Manipulative

A man like Jiang Yanxu—whose pride had been trampled on and whose dignity had been stripped away—should have long since grown numb. But a heart was still a heart, more than just a lump of flesh. No matter how calm he appeared, there was always that one scar that refused to fade, an old wound that could still throb at the slightest touch.

Wen Haoyi's laughter burst out suddenly, sharp and mocking, as if he had been holding it in for too long. "I must be an idiot," he said, shaking his head. "I should've known better. You were never the type to eat your own words. You said it yourself, so confidently back then—that you were sick of living with trash. How could I forget that?"

Jiang Yanxu remembered those words. He remembered them all too well.

He regretted them.

But hearing Wen Haoyi spit them back at him in that piercing tone did not stir insult or offense. It was like a flick against an old wound—one that had already lost all feeling.

Jiang Yanxu cast a sidelong glance at the man beside him, his expression unreadable. Then, his lips curled ever so slightly as he spoke, his voice flat, devoid of emotion.

"Life gives us countless paths, but only one chance to choose. Whether we take it or not is up to us. Sometimes, we don't need to ask for opinions—because out there, many people only care about gold."

The way he spoke—calm, deliberate—always made his listeners wary.

"Just do what you want," he added.

A flicker of amusement crossed Wen Haoyi's face. "That's exactly the answer I expected from you." He nodded, satisfied.

Jiang Yanxu's smirk deepened, but it was more cunning than it was amused.

His words were not permission. He wasn't letting Wen Haoyi do as he pleased—he was testing him. Measuring just how well Wen Huiyi could read between the lines.

But Wen Haoyi reacted like a fool.

Jiang Yanxu suddenly felt that he was not the only one who was a complete idiot when it came to love. Wen Haoyi was no different.

The man didn't second-guess himself. He simply assumed that his earlier accusations against Jiang Yanxu had been mistaken. And though he was too arrogant to admit it, he chose not to bring it up again.

Just as Wen Haoyi was about to shift the conversation, two broad-shouldered men approached them.

Jiang Yanxu noticed them first. His gaze flicked behind Wen Haoyi, sharp and assessing. A second later, Wen Huiyi instinctively turned as well.

And as soon as he saw the men, he already knew who had sent them.

With an exaggerated sigh, Wen Haoyi faced forward again. A smirk played at his lips, his voice dripping with mockery. "Brother Jiang, it seems your little pet can't stand to be away from you for even a second." A light chuckle followed, accompanied by a knowing glance. Then, with a teasing pat on Jiang Yanxu's shoulder, he added, "Phew. What a romantic newlywed you are."

Then, without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked away.

When he passed the two men, he waved them off with an air of indifference, making it clear that he had no interest in getting involved.

Jiang Yanxu watched him leave, the distance between them growing with every step. And as Wen Haoyi's figure shrank from view, Jiang Yanxu measured the weight of the resentment buried deep in his chest.

The sound of a gruff voice snapped him back to the present.

"Boss Jiang, Madam Tang is calling for you."

Jiang Yanxu shifted his gaze to the man who had spoken. Disgust flickered in his eyes.

He didn't respond.

He simply turned and walked away, the two men following closely behind.

At the Hall

Tang Shilin's expression was sour the moment he arrived. Beside her, Ye Xinren sat with a grim face, his emotions barely concealed.

Jiang Yanxu, on the other hand, was as unbothered as ever. He strolled forward leisurely, poured himself a cup of coffee, and took a sip before finally acknowledging them.

"What's up?" he asked, his voice light, almost amused.

Tang Shilin scoffed, but her eyes burned with fury. "I heard everything from Xin'er." Her tone dropped, sharp and accusing. "How dare you treat him that way? You strictly cannot yell at him, let alone speak to him so cruelly."

Her glare hardened, her voice rising with every word.

"And now you've made him cry? What the hell were you thinking?"

Jiang Yanxu closed his eyes, exhaling slowly through his nose.

Pointless. It was all so damn pointless.

Stretching out a hand, he turned to Ye Xinren. "Honey," he cooed, his voice teasing, "are you really mad at me just because I ignored you after you slapped me? Seriously? I didn't even hold it against you."

Ye Xinren pursed his lips, averting his gaze, his embarrassment palpable. He had been the one to lash out first. And yet, here he was, throwing a tantrum when Jiang Yanxu ignored him.

It was selfish. And deep down, he knew it.

Jiang Yanxu sighed, then reached out, pulling Ye Xinren's chair closer. His grip tightened around Ye Xinren's hand as he spoke softly, "Don't sulk anymore, okay? Let's just forget about it."

Ye Xinren remained silent, too stubborn—or too flustered—to respond.

Tang Shilin saw the hesitation and seized the moment.

"You think just because you have power now, you can do as you please?" she snapped. "After my husband's death, you think you can control everything? Fine, stay out of my business if you want, but when it comes to Xin'er's feelings—I will not sit back and watch you hurt him."

Jiang Yanxu's grip on his coffee cup tightened.

His thick brows knitted together, and for the briefest moment, a crack appeared in his composure.

Then, as if amused by her words, he sneered. "And what exactly are you implying? You're saying this as if I'm some kind of villain, as if I'm trying to take something from you. But I don't care enough to bother."

Tang Shilin stiffened, momentarily silenced.

Jiang Yanxu smirked.

And just as she opened her mouth to retaliate—

A cheerful voice rang out in the distance.

"Mom! Brother Ye!"

All three turned their heads at once.

Shen Ke stood there, waving enthusiastically, his usual bright smile plastered on his face. But despite acknowledging his mother and Ye Xinren, he pointedly ignored Jiang Yanxu.

He strode toward them, his presence washing away the tension in the room like a fresh breeze.

Tang Shilin, who had been on the verge of another outburst, was instantly disarmed by her son's infectious energy.

Jiang Yanxu, however, rolled his eyes.

If anything, Shen Ke's arrival only worsened his mood.

Everyone in the Jiang family knew he had never gotten along with Tang Shilin or her son. His father never cared about the disrespect he showed them, and neither did he.

And no matter how Shen Ke pretended to be all sunshine and smiles, nothing would ever change that.