A series of hospital tests revealed she had mainly suffered from excessive fright and some superficial injuries. Her forehead hadn’t fully healed, which caused her to faint.
Layers of guilt weighed down on Si Yuhuan, diminishing his usual sharp and domineering presence as he stood there.
He instructed Yan Qing, who was beside him, "Find some people to take good care of her."
"Yes!" Yan Qing acknowledged with a nod and promptly gave Si Yuhuan a thorough report of everything that had just transpired.
Wan Yu struggled to contain her anger. "Are all of you from the Si Family crazy? Trying to kill us without a second thought—don’t you have to bear any legal responsibility? Do you realize that if you’d been just a little later, Xixi could have died! It’s utterly lawless! We’re going to sue Si Junyan!"
Jian Mingcheng, standing to the side, looked extremely grim. He, too, was waiting for an explanation from Si Yuhuan.
Jiang Qimeng hurried to the door. "Yuhan, how is Jian Xi? I heard Junyan went to cause trouble for her?" Her eyes reddened as she continued, "It’s all my fault. I was weak and fainted in front of him, causing him to misunderstand and do something foolish."
She then quickly approached Jian Mingcheng to apologize, taking all the responsibility. "CEO Jian, I’m truly sorry. This misunderstanding is something none of us wanted. The Si and Jian families are like one. If Si Junyan goes to prison, it won’t reflect well on anyone. Please, could you find it in your heart to be lenient?"
She lifted her tear-filled, glistening eyes and stared intently at Jian Mingcheng.
Wan Yu was furious. "Hey! Have you no shame? Is that how ’being lenient’ is supposed to work?"
"Alright, Wan Yu. Go in and see Xixi," Jian Mingcheng said.
Wan Yu stomped her foot in anger. "Brother!"
"Miss Wan, you’d better listen to CEO Jian," Jiang Qimeng said, practically grinding her teeth. Jian Mingcheng understood her implied threat; the Jian Family had indeed been discourteous in forcing her abroad previously, and for an upright man like him, such a veiled reference to past grievances could be effective leverage. Besides, he knew that even if he didn’t press the issue, Si Yuhuan might not be willing to let Si Junyan go to prison anyway.
The Si Family was known for its strict rules, and Old Master Si was extremely protective of his kin. Too much ugliness had occurred before the divorce was finalized; no one wanted more public embarrassment.
But Jiang Qimeng underestimated the depth of the Jian Family’s affection for Jian Xi. When it came to familial love, other considerations paled in comparison.
"Si Yuhuan, I have something to say to you." Jian Mingcheng stood tall, the very picture of integrity. "I was the one who forced Jiang Qimeng out of the country. I can withdraw from the Pinnacle Project, but Si Junyan must be punished. And the mastermind behind this incident cannot escape responsibility either."
Jian Mingcheng gestured towards Jiang Qimeng, his accusation clear and his demeanor imposing.
Jiang Qimeng stared in disbelief. Has Jian Mingcheng gone mad? What good would it do him to burn bridges now? That’s the ten-billion-dollar Pinnacle Project!
"Wan Yu was right about one thing: if anyone should be ’lenient,’ it’s me. But my sister will absolutely not be bullied!"
Jiang Qimeng looked at Si Yuhuan. "Yuhan, do you really intend to let Junyan go to prison? He’s your brother, after all."
I must force Si Yuhuan to make a decision today, Jiang Qimeng thought. It would be best if he completely severs ties with the Jian Family.
Si Yuhuan’s lips twitched, his gaze dark and lacking its usual resolve.
"Of course, those who err must be punished! I may be indulgent with my own, but I still know right from wrong!" Old Master Si had unexpectedly arrived, leaning on a cane, his aged face grim.
He glanced at Jiang Qimeng, who was standing next to Si Yuhuan, and muttered, "Troublemaker."
Jiang Qimeng’s face burned with humiliation, flushing crimson then darkening.
"Grandfather, what brings you here?" Si Yuhuan hurried over to support him.
Jian Mingcheng also nodded respectfully. "Old Master Si."
"Mm, good on you," Old Master Si nodded at Jian Mingcheng. "That’s how an elder brother should act. Well done."
The previously tense atmosphere gradually began to ease.
Old Master Si sat on a chair in the corridor and spoke coldly, "Junyan went too far this time. Xixi is his sister-in-law, however you look at it. To think he dared to try and kill her! If Housekeeper Qi hadn’t overheard something and informed me, I’m afraid both the Jian and Si families would have been dragged into a catastrophe by that animal!"
As he said this, his gaze rested on Jiang Qimeng, who quickly lowered her head.
"He must be punished for assault, but sending him to jail would affect the entire Si Family. So, that’s not an option!"
Jian Mingcheng furrowed his brow. "Old Master Si..."
"Listen to me, young man, don’t be so hasty." Old Master Si raised a hand. "There’s a development project in the Northwest. Send him there."
Now it was Jiang Qimeng’s turn to object. "Grandfather! That project in the Northwest is basically frontier development, almost as harsh as W Country! Junyan has been coddled his whole life and is used to luxury. How could he possibly endure such hardship?"
"He nearly killed someone, and you think he doesn’t need to be punished?" Old Master Si stared at her, his voice stern. "Since when do you have the right to question my decisions?"
Jiang Qimeng was so thoroughly rebuked she didn’t know where to look, standing there red-faced and flustered, her gaze shifting helplessly towards Si Yuhuan.
Jian Xi, supported by Wan Yu, stood at the doorway. I can clearly feel Grandfather’s affection for me in this lifetime, she thought.
Si Junyan, upon hearing the news, rushed over. He knelt before Old Master Si, repeatedly slapping his own face as he confessed his wrongdoing.
Old Master Si remained unmoved, waiting for Si Yuhuan to give the order.
He surely can’t bear to see Jiang Qimeng upset, Jian Xi mused. He might even defy Grandfather. Should I step in to ease this awkwardness?
Then she heard Si Yuhuan say, "Before you head to the Northwest, you will receive the family discipline."
Si Junyan looked up in disbelief. "Cousin, what are you saying? The family discipline is thirty lashes! I could die from that!"
Jiang Qimeng bit her lip and also pleaded for Si Junyan, "Yuhan, he’s your brother. If you’re too harsh, it will damage your fraternal bond."
She’s very clever, Jian Xi thought, knowing how to skillfully play her cards to maximize her interests between the two brothers.
Si Yuhuan inclined his head slightly, his cold gaze looking down, his presence overpowering. "If you still considered me your brother, you wouldn’t have touched my woman."
Jiang Qimeng’s face instantly drained of color.
Jian Xi clenched her fists, her fingernails digging into her palms. It hurts. This isn’t a dream, she thought. I never imagined such words would come from Si Yuhuan.
Wan Yu ventured a bold guess. "Xixi, do you think Si Yuhuan is doing this because... he’s fallen for you?"
Impossible! Jian Xi scoffed internally.
A self-mocking smile touched Jian Xi’s lips. "He thinks that because we’re not yet divorced, I’m still his property. Even if Si Junyan is his brother, he won’t allow his property to be touched by anyone else."
"But I still feel there’s something strange about him," Wan Yu insisted. "Didn’t you see how anxious he was when I ran out for help and told him Si Junyan was about to kill you inside...?"
Jian Xi cut Wan Yu off coldly. "Enough!"
I won’t fall for such illusions, Jian Xi resolved. In my past life, I overestimated myself, and it led to my parents’ deaths and my own tragic end in a car accident. This time, I absolutely will not believe in so-called love!