Chapter 19: Xiaowu Still Knows How to Speak

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Wen Ling glanced at her phone and was surprised to see a message from Zhao Xing Tang. It was the first time Zhao Xing Tang had messaged her since they became friends. Nestled on the sofa, Wen Ling raised an eyebrow upon reading the message.

“I guessed you’d go to the Radiant Gala.”

She wasn’t surprised that Zhao Xing Tang could guess this. After tapping a few times on the screen, she replied, “How did you guess?”

Zhao Xing Tang responded instantly: “Because Ruan Miao Miao is going. I figured you wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity.”

“Most attendees at that gala are from the entertainment industry. The young masters and daughters of wealthy families look down on it. Those who go are mostly fringe figures, perfect for you to settle a few scores.”

Wen Ling covered her lips, chuckling softly before replying, “I thought so too.”

Zhao Xing Tang replied, “See you at the gala then.”

Wen Ling swung her legs, her eyes curved into a smile as her mood turned as swiftly as turning pages.

News spread wildly across Forty-Nine City about how the prodigal young master of the Wu family was nearly crippled after being beaten on Jiang Ji Bai’s turf. Mrs. Wu had stayed at the hospital by her son’s side, crying for three days until Wu Xuan finally woke up.

He forgot the part where he was later beaten again by Zhou Yin He and only remembered the woman and her bodyguard from earlier.

Wu Xuan struggled to move his bandaged hand, gritting his teeth as he grasped his mother’s hand. “Mom, I will make that wretched woman pay.”

Mrs. Wu wiped away her tears and glanced at her husband, the Wu family patriarch Wu Feng, who stood silently with a dark expression. Choking up, she said, “Husband, our son was beaten like this on the Jiang family’s turf. The bar won’t provide the surveillance, and the woman who hit him can’t be found. Are we just supposed to endure this without seeking justice from the Jiang family?”

Wu Feng clenched his fists, looked once at his immobile son, then stormed out of the hospital room, heading straight to the Jiang family.

At that very moment, Zhou Yin He was at the Jiang residence, trying to avoid his increasingly nagging elder brother.

The spring temperature was just right, and the Jiang family estate was beautifully maintained by the garden’s steward. The three sat in the pavilion sipping tea, which had its own charm.

“Xiao Wu, your brother just returned, and you’re not home keeping him company but out here instead?” Mrs. Jiang smiled across at Zhou Yin He.

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Zhou Yin He feigned distress with a sigh, complaining, “My brother scolded me the whole time he’s been back. I just couldn’t stay. Auntie, you don’t mind me, do you?”

Mrs. Jiang laughed heartily, “Of course not, Auntie likes you the most.” Then she shifted her tone, casting a disdainful glance at Jiang Ji Bai. “What are you staring at? Pour tea for me and Xiao Wu.”

Jiang Ji Bai rolled his eyes but stood up to pour the tea, saying sarcastically, “Enjoy your tea, you two.”

Zhou Yin He actually took a sip, pretending to be sincere, “Thank you, Brother Jiang. Tea poured by you tastes better than anyone else’s.”

Jiang Ji Bai laughed despite himself, while his mother covered her mouth, amused as if finding it a great joke that her son was being teased.

When the steward arrived, Mrs. Jiang, her cheeks sore from laughter due to the banter between Zhou Yin He and Jiang Ji Bai, was gently massaging them. He glanced at Mrs. Jiang, then respectfully informed Jiang Ji Bai, “Young Master, the Wu family patriarch has come to visit.”

Jiang Ji Bai smirked, glanced at the seemingly indifferent Zhou Yin He, and told the steward, “Let him wait. Make sure he’s well attended to.”

Mrs. Jiang was no mere noblewoman; she knew well about the incident where the Wu family’s young master, Wu Xuan, was hospitalized after being beaten by a bodyguard while trying to coerce a beautiful female customer on Jiang Ji Bai’s turf. She snorted coldly, “That Wu family brat is a beast. It’s lucky he wasn’t beaten to death. If it were me, I’d make sure he’s bedridden for life and never leaves the hospital.”

Jiang Ji Bai said helplessly, “Mom, you’re too fierce.”

Mrs. Jiang, well-preserved, lightly placed her hand near her mouth. The pigeon egg-sized diamond ring sparkled in the pavilion’s sunlight as she widened her eyes in mock surprise, “Really?”

“Yes,” Jiang Ji Bai dragged out the word.

Zhou Yin He interrupted with a teasing tone, “No way, Auntie is as straightforward as my mom.”

Zhou Yin He and Jiang Ji Bai got along well, not only because they grew up in the same courtyard from childhood but also because their mothers shared similar temperaments and spent days gossiping and shopping together.

Mrs. Jiang beamed at his words, praising, “Xiao Wu always knows what to say.” Then she rolled her eyes at Jiang Ji Bai with increasing disdain, “Unlike Ji Bai, who’s been rude since he was little.”

“???” Jiang Ji Bai looked confused, wanting to ask if his mother had mistaken someone—wasn’t it Zhou Yin He who was always rude?

Watching his mother smile like a doting auntie at Zhou Yin He, Jiang Ji Bai wished he could sew the latter’s mouth shut.

Time was nearly up. Jiang Ji Bai stood and said, “Mom, Xiao Wu and I will go meet them together. You’d better not come, or you’ll only get angrier.”

Mrs. Jiang, too tired to look at Wu Feng’s unpleasant face, waved her hand gracefully.

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The two left the pavilion and walked along the garden path. Jiang Ji Bai said, “Don’t come to my house so often.”

Zhou Yin He lazily lifted his eyelids, glanced at Jiang Ji Bai, and replied nonchalantly, “Why?”

“Look at how you’re always comforting my mom. Soon she won’t want to recognize me as her son anymore.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yin He recalled something and calmly said, “There’s something you probably don’t know.”

Jiang Ji Bai frowned, trying to recall, but couldn’t think of anything.

“Auntie once wanted to adopt me as her godson. If my mom hadn’t disagreed, Auntie might really have given up on you.”

Jiang Ji Bai reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, fur bristling as he jabbed at Zhou Yin He’s sore spot. “What? Have you resolved the Wen Ling matter?”

Zhou Yin He’s mood, initially lifted by teasing Jiang Ji Bai, instantly dropped. He pressed his lips together, unwilling to respond.

Wu Feng had been sitting in the living room for a long time, switching cups of tea several times before the two arrived. He stood up, forcing a smile despite his displeasure. “Young Master Jiang, Young Master Zhou.”

Zhou Yin He didn’t want to engage with him and sat directly on the sofa, legs crossed, head lowered to look at his phone. Jiang Ji Bai smiled and said, “Uncle Wu, no need for formalities, please have a seat.”

Wu Feng dared not be impolite. Even without considering the Zhou family, the Jiang family alone was not someone he could provoke.

“Young Master Jiang, I came because of my son’s mess. Please have your bar provide the surveillance footage so we can investigate the wretched woman who put my son in the hospital.”

Zhou Yin He looked up at him, his eyes dark and cold like a deep pool, making Wu Feng feel the air around them grow icy.

Jiang Ji Bai pretended not to notice the change in the man beside him and smiled. “Uncle Wu, you should know this all started because of Wu Xuan. If I gave you the footage and you went to seek revenge, how would my bar’s business continue if that got out?”