The hospital.
Wen Tingxue woke up in the middle of the night.
Yu Wenli was guarding her bedside.
A thin layer of moonlight fell on his shoulders, and he slept restlessly.
As soon as she moved, he woke up.
"Don't move, do you want water?"
He held her wrist and gently tucked her outstretched hand back under the covers.
After ensuring he hadn't touched her wounds, he got up to pour water.
Because Wen Zhongen, Yu Xiuxiu, and Xu Kexin were also nearby.
Afraid of waking them, he moved very quietly.
But the water he had just poured was hot, and there was no cold water nearby.
There was nothing he could do but use two cups to cool the water down.
The thin mist blurred his features, giving him a more exquisite look.
Wen Tingxue was so engrossed that she didn't notice when the people around her woke up.
It wasn't until Wen Zhongen coughed out of jealousy that she blushed and looked away.
"Dad, Mom, why are you here too?"
Her voice was a bit hoarse from sleeping, sounding a bit complaining.
"What?" Wen Zhongen's jealousy flared even more. "You only want to see your Brother Yu and not us?"
Wen Tingxue: "..."
That wasn't what she meant!
Why was he so angry?
Had they argued while she was unconscious?
No way?
Xu Kexin suppressed a smile. "Uncle, Little Xue is worried about you.
She doesn't want you to wear yourselves out for her."
"Mhm, mhm." Wen Tingxue nodded eagerly.
That was exactly what she meant.
They were on vacation, but their parents were still busy.
They didn't have much rest time, and they still had to stay up at the hospital for her, which would be bad for their health.
"What are you doing?" Yu Xiuxiu kicked him with a grimace.
"Your daughter just woke up and you're giving her the cold shoulder?
When she was unconscious, you were as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. You're so fickle!"
Yu Xiuxiu hugged her daughter's injured head, afraid she might have a concussion.
"I..." Wen Zhongen had no words for his grievances and simply turned his face away.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Yu Wenli handed Wen Tingxue the cooled water.
After she tasted it and confirmed it wasn't hot, he turned to Wen Zhongen and said:
"Uncle, let's clear some space so they can talk properly."
Wen Zhongen glanced at him, his eyes filled with deep emotion.
The small balcony.
Wen Zhongen leaned against the railing, smoking. His dark suit almost blended into the night.
It added a chilling aura to his already stern demeanor.
"What do you want to say?" he asked, flicking the ash from his cigarette.
Yu Wenli didn't beat around the bush. "Can we put Wen Linfeng's matter aside for now?"
"What did you say?!" Wen Zhongen narrowed his eyes, radiating coldness.
Yu Wenli had always been well-behaved in front of Wen Tingxue's parents.
He was no exception now.
"Uncle, please don't be angry first."
Yu Wenli explained patiently. "I'm not trying to stop you.
On the contrary, I want him to pay more than anyone. But..."
The young man lowered his gaze, his pupils like dark ink reflecting a deep chill.
"He dares to be so arrogant, he must have caused Yi Yi a lot of suffering over the years.
I want to settle everything after all the facts are clear."
When the little girl lay in his arms, her face covered in blood.
He had thought of many ways to retaliate against Wen Linfeng.
But in the moments he spent guarding her bedside, waiting for her to wake up.
He felt that just settling this one matter with him would be too easy for him.
If they were going to settle accounts, they might as well do it thoroughly.
It was best to eliminate all future trouble.
In the ward.
Yu Xiuxiu held her daughter's hand and asked about everything from inside out.
Then she brought the topic back to Wen Linfeng.
"Yiyi, did he ever bully you before?
Tell Mom the truth, yes or no?"
"Yes," Wen Tingxue answered quickly. "And many times."
"What?!" Yu Xiuxiu's expression changed drastically, her voice sharpening.
"How did he bully you?"
Yu Xiuxiu's breathing quickened with anger. "Did he hit you, or did he..."
The other possibility, she didn't dare to ask, let alone think about it.
Wen Tingxue said calmly, "Both, but... that didn't succeed."
"What..."
Yu Xiuxiu's lips trembled, and tears immediately fell.
"Mom, don't cry, I'm fine now."
Wen Tingxue raised her hand to wipe away her tears and recounted her experiences in Lucheng.
In third grade, because she talked back to Wen Linfeng.
He and his grandmother locked her outside in the freezing cold, causing frostbite on her hands.
She had never fully recovered until this winter when Yu Wenli was prepared.
And so the frostbite did not recur.
The year she graduated from primary school, Wen Linfeng threw her into the sea and repeatedly pushed her down.
If her cousin hadn't jumped into the water to save her, she would have already died in the sea.
In her third year of junior high, Wen Linfeng was rejected by the girl he liked and got drunk, almost forcing himself on her.
When she resisted, she accidentally pushed him into a table corner, causing his head to bleed.
His grandmother then blamed her for being promiscuous and heartless.
From then on, she never grew her hair long again and always looked like a tomboy.
In the first semester of her second year of high school, Wen Linfeng peeked at her while she was bathing.
He said her skin was fair and more appealing than his girlfriends.
She was so disgusted that she couldn't eat for several days and never dared to take a slow shower again.
After listening, Yu Xiuxiu was in tears.
Even Xu Kexin's eyes were red.
Only Wen Tingxue remained calm throughout.
In Lucheng, she had been beaten, scolded, experienced humiliation, and swallowed shame.
She had also resisted, but the consequence was only a beating and scolding.
Gradually, she learned to be obedient.
She knew that as long as she was obedient and sensible, she could live a stable life.
Over time, she got used to this pattern.
Even now, she still maintained the mentality of "better safe than sorry."
Therefore, she kept silent about Wen Linfeng's matter.
Because she knew that if she spoke out, her parents and her uncle's family would inevitably fall out.
And then there would be more trouble, which she hated.
However, Wen Linfeng's arrogant attitude made her change her mind.
Since he wasn't afraid of the two families' relationship deteriorating, why should she care?
What's more, he dared to lay hands on her in her own home, what else wouldn't he dare to do in the future?
Wen Tingxue recalled the dispute over the game console today.
Clearly, he wasn't in the right. The item wasn't his, and it wasn't with her permission.
He insisted on taking it, and when she said a few words, he dared to push her down the stairs.
It was also her fault for being unprepared, thinking that he wouldn't dare to do it at home.
Unexpectedly, he had been spoiled by Wu Shangrong and Wen Qing's family for too long.
He was rotten through and through, beyond saving!
Three days later, the hospital.
"Guess where Wen Linfeng is now?"
Xu Kexin asked while peeling an apple.
Her tone was like watching a show.
Wen Tingxue shook her head. "Isn't he being taught a lesson recently?
Is there still room for him to be dealt with?"
According to Xin Xin's news, Yu Wenli and Yu Xiuxiu hadn't been idle while she was hospitalized.
The former focused on settling scores with Wen Linfeng, while the latter went directly to Lucheng to collect evidence.
Three days.
Given the ruthlessness of Yu Wenli's methods.
Wen Linfeng must be covered in injuries all over his body by now?
"Yes," Xu Kexin nodded.
"Xing Jiahe said his condition is much more serious than Wen Bin's.
He cries at the slightest touch, so..."
She handed the peeled apple to Wen Tingxue. "They're taking him boating today."
"Boating?" Wen Tingxue understood immediately and shivered. "Good luck to him."
Xu Kexin smiled and threw the whole apple peel into the trash can.
"People like him deserve to freeze to death."
As they were talking, Wen Zhongen knocked and entered, carrying two thermoses.
He couldn't help much with Wen Linfeng's matter, so he helped by running errands and delivering meals.
After the two children finished eating, Wen Zhongen left with the thermoses.
Wen Qing and Wen Zhongyi were waiting outside. Seeing him, they quickly went to greet him.
"Big brother, please talk to Little Xue and ask that person to let Little Feng go."
"Yes, big brother, Little Feng is your eldest nephew. Wouldn't you be sad if something happened to him?"
The two spoke one after another, tears streaming down their faces.
However, Wen Zhongen said expressionlessly, "Why should I pity your son?
You know better than I do how much hardship and grievance my daughter suffered in Lucheng, don't you?"
Wen Zhongyi choked. "Well, but Little Feng wasn't injured all over like this, was he?"
"Exactly, exactly," Wen Qing quickly added. "Little Xue did suffer a lot of grievances in Lucheng.
But my Little Feng is different. He's been pampered since he was a child. If he's beaten like this, he'll die!"
"He'll die? He's pampered?" Wen Zhongen sneered.
Then he grabbed Wen Zhongyi by the collar and asked with bloodshot eyes, "Then what about my daughter?
When your son threw her into the sea and repeatedly pushed her down.
Wouldn't she have died too?!"
The deafening roar made Wen Zhongyi's ears ring.
He was stunned for a long time before he said:
"If Wen Linfeng dies, it will be his just deserts."
Wen Zhongen mockingly let go of his hand.
"Don't come looking for me again. I don't have a brother like you."
Wen Zhongyi stood there blankly.
Seeing Wen Zhongen about to leave, Wen Qing quickly called out:
"What about Mom? Don't you listen to Mom anymore?"
I don't know who that little slut has managed to cling to.
Not only was the ward guarded by double bodyguards,
But the police station wouldn't even accept their report.
There was no choice but to bring out the old lady.
Wen Zhongen, who might not care about brotherhood, wouldn't care about filial piety?
"Xiao En..."
Wu Shangrong ran over from a distance, calling out anxiously, "Xiao En... Mom wants to talk to you..."
Xiao En?
A name he hadn't heard in a long time.
Thirty years, wasn't it?
Wen Zhongen's footsteps paused as he turned back, just in time to see Wu Shangrong fall to the ground.
By the time he reacted, he was already helping Wu Shangrong up, murmuring words of concern.
Wen Qing saw this and felt much more at ease.
The old lady still held a place in his heart.
Her son would surely be saved!
As she was thinking, Wu Shangrong had already grabbed Wen Zhongen's hand and started talking about Wen Linfeng.
"Xiao En, you're the elder brother, and you should always help your younger brother.
What's more, this matter is indeed Yiyi's fault. She's just a girl.
How can she be as important as Little Feng, a boy? Just talk to Yiyi and tell her to stop being unreasonable.
If something really happens to Little Feng, what will she use to compensate? You agree with me, don't you... Why are you looking at me like that?"