Chapter 20: Mr. Si: Does Qiaoqiao also think I would take revenge on you?

"Mother wanted me to blacklist you in the industry, you should know I didn't want to be so ruthless, Qiaoqiao, just quit the industry and come home. Be good, because if pushed too far, Brother Sang won't show mercy. You're still too inexperienced to contend with us."

Sang Nanfeng sighed lightly, unable to deny that Sang Qiao's leaving home had affected him.

He wished they could return to the past, even if Sang Qiao always clashed with Jiaojiao, at least she was still at home.

He could still see her every day when he returned home.

Sang Qiao lowered her eyes and smiled, then turned to speak to her own artist, "An Chi, you go back first, the audition tomorrow remains as scheduled."

"Okay, then take care, Sister Sang Qiao," Lu Anchi seemed not to have expected such a relationship between Sang Qiao and the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, and he obediently left without bothering them further.

As soon as Lu Anran left,

Sang Qiao then looked at Brother Sang, her eyes clear and cold, "It's impossible for me to either quit the industry or come home. Whatever you do to me, I will return in full."

Sang Nanfeng was slightly shocked, as if he had not anticipated that she would say such a thing.

Was she positioning herself against him?

"Sang Qiao, you've changed. Why have you become like this? Must you be so disobedient and make things so absolute with us?"

Hearing this, Sang Qiao looked down and scoffed lightly, "It's you who have changed, not me. You might want to think about it—if Sang Jiao hadn't appeared, would you ever have pressured me to quit?"

Brother Sang felt somewhat uneasy when questioned, "...but Jiaojiao has sacrificed so much for you, can't you just tolerate this one thing for the sake of our family?"

"I've tolerated more than just this one thing before—it's never going to be okay again in this lifetime!"

To Sang Qiao, hearing these words was now just ironic; she was genuinely curious about what exactly Jiaojiao did during those three years she was abroad that warranted their sacrifice.

"Do you want to talk about how much you've suffered because of Jiaojiao again? Sang Qiao, let me tell you, I will always believe in Jiaojiao, and don't think about trying to ruin our relationship. I've said all I can—if you won't listen, don't blame me."

Sang Nanfeng frowned, unable to understand why Sang Qiao always had to be at odds with Jiaojiao.

Everything she said seemed to imply faults in Jiaojiao.

His patience was exhausted, and he was no longer interested in persuading her any further. He started to leave, but suddenly stopped and turned around, "Oh right, that scene you and the Li Family's daughter played out is likely going to fail—I won't investigate, because I don't believe you."

"It doesn't matter." Sang Qiao's small face remained calm, utterly unaffected.

She was no longer the Sang Qiao who once awaited her brothers' trust.

"You'd better truly not care."

As the air filled with gunpowder between them,

Sang Siyang hurried over, breaking the unsettling atmosphere. He glanced at them and lowered his voice, "Brother Sang, Sang Qiao, Mr. Si is here, and grandpa is still playing chess with Old Man Li. Dad wants you to come over and entertain the guests."

"What does the Sang family's affairs have to do with me?" Sang Qiao said, about to stride off.

Sang Nanfeng grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving, "What, are you afraid? After breaking off the engagement, now that he's recovered and is knocking on our door to exact blame, do you expect us to bear the wrath of the Si Family for you?"

"You're worrying too much. Why would the Si Family be those types of people?"

Sang Qiao looked composed, but internally she was baffled—what did Si Chenli really mean?

It was one thing to appear on variety shows, but to even come to the birthday banquet? Knowing well that the engagement break-off had infuriated the Si Family, who vowed to sever all ties with the Sang family.

"No matter whether you like it or not," Sang Nanfeng was adamant about not letting her leave, "as grandfather's granddaughter, receiving distinguished guests is the least form of politeness. Come with me."

Wasn't Sang Qiao so defiant? He really wanted to see how she could withstand Mr. Si's fury!

If she could admit her mistake and apologize, he might consider helping her resolve the issue.

"Sang Qiao, you should take responsibility for your own actions. If you don't acknowledge us anymore, you can't possibly expect us to bear the consequences of your mistakes," Sang Siyang probably saw his older brother's intention and chimed in.

"If you are worried that Si Chenli would do something to hurt you, you'd better think about the people present and see who you can ask to help you out."

A smile, rare these last days, emerged on Sang Nanfeng's face. After being defied by Sang Qiao for so long, he finally had something that left her helpless.

The three of them stood there, in a tense standoff.

Before Sang Qiao could speak, a deep male voice suddenly came from behind, "I am curious, why would I want to harm a weak woman? Mr. Sang, maybe you can explain?"

The man was tall and upright, his every gesture exuding a sophisticated masculine charm. His features were like a piece of art meticulously sculpted by the heavens, flawless would not be an overstatement.

His chin slightly raised, lips curved in a good-looking angle, his straight and prominent nose, and eyes as dark and deep as ink.

Following him was Mr. Sang along with a group of people. Mr. Sang wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and chuckled dryly, "Nanfeng is just joking, Mr. Si, please don't take it to heart."

"He's tarnished my reputation, how can I just swallow the insult?" Si Chenli spoke slowly.

Mr. Sang couldn't help but mentally criticize; Mr. Si was notorious for his ruthless tactics and rarely spared others' feelings, what reputation was he talking about?

But at the moment, he could only appease this V.I.P., "It's Nanfeng's fault, his remarks were inappropriate. Nanfeng, apologize to Mr. Si right away."

"Mr. Si always seeks revenge, and Sang Qiao abandoned you in your hardest time. I don't believe you can let go of that, so, Mr. Si, what I said is not wrong, is it?"

Sang Nanfeng was always proud and haughty. Even now, when he was not a match for Si Chenli, he refused to lower his head to apologize.

Si Chenli glanced indifferently at him, his gaze finally resting on the young girl. He chuckled lightly, "Qiaoqiao, do you also think that I will seek revenge on you?"

"No, Mr. Si is very kind," Sang Qiao reluctantly shook her head, effectively giving him a 'good guy' label.

The three Sang members: "…"

"Mr. Si, using such threatening tactics, your answers lack credibility," Sang Nanfeng saw Sang Qiao siding with an outsider and felt slightly upset.

But that slight displeasure was soon forgotten.

"Did I threaten you?" Si Chenli raised his eyebrows, still staring intensely at Sang Qiao.

"No, my answer is from the heart," Sang Qiao's round eyes rolled around, her tone earnest.

Sang Nanfeng was so infuriated he felt like he could choke on his own blood, unable to swallow or spit it out. He had planned to use Si Chenli's influence to teach Sang Qiao a lesson, making her admit her mistake.

Who could have expected them to be colluding?

He was extremely frustrated, "Mr. Si, did you come to the celebration just to ask these pointless questions?"

"Nanfeng, watch your words!" Mr. Sang couldn't help but be worried for him.

"Father, what are you afraid of? Mr. Si isn't someone who fusses over every little thing. How could he possibly mind a few unpleasant words?" Sang Nanfeng was dismissive.

In his view, Si Chenli would not take drastic measures against the Sang Family over a few words.