Chapter 75: Struck with a Slap

Unable to out-argue Jiang Li, Xu An'an could only let him carry her downstairs and follow him back to his apartment before regaining her freedom.

After showering, Xu An'an found some medicinal wine and applied it to the injury on her calf.

Jiang Li saw this scene.

“How did this happen?”

“I got hurt by accident,” Xu An'an replied, unwilling to explain the real reason. It was all because she had been in too much of a hurry and hadn’t watched her step.

“Let me do it,” Jiang Li said, pulling over a cushion and sitting beside her.

He could immediately tell that Xu An'an’s calf had been bruised against the stairs. His eyes darkened. “Today you went to interview Jiang Qi. He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Xu An'an still didn’t understand why Jiang Qi had been taken away by the police.

“He didn’t do anything, right?”

“What? Are you stupid? If someone did something to you, wouldn’t you know?” Jiang Li pinched Xu An'an’s cheek irritably. “If someone sold you off, would you still help them count the money?”

Xu An'an slapped away his hand, a little annoyed. “I don’t even know why the police took Jiang Qi, so I can’t be sure if the person who locked me in the room was acting on Jiang Qi’s orders.”

“You never tell me anything!”

Seeing Xu An'an’s anger, Jiang Li softened a little. “The one who wants me dead is Jiang Qi, my half-brother.”

“So naturally, he’s the one who wanted you confined.”

Xu An'an remembered how she secretly took pictures of those assassins, only to run into Jiang Qi immediately afterward. Jiang Qi had even put on an expression of concern, which gave her chills.

He was the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.

She felt even more sympathy for Jiang Li.

“So you…”

“It doesn’t matter. Jiang Qi will have to undergo a police investigation. He won’t be out for at least a month.” Jiang Li could guess what Xu An'an was thinking, but he didn't care at all.

Her stomach rumbled.

Xu An'an blushed, covering her belly with her hand. “I haven’t had dinner yet. Ordering some takeout isn’t too much, is it?”

Jiang Li chuckled softly. “Wait.”

“You’re going to cook for me?”

“I’ll order takeout for you.”

“Hmph.”

Xu An'an lounged on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. Just then, she saw a news alert: Jiang Qi had been arrested because his gallery was involved in money laundering.

She was shocked, never expecting Jiang Qi to do such a thing!

Before interviewing him, she had looked up Jiang Qi’s paintings online. Every piece sold for a staggering price, which had left her puzzled.

She’d thought it was just her lack of appreciation for art.

But this was the truth!

Jiang Li finished ordering takeout and sat down next to Xu An'an, glancing at her phone. If only he had more evidence, he would have exposed Jiang Qi’s involvement in hiring killers as well.

Ding dong! Ding dong!

The doorbell rang urgently.

Bang! Bang!

There was loud pounding at the door.

Xu An'an looked at Jiang Li. “Your enemies have come knocking?”

Jiang Li’s face darkened. He didn’t hurry to answer; instead, he picked up Xu An'an and carried her into the bedroom, gently stroking her hair. “Stay here and behave.”

“By the way, the fat cat has been found, but it’s limping.”

“It’s being cared for by Assistant Wang for now.”

Xu An'an’s eyes widened.

She quickly took out her phone to contact Assistant Wang, wanting to video call, but Jiang Li stopped her. “Just send messages.”

“Why can’t I video call? I want to see how the fat cat is doing.”

“Do you think you’re in any state to video call right now?” Jiang Li said irritably, reaching out to hook her slipping strap back onto her shoulder.

Realizing what he meant, Xu An'an blushed and dove under the covers.

Unexpectedly, the man outside mischievously pressed down on the quilt. “Even though we know each other’s bodies well enough, you don’t have to be quite so casual. Are you naked?”

“Get out!” Xu An'an retorted. She had always been uninhibited at home, enjoying her freedom. She’d been distracted by other thoughts and simply forgot to put something on.

Ding dong! Ding dong!

The doorbell rang again, sounding like a death knell.

Jiang Li stopped teasing her, went out to answer the door, and looking through the peephole, saw Madam Jiang standing outside with several bodyguards.

Click.

As soon as the lock turned, Madam Jiang couldn't wait any longer, yanked the door open, and slapped Jiang Li hard.

Smack!

The sound was crisp and loud.

Even Xu An'an, waiting in the bedroom, heard it clearly. Her heart skipped a beat and she quietly slipped out.

“Well, well! You’re nothing but a bastard, and you dare scheme against the eldest son of the Jiang family! Scum breeds scum, everything you do is despicable!” Madam Jiang glared at Jiang Li, her fury like a hurricane, her eyes flashing with venom.

Jiang Li pressed his tongue against the inside of his right cheek, sneering, “Who’s really the legitimate heir, and who’s the bastard?”

Madam Jiang snorted. “Sure, even if your mother was that short-lived wretch—”

“If you want Jiang Qi to spend his life in prison, go ahead and say it. I can grant you that wish.” Jiang Li’s threat was cold.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to insult his deceased mother.

Jiang Qi was Madam Jiang’s weakness, and she immediately became more restrained. “Jiang Li, what good does all this do for the Jiang Corporation? Because of your brother, the stock price keeps falling.”

“So you think hurting yourself to damage your enemy is your idea of revenge?”

Jiang Li leaned back lazily. “And so what? The Jiang Corporation isn’t truly in my hands yet, and maybe it never will be. Why should I make sacrifices for others?”

“Of course, if you want to blame someone, blame your son for his ambition without ability. He wanted money but couldn’t earn it, so he had to break the law.”

“And I have to put justice above family. When the police come to award me a banner for my righteousness, I hope you’ll join the photo.”

“You!” Madam Jiang was so angry her face turned ashen, clutching her chest tightly.

Just then, the elderly Mr. Jiang arrived, leaning on his cane, followed by Jiang Yu, Ning Xiyue, and others.

The old man strode forward.

“What’s all this fuss? Isn’t there enough chaos already?”

“Sir! You must stand up for Qi! This ungrateful wolf actually reported his own brother for money laundering! We’re family—can’t we just sit down and discuss things as family?” Madam Jiang cried.

“When Jiang Qi was laundering money, why didn’t he discuss it with us?” Jiang Li’s words tugged at the wound on his lip, making him wince.

The old man wanted to ask Jiang Li, but when he saw the obvious slap mark on Jiang Li’s face, he swallowed his words.

“Li, did you really report your brother?”

“I didn’t,” Jiang Li denied.

“Yes you did! Are you too cowardly to admit it?” Madam Jiang raged.

Jiang Li lowered his gaze. “If you insist on blaming me without evidence, I have nothing to say. Think whatever you like.”

With that, he stepped back and shut the door behind him.