Chapter 226 - 87: Force Before Courtesy, the Liu Family Goes Bankrupt (Part 2)

’This was her one and only sister-in-law; of course she was going to protect her.’

Jiang Li patted Zhou Jiawen’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. It’s nothing."

’She wasn’t just bragging. Aside from a few of the elders, there was truly no one who could lay a finger on her now.’

The words had barely left her lips when Liu Guoqing, flanked by Shen Yugang and a crowd of people, closed in on them.

When he saw Liu Qianqian lying on the ground, he immediately dropped into a crouch in front of her. With trembling hands, he asked, "Qianqian, who did this to you?"

Liu Qianqian pointed a finger at Jiang Li. "Jiang Li!"

Liu Guoqing’s head snapped around, his gaze following her pointing finger. "Good. Good! Just wonderful!"

’He’d raised Qianqian her whole life without ever daring to lay a finger on her. What on earth gave Jiang Li the audacity to strike his daughter?’

’Was she acting like he was dead and gone?’

His hands clenched into fists. He rose to his feet and stalked toward Jiang Li, one deliberate step at a time.

Shen Yugang’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the fury in Liu Guoqing’s eyes.

’He didn’t know exactly what had happened, but for Jiang Li to get physical, Liu Qianqian must have said something to provoke her.’

He quickly stepped forward and grabbed Liu Guoqing’s arm. "Brother Liu, I know you’re furious right now, but please, just try to calm down."

Liu Guoqing glared at Shen Yugang. "Brother Shen, what is the meaning of this?"

Shen Yugang forced an awkward smile. "How about we first find out what actually happened?"

’In all the years he’d done business with Liu Guoqing, this was the first time he had ever seen the man so enraged.’

’Still, he could understand. If it were Shen Yanzhi or Shen Yuchu lying on the ground today, he’d probably be even more furious than Liu Guoqing.’

Zhou Jiawen, who had witnessed everything, was the most qualified to speak. She immediately interjected, "My sister-in-law and I were just planning to sit and rest for a bit. But then we overheard Miss Liu and Miss Zhou badmouthing her. They claimed she used underhanded tactics to marry my brother, called her a slut, and even tried to hit her!"

Liu Guoqing instinctively glanced at Liu Qianqian. The moment he saw the flicker of guilt in her eyes, he knew she was probably the one in the wrong.

Jiang Bowen had been standing on the edge of the crowd, maintaining an air of detached indifference. But the moment he heard Zhou Jiawen cry out "sister-in-law," he realized what was happening and shoved his way through the people to get to Jiang Li.

He grabbed Jiang Li’s arm, looking her up and down. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "Dad, don’t worry, I’m fine."

’Though if she hadn’t been quick on her feet, she’d probably be the one on the ground right now, thanks to Liu Qianqian.’

Jiang Bowen pulled Jiang Li behind him to shield her. "Mr. Liu, I understand you’re anxious to protect your daughter. But this whole situation is her fault to begin with. There’s no need to be so hostile, is there?"

’He couldn’t even bear to imagine what he would have done if anything had happened to Jiang Li.’

Liu Guoqing turned to face Jiang Bowen squarely. "Your daughter assaults mine without any provocation, beats her into this state, and you’re accusing *me* of being hostile?"

Jiang Bowen scoffed. "If your daughter hadn’t started this whole mess with her nasty mouth, my daughter wouldn’t have lifted a finger."

Shen Yugang chuckled awkwardly. "Brother Liu, why don’t we call for an ambulance and get Qianqian to the hospital first?"

Liu Guoqing’s eyes narrowed. "Brother Shen, are you not going to give me an accounting for this?"

Shen Yugang rubbed his nose in embarrassment. "It’s not that I won’t give you one. The fact is, your Qianqian threw the first punch. My daughter-in-law was merely defending herself."

"Besides, this is just a squabble between the younger generation. We should let them sort it out themselves, don’t you agree?"

Seeing that Shen Yugang was determined to protect Jiang Li, Liu Guoqing sneered, "And what if our family pulls out of this partnership?"

Jiang Li looked at Shen Yugang, waiting for his reply.

’If she wasn’t satisfied with his answer, then from this day forward, she would never take advantage of his position for her own gain again—not for a single cent.’

’And she would never set foot in the Shen Family’s home again.’

’A father-in-law who wouldn’t stand up for her didn’t deserve to be treated like family.’

A subtle glint flickered in Shen Yugang’s eyes. "This is just a tiff between the kids. There’s really no need to bring our business partnership into it, is there?"

Liu Guoqing jabbed a finger toward Liu Qianqian on the ground, his voice suddenly climbing in pitch. "You don’t see the state your daughter-in-law left my Qianqian in? And you say there’s ’no need’?"

Shen Yugang’s expression grew solemn. "If that’s how it’s going to be, then our partnership ends here."

’If he couldn’t even protect his own daughter-in-law on his family’s turf, what a pathetic, spineless father-in-law he would be.’

’Besides, even if he cut ties with Liu Guoqing, there was still Yang Guoqing, Wang Guoqing, and Zhang Guoqing.’

’He really thought too highly of himself.’

Jiang Li was very satisfied with Shen Yugang’s response. She was about to say, "Dad, don’t worry. Even if you cut ties with his family, I’ve got your back."