10

 "Why can't it be me, baby?" Seeing that Jiang Nian finally recognized him, You Xingwen felt more grief than joy.

He couldn't distinguish the emotions surging within him.

It had been too long; his hopes had long since vanished, leaving only his love for Jiang Nian, constantly rising and falling.

He had given up so much.

After impersonating You Xingxiu, to marry Jiang Nian, he had to admit to his parents, with his newborn child, that he wasn't You Xingwen.

He made up an excuse that You Xingwen couldn't accept his lover marrying his younger brother, and then went abroad with a non-existent new lover to heal his wounds.

But their sweet family life didn't last long. Just before their wedding, Jiang Nian was snatched away by You Gebai. When You Xingwen tried to get her back, You Xingxiu's body was discovered.

Everything fell apart.

He was hated by his parents, who only cared about their eldest son. To evade the police and his parents' pursuit, he went into hiding, but missing Jiang Nian so much, he still used his former influence.

This action not only exposed his connection to You Xingwen but also revealed his own position.

His parents realized what had happened; although heartbroken by You Xingxiu's death, they still favored You Xingwen, knowing their eldest son was alive, and stopped investigating him. However, the You family's rival, somehow finding out about this, intervened, causing the You family to lose control of You Xingwen as well.

Before going to prison, You Xingwen made one last act of defiance. He went alone to where Nian Nian was, and in the quiet night, made a promise to his lover.

He left an address where a subordinate with little connection to the You family lived, a place no one would know.

If Jiang Nian went there and found that subordinate, You Xingwen, upon learning the news, would disregard everything and come out to be with Jiang Nian.

In prison, he constantly recalled Jiang Nian's voice and appearance, which sustained his mental stability. However, there were always those who wouldn't know better than to offend him, and over time, You Xingwen learned many fighting techniques.

Later, due to good behavior in prison, coupled with the You family's constant efforts and You Xingwen's own immense power and connections, he was released after a few years.

That address was also invalidated.

Jiang Nian never came.

Zhou Gebai's power was also constantly growing, and You Xingwen could only glance at Jiang Nian from afar before turning back to the You family to take over everything, stabilize and expand their power. This wasn't difficult for You Xingwen; even while in prison, he kept up with outside news and learned new knowledge.

But he still couldn't learn how to win Jiang Nian's heart.

He thought Jiang Nian would be like him—he loved Jiang Nian, Jiang Nian loved You Xingxiu, he was now You Xingxiu, so Jiang Nian loved him.

You Xingwen always believed this.

But reality dealt him a blow; Jiang Nian didn't actually care who she loved…

anyone was fine.

Haha, anyone was fine.

"Baby, who do you hope it is?" You Xingwen's laughter was squeezed out of his throat; it was hard to say whether You Xingwen had gone mad or not by holding back until now.

“It’s a pity, no matter who you really want, it’s only me for now.” You Xingwen stopped pretending. He already hated that Jiang Nian mistook him for his brother, and now that Jiang Nian recognized him, it was proof that she had once remembered him vividly.

He reached out and gently stroked Jiang Nian’s cheek. The wound on his palm was a hideous gash, uneven and rough against Jiang Nian’s delicate skin, leaving a bloody mark.

You Xingwen had always been a ruthless person, not only towards others but also towards himself. This wound, this pain, was nothing compared to the twisted agony in his heart.

Looking at Jiang Nian, stained and disheveled by his own blood, the raging hatred and love in his heart had actually subsided somewhat. You Xingwen was genuinely happy. He sighed, “Baby, you are destined to be with me. Whether it’s your disgust for me or my love and hate for you, let it be… let us be inseparable.”

You Xingwen cupped Jiang Nian’s face, lowered his head, and the two kissed again.

This time, it was as You Xingwen, not You Xingxiu.

You Xingwen was satisfied.

Jiang Nian was still taken away, Jiang Qiu Nian was missing, Zhou Gebai was unconscious, and no one in the Zhou family could stop You Xingwen. Having regained his lost possession, You Xingwen became even more unrestrained and frenzied; Jiang Nian didn't get out of bed for a single day.

You Xingwen kept filling Jiang Nian's belly, and when he pulled out, his eyes were still filled with excitement. He leaned against Jiang Nian's stomach, stroking her belly, and murmured to himself, "This time, it will be a happy family."

Of course, You Xingwen didn't want Jiang Nian to get pregnant again. He had undergone a tubal ligation when they met again, a fact he used to boast to Jiang Nian, to show that he was different from Zhou Gebai, who was driven by lust.

However, this became insignificant after Zhou Gebai also had a tubal ligation.

You Xingwen only regretted that his and Jiang Nian's child wouldn't be raised by the two of them. How wonderful it would have been if they had.

You Xingwen not only brought Jiang Nian, but also Jiang Qiunian and Jiang Kehong, determined to create a harmonious and warm family.

However, a year passed, and Jiang Nian saw the two children for less than a week.

You Xingwen's possessiveness had reached the point where he felt uncomfortable and repulsed whenever Jiang Nian was close to these two children who had no blood relation to him.

Jiang Nian could tolerate everything else, but not this.

Originally, the mission was on track, but now Jiang Qiunian not only disliked his adoptive parents, but he had also completely forgotten about his adoptive father, and his adoptive mother… he felt both pity and self-reproach for her. He

pityed Jiang Nian's fragility, like a real sparrow unable to control when it was released from its cage, helplessly staring at the golden lock without a key.

He blamed himself for his own powerlessness, always being forcefully suppressed by his adoptive mother's husband.

How could the mission continue like this!

After Jiang Qiunian's rebellion failed once again, Jiang Nian made up her mind that this couldn't continue.

Jiang Nian dismissed You Xingwen, hugged Jiang Kehong who had become even more withdrawn than before, and squeezed Jiang Qiunian's much larger hand, saying, "Qiunian, let's run away together."

Jiang Qiunian's previously calm face instantly flushed an unnatural red. He exclaimed in surprise, "What?"

"Mom, just you and me?"

Jiang Nian shook her head and said, "And Jiang Kehong too."

"...Okay." Jiang Qiunian had expected this.

This escape had been planned for a long time. Besides Zhou Gebai, who had never given up, there was also Jiang Qiunian's own small force, including the help of the system. Originally, the system was not allowed to participate in the host's actions, otherwise it would be punished. However, the system had spent so much time with Jiang Nian that it had long regarded Jiang Nian as its own family, and it didn't feel bad about making some sacrifices, but it didn't mention it to Jiang Nian.

As a result, things went much more smoothly. After the three of them successfully escaped You Xingwen's territory, Jiang Qiunian drove an ordinary sedan with out-of-town license plates that he had bought online, looking at his mother, who was still shaken, through the rearview mirror.

In his mind, there was only his mother's words: "Let's run away together."

But then he thought of Zhou Gebai, and Jiang Qiunian's joy faded considerably. He asked, seemingly casually, "Did Mom run away to go back to Father?"

Jiang Nian knew he was referring to Zhou Gebai, and he quickly denied it: "No, we can't go back to him."

Going back would mean being caught again by You Xingwen.

Jiang Qiunian's breathing quickened, as if he'd won the lottery, leaving him dizzy. He couldn't help but ask, "What does Mom mean?"

"We'll go somewhere without them, and live a good life."

"Just us?"

Jiang Nian said, "Yes, just us."

Jiang Qiunian's previously flat lips gradually curved upwards, unable to suppress the smile any longer.

These were the happiest words he had ever heard. (

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