Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss-Chapter 619 - 593: Letting Go and Getting Married

"I’ve just apologized to my comrades. Today’s mess was my fault for rushing to get a definite result and speaking recklessly! I haven’t seen you both just now, and thought I should apologize individually, so here I am! Today’s events were due to my poor judgement!"

Liao Fugui took a step back, and Qian noticed the goosebumps behind his ears. This brother must be on the brink of collapse inside.

Qian looked at Liao Fugui’s ears and smiled.

The big leader internally exclaimed, "What the heck?" This girl is too arrogant; he’s already admitted fault, and she hasn’t given him any way out.

Little did he know, in Qian’s heart, apart from those she cared about, everyone else was just "whatever."

She would step on what displeased her and generally ignored the rest.

"Oh right, Chen, you’re about to graduate, aren’t you? Are you interested in working at the institute? We could really use talent like you here. If you’re willing, I’ll make a decision right now and sign you up. And if you want to pursue a Ph.D. in the future, we can even secure a spot for you, with the institute covering some of the tuition." The big leader offered an olive branch, bypassing the director without a hitch.

"Is it because of my husband’s family?"

The big leader internally exclaimed again, "What the heck?" Where did the Yu Family find a woman like her, who doesn’t follow the usual playbook? Shouldn’t this be unspoken, and yet she goes straight for the jugular?

"No, no, that’s certainly not the reason. We’re really impressed with your professional expertise—" Of course, it can’t be said that it has nothing to do with the Yu Family. He intended to extend a courtesy but was choked by Qian’s words.

The big leader was extremely embarrassed and couldn’t continue, as Qian and Fugui were both giving him synchronized looks that said, "Yeah, right, just keep rambling," putting him in dire internal turmoil.

"We genuinely value your expertise. Truthfully, if this case isn’t resolved quickly, they will have to hire Mr. Qio as external support, whose fees are astronomical, the budget... In short, you have been a great help." The big leader found himself digging deeper into the hole with each explanation.

Because he bungled the start, now even when he was truthful, Qian didn’t believe him!

He acted out aggressively because of the pressure from above. If Fugui’s team couldn’t handle it, they’d have to bring in Mr. Qio, which would be prohibitively expensive and detrimental to his achievements.

Qian didn’t care for these office politics and casually made some remarks before leaving by herself.

Without Xiaoqiang by her side, she just wanted to find a quiet place without waiting for the evening stream, to have a little drink.

Politely declining Fugui’s offer to drive her, Qian left on her own, headed towards the parking lot, when she unexpectedly spotted the elderly couple sitting by the flower bed at the entrance.

Qian stood behind a car, watching them through the glass.

They were Zhiming’s parents.

Over at Fugui’s side, they were anxiously evaluating Zhiming. If it was proved that he committed a crime during a psychotic episode, although he might escape legal charges, as someone with significant safety concerns and aggressiveness, the government might mandate compulsory treatment. No one knows how long it would take for him to recover and be discharged, and even then, Zhiming’s family would be required to keep a tight watch on him.

The societal perception that mentally ill individuals are exempt from legal consequences for murder is actually a misconception.

Anyone who violently harms others is committing a crime, but current legislation holds that punishing those completely devoid of behavioral control during a psychotic episode is pointless and doesn’t prevent mental disorders, hence special laws have been enacted.

During a psychotic episode, a mentally ill person may either completely lose behavioral control or not entirely lose it. Offenders who still have awareness or have a psychiatric history must assume criminal responsibility, so feigning insanity is not a viable way to escape punishment.

Even patients like Zhiming who lose all control aren’t entirely exempt; beyond not incurring criminal responsibility, there’s a mandate for strict supervision and treatment enforced on their family or guardian, with compulsory medical interventions if necessary.

The forensic department led by Fugui’s team would assess authoritatively; it is impossible to deceive them. The reason they hadn’t provoked Zhiming’s second personality on the spot was a matter of insufficient time, not a lack of expertise. Qian believed that even without her input, given an understanding of Zhiming’s background, they would arrive at a suitable judgement within days.

Zhiming’s parents were brought back alongside their son for assisting in the investigation. Thinking about their son being involved in such a major case left the elderly couple feeling helpless, and with dignity set aside, the proud father sobbed openly.

"How are we going to face the villagers later? Can’t show our face...."

"Don’t cry, dear. Let’s gather some money when we go back to compensate those two young ladies, and however much we can offer. Our eldest is possessed, hurting the next... We can’t stand by and do nothing. Let’s give whatever we can..."

If she hadn’t heard it directly, Qian would hardly imagine those words coming from the old lady who sold giveaways like they were genuine items.

Kindness and evil, stinginess and generosity, some things are just unfathomable; people are inherently complex and changeable.

Qian rented a private room at a hotel, ordered a bottle of wine and two snacks, filling her glass but not drinking alone as she usually would after work.

She suddenly recalled the image of the elderly couple crying and discussing what to do. Life brings so many events, but as long as you have someone to consult with, there’s always hope, even if the sky seemed to fall.

She suddenly thought of a lyric, "Who would drink with me year after year?"

The alcohol no longer felt sufficient to release her post-treatment emotions, and she realized if Yu Minglang was there now, even hearing a single word from him would be enough.

The barrier of her pre-marital jitters began to weaken, and a thought emerged strongly.

Qian suddenly realized she wanted to marry Yu Minglang.

She must tell him now. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Zhiming’s parents didn’t break under the blow of learning their son was mentally ill; instead, they were thinking of how to make amends for him. Then what exactly was she still afraid of?

Failing to be a good mother in her past life, she would now give her all to protect her daughter.

Fearing the future is pointless; without stepping into it, who knows what lies ahead?

Some previously distressing concerns suddenly cleared up.

Qian took out her phone but found herself unable to see the keypad clearly because her eyes were filled with tears.

She held back her tears, her mind consumed by one thought.

Find him.

Tell him, tell him she wants to marry him, win back her daughter, and regardless of how marriage would transform her life, she wants to venture forward with him.

After each emotionally agonizing therapy session in the future, she hopes to have someone to share a drink with.

It’s him, it’s definitely him!