After meeting with Professor Duan, Xie Chengnan became busy once again.
Upon learning that Xie Chengnan had returned to the country to start a business, the old professor took him directly to the Mayor’s office the very next day. As a high-tech company—and the world’s first enterprise capable of mass-producing robots—Nan Yuan Technology was immediately placed on the government’s support list. Special cases were handled with special priority, and green lights were given to them every step of the way.
Xie Chengnan breathed a sigh of relief and handed the remaining administrative tasks to Shen Qinian, while he buried himself in the studio to focus on research and development.
Jiang Yuan noticed that Xie Chengnan didn't just stop going out; he barely even left the studio. Jason delivered all three meals to him, and the lights in the room often stayed on until the middle of the night.
Adhering to the principle that if he couldn't "add bricks and tiles" to the progress of human technology, he should at least not "drag its hind legs," the young master Jiang reined in his flirtatious antics and suddenly became quite well-behaved.
Life seemed to return to the way it was at the very beginning. Jiang Yuan ate, went to school, hit the clubs, and drag-raced alone. It was as if there had never been another person in the house, and as if he had always been by himself.
On Christmas Eve, a group of well-to-do second-generation heirs held their customary party at Amoy.
Zhang Siyi asked Jiang Yuan if he should bring Xie Chengnan along, as he hadn't seen the two of them together in nearly a month. Jiang Yuan rejected the idea without a second thought. Zhang Siyi muttered to himself, wondering if the two had broken up, his heart feeling a bit uneasy.
It wasn't just him; any friend who had hung around long enough could feel that Jiang Yuan’s mood had been off lately. He often sat by himself in a daze, his expression cold and unapproachable. He had brought back his signature world-weary face, looking as though nothing could pique his interest.
More than one person had come to ask Zhang Siyi if Jiang Yuan had broken up. Ever since the young master Jiang came out of the closet, the social circle of the wealthy heirs had been restless. Many were waiting for Xie Chengnan to be ousted so they could take his place.
As a newly minted fanboy, Zhang Siyi was anxious on Xie Chengnan’s behalf, but he was a coward at heart and didn't dare to ask.
Qiao Song, naturally, had heard the rumors as well. He pulled out an exquisitely wrapped gift box and handed it to Jiang Yuan, saying gently, "Merry Christmas."
Jiang Yuan gave him a flat look, neither reaching out for the gift nor responding.
The matter between Qiao Song and Jiang Shiyi was already known throughout their circle, and the fact that he privately engaged in monetary transactions with young boys had also been exposed.
Jiang Yuan thought Qiao Song would have laid low after that, but to his surprise, the man not only continued his attentive displays but doubled down. He brought his pursuit of Jiang Yuan into the open, sending flowers, giving gifts, inviting him to dinner, and waiting for him after school. He was so high-profile that it was impossible to hide.
Qiao Song wasn't afraid of his cold shoulder. He introduced the gift on his own: "It’s a new limited edition from Patek Philippe. I guessed you’d like it, so I ordered one. Want to try it on?"
Jiang Yuan didn't even spare it a glance. He simply spat out, "Don't like it," and lit a cigarette.
Qiao Song’s expression remained unchanged. He tossed the watch directly onto the table and addressed the group of people secretly watching the drama: "Whoever can make Young Master Jiang smile tonight, this watch belongs to them."
The booth went silent. Those who knew their stuff were aware that the watch was incredibly expensive; those who didn't at least recognized the brand. The wealthy heirs didn't lack a watch, but the "social butterflies" who were there to liven the atmosphere and hook up with a sugar daddy were different. If they could snag this watch, they could flip it for over a million. Who wouldn't be envious?
Jiang Yuan felt annoyed, knowing Qiao Song was using this method to force him to pay attention. He originally wanted to storm off, but then he thought of the "old man" at home who hadn't paid him any mind for twenty days.
When he lived alone before, he hadn't felt much, but now, whenever he went home to that cold and quiet house, he felt a knot in his heart. It was almost better to be here amidst the noise and bother.
Thinking this, his eyelids drooped, and his entire being radiated a pitiful sense of loneliness.
Zhang Siyi was now certain that something had gone wrong between his brother and Xie Chengnan. Just as he was thinking of how to fish for information, he heard a nearby heir click his tongue and say meaningfully, "I finally understand why Qiao Song is clinging to Jiang Yuan so tightly today. That contrast between being cold and being 'good' is actually quite alluring."
Zhang Siyi sneered inwardly. His brother had just been too good-tempered lately; these people had forgotten how the "Demon King Jiang" earned his name.
"Yo, why is it so quiet?" A man radiating a profligate aura walked up to the booth with a group of people, a fake smile on his face. "I heard Young Master Qiao is splurging a fortune here just to buy my brother a smile. What, does no one want to earn this money?"
The moment Jiang Yuan heard the voice, he knew who it was. He tapped his cigarette ash, not even bothering to lift his eyes. "Jiang Hao, does your rib not hurt anymore?"
Jiang Hao’s face darkened, his expression turning gloomy. Last time, Jiang Yuan had broken one of his ribs with a steel pipe. In the end, when the matter reached the family patriarch, the old man dismissed it as a squabble between brothers. It was useless even though his mother cried at home for two days. His father had even warned him not to go looking for trouble with Jiang Yuan, fearing that touching Jiang Yuan would provoke the Zhang family and cause trouble for the Jiang family's business.
Thinking of the Zhang family made Jiang Hao's blood boil. If it weren't for them backing him up, he would have buried this little bastard Jiang Yuan long ago. How else would he, Jiang Hao, have become the laughingstock of their circle?
With that thought, Jiang Hao didn't respond to Jiang Yuan's jab. He pulled out a card and slammed it on the table, laughing. "I'll add to the stakes. Tonight, whoever can make my brother cry—any kind of crying will do." Jiang Hao paused here and let out a few lewd chuckles. "The one million on this card will be yours."
Jiang Hao laughed arrogantly, his words carrying only one meaning: *You, Jiang Yuan, are just a piece of trash meant to be pressed down by men. There's nothing to be proud of.*
Jiang Yuan originally didn't want to deal with him, but he couldn't stand the guy standing there being an eyesore and looking for death in so many ways. The "Demon King Jiang," who had been suppressed for twenty days, stood up wordlessly and threw a punch.
There was an unwritten rule when the two Jiang brothers fought: no one else was to interfere. Jiang Hao's side didn't dare to interfere, and Jiang Yuan's side wasn't allowed to.
Everyone stood aside and watched, not daring to help, not daring to break it up, and certainly not daring to cheer. They just quietly watched the two brothers brawl. The atmosphere was a bit eerie.
By the time Xie Chengnan received Zhang Siyi's call and rushed over, Jiang Yuan had already beaten Jiang Hao to the ground.
He saw Jiang Yuan crouching there with a cut on the corner of his mouth, his eyes fierce as he patted Jiang Hao’s blood-smeared face. He said coldly, "Why do you never learn your lesson?"
Jiang Hao wanted to retaliate, but someone stepped on his chest, pinning him down.
Jiang Yuan realized the leather shoe stepping on Jiang Hao looked familiar. He dazed for a few seconds before remembering—this pair of shoes had been sitting in his shoe rack just a few hours ago. The owner of the shoes hadn't gone out recently, so the polished leather was pristine and clean enough to reflect light.
Young Master Jiang’s fire was extinguished, replaced by a sense of embarrassment at being caught fighting. He turned his head and glared fiercely at Zhang Siyi; he could guess who had called Xie Chengnan with his toes.
Zhang Siyi shrank his neck and didn't dare look at him, feeling miserable in his heart. If he hadn't seen Jiang Yuan losing control today and feared he might actually kill someone, he wouldn't have dared to snitch.
Jiang Yuan crouched there with his head down, afraid Xie Chengnan would scold him.
The old man might not be a paragon of justice, but he usually carried himself with an upright air. There was no telling how much he would dislike Jiang Yuan's arrogant and overbearing behavior.
Thinking about how they hadn't seen each other for so long, only to be lectured upon meeting, the young master Jiang felt a bit fragile.
"Can you get up?" Xie Chengnan’s voice fell over Jiang Yuan’s head, neither heavy nor light.
"Can't get up," the young master Jiang decisively acted pitiful. "My hand hurts."
The onlookers: "..."
The man above him sighed, sounding a bit helpless. "Get up. We're going home."
Jiang Yuan felt his tone was okay and figured that crouching there forever wasn't an option—it was too damaging to his image. He was just about to stand up when he realized his legs had gone numb from crouching, and he tumbled forward.
Xie Chengnan was startled and caught him in his arms. This time, his voice was urgent: "What's wrong? Where are you hurt?!"
Jiang Yuan steadied himself in his arms. He didn't dare say his legs were just numb. His eyes darted around before he said weakly, "I'm dizzy..."
Xie Chengnan immediately picked him up in a horizontal carry. The sudden weight of two grown men pressing down caused Jiang Hao, who was still being stepped on, to let out another miserable cry.
Xie Chengnan ignored him completely, carrying Jiang Yuan and hurrying outside. "Don't move. I'm taking you to the hospital!"
The young master Jiang huddled in his arms and whimpered twice, obediently letting himself be carried to the car and sent to the hospital for an examination.
Many people stared at them along the way. It was hard not to notice a man over 190cm tall carrying a boy who was nearly 180cm.
When the doctor heard he was dizzy, they were sent to get scans. By the time the ordeal was over, it was already the middle of the night.
Once he knew Jiang Yuan was fine, the heart Xie Chengnan had been holding in his throat finally settled. He carried the boy back to the car. He had intended to give him a lecture, but he found that the "brat" nestled in his arms had already fallen asleep. The bruise on the corner of his mouth was quite blue, looking even more prominent against his pale skin.
The few sparks of anger remaining in the old man's heart flickered and died. He sighed and called Zhang Siyi to let him know they were safe.
Zhang Siyi wasn't surprised to hear that his brother only had a few bruises. Jiang Hao was only good with his mouth; in reality, he was a total weakling who didn't know his place.
However, Jiang Yuan had indeed been much more impulsive tonight than usual. Zhang Siyi flipped through the calendar on his phone and felt he understood why the young master had been so abnormal today. "Brother Xie..."
"Yeah, what is it?" Xie Chengnan adjusted Jiang Yuan’s head to make him sleep more comfortably.
Zhang Siyi hesitated on the other end of the line. "This weekend is the anniversary of my aunt's death..."
Xie Chengnan sighed. "I know... Keep an eye on Jiang Hao's side. If he tries to cause trouble for A-Yuan, let me know."
"Mm." Zhang Siyi curled his lip. "I'll tell Grandpa when I get back. With him stepping in, the Jiang family won't say anything."
Xie Chengnan also knew that his current words carried little weight. On the Jiang family's side, only Old Man Zhang could keep them down. He didn't stand on ceremony; he said thank you and left the matter for Zhang Siyi to resolve.
***
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