The searing pain spread across his back, Mo Chen clenched his fists, his face pale as paper.

But he was quite tough and didn’t make a sound.

"Grandfather, give me back Alei," he said hoarsely, his tone firm.

Old Master Mo sneered coldly, "Continue."

The butler nodded, and the rattan whip was raised again.

Without hesitation, it fell decisively, almost on the same spot, with no mercy in its force.

"Crack—"

Mo Chen staggered, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He lifted his head, and Mo Yu saw the blood at the corner of his mouth. A trace of heartache flickered through her eyes. She looked at the old master and pleaded, "Father, please don’t hit him anymore. I’ll make Mo Chen apologize. Please forgive him."

"Give me back Alei," Mo Chen’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Old Master Mo, his stubborn nature fully displayed in this matter.

Old Master Mo ignored him, and the butler raised the whip again.

The servants stood shivering in the corner, huddling fearfully at the sound of the rattan whip.

Mo Yu, unable to bear it, turned her head away; her clenched fists betrayed her current emotions.

"Family head."

Aqiao’s voice came from outside the door. Hearing that Mo Yuan had returned, Mo Yu’s face lit up with happiness.

She turned to look at the doorway, where the man walked in, weary from travel, against the light.

The black suit outlined his straight figure, an aura of cold sharpness enveloping him.

"Mo Yuan," Mo Yu stepped forward quickly, a gentle smile curving her lips.

Mo Yuan glanced at her indifferently, then turned to look at Mo Chen, who was half-kneeling on the ground, with his shirt torn open, revealing mottled whip marks and blood stains. His brows furrowed involuntarily.

"What happened?"

The butler, holding the rattan whip, stepped back beside Old Master Mo and remained silent.

Old Master Mo said calmly, "Mo Chen laid hands on Mo Su and dared to defy me. I was just teaching him a small lesson."

Mo Chen’s figure swayed as he stood up unsteadily and walked toward Mo Yuan with heavy steps.

His bloodstained hand grabbed Mo Yuan’s arm, begging, "Dad, help me save Alei, please beg grandfather to give Alei back to me."

Meeting his slightly red eyes, Mo Yuan’s brows were tightly locked.

Save Alei?

"Mo Yuan, don’t interfere in this matter. Alei has done something wrong and naturally must be punished," Old Master Mo said coldly.

Mo Chen turned to look at Old Master Mo, disappointment hard to conceal in his eyes, as he yearned for Ye Jiuliang even more.

Sister Jiuliang would never treat him like this; whenever others bullied him, she would protect him.

"Pfff."

He vomited blood and fell backward.

Mo Yuan reached out to support him, and Mo Chen clutched his sleeve, his voice barely audible, "I want to find Sister Ajiu."

Mo Yuan frowned, Sister Ajiu?

Who is that?

Being close by, Mo Yu also heard his words and felt a sudden tightness in her heart, stealing glances at Mo Yuan from the corner of her eye.

Seeing that he had no reaction, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Yuan gestured to Hong Li with his eyes, who then reached out to help Mo Chen.

Mo Yuan looked at Old Master Mo, his composure unaffected, "Stepfather, let it be just a lesson. Please give Alei back to Mo Chen."

His tone carried a hint of inquiry, but there was no intention to negotiate.

Old Master Mo looked at him for a moment and then relented.

"Bring Alei back."

The butler nodded respectfully, "Yes."

"Aqiao, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and call the doctor," Mo Yu, assisting Mo Chen, said urgently.

Aqiao nodded and quickly went to make the call.

Old Master Mo glanced at Mo Yuan, "Mo Yuan, come with me to the study."

After two steps, Mo Yuan looked back at Mo Chen who had fainted.

"Sister Ajiu is who?"

...

The wedding guests were all friends and family of Xiang Tian and Baona, and although the wedding wasn’t large, it was filled with warmth and happiness throughout.

The hotel where the banquet was held faced the sea, and the wind at night had become even stronger.

Ye Jiuliang looked at the down jacket on her body and her lips quivered slightly.

"..."

Was it necessary to fuss over her just because she was carrying a baby?

She reached up to take off her coat, "Li Mochan, I’m really not cold."

Li Mochan held her hand and put the coat back on her, "No, keep it on. What if you catch a cold?"

Ye Jiuliang rolled her eyes, "I’m about to faint from the heat, I’ll get heatstroke at this rate."

"Why are you two still standing here?"

Teasing words rang out behind them. Ji Mingqian, having had a few drinks with the others, came back and saw the couple still there and was speechless.

His gaze fell on the heavy clothing Ye Jiuliang was wearing, and he couldn’t help but laugh, "Ajiu, are you planning a trip to the Arctic?"

Ye Jiuliang glanced at him sideways, "If you didn’t speak, no one would think you’re mute."

As she spoke, she took off her coat and stuffed the down jacket into Li Mochan’s hands.

Ji Mingqian leaned against the wall, looking at Li Mochan with a mischievous smile, "Li Mochan, your wife isn’t made of ice, she won’t melt, you don’t have to be so delicate with her."

Li Mochan gave him a cold glance, "What would a single dog like you understand."

"Aqian, make sure the red envelope is ready for me," Ye Jiuliang said with a meaningful smile.

Ji Mingqian’s eyes widened in an innocent ’please don’t trick me’ expression, "I’ve given my share of the money, don’t try to swindle me again."

Lecturing him about red envelopes at every turn was not friendly at all.

"Come here," Ye Jiuliang beckoned to him with her finger.

"No, just say what you have to say."

Ye Jiuliang teased, "I have some news to tell you."

Ji Mingqian looked at her skeptically but eventually gave in to his curiosity and walked over slowly.

"Aren’t you planning to give a meeting gift for my baby, uncle?" Ye Jiuliang lowered her voice, smiling yet not quite smiling.

A baby?

An uncle?

Ji Mingqian had a sudden revelation and looked incredulously at Ye Jiuliang, his hand trembling as he pointed to her flat belly, "You you you..."

Before he could regain his composure, Li Mochan reached out to knock his hand aside, his voice chill, "Don’t point at my baby."

Ji Mingqian was excited and ignored the verbal sparring with Li Mochan, "Ajiu, really?"

"Don’t think you can dodge the red envelope by playing dumb," Ye Jiuliang joked.

"I’ll give it, I’ll definitely give the red envelope, and I’ll even cover the cost of the baby formula," Ji Mingqian said with a twinkle in his eye.

This was the first successor of their K organization, a coveted treasure indeed.

No wonder he saw Li Mochan beaming with joy this morning; the man was going to be a dad, no wonder indeed.

Ye Jiuliang’s lips curved up slightly, "That’s what you said, and if you don’t provide for the baby formula, all three of us will move in with you."

Ji Mingqian’s smile froze, "..."

Could he take back what he had just said?

"Do Anuo and the others know yet?"

Ye Jiuliang shook her head, "We’ll tell them when we get back."

Anyway, her belly wasn’t showing yet, and she planned to let only those close to her know to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

"Achen will be so jealous when he finds out," Ji Mingqian said gleefully.

Li Mochan wasn’t only ahead of him in getting married and receiving a certificate, but in becoming a father as well.

Chu, the eldest of their house, really was always a step behind others.