After lunch, Jiang Xun eagerly cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the dining table.
Bright afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the living room with light.
Fu Yanli sat on an armchair reading a magazine, his posture relaxed, one side of his face turned toward the sunlight and the other hidden in shadow.
Light and shadow fell across his mature, handsome face, making him look like an exquisitely sculpted work of art.
Jiang Xun ventured over. "Uncle, can I add you on WeChat?"
They lived under the same roof, after all. It would make it easier to get in touch if anything came up.
Fu Yanli put down his magazine. He had barely picked up his phone from the coffee table when Jiang Xun opened his QR code and held it out.
In no time, they had added each other.
Jiang Xun was still curious about the big shot's WeChat profile, so he tapped it open. His display name was simple: Fu, the pinyin spelling of his surname.
His profile picture was a snow-covered mountain beneath a clear blue sky. The golden light of sunrise spilled over its peak, beautiful and imbued with a sacred quality that made one want to bow in reverence.
A snowy mountain bathed in golden sunlight.
It certainly suited the big shot.
Like Chu Xingye, Jiang Xun now held a rather blind admiration for Fu Yanli.
It was probably the worship a noob felt for a pro.
Meanwhile, Fu Yanli casually glanced at his new WeChat friend's display name, and his fingertip paused on the screen.
-AAA professional scheming wholesaler, Brother Jiang
That was Jiang Xun's display name.
Then there was his profile picture: Patrick Star wearing a vacant expression and wildly flapping his tongue.
Fu Yanli fell briefly silent.
Jiang Xun changed Fu Yanli's contact name to-his eldest uncle.
Then he put away his phone and searched for something to say. "Uncle, I saw a piano over there. Can you play?"
Fu Yanli quietly exited WeChat. "A little."
Jiang Xun nodded knowingly. Big shots tended to be modest, never showing off.
When they said they knew a little, they meant they were experts.
Only later did he discover that Fu Yanli really did mean a little-the kind of little that extended only to playing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
Chu Xingye did not return until evening.
He had left looking dejected and returned looking as though his parents had died.
His sour mug was still drooping.
Jiang Xun approached him with great concern. "Brother Xingye, what's wrong?"
Chu Xingye ignored Jiang Xun. He plopped onto the sofa, poured a glass of water, and downed it before muttering as though to himself, "Why does Lin Jian run away whenever he sees me?"
Not only did he run, but the look he gave Chu Xingye was hard to describe, as though he were looking at something filthy.
Chu Xingye could not understand it. He had made a special effort to spruce himself up before leaving, even putting on cologne. At least ten bottoms had tried to chat him up along the way.
Jiang Xun gave a light cough and guiltily turned his face away, fighting hard to keep the corners of his mouth from lifting.
Chu Xingye still turned a suspicious gaze on him, narrowing his eyes in scrutiny. "You little darkie, have you been bad-mouthing me to Lin Jian?"
Jiang Xun lowered his head, his lashes trembling with innocent, helpless vulnerability. "Brother Xingye, you've got me all wrong. How would I dare do something like that?"
Yep. I said it. It was me.
"How would I dare do something like that?" Chu Xingye folded his arms and mimicked Jiang Xun in a mocking tone.
Then he sneered. "You had the nerve to brazenly snatch my uncle's watch. What wouldn't you dare do?"
Jiang Xun: "..." That hit a sore spot.
Chu Xingye said, "What, nothing to say now?"
Only his uncle would be generous enough not to bother with small fry like him, and actually give the watch away.
His uncle had never given him anything so expensive. Chu Xingye was jealous all over again.
After spending a few days in the spacious single-floor apartment, Jiang Xun had settled in quite well.
Fu Yanli was busy with work and often left early and came home late, so Jiang Xun spent more time under the same roof as Chu Xingye.
Young Master Chu, however, still glared at him.
There had been no progress on the side mission.
The main mission was also underway. Jiang Xun tirelessly whispered nasty things about Chu Xingye to Lin Jian, spreading rumors with all his might.
From wiping boogers under his desk to not washing his hands after using the bathroom, he said it all without a shred of guilt.
Chu Xingye suffered one setback after another with Lin Jian, and every time he returned, his face was a mile long.
That morning, Jiang Xun climbed out of bed and carefully examined himself from head to toe in the mirror. Had his skin gotten a little lighter?
He was not quite sure.
He ran into the bathroom to wash up, changed, and came out just as a fully dressed Fu Yanli passed by.
He hurriedly called out to stop him, turned around to show both sides, then looked at Fu Yanli with round puppy-dog eyes full of anticipation. "Uncle, doesn't my skin look a little lighter?"
Fu Yanli looked him over. Whether he actually noticed any difference was unclear, but he nodded without a change in expression.
Jiang Xun happily ran off.
Chu Xingye, who had watched the whole thing from nearby, scoffed and muttered, "Lighter where? He's still just as dark."
Fu Yanli was about to leave for the office when he remembered he had forgotten his documents, so he headed back toward the study.
As he passed the guest room, its door was open, and he happened to glance inside.
His nephew's young fiancé was still in pajamas, one trouser leg pulled up to reveal his slender calf. His short black hair was a mess, and he looked thoroughly unkempt.
With a devout gaze and his palms pressed together, he bowed toward a small box on the cabinet in front of him. Then he grabbed a few chocolates from beside it and placed them before the box, as though making an offering.
Big shot, bless me so I can finish my mission soon. Big shot, bless me...
Jiang Xun was performing his routine prayers.
Fu Yanli's steps faltered.
On closer inspection, the little box was clearly a gift box containing the watch he had given Jiang Xun.
Fu Yanli: "..."
It was Friday.
That afternoon, Jiang Xun rode a shared electric scooter back after his last class.
Fu Yanli's place was close to campus, so there was no need to send a driver to pick him up or drop him off.
As for Chu Xingye, he drove his flashy sports car every day. Jiang Xun had initially hoped to hitch a ride, but all he got was a faceful of exhaust.
And so Jiang Xun redoubled his efforts to spread rumors in front of Lin Jian. His guiding principle was to avenge every slight; he would not put up with a thing.
Jiang Xun was going back to the Jiang Family home for the weekend. The previous two times, Jiang Huaijin had come to pick him up.
Deng Shu had insisted on it, hoping the two could develop some brotherly affection.
This time, however, Jiang Huaijin was unavailable. Whether that was an excuse was anyone's guess, so the Jiang Family's driver came instead. Jiang Zixing came along too, saying he wanted to bring his second brother home with him.
Not only had Jiang Zixing come, but he had also taken the initiative to come up to the apartment.
Chu Xingye, who happened to be gaming in the living room, opened the door. He had no warm expression to spare for his supposed former fiancé.
Jiang Zixing, on the other hand, smiled at him amiably. "Xingye, long time no see."
Chu Xingye said, "What do you want?"
"I'm here to take my second brother home." Jiang Zixing looked past Chu Xingye into the apartment. "Can I come in?"
"Whatever."
Chu Xingye tossed out the word and went back to his room to keep gaming.