C7 A Heartless and Cold Demon

Huo Mengmeng had only uttered those words to Leng Huaiqing as a means of dodging the family's discipline.

Deep down, she didn't actually believe what she was saying.

Having been taken in by the Leng family for fourteen years, Leng Huaiqing, her adoptive brother, was well aware of the kind of person his supposed "sister" truly was.

In the past, he would turn a blind eye to her antics as long as they didn't cross any lines.

Her wig, her black cat earrings, her fiery temper—Leng Huaiqing knew all about them but chose to keep silent.

But now, Huo Mengmeng had the audacity to keep her romance with Soong Zicheng a secret from him?

What did she even see in that foolish boy?

The more Leng Huaiqing dwelled on it, the more his expression darkened.

"Give me your hand!"

His voice was cold, his command unmistakable.

Despite her reluctance, Huo Mengmeng wouldn't dare defy him to his face. She nervously extended her small hand, biting her lip and shaking as she opened her palm.

But before she could brace herself, the ruler in Leng Huaiqing's hand came down hard on her palm.

"Smack!"

The pain, piercing deep into her skin, was impossible to ignore.

Leng Huaiqing's grip on Huo Mengmeng's delicate fingers was unyielding, forcibly holding her in place and intensifying her agony until she involuntarily gasped for air.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Huo Mengmeng whimpered, her face involuntarily scrunching up in pain.

Yet Leng Huaiqing was merciless, continuing to strike her palm as if oblivious to her suffering.

Once, twice, thrice...

Huo Mengmeng counted each hit silently, enduring the pain.

Five times on her left hand, then, after switching hands, another five times.

She nearly let out a scream, but the fear of Leng Huaiqing's authority kept her silent.

It's no wonder Grandfather would say he'd have trouble finding a wife.

Leng Huaiqing was nothing short of a heartless and cold-hearted devil!

Huo Mengmeng doubted that the word 'sympathy' even existed in Leng Huaiqing's vocabulary.

He was exceedingly indifferent to everyone, and even she, his so-called sister who had lived with him for fourteen years, could not detect a shred of compassion in him.

Huo Mengmeng knelt on the study room floor, her knees throbbing with pain.

Yet, Leng Huaiqing showed no mercy. After slapping her palm, he demanded she spend another half-hour in self-reflection before allowing her to rise.

Under normal circumstances, Huo Mengmeng might have sought help, but with Grandfather abroad on vacation, she was left without any recourse.

It seemed that even the heavens were conspiring against her!

With a sense of resignation, Huo Mengmeng pursed her lips, her head drooping despondently as she knelt, lost in self-reflection.

The prolonged kneeling inevitably led to poor circulation, causing her legs to grow numb.

And today of all days, with her menstrual cycle to contend with, the continuous kneeling was proving too much for her slender waist.

After a grueling twenty minutes, Huo Mengmeng reached her limit.

Her vision suddenly went black, and her body tilted, collapsing onto the floor without any forewarning.

The loud thud drew a look of annoyance from Leng Huaiqing.

"I didn't tell you to..."

But before he could finish his reprimand, Leng Huaiqing noticed that the slight figure who had been kneeling before him had already toppled over!