her words, Jian Sichen finally saw a glimmer of hope, ¡°Good! I¡¯ll handle it right away! Keep an eye on your phone, in case I need to call you.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± After ending the call, Jian Sichen indeed found a laptop in the first drawer of the wardrobe. He quickly opened the laptop and began operating it swiftly. While manipulating it, he could distinctly feel that someone on the other side was accessing the surveillance video¡ª Chapter 37 - 37 37 The Two Adorable Babies Regain Their Identity ?37: Chapter 37: The Two Adorable Babies Regain Their Identity 37: Chapter 37: The Two Adorable Babies Regain Their Identity Jian Sichen¡¯s back was drenched in cold sweat. He immediately hastened his pace and, a second before the surveillance footage was pulled up, successfully erased Jian Si, Lu Yanbai, and Jian Yue from the video, as if they had never appeared in the amusement park. With the task accomplished, Jian Sichen breathed a sigh of relief as if unburdened of a massive weight; his strength drained from his body, and he collapsed limply to the floor. That was much too close. He came so very close to failure. At the same time, Lu Youting received the surveillance footage sent by Lu Ya. Gu Yuchen rushed to the computer and fast-forwarded the footage to the drop tower. However, after countless rewinds, even though the timing and location were correct, there was no sign of Jian Si and the two children in the crowd. ¡°How can this be? How is this possible?¡± Gu Yuchen could not believe his own eyes and rubbed them vigorously. Lu Youting¡¯s pupils shrank slightly, and his eyes darkened. A chilly smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth as he watched him with a look that was both mocking and serious. Shen Xiuyi wearily pinched the bridge of his nose, as if kneeling before such intelligence. Gu Yuchen pointed at the computer, confidently declaring, ¡°The surveillance definitely was tampered with! I did not see it wrong; I really saw sister-in-law Jian Si, holding a little boy who looked exactly like Xiao Bai.¡± Lu Youting and Shen Xiuyi looked at him as if he were a fool. He felt inexplicably frustrated and pulled out his phone to call Lu Ya, ¡°Let me ask you, was the surveillance touched before you got there? Go to Shen Qing and have her check the surveillance again, it definitely must have been tampered with.¡± ¡°This...¡± Hesitant to carry out an order not directly issued by Lu Youting, Lu Ya was indecisive. Gu Yuchen yelled angrily, ¡°What do you mean ¡®this¡¯? The boss is right beside me, my words are his orders! Hurry up; the boss and I are waiting for your report.¡± With the conversation having reached this point, Lu Ya could only agree. Gu Yuchen slammed the phone down on the table, hands akimbo, and confidently asserted, ¡°Just you wait, the surveillance has definitely been tampered with, I absolutely did not see it wrong.¡± Lu Youting glanced at his phone and arched an eyebrow, ¡°You changed your phone?¡± Gu Yuchen stiffened, his expression cracking bit by bit. Shen Xiuyi struggled to contain his laughter, but remembering Gu Yuchen¡¯s foolishness just moments before, he could not help it. Trying to hold back laughter caused his handsome face to twitch continually until he finally let out an impolite snort of laughter. Gu Yuchen, with a gloomy face, lamented, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! After I saw sister-in-law Jian Si, I wanted to call you right away, but my phone fell from the drop tower. This one I have now is a new phone.¡± Lu Youting looked at him expressionlessly and turned his gaze to Shen Xiuyi. After a brief bout of laughter, the usually elegant and gentlemanly Shen Xiuyi erupted into raucous laughter, even shedding tears from the mirth. Wiping away a tear, he turned to the mournful-faced Gu Yuchen and said, ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not laughing at you on purpose; I really can¡¯t help it!¡± After speaking, he ungraciously shared the embarrassing tale with Lu Youting. ¡°Boss, you have no idea, number three, he passed out from fear on the drop tower, among so many people, including teenage girls, all of whom were fine except for him passing out. Then... uh... then he got carried away on a stretcher... Who would have thought he¡¯d be so cowardly, to actually faint from fear...¡± ¡°...??¡± The image of the incident involuntarily formed in Lu Youting¡¯s mind, his ice-cold handsome face twitching uncontrollably. Gu Yuchen felt as if he had lost all face, wishing he could burrow into a hole. He was thoroughly finished. This would be a dark mark in his life that he could never erase. Just as he was consumed with shame, the call from Lu Ya came through. He answered the phone as if seeing a lifesaver, and to prove his innocence, he deliberately put the call on speaker. ¡°How is it? Was it tampered with?¡± Lu Ya answered with the utmost respect, ¡°Shen Qing has analyzed the video and confirmed there has been no tampering; there¡¯s nothing suspicious.¡± ¡°Damn!¡± Gu Yuchen, who had just been confidently making promises, fell into self-doubt. Could it be that he really misread the situation due to blurred vision? But he saw it very clearly! ¡°It must be a mistake in technique, check again...¡± Seeing that he wouldn¡¯t stop, Lu Youting finally lost his patience and spoke up, ¡°Enough, let this farce end here, do not bring this up again in the future.¡± After saying that, he cut off the call without hesitation. Gu Yuchen was still immersed in self-doubt when Shen Xiuyi pulled him away. Jian Sichen, who had been secretly observing them, finally let out a sigh of relief and reported to Jian Si that everything was safe. That evening. Jian Si brought Lu Yanbai back to Yuting Mansion. To keep Lu Yanbai from slipping up, Jian Si purposely said, ¡°Xiao Bai, how about we make a bet, okay?¡± Lu Yanbai asked innocently, ¡°Bet on what?¡± Jian Si smiled and said, ¡°No matter who asks, you just say that today, after playing with Auntie Su Wan, Daddy took you home, and Mommy came back alone in the evening.¡± Lu Yanbai blinked his large eyes curiously and asked, ¡°Why are we making a bet?¡± Jian Si playfully winked, ¡°This is a secret between Mommy and Xiao Bai; Mommy doesn¡¯t want to share it with outsiders. Mommy wants to see if Xiao Bai can keep a secret.¡± Without suspicion, Lu Yanbai nodded his head without hesitation and agreed, ¡°I can keep Mommy¡¯s secret.¡± Jian Si stretched out her pinky finger, ¡°Let¡¯s make a pinky promise; whoever spills the beans is a puppy.¡± Lu Yanbai eagerly made the promise with her, ¡°Mommy, don¡¯t worry, I definitely won¡¯t talk about what we did at the amusement park today, I am the best at keeping secrets.¡± Jian Si knew that Lu Yanbai was a child who kept his word; since he had promised, he would surely keep it. Jian Yue watched Lu Yanbai with reluctance and teary eyes. ¡°Xiao Bai, I can¡¯t bear to part with you! When can we play together again?¡± In the span of a day, Lu Yanbai and Jian Yue had already forged a deep friendship. Although Jian Yue was younger, she took care of him like a big sister, considerate and caring for him in every way. He really liked her a lot. Lu Yanbai held Jian Yue¡¯s hand tightly and looked towards Jian Si, ¡°Mommy, can I often come to play with Yueyue in the future? She is my first friend.¡± Seeing the deep sibling-like affection between them, Jian Si felt comforted and with reddened eyes agreed, ¡°Of course! In the future, I can often bring her to see you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mommy!¡± Lu Yanbai immediately smiled and excitedly said to Jian Yue, ¡°Yueyue, if you miss me, call me anytime, and I¡¯ll have Mommy bring me to you.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jian Yue nodded happily. At Yuting Mansion. While Lu Youting was taking a shower, Jian Sichen, dressed in pajamas, grabbed his clothes and a cap and mask and quietly sneaked out of the house. Once he was out of the surveillance range of the Yuting Mansion¡¯s gate, he found a secluded spot to change into his clothes and put on the cap and mask. After he was all set, he put the pajamas in a bag, hung it on a tree branch, took a photo, and sent it to Jian Si; then, he walked along the road with his head down. After parting with Su Wan, Jian Si, with Lu Yanbai, came to the tree to take the clothes inside and change Lu Yanbai into them. Lu Yanbai, not understanding, curiously asked, ¡°Mommy, why do I need to change into pajamas?¡± Jian Si spoke gently, ¡°Remember what Mommy told you earlier? You have to pretend you came out from home! If Daddy asks later, just say you came out to pick up Mommy.¡± Lu Yanbai nodded, half-understanding. Although he did not know why Mommy wanted to do this, he trusted her words implicitly and was obedient. Just as he finished changing into pajamas, Lu Youting¡¯s voice, eerie like a ghost¡¯s, suddenly sounded from behind, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jian Si¡¯s breath hitched, and she was so startled that the clothes in the bag almost fell out. ¡°Si...¡± Chapter 38 - 38 38 Five Years After Divorce, Husband and Wife Share the Same Bed Again ?38: Chapter 38: Five Years After Divorce, Husband and Wife Share the Same Bed Again 38: Chapter 38: Five Years After Divorce, Husband and Wife Share the Same Bed Again The road was pitch black. Lu Youting¡¯s tall figure towered under the dim streetlights, his expression indiscernible. Jian Si tried hard to maintain her composure, silently stuffing the bag into her handbag and slowly turned around with Lu Yanbai in tow. A strong chill swept over her like a thunderstorm. Even though she couldn¡¯t see Lu Youting¡¯s expression, she could distinctly feel his anger. The cold air seemed to rush madly in her direction. Feeling guilty made Jian Si inexplicably nervous. She licked her dry lips, trying hard not to let her voice tremble, ¡°Xiao Bai knew I was coming back, so he specially came to pick me up!¡± Lu Youting strode towards her. As he approached, the air around them seemed to thin. Jian Si¡¯s eyes darted around, guilty and avoiding his gaze. Her expression, when caught by Lu Youting, took on another meaning. His gaze coldly swept over her backpack, his face emotionless, as if he had crawled out from Hell. ¡°You let a four-year-old child come out to meet you at night? Jian Si, how could you do that?¡± A cold sweat broke out on Jian Si¡¯s back, and her guilt prevented her brain from functioning normally. ¡°I, I didn¡¯t think that much! I¡¯ll be careful next time.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression did not improve. Thinking about how this woman had left their four-year-old son with someone else for a date, he felt like strangling her, then prying open her skull to see what was inside. Lu Yanbai thought he was bullying Jian Si, so he pushed him away forcefully and stood protectively in front of her. ¡°It was my own decision to come out and meet Mommy, it has nothing to do with her.¡± The more he defended Jian Si, the uglier Lu Youting¡¯s expression became. He stooped down, picked him up, and headed back to the mansion without looking back. Jian Si, head lowered, followed behind. Back at the mansion, Jian Si thought the matter was settled, but Lu Youting was relentless, ¡°Where were you today? Who were you meeting?¡± Jian Si blurted out, ¡°A friend!¡± Lu Youting scoffed coldly, ¡°A friend? Was it Ah Che?¡± Jian Si suddenly looked up, surprised, ¡°How do you know Ah Che?¡± ¡°How would I know Ah Che?¡± Lu Youting gave a self-mocking laugh, ¡°My wife sleeps in my arms and calls out this name in her dreams, has been for a whole two years, how do you think I wouldn¡¯t know him?¡± With a ¡®bang,¡¯ Jian Si felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her mind thundering, empty. She had been calling out Ah Che¡¯s name in her dreams? She had never known. Lu Youting had never mentioned it to her either. Her reaction seemed like an admission to him, deepening his misunderstanding, his tone dripping with sarcasm, ¡°Congratulations, you finally got your wish to be with him.¡± ¡°No, we...¡± Jian Si wanted to explain, but meeting Lu Youting¡¯s mocking eyes, she suddenly snapped back, retorting, ¡°We are already divorced, who I am with is none of your business, it¡¯s my freedom. Instead of meddling in other¡¯s lives, you might want to take care of your own fiance?e.¡± With that, she grabbed her pajamas and went into the bathroom to shower. Lu Youting was so angry his teeth chattered... He felt like strangling her. Lu Yanbai sat morosely on the edge of the bed, visibly upset by their argument. Seeing his distress, Lu Youting drew a deep breath to calm himself and walked over, asking softly, ¡°Xiao Bai, what¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Lu Yanbai cried and said, ¡°Daddy, why do you and Mommy fight every day? I don¡¯t want you to fight.¡± Lu Youting was momentarily at a loss for words. Seeing he wasn¡¯t speaking, Lu Yanbai continued, ¡°I don¡¯t like auntie, I don¡¯t want her to be my mommy, I want my own mommy. Can you and Mommy get back together, please?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s throat tightened, his feelings complicated, inexplicably feeling a blockage in his chest. Lu Yanbai looked up innocently and said, ¡°Daddy, do you like Mommy?¡± Lu Youting sidestepped the question, ¡°Young man, what are you talking about liking or not liking! Do you even know what it is to like someone?¡± Lu Yanbai pouted his lips and said discontentedly, ¡°Of course I know! I like Mommy and want to be with her every day, and I also like Daddy and want to be by your side all the time. You two are the most important people to me.¡± It was the first time his son had confessed his true feelings, and Lu Youting¡¯s cold heart gradually warmed, involuntarily rubbing his son¡¯s little head, ¡°Daddy likes you too.¡± Lu Yanbai immediately asked, ¡°Then do you like Mommy?¡± At that, Lu Youting began, ¡°Not...¡± Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, the word ¡°like¡± got stuck in his throat, unable to utter it. Seeing the light in his eyes dimming, Lu Youting¡¯s heart tightened and without thinking said, ¡°Of course I like your mommy.¡± Jian Si, who just came out from the bathroom, heard this. Jian Si stood frozen at the bathroom door, her face incredulous. Hearing the answer, Lu Yanbai finally smiled, ¡°Does daddy really like Mommy?¡± Lu Youting nodded vigorously, ¡°Yes! Really.¡± Lu Yanbai jumped up happily, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Daddy likes Mommy, and Xiao Bai likes Mommy too... Then you should stop fighting with Mommy from now on, Xiao Bai doesn¡¯t like to see you fight.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s heart ached, but he smiled tenderly, ¡°Alright! No more fighting!¡± Lu Yanbai danced joyfully, then caught sight of Jian Si standing at the bathroom door and ran over to pull her closer, ¡°Mommy, Daddy said he likes you! Do you like Daddy too?¡± Jian Si was stunned for a moment, wanting to deny it, but seeing Lu Youting gesturing with his eyes, she reluctantly nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Yeah! I like him!¡± Lu Yanbai overlapped their hands together. Both Lu Youting and Jian Si reacted as if electrically shocked, a strange sensation flowing from the palms into their bodies. Lu Yanbai excitedly said, ¡°I want daddy and mommy to sleep with me tonight.¡± Jian Si was baffled, unable to comprehend what had transpired while she took a bath and how things had suddenly turned out this way. Lu Youting couldn¡¯t bear to see Lu Yanbai disappointed and, before Jian Si could speak, readily agreed, ¡°Sure, Daddy and Mommy will sleep with you tonight.¡± Jian Si glared at Lu Youting, questioning him with her eyes. Lu Youting pretended not to notice, acting as if he hadn¡¯t seen. For four years, Lu Yanbai had never slept with his parents. He eagerly pulled them onto the bed, Lu Youting on the left, Jian Si on the right, and himself in the middle, holding their hands intertwined on his little belly. Jian Si¡¯s face showed reluctance, even her body hairs bristling in agitation. ¡°Daddy, Mommy, do you know? Ever since I was little, I¡¯ve always envied kids who have their mommy and daddy by their side! I never thought I¡¯d have this day too, it¡¯s wonderful!¡± Lu Yanbai closed his eyes, a look of bliss on his face. His words made the resistant Jian Si instantly quiet down, thinking about Xiao Bai¡¯s experiences over these four years, her eyes unwittingly reddening, and she tenderly pulled him into her arms. ¡°Xiao Bai, don¡¯t worry, Mommy and Daddy will always be with you from now on, making you the happiest child in the world.¡± Lu Yanbai nestled happily into Jian Si¡¯s arms, smelling her scent, sleepiness overtaking him. Perhaps it was because he had played too hard during the day, he soon fell asleep. Jian Si¡¯s hand gently patted his back, softly humming a lullaby. The dim wall lamp emitted a faint light, casting a warm and tranquil glow over her, making her profile appear even softer and more serene. Lu Youting¡¯s heart raced, his mouth dry. Chapter 39 - 39 39 Caught in Bed Together by a White Lotus ?39: Chapter 39: Caught in Bed Together by a White Lotus 39: Chapter 39: Caught in Bed Together by a White Lotus After confirming that Lu Yanbai had fallen soundly asleep, Lu Youting suppressed the bubbling desires within him and whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s set some ground rules!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Jian Si looked at him, puzzled. Lu Youting lowered his voice, ¡°Xiao Bai doesn¡¯t like it when we argue! Parents arguing can cause enduring pain in a child¡¯s heart! Whether you like it or not, I hope when Xiao Bai is around, we can pretend to have a harmonious family.¡± Jian Si was well aware that Lu Yanbai¡¯s heart was more fragile than other children¡¯s. For the sake of the child, she hardly hesitated and readily agreed to Lu Youting¡¯s proposal, ¡°Alright! When Xiao Bai is around, I will try my best to control my temper.¡± After speaking, she gently released Lu Yanbai, preparing to roll out of bed. However, Lu Youting caught her wrist in a firm grip, ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep in the guest room.¡± Lu Youting spoke in disbelief, ¡°Xiao Bai lacks a sense of security, and he wakes up at night looking for someone. If he finds you¡¯re not there, he¡¯ll be hurt.¡± ¡°...??¡± Jian Si looked embarrassed, ¡°So what do we do? Are we really going to sleep like this tonight?¡± Lu Youting looked her up and down, ¡°Relax, I am not interested in you! Besides, there¡¯s a child between us.¡± ¡°You really have a sharp tongue!¡± Jian Si muttered under her breath. If possible, she truly didn¡¯t want to stay here for another minute. Lu Youting turned his back to her, and in a place she couldn¡¯t see, his thin lips slowly curved into a smile, reaching the depths of his eyes. Jian Si, huffing with anger, waved her little fists at his back. Watching the shadow on the floor punching towards him, the smile in Lu Youting¡¯s eyes deepened, his heart softened like a sponge, full and swelling, as if something was about to overflow. After waving her fists for a while, Jian Si felt it was pointless and lay down on her side. Right then, Lu Youting¡¯s cell phone on the bedside table rang. It was a voice message from Ye Qingqing. Afraid of waking Lu Yanbai, Lu Youting turned the volume to the lowest and played the message. ¡°Youting, I really know I was wrong, please don¡¯t ignore me, okay? Do you remember what you once promised me? You said you would take care of me for a lifetime, love only me in this life! You can¡¯t go back on your word.¡± ¡°Youting, could you reply to my message? I still love you, I can¡¯t live without you, without you, I would die!¡± ¡°Youting, I know I did something wrong, but it was because I love you, I was afraid of her taking you away from me! Do you know? Since she came back, I have been unable to sleep, fearing she would take you, take Xiao Bai away. You are my everything, and if I lose you, then what¡¯s the point of living.¡± ¡°Wuu, Youting, please, could you just pay attention to me, wuu...¡± The room was silent enough to hear a pin drop. Even though Lu Youting had turned the volume down to the minimum, every word still clearly reached Jian Si¡¯s ears. Jian Si was grossed out by her nauseating words, getting goosebumps all over. She couldn¡¯t believe the usually cold Lu Youting had such a scenario with Ye Qingqing. Could it be just as cheesy? Lu Youting did not reply. Messages from Ye Qingqing kept coming. Lu Youting opened each one and listened, all of them filled with cheesy words. Seeing he did not respond, Ye Qingqing bombarded him with messages and calls. Jian Si, irritated by the noise, finally couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and sat up, ¡°Director Lu, could you please answer the phone? If not, just turn off your mobile. The intermittent ringing is really annoying! It¡¯s disturbing my sleep.¡± Lu Youting also sat up, looking at her with a teasing smirk, ¡°What? Are you jealous?¡± Jian Si laughed off his remark. ¡°Jealous? Jealous of you? You¡¯re too full of yourself!¡± Lu Youting wickedly curved his lips, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why are you so angry?¡± Jian Si was defeated by his logic. ¡°Director Lu, it¡¯s late, I want to sleep! You¡¯re too noisy! If you don¡¯t want to deal with her, you can turn off the phone, don¡¯t let it ring now and then! You know? I¡¯ve never heard such disgusting words, I almost threw up my dinner! I never knew your taste was so low.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s deep, cold eyes locked onto hers, as if pondering the truth in her words. Jian Si continued, ¡°Xiao Bai just fell asleep, children have light sleep, I don¡¯t want him to be woken up! If you can¡¯t bear to turn it off, please go outside and make things clear with her, and come back after you¡¯re done!¡± After finishing her words, she turned over and lay down again. Lu Youting narrowed his eyes, his face dark as the bottom of a pot, the entire room filled with a gloomy aura. In the short minutes of their chat, Ye Qingqing had sent dozens of messages. Lu Youting cast a cold glance at Jian Si and took his phone out. Seizing the opportunity, Jian Si immediately went to the balcony and made a video call to Jian Sichen. He answered instantly. Jian Sichen expressed his concern, ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m safely home now. Are you and Xiao Bai back as well? Did Daddy not notice anything?¡± Jian Si shook her head, ¡°No! Xiao Bai really likes Yueyue, they might become friends and visit each other often! Would you... would you be upset? Saying Mommy favors one over the other?¡± Jian Sichen laughed, ¡°Of course not! I know my situation is special and it¡¯s not suitable for me to meet my brother often!¡± His understanding pained Jian Si¡¯s heart. ¡°If you really miss Xiao Bai, we can meet like we did today! Although you can¡¯t recognize each other, I hope you can spend more time together within the limited time we have.¡± Jian Sichen nodded vigorously, ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll listen to Mommy!¡± It was getting late, and after chatting for a while longer they ended the call. The surroundings were eerily quiet. The balcony here was connected to the next one. Lu Youting¡¯s deep voice intermittently came from next door. She didn¡¯t want to listen and returned to her room. Lu Youting had not come back when Jian Si fell asleep. The next day. Jian Si gradually woke up. As soon as she opened her eyes, a flawlessly handsome face unexpectedly came into her view. He really was a perfect piece of art created by God, with brows that arched into his temples, a high nose, tightly closed thin lips, and a sharp jawline. The early morning mist created a fierce arc on his handsome face, delivering a strong visual impact. Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but be mesmerized. She reached out involuntarily, wanting to touch him. Just as she was about to make contact, the sleeping Lu Youting suddenly opened his eyes. His hawk-like dark eyes fiercely captured her, his face full of wariness. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Embarrassment and guilt flashed through Jian Si¡¯s eyes as she reluctantly withdrew her hand. Lu Youting relentlessly pursued the matter, ¡°What were you doing just now?¡± Jian Si purposefully digressed, trying to divert his attention, ¡°Xiao Bai has been recovering well recently. The situation is stable. I¡¯m taking him for a pre-surgery examination today. If there are no issues, he will have his first heart surgery the day after tomorrow.¡± Indeed, Lu Youting¡¯s attention was successfully diverted. ¡°Is the surgery that soon? Could it be dangerous?¡± Jian Si suppressed her guilt and casually rose to her feet, ¡°Rest assured, I wouldn¡¯t act recklessly if his body couldn¡¯t handle it. He is my son, and I am more concerned about him than anyone else.¡± Hearing this, Lu Youting looked toward the still-sleeping Lu Yanbai, picturing him covered in tubes, his heart aching uncontrollably. Jian Si also looked at Lu Yanbai. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let anything happen to Xiao Bai. Over the years, I have been dedicated to studying medicine just to make him normal one day.¡± Just as she finished speaking, the room door was abruptly pushed open from outside. ¡°Youting, I heard from the servant that you were in Xiao Bai¡¯s room. Last night...¡± She stopped abruptly. Ye Qingqing stood at the doorway, her eyes wide in disbelief, looking at the three lying on the same bed, her heart turning cold. Her loud voice woke the sleeping Lu Yanbai. Lu Yanbai got up, rubbing his sleepy eyes, and sweetly smiled at Jian Si and Lu Youting. ¡°Daddy, Mommy, good morning! I slept well last night; how about you?¡± His words undoubtedly confirmed Ye Qingqing¡¯s suspicions. Her face turned ashen, and after a brief moment of stunned silence, tears flowed like a freshly burst spring. ¡°You, you... Youting, how could you do this to me? I admit, I was wrong first, but, but you shouldn¡¯t have betrayed our love! I love you so much, yet you treat me this way...¡± Chapter 40 - 40 40 Jian Si Exposes Ye Qingqings Scheme ?40: Chapter 40 Jian Si Exposes Ye Qingqing¡¯s Scheme 40: Chapter 40 Jian Si Exposes Ye Qingqing¡¯s Scheme Jian Si¡¯s smile was tinged with a mocking edge as she raised an eyebrow. She had to admit, Ye Qingqing was constantly elevating her game. Aware that making a scene and going berserk would only push Lu Youting further away, she had switched to a gentler strategy, advancing by seeming to retreat. Lu Yanbai despised her, especially her tears. Frowning and with impatience, he said, ¡°Daddy and Mommy have made up. Daddy admitted last night that the one he loves is Mommy. Crying is useless. He¡¯s not going to marry you.¡± His words were like pouring fuel on the fire. Ye Qingqing¡¯s delicate body swayed weakly. ¡°Youting, is what Xiao Bai said true?¡± Before Lu Youting could respond, Lu Yanbai added, ¡°Of course it¡¯s true! Daddy promised me that from now on, we¡¯ll be together every day as a family of three, and Daddy and Mommy will sleep with me every night.¡± Imagining them sharing a bed every night, Ye Qingqing felt as if she were plunged into cold water, the world spinning around her before she collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Jian Si laughed silently: ¡°...??¡± Quite the self-sacrificing ploy. Such exquisite acting skills wasted if not on the stage. Lu Youting said disapprovingly, ¡°Xiao Bai, she¡¯s your auntie! You can¡¯t speak to your auntie like that.¡± ¡°Hmph! She wants to take my Daddy away, and I don¡¯t like her!¡± Lu Yanbai pouted, tilting his head proudly. Lu Youting sighed and gave him a helpless look, then walked over and bent down to pick Ye Qingqing up from the ground, checking on her anxiously, ¡°Qingqing, how are you? Qingqing...¡± Jian Si¡¯s lips curled up slyly and she quickly said, ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, lay her on the bed quickly, and I¡¯ll examine her.¡± Lu Youting, without suspicion, laid Ye Qingqing on the bed. Jian Si performed a thorough examination, concluding, ¡°She¡¯s fainted from excessive heartache. It¡¯s nothing serious; a few acupuncture needles should do the trick.¡± Lu Youting: ¡°Acupuncture needles?¡± ¡°Acupuncture!¡± As she spoke, Jian Si took out a pack of disposable acupuncture needles from her suitcase. Lu Youting was flustered: ¡°...?? Aren¡¯t you a Western doctor? You know acupuncture too?¡± Ye Qingqing, unconscious, felt all the hairs on her body stand on end. Her fingers twitched spasmodically. Jian Si noticed her subtle movements and smiled meaningfully, ¡°I taught myself from medical books! I have a knack for it, picked it up right away.¡± ¡°Self-taught?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s mouth twitched involuntarily, debating whether to send Ye Qingqing to the hospital but worried it would be too obvious and hurt Jian Si¡¯s pride. ¡°I haven¡¯t practiced it, but locating acupoints will be fine! If I get it wrong, I¡¯ll just start over.¡± After saying this, while busying herself with undoing Ye Qingqing¡¯s clothes, Jian Si leaned close and whispered in her ear, audible only to them, ¡°I know you¡¯re faking it. Keep pretending if you dare. If Lu Youting learns your true nature, guess what he¡¯d think? He¡¯ll be deeply disappointed, won¡¯t he?¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart trembled violently. Anger clenched her teeth¡ªshe almost couldn¡¯t keep up the act and wanted to jump up from the bed to hit Jian Si. Lu Yanbai, curious, climbed over, ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s acupuncture? I want to learn too.¡± Jian Si smiled and said, ¡°Okay, Mommy will teach you! I¡¯ll find the acupoints, and you do the needling! Remember, the needle has to go in firmly¡ªjust don¡¯t break it; that would be a hassle.¡± Lu Yanbai was exceptionally excited. ¡°That sounds so interesting! Teach me, Mommy!¡± ¡°Be careful not to needle yourself¡ªit hurts!¡± Jian Si truly handed him a needle, then started to locate acupoints on Ye Qingqing¡¯s body. Watching their methodical and professional-looking procedure, Lu Youting couldn¡¯t bear to interrupt. He thought it best to allow them to insert one needle; if it didn¡¯t work, they could still go to the hospital later. Feeling the hands roaming on her body, Ye Qingqing felt a wave of despair. She didn¡¯t want to be their guinea pig. But if she woke now, wouldn¡¯t Youting see through her feigned fainting? She had wept so pitifully last night, finally coaxing him into forgiving her. What if this caused him to be angry with her again? As she hesitated, Jian Si had already located the Quchi Acupoint, directing Lu Yanbai to begin the needling, ¡°Xiao Bai, right here, take the longest needle and insert two-thirds of it¡ª¡± Ye Qingqing, though she had never studied Chinese medicine, was nonetheless fluent in all seven hundred and twenty acupoints. The acupoint Jian Si was currently targeting was completely off, by an inch. If she punctured carelessly, and happened to hit a nerve, causing nerve damage, Ye Qingqing¡¯s life would be over. Feeling the icy needle pierce her skin, burrowing deeper into her flesh, Ye Qingqing trembled with fear, unable to care about anything else, and suddenly sat up straight in bed. ¡°I¡¯m fine now, I¡¯m fine... no need for sister to go to such trouble...¡± Before she could finish, Lu Yanbai cried out in fright, ¡°Ah... it¡¯s over... the needle... the needle...¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart almost stopped beating in fright. ¡°What happened? Did the needle break inside?¡± After saying this, without waiting for Lu Yanbai to answer, she grabbed Jian Si by her collar, ¡°You did this on purpose, didn¡¯t you? You know he¡¯s just a four-year-old child, and you let him give me acupuncture. What does he know? You did this intending to kill me, didn¡¯t you? Your heart is so vicious. If something happened to me, I would make sure you went down with me.¡± Lu Yanbai feigned an overly frightened expression. ¡°Auntie, didn¡¯t you faint? How do you know it was me who gave you the needle?¡± After saying this, he covered his mouth, pretending to have a sudden realization, ¡°Could it be that you were faking it just now!¡± Ye Qingqing was about to explode with rage. ¡°You knew I was pretending, so you deliberately took the chance to torture me? And you intentionally broke the needle inside my body, Jian Si, what kind of mother are you? Even Xiao Bai¡¯s been spoiled by you!¡± Jian Si, nearly breathless from being throttled, pushed her off, then patted her collar, her face covered with frost. ¡°I was merely treating others the way they treated me!¡± Ye Qingqing, mad with the urge to confront her, was finally stopped by Lu Youting, who was beyond his limits of patience. ¡°Have you had enough?¡± Ye Qingqing reluctantly retracted her clawing hand, pursed her lips, and looked at Lu Youting with grievance, her eyes brimming with tears, ¡°Youting, Jian Si and Xiao Bai are ganging up to bully me! You have to stand up for me!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s fingers and temples both trembled, his eyes cold as frost glaring at her. ¡°Look carefully before you speak!¡± Ye Qingqing looked toward the site on her arm where Lu Yanbai had attempted acupuncture. She saw a 50mm long needle, misplaced by an inch next to the Quchi Acupoint, half of it stuck in her flesh, but the upper half wasn¡¯t broken, just bent. ¡°...??¡± Ye Qingqing turned to Lu Youting with an embarrassed smile, more unsightly than crying, ¡°Youting, I... I was just...¡± She stammered for a long time before finally coming up with a plausible explanation, ¡°I really did faint just now! My sister¡¯s skill is so good, with just one needle she woke me up.¡± Jian Si¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, ¡°Ye Qingqing, do you really think everyone here is a fool?¡± Ye Qingqing wished she could kill Jian Si. She pulled the needle out from her Quchi Acupoint, hopped off the bed, and grabbed Lu Youting¡¯s sleeve, ¡°Youting, I¡¯m telling the truth! Do you know how much it hurts me to see you with Sisi? You said you¡¯d never betray me in this lifetime.¡± Jian Si, no longer wishing to witness their affectionate display, took Lu Yanbai¡¯s hand, ¡°Xiao Bai, let¡¯s go have breakfast.¡± Lu Yanbai pouted, unwilling to leave, ¡°No, I want to watch over them. I won¡¯t let Daddy do anything to betray you.¡± Jian Si, amused by his grown-up manner, forcibly dragged him away, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your Daddy is an adult and knows his limits! Do you like double skin milk? There¡¯s also Tiramisu. Mommy¡¯s desserts are delicious.¡± Lu Yanbai, still a child, was quickly distracted by Jian Si and followed her out. ¡°I love eating the things Mommy makes the most, make more, I want to take them to the hospital.¡± ¡°Sure...¡± Their voices grew fainter and fainter. And with the closing of the door, they were gone completely¡ª Chapter 41 - 41 41 The Plan to Make Jian Si Disappear Completely ?41: Chapter 41: The Plan to Make Jian Si Disappear Completely 41: Chapter 41: The Plan to Make Jian Si Disappear Completely Lu Youting gazed at the tightly shut door, lost in thought. Double-skin milk? Tiramisu? Jian Si¡¯s cooking was so good, surely her desserts would be excellent as well. Ugh! He wanted to taste them too. ¡°Youting... Youting... Are you listening to me? Youting...¡± Lu Youting was so deep in thought that he didn¡¯t come back to his senses until Ye Qingqing tugged on his clothes forcefully. ¡°What?¡± Ye Qingqing pouted with grievance, ¡°I¡¯ve been talking to you for so long, and you didn¡¯t hear a single word?¡± Only then did Lu Youting realize that his thoughts had uncontrollably started to follow Jian Si¡¯s lead. ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°...??¡± Ye Qingqing was frustrated but suppressed her irritation and repeated herself, ¡°Youting, please don¡¯t be mad at me, okay? I only did something stupid because I care about you so much. We¡¯ve been together for so many years, if... if you don¡¯t want me anymore, I really don¡¯t know what to do.¡± Lu Youting rubbed his nose bridge, looking tired. ¡°I¡¯m not mad at you! Let¡¯s drop this matter.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s red lips opened and closed, hesitating repeatedly before she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Then, did you share a bed with Jian Si last night?¡± Lu Youting explained, emotionless, ¡°It was Xiao Bai¡¯s wish; he always slept between me and Jian Si.¡± At his words, a pang of pain struck Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart, and her eyes reddened with sorrow, ¡°So what Xiao Bai said is true, you and she will sleep together every night from now on?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s brow furrowed subconsciously, and a cold chill flashed across his dark eyes in an instant, ¡°In your heart, am I such a despicable opportunist?¡± Realizing her blunder, Ye Qingqing hurried to clarify, ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face turned as unsightly as if it were splattered with ink, ¡°My relationship with Jian Si is limited to Xiao Bai¡¯s father and mother, nothing more. You can rest assured on that.¡± His implied explanation brought a smile of relief to Ye Qingqing¡¯s face. ¡°Youting, I trust you! I believe you don¡¯t like Jian Si, otherwise you wouldn¡¯t have divorced her and got engaged to me five years ago.¡± ¡°Yep! It¡¯s getting late; you should go back. I am about to head to the company.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face was cold and bleak, his deep pupils flickering with an inscrutable chill. Ye Qingqing coquettishly said, ¡°Youting, when can I go back to work? It¡¯s so boring staying at home all the time, I want to go to the office.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome brows furrowed slightly as his thin lips subconsciously tightened, a glimmer of annoyance crossing his eyes, ¡°The last incident has had a big impact on your reputation, you should rest at home for the time being and wait until things cool down.¡± ¡°But...¡± Ye Qingqing was dissatisfied with this answer. She felt it was just an excuse from Lu Youting. Without returning to work, she wouldn¡¯t find peace. Lu Youting¡¯s patience wore thin, his tone revealing a slight irritation, ¡°It¡¯s late, you should go back.¡± Sensing his anger, Ye Qingqing bit her lower lip with her teeth, unwilling to leave just like that, and stealthily glanced at the shut door before throwing caution to the wind and wrapping her arms around Lu Youting from behind, pressing her cheek tightly against his back. ¡°Youting, we are engaged, so is it okay if I move in to live with you? I want to see you every moment of every day.¡± Lu Youting pried her hands away, shifting to the side to create a bit of distance between them. ¡°Now is not the time.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes brimmed with distress. ¡°Then when is the right time? We¡¯ve been engaged for five years! Do I have to wait another five years?¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t want to answer this question and explained calmly, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after Xiao Bai¡¯s surgery is successful.¡± Ye Qingqing stubbornly embraced him again, ¡°Xiao Bai¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t caused overnight and we don¡¯t know when he¡¯ll fully recover! Does that mean if he doesn¡¯t get better, you¡¯ll keep me waiting forever? I¡¯m already twenty-six this year, how many more blocks of five years do I have to wait!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s brow twitched imperceptibly, a flicker of irritation flashed in his eyes, but he didn¡¯t push her away again. Ye Qingqing cast aside her shame and gathered her courage, ¡°Youting, let me stay tonight, okay? We¡¯ve been engaged for five years, and I want to become your woman completely.¡± Hearing her words and thinking of that scenario, Lu Youting felt a wave of nausea. Once again, he pried her hands away. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it later.¡± Those brief five words seemed to erect a thick stone wall between them. His indifference chilled Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart by half. Not willing to let go of this golden opportunity so easily, Ye Qingqing tiptoed, wrapped her arms around his neck unexpectedly, and leaned in to press her red lips against his thin ones. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed instantaneously, a trace of malevolence emerging stealthily. Before he had a chance to push her away, the study door was suddenly pushed open. Seeing Jian Si standing at the doorway of the study, Lu Youting instinctively pushed Ye Qingqing away. Caught off guard, Ye Qingqing toppled to the floor. Palm down. There was a ¡®crack¡¯. A sharp pain emanated from her wrist. Lu Youting had no time to care for her, his gaze shifting to Jian Si, a hint of panic added to the usually composed eyes. ¡°How did you get here?¡± Jian Si glanced indifferently at Ye Qingqing, who had fallen to the ground. A pain hard to describe throbbing in his heart, he sneered, ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to interrupt you two! If you really can¡¯t wait, please lock the door next time. Fortunately, it was me who walked in. If it had been Xiao Bai, it wouldn¡¯t have been good for his mental and physical health.¡± Having said that, he slowly walked into the bedroom, picked up the mobile phone on the nightstand, left without expression, and thoughtfully closed the door behind him. A surge of restlessness welled up from the depths of Lu Youting¡¯s heart. He suddenly found the fallen Ye Qingqing extremely irritating. Ye Qingqing was utterly aggrieved, her wrist swollen and red. ¡°Youting...¡± Lu Youting showed no sympathy, his stern face filled with burgeoning anger and impatience, ¡°I don¡¯t want anything like this to happen again.¡± After speaking, he dialed Elder Chen, the driver. ¡°Take Miss Ye to the hospital.¡± It wasn¡¯t long after he hung up the phone that Elder Chen arrived. Ye Qingqing looked at Lu Youting with tearful eyes, the picture of unwillingness. If it weren¡¯t for Jian Si giving birth to Lu Yanbai for Lu Youting, she would have truly believed that Lu Youting was ineffectual. No matter how she tried to seduce him over the years, he remained unmoved. His restraint was even greater than that of a monk. Damn it. Where exactly did things go wrong? As she was leaving, she passed through the kitchen on the first floor, where she saw Jian Si teaching Lu Yanbai how to make double-skin milk by hand. ¡°Mommy, is this how you do it? Am I doing it right?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, Xiao Bai is so smart...¡± The mother and son got along harmoniously, the atmosphere warm. Ye Qingqing¡¯s fists clenched slowly, jealousy driving her to madness. After returning home, she vented her rage by violently smashing and breaking things around to release the anger in her heart. ¡°Why? What the hell is Jian Si? Why is she competing with me...¡± Xu Jiaorong and Jian Shihai were having breakfast. Seeing their daughter who had left the house happily but returned in angry rage, they immediately understood what was going on. Xu Jiaorong asked with concern, ¡°Did you run into Jian Si at Yuting Mansion?¡± At the mention of Jian Si, all of Ye Qingqing¡¯s grievances came pouring out, and she began sobbing in Xu Jiaorong¡¯s arms. ¡°Mom, when will Jian Si disappear? If she doesn¡¯t go away soon, Xiao Bai and Youting will be taken by her! Do you know? Last night, last night the three of them actually slept in the same bed. They¡¯re always under the same roof, what if Youting develops feelings for Jian Si over time? Even if he hates Jian Si, with Lu Yanbai intentionally playing matchmaker, he¡¯ll eventually fall for Jian Si. I love Youting very much, I can¡¯t lose him.¡± Xu Jiaorong hugged her, patting her back to comfort her, ¡°My precious daughter, stop crying, my heart aches for you!¡± Jian Shihai noticed the bandage on her wrist, his expression chilling, ¡°You¡¯re injured?¡± The humiliation made Ye Qingqing shake all over. ¡°This is all Jian Si¡¯s fault; she is a calamity, nothing good happens when she¡¯s around.¡± Jian Shihai¡¯s eyes narrowed sinisterly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Daddy is already arranging things. Soon Jian Si will disappear from our sight for good, never to appear again in our lives. I absolutely won¡¯t allow anyone to take what belongs to you.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s anger turned to delight immediately, ¡°She will really disappear soon?¡± Jian Shihai smiled ominously, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve already set everything in motion. In three days at most, she will disappear completely¡ª¡± Chapter 42 - 42 42 The Ex-Husband Suddenly Has an Illegitimate Daughter ?42: Chapter 42: The Ex-Husband Suddenly Has an ¡®Illegitimate Daughter 42: Chapter 42: The Ex-Husband Suddenly Has an ¡®Illegitimate Daughter Yuting Mansion. Lu Youting came downstairs to find Jian Si and Lu Yanbai sitting at the breakfast table, which was set with an assortment of sweets and several small dishes. Although the small dishes were incredibly simple, they somehow made one¡¯s appetite surge. Lu Yanbai was joyfully gobbling down pumpkin porridge, alternating with sweets and dishes, and when he saw Lu Youting coming down, he excitedly waved him over, ¡°Daddy, come quickly and taste the double-skin milk and Tiramisu Mommy and I made.¡± ¡°Cough cough...¡± Lu Youting gave an awkward cough and loosened his tie to relieve the inexplicable feeling of guilt in his heart. Jian Si glanced at him indifferently and pouted, ¡°Your Daddy already had breakfast and isn¡¯t hungry now.¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...??¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t think anything of it and naively asked, ¡°Daddy, when did you have breakfast? Why didn¡¯t you have it with us? What did you eat?¡± ¡°Umm...¡± Just as Lu Youting was trying to find the words, he heard Jian Si say, ¡°Your Daddy had a breakfast that you can¡¯t eat!¡± Lu Yanbai blinked his innocent big eyes, looking at Lu Youting as if he only partially understood. Lu Youting didn¡¯t want Jian Si to misunderstand and instinctively wanted to explain, ¡°Things aren¡¯t what you saw! She rushed over suddenly, and I hadn¡¯t even reacted before you came in through the door. It¡¯s all a misunderstanding!¡± Jian Si snorted in contempt, ¡°You are engaged, and whatever you do is proper and aboveboard! There¡¯s no need to explain to an outsider like me...¡± Before she could finish her sentence, she caught sight of Lu Yanbai¡¯s little face growing dimmer out of the corner of her eye and cursed herself for making a blunder. She hurriedly put on a smile and changed the subject, ¡°It¡¯s all in the past, let it go! We are a family; we should love each other, and I don¡¯t blame you.¡± Lu Youting cast a glance at Lu Yanbai without a change of expression, hooked up the corners of his mouth, and deliberately said, ¡°Right! We are a family and should love each other.¡± He stressed the words ¡°a family¡± as he spoke. Jian Si silently gritted her teeth and forced a smile that looked uglier than crying. If looks could kill, Lu Youting would have already been shot through with a thousand arrows. Seeing her furious little figure, Lu Youting shrugged off the gloom and majestically took his place at the head of the table, where Sister Xiang immediately served him toast and milk. The breakfast, which never varied from day to day, did nothing to pique his appetite, so he went personally to the kitchen and ladled out a bowl of pumpkin porridge. Jian Si glared hatefully at the pumpkin porridge in his hands, her eyes full of warning. Lu Youting knew that Jian Si didn¡¯t want him to eat her cooking, but due to the rules they had set the night before, she couldn¡¯t outright stop him, so with a wicked smirk, he leisurely took a sip. The taste was sweet, and the texture smooth, soothing his throat wonderfully. The deliciousness of the pumpkin porridge made Lu Youting enjoy it so much that he closed his eyes to savor the taste. How did Jian Si manage, with her ordinary hands, to make such delicious food? After tasting the pumpkin porridge, Lu Youting¡¯s chopsticks boldly moved towards the small dishes on the table. These were the dishes he had ¡®long coveted,¡¯ and today he could finally taste them. Upon tasting the dish, his eyes widened in surprise. It was really delicious. Even though the ingredients were the same as what five-star chefs used, the taste was completely different. He, who normally had a small appetite, unprecedentedly ate three bowls of pumpkin porridge and even couldn¡¯t resist eating two pieces of the sweets he never touched. Watching him devour the breakfast she had painstakingly made, Jian Si¡¯s gaze was as murderous as could be. Lu Yanbai, with a smile beaming on his face, asked, ¡°Daddy, is it really that tasty?¡± Lu Youting ignored Jian Si¡¯s look, his thin lips lifting slightly, ¡°Mmm! It really is tasty. Let Mommy make extra tomorrow, because Daddy didn¡¯t eat enough.¡± After three bowls, still not full, just don¡¯t burst. Jian Si suppressed her anger and cursed inwardly. Lu Youting added, ¡°There¡¯s a new product launch at Lu Group today, so I can¡¯t accompany you to the hospital! Take good care of Xiao Bai, and call me anytime if there¡¯s any issue.¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t respond to him. He knew Jian Si had heard him, so he didn¡¯t say anything more, wiped his mouth, and walked away, satisfied. After breakfast, Jian Si drove Lu Yanbai to the hospital. The long-awaited new product launch had finally arrived, and Jian Sichen and Jian Yue, wanting to avenge Jian Si, convinced Su Wan to take time off from kindergarten. Su Wan, who had long been indignant about Lu Youting¡¯s abandonment of Jian Si, saw their desire for revenge on the scoundrel and agreed to their request without hesitation, actively cooperating. The launch event was scheduled to take place on the third floor of the Jiangcheng Hotel. Early on, the staff arrived to set up the venue, and all the news media in Jiangcheng were there. At nine o¡¯clock, the press conference started on time. Lu Youting sat in the center, introducing the new IC chip developed by Lu Group, as the big screen behind him showed the chip¡¯s functions and the development process. Lu Group was the only company from Country Z to enter the global top ten in chip development. And since Lu Youting had taken charge, they had successfully surpassed several foreign enterprises, firmly occupying the top spot for three years, giving the underperforming national enterprises a reason to hold their heads high. Everyone had very high hopes for this new chip developed by Lu Family. The press conference went smoothly and was gradually coming to an end. The audience gave unanimously high praise. Meanwhile, Su Wan, along with Jian Sichen and Jian Yue, quietly rented a room in a small hotel next door. Jian Sichen looked at Jian Yue, ¡°Are you ready?¡± Jian Yue nodded, ¡°I¡¯m ready!¡± Jian Sichen asked with concern, ¡°Are you scared? If you¡¯re scared, we can change our strategy.¡± Jian Yue shook her head firmly, ¡°I¡¯m not scared!¡± More importantly, she wanted to see her scumbag father. She hated him, yet she wanted to see him too. Jian Sichen said, ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s proceed with the original plan!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jian Yue nodded, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, suppressed the excitement of seeing her biological father, slung her little white rabbit backpack over her shoulders, and walked out with the spine of a soldier marching to their death. The press conference was still underway. Lu Youting was receiving interviews from journalists. After the interviews about the chip were completed, a nosy journalist inappropriately shifted the topic to personal matters. ¡°Director Lu, you and Miss Ye have been engaged for five years now, when can we expect to enjoy the wedding candy between you and Miss Ye?¡± ¡°Director Lu is young and talented, while Miss Ye is the youngest associate professor of cardiology. You two are like a match made in heaven with your combined talents and beauty.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s usually warm eyes suddenly narrowed, and he looked down to hide the coldness in his eyes. ¡°Today is the Lu Family¡¯s new chip launch event. Let¡¯s only talk about business, not private matters.¡± Feeling the pressure he exerted, everyone immediately fell silent, smiling awkwardly and ready to steer the conversation back to the chip. Just then, a little girl suddenly burst into the room. The little girl looked to be about four years old, with a bun hairstyle, chubby little cheeks, skin so delicate it seemed like it could break with a poke, and under faint eyebrows, she had a pair of round, sparkling eyes that shone like stars, as exquisite as a doll. Lu Youting¡¯s pupils contracted sharply at the sight of the little girl who had rushed out. He vaguely felt that her features were familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before, but he couldn¡¯t recall where in that moment. Chapter 43 - 43 43 Lu Youting Gets Tricked by His Daughter ?43: Chapter 43 Lu Youting Gets Tricked by His Daughter 43: Chapter 43 Lu Youting Gets Tricked by His Daughter Jian Yue squeezed hard, and tears streamed down as she cried out to Lu Youting, ¡°Daddy...¡± A single stone stirred up a thousand ripples. The hall erupted into an uproar. Everyone present looked at each other in disbelief, as if they had discovered some unspeakable secret. The flashes from cameras crackled continuously. ¡°Who are you? Who sent you here?¡± It was clear to the discerning eye that this little girl had come to disrupt the press conference. Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face turned frosty as he glanced at Lu Ya, who silently slipped away. Jian Yue¡¯s young heart was shattered, ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t you remember? Four years ago, you forced yourself on an eighteen-year-old girl, and that girl is my Mommy. After that night, my Mommy got pregnant! And then she gave birth to me.¡± With that, she produced a button, ¡°This button was left by you, it has the unique pattern that only you use.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s mouth twitched uncontrollably, ¡°Whether it¡¯s my seed or not, a DNA test will tell!¡± He paused, then coldly ordered, ¡°Security, take her away.¡± Unfortunately, what met his demand was complete silence. Just then, Lu Ya returned and whispered to Lu Youting, ¡°The security guards outside have been knocked out with electric shocks!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face could drip with gloom. ¡°Wow...¡± Jian Yue cried out loud, not giving any face as she wept bitterly, ¡°You are nothing but a scoundrel who abandons others after seducing them! It¡¯s in vain that my Mommy thinks of you every day! After you slept with her, you promised to marry her with your own words, but it¡¯s been four years, not only have you not come, you are now getting married to Ye Qingqing! How could you do this to my Mommy? If you didn¡¯t like her, why did you touch her in the first place? Wuu wuu, my Mommy is really pitiful, to have met a scoundrel like you.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s temples throbbed as he stood up and walked toward Jian Yue, attempting to take her hand. The moment his hand touched her arm, Jian Yue suddenly screamed and fell to the ground, covering her arm, ¡°Wuu wuu, Daddy, why would you hit me? I love you so much and just want to acknowledge each other, why would you hit me?¡± Lu Youting stared at his hand frozen in mid-air. If he didn¡¯t know for sure that he had only lightly touched her, he would have doubted whether he had really hit her. The little girl¡¯s acting was just too good. Jian Yue sat on the ground, clutching at his trouser leg and pleading, ¡°Daddy, my Mommy has a terminal illness and doesn¡¯t have many days to live! Her biggest wish in life is to marry you! Since she can¡¯t be your wife, could you at least go and see her? As long as you are willing to see her one last time, even if you don¡¯t acknowledge me, it doesn¡¯t matter. My aunt and uncle promised to take care of me! I know it¡¯s for my Mommy¡¯s inheritance that they are looking after me! Even if they are not nice to me, even if they occasionally abuse me, it¡¯s okay as long as I can survive!¡± Her voice was filled with heart-rending sorrow. She was the very image of a child abandoned by the world. It was a story to make anyone listening sad and tearful. If Lu Youting hadn¡¯t been aware that she was acting, he might have believed her. Those around them reddened their eyes at her tragic story, and although they dared not speak out, they silently cursed Lu Youting as a scoundrel in their hearts. People naturally sympathize with the underdog. Especially when it¡¯s such a lovable little girl. Lu Youting was at a loss for words, his deep eyes turbulent with anger like a provoked lion. ¡°I, Lu Youting, am not an irresponsible person. Since you claim to be my daughter, I will have a doctor come and draw blood right now for a DNA test on the spot. If you truly are my daughter, I will fulfill my duties as a father.¡± Jian Yue did not bite, her eyes brimming with tears, ¡°I know that Daddy still doesn¡¯t believe me! Therefore, I brought evidence with me today!¡± As her voice fell, the big screen behind Lu Youting suddenly switched to a dark corridor, with a drunk Lu Youting staggering as he walked. When a female attendant walked past him, he grabbed her hand and dragged her into a guest room. The footage was clear. Both Lu Youting and the female attendant¡¯s faces were clearly visible. After about an hour, the attendant ran out of the room, clothes disheveled and body covered in bruises of various sizes. The time stamp at the bottom of the video showed the date. It was January 10, four years ago. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits, and his face instantly darkened¡ªa devil incarnate. Had he not been certain that Jian Si was the only woman he had ever touched, he might have genuinely believed the man in the surveillance footage was himself. A little girl? A video with a replaced face? Such meticulous planning clearly indicated premeditation. Who had the ability to frame him right under his nose? Jian Yue clung to Lu Youting¡¯s legs, pleading desperately, ¡°Daddy, you believe me now, right? My birthday is September 28th! I really am your daughter! Please, go see Mommy! She¡¯s really not doing well.¡± The press conference was being broadcast live. Quickly, this interlude spread online. After checking the rooms, Jian Si was writing a prescription when a female doctor said excitedly, ¡°Hurry up and check your phone, Director Lu is trending! As expected, every wealthy family has its dirty secrets.¡± Today was the Lu Family¡¯s new film launch event. Jian Si thought it was the product that was trending, so she paid no attention and continued writing prescriptions. Until¡ª ¡°This poor little girl, to bear such hardships at her young age¡ªtroubles she should never have to face at this age.¡± ¡°I always thought Director Lu was a responsible and devoted good man, but I was totally wrong. First an affair with Ye Qingqing, and now philandering to father an illegitimate child, he truly is a scumbag indeed!¡± ¡°Good heavens, an illegitimate child! Director Lu actually has an illegitimate child? The young master of Lu Family now has a sister!¡± Hearing the words ¡®illegitimate child¡¯, Jian Si¡¯s typing fingers trembled; she thought Jian Yue¡¯s identity had been discovered, and she hastily took out her phone to open the trending topics. There was a full version of the video online. After watching the full version, Jian Si¡¯s face turned as colorful as a spilled palette of paint. It seemed that Chenbao and Yueyue were beginning to get mischievous! To think they had done such a thing behind her back. She never knew they were so capable of fabricating stories; if made into a TV drama, it would be a classic melodramatic saga of the rich and powerful. Someone suddenly said, ¡°Do you think Professor Ye knows about this? She is Director Lu¡¯s fiance?e, after all. If she finds out that Director Lu has another child, what will she do?¡± The office fell into sudden silence. Everyone looked at one another, then all eyes turned to Jian Si. Suddenly the center of attention, Jian Si smiled slightly, feigning composure, ¡°Don¡¯t look at me, we are already divorced! His affairs are none of my business.¡± Everyone immediately felt relieved for her. ¡°Professor Jian, you did the right thing divorcing such a scumbag! Everyone knows about two women, but who knows how many more there are in secret?¡± ¡°Exactly! Look at what he did to the mother of that little girl! She wasted the prime years of her life because of him.¡± ¡°That little girl is so pitiful, what will she do in the future!¡± Jian Si¡¯s smile twitched involuntarily as she excused herself to leave, then went to the stairwell to call Jian Sichen. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off, please try again later.¡± Jian Si burst into laughter out of sheer frustration. Great! Just great! No beating for three days and they think they can climb to the roof to strip the tiles! Telling them to stay away from Lu Youting, they go running to his doorstep instead. Tonight, she would have to discipline them thoroughly. Chapter 44 - 44 44 Test DNA ?44: Chapter 44 Test DNA 44: Chapter 44 Test DNA Meanwhile, the Lu Family and Ye Qingqing had also learned of this matter right away. Ye Qingqing¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°An illegitimate daughter, another illegitimate daughter popped out! One Lu Yanbai is not enough, and now another...¡± Even more tragic was that this illegitimate daughter was born during her engagement period with Lu Youting. For five years, Lu Youting had never touched her, their most intimate behavior limited to holding hands. Yet, he was able to have a child with another woman. Xu Jiaorong hurried to comfort her, ¡°Qingqing, don¡¯t be angry! There must be some misunderstanding! Although I don¡¯t have much contact with Lu Youting, I still believe he¡¯s not the kind of man who messes around.¡± Ye Qingqing passed her phone to Xu Jiaorong, ¡°Misunderstanding? How could it be a misunderstanding! Look at this little girl¡¯s face, doesn¡¯t she resemble him quite a bit?¡± Xu Jiaorong looked closely and her eyes widened immediately. ¡°It really does look a bit like him...¡± It was just that the little girl¡¯s cheeks were chubby, and without carefully comparing her photo alongside Lu Youting¡¯s, it was hard to see the resemblance. Even her mother saying so, Ye Qingqing became even more convinced that it was no misunderstanding, and she gritted her teeth, ¡°What do I lack compared to those women outside? Why would he rather have an unidentified wild woman bear his child than touch me?¡± Xu Jiaorong sighed, offering consolation, ¡°It has come to this, you can only accept it! Once that little abomination is brought back home, we¡¯ll have plenty of ways to deal with her. Lu Yanbai¡¯s health is already ruined by us, I believe he won¡¯t live long.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s expression turned ferocious, a murderous intent swirling in her eyes. ¡°Good, she is still young, it will be easy to kill her! It¡¯s better than letting her grow up and come back to acknowledge her ancestry! I want her to enter the Lu Family alive but leave without a life.¡± Everyone who competes with her must die¡ª Lu Family Mansion. Family Head Lu Yandong had been unwell recently and was resting at home. When Bai Shuyan saw the trending post about Lu Youting¡¯s illegitimate daughter, she immediately informed Lu Yandong. ¡°Master, Master, look, Youting apparently has an illegitimate daughter.¡± Lu Yandong knew Lu Youting too well, he subconsciously denied it on hearing this news, ¡°Over the years, which wealthy family hasn¡¯t had illegitimate children claim relation, and how many were real? Those people are desperate to latch onto a wealthy family. You don¡¯t need to bother about it.¡± Bai Shuyan said displeased, ¡°Master, I think it¡¯s real! Don¡¯t believe me? Look, someone did a precise comparison of Youting and the little girl¡¯s photos, their facial features are very similar.¡± Lu Yandong remained skeptical, ¡°People can look alike, that¡¯s normal.¡± Unconvinced, Bai Shuyan thrust the phone into Lu Yandong¡¯s arms, ¡°Just look for yourself!¡± Helplessly taking the phone, Lu Yandong¡¯s expression tightened upon seeing the photos. ¡°This...¡± Bai Shuyan scoffed, ¡°See, isn¡¯t the resemblance uncanny?¡± Lu Yandong frowned, rummaged through the house, found a photo album from a drawer, and pulled out a photograph, ¡°Look, doesn¡¯t she resemble Xiangxiang even more?¡± Lu Xiangxiang was his daughter from his previous marriage. After the divorce, his ex-wife took their daughter and left the country, disappearing without a trace. For twenty years, he had been searching for this daughter, but to no avail. Startled, Bai Shuyan¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Really! Her eyes and nose do resemble Xiangxiang¡¯s even more. Niece like aunt, could she truly not be Youting¡¯s illegitimate daughter?¡± ¡°Before anything is confirmed, refrain from making rash judgments!¡± Lu Yandong said sternly. Bai Shuyan, with a hint of deeper meaning, said, ¡°Well, we must figure this out! If she is truly a Lu, we cannot let her wander in the outside world.¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Lu Yandong nodded in agreement. ¡°Luckily, the old Family Head and his Lady went abroad for vacation, otherwise they would have definitely been angered to death by Youting,¡± Bai Shuyan secretly rejoiced, her eyes unable to hide her delight, wishing the whole situation would blow up even more. It was known that the two old folks only acknowledged Jian Si as their granddaughter-in-law. If they had known that Lu Youting had fathered an illegitimate daughter with another woman, they would have definitely been enraged to death. Lu Yandong immediately said, ¡°Let¡¯s not tell them yet! I will find time to talk to Youting.¡± ¡°...?? Oh!¡± Bai Shuyan reluctantly agreed, her mind¡¯s gears noisily turning with calculations. At Jiangcheng Hotel, the farce continued. Lu Youting, looking at the room full of reporters, had his stern facial expression suddenly soften, bending down to pick up Jian Yue from the floor, gently tucking her stray hairs behind her ears. ¡°I now believe you are my daughter! Hurry and take me to see your mommy, I want to meet her.¡± Jian Yue, wiping her tears, said, ¡°I am called Yueyue, ¡®Yue¡¯ as in the moon.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips curved slightly, addressing everyone, ¡°You all come with me, and after you meet her mother, I will reintegrate Yueyue into the Lu Family to execute the rites; you all will help witness it!¡± Jian Yue paused for a moment, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes before she quickly regained her composure. ¡°Mommy is very sick, the doctor said, it¡¯s not good for too many people to visit! Daddy and I going is enough!¡± Afraid that Lu Youting wouldn¡¯t believe her, she started crying again, ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m telling the truth! If Doctor Uncle finds out I brought so many people to see Mommy, he will scold me.¡± Seeing her so pitiful, everyone chimed in, ¡°Director Lu, the patient needs to rest; indeed, it¡¯s not suitable for too many people to go. We won¡¯t go, you just take your daughter!¡± Before leaving, they didn¡¯t forget to add a line, ¡°We will keep following up, making sure to deliver a satisfactory result to the public.¡± A glaring threat. Lu Youting laughed angrily, a faked smile on his face as he looked at the little girl in his arms, fury boiling up inside him. The press conference ended inconclusively. The reporters left in an orderly fashion. Lu Youting, grinding his teeth near Jian Yue¡¯s ear, said, ¡°You better pray for a miracle, otherwise... I will make sure you and those behind you won¡¯t see tomorrow¡¯s sun.¡± Jian Yue, eyes barely open, saw the reporters were gone and couldn¡¯t be bothered to pretend anymore, looping her arms around Lu Youting¡¯s neck, her eyes curving into crescents, innocence radiating, ¡°Daddy, what are you saying? I didn¡¯t understand?¡± Lu Youting, with a cold smile, his voice as chilling as ice, said, ¡°You¡¯re smart, aren¡¯t you?¡± Jian Yue¡¯s watery, bright eyes shimmered, ¡°Thanks for the compliment, Daddy. I think I¡¯m very smart too, but Mommy always says I¡¯m dumb.¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting, unable to tell if she genuinely didn¡¯t understand or was pretending to not understand just to irritate him, said to Lu Ya, ¡°Arrange for a doctor, let¡¯s do the DNA test now.¡± Although he was certain he didn¡¯t have an illegitimate daughter. Yet, to prove his innocence, a DNA test was the most advantageous method. Lu Ya left early to make arrangements. Lu Youting held Jian Yue tightly, his laugh cold, ¡°Don¡¯t think about escaping; you can¡¯t run away!¡± Jian Yue, wrapping her arms around his neck, smiled purely, ¡°Yueyue loves Daddy the most. Over these years, my biggest wish has been to reunite with Daddy; I won¡¯t run away.¡± ¡°Heh...¡± Lu Youting gently pinched her nose tip, scoffed lightly, ¡°I almost believed you.¡± ¡°Daddy, why don¡¯t you believe me? I have a very fragile heart, it will hurt,¡± Jian Yue coquettishly snuggled into his embrace, continuously rubbing against him. A warmth unexpectedly softened the area around Lu Youting¡¯s heart, an indescribable warmth. He was shocked by his own spontaneous thoughts, looking as frightened and startled as if he had seen a ghost. Chapter 45 - 45 45 Brother, Save Me Quickly ?45: Chapter 45 Brother, Save Me Quickly 45: Chapter 45 Brother, Save Me Quickly Jian Yue leaned her head against Lu Youting¡¯s shoulder, speaking of her longing for him over these past few years. ¡°Daddy, do you know how much I¡¯ve longed to acknowledge you these past few years? Even though you¡¯re scum for hurting Mommy, your blood still runs through my veins and I do have feelings for you.¡± ¡°Heh, should I be thankful for that?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s mouth twitched. As if not hearing the sarcasm in his words, Jian Yue held her chin high, ¡°Of course, you should. Look how generous I am, not holding it against you!¡± ¡°...¡± Watching her quirky little demeanor, a feeling of unforeseen affection emerged in Lu Youting, finding her strangely adorable. Just then, the whispering voice of Jian Si Chen came through the tiny earpiece hidden in Jian Yue¡¯s ear. ¡°Plan accomplished. Daddy¡¯s press conference has been successfully sabotaged, proceed with the escape plan.¡± Jian Yue gently tapped her ear on the outside, signaling a response. Lu Youting carried Jian Yue out of the conference hall. Suddenly, Jian Yue clutched her stomach in pain, ¡°Daddy, my stomach hurts. I need to go to the bathroom.¡± Lu Youting seemed to have predicted she would pull a stunt like this and cunningly smiled, ¡°Hold it in, I¡¯ll take you.¡± With that, he took Jian Yue into the VIP elevator. Jian Yue was momentarily stunned, ¡°Daddy, there¡¯s a bathroom on this floor. We don¡¯t need to go far.¡± Lu Youting just smiled and kept silent. A foreboding feeling rose in Jian Yue¡¯s heart. Jian Si Chen also sensed something wrong and hurriedly asked, ¡°Yueyue, where is he taking you? The elevator keeps going up.¡± ¡°Five, ten, fourteen, twenty...¡± As Jian Yue watched the elevator numbers jumping constantly, she felt anxious but dared not show it, forcing herself to ask calmly, ¡°Daddy, where are you taking me?¡± Lu Youting smiled harmlessly, ¡°Naturally, I¡¯m taking you to the bathroom.¡± ¡°...?? Do we need to go upstairs for the bathroom?¡± Jian Yue forced out a smile uglier than crying. ¡°You¡¯re my daughter. I can¡¯t possibly let you go to a public restroom! Daddy has a presidential suite on the top floor, I¡¯ll take you there.¡± Jian Yue felt in trouble, ¡°No, no need to go through so much trouble! I¡¯m not that fussy.¡± ¡°I am.¡± With that, the elevator ¡®dinged¡¯ and the door opened. Lu Youting opened the presidential suite, casually closed the door behind them, and put Jian Yue down, ¡°Alright, go to the bathroom. I¡¯ll wait here for you.¡± Jian Yue¡¯s face instantly fell, looking on the verge of tears. Catching her change of expression, Lu Youting wickedly raised the corners of his mouth, ¡°Since you dared sabotage the new product launch, you must be ready to face the consequences. If you tell me now who put you up to this, I might be lenient. Otherwise...¡± As he spoke, the smile on his lips grew colder. Jian Yue was frightened by his demeanor but, not wanting to show weakness, puffed out her little chest and said: ¡°I knew you were just a scum who abandons after using! If you didn¡¯t want to acknowledge me, just say so. There¡¯s no need for all these schemes. I¡¯m leaving...¡± She lambasted him, hands on hips, and tried to seize the chance to escape. Just as she reached the door, Lu Youting blocked her, ¡°You think you can just walk away after disrupting my event? Today, you either tell me who sent you or we¡¯ll do a DNA test.¡± Jian Yue was clearly terrified but maintained her facade of calm, ¡°Who said I wanted to run away! I need to go to the bathroom. Where is it?¡± Lu Youting laughed meaningfully and pointed towards the bathroom. ¡°Hmph!¡± Jian Yue snorted proudly and marched to the restroom with her head held high. The moment she entered the bathroom, her feigned composure quickly crumbled, her legs went weak, and she slid down to sit on the floor leaning against the door. ¡°Brother, what do I do if I can¡¯t escape? If we do a DNA test, my identity will be revealed.¡± Jian Si Chen, who had a clear understanding of their situation through the miniature earpiece, immediately reassured her, ¡°You did well just now. Don¡¯t panic, I¡¯ll save you.¡± Jian Yue worriedly said, ¡°How will you save me? Should we go to Mommy?¡± Jian Si Chen quickly dismissed her suggestion, ¡°We can¡¯t go to Mommy! Daddy is too cunning and crafty. If you appear together with Mommy, he¡¯ll definitely figure out your identity! Trust me, I have a plan.¡± Yueyue was a miraculous existence; she only resembled Mommy by a small fraction. Apart from each other, the mother-daughter relationship wasn¡¯t apparent. But as soon as they were together, the resemblance was unmistakable. It was precisely for this reason that he had confidently let Jian Yue cause a scene at the launch, taking revenge for Mommy. Knowing her brother was extraordinarily intelligent and seeing his confidence, Jian Yue finally felt a weight lifted off her shoulders, gaining the courage to face Daddy again. Lu Youting sat leisurely on the sofa, his smile wavering as he watched Jian Yue come out of the restroom, ¡°Well? Have you decided which option to choose?¡± Jian Yue blinked her innocent, harmless eyes and said naively, ¡°Daddy, what are you talking about? Aren¡¯t we going to do a DNA test now? Let¡¯s go!¡± Lu Youting raised his eyebrows in surprise, beginning to admire the little girl¡¯s unexpected calmness. To prevent her from having a chance to escape, Lu Youting once again held her in his arms and took the VIP elevator straight down to the hotel lobby on the first floor. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, a small figure pounced on him. ¡°Daddy, I¡¯ve missed you so much...¡± Lu Youting focused his gaze and found, to his astonishment, that it was Lu Yanbai. Without hesitation, he put Jian Yue down on the ground and nervously picked up Lu Yanbai. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Shouldn¡¯t you be at the hospital right now? Where¡¯s Mommy?¡± Jian Sichen hugged his neck and winked furiously at Jian Yue behind him, signaling her to run away quickly. Receiving his cue, Jian Yue retreated step by step. Seeing that Lu Youting hadn¡¯t noticed, she took a bold turn and ran. Her small figure was swiftly swallowed by the bustling crowd. Watching Jian Yue make her successful escape, Jian Sichen secretly sighed with relief. ¡°Daddy, I knew you had a microchip launch event today, so I wanted to come and cheer you on. I¡¯ve been looking for so long, did I miss it?¡± Lu Youting stroked his small face with joy. ¡°Daddy¡¯s very happy you could come! But the launch event has already ended. I¡¯ll take you to the hospital.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jian Sichen nodded vigorously. As Lu Youting carried Jian Sichen and turned around to fetch Jian Yue, he realized, when he looked back, that her figure was nowhere to be seen. He squinted his eyes, letting out a light laugh. Half in sarcasm, half in resignation. Despite all precautions, that little rascal had still managed to escape. Holding Jian Sichen with one hand, Lu Youting made a call to Lu Ya with the other. ¡°Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, I want that little girl who disrupted the launch event found! Keep all surveillance related to her!¡± Jian Sichen listened intently with his ears perked up. After Lu Youting finished his call, Jian Sichen feigned confusion and asked, ¡°Daddy, who¡¯s the little girl you mentioned? Do I know her?¡± Lu Youting rubbed his little head and chuckled, ¡°You don¡¯t know her! You¡¯re still young, and the priority is to get well. Daddy will handle the rest.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Jian Sichen nodded obediently and cuddled affectionately in his arms. Holding the young boy tightly in his arms, Lu Youting experienced an indescribable feeling, sensing that he was somehow different from that morning, yet he couldn¡¯t pinpoint exactly how. Upon arriving at the hospital, Jian Sichen considerately said, ¡°Daddy, you must be very busy today, so you don¡¯t need to escort me up. Let Mommy come down to get me.¡± Lu Youting decisively refused, ¡°No, I have to take you up personally. What if you run out again?¡± Jian Sichen pouted, dissatisfied. ¡°Daddy, I¡¯m already four years old, not a three-year-old child. I can take care of myself. You have to trust me.¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting wanted to tell him that there wasn¡¯t much difference between three and four years old; both were still children. But, seeing his bright eyes, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to disappoint him. After pondering for a moment, he took out his phone and called Jian Si. As soon as Jian Si saw the incoming call from Lu Youting, she shuddered in alarm, nearly dropping her phone to the floor. ¡°What, what is it?¡± Despite trying to maintain her composure, her voice still betrayed a hint of unease. With an impassive face, Lu Youting said, ¡°I¡¯m at the entrance of the inpatient department. Come down and take Xiao Bai up.¡± Standing outside the ward, Jian Si glanced at Lu Yanbai who was receiving an IV, confused for a moment. ¡°Xiao Bai? Isn¡¯t he...¡± Eavesdropping with his ears up the whole time, Jian Sichen quickly grabbed the phone and crisply called out, ¡°Mommy...¡± Jian Si felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and after a long moment, she finally regained her voice, tentatively asking, ¡°You, you¡¯re Chen...¡± Jian Sichen replied cheerfully, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Xiao Bai.¡± Emphasizing the words ¡°Xiao Bai¡± heavily, the hint was clear. Her suspicions confirmed, Jian Si closed her eyes in despair. ¡°Stay with Daddy downstairs, I¡¯ll come down right away!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Jian Sichen obediently agreed, cutting off the call before Lu Youting had a chance to speak. Lu Youting watched Jian Sichen with an examining gaze, his eyes that could see through everything carrying a hint of suspicion. If not for that face, he might have suspected that this son of his might be an imposter. The contrast in personality was a bit too great. Chapter 46 - 46 46 There Are Actually Two Xiao Bai ?46: Chapter 46: There Are Actually Two Xiao Bai 46: Chapter 46: There Are Actually Two Xiao Bai Jian Si shot over like a rocket and arrived very quickly. Seeing Jian Sichen sitting in Lu Youting¡¯s arms, the flames of anger surged up inside her. Jian Sichen knew he had done something wrong and, trying to win favor, flashed her a sweet smile, calling out, ¡°Mommy!¡± ¡°Ha...¡± A laugh burst forth from extreme anger, and Jian Si¡¯s face darkened remarkably as she forced out a question through gritted teeth, ¡°How come you¡¯re with Daddy, huh?¡± Sensing her fury, Jian Sichen quickly jumped out of the car and tightly hugged her legs, rubbing his little head against them. ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m sorry, I knew today was Daddy¡¯s new product launch, so I wanted to go and cheer for him. I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t agree, so I sneaked out.¡± Jian Si immediately detected the hidden meaning in his words. Her brow twitched as she struggled to contain her anger and forced a smile on her face. ¡°Don¡¯t run around next time. If you run off again, I¡¯ll break your legs!¡± Her words made Lu Youting frown in displeasure. ¡°He definitely did something wrong, but are you without fault? Didn¡¯t you agree to take good care of Xiao Bai? He¡¯s been out of the hospital for so long without you noticing. How do you fulfill your role as his mommy?¡± Jian Si felt a lump in her chest, choked with indescribable frustration. She certainly couldn¡¯t tell Lu Youting that this wasn¡¯t Lu Yanbai, could she? Jian Sichen disliked Lu Youting bullying Jian Si and immediately moved behind her to protect her, warning, ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t you dare bully my mommy. If you bully Mommy again, I won¡¯t like you anymore!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face darkened instantly, and although he felt a sour sting in his heart, he refrained from lashing out because of Jian Sichen¡¯s presence, saying to Jian Si resignedly, ¡°Take good care of him, I have to go back to the company for a while.¡± ¡°Sure! Go ahead,¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t wait for Lu Youting to leave, her tone urgent. ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting gritted his molars in anger, shooting her a fierce glare before getting into his car and driving away. As soon as Lu Youting left, Jian Si wasted no time in twisting Jian Sichen¡¯s ear, demanding, ¡°Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do? And bringing your sister along for such nonsense? What if Daddy really took your sister to get a DNA test, huh? What would you do then?¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s ear throbbed with pain from the twisting, and he cried out, ¡°Mommy, it hurts, it hurts... my ear feels like it¡¯s coming off...¡± Jian Si, still not rid of her anger, retorted, ¡°Would you learn your lesson if it didn¡¯t hurt?¡± ¡°Ha ha...¡± Jian Sichen laughed sheepishly, ¡°Mommy, my sister and I went to take revenge for you! Since I let sister go, I was confident she would get away unscathed. Look, didn¡¯t my sister and I escape successfully?¡± The sharp pain in Jian Si¡¯s heart intensified. She wanted to scold them harshly, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it and let go of his ear. ¡°Your daddy didn¡¯t bully me, I haven¡¯t been wronged, and we don¡¯t need you and your sister to take revenge for me! All I want is for you and Yueyue to stay safe and sound by my side. Mommy has already lost Xiao Bai, can¡¯t afford to lose you and Yueyyue too, do you understand?¡± Looking at his mother¡¯s reddening eyes, Jian Sichen felt a surge of guilt well up inside him; he bowed his head in self-reproach and said, ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t lead Yueyue into mischief anymore, please don¡¯t be angry! No matter what happens, my sister and I will never leave you.¡± Jian Si crouched down, her heart aching as she pulled him into her embrace, her palm gently patting his back. ¡°Mommy isn¡¯t angry, Mommy is just worried about you both! I don¡¯t want you and Yueyue to get into any trouble.¡± Jian Sichen felt even more remorseful, ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t want him to be too hard on himself, took a deep breath, pushing back tears, and smiled reassuringly, ¡°Mommy knows you¡¯re a sensible and good kid! I¡¯ll call your godmother to come pick you up and take you home.¡± Jian Sichen initially wanted to go back on his own but didn¡¯t want Jian Si to worry, so he nodded in agreement. Jiangcheng Hotel wasn¡¯t far from here, just about a ten-minute drive. Jian Si held Jian Sichen¡¯s hand as they waited for her in the parking lot. Little did they know, Lin Xinyu happened to see this scene from not too far away. Sitting in her car, Lin Xinyu was full of disbelief, thinking she must have seen wrong and rubbed her eyes repeatedly. When she had gone downstairs earlier, she definitely saw the Lu Family¡¯s Crown Prince in the hospital room. How could there be another one down here? Was she mistaken, or was there another secret? Lin Xinyu furrowed her brows and, after pondering for a while, she opened the door, got out of the car, and silently left the parking lot, returning to the inpatient department as if nothing had happened. She arrived at Lu Yanbai¡¯s hospital room entrance. When she saw Lu Yanbai, lying in bed attached to an IV drip, her pupils trembled violently, and her mind roared. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. There really were two Crown Princes. What in the world was going on? No, she had to tell her master about this immediately¡ª Meanwhile. Su Wan, accompanied by Jian Yue, arrived at the hospital¡¯s parking lot. The three of them dared not linger; Jian Si instructed Su Wan to take good care of Jian Sichen and Jian Yue, and then urged them to leave quickly. When they left the parking lot, a champagne-colored BMW passed by them. She frowned slightly, feeling that the BMW looked familiar. It seemed to be Ye Qingqing¡¯s disciple, Lin Xinyu¡¯s car. Could it be that she had been here the entire time? With this thought, Jian Si immediately took out her phone and called Jian Sichen. ¡°Chenbao, when you get back, hack into the car park¡¯s surveillance and check if Lin Xinyu was here just now. I suspect she might have seen you...¡± ¡°Got it! I¡¯m on it right away!¡± Ending the call, Jian Sichen took out his laptop and started working on it with rapid keystrokes. He first erased Jian Yue¡¯s image from the hotel surveillance footage and then hacked the hospital¡¯s parking lot surveillance to meticulously search for Lin Xinyu. Just as he suspected. About three or four cars away from them was a champagne-colored BMW. He remembered the license plate number; it was the same car that had been captured on a dashcam with Ye Qingqing and her Mommy last time. The car owner was indeed Lin Xinyu. Next, the car door opened, and Lin Xinyu slinked out, sneaking away. Jian Sichen immediately switched the surveillance angle and saw Lin Xinyu clearly entering the inpatient building. He had a hunch and immediately hacked into the floor where Lu Yanbai was located. As expected, after leaving the parking lot, Lin Xinyu really did go to the outside of Lu Yanbai¡¯s hospital room and stood there for a long time. With his suspicions confirmed, Jian Sichen¡¯s delicate and thin lips curled into a cold smirk, ¡°Really persistent in her scheming, trying by all means to harm Mommy.¡± Jian Yue picked up on the underlying meaning of his words, fearing that Jian Si was in trouble again, and hastily asked, ¡°Brother, is someone trying to hurt Mommy again?¡± Jian Sichen patted her little head to comfort her, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll protect Mommy, and nothing will happen to her.¡± Jian Yue was well aware of her brother¡¯s capabilities. Since her brother said he could protect Mommy, then he surely would. On the other hand. After leaving the hospital, Lin Xinyu went straight to the Jian Family home. Before going to the Jians¡¯, she briefly informed Ye Qingqing of the situation. Ye Qingqing was already waiting for her on the first floor, early on. Seeing her finally arrive, she immediately asked, unable to wait, ¡°Is it true what you said on the phone? Are there really two Lu Yanbais?¡± Lin Xinyu assured confidently, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m certain, there really are two Lu Yanbais! If you don¡¯t believe me, look at the photo I took...¡± Saying so, she took out her phone and flipped to the photo she had snapped earlier¡ª Chapter 47 - 47 47 Jian Si Actually Gave Birth to Twins ?47: Chapter 47: Jian Si Actually Gave Birth to Twins 47: Chapter 47: Jian Si Actually Gave Birth to Twins Ye Qingqing¡¯s face grew intensely grim after she finished looking at the photos. ¡°Are you sure these are two different people? Not just one?¡± Aside from their clothes, they really looked exactly alike. Fearing she wouldn¡¯t believe it, Lin Xinyu immediately swore, ¡°Everything I¡¯m telling you is true! I was about to bring you some materials when I arrived at the parking lot and saw Jian Si meeting with Director Lu. I was afraid they would do something to betray you, so I decided to keep an eye out for you. But instead, I unexpectedly discovered another Crown Prince of the Lu Family. When I went downstairs, I clearly saw the Crown Prince in the hospital room, but then he came out of Director Lu¡¯s car. There¡¯s definitely something wrong here.¡± Ye Qingqing narrowed her eyes, a hint of venom flashing through them. ¡°So you¡¯re saying, Jian Si didn¡¯t give birth to just one child but twins?¡± If that were the case, wouldn¡¯t she have yet another stumbling block in her way? Lin Xinyu suggested to her, ¡°Master, should we tell Director Lu about this? If Director Lu knows she secretly hid a child, he will surely be furious.¡± Ye Qingqing gave her a disparaging look. ¡°Idiot, if Lu Youting comes to know he has another son, wouldn¡¯t my status in his eyes become even less significant! Even if he blames Jian Si, it will only be temporary. With two sons to speak for her, Lu Youting will sooner or later forgive her.¡± No, she couldn¡¯t let this happen. Lin Xinyu asked unwillingly, ¡°Then what should we do? Do nothing about such a good opportunity? Jian Si is the one who got you suspended by Director Lu.¡± Ye Qingqing laughed, her laugh sinister and terrifying. ¡°Do something, how could we not! It¡¯s just not the right time yet. Last time, I was too eager to take down Jian Si and ended up losing to her. This time, I absolutely cannot lose. If I¡¯m going to act, I must strike accurately, to ensure she never has a chance to recover.¡± She couldn¡¯t make a move too early and startle the snake. Lin Xinyu excitedly asked, ¡°Then when will it be the right time?¡± Ye Qingqing took out a check and handed it to her, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t ask about things that are not your concern! Keep an eye on Jian Si for me! Report to me immediately if there¡¯s any slightest movement.¡± Seeing the check, Lin Xinyu¡¯s eyes instantly gleamed. ¡°Master, rest assured, I will keep a close watch on Jian Si for you and report back to you immediately at any sign of trouble.¡± Ye Qingqing nodded, satisfied. The two talked a bit more about the latest hospital situations before Lin Xinyu left. ... Lu Group. CEO¡¯s office. Lu Ya stood with his head bowed, reporting the situation to Lu Youting with extreme respect. ¡°Because of the trouble caused by that little girl, the new product launch was forced to a stop, and the company¡¯s reputation, as well as your personal reputation, has been affected, causing the company¡¯s stock to fall by twenty points.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s lips thinned, his face as cold as an ice sculpture. ¡°Have you found out her identity?¡± Lu Ya shook his head, ¡°Immediately after receiving your call, I went to retrieve the surveillance footage from Jiangcheng Hotel, but I couldn¡¯t find any trace of Yueyue.¡± If he hadn¡¯t seen it with his own eyes, he would¡¯ve doubted the earlier commotion was nothing but a dream. Lu Youting raised an eyebrow, ¡°Not a single trace?¡± Lu Ya nodded, ¡°Yes! Not a single trace! We couldn¡¯t even find her in the surveillance footage of the event venue. I contacted several media outlets who were there to cover it, and all traces related to the little girl disappeared from their materials as well. The same happened with all online traces. Everything vanished as if she had never appeared.¡± The atmosphere in the office abruptly dropped to freezing point. Lu Youting¡¯s pitch-black, deep eyes were locked tightly onto Lu Ya, his exquisite lips curving into a slight, cold chuckle, yet his voice was imbued with icy coldness, daunting and severe. ¡°Good, very good!¡± Lu Ya knew this was a precursor to his boss¡¯s anger and immediately felt the hair on his body stand on end. ¡°Boss, I... I suspect it was ¡®C¡¯!¡± Frost seemed to spread across Lu Youting¡¯s entire face, as if he was Satan emerging from the darkness. ¡°Who else could it be, if not him?¡± ¡°Who exactly is this ¡®C¡¯? Why is he constantly going against us? What is his motive?¡± Lu Ya was puzzled. ¡°Heh...¡± Lu Youting let out a cold laugh. Motive. He very much wanted to know the other party¡¯s motive too. If they were an enemy, it didn¡¯t seem quite right, as all the incidents were minor annoyances and hadn¡¯t caused him considerable loss. If not an enemy, then why target him at every turn? The adversary was too formidable; if truly an enemy, they would be the toughest one the Lu Group could face. ¡°Find a painter!¡± Lu Ya immediately understood his intention, ¡°You want to have her likeness drawn?¡± Lu Youting replied, ¡°As long as this person exists, she can¡¯t be untraceable.¡± ¡°I get it!¡± Lu Ya took out his cellphone and made a call to arrange things. Once the call ended, Lu Youting asked, ¡°Any progress over there?¡± Lu Ya knew what he was asking about and quickly responded, ¡°I was just about to report to you!¡± As he spoke, he laid the materials in his hand in front of Lu Youting. ¡°There have been no financial transactions in her recent account, but her son¡¯s account receives a deposit of one million every month. I¡¯ve investigated the transferring account¡ªit¡¯s an overseas account, and their identity is still unknown.¡± Lu Youting narrowed his eyes, ¡°Keep investigating!¡± Lu Ya left, having received his orders. Lu Youting¡¯s slender fingers tapped the desk intermittently, his handsome face set in a grim expression, his gaze contemplative as he looked straight ahead. At that moment, the cellphone on the desk rang. It was a call from the old mansion. Lu Youting instinctively furrowed his brow and didn¡¯t hesitate to hang up. Undeterred, the other party called again. Lu Youting still hung up without hesitation. After several repetitions, the caller finally gave up and switched to texting. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the little girl. Bring her back to the old mansion as soon as you can. No matter who gave birth to her, she¡¯s of the Lu Family¡¯s blood; we absolutely can¡¯t let her fend for herself outside.¡± Of the Lu Family¡¯s blood? Heh... Lu Youting scoffed and locked his phone screen, leaving the message unanswered. Seeing no reply, several more messages followed in quick succession. When there was still no response, they finally relented. The day¡¯s unexpected events kept Lu Youting incredibly busy, and by the time he got home, it was late into the night. Lu Yanbai had already fallen asleep, and Jian Si sat beside him, engrossed in a medical book by the dim light, creating a scene of indescribable domestic warmth. Lu Youting stood there, stunned, momentarily lost in a trance. For an instant, he wished time could freeze at this very moment. Sensing his gaze, Jian Si asked without lifting her head, ¡°Why are you so late today?¡± Lu Youting sat on the other side of the bed, and with his sturdy hand, he gently stroked Xiao Bai¡¯s head, speaking softly to avoid waking him, ¡°The Lu Group¡¯s new film premiere, which had been half a year in preparation, encountered some issues; I stayed at the company to deal with them.¡± Hearing his words, Jian Si¡¯s hand hesitated mid-page turn, a flicker of guilt crossing the depths of her eyes. ¡°Did you sort it out?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a bit complicated; it might take a few more days.¡± As his voice trailed off, Lu Youting¡¯s stomach embarrassingly growled. Jian Si looked up at him, ¡°Haven¡¯t you eaten tonight?¡± Feeling somewhat sheepish under her gaze, Lu Youting lowered his head, avoiding her eyes, ¡°Too busy, I forgot!¡± Sigh. With a resigned sigh in her heart, Jian Si put down the medical book. ¡°What would you like to eat? I¡¯ll make something for you.¡± Lu Youting suddenly looked up, his expression incredulous as if he had seen a ghost. ¡°Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? Are you planning to poison my food?¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but laugh in exasperation and gave him a look, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m plotting to poison and kill you! Take it or leave it!¡± Her voice carried the faintest hint of playful reproach. Lu Youting¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his mind racing, he blurted out, ¡°I¡¯ll eat it. As long as it¡¯s made by you, even if it¡¯s poison, I¡¯ll still eat it.¡± As his words settled, the air around them grew conspicuously still. Jian Si¡¯s heart suddenly tightened, as if gripped by an invisible hand, waves of aching soreness seeping from within, coursing through her blood. Lu Youting¡¯s gaze darkened slightly, his heart uncontrollably giving a fierce thud. The surrounding temperature seemed to steadily rise¡ª Chapter 48 - 48 48 Jian Si Teasing Lu Youting ?48: Chapter 48 Jian Si Teasing Lu Youting 48: Chapter 48 Jian Si Teasing Lu Youting Jian Si tried to act calm as she looked at the medical book, but her mind was empty, and she couldn¡¯t make out a single word. The words he had just spoken kept echoing in her ears, and a flush of red quietly crept up her earlobes. Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips uncomfortably pursed as he tried to explain, ¡°I ...¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go make you something to eat!¡± Jian Si reacted violently, slamming the medical book onto the bedside table, leaping out of bed, and fleeing the room like she was escaping. Watching her hurriedly flee, Lu Youting frustratingly loosened his tie¡ª Elsewhere. Jian Si fled to the kitchen, touching her burning cheeks, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into. She had already buried this romance in the depths of her heart. Yet his unintentional words still easily stirred her emotions. Cursing herself for her weakness, Jian Si started preparing dinner for Lu Youting. Luckily, the fridge had everything needed, and in no time, she had whipped up a hot bowl of tomato and egg noodles, finally garnishing it with chopped green onions and splashing hot oil on top to bring out the fragrance of the onions. Jian Si was very pleased with her creation. Suddenly, Lu Youting¡¯s deep and raspy voice came from behind her. ¡°It smells delicious!¡± The sudden sound startled Jian Si, causing her to spin around sharply. Lu Youting wasn¡¯t wearing his pajamas, instead casually wrapped in a bathrobe that wasn¡¯t tied at the waist, revealing his tan, muscular skin glistening with droplets of water that trickled down his firm abs into forbidden territories. Jian Si¡¯s gaze followed one particular droplet all the way down, finally resting on that intimate area, and she gulped involuntarily, her mind wandering. Seeing her expression, Lu Youting felt immensely pleased, taking his time walking over, teasing her, ¡°Or perhaps, I should take off my clothes for you to see.¡± As he spoke, the smile on his lips deepened, his low voice carrying an indescribable suggestion. Jian Si¡¯s cheeks flushed red, annoyed, she pushed him, ¡°Shameless, who wants to see you!¡± Lu Youting took the opportunity to press her hand against his chest. ¡°Thump, thump, thump.¡± Through the thin skin, Jian Si could clearly feel his heart racing under her palm. She held her breath, not daring to move, the air inexplicably thinning, the atmosphere charged with intimacy. Her reaction made Lu Youting¡¯s throat tighten, feeling like a spark had been thrown into a pile of kindling, igniting a fierce flame. Sensing his change, Jian Si, frightened, was just about to speak when her chin was gently grasped, forcing her to lift her face, and the next moment, her lips were caught in his. Jian Si¡¯s heart jolted, instantly forgetting any response she might have had. His kiss was experienced and unrestrained, forceful and dominant, entwining her tongue, repeatedly stirring. Amidst their breaths, a faint fragrance pervaded, assaulting his senses, a strange sensation rising from his lower belly. Seeing her not resisting, Lu Youting grew bolder, his sturdy hand moving to her back, slowly sliding upward¡ª Jian Si suddenly felt her scalp tingle, her whole body going limp, her soft lips involuntarily puckering, dazedly and irresistibly responding to his kiss. Just when things were about to escalate beyond control. ¡°Clang!¡± A sound of a water glass hitting the floor came from the kitchen door. Jian Si abruptly woke up, instinctively pushing Lu Youting away, her face blushing furiously all the way to her ears. Their intimate moment was interrupted. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes turned bloodshot, as if murderous, he turned to look toward the kitchen doorway. Madam Xiang trembled all over, her legs going weak, she collapsed to the ground while she gathered the broken pieces, apologizing, ¡°Sir, Lady, I am so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to! I was just thirsty and wanted to drink some tea.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s forehead veins bulged, he took a deep breath to suppress his raging anger, and straightened up Jian Si¡¯s clothes, which he had disheveled. ¡°Let¡¯s continue later!¡± A gentle voice by her ear, like ethereal gossamer, was hazy and ambiguously emotional. Jian Si felt as if a feather were gently plucking the strings of her heart; her heartbeat quickened as though it might burst from her chest. Lu Youting chuckled softly and picked up his noodles to start eating at the dining table. Jian Si glared at him fiercely, then squatted down to help the housemaid pick up the broken pieces from the floor. The housemaid apologized repeatedly, ¡°Lady, I¡¯m sorry. I truly didn¡¯t do it on purpose. I didn¡¯t expect you and the master to still be in the kitchen this late.¡± Jian Si smiled and comforted her, ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± The housemaid, grateful, cleaned up the pieces and hurriedly left. At this moment, Jian Si¡¯s mind had cleared, and thinking of the kiss earlier, she almost wanted to slap herself and was about to leave as if escaping. ¡°Stay with me!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s voice was deep, sexy, hoarse, and covered with a layer of thrilling ambiguity. Jian Si almost couldn¡¯t move her feet. Fortunately, her reason prevailed over everything, and she ignored him and left. After returning to the room, Jian Si lay down next to Lu Yanbai, her back turned to the door, turned off the light, and went to sleep. However, her mind was full of the scene in the kitchen, devoid of any sleepiness. After tossing and turning in bed for a while, stable footsteps came from outside the door. Knowing it was Lu Youting coming upstairs, Jian Si immediately closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. The next moment, the door opened, and a shadow enveloped her, his piercing gaze seemingly trying to see through her. Jian Si¡¯s palms sweated with nervousness, her scalp tingled, and she almost stopped breathing. Just as she was about to break down, Lu Youting finally walked away. Before she could catch a breath of relief, the bed suddenly sank. The next second, a pair of arms was placed around her waist. Jian Si shivered all over, forgot she was pretending to sleep, and sat up abruptly, glaring angrily at Lu Youting, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Lu Youting looked innocent, ¡°Sleeping!¡± Jian Si¡¯s chest heaved violently with anger, ¡°Go sleep in your own room. Why are you sleeping next to me?¡± Lu Youting smiled innocently, ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise Xiao Bai that from now on, the three of us would sleep together every day?¡± Jian Si almost choked with rage. ¡°I did promise Xiao Bai, but when I said the three of us would sleep together, I didn¡¯t mean for you to sleep next to me, rather, like last night.¡± Lu Youting dismissed it, ¡°It¡¯s all the same!¡± Jian Si laughed out of anger. ¡°How is it the same? Director Lu, don¡¯t forget, you have a fiance?e! Aren¡¯t you afraid she¡¯ll be heartbroken if she finds out you¡¯re sleeping with another woman behind her back?¡± The warm atmosphere came to an abrupt stop. Chilliness crazily spread. Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face tensed, his icy eyes glaring at her. Feeling his gaze, Jian Si straightened up and plucked up the courage to say, ¡°Am I wrong? Even if you are angry, it doesn¡¯t change the fact that you have a fiance?e.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face darkened, and his fists cracked, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, what was earlier in the kitchen? Why did you make dinner for me?¡± Jian Si scoffed, ¡°Director Lu, aren¡¯t you too narcissistic? Making a dinner doesn¡¯t mean I like you. As the father of my child, I naturally hope you have a healthy body, which I do entirely for our son and nothing else.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes suddenly shrunk, flames flaring in his gaze as if to devour her. Jian Si¡¯s heart trembled, and she forced herself to crawl to the other side of the bed, turning her back on him. Chapter 49 - 49 49 Keep an Eye on Your Mommy for Me ?49: Chapter 49 Keep an Eye on Your Mommy for Me 49: Chapter 49 Keep an Eye on Your Mommy for Me At the same time, at Longjing Bay. Jian Sichen had been monitoring the trends online. After confirming that all the news about Jian Yue had been thoroughly erased, he relaxed and prepared to take a bath and go to bed. Su Wan said with a smirking smile, ¡°You¡¯re quite something, aren¡¯t you? A true master of concealment. You¡¯ve caused Lu Group¡¯s stock to drop by twenty points directly. Do you even understand what falling twenty points means?¡± Jian Sichen scoffed disdainfully, ¡°He got what he deserved; who asked him to bully Mommy?¡± ¡°He indeed deserves a lesson! Unfortunately, it¡¯s given his rival company, Nantian Group, a huge advantage! The president of Nantian Group is an even worse scoundrel than Lu Youting! It really irks me.¡± ¡°Nantian Group?¡± Jian Sichen frowned and immediately checked the stock price of Nantian Group. Indeed, following Lu Group¡¯s continuous decline, the stock price of Nantian Group had soared crazily. One look, and Jian Sichen knew that this rise in stock price was not normal. Clearly, someone had tampered with it. ¡°It seems that Nantian Group is ready to take this opportunity to rake in a big profit.¡± Su Wan pursed her lips, ¡°That¡¯s for sure! It¡¯s as if Nantian Group came out of nowhere; they burst onto the scene two years ago with ferocious development momentum, constantly opposing Lu Group at every turn. Unfortunately, Lu Group has always been more powerful, especially in the field of IC chip development, always keeping Nantian at bay. Today, with the issue at Lu Group¡¯s new product launch, they immediately announced they will hold a new product launch tomorrow. How is this different from taking advantage of someone¡¯s misfortune? What a despicable person.¡± Jian Sichen ¡°heh¡± laughed coldly, his face suddenly covered in frost, ¡°They think they can climb up by stepping on my worthless father. They wish! My daddy can only be bullied by me, no one else.¡± His words revealed overwhelming authority that didn¡¯t match his age. Even Su Wan was stunned by him. Jian Sichen looked at Jian Yue, who had fallen asleep due to exhaustion, and said affectionately, ¡°Godmother, you go to sleep first! I will deal with Nantian and then go to bed!¡± Hearing this, Su Wan¡¯s eyes sparkled, ¡°You¡¯re going to deal with Nantian? How do you plan to do it?¡± Jian Sichen said disdainfully, ¡°Is it difficult to deal with them? Just a little tampering with their newly released chips is enough to make their recent efforts come to nothing, and a problem with the chip would be a much bigger issue than my father¡¯s so-called illegitimate daughter.¡± ¡°You can do that?¡± Su Wan looked incredulous. Jian Sichen raised an eyebrow, ¡°Does this require high-level skills?¡± ¡°...??¡± Feeling mocked and insulted, Su Wan deliberately yawned and turned resentfully, ¡°It¡¯s late, I¡¯m going to sleep!¡± After speaking, she left the room and considerately closed the door for him. Once she left, Jian Sichen sat in front of the computer, twisted his neck, and stretched his muscles. He then smirked mischievously and his small hands began to tap rapidly on the keyboard¡ª The next morning. The entire dining room was enveloped in a low pressure. Lu Youting seemed shrouded in a layer of frost, his handsome face dark and gloomy, his thin lips tightly pressed, exuding an aura of keeping others at bay. Jian Si, as if unaware, said indifferently, ¡°Xiao Bai¡¯s examination results have come out; if there are no surprises, his first surgery will be at eight o¡¯clock tomorrow morning.¡± Without waiting for a response, Jian Si continued, ¡°You¡¯re his legal guardian, so you need to sign the surgery consent form. If you¡¯re busy with company work, you can leave after you sign.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression became even uglier, dark and brooding. ¡°The surgery of my son, do you think I, as a father, could leave?¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t catch his implication and explained, ¡°Xiao Bai is my son, and I will do my utmost. You can rest assured.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s chopsticks-tightening hand suddenly clenched. The joints turned slightly white due to the excessive force. After a while, he managed to suppress his anger and squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth, ¡°Jian Si, do you really see me as someone who would neglect my son for the sake of business?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that so?¡± Jian Si replied confidently. At least five years ago, he truly neglected them for the sake of Ye Qingqing, disregarding their lives. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes gradually darkened as anger surged in his chest upon realizing how she had always viewed him. As the situation became uncontrollable, Lu Yanbai, unable to endure any longer, said, ¡°Daddy, Mommy, could you please stop arguing? I don¡¯t like it when you fight.¡± Jian Si and Lu Youting were momentarily stunned and then remembered Lu Yanbai beside them, both looking at him at the same time. Lu Yanbai looked stern, his eyes dim and his face unhappy. ¡°Do you remember what you promised me?¡± Jian Si rubbed her face in annoyance. For some reason, every time she was with Lu Youting, her mood would unconsciously turn foul. ¡°Xiao Bai, I didn¡¯t argue with your Daddy, we were just discussing your surgery tomorrow! Something happened at your Daddy¡¯s company, and I¡¯m concerned about him; I hope he can focus on dealing with the company¡¯s issues.¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting¡¯s mouth twitched spasmodically, his heart silently fuming, thinking that this woman really could spin a tale. Lu Yanbai blinked, his innocent eyes looking at her, ¡°Really?¡± Jian Si smiled, unperturbed and confidently said, ¡°Of course it¡¯s true, Mommy wouldn¡¯t lie to you.¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t hesitate to believe her words. After breakfast, Lu Youting drove Jian Si and Lu Yanbai to the hospital first. Lu Youting was driving, while Jian Si and Lu Yanbai sat in the back seat. Suddenly, Jian Si¡¯s phone ¡®dinged¡¯ with a new message. It was a voice message from Ji Mingche. Without thinking, Jian Si opened the voice message immediately. ¡°Sisi, you haven¡¯t forgotten about our appointment, have you? I¡¯ve been waiting for your message; when are you free to meet? It¡¯s been so long, I really miss you.¡± Hearing a man¡¯s voice, Lu Youting¡¯s hand on the steering wheel tightened abruptly. His heart felt like it was being filled with jars of vinegar, sour to the core. Thinking about how he had accidentally hurt him last time, it was only right, both emotionally and rationally, to invite him for a meal and say sorry. After a moment of thought, Jian Si didn¡¯t hesitate to reply with a text: ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve been so busy recently, I forgot! Are you free for lunch today? I happen to be available.¡± Ji Mingche replied with a text message immediately: ¡°I am free.¡± ¡°Half-past eleven, Tang Palace Night Banquet, Li Bai private room, don¡¯t miss it.¡± ¡°OK!¡± Lu Youting watched her every move through the rearview mirror, his hawk-like eyes frosting over with a cold gloom. After dropping Jian Si and Lu Yanbai at the ward, and while Jian Si was away for rounds, he quickly pulled Lu Yanbai aside and said, ¡°Xiao Bai, help Daddy with something.¡± Lu Yanbai agreed readily, ¡°Sure! What is it?¡± Lu Youting glanced nervously at the doorway and deliberately lowered his voice, ¡°Today, no matter where Mommy goes, you have to follow her, stick to her side without leaving.¡± Lu Yanbai blinked in confusion, ¡°Why?¡± Lu Youting, like a cunning old fox, led him on step by step, ¡°Do you want Mommy to marry another man, to have brothers and sisters with another man?¡± Lu Yanbai immediately shook his head with agitation, ¡°I don¡¯t want that! I want Daddy and Mommy to be together.¡± Lu Youting smiled in satisfaction, ¡°If you don¡¯t want Mommy to marry another man, then stick to her! Remember, don¡¯t tell her Daddy said so! If Mommy asks, just say you can¡¯t bear to be apart from her and want to follow her.¡± Before leaving, worried he didn¡¯t understand, he asked one more time, ¡°Got it?¡± Lu Yanbai suddenly caught on and gestured ¡®ok¡¯ to him, ¡°No problem, I¡¯m good at this.¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t notice the other implication in his words, contentedly patting his little head, ¡°Then Daddy will head to the office first. If you need anything, call Daddy or call Uncle Lu Ya.¡± ¡°Okay! Daddy, be careful on the road!¡± Lu Yanbai smiled with his eyes curving, waving goodbye to Lu Youting. ¡°Remember what Daddy said, don¡¯t blow our cover!¡± Lu Youting warned him again before leaving. Lu Yanbai pounded his chest in assurance, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Daddy, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± With his promise, Lu Youting finally left with peace of mind. Lu Yanbai lived up to Lu Youting¡¯s expectations, really sticking to Jian Si without leaving her side, even when it was time for an IV, he had Jian Si accompany him. Jian Si didn¡¯t think much of it, simply believing it was due to his lack of security feeling. Soon it was time to meet Ji Mingche, and without waiting for Lu Yanbai to speak, she took the initiative to include him, ¡°Xiao Bai, Mommy is going out to have lunch with an uncle, do you want to go?¡± Lu Yanbai nodded vigorously, ¡°Go go go, I¡¯m going!¡± Jian Si smiled and urged, ¡°Get dressed quickly, I¡¯ll take you!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Lu Yanbai hopped off the bed, changed out of his hospital gown, donned a handsome denim jacket and black sweatpants, took Jian Si by the hand, and left in high spirits. Chapter 50 - 50 50 Daddy, Mommy is About to be Taken Away by Another Man ?50: Chapter 50 Daddy, Mommy is About to be Taken Away by Another Man 50: Chapter 50 Daddy, Mommy is About to be Taken Away by Another Man When Jian Si and Lu Yanbai arrived at the Tang Palace Night Banquet, Ji Mingche had already been waiting for quite some time. Today, Ji Mingche¡¯s noble nose was adorned with a pair of gold-wire glasses, and his plain white shirt and black trousers made him appear even more youthful than at their last meeting, somewhat reminiscent of his high school days. The person before her inevitably overlapped with the one in her mind. Jian Si seemed to rediscover the joys of her childhood, her eyes brimming with laughter, ¡°Ah Che, didn¡¯t we agree to meet at half past eleven? It¡¯s not time yet!¡± Ji Mingche teased her with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m not used to making girls wait.¡± He then shifted his gaze to Lu Yanbai, ¡°Is this your son?¡± Jian Si quickly pulled Lu Yanbai over to introduce him, ¡°This is my son, Lu Yanbai. Xiao Bai, this is the neighbor brother from Mommy¡¯s childhood, say hello to uncle.¡± ¡°Xiao Bai, hello! I didn¡¯t know your Mommy would bring you here today, so I didn¡¯t buy you a gift.¡± Ji Mingche took a piece of candy out of his pocket, ¡°Do you like candy? Uncle has candy for you!¡± Thinking that this man was here to steal his Mommy from him, Lu Yanbai regarded Ji Mingche with hostility. Pouting his little mouth, he replied rudely, ¡°I won¡¯t eat it! Daddy taught me since I was young not to take things from strangers.¡± Ji Mingche kept his cool, ¡°Uncle is your Mommy¡¯s friend, not a stranger.¡± ¡°Daddy says that often those who hurt you are the ones you¡¯re only vaguely familiar with.¡± Lu Yanbai huffed coldly, his little head tilting arrogantly. The atmosphere turned tense. The smile on Ji Mingche¡¯s face stiffened. His hand holding the candy hung awkwardly in mid-air, neither retracting nor extending, his embarrassment was extreme. Jian Si¡¯s lips twitched involuntarily, wishing she could smack both Lu Youting and Lu Yanbai. How had she not realized that Lu Yanbai listened so well to Lu Youting? Now it was all Daddy said this, Daddy said that. Jian Si took the candy from his hand, unwrapped it, and put it into her mouth, speaking up to diffuse the awkwardness, ¡°Ah Che, don¡¯t blame him, he¡¯s not well, he can¡¯t eat candy! I like it, so I¡¯ll eat it!¡± Ji Mingche graciously took the opportunity to move on, taking out two more pieces of candy from his pocket and smiling, ¡°I actually bought these especially for you! Do you remember when you were upset as a kid, I would always buy you three White Rabbit candies to cheer you up?¡± His words instantly pulled Jian Si into her memories. Long-buried memories flooded in like a tide. ¡°Of course, I remember! I also remember the first time you gave me White Rabbit candy, it was the day my mother passed away. I was very sad and locked myself in my room. That night, you stayed with me, and it was the first time you gave me candy. I will always remember that taste, it was so sweet, truly the most delicious thing in the world. That¡¯s why I developed a habit, whenever I feel down, I like to eat one.¡± ¡°Haha, you remember! You definitely don¡¯t know that the White Rabbit candy was the last gift my mother gave me before she left, there was only one jar of it and I treasured it, eating just one piece a day. Later I gave them all to you!¡± The happiness of their childhood made Jian Si laugh heartily, ¡°Really? Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? If you had, I wouldn¡¯t have eaten them!¡± Ji Mingche didn¡¯t mind at all, ¡°It¡¯s okay! Things can be bought again, but friendship can¡¯t be bought with money.¡± ¡°Since you shared your most precious candy with me, then I¡¯m treating you to dinner today!¡± Both of them were very happy recalling old times, and it had been quite a while since Jian Si felt so relaxed. Ji Mingche asked in return, ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be treating anyway?¡± ¡°Haha...¡± Jian Si laughed merrily, ¡°Sorry, I forgot! Next time, I¡¯ll treat again! I¡¯ll bring my bestie along and introduce you two.¡± ¡°Great! I¡¯ve been worried about not having friends in Jiangcheng...¡± The two chatted as if lost in their own world. Lu Yanbai felt forgotten off to the side, experiencing the sour sensation of his Mommy being taken away, his little face turning red with anger. He immediately took out his phone and sent a message to Lu Youting. ¡°Daddy, come quickly, Mommy¡¯s going to be snatched away!¡± Seeing no response from Lu Youting, he sneakily snapped a photo and sent it. ¡°We¡¯re at the Tang Palace Night Banquet Li Bai private room, Daddy, you need to come quickly and help me get Mommy back.¡± At that moment, Lu Group was in turmoil and Lu Youting had no time to check his phone messages. Lu Ya handed the latest information collected to Lu Youting, ¡°Boss, I just had people investigate the latest chip information about to be released by Nantian Group. Their chip didn¡¯t pass the final inspection at all. Their sudden announcement to launch is just an attempt to climb up by stepping on us when our stock prices are low. They¡¯ve priced their chip at a record low, likely aiming for a price war. And they have successfully attracted a lot of partners. If they manage to sign contracts, it could have a significant impact on us again.¡± It was clear to any discerning eye that Nantian Group was embracing a strategy of mutual damage, seizing this chance to severely trample Lu Group. Truly the lowest of the low. Lu Youting flipped through the documents in his hand, pulled at the corner of his mouth, and that smile, compared to the chill in his eyes, was several degrees more unsettling. ¡°Trying to cut corners?¡± he said, slamming the folder shut, and declared in a deep voice, ¡°Go see who approved their listing documents, find the relevant evidence of their crime! Since he wants to play, I¡¯ll play along till the very end.¡± Lu Ya nodded, ready to carry out the instructions. Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the office door. ¡°Come in.¡± At Lu Youting¡¯s command, Shen Qing pushed the door open and placed a laptop in front of him: ¡°Boss, something¡¯s gone wrong at Nantian Group¡¯s chip launch event.¡± Lu Youting and Lu Ya looked at each other and turned their gaze to the laptop simultaneously. ¡°The relevant department received an anonymous file claiming that Nantian Group¡¯s newly released chips were substandard. The market approval has been retracted, and the personnel involved in the approval are now in custody, with further investigations underway.¡± Nantian Group¡¯s launch event, halfway through, was forced to a halt, ending in a humiliating retreat, and quickly became a hot topic online. ¡°Damn, what unscrupulous merchants! Daring to sell stuff that¡¯s not up to standard? Do they think we¡¯re all fools?¡± ¡°If they don¡¯t improve their craft and keep trying to game the system, I¡¯m definitely never using their company¡¯s chips again.¡± ¡°Lu Group is a big company. No matter their personal lives, at least the things they produce are trustworthy in quality. From now on, I¡¯m only buying computers and phones with Lu Group chips.¡± Amidst the netizens¡¯ scorn, Nantian Group¡¯s stock price plummeted like a rocket, with all partners cancelling their collaborations. Lu Group¡¯s stock miraculously began to rise. This dramatic turn of events left both Lu Youting and Lu Ya dumbfounded. Lu Ya, in astonishment, asked, ¡°Who passed the evidence to the relevant department? How could this person be faster than us? They¡¯ve really done us a huge favor.¡± Shen Qing smiled, a secret dancing in his eyes, ¡°Guess? Do you know this person?¡± ¡°We know this person?¡± Lu Ya racked his brains in thought, but still couldn¡¯t come up with an answer. ¡°C?¡± Lu Youting narrowed his eyes, and although it was a question, his tone was full of certainty. Shen Qing smiled like a blooming flower, ecstatic, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s C! I traced the IP all the way to Zhongshan Road. Only C has the ability to find his evidence in such a short time.¡± Lu Ya was at a loss for words; the enigma of C was beyond his grasp. ¡°What exactly does C mean? On one hand, sabotaging our launch event, and on the other, helping us out with our rival? Are they a friend or foe?¡± Shen Qing speculated, ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like a foe!¡± Lu Ya pressed on, ¡°Then a friend?¡± Shen Qing tugged at the corner of his mouth with a sheepish grin, ¡°Uh... hard to say!¡± They discussed for a long time without a conclusion, growing ever more curious about C¡¯s identity. At that moment, Lu Youting¡¯s phone buzzed with a message. Another message from Lu Yanbai. ¡°Daddy, when are you coming? Mommy and this uncle have been talking from childhood till now, if you don¡¯t come soon, they¡¯ll talk all the way to getting married!¡± Above the message was a photo. In the photo, Jian Si was eating White Rabbit candies, her eyes smiling into slits as she looked at the man beside her. The man watched her tenderly, also holding a White Rabbit candy in his hand. A storm began to swirl in the depths of Lu Youting¡¯s dark eyes, and he said coldly, ¡°You haven¡¯t had lunch yet, have you? The crisis has been averted, I¡¯ll take you out for lunch.¡± Feeling their boss¡¯s fury, neither Shen Qing nor Lu Ya wanted to join, but they dared not refuse and could only stiffly agree. Chapter 51 - 51 51 Lu Youting Seizes a Wife ?51: Chapter 51 Lu Youting Seizes a Wife 51: Chapter 51 Lu Youting Seizes a Wife Jian Si and Ji Mingche were in the midst of an animated conversation when they suddenly heard a commotion outside the private room. ¡°Director Lu, I am really sorry, there has been a mistake made by our staff. The Li Bai room has already been booked, could you please wait a moment? I will go and talk to the guests inside to see if they have finished eating.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s been booked, we can switch to another room.¡± ¡°All the rooms are full! The guests in the Li Bai room have been here for quite a while, so they should be almost finished. I¡¯ll go in and check!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± No sooner had the voice faded than a knock on the door echoed, and before Jian Si could respond, the door was pulled open. The manager entered, bowing, with an apologetic face: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, there was a mistake at our front desk. This room was booked last night, and the front desk wasn¡¯t aware and had booked it for you too! Look, have you finished eating? If so, could you please vacate the room? To apologize, we¡¯ll comp your meal, and I¡¯ll also give you a $500 cash voucher.¡± ¡°How about that?¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t like putting people out, glanced at the table of dishes: ¡°Alright then! Since it¡¯s like this, we¡¯ll give up our spot.¡± Hearing this, the manager breathed a sigh of relief and thanked them profusely: ¡°Thank you, thank you! Next time you come, I¡¯ll give you a 20% discount.¡± ¡°No problem!¡± Jian Si smiled, looking towards Ji Mingche: ¡°Ah Che, since it¡¯s like this, let¡¯s call it a day. We can meet up some other time if there¡¯s a chance.¡± Ji Mingche asked, ¡°Do you have plans for this afternoon?¡± ¡°Not really, why?¡± Ji Mingche said, ¡°This afternoon, I...¡± Before he could finish, a chill rushed in from the door, followed by a familiar figure. Lu Youting¡¯s features were stern as he walked in with one hand in his pocket, his black suit accentuating his tall figure, his eyes piercing and with an aura that was compelling and arresting. Jian Si gasped in shock, ¡°How... how did you get here?¡± Lu Yanbai immediately jumped down from his chair and rushed to Lu Youting¡¯s side, clinging tightly to his leg, excitedly said, ¡°Daddy, you finally came. If you didn¡¯t...¡± Afraid that he would say too much, Lu Youting interrupted: ¡°How come you are here?¡± Lu Yanbai was momentarily dazed, then quickly caught on, his eyes turning slyly as he shut his mouth. The manager on the side immediately explained: ¡°Last night it was indeed Director Lu who booked this room, our front desk forgot to register it, and the shift changeover wasn¡¯t properly communicated, which led to today¡¯s error. I¡¯m very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused everyone.¡± Jian Si, after understanding the situation, spoke nonchalantly: ¡°No problem! We¡¯ve finished eating anyway. You go ahead and tidy up, give the room to them.¡± Lu Youting casually glanced at Jian Si: ¡°We know each other, we can share the space.¡± Jian Si: ¡°...??¡± Ji Mingche: ¡°...?¡± Lu Ya and Shen Qing: ¡°...?¡± After a brief moment of stunned silence, Jian Si decisively rejected: ¡°No need, we¡¯ve already finished. The place is yours.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot: ¡°Xiao Bai likes to be with you, and given his current health condition, it¡¯s not suitable for him to run around. Join me, and after I¡¯ve finished eating, I¡¯ll drive you back to the hospital.¡± ¡°No need!¡± Jian Si flatly refused: ¡°Xiao Bai can stay, you can take him back to the hospital later! Ah Che and I have some things to do, I¡¯ll go back by myself afterwards.¡± Ah¡ª¡ªChe¡ª¡ªBrother¡ª¡ª That sounded rather cozy! Lu Youting felt a spark of anger, his face turning green as he signaled Lu Yanbai with a look. Catching the signal from his father, Lu Yanbai immediately grabbed Jian Si¡¯s hand: ¡°Mommy, I don¡¯t want to be apart from you! I want you to stay with me!¡± Without hesitation, Jian Si said: ¡°Then I¡¯ll take you with me.¡± Lu Yanbai quickly clutched at his chest, feigning a very pained expression: ¡°Mommy, my heart hurts a bit. It¡¯s probably not a good idea to travel now.¡± Hearing about his heart pain, Jian Si immediately crouched down in concern to check on him. ¡°How badly does it hurt? What kind of pain is it? Show me quickly!¡± Ji Mingche saw through his little scheme with one glance, standing to the side with a smile but not speaking. Lu Yanbai¡¯s little face twisted: ¡°It hurts sporadically, but it¡¯s not very painful, just not suitable for travel. A little rest while sitting down should be fine.¡± ¡°I promise, but you have to stay with me! If anything sudden happens, you can handle it in time.¡± His intent was crystal clear. Jian Si had been too anxious earlier and lost her ability to think, but now that she had snapped back to reality, she couldn¡¯t help but poke his forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense in the future.¡± Lu Yanbai playfully stuck out his tongue. Jian Si stood up and looked at Ji Mingche with an apologetic expression, ¡°Ah Che, Xiao Bai isn¡¯t feeling well. I probably won¡¯t have time to accompany you today! Let¡¯s make plans for another time!¡± Ji Mingche patted her shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Take good care of your child, and we¡¯ll get in touch later.¡± Seeing his hand on Jian Si¡¯s shoulder, Lu Youting¡¯s eyes burned with fury. Jian Si smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll see you out!¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Ji Mingche nodded in agreement. After escorting him to the door, Jian Si said with full apology, ¡°Xiao Bai has been with Daddy since he was little, and we mother and son have only just recognized each other, so he¡¯s quite clingy to me. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡± Ji Mingche brushed it off, ¡°No worries, I won¡¯t take it to heart with a kid.¡± Jian Si asked, ¡°What did you say you needed me for this afternoon?¡± Ji Mingche chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ve been away from Jiangcheng for quite a few years, and a lot has changed here. I¡¯m not familiar with many places, and I brought too few clothes with me. The weather¡¯s turning cool, and I was hoping you¡¯d accompany me to buy a few items.¡± Jian Si agreed readily, ¡°Tomorrow is Xiao Bai¡¯s first heart surgery. If you don¡¯t mind waiting until he¡¯s through the critical first three days, I¡¯ll go shopping with you then, okay?¡± ¡°Great! I¡¯ll wait for your message! Just don¡¯t make me wait too long.¡± ¡°Sure!¡± After making plans, Ji Mingche left. Jian Si watched his figure vanish from her sight before turning back to the private room. A shocking chill lingered in the room, and the air was somewhat oppressive. Lu Ya and Shen Qing, hardly daring to breathe, sat there tearfully without tears, faces filled with despair. Seeing Jian Si enter, they lit up as though seeing a savior, nearly crying with excitement, as hope rekindled in their ashen eyes. Jian Si found this amusing, ¡°What happened to you guys?¡± Lu Ya kept nudging his lips towards Lu Youting. Jian Si, puzzled, turned her gaze to Lu Youting. She saw Lu Youting sitting there, like a sovereign, his profound eyes glaring at her with anger, facial muscles taut, brimming with a temper on the verge of exploding. Missing the obvious cue, Jian Si naively asked, ¡°What did you guys do to upset him?¡± Lu Ya and Shen Qing: ¡°...??¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Yanbai was speechless. Even he could see why his father was angry, yet his Mommy had no clue. How could he have such a clueless Mommy? ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face was ashen, his voice chillingly cold, ¡°Why were you gone for so long?¡± Failing to detect his displeasure, Jian Si sat down next to Lu Yanbai, nonchalantly saying, ¡°We didn¡¯t talk much. He just got back, and it¡¯s the change of season. He has no clothes, so we agreed to go shopping together next time.¡± The air instantly turned to ice. Chill spread wildly through the space. Lu Ya and Shen Qing wanted to cry; they wished they could perish on the spot. What had they done to deserve this? They were just reporting work, and now they had stumbled into this mess. Chapter 52 - 52 52 Being Followed ?52: Chapter 52 Being Followed 52: Chapter 52 Being Followed Lu Youting sneered with a twisted lip, ¡°He¡¯s a grown man, does he need you to accompany him to buy clothes? Afraid he¡¯ll get lost?¡± ¡°...?¡± Jian Si really wanted to retort with ¡®What¡¯s it to you?¡¯ but, for fear of Lu Yanbai overthinking it beside her, she forcibly swallowed her words. Seeing that she didn¡¯t answer, Lu Youting¡¯s face grew even darker. Lu Ya and Shen Qing felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles and couldn¡¯t stay any longer. Gathering courage, Lu Ya spoke up, ¡°Boss, the issue with the new product launch hasn¡¯t been fully resolved. How about we go back and deal with it?¡± Lu Youting paid no heed, his hawk-like eyes piercingly staring at Jian Si as if trying to bore holes through her. With the boss remaining silent, Lu Ya and Shen Qing didn¡¯t dare to leave and had no choice but to obediently sit there. The atmosphere was so oppressive it made it hard to breathe. Jian Si, as if oblivious to Lu Youting¡¯s gaze, focused all her attention on Lu Yanbai. ¡°Xiao Bai, you¡¯re not in good health, you can¡¯t eat spicy food, you must eat a light diet! Have some of these crab balls, I¡¯ve tasted them, and they¡¯re quite good! There¡¯s also crab roe steamed egg!¡± The more she ignored Lu Youting, the uglier his face became. Suddenly, he spoke up, ¡°Lu Group¡¯s new product launch was sabotaged, and the rival company Nantian Group took the opportunity to hold their own launch. As a result, last night someone sent materials showing their products failed inspection to the relevant departments. The inspection led to a stock price drop, causing Lu Group¡¯s stock to begin to rebound.¡± Jian Si casually replied, ¡°Oh! That¡¯s great, congratulations!¡± ¡°The one who sent the materials to the relevant departments was C.¡± While saying this, Lu Youting¡¯s sharp eyes did not blink as they were fixed on Jian Si. As expected. At the mention of the name C, Jian Si¡¯s action of picking food for Lu Yanbai paused, and then she resumed as if nothing happened, ¡°That¡¯s your company¡¯s business, it has nothing to do with me. There¡¯s no need to report to me.¡± Every minute change in her was noticed by Lu Youting. He grew more convinced that Jian Si knew C and was very familiar with him. ¡°You know C, don¡¯t you?¡± His tone was incredibly certain. Hearing that she knew C, Shen Qing became excited. ¡°Lady, do you really know C? Can you introduce me? I, Shen Qing, have never admired anyone in my life, C is the first. I really want to meet him and ask for some advice.¡± Jian Si lowered her eyelids, hiding the nervousness in her eyes, and chuckled awkwardly, ¡°I don¡¯t know C, and I don¡¯t even know what he does!¡± Shen Qing¡¯s shoulders drooped in disappointment. ¡°I thought I might finally get to see the true face of C! Ah...¡± Jian Si¡¯s expression nearly cracked. She couldn¡¯t imagine if Shen Qing found out that C was a child not even five years old, whether he would collapse. Lunch finally ended in the suffocating atmosphere. Lu Youting suddenly said, ¡°The seasons are changing, and I have no clothes. Accompany me to buy some!¡± ¡°...??¡± Jian Si pointed to her nose, ¡°Me?¡± Lu Youting raised his eyebrows, ¡°Who else?¡± Without a second thought, Jian Si refused outright, ¡°No way! Have Lu Ya accompany you. I¡¯m going back to the hospital with Xiao Bai.¡± Being named, Lu Ya shuddered with horror, the thought of accompanying the boss shopping making his scalp tingle. Lu Youting looked at Lu Yanbai. Lu Yanbai picked up on the signal and immediately pulled Jian Si, ¡°Mommy, I don¡¯t have any clothes either, I need to buy some! Accompany me and Daddy to buy some! Mommy has a good eye, the clothes you choose will definitely look nice.¡± Jian Si looked at them suspiciously, ¡°Aren¡¯t all your clothes tailored?¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s face stiffened for a moment before he resumed smoothly, ¡°I¡¯ve worn tailored clothes for so long; I want to change things up! Mommy, are you going to accompany me or not?¡± Jian Si asked with a masked smile, ¡°Your heart doesn¡¯t hurt anymore?¡± Lu Yanbai pretended not to catch the sarcasm in her words, shaking his little head, ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt! With Daddy and Mommy by my side, it won¡¯t hurt!¡± Ah! Jian Si¡¯s face was full of helplessness. Although she was well aware of their hidden motives, she could only agree reluctantly. Once they left the Tanggong Night Banquet, Lu Ya and Shen Qing took a deep breath as if they had just walked through the gates of hell. For the first time, they realized how sweet the air could taste. Lu Youting instructed, ¡°I¡¯ll leave the chip matter to you two. Call me if there¡¯s any problem.¡± Lu Ya, anxious not to return to the company with him, said eagerly, ¡°Sure, you go and enjoy shopping, Shen Qing and I will handle everything.¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Lu Youting nodded in satisfaction, then left with Jian Si and Lu Yanbai. Having finally sent King Yanluo away, Lu Ya and Shen Qing felt revitalized. Fearful of their return, they hurriedly made their escape. ... Lu Youting drove Jian Si and Lu Yanbai to the largest mall in Jiangcheng. The first floor was full of snacks, and as they walked along, Lu Yanbai was as excited as if he had discovered a new world, curious about everything, this and that. ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s this? It looks so delicious!¡± Jian Si knew he had been homebound from birth and that with Lu Youting¡¯s personality, he wouldn¡¯t be brought to places like this. She said with a pang of pity, ¡°This is takoyaki. Want to try? I¡¯ll buy some for you.¡± ¡°Yes, please!¡± Jian Si immediately bought him a serving. The two of them shared it, one bite each, eating joyfully. ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s that over there? It smells so good!¡± ¡°That¡¯s stinky tofu; you can¡¯t eat that! Once your surgery is done, Mommy will bring you here to try.¡± Lu Yanbai was very obedient. Jian Si said he couldn¡¯t eat it, so he didn¡¯t ask for it and quietly moved to the next stall. ¡°What about this? It¡¯s so shiny and translucent, is it jelly?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s bowl pudding. Want some? I¡¯ll buy it for you!¡± ¡°Yes, please!¡± Mother and son ate their way along, forgotten by Lu Youting, who followed behind like a jilted woman. Finally, Lu Yanbai remembered Lu Youting and offered him a bowl pudding, ¡°Daddy, do you want some? This bowl pudding is delicious.¡± Lu Youting was happy inside and reached out to take it, but Jian Si pulled his hand back, ¡°Your daddy doesn¡¯t eat this kind of stuff; you eat it yourself.¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...?¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t doubt her words, retracted his hand, and took another bite, showing regret. ¡°Daddy, this bowl pudding is really good; it¡¯s a pity you can¡¯t eat it.¡± Lu Youting glared at Jian Si through gritted teeth, his eyes murderous. Jian Si took advantage of Lu Yanbai¡¯s inattention to cheekily make a face at Lu Youting. The anger in Lu Youting seemed to dissipate as he saw her childish side, his mouth involuntarily curled into a smile that reached his eyes. Even after lunch, Lu Yanbai and Jian Si sampled every snack they could eat. Once they had tried everything, their stomachs were near bursting. After they were full, they took the elevator to the fourth floor for men¡¯s clothing. Unknown to them, a figure had been stealthily following and took photos, sending them to Ye Qingqing with a note, ¡°Master, you better hurry, Jian Si is actually shopping with Director Lu and the little young master. Her scheming is too heavy, using the little young master to compete with you for Director Lu.¡± Then, they sent Ye Qingqing their location. Ye Qingqing¡¯s response was swift, ¡°Keep an eye on them, I¡¯m on my way.¡± Chapter 53 - 53 53 My Daddy Got Married ?53: Chapter 53 My Daddy Got Married 53: Chapter 53 My Daddy Got Married Jian Si deliberately took Lu Youting to the men¡¯s affordable clothing section. Although the clothes here were cheap, they came in a variety of styles, always on the cutting edge of fashion. Lu Youting¡¯s brows had been furrowed since he stepped into the affordable zone, his face full of disdain. Jian Si teased him on purpose, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t like it? I¡¯m a regular in the women¡¯s affordable clothing section, and all my clothes are bought here. If you don¡¯t like it, I can take you to the high-end area.¡± Her words subtly created a chasm between them. Upon hearing this, Lu Youting felt a bit sour inside, ¡°The affordable section is pretty good! It¡¯s okay to change tastes once in a while.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jian Si gave a sly smile, purposely pointing at a wine-red velvet coat on a mannequin in the store window, ¡°If you want to change tastes, I think that coat looks good. You could try it on.¡± Lu Youting was accustomed to wearing custom-made black suits year-round. He never cared for clothes like the velvet coat, much less in wine-red; he wouldn¡¯t give it a second glance. Knowing she was intentionally provoking him, Lu Youting wouldn¡¯t just play along. With a cold smirk on his lips, he readily agreed, ¡°Trying it on wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t expect he would actually agree, her eyes widened in surprise, ¡°Are you sure?¡± Lu Youting gave her a meaningful look and walked into the store, pointing at the clerk, ¡°Get me the size the mannequin is wearing.¡± He was wearing a custom suit that day, his sculpted features stern, sinister yet flamboyant¡ªevery move exuding pride and elegance. The clerk was mesmerized. Working in the affordable section for so many years, she had never seen a man with such looks and demeanor. Her eyes instantly lit up and she handed the size Lu Youting wanted to him. ¡°I¡¯ve been working for many years; I can tell your size at a glance! You should wear this size.¡± Lu Youting took the clothes and entered the fitting room. The clerk immediately followed and waited outside, eagerly asking a barrage of questions, ¡°Is the size right? If it¡¯s not, I can get you another.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve just got a few new arrivals today. Would you like to try them?¡± ¡°Your figure is so good, are you a model? Or some celebrity?¡± Jian Si and Lu Yanbai, completely ignored, ¡°...??¡± Jian Si scoffed at the clerk¡¯s obsequious demeanor. ¡°See? Doesn¡¯t your dad look like a social butterfly, attracting attention everywhere he goes?¡± Lu Yanbai nodded vigorously in agreement, ¡°Right, my daddy has so many admirers. If it weren¡¯t for me shooing them away, we could have been making soy sauce long ago.¡± Jian Si pursed her lips, her face full of contempt, ¡°These women are shallow, judging only by appearances without valuing what¡¯s inside.¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Lu Yanbai heaved a sigh of pretended depth and woe, ¡°Daddy is too handsome, what can I do! I¡¯m the same, attracting a crowd of pursuers wherever I go. It¡¯s quite bothersome.¡± ¡°...??¡± Jian Si had never realized he was so vain, the corners of her mouth twitched spontaneously, ¡°Like father, like son. You and your daddy are cut from the same cloth.¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t catch the insinuation in her words and grinned excitedly, ¡°Just as handsome?¡± ¡°Euh...¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t bear to hurt his feelings and smiled sheepishly, nodding. Lu Yanbai¡¯s mood blossomed, ¡°Haha, I think so too! So far, I haven¡¯t seen any men more handsome than me and daddy.¡± ¡°Heh... hehe...¡± Jian Si laughed without speaking. It seems that vanity is an heirloom trait in the Lu Family. Lu Youting was vain, as were Lu Yanbai, Jian Sichen, and Jian Yue. As the two conversed, the dressing room door opened. Jian Si and Lu Yanbai looked over instinctively, and with an unintentional glance, their gaze could no longer shift away. They saw Lu Youting standing in front of a floor mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt. The few hundred dollar clothing was impressively giving off the vibe of costing tens of thousands. The clothing fit perfectly, not too long or too short, and whether it was color or size, it looked as though it had been custom-made for him, highlighting his strapping figure¡ªwide shoulders, narrow hips, and long legs¡ª to the fullest. His austere face paired with the warm wine-red brought less sharpness than before, but a touch more gentleness and refinement. Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but stare blankly. The sales clerk was also staring dumbfounded, gazing at him, unable to look away. Lu Youting looked at the ¡®rough and shoddy¡¯ clothes on his body as if they were thorny, feeling uncomfortable all over, his face full of disdain. Suddenly, Lu Yanbai ran over excitedly, ¡°Daddy, this outfit looks so cool on you! Mommy was totally won over by your handsome appearance.¡± Jian Si: ¡°...??¡± When was she ever won over by Lu Youting¡¯s appearance? How come she didn¡¯t know? Lu Youting asked without commenting, ¡°Really?¡± Holding his chin up high, Lu Yanbai said, without blushing or panting, ¡°Of course! I just saw Mommy staring at you, drooling.¡± ¡°...??¡± Jian Si wished she could find a hole to crawl into. This was the first time she realized that Xiao Bai could talk so eloquently, lying without even bothering to draft a story. He was becoming more and more like Chenbao. The Lu Family¡¯s genes were truly frightening. The sales clerk looked at Lu Yanbai in surprise and asked incredulously, ¡°You, you¡¯re married?¡± With a pout, Lu Yanbai stood with his hands on his hips, declaring his territory, ¡°Yeah, my Daddy¡¯s married, and my Mommy is the lady right behind you.¡± The sales clerk glanced at Jian Si and immediately lowered her head, suppressing the budding thoughts she had. Lu Youting turned to face Jian Si, asking confidently, ¡°How about it? Does it look good on me?¡± Feeling guilty, Jian Si shifted her gaze away, her words not matching her thoughts, ¡°It¡¯s alright!¡± Catching her coy expression, Lu Youting wickedly curled his lips, walked up to her, and spun around childishly, asking with a smile, ¡°Really just alright?¡± Not liking his gaze, and feeling her ears turn red, Jian Si pushed him away guiltily, ¡°It looks good, great, really great, okay? Are you satisfied now?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s vanity was greatly satisfied. The clothes that had felt prickly before now felt very comfortable, and without any hesitation, he took out his Black Card and handed it to the sales clerk, ¡°I¡¯ll take it!¡± Looking at the Black Card, the sales clerk paused for a moment, unable to understand why such a wealthy person would buy inexpensive clothing. At first, she thought he was a prince who had accidentally fallen to earth, but now she realized he was indeed a prince who had come to understand the common people¡¯s sentiments. After paying, Lu Youting, in a good mood, said, ¡°Your taste isn¡¯t bad. Show me a few more.¡± Trying to prank Lu Youting and failing, Jian Si felt like she was spitting blood from frustration and glared at him fiercely before taking Lu Yanbai to another store. She refused to believe that he would look good in every single piece of clothing. She had started with the intention of pranking Lu Youting. But after a round of shopping, her mood completely crashed, and she almost cried, sitting on the bench. ¡°Are you even human?¡± Why did every piece of clothing look so good on him? Even a hundred-dollar floral shirt looked unique on him. He was simply not human. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes deepened as he said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Don¡¯t you know whether I¡¯m human or not?¡± His voice was low and emotionless, exuding an inexplicable allure. Jian Si hadn¡¯t expected him to make such a risque? comment in public, and her face immediately turned red with embarrassment as she cursed him internally for being shameless. Lu Youting looked at the piles of clothes, thinking that Jian Si had picked them all out, and the smile on his lips deepened, clearing the clouds away from his mood, which was exceptionally good. Unfortunately, his good mood didn¡¯t last long before it was interrupted by an untimely voice. ¡°Youting...¡± Chapter 54 - 54 54 Jian Si Must Die ?54: Chapter 54: Jian Si Must Die 54: Chapter 54: Jian Si Must Die Lu Youting¡¯s good mood vanished completely as the smile on his face froze instantly. Before he could see clearly, a figure pounced over, affectionately hooking onto his arm, ¡°Youting, what are you doing here?¡± Lu Youting showed displeasure, asking in a deep voice, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s face flushed with shyness, ¡°Mommy and I came shopping. I saw you in the elevator, so I came over to check! This is the discount section, why are you in the discount section?¡± Saying this, she glanced at the shopping bags beside her; her expression suddenly darkened. ¡°Youting, did you buy these? How can you wear such cheap clothes? Be careful of getting a skin disease!¡± Lu Yanbai and Jian Si exchanged glances, both lips pursed and faces speechless. Unable to hold back, Jian Si directly retorted, ¡°I¡¯ve been wearing budget clothes for years, and how come I¡¯ve never caught a skin disease? Others wear them just fine. It¡¯s only you who is so delicate that you can¡¯t wear cheap clothes.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s face paled, and she lowered her head in aggrievement, ¡°Sisi, why do you misunderstand me?¡± Seeing her aggrieved appearance, Jian Si wanted nothing more than to tear off her hypocritical mask, ¡°Here she goes again playing the victim! Ye Qingqing, don¡¯t you get tired of always acting like this?¡± As soon as her words fell, Xu Jiaorong, not knowing where she came from, rushed over and pushed Jian Si away, pulling Ye Qingqing behind her, ¡°Jian Si, why do you always like to bully Qingqing? It¡¯s always been like this since childhood. Can¡¯t you let her go? Why must the grievances of our generation involve the next?¡± Caught off guard, Jian Si staggered backward two steps. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, his rapid reflexes catching her wrist and steadying her. ¡°Are you alright?¡± His voice could barely conceal his concern. Jian Si shook her head, anger bubbling up inside her. If it weren¡¯t for Lu Yanbai being present, she truly wanted to have it out with this mother and daughter duo. She chose to swallow her anger, but Lu Yanbai couldn¡¯t tolerate her facing the slightest grievance. He lashed out with a fierce kick to Xu Jiaorong¡¯s shin, his little face flushed with rage, ¡°I warn you, if you dare to bully my Mommy again, I won¡¯t be polite to you!¡± Her shin kicked and aching, Xu Jiaorong¡¯s face turned green. ¡°I¡¯m your grandmother, how could you kick me? You have no manners.¡± Lu Yanbai huffed angrily, ¡°You¡¯re not my Mommy¡¯s biological mom, you¡¯re not my grandmother! Shameless, trying to glorify yourself.¡± ¡°You...¡± Xu Jiaorong staggered in anger. Lu Youting placed Lu Yanbai behind him, his stern face tinged with burgeoning fury, ¡°I respect you as my elder, but you should also act like one. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for being disrespectful.¡± Seeing them defend Jian Si at every turn, Xu Jiaorong couldn¡¯t contain her anger, ¡°Lu Youting, don¡¯t you forget that you and Qingqing are...¡± Fearing she might ruin her own plans, Ye Qingqing quickly grabbed her, ¡°Mom, what are you doing? We¡¯re all family here, we shouldn¡¯t argue over trivial matters. Quickly apologize to Xiao Bai and Sisi.¡± ¡°Apologize to them? I...¡± Xu Jiaorong¡¯s face showed reluctance, but before she could finish, she caught Ye Qingqing¡¯s gaze and forcefully swallowed the rest of her words. Pretending to be generous and proper, Ye Qingqing took the initiative to apologize, ¡°Sisi, Xiao Bai, sorry! My mom didn¡¯t mean to do it, I hope you don¡¯t blame her.¡± Jian Si, not wanting to make a scene in public, remained silent without responding. Although Lu Yanbai was still visibly upset, he held back from making more fuss. Ye Qingqing looked at Lu Youting with a beaming smile, ¡°Youting, have you finished buying your stuff? If not, can I join you and help pick things out?¡± ¡°No!¡± Lu Yanbai vehemently refused. Ye Qingqing clung to Lu Youting¡¯s arm and cooed, ¡°Youting, just let me join you guys! We haven¡¯t gone shopping together yet!¡± Lu Youting, bothered to the point of annoyance by her badgering, didn¡¯t want to drag out the conversation and replied indifferently, ¡°If you want to follow, then follow!¡± ¡°Thank you, Youting!¡± Ye Qingqing, elated, tiptoed and, catching Lu Youting off guard, kissed him on the face, ¡°I just knew you were the best to me!¡± Lu Youting hadn¡¯t expected her sudden move and was momentarily stunned. The instant Ye Qingqing¡¯s lips touched Lu Youting, Jian Si couldn¡¯t quite identify the bitter taste in her heart, a dull ache soon masked by sourness. Lu Yanbai¡¯s little face flushed red with anger, nearly losing control and rushing over to hit Ye Qingqing, but thankfully Jian Si quickly caught on to his intention and pulled him toward the elevator. ¡°Daddy¡¯s clothes are bought, now let¡¯s go buy some for you! The children¡¯s wear is on the eighth floor.¡± Watching her ¡®flee in panic,¡¯ a smug smile flickered in Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes. The unexpected kiss had put Lu Youting in a gloomy mood, his noble face seeming shrouded in clouds, his lips tinging with a cold curve. This time, Jian Si didn¡¯t take Lu Yanbai to the affordable children¡¯s clothing section but to the branded section on the eighth floor. Lu Yanbai, beautiful with short waist and long legs like Lu Youting, looked good in anything he wore. Jian Si picked out many items enthusiastically, urging him to try each one on. While Lu Yanbai was trying on clothes, Jian Si suddenly felt an urgent need to use the restroom. She signaled to Lu Youting before leaving to find the restroom. Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong exchanged glances. Understanding the silent communication, Xu Jiaorong nodded, stealthily following behind. Due to the mall being an older complex, a single restroom served two floors. To use the restroom, Jian Si would have to take the escalator or stairs down to the seventh floor. The restroom was next to the stairwell, so she decided to take the stairs for convenience. Just as she entered the stairwell, Xu Jiaorong blocked her path. Facing the uninvited guest, Jian Si¡¯s eyes were filled with endless chill, ¡°What do you want?¡± With no one else around, Xu Jiaorong ditched her disguise, revealing her ferocious true face, ¡°Jian Si, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you came back for! I¡¯m telling you, Lu Youting is my daughter¡¯s, and you better not fantasize about taking him away.¡± Jian Si was amused by her words. ¡°Rest assured, I, Jian Si, may not have many virtues, but the one I do have is that I never go back on my word. Since she¡¯s so keen on wearing secondhand shoes, she can have them! No need for underhanded schemes and tricks.¡± Xu Jiaorong¡¯s face turned a palette of colors like a paint mixer. ¡°You, you actually called Lu Youting secondhand shoes?¡± Jian Si raised an eyebrow and scoffed coldly, ¡°Isn¡¯t he? I had a child with him, is he still new? Let¡¯s put it this way, I wore that pair of shoes for two years and to be honest, they never fit. I was planning on changing them, and I was just worrying about what reason to use when Ye Qingqing appeared! She really solved a big problem for me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Xu Jiaorong¡¯s face turned alternatively green and white, looking extremely unsightly. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be going now!¡± Pleased with the outcome, Jian Si turned to leave with a victor¡¯s smile. Xu Jiaorong¡¯s eyes were bloodshot and her face twisted in viciousness. As she watched Jian Si¡¯s descending figure, malicious thoughts raced through her mind, and her hand shoved viciously toward her¡ª If Jian Si disappeared from this world, her daughter would have nothing to worry about. Chapter 55 - 55 55 This time, she wants Jian Si to lose half a life ?55: Chapter 55 This time, she wants Jian Si to lose half a life 55: Chapter 55 This time, she wants Jian Si to lose half a life Jian Si glimpsed Xu Jiaorong¡¯s stretching hands from the billboard on the wall, her expression darkened, and she swiftly darted aside to avoid her grasp. Xu Jiaorong hadn¡¯t expected her to dodge, and lost her balance, lurching forward. Instinctively reaching for something to hold onto, just as she was about to grab Jian Si¡¯s arm, Jian Si smirked and deliberately moved her arm away. ¡°Ah...¡± Only a sharp scream was heard as Xu Jiaorong tumbled down the stairs, rolling on the ground in pain, wailing continuously. Jian Si briskly patted the spot where she had almost been touched, preparing to go down to check on her, when Ye Qingqing suddenly burst out from behind. Immediately after, Lu Youting and Lu Yanbai also arrived. A trace of darkness swept through Lu Youting¡¯s ink-colored pupils, his thoughts unknown. Ye Qingqing sprinted down the stairs, trying to help Xu Jiaorong up, but as soon as she touched her, Xu Jiaorong screamed incessantly with pain. ¡°It hurts, it hurts... Don¡¯t touch me, I think my bones are broken...¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes filled with tears, ¡°How could this happen? Wasn¡¯t everything fine just now? Why? Why?¡± Xu Jiaorong pointed at Jian Si and accused, ¡°It was her, she pushed me down.¡± This absurd counter-accusation made Jian Si unable to help but laugh. Ye Qingqing looked at Jian Si with bloodshot eyes, ¡°Sisi, why would you do this? Although my mommy isn¡¯t your biological mother, she has raised you all these years. No matter how big her mistake was, you shouldn¡¯t have pushed her down the stairs. She is old, aren¡¯t you trying to kill her?¡± Xu Jiaorong leaned into Ye Qingqing¡¯s arms, and started crying with a runny nose and tears. ¡°Sisi, I know you blame me for breaking up your family back then. I know I was wrong, you can hit or scold me. But why, why would you do this to me? I was just seeing my daughter being wronged and wanted you to stay away from Lu Youting, yet you heartlessly pushed me down the stairs. I might not have given birth to you, but I¡¯ve taken care of you with all my heart over the years. Even a stone should have warmed up by now!¡± Seeing them blaming Jian Si, Lu Yanbai trembled with anger. ¡°You are talking nonsense, my mommy would never push her! You are framing my mommy.¡± Ye Qingqing said disappointedly, ¡°Xiao Bai, I know Jian Si is your mommy, and you want to protect her! But after she gave birth to you, she left and didn¡¯t care. For the past four years, I¡¯ve been the one taking care of you day and night, protecting you. Don¡¯t the over four years of nurturing compare to her ten months of pregnancy? Grandma has also been good to you over the years! I never thought you would be so heartless, turning your back on us as soon as your biological mommy came back.¡± ¡°I...¡± Lu Yanbai was rendered speechless. He admitted that his aunt had treated him well over the years. But he always felt that her kindness wasn¡¯t sincere, merely superficial, and he couldn¡¯t feel any warmth from her. That was why he had never been close to her. Seeing him speechless, Ye Qingqing continued, ¡°Do you remember that time you ran away from home to find your mother? You had a high fever of 39¡ãC, and I took care of you tirelessly, bringing you tea when you were thirsty. When you were delirious and held me calling out ¡®Mommy,¡¯ I sat holding you all night. Have you forgotten all the good I¡¯ve done for you? You¡¯ve really broken my heart.¡± Her accusation made Lu Yanbai feel guilty for the first time. It seemed he really had gone too far. Ye Qingqing wiped away her tears and looked at Lu Youting, pleading, ¡°Youting, please, for the sake of all these years when I¡¯ve taken care of Xiao Bai for you, call an ambulance for my mother. I¡¯m begging you.¡± Lu Youting, who had been silent, took out his phone¡ª Jian Si was astounded by the mother-daughter duo¡¯s spectacular acting skills, she shielded the guilt-ridden Lu Yanbai behind her and scoffed, ¡°You don¡¯t need to morally abduct us! Children are the most innocent, and if you really cared for him, he would have felt it. Over the years, whether you took care of him because you liked him or because of Lu Youting, you know best.¡± After speaking, she was about to leave with Lu Yanbai. Fearing she would leave, Ye Qingqing rushed forward and grabbed her wrist tightly, ¡°You think you can push my mother and just walk away? I¡¯m telling you, you can bully me, but you can¡¯t bully my mom! Today, no matter what, I must seek justice for my mom.¡± ¡°Seek justice!¡± Jian Si sneered and pressed forward, each step she took made Ye Qingqing retreat, until her back was against the stair railing with no way to retreat. Jian Si¡¯s gaze was fixed on her, as if trying to see right through her. Ye Qingqing felt nervous under her stare and feigned calm as she asked, ¡°What do you want to do?¡± ¡°What do I want to do?¡± Jian Si sneered, ¡°Ye Qingqing, the truth about today¡¯s incident is known by you, me, and Xu Jiaorong. Whether it was me who pushed her, or she tried to push me and failed miserably, we all know deep inside. Don¡¯t push me to the edge, because when pushed, I can do anything.¡± Her words were deliberate, her gaze ferocious, and her aura fully unleashed. A sense of fear inexplicably rose in Ye Qingqing¡¯s heart, and she instinctively wanted to let go, when suddenly, Xu Jiaorong¡¯s cries of pain pulled her back to reality. ¡°Ouch, it hurts so much! Qingqing, you must not let her go, if she could push me once, she will definitely do even crazier things in the future.¡± Ye Qingqing, feeling wronged, clutched Lu Youting¡¯s sleeve, ¡°Youting, you have to stand up for me! No matter the reason, she shouldn¡¯t have been so ruthless to my mom.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s dark, deep eyes swept over everyone, finally resting on Jian Si. Jian Si¡¯s heart instantly sank, and then, she laughed self-deprecatingly, ¡°Right, she¡¯s your fiance?e, of course, you¡¯d believe her. What am I anyway? Just an ex-wife.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°First, go stay at the police station for a while, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. The priority now is to get your aunt to the hospital.¡± To Jian Si, his words undoubtedly sounded like a sentencing of her guilt, her whole being felt as if drenched in cold water, her chest filled with a dense, prickling discomfort. Even knowing what to expect, when she actually heard Lu Youting say it, her heart still ached terribly. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go.¡± Jian Si stubbornly held back her tears, agreeing so readily, somewhat spitefully. Lu Yanbai wanted to speak up for Jian Si but was silenced by her hand covering his mouth. ¡°This is something Mommy didn¡¯t do, there will be no issue, just obediently go home with Daddy.¡± Reluctantly, Lu Yanbai could only agree. Moments later, the ambulance arrived. Xu Jiaorong was lifted onto the stretcher, and Ye Qingqing got into the ambulance with her. In the ambulance, only Ye Qingqing, Xu Jiaorong, and two paramedics were present. Ye Qingqing, unable to wait, asked, ¡°Mom, what exactly happened? Didn¡¯t I tell you to just teach her a lesson? How did you end up like this?¡± Xu Jiaorong smugly recounted the events. ¡°Although I didn¡¯t manage to kill her this time, it was still a rare opportunity, even if I didn¡¯t let her die, she had to be severely hurt.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement and she sinisterly said, ¡°Even though the cost was a bit high this time, the result was unexpectedly good! Later, I¡¯ll instruct people to take good care of her in the detention center¡ª¡± This time, she intended to make Jian Si lose half her life in the detention center. Chapter 56 - 56 56 Not Just Beating You, But Also Disfiguring You ?56: Chapter 56: Not Just Beating You, But Also Disfiguring You 56: Chapter 56: Not Just Beating You, But Also Disfiguring You After returning to the hospital, Lu Yanbai clutched Lu Youting¡¯s hand tightly, his emotions running high, ¡°Daddy, do you really believe that Mommy would push her? They are clearly framing Mommy.¡± Lu Youting caressed his head to comfort him, ¡°I know you¡¯re worried about Mommy! Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let your mom suffer any injustices.¡± Hearing this, Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Do you have a way to prove Mommy¡¯s innocence?¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Lu Youting nodded, ¡°Behave and stay in the hospital room on your own. I¡¯m going to check on your grandma¡¯s condition first, then I¡¯ll go and see Mommy. Call me if you need anything, or find Lu Ya.¡± Lu Yanbai obediently replied, ¡°Okay! Then hurry, Daddy. You must quickly rescue Mommy.¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Lu Youting promised with a smile and, after instructing the caregiver to take good care of Lu Yanbai, left. Xu Jiaorong was rushed into the emergency room for rescue. Ye Qingqing paced anxiously outside, and Jian Shihai also hurried over upon hearing the news, coincidentally running into Lu Youting in the corridor. Jian Shihai¡¯s face was grim, his tone extremely unpleasant, ¡°Director Lu, Jian Si has really gone too far this time. No matter how you protect her, I must teach her a lesson this time, otherwise she will definitely do something even more outrageous next time.¡± Lu Youting did not respond to his words but approached the entrance of the emergency room with a stern face. Seeing him come over, Ye Qingqing¡¯s feigned strength instantly collapsed, throwing herself into his arms, her body trembling with fear. ¡°Youting, you¡¯re finally here. My mom¡¯s life is hanging by a thread inside, and I¡¯m really scared to be here alone!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s broad hand gently patted her back to comfort her. ¡°How is the aunt¡¯s condition?¡± Ye Qingqing sobbed sorrowfully, ¡°I don¡¯t know. When they brought her in, her arm and leg were swollen so badly! I¡¯m really afraid something will happen to her.¡± After saying this, she looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears, making her look especially pitiful and endearing. ¡°Youting, my mom won¡¯t have anything happen to her, right?¡± Lu Youting perfunctorily nodded, ¡°Right, your mom won¡¯t have any issues! Don¡¯t worry too much.¡± Hearing his words, Ye Qingqing smiled with relief, her wet lashes resting on her tear-stained face, beautiful like a lily, pure and touching. If it were the past, Lu Youting would have been very heartbroken at this sight, but now he just felt it was hypocritical and repulsive. The ignored Jian Shihai coughed displeasedly. Ye Qingqing finally noticed his presence, her cheeks reddening as she immediately stepped out of Lu Youting¡¯s embrace, saying shyly, ¡°Dad, when did you get here?¡± Jian Shihai pretended to be displeased, ¡°I came with Youting! You only have him in your eyes and heart. There¡¯s no room for your father.¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s cheeks reddened even more as she pouted and turned away. Jian Shihai¡¯s gloomy expression softened somewhat as his gaze shuttled between Ye Qingqing and Lu Youting, saying meaningfully, ¡°It seems, might I soon have the pleasure of drinking the wedding tea?¡± ¡°Dad...¡± Ye Qingqing stomped timidly, sitting down to one side, ignoring him. Jian Shihai patted Lu Youting¡¯s arm, taking on an elder¡¯s posture to lecture, ¡°Youting, I know you¡¯re a responsible good man, and you certainly won¡¯t let Qingqing down. I¡¯m placing Qingqing in your hands today, hoping you¡¯ll take good care of her for me.¡± He said it as if he were marrying off his daughter. Watching the self-absorbed father and daughter, Lu Youting sneered in his heart, uninterested in engaging. Seeing that he wasn¡¯t speaking, Jian Shihai¡¯s brow furrowed, about to vent his dissatisfaction, when suddenly the door of the emergency room opened. Xu Jiaorong lay in the hospital bed, pushed out by the doctor. Her arms and legs were encased in plaster, and her face was mottled with blues and purples as if she had been beaten up, swollen to the extent that her original appearance could no longer be discerned. Seeing her come out, Jian Shihai immediately forgot his intention to question Lu Youting and ran over at once. Ye Qingqing also hurried over, and upon seeing her state, she started to cry with sorrow again. ¡°Mom, how did you end up like this? Woo woo, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s all my fault, I didn¡¯t protect you well, and now you¡¯ve been hurt by Jian Si.¡± Witnessing his wife in such a condition, Jian Shihai was filled with icy rage, ¡°Tell me what exactly happened? I will definitely seek justice for you.¡± Upon seeing her husband, Xu Jiaorong¡¯s grievances burst forth. ¡°It was Jian Si, she pushed me down the stairs! I never imagined she could be so malicious, actually wanting to take my life! You mustn¡¯t let her get away with this, otherwise, if she didn¡¯t kill me this time, she will surely try again.¡± Ye Qingqing wiped away her tears, comforting, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry, Youting and Dad will both seek justice for you, they won¡¯t let Jian Si escape the law.¡± Xu Jiaorong was still emotional and crying intensely. The doctor instructed the nurse to take her to the ward first, and Ye Qingqing followed, concerned. After they left, Jian Shihai then asked the doctor about Xu Jiaorong¡¯s condition, ¡°Doctor, how is my wife¡¯s condition?¡± The doctor removed his mask, his face grave, ¡°Your wife¡¯s condition is not good, with multiple soft tissue injuries and fractures in her arm and leg, and considering her older age, a complete recovery will need at least three months.¡± ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Hearing that it would take three months for a full recovery, Jian Shihai felt an urge to kill Jian Si. ¡°Nothing! Just make sure she gets plenty of rest and drinks lots of bone broth!¡± After giving his advice, the doctor left. Jian Shihai turned to Lu Youting, who had been silent the entire time, and said sternly, ¡°Youting, did you hear that? I know you¡¯re biased because Jian Si is Xiao Bai¡¯s biological mother, and in the past, I could give you face and let her off. But not this time. I will definitely pursue legal responsibility.¡± With that, he left for the ward without looking back. Lu Youting pursed his lips, his handsome face expressionless, and his noble brows shrouded in frost. After understanding Xu Jiaorong¡¯s condition, Lu Youting drove to the detention center. Meanwhile, inside the detention center, Jian Si was cornered by two heavyset women, both with short hair, one with a blue demon tattoo on her collarbone and the other with a long scar running across her face. One could tell at a glance that they were not to be trifled with. ¡°So, you¡¯re Jian Si?¡± Scarface asked. Jian Si looked at them calmly, ¡°Yes, I am Jian Si.¡± Once the identity was confirmed, Scarface raised her hand and fiercely swung it towards Jian Si¡¯s face. But her hand was caught midair by Jian Si. The two women were stunned, looking at her incredulously, ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve, daring to resist! Do you know who I am?¡± Jian Si replied calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, and I don¡¯t care to know! You¡¯re obviously just in it for the money! Whatever Ye Qingqing is paying you, I¡¯ll give you ten times that.¡± The two heavyset women laughed, mockery written all over their faces, ¡°The underworld has its rules. If everyone acted like you, how would we survive?¡± Jian Si smirked and raised an eyebrow, ¡°So you¡¯re saying you have to fight no matter what?¡± The tattooed woman jutted her chin forward arrogantly, ¡°Right, not just to beat you, but also to ruin your looks.¡± With that, she fished out a folding fruit knife from her pocket, pressed a button, and the blade sprang out, its sharp edge glinting coldly under the light, sending chills down the spine. Chapter 57 - 57 57 Jian Si Watches Over the Area in Danger ?57: Chapter 57 Jian Si Watches Over the Area in Danger 57: Chapter 57 Jian Si Watches Over the Area in Danger Jian Si¡¯s smile deepened, her gaze steady as she looked at them, her face showing not a hint of panic. ¡°Being able to bring a knife in here must have cost Ye Qingqing quite a bit of money, huh?¡± To her surprise, Jian Si was completely composed, which infuriated the tattooed woman. ¡°Damn, you¡¯re looking down on us! Watch me slash your face!¡± As she spoke, the fruit knife was about to slash across Jian Si¡¯s face. Just as the blade was about to touch Jian Si¡¯s cheek, the movement in her hands suddenly froze. ¡°How come...?¡± the scarred woman began, puzzled, but her words abruptly stopped. Both of them stiffened, their spines rigid as they looked at Jian Si in shock, their faces in disbelief. Jian Si smirked coldly, tilting up the corner of her mouth, ¡°Did you think you were the only ones prepared? I knew Ye Qingqing wouldn¡¯t let me off easily, so I was prepared too. If you¡¯ve got the guts, just move and see whether you¡¯re faster or I am.¡± The two heavyset women looked down to find fruit knives pressed against their abdomens, their expressions frozen, ¡°You, how did you manage to bring a knife in?¡± Jian Si said with meaningful depth, ¡°However you brought yours in, that¡¯s how I brought mine.¡± The scarred woman tried to appear calm, ¡°We¡¯ve been in this game for so long, covered in scars. Since we took this job, we were ready to risk our lives. Did you think we¡¯d be scared of your little fruit knife?¡± Unfazed, Jian Si responded, ¡°You might not know this, but I studied medicine. I know exactly which spots are lethal! Like right now, the spot I¡¯m pressing between the xyphoid process and above the navel¡ªliver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, all here. If I just push this knife in, you¡¯ll definitely die, no chance of being saved.¡± With that, she pushed the fruit knife in slightly, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, shall we try? At worst, I¡¯ll be disfigured, but with the advancements in medicine today, I can get plastic surgery. So, what do you say? Will you take the bet?¡± A sharp pain suddenly shot through their abdomens, and the two heavyset women broke out in a cold sweat, their bodies shaking like sieves. After a moment, the tattooed woman finally regained her voice, forcibly calming herself, ¡°Let¡¯s talk this out nicely. We¡¯re all civilized people, how can we be so violent!¡± Jian Si curved her lips in a smile, though her eyes remained cold, ¡°I, too, wished to be civilized with you all, but you didn¡¯t want that! Honestly, you¡¯re just after money, I can give you more. There¡¯s no need to lose your lives over some cash. Money can be earned, but once life is gone, it¡¯s all over.¡± The two heavyset women had never intended to risk their lives for money. The phrase goes, lose the battle but not the war; their previous actions were just meant to intimidate. Now that things had gotten serious, they naturally didn¡¯t dare to joke around, hurriedly smiling and ingratiating themselves, ¡°Willing, why wouldn¡¯t we be willing?¡± To show goodwill, the tattooed woman moved the fruit knife away from her face. Jian Si also put away her fruit knife. Seeing her withdraw the knife, the tattooed woman and the scarred woman exchanged glances, one with a fist and the other with a fruit knife, both attacking Jian Si. A fist aimed at Jian Si¡¯s abdomen. The fruit knife aimed at her face. Moving quickly, brutally, and precisely, as if they wouldn¡¯t rest until Jian Si was at least half dead. Jian Si, having anticipated their betrayal, dodged the tattooed woman¡¯s fruit knife and smoothly plunged her own fruit knife into the scarred woman¡¯s abdomen. As it went in, she intentionally avoided any vital areas¡ªthe injury seemed severe, but it wasn¡¯t life-threatening. Blood dripped slowly onto the floor. The atmosphere turned eerily quiet. Moments later, the scarred woman grunted, collapsed into the pool of blood, her body convulsively twitching. Before long, she fainted. The tattooed woman was terrified by this scene, unable to believe that someone could move even faster than they did, especially since they had carved their way through the underworld with their own skills. The woman before them, seemingly fragile, was actually quicker and more ruthless in her moves. Jian Si¡¯s hands were stained with bright red blood. She nonchalantly wiped the blood on her clothes, her mouth twisted in a ferocious grin. ¡°I always told you, you wouldn¡¯t get anything good from me! I¡¯ve spent a few years operating in surgery, my speed and accuracy with a scalpel are no worse than yours. Your companion is already down, do you want to try too?¡± The tattooed woman was utterly baffled, as if Jian Si was a demon, watching her in terror, holding a fruit knife and trembling, slowly backing away. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry! I was just doing it for the money.¡± Jian Si kept her head down, calmly wiping the fruit knife with her clothes and said airily, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, as long as you don¡¯t touch me, I won¡¯t touch you! I am an educated intellectual.¡± ¡°Thank you, thank you...¡± The tattooed woman thanked her weakly, pointing at her unconscious companion: ¡°Is... is she dead?¡± Jian Si looked scornfully at the unconscious woman with the scar: ¡°I punctured her liver; even if she were taken to the hospital now, she wouldn¡¯t survive!¡± Unexpectedly casual about life and death, the tattooed woman felt chilled, swallowing back her thoughts of screaming for the jail guards or an ambulance. The smell of blood wildly spread in the small, enclosed space, aggravating every nerve of the scar-faced woman. She crouched in the corner, not daring to breathe loudly. Jian Si sat quietly opposite her, staring unwaveringly at her. The tattooed woman felt uneasy, trapped, and looked at the camera, hoping the person on the other end would notice what was happening in the room and come to rescue her. As if hearing her cries for help, sudden rapid footsteps came from outside, followed by the opening of the iron door as an angry middle-aged man in police uniform stormed in. The tattooed woman rushed over to him as if seeing a savior, grabbing the policeman¡¯s hand and blurting out in fear, ¡°Officer, she... she killed her... Quick, call an ambulance, report this...¡± Liu Tao disdainfully shook off her hand, ¡°Get off, useless! I am a police officer, what¡¯s there to report?¡± The tattooed woman, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly said, ¡°Please save me, she didn¡¯t just kill my companion, she wants to kill me too; she¡¯s very ruthless, I don¡¯t want to stay here, please move me to another room.¡± Liu Tao calmly took out his phone and made a call, soon after two policemen came and carried the scar-faced woman out on a stretcher. The tattooed woman was also moved to another room. In the small room, only Jian Si and Liu Tao were left. Liu Tao, holding a police baton, slowly approached Jian Si, his face dark and menacing, like a snake hissing venom, ¡°I didn¡¯t see it coming, you handled them both.¡± Jian Si calmly looked at him and firmly said, ¡°You are Ye Qingqing¡¯s inside man.¡± Liu Tao didn¡¯t speak, unabashedly eyeing Jian Si from head to toe, her beautiful delicate features and slender, well-proportioned figure, her long beautiful legs making her look like a fairy. He subconsciously swallowed, sparks igniting inside him, a wicked fire wildly kindling within him as his gaze became evil. He approached Jian Si while reaching to unbuckle his belt. Jian Si immediately sounded the alarm in her mind, stepping back in defense. Liu Tao casually threw the unbuckled belt to the floor, leering, ¡°Such fine goods, I¡¯ve never seen before, and since you can¡¯t walk out of here intact anyway, might as well have some fun before getting down to business.¡± A ¡°click¡± sound echoed, and Jian Si¡¯s heart sank. Chapter 58 - 58 58 Jian Si Gets Injured in Prison ?58: Chapter 58 Jian Si Gets Injured in Prison 58: Chapter 58 Jian Si Gets Injured in Prison Jian Si forced herself to remain calm and raised the fruit knife in her hand, ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer, or I won¡¯t be polite to you!¡± Liu Tao ¡®heh¡¯ laughed and easily knocked the fruit knife out of her hand with his baton. ¡°That trick might work on them, but think you can take me on? That¡¯s utterly delusional! If you behave yourself, I might torture you just a little, but if you dare to resist, I¡¯ll make sure you wish you were dead.¡± Having said that, he couldn¡¯t wait to pounce towards Jian Si. ¡°Ah...¡± Jian Si screamed, trying to run, but he grabbed her hair and yanked it violently. ¡°Ugh...¡± Jian Si groaned in pain, feeling as if her scalp would be torn off. However, before she even had time to cry out in pain, she was pressed down onto the stone bed by Liu Tao, her hands pinned above her head by his single hand, as his foul-smelling mouth pressed down on her red lips. ¡°Let me go, you scum!¡± Jian Si felt so disgusted she was about to vomit, struggling and resisting nonstop, her legs kicking wildly, accidentally hitting his vital area. ¡°Ugh...¡± Liu Tao winced, inhaling a breath of cold air, and in a fit of annoyed rage, he slapped her. ¡°Slap...¡± Jian Si saw stars from the blow, her mouth corner split, her cheek burning with pain, and her ears buzzing. ¡°You bitch, you don¡¯t know your place after getting a little color! Who do you think you are? It¡¯s your good fortune that I fancy you, and you even dare to kick me. If I don¡¯t play you to death today, I¡¯ll take your last name,¡± Liu Tao cursed vehemently, his saliva flying everywhere. Ignoring the pain on her face, Jian Si bit down hard on his arm while he cursed. ¡°Hiss...¡± Liu Tao cried out, instinctively trying to withdraw his arm. Jian Si, using all her might, bit down fiercely, refusing to let go, and tore off a piece of his flesh. The rich scent of blood spread in her mouth. Liu Tao let go of his hold on her and, clutching his bloody arm, rolled on the ground in pain. Jian Si, now free, disgustedly spit out the flesh from her mouth, ran to the iron door, and kept banging on it, ¡°Let me out, I want to see Lu Youting, I want to...¡± Before she could finish, her hair was suddenly grabbed by Liu Tao again, who yanked her back with force, causing her to fall to the ground due to inertia. Liu Tao once again leaned over her, straddling her body, and continued to slap her face with his uninjured hand. ¡°Slap slap slap slap...¡± The crisp sound of slaps echoed throughout the room. In no time, Jian Si¡¯s cheeks swelled like buns, her face and mouth smeared with blood, her vision growing dark. ¡°You filthy whore, daring to bite me, I swear I won¡¯t let you live if I don¡¯t kill you today.¡± After that, still not satisfied, he grabbed Jian Si¡¯s head and knocked it hard against the cold ground twice. With a ¡°buzz¡±, severe pain came from the back of her head, and Jian Si felt her brain buzzing, her eyes seeing double, her entire being dizzy and limp like a clump of mud, completely unable to fight back. Liu Tao spat on the ground, looking at Jian Si who lay like a dead fish, and tore off her outer garment to reveal the beautiful lines of her neck and collarbone. Liu Tao¡¯s eyes widened as he looked, and he bent down, biting hard on her neck. ¡°Ugh...¡± Jian Si groaned in pain, instinctively trying to push him away, but her body was too weak, her hands soft and feeble, not so much resisting as seemingly inviting. ¡°Indeed a top-quality, skin smooth and delicate, as soft as a baby¡¯s...¡± Liu Tao, emboldened by the taste, let go of her neck and kissed her beautiful collarbone. The woman¡¯s fragrance stimulated every nerve in his body. He gnawed on her chaotically, spewing filthy curses, ¡°If you¡¯d been obedient like this from the start, wouldn¡¯t all this have been avoided? Damn it, you¡¯re a rare breed. I¡¯ve played with countless women, but I¡¯ve never had one like you. I wonder if your taste is different from the others.¡± Jian Si, powerless to fight back, closed her eyes, surrounded by an unprecedented sense of despair. Tears fell like pearls slipping off a string. ¡°No, no... let me go... let go of me...¡± Her voice was weak and powerless, nearly a whisper. The more she cried out, the more excited Liu Tao became, his hand reaching for her waist, preparing to pull down her pants... So engrossed was he that he didn¡¯t even notice the iron door being opened and continued his assault on Jian Si. Director Li, along with Lu Youting and Lu Ya, walked in. Upon seeing the situation inside, he felt the world spin around him, wishing he could faint on the spot. Before he could intervene, a shadow rushed forward, yanked Liu Tao off Jian Si, and threw him to the ground. Straddling him, he pummeled him with fists and feet. Every punch aimed at the most vulnerable parts of the body with full force. Lu Youting resembled an uncontrollable wild beast, his eyes filled with terrifying violence. Lu Ya had never seen his boss so ferocious, as if he intended to beat Liu Tao to death. Blood from Liu Tao splattered over his hands, face, and body. Yet, the normally clean-freak boss didn¡¯t care, continuously smashing punches into Liu Tao¡¯s body and face. Liu Tao had no strength to fight back, barely clinging to life, gasping for his last breath. Director Li stood by, not daring to even breathe heavily. Having dealt with Liu Tao, Lu Youting tenderly picked up Jian Si from the ground. Seeing the bite marks on her neck and collarbone, his heart trembled violently, as if a chunk had been gouged out, raw and aching. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m late!¡± For the first time in his life, his voice was hoarse and choked, as if holding back something. Jian Si forced her heavy eyelids to look at him, her hand reaching for his face, ¡°The... the surveillance...¡± She tried to speak, but lacked the strength to utter a complete sentence. Her pupils began to dilate and blur, her consciousness sinking, looking as if she were about to pass out. Lu Youting paid no attention to her words, his heart aching intensely, immediately lifting her by the waist and striding toward the exit. ¡°Hold on, I won¡¯t let anything happen to you! I¡¯m taking you to the hospital right now, hold on...¡± Jian Si lay in his arms, feeling through the thin layer of clothing that he seemed to be shaking. Was he afraid? Was he worried about her? She scoffed at herself in self-derision. How could he be worried about her? Surely he was concerned that if something happened to her, Ye Qingqing would bear inescapable responsibility. He was worried about Ye Qingqing. Yes, that must be it. She shouldn¡¯t be so delusional. At the thought, a sharp pain emanated from deep within her, quickly spreading through her limbs. Her head felt so dizzy, and she so wanted to sleep. Her eyelids felt as if they were laden with lead, growing heavier and heavier. After struggling for a while longer, she could no longer fend off the encroaching darkness, and her head tilted, falling unconscious in Lu Youting¡¯s embrace. ¡°Sisi... Sisi...¡± In her hazy state, she thought she heard someone calling her name in heart-wrenching anguish. She tried hard to open her eyes but couldn¡¯t muster any strength. In the blur, it seemed as if raindrops fell on her face. But why were these raindrops warm? Chapter 59 - 59 59 Her Fragile Side ?59: Chapter 59 Her Fragile Side 59: Chapter 59 Her Fragile Side Jian Si had completed a series of examinations and was taken to the VIP ward. Lu Youting looked at the pale-faced Jian Si, her head wrapped in bandages, still in a coma, and his hands suddenly clenched tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands, his entire body as if enveloped in the freezing winds and snow of a bitterly cold place. The doctor reported the examination results at his side. ¡°Professor Jian has soft tissue damage on her face, moderate concussive injury to her brain, and no hematomas are found inside her skull at the moment. We will observe her for a night, and if no symptoms like vomiting or fever appear, she should recover after a period of treatment.¡± Lu Youting narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°And if there is vomiting or fever?¡± Facing Lu Youting¡¯s grim face that resembled King Yanluo, the doctor broke out in a cold sweat, trembling as he said, ¡°If, if there is vomiting and dizziness, her life would be in danger and emergency surgery would be necessary.¡± ¡°Life-threatening?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted, his handsome face alternating rapidly between pale and flushed with surging murderous intent. The doctor, with his head bowed and neck stiff, nodded: ¡°Director Lu, please be assured, with today¡¯s medical advances, Miss Jian will be fine.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression was dark, and he didn¡¯t speak. Looking at the wounds on Jian Si¡¯s body, a sharp pain as if a blade was thrust deep into his heart made it difficult to breathe, and he was shrouded in a cloud of guilt and self-reproach. He gently brushed the stray hairs from beside Jian Si¡¯s ear to behind her ear and said hoarsely, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have put you in harm¡¯s way. I didn¡¯t expect them to dare to hurt you like this.¡± Unfortunately, his repentance, guilt, and self-blame all fell on deaf ears as Jian Si in her coma couldn¡¯t hear anything. The only response was an eerie silence. A sour tightness filled Lu Youting¡¯s chest. Without his permission, the doctor didn¡¯t dare to leave, standing there as silent as an ice sculpture, like a convict waiting for the judge¡¯s verdict, his heart pounding wildly. The air in the ward grew thinner and thinner. So oppressive it made it hard to breathe. The doctor¡¯s nerves were tightly wound, continuously tugging until they were on the verge of snapping, and just then, the door to the ward was pushed open and Lu Yanbai appeared like a savior in the nick of time. Lu Yanbai walked to the bedside and, upon seeing Jian Si beaten beyond recognition, burst into tears and began hitting Lu Youting. ¡°Daddy, why has Mommy turned out like this? Didn¡¯t you say Mommy would be okay? You lied to me again, I hate you, I hate you so much!¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t dodge or hide but stood there letting the onslaught continue. Seeing Lu Youting distracted, the doctor immediately turned around and, as if running away, left the ward. After letting Lu Yanbai hit him for a while, Lu Youting finally crouched down and picked him up to sit on a chair nearby, his eyes red and voice choked with emotion, ¡°Xiao Bai, I¡¯m sorry, I failed to protect your mommy.¡± ¡°Wuu wuu...¡± Lu Yanbai was crying heartbreakingly, so enraged that he gritted his teeth: ¡°Then you tell me, who did this to my mommy? I¡¯ll kill them.¡± Lu Youting gestured for silence and said, ¡°Shh, your mommy is very weak right now, let¡¯s keep our voices down, so we don¡¯t disturb her. Let her rest well. As for revenge, we can talk about it after your mommy wakes up. You don¡¯t need to do anything; Daddy will make those people wish they were dead.¡± Afraid of disturbing Jian Si, Lu Yanbai indeed tried not to cry and even spoke much more softly: ¡°Daddy, you must teach those people a harsh lesson, Mommy can¡¯t be bullied for no reason.¡± Lu Youting nodded, vowing solemnly, ¡°Daddy won¡¯t let you down.¡± Lu Yanbai leaned into Lu Youting¡¯s arms, and father and son stayed at the bedside in the ward, waiting for Jian Si to awaken. They waited until deep into the night. Lu Yanbai couldn¡¯t hold up anymore and fell asleep in Lu Youting¡¯s arms. Lu Youting gently laid him on the sofa and took a thin blanket from the closet to cover him. At this moment, Jian Si, still unconscious, was tormented by nightmares. In her nightmare, she was locked in a prison cell, and Liu Tao, wearing a police uniform, pinned her down and frantically tore at her clothes, his foul breath closing in on her without cease. Every inch of her was marred by his marks. She wanted to cry out for help. But Liu Tao didn¡¯t allow her a chance to speak, slapping her face repeatedly. The pain was unbearable. The despair overwhelming. As Liu Tao stripped off her last piece of clothing, she completely broke down, tears streaming wildly, and with a strength she didn¡¯t know she had, she finally managed to scream. ¡°Don¡¯t... don¡¯t touch me...¡± Accompanied by the heart-wrenching shout, her body sprang up, and her eyes flew open. Lu Youting knew she was having a nightmare and immediately rushed over, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Hearing the familiar voice and seeing the familiar face, Jian Si clung to him like a lifeline, her slender body trembling like chaff. ¡°There¡¯s someone... trying to assault me, save me... save me...¡± Having been reunited for so long, Lu Youting saw her this vulnerable for the first time; his heart suddenly twisted into a knot, one hand wrapping around her waist tightly while the other soothingly patted her back. ¡°It¡¯s alright now, I¡¯ve already saved you... there¡¯s nothing wrong now... I¡¯ll take good care of you and never let anyone else bully you again.¡± Jian Si was still immersed in the nightmare, unable to break free: ¡°He was terrifying, he tore at my clothes, his mouth kept gnawing on me, he... he was even going to take off my pants... I wanted to scream for help, but I couldn¡¯t make a sound, I was so scared, really so scared...¡± Lu Youting involuntarily visualized the scene following her description, his heroic face contorting like Satan from Hell, wishing he could kill the scum immediately. Jian Si continued, ¡°He bit my neck, my collarbone, and I couldn¡¯t fight back, I hate my own helplessness...¡± Lu Youting tenderly cupped her face, forcing her to look at him: ¡°Look at me, I¡¯m Lu Youting, you¡¯re safe now, truly safe! I¡¯ve disabled that scum¡¯s hands, he won¡¯t dare to bully you anymore...¡± ¡°Safe? Are we safe?¡± Jian Si murmured absentmindedly, unable to return to reality, her thoughts in disarray. Lu Youting kissed her lips forcefully, ¡°Can you feel it? This is my breath, my warmth, not that scum¡¯s! You are indeed safe now, everything is alright!¡± Saying this, he kissed her red lips again and again. As he repeatedly called out to her, Jian Si slowly regained consciousness, staring blankly at Lu Youting as her unfocused pupils slowly sharpened. ¡°Lu Youting?¡± Lu Youting nodded vigorously, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Lu Youting! I¡¯m here to rescue you!¡± Once she confirmed his identity, all of Jian Si¡¯s grievances came rushing out. The fear that had kept her tense suddenly relaxed, and she embraced Lu Youting tightly, unable to stop sobbing, laying bare all her vulnerability before him. ¡°It¡¯s really you! I thought I was done for, sob... do you know how scared I was?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s voice caught in his throat as he held her tight in his arms, his voice a hoarse whisper, ¡°I know, I know, I¡¯m sorry, I was late, I didn¡¯t know he would be so bold as to do such a thing in the guardhouse.¡± With a tight grip, Jian Si wrapped her arms around his waist, releasing all her fear and misery. Lu Youting¡¯s broad hands repeatedly patted her back, silently letting her vent. Chapter 60 - 60 60 Jian Si has a fever ?60: Chapter 60 Jian Si has a fever 60: Chapter 60 Jian Si has a fever She didn¡¯t know how long had passed before Jian Si finally stopped crying, having vented enough, and she withdrew from his embrace. Thinking back to the embarrassment, she shyly lowered her head and reached to wipe the tears from her face. The moment her hand touched her face, it hurt so much that she gasped. She had been too focused on crying before to feel the pain. Now, as the realization hit her, she noticed a burning pain on her face. Lu Youting immediately pulled her hand away, his voice gentle, ¡°Does your face hurt? Wait a moment, I¡¯ll get you some ice. The doctor said that applying ice can relieve pain.¡± Jian Si, scared, clung to his hand, not daring to let him leave. Lu Youting soothed her by patting the back of her hand, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there are bodyguards outside the door, no one can come in! I¡¯ll be back soon, very quickly.¡± Hearing that there were bodyguards outside, Jian Si finally let go of him. Lu Youting rubbed her head and left the hospital room. In no time, he returned with a few ice cubes wrapped in a towel and asked her to lie back on the bed. He carefully placed the ice on her face. The cool sensation of the ice substantially eased the pain. Afraid that it was too cold, which could be bad for her nerves, Lu Youting alternated sides to apply it. ¡°How does it feel? If it¡¯s too cold, I can wrap it in another towel.¡± Jian Si moved her lips tentatively. Although it still hurt, it was much better than before, ¡°Am, am I in the hospital now?¡± ¡°Yes! You¡¯re in the room next to Xiao Bai!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s voice was hoarse, like rich red wine, permeating a mesmerizing intoxication. Jian Si¡¯s mind drifted for a moment before she suddenly remembered something and quickly said, ¡°Surveillance, check the surveillance...¡± Lu Youting reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already asked Lu Ya to retrieve the security footage. I won¡¯t let any of the people who bullied you get away.¡± ¡°No!¡± Jian Si panicked and the agitation pulled at the wounds on her face, causing her to wince in pain. Lu Youting felt terrible for her and involuntarily bent down to breathe lightly on her cheek, ¡°Does it hurt a lot? Just bear with it, it will stop hurting in 24 hours.¡± His voice was soft, and his hot breath brushed her cheek and ear like a feather¡ªa night like this, a distance like this, and an atmosphere like this created an indescribable ambiguity. Jian Si¡¯s heart fluttered violently, her mind in complete disarray. Seeing that she didn¡¯t respond, Lu Youting thought his method was effective and blew gently on her other cheek. ¡°In the past, every time Xiao Bai got hurt, he would have me blow on it like this, and he said it worked well. It seems to be effective indeed!¡± Jian Si¡¯s cheeks burned red, her heartbeat accelerated, and her breathing grew heavier. Whether it was effective she didn¡¯t know, but she indeed couldn¡¯t feel the pain right now. Watching his handsome face so close, Jian Si was afraid that if this continued, she would fall for him again. She couldn¡¯t help but push him away. ¡°It¡¯s okay now, it doesn¡¯t hurt that much anymore.¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t overthink and moved back a bit, continuing to apply the cold compress to her cheek. An ambiguous atmosphere flowed between them. The hospital room was so quiet that they could hear each other¡¯s heartbeat. Unable to bear the atmosphere, Jian Si broke the silence, ¡°There¡¯s surveillance on the ambulance as well. If I¡¯m not mistaken, once they thought they had trapped me, they would drop their guard. Checking the surveillance there should reveal the evidence of how they framed me.¡± Her compliance in being monitored was also to get Ye Qingqing and her daughter to lower their guard so she could reveal the truth. She knew they would target her while observing, but she had never expected to encounter scum like Liu Tao. Ultimately, it was a move misjudged. Lu Youting¡¯s eyes darkened meaningfully, ¡°I¡¯ve already asked Lu Ya to handle it!¡± Jian Si looked at him in surprise, ¡°You thought of the surveillance on the ambulance too?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Lu Youting nodded, ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure, just trying it out.¡± Jian Si asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Then... what was the result?¡± Without directly answering her, Lu Youting comforted her, ¡°Leave this matter to me; I will find out the truth and obtain justice for you.¡± Sensing something amiss in his words, Jian Si¡¯s heart suddenly sank with a ¡®thud.¡¯ ¡°Is there a problem with the surveillance?¡± Afraid she would continue guessing and become even more anxious, Lu Youting hastily said, ¡°We were a step too late, the footage has already been deleted! But Shen Qing is working on restoring it, and given his abilities, it shouldn¡¯t be too difficult.¡± Hearing this, Jian Si breathed a sigh of relief. Shen Qing, a genius programmer second only to Xiao Bai, was definitely very capable. With him on it, there shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Lu Youting couldn¡¯t help but touch her only uninjured forehead, his long fingers gently rubbing it, ¡°Don¡¯t think too much right now; rest well, and if you feel any discomfort, let me know. I will stay by your bedside.¡± The warmth from his palm felt as though it could penetrate her skin. Jian Si felt her forehead burning fiercely, as if there was a fire, leaving her throat parched and tongue dry. ¡°And Xiao Bai...?¡± Her voice was hoarse, like a traveler lost in a desert. Lu Youting turned his body slightly, gesturing towards the couch with a glance. Following his gaze, Jian Si was shocked to find Xiao Bai sleeping on the couch and immediately widened her eyes, ¡°Xiao Bai has been here the whole time? Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? Luckily, we didn¡¯t wake him.¡± Lu Youting dismissed it casually, ¡°Since you¡¯ve been back, Xiao Bai¡¯s sleep has been good. Plus, he didn¡¯t nap during the day, so he¡¯s sleeping very heavily now; no worries!¡± Seeing Lu Yanbai sleeping soundly, Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but curve her lips into a smile, ¡°I don¡¯t need looking after¡ªyou should get some rest too!¡± Lu Youting raised an eyebrow, teasing her, ¡°Sleep where? The couch is taken by Xiao Bai, and the bed by you.¡± Catching the implication in his words, Jian Si¡¯s ears tinged red, her eyelashes fluttered wildly, and she simply turned her head, ignoring him. Lu Youting¡¯s lips curled slightly, his smile spreading like ripples. ¡°Rest well; call me if you need anything!¡± As he picked up the melted ice cubes and prepared to leave, Jian Si suddenly spoke, ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°Hm?¡± Lu Youting stopped in his tracks, surprised as he looked at her. Jian Si¡¯s back to him, ¡°I know it was you who made sure they slipped me a fruit knife for protection inside.¡± Mentioning this, the smile on Lu Youting¡¯s lips vanished, surrounded again by self-reproach and regret. ¡°It was my mistake; I thought admitting you to the station would make Ye Qingqing and her daughter lower their guard, facilitating the investigation. I didn¡¯t expect there to be such scum there. It¡¯s my fault for not protecting you well and letting you get hurt.¡± Jian Si stiffened. After a while, she slowly turned around, deeply gazing at Lu Youting, ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault! At least, you believed in me.¡± And he had stayed by her side. If it weren¡¯t for him pulling her out of the nightmare just now, she might have already collapsed. These were enough to touch her. Lu Youting, looking at her, felt his heart being constricted by an invisible thread, tightening inch by inch. To break the oppressive atmosphere, he pretended to be lighthearted, ¡°I just happen to have the judgment skills of a normal person.¡± ¡°Pfft...¡± Jian Si laughed. The atmosphere lightened considerably. This was their first peaceful conversation since they reunited. True to his word, Lu Youting stayed by her bedside all night, handling official business on his computer while keeping an eye on Jian Si. In the middle of the night, Jian Si suddenly developed a high fever, talking deliriously as she burned in confusion¡ª Chapter 61 - 61 61 Lu Youting Changes Clothes for Jian Si ?61: Chapter 61 Lu Youting Changes Clothes for Jian Si 61: Chapter 61 Lu Youting Changes Clothes for Jian Si ¡°Sisi, how are you doing? Sisi...¡± Lu Youting gently patted her cheeks, attempting to wake her up. As soon as his hand touched her face, it was immediately so hot that he recoiled. ¡°Are you running a fever? Your face is so hot, Sisi, wake up, look at me...¡± But Jian Si showed no response; her mouth twisted in fear and pain, her lips moving as if she were trying to say something, but it was unclear what. Remembering the doctor¡¯s words, Lu Youting dared not delay any further and immediately called the on-duty doctor. The doctor rushed over with a nurse. They pressed an electronic thermometer against her forehead and, with a ¡®beep,¡¯ the thermometer issued a red alert, clearly displaying 40¡ãC. Lu Youting was scared by the temperature, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is her fever so high? Is her condition very bad?¡± The doctor hurriedly reassured, ¡°Director Lu, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take her for an examination first to find the cause of the fever! The specific situation will depend on the results of the examination!¡± Saying this, he had the nurse push the hospital bed out. Afraid that the nurse might not have enough strength, Lu Youting called the bodyguards stationed at the door and was about to follow when a sleeping Lu Yanbai woke up due to the noise, drowsily opened his eyes, and seeing Jian Si being pushed away by the nurse, instantly became fully awake, grabbing Lu Youting¡¯s hand anxiously, ¡°Daddy, what¡¯s wrong with Mommy? Where are they taking her?¡± Lu Youting hurriedly soothed, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mommy just has a bit of a fever, and the doctor is taking her for an examination.¡± ¡°Fever? How did she get a fever?¡± Lu Yanbai knew that it was not simple, otherwise Daddy wouldn¡¯t have made such a fuss. Lu Youting, afraid that he would overthink, had no choice but to sit him down on the sofa, gently patting his back, ¡°Mommy is okay. You lie on the sofa and continue to sleep a bit, Daddy will go accompany Mommy.¡± Lu Yanbai urged, ¡°I¡¯m fine, I¡¯ve grown up, I can take care of myself, you go take care of Mommy! Mommy needs you.¡± Lu Youting, still worried, instructed, ¡°Call me if you need anything, or ask the nurse for help.¡± Lu Yanbai nodded vigorously, ¡°Mm! Daddy, go quickly to accompany Mommy.¡± Lu Youting placed him on the sofa and hurried after Jian Si. Not long after he left, Jian Si¡¯s phone on the bedside table rang. Lu Yanbai followed the sound and saw that it was a WeChat video call from a contact named ¡®Baby.¡¯ Baby? Who is Mommy¡¯s baby? Feeling slightly hurt, he curiously answered the video call, and Yueyue¡¯s small face appeared in the small phone frame, her eyes red as if she had just been crying. Seeing him, Jian Yue was clearly taken aback. ¡°Xiao Bai, how come it¡¯s you? Where is my mom? Did something happen to her?¡± ¡°Your mom?¡± Lu Yanbai hesitated for a moment, then realized, ¡°Are you asking about my mom?¡± With his prompt, Jian Yue quickly corrected herself, ¡°Right, where is she? Why did you answer her phone?¡± Lu Yanbai glanced at the time, which showed it was three in the morning, and wondered, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you asleep at this time?¡± Upon mentioning this, Jian Yue, who had just stopped her tears, began to cry again, ¡°I... I had a nightmare that something happened to her, I was worried, so I wanted to call and check. Where is she? I really want to see her.¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes dimmed, ¡°She has a fever and was taken by Daddy for an examination.¡± Upon hearing this, Jian Yue anxiously asked, ¡°A fever? How could she get a fever!¡± ¡°Um... well...¡± Lu Yanbai cast his eyes down, hesitating. He didn¡¯t want Yueyue to worry, but children can hardly hide their concerns. The more hesitant he was, the more Jian Yue felt something serious was happening. After much probing, Lu Yanbai couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and blurted out everything that had happened. After listening, Jian Yue¡¯s eyes were swollen from crying, her face filled with disbelief. ¡°Mommy, Mommy actually got hit, hit into a concussion?¡± Hearing Lu Yanbai¡¯s story from off-camera, Si Chen¡¯s face turned bright red with anger, his body trembling, wishing he could dismember Ye Qingqing and her daughter a thousand times. Lu Yanbai hadn¡¯t been crying, but seeing Jian Yue cry, he also started to cry. ¡°It¡¯s my incompetence, I failed to take good care of Mommy! I should have insisted that the police didn¡¯t take Mommy away, it¡¯s all my fault...¡± Jian Yue cried until her eyes were swollen, ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault, it¡¯s Ye Qingqing and her daughter who are too cruel, they are really too bad...¡± Both cried facing the camera. Lu Yanbai was crying on this side of the phone, Jian Yue on that side of the phone. After a good while, pushed by Jian Si Chen, Jian Yue reluctantly hung up the phone. Si Chen sat quietly on the side, his face, which resembled Lu Youting¡¯s by eighty to ninety percent, void of any warmth. His usually bright eyes were now as cold as Arctic ice, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. ¡°I¡¯m worried about Mommy, I want to go see her.¡± As Jian Yue wiped her tears, she said, ¡°But you and Second Brother look exactly the same, that lousy father is so smart. If he sees you, he will definitely know the truth.¡± Si Chen¡¯s eyes shone craftily, struck by a sudden idea. ¡°Tomorrow, let Auntie take us to the hospital. You and Auntie distract Xiao Bai as much as possible to delay the time. I will pretend to be him and visit Mommy.¡± Jian Yue asked worriedly, ¡°Will it work? What if that lousy dad finds out?¡± Si Chen assured confidently, ¡°I¡¯m so clever, he won¡¯t find out.¡± Jian Yue, still concerned about Jian Si, pondered for a while before agreeing to his suggestion. Meanwhile, in the hospital emergency room observation ward. After getting an IV, Jian Si¡¯s fever gradually subsided. However, her consciousness remained blurred, her complexion deathly pale without a trace of blood color. Fine perspiration blanketed her face, her clothes soaked with sweat. The doctor exhaled slightly after reviewing the test results. ¡°Professor Jian doesn¡¯t have any internal bleeding in the brain, no need for surgery, and there¡¯s no risk to her life! The fever is due to a viral invasion caused by low immunity. Just continue with the injections for three more days.¡± Hearing that Jian Si was fine, Lu Youting also let out a sigh of relief. The doctor continued, ¡°However, Professor Jian¡¯s clothes are all wet, they need to be changed!¡± Saying this, he pointed to a set of clean clothes at the end of the bed. ¡°These are hospital clothes, quickly change her into these.¡± Lu Youting nodded, ¡°Okay!¡± The doctor, still concerned, asked, ¡°Do you need me to find a nurse to help?¡± Looking at Jian Si¡¯s hooked-up hand, Lu Youting feared they might handle it poorly, so he shook his head and said, ¡°No need, I¡¯ll do it myself! You all go out, please!¡± ¡°Okay! Call me if you need anything, Director Lu! I¡¯ll step out now.¡± After the doctor left, taking the hospital records with him, Lu Youting had the bodyguard fetch a basin and a towel from Jian Si¡¯s room, filled it with hot water, and set it on a stool nearby. Then he began to unbutton Jian Si¡¯s clothes. The marks on her neck and collarbone caught his eyes. A dense, throbbing pain rose in Lu Youting¡¯s chest, his brows furrowed into a deep ¡°Chuan¡± character, his eyes tinged with a few shades of blood-red, chillingly cold. Chapter 62 - 62 62 Chenbao Disguises as Xiao Bai to Visit Jian Si ?62: Chapter 62: Chenbao Disguises as Xiao Bai to Visit Jian Si 62: Chapter 62: Chenbao Disguises as Xiao Bai to Visit Jian Si At that moment, his mind was only filled with Jian Si¡¯s injuries, he was fully focused, carefully wiping the sweat off her body, and then changing her into a hospital gown. When dressing the hand with the IV drip, he carefully threaded the infusion bottle through the sleeve. After changing her clothes, he used a dry towel to wipe her damp hair. His movements were gentle and attentive, as if she were a delicate porcelain doll that might break at any moment. After everything was done, it was nearly five o¡¯clock. Although autumn had arrived, the sky was still bright early on, and the morning light gradually crept in from the balcony outside, falling on Jian Si¡¯s face through the window glass. Lu Youting sat on the side, exhausted, quietly gazing at her, lost in thought. The fever had completely subsided after the infusion, and the swelling on her face had significantly reduced, bringing a bit of vitality back to her pale face. Lu Youting breathed a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted, his eyes brimming with pity. Just then, Lu Ya came in with breakfast and, seeing Lu Youting¡¯s tired face, worriedly said, ¡°Boss, you¡¯ve been up all night without sleep, go rest first! I¡¯ll take care of Lady.¡± Lu Youting did not respond, his expression darkened and he asked sharply, ¡°Are all the people caught?¡± Lu Ya understood what he was asking and, bowing his head, replied respectfully, ¡°Yes! All the necessary people have been caught, and all the relevant data have been collected.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s deep black eyes suddenly narrowed, and in an instant, the atmosphere turned stormy. ¡°Make sure they are secure, I want to interrogate them personally.¡± Lu Ya replied, ¡°They are all held in the basement, ready for interrogation at any time.¡± Lu Youting was silent for a moment, then asked, ¡°Has the surveillance video from the emergency room been recovered?¡± Lu Ya hesitated, ¡°Um! Shen Qing is already working on it! The person who deleted the videos was prepared and had installed a virus within, Shen Qing is still clearing the virus.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression visibly cooled down until it was chilling. ¡°Speed it up!¡± Lu Ya shuddered out a cold grunt, replied as if terrified, ¡°I will tell him to speed it up.¡± Lu Youting raised a hand, ¡°Just put down the breakfast and head to the company! If there¡¯s an urgent matter that needs attention, bring the documents to the hospital or handle it over video.¡± ¡°Alright!¡± Lu Ya dared not disobey his order, placed down the breakfast, and then left. Three hours later, Jian Si finally slowly woke from her slumber. Lu Youting immediately went to check her forehead temperature. Jian Si had just awakened and was not fully alert yet, compliant as a docile baby under his care. Finding that her temperature had completely subsided, Lu Youting¡¯s tense facial expression finally relaxed, and his thin lips slightly curved, ¡°You had a fever last night, 40 degrees, fortunately, it wasn¡¯t caused by a cerebral hemorrhage, and now that the fever is gone, there should be no major issues.¡± Jian Si touched her forehead, disbelievingly said, ¡°I actually had a fever! No wonder my body hurts, it felt like being run over by a car.¡± Lu Youting laughed, ¡°It¡¯s normal to feel uncomfortable after a high fever! Just rest for a few more days and you¡¯ll be fine!¡± Jian Si rolled her eyes at him, jokingly using his words from yesterday, ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, not a three-year-old child, I have the basic common sense of a doctor.¡± Seeing her jest, Lu Youting raised his eyebrows, and a deep chuckle emanated from his throat, ¡°Professor Jian, breakfast is ready, if you¡¯re feeling okay, come have breakfast! You didn¡¯t eat dinner last night!¡± Jian Si nodded and struggled to get up. Lu Youting, worried she might not be able to get up, extended his hand to support her back, helping her to sit up. ¡°Thank you!¡± she said gratefully, then as if recalling something, her eyes darkened with self-reproach, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for Xiao Bai, causing his surgery to not go smoothly today.¡± Lu Youting comforted her, ¡°Ever since you came back, his condition has been controlled very well! A little delay in the surgery won¡¯t matter.¡± Though he said that, the thought of his son enduring a few more days of heart disease torment still made Jian Si feel guilty. Lu Youting wouldn¡¯t let her worry excessively and helped her out of bed. After she finished washing up and came out of the bathroom, Lu Youting had already set the breakfast on the dining table. ¡°The doctor said you can¡¯t eat food that¡¯s too greasy or spicy, so I asked Lu Ya to buy you some millet porridge and pair it with organic vegetables. Make do with it,¡± Jian Si sat down by the hospital bed and looked at the freshly cooked vegetables, she smiled and said, ¡°Is this a special treat? So early in the morning, where would you find stir-fried dishes?¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t respond to her comment but handed her the chopsticks, ¡°Can you manage? Or should I feed you?¡± Jian Si responded speechlessly, ¡°I hurt my head, not my hands.¡± Lu Youting couldn¡¯t help but laugh, then picked up another portion and began to eat with her. As soon as the food hit his mouth, he frowned and showed a look of disgust, ¡°It¡¯s not as delicious as the ones you make.¡± Jian Si glared at him, ¡°Xiao Bai is picky, just like you.¡± Lu Youting took it as a compliment rather than something shameful, ¡°He¡¯s my son, of course he¡¯s like me!¡± Jian Si pursed her lips and was speechless to the extreme. On this end, the atmosphere was harmonious. Elsewhere, Su Wan had already arrived at the hospital with Jian Yue and Jian Sichen. Following Jian Sichen¡¯s instructions, Jian Yue dialed Lu Yanbai¡¯s number. It was time for ward rounds, and because of Jian Si¡¯s injury, it was delayed. Jian Yue¡¯s call was quickly picked up, and when Lu Yanbai learned that Jian Yue was at the hospital, his voice couldn¡¯t hide his surprise, ¡°You really came? Then wait for me at the flower bed downstairs, I¡¯ll be right down.¡± After hanging up, Jian Sichen, wearing a duckbill hat and a mask, immediately hid behind a flower bed nearby. Soon, Lu Yanbai arrived and there was a young female caretaker following him. Seeing Jian Yue, the joy on his face was unmistakable. He politely called out to Su Wan as ¡®Aunt Su¡¯ then excitedly said to Jian Yue, ¡°Yueyue, why did you suddenly come? I thought I heard wrong just now!¡± Jian Yue affectionately took his hand, ¡°Brother Xiao Bai, have you had breakfast? I haven¡¯t had breakfast yet. Can you accompany me for breakfast?¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t doubt her and agreed without hesitation, ¡°Sure! What would you like to eat?¡± Jian Yue pouted her lips, ¡°I don¡¯t like the food in the hospital cafeteria. I want to eat beef noodles from the noodle shop across from the hospital!¡± Lu Yanbai readily agreed, ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll take you there.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Seeing her plan succeeded, Jian Yue couldn¡¯t be happier and pulled him away. Hidden behind the flower bed, Jian Sichen watched them leave, then took off his clothes, hat, and mask, packed them into a bag, and stuffed it into the flower bed. He was wearing a hospital gown underneath, specially prepared to see his mom. As expected. Jian Sichen, now in a hospital gown, didn¡¯t arouse any suspicion and made his way to the emergency room unobstructed. He was about to ask the nurse for Jian Si¡¯s ward when he saw Ye Qingqing pushing Xu Jiaorong in a wheelchair into a room ahead. He frowned, sensing that the mother and daughter had ill-intentions, and quickly and stealthily followed them. Ye Qingqing pushed Xu Jiaorong into the hospital room just in time to see Jian Si and Lu Youting sitting face to face, chatting and laughing as they shared breakfast. Jealousy turned her eyes blood-red, and her body trembled. Chapter 63 - 63 63 Flirting in front of the white lotus ?63: Chapter 63 Flirting in front of the white lotus 63: Chapter 63 Flirting in front of the white lotus The two of them didn¡¯t notice the unexpected visitor¡¯s arrival. After finishing breakfast, Jian Si took the initiative to clean up the dishes, but Lu Youting pressed her down, ¡°You¡¯re the patient. You should rest. I¡¯ll take care of this.¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t think much of it. ¡°I¡¯m fine now!¡± Lu Youting deliberately put on a stern face and said in a deep voice, ¡°Even if you are fine, I still won¡¯t let a patient do any work.¡± Left with no choice, Jian Si had to withdraw her hand. When she grabbed a piece of paper to wipe her mouth, she belatedly realized that her clothes had been changed. She quickly looked at Lu Youting and asked with a trembling voice, ¡°My clothes, how were they changed?¡± As she spoke, she silently prayed in her heart that it was a nurse who had changed them, not Lu Youting. Unfortunately, her prayers went unheard by the heavens. As Lu Youting continued to clean up the dishes, he said, ¡°You sweated a lot last night, and your clothes were all wet. The doctor said we needed to switch out the wet clothes, so I changed them for you.¡± Jian Si¡¯s face instantly turned crimson, like a cooked shrimp, the redness spreading all the way to her ears. ¡°You, you changed them?¡± Lu Youting, without overthinking it, replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world, ¡°Yes, I did.¡± Involuntarily, images of her changing clothes filled Jian Si¡¯s mind, leaving her feeling so embarrassed that she wished she could crawl into a hole. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you let the nurse change them?¡± ¡°You were on an IV drip at that time, and I was afraid the nurse might accidentally dislodge your needle, which would¡¯ve meant having to insert it again!¡± Lu Youting answered with straightforwardness, not sensing anything inappropriate. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal to reinsert it. You... why... why...?¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t continue. It was simply too embarrassing. Under anaesthetic, her ex-husband had stripped her bare. That scene was unimaginable and unbearable to confront. Finally noticing something was off, Lu Youting regarded her in surprise, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°You, you... I... I...¡± Jian Si pointed to herself and then at Lu Youting, stuttering and unable to get her words out. Detecting her extreme discomfort, Lu Youting realized what was going on, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes. ¡°Even if I, Lu Youting, were to behave like a beast, I definitely wouldn¡¯t harbor improper thoughts about a patient. Rest assured, I looked at you just like a male gynecologist looks at a pregnant woman.¡± With that comparison, Jian Si felt even more vivid imagery, her cheeks reddening as if they were about to bleed, almost burying her head in her chest. ¡°Idiot...¡± Lu Youting couldn¡¯t resist ruffling her hair, a pleasurable chuckle emerging from his throat. In the golden morning light, his smile was enchantingly radiant, adding a touch of warmth to his otherwise stern face. For however long Ye Qingqing had been there, they had been sweetly bickering the entire time. Even Lu Youting, usually extremely vigilant, hadn¡¯t noticed two more people had entered the sickroom, flirting openly with Jian Si as if no one else was there. Ye Qingqing felt her blood rush to her head in an instant. Xu Jiaorong couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and smashed her water cup to the floor, creating a crisp sound that immediately drew Lu Youting and Jian Si¡¯s attention. Seeing them, the smiles on the faces of Lu Youting and Jian Si vanished completely, and both their expressions darkened simultaneously. With an expressionless face, Lu Youting asked, ¡°How did you two get in here?¡± Xu Jiaorong, her face twisted and fierce, demanded, ¡°Lu Youting, have you treated my daughter fairly?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes suddenly turned icy cold, ¡°It¡¯s none of anyone¡¯s business what I do.¡± Ye Qingqing, her chest heaving with anger, retorted, ¡°How could you treat me like this? You knew she hurt my mother, how could you let her out? You promised to seek justice for me.¡± Xu Jiaorong knew that Lu Youting was receptive to gentleness rather than force. Even trembling with rage, she checked her anger, softening her tone, ¡°I know you and Qingqing aren¡¯t married yet, so I dare not call myself your mother-in-law. But, both publicly and privately, you shouldn¡¯t have released her. She hurt me and should be punished.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes filled with tears of grievance. ¡°You are my fiance?, even if you can neglect what happened to my mom, how could you stay by her side when I needed you most? And, and...¡± She bit her lower lip, struggling to voice her thoughts, ¡°You even changed her clothes, how could you be fair to me?¡± ¡°The situation isn¡¯t as filthy and shameful as you think,¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face turned as dark as ink. ¡°Is it I who imagined it to be filthy? As a man engaged to be married, shouldn¡¯t you avoid impropriety? There are female doctors and nurses in the hospital, even a caretaker for Xiao Bai upstairs. Don¡¯t you know to let them change her clothes? Why must you do it yourself? Is it my imagination that¡¯s filthy, or have you, Lu Youting, never forgotten her from the start?¡± Ye Qingqing was so furious that she blurted out all the thoughts that had been pressing on her mind for days. Lu Youting, as if struck at the heart, a flicker of discomfort crossing his eyes. Xu Jiaorong, experienced in such matters, caught on instantly. Fearing the quarrel would escalate beyond repair, she hurriedly took Ye Qingqing¡¯s hand and spoke gently, ¡°Sisi is sick and is Xiao Bai¡¯s biological mother. It¡¯s reasonable for him to take care of her, considering Xiao Bai¡¯s feelings. I know you¡¯re upset because you¡¯re jealous. I trust Youting will not let you down.¡± ¡°But...¡± Ye Qingqing was still not willing to let it go. Xu Jiaorong pinched her palm gently but firmly. Ye Qingqing swallowed back the words she was about to say, dropping her imperious front and walking over to Lu Youting. She took his hand, her eyes welling up with tears, and turned back into the pitiful Ye Qingqing. ¡°Youting, I¡¯m sorry, I got angry because I care about you too much! I know, you wouldn¡¯t let me down, and you¡¯re taking care of your ex-wife because she is just that.¡± She emphasized the words ¡°ex-wife¡± intentionally. Her ability to switch faces so quickly left Jian Si astonished. ¡°Tell me, was it you who bribed the police guarding the detention center to let someone in to try to destroy Jian Si?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face was cold and obscure; his eyes flashed an unfathomable chill. Ye Qingqing thought her deeds were flawless, her face showing no sign of panic, she feigned surprise, ¡°Did something bad happen to my sister in the detention center? Did she get hurt there? Have things really gotten so out of control nowadays?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s brows furrowed, his question loaded with meaning, ¡°Really, it wasn¡¯t you?¡± Ye Qingqing declared self-righteously, ¡°Of course not! Do you think I am that malicious? Although Sisi and I were once rivals, she is, after all, my sister. How could I do such a thing to my own sister?¡± As she finished, tears fell again, and she added with plaintive indignation, ¡°We¡¯ve known each other for so long, don¡¯t you know what kind of person I am? How could you suspect me! I am truly heartbroken.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s brow twitched, his face clouded over with gloom. Jian Si, silent all this while, could no longer stand by. She got off the bed deliberately, approached Ye Qingqing, and said coldly, ¡°Ye Qingqing, do you really think your plan was flawless? Thinking that deleting the surveillance footage from the emergency call center will make your crime disappear?¡± Tears fell even harder from Ye Qingqing, like a bullied little rabbit. ¡°Sister, why do you wrong me? I really didn¡¯t do it! If you insist on framing me, just say it, and I¡¯ll admit it.¡± After taking a deep breath, she deliberately put on a righteous fac?ade. ¡°Yes, I did it. I arranged for someone to beat you in detention. Happy now?¡± Jian Si felt suffocated by her shamelessness, thoroughly impressed by her limitless capacity for pretense. How could there be such a woman in the world who could act so well? Yet, for the moment, there was no way to handle her. Chapter 64 - 64 64 Chenbao Stands Up for Jian Si and Teaches Ye Qingqing a Lesson ?64: Chapter 64 Chenbao Stands Up for Jian Si and Teaches Ye Qingqing a Lesson 64: Chapter 64 Chenbao Stands Up for Jian Si and Teaches Ye Qingqing a Lesson Jian Si had just gotten over a high fever and lacked the energy to argue with her. Lu Youting also disdained to argue with her, and for a moment, Ye Qingqing actually gained the upper hand. Xu Jiaorong looked smugly at Jian Si, as if she were already a defeated foe. Just then, Jian Sichen walked in from outside! Seeing Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong, he sweetly called out, ¡°Auntie, Granny.¡± Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong were both startled, looking as if they¡¯d seen a ghost. Jian Sichen tilted his head, with an ¡®innocent¡¯ look on his face. ¡°Auntie, Granny, what¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something dirty on my face?¡± Ye Qingqing shook her head vigorously, trying to maintain her composure, and falsely patted his head, insincerely saying, ¡°Xiao Bai, you¡¯re finally close with your auntie again! Auntie is really so happy. Ever since your mommy came back, you haven¡¯t liked your auntie anymore, I even thought you only wanted your mommy and not me!¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes curved in a smile, ¡°How could that be! Although I like Mommy, I also like Auntie!¡± Holding out the coffee in his hand, he added, ¡°Look, this is what I bought especially for you and Granny! Only you two have it! Even my mommy doesn¡¯t have this!¡± Ye Qingqing eyed him suspiciously, not reaching out to take it, feeling that there was something very strange about Lu Yanbai today. Jian Si, too, looked at Lu Yanbai in surprise, not understanding how Xiao Bai, who normally detested Ye Qingqing and her daughter, could suddenly change so drastically. Lu Youting¡¯s brows were tightly knit, his handsome face slightly stern. Seeing her not taking it, Jian Sichen frowned, tilted his head and said, ¡°Auntie, why aren¡¯t you taking it? I just bought this from a coffee shop next to the hospital. If you don¡¯t take it, are you suspecting that I¡¯ve put poison in it?¡± His eyes darkened, and he pouted, playing the victim. ¡°I know auntie doesn¡¯t really like me, you are just being nice to me because you want to marry my Daddy! I like you so much, but you suspect I would poison you, I¡¯m really so disappointed and sad! My Daddy adores me so much, he definitely wouldn¡¯t marry a stepmother who doesn¡¯t like me.¡± Ye Qingqing: ¡°...??¡± For some reason, although Lu Yanbai looked pitiful, she felt extremely uncomfortable. It felt like there was an underlying threat in his words. A threat that if she didn¡¯t accept it, then he would not let Lu Youting marry her. Jian Sichen turned to leave, disappointed, ¡°Since you¡¯re not drinking, then I¡¯ll just pour it away! I guess it¡¯s my mistake for not seeing clearly, knowing that you don¡¯t like me and still clinging to you.¡± The moment he turned around, Jian Si felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and all her confusion was resolved. She knew there was something off about Xiao Bai. After all this time, it was Chenbao. He was wearing a hospital gown, which almost made her fail to recognize him. Xu Jiaorong, fearing that he really might affect Ye Qingqing¡¯s marriage into the Lu Family, pulled at Ye Qingqing¡¯s sleeve and gave her a significant look. Ye Qingqing understood her intention and immediately followed Jian Sichen, taking the coffee from his hand and discreetly checked the seal to ensure it was intact before saying, ¡°Auntie didn¡¯t mean that, I was just too happy and forgot to react! This is the first cup of coffee you bought for your auntie, how could I not drink it!¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, like stars in the night sky. ¡°Auntie, do you really not mind that this cup of coffee is cheap?¡± Ye Qingqing laughed, ¡°Not at all, as long as it¡¯s something you buy, even if it¡¯s just a few dollars, your auntie would love it!¡± Jian Sichen smiled happily, inserted the straws himself, and passed the other cup to Xu Jiaorong, ¡°Granny, this is your cup! This represents my feelings for you two, you must finish it!¡± Xu Jiaorong accepted gladly. In her view, Lu Yanbai was just a naive child prone to tantrums. Kids like him were easy to handle, simply pacify him and play along, and he was never going to be a big issue. The coffee that Jian Sichen bought was a small cup, and Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong finished it in just a few sips. Watching their throats roll and the gurgling sounds they made as they swallowed, a flash of conspiratorial triumph swept through the depths of Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes. To avoid giving it away, he had specifically bought black coffee himself. Black coffee could mask the taste of all drugs. Sure enough. After finishing a cup of coffee, Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong didn¡¯t notice that it had been spiked with three times the normal dose of laxative. He wanted them to suffer from dehydration from diarrhea. Especially Xu Jiaorong, who had mobility issues¡ªhow was she going to dash to the bathroom? Once they had finished drinking, Jian Sichen curled his lips into a smile, ¡°Auntie, Grandma, was it good?¡± Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong nodded their heads, answering in unison, ¡°Mhm! Delicious!¡± Jian Sichen cursed them for fools in his heart, then waved them off, ¡°Alright, Mommy and Daddy still have things to discuss with me, so off you go!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong had been completely led by the nose. It was only after they stepped out of the hospital room that they abruptly came to their senses, standing in shock. Ye Qingqing asked in confusion, ¡°Mom, what did we come here for again?¡± Xu Jiaorong also caught onto the real issue, ¡°Right, didn¡¯t we come here to force Lu Youting to send Jian Si back to the facility he¡¯s guarding? How did we get so sidetracked by Lu Yanbai¡¯s few words and forget our original intention?¡± ¡°We got played by that little bastard again!¡± Ye Qingqing was so frustrated that she decided to go back and complete their unfinished business. But just as she turned around, a sudden cramp seized her lower abdomen. Her stomach rumbled, as if there was water churning inside, and it seemed as if something was about to burst out from her rear end. She instinctively clenched her legs together, trying hard to hold it in. But then¡ª ¡°Prrrrt, prrrrt...¡± One after another, the sounds of flatulence rang out like machine gun fire. ¡°Qingqing, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± As soon as Xu Jiaorong spoke, she began to feel pain in her own abdomen, hurriedly clutching her stomach, her face contorted in discomfort. ¡°Qingqing, my stomach, my stomach hurts so bad... hurry and take me back to the room, I need to use the restroom...¡± Seeing her mother¡¯s condition, Ye Qingqing immediately realized what had happened. ¡°We¡¯ve been had by that little bastard, Lu Yanbai...¡± Xu Jiaorong also reacted, her face filled with disbelief, ¡°He, he drugged our coffee?¡± ¡°Yes! I drugged your coffee with three times the normal dose of laxative! Don¡¯t even think about leaving the restroom today.¡± Responding to her was Jian Sichen, emerging from the hospital room. He seemed shrouded in shadow, the corners of his lips tinged with a cold curvature. ¡°You...¡± Ye Qingqing was so angry she wanted to hit him, but the moment she moved, the pain in her stomach intensified, something felt like it was about to burst out uncontrollably. Jian Sichen approached step by step, his face as dark as a demon from the Underworld, filled with icy fury. ¡°This is just a small punishment for you. The suffering you¡¯ve heaped upon my Mommy, I will reclaim from you bit by bit!¡± Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong had never imagined seeing such a terrifying expression on the face of a child, and a sudden fear arose within them. Jian Sichen growled impatiently, ¡°Get lost, don¡¯t you dare dirty my Mommy¡¯s place.¡± ¡°You...¡± Ye Qingqing had never been so humiliated by a child before, her face flushed with anger, and she raised her hand to slap his face. But as soon as her hand lifted, only a ¡®pfft¡¯ sound was heard. Time seemed to stand still. Even the air turned eerily silent. A foul stench began to spread, diffusing¡ª Chapter 65 - 65 65 Chenbao Gets Back at Ye Qingqing, and Ye Qingqing Deserves It ?65: Chapter 65: Chenbao Gets Back at Ye Qingqing, and Ye Qingqing Deserves It 65: Chapter 65: Chenbao Gets Back at Ye Qingqing, and Ye Qingqing Deserves It Ye Qingqing was completely petrified. Xu Jiaorong realized something, her face turning indescribable. Jian Sichen covered his nose with his left hand and disdainfully waved his right hand at the smell, deliberately speaking out loud, ¡°How disgusting. Professor Ye has actually shit herself in public.¡± His voice instantly drew the attention of nearby patients and nurses. This place was originally an emergency room observation ward, constantly frequented by many patients¡¯ families and medical staff. With his howl, everyone simultaneously turned their gaze upon her, and subsequently, they all smelled an unpleasant stench of feces, retreating with faces of disgust, distancing themselves from her, their expressions incredulous. Ye Qingqing felt utterly mortified and wished she could just burrow into a hole and hide. ¡°You little bastard, just wait for me, I¡¯ll not let you off,¡± she uttered venomously before pushing her wheelchair away. Unfortunately, because of her wet pants, she walked awkwardly, as if she had a carrot wedged between her legs. Moreover, as it was autumn and she wasn¡¯t wearing much, soon a yellow liquid seeped through her trousers, spreading around her buttocks. As she walked, she continuously let out successive farts. People around her covered their noses with disgust, trying hard to suppress their laughter, but seeing such a beautiful woman with shit in her pants constantly farting, they ultimately couldn¡¯t hold back and burst into uncontrollable laughter. The unrestrained laughter echoed to the skies. Ye Qingqing was so embarrassed she wished she could just perish on the spot, utterly unable to bear the ridicule, she quickened her pace. And then. ¡°Poof,¡± another sound came, and her trousers were completely soaked. ¡°Ah...¡± Ye Qingqing cried out in despair, burying her head, hoping to leave the place quickly, but because she was too hasty, her wheelchair accidentally hit the door frame, and ¡°Boom,¡± it toppled over. ¡°Ouchie...¡± Along with her cries of pain, Xu Jiaorong rolled off the wheelchair. Although her fractured spot was cast in plaster, it could not withstand such a tremendous impact, and she was in so much pain that she broke out in a cold sweat and rolled on the ground. Due to the unexpected situation, the physiological need she had been desperately holding back also ¡°poofed¡± out. Her arm hurt, her leg hurt, her pants were full of shit; she had never been so miserable in her life. For a while, the mother and daughter were engulfed in stench. Ye Qingqing desperately tried to help Xu Jiaorong back onto the wheelchair, but the more anxious she became, the less strength she seemed to have. After several attempts, Xu Jiaorong was thrown back to the ground each time, worsening her injuries. Xu Jiaorong¡¯s pain turned her face white as a sheet. A nurse nearby couldn¡¯t bear to watch anymore, worried they might tarnish the hospital¡¯s reputation. She put on a mask and helped Ye Qingqing get Xu Jiaorong back onto the wheelchair. Mother and daughter made a disgraceful escape. They fled as if being chased by a wild beast and vanished in an instant. Jian Sichen kept watching them leave, his handsome face tense, until he saw their pants soaked with yellow, unidentifiable liquid, and he finally could not hold back his laughter. Revenge successful, Jian Sichen turned around satisfied and entered the patient room. But as soon as he turned around, he saw Jian Si and Lu Youting standing behind him, who had appeared at some unknown point. Jian Si and Lu Youting¡¯s faces twisted extremely, looking like they wanted to laugh but were desperately holding it back, the corners of their mouths twitching. Seeing them, Jian Sichen immediately resumed an innocent look and smiled sweetly at them, ¡°Daddy, Mommy, when did you come out?¡± Jian Si, knowing it was all his doing, glared at him and said helplessly, ¡°Since Ye Qingqing had her second bout of diarrhea.¡± ¡°...?¡± Lu Youting was at a loss for words upon discovering for the first time Jian Si could be so inelegant. Jian Sichen said with a laugh, ¡°They¡¯re baddies, they bullied Mommy, it¡¯s their retribution, they deserve it!¡± After saying that, he thoughtfully added, ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re not feeling well, and there are many people and germs outside; let¡¯s go in and talk.¡± Jian Si nodded and turned to enter the room. After returning to the ward, Jian Si lay on the bed while Jian Sichen expertly poured her some tea, checked her forehead temperature, and upon finding it normal, he nodded reassuringly, ¡°Very good, no fever.¡± Jian Si had already grown accustomed to his maturity and capability, and she behaved very calmly. Lu Youting, however, had never seen this before and was full of surprise, especially when Jian Sichen gently applied ointment on Jian Si¡¯s face. His expression was one of disbelief. After holding back for a while, he finally couldn¡¯t help himself, ¡°Was it you who put laxatives in their coffee?¡± Jian Sichen didn¡¯t shy away and nodded in acknowledgment, ¡°Yes, it was me! Who told them to bully you guys? I purposely bought laxatives at the pharmacy, then slipped them into the coffee.¡± Lu Youting guessed, ¡°The reason it was coffee is that coffee is bitter, so they couldn¡¯t taste it?¡± Jian Sichen still admitted generously, ¡°Correct! Then I used the smallest syringe to inject the water-dissolved laxative. With their level of cautiousness, those two women surely wouldn¡¯t drink coffee that had been tampered with.¡± ¡°How do you know all this?¡± Lu Youting was thunderstruck, hardly recognizing this son in front of him. Such meticulous thinking, was this still his simple and kind son who always wore his heart on his sleeve? If it weren¡¯t for the identical face, he would have doubted this son to be an imposter. Jian Si, worried that Lu Youting might doubt Jian Sichen¡¯s identity, quickly spoke to divert his attention, ¡°Xiao Bai has been watching palace drama series with me recently. Children have a strong learning ability; he must have picked it up from there.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lu Youting clearly didn¡¯t believe it. A four-year-old child, able to understand palace drama series? And even apply it flexibly? Just as Jian Sichen finished applying ointment on Jian Si, he turned around to face a skeptical Lu Youting and flashed a sweet smile, ¡°Daddy, Mommy is telling the truth! Are you doubting my intelligence?¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...??¡± Seeing him speechless, Jian Sichen continued, ¡°I¡¯m your son, if you doubt my intelligence, then you¡¯re doubting your own. Don¡¯t you have confidence in your intelligence?¡± No one would think their intelligence was subpar, particularly the proud Lu Youting. For a moment, he found he couldn¡¯t refute. But... But... Something just didn¡¯t seem right to him. Xiao Bai was becoming much too articulate. A sly glint passed through Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes as he said cheerfully, ¡°Daddy, I haven¡¯t had breakfast yet, and I¡¯m so hungry. Could you go buy me some?¡± Lu Youting took out his phone, preparing to have a caregiver buy his breakfast. Catching on to his intentions, Jian Sichen pouted his lips and said on purpose, ¡°Daddy, I only want the breakfast you buy! I want congee with preserved egg and lean pork from Qianji Congee Shop behind the hospital, along with their fried dough sticks and soy milk.¡± Yueyue and Lu Yanbai were currently at a beef noodle restaurant in front of the hospital. And he was leading Lu Youting to a congee shop behind the hospital. With one in the front and one in the back, they certainly wouldn¡¯t run into each other. Lu Youting was always completely accommodating with his son, and after telling Jian Sichen to take good care of Jian Si, he left. Once he was gone, Jian Sichen immediately grabbed Jian Si¡¯s hand, his eyes brimming with redness, ¡°Mommy, how long were you away from me for you to turn out like this?¡± Jian Si stroked his little head to comfort him, ¡°I¡¯m fine now, aren¡¯t I? You don¡¯t have to worry about me!¡± With limited time and no room for idle chatter, Jian Sichen wiped away his tears and asked seriously, ¡°Mommy, I just heard you say that the surveillance footage was deleted by Ye Qingqing? That footage contained her incriminating evidence; what exactly is going on?¡± Jian Si explained the ins and outs of the situation to Jian Sichen in a simple and concise manner. After listening, a sneer colored Jian Sichen¡¯s eyes, ¡°To claim to be a world-class programmer and yet ignorant of the virus inside, what a disgrace. A whole night has passed, and the virus still isn¡¯t cleaned up.¡± ¡°Ah...¡± Jian Si sighed helplessly, ¡°We can¡¯t help it, Ye Qingqing and her daughter are too cunning.¡± Jian Sichen coldly snorted, ¡°They should have never messed with my Mommy! I¡¯ll show them what I¡¯m capable of.¡± Jian Si was startled, ¡°What are you planning to do?¡± The corners of Jian Sichen¡¯s lips curled up, revealing a chilling smile. Chapter 66 - 66 66 Lu Youting and his daughter Jian Yue ?66: Chapter 66 Lu Youting and his daughter Jian Yue 66: Chapter 66 Lu Youting and his daughter Jian Yue Jian Sichen arrived at the doctor¡¯s office and found a computer monitor facing the wall in the most secluded corner, his eyes curved with the most innocent smile. ¡°Beautiful doctor sister, can I borrow your computer for a moment? I have an urgent situation.¡± Lu Yanbai was notorious in the hospital, known to everyone and not to be offended, and at this moment, his sweet mouth and smiling eyes made him look as enchanting as a little prince stepping out of a comic book. The female doctor was so dazzled that she didn¡¯t say a word and immediately stood up, offering her seat. ¡°Alright, I just finished using it, you can use it first!¡± Out of respect for not prying into others¡¯ privacy, the female doctor left the office, leaving her computer to him. Jian Sichen immediately sat down and his small hands started tapping rapidly on the keyboard. He had barely infiltrated the system when he discovered that the virus was one he had sold for a high price not long before. He finally understood why Shen Qing had been unable to remove it completely. The virus he had created could only be solved by him. However, he had not expected that his virus would be bought by Ye Qingqing and used against his Mommy. The thought made him tremble with anger. Meanwhile, at Lu Group. After trying for a whole day and night, Shen Qing, who was on the verge of breaking down due to the inability to remove the virus completely, had dark circles under his eyes and a forehead covered in dense, fine sweat. A subordinate asked, ¡°Director Shen, what kind of virus is so powerful that even you can¡¯t handle it?¡± Shen Qing¡¯s headache was immense. He didn¡¯t know why he had been encountering such difficult problems recently. Apart from ¡°C,¡± he had never encountered such a tough opponent. Just when he was at his wit¡¯s end, a small box suddenly popped up on the computer screen, and almost instantly, the virus that had been taunting him was completely removed. Shen Qing was stunned. Realizing something, he immediately opened the tracker, hoping to trace the IP address of the other party. Regrettably, the other party was well prepared, having already hidden their IP. At that moment, another box popped up on the computer screen with the message: ¡°I have limited time, I can only help you this far, restore the surveillance as soon as possible.¡± As soon as he finished reading it, Shen Qing tried to trace the source, but the other party had already logged off. The subordinate, looking at the clean computer, was incredulous: ¡°Oh my, this person is too impressive, what we couldn¡¯t handle in a day and a night, he solved in minutes. Who is this deity? Could it be ¡°C¡± again?¡± Shen Qing sighed: ¡°Who else could leave me crushed to smithereens, if not ¡°C¡±?¡± He knew that his job would sooner or later end up in ¡°C¡±¡®s hands. The subordinate said with admiration: ¡°I really want to see who this ¡®C¡¯ is? How could they be so skilled.¡± Shen Qing said with self-mockery: ¡°If I get the chance, I¡¯d like to meet him as well!¡± To ask him why he insists on humiliating him time and time again. With Jian Sichen¡¯s help, Shen Qing promptly restored the deleted surveillance. Just then, Lu Ya entered. Shen Qing, relieved, said: ¡°Assistant Lu, the surveillance has been restored!¡± Lu Ya walked over to the computer, his brow furrowing and his handsome face enveloped in solemnity as he looked at the surveillance footage¡ª Doctor¡¯s office. After dealing with everything, Jian Sichen restored the computer to its original state and left the office posthaste, hoping to get back to the ward before Lu Youting returned. Little did he know, at that moment, Lu Youting was standing in front of the entrance to Qianji Congee Shop, looking at the sign on the door that read, ¡°The owner is happily resting for three days,¡± his brow twitching. After a moment of silence, he took out his phone and called Lu Ya. Lu Ya was about to report the surveillance content to him when his phone rang, and he answered immediately, ¡°Boss, the surveillance has been fixed! The footage is retrieved.¡± Lu Youting said nothing and waited for the report. ¡°As you suspected, at the stairwell, Xu Jiaorong tried to push the lady down the stairs but accidentally fell herself. It wasn¡¯t the lady who pushed her. Miss Ye personally told Xu Jiaorong that she would find someone to deal with the lady at the watchguard, even if it didn¡¯t kill her, she wanted the lady to lose a half of her life.¡± Hearing this, Lu Youting¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously, and a chilling aura burst from him. ¡°Understood, send the video to my phone.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll send it to you immediately.¡± Just as he was about to hang up, Lu Youting remembered the century egg and pork congee and asked, ¡°Xiao Bai wants to eat century egg and pork congee, and Qian Ji has closed. Where else can we buy it?¡± ¡°...?¡± Lu Ya sounded as if he had heard something inconceivable, ¡°The young master wants to eat century egg and pork congee? When has he ever eaten that?¡± Lu Youting nonchalantly replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know! Maybe one of the caregivers bought it for him.¡± Lu Ya still couldn¡¯t believe it, ¡°You... You¡¯re personally going to buy it for the young master?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression darkened, impatiently saying, ¡°Yes! Now tell me, where can I find century egg and pork congee?¡± After pondering for a moment, Lu Ya said, ¡°There¡¯s a beef noodle restaurant at the entrance of the hospital¡ªthey have a wide range of breakfast options. Though their signature dish is beef noodles, their century egg and pork congee is also very delicious. They also have xiao long bao, soy milk, and you tiao!¡± ¡°Good!¡± Without waiting for Lu Ya to respond, he had already hung up the phone. To save time, he took a shortcut to the hospital entrance, but did not see the beef noodle restaurant mentioned by Lu Ya. He stood on the street, looking up at the signs, searching one after another. At this time, Jian Yue was sitting by the window chatting with Lu Yanbai, who had his back to the window, with Su Wan and Jian Yue sitting opposite Lu Yanbai. ¡°Yueyue, I¡¯ve been out for a long time. I need to go back and see my Mommy. Can we meet another time?¡± Jian Yue hadn¡¯t received a message from Si Chen, and she clung tightly to his hand without letting go. ¡°No, we¡¯ve finally got the chance to meet, and I can¡¯t bear to part with you! Can you stay with me a little longer, please?¡± Lu Yanbai also didn¡¯t want to leave Jian Yue. After all, Jian Yue was the first friend he made. But he was really worried about his Mommy. Seeing his troubled face, Jian Yue cooed, ¡°Ten minutes, just stay with me for another ten minutes, okay, Brother Xiao Bai?¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s heart instantly softened, unable to bear rejecting her, he nodded in agreement. The two happily resumed their conversation, and just when they were getting into it, Su Wan suddenly caught sight of Lu Youting wandering on the street, so startled that she almost dropped her phone. She gently nudged Jian Yue¡¯s arm with the handle of her cane. Jian Yue looked at her, and Su Wan tilted her chin subtly towards the window. At the sight of Lu Youting, Jian Yue broke out in a cold sweat. When she saw that his gaze was locked onto the beef noodle restaurant, her heart nearly leaped out of her throat. Her mind raced, and then, an idea struck her, and she waved at Su Wan. Su Wan leaned in to listen. Jian Yue whispered in her ear for a while. Su Wan nodded, signaling that she understood. Seeing their nervous expressions, Lu Yanbai wondered, ¡°Yueyue, what¡¯s wrong with you two? Did you encounter any trouble?¡± Jian Yue shook her head and smiled, ¡°Brother Xiao Bai, I also want to eat a scallion pancake. Can you go buy one with me?¡± Lu Yanbai, unsuspecting, readily agreed. The two went hand in hand to the cashier. Meanwhile, Lu Youting had already stepped into the noodle restaurant, heading directly for the cashier¡ª Chapter 67 - 67 67 Almost Discovered the Secret ?67: Chapter 67 Almost Discovered the Secret 67: Chapter 67 Almost Discovered the Secret Seeing Lu Youting approaching, Jian Yue¡¯s heart almost leapt out of her throat. She hurriedly took the menu from the cashier and, in the last moment before Lu Youting drew near, pulled Lu Yanbai in line to buy scallion pancakes. Lu Youting¡¯s gaze unintentionally swept over them, suddenly noticed something, his pupils trembling, and his eyes looked back to where Lu Yanbai had been, only to see two figures disappearing into the crowd. His brow furrowed unconsciously. He instinctively lifted his foot, planning to go after them. But just as he took a step, a figure blocked his way. Su Wan pretended to stumble upon him by chance, ¡°Lu Youting, how come you¡¯re here?¡± Remembering the unpleasant encounter at the amusement park last time, Lu Youting¡¯s expression slightly darkened, ¡°This is a breakfast place. What do you think I¡¯m doing here?¡± His mocking tone made Su Wan so angry she almost couldn¡¯t hold her smile. If it weren¡¯t for the fear of him discovering Yueyue and Chenbao, she really didn¡¯t want to speak to him at all. ¡°I heard Sisi was injured and hospitalized. I was about to visit her and bumped into you conveniently,¡± ¡°She¡¯s in the emergency observation room!¡± Lu Youting answered absentmindedly, pulled out his wallet, and said to the cashier, ¡°Preserved egg and lean pork congee, soy milk, and fried dough sticks.¡± After paying, he took the menu and prepared to pick up his order. Su Wan looked over at Jian Yue and Lu Yanbai hiding in the crowd, seeing Jian Yue constantly winking and gesturing at her to somehow get Lu Youting to leave. Su Wan, speechless and holding her forehead, didn¡¯t understand why things had turned out this way. However, due to the urgency of the situation, she didn¡¯t have time for pity, quickly snatched the menu from Lu Youting¡¯s hand, ¡°I remember Sisi once mentioned that you¡¯re a germaphobe! A place like this isn¡¯t suitable for you. I¡¯ll do it! You should head back to the hospital first!¡± Lu Youting looked surprised. Su Wan forced a nonchalant eye roll. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not doing this for you! I¡¯m concerned about Sisi being alone in the hospital without anyone to take care of her. I¡¯ll be quick, you hurry back to the hospital!¡± Lu Youting glanced at the crowded room, his brow slightly creasing, decisively accepting her suggestion. ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll head back to the hospital. You¡¯re the one put out here.¡± Su Wan let out a small sigh of relief, waving cheerfully, ¡°No problem, it¡¯s not a bother! Go ahead, and let Sisi know I¡¯ll be there soon to visit her.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Lu Youting nodded, turned, and left without looking back. Su Wan¡¯s tense nerves only relaxed when she saw him crossing the street, and she slumped into a chair beside her, feeling a sudden release as if drained. Jian Yue, who had been stealthily watching the situation, saw Lu Youting leave, walked over with the pancakes she bought, and gave Su Wan a thumbs up, ¡°Godmother is awesome; I give you my approval.¡± ¡°Godmother?¡± Lu Yanbai asked in surprise, ¡°Isn¡¯t she your Mommy?¡± Jian Yue, realizing her slip of the tongue, quickly responded, ¡°That¡¯s Mommy¡¯s idea. You don¡¯t know, but my Mommy had me and my brother out of wedlock before she was twenty. To avoid us being an obstacle in her search for a husband, she instructed us never to call her Mommy, only Godmother.¡± Su Wan, unfairly labeled as irresponsible, ¡°...??¡± Lu Yanbai frowned disapprovingly, ¡°That¡¯s deceptive! If a man really likes your Mommy, he wouldn¡¯t mind her having children. Every first lie needs countless others to cover it up. Besides, marriage should be based on openness and trust.¡± Su Wan, ¡°...??¡± Jian Yue followed up his comments, ¡°Right, Brother Xiao Bai is correct! Don¡¯t worry, when we get back, I¡¯ll be sure to educate my Mommy to be an honest woman.¡± ¡°Heh...hehe...¡± Su Wan gave a forced smile. If possible, she really wanted to strangle this little smarty-pants who was ruining her reputation. ¡°Go ahead and eat, I¡¯m going to buy breakfast!¡± Not wanting to be further aggravated by them, Su Wan took the menu and lined up to buy breakfast. After purchasing breakfast and instructing them to wait there and not wander around, she headed to the emergency observation ward with the meals to find Jian Si. Upon seeing the near-ruined face of Jian Si, she became furious. ¡°Ye Qingqing, that damn woman, is so bloody ruthless to have done this to you! No, I must skin her alive.¡± She said, rolling her sleeves up to go after Ye Qingqing but was caught by Jian Sichen. ¡°I¡¯ve already avenged my Mommy; you don¡¯t need to go.¡± Su Wan asked, ¡°How did you take your revenge?¡± Jian Sichen recounted the entire incident. Hearing this, Su Wan felt a bit relieved, but it still didn¡¯t satisfy her anger, ¡°Just feeding them laxatives is getting off too easy! They should at least have a layer of skin peeled off!¡± Jian Sichen glanced at Lu Youting, suggesting with a deeper meaning, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my Daddy is fair and impartial, if he confirms that they hurt my Mommy like this, he¡¯ll definitely seek revenge for Mommy!¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...??¡± Why did he feel like Xiao Bai was setting a trap for him to fall into? Su Wan pursed her lips and sneered coldly, ¡°Fair and impartial? If he were truly fair and impartial, he wouldn¡¯t have been dazzled and led astray by Ye Qingqing, that world-class white lotus, super supreme green tea bitch to the point of abandoning his wife and daughter!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s mouth twitched, ¡°...¡± As if he hadn¡¯t seen his distorted handsome face, Jian Sichen laughed, ¡°My Daddy may be a scumbag, but he still has a conscience! I¡¯m confident in him; he won¡¯t let Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong get away with it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, he really is a scumbag!¡± Out of everything that was said, Su Wan only truly took in the first sentence. Lu Youting¡¯s brow twitched, unable to listen anymore, he covered his mouth and coughed lightly, interrupting them, ¡°Breakfast is getting cold, hurry up and eat!¡± Jian Sichen was about to eat when Su Wan suddenly grabbed him, ¡°What are you eating for, come out with me for a sec, I have something to say to you.¡± After speaking, without waiting for Jian Sichen to react, she directly dragged him out of the ward. ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face was full of confusion. If he wasn¡¯t mistaken, had Xiao Bai and Su Wan only met once at the amusement park before? Why did it seem like they were so familiar with each other? With Xiao Bai¡¯s aloof and detached nature, how could he be so affectionate with Su Wan, whom he¡¯d only met once? Knowing he was starting to be suspicious, Jian Si hurriedly said, ¡°Sometimes I take Xiao Bai and Xiao Wan out to eat, and Xiao Wan wants to make him her godson, so they¡¯re quite familiar now.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Even so, Lu Youting still felt something was off, but couldn¡¯t exactly put his finger on it. On the other side, Su Wan dragged Jian Sichen out of the ward, poked his forehead, and said angrily, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were only going to visit for a while? Do you realize how long it¡¯s been? If you don¡¯t go back, Jian Yue is going to break down.¡± Jian Sichen stuck out his tongue playfully, ¡°I planned to leave after a while! But then I ran into Ye Qingqing and her daughter, and got held up unintentionally. I¡¯ll leave right now, when you go back, tell that scumbag Daddy I went to the bathroom. When Xiao Bai comes later, you keep an eye out to prevent any slip-ups.¡± ¡°OK!¡± Su Wan gave him a thumbs-up. Jian Sichen reluctantly looked back at Jian Si¡¯s ward, then turned and ran off. He went back to the hideaway where he had stashed his clothes, got dressed, and texted Jian Yue. ¡°I¡¯m gone, Lu Yanbai can go back now, I¡¯ll wait for you in your godmother¡¯s car.¡± Jian Yue immediately sent back a crying face emoji, ¡°Bro, you finally finished! To keep Second Bro here, I¡¯ve used all the tricks I could. If you don¡¯t come out soon, I¡¯m going to collapse.¡± Jian Sichen sent back a patting emoji. After ending the chat with Jian Sichen, Jian Yue put away her phone, smiled sweetly at Lu Yanbai, ¡°Brother Xiao Bai, I¡¯m full, you can go back now! I¡¯ll come play with you another time.¡± After that, she held out her little finger to Lu Yanbai, ¡°Brother Xiao Bai, let¡¯s make a pinky promise, you can¡¯t tell anyone about our meeting today!¡± Lu Yanbai asked puzzledly, ¡°Why?¡± Jian Yue said mystically, ¡°It¡¯s our secret, I don¡¯t want others to know.¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t think much about it and nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright, I absolutely won¡¯t tell anyone about us meeting today!¡± Jian Yue happily gave him a peck on the cheek, ¡°I like Brother Xiao Bai the most!¡± Lu Yanbai¡¯s handsome little face instantly blushed red, he lowered his head, shyly changing the topic, ¡°Aren¡¯t you here to see my Mommy, your godmother?¡± Jian Yue stiffened for a moment, then laughed awkwardly, ¡°My mommy just texted me, saying she has urgent business at her company and needs me to go there immediately, so I have to go back with her now. I¡¯ll come to see the godmother another time.¡± Lu Yanbai, unsuspecting, jumped off the chair, ¡°Well, okay! Where is your mommy now? I¡¯ll take you to her before I return to the hospital.¡± Jian Yue immediately refused, shaking her head, ¡°No need, I¡¯ll wait for her here! You¡¯re in a hurry, you go ahead!¡± Lu Yanbai looked around, noticed the surveillance cameras in the store, and figured it would be safe, then nodded and left. Seeing him finally go, Jian Yue sighed a huge relief, propped her chin with both hands, and kept watching through the glass window as Lu Yanbai walked far away before hurrying off to the parking lot to meet up with Jian Sichen. Chapter 68 - 68 68 Lu Youting Takes Revenge for Jian Si ?68: Chapter 68: Lu Youting Takes Revenge for Jian Si 68: Chapter 68: Lu Youting Takes Revenge for Jian Si After parting with Jian Yue, Lu Yanbai went straight to the emergency observation ward to visit Jian Si. In the ward, the doctor was examining Jian Si. Lu Youting anxiously stood by. Seeing Lu Yanbai enter, Su Wan immediately walked over with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± Lu Yanbai paused for a moment, ¡°You haven¡¯t left yet? Yueyue is waiting for you at the breakfast shop!¡± Su Wan smiled, ¡°I wanted to wait for you to return so I could say goodbye before leaving!¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t suspect her, waved goodbye, ¡°Farewell! Yueyue is waiting for you at the breakfast shop! You better hurry over!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Su Wan patted his head and greeted Jian Si before leaving. Lu Youting¡¯s attention was entirely on Jian Si, not noticing their conversation, as he asked the doctor about Jian Si¡¯s condition, ¡°She doesn¡¯t have any problems, does she?¡± The doctor said, ¡°There don¡¯t seem to be any issues on the surface, but we need to do an MRI scan of the brain. If there¡¯s no internal bleeding, Professor Jian can be discharged after an observation of two more days.¡± Lu Youting hadn¡¯t expected Jian Si to be still in a critical phase and his handsome face darkened, his brows furrowed tightly. The doctor, intimidated by his demeanor, bowed his head and stammered, ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ll write an order for Professor Jian. You can take her now; the results will be available within an hour.¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t give the doctor a hard time and nodded for him to leave. Lu Yanbai also heard what the doctor said, and asked anxiously, ¡°Daddy, is Mommy okay?¡± Jian Si instantly recognized him as Lu Yanbai, not Chenbao, and couldn¡¯t help but rub his little head, softly saying, ¡°Mommy¡¯s fine. You go back to the ward, and I¡¯ll find you after the examination.¡± Lu Yanbai still wasn¡¯t reassured, ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s really okay?¡± Jian Si nodded, earnestly assuring him, ¡°Mommy is a professor; I know my condition better than anyone! I¡¯m really fine, don¡¯t worry.¡± Reassured by her words, Lu Yanbai finally left. Lu Youting skillfully accompanied Jian Si for the examination. The results came out quickly; there was no internal bleeding, only a moderate concussion and some external injuries. She needed hospitalization and medication for a few days, but if nothing unexpected happened, she could be discharged within a week. Once it was clear that Jian Si wasn¡¯t in life-threatening danger, Lu Youting finally breathed a sigh of relief and handed Jian Si over to Lu Yanbai, ¡°Xiao Bai, take good care of Mommy for Daddy. I have some things to handle, but I¡¯ll come over later to join you!¡± Lu Yanbai didn¡¯t ask more questions and earnestly promised, ¡°Daddy, rest assured, I will take good care of Mommy!¡± Lu Youting nodded in satisfaction and left the ward. An hour later, he brought Lu Ya to a basement where Liu Tao and others were detained. The basement was pitch dark, with a strong smell of mold lingering in the air; Lu Ya disdainfully covered his nose and mouth with his hand. Lu Youting, unfazed, walked straight inside. The bodyguard watching over Liu Tao and the others immediately offered Lu Youting a chair. Lu Youting sat down. He wore a black pinstripe shirt that day; a few top buttons undone, highlighting his somber handsome face like a dark Yama. Liu Tao and others were brought out, including Liu Tao¡¯s immediate superior and the scar-faced woman who had been stabbed and severely injured by Jian Si. In total, five people. Lu Youting¡¯s long legs crossed, his right hand rotating the Jade Ring on his left thumb, his handsome face shrouded in darkness, making it difficult for others to see clearly. Liu Tao, bruised all over from the beating, recognized from Lu Youting¡¯s build that he was the man who had attacked him that day. He got infuriated, scrambling up to seek revenge against Lu Youting. ¡°Motherfucker, ambushing from behind, what kind of man does that? Fight me one-on-one if you¡¯ve got the guts. I¡¯ll make you bow down and call me grandpa today, or my last name isn¡¯t Liu.¡± His arrogant words terrified the nearby bodyguard into a cold sweat. Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips curled into a perfect smile as he uttered the most ruthless and brutal words, ¡°Cut off his hands!¡± At that, Liu Tao shuddered violently. ¡°What do you think you are? I¡¯m a cop, a law enforcer, have you even bothered to check who backs me up? If you dare touch me, I¡¯ll make sure you regret it!¡± In the darkness, Lu Youting raised an eyebrow. ¡°Back up? Who¡¯s backing you?¡± Liu Tao said boastfully, ¡°I¡¯d scare you to death if I told you.¡± Lu Youting hooked the corner of his mouth playfully, his thin lips parting slightly as he coldly uttered two words, ¡°Do it!¡± The bodyguards obeyed the order, each grabbing one of Liu Tao¡¯s arms. Liu Tao had not expected the other party to dare lay hands on him after his warning, and he trembled uncontrollably in fright. ¡°My, my godfather is the deputy chief of the police department, if you dare touch me, he won¡¯t let you go, he will definitely avenge me...¡± Lu Youting slightly raised his right hand to stop the bodyguards, ¡°Zhao Qingyang?¡± Thinking he had intimidated him, Liu Tao¡¯s face was smug, ¡°Yes, Zhao Qingyang, what about it? Scared now? If you¡¯re sensible, you¡¯d release me now, or else...¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Lu Youting lightly waved his index and middle fingers. A ¡°snap¡± sound was heard. ¡°Ah...¡± A painful wail echoed through the sky. Liu Tao¡¯s wrist bones were completely shattered, his hands dangling like sludge from his wrists, writhing in agony on the ground, yet he still audaciously continued cursing. ¡°Despicable coward who attacks from the shadows, too scared to face me one-on-one, just you wait if I get out. I¡¯ll kill you, not just kill you, but I¡¯ll have others gang-rape Jian Si. I¡¯ll have your forehead grow full of green grass, you wretch...¡± None of the prior words had caused any reaction from Lu Youting. But at the mention of Jian Si¡¯s name, his eyes narrowed sharply, his already striking face turning as menacing as Shura. Lu Ya broke out in a cold sweat due to his ignorance. The other three men beside him shrank in terror, their faces filled with the despair of impending doom. Suddenly, Lu Youting laughed, a sinister and bone-chilling laugh. ¡°Go, bring Zhao Qingyang here.¡± The still cursing Liu Tao finally stopped, looking at him incredulously, ¡°How dare you call my godfather by his name?¡± Lu Youting ignored him and continued, ¡°Also, gather all the background information on Zhao Qingyang and bring it to me.¡± One of the bodyguards took the order and left. This time, Liu Tao realized something was amiss. Clenching his teeth he asked, ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± Instead of answering, Lu Youting stood up and leisurely walked towards him. As he approached, Liu Tao finally got a clearer view of his face, and the previously arrogant man¡¯s complexion instantly turned pale, disbelief in his voice, ¡°You, you¡¯re Lu Youting?¡± The man who single-handedly dominated the business world, the top tycoon of Z Country that everyone respected. ¡°Do you know who Jian Si is to me?¡± Lu Youting, half-hidden in the shadows of the floor lamp, his eyes brooding, face terrifyingly stern. Chilled to the bone, Liu Tao managed to ask following his line, ¡°Who is she to you?¡± ¡°She¡¯s my woman!¡± Those six words instantly turned Liu Tao¡¯s face ashen. He... he almost violated Lu Youting¡¯s woman. His fate was sealed now. Chapter 69 - 69 69 Taking Revenge for Jian Si ?69: Chapter 69: Taking Revenge for Jian Si 69: Chapter 69: Taking Revenge for Jian Si Lu Youting¡¯s expression was indifferent as he stepped on Liu Tao¡¯s already crippled wrist. ¡°Ah...¡± The piercing pain spread throughout his body from his wrist, causing Liu Tao¡¯s veins to bulge violently. As if insensible to his agony, Lu Youting¡¯s dress shoe ground down on it heavily, over and over, relentlessly. Drenched in sweat, Liu Tao cried out in pain, repeatedly begging for mercy, ¡°Ah... I was wrong, I was wrong... I didn¡¯t know she was your woman, please Director Lu spare me... I won¡¯t dare to do it again...¡± ¡°Who instructed you?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s voice was extremely soft, extremely gentle. As though a breeze, it lightly brushed past Liu Tao¡¯s ear. Yet Liu Tao felt as if he were in a freezing blizzard, shivering all over. Daring not to hide anything, he hurriedly said, ¡°It... it was my godfather who told me to do it!¡± ¡°Zhao Qingyang?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face still showed no ripple, as if he was inquiring about something insignificant. Liu Tao nodded nonstop. ¡°It was Zhao Qingyang, he is my godfather, he instructed me to do it. He told me to arrange for two people to go in and teach Jian Si a lesson, not to kill her, just ruin her face and take half her life.¡± ¡°Then, I arranged for Li Juan and Wang Xia to go in. I didn¡¯t expect them to be so useless, getting scared off by Jian Si in just a moment, so I decided to complete the task myself.¡± At this point, Lu Youting increased the pressure of his foot. ¡°Ah...¡± Liu Tao screamed miserably but dared not delay, continuing to stammer, ¡°I... I just wanted to teach her a lesson, but... but she was too beautiful, and in a moment of lust, I thought of having my way with her before ruining her. I... I didn¡¯t know she was Director Lu¡¯s woman, if I had known, even ten lives wouldn¡¯t have been enough to dare to do that!¡± Who would have known that Lu Youting¡¯s woman would appear in a detention center. Such high-profile figures with backgrounds would have someone bail them out almost as soon as they entered a detention center; they never stay long. After hearing his account, Lu Youting withdrew his foot, tugged at the corner of his mouth; the smile, contrary to the glacial chill in his eyes, was even more penetrating. ¡°Since this is a troublesome trinket, it should be destroyed to solve your source of disaster.¡± His voice was chillingly cold, as if floating out from Hell. The bone-chilling coldness pierced the skin, invading the marrow. Liu Tao¡¯s body quivered like a sieve. Surrounded by unprecedented despair, he disregarded the pain in his wrist, desperately embracing Lu Youting¡¯s legs with his arms begging for mercy, ¡°Director Lu, I really realize my mistake, I won¡¯t dare again, please, spare me! If... if this thing is gone, what... what will I do in the future?¡± Lu Youting looked at the stain left on his trousers, his phoenix eyes imbued with a dire chill. The bodyguard, having followed Lu Youting for many years and learned to read his expressions, noticed his displeasure and immediately dragged Liu Tao away. Liu Tao continued to howl and beg. ¡°Director Lu, please spare me, I truly know I was wrong... I won¡¯t dare anymore... Director Lu...¡± Annoyed by his noise, Lu Youting¡¯s cold gaze swept over the bodyguard, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to do it?¡± The bodyguard obeyed the orders, ignoring Liu Tao¡¯s howls and struggles, dragging him into one of the hidden compartments. Watching Liu Tao being dragged away, the three on the side were scared stiff, especially the scar-faced woman and the tattooed woman who once thought to harm Jian Si. The two clung tightly together, quivering uncontrollably. Soon after, a scream of agony shot through the sky. ¡°Ah...¡± Followed by a silence akin to death. The thick scent of blood wafted out from the hidden compartment, assaulting the nerves of the three onlookers. The fear of death magnified immensely. It was as if the next moment they could end up just like Liu Tao. Struggling to keep his chattering teeth steady, Zhou Feng mustered the courage and asked, ¡°Dire... Director Lu, I... I didn¡¯t harm Miss Jian, this matter has nothing to do with me, why... why did you have me brought here?¡± ¡°Failure to control your subordinates.¡± ¡°The brief four words,¡± he said, ¡°filled Zhou Feng with utter despair. ¡°He, he is Director Zhao¡¯s godson, just on the books in my department for show. It won¡¯t be long before he gets promoted, I¡ªI dare not discipline him.¡± Meaning he had neither the status nor the courage to manage Liu Tao. Any mistake Liu Tao made, the responsibility rested on Zhao Qingyang. The smirk at the corner of Lu Youting¡¯s mouth deepened. ¡°You knew nothing about this?¡± Zhou Feng nodded stiffly, his neck rigid, ¡°I¡ªI really didn¡¯t know.¡± Lu Youting took a folder from his bodyguard and threw it in front of him, ¡°This stamp is yours, isn¡¯t it?¡± Zhou Feng¡¯s hands trembled as he opened the folder. To his dismay, it was a disciplinary report concerning Jian Si, detailing malicious revenge resulting in Xu Jiaorong suffering multiple soft tissue injuries and bone fractures. Her conduct was despicable and warranted severe punishment. At the end of the document were Zhou Feng¡¯s signature and stamp. Zhou Feng was so frightened that his gall nearly burst; his face was covered with dense sweat, and his clothes soaked through. ¡°This¡ªthis stamp is mine, and the signature is mine too! But¡ªthe document was brought by Liu Tao, I¡ªI just... I just...¡± He found it incredibly hard to continue, unable to finish his sentence. Lu Youting finished it for him, ¡°You didn¡¯t review it at all, just approved it?¡± Although embarrassed, Zhou Feng nodded, his face flushed in the interest of saving his own life. ¡°Yes! Even though Liu Tao is my subordinate, I don¡¯t have the authority to control him, so I always just sign and stamp whatever document he brings. I¡ªI thought, if something happens, Director Zhao would always take responsibility.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then it¡¯s no injustice!¡± Lu Youting motioned with a slight flick of his index and middle finger, ¡°Destroy the hand he signed with!¡± In an instant, Zhou Feng¡¯s face turned ashen, almost fainting from shock, yet he dared not cry out for help as he watched the bodyguard forcefully break his index and middle finger. The excruciating pain spread throughout his body from the broken fingers, his complexion terrifyingly pale as if about to pass out any second. But still, he didn¡¯t dare to cry out, instead he had to express his gratitude to Director Lu, ¡°Th-Thank you Director Lu, for giving me another chance! I¡ªI¡¯ll surely be strict with my subordinates from now on.¡± ¡°Take him away.¡± With that order from Lu Youting, Zhou Feng was blindfolded and led away. The moment he stepped out of the basement and breathed the fresh air, he was overcome with a sense of rebirth, never before having felt life to be such a luxury. After dealing with Liu Tao and Zhou Feng, only Li Juan and Wang Xia were left in the basement. Wang Xia still had gauze wrapped around her lower abdomen, her body tense, every movement aggravating the wound, causing her to break out in a cold sweat from the pain. Lu Youting didn¡¯t immediately torment them, casually twirling the Jade Ring on his thumb, his cold gaze unblinkingly fixed on them. Wang Xia and Li Juan felt like convicts awaiting their death sentence, with a despair so deep it seemed to cut them bit by bit. Time trickled by slowly. Wang Xia and Li Juan could only see darkness ahead, unable to envision a path to survival. Just as they were about to break down from the strain, Lu Youting finally spoke, ¡°I, Lu Youting, have never stooped to laying hands on women.¡± Upon hearing this, a glint of joy appeared on their faces as they breathed a sigh of relief. But then, Lu Youting¡¯s tone shifted abruptly, ¡°However, to let you go just like that would leave me dissatisfied.¡± The flicker of hope that had just ignited in Wang Xia and Li Juan was extinguished once more. Again, Lu Youting¡¯s tone changed, offering them hope anew, ¡°Still, there is a way for me to spare you.¡± Without hesitation, Wang Xia and Li Juan eagerly asked, ¡°Whatever it takes to spare us, we¡¯ll do anything.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyebrows lifted, his question bearing a semblance of a smile, ¡°Really, anything?¡± Wang Xia and Li Juan nodded fervently, fervently promising, ¡°Yes, anything!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s smile broadened wickedly, although the mirth didn¡¯t reach his eyes. Instead, it sent a chilling shiver down one¡¯s spine. Chapter 70 - 70 70 Lu Youting sees Ye Qingqings true colors ?70: Chapter 70 Lu Youting sees Ye Qingqing¡¯s true colors. 70: Chapter 70 Lu Youting sees Ye Qingqing¡¯s true colors. Wang Xia and Li Juan simultaneously felt an ominous premonition rise within them. Their premonition quickly proved prescient. ¡°The two of you will duel. Whoever wins can leave this place. Conversely, the loser will be thrown into the sea to feed the sharks,¡± he said with an airy tone that nonetheless carried the scent of death. Wang Xia and Li Juan both froze, disbelievingly widening their eyes. ¡°We, we have to duel?¡± Especially Wang Xia, who covered the wound on her abdomen with a hand, her face filled with terror. Lu Youting watched them with a smile on his face. The answer was self-evident. Wang Xia and Li Juan shook their heads simultaneously: ¡°No, we are the best of sisters, having shared weal and woe for twenty years. We absolutely will not turn against each other! Don¡¯t even think you can sow discord between us.¡± ¡°You have ten minutes. If you can¡¯t decide the winner by then, you¡¯ll both be shark food,¡± Lu Youting said, no longer wasting time. He stood up and left, elegantly adjusting his cuffs. Wang Xia roared in protest: ¡°This is unfair! We haven¡¯t hurt Jian Si at all. Why should our lives be at stake?¡± Li Juan echoed: ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s us who have been injured, why should we be brought here? We bear no grudge against Jian Si, we were just doing a paid job.¡± Unfortunately, Lu Youting did not respond to their objections. With a ¡°bang,¡± the iron door to the basement slammed shut. In the dark and damp basement, only Wang Xia and Li Juan were left, with the dim lighting flickering unsteadily due to an unstable voltage, making a sizzling sound. Wang Xia and Li Juan looked at each other, neither making a move. Fearing that Li Juan would act first, Wang Xia forced a smile: ¡°We¡¯ve been close sisters since we were young, and I definitely won¡¯t raise a hand against you for self-preservation. If we¡¯re going to live, we¡¯ll live together; if we¡¯re going to die, we¡¯ll die together.¡± Afraid the other wouldn¡¯t agree, she also asked, ¡°Right?¡± Li Juan nodded with a smile: ¡°Yes, even if we die together, we definitely can¡¯t turn on each other, we certainly can¡¯t let Lu Youting¡¯s scheme succeed.¡± ¡°Right, right, right!¡± Wang Xia nodded incessantly, tilting her head to look elsewhere. Li Juan also tilted her head away. A second of silence. The smiles on their faces gradually faded, their expressions becoming fierce. Suddenly, Wang Xia grabbed a chair while Li Juan snatched up a stick from the ground, swiftly striking at each other. Seeing the stick in Li Juan¡¯s hand, Wang Xia scoffed: ¡°Weren¡¯t we good sisters? Didn¡¯t we say we couldn¡¯t turn on each other? Ha...¡± Li Juan fiercely retorted: ¡°You also said we¡¯d live and die together, didn¡¯t you? What happened to being good sisters? Bullshit...¡± Wang Xia snorted coldly: ¡°Every man for himself; I want to survive!¡± ¡°So do I!¡± ¡°Is that so? Well, let¡¯s see which one of us can walk out of here alive today!¡± With those words, Wang Xia viciously kicked Li Juan in the abdomen. Li Juan stumbled backwards two steps from the blow, breaking out into a cold sweat from pain. Wang Xia pressed her advantage, raising the chair in her hand, smashing it towards Li Juan. Li Juan was quick to react, blocking with the stick, then tackled Wang Xia to the ground, her knee deliberately pressing onto her wound¡ª The two fought entwined on the floor, sparing no quarter, each blow vicious, wishing nothing less than death upon the other. The sounds of smashing, roaring, and cries of pain reverberated in turns. Lu Youting stood outside the iron door, mocking the thrilling scene through the vent above the door. Good sisters? Shared blessings and common hardships? United through life and death. People are selfish. At the brink of life and death, in order to survive, they¡¯ll do anything. Wang Xia had suffered injuries to her abdomen, and in no time at all, Li Juan had beaten her to the point of being unable to fight back. Thinking that she would soon be able to leave this place, she appeared exceptionally relaxed. When Lu Youting entered, she presented her victory as if offering a treasure, ¡°Director Lu, look, I won. Can I leave now?¡± Lu Youting disdainfully glanced at her and said to a bodyguard on the side, ¡°Throw them both into the sea.¡± Li Juan was stunned, ¡°Why? You just said that the person who wins could leave.¡± Lu Youting said expressionlessly, ¡°In my life, I detest fratricide the most. If you had both persevered just now, I might have let you all go. Of all the things you shouldn¡¯t have done, you shouldn¡¯t have betrayed your promise¡ªto try to survive by sending the other to death.¡± Li Juan collapsed. Despair filled her eyes. The hope that had ignited with difficulty had shattered, plunging her once again into despair. The bodyguard received Lu Youting¡¯s order and dragged the two away. Not long after dealing with the three of them, Zhao Qingyang was brought in. Lu Youting had him taken directly to the hidden compartment where Liu Tao was dealt with. Zhao Qingyang¡¯s face was covered, unable to see clearly inside, the rich smell of blood and the unknown fear stimulated every nerve in his body. ¡°I am Deputy Director Zhao. Who are you? How dare you tie me up and bring me here? Do you know that holding an official hostage is a serious crime, punishable by imprisonment?¡± Lu Youting signaled the bodyguard to remove his blindfold. Gaining light, Zhao Qingyang immediately saw Liu Tao lying in a pool of blood, his life and death uncertain, and was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. He forced himself to calm down and looked toward Lu Youting, hidden in the shadows. ¡°Did you do this to Liu Tao? This is a society ruled by law. How dare you treat government officials like this? Aren¡¯t you afraid of going to prison?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips curved slightly as he slowly emerged from the darkness. As his appearance became clearer, Zhao Qingyang¡¯s pupils dilated bit by bit. When Lu Youting was fully exposed in front of him, he was so frightened that he completely collapsed to the ground. ¡°Director... Director Lu!¡± ¡°Who instructed you to go after Jian Si?¡± Lu Youting looked down at him from above, his dark eyes icy, sending chills down the man¡¯s spine. ¡°I... I...¡± Zhao Qingyang stuttered, still thinking about how to answer when his palm suddenly touched a sticky liquid. Opening his hand, he saw it was covered in fresh blood, which scared him too much to lie, and he hurriedly said, ¡°It was Miss Ye!¡± ¡°Ye Qingqing?¡± Zhao Qingyang nodded frantically, ¡°Yes, Miss Ye! She, she called me, saying it was Director Lu who asked her to pass on a message to treat Miss Jian, who had just arrived at the guesthouse, quite well. As she is your fiance?e, I naturally didn¡¯t doubt her words and instructed my godson Liu Tao to handle this matter.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s lips curled up in mockery. Lu Youting walked over and kicked him viciously in the shoulder. Zhao Qingyang fell to the ground, and as Lu Youting stepped on his face, he disdainfully dusted off his trousers and sneered down at him, ¡°Do you really think I am that foolish? So easily deceived?¡± With his face pressed tightly against the bloodied ground, the smell of blood overwhelming his senses, Zhao Qingyang felt the urge to vomit. ¡°What I said is true! It was Miss Ye who instructed me!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face was taut with cold fury, his eyes filled with indignation as he stared him down, not wasting words, ¡°Was it really Ye Qingqing¡¯s idea, or did you use my name? You have one minute to think clearly.¡± Seeing his lie pierced through, Zhao Qingyang¡¯s forced calm crumbled instantly as he hurriedly said, ¡°It was Miss Ye¡¯s idea, not yours, Director Lu.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s lips played with a mirthless hint of amusement, ¡°Hmm?¡± Though it was just a brief sound, Zhao Qingyang read it loud and clear and rushed to explain, ¡°Miss Ye said that as long as I helped ruin Miss Jian, she, she would find a way to get me promoted to Director. As Miss Ye is Director Lu¡¯s fiance?e, I truly thought this was your instruction, I... I didn¡¯t know it was Miss Ye¡¯s idea alone...¡± Having obtained his answer, Lu Youting released Zhao Qingyang and without turning back, walked toward the door. ¡°Keep an eye on them, don¡¯t let them out without my order.¡± After dropping a light command, his figure completely disappeared in the darkness. Ye Qingqing. Very good. Exceptionally good¡ª For years, she had played her role so convincingly. She had been deceiving him all along. Chapter 71 - 71 71 Ye Qingqings Crimes Exposed ?71: Chapter 71 Ye Qingqing¡¯s Crimes Exposed 71: Chapter 71 Ye Qingqing¡¯s Crimes Exposed Orthopedics department in the hospital. After a long day of pulling, Ye Qingqing and Xu Jiaorong, the mother and daughter, were already exhausted. Xu Jiaorong¡¯s frequent trips to the bathroom due to her relentless running further aggravated her condition. Ye Qingqing threw the teacup from the bedside table to the floor with a sharp clang, her face hideously twisted, ¡°That bastard Lu Yanbai dared to humiliate me! I must make him pay.¡± Xu Jiaorong was so angry that it felt like her chest was about to explode. ¡°When did that bastard become so cunning? Before, he was just temperamental, charging around mindlessly. Now it¡¯s like he¡¯s a completely different person.¡± Her words flashed something in Ye Qingqing¡¯s mind. ¡°Mom, what did you just say?¡± Thinking they shared the same thought, Xu Jiaorong was puzzled, ¡°Today¡¯s Lu Yanbai seemed different from usual! It¡¯s like, like he¡¯s become smarter! More scheming than before.¡± Hearing this, a bold idea crossed Ye Qingqing¡¯s mind. ¡°Could it be that he isn¡¯t Lu Yanbai?¡± But his twin brother? Why else would the same face have such a drastically different personality? Xu Jiaorong thought she was delirious from anger and hurriedly said, ¡°Who could he be if not Lu Yanbai? Even if we could mistake him, surely Lu Youting wouldn¡¯t mistake his own son.¡± ¡°Maybe, he¡¯s Lu Yanbai¡¯s twin brother.¡± Ye Qingqing boldly voiced her thoughts. Xu Jiaorong was shocked, disbelieving, ¡°Twin brother? Jian Si had twins back then?¡± Ye Qingqing nodded solemnly and relayed everything that Lin Xinyu had seen in detail to Xu Jiaorong. After hearing it, Xu Jiaorong was devastated. ¡°That bitch Jian Si, how could she be so lucky to have twin sons for Lu Youting at once? If Lu Youting finds out about the other son, wouldn¡¯t your position in his heart diminish even further? And from today¡¯s encounter, this bastard clearly isn¡¯t easy to deal with. Probably not as manageable as Lu Yanbai.¡± Ye Qingqing narrowed her eyes, hiding the fierceness in them. ¡°So, I absolutely can¡¯t let Lu Youting find out about his existence! Best...¡± she paused venomously, ¡°Best to have him and Jian Si disappear together.¡± Xu Jiaorong immediately understood her meaning and sighed, ¡°According to the original plan, the people your father contacted should have taken Jian Si away today! But our actions disrupted it. Now, Lu Youting¡¯s men are guarding Jian Si¡¯s hospital room, hardly a chance to make a move. We can only wait until she is discharged.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s hands suddenly clenched tightly, her nails digging into her flesh without her realizing. ¡°She¡¯s lucky this time, escaped a disaster, but won¡¯t be so lucky next time!¡± As soon as her words fell, the door of the hospital room was suddenly kicked open. Both of them were startled and turned to look at the door simultaneously. Lu Youting walked in, his face covered in frost, his entire demeanor like Satan stepping out from Hell. Seeing him, Ye Qingqing hadn¡¯t even time to feel relieved before his appearance startled her, a foreboding feeling rising in her heart with a thud. ¡°Youting, why, why are you here?¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t waste words with her. His large palm clamped around her neck, pinning her against the headrest of the hospital bed, forcing her to tilt her head back, making her look at him in a demeaning posture while his dark eyes captured hers. ¡°Ye Qingqing, do you really think I, Lu Youting, would keep letting you off, condoning your actions?¡± The suffocating grip turned Ye Qingqing¡¯s face bright red, her lips turning bluish. In terror, she looked at Lu Youting as if he was a stranger, unable to believe that this man before her was her fiance?. Regardless of her past misdeeds, Lu Youting had only ever scolded her at most, never resorting to violence. Xu Jiaorong, frightened by Lu Youting¡¯s demeanor and fearful he would harm Ye Qingqing, hurriedly wheeled over in an attempt to pull him away. Sadly, her hand had barely touched Lu Youting when he flung her away brutally. The wheelchair lost its balance, and Xu Jiaorong fell to the ground along with it, worsening her injuries and causing her to break out in a cold sweat as she curled up into a ball. Ye Qingqing¡¯s face turned the color of a pig¡¯s liver, her hand tightly gripping Lu Youting¡¯s wrist, her eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Youting, there must be a misunderstanding between us, you, let go of me first, we can talk this out slowly!¡± Lu Youting tightened his grip: ¡°Misunderstanding? Was it a misunderstanding when you had Zhao Qingyang find someone to deal with Jian Si? Or was it a misunderstanding when your mother tried to push Jian Si down the stairs but fell herself, and then framed it on Jian Si?¡± Ye Qingqing vehemently denied it, ¡°This really is a misunderstanding! I didn¡¯t send anyone to deal with Jian Si, and it wasn¡¯t my mother who framed her by falling down the stairs herself. Who told you this? Was it Jian Si? She is deliberately trying to drive a wedge between us, you mustn¡¯t believe her.¡± Seeing that she still wasn¡¯t repentant, Lu Youting was utterly disappointed in her. He let go of his grip on her neck and disdainfully wiped his hand with a handkerchief. Ye Qingqing¡¯s body suddenly lost balance and collapsed onto the hospital bed, gasping for air like she¡¯d just walked through the gates of Hell. Lu Youting threw the handkerchief into a nearby trash can and said emotionlessly, ¡°I don¡¯t want to pursue who¡¯s right and who¡¯s wrong anymore! I came here to tell you that I will soon publicly call off our engagement. From now on, we owe nothing to each other; we will part ways for good.¡± After saying that, he walked towards the door without looking back. Ye Qingqing was stunned. She couldn¡¯t believe that Lu Youting was actually going to dissolve their engagement. Desperately, she jumped out of bed and tightly grabbed Lu Youting¡¯s hand: ¡°Why? Why are you breaking off our engagement?¡± Lu Youting coldly shook her off. ¡°Five years ago, I was blinded by you, I also chose to engage with you to avoid certain matters, thinking that I was divorcing Jian Si. Now I realize that decision was a huge mistake. Your actions have forced me to reevaluate who you really are, to see if you are still the Ye Qingqing I knew.¡± After saying this, he moved to leave. But Ye Qingqing couldn¡¯t let him go, she dashed in front of him and spread her arms to block his path. ¡°I don¡¯t agree, I absolutely do not agree! We¡¯ve been engaged for five years, how can you just decide to call it off like that. What do all those years of waiting mean? What about my youth?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s lips tightened sharply: ¡°I will compensate you for your lost youth.¡± Ye Qingqing, agitated, said: ¡°I don¡¯t want any compensation for lost youth, I want you!¡± ¡°Do I need to make myself clear?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s cold eyes showed a hint of mockery. Ye Qingqing forcefully calmed herself and declared righteously, ¡°I am innocent.¡± ¡°Ha...¡± Lu Youting chuckled and took out his phone to call Lu Yanbai. In less than ten minutes, Lu Yanbai arrived with documents. Lu Youting threw the documents onto Ye Qingqing. A foreboding sense filled her as she crouched down, picked up the documents from the floor, and flipped through the pages. The more she read, the uglier her expression became. The documents detailed how she had bribed the son of Xiang¡¯s wife, forcing Xiang¡¯s wife to mix honey into Xiao Bai¡¯s food. They even uncovered the overseas accounts she used to transfer money to Xiang¡¯s wife¡¯s son. Moreover, the surveillance footage from the emergency services had been restored. From her mother framing Jian Si, to their orders for Zhao Qingyang to deal with Jian Si in the ward, all her crimes were laid bare, the evidence irrefutable. ¡°No, it¡¯s fake, all of this is fake, not true! Someone is framing me, this is all fake...¡± She was emotionally agitated, trembling as she denied the accusations. She couldn¡¯t believe that Lu Youting had secretly gathered all the evidence of her crimes, while she was completely oblivious, complacent in her belief that her actions were flawless. Chapter 72 - 72 72 Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing Dissolve Their Engagement ?72: Chapter 72 Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing Dissolve Their Engagement 72: Chapter 72 Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing Dissolve Their Engagement Lu Youting¡¯s large hand clamped onto her chin, forcibly lifting her head as he coldly said, ¡°The things you¡¯ve done, even dying ten times wouldn¡¯t be enough to compensate. However, considering you saved my life when you were young, I¡¯ll let bygones be bygones. From now on, we¡¯re even, and we owe each other nothing.¡± Ye Qingqing gripped her hands tightly, shaking her head in agitation, ¡°No, Youting, I don¡¯t want us to be even. I really love you, I would die without you. Please, don¡¯t call off our engagement. I promise you, I will reform and start anew, and I will never do bad things again.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s handsome brows furrowed, sparing no feelings as he said, ¡°It¡¯s easy to change mountains and rivers but hard to alter one¡¯s nature; your evilness is etched into your bones!¡± Ye Qingqing denied vehemently, ¡°No, I¡¯m not inherently bad. If that were the case, why would I have saved you originally! It¡¯s because I love you too much, fearing losing you, that¡¯s why I felt jealous and did so many things you detest.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s eyes were filled with endless coldness, ¡°Whether it¡¯s innate or acquired, it¡¯s irrelevant to me. You should feel lucky that you once saved my life, otherwise, you definitely wouldn¡¯t be alive to see tomorrow¡¯s sun. Don¡¯t ever appear in front of me again, otherwise, I can¡¯t guarantee I won¡¯t lay my hands on you.¡± After finishing, he left without a second glance at Ye Qingqing¡¯s pale face. ¡°Youting, listen to me...¡± Ye Qingqing, unwilling to give up, reached out to grab him but was stopped by Lu Ya. ¡°Miss Ye, please have some dignity.¡± As she watched him leave, Ye Qingqing couldn¡¯t bear the shock any longer and collapsed to the ground. ¡°It¡¯s over, everything is completely over...¡± Xu Jiaorong used all her strength to crawl beside Ye Qingqing and tried to touch her with her good hand, but Ye Qingqing slapped it away. In her astonishment, Ye Qingqing then forcefully pushed her to the ground. ¡°Get away, don¡¯t touch me! It¡¯s all your fault, you¡¯ve always been more trouble than you¡¯re worth! If you had pushed Jian Si down the stairs back then, maybe she would have died, and none of this would have happened. You¡¯re useless, why didn¡¯t you kill Jian Si, why? Why?¡± Ye Qingqing screamed in fury, the veins in her neck bulging, like a fierce demoness. Xu Jiaorong was stunned, staring at the ferocious Ye Qingqing, and couldn¡¯t react for a while. Still feeling unsatisfied, Ye Qingqing vented all the grievances she had suffered from Jian Si and Lu Youting onto Xu Jiaorong, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, why didn¡¯t you kill Jian Si when you first married my dad? You¡¯ve left me with endless trouble! If it weren¡¯t for her, I would be the miss of the Jian Family, if it weren¡¯t for her, Youting wouldn¡¯t have changed his heart, if it wasn¡¯t for her, I wouldn¡¯t be like this today. In what way am I inferior to her? Why does she get all the good things in the world, while I have nothing?¡± Listening to her accusations, Xu Jiaorong¡¯s heart bled, and her eyes welled up. ¡°Qingqing, I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s my incompetence, I couldn¡¯t give you the best, that¡¯s why you turned out this way.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, like a crazed beast. ¡°I¡¯m not resigned, what I can¡¯t have, Jian Si shouldn¡¯t dream of having either! Even if it means dying, I want to drag her down with me...¡± Xu Jiaorong, startled, hurriedly asked, ¡°What are you planning to do? Qingqing, there isn¡¯t just Lu Youting in the world. Since he doesn¡¯t like you, let¡¯s just give up, don¡¯t provoke him and Jian Si anymore. I¡¯m afraid he might harm you.¡± Ye Qingqing, grinding her teeth, said, ¡°Aside from Lu Youting, I want no one else. He is mine, and should only belong to me. What right does that bitch Jian Si have to compete with me?¡± Seeing her so obstinately unreasonable, Xu Jiaorong was at a loss, not knowing how to make her see reality. Ye Qingqing took out her phone and made a call. ¡°Hello...¡± ... In the evening, the news of Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing calling off their engagement struck like thunder in the country of Z. Jian Shihai was shocked. Lu Yandong and Bai Shuyan were also shocked. Jian Si thought the media had made a mistake until she saw the official Weibo of Lu Group confirming the news. Lu Youting and Ye Qingqing had really called off their engagement. In that moment, she felt a mix of emotions and couldn¡¯t resist asking Lu Youting after his return, ¡°You and Ye Qingqing called off the engagement?¡± Lu Youting simply hummed in reply. Puzzled, Jian Si asked, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Why, what?¡± Lu Youting found it amusing. Jian Si looked at him seriously, ¡°Isn¡¯t she the ¡®white moonlight¡¯ in your heart? You finally managed to marry her, why do you want to break off the engagement?¡± ¡°White moonlight?¡± Lu Youting looked surprised. ¡°Everyone knows that you, Lu Youting, have always been deeply in love with Ye Qingqing, and you¡¯ve only ever wanted to marry her! Your wish was about to come true, so why do you want to break up with her now?¡± ¡°Heh...¡± Lu Youting, as if hearing something ridiculously funny, chuckled. Jian Si frowned, ¡°¡®Heh¡¯ what?¡± Why did she detect mockery? Had she said something wrong? Lu Youting didn¡¯t want to explain further and lightly changed the topic, ¡°Lu Ya found out¡ªXiang¡¯s sister¡¯s son racked up a huge gambling debt, and for the past two years, Ye Qingqing has been giving her son a large sum of money every month. To help her son, Xiang¡¯s sister has been adding honey to Xiao Bai¡¯s food every month, which worsened Xiao Bai¡¯s asthma.¡± ¡°So it really was Ye Qingqing who instructed this.¡± Although she had suspected as much, she was still surprised when she got the definite answer. Lu Youting continued, ¡°Her intentions are malicious; I could never marry a woman plotting to harm Xiao Bai.¡± Jian Si laughed, genuinely and gleefully. ¡°Five years and this is the first time you seem human.¡± Lu Youting raised an eyebrow, ¡°Hmm?¡± Jian Si was in a good mood and felt like joking, ¡°I always thought you were lovesick, ready to forsake everything for love. Including your son.¡± Lu Youting smirked coldly. ¡°Is that the image I have in your mind?¡± It was even worse than that. Jian Si dared not say it aloud, afraid it would infuriate him, and instead just gave him a meaningful look. Lu Youting ground his molars, wishing he could pry open her head to see what exactly she was thinking. Seeing him seemingly angry, Lu Yanbai went over and hugged his neck, planting a kiss on his face, ¡°Daddy, well done, I support you!¡± Lu Youting, relieved, tousled his little head, ¡°Xiao Bai is always so thoughtful. Daddy is in a good mood today; let¡¯s go out for a nice meal!¡± Hearing they could go out for food, Lu Yanbai¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, nodding vigorously like pounding garlic, and began discussing with Jian Si where to eat. Just then, Lu Youting¡¯s phone suddenly rang. It was Gu Yuchen calling. Lu Youting knew his purpose for calling, picked up the phone, and before Gu Yuchen could speak, he started rattling off, ¡°Boss, you finally broke off the engagement with Ye Qingqing? About time! That woman is all acts and pretenses, so fake, she doesn¡¯t deserve you. To celebrate your return to singlehood, I¡¯ve reserved a private room at Red Maple Leaf, we won¡¯t return tonight until we¡¯re drunk.¡± Lu Youting refused, ¡°Jian Si, Xiao Bai, and I have plans.¡± ¡°Just bring them along! Since little sister-in-law came back, we haven¡¯t had a gathering yet!¡± ¡°I...¡± Afraid Lu Youting would decline again, Gu Yuchen didn¡¯t give him a chance to speak, ¡°If you don¡¯t come, I¡¯ll cut ties with you. You decide!¡± Lu Youting agreed briskly, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s cut ties then!¡± A hurt Gu Yuchen almost cried, suddenly turning into a drama king, ¡°Wuwu, Boss, how can you be so heartless? I treat you like a real brother, yet you treat me like this, my sincere heart wasted.¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...??¡± Gu Yuchen continued, ¡°Boss, come on, come on... I and the second boss are waiting for you; if you don¡¯t come, we¡¯ll just keep waiting...¡± Lu Youting, usually a pushover, finally nodded in agreement after being persistently coaxed. Chapter 73 - 73 73 The Lipstick Mark on Lu Youtings Collar ?73: Chapter 73: The Lipstick Mark on Lu Youting¡¯s Collar 73: Chapter 73: The Lipstick Mark on Lu Youting¡¯s Collar Upon hearing about going to Red Maple Leaf, Jian Si didn¡¯t hesitate to refuse, ¡°No way, I¡¯m not going! With my face looking like this, how could I go? Do you want everyone to know I¡¯ve been beaten up?¡± Lu Youting: ¡°...??¡± Seeing that he didn¡¯t respond, Jian Si added, ¡°If you want to go, you go, Xiao Bai and I won¡¯t.¡± Lu Youting felt her reasoning was sound. The swelling on Jian Si¡¯s face had subsided considerably, but the clear handprint was still visible, along with bite marks on her neck and collarbone, which could lead to misunderstandings. After briefly pondering, he decisively took out his phone and sent messages to Gu Yuchen and Shen Xiuyi. ¡°Jian Si is sick, I need to take care of her and Xiao Bai so we¡¯re not coming, you guys have fun!¡± Gu Yuchen, who had agreed enthusiastically, didn¡¯t expect Lu Youting to back out. ¡°Little sister-in-law is sick, what happened to her? Let me and Second Brother go to see her! We¡¯ve been wanting to visit her ever since she returned to Jiangcheng.¡± Worried they would actually come and bother Jian Si, Lu Youting¡¯s handsome face darkened, and he replied with another message. ¡°Eight o¡¯clock, don¡¯t be late.¡± Gu Yuchen: ¡°...?¡± Shen Xiuyi: ¡°Big Brother, why don¡¯t you let us see little sister-in-law? Why are you hiding her so securely?¡± Lu Youting showed impatience: ¡°Quit the nonsense, I¡¯ll be there at eight o¡¯clock sharp.¡± Gu Yuchen and Shen Xiuyi sensed something unusual, and tactfully didn¡¯t ask any further questions. After ending the chat, Lu Youting, still concerned, cautioned Jian Si. ¡°Second Brother and Third are too persistent, I will still make the trip, but you and Xiao Bai should not return home tonight, get some rest early. I¡¯ve sent two bodyguards to stand by the door to protect you, call me if anything happens. I will come back as soon as I can.¡± These words were like those of a husband speaking to his wife. Jian Si was momentarily taken aback, a blush spreading across her cheeks, ¡°I¡¯ll be fine here at the hospital with Xiao Bai, you should just go straight home after you¡¯re done tonight! We can take care of ourselves, we have hands and feet.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go back to take a shower, then head straight to Red Maple Leaf.¡± With those words, Lu Youting¡¯s thin lips pressed into a line, and after giving her a deep look, he turned and left the sickroom. Jian Si wasn¡¯t sure if he had truly listened to her words. After this incident, her relationship with Lu Youting seemed to have subtly changed. Between them, it was as if a veil hung, vaguely visible, yet unbroken. ... That night, Lu Youting returned to the hospital close to midnight. His mood appeared very good, having drunk quite a bit, his whole body swaying drunkenly as he walked. Jian Si was cuddling with Lu Yanbai, fast asleep, and upon hearing the noise, she immediately opened her eyes warily. The silver glow of the moonlight streamed through the glass windows, enveloping Lu Youting and taking away his chill, adding a hint of warmth. Worried that he would wake Lu Yanbai, Jian Si gently got out of bed and approached, helping him to sit on the sofa, and whispered, ¡°Are you drunk?¡± Lu Youting, rubbing his temples, nodded, ¡°I drank a bit too much tonight.¡± For some reason, he was in particularly good spirits. Like he was unburdened, an unprecedented sense of relief filled him. ¡°I understand how you feel! Since it¡¯s all in the past, try not to think about it anymore.¡± Jian Si thought he was feeling down about annuling his engagement with Ye Qingqing and wanted to drown his sorrows in alcohol. ¡°Mmm!¡± Lu Youting¡¯s head was a bit fuzzy and he didn¡¯t catch the hidden meaning in her words. Jian Si poured him a glass of water, ¡°Since you¡¯re drunk, why didn¡¯t you go home? Xiao Bai is with me, you don¡¯t trust that?¡± Lu Youting took the tea and drank it down in one gulp. Even though it was plain water, it tasted subtly sweet in his mouth. Jian Si poured another glass for him, ¡°I¡¯ll stay here and sleep with Xiao Bai tonight, you go sleep in the sickroom next door.¡± Lu Youting did not utter a sound, and after another glass of cool boiled water went down, he seemed to sober up a lot. Jian Si placed the water cup on the coffee table and saw him sitting there in a daze without any sign of leaving. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Are you feeling unwell? Let me help you over there!¡± As she spoke, she bent down to grab his arm. Lu Youting bowed his head, his expression hidden in the darkness. The moment her hand touched his body, he suddenly grabbed her wrist, flipped over, and pressed her beneath him. A strong smell of alcohol rushed to her face. A dangerous aura permeated the air. Jian Si¡¯s face stern, she said discontentedly, ¡°Lu Youting, what are you trying to do?¡± Lu Youting looked at the small face close to his, his eyes gradually becoming fiery. With a ¡°click,¡± Jian Si had a bad feeling. After two years of marriage, she knew this look all too well. Just as she tried to push him away and escape, his thin lips had already invaded hers. Before Jian Si had the chance to dodge, he caught her red lips with a kiss. ¡°Pop¡±¡ªit was as if something in her head exploded. After a brief blankness came fierce struggling. She desperately pounded on his chest, vehemently resisting his touch. ¡°Lu Youting, what do you take me for? Let go of me now, or I¡¯ll get angry.¡± Lu Youting pressed against her red lips and said, ¡°I don¡¯t take you for anyone, you are you, you are Jian Si.¡± His low voice, raspy and filled with barely perceptible tension. Jian Si¡¯s attractive eyebrows twisted tightly together: ¡°You¡¯re drunk.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s rough hands cradled her small face, his warm breath spraying on her face as he softly said, ¡°Jian Si, I¡¯m not drunk, I know I¡¯m kissing you, I¡¯m not being promiscuous because of the alcohol, I truly want to kiss you from my heart.¡± It felt as if something in Jian Si¡¯s chest was painfully splitting apart. In the two years they had been married, Lu Youting had never treated her like this. In that moment, her throat felt blocked and her eyes welled up with a bitter feeling. Lu Youting gazed at her with deep affection; their eyes locked and the atmosphere became as steamy as it could get. ¡°Thump, thump.¡± The room was so quiet that they could hear each other¡¯s breathing and heartbeats. Seeing that she no longer resisted, Lu Youting kissed her lips again. His kiss was skilled; different from the previous rough and domineering one, this time it was long and gentle, as if savoring the most delicious delicacy in the world, bit by bit, from shallow to deep. The crisp mint fragrance filled her nostrils. Looking at the flawlessly beautiful face before him, Jian Si¡¯s mind turned to mush under his siege, completely losing her ability to think, gradually getting lost in his kiss. Feeling her succumb, Lu Youting grew bolder. His tongue daringly pried open her teeth, rampaging as if conquering territory without restraint. Jian Si wrapped her arms around his neck, involuntarily responding to him. Her response made Lu Youting¡¯s blood surge, a current zipping through his entire body, converging in a certain place, thrilling him to the very tip of his heart. His long fingers expertly began to undo the buttons of her hospital gown. Things were quickly getting out of control. Amidst her passion, in the corner of her eye, Jian Si inadvertently caught sight of the lipstick mark on his collar. The sight abruptly snapped her back to reality, her heart feeling icy cold. The faint scent of a lady¡¯s perfume wafted into her nose, nauseating her so much she wanted to vomit, and with a repulsed push, she shoved him away. Caught off guard, Lu Youting fell from the sofa onto the floor. Chapter 74 - 74 74 Lu Youting, Youre Really Shameless ?74: Chapter 74 Lu Youting, You¡¯re Really Shameless 74: Chapter 74 Lu Youting, You¡¯re Really Shameless His mood interrupted, Lu Youting¡¯s face clouded with a layer of coldness, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jian Si straightened her clothes and fastened the buttons furiously, glaring at Lu Youting as tears swirled in her eyes, ¡°Lu Youting, you are truly shameless. Do you really find pleasure in humiliating me repeatedly, making me lose all self-respect?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s mind was foggy, the alcohol impairing his ability to think clearly. He didn¡¯t understand; everything was fine just moments ago, and now she had changed again. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Jian Si grabbed his collar, turning the lipstick mark towards him, ¡°Look at this! Just a second ago, you were flirting with another woman, and now you¡¯re sweet-talking me. Lu Youting, I must have water in my brain to forget the pain you¡¯ve caused me, to be deceived by you! I¡¯m telling you, don¡¯t you dare touch me again, or I¡¯ll cripple you.¡± She turned to leave the hospital room. Lu Youting grabbed her wrist in a swift move, a hint of irritation crossing his face, ¡°It¡¯s not what you think.¡± Jian Si felt he was filthy. The hand holding hers, who knows how many women it had touched. She felt her self-respect was brutally trampled and humiliated, and she also blamed herself for being weak, for forgetting the damage he had done because of his recent kindness. ¡°I only know that if two people aren¡¯t close together, lipstick wouldn¡¯t get on a collar! Lu Youting, don¡¯t touch me, I¡¯m disgusted!¡± Jian Si forcefully shook his hand off and, ignoring his attempts to stop her, she went to the neighboring hospital room. The room was pitch-dark, and because of the angle, Lu Youting couldn¡¯t make out the stain on the collar. After Jian Si stormed off in anger, Lu Youting took off his shirt and his handsome face darkened upon seeing the lipstick mark, fist crunching. He took the shirt intending to find Jian Si and explain. But she shut herself in the hospital room, indifferent to his knocks on the door. Helpless, Lu Youting could only go back to his room, the clothing in his hands growing more glaringly offensive until he finally crumpled it up and threw it into the trash can. Due to this unhappy confrontation, their relation, which had just started to mend, regressed to square one. Jian Si didn¡¯t fight with him, but she ignored him completely, treating him as if he were invisible. Lu Youting felt wronged, a lump of anger trapped in his chest. ¡°It¡¯s not what you saw.¡± Jian Si coldly said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what it is, it has nothing to do with me! We are already divorced. I don¡¯t have the right to control you. You can be with whomever you want, it¡¯s none of my business.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s fingers and temples began to tremble, his frosty eyes glaring at her as his chest heaved. Though he was furious, he still didn¡¯t want Jian Si to misunderstand him, and tried to be patient as he explained, ¡°This was Gu Yuchen¡¯s prank, I didn¡¯t...¡± Before he could finish, Jian Si slammed the cup she was holding onto the bedside table, a crisp sound resonating. ¡°I said, this has nothing to do with me, you don¡¯t need to explain to me.¡± Lu Youting¡¯s body was enveloped by a harsh pressure of both ice and fire, and feeling a fury that made him want to flip a table, seeing that she remained unyielding, he stopped explaining and left angrily. ¡°Bang.¡± The hospital room door was slammed shut, the loud noise venting his inner rage, seemingly causing the ceiling to tremble as well. Jian Si ¡®hah¡¯ed and laughed out of irritation. It was his fault, yet he had the audacity to lose his temper. What an attitude? If someone¡¯s going to make amends, they should at least show some sincerity. She must have been out of her mind, to almost fall for him again yesterday. As she was fuming, her phone suddenly rang. The call was from Ji Mingche. She recalled their agreement and answered the phone with an apologetic face, ¡°Ah Che, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve been quite busy recently, so I forgot to reach out to you.¡± Ji Mingche teased, ¡°Do you think I look like someone who¡¯s missing a meal?¡± Jian Si¡¯s face instantly turned red with embarrassment, ¡°Uh, then... then you are...¡± Ji Mingche laughed, unable to speak, ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other for over a decade, and you are the only friend I have in Jiangcheng. Can¡¯t we meet sometimes, besides apologizing over meals?¡± Jian Si suddenly realized. All her thoughts were on her child now, indeed she hadn¡¯t thought about that. She said hurriedly, ¡°The day after tomorrow, do you have time? I¡¯ll go with you to buy clothes. You mentioned last time that you have nothing to wear.¡± ¡°OK!¡± Ji Mingche agreed happily, his tone shifted to concern, ¡°How is Xiao Bai¡¯s heart surgery going? I was afraid to disturb you while you were taking care of him.¡± Jian Si replied, ¡°There were some complications; the surgery has been postponed!¡± Ji Mingche respected her and did not continue to inquire. He added, ¡°I saw the news yesterday. Your ex-husband, Lu Youting, and Miss Ye have called off their engagement. I heard rumors that it was because Miss Ye had someone hit you. Is that true? Are you alright?¡± The two had been friends since childhood and had grown up together, so Jian Si didn¡¯t hide the details and shared the rough events. Ji Mingche was so furious that he almost smashed the phone. ¡°That woman is so malicious. Are you okay? Are you staying at Jiangcheng Hospital? Which room? I¡¯ll come visit you.¡± Jian Si was about to refuse, but Ji Mingche sensed her intention and asserted, ¡°If you still call me ¡®Brother,¡¯ then don¡¯t refuse.¡± Jian Si smiled helplessly and agreed, telling him her room number. He came very quickly, and in less than half an hour, he appeared in the hospital corridor holding a bunch of Blue Demons, coincidentally bumping into Lu Youting. Ji Mingche grinned and greeted him politely, ¡°Director Lu, hello! I am...¡± He was about to introduce himself when Lu Youting interrupted him, ¡°We¡¯ve met. You¡¯re Ji Mingche, the ¡®Ah Che Brother¡¯ Jian Si talks about.¡± His tone was sour, as if he had swallowed several barrels of vinegar. Ji Mingche, feigning ignorance of his hostility, smiled warmly. ¡°I heard Sisi was sick, so I wanted to come see her. I¡¯ll leave you be now!¡± With that, he pushed open the door to Jian Si¡¯s room, holding the Blue Demon. Whether intentional or not, he did not close the room door behind him. Seeing the big bunch of Blue Demons in his hand, Jian Si smiled, her eyes squinting into lines, ¡°Ah Che Brother, it¡¯s been over a decade, yet you still remember I like Blue Demon.¡± Ji Mingche tenderly said, ¡°Your preferences are etched in my mind. I will never forget in this lifetime.¡± ¡°I knew Ah Che Brother was the most caring person I have. I¡¯ll find a vase to put them in.¡± Jian Si did not find anything inappropriate in her statement and smiled happily. However, the words sounded different to Lu Youting¡¯s ears. A gloomy aura exploded from him; he involuntarily clenched his fist, barely restraining the urge to burst in and beat Ji Mingche, his eyes like a hawk¡¯s, unblinkingly staring at Jian Si as if a wild beast on the hunt. Ji Mingche continued to smile warmly at Jian Si. After she put the Blue Demon in the vase, he reached out to wipe the water droplets off her face. They were both in their twenties, yet still so frisky, her face and body covered in water. Jian Si playfully stuck out her tongue, ¡°Just like you said, it¡¯s a habit etched into the bones, hard to change.¡± Ji Mingche gave her a stern look, ¡°Making excuses!¡± Jian Si puffed her cheeks, defiantly saying, ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth!¡± Ji Mingche, full of indulgence, said, ¡°Okay, okay, it¡¯s the truth, happy now? Ever since we were little, whatever you said has always been it. When have I ever argued?¡± Jian Si laughed, ¡°Yes, yes, I know you treat me the best! I¡¯ll treat you to lunch!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t come here for food!¡± said Ji Mingche, straightening her body and examining her swollen face earnestly, ¡°Show me, where are you hurt? Besides your face, any other places?¡± ¡°Also...¡± Jian Si moved her hand to her collar, preparing to show him the injury on her collarbone when a figure suddenly rushed in, grabbed her hand, and glared at her with bloodshot eyes, like an angry lion. Chapter 75 - 75 75 Lu Youting, Your Taste is Getting Heavier ?75: Chapter 75: Lu Youting, Your Taste is Getting Heavier 75: Chapter 75: Lu Youting, Your Taste is Getting Heavier Jian Si was startled for a moment, but when she saw that it was Lu Youting, she breathed a sigh of relief while her anger soared simultaneously. ¡°Lu Youting, what are you doing?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s face was livid as he glared at her, flames flickering in his eyes. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be the one asking you that?¡± Jian Si was momentarily stunned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lu Youting unconsciously increased the force of his grip. ¡°Do you understand the difference between men and women?¡± Jian Si instantly grasped his meaning and scoffed lightly. ¡°Big brother, this is the 21st century. Do you still think we are living in ancient times with ¡®differences between men and women¡¯?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s expression grew even uglier. ¡°No self-respect.¡± Jian Si immediately became angry. ¡°What do you mean no self-respect? Is looking at a collarbone considered no self-respect? Moreover...¡± She paused, her tone becoming sharper without her realizing, ¡°Moreover, what relationship do we have? What right do you have to control me? Even if I have no self-respect, so what? I am single now, if I want to find a few men, I will find a few men. Can you control that?¡± ¡°You...¡± Lu Youting was so angry his handsome face contorted, a chilling coldness enveloping him. Jian Si was not afraid of him in the slightest and continued relentlessly. ¡°You find women, do I control you? So, don¡¯t control me finding a few men. We just need to put on a show in front of Xiao Bai, and keep out of each other¡¯s private lives.¡± Lu Youting heard her and realized she was still angry about yesterday. His anger faded by more than half, replaced by a slight helplessness. ¡°Yesterday, you really misunderstood. That lipstick mark wasn¡¯t left by a woman, it was...¡± Jian Si interrupted him sharply, ¡°Not from a woman, could it possibly be from a man? Lu Youting, your tastes are really getting heavier.¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting was taken aback by laughter, and for a moment he didn¡¯t know how to explain. Without his explanation, Jian Si took his silence as an admission, and her chest tightened sourly, feeling unexpectedly aggrieved. Watching their public argument, Ji Mingche awkwardly coughed twice. ¡°Ahem, is it inappropriate for me to be here? Maybe I should come back another day?¡± Seeing Ji Mingche made Lu Youting even more annoyed, and hearing him suggest leaving was exactly what he wanted. ¡°Take care, no need to see you out!¡± Jian Si glared fiercely at him, then told Ji Mingche, ¡°The one who should leave is him. You just got here. Why leave? It¡¯s just mealtime, we can go out to eat.¡± ¡°Is that appropriate?¡± Ji Mingche looked hesitantly at Lu Youting, whose eyes seemed to be shooting fire. Jian Si didn¡¯t even glance at Lu Youting, confidently saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him. He¡¯s just my ex-husband and has no right to control me! Wait for me, I¡¯ll change my clothes and be right out.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Ji Mingche responded readily. Jian Si took a clean and fresh set of clothes from the closet and entered the bathroom. Before going in, she didn¡¯t forget to give Lu Youting a warning look. After Jian Si left, only Lu Youting and Ji Mingche remained in the hospital room. Ji Mingche¡¯s lips were always adorned with a faint smile. He calmly found a spot and sat down to wait for Jian Si. A hint of irritation flashed in Lu Youting¡¯s eyes, and his handsome face gradually became shrouded with a stern coldness. A moment later, he hid the emotions showing on his face and sat down opposite Ji Mingche, elegantly crossing his legs and lifting the corners of his lips in a shallow smile, exuding nobility and grace. ¡°Director Ji seems quite free? Inspecting the site and preparing for a branch office must be busy indeed.¡± Ji Mingche responded nonchalantly, ¡°It is indeed very busy, but no matter how busy, nothing is as important as Sisi.¡± The brief phrase almost reignited Lu Youting¡¯s temper, but fortunately, he suppressed it at the last moment. ¡°The saying goes that a man should prioritize his career, but Director Ji, you abandon significant company matters for a mere friend, which seems inappropriate.¡± When saying ¡®a mere friend,¡¯ he deliberately emphasized his tone. Ji Mingche¡¯s smile deepened. ¡°Who told Director Lu that Sisi and I are just friends?¡± Lu Youting¡¯s warm eyes suddenly tightened. ¡°Not just friends?¡± Leaning on the sofa armrest, Ji Mingche¡¯s right elbow resting elegantly on it, his face still wore a breezy smile, ¡°The virtuous lady attracts a gentleman. Moreover, Sisi and I have been close friends since childhood, we understand each other well and naturally are the most suitable pair to spend a lifetime together.¡± His words drove Lu Youting¡¯s anger to its peak, a fierce low pressure emanating from him, his icy eyes ablaze as if wanting to devour Ji Mingche completely. Seemingly oblivious to the raging fire in his eyes, Ji Mingche¡¯s lips still bore his standard smile, his actions carried the elegance of a noble gentleman. Lu Youting narrowed his eyes, starting to reevaluate Ji Mingche. He was the first person to remain so calm under his oppressive aura. This Ji Mingche was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. Although always smiling, every word was a provocation, seeking to ignite his temper. What does he really want to do? What is his true purpose? The two exchanged glances in midair. Sparks flew. Then, Lu Youting smiled, gave Ji Mingche a deep look, and stood up to leave the hospital room. When Jian Si came out of the bathroom, only Ji Mingche was left in the room, but she didn¡¯t think much of it, taking a backpack from the wardrobe, ¡°I¡¯ve sorted it out, let¡¯s go!¡± Ji Mingche stood up, smoothing out the wrinkles on his clothes, and joked, ¡°It seems I just made Director Lu angry.¡± Jian Si puzzledly asked, ¡°Did you guys just have a fight?¡± Ji Mingche laughed, ¡°Not really; it was more like me unilaterally annoying him.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Jian Si raised her eyebrows in surprise. Ji Mingche shrugged, feigning helplessness, ¡°I told him ¡®A fair lady is a gentleman¡¯s delight,¡¯ and I intend to pursue you! Then he got mad and left.¡± ¡°You? Pursue me?¡± Jian Si laughed hysterically as if she had heard the funniest thing on earth, clutching her belly, ¡°He must have holes in his brain to believe that.¡± Ji Mingche said apologetically, ¡°Right! I didn¡¯t expect he would take a joke seriously! Maybe I should explain it to him later to avoid any misunderstanding.¡± Jian Si waved her hand dismissively, ¡°Forget about him, there¡¯s nothing between us, let him think what he wants!¡± Saying that, she and Ji Mingche walked out of the hospital room shoulder to shoulder. They had only taken a few steps when they saw Lu Yanbai and Lu Youting standing in the corridor, smiling as they watched them. ¡°Oh no,¡± Jian Si muttered to herself, sensing trouble. Her premonition was quickly confirmed. Lu Yanbai flew into his arms, rubbing her little face against her belly, pouting unhappily, ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re really mean, going out to eat alone without inviting Daddy and me.¡± Jian Si ground her back molars secretly, glaring fiercely at Lu Youting. It was definitely deliberate on Lu Youting¡¯s part. Knowing she was going to dine out with Ji Mingche, he purposely brought Xiao Bai to create trouble. Their last meal was also disrupted because of them. What does Lu Youting really want to do? Faced with her silent questioning, Lu Youting looked innocently, ¡°I accidentally let it slip, and Xiao Bai insisted on coming along, I couldn¡¯t help it.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± Jian Si scoffed, examining the clothes on Lu Yanbai. The clothes were already changed; this wasn¡¯t just an accidental slip of the tongue. It was clearly premeditated. Seeing Jian Si¡¯s refusal, Lu Yanbai coquettishly shook her wrist, ¡°Mommy, take Daddy and me with you! I haven¡¯t eaten yet, and I¡¯m really hungry.¡± Thinking of the scene in the hospital room earlier, Jian Si couldn¡¯t imagine everyone sitting together and for the first time adamantly refused, ¡°Xiao Bai, Mommy can¡¯t take you today, you eat with Daddy, I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Lu Yanbai pouted unhappily. Jian Si sternly set her face, rarely being serious, ¡°Behave, or Mommy will get angry.¡± Though Lu Yanbai was known as a fearless little demon, he was particularly afraid of Jian Si, especially of making her angry, and he immediately backed down. ¡°Mommy, please don¡¯t be mad, Xiao Bai will be good! I¡¯ll obediently eat at the hospital with Daddy while you and Uncle Ji have a nice meal, don¡¯t worry about me.¡± ¡°...??¡± Lu Youting didn¡¯t expect Xiao Bai would give in so easily. He couldn¡¯t help but curse inwardly, ¡®Spineless.¡¯ Seeing how obedient Xiao Bai was, Jian Si contentedly rubbed his little head, ¡°Mommy will be back soon, listen to Daddy.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Lu Yanbai nodded vigorously. After pacifying Xiao Bai, Jian Si shot a triumphant look at Lu Youting and left shoulder to shoulder with Ji Mingche. As they watched their figures disappear from view, Lu Youting suddenly clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly. Chapter 76 - 76 76 The Mistress Resorts to Manipulative Tactics Again, Jian Si Handles It With Ease ?76: Chapter 76: The Mistress Resorts to Manipulative Tactics Again, Jian Si Handles It With Ease 76: Chapter 76: The Mistress Resorts to Manipulative Tactics Again, Jian Si Handles It With Ease Jian Family. Ye Qingqing looked at the investigation materials, her face even turned green. ¡°Turns out it¡¯s not that little bastard Lu Yanbai but another little bastard fathered by Jian Si.¡± Xu Jiaorong took the materials from her hand. Inside were several photos. The photos showed Lu Yanbai being called away by Jian Yue and Su Wan, and another little boy, who looked exactly like him, taking off his clothes and hat in a flowerbed, pretending to be him to visit Jian Si. The photographic material was derived from surveillance video; and although the quality wasn¡¯t as good as professional cameras, it was clear enough to see their faces. Even though Xu Jiaorong knew that Jian Si had given birth to twins, it was still the first time she truly saw them, and her eyes widened in shock. ¡°That little bitch Jian Si actually gave birth to twins, how can her luck be so good? If the Lu Family knew that Lu Youting had another son, that would be terrible. Especially the old grandfather and grandmother of the Lu Family, they might hurry back from Norway right away. It¡¯ll be even harder for you to get in the door by then.¡± Ye Qingqing, filled with anger, swept the materials onto the floor with a slap, her delicate face hideous and twisted. ¡°Thinking she can use the child to marry back into the Lu Family, how wishful! Since she¡¯s playing hard to get and hiding the child on purpose, then I¡¯ll make sure this child will never appear before Lu Youting.¡± Xu Jiaorong was startled and asked anxiously, ¡°What are you planning to do?¡± Ye Qingqing narrowed her eyes, ¡°What am I planning? What do you think? Of course, make him disappear completely from this world.¡± Xu Jiaorong was scared by her demeanor and clutched her hand tightly with her uninjured hand, ¡°Qingqing, you¡¯re crazy, that¡¯s the child of the Lu Family, if found out, we won¡¯t be able to walk away from this.¡± Ye Qingqing had already lost her reason and, not caring about the injury on Xu Jiaorong, shook off her hand, ¡°Always scared of this and that, it¡¯s because you¡¯re all cowardly that I¡¯ve ended up like this.¡± Xu Jiaorong stumbled from the push, her wheelchair also shook, nearly toppling over. Even so, she still earnestly advised, ¡°Qingqing, you really can¡¯t do this! We can¡¯t afford to mess with the Lu Family. If Lu Youting knew you killed his son, he¡¯d kill you.¡± Ye Qingqing smiled coldly, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t tell, who would know it was me! Just need to make sure it¡¯s clean.¡± Xu Jiaorong looked at her in shock, unable to believe that such words could come from her own daughter¡¯s mouth. A living life being discussed so casually. Ye Qingqing said maliciously, ¡°Not just that little bastard, but Jian Si too, I can¡¯t let her off!¡± Xu Jiaorong felt a chill, suddenly a little afraid of her daughter. She didn¡¯t speak, and Ye Qingqing didn¡¯t care, continuing, ¡°But before I make a move on them, I¡¯ve got to find a chance to return to the hospital!¡± Xu Jiaorong asked, ¡°Lu Youting already suspended you, how do you plan to go back?¡± Ye Qingqing smiled proudly. ¡°I¡¯ve certainly thought of a good way! Once I¡¯m back in the hospital, I¡¯ll take care of Jian Si and that little bastard!¡± Xu Jiaorong opened her lips, wanting to say something, but seeing that Ye Qingqing seemed to have gone mad, in the end, she said nothing. ... Meanwhile, at Jiangcheng Hospital, a VIP was admitted to the cardiology department. The commotion was so big it even unsettled the Director. ¡°Lady Jiang, rest assured, I will arrange our hospital¡¯s best doctor for your grandson.¡± Lady Jiang sat in a wheelchair, stern-faced, formidable without anger, ¡°No need, I only want Ye Qingqing, other than her, I don¡¯t want anyone else.¡± The Director looked troubled, ¡°Well, the thing is, Professor Ye encountered some problems, she¡¯s currently suspended and might not be able to come for the time being.¡± After speaking, seeing Jian Si passing by the office door, he pulled her over, trying to please, ¡°This is Professor Jian, our newly hired full-time professor from abroad. She is currently our hospital¡¯s most formidable doctor, leaving your grandson in her hands will surely be okay.¡± Jian Si: ¡°...??¡± What happened? She came back from dinner with Ji Mingche and inexplicably got dragged into the office by the Director. Lady Jiang looked Jian Si up and down disdainfully, ¡°Nowadays, people always claim to be professors returning from abroad, who knows what they learned there? Many credentials can be forged.¡± Not expecting such a blunt mockery from her, the Director almost couldn¡¯t maintain his smile. ¡°Lady Jiang, Professor Jian¡¯s credentials and experience are all real, and can be verified online. If you don¡¯t believe me, I can search them for you personally.¡± As he was about to search online, Lady Jiang stopped him, ¡°No need, I don¡¯t trust your ¡®Professor Jian¡¯. So young, I don¡¯t believe she¡¯s that capable. I only want Ye Qingqing, bring her back to me.¡± A baffled Jian Si, insulted for no reason: ¡°...??¡± The Director said with difficulty, ¡°She was personally suspended by Director Lu, I, I have no authority to reinstate her.¡± Lady Jiang remained unmoved, ¡°Then tell Lu Youting that I will personally ask him for Ye Qingqing, and see if he¡¯ll turn down this old face of mine.¡± The Director felt awkward, not knowing what to do. Jian Si, seeing the Director¡¯s dilemma, smiled and said, ¡°Since Lady Jiang told you to find Director Lu, then you should go find Director Lu! Regardless of whether Professor Ye can be reinstated or not, it¡¯s not your concern. Or, you can contact Director Lu directly and have him come and talk with Lady Jiang personally. They¡¯re family friends, it would be better than you passing messages in between.¡± The Director thought her suggestion was reasonable and immediately took out his phone to call Lu Ya. They didn¡¯t have the privilege of direct contact with Director Lu, anything that needed to be reported went through Lu¡¯s assistant, who would then handle it. ¡°Since this doesn¡¯t concern me, I¡¯ll be leaving!¡± Jian Si prepared to leave now that it seemed she was no longer needed. The Director nodded. As she left, Jian Si politely nodded at Lady Jiang. Lady Jiang wore a look of disdain, seemingly unwilling to even spare Jian Si another glance. Jian Si didn¡¯t mind and walked straight out of the office. As she reached the door, she heard Lady Jiang say, ¡°That¡¯s Lu Youting¡¯s ex-wife?¡± ¡°Uh... Yes!¡± Lady Jiang spoke disdainfully, ¡°Lu Youting has poor taste, how could he fancy such a woman! Arrogant, conceited, as if being from abroad makes her dismiss others.¡± Jian Si¡¯s steps faltered, her mouth twitched spasmodically. She was arrogant? Conceited? Dismissive of others? Since when? She had no idea she had ever been so arrogant. With defiance, the Director spoke up for Jian Si, ¡°Lady Jiang, there might be some misunderstanding. Professor Jian is young, but she is really a very modest, low-profile doctor with real ability.¡± Before he could finish, Lady Jiang impatiently interrupted, ¡°Enough, you don¡¯t need to flatter her! I have eyes, I can see for myself.¡± The Director was almost driven to despair. Jian Si sympathized deeply with the Director and, not taking it to heart, left. On her way back to her room, she saw Lu Youting coming out of Lu Yanbai¡¯s room, who coldly glanced at her and headed towards the office. Chapter 77 - 77 77 Ye Qingqing Fought a Beautiful Battle to Turn the Tables ?77: Chapter 77: Ye Qingqing Fought a Beautiful Battle to Turn the Tables 77: Chapter 77: Ye Qingqing Fought a Beautiful Battle to Turn the Tables Jian Si didn¡¯t know what Lu Youting had discussed with Elder Lady Jiang, but the result was that she soon received the news of Ye Qingqing¡¯s return to work. The cardiologist group chat was abuzz with discussion about this matter. A coldness enveloped Jian Si¡¯s chest. She hadn¡¯t expected that Lu Youting would actually compromise. What did her grievances count for? What about the hurt Xiao Bai had suffered? Sure enough, in front of Ye Qingqing, Lu Youting had no principles at all. As Jian Si fumed silently, she rewrote the preoperative checklist for Lu Yanbai, preparing for the surgery to be redone in three days. That¡¯s when Ye Qingqing walked into the office with a swagger. Seeing her enter, Jian Si glanced at her expressionlessly, too lazy to even greet her. Lin Xinyu had known that Ye Qingqing would be returning, so she had been eagerly waiting in the office. Upon Ye Qingqing¡¯s arrival, she excitedly greeted her, ¡°Master, you¡¯ve finally returned! I always knew you would be back one day.¡± Ye Qingqing shot a glance at Jian Si, no longer pretending, and said sarcastically, ¡°Some people certainly didn¡¯t want me to return. If I didn¡¯t come back, she could have the run of the place, playing the tyrant all by herself. How could I let her wish come true?¡± Jian Si naturally knew these words were meant for her. But since Ye Qingqing had not named names, Jian Si couldn¡¯t be bothered to respond. With a provocative look at Jian Si, Lin Xinyu smugly said, ¡°That¡¯s right, eventually everyone will know who¡¯s truly capable. The people¡¯s eyes are sharp.¡± Watching the master and student have their self-absorbed conversation, Jian Si couldn¡¯t stay a moment longer. She stood up and left after completing the checklist. Lin Xinyu ¡®tsked¡¯ at Jian Si¡¯s retreating back, ¡°Coming back from abroad and she thinks she¡¯s a professor now¡ªwhether that¡¯s true or not is another story.¡± Feeling the tension between them, the other doctors in the office looked at each other in silent agreement and remained quiet. Taking advantage of Jian Si¡¯s departure, Ye Qingqing purposely said, ¡°Well then, since Elder Lady Jiang personally requested that I treat her grandson, let¡¯s go over there now to find out about the situation.¡± Lin Xinyu loudly agreed, ¡°Okay!¡± The master and student left the office with medical records in hand. Elder Lady Jiang¡¯s grandson, Jiang Sha¡¯an, was placed in the ward next to Lu Yanbai. He was two years older than Lu Yanbai and was diagnosed with coronary heart disease a month ago. After a month of conservative treatment did not improve his condition, he was preparing to be admitted for surgery. When Ye Qingqing went on rounds, Jiang Sha¡¯an was playing with building blocks. Seeing her, he immediately called out sweetly, ¡°Auntie Ye.¡± Elder Lady Jiang, upon seeing her, eagerly grasped her hands, ¡°Qingqing, you¡¯re finally here! We haven¡¯t seen each other for a month now, have we? You never came to visit Grandma.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes darkened, and she lowered her head, softly saying, ¡°A lot has happened recently; I couldn¡¯t find the time.¡± Elder Lady Jiang indignantly said, ¡°I saw the news about you online! I¡¯ve watched you grow up since you were a child; do I not know what kind of person you are? Those people online just love to blindly follow the crowd. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Ye Qingqing smiled faintly, ¡°Thank you Grandma for believing in me! This period has truly been the darkest days of my life. If it weren¡¯t for your help, I¡¯m afraid I would¡¯ve fallen into depression.¡± Elder Lady Jiang sternly said, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about! It¡¯s not me helping you; in the whole of Jiangcheng, I only trust you with Sha¡¯an. When you were in medical school, you were a top student with both character and learning. After starting work, you became the youngest associate professor. If I don¡¯t believe you, should I believe Jian Si, who just returned from abroad? Diplomas from abroad can be faked too.¡± Jian Si passed by the door just as these words were said. The ward door was not closed, and every word entered her ears. Elder Lady Jiang also noticed Jian Si standing at the door and her smile deepened. She said with sarcasm, ¡°Qingqing, I¡¯ve heard about you and Lu Youting! Don¡¯t worry, that boy Youting is just temporarily dazzled by Jian Si¡¯s looks. When he comes to his senses, he will naturally return to your side. Relationships based on beauty won¡¯t last.¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes followed Elder Lady Jiang¡¯s gaze to glance at the doorway. Seeing Jian Si standing there, Ye Qingqing¡¯s lips slowly curled, and she lowered her gaze to hide the triumph in her eyes, pretending to be modest, ¡°Grandma, you think too highly of me! I¡¯m not as good as you say.¡± Elder Lady Jiang loved this humble and unassuming character and grew even fonder of her. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, you¡¯re fine because you¡¯re fine! I¡¯m entrusting Sha¡¯an¡¯s illness to you. I believe you won¡¯t let me down, right?¡± Ye Qingqing nodded, swearing solemnly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you down. I¡¯ll first give Sha¡¯an a full body check-up, and then I¡¯ll develop a treatment plan based on his condition. It won¡¯t be long before I can return to you a healthy grandson.¡± Madam Jiang nodded with satisfaction. ¡°Very good, I believe you can definitely do it.¡± Jian Si watched Ye Qingqing, her face triumphant, and slowly clenched her hands into fists, using all her strength to suppress the rage within her as she walked away. Seeing the figure at the door leave, Ye Qingqing lowered her head, a smug smile curling the corners of her mouth, a streak of coldness flashing in her eyes. This time, she was determined to win a resounding victory. She would take back everything she had lost. ... Ever since agreeing to Ye Qingqing¡¯s return to work, Lu Youting had disappeared, never to appear in front of Jian Si again. The next day, Jian Si handled her discharge procedures and formally threw herself into work. She had lunch with Lu Yanbai in the hospital room and, after handing him over to the nurse in the afternoon, drove to pick up Jian Sichen and Jian Yue from school. The two little ones hadn¡¯t seen Jian Si in a long time and excitedly ran to hug her legs when they saw her at the school gate: ¡°Mommy, what brings you here? Don¡¯t you have to stay with Xiao Bai at the hospital?¡± Jian Si rubbed their little heads and smiled, ¡°You¡¯re both my children, I have to spend time with you guys as well!¡± Jian Yue said sensibly, ¡°Xiao Bai needs you more! Don¡¯t worry, brother and I won¡¯t be jealous.¡± Jian Si felt very comforted and softly replied, ¡°I know, but I missed you too! Tonight I¡¯ll cook, what do you want to eat? Let¡¯s go shopping together.¡± Hearing this, Jian Sichen and Jian Yue¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. ¡°Can we really eat Mommy¡¯s cooking? That¡¯s amazing! You have no idea, the food that godmother makes is so bad, brother and I are about to throw up.¡± Jian Si couldn¡¯t help but knock on her forehead, ¡°You ungrateful girl! Godmother has been taking care of you for so long, you can¡¯t even say thanks, and now you¡¯re complaining about her cooking. She would be sad to hear that.¡± Jian Yue stuck out her tongue cheekily, ¡°I only say that because godmother isn¡¯t here! In front of her, I always praise her!¡± Jian Si was helpless and said resignedly, ¡°Alright, alright! It¡¯s getting late. Let¡¯s go home! I still need to go to the hospital tonight.¡± Jian Sichen and Jian Yue both nodded and left hand in hand with Jian Si, one on each side. Jian Sichen looked up at Jian Si and asked, ¡°Mommy, have Ye Qingqing and her daughter bothered you these last two days?¡± Jian Si looked down, hiding her true feelings, and shook her head, ¡°No, they¡¯re too busy dealing with their own issues to bother me right now!¡± ¡°That¡¯s good! If they bully you again, tell me, and I¡¯ll teach them a lesson for you,¡± Jian Sichen said, reassured. Jian Yue followed up, ¡°They wouldn¡¯t dare to bully Mommy! Didn¡¯t the scumbag dad already break off their engagement? She must be busy trying to get back with scumbag dad and doesn¡¯t have time for Mommy.¡± Jian Sichen pursed his lips, full of disdain, ¡°Scumbag dad has finally seen her true colors. Was he blinded by lard before? He actually divorced Mommy to get engaged to her.¡± Jian Yue shook her head, ¡°Yeah! Mommy is so pretty, and he preferred that hypocritical woman!¡± Jian Si didn¡¯t say a word, listening quietly to their conversation, not having the heart to tell them that their scumbag dad had disappointed them yet again, Falling for Ye Qingqing¡¯s charm once more. Chapter 78 - 78 78 Jian Si Negotiates with Ye Qingqing ?78: Chapter 78: Jian Si Negotiates with Ye Qingqing 78: Chapter 78: Jian Si Negotiates with Ye Qingqing After returning home, Jian Si rolled up her sleeves and started to cook in the kitchen. Jian Yue was watching cartoons, and Jian Sichen sat in front of the computer, habitually logging into the official website and forum of Jiangcheng Hospital. Ever since Mommy had started working at Jiangcheng Hospital, the first thing he did after coming home from school was to check the latest updates on the hospital¡¯s official website and forum. Today was no exception. Upon opening the forum, he saw a hot topic with 8,000 replies. The post was titled: ¡°Director Lu Personally Appoints, Professor Ye Makes a Strong Comeback.¡± Jian Sichen¡¯s handsome eyebrows knitted tightly together as he clicked on the post. The first comment was about Ye Qingqing¡¯s reinstatement. This afternoon at three, Director Lu personally issued an order to restore all of Ye Qingqing¡¯s positions, with the grandson of the Jiang Family, Jiang Sha¡¯an, placing her in full charge. The comments section below was in uproar. Comment 49: ¡°Ye Qingqing is actually reinstated? How can someone with such vile intentions be reinstated? What was Director Lu thinking?¡± Comment 101: ¡°You don¡¯t know, huh? She was personally requested by the old lady of the Jiang Family. The Jiang and Lu Families have been friends for generations, and Director Lu received favors from the old lady when he was young. When she personally asked for Ye Qingqing to treat her grandson, how could Director Lu refuse?¡± Comment 555: ¡°This Ye Qingqing really has her ways, to actually get the old lady of the Jiang Family to step in for her. What¡¯s her relationship with the Jiang Family?¡± Comment 888: ¡°Insider news, I heard that Ye Qingqing and the granddaughter of the Jiang Family, Jiang Tingting, who is also Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s older sister, are best friends, though it¡¯s just hearsay.¡± Reply to Comment 888 at 978: ¡°It¡¯s not hearsay, it¡¯s true! I¡¯ve personally seen Ye Qingqing hanging out and dining with Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s older sister; they are very close.¡± Comment 2098: ¡°This is the power of capital. Ye Qingqing can be reinstated after doing such disgusting and excessive things. What about how she framed Professor Jian? Is that just going to be overlooked?¡± Reply to Comment 2098 at 4029: ¡°What can be done, when Ye Qingqing has such strong backing? If we can¡¯t afford to provoke her, we have no choice but to accept it.¡± Comment 5039: ¡°Hehe, now our hospital doctors¡¯ reputations will be ruined by Ye Qingqing.¡± Reply to Comment 5039 at 6798: ¡°Exactly, just thinking about working with someone like her makes me feel sick to my stomach.¡± Comment 7919: ¡°Why do I feel more sympathy for Professor Jian? If she learns about Professor Ye¡¯s reinstatement, she must be heartbroken, after all, she is the primary victim. Yet the person who framed her continues to flaunt in front of her without receiving any punishment.¡± Comment 8011: ¡°Yes, I really feel sorry for Professor Jian¡ª¡± Jian Sichen read through the post at a glance, a layer of frost seemingly enveloping his body, with a strong chill emerging from his eyes. What a scumbag of a father, never failing to disappoint. No wonder Mommy was upset when she returned home today! Jian Sichen specifically searched for news about Ye Qingqing and Jiang Tingting. It turned out the two had known each other since childhood, established a deep friendship in high school, and both attended the same university, though in different faculties. Jiang Tingting studied business administration, while Ye Qingqing studied clinical medicine. With their friendship spanning over ten years, it¡¯s no wonder the old lady of the Jiang Family was willing to entrust Jiang Sha¡¯an to Ye Qingqing. As for the leaked information about the old lady¡¯s debt of gratitude to Lu Youting, there were no traces to be found online, presumably deliberately erased. After researching Ye Qingqing and Jiang Tingting, Jian Sichen started to look into Jiang Sha¡¯an. Suddenly, a piece of news caught his attention. ¡°Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s coronary artery disease distal vessels are less than 1 mm in diameter, unsuitable for coronary artery bypass surgery, and multiple hospitals have refused to perform the operation for him.¡± Jian Sichen, unfamiliar with medical details, specifically went to the kitchen to ask Jian Si. ¡°Mommy, if the distal vessels of coronary artery disease are less than 1 mm in diameter, does that mean surgery can¡¯t be done?¡± Jian Si, while cooking, didn¡¯t ask further and casually said, ¡°Yes! In such a case, surgery is not recommended due to the high risk.¡± Jian Sichen then asked, ¡°But do you have the confidence to do it?¡± As Jian Si dished the fried food onto a plate, she replied, ¡°I¡¯ve done a surgery like this before in Country A, I¡¯m about 70 to 80 percent confident.¡± After speaking, she realized what she had just said and looked at Jian Sichen with surprise: ¡°Why are you asking this all of a sudden? What happened?¡± Jian Sichen said, ¡°In addition to his coronary heart disease, Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s coronary artery disease distal vessels are less than 1mm in diameter, which is why he hasn¡¯t had surgery up until now.¡± Hearing this, Jian Si was stunned. Seeing that she didn¡¯t reply, Jian Sichen asked again, ¡°Does Ye Qingqing have the skill for it?¡± Jian Si shook her head, truthfully saying, ¡°I don¡¯t know if she can, but among the doctors I know, only an old professor in his fifties is bold enough to take on such a surgery.¡± Jian Sichen smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes. ¡°Ye Qingqing is betting with Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s life! If the operation fails, Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s life will be at risk, and if it¡¯s successful, she¡¯ll not only secure her position at Jiangcheng Hospital, but she¡¯ll also make a name for herself in the medical community. Her wishful thinking is really loud.¡± Jian Si puzzledly asked, ¡°How do you know so much?¡± Jian Sichen nonchalantly said, ¡°Just a random search online! It¡¯s not any secret.¡± Jian Si fell silent. ¡°I really want to see what Ye Qingqing would look like after her surgery fails. The Jiang Family would never let her off the hook; she¡¯d be dead then,¡± Jian Sichen left the kitchen, seeming to take pleasure in the misfortune. Listening to his words, Jian Si felt a mix of emotions that was hard to describe. Due to her professional ethics as a doctor, Jian Si still couldn¡¯t help but find Ye Qingqing the next day at work, getting straight to the point: ¡°Ye Qingqing, do you know that Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s condition isn¡¯t suitable for surgery? You¡¯re being too selfish, disregarding his safety for your own interests.¡± Her voice attracted the attention of her colleagues. Everyone cast their gazes collectively. Ye Qingqing¡¯s face flushed with anger and pulled Jian Si to the stairwell. ¡°Jian Si, what do you mean? Are you jealous of my return, afraid I¡¯ll steal your thunder, so you want to defame me in front of everyone?¡± Jian Si laughed in anger. ¡°Nonsense, do you think everyone is like you, willing to do anything to achieve their goals? Coronary heart disease is most prevalent in people over forty, and Jiang Sha¡¯an is only six. Him getting the disease is already a rare case in the medical field, let alone his coronary artery disease distal vessel diameter being less than 1mm. Do you know that under these conditions, surgery shouldn¡¯t be done?¡± Ye Qingqing crossed her arms and said contemptuously, ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re incapable.¡± Jian Si¡¯s face turned red with anger: ¡°Such an operation, there are only a few professors in the world who could do it. You¡¯ve never done it before; you are using Jiang Sha¡¯an for practice, for an experiment. Ye Qingqing, you¡¯re going to cause his death.¡± Ye Qingqing was left speechless by the retorts, and angrily said, ¡°Jian Si, what does this have to do with you? What, are you trying to tell me that I can¡¯t do the surgery, but you can?¡± No sooner had her words fallen when they heard a loud ¡®bang.¡¯ Both held their breath and turned towards the sound. When they saw who was standing not far away, their faces drastically changed. Chapter 79 - 79 79 Jian Sichen Encounters Human Traffickers ?79: Chapter 79: Jian Sichen Encounters Human Traffickers 79: Chapter 79: Jian Sichen Encounters Human Traffickers Ye Qingqing looked in disbelief at Jiang Tingting, who was inexplicably standing there, and forced a smile as she asked nervously, ¡°Tingting, how did you get here?¡± Jiang Tingting stepped out from the shadows, glaring at Ye Qingqing, her body quivering with anger. Having been best friends for over a decade, a single expression was enough for Ye Qingqing to know that Jiang Tingting must have heard her entire conversation with Jian Si. ¡°Tingting, you misunderstood. Jian Si, she...¡± Before she could finish, Jiang Tingting rushed over and grabbed her arms, angrily asking, ¡°Ye Qingqing, is what she said true?¡± Ye Qingqing¡¯s arms were pinched painfully, twisting her face in discomfort. ¡°Tingting, after all our years of friendship, do you believe her over me?¡± Jiang Tingting was still very emotional, ¡°I just heard Jian Si say that my brother¡¯s condition isn¡¯t suitable for surgery and should be treated conservatively. Surgery in this condition is very risky.¡± Ye Qingqing pried her hands off and smiled reassuringly, ¡°No matter the surgery, there¡¯s always a risk. Whether it¡¯s successful depends on the surgeon. If Jian Si can¡¯t do it, doesn¡¯t it mean I can?¡± ¡°Really? Can you really manage it?¡± Jiang Tingting looked at her skeptically, still doubting. Ye Qingqing assured her fervently, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s true. When have I ever lied to you? Since I promised success, it will definitely be successful. Besides, coronary surgery has long been proven safe; nothing will go wrong.¡± Having known each other for over a decade, Jiang Tingting was aware of Ye Qingqing¡¯s capabilities and efforts over the years and naturally had confidence in her; her emotions gradually soothed. Seeing her persuaded by Ye Qingqing, Jian Si urgently said, ¡°Miss Jiang, things aren¡¯t as Ye Qingqing described! Although coronary surgeries have a high success rate, Young Master Jiang¡¯s condition is unique. His coronary artery distal vessel diameter is less than 1mm, which isn¡¯t suitable for surgery as it poses a risk to his life. Moreover, he contracted this disease at six years old, which is already unusual and should be handled more cautiously.¡± Fearing that Jiang Tingting might be swayed by her, Ye Qingqing pushed her away. ¡°Jian Si, how can you be so despicable. Just because you can¡¯t do it doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t.¡± After speaking, she turned to Jiang Tingting, ¡°Tingting, don¡¯t listen to her manipulations. Like your grandma said, foreign diplomas can be forged, who knows if her certificates and resume are real. I¡¯ve performed many coronary operations; you can trust me to bring you a healthy brother back.¡± ¡°Miss Jiang...¡± Jian Si was persistent, still wanting to persuade further. But Jiang Tingting cut her off impatiently, ¡°I¡¯ve known Qingqing for over a decade; I understand her. If she says she can do it, she definitely can. You don¡¯t need to stir trouble between us; I won¡¯t be fooled.¡± Jian Si felt a pang in her chest, almost spitting blood. Seeing Jiang Tingting so obstinate, Jian Si no longer wanted to be the villain. ¡°I¡¯ve said what I needed to, and if you insist on this path, there¡¯s nothing I can do!¡± After speaking, she turned to Ye Qingqing and warned sternly, ¡°Ye Qingqing, remember that a doctor¡¯s duty is to save lives and aid the injured, not a pawn for your schemes. Be wise!¡± With that, she turned away and left the corridor without another glance. Watching her walk away, a hint of triumph flashed in Ye Qingqing¡¯s eyes. Jiang Tingting, still slightly uneasy, said, ¡°Qingqing, Sha¡¯an will be safe, right? He¡¯s my only brother; I trusted you to let grandma send him here, and nothing must go wrong.¡± Ye Qingqing nodded, ¡°I swear to you, Sha¡¯an will be safe and the surgery will definitely succeed. If anything goes wrong, I¡¯ll take responsibility for Sha¡¯an. Do you believe me now?¡± Seeing her say this, Jiang Tingting finally relaxed completely. After leaving the corridor, Jiang Tingting went to visit Jiang Sha¡¯an in the ward, while Ye Qingqing went to make her rounds. In the hallway, she encountered Jian Si, who was also on her rounds. Ye Qingqing curved her lips coldly and warned venomously, ¡°I warn you, don¡¯t meddle in my affairs in the future; I won¡¯t be polite to you.¡± Jian Si countered toughly, ¡°To achieve your goals, you even exploit your most trusting friend. Ye Qingqing, you have truly altered my perception of you again.¡± Ye Qingqing didn¡¯t appreciate hearing this and scoffed, ¡°When did I ever exploit her?¡± Jian Si retorted, ¡°You have conducted numerous cardiac surgeries and have rich experience, but you¡¯ve certainly never encountered a case like Jiang Sha¡¯an¡¯s.¡± Without Jiang Tingting there, Ye Qingqing boldly admitted, ¡°I haven¡¯t encountered it, nor have I ever performed such a surgery! But, I believe in my ability to handle it completely.¡± ¡°Hah...¡± Jian Si was amused by her blind confidence. ¡°I hope you can keep your word and not cause a medical incident that the hospital has to clean up! You know better than I do how influential the Jiang family is in Z country; offending them won¡¯t benefit you.¡± After saying this, she didn¡¯t want to waste more time and left directly. Ye Qingqing watched her back with a sneer. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will definitely succeed in this surgery and turn my life around,¡± she said, ¡°Instead of meddling, you should keep a closer on your son.¡± Jian Si was startled and felt that something was amiss but couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it. Ye Qingqing gave her a smug look before turning and entering the ward. Soon, Jian Si and her son would completely disappear from in front of her. She would no longer have to live in their shadow. ... At five o¡¯clock, the kindergarten dismissed. The kindergarten entrance was crowded ¨C parents picking up their children, snack vendors, and teachers recruiting for specialty classes. Su Wan held Jian Sichen and Jian Yue¡¯s hands, ready to leave. Suddenly, three female teachers wearing hats with ¡®Hanmo Calligraphy and Painting¡¯ blocked their way, handing a balloon to Jian Yue while smiling, ¡°Little friend, scan the code and get a doll for free!¡± Jian Yue was transfixed by the doll in the teacher¡¯s arms, unable to look away. Jian Sichen grimaced, ¡°Mommy said, there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch. Don¡¯t just scan codes; beware of scammers.¡± The woman in green laughed, ¡°Dear, we aren¡¯t scammers! We¡¯re teachers from the Hanmo Calligraphy and Painting class. My name is Ms. Li. Are you interested in calligraphy and painting? It¡¯s only ninety-nine yuan for four trial lessons.¡± Jian Sichen stepped back cautiously, keeping a distance from her. Another teacher began pestering Su Wan. ¡°Miss, ninety-nine yuan for four trial lessons is a real bargain. Why not sign up your two little treasures? I¡¯ll throw in two additional lessons for free.¡± Another teacher ensnared Jian Yue. ¡°Do you like Barbie dolls? This doll can even talk! Look, there¡¯s a button on the back. It not only can mimic speech but also converse with you!¡± Upon hearing this, Jian Yue¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. ¡°Really? Hurry, let me try.¡± The teacher pressed the button. Jian Yue immediately said, ¡°Hello!¡± The Barbie doll also said, ¡°Hello!¡± Jian Yue, ¡°My name is Yueyue, what¡¯s your name?¡± Barbie doll, ¡°I am Xiao Xin.¡± Jian Yue widened her eyes in surprise, ¡°It can really talk!¡± The teacher encouraged her to continue playing. The Ms. Li who was pestering Jian Sichen was now also bothering Su Wan, hypnotically trying to convince her from both sides to sign up her children for the class. Su Wan, exceedingly irritated, had already declined several times, but the other party was unrelenting, clinging to her and incessantly promoting. Jian Sichen found himself pushed to the side without realizing it. He was afraid that the three female teachers might pester him, instinctively stepping back to maintain a distance from them. There were a lot of people coming and going around. Suddenly, a pair of hands reached out from behind Jian Sichen amidst the chaos, tightly covering his mouth and nose with a pungent scent filling his nostrils. He couldn¡¯t struggle in time and blacked out. Chapter 80 - 80 80 Chenbao is Missing ?80: Chapter 80: Chenbao is Missing 80: Chapter 80: Chenbao is Missing Three female teachers exchanged a silent understanding upon successfully taking Si Chen away. After being rejected by Su Wan once again, they took the opportunity to leave. Su Wan straightened her messed-up clothes: ¡°These people are so annoying, I¡¯ve said no again and again, but they just keep pushing their sales. It¡¯s really aggravating.¡± Jian Yue pouted her lips, unwillingly saying, ¡°Godmom, I want that Barbie doll.¡± Su Wan readily agreed, ¡°Fine, godmom will buy it for you. After we have dinner, I¡¯ll take you to the shopping mall to have a look!¡± Upon hearing her words, Jian Yue was so happy she almost jumped with joy. ¡°Godmom, I love you to death! You¡¯re so nice!¡± Su Wan fondly ruffled her little head of hair, ¡°Stop buttering me up, we¡¯re going to buy groceries first. Godmom will make sweet and sour pork ribs for you to eat today!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Thinking about her impending Barbie doll, Jian Yue suddenly felt that Su Wan¡¯s cooking wasn¡¯t so bad after all. Su Wan took Jian Yue¡¯s hand, the other hand instinctively reaching for Si Chen, but she encountered emptiness. She reached out behind her a few more times, but still caught nothing. ¡°Chenbao, hurry up and hold my hand, we¡¯re going home!¡± No one responded from behind her. Su Wan frowned, pretended to be angry, and turned around, but before she could get angry, she realized there was no one behind her ¨C Si Chen was nowhere to be seen. A sense of foreboding surged in her heart. She shouted uneasily. ¡°Chenbao... Chenbao...¡± Jian Yue also sensed something was wrong and hurriedly asked, ¡°Godmom, where¡¯s my brother?¡± Su Wan didn¡¯t have time to answer her question, frantically searching the crowd for Si Chen¡¯s small figure. While searching, she yelled his name loudly. ¡°Chenbao... Chenbao...¡± But still, there was no response. The unease in her heart continued to expand. Su Wan thought about all the possibilities that could have occurred, growing more and more fearful by the moment. She was calling Jian Si while heading to the school to check the surveillance footage. When Jian Si received Su Wan¡¯s call, she was dining with Lu Yanbai. ¡°Xiao Wan, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Sisi, sorry, I¡¯ve lost Chenbao!¡± Su Wan¡¯s voice trembled as she spoke. Jian Si thought it was another one of Si Chen¡¯s pranks and remained calm, ¡°Don¡¯t panic. Chenbao is so smart and sensible; nothing will happen to him! Call him on his phone.¡± ¡°I did, but I couldn¡¯t get through,¡± Su Wan was almost in tears. Jian Si furrowed her brow, ¡°How can you not get through? Don¡¯t panic, I¡¯ll try calling him.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± After ending the call, Jian Si immediately dialed Si Chen¡¯s number. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later.¡± Is his phone really off? Chenbao has always been exceptionally sensible since he was young, a child who always took responsibility. He would never disappear without reason and cause concern. Could something really have happened to him? A sense of foreboding rose in Jian Si¡¯s heart. She quickly called Su Wan back. ¡°Xiao Wan, what exactly happened? How could Chenbao disappear without reason?¡± Su Wan choked up as she went through the events. ¡°I kept saying no, but those two people just wouldn¡¯t leave me alone; I couldn¡¯t shake them off! Sisi, I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t take good care of Chenbao, I¡¯m so useless...¡± Jian Si was trembling with fear, nearly unable to hold onto her phone, yet still tried to speak calmly, ¡°Don¡¯t cry, I¡¯m coming over right now. Are you at the school¡¯s surveillance room?¡± ¡°Yes! I just got to the surveillance room!¡± Jian Si: ¡°Okay, I¡¯m on my way there, wait for me!¡± After speaking, she put down her tableware and said to Lu Yanbai, ¡°Xiao Bai, Mommy has an emergency and needs to go out for a bit. If you need anything, call Daddy, and I¡¯ll come back as soon as I¡¯m done.¡± As she spoke, her face turned pale, and her lips quivered. Lu Yanbai had never seen her like this before and anxiously asked, ¡°Mommy, what happened? Do you need my help?¡± Jian Si was grabbing her bag from the wardrobe while saying, ¡°Just stay here and be a good boy. Mommy can handle it alone.¡± Lu Yanbai obediently nodded, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll stay at home and be good. If you can¡¯t handle it, call me! Although I might not be much help, Daddy certainly can be.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Jian Si replied noncommittally, slinging her bag over her shoulder and hurriedly leaving. Just as she reached the elevator entrance, she encountered Lu Youting coming out of the elevator. ¡°You...¡± Lu Youting was about to greet her when Jian Si, looking anxious, entered the elevator without seeming to notice him. ¡°...??¡± Jian Si rushed to the kindergarten with the utmost speed. The surveillance room was packed with people; even the school¡¯s authorities were there. Su Wan and Jian Yue had cried until their eyes were swollen. Seeing Jian Si enter, they grasped her like she was their anchor, hugging her tightly. ¡°Sisi, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve lost Chenbao! I¡¯m so useless, I can¡¯t even keep an eye on a child.¡± Jian Yue cried inconsolably, ¡°Mommy, my brother has been taken away by traffickers... wuwu... Am I not going to have a brother anymore, wuwu...¡± Her words made Jian Si¡¯s heart skip a beat, plummeting to the depths. ¡°What exactly happened?¡± The school principal, full of regret, said, ¡°Jian Yue¡¯s mother, I¡¯m so sorry, it was our negligence that led to Si Chen being abducted by traffickers right outside the school. Rest assured, we will cooperate with the police to investigate and find Si Chen as soon as possible.¡± Jian Si felt a coldness in her chest. ¡°Chenbao was taken away by traffickers?¡± The principal nodded in difficulty, signaling to pull up the surveillance footage. The surveillance clearly showed someone taking advantage of the chaos to drug and abduct Si Chen. The person who took Si Chen wore a duckbill cap and a mask; except for knowing he was of average build, his face couldn¡¯t be seen at all. Jian Si felt like the sky was falling; everything spun around her, and she almost passed out, but Su Wan managed to support her to a chair in time, ¡°Sisi, are you okay? Don¡¯t scare me!¡± Jian Si felt powerless, slumping in the chair, ¡°Call, call the police... Call them quickly...¡± Su Wan immediately took out her phone, her hands slipping due to urgency¡ªif not for her quick reflexes, the phone might have flown away. The police arrived quickly. Reviewing surveillance, collecting evidence, recording statements. After completing all procedures, the sky had already turned completely dark. Jian Si returned home like a walking corpse. Jian Yue fell asleep from crying, her head resting on Su Wan¡¯s shoulder. Su Wan carried her back to the room, carefully placing her on the bed. As she came out, seeing Jian Si still sitting on the sofa, lost in a daze, the sense of guilt in her heart deepened. ¡°Sisi, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s all my fault, I¡¯m useless...¡± Jian Si mechanically shook her head, ¡°This has nothing to do with you! Those people came prepared, even if you knew they were traffickers, you wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against them.¡± The more she said that, the guiltier Su Wan felt, the tears that she had barely stopped fell again. ¡°Where could they have taken Chenbao? Why did they kidnap Chenbao? Why... If I ever encounter them, I will cut them to pieces.¡± The images of Si Chen being tormented by traffickers uncontrollably filled Jian Si¡¯s mind, her heart aching non-stop. She couldn¡¯t sit anymore. Grabbing the car keys, she dashed to the door. ¡°No, I have to find Chenbao; he¡¯s waiting for me to save him. I must find him...¡±