“Now that you are married, do you have no plan at all for your future? There is someone who you need to care for from now on.” Sheng Xiao looked at the couple. They were obviously still confused about the fact that they were already married. “I’m afraid to tell you that it is almost impossible for you to be able to take care of Third Sister-in-law in this state.”
Third Brother chuckled with reproach. “You’re right. You know my parents are sent to the Middle East, that awful place with never-ending war. But what can I do? Now, in the Sheng family, I am just a useless person who just needs to take care of his own wife.”
“You need someone to play it along with you if you want to change your situation…” Sheng Xiao glanced at Hu Ran upon saying this. “But you can’t achieve anything if you depend solely on your own strength. It will be too burdensome just by being on guard.”
“Hey, why do I have a feeling that what you say to me tonight is rather weird?”
Because Sheng Xiao was not at all talking to him.
“How’s Second Brother now?” Mu Qiqi changed the topic as she knew Hu Ran was still rather wary of Third Brother.
“He is getting more and more like Grandfather now. With his wife who likes to cause troubles by his side, how else can it be?”
“Even Lin Mu’an knows to seek backup from someone. If you have decided on anything, just give me a call,” said Sheng Xiao, “The Sheng family will only be more and more dominating if you keep on complying. You know this more than anyone else. You have been out for too long. You should go home now or they’ll know. Qi’er, let’s go home.”
Having said that, Sheng Xiao wrapped his arm around Mu Qiqi’s waist. They interacted with each other affectionately as they left the hotel, leaving behind Hu Ran and Third Brother who stared blankly at the feast served before them.
“Why did they leave just like that after saying a whole bunch of things I can’t understand? They didn’t even touch the food!”
Because they had not come to see him. They were actually informing Hu Ran about their relationship.
“Let’s go home, Xiao Ran.”
“Okay… Third Brother.”
Hu Ran did not object.
Just as they entered the door into Sheng residence, Sheng Kai, who was waiting in the living room, said, “Go to the study. Grandfather wants to see you.”
Third Brother was startled. He thought Grandfather was just going to ask him about where he and Hu Ran were just now so he said to Hu Ran, “Xiao Ran, can you go back to our room first? I will come right after.”
Hu Ran had a lot in her mind to be sorted out at the moment. So, she nodded, “Then you should come back fast.”
Third Brother went to Old Sheng’s study and Hu Ran rushed into their room. She turned on the computer and started investigating Sheng Xiao. Everyone knew about his love story with Mu Qiqi. It just so happened that she had missed it. All the while, she was pretending to be a fool.
So, he was the famous Crown Prince of the Sheng family. And his love story with Mu Qiqi was a hot topic among the people. From the way they interacted with each other, Hu Ran knew they were deeply in love with each other.
Therefore, her newlywed husband in fact had a blank history of romantic love.
If this was true, then she would not feel too guilty. But she felt sad every time she thought of this man. His life was restricted in all ways. And she had no idea how he was being treated in the study room.
Third Brother thought he was going to be scolded by Old Sheng. But when he entered the study, Old Sheng said this to him instead. “Although I have been harsh to you lately, I think it is time for you to get ready to go back to Huang Yao. Second Brother needs a deputy CEO to help him. I think you are a good fit for this position. After all, I can only be rest assured when the business of the Sheng family is taken care of by the Shengs.”
“As for Xiao Ran, you can spend time with her after getting off work. I will let Ziling arrange a maid to take care of her. Or, you can hire someone you trust to take care of her if you want.”
Third Brother stood stiffly. He thought he must have heard it wrongly.
Was Old Sheng asking him to return to Huang Yao to take up an important position?
“I will go back when Xiao Ran gets familiar with everyone here.”
“When you want to start working, just tell Second Brother.”
Old Sheng rarely cared about petty things like this. Third Brother thought his attitude was extraordinary. Was he not worried at all if he formed an alliance with Sheng Xiao?
As he walked out of the study, Third Brother saw Sheng Kai waiting at the door.
“Grandfather is telling you to return to Huang Yao, right? When are you going to report to work?”
“I’ll think about it.” Third Brother wanted to figure out why Old Sheng did this first.
So, after he entered his room, he called his parents. Nobody answered.
And Hu Ran went to Third Brother. Facing him, she tugged at a corner of his shirt and asked, “Were you being bullied?”
Third Brother shook his head. He felt strange. So, he spent the whole night trying to get hold of his parents. But until the next morning, his call was still not answered.
Third Brother was worried. He wanted to ask Sheng Kai about it. But just as he walked to the dining hall, Old Sheng gave him a hard blow on his back with his walking stick.
Third Brother was unprepared for it. Before he could react, he was already being forced to kneel on the ground.
“Grandfather, it has nothing to do with him. You should not be angry with him.”
“What happened?” Third Brother raised his head. He looked at Old Sheng and Sheng Kai, seeking an explanation.
“How dare you ask me? Your parents abandoned the whole team. They stole the assets of Huang Yao and fled!” Old Sheng bellowed. “Third Brother, don’t tell me you have nothing to do with this.”
“I could not get hold of them since last night. I was just about to ask Second Brother about this…” explained Third Brother.
“Are you still pretending in front of me?” Old Sheng pushed Sheng Kai away. He grabbed his walking stick firmly and started hitting Third Brother again. He was a completely different person compared with the one Third Brother had talked to last night.
Hu Ran heard the noise and went to the living room. When she saw Third Brother kneeling on the ground, she quickly shielded him with her body. “Why are you beating Third Brother? You all are bad people! I will tell my daddy!”
Old Sheng stopped when he saw Hu Ran trying to protect Third Brother.
“Grandfather, we still haven’t looked into the matter. What if it really has nothing to do with Third Brother?”
Old Sheng turned his head away. In the end, he muttered, “Get lost! I am just letting you go this time because of Xiao Ran.”
Third Brother smirked and stood up. With Hu Ran’s help, he returned to their room.
Hu Ran looked at him sitting on the bad. She felt bad for him.
She had never seen any grandfather treat his grandson this way.
And then, Gu Ziling knocked on the door and entered. She handed him some medication. “Your brother asked me to send this to you.”
“Thank you, Second Sister-in-law.”
“Actually, your parents called yesterday afternoon. They asked Grandfather if they could retreat from the Middle East because the situation there is really dangerous. But your grandfather did not agree to it.”
After having said that, Gu Ziling left the room.
It was clear now. Because of the threat, his parents requested to be evacuated. But that old man refused to do so.
How cruel was this old man to treat his own sons, one after another, like this?