Finishing his documents, Si Qin glanced at his wristwatch. With a flicker of thought, he asked his assistant, “How is he doing at the hospital?”
Both men knew implicitly who “he” referred to—none other than the second young master of the Si family and Si Qin’s own younger brother, Si Shao. In S City, the Si family was a household name. Having lost both parents at a young age, the current head of the house, Si Qin, had faced ravenous relatives and entrenched company veterans eyeing their position like tigers eyeing their prey. Yet, before he was even twenty, Si Qin had stubbornly shouldered the family business, refusing to let outsiders take a single inch of advantage while simultaneously completing his education and graduating at the top of his class from S University, one of the nation’s premier institutions. Countless onlookers envied him, exclaiming that the Si family had raised a remarkable son with a secure future.
If Si Qin was the pride and glory of the Si family, Si Shao was undoubtedly the prodigal son who brought shame upon it. From a young age, he had refused to apply himself, spending his days walking dogs, chasing birds, picking fights, skipping classes, and engaging in early romances. Si Shao was akin to a smear of mosquito blood on a pristine white wall or a fly on a wedding cake—the kind of sight that instantly inspired disgust, making people wish they could sweep him straight into the trash can, yet forcing them to hold their noses, tolerate him, indulge him, and pamper him all the same.
If their past scuffles could be dismissed as childish games, this recent incident of the second young master street-racing with a crowd and landing in the hospital had hit the news headlines for two consecutive days, becoming the talk of the town and causing a massive uproar. Fortunately, no innocent pedestrians had been hit. In response, countless netizens on the internet had clapped their hands in celebration, secretly thinking: He deserved it!
Evil gets its retribution, and villains receive their just deserts.
Hearing Si Qin’s question, the assistant froze, clearly not expecting his boss to ask about the second young master. After all, the president had always maintained an attitude of total indifference and apathy toward Si Shao’s affairs. Still, since the president had asked, he had to answer. He had always been in charge of matters concerning the second young master, receiving regular updates and reports on his status, so he was well aware of Si Shao’s current condition. Thus, he replied, “The second young master woke up yesterday and successfully pulled through the danger. According to the doctors, after a period of observation in the hospital, he will be able to discharge and return home to recuperate once there are no major complications.”
Si Qin made no reply. Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, his stern facial contours softened slightly, though his expression remained unreadable.
After a short while, just as the assistant assumed Si Qin had merely asked out of a sudden routine whim and would say nothing more, Si Qin spoke up: “We’re going to the hospital.”
“Yes, President.” Pushing aside the chaotic thoughts running through his mind, the assistant replied with a calm and composed expression.
Affairs between those in high positions were not things lowly assistants like him should overthink. Whether Si Qin’s motive was a genuine concern for his younger brother or something else entirely, the assistant chose not to dwell on it. As for the baseless rumors swirling outside, a wise person would always form their own judgment.
Meanwhile, Si Shao was half-reclined on his hospital bed, lazily gnawing on an apple in one hand while listening to the housekeeper endlessly nag beside his ear.
“Second Young Master, just look at how frightened this old man and the eldest young master were by your injury this time! You must never be so impulsive again. None of those troublemakers hanging around you are any good; my dear young master, you must never let them deceive you again. Look, the moment trouble struck, not a single one of them came to visit you—they all hid like tortoises pulling in their heads, terrified of getting involved.” The housekeeper droned on with a worried expression. Looking at his young master’s nonchalant attitude, he felt an urge to march right up, grab him by the ear, and roar a few words into his head.