Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 496 - 470: Time to Make a Quick Exit

Qian felt that her mom was good in almost every way, except for her intense habit of meddling in everyone’s business, which was kind of a headache.

People are cooking, what are you doing in there!

Especially since this was Liao Fugui’s house, and he was there, always preaching. Someone Qian wanted to steer clear of, and yet her mom eagerly barged in. Ugh, disaster!

But Jia Xiufang didn’t hear her daughter’s silent cries. She boldly strutted into Liao Fugui’s house.

Qian had no choice but to follow reluctantly. Actually, she preferred to be in the corridor; the rotting cabbage smell lingering there for months was better than Liao Fugui’s stale and pedantic air.

Though she had dealt with him professionally in a past life, she’d never been to his house. Once inside, Qian was a bit surprised.

Her mom said this guy lived with his dad, and the two bachelors had somehow kept the place so tidy!

Even though Yu Minglang’s own house was clean, it was different. Yu Minglang rarely returned home, hadn’t bought much, just had simple furniture. It was obvious he was a carefree bachelor, whereas Liao Fugui and his dad were clearly homemakers. Their house was filled with flowers, the balcony laden with them, and birdcages with birds inside. Clean, tidy, with a faint floral scent in the air, it felt very homely.

Thinking of her own Xiaoqiang, Qian decided to visit him tomorrow to tidy up his place and then return to school. Xiaoqiang had given her a spare key during his last visit.

While Qian was distracted thinking about Yu Minglang, Liao Fugui glanced at her and felt this usually cold-looking girl seemed particularly warm at this moment. Sitting quietly on the sofa, staring at the small succulents on the windowsill, her first impression had been an aloof orchid, but now she was an obedient young girl. The same person had two different charms, each unique in its way.

"Qian, do you like succulents?"

Qian continued daydreaming about visiting Yu Minglang tomorrow, and only when Jia Xiufang nudged her did she snap back to reality.

"Huh?"

Liao Fugui asked again.

"Oh, I don’t like them."

Well, that was awkward.

The atmosphere immediately cooled down. Liao Fugui had wanted to find a topic to ease the awkwardness, but Qian’s response was like pouring cold water, leaving no room for adjustments.

Jia Xiufang didn’t know the grudges her daughter had with Liao Fugui in a past life, she only found her daughter’s behavior slightly odd today, so she quickly smiled and changed the subject.

"What does she know, always reading books, she’s become a bookworm, not knowing how to take care of plants. Yun Chang, these you grow look nice. Are they easy to care for?"

"They’re easy to care for, don’t need to water them often. Mrs. Jia, do you want some? I can give you a few leaves. Just toss them in a pot when you get home, and they’ll root in no time, very easy to care for."

"That’d be wonderful."

While Liao Fugui went to break off some leaves, Jia Xiufang glared at Qian, naughty girl, have you eaten your manners with dinner?

Qian pouted. Compared to how this guy had belittled her in the past life, her behavior today was quite polite.

Qian could hardly imagine how this gentle man would become a sharp and pedantic old bachelor in over a decade.

In the past life, they had different stances and often clashed when meeting. But deep down, Qian couldn’t deny that this guy was professionally very skilled. What was commendable was his strong principles. In such a challenging environment, he feared no authority or wealth and upheld judicial fairness, which was what Qian admired most.

According to the current regulations, if a mentally ill person causes harmful consequences while unable to identify or control their actions, they won’t be held criminally responsible after legal procedures and will be required to be strictly guarded and medically treated by their family or guardian. In necessary cases, the government will enforce medical treatment.

Liao Fugui was an expert in determining mental illness, and many people sought to bribe him or use connections. However, this guy was particularly principled. No matter who it was or what threats they made, he would never compromise. If you’re sick, you’re sick; if you’re not, you’re not. No influence could sway him.

Thus, in the past, he was really just a respected but not wealthy public official. Though Qian despised his pedantic nature, she admired his unyielding integrity, which was in the same line as her teacher’s.

Many could maintain fairness for a year or two, but to persist for a lifetime, bending for no one, even taking beatings without compromising, was truly rare.

Fine, it was what it was. After all, their circle wasn’t that big. There were few who became the top domestic authorities, eventually they would meet. Qian comforted herself, glancing at Liao Fugui, who was wrapping leaves in a newspaper for Jia Xiufang. This guy didn’t seem as annoying as in the future, with none of that nonsensical jargon coming out—

"I don’t know if I can keep it alive," Jia Xiufang humbly said, taking the plant.

"That’s okay; the name joy is creation. If you’ve created a new experience, then you are a joyful person," Liao Fugui earnestly replied.

Jia Xiufang clearly didn’t understand what he was saying, awkwardly smiling, thinking this young man was great in every way, except he shouldn’t say incomprehensible things at every turn.

Qian internally chuckled, see? People can’t take praise. Just as she’d thought of commending Comrade Liao Fugui for not having his past flaws, he immediately blurted out a sentence.

Fearing Jia Xiufang would continue the conversation, Qian tugged at her mom’s sleeve, "Mom, I’m hungry."

"Yes, we should head back to make dinner. Yun Chang, say hi to your dad for us. We’re heading back first."

Liao Fugui’s father was a Supreme Court judge and was still working overtime at that moment. Qian had never met the old man in her past life, but apparently, he was a spitting image of Liao Fugui, like a stronger version of him.

Liao Fugui saw the mother and daughter to the door, and upon opening it, they were startled by a middle-aged woman in black standing outside.

This woman had just been about to knock, but when the door opened, she was a bit surprised. Seeing the people inside, she immediately put on a fake smile.

"Is this the home of Deputy Director Liao, the forensic pathologist?"

At this time, Liao Fugui wasn’t yet a professor. His official position at the institute was Deputy Director Forensic Pathologist.

"I am. And you are—"

"Oh please, sir, you must ensure justice for my brother!" The middle-aged woman immediately knelt down.

Startling Jia Xiufang, she took a step back. What’s going on? Just wanted some plant leaves, how did this turn into a scene?

Qian immediately understood, it was definitely the family of a suspect from a case, coming to ask Liao Fugui for special treatment.

"This is not my work time. Please leave. Any requests should be made at my workplace," Liao Fugui kindly said.

Qian didn’t want to get involved in this mess, tugging her mom, who wanted to watch the spectacle. Mom, time to scram!