Chapter 1035: Turning the Tables

Xu Chunliang said, “Heaven and earth attest to my sincerity. To get you into this, I’ve even resorted to sacrificing my appearance, going bare-chested.”

Xiahou Mulan replied irritably, “You’re really pitiful.”

Xu Chunliang said, “It doesn’t matter to me to suffer a little for you.”

Xiahou Mulan retorted, “I’ve never met a more shameless man than you. You act like I’m taking advantage of you. I finally realized you’re just making excuses; from start to finish, you’re setting me up. You sly, deceitful bastard.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “You’re the one attacking me unfairly. I’m the one who’s trapped.”

Xiahou Mulan blushed, “You unruly thing, I truly regret meeting you.”

Xu Chunliang replied, “It’s too late to regret now.”

Xiahou Mulan said, “It’s not too late. It doesn’t stop me from drawing a line between us.” Despite her words, she understood that Xu Chunliang had not just left a mark on her body, he occupied her heart as well. She was deeply entangled, unable to extricate herself.

Xu Chunliang said, “Don’t say that, I still need to help you with your cultivation.”

Xiahou Mulan blushed and said, “Liar, you’re a big liar. I trusted you so much. Tell me, how many times have we tried, and my inner strength hasn’t progressed at all.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Cultivation requires a process. You must solidify your foundation first, and then you’ll make rapid progress. In a couple of days, I’ll come to help solidify your foundation, and then you’ll…”

Xiahou Mulan interrupted him, “Alright, don’t lead me astray. Let’s talk about serious matters.”

“Where did we leave off?”

“Solidifying the foundation… Annoying, I’m done with you.” This time, Xiahou Mulan really hung up the phone, mainly because she had business to attend to, and at this moment, her face was hotter than her phone.

Xu Chunliang smiled slightly, somehow feeling invigorated by this phone call.

Elder Qiao left Nanjiang early in the morning and returned to Capital City. He left very suddenly, not even notifying Qiao Yuanjiang.

Qiao Yuanjiang only found out his father had left when he arrived in the morning.

Qiao Rulong, knowing he was coming, sat in the living room waiting for him. Facing his uncle, Qiao Rulong didn’t show the respect he used to; he sat coldly on the sofa staring at Qiao Yuanjiang.

Qiao Yuanjiang sensed his nephew’s hostility and smiled, “Rulong, how are Qi Shuang and the others?”

Qiao Rulong said, “Do you want to know, or does your friend want to know?”

Qiao Yuanjiang smiled and sat down, opening his thermos to take a sip of tea, “Our Qiao Family has always valued family ethics. I remember when you were a child, your father used ‘you’ unintentionally when speaking to your grandfather and got slapped twice for it, and was punished to kneel in the living room for an afternoon.”

Qiao Rulong could obviously tell his uncle was reprimanding him. The image of his uncle in his heart had completely collapsed. Qiao Rulong deliberately refrained from using the honorific form. He believed his uncle was no longer worthy of his respect. Slap me? Do you dare?

Qiao Rulong asked, “Did Grandpa ever punish you?”

Qiao Yuanjiang replied, “I’ve always been cautious.”

Qiao Rulong laughed coldly, “That’s true, my dad can’t compare to you in that regard.”

Qiao Yuanjiang sighed, “Rulong, it seems you misunderstand me. I’m aware of your situation and it was not revealed because of me; it was due to your car accident. Don’t assume everyone else is foolish. If someone wants to investigate, your secrets will never remain hidden. Although you may not want to hear it, I must still say: if you want to keep secrets, never let them be known by others.”

Qiao Rulong said, “You’ve been close to Tang Jingwei, haven’t you?”

Qiao Yuanjiang replied, “We’ve been friends for decades. I’ve always advised you, young people should not be too conspicuous. Always leave room to maneuver. The recent events you’ve encountered aren’t coincidental.”

Qiao Rulong said, “Are you lecturing me?”

Qiao Yuanjiang replied, “Consider it a friendly reminder. Your actions aren’t just personal; they affect our entire Qiao Family.”

Qiao Rulong retorted, “You’re really good at dodging responsibility. My actions don’t affect you.”

Qiao Yuanjiang said, “Your speaking manner is very much like your father’s. Unfortunately, your mind isn’t as sharp as his.”

Fury flashed in Qiao Rulong’s eyes, but he controlled his emotions and didn’t explode.

Qiao Yuanjiang continued, “Few can match him. Unfortunately, he was too exceptional, and those who stand out in the woods are bound to face a strong wind. Fate has been somewhat unfair to him.”

Qiao Rulong said, “If you were the exceptional one, maybe my dad wouldn’t have to shoulder so much responsibility.”

Qiao Yuanjiang laughed, “Your grandfather made a mistake from the start. Pinning the hopes of our Qiao Family on you was wrong.”

Qiao Rulong said, “No wonder Grandpa never liked you.”

Qiao Yuanjiang replied, “He doesn’t like you either.” Saying this, he stood up, “Rulong, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. We’re not inherently superior, and we carry no innate missions to fulfill.”

Qiao Rulong asked, “Are you being blackmailed?”

Qiao Yuanjiang said, “Everyone compromises to do something they don’t want to at some point in life. Repaying favors and seeking revenge are the most tedious tasks. I thought surviving would give you clarity, but now it seems you’re even less clear than before.”

Qiao Yuanjiang left, but Qiao Rulong fell into a long contemplation. He felt that there was indeed a problem with his recent behavior, yet his heart told him he could not live like his uncle.

Qi Shuang looked at her son on the small bed, filled with the relief of surviving a calamity. She really dared not think about what happened last night; if her father and Qiao Rulong had arrived even a step later, she had no idea what might have occurred.

Qiao Rulong had just called to inquire about George’s situation. He said he couldn’t show up right now and asked Qi Shuang to hang in there a little longer. Once their son recovered, they would immediately return to Xiangjiang.

Qi Shuang increasingly doubted whether the person who had risked everything to save her and her son was really Qiao Rulong. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she would have definitely thought it was someone else.

Pan Tianhua tiptoed in from outside, carrying a lot of nutritional supplements.

Qi Shuang got up to take them. Pan Tianhua came to the bedside, looking lovingly at his cherished grandson, his heart filled with warmth and happiness at seeing his grandson safe and sound.

Qi Shuang said softly, “Just fell asleep.” She pointed to the balcony outside.

The father and daughter went to the balcony and closed the door, watching George through the window. They both didn’t want the child out of their sight.

Pan Tianhua whispered, “What did he say?”

Qi Shuang bit her lip: “He asked me to return to Xiangjiang quickly and never come back again.”

Pan Tianhua had anticipated this, but hearing it from his daughter’s mouth was still quite unsettling.

Qi Shuang said, “This time I made the decision on my own and caused such a big problem.”

Pan Tianhua said, “You don’t have to live so humbly. Even without him, I can guarantee a good life for you and your child.” He had always been a proud man; the reason he acted humbly in front of Qiao Rulong was not just because of the Qiao family’s background, but for his daughter’s happiness. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so forbearing.

Qi Shuang said, “He also has his difficulties. This time he has already done a lot for us.”

Pan Tianhua looked at his daughter: “Do you think he was the one who saved you?”

Qi Shuang didn’t answer. She didn’t think it was him. If it truly were Qiao Rulong, then she really didn’t understand this man at all.

Pan Tianhua said, “He didn’t even go to Mingtang Mountain last night.”

Qi Shuang said, “That night, I first called you and him, but neither one answered. Then I accidentally dialed someone else’s number.” She looked up and whispered, “Xu Chunliang.”

Pan Tianhua was moved and, after a moment, said gravely, “I will remember this favor.”

Qi Shuang said, “Dad, for the sake of George and me, please take care of yourself.”

Pan Tianhua nodded: “Don’t worry. I will arrange a chartered flight to send you back. After this incident, he realized the Qiao family is even more heartless than he imagined. His daughter should also have come to her senses; otherwise, she wouldn’t have said this.

Hua Zhuyue had a house in the Nanjiang courtyard, tranquil amid the clamor, with a prime location.

Su Qing arrived first and toured the house with Hua Zhuyue, marveling: “I’ve heard before that the environment here is particularly good, and today I finally see this top-notch mansion in Nanjiang.”

Hua Zhuyue laughed: “This isn’t top-notch. I bought it early, so it wasn’t expensive then.”

Su Qing said, “What you call not expensive is an astronomical figure that people like us working our whole lives can only dream of.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “With your abilities, obtaining such a property wouldn’t be difficult.”

Su Qing misunderstood her meaning and said blandly, “I don’t pursue a luxurious lifestyle. I’m content with working steadily and living honestly.”

Hua Zhuyue giggled: “Su Qing, where is your mind going? I meant to say, consider signing with our New Star Entertainment. I can be your manager and guarantee to make you a top domestic actress in no time.”

Su Qing said, “I’m not very interested in the entertainment industry.”

Hua Zhuyue said, “Don’t be in a rush to turn me down. You can think it over. I’ll share our company’s development plan with you and send you a few scripts. Look them over before deciding.”

At that moment, Xu Chunliang arrived.

Hua Zhuyue said, “Xu Chunliang, you are a whole twenty minutes late.”

Xu Chunliang smiled wryly: “The police invited me to cooperate with an investigation.”

Su Qing asked, concerned, “Did you cause trouble again?”

Hua Zhuyue praised, “The use of the word ‘again’ is spot on.”

Hua Zhuyue let them go to the living room for tea first. As the housekeeper came over to report the lunch menu to Hua Zhuyue, Xu Chunliang said that he wanted to eat dishes made by Su Qing, and Su Qing immediately offered to cook personally.

Hua Zhuyue, however, could see that Xu Chunliang was deliberately trying to get rid of Su Qing. As soon as Su Qing went to the kitchen, he said meaningfully, “What are you up to this time?”

Xu Chunliang said, “Why are you comparing yourself to a ghost? Where would you find such a beautiful female ghost?”

Hua Zhuyue threw him a flirtatious glance, pinched him lightly on the leg, then quickly sat upright. It felt like having an affair behind the hostess’s back, even though she was the actual hostess today.