Volume One, Chapter 19: I Do Not Agree

The scene fell into complete silence.

The surrounding guests were dumbfounded.

This turn of events was utterly unexpected.

Li Qingcheng actually stepped forward herself?

She intended to go to the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Bureau for investigation in place of Ye Tian?

Did she understand what being investigated implied?

Did she realize what she was about to face?

Did she think that, as a wealthy young lady, the regulatory authorities would treat her with special favor?

Was she not afraid of any mishaps, or even worse...

Ye Tian was equally surprised.

He silently watched Li Qingcheng, a warm feeling suddenly swelling within him.

Unexpectedly...

This delicate young lady was so responsible.

Clearly, Li Qingcheng’s actions were purely to protect him.

Because his status held little weight, if he were taken in for investigation, he would be more vulnerable to unfair treatment.

So, Li Qingcheng decided to risk it herself.

She believed that, by virtue of her identity as the Li family’s daughter, the regulatory bureau wouldn’t dare to mistreat her.

But unfortunately, she was overly confident.

She had no idea what she was truly about to face...

Or perhaps she did know, but still chose to bear the consequences on Ye Tian’s behalf.

“I don’t agree.”

Ye Tian stepped forward, pulling Li Qingcheng behind him.

At the same time, he instinctively wrapped an arm around her waist.

It was a subconscious protective gesture.

This made Li Qingcheng blush slightly.

But now was no time for their private affections.

The guests around them were not concerned with such details.

“You cannot go!” Ye Tian’s tone grew firmer.

He would not allow refusal.

“Why?” Li Qingcheng asked again.

Usually sharp-witted, she seemed momentarily confused.

Perhaps it was because Ye Tian’s arm was around her waist.

She couldn’t bring herself to break free just yet...

Ye Tian, naturally, did not answer.

Especially not in such a public setting.

It was clear that whoever had come for the Ding Yan Dan prescription was a powerful figure.

Someone so formidable that even the Li family’s backing remained silent.

When Li Dingguo’s calls went unanswered, the situation was already beyond the Li family’s control.

At this point, sending a Li family member forward as a scapegoat would not fundamentally change the outcome.

No matter who the regulatory officials took away, hardship was inevitable.

They didn’t care about your status.

Whether you were the Li family’s delicate and beautiful heiress or the billionaire chairman of the Shen family,

the authorities would surely employ harsh, unconventional methods, exhausting every means to extract the formula.

Even torture was likely to be used without hesitation.

Sending a fragile young lady like Li Qingcheng into the lion’s den was nothing but a death sentence.

The brutal methods she would face might be a hundred times worse than those Ye Tian would endure.

After all, she was a woman.

And stunningly beautiful.

The consequences of walking into such a trap were unimaginable.

Ye Tian did not want to explain further.

In short, he could not allow Li Qingcheng to be taken away.

“No matter what, I don’t agree.”

“You simply cannot go!”

Ye Tian’s tone was utterly domineering.

He would not permit Li Qingcheng to refuse.

Li Qingcheng was stunned.

Was Ye Tian really this overbearing?

Had he ever been a domineering CEO?

But hadn’t he just been released from prison?

A simple househusband from an ordinary family, who had served time — how was it that instead of losing his edge, he now appeared more sharp and confident than most?

Combined with Ye Tian’s remarkable medical skills...

In Li Qingcheng’s eyes, he suddenly seemed even more mysterious.

And attraction between men and women often begins with mystery and curiosity.

Li Qingcheng’s gaze toward Ye Tian was noticeably different than before.

Meanwhile, Ye Tian’s arm still rested around her waist.

Thinking of this, Li Qingcheng’s cheeks flushed even deeper.

Yet she could not pull away.

There were still so many people watching.

If she broke free from Ye Tian’s embrace, the guests might misunderstand their relationship...

At the very least, they might think the cooperation between the Li family and Ye Tian was not as close as rumored.

Li Qingcheng would never show any sign of distance from Ye Tian in public.

At this moment, the guests couldn’t help but smile.

“That Ye Tian fellow... he’s not bad!”

“Whether he’s a fraud or a thief, at least he’s a man!”

“A man who knows how to protect a woman is a good man.”

“I’ve always said they’re a perfect match.”

“Too bad, though—looks like the Li family won’t get through this…”

“If the Li family wants to protect their own, they’ll probably have to hand over the formula.”

“Alas, it’s like being the fish on the chopping block…”

The guests lamented deeply, feeling a bittersweet sympathy.

“That’s enough!”

Captain Fu finally lost patience.

“I’ve already given the Li family face!”

“Now I’m here enforcing the law on behalf of the regulatory bureau!”

“You keep making excuses to delay—do you have no respect for the law?”

“I’ve already given you a choice!”

“Hand over the formula or hand over the person!”

“If you keep stalling, I’ll take you all away!”

“Then, we’ll take the formula too!”

“We’ll take the person as well!”

At this, Captain Fu cast a harsh glance at Li Qingcheng.

A woman of such extraordinary beauty was naturally an object of desire for an ordinary man like him.

But because of her status, they usually only dared to indulge their fantasies in dreams.

Now...

If Li Qingcheng fell into his hands, he would surely have his chance...

Li Qingcheng sensed the ill intent in Captain Fu’s gaze.

A chill ran through her heart; her voice grew colder.

“Captain Fu, you’re quite the official, aren’t you?”

“Some might think you are the law itself!”

“Wanting both the formula and the person…”

“What audacity!”

“Do you really think the Li family is a pushover?”

“No matter the storm, the Li family can easily crush insects like you...”

At this point, her words clearly signaled a confrontation.

Captain Fu’s expression turned sour.

Indeed, a powerful figure intended to strike the Li family.

He was merely the vanguard.

He could be the frontman, but he did not want to bear the full brunt of the Li family’s wrath.

That would be unwise.

He was simply taking some benefits and doing a job for others.

He could not afford to antagonize the Li family completely.

Nor could he resort to excessively brutal methods.

If his enforcement was too egregious, it would leave him vulnerable to retaliation.

That would mean losing everything for a small gain.

Captain Fu’s eyes darted around.

“Looks like the Li family is unwilling to cooperate.”

“Then there’s no point in further discussion. I’m calling for police backup now!”

“If the Li family is so capable,” he sneered, “I’d like to see if you’ll resort to violent resistance against law enforcement!”

Captain Fu was determined to hand over the task of forced enforcement to the police.

If the Li family dared to resist...

He would have to take everything—wealth and beauty alike!

Both the person and the formula would be taken away!