Tang Guo was so infuriated by Ye Qiu's words that she felt her temper flare up. She pinched his arm and said, "You're bullying a woman, and you think you're in the right?"
"She's not my woman, so why should I let her hit me?"
"But you can't just slap a woman!"
"A woman is still a person. Aren't you all always preaching about gender equality? If a man tried to hit me, I'd fight back too," Ye Qiu responded.
Tang Guo was at a loss for words, glaring at Ye Qiu with wide eyes. "So, if I ever do something you don't like, are you going to hit me too?"
"Uh..." Ye Qiu hadn't expected Tang Guo to turn the situation back on him. He quickly waved his hands. "That kind of situation generally won't happen."
"So, it's still possible?"
"No way." Noticing Lin Bao'er's fierce gaze directed at him, Ye Qiu hurriedly put an end to the conversation. If this continued, he might end up facing everyone's wrath.
"Hmph, if you ever dare lay a hand on me, I'll cripple you with one kick!" Tang Guo declared with a triumphant smile. She had been practicing a particular move—the infamous groin kick—more and more diligently, always thinking she'd get to use it on Ye Qiu someday.
"Ye Qiu, you did well," Lin Bao'er said, patting his shoulder. Only this little troublemaker seemed to appreciate Ye Qiu's rebellious behavior.
"Just okay."
"Don't be so modest. Ye Qiu, you just said that she wasn't your woman, so you wouldn't let her hit you. But if she was your woman, would you let her hit you?" Lin Bao'er teased with a mischievous smile.
"Huh?" Ye Qiu was a bit confused. What kind of logic was that?
"Big sister Tang, you could be Ye Qiu's woman! That way, he wouldn't fight back, and you could slap him around all you want," Lin Bao'er said, clinging to Tang Guo's arm.
"I'm going to strangle you, you little brat! If you want to do that, you do it yourself. Why drag me into it?" Tang Guo shouted, pinching Lin Bao'er's chubby cheeks in frustration.
The two girls were playing around happily, a scene that only fueled the anger of Cao Xueqin and her husband even more.
"Guo Guo, Bao'er!" Shen Monong's voice rang out, stopping the two girls in their tracks. They had only been messing around to irritate Cao Xueqin, especially after finding out that she was the one trying to marry Shen Monong off to a wealthy family. However, since Shen Monong disapproved, they stopped their antics.
Shen Monong looked at the unrelenting Cao Xueqin, feeling troubled. She had always harbored resentment toward her aunt. If it weren't for her aunt stirring up trouble between the Shen and Bei families, she wouldn't have felt the need to leave home and flee from Suzhou to Beijing.
Now, her aunt had come to pressure her into attending Bei Laoye's birthday banquet, trying to use her for her own selfish purposes. She wanted to gamble Shen Monong's lifelong happiness on a deal that cost her nothing. If Shen Monong agreed to return with her, it would be tantamount to accepting her role as the Bei family's daughter-in-law, something she could never agree to.
Moreover, Cao Xueqin had initiated the conflict. Ye Qiu hitting her was unexpected, though. In her over twenty years in this world, Shen Monong had never heard of a bodyguard daring to slap someone of such high status. Even though Cao Xueqin wasn't Ye Qiu's employer, her social standing was clear. While Shen Monong felt a certain satisfaction at Ye Qiu's actions, the situation had now become incredibly complicated.
Even if her grandfather always protected her, in a situation where a family member was slapped by an outsider, he would side with Cao Xueqin. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to explain it to the Cao family. If word of this incident got out, other families in Suzhou would mock them.
"Aunt, how do you think this matter should be handled?" Shen Monong asked, feeling a deep disdain for the woman but knowing she had to maintain a calm demeanor. Smiling and flattering her was out of the question.
"Let him come over and let me slap him a few times. Then, if he apologizes, I'll forgive him," Cao Xueqin said, pointing at Ye Qiu.
"Aunt, isn't that asking a bit too much?" Shen Monong glanced at Ye Qiu and declined. For an ordinary person, this might be a solution, but she knew someone like Ye Qiu wouldn't agree.
Strangely, even though she hadn't had deep conversations with Ye Qiu, Shen Monong felt she understood him well. She could see beyond the surface, sensing his inner world. This was a proud man; you could tell from the way he had slapped Cao Xueqin without hesitation.
"What?" Cao Xueqin's voice rose sharply. "Too much? He slapped me, and I can't slap him back? That's asking too much? Shen Monong, whose side are you on?"
"Aunt, I'm not taking sides. I'm just stating the facts fairly. You started it, and he was just defending himself." As Shen Monong spoke, she realized she was indeed defending Ye Qiu.
From Shen Monong's perspective, she wanted to keep the peace. This whole situation was caused by her, and if it escalated, her grandfather would be furious. If he decided to take it out on Ye Qiu to preserve the Shen family's reputation, it would put her father, who was close to Tang Buyi, in a difficult position.
"Shen Erli, did you hear that? Is this how the Shen family treats me?" Cao Xueqin demanded, her voice full of indignation.
Shen Erli was also seething with anger. He turned to Tang Guo and said, "Miss Tang, this has gone too far. I believe your father, a successful and respectable man, understands the basics of hospitality. If you can't handle this properly, I'll have no choice but to contact your father myself."
Tang Guo stopped smiling and calmly approached Shen Erli. "Mr. Shen, you saw it yourself. Your wife was the one who initiated the conflict with my bodyguard. If my people make a mistake, it's up to me to handle it. But your wife overstepping her bounds is another matter. Besides, he was simply following my orders."
Indeed, the reason Ye Qiu had gone to escort Cao Xueqin out was because Tang Guo had told him to. If Cao Xueqin had slapped Ye Qiu, it would have been Tang Guo who would have lost face. At this moment, she had no choice but to defend Ye Qiu.
"I refuse to believe there isn't a reasonable person in the Tang family," Shen Erli retorted angrily. His face twisted with rage as he pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he found Tang Buyi's number.
"Hello, Brother Shen? What a surprise! You've got time to call me? Are you in Beijing now? If so, you must let me show you some hospitality," Tang Buyi's cheerful voice came through the phone, easing Shen Erli's anger somewhat.
"Brother Tang, I'm actually at your home with Xueqin," Shen Erli said with a bitter smile. "But… Xueqin has been wronged."
"What? What happened?"
"Someone was injured, and Xueqin suffered a great deal. Brother Tang, you must stand up for us."
"What? Outrageous! Who would dare? Who has the audacity?"
"It was the bodyguard who follows your daughter."
"Ye—uh, Brother Shen, don't worry. I'm aware of the situation, and I won't let you suffer any injustice. How about this: I'll have someone pick you and Xueqin up and take you somewhere to rest. I've got an urgent meeting now, but I'll come by this evening to offer my apologies to both of you. Oh, okay, Secretary Zheng, I'm coming. Let the board members start the discussion." Tang Buyi seemed genuinely busy and hurriedly hung up the phone.
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8