The act had reached its intended climax.
Shen Qi never actually intended to jump.
What a joke—having been reborn with such difficulty, of course she wanted to live this life comfortably. How could she possibly choose to end it on the very first day of her rebirth?
She had already spotted Fang Yi from the corner of her eye and was waiting for him to step forward and persuade her.
She was eighty percent confident.
After all, out of respect for Grandpa Fang, Fang Yi had no choice but to intervene. Moreover, everyone in the Compound knew she had feelings for him.
Having the person she liked come to persuade her would surely be more effective than anyone else.
The security team member glanced at the bandage on Fang Yi’s head but had no time to ask about it. He said directly, “Go and talk her down. If she really jumps, the fallout will be disastrous.”
A loss of life would bring shame upon all the families in the Compound.
Fang Yi gritted his teeth. “Fine, I’ll go persuade her.”
So be it.
Saving a life was a greater merit than building a seven-story pagoda.
Wasn’t Shen Qi only deluding herself into thinking she could marry him because she had saved his grandfather’s life?
Today, he would sever this debt of gratitude once and for all.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Fang Yi slowly approached Shen Qi.
He took a deep breath and spoke in a tone gentler than ever before: “Shen Qi, come, take my hand. I’ll take you home.”
Fang Yi extended his hand.
His hand was handsome—slender and well-proportioned, with calloused palms that gave a sense of reliability and steadiness.
Shen Qi’s vacant gaze fell upon the large hand before her. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly raised her right hand.
“See? As soon as Fang Yi showed up, Shen Qi settled down.”
“The power of love is truly remarkable. Even her mother and brother couldn’t get through to her.”
“I heard her marriage to Fang Yi is settled?”
“Not sure. If it is, they’ll definitely host a banquet.”
“Let’s disperse. With Fang Yi here, this suicide drama is over.”
…
Fang Yi had made up his mind: as soon as Shen Qi took his hand, he would yank her down forcefully and use the moment to declare that all debts between her and the Fang family were settled.
But just as Shen Qi was about to touch his hand, a strange smile curled at the corners of her lips.
Shen Qi slapped his hand away sharply and looked down at him with contempt. “Fang Yi, you didn’t actually think I liked you, did you? I despise useless second-generation types like you the most. Without your grandfather and your father, could you have become a company commander at your age?”
Fang Yi: !
Fang Yi’s eyes widened in fury, barely restraining himself from rushing forward to confront Shen Qi.
How was he a useless second-generation?!
His military rank was earned through his own abilities!
It had nothing to do with his grandfather or father!
That damned woman Shen Qi was practically begging for death.
Bystanders hurriedly held him back and pulled him away.
Shen Qi curled her lip in disdain.
She had no intention of jumping, but the person who successfully persuaded her to step away from the railing could not be Fang Yi.
“Child.” A white-haired old lady leaning on a cane approached. “Grandma knows you must have suffered immense grievances to act this way. But life is precious. Come down first, and we’ll talk things through properly. Grandma promises to give you a satisfactory resolution, alright?”
Shen Qi recognized this old lady—her surname was He. She was the former national director of the Women’s Federation. Though retired, her influence remained.
In her previous life, Grandma He had also shown concern for her and asked how she was faring in the Fang family.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t distinguish between goodwill and malice back then. Being too introverted and timid, she dared not speak up about the injustices she suffered.
Such matters are always like this—others noticing isn’t enough. The victim must speak out and fight for themselves before others can step in to help.
Having waited for the person she wanted to see, Shen Qi retracted her defensive posture and jumped down from the railing.
She threw herself into Grandma He’s arms, sobbing, “I didn’t want it to be like this either, Grandma He. I truly feel it’s so unfair.”
Grandma He patted her back, “Good child, come. Let’s go to Grandma’s house. I’ll make you some malt extract to drink.”
Though she had been successfully persuaded to come down, the aftermath was far from over.
Shen Congjun held a fairly decent position; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to live in the small western-style house.
Xu Ailian usually had good relationships within the Compound, and the Shen Family’s reputation had always been relatively positive.
Now, with Shen Qi’s outburst tearing off the hypocritical mask, it was hard for Compound residents not to discuss it when they returned home.
They were equally puzzled by the questions Shen Qi had raised.
How could such biological parents exist in this world?
Xu Ailian was sent to the hospital due to fainting. Shen Jinan, worried about the distraught Shen Baozhu, simply took her along to the hospital.
Although Shen Congjun didn’t go, he paced back and forth in his study, feeling as if a fire were burning inside him.
No matter how much he calculated, he never expected that Shen Qi, who usually seemed invisible, could cause such a commotion.
Regardless of how things turned out later, his reputation was thoroughly damaged for the time being.
Hearing someone knock at the door, Shen Congjun suppressed his temper and went to answer it.
It was Captain Liu from the security team.
Shen Congjun quickly invited him in to sit.
Captain Liu didn’t decline—the matter couldn’t be explained in just a few words, and it was more convenient to talk inside.
Captain Liu recounted the incident in detail. As for Shen Qi’s questions, his memory wasn’t great, so he could only summarize them generally.
“Chief Shen, both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh. As parents, we must treat our children fairly.”
Shen Congjun felt as if his entire body were about to combust.
That wretched Shen Qi! Who told her to spout nonsense outside!
It sounded as if they had mistreated and wronged her!
And regarding the announcement that she and Baozhu were twins—hadn’t they asked for her opinion back then?
She had agreed! Why was she bringing up old grudges now?
She was practically rebelling!
Noticing Shen Congjun’s rising anger, Captain Liu frowned slightly. “Chief, your wife fainted, and both children accompanied her to the hospital. Shouldn’t you go check on them?”
Shen Congjun nearly gritted his teeth to dust, only nodding in response.
He didn’t dare speak, afraid he wouldn’t be able to control his temper if he did.
Having delivered the message, Captain Liu didn’t stay long and took his leave.
Shen Congjun wished he could immediately grab Shen Qi and teach her a harsh lesson!
But he still had some sense left. Even if he were to punish her, it would have to wait until things calmed down.
For now, what he should do was hurry to the hospital.
Shen Congjun took some money and left with a face as dark as thunder.
Before even leaving the Compound, he was surrounded by endless strange looks. It wasn’t until he stepped out of the Compound gates that this uncomfortable sensation faded.
Xu Ailian was fine—she woke up not long after arriving at the hospital.
She leaned against the pillow, staring blankly at the ceiling, and only showed any reaction when Shen Congjun arrived.
“Xiao Qi really resents us now.” Xu Ailian began weeping before she even spoke. “Why is this child so prone to holding grudges and overthinking things? I admit I may have neglected her somewhat, but in her words, how did I become that kind of bad mother who mistreats her own daughter?”
There were others in the hospital room, so Father Shen couldn’t lose his temper. Suppressing his voice, he growled: “What are you crying for? If there’s nothing else, go home.”
Xu Ailian covered her face with her hands: “I’m not going back. I’m too ashamed to face anyone, wuu wuu…”