Volume 1, Chapter 37: Who is so blind as to marry a madman!

"Mother, why on earth did you let that madman come back?" Si Zhou lounged in the Second Madam's arms, lazily taking a grape from her hand while muttering with a look of undisguised apprehension.

The Si family estate had once been the residence of the First Madam. Since her passing, it had been managed by his mother, the Second Madam. Si Zhou had spent the last two months hiding in the underground city on the northern border, hoping he could stay there indefinitely. Being urged by his mother to return was the last thing he wanted; the mere thought of facing Si Yan, that lunatic, made him tremble with fear.

"You really are something. Did you honestly think you could keep such a massive incident hidden from me forever?" The Second Madam tapped his forehead, her tone laced with helplessness. "When the Master of the House returns, you must apologize properly. Stop provoking him."

Though her face was well-preserved, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes betrayed the passage of time. The memory of Si Zhou secretly sabotaging Si Yan’s private jet still made her heart race with lingering terror. The former patriarch had long ago designated Si Yan as his successor; the man was iron-willed and ruthless—someone Si Zhou was in no position to challenge. All she wanted was to live out their days in the estate in peace, hoping Si Yan would show mercy to them.

"Oh, and the Master is getting married soon," the Second Madam added, shifting the topic. "You must prepare a proper wedding gift. Don't let your manners slip."

"He’s getting married?" Si Zhou bolted upright, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "Which woman is blind enough to actually want to marry that lunatic?"

"Why? Are you allowed to play with men, but I am not allowed to take a wife?"

A cold, biting voice cut through the air from behind. Si Yan stood there, having clearly overheard every word. A chilling pressure radiated from him, his gaze fixed on Si Zhou like blades of ice.

Si Zhou froze, his previous arrogance vanishing instantly. He looked like a mouse caught by a cat, his voice stuttering, "B-Big Brother... I didn't mean it like that, I was just... just a bit surprised..."

The Second Madam quickly rose from the sofa, forcing a fawning smile as she stepped forward to mediate. "Master, you've returned. Si Zhou, hurry and apologize to the Master!"

As she spoke, she discreetly scanned the area around Si Yan. Aside from him, there were only four tall bodyguards and his personal assistant—no one else. Had he not brought that girl with him today?

Pushed forward by his mother, Si Zhou lowered his head and bowed. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have had your private jet brought down. I'm sorry for causing you injury, Big Brother."

Si Yan ignored the Second Madam, walking straight to the sofa and sitting down. He drummed his fingers against the armrest, the cold aura he exuded making it difficult to breathe. Seeing this, the Second Madam hardened her heart and shoved Si Zhou forward.

Si Zhou stumbled and fell at Si Yan's feet. She knew Si Yan’s temperament all too well; it was better to accept the punishment now than to wait for him to settle the score later. At least it might mean a lighter beating.

"Is an apology something you only do with your mouth?" Si Yan didn't even lift his eyelids before kicking Si Zhou aside with utter disdain.

The next second, the bodyguards stepped forward, grabbed the struggling Si Zhou, and began to rain heavy blows upon his back and legs.

"Agh!"

"Brother, have mercy! I was wrong!" Si Zhou’s screams filled the room. The Second Madam, having lived a life of luxury, had never witnessed such brutality. Watching her son suffer made her eyes redden and her body tremble uncontrollably.

"Master, can you please look at—"

Huang Yu, the assistant, quickly stepped in to support her, whispering, "Second Madam, please take care of yourself. The Master knows what he is doing. He is only teaching the Second Young Master a lesson; he won't kill him."

She had hoped that since Si Yan was vengeful, he wouldn't let the matter slide, but if he had brought that girl with him, she could have pleaded for mercy. Girls were usually soft-hearted. Given how much Si Yan valued that woman, perhaps he wouldn't have been so ruthless!

The living room echoed with Si Zhou’s shrill cries. He had a stomach full of insults for Si Yan, but he had to swallow them all.

"Big Brother, I'm sorry..." By the time Si Zhou was spitting blood, his face bruised and swollen, the man on the sofa finally called a halt.

The Second Madam scrambled to embrace her son. *A beating is fine,* she thought. *As long as Si Yan’s anger is vented, he won't take his life.*

Si Yan rose slowly, looking down at the groveling Si Zhou. He then raised his foot and brought it down heavily onto the back of Si Zhou’s hand. The sickening crunch of bone meeting floor, accompanied by Si Zhou’s howl of agony, pierced the air.

"Agh!"

"Master..." The Second Madam wept, her trembling hands reaching out as if to beg for mercy, but she was paralyzed by the sight of the cold-blooded man before her. She still remembered *that* incident.

"Heh. You dared to sabotage my plane, and now you dare to insult my wife?" His voice was as cold as ice, and he ground his heel harder into Si Zhou’s hand. "Si Zhou, I wish you were as brave as your tongue suggests. Sneaking around and playing petty tricks—what kind of skill is that?"

He hadn't intended to be this brutal, but the remark about "which blind woman would marry that lunatic" had pierced him like a thorn. He knew better than anyone that Su Yu had not married him willingly. Si Zhou’s words were a bitter reminder that this marriage was, from start to finish, the result of his own coercion.

"Yes... Big Brother is right..." Si Zhou convulsed in pain, his hand throbbing with a agony that threatened to make him faint. Blood and saliva bubbled from his mouth as he mumbled his plea. He forced himself to look up, his gaze dull and unfocused, yet a flicker of gnashing, vengeful resentment remained. "Little brother... little brother wishes you a happy marriage, Big Brother, and may you have children soon..."

"I will surely have a grand gift for you in the coming days. You must be sure to accept it, Brother."

Si Yan ignored him, turning to head toward the back hall where his mother’s memorial tablet was kept. Once he had left, Si Zhou was helped up. "Mother, I will definitely send him a grand gift!"

The Second Madam tried to send him to the hospital, but Huang Yu blocked their path. "Second Madam, the Master said that Young Master Si Zhou is in good health and can handle a few minor injuries."

The implication was clear: no hospital. If Si Zhou survived, the score was settled. If he didn't, there would be no need to settle anything further.

"Mother..." Si Zhou fainted the moment he heard this. The Second Madam frantically called for help to carry him to his room for treatment, the estate falling into utter chaos.

In the dim back hall, only the flickering candles on the altar provided light. Si Yan held three sticks of incense, standing silently before the solitary memorial tablet. The flames licked the incense, sending thin trails of smoke curling into the air.

He leaned forward to place the incense in the burner, his fingers trembling slightly. A trace of hidden sorrow surfaced in his eyes as he whispered, "I am getting married."

"In a few days, I will bring her to see you."

He stared at the name on the tablet, falling silent for a long moment before his tone hardened with resolve. "I love her very much. She is the one for me. My wife... will never end up like you, fading away in this house."