Jiang Zhishu stared blankly as Jiang Baiwan left. He wanted to go forward to chase after her, but stopped after taking two steps. Like his steps, his heart became extremely heavy. Looking at his sister’s back, Jiang Zhishu fell in a trance. His sister seemed too far away from him.

“Sit down.” Ji Chen’s voice came from behind. “It’s no use just standing around.”

Jiang Zhishu turned his head and showed Ji Chen a smile as ugly as crying. “Brother-in-law, Sister, she…… Is she not going to want me anymore?”

Ji Chen watched Jiang Baiwan’s back with heavy eyes and did not answer Jiang Zhishu’s question. Instead, he said to Ji Ying, who was on the side, “Sis, please take care of him. I’ll go and look at Xiao Wan.” With that, Ji Chen picked up his coat and went after Jiang Baiwan.

Before Ji Ying had time to say anything, she watched Ji Chen quickly dart out. She stretched out her hand in the air and then retracted it. Ji Ying glanced at Jiang Zhishu, who was still frozen in place after being blasted by his own sister, and couldn’t help but rolled her eyes. “Just wait. Wait until your brother-in-law catches up with your sister first and give her some comfort.”

Jiang Baiwan walked out completely out of breath. The anguish in her chest had calmed down a little after venting out. It’s just that she couldn’t figure out how Jiang Baiwan’s family could live with themselves after abandoning her. Wasn’t it too much to only value their son?

“Xiao Wan?” Ji Chen was behind and caught up to her in a few steps. “Xiao Wan.”

Jiang Baiwan was still lost in her own thoughts and did not hear Ji Chen’s shout. Ji Chen took another two steps forward and grabbed Jiang Baiwan’s wrist. “Xiao Wan.”

“Ji Chen?” Jiang Baiwan turned around and looked at Ji Chen questioningly. “What is it?”

Ji Chen pursed his mouth and looked at Jiang Baiwan without speaking, but didn’t let go of her hand either. Jiang Baiwan could feel the strength coming from her wrist. She looked down at his hand holding hers, then looked back up at his face. She suddenly smiled. “What are you feeling guilty about?”

Jiang Baiwan’s words hit the nail on the head and Ji Chen’s ears began to turn red. He was silent for another moment before saying in a low voice, “I…… I didn’t know that you’ve endured so much.”

“It’s all right.” Jiang Baiwan said lightly. “It’s all over. I have more than eight million in my hands and my Malatang business is also doing well. Unlike the flamboyance of the past, this kind of ordinary life is quite good.”

However, the more Jiang Baiwan talk, the heavier the guilt in Ji Chen’s heart became——Jiang Baiwan said that the Jiang family had abandoned her when she needed them the most, but what about him?

“I’m sorry.” Ji Chen said suddenly. “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Baiwan smiled and shook her head. Under the moonlight, Jiang Baiwan, who usually looked lively and boisterous, now had a different temperament.

She said calmly, “It’s not your fault. You’ve been benevolent to me. I don’t blame you.”

“Okay, I’m going back.” Jiang Baiwan gently pulled her wrist. “Ji Chen, why don’t you let me go first?”

Ji Chen was reminded that he was still holding Jiang Baiwan’s hand and he quickly let go as if he had been burned. Jiang Baiwan moved her wrist, then waved at Ji Chen. Unlike the anger she had shown just now, Jiang Baiwan was in a very calm mood and even have a smile on her face. “All right, you should hurry back, it’s already so late. You don’t need to see me off.”

Ji Chen stood rooted, watching Jiang Baiwan take two steps forward. A wave of hot blood suddenly surged from his heart and flowed all the way to his limbs. Without much thought, he subconsciously followed his own heart.

——Ji Chen stepped forward and pulled over Jiang Baiwan hard, holding her tightly in his arms before she could regain her senses.

Jiang Baiwan felt a whirl and fell into an embrace the next second. Her eyes widened and her mind suddenly turned into mush. Smelling the lingering scent of perfume on the man, Jiang Baiwan had no idea what had happened—— What’s going on?

Ji Chen hugged Jiang Baiwan tightly, burying his face in her hair. The strength of his arms and the sound of Ji Chen’s frantic heartbeat were all accurately conveyed to Jiang Baiwan. She felt the man’s violent heartbeat, and without noticing, her own heartbeat also began to speed up.

“I’m sorry.” Ji Chen suddenly spoke again, his voice was hoarse and a little shaky, “I’m sorry that I also abandoned you when you needed someone the most.”

Jiang Baiwan hesitated for a moment, then gently reached out and patted Ji Chen’s back. “What I just said is the truth. I’m really fine…… She never blamed you.”

Ji Chen’s body shook and he pulled away a little from Jiang Baiwan, looking directly into her eyes. Jiang Baiwan smiled at him as if she knew nothing. “The Jiang Baiwan of the past is dead and she didn’t blame you. The present Jiang Baiwan is living quietly now, and I…… regard you as a friend.”

“Friend?” Ji Chen repeated the word. He smiled helplessly. “Okay, friend.”

Saying that, Ji Chen let go of Jiang Baiwan. He was still very close to her, but his heartbeat had gradually calmed down.

“Then as a friend, Xiao Wan,” Ji Chen said, “can I express my apology?”

Jiang Baiwan was inexplicably flustered. She couldn’t help but take a step back. Eyes glaring, she blustered, “Then you owe me. When I think of something, I’ll let you pay it back.”

After saying that, Jiang Baiwan ran away in a flash without waiting for Ji Chen’s answer. Ji Chen did not go after her this time. He stood in place, watching Jiang Baiwan’s departing back and slowly clenched his fists.

When Ji Chen returned inside the house, Jiang Zhishu was sitting in the living room with his head hanging down. It was unknown what he’s thinking.

Ji Chen walked up to him and looked down. “Follow me.”

Jiang Zhishu didn’t make a sound. He stood up silently and followed Ji Chen to his study.

After the two of them sat down, Ji Chen said, “Tell me, what’s going on.”

“What do you mean, Brother-in-law?” Jiang Zhishu’s face was full of bewilderment. “I don’t understand.”

Ji Chen slightly tapped on the table. Different from the gentleness when he was facing Jiang Baiwan, when looking at Jiang Zhishu, he didn’t bother to hide the sharpness coming from his body. “What’s the deal with you returning here this time?”

Jiang Zhishu raised his brows, his expression a little strange. “Brother-in-law, you…… Don’t ask about this kind of thing.”

“I’m not worried about you.” Ji Chen said in a low voice. “I’m worried about your sister. What she just said was right, you and your parents left as soon as you could and you’re suddenly back like this. Is it possible that you want her to welcome you with drums and gongs?”

“……Brother-in-law.” Jiang Zhishu’s expression slowly became serious. “I’ll call you Brother-in-law, so don’t ask so many questions, okay?”

Ji Chen narrowed his eyes. “Not pretending anymore?”

“Why will I pretend in front of you, Brother-in-law?” Jiang Zhishu chuckled and his cheeks turned red as he scratched the back of his head, like a real shy young man. “I know that Brother-in-law can tell everything.”

Ji Chen sighed. “No matter what you want to do, I won’t allow you to disturb your sister. Xiao Wan, she…… has actually been very lonely. Although she smiles every day, but I can tell that it’s because she had nothing to care about.”

Because she doesn’t care, she dared to act recklessly. Such was the case with Jiang Baiwan today.

When Jiang Zhishu heard these words, his back stiffened. He laughed bitterly and slowly said, “Sister’s current situation…… Forget it, let’s talk about this matter once my sister’s anger has subsided.”

“Jiang Zhishu, you can stay here for now.” Ji Chen said after a moment of reflection. “But I won’t tell you about your sister, nor will I tell you her address. I took you in because of you’re Xiao Wan’s younger brother, but I won’t tell you anything because I respect her.”

Ji Chen reached out and tapped on the table again, motioning Jiang Zhishu to look at his eyes. “You should understand what I mean.”

Jiang Zhishu nodded. “I understand. It’s natural for my sister to be angry. I haven’t contacted her for such a long time, and now I came back and told her that I don’t know anything. Anyone will think it’s outrageous.”

“As long as you understand.” Ji Chen said, “The servants will arrange a room for you. Go and rest.”

When Jiang Zhishu was about to leave the study, as if remembering something, he suddenly turned around and said to Ji Chen, “Brother-in-law, you don’t seem to be astonished that I call you Brother-in-law now?”

Seeing Ji Chen’s suddenly stiff expression, Jiang Zhishu looked like a cat that had stolen a fish, and went out with a grin.

———

When Jiang Baiwan got home, it was already very late. She didn’t turn on the lights but went straight into the bedroom, flinging herself on the bed.

She sighed very deeply. Despite the peaceful surrounding, it seemed like a storm was raging in her brain. She couldn’t calm down no matter what she did.

“What’s that about……?” Jiang Baiwan grabbed the quilt viciously. “He suddenly hugged me without even saying a word. Does it count as him taking advantage of me?”

Originally, Jiang Baiwan was still a little angry, but after Ji Chen’s hug and the words “I’m sorry” full of patience and complicated emotions, the extremely spineless Jiang Baiwan calmed down and was even a little shy.

“What is it called? A beauty trick!” Jiang Baiwan angrily pounded the bed and it made a protesting sound.

However, Ji Chen’s embrace felt quite secure. He looked lean on ordinary times, but he can wrap Jiang Baiwan in his arms, and he smells pleasant too……

Jiang Baiwan rolled on the bed, clutching her head with a contorted expression—— Calm down! Look at the time! Don’t be obsessed with beauty!

In this peaceful night, two people were destined to be unable to sleep.