Mr. Xiao, can I borrow your wedding invitation?

Chapter 176 The Child Who Suddenly Appeared
"I'm about to go to jail, what's the point of living? Tell me, where did you hide my antiques?" For Nan Dongxue, those treasures could save his life now, otherwise he really would have no hope at all.

Jiang Xue still stubbornly denied it, "You locked all those antiques in the study. How am I supposed to know where they are now that I can't find them? Without servants, who knows, maybe thieves will take notice!"

Nan Dongxue waved his hand dismissively, "Impossible!"

Thinking about how important these things were to him, Nan Dongxue softened his tone, "Xiaoxue, those people are pressing for repayment right now. If I can't come up with the money, they'll sue me. If I go to jail, what will you two do? If this family is gone, you'll be homeless. Listen to me, hand over the things. I promise you, once I turn my life around, I'll give you control of the family finances. From now on, all my money will be yours, okay?"

Jiang Xue pushed him away and moved further back. "It's too late to say these things now. It's true that I took the things, but I've already sold them. I'm not giving you the money!"

"What? You actually..." Nan Dongxue was furious and slapped Jiang Xue across the face.

Jiang Rourou was so frightened that she covered her mouth. Seeing Nan Dongxue's eyes redden with anger, she was too scared to go forward.

"I've been feeding you and your daughter so you can eat, drink, and have fun, and you actually stole my things and sold them? You shameless woman, how dare you treat me like this?"

Jiang Xue covered her face and glared back, "Nan Dongxue, do you really think I don't know how many women you've had outside all these years, how many illegitimate children you've raised? Do you know why I've been putting up with it all this time? Because I'm not reconciled. I'm not reconciled to the fact that after all these years of hard work, I've ruined everything because of impulsiveness. I'm not stupid enough to give away all my efforts. So what if I sell you a few things? Those are things you owed us, mother and son. The company is gone, all the money has been used to pay off debts. We're not a charity, why should we suffer with you? I've had enough of that kind of poor life. You ruined the company yourself, so you deserve to take responsibility. Don't drag us down with you!"

Just two days ago, Jiang Xue suddenly set her sights on his antiques. Nan Dongxue had been particularly fond of collecting these things for a while, and had spent a lot of money to buy several of them, which he kept in his study.

Seeing that the Nan family was gone, and that Nan Dongxue was gradually selling off the valuables of the Nan family to pay off debts, Jiang Xue and her daughter would end up with nothing if this continued. After thinking it over, she decided to take advantage of the situation and hide the antiques.

"You! You wretch! I've been so good to you all this time, and you ungrateful bastard..." Nan Dongxue pointed at Jiang Xue's nose, cursing her with each word more offensive than the last.

With the Nan family bankrupt and him now burdened with debt, and constantly pressured by a group of people to repay the money, Nan Dongxue was already annoyed enough. Now, with a thief within his own ranks, he lost control of his emotions and vented all his anger on Jiang Xue.

Jiang Rourou couldn't stop them, and even Nan Dongxue hit her. After he had hit her enough, Jiang Xue was dragged to the backyard and thrown into a dark storage room.

"Dongxue, let me out! This is imprisonment, it's illegal!" Jiang Xue, having regained her senses, frantically pounded on the window.

Nan Dongxue stuffed the money into his pocket. "Hmph! Do you think you're above the law just because you stole my things? I'll let you go the moment you hand them over. Otherwise, you can stay here and see how long you can last!"

Before leaving, he also gave Jiang Rourou a vicious warning, "If you dare to rescue her, I'll beat you up too!"

Jiang Rourou nodded repeatedly in fright. As soon as the others left, she rushed over and grabbed the window railing. "Mom, are you alright?"

"Rou Rou, let me out! Your dad's gone mad!"

"No, that won't do. If Dad finds out I secretly let you out, he'll beat me to death. Why don't you hold on a little longer? I'll think of a way to get you out!"

"You brat, what can you do? Finding the key is the most important thing! Rou Rou, Rou Rou, don't go, Rou Rou..." Jiang Xue looked at the musty, moldy place and curled up in the corner in fear. If she had known this would happen, she should have been more patient and talked to Nan Dongxue properly. But who knew he was so crazy that he imprisoned her.

Qian Huai'an had finally managed to come to Ningcheng and stayed for several days. On this day, Qian Xingjie invited the most famous chef in the area to his home and specially prepared a table of dishes to suit Qian Huai'an's taste.

"Xingjie, you're so thoughtful, unlike Ke'er, I have to worry about her all the time. Ke'er, you should learn more from your brother in this regard!"

It's always the same. No matter how well Qian Xingjie does, Qian Huai'an just says a few words as a formality, doing only superficial work. Qian Xingjie has long been used to this, because no matter what he does, he can't truly move him.

Qian Ke'er pouted, "Dad, why do you always have to involve me in everything? I'm a girl, how come I'm the same as my brother!"

Qian Huai'an chuckled. The father and daughter chatted back and forth, seemingly oblivious to the presence of Qian Xingjie, as if they were outsiders in their own world.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was alright, but Qian Xingjie couldn't feel it at all. He drank his red wine alone, his calm eyes seeming to be brewing something.

Musa felt sorry for him seeing him all alone.

After having enough fun and getting bored, Qian Ke'er finally remembered that she had an older brother. "By the way, brother, didn't you say you had something to tell Dad and me tonight? What is it that's so serious? Don't tell me you don't want to stay in Ningcheng anymore?"

“How could I feel at ease leaving you here alone? So, of course not!” Qian Xingjie sat up halfway and filled Qian Huai’an’s wine glass. “There’s something very important I want to tell you!”

Everyone looked at him, waiting for what he would say next.

"My girlfriend is pregnant with my child. To give her a legitimate status, I want to give her a wedding so she can marry me rightfully!"

These words stunned everyone present.

"Bro, when did you get a girlfriend? I didn't know. Who is she? You've never mentioned her and she's already pregnant. You weren't scammed, were you?"

Qian Xingjie calmly explained, "It's my child, there's no mistake. And I've already had someone do a blood test, it's a boy. I believe this is the best gift God has given me, I can't refuse it!"

Qian Huai'an suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "What? It's a boy?"

Qian Xingjie nodded, then stood up and bowed deeply to Qian Huai'an. "I'm sorry, Dad, I've disappointed you. I'm willing to accept any punishment you give me, but I don't want to give up on my wife and son. I hope you can understand!"

"Xingjie, they are now..."

Qian Huai'an was in the middle of his excitement when Mu Sha interrupted him, "Young Master, the woman you're talking about, could she be Jiang Rourou, the illegitimate daughter of the Nan family?"