She then dismissed all the servants.
As for this second sister-in-law, Shen Ran felt nothing but endless respect for her at this moment.
Not only because she had helped him and respected him, but most importantly, because of her boldness.
She had actually wanted to throw those people into the sea!
Terrifying!
The pushover Shen Ran sat down beside her, looking very well-behaved.
The doctor also arrived, asking no questions, and immediately began treating the wounds on Shen Ran’s face and body.
Ji Huanlan had a headache. Her fingers moved slightly, and Wang Huo, being perceptive, took out a mint cigarette and lit it for her.
The slender cigarette was held between the woman’s fingertips as she slowly opened her eyes.
Meeting those eyes, Shen Ran couldn’t help but thank her again: “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law, for helping me today.”
“I don’t want your thanks.”
Shen Ran thought for a moment. “Second Sister-in-law, I don’t have anything else to offer.”
The money was given by Second Brother anyway, and besides, Second Sister-in-law was definitely richer than him.
Ji Huanlan smiled. “Would you be willing to do anything?”
Shen Ran’s brows furrowed slightly. Not knowing what he was thinking of, he nodded. “Just give the order, Second Sister-in-law.”
He had noticed this morning how differently Second Brother treated Second Sister-in-law.
Perhaps…
Within twenty minutes, the members of the Shen family arrived belatedly, each yawning with red, sleepy eyes, standing at the doorway.
Ji Huanlan spoke: “Come in.”
The crowd shuffled in and stood in the open space of the living room, wondering what kind of trouble this woman was going to stir up in the middle of the night.
But after more than ten minutes, she still hadn’t spoken, just sipping her hangover soup one mouthful at a time, leaving them standing there like a bunch of fools.
Just now.
What Shen Xi had replied to her was: Shen Ran’s mother was the only one who ever helped me.
So even though he was an illegitimate son, Shen Xi had kept Shen Ran.
“Niece-in-law, it’s so late, and you called us here but won’t speak. You can’t torment people like this, can you?”
The one who spoke was still that elder.
Ji Huanlan looked at him. “How should I address you?”
The man smiled awkwardly. “Just call me Uncle Eight, niece-in-law.”
Uncle Eight…
Ji Huanlan thought of the deepest scar on Shen Xi’s body.
Changing the subject, she asked, “Whose son is Shen Shuo?”
Uncle Eight Shen’s expression turned unpleasant. “He’s my son. What about it?”
Ji Huanlan ignored him, sat up straight, and addressed the faces before her: “I’m sorry for calling everyone over so late.”
That was what she said, but was there even a trace of apology on her face?
“I have something to announce. From now on, all matters of the Shen family, big or small, will be managed by Shen Ran on my behalf. I’m busy with work, and my husband is busy too. We don’t have time to deal with these trivial matters. In the future, if you have any issues, just discuss them with Shen Ran.”
“What?”
“He’s just an illegit—”
“Huohuo.”
Wang Huo was all too familiar with that tone of voice. He strode toward the crowd, grabbed out the young man who had spoken last, and delivered a slap to his mouth.
A solid, heavy slap!
The young man’s mouth went numb from the blow.
“What right do you have to hit me?!” the young man shouted.
Ji Huanlan: “Because you’re questioning my decision.”
“You—”
Ji Huanlan cut him off: “I don’t care whether he’s an illegitimate son or not. I said it, and I’ll say it again—he’ll be in charge of household matters from now on. All you need to do is listen and obey.”
Who dared to speak again?
Speak again, and you’d get slapped!
This crude method was the most effective against these people who excelled at verbal sparring.
Because they were cowards who feared death.
And Shen Ran had never imagined he would be entrusted with such an important responsibility—managing such a large household.
He was an illegitimate child. From the day he returned to the Shen family, he had lived under everyone’s belittlement and had long grown accustomed to being mocked and ridiculed.
He never imagined that one day, he too could have sway over these people who looked down their noses at everyone else.
“Shen Ran.”
Shen Ran immediately sat up straight. “Here!”
The woman said, “I’ll arrange a car for you. Your second brother will assign you a few bodyguards and enforcers. If anyone in or outside the family doesn’t behave, you deal with them as you see fit. Your second sister-in-law has investments in several hospitals—if you beat someone too badly, just send them straight there.”
Flames burned in Shen Ran’s eyes, and his nose stung with emotion.
“Your second sister-in-law is speaking to you. Didn’t you hear?”
Everyone jerked their heads up.
There, by the railing on the second floor, Shen Xi sat in his wheelchair, surveying the entire scene.
Shen Ran immediately bowed to Shen Xi. “I heard you. Thank you, second brother and second sister-in-law. I will definitely manage the family well and not cause you any worry!”
It was in that moment that Shen Ran came to truly admire Ji Huanlan.
Because he realized one thing.
Ji Huanlan, through this method, was drawing all the hostility in this family onto herself.
That way, Shen Xi would be much safer.
Yet even so, Shen Ran was more than willing.
He was second brother’s man, so what did it matter if he took a few knives for him?
And because of Shen Xi’s single remark, none of the Shen family members dared to object or protest.
Shen Xi had tacitly approved Ji Huanlan’s decision.
Damn it!
The vast Shen family had actually fallen into the hands of that bastard Shen Ran!
“Shen Shuo… what is he doing now?” Ji Huanlan turned her attention to Shen Shuo.
Shen Shuo wasn’t present—he was in the hospital.
Uncle Eight Shen’s heart tightened. “Shen Shuo isn’t doing anything right now. He’s… recovering from his injuries.”
The implication was clear.
“So he’s just eating and lazing around, waiting to die?” Ji Huanlan smiled.
A young woman sat there facing down a crowd, yet her presence didn’t yield an inch.
Uncle Eight Shen’s face turned ashen.
Ji Huanlan said, “In that case, starting Monday, let him come learn how to work under me. A young man can’t just be a parasite at home, right, Uncle Eight?”
She was asking for Shen Shuo under the pretext of teaching him to work, and Uncle Eight Shen had no reason to refuse.
A sister-in-law pulling her brother-in-law into legitimate work—who could say a single word against that?!
But Uncle Eight Shen knew full well that Ji Huanlan had no good intentions.
And indeed, Ji Huanlan had no good intentions.
Without even guessing, one could tell Shen Shuo was Uncle Eight Shen’s precious darling, spoiled into that sorry state.
Keeping Shen Shuo by her side would surely make Uncle Eight Shen think twice before causing any trouble.
Ji Huanlan gave Uncle Eight Shen no chance to refuse. “It’s settled then. Huohuo, you’ll go pick him up on Monday.”
“Niece-in-law…”
Ji Huanlan rose and headed upstairs without looking back.
The crowd dispersed, and the old manor fell silent once more.
The master bedroom.
“Did you drink?” Shen Xi’s wheelchair was parked by the floor-to-ceiling window.
Ji Huanlan sat on the sofa beside him, her body draped over the armrest, looking rather shameless.
“Mhm…” Her voice was hoarse and soft.
She was indeed drunk.
She didn’t feel like throwing up, just dizzy and with a headache.
“Take some medicine,” Shen Xi suggested.
Ji Huanlan said, “It’s so late—why haven’t you slept yet?”
The room was quiet, with only the faint hum of the aromatherapy diffuser.
“Waiting for you.”
Those two words made Ji Huanlan lift her head, which felt as heavy as lead. Her gaze, hazy and unfocused, rested on the man so close before her.
The bedroom light was dim, half of his face hidden in shadow.
Ji Huanlan curled her lips and extended her hand toward him.
Shen Xi was puzzled.
Then, he tentatively placed his phone into her hand.
Did she want to look at his phone?
Ji Huanlan: …