Chapter 51: Sign and Seal

“Take care, Uncle Duan.”

Ji Xueli waved at Duan Haohong’s departing figure. The smile she had shown in front of him completely vanished the moment he left. With a look of irritation, she turned and walked back into the room. “That man isn’t fit to be a father.”

Duan Qingyu was still sitting on the sofa, watching her seamless shift in demeanor with raised eyebrows. “Oh? And why do you say that, Lili?”

“He cares about my injuries but doesn’t even ask about yours.” Ji Xueli picked up the glass of water on the table and downed it in one go. Talking to that scumbag had left her parched. Thank goodness he was finally gone.

“Besides, he’s way too protective of that homewrecker’s son.”

Seeing her analyze things like this made Duan Qingyu recall the old her—someone who would never voice such things, even if she knew them.

His tone was indifferent: “Then why are you getting involved?”

“Because if I’m involved, Duan Youcheng won’t be able to turn things around so easily,” Ji Xueli explained her plan.

“Even without you, I can make sure he never recovers,” Duan Qingyu said, lifting his gaze.

His words implied that her involvement wasn’t necessary. Ji Xueli didn’t shy away from his eyes. “Still, I want to be involved.”

Duan Qingyu sat up a little straighter, his loose hospital gown revealing a pale neck and the lean, defined lines of his collarbone. His eyes were emotionless, exuding both laziness and subtle menace.

“Lili…” he called.

“Hm?”

“Do you know why he doesn’t care about me? It’s because I stabbed him once,” Duan Qingyu said, as if it were nothing at all.

Stabbed… Duan Haohong?

Ji Xueli was genuinely shocked. The male lead is that bold?!

Duan Qingyu watched her stunned expression with amusement, taking in every bit of her reaction.

“…You must’ve had a reason to do that…” Ji Xueli tried to rationalize it—for both him and herself. That man didn’t deserve to be called a father anyway.

Something must’ve happened at home, something awful, to push him that far.

“They killed my mother while we were abroad,” Duan Qingyu said coldly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a grim smile.

Ji Xueli’s eyes widened. The flood of information hit her like a truck—it was overwhelming. She had known the male lead’s backstory wouldn’t be simple, but this… this was straight out of an old-school melodrama. Modern stories could never.

“They thought I didn’t know, but I figured it all out. At my mother’s funeral, I stabbed him. After that, they sent me away for psychological treatment. I only came back when you graduated from university,” Duan Qingyu continued, his eyes dark and inky like a pool of unresolvable sorrow.

But when he came back… she was already in a relationship with Ji Yanzhou. What a joke.

Ji Xueli didn’t understand the deeper meaning in his gaze, nor did she catch why he specifically mentioned “when she graduated.” All she felt was pity and sorrow for what he had gone through…

His tone suddenly shifted: “So Lili, it’s not too late. You should leave while you still can.”

She knew it. He brought all this up just to lead into that. Probably even to test her.

Ji Xueli sat down beside him. “I already said I’m on your side. That’s not just empty words. I’m not going anywhere. On the contrary, I want to face this with you.”

She thought her little speech sounded solid. That’s how female leads in novels always showed their loyalty to the male lead, right?

Duan Qingyu looked at her. Her eyes were firm and sincere, with no trace of deceit. After a pause, he suddenly chuckled. “Really?”

Ji Xueli nodded earnestly, like she was making a solemn vow.

“But considering what you did before, my heart still hurts…” Duan Qingyu sighed dramatically.

This guy’s such a dog… He was totally setting her up, probably afraid she’d run away again.

“How about we sign and seal it then? But… emotions shouldn’t be defined by a piece of paper,” Ji Xueli said with a faint, sorrowful expression.

“You’re destined to become Best Actress, Lili,” Duan Qingyu muttered, clearly seeing through her act—but not exposing her.

Blatant sarcasm.

“Zhen Zhang, bring the inkpad,” he said next.

“…!” Ji Xueli blinked, her expression faltering. Wait, he’s serious?!

“Signing a document isn’t enough. Let’s make it official with a written oath,” he said lazily.

“What’s the difference?” Ji Xueli was speechless.

“There’s a big difference. If Lili breaks the oath, there will be punishment,” Duan Qingyu said as he took the ink and paper from Zhen Zhang and handed them to her with a raised brow.

This male lead’s really been hurt… Ji Xueli sighed to herself. Now she had to clean up the mess left behind by the original character.

“What kind of punishment?” Ji Xueli asked as she took the paper.

“If you break your word… I’ll lock you up,” Duan Qingyu’s voice dropped low, his last few words dragging out.

Ji Xueli looked up into his beautiful eyes. It sounded like a joke, but she had the distinct feeling he would actually do it.

“I’m giving you my sincerity, and this is how you treat me?” Ji Xueli opened her hands with a pouty expression.

“I’m giving you mine too,” Duan Qingyu mimicked her tone.

Zhen Zhang observed them quietly. These two are on another level… But Miss Ji is no match for the young master—still too innocent.

“Then I’ll add a clause too: If you’re not sincere, I’ll dig your heart out,” Ji Xueli huffed.

Duan Qingyu’s eyes curved into a smile. “Deal.”

He watched her press her fingerprint down on the paper, twirling the pen between his fingers, eyes gleaming with something dark and unhinged.

He said all this on purpose—used it all to draw her in.

Now that she had made her choice, she had no right to walk away anymore. She would belong to him, entirely and completely.

It was her decision to leave back then. And now, it was her decision to come back. From here on out, all the choices would be his. Everything would be under his control.

Once Ji Xueli left the room, Zhen Zhang finally spoke: “Young Master, everything has been arranged.”

“Good. Proceed according to plan,” Duan Qingyu replied lazily from the sofa.

“There’s just one thing I don’t understand… why bring Miss Ji into this? If she finds out Duan Youcheng wasn’t the real culprit…” Zhen Zhang hesitated for a long time, then finally asked.

Duan Qingyu glanced at the document on the table—her name and fingerprint clear as day.

At first, it was just about using her status as a Ji family member. But now… it was because of her.

“Then don’t let her find out,” Duan Qingyu replied coldly.

Zhen Zhang caught the displeasure in his voice and immediately lowered his head. “Yes, I understand.”