Chapter 24
The atmosphere fell into an awkward silence.
Of course, it was the He family who felt awkward.
Madam Mo and Mr. Mo exchanged a glance, both looking at Su Li with new appreciation.
She was beautiful—they had thought she might just be a pretty face. But clearly, she was not.
Although the Su family couldn’t compare to the Mo family, they were far from being a small, insignificant household. The daughter they had raised carried herself well in public.
He Shuming could no longer hold back. He glared at Su Li angrily. “Su Li, now that you’ve climbed up the social ladder, you’re putting on airs in front of me?”
“The He family’s way of raising children really isn’t impressive,” Mo Xingyuan suddenly spoke up. “Speaking to your elders like that—back in the old days, you would’ve been beaten for it.”
“You—”
“Shut up!” Mr. He barked at He Shuming. “Where are your manners?”
He Shuming gritted his teeth in anger, but there was nothing he could do.
“He’s been spoiled by us since he was young. His temper is a bit wild,” Mr. He said with an apologetic smile. “Don’t worry. When we get home, I’ll discipline him properly.”
“Mr. He, I don’t quite understand what you came here for today,” Mo Xingyuan said, crossing his legs. Like his father, he carried himself with the posture of someone in power.
Mr. He glanced at Su Li and cleared his throat. “We came today sincerely hoping that, for the sake of our ancestors being relatives, you could show some mercy and give us a way out.”
Mo Xingyuan looked at him indifferently. “A few words can erase everything that was done before?”
Mr. He was a businessman after all—he wasn’t foolish.
Originally, he had planned to play the family card and ask them to spare the He family. But now it seemed that approach wouldn’t work.
“Idiot! Hurry up and apologize to Su— to your aunt!” Mr. He scolded He Shuming.
He Shuming’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“What are you standing there for?” Mr. He smacked him on the head and leaned close to hiss through clenched teeth, “If you don’t behave, don’t expect a single cent from me in the future!”
He Shuming felt utterly humiliated.
Especially being humiliated like this in front of Mo Xingyuan and Su Li. He burned with anger, but he could only grit his teeth and endure it.
“Sorry.” His tone was full of resentment.
Mo Xingyuan’s gaze remained calm.
Su Li lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers.
Mr. He turned to look at Mr. and Madam Mo, who had not spoken a word the entire time.
They were still silent.
Clearly, they were not satisfied with such an apology.
“Louder,” Mr. He said, slapping He Shuming again. “Address her properly!”
He Shuming clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes reddening.
He stared viciously at Su Li, his voice hoarse with anger and unwillingness. “Aunt, I’m sorry!”
Su Li felt her scalp tighten when he called her that.
This time, she had no choice but to lift her head.
Seeing the way He Shuming had been pushed to the brink, eyes bloodshot with fury, she felt a little afraid.
She was still thinking about how to respond when Mo Xingyuan’s voice rang out.
“Heh.” He let out a cold laugh. “If you’re that unwilling, forget it.”
He Shuming glared fiercely at Mo Xingyuan.
Mo Xingyuan remained completely unmoved, his deep eyes locking steadily onto him.
The silent battle between their gazes dragged on—until He Shuming was the first to look away.
“Enough.” Mr. Mo finally spoke. “When it comes down to it, we’re relatives. The child knows he was wrong. As elders, we’ve already reprimanded him—let that be the end of it.”
He Shuming’s expression never once improved.
“Yes, yes, of course.” Seeing that Mr. Mo had offered a way out, Mr. He quickly nodded in agreement. “Xingyuan and his wife are magnanimous people. Please don’t lower yourselves to the level of this fool. We’re all family—let’s not damage the harmony.”
Mo Xingyuan’s tone remained cool. “It’s obvious the He family treasures Young Master He very much. But if he doesn’t restrain his temper and isn’t properly educated, I’m afraid he’ll bring trouble to the He family again in the future. And when he provokes someone else next time, they may not be as easy to talk to as we are today.”
