HBWMA -Chapter 87 First Encounter Between Rivals

No matter how big the incident in Xiangying had become, the day still eventually came to an end.

Fifteen hours later.

Third Floor, VIP Ward, Tonghe Hospital, Whale Harbor.

“Ding—”

The elevator doors slowly slid open. Shen Rang stepped out first. Seeing that the person behind him hadn’t followed, he turned back and waved.

“Zhizhi.”

The girl was wearing a plaid dress, her hair tied in a high ponytail with straight bangs. A pair of old-fashioned black-rimmed glasses sat on her delicate face.

Seeing her hesitate at the elevator, Shen Rang looked both confused and amused.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to visit Sui’er and Shanshan? Why are you backing out again?”

Shen Mianzhi lowered her head and looked at the book she was holding, then shook her head.

“Forget it. I’ll come another day.”

Sui’er had never really liked her. Every time they met, it ended on bad terms. It was better not to disturb her rest now.

Shen Rang didn’t understand the awkwardness between girls. He scratched his head.

“If you wait a few days, we’ll already be back at Shen Manor. You might as well see them today—it won’t make any difference.”

Shen Mianzhi still hesitated.

Suddenly, Shen Rang seemed to think of something and pointed toward the ward.

“Aren’t you always wanting to meet Lanxi? He’s here too. Want to take a look?”

Her eyes lit up instantly.

Shen Mianzhi looked surprised and delighted.

“Brother Lanxi is back?”

Shen Rang nodded.

“Yeah. Your grandfather stayed here all night, and Lanxi came this morning with food.”

After thinking for a moment, Shen Mianzhi finally stepped out of the elevator.

“Fifth Master.”

A row of black-suited bodyguards stood in the front hall. The leader immediately stepped forward respectfully when he saw Shen Rang.

The entire third floor had only three VIP rooms, all reserved for the Shen family. In the middle was a lounge for family members. Because Elder Shen Zhuang had stayed in the hospital overnight, Shen Rang had even deployed half of the Dark Hall’s forces in Whale Harbor to guard the floor.

The bodyguard spoke respectfully.

“Fifth Master, the old master is in Room 2. The Young Miss is with Miss Sui’er. The First Master is with Young Master A-Ling. The rest are in the lounge.”

Shen Rang nodded and led Shen Mianzhi inside.

In the lounge.

Shen Lanxi sat on the sofa. Shen Yuan and Shen E sat on either side of him.

Both of them were being unusually warm, casually asking about Shen Lanxi’s recent situation.

Shen Lanxi didn’t like dealing with such social politeness, but out of respect for elders, he still responded courteously.

However, even when he did respond, it was minimal—usually just one or two words.

Across from him sat Shen Qingyu. He lazily played with a silver coin in his hand. Although he looked down on Shen Yuan and Shen E’s ingratiating behavior, Shen Lanxi’s aloof superiority also irritated him.

The boy crossed his legs and flicked his thumb.

“Clink—”

The silver coin was tossed high into the air, producing a crisp ringing sound.

“Brother Lanxi, I heard that when Sui’er got into trouble, you ordered everyone to evacuate first?”

Shen Yuan and Shen E were still smiling and trying to build rapport, but they both froze at the question. Shen Yuan in particular adjusted his glasses and pressed his brow.

Shen Lanxi lifted his eyes and met Shen Qingyu’s provocative gaze, his expression calm and indifferent.

“Yes. Any problem?”

Shen Qingyu caught the falling coin effortlessly and shrugged.

“Hmm~ don’t ask me. You should ask Fu Sui’er. She almost drowned and got shot after being abandoned—why don’t you ask her if she has a problem with it?”

Shen Lanxi’s eyes grew noticeably colder.

Shen Qingyu didn’t seem afraid at all. He tilted his head and smiled.

“But then again… that fool probably wouldn’t have any complaints anyway, right? After all, when the young master of the Shen family speaks, who would dare question it?”

The tone was thick with tension. Shen Yuan glanced at Shen Lanxi, then slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Shen Qingyu. “A-Yu…”

Before he could finish, Shen Qingyu kicked the coffee table. His voice was lazy, yet sharp and ruthless. “Shen Yuan, try pointing at me again.”

Shen Yuan, “…”

Seeing how tense things had become, Shen E immediately stepped forward and grabbed Shen Qingyu, patting his shoulder a few times. “Are you trying to die? Where did you learn the Shen family rules? If your grandfather finds out, you’re getting another beating. Lanxi just came back—say less.”

Shen Qingyu glanced at her, curled his lips slightly, and lowered his eyes to continue playing with the silver coin in his hand.

Shen E let out a long breath and smiled toward Shen Lanxi. “Lanxi, we’ve spoiled A-Yu these past few years. Don’t take it to heart.”

Shen Lanxi nodded lightly.

“Oh! Everyone’s here?” Shen Rang pushed the door open with a smile.

The crowd reacted differently. Shen Lanxi stood up and gave a slight nod. “Fifth Uncle.”

“Brother Lanxi!” Shen Mianzhi peeked out from behind Shen Rang. After studying Shen Lanxi for a moment, she rushed forward excitedly. “Brother Lanxi, it really is you? You’re back home?”

Shen Lanxi looked at her face for a moment. “Mianzhi?”

“You remember me?” Shen Mianzhi said happily.

Shen Lanxi nodded. “You haven’t changed at all.”

He had left the Shen family at eight years old, and Shen Mianzhi had only been six at the time. Though they had been separated for seven years, he still recognized her at a glance—the little girl who used to follow behind him, constantly asking questions.

Shen Mianzhi was delighted. Just as she was about to speak, Shen Qingyu beside her let out a cold laugh.

“Brother Lanxi saying a girl hasn’t changed at all… that’s not exactly a compliment.”

Shen Mianzhi looked at Shen Qingyu, then at Shen Lanxi, and quickly waved her hands. “It’s fine, I really haven’t changed much anyway.”

She and Shen Rang had already been standing outside for a while. Even through a wall, they could feel the tension inside, and she was afraid that anything she said might become the trigger for an explosion between them.

Shen Qingyu glanced at her. “Are you stupid?”

Always acting like a pushover. She was even worse than that street-hanging Freeloader Fu Sui’er—at least she was obnoxious, but nobody dared bully her.

Shen Rang instantly flared up, pointing at Shen Qingyu. “You brat, who are you calling stupid? Say that again if you dare—believe I won’t beat you up!”

Shen Yuan frowned and tugged at his tie. “Old Five, what are you doing? Why are you involving yourself in a few kids’ conversation?”

Shen Mianzhi panicked and pulled Shen Rang’s hand down. “Dad, don’t. I’m fine.”

Looking at his daughter swallowing her grievances, Shen Rang felt even more heartache. In the underworld, he was a dominant figure—if Shen Mianzhi wanted to run wild in Country A, he could protect her completely. Yet his daughter was too sensible, always afraid of causing trouble, always cautious.

“What’s going on? Did someone swallow a bomb?”

Just as the atmosphere became increasingly stiff, Shen Qian arrived with Shen Guiling.

Shen Qian was the eldest in the family and currently held the highest authority aside from Shen Zhuang. Everyone’s expressions shifted, and they silently returned to their seats.

Shen Lanxi stood up again. “Uncle.”

Shen Qian’s stern expression immediately softened. He walked over quickly, examined Shen Lanxi carefully, then patted his shoulder. “Good to have you back.”

Then he turned aside, introducing the boy behind him. “Lanxi, let me introduce you. This is A-Ling. He’s one month younger than you.”

Shen Guiling stepped forward slowly, a gentle, harmless smile on his pale face. “Brother Lanxi.”

Shen Lanxi’s gaze slowly settled on him. He had already heard from Gao Zhi—his grandfather didn’t come to Xiangying because of this boy.

“Shen Guiling?” Shen Lanxi asked.

Shen Guiling lifted his eyelids slightly, his expression becoming a bit more vivid. “Yes.”