Madam, Please Behave

Chapter 74: Clarity Gradually Emerges

Liu Changqing’s reaction seemed to be exactly what Ye Rong had anticipated. In her mind, Liu Changqing was supposed to act this way—angry and flustered.

It was his indifferent attitude when he first entered the house that had made her feel unsettled.

“You don’t have a stable income to support two children.”

“I’ll earn money!”

“With what?”

Ye Rong’s face was full of disdain as she delivered her words.

“By rebuilding that clothing factory from scratch? Do you really think a high school dropout like you could’ve made it on your own back then?”

“...”

Liu Changqing silently acknowledged the truth in her statement.

The former owner of this body had worked hard after marrying Li Wanran, but talent has its limits. No matter how much effort an ordinary person puts in, achieving great success is unlikely.

The clothing factory had only come into existence with his father-in-law’s secret assistance.

No wonder she had never looked at him with respect...

Liu Changqing clenched his fists briefly before loosening them.

“So, you’re the one who destroyed my factory?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect...”

It wasn’t difficult to guess.

The way she admitted it was as casual as sipping water.

What had once been Liu Changqing’s primary source of income was nothing more than a child’s sandcastle on the beach to her—a slight push, and it all came crashing down.

Back then... how did you even dare to negotiate with someone like her? From the start, you weren’t even in the same league.

Liu Changqing exhaled deeply.

“Tell me, why are you here this time?”

“I’ve come to take Xiazhi with me.”

“Don’t say such absurd things.”

Liu Changqing stared at Ye Rong, his expression devoid of emotion and entirely unmoved.

“Until I’m utterly defeated, you can’t take the child.”

“She’s still young and moldable.”

“Moldable into what?”

Ye Rong’s words made Liu Changqing chuckle.

“Someone like her mother?”

He glanced at Ye Rong and continued.

“Cheating during marriage, abandoning her children... Were the harmonious and stable days of the past not good enough?”

“You don’t understand.”

“Understand my a**!”

Ye Rong’s eyes widened, seemingly shocked to hear such words from him.

“What... did you just say?”

“I said you don’t understand a damn thing. Didn’t you hear me? I have no ties to Li Wanran anymore. Do you still expect me to grovel like I used to?”

Liu Changqing lowered his voice, keeping their argument quiet.

“Xiazhi is my daughter. Her surname is Liu. She’s not part of the Li family, and she certainly doesn’t share your surname. What, do you plan to take her back and turn her into someone like you and your daughter?”

“Have you gone mad?”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

To his surprise, Liu Changqing was unnaturally calm. He had assumed he would lose control of his emotions when confronting Ye Rong.

After all, whenever he recalled her in his inherited memories, he would feel a suffocating rage.

But now, Liu Changqing overcame it.

He stared into Ye Rong’s face.

For a moment, her perpetually indifferent expression flickered with shock, albeit fleetingly.

So you do have that kind of expression...

“Leave. And don’t you or your daughter come back again.”

“...”

Ye Rong fell silent.

She stared at Liu Changqing’s profile for a moment before rising to her feet to leave.

“Wait.”

Liu Changqing’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“You forgot your card.”

“...”

Ye Rong turned around but had no time to respond before the card was tossed at her.

Instinctively, she took a step back, fumbling to catch it. She held it in her hand and looked at Liu Changqing, who remained seated on the sofa.

Without looking up, he poured himself another cup of tea. His voice drifted over.

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you...”

Placing the cup down, Liu Changqing lifted his head and smiled at her.

“Do you know what my father-in-law told me in his hospital bed all those years ago?”

Ye Rong froze at his words, sensing something off in his expression.

“It’s not the right time to tell you yet. And... have a good trip. I won’t see you out.”

Ye Rong left.

Standing by the window, Liu Changqing watched the car drive away, remaining there for a long time.

His father-in-law had never said anything to him before his death. Liu Changqing had only mentioned it to throw Ye Rong off balance.

He had always known she wouldn’t obediently leave everything behind.

As he mulled over these thoughts, Liu Changqing heard the soft creak of a door opening.

Turning his head, he saw Liu Xiazhi peeking out her small head.

“What is it? Why are you sneaking around?”

“Is she gone?”

“Yes, you can come out now.”

At his words, Liu Xiazhi pushed the door open and skipped to the sofa, jumping up and down barefoot.

“Finally free!” she cheered.

Watching his daughter’s antics, Liu Changqing smiled and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like being a ‘lady’?”

“It’s so uncomfortable! Not even a little fun!”

Pouting, Liu Xiazhi stopped jumping and sprawled on the sofa. After a while, she flipped onto her back, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

“Hmm... now this feels so much better.”

“You’re a young lady; you should be more mindful.”

“This is our house. I’ll do whatever I want!”

“Fair enough.”

Liu Changqing chuckled, surprised at her logic.

“By the way, you skipped breakfast. Are you hungry now?”

“A little.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“How about fried chicken!”

Liu Xiazhi shouted excitedly.

Liu Changqing smiled but gently refused.

“Too much fried chicken isn’t good for you. I’ll head to the market later and buy a chicken to cook for you.”

“Fine...”

Pouting again, Liu Xiazhi looked slightly disappointed.

The father and daughter chatted a bit more before Liu Changqing put on his shoes and left the house.

The sound of the door closing echoed through the living room, leaving it silent once more.

Liu Xiazhi lay on the sofa, her breathing steady.

The smile on her face faded as she stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

She had overheard most of Liu Changqing and Ye Rong’s conversation earlier. The soundproofing in this apartment wasn’t great, and though they had kept their voices low, it hadn’t been enough.

Now, she just stared blankly at the ceiling.

After a long while, she murmured softly to herself.

“Dad... Mom...”