Married the Abandoned Puppy Alpha - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Settling Old Scores

On the other side, He Xinglou was in the restroom, trying to steady his emotions.

Memories of being kicked out of the old family estate surfaced before his eyes; his stomach churned uncontrollably with acid, as if he were about to vomit.

When he finally stepped out, weakly leaning against the door, he looked up and bumped right into Shi Qing.

It was unclear how long Shi Qing had been listening at the door, but he was now sizing He Xinglou up with a strange look in his eyes.

Originally, Shi Qing hadn’t intended to give him a friendly face, but after his gaze landed on He Xinglou’s abdomen, his expression softened considerably.

“You and Shi Qingze… you didn’t have a shotgun wedding, did you?”

He Xinglou: “…” It seems I’ve been misunderstood again.

“No, that’s not what I meant to say,” Shi Qing corrected himself, his expression turning serious.

“You should hurry back to the banquet hall. I don’t know what kind of madness has gripped Shi Qingze, but he’s making things difficult for the old estate’s servants, and no one can stop him.”

Going mad? Xinglou’s heart tightened.

Could it be that his rut is spiraling out of control again?

He hurried toward the banquet hall. Before even reaching the entrance, he heard Shi Qingze’s voice cold as shards of ice.

“Make your choice. Either take this money and leave of your own accord, or I will throw you out.”

The young man’s voice was chillingly low, yet the words were identical to the ones Shi Yaoran had spat at He Xinglou in a fit of rage back then.

He Xinglou pushed the heavy doors open with force: “Shi Qingze, what are you doing!”

Shi Qingze’s face was frozen in a cold mask as he looked down upon a trembling, middle-aged man bowing before him. Hearing the voice, he immediately looked up toward He Xinglou.

His expression finally cracked; his originally dark, gloomy eyes softened instantly: “Brother…”

He Xinglou quickened his pace, his voice raspy: “What are you doing? Why are you making things hard for others? Why… why would you say such things?”

Only then did a flash of panic appear on Shi Qingze’s face: “Brother, you heard that just now?”

“I don’t know the full story, but no matter what happened, you can’t use words like that to insult someone’s dignity. Shi Qingze, do you have any ideas?”

That I was treated exactly like this, in this very spot, by your father.

He Xinglou couldn’t bring himself to say the rest. He felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest, as if he couldn’t catch his breath.

Seeing things were wrong, Shi Qingze rushed forward to support him and helped him sit down: “Brother, don’t be angry. Listen to my explanation.”

Shi Qing arrived at that moment as well: “Don’t upset him; he might be pregnant!”

This sentence was like a thunderclap, instantly stunning the onlookers. Even Shi Qingze’s expression went blank for a moment as he stared dazed at He Xinglou.

Hi Xinglou… He Xinglou was so angry he had moved past temper into exhaustion. He waved his hand listlessly.

“What exactly happened?” He looked only at Shi Qingze, questioning him. “If you’re going to kick someone out, there has to be a reason.”

Shi Qingze’s expression remained grim as he answered in a deep voice: “The estate manager has been taking bribes, neglecting his duties, and illegally seizing family property. I have the evidence in hand; naturally, I must deal with it immediately.”

The people present looked at one another.

Shi Yu’s father frowned: “Does this kind of thing have to be brought up at a banquet? Couldn’t you handle it privately? Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public.”

As he spoke, he glanced at He Xinglou.

Shi Qingze gave a short, cold laugh: “Family scandals shouldn’t be aired? Which of the scandals this family has produced hasn’t made the news? Is there even a need to hide anything?”

In this family, Shi Yu was the most boisterous, with scandals appearing monthly to entertain the masses on the Star Network. Shi Yu’s father couldn’t find a word to rebut him.

The manager tried to struggle: “I… I want to see the Old Master. Master Qingze is only a candidate for the inheritance; I’m afraid he doesn’t have the authority to dispose of the estate’s staff.”

Shi Zhao said displeased: “Grandfather is resting now. How can we disturb him with such matters? And you, Shi Qingze, picking this specific time, are you looking for trouble on purpose?”

“And what if I insist on handling it today?” Shi Qingze said slowly, his light gray eyes looking like two pools of frost.

Shi Zhao snorted: “So you mean… you’re going to act first and report later? Overstepping your authority? What, just because you’re about to get married, you’re already putting on the airs of the heir?”

Seeing the situation turning sour, He Xinglou pulled on Shi Qingze’s hand: “Don’t be impulsive. It’s late today; let’s talk about whatever it is tomorrow.”

“No, Brother,” Shi Qingze whispered, looking down. “I… I can’t swallow this grievance.”

Only then did He Xinglou notice that Shi Qingze’s hands were shaking.

In the short time he had been gone, what could have happened to make Shi Qingze this angry?

Across the room, Shi Yaoran had mostly sobered up and began trying to smooth things over: “Alright, alright. The manager has worked at the estate for years; everyone has some affection for him. Why make such a scene?”

“You’re still in the mood to speak for others?” Shi Qingze took two steps closer to He Xinglou, standing by his side and gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

It was an obvious protective gesture that everyone present understood.

The manager’s eyes widened instantly: “Is it because of him? Because of two years ago—”

Xinglou froze.

Shi Qingze interrupted him immediately: “Regardless of anything else, the evidence of your crimes is solid. Do you want to settle this privately, or do you want me to call the police?”

Even though he had cut the manager off in time, He Xinglou quickly realized the truth.

The only thing involving him from two years ago was the way he had been treated poorly at the estate.

So… Shi Qingze was settling a score for him? But when did he find out about those events?

Shi Qingze looked up again, his gaze slowly scanning every face in the room.

“I have been investigating this for over half a year. Without Grandfather’s approval, how could I have the authority to thoroughly investigate the estate? I have already ordered the documents to be sent over. Of course… since there are records of the manager taking bribes, there will naturally be records of certain people giving bribes and playing their own little games.”

“The position of estate manager is extremely important; it concerns Grandfather’s safety and must be handled immediately. As for the rest, I have no time to pursue them today.”

At these words, the expressions of everyone present shifted.

In the dead silence, Shi Qing who had been standing aside with arms crossed—suddenly coughed twice and shot a look at Shi Zhao.

Shi Qingze had made it very clear: he was determined to get rid of the manager today and wouldn’t touch anything else. But if anyone blocked him, don’t blame him for tearing off the mask and exposing every shady deal they had.

The estate manager was very shrewd; which member of the Shi family who entered or exited this place hadn’t “greased his palms”? Over time, the manager had become the “white glove” used to handle various unsavory tasks.

Everyone had some dirt on them. If it were truly exposed and the media caught wind of it, their claim to the inheritance would be in serious jeopardy.

Anyway, it was just a manager; once he was gone, someone else could fill the spot. It was just…

Shi Zhao and Shi Qing exchanged a look, reaching a silent understanding.

Since the manager was destined to be disposed of today, they would have to take over the aftermath to prevent him from talking once he left.

Clearly, the others thought so too. Shi Yaoran hurried to say: “Fine, fine. It’s late. Manager, once you leave the estate, you can come to my place. I’m not as cold-blooded as Qingze.”

Shi Yu’s father interrupted: “It’s better if I take charge. My place is close to the estate; the manager can still come back to visit the Old Master.”

Even the slowest person had caught on by now. Several factions immediately began talking over each other, devolving into an argument.

In contrast, the manager standing in the center showed none of the joy of a popular “recruit.” He looked at Shi Qingze with a face as grim as if he were at a funeral.

“Master Qingze, does it… truly have to come to this?”

When Shi Qingze was angry, perhaps because his pupils constricted, his eye color would lighten. Now, his eyes were a light gray, almost like an inorganic substance.

“Then back then, why did you have to drive someone to such an extreme?” he answered softly.

The manager’s face turned ashen; he was speechless.

“What’s all the noise about? It’s the first time I’ve seen you all so reluctant to leave after dinner. Are you planning to stay overnight at the estate?”

An aged voice came from behind the screen in the banquet hall.

Everyone straightened up and hurried to greet him.

“Oh, Grandfather, we woke you up after all. It’s just that Shi Qingze suddenly went mad and insisted on throwing the manager out!” Shi Yu was the first to lodge a complaint.

The Old Master glanced sideways at him, not bothering to acknowledge him.

Then the Old Master looked at Shi Qingze and beckoned: “Qingze, Old Zhang, both of you come here.”

The manager, like a drowning man catching a straw, scrambled to follow.

Shi Qingze hesitated, looking uneasily at He Xinglou, worried that if he left him alone, others would bully him again.

Shi Qing took the initiative: “Go on. We aren’t so low as to pick on a pregnant Omega.”

He put the matter out in the open; even if someone wanted to make things hard for He Xinglou, they had to drop the idea now.

Only then did Shi Qingze nod and leave the banquet hall.

It wasn’t until Shi Qingze’s silhouette disappeared that Shi Yu breathed a sigh of relief and began to bluster: “Talking privately? And telling us to leave? Could the old man have already privately decided that the kid is the heir?”

Shi Zhao was equally indignant: “Since the rules for deciding the heir were announced, there’s no such thing as a private appointment. If the Old Master is biased, I’ll be the first to protest.”

“Quiet down, can’t you see there’s still someone here?”

He Xinglou sat quietly with his eyes downcast, ignoring all the gazes directed at him.

This matter had come up suddenly. Although he guessed Shi Qingze was standing up for him, regardless, this was the Shi family’s private business; there was no room for him to say a word.

Moreover, that incident happened two years ago. What was the point of pursuing something so far in the past?

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Uncomfortable?” Shi Qing sat down beside him.

He Xinglou felt this person was being strangely attentive, so he answered guardedly: “No. I’m fine.”

Shi Qing was delicate-looking, but his eyes were exceptionally tired, betraying a bit of his age. Perhaps to hide dark circles, He Xinglou could see obvious dry lines in the concealer under his eyes even across the tea table.

It seems everyone in a wealthy family has a hard life, He Xinglou thought to himself.

He saw the Omega before him stay silent for a moment before suddenly speaking: “I’ve started a Pregnant Omega Rights Protection Association.”

So he’s just advertising his foundation! He Xinglou really wanted to turn and walk away.

Just then, Shi Qingze walked quickly out of the inner chamber, not sparing a single glance for the despondent manager behind him.

How the Old Master had decided the matter was obvious just by looking at their faces.

“Brother.” Shi Qingze walked directly to He Xinglou’s side, knelt on one knee, and gently took his hand. “I’ve kept you waiting. Let’s go home.”

He Xinglou pursed his lips and asked: “Are you alright?”

Shi Qingze’s eyes were light; he curled his lips into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes at all: “I’m fine.”

It was just as perfunctory as He Xinglou’s answer to Shi Qing.

Which meant he was not fine at all.

“Then let’s go.” He Xinglou said no more and stood up.

The two of them walked out the door under the multicolored gazes of the crowd.

Shi Qingze hadn’t drunk tonight and refused to let the estate’s driver take them, sitting in the driver’s seat himself without room for argument.

He was in a stubborn mood now; He Xinglou naturally wouldn’t clash with him and sat obediently in the passenger seat.

“Calm down. If we go by Shi Qing’s theory, a car accident would cost two lives at once.”

This nonsensical sentence instantly made the grim-faced Shi Qingze laugh. He had no choice but to cover his forehead with his hand.

“Driving with one hand is also against safety regulations,” He Xinglou reminded him.

Shi Qingze quickly put his hand back down.

The clouds of the Capital Star drifted past the car window. Xinglou turned his head to look outside, seeing strange celestial bodies slowly rotating in the night sky. Whether they were stars or planets, their orbits and rotations were entirely different from Earth’s.

He didn’t know if it was because of the different way of keeping time, but even though only two years had passed, the time when he first met Shi Qingze felt as distant as a past life.

He didn’t even need to turn his head to know that Shi Qingze had something to say; he was just waiting for the right moment or organizing his words.

He Xinglou waited patiently.