Even in prison clothes, with his bangs a bit too long and almost covering his eyes, his features remained as clear and youthful as ever.
"Yan Xia," he said in an unexpectedly gentle tone. "Do you really plan to be with Lu Qianzhou for the rest of your life?"
Yan Xia asked, "What did you send to Third Brother?"
That thing had been bothering Lu Qianzhou ever since it reached his hands. Lately, his temper hadn't been good. Maybe it was because his illness was acting up. He was being watched by Mu Rui every day to take his medicine on time, and even she hadn't seen Lu Qianzhou for a long time.
Fang Jiangyi squinted slightly. He was able to get Lu Qianzhou to back off and escape unscathed this time because he had that trump card in his hand.
However, Lu Qianzhou wouldn't want Yan Xia to know what it was, and Fang Jiangyi definitely didn't want her to know either.
If possible, he hoped it would be a secret Yan Xia would never know in her life.
"You don't want to know," Fang Jiangyi suddenly reached out his hand towards her. "Yan Xia, I'm asking you one last time. Do you want to leave Lu Qianzhou and really come to me?"
This wasn't a joke. He had seen his own heart clearly and knew that Lu Qianzhou wasn't with her simply. Staying by Lu Qianzhou's side, she would surely get hurt one day.
Maybe finding this too funny, Yan Xia suddenly lowered her head and laughed.
"Do you think there's still a chance for us? Brother Jiangyi, calling you brother - in - law means I've already recognized you in my heart. If you and my sister had a peaceful break - up, maybe I would consider it, but I can't accept what you've done."
From the moment he knew her true identity, the only possible chance between them had slipped away.
Since then, they had gone in opposite directions. Even if he wanted to make amends and was willing to do anything to win her back, there was only loneliness between them, and they could never go back.
Fang Jiangyi said, "You'll regret it."
"I know I'll regret it. You've said this many times. But I don't want to think about the future. I only care about the present."
Fang Jiangyi looked towards the window and said with a smile, "Do you think Lu Qianzhou's methods are only this much? Why did Wang Keding plead guilty so quickly? Why did he change so fast? I'm sure Lu Qianzhou must have taken some actions outside. Maybe it's someone or something that Wang Keding can't let go of."
After saying this, Yan Xia's expression froze for a moment.
Because she remembered Shangguan Yao. She remembered that the day Shangguan Yao left her, he had a car accident. And the final investigation defined it as an accidental traffic accident. Since the consequences weren't serious, after getting points deducted and making compensation, the matter was dropped.
According to Fang Jiangyi, it was very likely that Lu Qianzhou was threatening Wang Keding. He had to plead guilty, or his only son, Shangguan Yao, might die.
For Shangguan Yao's future and safety, Wang Keding pleaded guilty. That's why he didn't defend himself in court today and admitted all the crimes.
She looked up at Fang Jiangyi and gradually tightened her fists.
"Don't be deceived by his appearance. Lu Qianzhou is not that simple," he took a deep breath and said to her, "I'll always be here. Come to me whenever you figure it out. I'll wait for you."
"I'll get someone to send Cheng Yanxi back to you as soon as possible."
After leaving the court, Yan Xia had been recalling recent events.
Actually, Fang Jiangyi was really similar to her sister. Once they fell in love with someone, they would whole - heartedly devote themselves to that person.
This was the last time she would be sad because of Fang Jiangyi. He was really a complicated person. Although he had hurt her and the Cheng family, he was both loved and hated.
In the subsequent trial, the court still maintained the original verdict.
No one expected that after Shangguan Yao visited Wang Keding in prison once, Wang Keding committed suicide in prison.
The people in charge were afraid of being held responsible. After hurriedly filing a report, they sent the body for cremation overnight.
Yan Xia thought that this must be a huge blow to Shangguan Yao. He had finally been willing to let go of his grudges and have a good talk with Wang Keding, but after just one calm conversation, that person committed suicide.
Moreover, he committed suicide considering Shangguan Yao's future and safety.
She didn't know what Shangguan Yao would do, but she knew that even though he had never liked Wang Keding, he must be extremely sad.
She lived with Lu Qianzhou. After a storm subsided, everything seemed to return to calm.
What she needed to do next was to collect evidence and get Lan Yuzhou to testify in court to prove Cheng Hua's innocence and appeal for his case.
Lu Qianzhou held Yan Xia in his arms.
"Everything is ready. As long as you say the word, we can arrange the appeal immediately. I believe your father will be out of prison soon."
Yan Xia said absent - mindedly, "As long as his charges are cleared, it means we didn't embezzle the company's public funds, and my charges will be naturally dropped."
Lu Qianzhou gently kissed her forehead and said with a smile, "Then you can be Cheng Yanxia again. Xiaxia, do you know? I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. Because only when you become Cheng Yanxia can I be with you openly."
He seemed to be getting better at saying cheesy pick - up lines, and she just loved them. Every time she heard them, she couldn't stay calm.
"But your original plan was to send Fang Jiangyi to prison too, but this time..." Yan Xia said hesitantly.
Lu Qianzhou laughed and pulled her into his arms. Yan Xia couldn't see his expression. Although he was smiling, the look in his eyes was as cold as a deep pool.
"I did all this not only for myself but more for you," he played with her fingers. "After all, if I want to marry you, I always need your father's consent."
Lu Qianzhou did everything related to the appeal for her. She just needed to wait to reunite with Cheng Hua.
One day, Yan Xia went home to get some daily necessities. She hadn't seen Uncle Fu for several days, and he finally had a chance to talk to her.
"Mr. Shangguan came to look for you last time."
Shangguan clearly had her phone number but didn't call. Instead, he came here to find her. Maybe it was because he felt some things were hard to say.
Shangguan Yao had really had a tough time. His newly - recognized father committed suicide in prison, and he had a car accident himself. Although Wang Keding's assets were going to be confiscated, Yuan Qiuping had transferred a large portion of the money through some means before the confiscation.
That meant Shangguan Yao got nothing.
These days, Yan Xia had gotten familiar with Lan Yuzhou's daughter. It was good like this. At least after Lan Yuzhou was sentenced, her daughter would have someone to rely on.
The appeal for Cheng Hua started half a month after Wang Keding's sentencing. Lan Yuzhou testified in court, and the evidence was conclusive. The person who framed Cheng Hua was made to take the blame by the former CFO.
Cheng Hua's innocence was proved, and Lan Yuzhou was sentenced to three years.
On the day Cheng Hua was released, Yan Xia went to pick him up outside the prison in person. Uncle Fu went with her. It was snowing, and Uncle Fu held an umbrella for her. The cold wind was howling, but she stood still like a pine tree.