Chapter 11 It's Su Jinqi

Xu Peirong frowned, but did not deny it, and said bluntly, "Shares are important, but I also want my grandson to have a great mother. How could the maternal family of our Li Family's child be even a fraction less than others?"

Her tone held traces of unwillingness. She huffed through her nose and continued, "Now that Li Jingxiao's wife is pregnant, they are incredibly proud of that mother and son, thinking they hold major power? Do they really think that just because they're carrying the heir they're the Crown Prince? Haven't they considered that Li Jingxiao's status is that of an illegitimate child, what right does he have to compete with you for the family fortune?"

"Your dad hasn't even seen the marriage certificate yet. Take advantage of the time before New Year's Day, and get yourself divorced. If you really don't like Yang Qianyu, then any daughter from another wealthy family will do, as long as it's not Su Jinqi!"

"Mom, you don't need to worry about this, it's going to be Su Jinqi!" Li Jinghan said with certainty and an indisputable tone.

Upon hearing this, Xu Peirong grew even more furious, "Do you really want that woman to have your child?"

"About having a baby, Xiao Qi and I will schedule it, you don't need to concern yourself with this," Li Jinghan replied, his patience wearing thin as he finished his meal amid his mother's preaching.

"Is Xiao Qi calling me? What needs to be scheduled?" Su Jinqi, who had returned at some point, stood at the doorway and asked innocently.

"Why are you back? Were you eavesdropping on us?" Xu Peirong asked sharply, "Do you not have any manners?"

Su Jinqi hurriedly waved her hands and said, "No, not at all, Mom, please don't be angry, I just forgot my phone here. I came back to fetch it." While speaking, she carefully approached the dining table, grabbed her phone, and scurried away as if fleeing.

Xu Peirong pressed her hand to her forehead, "Don't let her call me Mom, it infuriates me just to hear it!"

Escaping from the dining room, Su Jinqi clutched her chest in the corner, feeling quite intimidated by the chairman's wife's flare-up of temper! What were they discussing just now? Wanting a baby? She didn't mishear, did she?

After finishing the meal with Li Jinghan, Xu Peirong had tea and chatted with her son in the living room for a while. Checking the time and seeing it was getting late, she stated her intention to leave.

"Son, let me tell you again, go and get that divorce from... what's her name... seven, finalized tomorrow. Don't make your dad upset over this matter!" Xu Peirong warned with a serious expression.

Li Jinghan, hands in his pockets, signaled to Mrs. Hui with a glance, and then stated firmly, "Dad won't be. Xiao Qi is so well-behaved, Dad will like her."

Xu Peirong looked at him skeptically. Didn't she know her own husband? Their views were the same, they both hoped their son would marry a wife well-matched in social status. The current one, with nothing to her name, who could she please?

Su Jinqi was called out by Mrs. Hui and walked over to the living room where she saw the mother and son talking. She clenched her fists tightly and mustered the courage to approach, managing a forced smile as she asked softly, "Mom, are you leaving?"

Xu Peirong kept a stern face and didn't even glance at her. With a purse over her arm and heading towards the door, she said, "Don't call me Mom, I don't acknowledge you as my daughter-in-law!"

Su Jinqi followed behind with small steps, sticking out her tongue and grumbling silently to herself, I never acknowledged you as my mother-in-law anyway!

Outside, the wind and snow were fierce. After seeing off Xu Peirong, Su Jinqi looked at the thickly accumulated snow in the courtyard and thought to herself, if the snow stops tomorrow, building a snowman would be quite nice.

Li Jinghan had already taken his long strides back inside. She followed him indoors and watched his retreating figure ascend the stairs, sighing silently to herself, knowing there were even more daunting tasks ahead for her.

Su Jinqi washed some fruits and carried them to the study. She gently knocked twice. A deep voice from inside said, "Come in."

"Mr. Li, have some fruit." Su Jinqi cautiously placed the fruit plate on the desk, standing there somewhat at a loss.

Li Jinghan continued reading without even a glance, indifferently instructing her, "Take it away, I don't eat fruit."

Su Jinqi scratched her head, pondering for a moment then said bravely but awkwardly, "Mr. Li, eating fruits is good, it supplements vitamins."

I must say it, whether he hates me or not, I have to speak up since I won't be getting anywhere with either approach!

Li Jinghan kept his eyes on his book, his voice cold as he said, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. Stop trying to curry favor."

Su Jinqi pursed her lips, with her hands behind her back, she finally said, "Um... there's something I want to talk to you about…"

Li Jinghan was undisturbed, uninterested in whatever she wanted to say, and silently turned a page in his book.

"That is...," after waiting a brief moment and seeing he had no intention of inquiring, she reluctantly started speaking, "Well, it's like this... today my Aunt called me, she's expecting us to visit in three days, saying it's customary..." Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, barely audible at the end.

Li Jinghan looked up, a sarcastic smile on his face, "Su Jinqi, are we really husband and wife? Shouldn't you be clear about your own status? Do you think it's appropriate for you to bring up such matters to me?"

Su Jinqi looked down, fiddling nervously with her fingers, "I also think it's inappropriate. But today my Aunt called, and I really couldn't refuse, that's why I wanted to ask you. I am aware of my place."

Li Jinghan lowered his head back to his book, his tone cold, "Since you know your place, then don't mention such matters to me again! Take the fruit and leave, don't loiter in my sight, it's irritating."

Su Jinqi thought to herself, I knew it would end up like this, but I just had to test my fate and subject myself to this humiliation. Are you happy now? Well, good, now I at least have an explanation for my Aunt, it's not that I don't want to go back, but there is no one to accompany me.

She picked up the fruit tray and turned to leave, but after just a couple of steps, she hesitated and turned back to ask, "Mr. Li, about the matter you and the chairman were discussing earlier, about us having a child, that's not true, is it?"

"Get out!"

Su Jinqi shivered with fright and quickly ducked out of the study room. Judging by his reaction, it probably wasn't true.

Back in her room, after washing up and getting into bed, she snuggled into the warm and soft covers. Su Jinqi finally allowed herself to relax—Li Jinghan was too frightening, and together with the chairman, she felt nothing but exhaustion tonight.

A notification from her WeChat made a brief sound. She glanced over to see a familiar avatar and a long string of messages that irritated her. She didn't want to bother, so she simply turned off her phone. Tonight, she just wanted to be alone in silence.