Chapter 20: Just Enough Force, Confused But Unhurt

“Mr. Qin? Are you alright? Can you still take it?”

Butler Xu deliberately leaned in, a mischievous grin creasing his wrinkled face.

In Qin Jiang’s eyes, he looked like a walking butthole.

“You tell me.”

Of course something’s wrong! And it was no small matter too.

He felt like he was about to collapse, but at this moment, his dignity summoned powerful willpower.

That is — a man must never say he can’t take it anymore!

Truly a classic among classics.

“I think… you need to drink some Shenbao.” (TN: kidney supplements – traditional Chinese medicine believes that anything good for the kidneys will increase libido and virility in men.)

“One bottle to refresh your mind!”

“Two bottles and you’ll never be tired!”

“Three bottles…”

Immortality!

But before Old Xu could finish, Qin Jiang couldn’t help but bonk him on the head.

“Save the Shenbao.”

“Butler Xu is so dutiful, I’ll reward you with a bonk!”

“The force is just right — confused but brain unharmed.”

Qin Jiang was angry but amused. Even with his weak arm he had to give the old man a big swat!

“Mr. Qin, the kitchen has prepared lunch.”

“All of it is extra nourishing — the body is what you need for a revolution, you’d better not go against your health!” Zhou Ning indulged Old Xu by patting his head, then spoke to interrupt and guided Qin Jiang toward the dining table.

Young Mistress! Assistant Zhou is secretly bullying me too! Boohoo!

On the outside Zhou Ning showed nothing, but inwardly he was secretly laughing away too.

Qin Jiang’s health was of course very important.

He was both Ms. Liang’s gas station and beauty parlor. He couldn’t allow Qin Jiang’s body to be ruined just like that.

Of course it needs maintenance.

Yan Liang went downstairs.

Her dark red long hair cascaded down like a smooth waterfall, framing her perfect profile, her face was both bright and aloof, like a blood-red poppy blooming wildly in the dark, and like an unattainable snow lotus on a mountain peak.

Two contradictory temperaments were miraculously united in her.

Usually, aside from the frenzied violence she displayed when she relapsed, Yan Liang lived up to her name — icy and indifferent, her gaze always cold and detached as if she had nothing to do with the world.

Her methods in handling affairs were even more emotionless, like a cold data system that never allowed a trace of sentiment.

Liangyue Manor was large and lavish.

But before Qin Jiang was captured and imprisoned here, there had been no hint of ordinary life.

Even Butler Xu could only suppress his nature.

As for Zhou Ning, in Butler Xu’s words… he used to be just like Yan Liang — dead inside and out.

If something could be said in a few words, he would not waste a single extra one.

After Qin Jiang arrived, although Liangyue Manor experienced massive storms and daily quarrels, at least it gained some liveliness.

Even Yan Liang, who frightened everyone, became more vivid because of Qin Jiang.

At least before, Yan Liang didn’t even have the inclination to personally lash out and discipline Young Master Yan.

She was cold, sharp, and vicious.

She treated her family the same way.

Yan Zuo was the only one in the Yan family not afraid of Yan Liang, but he still didn’t dare to get close to her.

Although the young master often complained that he was scared, Butler Xu could see… he wanted to get close to his sister.

However, Yan Liang would not give anyone the chance to get close to her.

Except Qin Jiang.

Yan Liang descended the stairs in a sharp, immaculate professional outfit, the curve at the corner of her mouth still present.

Though she still seemed unattainable, people could sense she was a bit warmer and gentler today.

“Good afternoon, Young Mistress!!”

In the living room, servants and bodyguards stood in formation and saluted respectfully.

Yan Liang glanced at them and gave a faint “hm.”

The servants and bodyguards were flabbergasted

Then they all looked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Did the sun rise from the west today?

The cold, icy Young Mistress actually… responded to them?

Before they could pick up their dropped jaws, they saw the highborn Young Mistress actually walk into the kitchen herself.

Housekeeper Wang hurried to stop her, “Young Mistress, whatever you need, just tell us.”

“The kitchen isn’t fitting for your status. Tell me what you want and I’ll fetch it.”

Yan Liang stopped. She really had never been in a kitchen.

She had been pampered in her youth.

Her parents told her she was their proud little princess. Her hands didn’t need to wash or cook for anyone.

After being sent into the organization at thirteen, she hadn’t had a proper meal.

Starving to the extreme, even rats, cockroaches, and bugs could be savory fare to fill her stomach…

“No need.”

“If it’s for him, I want to do it myself.”

Yan Liang’s tone was very flat, but unintentionally softened with tenderness.

Housekeeper Wang was stunned.

They watched as Yan Liang, awkwardly but personally, ladled a bowl of oyster congee for Qin Jiang amid the fearful gazes of the servants and cooks.

She naturally noticed the kitchen’s carefully prepared kidney-strengthening, virility-boosting dishes.

No need to guess — it was Zhou Ning’s instruction.

He was always thorough in handling things.

Qin Jiang came to the table and saw the pampered Miss Yan personally push a bowl of oyster congee in front of him.

“Hm?” Qin Jiang was a bit flustered.

He swallowed. Surely after Yan Liang refueled him, he wouldn’t have to rush straight into battle again, right?

“You don’t like it?”

Seeing Qin Jiang hesitate, Yan Liang realized he clearly didn’t want to drink the congee.

So, he was going to reject everything she prepared from the bottom of his heart?

Her thoughts churned. Yan Liang frowned and stared, a nearly uncontrollable urge for self-destruction sweeping through her nerves, and the faint warmth at her brow vanished in an instant.

She tried hard to restrain herself, wanting to cloak her abnormality with a layer of gentle beauty.

But the veins rising on her fair knuckles betrayed her emotions.

She was, at her core, a wicked woman, a viperish monster!

No wonder… Qin Jiang would dislike the congee she offered.

Liangyue Manor suddenly felt like an ice pit.

The servants were stunned…

Good heavens, peace had reigned for only a few seconds?

Was another fierce battle about to erupt?

Butler Xu immediately stepped forward and deftly removed the antique vase of fresh flowers from the table.

The other servants quietly moved the more expensive and fragile items into storage.

Qin Jiang had once been consumed by hatred for Yan Liang and never noticed the servants’, butler’s, and bodyguards’ actions at Liangyue Manor.

Now he watched everyone sneakily hiding jade and cradling porcelain.

A flock of crows flew overhead.

But this wasn’t the time to spectate. The real battlefield was right in front of him.

Seeing Yan Liang had clearly misunderstood him, Qin Jiang hurriedly explained, his voice laced with soothing tenderness, “My wife is personally serving this bowl of congee to me, how could I not like it?”

“I’m just a bit overwhelmed by this. Such rough work should be done by your man — I’ll serve you, take care of you.”

“You are my wife. Taking care of you is my duty and my honor.”

Qin Jiang spoke while watching Yan Liang’s expression.

After he explained things, the murderous intent in her eyes faded.

In its place came awkwardness and helplessness, like a child who had done wrong, but was soothed by his sweet words into total trust.

Qin Jiang had been nervous a moment ago, but now, he too, felt a bit awkward.

Yan Liang was too easy to placate.

As long as he behaved obediently by her side, he became her exclusive stabilizer.

To dispel Yan Liang’s worries, Qin Jiang picked up the bowl and drank all the congee.

Then he stood and ladled another bowl.

He found a ceramic spoon.

He carefully blew on the congee, tested the temperature himself and brought it to Yan Liang’s lips.

“Be good… don’t worry, I like everything Yanyan gives.”

“And of course, my favorite is our Yanyan.”

Qin Jiang once loathed dealing with Yan Liang, this volatile, yandere demoness.

But recently he discovered Yan Liang only needed him to stay by her side, to sweet-talk and soothe her.

She was like a child in daycare, simply afraid of being abandoned and lacking security.

As long as he was a little kind to her.

Yan Liang could be happy for a very long time.

That noon, Yan Liang obediently let Qin Jiang coax-feed her two bowls of congee. Her appetite was small and she had anorexia, so this was the second most she had eaten all month.

The last time was when she drank the soup Qin Jiang had personally simmered.

As for Qin Jiang, he was utterly depleted.

He wanted to eat all the sea cucumbers on the table as rice, and drink two bowls of pigeon soup before stopping.

For Yanyan’s happiness, he had to recuperate and build up his strength.

He glanced at the time. It was already afternoon.

At that moment, his phone lit up.

Messages from Song Jie bombarded in:

[Dad! You really are my dad!
It’s such an important day today, but you’re not in school?!
The disciplinary decision from the school committee is about to be issued! A friend of mine printed the document — at 3 PM the principal will personally announce your expulsion.

Huajing University has a hundred-year history, and no student has ever received such a harsh punishment. Even in past years, there were students who destroyed a senior’s experiment too, but they didn’t get expelled! This is clearly Li Hao using public power to settle a personal grudge against you.]

Qin Jiang read the message in one glance.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t anxious. He didn’t want to become a disgrace in Huajing University’s history like in his past life.

“Yanyan, I have to go to campus this afternoon.”

“Can you personally take me there?” Qin Jiang asked.

Since Yan Liang lacked security, he would give her reassurance through action.

Proactively reporting his itinerary was a sign of trust.

Actively inviting Yan Liang to accompany him was meant to dispel her wandering doubts.

Yan Liang sat beside him and naturally saw the text.

If Qin Jiang wanted to stay at Huajing University, she could make it happen with a wave of her finger.

But… her inner selfishness and meanness made her want Qin Jiang to have nowhere to go after being expelled, and he would be forced to stay with her and entwine with her day and night.

She lowered her eyes without a trace, determined not to let Qin Jiang discover her vicious, possessive thoughts.

However, Qin Jiang actually invited her to send him to school.

Even if it was just sending him there, and there was no need to do anything more.

The little deer in her heart suddenly went wild and thumped about.

Yan Liang’s hand trembled slightly. Incredulity reflected in her deep, cold eyes.

“I…c-can!”

She heard her own voice tremble.

“Mm, our Yanyan is such a good girl, love you.”

Qin Jiang smiled, so happy that he reached out indulgently and ruffled Yan Liang’s dark red hair.

In his past life, he wouldn’t have dared to do this even if his hand was about to be slaughtered.

Yan Liang sat obediently and gave a faint hm, but the flush at her ear betrayed her heart that always fluttered for Qin Jiang.

He said, “love you.”

Did he love her?

Could a monster like her really… be worthy of love?

Qin Jiang found her prim posture a bit amusing and deliberately leaned in.

“Wife, why are you just staring blankly?”

“I said, love you.”

“Isn’t there any reward?”

The man’s crisp breath washed over her, a full-on temptation for Yan Liang.

But Qin Jiang’s words sent Yan Liang’s emotions on a roller coaster.

A reward?

Was it another ploy to make her let him go?

But this time Qin Jiang gave Yan Liang no chance for wild thoughts. Unexpectedly, he leaned in and his thin lips captured hers without hesitation.

He awkwardly sucked on her lips in an attempt to deepen the kiss.

Yan Liang was stunned.

In that moment her mind went blank.

Something was collapsing with a crash, turning to dust and smoke…

The servants at Liangyue Manor could hardly believe what they were seeing. They thought disaster was about to strike, and to their surprise, Qin Jiang was now boldly taking the initiative to kiss the yandere monster!

The kiss was shallow and brief.

Qin Jiang didn’t go deep. Kissing in front of so many people still made him a bit shy and awkward.

But he had to use his actions to steady Yan Liang.

So he simply claimed her with a kiss.

The effect was terrifyingly strong.

Yan Liang waved her hand, and in less than thirty seconds it was just the two of them in the dining room.

Qin Jiang blinked in shock.

Was Liangyue Manor full of talents who could teleport?

Well, cowardice could do wonders sometimes!

Then Yan Liang stood and pushed him to the dining table, sweeping the food aside.

Yan Liang’s kisses rained down, her soft lips on his forehead, eyes, nose… finally her long-suppressed fierce possessiveness broke through.

Domineering as ever, she charged in.

Qin Jiang held her tightly, his warm palm gently soothing her back.

He tilted his head and endured her passionate kisses.

Yan Liang kissed fiercely and violently, as if to knead him into her body, indistinguishable from herself…

Just as Qin Jiang was about to be kissed into suffocation, his whole body weak and about to collapse onto the table, Yan Liang finally stopped, still unsatisfied.

“Jiang wants to ask if those little kisses was a reward?”

Yan Liang’s beautiful eyes flickered. Her formal businesslike outfit was disheveled from the excessive movement, exuding an indescribable seductive haze.

Her ultra-thin nude stockings hugged long legs that brushed against Qin Jiang’s trousers…

At this moment she was clearly a soul-stealing seductress.

“Mm…”

Qin Jiang panted and nodded. He had thought he was in control.

In reality… Yan Liang was the true controller.

But thankfully, in this life he was willing to be controlled by her.

“But Jiang, this kiss to me… is the real reward.”

Was she talking about that almost suffocating, ravaging kiss?

The yandere heiress was indeed ferociously intense.

But… one must admit, such a torrid kiss fit this woman’s persona.

“As you command, Young Mistress.”

“Mm, my obedient big puppy…”

This wasn’t the first time Yan Liang had used this nickname… in his past life he found it humiliating.

But now it made Qin Jiang involuntarily feel a shyness he couldn’t describe.

“No… don’t call me that.” Qin Jiang trembled all over.

He was about to go crazy!

This time, Yan Liang told Qin Jiang with action: To placate her could be very simple, or it could be hellishly difficult.

…

Yan Liang personally drove Qin Jiang to the side gate of Huajing University.

This was Qin Jiang’s request.

Seeing that Qin Jiang had been obedient enough just now, Yan Liang kindly indulged him this time.

However, there is no free lunch in this world.

Before getting out, Qin Jiang was kissed fiercely again, the tingling sensation striking his crown repeatedly.

Only then did he drag his weak, unsteady steps and slowly move into campus at a snail’s pace.

Gosh…I’m almost drained dry now…

Inside the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Yan Liang pressed the answer button: it was Butler Xu.

“Young Mistress, the Third Young Master is at the hospital crying, making a scene, threatening to hang himself and saying he’ll jump off the building.”

“Maybe you should go see him.”

Butler Xu’s persuasive voice grew noticeably softer. He knew he had crossed the line.

But he sincerely wanted her to accept her younger brother.

After all, he’s one of the few relatives left in this world who hadn’t harmed her.

“Let him jump.”

“If he dies, drag him away and burn him.”

“Also, your punishment is to go to the back mountain to look after General!”

General was the white lion Yan Liang raised.

Ferocious, bloodthirsty, and untamable!

Butler Xu feared it the most.

On ordinary days, when he saw it follow the Yan Liang around Liangyue Manor, he would take a detour.

Such a severe punishment — it seemed she was truly angry.

Butler Xu sighed. He did not complain, but his heart was filled with much pity.

“Yes, Young Mistress.”