Chapter 768 - 738: Dignity
Qiao Yuanjiang felt as if he’d been slapped hard across the face, his face turned red with anger. Although he lacked assertiveness, Ye Changyuan’s words were a bit too harsh; his brother had been missing for so many years, yet Ye Changyuan was unrelentingly bringing up old grievances.
Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Changyuan, that’s going too far!"
Ye Changyuan chuckled and said, "I’m going too far? What have you Qiao Family been up to? If not for the longstanding friendship between our families, I would have made this matter public. I wonder where you Qiao Family would hide your face then?"
Qiao Yuanjiang picked up the photo, thinking to himself that this child indeed bore a resemblance to Qiao Rulong.
After venting his anger, Ye Changyuan didn’t continue to speak, but sat down and coldly watched Qiao Yuanjiang, waiting to see what he would say.
Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Changyuan, I assure you, I will thoroughly investigate this matter and give your family an explanation."
Ye Changyuan said, "You said it yourself, I’m giving you a month to investigate and resolve this issue. I have only one daughter, no matter what method you use, you are not to harm my daughter."
Qiao Yuanjiang said, "Changyuan, regardless of whether this matter is true or false, we must face it rationally. Making a fuss won’t benefit anyone."
Ye Changyuan was too lazy to argue further: "I haven’t eaten yet, excuse me."
Qiao Yuanjiang wanted to see him off, but Ye Changyuan waved his hand to indicate it wasn’t necessary, leaving the photo with Qiao Yuanjiang.
Outside, Ye Changyuan asked Ye Qingya to accompany him to dinner. It was a family matter, so the Qiao Family couldn’t say much. Wang Siqi felt the atmosphere was somewhat off, and after the father and daughter left, Xiang Meiru Xue said, "Xiaoxue, I feel like your Uncle Ye isn’t happy."
Mei Ru Xue thought it was about Qi Shuang and quietly said, "Auntie, with something like this happening, no one would be in a good mood, so don’t overthink it."
Xu Chunliang suggested taking Mei Ru Xue out for dinner, but because of Ye Changyuan’s visit, Mei Ru Xue wasn’t in the mood. She asked Xu Chunliang to go back first; she would dine with Wang Siqi later.
Just as Xu Chunliang started the car, he received a call from Ye Changyuan: "Chunliang, come have dinner with me."
Xu Chunliang was a bit surprised; why hadn’t he mentioned this earlier?
Ye Changyuan told him the location, the Kaiyue Hotel not far from Changxing.
When Xu Chunliang arrived, he found Ye Qingya wasn’t there, only Ye Changyuan.
Ye Changyuan said, "She went back after having a bowl of noodles, still worried about Qiao Rulong."
Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "They have a good relationship."
Ye Changyuan responded, "Whether or not the relationship is good is something only they know."
Xu Chunliang filled Ye Changyuan’s glass with wine. Although he didn’t know what Ye Changyuan and Qiao Yuanjiang talked about in the room, from Ye Changyuan’s behavior today, he seemed quite displeased.
Xu Chunliang raised his glass and said, "Uncle Ye, here’s to you."
Ye Changyuan drank the wine and said, "Chunliang, in my heart, you’re already one of the Ye Family." With a straightforward comment, he directly included Xu Chunliang in his camp.
Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "I’ve never seen myself as an outsider," but inwardly he was questioning whether Old Ye wanted to use him as a way to inquire about Qi Shuang.
Ye Changyuan said, "Qingya is your sister. If she is wronged, would you stand up for her?"
Just as Xu Chunliang was about to respond, Ye Changyuan added, "You don’t have to answer. I know you must feel conflicted. I’m not asking you to take my side. The reason I came so late is that I’m investigating something."
Xu Chunliang secretly sighed that things were going downhill. There’s no wall in the world without holes; Qiao Rulong’s car accident had triggered a domino effect, with a series of subsequent impacts unfolding.
Xu Chunliang poured him more wine: "Uncle Ye, if there’s anything you need my help with, just say the word."
Whether or not to help was one thing, but he still needed to show his stance.
Ye Changyuan said, "When Qiao Rulong had his car accident, there was a woman in the car with him. Originally, the Qiao Family intended to cover it up. I sensed something was wrong, so I had someone investigate the background of that woman. Her name is Qi Shuang."
Xu Chunliang’s scalp tingled. With such a father-in-law, Qiao Rulong seemed to have eight lifetimes of bad luck. No, wait, I’m Ye Old’s honorary grandson; I should side with the Ye Family. So why do I suddenly feel a sense of shared misfortune?
Ye Changyuan said, "Have you met her before?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "Before the incident, I met her once in Nanjiang. I only know she’s the CFO of He Dong Group."
Ye Changyuan asked, "Chunliang, do you know how long she’s known Rulong?"
Xu Chunliang shook his head, as he really didn’t know.
"Five years. Qiao Rulong has been married to my daughter for five years, and this woman named Qi Shuang returned to the country a year ago."
Xu Chunliang secretly admired Qiao Rulong’s deep concealment. If not for this car accident, perhaps this wouldn’t have come to light.
Ye Changyuan said, "There’s no man who doesn’t love beauty, but one must remain rational at all times. If it’s just an act outside, it might be tolerable..." His eyes shot with anger: "Do you know that woman has a two-year-old son?"
Xu Chunliang now understood why Ye Changyuan was so furious. Qiao Rulong, oh Qiao Rulong, I have underestimated you. I always thought you were a decent person with your honest appearance, but it turns out you’re playing such a game, secretly having a son outside. Impressive!
Xu Chunliang didn’t know what to say, so he accompanied Ye Changyuan for another drink, feeling curious why he was telling him such a private matter. What if it gets leaked in the future? They’d suspect me.
Ye Changyuan said, "I’m incredibly conflicted. With Qiao Rulong like this, if I reveal the truth now, it makes me seem heartless. But if I don’t, I have to watch my daughter suffer."
Xu Chunliang asked, "Does Grandpa know?"
Ye Changyuan shook his head and said, "I haven’t told him yet. If he finds out, he’ll surely demand justice from the Qiao Family."
Xu Chunliang sighed to himself; the likelihood is high that the two families will fall out over this. Just now, Ye Changyuan went to speak with Qiao Yuanjiang likely regarding this matter, but given Qiao Yuanjiang’s capability, he cannot resolve this issue.
Xu Chunliang asked, "What do you really want to do?"
Ye Changyuan replied, "I’m giving the Qiao Family a month. By then, Qiao Rulong should have the ability to handle this matter himself. Our Ye Family cannot tolerate such an insult. If the Qiao Family still cares about their reputation, they should honestly give my daughter her freedom."
Xu Chunliang thought to himself that in Ye Changyuan’s eyes, Qiao Rulong no longer had a future. Even if he escaped this setback, after a heart replacement, he couldn’t be like a normal person. Continuing with Qiao Rulong would only bring Ye Qingya more suffering, especially considering Qiao Rulong’s initial unfaithfulness. Taking this opportunity to sever ties quickly would grant Ye Qingya relief.
However, Ye Changyuan would not easily overlook this. He said he wanted to demand justice from the Qiao Family, but what form would this justice take?
Xu Chunliang said, "It would be best not to let this matter spoil the harmony between the two families. Even if a separation is necessary, it’s better to part on peaceful terms."
Ye Changyuan sighed, "It’s what I wish too, which is why I didn’t tell the old man immediately. Chunliang, I heard Elder Qiao is temporarily staying at your house, so after consideration, it’s best if you talk this over with him."
Xu Chunliang thought, why involve me in this? He deliberately said, "Haven’t you already discussed this with Qiao Yuanjiang?"
Ye Changyuan said, "Him? How could he dare tell Elder Qiao about this? Five years ago, Qi Shuang interned at Mingsheng, and it was on his recommendation. He has a guilty conscience, so he concealed the fact that there was a woman in the car right away."
Xu Chunliang was truly shocked. Could it be that the matter between Qiao Rulong and Qi Shuang was orchestrated by Qiao Yuanjiang? If Qiao Yuanjiang facilitated this, he would be too treacherous. However, Xu Chunliang believed it unlikely, as Qiao Yuanjiang probably didn’t have such cleverness.
Ye Changyuan said, "If the Qiao Family wants to maintain their dignity, they must first return dignity to our Ye Family."
When Xu Chunliang returned home, the two old men were still chatting.
Seeing Xu Chunliang return, Xu Changshan asked, "Why did it take so long?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "Uncle Ye came by, and I had a few drinks with him."
Elder Qiao’s interest was piqued. Mei Ru Xue had already informed him of Ye Changyuan’s arrival in Dongzhou. Although he hadn’t met Ye Changyuan yet, he knew Ye Changyuan’s visit wasn’t a friendly one. Since learning there was a woman in the car during the accident, Elder Qiao foresaw that there would be more trouble to come.
Elder Qiao asked, "How is his mood?"
Xu Changshan noticed the two had matters to discuss, so he excused himself to meditate, leaving space for their conversation.
Xu Chunliang replied, "Uncle Ye is in a bad mood."
Elder Qiao asked, "Is it because of the woman?"
Xu Chunliang secretly admired Elder Qiao’s ability to see the crux of the issue at a glance.
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s mainly about Brother Rulong. Didn’t Uncle tell you?"
Elder Qiao shook his head and said, "He’s muddled in his actions. Let me guess, did Changyuan drink with you to relay some message to me?"
Xu Chunliang knew he couldn’t hide it from Elder Qiao, so he smiled and said, "Grandpa Qiao, I’m not really in a position to comment on this matter."
Elder Qiao said, "You’re Old Ye’s godson, and Ye Qingya is your sister, so it’s understandable for you to speak on behalf of the Ye Family."
Xu Chunliang said, "To be frank, if you don’t mind me saying so, the person I care about most is Xiaoxue." He made it clear that he wasn’t interested in others’ affairs and was only concerned about Mei Ru Xue.
Elder Qiao said, "I know it’s difficult being caught in the middle, but even if you don’t say it, I can guess. The relationship between Rulong and that woman isn’t simple, and the Ye Family likely found evidence. What did he say?"
Xu Chunliang said, "He said he wants some dignity."
Elder Qiao said, "I’m familiar with Changyuan’s character. He wouldn’t challenge me unless he was sure. He probably spoke to Yuanjiang first, thinking he could handle it himself, but Changyuan couldn’t wait and needed me to give them an explanation. He didn’t come directly to me to save face for the Qiao Family."