Li Xia stood on the second floor, watching as Nan Qiao walked in holding Li Yehan’s wrist.
It was then that she realized, the person Li Yehan liked was not Bai Yurou, but Nan Qiao, the true daughter recovered by the Bai Family.
Li Xia smiled gently, nodding slightly.
Nan Qiao couldn’t believe she had misread the expression in Li Xia’s eyes just now, for it was far from gentle.
Out of politeness, Nan Qiao also nodded slightly and lowered her head to talk to Chen Xinwan.
"Why did they only invite these few people to Uncle Li’s birthday?" Nan Qiao asked, puzzled.
Chen Xinwan was also curious and whispered, "Probably because they were afraid having too many people would lead to embarrassing scenes."
Nan Qiao looked around and suddenly understood something—an embarrassed flush creeping onto her cheeks.
Ding Shiman’s mother came over to talk to Chen Xinwan, and Du Qianqian’s and Huang Jiamin’s mothers came over as well.
Du Qianqian, Ding Shiman, and Huang Jiamin also came over to talk to Nan Qiao.
Ding Shiman, slightly embarrassed, said, "Qiaoqiao, I was wrong last time at the equestrian center. I hope you can forgive me; I’ll definitely not oppose you again."
Huang Jiamin added, "After going back, my parents scolded me harshly. Qiaoqiao, please forgive me."
Du Qianqian chimed in, "Qiaoqiao, you must have already forgiven me, right?"
Nan Qiao chuckled and said to them, "I’m not a devil, nor do I eat people. You don’t have to be so scared."
The three exchanged smiles, and Huang Jiamin whispered, "I was wondering why today’s birthday banquet had only a few of us. It turns out Mr. Li is backing you up."
Ding Shiman remarked, "I used to think Mr. Li was with Yurou. Now I see that Yurou’s affection was one-sided."
Du Qianqian felt ashamed of her ignorance; she had mocked Nan Qiao before, and now that the truth was clear, all she felt was endless embarrassment.
Nan Qiao was surrounded by several girls, all lively and cheerful.
Bai Yurou stood on the other side, watching her former friends flock to Nan Qiao’s side, flattering her, her heart filled with endless disgust and jealousy.
If you can’t beat them, join them.
Bai Yurou walked forward, holding a glass of champagne, eyes smiling, "Sister, you look so beautiful today."
Ding Shiman: "Qiaoqiao has always been beautiful; she’d look good even in a sack."
Huang Jiamin: "Qiaoqiao’s features are absolutely stunning, not just today, but every day."
Du Qianqian, uncomfortable and anxious, had been saved by Nan Qiao and knew about her identity; now she just felt embarrassed, the embarrassment of ignorance.
She glanced sheepishly at the targeted Bai Yurou and gently said, "Everyone looks good today."
Nan Qiao didn’t let Bai Yurou lose face in front of others; after all, Bai Yurou was now part of the Bai Family—sharing in its glory and losses.
"Thank you, my dress today is from Huai Xi, and I really like it too."
Her own design, of course, she was satisfied and pleased.
When the atmosphere was harmonious, Li Xia ran downstairs, her face pale, to find Li Yehan: "Brother, something has happened to Dad."
Li Yehan was talking to Grandpa Li and responded indifferently, "Is he dead?"
Grandpa Li, accustomed to Li Yehan’s cold indifference, was even more used to it.
"What is he stirring up?" Grandpa Li asked unhappily.
Li Xia whispered, "Grandpa, Dad is threatening to slit his wrists. He said today is his birthday party, and if they won’t let him be here, he will commit suicide."
Li Yehan: "If he has the courage, I’d actually respect him as a man."
Li Xia didn’t expect, Li Yehan was still so cold and merciless.
It seemed his warmth was reserved only for Nan Qiao; he couldn’t muster enthusiasm for anyone or anything else.
Old Mr. Li frowned and said, "Yehan, you stay here and take charge, I’ll go up and see."
Li Yehan grabbed Grandpa Li’s arm, "Grandpa, please stay, I’ll go check. If he doesn’t see me, he will still make a scene."
Li Yehan strode up the stairs with Li Xia trailing behind him.
Nan Qiao watched the two leave one after the other, frowning.
In the upstairs room, Li Tianhong madly clutched a fruit knife, slashing it towards his own neck.
He was only making the motion, not actually cutting.
Jiang Linyu cried out in panic, "Ye Han, quickly talk some sense into your father. He’s trying to kill himself. If it really comes to it, just let him out. Keeping him confined will drive someone mad."
Li Yehan chuckled sarcastically, "Is it he who’s going mad, or is it driving you mad?"
Jiang Linyu was rendered speechless, her expression awkward.
In front of Li Yehan, she felt oppressed as if she were a grandson, daring to be angry but not to speak.
Li Xia stood on Li Yehan’s right side, her expression anxious, grasping Li Yehan’s arm. Noticed by Li Yehan, she timely moved to the left, fortunately avoiding any contact with his sleeve.
Li Yehan’s eyes, filled with raging anger, harshly stared at Li Xia like knives, "Don’t touch me."
Li Xia stood still, her hand still suspended in the air.
She had merely touched Li Yehan’s arm. Was even that not allowed?
Tears quickly filled Li Xia’s eyes, "Brother, I didn’t mean anything else."
Jiang Linyu, seeing Li Xia being wronged, burst out in anger, "Li Yehan! Xiaxia had no ill intentions, why do you treat her ? Can’t you speak nicely? Why do you take adult issues out on a child?"
Li Xia shook her head while gripping Jiang Linyu’s arm, "Mom, please don’t say any more, it’s not brother’s fault."
Li Tianhong, holding the fruit knife, angrily lunged at Li Yehan, "She’s your sister, how can you treat her this way! Li Yehan, today I’ll kill you, you unfilial son."
When the fruit knife lunged forward, Li Yehan dodged and grabbed Li Tianhong’s wrist, seizing the knife from his hand and slashing it across his neck.
Li Yehan was skilled at controlling force; he wouldn’t harm Li Tianhong’s life, only intended to teach him a lesson.
Jiang Linyu screamed in fright, Li Xia stared in dumbfounded disbelief at Li Yehan.
Li Yehan held the fruit knife in his right hand, its tip still dripping blood.
Li Tianhong covered his neck, blood flowing down, a shocking sight.
Li Yehan smiled wickedly and arrogantly, "Didn’t you want to kill yourself? I’m just helping you!"
Li Tianhong, furious, pointed at Li Yehan, his lips trembling, "Madman, you’re a madman!"
"I’m a madman, and what are you?" Li Yehan sneered dismissively.
"If you don’t want to die, just stay here obediently. If you want to die, that’s also an option. I have many ways to die; you can choose any."
Li Yehan threw the fruit knife into the trash bin and turned to leave.
Li Tianhong’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at the leaving figure of Li Yehan.
He retrieved the fruit knife from the trash bin and fiercely stabbed it into Li Yehan’s back.
Nan Qiao, holding up the hem of her dress, rushed forward and kicked Li Tianhong’s hand.
The fruit knife clattered to the ground.
Li Yehan and Nan Qiao’s eyes met, and Nan Qiao’s heart skipped a beat: Oh no, it’s gone wrong!
Nan Qiao didn’t care; she pulled Li Yehan towards her first.
Li Yehan’s body collided with Nan Qiao’s, he stretched out his arms around her waist, bringing her into his arms.
As for Li Tianhong, his right hand seemed as if it were broken, the fingers too painful to straighten.
Li Yehan embraced Nan Qiao, looking at her affectionately, a pampering smile curling at his lips, his magnetic voice softly entering her ears, "Qiaoqiao, you saved me, how should I repay you? Perhaps I should devote myself to you in return."