Chapter 29: If You Dare Touch Me, I’ll Take Your Life

“Jiang Huaiting, remember your place.”

“My place is as your fiancé. Whatever I want to do with you is perfectly justified.”

He gripped her fiercely.

Something was wrong with Jiang Huaiting. Li Jiuwei’s heart tightened. Had he discovered she had a man outside?

“Sorry, but I find you filthy,” she spat.

Li Jiuwei pushed Jiang Huaiting away with all her strength, dusting off imaginary dirt from her clothes. His face darkened.

“No matter how filthy I am, I’m not as filthy as you!”

Li Jiuwei’s expression froze. “What do you mean by that?”

“Hmph. Li Jiuwei, you know best what you’ve done. I haven’t despised you for it. You should be grateful for that!”

So it wasn’t because of that incident after all! Yu Ruonan hadn’t told him. Then what was Jiang Huaiting actually holding against her?

Li Jiuwei was bewildered. She pressed him, “Explain yourself. I don’t want to be wrongly accused.”

Jiang Huaiting’s expression soured as if he’d recalled something unpleasant. In a flash of rage, he strode out the door.

Li Jiuwei fell silent, a sudden urge rising within her to leave this place.

Downstairs.

Li Xinchun had already left. Jiang’s mother had arrived, and upon seeing Li Jiuwei descending the stairs, she greeted her with a warm smile.

“Jiuwei, how have you been lately? Has Huaiting bullied you? If he has, tell me, and I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson.” Jiang’s mother’s affection was as gentle as ever. If not for the bracelet she’d seen on Li Xinchun’s wrist, Li Jiuwei might still have believed her.

But now, as she looked at Jiang’s mother, she saw nothing but a façade.

“Getting another woman pregnant—does that count as bullying me?” Li Jiuwei brought up the matter again, her gaze cold.

Jiang’s mother’s smile faltered, just for a moment, but Li Jiuwei noticed it.

“Jiuwei, a child outside doesn’t affect your position. You’ll be the future young mistress of the Jiang family, the lady of the house.”

“And if I ask Li Xinchun to have an abortion?”

At her words, both mother and son were stunned.

“Li Jiuwei, you’re truly vicious. Xinchun is carrying my child, you venomous woman!” Jiang Huaiting spat.

Jiang’s mother shot him a reproachful look, then took Li Jiuwei’s hand, her tone gentle. “Jiuwei, I’ve thought about that too, but Xinchun’s health can’t withstand a termination. If she goes through with it, she may never have children again. She’s a daughter of the Li family, your own sister. We can’t be so cruel. If it really troubles you… after Xinchun gives birth, the child can be raised as yours. If you don’t like the child, I’ll take care of it myself.”

There was too much meaning hidden in those words.

At last, Li Jiuwei saw through Jiang’s mother’s true intentions. All this time, she had been deceived.

She had been starved for affection for too long, only to be repeatedly wounded in its name.

The kindly woman she once knew was gone. Li Jiuwei withdrew her hand, leaving Jiang’s mother momentarily taken aback.

She smiled coldly. “I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Auntie, I promised you that I would wait until after your birthday to bring up breaking off the engagement. We agreed on that from the start. Now, I intend to announce the dissolution of our engagement soon.”

Shock flickered in both their eyes. Displeasure crept into Jiang’s mother’s gaze, though she tried to maintain her gentle facade. “Jiuwei, don’t be impulsive.”

“My mind is made up. I’ll be moving out today.”

Seeing that Jiuwei’s mind could not be changed, Jiang’s mother sighed. “Very well. But, Jiuwei, have dinner at home tonight. After tonight—there may never be another chance.”

Li Jiuwei didn’t immediately reply. Jiang Huaiting, frowning, interjected, “My mother has always favored you. Are you really so heartless that you won’t even share a meal with us, Li Jiuwei? People shouldn’t be so ungrateful.”

“I haven’t even spoken, and you’re already eager to accuse me. Jiang Huaiting, those are words you should save for yourself. Heaven will strike down the truly heartless.”

“You—!” Jiang Huaiting was too furious for words.

Li Jiuwei announced she had matters to attend to and would go out for a while. She would return in the evening.

Her company had been registered, and the studio location was ready—fully equipped, with all the necessary facilities.

When she arrived, Shen Tang was already waiting.

“Ah Tang, this is a great location.”

It was accessible from all sides, with excellent transport links.

“I rented it from a friend at a low price. The interior suits your taste perfectly.”

Shen Tang led her inside.

The office was on the tenth floor. The whole floor belonged to them alone.

Li Jiuwei surveyed the place, thoroughly satisfied.

“It’s perfect. All the computers are new. What’s the rent like?”

“This much.”

Li Jiuwei was incredulous. “So cheap? There isn’t a catch, is there?”

“Don’t worry, Weiwei. My friend is a trust-fund kid who never amounted to much. He once tried to start a business, but it failed halfway through, so he went back to lazing around at home.”

Li Jiuwei couldn’t help but laugh. She trusted Tang to handle things.

Li Jiuwei was truly pleased.

Shen Tang sent her friend a message.

Thanks! My bestie loves it. We’ll sign the contract later.

No problem. As long as you’re happy. Now I can finally earn some rent, haha.

Golf course.

A young man flashed his phone. “Boss Su, everything’s set.”

“Good.”

“Boss Su, why don’t you just tell her directly? You’re helping her from the shadows, but if she never knows, how will she ever appreciate you?”

Zhou Hui slung an arm around his shoulders. “You don’t get it. Our Boss Su is all about pure love.”

“Respect!”

Feng Su swung his club with a satisfied smile.

“By the way, Boss Su, the rumors outside have all been dealt with.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Hui marveled. Boss Su was too protective of his wife. There wasn’t even an official relationship yet, and he was already shielding her like this. What would he be like in the future?

Zhou Hui continued, “Boss Su, you should keep an eye on your second sister lately. I’ve heard she’s been cozying up to the company’s old guard.”

“She’s been scheming for that position a long time. But the seat at Feng Corporation is mine for the taking.”

Feng Su put away his club, a savage glint in his eyes.

This path would inevitably be a fight to the death. Power struggles were his fate.

Time slipped by.

Night fell.

Li Jiuwei had returned to the Zhaoshan villa. The three of them sat at the dining table. Jiang’s mother sighed, “After tonight, we’ll no longer have any connection. I wish you all the best, Jiuwei.”

“Thank you.”

Li Jiuwei downed a glass of wine. She hated dining with Jiang Huaiting. After a few bites, she excused herself and returned to her room.

“What kind of attitude is that?”

“Enough. Go bring Jiuwei some water.”

Jiang Huaiting carried a glass upstairs, shoving the bedroom door open with a cold expression. “Li Jiuwei, you—”

He noticed the flush on her cheeks, her trembling body, the delicate allure of her blushing face.

Li Jiuwei, already aware something was wrong, swept the jewelry off the table with a shout. “Stay away from me!”

Bang!

The door slammed shut. Jiang Huaiting rushed over, unable to open it. He pounded on the door, yelling, “Mom… open up!”

“Huaiting, tonight Jiuwei is yours. Once she becomes your woman, she’ll have to marry you. Huaiting, remember your position.”

At that moment, Jiang Huaiting finally understood.

Something had been slipped into the wine. He glanced back at the disoriented Li Jiuwei. The way she looked now made him want nothing more than to press her beneath him, to take her as he pleased.

“Jiang Huaiting… if you touch me, I’ll kill you!”

Rage flashed in Jiang Huaiting’s eyes. He strode forward, forcefully pulling the wildly struggling Li Jiuwei into his arms, his eyes burning with desire.

“You’ve always been my woman. Tonight, it’s only right that I take you.” His gaze was feverish as he lowered his head to kiss her pale neck.