Chapter 19 – Neighboring Big Sister (Part 9)

Wen Ye was still trying to calm his breathing.

He suddenly regretted telling the driver to bring that orange cat over tomorrow.

But he had already said it, and there was no reason to go back on his word now.

Jiang Jiang was a bit curious about what had been going on next door lately.
Logically speaking, now that their so-called “deadweight” had left, shouldn’t the household be more harmonious?

…Okay, she admitted she was feeling a bit schadenfreude.

Previously, all of their dissatisfaction and resentment had been directed at Wen Ye, blaming him for the life they didn’t get to live.

So, in a way, this so-called “deadweight” had been the lubricant holding that crumbling household together.

Now that the lubricant was gone, and with all the hidden mines related to Chu Keyong starting to go off, it would be stranger if that household wasn’t full of fighting.

But what she was curious about was—which landmine had been triggered?

It wasn’t until she heard they were selling the house that she finally made the connection.

Ah—so they were strapped for cash.

But she didn’t have the time or energy to gossip about it right now—
Because Wen Ye had come home carrying a little orange cat.

The kitten had been thoroughly bathed and cleaned. It curled up nervously inside the pet carrier, wide amber eyes staring out warily like some kidnapped young master.

“Aww, how is it so skinny?” Jiang Jiang squatted down and gently unzipped the pet bag.
The kitten sniffed her fingertips, then suddenly let out a soft “meow” and leapt into her arms.

“Huh? So affectionate?” Jiang Jiang happily stroked its fuzzy little head.

Wen Ye stood to the side, trying to explain,
“Maybe it’s just hungry. I found it yesterday down by the road. It was starving. But after eating the food I gave it, it turned its back on me.”

Wen Ye opened a packet of pet treats from the store and placed it in front of the kitten.
The kitten completely ignored him.

Jiang Jiang touched its little belly. “Looks like someone already fed it before coming over. A-Ye, you’re really kindhearted—taking it to the vet and even the pet shop.”

Wen Ye didn’t feel the slightest guilt. “I’ve always been this kind.”

“Do you like it?” he asked.

Jiang Jiang shook paws with the orange cat. The little guy obediently let her do as she pleased, and she smiled. “I do.”

Seeing Wen Ye’s smile look a little forced, she coaxed him sweetly:
“But my favorite will always be our A-Ye. So… do you want it to stay?”

She really knew how to get him.

Wen Ye thought to himself.

But he was willingly, completely, happy to be wrapped around her finger.

In the end, the little orange cat—now named Tangtang—successfully found a new home in their household.

—

Wen Shulan refused to go ask Wen Ye for help.

Even though she had neglected him for years, even flinched at the cruelty in his eyes when she happened to see him being beaten—

He was still her son.
Now that he had finally escaped that house, it felt far too shameless to try and use their blood connection to beg him for anything.

But Chu An didn’t care about any of that.

All she knew was—if she couldn’t come up with her tuition money, she would have to drop out.
And in this day and age, what kind of decent job could she possibly get without a degree?

This was her whole life on the line.

Ever since she was reborn, she had been quietly observing her older brother.
She remembered that in her past life, the Qin family didn’t come to claim him until after winter break.

She didn’t know where this painter surnamed Jiang had come from in this life—

But she didn’t care.

Any normal person would know who to pick between the powerful Qin family and a nobody painter.

Her original plan was to keep a close eye on Wen Ye and make sure he didn’t cross paths with the Qin family again—
That way, their family wouldn’t be destroyed like it was in her previous life.

But Chu An hadn’t expected that once the “jinx” left their house, instead of things getting better—
her father’s debts came exploding out into the open.

Why didn’t she remember anything like this happening in her last life?

But… that wasn’t the main point right now.

Chu An had a bit of hope in her heart.

Since that painter next door could take Wen Ye in, maybe if they told a sob story, she’d be kind enough to help them with tuition too.

She wasn’t saying she’d never pay it back—once she graduated and got a job, she’d return every cent.

With that thought in mind, she dragged Chu Jie along with her.

Lately, because of the mess at home, no one had been cooking. Chu Jie had lost weight from eating so irregularly.

They really did look a bit pitiful now.

While Chu An was still hesitating, Chu Jie already knocked on Jiang Jiang’s door.

“Are you crazy? We haven’t even figured out what to say yet!”

Chu Jie had been pampered his whole life.
Now, with the adults all busy arguing and dealing with debts, no one even cooked for him.

He tried to cry and scream like he used to—

But even the father who always spoiled him scolded him for being selfish.

How did things turn out this way?

Chu Jie rang the doorbell again.

“She’s not home?”

Chu An shook her head. “I didn’t see her go out this morning. She has to be home.”

“Something you need?”

A hoarse, familiar male voice cut through their conversation.

Chu An and Chu Jie were both startled—it was him who opened the door?

Wen Ye stood there in a high-quality dark gray cashmere sweater. The slightly open collar exposed a beautifully defined collarbone.

Chu An’s eyes locked onto the sweater.
She had seen that brand when working at a department store—so expensive she didn’t even dare want it.

How is he even wearing that?!

“Something you need?” Wen Ye repeated, his tone clearly impatient.

Anyone would be grumpy getting kicked out of bed by their wife first thing in the morning to open the door.

“Bro…” Chu Jie swallowed nervously, his voice trembling. “Can we come in and talk? Something happened at home…”

He had never seen Wen Ye like this before.

He had always seen him as the pitiful guy no one loved, just squatting at home leeching off their family.
Sometimes, sure, he was jealous—how could someone from the same mom look that much better than him?

But he had never felt inferior to him.

Yet now—

The “burden” who used to be the lowest in the family hierarchy…
After just a few days at the neighbor’s place, looked so elegant and noble it made Chu Jie too scared to raise his voice.

Still… the neighbor seemed rich.
Maybe—just maybe—they could help him too?

“Say it here,” Wen Ye said, face darkening.

Chu Jie looked at his sister, but Chu An kept her mouth shut like a gourd, absolutely refusing to speak.

He was annoyed, but still opened his mouth and explained their family’s situation, hoping their neighbor might lend a hand.

Wen Ye: “……?”

He looked at them like they were beggars showing up at his doorstep.

How did they even have the face to say something like that?

“If you want to beg, grab a bowl and squat on the street.” Wen Ye sneered.
“If you dare come to the door again, I’ll call the cops.”

“What right do you have to kick us out?” Chu Jie snapped. “If she could take you in, how do you know she wouldn’t help us too?”

Wen Ye let out a cold laugh—and slammed the door in their faces.

Them? The same as him?

His jiejie likes him.