“You said… what???” Jian Yang thought he had misheard.

“But… you seem to be unaware of this,” Bai Shun said with a complicated expression.

Wei Wei glanced at the digital wedding invitation on his phone. “It’s your picture. The person marrying Guan Ciyan… isn’t it you?”

Jian Yang: “I…”

“Save your brother first!!” Fan Mei roared. “Xiaoyang, save your brother first!”

Jian Yang shook his head. The most urgent matter right now was stopping Guan Ciyan from taking Jian Buqing’s corneas.

This was completely unacceptable! What if karma came back to bite him?

Jian Yang turned to rush out, but the bodyguards blocked his way again. “Young master, you can’t leave.”

It was already this urgent, and they were still playing the overbearing CEO love story trope?!

Jian Yang, now impatient, spoke slowly, “You’re afraid of being fired for disobeying Guan Ciyan’s orders, but have you considered that offending me won’t end well for you either?”

This was the final threat. If Jian Yang said a single word, Guan Ciyan would replace this entire group of bodyguards.

The bodyguards eventually let go.

Jiang Ke drove, Wei Wei sat in the passenger seat, while Bai Shun and Jian Yang sat in the back. They sped toward the hospital, stepping hard on the gas.

Jian Yang silently stared at the wedding invitation featuring himself and Guan Ciyan. The photo was clearly edited.

“Why are you here?” Jian Yang asked Wei Wei.

“Your parents… well, the Jian family parents, begged Jiang Ke for help. She happened to be on leave, so she asked me if I knew where you were. We called the bar where you last told me you were, and they said you had been taken away. We suspected Guan Ciyan was behind it, so we came over.”

“Hmm. That’s right.”

Bai Shun confirmed again, “So you’re marrying Guan Ciyan, and he didn’t inform you, right?”

Jian Yang nodded.

Bai Shun muttered under his breath, “Still more ruthless than me.”

Jian Yang: “Huh?”

“Guan Ciyan told me that he confessed to you, and you agreed. Then he proposed, and you agreed again. That’s why I helped him prepare the wedding. But now it seems… maybe you two need to have another conversation.”

Jian Yang looked utterly shocked. “When did he confess to me???”

“He planned for a long time. He even referenced those fanfictions you liked. He invited me to check out that island—great scenery, excellent development potential. I recommended he go for it. But he said you didn’t care about money, so he didn’t use it to win you over.”

Jian Yang: “You said… what?”

Only then did he remember—Guan Ciyan had once said to him, ‘Jian Yang, I actually like you quite a bit.’

“…Wait, who confesses like that?!” Jian Yang felt wronged. He wanted to argue, but his heart was pounding heavily against his chest.

He had thought it was Guan Ciyan’s regret—remorse for developing feelings, for betraying Jian Buqing.

‘Like quite a bit.’

‘Quite.’

Jian Yang gripped his phone tightly, his gaze unconsciously falling on the wedding invitation. “That bastard. Who confesses like that?”

Bai Shun: “Uh… Actually, he planned this for months. Two or three, at least. He wanted to give you a formal, grand…” He sighed. “Forget it. You two sort it out yourselves. So, should we continue preparing the wedding?”

Memories flooded Jian Yang’s mind—
Guan Ciyan making him breakfast, his back slightly clumsy.
Waiting patiently for him after filming.
Jumping into the water without hesitation to save him.
Investing in Director Xu’s film.
Begging Elder Su to treat his eyes.

One thing after another. Jian Yang had always understood, but he never let himself dwell on it. He feared being trapped by Guan Ciyan’s love, ending up just like in the novel.

To be fair, he hadn’t made Guan Ciyan much money. If he was just a financial tool, then Guan Ciyan was a fool.

But Guan Ciyan wasn’t a fool. He was the shrewdest businessman.

And yet, even after forcing him and restricting his freedom, Jian Yang still didn’t want to disappoint him.

Jian Yang’s throat felt tight, his eyes misting over. “If he hasn’t called it off, then continue.”

Bai Shun, in a sharp review: “You two really are a perfect match.”

Jiang Ke wanted to remind Jian Yang that this wasn’t exactly the best time for a wedding. But then she thought about who Jian Yang was marrying… and kept her mouth shut. “For now, let’s focus on saving Jian Buqing.”

Jian Yang’s excitement dimmed, replaced by concern.

Guan Ciyan wasn’t a ruthless person—why would he suddenly decide to take Jian Buqing’s corneas?

Especially now, when Jian Yang’s eyes were already mostly healed.

And suddenly putting him under house arrest had been strange too. At first, Guan Ciyan had always been the one teaching him how to navigate the dangers of the world.

As soon as the car stopped, Jian Yang sprinted to the fourth floor—to the examination room where his eyes had been checked before.

Guan Ciyan was sitting inside alone. The doctors had probably already begun their work.

Jiang Ke, Bai Shun, and the others rushed after him. Jian Yang raised his hand, signaling for them to stay back.

“Who allowed you to leave?” Guan Ciyan’s deep, calm eyes flickered with displeasure.

For the first time, Jian Yang clearly saw a flash of panic in his gaze.

He closed the door and walked straight to Guan Ciyan, bending down to embrace him. “I came out on my own. I came to find you.”

Jian Yang felt the body in his arms stiffen, trembling slightly.

He hugged him even tighter, just like how Guan Ciyan used to comfort him—his cheek brushing against Guan Ciyan’s temple, his ear, just like before, when they had been so close, inseparable.

He could hear Guan Ciyan’s heartbeat, pounding violently against his chest.

“You…” Guan Ciyan’s voice was barely audible.

Jian Yang let go of him, pressing his index finger against his lips. “First thing, stop the surgery. I don’t need Jian Buqing’s eyes. Second thing, I accept your confession and proposal, but you have to admit—you also like my eyes the way they are now.”

“I…” Guan Ciyan’s once-calm, dead-sea-like eyes finally showed a ripple of emotion. He looked at Jian Yang, confused and restless.

“Don’t say anything.” Jian Yang was anxious. “Just answer—do you like me or not?”

Guan Ciyan avoided his gaze.

Jian Yang was stunned. What was going on?

He had secretly prepared for their wedding, yet he didn’t like him?

Was it just his ass he was obsessed with?

Was Guan Ciyan’s mouth made of steel?

“If you don’t say it, I’ll take it as you don’t like me. And if you don’t like me, then I’ll leave. If I leave, no matter what you give me, I won’t care anymore. I’ll never see you again for the rest of my life. I’ll date other men, sleep with other men, have breakfast with them—”

A wildfire ignited in Guan Ciyan’s barren eyes. He looked away, but his hands locked Jian Yang in place and kissed him fiercely.

Jian Yang pushed at him, about to resist, but then he remembered something. He clung to Guan Ciyan’s shoulders and quieted down, obediently resting against his chest. He extended his tongue, responding gently.

He let Guan Ciyan bite his lower lip, let him taste the softness of his mouth. They knew each other’s sensitivities well, using their familiar ways to tease and express their desire to be close.

They hadn’t kissed in a long time. During their past encounters, Jian Yang’s mouth had mostly been used for cursing or begging for mercy.

Through the kiss, Guan Ciyan tasted Jian Yang’s true feelings and slowly released him, his gaze once again falling upon him.

Jian Yang’s lips were still glistening. He panted, “Call off the surgery, and I’ll give you a baby.”

He grabbed Guan Ciyan’s hand, pressing it against his stomach through the thin fabric of his shirt. “A baby. Do you want one?”

“With how much you’ve put inside me, I might already be pregnant.”

Guan Ciyan finally lost control, his voice deep and rough, eyes brewing a storm. “Jian Yang…”

“Do you want one or not?” Jian Yang fearlessly provoked him.

“I can’t get pregnant,” Guan Ciyan said.

“But do you want one?” Jian Yang smirked victoriously. “If you want one, I’ll allow you to keep trying.”

“Hurry up and say it!”

“If you don’t say it, I’m leaving.”

Jian Yang turned, only to be yanked back into Guan Ciyan’s arms. “I like you.”

Jian Yang exhaled, finally getting the words he wanted to hear.

Even though he already knew the answer, hearing it still made his heart race. His mischievous ideas faded, replaced by a quiet sense of grievance. “You never said it properly before.”

“I’m sorry,” Guan Ciyan apologized without hesitation, then hesitated before asking, “But… are you lying to me?”

Jian Yang belatedly realized—he had said “I like you” countless times before, without any sincerity.

Everything suddenly connected. He finally understood the reason behind Guan Ciyan’s recent madness. He looked up and promised, “I swear, this time it’s real. Really, truly real.”

Guan Ciyan said nothing and just held him tightly.

“Guan Ciyan, I don’t want Jian Buqing’s eyes. I don’t care for them. I don’t want you to become a bad person because of me. Please, stop this, okay?” Jian Yang’s voice carried a hint of pleading.

Guan Ciyan traced his finger along the corner of Jian Yang’s eye. “I like them, but you want normal eyes.”

Jian Yang shook his head. “I think they’re perfect as they are.”

“There’s a chance of success. You don’t have to worry.”

“I’m not worried. I just don’t want it.” Jian Yang was firm. “I don’t want you to do something like this for me. That’s not who you are.”

“…Alright.”

Jian Yang immediately ran out and stopped the pre-surgery preparations. Jian Buqing had already been given anesthesia and was under observation.

“Yangyang, Mom thanks you!” Fan Mei sobbed, holding Jian Yang’s hand by the hospital bed. “I knew you weren’t a heartless child. You must make sure your brother gets a full check-up. The anesthesia, the tests—if they affected him at all, we need to treat him immediately. He is the hope of our whole family!”

Jian Yang: …?

There was no saving them.

“I came here because I don’t need Jian Buqing’s eyes, and I don’t want Guan Ciyan to do something wrong for my sake. It has nothing to do with you all, so stop trying to act close to me.”

“You there, nurse.” Jian Yang deliberately spoke so the Jian family could hear. “When Jian Buqing wakes up, send them away. If they want extra tests, make them pay out of pocket—no discounts, got it?”

“Understood, young master.”

Guan Ciyan’s people were completely obedient to Jian Yang.

Wei Wei tugged on Jian Yang’s sleeve. “Don’t forget what you said—secure your position as the young master, and I’ll never have to worry about getting acting gigs again.”

Jian Yang shot him a look: Like I’d forget about you.

After handling everything, Bai Shun and Jiang Ke tactfully left, leaving only Jian Yang and Guan Ciyan in the room.

The atmosphere quieted and softened. Jian Yang suddenly felt a bit awkward, as if the bold person just now wasn’t him.

He reached out his hand and asked Guan Ciyan, “Shall we go home?”

Guan Ciyan hesitated for a moment before slowly taking his hand. They held hands all the way home, never letting go.

He didn’t understand why Jian Yang had suddenly gone back to being the way he used to be—no, even more willful than before, like a soft little hedgehog covered in tiny thorns, pricking him just enough to make him itch.