On the way home, Shen Youlin maintained his aloof, Siberian wolf-like demeanor in public, but as soon as he got into the car, he reverted to his playful, clingy self, snuggling up to Yu Shu and whining, "How did I look when I made my entrance? Did I have that 'Celebrity in Troubled Times' BGM vibe going on? Was my cold smirk intense enough to seem alluring and untamed?"
"You looked stunning and intense," Yu Shu eagerly nodded.
Unsatisfied, Shen Youlin pouted, "You're just humoring me!"
"No, I'm being self-reflective."
"Huh?"
Yu Shu pinched his slightly rounder cheeks. "I was thinking of changing your selfish attitude where you never want to be at a disadvantage, but then I realized I'm no better. Xiao Yu was there, and I dared to act so carelessly in front of her."
If Bai Xuan'an hadn't intervened in time, she dared not think of the consequences.
As she tugged at his cheeks, Shen Youlin said, "That's right, we can't let things get us down or swallow our grievances – it's bad for our health. Girls like you are prone to issues like breast lumps."
As he spoke, his hands started wandering. "Let me examine you."
Yu Shu swatted his hand away, casting a glance at the driver. "Keep your urges in check."
Shen Youlin pursed his lips. "He won't dare look."
Yu Shu didn't entertain his antics and sighed deeply. "In the past, I had to swallow insults because I lacked money and power and feared offending others. If I still acted that way now, I'd be utterly miserable."
"Exactly. Why are people so greedy for wealth and power? Isn't it to avoid mistreatment and humiliation?"
Buying a house to avoid landlord harassment. Buying a car to avoid sun exposure, rain, and crowded public transport. Getting promoted to avoid colleagues' oppression. Earning more to avoid disdainful looks...
Most people crave money, power, and status to retaliate against those who mistreat them instead of having to endure insults for various reasons.
Shen Youlin said, "My principle is simple: I won't bother anyone who doesn't bother me, but if someone crosses me, I'll give them a taste of their own medicine. If they cross me again, I'll eliminate them entirely."
Yu Shu leaned in and kissed him. "You're right, I apologize for my double standards."
Shen Youlin caressed his cheek. "I accept, but your apology lacks sincerity."
Yu Shu gave him a sidelong glance. "We'll continue this at home."
To Shen Youlin, that glance exuded infinite charm and allure.
At the hospital, their bodyguard informed them that the two girls had consumed spiked drinks but were fortunately brought in on time with no major issues. Luckily, Xiao Yu was quick-witted, refusing to drink a single drop and escaping to find Yu Shu.
Recalling the recent events, Yu Shu couldn't help but wonder about her extraordinary luck: Had her fortunes become so great that they affected those around her?
In the next room, she overheard Wang Yan's parents arguing and blaming each other, occasionally insulting their daughter with words like "shameless" and "despicable wretch." The other girl's family tried to intervene, but to no avail.
Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Yu Shu had no desire to meddle in others' affairs, so she entered Xiao Yu's room.
Xiao Yu, who had been happily chatting with Lin Fangyu, immediately put on a forlorn expression upon seeing Yu Shu and Shen Youlin. "Sister... Brother-in-law..." she sobbed.
Her mood shift was so sudden that Yu Shu almost suspected her of sharing some blood relation with Shen Youlin.
Lin Fangyu stood up. "I'll get going then."
"I'll have someone escort you."
Just as Yu Shu finished speaking, Bai Xuan'an returned with a stack of test results and medical instructions. He handed them to Yu Shu and explained Xiao Yu's condition and treatment plan in detail, relaying the doctor's advice. "Since it involved a bone injury, the doctor recommended a week of in-patient observation..."
His speech was clear, unhurried, and his deep, magnetic voice was truly pleasing to the ear. Lin Fangyu stood behind him, gazing at him with admiration and affection.
After addressing Yu Shu, Bai Xuan'an turned to Lin Fangyu and immediately started stammering. "G-go... go home?"
Lin Fangyu's expression fell even faster than Xiao Yu's earlier. "Oh."
Yu Shu covered her face, realizing the root of their issues.
"You two should talk it out," she told them with a complicated expression. "One has pre-wedding jitters, the other stutters – you should help each other out."
Bai Xuan'an scratched his head awkwardly, while Lin Fangyu, embarrassed, gave Yu Shu a slap on the arm. Shen Youlin quickly pulled Yu Shu into his embrace, tenderly rubbing her arm.
After seeing off Bai Xuan'an and Lin Fangyu, Yu Shu fixed a cold stare on Xiao Yu. Before she could speak, Xiao Yu began reflecting on her behavior. "I was wrong! I really messed up! I won't be greedy and sneak out for midnight snacks anymore! I'll cut ties with Wang Yan – we're no longer friends!"
Yu Shu rubbed her temples in frustration – those were indeed Xiao Yu's only misdeeds, and understandable ones at that.
"As long as you realize your mistakes, this incident is over. I'll call your aunt and uncle to come and keep you company."
"Ah..." Xiao Yu's expression fell further. "Can't you not tell them? They'll scold me again..."
"No, that's not possible. You need to stay in the hospital for a week – how can I not inform them?" Yu Shu took out her phone and dialed her aunt's number.
Xiao Yu pitifully turned to Shen Youlin for help. "Brother-in-law... save me..."
"Your sister is the head of the household. At most, I can put in a good word with your parents on your behalf."
Xiao Yu's aunt and uncle had assumed she was asleep in her room and only learned she had snuck out for midnight snacks and ended up injured in the hospital after receiving Yu Shu's call. They immediately rushed to the hospital.
With Yu Shu and Shen Youlin's persuasion and Xiao Yu's sincere apology, her aunt and uncle didn't scold her too harshly, letting the incident slide. They were more heartbroken to see her in such a state.
This little girl had always been healthy, rarely even catching a cold, let alone being hospitalized. Apart from preventive vaccinations, she had hardly received any injections until now. This time, she had truly suffered.
As Yu Shu and Shen Youlin left the hospital, Wang Yan's parents were still arguing, having moved their quarrel from the room to the hallway, bickering over who would pay the medical expenses.
Upon noticing Yu Shu and Shen Youlin's bodyguards had brought Wang Yan to the hospital, they glared at the couple with resentment and sat down in the hallway, blocking their path.
"You brought my daughter here, but we can't afford this! You have to take responsibility!"
"That's right! After consuming that drug and being sent here, my daughter's reputation is ruined. You have to compensate us!"
