Chapter 618: I Fear Pain More Than Losing Face
Chapter 618: I Fear Pain More Than Losing Face
Under Hou Yunjiao's gaze, Qin Ruan couldn't sit still.
Seeing him, scenes of the provocative moments that had made her blush and her heart race flashed through her mind.
Her discomfort was all captured by Huo Yunjiao.
He curled his lips into a charming smile and said softly, "Hou Qiang is waiting for me in the study. I'll go there first."
"Okay!" Qin Ruan immediately replied.
She seemed eager for him to leave quickly.
Hou Yunjiao couldn't help but chuckle at her response.
This girl seemed to have no idea how to hold back; she treated him like a ferocious beast.
Qin Ruan, however, only realized the inappropriateness of her tone after he had left.
She lowered her gaze, fixated on the carpet in front of her, no longer saying anything.
Hou Yunjiao didn't make things difficult for her either. He turned and left, going to meet Hou Qiang in the study.
After he left, Qin Ruan relaxed her body and leaned against the bed, feeling her heart in turmoil.
In just a few hours, something seemed to have changed between them.
They were no longer like before, where they were friends and mentors to each other; there was now a hint of ambiguous entanglement.
Qin Ruan covered her chest, trying to calm her restless heart.
Who would have thought that the aloof and noble Third Young Master Hou would bow his head and submit to her?
Qin Ruan closed her eyes slowly, trying to push away the messy thoughts from her mind.
In the short term, she might find it difficult to handle her interactions with the Hou Yunjiao. She needed to find something to do.
It wasn't about avoiding him but about letting things take their natural course.
They would be together for a lifetime, and time would gradually smooth everything out.
One day, she would be able to handle their interactions with ease, just like today.
Study Room
Huo Yunjiao entered the study, and Hou Qiang had been waiting inside for a while.
Hou Qiang respectfully looked at the man who walked in with a steady and composed pace, and called out, "Master."
Hou Yunjiao glanced at him briefly and continued to walk into the room.
"How did Ninth Uncle respond?" Hou Yunjiao asked.
Hou Qiang replied, "Ninth Uncle said he will personally come to visit you tomorrow and asked me to bring back a jar of his favorite tea. He said he has been accustomed to this tea for so many years, and he's afraid other teas won't suit his taste."
Huo Yunjiao sat down at the table and reached out to touch the delicate tea jar on it. He pursed his lips unhappily and said, "Ninth Uncle seems determined not to let Ruan Ruan get involved in the Punishment Hall."
"What about not suiting his taste? It's clear he doesn't want anyone else to interfere with the Punishment Hall."
For many years, the Punishment Hall had been under the control of the head of the family, and it had been the system for hundreds of years.
Hou Qiang's expression slightly changed, but he didn't speak.
Ninth Uncle's words had a hidden meaning. What kind of tea could one drink for a lifetime?
He was obviously telling Third Young Master that the Punishment Hall had been under the control of the head of the family for so many years. Even when it came to the Third Young Master, there should be no exception.
Hou Yunjiao's slender fingertips lightly slid on the tea jar.
After a while, he raised his eyes and asked Hou Qiang, "On which day is your public execution in the Punishment Hall?"
Hou Qiang's gaze flickered slightly. "In seven days."
Hou Yunjiao chuckled lightly and pushed the tea jar forward, no longer bothering to look at it.
His handsome and elegant face wore a smile, appearing gentle and benevolent.
His words, however, were filled with a cool and unyielding authority.
"These two days, visit all the elders and invite them to attend your public execution. Those who don't come can enjoy their retirement in the future."
Hou Qiang blinked his eyes. "What does Master mean?"
He seemed to understand something but wasn't entirely sure.
Hou Yunjiao's dark, inky eyes glanced at Hou Qiang. "Let elder brother create a spectacle for you, and your mistress should have the opportunity to take over the Punishment Hall properly. In ten years, your little master won't be able to handle it on his own. Your mistress needs to be capable enough to protect them."
"Master!"
Hou Qiang's eyes widened, and his ordinary facial features showed a hint of anger.
Hou Yunjiao waved his hand, "I know you don't like hearing these things, but it's the truth. If I don't pave the way for them, they will be bullied in the future."
He used "you" in a respectful manner, as Hou Qiang was an elder who had accompanied the three generations of the Hou family in power.
The group of elders in the Hou family was full of people who relied on their seniority and loved to meddle in the family's affairs.
Hou Yunjiao believed that Qin Ruan wanted to gain acceptance from them, and the sooner she got involved in the Huo family's affairs, the better.
Hou Qiang clenched his fists, showing some emotions. "I will inform them one by one. Master, you don't need to be so pessimistic. Madam cares deeply for you, and she won't let anything happen to you."
In his eyes, if the Madam could deal with the ghost Master, she would surely find a way to save the Third Young Master.
Hou Yunjiao smiled faintly without saying anything.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Qin Ruan, but he didn't trust his own body.
For nearly thirty years, his life had been on a countdown.
Qin Ruan was skilled in metaphysics, but how could she have the ability to change fate?
Hou Yunjiao rubbed his temples. "Go on and make the invitations, and make them festive. Let those old guys know that there's a lady in the Hou family."
"Yes!"
Hou Qiang stepped back two steps and left the study.
Before leaving, he looked at Hou Yunjiao, who was sitting at the desk, with a worried look in his eyes.
The study door was gently closed after Hou Qiang left.
In the spacious study, only Hou Yunjiao remained seated.
He reached out and picked up the phone on the table, dialing a number skillfully.
"Third Brother?"
The call was connected, and a familiar voice came from the receiver.
Hou Yunjiao tapped his foot on the ground, and the chair beneath him rotated.
He faced the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the night scenery outside, and his voice was slightly deep, "It's me."
"Why are you calling me at this hour? What's up?"
Indeed, they were brothers. His second brother guessed it right away.
Hou Yunjiao's lips curved into a faint arc, and his voice sounded teasing, "Second Brother, in seven days, you will have a public execution in the Punishment Hall."
"...You called me just to tell me this?"
Hou Yirong's tone changed, sounding a little aggrieved.
Hou Yunjiao seemed not to notice his grievances and smiled, "That day, I invited all the elders of the Hou family to watch."
"No!" Hou Yirong exploded, "Third Brother, do you think I'm not embarrassed enough? Do you want me to be humiliated in front of everyone?"
Hou Yunjiao seemed to have not detected his brother's grievances and smiled, "Second Brother, I want to ask for a fee from them to let them watch."
Hou Yirong fell silent for a moment and then raised his voice slightly, "Has Third Sister-in-law agreed to take over the Punishment Hall?"
"Not yet."
"Then why are you playing this trick?"
Hou Yunjiao's expression softened, "I will make sure that Ruan Ruan handles it personally on that day. You can bear with it for now, Second Brother."
Hou Yirong didn't mind if Qin Ruan personally handled it on that day. His concern was about something else.
"Then, according to our previous agreement, you have to secretly give me some leniency, right?"
Knowing that he had agreed, Hou Yunjiao's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Second Brother, are you worried about her accuracy? Don't worry, Ruan Ruan can handle the whip."
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