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Chapter 417
Pei Yong went to Pei Shuangshuang's factory to look for her, but after half a day passed noon, he still did not see anyone. She did not come to work today at all.
Pei Shuangshuang, on the other hand, ran home to look for Pei Yong, because after thinking it over, the only person left who could help her resolve this matter was her father.
But when she arrived at Pei Yong's place, not only did she not see anyone, she even saw the furious Wang Yue, as well as the painting placed in the living room.
Without saying a word, Wang Yue walked over and gave her two loud slaps on the face, followed by a torrent of curses and vulgarities that came pouring out unthinkingly.
At this moment, Pei Shuangshuang was no longer her daughter, but her disgrace.
Pei JianGuo happened to arrive just as he witnessed this scene.
In the living room, his mother was beating and scolding away, while his younger sister stood silently to one side, enduring without saying a word. Only the stubbornness in her eyes betrayed her unwillingness.
"Mom, stop hitting her..." Pei JianGuo quickly went over to stop her, "What on earth is going on?"
He had just gotten to his workplace not too long ago when he received the call and rushed back urgently. The call did not explain things clearly, only saying there was an emergency at home that he had to come back for.
"Why don't you ask her what's going on? I, Wang Yue, lived shrewdly for a lifetime, how could I give birth to such a fool? For a man, she has lost all self-respect..." As Wang Yue spoke, she collapsed onto the floor, sobbing with snot and tears running down her face.
It was only then that Pei JianGuo saw the torn painting on the ground. When he realized what it was, he quickly turned his head away, his expression already turning ugly.
Looking again at Pei Shuangshuang, the pity in his eyes was replaced by the same contemptuous questioning as Wang Yue's, "Little sister, what exactly is going on? Is it that painter boyfriend of yours?"
Up till now, Pei JianGuo still could not remember the other party's name, and never felt that they would end up together.
After all, in his perception, no matter how silly Pei Shuangshuang was, she would not marry a man who owned nothing. This was just a temporary novelty that she was toying with for fun.
This had always been his biggest headache, but since persuasion did not work, he could only let her be.
Pei Shuangshuang turned her head away and nodded.
Now Pei JianGuo could understand his mother's breakdown. He was also very devastated, especially after hearing that the painting had been auctioned off at the auction house.
After failing to find Pei Shuangshuang, Pei Yong also returned from outside. At the corner ahead, he happened to bump into Pei Jing who had just come out with a newspaper in hand.
Although very reluctant, he still handed the newspaper to Pei Yong.
What was coming could not be avoided. The matter had already happened, so what they needed to think about now was how to resolve it, not avoid it.
That morning, when they discovered the news report, they had already started thinking of solutions. But more than just one newspaper company reported this matter.
With the astronomical price of 10,000 yuan, the name Mu Yang did quickly become known to the public. But similarly, Pei Shuangshuang was also thoroughly discredited.
In the eighties and nineties, while social attitudes had become somewhat open, they were not that open yet. Vicious gossip truly could cost lives. If Pei Shuangshuang did not understand this, she would not have gotten so furious at Mu Yang.
Perhaps it was because she had already expected this, plus she had already vented all her anger yesterday. Thus, when Pei Yong received the newspaper, his mood was surprisingly calm.
"Big brother, this matter can no longer be covered up. Pei Shuangshuang has to stand in the position of the victim in order to salvage some face," said Pei Jing solemnly.
This was no longer just her problem. His two daughters and Wanqing at home would probably be spat on to death.
Others would not care if they were innocent. They would only say that having such a sister meant an improper family environment, and they should not become close friends, in case they were also indecent.
Pei Yong understood the gravity of the situation and nodded. "I know. Ah Jing, I'll still have to trouble you and Zhi Xia to help handle this. Now that it has already blown up, trying to stop it now would be too late. Not for that scourge, but for the reputation of our Pei family and the other children, we have to get to the bottom of this properly."
"Mm," Pei Jing responded.
He had just returned home and was discussing with Zhi Xia about helping to find a lawyer when he heard Pei Shuangshuang's miserable screams from the back.
The screams were far too wretched, sending chills down Zhi Xia's heart.
Pei Jing also stood up and said, "Let me go take a look at the back." By the time he arrived, Pei Shuangshuang's leg had already been broken by Pei Yong.
Pei Yong stood emotionlessly at the door, as if the person whose leg was broken was not his own daughter, and the one who did it was not him either.
Pei JianGuo and Wang Yue were both at the side, looking on in horror. They had tried to stop him but did not succeed.
Pei Shuangshuang lay on the ground writhing in pain, moaning as the hair on her forehead was drenched in cold sweat.
"JianGuo, take her to the hospital. Then contact the reporters and tell them that Mu Yang secretly drew a painting and sent it for auction. Your sister found out about it this morning and, unable to bear the humiliation, jumped from a building and broke her leg."
Pei Yong was left with no choice. This was the only way, to portray her as the victim, and salvage what reputation they could for the family.
And breaking her leg could serve as a lesson for her.
The technique he used did not damage her bones. After recuperating for a while, there would not be much impairment.
The Sheng'an Group had a legal department. The lawyer was hired by Zhi Xia at a high salary. The company was not involved in any lawsuits presently. No one expected that the first lawsuit they would fight would be to salvage the reputation of someone she disliked the most.
After instructing the legal department to handle this matter properly, she stopped paying attention to it. She left the specifics for them to discuss with Pei Yong.
After sending Pei Shuangshuang to the hospital, Pei JianGuo hurriedly contacted the news companies.
Things had still been fine at noon, but after school in the afternoon, Wanqing, who usually lived in the school dormitory, came home.
This was the news companies' line of work. To attract eyeballs, they revealed the name, address, workplace and family background of the person in the painting at the fastest speed possible, exposing everything in that morning's report.
Wanqing had already overheard people discussing today's news report during lunch. No one had known of her relationship with Pei Shuangshuang initially, but she was so shocked when she saw it herself that some people quickly uncovered her identity from the uncommon Pei surname.
Wanqing spent that entire afternoon amidst gossip and rumors, and fled home like she was escaping as soon as school ended.
The next day, although reluctant, she still went to school. But by noon, she raced home again, refusing to go back no matter what.
Zhi Xia could probably guess what was happening to the child at school. Even Pei Meng complained that she was being pointed and whispered about at her workplace, and could hardly continue. Let alone Wanqing who was just a child.
She simply applied for a leave of absence for her to stay at home, sparing her from listening to disparaging remarks at school.
Guo Momo worked at the court, but no one expected that she would sue Pei JianGuo at this critical juncture for custody over their child.
Her rationale was that the Pei family's ethics were improper, and the child needed a wholesome environment that could nurture the right values.
Pei JianGuo was at a loss for what to do for a time. He even had a fight with Guo Momo over this, but still could not change her mind.