Not long after Shi Han left the hospital room, Bai Wanjun started looking like she had something to say but didn’t dare voice it. Worried she might mess things up, she anxiously pinched Shi Zheng on the arm.

Shi Zheng had no choice. He cleared his throat and brought up Shi Yin.

“Dad, what you said at home… that was just a joke, right? You don’t know how amazing Yin Yin is. This year, she got into Imperial Capital University, and even became a student of a renowned violinist. At home, she’s always obedient and thoughtful…”

Shi Yin shrank back slightly, but her eyes lit up with hope.

She glanced at the pale-faced old man lying on the hospital bed and seemed to understand something.

If Shi Zheng didn’t want to cut ties with her, then with Shi Bei’s health the way it was now… he couldn’t really stop them.

But Old Master Shi raised a hand to interrupt. He spat out the medicine in his mouth, his voice raspy and exhausted.

“Funny how you can go on and on about your adopted daughter, but when it comes to your own flesh and blood, you act like it’s a burden just to mention her. Do you really dislike Xiao Han that much?”

“That’s impossible!” Shi Zheng said quickly. “Shi Han is my biological daughter. Of course I care about her. Dad, don’t be fooled by appearances.”

“I’m the one being fooled?” Shi Bei let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. “I see the filth between you all more clearly than anyone. If you’re really so desperate to keep this relationship, then fine—just let it go this time.”

“Really?!” Bai Wanjun cried out, too overwhelmed to even wipe her tears.

Shi Bei sneered coldly at her.

Bai Wanjun shrank back, tucking her neck in.

He reached out and took the hot towel Butler Song handed him, wiping his hands as he spoke.

“You manage the household, but now that something like this has happened, you’re not off the hook. Go apologize to Shi Han, and restore her room exactly as it was—understood?”

“Restore it as it was?” Bai Wanjun hesitated. “Dad, that’s impossible…”

She barely even remembered how the room looked before.

Shi Bei’s eyes went icy as he threw the towel aside. His voice hardened.

“I said restore it. And if you can’t, then you and Shi Zheng are getting a divorce. Got it?”

Divorce?!

Bai Wanjun stood frozen, disbelief written all over her face.

Over a single bedroom of Shi Han’s, Shi Bei was actually threatening divorce between her and Shi Zheng.

Shi Zheng frowned, confused. “Dad…”

“I don’t care what methods you use. And whatever you do, it better move Shi Han. Otherwise, get out of the Shi family.”

Old Master Shi’s voice cut like a blade.

“I’ve never cared much about blood ties. There are plenty of capable people in the Shi family. I don’t have to let a bunch of fools like you inherit.”

He shot a sharp look at Shi Zheng.

“If you still want to try cutting ties with the family, then go ahead—see if you even deserve to inherit the Shi name after this visit.”

Shi Zheng’s face suddenly went pale.

When he was younger, he had willingly left the Shi family to be with Bai Wanjun.

He had thought it would be the start of a romantic love story, a happy new beginning. But without the family’s support, just surviving became a struggle.

He ended up working at construction sites, his hands raw and blistered.

In the end, unable to bear it any longer, he returned to Old Master Shi and confessed his mistakes, kneeling at the doorstep for three days and nights before finally being accepted back.

Only now did Shi Zheng truly understand what place Shi Han held in Old Master Shi’s heart.

That made Shi Yin’s small achievements outside pale in comparison to Shi Han’s.

“Dad, don’t worry. We know what needs to be done.”

“Hmph, not completely clueless yet…” Shi Bei hadn’t finished speaking before a violent cough shook his body. After a long moment, he finally regained control, forcing himself through the discomfort.

“Bai Wanjun, when you go home today, kneel at the Shi family ancestral hall. Think carefully about this. If I ever find out you hurt Shi Han again, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

This time, Bai Wanjun was truly scared.

“I… I was wrong…”

=^_^=