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Butler Xu closed his eyes to savor the freshness of the pork bone soup, then used the serving ladle to stir and carefully searched the soup, yet he couldn’t find any trace of seafood.
Could it be that Qin Jiang’s methods had become more sophisticated?
Could he have actually crushed the seafood and boiled it into the soup?
With that thought in mind, he still wasn’t reassured, so he waved for a maid who was also allergic to seafood to come forward and take a sip with a new spoon.
Seeing the maid had no allergic reaction, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yan Liang frowned, very displeased with Old Xu’s presumptuous decision.
That was the soup Jiang made for her, and she hadn’t even had the first sip.
Would Qin Jiang be angry?
But…did the soup really not have anything added to it?
Yan Liang was somewhat surprised.
Then she suddenly understood: Qin Jiang had deliberately been nice to her this time to cover for Bai Chuchu.
“Deduct $100,000 from Old Xu’s year-end bonus!”
Yan Liang was displeased and naturally wanted to punish someone.
Butler Xu could only cry inwardly. However, that sum was just a tiny drop in his year-end bonus, which at least meant the young mistress still favored him.
Butler Xu comforted himself with that thought.
“As you command, Young Mistress.”
“The soup can be served, but it’s a bit hot, I’ll have someone—”
After all, Butler Xu was a professional and meticulous in looking after Yan Liang’s meals and daily needs.
However, just as he took out a new spoon…
A hand reached out and took the spoon from him. Qin Jiang then scooped a spoonful of soup and blew on it with his lips.
“No need to trouble others, I’ll feed Yanyan myself.”
Qin Jiang’s initiative surprised everyone once again.
Butler Xu couldn’t help wiping the cold sweat from his brow, waiting for signs that Qin Jiang would cause trouble.
After all, there had to be a reason why Qin Jiang was behaving out of character.
He thought perhaps Qin Jiang hadn’t put seafood in the soup this time in order to scald the young mistress with hot soup.
What a terrible thing that would be! He’d have to book an ambulance for the young mistress again.
Watching the scene, everyone couldn’t help but silently mourn for the young mistress.
The scene looked warm, but in truth it was merely the calm before the storm.
Qin Jiang ignored their vigilant gazes. He had to admit that in the past he had acted out and been cruel in order to leave Liangyue Manor, hurting Yan Liang many times in the process.
But now, he wouldn’t do that.
He was Yan Liang’s husband, and must shoulder the responsibility of caring for and protecting her.
Of course, he must also cherish her.
He held the spoon, blew on it, tested the temperature at his lips to ensure it wouldn’t scald Yan Liang, then brought it to her mouth, watching her expectantly.
Yan Liang didn’t hesitate and obediently drank it all in one go.
As if whatever Qin Jiang brought to her lips—even poison—she would accept sweetly.
All because Qin Jiang smiled at her.
How long had it been since she received a genuine smile from this man?
Perhaps never.
Yet she cherished it all the same.
“Is it good?”
“You have severe anorexia…look how thin you’ve become, almost just skin and bones—how can your health improve like this? Let me take care of your diet from now on.”
“I’ll fatten you up and make you plump and healthy. Once your body is recovered, we’ll have a child of our own!” Qin Jiang said this on his own accord.
He spoke of a future Yan Liang didn’t even dare to imagine.
Qin Jiang actually… wanted to have a child with her?
Wasn’t he the one who found her disgusting before, who’d rather be sterilized than let her get pregnant…
Yan Liang looked up in disbelief, a bright gleam bursting into her clear, glassy eyes.
Butler Xu wore a blank expression: here it comes! That scumbag is obviously starting to spin his sweet lies to distract the young mistress again.
Young Mistress is far too easy to fool! The poor girl!
Of course, he also knew Yan Liang was clever. She just chose to believe Qin Jiang.
“Mm, I’ll eat obediently.”
Yan Liang nodded earnestly. The tips of her ears flushed at Qin Jiang’s words, obedient to an almost unbelievable degree.
Once the domineering, bloodthirsty fierceness was stripped away, before Qin Jiang she was just an ordinary girl longing for love.
But Yan Liang only let her guard down in front of Qin Jiang.
In this world, she trusted no one else.
Next to them, Song Jie was already stunned for words.
Not only had his brother climbed high, but he’d attached himself to the most powerful and fearsome female CEO in the city.
This woman had taken over Yan Group at eighteen, solidified her position at nineteen, and has now ruled Yan Group for two years—any factions that tried to rebel vanished without a trace.
No one could shake her authority.
Even her so-called big brother could only handle some peripheral Yan Group affairs from a wheelchair.
The true ruler of the Yan business empire was Yan Liang!
She was the terrifying, unhinged mad heiress who made the whole city tremble!
And this ruthless young mistress was somehow trained to be as gentle as a kitten in front of Qin Jiang?
This… this was illogical!
But Song Jie was truly happy for Qin Jiang to have such an opportunity.
No matter what, Yan Liang was far prettier and richer than that bitch Bai Chuchu.
More importantly, the young mistress was gentle and attentive to Qin Jiang.
While Bai Chuchu would only exploit Qin Jiang in covert ways.
Qin Jiang fed Yan Liang two bowls of soup, then remembered to introduce his friend to her.
“Yanyan, this is Song Jie, my childhood friend.”
“Before I returned to the Qin family he was my best friend, and he still is.”
Suddenly under everyone’s attention, Song Jie grew a little nervous.
Especially Yan Liang—though she was like a tame cat in front of Qin Jiang, her gaze at him now was fierce and domineering like a white lion.
She sized up Song Jie, then instructed Butler Xu, “Transfer to him a villa closest to Liangyue Manor, and have him pick two cars from the garage.”
Song Jie was stunned, then elated.
Thanks to his brother, he was getting rich overnight!
Qin Jiang was stunned too—he hadn’t expected that merely introducing his childhood friend casually would make Yan Liang spend so extravagantly.
“Uh, I… I don’t want it!”
“I won’t accept undeserved gifts. I’m Qin Jiang’s brother in spirit, but I won’t do anything that betrays him—don’t think you can buy me!”
Song Jie gritted his teeth. Only heaven knew how much inner turmoil it took for him to refuse.
Liangyue Manor was located in the city center, and the surrounding villas were worth hundreds of millions.
Not to mention the luxury cars in Liangyue Manor’s underground garage.
Each one was a top-tier luxury vehicle.
Just driving one away casually would make him rich…
And he could have two!!
Boohoo! Son, do you know what your father gave up for you?
Song Jie wanted to cry but no tears came.
He stood straight and defiant, but inside him, sorrow flowed like a river.
“Yanyan… Song Jie doesn’t need them…”
Qin Jiang wasn’t trying to decide for Song Jie. Rather, he lacked the ability now—whatever Yan Liang gave to Song Jie was effectively being given to him, and he couldn’t repay such a huge gift.
“Jiang, this is a meet-and-greet gift.”
“I’m very happy—this is the first time you’ve introduced me to one of your friends.”
Yan Liang was genuinely pleased.
Spending money like this was just something she did casually.
Qin Jiang pressed his lips together, unable to refuse. He took Yan Liang’s hand and spoke earnestly, “Yanyan, although I have nothing now and promises sound hollow, I will work hard and in the future reach a position worthy of you.”
Yan Liang smiled happily.
Regardless of how much truth was in Qin Jiang’s words, she was utterly swept away.
She knew the man she liked would never settle for mediocrity.
“Mm, I believe you.”
“Jiang, you can definitely do it.”
No matter what Qin Jiang said or did, Yan Liang supported him unconditionally.
In the underground parking garage.
Song Jie looked at the garage full of top luxury cars, dazzled.
“Aaaah! Brother Jiang, I thought the whole concept of ‘when you strike it rich, don’t forget your roots’ was just a pie-in-the-sky promise between us—didn’t expect you to actually make it happen! Being your brother is pure bliss.”
Song Jie’s smile was harder to suppress than a semiautomatic in action.
Qin Jiang patted his shoulder contentedly, suddenly remembered something, and reminded Song Jie, “Jie, I want you to keep this a secret for now.”
Song Jie asked suspiciously, “Keep it secret from Kexin too?”
Jiang Kexin was his childhood sweetheart and girlfriend. They shared almost everything.
He had planned to tell Kexin right away.
But…his phone happened to run out of battery.
“Yes, keep it from everyone.”
“A windfall is better kept quiet, otherwise it invites trouble. You’re an orphan from a common background at Huajing University, where rich kids abound. Sudden wealth will make them find ways to push you back down.”
Qin Jiang had many considerations behind his words.
He knew too well the faces of some rich brats at Huajing University. Besides, according to his memories, by this time Jiang Kexin was already secretly involved with that rich heir, Wu Yu.
He had only heard rumors later about why she had committed suicide and didn’t know the full truth.
For Song Jie’s safety, caution was best.
“Alright, Brother Jiang, I’ll follow your lead.”
Song Jie agreed—sudden wealth without connections would surely draw the hostility of the native rich kids at Huajing University.
But back to the main point.
Being able to cling to his brother’s coattails—what a wonderful life!
…
After watching Qin Jiang drive away, Bai Chuchu shook off Yu Qian, found a hidden spot, and called Qin Yun, “Yun, something happened!”
Qin Yun was in his private ward in the Qin house and on an IV drip. The slap mark Qin Jiang had left on his face still burned painfully even after treatment.
Bai Chuchu told Qin Yun everything that had happened at Huajing University, detailing especially the one-of-a-kind Bugatti supercar Qin Jiang drove.
“Yun, you know I can’t possibly come up with $500,000—Qin Jiang’s asking like a lion demanding prey. What if he has Aunt Yan Liang retaliate against me?”
Bai Chuchu was anxious as she spoke, and she stressed on the $500,000 compensation as though she was genuinely distressed.
Qin Yun frowned. He actually had money.
But $500,000 wasn’t a small amount—he couldn’t be the fool who gave it to Qin Jiang for no reason.
At the same time, he still needed Bai Chuchu to keep Qin Jiang interested.
So he couldn’t really let her get into trouble.
He reassured her, “Chuchu, don’t worry—I’ll handle this.”
After hanging up, Qin Yun lay in bed counting the time.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before a graceful, elegant figure entered the ward—it was his fourth sister, Qin Shuyun.
In the Qin family, she was the closest to Qin Yun.
She entered, deftly smoothing his blankets, checking if the IV bag needed replacing—attending to every little detail with care.
“Fourth Sister…”
Qin Yun lay on the bed, already pale. His hesitant expression made him look even more fragile and pitiable.
“What’s wrong, Yun?”
“Did that jinx of a Qin Jiang bully you again? Tell your Fourth Sister and I’ll go settle the score with him!”
Qin Shuyun was furious—her attitude toward Qin Jiang and Qin Yun couldn’t be more different.
In her eyes, Qin Jiang was a bad seed who couldn’t shake his lowborn vices.
He couldn’t compare to Qin Yun, who grew up under her watch and was well-mannered and noble.
Qin Yun was the gentleman groomed to be the Qin family’s heir.
Even if Qin Jiang donned feathers, he could never be a phoenix—only a lowly wild fowl.
Qin Yun’s repeated hesitation gave Qin Shuyun a bad feeling. She was sure it was Qin Jiang causing trouble again.
This disaster of a brother didn’t leave people at ease even after he had left the Qin family.
“Fourth Sister, can I borrow… borrow $600,000?”
“Chuchu accidentally hit Miss Yan Liang’s car, so Brother Qin Jiang is asking Chuchu to pay $600,000 for depreciation. I’ve been sick for years with big expenses and haven’t saved any money…” Qin Yun spoke somewhat embarrassedly.
This made Qin Shuyun, who loved him most, even more distressed.
She had once been an actress of the year, and even though she had now retired to the second line as a director and screenwriter, her income was substantial and she’d saved a good deal.
Since Qin Yun needed it, she was of course willing to give it!
But why should Qin Jiang demand it?
This was clearly deliberate extortion to punish Qin Yun and Chuchu—she couldn’t let Qin Jiang bully her family like this.
So she comfortingly stroked Qin Yun’s head, “Yun, don’t worry—leave this matter to your fourth sister.”
“I’ll transfer $1 million to you first—how could you manage if you’re both sick and without cash?”
“As for the compensation, you don’t worry about it—I’ll personally go to Huajing University tomorrow to confront Qin Jiang! Extorting his own family—has he gone mad? This is outrageous!”
“I must teach him a lesson on behalf of Mother!”
Each child of the Qin family received $300,000 per month in allowance.
Qin Yun’s frail health always required care. It’s understandable he had no savings.
But Qin Jiang—there’s no way he had no money.
Qin Shuyun’s eyes darkened with rising anger: Qin Jiang was clearly picking a fight on purpose!
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