Zhu Ping looked toward Bai Han standing farther away before returning his attention to Zhao Yuyuan.
"Young Master Zhao came to visit Han'er?" He asked with a smile.
Zhao Yuyuan's expression became slightly awkward: "The elders arranged it."
Zhu Ping understood immediately. He had lived in the Bai residence long enough to understand what could and couldn't be said. All these power dynamics are exhausting.
He nodded in understanding, not thinking much of it: "You'll both be attending Limitless Academy soon. Young Master Zhao should concentrate on preparing for the journey."
"I will. Thank you, uncle." After hesitating briefly, Zhao Yuyuan added: "Actually, I went to see Bai Jing a few days ago."
Zhu Ping froze. His eyes widened and the little color remaining in his face disappeared: "You... went to see Jing'er?"
"Yes." Zhao Yuyuan nods. He expected Zhu Ping to be happy and immediately ask about Bai Jing's condition.
Instead, the panic in Zhu Ping's eyes made him a little uncertain.
"Young Master Zhao, thanks for keeping Jing'er in mind, but please don't go again."
Zhao Yuyuan stared at him: "Uncle Zhu?"
"Please. Don't visit Jing'er anymore." Zhu Ping's voice became urgent.
Zhao Yuyuan frowned: "Why?"
Zhu Ping's eyes reddened. He desperately wanted news of his son.
Every day since Bai Jing's departure, he wondered whether his child was eating properly, if the village life was too difficult for him, or whether he and Ye Cheng got along well.
His baby actually has another life inside of him that he has to be responsible for. Every time he thinks about it, Zhu Ping couldn't help feeling distressed.
Hearing that Zhao Yuyuan had actually seen him did make Zhu Ping happy. But that happiness was quickly buried by fear.
"I'm glad you still remember Jing'er. But my poor baby has already suffered enough. We have accepted that we can't have every good thing. I really appreciate your concern. But please,..."
Zhu Ping gripped Zhao Yuyuan's sleeve: "Please don't involve him in anything else. He has finally left Qingzhou. Whatever happened here should remain here."
"Uncle Zhu…"
"Jing'er is married now. You are also engaged. If people learn that you're still visiting him, what will they say about Jing'er? He's suffered enough because of everything that happened. I don't want him tangled in another problem"
Zhao Yuyuan fell silent for a moment before saying in a murmur: "...But I only wanted to make sure he was well."
Zhu Ping looked at him and sighed: "I know Young Master Zhao meant well. But please don't go again."
Zhu Ping knows that Zhao Yuyuan's feelings towards his Jing'er is sincere and Jing'er also loved Zhao Yuyuan. Unfortunately, they were not meant to be.
That is precisely why Zhu Ping couldn't bring himself to blame Zhao Yuyuan for all that happened.
Zhao Yuyuan finally understood his impulsive behavior.
He'd been so focused on seeing Bai Jing that he didn't properly consider what his visit might mean for someone who was already married.
Ye Cheng met him talking with Bai Jing, and they even exchanged a few words… Zhao Yuyuan frowned.
Hopefully, Ye Cheng wasn't petty enough to take his frustration out on Bai Jing. If that bastard dares, he will kill him!
"I understand. I'm sorry for acting impulsively." Zhao Yuyuan finally said after moments of thoughts.
Zhu Ping also relaxed: "Thank you."
Zhao Yuyuan hesitated before quietly adding: "He looked well when I saw him."
Zhu Ping's eyes immediately lit up with emotions: "Really?"
Zhao Yuyuan smiled: "Yes, He seemed healthy. I didn't notice anything wrong."
Zhu Ping lowered his head, his eyes redden: "That's good, that's good. As long as Jing'er is safe…"
He quickly wiped the corner of his eye: "I shouldn't stay here any longer. I still have somewhere to go."
Zhao Yuyuan nodded: "Take care of yourself, Uncle Zhu."
"You too."
Zhu Ping hurried away.
Zhao Yuyuan remained where he stood, watching the thin figure disappear down the corridor.
Something felt wrong. Zhu Ping had always possessed a gentle temperament, but he had never appeared so lifeless.
Moreover, his words bothered Zhao Yuyuan.
Why was he so afraid that he visited Bai Jing? To Zhao Yuyuan, Ye Cheng was but a tiny ant on the ground.
If it wasn't for his family, the Bai family and the Ye family, rushing to cover up this matter; he doesn't mind marrying Bai Jing even if he's pregnant with another man's child. After all, it's not like it was done willingly.
Zhao Yuyuan clenched his fist forcing himself to calm down. After a few deep breaths, he turned toward Bai Han.
Bai Han immediately replaced the displeased expression on his face with a smile: "Brother Yuyuan, you're finally done chatting. I was getting tired waiting."
"What's wrong with Uncle Zhu lately?" Zhao Yuyuan suddenly asked.
Bai Han didn't expect him to ask this and blinked in confusion: "What do you mean?"
"He doesn't look well."
"Oh, that."
Bai Han answered so casually that it sounded as though Zhao Yuyuan had asked about the weather.
"Father put him under house arrest as punishment. I guess he's depressed, that's why he doesn't seem too well."
Zhao Yuyuan's expression changed: "House arrest? What did he do?"
Bai Han shrugged: "I don't know all the details. I just know that he's under house arrest as a punishment. Father was angry with him over something, so he isn't allowed to leave the residence without permission. It's not a harsh punishment, don't worry about it."
There wasn't the slightest concern in his voice.
Zhao Yuyuan stared at him: "And you're saying this as though it's nothing?"
Bai Han frowned: "What does it have to do with me?"
Although that man did something wrong and is being punished, his father still spends most nights at his place, making his mother angry and depressed everyday!
Zhao Yuyuan's gaze gradually cooled. Bai Han noticed the change and quickly reached toward his arm.
"Brother Yuyuan, let's not talk about unpleasant things. Since you're already here, why don't we…"
Zhao Yuyuan stepped away before Bai Han could touch him: "I came because our families arranged this visit. Don't misunderstand our relationship."
Bai Han's hand stopped in midair, and his smile stiffened: "Brother Yuyuan, I understand that it's unfortunate for us to get together under these circumstances. But I've liked you for a long time, even Jing knows that."
Zhao Yuyuan continued calmly: "Right now, I simply don't have any feelings for you. Hopefully you're true to yourself. Because if I ever find out that you have a hand in Xiao Jing's scandal, I will make sure you regret the day we met!"
Around them, the young gers who had been watching immediately lowered their heads and pretended they hadn't heard anything.
Zhao Yuyuan looked once more toward the corridor where Zhu Ping had disappeared, before he turned around and left as well.
His suspicions towards this entire situation keep growing stronger. Bai Jing was forced into marriage and sent away from Qingzhou.
Now Zhu Ping had been confined inside the Bai residence. And Bai Han, the person who had benefited most from Bai Jing's downfall, apparently didn't care about either of them.
Perhaps there was far more happening inside the Bai family than outsiders knew.
Bai Han looked towards Zhao Yuyuan's departing figure and sneered. Find out? What a joke! The person that helped him carry out his plans also had a torn on his side that he wanted to remove. Now that they both have what they wanted, no one would be able to dig up any evidence.
As long as his engagement goes smoothly and they get married. He wouldn't care, even if Zhao Yuyuan found out about his deeds.
...
Bai Han pushed open the door and stepped inside his expression dark and irritated.
Xin Ying, his mother, was standing by the window, her gaze fixed on the courtyard. She asked without turning around: "You've returned earlier than expected. Did you manage to gain Zhao Yuyuan's favor?"
Bai Han scoffed, his face twisting with annoyance: "It was going well, but then we ran into Zhu Ping. That wretched thing just had to show up. Ever since that man appeared, Zhao Yuyuan's mood swung like he'd been cursed. He became cold and distant. I saw no point in staying, so I just left."
Xin Ying turned around, her eyes flashing with malice: "Zhu Ping again? That jinx! He is nothing but a harbinger of bad luck! Wherever he goes, trouble follows. He is a blight on this family a stain that just refuses to be wiped away!"
She began to pace, waving her hands in irritation: "To think he would dare cross your path and ruin such an important opportunity! He is the reason his own son is a disgrace, and now he is trying to drag you down with him!"
Bai Han remained calm, his mask of a dutiful son slipped back into place. He gestured to the servant standing by the wall. The servant hurried forward, presenting a tray of fresh, seasonal fruit.
Bai Han picked up a ripe fruit and pulled a small, sharp knife from his sleeve. He began to peel the fruit with precision, his fingers were steady as he stripped away the skin.
"Mother, do not agitate yourself," Bai Han said, his voice smooth and soothing: "It is not worth ruining your complexion over a person of such low standing."
He placed a perfectly peeled slice of fruit onto a plate and offered it to her: "You are the principal wife of the Bai family. Why dwell on the misery of a useless Ger? Once we have the Zhao family's support, Zhu Ping will become nothing more than a nuisance we can sweep away whenever we choose."
Xin Ying picked up the offered fruit with a smile: "You're right, Han'er. Let us focus on the future, not on that trash."
The servant at the door secretly rolled her eyes, thinking; 'Like mother, like son.'