Jiang Wenhan’s “upstairs” wasn’t directly above the main hall. From the main entrance, the rear door led to the second floor, connecting to a viewing platform. The glass walkway, suspended in mid-air with floor-to-ceiling windows, was designed to showcase the beauty surrounding the main residence.
Nearby, an irregularly shaped swimming pool formed a small water bay, surrounded by gardens, creating a tranquil, man-made haven. In the distance, there was a sandy beach and the ocean, with the occasional sound of waves crashing against the shore.
It was hard to tell whether the owner of this mansion preferred tranquility or noise.
The two followed the maid across the glass walkway to another building.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the main hall, the maid led them to the outside of a tea room.
Before entering, Zhu Tong tightened his grip on Shao Ming’s hand and solemnly said, “Stand behind me when we go in.”
Shao Ming could easily see what Zhu Tong was thinking from his nervous demeanor and chuckled, “Alright, Little Young Master, aren’t you protective?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Being protected by his boyfriend in front of someone trying to cause trouble seemed a bit embarrassing.
Zhu Tong frowned, “You should stand in front of me instead.”
Shao Ming agreed without hesitation, “Mn.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Then what’s the point of him following?
“Never mind, we’ll stand together.”
Shao Ming nodded again, “Okay.”
Zhu Tong couldn’t help but turn his head and saw a playful and slightly amused expression on Shao Ming’s face. He immediately felt a bit embarrassed, not knowing what to say.
Why was he so nervous while Shao Ming, the person involved, was so calm?
No, why was he nervous at all?
He was just meeting someone irrelevant.
The maid was also speechless. Her young master was such a polite and gentle person, not some monster. Why was this guest so on guard?
After standing at the door for a while, Zhu Tong couldn’t figure out why he was nervous and directly pushed the door open.
In the tea room, Jiang Wenhan was making tea, and beside him sat a young man who appeared calm but had a somewhat wandering gaze. Hearing the door open, the young man looked up, his expression changing instantly.
“Who let you up here?”
The question came out instinctively. The young man beside Jiang Wenhan was, of course, Xia Yang.
“We came to see what you’re up to,” Zhu Tong said bluntly, then looked at Jiang Wenhan, who had stopped making tea, “What? Can’t I be here?”
Jiang Wenhan also looked up at them.
Before coming, Zhu Tong had already seen Jiang Wenhan’s photo. He was a prodigy of the Jiang family, a real proud son of Heaven. So, looking up his basic information was not difficult.
Jiang Wenhan had regular features and gentle eyes, the kind of looks girls would like — a gentle and soft type.
His temperament matched his appearance. He looked at Zhu Tong for a moment, then at Shao Ming, finally resting his gaze on their clasped hands.
Shao Ming smiled, “Sorry, my boyfriend doesn’t feel safe leaving me alone.”
Jiang Wenhan was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected them to openly admit their close relationship.
Xia Yang also saw their hands, and jealousy and resentment flashed in his eyes.
But more than that, he was afraid.
He had only asked the maid to invite Shao Ming. Why did Zhu Tong come along too?
Would he say something he shouldn’t?
Jiang Wenhan didn’t notice Xia Yang’s anxiety and quickly responded, smiling warmly, “It’s fine, please, both of you, have a seat.”
He gestured to the seats opposite.
After sitting down, Zhu Tong was directly facing Xia Yang. It was the first time he had formally faced Xia Yang, and it was even more uncomfortable than he had imagined.
He turned his gaze away.
Jiang Wenhan continued making tea. Despite his mixed feelings about him, watching someone perform a tea ceremony was quite pleasant if one didn’t let bias interfere. The fluid motions were almost mesmerizing.
Soon, four cups of tea were ready. Jiang Wenhan placed the cups in front of each person and then looked up, saying, “Shao Ming, I’ve heard Yangyang mention you.”
Shao Ming accepted the tea but didn’t drink it. Instead, he traced the rim of the cup with his finger and chuckled lightly, “Oh? What did he say about me?”
Jiang Wenhan glanced at Xia Yang, who had his head down and wasn’t speaking. He said, “I’m not sure what happened between you two, and it’s not my place to comment. Yangyang asked me to invite you here today because he wanted to apologize for past events. Given his father…. Xia-zong’s situation, he was worried you wouldn’t agree to meet him, so he asked me to use this event as an opportunity to bring you here. I hope you can forgive the presumption.”
“Apologize?” Zhu Tong frowned and said, “Xia Yang, is that your only excuse for everything?”
Xia Yang gritted his teeth, but when he looked up, his face was full of innocence. “I…”
He only managed to say one word before stopping, seemingly frightened, and leaned closer to Jiang Wenhan.
Jiang Wenhan frowned slightly and looked at Zhu Tong. “Young Master Zhu, Yangyang sincerely wants to apologize. You have the right not to accept it, but I hope you will let him finish what he has to say.”
As he spoke, he seemed a bit puzzled.
Inviting the two to the event was Xia Yang’s request. He wanted a chance to apologize to Shao Ming, but now that they were here, Xia Yang remained silent.
He urged, “Yangyang, didn’t you have something to say?”
Zhu Tong watched Jiang Wenhan for a moment.
He realized Jiang Wenhan wasn’t here to back Xia Yang up or make things difficult. He was just trying to smooth things over.
As for Xia Yang, if he wasn’t trying to regain his dignity, his purpose might be to stall for time.
Zhu Tong didn’t bother with Xia Yang’s “fearful and helpless” act in front of Jiang Wenhan. He took out his phone and messaged his cousin to ask about Xiao Xin’s situation.
Shao Ming, sensing the need to divert attention, spoke up, “Sure, but since it’s an apology, Xia Yang, why are you apologizing to me?”
He turned his gaze to Xia Yang.
Xia Yang hesitated and instinctively glanced at Zhu Tong.
Despite his jealousy and resentment towards Zhu Tong, he also feared him.
Zhu Tong always seemed to see through his facade, exposing the side he least wanted others to see.
Seeing Zhu Tong seemingly impatient and playing with his phone, Xia Yang cautiously began, “It’s because of my dad…”
Before he could finish, Shao Ming let out a chuckle.
A disdainful and sarcastic one.
Xia Yang’s face flushed red instantly.
Jiang Wenhan sighed and said, “Shao Ming, I understand your resentment towards Uncle Xia because of his actions, but Xia Yang is innocent. He didn’t know what his father did to you, and Uncle Xia has already faced legal consequences. After all, you two are half-brothers. Can’t you talk things out civilly?”
Shao Ming responded lightly, “If he’s innocent, then why does he need to apologize?”
Jiang Wenhan was momentarily speechless and turned to Xia Yang. “He’s just feeling guilty for his father’s actions.”
“Oh.” Shao Ming replied with a feigned realization, then smiled faintly, “An innocent person feeling guilty for his father’s actions. Such a noble man, aren’t you?”
His tone was calm, but his words were full of sarcasm.
Xia Yang bit his lip, saying nothing.
Jiang Wenhan felt a headache coming on due to their stubborn attitude. He took a deep breath, about to say something, when Zhu Tong suddenly put away his phone and looked up.
“Jiang-xiansheng, since you understand the principle of not interfering in things you don’t understand, do you also know that it’s best not to meddle in matters whose causes and consequences you don’t fully grasp?”
Jiang Wenhan: “…”
Zhu Tong looked at Xia Yang. “Can’t you say it yourself? Then let me help you. You need to apologize for imposing your feelings on Shao Ming, causing your pursuers to trouble him. You shouldn’t have let your friends chase Shao Ming on horseback, forcing him to jump over a two-meter-high obstacle. And you certainly shouldn’t act all innocent and wronged, always letting others stand up for you. You’ve been using others’ good intentions so shamelessly. Shao Ming isn’t the only person you owe an apology to, is he?”
Xia Yang’s eyes widened, and he tried several times to interrupt but couldn’t get a word out.
Jiang Wenhan’s eyes also widened in shock.
He knew that Xia Yang had liked Shao Ming and had transferred schools because of him. When he learned that Xia Yang and Shao Ming were half-brothers, he even felt a bit sympathetic towards Xia Yang.
But causing trouble, chasing someone on horseback… Xia Yang had never mentioned any of this to him.
He looked at Xia Yang in disbelief.
Xia Yang panicked under Jiang Wenhan’s questioning gaze and hurriedly explained, “It’s not true, Wenhan. Those things had nothing to do with me. I didn’t know they would…”
“Those things had nothing to do with you, but what about today?”
Zhu Tong was done arguing about Xia Yang’s ignorance and innocence.
His sudden question made Xia Yang freeze.
Jiang Wenhan frowned, “What happened today?”
Feigning innocence and always letting others defend him — what did that mean?
Zhu Tong stared at Xia Yang, “Did you invite us to this party to apologize? Did you meet with Qin Junhong just to sponsor him with some money?”
At the mention of Qin Junhong, Xia Yang visibly stiffened.
Shao Ming subtly observed Jiang Wenhan and noted his confused and shocked expression, clearly unaware of Xia Yang’s actions.
Xia Yang quickly recovered, “What are you talking about? When did I meet Qin Junhong? You’re making things up…”
Zhu Tong suddenly raised his phone, showing a photo on the screen. Xia Yang’s face instantly paled, and he couldn’t finish his sentence.
Zhu Tong continued, “You’re delaying us here to cooperate with Qin Junhong, aren’t you?”
Xia Yang’s face grew paler, but he still denied it, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. The person in that photo isn’t me!”
The person in the photo was heavily covered, making it hard to identify them.
Seeing Xia Yang’s denial, Zhu Tong didn’t rush.
Xia Yang’s reaction had already betrayed him. He had asked Jiang Wenhan to invite them to the party to help Qin Junhong.
Zhu Tong put his phone away and said calmly, “Qin Junhong probably didn’t tell you that he never left A City because he couldn’t escape. He hasn’t shown up for over two months because he was afraid. When he came to find you, he was already being watched. This photo was taken during your meeting.”
Xia Yang remained silent, but Jiang Wenhan couldn’t stay seated. He stood up and asked, “Who is Qin Junhong?”
Zhu Tong glanced at him, “He’s my stepbrother.”
Jiang Wenhan: “…”
Everyone who knew Zhu Shoushan knew that besides the son and daughter from his late wife, he had a stepson from his second marriage.
No one paid attention to his stepson, and no one of status associated with him.
But even in wealthy families, sibling rivalry is common, let alone with a stepbrother without blood relation.
What was Xia Yang doing meeting Zhu Tong’s stepbrother?
Jiang Wenhan asked, “Yangyang, you…”
“Yes, I met him.” Xia Yang suddenly looked up, “So what? He asked for my help, and I gave him some money. I didn’t know about your issues. Giving someone money isn’t illegal.”
Seeing Xia Yang’s sudden change in demeanor, Jiang Wenhan felt a deep sense of unease.
Xia Yang’s current words implicitly acknowledged his exploitation.
He had abandoned his helpless facade and now faced Zhu Tong with a fearless attitude.
To Zhu Tong, this unmasked Xia Yang was much more pleasing than his previous pretentious act.
He said, “Giving money isn’t illegal, but you are aiding a criminal.”
Xia Yang sneered, “Aiding a criminal? Do you have any evidence to prove that?”
Zhu Tong replied indirectly, “Qin Junhong knows my sister and me very well. He knew that as long as I was home, my sister would never go out with anyone else. That’s why he asked you to bring me here.”
Because of their infrequent time together growing up, whenever Zhu Tong was home, his sister would spend time with him.
“My sister has a gathering at the Eternal Heaven Club today. Qin Junhong is heading there now. What does he plan to do?”
Zhu Tong methodically laid out what he knew, watching Xia Yang’s face contort with suppressed fear.
Xia Yang was both surprised and terrified.
Seeing Zhu Tong take out the photo, Xia Yang felt a chill down his spine but refused to believe his words.
How did Zhu Tong know? How could he possibly know?
If they had known about his and Qin Junhong’s plan all along, why did they still come to the party today?
Was it just to humiliate him?
He thought his plan was going smoothly. He had invited Zhu Tong to the party, waiting like a victor for Qin Junhong to bring him good news. He wanted to see Zhu Tong lose his composure in front of the guests, to see him in agony!
But now, Zhu Tong was telling him that all his and Qin Junhong’s arrangements were under their surveillance?
What did that make him? A clown?
Xia Yang didn’t believe it.
Qin Junhong had assured him that he could definitely take Zhu Xin away and make Zhu Tong pay the price.
As long as he kept Zhu Tong here, that lunatic Qin Junhong would make him see the outcome he desired.
Or maybe Zhu Tong was just trying to trick him.
How could someone be prevented from leaving City A? There were countless ways to leave the city, and even the police might not be able to keep someone trapped.
The Zhu family couldn’t do it, and neither could Liu Jianbai!
That photo… it might just be a coincidence.
Zhu Tong might have seen the photo and was using his speculation to bluff.
With a glimmer of hope, Xia Yang looked at Zhu Tong and said, “I don’t know.”
Even if he did know, he wouldn’t say!
Why was Zhu Tong asking this question? Because he didn’t know, because he wanted to know.
But why should he make it easy for him?
Seeing Zhu Tong suddenly fall silent, Xia Yang couldn’t help but feel smug.
If he was anxious, it meant that Zhu Tong didn’t know what Qin Junhong was planning either. He was indeed bluffing!
