HBWMA -Chapter 50 Let’s Be Friends with Sui’er

“Someone from the Fu family has come?”

Jiang Huashan’s eyes flickered as she turned to look at Shen Zhi, then at Shen Zhuang.

Shen Guiling also showed a hint of surprise.

Shen Zhuang, however, remained calm and composed. “Make it clear—who hit whom?”

Shen Zhi replied, “It’s the youngest lady who hit the son-in-law. If the steward hadn’t been watching, the son-in-law would probably already be lying down.”

Shen Zhuang still wore no expression. That old bastard from the Fu family must have sent his son over today just to vent anger for his youngest daughter. If there wasn’t some bloodshed, how could the Fu family’s ‘suffering act’ continue?

Shen Zhi couldn’t quite read Shen Zhuang’s thoughts and said hesitantly, “Old master, how should we handle this?”

Shen Zhuang asked, “Where is Sui’er?”

Shen Zhi replied, “Aunt Feng took Miss Sui’er out, but the commotion over there was too big—it’ll probably be hard to hide.”

Only then did Shen Zhuang’s temper surface. “A bunch of useless fools. They’re causing trouble and don’t even think about the child.”

After scolding them, he forced down his anger and turned to Jiang Huashan and Shen Guiling. “Grandpa has to go out for a while. A-Ling, if you don’t understand anything, ask Shanshan. And listen—no fighting.”

The two rarely showed such tacit understanding and said in unison, “Got it.”

Shen Zhuang patted Jiang Huashan’s head, then the moment he turned around, his expression darkened.

Shen Guiling watched Shen Zhuang’s hurried departure, lost in thought.

“Grandpa’s already gone. Stop pretending. Take your little sprout and go back wherever you came from.”

Shen Guiling paused slightly and looked at her. “Grandpa said we should continue.”

Jiang Huashan said, “Who wants to continue with you? Stop acting. I don’t fall for that.”

Shen Guiling smiled faintly, picked up the potted plant from the shelf, and on his way past the pond, casually flicked his fingers—flipping over the little turtle that was basking in the sun.

The turtle lay upside down, struggling, but Shen Guiling tapped its belly and with a twist of his wrist, the little one spun like a top.

“!”

Jiang Huashan was shocked. Shen Guiling never left evidence behind when he did things—yet now he dared to bully her turtle right in front of her?

But the most infuriating part was that she was too stunned at the moment, and by the time she reacted, that villain had already disappeared.

“Shen Guiling is such a villain—he actually attacked a defenseless turtle. Absolutely inhumane.”

Jiang Huashan carefully held the little turtle, her heart aching. “I was careless this time. Were you scared, little one? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get revenge for you when Grandpa comes back.”

The little turtle stretched its neck, as if agreeing.

The midsummer heat was unbearable. The sun scorched the ground until waves of heat shimmered upward. At this time of day, no servants were working in the garden, and the vast Qin Garden was filled only with the relentless chirping of cicadas in the trees.

Jiang Huashan rested her chin on one hand by the window, her body half-leaning on the sill. From here, she had a clear view of the Qin Garden gate.

She was getting too bored waiting. She yawned lazily, her eyelids growing heavier and her head starting to sway out of control. Just as she was about to fall asleep, a familiar cough suddenly rang in her ear—and she jolted awake.

“Ah—”

Jiang Huashan frowned and held her forehead. She had reacted too quickly; it felt like her brain had briefly exploded.

On the other side, Shen Zhuang walked through the corridor with a dark expression. When he turned a corner and looked up, he saw a “porcelain doll” standing under the window staring at him. The old man quickly adjusted his expression and forced out a faint smile.

Jiang Huashan could tell Shen Zhuang was in a bad mood. She rushed out of the room and looked at him worriedly. “Grandpa, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Shen Zhuang shook his head. “It’s not me—it’s Sui’er.”

“Sui’er?” Jiang Huashan was confused. “What happened to her?”

Shen Zhuang looked complicated, as if he wanted to say something but held it back. Finally, he crouched slightly and patted her head.

“Shanshan, can Grandpa ask you for a favor?”

Jiang Huashan nodded. “Yes.”

Shen Zhuang said, “If possible… can you be friends with Sui’er?”

“Okay.” Jiang Huashan didn’t hesitate at all. “Grandpa, don’t worry. I’ll make sure Sui’er understands that the person who truly loves her has always been by her side.”

Shen Zhuang had only spoken on impulse.

Most parents’ quarrels avoid involving children, but earlier in the Winter Garden, Fu Jiaming deliberately knelt and begged in front of Fu Sui’er, putting on an act of humiliation and retreat. He even forced Sui’er to choose whether she wanted to stay in the Shen family or return to the Fu family.

The Fu family’s actions toward the Shen family were all calculated—and even toward Sui’er, there wasn’t much real sincerity. Shen Zhuang was furious that Fu Jiaming had gone so far as to use a child.

In anger, Shen Zhuang ordered the guards in the Winter Garden to throw Fu Jiaming out. If he hadn’t arrived in time, no one knew what chaos would have followed.

On the way back, Shen Zhuang kept thinking—maybe his way of tolerating everything was wrong. If it was truly for Sui’er’s sake, perhaps she should be forcibly kept in the Shen family.

The Fu family appeared kind on the surface, but in reality it was a form of “pampering that spoils.” If it continued, the child would be ruined at the root.

Shen Zhuang had not expected a child to understand his intentions, but Jiang Huashan had given such an answer.

His eyes grew slightly moist. Smiling, he nodded. “Who said you’re selfish and willful? In Grandpa’s eyes, our little Shanshan is the most understanding girl in the world.”

Jiang Huashan was about to shamelessly accept the praise when Shen Zhi hurriedly ran into the garden.

“Old master…”

Shen Zhuang straightened immediately, his expression turning serious. “What happened?”

Shen Zhi glanced at Jiang Huashan. “Someone from the Winter Garden just came and said… Miss Sui’er is missing.”