Chapter 22 – Neighboring Big Sister (Part 12)

—

Actually, there was a way for Jiang Jiang to continue living with Wen Ye.

Although her parents often urged her to go on blind dates and get married, they still respected her choices.

She only gave the Qin family some space—so they’d have a chance to come and take Wen Ye away.

Jiang Jiang had consulted the system about it. After all, the Qin family didn’t seem like decent people—if Wen Ye could avoid them, that would be best.

But 10086 only replied mysteriously,
“The gears of fate have already begun to turn.”

It sounded like it was suffering from a bout of chūnibyō.

Jiang Jiang was speechless.

Anyway, she returned to the Jiang household. As she was the treasured daughter born late in their lives, her parents were already quite old. Even though they took care of themselves, strands of white hair had started showing.

While happy that their daughter had returned home, they still clung to her hands, nagging about marriage and grandchildren.

Jiang Jiang sympathized with her original body’s parents. She understood that they just wanted her to find someone she could rely on.

“Mom, Dad, I already have a boyfriend.”

The two were first overjoyed, then a bit worried—afraid their daughter had been tricked while she was living in that small town.

Fortunately, Jiang Jiang had brought along Tangtang this time. The silly little cat quickly captured both her parents’ hearts with its adorable antics.

Jiang Jiang seized the moment and said,
“Anyway, I’m bringing him over next Sunday to meet you guys. You can ask him anything then.”

She picked up Tangtang, who was batting at a toy ball, and looked earnestly at the cat’s silly face.
“We’re raising this child together—me and my boyfriend. It takes after him in both looks and personality. Super gentle.”

Mr. & Mrs. Jiang: “…?”

Nice. Almost didn’t catch that she was praising someone.

But when they saw the fat orange cat tumbling on the ground playing with its own tail, they couldn’t help cooing and kissing it while muttering nonsense like “meow meow” under their breaths.

A moment later—

Mr. Jiang, trying to sound reasonable:
“That boy must be a good kid.”

Jiang Jiang: “…”

So this is what they call generational favoritism, huh?

Well, now she’d experienced it firsthand.

===

The week-and-a-half timeline was calculated based on the original plot—when the Qin family would approach Wen Ye.

But when Jiang Jiang went to his university that weekend to have lunch with him, he still showed no signs of anything unusual.

She couldn’t help but ask 10086:
【Is this normal? Did the butterfly effect mess up the Qin family’s timeline?】

10086: 【No no no, the gears of fate have already begun to turn.】

Jiang Jiang: “…”

【If you keep acting like this, I’m filing a complaint.】

10086: 【…Don’t worry. The plot is proceeding steadily.】

As Jiang Jiang focused on her meal, Wen Ye clenched his fists a little nervously and asked hesitantly,
“…If my identity changed, would I feel like a stranger to you?”

She paused, chopsticks still in hand. In her clear eyes was his reflection—it made him feel like her entire world was filled with only him.

“Of course not.” Jiang Jiang smiled.
“If it’s just your identity that changed, but you’re still the same A-Ye, then nothing’s different to me.”

“Because what I like is just you—A-Ye himself.”

“Oh, right.” She wiped her mouth. “I went home yesterday to see my parents. They really want to meet you. I told them next Sunday. Are you free?”

Wen Ye thought for a moment.
“I’m free—but you might not have to wait until then to see me.”

Jiang Jiang: “?”

He only said it would be a surprise—then took her on a campus tour.

In A University, the golden autumn sunlight filtered through the leaves of the parasol trees, scattering golden flecks across the ground. Wen Ye held her hand as they walked along a ginkgo-lined path, crisp leaves crunching beneath their feet.

“That’s the library,” he pointed to a red brick building, his voice unusually light. “I always sit near the window on the top floor—because I can see the school gates from there.”

He was especially talkative today, happily guiding her around without needing her to say much.

It was rare to see him like this—vibrant and full of life, like a real university student. Jiang Jiang smiled, eyes curved.
“You really seem to like it here, A-Ye.”

They sat down on a wooden bench by the path.

The breeze brushed gently past, golden ginkgo leaves fluttered around them. Wen Ye smiled faintly and said,
“It’s all thanks to you, Jiejie. You made me like this place.”

Jiang Jiang: “?”

She couldn’t quite believe it.
“What am I, a dean? Guiding students now?”

Wen Ye laughed softly, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. The class bell rang, and the surrounding sounds slowly faded.

A peaceful stillness settled between them.

Did he like school? Of course he did.

It was only here, far from that suffocating home, that he found a sliver of peace. To him, school was a refuge—but how could someone enjoy the scenery from a storm shelter?

Only after meeting Jiang Jiang, when the shackles of bloodline and obligation fell away, did he finally have the mind to look around and appreciate the view.

When Jiang Jiang felt a weight fall against her shoulder and turned to look, Wen Ye had already dozed off, leaning against her.

…Of course she had seen the madness that lurked beneath his gentle surface.

She knew full well that the person she liked was never some pitiful, helpless victim.

And she never exposed his mask—because it was meaningless.
If wearing it made Wen Ye feel safe, then she was willing to pretend she never noticed. Forever, if need be.

Even asleep, his brow was still furrowed with unease. Jiang Jiang reached out to smooth it, her gaze tracing the lines of his face.

But A-Ye—

That mask didn’t bring you the safety you hoped for.

Secrets are like rot beneath the skin. Even if you look flawless on the outside, they fester. The wounds hidden beneath your gentle surface were never healed.

Even now, in sleep, his fingers unconsciously clutched the hem of her shirt—afraid that if he let go, she’d disappear.

“Don’t worry, A-Ye,” Jiang Jiang murmured softly, almost too quiet to hear.

No matter what you are, she would always walk toward you—without hesitation.

==

The Qin Family.

Old Master Qin was arranging a banquet.

The Qin family had once been vast, wealthy, and full of heirs. He had never taken any of them seriously—until now, when old age crept up and only a single illegitimate child remained by his side.

He was extremely displeased with Wen Ye’s lack of seriousness in love and relationships, but what could he do?

He absolutely didn’t want the family legacy he’d built with his own hands to fall into the hands of someone outside his bloodline.

So he had to grit his teeth and accept it.

But of course, he had his own little schemes.
He was a man—he knew men. All flighty and easy to sway. Once the banquet started and all the daughters of rich families showed up, he refused to believe this boy wouldn’t take a liking to at least one of them.

Wen Ye, meanwhile, made no move to help. He just sat and watched coldly as the old man bustled around with his hunched back.

“When your identity is officially announced, go and change your surname the next day.”

—

To Wen Ye, his surname meant nothing.

As a child, he used to imagine his father coming to take him home. In those fantasies, he would proudly declare that he’d never change his surname—that he preferred his mother’s name.

The fact that he imagined such a scene showed he still held some hope for the role of “father.”

But that hope was buried the moment his mother’s love disappeared.

Now, ten years after the helpless, yearning boy had died inside him, the scene he had once imagined finally arrived—but it only felt laughably absurd.

So even though surnames held no meaning to him now, he refused to satisfy this man’s wishes.

Worried the Qin name would die out?

Wen Ye’s eyes were ice cold. A mocking smirk curled at his lips.

Then let it die.

==

“Did you hear? The Qin family found a boy—he’s their heir now.”

“Of course. It’s all over the place. They say he’s an illegitimate son.”

“Pfft, so what? All the others are dead. That makes him their precious little treasure now.”

“And he’s said to be even more ruthless than Old Master Qin was… shh, he’s here. Quiet.”

The moment Wen Ye stepped into the banquet hall, all the whispers fell silent.

He wore a sharply tailored black suit, his broad shoulders accentuated by the clean lines. He didn’t wear a tie, revealing a sliver of pale neck beneath the open collar. Though his attire wasn’t entirely formal, no one dared say a word.

His fringe was brushed to the side, revealing those arresting eyes. The naturally drooping outer corners should have made him look gentle, but the cold amusement in his gaze gave him an aura of danger.

His entire presence was anything but kind. He looked like someone who’d clawed his way out of a sea of corpses.

A venomous snake, newly grown, surveying its territory.

Jiang Jiang and her parents had naturally been invited too.

Upon seeing the imposing young man before them, they couldn’t help but inwardly remark that the Qin family’s luck had finally turned.

Though not a prominent family in Haicheng, the Jiangs still had some standing. So their seats weren’t up front. When Old Master Qin brought Wen Ye to the center of the banquet, Mr. Jiang was still happily stuffing cake into his mouth.

He even passed a few to Jiang Jiang.

Mrs. Jiang, however, clutched her daughter’s arm, worried.
“That boy doesn’t look easy to deal with. If we cross paths in the future, what then?”

Mr. Jiang thought she was overreacting.
“When has anyone in the Qin family ever been easy to deal with? We’ve managed fine so far. Relax—this cake is delicious. Here, have one.”

Mrs. Jiang: “…”

Looking at her husband and daughter so unbothered, she felt like the eunuch who was more anxious than the emperor himself.

But to be fair—the desserts really were good.

She was shy, wouldn’t say anything even if she was full, and just kept eating.

Jiang Jiang still remembered that Wen Ye was her boyfriend, and tried to defend his image.
“…Actually, he seems quite easy to get along with. And very good-looking.”

Mr. & Mrs. Jiang: “?”

Mr. Jiang: “Haha, Jiang Jiang, you’re getting funnier by the day.”

Jiang Jiang: “…”

She tried again.
“…Really. He’s still in university, right? He must be a very hardworking kid.”

That did surprise Mr. Jiang.
“Did smoke rise from the Qin family’s ancestral grave? They actually have someone who can study?”

Though the Jiang family wasn’t particularly famous, Jiang Jiang’s mere presence was enough to draw attention. Many guests with eligible sons approached Mr. Jiang, trying to learn more.

He did want his daughter to marry well—but he had limits. Once he mentioned she was already seeing someone, he turned them all away.

Jiang Jiang, fed up with the crowd, decided to step out for air.

“Miss Jiang, this way, please,” a maid said, gesturing upstairs.

Jiang Jiang paused.
“Who arranged this?”

The maid smiled.
“The young master.”

So she went upstairs—wine glass in hand, fully prepared to dump it on Old Master Qin if he appeared.

But the one waiting for her was a boy with a gentle smile.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and led her out to the balcony.

“Jiejie, I missed you so much.” As he spoke, he took the glass from her hand, leaned his soft hair against her cheek, and locked her in a tight embrace.
“…Were you surprised to see me here?”

Jiang Jiang forced a shocked expression.

“You… you’re from the Qin family? That old Qin guy… he’s the one who abandoned you, right?”

She couldn’t bring herself to say “father.”

“Mm…” Wen Ye kept up his usual wounded expression in front of her. “They just found me. Said the other heirs are gone and are forcing me to take over the family.”

“I was scared… and didn’t want you to worry, so I didn’t tell you.” He lowered his eyes, looking pitiful.
“The way I acted earlier—they taught me that. Did I seem scary?”

Jiang Jiang pinched his cheek.

So soft.

She pinched again before clearing her throat.
“No, you looked very mature. Like you’ve really grown up.”

“Really?” Wen Ye still didn’t quite believe her. “Uncle and Auntie are here today too, right? What do they think of me?”

Jiang Jiang: “…They were very impressed.”
With the cake.

It was so good her dad nearly ate himself sick.

“Don’t worry.” She patted his soft hair.
“I already told you—no matter what identity you have, you’ll always be my A-Ye. I’ll explain everything to my parents.”

A heavy weight lifted from Wen Ye’s chest.

He clung to her like someone who’d survived a disaster.

He had prepared himself for the possibility that she’d ignore him. That’s why he hadn’t told her earlier—he was afraid she’d feel sorry for him.

Even as the last heir of the Qin family, it wasn’t blood alone that made one a successor. He still had to pass countless tests, some of them life-threatening.

But this power—he had to obtain it.

At first, for revenge.
Later, to protect.

He wanted to be someone who could stand beside Jiang Jiang proudly—not a pitiful stray she happened to take in.

Though honestly, even that had made him happy—because he was with her.

But after looking into the Jiang family, he understood her parents’ concerns.

Only by showing them what he was capable of would they feel safe giving her to him.

“As long as my future in-laws have no objections,” Wen Ye lifted his head, smiling expectantly,
“I’ll make sure I’m ready for our meeting on Sunday.”