Zhao Shuyao shot Qin Yusheng a glare. "When did I say I was going to sell it? Besides, Grandpa gave it to me. Are you jealous?"
"Me, jealous of you? That's hilarious! What don't I have that I'd be jealous of you?" Qin Yusheng was amused to the point of laughter again.
Communicating with Zhao Shuyao felt like it cost him a lot of brain cells!
"Then shut up! Whether I sell it or keep it at home for decoration, it's my choice, and it's none of your business! Na-na-na-boo-boo!"
Zhao Shuyao finished speaking, made a face at Qin Yusheng, crossed her eyes, stuck out her tongue, and was practically ready to fly to the heavens.
With the elder present, Qin Yusheng suppressed his anger, unable to lash out.
"Wash your hands and come eat! Good girl, Yao Yao!" Grandpa Qin laughed heartily.
Seeing this childish side of his grandson, one might think they were two little kids bickering.
"Okay, Grandpa." Zhao Shuyao beamed, agreeing, and headed towards the restroom.
Because the place was so vast, she had to ask a maid to find the restroom.
Zhao Shuyao emerged from the restroom, wiping the water from her hands.
When she looked up and saw Qin Yusheng, Zhao Shuyao knew she was in trouble.
Pretending not to see him, she whistled, intending to walk past the man.
"Where are you going?" The man's handsome and unparalleled face was as cold as frost.
"Heh heh, well, I was wrong..." Zhao Shuyao immediately caved, her ears drooping.
"Weren't you quite arrogant just now? Turn around, hands on the wall."
Zhao Shuyao gritted her teeth but obediently complied.
What did he want to do?
Unexpectedly, Qin Yusheng raised his hand and slapped her bottom hard.
"Ah! Qin Yusheng! You pervert!" Zhao Shuyao cried out in pain from the slap, tears welling up, and tried to run.
She was pinned down by the man, unable to move, like a captured kitten, resigned to her fate.
"Hmm? Where did your earlier spirit go, Zhao Shuyao?"
Qin Yusheng slapped her on the other buttock again.
He hit with considerable force, causing Zhao Shuyao to struggle, crying, "You pervert! I'm going to tell Grandpa you hit me!"
"If you dare to complain, there will be more than two slaps next time!"
Qin Yusheng held Zhao Shuyao's back and leaned close to the girl's ear, his warm breath fanning her fair, slender neck.
Zhao Shuyao held back her tears. "You're committing domestic violence! I'm going to sue you!"
"You can try..." Qin Yusheng's hand moved again, delivering another slap.
Zhao Shuyao tightly pursed her lips, determined not to make a sound.
"Finally learned to behave?" Qin Yusheng was in a good mood, seeing the little woman so obedient.
"Qin Yusheng, I'm not done with you!"
Zhao Shuyao ultimately didn't say it aloud, only saying, "I was wrong, please forgive me, I'll never do it again."
Revenge is a dish best served cold!
"Hmm, get lost." Qin Yusheng released her.
In less than a second, Zhao Shuyao, clutching her backside, scurried away.
Fine, she'd get lost! Next time, she'd get those four slaps back!
Watching the little woman run off, holding her backside, Qin Yusheng felt inexplicably cheerful, his lips curving upwards without him even realizing it.
Upon returning to the dining room, Grandpa Qin noticed Zhao Shuyao's peculiar gait. "What's wrong, girl?"
"Nothing, Grandpa, I just fell!" Zhao Shuyao clutched her waist and sat down with a wince.
Qin Yusheng's blows were truly heavy!
It hurt so much she couldn't sit still.
"You should get a warm compress later, you silly girl..."
"Old Master, we have a visitor..." A maid suddenly entered. "It's a young girl, claiming to be Huo Yanxue!"
Upon hearing Huo Yanxue's name, both Grandpa Qin and Zhao Shuyao's expressions changed drastically.
Zhao Shuyao looked at her grandfather. Grandpa Qin's face flushed, and he roared in anger, "A visitor? Tell her to get out!"
"She said... she's pregnant." Seeing the Old Master's reaction, the maid knew he disliked this woman, but still spoke the words tremblingly.
Pregnant?
Zhao Shuyao frowned.
Although Huo Yanxue had been awake for nearly a month, it was impossible to detect a pregnancy so quickly, wasn't it?
Grandpa Qin looked at Zhao Shuyao. "Really? That scoundrel Qin Yusheng got Huo Yanxue pregnant?!"
"Grandpa, please calm down. While I'm not sure of the situation, it's not impossible. Why don't we let her in to eat and talk?"
Zhao Shuyao suddenly seemed to have an idea and spoke.
Grandpa Qin frowned deeply. "Little girl, you've changed. You used to avoid Huo Yanxue like the plague, and now you're asking me to invite her to dinner. Aren't you afraid of being disgusted and losing your appetite?" Zhao Shuyao chuckled and winked at her grandfather. "Grandpa, I have my reasons. Just please invite her in!"
Grandpa Qin didn't know what Zhao Shuyao was up to, but he didn't press further. He simply gestured to the maid. "Let her in!"
Less than a minute later, Huo Yanxue gracefully entered the hall.
As Huo Yanxue walked in, she surveyed the opulent hall, taking in the antique calligraphy and paintings.
The bright, dazzling crystal chandelier overhead illuminated Huo Yanxue's pale, frail face, reflecting the decadence in her eyes.
Although everyone who entered couldn't help but be drawn to the antiques and paintings of the hot spring villa, Huo Yanxue's eyes clearly held an ambition that couldn't be concealed.
Zhao Shuyao observed this silently.
Huo Yanxue then walked to the center of the hall and first greeted Grandpa Qin respectfully and demurely, "Good evening, Old Master."
Only then did she seem to notice Zhao Shuyao beside the Old Master.
"What a coincidence, Sister is here too?"
Zhao Shuyao smiled faintly. "Why are you here?"
Huo Yanxue seemed to be afraid of her, taking half a step back. "Sister, please don't be angry. I didn't come here on purpose, I..."
"What are you doing? She just got out of the hospital, don't make things difficult for her!"
A deep, slightly displeased male voice sounded as Qin Yusheng emerged from behind the screen.
Seeing Qin Yusheng, Huo Yanxue clutched him like a lifeline. "Yusheng, you're really here!"
"What are you doing here?" Qin Yusheng glanced at Grandpa Qin and Zhao Shuyao, then walked to Huo Yanxue's side and took her hand.
Huo Yanxue leaned into Qin Yusheng's embrace, appearing fragile. "Brother Yusheng, I... I'm pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Qin Yusheng's brow furrowed deeply. "Are you sure the test wasn't wrong?"
"The test wasn't wrong, I'm really pregnant, Brother Yusheng. I just wanted to come for a meal, I don't ask for anything, I just want to be by your side, even if the Qin family doesn't acknowledge me as their daughter-in-law..."
"Daughter-in-law?" Grandpa Qin scoffed. "How come I don't know the Qin family has such a thing? Now any stray cat or dog wants to associate with the Qin family. Others may not know, but you should be very clear yourself. The Qin family's wealth and status are indeed desirable, but it depends on whether you have the fate for it!"
"Grandpa, she means no harm, you don't need to insult her like this." Qin Yusheng hadn't recovered from the shock.
He did indeed have a night where he was drunk and dreamt of Zhao Shuyao...
But after waking up, he found Zhao Shuyao wasn't by his side.