HBWMA -Chapter 399 Bright Summer

The next day, the sky was clear and boundless.

Shen Zhuang sat in a rocking chair by the window, eyes closed, resting.

Sunlight spilled over the lush green leaves, casting dappled, drifting reflections. A breeze passed through the wooden window, shifting light and shadow across the glass.

Three figures appeared together at the doorway. The midsummer light was bright and vivid, even the shadows on the ground stood out sharply.

“Grandpa…”

The gently swaying bamboo chair came to an abrupt stop.

Shen Zhuang slowly opened his eyes. Shen Lanxi, Shen Guiling, and Shen Qingyu stood side by side entering the room. Shen Lanxi was still holding that red wooden box.

Shen Qingyu said, “Grandpa, we want to ask—what does it take to truly hold up this sky?”

A faint change passed through Shen Zhuang’s gaze, and a subtle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Afternoon, when the sun was at its harshest.

Su Miao suddenly paid a visit.

The Shen family knew about her relationship with Jiang Huashan, so they directly led her to the Chrysanthemum Garden. The moment Su Miao saw Jiang Huashan covered in bandages from head to toe, she was completely stunned.

Now everyone in Whale Harbor knew that sea pirates had broken into the wealthy mountain estate in the northern district. But because Shen Zhuang had sealed off all news from the estate, no one knew the details of what had happened. Rumors spread endlessly—among the most absurd was that the Shen family’s young lady had been assassinated by pirates, and in his fury, Old Master Shen had bloodbathed the entire estate.

“What kind of look is this supposed to be?” Su Miao hadn’t believed it at first, but now that she saw it with her own eyes, she had no choice but to believe.

Jiang Huashan said calmly, “You might not believe this, but last night I took three bullets all by myself.”

Originally she was worried she might be crippled, but Doctor Meng told her the three bullets didn’t hit any vital areas. With two months of rest, she would recover. The most important thing was that during these two months she shouldn’t move around too much—anything could be left to others. If she could lie down, she shouldn’t sit; if she could sit, she shouldn’t stand. Once her bones healed, she would begin rehabilitation.

Jiang Huashan hadn’t expected such a good deal and happily accepted it.

“…”
Su Miao looked at her strangely. “So the pirates only targeted you all night?”

Jiang Huashan thought for a moment. “More or less.”

Su Miao sat down beside the bed, her expression complicated. “Where did all that cleverness of yours go?”

“This situation is a bit complicated,” Jiang Huashan said lazily, tilting her chin. “Why are you suddenly here to see me?”

Su Miao had originally come to discuss graduation travel plans, but she never expected Jiang Huashan to be so badly injured. At this point, forget traveling—she could barely get out of bed. So she dropped the subject, her mood turning low.

“After this… will you be left with any aftereffects?”

Seeing her serious expression, Jiang Huashan teased her on purpose. “Maybe I’ll end up with three legs in the future.”

“Three legs?” Su Miao froze for a second, then slowly realized she meant walking with a crutch. Her eyes instantly reddened. “It’s fine—even if you become disabled, you’ll still be the most beautiful disabled person in all of Whale Harbor.”

Jiang Huashan: “……”

“Who said I’m going to be disabled?”

Just then, a light teasing voice came from outside. Shen Mianzhi walked in alongside Fu Sui’er, supporting her.

The moment Fu Sui’er entered, she rushed to the bedside and circled Jiang Huashan, looking her up and down. “I originally wanted to come see you right after I woke up, but Doctor Meng wouldn’t allow it.”

“What happened to you this time?”

Fu Sui’er’s arm was also in a sling. She and Jiang Huashan looked perfectly symmetrical—one left, one right. Su Miao frowned. “Are the pirates targeting the Shen family?”

Shen Mianzhi said, “It’s hard to explain right now. But in any case, we got through it safely.”

Jiang Huashan pointed at Fu Sui’er’s arm with her uninjured hand. “Are you okay?”

She had been in so much pain she nearly passed out at the time. If Fu Sui’er hadn’t blocked that shot for her, her right arm would probably also be in a sling.

“I’m fine.” Fu Sui’er grinned. “What can I say, I’ve got good luck. No injury to bone or muscle. Doctor Meng just insisted on putting on a sling to prevent me from moving the wound.”

The two met each other’s gaze and smiled.

Shen Mianzhi moved two chairs over. The three of them sat around Jiang Huashan’s bedside, chatting and laughing softly. Outside the window, summer flowers were blooming in full brilliance.

At the same time.

Zhou Residence.

In the center of the main courtyard stood a stage. A storyteller in a long gown was speaking animatedly, his words flowing endlessly.

Old Master Zhou sat in a rocking chair with his legs crossed, eyes closed in relaxation. When something particularly interesting came up, his fingers would lightly tap his knee in rhythm.

Zhou Yanheng came downstairs. His gaze lingered briefly on Zhou Guochao’s face before he turned and walked toward the exit of the hall.

“Where are you going?”

As soon as Zhou Guochao spoke, the storyteller on stage immediately fell silent.

Zhou Yanheng turned slightly to look back. “Going out for a walk.”

Zhou Guochao waved his hand, and the people on the stage promptly withdrew from the main hall.

Seeing this, Zhou Yanheng paused in thought, then turned back and walked over.

Zhou Guochao stood up and poured two cups of hot tea. “Don’t you have anything you want to tell Grandpa about what happened last night?”

Zhou Yanheng shook his head. “No.”

Zhou Guochao glanced at him and pushed a teacup over. “If you’ve got nothing to say, I do. What’s going on with that girl from the Gu family?”

Zhou Yanheng frowned. “She heard something she shouldn’t have. I just gave her a small lesson so she’d remember.”

Zhou Guochao said, “If that’s the case, she can’t be kept. A cornered rabbit will bite. Surely you understand that?”

Zhou Yanheng chuckled lightly. “Grandpa, I kept that rabbit precisely so she can bite when she’s pushed. If you find her in the way, you can deal with her yourself. Last night, we were clearly on different sides.”

Zhou Guochao set down his teacup and studied Zhou Yanheng’s face for a moment, a trace of surprise in his eyes. “What’s this? Grandpa hears some dissatisfaction in your tone. Are you unhappy with me?”

“How could I be?”

Zhou Guochao narrowed his eyes. “Then what is it?”

Zhou Yanheng’s smile faded. “Did Grandpa already know there were assassins lying in wait at the North District estate?”

Zhou Guochao replied calmly, “I didn’t know about that.”

Zhou Yanheng’s eyes flickered. “Last night I ran into assassins targeting the Shen family. He said…” He hesitated slightly. “Was I deceived?”

Zhou Guochao calmly poured himself another cup of tea and shook his head. “Not exactly. I do have dealings with them. Keeping him alive is indeed more useful to us than killing him. It seems that boy is quite clever as well.”

Zhou Yanheng looked at him. “Them?”

Zhou Guochao said, “The best way to deal with a strong opponent is to let it rot from within. Family struggles may look like bloody storms, but in the end, it’s all a contest against oneself. The Shen family’s prosperity is now like fire cooking oil—volatile and unstable. There is only one head of the family, the direct line is young, and the patriarch is aging. Internal conflict is inevitable.”

Zhou Yanheng said lightly, “Watching tigers fight from the mountain. Seems like you know the Shen family’s affairs quite well.”

Zhou Guochao neither confirmed nor denied. “You don’t need to concern yourself with this.”

“Fine. Just don’t shoot at my face next time. I’m leaving.”

Zhou Yanheng stood up. Once he left the hall, he immediately took out his phone and called Guan He.

“Those photos you secretly took two years ago when you followed Jiang Huashan to Whale Harbor No. 1 High School—do you still have them?”

“Find them. Send them to me.”