Chapter 298 The Sharpest Tongue Belongs to the Fourth Brother
Ye Shenge was surprised by her fourth brother’s reaction. She never knew the gentlest among them possessed such a venomous tongue.
Ye Shenge suppressed a laugh as she watched Bai Hui’s contorted expression, then secretly winked at her fourth brother.
Bai Chenyi ruffled his sister’s hair and sat beside her, his gaze fixed on Bai Hui.
“Miss, you haven’t answered my question yet.”
Bai Hui cursed inwardly. How were the Bai family members so difficult to deal with? One yesterday, another today.
“Uh, I didn’t mean anything else. I just wanted to check on Shenge.”
“Oh! You know my sister very well? Well enough to offer to call a doctor just because her lips are a little pale?”
Bai Hui felt she couldn't stay any longer and forced tears to well up.
“I truly meant no harm. I just can’t bear to see Shenge unwell. If my suggestion made you uncomfortable, I won’t say anything more in the future.”
Bai Chenyi maintained his gentle demeanor, his voice soft and light.
“So, this comrade is kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing others in even the slightest discomfort. I must have been narrow-minded. You’re from Zhizhi, aren’t you? I recall there was someone in Zhizhi whose leg was broken, living in hardship, without money or food, and unable to earn work points. I’d like to know how you helped her?”
Ye Shenge turned her head and stifled a silent laugh. She couldn’t hold back any longer; her fourth brother’s words were truly sharp.
Bai Hui could no longer endure it and couldn’t answer the relentless questioning. She stood up, covered her face, and fled.
Ye Shenge regretfully shook her head. She still hadn't learned the purpose, a missed opportunity.
Bai Chenyi watched his sister, who alternated between smiling and sighing with regret, wondering what was going through her mind. He reached out and pinched her soft cheek, finding the texture delightful.
Ye Shenge slapped his hand away, her tone laced with a hint of complaint.
“Fourth brother, you did a good deed that turned out badly today.”
Bai Chenyi’s handsome face froze for a moment, a flicker of apprehension crossing it.
“What’s wrong? Did you want that woman to come?”
Ye Shenge recounted Bai Hui’s situation. She had initially intended to tease her fourth brother, but instead, he teared up.
“Hey, hey, no way. It’s all in the past, why are you still so emotional?”
Bai Chenyi lowered his gaze, and when he reopened his eyes, they were calm.
“It’s my fault today. I’ll swap shifts these next few days and stay with you to see what that woman intends. If she’s seeking death, we’ll give her the chance.”
Ye Shenge enjoyed hearing harsh words from gentle people, much like herself. Although her words weren't fierce, she lacked the imposing aura, yet she yearned to one day become powerful enough to verbally crush people.
“Mhm, since she’s looking for trouble, we’ll oblige her.”
Ye Shenge narrowed her eyes, feigning fierceness.
“What do you think, Fourth Brother? Do I have that powerful aura?”
Bai Chenyi didn’t understand his sister’s words at first, but seeing her stand tall, he felt like laughing.
“You, my dear, don’t try to force yourself to be someone you’re not. You have a group of people helping you, so you don’t need to learn everything.”
Ye Shenge’s spirits immediately deflated. She could pretend to be a delicate damsel, but she couldn’t muster the presence of a powerful figure.
“The most powerful thing I’ve ever done was slap Gong Suoer. I was very powerful that day, the most powerful in my life.”
Ah Liang, standing nearby, struggled to contain his laughter, his back to them. His hand had hurt for a long time after that slap, yet she called it her most powerful moment.
Bai Chenyi didn’t laugh at his sister. Instead, he felt a pang of sympathy, blaming the Ye family for raising her to be so self-sacrificing.
If Ye Shenge knew her fourth brother’s thoughts, she would have vehemently denied it, claiming she was raised that way in her past life.
“Actually, my sister is already quite formidable. At the very least, she was able to break free from her adoptive parents’ home with her own abilities. Many girls lack the courage to resist injustice. You not only escaped them but also defeated them. So, sometimes, being formidable isn't about fighting or scolding; it’s about using your mind.”
Ye Shenge pondered this. It was true; she just didn't like her own disposition. While determined, she wasn’t forceful enough. Oh well, she thought, she was going crazy, constantly overthinking things when she had nothing else to do.
“Mhm, I understand, Fourth Brother. But will the other brothers beat you if you swap shifts with me for the next few days?”
This was a practical concern. But if the little girl mocked him, wouldn't he want to pinch her face?
“Don’t worry. Although I’m the weakest among the Bai family grandchildren, I’ve never been beaten.”
He finished with a wink at his sister.
Ye Shenge suddenly understood, giving her fourth brother two thumbs up.
Lately, Zi Yisheng had been extremely busy, but Ye Shenge didn't know what he was occupied with. Even her eldest brother had been missing for three consecutive days. Seeing her parents carefree, eating and drinking, she was worried sick.
What Ye Shenge didn't realize was that during these past few days, her boyfriend and her eldest brother had both been working tirelessly for her.
Today, Ye Shenge's nap was interrupted by the arrival of the doctor Shang Shaoyan had been wanting to consult. She thought that traitor had been dealt with, but Shang Shaoyan was surprisingly patient.
Dr. Xu arrived at the Bai Rong Brigade and first took Shang Shaoyan’s pulse. Finding no improvement in the poison affecting Shang Shaoyan, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Young Master Shang, haven’t you already found a doctor to detoxify you? Why, after nearly a week, has there been no progress?”
Shang Shaoyan calmly withdrew his hand and looked at the doctor who had followed him for over a decade. He truly hadn't expected this.
“I’ll need Dr. Xu’s help to figure this out. You’ll exchange notes with Miss Ye later to see where the problem lies.”
“Miss! Young Master Shang said the one who detoxified half of his poison is a young lady. May I ask how old she is?”
“Under sixteen.”
Disdain immediately flashed in Dr. Xu’s eyes. So it was a young girl, still in her infancy. He had actually considered her a serious contender before.
On the way, Ye Shenge listened to Ming Hui’s rambling explanation about Dr. Xu’s background, how wicked he was, but he never got to the point.
Even the well-trained Ah Liang felt his ears stinging from the noise.
Ye Shenge spoke up, exasperated.
“Secretary Ming Hui, could you please tell me about the taboos when meeting Dr. Xu? I don’t want to say anything wrong and affect your plan.”
Ming Hui, suddenly interrupted, felt choked, but he didn’t detect Ye Shenge’s disdain.
“Just don’t mention that Young Master Shang has discovered Dr. Xu is a traitor. Young Master Shang said you can speak freely, without holding back.”
Heh, Shang Shaoyan really thought highly of her.
Dr. Xu felt somewhat uneasy. He sensed a chill in Young Master Shang’s room, yet he was wearing a jacket and shouldn’t be cold.
But as soon as he saw Ye Shenge enter, he forgot all about the cold. Dr. Xu didn’t think much of it, and the small shred of his remaining sense of crisis completely vanished.