Chapter Twenty-Three: Resolving Everything One by One

Yet at this moment, Shi Yurou had none of her usual domineering demeanor; instead, she appeared remarkably gentle, almost delicate and dependent. She nestled lightly in Yan Yuanqing’s arms, allowing him to tend to the injuries on her face without protest.

“Will it leave a scar? If it does, I’ll become so ugly. Would you still want me then?” Shi Yurou suddenly asked, her voice tinged with anxiety. As a woman, she naturally cared deeply about her appearance.

Yan Yuanqing was momentarily taken aback, but then smiled softly, his expression tender. He reached out and gently pinched the tip of Shi Yurou’s nose, his gesture full of affection.

“How could that happen? With my care, there’s no way a scar will remain on your face. And since you are my wife, no matter how you change, I will never betray you nor abandon you.”

“Although you used to be cold and distant toward me, sometimes even harsh, I’ve always understood in my heart that it was for my own good—you wanted to spur me on, to help me improve. It was out of love and frustration.”

Yan Yuanqing’s tone was calm, almost understated, but to Shi Yurou’s ears, his words struck her heart like the swinging of a pendulum, each impact making her heart tremble softly.

For the first time, Shi Yurou found herself experiencing a feeling she had never known before—a sensation called being moved, stirred at the sight of Yan Yuanqing.

“I’m glad you understand,” Shi Yurou whispered, her voice like a gentle murmur beside his ear. Then she slowly closed her eyes.

When Yan Yuanqing finished tending to her wounds, he realized Shi Yurou had already fallen asleep. He gazed at her lovingly, suppressing the urge to kiss her smooth forehead, and quietly left for the study.

The next morning, the breakfast that had always been delivered punctually was absent from the dining table. Even the food supplies in the kitchen had not been replenished. A cold smile gradually appeared on Yan Yuanqing’s face.

“So, those people still haven’t given up,” he murmured. “It’s true—helping the medical hall gain a reputation hasn’t brought them any personal benefit or reward.”

Yan Yuanqing understood that this was retaliation from the Shi family members against him and Shi Yurou. It was much like renting a place and having the landlord cut off water and power—a sickening feeling.

However, when Shi Yurou awoke, she was greeted by a table laden with delicious breakfast.

“These dishes are different from the usual ones. Hmm, the taste is different too,” Shi Yurou remarked, looking at Yan Yuanqing with curiosity.

“I made them myself. Those people must have bribed the kitchen staff, instructing them not to provide us with any food or meals.”

“From today on, I’ll take care of all your meals,” Yan Yuanqing declared with a hint of pride.

“Well, then I must thank you for your trouble,” Shi Yurou replied, her gratitude understated, but Yan Yuanqing could see a subtle change in her gaze. A woman’s feelings for a man often shift quietly, in moments just like these.

After enduring her family’s repeated schemes, and seeing Yan Yuanqing fend them off single-handedly, Shi Yurou’s perception of him had begun to change.

As Yan Yuanqing prepared to leave for the medical hall, he caught sight out of the corner of his eye of several people hiding behind a tree, seemingly gossiping about him. He walked over to them.

“Well, if it isn’t the useless son-in-law. What are you doing here? Trying to admit defeat?” one of them sneered.

“Haha, maybe if you wet yourself in public, we could call it even,” another suggested, their words crude and disrespectful.

Yan Yuanqing smiled coldly. “Do you really think these petty tricks can embarrass me? If so, your plans have already failed.”

“And, if you enjoy disgusting others, that’s your business—but don’t do it in front of me. Otherwise, I might let you experience just what those men felt yesterday.”