049 Bit by Bit, Adding Insult to Injury

Si Qingchen's art of kicking someone when they're down was executed with remarkable finesse. He grasped Elder Mu’s weakness and tightened his grip, little by little, until the desired effect was achieved. At once, the change was apparent. The old man’s instinct to shield his own was utterly shattered, ground into dust—this time, the matter could not be brushed aside or muddled through as before.

Though Si Qingchen advanced his position with calculated caution, one could hardly accuse him of underhandedness. After all, his intentions were laid bare upon the table—frank, unapologetic, and in plain view. Yet despite this transparency, whether others could see through him depended solely on their own discernment.

At that moment, after Si Qingchen had spoken of the “interesting thing,” he did not reveal the answer immediately. Instead, he paused, composed and unhurried, and fell silent. At his side, Mu Qingcheng kept her gaze lowered, her brows drawn as if all that unfolded had nothing to do with her. She was not the one injured, nor was she the one seeking trouble with Ran Siya. From start to finish, the girl’s demeanor was neither coy nor manipulative; she simply bowed her head obediently, kneading the wounded palm in her hand.

The ointment applied there gradually melted into the wound, bringing a cool, soothing comfort. Between the two, an unspoken understanding passed; both adopted the same stance, as if by secret agreement. This scene left everyone watching in silent surprise, their curiosity piqued—they could not help but glance at them once more.

Just then, Si Qingchen moved again. He picked up the ointment placed beside Mu Qingcheng’s knee, unscrewing the lid with deliberate care. His voice was gentle as he said,

“The doctor advised applying it several times, to prevent scarring later.”

“Scarring? How could it leave a scar?” Elder Mu, startled by the remark, glanced at his cherished granddaughter’s palm, where the bruises were plain to see. The relief he had just felt quickly vanished, anxiety surging anew. His gaze swung sharply to the side, his tone now icy and severe.

“Siya, what exactly happened? Did you tamper with that horse in some way?”

“I... I didn’t,” Ran Siya stammered, her whole body trembling at the sudden accusation. In the past, no matter what mistakes she made, Elder Mu would always turn a blind eye, at most asking a few perfunctory questions, never truly holding her accountable. Now, his abrupt change in attitude left her at a total loss, unable to react.

At that moment, Miss Ran failed to realize that the person she had crossed was no longer just the recently returned heiress of the Mu family, but also the precious treasure of a certain fiercely protective CEO—someone he had only just found after much searching. He was so eager to spoil and shield her, how could he let anyone bully her with impunity?

Moreover, today’s events had unfolded entirely before Si Qingchen’s eyes. He knew well that the little one beside him cared little for such disputes, even viewing them with a touch of disdain. Yet for him, to witness injustice and do nothing was simply unacceptable.

Taking advantage of Elder Mu’s interrogation of Ran Siya, Si Qingchen boldly took Mu Qingcheng’s hand in his own, intending to apply the ointment himself. Of course, the girl was reluctant, but he firmly grasped her small hand and drew her closer, threatening softly,

“Be good, Qingcheng. If you make a fuss, everyone will notice.”

“Let go of me! Do you think no one’s watching already?” Mu Qingcheng bit her lip, the eyes behind her glasses blazing with anger as she glared at Si Qingchen, her brows tightly knit. Yet in his eyes, her fury appeared only as the adorable defiance of a kitten.

Si Qingchen, in excellent spirits, leaned in with a sly grin, lowering his voice to a murmur: “Let them watch. I have no intention of letting you go.”

“You—” Mu Qingcheng stared at him in astonishment, her heart pounding wildly, her whole body tingling with sensation. She could only gape at him, dazed and foolish, as Si Qingchen tended to her wound. She did not even notice when he finally released her hand.

Almost at that very moment, the screech of tires sounded from outside the door. Immediately after came a man’s voice, sharp with irritation and urgency, mingled with hurried footsteps:

“I knew we shouldn’t have let Qingcheng go—look what’s happened now, trouble at last—”

Everyone in the room fell silent.