Chapter 46: The Pretentious Clown

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: The Pretentious Clown

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

「Late at night. The Sheng Family Estate.」

The sound of a leather whip cracking through the air echoed endlessly from the study.

Sheng Hui knelt on the tiled floor, the clothes on his back torn to shreds, revealing a crisscrossing network of swollen red welts.

Sheng Zhanhong stood nearby, his hands clasped behind his back, a finger pointed directly at the kneeling Sheng Hui.

"This disgraceful son! He’s lost his damned mind over a woman! Keep whipping him! Beat him to death for all I care!"

With a THUD, a middle-aged woman beside him dropped to her knees. She threw her arms around Sheng Zhanhong’s legs and pleaded loudly.

"Sheng, that’s enough! Ah Hui knows he was wrong! Look, his back is bleeding! I’m begging you, please spare him this once!"

Sheng Hui’s face was deathly pale. He clenched his jaw tightly, not uttering a single sound.

But his entire body trembled, a clear sign that the pain was immense.

"So he regrets it now? He didn’t just lose his shot at Deputy Director—he completely destroyed his career at the Special Operations Department!"

Sheng Zhanhong roared.

"I worked my fingers to the bone paving the way for him! All those years of blood, sweat, and tears, completely destroyed by one stupid comment from his mouth!"

"Wu, give him hell! If anything happens, I’ll take the blame!"

Song Yao knew nothing of this.

She had been unconscious in the hospital for two days. When she woke up, the first thing she saw was the figure of Xiao Li.

The light from the hospital room lamp shone from behind him, casting his silhouette in a particularly heavy shadow.

Her consciousness was still struggling to surface from the fog, and her breath caught in her throat.

When she focused and saw it was someone she knew, her heart settled back into her chest.

The pain in her neck slowly crept back, and she subconsciously raised a hand to touch it.

Her fingertips brushed against the bruises, and her brow furrowed immediately.

"What are you doing just standing there? You scared me!"

Xiao Li, who had been looking tense, visibly relaxed the moment he saw she was finally awake.

He scratched his ear and chuckled sheepishly.

"The light was too bright, it was shining on your face. I was afraid it would give you a headache, so I stood here to block it for you."

As he spoke, he shifted his body slightly, allowing a little more light to filter in from the side.

Hearing this, Song Yao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"Oh, well, aren’t you thoughtful. Top-notch service."

She glanced around.

"Shen Zhenwu didn’t come?"

"He did,"

Xiao Li replied.

"The Chief made a special trip. He asked the doctor about your condition, and when he learned you needed to rest, he arranged for the medical staff and then hurried back."

Song Yao rolled her eyes.

"Sheng Hui nearly choked the life out of me, and he just leaves with a clear conscience?"

Xiao Li’s expression darkened, and his eyes grew cold.

"The Chief didn’t just leave. He went back to settle the score."

He lowered his voice.

"Sheng Hui dared to lay a hand on you, Young Miss. Just getting him removed from his post isn’t enough. The Sheng Family is going to have to pay dearly, or this matter won’t be over."

A wave of warmth washed over Song Yao’s heart.

She let out a breath, the corners of her lips curling up slightly.

"Alright. It seems this wasn’t such a bad trade-off after all."

At least she had someone watching her back, so she wasn’t completely alone and helpless.

Xiao Li’s gaze, however, fell on the bruises on her neck, and he secretly clenched his fists inside his sleeves.

But he didn’t show a hint of his emotions to her, instead turning toward the cabinet.

"Young Miss, the new house has been set up just as you asked. You can move in as soon as you’re discharged."

Song Yao licked her chapped lips.

"Never mind that for now. Is there anything to eat? I’m dying of thirst and absolutely starving."

Xiao Li immediately pulled open the cabinet and took out a pile of things.

"There’s hot water in the thermos. Mix some malted milk powder to tide you over. I’ll go buy you a proper meal right now. I’ll be quick."

He really didn’t dare to be gone for too long.

’The Young Miss is a walking disaster magnet. Hospitalized three times in one month... It’s just bizarre.’

’If I stepped out and something else happened, I’d have no way to explain myself.’

Song Yao didn’t stand on ceremony. She tore open a packet of malted milk powder, poured it into the hot water, stirred it, and started drinking without even waiting for it to cool.

Just as she was hungrily gulping it down, the hospital room door was thrown open with a BANG.

"Song Yao!"

Shen Shuangshuang stood in the doorway, her eyes bloodshot.

"After what you did to Brother Hui, how dare you just sit here eating and drinking so casually!"

Song Yao’s mouth was full, so she couldn’t speak. She could only answer with her eyes.

Furious, Shen Shuangshuang stomped forward in her high heels, her face contorted with rage.

"Song Yao! I don’t care what tricks you pulled! Call my dad right now and tell him to drop the whole thing! Now! Immediately!"

Seeing Song Yao ignore her, her eyes flashed with malice. She suddenly reached out and, with a CLATTER, knocked the mug out of her hand!

The contents spilled all over the bed, splashing onto the blankets and her clothes.

Rage surged through Song Yao!

She set down her spoon and slowly wiped the residue from the corner of her mouth.

Just as a smirk began to form on Shen Shuangshuang’s face, Song Yao suddenly shot to her feet, grabbed her by the collar, and swung her hand.

SLAP!

SLAP!

SLAP!

The crisp sounds exploded in the room.

Shen Shuangshuang was completely stunned!

"Ah!"

Her eyes stung, tears welling up. In a fit of rage, she lunged at Song Yao.

But while Song Yao might not have been tall, her strength was terrifying.

She ducked to dodge the attack, smoothly grabbing Shen Shuangshuang’s wrist and forcing it down hard.

At the same time, she braced her knee against the edge of the bed for leverage and lunged forward with all her might.

In just a few moves, Song Yao had Shen Shuangshuang pinned firmly to the bed.

The moisture from the bedding quickly soaked her hair and cheeks. The coldness seeping into her skin made her flinch involuntarily.

"Song Yao! Who the hell do you think you are?! How dare you hit me?!"

She struggled to lift her head, spit and snot flying from her face as she spoke.

Song Yao laughed.

"Oh? What happened to that prim and proper act from before? Where’s the gentle, virtuous lady now? How come you’re acting just like this ’country bumpkin’?"

"Let go! You stinking bitch! I’m going to kill you today!"

It was the first time in her life Shen Shuangshuang had ever been so humiliated.

She was completely unhinged, no longer caring about her image as she started spewing curses.

After all, Song Yao hadn’t fully recovered yet. Though she had the upper hand, her breathing was already becoming ragged.

’I can’t let this drag on.’

So, while she still had some strength left, she delivered a few more slaps to the back of Shen Shuangshuang’s head.

"You pretentious clown. On that, we can agree. I also wish you would just disappear right now."

Shen Shuangshuang suddenly twisted her body, ramming herself toward Song Yao’s stomach with all her might.

Song Yao was already prepared. She sidestepped and let go.

Shen Shuangshuang missed, her entire upper body crashing hard onto the damp sheets.

Song Yao had already leaped nimbly off the bed. After steadying herself, she quickly took a step back.

Now, it was Shen Shuangshuang’s turn to be humiliated.

Her face, forehead, and the tips of her hair were covered in the pasty residue from before, which dripped down her temples. She was a pathetic sight, looking like something fished out of a slop bucket.

Just as Song Yao was about to open her mouth with a sarcastic remark, she heard a rush of air behind her.

Before she could even fully turn her shoulders, a heavy blow landed squarely on her right cheek.

"You dare to touch my own daughter?!"

Yao Yuzhen’s voice exploded next to her ear, filled with fury and shock.

Song Yao turned her head to see Yao Yuzhen already standing in the room, clutching a damp rag in her hand.

After venting her anger with the slap, she quickly threw the rag aside and rushed to Shen Shuangshuang’s side, pulling her up into her arms.

"Shuangshuang! How are you? Say something! Don’t scare Mom!"

"Mom... WAAAH..."

Shen Shuangshuang buried her face in Yao Yuzhen’s embrace and burst into loud sobs.

Yao Yuzhen stared at Song Yao, her gaze as cold as ice.

"Shen Zhenwu and I have been husband and wife for decades. The only reason he treats you with special favor is because he’s convinced you are our flesh and blood."

The moment those words were spoken, Song Yao understood.

’This woman is determined to keep up the act.’