Chapter Forty-Nine: Seeking Justice

Page 1 of 3

Luo Yichen looked at his grandfather in shame, unable to think of any explanation.

Old Master Luo saw straight through him. “You were afraid I would deal with Shang Qi, weren’t you?”

“No. Shang Qi and I are sworn enemies. How could I possibly still be thinking of her?”

Seeing that his grandson stubbornly refused to admit it, Old Master Luo deliberately said, “Oh? In that case, there is no need for me to show her any mercy. I was only planning to spare her for your sake.”

Luo Yichen immediately urged him, “Grandfather, if you can spare someone, you should spare them. It would be best to let this matter die down peacefully.”

“What is this? You cannot bear it already? Are you trying to excuse her?” Old Master Luo sneered.

Realizing that his grandfather had seen through him, Luo Yichen stopped dodging the issue. He said directly, “Grandfather, I love Shang Qi. If this had never happened, I had already planned to marry her. But things have come to this, so I can only give up. I merely hope you will cause her as little harm as possible.”

Old Master Luo scolded him, “How can you be so spineless? For the sake of one woman, you are willing to put the entire Luo Group in danger? Do you know how much the company has already lost because of this? Besides, Shang Qi may well be connected to the drugging incident. Aren’t you afraid she will set another trap for you?”

Pressed by his grandfather’s questions, Luo Yichen was completely at a loss. His thoughts were tangled, his mind as if short-circuited and unable to function. For a moment, he could no longer distinguish truth from falsehood; everything had become one great knot. It was the first time in his life that he had felt so powerless. All he wanted was to escape as quickly as possible.

He said weakly, “Grandfather, I’m tired. I want to rest first.”

Old Master Luo thought to himself: Yichen has always been cautious in handling affairs. What methods did this Shang Qi use to make him go and see her even under these circumstances? Could it be that he has fallen too deeply in love with her to extricate himself? If so, this will be difficult to handle. No, I must remind him.

He said again, “The Yin family has always been watching the Luo family like a tiger stalking its prey. Now that you are involved in this scandal, the company is at a serious disadvantage. Your grandfather is old, and there are many things I want to manage but no longer can. Think carefully about what you should do. Do not sacrifice the greater good for the sake of the lesser.”

Luo Yichen naturally understood the deeper meaning behind his grandfather’s words. Returning to his room, he thought: Grandfather’s health is nowhere near what it used to be. I cannot let him shoulder any more burdens. Father has only just returned from abroad, and it will take him some time to become familiar with the company’s affairs. What am I supposed to do?

After Xi Jingpeng had organized the materials, he formally filed a lawsuit against Luo Yichen on Shang Qi’s behalf. When Mu Lichen received the court summons, he immediately brought it to Luo Yichen.

“Should we file a countersuit?” he asked. “I have already prepared the relevant documents.”

Luo Yichen hesitated, staring blankly at the summons. After taking a phone call, Mu Lichen said, “The police station just called. They want you to return for questioning.”

“I understand. Let’s go now.”

By the time they arrived at the police station, a large number of reporters had been waiting for quite some time. The moment Luo Yichen stepped out of the car, they began taking photographs and firing questions.

“President Luo, what exactly is your relationship with Shang Qi?”

“Miss Shang has suffered such tremendous pressure from this incident that she has developed aphasia. What do you have to say about that?”

“The Luo Group’s stock has recently plunged. Do you believe this is the negative impact of the case?”

Thinking of the crisis facing the Luo Group, Luo Yichen hardened his heart. The company represented the efforts of generations of the Luo family. I cannot let it be destroyed in my hands. I can no longer sit idly by and wait for death.

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

He said, “Shang Qi and I went from being colleagues to lovers. Our friends and family can all attest to that. What happened that day was that Shang Qi seduced me of her own accord. Yet afterward, she reported me to the police. It is truly baffling.

“As for the decline in the company’s stock, that is merely a normal cyclical fluctuation. There is no need for concern. At present, the Luo Group is operating normally, with no signs of trouble whatsoever. I believe the public will continue to support the company as they always have.”

The reporters tried to ask more questions, but Mu Lichen blocked them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, President Luo needs to assist the police with their investigation and is not available for interviews. Please make way.”

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Luo Yichen hurried into the police station. Officer Zhao saw him enter, then glanced at the reporters outside.

“President Luo, this way, please.”

In a low voice, he added, “There is no need to worry. This is only a routine inquiry.”

Luo Yichen nodded and followed him into the interview room. The questioning did not last long, and they soon emerged.

“The reporters are still outside,” Mu Lichen said. “We should—”

Luo Yichen’s gaze shifted past him. Accompanied by Xi Jingpeng, Shang Qi was walking toward the interview room. He noticed that her eyes were deeply sunken and that she had lost a great deal of weight. Her spirits were low, and she looked utterly haggard. She was consumed by pain, with not a trace of vitality left in her.

When Xi Jingpeng looked up and saw Luo Yichen, he quickly pulled Shang Qi toward another corridor. Shang Qi had also seen Luo Yichen, but pretended not to notice him and allowed Xi Jingpeng to lead her away. Before entering the police station, she had overheard the reporters’ discussion and vaguely sensed that Luo Yichen was slandering her. At that moment, she had even less desire to see him.

Seeing that something was wrong with Luo Yichen’s expression, Mu Lichen turned and noticed the retreating figures of Shang Qi and Xi Jingpeng.

“You performed very well in front of the reporters just now,” he said. “Do not let yourself be distracted. You no longer have time to waver.”

Luo Yichen fought with all his strength to keep his legs from carrying him after Shang Qi. He forced himself to make the decision: no matter how much pain this caused her, he must not soften. He could not sacrifice the greater good for the sake of the lesser. The interests of the company and the Luo family had to come first.

As Shang Qi hurried past, she caught a glimpse of the wounds on Luo Yichen’s arm. She thought: Judging by his appearance, he has had a miserable few days. I must have caused those injuries that night. He deserves to suffer. Even if he were scratched a hundred times over, it would never make up for what he did.

Xi Jingpeng said, “The second interview will most likely cover many of the same questions as before. You need to prepare yourself. If something is too difficult to answer, blink at your lawyer. He will do his best to help you avoid the question.”

Shang Qi nodded to show that she understood. The moment they entered the interview room, she became tense. After what had happened during the previous interrogation, Zhao Hongbo was extremely careful, taking care not to agitate her. With Xu Pengfei beside her as well, the questioning proceeded relatively smoothly.

When they left the police station, the reporters once again began shouting questions. Xu Pengfei stepped in front of Shang Qi.

“Because of the severe trauma she suffered during this incident, my client has developed aphasia. She is currently unable to answer your questions.”

The announcement caused an uproar among the reporters.

“Attorney Xu, have you asked the police to arrange a psychological assessment? Will you also be seeking compensation?”

“These are not matters we need to discuss at present,” Xu Pengfei replied. “I must first take my client home to rest. Please make way.”

Seeing Shang Qi trembling so slightly, the reporters could not bring themselves to press her further and opened a path for her. Just then, one reporter suddenly pushed forward and asked, “Miss Shang, it has been said that this entire incident was caused by your tantrum after your attempt to force President Luo into marriage failed. What do you have to say about that?”

Hearing herself slandered in such a manner, Shang Qi was consumed by fury. She gestured to Xi Jingpeng for pen and paper. On the paper, she wrote:

Luo Yichen and I have nothing but a working relationship. There has never been anything romantic between us. This entire incident was deliberately caused by Luo Yichen, who took advantage of me when I was vulnerable. Please do not believe the rumors. I will use legal means to protect my legitimate rights as a woman.

After finishing, Shang Qi held the paper up toward the reporters’ cameras and let them photograph it. Flashes erupted everywhere, so bright they made people’s eyes ache. Shang Qi held the paper firmly, refusing to retreat. She would reclaim justice and clear her name.

Watching the news on television, Luo Yichen saw the words Shang Qi had written. There was no doubt that she was openly declaring war on him.

He thought bitterly: Since Shang Qi has publicly denied ever having feelings for me, why should I continue to show her mercy? Seeing Xi Jingpeng beside her made his heart even more bitter.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

He muttered to himself, “Do not blame me for showing no mercy. You forced me to do this.”

Luo Yichen called Mu Lichen and told him to come to the apartment.

Mu Lichen took a document from his briefcase.

“These are the materials I gathered from the police,” he said. “In her complaint, Shang Qi’s lawyer claimed that you assaulted her twice in succession. Is that true?”

Hearing such a sensitive question, Luo Yichen glared at him without saying a word. His face was expressionless, but anger churned within him. He had behaved recklessly before, but he found it difficult to accept that such a matter was now being discussed in court.

“I am asking you as your lawyer. You need to tell me the truth so I can prepare the best possible defense.”

“No. It only happened once,” Luo Yichen replied stiffly.

Remembering how low Luo Yichen had been feeling in recent days, Mu Lichen deliberately tried to lighten the mood.

He burst out laughing. “Were you unable to perform at the time?”

The words had barely left his mouth before he regretted them. Luo Yichen’s expression became frighteningly dark, and he stared at him as if he were about to devour him.

Mu Lichen hurriedly changed course. “I was only joking!”

Luo Yichen exploded. “Is this really the time for jokes?”

Mu Lichen quickly raised both hands in surrender. “Relax. It will be very difficult for them to find evidence confirming that claim.”

“Why would Shang Qi make something like that up?” Luo Yichen asked, full of doubt.

“She may have been inexperienced and unable to distinguish between one time and two.”

“Really?”

“That is what the forensic report says: the hymen had been freshly ruptured.” Mu Lichen could not resist adding, “You were the person involved. Are you saying you did not know at the time?”

Luo Yichen thought back and answered casually, “She struggled too fiercely. I had no time to concern myself with that.”

When he noticed the teasing look in Mu Lichen’s eyes, he realized that he had fallen into the man’s trap again.

His expression grew solemn. “I truly am not in the mood for jokes.”

“What did you call me here about?” Mu Lichen asked, turning serious.

“Contact the police and find out whether my blood-test report is ready. If the results show that I was drugged, have them release the report to the media in a discreet manner.”

Page 3 of 3