Chapter 54: The Terrifying Stubbornness

"Pfft!" Just as Qin Mingyue, feeling frustrated, took a sip of water, she hadn't swallowed it yet before she sprayed it all over the table.

Seeing Hua Qinci's earnest expression and Qin Youtian still quietly eating, she hurriedly scrambled to clean up the mess.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry, Qinci. If these dishes don't suit your taste, I'll make something else for you. I'll cook a chicken for you, alright? Please don't be upset with me, and ignore Tian'er too. He's been stubborn since childhood. If there's any problem between you two, just let him have his way a bit more, okay?"

Qin Mingyue awkwardly tried to mediate, reaching out to tap the still-silent Qin Youtian.

When Qin Youtian didn't react, she pinched him. "How can you keep eating? Qinci is upset, can't you say something to comfort her?"

Qin Mingyue balanced three plates on one arm and, as she spoke, reached for the dish in front of Qin Youtian with her free hand.

Qin Youtian pressed his chopsticks down to hold the plate in place. "Mother, we haven't finished eating yet. Leave it," he said coldly. His hand trembled so much that the chopsticks clinked sharply against the dishes.

Qin Mingyue, caught between taking the plate and her son's refusal, awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Qin Youtian ate in large mouthfuls, a fire raging in his chest.

Qin Mingyue sensed the tension between the two. She gave Hua Qinci, who sat with a cold face, a gentle smile, but her gaze soon fell back on Qin Youtian.

"Tian'er, these dishes are dirty now, let's not eat them. I'll get you a new plate!"

Qin Mingyue reached out again for the dish.

Qin Youtian set down his bowl and chopsticks, then glanced at Hua Qinci, his eyes flickering with both light and anger.

He picked up the divorce letter, looked it over, and let out a mocking laugh.

Hua Qinci caught the look in his eyes and, blinking rapidly, wanted nothing more than to bolt.

"You—you want to kill me?" The words slipped out before she could think, but at this moment, that was the strongest impression she got from the look in Qin Youtian's eyes.

"Oh? Are you afraid?" Qin Youtian stepped toward her.

"W-what are you doing? Don't come any closer. If you do, I'll stab you!" Hua Qinci's voice trembled. The murderous air around Qin Youtian was overwhelming, sending a chill down her spine that made her lose all her earlier resolve.

Qin Youtian tore at the divorce letter as he approached, a smile on his lips.

"Tian'er, don't fight! Your wife is just upset, it's all my fault. Let's talk things through, alright?" Qin Mingyue, forgetting the plates she was holding, grew anxious. She was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law, after all—and this was her fault to begin with. She'd even be willing to apologize if needed.

Just as she was about to grab Qin Youtian, the dishes in her arms crashed to the floor.

Seeing Qin Youtian turn to look at Qin Mingyue, Hua Qinci snatched up her bundle and ran.

"Trying to run?"

As soon as Qin Youtian saw that Qin Mingyue was unharmed, he immediately chased after Hua Qinci.

Hua Qinci couldn't tell if her legs were too short or if Qin Youtian was too fast, but before she could even make it out of the courtyard, he caught her and dragged her back.

"Tian'er, don't fight!" Qin Mingyue abandoned the mess and hurried after them to intervene.

"Mother, please stay out of this. Whatever you hear next, just ignore it. If you really can't stand it, just cover your ears," Qin Youtian said.

"Tian'er..." Qin Mingyue was worried, but Qin Youtian was as stubborn as ever.

"Young Master Qin, if you would hand me the divorce letter, I'll leave right away. If it's inconvenient for you, or if you can't read, I can do it for you. I don't mind you divorcing me," Hua Qinci shouted anxiously, slapping at Qin Youtian's large hand as she spoke.

"Oh?" Qin Youtian narrowed his eyes and stared at her. His gaze fell to her raised hand, which he caught and kneaded.

"You want the divorce letter?" Qin Youtian's lips curled into a smile. "Come with me."