Chapter 321: Where There Are Three, There Is Jealousy
The early sun climbed high, bathing the entire dining room in a soft golden light.
The Gray Wolf Butler stood with his back ramrod straight. The warmth of the sun on his face easily brought to mind the girl he had been watching for so long.
He remained silent for a long time.
Seeing this, Old Qin spoke in a heartfelt, serious tone. "Yi Nuo, we’re all males here. I understand. You’re of age, and when you meet an outstanding and perfect female like the Young Miss, it’s inevitable that you’d develop feelings."
"But have you ever thought about how you two are worlds apart? Your feelings will likely never be reciprocated. If you can’t control your actions, you won’t even be able to stay with the Jiang Family. So I advise you to just give up..."
Yi Nuo listened, clearing the dishes from the table without a word.
Before leaving, he paused and suddenly said, "Housekeeper Qin, please don’t tell the Young Miss."
"I won’t cross any lines, and... I never expected her to reciprocate."
Yi Nuo’s voice was low and calm.
He knew the gap between him and Jiang Qingli. He always had.
In truth, although Yi Nuo was often dissatisfied with her few Beast Husbands, he never dreamed that Jiang Qingli would ever like him back.
As long as he could stay by her side like this, stealing glances at her when she wasn’t looking, exchanging a few ordinary words, and receiving a smile in return—that was more than enough for him.
Old Qin stared at him for a moment. After confirming he wasn’t lying, he decided to grant the boy his privacy and promised not to say anything.
He thought for a moment, then added, "Right, the Family Head called yesterday. He said the Young Miss is going on a week-long vacation with Miss Lin and the others in a few days. Next week, Xiao Zhi and the others are planning to take a break then too. You haven’t used your annual leave in years, why don’t you go have some fun with them?"
Old Qin figured Yi Nuo had developed these feelings simply because his social circle was too small. Once he saw a bit of the world and met some other females, he would realize his feelings for the Young Miss weren’t that deep after all.
Yi Nuo hesitated.
Old Qin saw right through his worries. "They’ll have servants arranged over there. We just need to pack the luggage; there’s no need for us to go along."
Yi Nuo paused, then nodded. "Okay."
-
「Downtown.」
There seemed to be some event today, and the roads in the First District were severely congested. The sound of car horns was incessant.
At a red light, Baili Jing glanced at the rearview mirror. The girl was nestled in the crook of the young man’s arm, sleeping soundly, completely undisturbed. The profile of her face was serene and adorable.
The young man’s lips curved into a smile, and in the next second, a pair of long, slender hands pulled the girl deeper into his embrace.
Xie Youchen blocked his line of sight and said flatly, "Focus on driving. Be safe."
Baili Jing chuckled. "If you’re worried, we can switch."
Xie Youchen said slowly, "Sorry, she’s in my arms right now. It’s not convenient."
Baili Jing: "..."
The conversation felt somewhat familiar.
After a moment, fragments of memory came back to Baili Jing.
Back on that vacation when he and Jiang Qingli first started dating, the three of them often went on road trips. On several occasions, Xie Youchen would be in the driver’s seat, while Jiang Qingli was in the back, catching up on sleep while cuddled in his arms.
Back then, Baili Jing had been young and impatient. Sensing that Xie Youchen had designs on her, he deliberately provoked him several times, trying to make him give up. But Xie Youchen usually pretended not to notice, or at most, would just shoot him a cold glare.
’I thought he was just thick-skinned, but it turns out he holds a grudge.’
Baili Jing chuckled in spite of himself.
’Xie Youchen is so childish, remembering something from years ago just to get his revenge.’
Just then, the light turned green. Baili Jing activated the smart-drive feature and leaned back in the driver’s seat to look at the scenery outside.
A phone rang from the back seat and was answered after a few seconds.
It was a call from Chen Mi. Baili Jing overheard a few familiar names.
After a brief report, the call ended.
Baili Jing looked at the young man in the rearview mirror and asked nonchalantly, "How did your assistant deal with Chi Yun and Ling Qing?"
Not bothering to hide anything, Xie Youchen stated the facts simply.
"Last night, after Chi Yun and Ling Qing confirmed the person they met was indeed Bai Yiyi, they used numerous methods of revenge. Unable to bear the pain, Bai Yiyi retaliated, cursing them where it hurt most and fighting back with her Superpower. The three of them attacked and tortured each other for a day and a night. The two males were covered in injuries, and Bai Yiyi succumbed to hers."
"All of it was faithfully recorded by the cameras."
"Chen Mi sent the recordings directly to the court. In a little while, Chi Yun and Ling Qing will be in court. The crime of torturing a female to death carries a heavy sentence. There’s no death penalty for nobles, so they’ll most likely be stripped of their Superpowers, sentenced to life imprisonment, and periodically subjected to torture by flogging. It’s extremely agonizing."
It was what Baili Jing expected, but he still had to jab at him. "A man’s heart is truly the most venomous. Impressive methods, Marshal Xie."
"Takes one to know one," Xie Youchen said flatly.
’Yu Chenglan has been completely blacklisted now, with scandals big and small breaking one after another. His time in the Supervisory Office is being dragged out day by day. No need to say who was pulling the strings.’
Baili Jing smiled and looked ahead. "We’re here. Wake Xiao Li up. She’s always very punctual and will blame herself if she’s late."
Xie Youchen shot him a look with a clear meaning: ’I know her better than you do.’
Baili Jing curved his lips into a gentle smile. "My apologies. You two haven’t seen each other in a long time. I don’t think you know our female master as well as I do."
The next second, the smile on his face froze.
Xie Youchen cupped the girl’s face and, as if no one else was there, kissed her on the cheek, whispering, "Ah Li, we’re here."
When one kiss didn’t wake her, he gave her another, and another...
Baili Jing took a deep breath, threw open his door, and got out of the car, intending to circle around to the back and yank her up.
But as soon as he looked up, he came face-to-face with a calm expression.
Mo Sinan smiled at him. "Mr. Baili, are you the one accompanying Miss Jiang this time?"
When Baili Jing nodded, she breathed a sigh of relief.
’Thank goodness it’s not that short-tempered Prince this time.’
Baili Jing asked, "How is Fang Chi’s condition?"
Mo Sinan frowned, looking troubled. "It’s hard to say. He was just out of critical condition yesterday. Logically, his contamination levels should have dropped, but just now..."
Just as she was speaking, the back door of the car opened. Jiang Qingli waved at Mo Sinan. "Director Mo, long time no see!"
Mo Sinan had an excellent impression of Jiang Qingli, and her smile was radiant. "Miss Jiang, long time no see! We’ll have to trouble you again this time!"
She was about to shake her hand, but just as she extended it, she saw someone else get out of the back seat.
The tall, slender young man wasn’t in his military uniform today, but the cold, indifferent aura surrounding him still made Mo Sinan shudder.
’I’m doomed! Why is it this overprotective guy again!’
’The last time Jiang Qingli was on a mission, Xie Youchen looked like he was about to blow up our entire Supervisory Office! Why is he here again?!’
’Damn it, don’t tell me Director Qian knew about this and that’s why he conveniently left on a business trip yesterday!’
Mo Sinan cautiously greeted Xie Youchen.
This time, however, Xie Youchen didn’t seem angry. He gave a calm nod and walked over to Jiang Qingli’s side.
He lifted his fingers, as if to take Jiang Qingli’s hand, but before he could touch her, Baili Jing wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into his embrace.
Xie Youchen’s brows furrowed slightly.
Baili Jing looked back as if he didn’t understand. "What is it, Youchen?"
Caught between them, Jiang Qingli remembered that she and Xie Youchen were in a "secret relationship." Her gaze drifted as she tried her best to ignore their jealous squabbling.
Mo Sinan: "..."
’Is it just my imagination, or is the atmosphere between these three a little strange...’
Just as she was about to lead them in to check on the situation, a researcher rushed over, his expression panicked. "Deputy Director, it’s bad!"
"Fang Chi’s Beastification is out of control!"