"Why?"
Yu He was puzzled. When Qin Beiting told her before, she didn't believe it. How could her adoptive father be wronged and not want to be exonerated?
If he didn't want to be vindicated, why would her adoptive mother have been murdered by the Huang family for helping him collect evidence?
So when she heard him say this with her own ears, she was very confused and even suspected if Qin Beiting had threatened him into saying it.
But as soon as she entered, she noticed there were no cameras on the walls.
"Is it because of Qin Beiting? He's not letting you speak? He might be the murderer?" Yu He couldn't help but ask.
Seeing that she misunderstood, Qin Yongyi explained, "No. This has nothing to do with him."
Hearing him personally say that the events of that year had nothing to do with Qin Beiting, Yu He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But if it had nothing to do with Qin Beiting, why didn't he want her to continue investigating?
Did he want to cover up the murderer?
"Then why?" Yu He frowned.
"This matter involves too many people. If you investigate further, it will only bring many people from the Qin family down..." Qin Yongyi said, "I believe Father and third brother definitely wouldn't want to see such a situation occur, so let's leave it at that. This matter ends with me, don't investigate further.
"Besides not being able to go out, I live a leisurely and carefree life here. It's not bad to exchange my freedom for the peace of the Qin family."
Yu He looked at him in disbelief. This face, so familiar in her memory, suddenly felt so strange at this moment.
"What about Aunt Yun'er? She suffered so much to get you vindicated, and in the end, she was framed and died! Are you just going to let her die in vain like this?"
"It's precisely because she died because of this that I don't want you to investigate further!" Qin Yongyi frowned and growled.
Seeing Yu He's eyes redden, he realized he had been too agitated and his tone was too harsh.
He had always treated her as his cherished treasure, never even willing to say a harsh word to her before. Because of this matter, he had lost his composure and failed to control his emotions.
He took a deep breath, softened his tone, and continued, "Continuing to investigate will only bring more harm to the Qin family, ruin the family's reputation, and even lead to the family's destruction and the end of the lineage. What's the point?
"This matter has already passed. Isn't it good for the family to be harmonious and peaceful?"
"Family? Harmonious?" Yu He sneered, "What family? With all the scheming and infighting within the Qin family, can that be called harmonious?"
"It's inevitable for a family to have some conflicts. As long as the Qin Corporation can unite now and maintain its leading position in the country, that's what matters," Qin Yongyi said. "This matter has passed for so long. Bringing it up now, besides affecting the Qin Corporation's reputation, cannot change history, and Yun'er will not come back to life, so there's no need."
"So, the Qin family's face and superficial harmony are more important than life, is that right?" Yu He's eyes couldn't help but water.
To uncover the truth of that year, her adoptive mother was murdered, her grandmother took her and lived precariously, and after finally reaching this point, the person involved told her, "Don't investigate, I'm willing to be the scapegoat." How could she accept this?
Was the suffering her grandmother endured with her all these years in vain?
Was her adoptive mother's death because of this matter in vain?
Was it all in vain that she believed Brother Yao and pretended to be foolish for so many years?
Was it all in vain that she was overly affectionate, brought suffering upon herself, and foolishly thought she was vindicating him?
Yu He's nose felt sore. For the first time, she felt extremely angry yet utterly powerless.
"The interests of the family are greater than individual interests. As long as the Qin family can develop smoothly now, it's not a big deal for me to bear this burden. You're still young and may not understand. When you grow up, you'll understand what I mean," Qin Yongyi said, patting Yu He's shoulder.
Yu He bit her lower lip, trying to prevent the tears from falling, "I don't want to understand what you're saying. I just want the truth!"
"Be good, don't be stubborn. I have let Yun'er and you down. I will make it up to you in the next life," he continued. "And don't blame your uncle. He also wanted to investigate before, but I asked him not to.
"Father cannot go out to accompany you, so he can only entrust Beiting to take more care of you. If you are ever unsure about anything in the future, you can discuss it with him more, especially concerning important life decisions. You are a girl, you must be cautious, don't be deceived by bad boys..."
In the corridor outside the meeting room.
Qin Beiting let Bei Ming and Luo Guangbai go about their business. He sat on a chair in the corridor, opened his laptop, and started working until the door closed from the inside opened.
When Yu He came out, her eyes were a little red. She expressionlessly said to the prison guard standing guard at the door, "Thank you."
Then she walked away directly.
Qin Beiting saw that her expression was not right. He quickly put away his laptop and chased after her, "Baby..."
"You go back first, don't worry about me," Yu He said, walking with her head down.
Her memory was good. She had memorized the way when she came and was soon out of the prison gate.
Bei Ming's car had already left. This was a strict control area, and vehicles rarely passed by. She opened the ride-hailing app, but there were no drivers nearby accepting orders.
She saw a park nearby and walked towards it.
How could Qin Beiting ignore her? Seeing her dejected appearance, he frowned, "Ba..."
"Don't follow me!" Yu He suddenly shouted.
She didn't want to see anyone from the Qin family right now!
Qin Beiting looked at her distressed state and felt distressed himself.
It was precisely because he had guessed that she would be hurt after knowing the truth that he didn't want her to continue investigating.
But seeing that she was willing to risk her life to find the truth, he compromised.
In the end, it still hurt her.
He quickly walked over, took Yu He's hand, and pulled her into his embrace.
"Don't touch me!" Yu He struggled desperately, trying to push him away, but her hands were injured and she didn't have much strength.
Qin Beiting held her tightly, not letting go. "Cry if you're upset. No matter what happens, I'll be with you."
Pressed into his arms, Yu He's struggles lessened.
The sky was gloomy, and the air around was unusually stuffy, as if a heavy downpour was imminent.
Since her adoptive mother's death, Yu He had recognized reality and rarely cried.
Every time she felt wronged, she would constantly tell herself to be strong and not to cry, as crying wouldn't solve anything.
But at this moment, she could no longer hold back. Burying her face in the man's chest, she went from low whimpers to heartbroken sobs.
Qin Beiting felt the clothes on his chest become damp and warm. He stroked her back, helping her to calm down.
He half-closed his eyes, and a storm surged beneath his eyelids, strengthening his resolve to destroy the Qin family!
—
Evening.
Yu He returned to the inpatient department of Xiehe Hospital and saw Steward Qin waiting outside her ward in the corridor.
Steward Qin, seeing that only she had returned and Qin Beiting was not with her, asked politely, "Miss Yu, may I have a word?"
"What is it?" Yu He pushed open the ward door, her tone indifferent.
"Miss Yu, could you please help persuade Seventh Master to return to the Qin Corporation headquarters to take up a position?" Steward Qin asked.