C11 He Came to Apologize

"You dare to lecture me?" Pei Jinzheng glared with fury. "You're nothing but a worthless fool, a joke of a son-in-law to the Pei family..."

"Smack!"

Before his words could fully escape his lips, Lin Xuan's hand struck Pei Jinzheng's cheek.

Reeling from the impact, Pei Jinzheng spun in place, clutching his face as the room seemed to whirl around him.

"Say it again!" Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing.

But as Pei Jinzheng locked eyes with Lin Xuan, a chill ran down his spine, as if plummeting into an endless abyss.

His knees shook uncontrollably.

It was as though he was staring into the maw of a fearsome beast, its fangs bared and ready to strike.

Such a terrifying look!

Pei Jinzheng's anger dissipated in an instant.

He didn't want to let Lin Xuan derail his plans, and more importantly, he feared another beating.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, he reminded himself.

Once Pei Qiuyu secures this project, I'll settle the score with all of you!

With this in mind, Pei Jinzheng feigned earnestness. "Qiuyu, you have to help me out here. The C Group won't move forward with the approvals without meeting your people!"

At that moment, Lee Moxiang emerged from the kitchen.

He froze, witnessing Pei Jinzheng groveling before his daughter.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine Pei Jinzheng would come begging to Pei Qiuyu.

Pei Qiuyu, seething with rage, shot back, "Wasn't it you who wanted to throw me out? And now you come crawling back so soon?"

"Dear sister, I was wrong," Pei Jinzheng admitted with a sheepish grin. "Look, I'm slapping my own face for it."

Reluctant to truly harm himself, he gave a token slap to his cheek.

Despite the light touch, he winced; his face was still tender from the security guards' earlier assault, both sides swollen.

Lin Xuan noticed Pei Qiuyu's softening demeanor. "Wife, your kindness is your weakness. It makes it too easy for others to take advantage."

He turned to Pei Jinzheng and asked pointedly, "So the Pei family sent you here to apologize? Do you really think that's enough to show sincerity?"

"Who was it that forced Qiuyu out of Y Corporation? I want her to come here and apologize to Qiuyu in person!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Jinzheng's head started to buzz.

Lin Xuan's words were delivered with conviction and strength.

Pei Qiuyu herself was taken aback.

It was common knowledge that it was Old Lady Pei who had orchestrated Pei Jinzheng's acceptance into Y Corporation.

Was he now expected to have his grandmother come and apologize to him?

Pei Jinzheng felt the urge to lash out, but remembering the pain in his mouth, he reluctantly bit back his words.

"No need for goodbyes!"

With that, Lin Xuan shoved Pei Jinzheng aside and slammed the door shut with a resounding thud.

Lee Moxiang stood there, utterly flabbergasted by the scene.

Though she was scared, Lin Xuan had stood up for her, and she found herself at a loss for words.

"What if we've made them angry? Won't we be in for it now?"

Lee Moxiang voiced her fears meekly, "What are we going to do?"

Pei Qiuyu shot her a look of frustration.

'Where were you when I was being bullied?'

If it hadn't been for Lin Xuan's intervention, who knows how much more the Pei family would have pushed her around!

And now she's worried about them being upset?

"Mom! Can't you stand up for yourself? Even if the Pei family disowns me, I'm not scared!"

"I can make it on my own. I can take care of you and Dad!"

Lee Moxiang gazed at her daughter, her heart filled with pain.

She also felt a surge of self-reproach for her own timidity in front of the Peis, which had caused Qiuyu to suffer the same indignity.

"I feel the same way."

Lin Xuan chimed in, "I'll be there for you too."

Lee Moxiang paused, her gaze fixed on Lin Xuan, momentarily lost for words.

...

Back at the Pei household, Pei Jinzheng twisted the story, painting himself as the victim.

With a furious "Crash!" Old Lady Pei's anger manifested in the smashing of her teacup on the floor, the pieces scattering everywhere.

"This is preposterous!"

Pei Jinzheng was so frightened that his hands were drenched in sweat.

Old Lady Pei's face twisted in anger as she spat out venomously, "That little wretch, Pei Qiuyu, she's deliberately challenging me!"

"She expects me to grovel and apologize to her?"

He was all too familiar with his grandmother's fiery temper.

So, he stoked the flames, pinning all the blame squarely on Pei Qiuyu.

"Grandma, Pei Qiuyu doesn't just want you to apologize—she had Lin Xuan throw me out of her house."

"Look at the state they left your grandson in."

Old Lady Pei inhaled sharply, "Fine! For the Pei family's honor, I'll swallow my pride!"

With shaking hands, she declared, "No matter, I'll apologize to her, I'll even kneel if it means Pei Qiuyu will agree to meet with Director Wang!"

"Grandma, I'm to blame for making you endure this humiliation... sob, sob."

Pei Jinzheng managed to force out a couple of insincere tears.

"My dear grandson, I know you're the most devoted! You're not at fault here."

"It's all Pei Qiuyu's doing—she seems hell-bent on throwing our family into disarray!"

At that moment, Pei Jiang chimed in, "Mom, you're the senior here. Apologizing to someone younger—it'll tarnish our family's reputation if word gets out!"

"And if I don't, are you suggesting you will?" Old Lady Pei shot back with a fierce glare.

Pei Jiang was promptly silenced, not daring to utter another word.

"Hmph, I may be sacrificing my dignity today, but I'm determined to see if Pei Qiuyu has the gall to make me kneel before her!"

"Grandma, rest assured. If she dares to demand that you kneel, I'll be the first to object!" Pei Jinzheng quickly interjected.

...

Pei Qiuyu and her family had just settled down for a meal.

Suddenly, a loud knocking echoed at the door.

Lee Moxiang shuddered, then called out, "Who's there?"

"The indomitable matriarch of the Pei family has come to kowtow and offer an apology to her granddaughter, Pei Qiuyu!"

Voices filled with bitterness and resentment echoed from outside the door.

"It's Mom!" Lee Moxiang exclaimed, startled into standing up quickly.

At that moment, Lin Xuan rose to his feet and said, "I'll get the door."

Upon opening the door, there stood Old Lady Pei and Pei Jinzheng.

Pei Qiuyu hurried over, only to freeze in shock at the threshold.

"Grandma!"

Old Lady Pei had never once crossed her doorstep since Qiuyu's childhood.

Yet today, she had come herself.

"Qiuyu, the past misunderstandings were my fault.

"Please, be the bigger person and forgive an old woman's mistakes," Old Lady Pei pleaded, though inwardly she was seething with anger she could barely contain.

"Grandma..."

Pei Qiuyu was at a loss for words.

"Come inside, quickly!"

She moved to help her grandmother, but was stopped.

"There's no need!"

"I'm imploring you to return to Y Corporation and take the helm. We need you for this order—it's crucial!"

"Lend us your support, for the sake of the Pei family."

"Grandma, what are you talking about..." Pei Qiuyu was momentarily lost for words.

"What, do you actually want me, an old woman, to kneel and bow my head to you?"

"Fine! Jinzheng, help me. We'll kneel to Qiuyu!"

"Grandma, please, no!"

Pei Qiuyu was genuinely concerned and rushed to steady Old Lady Pei.

"Grandma, I never demanded an apology from you. This isn't necessary..."

But Old Lady Pei was having none of it. "Hmph, I've come whether or not you want an apology."

"Are you satisfied now?"

Pei Qiuyu shook her head, "Grandma, that's not what I..."

Before she could finish, Pei Jinzheng cut in, "Qiuyu, Grandma's getting on in years. You wouldn't want to be the cause of her distress, would you?"

"If you still consider yourself part of the Pei family, you'll meet with Director Wang today!"

With a heavy heart, Pei Qiuyu bit her lip and resolved, "I... I'll go."

Just then, a discordant voice rang out:

"Look at them, the old and the young, utterly shameless. One lacks respect for her age, the other, any sense of decency!"