Chapter 82 - 76: Reversal, A Slap in the Face, The Zhan Family Apologizes to Qiao Jing
“What I mean is, my grandfather won’t agree.”
In fact, that wasn’t true at all; what he said just now was entirely his own wish.
He didn’t want to divorce Qiao Jing right now, possibly because he felt that it wasn’t her fault.
Yes, that must be it…
Upon hearing Zhan Qipei’s additional words, Su Manhan and the others heaved a sigh of relief.
They had taken quite a fright, thinking that Zhan Qipei had taken a liking to Qiao Jing and therefore did not want to divorce her.
“Your father will talk to your grandfather. With such a big incident, Qiao Jing has caused damage to the Zhan Family’s reputation. Even if your grandfather wants to protect her, he won’t ignore the interests of the Zhan Family.”
Zhan Yao agreed with Su Manhan’s words, “Your mother is right. The impact is indeed significant; the stock prices have been falling continuously. If this goes on, the situation might become uncontrollable. Plus, Qiao Jing herself is willing to divorce, no one is forcing her.”
Zhan Qipei slightly clenched his fingers that hung by his side and walked up to Qiao Jing.
“Have you really decided?”
Qiao Jing looked serious, without a trace of jest.
“I’ve told your grandfather long ago that a melon forced off its vine is not sweet. We have only 59 days together, half the time from the agreed day. Let’s end this early so we both can return to our previous lives.”
Return to his previous life? Days without Qiao Jing, without delicious food… Zhan Qipei felt an increasing nostalgia…
But on second thought, if he divorced Qiao Jing, the girl who saved him might appear.
At that thought, Zhan Qipei immediately cut off all his lingering feelings.
“Okay, then let’s go to the Civil Affairs Bureau now.”
“Mhm.”
A short while later, Qiao Jing, Zhan Qipei, Su Manhan, and the others all arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Just as they were about to enter the main entrance, Zhan Qipei received a phone call from Tang Yan.
“What did you say?” Zhan Qipei asked with a stern face, his gaze piercingly fixed on Zhan Nanqing.
Zhan Nanqing, taken aback by Zhan Qipei’s sudden scrutiny, felt her heart “thump” with fright.
“Brother, why are you looking at me like that?”
Zhan Qipei’s chest heaved with a heavy sigh, his eyes staring coldly at Zhan Nanqing.
“The photos were taken by you. You were the one who paid several big Vs to recklessly spread rumors, claiming she got caught because she committed a crime and was taken to the police bureau.”
With every word Zhan Qipei uttered, Zhan Nanqing’s face grew a shade paler.
Zhan Yao too was shocked by Zhan Qipei’s words.
“Nanqing! Is what your brother saying true? Did you really do this?”
Zhan Nanqing had not expected the matter to be uncovered. She had even paid those big Vs hush money. How could it have still been traced back to her?
“I, I didn’t—”
“You still want to deny it? You think just because you paid those people off, I can’t find out? You’ve greatly underestimated my means,” Zhan Qipei said coldly, interrupting Zhan Nanqing.
Zhan Nanqing was terrified, belatedly realizing something about her brother’s infamously tough approach in the Imperial Capital.
Zhan Qipei was not just her older brother but also the person capable of becoming the head of the Zhan Family. Under his leadership, the Zhan Family had reached its most splendid peak in a hundred years!
Just this alone evidenced her brother’s skill and ability!
Zhan Nanqing swallowed hard, her mouth dry with fear, “I, I confess. I did it. But, but I didn’t spread rumors. Qiao Jing indeed committed a crime, that’s why she was arrested. Isn’t that the main point?”
Zhan Yao and Su Manhan were prepared to blame Zhan Nanqing, but after hearing what she said, they realized that although Zhan Nanqing was wrong, the instigator of it all was still Qiao Jing.
Just as everyone had different thoughts, Qiao Jing received a call from Captain Zhao.
“Hello? Captain Zhao, what do you need me for?”
Captain Zhao? The one from the station? What’s he calling Qiao Jing for? Could it be that they want to bring Qiao Jing back to the station?
If that’s the case, it would be better for Zhan Qipei and Qiao Jing to get a divorce as soon as possible.
“You’ve issued an announcement? Actually, you didn’t need to go out of your way to clear things up for me.” Qiao Jing was indifferent.
“How could I not? Professor Qiao, you’ve taken so much trouble over the case, uprooting the criminal gang’s lair in one fell swoop. How could I just stand by and watch you get caught in a whirlwind of public opinion, being vilified like that!”
Speaking of which, this incident had infuriated Captain Zhao.
Seeing those irresponsible, abusive comments online, he truly wished he could arrest those people, but in reality, that was beyond his power.
He may not have the power to arrest them, but at least he could shut those unprincipled people up.
What’s going on?
After hearing Qiao Jing’s conversation, Zhan Nanqing took out her phone and opened a media networking platform.
“How can this be?”
“What happened?” Su Manhan and Zhan Yao simultaneously looked over at Zhan Nanqing’s phone.
#Imperial Capital Police Bureau Announcement: We thank Ms. Qiao for her assistance in solving the series of child abduction cases. Furthermore, the grateful parents of the six rescued children have delivered a banner of thanks to our station, expressing their gratitude to Ms. Qiao.
“This… how could this be?” Zhan Nanqing was dumbfounded.
Equally dumbfounded were Su Manhan and Zhan Yao.
They had really wronged Qiao Jing!
After a lengthy silence, Zhan Yao let out a sigh and looked at Qiao Jing with a look of shame on his face.
“I’m sorry, I wronged you just now.”
Although it was hard to swallow his pride, as a member of the Zhan Family, and his father having been the courageous War General who fought on the border, he had always been taught to be strict with himself and to admit his mistakes when he made them.
He had wronged Qiao Jing over this matter, so he had to apologize.
“I didn’t mind it,” Qiao Jing responded indifferently.
Zhan Yao felt even more ashamed upon hearing Qiao Jing’s words.
He sighed, and glanced back and forth between Qiao Jing and Zhan Qipei.
Forget it, he thought, he would let the younger generation deal with their own affairs.
After this incident, Zhan Yao had a clear understanding and made a silent decision. In the future, if anything happened regarding Zhan Qipei and Qiao Jing, he would turn a deaf ear and stay out of it.
Having come to this realization, Zhan Yao looked at Su Manhan and Zhan Nanqing, “You should also apologize to Qiao Jing, especially you, Nanqing. You didn’t think things through properly. I know you don’t like Qiao Jing, but by doing this, you’re only hurting yourself as much as you hurt the enemy!”
Zhan Nanqing hung her head, pouting and looking at her toes.
A pale expression appeared on Su Manhan’s face; the idea of apologizing to Qiao Jing was difficult for her to express.
Qiao Jing’s indifferent gaze withdrew from Su Manhan and Zhan Nanqing, “No need, I didn’t take it to heart anyway.”
With that, Qiao Jing turned to Zhan Qipei, “Let’s go in and finish the paperwork.”
Still planning on getting a divorce? Wasn’t everything explained already? Zhan Qipei stood still like a wooden stake, unmoving.
After walking two steps and noticing Zhan Qipei hadn’t followed, Qiao Jing turned around and looked at him with confusion, “Why aren’t you coming in?”