Zhong Ziang fixed his gaze on him. “Uncle, don’t you think you’re being a bit too sensitive when it comes to me and Jiang Fuyue?”
The man’s eyes sharpened instantly.
Zhong Ziang felt a chill crawl up his scalp. “What are you looking at me like that for? It’s true…”
Ever since he publicly declared his intention to pursue Jiang Fuyue, Xie Dingyuan had never approved. At first, it was mild—he didn’t support it, but he didn’t strongly oppose it either. He’d give the occasional lecture and try to talk some sense into him.
Later, his disapproval became more obvious—especially during the time Jiang Fuyue went to the Imperial Capital for the physics and informatics competitions. Xie Dingyuan practically had “displeased” written across his face.
And now? Zhong Ziang had merely said the words “I like Jiang Fuyue,” and Xie Dingyuan had immediately launched into a full-blown critique, hitting every point to undermine and discourage him without holding back.
“Uncle, are you trying to PUA me?”
Xie Dingyuan: “…”
“Am I really that bad? You’ve always disliked Jiang Fuyue, but you’ve never thought I was good enough for her. How come you never questioned whether she was good enough for me?”
“…”
“And don’t you always say she’s arrogant, fake, and ungrateful? Then why’d you personally bring her food?”
“…” Each question left the man speechless.
Yet Zhong Ziang wouldn’t let up. He looked like he’d keep digging until he got an answer.
“Enough! You’re too young to be focused on this kind of thing. If you really like her, then study hard, improve your grades. Don’t fall so far behind that even if you shouted ‘I like you’ at the top of your lungs, she wouldn’t hear it.”
With that, Xie Dingyuan went straight upstairs.
Zhong Ziang was left standing there, struck by that one sentence—it touched a raw, sensitive nerve deep inside. He was dazed for a while before he could react.
Once he did react, he realized—wait a second!
He didn’t get a single answer to any of his questions, and on top of that, he got lectured instead?
The next morning, Jiang Fuyue was discharged and took a taxi home.
Jiang Da and Han Yunru had already gone to the store. It was the weekend, so only Jiang Chenxing was home.
As soon as he heard the door, he rushed over and hugged her leg. “Sis! You’re back!”
Jiang Fuyue put down her keys and patted his head. “Been good these past few days?”
“Mhm! Super good!”
He started ticking things off on his fingers: “I finished all my homework on time. Did one Olympiad math paper every two days and graded myself using the answer key. I recorded videos for Uncle Wu and even did two livestreams to interact with fans…”
Jiang Fuyue listened as she walked with him to the living room.
He clung to her like a little puppy, chattering nonstop.
“…I even helped Dad test out a bunch of new dishes and gave him a lot of feedback. He said my taste buds are insanely sharp—crazy impressive!”
Jiang Fuyue nodded. “Sounds impressive.”
Little Brother Jiang blushed instantly, his cheeks turning pink.
“Thirsty, sis?”
Before she could reply, he dashed off to the kitchen.
A few seconds later, he returned with a steaming glass of water, a slice of lemon floating on top.
“Mom said lemon helps with beauty and vitamin C.”
Jiang Fuyue accepted the glass and gratefully drank most of it.
Just as she set it down, Little Brother Jiang asked if she was hungry.
Again, without waiting for her answer, he ran back into the kitchen. Soon the clatter of pots and pans echoed out.
Ten minutes later, he brought out a steaming bowl of egg noodles.
“Eat up, sis.”
So Jiang Fuyue drank the lemon water, then devoured the noodles.
She rolled up her sleeves to clean up, but her Little Brother Jiang rushed over to stop her, insisting she sit.
Jiang Fuyue was both amused and exasperated. “You’re getting bold, huh?”
He blinked pitifully. “Not bold! PE teacher says I’m underweight! Just sit and watch TV—I’ll do the dishes. Girls aren’t supposed to do too much housework or their hands get rough. Why don’t you ever listen?”
Jiang Fuyue: “?” Bold indeed, even daring to lecture her now!
In the end, he got his way—he did the dishes while she lounged on the couch watching TV like royalty.
Later, he even presented her with a beautifully arranged fruit platter. “Mom says you’re juggling studies, making money, and managing the household. It’s hard work. You need good nutrition.”
Jiang Fuyue: “…”
With a little brother like this, who needs anything else?
That evening, Jiang Da and Han Yunru came home. From the noise at the door, it seemed like they were arguing—louder than usual.
Little Brother Jiang ran over and hugged Jiang Da’s leg. “Dad, are you two fighting?”
“No,” Jiang Da said, softening his voice as he ruffled the boy’s head.
“Then why were you talking so loud?”
Han Yunru chuckled. “We’ll keep it down, okay?”
“Mhm! Quiet voices so we don’t wake Sis.”
“Huh? Yueyue’s back?” Jiang Da craned his neck, looking toward the stairs.
Little Brother Jiang nodded excitedly. “Yep, she’s back!”
Han Yunru: “When?”
“This morning!”
“Dad, Mom.” As if on cue, Jiang Fuyue came down the stairs.
Little Brother Jiang instantly forgot about Jiang Da and darted over to her like a cannonball.
“Is everything settled now?” Han Yunru asked, changing into her indoor shoes.
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “Just got a day off. I have to head back soon.”
“I see… well, take care of your health. Feels like your face got thinner these past few days.”
Jiang Fuyue’s eyes flickered. “Really? I thought I looked the same…”
Han Yunru studied her face, full of worry. “You’ve definitely lost weight.”
Jiang Fuyue coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject. “What were you and Dad arguing about earlier? You sounded pretty intense.”
Han Yunru sighed. “It’s those guys—your Uncle Sanpang and the others.”
Jiang Fuyue raised a brow. “What about them?”
“Cao Ji is refusing to accept their resignations. Won’t give them new jobs either—just keeping them idle without pay. It’s been almost a month, and they still won’t budge.”
“They couldn’t wait to get rid of them before. But now they’ve figured out they’re helping your dad in Linhuai, they’re deliberately holding them back. It’s shameless!”
They don’t want them, but won’t let anyone else have them either.
Jiang Fuyue considered for a moment. “What do they want to do about it?”
“They’ve fallen out with Cao Ji completely. Even if offered a high salary, they probably wouldn’t go back. Especially now, when they’re not even getting paid.”
“Our branch is about to open. Ads are already out. We can’t change the date now. If they don’t come, we’ll have to find replacements—but where can we get them in such short time?”
So Han Yunru was anxious.
As for Jiang Da? He was getting more and more irritated with every phone call from Sanpang, who would either rant about his failures or complain about how ungrateful and two-faced Yu Shangmei was.
Even Jiang Da, who had been calm at first, was starting to unravel after so many calls.
Hence the earlier outburst with Han Yunru.
“Yueyue, do you have any good ideas?” Jiang Da asked, hope glimmering in his eyes.
Jiang Fuyue thought for a moment. “All I can do is get them a good lawyer.”
“Are we going to court?” Han Yunru’s expression tensed.
Jiang Da also got nervous.
He knew from experience how draining a lawsuit could be—and how uncertain the results were. Just like the time he went to court with Yu Shangmei over the inheritance.
Even with Cao Dayong’s will, his signature, and a lawyer present as witness, the court still ruled he had no legal claim—since there was no formal adoption and no blood relation.
He’d lost that case miserably.
Ever since, just hearing the word “lawsuit” gave him anxiety.
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “Getting a lawyer doesn’t necessarily mean a lawsuit. The lawyer can represent Uncle Sanpang and the others in negotiations with Cao Ji. Once it’s a legal matter, Cao Ji can ignore them, but they won’t dare ignore a lawyer.”
“And having a lawyer involved sends a message—it’s a warning. Cao Ji has its own legal team. Even if someone wants to play dirty or stall for time, the lawyers will remind them of the consequences.”
Jiang Da still looked uncertain. “Will that… actually work?”
Jiang Fuyue smiled faintly. “Won’t know unless we try.”
