HBWMA -Chapter 419 Counter-Humiliation

Bayview Mansion.

Yao Ge, her hair disheveled and feet bare, paced back and forth in the living room. Over the past two years, her temper had grown increasingly volatile, the lines between her brows deepening.

“Where is Shen Qian? Why hasn’t he come yet?”

The maids were long accustomed to her madness, quietly hiding in the kitchen without making a sound.

Yao Ge glanced at the marble clock on the wall, her emotions turning even more frenzied. “Did you even inform Shen Qian? I’m asking you!”

Ding dong—

Just as she was on the verge of exploding, the doorbell rang.

The rage in Yao Ge’s eyes instantly turned to delight as she rushed to open the door. “Shen—”

The door opened, revealing the face she hated so much she wished she could tear it apart.

Yao Ge’s eyes widened in fury, her emotions surging violently. “Why is it you?! Why you?! Where is Shen Qian?!”

Mo Ran hadn’t seen Yao Ge in a long time, and for a moment, it was hard to connect the madwoman before her with the once dignified First Lady.

She hesitated briefly before explaining, “Madam, Sir is busy at the moment. He sent Young Master A-Ling to visit you.”

“Young Master A-Ling?” Yao Ge sneered and suddenly slapped Mo Ran across the face. “What did you call him? He’s nothing but a nameless bastard—how is he worthy of being called a young master of the Shen family?”

Lei Xing frowned and was about to speak, but Shen Guiling raised a hand to stop him and walked forward with a smile. “Madam, it’s been a long time.”

Only Yao Ge understood the provocation hidden in those words.

She suddenly calmed down, her eyes turning numb. “Why are you here?”

Shen Guiling replied gently, “To visit you, Madam. And to talk a little about recent matters.”

Yao Ge stared at him for a long time before turning and walking inside. Shen Guiling followed with a smile. The maids who had been hiding in the kitchen quietly slipped out.

He glanced back at Mo Ran, who immediately understood and stepped forward to stop the maids, leading everyone out of the house.

Yao Ge walked through the living room, casually opening a cigarette case, pulling one out, and lighting it.

She crossed her legs, the slit of her nightgown riding up to the top of her thigh. As she tilted her head back and exhaled a ring of smoke, her demeanor was both decadent and strangely elegant.

“What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll expose your bastard identity, so you came to silence me?”

This version of her was completely different from the hysterical woman just moments ago.

Shen Guiling showed no surprise, his expression warm. “You are still Madam of the Shen family. The Yao family has recovered in recent years thanks to the Wuzijin gold mine. I… wouldn’t dare lay a hand on a Shen family member under their own roof.”

“Heh~” Yao Ge exhaled smoke, shaking her head as she laughed, her eyes cold. “Shen Guiling, back when you knelt at my feet begging like a dog, I shouldn’t have been soft-hearted enough to let you go.”

Shen Guiling replied calmly, “A person of your stature reminiscing about the past? Why not talk about the present instead?”

“Talk about the present with me?” Yao Ge raised a brow, looking him up and down. Suddenly, she smiled, stood up, and slowly approached him. “What, all grown up now? Learned how to serve people?”

A flicker of change crossed Shen Guiling’s face, the warmth in his eyes turning icy.

“Ha? Still so easy to tease.” Yao Ge lowered her gaze, studying him as if he were an object.

“Back then, I chose you because of your pretty face and gave you to that bitch. I had planned to train you into a plaything, a boy toy for others’ amusement—wouldn’t that have been more entertaining than killing her outright? It was you who knelt and begged me, claiming you had greater value, that you could make her end even more miserable. That’s why I showed mercy.”

“After that bitch died, I pitied your good looks and planned to send you into a life of luxury. But your ambition was even greater—you clung to your identity as an illegitimate son, wanting to enter the Shen residence. That belongs to A-Nian. What right do you have?”

“Do you remember what you promised me? You said that once you entered the Shen residence, you would obey my every command and help A-Nian return to the country. Five years now…” She raised her hand and flicked ash onto the top of Shen Guiling’s head. “How much of that have you accomplished?”

The cigarette ash fell past his nose, but Shen Guiling didn’t react at all.

Such dignity, even while standing in the mud—rare indeed.

A hint of interest appeared in Yao Ge’s eyes as her hand, holding the cigarette, slowly reached toward his face.

“No wonder so many people were drawn to you back then. You really are…”

Shen Guiling tilted his head, avoiding her touch expressionlessly. “If Madam intends to entangle me through such means, you should find someone else.” He slowly lifted his gaze, his tone serious. “I have no interest in old and unattractive women.”

Yao Ge froze for a moment before rage flooded her face. She instinctively raised her hand to slap him.

But the man before her was no longer the helpless child of the past. Shen Guiling sidestepped, grabbed her wrist, and shoved her away.

Caught off guard, Yao Ge fell onto the sofa, the lit cigarette dropping onto the carpet.

Shen Guiling casually took a tissue from the table and wiped his hands.

“Shen Guiling! How dare you treat me like this? Don’t forget who you are!” Yao Ge sat up, shouting furiously. “With just one word from me, everything you have now will disappear!”

Shen Guiling continued wiping his hands, his tone steady. “That’s why I came to see you today, Madam—to ask you to keep my secret.”

“Ha?” Yao Ge laughed as if she’d heard the greatest joke in the world. “With that attitude of yours?”

Shen Guiling paused, then turned to look at her. “Otherwise, what attitude would you prefer? That I submit to your threats, sleep with you, and personally hand you leverage for an incestuous scandal with a stepmother?”

Yao Ge raised a brow, arrogantly pulling open the collar of her nightgown. “Since you dared come to see me, shouldn’t you have been prepared? After all, it’s not your first time begging me—you should know my temperament well.”

Shen Guiling shook his head. “I’ve already told you many times—I don’t like old women, and I don’t like ugly ones.”

“…!” Yao Ge clenched her fists, grinding her teeth. “Say that again.”

Shen Guiling replied calmly, “I can repeat it as many times as you like. Don’t you ever look in the mirror, Madam?”