HBWMA -Chapter 14 Take a Gamble

“Apologize to me?”

As expected, as soon as Fu Sui’er heard this, she reacted immediately. But after being tricked too many times by Jiang Huashan, she had already developed a sense of caution. She turned and put on a guarded expression.

“What trick are you trying to play this time?”

Jiang Huashan shook her head, her tone extremely sincere.

“No, it’s not like that. The reason I pushed you was because my younger sister told me you were the one who pushed her into the pond last time. She asked me to avenge her, and I couldn’t refuse, so I pushed you.”

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Fu Sui’er exploded in anger.

“Jiang Wanyi is lying! She fell into the water herself that time—it has nothing to do with me!”

Shen Jiao raised her hand to stop Fu Sui’er, then looked at Jiang Huashan with scrutiny.

“So you pushed Sui’er to avenge your sister?”

Jiang Huashan had already prepared her story in advance and answered smoothly.

“Yes. My sister said Sui’er always bullied her and she was afraid. My mother also always told me that as the elder sister I should protect my younger sister. I thought they had a point, so I pushed Sui’er when she was going upstairs. Sorry, Sui’er.”

Only then did Fu Sui’er realize what she was hearing. She looked at Jiang Huashan like she was an idiot.

“Are you brain-dead? Your sister is two-faced, your mother is just as fake and manipulative—no one would believe a word they say! The only stupid one in your whole family is you! How can you be so dumb? You’re helping people count money after being sold!”

Jiang Huashan curled her lips slightly. As expected, Fu Sui’er still had that explosive temper.

Shen Jiao raised her hand again to stop Fu Sui’er and said calmly, “Did you hear what my daughter said?”

Jiang Huashan nodded obediently.

“I heard.”

From an outsider’s perspective, it looked like she refused to admit her mother and sister were wrong, and also didn’t want to escalate things with Fu Sui’er, so she only answered minimally.

Fu Sui’er had never seen someone this foolish before. She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, so angry she couldn’t even form proper insults anymore.

Shen Jiao also seemed to see that the girl in front of her wasn’t particularly clever. Moreover, after leaving Qinyuan, she had thought a lot. Since the old master cared so much about this person, there must be a reason. As his daughter, it wasn’t worth making a fuss over such a small matter and upsetting him.

With that thought, Shen Jiao softened her expression.

“You said you came here to apologize?”

Jiang Huashan looked up at her and nodded.

“Yes. Grandpa said if Sui’er doesn’t forgive me, I’ll be kicked out of Shen Manor along with my mother. My mother said if we leave Shen Manor, we’ll die. She told me that whether I have to kneel or kowtow, I must make Sui’er happy.”

Shen Jiao frowned.

How could someone teach their own daughter like this?

Fu Sui’er, still furious, sneered.

“Fine. Since you listen to your mother so much, then kneel and kowtow three times right now. I’ll forgive you immediately.”

Jiang Huashan looked toward Shen Jiao and Aunt Feng.

Fu Sui’er frowned. “What are you looking at? If you’re apologizing, you should show some sincerity! If you can’t do it, then get out!”

Jiang Huashan lowered her eyes and didn’t respond immediately.

After Old Master Shen’s death, she had heard far worse insults over the past three years—she was already numb to them.

But kneeling… and resolving the conflict with the third branch…

Her gaze sharpened.

Take the gamble.

Shen Jiao was the old master’s most beloved daughter. She was betting that the old master had not been wrong about her. If Shen Jiao allowed her to be humiliated like this, then even if she wasn’t the murderer, she would never be trustworthy in the future.

“How about it? You can’t do it, right? Hurry up and—”

Before Fu Sui’er could finish, Jiang Huashan suddenly dropped to her knees.

“!”

Fu Sui’er jumped back in shock, retreating three steps.

“You—y-you—what are you doing?!”

Jiang Huashan leaned forward, preparing to kowtow—when someone reached out and held her arm first.

She had won the gamble.

She restrained her expression and lowered her head.

Shen Jiao patted the back of her hand.

“That’s enough. Get up.”

Jiang Huashan stood, her expression calming again. She turned to Fu Sui’er.

“Is it over now?”

Fu Sui’er looked uncomfortable.

“I’ll listen to my mom.”

Jiang Huashan then turned to Shen Jiao.

“Thank you, Aunt Jiao.”

Shen Jiao released her hand slowly, her emotions complicated.

“Go back. I will report everything about Winter Garden to the old master word for word later. This matter ends here. But remember—something like this must never happen again.”

Jiang Huashan nodded, then glanced at Fu Sui’er before turning and leaving.

Fu Sui’er watched her back.

“So there’s finally someone in Shen Manor even dumber than me.”

“…”

Shen Jiao closed her eyes, helpless.

“Sui’er, is there something you still haven’t done?”

Fu Sui’er stiffened, glancing toward Aunt Feng before quickly looking away.

Shen Jiao spoke calmly.

“Jiang Huashan may be foolish, but at least she listens to her mother. What did her apology cost her, and what did yours cost you? Sui’er, do you really want to be worse than someone you hate in every way?”

Fu Sui’er’s mind went blank.

For some reason, she suddenly recalled Jiang Huashan kneeling earlier.

After a long silence, she finally turned and bowed toward Aunt Feng.

“I’m sorry.”