Meng Shining felt a bit puzzled and hummed a little tune as she walked home.
Just as she entered the main door, she heard the door slam shut behind her, followed by the click of the lock.
“It’s broad daylight, why lock the door?” Meng Shining thought today her family members were acting strangely.
She was about to go upstairs to shower, change into pajamas, and have a good sleep when she shivered.
Looking up, she saw Meng Ci’an, looking as if he had crawled out of the eighteenth level of hell.
Her heart skipped a beat. She had fallen into a trap.
She turned to run, but the tightly closed door and two burly men guarding the entrance made her swallow nervously.
Meng Ci’an’s face was dark, almost dripping with anger. Seeing Meng Shining, he sneered, “Still come home, my ‘good’ little sister.”
Meng Shining stepped back a few paces. The house was big, so she could run, but judging from the way the car came in, every exit probably had someone stationed.
He was deliberately waiting for her to walk right into his trap.
What a cunning little villain.
“I’ve been waiting for you a long time. My patience is exhausted,” Meng Ci’an said coldly, his gaze dangerous.
“Brother, didn’t you go to work today? Can the company manage without you?” Meng Shining asked while retreating.
“The family company cannot go a day without you. Not a single day.”
“Brother!”
“Calm down, brother.” Meng Shining had no idea what Meng Ci’an would do, but it certainly would not be good.
Meng Ci’an sneered, “The company won’t collapse without me, but if I don’t deal with you today, I’ll be the one upset.”
With that, he took a few quick steps forward.
Seeing him approach, Meng Shining quickly turned to run, hoping to delay the inevitable.
Meng Ci’an, swift as ever, grabbed her by the collar.
The force made her choke a few times as her neck was caught.
Meng Ci’an ignored her discomfort and dragged her toward the elevator.
Meng Shining reached out in resistance and pleaded, “Brother, brother, best brother, let’s talk it out, we can talk properly.”
Meng Ci’an pressed his lips into a straight line, ignoring her pleas, and dragged her into the elevator.
He continued dragging Meng Shining to the public study.
After throwing her in, he followed and locked the door behind them.
Meng Shining felt nervous. In her memory, Meng Ci’an was always distant and indifferent, treating her as if she were not his sister but someone unimportant in the house.
Once the door was locked, Meng Ci’an sat on the sofa, leaned back slightly, and coldly asked, “Where did you go wrong?”
Meng Shining stood before him, fingers intertwined, head lowered, like a child being scolded by a parent.
Seeing her remain silent, his tone grew harsher. “I asked you, where did you go wrong?”
Meng Shining lifted her head, looking aggrieved. “I shouldn’t have thrown you at the Green Moss Hotel.”
Meng Ci’an crossed his legs and drummed his fingers on his lap lazily. “I’ll give you one more chance to admit your mistake properly. Otherwise, don’t blame me for using family discipline.”
Meng Shining squinted. Family discipline? Did that exist?
“Speak!” Meng Ci’an’s patience was gone, his anger obvious.
Pouting, Meng Shining said, “I shouldn’t have agreed to let Lin Yushan trick you into going to Green Moss Hotel and let her plot against you. I’m sorry, brother, I know I was wrong. Will you forgive me?” Her tone was pitiful, almost crying, hoping Meng Ci’an would soften.
Of course, her ability to act humble and compliant was her exquisite virtue.
“Good, continue confessing.” Meng Ci’an nodded with satisfaction.
“Huh?” Meng Shining was confused. Did she need to confess more?
Meng Ci’an looked at her coldly. “Do you need a hint?”
Meng Shining nodded eagerly. “Brother, you’re the best.”
Meng Ci’an beckoned her over, smirking. “Come closer, I’ll give you a hint.”
Naive Meng Shining leaned in obediently. “Brother really is the most…”
Before she could finish, she felt a sharp tap on her forehead. Meng Ci’an’s long fingers lightly struck her.
Holding her forehead, she staggered back several steps. “You… you’re abusing me!”
Meng Ci’an curled his lips. “Remember now?”
“If I don’t, I can give you another hint.”
Meng Shining grimaced, already dizzy, and now her head hurt from the tap.
“I… I shouldn’t have ignored your calls,” she said, pouting. She swore that when their parents came home, she would report him properly and make sure Meng Ci’an got a spanking.
Meng Ci’an lowered his eyes. After a moment of silence, he slowly lifted them.
Once again, a screen appeared above Meng Shining’s head.
The screen showed a scene like an ancient court. Little figures holding sticks lined both sides, and at the center sat a middle-aged man who looked exactly like her father.
Meng Shining, dressed as a eunuch, held a whisk and shouted in a sharp voice, “Lord Meng, this son has been unreasonable and dared to lay hands on the princess. The Empress Dowager has decreed that Meng Ci’an, this arrogant child, must be punished.”
“Fifty strokes, Lord Meng will not be biased, right?” Meng Shining narrowed her eyes, looking down at Meng Ci’an kneeling below.
“Of course not. He dared touch the princess. Not beheading him is already generous. I will execute immediately,” Father Meng said obsequiously.
“Someone, give Meng Ci’an fifty strokes.”
The screen showed little figures dragging kneeling Meng Ci’an onto a stool. Two figures with oversized fly swatters rhythmically struck him.
Screams came from the screen, mixed with Meng Shining’s wild laughter.
Then the screen blinked twice, went black, and disappeared entirely.
Meng Ci’an gritted his teeth. “Meng! Shining!”
Hearing her name, Meng Shining hurriedly looked at him. “Brother, I remembered, I know where I went wrong. Don’t be angry. Anger hurts your heart and kidneys. If your kidneys are bad, nothing else will be good.”
She approached Meng Ci’an, diligently massaging his shoulders. “Brother, I won’t do it again. You are so precious. You can’t get hurt because of me, right, brother?”
“I swear I will never trick you to another woman again.”
“Of course, I won’t ignore your calls anymore!”
“Brother, I really know I was wrong. Please don’t be angry.”
Seeing her act coy, Meng Ci’an’s expression softened. “You’ve admitted your mistakes fully. Are you sure that’s all?”