Chapter 521
Before anyone around the Bai Family patriarch could investigate the truth, it came running on its own.
Bai Xin, who was thrown upstairs by Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao, felt increasingly aggrieved and uncomfortable. She had been completely corroded by the sweet-coated bombs from the patriarch over these days, and now Bai Xin couldn’t tolerate the slightest grievance. Without saying a word, she went straight to the patriarch to complain and act coquettishly.
“Grandpa, go teach Xu Ke, that ungrateful wretch, a lesson for me. He just bullied me.” Bai Xin ran to the patriarch’s side, reached out to hook his arm, and said.
“How did he bully you?” The patriarch’s gaze suddenly became profound, but this bit of change did not get noticed by Bai Xin.
She shook the patriarch’s arm, with a bit of anger in her eyes, and said, “He insulted me, saying I’m ungrateful, and compared me to a mountain chick that can never become a phoenix. What does he mean by that? I’m originally a phoenix, him saying so is simply slapping the Bai Family’s face.”
“What did you say?” The kindness on the patriarch’s face gradually disappeared, and he pulled his arm back right in front of Bai Xin.
This time Bai Xin finally recognized the change in the patriarch’s demeanor. Unlike her previous imposing manner, she now looked like a deflated balloon, revealing a timid expression, “Grandpa, what’s wrong? You’re scaring Bai Xin,” she said timidly, her hands still in the same posture as they were before being shaken off.
“I told you to speak, what nonsense did Xu Ke hear from you? Speak!” The patriarch’s expression became serious and sharp; seeing such an expression from someone who usually seemed gentle was undoubtedly terrifying. This was the first time Bai Xin saw such an expression from the patriarch, and just this one change left Bai Xin at a loss for words, her once rosy little face turned pale with fright.
“Grandpa,” Bai Xin stammered, calling out.
“I don’t like repeating a sentence three times. If you don’t speak now, you won’t get a chance later.” The patriarch looked at Bai Xin as if looking at a dead person.
Bai Xin’s mind went blank, and she stuttered out what she had said to Lin Mengyao, watching as the patriarch’s face grew uglier. She hurriedly tried to make amends, but she really didn’t even know how to do that, “Wasn’t I right? Grandpa, you said these things to me too. Lin Mengyao doesn’t deserve to be in that position.”
“If Lin Mengyao doesn’t deserve it, do you? Lin Mengyao only lacks family background; you lack brains. How did I ever think you, a fool, could help the Bai Family? It seems now that apart from a pretty face, you have no redeeming qualities, simply a big writing of the word idiot. I must have been blind to recognize you.” The patriarch’s tone was filled with remorse and anger. If it weren’t for the inappropriate occasion, the patriarch would have simply let Bai Xin off with a few words.
“Grandpa, how can you say that about me? Didn’t you say before that I’m your favorite granddaughter?” Bai Xin felt the change in the patriarch’s attitude toward her, a change that scared her, so she could only clutch his hand, hoping he’d change his mind.
Bai Xin clearly knew her current status in the Bai Family depended on him. If the patriarch discarded her, she’d end up living a life worse than a servant. If she had lived like a servant when she first came to the Bai Family, she wouldn’t be so terrified now. She’s used to a princess-like life, being waited on hand and foot. How could she willingly return to the dirt?
“Grandpa, you can’t give up on me. I am useful; I will be a useful person.” Bai Xin clutched the patriarch’s hand, her expression frantic, her fear of him completely forgotten. All she could think about was not losing her current life, the loss of which she couldn’t bear.
Bai Xin treated the patriarch as her last lifeline, but he had already lost all patience with this granddaughter, who could only cause trouble and failed miserably.
“Let go,” the patriarch said coldly without a trace of emotion.
“I won’t let go; if I do, you won’t want me anymore. I can’t let go; you brought me back to the Bai Family, I can’t afford to lose you, grandpa, you can’t abandon me.” Tears rolled down Bai Xin’s cheeks, her eyes turned a bit red, as if she had lost her mind, only repeating that one sentence.
In the eyes of the patriarch, Bai Xin, who had lost her utility value, aroused not pity but increased aversion by acting this way.
“Let go of me. You’re not allowed to cause trouble at today’s event. Go back to your room. You’re not allowed to come out until I say so.” The patriarch’s patience had run out.
He couldn’t understand how he had missed recognizing Bai Xin’s stupidity before.
“You’re really going to abandon me? I promise I’ll behave. Wasn’t it just some unpleasant words about Lin Mengyao? I’m not the only one who said them. It’s not like it would hurt; why be so serious? If worse comes to worst, I’ll apologize to Lin Mengyao in person, okay? You’re the only family I have, grandpa; you can’t do this to me,” Bai Xin spoke with a sobbing tone.
“I know once I go in, who knows when I’ll come out again. I don’t want to be locked up, grandpa.” Bai Xin cried pitifully, but the patriarch felt only resentment.
“Miss is feeling unwell; take her back to rest,” the patriarch said to the steward who had followed him for many years.
“I’m fine, I’m perfectly well.” Bai Xin panicked as soon as she heard this, just as she shouted the words, the steward was already by her side, with a wrinkled, slightly withered hand placed on her arm, “If you don’t want to be unwell for life, shut your mouth obediently.”
The steward’s lips barely moved, but the sound reached Bai Xin’s ears without obstruction, making her body instantly stiff.
Bai Xin followed the steward like a puppet on strings, afraid to make the Bai Family patriarch unhappy, fearing being locked up forever. She didn’t realize that in the patriarch’s heart, she had long been abandoned, and past affection was destined to vanish into thin air.