13

 Jiang Nian, this time with the system's help, erased his tracks.

He took Jiang Kehong to a city he had liked during a previous trip. The city had a thriving tourism industry, so hotel prices weren't cheap. Jiang Nian thought for a moment and rented a guesthouse with meals included.

Jiang Nian knew that without Jiang Qiunian's help, You Xingwen would find him quickly, and coincidentally, Jiang Kehong had nowhere to go. He took Jiang Kehong away only to provoke Jiang Qiunian; otherwise, leaving Jiang Kehong with Zhou Gebai would have been the best solution.

But hearing the system say that Jiang Qiunian hated him, and that the mission would be complete once Jiang Qiunian had built the initial form of his business empire, Jiang Nian understood that he had made the right choice.

The guesthouse had all sorts of guests. The moment Jiang Nian and his child checked in, it was like water falling into oil—an instant uproar.

Every day, day or night, men would come and invite Jiang Nian to visit nearby ancient towns or lakes.

Jiang Nian refused all offers and rented an electric scooter to take Jiang Kehong around. Although some persistent men followed them, Jiang Nian didn't pay much attention. Sometimes, she would even make a funny man laugh.

At night, after Jiang Kehong fell asleep, Jiang Nian would go to the nearest bar, drinking bitter liquor and listening to others play guitar and chat – a peaceful and enjoyable

experience. However, less than a week later, the moment Jiang Nian opened the door, she bumped into a strong chest. Rubbing her nose, she took a step back and looked over to see You Xingwen, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

You Xingwen was still the same, still able to smile at Jiang Nian. His fingertips touched Jiang Nian's eyelashes, then moved down to caress her red lips. Pressing against her chin, You Xingwen kissed her lips.

He kissed her deeply, squeezing her lips until they were flat, his tongue darting around, almost swallowing all her saliva.

He missed Jiang Nian. His life revolved around her; no one had ever made him love, hate, feel heartache, and cherish her so much.

You Xingwen didn't know how he had endured those days and nights.

You Xingwen poured all his emotions into that kiss, until when they pulled away, their tongues were intertwined, the saliva dripping onto the back of You Xingwen's hand, which he slowly licked away. "Baby, come home with me."

Jiang Nian agreed.

He had no reason to refuse; he had been waiting for You Xingwen's arrival.

Because the mission was nearing completion, Jiang Nian was no longer so cold towards You Xingwen. Although she wasn't as affectionate and clingy as she had been towards You Xingxiu at the beginning, You Xingwen was very content.

You Xingwen thought that Jiang Nian had come to her senses during her time away, realizing that no one else was suitable except him. Regardless, You Xingwen was happy.

Jiang Nian was like that. He himself didn't realize it, but he was always capricious, hot and cold towards people, leaving them disheartened yet simultaneously captivated by the occasional sweetness that emanated from his fingertips. After much inner turmoil, they still couldn't let go of their love for Jiang Nian. They

even wondered if they had done something wrong when Jiang Nian had neglected them.

Jiang Nian hadn't done it on purpose; his personality had always been like this, and now that he had amnesia, he was even less aware of how terrible his personality appeared to those who didn't love him.

But he didn't care. So many people loved him; he couldn't even attend to them all. How could he possibly care what those who didn't love him thought?

Listening to the system's daily progress updates, Jiang Nian felt that escaping this world was just around the corner. Jiang Kehong was taken back to kindergarten. Without the always troublesome Jiang Qiunian, You Xingwen finally felt the warmth of a wife and children.

Although his son wasn't his, his wife was!

You Xingwen's business had long since reached its peak, and he no longer needed to constantly monitor the company's situation; most of the time, he could manage everything from home. Mainly, he wanted to make time for Jiang Nian to keep him company.

Having regained his lost love, You Xingwen's feelings for Jiang Nian deepened. He would even wait for her outside the bathroom, practically having no life of his own.

Jiang Nian felt numb to this; too many men clung to her like this, and she didn't know why. As You Xingwen held her on his lap, he peeled a snow crab, picked out the leg meat, dipped it in flavorful seasoning, and held it to her lips.

Jiang Nian took a bite, her white cheek puffing out. You Xingwen's teeth itched at the sight, and just as she swallowed, he bit her cheek, earning a slap from her.

You Xingwen grabbed her withdrawn hand, squeezed her wrist, kissed her palm, and laughed, "Can't I bite you?" Jiang

Nian glanced at You Xingwen silently, as if to say, "Don't give me that nonsense. "

You Xingwen pretended not to see, lowered his head to lick the bits of meat from Jiang Nian's lips, and remarked, "It tastes really good."

Jiang Nian had grown accustomed to this constant harassment, letting You Xingwen do as he pleased. This indulgence made You Xingwen forget everything else, only knowing to be inseparable from his wife, following her wherever she went.

Once, while out, Jiang Nian felt a different kind of gaze, dark yet intense. Jiang Nian turned around and saw

Jiang Qiu Nian, whose appearance had drastically changed.

The change was indescribable; even after spending so much time with him, Jiang Nian didn't recognize him at first glance.

Strangely, Jiang Qiu Nian didn't greet her or make any other move, simply gazing intently at Jiang Nian before turning away and leaving.

You Xingwen, carrying large bags next to Jiang Nian, saw Jiang Qiunian. He glanced at his wife's face, finding nothing amiss, before saying, "He's been making waves in the business world lately."

"Do you miss your son?"

You Xingwen had always believed Jiang Nian thought both children were his biological offspring. While he disliked Jiang Nian always bringing them along, he felt powerless to stop her. He was even more afraid that Jiang Nian would find out the truth—that his child was already dead. If he kept it a secret forever, it would be the truth.

Then, You Xingwen remembered that Jiang Qiunian was, in a sense, his and Jiang Nian's child. He added, "Our child is quite successful. If you miss him, go see him. It's nothing."

Jiang Nian gave You Xingwen a strange look, wondering what he was thinking when he said those words. She shook her head, looking at Jiang Qiunian's cold back, and sighed softly, saying, "He won't want to see me. He hates me."

You Xingwen smiled upon hearing this, saying confidently, "No, he won't hate you."

You Xingwen understood; Jiang Qiunian loved Jiang Nian too much to hate her.

Today's actions were nothing more than a test for Jiang Nian, hoping she would come to him. You Xingwen knew that whatever conflicts existed between them, everything would be resolved if Jiang Nian went to Jiang Qiu Nian.

However, Jiang Nian didn't see it that way, and You Xingwen didn't say much. Pretending to be magnanimous was one thing, but he wasn't truly magnanimous; he wished he were the only person in Jiang Nian's world. He was even happier that Jiang Nian didn't go to Jiang Qiu Nian.

Besides, Jiang Qiu Nian was raised by Jiang Nian and Zhou Gebai together. What if Jiang Nian met Jiang Qiu Nian and rekindled her old feelings for Zhou Gebai?

You Xingwen didn't care about his brother and Jiang Qiu Nian, but if Jiang Nian favored someone else, no matter how much power he had, he could only keep an eye on Jiang Nian; his heart would still go mad.

Jiang Nian was somewhat worried later, but after hearing the progress bar getting fuller, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was right for Jiang Qiu Nian to hate him.

Jiang Nian drifted off to sleep peacefully, the white smoke swirling around him, making him feel heavy with drowsiness. When he opened his eyes again, the sensation beneath him had changed; the smooth, soft sheets had transformed into a plush carpet.

Jiang Nian was startled.

The light was dim, and the surroundings were unfamiliar. Lying on countless layers of soft carpet, Jiang Nian felt no chill.

He propped himself up on the carpet, half-sitting up, and realized he was wearing a pure white silk women's nightgown, not revealing at all, with long sleeves that draped over his wrists.

Jiang Nian tugged at the collar, examining it closely, and realized it was the style of nightgown Zhou Gebai had forced him to wear at Zhou Gebai's place.

Without much thought, Jiang Nian's gaze swept around. In the dim light, he noticed something reflecting light in front of him.

Jiang Nian got up and walked over. As soon as he stood up, he felt a heavy touch on his ankle. He moved his foot, and a clattering sound came from beneath him.

It was an iron chain.

Jiang Nian's heart sank. Fortunately, the chains were long enough not to hinder his movements. After a few steps, Jiang Nian could see what the reflective object was: a row of golden rods covered with intricate patterns, looking incredibly exquisite. But no matter how exquisite, it couldn't change the fact that they resembled a birdcage.

Was it Zhou Gebai?

Only Zhou Gebai could do something like this.

Jiang Nian looked around and realized he was indeed trapped in something resembling a giant birdcage. The only way out was locked and couldn't be opened.

Jiang Nian tugged at it a few times, then gave up. Anyway, Zhou Gebai wouldn't hurt him. He sat back down in his original spot, sinking into the soft carpet. Sleepiness washed over Jiang Nian again, and he half-reclined on the carpet, the soft fur pressing against his delicate cheeks, feeling very comfortable.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps came from the darkness, neither fast nor slow, as if intentional. Jiang Nian's sleepiness dissipated, and he slightly raised his head to look at the source of the sound.

The surrounding lights gradually brightened, heavily enveloping the magnificent and enormous birdcage, revealing everything.

Jiang Nian instinctively called out a few times, "Is that you? Zhou Gebai?"

There was no answer.

Jiang Nian felt a pang of panic, but the blinding light forced him to half-close his eyes, tears welling in his eyes. It took him a long time to finally make out the face of the man emerging from the darkness.

It wasn't Zhou Gebai he had guessed…

but someone Jiang Nian never expected—Jiang Qiunian.

Jiang Qiunian wore a well-fitting bespoke suit, looking no longer the naive boy he once was, but mature and composed. His handsome face showed no outward emotion. He stood outside the cage, looking down at his mother lying on the carpet, tears streaming down her face, her expression utterly innocent, making her appear exceptionally fragile.

The two stared at each other, silence filling the air. Seeing the disbelief in his mother's emerald-like eyes, Jiang Qiunian slowly crouched down, looking through the exquisite cage at his mother, who seemed trapped like a canary unable to escape. Jiang Qiunian spoke, his voice as cold and piercing as winter.

"I've thought about this look of Mom for a long time, and sure enough..."

"She's very beautiful."

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