Conversation

Inside the main hall.

The pleasant atmosphere from moments ago had vanished, replaced by a stifling tension.

Hu Long and Sun Yi stood in the center of the room.

The gazes of Hu Chengwen and He Yanling were fixed upon Sun Yi, but they were no longer the gentle looks one might give a future daughter-in-law; instead, they were filled with scrutiny.

This was because, just moments prior, Hu Long had laid the entire matter out exactly as it happened.

"Xiao Long, go back to your room and rest for a while."

He Yanling pulled her arm away from Mother Liu, her tone having turned cold.

Wendys stepped forward silently and took Hu Long's arm.

Hu Long did not resist, turning to leave as suggested.

He had no interest in dealing with these messy, trivial social entanglements, so leaving suited him just fine.

Once his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, the habitual smile on Hu Chengwen's face receded like a receding tide.

He turned his gaze toward Sun Fuqian, Sun Yi's father, who was sitting to the side, and pulled his lips into a mirthless, mocking smile.

"Old Sun, since Xiao Yi already has someone, why didn't you give us a heads-up? That's a bit distant, isn't it? I am, after all, an elder who watched her grow up. You should have let me know before things went this far."

"This... what are you saying!"

Sun Fuqian's expression was incredibly ugly. He hurriedly turned to his daughter, who was hanging her head in silence, and said in a deep voice.

"Children just like to throw tantrums and speak without thinking, isn't that right, Xiao Yi? Xiao Long's health has only just improved; don't let your temper run wild and cause him any more distress!"

Sun Yi's fingernails dug into her palms.

She jerked her head up, the color draining from her face before rushing back in, her eyes filled with a desperate, stubborn resolve.

"Everything Hu Long said is true. I already have someone I like."

Her voice trembled, yet it was exceptionally clear.

"Uncle, Auntie, this matter... I am sorry to you both, but marriage is not something that can be forced. It's not the old days anymore; we believe in free love, and I..."

"Don't call us that."

He Yanling cut Sun Yi off directly.

The warmth she had shown as a hostess had long since vanished, leaving only a cold, detached scrutiny in her eyes.

"We cannot bear to be called 'Uncle' and 'Auntie' by you."

When had Sun Yi ever been subjected to such blunt coldness and mockery?

Her face flushed red and then turned pale; she opened her mouth, but not a single word could escape.

"Enough."

Hu Chengwen slowly stood up.

"We have matters at home that need attending to, so we won't keep you any longer."

His tone was flat, but the intent to see them out was clear.

All the words of mediation Sun Fuqian had prepared were stuck in his throat.

In the end, he could only say.

"I will get to the bottom of this and give you an explanation."

With that, he took Sun Yi and Mother Sun and left the premises.

Smack!

The moment they returned home, Sun Fuqian could no longer contain himself; he backhanded Sun Yi across the face with a fierce slap.

He hadn't held back at all. Caught off guard, Sun Yi stumbled backward, and had Mother Sun not rushed to steady her, she would have fallen to the floor.

"Why are you hitting the child!"

Mother Sun shouted, both anxious and furious.

Sun Yi covered her face, her eyes red as she looked at her father in disbelief.

She had grown up, and this was the first time her father had ever struck her.

"I am an adult now; do I not even have the right to choose who I like?"

Sun Yi's voice trembled.

"His family may be wealthier than ours, but does that mean you have to 'sell your daughter' like this?"

"Shut up! How could I have raised a daughter like you!"

Sun Fuqian slammed his hand heavily onto the table, trembling with rage.

His rage was not merely because Hu Chengwen came from a wealthy background.

If that were all, he would not have lost his composure to such an extent.

What truly terrified him was that he vaguely knew more of the inside story; the Hu Family had a complex background, with the shadow of the Yu State authorities looming behind them.

He had hoped to use Sun Yi to establish a connection with the Hu Family, but now, not only had that hope vanished, he might have offended them in the process.

If the Hu Family grew dissatisfied and wanted to bankrupt his family, it would be as easy as turning over a hand.

"I don't care what method you use,"

Sun Fuqian pointed at Sun Yi, his tone cold and resolute.

"You must obtain Hu Long's forgiveness. Otherwise, I will act as if I never had a daughter like you!"

At night, the streetlights cast a soft glow.

A figure approached from afar along the residential complex's track, jogging at a steady pace.

Sweat slid down from his forehead, soaking his black T-shirt and causing it to cling to his body, faintly outlining his well-proportioned and sturdy muscle definition.

This person was none other than Hu Long.

Although the complex had few buildings, it covered a vast area, with one side featuring an exclusive hundred-acre tea plantation and orchard for the residents' enjoyment.

While there were few residents, making it somewhat quiet, it was just right for Hu Long.

This emptiness was perfect for him to exercise in peace.

Feeling his body gradually becoming stronger, Hu Long truly understood why fitness could be addictive.

That growing sense of control and strength was indeed fascinating.

As for what happened after Sun Yi and her group left the house during the day, Hu Long was unaware.

Even if he had known, he would not have taken it to heart at this moment.

After running a few more laps, he walked slowly back to his villa.

Before he could even shower, he had just entered the house when he saw the housekeeper, Wendys, come up to greet him.

"Second Young Master, the Master has instructed that you go to the study once you return."

"Alright, I understand. I'll take a shower first."

Hu Long's gaze flickered, and he nodded.

He returned to his room to quickly rinse off, changed into dry clothes, and then followed Wendys toward the study.

A short while later.

Hu Long arrived in front of the door.

Watching Wendys's retreating figure.

Hu Long reached out and pushed the door open.

Inside the brightly lit study.

Hu Chengwen was sitting in front of the computer, working on something.

Seeing Hu Long enter.

He immediately beckoned him over.

"Come and sit. It's been a long time since we, father and son, had a chat."

Hu Chengwen said.

Hu Long felt a stir in his heart, unable to figure out what the man was up to.

In reality, by comparison, this was the person he least wanted to interact with in this family—his nominal father.

Although the man looked kind, he felt that his father's mind was unfathomably deep.

However, despite these thoughts, he did not reveal a hint of them on his face, nor did he say much, simply walking over to sit down.

He portrayed the sense of distance and estrangement that the original owner of the body should have felt to perfection.

"You've become quite well-behaved lately, kid."

Watching this scene, Hu Chengwen couldn't help but find it amusing.

Having said that, he paused before continuing.

"You performed very well earlier. If it were the old you, you certainly wouldn't have spoken up. It seems you've grown quite a bit."

"People grow up."

Hu Long said indifferently.

"That's true!"

Hu Chengwen looked at Hu Long deeply.

"Are you still holding a grudge against me for sending you to Morning Light Psychiatric Hospital back then?"

Before Hu Long could even open his mouth, he continued.

"I had no other choice back then.

I even had people from the main family take a look at the strange symptoms you were showing.

They all said that if the examinations came back normal, it didn't look like an ordinary illness, but rather... like you had encountered some evil spirit, or had been cursed by someone. If that were the case, there would be no solution at all.

Keeping you at home would only mean that our entire family would suffer along with you."