Jiang Chan could not be bothered to waste more words on the two brothers. She got into the car and rolled down the window. “I hope you’ll still be as stubborn as you are now. When that time comes, I won’t be this easy to talk to.”
Facts proved that it did not even take three days before Zhou Dayou’s entire family could no longer hold out. Jiang Chan was currently staying at the best hotel in the provincial capital, arranged by the city. After all, Jiang Chan was a well known entrepreneur.
That morning at nine o’clock, Zhou Dayou’s whole family crowded into the hotel where Jiang Chan was staying. Leading them was a man in his forties wearing black framed glasses. He looked at Jiang Chan standing behind the door, his smile extremely courteous.
“President Jiang, we’ve also been doing some work on your side these past few days. How about we discuss the investment matter again?”
Jiang Chan lifted her eyes and looked at Zhou Dayou, who was being fussed over by everyone behind him. She opened the door. “Director Li, your information network is impressive. Come in and talk.”
After Zhou Fugui and Zhou Fuquan went back and relayed the message, Zhou Dayou was furious. On top of that, people kept coming to his home over the past few days to do ideological work, making him feel that his own family affairs were none of their business.
He also did not take to heart how much his sons had described Jiang Chan’s changes. In his eyes, Jiang Chan was still the pitiful old woman who had carried Xiao Hua on her back and left home back then.
If at first he had been extremely angry at Jiang Chan, then upon seeing her in person, he was utterly shocked. Jiang Chan was dressed elegantly. After sitting down on the sofa, she lifted a cup of clear tea.
Steam rose from the tea, blurring her brows and eyes so that her expression could not be clearly seen. Zhou Dayou had never felt so restrained. Standing next to Jiang Chan now, no one would think they were husband and wife. If anything, calling them father and daughter would seem more fitting.
This time, the entire family had mobilized. Not a single member of Zhou Dayou’s family was missing. Zhou Dabao and Zhou Xiaobao sat obediently on chairs to the side. Zhou Xiaobao’s eyes darted around, fixed on Jiang Chan the entire time.
“My position has already been made very clear by Lawyer He. What exactly are you here for today?”
Jiang Chan went straight to the point. She did not want to say anything unnecessary to these people.
“You’ve become capable now and look down on me. Is it because you’ve found someone outside?” Zhou Dayou steadied himself. His tone was exactly the same as Jiang Chan remembered. Sinister and cold. From the original owner’s memories, Jiang Chan knew this was a sign he was about to lose his temper.
“Let’s stick to the facts. Even if I had no one outside, just your decades of domestic violence alone are enough for me to want a divorce. This marriage ended long ago. You favor sons over daughters and look down on me. Coincidentally, I also look down on you.”
“You…” Zhou Dayou stood up at once, grabbing the teacup in front of him and preparing to throw it at Jiang Chan. Jiang Chan lifted her eyes. “Let me remind you. If you dare lay a hand on me, do you believe I can sue you straight into prison?”
Zhou Fugui hurriedly grabbed Zhou Dayou’s hand. “Dad, calm down. Didn’t we come here to talk properly? Why are you so angry the moment we arrive?”
Wang Mei quickly stepped forward to placate Jiang Chan. “Mom, please calm down. We’re all family. Why make things so ugly? You’ve been gone all these years. Dad has missed you. You come back and immediately ask for a divorce. No wonder he’s this angry.”
Jiang Chan said, “So this is somehow my fault? If life can’t go on, then divorce. I endured him for decades. Now I don’t want to endure anymore. Zhou Dayou, let me tell you this. No matter what, I will divorce you while I’m still alive. Being buried with you after death would be an embarrassment to me.”
Zhou Dayou was so furious his fingers trembled. “In your dreams!”
Jiang Chan had no patience to continue talking. “Lawyer He, I’ll leave this matter to you. Director Li, I’ll say it again. Once my case is properly resolved, I’ll consider implementing your proposal. My request is reasonable. The law does not forbid divorce.”
Director Li nodded. “Rest assured, President Jiang. We’ll keep an eye on this matter.”
Seeing that Jiang Chan’s resolve was absolute, Wang Mei’s eyes flickered. “Mom, if you insist on divorcing, there’s nothing we can do. But didn’t you take Xiao Hua away back then? Where is Xiao Hua now?”
This was the conclusion they had reached after discussing things these past few days. If Jiang Chan truly wanted a divorce, they would use Xiao Hua as leverage.
Jiang Chan glanced at Zhou Fugui. “I’ve taken very good care of Xiao Hua. Speaking of Xiao Hua, I still have a score to settle with you.”
Lawyer He immediately took out another document folder. Jiang Chan pulled out dozens of receipts. She calmly looked at Zhou Dabao. Under her gaze, Zhou Dabao shrank back.
“How did Xiao Hua’s face get burned back then? It was your precious son, Zhou Dabao, from Zhou Fuquan and Zhang Chuncao’s family, roasting sweet potatoes in the kitchen. He ordered a five year old Xiao Hua to fetch them. Xiao Hua tripped over a stool after entering the kitchen, and the charcoal burned her face. Zhou Dabao, am I wrong?”
Zhou Dabao retorted defiantly, “She fell herself. A worthless girl.”
Jiang Chan slammed her palm on the table. “You did wrong and you’re still this righteous about it. I’ve truly seen the Zhou family’s upbringing. Come to think of it, do you even have such a thing as upbringing?”
Wang Mei had no idea Xiao Hua had gone through something like this. She had only known that Jiang Chan carried Xiao Hua away back then. Zhou Fuquan’s family had never mentioned the reason.
“These are hospital records from after Xiao Hua was burned. All the receipts are here. Altogether they add up to two million two hundred thousand yuan. Since you don’t want a divorce, then pay me this amount. Debts must be repaid. That is only right.”
When Jiang Chan stated the figure, everyone felt their vision go dark. At this time, the average annual income was barely over one thousand yuan. Two million two hundred thousand yuan was an amount they had never even dared to imagine.
“A worthless girl spent that much money?” Zhang Chuncao immediately jumped up. She never expected Jiang Chan to turn the fire onto them. In her heart, even spending one extra yuan on Xiao Hua was too much.
“These are official receipts. If you don’t believe them, you can hire your own lawyer. I don’t need to trick you.” Jiang Chan sat up straight. “Xiao Hua’s medical treatment cost this much. As the culprits, your family bears one million one hundred thousand yuan. Is that unreasonable?”
Director Li smacked his lips. “That’s not unreasonable at all.”
Lawyer He added, “On top of that, President Jiang has raised Xiao Hua all these years. Xiao Hua’s tuition and living expenses should have been borne by her parents. Based on the capital’s standards, even at twenty thousand yuan per year, over thirteen years that totals two hundred sixty thousand yuan.”
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Thanks for the chapter!