When Jiang Yonghe heard Jiang Youli’s question over the phone, she froze for a moment. She quickly realized that Jiang Youli was doing this on purpose! She was testing her weight in Jiang Xing’s heart.
In the past, she would have felt confident that Jiang Xing would choose her. But the fact that Jiang Xing had sought out Jiang Youli alone proved that he valued his own life more; he would surely choose himself.
She had to strike first!
“Big Brother, don't worry about me. Let her give you the antidote. I’ll find a way to deal with the poison in my body myself. I definitely won’t be a burden to you!” Jiang Yonghe’s soft yet firm voice came through the other end of Jiang Xing’s phone.
“Look at that, your sister is so sensible.” Even though Jiang Youli knew Jiang Yonghe was playing the martyr to gain the upper hand, she still looked at Jiang Xing with eyes full of mockery.
If Jiang Youli hadn't intentionally called Little He to bring this matter into the open, Jiang Xing would have certainly chosen to cure his own poison first. Once he was cured, he could focus entirely on finding a way to save Little He later.
But now, with Little He waiting for his answer on the other end of the line—and with her selflessly telling him to choose himself—how could he actually go through with abandoning her?
Would he still be an older brother? Would he still be a man of responsibility? If Jiang Zhao were here, he would probably despise him for being such a brother!
Jiang Youli loathed and even hated Little He, so if they missed this chance, she would never treat her again. However, he was her biological brother; no matter how much she hated him, she wouldn't truly let him die.
In that short span of time, Jiang Xing’s thoughts spun through a thousand cycles.
“Actually, the poison in both of you isn't lethal. It’s just that one causes excruciating pain when it flares up, while the other causes disfigurement. So, Jiang Xing, what is your choice?” Jiang Youli asked again.
On the other end, Jiang Yonghe continued solemnly, “Jiang Youli, you don't need to ask Big Brother anymore. Just give him the antidote. I don't need you to cure me!”
Jiang Xing snapped back to reality and said, “Xiao Li, you’re testing me like this because you’re still holding a grudge about us choosing Little He over you back then, aren't you?”
A look of disgust appeared on Jiang Youli’s face. “Stop right there. Don't start imagining things; it’s sickening. I simply wanted to see just how deep your sibling bond really is.”
Jiang Xing, however, looked as if he had seen through her. “If I choose Little He, you will surely hate me even more as your biological brother, but I am still going to choose Little He.”
On the other end, Jiang Yonghe immediately cried out urgently, “Big Brother…”
“Enough, Little He. You don't need to say anything. This is my duty as your brother.” Having said that, Jiang Xing turned to explain to Jiang Youli, “Xiao Li, I’m asking you to treat Little He not because I care for her more than you, but because I want to fulfill my final duty to her as a brother. As long as you cure her, I will have her leave the Jiang family. From now on, I will prove to you that I truly want to make amends. Even if I can't be cured, I will never neglect or trouble you for her sake again.”
It had to be said that Jiang Yonghe’s tactic of "retreating to advance" was truly effective every time. True to form, Jiang Xing had fallen for it.
Hearing Jiang Xing’s answer, Jiang Yonghe secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Wonderful! In the end, Jiang Xing chose to save her!
Jiang Youli sneered, “Jiang Yonghe, congratulations. Jiang Xing chose you. Come find me whenever you want the antidote. Of course, you’re free to give up this chance, since you were so adamant just now about not needing my help.”
Over the phone, Jiang Yonghe continued in a righteous tone, “If I give up the chance for you to treat me, will you treat Big Brother instead?”
Jiang Xing immediately cut in, “Little He, don't do anything unnecessary!”
“Big Brother…”
“That’s enough. I’ll find my own way to deal with my poison. This is the last thing I can do for you. After this, you will leave the Jiang family and take good care of yourself,” Jiang Xing said sternly.
Jiang Youli hung up the phone and tossed it back to Jiang Xing, smiling meaningfully. “Jiang Xing, since this is your choice, I hope you don't regret it later.”
Jiang Xing was about to say he wouldn't regret it when Jiang Youli suddenly asked, “How is Jiang Zhao?”
Surprised that Jiang Youli would actually take the initiative to ask about Jiang Zhao’s condition, Jiang Xing was stunned for a moment before quickly replying, “He still hasn't regained consciousness.”
Speaking of which, he asked suspiciously, “What exactly did you do to him when you snuck into his hospital room that day?”
This time, Jiang Youli didn't hide it from him. “Nothing much. I just made sure he stays conscious.”
Jiang Xing froze. “Stays conscious?”
He was even more confused. “Are you saying you already woke Zhao'er up? Then why is he still in a coma?”
Jiang Youli said, “Because I only kept his consciousness awake, but his body still can't move.”
“What is your goal in doing this?” Jiang Xing didn't believe she would do this for no reason.
Jiang Youli kept him in suspense. “You want to know my goal? Once I pull that needle out of Zhao'er's head and let him fully wake up, you can ask him yourself.”
***
After the call ended, Jiang Yonghe looked at her swollen face in the vanity mirror, her eyes shining with light.
Her poison could be cured! Her beauty could be restored!
Just then, the phone on the vanity rang. Jiang Yonghe glanced at it and saw it was her adoptive mother, Qin Yulian. She let it ring for a while before answering.
“Mom.”
“Yonghe, I’m not coming back today. Go to your second brother’s side and chat with him more for me, alright?” Qin Yulian instructed.
“Okay, I’ll take care of Second Brother. Don't worry. By the way, Mom, are things going well on your end?” Jiang Yonghe asked with concern.
“Very smoothly. Once those two experts arrive tonight, I’ll bring them back to the Jiang house tomorrow to exorcise the evil or break the curse for the Old Master. We'll leave that wretched girl Jiang Youli with nowhere to hide!” Qin Yulian said, gritting her teeth.
“That’s wonderful. That way, Big Brother’s suffering from the poison won't be in vain.”
“What poison?” Qin Yulian cried out in shock.
“It’s…” Jiang Yonghe told Qin Yulian about Jiang Xing being poisoned by Jiang Youli. “Big Brother also said the poison can't be detected by tests, so telling Grandpa would be useless. That’s why he’s being blackmailed.”
“That wretched girl! Harming Zhao'er wasn't enough, now she wants to kill Xing'er too! Once the Old Master is clear-headed and kicks her out of the family, I will definitely not let her off!” Qin Yulian’s voice was filled with unprecedented hatred. “Alright, hurry to the hospital to keep your second brother company.”
“Okay, Mom.”
After hanging up, Jiang Yonghe packed her things, planning to go to Jiang Youli for the antidote before heading to the hospital. Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she ran into the returning Jiang Xing. She immediately suppressed her excitement, putting on a guilty and sorrowful expression as she looked at him. “Big Brother…”
Seeing her wearing sunglasses and a mask as if she were about to go out, Jiang Xing asked, “Where are you going?”
"Mom went back to her maiden home yesterday to find someone who could perform an exorcism or break the curse for Grandpa. She just called me, saying she won't be able to come back today either, and asked me to spend more time at the hospital with Second Brother." Jiang Yonghe didn't mention that she had gone to Jiang Youli for the antidote, as that would make her seem too selfish, caring only for herself and not for Jiang Xing.
"I see." Recalling what Jiang Youli had said, Jiang Xing nodded with a complicated expression. "Then, until Mom returns, please take care of Jiang Zhao."
Jiang Yonghe nodded obediently. "I'll head to the hospital now..."
Just as she reached the door, Jiang Xing's voice came from behind, reminding her, "Little He, while you're at it, go find Jiang Youli for the antidote."
Hearing this, the corner of Jiang Yonghe's lips lifted slightly.
Jiang Xing was truly being manipulated, every step falling right within her expectations.
