Sweetie, sleep with me tonight.

He Zhuo walked in, took her hand, and looked her up and down: "Are you alright?"

Jiang Youxi shook her head.

He Zhuo's expression was too calm, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.

"Xixi, you go downstairs first."

Jiang Youxi grabbed his hand, her face full of worry.

"It's okay," he patted her head, "it'll only take a few minutes."

He Zhuo immediately called a servant to take Jiang Youxi away.

As soon as Jiang Youxi went down to the first floor, a loud crashing sound came from upstairs, followed by You Huilin's terrified scream.

Jiang Youxi's expression changed, and she quickly turned back and went upstairs.

"Hey, Teacher Jiang!"

He Mingli, leading He Yunwei in, was startled by the noise: "What's going on upstairs?"

"The second young master and his wife are upstairs... arguing."

He Mingli's expression changed slightly: "Keep an eye on Weiwei."

He strode upstairs.

Jiang Youxi rushed upstairs and was shocked by the scene in the room.

Tables, chairs, sofas, lamps—everything that could be smashed was shattered to pieces.

Things were overturned and scattered everywhere, and the ground was a mess.

He Zhuo stood in the center of the shards, his right hand gripping the cracked glass, blood gushing from his palm, soaking the sharp edges.

You Huilin collapsed to the ground, her face filled with terror. Her forehead was cut open, and blood was gushing out, making her look horrifying.

He Zhuo crushed the glass with one hand, and the shards flew out and hit You Huilin's dress.

He lowered his eyes, his dark gaze fixed on her with a deathly intensity, his voice chillingly cold: "If you spout nonsense to her again, next time it'll be your head that gets smashed."

The man stepped on the broken pieces on the ground and turned to leave.

You Huilin was trembling violently: "A madman! He's absolutely insane!"

Upon seeing the girl at the door, He Zhuo paused.

Jiang Youxi stepped in, immediately took out some leftover bandages from class from her bag, and wrapped them around her neck, saying, "He Zhuo, let's go home."

He Zhuo looked at her quietly for a while: "Okay."

He Mingli ran into them coming downstairs as he went upstairs. He was shocked to see the injury on He Zhuo's hand and quickly called for a servant to bring a first-aid kit.

Jiang Youxi replied politely, "No need, thank you."

He Mingli was stunned for a moment, then silently watched them gradually disappear into the distance.

Only after they were no longer in sight did He Mingli turn his gaze away and continue upstairs.

He went into the room.

When You Huilin saw him come in, she immediately put on a wronged expression: "Ali, come quickly and help your mother up."

He Mingli walked over and stood in front of her, but hesitated to extend his hand.

"Tsk, what are you standing there for? Quickly help Mom up!"

He Mingli remained unmoved: "Mom, did you argue with A-Zhuo again?"

"What argument? He came in like a madman and started smashing things! If I hadn't dodged in time, my head would be cracked open!" You Huilin accused sharply. "You saw it yourself, a perfectly good room, smashed up like this, is this even humanly possible?!"

"Did you say something to Jiang Youxi?"

Jiang Youxi had been tutoring Weiwei at home, and He Zhuo had just returned. For He Zhuo to get so angry, she must have said something to Jiang Youxi.

"What can I say? I just told her the truth about He Zhuo's mother, hoping she would understand He Zhuo's character. And she, on the contrary, argued with me at every turn, defending that madman He Zhuo at every turn!" You Huilin struggled to her feet. "This girl seems obedient and well-behaved, but she's actually very sharp-tongued and formidable!"

You Huilin sneered, "That's true. What kind of good person can be with that madman He Zhuo?"

"Why do you have to say such harsh things?!"

You Huilin froze, then erupted in anger: "What are you yelling about?! He Mingli, you're my son! Not that bitch's child! Why do you always speak up for that madwoman He Zhuo?! You treat him like a younger brother, but does he ever treat you like family?"

"I never forced Ah-Zhuo to acknowledge me as his older brother; I just hope he can live the rest of his life happily and easily!"

You Huilin sneered disdainfully, "You always try to do what's best for him, but has he ever appreciated it?"

"Ah Zhuo has been alone since he was little. He finally found someone he likes, and you have to sow discord and drive a wedge between them before you're satisfied?"

You Huilin was furious: "I only said a few words! If this counts as sowing discord, then their relationship is nothing special!"

"Why did you do this? You can't stand seeing A-Zhuo being liked and cared for, and you just want him to be alone forever, is that it?" He Mingli's voice was weak. "Mom, I know you don't like A-Zhuo because of the First Madam, but adults are adults, and children are children. This is a matter between you adults. A-Zhuo is innocent!"

"He suffered terribly as a child, barely surviving. He's plagued by nightmares every night and can't sleep. He's in so much pain every day. He's already gone through so much, can't you just leave him alone?!"

"He's the one causing trouble outside, affecting my husband!" You Huilin said sharply. "If he didn't affect your father, I wouldn't care even if he died out there! Do you think I'm targeting him?"

She sneered, "If we don't control him, whatever trouble he gets into outside will damage the reputation of the He family! I'm doing all this for you, for this family!"

He Mingli frowned, his eyes filled with astonishment: "Mom, how could you have become like this? I feel like I don't recognize you anymore."

For the first time, he deeply felt that You Huilin's hatred was so profound that it had blinded her, turning her into something neither human nor ghost.

Or perhaps she was so good at pretending in front of her child that he always believed his mother was a gentle and kind person.

But looking at the woman in front of him, he realized for the first time that the gentle and loving mother they saw was nothing but a hypocritical illusion.

Hypocrisy and jealousy are her true nature.

You Huilin was taken aback, then laughed, her eyes filled with self-mockery and disappointment.

She raised her hand to stroke his face, her voice softening, "Son, we're family. Why do you always side with He Zhuo? You really disappoint me!"

He Mingli turned his face away, avoiding her hand: "I'll contact a doctor tomorrow to come and take a look at you."

"doctor?"

He looked at her and said, "Mom, you're sick."

"I'm not sick!"

Seeing him about to leave, You Huilin grabbed him: "I told you I'm not sick! Ali, believe your mother, I'm really not sick, I don't need to see a doctor! Ali!"

He Mingli ignored her roar and turned to leave the room.

"Madam is injured; take her to get treated."

The maid glanced at the woman in the room who was losing control of her emotions and nodded, "Yes, young master."