Jiang Youjia initially wanted to make some excuses, but under Xie Qian’s gaze, he found himself unable to utter a denial.
Xie Qian understood everything, he just usually didn’t bother to spell things out.
When he did lay it all bare like this, it meant Xie Qian was angry.
Jiang Youjia had always been the “model child” in others’ eyes.
His mother, Guo Xia, a teacher at a provincial key school, held him to strict standards, his father, Jiang Xuekun, who worked at a publishing group, taught him through words and example, the Jiang family atmosphere was serious yet open-minded, cultured people valued propriety above all, growing up in such an environment and later studying abroad to gild his resume, Jiang Youjia developed a gentlemanly demeanor.
Jiang Youjia knew he was among the elite of his peers, his family’s support gave him a higher starting point, coupled with his own efforts, he thrived at work, marrying Lin Lin only boosted his confidence further… but now, under Xie Qian’s quiet stare, the confident Jiang Youjia felt flustered and embarrassed, he lost in the staring contest, shifting his gaze aside with a heavy sigh.
“Sigh, I didn’t expect you to dislike the Zhao siblings so much, I mentioned to Zhao Dong that you’ve been ‘starting a business’ lately, and Zhao Dong couldn’t help but head to the night market street—”
As Jiang Youjia spoke, even he sensed something off.
Though he’d told Zhao Dong with the intention of using him to “save” Xie Qian.
He’d only told Zhao Dong that morning, yet Zhao Dong acted that very evening, wasn’t that a bit too eager?
Zhao Dong had never been this attentive even to him, their friend.
Recalling his wife Lin Lin’s assessment of Zhao Dong, Jiang Youjia’s voice grew less confident—if Wen Ying was scheming, playing weak to get close to Xie Qian, then Zhao Dong’s ambition was blatant, too obvious, exposed right in front of Xie Qian.
If Zhao Dong had done nothing, even if Xie Qian had spotted him by chance at the night market street, he wouldn’t have paid special attention, let alone express such clear disdain as he did now.
Under Xie Qian’s gaze, Jiang Youjia could only grit his teeth and patch things up, “…Anyway, I’ll talk to Zhao Dong and clear things up.”
Xie Qian nodded, “Thanks, brother-in-law, I’ll rest now, I won’t tell my cousin about this.”
Telling Lin Lin would only spark a fight between the couple, with little benefit.
Given the current situation, Xie Qian would be staying at the Jiang household until the end of summer vacation, seeing the Jiang family daily, he didn’t want to make the atmosphere too awkward.
Aside from this incident, Jiang Youjia hadn’t shown any other flaws, Xie Qian didn’t want to ruin Lin Lin and Jiang Youjia’s marriage.
Hearing Xie Qian’s assurance, Jiang Youjia breathed a sigh of relief.
“Rest up, I’ll handle this.”
Jiang Youjia wasn’t brushing Xie Qian off.
With Xie Qian so clearly stating his dislike for the Zhao siblings’ deliberate approaches, Jiang Youjia’s plan to “drive away wolves and chase tigers” wasn’t going to work… but this made him even more wary of Wen Ying.
Zhao Dong, at least an adult, had been too overtly ambitious and quickly triggered Xie Qian’s dislike.
Wen Ying, though, so young, hid her intentions even better than Zhao Dong, truly not to be underestimated.
As Jiang Youjia left Xie Qian’s room, Lin Lin asked, “What did Xie Qian want with you?”
“Men’s secrets, can’t tell you… you go to bed, I’m stepping out to make a call.”
Lin Lin gave Jiang Youjia’s retreating figure a light hum, men’s secrets? She could tell Jiang Youjia was feeling guilty, whatever he’d done, as long as Xie Qian didn’t suffer, it was fine.
Anyone who thought Xie Qian was young and could be manipulated would end up disappointed.
Lin Lin didn’t call Jiang Youjia out, knowing he meant no harm toward Xie Qian.
Jiang Youjia, completely seen through by his wife, remained oblivious, he thought Xie Qian and Lin Lin were naive, but in their eyes, he was the naive one.
Jiang Youjia went to the study, closed the door, and made a call.
The phone was picked up after two rings, Zhao Dong wasn’t asleep and sounded quite spirited.
“Youjia—”
“What were you doing at the night market street today?” Jiang Youjia cut off Zhao Dong’s pleasantries, “You’re a grown man, and you can’t even handle something this simple, fine, you went to the night market street, but you got spotted by Xie Qian, he just talked to me, saying he doesn’t want to be bothered… forget it, pretend you never heard what I said before, don’t go near Xie Qian anymore.”
Zhao Dong was baffled.
What did he do at the night market street?
Didn’t he just take his sister Zhao Xi there to scope out a competitor’s appearance? Even if Xie Qian saw him, it shouldn’t provoke such a big reaction, right?
Zhao Dong replayed his and Zhao Xi’s time at the night market street in his mind, they hadn’t even interacted with Xie Qian directly, so how could they have earned his dislike?
Zhao Dong tried to explain, but Jiang Youjia wouldn’t listen, hanging up the phone.
Hearing the busy tone, Zhao Dong felt not just irritated but humiliated.
Jiang Youjia, that bumpkin.
How come he wasn’t this cocky when they were abroad?
Back then, Zhao Dong had shown Jiang Youjia around, Jiang Youjia was like a country hick, timid even at bars, mocked by others, it was Zhao Dong who kindly helped him blend into the local Chinese circle.
Now, Jiang Youjia thought Rongcheng was his home turf, the Zhao family had returned to develop here, Zhao Dong had asked for his help twice, and now Jiang Youjia was acting high and mighty.
Jiang Youjia was like this, and so was Xie Qian, young but full of petty rules.
If it weren’t for what he stood to gain, Zhao Dong would delete Jiang Youjia’s number right now, whoever wanted to grovel could grovel, he was done with it.
“What’s wrong?” A pair of arms wrapped around Zhao Dong’s waist from behind, sliding up his torso, a sultry voice tinged with the afterglow of pleasure.
Zhao Dong brushed off the teasing hands, saying to the woman behind him, “You should pack up and leave.”
The woman was stunned.
Seeing Zhao Dong wasn’t joking, she got angry, climbing out of bed, cursing him as a bastard while dressing.
After she slammed the door and left, Zhao Dong lit a cigarette.
In the haze of smoke, he suddenly smirked.
Did Jiang Youjia really think he was some lackey?
Zhao Dong quickly adjusted his mindset.
Even if Jiang Youjia hadn’t brought this up, he’d already had plans, Jiang Youjia just prompted him to act sooner.
Now that Jiang Youjia wanted to call it off, why would Zhao Dong listen?
Whether Jiang Youjia was pleased or not, Zhao Dong didn’t care much anymore, compared to the potential benefits from the Xie family, Jiang Youjia’s dad, the publishing group boss Jiang Xuekun, was nothing—still, Zhao Dong wasn’t approaching Xie Qian to make enemies but for profit, since Xie Qian was now put off by him, Zhao Dong couldn’t show up around him for a while, so he pinned his hopes on his sister Zhao Xi.
The next morning, Zhao Dong called Zhao Xi over and gave her some instructions.
He told her to lower her posture.
“The more valuable the thing you want, the lower you have to stoop, when you achieve what others can’t, people won’t dig into the process, they’ll only see the shiny results, then you’re the big winner, all the effort and grievances will be worth it.”
