Volume One, Chapter 8: You Couldn’t Bear Being Lonely for Even That Long?

Shen Chiyan narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the sofa armrest. "Oh? And how exactly did you hit her?"

"I punched her, pinched her soft flesh, and kicked her in the stomach and thighs," one maid replied.

Seeing that Shen Chiyan did not seem angry, the other servants immediately chimed in, eager to boast.

"Sir, last night when Song Qinian refused to eat, it was I who held her down and forced it into her mouth."

"Me too, me too! I held her shoulders down and used my knee to dig into her waist."

"Me! Me! I was the one who stuffed the longans and red dates into her mouth!"

The servants were oblivious to the gravity of the situation. They assumed that the more they had bullied Song Qinian, the greater their reward would be, and they only regretted not having abused her more the previous day.

Shen Chiyan raised a hand slightly, and the servants fell silent at once, looking at him with eager, expectant gazes.

Then, Shen Chiyan suddenly smiled.

He rarely smiled, and when he did, he was devastatingly charming—a look that could captivate anyone, regardless of age or gender. Some of the maids were still nursing fantasies of becoming Mrs. Shen when they heard him say, "Very good. You have all done a wonderful job."

"Sir, it was only our duty. If it weren't for—"

Shen Chiyan had no desire to hear their drivel. He turned his head and shot a glance at Gao Kunlun.

Gao Kunlun, who had been seething with rage ever since hearing the servants' accounts, stepped forward immediately and forcibly dislocated both of the plump maid’s arms.

"Ah!"

A pig-like shriek echoed through the cavernous living room. The other servants were terrified by the sight; their legs turned to jelly, and as Shen Chiyan stood up, they scrambled backward in fear.

What was going on? Wasn't he supposed to be giving them rewards?

Shen Chiyan’s cold, sharp eyes swept over them one by one, his voice so icy it made their teeth chatter.

"No matter how little I care for Song Qinian, she is still my wife. Even a dog must be judged by its owner—who do you think you are to lay a finger on her?"

In the business world, Shen Chiyan was known as the "Yama King," a man of ruthless, decisive action. In his private life, however, he was merely aloof and rarely gave his servants a hard time. But he had never imagined that these people would be so bold as to abuse Song Qinian right inside his own home!

"Sir, we were wrong! We will never do it again!"

Watching the servants kneeling and begging for mercy, Shen Chiyan sneered. "Since you dared to touch someone of mine, you should have been prepared to pay the price. Gao Kunlun, they are yours. Don't dirty this place."

...

Song Qinian had been lying in the hospital for three full days. When she first woke up, she had thought she was dead, only to learn later that it was Shen Chiyan who had sent her to the hospital.

Yet, throughout those three days of hospitalization, Shen Chiyan had not visited even once, as if she were non-existent.

Song Qinian wondered more than once: if she had just died then, would Shen Chiyan hate her a little less? Would he be a little happier?

The doctors and nurses had asked her several times if she needed them to call the police. Touched, Song Qinian had smiled and refused, repeatedly insisting that her injuries were not the result of domestic violence.

Song Qinian was beautiful and lovely, with a gentle and obedient personality. When she smiled, it melted everyone’s hearts, and everyone grew fond of her. Many of the male doctors couldn't help but wear doting expressions whenever they saw her smile.

Who could resist such a sweet girl?

News of Song Qinian’s injury and hospitalization eventually reached the ears of the old matriarch of the Shen family. She gave Shen Chiyan a severe tongue-lashing and ordered him to bring Song Qinian home that night.

In this world, everyone had to answer to Shen Chiyan, but there was one person to whom Shen Chiyan himself had to answer: the old matriarch.

Knowing he could not escape this, Shen Chiyan went to the hospital.

Before he even entered the room, he saw a male doctor telling a joke inside. Song Qinian’s bright, dark fawn-like eyes were fixed intently on him, and she was laughing with genuine joy.

Shen Chiyan’s handsome face darkened instantly, and a chilling aura erupted from him.

Inside the room, Song Qinian seemed to sense the sudden cold, angry draft. Her body trembled involuntarily, and her heartbeat skipped a rhythm. She looked toward the door instinctively but saw no one. She lowered her gaze, hiding the sadness in her eyes.

When she was first admitted, Shen Chiyan hadn't visited. Now that she was nearly recovered, it was even less likely that he would.

"Hey, why are you unhappy again? Given your condition, you must keep your spirits up while maintaining proper nutrition; otherwise, suppressed emotions will only make you feel worse."

"That’s right, Miss Song. You have such a beautiful, healing smile. You really should smile more. Seeing your smile gives us energy, no matter how tired we are."

There was more than just a male doctor in the room; there was also a nurse, though she was standing in a corner obscured from the doorway.

During her stay, everyone learned that Song Qinian was mute. Since no one came to visit her, the staff, charmed by her beauty and her gentle, kind nature, had taken it upon themselves to look after her.

Song Qinian used gestures to express her gratitude.

Not long after, Gao Kunlun arrived to discharge her. As she left, the staff were reluctant to see her go. Fearing she might be bullied again, they repeatedly urged her not to suffer in silence, reminding her that as a modern woman, she shouldn't endure abuse—there were plenty of good men in the world.

"Leave this one, and the next one will be even better."

Song Qinian thought to herself that it was fortunate Shen Chiyan hadn't arrived yet; she couldn't imagine his reaction if he had heard that.

The car was parked at the hospital entrance. Gao Kunlun opened the back door. As soon as Song Qinian climbed in, she saw Shen Chiyan’s cold, rigid profile and his thin, tightly pressed lips.

Song Qinian’s breath hitched, and her body stiffened.

Shen Chiyan... why had he come to pick her up?

Gao Kunlun closed the door. At the sound of the latch, her heart trembled violently. She suddenly felt the space grow cramped and the air grow thin.

The car pulled away slowly. Seeing that Shen Chiyan was reading documents and hadn't even spared her a glance, she didn't dare disturb him and quietly made herself invisible.

The car was so silent one could hear a pin drop. When Shen Chiyan noticed Song Qinian wasn't making a sound, his inner rage flared even hotter.

His deep, icy voice, laced with ruthless mockery, cut through the silence. "A mute who can’t even speak, yet you’re quite good at seducing men. Can’t you stand being lonely for even a moment?"

Song Qinian looked at him sharply. Was he talking to her?

She was indeed a mute, but when had she ever seduced anyone? When had she ever been unable to stand the loneliness?

Noticing that Song Qinian was staring at him without making any attempt to gesture an explanation, Shen Chiyan slammed his file shut with his slender, elegant fingers and turned to look at her coldly.

In the fawn-like eyes that were fixed on him, there was only confusion and bewilderment, as if she didn't understand what he was saying.

Song Qinian was pure and beautiful, with red lips and white teeth. Her face didn't have the sharp chin currently in fashion, but rather a slight, soft roundness. This harmless, adorable appearance indeed had the power to bewilder others and evoke pity.

No wonder the male staff at the hospital were all wrapped around her finger!

"Song Qinian, get this straight: even though I married you against my will and I don't love you, as long as you are my wife, you will behave yourself. If I ever find out you’ve cheated on me—or even if you just have the thought—I will make you regret the day you were born!"