He Jitang returned to the main courtyard.
Little Ci’an couldn’t sleep, waiting for him.
Seeing He Jitang return, little Ci’an rushed over and hugged his legs: "Daddy."
He Jitang squatted down.
His slender fingers stroked over the newly fitted hearing aid on Ci’an’s ear, asking softly, "Are you getting used to it?"
Little Ci’an nodded vigorously.
He Jitang smiled.
He sat down at the long table and poured himself a cup of tea, with little Ci’an hugging his leg, showing obvious dependency.
He Jitang sipped his tea lightly, and little Ci’an said cautiously, "Daddy, I think I heard auntie’s voice."
Having said that, he looked up.
His eyes filled with a pitiable hope.
He Jitang picked up his little body and placed him beside himself, then said after thinking for a bit, "In a few days, shall I bring auntie over to keep you company, would that be good?"
Little Ci’an innocently replied, "Won’t auntie accompany uncle and the young beauty?"
He Jitang touched his head: "Auntie loves you too."
Little Ci’an was delighted in his heart.
He leaned on his father, speaking softly about all the moments he had while living in Bao Mansion.
Finally, he said, "I miss uncle, too!"
He Jitang’s grip on his tea cup tightened!
...
Late in the night, little Ci’an fell asleep.
He Jitang still sat there quietly, drinking tea, until someone came to the door.
That person spoke in a low voice, "Young Master Jitang, Mr. Gu has been found."
He Jitang closed his eyes, "What about Shen Ci?"
That person paused for a moment: "Mr. Shen is kneeling in the front hall, apologizing to Young Master Jitang."
He Jitang slowly finished half a cup of tea, then stood up.
He arrived at the front hall and saw Shen Ci kneeling there, apparently for quite a while.
He Jitang didn’t look at him, but walked straight into a dark room.
Shen Ci’s body trembled.
Chen Er came up to his side, trying to persuade, "Mr. Shen, why bother doing this! Now it’s good, not only has Young Master Jitang lost the one he loves, but Little Master Ci’an’s health has also been damaged."
Shen Ci kneeled, his voice indifferent: "I have no regrets!"
He raised his voice, "One Sun Jing’an is already difficult to handle, plus Bao Jingyan and another Miss Su, our odds of winning for Young Master Jitang are too slim, now that we have Miss Su in our hands, the chances are fifty-fifty."
Inside the dark room.
He Jitang quietly pulled out a silver whip, he said, "Come in."
Shen Ci’s body shook.
But he still obediently entered, kneeling on the ground.
He took off his overcoat, only wearing a white shirt.
Chen Er followed, trying to plead on his behalf, "Mr. Shen is also confused for a moment, he did it for Young Master Jitang’s sake..."
Before he could finish, a lash came flying.
The white shirt was stained red.
He Jitang spoke with a cold tone, "He did this, so he was ready for the consequences."
The whip in his hand lashed out again.
Shen Ci, a scholar and a gentleman, clenched his teeth after two lashes to avoid fainting.
He straightened his back, loudly saying, "I have no regrets! If Young Master Jitang is lenient, he will regret it when it’s too late! Now, since Young Master Jitang has brought Miss Su back, he cannot let her return again."
He Jitang sneered, "Aren’t you afraid of inviting a wolf over?"
Shen Ci murmured, "Young Master Jitang is now husband and wife with her, naturally it’s different."
He Jitang was gently spinning the Jadeite ring...
Chen Er also wanted to persuade, but seeing that whip, he swallowed his words.
Indeed, Young Master Jitang lashed out several more times until Shen Ci’s back was a bloody mess...
Shen Ci fainted.
Chen Er trembled with fear.
He checked the breathing, "Still alive."
He Jitang threw away the whip and said, "Call a doctor for him, he needn’t come over for the time being."
Chen Er sighed repeatedly, hoisting the man and running.
He Jitang flexed his muscles; the wounds on his shoulder and chest burst open, fresh blood seeping into his dark coat...
But he didn’t tend to them, instead, he walked into the courtyard.
The magnolia flowers were blooming perfectly.
His fourth sister, however, refused to say a word to him.