After hearing Qi Huan's words, Jiang Youli immediately understood his intention.
"If that's the case, it's even better that Zhou Zerui and Uncle Ya don't trust you for the time being. That way, they can keep acting according to their own plans, and make Qi Feifan and the others even more convinced that their scheme is going to work."
"Exactly, that's part of the plan too," Qi Huan said in a joking tone.
Jiang Youli couldn't help but tease him, "You really are his own older brother! I used to think it was a bit pitiful that your own younger brother didn't trust you, but now I feel like Zhou Zerui, who's being used by you without even realizing it, is the one who's pitiable."
Qi Huan turned his head to look at the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance outside the sanatorium window, a smile in his eyes, but his tone was somewhat earnest as he said, "Think of it as a lesson from this older brother for him, as he's about to become a member of the Qi family."
Qi Huan's actions made a line suddenly pop into Jiang Youli's mind: Love someone deeply, and you will plan far ahead for them.
With an older brother like Qi Huan, Zhou Zerui will never have a bad life in the future.
Even though Qi Tianxiang's insatiable greed almost cost Qi Huan the use of his legs, it was precisely because of that incident that Qi Huan found out the Qi Yue he had brought back was not his real younger brother.
As the saying goes, misfortune is the root of fortune, and fortune is the harbinger of misfortune.
...
When Zhou Zerui and Uncle Ya got back to their apartment building and closed the door behind them, Uncle Ya immediately signed to praise Zhou Zerui: [You did great just now. Your brother must think we already trust him completely, and that our only target is his father Qi Tianxiang.]
Zhou Zerui looked at him with a complicated expression and a bitter smile, "Uncle Ya, don't forget, I'm an actor. Putting on a little act like that is nothing to me."
"It's just that..."
"Uncle Ya, are we really going to act behind his brother Qi Huan's back?"
Uncle Ya fell silent.
Zhou Zerui continued, "If we really go to seek revenge on Grandpa Qi and end up finding out we've been tricked, what will the consequences be? Have you thought about that, Uncle Ya?"
"I'm not afraid of stepping up to avenge my mother at all. I just don't want to be misled and end up dragging Mr. Qi and President Jiang into trouble."
Zhou Zerui didn't know Qi Huan very well, but he trusted Jiang Youli. Even though they hadn't known each other for long, he was fully convinced that Jiang Youli was someone reliable.
Jiang Youli had her eyes on his brother Qi Huan, so how could Qi Huan be unreliable?
Besides, his brother Qi Huan's legs were injured when he went to save a foster daughter of the Qi family back then. If he could treat a foster relative that well, there's no way he would ever do anything to betray his mother.
After a long while, Uncle Ya signed back: [Little Rui, leave the revenge for your mother to me. This has nothing to do with you. All you need to do is keep it a secret from your brother Qi Huan. I won't get you or your brother into any trouble.]
After that, he quietly walked back to his room and closed the door.
Zhou Zerui looked at the tightly shut door and sighed in distress.
He took out his phone, wanting to reach out again to the person who had sent him the parcel earlier, only to find that the number was no longer reachable.
No way, he absolutely can't let Uncle Ya take that risk!
He will carry out the revenge himself.
...
That night, Jiang Youli got home, had dinner, and discussed the details of her birthday banquet with her parents for a while. When she went back to her room to video call with Qi Huan, she received a long-awaited message from Qi An'an about Duan Jinghan.
[Oh no, cousin-in-law! After all this time, Duan Jinghan got in touch with me again! He said your birthday is coming up soon, and he's going to give you an unforgettable big surprise at your birthday banquet!]
[I'm so worried he's going to cause trouble at your birthday banquet! But don't worry cousin-in-law, I'll do my best to sort Duan Jinghan out before your birthday, and I will never let him ruin your party!]
Jiang Youli hadn't heard anything about Duan Jinghan for so long that she'd almost forgotten about this ex-boyfriend of hers.
She picked up her phone, exited the video call window, and typed a reply.
"Alright, leave the Duan Jinghan matter to you. If you can handle him, I promise to grant you any request that's within my power to fulfill."
Qi An'an replied immediately:
"Really? That's awesome! Wait and see cousin-in-law, I'll definitely get it done!"
Jiang Youli switched back to the video call screen.
On the screen, Qi Huan's hair was a little messy, which made him look even more handsome in a laid-back way. He asked curiously, "Where did you go just now? You were out of the frame."
"An'an told me that Duan Jinghan is planning to give me a big surprise at my birthday banquet," Jiang Youli said with a sigh, recalling the scene from the last birthday banquet where Duan Jinghan caused a scene. "I'd rather not have any surprises. All I want is to spend a fun birthday with my parents and you, Huanhuan, no unnecessary drama."
Qi Huan chuckled, "As his rival in love, I'm actually curious what kind of birthday gift he's going to give you. I wonder whose gift will be more of a surprise for you, his or mine."
"There's no need to compare. It's definitely yours," Jiang Youli said straightforwardly.
"Subjectively, Little Li'er, you definitely like mine more. But I also want my gift to be the best one, objectively speaking," Qi Huan said earnestly.
Jiang Youli was now intrigued. "Oh? You care that much? So Huanhuan, what on earth have you prepared for me?"
"You'll only find out on your birthday. That's what makes it a surprise," Qi Huan said with a smile.
Jiang Youli couldn't help laughing and crying. "You sound exactly like my mom. Fine, it looks like this year's birthday is going to be the most lively and eventful one I've had in my twenty-one years of life. Alright, I'm going to bed now."
"Good night, Little Li'er."
"Good night."
...
After hanging up the video call, Qi Huan saw a WeChat friend request from his real younger brother Zhou Zerui.
It was already very late, and his little brother was only just adding him now, which showed he must have been hesitating for a long time.
That was a huge difference from the fake Qi Yue back then.
When the fake Qi Yue found out he was supposed to be Qi Huan's younger brother, he had shown uncontainable excitement, couldn't wait to go back to the Qi family with Qi Huan, and tried every possible way to stay close to him every day.
Qi Huan used to think the fake Qi Yue was just overjoyed to be reunited with his older brother, but looking back now, that fake Qi Yue was only glad that an illegitimate child who had been hidden from the world could finally become a proper young master of a wealthy family and live a life of luxury.
But this Zhou Zerui, he's even too awkward to reach out and build a relationship with his own brother.
Qi Huan smiled, accepted the friend request, and took the initiative to send a message: [It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?]
The other side showed that the person was typing for a long time, before a line finally came through: [I felt bad for doubting you today, so I wanted to say sorry.]
Qi Huan: [Alright, I forgive you.]
The other side showed that the person was typing again for a long while, before replying: [It's pretty late, I'm going to bed now.]
Qi Huan looked at the reply that must have been edited and rewritten so many times, and replied with a smile: [Okay, sleep early. The filming of "Qingyun Zhi" is starting soon, and it's going to be tough on set. Do a good job, and don't let President Jiang's high expectations for you down.]
The other side replied: [I always take my job as an actor very seriously.]
Qi Huan knew very well that Zhou Zerui must have had a lot more he wanted to say, probably things about the Qi family he wanted to find out, but he just couldn't bring himself to say them right now.
Huh, his little brother really is such a awkward guy.
...
Three days later.
Jiang Xing was detained for three days before being released. When he walked out of the police station, he saw his mother Qin Yulian standing at the gate, and a wave of irritability welled up inside him once again.
