16 Half-word

Even though a man like Jiang Yanxu who had been humiliated and trampled on his pride showed his heart that had gone numb, the heart was still a heart that had a myriad of emotions, not just a lump of flesh. There was a scar that would never fade away in it, which could still be felt at any time no matter how calm Jiang Yanxu was in facing various words that were wittingly said to offend him.

Seeing Jiang Yanxu's serious expression, Wen Huiyi's laughter exploded all of a sudden as if he had been holding it in for a long time. "I'm an idiot you know. I supposed to know you weren't the type to eat his own words. You certainly won't mind at all since you've said it so firmly back then that you got tired of living with trash. I shouldn't have forgotten that."

Jiang Yanxu remembered those words—one of the many words that he regretted now. But he wasn't insulted or offended when Wen Huiyi reminded him in a piercing tone. Seemed like a flick that hit a part of his body that had been in pain for a long time, so he almost felt nothing.

Jiang Yanxu glanced at the confident man beside him. Then the corner of his lips lifted slightly and words spat out, "Life gives us so many ways to choose one chance. It's up to us to take it or not. Sometimes we no need to ask other people's opinions because you know that many people love gold out there." Jiang Yanxu had no emotions when he spoke, but that was what made his interlocutor always feel wary. "—Just do what you want," he insisted.

"That's the answer I expect from you." Wen Huiyi nodded in understanding, feeling satisfied in his heart.

Jiang Yanxu grinned faintly. But the grin was much more sly than how it showed on his face.

He said that, didn't mean he would let Wen Huiyi do something as he pleased but he wanted to measure how intelligently Wen Huiyi interpreted the meaning of his words.

However, Wen Huiyi's reaction was that of an idiot.

Jiang Yanxu thought that it wasn't only him who was imbecile when it came to his love affairs, but Wen Huiyi was the same.

Wen Huiyi didn't have any skepticisms other than to think what he had previously accused to Jiang Yanxu was a mistake, but he was reluctant to bring it up and persisted in his arrogance.

Just as Wen Huiyi was about to change their conversation, two big men came over them.

Jiang Yanxu noticed their presence first, so he immediately glanced behind Wen Huiyi, then followed by Wen Huiyi by looking back instinctively.

Seeing the two big men coming over, Wen Huiyi already knew who they were looking for. He immediately turned his face ahead, and from the way he looked at Jiang Yanxu, a sneer was revealed on his face before he revealed it by the words, "Brother Jiang, your clingy little pet can't seem to stand if he isn't by your side even for a second." A light chuckle was heard behind a line of smiles during the pause. Patting Jiang Yanxu's shoulder, squeezing it slightly, Wen Huiyi continued, "Phew, such a romantic newlywed you are."

After saying that, Wen Huiyi left. He waved his hand indifferently when he passed the two big men who were already standing before Jiang Yanxu, not wanting to involve himself in that man's affairs.

Jiang Yanxu looked at Wen Huiyi who was getting further away from his sight as if how long distance it seemed, the hidden grudge in his heart was also measured.

Until the deep voice of one of the big men interrupted, "Boss Jiang, Madam Tang is calling for you."

Jiang Yanxu slowly shifted his gaze towards the talker in disgust. He didn't say a word and he walked away, followed by the two big men behind.

At the hall, Tang Shiliu greeted him with an unsightly look, while Ye Xinxin kept on showing a grim face.

Jiang Yanxu didn't seem worried at all, on the contrary, he walked over leisurely and refreshed himself with coffee as soon as he sat down.

"What's up?" Jiang Yanxu asked in an innocent tone.

Tang Shiliu paused with a sneer and suddenly growled, "I've heard everything from Xin'er. Why are you acting like that to him? You strictly can't yell at him, let alone scold him heartlessly." The middle-aged woman glared at Jiang Yanxu with determination in her eyes, then added, "But you just made him cry? What the hell were you thinking actually?"

Jiang Yanxu closed his eyes, trying to remain still even though he was fed up with such pointless arguing. So, he immediately stretched out his hand, saying to Ye Xinxin beside him, "Honey, why are you so whiny? Are you really mad at me just because I ignored you after you slapped me hard? For real? I don't even think about what you've done to me anymore."

Ye Xinxin pursed his lips and then turned his face sideways, hiding his embarrassment. He realized that he was the one who had made Jiang Yanxu ignore him and now he was also venting his anger on him very selfishly. He knew this was embarrassing, but his prestige effectively covered his guilty.

Jiang Yanxu took a deep breath, then pulled Ye Xinxin's chair closer. He gripped Ye Xinxin's hand, said humbly, "Don't sulk anymore, okay? Let's forgive each other and forget about the matter."

Ye Xinxin didn't say anything other than holding back an embarrassment and annoyance he felt.

Since there was no response from Ye Xinxin, Tang Shiliu took the chance to corner Jiang Yanxu, intending to take advantage of Jiang Yanxu's fondness for Ye Xinxin by bringing up his greed.

"Do you think with the power you have now you can control everything with it after my late husband's death? You can't be mean to other people. It's fine if you don't want to let me interfere in your businesses just because I'm your stepmother, but I can't stay still like stupid when it comes to Xin'er's feelings. Never do something cruel to him—never."

As soon as Tang Shiliu finished her speech, Jiang Yanxu gave his a sharp glance. His thick eyebrows knitted tightly against his forehead, and he almost lost his composure.

Thinking that Tang Shiliu was only trying to provoke his patience, Jiang Yanxu remained calm. He sneered, "I don't know why you're suddenly saying that right here. I'm dealing with my household matters right now, so why are you suddenly saying something vague like that? Are you feeling pressured or what? Or do you have a problem with my decision all this time? But who cares."

As if a knife sliced her tongue in an instant, Tang Shiliu instantly fell silent like a fool while lamenting how disrespectful her stepson was. And when she opened her mouth to protest, a voice was suddenly heard from a distance in a very familiar tone, "Mom, Brother Ye!"

The three of them turned their head to the voice at the same time.

Shen Ke waved his hand enthusiastically as soon as he saw his mother and Ye Xinxin turn their heads, but intentionally ignored Jiang Yanxu who was there although he was consciously aware of his presence.

Shen Ke then approached them with a big smile.

When he joined them on the table, the cheerful mood dissipated the seriousness that almost caused conflict between them. Tang Shiliu, his mother, who was about to say something to Jiang Yanxu before, was now carried away by the cheerfulness of her son.

Jiang Yanxu rolled his eyes.

Shen Ke's pleasant demeanor changed nothing from his view towards the three of them. The young man's presence even made his mood get worse.

People in his family also knew that Jiang Yanxu had never been on good terms with Tang Shiliu and her son after they entered Jiang Family. His father didn't even care about how Jiang Yanxu was always being disrespectful to them. So no matter how Jiang Yanxu treated his stepmother and her son, no one would be surprised anymore by that.