Chapter 67: Shang Qi Drops the Lawsuit

Luo Yichen said, "Mom, please don't worry! I will have Li Chen step in and handle the withdrawal of the lawsuit."

Yao Minzhi had no wish to make matters overly rigid either. Softening her tone, she said, "Qiqi, the matters between you and your husband should be resolved privately at home. How could you still take things to court after registering your marriage? I truly consider you my daughter; I cannot simply stand by and watch you and your husband quarrel like this!"

Luo Yichen shot her a fierce look, signaling her to say no more.

Shang Qi had no choice but to say, "I understand. I will withdraw the lawsuit as soon as possible."

Yao Minzhi was a person who tolerated no sand in her eyes. "Let's do this then!" she declared. "You arrange for Li Chen to be Qiqi's representative lawyer, and entrust all matters entirely to him!"

This fell right into Luo Yichen's plans. Seizing the opening, he said, "Mom, rest assured! I'll have Li Chen send the power of attorney over shortly."

Shang Qi offered no response to their well-coordinated act. Before long, the car arrived at the Luo family estate. After getting out of the car, Yao Minzhi pulled Luo Yichen aside and whispered, "Pay close attention to the matter of withdrawing the lawsuit."

Luo Yichen nodded and got back into the car. As he drove, all traces of his previous happiness had vanished from his face, replaced by a gloominess so dark it seemed he was about to erupt in anger. Never had he imagined that Shang Qi would fail to withdraw the lawsuit. Especially when she was fobbing off his mother just moments ago without a shred of guilt on her face. Such a Shang Qi was entirely unknown to him, leaving him feeling deeply unsettled.

After much deliberation, Shang Qi concluded that she could not afford a complete falling out with Luo Yichen just yet. She took the initiative to speak: "I had no prior knowledge of the fact that the lawsuit hadn't been withdrawn. I will contact Xi Jingpeng as soon as possible and urge him again."

Luo Yichen's expression changed abruptly on the spot.

Pulling the car over to the side of the road, Luo Yichen snapped with annoyance, "Shang Qi, do not play double-faced games with me here. Mom already said just now that Mu Li Chen should handle this matter. Didn't you agree as well? It's one thing for you to stall and fool me regarding the withdrawal, but how could you fail to honor even the promise you made to my mother?"

Shang Qi offered a mocking laugh. "How many of the words you speak are actually true? I was merely following your example of perfunctory pretense. Luo Yichen, stop putting on the act of an innocent victim! Do you have no recollection of what you once did? Whatever I am doing now doesn't even amount to a tenth of what you have done."

Luo Yichen felt a profound sense of loss, all the luster draining entirely from his eyes. Pressing his hands onto Shang Qi's shoulders, he said, "Look into my eyes and listen to me! From the very moment the two of us registered our marriage, you became my family. No matter how ruthlessly I might treat outsiders, I would never deceive my own family."

Shang Qi felt that Luo Yichen's gaze was sincere. Yet, she dared not trust that feeling. Ever since the moment Luo Yichen plotted to ruin her reputation, she no longer dared to believe in him. During those dark days, Shang Qi had experienced the overwhelming power of the Luo family firsthand: it could effortlessly invert right and wrong, leaving a person utterly powerless to resist.

Looking into Shang Qi's eyes, Luo Yichen realized that she was not taking in his words at all. Giving her a vigorous shake, he cried out in exasperation and distress, "What on earth do you want me to do?"

Shang Qi had grown numb to Luo Yichen's attitude. She cared not at all that he was on the verge of being driven mad with fury. Coldly, she replied, "What should be done is your concern. As for withdrawing the lawsuit, I will handle it myself."

Seeing Shang Qi's reaction to be so chillingly indifferent, Luo Yichen thought to himself: What on earth am I doing? How could I lose control like this over a woman? I must calm down; I cannot allow Shang Qi to manipulate my emotions any longer. Since she is so heartless toward me, why should I care so deeply? The most important thing right now is to have her withdraw the lawsuit as quickly as possible.

Releasing Shang Qi, Luo Yichen asked, "You say you want to withdraw the lawsuit, so why are you unwilling to change lawyers?"

"Xi Jingpeng would never act on his own authority. The fact that he hasn't withdrawn it can only mean it is my father's intention."

Luo Yichen conceded that this reasoning made sense. However, getting past Shang Wende was no easy task! If they had to wait until he agreed to withdraw the suit, who knew when that would be? Therefore, he said, "We must work on your father gradually, but you must withdraw the lawsuit first!"

Shang Qi stared stubbornly at Luo Yichen, offering a silent protest.

Luo Yichen had been harboring a constant worry that Xi Jingpeng might exploit the situation to his advantage. He must under no circumstances allow the Xi family to grab him by the throat.

He said, "I'm afraid that if Grandfather looks into this eventually, neither of you nor I will have a satisfactory explanation. Tomorrow is our wedding day, and if you haven't filed the application to withdraw the lawsuit by then, Grandfather will certainly pursue the matter to the very end. By then, both you and your parents had better mentally prepare yourselves!"

This remark was laced with veiled insinuations, yet it carried immense deterrent power. Shang Qi had no choice but to compromise once again. "Let's do it your way then. Have Mu Li Chen handle the withdrawal of the lawsuit!"

Luo Yichen asked cautiously, "You are willing to withdraw the suit just like that?"

"Then what conditions do you suppose I should put forward?" Derision coated Shang Qi's face.

Putting on a look of sorrow, Luo Yichen said, "I wasn't suspecting you of having ulterior motives. Your father was already against the two of us registering our marriage; if you go ahead and withdraw the lawsuit on your own authority like this, it will be no different from pouring oil on fire. I only asked because I'm afraid our relationship with him will grow increasingly icy in the future."

The thought of her father's furious expression wrung Shang Qi's heart with pain. Too weary to watch Luo Yichen put on this false display of benevolence, she said, "The affairs between my father and me do not require your excessive concern."

Luo Yichen's eyes scrutinized her every move relentlessly. He thought to himself: Judging by her tone, she doesn't seem to be harboring any hidden agenda. Still, the withdrawal of the lawsuit cannot tolerate a single mishap; caution is still the best course.

With that thought, he said, "I will have Mu Li Chen bring the relevant documents over right now and accompany you to file the application."

Shang Qi consented.

That afternoon at the hospital, three nurses walked in. One of them spoke up, "Mrs. Luo, starting today, the three of us will be in charge of your nursing care." With that, one nurse went to fetch water to wash Yu Xiufen's face, while another began cleaning the hospital room.

Shang Wende asked with a puzzled expression, "Weren't these things all done by us family members before?"

The nurse replied, "This was a specific request from the hospital director. Mr. Shang, please sit down and rest! I will stay by Mrs. Liu's side. Mrs. Liu, if you need anything at all, just let me know."

Just then, the hospital director walked into the room and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Much better! The pain in my heart isn't nearly as severe," Yu Xiufen replied.

Shang Wende asked, "Director, why did you suddenly arrange for these nurses to take care of Xiufen?"

"This was Chairman Luo's wish. Weren't you aware of it?"

Unwilling to accept favors from the Luo family, Shang Wende said, "I can take care of Xiufen myself. Please have these nurses return to their other duties!"

Director Ye said earnestly, "Chairman Luo is a major benefactor of the hospital. Please don't make things difficult for me!"

Reflecting that Yu Xiufen still required the director's medical treatment, Shang Wende found it difficult to persist in his refusal. Yet, he had no desire to accept the arrangement so passively either. Ultimately, he decided to have his wife discharged from the hospital ahead of schedule.

Mu Li Chen went directly to the courthouse with the documents to rendezvous with Luo Yichen and Shang Qi. They completed the procedures for withdrawing the lawsuit without a hitch. Emerging from the courthouse, Luo Yichen felt a tremendous sense of relief. After so many days, he had finally extricated himself from the clinging, troublesome lawsuit. He could not help sighing with emotion: How wonderful it is to be an innocent, free person!

Having signed the withdrawal papers, Shang Qi remained completely silent. She felt a profound sorrow for her own cowardice. Shang Qi had once firmly believed that the law was relatively fair. But now it was no longer a question of fairness; rather, she lacked even the strength to use the law to protect herself.

In reality, there will always be people who, for the sake of securing a stable life for themselves and their families, surrender the rights due to them. Within their hearts lies an unspeakable bitterness and helplessness. Shang Qi was one of them. From this moment onward, her heart was thoroughly frozen, incapable of ever warming up again.

Seeing Shang Qi in such torment, Mu Li Chen felt a deep pang of sympathy. He advised, "The facts can no longer be changed; you might as well accept it with a lighter heart."

Shang Qi had once utilized Mu Li Chen's romantic feelings and had always carried a sense of guilt toward him. Although she had never agreed to a formal relationship, she had nevertheless given the other party hope. After the incident occurred, Mu Li Chen had not come to see her. Nor had she found that strange. Now, hearing his expression of concern, Shang Qi found herself unable to accept it with an easy conscience.

She said, "Li Chen, I have always regarded you as a colleague and a friend..."

Mu Li Chen cut her off, saying, "You owe me nothing. Pull yourself together!"

Looking at him with gratitude, Shang Qi said no more.

Upon leaving the courthouse, Mu Li Chen returned to the company.

Luo Yichen said, "Qiqi, let's go to the hospital to check on Mother."

Extremely worried about her mother's illness, Shang Qi longed to go and see her. Yet, knowing that Luo Yichen would be tagging along as well, she hesitated.

At that moment, Director Ye called Luo Yichen and said, "President Luo, Shang Qi's parents insist on being discharged from the hospital. What are we to do?"

"How is her condition?"

"It's currently stable. However, if she does not continue receiving treatment, her life will be in danger."

"Stall them for a moment; Shang Qi and I are heading over right now."

With that, Luo Yichen started the engine and said, "Your mother insists on leaving the hospital, let's hurry over there."

Hearing this, Shang Qi's heart leaped instantly into her throat. If anything untoward happened to her mother as a result, she would never forgive herself for as long as she lived.

Luo Yichen offered words of comfort: "Don't worry! Director Ye won't let them leave just like that."

Driving at high speed, he quickly arrived at the hospital. Walking into the hospital room, Shang Qi saw her mother sitting up in bed with a face as pale as paper. Seeing that Luo Yichen had accompanied her, Shang Wende was instantly consumed by a surge of rage. He strode over and yanked Shang Qi behind him.

"Qiqi will not be holding a wedding with you tomorrow, so you can stop dreaming," he declared.

Unfazed, Luo Yichen replied evenly, "Even without holding a wedding, both legally and practically, Qiqi is already my wife."

Ignoring Luo Yichen entirely, Shang Wende turned his head and shouted at Shang Qi, "If you don't want to anger me to death, you are forbidden from seeing this fellow ever again."

To ease her father's mind, Shang Qi stepped out from behind him to stand by Luo Yichen's side. "Dad, I know you are一心想为我讨回公道 (single-mindedly trying to seek justice for me). But I simply cannot bear the external pressure any longer and can only yield to reality. What happened was not what Luo Yichen wished for, and he has already apologized to me. I truly want to give him, and myself as well, a chance."

With earnest persuasion, Shang Wende said, "Qiqi, do not deceive yourself. Marrying Luo Yichen will only plunge you into even deeper suffering. Listen to me, you must not hold a wedding with him tomorrow."