The servant shrank to the side like a quail, not daring to make a sound.
Such scenes were common in the Jing household.
But such a scene could only occur when these two were present together. If either one were singled out, no one would dare meet their gaze, let alone engage in such back-and-forth bickering.
“I don’t have the ability to make you listen? From childhood to now, has there ever been a single thing you didn’t follow my arrangements? Since you were three years old, whenever I told you to take first place, you would fight tooth and nail to avoid coming in second.”
Jing Yuan stared at her and emphasized again, “In everything.”
Jing Yuanxi, for some reason, surprisingly didn’t retort this time. Instead, she curled her lips into a smile. “It’s a pity you won’t have many more chances to give such orders.”
“You’re right, but for now, I still do.”
After these words, father and daughter finally fell silent, and the dining room was once again filled only with the clinking of cutlery.
The servant inwardly breathed a huge sigh of relief.
This father-daughter pair before him was simply the strangest he had ever seen, devoid of any warmth.
Before long, the butler hurried in from outside, followed by several middle-aged assistants.
All were people Jing Yuan had employed for many years.
Not daring to look further, the servant quickly handed over the suit jacket in his hands.
“I’ll have lunch at the group headquarters. Don’t wait for me.”
“Hmm.”
Jing Yuan waved the servant away and adjusted his suit and tie himself. “Fulfill your duties as a fiancée. At least make two more calls to check in.”
“Does that count as part of the tasks you’ve given me?” Jing Yuanxi looked up and asked.
“No.”
“Then I won’t call.”
The last time Han Shixu didn’t answer her call, she had already been quite displeased.
Jing Yuan glanced at her sideways. “Successfully marrying into the Han family is the most important task I’ve given you. Are you sure you want to be so perfunctory?”
Before Jing Yuanxi could respond, the speaker had already turned and walked out.
The people behind him bowed slightly toward the dining table before quickly following.
Jing Yuanxi rubbed the cutlery in her hands, thought for a moment, then took out her phone from her bag and dialed.
Jiangcheng Hospital—
A sudden ringtone broke the silence in the quiet hospital room.
Han Shixu silenced the vibrating phone and asked the doctor before him, “How is her leg?”
“It’s just a minor fracture, nothing serious. She can be discharged in a week.”
Han Shixu nodded.
After the doctor left, Song Enya, who was half-lying on the hospital bed, spoke up. “Thank you. You only need to cover the medical expenses. If my father comes looking for you again, you don’t have to pay him any mind.”
The middle-aged woman sitting by the bed nervously twisted the corner of her clothes upon hearing this. “Enya…”
Song Enya shook her head and said nothing more.
It was only then that Han Shixu noticed the woman’s finger was also broken.
He observed the expressions of the mother and daughter clearly and spoke bluntly, “If I only cover the medical expenses, who would be responsible if you starve to death in this hospital bed over the next seven days?”
Song Enya’s face flushed bright red from his direct words, utterly embarrassed.
But what he said was true. The thirty thousand yuan they had painstakingly saved had already been taken by that drunkard, and now they didn’t even have money for food.
Han Shixu had been right there, witnessing the situation clearly.
However, seeing the other person now lowering her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze, he surprisingly fell silent and didn’t continue.
“Ring ring—”
The phone rang again.
This time, even Song Enya instinctively glanced over and quickly said, “If you have something to attend to, please go ahead. We’ll manage on our own.”
Han Shixu didn’t even glance at the caller ID, swiping to silence his phone with the back of his hand before grabbing his jacket and heading out.
“I’ll bring food back for you.”
At the same time, in a villa in Zhongdu, Jing Yuanxi’s expression darkened as yet another call went unanswered.
A servant waited cautiously for a moment, and seeing that she had no intention of making another call, stepped forward to remind her, “Miss, it’s time for your piano practice.”
Jing Yuanxi took a minute to compose herself before rising to leave.
…
For the next ten days, Han Shixu received no more calls from Zhongdu.
“What kind of people are they? Their manners are truly appalling.”
“Exactly, running into that family must be the worst luck in eight lifetimes.”
Two nurses walked out of the hospital room with exceptionally grim expressions.
Faint sounds of an argument could be heard from inside.
“You’re staying in the best room, and you still dare say you have no money? Song Zhenxian, your daughter was hit by him—I refuse to believe you didn’t get a single cent. That guy drove a luxury car; he’s clearly loaded.”
“You and your daughter are even eating meals from Ruyi Restaurant now, while I’m stuck with cabbage every day. How dare you lie to me?!”
Han Shixu hurried to the doorway just in time to hear the crisp sound of a slap.
The drunken man had put all his strength into striking the woman across the face, sending her stumbling. Her already weary, aged face grew even more swollen and red.
“You lunatic, why don’t you just die!”
Song Enya grabbed the kettle from the table and hurled it at his head. The man blocked it with his arm, gasping in pain as the hard object struck him, his eyes turning even fiercer.
“You little brat, daring to hit your own father? You’re asking for death!”
Han Shixu’s expression changed drastically as he rushed in, shielding the mother and daughter. “I’ve already called the police. Aren’t you leaving?”
The man glared venomously at the two women. “Sooner or later, I’ll finish you off.”
With that, he brushed his sleeve and left, visibly resentful.
Han Shixu glanced around the room. Food and water were spilled everywhere, but aside from the broken kettle, nothing else seemed damaged—likely out of fear of having to pay for it.
These ten days of interaction had completely reshaped his understanding. He never imagined people could be this destitute.
Song Enya wiped her tears and used a tissue to clean the blood from the woman’s mouth.
Fortunately, she had fully recovered and could be discharged today. Otherwise, with the man causing such a scene, there might have been more trouble.
“Thank you.”
Han Shixu let out a faint, almost imperceptible click of his tongue. “Let’s go. Time to handle the discharge procedures.”
Just as he turned to leave, Song Enya spoke up again. “Wait for me a moment.”
Han Shixu watched as she somehow found a broom and mop, busying herself for a while to clean the room thoroughly.
In the end, there was still the broken kettle, which he had covered the cost for.
After completing the discharge formalities, the three of them quickly left the hospital.
“Consider the cost of the meals these past few days and the kettle as a loan from you. I’ll pay you back once I have the money.”
Song Enya said this with a serious expression.
Paired with the large and small, dusty-looking luggage beside them, it created an oddly amusing scene.
Perhaps because she knew the other party was just a fake who rented luxury cars, she subconsciously didn’t tally these expenses too high.
Han Shixu suddenly felt an urge to tease her. He took out his phone and said, “Sure, then let’s exchange contact information.”
“Ah…” Song Enya immediately grew flustered.
“How are you going to repay me without leaving a phone number? I won’t be staying in Jiangcheng for long, and it seemed like you two wanted to leave Jiangcheng that night.”
“I… I don’t have a phone yet.”
Song Zhenxian did have one, but it was an old-fashioned model that could only make calls and send text messages.
Han Shixu watched her flustered state with interest, “Then what should we do? It’s only right to repay a debt—you’re not thinking of running away from it, are you?”
“Of course not, I will definitely pay you back.”
Song Enya pressed her lips together and said, “I’ll start a part-time job tomorrow. Could you stay in Jiangcheng a few more days?”