The Young Miss Refuse To Love-Chapter 134: The happy Mr. Qi

Qi Jianyi slowly opened her eyes. The familiar sight of her bedroom in the luxurious Qi family estate greeted her, but for the first time in a long while, the usual weight pressing down on her heart was absent.

It was as though a long-standing doubt that had shadowed her soul had finally dissipated, leaving her with a profound sense of clarity and peace. For the first time, she felt like she could truly breathe again.

Her efforts had not been in vain. The seemingly endless struggles she had endured bore fruit, and the family she cherished was waiting for her, just as she had always hoped. Sitting up, she wiped the warm tears trailing down her cheeks.

A small but genuine smile blossomed on her face, growing brighter with each passing second. She was happy—deeply and irrevocably happy.

Qi Jianyi allowed herself to bask in this rare happiness, savoring the moment for several minutes before gradually regaining her composure. With a soft sigh of contentment, she turned her gaze toward the clock on the wall. Realizing that dinner was fast approaching, she quickly moved to prepare herself and join her family downstairs.

Perhaps it was the lingering warmth from her dream, but the physical and emotional pain that had burdened her earlier seemed to have vanished entirely. She felt rejuvenated—stronger and lighter than she had in ages.

The smile on her lips never faltered as she splashed cool water on her face, freshening up before stepping out of her room.

The lively hum of voices greeted her ears as she descended the stairs and entered the spacious living room. There, she spotted her younger twin siblings, Qi Jinlu and Qi Jinran, sitting with their mother. The trio was engaged in conversation, or more accurately, Qi Jinlu was animatedly sharing one of his seemingly endless tales, while the others listened patiently.

Qi Jianyi’s eyes instinctively swept the room, but her father was nowhere in sight. A faint crease appeared on her brow as she noted his absence. Mr. Qi was usually a constant presence at this time of the evening, reclining comfortably in the living room and waiting for dinner to be served. His absence piqued her curiosity.

Unlike many other business tycoons who preferred to burn the midnight oil, Mr. Qi had long moved past the hectic turmoil of his early career days. Now a seasoned entrepreneur, he disdained late-night work, choosing instead to prioritize his family.

He was often the first to leave the company for the day, a habit that earned both admiration and relief from his employees. After all, if the boss left early, it signaled the end of their workday as well.

Mr. Qi’s business empire had long since stabilized, and his focus shifted to mending old regrets and spending quality time with his children. Yet, ironically, his children were now busier than ever, often immersed in their own pursuits.

Still, his efforts never wavered.

Now, not seeing her father in his usual spot made Qi Jianyi pause. Where could that old man have gone? She scanned the room again as she moved toward the plush couch.

"Jianyi, did you sleep well?" Mrs. Qi’s warm voice broke through her thoughts the moment she noticed her daughter entering the room. Relief and delight were evident in her tone as she seized the opportunity to interrupt Qi Jinlu’s seemingly endless story.

Qi Jianyi smiled warmly at her mother as she gracefully settled down on the couch beside her.

"Where’s Dad?" she asked in a soft, casual tone, her curiosity evident despite the calmness in her voice. She accompanied the question with a small nod, acknowledging her mother’s earlier inquiry.

Before Mrs. Qi could respond, a deep and familiar voice cut through the air, startling them slightly. "So, my daughter is finally looking for me?" The voice carried a playful yet warm undertone.

Everyone turned to see Mr. Qi descending the grand staircase, his expression alight with a mix of happiness and pride. His sharp, tailored suit hinted at the man’s refined demeanor, yet the affectionate smile on his face revealed the doting father beneath the polished exterior. The mere fact that Qi Jianyi had asked about him seemed to brighten his entire mood.

For Mr. Qi, this moment felt like validation—a sign that his unwavering effort to return home on time each day was not in vain. Over the years, he had deliberately prioritized his family, ensuring he was present for dinner and the quiet moments that truly mattered.

Now, it seemed his daughter had grown so accustomed to his presence that his absence, however brief, was noticeable.

She would wonder where I am if I’m not here for dinner, Mr. Qi mused silently, a flicker of satisfaction glinting in his eyes. He made a mental vow to himself at that very moment: no matter what, he would never work late again.

The thought of his daughter waiting for him, looking around and wondering about his whereabouts, was enough motivation to strengthen his resolve.

However, unbeknownst to Mr. Qi, this touching sentiment was entirely one-sided. The interpretation of Qi Jianyi’s casual inquiry was born purely from his own imagination. In truth, she had no particular expectation of him being present for dinner. Her question was simply a fleeting curiosity, nothing more.

Fortunately for Mr. Qi, this harsh truth remained a secret, safely tucked away from the ears of its unknowing subject. Had Qi Jianyi been aware of the rosy narrative unfolding in her father’s mind, it would surely have shattered his heart. The illusion of his daughter’s quiet dependency on his presence brought him great joy—joy that was best left untainted by reality.

Qi Jianyi raised her brows slightly at Mr. Qi’s remark but chose to stay silent. There was no need to argue or correct him. She decided it was best to let her father think whatever made him happy.

After all, his good mood was palpable, and she didn’t have the heart to ruin it.

Mrs. Qi, however, seemed less inclined to let the moment pass without comment.

"Why haven’t you changed your clothes yet?" she interjected, her curious tone cutting through her husband’s cheerful demeanor. She looked at him with a puzzled expression, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Didn’t you go upstairs earlier to change? Why are you still dressed like that?"

Her question caught Mr. Qi off guard. He glanced down at himself, still wearing the formal suit he had worn to work that day. For a moment, he seemed to hesitate, as though debating how best to respond. The bright expression he had worn moments earlier dimmed, and his mood turned more somber.

With a soft sigh, he finally spoke. "A client of mine from abroad arrived today," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. "He insists on having dinner with me tonight." His tone was noticeably lower now, carrying a hint of regret that he couldn’t conceal.

Mrs. Qi couldn’t help but chuckle at his sulky demeanor. Amusement sparkled in her eyes as she leaned back slightly, her teasing smile unmistakable.

"Oh? So your client is more important than your family now?" she quipped, her words laced with playful reproach. Her lighthearted jab struck its mark, and Mr. Qi frowned slightly, as if wounded by the accusation.

"Of course not!" he protested, his tone defensive yet still carrying a trace of that earlier sadness. "It’s just... this dinner is unavoidable. You know how it is with these business relations. I’d much rather be here with all of you."

Mrs. Qi only laughed at his response, shaking her head in mock exasperation. She had known her husband long enough to recognize the genuine affection behind his grumbling. His reluctance to leave was proof of how much he valued their time together as a family.

Meanwhile, Qi Jianyi observed the exchange with quiet amusement. Her parents’ dynamic, filled with gentle teasing and mutual understanding, was a comforting constant in her life.

It was moments like these that reminded her of how she would miss them in the future.

"I know," Mrs. Qi replied with a gentle smile, her tone warm and understanding. "Are you leaving now?"

Mr. Qi shook his head lightly and eased himself onto the couch beside her. "Not yet. I’ll leave a little later," he said simply, his voice calm but tinged with something unspoken.

Though his response was brief, Mrs. Qi understood its deeper meaning without needing further explanation. Her husband was supposed to leave now—his client would undoubtedly be waiting—but he was delaying his departure.

The reason was obvious: their daughter had finally sought him out, and he didn’t want to miss this precious moment. For Mr. Qi, spending time with his children, even if just for a little while, always took precedence over work.

This kind of behavior was no longer unusual for him, especially recently, as Qi Jianyi had begun to warm up to the family in ways she hadn’t before. Yet, even with this growing closeness, Mr. Qi treasured each interaction, cherishing every fleeting moment he shared with his loved ones.

Across the room, Qi Jianyi observed her parents’ subtle interaction. Her sharp eyes caught the way Mrs. Qi gently reached over to pat Mr. Qi’s hand, a small gesture brimming with quiet affection. The couple exchanged a warm smile, their expressions filled with contentment as they glanced at her and the twins.

Qi Jianyi knew exactly what that look meant. It was the look of two proud, loving parents who cherished their family above all else. And because she understood its significance, their happiness struck a bittersweet chord within her.

A pang of guilt crept into her chest. How could she not feel attached to a family that enveloped her with such genuine warmth? The love and care they extended to her were undeniable, making it impossible to remain indifferent.

Yet, deep down, Qi Jianyi knew the affection she received wasn’t truly meant for her. It was meant for the original Qi Jianyi—the real daughter.

As someone living in this borrowed shell, Qi Jianyi couldn’t help but feel conflicted. It was impossible not to be swayed by their actions or not to be moved by the unwavering love they showed.

The Qi family had shown her what unconditional love looked like. They respected the original Qi Jianyi’s choice in distancing herself from the rest of them. They patiently wait for her to open up and accept them.

But, instead their real daughter, Qi Jianyi came through. They had showered her with kindness and care, making it all the harder to ignore the truth. While she longed to return to her real family. She also wished for the original Qi Jianyi to return to her rightful place, to experience the joy and love of this remarkable family.

Qi Jianyi had resented the original Qi Jianyi. But even that resentment couldn’t harden her heart enough to take what wasn’t hers. She couldn’t bring herself to truly claim the love and happiness meant for someone else.

This kind of familial love wasn’t something Qi Jianyi herself had ever lacked. She had been blessed with a family that loved her unconditionally, a family she longed to return to. But for the original Qi Jianyi, such love had been absent.

The original Qi Jianyi had never experienced the warmth of true affection, the security of being cherished by her parents. It was this emptiness that had driven her to the desperate act of stealing someone else’s life, just to understand what it felt like to be loved.

Now, Qi Jianyi has managed to bridge the gap between the original Qi Jianyi and her estranged family. The walls that had once stood tall and impenetrable were now broken, replaced with genuine warmth and love. The family had slowly begun to heal, learning to embrace one another in ways they hadn’t before.

Qi Jianyi’s existence in this world had somewhat mend the bonds that the original Qi Jianyi had abandoned. She had restored connections that had once seemed irreparable, helping the Qi parents show their love towards their only daughter.

Still, a question lingered in her mind—one she couldn’t answer. Would the original Qi Jianyi be able to forgive her parents for the mistakes they had made? The wounds of the past ran deep, and forgiveness wasn’t something that could be forced or rushed.

Even so, Qi Jianyi fervently hoped that the original Qi Jianyi would one day return to this family. She wanted her to experience the kind of love she had fought so hard to have—a love that belonged to her by right.

The Qi family was hers, not something borrowed or taken, and Qi Jianyi longed for the original Qi Jianyi to feel the joy and belonging that came from being with one’s true family.

This family, with all their faults and virtues, was not hers to keep. But in the time she had spent with them, Qi Jianyi had come to understand their love deeply. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and it was something the original Qi Jianyi deserved to have—not through deceit, but as her rightful place in their lives.

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