Chapter 227 Your belly is a little big, I want to touch it.
Outside the mansion, the wind howled from the punches.
When Gu Xingnian rushed out, she saw Mu Yanchen and Fu Beichen locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle, each move aimed at the other's vital points with extreme ruthlessness.
It's as if they want to settle the score here for the fight they didn't get to have at the Bai family's house that day.
"stop!"
Gu Xingnian shouted sternly.
The two men, caught up in their actions, paused when they saw her running towards them. Fearing they might accidentally hurt her, they both stopped.
Gu Xingnian's gaze swept over the two of them.
Mu Yanchen's brow bone was red, and beads of blood were sliding down his handsome face.
Fu Beichen's lip was also bruised and swollen.
Their chests heaved violently, and the ferocity in their eyes had not yet dissipated.
"He's pretty good at fighting."
Gu Xingnian smirked, her tone full of sarcasm.
"How about I find you a boxing gym, have you sign a waiver of liability, and let you have a proper match?"
"Butler, please ask them to leave."
She left those words behind, turned around, and tried to leave, not wanting to look at them again.
Mu Yanchen felt a surge of anxiety and rushed forward immediately, grabbing her wrist.
"Xixi, I have something I want to tell you."
Before he could finish speaking, a dark shadow swept in with a strong gust of wind.
Fu Beichen launched a flying kick, striking Mu Yanchen squarely in the side waist, successfully launching a sneak attack.
"Bang!"
Caught off guard, Mu Yanchen fell to his right.
But he was still holding Gu Xingnian tightly, and the force of his grip almost knocked her down as well.
"Ah!" Gu Xingnian exclaimed.
In a flash, another arm wrapped more tightly around her waist, pulling her back and firmly into a strong embrace.
Fu Beichen held her in his arms, looking down at Mu Yanchen, who had fallen to the ground in a disheveled state.
"Mu Yanchen, who gave you the nerve to come here looking for my wife?"
He emphasized the words "my wife" very heavily.
"The company is a man's battlefield, it's no use you going to talk to her."
Fu Beichen tightened his arms slightly, holding the person in his arms even closer, his posture assertive.
"I advise you to have some self-awareness."
He had firmly established his status as the son-in-law of the Bai family, and he absolutely could not lose in terms of momentum.
Fortunately, he came today. Otherwise, if Mu Yanchen had chatted with Nian Nian a few more times, his fake N-god persona would have been exposed.
It's far too early to reveal our hand.
Mu Yanchen pushed himself up and stood up, trembling with anger.
He suppressed the surging anger in his heart, his gaze passing over Fu Beichen and landing on Gu Xingnian, his voice even carrying some of his usual gentleness.
"Xixi, I didn't mean to bother you with work-related matters."
"Thank you for giving the equation to the Mu family. I just... wanted to talk to you."
"I'm sorry you've been dragged into the Mu family's affairs, but I'm trying to find a solution."
Seeing those negative comments about N God online made him feel worse than anyone else. He absolutely could not let her reputation be damaged because of the Mu family.
Gu Xingnian's expression was calm, and her voice was even calmer.
"Young Master Mu, as long as you face this bravely, the Mu family can overcome this crisis."
"The Mu family has a solid foundation and still has a chance to make a comeback."
This was her thought, and also her advice.
The decision was final.
Mu Yanchen's face turned deathly pale instantly; he understood.
At that moment, Madam Bai's icy voice came from the doorway.
"Butler, please see Young Master Mu out."
"Yes." The butler immediately stepped forward and gestured for him to enter.
Mu Yanchen was "invited" away.
There's one left in the courtyard.
Madam Bai's sharp gaze pierced Fu Beichen like a knife.
"How much longer do you want to hug me? Let go of Xixi."
Fu Beichen then suddenly realized that he had been holding her tightly the whole time.
And she, in his arms, gave Mu Yanchen pointers on that "empire".
She did not break free.
Seeing this, Mu Yanchen should finally give up completely.
He quickly let go of his hand as if he had been electrocuted.
"Lady White"
Fu Beichen turned to Madam Bai and immediately brought up his grandfather as a savior, otherwise, given his current status, he would probably be kicked out immediately as well.
"Grandpa asked me to bring you some New Year's gifts. He said... I should spend the New Year with Niannian."
“She used to live with the Fu family. Grandpa was worried that she wouldn’t be used to being alone here.”
After hearing this, Madam Bai suddenly smiled.
The smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it sent chills down one's spine.
"I heard from Mr. Fu that you knelt in the ancestral hall of the Fu family and were punished according to family rules?"
Fu Beichen stood ramrod straight and answered seriously, "That was because I was a bastard, and I deserve to be punished."
“Our Bai family also has an ancestral hall.”
Mrs. Bai said slowly.
"Why don't you go kneel down too? To teach him a lesson."
She paused, then changed the subject.
"Of course, if you are not a member of our Bai family, you are not worthy to enter our Bai family ancestral hall."
"I'm willing to be punished," Fu Beichen answered almost immediately, without the slightest hesitation.
He absolutely could not lose his identity as the son-in-law of the Bai family.
Madam Bai nodded in satisfaction.
"Steward, take him there and let him repent properly before our ancestors."
"Oh, right, remember to test the training ruler first."
"Yes." The steward accepted the order and was about to lead the people away.
Gu Xingnian's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she swallowed it back in the end.
She glanced at Bai Yu beside her subconsciously. Bai Yu had walked over at some point and put his arm around her shoulder.
"Xixi, don't worry."
Bai Yu's voice was very soft.
"It won't break from kneeling. I was naughty when I was a kid and I knelt there a lot."
"Let's go inside, it's cold outside."
He put his arm around Gu Xingnian and led her into the warm house.
The butler led Fu Beichen to the Bai family's ancestral hall.
The ancestral hall is a separate building to the right front of the main house. About ten candles were lit in the hall, casting flickering light and shadow, making it appear solemn and dignified.
The butler stopped and said to him, "Young master, please take off your coat."
"On behalf of the lady, I'll take your measurements."
“This is the same rule that Madam used to use when punishing the young master.”
"Okay." Fu Beichen did not hesitate, and quickly took off his coat and then his sweater.
When he turned around shirtless, the butler gasped.
His entire back was covered with crisscrossing whip marks.
Old wounds piled on top of new ones; some places had already formed dark scabs, while some deep wounds were still hideous red marks, a shocking sight.
This Mr. Fu is really ruthless.
However, he caused the young lady to lose her child, so he deserves to be punished like this.
The steward, with a thought in mind, picked up the bamboo ruler leaning against the wall.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
Three light taps landed on Fu Beichen's back.
"I hope the son-in-law can overcome his arrogance and impetuosity, and correct his mistakes."
The butler put down the bamboo ruler, his tone serious.
"Right here, in front of the Bai family ancestors, reflect on your mistakes."
"Yes," Fu Beichen replied in a low voice, without the slightest disobedience.
Being able to kneel here as the son-in-law of the Bai family was, to him, a source of great fortune.
"Squeak—"
The heavy wooden doors of the ancestral hall were closed, and the steward left.
The snow outside was falling heavier and heavier, and the temperature in the capital city on a winter night had dropped to below minus ten degrees Celsius.
Fu Beichen straightened his back, knelt properly on the prayer mat, and lowered his head.
I didn't eat dinner, and I was beaten again. I knelt for a long time, and the biting cold spread from my knees to my whole body.
He gradually felt cold, and his head began to feel heavy and swollen.
The mansion was warm and inviting.
Gu Xingnian chatted casually with Madam Bai, but her mind kept drifting to the window.
She glanced up at the wall clock; the hour hand was pointing to ten.
He has been kneeling for four hours.
“Mom,” she finally couldn’t help but say, “let him go back.”
Madam Bai picked up her teacup, blew on the steam, and smiled.
"Don't feel sorry for him. Kneeling for a while won't hurt him. When your brother was a child, he would always behave for a while after being punished."
Her eyes turned cold.
"He caused you to lose your child, and he deserves it."
"Since he is now shamelessly refusing to sign the divorce agreement, and Mr. Fu has personally come to apologize, I have agreed to give him a three-month probationary period."
"If you still don't want to forgive him after three months, our Bai family's legal team is not to be trifled with."
Gu Xingnian nodded absentmindedly.
"OK."
At 11 p.m., Mrs. Bai finally felt tired and got up to go upstairs to sleep.
No sooner had she left than Gu Xingnian strode out of the mansion.
She found the butler, her voice tinged with an urgency she herself didn't realize, "Uncle Quan, take me to the ancestral hall."
With a creak, the door was pushed open.
Fu Beichen was kneeling there with his head down, his upper body bare, and his back covered with shocking whip marks.
Gu Xingnian was startled. She had never seen the injury on his back before. She guessed that it was the family discipline her grandfather had given him, which was quite severe.
"Fu Beichen".
She picked up the clothes from the ground and patted him on the shoulder.
"Fu Beichen, wake up."
At this moment, Fu Beichen felt ice-cold all over, like a block of ice. He opened his eyes, looked at the woman in front of him, and felt a little dizzy, but he still tried his best to hold on.
“It’s okay, I’m not cold,” he said stubbornly.
Gu Xingnian never expected that she would have to take off her clothes while kneeling here.
This is sub-zero weather; it would be strange if they didn't freeze.
"Come on, quickly put your clothes on first."
She rolled up the sweater and put it directly over his head. Finally, Fu Beichen felt a little warmth.
She quickly put his coat on him.
"Uncle Quan, help him to the guest room."
But his legs were frozen stiff, and he couldn't walk at all when he got up. He swayed and almost knocked her over.
"Young master, slow down." The butler quickly came over to help him and massaged his legs so that he could slowly move forward.
Stepping outside, the chill intensified; it was a night of wind and snow.
After much difficulty, we finally got him to the guest room and settled him in bed.
Gu Xingnian quickly instructed, "Uncle Quan, could you please bring some porridge and water, and also the first-aid kit?"
Judging from his condition, he's bound to get a fever tonight. I'm afraid he'll have a fever all day like last time, and he'll definitely become mentally impaired from the fever.
"Yes, Miss." The butler quickly ran out.
Fu Beichen lay on the bed, his large hand tightly holding her small hand, as if afraid she would run away.
"Niannian, don't go."
Gu Xingnian softened a little, "I won't leave, you lie down."
She took out her phone and called Lin Qi.
At this moment, Lin Qi was only wearing a pair of gray underwear, nestled in his warm bed. When he saw the phone number, he jumped up.
"Mrs."
"Lin Qi, are you in the capital?" Gu Xingnian asked. If he was at the hotel, he could come and take care of her.
Lin Qi said, "I'm in my hometown of Rongcheng, and I've already gone home for the Chinese New Year."
"Has something happened to President Fu? Do you need me to fly over immediately to handle it?"
He is still very dedicated to his work.
Upon hearing this, Gu Xingnian realized that it was 7,000 kilometers away. "It's alright, I can handle it myself."
"Okay, madam, goodnight."
"good evening."
Gu Xingnian hung up the phone.
A little while later, the butler brought up the food and medicine box.
Gu Xingnian quickly helped him up, first feeding him warm water and then some porridge. By this time, he had started to have a fever.
"Fu Beichen, come on, eat something first. After you finish eating, take your medicine."
Fu Beichen opened his mouth to drink the porridge, but didn't drink much, looking drowsy.
"Niannian, I'm sorry, I regret it."
"I shouldn't have done those things that hurt you, and I even caused you to lose your child."
"I deserve to die." He gripped her hand tightly, bowed his head in repentance, his eyes red-rimmed.
At this moment, Gu Xingnian's eyes were also red. She felt sad, but what was the use of regret?
She held the medicine to his lips, saying, "Here, take the medicine."
Fu Beichen obediently swallowed it and then lay back on the bed, but his large hand never let go of her.
Gu Xingnian looked at him, feeling very uncomfortable.
Suddenly, he began to mutter to himself, "So cold."
Gu Xingnian touched his forehead and, sure enough, he still had a fever; the medicine couldn't suppress it. She quickly got some alcohol to help him lower his temperature physically.
Feeling a chill, Fu Beichen trembled even more violently.
"Niannian, don't go. Please."
"Niannian, it's so cold." He murmured her name softly, "Niannian..."
Finally, Gu Xingnian took off her coat and crawled into bed.
He immediately leaned against her, then hugged her tightly. He felt the warmth and slowly fell asleep.
The next day, Fu Beichen woke up to find himself lying in an unfamiliar room with a heat source in his arms.
When he saw her face, he felt a surge of joy.
Did she sleep with me last night?
Seeing the medicine box by the bedside, he guessed that he had fallen ill in the middle of the night and that she had stayed to take care of him.
He was grateful to the ancestors of the Bai family, and if given the chance, he would like to kneel there again that night.
He reached out his large hand and gently wrapped it around her waist, when suddenly he sensed something was wrong.
Her waist had thickened, and her lower abdomen was quite large.
He lifted the blanket and took a look. When she slept on her side, her abdomen looked like it had a small round ball attached to it, which was particularly noticeable.
He was startled, then overjoyed.
Is the child still alive?
He reached out to touch it, but Gu Xingnian suddenly opened her eyes, sat up, and was grumpy from waking up.
"Fu Beichen, what do you want to do?"
Fu Beichen was startled and quickly explained, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just saw that your belly was a bit big and I wanted to touch it."
Gu Xingnian immediately exploded, "Fu Beichen, don't you know that it's very difficult for a woman who has been pregnant to regain her figure?"
"What right do you have to complain that I'm fat? What right do you have to touch me?!"
Fu Beichen was speechless for a moment. He did know that a woman's body would change shape and she would gain a lot of weight after pregnancy. After the postpartum period, the uterus would not shrink immediately, and her figure would also change.
No wonder she's been wearing loose clothes lately; she's gained weight.
He just stepped on a landmine with perfect precision.
"I'm sorry, I don't mind that you're fat, you don't need to worry about it."
Gu Xingnian quickly got out of bed, put on her coat, and stood up straight. Her belly instantly became less noticeable.
"Hurry up and go, or Mom will punish you again if she sees you."
Fu Beichen reached out and hugged her, saying gently, "No matter what you become, I will never dislike you. You're chubby, and it's more comfortable to hug you."
Gu Xingnian was taken aback. "Get lost! Who wants you to hug me!"
She pried his large hand away and stormed off.
Fu Beichen paused for a moment, then took out his phone and dialed.
"Check my wife's medical records on Ming Island. I need to know all the details, especially the child's condition."
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