Volume One, Chapter 10: Discussing Terms

“Xia Dong, what are you talking about?”
Li Shuhe’s voice trembled, her tone filled with fear.

Duan Xia Dong’s eyes flickered with doubt. He released his grip but kept staring intently into Li Shuhe’s eyes, searching for any sign of deceit.

“You’d better not play games with me. Was it you who reported Xiao Qiu to the police?”

Li Shuhe coughed softly a few times, her eyes shimmering with moisture.

“Xia Dong, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came back from the hospital. How could I have gone to the police station?”

Indeed, Li Shuhe had not gone. It was all arranged by Aunt Li.

Duan Xia Dong stared at Li Shuhe for a long moment. Seeing her genuine ignorance, he loosened his hold.

“If you want to keep marrying me, go to the police station and sign a letter of forgiveness. Otherwise…”

He left the sentence hanging, snorted coldly, then turned to the sofa. Sitting down, he lit a cigarette.

He had gone to pick up Li Shuhe early that morning, and upon hearing she had already left, hurried back. Who would have thought that just as he returned to the factory, Duan Xiao Qiu was arrested.

With his connections to the police, the officers who came to arrest Duan Xiao Qiu told him it was an order from above—no amount of money could smooth it over.

Amid the swirling smoke, his expression grew even darker.

“I hope it’s not you. Otherwise, I won’t let you off.”

Li Shuhe lowered her head, her long lashes hiding her true feelings from view.

Mrs. Duan looked puzzled, clearly not understanding: “Xia Dong, what’s wrong with Xiao Qiu? What report? What police station?”

Duan Xia Dong didn’t answer, taking a deep drag of his cigarette before slowly exhaling.

Seeing her son silent, Mrs. Duan turned her suspicion toward Li Shuhe.

“What did you do to Xiao Qiu?”

Li Shuhe dodged Mrs. Duan’s outstretched hand, slipping down to the floor before the sofa, teary-eyed as she looked up at Duan Xia Dong.

“Are you saying Xiao Qiu falsely accused me of arson?”

Duan Xia Dong paused mid-exhale, lowering his gaze to Li Shuhe at his feet. His voice was cold and hard: “That doesn’t matter now. I’ve already paid to bail you out. The fact is, you’re fine, but Xiao Qiu has been taken away.”

A chill ran through Li Shuhe’s heart. She had never expected Duan Xia Dong to have any humanity, but she hadn’t anticipated he could be so blind to right and wrong.

“When the fire broke out, you protected Xiao Qiu first. She’s your sister; I’m an outsider. I could understand that.”

“But what about now? Now Xiao Qiu is slandering me. If the police hadn’t uncovered the truth, I would be the one in jail. Would you still side with her?”

Her eyes filled with grievance, her voice choked with emotion.

“You’re not so easy to get rid of. With me around, you won’t go to jail. You’re safe now; the problem is with Xiao Qiu. You’re older than her—why must you quarrel with a child?”

Duan Xia Dong’s mood was complicated, his tone icy, eyes full of disappointment.

“Li Shuhe, I thought you were sensible.”

Her lashes trembled; her mouth opened and closed, hot tears spilling from her eyes.

How absurd, how laughable.

Duan Xia Dong closed his eyes briefly and flicked the cigarette butt into the trash.

“Now come with me to the police station to sign the letter of forgiveness. Whatever you want, I can compensate you.”

He looked at Li Shuhe slumped on the floor, feeling perhaps he had been a little harsh.

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Li Shuhe’s heart leapt with joy—her painstaking performance was about to pay off.

Sobbing softly, she grasped the sofa cushion with one arm, timidly glancing at Duan Xia Dong before quickly lowering her eyes again.

“Xiao Qiu is my sister too. Out of compassion and reason, I should sign.”

She paused briefly, then looked at Duan Xia Dong once more.

Her little act even made him smile, his tone tinged with amusement.

“Speak. What do you want?”

Gathering courage, Li Shuhe clung to the sofa and squatted beside Duan Xia Dong’s legs.

“But Xiao Qiu has really hurt my feelings this time. I feel upset and don’t want to forgive her so easily. I want compensation.”

Li Shuhe’s aim was Xiao Qiu’s job—it was the accounting position at Xia Dong’s automobile factory.

If she could get that job, it would greatly benefit her plan.

Duan Xia Dong said nothing. His expression softened slightly from its initial coldness.

Li Shuhe took a deep breath: “I want Xiao Qiu’s job.”

“No!”

Mrs. Duan shouted, rushing over to Li Shuhe but then realizing her reaction was too strong, she forced a laugh.

“Shuhe, Xiao Qiu has worked there for so long. You graduated from high school years ago but have never done this kind of work. You’re not fit for it.”

Li Shuhe clenched her fists, knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but still wanting to try.

“Mom’s right. You’re not suitable.”

Duan Xia Dong flicked the ash from his clothes.

Li Shuhe hugged her knees inconspicuously, avoiding getting ash on herself.

Burying her head in her knees, her voice muffled: “I just want fairness. If I don’t do well, I’ll give it back to Xiao Qiu.”

Duan Xia Dong sighed. Li Shuhe was always like this—always competing with Xiao Qiu over everything.

“Do you really have to compete with Xiao Qiu?”

“Fine, I’ll give you fairness. You can work as an accountant at the factory.”

“Coincidentally, I’m short a secretary. Xiao Qiu will be my secretary.”

Duan Xia Dong said with a mischievous smile.

Li Shuhe wanted to compete with Xiao Qiu? Then he would just give Xiao Qiu a better job.

Achieving her goal, Li Shuhe’s mood lifted.

She smiled brightly and got up from the floor.

Duan Xia Dong shot her a cold glance, seeing only her smugness at thinking she had outwitted Xiao Qiu.

Short-sighted woman—she didn’t even realize that being a secretary was easier and paid better than being an accountant.

Li Shuhe was unaware of Duan Xia Dong’s thoughts, and even if she had known, she wouldn’t have cared.

Thanks to Xiao Qiu, Li Shuhe found herself at the police station once again.

She was greeted by a familiar young officer.

The young policeman asked repeatedly, “Are you sure you want to sign?”

Li Shuhe nodded firmly. Changing positions to infiltrate the enemy’s camp was worth it.

The young officer muttered something she didn’t catch clearly.

“Follow me.”

The young officer beckoned Li Shuhe forward, then motioned to Duan Xia Dong, “Family members of the other party, please wait here.”

Duan Xia Dong sat down again, crossing one leg over the other, radiating a strong presence.

“Don’t try any tricks.”

Li Shuhe laughed quietly at the cold warning from behind.

Some hearts would never warm.

Following the young officer into an office, the door was closed and locked behind them.

“Now it’s just you and me.”

The young officer gestured for Li Shuhe to sit opposite her.

“Tell me the truth. Did he force you?”

Though unnamed, they both understood she meant Duan Xia Dong.

Despite her youth, the officer had worked at the station for several years and had seen all kinds of strange cases.

Considering that Li Shuhe had recently been bailed out by Duan Xia Dong, she quickly discerned the family conflict between the sisters-in-law.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s not your fault. If you don’t want to sign, don’t sign. I’ve got your back.”

Seeing Li Shuhe remain silent, the officer patted her chest reassuringly.

Li Shuhe was touched; this was only the second time she had met this person, and their first encounter had been far from friendly.

“Thank you. I’m doing this willingly.”

Li Shuhe smiled and shook her head.

“Do you think I can’t protect you?”

The young officer grew anxious. With Duan Xia Dong’s connections to his superiors, her words might seem arrogant for a low-ranking officer.

“But times have changed.”

“Believe me, I really can protect you.”

Li Shuhe shook her head again: “I’m truly willing. After all, she is my fiancé’s sister. We’ll be family sooner or later. It wouldn’t be good to make things too bitter.”

The young officer was momentarily stunned, realizing she hadn’t considered that angle. Suddenly, she felt deflated.

But Li Shuhe’s curiosity was piqued: “Why are you so sure you can protect me?”

“I’ll tell you in confidence—don’t tell anyone else. The central government has sent inspectors. You’re the victim in this incident and will be protected.”

The young officer took out paper and pen, placing them on the desk for Li Shuhe.

“I heard someone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited the chief. The chief ordered a thorough investigation into the fire. If you don’t sign, Xiao Qiu will definitely go to jail. No one can save her.”

This was revealed by the chief’s assistant, Xiao Wang, who got drunk and let it slip—information the young officer overheard.