School Beauty's Invincible Martial Expert

Madam Liu left the hotel and then took a taxi away. Meanwhile, Qin Xiaotian drove to the school.

Madam Liu did not go elsewhere, but to Liu Yiyi's home. She and Liu Yiyi lived separately because she did not want any conflicts with Liu Yiyi. Additionally, with Liu Yiyi's ethereal beauty, almost fairy-like, it was hard not to feel a bit jealous. Therefore, Madam Liu did not want to live with Liu Yiyi.

Arrived at the Liu family villa.

Madam Liu barged in directly.

"Madam, you've arrived!" The maid recognized Madam Liu and hurriedly bowed.

"Yes!" Madam Liu's face was stern, then she said, "Where is Liu Yiyi?"

"The young lady is upstairs painting!" said the maid.

"Then I will go up!" Madam Liu went straight upstairs and then pushed the door into the studio.

In the studio, the morning sunlight was gentle, bathing the room. Liu Yiyi was still in her white dress, barefooted, standing in front of the easel. A canvas was laid out before her, on which she was painting a portrait of a man in sporty casual attire, with tousled hair, facing the light, looking handsome and unrestrained.

A smile curled at the corners of Madam Liu's mouth as she entered, then she said, "Not bad, Yiyi, your skills have improved quite a bit."

"Is that you?" Liu Yiyi looked at her.

"What?" Madam Liu smiled and said, "Am I… not welcome?"

"Certainly not!" Liu Yiyi shook her head and said, "Did you come to see me for something?"

Liu Yiyi had always disliked her stepmother. The things she did were despicable. Consuming the family's assets continuously because she had a son. Liu Yiyi had no opinion about these, but the extent of her stepmother's actions really irritated her. However, since the villa was registered in Liu Yiyi's name, Madam Liu did not harbor many thoughts anymore.

"Oh!" Madam Liu smiled and said, "Indeed, I came here today for something."

"What is it?" Liu Yiyi put down her paintbrush.

"About your marriage!" Madam Liu smiled.

"I've already said, I will not marry Qin Xiaotian!" Liu Yiyi's tone was light, yet her stance was very firm.

Naturally, Madam Liu did not think she could outdo Liu Guodong in persuading Liu Yiyi to marry Qin Xiaotian, so she smiled and then said, "No, I'm not here to persuade you to marry Qin Xiaotian."

"Then what do you mean?" Liu Yiyi asked curiously.

"I just want you to clarify things face to face with Qin Xiaotian." Madam Liu sighed and said, "You know, your refusal of the Qin Family is not good for our family. Once the Qin Family is angered, they will inevitably retaliate, and even if you don't consider me, consider your father and the Liu Family, right?"

Liu Yiyi laughed and said, "That has nothing to do with me!"

"How does it have nothing to do with you?" Madam Liu scoffed and then said, "Because of you, your father has to run around every day, hoping to retain clients. The Qin Family ordered a ban on the Liu Family, and these days your father is so busy he doesn't come back until two in the morning. Don't you feel sorry for him?"

While Liu Yiyi indeed felt very sorry for her father, she had no fondness for her stepmother.

"What do you want me to do?" Liu Yiyi asked.

"Meet with Qin Xiaotian and make things clear." Madam Liu looked at her and said, "I've already talked with Qin Xiaotian, and he said that as long as you clarify things face to face, he will not pursue the Liu Family's responsibilities any further!"

"How much clearer does it need to be?" Liu Yiyi scoffed. "It was their family who canceled the marriage agreement, and now they blame us?"

"Who do you think they are? They are the Qin Family!" Madam Liu sighed helplessly.

"What about the Qin Family? Can the Qin Family do whatever they want?" Liu Yiyi disdainfully replied.

Madam Liu looked at Liu Yiyi and then said, "The Qin Family cannot do whatever they want, but they can indeed target the Liu Family. They can sanction the Liu Family at any time. And now, all you need to do is have a meal with Qin Xiaotian and clarify things face to face, just make a token apology, and that's enough."

"I…" Liu Yiyi hesitated. It clearly wasn't her fault, yet she had to make an undeserved apology? Who would be willing to do that?

"I know you are reluctant!" Madam Liu saw Liu Yiyi hesitate, then immediately moved closer, grabbed Liu Yiyi's hand, and said, "But for your father, for the Liu Family, I'm begging you, isn't that okay?"

Never having seen this arrogant stepmother so humble before, Liu Yiyi truly thought she had her father's best interests at heart.

"Alright!" Liu Yiyi compromised.

"That's great," Madam Liu said with sudden joy, "Rest assured, I'll be there during the meal, and I will apologize to Qin Xiaotian. I hope he won't target the Liu Family anymore. After all, it's just a meal; there's no need to overthink it."

"Yes!" Yiyi nodded.

Madam Liu hugged Yiyi and said, "How about tomorrow then?"

"Sure!" Yiyi nodded. "You arrange it."

"Okay!" Upon hearing this, Madam Liu chattered for a bit before leaving the villa.

Watching Madam Liu's retreating figure, Yiyi couldn't help but sigh; she hadn't expected the trouble to still not be over. Yet, how could she have known that danger was drawing closer to her?

The next afternoon.

Dressed neatly in relatively conservative clothes, Yiyi left the house. Since she had promised her stepmother, she was determined to fulfill it.

Recently, Yiyi had been wilding out, but these days, she settled down to paint. During her painting sessions, she thought about Xiao Han. For some reason, before she got sick, she had been very dependent on Xiao Han. But after her illness, she felt a distance had formed between them. Not contacting each other for a few days didn't feel like much, whereas before, a day apart used to be sorrowful.

For some reason, after getting better, Yiyi realized she had a new understanding of the world. During her illness, she found herself letting go of many things but desperately wanted to hold onto her emotions. Now, however, she found herself letting go of emotions but wanting to hold onto the whole world.

Leaving the villa, Yiyi drove her red Beetle away from home and headed towards the agreed-upon restaurant.

The restaurant was a French Restaurant, arguably the most expensive one in the provincial city. However, such expenses were minor for the Qin Family; after all, a meal costing ten to twenty thousand wasn't much given their vast family business, and they didn't eat like this every day.

Upon parking the car in front of the restaurant, Yiyi got out wearing petite sunglasses, looking incredibly cute and beautiful.

As she stepped out of the car, her cold, ethereal demeanor made her seem like a living Fairy, captivating the many men around her.

"So beautiful!"

"Yes, really beautiful!"

A crowd of people stared at Yiyi, with men stopping in their tracks to watch, and some even walking into the walls opposite them.

By now, Yiyi's beauty was almost supernatural, hence garnering such public attention. However, Yiyi had grown accustomed to these reactions; whenever she went out, it almost always caused quite a stir. Now, she felt mostly indifferent, finding these people merely boring.

After locking her car, Yiyi turned and walked into the cafe. Upon entering, she saw Qin Xiaotian and Madam Liu in a corner, which surprised her.

"Weren't we supposed to meet here at three?" Yiyi looked at the two perplexedly. "It's not yet three o'clock, and you're already here?"

"We came early to make you feel respected," Madam Liu said with a smile. "Xiao Tian is a good kid, very attentive to details. Quite impressive,"

Yiyi said nothing but walked over slowly and sat down across from Qin Xiaotian, next to Madam Liu.

Qin Xiaotian also had an awkward expression. Previously, when Yiyi had a terminal illness, he had no feelings for her personally, but now it was different. Yiyi had recovered from her illness, and the feelings he had suppressed found their way back.

"Yiyi, how are you?" Qin Xiaotian asked with a smile.

"What do you mean, 'how are you'?" Yiyi looked at Qin Xiaotian puzzled. Of course, she knew what he meant, speciously inquiring about her health. But during her long illness, the Qin Family Members had never paid her any attention, let alone visited her. So, Yiyi deliberately played dumb to Qin Xiaotian's question.

"I meant your illness," Qin Xiaotian said awkwardly. He suddenly felt it inappropriate to inquire about someone's illness like this, given it was indeed a rather awkward matter. During all the time he knew Yiyi was sick, he never visited her. Moreover, during her most desperate time, he even proposed breaking off their engagement, a tremendously humiliating thing for any girl. Had it been him, it would have been difficult as well, so Qin Xiaotian tried his best to avoid the topic.

"Oh, it's nothing," Yiyi smiled and said. "What could be the matter? Didn't I survive?"

"Um..." Qin Xiaotian turned even more awkward, quickly looking towards Madam Liu for help.

Seeing Qin Xiaotian seeking help, Madam Liu chimed in, "Yiyi, would you like something to drink?"

"No thanks," Yiyi shook her head.

"Oh, come on, since you're here, show some courtesy," Madam Liu said resignedly. "Sit down, have something to drink and we'll chat."

"Fine," Yiyi nodded, albeit without enthusiasm.

She then ordered a cup of cappuccino.

Madam Liu's lips curled into a smile. As long as you ordered a drink, things would be manageable. What followed was waiting for you to go to the bathroom. As soon as you do, there'd be an opportunity to tamper with the drink. However, the three of them sat in the booth for half an hour, and Yiyi had no inclination to go to the bathroom, which made Qin Xiaotian increasingly anxious; he frequently glanced at Madam Liu. Madam Liu was also anxious internally, but being as cunning as a fox, she did not let it show on her face.