Chapter 23 - 23 23 Qi Ruxue is Forced

23: Chapter 23 [Qi Ruxue is Forced] 23: Chapter 23 [Qi Ruxue is Forced] At the Qi family villa, Qi Ruxue just arrived home but was immediately stopped by her father, Qi Changsheng, who took her to the grand hall of the Qi family estate. At this moment, several of Ruxue’s uncles were also seated there, all aware of her tearing up the marriage annulment agreement and refusing to break off her engagement to Ye Tianchen, which had caused quite a stir within the Qi family. Particularly distressed was her father, Qi Changsheng, who faced criticism from his brothers and uncles. “Ruxue, why won’t you break off your engagement with Ye Tianchen?” Qi Changsheng asked his daughter with visible anger. “Dad, there’s no need for any more discussion, I’ll make my own decisions. Besides, this is about my entire future and I simply won’t annul my engagement with Ye Tianchen,” Qi Ruxue said stubbornly. “You… why on earth would you do this? Have you fallen in love with that Ye Tianchen?” Sёarch* The nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Qi Changsheng couldn’t understand why his daughter, Qi Ruxue, refused to break off her engagement with Ye Tianchen. He knew that the Qi family had offered up two generous conditions to nullify the engagement with the Ye family; moreover, they had already communicated and arranged for his daughter to marry into the Qin family next month, solidifying the deal and preparing the two families to join forces. But despite everything being set up, to his dismay, his daughter was not willing to break things off with Ye Tianchen. What to do now? “No, it’s not that. I’m meeting Ye Tianchen for the first time, and I’m not the least bit interested in this man. Even if he is somewhat handsome, it’s not enough to sway me. My matters are mine to decide. I won’t annul the engagement with Ye Tianchen, nor will I marry Qin Heng of the Qin family. It’s as simple as that,” Qi Ruxue stated unequivocally. Hearing Qi Ruxue’s words, Qi Changsheng nearly passed out from anger. In front of his brothers and uncles, wasn’t this making him lose face? Qi Changsheng managed to become the helmsman of the Qi family, but some brothers and uncles were already dissatisfied. This decision to annul the engagement with the Ye family and align strongly with the Qin family was a unanimous decision. To put it plainly, this was not just a matter for Qi Ruxue alone, nor was it something Qi Changsheng could decide by himself; it concerned the development of the entire Qi family. A powerful alliance with the Qin family would be extremely beneficial. If this fell through, not only would they offend the Qin family and lose many advantages, but the Qi family would also become a laughingstock in Capital City. “Third brother, your daughter needs to be disciplined properly! “Ruxue has been spoiled by you.” “The marriage alliance with the Qin family is urgent, the Military Committee is about to hold elections, she must be married next month.” Before Qi Changsheng could open his mouth to speak, some of Ruxue’s uncles had already begun to press the issue because the marriage alliance with the Qin family was crucial to the entire Qi family’s development. If Qi Ruxue disagreed, in the end, it would all be in vain and would greatly harm the interests of the Qi family. “Ruxue, no matter what, you must marry Qin Heng,” Qi Changsheng declared solemnly. “No, I’ve never even met this man. To marry him just like that would turn me into an object to be traded at will. I don’t want to be the sacrificial offering for the prosperity of the families!” Qi Ruxue exclaimed loudly. Slap! A resounding slap landed on Qi Ruxue’s face. Watching her father’s furious demeanor, Ruxue’s eyes brimmed with tears. Her father had never hit her from childhood to this day. But now, to coerce her into marrying into the Qin family, he struck her for the first time. “Dad, you…” Tears streamed down Qi Ruxue’s face uncontrollably, filling her heart with pain. “Don’t call me dad, it’s because I spoiled you from a young age that you’ve become so insolent. You don’t have a say in this matter. It’s decided!” Qi Changsheng himself felt uncomfortable. He had never hit his daughter before, but this time, for the sake of an alliance with the Qin family, he had to be stern. Qi Ruxue stood frozen, tears cascading down her face. She felt an immense pain, never expecting her doting father to lay hands on her, especially not to disregard her lifelong happiness and forcefully marry her off to the Qin family. Wasn’t this treating her happiness as a joke? Qi Ruxue, born into a prominent family, had seen many marriages within family circles arranged for interests, none of which were happy. Could the lives of two people with no feelings for each other, bound together merely for some benefit, be happy? No matter the woman, in her mind there’s always a fairy-tale dream. She dreams of living happily with the person she loves, having children, greeting the dawn, strolling in the sunset, until both grow old together, in loving comfort. “Ruxue, Qin Heng is a good lad, a real gentleman. You won’t be shortchanged,” one uncle tried to persuade. “Indeed, marrying into the Qin family means you’ll enjoy endless wealth and honor.” “The Qi and Qin families are well-matched in social status, we won’t let you be wronged, Ruxue. Besides, the old master of the Qin family holds considerable power.” “This alliance between our Qi family and the Qin family is a union of two strong forces, both our families’ influence will rise to the next level!” Seeing that Qi Ruxue adamantly refused to marry into the Qin family and wouldn’t break off her engagement with Ye Tianchen either, her uncles began to persuade her. Ultimately, they had one goal: the advancement of the family interests and the acquisition of their personal benefits. “I’m not you, I won’t marry into the Qin family, nor do I want wealth and honor. For your own interests, you’re pushing me into a pit of fire, you’re too cruel!” Qi Ruxue yelled at her uncles. “You… how could this be pushing you into a pit of fire? Qin Heng from the Qin family is an outstanding talent and has a great chance of becoming a representative in the National People’s Congress. With the old master of the Qin family around, Qin Heng’s career path will definitely be smooth sailing. Marrying him is not a loss for you,” said Qi Changsheng with a sigh. “Dad, you can’t be unaware of what kind of person Qin Heng is, right? He has been in jail before for rape. You want me to marry someone like that, what happiness can I possibly have?” Qi Ruxue completely broke down. To have her own family, even her father, forcing her, how could she not feel angry and sad. “So what? Marrying into the Qin family will elevate our entire family to a new level. That’s the most important thing,” said Qi Changsheng through gritted teeth. “No, if I really have to choose, I’d marry Ye Tianchen rather than Qin Heng!” Qi Ruxue ran out of the hall crying, and Qi Changsheng took a deep breath. He had not expected his daughter to be so stubborn. He knew all too well that if Ye Tianchen were to be labeled as a prodigal son and a failure, then Qin Heng of the Qin family was nothing less than a criminal, an inhuman brute. The bad deeds he had committed in Capital City over the years were well known to all. If not for the old master of the Qin family holding power, Qin Heng would have been executed long ago. However, this marriage with the Qin family was related to the entire development of the Qi family, and it was an opportunity for them. That’s why Qi Changsheng was willing to make the painful decision to marry off his daughter to the Qin family. “Third brother, look at this…” “I will handle it properly, tell the people at the Qin family that the engagement will proceed as scheduled next month, and all the arrangements will continue as usual,” said Qi Changsheng. At this time, Ye Tianchen had already escorted his sister back to her school. After leaving Kyoto Middle School, Ye Tianchen did not return home. Although he had killed Chen Hao, to truly eliminate the roots, he had to deal with Chen Hao’s father, Chen Hu, the local tyrant of the area with the nickname Sang Gou, a man said to be utterly deranged. With his wanton acts of violence and robbery and strong connections in Capital City, he had avoided being struck down. But now, Chen Hao’s attempt to kidnap Ye Qianwen had enraged Ye Tianchen, sealing the fate of both father and son. As Ye Tianchen left Kyoto Middle School, two men dressed casually followed closely behind him. The two exchanged glances and nodded in unison, following him. “I didn’t expect this guy’s information to be so hard to obtain. I heard the boss has even applied to the higher-ups, and we still have to wait for approval.” “No way, with the boss’s capabilities, it shouldn’t be hard to check anyone’s information. Is this guy really that remarkable?” “Could this guy have really deceived everyone in Capital City? That’s incredible determination, maintaining the pretense of a prodigal son and a failure for twenty years. Just his endurance alone is admirable.” “Hmph, no matter what, if we get the chance, we need to teach this kid a lesson, make him realize our might, and not disappoint the boss.” After a brief exchange, the two men split up and followed Ye Tianchen from different positions to avoid detection. Ye Tianchen did not leave the area but kept wandering around. He came into contact with the local delinquents the most, as he was inquiring about the whereabouts of the tyrant Chen Hu. If that guy wasn’t dealt with, he couldn’t be at ease, and his sister Ye Qianwen would not be able to study in peace. At around ten o’clock at night, in a villa, a burly man with bloodshot eyes glared ahead fiercely. In front of him lay a handgun. It had been many years since he last used a gun, but it seemed impossible to avoid it this time. In the afternoon, the burly man received news that his only son was dead, found in an abandoned factory on the outskirts, bleeding from seven orifices. This burly man was Chen Hu, Chen Hao’s father. “Dammit, who was it, who killed my Chen Hu’s son? I will tear them to shreds,” roared Chen Hu with a ferocious expression. In front of Chen Hu stood his three most capable henchmen, the most skilled fighters under his command. They were all well-trained and had been summoned back by Chen Hu. His son was dead, and he was determined to avenge him. “Big brother, it’s said that Xiao Hao kidnapped Ye Qianwen, the younger daughter of the Ye family, and then threatened Ye Tianchen’s brother to go there, and then…” a burly man began to speak. “Ye Tianchen? Could it be him who killed my son? But how could a failure, a prodigal son, manage to defeat over thirty robust men? Besides, Haozi was there too…” Chen Hu asked with great confusion. [PS: Here’s today’s second update. 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