This was the second sentence Shi Lingyan had uttered since he had arrived.
Clearly extremely brief and even devoid of substance.
Yet a sense of dignity belonging to a superior still imperceptibly spread and towered above everyone like a king over his subjects, looking down upon all life.
Shi Yunchang felt a condescending sense of humiliation surge within him; he silently clenched his fist, filled with resentment, and took a step forward, his tone laced with a warning, "If this matter blows up, it won't be good for anyone."
"Hmm," Shi Lingyan flicked the ash from his cigarette and lazily raised his eyes, "So?"
Shi Yunchang was infuriated by his attitude, his face ashen, fist clenched, and just as he was about to step forward to argue, he was grabbed by Third Uncle Shi.
Third Uncle Shi had a smile on his face and said, "We're all men here; he just made a mistake that any man could make!"
Wang Quanxia couldn't stand it anymore and, pulling Shi Mei, stepped forward and said, "What do you mean by a mistake any man could make? What about Shi Mei?"
The movement was a bit rough, Shi Mei pouted and her eyes reddened, almost crying, wincing as she tried to pry Wang Quanxia's hands off, her large, clear eyes filled with tears of grievance as she whispered in accusation, "It hurts..."
Third Aunt Shi hurriedly tried to smooth things over, offering faux consolation to Wang Quanxia, "All right, all right. You know the situation with Shi Mei; now that it has happened, we can't actually go and tell the old master, can we? That would put Mr. Shi in such a difficult position..."
Upon hearing this, Wang Quanxia's face fell, then she covered her face and cried out, "My poor daughter, she was doing so well before this happened. Not only was she a top student at the medical school, but she was also chosen by a famous director to star in a movie. Everyone said she had a bright future, but who knew she'd save a wolf in sheep's clothing and almost lost her life? Now, she has become foolish, and to add insult to injury, she's being cuckolded. What's the point of living!"
Shi Xuebai too looked heartbroken and choked up as he said, "Don't worry. Things have come to this, and Mr. Shi is a responsible person. Since he has wronged Shi Mei, he will surely make it up to her."
This was their purpose in coming!
Bai Yuejie's face showed anger as she looked at them and said, "Isn't this a bit ugly, coming here early in the morning to blackmail?"
"Shut your mouth!" Wang Quanxia, with no trace of her prior sorrow, angrily retorted, "We are family with Mr. Shi. It's only right for him to compensate my daughter. Who the hell are you? A lowly mistress!"
Shi Mei slightly lowered her head, the corners of her lips quietly curling up.
Wang Quanxia was a shrew, and Bai Yuejie, a flower nurtured in a greenhouse. How could she ever stand up to her?
Bai Yuejie's face turned both red and white with anger, her heart almost beating out of her chest, her body trembling, just about to say something when a hand pressed down on her shoulder.
Shi Lingyan had unknowingly arrived behind her, the faint smell of tobacco mixed with a crisp clean scent wafting into her nostrils.
Bai Yuejie looked up to meet Shi Lingyan's eyes, which held a mocking smile.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Bai Yuejie's cheeks heated slightly, and she couldn't help but call out softly, "Brother Ling Yan."
Bai Yuejie was barely five-foot-three, whereas Shi Lingyan stood close to six-foot-three, a height sufficient to look down on everyone.
He casually glanced around and asked, "What kind of compensation do you want?"
With that one sentence, the previously taut atmosphere was completely dissolved.
The members of the Shi family who had just been as defensive as hedgehogs now all showed signs of delight.