Disgusting, disgusting!!!!
Only after escaping the plot's control did he realize how hateful this man was! He hated him so much his teeth ached, so much he wanted to chew them like bubble gum!
You killed me single-handedly in my last life, so how about I return the favor in this one? Fair enough, right?
He still hadn't processed everything from his past life and this one, and now Jiang Gechen had disgusted him all over again. His clenched teeth ground together. There was nothing else in his head, only...
Xia Shule walked into the restroom, scooped up a handful of water, and splashed it onto his face, recovering some of his reason.
His body had still trembled a little when Jiang Gechen grabbed his collar earlier. After all, those were the very hands that had pushed him over the edge. It was only natural that some fear lingered.
He shook the water off his hands and walked out, turning these matters over aimlessly in his mind.
Killing Jiang Gechen single-handedly wasn't something he could manage entirely on his own.
He remembered...
In the original novel, there was one person whose position no one could shake.
The Jiang Family stood above the Xia Family, but even the Jiang Family didn't hold absolute power. There was someone above them, and he was the one who truly ruled everything.
Xia Shule knew his own capabilities. He had grown up spoiled and sheltered, never having suffered the harsh lessons of the real world. His methods obviously couldn't compare.
So if he could secure that man's protection, he might be able to kill Jiang Gechen himself.
In the original novel's setting, power stood above everything.
That was why Jiang Gechen could treat Xia Shule that way. Power could crush a person to death. He had to stand above Jiang Gechen.
And so, Xia Shule decided to take a gamble.
He had heard some time ago that this man's family was pressing him to marry. His father was getting on in years, and his mother lay bedridden with a serious illness. All his parents wanted was to see him start a family before they closed their eyes for the last time.
If I volunteer, behave myself, and know my place, I should have a chance, right?
They would each get what they needed out of a contractual marriage. That was perfectly fair.
Xia Shule was determined to win that man over!
Only... where is he? Isn't today his father's birthday banquet? Why haven't I seen any of them?
His surroundings were frighteningly quiet. Xia Shule, who had been marching along with his head lowered, had somehow wandered into the rear garden of the Yan residence. Bright, beautiful flowers filled his view.
"Achoo!"
Xia Shule couldn't hold back a sneeze. The truth was, he was allergic to pollen.
There are way too many flowers here. Sure, they're pretty! But I'd better get out fast, or I'll suffocate here.
After circling around inside a few times, Xia Shule marveled that the Yan Family certainly lived up to its reputation. Even their rear garden was enormous.
On top of that, he had always had a terrible sense of direction, and now he couldn't find the exit at all. A sea of flowers surrounded him, leaving him unable to tell one direction from another.
Xia Shule kept wandering in circles like a headless chicken.
He couldn't even tell whether he was heading out or going deeper inside.
Suddenly, the tall figure of a man gradually came into view in the distance, his back turned as he concentrated on pruning the flowers.
Covering his nose and mouth, Xia Shule immediately ran over and spoke to the man's back in a muffled voice. "Hello, I'm lost. Could you take me out? Sorry for the trouble."
He didn't know who the man was, but someone pruning flowers here was probably a gardener, which meant he must know his way around.
Once Xia Shule got closer, he could see the large shears in the man's hands, their veins standing out prominently. The shears looked enormous to Xia Shule, yet appeared small and almost dainty in the man's grip.
Yan Zhiyi turned around. The other man was covering his nose and mouth, his voice coming through the gaps between his fingers, slightly muffled.
Only a pair of large eyes was visible. Despite the darkness, they still sparkled, long lashes fluttering with each blink as he gazed at Yan Zhiyi expectantly.
Yan Zhiyi didn't agree right away. Instead, he asked with a stern expression, "How did you get in here?"
His deep, resonant voice carried an icy chill.
"I..."
Xia Shule stared at him, a little transfixed. He had strong brows and handsome eyes, and wore a spotless white shirt with taut muscles beneath it. He simply gazed coldly at Xia Shule, his eyes deep and shadowed.
Somewhat bewildered, Xia Shule told the truth. "I was just wandering around and came in by accident. Is this area off-limits?"
He had been so preoccupied with that whole mess earlier that he couldn't even remember when he had entered.
All he knew was that by the time he came to his senses, his nose was itching... Judging by the man's reaction, this place really was off-limits, wasn't it?
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know this area was off-limits. It really was an accident! If you take me out, I'll give you a generous tip! I feel awful right now. I'm allergic to pollen. Could you please hurry and get me out of here?" Xia Shule's nose itched terribly, and the sensation was making him irritable.
He was only thinking that anything money could solve should be solved with money. As his voice grew urgent, a commanding note and a faint edge of anger slipped into it.
He didn't even notice, but Yan Zhiyi, standing opposite him, heard it.
Yan Zhiyi looked into his eyes without speaking.
Such bright eyes.
After a long moment,
he set down his tools and silently started walking out.
The little fellow behind him followed close on his heels.
The gardener had long legs and walked without any concern for whether Xia Shule could keep up. Every so often, Xia Shule had to jog a few steps to catch him.
The Yan Family's rear garden really was huge. Only after following him around several turns did Xia Shule see the banquet hall again.
He hadn't forgotten his earlier promise.
"Give me your contact details, then send me your bank account number later. I need to get out of here right now." Xia Shule stood at the garden entrance, still shielding his nose. "Achoo!"
That hadn't helped. Xia Shule sniffled.
Yan Zhiyi stared at those round eyes. Apparently, Xia Shule had no idea who he was. For some inexplicable reason, he took out his phone and exchanged contact details with him.
The instant the friend request was accepted, Xia Shule dashed away.
He didn't even have time to say goodbye. He felt too awful and had to get away from this place immediately!
Yan Zhiyi's already expressionless face instantly turned cold. The oppressive air surrounding him betrayed his anger.
"A Ping." He narrowed his dark eyes, a dangerous glint passing through their depths, his voice slightly hoarse.
A figure was barely visible in the darkness. "I'm here, sir."
"Where's Xiao Zhang?"
"Well..." Xiao Zhang was the employee responsible for watching the rear garden. Now that someone had gotten in, Xiao Zhang was probably done for.
"Tell him he's fired."
"Yes, sir."
A Ping wiped away his sweat. He knew Xiao Zhang was in trouble. Taking one look at the family head's cold, stern face, he obediently left.
Xia Shule had no idea that the man behind him was furious. All he knew was that he needed to get away quickly.
Only after reaching a more crowded area, where his nose felt less uncomfortable, did he lower his hands. He sniffled a few times. It still itched a little; he would need to take allergy medicine when he got back.
Wasn't I supposed to be looking for that man? But now...
Xia Shule looked around. Not only had he failed to spot the man whose birthday they were celebrating, he hadn't seen a single member of the Yan Family either.
Hmm... Xia Shule rubbed his chin in thought. If I really can't find him, his dad will do.
Getting his father into a good mood would help move things along, too.
The "dad" Xia Shule was looking for was also having a minor fit of anger at that very moment.