Fu Jingshu was a handsome man, but his cold demeanor and aloof aura always kept people at bay. However, Xing Yao couldn't see it.
This greatly diminished his intimidating presence. Furthermore, when he faced this little girl, he would unconsciously soften his tone, giving him a very gentle impression.
Xing Yao wasn't afraid of him and was even happy to converse with him. "Uncle, why are you here to be my teacher?"
Fu Jingshu had some things that were difficult to explain to a child, so he said, "Because I know you are very intelligent, and I am willing to teach intelligent children."
Xing Yao was very happy. "Am I really, very smart?"
"Of course," Fu Jingshu's voice was calm, but it carried a sense of absolute certainty that anyone hearing it would believe him.
A smile bloomed on Xing Yao's fair face. "Uncle, I'll teach you sign language."
"You know sign language?"
"Mhm!" Xing Yao extended her small hands and slowly gestured in front of her. "Actually, I didn't know it before. When I was at the orphanage, I met a boy who knew sign language. He taught me hand-in-hand, but he left later, so I learned some simple gestures."
She first gestured "I," then a heart, and finally "you."
Fu Jingshu guessed, "I love you?"
Xing Yao quickly nodded. "Uncle, you're so smart!"
Fu Jingshu seemed to recall something and a gentle smile touched the corner of his lips. He then patted the little girl's head. "Thank you, Xing Yao."
"You're welcome."
Xing Yao's fair face held an expression of docility.
About half an hour later, Shen Qingqing returned. As soon as she reached the study door, she saw Fu Jingshu and Xing Yao sitting on the sofa in the study, with him holding a book and reading.
Xing Yao was also listening attentively.
Shen Qingqing leaned against the doorframe and watched for a while. It wasn't until Fu Jingshu looked up thoughtfully and saw her standing at the door, his eyes flickering, that he said to Xing Yao, "Listen by yourself for a bit, Uncle needs to go out for a moment."
He took out his phone and opened an audiobook app. All the content from the book was already loaded, but he felt it lacked emotion, so he had been reading it himself.
Xing Yao nodded obediently. "Okay."
Fu Jingshu then turned and walked towards the door. When he reached Shen Qingqing, he extended his hand. Shen Qingqing paused for a moment, then placed her hand in his.
They walked to the corridor outside the door. Fu Jingshu released her hand and suddenly made a gesture.
Shen Qingqing tilted her head. "What does that mean?"
Fu Jingshu whispered, "I love you."
Shen Qingqing froze. Was he confessing his love?
"This gesture means 'I love you'," Fu Jingshu's eyes glinted with amusement as he gazed at Shen Qingqing's eyes, never looking away.
His eyes were very beautiful, deep and dark, yet not frightening.
Shen Qingqing glared at him. "How did you become so glib?"
She turned and left.
Fu Jingshu pondered for a moment. Had he angered her?
But upon careful reflection, it didn't seem like it. She didn't seem angry, but rather... coquettish?
...
The room door was suddenly pushed open, startling Shen Yaoyao. She saw Young Master Ye enter, and he looked a bit angry seeing Shen Yaoyao lying on the bed.
"Why are you still lying here?"
"I'm resting..."
"Get up, come and eat with me."
Hearing the word "eat" from Ye Tianbao now filled Shen Yaoyao with dread. The lingering pain from the last meal had yet to subside.
"I'll say it again, get up." Ye Tianbao said fiercely.
Shen Yaoyao had no choice but to get out of bed. She summoned her courage and tried to bargain with him. "You can let me go, but I have one condition."
"Speak."
Ye Tianbao looked at her with interest.
Shen Yaoyao took a deep breath. "I want you to marry me. If we get our marriage certificate, I'll go."
Ye Tianbao doubted his ears. He looked her up and down. "What kind of face do you have to say such a thing?"
"Why can't I say it?" Shen Yaoyao said softly. "You can do it, and I'm not afraid of anything."
Ye Tianbao chuckled, but his expression instantly changed, his smile vanishing. He raised his hand and slapped her. His strength was immense, and Shen Yaoyao couldn't withstand it. She stumbled and leaned against the cabinet.
"You hit me again..."
Before she could finish her accusation, Ye Tianbao slapped her again. Stars burst before her eyes, and then she felt herself being pulled up.
"You..."
She had barely begun when she was beaten!
Ye Tianbao showed no mercy, hitting her particularly hard. Shen Yaoyao dared not speak again or resist. She could only protect her vital areas.
By the time the beating ended, Ye Tianbao was panting heavily.
"Bitch, you think you're someone now? You want to marry me? What are you thinking? Do you think I'd want you now?"
As he spoke, he got angry again and started beating her savagely.
In the end, he was exhausted and sat on the sofa to recover for a while. Shen Yaoyao was also bruised and battered, covered in injuries.
But she still refused to back down. "Marry me, or I won't..."
Ye Tianbao was furious. He walked over, raised his foot, and kicked her in the abdomen with all his might. Shen Yaoyao let out a cry of pain.
"Bitch, dare to say another word, and I'll beat you to death!"
With his influence, he wasn't worried about being discovered or punished even if he killed her. He was completely emboldened.
Downstairs, Chen Xiang was ushered in by a servant. She asked, "Which room is Yaoyao in?"
"It's on the second floor. Please follow me."
The servant led Chen Xiang upstairs. As they reached the staircase, they heard faint sounds, seemingly of moans, wails, and curses.
The sounds seemed somewhat familiar.
Chen Xiang couldn't help but ask, "Besides Yaoyao, are there other women living upstairs?"
The servant's expression became strange. "Madam, perhaps you should wait downstairs for a while. The young master will come down once he's finished dealing with his business."
Suddenly, a scream came from the room, and Chen Xiang's face turned pale.
That sound was so much like Yaoyao's!
She pushed past the servant and ran towards the bedroom where the sound came from. The door was not tightly closed, leaving a gap wide enough for Chen Xiang to see the scene inside.
Indeed, it was Ye Tianbao beating Shen Yaoyao.
Chen Xiang couldn't stand it any longer and rushed in, grabbing Ye Tianbao. Given their vastly different physiques, her pull should have failed.
But Ye Tianbao was tired after beating her for so long, so he simply let himself fall back onto the sofa with her pull.
Chen Xiang scooped up the dazed Shen Yaoyao from the floor. Her face was covered in blood, which was a shocking sight. She glared fiercely at Ye Tianbao, told the servant to help her carry Shen Yaoyao onto her back, and left without looking back.