Chapter 5

About half a month later, my mother called, telling me my father was sick.

The reason? Jiang Ciyue had gone on a rampage, snatching several major deals from the Shi family.

My father had collapsed from the stress and was in the hospital.

My mother pleaded with me.

“Wan Ju, did you make Ciyue angry again?”

“How many times have I told you? Don’t always go against him. Coax him a little. Why won’t you listen?”

“Our family’s business hasn’t been doing well these past few years. We have to rely on the Jiang family.”

“Your father’s blood pressure hasn’t gone down for days. If you don’t want to be the death of him, you need to go apologize to Ciyue right now and beg him to go easy on us!”

I never expected Jiang Ciyue would go this far just to get back at me for Qu Yi.

It seemed he was truly, madly in love with her.

A tightness seized my chest, and I felt like I was suffocating.

I didn’t want to bow my head, but seeing my father lying pale in the hospital bed, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse. I finally, reluctantly, agreed.

Jiang Ciyue hadn’t been home in a long time and wasn’t answering my calls.

I found out he was with Qu Yi at a party on a cruise ship and drove there.

The yacht was lively, filled mostly with Qu Yi’s friends.

After I offered my apology, they were still not satisfied.

“What’s the use of a verbal apology? You should at least get on your knees and bow to Yi Yi. That would show some sincerity.”

Just saying sorry was already against my will.

Making me kneel? In their dreams.

My patience was wearing thin. I raised my eyes and shot a cold look at them.

They immediately used it as an excuse to cause more trouble.

“Mr. Jiang, look! Shi Wan Ju isn’t sincere at all!”

“If you don’t put her in her place today, what’s to stop her from bullying Yi Yi again in the future?”

A playful smirk appeared on Jiang Ciyue’s face.

“Kneeling won’t be necessary. Just finish these three bottles of red wine, and we’ll call it even.”

This punishment was no easier than kneeling, because I couldn’t drink at all.

A single glass would have me vomiting for hours.

Jiang Ciyue knew this perfectly well, yet he was still forcing me.

Perhaps seeing me in the hospital was the only thing that would satisfy him.

I pressed my lips together tightly, forcing back tears. My voice trembled as I asked, “If I drink this, you’ll stop targeting the Shi family, right?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Of course.”

“Fine.”

I grabbed a bottle of wine as if I were marching to my doom, closed my eyes, and started chugging.

After one bottle, my stomach was already churning violently.

I felt so sick I almost threw up right there.

Just as I gagged, Qu Yi frowned and said with false concern:

“Brother Ciyue, maybe we should just forget it.”

“Seeing Sister Wan Ju looking like she’s half-dead… it makes my heart ache.”

Jiang Ciyue stroked her hair dotingly. “You’re just too kind. That’s why you always get bullied.”

When he turned back to me, his expression was once again its usual cold mask.

“Since Yi Yi is willing to forgive you, we’ll let it go.”

My stomach was in agony. I didn’t want to say another word. I put down the bottle and turned to leave.

But Jiang Ciyue stopped me. “Stay. You haven’t thanked Yi Yi yet.”

I was the one who was hurt, the one whose dignity was trampled, and yet I was the one who had to thank her.

It was utterly ridiculous.

Suppressing the pain churning in my chest, I forced out the words, “Thank you, Miss Qu, for your generosity.”

Qu Yi was beaming with pride. “You’re welcome. As long as Sister Wan Ju doesn’t bully me in the future, we’re all good.”