"Heh." Li Daoqiang smiled confidently. "My woman—I trust her."
Then his tone softened. "But remember to change how you address me. From now on, call me 'Senior Brother.' 'Junior Brother' isn't suitable."
Qi Fang didn't quite understand, but it seemed "Senior Brother" was indeed more intimate. She didn't object and nodded in agreement.
Without further words, Li Daoqiang had someone take Qi Fang to see Di Yun. He followed close behind.
In a room, Di Yun was already awake and had eaten breakfast. He sat in a daze, lost in thought—mostly missing his junior sister, but also wondering about the people here and what was really going on.
"Senior—Brother!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, slightly hesitant but unmistakably excited. Di Yun's spirits jolted. That voice, so familiar he could never forget it, even for a moment.
He turned and saw her, his face bursting with joy. "Junior Sister!"
He rushed forward, ready to embrace her. Qi Fang, though overjoyed and tearful, remained somewhat clear-headed. She quickly reached out and grabbed Di Yun's arms, saying happily, "Senior Brother!"
Di Yun felt something odd. Why was she calling him "Senior Brother"? But in his excitement and happiness, he didn't dwell on it. "Junior Sister, it's so good to see you! I was wronged, Junior Sister. You believe me, don't you?"
"Mm-hmm, I believe you, Senior Brother. I already know everything. The Wan family framed you," Qi Fang said quickly, nodding repeatedly, a hint of sympathy in her voice.
"The Wan family framed me?" Di Yun froze, stunned. "Junior Sister, how—how do you know?"
Qi Fang's expression dimmed slightly. She forced a faint smile and said, "Senior Brother, let's sit down first. I'll tell you slowly."
Filled with confusion, Di Yun nodded heavily.
They sat down on chairs. Qi Fang steadied herself and began, "That day after you were imprisoned, the Wan family told me they'd try to get you a lighter sentence. I didn't suspect anything. Later, one day on the street, I ran into danger and was rescued by the chief of the Black Dragon Stronghold."
She paused, gritted her teeth, and continued, recounting the analysis Li Daoqiang had shared with her that day.
Di Yun's expression shifted to sudden realization. His breathing grew heavy, and his face twisted with anger. "I knew something was off. It must have been the Wan family who set me up."
Qi Fang nodded. After another moment of silence, she gathered her courage, forcing a calm expression, and told him everything that had happened next.
Di Yun's anger faded, replaced by utter disbelief. He stared blankly at Qi Fang. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably, and his whole body trembled, as if his world was crumbling.
"Junior Sister, you're lying to me, aren't you? Don't fool me, please," he said, his voice shaking as he struggled to control himself.
Qi Fang lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Senior Brother, from now on, I'll be a married woman. You should congratulate me."
"No!"
Di Yun exploded. He shot to his feet, gripping Qi Fang's shoulders tightly, his eyes bloodshot. "Junior Sister, you're lying to me, right? Tell me you're lying! I don't believe it. I don't believe it."
Qi Fang kept her head down, silent. The hope in Di Yun's eyes dwindled, replaced by a growing sense of despair. Suddenly, his voice trembled as he said, "Junior Sister, let's go beg Chief Li. I'll beg him. I don't want to be saved anymore. I'll go back to prison. Okay? Junior Sister, take me to beg him."
Qi Fang's heart jolted. She finally looked up at Di Yun, her eyes reddening, but she shouted firmly, "Senior Brother, do you know what you're saying? I'm already his woman. He's my man now. Senior Brother, can't you just wish me well? Father is gone. You're my only family. Just live well, okay?"
Her voice turned pleading, and tears streamed down her face.
Di Yun felt as if he'd been struck a heavy blow. His body went limp, and he collapsed to the floor, his expression numb. Qi Fang's words cut into him like knives. His junior sister was marrying someone else. She wanted him to bless her. A sense of utter hopelessness rose within him, and the pain was so intense he could barely breathe.
He wanted to hate—not his junior sister, of course. She had done nothing wrong. She had only acted to save him. Hate Li Daoqiang? A little, but not enough. Hate the Wan family? Yes, it was all the Wan family's fault. If not for them...
His eyes blazed with fury. Suddenly, he slammed his fists into his own face, the sharp smacks echoing loudly as blood streamed down.
"Senior Brother!" Qi Fang cried out in alarm, grabbing his hands.
Di Yun ignored her. He hated himself even more—hated his own helplessness, his inability to do anything.
"Senior Brother, what are you doing? I'm getting married. Can't you just be okay?" Qi Fang sobbed.
Di Yun felt another blow. He stared blankly at Qi Fang. A thousand words were trapped inside him, but he couldn't speak them. Beyond the pain and hatred, there was only deep pity. It was all because of him. All because of him. He didn't want to see his junior sister like this, but he couldn't control himself.
"Ah~!"
His bitter anguish erupted into a wail. He just wanted to cry himself to death.
Qi Fang was helpless. She could only cry along with him.
Suddenly, a voice reached her ears. "You go out first. I'll handle this from here."
Her face stiffened. She bit her lip, stood up, and walked out.
Di Yun saw her leave but had no strength to stop her. He could only continue his heart-wrenching sobs.
Qi Fang walked out with her head down. Li Daoqiang patted her shoulder and said firmly, "Don't worry. I'm here."
She looked up at him, her feelings even more conflicted.
"Go back now. I promise your senior brother will be fine," Li Daoqiang added.
Qi Fang was uneasy but didn't dare refuse. She nodded and slowly walked away.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind. His expression turned calm as he stepped inside, seeing the figure consumed by despair. He felt neither contempt nor pity. That was just how this world worked—he had no time for such feelings.
"You're Di Yun, Qi Fang's senior brother?" Li Daoqiang said flatly.
Di Yun didn't respond until another sentence came: "I'm Li Daoqiang, Qi Fang's man."
At that, Di Yun's sobbing abruptly stopped. Though the pain still made it hard to breathe, a strange force seemed to prop him up. He didn't want to cry in front of this man. He didn't want to embarrass himself or his junior sister.
He wiped his tears fiercely, forced himself to stand, and stared at Li Daoqiang with stubborn defiance, making no effort to hide his hostility.
Li Daoqiang looked him over and instead showed a hint of approval. "Not completely hopeless. At least you haven't disgraced Qi Fang too badly."
Di Yun's face flushed red. He opened his mouth to speak but didn't know what to say. Finally, he gritted his teeth and dropped to his knees with a thud. "I beg you—please give my junior sister back to me. Please."
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow and snorted coldly. "For Qi Fang's sake, I'll let this slide once. Remember this: Qi Fang is my woman. No one else can covet her."
"I'll give you my life. I'll give you anything you want. Please, I'm begging you," Di Yun said, abandoning all dignity and pride.
Li Daoqiang sneered disdainfully. "Do you know what you're doing? You're only disgracing Qi Fang and damaging the bond between us. You're hurting her."
"I'm not hurting her!" Di Yun shook his head and shouted.
"Not hurting her? Hah. If I were a narrower-minded man, you'd be dead by now. And Qi Fang would suffer for it. Our marriage would sour, and she might waste away in misery within a few years. And you still say you're not hurting her? This kind of meddling in a couple's relationship is even more despicable and insidious." Li Daoqiang laughed coldly.
Di Yun was stunned into silence. What Li Daoqiang said seemed to ring true.
Li Daoqiang shook his head inwardly. Di Yun was still too naive. But that was exactly the kind of personality he liked—easy to manipulate.
"Enough. Your junior sister is already mine. That's an unchangeable fact. As her senior brother, do you really want to ruin her happiness?" Li Daoqiang said sternly.
"No, I don't. I'm not," Di Yun stammered, his mind in turmoil.
"Di Yun, no matter what, you're still Qi Fang's senior brother, and now her only family. She cares about you deeply, and I don't want to upset her. So don't test my patience. If you're still a man, pull yourself together. Act like a proper senior brother and family member." Li Daoqiang scolded lightly.
(Thank you for your support.) ······