“Afraid people will find out about the dirty things you’ve done, so you’re running away?”
Ye Jianwen stepped forward, blocking Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin. “Zhiqiu is too kind-hearted to say anything—she wanted to spare you the shame. But you’ve gone too far!”
“Especially you, Shen Daqiang! First, you betrayed my aunt, then you mistreated Zhiqiu. And yet you have the nerve to call her cruel?”
Ye Jianwen was so furious she could barely contain herself. She pointed at Shen Daqiang and lashed out without mercy: “You’re the real monster here! Even a venomous snake would drop dead after biting you!”
“You’ve done every vile thing imaginable, yet not a single decent human act!”
“Heaven sees everything. Next time there’s a thunderstorm, you’d better wear a pot on your head—lest lightning strike you dead for your sins!”
“You little brat!” Humiliated at being scolded by a junior, Shen Daqiang raised his hand to slap her.
Instead of dodging, Ye Jianwen tilted her face forward and tapped her cheek defiantly. “Go ahead, hit me! If you dare lay a finger on me, my father will break your arm when he comes!”
At the mention of Ye Yunlin’s impending visit, Shen Daqiang’s hand froze mid-air. He knew Ye Yunlin would do exactly that.
Years ago, after he had slapped Ye Yunshuang once, Ye Yunlin had stormed in without a word, dislocated the very arm he’d used to hit her, and forced Ye Yunshuang to slap him back. When she refused, Ye Yunlin delivered ten slaps himself and warned: “If there’s a next time, I’ll break both your arms and return the pain a hundredfold.”
Since then, no matter how much Shen Daqiang blustered, he never dared raise his hand again. Even the memory made his old injury throb.
“Jianwen-jie, is Second Uncle really coming back?” Shen Zhiqiu’s eyes lit up with excitement.
Ye Yunlin, Li Shuying, and Ye Jianwu had only stayed for three days last time—far too short for her to cherish their company.
Ye Jianwen shot a cold glance at Shen Daqiang. “He embezzled the money Dad sent you. Of course Dad’s coming to settle the score!”
“You’re lying! When did I ever take Ye Yunlin’s money?” Shen Daqiang had long forgotten the truth—in his mind, that money had always been his.
“From the day Aunt passed away, Dad sent food, clothes, and money for Zhiqiu every season.” Ye Jianwen pulled out a thick stack of receipts from her bag and waved them. “But what did you do? You ate the food, gave the clothes to Shen Liya, and pocketed every cent!”
“Zhiqiu never knew about any of it—and to keep her in the dark, you even intercepted our letters!”
She pointed accusingly at Wang Fengqin. “And you claim you sent Zhiqiu to dance classes? Bullshit!”
“You sent Shen Liya and made Zhiqiu tag along just to carry her bags!”
“Over the years, the money Dad sent was more than enough to raise Zhiqiu. Then when she joined the song and dance troupe, you took her wages, claiming you’d save them for her dowry. But now that Yaya’s a month old, you haven’t mentioned returning a single penny!”
“On Yaya’s third-day ceremony, you showed up late—and drunk! Today, for her full-month celebration, you come empty-handed, yet have the audacity to blame Zhiqiu for not informing you? Accusing her of forgetting her parents after marrying into a wealthy family?”
“What kind of parents are you? You don’t deserve the title!”
Despite speaking rapidly, Ye Jianwen’s voice was loud and clear, ensuring everyone heard every word.
The crowd’s murmurs shifted from criticizing Shen Zhiqiu to condemning Shen Daqiang and his family.
“What kind of father does something like this?”
“He shouldn’t even be called a father!”
“No wonder Zhiqiu had such a bad reputation—her stepmother and stepsister must’ve ruined it for her.”
“That stepsister of hers is downright vicious. Better stay away.”
Shen Daqiang’s face twisted in humiliation. He couldn’t bear to stay another second.
“Let’s go, now!”
Too ashamed to face anyone, he covered his head with his jacket and fled without waiting for Wang Fengqin or Shen Xiang. They scrambled after him.
Though still seething, Ye Jianwen knew better than to escalate things further—today was Yaya’s celebration, after all.
Returning to the table, she raised a glass to Yue Guohuai and Wan Jiayin in apology.
“Uncle, Auntie, I’m sorry for causing a scene. But I couldn’t stand by while they bullied Zhiqiu and slandered her name.”
She downed three shots in quick succession—a gesture not so much for the Yue family, but for the onlookers, to show that Shen Zhiqiu’s relatives weren’t unruly.
“Good child, sit down.” Wan Jiayin motioned for her to take a seat, then turned to Shen Zhiqiu.
“Zhiqiu, do you know why your father and I joined the revolution? To fight oppression, to refuse being trampled on.”
“You’re a soldier too. Remember: Where there’s oppression, there must be resistance. Strike first to avoid a hundred blows!”
Her words were a clear message: The Yue family stood firmly behind her.
“Mom, thank you.” Warmth flooded Shen Zhiqiu’s heart.
This… is what it feels like to have family protecting you.
“Zhiqiu, if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask.” Yue Mingli spoke up. “Some people won’t listen to reason—they only understand force. In those cases, you must learn to wield the law as your weapon.”
“Second Brother, I understand. Don’t worry, we’re family—I won’t stand on ceremony.”
The Yue family smiled at her words, but the happiest was Yue Mingyuan. His gaze lingered on Shen Zhiqiu’s profile, as if memorizing every detail.
When Shen Zhiqiu turned and met his eyes, both froze. Flustered, she quickly looked away, her pulse racing.
Trying to mask her unease, she reached for her cup—only to realize it was wine.
Before she could react, Yue Mingyuan chuckled and handed her the correct one.
Mortified, she gulped down the entire drink in one go.
“More?” Yue Mingyuan asked softly.
She shook her head and set the cup down, not daring to look up.
What if he finds out I like him?
Would it trouble him… since he already has someone else in his heart?
