Chapter 9: Shedding the Outer Layer Suffices

“Old Madam Ling told you to leave—can't you understand simple language?”
“You’re everywhere, even dogs find you annoying.”

The bodyguard in black dragged them out while muttering curses under his breath. Under the disdainful gazes of the guests, he threw the mother and son outside the villa’s entrance.

The assembled guests craned their necks, eager to witness the spectacle of the Chu family’s disgrace. The neighbors at the gate bore witness to the entire drama.

Song Yashi and Chu Yifan’s faces flushed deeply, a mix of humiliation and anger swelling within them.

They had come bearing gifts to celebrate the birthday, as honored guests—how could the Ling family be so overbearing as to toss them out like this?

Wasn’t this utterly disrespectful?

Her heart sank as if it had fallen into an icy abyss.

...

Without the Chu family’s disruption, the birthday banquet’s atmosphere lightened considerably.

Old Madam Ling turned to Shi Yi with a gentle smile and said, “Child, if you ever suffer injustice in the Chu household, don’t keep it bottled up. Grandma will stand up for you.”

Shi Yi’s eyes welled with tears as she quickly replied, “Grandma, you’re so kind.”

Old Madam Ling pressed a hand to her chest, struggling to rise, “I’m a bit tired. I’ll lie down inside for a while.”

Shi Yi hurried to support her to the bedroom on the first floor.

As they neared the door, Old Madam Ling suddenly glanced back and said to Ling Siyue, “Siyue, you’ll see her off for me later. Life in the Chu family is tough for this girl.”

“No need,” Shi Yi said awkwardly, wishing she could disappear into the ground.

Ling Siyue smiled faintly and replied, “Alright.”

Old Madam Ling stooped slightly, swaying with each step as she moved into the bedroom.

Shi Yi supported her arm, feeling an inexplicable warmth and closeness to the elderly woman, reminiscent of her own grandmother.

Old Madam Ling sat beside the bed, grasped Shi Yi’s hand gently, and whispered, “Child, Grandma truly likes you. What do you think of that man just now?”

“You mean the bodyguard of your family?”

“Bodyguard?” Old Madam Ling paused briefly. “Yes, he is our Ling family’s bodyguard. What do you think of the young man?”

Shi Yi hesitated, then said, “He’s... quite good.”

“Good, very good.” Old Madam Ling lay back down. “Child, you should go now and close the door for me.”

Old Madam Ling’s heart was clear; she knew her eldest grandson remained unmarried because his heart belonged to someone else—Shi Yi.

After Shi Yi left, she saw Ling Siyue and forced a smile. “I’m going home now.”

“I’ll see you off,” Ling Siyue stood up.

“No need.” Shi Yi waved her hand, eager to leave this place of trouble behind.

---

“No, Grandma said I must see you off,” Ling Siyue said, striding after her.

The two walked out of the Ling family estate, one after the other.

Passing by the garden outside, Shi Yi overheard faint whispers from behind a flowerbed.

Curiosity slowed her steps.

Suddenly, a harsh male voice broke the silence:

“Mom, you see that woman Shi Yi’s crazy. You won’t let me divorce her and even want me to make peace with her. Are you out of your mind?”

“Son, listen to your mother. Shi Yi’s clearly jealous of Qin Wan’er. I say again, as long as she bears your child, she’ll serve our Chu family her whole life.”

It turned out that Chu Yifan and Song Yashi were scheming against Shi Yi.

Shi Yi froze, blood rushing to her head, an urge to kill surging within her.

Ling Siyue had heard everything too. He grabbed Shi Yi’s arm and pulled her behind a fake rock in the garden.

Their voices were distinct even with the barrier between them.

“What do you want to do?”

Shi Yi’s face paled. To break free, she kicked out at the man’s lower body without hesitation.

But her leg was caught midair by a large hand.

“Shh! Don’t make a sound,” Ling Siyue whispered into her ear.

Shi Yi struggled, but unexpectedly collided with his chest.

Startled, she froze.

His hands pinned hers firmly; she couldn’t move. He leaned close, murmuring, “Yi Yi, be good. Don’t struggle.”

She tried to lift her knee to push him away but was held down by his other hand.

His warm breath brushed her face as he leaned closer and nibbled her earlobe tenderly.

Softly, he repeated, “Yi Yi, be good...”

He seemed to be coaxing her, or perhaps teasing.

Through a narrow gap, Shi Yi caught the scent of his slightly open collar—intoxicating.

Fearing the mother and son on the other side of the rock might discover them, she ceased struggling and curled into Ling Siyue’s embrace.

For a moment, they were pressed impossibly close, no space between them.

Shi Yi felt his breath deepen; her own was uneven.

Ling Siyue lowered his gaze, admiring her delicate, blushing cheeks.

Shi Yi was truly beautiful, like a peach blossom in full bloom. Yet Chu Yifan spurned such an enchanting woman, instead cheating with the gaudy and insincere white lotus.

A faint smile curved Ling Siyue’s lips—but that smile gave him an advantage, didn’t it?

---

From behind the rock, Chu Yifan continued:

“But Mom, that bitch Shi Yi hits me all the time. I just want to sleep with her, but she refuses.”

Song Yashi advised, “Son, listen to your mother. She loved you deeply before; she can’t change so quickly. Use some means, understand?”

“All right, Mom. I’ll do as you say. Tonight, I’ll see that bitch no matter what. I’ll make sure she carries my child.”

“That’s my good son. Keep this medicine ready. If that doesn’t work, put it in her tea. She won’t have a choice then.”

“Mom, your ideas are the best. Shi Yi’s good at pretending, acting all high and mighty. She only talks about divorce. If I really reject her, she’ll back down immediately.”

...

The whispered plotting ceased. Shi Yi’s clear eyes suddenly narrowed, filled with hatred.

Ling Siyue gently stroked her cheek, his dark eyes deep. “Did you hear that? This is the ‘good husband’ you insisted on marrying.”

Shi Yi pushed his hand away, shrinking back. “He’s no good, and neither are you.”

“Hm, I admit I’m no good,” Ling Siyue smiled slyly, a hint of mischief in his handsome features.

He lowered his head, aiming to kiss her lips.

Shi Yi’s eyes flashed with determination. She raised her palm and slapped him sharply.

She was a noble lady, raised with strict discipline, memorizing the “Inner Teachings” and “Women’s Admonitions”—how could she tolerate such insolence from a young man?

Ling Siyue was taken aback for a moment, then released her.

“Let’s go. I’ll take you back.” He stepped back.

“No need. I have my own feet,” Shi Yi said, sidestepping him, desperate to leave quickly.

Ling Siyue hurried to her side. “He’ll definitely try something tonight. Just say you don’t want it, and I’ll handle it for you.”

Shi Yi’s gaze hardened. “No thanks. I can manage on my own.”

What good was a Ling family bodyguard—a protector—if he was just showing off?

Watching her retreating figure, Ling Siyue frowned.

He pulled out his phone and called the bodyguard, He Wen.

When the call connected, he said in a low voice, “Make that scoundrel Chu Yifan disappear tonight.”

He Wen was momentarily stunned, then asked, “Kill him?”

Thinking of Shi Yi’s suffering, Ling Siyue truly wanted to.

After a pause, he smirked, “We live in a civilized society. Just break a few bones.”

He Wen responded, “Understood, Young Master Ling.”

“Wait, I’m coming with you.” Ling Siyue’s eyes darkened, his fists clenched tightly.