“You’re perfectly fine, so why should I be afraid?” Shen Zhiqiu let out a light laugh. “If Heaven has any justice, it’ll strike you first!”
“Shen Zhiqiu!” Shen Daqiang roared.
“My name is Ye Zhiqiu now,” she replied calmly. “I’ve already submitted the paperwork. Soon, it’ll be official.”
“You’re really changing your surname to Ye?!”
Shen Daqiang’s face twisted in fury. He had thought her threat was just empty words—but now, his authority was being openly defied. “I forbid it! Do you hear me? If you dare change your surname, I’ll disown you!”
“Perfect. Let’s hope you don’t go back on your word.”
Zhiqiu shrugged. “Not that it matters. Even if you want to claim me as your daughter, I’ll never acknowledge you again. I wouldn’t want my mother’s spirit to suffer in the afterlife.”
“A clear conscience fears no ghosts. Tell me—all these years, have you and Wang Fengqin been dreaming of my mother haunting you? Is that why you always kept sleeping pills in the house?”
She leaned forward, locking eyes with him. “Just for a house. That’s all it took for you to kill her.”
“No! Feng’er and I didn’t kill your mother!”
The moment Ye Yunshuang was mentioned, panic flashed across Shen Daqiang’s face. He waved his hands frantically. “She died because childbirth ruined her health! You killed her! Yes, you! Don’t pin this on us!”
“Stop lying! She was weak because she went into early labor—and why did that happen? Because Wang Fengqin pushed her down! Uncle Shunzi saw it! You knew!“
Zhiqiu’s eyes burned with fury as she laid out the truth. “My mother came from a better family than Wang Fengqin. You targeted her because she had no parents, and her brother was far away—easy to bully, easy to control. So you married her first.”
“Then you used her money to marry Wang Fengqin on the side, basking in her flattery while enjoying the perks of two wives!“
“Wang Fengqin didn’t know you were already married. But once she found out, she pretended ignorance while secretly going after my mother—trying to kill her!“
“That’s not true!” Shen Daqiang reflexively defended Wang Fengqin. “Your mother and Feng’er just didn’t get along. They argued, and Feng’er didn’t mean to push her—”
“My mother had the gentlest temper in the world! She never picked fights!”
“Gentle? If she was so gentle, why would I have turned to Feng’er? Zhiqiu, listen—you’ve been fooled! Your mother deserved—”
Before he could finish, Zhiqiu stood and slapped him with all her strength. “Shut your filthy mouth! Don’t you dare slander my mother! If she was so terrible, why did you marry her? And if you married her, why betray her?!”
“You’re the kind of man who eyes every piece of meat in the pot—then blames the meat for tempting you! I bet even a pile of shit on the roadside would look good to you if you hadn’t tasted it before!”
“Auntie was right about you—you’re an extra in the human world but a star in the animal kingdom!“
“Shen Zhiqiu, have you lost your mind?! How dare you hit your own father?!”
Shen Daqiang was stunned—and so were Shen Liya and Chen Can, who had just arrived at the door.
Liya recovered first, lunging at Zhiqiu to retaliate—only for Zhiqiu to seize her wrist and shove her aside.
“Liya, if I’m willing to hit him, what makes you think I won’t hit you?“
“Keep pushing me, and I’ll give you a funeral makeup session—free of charge!“
“You—you wouldn’t dare! As if I’m scared of you!”
Despite her words, Liya immediately cowered behind Chen Can, clutching his arm and whining, “A-Can, look at her!“
Chen Can gave a distracted “Hmm,” but when Liya glanced up, she saw his gaze fixed on Zhiqiu—bright and burning.
Her teeth ground together. That fox spirit! Even now, she’s seducing A-Can!
No—she had to destroy her. Make Chen Can and Yue Mingyuan see Shen Zhiqiu for what she really was.
This time, she wouldn’t just ruin Zhiqiu’s reputation. She’d scar that pretty face beyond recognition.
“What are you doing?”
Chen Can frowned and pulled his arm free, rubbing the deep nail marks Liya had left behind.
“A-Can, I’m sorry, I—”
“Enough. Get to the point!” Shen Daqiang snapped, still clutching his face.
Liya finally remembered why they were here.
“Shen Zhiqiu, just name your price! Stop with the underhanded tricks! I’ve already exposed you!”
She pulled two medical reports from her bag. “Your uncle and Ye Jiawu are fine! This is fraud!“
“Who’s paying?”
Zhiqiu crossed her arms, her gaze sliding from Liya to Chen Can. “Chen Can, please tell me you’re not this stupid.“
“Let me break it down for you: There’s no money left at home. Shen Daqiang gambled it all away and owes thousands in loans.”
“Wang Fengqin either sent her share to her family or wasted it on scams.”
“Oh, speaking of which—how’s your mother doing, Chen Can?”
“Yesterday, I heard she fell ill—with no one to care for her. She’s been telling everyone her son abandoned her for his wife. The whole compound’s talking about what a filial son you are.”
“You know why she’s sick. My advice? Don’t pay this money. If your mother finds out, she’ll only get worse—and your ‘happy family’ will fall apart.”
“You’re at a critical point in your career. Family harmony matters.”
With every word, Zhiqiu watched Liya’s face contort with rage—and her own smile grew wider.
This feeling was exhilarating. It washed away the suffocating anger from her confrontation with Shen Daqiang.
She knew exactly how desperate Liya was to salvage her marriage. And she refused to let her have peace.
“Are you… concerned about me?” Chen Can’s lips curled into a baffling smile.
Zhiqiu nearly choked. “Chen Can, you really do have a talent for comedy.“
Ugh. All that effort wasted on a brick wall.
She needed to stay far, far away from him. The man was deranged.
“Zhiqiu, you’re still as shy as ever.” Chen Can chuckled. “Since you don’t want me involved, I’ll respect your wishes.”
“Chen Can, snap out of it!“
Zhiqiu raised a hand, sorely tempted to smack him upside the head.
“Do whatever you want. It’s none of my business. Just remember—you’ll be the one dealing with the consequences.”
