After The Divorce, My Dad Was Abused and Cried - Chapter 31

“When we win this lawsuit, you’ll be able to reenter the workplace and pursue your dreams and ambitions,” Jian Muyu said.

“Mm, I will!” Qi Yuqing came back to her senses and nodded heavily.

She hadn’t expected that the first person to believe in her ability, to affirm her worth, would neither be her husband, nor her parents—but rather a stranger she had just met for the very first time.

It was almost laughable when she thought about it.

“Then I’ll head back first. Contact me if anything comes up.” Jian Muyu glanced at the time, thinking Jian Tiantian and the others should be waking up soon. He began packing his documents and laptop into his bag.

“Sorry for taking up so much of your time. It’s just… I’ve kept these feelings bottled up for so long, I really wanted someone to talk to.”

“Seeing Lawyer Jian makes me feel especially trusting, and before I knew it, I had said so much.” Qi Yuqing felt a little embarrassed.

“It’s fine. You’re my client. The more I understand your situation, the more it helps us win this case.” Jian Muyu gave her a reassuring smile.

“Lawyer Jian, you’re truly a good person.” Qi Yuqing’s eyes grew slightly red.

She had run into so many obstacles during this time, witnessed too much of the coldness of the world.

At least now, she finally understood what kind of people were truly worth keeping close.

“Don’t put me on a pedestal. No matter how nice it sounds, I still charge fees,” Jian Muyu said deliberately.

“Of course. I’m not the type who hires someone for free like some deadbeat.” Qi Yuqing laughed out loud.

“Then we’ll be in touch.” Jian Muyu finished packing up.

“Okay.” Qi Yuqing watched him leave.

At the Xi family’s old estate.

Liu Yinyin sat on the sofa with tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the rain.

“Peijue has gone too far! How could he treat you like this?!” He Jinyu’s face was dark with anger.

“Peijue… he really doesn’t like me. I don’t have the face to stay in the Xi family any longer,” Liu Yinyin cried pitifully.

That day, even under the effects of the drug, Xi Peijue had refused to touch her.

In the end, he had even abandoned her and run out, completely trampling her dignity underfoot!

“How can you say you don’t have the face? You’re the daughter-in-law I’ve chosen. Even if that brat Peijue refuses to give you a title, no one can drive you out of the Xi family!”

“You just stay here at ease. As long as I’m around, I’ll never let you suffer grievance!” He Jinyu immediately spoke up upon hearing Yinyin mention leaving.

If Yinyin left, she would surely take her precious grandson away with her.

That was absolutely unacceptable!

“I know you care for me, but… staying here without name or title, my parents won’t accept it either.” Yinyin dabbed her tears delicately.

“You and Peijue grew up as childhood sweethearts. There must be feelings between you. He’s probably only holding back because of Tianze, that’s why he won’t marry you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll call him right now!” He Jinyu soothed her gently.

“Mom, don’t… If Peijue thinks I’ve tattled to you, he’ll be upset.” Yinyin pretended to stop her.

“Tattled? He knows exactly what kind of person you are. Leave this matter to me—I’ll get justice for you.” He Jinyu, who had always ruled the household with authority, ordered Yinyin to sit down and immediately dialed Xi Peijue.

At that moment, Xi Peijue was in the middle of chairing a meeting.

Yu Xiu came in with the phone, whispering in his ear, “It’s the madam chairman.”

This was a call he dared not dismiss.

Peijue’s brows furrowed slightly as he paused the meeting and stepped outside with the phone.

“Peijue, are you busy?” He Jinyu didn’t start with an interrogation.

“If you have something to say, just say it. I need to get back to the meeting.” Peijue’s tone was cool.

He hadn’t forgotten his mother’s previous attempt at manipulating him.

“I won’t take much of your time. I just want to know—when exactly do you plan on marrying Yinyin?”

Catching the faint impatience in her son’s voice, He Jinyu didn’t bother with pleasantries.

“I never planned on marrying her!” Peijue’s brows knitted tighter.

“Why not? Yinyin is such a good girl—you couldn’t find another like her even if you searched with a lantern.”

“Didn’t you once even bring home another woman just to spite her?”

“Now, that woman is gone. There are no more obstacles between you and Yinyin. Marriage should be on the table.”

Listening to his mother belittle that woman over and over, with such disdain in her tone, an inexplicable irritation surged within Peijue.

And when he recalled Jian Muyu’s fearful expression in front of him, his face grew even colder.

“I have to get back to my meeting. Don’t bring this up again.” His voice was low and firm.

But just as he was about to hang up, He Jinyu’s sharp voice suddenly cut through the line.

“Don’t you forget how your brother died!”

Her voice carried a rasp of anguish, the pain nearly spilling out of the receiver.

Peijue’s grip on the phone tightened abruptly, emotions roiling violently in his eyes.

“Xiao Yan is your brother’s only remaining bloodline. There’s no way I’ll ever let him leave the Xi family!”

“I believe your brother would also want you to take good care of Yinyin and Xiao Yan!”

“Think carefully about this. Don’t let your brother be restless even in his grave!” After saying that, He Jinyu hung up.

For years, they had kept silent about Xi Tianze’s death.

This was the first time He Jinyu had ever mentioned it in front of Xi Peijue.

She was outright using Tianze’s memory to force him.

And on Peijue’s side, the atmosphere around him dropped instantly, enveloped in a suffocating darkness.

Like a trapped beast with the power to tear through everything, yet forced to bow its head.

Because his brother had died protecting him.

On his wedding day.

Peijue’s fists clenched tightly at his sides.

Yu Xiu had been waiting in the conference room for a long time but still hadn’t seen him return, so he came out to check.

The moment he opened the door, he saw Peijue’s expression in that state.

Yu Xiu froze.

It had been a long time since he’d seen such emotions on the president’s face.

The last time… was when the young madam went missing.

“President, the meeting…” Yu Xiu tried to bring him back from those dark thoughts.

“Continue the meeting.”

Peijue snapped out of it instantly, quickly pulling his emotions back under control before striding back into the conference room.

In just a few seconds, he was once again the decisive and ruthless president of the Xi Corporation.

Now, he no longer had the time to let himself linger in the past.