<h4>Chapter 1286: Abuse</h4>


    “No. We saw them touch the painting. It was only when they that the painting fell. There are surveince cameras along the corridor that will confirm what we saw.” The staff echoed righteously.


    Xiao Liu and Xiao He finally understood. They were not going to be able to defend themselves.


    They never expected Gong Yi to act so ruthlessly. They had used Bai Beibei of stealing a Louis Vuitton handbag the previous night. Now, he was simply giving them a taste of their own medicine.


    “Call the police. Tell the director of the Public Security Department not to release them until they’ve managed topensate me with the same painting.” Gong Yi said calmly.


    He was going to lock them up for life.


    “N-no... Young Master Gong, please don’t call the police. It was our fault, our fault...”


    Gong Yi was unmoved.


    Xiao Liu and Xiao He quickly looked at Bai Beibei. They cried and begged Bai Beibei for clemency on their behalf, “Beibei, we wronged you. We’re sorry... We were the ones who hid the bag and med it on you. Please forgive us!”


    “That’s right, Beibei. We were blinded by greed. We won’t y such tricks ever again. Please have mercy on us.”


    As they spoke, the two of them knelt down.


    Bai Beibei was so frightened that she took a step back. Gong Yi squeezed her handfortingly, aying her fear.


    She looked at him, his gentle eyes conveying his silent support for her.


    “Did you orchestrate this?” She stood tiptoe, questioning him softly.


    “Mm.” Gong Yi nodded.


    Bai Beibei did not know what to say.


    Gong Yi quirked his brows in amusement. It was their own fault for choosing Bai Beibei as the target of their bullying. This was theireuppance.


    Bai Beibei examined the painting on the ground. Her heart ached. So much money... wasted – just like that.


    “Beibei, please spare us! We’re still young. We don’t want to go to jail.”


    “Beibei, Beibei! It was all Bai Qi’s fault. If not for her vile whisperings we would never have yed such tricks on you. It was Bai Qi. She’s the real mastermind. Please let us go...”


    Coincidentally, Bai Qi happened to walk over just then. Xiao Liu and Xiao He red at her as if they were mortal enemies.


    Bai Qi’s expression changed. “What nonsense are the two of you spouting? Do you have any evidence? When did I ever instigate you to harm Beibei? Beibei is my younger sister!”


    As she spoke, Bai Qi turned her sorrowful eyes at Bai Beibei and Gong Yi. “Beibei, Young Master Gong, you have to believe me.”


    “Heh.” Gong Yi’s lips settled in a half-smile as if he had seen through all her tricks.


    Bai Qi was the first to look away. She could not bear the weight of Gong Yi’s gaze.


    “Bai Qi! It’s all your fault! You used us. We won’t let you off so easily!” Xiao Liu and Xiao He stood up and rushed at her like charging oxen.


    The two of them had been driven into a frenzy. “Ah!” Bai Qi screamed and tried to run away but it was toote. Xiao He grabbed her hair while Xiao Liu pped her over and over again with a wave of her hand.


    Bai Qi was subject to their abuse as they pummelled her into the ground.


    Bai Qi’s eyes swirled with stars. She had never been so embarrassed in her life. Onlookers gathered around, gaping at her vulnerable form but no one came to her aid. It was as if they were watching a show, distant and uninvolved as theyughed at her torment.


    “When they are done fighting, send them all to the police station. Let the police deal with them . Our hotel does not wee such rowdy customers. Throw all their luggage out.”


    “Yes, President.”


    Gong Yi held Bai Beibei’s small hand and left gracefully.


    ...


    Bai Beibei turned back three times. She said worriedly, “Young Master Gong, will they be alright fighting like that?”


    “It has nothing to do with us.”


    Bai Beibei...


    She looked at Gong Yi’s rigid silhouette. For the first time since they met, Bai Beibei felt that Gong Yi was a ck-bellied man.


    Nheless, she was touched. He had avenged her and protected her more than she could ever ask for.


    “Go on. Thepetition is about to start. All the best.” Gong Yi reached out and caressed her hair.


    It was an intimate gesture filled with his love and affection for her. Bai Beibei blushed, lowering her head demurely. “Thank you.”


    At this moment, a series of footsteps sounded. Li Xiyang, Li Sisi, Old Man Gong, and Headmaster Li walked over. Gong Yi saw them from the corner of his eyes.


    Immediately, he bent down and kissed Bai Beibei’s soft pink lips.


    Bai Beibei was stunned by the sudden kiss.


    Gong Yi took advantage of her stupor to give her a french kiss before letting go.


    Bai Beibei covered her mouth mechanically. She was burning up.


    What had he done?


    Noticing something wrong with the situation, Bai Beibei looked over Gong Yi’s shoulder and saw four individuals staring her way. A maelstrom of mixed emotions swirled in their eyes.


    Bai Beibei’ felt her brain short-circuit.


    She snuck a nce in Old Man Gong’s direction. Gong Yi’s father wore an unhappy expression on his face.


    Headmaster Li just looked embarrassed.


    Li Xiyang’s gaze was as deep and as still as an old well. She could not read any emotion on his face. Li Sisi was as cute as ever, and her almond-shaped eyes were fixed on her in disbelief.


    Just then, Bai Beibei was pulled into a hug by a strong arm wrapping itself around her supple waist. “Father, let me formally introduce you to my girlfriend. This is Bai Beibei.”


    Father-inw...


    “Congrattions, Beibei! I knew you would get together with Young Master Gong sooner orter. You’re so mean, you should have said something sooner! Come,e. Tell me how it happened.” Li Sisi dragged Bai Beibei aside and demanded an exnation enthusiastically.


    Li Xiyang remained silent. Instead, he strode towards thepetition ground. Headmaster Li chuckled and entered as well.


    Only father and son were left outside thepetition grounds


    Old Man Gong coughed and spoke softly, “Are you being serious?”


    Gong Yi raised his eyebrows. “Father, have I ever not been?”


    “... I don’t like these white shoes. They’re for children.”


    “Father, if you liked children’s shoes I’d question whether you weren’t already senile.”


    “Brat, I’m being serious here!”


    Gong Yi’s dark eyes shed with a sharp light. He schooled his expression and asked, “Why?”


    “She... is too young.”


    “Isn’t Li Sisi the same age as she is? Why didn’t you feel the same about her?”


    Old Man Gong...


    “Father, what are you ying at? When I didn’t have a girlfriend, you kept urging me to find one. Now that I have a girlfriend, you’re not satisfied with her. What are you trying to say? Besides, don’t you just want to have a grandson? If we get together now, there’ll still be hope for you yet. You don’t have to worry about my marriage anymore. Go back and burn incense or something instead of spending your time gossiping!”


    “How dare you!” Gong Yi’s father felt an overwhelming urge to kick his son.


    “Father, behave. We’re in public.” Gong Yi reminded his father with a frown.


    Seeing the staff eyeing them curiously, Old Man Gong became acutely aware of his image. Hurriedly, he closed the door. He would definitely teach his son a lesson in respect but not out in public. Some things were not meant for the world to see.