Madam, Please Behave
Chapter 412: Lost to Him Again

“Make sure to double-check your answers. Don’t rush out early!”

Liu Changqing gave his final reminder, and the two kids nodded in response.

Standing outside the main gate of the exam site, Liu Changqing watched the two figures disappear into the building before he finally turned around and walked back toward the parking area.

With his daughter home for summer break and his mother-in-law helping to take care of his wife and the babies, there was nothing that needed his attention.

This peaceful, harmonious family life was exactly what he had always wanted.

And no one—no one—was allowed to disrupt it.

Once back in the car, Liu Changqing’s expression darkened. Gone was the cheerful face he wore earlier while sending the kids off.

His brows furrowed as he looked at his watch.

8:03 a.m.

Seeing the time, Liu Changqing started the engine and drove away from the exam venue.

Because today, he wasn’t just here to drop his son off.

There was… another purpose.

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Li Quanzhang was driving.

In the back seat sat Ye Rong.

She looked terrible—like she hadn’t rested properly in ages. Though her heavy makeup masked the worst of it, the red veins in her eyes and the weariness in her expression gave her away.

She held a large stack of documents in her hands.

Even in the car, her attention was fully consumed by work.

But as time went on, her mood visibly soured while going through the files. At first, she turned the pages calmly, but soon her movements became agitated.

Until—her chest rising and falling rapidly—she suddenly snapped the folder shut.

She threw it aside.

Slumping back in her seat, she closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips to her temples, rubbing gently.

Her breaths were heavier than usual, a clear sign of inner turmoil.

Ye Rong hadn’t had a proper rest in a long while.

As the losses grew, the company began to stir with unrest. The other shareholders had become increasingly disrespectful. On top of that, her daughter… continued to be a disappointment.

Just thinking about it made Ye Rong tilt her head back and let out a long, frustrated sigh.

She was deeply disappointed in her daughter.

In her mind, she recalled the events of the previous week.

With her encouragement, her daughter had finally pulled herself together. When she took the address of Liu Changqing’s new place and left, Ye Rong had felt a wave of relief.

As long as they could form some kind of partnership, it would ease her current pressures significantly.

In her view, as long as her daughter showed even a hint of regret when she saw Liu Changqing, that man would surely soften up.

Sure, he might act cold at first, but if her daughter kept visiting, it wouldn’t take long before the man who once adored her came back around.

When her daughter returned, she told her what Liu Changqing had said.

As expected, Liu Changqing didn’t want to see her.

But Ye Rong firmly believed he was just putting on an act.

He kept saying things like, “Maybe tomorrow, if I have time,” and so on.

At the time, Ye Rong hadn’t noticed it.

But when she brought up the idea of visiting him again, her daughter gave her a strange look.

A very… complicated look.

Then, Li Wanran said something unexpected.

“I… don’t want to go again.”

Ye Rong was stunned.

At first, she kept a gentle tone, trying to persuade her like she always had.

But for some reason, that day, Li Wanran remained utterly silent.

Like an empty shell without a soul.

No matter what Ye Rong said, she didn’t respond—like a mute.

It made Ye Rong furious.

Her nerves were already at their limit.

And her daughter’s refusal to speak or cooperate pushed her over the edge.

After talking for a long time without getting a response, she snapped—and raised her hand.

She was angry.

Angry at her daughter for being useless.

Angry at her for not understanding her.

Angry that everyone seemed to be working against her.

A wave of helplessness rose in her heart—but only for a brief moment before it vanished.

She forced her eyes open.

She couldn’t afford to fall apart—not now.

There were still goals she hadn’t achieved.

She couldn’t…

Her gaze drifted to the car window.

Ye Rong spaced out for a moment as the scenery passed by.

Then, realizing where they were, she turned to the driver, Li Quanzhang.

And asked directly:

“Where are you taking me?”

“……”

There was no response.

The always-reliable, always-responsive Li Quanzhang didn’t say a word.

After a few seconds, Ye Rong’s face darkened, as though barely restraining her anger.

“I’m talking to you. Answer me!”

“……”

Still, silence.

Li Quanzhang acted like he hadn’t heard her at all. He kept driving, never even glancing her way.

Seeing his behavior, Ye Rong sensed something was off. After a moment, she stopped questioning him.

She folded her arms and leaned back in her seat, staring at him coldly.

Time ticked by.

About ten minutes later, the car began to slow down.

Until—it came to a complete stop.

Ye Rong looked out the window.

Her eyes widened in shock as the view outside came into focus.

A few seconds later, she turned stiffly to Li Quanzhang.

Her voice trembled, as if she couldn’t control it.

“What are you doing? Why did you bring me here?”

“……”

Li Quanzhang didn’t reply. He simply unbuckled his seatbelt and, without looking back, spoke:

“Ma’am, please get out of the car.”

The words hit Ye Rong like a blow.

Her face went pale.

She looked away from him and slowly turned her head to the villa outside.

Her hands clenched into fists.

That villa… was the last place Li Zhengmao had lived.

It was also—their first home.

“I… I’m not getting out.”

She swallowed hard, trying to sound calm, but her breathing had already quickened.

She lifted her chin, trying to hold her composure, but she didn’t look at Li Quanzhang.

“Take me to the office. I have a lot to handle. I can’t waste time here.”

Li Quanzhang didn’t respond.

Instead, he opened the door and stepped out of the car.

When the door slammed shut—bang!—Ye Rong visibly flinched.

She… clearly did not want to be here.

Li Quanzhang walked to the rear door, opened it, and bent down to look at Ye Rong.

His expression remained calm and stern, his voice deep and steady:

“Ma’am…

Once again, you’ve lost to the Master.”