Chapter 19

When Luo Xiao heard Qu Zhisheng’s words, he echoed, “I was originally going to pursue the matter. But I withdrew the case on account of your father. You’re a young girl—having a criminal record will ruin your future, don’t you think so? Ling’er, I really like you from the bottom of my heart. Even though you hit me, I don’t hold it against you. Don’t pull a long face anymore. Let’s sit down and have a chat with some tea.”

“Tea? Chat?” Qu Ling’er thought: “I wouldn’t dare to drink tea from a dirty, old man like you!”

She clenched her fists and was about to beat him up again when her cell phone rang. She took it out and saw that it was Luo Yichen.

She felt so aggrieved in that instant. She took a deep breath and answered the call. “Hello.”

“Did you see your identity card?” Luo Yichen asked.

“Yes, I saw it,” Qu Ling’er said softly.

Luo Yichen was taken aback. Although her voice sounded calm, he sensed that something was wrong. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.” Qu Ling’er held back her grievance and said softly, “Brother, thank you.”

Luo Yichen: “…” Why did she suddenly thank him?

Qu Ling’er continued, “Brother, I need to attend to something, so I need to go now.” With that, she hung up.

At the sound of the phone being hung up, Luo Yichen’s heart sank. Something must have happened to the lass. But she was used to bearing everything herself. The more he thought about it, the more worried he was. So, he immediately dialed a number.

After Qu Ling’er hung up, the ward fell silent.

Qu Zhisheng asked with a thunderous expression, “What ‘Brother’? Qu Ling’er, how can boys outside be trusted so easily?”

Qu Ling’er retorted, “Then, you can be trusted?”

Qu Zhisheng said sorely, “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m your father! Why would I harm you? Who else can you trust if you don’t trust me?”

Hearing such shameless words, Qu Ling’er coldly snorted. Even a three-year-old child would not believe such a flimsy lie. How could she believe it?

Luo Xiao handed a bottle of green tea to Qu Ling’er. “Ling’er, don’t be so angry. Drink some green tea to calm your anger. Don’t always quarrel with your father—he’s doing this for your own good.”

Qu Ling’er looked at the green tea in front of her and did not take it.

Qu Zhisheng was even angrier. “Qu Ling’er, How did I raise you? Where are your manners? Your Uncle Luo offered you a drink. Can’t you even thank him?”

“I only rushed over because Qu Xinru said that you were in the emergency room. It seems like I am an idiot who has been used by you again and again.” Qu Ling’er lowered her eyes and said with a face full of sadness, “Since you are fine, I am leaving.” She turned around to open the door of the ward.

“Qu Ling’er!” Qu Zhisheng reached out and grabbed her shoulder.

Qu Ling’er pushed Qu Zhisheng’s hand away and roared, “Don’t touch me! I feel disgusted to be your daughter!”

“Qu Ling’er!” Qu Zhisheng was furious. “Let me tell you—no matter how disgusted you feel—you can’t change this fact. There’s a limit to my patience!”

Qu Ling’er looked daggers at him and turned to unlock the door.

Seeing that she was not subservient, Qu Zhisheng picked up the syringe that he had prepared beforehand and plunged it into Qu Ling’er’s arm.

Qu Ling’er reacted immediately when she was jabbed—she quickly turned around and kicked Qu Zhisheng—causing him to fall to the ground.

Qu Ling’er leaned against the door and gave Qu Zhisheng a cold-eyed glare.

The syringe contained a short-term anesthetic. Although Qu Ling’er had reacted swiftly—and was not injected with too much of it—a small dose was enough to affect her movements. She immediately felt her limbs go numb. She did not dare to act rashly, afraid that she would expose her vulnerability. She endured the discomfort and questioned, “Qu Zhisheng, do you really want to destroy me that much? Have you ever treated me as your daughter all these years? Even for a moment?”

Qu Zhisheng threw away the syringe in his hand and replied coldly, “If you’re obedient, I’ll treat you as my daughter. Otherwise, you’ll just be a tool of the Qu family. As a tool, you shouldn’t have your own thoughts.”

A tool? Qu Ling’er felt an unprecedented sense of sadness.

Qu Zhisheng stared at Qu Ling’er and said coldly, “Qu Ling’er, you have to thank your dead mother for everything you’ve suffered today. It was all because she insisted on marrying me back then. In order to separate me and Xiaoman, she even tried her best to get pregnant with you.”

Qu Zhisheng’s expression and tone were cold and unfeeling when he mentioned his ex-wife.