Chapter 38 "He's the One I Like"

Chu He Jun smirked knowingly. 

“Big brother, you want me to protect your little lover, don’t you?”

Chu He Ting’s expression turned serious. 

“Don’t say nonsense. He hasn’t accepted me yet, so you’re absolutely not allowed to say anything inappropriate in front of him.”

“Oh, wow! Someone actually turned down the great Chu He Ting? Now I really have to meet him. Don’t worry, big brother, I won’t let anyone, not even Nian Jin Sui, bully my future sister-in-law!” 

Chu He Jun confidently patted his chest.

That was exactly what Chu He Ting wanted.

Although he promised not to interfere with Ning Liang An’s life, that didn’t mean he could stand by and watch him be bullied.

Now that he had graduated, Ning Liang An was left without support. 

He simply couldn’t rest easy.

With Chu He Jun back in the country, and given his long-standing rivalry with Nian Jin Sui, 

sending him to protect Ning Liang An was the perfect solution.

“But remember, he mustn’t know I sent you. I promised I wouldn’t interfere with his life.”

Chu He Jun readily agreed. 

“Leave it to me, big brother. You can trust me with this.”




That evening, Nian Jin Sui lay in bed, 

flipping through promotional images of the latest wristwatches from a luxury brand.

A few knocks at the door interrupted him. 

Without looking up, he called, 

“Come in.”

It was Qin Cheng Yu, carrying a bottle of medicinal rubbing alcohol.

“Qin Cheng Yu, perfect timing! I’m picking out watches. Which one do you like?”

Qin Cheng Yu walked closer. 

“Anything is fine. Whatever Young Master Nian chooses.”

Knowing Qin Cheng Yu wasn’t materialistic—he usually wore an old watch—Nian Jin Sui didn’t push. 

“Fine, I’ll pick one for you. By the way, what’s with the rubbing alcohol?”

“You bruised your leg at lunch,” 

Qin Cheng Yu said, gesturing to the fresh mark on Nian Jin Sui’s shin.

“Oh, I forgot about that. It’s just a bruise. No big deal…”

Ignoring his protests, 

Qin Cheng Yu began massaging the bruise.

“Hey, I can do it myself—”

But Qin Cheng Yu didn’t budge, and Nian Jin Sui gave up. 

He went back to picking watches, quickly adding his favorites to the cart and completing the purchase.




Saturday.

Nian Jin Sui wore a look of defeat as he arrived at a newly opened art gallery.

The gallery belonged to Chu He Ting’s mother, 

and the system insisted he attend the opening to show support.

[Task Notification: In front of Madam Chu, maintain the appearance of being deeply in love with Chu He Ting. Do not break character.]

Nian Jin Sui: You sneaky little system.

The gallery featured abstract art. 

Many of the paintings were incomprehensible to Nian Jin Sui, 

and he didn’t bother to interpret their deeper meanings.

“Qin Cheng Yu, can you understand this one?” 

Nian Jin Sui asked, tilting his head at a pitch-black painting on the wall.

He had wanted to come alone, 

but Qin Cheng Yu insisted on accompanying him, 

citing Nian Yi Xin’s instructions to take good care of him.

Inwardly, Nian Jin Sui mused that pre-villain Qin Cheng Yu was truly a kind, genuine angel. 

If this version of Qin Cheng Yu stayed, he wouldn’t have to worry about his own safety in the future.

Qin Cheng Yu glanced at the painting, its glossy black surface reflecting light. 

He had no interest in it. 

“No.”

“I knew it! I’m not the only one who doesn’t get it,” 

Nian Jin Sui laughed.

Just then, a voice interrupted them, explaining the artwork.

“This piece is called Darkness and Light. At first glance, it appears entirely black, but the special pigments reflect light, creating an interplay of darkness and brightness. It conveys the artist’s reflections on life and their pursuit of hope.”

The voice was cool and lofty.

Nian Jin Sui’s thoughts went blank. 

I thought it represented homesickness or something.

Turning toward the voice, 

He saw a woman in an elegant modern cheongsam adorned with nacre inlays, 

holding a finely crafted folding fan. 

She radiated sophistication, appearing no older than forty despite her age.

It was Madam Chu.

Quickly recalling her title from the novel, 

Nian Jin Sui smiled and greeted her. 

“Aunt Chu, congratulations on the gallery opening! Wishing you great success!”

Madam Chu’s gaze flicked to Nian Jin Sui’s cast-bound leg. 

Her tone was distant. 

“Jin Sui, it’s truly touching to see you go to such lengths for our He Ting. I’m very moved.”

What’s with the passive-aggressive tone? 

It’s like she doesn’t think much of me, 

Nian Jin Sui thought bitterly.

Madam Chu wasn’t particularly fond of Nian Jin Sui. 

To her, he was a notorious playboy, undeserving of her outstanding son.

However, she also understood the benefits of a union between the Chu and Nian families. 

This put her in a conflicted position—

disapproving of Nian Jin Sui personally but unwilling to reject the alliance outright.

Nian Jin Sui had initially wanted to clarify that his broken leg had nothing to do with Chu He Ting. 

But seeing Madam Chu’s attitude, he decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

Madam Chu spoke in a lecturing tone. 

“What He Ting did at your birthday party was indeed inappropriate. I hope you don’t take it to heart. He’s always been kind-hearted. He only wanted to help that waiter; he didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

She paused, her gaze probing. 

“Jin Sui, you’re not angry with him, are you?”

She’s totally trying to guilt-trip me! 

Nian Jin Sui thought, exasperated.

Maintaining his character, he forced a smile and said, 

“Auntie, how could I ever be angry with He Ting?”

“That’s good. You and He Ting grew up together. I’m sure you hold a special place in his heart, just as you do in mine. After all, not just anyone can enter the Chu family.”

Madam Chu threw in a few words of reassurance, 

subtly reaffirming the alliance while keeping Nian Jin Sui in his place.





Previous       Menu       Next

Comments

Recommended CH

Chapter 1 The big fierce A turns into a vicious soft O

Chapter 2 I am not an Omega, I want to commit suicide!

Chapter 51 Attending the Celebration Banquet in Style

Chapter 3 Come on, just let him kiss you.

Chapter 5 What do you call a person who can’t smell?