If Fu Yanli hadn't acted so suddenly, Liu Ma would never have admitted to something like that.
Was Maternal Uncle Fu helping Jiang Xun?
How long had those two even known each other?
He'd met Maternal Uncle Fu first, so why wouldn't Maternal Uncle Fu spare him another glance?
Bitterness and hurt welled up in Jiang Zixing's heart. Tears fell uncontrollably, his pitiful sobs enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings.
Did Maternal Uncle Fu suspect he was a bad person too, someone who picked on Jiang Xun behind everyone's backs?
"Don't cry yet, Zixing. Mom and Dad aren't doubting you. Just calm down first."
Jiang Father and Jiang Mother hurried to soothe their youngest son, handing him tissues to wipe his tears.
"I..." Jiang Zixing continued to sniffle. While wiping his tears, he stole a glance in Fu Yanli's direction, and his eyes grew even redder.
The man had returned to his original seat, becoming an observer once more. His expression held nothing but calm indifference.
He didn't seem to care whether Jiang Zixing was innocent or the instigator.
"Liu Ma did come to me yesterday and tell me about this."
"But I didn't... didn't agree." Jiang Zixing sniffed, choking out, "I told Liu Ma not to do it, and she agreed at the time."
"So I didn't think any more of it. Who knew she'd do it anyway? I was shocked too..."
He wiped his tears, looking utterly remorseful. "If I'd known Liu Ma would go back on her word, I definitely would've stopped her. I... I didn't dare tell you either."
He'd refused and hadn't given it another thought.
Yet the next day, when Liu Ma let the puppy out, he'd just happened to appear at the bedroom door and run into it.
Jiang Xun was amused. He believed Jiang Zixing wouldn't take the initiative to do something like that, but whether he'd happened to pass by or had known Liu Ma wouldn't listen and done it deliberately... only his kind, innocent little brother knew the truth.
As for the others, naturally, none of them questioned Jiang Zixing's account.
Especially Jiang Shiyuan.
Even if he'd harbored a sliver of doubt at first, Jiang Zixing's tears swept it away completely.
"There, stop crying. Dad believes you'd never do something like that."
"Our Zixing has always been such a good boy..."
Jiang Xun didn't care. He had no evidence to prove his suspicions, so he wasn't about to challenge Jiang Zixing in front of his bargain-bin parents.
He just hadn't expected Fu Yanli to suddenly help him.
Being doubted by his secret crush had probably shattered Jiang Zixing's tender, lovesick heart.
Having had his fill of the spectacle, Jiang Xun looked away from Jiang Zixing, his gaze drifting involuntarily toward Fu Yanli.
He happened to meet the man's eyes. Their gazes briefly connected across the room, then hurriedly parted, so quickly that the moment almost seemed imagined.
Without question, Jiang Xun was the one who looked away first. He was still embarrassed about that afternoon's phone call concerning whether to put it on the left or the right.
Fu Yanli, however, didn't withdraw his gaze. He continued to look straight at the young man a short distance away.
The three members of the Jiang Family were all comforting the sobbing Jiang Zixing, while Jiang Xun sat alone on the arm of the sofa, arms folded, staring down at his shoes as though he existed outside this family.
He was clearly the one who had the most reason to feel wronged, yet his face showed only indifference, without a trace of disappointment.
But just then, the young man let out a soft, seemingly wistful sigh.
Then he stood, walked over to the cardboard box holding the puppy's body, and crouched down, reaching out to gently stroke its fur.
Poor little thing. Find a good home in your next life. Don't suffer anymore.
"That little dark egg's actually pretty pitiful too... don't you think, Uncle?"
Watching Jiang Xun, Chu Xingye suddenly felt a pang of sympathy, though his words came out awkwardly.
Fu Yanli withdrew his gaze and gave his nephew a meaningful look without saying anything.
That look made Chu Xingye's heart skip a beat. What did Uncle mean by that? Had I said something wrong?
And just like that, the farce seemed to come to an end.
Jiang Xun personally contacted a specialized service and had someone come collect the puppy's body for cremation.
Jiang Shiyuan awkwardly apologized to Fu Yanli and Chu Xingye. "I'm really sorry you had to witness this embarrassing mess."
"It's fine," Fu Yanli said evenly.
Deng Shu also offered a polite thanks. "Yanli, thank you so much for looking after Jiang Xun and bringing him back so late at night. Sorry for the trouble."
"It was only right." Fu Yanli's tone was gentle but distant. He paused before adding, "Jiang Xun is very sensible. He's no trouble at all."
It was the first time Jiang Shiyuan had ever heard Jiang Xun described as sensible. He smiled and murmured a few vague words of agreement.
His gaze drifted toward Jiang Xun, who was slouched on the sofa, looking listless and drained.
He was probably upset about the puppy.
Jiang Huaijin sat beside Jiang Xun, wanting to offer some comfort but unsure where to start. He could only find another topic. "How's your wound? Does it still hurt?"
"Remember to go to the hospital tomorrow to have it disinfected and dressed."
Propping up his head, Jiang Xun gave an absentminded acknowledgment.
His lethargy wasn't from grief or disappointment. He was just exhausted.
First, he'd had to deal with that lunatic Ji Yuntian.
Then he'd left the hospital and sprinted back to school to stop the main bottom from meeting the Third Male Lead, Bai Lian, before carrying Bai Lian home and treating his injury.
Then came that damned punishment after the mission failed.
He'd wandered around school for hours, only for this mess to erupt in the middle of the night. He'd spent over an hour in the car getting here, then gone berserk and put on an act.
By the time all that was over, it was already past one in the morning.
What an eventful day he'd had.
Fuck, I'm completely drained.
Jiang Shiyuan suddenly approached Jiang Xun. A little paternal warmth mingled with his stiff, unnatural expression. "Are you hungry? I'll have Liu... I'll make you something to eat."
Jiang Xun waved a hand, rejecting this helping of counterfeit paternal love.
Jiang Shiyuan looked even more embarrassed, but he didn't lose his temper. Instead, he said gently, "It's very late. Go up to your room and get some rest, then."
He turned to Fu Yanli and Chu Xingye and politely invited them to stay. "Why don't you and Xingye spend the night here, Yanli? It'll save you the hassle of traveling so late."
With the man he liked still there, Jiang Zixing had remained in the living room too, his eyes still red and swollen. At those words, his heart fluttered. He clenched his hands and quietly cast an expectant look toward Fu Yanli.
After thanking Jiang Shiyuan for his kindness, Fu Yanli politely declined.
Jiang Zixing immediately lowered his eyes in disappointment. He wanted to say something to persuade him to stay, but he had no standing to do so. Bitterness filled his heart.
Remembering that he had an eight o'clock class tomorrow and definitely wouldn't be able to get up early, Jiang Xun blurted out in a moment of madness, "Uncle, let me go back with you. Your place is closer to school."
The moment he said it, he wanted to slap himself.
He'd been trying to avoid Fu Yanli, so why was he throwing himself into the man's path? Wasn't he digging his own grave?
Jiang Xun immediately tried to backtrack. "Maybe I should..."
But just then, Fu Yanli gave a slight nod. "All right. Let's go."
Jiang Xun: "..."
His attempt to take it back lodged in his throat.
Fu Yanli drove again on the way back, but this time Chu Xingye didn't rush to claim the passenger seat. Instead, he sat in the back with Jiang Xun.
Jiang Xun gave him a puzzled look. Bro, if neither of us sits up front, your beloved, respected uncle is going to look like our chauffeur.
In the end, though, he couldn't be bothered to say anything. He was dead tired.
Through the rearview mirror, Fu Yanli glanced at the two younger men sitting side by side, bound by an engagement. Then he calmly looked away and started the car.
The Jiang Family stood at the door, watching the car drive off.
"Go get some rest, everyone. Let's put what happened tonight behind us."
Seeing Jiang Zixing's dejected expression, Jiang Shiyuan reassuringly patted his head. "Don't overthink it, Zixing. This wasn't your fault. Get a good night's sleep and forget all about it."
Jiang Zixing forced a smile. "Okay. Thanks, Dad."
They headed inside, the couple walking ahead and talking quietly.
"Honestly, Liu Ma... haven't we treated her well enough all these years? How could she do something so cruel?"
"Poor Xun, being targeted like that." Deng Shu shot her husband a glare. "Stop saying such nonsense in front of him. Look, he doesn't even want to stay at home anymore, and it's all because of you."
"Honey, that's unfair. With all the trouble he used to cause, how was I supposed to believe he'd changed... all right, all right, I'll watch what I say."
Jiang Shiyuan's voice grew quieter. In front of his wife, he admitted frankly, "Honestly, I feel pretty bad about it too, especially after what just happened... I'll treat Jiang Xun better from now on. He's our own son, after all. Blood is thicker than water. We can't let ourselves grow apart."
"I'm glad you know that."
The night was quiet. Though the couple spoke softly, Jiang Zixing could still hear them from behind.
He pressed his lips together without saying a word.
Jiang Huaijin walked beside him, paying no attention to their parents' conversation. His focus was entirely on his phone screen, where he seemed to be browsing a shopping app.
After a moment, he frowned slightly. "Zixing, what do boys your age like?"
It took Jiang Zixing a long while to come back to himself. "Huh? What's wrong?"
"I want to pick out a gift for Jiang Xun, but I don't know what to get," Jiang Huaijin said. "Do you have any suggestions?"
Jiang Zixing froze, then forced a smile. "I don't know what my second brother likes either. You could try asking him indirectly."
"All right, I'll keep looking... I also need to remind him to go to the hospital tomorrow to have his dressing changed."
Jiang Huaijin thought he could have Jiang Xun visit psychiatry while he was there. The way he'd gone berserk earlier had genuinely been frightening.
He'd certainly put on a convincing act. Jiang Huaijin shook his head helplessly, yet let out a soft chuckle.
Jiang Zixing dug his nails hard into his palm as though he couldn't feel the pain, quietly agreeing, "He does need to have it changed on time... otherwise it'll leave a scar."