HBWMA -Chapter 221 Hiss, Both Sour and Sweet

Next door, in the hospital room.

Shen Guiling was leaning against a soft pillow, peeling an apple. The bright red fruit spun smoothly between his fingers; the peel was so thin and translucent it looked as if it might break at any moment.

Lei Xing observed Shen Guiling’s expression cautiously and asked carefully, “Young master, are you peeling that apple for Miss Jiang to eat?”

The young master was truly a very gentle and kind person. Even though he had suffered so much himself, upon waking up he was still thinking of others. He had heard that Miss Jiang had not yet woken up, and despite the injury on his leg, he insisted on going to visit her in a wheelchair.

Lei Xing looked at the young master—pale and worn, as if shattered—and felt deeply guilty. On the night of the charity banquet, he should have insisted on staying by the young master’s side. If he had, none of this would have happened.

“A-Ling.”

A voice came from outside the door.

The sharp blade paused slightly, stopping just at the apple stem. The peel snapped cleanly.

Shen Guiling slowly lifted his eyes. His cool gaze, as if drawn by a sudden vacuum, gradually softened.

“Dad.”

Shen Qian froze slightly.

The young man before him was pale as paper. His raven-black eyelashes lifted faintly, shadows lingering beneath his eyelids. At first glance, it looked as if someone had lightly applied makeup at the corners of his eyes.

The contrast between his sickly pallor and his dark eyes was striking—an almost indescribable beauty.

No wonder Bai Zheng had suddenly changed his mind.

Shen Qian collected his thoughts and slowly walked to the bedside. “You’ve suffered. Are you feeling better now?”

Shen Guiling straightened slightly. “I’m fine now.”

Shen Qian nodded, then casually glanced at Lei Xing. Shen Guiling immediately understood and looked up at him. “Steward Lei, the room is a bit stuffy. Could you help me buy a bouquet of flowers?”

“Yes.” Lei Xing understood immediately and left the room.

Seeing how cooperative Shen Guiling was, Shen Qian’s expression softened further. “A-Ling, I heard from Zheng Song about the Golden Bay banquet. You’ve been wronged.”

Shen Guiling shook his head, his eyes harmless. “Dad, just don’t blame me and Shanshan for being immature. You’re in the middle of your election campaign, and that Governor Yan…”

“It’s just a small-time governor of Golden Bay. I don’t need her to get ahead.” Shen Qian interrupted calmly. “What happened that night was all… your mother acting on her own. It wasn’t my intention.”

This was actually true. No matter what, Shen Guiling was still his son. He would never reduce himself to currying favor with a third-rate governor. The reason he had arranged for Shen Guiling to interact with noble young ladies was because a good marriage alliance could bring him maximum value. As for Governor Yan’s worth, Shen Qian never took her seriously.

More than that, after learning of Yao Ge’s actions, Shen Qian felt nothing but disgust. He truly could not understand how the carefully chosen wife of his past had become such a vulgar and foolish woman.

Now, Yao Ge was no longer worthy of his ambition.

Shen Guiling looked slightly surprised, then said with relief, “Hearing Dad say that makes me feel much better. I thought… I had misunderstood you.”

Hearing this, the faint trace of guilt in Shen Qian’s heart deepened. After a moment’s thought, his tone softened further. “A-Ling, why did Bai Zheng kidnap you and Shanshan in the first place?”

Shen Guiling visibly hesitated, as if conflicted.

Shen Qian’s eyes turned colder. “Don’t tell me… it was her?”

Shen Guiling hesitated again, then finally nodded. “Mr. Bai said he made a deal with… Auntie. So Auntie sold me and Shanshan to him.”

“Idiot!” Shen Qian, who had only suspected Yao Ge before, was now furious enough to raise his blood pressure. But he quickly calmed himself and turned to Shen Guiling. “What about Shanshan? Did she know?”

Shen Guiling shook his head. “She had been drugged and was unconscious. She didn’t hear what Mr. Bai said.”

“That’s good.” Shen Qian relaxed slightly, though still tense. “A-Ling, Bai Zheng is already dead, and Old Five hasn’t found any evidence either. The old master will definitely ask about what happened. You…”

Shen Guiling looked up, his eyes sincere. “Dad, don’t worry. I know what to say.”

Shen Qian fell silent, staring at the young man in front of him. He truly could not believe there could be such an obedient child in this world.

Shen Guiling asked, “Dad, did Grandpa ask you to come see me first?”

Shen Qian nodded, then his expression darkened as if recalling something. “The old master is probably already suspicious of me. And of all times, it has to be now.”

“Dad, don’t worry. Grandpa won’t pursue this matter anymore.”

Shen Qian froze slightly. “How do you know?”

Shen Guiling replied, “Grandpa is so smart. If he really intended to investigate, why would he let you come see me first? This matter isn’t complicated. He must already have guessed that Mr. Bai’s kidnapping of me and Shanshan involved Auntie. But Auntie is your wife—out of concern for the Shen family, Grandpa won’t act recklessly. As long as we handle it ourselves, he won’t pursue it further.”

A flash of clarity crossed Shen Qian’s mind as he realized this only now.

Indeed. Even though Bai Zheng was dead and the two children were alive, the old master had not seemed in any rush to demand an explanation.

Shen Qian couldn’t help but recall the look Shen Zhuang had given him when he turned back before leaving. It had nearly scared him out of his wits.

“A-Ling, your grandfather has given you the decision-making power.”

Shen Guiling was the person involved, and Jiang Huashan had fainted. Now, as long as he identified Yao Ge, she would have no way to defend herself.

“A-Ling…”

Shen Guiling lowered his gaze to the knife in his hand, the corner of his lips curling faintly into a soft arc.

“Dad, don’t worry. I’ll keep it a secret for Auntie. Auntie and you are one family—your honor rises and falls together. And right now, this is the most important stage of your career’s advancement. Even for your sake, I’ll forgive Auntie.”

Shen Qian was speechless.

He had never expected this child to restrain himself to this extent for his sake. Compared to Shen Guiling’s maturity and excellence, Shen Nian looked like nothing more than garbage picked up from a dump—pure misfortune.

The scale in Shen Qian’s heart gradually tilted.

“A-Ling, I owe you a favor for this matter. I’ll remember it. Don’t worry—your aunt won’t dare make things difficult for you again.”

In the past, for appearances, Shen Qian would force Shen Guiling to call Yao Ge “mother” in public. But today, calling her “auntie” clearly showed that his attitude had completely changed.

Shen Guiling’s eyes grew even gentler.

“Dad, there’s one more thing you must be careful about. Grandpa is already suspicious that Auntie is colluding with the Bai family. Fortunately, he hasn’t suspected you yet. But if you don’t find a way to intervene, I’m afraid this will eventually implicate you too. You know Grandpa never shows mercy to those who betray the family.”

Shen Guiling was a despicable man. He was planting a thorn in this man’s heart, forcing the couple to turn on each other.

Death was the simplest revenge. What he wanted was for them to suffer a fate worse than death.

Shen Qian’s gaze darkened as he weighed his thoughts, then slowly stood up.

“I understand. A-Ling, you should rest well. Dad will come see you next time.”

Shen Guiling nodded. Just as the man turned to leave, he suddenly called out again.

“Dad.”

Shen Qian paused and looked back.

Shen Guiling raised his head slightly. His pale face was filled with exhaustion and unease.

“This is South Bay… can I… go see my mother?”

A trace of hesitation flashed through Shen Qian’s eyes.

To prevent the scandal from spreading, ever since Shen Guiling entered the Shen estate three years ago, he had never once returned to pay respects.

Seeing him still hesitating, Shen Guiling spoke softly.

“I dreamed about her last night.”

At that moment, the child who had always endured even life and death showed such helplessness that even Shen Qian couldn’t remain cold-hearted in the end.

“Alright. I’ll arrange it.”

Shen Guiling smiled faintly.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Shen Qian nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something and looked back again.

“A-Ling, between the Su family girl and the daughter of President Yu, who do you actually prefer? Tell Dad honestly. When we return to Whale Harbor this time, we’ll visit them.”

With changes in Golden Bay and the Bai family becoming unreliable, he needed to secure a new ally. Both the Su family and the Yu family were excellent choices.

Shen Guiling looked momentarily dazed.

Shen Qian continued, “Back then you said their attitudes weren’t clear yet, so we could wait. But now? Old Master Su and President Yu both praise you highly. Do you have a decision? Dad knows you’re sensible and filial—if both sides are equal, then choose the one you like.”

Shen Guiling fell silent for a moment.

“Dad… I want to think about it more carefully.”

Think more carefully?

“That’s fine. Big life decisions can be considered slowly.” Shen Qian accepted it and left the room.

Lei Xing had already prepared flowers and was waiting outside. As soon as Shen Qian left, he walked in holding a large bouquet of red roses.

“Young master, bright and lively red roses. Do you like them?”

Shen Guiling glanced at them, uninterested.

Lei Xing set the flowers down and noticed Shen Guiling was still holding the apple and knife, so he casually asked, “Young master, should I take them to Miss Jiang for you?”

“No need.”

Shen Guiling’s gaze softened as he looked at the blade in his hand. He had just held that knife while speaking with Shen Qian for ten minutes, and the man hadn’t shown even the slightest trace of caution. It seemed Shen Qian’s defenses had been almost completely stripped away.

“Young master,” Lei Xing bent down and gently took the knife from his hand, “it’s dangerous. Be careful not to hurt yourself.”

Shen Guiling’s scattered expression suddenly went blank.

“Don’t play with such dangerous things on the bed. What if you hurt someone?”

“…”

He lowered his eyes and took a bite of the apple in his hand.

Hiss—so sour… but also a little sweet.