The old butler was terribly shocked.
Why was Third Young Master being banished from the Qiao family? Why must his name be removed from the Qiao family’s records too?
The butler was just about to ask Old Mrs Qiao for an explanation when Qiao Yanze walked down.
He was carrying a luggage in his hand.
“Third Young Master, Old Madam said…”
Qiao Yanze nodded. He didn’t say anything to the old butler and instead, walked in front of Old Mrs Qiao. He said hoarsely, “Grandma, I agreed to Second Brother taking charge of this family. However, all of them are old servants in the family. Please don’t make them lose their jobs for Mother’s sake.”
The old butler’s eyes instantly reddened. “Third Young Master, how did things become like this? W-We-”
Qiao Yanze glared at the butler. “Stop saying anything and stay and work properly.”
Old Mrs Qiao and Qiao Yanxuan never thought that Qiao Yanze would be so cooperative. However, on second thought, it was true that he had caused Mrs Qiao’s death. It was natural that he couldn’t bear to stay here anymore.
Qiao Yanxuan walked in front of Qiao Yanze and patted his shoulder. “Yanze, don’t worry. Although we didn’t grow up together, we’re still brothers. I will take care of this family with everything I can.”
Instead of responding, Qiao Yanze fell silent and left with his luggage.
The old butler chased after him.
“Third Young Master, Third Young Master…” The butler had worked for the Qiao family for decades, from the Old Master Qiao, to Mrs Qiao and then Qiao Yanze. He knew all of their tempers very well. Although he looked cold and sometimes acted frivolous outside, Third Young Master was warm-hearted.
After he rebuilt the Qiao family, he rehired all of the old servants and even bought retirement insurances for them so that they had nothing to worry about anymore. Today was the day he would be knighted and should be a happy occasion. How did things turn out to be like this?
Qiao Yanze stopped and when he glanced at the tear-laden butler, he naturally didn’t feel too good. “Uncle Yuan, I will deposit some money in your account again. If none of you can continue working here, please split the money with everyone and keep some for yourself too. You’re old now and should enjoy life nicely at home.”
“Third Young Master, why did this happen? You finally managed to rebuild the Qiao family. Why must others take your fruit after you helped it bear one?”
Qiao Yanze pursed his lips tightly. “Uncle Yuan, don’t ask so much anymore. Just remember what I’ve said.”
With that said, Qiao Yanze turned and left.
…
At night.
After Qiao Yanze had a gathering with his brothers, they left the high-class clubhouse.
Tang Xi stared at the man who had drank quite a bit but still looked exceptionally sober. He rested a hand on Qiao Yanze’s shoulder. “Third Brother, I feel that you have something in mind today and that you’re unhappy. What happened?”
Qiao Yanze patted Tang Xi’s arm. “I’m very happy to be able to be brothers with all of you. Stop flirting with girls and settle down after you find someone suitable.”
Tang Xi was confused. Why did it feel like Third Brother was saying his final words?
After Qiao Yanze left the clubhouse, he went to the Crown Palace to see Nan Zhi. Nan Zhi was still busy with the petition. After finding out that Qiao Yanze had come, she ran down hurriedly.
Seeing Qiao Yanze, she really wanted to scold him.
If he rejected Qiao Yanxuan’s claim to the Qiao family and disagreed with Old Mrs Qiao’s decision during the knighting ceremony, things might not be so difficult right now.
However, at the sight of Qiao Yanze’s red eyes and his exhausted appearance, Nan Zhi could only feel her heart ache and couldn’t bring herself to criticize him at all.
“Uncle, what’s wrong?”
Qiao Yanze pulled Nan Zhi’s hand and sat on the sofa. “Zhizhi, I’m tired now. In two days, I plan to go and travel the world. I don’t know when I will be back.”
Nan Zhi’s heart tightened.
“Uncle, if it’s because the Old Madam wants to banish you from the Qiao family, I will help yー”
Qiao Yanze shook his head, interrupting Nan Zhi’s unfinished words. “No, I am indeed the Qiao family’s parasite. I did your Grandma wrong. In my years as an undercover, experiencing many life and death situations made me see things clearly. I want to live for myself properly. Your Second Uncle’s ability isn’t beneath mine. I can step down and be assured if he’s the one taking care of the Qiao family.”
“Uncle, do you really think that way? You’re the Qiao family heir and you’ve finally arrived at this point after so much hardship. Are you really giving all of the recognition you deserve to Second Uncle?”
“Zhizhi, status isn’t important to me anymore.”
Nan Zhi stared at Qiao Yanze’s exhausted appearance and bit her lip. After a while of silence, she nodded. “I know that it has been hard for Uncle in the past few years. Alright, if you want to travel the world, go and take a proper rest.” She would help Uncle to clear his name and put him back on the family’s records.
…
Ten days later.
Cen Xi was discharged.
In this period, Qiao Yanze never contacted her again. Indeed, he did what he had said and never contacted her up until now.
That was good too.
Cen Xi had already accepted the reality.
She booked a flight ticket to Burma.
…
Burma.
Xiao Ying had slowly gotten used to her job in the laundry. The new butler was a lot better than before and never rousted her intentionally or increased her work load.
Although she was used to the job, Xiao Ying still yearned for freedom outside as she stared at the tall city walls everyday.
However, she had become Long Ming’s slave and she no longer knew when she wouldl be able to leave this cage-like place.
After finishing her work in the morning, Xiao Ying went to the cafeteria for lunch. The only good thing about this place was that the slaves’ food was pretty good.
Xiao Ying got her food and sat down.
Because Long Ming got that butler and dancer pulled out and beaten to death, everyone else in the laundry room was shocked too. No one dared to offend Xiao Ying, not to mention approach her.
Seeing her was like seeing a ghost.
Because of that, Xiao Ying was isolated in this place.
However, Xiao Ying didn’t care too much either. She had grown up training in the organization and was already used to loneliness.
When they ate, Xiao Ying didn’t have too good an appetite and suddenly, her abdomen seared in pain.
Her period seemed to be more than ten days late.
Was she pregnant?
Long Ming had slept with her several times and he didn’t use contraceptives most of the time. She couldn’t buy the morning-after pill to take either, so could it be…
At this thought, Xiao Ying couldn’t help but shiver as a cold chill ran down her spine.
She must not be pregnant with Long Ming’s child.
She hoped that her worry was excessive!
Xiao Ying returned her utensils and continued to work in the laundry room.
In the afternoon, the pain at her abdomen started to ache even more. She even started to dry heave. Suppressing that discomfort, Xiao Ying finished her work for the day.
At night, Xiao Ying took a shower and lay down on the wooden floor. Her slender arms wrapped around her curled body.
It may be pain from her late period.
After comforting herself for a while, Xiao Ying slowly drifted off to sleep.
…
Long Ming had hosted several guests to a dinner tonight. He had beauties with him, but after several rounds of alcohol, he felt unusually empty.
After the banquet ended, he dismissed everyone and left for the laundry room with his aide.
When the butler on duty in the laundry room saw Long Ming, he jumped and hurriedly got up. He was about to greet Long Ming, when Long Ming waved a hand and dismissed him.
