As soon as Qin Xi rushed out, she collided with someone's chest. Startled, she pushed the person away forcefully.
"Xiao Xi, it's me!" Yang Chen's voice suddenly rang out.
It was too dark outside for Qin Xi to recognize him, but upon hearing his voice, she didn't hesitate for a second before throwing herself into his arms, clutching him tightly.
Yang Chen was stunned by this sudden burst of affection, his hands frozen in the air, not daring to lower them for a long moment.
"Xiao Xi, what's wrong?" he asked, feeling both sweetness and confusion in his heart.
"Dad said you had your legs broken by people from Bu Ye Cheng. I thought it was true," Qin Xi said, her voice choked with tears.
So she had been worried about him. Yang Chen's hands gently settled on her back, his heart swelling with emotion. "Don't forget what your husband used to do. There isn't a single person in Jiangzhou who could hurt me."
"Brother-in-law, you're back!" Qin Yi hurriedly rushed out of her room and saw the couple embracing.
In her haste, she hadn't even had time to put on the coat she was holding.
She scrutinized Yang Chen from head to toe, and only after confirming he wasn't injured did she let out a sigh of relief.
But seeing Yang Chen and Qin Xi in each other's arms, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
Qin Xi, flustered at being seen, quickly pushed Yang Chen away.
"Xiao Yi, I'm fine!"
Yang Chen noticed Qin Yi's concern, and warmth spread through his heart. He was genuinely touched.
Just then, the roar of an engine sounded outside the gate, startling both women. Who would be parking at their doorstep so late at night?
"Could it be Bu Ye Cheng coming for revenge?" Qin Yi exclaimed in alarm.
She knew Yang Chen was strong, but his returning unscathed was strange in itself.
Hearing footsteps outside, Qin Yi quickly said, "Brother-in-law, hide! If it really is Bu Ye Cheng, we'll tell them you haven't come home yet."
"Yang Chen, go hide. If they can't find you, they won't do anything to us," Qin Xi urged anxiously.
But just as the sisters were trying to persuade Yang Chen to hide, the gate was pushed open from the outside. Two figures stepped in, one after the other. The one in front had a conspicuously shiny bald head.
Hearing the commotion, Qin Dayong and Zhou Yucui also came out.
"Who are you? What are you doing in our house so late at night? Get out now!" Zhou Yucui, still fuming over Qin Dayong's debt of six million and not recognizing Wang Qiang, lashed out at the strangers.
"Shut up!"
Qin Dayong was terrified. He hurried over to Wang Qiang, trembling as he said, "Brother Qiang, that good-for-nothing has nothing to do with me! Whatever offense he committed against you is his business, not our family's!"
Only then did Zhou Yucui realize who had arrived. Her face paled, and though she didn't understand the situation, she quickly added, "That loser isn't part of our family. We're in the middle of divorcing him off our daughter. He's not our son-in-law anymore."
"Mom, when did I ever say I was divorcing him?"
"Dad, Mom, how can you say that? Brother-in-law brought Dad back safely. How can you say he has nothing to do with us?"
Both Qin Xi and Qin Yi were furious at their parents' words.
Seeing Qin Dayong and Zhou Yucui's despicable behavior, Wang Qiang's lips twitched. He cautiously glanced at Yang Chen, and seeing his expression unchanged, he quickly pulled out a bank card.
Approaching Qin Dayong, he respectfully presented it with both hands. "Mr. Qin, it's my fault for failing to discipline my men properly. They shouldn't have laid a hand on you. This card has five million—consider it compensation for your medical expenses. Please forgive us."
"Kneel and apologize to Mr. Qin!" After stuffing the card into Qin Dayong's hand, Wang Qiang kicked the subordinate he'd brought along, forcing him to his knees.
The subordinate immediately kowtowed to Qin Dayong. "Mr. Qin, I was wrong. I shouldn't have hit you. Please forgive me."
The entire family was stunned. Qin Dayong was especially shocked.
Having frequented various entertainment venues recently, he knew exactly who Wang Qiang was. Yet here he was, offering five million in compensation and making his subordinate kneel in apology.
If word of this got out, it would shake the entire Jiangzhou underworld.
Zhou Yucui, however, only had ears for the "five million." She snatched the bank card from Qin Dayong and sneered, "At least you know your place. How dare you lay a hand on my husband? Since you've admitted your mistake, get lost now!"
Afraid they might change their minds, she wanted Wang Qiang gone so she could keep the money without worry.
Wang Qiang glanced at Yang Chen again. Seeing no reaction, he quickly left with his subordinate in tow.
Only after the sound of the car engine faded completely did Qin Dayong snap out of his daze, his mind suddenly clear.
He gave Yang Chen a deep, meaningful look. He had expected Yang Chen to return crippled, but not only had Yang Chen come back unharmed—Wang Qiang had even personally come to apologize and offer compensation.
Unlike Zhou Yucui, he wasn't stupid. Some things were easy to figure out.
"Give that back! This is my blood money, earned from getting beaten up. You think you can just take it, you greedy woman?" Qin Dayong yanked the bank card back and stormed into the house.
Zhou Yucui, seeing the money slip through her fingers again, wailed and cursed as she chased after him.
Soon, the sounds of their quarreling filled the house again.
"I can't stand this family anymore," Qin Yi said, her eyes red, before retreating to her room.
Qin Xi looked at Yang Chen with a complicated expression. "Xiao Xiao is still sleeping. Let's go back too."
When they returned to their room, Xiao Xiao was crying loudly. "Daddy, Mommy, where are you? Xiao Xiao is scared! Xiao Xiao is scared!"
The shouting and fighting downstairs had clearly woken her.
"Don't cry, Xiao Xiao. Mommy and Daddy are here," Qin Xi soothed, quickly scooping the child into her arms.
It took a while for Xiao Xiao to calm down, and she soon fell back asleep.
Yang Chen's heart ached as he looked at his daughter's tear-streaked face. Growing up in a home like this, how could Xiao Xiao ever have a happy childhood?
"Yang Chen, let's move out," Qin Xi suddenly said, her expression serious as she looked at him after tucking their daughter back in.
"No matter how bad this family is, I can endure it. But I don't want our daughter growing up in this environment, with memories filled with nothing but Grandpa and Grandma fighting."
"Okay."
Yang Chen had been hoping for this. He smiled. "Tomorrow after work, we'll take Xiao Xiao to the villa at Yunfeng Summit."
"But if we all leave, what about Xiao Yi?" Qin Xi suddenly grew worried about her younger sister facing everything alone.