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After a few more days of recovery in the hospital, Ji Xueli was informed by the doctor that she could be discharged—just in time, as the filming of Ban Qinghuan was about to begin.
“I’ll come visit you from time to time,” Ji Xueli said, watching Han Chen pack up her things, then turning to Duan Qingyu with a reassuring tone.
Duan Qingyu, still looking at his computer, gave a nod in response: “Mhm, then I’ll be waiting.”
Ever since Han Chen found out that Duan Qingyu had shielded Ji Xueli during the car accident, preventing her from being seriously injured, he had treated Duan like a lifesaving benefactor and didn’t question their closeness.
“Are the things packed?”
A familiar male voice came from outside the room.
Both Ji Xueli and Duan Qingyu looked toward the source.
Ji Yanzhou walked in naturally and took the luggage from Han Chen’s hands. “Auntie’s still waiting—let’s go.”
Ji Xueli was caught off guard. She tilted her head and whispered to Han Chen, “Why is he here?”
“Probably your mom’s doing,” Han Chen shrugged, indicating it had nothing to do with him.
Ji Xueli couldn’t help but glance again at Duan Qingyu. At that moment, he was calmly tapping on his keyboard, his expression unreadable.
Seeing that Ji Xueli wasn’t following, Ji Yanzhou turned back, grabbed her wrist, and said to Duan Qingyu, “We’ll be going first.”
“?” Ji Xueli still wanted to say a few more words to Duan Qingyu, but she was suddenly pulled away.
“Hey, Duan Qingyu! I’ll come have dinner with you tomorrow—ah, Ji Yanzhou, you’re hurting me.”
She hadn’t even finished speaking when pain shot through her wrist, causing her to frown.
Duan Qingyu shifted his gaze from the computer to the window, his black eyes deep and unfathomable.
“I just saw Lili with Ji Yanzhou in the elevator,” Chengdu said, walking in with some items. “What’s he doing here?”
“Probably came to send her home,” he added.
“Obviously,” Duan Qingyu closed his laptop and set it aside.
Chengdu tried to reassure him: “Don’t worry, Lili didn’t seem happy to be with him at all—barely acknowledged him.”
Duan Qingyu gave him a sidelong glance but didn’t comment.
“I’ve already shifted the blame for the accident to Duan Youcheng. He’ll probably come looking for you next,” Chengdu said, handing over some documents.
“Someone already came on his behalf,” Duan Qingyu said, skimming through the papers.
Chengdu frowned instinctively. “Duan Haohong?”
He couldn’t think of anyone else who would show up for Duan Youcheng.
“Mhm, he knows Ji Xueli was in the accident too,” Duan Qingyu raised an eyebrow.
Chengdu nodded in satisfaction. “Lili’s still on our side.”
She has to be—no matter what.
Duan Qingyu leisurely poured himself a glass of water. “Interested in the Haitang Bay project?”
“Wasn’t that supposed to be yours and Ji Yanzhou’s joint project?” Chengdu asked, surprised.
“It was. Not anymore,” Duan Qingyu said flatly, a hint of amusement and coldness flickering in his eyes. Now that the game was restarting, he was curious to see which way the scales would tip.
Chengdu didn’t quite get it. “Hasn’t Haitang Bay been negotiated for a long time? If you change players midway, won’t Duan Haohong…”
“Since when do I care what he thinks? I joined the Haitang Bay project just to destroy him,” Duan Qingyu sneered, arrogance in his tone.
“I thought you were trying to gain control of the Duan Corporation,” Chengdu laughed it off.
“Well then, count me in. I’ll make sure they’re miserable,” Chengdu chuckled.
He had full faith in Duan Qingyu. If he said it, there was no reason to hesitate.
“But what about Lili…” Chengdu looked worried. Last time, things fell apart because of this.
“No problem. I have my own plans,” Duan Qingyu said nonchalantly. As long as she’s on his side, that was enough.
Chengdu nodded. “Alright then.”
“Duan Qingyu!”
An angry male voice echoed before the person even entered the room.
“Sir, this is a hospital, please don’t shout,” a nurse tried to stop the man at the door.
“Move!” The man shoved the nurse aside and stormed in, glaring at Duan Qingyu with rage.
“I thought he wouldn’t come,” Duan Qingyu sighed, mildly disappointed.
“It’s fine, I’ll handle it,” Chengdu said to the nurse. “You can go now.”
“Alright, just press the call button if you need anything.”
The man, Duan Youcheng, bore some resemblance to Duan Qingyu—but his features were more delicate. The biggest difference was in their eyes.
“This whole car accident—is it your setup? I didn’t hit you!” Duan Youcheng shouted.
He’d been fuming ever since Duan Haohong explained the situation, and he was still angry over how his mother had been treated.
Sure, he wanted Duan Qingyu dead—but not this blatantly. It was clearly a setup.
“Why so loud? Forgot this is a hospital?” Chengdu frowned.
“Chengdu, are you helping him frame me?” Duan Youcheng turned his ire toward him.
Chengdu scoffed. “Why would I set you up? You think I like you or something?”
Duan Qingyu glanced at Duan Youcheng and smirked. “Got any proof I framed you?”
“All your evidence is fake,” Duan Youcheng said, staring straight at him.
He used to be terrified of Duan Qingyu—after all, the guy had once stabbed their father.
But later, both his parents sided with him, and Duan Qingyu was rarely home. If it weren’t for his mother’s constant reminders, he might’ve forgotten he had a so-called “older brother.”
“Then go investigate, Lawyer Duan. Let’s see who ends up behind bars,” Duan Qingyu sneered coldly.
Duan Youcheng clenched his fists. The man before him was still as terrifying as ever—cold-blooded, like a demon from hell.
“Right? You had Uncle Duan show up first, and now you’re here in person. Is your mother next?” Chengdu taunted.
“Didn’t you open a law firm? Have them dig up the evidence,” he added.
“I didn’t do it, and I will catch you,” Duan Youcheng said through gritted teeth, trying to remain calm.
“I’ll be waiting,” Duan Qingyu raised an eyebrow. Anyone who laid a hand on his mother would pay—every last one of them.
Duan Youcheng bit his lower lip, spun around, and stormed out. He would find the truth, and when he did, he’d force Duan Qingyu out of the family.
“Pfft,” Chengdu spat at his retreating back. “Just wait—you’re gonna trip hard this time.”
“Make sure the evidence chain is tight,” Duan Qingyu said, eyes cast down, hiding the icy darkness within. “I want him to never come out.”
“Don’t worry,” Chengdu replied. “You can count on me.”