07

 "Qiu Nian?"

What are you doing here?

Before Jiang Nian could even ask this, You Xingxiu suddenly spoke up, "According to our relationship, you should call me Dad, because you are my and Nian Nian's child."

"Come home with Mom and Dad."

"You Xingxiu!" Jiang Nian warned.

You Xingxiu's expression remained unchanged. He looked at Jiang Nian with all his gentleness and patience and said, "Did I say anything wrong? Nian Nian, isn't it good for the three of us to live a good life together?"

"...Stop it, You Xingxiu. I kept my promise of five years." Jiang Nian was helpless; there was no point in talking to someone who wouldn't listen to reason.

Jiang Qiunian, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up, "If Mom doesn't want to, don't force it."

"How can you get something without forcing it? Jiang Qiunian, I've investigated you. You're also very unwilling, aren't you? Why should we, father and son, have to give in for Zhou Gebai and Jiang Kehong?" You Xingxiu was clearly prepared; his few words swayed Jiang Qiunian's heart. He smiled again and said, "From now on, you'll be the only child by Mom's side. Aren't you tempted?"

Jiang Nian knew the allure of these words for Jiang Qiunian. He couldn't help but hug Jiang Kehong tightly. Jiang Kehong seemed to sense his mother's tension and the malice of those around him, and he hugged his mother back tightly.

Jiang Qiunian still suppressed his feelings, because he knew better than anyone how ruthless Jiang Nian was; if she said she wouldn't talk to you, she wouldn't talk to you.

Unfortunately, what Jiang Qiunian didn't know was that he still couldn't understand Jiang Nian as thoroughly as You Xingxiu. Even though he often did things to confuse Jiang Nian, he still hadn't truly seen through her heart. He still harbored a glimmer of hope.

He was too naive. He thought that if he followed Jiang Nian's wishes, he would eventually regain her favor.

He couldn't outmaneuver Jiang Nian; in this respect, he had lost completely.

Jiang Qiunian rejected You Xingxiu's suggestion, saying, "I'm sorry, my mother's wishes are more important."

"Uncle, your base of operations isn't in B City, is it? How about we take a gamble—whether you can successfully take my mother away, or whether she'll be intercepted halfway?" Over the past few years, Jiang Qiunian had secretly built up his own power base and learned about his mother's entanglements with the You family.

Naturally, he also knew You Xingxiu's identity.

However, information about the You family had been blocked for over a decade, and he only knew about some events from earlier years. But that was enough.

You Xingxiu scoffed disdainfully, then, as if thinking of something, he turned to look at Jiang Nian and said, "Nian Nian, is that what you're thinking too? Hoping that good-for-nothing Zhou Gebai will come to save you?"

"If I hadn't been held back by something back then, it would have been my incompetence if Zhou Gebai had even taken you out of the house. It would have been a blessing from heaven. But now, do you still want to gamble?"

Jiang Nian looked away, not answering.

"Ha, you can't live without Zhou Gebai, can you?"

You Xingxiu chuckled softly, rubbing Jiang Nian's earlobe a few times before releasing her. He said generously, "Go back with your son, Nian Nian. I'll give you a day to think it over. I'll make you give up on Zhou Gebai."

You Xingxiu didn't explain the meaning of his words.

Jiang Nian hugged Jiang Kehong, sitting behind Jiang Qiunian. Jiang Qiunian put his helmet on Jiang Nian's head, made her hold him tightly around the waist, and drove away with a flourish. As the wind blew across her fingertips, Jiang Nian, for some reason, inexplicably turned her head and glanced at You Xingxiu.

The tall, straight man stood under the banyan tree by the roadside. His expression was obscured by the distance, but Jiang Nian could still feel You Xingxiu's burning gaze, almost scalding her, making her look away.

What would he do…

Jiang Nian couldn't imagine.

The three returned home. The maid carried Jiang Kehong, but Jiang Nian was somewhat distracted. Even when Jiang Qiunian pulled him into his arms with his broad shoulders to comfort him, he didn't notice.

When Jiang Nian came to his senses, he pushed Jiang Qiunian away. Jiang Qiunian wasn't angry or bothered.

Jiang Nian went upstairs to his room and took out his phone to call Zhou Gebai. He felt that You Xingxiu would target Zhou Gebai.

The call was quickly answered, and Zhou Gebai's surprised voice came from the other end of the line, "Wife, why did you suddenly think of calling me?"

"Zhou Gebai, I saw You Xingxiu today. Be careful lately."

"...He's bothering you again? Don't worry, your husband is very capable."

Jiang Nian frowned and scolded, "Stop joking, I'm serious."

The mission was already riddled with mistakes; it couldn't go on any longer. There couldn't be any problems with Zhou Gebai. Only two years left, just two years.

Zhou Gebai stopped teasing and reassured her, "Yes, I know you're worried about me, wife. I'll be careful."

Jiang Nian hummed in agreement and hung up before Zhou Gebai could continue his tirade.

Fortunately, nothing happened until Zhou Gebai returned from work. He took a detour to buy Jiang Nian her favorite late-night snack. Jiang Nian only ate a few bites, but Zhou Gebai ate the rest of the food with gusto.

However, things took a turn for the worse the next evening. Jiang Nian had just finished his bath, his wet hair clinging to his skin, his face as beautiful as a lotus emerging from water.

He walked out and said, "

Let's keep dinner light tonight." The butler, who usually answered him, didn't respond.

Jiang Nian was puzzled. He called the butler a few more times, but still no one answered. He called other servants, and even Jiang Qiu Nian didn't respond.

Jiang Nian reacted instantly, trying to run back to his room, but a powerful force gripped his waist from behind, then lifted him up. You Xingxiu's soft voice rang in Jiang Nian's ear, "Nian Nian, your day is up. Have you thought it through?"

Jiang Nian screamed softly in fright, gritting his teeth, "You Xingxiu!"

"Hey, I'm here, Nian Nian." You Xingxiu chuckled, holding Jiang Nian in his arms, cradling his head with his other hand, and then pressed his lips to Jiang Nian's, kissing him until they were both panting before releasing him.

He carried Jiang Nian into the master bedroom, as if this were their marital home, naturally placing him on the bed. He found a hairdryer in the bathroom, came out, and turned it on to dry Jiang Nian's hair.

The hot air blew on Jiang Nian's hair. You Xingxiu said, "I gave you not only a day, but also a day for myself to ask myself if I could endure it. The result is... no."

"Nian Nian, I can't endure it even for one day."

Water droplets trickled down You Xingxiu's fingers from where he had stroked Jiang Nian's hair. You Xingxiu savored this time spent with Jiang Nian.

They had been sweet before.

Very sweet, very sweet.

But it was fleeting, leaving You Xingxiu alone, constantly reliving that time, unable to move on.

Jiang Nian knew that You Xingxiu's actions today wouldn't be so simple. As You Xingxiu put down the hairdryer, she asked, "What exactly are you going to do?"

You Xingxiu countered, "What do you want me to do?"

"I hope you don't do anything, just leave like this." Jiang Nian stood up and walked towards You Xingxiu. For the first time in so long, he took the initiative to hug You Xingxiu. While You Xingxiu was overjoyed, he continued, "You used to be so obedient. Why don't you listen to me anymore?"

"Just bear with it a little longer, okay? It's only two years."

Jiang Nian's voice was soft, almost like a siren tempting sailors on a ship, making them willingly jump into the sea to become his food. His warm breath hit You Xingxiu's chin. He half-covered his eyelids and said the sweet words they only said when they were together, his tone slow and ambiguous. He said, "I love you too, but I have my difficulties. Can't you understand me?"

You Xingxiu almost fell for it.

But he suddenly sobered up.

This wasn't the first time Jiang Nian had deceived him. On the day he left him, he had said the same thing.

【I don't care who you are, I will only choose you.】

But he turned around and chose someone else.

Liar.

He might have been a fool before, but he wasn't anymore.

You Xingxiu laughed again. He said, "I don't believe you. It's okay, Niannian. I don't know what you're doing, but I'll let you know you have no choice but me."

"Didn't you say it doesn't matter who you choose? Don't be biased."

"Unless you've truly fallen in love with Zhou Gebai."

Seeing that he was unmoved, Jiang Nian lost all interest in talking to him. Her face suddenly turned cold. He was always like this; those who were useless to him would only get this result.

You Xingxiu had known this for a long time, but he still felt sorry for her.

His smile faded, and the veins on his palms throbbed. He suppressed his anger and said, "Your husband will be home soon. Then I'll show you what a useless person he is."

Zhou Gebai got off work on time. As soon as he entered the house, he saw his wife sitting on the sofa and You Xingxiu standing beside her.

You Xingxiu wasn't wearing a suit today, just a simple casual outfit.

He said, "Want to fight? Whoever wins can live with Niannian."

"Niannian isn't an object. You should respect his choice." Zhou Gebai wasn't buying his provocation.

You Xingxiu: "Oh? Is that so? Then who kidnapped my bride back then, against her will? It wasn't you, You Gebai."

"What you can do, why can't I?"

Zhou Gebai's eyes turned fierce. He took off his coat as he walked away, saying, "I'm not fighting you for anything else, just to tell you that Niannian chose me, and you should have left long ago."

"Haha, is that so?"

The two started fighting without saying a word. There was not a trace of brotherhood between them, and their blows became more and more ruthless. But then You Xingxiu suddenly erupted, as if he had been in countless dirty fights, his methods direct and cruel. Finally, he used his knee to press against his younger brother's neck, reached out and grabbed a vase next to him, intending to smash it down.

Jiang Nian spoke up, shouting, "You Xingxiu, stop right now!"

But the vase still smashed down, only hitting the ground and shattering into pieces. Shards splashed onto You Xingxiu, but he ignored them, picking up the largest piece instead. A sharp shard cut his palm, drawing bright red blood, but You Xingxiu didn't even flinch. Instead, he grabbed his younger brother's head, pressing the shard against Zhou Gebai's face, and asked Jiang Nian, "What do you like about him? I really don't understand."

"Is it this face? Can I destroy it?"

Looking at Zhou Gebai, who was nearly suffocating and whose face was turning blue, Jiang Nian felt fear. He didn't want to destroy Zhou Gebai, so he said, "No! I don't like his face, I like him as a person. You Xingxiu, please let go. Zhou Gebai is dying, I'm begging you..."

“Wrong answer.” You Xingxiu’s face suddenly turned cold, but he quickly relaxed. He cut off the shard, leaving a bloody gash. You Xingxiu spoke gently, but with utmost sincerity, “Niannian, you like him as a person.”

“If I cut off his face and put it on my own, then I would be You Gebai from now on, and the person you like…”

“Would only be me.” (

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