The nearby subordinates lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.
Qinglong lay there, not even daring to beg for mercy, fearing that angering Master Duan would lead to a gruesome death.
In the end, it was A Jiang who broke the silence first.
“Master Duan, you see… Qinglong meant well, he just messed things up. He only wanted to help Young Master Chi Yu bring you and Madam together.”
“Bring us together?” Duan Yanxing sneered, his gaze growing sharper. “Do I need fools like you to help me?”
Duan Yanxing’s voice was cold and indifferent, yet it sent chills down everyone’s spines, making them break out in a cold sweat.
“But… Young Master Chi Yu said that if we didn’t help you, it might take you a whole year to win her back. That’s why we… had no choice… and came up with this plan.” A Jiang mustered some courage, even bringing up what Chi Yu had said.
The nearby subordinates were astonished: Damn, Brother Jiang is bold! No wonder he’s been by Master Duan’s side for so many years—truly fearless.
Unfortunately, Master Duan wasn’t buying it.
“F*ck! Do you think I’m giving you face?” Duan Yanxing laughed in anger. “You’ve really grown some guts, huh? Do you think this is North Yan?”
With that, Duan Yanxing kicked A Jiang. “If anyone dares to help him again, I’ll cripple them!”
“What are you waiting for? Drag him out!”
“Yes.”
The subordinates didn’t dare hesitate and quickly pulled Qinglong away to teach him a harsh lesson.
Outside Mugui Theater, screams echoed without end.
This time, Qinglong would likely be bedridden for a long time.
Meanwhile, Baihu and A Jiang wore bitter expressions, silently praying that Master Duan would calm down.
“Still not leaving? Do you want me to shoot you?”
Hearing this, the two didn’t dare linger for another second and quickly fled.
They all knew that Master Duan had spared Qinglong this time out of consideration for A Jiang’s sake. Otherwise, Qinglong wouldn’t have survived even with ten lives.
After this incident, everyone understood even more clearly that Madam was the treasure in Master Duan’s heart. Not only was she untouchable, but even a single word that displeased her could cost someone their head.
Thus, for the time being, none of them dared to make the same mistake again.
Of course, Duan Yanxing wasn’t unreasonable. Though he had a fiery temper, he was fiercely protective of his own. As long as they were part of the Duan Family Gang, he never treated them poorly.
It was just Qinglong’s misfortune this time—he had crossed Duan Yanxing’s bottom line.
Sparing his life was already an act of mercy from Duan Yanxing.
…
Meanwhile, Duan Yanxing arrived outside the Resting Room. He had intended to enter but heard the brat inside talking to his mother.
He withdrew the foot he had halfway stepped in.
“Mom, have you really forgotten Chi Yu? When will that idiot dad finally win you back? Let’s reunite as a family of three, okay? Waaah…”
As he spoke, Chi Yu began crying pitifully.
Hearing his son’s heartbroken sobs, Duan Yanxing frowned slightly.
Idiot? He was actually being called an idiot by this brat?
Inside, Chi Mu simply hugged him tighter, patting his back to comfort him. “Be good, Chi Yu, don’t cry. You have to believe that your dad will bring Mom back. Your family of three will be reunited.”Chi Mu comforted the child before her, wondering to herself, Could I really resemble Mr. Duan’s late wife that much? Otherwise, why would Chi Yu immediately decide I’m his mother the moment he saw me?
Her arms tightened around Chi Yu as a pang of heartache washed over her.
“Be good, Chi Yu, don’t cry anymore. You have to believe in your dad. Your family of three will be reunited.”
Chi Mu coaxed him gently, over and over.
Leaning quietly against the wall, Duan Yanxing watched the scene inside the Resting Room, his eyes reddening involuntarily.
He murmured to himself, “Silly wife, without you, how could there be a family of three? ‘Your family of three’—don’t even think about pushing me off to someone else.”
His gaze grew distant, as if peering through the void into the unknown.
After a long while, Duan Yanxing slowly walked to the door and knocked.
Both people inside turned toward the sound in unison.
“Mr. Duan.” Seeing him, Chi Mu called out awkwardly. Her mind was still filled with her earlier breakdown in the changing room—a rather unsightly scene. Being caught like this left her feeling flustered.
“Hmm, are you feeling better?” The man approached, his voice low.
Chi Mu pressed her lips together and nodded, while Chi Yu beside her pouted, clearly unhappy.
“You little rascal, what’s with that look?”
“Hmph, one of you is clumsy and slow at chasing people, and the other wants to push me off to someone else. When will Chi Yu ever have a family?”
Chi Yu’s words made Chi Mu’s expression stiffen.
Pushing him off to someone else? Is he talking about me?
Noticing how cleverly his son was creating an opportunity for him, Duan Yanxing quickly wrapped an arm around the boy and chimed in, “What can we do? When our family of three reunites depends on your mom’s wishes. Dad can’t force her.”
After saying this, Duan Yanxing’s gaze settled on Chi Mu’s face, his eyes softening slightly. “Wanwan, what do you think?”
Being called “Wanwan” made Chi Mu feel uneasy all over, especially since this man had an impossibly handsome face.
Are these two setting a trap for me, waiting for me to walk right into it? And conveniently become Chi Yu’s ready-made stepmother?
Little did they know, the little rascal before her was her own flesh and blood.
Years later, Chi Mu would still bring this up to scold Duan Yanxing more than once.
“Mr. Duan… please, don’t joke with me.” Chi Mu forced an awkward smile, feeling as though she’d tripped over her own feet.
Hearing this, Chi Yu immediately burst into loud sobs. “Waaah, Mommy doesn’t want Daddy anymore. Our family of three can’t be whole. Chi Yu might as well become an orphan. Maybe I should just die—living isn’t much fun anyway.”
Chi Mu nearly choked on her own breath at these words.
What do you mean, ‘living isn’t much fun’?
He’s only three years old!
If anyone else heard this, they’d surely accuse her of child abuse.
Beside her, Duan Yanxing struggled to hold back a laugh. He secretly shot his son an appreciative look—the kid was a natural actor, a true godsend.
“Wanwan, you see… this child can’t live without you.”
Duan Yanxing wore a pained expression, like a good man abandoned by his wife.
Chi Mu: “…”Finally, under the combined pressure from these two, Chi Mu looked at Chi Yu and then at Duan Yanxing, her face full of conflict. “Then… what exactly do you want?”
“It’s simple—be with my dad!” As soon as Chi Yu heard this, he immediately jumped down from Duan Yanxing’s lap, rushed over, and threw himself into Chi Mu’s arms. “Mom, will you agree?”
Chi Mu: “…”
This little rascal…
Simple? Is this simple? The other party is Duan Yanxing, after all!
The biggest gang leader in Country M.
Be with him!!!
Get involved with gangsters!!!
Don’t be ridiculous.
“Ahem…” Duan Yanxing, who was standing nearby, pretended to clear his throat, then put on a pitiful expression. “Wanwan, look, this child is quite pitiful. Why not think about it?”
“Huh?” Chi Mu was stunned.
Think about what? This is too sudden.
“Mom, you’ll marry Dad sooner or later anyway, so why not do it sooner?”
“Huh??”
“Mom, just agree. If you agree, Chi Yu will have a home.”
“…”