Qi Ye's tone was extremely fierce. It seemed that if Zhang Wan dared to step in, he would wring her neck.
But what had Zhang Wan done wrong?
She was just worried that Qi Ye might be bullied inside.
Qi Shifeng let out a scoff. "You really don't know how to cherish the fairer sex."
The burning anger welled up in Qi Ye's throat like a thorn, rendering him speechless for a moment. He could only heave a couple of heavy breaths to calm his nerves.
But Xu Tingyu wasn't willing to give him much time to compose himself.
She spoke up directly. "That's enough! I'm going with Qi Shifeng."
Qi Ye choked on his breath. He could even taste a hint of blood in his mouth.
"Tingyu, are you sure?"
It seemed like a simple question, but behind those five words lurked a veiled threat.
Xu Tingyu was certain that if she chose to expose the truth to Qi Shifeng at this moment, Qi Ye would really keep Youyou away from them for the rest of their lives.
He had blood on his hands and the audacity and means to do so.
Meeting his furious gaze, she still nodded firmly.
"I have to clarify things with him eventually. You and I may never return to China, but Youyou can't.
"He was born and grew up in Kyoto. Maybe when he comes of age, he'll want to go back there.
"If we can't handle the current public opinion properly, how can Youyou ever return? Do you want him to be adrift like a floating duckweed for the rest of his life?
"Youyou is my child. I've always felt guilty towards him. So I'll never allow him to be gossiped about."
Wasn't he using the child to threaten her?
Well, she'd use the child right back to morally bind him.
Sure enough, a flicker of hesitation crossed Qi Ye's face.
Was he overthinking it? Maybe Xu Tingyu just wanted to go with Qi Shifeng to secure a better future for Youyou?
He tried to read the longing for Qi Shifeng on her face.
To his surprise, there was no extra emotion on Xu Tingyu's face. Instead, it was tinged with a bit of coldness.
"As you said, Qi Shifeng forgot about me and Youyou after losing his memory. It means we weren't that important to him.
"I don't care, but I won't let Youyou be wronged like this. So I'll go back with him just to make him remember Youyou.
"Youyou is his child. Why should I let Youyou lose such a wealthy father for no reason?"
She said all this right in front of Qi Shifeng, claiming it was all for Youyou.
And she was doing this just to ensure Youyou wouldn't miss out on his wealth.
Even if Qi Shifeng remembered her later, he'd surely be bothered by her repeated remarks today.
They hadn't fully reconciled in the first place. With this added grudge, even if Qi Shifeng remembered, so what?
Qi Ye was immediately appeased. He glanced at Qi Shifeng, then walked over to Xu Tingyu's side.
He wasn't angry anymore. Instead, he lowered his voice, sounding a bit aggrieved.
"You're not lying to me, are you?"
Of course, she was lying, but with the child in his hands, could she admit it?
Definitely not.
So she shook her head, looking dead serious, and also lowered her voice. "You're the only one who knows where the child is, aren't you?"
The implication was clear: he still held the key to her heart.
If he wanted her back, she wouldn't dare not return.
"Don't worry. I remember the wedding at the end of the month. I won't miss it. But you have to keep your promise too."
She didn't give him much time to react, making another promise and emphasizing her point.
On the other side, Qi Shifeng couldn't stand seeing them whispering to each other like that. He urged, "Are you done?"
Qi Ye didn't hesitate anymore. He straightened up and looked at Qi Shifeng.
"Of course. But she hasn't been feeling well lately. So if she goes with you, let Zhang Wan go too.
"And only one week. No matter whether you remember or not by then, you have to let her come back."
He wasn't asking.
Qi Shifeng seemed reluctant to haggle either and readily agreed.
In the end, Qi Shifeng drove off with Xu Tingyu from the villa in high spirits.
Behind him trailed those mercenaries.
Qi Ye stood at the door, his eyes fixed on Xu Tingyu's back.
But until she got into the car, he never got a single glance from her.
"Boss, don't worry. I'll keep a close eye on them. I'll report any news to you immediately."
Zhang Wan was also quite surprised that Qi Ye was willing to let Xu Tingyu go with Qi Shifeng.
She never expected that after the three of them went into the study and talked for an hour, this would be the outcome.
But anyway, since it was Qi Ye's decision, she could only follow it.
Moreover, she'd do her best and never let Qi Ye get hurt in the slightest.
"Go. Find out if Qi Shifeng has really lost his memory. If he has, we can put the things in Kyoto on hold for now."
Qi Ye seemed exhausted. After giving this instruction, he turned around and walked into the house.
Zhang Wan lowered her head and got into the car.
The villa grew smaller and smaller in the rear - view mirror, and farther and farther away. She felt an inexplicable sense of solemnity.
It was like being an envoy sent to the enemy's camp in ancient times.
She let out a bitter smile in her heart, shook her head, and stopped thinking about it.
Xu Tingyu got into a car with Qi Shifeng. In the front seat sat Jiang Li and the driver.
She was actually quite surprised that it was so easy for her to leave.
But the safety of Youyou still weighed heavily on her heart.
Just as she was about to cut to the chase and ask Qi Shifeng if he knew where Youyou was, her fingertip was suddenly pinched.
She turned to look at the man.
In the darkness, the man's side profile was exquisitely perfect, with a superior - looking high nose bridge.
But there was an air of danger around him.
He was like a fierce beast ready to pounce on its prey at any moment. Xu Tingyu even suspected that if she said the wrong thing at this moment, he'd bite her neck without hesitation.
Had he really lost his memory? And was he really angry with her?
Then what was that pinch on her hand just now?
She was a bit confused but didn't say a word. Instead, she waited for him to speak first.
"Fun?"
Qi Shifeng also turned to look at her. Amid the sound of the car engine starting, he asked three words.
Along with these three words, whose emotions were hard to decipher, came his angry expression.
But Xu Tingyu was only drawn to the burning passion in his eyes.
"Marrying me while loving another man and then joining hands with him to take everything from me. Fun?"
His slightly cool fingers caressed her cheek, gently tucking a wisp of her loose hair behind her ear.
Then, with a sudden movement, his other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her onto his lap.
Xu Tingyu let out a startled gasp. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Qi Shifeng hugged her tightly without a care in the world. Slowly and deliberately, he said, "I'm really curious how you managed to play both of us brothers so well."
Had he really lost his memory?
Xu Tingyu tried hard to read the emotions in his eyes.
However, it was too dark. She couldn't tell. She was just firmly held in his arms.
In the darkness, their breaths intertwined, and an ambiguous atmosphere filled the air.