Chapter 444: Kneel Down Before Her

"Lele," even though she didn’t have the heart to dampen Gao Lele’s excitement, Liu Na still spoke up, "You all go ahead and watch, I won’t be joining. I have some things to deal with at home and need to head back early."

"At this hour, what could possibly be going on at home? The weather’s warming up now, it’s really the perfect time..."

She cut herself off mid-sentence as something occurred to her and quickly changed the topic, "Well... then you should head back early. When we have time, let’s go shopping together."

Liu Na nodded, giving her a comforting smile, "Sure, we’ll go shopping together when we have some time off."

Ever since the incident with Feng Jun, Liu Na had developed an aversion to movie theaters; usually, she wouldn’t even walk past the entrance of one.

She knew the issue was her own, but every time she saw a movie theater, she thought of that man and those unbearable memories.

After Liu Na left, Gao Lele’s eyes scanned the entire lobby. Spotting that silhouette, her eyes instantly sparkled with excitement.

Her earlier idea had given her tremendous courage.

She waited until Qin Jianjun weaved through the lobby to near the front desk, then smiled and waved at him.

Qin Jianjun served dishes to the customers before coming over with his tray, "What’s up, Lele?"

"Jianjun, want to go see a movie together after work? I’ve invited quite a few people; it’ll be fun with a larger group."

She was indeed clever, inviting several people so that inviting Qin Jianjun as well wouldn’t make her feel embarrassed.

Qin Jianjun replied with a faint smile, "You guys go ahead; I’ll pass. I’d like to go home and do some reading."

"Reading can be done anytime, just take a break for today. There’s that saying, right? ’All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ You’re always reading; aren’t you afraid of turning into a bookworm?"

Gao Lele playfully teased, her bright, sparkling eyes filled with anticipation.

Qin Jianjun still smiled, "I actually really wish I could become a bookworm. I’m a bit slow, so I need to read and memorize things repeatedly. You guys enjoy your time; don’t worry about me."

Qin Jianjun saw someone waving from across the room and slightly nodded his head, "Someone’s calling for me over there, I’m going to check it out."

"Ah..."

Gao Lele had more to say, but Qin Jianjun was already making his way quickly toward that customer.

Her bright and cheerful face instantly fell.

If he wasn’t going, what was the point of inviting those other people?

...

Zhang Wenbin didn’t remember how he got back to his dwelling, only recalling the strange looks the owner of the small hotel gave him when he returned.

Lying in bed, Zhang Wenbin felt pain all over his body, and that pain only added to his growing resentment.

He already guessed that those people must have been sent by Qin Yang; his young brother-in-law had a formal job and wouldn’t dare to confront him openly, resorting instead to these sneaky tactics.

But it didn’t matter, the root of all his problems was with Qin Juan.

As long as he and Qin Juan made up, he would still be the son-in-law of the Qin Family.

He couldn’t just return like this, if he did, what would all his suffering amount to?

Thinking of Qin’s Restaurant, Qin’s Buns Shop, Xiyang Food Factory, even Qin Yang’s connections in the city...

Even if he couldn’t return to his original job, with the status of a Qin Family son-in-law, things wouldn’t be as difficult as they were now.

And then... Zhang Wenbin touched his nose.

That Bald man would have to act according to his mood.

First thing he’d do then would be to get that man fired.

No, he’d say that he embezzled from the restaurant. Prison is where that kind of person belonged.

Thinking of this, Zhang Wenbin felt a surge of fervor, lessening the pain of his sleep, and the next day he woke up early, waiting on the path Ningning took to school.

He knew Qin Juan was soft-hearted.

Yesterday, in a moment of impatience, he used the wrong method. Now, looking the way he did, he could win her sympathy.

If it came down to it, he would shed his pride, kneel before her, and beg for her forgiveness.

Thinking this, he limped towards the school, but before he got far, Zhang Wenbin abruptly stopped in his tracks.

"Comrade Zhang, where are you headed?" Jia Liang gestured behind him, "The bus station is in that direction."

Although Zhang Wenbin didn’t understand how he had run into Jia Liang here again, he knew no good ever came from this man.

"I have things to do, it’s none of your business."

"None of my business?" Jia Liang stepped in front of Zhang Wenbin, speaking earnestly, "I remember warning Comrade Zhang yesterday that if I saw you in the city, I’d hit you every time. Seems like you didn’t hear clearly, or didn’t take it seriously, or perhaps, you are still delusional?"

Zhang Wenbin sharply raised his head, "It was you?"

"Yes, it was me."

Jia Liang stepped forward, nodding in admission.

There was none of the steady composure of Qin’s Restaurant’s manager about him now.

A slight furrow of his brow perfectly portrayed the image of a thug, enough to make anyone’s blood run cold.

"If I remember correctly, isn’t the school in that direction? What is Comrade Zhang planning to do there?"

The injuries on Zhang Wenbin’s body still hurt, and he couldn’t help but take a step back.

He looked around and thankfully, he was on the main road, which gave him some confidence.

"What are you going to do? I’m telling you, this is a society governed by law, assaulting people is a crime..."

Jia Liang didn’t want to talk much with him, but on hearing his words, swore outright.

"You fucking know assaulting people is a crime? Did you consider the law when you were hitting a woman?"

"I’m telling you, I have fewer qualms beating a scumbag like you."

He suddenly leaned in closer, lowering his voice, "Haven’t you already experienced it? If I want to, not just beating you, even killing you could be done silently and without a trace."

Hearing this, Zhang Wenbin abruptly raised his head, memories flooding back.

He wasn’t thinking about the beating he received yesterday, but the time before that, when he was inexplicably attacked by strangers.

Back then, he suspected it was an adversary from his workplace or someone he had offended there, even considering the possibility of the Qin brothers’ involvement.

So it was him all along...

Was this man standing up for Qin Juan even then?

Suddenly, Zhang Wenbin sneered with a realization, "Now I understand, no wonder you’ve been picking on me time and again. You couldn’t be coveting Qin Juan, that used goods, right? It must be true that you two are involved..."

With a "bang," Zhang Wenbin’s words were cut short by a fierce punch to his face.

Jia Liang watched his battered appearance with leisure as Zhang Wenbin steadied himself, then spoke word by word.

"I am unmarried, Qin Juan is unmarried; what does it matter if I like her? Unlike you, a scumbag man, eating from your bowl while eyeing what’s in the pot, unfaithful to your marriage. After divorcing Qin Juan, you still shamelessly crawl back to her. Even now, you can’t bear to leave? Do you think acting like this will win more of Qin Juan’s sympathy?"

He reached out and patted Zhang Wenbin’s face, hitting the wound on the corner of his mouth, causing Zhang Wenbin to involuntarily suck in a breath of cold air.

Moreover, the insulting nature of this gesture made Zhang Wenbin clench his fists even tighter.