Chapter 24: Neighboring Big Sister (The End)

Wen Ye smiled gently. “It’s alright, Uncle.”

Father Jiang: “…”
It’s not alright. Very much not.

Every time he closed his eyes, he could picture Old Master Qin’s deeply wrinkled, fierce face sneering at him, demanding to know why he had cut off the Qin family line.

But truth be told, the old couple was genuinely pleased with Wen Ye’s attitude.

Initially, when they thought about finding a live-in son-in-law, they wanted someone to marry into the Jiang family. That way, if their daughter had children in the future, the kids could take the Jiang surname.

So they had never really considered the rich young heirs of Haicheng’s powerful families.

But now—

The sole heir of the most prestigious Qin family in Haicheng was not only willing to marry into their family—
He was bringing the whole Qin family with him.

Father Jiang, while shocked, also felt a hint of smug satisfaction.

Ah, his daughter really was something else.

His biggest fear had been that the boy would rely on the Qin family’s power and treat Jiang Jiang poorly—or worse, that after he (Father Jiang) passed away, no one would be there to protect his daughter.

But seeing how the two interacted now had completely eased his worries.

The way a person pays attention to another in the smallest details couldn’t be faked.
Wen Ye would even instinctively protect her waist from hitting the sharp edge of the sofa when she sat down.

As the family walked to the dining table together, he would naturally stand on Jiang Jiang’s outer side.

It was a subconscious act of protection.

Of course, a deeply calculating person could mimic such things too—but what for?

The Jiang family was wealthy, yes, but nothing compared to the Qin family.
If he wasn’t truly in love with Jiang Jiang, there was no other reason for these thoughtful gestures.

---

Lunch was made by the housekeeper.

The Jiang family had a proud tradition of being completely unable to cook.

So when Mother Jiang saw Wen Ye roll up his sleeves and start preparing food, the sparkle of admiration in her eyes almost blinded Jiang Jiang.

“…So back when you two were living in that little town, A-Ye was the one cooking for you?”

Look at that—she was already calling him “A-Ye.”

Jiang Jiang decided to help boost Wen Ye’s approval rating:
“Yup. He did all the housework too. Super domestic.”

Now Mother Jiang felt a little embarrassed.
“You’re so spoiled by your dad and me. In the future, we’ll hire maids and a chef. A-Ye’s going to be busy—don’t let him do everything himself. Don’t wear him out.”

“And A-Ye, you too—put those dishes down! You’re a guest today. How can we let you cook?”

Wen Ye passed by with bowls and chopsticks, smiling warmly.
“It’s really no trouble, Auntie. I’m happy to take care of Jiang Jiang.”

His smile was so bright, it didn’t seem fake at all.

From Mother Jiang’s perspective, it even felt more genuine than the grin he wore at the banquet when his identity was announced.

“…”

Fine. If one is willing to give, and the other is happy to receive—
What more could they, as parents, say? Stop this young man from being good to their daughter?

---

Although Tangtang the cat usually didn’t give Wen Ye the time of day, perhaps from the novelty of not having seen him in a while, today she rubbed against his legs affectionately.

Even purred happily.

Wen Ye: “…?”

He looked at Jiang Jiang, confused.
“Why is Tangtang making that sound nonstop? Is it a respiratory infection?”

Jiang Jiang couldn’t hold it in. “…Idiot. That means she likes you.”

On the sofa, Jiang’s parents, watching a dating show, heard this too.
They chuckled and glanced over at them warmly.

Wen Ye knelt down to pet Tangtang’s increasingly chubby head.

The soft fall of his bangs hid the tears brimming in his eyes.

Such a simple moment—yet he had waited so many years for it.

…To not be laughed at for making a fool of himself, but instead to be looked at with the kind of affection people reserve for a child.

To have both love and family beside him.
Everyone doing their own thing, yet held together by an unspoken warmth.

A scene so normal for others was a long-held dream for him.

And now, it seemed to be coming true.

Tangtang flicked her head dismissively and strutted away like a diva.

Just then, another warm hand gently wrapped around his.

He looked up—and saw Jiang Jiang’s smiling face.

“Why are you zoning out?”

Everything that followed felt like a dream to Wen Ye—like he couldn’t quite touch the ground.

He discussed engagement dates with her parents.

They even talked about where to live after the wedding.

Wen Ye didn’t mind living with her parents, but Father and Mother Jiang didn’t want to intrude, saying they’d just drive over if they ever missed them.

After engagement comes marriage.

And for the wedding home, Wen Ye wanted to design it with Jiang Jiang together.

Realizing he’d be part of her future every step of the way—
Wen Ye felt like the happiest man in the world.

If all the pain he endured in childhood had been for the sake of earning her love that day,
Then even if he had to go through it a hundred times over—he would still choose the same path.

Of course, when he actually said that, Jiang Jiang smacked him.

She scolded, annoyed:
“Why are you jinxing yourself? Pfft, pfft, pfft—knock on wood.”

“You think I love you because you had it rough? Then why don’t I just go marry a beggar on the street?”

“A-Ye,” she said seriously,
“If I could rewrite time, I’d wish for you to have had a happy family—because no matter what, I’d still be there waiting for you.”

Childhood trauma can take a lifetime to heal.
She was willing to be there for him—but more than anything, she wished the trauma had never existed in the first place.

Wen Ye hooked his pinky with hers and whispered,
“Then Jiejie has to keep her promise.”

---

Jiang Jiang hadn’t forgotten her promise to her girlfriends.

But her friends? They were shocked speechless.

“…This is the college boy boyfriend you told us about?”

Jiang Jiang admitted it proudly:
“Yep.”

The socialites were stunned into silence.
All they could do was secretly give her a thumbs-up behind their backs.

Seriously, girl—you’re that one.

And knowing that their friend had landed the heir to the Qin family…
Well, they couldn’t help but feel a little smug by association.

---

The Jiang–Qin engagement invited nearly every major family in Haicheng.

Jiang Jiang didn’t quite get it.
Wen Ye had never seemed like the showy type.

What she didn’t know was that—
That day, from the second floor of the Qin family mansion, Wen Ye had watched those men trying to flatter her parents.

He had been burning with the desire to claim her as his own.

In the end, he didn’t change his surname.

But he did bring the entire Qin family as “dowry” and marry into the Jiang family.
Rumor had it that Old Master Qin couldn’t close his eyes even in death.

But Jiang Jiang had only one thing to say about that: serves him right.
Men who treat love like a game of conquest will be punished—by karma itself.

“Stop thinking about others…”

Wen Ye’s voice suddenly came from behind her, gently covering her eyes.

“Focus on me, Jiejie.”

“Pay attention.”

Jiang Jiang was startled by the move, lost her balance slightly, and was scooped right back into his arms.

Blushing, she protested, “You jerk!”

Wen Ye whispered with a laugh at her ear:
“Then be nice to your jerk.”

---

Later, Jiang Jiang did hear about what became of the Chu siblings.

They took the money, but had neither the skill nor will to earn more.
Living off savings alone? It was only a matter of time before it all crumbled.

The pain they once inflicted on Wen Ye—directly or indirectly—had now come back to haunt them.

Such is the way of karma.

“That’s why our A-Ye will have the happiest life from now on.”

Wen Ye didn’t know what brought that on, but he still smiled and agreed.

As time passed, his past with the Qin family inevitably came to light.
The “pure college student” persona collapsed in an instant.

For a while, Wen Ye thought his marriage might fall apart.

But Jiang Jiang accepted it surprisingly well—
Calmly told him to go feed the cat and cook dinner.

After a round of chores, Wen Ye didn’t have the energy to overthink anymore.

Later that night, lying beside her in bed, he asked quietly like he’d just realized:

“…You knew all along, didn’t you?”

Jiang Jiang shoved the plump Tangtang into his arms.
“…Even the cat could smell the difference in your scent sometimes. You think I couldn’t tell?”

Wen Ye blinked, then hugged Tangtang, and with the cat, squished himself back into Jiang Jiang’s arms.
“My wife is the best—she knew but didn’t expose me.”

Jiang Jiang: “…”

That’s enough.
She was getting crushed.

---

—The End—