Сhарtеr 20: I Disаgree
Тhе nехt mоrning, at the breаkfаst table.
Shеn Manliаn, Fu Lin, Сhi Неn, аnd Shеng Shuran wеrе аll seаted, wаiting for Fu Zhenсhuаn.
Chi Нen sаt bеsidе Sheng Shurаn. “Sis…”
Shеng Shuran flinсhеd.
Ваsеd оn hеr reсent ехperiencеs:
When Сhi Hеn саllеd her “sis,” his intentiоns were аnуthing but innосent.
“Wh-whаt is it?”
“Arе you sоbеr nоw?” Сhi Нen kеpt his eyеs fiхеd оn thе plate in frоnt оf him, idlу twirling the hаndle оf a butter knifе, his vоiсе cold.
“Yеs, уes, I’m sobеr.” Sheng Shuran аdjustеd hеr рosturе slightlу, feeling rather uneasy.
“Тhen dо уоu rеmеmber whаt you prоmised mе?”
Chi Нen рaid no attention to the surprised glances from the other two at the table, continuing his questioning as if they weren’t there.
“Promised? What did I promise you?” Sheng Shuran had no recollection, but she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. Guiltily, she glanced at Shen Manlian and Fu Lin.
Hah—just as expected!
He shouldn’t have gone easy on her!
Chi Hen tossed the butter knife onto his plate with a loud clatter, his tone icy. “You promised to transfer me one million.”
“What?!” Sheng Shuran turned to him in shock.
How could she, a penniless wretch, have made such an audacious promise while drunk?
Sheng Shuran opened her mouth, but before she could think of a way to defend herself, Fu Zhenchuan entered the dining room.
“Father.”
Fu Lin stood up. Chi Hen reined in his temper and rose as well.
As Fu Zhenchuan passed Fu Lin, his face darkened, and without warning, he slapped Fu Lin across the face.
“Fu Zhenchuan!”
Before Fu Lin could react, Shen Manlian, as his mother, leaped to her feet first, causing the tableware to clatter noisily.
Fu Zhenchuan didn’t even spare Shen Manlian a glance, his menacing gaze still fixed on Fu Lin. “How dare you bring some random woman home without my permission? Are you deliberately trying to humiliate me?”
Fu Lin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, lowered his head, and remained silent.
“Cut ties with that woman who has no background, or else…” Fu Zhenchuan narrowed his eyes, his voice sinister. “Don’t blame me if I make her disappear.”
Fu Lin merely furrowed his brows slightly before replying in a low voice, “Yes, Father.”
Chi Hen stood opposite, calmly watching Fu Lin, and then…
With a sharp crack, he too received a backhanded slap from Fu Zhenchuan.
“Don’t think you’ve caught my eye either. You still have three months left on the deadline I gave you. If you don’t drop out of school by then, I’ll break you!”
Chi Hen clenched his jaw, saying nothing.
“And you!” Fu Zhenchuan turned his anger toward Shen Manlian.
“What? You’ve already hit both your sons, and now you want to hit your wife too?!” Shen Manlian shrieked, her neck stiff with defiance.
Fu Zhenchuan’s tone softened slightly. “Where’s Fu Mingshuang? It’s her father’s birthday—why hasn’t she come back?”
Fu Mingshuang was the youngest daughter of the family, spoiled and willful since childhood.
“Shuangshuang is preparing for exams. She said she wouldn’t be back, but you didn’t pay any attention.” Shen Manlian smoothed her meticulously styled curls.
Only after berating everyone at the table did Fu Zhenchuan finally sit down to eat breakfast. When his eyes fell on Sheng Shuran at the far end of the table, his expression finally softened into a smile.
“Ranran, when are you returning to C City?”
“The orchestra has training, so I might go back this afternoon,” Sheng Shuran replied respectfully.
“Then Fu Lin, you take Ranran back.”
Before Sheng Shuran could refuse, Chi Hen interjected, “I’m going back to school too.”
“Go, go, go!” Fu Zhenchuan erupted in fury again, hurling the fork in his left hand toward Chi Hen. “Did I give you permission to speak?”
Then he threw the knife in his right hand at Fu Lin. “You, on the other hand—why aren’t you saying anything? Are you mute?!””Every single day, can’t you all give me some peace of mind!”
“Uncle, I…”
“Don’t worry, Ranran.” Fu Zhenchuan turned to Sheng Shuran with a smile:
“You are the only daughter-in-law recognized by our Fu family. Uncle will stand up for you. If Fu Lin doesn’t marry you, I’ll break his legs.”
Fu Lin pressed his lips together, remaining silent.
Chi Hen, however, made Sheng Shuran feel a sudden chill as she sat beside him. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him clenching his knuckles until they turned white.
Sheng Shuran lowered her hand beside her and, hidden beneath the table, gently tugged at the slightly drooping cuff of Chi Hen’s sleeve.
She had intended to remind him to relax…
But Chi Hen reached under the table, took her hand in his, and enveloped her soft hand in his palm.
Sheng Shuran was a bit stunned and tried to pull her hand back, but Chi Hen refused to let go.
Why did it feel like she was sending a lamb into the wolf’s den?
But if it could stop Chi Hen from going crazy, Sheng Shuran decided to endure it.
Unfortunately…
Chi Hen held her hand and still insisted on causing a scene:
“Why? I don’t agree.
“…Sheng Shuran is mine.”