Shen Qi tugged at Liu Yi's arm: "It's all my fault. I've dragged you into this."
"How is this related to you?" Liu Yi scoffed. "If a mad dog bites someone, can you blame the person for looking too tasty?"
The surrounding onlookers burst into laughter again.
Although Liu Yi's gender had given everyone quite a shock.
Still, they had to admit that this handsome-looking girl was truly witty and especially good at cheering up girls.
"Let's go. With so many people watching, if the organizing committee really covers for Cui Yuelan, then there's no point in continuing this competition." Liu Yi said magnanimously. "I'd like to see how Cui Yuelan twists the truth!"
"Exactly! If the committee can't tell right from wrong, there's no meaning in us competing either."
"Right, a competition that isn't fair can't win people over."
"If the committee really favors Cui Yuelan, I'll be the first to withdraw!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
...
The onlookers used this way to comfort and encourage Shen Qi.
Shen Qi gave them a grateful smile, pulled Liu Yi, and quickly left the restaurant.
As soon as Shen Qi dragged Liu Yi into the room, she saw several people already sitting inside.
Cui Yuelan was lounging in a luxurious office chair, swaying back and forth, with a smug look in her eyes when she saw Shen Qi enter.
Shen Qi stood in the room and said, "I won't argue about right or wrong. Please, committee, just check the surveillance footage directly."
The committee members exchanged whispers among themselves. Suddenly, Liu Yi plopped down next to Cui Yuelan and said leisurely, "If the committee rules that Shen Qi and I violated the rules, then let me state officially—we demand to withdraw!"
Liu Yi's words indeed interrupted the whispers of those in charge.
Just then, one of their phones rang. The person glanced at the number, his face drastically changing, and he immediately ran out to take the call.
Not long after, he returned, his face pale.
He quickly whispered a brief word to the others.
Now, all the committee members' faces turned white!
Finally, someone spoke up with difficulty: "This matter has been investigated."
Cui Yuelan looked at Shen Qi with a triumphant expression.
She knew that if something happened to her, her parents would never ignore it!
With her parents backing her, no one could do anything to her!
Shen Qi, you're doomed!
But the committee member's next sentence completely shattered Cui Yuelan's hopes: "After investigation, the assailant Cui Yuelan violated competition rules. She receives a red card warning and a 20-point deduction. Three red cards result in direct disqualification!"
The three people in the room were stunned.
Liu Yi and Shen Qi had already prepared to withdraw.
And Cui Yuelan had also prepared to force Liu Yi and Shen Qi to withdraw!
Yet this was the result announced.
Cui Yuelan shot up from her chair, her face twisted as she glared at the committee members: "Do you know what you're saying? Do you know who my parents are?"
The person who announced the result replied calmly, "Madam He said that if you have any objections, you can go discuss them with her directly. We're only handling this impartially."
At that, Cui Yuelan instantly deflated!
Madam He had intervened!
Cui Yuelan dared to challenge anyone, but not Madam He!
She was the one who had suppressed He Guoxiang and his wife for decades!
Besides, the He family governed by filial piety.
Any unfilial behavior would be thoroughly crushed!
No matter how much Cui Yuelan bounced around, she wouldn't dare bounce against Madam He.
Shen Qi was taken aback, not expecting that Madam He had been watching over her affairs all along.
Though she had only met her once, Madam He was now defending her like this. Whatever her motives, Shen Qi still had to be grateful.
Cui Yuelan shot Shen Qi a fierce glare, flung her cup aside, and said, "Shen Qi, we'll see about this!"
With that, she turned and stormed out angrily.
Shen Qi smiled bitterly and said to the committee members, "Thank you all for handling this fairly. We'll take our leave too."
"Wait a moment!" The person called out to Shen Qi. "Stay for a bit."
Shen Qi looked at him suspiciously. He waved his hand and said, "Don't be puzzled. This is compensation for the grievance you suffered. You can make a phone call here—to the person you most want to talk to."
Liu Yi heard this, smiled in satisfaction, and patted Shen Qi's shoulder: "I'll wait for you outside."
With that, Liu Yi turned and left the room.
The others also filed out, leaving only Shen Qi and a phone.
Shen Qi stood there in a daze for a long time, her fingers brushing the screen but unable to dial a number.
The person she most wanted to talk to?
Who was that?
Her father was no longer alive, her mother was missing, and her brother was in intensive treatment in Germany.
Her husband...
Forget it, she had no one to call.
Maybe she should just give up.
Wait?
Madam He had called earlier to support her. Shouldn't she call back to thank her?
Shen Qi lifted her eyes. Yes, she would call Madam He!
A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring.
Without Madam He's call, she would have suffered this injustice today without being cleared!
Shen Qi decisively lit up the screen, found the call log, and dialed Madam He's number.
At the He family mansion, Butler He handed the phone to Madam He: "Madam, you were right. The second young mistress did call."
Madam He nodded in satisfaction: "She hasn't let me down. She's truly sensible."
Madam He answered the call, and Shen Qi's voice came through: "Madam, thank you so much for today!"
"Oh? After just a few days, you're being distant with me, your grandmother?" Madam He smiled gently, exuding warmth and kindness.
Shen Qi sensed that Madam He seemed in a good mood and paused for a moment, but quickly replied smoothly, "How could that be? Grandma, thank you! I'll always remember your tolerance and love for me."
"Good, as long as you're sensible. I don't ask for much. Just that you and Yining live harmoniously as a couple and quickly give me a great-grandson—that would be the best filial piety to me." Madam He said contentedly. "Don't worry about outside matters. As long as I'm here in the He family, I can stand up for you. Once you bear the He family heir, your position will be unshakable."
"Thank you, Grandma." Shen Qi's heart softened, and her tone lost some of its formality, gaining more affection. "Xiao Qi understands."
"Alright, go do what you need to do." Madam He said. "After the competition, come home. The He family is your home too."
"Yes, Grandma." Shen Qi's voice was already a bit choked.
Whether Madam He's words were sincere or not, Shen Qi was already grateful.
When she left the room, Liu Yi was leaning against the wall waiting for her.
Shen Qi slowly walked over to Liu Yi. Liu Yi looked down at her, saw her slightly reddened eyes, and opened her arms to her.
She asked nothing, said nothing.
Between friends, sometimes a simple, warm hug was enough.
Shen Qi hugged Liu Yi and said in a muffled voice, "I called Madam He. I thanked her."
"Mm. You did the right thing." Liu Yi patted Shen Qi's shoulder. "I don't know the complexities of your family, but in today's situation, you really should have made that call."
Shen Qi nodded, feeling a bit relieved.
"Come on, your cheek is injured. I just got some eggs from the restaurant to press on it." Liu Yi pulled Shen Qi back. "We still have the expansion training later."
"Mm." Shen Qi's heart was wrapped in a warm feeling.
Being cared for—it really was happiness.
The two walked away without distraction.
But someone couldn't sit still.
He Yining paced back and forth several times, staring at the phone on the table, but it never rang.
Fan Sheng and Fan Li raised their hands: "Can you stop pacing? You're making us dizzy."
He Yining sat down sulkily across from them: "Why hasn't Xiao Qi called me?"
Wen Yibo was buried in studying Liu Yi's materials, not looking up as he replied, "Why would Xiao Qi call you? Madam He handled this, not you."
"But she could have called me after calling Grandma!" He Yining's phoenix eyes flashed with displeasure.
Xiao Qi hadn't called, and he was very unhappy!
"Since you didn't step in, there's no reason for her to be grateful to you." Fan Sheng and Fan Li said.
"I couldn't step in! That would have put me in direct opposition to my parents!" He Yining said dejectedly. "My mother meddling in this competition has put me in a tough spot!"
"So, the only one who can protect Xiao Qi right now is your grandmother. What are you complaining about?" Wen Yibo finally put down Liu Yi's materials and graciously glanced at He Yining. "I heard they're having the team member competition today. Aren't you going to watch?"
He Yining seemed to think of something, immediately sat up straight, his phoenix eyes narrowing as a dangerous aura seeped out: "No, I have something more important to do today. I've found out what Feng Manlun has been busy with these past few days!"
"Oh?" The other three looked at him with interest.
"Do you remember the much-talked-about Tengfei merger case from last year?" He Yining's lips curled slightly. As long as Shen Qi wasn't involved, he instantly returned to his cold, domineering imperial self. "Before Feng Manlun returned to the country, he was already meddling in domestic affairs. The real mastermind behind that merger case was Feng Manlun. His visit this time is to firmly take Tengfei into his own hands."