HBWMA -Chapter 195 The Overly Dramatic Older Brothers

On the terrace, a cluster of Wisteria sinensis stretched its branches, swaying gently in the wind. Crystal dewdrops hung precariously at the tips of the leaves, trembling as if about to fall. A passing evening breeze brushed them down, where they burst upon the ground like tiny blossoms. Inside the room, white sheer curtains fluttered like a young girl’s skirt dancing in the air.

Shen Guiling sat on the sofa in the side room, his slender fingers lightly tracing the sketchbook in his hands. On the cover was a chibi-style illustration of a little figure hiding inside a turtle shell and secretly crying. The drawing was vivid and expressive—just a few strokes were enough to capture Shen Guiling’s essence.

He recognized at a glance that the turtle on the cover was himself, which was why he couldn’t resist opening this so-called “Survival Manual.”

It would have been fine not to look—but once he did, he was almost amused into anger.

Inside were records of all the times he had been bullied, large and small, even categorized into different turtle forms summarizing his supposed “psychological state” at the time.

If he hadn’t known Jiang Huashan had ulterior motives, Shen Guiling might have actually been moved. After all, it looked like someone had put a lot of thought into him.

Although he didn’t know what Jiang Huashan was planning, he was certain she meant no good. That was why, when she came looking for the manual, he had deliberately lied and said he hadn’t seen it.

But he had already predicted she wouldn’t believe him—he had anticipated her anticipation. So he had pretended to be taking a bath and hidden the sketchbook inside the lining of his robe.

What he never expected was that that troublemaker truly had no fear at all. She even searched his bed and tried to search his body. If not for Lei Xing stepping in, he might have actually fallen into her trap.

Shen Guiling lowered his gaze, slowly opening the sketchbook again. His mind drifted back to the moment Lei Xing dragged her out, while she was still loudly protesting:

“Steward Lei! Just one look—just one look! Don’t worry, I’m not interested in a child’s body, I just want my sketchbook! My sketchbook…”

The corner of Shen Guiling’s eye twitched slightly. He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers against his brow.

“Knock knock knock—”

A rhythmic knock came from the door.

“Young Master A-Ling.”

Shen Guiling closed his eyes briefly. “Come in.”

Lei Xing pushed the door open and entered, his expression somewhat uneasy. “Young Master A-Ling, I was a bit too reactive at the gate of the Shen residence earlier and almost got you killed at Miss Jiang’s hands. I apologize.”

Shen Guiling didn’t even lift his eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”

How could that possibly be “not a big deal”? Lei Xing cleared his throat, hesitating.

Sensing something, Shen Guiling looked up at him. “Anything else?”

Lei Xing said, “Young Master, Miss Jiang is quite favored by the Old Master, and she’s always been bold and unrestrained in her behavior. But you…”

He paused, glancing carefully at Shen Guiling. Seeing that he was still listening patiently, he gathered his courage.

“…But you’re different. If what happened today reaches the Old Master’s ears, Miss Jiang will likely be fine, but Young Master you…”

Shen Guiling’s fingertip brushed over the little figure on the cover as he thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“I understand what you mean. Don’t worry, I’ll be more measured in the future.”

Hearing this, Lei Xing felt even more conflicted. In the Shen family, perhaps only Young Master A-Ling would say something like “be more measured.”

But there was nothing he could do about it. Mr. Shen was busy campaigning for the position of Council Chairman and rarely paid attention to the young master. As for Madam Shen, she was even worse—each time she used so-called “upbringing” as an excuse to humiliate him.

“Anything else?” Shen Guiling asked again.

Lei Xing quickly collected his thoughts. “Yes. Madam said there will be a tea gathering in Dongwan tomorrow afternoon and instructed you to attend.”

“Dongwan?” Shen Guiling suddenly seemed to recall something. “Isn’t Father’s next public policy speech scheduled there?”

“Yes.”

Shen Guiling thought for a moment and murmured, “Then this tea gathering is likely being held to support Father’s event. If that’s the case, I should make an appearance as well.”

He looked up at Lei Xing. “Tell Madam I will be there on time.”

Lei Xing’s emotions grew even more complicated. Madam had recently become increasingly harsh toward the young master, and even though he continued to yield and endure, she showed him no mercy at all.

But the young master had forbidden him from informing the Old Master, so Lei Xing could only continue to carry out his duties as a servant and obey orders.

“Yes, young master.” Lei Xing nodded and left the room.

After he was gone, the smile on Shen Guiling’s lips slowly faded. His eyes grew deep and quiet as he looked at the picture book in his arms.

After a long while, a playful curve tugged at the boy’s flushed lips. His fingertips slowly traced over the tearful little figure on the page…

“You got it wrong. When I’m bullied, I don’t hide away and cry.”

The next morning, the sun was blazing bright.

Jiang Huashan lazily walked out of the Shen Residence.

Beep—

Before she was even fully awake, a black McLaren drifted in a flashy maneuver and stopped right in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing Shen Qingyu’s face—more eye-catching than the McLaren 720S itself.

“Get in.”

Jiang Huashan frowned. After turning eighteen, the “three fools of the Shen family” had all gotten their driver’s licenses, but Shen Guiling and Shen Lanxi didn’t like driving. Only Shen Qingyu did—he changed cars every day and, once he hit the mountain roads, turned into a drift king. Every ride with him made her question her life choices.

Seeing her standing still, Shen Qingyu sighed helplessly.

“Get in. I modified the chassis of this one.”

“Forget it.” She still had a tough battle ahead today. She didn’t want to arrive at school already half-dead.

Shen Qingyu got out of the car, grabbed her, and shoved her into the passenger seat.

Jiang Huashan clung to the door, poking her head out and giving him a sideways glare.

“Let me out. Your driving is terrible. You still need practice.”

Shen Qingyu laughed in anger, gritting his teeth.

“I promise I won’t go over sixty.”

“Thirty.”

Thirty? Why drive a sports car at all?

Too lazy to argue further, Shen Qingyu pressed a hand to her forehead and shoved her back inside. Then he returned to the driver’s seat.

“Sit properly.”

He fastened his seatbelt, then checked hers again. Once everything was confirmed, he floored the accelerator—

In the next second, the black car shot forward like a blur.

At the same time, a Lincoln stretch limousine was parked outside the Shen Residence. Inside, two people had just witnessed everything.

Ever since Shen Guiling went to Meilian High as an exchange student, either Shen Lanxi or Shen Qingyu took turns sending Jiang Huashan to school. But later, Shen Qingyu once drove so wildly that she got carsick, and after that Jiang Huashan refused to ride in his car again—even if he paid her.

Gao Zhi secretly observed the young master in the back seat. Shen Lanxi had already withdrawn his gaze and was now looking down at his phone.

An act. This was definitely an act. They were already supposed to have left long ago, but the young master had delayed departure—clearly waiting for Miss Jiang. Now that she’d been “taken away” by Shen Qingyu, how could he not feel disappointed?

To comfort his young master, Gao Zhi pulled out a pair of black silk gloves from his pocket.

“Young master, Young Master Qingyu has really offended Miss Jiang again.”

Shen Lanxi’s fingers paused.

Gao Zhi continued, “Just now, Young Master Qingyu ‘stuffed’ Miss Jiang into the car. You remember, Miss Jiang hates being ‘stuffed’ the most.”

Shen Lanxi looked up.

“Gao Zhi, shut up.”

Gao Zhi froze, then quickly realized something and hurriedly covered his mouth.

Right—he forgot. The young master disliked the word “stuffed” even more than Miss Jiang did.

Gao Zhi quickly put his sunglasses back on his collar. With them on, he was cool again.