The noisy commotion suddenly fell silent. Bai Wanjun and Father Shi looked deeply displeased.

They were Shi Han’s biological parents—trying to help carry her luggage with good intentions—only to be told to “get lost.”

If it weren’t for the presence of the old patriarch, Father Shi would have slapped her right then and there.

Truly getting cheeky.

Bai Wanjun composed herself and took the opportunity to nudge Shi Bei, saying, “Hanhan, how can you talk to Grandpa like that? Don’t you know how much he cares about you…”

“This is what you call ‘care’?” Shi Han lifted her hand.

Her once smooth, fair hand now bore several fresh scratches. One was particularly deep, bleeding and faintly swollen around the edges.

She pressed her lips tight, growing more and more disgusted with the Shi family.

If it weren’t for needing a legitimate identity, she wouldn’t have come back to the Shi family at all.

Shi Han’s gaze turned colder and colder. Just as she was about to cut ties cleanly and decisively with the family, a furious voice rang out beside her.

“Who did this—”

In the next moment, her hand was gently but firmly grasped.

Shi Bei looked distressed, unsure of what to do. He called out to the butler behind him, “Quick, summon the family doctor.”

“Yes, yes!” The butler, his hair streaked with gray, hurriedly made the call.

Their anxious expressions made Shi Han instinctively pull her hand back.

In her memories, the Shi family had always been harsh and unreasonable, treating her like an enemy.

But this old man seemed to regard her as a truly important family member.

Could it be that she had forgotten him precisely because he meant so much to her?

Though Shi Han entertained this thought, she still didn’t want to get too close to the Shi family.

Feeling uneasy, she withdrew her hand behind her back. “I’m fine…”

Bai Wanjun quickly deflected, “Dad, it’s just a small injury. Hanhan herself says she’s okay. Don’t get upset.”

“Who did this?!” Shi Bei demanded angrily.

“I…”

“Xiao Han is your own daughter. How can you be so harsh with her and not feel any pain?”

“How could I not care?” Bai Wanjun instantly looked wronged.

Shi Han was born after her ten months of pregnancy; of course she cared.

But it was just a small injury—did she really have to kneel down and apologize?

Shi Bei quietly observed Bai Wanjun’s pretentious act but didn’t reproach her, only stared silently.

Bai Wanjun trembled under his gaze.

Her family background was poor, and she married into the Shi family after a free love relationship with Shi Zheng during university.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was a sparrow turned into a phoenix.

Back when they married, Shi Bei had always opposed their union.

Shi Zheng made her kneel outside the door for an entire day and night—it was pouring rain that day. She clutched her pregnant belly, nearly fainting, while Shi Bei just stood at the door, expressionless, watching them.

Since then, whenever Bai Wanjun saw that look on the old master’s face, she would be filled with dread.

She forced out a shaky tone, “Father…”

“Shi Zheng, is this how you’re raising her?” Shi Bei frowned and spoke sternly.

In a powerful family like theirs, the character of the woman brought in by marriage was crucial.

If you marry an unworthy woman, the household will never be peaceful.

From the start, he looked down on Bai Wanjun for being petty, and after all these years of marriage, she still hadn’t improved.

In fact, things only seemed to be getting worse.

Shi Zheng saw Shi Bei was on the verge of losing his temper and tried to pull Bai Wanjun back forcefully.

“Don’t upset our daughter. She’s still young…”

He was trying to shift some of the blame onto Shi Han.

But before he finished, Shi Bei slapped him sharply on the back of the head.

“Father…”

“Shi Zheng, I’ve lived a long life. Don’t try to play games or speak sarcastically in front of me, thinking I don’t understand what you mean. What is it? Do you have a problem with Hanhan?”

Shi Zheng didn’t dare show any hint of dissatisfaction this time. He shook his head quickly.

“No, no…”

Though he tried to argue, the all-knowing look from Shi Bei made his voice shrink smaller and smaller.

Finally, he turned to appease Shi Han, “Your mom didn’t mean it. Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

Shi Han’s eyes flickered, and she deliberately pouted, “I’m fine.”

Shi Zheng let out a relieved breath.

“…” Shi Bei scowled and slapped his son again on the back of the head, slapping and asking, “Does it hurt? I’m asking, does it hurt?”

Useless fool — can’t even comfort properly.

=^_^=