“Shut up,” Qiao Ci gave him a lukewarm glance.
“How can you speak so crudely, young lady? You truly come from a poor background, with no manners,” Qiao Sisi was willing to defer to him, and Nangong Ming was cherishing her at the moment, so he naturally had to defend his woman.
Therefore, he spoke without any regard for decorum, wishing he could perform well and be rewarded with the bridal chamber tonight!
Qi Che couldn’t stand it any longer and stepped forward to pull Qiao Ci away.
At this moment, several bodyguards dressed in suits and wearing black glasses approached, blocking Qi Che’s path.
“This is a society ruled by law!” Qi Che was about to argue with Nangong Ming when Qiao Ci tugged at his sleeve, and at the same time, Qiao Ci’s voice came through,
“Hello, police? There are gangsters here, yes, right in front of Mingying’s main entrance.”
“Qiao Ci, what do you mean?” Nangong Ming was taken aback by Qiao Ci’s call to the police and was completely stumped.
“Since you’re so arrogant, don’t you dare leave later,” Qiao Ci lifted her chin, looking proud. “And you guys wearing glasses, if you have the guts, don’t move and keep that threatening look on your faces.”
She wished she could take action directly, but there were cameras everywhere, and the surveillance at Mingying’s main entrance was comprehensive and had no blind spots.
For such criminal elements, it was better to let more professional people handle them.
“You’ve got guts, just you wait,” Nangong Ming, unable to deal with Qiao Ci’s unyielding attitude directly, uttered a threat and left.
“Mm, I’ll wait,” Xin Yue met his gaze without fear.
“I’ll take you home.” Qi Che, worried about Qiao Ci being alone, immediately offered to go with her.
“Mhm, my brother has something to do today and can’t pick me up. We’ll go back together after we’re done,” Qiao Ci nodded.
“Done? Do you still have something to do?” Qi Che looked at her, puzzled.
“Waiting for the police, didn’t I just call them?” Qiao Ci looked back, confused.
Qi Che thought Qiao Ci was just messing with Nangong Ming: “Did you really call?”
Qiao Ci nodded affirmatively.
Before long, the police car arrived and took Qiao Ci and Qi Che back with them.
Qiao Ci handed the video she recorded of Nangong Ming threatening her to the police, saying she was afraid Nangong Ming might retaliate against her secretly and hoped the police would pay attention to Nangong Ming’s movements.
The police officer taking the statement knew that Nangong Ming had instructed thugs to beat up Qi Che some time ago, but as Qi Che wasn’t seriously injured, the matter was dropped.
“Don’t worry, we’ll pay attention. When you’re going to and from school, don’t be alone. It’s best to have your parents pick you up.”
“Okay.” Qiao Ci readily agreed.
As soon as Nangong Ming returned home, he was notified to go to the police station.
In the end, he was fined 500 yuan and given a verbal warning before being released.
Nangong Ming: …
This was just a complete disaster!
Qiao Sisi’s ploy with Nangong Ming didn’t work. When Qiao Ci returned, Qiao Sisi knelt down in front of her in front of Mother Qiao.
“Qiao Ci, I beg you, just let him go. I can’t have a father who goes to jail, it will ruin me.” After discussing with Mother Qiao, Qiao Sisi decided to approach Qiao Ci.
“Xiao Ci, it’s best to forgive when you can. Sisi won’t fight you for anything. She’ll get married to Nangong Ming after graduating high school. If the Nangong family finds out she has a father who’s a convict, this marriage will be void. Please, for my sake, can we let this go?” Mother Qiao also persuaded her.
Qiao Ci was already eighteen years old, an adult. Therefore, regarding the matter of Qiao Shan swapping her and Qiao Sisi, she had absolute say.
If Qiao Ci refused to forgive Qiao Shan, then Qiao Shan was destined to go to jail.
Qiao Ci looked at Qiao Sisi, then at Mother Qiao, and said very seriously, “One should receive legal punishment for their mistakes, no matter who they are. I certainly won’t plead for him, nor will I accept a settlement.”
“Are you really going to ruin Sisi?” Mother Qiao looked at Qiao Ci with immense disappointment.
“How is she ruined? As a biological daughter, you’ve doted on her for so many years. Even after being exposed, she still enjoys your affection. It’s me who’s pitiful, isn’t it? My biological parents not only think of the person who stole my life but also advise me to be magnanimous and forgive those who hurt me! If you don’t want to acknowledge me, you don’t have to. I’m not necessarily unwilling to return to this home,” Qiao Ci’s expression was calm, as if she were merely stating a fact.
“You!” Seeing Qiao Ci argue with her, Mother Qiao was furious.
“Since you’re unwilling to come back, then leave!” Father Qiao, who had just returned home, said decisively.
Qiao Xu, who returned with Father Qiao, quickly tried to mediate: “Dad, what are you saying? Xiao Ci is my biological sister, your biological daughter. She originally wanted more of your attention, but you keep mentioning Sisi, Sisi. How can she feel comfortable?”
“Are you also learning to disobey me now?” Father Qiao looked at Qiao Xu with displeasure.
Qiao Xu pursed his lips and dared not speak further, only signaling Qiao Ci with his eyes to go upstairs.
Qiao Ci’s return was precisely to gain a stronger position to punish Qiao Shan. As for protecting Qiao Xu from the car accident, it wasn’t necessary for her to live in the Qiao family.
So, she smiled at Qiao Xu, walked past Father Qiao at the door with her posture straight, and left directly.
Father Qiao and Mother Qiao were stunned by this.
They never expected Qiao Ci to be so resolute.
This was the first time anyone had dared to openly defy Father Qiao. He slammed down his briefcase and shouted loudly, “Fine, fine, truly rebellious. Since you’re leaving, never come back. My Qiao family cannot tolerate someone with such a stubborn and unyielding nature.”
“Dad!” Qiao Xu wanted to chase after Qiao Ci, but Father Qiao stopped him.
“Today, whoever steps out of this door, don’t ever come back,” Father Qiao was truly set on confronting Qiao Ci.
Mother Qiao felt a pang of regret seeing Qiao Ci leave without looking back, but glancing at the pitifully looking Qiao Sisi beside her, she felt conflicted, as both were dear to her.
She felt that Qiao Ci’s personality was too blunt and needed to be tempered properly, otherwise, if she offended someone they couldn’t afford to offend in the future, it would be bad.
Qiao Ci went directly to Qi Che’s doorstep and knocked.
It was ten o’clock at night, and Qi Che was already asleep.
Hearing the knock, he groggily got up and asked through the door, “Who is it?”
“Me.” A clear, cold young girl’s voice.
Qi Che quickly returned to his bedroom, put on a T-shirt, and then walked back to open the door. He nervously observed Qiao Ci and asked, “Why are you here so late?”
“My parents don’t want me anymore. I might have to trouble you for a while,” Qiao Ci said as she walked inside. “I’ll pay rent, I won’t eat for free or freeload.”
“No, you don’t have to. You can stay here as long as you want,” Qi Che scratched his head and hastily expressed his attitude.