The photos from Shen Ke Qin reached Shen Chi Yan just as he was leaving the hospital. His breath caught at the sight of her fingers - the wounds cut deep to the bone, raw and menacing. The image pierced through him like a physical pain.
He'd been a fool, convincing himself that Song Qi Nian's injuries were minor, that she could still use her hands. He'd even suspected she was playing up her weakness. Now, faced with the reality of her wounds, self-loathing washed over him.
Gao Kunlun, noting his master's darkening expression, ventured carefully, "Fifth Master, shall we return to the old estate?"
"No. Take me to the police station."
Gao Dashang would pay dearly for laying hands on what was his. Shen Chi Yan had issued his warning, expecting compliance. Instead, Gao Dashang had chosen escalation. Through Shen Chi Yan's influence, Gao Dashang would never see freedom again - he'd made certain of that. Prison would become his personal hell.
Midnight had come and gone by the time Shen Chi Yan left the police station. Rather than returning to the Shen family estate, he headed to Jingyuan - the villa he'd purchased after marrying Song Qi Nian, where he'd spent most of his time since.
Inside, he was greeted by clusters of baby's breath flowers, their delicate blooms adding splashes of color throughout the space. His gaze drifted to the wall, where his own painting hung - a portrait of a young girl's back as she painted. Every time he looked at it, something in him softened. As his fingers traced the painted silhouette, an unexpected ache bloomed in his chest.
For two days, Shen Chi Yan buried himself in work, avoiding both the hospital and the old estate. Though Shen Ke Qin sent daily updates about Song Qi Nian, he left every message unanswered.
Meanwhile, at the old estate, Song Qi Nian was treated like precious jade.
The elderly matriarch, deeply concerned about potential lasting damage to her fingers, directed her physician to treat her hands with exceptional care. She had Zhang Ma prepare special fortifying meals and broths daily, ensuring her recovery.
With Shen Ke Qin acting as her hands during meals, Song Qi Nian noticed her appetite returning after just two days. The residents of the old estate showed her genuine kindness – perhaps out of respect for the elderly matriarch, or maybe they truly sympathized with her predicament. Either way, their warmth touched Song Qi Nian deeply.
After completing his final examination, Song Jia Shu found employment through Shen Ke Qin's connections. Since Song Qi Nian couldn't use her hands, Shen Ke Qin conveyed her message to Song Jia Shu – urging him to live purposefully, regardless of his exam outcome. To his credit, Song Jia Shu showed remarkable resilience, immediately immersing himself in work while awaiting his results.
During her recovery, Song Qi Nian's absence from the company went unremarked upon by Shen Chi Yan. At home, everyone carefully avoided any mention of Shen Chi Yan or Lin Qiu Tong in her presence, and she maintained the same silence. Yet in the quiet hours of night, thoughts of Shen Chi Yan would creep in, leaving an empty ache in her chest.
That night, sleep eluded Song Qi Nian. She found herself questioning her impulsive confrontation with Lin Lanxing at the hospital. Looking back, she realized her strike hadn't been forceful enough to cause serious injury. Even if Lin Qiu Tong had fallen, the likelihood of her head striking the stairs seemed improbable – unless it had been intentional.
But what recourse did she have? Shen Chi Yan had made his choice against her. Between his wife and his idealized love, he had unhesitatingly chosen the latter, reducing his marriage to nothing more than a bitter farce.
Restless and parched, Song Qi Nian decided against waking anyone. She slipped out of bed and made her way downstairs. In the midnight stillness of the sleeping household, she carefully entered the kitchen, awkwardly managing to cup water in her injured palms. Just as she raised her hands to drink, footsteps broke the silence.
The sudden sound made her jump, and the cup slipped from her grasp, plummeting toward the floor. She lunged to catch it, but another hand shot out first, snatching the cup mid-fall.
Relief flooded through her until she turned and found herself face-to-face with Shen Chi Yan. Her heart stopped. She hadn't seen him in days, and his unexpected presence made her blood run cold.
Why was he here now?
"Thirsty?" His voice was flat, emotionless. Just looking at him brought back the memory of his iron grip on her wrist, forcing her to apologize to Lin Qiu Tong. Pain spread through her chest, and the color drained from her face.
Shen Chi Yan lifted the glass to her lips. "Drink."
She caught something in his tone – was that gentleness? The thought made her want to laugh. What was this supposed to be? Hurt her first, then try to make it better?
She tried to push past him and leave the kitchen, but he blocked her path.
"Didn't you want water?"
Yes, she was thirsty – but she wouldn't take anything from him. Who knew what game he was playing now?
She shook her head no, but he wasn't finished.
"Here are your options," he said. "Either you let me help you drink from this cup, or I wake everyone up so someone else can do it."
She stared at him, stunned. What was he trying to prove?
"You had Ke Qin send me daily photos of your injuries, playing up how weak and helpless you are, just to get me to come back, didn't you?" His words cut deep. "Now that I'm here, why put on this act of being so tough and resistant?"
Rage and hurt collided in her chest. She hadn't known anything about Ke Qin's messages – and now he was twisting everything, seeing manipulation where there was only pain.
The doctor's orders were strict - she couldn't use her hands at all. She felt trapped, wanting neither option he presented. All she wanted was to escape.
Shen Chi Yan's patience wore thin. A cruel smile played across his lips. "Seems you prefer the third option."
Before she could process his words, his cool mouth pressed against hers. She clenched her teeth, determined to resist, but Shen Chi Yan knew exactly how to make her yield.
In their struggle, water splashed everywhere - half drenching their clothes, the rest forcing its way down her throat.
"I had no idea you enjoyed being fed water this way so much," he taunted.
Song Qi Nian's face burned with anger and humiliation as she glared at him.
In an instant, his fingers were at the corner of her eye. His face turned cold, voice empty. "Song Qi Nian, you used to be too scared to even look at me. Now you dare glare? Should I remind you what happens to eyes that look at me wrong?"
His volatile mood made her nervous. Even with the old lady's protection, fear crept into her bones.
A servant's yawn broke the tension as she wandered in, drawn by the kitchen light. Seeing them together, she straightened immediately.
"Young Master, Young Madam - you're both still up?"
Song Qi Nian saw her chance to escape while Shen Chi Yan wouldn't dare act out in front of others. But he smoothly blocked her path.
He smiled pleasantly at the servant. "The Young Madam was thirsty. I'm helping her drink."
Then he turned to Song Qi Nian, his smile taking on a dangerous edge. "Come, Qiqi. Have another sip."
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