By now, Jian Yang still hoped that it wasn’t Guan Ciyan who did it.

“The photo I gave, I told him to only show the young master Guan’s face. To get your attention, he added a lot of leading words in the report, making the situation worse. The release time wasn’t fixed, but it should be that he wanted to take advantage of the crowd today to publish it, causing more harm to young master Guan.”

“Considering the past, I won’t fire you,” Guan Ciyan said calmly. “Quit tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Mr. Guan.” Assistant Lin’s chest slightly sank, as if letting out a breath.

This was the best way to handle it. Leaving the Guan Group, there were plenty of companies lining up to hire him. If he were fired, no one would take the risk of offending Guan Ciyan by rehiring him.

Jian Yang slightly parted his lips, not fully understanding, “But, this isn’t the manager’s decision, Assistant Lin didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Jiang Ke.” Guan Ciyan called out.

Jian Yang stood up, “It has nothing to do with Jiang Ke. I sent her the message.”

Standing right in front of Jiang Ke, Jian Yang confronted Guan Ciyan with swollen eyes. Guan Ciyan helplessly closed his eyes.

“Sit down.”

“I won’t fire her. Sit down, doesn’t your knee hurt anymore?”

Jian Yang’s knee still hurt, but he stood firm, “She can’t leave.”

Jiang Ke was almost driven mad, secretly tugging at Jian Yang’s clothes, “Young master, sit down.”

The small movements between the two did not escape Guan Ciyan’s eyes. He stood up, pulling Jian Yang to his side, and lifted his hand to ask Jiang Ke, “The young master is hurt, didn’t you see?”

Jiang Ke lowered her head, “Sorry, next time I’ll make sure the young master wears protective gear before hitting.”

Jian Yang: “It’s not really her fault…”

Jiang Ke looked up, sneaking a glance at Jian Yang, signaling him to stop talking.

Their eye contact softened the force of Guan Ciyan’s scolding. It was the first time he felt embarrassed in such a situation, no, it was the first time someone dared to undermine his authority.

It made him laugh in frustration, “Jian Yang, should I still give her a bonus?”

Jian Yang spoke with a sob, “A bonus isn’t necessary, but a raise would be good. Jiang Ke did a good job organizing the dinner.”

She even expedited the printing of the invitations.

“Raise, raise, raise,” Guan Ciyan waved his hand.

Jiang Ke felt like she had been pardoned and left.

Jian Yang felt a little better, at least one person was saved.

“Still not happy?” Guan Ciyan asked.

Jian Yang shook his head, “How many years has Assistant Lin worked with you?”

“Eight years,” Guan Ciyan said lightly, “If he can’t handle such a small matter, should I still keep him?”

“But he didn’t do anything wrong. It was the manager’s idea.”

“Then should I arrange work for him and make sure everything is handled properly?”

Jian Yang was speechless.

In terms of words, he would never get a good answer from Guan Ciyan.

Assistant Lin didn’t do anything wrong, but because the result was bad, he had to bear the consequences. Jian Yang didn’t do anything wrong either, but because he was caught in the struggle between Guan Ciyan and Guan Jingyu, he had to suffer.

“Sigh.” Guan Ciyan sighed deeply and pulled Jian Yang firmly.

Jian Yang had been standing, and his center of gravity was unstable, so he fell onto the sofa. Guan Ciyan timely wrapped his arm around Jian Yang’s waist and placed him on his lap.

The difference in height created some space, and now, Jian Yang was on top, with Guan Ciyan looking up at him.

“Cry,” Guan Ciyan pinched his face.

Jian Yang was still staring at Guan Ciyan. He had never seen him from this angle before. The man’s sharp eyebrows and eyes were clearer, and even though he was in a lower position, there was no sign of weakness.

It was just that when facing him, the sharpness in his eyes was deliberately hidden, creating a false illusion of tenderness.

As if the person who just broke someone’s leg wasn’t him.

“Not crying anymore?”

Jian Yang shook his head.

Guan Ciyan had long forgotten his habit of avoiding physical contact. He held Jian Yang’s back, letting him rest his head on his shoulder. “There were too many people earlier, now you can cry.”

“I don’t want to cry anymore,” Jian Yang said quietly.

He had been scared when Guan Ciyan hit someone earlier, but he wasn’t really the type to cry.

He sat up straight, though still on Guan Ciyan’s lap. The atmosphere, however, was cold and distant. The one who was hurt was not being comforted, and the arms around him were stiff.

“Does it hurt?” Guan Ciyan stroked Jian Yang’s knee.

Jian Yang didn’t feel much, just tired. The pain at the back of his head was more noticeable than on his body. “I’m fine.”

“Don’t use your body to hit people in the future, understood?”

Jian Yang fell silent. The things Guan Ciyan taught him were all for his own good. He knew what he cared about the most.

There was a knock on the door. Jian Yang wanted to get off from Guan Ciyan’s lap, but Guan Ciyan held him by the waist, not letting him move. “Come in.”

A staff member entered and, seeing their position, turned his head. “Mr. Guan, the Old Master wants to see you.”

“Got it.”

Jian Yang also turned his face, not wanting to be seen. Even though he knew these people wouldn’t gossip, he didn’t want to seem too close to Guan Ciyan in front of others, lest it cause misunderstandings.

Guan Ciyan didn’t notice his resistance. When the person left, he patted Jian Yang’s waist, signaling him to get down. Jian Yang’s buttocks brushed against Guan Ciyan’s legs. Both were wearing slim, breathable suit pants. After getting off, Jian Yang stood aside, unsure of where to put his hands.

The sensation of flesh against flesh made his body tingle.

Guan Ciyan, as if nothing had happened, tidied Jian Yang’s clothes. “So dirty.”

Jian Yang looked at his gray suit, stained with blood. He didn’t cause much harm to the person. On the other hand, Guan Ciyan had broken the person’s arms and legs, yet his clothes didn’t even have a crease. The only crease was one Jian Yang had made for him.

When would he ever see Guan Ciyan lose control?

He seemed invulnerable.

Guan Ciyan took Jian Yang downstairs. Jian Yang didn’t like walking in the underground parking lot. The driver had already driven the car to the estate’s entrance, waiting. The night was deathly silent, not even a breeze, just cold.

“I’ll take you to Old Master Su for a check-up.” Guan Ciyan said at the car door.

Jian Yang shook his head. “I don’t want to go.”

It was just some superficial injuries, nothing serious. He was more tired and anxious, his mind occupied with a pile of matters.

Guan Ciyan knew what this workaholic was thinking and didn’t force him. “Then we’ll go home first. Uncle Zhang is waiting for you at home. He’s saved you some food. Also, Xiao Taiyang and Xia Tian are there. They haven’t seen you in a while.”

Jian Yang was momentarily distracted. Looking into Guan Ciyan’s eyes, it felt like his soul was being sucked in. He couldn’t distinguish whether Guan Ciyan’s words were true or false. Saying for him to go home, it felt as though they were family, relying on each other. He didn’t know if it was part of Guan Ciyan’s trap, or if he was playing the emotional card to make him stop caring about the scandalous report.

He couldn’t outplay him, nor did he have the energy to.

Jian Yang tiredly sat in the car, wanting to give Guan Ciyan some space. Guan Ciyan bent down and pulled him by the arm. “Wait for me at home. I’ll be back later.”

Someone had come earlier to ask him to go to Old Master Guan. Jian Yang paused and asked, “Will he whip you?”

Guan Ciyan patted his head. “Don’t worry.”

The car drove toward familiar roads and entered the villa area.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived,” the driver reminded him.

Jian Yang leaned against the car window and blinked. “What kind of ‘young master’ am I?”

“Young Master, don’t say that. Look at how Mr. Guan treats others.”

Jian Yang smiled lightly. “Thanks for the rides these past two months.”

The driver scratched his head. “I’m getting paid, Young Master, no need to thank me.”

Jian Yang chuckled lightly, his expression softening a bit. The driver continued, “Young Master, don’t worry. Mr. Guan will take care of everything.”

“Alright.”

Jian Yang got out of the car and entered the villa. Uncle Zhang came to meet him with a cup of hot milk. “Young Master, I heard you didn’t have dinner. How’s your stomach? Would you like something to eat?”

He had only had breakfast today and hadn’t had time to eat any cakes at the banquet. Jian Yang took the milk and drank it all. If he didn’t finish it, his stomach would definitely hurt in the middle of the night.

“Where’s Xiao Taiyang?” Jian Yang asked Uncle Zhang.

“He’s in his room playing. Xia Tian went out for a walk.”

Jian Yang went to find the cat, with Uncle Zhang following behind. “I’ve already prepared clothes for you. Go upstairs, take a shower, and come down for some porridge. You said you wanted salted egg yolk, it’s all pickled.”

“Alright.” Jian Yang picked up the cat, turned back to Uncle Zhang, and said, “Thank you, Uncle Zhang. I’ll be down shortly.”

“Young Master…” Uncle Zhang raised his hand, but Jian Yang had already walked to the stairs.

“What’s going on?” Uncle Zhang sighed helplessly.

The lively child who had once tried to run away from home was now silent, unwilling to say a word. He had suffered but didn’t even complain, and even said thank you.

Uncle Zhang couldn’t do anything and went to prepare some bird’s nest soup, hoping that Jian Yang’s mood would improve enough to drink it.

Jian Yang went upstairs, found the cat carrier, and put Xiao Taiyang inside. “Be good, I still have money to buy you cat treats.”

The clothes for changing were hung in the bathroom. Jian Yang touched them, but couldn’t figure out the fabric. It was soft and comfortable. Uncle Zhang’s arrangements were always impeccable. No one had ever taken care of him like this.

Not even his sister, who was busy with making a living and couldn’t care less about what he wore.

The hot water hit his hand wounds, causing sharp pain. Since moving in with Guan Ciyan, new and old injuries alternated. He was such a fool—he healed and forgot the pain, believing in Guan Ciyan time and time again. What kind of person was Guan Ciyan?

The private doctor would prescribe medicine with a word, and even after working with Assistant Lin for eight years, he didn’t hesitate to fire him.

It was clearly his own report that was released because the manager wanted to please him, and when there was a slight discrepancy in the publication, he broke someone’s legs.

The golf club was in Jian Yang’s hands, and he could truly feel the force with which it struck the man. That was a human leg, how could Guan Ciyan bring himself to do that?

People who stand at high positions likely lose some humanity.

Jian Yang clutched his chest and crouched down, his heart pounding uncomfortably fast. The thought of the man’s broken leg, crawling on the ground like old wood, was something he couldn’t accept. He couldn’t believe he had struck that blow.

Turning off the water, Jian Yang walked straight to the homewear that Zhang Bo had prepared, took a simple white T-shirt and cotton jacket from the wardrobe, and paired it with jeans. He picked up Xiao Taiyang and went downstairs. He placed Xiao Taiyang at the stairs, “Shh, don’t call out.”

“Is the young master coming down?” Zhang Bo heard the sound. “Come eat.”

“I’m coming.”

On the table was simple white porridge, freshly pickled salted duck eggs, egg yolk buns, and bird’s nest soup.

He was worried that Jian Yang wouldn’t be able to eat, yet also worried that he might not eat enough.

Jian Yang felt a wave of warmth in his heart and invited Zhang Bo to sit down. “I can’t finish this, Zhang Bo, let’s eat together.”

“This is not proper,” Zhang Bo said with a smile.

“Since the new China was founded, where do such feudal old customs come from? Sit down, Zhang Bo.”

Jian Yang let his hands hang at his sides, making it clear that if Zhang Bo didn’t eat, neither would he.

Without Guan Ciyan around, Zhang Bo wasn’t as restrained. Seeing this, he added a set of chopsticks and a bowl for himself. “Young master, eat and rest early. How about I make you some small wontons tomorrow morning?”

Jian Yang put a custard bun on Zhang Bo’s plate and helped himself to some salted egg yolk with oil dripping from it. “It’s really delicious.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Zhang Bo,” Jian Yang put down his chopsticks and said seriously, “Thank you so much for these past few days. The Jian family… they don’t want me, but you’ve taken me in for so long. You’ve been taking care of all my food, clothing, and shelter, I know all of that.”

“It’s all thanks to the master…”

“I know,” Jian Yang continued, “Of course, the clothes and car you’ve prepared have to be approved by the master. I also thank him. In any case, I feel very lucky. But my luck is coming to an end. I was angry before and wanted to leave, but didn’t even get to say goodbye. This time I have more time, so we can take it slow. After this meal, I’m leaving. If there’s a chance, I’ll come back to see you.”

Jian Yang spoke clearly and decisively. His tone was calm, not like the hasty decisions from before. This time, it was a well-thought-out decision.

“Young master, how about we wait until the master comes back to decide?”

“Call me Jian Yang, Zhang Bo. I’m not a member of the Guan family.”

“You still…”

“Eat, Zhang Bo.” This sentence carried a bit of Guan Ciyan’s influence, with an unyielding attitude beneath his calm expression.

Zhang Bo knew that the more he tried to persuade, the more it would backfire. He secretly sent a message to Guan Ciyan:

“The young master wants to leave. Please come home soon.”

Jian Yang quickly finished his meal, walked over to the stairs to grab the cat carrier, and finally said goodbye to Zhang Bo, “Zhang Bo, don’t worry about me. I can earn money now.”