Hi readers! First of all, sorry for the late post. Our stock has run out and we are trying to translate and edit by squeezing in time here and there, hence the delay. Secondly, we found that chapters 531 & 532 are missing from the raws so we are jumping to 533 for now.  We'll translate the missing ones in the future if we manage to get a link to them.

Translated by newbienoona

Edited by anks

An Chuxia's expression hasn't changed, but one can tell she's sad.

Steward Han is on his way to deliver the newspapers to Han Liuhai's office. He likes reading the paper when he wakes up before coming down for breakfast. But this morning, the butler didn't expect to run into An Chuxia so early.

He wants to comfort her, but he knows it's futile. It's best to leave her alone.

The steward proceeds to the office, and sees Master already waiting.

“Master, here's today's papers.” He knocks on the door and only dares to enter when given permission.

Han Liuhai takes the paper and looks at it. There's no excitement on his face. He doesn't light the cigarette [on his lips] until he reaches the bottom of the page.

“Master, it's best to smoke less,” Steward Han reminds him carefully.

Being in the Han family for so long, he knows Han Liuhai is in a bad mood.

“Bring that boy back home immediately!” Han Liuhai stubs the cigarette as he slams down the newspaper.

“Yes.” The housekeeper immediately leaves to make the call.

No one in the media dares to rashly report about the Hans, and usually, it's vetted in advance. Naturally, Liuhai is unable to deal with these rumors. Now that the news is already out, he can't stop it from being reported.

“h.e.l.lo, young master. Are you awake?” Steward Han listens to the murky voice on the other end as he remains anxious.

The person on the other end is still groggy. “Is that you, Han Xu? What's wrong?”

Steward Han tries his best to control his voice. “Master, wake up, and hurry back home!”

Han Qilu is now awake, and he props his body up with an arm. “What's wrong? Is my dad angry?” He knows the only thing that fazes Han Xu is his father being upset.

“Yes, he saw the news in the paper. Hurry back. I won't say much.” Steward Han explains to Qilu. He is sweating for the young master.

Han Liuhai's anger is something ordinary people can't bear. Even the steward's heart is uneasy.

Han Qilu quickly dons his clothes. The bird hanging by the door sees his reaction and starts wildly flapping its wings.

“Master Han, why are you up so early?” A maid asks him carefully. “Didn't you rest well?”

“I did, but I have some urgent matters to attend and I have to rush back to A City. You don't need to alert Mankuai. I can return by myself,” he states to the maid as he tries to leave.

“Please don't, master Han. Let me wake up the miss. I'm afraid she'd be upset with me if I allow you to leave like this. Please wait for a moment. You haven't even had breakfast.” The maid tries to stop him from leaving.

However, after hearing the butler's urgent message, he knows he has to return immediately to face Han Liuhai.

“No need. Just go back and tell your lady,” he says as he quickly walks out of the house.

The house is large, and has an unconventional layout, but he remembers where to go.

Since it's a bigger town, he is able to get into a cab as soon as he exits.

“You're my first pa.s.senger of the day. You get a ten percent discount!” The taxi driver doesn't recognize him, but greets him with a smile.

Since it's still early, traffic is light, and he is able to get to town in high speed before rush hour takes place.

***

At the Hans' dining table, An Chuxia finishes her breakfast alone. Jiang Yuan usually joins her for breakfast, but she may have stayed up late last night and so didn't get up at her usual time.

She's bored and doesn't want to return to her room. She walks out of the hall in search of Batian.

The dog breeder is feeding Batian. As she walks by, the dog eats his food without looking up. The breeder smiles at her. “I didn't give him much food last night, so he is hungry.”

“Okay.” An Chuxia nods and squats next to Batian. She reaches out and rubs his head.

An Chuxia is stunned as he eats quickly. “You're gobbling it up. It's like you haven't eaten in three days!” An Chuxia shakes her head helplessly. Batian barks as if he's dissatisfied.

After teasing the dog for a while, An Chuxia stands up and goes back to find Jiang Yuan. But as she gets up, she sees Han Qilu hurriedly walk down the hall with steward Han at his heels.

“Why are you back so early? Shouldn't you be hanging out with Mankuai a bit longer?” An Chuxia asks with curiosity as she pets Batian's head. Then, she walks to the hall.

It may be because Han Qilu is back that it makes it easier for her to walk back. What she doesn't expect to hear as she enters the hall is Han Liuhai's roar.

To be honest, she has never seen him get angry. His anger startles her. All she knows is that Han Liuhai has always been kind to her, to the point of being her father figure.

“What's wrong?” An Chuxia asks a maid.

Seeing An Chuxia, the maid quickly advises, “Xiaonainai, don't worry about it. Go and take a walk. Everything will be fine when you return.”

An Chuxia frowns and stubbornly asks again. “What happened?”

She looks at the maid for an answer. “I don't know. All I know is that steward Han has to bring the young master to the study directly. Then you heard… .”

“See this stupid thing you did!” Han Liuhai's angry voice hurts everyone's eardrums.

No… she should go and see what's going on.

An Chuxia can't relax, so she lifts her feet toward the steps despite the maid's advice.

“Xiaonainai, don't go up now. You might accidentally get hurt!” The maid's eyes are sincere. She stretches her arm out and holds on to her.

“But me standing here doesn't resolve anything… .” An Chuxia's face suddenly changes. She hesitantly asks, “Do you mean daddy would attack?”

The other maids just look at her. Although no one says anything, An Chuxia knows the answer.

But how can a father educate one's child like this?

“Let me go. Mommy isn't around, and I have to persuade… .” She pulls back her hand despite being dissuaded by the maids.

The other maids look at each other. “What should we do?”

“What can we do? Let's wake up Madame!” Another maid suggests.

Just do it!

The study door is wide open. Her heart starts beating violently as she approaches the study. She is subconsciously afraid of Han Liuhai.

“What's so good about that woman? You even went all the way to Xiangjia! Do you know how Lao Xiang treats the Han family?” Han Liuhai's voice is cold.

“I went there because I promised Xiang Mankuai.” Han Qilu's voice isn't humble, and isn't afraid of his father.

“And you're still reasoning! In the future, you're not allowed to meet up with her again! You may have forgotten, so let me remind you, you are now engaged, and I won't allow you to be messy!”

“Not yet… .” Han Qilu's voice is m.u.f.fled, as if saying something inexplicable.

“Not yet? What are you talking about? Get out of here!” Han Liuhai's voice raises. An Chuxia feels something is wrong, and hurries in. At this point, Han Liuhai picks up the ashtray and throws it at Han Qilu, knowing he will duck.

At that moment, An Chuxia doesn't think and blocks it from Qilu.

The ceramic ashtray flies, and An Chuxia subconsciously closes her eyes. Han Qilu is too late in blocking it. She feels the heavy weight against her forehead. The ashtray falls to the ground, followed by a cras.h.i.+ng sound. Warm liquid dribbles on her forehead.

“An Chuxia!” Han Qilu rushes forward. “Are you okay? Let me take you to the hospital right away!”

“No need to go to the hospital. It's not serious.” An Chuxia reaches out to touch her wound. She turns to Han Liuhai and says, “Daddy, Qilu has just returned. Don't scold him.”

Han Liuhai is stunned at An Chuxia's reaction. What else can he say?

“Steward Han, please call the house doctor to come over.” He doesn't mention anything about the previous matters.

Han Qilu takes An Chuxia back to her room. It takes a while for the doctor to arrive. He looks at her worriedly, making her feel that her actions are worthy.

“Are you stupid?”