Ming Zhen’s expression was somewhat unsightly.
Quan Yu’s appearance just as she was speaking recklessly had already made her feel guilty. Now, hearing his ambiguously accusatory question, she was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
The young man sat there, legs crossed, elbows resting on the armrests of the plush chair, his hands clasped lightly on his lap, fully embodying the air of a top executive.
Ming Zhen pursed her lips, her earlier overbearing aura completely gone.
She held a degree of awe for this man who had taken control of Ruiyin less than five years prior.
To have defeated his elder brother and seized power under completely unfavorable circumstances was enough to demonstrate his shrewdness and methods.
Ming Zhen glanced at Lai Yang, concealing the resentment in her eyes. She naturally interpreted Quan Yu’s actions as him standing up for his recently bullied niece.
As she retracted her gaze, her sharp eyes swept over Ning Guiwan.
What a jinx! Nothing good ever happens when she’s around!
"President Quan..." Ming Zhen looked back at Quan Yu, her expression shifting again to one of carefulness, not daring to offend. "It was just a small disagreement among the children. How could it trouble you to make a personal trip?"
"Regarding this matter, my Zhenmiao is at fault. He, ah, has liked your family’s Yanyan for a long time. When Yanyan immigrated to Singapore, Zhenmiao was heartbroken for quite some time. This time, with Yanyan’s sudden return to the country, Zhenmiao was overjoyed and, in a moment of uncontrolled emotion, his behavior became somewhat excessive."
"I’ve already reprimanded him. Rest assured, he won’t be so impulsive again."
The area by the club’s restroom entrance was within surveillance range, and that footage had already been brought to the police station. He Zhenmiao’s inappropriate actions were undeniable and irrefutable.
Ming Zhen had already watched it when she arrived.
Her own son’s conduct was indeed shameful.
Her earlier remarks were merely made in a fit of anger. The He Family, after all, was a prominent one. If word got out that their second young master was taken to the police station for suspected molestation, they would become a laughingstock.
Quan Yu held the hot water an officer handed him, his well-defined fingers looking aesthetically pleasing against the transparent cup. His gaze fell lightly on He Zhenmiao, taking in the boy’s concealed panic.
"Since he knows he was wrong, he should accept the punishment," he said, his tone extremely calm. "Yanyan’s lawyer will be here soon. If you have anything to say, talk to him."
Ming Zhen was stunned.
He Zhenmiao was also so shocked his eyes widened.
At the club, he had felt resentful and was ridiculed by his companions. In a fit of anger, he lost his senses. He only sobered up when Lai Yang actually listened to that strange man and called the police.
He was still a little scared.
However, he still clung to a sliver of hope. His paternal aunt’s husband was Quan Heng; even if the Quan Family wanted to stand up for Lai Yang, they would have to consider this connection.
Now Quan Yu actually wanted to get lawyers involved?
Did he have to take it this seriously?
"President Quan..." Only then did Ming Zhen realize the severity of the situation.
A private settlement would be simple: an apology, some compensation, and it would be over.
But if it became an official matter, it would mean a criminal record. A descendant of a prominent family with a record for molesting a woman—how could he continue to move in their circles? Which prominent young lady would be willing to marry him?
The entire family would be disgraced along with him.
"It was just children fooling around without understanding. Isn’t calling lawyers to handle it a bit excessive?"
"Mrs. He, you’re mistaken there," Quan Yu said, raising his eyes. His deep brown, limpid eyes were filled with coldness. "If your son can publicly molest a woman when he’s ’overcome with emotion,’ then if one day his lust overcomes his reason, might he not do something even more outrageous?"
"How could that be?" Ming Zhen forced a smile. "Zhenmiao knows he was wrong. Please, be magnanimous and forgive him this once. No matter what, he calls you Second Uncle..."
"It is precisely because he calls me Second Uncle that I must shoulder the responsibility of an elder, to prevent him from making an even greater mistake in the future." Quan Yu was composed, and his words even sounded somewhat sincere.
Ming Zhen was rendered speechless.
So, I’m supposed to thank you then, is that it?
She had only heard that this new head of Ruiyin was decisive and unfeeling in his actions. Now it seemed the rumors were not false.
Ming Zhen secretly gritted her teeth, turned her head to glare at her disappointing son, then took out her phone and stepped out to make a call.
Lai Yang looked at her uncle with stars in her eyes, gripping Ning Guiwan’s arm tightly, so moved she was almost in tears. "Why is my uncle so good to me? SOB..."
Ning Guiwan remained silent.
She merely glanced at Quan Yu’s assistant. When Quan Yu mentioned the lawyer would arrive soon, the assistant had shown a brief moment of surprise before quickly exiting.
If this man had planned to have a lawyer handle this from the start, he should have notified the lawyer as soon as he learned of the incident. The club wasn’t close to the police station. Considering the travel time, plus the time he had spent sitting here talking, the lawyer should have arrived already.
But in reality, it was a long time after Ming Zhen finished her call and had been sitting there that the lawyer Quan Yu had called finally arrived.
The subsequent matters were handed over to the lawyer, while Quan Yu left first with Lai Yang and Ning Guiwan.
At the entrance of the police station, the three of them encountered a hurried He Xizhou, along with the lawyer he had summoned for He Zhenmiao.
"President Quan." He Xizhou had heard about the entire incident. He disapproved of Quan Yu’s methods, feeling it was escalating things too much, but his expression was polite. "It’s all my fault for not educating my son properly, leading him to commit such a shameful act. I am deeply sorry for this."
Quan Yu shook his hand, his smile conventional. "An indulgent mother often spoils a son. Mrs. He is too soft-hearted. Mr. He really should devote more time to his children’s upbringing."
He Xizhou was taken aback for a good while before repeatedly acknowledging it.
Ning Guiwan and Lai Yang walked down the steps of the police station entrance. Hearing that man subtly sow seeds of discord in He Xizhou’s heart, Ning Guiwan couldn’t help but look back at him.
This man is truly full of wicked schemes.
Yet, the sunlight landed on his prominent brow, and the man’s expression was perfectly upright.