Chapter 10: The True and False Heiress

“Do you understand what you did wrong?”

A heavy whip fell sharply. Mu Jinnian knelt on the ground, letting out a muffled groan.

“I did nothing wrong.”

“You’re still being stubborn. Just to protect a girl, you used the Mu family’s influence and drew unwanted attention to us.”

“There are powerful people behind this matter.”

Whip after whip struck down.

Mu Jinnian gritted his teeth, not uttering a single cry of pain.

“Still don’t realize your mistake?”

The elder, exhausted from wielding the whip, paused to catch his breath.

“I did nothing wrong,” Mu Jinnian remained stubborn.

His head hung low, his body trembling, as if he was about to collapse at any moment.

The elder could no longer bear it and closed his eyes.

“Enough. I will handle this matter myself. In the future, think twice before you act. Always put the Mu family’s interests first.”

Mu Jinnian gave a faint hum in acknowledgment.

He collapsed, unable to hold himself up any longer.

The elder sighed helplessly and ordered someone to carry Mu Jinnian back to his room.

In the corner, Mu Yuanzhou watched the scene unfold, his eyes filled with hatred.

It seemed he cared deeply about that girl.

Last time, he was punished by their grandfather because of her complaint.

And now, because of that woman, the Mu family had made enemies.

He actually had a weak spot after all!

“The latest news from the police states that all suspects involved in the underground laboratory experiments are mentally disturbed, suffering torment in their sleep. Psychiatric experts have confirmed that they have gone insane.”

“They are reliving the horrors the victims endured in their subconscious.”

As Bai Jinwei spoke, her gaze shifted toward Hua Ying.

She paused, then sneered coldly, “I heard some have attempted suicide several times. So they are afraid after all.”

“That’s how it should be. Just letting them off easy is too kind.”

Madam Bai’s face was full of indignation.

She looked at Hua Ying with concern. “Hua Ying, do you hear that? The bad people have paid the price—they won’t hurt you anymore.”

Hua Ying quietly stuffed a green rice ball into her mouth.

Calmly, she said, “I did it.”

There was no surprise on Bai Jinwei’s face.

Deep down, she felt it was only natural.

Madam Bai, however, did not believe her. “Hua Ying, evil must be punished. How could it be you?”

“I hypnotized them.”

Hua Ying did not see this as something to hide.

“Hypnotized?” Madam Bai frowned, scrutinizing Hua Ying from head to toe.

Bai Jinwei sighed silently.

She leaned in and whispered something into Madam Bai’s ear.

Madam Bai understood, and her gaze toward Hua Ying softened with affection.

She reached out to gently stroke her head. Seeing that Hua Ying didn’t pull away, a smile spread across her lips.

“Madam, Miss, the young master of the Mu family has arrived,” the butler announced.

“No meeting,” Madam Bai’s expression turned cold.

“But he is after all from the Mu family,” Bai Jinwei hesitated.

“I don’t care who he is,” Madam Bai snorted coldly.

When she looked at Hua Ying again, her face returned to that of a loving mother.

“Hua Ying, stay away from that Mu family young master from now on.”

“Mu Jinnian?” Hua Ying finally reacted.

She shook her head resolutely. “No.”

Those two words struck a chord in Madam Bai’s heart.

She looked pleadingly at Bai Jinwei.

Bai Jinwei was helpless but stepped forward. “Hua Ying, he took you to the black market and left you there. He will only bring you danger. It’s better to stay away.”

“I asked him to take me; it’s not his fault.”

Hua Ying stood up and called the butler over. “Let him in.”

The butler glanced awkwardly at Madam Bai.

“I want to see him,” Hua Ying said, a hint of anger in her voice.

“Hua Ying,” Madam Bai’s expression grew serious.

She took a deep breath and asked, “Do you like him?”

Before Hua Ying could answer, she hurriedly added, “Hua Ying, you’re still young and don’t understand romantic feelings. You should focus on other things for now.”

“And weren’t you planning to get engaged to Gu Mingxu? I can ask him to keep you company if you want.”

Compared to Mu Jinnian, she trusted Gu Mingxu more.

Though it was a bit unfair to Bai Jinwei.

None of these words reached Hua Ying’s ears.

She only felt noise and confusion.

She couldn’t understand any of it.

“Let him in,” she ordered impatiently.

Bai Jinwei stopped Madam Bai and gave the butler a look.

Mu Jinnian was soon brought inside.

His face was pale, and he could barely stand.

He seemed about to collapse at any moment.

“What’s wrong with you?” Hua Ying hurried over.

Mu Jinnian shook his head with difficulty, urgently asking, “Are you alright?”

“Come to my room,” Hua Ying said, leading him away.

Madam Bai naturally could not accept this and was about to follow, but Bai Jinwei stopped her.

“Let her go.”

“But I’m so worried she’ll be deceived,” Madam Bai’s eyes reddened.

“She’s not that fragile,” Bai Jinwei said, looking toward the room.

After a moment’s thought, she added, “We only need to support her decisions and be there as a safety net.”

“But the psychiatrist said she’s been traumatized for a long time and her mind isn’t stable. I…”

Madam Bai couldn’t fully let go of her worries.

“Maybe she’s not unstable. Maybe she’s just...”

Bai Jinwei didn’t finish the sentence, withdrawing her gaze.

“Mother, I’ll take good care of my sister. Please don’t worry.”

She lived in her own world.

In that world, she was capable of protecting herself.

Madam Bai sighed and left.

Mu Jinnian kept his head bowed, following behind Hua Ying, feeling like a bruised eggplant.

Waiting for the final judgment.

“I’m sorry,” Mu Jinnian apologized.

When no response came, he looked up at Hua Ying.

But was startled by her sudden move.

She lunged at him, clawing at his clothes wildly.

He panicked and tried to stop her, but she grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t move,” Hua Ying growled unhappily.

“No, what are you doing?” Mu Jinnian struggled weakly, but it was useless.

His shirt was roughly torn open, revealing a strong chest.

Heat flushed his cheeks, even his ears turned bright red.

He bit his lip and struggled harder.

But his strength was no match for Hua Ying.

“Don’t make me angry.”

She glanced up at him, her tone suddenly softening a little.

Mu Jinnian gave up and closed his eyes.

If he couldn’t resist, then so be it.

But he didn’t expect Hua Ying wanted more than that.

The next moment, he found himself lifted up!

He, a man nearly six foot two and almost an adult,

Was carried by a girl barely five feet three!

And she made it look effortless.

Mu Jinnian wanted to resist but feared hurting her.

So he resigned himself.

She tossed him onto the bed. Opening his eyes, he saw the pink quilt, his mind in a fog.

His nose still caught the faint scent unique to Hua Ying.

This was her bed?

Realizing this, Mu Jinnian blushed deeply, his eyes darting away, unsure where to look.

“Lie still for me.”

Hua Ying slapped him lightly, startling him.

He didn’t know what she intended, so he lay still, eyes shut tight.

Silently, he kept repeating a mantra in his mind.

Until a wave of comfort spread across his back.

It felt like a cool breeze brushing over him, numbing the pain of his wounds.

What was going on?