409 Man Up (1/2)

The next day, Long Hui was discharged from the hospital. His injuries looked nasty, but they weren't life-threatening.

What relieved him the most was when the doctor told him that his peroneal nerve was only hurt but not permanently damaged. The doctor warned him that if just a bit more force than what he was hit with was used, he would've ended up with chronic leg pain or numbness. Worst case scenario would be leg paralysis.

Both he and Jiang Ying Yue paled when they heard what the doctor said. Now Long Hui had developed a deep trauma for oranges. He would never eat oranges for the rest of his life ever again. It also deepened his resentment towards his younger sister, Iris, and to her fiancé, Jin Liwei.

Mixed with the resentment and other negative emotions like envy and insecurity was the feeling of guilt. After getting some sleep, albeit a restless one, he realized just how crazy he acted last night. He totally lost control of himself.

He was ashamed of his uncharacteristic behaviour. He felt sorry for all the insults he threw at his own sister, but the pride of being the firstborn prevented him from apologizing first. It also didn't help that he was still feeling threatened by Iris' growing prominence and support within the clan.

Nevertheless, he didn't want to become enemies with her. After thinking about things more clearly, he concluded that it would be extremely difficult for him to win against her if she seriously began competing in the Long clan's battle for succession.

All of these conflicting emotions were stressing him out. It was causing him great confusion. He needed some time to carefully analyze everything before choosing the best course of action.

That was why he didn't return to Gold Heights with Jiang Ying Yue. The condo unit was given by Iris to his son. Staying there would make him constantly think of her and would only worsen his already troubled state of mind.

As a result, he returned to his primary residence at the Long ancestral compound instead. He tried persuading Jiang Ying Yue to come and live with him and their son, but she refused. He wasn't surprised, but he couldn't help but be disappointed.

He didn't force her, however. The last thing he wanted was to worsen the invisible wall between them. Perhaps this temporary living separation would help cool off the tension between them. He hoped that they could restore their previous happy relationship when they decided to live together again.

When he left Jiang Ying Yue and his son at Gold Heights, he didn't bring any of his clothes or things with him. This was a clear indication that he still planned on returning to them.

The question was…when?

He didn't know.

###

Long Ancestral Residence, Eastern Wing.

The eastern wing was Long Hui's personal residence. Like the rest of the compound, the undeniable ancient aura could also be felt here. However, it had more modern elements compared to the main wing where Long Tengfei and his wife lived.

Long Hui opted to use modern furniture, appliances and decorations instead of using the original antique ones that his ancestors used for centuries. As a result, only the building itself retained the ancientness in this wing. Everything else inside was modern.

His father and some of the relatives, especially the elders, disapproved of his interior design choices. However, they couldn't really do anything to stop him because it was his space. Although Long Tengfei didn't like the overly modernized place, he allowed Long Hui the freedom to decorate it as he pleased.

The day he returned to the eastern wing, it seemed that the servants reported his pitiful appearance to his father because Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui immediately visited him.

”Who did that to you?” Long Tengfei asked as soon as he saw his son. His eyes darkened with cold fury.

Which stupid person dared to beat up the son of him, Long Tengfei?

”Little Sister Xiulan and her fiancé, that wild man, did this to me,” Long Hui replied in a sullen tone.

Long Tengfei was caught off-guard that he didn't know how to react for a few moments.

It was his wife, Yang Jiahui, who reacted first.

”What?! Xiulan and Liwei beat you up?! Why?”